1.8

Su Mo was stunned. Was this what he thought?

At that moment, Yin Yin's rosy lips parted soundlessly, but Su Mo could clearly read the words "Come and sleep together" from her expression.

His heart swelled with joy. Su Mo quickly made his way to the bed, his excitement making him slightly awkward and clumsy.

Usually graceful and composed, like a melancholic prince, his current silly demeanor was unexpectedly endearing.

He slipped off his shoes and lay down beside her quietly.

With the proximity, Su Mo could smell the subtle, unique fragrance on Yin Yin. Though he couldn't pinpoint the scent, it was incredibly pleasant.

Once he settled in, Yin Yin closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep. Exhausted from a long period without rest, her body was finally succumbing to fatigue.

Since Yin Yin's back was to him, Su Mo couldn't see her face, only the delicate curve of her fair neck as her long hair fell around her.

After ensuring she was asleep, Su Mo gently placed his hand on her slender, soft waist and closed his eyes.

The warm sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting golden threads of light across the smooth floor. In this tranquil moment, the family of three slept peacefully, enveloped in a serene and beautiful atmosphere.

---

In the afternoon, Su Yuanjin was overjoyed to wake up and find his mother still there and his father asleep next to her.

That night, as bedtime approached, Su Yuanjin tugged at the corner of Yin Yin's shirt.

"Mom, can you tell me a story?" he asked with his bright, round eyes.

At school, Su Yuanjin envied An An, whose mother told him bedtime stories every night.

As Su Yuanjin hoped, Yin Yin nodded.

"That's great, thank you, Mom," he exclaimed with delight.

Su Yuanjin's room had a bookshelf stocked with various storybooks that Su Mo had bought for him.

"What story would you like to hear?" Yin Yin asked.

Su Yuanjin, in his pajamas and lying on his small bed, responded eagerly, "Anything is fine." He loved whatever his mother read to him.

Yin Yin's gaze swept over the bookshelf, and she finally chose a book of Grimm's Fairy Tales.

She sat on the bedside, covered Su Yuanjin with a quilt, and opened the book: "Beside a large forest, there lived a woodcutter and his wife. They had an only daughter, who was just three years old, but their family was very, very poor…"

Yin Yin began reading "The Child of Mary" from Grimm's Fairy Tales. Her voice was clear and melodious, like the gentle gurgle of mountain stream water or the crisp sound of jade being struck.

The child fell asleep quickly, and Yin Yin, softening her voice, continued until the story ended and Su Yuanjin was sound asleep.

She closed the book, leaned over to gently kiss the little one's face, and whispered in her heart: Good night, mommy's little baby.

Placing the book back on the shelf, Yin Yin quietly left the room, turned off the light, and closed the door.

---

In the bedroom, the light was still on. Su Mo, dressed in simple blue pajamas, was leaning against the bed, reading a book. His slender legs were casually crossed.

As soon as Yin Yin entered the room, Su Mo looked up, revealing his handsome and gentle face.

It was clear that Su Mo, once a heartthrob, retained an elegant charm reminiscent of a refined young aristocrat.

"You're back. It's getting late. Go take a shower," he said, his voice slightly awkward as he coughed lightly.

-----

"Okay." Yin Yin opened the wardrobe and surveyed the array of pajamas.

As a prominent star, Yin Yin's dressing room was expansive, filled with a collection of custom-made clothes.

She selected a nightgown and headed toward the bathroom.

Su Mo sighed with relief as he heard the bathroom door close. He wanted to continue reading but found himself distracted by the sound of water.

He rubbed his temples, feeling the weight of the day's events. It all felt surreal to him.

He was acutely aware of the changes in Yin Yin, especially in her interaction with Dudu. The care and affection she showed today seemed genuine.

If possible, he wished Yin Yin could always be like this.

Yet, while Yin Yin could make a difference in Dudu's life, what about his own?

Su Mo's gaze fell, uncertainty clouding his mind.

Yin Yin had always been his idol since junior high. His determination to enter the entertainment industry was fueled by his desire to be closer to her, ideally working alongside her.

To his astonishment, his first role was in a project with her. That chance led to a night together, resulting in Dudu. Now, four years into their marriage with a three-year-old son, his deep love for Yin Yin had never wavered, despite the pressure from his parents to divorce.

From the start, Su Mo understood that Yin Yin's marriage to him was largely due to Dudu's need for a father. He accepted this, believing that sincerity could eventually win her heart.

However, Yin Yin's dedication to her career meant she rarely came home, and their time together was scarce. Su Mo struggled with insecurity, particularly when their relationship couldn't be made public and amidst the persistent scandals.

The infrequent visits and their separation at night added to his melancholy. Yin Yin had also expressed her reluctance to have another child, fearing it might impact her career.

On the bed, Su Mo's despondency deepened.

---

In the bathroom, as the water splashed, Yin Yin pondered over Su Mo.

Recalling memories from her previous life, she knew Su Mo had begun showing signs of depression around this time.

He hid it well, and the issue only became apparent after their divorce, leading to his tragic end a month later.

Determined not to let Su Mo suffer again, Yin Yin resolved to address the root cause of his pain—her. She knew that only she could fully heal his heart. For their child's sake, she hoped for a nurturing environment with both parents present.

Yin Yin's resolve solidified as she bathed, and after turning off the water heater, she donned her nightgown.

As the bathroom door opened, Su Mo snapped back to reality. He looked up to see Yin Yin emerging, enveloped in a faint mist. The loose nightgown barely concealed her curves, reaching her knees and revealing her long, slender legs and creamy white skin.

Without makeup, her face was less glamorous but still captivating. Her long, wet curls framed her face, and her lazy, enchanting gaze held his attention.

Su Mo was stunned, and the book he had been holding slipped from his hands, falling to the floor with a crisp thud.

(End of this chapter)