Confession

Afternoon.

The rain outside showed no sign of letting up.

At the Xu Family home, a little past five.

After showering, Dong Xuebin stood in the bathroom, examining the clothes Big Sister Xu had just given him. In the end, he hesitantly put them on. The frilled shirt was a little too loose, especially around the chest. Xu Yan probably wore it often, and it had been stretched out there. The pants were loose around the hips too, not especially fitted. They also carried Big Sister Xu's faint, mature scent. It smelled nice, but not overly fragrant, as if it were simply a natural scent imprinted on her body. Dong Xuebin instinctively took a deep breath.

He opened the door and walked into the living room.

The kitchen echoed with the bubbling sound of boiling water. Big Sister Xu was inside wearing an apron, busy making soup for him, and Dong Xuebin felt a warmth in his heart.

His phone was dead. He should call home first.

Dong Xuebin walked over to the Coffee Table, picked up Xu Yan's landline, and dialed the Municipal Party Committee Family Compound.

"Hello, this is Xie Huilan."

"Hui Lan, it's me. Where's my mom?"

"She's in the living room. Yun Xuan is comforting Mom."

"Then... is she feeling any better? Is she still mad at me?"

"How could she not be? She's shouting that she won't acknowledge you as her son anymore."

"Oh, hell... Hui Lan, you have to help talk Mom around. I'm counting on you."

"Got it. Once she's calmed down a little tomorrow, I'll talk to Mom again."

"This was my fault. Sigh, I can't blame Mom for getting angry. I let you and Aunt Xuan down too. I..."

"Enough, enough. Your Sister Xie got sick of hearing that a year