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

If it were the old Qin Ruoke, she probably would have cried because of this. Her proudest achievement was being criticized for not being humble enough, which damaged her self-confidence and made her feel rejected.

However, Qin Ruoke is different now.

The steps she just took were given to her by Yu Zhe, so she had to make the most of them.

Summoning all her courage, she swallowed hard and tried her best to look Yang Qiuyun directly into her eyes.

"Yes... it's hard to say about the exam results. I raised my hand just now not because I thought I would definitely get a higher score than others."

"What is the reason for that?" Yang Qiuyun seemed to sense the confidence and strength in her words.

"That's because of the effort I put into this college entrance exam, the path I've walked, the help Yu Zhe gave me, and the help from everyone else. I think... that's the source of my confidence, and I believe this kind of confidence doesn't require modesty..."

4. Listen to stories

Ok?

This insight was indeed a bit beyond Yang Qiuyun's expectations. She thought Qin Ruoke might try to say that grades are also part of confidence, in order to save face for her, but she didn't expect her to come up with such a trick.

Effort is the source of confidence... Are grades merely a result beyond our control?

Yes, that's good! This kid has very sound values!

Yang Qiuyun laughed happily twice, and then blurted out a sentence that was exactly the same as when she had spoken to Xiaomeng earlier.

"Okay! Qin Ruoke, from today onwards, you're my good daughter too!"

"Ah... thank you?"

Was he stunned, or did he feel a volcanic eruption of joy?

Qin Ruoke didn't know, but she did know that she felt as if the bell had rung for the last subject at the end of the college entrance examination.

That feeling of relaxation!

"No need for thanks! We're family, no need for formalities. Come, come, Ruoke, help me untie this rope. I need to have a good talk with you. You're such a lovable child!"

This is your ultimate goal, isn't it...?

He was trying to gain favor and then give orders. Yu Zhe should have spoken up to stop him at this point, but he remained unmoved.

What action can be taken? Who is my little Ruoke? Would she be blinded by this little fog?

As expected, Qin Ruoke did not go over, but simply sat back down in her seat, looking at Yang Qiuyun with an apologetic gaze.

"I'm sorry... Auntie, this won't do."

"You silly child! If you say that, I won't like you anymore! No... I won't even approve of you at all!"

That scumbag woman, she's starting to act shamelessly and try to scare people.

But Qin Ruoke just shook her head: "That...it's okay."

So it wasn't a problem after all!

Yang Qiuyun then looked around at the girls sitting there again. Without exception, apart from a little sympathy for Yang Qiuyun, they showed no pressure or psychological burden.

Especially Yuche, she's started playing on her phone! You really are my daughter!

So... I was hopeless from the very beginning.

After spouting sweet words for so long, Yang Qiuyun lowered her head in despair, her eyes losing their luster, her silver hair hanging down on both sides of the chair.

She finally gave up.

dong dong dong.

In a large living room of over 100 square meters, a knock came from the gilded door at the entrance.

Hmm... a knock on the door?!

broken!

Could it be a neighbor coming to visit?

Yang Qiuyun was very worried. You see, she had lived here for many years and got along very well with the nearby residents. Neighbors from other seaside villas would often bring her some good food or come over to chat. The neighborhood relations were very harmonious.

Yang Qiuyun even taught them how to play mahjong. She was practically the core and soul of this residential area. The original residents of this luxury neighborhood had long regarded this foreigner as their partner.

And now, Yang Qiuyun is facing just such a crisis.

I'm usually so mature and composed in front of my neighbors! Now that everyone sees me tied up by my own child, how can I ever walk with my head held high again?

No, that's not quite right... It seems like I'll be able to go back to Fenghai City in a few days, and after that, the chances of coming here will become very few...

That won't work either!

She should have bid a touching farewell to her neighbors, and she should have ended her life as a dignified and strong woman, not as a weak woman who couldn't even fight against her own child!

Thinking of this, Yang Qiuyun immediately called out to Yu Zhe, who was about to open the door.

"Son! No! Let go of me first, I'll go open the door. You can't go too far!"

"What are you afraid of? Oh... are you afraid of the neighbors? I see, hehe, that's really interesting. Mom, you just rest, I'll go see who it is!"

"You devil! How can you be so smart?! How could I have given birth to such a demon?!"

Yang Qiuyun wailed. There was no one she could rely on here. She could only use her unbound feet to support herself as she stood up, and then she carried the extremely heavy armchair on her back, intending to sneak into her room along with the chair to take refuge!

But how could she possibly outpace Yu Zhe with her weight? When Yu Zhe reached the living room door, he first looked out through the peephole, and then turned the doorknob without hesitation.

No! No!

"Young Master, we're back. We apologize for the delay in our work schedule."

"Sorry for the delay..."

It was Lu Ling and Lu Yao, standing at the door with the truck return receipt and the projection equipment in their hands.

Hehe, actually, Yu Zhe still gives his mother some face. Don't be fooled by the punishment; slapping your own mother in the face is slapping yourself in the face.

So Yu Zhe was just checking who was at the door. If it was Lu Ling or Lu Yao, he would open the door directly. If it was someone he didn't know, he would wait until his mother hid in her room before making a decision.

Seeing that it was Yu Zhe's two guards at the door, Yang Qiuyun breathed a sigh of relief and, with Qi Xinye's help, slowly put down the chair and sat down again.

Then Qi Xinye went back.

Why don't you help me untie the ropes while you're at it? Don't you understand the principle of helping someone all the way, or seeing them through to the end?

Xiao Ye, you're not so understanding anymore, sob sob sob. Is all that growing in your chest fat the only thing you've done?

Even Lu Ling, standing at the door, could tell that Madam Yang seemed to be gritting her teeth...

She smiled bitterly to herself, then, without wasting any time, nodded to Yu Zhe and took a step back with Lu Yao.

"Then, young master, we won't disturb your reminiscing any longer. My sister and I will go and take charge of the surrounding security."

They knocked on the door simply to report that they had returned, but they didn't expect to eavesdrop on Young Master Yu Zhe's family affairs. Guards should act like guards, and they, especially Lu Ling, were very aware of this.

But to their surprise, Yu Zhe reached out and grabbed their arms to prevent them from slipping away in an instant using some strange movement technique.

"Don't leave in a hurry."

Yu Zhe turned halfway around and looked back at everyone's situation. They were still talking to Yang Qiuyun, hoping to keep her from becoming withdrawn.

Taking advantage of the moment, Yu Zhe extended his slender index finger and placed it in front of his soft lips, making a shushing gesture.

She even wore a rather "seductive" smile, which made Lu Ling and Lu Yao's hearts flutter and they almost lost themselves.

Young master is so handsome...

If Yu Zhe knew what the two of them were thinking, he would never have done that.

Actually, Yu Zhe just wanted to tell her

We're both involved in the same thing.

Of course, it was done quietly.

"There's no need to rush. Sister Lin Yin has already gone out to keep watch. You all know her capabilities, right? Don't worry. Besides, this area is obviously very safe... so there's no need to talk about this."

"I want to say that you guys were really instrumental today. Lu Ling drove the truck very steadily, and Lu Yao projected the image very accurately. Without you, Mom wouldn't have surrendered so easily. I know you don't really want any reward... so how about we listen to a story?"

Who says there are no rewards to be had...?

Lu Ling could only sigh inwardly, blaming herself for being so spineless. If she had actually had the courage to say that the reward she wanted was Young Master's body... well, even if she had said it, Young Master probably wouldn't have given it to her.

"A story...?" A rare glint appeared in Lu Yao's eyes. This girl, who had lacked hobbies since childhood, was actually very interested in listening to stories.

Yu Zhe smiled and said, "Yes, the story is about to begin."

He clenched four fingers and pointed with his remaining thumb at Yang Qiuyun, who was sitting there in a daze.

"Listen to her tell the story of why she left her hometown and ended up here."

5. You'll understand it yourself.

Lu Ling and Lu Yao stayed.

They felt at ease with "Deceptive Blade" Lin Yin outside, after all, she was a formidable senior who could break their bones.

The key point is that they don't want to turn down the opportunity that comes their way.

If they wanted the young master to accept them, they had to start by getting into his heart. This was true for all the girls present.

The most effective way to connect with your inner self is to listen to the past and reflect on your heart.

I heard that the young master used to care most about his mother, but now that Madam Yang is about to tell his story, isn't this the perfect opportunity to listen?

After figuring things out, the two of them brought two small stools from the yard and sat obediently in a row at the back.

Now everyone has arrived.

All that's missing is the east wind.

Yu Zhe knew that although her mother had promised to tell the story properly, given her current withdrawn state, she probably wouldn't explain it clearly. At least some important details that were not in her best interest would likely be hidden or glossed over.

Yu Zhe absolutely needs to know the truth about what happened during that period; there can be no deviation whatsoever.

So... it's time.

Yang Qiuyun sat there with her head down, questioning the meaning of life. Her mind was in turmoil. Just now it was Lu Ling and Lu Yao, but who knows who it will be next time.

Waaah, well, how should I put it, my old face... cough, I'm not old at all, but anyway, I'm definitely not going to save face today!

She had almost fallen into a state of self-abandonment and utterly giving up when she suddenly felt the rope on her left hand loosen.

"Ok?"