Chapter 20: The Sweetness of a ‘Bad’ Mother

Su Qingyao’s competitive spirit was not particularly strong.

Thus, among the parents, the young woman was practically swept along by the crowd.

However, Su Qingyao’s gentle demeanor still made her stand out. Her unmasked beauty, in particular, unconsciously created a benevolent vacuum around her, where others gave her space.

Su Qingyao, with her exceptional eyesight, had picked out her daughter from the myriad of children the moment she entered her sight. She instinctively focused almost all her attention on Su Muxue.

Seeing her walk cheerfully with another child her age, Su Qingyao admitted that a rich sense of satisfaction was gradually brewing in her chest.

What a strange feeling it was. Fifteen years of lingering male psychology crumbled in an instant.

Despite only having a single bond of kinship, she could now easily delight in what her daughter delighted in, and love what her daughter loved.

It seemed this mother-daughter relationship had changed her significantly.

The young woman self-critically reviewed her emotional journey since awakening, arriving at a final conclusion:

She relished it wholeheartedly.

From the very first taste of this sweetness, the outcome was predetermined.

So, as a “good mother,” Su Qingyao should now loudly call out Su Muxue’s name, or even rush forward to embrace her, right?

But no.

‘I, Su Qingyao, am not someone to be manipulated by maternal love.’

‘Even so, my male psychology will not lose!’

‘Just like treating a clingy kitten when coming home, playing hard to get is the best way to make it “meow” and pounce into your arms willingly.’

‘That way, it will be even more “mellow” and enjoyable.’

‘Heh heh, I must be a “bad mother.”’

Su Qingyao maintained her smile, anticipating the delightful expression she would witness on her daughter’s face when Su Muxue discovered her.

Her wait would not be long.

Su Muxue peered over the crowd, and with just two glances, she spotted Su Qingyao. Her previously faint smile instantly brightened.

Her sparkling eyes truly resembled two small, shimmering mirrors, reflecting two identical mothers.

“Slow, slow down, Su Muxue!”

Jiang Jiuli only knew her poor arm felt like it was being pulled off; it hurt terribly.

“Muxue saw Mama~”

Su Muxue explained softly, “But Mama hasn’t found Muxue yet!”

“Wow.” Jiang Jiuli helplessly squeezed through, trying to pass two sweaty male classmates.

Was Su Muxue’s mother really that charming?

She looked around.

But without the mysterious telepathy between mother and daughter, finding Su Qingyao instantly seemed almost impossible.

After emerging from the crowd, the girl released Jiang Jiuli’s hand and jogged in one direction.

“Mama!” Su Muxue called out loudly.

“Oh, Xiaoxue is out of school! Come here for a big hug.”

Jiang Jiuli watched as the young “woman” Su Qingyao, whom Su Muxue called “Mama,” opened her arms and embraced her tightly.

Su Muxue playfully rubbed her soft hair against Su Qingyao’s chest, allowing her strands to capture her mother’s faint scent. “Hrmmm—” The girl let out a casual sigh, a hint of crimson coloring her cheeks.

Nestled in Su Qingyao’s embrace, Su Muxue, still flushed, turned her head to look at Jiang Jiuli, who stood dumbfounded not far away:

“See, this is my Mama.”

“Oh, my,” the elegant young woman, who had been solely focused on Su Muxue, now turned her head towards Jiang Jiuli at Su Muxue’s prompting:

“Are you Xiaoxue’s friend?”

“Ah, yes, yes, I am.” Jiang Jiuli nodded vigorously, like a pounding garlic pestle.

She had to admit that upon seeing Su Muxue’s mother, so beautiful and gentle, a touch of bitterness—

—and envy—surged in her heart.

“My name is Jiang, Jiang Jiuli!”

A slightly shy Jiang Jiuli forcefully uttered her broken words.

“Jiuli, what a lovely name.”

Su Qingyao, with her eyes slightly crinkled, loosened her embrace on Su Muxue a little, took two steps, and gently ruffled Jiang Jiuli’s head.

“Ah, what a cute child.”

“Ah—”

Jiang Jiuli stood frozen like a toy soldier with a broken spring, her slightly parted mouth unable to close for a long time.

‘Wuwuwuwu.’

‘Some things, once touched, can never be returned.’

Jiang Jiuli suddenly understood this truth.

****

To drop off her daughter’s friend, Su Qingyao deliberately took a detour.

By the time they finally arrived home, the sun had already begun to set, casting two shadows, one tall and one short, onto the orange-hued apartment door.

Su Qingyao turned the key and opened the apartment door.

Inside, a young man sat uninvited at the dining table, reading a newspaper.

Had it not been for several plates of cooling dishes arranged neatly in the center of the table, Su Qingyao would likely have unhesitatingly kicked her dear senior, Lu Zhichuan, out of her and her daughter’s small home.

“I didn’t realize, Senior, that you could cook?”

Su Qingyao glanced at Lu Zhichuan’s empty keyring. “And did you, Senior, climb in through the window?”

“Didn’t you, Qingyao, leave me a key?”

Lu Zhichuan’s bewildered counter-question was Su Qingyao’s greeting.

“Hmm?” Confusion first.

Then, Su Qingyao suddenly remembered something.

She patted the pocket of her pleated skirt, pulling out Lu Zhichuan’s keyring.

“…”

“…”

They exchanged silent glances for a moment, then simultaneously swapped their keyrings.

“Let’s call it even.”

“Hmmph—”

Su Qingyao’s toes vigorously dug into her slipper.

“Xiaoxue, go change your clothes, then come out to eat.”

Su Qingyao composed herself, bent down, and patted her daughter’s back, sending Su Muxue scurrying into the bedroom.

“This time, I’ll temporarily overlook your responsibility, Senior.”

Su Qingyao gave a light huff. Lu Zhichuan, understanding the hint, nodded and gestured with his hand for Su Qingyao to sit and try the food.

Su Qingyao blinked, a hint of suspicion on her face as she took her seat. She picked up her chopsticks and took a bite of shredded potatoes.

“Mmm.”

The vinegary taste was just right, and it offered a crisp texture upon chewing—certainly not the work of a novice cook.

“It’s just a bit cold now.”

The young woman sighed regretfully.

After all, it wasn’t the fresh-from-the-wok taste. Senior Lu Zhichuan must have cooked it right around the time school ended.

And it had cooled down because of their detour.

“So, how does it taste?”

Lu Zhichuan put down his newspaper and asked with a hint of anticipation.

‘Look, Senior’s eyes are already sparkling, aren’t they?’

‘If I were to disparage him now, Senior Lu Zhichuan’s reaction would surely be interesting.’

“Hmm…”

“I can only say it’s barely better than takeout.”

‘I accidentally said something against my true feelings to Senior.’

“That’s good then.”

Lu Zhichuan visibly sighed in relief, practically beaming with happiness.

‘See, isn’t his favorability about to go up by one?’

Su Qingyao recoiled slightly in distaste, then stood up and picked up the cooling dish.

“I’ll go to the kitchen to reheat this. Senior, please warm up the rice and soup in the microwave.”

“Alright.” Lu Zhichuan ignored Su Qingyao’s disdain.

He was quite content and composed.

****

Putting everything else aside, Senior Lu Zhichuan’s cooking, though simple and not as refined as Su Qingyao’s, was surprisingly agreeable to her taste.

After the meal, Su Qingyao went to the kitchen to wash the dishes.

Meanwhile, Lu Zhichuan bid the young woman farewell and voluntarily left Su Qingyao’s apartment.

“Strange. Could Senior Lu Zhichuan really have just come to cook dinner?”

Su Qingyao blinked in confusion.

She lowered her head, her gaze coincidentally meeting Su Muxue’s, who had been watching TV.

In the reflection of her daughter’s eyes, Su Qingyao saw only her own perplexed expression.

“How odd,” Su Qingyao murmured to herself.

A small, unruly wisp of hair on Su Muxue’s head subtly swayed.

Today, warmth lingered still.