Chapter 33.1

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“Mom, do you think light purple looks good on me?”

While Chi Yin went to the front desk to pay, He Cuizhen pulled Qiao Ziman aside, whispering to her so the cashier wouldn’t hear. “Is that piece of fabric really worth over ten thousand? You don’t think Chi Yin is being fooled, do you? What’s with this ‘fragrant cloud silk, soft gold’… It’s supposed to look noble and elegant, all hand-made and resistant to wear. I can’t help but feel—”

Qiao Ziman rolled her eyes internally. “Mom, you were just smiling so wide I thought your mouth was going to break. Chi Yin could buy anything, and you’d be happy for her,” she retorted.

He Cuizhen clicked her tongue. “I wasn’t trying to kill the mood. If I refused, she might start overthinking things. After all, she’s your girlfriend; I have to consider her feelings, right?”

“Also, you’re not allowed to let Chi Yin spend money recklessly in the future.” He Cuizhen rummaged through her pocket for a while before pulling out a bank card. Glancing around to ensure no one was watching, she quickly stuffed it into Qiao Ziman’s hand and patted her shoulder. “I’ve saved up a few thousand over the years. It’s not much, but take this money and find an opportunity to give it to Chi Yin. It’s hard for anyone to earn money, especially for two girls living together. You have to support each other and not be greedy.”

Her mom was earnest and seemed quite satisfied.

But Qiao Ziman was overwhelmed with guilt, unable to feel happy at all. Because I know that all of this is just a fleeting illusion, a beautiful bubble formed by deception.

She pushed the card back into He Cuizhen’s hand, lowering her gaze. “Mom, I understand. I have money.”

She had long been silently keeping track of every penny Chi Yin had spent on her mom.

“Hmm, at least you understand a bit,” He Cuizhen replied.

As the two were talking, Chi Yin returned after paying the bill.

“Let’s go,” she said, turning to Qiao Ziman. “Are you really not going to pick out anything?”

Qiao Ziman felt a bit shy, unable to meet her gaze. “N-No, I don’t like anything.”

Chi Yin’s eyes focused on the shopping bag that Qiao Ziman was gripping tightly, and she slowly suppressed a smile. “Okay, then let’s head home.”

After the three of them found a restaurant downstairs for a simple dinner, they returned home. As soon as they walked through the door, He Cuizhen pulled Chi Yin over to the couch. Qiao Ziman sluggishly followed behind and sat across from them. He Cuizhen linked her arm with Chi Yin’s and affectionately patted her. “I have a gift for you.”

Qiao Ziman: “???”

Please don’t let it be some strange bedding again. That would be terrifying. Qiao Ziman jumped up from the couch in a panic. “Mom, don’t mess around!”

The little flower was clearly scared.

He Cuizhen shot her a disdainful look. “Why don’t you go play somewhere else? What does this have to do with you? Do you want to get smacked?”

Qiao Ziman shrank her neck and sulked into the far corner of the couch. Great, my dear mother has completely abandoned me.

Turning her attention back to Chi Yin, He Cuizhen replaced her expression with a warm smile and said softly, “Just wait a moment, sweetheart.”

Qiao Ziman: “…”

She watched as He Cuizhen went rummaging in her large bag, digging left and right. Finally, she fished out a tightly wrapped little box covered in red cloth from the bottom. Carefully, she cradled it in her hands.

“Auntie, what’s this?” Chi Yin asked, intrigued.

He Cuizhen settled back down next to her, slowly unwrapping the layers of red fabric. Inside was an antique-looking wooden box, its carved patterns worn and faint, giving it an ancient feel.

Chi Yin instinctively straightened up, her expression turning serious.

He Cuizhen opened the box. Inside was a lustrous jade bracelet, its texture pure and smooth.

Chi Yin’s eyes flickered slightly. “Auntie, is this… for me?”

He Cuizhen nodded. “It’s not anything expensive, just a token of my feelings. It was given to me by her grandmother, and now I’m giving it to you.”

The meaning was clear: Mom had fully accepted Chi Yin. Qiao Ziman understood, and the tension in her heart finally dissipated.

Chi Yin didn’t take the bracelet right away, looking over at Qiao Ziman with a questioning gaze.

He Cuizhen took Chi Yin’s hand and slipped the bracelet onto her wrist. “What are you staring at her for? What good is that going to do?”

Qiao Ziman buried her face in a throw pillow and let out a sigh. It really doesn’t do any good.

Chi Yin turned back and said, “Thank you, Auntie.”

He Cuizhen looked at her eagerly. “Why so polite? It feels a bit distant.”

Qiao Ziman: “???”

What does that mean?

Chi Yin was also taken aback.

He Cuizhen continued to blink at them expectantly. Qiao Ziman realized this was a hint for Chi Yin to address her more familiarly. She tossed the throw pillow aside and stood up urgently. “Mom! What are you doing?”

“You can’t talk to your mom like that!”

“What do you mean I can’t talk like that? Have you forgotten everything I said?”

The atmosphere between the mother and daughter suddenly grew tense.

Chi Yin smiled lightly, then skillfully changed the subject. “By the way, Auntie, when are you going back?”

He Cuizhen shot Qiao Ziman a fierce glare. “Tomorrow. There’s her grandmother at home, and if I’m gone too long, it won’t work. Her aunt is quite busy and can’t take care of everything.”

Chi Yin lowered her head in thought. “Then let’s plan for next month. You can come back and stay for a few days, and bring her grandmother along. If it’s inconvenient for her, I can drive over to pick you both up.”

“Last time, didn’t you say you weren’t feeling well? I wanted to schedule a health check for you both to get a good examination.”

Last time? Wasn’t that when Mom pretended to be sick? Chi Yin actually remembered. Qiao Ziman sank deeper into the sofa, feeling a mix of gratitude and an inescapable sorrow in her heart. If this situation didn’t come with the premise of “deceit,” how wonderful it would be.

As her best friend, Chi Yin would be accepted by her mother. Chi Yin would have another person to care for her and wouldn’t feel so lonely anymore. She could receive the bracelet and even call her “Mom.”

That would make her really happy, truly happy.