She really wanted to run over and question Zuo Yueyao: Is this what you call a good way to handle it? !
But she didn't have the courage. She couldn't accurately judge whether Zuo Yueyao's approach was right or wrong, nor could she accuse him of being so ruthless, because the matter was indeed resolved quickly, and her and Zuo Yueyao's reputations were also quickly restored, but all of this was based on the fact that Yao Jing had to bear the responsibility alone.
Su Xian can no longer distinguish right from wrong. She occasionally thinks of Yao Jing who has left long ago, and worries whether this girl will live well in another strange place. She even feels uneasy and guilty about such an outcome.
Zuo Yueyao has said more than once that she is an extremely soft-hearted person, and such soft-heartedness can easily backfire on herself. Yao Jing's incident is probably a good proof of this.
Because of this incident, Su Xian began to avoid Zuo Yueyao intentionally or unintentionally. He would reply to her text messages and answer his calls, but he would avoid making appointments with her.
She disappeared, and Zuo Yueyao did not force her, maintaining this state until another person arrived.
Su Xian would never have thought that Zuo Yueyao's mother would come to her in person, and Zuo Yueyao didn't know about this.
Su Xian probably had a score in her mind, and guessed that the music played by this score must be sad music. Of course, she held on to beautiful fantasies and hoped that it was just her wild imagination caused by her emotional problems in the past few days.
Time never defeats people with temperament, just like Zhou Ling. You can tell at first glance that he was influenced by a scholarly family. Although his face has a few more wrinkles after not seeing him for so many years, his temperament is still as elegant, calm, and noble as before.
Zuo Yueyao’s nobility should have been inherited from this.
Su Xian gently called out, "Auntie Zhou."
Zhou Ling smiled at her, still as lovingly as before, but he did not touch her head again, nor did he feel that familiarity anymore.
The atmosphere in the tea room is very good, quiet and elegant. The sound of gurgling water from the small decorations accompanied by soft light music can easily soothe the inner restlessness.
Su Xian didn't know how to drink tea, she just thought of it as something to quench her thirst, but seeing Zhou Ling elegantly turning the teapot and slowly pouring tea into her empty cup, she could only take it carefully, sip it politely, not daring to make any big movements.
This is really not like her.
But this is Zuo Yueyao's mother. If she didn't have this relationship with Zuo Yueyao, perhaps she wouldn't have to be so restrained when facing Zhou Ling.
"I remember when we were in Heyunling, you were still a little girl this tall." Zhou Ling gestured his height: "I haven't seen you for so many years. You have grown a lot taller and your skin has become much whiter."
Su Xian could bear any compliments, but he was afraid of the unforeseen consequences that might follow this complimenting opening.
Zhou Ling didn't seem to be in a hurry. She chatted with Su Xian about her daily life: "Is Village Chief Zhao still healthy? I remember that he accompanied me everywhere. He was so healthy that he didn't even breathe. I had to admit it."
"Well, he's fine." She sat in front of Zhou Ling respectfully like a sensible little girl, answering his questions in a proper manner.
"Is your dad okay?"
"He's very good too."
"Well, that's good." Zhou Ling kept a friendly smile: "Is there a road in the village now?"
"Yes, it works."
"Later, I went to your village again. It has indeed improved a lot, but it is still a little different from what I expected. I can only blame my lack of ability."
Such a modest way of speaking made Su Xian feel a little helpless: "No, it's not."
If Zuo Yueyao knew that she was stuttering when she spoke, would he laugh out loud
"I heard that you have very good grades and have received scholarships every year." Zhou Ling poured out her cold tea and refilled her cup. "Auntie was right. I knew you would be a promising child. When Village Chief Zhao talked to me, he also praised you in front of me. It can be seen that he really loves you. But then again, who wouldn't love such a sensible and motivated child like you? I have been very busy with work these years, but I will still call the village chief to ask about your situation."
Su Xian listened silently, and always felt that Zhou Ling came to see her for more than just a reminiscing about the past.
"When we first came back from Heyunling, Yueyao tried his best to ask me to support your studies and life. I even laughed at him, wondering if he was taking extra care of you because he never had a sister."
Su Xian looked up suddenly and was stunned.
"I like you very much, so of course I couldn't bear to refuse. He also said that if he gave you money openly, you would definitely not want it, so he transferred your tuition and living expenses to Village Chief Zhao. Village Chief Zhao then guaranteed your study and living expenses every year in the name of the village committee supporting college students."
Su Xian put down the hand holding the cup, because if she didn't, the water in the cup would spill out. Her hand began to tremble slightly.
She thought of the shabby tables in the village committee, the broken glass window that was taped shut, the office of the village committee that had not been renovated for a long time, and the tuition and living expenses that she did not have to worry about over the years. She thought of Zuo Yueyao who would eat with her whenever he was free, and then use his meal card to get her meals.
Su Xian thought a lot and only then realized that all these worries about food and clothing came from donations from others.
She is so stupid, really so stupid, so stupid that she hasn't realized it until now.
The self-esteem and self-reliance slogans that she was proud of all day long were nothing but self-entertainment.
She bit her lip tightly, trying not to look so embarrassed: "I will pay back the money."
"Silly girl." Zhou Ling scolded, "I have always treated you as half a daughter. It is natural for a mother to take care of her daughter. When I knew you passed the exam, I was happy for you for several days. I thought that Yue Yao was also here, and he, as a brother, could take good care of you. Although I didn't spend too much time with you that year, it was fate after all."
elder brother
Su Xian probably understood the purpose of Zhou Ling's coming here.
"I just didn't expect," Zhou Ling said slowly, "He told me that he had someone he liked, but I didn't expect that person to be you."
"I don't object to him dating. I hope he can find someone who matches him and can make progress together. In the future, no matter in terms of knowledge or values, he can agree with him. This is the most perfect marriage. Don't you think so?"
"Yeah." Su Xian's answer was as unwilling as it could be.
"I've also heard about what happened recently. This is the first time I've heard anything negative about Yue Yao. Even if it's not true, I hope it doesn't happen. He still has a long way to go in medicine, and he has a lot of unfinished schoolwork. He spends much more energy on academics than we thought, so I hope nothing bad will interfere with him and affect his studies or his mood."
"Girl, the same goes for you. I hope you can find your own path and the person who is right for you."
There wasn't a word of blame, and all the words sounded well-intentioned, but they were like a sharp knife, cutting into Su Xian's heart again and again, and each time, the pain went deep into his bones.
The other hand under the table pinched his thigh hard, telling himself over and over again: Don't cry.
Zhou Ling is not a stepmother, she is not vicious, she is just the common one among all mothers, a normal mother who cares about her son's future.
But the gentler she was, the harder the knife cut.
Su Xian heard his own trembling breathing, which was drowned in the sound of the gurgling water and turned into deep sadness.
Zhou Ling didn't mind having another goddaughter, but he did mind that Zuo Yueyao's girlfriend was her.
Su Xian wanted to smile, but the muscles on her face were so tense that she couldn't even force a smile. After a long pause, she said the same thing: "Auntie, I will pay you back the money."
She will really pay back the money!
Zhou Ling seemed to be afraid that she didn't understand what he meant, so he emphasized: "Silly girl, you don't have to pay back the money. If you want, you can call me godmother. If you have any difficulties in the future, tell your godmother or Yue Yao."
Her self-esteem did not allow her to pursue Zhou Ling anymore and then tell her: I don’t want to be your goddaughter, I want to be your daughter-in-law!
"Can you promise me something?"
Su Xian nodded hesitantly: "Auntie, you go ahead."
"I came to see you today, but Yueyao didn't know. I hope this is a secret between the two of us, okay?"
Can she say no
"good."
She owed it to someone else! She owed it so much that she couldn't even say no.
Zhou Ling seemed very satisfied with her performance. Before leaving, he patted her head and said, "You are very smart and sensible. I feel relieved."
What are you worried about
Do you trust her to keep today's secret? Or do you trust her to say goodbye to Zuo Yueyao when she returns
"Aunt Zhou." She gradually felt unfamiliar with Zhou Ling, but it couldn't change the fact that she had helped her: "I'm going to apologize to you on my dad's behalf."
Facing the dazzling sunlight, Su Xian felt dizzy. Zhou Ling had been gone for a long time. Looking at the people coming and going on the street, there were many couples. Perhaps no one was more miserable than her.
She had thought that the smooth sailing of her life over the years was the result of her own efforts, and that God had seen her efforts and was taking special care of her. But in the end, it turned out to be a dream web carefully woven by others, allowing her to lie comfortably on it and spend every day there.
Uncle Zhao lied to her, Zuo Yueyao lied to her, these two people who were like sunshine in her life were lying to her at the same time.
Su Xian is not a person who cannot distinguish right from wrong. She knows that these lies are well-intentioned and are meant to protect her pitiful self-esteem, so she cannot blame anyone, let alone vent her anger on anyone.
She clearly remembered the numbers in her bank card, and even with what was in the pig's stomach, it was just a drop in the bucket to pay off the debts she had incurred over the years.
She said she would pay it back, so she must pay it back.
Su Xian called Chen Biyu and asked her to meet him by the fountain in the park. Before Chen Biyu arrived, she borrowed a pen and paper from someone and wrote something.
As soon as Chen Biyu arrived, Su Xian gave her the written paper.
"Lend me this money. This is the IOU. I'll give you a copy of my ID card as well. I'll pay you in installments after you graduate from college, but I'll pay you back as soon as possible."
She thought Chen Biyu would use her expertise in digging deep into the matter.
After she took the IOU, she read it again and again. After making sure it was not a joke, she poked Su Xian's shoulder and said, "Stop joking. Your boyfriend is much richer than mine. If you need money, just ask him. He is your boyfriend, how can he not give it to you?"
"Can you lend it to me?"
Su Xian had never been so humble before. Chen Biyu was stunned after all: "Did something happen to you?"
Su Xian pursed his lips and didn't answer. Seeing this, Chen Biyu said carelessly, "Well, it's no big deal. Wait, I'll tell my family and ask them to transfer the money over. But I have to make it clear in advance that you don't have to pay it back in a hurry. Don't make yourself miserable just to pay it back. I can't stand it!"