Chapter 7. “This Will Be Our Living Expenses From Now On.”
Li Mo studied Su Qingyan carefully—this time, with the gaze of a man appraising a woman.
Only then did he realize:
Had truly blossomed into a stunning young woman.
He hadn’t noticed her transformation.
She’d always remained that little girl.
Her youthful childishness had vanished, replaced by grace and poise.
Could no longer be described as “childlike” by any stretch.
Unconsciously, Li Mo swallowed.
Just raw, instinctive reaction.
Su Qingyan was breathtaking.
Her sister, Su Xiaoxiao, had been a campus beauty—one in ten thousand.
Yet Su Qingyan outshone even her.
But Li Mo had always stubbornly seen her as that little girl.
Now, the image of the college-aged Su Qingyan overlapped with her younger self in his mind—
And the dissonance jolted him awake.
What the hell am I thinking?
Yet he sensed something forbidden within him…
Had just cracked open.
Could he ever go back to seeing her as just a sister?
How could I entertain such thoughts? She’s young and naive, but I—
Su Qingyan, sharp as ever, noticed his reaction.
He does feel something for me.
Before, he saw me as a child because nothing else was possible.
Those vague feelings were always there—
But I never dared dwell on them.
Until he divorced my sister.
That’s when everything became clear.
“Brother, I’m a woman now.”
She rejoiced inwardly—
Her beauty was undeniable.
Surely Li Mo couldn’t resist.
“Just answer me,” she pressed. “Am I pretty? Is my figure good?”
Cornered, Li Mo sighed.
“You’re beautiful. With your looks, you could debut as a star.”
Su Qingyan shook her head.
“I’d never join entertainment. Those women might be gorgeous, but their world is filthy.”
“I don’t want that life.”
“I just want to be your devoted wife.”
Li Mo dismissed it as childish whimsy.
He knew too well how youthful promises often faded.
If he took advantage of her now—
That would be true irresponsibility.
“Enough daydreaming. Let’s go home.”
He turned away, not daring to look at her further.
He couldn’t let those sinful thoughts fester.
God, what’s wrong with me?
And even if he could see her as a woman now—
How would he face her mother?
“Mom, I missed you so much, I divorced your eldest daughter and married the younger one?”
The thought alone made his head throb.
As Li Mo walked home, Su Qingyan hurried after him.
“Brother, have you thought about it? Let’s be together.”
“We’ll register our marriage soon. After graduation, I’ll give you a baby.”
She clung to his arm, radiating hopefulness.
“Keep some distance.”
Only now did Li Mo truly grasp:
This was no longer the little girl he once knew.
“How could we possibly—”
Guilt surged through him.
“Why not?” Su Qingyan countered.
“Before, it was impossible.”
“But you’re divorced from my sister now.”
“There’s no legal or moral barrier.”
“What’s stopping us?”
Her eyes sparkled with anticipation.
Li Mo found himself at a loss—how was he supposed to “educate” her out of this?
“Besides, I’m not a kid anymore.”
She twirled, making her skirt flare. “See? Black stockings.”
“Don’t tell me you’re not even a little tempted.”
“I’m this beautiful, and ten years younger than you.”
“Imagine how envious everyone would be when we go out together!”
Her words only deepened Li Mo’s guilt—
Yet his gaze still drifted to her legs.
Long, perfectly proportioned, the black stockings accentuating their allure…
“Let’s just go home.”
He needed to escape before his thoughts spiraled further.
Su Qingyan trailed behind, resigned.
If she didn’t take the initiative,
Social pressures would forever keep them apart.
Back home, Li Mo unlocked the door.
The apartment he’d shared with Su Xiaoxiao felt alien now.
His resolve hardened:
I’m selling this place.
His startup and stock market ventures needed seed capital.
Liquidating this asset would provide it.
Besides—a fresh start elsewhere might be best.
“Brother-in-law! Wait!”
Inside, Su Qingyan suddenly turned secretive.
Baffled, Li Mo watched as she retrieved a pink rabbit-shaped piggy bank.
“Guess what this is?”
“I’ve been hoarding since childhood.”
“My parents and sister barely spent time with me—but they gave me plenty of money.”
“There’s over 100,000 yuan in here.”
“From today onward, it’s yours.”
“If your investment fails…”
“This will be our living expenses.”
“We’ll rely on each other to get by.”
Her solemn expression undid him.
Warmth flooded Li Mo’s chest—
After years of societal coldness,
Even his wife had grown distant as her career soared.
This house had never felt like a home.
Yet here was Su Qingyan—
With no obligation to him—
Handing over her entire life’s savings without hesitation.
At nineteen, such an amount meant everything.
Li Mo knew that better than anyone.
Noticing his glistening eyes, Su Qingyan pressed on:
“Brother-in-law, don’t worry. Even if you fail, my post-graduation salary plus yours—we’ll still live comfortably.”
Her optimism shattered his restraint.
Overcome, Li Mo pulled her into an embrace.