That Year... The Sunlight Was Just Right

People naturally seek advantage and avoid harm.

When faced with danger, their first instinct is to retreat.

Take Ren Yuege, for example.

When Cao Cheng casually greeted her with, "Hey there, beautiful," she took a step back—because she could sense the beast-like fury radiating from her second sister.

But instinctive reactions don’t always dictate the final choice.

After retreating, Ren Yuege steeled herself and stepped forward again, grabbing Cao Cheng’s arm.

She scolded him preemptively: "What nonsense are you spouting? 'Beautiful'? This is Second Sister. Show some respect."

The subtext was clear: I’ve already reprimanded him, so you can’t, okay?

What a clever little move!

Don’t be fooled by how often Ren Yuege "bullies" this annoying little brother—when it counts, she’s got his back.

She’s fiercely protective.

Just look at how she handles Wang Haodong. Every time he shows up, she doesn’t even give Cao Cheng a chance to speak—she chases Wang Haodong off immediately.

Of course, Cao Cheng sees right through her little act.

With a genuine smile, he greets properly: "Ah, Second Sister, hello."

Ren Fanxing doesn’t respond. She just stares at him, unblinking.

Ren Yuege quickly tugs at Cao Cheng’s sleeve, forcing a nervous laugh. "Second Sister, I’ll take him to see Mom first."

As soon as the words leave her mouth, she drags Cao Cheng away at a near-sprint.

Only when they’re safely out of Ren Fanxing’s line of sight does Ren Yuege finally exhale, her back drenched in cold sweat.

She angrily pinches Cao Cheng’s ear. "Are you trying to get me killed?"

Cao Cheng chuckles. "Seriously? You’re that scared of her?"

"Of course! When she hits, it’s for real—not like me just tugging your ear for fun. Listen up, you little brat: drop that Sanjiang City attitude of yours, especially around her. If she really decides to lay into you, I can’t help. I’m scared of her too," Ren Yuege mutters, her timid expression oddly endearing.

Her words might sound harsh, but the concern beneath is unmistakable.

"Got it, got it. Thanks, Xiang Meimei."

"Shut up. Call me Fourth Sister."

They round a central hall and arrive at an open-concept kitchen, complete with a wet bar, wine cellar, three refrigerators, and a balcony leading to the backyard.

The place is undeniably luxurious.

And massive.

"Mom, Father Cao, my brother’s here," Ren Yuege announces.

The small crowd of busy people—Aunt Ren, Father Cao, two other aunties, and the cook—all glance up.

"Cheng’s here." Aunt Ren’s voice is warm, her smile gentle, instantly putting people at ease.

"Hello, Aunt Ren." This time, Cao Cheng drops the playful act and greets her properly.

They’d spoken briefly over the phone before, so it wasn’t like they were complete strangers.

Father Cao, however, isn’t pleased. "Kid, fix that. No more 'Aunt Ren.' From now on, you call her Mom."

Aunt Ren just smiles. "It’s fine. This is his first time meeting me. Don’t force it, Lao Cao. Let the boy and me figure it out ourselves."

Father Cao sighs but relents. "Fine. You two work it out."

As he says this, he shoots Cao Cheng a warning glare—Behave. Know what to say and what not to say.

Cao Cheng is baffled.

Know what?

So the stuff about the aunties in Sanjiang is fair game, but Aunt Wang’s off-limits?

Got it.

Watch me ruin this for you. You think you can just coast on a sugar momma? If I can’t, neither can you.

Hmph!

"Mom."

Ren Yuege steps forward, handing over a gift. "My brother brought tea—the same kind you had last time. A whole jin of it."

"That much?" Aunt Ren is genuinely surprised, well aware of its value. It must’ve taken serious effort to get.

The more she looks at Cao Cheng, the more she approves.

She peels off her disposable gloves and reaches up to gently brush a stray lock of hair from his forehead. "I’ve been wanting to meet you for so long. Today’s the day, and you’re even more handsome than I imagined. Such a fine young man!"

Aunt Ren is in her forties.

Though she looks youthful, the subtle signs of time’s passage are still there.

Tch. Father Cao’s slacking.

Couldn’t even keep her properly pampered?

Cao Cheng shoots a glance at Father Cao, as if asking: You good for nothing?

Father Cao glares back: Piss off.

——

Aunt Ren is nothing if not hospitable.

She pulls Cao Cheng into a long conversation, covering all sorts of mundane topics.

But the underlying message is clear: This is your home now. No need to hold back. We’re family.

It’s her way of bridging the gap left by blood ties.

From this alone, it’s obvious her relationship with Father Cao is rock-solid.

And Father Cao?

Back in Sanjiang City, he’d been the aloof, untouchable figure—the one the aunties fawned over.

But here?

Well.

Life as a live-in son-in-law isn’t easy.

Soft rice isn’t so easy to eat.

——

Next, he meets Third Sister.

Then Eldest Sister.

Their personalities are easy enough to read—from their words, tones, and body language.

Of course, these are just surface impressions.

And it has to be said: the genes in this family are strong.

Fair skin, striking features, and not a single one of them is short.

Even the "shortest," Third and Fourth Sisters, are pushing 170 cm.

Second Sister is the tallest. Despite her permanently icy expression as she sits cross-legged on the living room sofa, her frame suggests she’s easily over 175 cm—maybe even taller.

——

Finally, after the rounds of introductions, father and son get a moment alone.

In the courtyard, Cao Cheng offers a cigarette.

Father Cao waves it off. "Quit."

"??"

Cao Cheng’s hand freezes mid-air.

Twenty-plus years of smoking, just… gone?

What was the point of all that, then?

What’s even left to live for?

"Heh. Good for you," Cao Cheng says dryly. "Life as a live-in son-in-law must be tough."

"Shut it. Don’t start with me. Your stepmom and I are solid. We’re even talking about having another kid, so no smoking."

"You’re serious this time?" Cao Cheng blinks.

"Dead serious. I waited twenty years for her. How many twenty-year chunks does a man get in life? ‘…Before morning’s dark silk turns to evening’s snow.’"

Father Cao strikes his usual pretentious pose—hands clasped behind his back, gazing skyward at a 45-degree angle.

The weather, unfortunately, doesn’t cooperate.

Zhonghai’s foggy today, robbing him of the sunlight that might’ve highlighted his ruggedly handsome (if slightly aged) features.

Instead, the gray haze just makes his skin look sallow.

And are those… dark circles?

Wow.

"You sure there’s no surveillance around here? Can you not talk like that?" Cao Cheng glances around.

Father Cao coughs. "What I mean is, your stepmom isn’t getting any younger. If we want another child, we can’t wait much longer."

"Wait, you said ‘twenty years’—you knew her before that run-down ancient town?"

"Yep."

"Oh? Now that’s a story. Spill it."

"Well… you know your grandpa used to do business in Zhonghai, right?"

"I've heard a bit about it. Didn't they go bankrupt later?" Cao Cheng nodded.

Father Cao sighed lightly and said, "I went to school in Zhonghai, but after your grandfather's business failed, we moved back to our hometown."

Cao Cheng frowned. "Can you just get to the point? Just say it straight—she was your classmate, and she was your first love. Isn’t that what you’re trying to say?"

"You're clever, just like my son," Father Cao praised.

"..."

Cao Cheng rolled his eyes. "Go on."

"That’s it."

"Come on, I want to hear the details too."

"What kind of attitude is that?"

Father Cao gave him a long look, his desire to share clearly bubbling over. He wanted to talk.

He resumed his pose, gazing at the sky at a 45-degree angle.

After another stretch of silent posturing,

he finally dove into the melodrama.

"That year... the sunlight was just right. I was wearing a white shirt, and she was wearing... wait, let me think—what was she wearing again?"

"You’re asking me?"

"Uh... probably a floral dress. Never mind, it’s not important!"

"..."