Chapter 7: Collecting Debts

The sensation of being rubbed just now made Liang Cuiping unable to hold back anymore.

"Auntie, what's wrong with you? Why is your face so hot? Are you feeling unwell?"

Chen Xiaolong was also taken aback by his aunt's condition, unsure of what to do.

The next moment, Liang Cuiping bit her lip and suddenly rushed in front of Chen Xiaolong, still muttering.

"Xiaolong, you've got sweat here too; let your auntie wipe it for you."

But just at this moment, Xu Xiaoting's voice suddenly rang out.

"Xiaolong, I really like you."

This unexpected disturbance startled both people in the bed.

Liang Cuiping hurriedly turned around, her pretty face flushed red as she looked toward Xu Xiaoting, only to see her smacking her lips and falling back asleep.

It turned out she was talking in her sleep.

However, this sleep-talk had also interrupted the two's intimate moment.

As the urge subsided, it was replaced by deep guilt.

"Xiaolong, I, just now, your auntie didn't mean to."

Liang Cuiping cursed herself inwardly. What had she done just now?

If she had really said something she shouldn't have, how could she face Chen Xiaolong in the future?

Fortunately, Chen Xiaolong didn't mind the incident, and Liang Cuiping let out a nervous sigh, "Xiaolong, let's sleep first."

They decided to act as if the previous incident had never happened; otherwise, she couldn't save face.

As night fell, yet Liang Cuiping tossed and turned, unable to sleep, feeling restless and uncomfortably warm all over.

Today's scene seemed etched into her mind.

"Xiaolong, are you asleep?" Liang Cuiping asked.

There was no response in the room.

In the silent room, a shaky breath could be heard.

A few minutes later, Liang Cuiping took her hand out from under the covers, her face revealing a relieved expression.

Little did she know that Chen Xiaolong had heard everything.

In a daze, Chen Xiaolong didn't know how he finally fell asleep—perhaps it was from the day's exhaustion.

The night passed quickly, and it gradually brightened outside.

Chen Xiaolong felt an itch on his nose and couldn't help but reach to scratch it, also opening his eyes.

In front of him was the smiling face of Xu Xiaoting.

That little girl was holding a feather and rubbing it on Chen Xiaolong's face.

"Xiaoting, stop it, I'm going to sleep some more."

Chen Xiaolong yawned, not knowing when he fell asleep the previous night.

"Don't sleep anymore. The sun is already shining on your head. Get up!"

Xu Xiaoting giggled, then flipped the blanket away, releasing a distinctive scent.

"Eh, Xiaolong, why did you wet the bed? How can someone your age still wet the bed? What's all this white stuff on your trousers?"

Xu Xiaoting's eyes widened, then she went ahead and grabbed for it.

"Don't."

Chen Xiaolong had just woken up and was a bit slow to react.

By the time he thought to turn away, Xu Xiaoting had already grabbed the edge of his trousers and pulled them down, exposing the inside.

"Strange, it doesn't seem like a wet bed."

Xu Xiaoting wiped it with a finger, and curiously brought it to her nose to smell.

"What is this stuff? It smells terrible."

She had never seen such a thing before; at home, it was just Xu Xiaoting and Liang Cuiping, no other men.

"Stop it, go wash your hands right away. Kids shouldn't ask so many questions."

Chen Xiaolong's face turned red.

After changing into a pair of shorts and finishing his morning routine, Xu Xiaoting kept asking questions like a curious baby.

However, Chen Xiaolong certainly would not disclose the truth; that would be too embarrassing.

He glanced at his aunt Miao Cuiping, who was still sound asleep.

"Xiaoting, you said yesterday that Goushengzi owed our family money, right?"

Chen Xiaolong took Xu Xiaoting's hand and tiptoed toward the yard.

"Yeah, he owes over three thousand. When mom and I went to ask for the money, they just kept stalling. Humph, they're clearly taking advantage of us because we don't have a man in the house, and they even harassed me, saying I'm not developed enough and offering to 'help' me with that."

Xu Xiaoting pouted, her expression adorably aggrieved.

"Damn it, that Goushengzi is looking for trouble. I'll thrash the bastard. I'll take you to settle the score later. He wants to take advantage of you? He should take a good look at himself first."

Chen Xiaolong's expression darkened instantly; now that he was back, this family had a man.

"Exactly. If anyone's going to help me develop, it should be you. Long, help me 'develop' tonight, will you?"

Xu Xiaoting's eyes shone, gazing at Chen Xiaolong with admiration.

"Cough, cough, we'll talk about it later. Don't tell your aunt, or she definitely won't let us."

"Okay."

"Xiaoting, has your aunt ever looked for another man over these years?"

Chen Xiaolong couldn't help but ask the question.

"No, my mom's not like that. Besides, all the bachelors in our village are too sleazy. She doesn't like any of them."

Xu Xiaoting shook her head repeatedly.

Chen Xiaolong heaved a sigh of relief, as if a weight had been lifted from his heart.

He didn't know why he felt this way.

"What if your aunt finds you a stepdad in the future? Would you be willing? After all, she is still young, only in her thirties."

Chen Xiaolong casually inquired.