What, a Mother Can’t Discipline Her Own Daughter?

Ye Nuan came downstairs holding three thousand yuan in cash wrapped in newspaper.

She saw Xia Chen squatting beside the club, smoking a Soft White Sand cigarette.

“Now that you’ve got money, stop smoking such cheap cigarettes. Treat yourself better.”

What kind of family would be so poor that someone his age had to work in a place like this? She wondered how his grades were—did he even have a chance of getting into university?

Most young people who sank into places like this had neither ambition nor a way out. Other than the higher profits, what was there to be proud of?

Ye Nuan couldn’t help but feel a bit sorry for him.

Xia Chen took the money, then stubbed out his cigarette.

“I smoke Soft White Sand because I like it. Not because it’s all I can afford.”

After saying that, he took the newspaper from her, waved his hand, and walked away.

Ye Nuan watched his somewhat lonely and desolate back, as if he had always walked alone and never needed company.

She couldn’t help but smile bitterly.

“How much does this guy love acting cool…”

When Xia Chen returned to the barbecue stall at roughly the same speed—

Cao Qingyi was already gone.

“Boss, where’s that schoolgirl who was standing here earlier?”

The barbecue stall owner smiled.

“That girl? She got a call and left. Probably went home. Want some skewers?”

Xia Chen nodded.

Right in front of the boss, he pulled out a hundred-yuan note from the newspaper and handed it over.

“Give me a hundred yuan’s worth.”

“Got it!!”

…

Holding a bag of skewers, Xia Chen walked while taking out his phone and making a call.

“Hello?”

“Hello… Xia Chen?”

“I told you to wait for me. Where did you go?”

Yes, Xia Chen had dialed a number that had somehow appeared in his phone—an unfamiliar one.

“H-how did you know it was me…?”

At home, Cao Qingyi felt flustered. She had only used Xia Chen’s phone to call herself before returning it—she hadn’t even saved her number or added a contact name.

“Because today I’ve only made one call, and it was after school. Who else could it be?”

“I… I… I just wanted to test if your phone could make calls!”

“Alright, enough nonsense. I bought skewers for you. Where are you? I can’t finish them.”

Xia Chen looked at the skewers in his hand—the aroma was strong enough that he’d probably need a shower before going to work.

“Qingyi, what are you doing? Have you finished your homework?”

From the other end of the call, Xia Chen heard an adult woman’s voice and immediately understood.

“You’re at home.”

Cao Qingyi covered the phone.

“Yeah… forget it, I—I’ll just pretend you don’t owe me anything…”

“No. Where do you live? I don’t like owing people. Tell me your address.”

Feeling nervous for some reason, her heart fluttering slightly, Cao Qingyi held the phone close to her chest.

When she turned her head—

She saw a mature woman standing in front of her, wearing a light, sheer nightgown. Her figure was full, and her face carried the charm of a classical beauty.

Cao Qingyi looked at this mature, graceful, yet still youthful-looking woman helplessly.

“Mom… why are you eavesdropping on my call?”

The woman looked at her daughter.

“Who’s eavesdropping? Didn’t I tell you it’s time to eat? You didn’t respond, so you’re hiding here making a call? I haven’t even asked who you’re talking to, and you’re already accusing me first?”

Cao Qingyi pouted, looking aggrieved.

“No! It’s just a classmate…”

“A classmate? Male or female?”

Qi Sumei immediately frowned, clearly on guard. There was no helping it—her daughter was young and beautiful. If someone set their sights on her and led her astray, her whole life could be ruined. As a single mother, she couldn’t afford to miss anything.

If she didn’t keep a close eye on her daughter, who would?

Cao Qingyi stammered.

“F-f-female classmate… how could it be a male classmate…!”

“You’ve stuttered every time you lied since you were little. You might fool others, but not your own mother. It’s a boy, isn’t it? What kind of relationship do you have?!”

Facing her aggressive yet beautiful mother, Cao Qingyi felt like crying.

“No… Mom, really, there’s nothing going on. We’re just classmates…”

Before she could finish—

The phone in her hand rang.

Cao Qingyi didn’t dare to answer, but Qi Sumei said coldly,

“Why not? Answer it.”

Helpless, Cao Qingyi picked up the call and heard Xia Chen say—

“I’m already downstairs at your place. Come down and get your stuff.”

Cao Qingyi hesitated.

“I… it’s not convenient right now… maybe just forget it?”

“Forget it? What are you playing at? If you don’t come down, I’ll come up and deliver it myself, I—”

“Ah!!”

Cao Qingyi grabbed her phone and rushed out of the house.

Qi Sumei watched her daughter run off, her expression shifting unpredictably.

She looked at the open window.

Instead of leaning out to peek downstairs, she simply sighed.

“Just wait till you get back—see how I deal with you! What, a mother can’t discipline her own daughter?”