âWow, itâs so beautiful.â
Su Qingsang looked at the crystal moon cakes on the table. She couldnât hide the admiration in her eyes.
âAuntie, youâre amazing.â
Xiang Caiping looked at Su Qingsangâs pure and clear eyes. Ever since she became pregnant, she had been a little spoiled. From time to time, she would think of troubling others.
But this kind of trouble was only in terms of eating. In other places, she tried her best not to cause trouble for others. For example, she continued to work, and she also continued to operate.
âThis is actually very simple.â
âEven if itâs simple, I donât know how to do it.â
Su Qingsang looked at the pattern on the crystal moon cake and touched it lightly with her finger.
âSo cute.â
âTry it.â Xiang Caiping looked at Su Qingsangâs appearance and lamented softly in her heart. If she was really her daughter, how good would it be?
Su Peizhen was still in prison. She didnât know what Su Peizhenâs situation would be like after she was released from prison.
Would she recognize her? Xiang Caiping didnât know if she would be willing to live with her.
In fact, even if Su Peizhen was willing to, with twenty years of growing up with a silver spoon in her mouth, Su Peizhen wouldnât be as easily satisfied as Su Qingsang was.
On this point, she would rather Su Qingsang be her daughter.
âItâs delicious.â Su Qingsang didnât notice the ambivalent look in Xiang Caipingâs eyes. She tasted one and said with satisfaction, âItâs really delicious. Auntie, youâre amazing.â
âIf you like it, eat some more. I bought other ingredients too. Iâll make egg yolk stuffing for you tomorrow.â
âOkay.â Su Qingsang nodded and didnât stand on ceremony.
She answered casually, but Xiang Caiping wasnât angry. In fact, Su Qingsang was indeed very casual with Xiang Caiping, because only by being casual wouldnât she make Xiang Caiping feel uncomfortable.
With Xiang Caipingâs personality, if Su Qingsang really got along with her carefully, Xiang Caiping would definitely feel uncomfortable, and she would be reluctant to stay here.
...
Xiang Caiping packed up her clothes. She would leave after making the moon cakes the next day.
Looking at the room she had stayed in for more than a month, she felt a little reluctant to part with it. In fact, what was there to take revenge for? How could it be more important than making herself comfortable?
Unfortunately, no matter how nice this place was, it wasnât her place.
A knock on the door interrupted her thoughts. When she opened the door, the person standing outside was Huo Jinyao.
âAuntie.â
âJinyao?â
âAuntie, are you folding clothes?â Huo Jinyao glanced at the pile of clothes on the bed. âDid I disturb you?â
âNo. Come in.â
Xiang Caiping let Huo Jinyao in. Huo Jinyao closed the door after he entered. His attitude made Xiang Caipingâs heart skip a beat, and her expression turned serious.
âIs something wrong with Qingsang? She ââ
âSheâs fine. Sheâs going to take a shower now.â
Huo Jinyao took a look at Xiang Caipingâs room. As his apartment was built from two apartments, all the rooms had been expanded and were very large.
Even the guest rooms had bathrooms and changing rooms. After Xiang Caiping moved in, Su Qingsang added some things to the room, and now, it was much more cozy than when it was empty before.
He didnât speak, and Xiang Caiping didnât know what to say either.
âJinyao, is there something you need?â
âYes, thereâs something.â Huo Jinyao sat down on the sofa in the room. He wasnât in a hurry to speak, and his expression seemed a little grave.
âJust say what you have to say.âXiang Caiping had a faint premonition in her heart, and she knew what Huo Jinyao was going to say.
âAuntie.â After a minute of silence, Huo Jinyao finally spoke, âThank you for taking care of Qingsang for the past month. Youâve taken good care of her. Sheâs also in a much better condition than before. Today, she had a checkup at the hospital. Everything was normal and she is in excellent health. This is all thanks to you.â
âItâs nothing. Thank Qingsang for not minding me.â
âOf course itâs all thanks to you. If it werenât for you, Qingsang would still be puking her guts out. Iâm really grateful to you.â
âJinyao,â Xiang Caiping interrupted him, âIf you have something to say, just say it.â
âActually, itâs nothing.â Huo Jinyao found it very difficult to speak. âQingsangâs mother is here. Sheâs staying at the hotel now ââ
Huo Jinyao was speechless. In fact, the five-star hotel was owned by Tang Mohanâs family. He happened to be looking for Tang Mohan today and saw Su Chenghui by accident.
It was normal for Su Chenghui to come to Rong City but not to see Su Qingsang. However, Su Qingsang didnât know about it at all. That wasnât normal.
He asked around and found out that Su Chenghui and Li Qianxue were staying in the hotel.
Li Qianxue didnât arrive today. She arrive yesterday. The last time she arrived, she directly moved in. This time, she didnât. Why?
There was only one explanation. Li Qianxue saw Xiang Caiping.
She wasnât as magnanimous as Su Qingsang, and she wasnât as naive as Su Qingsang. Yes, Su Qingsang actually knew that Xiang Caiping and Li Qianxue couldnât get along well. They couldnât even stay in the same place.
But now that she was pregnant, her emotions were sensitive and moody. She thought that she could handle it, that she could handle the balance well.
But Huo Jinyao wouldnât be so naive. He knew better than anyone that Xiang caiping and Li Qianxue had a grudge that couldnât be resolved.
Xiang Caiping saw Huo Jinyaoâs expression and understood what he wanted to say next.
âYou donât want Li Qianxue to see me and know that Iâm staying at Qingsangâs house. You donât want me to have a conflict with Li Qianxue, so you want me to leave now?â
âAuntie, Qingsangâs mother canât stay forever. She ââ
Huo Jinyao was halfway through his sentence but couldnât continue. Even he himself felt that he had gone too far.
He had called her over when he needed her. Now that he didnât need her anymore, he wanted her to leave. How could that be appropriate?
âI understand.â Xiang Caipingâs expression was rather calm. âIâll leave tomorrow. Donât worry.â
âAuntie?â
Huo Jinyaoâs expression was filled with guilt and awkwardness. Xiang Caiping smiled. âIn fact, I was planning to leave. I just couldnât let go of Qingsang. Now that her mother is here, I believe she will take good care of Qingsang.â
Huo Jinyao was speechless. In terms of time spent together, Xiang Caiping and Su Qingsang had spent more time together.
He knew that half of Su Qingsangâs reason was guilt, and the other half was sympathy. If Su Qingsang really had a choice, she would have chosen Li Qianxue as well.
But now that she was pregnant, Huo Jinyao didnât want Su Qingsang to face such a difficult problem, so he decided to be the bad guy. Su Qingsang just had to live her own life and give birth to the child safely.
âItâs fine. Donât feel guilty. In fact, I shouldnât have come in the first place.â
âAuntie, donât say that.â
Huo Jinyao rarely did such things. It didnâ t feel good to be the bad guy.
âItâs really fine.â Xiang Caiping had already decided to leave, but not because of Huo Jinyaoâs decision. âGo back and accompany Qingsang. Iâll pack my things and leave tomorrow.â
âAuntie?â Looking guilty, Huo Jinyao stood up. âWhat can I do for you?â
He could give her money, but that would be a form of insult to Xiang Caiping. Besides, she wouldnât want his money.
But after saying that, he felt a little regretful. If Xiang Caiping had requested to get Su Peizhen out, he really wouldnât be able to do it.
âItâs fine, I donât want anything.â
After Su Peizhen went to jail, she brought the supermarket back to be taken care of it. It wasnât like she had nothing to do now.
Huo Jinyao nodded. Before he left, he looked at Xiang Caiping and spoke very sincerely.
âAuntie, Qingsang and I will visit you when we have time.â
âThereâs no need for you to come.â Xiang Caiping rejected his offer. âLi Qianxue will be unhappy if you come too often. Donât worry. Iâm not that old yet. Iâll take care of myself.â
What she said made sense, but Huo Jinyao felt a little anguished after hearing it.
Back in the room, Su Qingsang was drying her hair. Huo Jinyao saw this and went forward to accept the task. He took the initiative to dry Su Qingsangâs hair.
âWhere did you go?â
âI took a call.â Huo Jinyao looked at Su Qingsangâs tightly shut eyes and knew that she didnât know anything. However, he couldnât help but think that if Xiang Caiping left tomorrow...
âQingsang?â
âYes?â
After drying her hair, Huo Jinyao put the hair dryer aside. He squatted down in front of Su Qingsang and looked her in the eye.
âThe mid-autumn festival is coming up soon.â
âI know.â She had already eaten the moon cakes before the festival arrived. Of course, she knew that the mid-autumn festival was coming up soon.
âYour mother might come to visit you during the mid-autumn festival.â
Su Qingsang froze for a moment. She blinked her eyes and looked at Huo Jinyao before suddenly lowering her head.
âHuo Jinyao?â
âAuntie said that she will leave tomorrow.â
Such things couldnât be hidden. If Xiang Caiping left and Su Qingsang still went to look for her, it would only make things difficult for everyone.
âAuntie is leaving? Where is she going?â
âWhere can she go? Sheâs going back to her own home.â
Huo Jinyao held her hand and looked at her intently.
âQingsang, Auntie has her own life. We canât force her to stay.â
Su Qingsang was silent. She understood everything, but she was reluctant to let her leave.
âIf Auntie is alone, Iâm afraid she wonât eat properly and wonât take good care of herself.â
âQingsang, none of that actually has anything to do with you.â
âBut ââ
âQingsang, I really wanted to ask you. In your heart, is your mother more important or is your Auntie more important?â
Huo Jinyao interrupted her with a very sincere question. Su Qingsang pursed her lips and looked into Huo Jinyaoâs eyes. She spoke without hesitation.
âOf course itâs my mother.â
âSince you said that, why are you ââ
Even though Huo Jinyao didnât finish his sentence, Su Qingsang knew what he meant.
âMy mother is very good, and Auntie is also very good. In my heart, Iâve never thought of comparing them.â
Su Qingsang could tell the truth in front of Huo Jinyao. âBut I feel very guilty towards Auntie.â
âThose matters have nothing to do with you, and those problems werenât caused by you.â
âI know.â She understood everything Huo Jinyao said. However, it was one thing to understand, but it was another thing to not be able to get over the hurdle in her heart.
âShe mistook me for someone else. When she took care of me in Lin City, my relationship with her had been getting better and better, and I really thought of her as my biological mother.
But who would have thought that she wasnât. When I didnât know who my biological mother was, I thought of making things right, because I could tell that Auntie liked me very much, and I liked her very much.
What I didnât expect was that my biological mother would be the Li Qianxue whom I had always felt intimidated by, but couldnât hate.â
Su Qingsangâs stomach was already slightly swollen. She looked at her stomach and thought about her dilemma at that time.
âYou know, at that time, I was actually very hesitant and conflicted. I wanted to acknowledge my mother, but I didnât want to hurt Auntie. However, I didnât expect that I would still hurt her.â
She barely gave Xiang Caiping any time to recover. Instead, after she confessed to Li Qianxue, she immediately let Xiang Caiping know the truth. She actually could have used a more tactful method.
âI told you, itâs not your responsibility.â
âYes, itâs not my responsibility.â Su Qingsang sighed. âIf she could have lived a better life, I wouldnât feel so guilty. But look at what happened after that. Which one could make her feel better? If Su Peizhen could have been like me and really wanted to acknowledge her and live a better life with her, I wouldnât have felt so bad. But Su Peizhen just didnât want to get along with her, not to mention the fact that she actually went further and further down the road. Speaking of which, Su Peizhenâs imprisonment was her own fault. But Auntie became even more pitiful because of this.â
âQingsang, what about your mother?â
Huo Jinyao didnât believe that she didnât understand, nor did he believe that she didnât think of it.
âIf your mother knew that you and Auntie are living together again, and that youâre so good to Auntie, what do you think your mother would think?â
Su Qingsangâs face turned pale and she was speechless. She was indeed guilty in this regard. She was indeed in the wrong.
âJinyao, do you think that I did the wrong thing?â
âWhat else? Do you still want to say that you did the right thing?â
âI just ââ
âYou just like the casual vibe when youâre with Auntie, right? Then arenât you casual when youâre with your mother?â
âNot really.â Su Qingsang admitted that Li Qianxue was a mother who loved her child very much. She also knew that Li Qianxue wanted to make it up to her and treated her very well.
However, Li Qianxueâs attitude of wanting to make it up to her made her feel a lot of pressure.
âAuntie was actually like that before. You should be able to tell that Iâm not used to it.â
âLater on, that person became my mother, so Iâm even less used to it.â
In the past few years, Li Qianxue felt that she owed Su Qingsang, so she was even more dramatically careful with Su Qingsang than Xiang Caiping was back then.
One had to know that Li Qianxue had always given her an impression of being high and mighty, and she had always been someone out of her league.
But now, she had suddenly changed her mannerism. She seemed to be very afraid that she would be unhappy and wanted to treat her well.
Actually, she was a little overwhelmed. Feelings that were too stressful would make people feel at a loss.
âI know my mother is very good, and I really want to get along with her like a normal mother and daughter. But every time she blames herself, feels guilty, and feels like she owes me, it makes me feel very stressed. Even though Iâve told her before that what I said has nothing to do with her.â
Huo Jinyao understood and understood.
âAre you trying to say that your mother makes you feel exhausted?â
âA little.â
Su Qingsang bit her lip and recalled something that happened the last time she went to Lin City.
That day in the study, Li Qianxue was watching Old Master Li discuss a calligraphy and painting that she had just taken a photo of. She had never received any education in that field since she was a child, so she didnât know anything about calligraphy, paintings or antiques.
Her grandfather was talking enthusiastically with Li Qianxue, and she also found listening to him very interesting. It wasnât that she was interested, but that she had little contact with this kind of culture in the past.
However, the atmosphere was obviously very good. When Li Qianxue saw her expression, she thought of the past twenty years.
For Li Qianxue, if her child hadnât been swapped, Su Qingsang wouldnât be as ignorant as she was now.
She couldnât help but blame herself and feel guilty at the thought of it. Such emotions made Su Qingsang feel a little pressured.
She didnât think that she had to know calligraphy and painting or antiques. Everyone had their own specialties. It was like watching Huo Jinyao play chess with Old Master Huo.
She vaguely knew the rules of chess, but she still didnât know how to play.
She didnât think it was shameful that she didnât know how to play, but Li Qianxue cared a lot about it. When she was free in the past few days, wanting to make up for the lessons she had lost, she dragged her along.
Li Qianxue blamed herself and regretted that she had missed the best time and failed to cultivate Su Qingsang into a real lady.
The more she blamed herself, the more uncomfortable Su Qingsang felt. She didnât need that kind of emotion. It wasnât Li Qianxueâs fault. In fact, she was also a victim.
But no matter what she said, Li Qianxue would have felt better at that time, but as long as there was a chance, as long as she found out something Su Peizhen knew but Su Qingsang didnât, she couldnât help but sink into feelings of self-blame, guilt towards her, and want to make up for it.
Su Qingsang had never said these words to Huo Jinyao. He had never thought that Su Qingsang liked Xiang Caiping because of such a reason.
âYou should have told your mother.â
âWhy?â Su Qingsang felt a headache coming on. âI told her that I donât blame anyone, and I donât hate anyone.â
Especially Li Qianxue. She didnât need to feel guilty or make up for it. She was fine as she was.
âYou like Auntie because she has never pressured you like this before?â
Huo Jinyao knew this very well. Previously, Xiang Caiping was still a little restrained when she first arrived. After she understood, she only wanted to treat Su Qingsang well. She had always felt guilty and made up for it, but she didnât show it.
After all, to Xiang Caiping, Su Qingsang was an illegitimate daughter. She looked like this now and became a doctor. Then, she married Huo Jinyao.
Xiang Caiping had no other children, so there was no comparison. She knew that her daughter was doing well. Her life could be considered complete. She felt very satisfied and at ease.
But Li Qianxue was different. She had raised Su Peizhen and had other children. There was a comparison.
With two comparisons, the self-reproach could be magnified tenfold. Moreover, she already felt a lot of guilt.
Su Qingsang didnât say anything, but she didnât deny it. There was no doubt that she loved Li Qianxue, but it was also true that Li Qianxue made her feel some pressure.
She had sympathy for Xiang Caiping, and it was true that she pitied her, but it was also true that Xiang Caiping made her more relaxed.
âMaybe itâs because I never put myself in that social circle.â