Golden Scale [EN]: Chapter 37

48. The Best “Son-in-Law” (Middle)

He Liping closed the door, placed the box on the bed, and then fell back onto it, her breathing a little rapid. She didn’t know what was happening, but it felt like a fire was burning in her chest, making her bones ache all over. If Hou Longtao wasn’t outside, she would have screamed and writhed to release the frustration. [9+Z+Book+City mobile reading m.9zsc.com]

The woman sat up abruptly, pressing her temples hard with both hands. Her head was spinning, and when she touched her face, it was burning hot. “Do I have a fever?” she wondered. But that didn’t seem right; she wasn’t cold, but sweating. She couldn’t worry about that now; she had to see what gifts she had received.

Inside the big box were three smaller boxes. She opened the tallest one, and inside was a pair of silver patent leather peep-toe high heels, the slender heels a full twelve centimeters long. “Cinderella’s glass slippers?” He Liping shook her head with a smile, wondering why such a strange thought had popped into her head. She took the shoes out and examined them closely. They were shiny and very beautiful. “This girl, I don’t have any clothes to match these shoes.”

The woman quickly realized her worries were unnecessary. Another flat box contained a dress. When she took it out, it was a silver-gray dress. He Liping put it on without thinking, and then realized it was a tight, low-cut, off-the-shoulder dress, without even straps. Not only that, but the skirt was ridiculously short; when she sat down, it barely covered her underwear. He Liping ran her hand up her arm, feeling the heat radiating from her skin. Suddenly, she felt a strap—a bra strap. But she didn’t have a strapless bra, and even if she did, the edges of the cups would show, like the one she was wearing now. The best thing to wear with such a low-cut dress would be two breast pads, just to prevent the nipples from showing through the fabric. Unfortunately, Hou Longtao hadn’t provided her with this necessary item. Actually, He Liping had never worn such clothes before and didn’t know about breast pads. She just thought it was unsightly to have the bra showing. In that case, she might as well take off the bra altogether. She walked to the full-length mirror, and the reflection was of an incredibly sexy middle-aged woman. Her full breasts were perfect hemispheres, a third of them exposed, with a deep cleavage between the two mounds of white flesh. Even she found it tempting.

Looking down, although the dress was tight, there was no bulge at the abdomen. Her slender legs were almost entirely exposed, the muscles on her thighs and legs so even—just the right amount of flesh, not too fat or too thin. The shiny high heels were even more suggestive. The woman tore off her hair clip and shook her head violently, her permed, wavy hair scattering like a cloud, falling to cover one eye.

He Liping reached out and touched the mirror. The woman in the mirror also reached out her hand, and her eyes suddenly welled up with tears. “Why? What’s wrong with me? Why can’t a good man truly love me?” It wasn’t that no one loved her, but that her feelings for her late husband were so deep, and her standards were so high, that she had missed out on many people who pursued her, without even realizing it. Finally, Hu Ergou, who had stirred her heart, turned out to be a swindler.

Having just lamented her unfortunate life for a few seconds, He Liping suddenly laughed again. Her daughter had really grown up and knew how to dress her mother. It seemed like only yesterday that she was changing her diapers. Sixteen years of wonderful moments spent with her daughter flashed through her mind, and the smile on her face became even sweeter. The woman didn’t understand why her emotions were so unstable, crying one moment and laughing the next. He Liping came back to her senses, her head feeling a little heavy. Remembering there was still one box unopened, she staggered back to the bed, wondering what unexpected gift her daughter had prepared for her.

The last box contained a pair of unopened silky stockings, a nearly transparent flesh color. He Liping put them on, and the excellent quality made her feel nothing of the “second skin.” If she couldn’t clearly see her legs shimmering softly in the light, she would have thought the act of putting on the stockings had happened in her imagination. The woman put on the shoes, stood up, and walked to the mirror again. She lowered her head and looked at her toes wrapped in “light gauze.” They were also beautiful. She was beautiful from head to toe. The ultra-short skirt only covered half of the slightly darker, thicker lace trim at the top of her thighs. Her breathing became heavier. This outfit was too sexy. The only question now was whether to let the man outside see her dressed like this.

Normally, with He Liping’s virtuous character, she wouldn’t wear this outfit even if her junior [younger colleague or acquaintance] was waiting outside, let alone her lover. But today, she didn’t know why, her way of thinking was completely different from usual. She was wearing a birthday gift from her daughter. What was wrong with her daughter’s boyfriend seeing her like this? They were all family, and she wasn’t trying to seduce him. What was there to be embarrassed about?

The woman walked to the bedroom door, reaching for the handle. “My semi-naked appearance is about to be seen by my future son-in-law.” The thought made her heart race, and her mouth felt dry. She wondered why she was making such a bold and outrageous decision. She took a deep breath and turned the handle…

* * *

Driving the car, Yue Ling said to Ru Yan beside her, “Why don’t you stay over tonight? Let’s have a good chat, watch some movies, okay?” “I’m fine with that, but you only have three bedrooms. Where will we sleep?” “What does it matter? There are so many big sofas that people can sleep on. Besides, Yun-jie’s [older sister] big bed is so big that even if all four of us sleep on it, it won’t be crowded.”

“Is that okay?” Ru Yan turned to ask Ru Yun, who was hugging Xue Nuo. “Of course, it’s fine, as long as our little sister is willing. Today, she’s my main squeeze.” Ru Yun looked at Xue Nuo with a smile. “Me? Of course, I’m willing.” The girl hugged Ru Yan’s neck from behind. “I like Sister Ru Yan the most. It’s great that she can come too.”

“Hmph, you like Sister Ru Yan the most, so you don’t like me and Sister Yun?” Yue Ling glared playfully. “No, no,” Xue Nuo knew Yue Ling was teasing her again, so she quickly leaned forward and kissed her cheek. “I like Sister Yue Ling the most, ah, no, I like all three sisters equally.” The car was filled with the four women’s fairy-like laughter.

Xue Nuo was an only child and had always envied the stories of sisters on TV, doing everything together, chatting from time to time, and discussing boys while sitting on a bed. Although she had only known these three beautiful older sisters for a few weeks, she was surprised to find that she had gotten that close sisterly feeling from them, only missing living together. Why did she have this feeling? Maybe it was because the four of them had one thing in common: they were all Hou Longtao’s mistresses.

* * *

Hou Longtao walked to the stereo and changed to a slower, more romantic dance tune, but didn’t play it yet. He took out the remaining psychedelic drug from his pocket, whistling as he poured about a third of it into He Liping’s glass. He threw the rest into the kitchen sink and washed it away.

He remembered Li Dong-sheng saying that the drug was similar to ecstasy, making people feel excited, but much stronger. One girl took two pills and danced all night at NASA to release the energy. Hou Longtao didn’t want to risk harming his “mother-in-law’s” health, so he only gave her less than half a pill, and she drank it with wine. Because of this, the effect wasn’t very obvious.

The man glanced at his watch. He had been waiting for more than twenty minutes. “Did she fall asleep?” He hadn’t considered whether the alcohol would be stronger than the drug. He slapped his face, realizing he hadn’t thought things through enough. “Damn it, I have to wake her up, or it’ll be a waste of effort.” Suddenly, he heard the door inside open and quickly sat back on the sofa.

The light in He Liping’s bedroom was very bright, and the bedroom door faced the short hallway leading to the living room. Because only a few candles were lit in the living room, she seemed to be walking out of a ray of light. Although she didn’t do it on purpose, the dress was too tight, so she could only walk in a straight line, and her slender waist swayed with each step, full of seduction.

Hou Longtao’s mouth was slightly open, and saliva almost dripped out. When he chose this outfit, he only thought it was revealing enough to test whether the psychedelic drug had stimulated the woman’s subconscious wildness. He never expected He Liping to have such an effect after putting it on. He used to want to pursue her because she was a mature woman with lingering charm, and even more because she was Xue Nuo’s mother. Pursuing her would give him the thrill and sense of accomplishment of having both mother and daughter. Now, seeing her dressed like this, her proud figure fully displayed, with full breasts, plump hips, long legs, and a slender waist, and her face carefully made up, her beauty was comparable to Ru Yun.

He Liping had already walked in front of him. Hou Longtao swallowed hard, still staring foolishly at the woman. His eyes focused on her slender toes, then moved up her firm legs, round knees, full thighs, wide hips, flat abdomen, slender waist, towering breasts, white neck, and slowly to her charming face, where they stopped.

He Liping saw surprise, admiration, and even a hint of desire in the man’s eyes.

It was an expression of being completely shocked and attracted by the scene in front of him. Strangely, she not only didn’t blame him for his frivolous gaze, but was happy that she could make such a handsome and sensible young man lose his composure. She felt like all the blood in her body was boiling, and her heart was beating even faster.

Back then, Hou Longtao had remained calm even when facing Ru Yun tied naked to the bed, perhaps because he was burdened by the embezzlement at the time, with a subconscious sense of crisis. But now, his mind was completely dominated by his instincts. Although he knew that staring at the woman like this might anger her, and all his efforts would be in vain, his eyes were out of control, wanting to keep looking at the beautiful scene before him. He Liping felt a little uncomfortable being stared at by the man. Her mind was still relatively clear, knowing that the man in front of her was not an ordinary man, but her daughter’s boyfriend. She gently pushed his forehead. “Longtao, your… your cigarette.” “Huh? Ah…” Hou Longtao came back to his senses, realizing that the cigarette in his left hand was about to burn out, with more than four centimeters of ash accumulated. He quickly extinguished it in the ashtray.

“What gift did Nuo-nuo give you?” Hou Longtao picked up his glass and took a sip to hide his embarrassment. He Liping was also thirsty, so she naturally drank the spiked sweet wine again. She sat down on the sofa, curling her legs up into a kneeling position facing the man. Unconsciously, she had chosen such a seductive pose. “It’s this outfit. What do you think?”

Hou Longtao turned his head, and almost spurted blood from his nose. Not only because the woman’s two “soybeans” [nipples] were poking out noticeably on the dress, which he had already seen, but mainly because of those beautiful legs. The wide lace trim of her underwear was completely exposed, and between the smooth thighs, he could vaguely see the pure white panties. “Beautiful… it’s really too beautiful…”

“Hahahaha…” He Liping laughed wildly, her full breasts shaking along with her. Her appearance could only be described as “trembling like a flower in the wind.” “Good son-in-law, you really know how to make me happy.” As the beast in Hou Longtao was about to burst out to rape this woman, he forcibly restrained himself, repeatedly reminding himself: “The time is not ripe, the time is not ripe, impatience will ruin the plan.” The man stood up, took a rose from the vase on the dining table, walked back to the sofa, and extended his right hand, saying nothing. He Liping also put her right hand on his. “What are you doing?” Hou Longtao pulled her up and slowly led her to a row of low cabinets in the living room. “May I have the honor of dancing with you?” He handed the rose to the woman.

He Liping took the flower. “Are all the boys these days so good at flattering?” “I’m not a boy anymore, and I’m not flattering. Your beauty is something I’ve never seen even in my dreams. If I can dance with you, it would be an honor I’ve been seeking.” The expression on Hou Longtao’s face was very sincere. The woman was even happier. When Hu Ergou praised her appearance, he always had a lustful look, clearly wanting to sleep with her. Hou Longtao had never been so sincere. “Okay, Auntie will dance with you, but I’m not a good dancer. If I step on your feet, don’t complain.”

After speaking, she put the rose in her mouth, put her right hand on the man’s shoulder, and extended her left arm outward.

Hou Longtao smiled slightly, bent down, and pressed the PLAY button on the stereo. Immediately, melodious and gentle music played. He put his left hand around the woman’s waist, with some of his fingers already touching her buttocks, and his right hand didn’t hold her hand, but directly placed it on her back, forming a posture of embracing her. “We just finished eating, let’s dance a slow dance.”

He Liping listened to the music. There was only one dance suitable for this melody and rhythm. When the man’s hand was in position, she was even more certain of her idea. “He wants to dance that kind of close dance that only lovers dance. How can that be? He’s my son-in-law. It’s too outrageous. No, I must refuse him sternly.” The woman took the rose from her mouth, but the words stopped at her lips. Another voice appeared in her mind. “What’s wrong with a close dance? He’s so young and handsome. It must be exciting to dance with him. Young people these days are very open-minded. Maybe he doesn’t mean anything else, just wants to please you. As long as he doesn’t touch you, what’s the harm? Besides, if he really misbehaves, you can push him away and scold him.”

He Liping hesitated, and Hou Longtao had already moved. She had no time to think and could only move with her dance partner, crossing her hands behind the man’s neck. The tense atmosphere that had filled the air at the beginning disappeared as time passed, mainly because Hou Longtao was indeed very gentlemanly, without any improper behavior. The two people’s bodies got closer and closer, finally touching each other. He Liping faced another choice: either put her face against the man’s, or rest her head on his shoulder. Obviously, the first position was very inappropriate, so the woman turned her head to the right and leaned on Hou Longtao’s left shoulder. For Hou Longtao, this was enough. He could clearly feel the elasticity of those two breasts against his chest, and couldn’t help but think that Xue Nuo must not have been breastfed.

The woman’s mood was complicated. She felt both guilty and grateful towards Hou Longtao. She had all the feelings that were most easily transformed into love. What’s more, Hou Longtao himself was very charming, almost possessing all the qualities that attracted women: tall and handsome, gentle and considerate, refined and kind, and wealthy. Most importantly, she had seen with her own eyes how “heroic” he was in bed. He Liping knew in her heart that the only thing keeping her awake was ethics and morality. If this man wasn’t fifteen years younger than her and her daughter’s boyfriend, she would definitely fall in love with him. This thought brought her even deeper self-blame. “What kind of mother am I, actually embracing my son-in-law so intimately?” Suddenly, she felt the man’s hands switch positions, his right hand moving to her waist, and his left hand embracing her left shoulder. In this way, she was completely in his arms.

Hou Longtao gently stroked the woman’s smooth shoulders, tilted his head, and deeply inhaled the fragrance emanating from her long hair. It was truly enjoyable. “This woman is really great.” He Liping was well aware of all the man’s actions. This had exceeded the limit she could tolerate. Just as she was about to stop him, she suddenly felt a burst of dizziness.

“What are you going to do? What’s wrong with letting him hug you? He didn’t kiss you, what are you afraid of…” “You stop him, it’s too outrageous. If Nuo-nuo finds out, what will she think? You’re letting her down…” “Don’t be so conservative. Don’t you like being hugged by him? Don’t you think it’s exciting…” “This behavior violates moral standards. You’re not that kind of slutty woman…” “Shut up…” “You shut up…”

“Ah…” Two voices rang in her mind, neither letting the other finish. He Liping felt extremely dizzy, pressed her forehead with one hand, broke away from the man’s arm, and took two steps back, feeling a little unsteady. “What’s wrong?” Hou Longtao immediately pulled her back, put his arm around her waist, and sat her back on the sofa. “Are you feeling unwell?”

“I can’t dance anymore, I feel a little dizzy.” He Liping picked up her glass. She knew she was a little drunk, but couldn’t control herself and drank the remaining wine in one gulp. Hou Longtao returned to his well-behaved appearance, sitting obediently next to the woman. “Then rest for a while. You danced really well just now. Have you ever studied it?”

There was no need to study close dancing, just move slowly from side to side and turn around in place. Hou Longtao said this not only as a simple compliment, but with a special purpose. He felt it was time to stir up the woman’s emotions.

He Liping closed her eyes, resting her head on the back of the sofa. She also felt very irritable, unable to sit comfortably. Her tone became a little sharp. “I haven’t studied it. What would I study it for?” “To dance with your boyfriend.” “Boyfriend? Hu Ergou?” “No, no, another boyfriend.” “Another boyfriend? Where would I get another boyfriend? What do you mean by this?” “I… I don’t mean anything else. Could it be that… you haven’t had a boyfriend since Uncle passed away?”

“Of course not,” He Liping immediately jumped into the trap that the man had set for her. “Do you think I’m a very casual woman?” “No, no, I know you’re a woman of deep feelings, but sixteen years… how did you get through it? Aren’t you lonely?” “Sixteen years… how could I not be lonely?” The woman looked at the flickering candlelight, talking to herself.

“Nuo-nuo was just born not long ago…” He Liping told everything she had experienced over the years, feeling more and more wronged and sad, and tears welled up in her eyes. Hou Longtao had already heard these things from Xue Nuo. It was indeed tragic enough. If possible, he wouldn’t let her remember these things, but for her future happiness, he had to let her suffer again, so he didn’t comfort her.

Finally, it came to Hu Ergou’s matter. “Longtao, what I regret most is wrongly blaming you. Everything you did was for our mother and daughter. I wanted to apologize to you when you came to my house again, but why didn’t you ever come?” As she spoke, He Liping grabbed one of the man’s hands. Hou Longtao hadn’t come, knowing that she couldn’t really bring herself to find him. By not giving her a chance to apologize, he let her guilt accumulate.

“At that time, I had just seen some things I shouldn’t have seen. I was afraid that if I saw you so soon, we would both be embarrassed,” Hou Longtao held the jade hand that the woman offered in both of his palms, stroking it affectionately. “Actually, I wanted to see you a long time ago.”

He Liping was already sobbing. “Longtao, you are the most generous man I have ever met. Even after I hit you, you didn’t hold a grudge against me and still helped me financially. That was the money you used to buy the bar, but we never went through the transfer procedures. You did that just to make me feel better. You don’t know how grateful I am to you. I’m so happy that Nuo-nuo found such a good man like you.”

Hou Longtao finally felt that the time was ripe. “Those are all things I should do. Nuo-nuo is the girl I love, and it’s my responsibility to take care of you mother and daughter. Actually…” He suddenly stopped and lowered his head. “Actually what?” “Auntie, I’m sorry to you…” Suddenly, he hugged the woman, face to face, his tone also carrying a sob. “I’m sorry to you…”

He Liping was greatly puzzled by the man’s sudden action and could only gently pat his back. “What’s wrong? Longtao, why are you sorry to me? I’m the one who has been wrongly blaming you.” Hou Longtao gently rubbed the beauty’s cheek, seeing his eyes full of tears and regret, she was really about to be moved to death. “It’s all my fault for not seeing through Hu Ergou’s tricks in time. Even after he blackmailed me, although I asked my friends to investigate him, I still put you in danger for so long.”

“Don’t be silly,” He Liping cupped Hou Longtao’s cheeks, seeing his eyes full of tears and regret, she was really about to be moved to death. “You have made so many sacrifices for me, I am really grateful to you, you have done nothing wrong, it is all because I can’t judge people accurately, thinking that I am almost forty years old, but I will still be confused by his appearance. If I had been a little more sober at the time… alas, if he had no other plans, how could he have taken a fancy to me, this old woman.” At this point, she became self-pitying again.

The opportunity must not be missed, and time will not come again. “You are not old at all, I have always thought that you are a rare beauty in this world, and tonight’s dress proves my idea even more.” Hou Longtao’s arms had tightly clasped the woman’s slender waist, “You don’t know, every time I think of the way Hu Ergou, that bastard, bullied you, my chest feels like it’s being torn apart by someone.”

He Liping twisted her body hard, breaking free from the man’s embrace. She felt that the atmosphere was a little abnormal now, and even felt that the man seemed to have affection for her. If this continues, it may cause irreparable consequences. Her heart was both afraid and happy, and also self-blaming. Although her body was already unbearably hot, reason still prevailed. “Longtao, what are you talking about, I am your elder.”

Hou Longtao was secretly happy in his heart, seeing the woman’s inner struggle, her defense line was about to be lost, “Yes, yes, let’s not talk about the unhappy things in the past, you have received Nuo-nuo’s gift, now it’s time to receive mine.” Saying that, he took out a square, colored velvet box from the coat pocket hanging on the sofa, and sent it to the woman’s hand.

He Liping thought that she had misunderstood the man’s original intention again, fortunately he changed the subject, opened the box cover and saw that it was a pair of heart-shaped white jade earrings, and in the center of each earring was inlaid with a sparkling diamond, “This…this…is so beautiful.” Women’s love for jewelry is innate, although He Liping is not extravagant at all, but she is a woman after all, and she can’t escape this law.

“This is what I specially asked someone to process, I think those ready-made goods are not worthy of you, let me help you put them on.” Hou Longtao did not wait for an answer, and took off the earrings on the woman’s left ear, and put on his own gift for her. Next should be the right ear, put his left arm around the woman’s back, leaned forward, helped her take off the earrings, put on the earrings, and could clearly feel her hot breath on her neck.

He Liping was even more nervous, the two were too close, it seemed that they could hear the man’s heartbeat, the agitation in her body rose again, the feeling of dizziness made her breathing difficult, and the flame that had been burning in her chest was even stronger, “What an excellent man, why am I not as lucky as Nuo-nuo?” The earrings were put on, the man’s body should have walked a semi-circular line back to the starting point, but in fact, his head was moving back in a straight line…(Golden Scale is not a thing in the pool)