In the passenger seat, Jason clearly sensed the favorability increases from Tanya and Katherine, but he didn't care in the slightest.
In his mind, those two had already been reduced to tools.
He had no intention of investing any real emotion or attention in them.
Ava drove steadily, then asked considerately,"Do you want to crack the window a bit to sober up, or should I keep it closed since it's cold outside?"
"It's cold—keep it closed," Jason replied.
He himself didn't feel cold at all. His current physical condition was absurdly strong—alcohol barely affected him, and low temperatures were meaningless.
But Ava might feel cold.
He was no longer someone who fawned over women, but that didn't mean he lacked emotional intelligence. Knowing how to care for someone appropriately was basic courtesy.
If someone treated him well and provided genuine emotional value, he didn't mind returning that care.
Unexpectedly, Ava saw through his intention instantly. She smiled and said,"I've been pretty sturdy since I was little. I'm wearing thick clothes and a scarf today—I'm not cold."
Jason chuckled."I'm cold. I'm weak."
Ava let out a soft laugh."You're practically radiating heat. You don't look cold at all."
"But you do look energetic," she added. "You don't really need to sober up, so I'll keep it closed."
If their classmates could see this scene, they would be shocked.
Ava was known for being gentle and easygoing, with good relationships all around—but getting truly close to her was extremely difficult. That was why, despite being in her senior year, she had never dated.
Yet around Jason, that invisible barrier seemed to disappear.
She had no defenses around him.
Just then, her phone rang.
It was mounted on the dashboard for navigation. When the ringtone sounded, Jason subconsciously glanced over.
The caller ID read: Mom.
Ava frowned instinctively. The smile on her face dimmed almost immediately. She took a breath and answered.
"Mom."
On the other end came a firm, commanding voice.
"Why are you taking so long at a class reunion?" her mother said sharply."Hurry up and come home. It's not even your graduating class—what's there to talk about?"
"Even if it were your own class, you won't be in the same world as most of them in the future. These relationships are meaningless. Don't waste time on them."
"The piano competition is coming up. If you don't practice seriously, how do you expect to win?"
Ava was clearly a little afraid of her mother. Her voice softened unconsciously.
"Mom… I finally get a day off. And there's someone there who helped me a lot—he's not just an ordinary classmate."
"Starting tomorrow, I'll practice twice as hard. I won't fall behind."
Her mother's tone didn't soften at all.
"This isn't about not falling behind. You need to strive for perfection."
"Only perfection lets you defeat thousands of others."
"Do you know how much we've sacrificed for you to walk this musical path?"
Hearing this, Ava visibly deflated, like a balloon losing air.
She sighed quietly."Mom, I know."
"I'm taking a friend home right now. He's had a bit to drink. I'll be back soon."
She hung up.
After a brief silence, Ava glanced at Jason apologetically.
"Sorry… you must think I'm ridiculous."
Jason smiled gently."It's fine. Every family has its own difficulties."
Even through the phone, he could feel the suffocating pressure coming from Ava's mother.
Shenna, the rich heiress he knew, also lived under strict family rules—but those were mostly about protection and care.
Ava's situation was different.
Her mother placed heavy expectations on her, hoping she would rise in status, become exceptional.
Perhaps Ava herself willingly carried that pressure. As an outsider, Jason had no right to judge.
Ava's tone grew a little subdued.
"It's rare for me to be home for New Year's. I should've spent more time with you tonight."
"But after I drop you off, I still have to go home."
Jason shook his head."You don't owe me anything. You're not obligated to accompany me."
He paused, then added lightly,"But it is a shame you can't relax on New Year's."
"Tell me—do you have the courage to rebel just once?"
"To throw everything aside, clear your head, and actually enjoy one full day?"
Ava blinked, then laughed softly.
"If I did that, my mom would personally come drag me back."
"You don't know how scary she gets when she's angry. Even you would be in trouble."
Jason chuckled.
"If you have the courage not to go back," he said calmly,"I have a way to make sure your parents can't control you."
Ava suddenly pulled the car over to the side of the road.
She turned to look at him seriously.
"So if I really rebel," she asked slowly,"you won't back out halfway when my mom comes looking for me?"
Jason met her gaze without hesitation and nodded.
"Of course."
Ava was silent for three seconds.
Then she smiled.
"Alright," she said lightly."Just don't regret whatever consequences come with it."
Jason chuckled softly."Don't worry. Your mom isn't a tigress."
As he spoke, he casually sent a message to Olivia.
Ava glanced at him sideways and smiled teasingly."You really don't understand. Women are scarier than tigresses. You have so many girls around you—looks like none of them are fierce enough."
With that, she restarted the car.
Not long after, they arrived at his new home.
The moment Eric and Angela saw Jason bring a girl home—and such a beautiful one at that, with a gentle, clean temperament—
Their eyes lit up.
They instantly forgot about their own son and warmly greeted Ava, their enthusiasm unmistakable. It was as if in their eyes, she was already family—the more they looked at her, the more they liked her.
Ava had grown up under a suppressive upbringing. Her parents were strict, demanding, and always pushing her forward.
But Eric and Angela were the complete opposite.
Their warmth made her feel strangely at home.
There was no pressure.No sharp expectations.Only praise and smiles.
It even felt as if, in their eyes, it didn't matter whether she achieved anything extraordinary or not.
That sense of acceptance—of being valued simply for existing—
Made Ava feel relaxed from the depths of her heart.
Especially Angela.
Her cheerful personality and ever-present smile made everything feel light, as if even if the sky fell tomorrow, it wouldn't really matter.
Just a short conversation was enough to shift Ava's mood entirely.
For the first time, she realized—
There was another way to live.
"Dad, Mom," Jason said helplessly, "don't scare her."
"You two keep watching TV. We're going up to the terrace to look at the stars."
Fearing his parents' enthusiasm might overwhelm her, Jason gently pulled Ava toward the stairs.
As they walked, Ava laughed softly.
"I wasn't scared at all," she said. "Uncle and Auntie are so kind. I really envy you."
"Living in a family without so much pressure… it must feel amazing."
Jason chuckled."When I was little, my family was poor. Clothes, shoes, phones—everything had to be the cheapest option."
"Back then, middle-class families like yours were the ones I envied."
Ava smiled thoughtfully."Maybe life is like a besieged city. People inside want to get out, and people outside want to get in."
"But right now…" she added softly,"I really want to trade places with you."
Soon, they stepped onto the terrace.
As the most expensive villa in the community, it had every reason to be.
The terrace was spacious and elegant, filled with flowers and greenery. Vines climbed up from below, wrapping around half the railing in vibrant color.
And because this City was still underdeveloped, with very little industry, the air remained clean and clear.
Sitting there and looking up—
The sky was filled with stars.
Under that vast, quiet starlight, both body and mind seemed to melt.
"I almost forgot," Ava murmured, half-lying on a lounge chair, her limbs loose and relaxed,"how beautiful the night sky here is."
"Isn't it?" Jason replied.
He picked up a glass of juice the nanny had prepared, took a sip, and lay back comfortably.
"So many people spend their entire lives chasing illusions in distant places," he said casually,"and forget the gentleness of their hometown."
"Sometimes, the beauty we're looking for is right beside us."
Ava's eyes lit up when she heard his words.
She turned her head, expecting something poetic.
What she saw instead—
Was Jason lying there casually, one leg crossed over the other, completely at ease. His posture was relaxed, free, almost lazy.
Seeing him like that, Ava couldn't help but smile.
There are 150 chapters ahead in my Patreon. If you are interested can check it out.
patreon.com/B_A_3439