Chapter 57 - A Very Shocked Mother
Chen ShiYi was shocked by Lin YaZhi’s attire but managed to calm down soon after. She told the father and son duo: “You guys wait here. I’ll go pick him up.”
The jubilant Lin YaZhi answered: “I’ll go down with you. I rarely dress so formally, so its a bit wasteful if I don’t wear it around.” It was apparent that he wanted to flaunt a little.
Chen ShiYi replied: “….no, thanks.” She couldn’t afford to lose right at the starting line!
Lin YaZhi was puzzled. “Why?”
Chen ShiYi was feeling quite depressed. It’s only been a few months since they last saw each other, yet why did it seem like Lin YaZhi had more shortcomings than before, ah?
Lin Qian could barely hold his laughter back. He stopped Lin YaZhi and said: “Don’t go. It’s dusty outside; you’ll get your clothes dirty.”
Lin YaZhi thought that made sense. Feeling a little disappointed, he told Chen ShiYi: “Alright, then hurry back.”
Afraid that Lin YaZhi would change his mind, Chen ShiYi quickly ran out of the front door. As Lin YaZhi watched her go, he uttered a sigh. “She looks so anxious. And no wonder, she hasn’t seen her son in so long. She must miss him terribly.”
Lin Qian: “….”
……
As she walked downstairs, Chen ShiYi thought that maybe she’d get lucky. It’s been a while since she last saw Zheng PingQing, and according to his personality of ‘liking the new and hating the old,’ he probably hasn’t worn that particular outfit in a long time. So even if he did see Lin Qian wearing an outfit he had, perhaps Zheng PingQing wouldn’t mind.
With this thought, Chen ShiYi’s mind settled down a little, and she pressed a finger on the s.p.a.ce between her brows.
Trying to handle the relationship between the two children as gently as possible left her nervous and exhausted.
Chen ShiYi and Lin YaZhi were the types of people who stayed in their research labs all year round. They had neglected to communicate with their children in the past, and Zheng PingQing and Lin Qian would be even more sensitive now that they were in the middle of adolescence. If they don’t tread carefully and accidentally say do something inconsiderate, their children might end up thinking they were biased.
This was exactly what happened with Zheng PingQing last time. Back then, Chen ShiYi had thought that because she wasn’t familiar with Lin Qian, she wasn’t in any position to talk to him about getting along with her son. But after some careful thought, Chen ShiYi still hoped that he and Zheng PingQing would get along. Zheng PingQing was alone in Rong City, and she had wished that Zheng PingQing could let go of his resentments and live a happier life.
Even while she tried to rid her heart of any excessive expectations, a part of Chen ShiYi had still wished for the tense relationship between the children to ease. Because then, more people could accompany Zheng PingQing and look after him.
But in the end, she hadn’t managed to express her intentions correctly. Zheng PingQing had exploded on the spot.
It took Chen ShiYi a long time to realize that what she had said was wrong.
Oh, she had been extremely foolish in her words!
To this day, she still a little anxious about what she had done. But for some reason, her son, who had an ‘attack the heavens, attack the earth‘ sort of temperament ever since he was a child, didn’t make trouble for Lin Qian afterward. It was an unexpected blessing that made Chen ShiYi feel very fortunate.
But what surprised Chen ShiYi the most was the fact that Zheng PingQing was still willing to come and meet Lin YaZhi. It felt unreal to her. She had even suspected that Zheng PingQing only agreed because he was looking for an opportunity to make trouble.
Chen ShiYi was deep in thought as she walked. When she finally reached the neighborhood gate, she was once again stunned silly.
Zheng PingQing, her tall and upright son, was standing just outside the gate, talking and laughing with the security guard.
But that wasn’t the point. The point is, what is this handsome teenager holding???
In Zheng PingQing’s left hand was a pile of gift bags, but what was even more eye-catching, was the small cart his right hand was pulling. It was the kind of cart aunties use to buy vegetables, filled with beautifully packaged boxes.
Chen ShiYi: ????
As she neared, she could hear snippets of Zheng PingQing’s conversation with the security guard.
The security guard was smiling as he said: “Your relationship with your friend is quite good, ah. You bring him breakfast every day, and now you’re even bringing so many gifts.”
Zheng PingQing replied: “Well, you see, I’m meeting the family for the first timek2026;”
At the same time, he didn’t forget to ask the security uncle: “Do I look okay? Sigh, this little cart is a bit lacking for the image I’m trying to present. But I’m not old enough to get my driver’s license, which is so troublesome….”
The security guard clapped him on the shoulder. “It’s alright. You look energetic enough, young man. And the little cart gives off the same feeling you would have with a Ferrari.”
With this, Zheng PingQing laid his worries to rest. “Are you sure it’s a Ferrari feeling? I’ll be careful only to reach the feeling of a BMW Mercedes-Benz. I think that fits my temperament more.”
The security guard laughed. “You look so nervous, ah. If I didn’t know you were coming here to visit a friend’s house, I would’ve thought you were coming to propose.”
Zheng PingQing’s voice was laced with regret as he replied: “I actually want to, but I thought it might be a little too fast.”
The security guard laughed even harder. “You youngsters are so interesting to talk to, ah. Do you teenagers still call your close friends ‘Brother’?”
Zheng PingQing very seriously replied: “Yeah, but I prefer to use the term gay directly.”
The security guard made a sound of realization. “Oh yeah, my daughter often uses that word. Ah, I can’t keep up with you youngsters….”
……
Chen ShiYi was still a distance away from the two men, so she hadn’t heard the entirety of their conversation. Instead, she thought that her son really had the gene of a prominent businessman. He had such strong social skills that he could make friends with even the security guard in only a few minutes.
“PingQing.” Chen ShiYi called out. “How come you brought so many things? You’re just a child; you don’t need to be so polite.”
The last time they met was at Little Pea restaurant, where they had a loaded conversation, so Zheng PingQing was still a little uncomfortable with Chen ShiYi. He tried to hide his unease by acting casual and shrugging his shoulders. “This is the first meeting. It wouldn’t be good to come empty-handed.”
Chen ShiYi felt that it had been too long since she last talked with her son. She didn’t know when her combative son had become so polite and thoughtful. He even brought so many gifts for Lin YaZhi and Lin Qian, the two people he had vehemently hated.
It was just that these gifts looked too extravagant and wasteful. Although Zheng PingQing’s father had endless family properties, it wasn’t a good habit to buy too many things.
Chen ShiYi’s heart was both thrilled and very worried. She suddenly regretted not spending more time with him. Filled with all these conflicting emotions, Chen ShiYi didn’t know what to feel.
But in any case, she was tremendously lucky to have this opportunity to ease the relationship between Zheng PingQing and Lin YaZhi.
Unfortunately, this feeling didn’t last long. When she was finally in front of Zheng PingQing, Chen ShiYi felt like she was about to faint.
Because underneath Zheng PingQing’s loose jacket, was the same shirt Lin Qian was wearing.
He’s still wearing it months later; Zheng PingQing must really like this shirt!
When he sees Lin Qian, it’ll be all over!
Any trace of joy disappeared in Chen ShiYi’s heart, leaving only tears and anguish in its place.
This life…it was deliberately trying to make things difficult for her, ah.
Zheng PingQing didn’t give her any time to think of a solution. He raised his chin and said: “Hurry up, these things are heavy.”
Chen ShiYi reached out to take a bag from his hand. “I’ll carry some of it.”
But Zheng PingQing avoided her hand. “No.”
Seeing Chen ShiYi’s lost expression, he said: “I got it. Your hands are for your lab experiments, so you shouldn’t carry such heavy stuff.”
Chen ShiYi froze at his words and stared at her son. Uncomfortable with her gaze, Zheng PingQing sighed and impatiently shoved two bags towards her. “Alright, alright, if you want to take it, then take it.”
But Chen ShiYi didn’t accept the bags. “Humph! I won’t take it.”
Zheng PingQing:”……”
As Chen ShiYi led Zheng PingQing into the apartment building, she tried to find a solution for the outfit crisis. When they entered the elevators, Chen ShiYi did her best to look nonchalant and asked: “Say, do you young people like catching up to current trends?”
Zheng PingQing, this middle-aged uncle who hated the current trends of this era, perfunctorily replied: “Yeah.”
Chen ShiYi immediately followed up with: “I think trends are great. Being in a trend shows that everyone likes it. Like for example, clothes. If a lot of people wear the same outfit, it just means that the public has recognized the aesthetics of this particular outfit. Don’t you think so?”
Zheng PingQing rolled his eyes and, with disdain all over his face, replied: “Of course not. If a lot of people wearing the same outfit walk through the same road, then the street should probably be renamed ‘lousy street."”
Chen ShiYi’s attempt failed, and her mood sank even lower. Zheng PingQing then continued to twist the knife: “One of the most annoying things in the world is b.u.mping into someone with the same outfit as you.”
Chen ShiYi: “…..”
“Are you sure you want to meet Lin YaZhi and Lin Qian?” Chen ShiYi suddenly asked with an expressionless face. “If you have the tiniest bit of reluctance, we can leave right now. There’s no need to force yourself!”
As she said this, the elevator let out a ‘ding’ and opened its doors.
Zheng PingQing left the elevator first, then turned back to frown at Chen ShiYi. “Do you want me to meet them or not? Why do I feel like you don’t want to let me meet your new husband, ah.”
Chen ShiYi: “…..” She was being wronged!
Chen ShiYi walked out of the elevator with stiff legs. She could already see all the aggression and discord that would occur the moment Zheng PingQing laid eyes on Lin Qian.
Ah, this d.a.m.n outfit.
She listlessly led Zheng PingQing towards the Lin home.
Lin YaZhi and Lin Qian had been patiently waiting by the front door. When they heard movement outside, Lin YaZhi opened the front door first. With a warm smile, Lin YaZhi greeted: “Welcome, welcome~.”
And then he saw the person with Chen ShiYi. Startled, he exclaimed: “Student Zheng!”
Seeing Lin YaZhi’s astonished expression, Chen ShiYi felt like her heart was suddenly lifted into the air. As her body quietly tensed in preparation to stop any sudden movements, Chen ShiYi smiled and said: “I wanted to tell you, but I was afraid PingQing wouldn’t be happy….”
But then, she heard Zheng PingQing chuckle. “Teacher Lin, how are you?”
Chen ShiYi then saw Lin YaZhi step forward to pat Zheng PingQing on the shoulder. Lin YaZhi turned towards Chen ShiYi and, with some dissatisfaction in his tone, said: “Why didn’t you tell me that Little Zheng is your son, ah. If you had told me earlier, I would’ve taken care of him.”
Zheng PingQing deliberately put all the blame on Chen ShiYi. “She might’ve been afraid that you would abuse me.”
Chen ShiYi:”????”
Zheng PingQing continued to exaggerate: “Just now, she told me not to come and just go back home.”
Lin YaZhi looked at Chen ShiYi with disapproval. “How can you do that? Little Zheng coming here is a good thing. Why are you trying to stop him, ah?”
Chen ShiYi: “????????????”
Although her son kept spouting nonsense, at this moment, Chen ShiYi was too stupefied to remember to defend herself.
However, the biggest headache was still to come. All this time, Chen ShiYi had been very worried about the outfit situation, and she feared for the very worst.
Chen ShiYi saw Lin Qian step forward, then naturally and intimately take the gifts from Zheng PingQing’s hands. With a smile, he said: “Finally arrived.”
Then Lin YaZhi’s voice sounded out: “Hey, you’re both wearing the same outfit again, very good, very good. Every time you two wear the same clothes, I find that it warms the heart and delights the eye. In school, teachers often compliment you two, you know. It"s like gaining double the face.”
“It’s mainly because Lin Qian is so good-looking.” Zheng PingQing replied.
Lin YaZhi nodded. “Makes sense, both of you look good.”
Chen ShiYi watched the trio talk and laugh together so familiarly. They look like a close family. Chen ShiYi felt like the plot had suddenly changed genres into fantasy.
Wait a minute! Someone explain things to me! When did you three end up in good terms?
You guys are so harmonious and friendly. All her fear and worries…just what was all the suffering for?
Chen ShiYi was still in a daze when Lin YaZhi pulled her in. “ShiYi, what are you still doing outside? Come in.”
Chen ShiYi was practically dragged back into the house. Meanwhile, Lin Qian was helping unload the gifts from the cart Zheng PingQing had brought. While he did this, he asked Zheng PingQing: “Why’d you bring so many things? It’s a good thing none of these are heavy.”
Zheng PingQing wrinkled his nose. “You’re allowed to bring heavy things?”
On the other side, Lin YaZhi regretfully informed Chen ShiYi: “ShiYi, it seems that you have to be the one to cook today.”
Chen ShiYi was puzzled. “Why?”
Last night, Lin YaZhi had excitedly told her that he would try to cook for her son.
Lin YaZhi replied with an expression full of grievance: “Little Zheng doesn’t allow me to cook…He knows me too well.”
Chen ShiYi: ??????
Her son not only met up with Lin YaZhi in secret, but he also did it enough times to be able to manage the cooking?
The author has something to say:
Lin YaZhi, Lin Qian and Zheng PingQing: We are a happy family~
Chen ShiYi: ?????
A little time skip. Chen ShiYi, it’s alright. You didn’t end up in the twilight zone, it was your son.