Chapter 47: Past Events of the Bo Family
When the weekend arrived, Bai Qi’s family took a private jet to the island, which was as warm as spring.
The island was incredibly beautiful, with a sky as clear as if it had been washed. Even the sea was a romantic shade of turquoise. The beach was pure white, and the moment they stepped off the plane, they felt refreshed.
After a week of classes, suddenly arriving at such a beautiful place made Bai Qi feel like he had traveled into the world of a book. All his fatigue vanished.
Mother Bai also liked it here very much. Having experienced so many happy things recently and living comfortably in the villa, she visibly looked less thin than before.
Now that her face had filled out, and she was wearing a luxurious dress and beautiful jewelry, anyone would take her for a wealthy lady living a life of leisure. Her entire aura had opened up significantly.
The group walked along the seashore. Bai Qi’s eyes reflected the translucent surface of the ocean, and his lips were made moist by the humid air.
Bo Yan couldn’t help but want to lean down and kiss him. Just as he lowered his gaze, he realized his mother was nearby and straightened his back.
He always stood tall and straight, but at this moment, he looked mysteriously stiff.
Bai Qi chuckled inwardly, feeling a bit relieved. This past week after they moved into the manor, Bo Yan had been excessive every day. Now that both parents were present, Bo Yan couldn’t bully him; he could finally get a day of rest.
He even took advantage of the fact that his mother wasn’t looking to give Bo Yan’s waist a retaliatory pinch before quickly walking back to his mother’s side.
Bo Yan stiffened abruptly. His dark eyes turned to stare at him. Bai Qi pretended he’d done nothing, looking out at the scenery in the distance.
The sound of the waves came in rhythmic bursts, and there were seagulls in the sky. Bai Qi’s gaze seemed deeply attracted.
Bo Yan smiled and turned back, his gaze terrifyingly dark.
However, Bai Qi’s mood soon lost its lightness as a large villa built within the forest gradually appeared before them.
The villa’s exterior was designed with great artistic flair, and the surroundings were filled with various beautiful, unknown flowers and plants. It was said that Bo’s Mother had designed it all herself.
Bo Yan had mentioned that Bo’s Mother used to be a dance student. Seeing how beautiful her place of recuperation was, she must be a person of great taste with high standards for life.
Bai Qi, on the other hand, was the opposite—he’d never had any “taste.”
He unconsciously pursed his lips and took the gift he had prepared for Bo’s Mother from Bo Yan. He gripped it tightly. Beside him, Mother Bai was also a bit nervous, constantly taking deep breaths.
Even though Bo Yan had told him many times that their mothers were best friends and that since he was so outstanding, his mother would surely like him, Bai Qi still found it hard to relax.
Bo Yan looked back at Bai Qi. For once, he didn’t avoid suspicion in front of Mother Bai. He reached out his large hand to rub Bai Qi’s head, smiling: “Don’t worry. Even if you mimicked a donkey braying in front of her, she would still like you. Besides, you’re so excellent.”
Bai Qi was amused, and even Mother Bai couldn’t help but smile. The atmosphere softened a bit.
Soon, Bo Yan stood at the door and pressed the doorbell.
A soft, musical chime rang out. Not long after, the door opened from the inside.
A lady with an elegant bun and an air of nobility peeked out. Her skin was a cold white, her “swan neck” was graceful, and she appeared cool and dignified. The only imperfection was that she was sitting in a wheelchair.
“Yan’er, why are you back—”
The woman’s soft voice stopped mid-sentence as she saw Mother Bai beside Bo Yan.
Her voice cut off abruptly.
“Bai Ji…”
Bo’s Mother stared blankly at Mother Bai. Her eyes shifted from disbelief to sheer joy. Her eyes grew redder and redder, and her lips were trembling.
Mother Bai saw her legs in the wheelchair and couldn’t help but cover her face and cry.
The best of friends were finally meeting again after many years. The two hugged each other, sobbing uncontrollably.
After a long time, Bo’s Mother choked out: “I went back once before I went abroad. They all said you were dead.”
“I’m so glad you’re okay. You’re finally okay.”
Both cried for joy. Bai Qi rarely saw his mother so happy. His own eyes couldn’t help but grow a bit moist. He stood obediently behind Bo Yan, not disturbing their reunion.
Bo Yan kept one arm behind his back, holding Bai Qi’s hand and not letting go. The cold, firm contours of his bones were prominent.
Mother Bai repeatedly asked about the injury on Bo’s Mother’s legs. After confirming it was almost healed and that there were signs she could stand again, she finally broke into a smile through her tears.
The two almost forgot everything around them, happily walking inside arm-in-arm.
It wasn’t until they sat on the sofa that Bo’s Mother finally noticed the beautiful youth beside Bo Yan.
Her first reaction was pure shock. How could there be such a good-looking person? Like a spirit from the sea, he made one’s eyes light up.
But looking closer, one could vaguely see he was Bai Ji’s son. He was even more beautiful than the “School Beauty” Bai Ji of the past.
And her son’s hard, large hand was intimately holding the other’s delicate, fair hand—looking very much like a criminal who had abducted a minor.
Bo’s Mother was stunned for a moment.
Bo Yan spoke at the right time: “This is my partner, Bai Qi.”
Bai Qi also hurriedly greeted her, his nervousness making his tongue trip: “He-Hello, Auntie.”
Bo’s Mother’s features brightened instantly. She came over cheerfully and took Bai Qi’s hand: “What a beautiful child. Why are you still calling me Auntie?”
Bo Yan and Mother Bai also looked over with smiles. Bai Qi’s face was incredibly red as he called out softly, “Mother.”
“Ah!”
Bo’s Mother laughed immediately, liking Bai Qi’s obedient appearance immensely. She repeatedly sighed about what a good child Bai Ji had raised, and kept telling Bo Yan to treat him well.
Soon, the chef prepared the island’s specialty coconut delicacies, and the group chatted while eating.
Mother Bai talked about how Bo Yan had tied up the scumbag to vent her anger. Now, Bo’s Mother was also in high spirits. Hearing the scumbag had gone to jail, she couldn’t help but laugh out loud. Such a thin person was so happy she kept eating.
Bai Qi felt Bo’s Mother’s liking for him and could finally relax, slowly chewing on the sweet coconut cake.
However, Mother Bai did most of the talking about the past; Bo’s Mother didn’t mention much. What she mentioned most were stories of her recuperation these past few years, and Mother Bai didn’t ask.
After the meal, Bo’s Mother called Bai Qi into a room alone, wanting to talk to him.
Bai Qi felt a bit uneasy as he pushed Bo’s Mother inside. He thought she would ask about his hobbies, tastes, or personality.
Instead, as soon as the door closed, Bo’s Mother whispered: “Good child, has that scoundrel bullied you?”
Bai Qi was dazed.
He stood there blankly, his mouth slightly open: “Huh? N-No.”
Bo’s Mother shook her head, speaking with sincere emotion: “I secretly went to see you once when you were little. You were frail and sickly; you should be pampered. Bo Yan is like a young bull—he doesn’t know his own strength. If he bullies you, just tell Mom.”
Bai Qi’s heart felt warm.
Words he usually felt too shy to say blurted out: “Mother, don’t worry. Bo Yan is exceptionally good to me.”
He didn’t want Bo’s Mother to have any misunderstandings about Bo Yan, so he began to recount, bit by bit, how Bo Yan had secretly looked after him over the years.
Bo’s Mother was a bit surprised.
She actually didn’t know her son that well. Bo Yan had been cold and quiet since he was a child. He never told his family anything. Even at meals and gatherings, he was very polite yet distant.
Their mother-son relationship had always been quite formal, with little contact and different hobbies.
She knew Bo Yan only looked indifferent; in his bones, he was incredibly tough and ruthless to both others and himself. She was terrified that if Bo Yan liked someone, he would use any means necessary to get them.
Bai Qi was Bai Ji’s son, and he was so beautiful and obedient. She would never allow her son to bully him.
Now, hearing that Bo Yan had done so much in secret, Bo’s Mother’s heart was touched, and she felt a bit relieved.
Her son had grown up.
She couldn’t help but speak of some past events.
Bai Qi really wanted to know these things. He had always wanted to understand Bo Yan—to understand him deeply through his family situation, rather than through surface-level things.
But Bo Yan never talked to him about his family. When asked, he was vague. Bai Qi only knew something had happened to Bo Yan’s family, and he didn’t dare ask much for fear of poking at his wounds.
Now, as Bo’s Mother mentioned the events of back then, she was still filled with regret.
Bo Yan’s father was a pervert. When he was young, he kept her locked in the villa, not letting her go out for fear that others would desire her. Meanwhile, he was out indulging in wine and women, leaving Bo Yan at school, ignored and unattended.
Bo’s Mother herself was truly a fool with a “love brain.” She was bewitched by his sweet words. No matter how Bo Yan urged her, she wouldn’t leave, always thinking her love could make the prodigal son return.
When they reached middle age, the elder Bo found out he had a terminal illness. With his days numbered, he finally remembered Bo’s Mother’s goodness and insisted she accompany him to the island for recuperation.
Seeing her once-strong husband weeping before her, Bo’s Mother’s heart softened, and she couldn’t help but agree.
However, his condition continued to spiral downward. He feared the pain of late-stage cancer and wanted to commit suicide, but he was afraid of being lonely in death. He actually wanted to kill Bo’s Mother to take her with him.
Bo’s Mother was scared out of her mind. Despite her desperate escape, her leg was broken, and she was forcibly dragged to the car to be killed by carbon monoxide.
Fortunately, Bo Yan, who was still in university at the time, arrived just in time and saved her.
As for the elder Bo… Bo Yan didn’t save him.
Translator’s Note: “Love Brain” (恋爱脑 – Lian Ai Nao) is a popular Chinese term for someone who is so obsessed with love that they lose their rationality. Bo Yan’s past is so much darker than I expected. No wonder he’s so protective of Bai Qi. He grew up seeing a toxic, possessive version of “love,” and he’s trying so hard to be different while still being deeply affected by it. And the fact that he let his father die… it shows just how much he loves his mother.
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