It was not until nightfall that he finally finished clearing out the temples in several towns. By the time he got home, it was already half past ten.
"Xiaoling, it's so late. Why don't you stay here for the night?" Mother Chen said warmly.
At that, Bai Xiaoling's face flushed as if it were on fire. She stammered, "A-Auntie, th-thank you, but I don't need to. My mom will worry about me."
"I see. Then I won't insist," Mother Chen said with a smile. "I'll have Shouyi see you home."
How could Bai Xiaoling let Chief Chen see her home? She hurriedly said, "No, no! Uncle, Auntie, Chief Chen, I-I should get going."
After Bai Xiaoling left,
Mother Chen murmured, "I think Xiaobai is quite nice too. She's pretty, and she has a good personality."
"She's just a little old," Chen Dawei said.
"That's true. She's probably five or six years older. It might not be suitable," Mother Chen said.
Watching his parents discuss potential daughters-in-law as if he weren't even there, Chen Shouyi couldn't help feeling speechless. Were they really in such a hurry?
He was only nineteen, not even twenty yet. There was no harm in waiting a few more years.
He pretended he hadn't heard a thing.
"Mom, I've been busy all day. I'm exhausted. I'm going to take a shower."
"Then get some rest early. Oh, do you want a late-night snack? I'll ask your dad to make something," Mother Chen said. Sure enough, Chen Shouyi's words distracted her, and she quickly changed the subject.
Chen Dawei: ...
"No need. I ate before I came home," Chen Shouyi said.
In the bedroom,
Shell Girl and Little Red Dot cried out as they fought, their hands moving in a blur. Smacks and pops rang out.
They were