Chapter 1864
                    Richard felt mortified and quickly ran out, dashing into the bathroom, only to find Stella sitting on the toilet, her bare bottom making him avert his eyes in embarrassment.
"Richard, what are you doing?" Stella snapped coldly upon seeing him burst in. "You're almost in middle school now. How can you still be so careless? Just like your good-for-nothing father."
Richard stood frozen as Stella berated him, not daring to move until she pulled up her pants and left the bathroom. Only then did he breathe a sigh of relief. He pulled down his pants and noticed something sticky on his cock with a strange chestnut-like scent. He realized he hadn't wet the bed—he'd had his first nocturnal emission.
As an almost-middle schooler, Richard's body was developing rapidly. His voice had deepened, his facial hair had appeared, and his Adam's apple had become more prominent. Even his once smooth cock had sprouted a few sparse hairs, giving him a somewhat grown-up appearance. Still, he felt insecure about its size—barely longer than his thumb and shorter than his index finger. He'd heard women's vaginas were deep enough to accommodate a cucumber, which made him self-conscious. Audrey was so tall; his short cock probably wouldn't even register if he were inside her—not that he'd ever have the chance to sleep with her. At most, he might get lucky enough to touch her breasts someday.
While Richard was lost in these thoughts, someone knocked on the door. Opening it, he found Audrey smiling at him, as if amused by his predicament. His face flushed with embarrassment, wanting nothing more than to escape.
"Why have you been hiding in the bathroom? Come on, it's time for breakfast," Audrey said, reaching for Richard's hand. Red-faced, he pleaded, "Audrey, could you please not tell anyone about this?"
Audrey gave him a warm smile. "Don't worry, this will be our little secret. Don't stress about it, Richard. You're entering puberty now, and if you have any questions, you can always talk to me. I promise I won't tell anyone. I dealt with similar situations back in school—it's perfectly normal."
"Okay, Audrey," Richard nodded. Elementary school hadn't included sex education, and what little knowledge he had came from classmates and occasionally browsing Albert's books. His sources weren't exactly reliable. His father, Peter was always busy with work, and Stella never bothered with parenting, so he'd received virtually no sexual education. Seeing Audrey's gentle smile, he gathered his courage and admitted, "Actually, I didn't wet the bed."
"Oh?" Audrey paused, instinctively glancing at Richard's crotch with an inscrutable expression. She patted his head and said, "Looks like our Richard is growing up. Let's go have breakfast first, and I'll explain everything properly tonight. Really, it's nothing to worry about, so don't overthink it, kiddo."
Although Audrey still treated Richard like a boy just awakening to sexuality, he actually already understood quite a bit about male-female relationships and had developed inappropriate thoughts about her body. Last night's nocturnal emission was proof enough—this young boy was already capable of ejaculating semen.
During breakfast, when Stella heard that Richard had slept with Audrey the night before, she remarked jealously, "Richard has always been closer to Audrey than to me. Even his own mother can't compare. People might think I'm his stepmom."
Audrey quickly responded, "Stella, please don't say that. However close Richard is to me, it can't compare to his bond with you. You gave birth to him. I've just been away for so long, and Richard has changed so much that I barely recognized him."
"Yes, everything about him is fine except his height—just like his father," Stella glared at Peter, who was eating quietly beside her. "Richard takes after me in everything except his height, which he unfortunately inherited from Peter. It drives me crazy."
"Richard's only in fifth grade; he'll definitely grow taller. Don't worry too much, Stella," Audrey reassured her. "But since he's in his developmental phase, he needs nutritious food and plenty of exercise."
"Oh, I don't have time for that," Stella said, checking her watch and stuffing a piece of toast into her mouth. "I have to go—they're waiting for me at the bridge club. Audrey, please help me look after Richard when you can. I really appreciate it."
Everyone at the table exchanged awkward glances. Peter smiled uncomfortably and said to Audrey, "Don't listen to Stella's nonsense. You focus on your own business."
"It's no trouble, Peter. I'm not busy right now, and I'm happy to help with Richard. After all, he's family," Audrey replied with a light smile, though her heart felt heavy. Stella was clearly the restless type, always hanging around the bridge club with questionable company. It was only a matter of time before problems arose, but Audrey couldn't say anything without seeming like she was trying to cause trouble between the couple. She could only hope Stella was actually playing bridge and not getting involved in something worse.
After breakfast, Audrey went to meet the school principal about teaching, while Richard stayed home to work on his summer assignments.
After working for a while, Richard felt restless and went to the bathroom. He noticed Audrey's discarded clothes nearby, and thinking of her enchanting figure, he couldn't resist rummaging through them. Underneath, he found a black lace panty. Richard touched it with his fingertips, feeling its silky texture.
Richard glanced back at the door, confirming no one was in the living room, before nervously taking the panty in his hands. The material was smooth and soft. Thinking about how these panties had been pressed against Audrey's mons pubis just yesterday, his heart began racing again, and his body grew hot. Suddenly overcome with urges, he locked the bathroom door, then nervously pulled out his penis. Trembling, he wrapped Audrey's panty around his tender member and began stroking, imagining Audrey's enticing naked body from yesterday—those large breasts bouncing before his eyes. Soon, his small penis twitched and released thin fluid, soaking the panty.
It felt amazing. Richard, breathing heavily, tucked his now soft penis back into his pants, then quickly washed Audrey's panty clean. He stuffed all the clothes into the washing machine and pressed the wash button. This way, even if Audrey returned soon, he could claim he was just helping with laundry and hadn't noticed the underwear beneath. She would never know what he'd done.
After finishing, Richard returned to his desk to continue his assignments, wondering how Audrey's meeting with the principal had gone. If Audrey could stay and teach at the town's middle school, he definitely wanted her as his homeroom teacher.
Imagining the sweet days he would spend with Audrey at school, Richard's lips curved into a smile. Since Audrey's return to town, his life had become much better. It was like having another mom—a real mom who cared about his studies and life more than Stella did.
Suddenly, a knock at the door interrupted his daydreaming. Richard went to the yard and opened the door to find Yale, the jerk he'd met at the convenience store yesterday.
"Yale, what are you doing here?" Richard asked in surprise. Although Yale knew Peter, he had never visited their home before.
"Just passing by, thought I'd drop in," Yale squeezed past Richard and stood in the yard, looking around. "Where are your parents?"
"Dad's at the convenience store, and Mom's at the bridge club," Richard replied unhappily. This guy was too familiar; Richard hadn't even invited him in.
Yale entered the living room, sat on the sofa, pulled out a cigarette, and lit it. Crossing his legs, he asked with a grin, "Richard, where's your aunt? Not home?"
Richard immediately understood—this guy had come for Audrey. He replied curtly, "Why are you asking about her? I don't know."
"Playing tough with me, huh?" Yale's brow furrowed, then he pulled out a ten-dollar bill from his pocket and waved it. "Tell me, and this ten bucks is yours."
Richard grew angrier. This guy was trying to bribe him, but did he look like someone who could be bought? Especially when it meant betraying Audrey. He said coldly, "I really don't know. You should leave—I need to finish my homework."
"Quite the principled kid, aren't you?" Yale stuffed the money back into his pocket and stood up, but instead of leaving, he walked toward Audrey's bedroom. "This is your aunt's room, right? Let me take a look."
Richard quickly blocked the doorway, saying angrily, "Yale, nobody's allowed in her room."
"Whatever, it's not like she's a princess," Yale tried to peer around Richard, but couldn't see anything interesting. "Fine, I'll come back this afternoon. She has to return for lunch, right? I'll wait for her."
After Yale left, Richard felt worried. Yale was just a street thug who spent his days in internet cafes or gambling. He'd been to the police station countless times. If he had set his sights on Audrey, that could mean trouble. But Richard had no solution now; he could only hope Yale wouldn't go too far.
Around noon, Audrey returned with good news. Her meeting with the principal had gone well—the middle school was desperately short of teachers, and when the principal learned Audrey had taught at Harmony County Sunset Valley High School, he immediately agreed to hire her. She would start teaching when school reopened, serving as both a homeroom teacher and a literature teacher, though her salary would be several hundred dollars less than at Sunset Valley High, with fewer hourly bonuses.
Audrey didn't mind these details. Before returning to town, she had already made up her mind. Living alone in Harmony County without support, facing pressure from Oliver and Quentin, had made her unhappy. She preferred to return home to be with her parents. Now she could stay with her family and have Richard, this adorable child, in her life—earning less was worth it.
With her job secured, Audrey was in a good mood. She personally cooked several dishes for lunch, which Richard praised endlessly, declaring her culinary skills unmatched. The dining room was filled with laughter, and the family felt truly happy.
Around two in the afternoon, Bob arrived early as promised. Audrey and Richard were ready, and the three headed to the riverside. Bob's chosen spot was indeed excellent—a quiet environment with gentle water flow and many trees providing shade. A small path led to the riverbank, making it difficult for others to find.
"Bob, this place is wonderful," Audrey said, looking at the clear stream and listening to the gurgling water. She felt more relaxed than she had in a long time, standing under a tree, enjoying the cool breeze.
Bob, however, was staring at Audrey. She wore a simple T-shirt and shorts, revealing her shapely legs. Her breasts were full and round, her buttocks firm and perky, her waist slender, and her skin fair. Her face was delicate and beautiful, with golden hair tied back and bangs falling across her forehead, giving her a lively, playful appearance. She was more beautiful than any girl at their school, and her sweet smile, accompanied by shallow dimples, made her even more captivating. Not just Bob and Richard, two innocent young boys, but even grown men would find her irresistible.
Bob and Richard found a spot to fish while Audrey relaxed in the shade of a large tree.
Casting his fishing rod into the water, Bob looked back at Audrey and said to Richard, "Richard, your aunt is really beautiful. Too bad she's married."