Chapter 399

Unlike Miss Shi, Miss Milutin, Ning Shuang, He Xue, Han Yu, she was the one who was truly excluded from the group.

Her relationship with Wu Liang was simply that of friends, senior and junior, student council president and student council member.

Oh right, and now there's also a superficial, fake romantic relationship.

"What is false will always be false, and dreams always end one day, don't they?"

Su Qian gazed tenderly at the study.

Even though this is just a facade, she and Wu Liang still have a nominal romantic relationship.

So, during the validity period of this romantic relationship, it's not a big deal for her and Wu Liang to do some things that only lovers would do, right?

Su Qian wanted to confirm something; she wanted to confirm whether she was truly infatuated with Wu Liang...

Chapter 43: Mom, You've Changed

'Pat'

The sky was dark, and the dimly lit hall was completely devoid of light, as if it were an empty place.

The sound of the door opening echoed in the hall, Qiao Ranxin, dressed in a pure black dress with gold foil and black high heels, walked into the hall.

She took off her high heels at the door and gently rubbed her fair, delicate feet; she had walked quite a bit today.

She walked for almost an entire afternoon, which was really exhausting. She shouldn't have agreed to go on that social event.

"Why doesn't Yun Xi turn on the lights?"

Qiao Ranxin casually kicked her high heels aside and walked into the hall barefoot.

The dimly lit hall didn't seem to be occupied; there was no trace of anyone else in the air.

The hall was somewhat chilly, and a cold breeze crept in along the edge of her skirt, making Qiao Ranxin shiver involuntarily from the cool sensation on her thigh.

"Yun Xi, Yun Xi, are you there?"

I stretched vigorously to relieve the fatigue in my body.

Qiao Ranxin walked into the living room and called Yun Xi's name twice, but that girl was probably not home, otherwise the place wouldn't be so dark and deserted.

This girl got a good day off today, since I wasn't home all afternoon.

It's good for Yun Xi to go out and relax more often, instead of staying at home every day like her.

"I'm sleepy, let's go back to our room and get some sleep first, then we can have some late-night snacks when we wake up."

Qiao Ranxin glanced one last time at the empty hall, rubbed her sleepy calves, and spoke softly.

Holding onto the handrail, I went straight up to the second floor. Ugh, I'm so tired, I don't want to work at all.

Why did I become the principal of this college back then? It was just a waste of my time and a pointless errand.

She clearly longed for a life where she could stay home watching TV series, anime, and writing novels, but now she seems to be living more and more like a "socially fulfilled" person.

"Sigh... I regret it so much..."

Qiao Ranxin smiled faintly with her eyes closed, pushed open the bedroom door and went in. The airtight black curtains still covered the window, completely blocking out the silvery moonlight.

The entire room was dark, and the only thing that could be clearly seen in the darkness was the snow-white bed.

Looking at the spotless room, Qiao Ranxin nodded in satisfaction.

"Now I can finally get a good night's sleep."

She casually tossed aside the hair clip tied behind her head, and quickly took off her little dress and threw it into a corner.

Qiao Ranxin jogged to the window and leaped into the bed, burying herself in the mattress.

"Ah, this feels so good. I wish I could stay asleep like this forever."

With a tremor of her long eyelashes, Qiao Ranxin closed her eyes, buried her face in the blanket, and murmured softly.

Her full, plump legs were curled up together, with the blankets sandwiched between them, and she was sleeping quietly like a cat.

Relaxing her tired body, Qiao Ranxin hugged the blanket, twisted her hips, and changed sleeping positions several times.

It's definitely more comfortable to stay at home; social events like these are not suitable for a homebody like her at all.

I shouldn't participate in those boring activities anymore; they're not only boring but also meaningless.

"Good night."

Qiao Ranxin said calmly, "Well, let her sleep quietly for a while. We'll talk about it later."

When Yun Xi comes back, let her make some fried rice with eggs; I'm a little craving it.

"Is it comfortable?"

Just as Qiao Ranxin's consciousness was fading and she was about to fall asleep.

A cold, slightly teasing voice rang out beside her.

A melodious and graceful voice, as if from a secluded valley, gently brushed against Qiao Ranxin's ear, the breeze making her feel a little ticklish.

"Of course, nothing is more comfortable than sleeping."

Qiao Ranxin answered the other person instinctively. Because of her hazy consciousness, she thought for a moment that she was dreaming and hallucinating.

"Is this how you eat and sleep every day?"

"Not every day, but pretty much. People always prefer a comfortable life, don't they?"

"So you're saying you spend almost all your time staying here, just sleeping?"

"Hehe, well, that's how it is most of the time, I guess. I'm used to it..."

Qiao Ranxin muttered to herself, but then realized something was wrong halfway through her sentence.

Her consciousness, which had been drifting away, was instantly pulled back, and her hazy mind became much clearer.

No, this wasn't a hallucination; there really was someone around her.

That voice clearly didn't Yun Xi, so who was beside her...?

Thinking of this, Qiao Ranxin suddenly opened her eyes, sat up, and looked around.

Inside the dimly lit room, she could vaguely see two figures, one tall and one short, quietly watching her from the bedside.

The girl who had just spoken to her was sitting on the edge of the bed, staring at her with icy eyes.

Her pink eyes stood out so conspicuously in the darkness, and a chilling coldness slashed across her back like an ice blade.

Good evening, Mom.

Qiao Xinying had been waiting there for an unknown amount of time, slowly spoke.

Then, he used the remote control to turn on the chandelier in the bedroom, and the bright light instantly illuminated the bedroom as if it were daytime.

"Hmm..."

Unable to adjust to the light, Qiao Ranxin shielded her eyes with her hand as she looked at the two people in front of her.

Her daughter Qiao Xinying, was looking at her with a forced smile.

Meanwhile, Yun Xi, standing to the side, helplessly covered her forehead and muttered something to herself.

"Can't you at least pay a little attention to your image when you come back...? All the nice things I said to you in front of Xinying were for nothing..."

Yun Xi stared at Qiao Ranxin with a pained expression and a speechless look on her face.

Although she had already guessed that the other person would be like this when they got home.

But she still held onto a tiny glimmer of hope. However, reality was cruel, and Qiao Ranxin's actions slapped her in the face.

The perfect goddess image of Qiao Ranxin that she had painstakingly created for Xinying has been completely shattered.

"Xin? Xinying? When did you get back? Why didn't you tell me?"

After finally getting used to the lighting, Qiao Ranxin was stunned when she saw her daughter.

When did this girl get back? How come she didn't receive any news?

What is Luo Lan doing? Why didn't he report Xin Ying's whereabouts to me?

"Notify me? If I had notified Mom in advance, would I still be seeing you in this dejected and disheveled state now?"

Qiao Xinying tilted her head and revealed a sinister and terrifying smile.

"Mom, why don't you put on your clothes first before we talk?"

Looking at Qiao Ranxin, who was disheveled and wearing only underwear in front of her, Qiao Xinying felt a sudden pang in her heart.

Who is this messy and decadent otaku in front of me...

Chapter 43: A Conversation Between Mother and Daughter

"So this is what happened to you after I left."

As if she couldn't believe what she was seeing, Qiao Xinying, sitting on the sofa, covered her forehead and shook her head.

After seeing her mother's completely homebody appearance, the image of her as the perfect goddess in her heart was completely shattered.

But this is for the best; at least she saw the most authentic side of her mother.

Although her mother's perfect goddess image has disappeared, if that previous image was just a facade, then she might as well not look at it.

What she wanted to see was her mother's most authentic, unreserved side, not a facade deliberately put on to create a perfect image in front of her.

"Ahem, I just didn't expect you to come back so suddenly."

Qiao Ranxin also felt embarrassed at this moment, realizing that her embarrassing situation had been exposed in front of her daughter.

You know, she used to put in a lot of effort to build an image in front of Xinying, but all her efforts over the years have been shattered today. It's a bit too much of a blow.

Fortunately, the child didn't blame her, which is the only thing she can accept now.

"Mom, I think I said a long time ago that I want you to be with me as you are."

"Am I really so unworthy of your trust that you would rather pretend to be someone you're not and not open your heart to me?"

Qiao Xinying looked at Qiao Ranxin with a gloomy expression, her soft voice revealing her disappointment.

Actually, Mom didn't need to do that at all, because no matter what Mom is like, the other person will always be the person she respects and loves the most.

The other party may have only wanted to establish a perfect image of a good mother in her daughter's eyes, but their starting point was wrong from the beginning.

I don't expect my mother to be exceptionally outstanding; I simply hope that she can treat me with sincerity.

"Xinying, you know I didn't mean it that way."

Qiao Ranxin rubbed her temples, feeling a headache coming on. Xin Ying's mouth was getting sharper and sharper.

After only a few words, I was at a loss for words. Did this girl study the art of language while studying abroad?

However, Roland didn't even inform me beforehand that Xinying had returned. He's gotten too big for his britches...

Thinking of this, Qiao Ranxin couldn't help but glance coldly at Luo Lan standing behind her. It seemed that the salary was still too high.

"..."

Luo Lan, who hadn't spoken until now, turned pale when she met Qiao Ranxin's icy gaze.

A chill ran up from his feet and spread throughout his body. Not knowing what to say, he could only slowly lower his head to admit his mistake, not daring to look at Qiao Ranxin again.

Madam... it really isn't my fault... Miss wouldn't let me contact you, there was nothing I could do...

Besides, didn't you tell me to follow Miss's arrangements in everything? If I say it, I'll offend Miss; if I don't say it, I'll offend you. I have no choice...

"Xinying, I did those things for your own good, hoping you could become even better."

"But it was indeed my fault that I failed to explain things clearly to you afterwards, and I apologize to you."

After a long silence, Qiao Ranxin tugged at her long robe and slowly spoke.

He snapped his fingers at Yun Xi, who was trembling in the corner. It seemed that the girl had tried very hard to defend herself, but it obviously didn't work.

Bring me a bottle of red wine. Although it didn't have much effect, I'll give you a proper day off tomorrow and the day after, since you've been so helpful.

"Mom, you've been lying to me for over ten years! You're such a big liar."