Chapter 30
Our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/PazjBDkTmW
After work, Qiao Ziman waited for Chi Yin at the office entrance on purpose.
“Um, so…”
Chi Yin was a bit surprised to see her looking so hesitant. “Is there something you need from me?”
“Yeah, it’s just… my mom’s coming over tomorrow,” Qiao Ziman quickly added, afraid Chi Yin might misunderstand, “After all, you’re the landlord. She’ll be staying with us for a couple of days, so I thought I should ask for your permission.”
Chi Yin responded with an “Oh,” and said, “No problem, she’s welcome.”
Qiao Ziman stayed put, not moving. Chi Yin, sensing her hesitation, asked, “Do you want me to go with you to pick her up?”
This little white flower, so considerate. Qiao Ziman nodded eagerly like a pecking chick, “Yes, yes, yes!”
Chi Yin took a step forward, noticing Qiao Ziman was still standing there. Guessing, she asked, “Do you want me to help you buy some daily necessities for her?”
Qiao Ziman’s face brightened, “Yes, yes, yes!”
Chi Yin nodded, “Alright, then do we need to buy a little gift for my future mother-in-law?”
“Your future mother-”
Qiao Ziman started to follow along, then suddenly realized what she had said. Pah, pah, pah! Future mother-in-law, my foot! I got tricked again. When she looked up, Chi Yin had already walked off into the distance. Qiao Ziman could only stomp her foot hard in frustration, venting. In her heart, she thought, For the sake of my life, I’ll endure this!
“If we don’t leave now, the supermarket’s going to close.”
Qiao Ziman hurried a couple of steps to catch up, and the two walked toward the supermarket with about two meters between them.
“What does my future mother-in-law like?”
Qiao Ziman pinched her palm hard. Stay calm. Endure!
“How about we take my future mother-in-law to have seafood tomorrow?”
Qiao Ziman twisted her thigh sharply. Stay rational. Endure some more!
“Qiao Ziman, your future mothe—”
Unable to take it any longer, she snapped, “Chi Yin, will you stop already!” We haven’t even taken that step yet!
The person in front of her visibly paused, her shoulders tensing, and her tone became low and somber. “Do you not like me calling her that?”
The moment Qiao Ziman noticed Chi Yin’s unhappiness, it felt like countless needles had pierced her heart, spreading an overwhelming sense of sorrow and regret. This little white flower had been so genuine in helping her prepare to receive her mom, and she’d gone and snapped at her.
She felt like the worst person ever.
“It’s not that,” Qiao Ziman quickly caught up, walking alongside her, and grabbed her hand. “I’m sorry.”
Chi Yin glanced down at their joined hands and slowly threaded her fingers through Qiao Ziman’s, interlocking them. “It’s okay.”
Qiao Ziman was still lost in her guilt, passively following Chi Yin forward, completely missing the deep smile that tugged at the corners of Chi Yin’s lips.
“You really don’t need to go out of your way to prepare a gift for my mom. My mom isn’t into much, unless you count scolding people and starting fights,” Qiao Ziman hadn’t forgotten her original plan—she needed to make sure these two would dislike each other at first sight. So, she said seriously, “Why don’t you just give her a megaphone?”
Chi Yin teased, “A golden megaphone? After all, can’t lose in terms of aura. Want one too? I can get you one.”
Qiao Ziman lowered her gaze in thought. After a moment, she seriously shook her head. “I don’t need one. You know my fighting skills are already top-notch. And anyway, no need for the golden megaphone, because my mom’s all about the money.”
Chi Yin drawled out an “Ohhh,” drawing out the sound, “Is that so?”
Qiao Ziman: “!!!”
Oh no, how did she accidentally blurt out He Cuizhen’s fatal weakness!
“No, you heard wrong!” Qiao Ziman hurriedly tried to explain. But when she looked up, she was met with Chi Yin’s eyes, brimming with amusement. Qiao Ziman finally realized what was happening. “Oh, I see! You were teasing me, weren’t you?”
“You’re getting worse and worse,” she said, addressing her little white flower. She reached out, aiming for Chi Yin’s waist. “Don’t you dare run!”
In the glow of the setting sun, their two vibrant figures chased and played, both of their faces lit up with the most genuine smiles.
*
The two of them went to the nearest large supermarket. At the entrance, Qiao Ziman grabbed a shopping cart and led Chi Yin to the personal care section. She began picking out toiletries for her mom. “Chi Yin, what do you think of this soft-bristle toothbrush for my mom?”
No response.
Qiao Ziman turned her head, only to find—no one behind her. Chi Yin was gone. Hey, where did she go? Qiao Ziman weaved through the crowd, scanning the aisles for Chi Yin. Five minutes later, she found Chi Yin in the couple’s section, which they had passed earlier. At that moment, Chi Yin was staring intently at a pair of cartoon couple mugs.
Qiao Ziman tapped her on the shoulder, “Why are you running off everywhere?”
Chi Yin turned around and smiled innocently, “The salesperson said there’s a discount in this section, so I was just having a look.”
Qiao Ziman: “…”
“You’re pretty good at being frugal.”
“Not too bad.”
“Let’s go.” Qiao Ziman grabbed her hand and gave it a tug—but Chi Yin didn’t move. What’s going on? Qiao Ziman thought as Chi Yin kept gazing at the mugs again.
Qiao Ziman: “…” This girl sure knows how to switch topics fast.
Chi Yin thought for a moment, “You said, what exactly did I hear that day?”
In her mind, Qiao Ziman silently finished the sentence: A lie I made up to deal with my mom. But there was no way she could admit that now. That’d be the end of me. Qiao Ziman smiled, “I said you’ve got pretty sharp hearing.”
Hearing everything so clearly from that far away? Of course, that’s impressive!
Chi Yin nodded in agreement, “True.” She finally moved her gaze away from the couple’s mugs and said calmly, “Let’s go.”
This time, it was Qiao Ziman who didn’t move. Chi Yin’s remark had just reminded her that she still had to deal with her mom. She began to think: If the house doesn’t have anything that looks like a couple lives there, won’t it seem suspicious? With her mom’s sharp eyes, she’d definitely figure out in one glance that they weren’t really a couple.
And if that happened—she’d be done for!
I really owe it all to this little white flower, she thought.
Qiao Ziman grabbed Chi Yin’s hand from behind. “Wait a second, I think these discounted cups are really nice. How about we get a set? You can use the white one, and I’ll use the black. Or maybe the pink and blue ones? What do you think?”
Chi Yin, where Qiao Ziman couldn’t see, slowly curled her lips into a smile. “As long as you like them.”
Qiao Ziman placed the black-and-white couple mugs into the shopping cart. Then she proceeded to grab slippers, toothbrushes, towels, and even bedding—all in matching sets. She didn’t stop there; she even threw in figurines and pillows. By the time Qiao Ziman got home, she looked around at the almost entirely refreshed house. She couldn’t help but feel that things were spiraling more and more out of control.
But, she had to admit—it was kind of cozy.
*
The next day, around the time work was ending, Qiao Ziman received a message that He Cuizhen had arrived downstairs at her office building. She went to call Chi Yin from the office, and the two of them headed down together.
He Cuizhen was standing right under the company’s most prominent sign, eagerly looking around. Qiao Ziman took a glance at her mom from a distance.
Floral vest, baggy shorts.
At her feet was a big, bulging bag.
It must be the cabbage with soil she had brought along.
Perfect!
Who would have thought He Cuizhen could actually have a reliable moment like this? Qiao Ziman could hardly keep her smile in check. Out of the corner of her eye, she glanced at Chi Yin.
Her smile froze in place.
Chi Yin, with a bright smile, walked up enthusiastically and grabbed both of He Cuizhen’s hands. “Auntie, long time no see!” she said warmly. “I’m Chi Yin, but you can call me Xiao Yin or Yinyin, whichever you prefer.”
Then, to Qiao Ziman’s utter shock, Chi Yin picked up the bulging bag without hesitation.
What happened to her neat freak tendencies?Why isn’t she following the usual script?
But Qiao Ziman tried to look on the bright side. At least Chi Yin didn’t say anything shocking and call her mom “future mother-in-law,” right?