Since Xia Nuonuo was sitting right next to Shen Yun, a quick glance down was all it took for her to see details that Xia Qingguo and Shen Yuanyuan were oblivious to.

For example, her mother wasn’t hugging Lin Shen’s arm as a public display of affection, but most likely to hide the fact that he was touching her leg under the table.

As for the blush on her face and her slightly trembling body...

...those were even easier to explain.

’Any girl would get nervous and shy if a guy was touching her leg in public, right?

Even a mother in her forties.’

Xia Nuonuo couldn’t help but sigh inwardly, muttering to herself.

’Flirting in a situation like this.’

’How ridiculous.’

Xia Nuonuo propped her chin on her hand, sipping her drink through a straw as she gazed out the window.

Because of Xia Qingguo’s affair, she had grown to despise anything related to romantic relationships.

However, if Shen Yun was looking for true love, she was willing to support her mother.

That was, of course, on the condition that Lin Shen was truly a "good" person, just as her mother claimed.

Based on the past half hour of conversation, the man was certainly outstanding.

He was handsome and clean-cut, and he spoke with confidence and wit.

Knowing her mother, Xia Nuonuo figured those two points alone were enough to attract her.

And that wasn’t even mentioning his other merits, like being young, capable, and gentle.

Even Xia Nuonuo herself could hardly believe where her mother had found such a perfect man.

Even if he was a fraud who had carefully constructed this persona, his act was impeccably flawless.

’But the more perfect a man is, the worse he is!’

’It’s just like the saying, "never trust a beautiful woman."’

Her curiosity about Lin Shen piqued, Xia Nuonuo’s gaze shifted from the window back inside.

But as she stole a glance, she once again saw something she shouldn’t have.

With Shen Yun in the way, Xia Nuonuo couldn’t see Lin Shen’s face.

But she had a crystal-clear view of Shen Yun’s expression.

The "new world" she’d glimpsed through the crack in the door had been as shocking to her as her parents’ divorce.

However, being a musician, she was quite mature for her age.

That, combined with the modern internet, meant she had a high tolerance for new things.

And now, thinking back on it, she realized it wasn’t a big deal.

’You can’t expect a woman who’s been divorced for years to stay celibate, can you?

She wasn’t sleeping around. What was so wrong with what she did?’

In fact, Xia Nuonuo felt that she was the one in the wrong for spying on her mother’s private life.

That’s why when Xia Nuonuo heard last night that her mother had a boyfriend, she was initially quite happy for her.

At least she’d have a shoulder to lean on in the future.

But...

’Aren’t you two being a little too bold?

Forget about me being here—there are other people at the table!

Aren’t you afraid of getting caught?’

Xia Nuonuo glanced over at Xia Qingguo and Shen Yuanyuan. She found that their attention seemed to be entirely focused on Lin Shen, full of curiosity.

"So you studied probability theory. No wonder you’re so logical. Which university did you graduate from?"

"A university abroad."

Lin Shen smiled faintly. His main tactic was to deflect, and his ambiguous answers left Xia Qingguo grasping at straws, unable to get a single shred of useful information.

He was starting to get agitated.

After all, his ex-wife had found such an outstanding young boyfriend, which made him feel like a complete clown.

In her career, Shen Yun was rich.

In her personal life, she had a man who adored her.

You could say that at forty-two, she was embarking on a new, nearly perfect life!

This made Xia Qingguo, whose own life was a complete mess, feel incredibly bitter.

’Why should she get to have it all?

Sure, the affair was his fault, he’d admit that.

But why does she get to live so well too?’

Xia Qingguo stole a glance at Shen Yun and saw the blush on her cheeks growing ever more radiant, which only deepened the resentment in his heart.

’Fuck!

Couples who show off break up fast!’

"Was it in Asia? Or in Europe and America?"

Seeing that Xia Qingguo was getting nowhere, Shen Yuanyuan decided to take matters into her own hands.

But just then, Shen Yun, who had been silent all this time, suddenly spoke up.

"Excuse me, I need to use the restroom."

"Here."

Lin Shen thoughtfully handed Shen Yun a pack of tissues. His gentle and considerate gesture sent a pang of jealousy through Shen Yuanyuan; she felt her composure cracking.

’By all rights, a man capable of earning over thirty million should have a personality that’s particularly domineering and arrogant.

And yet Shen Yun found a younger man who was this attentive and caring toward her?

What on earth was Lin Shen after?

Was he after the crow’s feet on her face and her bloated figure?’

Shen Yuanyuan felt her entire worldview crumbling. The only explanation she could come up with was that Lin Shen had some sort of special fetish.

After all, living abroad, what hadn’t she seen?

’A thing for older people... It’s not common, but it definitely exists.’

Shen Yun got up to go to the restroom. Lin Shen watched the sexy sway of her hips as she walked away, the corners of his mouth curving into a subtle, enigmatic smile.

’Have to admit,’ he thought, ’mature women really have their own unique charm.’

’Those full, fleshy thighs felt surprisingly alluring to the touch.

And she even helped cover for him, playing along. So perceptive.’

’Perhaps it’s time to conquer her.

No, that’s not right. I should be rewarding her.’

Lin Shen thought to himself, then pulled out a tissue to wipe his hands before turning back to field questions from Xia Qingguo and Shen Yuanyuan.

However, he had absolutely no interest in either of them.

Instead, it was Xia Nuonuo, sitting in the corner, who really caught his attention.

It was rare to see a young woman with such a distinct personality.

Her androgynous haircut, her tomboyish clothes, the electric guitar slung over her back...

’Shen Yun must have a real headache trying to manage her, right?’