He Li, sitting on the sofa, felt a bit awkward.
Tiffani was only 16.
To be frank, Canadian girls developed fast. She wore a crop top and shorts, and her figure was slender.
But…
He didn't know about the laws in this country…
*Ding-dong.*
A fork fell from the cupboard.
Tiffani bent down to pick it up. Since Canadian kitchens were mostly open-plan, Tiffani’s bend caused He Li to jolt up from the sofa.
“Tiffani, I’m going back. Let’s chat again sometime.”
Saying this, He Li walked towards the door.
“Huh?”
Tiffani, still picking up the fork, hadn't even registered what was happening before He Li reached the door.
Just as He Li reached for the doorknob, the door was pushed open from the outside.
A woman with brown curly hair and black-rimmed glasses walked in. She looked to be in her thirties and smelled faintly of alcohol.
The woman was surprised to see a man in the house. She paused, then saw Tiffani emerge from the kitchen with juice and a cup, and she snapped back to reality.
She looked at He Li, hesitated, then forced a smile and asked, “Tiffani’s boyfriend?”
“Oh… no, I’m not. I’m… a neighbor, Willow’s friend.” He Li quickly waved his hands to explain, thinking to himself that the pineapple beef cubes were indeed from the supermarket’s ready-made meals.
Ivahsa pursed her lips and looked at He Li again. Seeing her daughter’s expectant gaze, she instantly understood. Her daughter had finally grown up and was trying to hook up with a handsome guy.
“Neighbor, hello, I’m Tiffani’s mother, Ivahsa. Come, have a drink before you go.”
Ivahsa said this, walked in, took He Li’s arm, and led him to the sofa.
He Li gritted his teeth. He felt a bit cornered at the moment. He accepted the juice Tiffani handed him with a dry laugh and took a sip. It was incredibly sweet.
Literally sweet. They seemed to have a penchant for sweets.
“You two chat. I’ve had a bit too much to drink, I’m going to wash up and sleep.”
Ivahsa put down her bag, took off her coat, and tossed it onto the sofa. Before heading to the bathroom, she gave Tiffani a look, then,
Looking at He Li, she said,
“Tiffani is still in school. If… remember to use protection.”
A good mother who cared for her daughter!
“Madam, you’re mistaken, I…” He Li started to explain, but Ivahsa was already leaving, giving them a highly suggestive glance before she went.
“Don’t mind her, she’s always like this. She gets dead drunk every day after work,” Tiffani said, sitting next to He Li, her long legs crossed. She continued,
“But I admire her. There are never any overdue bills at home, electricity, water, phone, tuition, and all sorts of other expenses.
Sometimes she pays the smaller ones first, then opens up the larger ones to pay. Sometimes she pays the larger ones first, then covers the smaller ones.”
He Li chimed in, “Your mother is a financial wizard.”
Tiffani looked surprised. “Paying bills counts as financial management?”
He Li nodded and said seriously, “As long as you allocate your wealth reasonably, it’s financial management.”
Tiffani blinked, amused, and laughed. “Is that how you understand financial management?”
He Li smiled and shook his head, not answering the question directly. He took a sip of his juice, planning to finish it and then leave.
“Ivahsa is very young. I can tell she takes good care of herself. She doesn’t look like a mother with a 16-year-old daughter at all.”
In Western countries, it’s normal to call elders by their names, including one’s parents and grandparents.
“She had me when she was 16.”
“Wow, what a brave woman. She truly cherished your life.”
“Uh… she didn’t have the money for an abortion, and she couldn’t find the father. My maternal grandparents passed away very early.”
He Li was completely silenced. Couldn’t they just have a normal conversation?
Tiffani looked at He Li’s face earnestly, her lips curving unconsciously, a blush appearing on her cheeks. “He Li, you’re so handsome. Like a general in a TV drama, you have a very unique aura that’s captivating.”
He Li pursed his lips, swallowed, and smiled, “Thank you for the compliment. But, Tiffani, it’s getting late, I should go.”
He Li made a move to stand up.
“Ah?” Tiffani’s small face fell, then she quickly said, “Wait a moment. I made fruit salad. Take some back for yourself, and give some to Uncle Willow too.”
Saying this, without waiting for He Li to refuse, she hurried to the kitchen and started clattering with bowls and basins.
He Li sighed. Girl, you’re just starting to make it…
He felt a bit helpless, but leaving directly would be impolite, so he had to sit there. Frankly speaking, as a hot-blooded youth who could break through steel plates, it was impossible not to think about these things. But… 16 years old… foreign…
As a law-abiding good youth, a Young Pioneers with three stripes, and the flag bearer at the elementary school sports meet, he couldn’t do such a thing.
Ivahsa had also finished her shower and walked into the living room wrapped in a towel. She gave He Li a suggestive smile and then went to her room.
He Li smacked his lips. He should really leave. If he stayed any longer, his 20-year-old pure body might be compromised.
He Li glanced at Tiffani, who was busy clattering in the kitchen, then turned to look at Ivahsa, who was sitting at the vanity with her back to him, combing her hair.
He sighed softly, deciding to wait until she finished making the fruit salad. She was almost done, squeezing salad dressing into the bowl.
After waiting for over a minute, he looked back at Ivahsa’s room.
He Li’s eyes widened.
Holy crap!
Sister! Where’s your head?
Ivahsa’s room was dark, with only the living room light providing a hazy illumination. Ivahsa, who had been combing her hair moments ago, now had no head.
He Li swallowed. No way, had he encountered a foreign demon?
He Li looked at Tiffani making the fruit salad, stood up, and walked towards Ivahsa’s room. The closer he got, the clearer the sight became.
Reaching the doorway and looking closely,
He Li breathed a sigh of relief, his heart settling. Yes, her head was truly gone.
The next moment,
The headless Ivahsa stood up and slowly turned around to face He Li.
He Li suddenly understood what was happening.
Ivahsa was holding her head in her left hand and a comb in her right, combing her hair with each stroke. Her head was still smiling at He Li.
He Li nodded. Long hair was difficult to manage, and the hair at the back of her head couldn’t be reached. So, she took her head off to comb it. This made perfect sense.
He Li smiled. Alright, you busy yourself, I need to go. Willow might be dying, and I need to take him to the hospital.
He Li turned back and froze…
Tiffani was holding a glass basin filled with more than half a basin of insects: maggots, grubs, worms, white worms, all sticky with salad dressing.
He Li turned back again. Ivahsa was already standing behind him, holding her head. The mother and daughter had him trapped between them.
He Li grinned helplessly and said, “Damn it! Fuck!”
…