Because

When Jiang Shen approached in slow steps with a pale face, Yang Mu frowned as he stood up to help her.

"Are you okay? Why are you so pale?"

"I'm— fine. I think I just ate too much."

The amount of food she ate was no joke. Although she tended not to waste any food on her plate, because the Yang couple kept adding food on her bowl, it became a mountain she could barely surpass.

Yang Mu tilted his head in confusion, then a smile spread on his lips. Realizing that she had insisted on finishing everything in her bowl, he couldn't help but laugh.

"That's why I told you not to force yourself."

"I just... okay i'm sorry. My stomach feels bloated right now so I better sit down."

"Xiao Shen, are you okay? Did we feed you too much?"

Madam Yang really was worried, her face creased with a frown as she patted the girl's hands. Even Mister Yang who was busy reading the news had looked up, a trace of worry flashed in his eyes.

"Uhm... I think so. But i'll be fine after awhile."

"Thank goodness!"

She had to remember not to go overboard with excitement the next time the girl would come over. It was bad for the stomach to keep eating until it hurt.

"But since you're not feeling well, i'll tell you a story to pass the time!"

Madam Yang was usually busy. As a housewife who had left her high paying job as an accountant, she mainly occupied herself with gardening and cooking. The rest were handled by Butler Chu, a middle aged man in charge of the house and her sons.

"What kind of story?"

"What about Xiao Mu? This child had always been naughty since growing up and i'm just thankful he managed to become a fine gentleman. Have you noticed that sometimes, he tries too hard acting like a scholar?"

"Mom!"

Jiang Shen nodded. She did think that. And it was all the more funny because his mother had managed to point it out before she brought it up.

"Nonsense! Teenagers are way too uptight nowadays. What's wrong with bringing up your childhood? It's not like you did anything embarrassing!"

"Ah, but he did."

Yang Mingha did not pass up the chance to embarrass his little brother. He had always been mischievous and up to no good.

"Really? I don't remember."

"It was when he was three years old. He managed to find your hidden box of old makeup and out of cuteness, you taught him how to apply a lip balm. When dad came home, he was so embarrassed that he threw out the lip balm, but then Xiao Mu started to cry because his lip balm was taken. In the end, we only managed to calm him down after he broke all the makeup that you had.

I remember you were so furious that you wanted to hit him! But when he flashed his puppy eyes at you, you immediately surrendered. Tsk tsk! This family was too soft on him!"

"That's right! Your father managed to buy me new ones when he saw how angry I was at Xiao Mu!"

Between the two brothers, Yang Mu had been the most pampered and spoiled. If not for his superb character, the couple would've wept out of depression if he turned out a spoiled brat.

Jiang Shen's lips spread into a wide smile, her face was bright as her eyes crinkled in laughter. It was fun listening to embarrassing stories about his childhood. Yang Mu had turned completely red from his face to his ears.

He could only admit defeat as the mother and son duo continued to expose his childhood.

When time had passed and the setting sun was fast approaching, only then did they cease their story time.

Jiang Shen felt quite relieved and thankful at the same time. Thankful because she felt that she at least knew Yang Mu a little better and relieved because the mother and son duo did not take a break at all.

The constant chattering made her head throb at the sheer amount of information she absorbed.

Yang Mu, on the other hand, sat beside Jiang Shen the whole time as he resigned to his fate. He occasionally stole a glance at her when she wasn't looking. And even managed to exchange a word or two when she would ask him if the story was true.

Madam Yang was tearful when she discreetly told them she needed to go home, while Mister Yang assured her that there was no need to be so courteous. Yang Mingha felt a little down when the fun ended so soon, but still wished her a safe trip home.

Yang Mu had once again insisted on taking her home, an action Jiang Shen would subtly take as a gesture of affection.

"If you keep walking me home like this, i'll feel really bad."

"You don't have to. I assure you that i'm doing all of these things out of my own volition."

"But what if your parents misunderstand?"

She knew better than anyone else how subtle actions would affect the bigger picture. If he continued to more or less shower her with his attention, she might do something completely out of his expectations.

Yang Mu cheekily smiled, fussing her hair.

"What're you so worried about? My parents are good people. And they won't misunderstand if we clarify the situation for them."

"It's because you're doing things like this that may make people understand..." she muttered.

Yang Mu sighed. Sometimes she took his actions to heart way too seriously. She became too conscious of others and immediately hide in her shell like a hermit crab.

"Do you know why i'm doing this?"

"Because..."

"Because what?"

"You... like...me...?"

Her voice was barely a whisper, but because Yang Mu leaned towards her as he lent an ear, the words naturally passed through his ears.

Her confession made him giddy with excitement. She did not shy away from his subtle flirting, nor did she made any indication for him to stop. Now that he had heard it for himself, then what else was stopping him from doing what he wanted?

"It's great that you know."

His melodious voice could be heard next to her ear, his breathe blew softly, making her ears turn red and her eyes widen.