NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 38
Chapter 38: The Daughter-Fixated Mother:
At the entrance of the neighborhood, Qin Luo watched Ji Yan walk home until she was out of sight. Only then did he slowly withdraw his gaze and prepare to hail a cab.
Suddenly, a voice called out behind him. “Please wait a moment.”
The voice was clear and cold, with a crispness like the clinking of ice cubes, making Qin Luo instinctively think Ji Yan had returned.
But upon closer listening, he could tell it was different—a woman’s voice, older than Ji Yan’s.
He turned around and was slightly taken aback at the sight of the woman. She seemed somewhat aged but not too old, probably in her early thirties. Her skin was well-maintained—smooth and soft, indicating she knew how to take care of herself.
A woman who took such good care of herself wouldn’t be lacking in appearance. Her face was marked by delicate features, which, despite her expressionless appearance, gave her a cold, yet appealing aura.
Her hairstyle was distinctive—a simple ponytail tied with a small leather strap, draped over her right shoulder. Qin Luo couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow at this. Anime enthusiasts might recognize this hairstyle often seen on married women in shows, usually signaling impending trouble for the character.
:Ma’am, your hairstyle is dangerous…” Qin Luo couldn’t help but silently comment. Then he noticed the woman’s somewhat displeased expression and quickly averted his gaze to her face.
Her features bore a striking resemblance to Ji Yan’s, like an older version of Ji Yan, but with a pair of rimless glasses that added a touch of sternness, almost like a strict school teacher.
If her expression and gaze were softer, she might have had the gentle aura of an elder sister who tutors children.
Qin Luo couldn’t help but ask, “Are you Ji Yan’s sister?”
He wasn’t sure if it was his imagination, but after asking this, the woman’s expression seemed to soften slightly.
“Actually, I’m her mother,” she replied, her voice still cold.
Qin Luo: “…”
Qin Luo had a bold thought but wasn’t sure if he should voice it. He wanted to ask if she had Ji Yan when she was a minor…
Otherwise, how could a 20-year-old like Ji Yan have such a young-looking mother?
The only possibility was that this lady’s actual age was much older than she looked. She appeared to be in her early thirties but might be closer to forty or older.
How did she maintain herself so well? Amazing…
Even as a man, Qin Luo couldn’t help but be impressed.
Seeing that the lady seemed somewhat hostile, he introduced himself, “Hello, I’m Qin Luo, Ji Yan’s classmate.”
The lady looked him up and down and said calmly, “You look decent enough, but let me give you some advice. Stay away from Ji Yan. You are both young and should focus on your studies. Keep your distance, understand?”
Her simple words made Qin Luo twitch his lips involuntarily.
‘Aunt, you look so young, yet your thinking is so outdated?’
‘It’s the 21st century! Yet there are still parents saying this… If it were high school, it would be somewhat understandable.’
‘But we’re university students!’
He wanted to argue back, but considering her status, he simply nodded. “Yes, Aunt, I understand.”
The lady raised an eyebrow, seemingly surprised by how readily Qin Luo agreed. However, this saved her from wasting more words.
“That’s good,” she said, her expression softening slightly. “This is the first time I’ve seen Ji Yan come back with a boy. I can tell you’re a good kid, so I’m telling you this. Ji Yan isn’t suitable for you. Do you understand?”
“Yes, Aunt, I understand,” Qin Luo nodded again.
His consent and understanding made the lady’s expression even softer. She even smiled at him and said, “It’s good that you understand. It’s getting late; go home and rest.”
“Okay, Aunt. Goodbye,” Qin Luo said, playing the role of a polite, obedient child, then hailed a cab and left.
Before leaving, Qin Luo glanced back at the lady.
…
Subject detected: Zhang Ru
Scanning…
Scan complete
Target: Zhang Ru
Profile: Daughter-fixated
Can be influenced
…
Qin Luo: “…”
In his mind, he smiled at the lady before getting into the cab and driving away.
The lady stood by the roadside, she didn’t notice the change in Qin Luo’s gaze. She only felt slightly uneasy, thinking he agreed too quickly.
But then she thought it was a good thing, so she didn’t dwell on it and went back home, opening her daughter’s bedroom door.
The moment the door opened, she heard a commotion inside.
She saw Ji Yan hurriedly tidying up, holding a painted sculpture of a little girl.
Seeing her mother at the door, Ji Yan felt a sudden panic. She moved the sculpture behind her and called softly, “Mom, you’re back.”
Her mother frowned and walked into the room without a word, sitting on Ji Yan’s bed. “Sit down; we need to talk.”
“Okay.” Ji Yan nodded, sitting on a nearby chair. Seeing her mother’s stern face, she grew more anxious, like a guilty child, not daring to meet her mother’s eyes.
Her mother’s expression grew even more displeased at this.
Suppressing her anger, she asked coldly, “What’s your relationship with that boy, Qin Luo?”
Ji Yan’s eyes widened in disbelief. “How do you know him?”
“I’m asking you, what’s your relationship?” Her mother’s voice grew colder.
Ji Yan looked down, stammering, “Just… just classmates.”
“Classmates would walk you home?” Her mother scoffed, glancing at the sculpture. “You never buy things like this. Did he buy it for you? Did you go on a date today?”
Ji Yan’s mouth fell open, her cold face showing surprise. She couldn’t figure out how her mother knew all this.
Did she run into Qin Luo downstairs, and he told her?
It couldn’t be that her mother had followed her all the way, right?
Feeling guilty, Ji Yan lowered her head and stayed silent.