Xia Yuan had booked a villa in a hot spring resort located in Linjiang District—a place Guo Yun frequently visited with her family and had recommended.

The villa came with four bedrooms: a master suite occupying the entire third floor, a junior suite on the second floor, and two twin rooms on the ground floor sharing a bathroom. Outside, there was a private hot spring pool.

After touring the villa, Xia Yuan assigned the rooms:

• The Mei family (with their daughter Mei Ya) got the master suite
• Her parents took the junior suite on the second floor
• She and Lin Youxi would share one of the ground-floor twin rooms
• Mei Fang got the other twin room to himself

Though the Mei family home had a similar layout, this villa was significantly more spacious. Mei Ya, experiencing an elevator for the first time, excitedly rode it up and down several times.

The two ground-floor twin rooms were located at the end of a hallway near the living room, sharing a bathroom. While Mei Fang was arranging his bedding, Xia Yuan and Lin Youxi came in to inspect.

“The ground floor feels a bit shabby—are these windows drafty?” Xia Yuan ran her hand along the window frame in Mei Fang’s room before turning to him with a grin: “Want to come sleep in our room tonight? I’ll warm your bed for you.”

“You’re being pretty bold, aren’t you?”

Just as Mei Fang was teasing her, Lin Youxi walked over and wrapped her arm around his waist, wearing a doting smile. “Regardless, I’m currently Ah Fang’s official girlfriend. Warming his bed should be my job.”

“Youxi, you’re always cold—don’t overestimate yourself.”

“Though my body might be cold, I have plenty of ways to heat Ah Fang up.”

“I-I have methods too! Don’t underestimate me—”

Xia Yuan was about to continue proudly when Teacher Yu’s voice came from outside: “YuanYuan, are you in there—”

Peeking in, Teacher Yu saw Lin Youxi hugging Xia Yuan while looking out the window, with Mei Fang standing awkwardly to the side like an extra.

“What are you looking at out there?”

“J-just comparing which room has the better view,” Xia Yuan said cheerfully. “Youxi and I want to find a more comfortable room—ours feels chilly.”

“Don’t bully Ah Fang, you two.”

“We won’t!”

Xia Yuan quickly ran over and linked arms with her mother. “Are you all settled in?”

“We are—just checking what you were up to…” Teacher Yu smiled. “Any plans for this afternoon? We’re having dinner first, then the hot springs, right?”

“Yes! After dinner. The villa has game consoles, a pool table, and a projector for movies—whatever you’d like!”

Teacher Yu shook her head. “Those are more for you youngsters. I’d like to go out—maybe pick some strawberries?”

“This isn’t a farmstay—where would we pick strawberries…”

Xia Yuan was amused but exasperated. Mei Fang then suggested, “Teacher Yu, the master suite has a mahjong table. How about playing a few rounds?”

“Mahjong? That could be fun, though I’m not very good… I’ll just watch YuanYuan’s dad play.”

Bai Mei County had a strong mahjong culture. Local civil servants often gathered after work to play, enjoying child-free weekends. Mei Lijun and Xiang Xiaoxia occasionally played for socializing, while Xia Xun knew the basics from Xia Yuan’s mahjong-loving grandmother.

In contrast to the others, the refined Teacher Yu preferred gardening, beautiful scenery, and fashion. As they headed upstairs together, Lin Youxi couldn’t help but compliment her:

“Teacher Yu, that coat looks wonderful on you—especially paired with those white winter boots. From behind, you could pass for a college student.”

“Oh… really?”

Teacher Yu tucked her hair behind her ear, slightly embarrassed. “I wondered if this outfit might seem like I’m trying too hard to look young.”

“Not at all. You look exactly as I remember from childhood—ageless.” Lin Youxi smiled. “I should learn your skincare secrets.”

“Oh my… it’s not that impressive…”

“Of course it is! Right, Ah Fang?”

Lin Youxi nudged Mei Fang, who promptly nodded. “Calling you YuanYuan’s older sister wouldn’t be an exaggeration!”

Xia Yuan pouted beside them. “Stop complimenting my mom like that—it makes me feel old! Though her fashion sense and skincare are indeed amazing…”

“The key is staying cheerful and avoiding anger,” Teacher Yu said gently. “YuanYuan’s dad used to be easily stressed, but now he’s more easygoing—you can see how his complexion has improved.”

She then turned serious. “Remember, even with all your success, stay humble. No one wins forever—not even you, Ah Fang.”

Mei Fang nodded earnestly. “I understand, Teacher Yu.”

“Good boy.”

Teacher Yu instinctively patted Mei Fang’s head—a comforting gesture she often used with her elementary students. The touch unexpectedly transported Mei Fang back to childhood, making him blush.

“Mom! That’s so embarrassing!”

“What’s wrong with that?”

Teacher Yu seemed genuinely puzzled by Xia Yuan’s outburst. “You loved head pats as a child—remember how competitive you were about earning those little red flags in class?”

“How would I remember that?! Just… don’t pat Ah Fang’s head in front of Youxi—it’s rude.”

Lin Youxi quietly remarked, “Teacher Yu, don’t misunderstand—your YuanYuan is just jealous.”

“Jealous of her own mother? Oh… I see. You think I’m favoring Ah Fang?”

Teacher Yu then patted Xia Yuan’s head too.

“There—did you want one as well?”

“I did not!”

“YuanYuan has always been… very tsundere,” Lin Youxi murmured.

Teacher Yu proceeded to pat Lin Youxi’s head as well, leaving the usually composed girl flustered. She instinctively pressed a hand to her chest.

“You worked so hard cooking for everyone today—thank you.”

Unlike Mei Fang, who frequently mooched meals at Xia Yuan’s home, Lin Youxi had rarely visited as a child due to her shyness. Yet Teacher Yu never considered her impolite, always offering fruit drinks warmly.

Though Xiang Xiaoxia had been Lin Youxi’s primary maternal figure, she deeply admired Xia Yuan’s gentle, beautiful teacher-mother. Being head-patted by her unexpectedly made the normally unflappable Lin Youxi shy, even making her subconsciously hide behind Mei Fang before catching herself and smoothing her hair.

“Th-thank you.”

Both Mei Fang and Xia Yuan were astonished—they hadn’t seen Lin Youxi display such genuine shyness in years.

As they reached the second floor, Teacher Yu hurried off to drag her husband to mahjong, while Mei Fang and Xia Yuan crowded around Lin Youxi.

“Youxi, were you blushing just now?”

For once, Lin Youxi answered candidly: “Your mother is truly adorable… just like you, YuanYuan.”

“She’s always lived without worries,” Xia Yuan said thoughtfully. “But don’t let her cheerful demeanor fool you—she grew up in a single-parent household too, just like you initially did.”

“Single-parent?”

Mei Fang looked surprised. “No wonder I’ve never met your grandfather.”

“He passed away when Mom was in middle school, leaving her and Grandma a sizable inheritance. Many relatives tried to claim a share, but Grandma held them off. Though financially comfortable, being a widow with a child couldn’t have been easy. Yet Mom talks about it so casually—it’s like she was born cheerful and optimistic.”

“No wonder Teacher Yu feels so approachable,” Lin Youxi said softly. “An angel raised another angel—YuanYuan, you’re a lovely angel too.”

She pinched Xia Yuan’s cheeks affectionately. “My sweet little angel!”

“Hey Youxi… behave!”

Mei Fang suddenly coughed loudly:

Ahem “You two, mind your manners…”

“Ah Fang, are you jealous?”

Lin Youxi hugged Xia Yuan closer. “Of me? Or YuanYuan?”

“Can’t it be both?”

Mei Fang spread his hands helplessly.

“Normally no…” Lin Youxi suddenly beamed. “But for Ah Fang, exceptions can be made.”

---

Upstairs, Teacher Yu practically dragged the sleepy Xia Xun to join Mei Lijun and Xiang Xiaoxia at the already clattering mahjong table.

“Old Xia! Teacher Yu! Perfect timing—join us!”

“I rarely play with family,” Xia Xun said, rubbing his face.

“I can’t… I don’t know how,” Teacher Yu demurred, standing behind her husband. “Let the kids play—I’ll watch.”

“Which kids know mahjong? Mei Fang?”

“Sure, I’ll play.”

As Mei Fang moved to sit, Mei Lijun suddenly stood with exaggerated seriousness, even miming unbuckling his belt. Mei Fang inwardly groaned but kept a straight face:

“What’s so hard about it? I learned watching you as a kid—it’s just forming sets of three plus a pair to win.”

“Hah! You’re too easy to tease.”

Mei Lijun scratched his head, chuckling. “Can’t believe you fell for that—how do you run a company?”

“…Director Mei, may I ask how old you are?”

Mei Fang sighed. “Why so childish…”

“Lightens the mood! Prevents awkwardness.”

As a seasoned bureaucrat, Mei Lijun was confident in his mahjong skills. “Since you’re all beginners, first round won’t count for money.”

Mei Fang frowned. “We’re playing for money? Not just fun?”

“That’s what makes it fun!” Mei Lijun laughed. “Small stakes—100 yuan base, 1 yuan per fan. Can’t lose much in an afternoon.”

“Fine, as long as it stays friendly.”

Nearby, Mei Ya watched the adults settle in with growing unease. “Wait—if Brother’s playing mahjong, can YuanYuan-jie and Youxi-jie come play Xbox with me? They have the newest console!”

“Sure! Let’s go!”

Xia Yuan, who had zero interest in mahjong, was disappointed her mother wouldn’t play—meaning Mei Fang couldn’t join her either. She’d considered watching like her mom but remembered her “ex-girlfriend” status required distance.

Turning to leave, she saw Lin Youxi staying behind. “You and Mei Ya go ahead—I want to watch.”

“Uh…”

Seeing Lin Youxi demurely sit behind Mei Fang like the “official girlfriend” made Xia Yuan competitive—until Mei Ya’s insistent tugging reminded her:

Hmm…when it comes down to it…I really do prefer gaming!

And so Xia Yuan abandoned everyone for joyful gaming with Mei Ya.

Bai Mei’s mahjong culture had developed unique local rules: 120 tiles (no winds), no chows but pungs allowed, with special tiles adding twists. The “laizi” (wildcard) created complex scoring opportunities.

Though Mei Fang had played casually in his past life during holidays, he hoped to bond with Xia Yuan’s parents now—especially poker-faced Xia Xun. With reincarnation-granted skills, he felt confident.

Yet reality proved harsh:

“Win!”

“Self-draw 2-5-8 of characters!”

“Ah Fang, don’t touch that tile—I’m waiting for it!”

“Another discard? You’re doomed—I have a pure suit and all pungs!”

Mei Lijung wasn’t bluffing about his skills. He dominated the table, especially crushing Mei Fang, who kept feeding winning tiles, much to Xia Xun’s audible frustration.

Dad! Read the room! I’m supposed to be impressing Xia Xun!

Just as Mei Fang despaired, Lin Youxi—after observing intently—poked his arm:

“Let me try a few rounds. I think I get it now.”

Mei Fang blinked. “You’ve already learned? Okay…”

As Lin Youxi took his seat, she leaned in to whisper—making Mei Fang hastily tilt his ear closer:

“Time to avenge you.”

Their intimate exchange spiked Xia Xun’s Displeasure +30.