Chapter 563: Chapter 205: High-IQ Girlfriends, Who Do I Take Home Tonight?_4

Can a person’s personality really change so drastically in such a short time?

Li Yuan was about to answer when, suddenly, his phone rang. He took it out and saw it was a call from Empress Dowager Xia.

As he hesitated whether to answer, he looked up and saw Xia Zhijin, Zhong Tingyue, and Bai Weixi all watching him intently.

Damn it, I’ll just answer it. They’ve all met already, so what’s there to hide?

Li Yuan muttered to himself. Facing their three curious gazes, he teased, "It’s my mom. Do you three want to listen in?"

Upon hearing that it was Li Yuan’s mother calling, even Xia Zhijin, who had been silent, suddenly tensed up. She sat bolt upright, straining to hear. Bai Weixi was even more obviously nervous, her beautiful, fluttering eyes fixed on Li Yuan with a mixture of anxiety and anticipation.

Only Zhong Tingyue remained composed. She had met Li Yuan’s mother at noon and had already experienced that tense moment. Her mind wandered, speculating on the reason for this call...

With a faint smile, Li Yuan answered his mother’s call. Of course, he didn’t put it on speaker.

"Yuan, are your classes over? When are you coming home?"

Li Yuan glanced at the three girls. They were indeed all leaning in to listen. When they saw him look their way, they quickly and flusteredly turned their heads away. Li Yuan found it amusing. He was about to speak when he heard Xia Qin’s voice continue.

"I bought a lot of groceries from the supermarket. I’ll cook up a feast tonight, so you must bring Tingyue over for a meal."

Li Yuan felt awkward. If it weren’t for this situation, I would have agreed. But with three girlfriends here, how am I supposed to answer?

He cleared his throat. He decided he had to delicately explain the situation to his mother and arrange for Xia Zhijin and Bai Weixi to meet her as well. I have to treat everyone equally to prevent any fighting!

"Um, Mom, I still have some things to deal with, so I’m not sure if I’ll be coming back yet."

Hearing Li Yuan’s reply, a question suddenly popped into Bai Weixi’s mind. Mrs. Xia has already returned to Modu? She had chatted with Li Zixia before and knew that Xia Qin would be returning soon, but she hadn’t known the exact time. Will he take me to meet Mrs. Xia? Bai Weixi suddenly felt uneasy. While she might have been confident before, her self-esteem had been completely eroded over the past few days...

Beside her, Xia Zhijin also stared nervously at Li Yuan. She recalled the private advice her grandmother had given her before she left Shancheng for Modu.

"Jin, once you’re in Modu, if you meet Li Yuan’s parents, you must behave well. Be quick to help, and always have a sweet word for them. Treat them with the same respect you show me. Volunteer to do chores, and if they criticize you, never talk back. Just endure it. That’s how it’s always been for us women..."

With her grandmother’s earnest advice echoing in her mind, Xia Zhijin grew tense. She clutched the hem of her skirt tightly, her heart pounding as she watched Li Yuan on the phone. An inexplicable sense of anticipation and apprehension filled her.

Will he take me home?

... 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

Li Yuan had no idea that his mother’s call would stir such complex emotions in Bai Weixi and Xia Zhijin, leading them both to the exact same thought at the same time.

He glanced over his shoulder, cleared his throat softly, and replied with a smile, "Mom, I’m busy right now. I’ll call you back in a bit."

"I’ll hang up now!"

Xia Qin didn’t suspect a thing. "Okay. If you all are coming back, let me know in advance so I can start preparing the food."

"Got it, Mom!"

After hanging up, Li Yuan turned to look at his three girlfriends, each with a different expression. With a slight smile, he decided to tell them the truth.

"So, I have something to tell you all. My mom got back to Modu from our hometown this afternoon."

Li Yuan paused, carefully observing their reactions. Xia Zhijin and Bai Weixi’s bodies trembled, their faces tense. Zhong Tingyue, having already met his mother at noon, showed no change in expression.

"So, um... about tonight... do you all want to come home with me?"

As soon as he said this, Zhong Tingyue chuckled, rolled her eyes at him, and retorted, "Senior, do you really think that’s appropriate?"

Li Yuan nodded. "It’s fine. What’s inappropriate about it? My mom bought a lot of food, enough for all of us, and the house is big enough for everyone."

Zhong Tingyue shot Li Yuan an ambiguous smile and then suddenly fell silent, making him feel a bit uncomfortable.

"Uh, is there something on my face?"

Zhong Tingyue pursed her lips, then turned her head to look at Bai Weixi and Xia Zhijin, curious about what they would choose.

Bai Weixi looked at Li Yuan and mustered the courage to ask, "Li Yuan, are all of us... going back together?"

Li Yuan nodded. "We can all go back together today, or you can meet her individually another day. It’s up to you all."

Bai Weixi opened her mouth as if to speak but then stopped herself. Running into each other at the basketball court today had already been incredibly awkward. She couldn’t handle the thought of all three of them going to meet his family together...

Yet, she hesitated, worried that refusing might make Li Yuan angry. Deep down, she really wanted to meet her potential mother-in-law.

Seeing that Bai Weixi had also fallen silent after her question, Li Yuan frowned slightly and sighed inwardly. He wasn’t surprised by Zhong Tingyue’s and Bai Weixi’s reactions. Most girls would find this situation difficult to navigate, especially going to meet their boyfriend’s parents alongside his other girlfriends. The potential for awkwardness was unimaginable.

Li Yuan turned his gaze to Xia Zhijin and asked with a smile, "Zhijin, what about you?"

Xia Zhijin glanced at Li Yuan shyly and answered in a voice as quiet as a mosquito’s buzz, "I... I’ll listen to you!"

Li Yuan laughed heartily and ruffled her hair. She really is my treasured girl. Always so considerate and understanding, never causing me worry and always standing firmly by my side.

Hearing Xia Zhijin’s answer, a complex look flickered in Bai Weixi’s eyes. She felt a pang of regret. Perhaps she should have just agreed immediately.

Zhong Tingyue suddenly beamed. "Senior, Auntie will be staying in Modu for a while, right?"

Li Yuan nodded. "Probably until the Lunar New Year before she goes back to our hometown."

"Oh, I see!" Zhong Tingyue sighed in relief. She turned to Bai Weixi and suggested, "There’s plenty of time, so why don’t we go meet Auntie separately? Going together isn’t really appropriate. What do you think, Weixi?"

Bai Weixi gave Zhong Tingyue a deep look, unable to figure out her intentions. After thinking it over, she nodded.

Zhong Tingyue smiled and rolled her eyes at Li Yuan before winking at him playfully. "Senior, you take Zhijin home tonight. Weixi and I will go see Auntie another day."

Li Yuan gave Zhong Tingyue a surprised look. Her behavior was very strange today. It seemed like she was constantly thinking of his needs, as if she had suddenly become a different person... Still, for him, this was a good thing.

Li Yuan smiled. "Alright then. Tonight, Zhijin will come home with me. Tomorrow, Bai will come with me, and the day after, Tingyue..."