Our Love, A Public Service - Chapter 74
Chapter 74
In just two seconds, the worst-case scenario played out in Chi Jia's mind.
Chi Lishu was still waiting for her answer.
"We'll have dinner together next time." Chi Jia said casually, picking up some food from the nearest dish without even looking and putting it in her mouth, then immediately regretted it as the spiciness hit her, gulping down water.
Chi Lishu moved a milder dish closer to Chi Jia. "Don't eat chili if you can't handle it."
"Your cooking wasn't this spicy before." Chi Jia took a bite of rice, chewing slowly. Although she was nervous about discussing her relationship with Jing Rui with her mother, she appeared calm.
Actually, Chi Jia thought that if she found the right opportunity and talked to Chi Lishu calmly, it wouldn't be too bad. She couldn't imagine her mother getting furious; after all, she had never yelled at Chi Jia before, always patient and reasonable, even when Chi Jia made mistakes.
"So this one is serious? When are you bringing them home for dinner?" Chi Lishu brought the topic back. Chi Jia had never mentioned bringing any of her previous boyfriends home, and with Chi Jia becoming more mature each year, no longer the impulsive girl she used to be, Chi Lishu naturally felt more at ease.
"Mom, don't just talk about me, what about you?"
Chi Lishu smiled, lowering her head. "What's there to say about me?"
"That Mr. Lin from last time, I thought he was quite nice, are you still in contact?" Chi Jia asked curiously. Her mother cared about her love life, so naturally, she also cared about her mother's.
"No, we're not in contact anymore, we weren't compatible."
"My aunt introduced you to someone else, you should meet him tomorrow."
Chi Jia felt guilty that her mother hadn't remarried.
When her parents first divorced, she was still young, and Chi Lishu, focused entirely on raising her, hadn't considered remarrying. Later, when Chi Jia was about to start middle school, her mother had a serious relationship, almost to the point of marriage, but it ended because of Chi Jia's custody issue. Chi Jia felt responsible for her mother's single status and had been trying to persuade her to find a partner.
"Stop worrying about that." Chi Lishu interrupted Chi Jia.
"Mom, you don't have to consider me anymore, I'm a grown-up now." Chi Jia continued, "I'm busy with work and can't be with you every day, you can't be alone forever, it's good to have a companion."
"I'm happy now, don't worry about me."
"Then why are you always urging me to get married? Why don't you follow your own advice…?"
"When have I ever urged you to get married?" Chi Lishu retorted, then said earnestly, "Jiajia, never settle for a loveless marriage, remember that?"
Chi Jia thought about it; her mother was right.
It was always Chi Jia who urged Chi Lishu to find a partner. Although Chi Lishu occasionally asked about her daughter's love life, she had never pressured Chi Jia to get married, because being with the wrong person was worse than being alone, something Chi Lishu understood all too well.
"If I never get married, you won't object?" Chi Jia asked, having found an opening.
"As long as you're happy. When you meet the right person, you'll naturally want to get married." A shadow of sadness flickered in Chi Lishu's eyes as she said these words.
"Then haven't you met the right person all these years?" Chi Jia asked.
Chi Lishu was silent.
"If you haven't met the right person, then give yourself more chances. Go meet the person my aunt introduced tomorrow, maybe he's the one…"
"Jiajia, actually…" Chi Lishu started to say something, then hesitated.
They looked at each other across the dinner table, both lost in their own thoughts.
Chi Jia noticed her mother's hesitant expression, her mind racing. She asked tentatively, "Mom, are you… seeing someone?"
Chi Lishu's hesitation only confirmed Chi Jia's suspicion, and she smiled. "Why are you being shy with me? I'd be so happy for you…"
"It's not…" Chi Lishu didn't know how to explain.
"It is, I know it." Chi Jia was overjoyed, she truly wanted her mother to think about herself, to have her own life, not just revolve around Chi Jia. "Don't keep me in suspense, just tell me."
"You child…" Chi Lishu quickly put some food on Chi Jia's plate. "Just eat."
Chi Jia, a knowing smile on her face, took out her phone. "I'll tell my aunt right now that tomorrow's dinner is canceled."
This time, Chi Lishu didn't stop her.
The New Year holidays were always the most nerve-wracking.
Several days passed, and Chi Jia still couldn't find the right opportunity to tell her mother the truth, the words always caught in her throat. The moment before confessing truly required the most courage.
That night, Chi Jia tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep. After a while, she called Jing Rui. There was noise on the other end. "Aren't you home yet?"
Jing Rui was still at a party. "I'll be home later, go to sleep if you're tired."
Chi Jia sighed. "No rest even during the holidays."
"What's wrong, babe?"
"Just wanted to talk to you."
"Alright, I know someone misses me. Wait for me a little longer."
"Who misses you…" Chi Jia hugged her pillow, then added softly, "Hurry up, I'm waiting for you."
People said Chi Jia had matured, but in front of Jing Rui, she was still the same, which was probably why Jing Rui, in her thirties, was still so playful. Chi Jia felt that it was difficult for them to be serious around each other.
As soon as Jing Rui got home, she video called Chi Jia. Chi Jia, who had been bored, immediately perked up seeing Jing Rui's face. "Just got home? Have you been drinking?"
After getting together with Jing Rui, Chi Jia had been drinking less, someone was keeping her in check, after all.
"Just a glass of red wine." Jing Rui replied. She had to report to Miss Chi whenever she had a social engagement, down to how many glasses of wine she had.
"Good girl."
Jing Rui asked directly, "How much do you miss me?"
"It's only been a few days, why would I miss you?"
Jing Rui chuckled, knowing full well that Chi Jia always clung to her in her sleep, claiming she couldn't sleep without cuddling something.
"What have you been up to these past few days?"
"Visiting relatives, attending gatherings, and… going on blind dates." Chi Jia deliberately teased Jing Rui, wanting to see her reaction.
"Blind dates?" Hearing those words, Jing Rui, who had been calm just a moment ago, was instantly riled up. "Chi Jia, explain yourself! You went on blind dates?!"
Chi Jia burst out laughing. "Look at you, so worked up. I meant, my mother went on blind dates."
Jing Rui, looking at Chi Jia's mischievous smile on the screen, was exasperated. "Little vixen, wait until I get back, you'll see what I'll do to you."
Chi Jia, feeling lonely, secretly wished Jing Rui would "do something" to her right now.
"But I think my mom might be seeing someone now."
"That's good."
"Yeah, if she remarries, I'll finally be able to relax."
After a moment of silence, Jing Rui asked, "You haven't told your mother about us yet, have you?"
"I haven't found the right opportunity yet."
"Don't tell her yet."
"Why?"
"I'm worried about you." The thought of Chi Jia facing this alone made Jing Rui uneasy.
"I said it's fine, my mother is reasonable." Chi Jia thought that since her mother could say things like "never settle for a loveless marriage," she should be more open-minded than most parents. She wanted to take it slow, to give her mother some time to prepare.
"You saying it's fine and me worrying about you are two different things." Jing Rui's tone was firm. "I'm almost done here, I've already booked a flight for the day after tomorrow."
"What?!" Chi Jia thought she had misheard. "That's so sudden, why didn't you tell me earlier?"
"I'm telling you now."
"Why are you coming? Don't come yet."
"To meet your mother, of course."
Chi Jia panicked. "Meet… meet my mother?"
"You don't want me to come?" Jing Rui feigned displeasure. "Chi Jia, are you planning to keep me a secret forever?"
"No!" Chi Jia felt like she couldn't explain herself properly. "That's not what I meant…"
She was just worried that Jing Rui would be subjected to her mother's disapproval.
"Silly, I was just kidding." Jing Rui smiled, then explained seriously, "I know what you're thinking, there's no rush to meet your mother. But I'm truly worried about you being there alone, I have to be there with you…"
Comments
Post a Comment