Cheater Cheater Big Cheater

New Year's Eve.

Around 5 PM in the afternoon.

During this holiday, my aunt, who had rarely shown her face, finally made a proper return to join us for dinner.

Though she was planning to eat two meals—finishing here before rushing back to her parents' home for the second round.

One could say there was nothing unreasonable about it.

Feng Binbin didn’t blame his mother for spending most of her time at her parents' place either.

After all, gains and losses went hand in hand.

Aunt walked into the kitchen carrying a large slab of roasted pork.

"Hey, my brother roasted two whole pigs, and I managed to get a piece. See what you can do with it."

Even in Lin Mo's eyes, his grandmother had a gentle temper, but the dynamics between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law remained unchanged.

Either the mother-in-law had to assert dominance, or the daughter-in-law would.

However, both Feng Binbin and Lin Mo stood firmly on Grandma's side.

Lin Mo took the roasted pork and asked directly, "How about I show off my cooking skills for everyone?"

Aunt’s attitude toward Lin Mo was quite friendly, so she didn’t object.

She was just a bit assertive, but she treated both him and Feng Binbin very well.

Lin Mo sliced off a portion of the large slab of roasted pork.

The blade made crisp crack-crack sounds as it cut through the crispy skin.

He simply stir-fried the pork with some bell peppers and onions.

Since the roasted pork was already rich in fat, he rendered some of the oil out and used it to cook the vegetables, which soaked up the flavor beautifully.

As for the remaining pork, Lin Mo planned to turn it into spiced braised roast pork later.

Though New Year’s Eve dinners were supposed to be lavish, it wasn’t as extravagant as the feast he had at Xie Yuling’s place.

But often, what mattered wasn’t the food—it was who you shared it with.

By evening, even Grandma had been called away to play mahjong.

Feng Binbin found Lin Mo.

"Come on, Fishy, let’s go out and have some fun. Staying home alone would be boring."

Lin Mo raised the pen in his hand.

"Nah, I’ll finish my homework first. You guys go ahead, just remember to pick up Second Aunt later."

Seeing his determination, Feng Binbin didn’t press further and drove off.

After closing the door, Lin Mo focused on his homework.

When Grandma and his cousin were around, his progress was slow.

But now, back at his usual speed, he finished all his assignments in just over ten minutes.

"Even after reaching the Foundation Establishment stage, I’m still diligently doing homework. How obedient of me."

With that, he left a doppelgänger upstairs pretending to sleep while his real body vanished into thin air.

—System: If you put as much effort into cultivation as you do into flirting, I’d have retired long ago.—

Xie Yuling walked from her uncle’s house back to her own.

After dinner, everyone had their own activities—Xie Yufei had gone out to hang out, while her mother and uncle were playing mahjong. She decided to head to Lin Mo’s place to play on his computer.

As she walked, she scrolled through their chat logs—photos of their reunion dinners exchanged between them.

"Uncle bought so many shrimp today. I ate my fill."

"Same here. I still have plenty left."

After some hesitation, she finally couldn’t resist asking:

"So… what’s the New Year’s gift you prepared for me?"

"You’ll know when you get home."

Home?

Xie Yuling suddenly remembered the chicken wings that had mysteriously appeared on her desk that one time and began to guess what might be waiting for her.

But she didn’t want to get her hopes up too high.

Even so, her footsteps quickened slightly.

Her key turned in the lock 0.001 seconds faster than usual.

Tap-tap-tap.

She jogged upstairs and carefully pushed open the door.

The living room was pitch black. She turned on the lights and called out softly, "Lin Mo? Are you back?"

No response.

She tried again, a little louder.

"Lin Mo?"

Still nothing.

Holding onto her last shred of hope, the girl pushed open her bedroom door.

But there was no one inside—no figure, no gift on the desk.

"Liar… liar!" Her heightened expectations came crashing down.

Her eyes reddened uncontrollably.

"Liar, liar, big fat liar!"

Still in her outdoor shoes, she kicked her bed in frustration.

Then, a pair of hands covered her eyes.

A boy’s voice whispered playfully behind her ear, "Guess who?"

The girl didn’t panic or react dramatically.

But the boy’s palms felt something warm and wet sliding down.

"It’s the big liar."

"Correct!"

The moment he let go, she spun around and threw herself into his arms.

Holding her, Lin Mo teleported them straight to the rooftop.

There, two chairs and a small table were set up, covered with snacks.

Lin Mo released her and casually opened a bag of Lili chips.

"Want some? I love this brand—generous portions and tasty."

But the girl only buried her face deeper, refusing to look up.

"No. They’ll make me fat."

"What’s wrong with that? Hugging a bag of bones isn’t fun."

Her head snapped up, glaring at him.

"What’s that supposed to mean?!"

Ah, the classic flat-and-furious reaction.

Her gaze dropped to her own chest, then flashed back to the memory of Chu Miaomiao’s ample curves.

She couldn’t help but ask, "You like them… bigger?"

"Eh, not bad. Just not a fan of small ones," Lin Mo said, munching on chips.

Her fingers finally reached out, pinching a single chip between them.

She took a bite.

Barbecue flavor.

"Not disappointed, am I?" Lin Mo grinned down at her.

"The chips are crispy," she admitted.

"No, I meant—me rushing back to see you. That’s the gift. Not disappointed, right?"

Xie Yuling couldn’t take it anymore. Her cheeks burned red as she half-hugged him.

"Am I… the only one you’re seeing?"

"Well, I could drop by Miaomiao’s place after this—"

Her grip tightened instantly.

But she soon loosened it.

"Jerk."

Lin Mo’s smile didn’t fade as he gazed at the distant city lights.

"You know, life is full of regrets—some because people lack the ability, others because they buckle under pressure and give up.

But then, some say these regrets shape who we are, making each life unique and meaningful."

In the next moment, he wrapped an arm around her, his voice brimming with youthful defiance:

"Well, I say—screw that. I want to be happy, and I want the people around me to be happy too. No regrets!"

"Still a jerk," she muttered.

But she didn’t push him away. Instead, she tilted her head up, studying his carefree expression.

Kinda handsome…

Even knowing he was trouble, why couldn’t she bring herself to break free?

Her heart, determined to harden, only melted further.

Yet, she couldn’t shake the desire to keep him all to herself.

"If they leave… will you…?"

"One of my readers once said: Those who leave, let them go."

Of course, that same reader also said: Those who come, don’t refuse.

But Lin Mo wasn’t the type to accept just anyone.