In his blissful dream, Mei Fang found himself in a nursery adorned with toys, plushies, and cartoon stickers, grinning as he lay prone on the floor.

Two giggling girls—presumably Xia Yuan and Lin Youxi’s daughters—bounced over to use his back as a springboard for leapfrog.

His beloveds sat cross-legged on foam mats, knitting sweaters while counting each jump:

“One Little Yuan Bao cleared!”

“One Little Xi Bao cleared!”

“Two Little Yuan Baos cleared!”

“Two Little Xi Baos cleared!”

This idyllic domestic scene had Mei Fang grinning ear-to-ear until the thousandth jump finally exhausted him, collapsing onto the mats.

The girls immediately swarmed him, tugging at his clothes with whiny pleas:

“Daddy, daddy, get up…”

“Papa, keep playing with us!”

“Can you do it, Daddy?”

“Cheer up for your daughters!”

“Y-yes… anything—”

“Yay! Daddy’s the best!”

“We love you most, Papa…”

As Mei Fang rose to embrace them, the shrill ringtone of his bedside phone violently yanked him from paradise.

Didn’t I mute this?!

Carefully climbing over the sleeping Lin Youxi, he checked the caller ID—Mom.

7 AM? What emergency—

A thousand catastrophic scenarios flashed through his mind:

Did Dad get arrested for corruption?

No… he wouldn’t dare. Besides, if he wanted money, he’d just ask me—already promised him that Hongqi limo.

Wait—did Xiao Ya get a boyfriend?!

Who dares court Mei Fang’s sister?! I’ll break that punk’s legs!

His frozen panic woke both girls. Xia Yuan sleepily mumbled protests about “positions,” while Lin Youxi rubbed her eyes:

“Ah Fang… who’s calling?”

“My mom.”

Mei Fang finally answered. “Mom? What’s up this early?”

“Your damn security won’t let us in! I showed ID and household register!”

“Who’d dare stop you? Didn’t you—wait, our security?”

Cold sweat drenched Mei Fang’s back. “My neighborhood?”

“Yes! Here, talk to them—”

The familiar voice of security guard Xiao Zhang came through: “Mr. Mei? This lady claims to be your mother—”

“Y-yes, she is, but wait—”

The phone was snatched back. “Confirmed? Now take me to my son’s villa.”

Their mountainside gated community boasted multimillion-dollar estates—perfect secluded retreats for expectant mothers.

But that’s not the point now!

Code red!

“Fuck! Mom’s ambushing us!”

Lin Youxi yawned, amused. “Very on-brand for Mom…”

“No time for commentary! Up, now!”

“Too late for damage control…”

Watching Mei Fang scramble into clothes, Lin Youxi found his panic endearing.

“Ah Fang, you’re a grown man. Why fear your mom?”

“Says someone who never knelt on steel brushes!”

“She won’t do that now—you’re a VIP.”

“Unpredictable… Look, just pretend to keep sleeping. I’ll say I slept in the guest room. Hide my stuff.”

“Okay.”

When the doorbell rang, Mei Fang teleported downstairs with familial urgency, feigning grogginess.

Xiang Xiaoxia’s expression was inscrutable, Mei Lijun frowned deeply, while Mei Ya stuck out her tongue mischievously.

“Mom… why so early?”

“Itinerary changed last minute.”

Xiang Xiaoxia scrutinized his disheveled state. “Your security’s ridiculous—even with my ID, they doubted I’m your mother.”

“High-profile residents… paparazzi concerns…” Mei Fang ushered them inside. “Come in, let’s talk.”

As they passed, Mei Ya whispered:

“Big bro… you’re so dead.”

Mei Fang “gently” patted her shoulder. “Thanks for the heads-up—”

“Oww! Mom confiscated my phone! I couldn’t warn you!”

The grand tour began with Xiang Xiaoxia critiquing the spacious living room:

“Such wasted space…”

“CEO son needs proper grandeur!”

Mei Lijun circled proudly before noting flaws:

“Your garden’s pathetic—not even lucky bamboo? And no housekeeper? I could quit my job—”

“Enough! Stop meddling!”

Xiang Xiaoxia shut him down before eyeing the staircase.

“Yuan Yuan and Youxi still asleep? Their rooms upstairs?”

“Y-yeah… I sleep in the downstairs bedroom.”

Xiang Xiaoxia’s piercing gaze met his unblinking poker face—until Mei Fang spotted the white lace panties peeking from the couch cushions, millimeters from his mother’s reach.

Must control the narrative!

A quick glance sent Mei Ya into diversionary action:

“Mom! Can we rest? I need a shower!”

“I’ll prep the guest room—”

“Wait.” Xiang Xiaoxia stood. “I’ll greet the girls first.”

“They’re sleeping! So rude—”

“Since when do mothers need permission?”

Xiang Xiaoxia scoffed. “Don’t worry—I’ll knock.”

Mei Ya pounced, sitting on the incriminating panties while wailing:

“Mom! I must be adopted! You never knock for me!”

“Checking your study habits! You and your father—one obsessed with grass, the other with dolls!”

“Legitimate hobbies!”

“Exactly!” Mei Ya pocketed the panties seamlessly.

Mei Lijun grumbled, “At least I don’t play with dolls…”

“Traitor!” Mei Ya hissed. “I earn 10k monthly from my miniatures! What’s your salary?”

“Your brother’s fans inflated that! Those figurines cost—”

“Silence!”

Xiang Xiaoxia’s scolding was interrupted by footsteps descending—Lin Youxi, now dressed and fresh-faced, appeared.

“Mom? You came early?”

Xiang Xiaoxia’s sternness melted. “Did we wake you?”

“No, I rise early to cook.”

Lin Youxi embraced Mei Ya while smoothly interrogating:

“Weren’t you arriving tomorrow?”

“Your father’s schedule changed.”

Xiang Xiaoxia smiled. “This is Ah Fang’s home—we visit whenever.”

Mei Ya cheekily added, “Parents without boundaries are the worst!”

“Insolent child!”

Lin Youxi shielded her. “Mom, she’s just tired.”

Crisis averted!

Mei Fang exhaled—until a second set of footsteps approached, accompanied by tearful muttering:

“Ah Fang… Youxi… where are you… nightmare… our baby disappeared—”

The drowsy Xia Yuan stumbled downstairs—then slipped at the final steps.

Mei Fang lunged, catching her safely—

—just as Xiang Xiaoxia’s death glare locked onto them.

Well.

We’re dead.