Upon returning home, the trio found the place already tidied up. Despite its simplicity and ordinariness, this very plainness exuded an indescribable warmth. As soon as they stepped inside, it felt like coming back home.
Seeing Chen Shuo and the others return, Xu Mei, Chen Shuo's mother, greeted them proactively: "Why are you back so soon? Didn't you want to stay out longer?"
This question was somewhat pointed, and under the mutual gaze of Chen Shuo and Su Xiyan, neither could articulate the reason.
Could they say they couldn't stand the gossip and thus returned early?
Xu Mei, being perceptive, sensed something amiss and quickly changed the subject: "It's good to be back early. I just brewed some black tea, and it will be ready soon for you to taste."
"Thank you, Auntie," Su Xiyan replied politely, which slightly displeased Xu Mei: "You, half a foot already in our door, still being so polite with me? Treating me like an outsider?"
"No, no, Auntie, that's not what I meant, I... I..."
Su Xiyan didn't expect her politeness to be misinterpreted by Xu Mei, and she hastily explained, her nervous and fearful demeanor causing Xu Mei to burst into laughter: "Look at how nervous you are, I was just teasing you. Relax here, treat it like your own home."
"Okay, Auntie, I will."
Su Xiyan finally breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this.
Despite Su Xiyan's usual demeanor as a cool goddess in life and a decisive leader at work, in front of Chen Shuo's parents, she was a docile and adorable little rabbit.
Even the slightest breeze was enough to startle her.
For a moment, neither knew what to do, so Chen Shuo led Su Xiyan to watch TV in the living room.
Since Xu Mei still had some finishing touches to do in the cleaning, she couldn't entertain Su Xiyan.
This responsibility naturally fell on Chen Shuo. Aware of the limited options at home, he turned on the TV to help Su Xiyan ease the awkwardness and played a random program.
"This is boring, I'm going to rest. Which room is mine?"
Seeing the somewhat awkward atmosphere, the Female Vampire pouted and turned to leave.
This action irked Chen Shuo. What did she mean by going to rest and which room?
This Female Vampire really didn't treat herself as an outsider. There were only two rooms in the house.
One was occupied by his parents, and the other was his room.
The original plan was for him and Su Xiyan to stay, while the Female Vampire was to be accommodated in a hotel.
But now, with the Female Vampire heading straight for the room, where would they stay tonight?
On the floor or the sofa?
Just as the Female Vampire was about to enter the room, Chen Shuo stepped forward and blocked her path.
"This is my room."
The Female Vampire merely glanced at Chen Shuo, showing extreme indifference: "I know, I can smell your scent in this room."
"Since you know, why do you still want to go in?" Chen Shuo asked.
"Otherwise, where should I go? There are only two rooms in this house, the other one belongs to your parents, so I can only choose this one."
The Female Vampire was quite logical, even having figured out the layout of the house.
"But this is my room. If you really need to rest, there's a more suitable place for you."
Chen Shuo pointed to a small study nearby.
It was where Chen Shuo used to study, though it was small and filled with study materials and books.
Apart from these, there was a small folding bed.
Although it was old, it was still usable.
Moreover, the Female Vampire didn't need much sleep, so it was better for her to stay in this small study.
"I don't want it. Didn't your mother just say? Coming here is like coming home. Since it's my home, I can sleep wherever I want."
The Female Vampire crossed her arms, looking playfully at Chen Shuo.
Before this, she had suffered a lot at Chen Shuo's hands. Every time they disagreed, Chen Shuo almost killed her.
Now that she finally had a chance to tease Chen Shuo, she wouldn't let it go easily.
She also wanted to see if they were genuinely trying to help her.
"You..." Chen Shuo glared, knowing she was deliberately making things difficult.
But this was his home, and the Female Vampire was someone he brought back. With his parents around, it wasn't appropriate to make a scene.
"What about me? You should go and be lovey-dovey with your girlfriend; don't disturb my rest."
The Female Vampire continued to smile, bowing to Chen Shuo.
Clearly, she wasn't giving up the room.
Chen Shuo couldn't let her have her way. If she took the room, where would he and Su Xiyan stay? On the streets?
"You'd better not push your luck. I helped you, and this is how you repay me?"
Seeing that force wouldn't work, Chen Shuo resorted to emotional appeal.
Hearing this, the Female Vampire didn't immediately reject Chen Shuo's words. She stroked her chin, nodding as if she found some truth in it: "That's true. Since you've helped me, why not go all the way? This room has a strong aura of yin, suitable for my cultivation, so it's better left to me."
The Female Vampire's words almost made Chen Shuo explode with anger.
Chen Shuo clenched his fists, really wanting to punch her.
But considering it was his home and not suitable to act out, he could only grit his teeth and threaten: "Just wait, you'll regret this sooner or later."
"I'm waiting. I have nothing to rely on anyway, so I have nothing to fear."
The Female Vampire, with an attitude of not fearing anything, seemed to have accepted everything.
At that moment, Chen Shuo suddenly felt a bit relieved. If she had no attachments and was indifferent to life, why was he still acting like a child, arguing over a room with her?
Well, if she liked it, she could have it. As for where they would stay, they could figure it out later.
Returning to Su Xiyan's side, she was busy typing on her phone.
Seeing Chen Shuo approach, she quickly tried to hide her phone.
Noticing Su Xiyan's unusual behavior, Chen Shuo couldn't help but be curious: "Did you do something wrong? Seeing me come, you hide your phone."
"No... no..." Su Xiyan was clearly guilty, instinctively taking a half-step back and hiding her phone even more securely.
"Really?" Chen Shuo was suspicious and moved closer to Su Xiyan.
Su Xiyan's face turned crimson, her puffed-out cheeks showing no trace of her former cool goddess image.
It was so adorable that one couldn't help but want to pinch her cheeks. Who would have thought that Su Xiyan could be so cute?