The small apartment was peaceful that morning.
Xu Mengmeng was in the kitchen again, tying her apron while preparing breakfast. The tiny kitchen smelled of eggs and toast, and soft sunlight filled the room.
Everything felt calm.
Until—
Knock. Knock. Knock.
The sudden knock on the door echoed through the apartment.
Mengmeng frowned slightly.
"Were you expecting someone?" she asked.
Feng, who had been sitting on the couch reading something on his phone, looked up.
"…No."
The knock came again.
This time louder.
Feng slowly walked toward the door, feeling a strange sense of unease.
When he opened it—
He froze.
Standing outside were three very familiar faces.
His father.
His mother.
And his younger sister.
All three of them were staring at him with complete shock.
"Feng?" his sister said slowly.
His father looked past him into the tiny apartment.
Then back at Feng.
"…What exactly is this?"
Feng's mind went blank.
Of all the places his family could visit…
Why here?
Behind him, Mengmeng walked toward the door.
"Who is it—"
She stopped when she saw them.
Four pairs of eyes met in awkward silence.
Feng cleared his throat.
"…My family."
Mengmeng blinked.
"Oh."
For a moment, no one spoke.
Then Feng's mother suddenly stepped inside.
Her eyes quickly scanned the apartment.
The small couch.
The cheap table.
The tiny kitchen.
Her expression looked like she had just walked into another universe.
"…You live here?" she asked slowly.
Feng forced a calm smile.
"Yes."
His sister whispered loudly, "Are we in the wrong building?"
Feng glared at her.
"We're not."
Meanwhile, Mengmeng quickly stepped forward politely.
"Hello," she said with a gentle smile. "I'm Xu Mengmeng."
Feng's mother immediately looked at her.
Then something in her expression softened.
"So you're the girl."
Mengmeng nodded politely.
"It's nice to meet you."
Feng's father crossed his arms.
"…Why does the heir of the Gu family live in a place like this?"
Feng quickly interrupted.
"We're trying something new."
His father raised an eyebrow.
"What kind of experiment is this?"
Before Feng could answer, his sister suddenly walked toward the kitchen.
She opened the fridge.
Then stared inside.
Instant noodles.
Eggs.
Vegetables.
Nothing expensive.
She slowly turned around.
"…Brother."
"Yes?"
"…You've lost your mind."
Mengmeng tried very hard not to laugh.
A few minutes later everyone sat in the tiny living room.
Or at least tried to.
There wasn't enough space.
Feng's father sat stiffly on the couch.
His mother sat beside him.
His sister had to sit on a small chair that clearly looked uncomfortable.
Meanwhile Feng stood awkwardly near the wall.
Mengmeng brought tea for everyone.
"Sorry the apartment is small," she said gently.
Feng's mother quickly shook her head.
"No, no… it's fine."
But her eyes kept looking around like she was trying to understand how her son ended up here.
Feng's sister suddenly leaned toward Mengmeng.
"Do you really live like this?"
Mengmeng nodded.
"Yes."
"Voluntarily?"
"…Yes."
The sister slowly turned to Feng again.
"…Brother, I'm disappointed in you."
Feng rubbed his forehead.
"This was my idea."
"Oh we know but it's fine once the work is good we will find a new home " she said.
Things only became more embarrassing for Feng after that.
Mengmeng started serving snacks.
But because the apartment table was so small, Feng had to help.
At one point he accidentally bumped into a chair.
Then nearly spilled tea.
His sister stared at him in disbelief.
"…You run a company."
"Yes."
"And you can't carry tea."
Feng sighed deeply.
"Please stop talking."
Mengmeng quietly covered her mouth to hide a smile.
Seeing Feng like this was… surprisingly funny.
The usually calm and confident man looked completely helpless in front of his own family
Later, while Feng went to the kitchen to get more tea, his mother leaned closer to Mengmeng.
She spoke in a softer voice.
"Thank you for taking care of him."
Mengmeng blinked slightly.
"He's not difficult."
Feng's sister laughed.
"Oh he is."
From the kitchen Feng shouted, "I can hear you!"
The room filled with light laughter.
When Feng returned, he noticed something strange.
Mengmeng was smiling warmly while talking to his family.
His parents looked relaxed.
Even his strict father seemed calmer.
The small apartment suddenly felt lively.
Warm.
Almost like a real family visit.
Feng sat down beside Mengmeng.
For a moment their shoulders lightly touched.
Mengmeng glanced at him.
"You survived," she whispered teasingly.
Feng sighed.
"Barely."
She smiled.
And for a moment, Feng felt that strange feeling again.
The one that made his heart beat faster.
Watching her laugh with his family…
Made the tiny apartment feel more like a real home than he expected.
And that thought…
Was far more dangerous than any secret they were hiding.