Transmigrated as a vicious stepmother, I raised a child who became a heartthrob.

Huo Wang struggled to drive his car out of the morning rush hour traffic. Suddenly, he was wide awake. Since he had nothing else to do, he decided to go lift weights.

I went to the repair shop around noon, played with the Samoyed for a while, hesitated for a moment, and then took a picture to send to Jiang Zhuhua.

Are you awake? Let me show you the dog.

The photo was carefully selected. It showed a slender hand resting on a snow-white, soft dog's head, with distinct knuckles and slightly concave veins that meandered gently across the hand. Because of the cold weather, the knuckles were pinkish.

It looks a little erotic.

Huo Wang was quite satisfied with the photo.

Jiang Zhuhua didn't plan to go to work today, and after waking up, she hadn't lost any memory of yesterday. So she wasn't surprised that Jiang Ji wasn't home; she vaguely remembered it.

At this moment, she had finished tidying up and was sitting on the sofa, having just finished lunch and preparing to enjoy her afternoon nap.

But after seeing the message, I suddenly couldn't sleep. My fingers tapped on the table, zooming in and out on the photo.

This photo clearly has a bit of a trick up its sleeve; the lighting and shadows are just right, making it look like a hand model.

She's not stupid; Huo Wang is so attentive.

Have you eaten yet? Would you like to come sit here for a bit?

Jiang Zhuhua dislikes spending time guessing and speculating in relationships, and she also dislikes jealousy.

She suspected that Huo Wang liked her, so she might as well call him over and ask him directly.

As for what happened next… Jiang Zhuhua, to be honest, wasn't really attracted to the gentle, submissive type. Huo Wang's demeanor was far too docile.

He was especially docile in her presence.

Huo Wang paused in stroking the dog's head, a slight smile playing on his lips. Jiang Ji had gone to kindergarten; if they went now, it would probably just be the two of them.

I'm free. I'll come find you in a bit.

I'll message you when I arrive.

After their brief conversation, Huo Wang couldn't help but chuckle to himself.

So what should I bring?

Flowers? Jiang Zhuhua had never shown any interest in flowers.

Jewelry? Bags? Jiang Zhuhua didn't seem to like them either. All her energy seemed to be focused on the company.

But that's precisely what makes it so captivating.

Huo Wang felt that some gifts were too ambiguous, and since he hadn't confessed his feelings, they weren't appropriate. Other gifts, on the other hand, were too cheap.

After thinking it over, I bought a box of cherries. They were supposedly imported, and the cherries were big, red, and even shiny.

Sending fruit is a versatile and strategic gesture.

Jiang Zhuhua led the person into the house. The blankets on the sofa had been taken back to the bedroom and tidied up.

There are disposable slippers in the cabinet.

Jiang Zhuhua habitually takes the initiative in conversation.

"Hmm. Where should I put the fruit?"

Huo Wang felt his heart pounding in his chest, and he agreed to take out slippers from the shoe cabinet.

"casual."

Jiang Zhuhua poured two glasses of warm water. Huo Wang agreed verbally, but in a corner where Jiang Zhuhua couldn't see, a hint of aggression flashed in his eyes.

He always held a certain expectation for Jiang Zhuhua, hoping that Jiang Zhuhua could tear through his docile facade and see through the undercurrents beneath the floating ice.

But it seems that's not enough yet; the two are still not close enough, and Jiang Zhuhua doesn't seem to have decided to step into this river.

Even though Huo Wang was filled with anticipation, his expression remained unchanged.

"Should we wash them? I heard these cherries are very sweet."

Huo Wang pointed to the cherries.

"Ah."

Jiang Zhuhua was carefully choosing his words, casually agreeing. How exactly should he try to discern the other person's true intentions?

Catching a fish would make my conscience uneasy. If I were to refuse, Huo Wang really is an excellent childcare expert.

Expensive cherries were casually placed on a plate. Huo Wang, his hands still wet, picked one out.

"Try it."

Huo Wang narrowed his eyes slightly, his smile was peaceful and gentle, and his sharp features softened.

Jiang Zhuhua held the cherry in his palm and gently rubbed it with his fingertips.

"You said you'd show me your abs."

Jiang Zhuhua hesitated before speaking, but after saying it, he felt that this was not a good start.

"Hmm? You remember? Do you want to see it now?"

This topic is indeed a bit sensitive. I brought it up before because the children didn't know. Huo Wang did indeed have a slightly provocative intention.

However, now that they are alone together, this topic is a bit too much. But her heart is beating even faster.

Huo Wang's fingers touched the zipper, as if he would be able to be completely honest with Jiang Zhuhua without hesitation as long as Jiang Zhuhua spoke.

Jiang Zhuhua shifted his body, moving closer to Huo Wang, which intensified the ambiguous feeling. However, the expression on Jiang Zhuhua's face remained indifferent.

"do you like me?"

Jiang Zhuhua fiddled with the cherries in his hands, his eyes fixed on Huo Wang.

Is it for money or something else?

Jiang Zhuhua found it hard to believe that someone would like a single mother for no reason.

My throat was almost uncontrollably dry, my Adam's apple bobbed involuntarily, and my heart seemed to stop for a moment.

Huo Wang's expression froze, and finally, he let out a sudden breath, as if he was giving up.

"I like you. Will you like me?"

The sudden, direct question caught Huo Wang off guard. But looking into the other person's eyes, which seemed to see right through him, made his soul tremble slightly, so he simply spoke frankly.

Jiang Zhuhua remained silent.

Huo Wang lowered his eyes, looking at the cherry she was playing with in her hand, and reached out to hold her hand.

Jiang Zhuhua did not struggle, but simply leaned back gently on the sofa, wanting to see what he was going to do.

The other person's honesty was unexpected, but that's good, isn't it?

Huo Wang lowered his head slightly and bit the cherry on her fingertip. The cherry wasn't small, and Huo Wang only gently bit off half of it.

The bright red juice stained her somewhat pale lips, which were pale from the cold weather. A touch of red made her lips look even more luscious and vibrant, like an old painting that had come back to life.

The plump cherries splashed some juice, staining Jiang Zhuhua's fingertips a light red, making them seem to have a touch of spring.

Huo Wang slowly chewed the tiny cherry, his movements light and deliberate, looking up at Jiang Zhuhua with a blatant, aggressive glint in his eyes. It was as if he wasn't chewing fruit.

Jiang Zhuhua's face showed neither disgust nor excitement, only calmness.

However, this could also be considered a form of tacit approval.