Over the past few months, Tang Tang seemed to have grown up quite a bit. She had started paying attention to her older brothers' and sisters' feelings on her own. To avoid hurting them, she watched her attitude and the way she spoke, correcting herself whenever necessary.
She also took more initiative in getting close to Su Xiajing and occasionally acted like an ordinary child, wheedling affectionately with her.
Su Xiajing had thought Tang Tang was finally willing to come down from behind her walls and truly become part of their family.
But it turned out she was only checking for gaps, fixing the shortcomings that made them uncomfortable or unhappy, and trying her best not to hurt them so they could feel happier and more at ease.
It had been over five years. Was she still unwilling to let them get close?
"Tangtang."
Su Xiajing took a deep breath, her tone sterner than it had ever been. "I don't like hearing you thank me for every little thing."
"Huh?" Tang Tang blurted out in confusion. "Why?"
"..."
"I don't do these things to get a thank-you from you. I'm simply repaying a kindness as a mother. I decided to do these things for my own sake."
Su Xiajing corrected her. "I'm doing what I like and what I want to do. Why should you thank me? Don't you think that's strange?"
Tang Tang said, "...There doesn't seem to be much difference."
"You said you're doing what you want as a mother. Doesn't that still mean you're doing it for me?"
"You helped me so much. It's not unreasonable for me to say thank you, is it?"
Su Xiajing said, "..."
"Never mind the fact that you're still a child. Even when you're seventy or eighty, as long as I'm