A Mother’s Peculiar Tutorial

Bai Qiao, resting one hand against her cheek, gazed at Bai mother with a sleepy, displeased expression.

“Hey, Mom, what game are you planning to play?” she asked, observing her mother’s face, which was brimming with excitement and anticipation.

“Why, we’re starting the tutorial, of course!” Bai mother declared, her eyes sparkling with delight.

“……”

“Then let’s begin with a kiss!”

“What? What?! WTF?!” Bai Qiao shrieked, leaping to her feet. She leaned over the table, her hands braced against it, peering forward. “Mom! I’m straight! Straight!”

“Ahaha, I know that, of course. But… that was the old you, the boy you were before. Now, like this…” Bai mother gestured towards Bai Qiao’s chest, then paused. After two seconds of silence, she spoke with a mournful sigh, “Goodness, it’s even bigger than mine, you know?”

“Hey!” Bai Qiao’s face instantly flushed crimson at her mother’s words. She slumped back into her seat, crestfallen.

“Qiao, just look at Bai Chen! He’s not complaining at all!” Bai mother pointed at Bai Chen, still maintaining that wistful expression.

Bai Qiao secretly poked Bai Chen. “Hey, you should say something too!”

Bai Chen subtly turned his head, glancing at Bai Qiao’s slightly reddened face. He composed himself and replied, “Well, actually… I don’t mind.”

“……”

Bai mother watched Bai Qiao with a teasing grin.

“……” The atmosphere grew heavy. Bai Qiao took a deep breath. “No matter what you two say, this kind of thing is simply impossible!”

“Eh? Qiao is getting shy, isn’t she?” Bai mother asked, a peculiar smile playing on her lips as she looked at Bai Qiao.

‘This is going to be the death of me… Why do I have a mother like this?!’ Bai Qiao roared inwardly.

Seeing Bai Qiao’s flushed and somewhat awkward expression, Bai mother finally became a little more serious. “Alright, alright, I’m not teasing you anymore. You two, extend your hands.”

“Huh? What?” Bai Qiao eyed Bai mother with clear suspicion, yet her mother’s expression was utterly serious. Seeing Bai Chen already extending his hand, Bai Qiao hesitated. ‘Fine,’ she thought, ‘given Mom’s rare serious demeanor, I’ll trust her for now.’

“!” Bai Qiao stared at the “unidentified object” between her hand and Bai Chen’s. “W-what is this?!” She instinctively tried to shake Bai Chen’s hand off, but… ‘What the heck?! What’s going on?! I can’t shake it off!’

Bai Qiao turned her head, only to meet Bai mother’s eyes, which held an undeniable hint of amusement. ‘As expected! It was all an act! Her acting skills are truly superb,’ Bai Qiao thought, feeling a knot of frustration. Her expression instantly darkened.

“Hey, Mom, what is this? Get it off!”

“You can’t, dear…” Bai mother’s irrepressible laughter bubbled forth. “But if you two behave well, I’ll undo it for you tonight, alright?”

With that, Bai mother turned and entered the house. When she returned, she held two amusement park tickets. “So, have a wonderful time, you two! Imagine, sitting in the Ferris wheel at the amusement park, bathed in the sunset glow, amidst the brilliant evening clouds. You two are nestled in the cozy cabin, enjoying the beautiful scenery outside, watching the lights twinkle on the ground, and then, without realizing it, you look at each other. Ah, what a beautiful scene that would be!”

“Enough!” Bai Qiao couldn’t help but admire her own patience for waiting until her mother finished speaking before erupting.

“What’s a Ferris wheel?” Bai Chen quietly interjected.

“It’s just a super boring thing, don’t…”

“I heard that couples who ride the Ferris wheel together become the happiest lovers!” Before Bai Qiao could finish, Bai mother quickly interjected, her face full of anticipation. “I remember when your father and I…”

“Stop, stop! I’ve heard that story so many times my ears are calloused!” Bai Qiao hastily cut off Bai mother. If she listened any longer, her ears truly would callous over.

“Qiao, you’re being so mean!” Bai mother once again gave her that wistful look. Bai Qiao, however, perfectly dodged it.

“Such a magical thing exists? I’d actually like to see it,” Bai Chen said, stroking his chin.

“Hey, hey, you…” Bai Qiao stared at Bai Chen in utter shock. ‘This guy… he’s doing this on purpose, isn’t he?! Why did I never realize Bai Chen had such curiosity and positive energy for exploration?!’

“Alright then, off you go!” Bai mother ushered them out the door, not forgetting to remind them before they left, “Make sure to behave well today, otherwise… you’ll be holding hands forever!”

“……”

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