Chapter 9

Chapter 9

On the evening of the day Li Muzhou finally started calling her “Mom,” my mother-in-law posted an update on her Moments:

“Twenty-five years, and Xiao Mu finally called me ‘Mom.’ We have to celebrate! My first time wearing matching parent-child outfits!”

She attached a nine-photo grid, every single one a shot with Li Muzhou.

The two of them were wearing “matching outfits,” holding hands, and draping their arms over each other’s shoulders in all sorts of intimate poses.

The photo in the center spot was a close-up of them cheek-to-cheek while making a finger heart. The photo was even edited with a caption:

“I stayed by your side as you grew up; you’ll stay by mine as I grow old.”

Underneath the post, a large group of acquaintances had liked and commented, all offering their congratulations.

It was so lively and festive that it felt like an official relationship announcement.

I had originally thought that changing the way he addressed her would build an insurmountable ethical wall between her and Li Muzhou, a constant reminder of their actual relationship.

I didn’t expect her to checkmate me instead.

Back when he called her “Sister Yumei,” they were at least somewhat well-behaved in public. At the very least, they wouldn’t have been so high-profile about flaunting their affection on social media.

After all, one still had to maintain a bit of social distance with a “sister” who wasn’t related by blood.

But with a “Mom,” it was different!

Just then, a new comment appeared on Shen Yumei’s post:

“Husband: I’ll stay by your side to see all the beauty in this vast world.”

“Husband” was the contact name I had saved for Li Muzhou.

Seeing those words as he said something so poetic and tender to Shen Yumei almost made me think he was *her* husband!

I immediately changed his contact name to “Scumbag.”

“Scumbag: I’ll stay by your side to see all the beauty in this vast world.”

Yeah, that felt a little better.