Even as a "normie," I'm completely oblivious to it.

She's right. Mom is a genius and has a lot of life experience. It's harder than climbing to heaven to fool her.

But Yu Zhe's words were different; every word he said touched Yang Qiuyun's heart.

Okay, okay... jokes should stop when they're in the right. Going too far will only make you look like you're in the wrong.

Yu Zhe gently shook his head, returning to his usual demeanor.

Yang Qiuyun's unusual composure explained her earlier question.

"Don't worry, everything is fine at home. Yu Che is temporarily managing the company, as you should know. Zi Xiao and I are also fine. In fact, since you left, the company's profits have increased more than tenfold. Aren't you happy?"

................

(PS: I've updated some character impression images for your reference. They're on the fan ranking list on the novel's homepage. However, I can only add a maximum of six characters right now, so not all of them are listed. But that's okay, just so you know! If you like a particular character, you can click "protect" for free. I'll see whichever character is most popular; they might get more screen time!)

29. Let me explain!

"Yu Zhe, you've really grown up. You speak much more maturely than before."

"Thank you for the compliment~ But Mom, I don't think you've changed much."

"You mean, Mom, I'm still as beautiful and charming as before?"

“No.” Yu Zhe showed no mercy. “You’re still the same as before, just as annoying.”

"Huh?!"

Yang Qiuyun was genuinely hurt: "No, no way... Xiao Yuzhe, you... didn't you and Yuche say you loved Mom the most? How could this be..."

"The past is the past, and the present is the present." A deep-seated darkness lurked in Yu Zhe's bright eyes. "I consider myself a very sunny person... The only psychological trauma I've ever suffered is probably from you, Mom. You wouldn't expect me to still say 'I love you the most' now, would you?"

"I'm so sorry... Yuzhe, I know I haven't fulfilled my responsibilities as a mother. If possible... I still want to go back to be with you and Yuche as soon as possible. And now there's Zixiao. I can use the time in the future to make up for my past mistakes. But there were unavoidable reasons why I left Fenghai City before, Yuzhe, let me tell you..."

"You don't need to tell me yet, I know everything. I want to talk about the specific details face to face when you come back, Mom. I don't think some things can be explained clearly through a phone screen."

right...

Yu Zhe knew that she had her own difficulties. If possible, Yu Zhe also wanted to erase the dissatisfaction in her heart and still treat her as her mother.

But not now, he can't do it yet.

The psychological trauma is too great. Imagine a mother suddenly disappearing and now happily telling you she's coming back. No matter what the reason, you can't expect Yuzhe to accept it without saying a word.

So... it's really necessary to wait until she comes back and talk to her face to face about this.

Give her a chance, and at the same time, Yu Zhe is also giving himself a chance.

Yang Qiuyun's eyes widened slightly.

Then you can see through your son's heart.

Her doting gaze and affection were palpable: "Really... Xiao Yuzhe is still Xiao Yuzhe, thinking of acting cute... Okay, when things are better later, you can act cute with Mom as you like, you're right... I owe you and Yuche, and I have to repay you with my time."

"Sigh... Nobody owes anyone anything. Forget it, let's not talk about this for now. I need to hurry back. Zixiao and Yun'er are waiting for me. They probably won't be able to sleep peacefully if I don't get back. I'll hang up now."

"Wait, wait! Don't hang up yet, Yu Zhe! You just said Yun'er? You mean Mo Lingyun?"

"Hmm? Right, oh right, Mom, you don't seem to know yet? Yun'er came back to stay with us a few days ago and is living with us now."

"That's great!"

Yang Qiuyun was overjoyed: "Such a wonderful thing has happened recently! It's great! Yun'er has such a hard life. Now she doesn't have to hide in that little village anymore, haha... Yuzhe, she used to tell me that living with you was her dream. Treat her well, and now her dream has come true."

“I know, Yun’er is very important to me, I cherish her very much, uh... what kind of look is that?”

Yang Qiuyun's gaze as she looked at her phone screen suddenly changed, revealing a mischievous smile.

"It's nothing~ As a mother, I just want to know about my son's relationship status. How should I put it, Yuzhe, do you want to choose Yun'er or Zixiao now?"

"Huh? Why are you suddenly asking that?!"

"Why... Yu Zhe, shouldn't you know better than me?"

When Yang Qiuyun brought this up, she was reminiscing about the past: "You see, you and Yun'er were very close when you were little. Back then, everyone said that the little princess of the Mo family and the eldest daughter of the Su family... cough cough, the young master of the Su family would definitely end up together. Didn't you like Yun'er quite a bit too? But after I brought Zixiao here, you seemed to dote on Zixiao even more. And then, something happened to Yun'er's family..."

"So, now that Yun'er is back and Zixiao is here, if they were both by your side, which one would you choose? I bet you might lean towards Zixiao, but that would definitely make Yun'er sad, wouldn't it?"

"This...this is nothing for you to worry about. I never knew you were so gossipy, Mom..."

"This isn't gossip! Didn't I tell you, I'm just concerned about your relationship? Okay, okay, stop keeping me in suspense. What can't you tell your mom? Just tell her what you're thinking. Maybe I can even give you some advice?"

"I..."

It was a little awkward.

When other people's children report their dating status to their parents, they certainly don't feel as embarrassed as Yu Zhe is now.

After all... he decided to tell the truth.

"Actually, Mom, I didn't want to choose. I can't rest easy about either of them, so I want them both. Okay, that's all I have to say! That's the situation, so don't worry about it anymore!"

"..."

Yang Qiuyun couldn't help but widen her eyes.

Hmm... I'm a little surprised, but it's unexpected yet also reasonable.

She thought it would be really difficult for Yu Zhe to choose one, but she really didn't expect him to say so decisively that he wanted both.

At the same time, Yang Qiuyun also thought of other possibilities: "What do you mean I don't care... How can I not care? Don't worry, you've always been different from normal people since you were little, so I'm not surprised by anything you say. I just want to ask, you wouldn't... plan to marry other girls besides those two, would you?"

"Uh... what do you mean by being different from normal people since childhood? Besides, what you just said... is right, there are probably only a few... just a few! Whatever girls I meet in the future is none of my business!"

The implication is... that he absolutely has to marry those girls now...

Yang Qiuyun rubbed her temples, feeling a bit of a headache: "Alright, I'll help you vet them when I get back... No, that's not quite right. You probably don't need me to vet the girls you've chosen, but I have to take responsibility for helping you understand the psychological state of Zixiao and the others... You just accepted them all like that, but coordinating their psychology is an art. Luckily, you still have a mother like me who's quite knowledgeable about psychology! I'll help you talk to them!"

"mom..."

Look! Where else in the world can you find parents who are so "considerate" of their children!

Yang Qiuyun remembered something else: "By the way, what did Yu Che say? If she knew you were seeing so many girls, she would definitely make a huge scene. I know she's very attached to you and can't stand seeing other girls around you. Or has her personality changed?"

"About this..." Okay, here comes the most awkward part. Yu Zhe stammered, "About Yu Che... she has indeed changed a bit. She's the one who encouraged me to keep all these girls around. And Mom, we've already made a decision. I was thinking, maybe I should take Yu Che in too... Mom! Let me explain!"

Yang Qiuyun's hand trembled slightly as she picked up the shards of glass from below.

As a mother of children, she couldn't help but tremble.

I am both unexpected and perfectly reasonable!

Xiao Yuzhe, you've always been different from others since you were little!

30. Expectation

"Yu Zhe... I'm not trying to be mean, but as an older brother, no, as a person, there are some things you can't, or at least shouldn't, do, do, understand?"

Yang Qiuyun was at a loss for words, and after a long silence, she finally managed to utter this one sentence.

Yu Zhe wholeheartedly agreed, but he could only shake his head: "Sigh, you're right, but there's nothing I can do. Besides, Mom, you're..."

"It's easy for you to talk when you're not in the situation. Why don't you take this task and try to persuade Yu Che to give up? Can you do that?"

"..."

Yang Qiuyun pondered for a long time.

She could only shake her head, just like Yu Zhe had done earlier.

"That's impossible." She was certain. "Although I haven't seen you all these years, I know that asking Yu Che to give up would be like taking her life. That child has been clinging to you for a long time..."

"Right?"

"Hmm...maybe this is for the best."

"Um?!"

Yang Qiuyun's sudden change of tone surprised Yu Zhe quite a bit.

“I think this might not be so bad,” said Yang Qiuyun, the understanding mother. “If that child can’t be with you, he might choose to remain unmarried for life… So I think what you said might actually be the right thing to do. After all, besides you, Yuzhe, Yuche’s heart can’t hold anyone else…”

Yang Qiuyun got a headache just thinking about it.

When the children were young, she would occasionally suggest that Yuche be more independent and stop always clinging to Yuzhe.

Yu Che wouldn't listen, and Yu Zhe spoiled her without reservation; it was practically pampering.

Now look what's happened, the family ties have changed, and they can never be changed back. Aren't you angry?

outrageous.

Right now, Yu Zhe doesn't want to say anything else; the only thing that comes to mind is these three words.

When you tell your mom you're going to take your daughter in, the consequences will likely be more than just a scolding; you'll probably get your legs broken.

But right now, Yang Qiuyun just seems a little annoyed, without much other unnecessary anger.

In short, she truly lives up to her reputation as my mother.

In conclusion, Yang Qiuyun leaned closer to the screen: "That's all we can do for now. It really is... although I expected it, should I say it gave me quite a few surprises... or shocks?"

"No need to be polite, just say you were frightened."

"Let's not talk about that now. Mom will help you figure something out when we get back. But there's a more pressing issue right now." A hint of worry appeared on Yang Qiuyun's usually carefree face. "Yuzhe, when do you think I can go back?"

"You actually have the nerve to ask me this kind of question? You've always been so independent, you can just come back whenever you want."

"You brat...didn't you tell me before that the issue of splitting up the family wasn't resolved and that I should keep hiding?"

"Oh, yes, that's true, but do you believe it?"

"If you don't believe me, the matter of dividing the family property has probably been resolved by now, right?"

Guess~

As expected, Mom is still Mom; she's incredibly smart.

Yu Zhe lied at the time, saying that the Su family was still divided and in power, and that the main family was in more danger, but he couldn't fool her at all. She also had her own network of information, and she could find out the truth with a little inquiry.

"Since you know, then do as you please," Yu Zhe said nonchalantly. "Your legs are your own, you can come back whenever you want."

For the first time, Yang Qiuyun's tone held a hint of pleading: "If I go back now, will you, Yu Che... and Zi Xiao still acknowledge me as their mother...?"

"Uh...maybe? Maybe not?"

When we were kids, you were the riddle teller; now it's my turn.

Upon hearing this, Yang Qiuyun first shook her head self-deprecatingly, then covered her mouth and laughed, "Then I'd better not go back rashly. What if you don't recognize me? I'll be heartbroken. Okay, Mom will listen to you."