Chapter 69: I'll Accompany You (Part 1)
Chapter 69: I'll Accompany You (Part 1)
I stood before the door, admiring my mom’s silhouette for a long time before finally giving the glass door a push. It didn't budge.
Left with no choice, I knocked. The sound finally drew her attention.
She turned around and swept a faint glance over me. Her slender phoenix eyes were as calm as a stagnant well, appearing utterly indifferent to my arrival.
Just as I thought she was going to open the door for me, she actually sat back down at her desk and resumed scrutinizing the documents before her with rapt focus.
I couldn't help but flash a bitter smile at the sight.
Recalling what Zhao Qing had said about Mom having a cold face all day, I hadn't expected her to be so "petty." To think a single impulsive word spoken in anger could stay on her mind for an entire day.
Then again, remembering how she had "tasted vinegar" because of Chu Ning, a hint of sweetness bubbled up in my heart.
I knocked again, but unfortunately, the beautiful woman inside the office still didn't give me the slightest reaction.
Helpless, I dialed her number. Mom didn't even lift her head; she simply hung up on me.
Staring at my phone screen and then back at my mom, who was buried in her work inside the office, I was momentarily dazed.
Is all this really necessary?
...
It was just one angry comment I made for Teacher Chu Ning’s sake. Was it really worth being this upset?
I waited at the door for a long while longer. Watching her beautiful, serious expression through the glass as she worked was quite a treat; I didn't find it boring at all.
About half an hour later, Zhao Qing walked over carrying some documents. She looked slightly surprised to see me "standing in the corner" by the door.
I gave her an embarrassed smile.
Zhao Qing knocked on the glass door, and a few seconds later, it clicked open automatically.
I hurriedly followed behind Zhao Qing into the office. As Zhao Qing set down the documents, Mom looked up slightly, revealing her exquisite features.
After Mom gave a few quiet instructions, Zhao Qing politely said her goodbyes and left for the day.
In the late evening, it seemed this office was the only place on the entire floor where the lights were still on, creating a quiet, secluded atmosphere.
"Mom."
I walked to her side with a cheeky grin. "It's late. Let's go home."
Mom’s tone was flat. "No need for you to worry about that."
She spoke to me. That meant there was hope. As long as she wasn't ignoring me, I could work with this.
"That won't do." I gently wrapped my arms around her shoulders. "What if my Queen Mother works herself into exhaustion?"
Mom looked slightly puzzled. "Queen Mother?"
"Uh..." I quickly explained, "It's just a respectful and affectionate title for one's mother."
"Oh..."
Mom gave a lukewarm response.
Seeing that her reaction wasn't exactly enthusiastic, I tactfully avoided mentioning how she had left me hanging outside the door for nearly half an hour. Instead, I began taking the dishes I’d prepared out of the insulated lunchbox one by one, arranging them on her desk.
Mom’s brow furrowed slightly. "Take them away. Don't get the documents dirty."
"Don't worry! I'm not Lin Xi; she’s the one who’s been clumsy since she was a kid."
As I spoke, I picked up a piece of fish with my chopsticks and held it to her lips.
Mom turned her head to avoid it. "I've already had dinner."
"Mom, Sister Qing already told me. You've been working since noon and haven't eaten a thing!"
Actually, I wasn't entirely sure if she’d eaten or not. I just decided to take a gamble.
Mom set down her fountain pen, her beautiful eyes cutting a sharp glance toward me. "It seems I need to find a new assistant."
It looked like I’d gambled correctly!
"Don't do that," I chuckled. "This is between us. Why let someone else suffer collateral damage?"
Mom let out a soft, cold laugh. "Collateral damage? It seems to me this Zhao Qing has been completely bought off by you. This isn't 'collateral' at all."
Despite her icy expression, I knew deep down she was joking. I replied calmly, "Then I’ll volunteer myself. I think I’d make a pretty good personal assistant for you."
Mom huffed. "You? Don't you have any idea how little you're actually worth?"
I didn't take it to heart and continued to play the glib-tongued rogue. "Don't look down on the future flower of the motherland—wait, I mean the future pillar of the motherland!"
I brought the fish slice back to her lips, coaxing her like a child. "Be good. Open up."
Mom found it ridiculous and subconsciously let out a small laugh. Seizing the opportunity, I quickly slipped the fish into her small mouth.
Mom gave me a light glare. She hesitated for three or four seconds, but in the end, she slowly chewed the fish.
"Good girl."
I boldly patted Mom on the head.
Mom’s face tightened slightly. She swallowed the fish and snapped at me, "Watch your manners!"
I picked up another piece of fish. "Don't you like fish? I made these Sour Soup Fish Slices specifically for you. Have another."
Mom pressed her red lips together tightly. "I don't like sour things."
"Uh..."
I’ve lived with you for sixteen years, and this is the first time I’m hearing that you don't like sour food.
Knowing she was just being stubborn, I put down the fish and picked up a piece of vegetable. "How about some greens?"
Mom glanced at it. "Too much oil. I'm not eating it."
"Then you should at least try the porridge I made, right? Red Bean Glutinous Rice Ball Porridge, it's specifically to soothe the stomach."
"I don't have an appetite right now."
"Then how about a taste of the little cake I brought?"
Mom’s eyes widened slightly. "Eating cake makes you gain weight so easily. Are you trying to ruin me on purpose?"
"Look at what you're saying." I set the cake down and leaned over to put my arm around her fragrant shoulders. "Your figure is so perfect, you won't get fat no matter how much you eat."
"Go away."
Mom brushed my arm aside.
"Hehe." I chuckled, undeterred. "But you have to eat something. I came all this way to see you and made these dishes specifically for you. You can't just not taste a single bite. This is your precious son's heartfelt effort."
Mom huffed, sounding a bit petulant. "What did you come to see me for? Don't you enjoy yelling at me?"
After saying that, she muttered under her breath, "What 'precious son'? You're a pure little brat."
Looking at her pouting, I realized I’d never noticed that my gentle and elegant Queen Mother could be so cute when she was angry.
"Mom~ I was wrong."
I quickly knelt down in front of her, grabbing her calves and giving them a little shake. "I have deeply realized the error of my ways!"
Mom was still unwilling to let it go. She turned her face away, refusing to look at me. "You're not wrong. How could you be wrong?"
"I was a mistake from the moment I was born."
Mom nodded in agreement. "Now that is a true statement."
"Then my little sister was a mistake too. We're twins; you can't play favorites."
Hearing this, Mom reached out and gave my head a sharp rap. She stared at me with wide eyes, saying nothing.
"Alright, alright. Be good, Mom. I shouldn't have yelled at you this morning. I shouldn't have said those things in anger."