Chapter 184: Toy Boy
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Ever since Xiang Wan grew up to be an adult, she had left to study in another city and seldom had the chance to go out with her mother.
When she came back to Jin City, as her mom had been working for Youngest Aunt, Xiang Wan always felt awkward whenever she went there and would avoid going there subconsciously.
Hence, when she held her mom’s arm to the hospital, she actually felt that this was a warm experience.
“Mom, you sit here. I’ll go register for a queue number.”
There were many people queuing up for registration—two long queues that twisted and turned like snakes. Xiang Wan felt headache just from looking at the length of the queue.
She had taken her mom’s ident.i.ty card from her earlier for registration. She would occasionally glance over at where her mom was to make sure she was alright. She was worried if she might be feeling uncomfortable or unwell…
Not sure when it started, but she was now a grown-up and her mother, had become old. Their roles had slowly interchanged… Her mom who had a weak const.i.tution was now like the child, and she felt that she was as though the pillar of their own little family.
The business at the hospital was booming.
Registration, waiting to be called… This was a very long process.
When her mom’s name was being called, it was already an hour later.
Surprisingly, when they entered the treatment room, the doctor on duty was the same doctor when Cheng Zheng brought them over the last time.
What was even more surprising was that the doctor actually remembered them.
It was more convenient since they still remembered each other. After looking at Tan Yunchun’s medical records, the doctor asked her about her condition, did a blood test, and prescribed her medicine. He also stressed to her the importance of adequate rest as well as wearing appropriate clothing during day and night… He said her illness was basically due to her being a worrywart as well as exhaustion. She would need to take greater care of herself.
It was a good thing that her mom’s condition was not serious.
Xiang Wan was in a cheerful mood. Since she was on leave today, she might as well hang out with her mom and go for shopping.
At first, her mom rejected the idea.
She was reluctant to spend money, and she was even more reluctant to spend her daughter’s hard-earned money. But ultimately, she could not resist buying as Xiang Wan kept egging her on. Her natural shopping instincts got activated, and under Xiang Wan’s lead, she had an enjoyable afternoon shopping like a young woman.
They bought lipsticks, tried out cosmetics, ate delicious but not so healthy snacks, as well as—taking selfies…
“How are you feeling right now?” Xiang Wan took her mom’s arm, grinning away happily. “Are you happy, Madam Tan?”
Tan Yunchun was overjoyed. When she spoke, the happy wrinkles appeared clearly on her face.
“Sigh! I suddenly feel… that I’m so much younger…”
“That should be the way. When one’s still living, one should live happily. When your heart is not old, you’ll be young forever, do you know that?”
“You la.s.s… Hur!” Xiang Wan’s mom chuckled.
“Mom, ain’t your la.s.s cool? You should do this more often in future. When you feel like buying something, just buy it. If you want to let loose, tell me and I’ll help you let loose…” Xiang Wan looked up at the sky and looked at the clouds merrily as she imagined the days ahead.
“Hm, we are still poor for now, but we won’t be poor forever. Be rest a.s.sured, your la.s.s is going to support you. You can buy whatever you want… And you should doll yourself up and find yourself a cub…”
“Cub? Do you mean a dog?” Tan Yunchun waved her hands lightly. “Your Youngest Aunt already has so many dogs. I’m tired out just from taking care of them… I don’t want to keep a dog.”
“…”
Xiang Wan looked at the deep and shallow wrinkles on her mom’s face. She could not resist laughing out loud when she saw the seriousness on her mom’s expression.
“Mom, you’re so funny.”
Her sudden laughter, which was without rhyme or reason, made Tan Yunchun baffled.
“Why? What are you laughing at? I’m serious.”
“I’m laughing seriously.” Xiang Wan pursed her lips as a matter-of-factly and whispered into her mom’s ear. “The cub I said earlier is not referring to a dog. It means toy boy: a younger, affectionate and loyal man…”
“Ah!” Tan Yunchun stared hard at Xiang Wan in disbelief.
Seeing the mischievous look on Xiang Wan, her cheeks immediately became red as a tomato.
“You la.s.s! You’re getting out of hand!”
It seemed like Xiang Wan had inherited her blushing habit from her mom.
Her grin grew wider at the sight of her mom’s tomato-colored cheeks. “Come on, tell me, what type are you looking for?” She narrowed her eyes and teased her mom.
Tan Yunchun slapped Xiang Wan on the arm and scolded her, “How can a girl say such words to her mother?”
“Why not? I’m not only your daughter, I can become your best friend, too!”
“… What are you talking about!”
Xiang Wan knew her mom’s getting embarra.s.sed. She cleared her throat and restrained herself not to grin. “Dad’s gone for so many years already,” she asked seriously, “you didn’t meet anyone suitable?”
Tan Yunchun lowered her head. She seemed to not want to answer this question.
“Mom’s hope and future is always you. I have no interest in other matters.”
As if she wanted to avoid being questioned by Xiang Wan, Tan Yunchun chose to strike first by suddenly changing the topic. “Oh yes, didn’t you move to a new place? Mom hasn’t visited your new place yet. Since we’re both outside today, do bring me back to your new place. I can even help you do some cleaning up…”
“Ah!”
Now, it was Xiang Wan’s turn to be in a difficult position.
Both she and Cheng Zheng did not mention about the fact that both of them were now tenant and landlord. Hence, mom and Youngest Aunt did not know that she was now neighbors with Cheng Zheng, as well as his tenant.
On top of that, the room that Bai Muchuan was staying… Even though he had been so busy that he had only stayed for one night, his personal items were inside. The moment her mom went in, she would definitely know that she was living with a man in the same house
Of course, her mom definitely would not think of them as roommates jointly renting a house, but would think they must have been cohabiting with each other…
“Why are you in a daze? Let’s go?”
The mother knew her daughter the best.
When Tan Yunchun saw Xiang Wan’s expression, she immediately knew her daughter had kept something from her.
“Wanwan ah! Are you keeping something from mom?”
“No…” Xiang Wan could feel her head slightly aching but pretended to be casual about it and shrugged her shoulders before looking at the time on her mobile phone. “It’s still early, why do you want to go back so early? Let’s shop some more and eat dinner then decide what to do…”
“I can’t continue anymore!” Tan Yunchun found a seat outside the mall, sat down, and relieved her back by giving a few knocks on it. “I’m already old,” she sighed, “I don’t have much stamina as youngsters like you.”
“… Do you want me to send you back?”
“Hm?” Tan Yunchun squinted her eyes. “Why are you not willing to let me come to your new rented apartment?”
If this was a normal apartment she rented, why would she not want her mom to go?
Xiang Wan’s hesitation totally betrayed her thoughts.
“The house is too messy…”
Her excuse was too lame! Her mom successfully reb.u.t.ted her in just one second.
“I’m your mom! How could I not know your character? You don’t like to tidy up as you’re lazy! That’s why I wanted to help you do some cleaning up?”
Xiang Wan felt embarra.s.sed, and her face was now red.
“But…”
“No more buts! I’m your mom, what’s there to be ashamed about?”
“…”
But there is really something that I’m shameful about!
Xiang Wan lamented inside her head.
However, under Tan Yunchun’s persistence, Xiang Wan had no choice but to admit defeat.
“Fine! We’ll go get some ingredients as well. You’ll cook dinner for me?”
Every child has an obsession with their mother’s cooking.
No matter how far they were, no matter how much delicacies they ate, one would always miss their mom’s food as well as if it was the most delicious food on earth.
Xiang Wan had not lived with her mom for a long time. She had no choice but to bring her mom home first.
She kept saying she was hungry while on the way back. The moment they went inside the house, Xiang Wan managed to coax her mom to the kitchen, whereas she quickly went inside Bai Muchuan’s room and kept all those obvious men’s stuff into his wardrobe.
Later, she looked around to confirm if she had left any traces behind before heaving a sigh of relief. She quietly left the room and closed the door.
Tan Yunchun happened to see how she came out of a room sneakily and was surprised.
“You’re staying at that room?”
“Ah?” Xiang Wan had a guilty look and waved her hand repeatedly about. “No. This is the landlord’s room.”
“If this is the landlord’s room, why did you go inside? And, I see that this house is quite clean and tidy. Since when are you so hardworking to maintain it?”
Tan Yunchun scrutinized her, disbelief was written all over her face. She was obviously suspicious of Xiang Wan’s behavior.
“I’m already very hardworking since long ago, alright? Don’t keep using the old me to criticize the new me,” Xiang Wan said teasingly and then patted her sleeve as she tried to explain calmly.
“The landlord used to stay in that room. After renting the house to us, it has been empty, but the things inside are complete and intact. I just went inside to tidy it up so you can stay in that room for the night.”
The moment Tan Yunchun heard that, she immediately replied, “I need to go back after dinner, otherwise, if Tiantian didn’t see me, he will cry.”
Ever since Youngest Aunt’s son, Xing Tiantian was born, he was taken care of by Xiang Wan’s mom.
She fed him, put him to sleep, changed his nappy, and more. The feelings of children are the purest. He was close to Xiang Wan’s mom as she took care of him everyday. If Tan Yunchun was not around for a long time, he would cry and create a fuss.
Now that Tiantian was around three years old, things were much better. Xiang Wan’s mom could stay out during day time but not the night. If Tiantian didn’t get to see her at night, his cries could be heard in their entire villa.
It was precisely because Xiang Wan knew about this that she had said that.
She knew that Bai Muchuan would not be back at this time. And for her mom, she would definitely leave after dinner. So, both of them would not be able to meet!
Ding! It was the sound of a message.
Speak of the devil!
The moment she heard that notification, she knew it must be Bai Muchuan.
Xiang Wan stole a glance at her mom who was busy preparing dinner and quickly read the message.
“Little Wanwan, I’m coming back to have dinner with you tonight.” She was frozen on the spot.
“…” Goodness! Are you kidding me?
Xiang Wan felt her head going to explode. “Aren’t you busy with work? You don’t need to worry about me.”
“I’m done with my work and I feel tired. I’ll take a bath and then have a good night’s sleep.”
“…” Xiang Wan felt like crying.
She quickly thought for a while and replied. “I’m not at home. You can go ahead and eat outside.”
“Then I’ll wait for you at home, I can always order a takeaway.”
Urgh! Heavens, why are you going against me?
Xiang Wan’s mind went blank and felt that she was a fool to have trapped herself like this.
“Don’t come back!” She got agitated.
“?”
After Bai Muchuan replied with a question mark, he directly called up Xiang Wan.
“What are you up to? Is there a man at home?”
Hearing his somewhat teasing tone, Xiang Wan didn’t know what to do with him. She decided to come clean instead.
“What man are you talking about? It’s my mom… My mom’s here…”
The door suddenly opened.
Xiang Wan had not finished her words when she saw Bai Muchuan holding the keys, standing outside the house.
Their gazes met and he looked at her innocently.
“Didn’t you say you’re not at home?”
“…”