Chapter 36: I’m Not Going Back Today
The next few days were the happiest and most carefree time Shiyao had ever had recently.
As she got on better with her colleagues, they found Shiyao was not that cold and aloof. In fact, she was a very lively and cheerful girl.
There were even some older and enthusiastic colleagues who openly said that they wanted to introduce boys to Shiyao.
Embarrassed, Shiyao forced a laugh and made different excuses to refuse them.
“It’s Ji Manqing and Li Sicheng that are to blame for causing so much suffering to Shiyao that Shiyao will not dare to have a boyfriend again.”
Outsiders always liked to take others’ pain as their entertainment. Although Shiyao was no longer their target of slander, she still felt uncomfortable to hear these words.
Li Sicheng was the most serious victim. With a good family background and handsome look, he had good connections in the company; however, He was also punished for the trouble caused by Ji Manqing.
Gossip could easily crush a person, and Li Sicheng was no exception. In just a few days, he was all haggard.
Firstly, it was due to the comments of colleagues; moreover, he felt guilty at heart. In order to make up for it, Li Sicheng had stopped Shiyao more than once to ask for forgiveness, but was coldly rejected.
After work that night, Shiyao called You Ze and said she wanted to go home to visit her mother.
You Ze had intended to drive Shiyao over by himself, but he happened to have to work overtime at the company. So he gave the task to his driver.
Upon returning to the familiar community, Shiyao naturally cheered up.
Knowing she would come back, her mother bought groceries early for cooking, all of which were Shiyao’s favorites.
“Mom, I’m back!”
Shiyao excitedly rushed in with bags of gifts.
Shiyao’s mother ran out of the kitchen in an apron, and when she saw Shiyao who was sweating all over, she was distressed and relieved.
“My dear, why do you buy so many things?”
Shiyao put down gifts and gave her mother a big hug before she could wipe away her sweat.
“Why not? I’m the best daughter in the world.”
Her mother looked at the door, “Where’s A’ze? Doesn’t he come with you?”
Shiyao pouted and said in a baby voice, “Mom, can you please look at me rather than focus on You Ze all the time…”
“No, he needs to work overtime today.”
“How could you say that?” her mother complained, “I just hope your in-laws will be nice to you.”
Shiyao smiled like a baby and pushed her mother into the kitchen.
“Well, Nana and A’ze are very good to me. Let’s see what you prepare today.”Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.
“Wow, my favorites.”
Her mother simply couldn’t do anything with Shiyao, but she didn’t know that Shiyao was so childish only in front of her.
Shiyao and her mother sat together and enjoyed the square meal leisurely.
“Are you getting on well with A’ze?”
Her mother always beat around the bush, which drove Shiyao crazy. But she dared not argue back.
“Yes. Mom, don’t worry.”
Her mother sighed, not teaching her as usual.
“I admit I shouldn’t have forced you to get married so soon without knowing how far you and A’ze have gone.”
“But you have to believe in me. A’ze must be a good boy. It’ll pay If you live with him for your life.”
Shiyao listened quietly and nodded.
“Mom, grandpa’s birthday is next month.”
Her mother’s hand with chopsticks suddenly stopped, and sadness flashed across her face.
“You grandpa must have called you.”
Shiyao nodded, “Mom, can you come with me?”
Compared to Shiyao, her mother was more afraid to show up in the daily occasions, or they would bite her head off.
“You might as well go yourself.”
Shiyao opened her mouth and wanted to ask why but nothing came out.
Outsiders called her mother mistress greedy for the money of Qin’s family.
But only Shiyao knew clearly that her mother had put up with hardships and discrimination to raise her up. Despite a destitute life, her mother had never taken a penny from the Qin’s family.
Being naive at a young age and born arrogant, Shiyao would argue back every time someone talked about her mother.
In this case, her mother would pull her back home and scold her severely.
“You tell me where my dad is!”
When Shiyao was young, she couldn’t understand the suffering of her mother, and had envied other children many times.
Every time, her mother would tell her that her father had died. Until now, Shiyao still remembered her mother was then hysterical and nearly broke down.
Gradually, Shiyao grew up to be sensible and no longer asked about family background. By the time she was sixteen, however, old Qin appeared.
The first time they met, Shiyao felt old Qin was a very kind grandfather, while her mother showed respect to him with deliberate estrangement. Shiyao eavesdropped on her mother and old Qin, but she had no idea what they were talking about.
Later, when old Qin said he would take Shiyao back to the Qin’s family, Shiyao happily accepted it regardless of her mother’s eyes showing disapproval.
On that day, Shiyao saw many strangers, who praised and greeted her in front of old Qin.
On the same day, she saw her father for the first time.
However, as soon as old Qin left, all the people in the Qin’s family showed their true faces, sneering at Shiyao and even scheming to frame her.
What was worse, her so-called father even turned a blind eye to her.
Finally, Shiyao knew that she didn’t belong to Qin’ family, only to her mother.
From then on, no matter how old Qin assured Shiyao, Shiyao refused to step into the Qin’s house again.
Every festival, she would book a hotel to invite grandpa out for dinner.
It would be the second time for her to step into Qin’s house.
“You are old enough to do what you like. Your grandpa has been always good to you, so you should come to visit him.”
Mother gave Shiyao a bowl of soup, relieved to see that Shiyao was almost grown up.
Shiyao passed the topic and talked with her mother about life trivia, never realizing the time.
When You Ze called, Shiyao was a little sleepy.
“Hello.”
“When will you come back? I pick you up?”
Shiyao rubbed her dry eyes and noticed that it was half past eleven at night.
“No, thank you. You Ze, I wanna stay with my mom tonight…”
You Ze paused for a moment, said a few words, and then hung up.
“Did A’ze urge you to go back?”
Shiyao’s mother looked out at the dark night sky, “It’s too late.”
Shiyao collapsed on the bed without any concern. It was totally normal for her to stay one night at her mother’s home occasionally.