Chapter 390
"Xiao Shu, I also brought some other people to see you this time."
Guess who it is?
Chu Wangshu's thoughts were interrupted. Confused, she wanted to ask a question, but suddenly she sensed a violent magical reaction. A fluorescent blue light stirred up a strong wind in the room, and the spacetime node was opened in the spell, opening the void portal.
The Doomsday Diva emerged from within, raising her eyes to gaze at the father and daughter. Her pupils, a deep blue like melting ice, were etched with longing and joy on her exquisite face. A gentle smile played on her upturned lips. She tilted her head slightly, as if in a triumphant, yet also boastful, saying:
"How was it? Wasn't Mom's magic amazing?"
Without waiting for a reply, the Saintess stepped forward, her ethereal, dreamlike aura melting into a maternal warmth descended to earth. She embraced the father and daughter, her eyelashes lowered, and whispered:
"I'm sorry for leaving you all alone for so long."
A rare sadness crept onto Charlotte's beautiful face, her smile tinged with happiness and guilt. Feeling the warmth of her husband and daughter, she said sincerely and gratefully:
"I love you all."
P. S.: Revealing the hidden identity was quite difficult to write. It took me most of the day to finish this part. Not many people are reading this book anymore. After a little transition, it will be almost the end of the story.
Volume 1: 362. The boomerang of the past, the Little Cotton-padded Jacket that intends to become the protagonist. (5K)
Many years have passed.
Chu Wangshu finally received her mother's embrace in reality. Her mind was blank, and complex and intense emotions, like colorful paints, were splashed on the Soul Flower, making the sunflower radiate a brilliant arc.
In that instant, memories surged forth like bubbles.
That incomplete childhood seemed to gallop away like a horse, and Charlotte's words, "I love you all," stirred up the withered sycamore leaves, making spring, summer, autumn, and winter cycle in turn. It was as if she had returned to the day of her junior high school exam, writing an essay on a given topic.
The teacher asked everyone to write about maternal love, mothers, and warm families. She could only write about the mother in her dreams, the brokenness in reality, the hardships her Dad faced, and how, when she was home alone, she would sit at the dining table looking towards the kitchen, hoping that her mother's figure would suddenly appear there.
She got a perfect score on the essay section of that exam, but she still didn't have a mother in reality.
Of course, her Dad treated her very well.
But she still feels lonely, and she can't help but think about when she can see her mother again. Sometimes, even before bed, she secretly wonders what she should talk about if she really sees her mother—should she talk about cosmetics? Or about the person she likes?
Does Mom drink milk tea? Is she a better cook than Dad? Does she also worry about grades and studies? When bullied, does she hide or bravely fight back?
She knew nothing, she knew nothing at all. All she could do was stare at the blank paper and use her paintbrush to depict her mother—a nonexistent, lifeless figure devoid of warmth.
But things are different now.
She can confidently write that her mother is enthusiastic and brave, and is a super beautiful and outstanding person.
She can share with everyone that her mother loves to laugh, uses photos to record the little things in life, loves all beautiful things, and writes that her mother is always gentle and always lovely, like spices and candy, and is the best girl.
The Little Cotton-padded Jacket's eyes reddened, and her tears fell uncontrollably, dripping onto Chu Yuanqing's skin and Charlotte's heart, burning as if they would pierce through their souls, leaving the parents instantly flustered and at a loss for what to do.
Charlotte looked at her daughter in her arms, her heart filled with love and guilt, and a little guilty. How could she have accidentally made her precious daughter cry again?
The Saintess hurriedly squatted down, wiping away the Little Cotton-padded Jacket's tears with her fingers. She gently comforted and coaxed her while blinking her eyes and casting a pleading look at Chu Yuanqing, looking adorable like she was saying, "If you don't help, I'll whine."
Chu Yuanqing's long, delicate eyelashes drooped, like frost and snow falling. Her exquisite face was radiant with a peaceful and serene maternal glow. She gently stroked her daughter's back, feeling the child's sobs, like those of a small animal. Only after the child's sobs subsided did she whisper:
"Is there anything Xiao Shu wants to say to her mother?"
Chu Wangshu wiped away her tears and sobbed as she said:
"I... I don't know, Charlotte is so mean."
Charlotte tilted her head to look at the cute Little Cotton-padded Jacket, finding it somewhat amusing. She pinched the girl's cheek and earnestly corrected her:
"You can't call me 'sister' anymore! Even a bad mom is still a mom. Call me 'mom' now!"
Chu Yuanqing smiled upon hearing this. She glanced at her daughter's flushed earlobes, deciding to give her daughter some time to calm down, and decided to stop Charlotte from bullying her shy Little Cotton-padded Jacket. After a moment's thought, she extended an invitation:
"Xiao Shu mentioned before that she wanted to go to the movies with her Dad like other kids. She's been feeling a bit bored staying at home, so... shall we go to the movies together?"
The little girl broke free from the Pure White Witch's embrace, took the tissue Charlotte offered, covered her face with it, and mumbled somewhat awkwardly:
"I... I'm not a child anymore, I don't care about these things."
Charlotte's bright and alluring face broke into a radiant smile. She leaned closer, blinked her azure eyes, and softened her voice, pleading without a trace of her mother's authority:
"But I do care. I haven't seen a movie with my lovely daughter yet. Xiao Shu, please keep me company, okay?"
Chu Wangshu had a premonition that if she refused, this overly young mother would definitely utter an even softer and more cheesy "Please?" She didn't have time to throw a tantrum, so she pushed away the approaching Saintess, turned her face away, and continued to whisper:
"But if Dad invites me, it's fine to go and take a look."
Charlotte's cheeks puffed out slightly upon hearing this.
How can you only talk about Dad and not Mom?
Xiao Shu has gone too far; if she keeps this up, she's going to make a scene!
Chu Yuanqing tugged at Charlotte's sleeve, looked up at her daughter, and said softly:
"Xiao Shu didn't even have time to shower after getting home, did she?"
"I'll turn on the water heater. You go take a shower and change your clothes first. Your mother and I will clean up the dishes, and then we'll go out together."
Although it's already past nine o'clock, there are still plenty of late-night cinemas in Sea Capital, so a little extra time won't make a difference.
Chu Wangshu didn't volunteer to do housework; she needed some time alone.
The information received in that hour was too complex. Just the fact that Chu Yuanqing = Chu Yuanqing alone required a lot of digestion, not to mention the first playthrough, the identity of the biological mother, and even more information.
There's no time to finish this while taking a shower.
But it's still possible to calm down and clear your mind.
Chu Yuanqing turned on the water heater, sealed the leftover food with plastic wrap, put it in the refrigerator, and then put the dishes and chopsticks in the sink. Just as she was about to touch the grease with her hand, the Saintess next to her snapped her fingers and used magic to clean the dishes and chopsticks.
The Pure White Witch was somewhat taken aback. She curled the corners of her lips, turned around, and smiled:
"I've gotten so used to it that I've forgotten I can use magic."
Charlotte took the bowl and chopsticks, squatted down, and somewhat awkwardly found the sideboard. She carefully placed the tableware, her eyes downcast, and asked dejectedly:
When do you plan to tell Xiao Shu?
Chu Yuanqing dampened the dried rag with water, paused for a moment, then walked out of the kitchen, wiped the table with the rag, and answered softly:
"Once she becomes stronger and more mature, that child will have learned too much today and will need time to process it. Telling her all that now would be too much for her to handle."
Charlotte was referring to her health condition.
But it's the same reason she hasn't told Liuli, Yayoi, and Xiao Xuan yet.
Even if the truth is revealed, it won't change the status quo; it will only cause people to worry, be anxious, and feel sad in advance, and it will have no other purpose.
If I tell my daughter now, she won't be able to experience the joy of reuniting with her mother during this week-long holiday. Instead, she'll probably be immersed in the fear and sorrow of not knowing when she might lose her father.
That would be too cruel.
Chu Yuanqing had prepared a way to ensure that no one would be sad; until then, all she wanted was for everyone to live happily every day.
This week's holiday was the time she reserved for her daughter.
During this time, with her, Charlotte, and Chu Wangshu, they were able to spend a warm and peaceful holiday just like any other family.
That's enough.
After Chu Yuanqing finished speaking, she glanced at the silent Doomsday Diva. She walked over and hugged the girl's slender waist from behind, her nose brushing against her hair and touching her fair neck. She smiled and said:
Charlotte, be a good mother.
Charlotte turned around with a radiant smile. The gloom from before vanished in an instant, and she returned to her usual cheerful and sunny self. She openly hugged her back, kissed Qing Bao's lips, and said confidently:
"I know Xiao Shu's preferences by heart, and I'm very close to meeting the standards of an excellent mother."
And as if to emphasize this point, the Lantern Fairy — Forget-me-not —that had somehow flown onto his head also blinked its dark, shiny eyes and nodded its head cutely, indicating its agreement.
"Hmph, before long, Xiao Shu will be snuggling into my bed, begging me to tell her bedtime stories, looking at me with adoration, asking me how girls her age should dress, what perfume to use, and how to be a good idol!"
Chu Yuanqing watched as Charlotte smugly envisioned the future, pondered for a moment, then smiled and said:
"The parts you mentioned, Liuli, Yayoi, Xiao Xuan all taught Xiao Shu to some extent, after all, they are Xiao Shu's seniors."
As for the preceding part...
The Little Cotton-padded Jacket had already snuggled into her blankets in the underground filming location for "Flash Dance" and listened to her bedtime stories.
Well, other Little Idol have done the same thing to themselves.
Charlotte fell into deep thought after hearing this, but she wasn't jealous at all. In fact, she wished that Liuli, Yayoi, and Xiao Xuan would spoil their daughters even more.
It would be more reasonable to say that the 17 years of maternal love lost should be made up for by four young mothers, and it would certainly be done much faster than by one mother.
But... Xiao Shu probably hasn't figured it out yet, right?
Chu Yuanqing also seemed to realize the problem. She looked at Charlotte with some guilt, afraid that this person might have bad intentions and fake cry to accuse her of being a scumbag.
Pre-warning won't work; Charlotte will only use it as leverage to bully him. It's better to pretend you know nothing and get away with it.
The silly couple here were chatting,
Chu Wangshu had finished showering in the bathroom. She used the slightly cool water to wash away the lingering heat of late summer, manipulated magic to travel over her skin, shook off the water droplets, changed into refreshing clothes, and went back to her room.
The little girl dried her wet hair with a towel. She looked at the not-so-spacious wardrobe, where autumn and winter clothes were stuffed into suitcases and under the bed. This wardrobe contained mostly spring and summer clothes, which, when counted, were not many.
Chu Wangshu was pondering what to wear when she suddenly sensed something amiss. Familiar images flashed through her mind, and she couldn't help but murmur in confusion:
"Why do I always feel like I'm missing a piece of clothing in my closet?"
Normally, a few pieces of clothing in a full closet wouldn't be noticed.
But after becoming Magical Girl, her memory and intuition were greatly enhanced, and she vaguely sensed that she definitely knew the answer to this question.
As she pondered carefully, the scene of her first meeting with Chu Yuanqing a few months ago suddenly flashed through her mind like lightning, like a boomerang traveling through time and space, piercing her heart while bringing back clear and vivid words.
--[Oh right, and the clothes you wore the other day, I have the same one! What a coincidence, isn't it!]
--[Eh? Clothes? Same style?]
--[Yeah, it's that light purple printed T-shirt, and the dark gray pleated skirt, even the shoes and stockings—I happen to have one of each! What a coincidence!]
Chu Wangshu was greatly shocked. She rummaged through the wardrobe with her small hands, but as expected, she couldn't find the T-shirt and pleated skirt. She fell into deep thought. After several months, she finally understood the reason why Qing Bao's pupils had dilated in shock back then. Her feelings were complicated.
To be honest, her first reaction was to smile.
Because the way the Dad, now a girl, takes clothes from his closet to wear is so different from his usual serious, upright, and reliable image, it creates a very cute contrast.
But upon closer reflection, it's more heartbreaking than funny.
Although the other party didn't say it out loud, considering the behind-the-scenes video of Chu Yuanqing's audition, the dusty <Flash Dance> trainee promotional leaflet on the table, and the fact that she was fired from the company at that time...
The Dad must have put aside his dignity and status as a father, Savior, and hero to sing and dance on a Talent Show in order to earn money to support his family and himself.
To others, this would certainly seem funny and comical, a topic of conversation that would be quite amusing.
But what about from the daughter's perspective?
My Dad has already worked so hard. He spent the first half of his life fighting against disasters, fighting for the world, for humanity, for all those who love him, and for those he loves.
The young hero who traversed the desolate wasteland, shattered the crown of the gods, burned away time and history, reshaped this Worldline, and saved everyone has returned in obscurity.
There was no honor, no flowers, no thanks, not even a legitimate and reasonable way to conduct himself. He had lost most of his strength in saving the world, and could only struggle to blend into the masses and raise his daughter.
In middle age, he still had to give up his past glory and humbly fall into the dust for his own sake. This is neither fair nor funny.
Not to mention...
The Dad wears her clothes is precisely because even though she's become a girl, she's reluctant to spend money on herself, isn't it?
Chu Wangshu recalled the flimsy suitcase she had brought to the other person's dormitory, and the sports bra and cosmetics that the assistant sister had given to the other person on behalf of <Flash Dance>. She couldn't help but feel sorry for her Dad, and tears welled up in her eyes without her realizing it.
These boomerangs pierced my heart again and again, bringing not laughter or amusement, but the heavy weight of paternal love that silently grows in various forms.
Looking back now, I think the reason Dad agreed to Flash Dance's request to shoot that wedding dress endorsement with Yayoi was most likely for the endorsement fee.
For this Dad, who is a man of few desires and has almost no form of entertainment, this endorsement fee is still only for her, for his daughter.
The Little Cotton-padded Jacket grew increasingly heartbroken, even forgetting what clothes she should wear. She stood there, tears streaming down her face, until she heard approaching footsteps. Suddenly snapping back to reality, she quickly wiped away her tears, suppressed her sobs, and said: