Chen Xiaoyan was like a child who couldn’t get her reward. She lay on the sofa, throwing a tantrum and flailing her arms and legs.
Mu Qingxue rested her right arm on the sofa’s armrest, propping up her head as she quietly watched the other woman’s performance.
Both of them knew they were joking, but neither pointed it out. Such was life. If things were stated too clearly, the fun would be lost.
“Daughter, what’s wrong with you?” Deng Xiaoxiao stood there frozen, holding a bowl of soup as she watched Chen Xiaoyan act out on the sofa.
“Ah — Mom!” Seeing Deng Xiaoxiao come out, Chen Xiaoyan quickly sat up, using a smile to hide her embarrassment. “It’s nothing. I’m just playing with Qingxue.”
Mu Qingxue gave Chen Xiaoyan a reproving look before standing up and walking over to Deng Xiaoxiao. “Auntie, let me help you carry that.”
“It’s too hot. I’ll do it,” Deng Xiaoxiao said, smiling as she declined Mu Qingxue’s offer.
When carrying soup in porcelain bowls, whoever held them would be the one to suffer. However, she did farm work day and night, and her hands were covered in callouses. She wasn’t afraid of the heat at all.
Deng Xiaoxiao placed the soup gently on the table and turned to call out to Chen Xiaoyan, “Daughter, why are you still sitting on the sofa? Get ready to wash the dishes and chopsticks for dinner.”
“I’ll do it, I’ll do it,” Mu Qingxue hurriedly chimed in.
“Qingxue, my girl, you’re a guest. How could I let you work?” After saying that, she glanced at Chen Xiaoyan, her meaning crystal clear.
Chen Xiaoyan pouted and somewhat reluctantly went to prepare the tableware.
“Qingxue, sit on the sofa for a while. It’ll be ready in a moment.”
“All right.” Mu Qingxue felt a little discouraged. She clearly wanted to perform well in front of her future mother-in-law, but who knew the woman wouldn’t give her the chance?
‘Sigh.’
After speaking to Mu Qingxue, Deng Xiaoxiao looked over at the two Xues standing straight in the hall. She had met Qian Renxue before, but this was her first time seeing March.
She asked, “These young girls are…”
“Auntie, both of them are my friends. Come on, say hello to Auntie,” Mu Qingxue said, giving the two Xues a look.
“Hello, Auntie. My name is Yaoyao. You can just call me Yaoyao from now on.”
“Hello, Auntie. My name is Qianqian.”
Deng Xiaoxiao nodded with a kind smile. “Good, good. Everyone, sit down. Don’t just stand there.”
The two Xues quickly declined.
“No, Auntie, we’re used to it.” With the Missy present, how would they dare sit?
Deng Xiaoxiao looked between Mu Qingxue and the two Xues, momentarily unsure of what to say. Her daughter had told her that this friend was very powerful and influential, so these two young girls were likely her subordinates.
“Ahem. Auntie told you to sit, so sit. You aren’t door guards, so why are you standing there?”
“Oh, okay.”
Receiving Mu Qingxue’s order, the two Xues sat on the sofa together, appearing very well-behaved.
Deng Xiaoxiao couldn’t help but shake her head and smile at the sight. Their relationship reminded her of the stories from the old days of famine, looking exactly like the well-mannered maids of a wealthy family. She had thought they were extinct by now, but she hadn’t expected to still see them in the big city.
Ten minutes later, all the dishes were ready.
Chen Xiaoyan could hardly wait to taste her mother’s cooking. As soon as she sat down, she couldn’t help but reach her chopsticks toward the braised pork coated in sauce. Though Yaoyao’s braised pork was also good, it lacked the flavor of her childhood. To be precise, it lacked the taste of her mother’s cooking.
Just as her chopsticks reached out, she was slapped by Deng Xiaoxiao.
“Ouch! Mom, why did you hit me?” Chen Xiaoyan looked at the stern-faced Deng Xiaoxiao with an aggrieved expression.
“The guests haven’t even made it to the table yet, and you’re already starting to eat?”
“I…” Chen Xiaoyan was speechless.
She didn’t know if Deng Xiaoxiao was just a good actor or if she truly considered her a biological daughter to be disciplined, but either way, it felt authentic.
“Auntie, we’re all family. There’s no need to be so formal.” Mu Qingxue sat down with a beaming smile and placed a piece of meat in Chen Xiaoyan’s bowl.
Seeing this, the two Xues prepared to leave the room to go find some dinner outside. Deng Xiaoxiao immediately called out to them.
“You two girls, where are you going? Aren’t you coming to eat?”
“Ah? Auntie, we already ate before we came. We aren’t hungry,” Qian Renxue said, making up a random excuse to brush it off.
“Don’t lie to me now.”
Qian Renxue hurriedly shook her head in denial. “No, Auntie, I’m telling the truth.”
Mu Qingxue didn’t say anything. Normally, she would definitely have called the two Xues to eat together, but this meal wasn’t a normal dinner, so it would be a bit inappropriate for them to stay.
“Auntie, they’ve already eaten. They have some business to take care of now, so don’t try to keep them.”
Mu Qingxue’s words made Deng Xiaoxiao give up on the idea of keeping the two Xues. After all, work was important.
“Well then, I won’t keep you. Be careful on the road.”
“Thank you, Auntie.” The two Xues left.
The three of them picked up their chopsticks and started eating. Chen Xiaoyan had long since grown impatient. She moved like lightning, grabbing a piece of braised pork with her chopsticks and quickly stuffing it into her mouth, her face full of enjoyment.
‘Mmm—’
This taste… she really missed it.
Seeing Chen Xiaoyan eating with such gusto, Mu Qingxue also curiously picked up a piece to taste. The flavor was decent, but it wasn’t quite at the level where she would find it that delicious.
“Daughter, eat more. Look at your tiny frame. Even Qingxue has more meat on her bones than you.”
Mu Qingxue was just about to pick up a second piece of braised pork, but upon hearing Deng Xiaoxiao’s words, her hand suddenly paused. She shifted her aim toward the green vegetables next to it.
‘Auntie thinks I’m fat?’
She quietly felt her waist. There didn’t seem to be any excess fat.
‘No, I need to start a weight loss plan from now on.’
“You got it, Mom!” Chen Xiaoyan was overjoyed.
Throughout the meal, Deng Xiaoxiao didn’t eat much herself, constantly serving the two of them. Most of the braised pork ended up in Chen Xiaoyan’s stomach. She let out a satisfied burp, a look of contentment on her face.
“Auntie, let me clear the dishes,” Mu Qingxue said to Deng Xiaoxiao the moment she saw Chen Xiaoyan put down her chopsticks.
But as expected, she was rejected again. Mu Qingxue felt incredibly frustrated.
“Daughter, take Qingxue out for a walk to digest. Mom has to leave in a bit.”
Chen Xiaoyan was sitting on the sofa with her legs crossed, picking her teeth with a toothpick. Hearing that Deng Xiaoxiao was leaving, she immediately grew anxious.
“Mom, can’t you stay for a few more days?”
“I’m not used to staying here. I feel restless all over. Staying a few more days would definitely be the death of me,” Deng Xiaoxiao said with a wry smile, shaking her head.
“That’s just you overthinking things. It’s not like that at all.”
“Hey, you girl. Would I not know my own body? Enough said. Walk me to the station in a bit.”
Chen Xiaoyan turned her face away. “I’m not going.”
“Then I’ll go to the station myself.”
“Mom!” Chen Xiaoyan called out with a miserable, sincere look.
Deng Xiaoxiao was startled and looked at her with a surprised expression. “Are you really not staying for a few more days?”
“I really can’t stay, daughter. The old home still needs me.”
“Don’t you have Dad?”
“Him?” Deng Xiaoxiao’s tone was somewhat disdainful. “All he does every day is play cards. He never manages anything at home. I don’t know what I was thinking when I took a liking to him back then.”
“Mom, I don’t want you to go… and I don’t want your braised pork to go either.” Chen Xiaoyan walked over and hugged Deng Xiaoxiao’s arm.
Deng Xiaoxiao was very moved by the first half of the sentence. She was just about to stroke her head when the second half earned Chen Xiaoyan a sharp flick to the forehead.
“You brat, that last part was what you really meant, wasn’t it?”
Mu Qingxue watched this warm scene from the side. The interaction between mother and daughter made her involuntarily think of her own mother.
“Daughter, if you want to eat my braised pork that much, remember to come back for the Mid-Autumn Festival, okay?” Because Mu Qingxue was present, Deng Xiaoxiao didn’t explicitly mention Chen Xiaoyan, but instead used the plural “you.”
Chen Xiaoyan understood instantly. However, she specifically glanced at Mu Qingxue before nodding and replying, “I know, Mom.”
“All right, hurry up and take Qingxue out for a walk. I’ll clean up.”
“Auntie, let Xiaoyan and me help.”
“I don’t need your help for such a small thing. I guarantee I’ll be finished in ten minutes.” As she spoke, Deng Xiaoxiao rolled up her sleeves and started working.
***
Night gradually fell.
In the community park, Chen Xiaoyan and Mu Qingxue walked side by side. Under the light of the streetlamps, their shadows were stretched long and straight.
“Yan Bao, about the Mid-Autumn Festival…” Mu Qingxue looked at Chen Xiaoyan’s profile, sounding hesitant.
“What is it?” Chen Xiaoyan looked back with a smile.
“What are your thoughts on the Mid-Autumn Festival?”
“Didn’t my mom just say she wanted me to go back home for the holiday?”
“Yeah, I know. Auntie seemed to say… ‘you guys’.” Mu Qingxue’s voice grew quieter and quieter.
“Does Xue-bao want to go back to my hometown with me for the holiday?”
Seeing Chen Xiaoyan’s teasing gaze, Mu Qingxue didn’t answer, appearing to have conceded by default. Chen Xiaoyan smiled. She had no objection to Mu Qingxue going back to the old home with her. However, the purpose of going back for the Mid-Autumn Festival wasn’t just for the holiday; it was to come clean. With Mu Qingxue there, it wouldn’t be quite right.
“Sorry, Xue-bao. I can’t take you with me for the Mid-Autumn Festival.”
“Okay.” Mu Qingxue nodded slightly, showing no sign of resentment.
“How about the Lunar New Year?”
“Wait, what?” Chen Xiaoyan’s words left her stunned. “Yan Bao, what do you mean?”
“How about we go back together for the Lunar New Year?”
“You mean… you mean…” Mu Qingxue started to stammer with excitement.
“Are you unwilling?” Chen Xiaoyan asked, resting her chin on her hand.
Mu Qingxue hurriedly shook her head. “Of course I’m willing. I mean, are you agreeing to what I said before?”
“What words?” Chen Xiaoyan was dazed.
“The engagement.”
Chen Xiaoyan scratched her cheek, feeling a bit awkward. “That… Xue-bao, I think it’s still too early for us.”
“Is it?”
“Yeah.”
“Are you still thinking about them?” Mu Qingxue crossed her arms, her eyes as sharp as blades. The aura of the Eldest Daughter of the Mu Family instantly pressured Chen Xiaoyan.
“Ahem.” Chen Xiaoyan faked a couple of coughs and looked elsewhere, retorting with a guilty conscience, “As if.”
“Yan Bao, you’re being very dishonest.”
“That’s slander. I am clearly an honest person.”
“Look at me.”
“What for?”
The moment Chen Xiaoyan turned her head, she felt a hand at the back of her skull. She fell forward uncontrollably.
In the night, two summer cicadas let out a low, pleasant hum. A sultry night breeze blew, making the leaves rustle. Under a streetlamp in the community park, two peerless beauties embraced and kissed.
The white light seemed to be influenced by some kind of power, slowly turning pink. Two little snakes fought each other, driven by their owners who had closed their eyes to lose themselves in the joy of the battle. It wasn’t until one side admitted defeat that the thrilling battle ended.
Chen Xiaoyan turned away, covering her mouth as a pink blush crawled onto her cheeks. Mu Qingxue licked the corner of her lips, a smile of ineffable satisfaction on her face. It felt as if she had discovered a piece of heaven.
The taste of heaven was wonderful and sweet. Why hadn’t she discovered it before? It seemed she would have to visit heaven often in the future. After all, that sweetness was truly something to linger over.
“Xue-bao.”
“What is it?”
“Why are you so skilled?” Chen Xiaoyan asked, her face red with embarrassment.
In the battle just now, she had been entirely on the defensive, lacking even a shred of the ability to resist. One look and it was clear she was dealing with a veteran offender.
“Perhaps it’s a natural talent.”
“Like hell I’ll believe that. You must have had a lot of chances to practice.”
Hearing this, the corners of Mu Qingxue’s mouth curled up. She walked in front of her, wanting to see her current expression. Chen Xiaoyan turned her head, trying to hide her shyness.
“Oh, is Yan Bao blushing?”
“No.”
“Still won’t admit it? I really want to find a mirror so you can see your own face. It’s like a monkey’s butt,” Mu Qingxue teased.
Chen Xiaoyan was so embarrassed she turned angry, raising her hand as if to hit her.
Mu Qingxue lifted her skirt and quickly fled the spot. As she ran, she shouted, “Someone’s shy! Someone’s shy!”
“Mu Qingxue, shut up!” Chen Xiaoyan roared and gave chase.
“Oh no, she’s mad! Yan Bao is mad!”
“Don’t let me catch you, or I’ll make sure you regret it!”
“Come on then! If you catch me, I’ll give you a surprise!”
The chase between the two attracted many elderly people cooling off in the community park.
“Whose girl is that? So rowdy. What if she hits someone?”
“Why do you care so much? She didn’t hit you.”
“Being young is nice. These old bones of mine can’t even run anymore. Sigh.”
“Slow down, girl! Be careful not to fall!”
“I know!” Chen Xiaoyan’s voice echoed through the park.
Within a few minutes, Chen Xiaoyan was out of breath. Looking at Mu Qingxue, who wasn’t even blushing or panting, she once again questioned her life.
‘Dammit. It’s one thing for Chong Chong and the others to have better physiques than me, but why is even Qingxue better? And she’s even wearing high heels!’
Such a massive gap left Chen Xiaoyan in utter despair. Was her constitution really the weakest in the entire Xianjie? This was too ridiculous…
“Bao, you need to exercise more in the future. Look at you. You can’t even handle a short run.” Mu Qingxue ran back and gloated at Chen Xiaoyan, who was slumped on the ground.
“Just you wait. I’ll definitely be stronger than you in the future,” Chen Xiaoyan said, unwilling to give in as she threw out her harsh words.
She stood up, preparing to go home. Seeing her leave, Mu Qingxue thought she was angry and quickly ran up to grab her hand, their fingers interlocking.
“Are you mad?”
Chen Xiaoyan didn’t pull away, letting her hold it. “No. Let’s go back. We need to walk my mom to the station in a bit.”
“Right. It just so happens I haven’t given Auntie my gift yet.”
“Xue-bao, that jade bracelet is too valuable.”
Mu Qingxue pursed her lips and smiled. “It’s fine. As long as Auntie likes it, it’s worth any price.”
“Fine. When I’ve saved up enough of my salary, I’ll buy one for your parents too.”
“Sure!”
The two looked at each other, both breaking into happy smiles.
“But Yan Bao, for 3,500,000, you’ll have to save for a whole year.”
***
At 8:00 PM.
Outside the station.
The two of them walked Deng Xiaoxiao to the station’s waiting hall.
“Mom, say hello to Dad for me when you get back,” Chen Xiaoyan said, hugging Deng Xiaoxiao’s shoulder.
Deng Xiaoxiao patted her hand. Thinking she was still acting, she nodded with a smile. “Alright. If that lazy man knew his daughter missed him this much, he’d be over the moon.”
“Auntie.” Mu Qingxue walked over carrying a bag. “This is a gift from me.”
Deng Xiaoxiao took it and looked at the bag. The labels seemed to have been removed, making it impossible to tell what was inside.
“Qingxue, my girl, how could I take this? You should take it back.” As she spoke, she handed the bag back.
Mu Qingxue quickly stepped aside, creating distance between herself and Deng Xiaoxiao.
“Auntie, it’s nothing valuable. It’s just a small token of my appreciation.” After saying that, she looked at Chen Xiaoyan. “Xiaoyan, I’ll wait for you outside.”
Mu Qingxue ran off quickly in her high heels, terrified that Deng Xiaoxiao would try to return the gift again.