Chapter 128

This is a bowl of refreshing ice jelly topped with crushed peanuts, raisins, and hawthorn berries, perfect for summer.

Strange? Why does it look so much like the style Dad usually makes?

P. S.: I left home at 6 AM to celebrate someone's birthday and didn't get back until 2 AM. I didn't expect it to be this late. I barely managed to finish typing, but my sleep schedule is completely messed up, sob sob.

P. S.: We're just 400 short of 20,000 monthly votes, so please vote if you have any.

Volume 1: Chapter 128. Xiao Shu, how much longer can I stay with you? (5K)

At the dinner table,

Chu Wangshu took a bite of the ice jelly, her eyes narrowing happily. The crushed peanuts provided a chewy texture, while the raisins and hawthorn pieces contributed different layers of sweetness. The sauce, based on brown sugar, made the ice jelly's sweetness extremely distinct. It tasted smooth and refreshing, and was very cooling.

The little girl stirred the ice jelly with a spoon with a touch of nostalgia. She remembered that when she had argued with her Dad that day, there was mung bean soup and ice jelly in the refrigerator, and there was a sticky note on the table reminding people to eat them.

It can be said that even when Dad relationship with her was at its most distant, her father never forgot to take care of her daily life, and treated her with the same meticulous care as a child.

That's why she was so puzzled as to how the father-daughter relationship had come to this.

If the Dad doesn't like her and is only raising her out of obligation and responsibility, he might as well do what some single-parent families do: give her some living expenses and let her fend for herself. There's absolutely no need for him to go through all this trouble.

Chu Wangshu had even suspected that Chu Yuanqing had a health problem, but after secretly finding out the test report of her Dad's physical examination arranged by his workplace, she found that everything was normal.

While I felt relieved, more confusion arose afterward.

This sense of unease stemming from her confusion is the core reason why she was able to overcome her inner awkwardness and rebellion, and was willing to take the initiative to break the ice during her adolescence.

Chu Wangshu stopped thinking about the past. She lowered her eyes and stared at the bowl of ice jelly, as if she saw a bright future in a daze. The curve of her lips on her tender and beautiful face was filled with happiness.

Now, she has reconciled with her Dad and successfully advanced to the A1 area in the second round.

As long as a final, fixed five-person team is formed, with the current team configuration, they will definitely not be eliminated in the second round, thus gaining more traffic and popularity.

Even if they don't make it into the Debut Spot, given the Entertainment Industry's formula that popularity equals money, they can still earn enough to make their Dad no longer need to work overtime.

--Six months.

In just six months, her and her Dad's lives will improve. They won't have to live in a cramped rented room of only a few dozen square meters, they won't have to work hard from dawn till dusk, and they won't have to haggle over every penny when buying groceries...

Chu Wangshu stopped her thoughts, took another bite of ice jelly, and whispered:

"Xiao Qing's cooking skills are just as good as my Dad's, but he prefers to use milder seasonings, so his ice jelly isn't as sweet."

Chu Yuanqing felt a mix of emotions. She wasn't stupid. Even if she wanted to cook a normal meal for her daughter without counting calories, out of love and to supplement her nutrition and taste buds, she wouldn't reveal any flaws in her cooking.

Whether it's ice jelly, braised pork with osmanthus, scallion omelet, pork rib soup, or seafood porridge, they all use the most authentic and common methods, with many subtle differences in seasoning.

Furthermore, after her body changed like this, her taste buds became a little more normal than before. At least she could barely distinguish between salty and bland flavors. She no longer needed to precisely follow the measurements to prevent the flavor from being too strong, which would have resulted in an overall bland taste.

Chu Yuanqing untied her apron and sat down next to the Little Cotton-padded Jacket. She tilted her head to look at her daughter's profile, her long eyelashes fluttering, a joyful smile spreading across her face. She asked softly:

"Does Xiao Shu prefer a lighter diet?"

Chu Wangshu felt a little uncomfortable being stared at. She shyly stirred the ice jelly with a spoon and honestly replied in a low voice:

"It's alright, it tastes good whether it's a little sweet or a little bland."

It's so strange. She used to be very proactive when she was with Xiao Qing, and she never felt shy or awkward.

But right now, eating the dishes Xiao Qing cooked at the dinner table while being watched by Xiao Qing, I felt something was off, like... being watched over by an elder while eating?

Moreover, a strange sense of nostalgia and familiarity is overflowing in my mind, causing emotions to surge like a tide, stirring up past memories.

Chu Wangshu was momentarily distracted and actually mistook the beautiful girl with a solemn expression and a gentle look in her eyes for her mother whom she had never met.

Yes, what's the difference between Xiao Qing, who is so sacred, gentle, and beautiful, who can read bedtime stories, cook delicious meals, occasionally nag a bit with her reasoning, and earnestly care for her, and her mother?

Oh, the difference is that she doesn't know my Dad.

Chu Wangshu snapped back to reality. She remembered the conditions her father had set for the Dad he recommended, and hurriedly and awkwardly avoided the other person's gaze. Like a little hamster, she quickly finished her ice jelly, obediently remaining silent and eating her meal with unease.

Chu Yuanqing blinked in confusion. Was it really that delicious? It seemed that Xiao Shu really did prefer sweeter ice jelly. Maybe she should add more sugar next time.

The Green Eyed Cat secretly observed, and while eating, she activated her empathy, gritting her teeth in envy.

Damn it, Xiao Shu is indeed Qing Mom's niece, she's so spoiled by Qing Mom!

Tang Liuli was extremely envious.

However, she didn't feel envious for long before she was immersed in the warmth of a hot spring in the dead of winter, drifting and wandering in selfless love, unable to extricate herself.

The Green Eyed Cat gripped the chopsticks with trembling hands, frantically shoveling food into the white rice, letting the rising steam obscure its expression.

Tang Liuli felt every cell in her body being permeated, as if soft and smooth tendrils were enveloping her, bringing a sense of blissful security. Tears welled up in her emerald eyes, almost forming the shape of a heart. Her charming and lovely beauty mark turned red, and she breathed slightly out of breath.

Hehehe, it doesn't seem so bad that Xiao Shu is spoiled by Qing Mom.

Little Sakura looked at the strange Green Eyed Cat with suspicion, a feeling of unease creeping into her heart.

Chu Yuanqing also noticed this unusualness. She looked at the other person with a puzzled expression and asked with concern:

"Liuli, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

Tang Liuli lowered her eyes, rubbing her smooth legs anxiously. Suddenly, this unexpected concern sent a shiver down her spine, and she couldn't help but let out a soft moan. Suppressing her breath, she pursed her lips and explained:

"I'm fine, it's just... just the Mapo Tofu was a little too spicy, and my tongue... can't handle it."

Chu Yuanqing fell into deep thought upon hearing this. Her Mapo Tofu was clearly on the sweeter side and didn't have much chili. Could it be that Little Liuli had a cat's tongue?

"Then I'll put in less chili next time."

Tang Liuli nodded repeatedly, pretending to bury her head in her rice. Under the table, her snow-white feet, covered in white socks and hidden in cotton slippers, were arched and her toes were tense. Her pupils were unfocused, and tears welled up in her eyes. She finished her meal in a hurry, but her toes were still anxiously grinding against her cotton slippers.

The Green Eyed Cat couldn't hold back any longer. She put down her chopsticks and said:

"I... I'm full. I'll go back to my room and rest for a bit."

After speaking, she walked back to her room with a strange, unsteady gait.

Chu Yuanqing didn't pay much attention to it.

Kiriwake Yayoi's intuition continued to shine, her eyes glowing with a cherry blossom pink, her Heart Tide churning with emotion.

I felt very uncomfortable during the meal, even though eating a meal cooked by Xiao Qing herself should have been a very memorable and happy occasion.

Can...

How strange, how irritating, how uncomfortable.

This feeling of anxiety and unease is like an invisible, cunning mouse that has crawled into your rice jar and is constantly stealing what rightfully belongs to you.

But without finding the source, and without a solution, they could only suppress it deep inside, just like Xie Qingxuan's words, which only exacerbated the meaningless internal conflict.

No, this can't go on.

After finishing her meal, Kiriwake Yayoi took the initiative to clear the dishes and put them in the kitchen sink to wash. The emotions in her eyes were obscure and hard to express. As a perfect idol, mental management and the ability to withstand pressure are essential.

In an instant, my Heart Tide.

Kiriwake Yayoi's fingertips touched the porcelain bowl, water droplets danced on the rim, frozen in time. The halo within continued to expand, and tiny, continuous bubbles swelled, creating a dreamlike border. The smooth flow of water served as a mirror, reflecting her face at that moment.

Since she mastered the concept of "Flow State," she no longer needs to rely on mirrors as a medium for her fantasies, and she doesn't even need to perform any actions to recreate the methods she used to shoot her own heart and simulate the pain of death.

Then, the person in the mirror seemed to come to life.

The girl's pure and innocent face was calm, with a leisurely smile. She turned her head slightly to look at Kiriwake Yayoi, which was in the shape of a gun, swayed, her eyes upturned playfully, and her pink lips moved, uttering a "bang".

In a daze, the deafening sound of gunfire echoed in my ears.

The orange-yellow bullet, carrying the scorching smell of gunpowder, pierced through her fat and heart, creating excruciating pain that tore at her lungs. The metallic taste of rust rose to her throat, and her mind went blank for a moment. Her pent-up emotions suddenly dissipated, leaving her spirit clear and lucid.

"Splash, splash..."

The illusion created by Deductive Method fades away.

The water in the sink was almost overflowing.

Kiriwake Yayoi regained her senses, she had already sorted out all the logical chains in her chaotic thoughts.

Since we can't completely refute Xie Qingxuan's words, we might as well just ask Xiao Qing for an answer directly.

Whatever the answer may be, internal strife only gives the enemy an opportunity.

Moreover, Xie Qingxuan was right about one thing: Xiao Qing agreed to join his team because of a promise.

The problem is, if Xiao Qing really liked that Stupid Dog, why would she agree to and keep such a promise? Even if she did ask for a kiss, there must have been a reason behind it!

Besides, if Xiao Qing is willing to kiss that Stupid Dog, wouldn't that indirectly show that she also likes girls? Compared to needing to change someone's sexual orientation, having another competitor seems harmless.

Little Sakura became more and more enthusiastic, seemingly regrouping and deciding to take the initiative tonight.

On the other side,

Chu Yuanqing was pleasantly surprised to find a built-in record player in the room. Its style and condition looked like an 18th-century antique, most likely a replica used as a decorative interior item, but it still had the same functions.

There were no cameras in the room, and the record player couldn't connect to the internet.

In other words, she had every opportunity to secretly listen to the vinyl record her Little Cotton-padded Jacket had given her in her room!

However, out of caution, she decided to wait until everyone was asleep before listening quietly by herself.

Half an hour later, the dining table was cleaned up and the pots and pans were washed.

Tang Liuli came out of the bathroom after taking a shower, drying her wet hair with a towel. She was wearing a summery tank top that showed off her collarbone and shoulders, and simple shorts that revealed a lot of her fair skin.

The girl's face still had a rosy glow from her bath, and her emerald green eyes were moist, looking even more lustrous than usual. She squeezed next to Chu Wangshu, who was sitting on the edge of the sofa holding a book, and whispered what movie she wanted to watch.

Kiriwake Yayoi sat to one side, absentmindedly plotting how she could have a chance to spend time alone with Chu Yuanqing.

Chu Yuanqing hadn't watched a movie with her daughter in a long time, and this felt like a rare parent-child activity, putting her in a very good mood.

Perhaps drawn by the cozy atmosphere of the Living room, the four of them opted not to go to the mini-cinema in the basement. Instead, they squeezed onto the sofa, placing their four pairs of distinctly white thighs side by side, and used an old-fashioned projector to project the image onto the screen to watch a movie.

Because of fear of repercussions, the Green Eyed Cat didn't cause any trouble, and the film's subject matter wasn't sensitive; it was titled "What If Cats Disappeared from the World."

In short, this is a heartwarming story that tells the tale of a young man facing death who makes a pact with a demon to prolong his life.

For every day his lifespan is extended, something will disappear from the world forever.

First it was the telephone, then movies, and finally cats.

These three items, for the protagonist, perfectly symbolize love, friendship, and family affection.

The disappearance of the phone caused him to miss the opportunity to meet his girlfriend, and their relationship ended.

The disappearance of movies deprived him of spiritual solace and also caused him to lose the good friends he had made through them.

In the end, the young man, reflecting on the past, chose to refuse to let the cat disappear from the world and accepted death with equanimity.

The central theme of this film is probably the search for the true meaning of life.

After the accident, Heidegger's "Being and Time" flashed through Chu Yuanqing's mind for a few moments, but she didn't think about it any further.

Hmm, perhaps asking her why birds can fly would lead to even more thought.

Tang Liuli yawned. Due to her past profession, she was the least fond of watching movies among the four—aside from the neodymium copper category, which she had never explored before—and now her eyelids drooped; she was already sleepy.

Chu Wangshu was also a good student who got up early and went to bed early. She would get so sleepy around nine or ten o'clock at night that she would go back to her room to sleep with the Green Eyed Cat after watching the movie.

Yes, the two of them share a bedroom.

Kiriwake Yayoi was quite resilient; she glanced at Chu Yuanqing, who was also starting to feel sleepy, and said righteously:

"Xiao Qing, go to sleep now."

"Get up early tomorrow. I want to assess your progress over the past few weeks to help me develop a training plan."

Although a certain Green Eyed Cat clamored that she was the captain, because she was too lazy and not professional enough in terms of idols and dancing, the team's major plans and directions were all left to her to make decisions.

So when she said that, it made perfect sense, and there was nothing to doubt about it.

After all, even during the filming of the endorsement, the two of them could only maintain their basic skills training in their spare time, and had no time to communicate about this aspect, so they were unaware of each other's improvement in skill level.

Especially Chu Yuanqing, who has been making rapid progress in this area, as a new member of the team, has an obligation to be inspected by the captain in this regard.

Chu Yuanqing stood up and nodded, her eyes clear, and replied earnestly:

"Yes, I will."

Goodnight for today, see you tomorrow, Yayoi.

Kiriwake Yayoi watched Chu Yuanqing's slender figure walk into Xiao Shu's bedroom, she felt somewhat melancholy.