Chapter 78: Missing Mom

Shen Cishu looked at the woman in front of her, whose temperament and expressions were strikingly similar to her Mother’s.

She kept reminding herself that this person was not her Mother.

But she still found herself wishing this person really was her Mother.

Fake was fake, no matter how much she tried to deceive herself, it was still fake.

Moreover, there was always a lingering unease in her heart.

Because this woman resembled her Mother too much.

Mother also liked to sing the lullaby, Song of the Insect, to her.

Even everything this woman did felt like Mother had come back to her side. No matter how she looked at it, these things happening to a stranger were terrifying.

She felt as if an invisible hand was manipulating her from behind.

And yet, she had brought such a stranger into her home.

Fortunately, this woman appeared incredibly fragile. Just a gentle push from her sent the woman directly into the corner of the wall.

“I…”

Su Li’s tone remained gentle, a flash of lightning illuminated the room, bright as day.

She clearly saw the expression on Shen Cishu’s face. Although her voice was cold, tear stains still lingered on her pale cheeks, tears brewing in her eyes. Her body trembled.

“I am here to take care of you on behalf of Mother.”

Su Li spoke softly, and the rumbling thunder sounded.

Su Li felt Shen Cishu’s body tremble once again.

This time, she didn’t curl up like before; instead, she threw herself into Su Li’s arms, clutching her tightly once more.

“Mother~”

A choked voice came again from Shen Cishu, trembling with emotion.

But Su Li did not comfort her by patting her head.

Seeing no reaction from Su Li, Shen Cishu nuzzled into her like a cat seeking her owner’s favor.

“Are you really the person Mother sent to take care of me?”

Her voice shook, completely different from the cold tone just moments ago.

“Yes.”

“Then… why didn’t you come sooner?”

A plaintive tone whispered into her ear. Shen Cishu hugged Su Li’s neck tightly, and Su Li, just as before, gently stroked Shen Cishu’s hair to soothe her.

“Because I believed Little Cishu could grow into a qualified adult.”

“So even if I wasn’t here to protect you by your side, it would be okay.”

“You’ve worked hard.”

Su Li’s voice was gentle. She felt the sobbing against her chest grow louder.

Shen Cishu wrapped around her like vines, as if afraid she would disappear the next moment.

“I don’t want to grow up. I want Mother to stay by my side.”

Shen Cishu whimpered, her voice mixed with sobs. No one would have guessed she was already a 24-year-old adult.

“I want Mother with me.”

At that moment, Su Li felt a wetness on her cheek. Shen Cishu had kissed her without her noticing, then clung tightly to her neck.

“Little Cishu has done very well. You have already become a qualified adult.”

Su Li gently rubbed Shen Cishu’s back. But this time, Shen Cishu said nothing, just holding onto her neck.

Su Li felt hot tears streaming down her neck, dripping onto her clothes.

The thunder ceased, but rain pattered noisily against the window.

Tonight, a heavy rain was coming.

Shen Cishu’s voice gradually calmed, seemingly feeling embarrassed to break down in front of a stranger.

She wiped her tears and noticed she had messed up Su Li’s clothes.

Looking at Su Li’s embrace, she nuzzled closer again.

Even though it was this woman’s arms, it still felt like Mother’s.

She resembled Mother too much.

Could it be that this really was the person Mother sent to care for her?

Shen Cishu’s heart resisted believing it.

She was already a Graduate Student; her reason told her this person could be a fraud.

This was a scam aimed at her.

The other party knew her too well—her family, her preferences, her Mother.

But she desperately wanted it to be true.

She wasn’t short on money; but money couldn’t bring Mother back to life.

Couldn’t bring Mother to her side.

She felt her heart waver…

If she didn’t know the truth, being deceived for a lifetime…

Maybe that wouldn’t be such a bad thing.

She had money and could spend it!

Shen Cishu’s body trembled again, hugging Su Li’s neck even tighter.

Though her eyes were already wet, her rationality had returned.

Looking at the reflection on the glass sliding door of the balcony, Shen Cishu made up her mind quickly.

“When Mother was alive, I often threw tantrums, thinking Mother would always be there.

“When Mother got old, I could just accompany her like she accompanied me when I was little.

“I thought I had a lot of time to slowly be with Mother as she grew old. The two of us still had so much time…”

Su Li clearly felt Shen Cishu clutching her clothes tightly, her voice trembling intensely.

Burning tears slipped down her cheeks, falling onto Su Li, scalding hot.

She looked at Shen Cishu but couldn’t understand this emotion.

After all, she had been alone since birth.

Listening to Shen Cishu’s story, her mood remained unchanged.

She only knew she should comfort her properly.

Su Li’s hand gently stroked Shen Cishu’s hair as she buried her head in her arms, confessing the guilt she felt.

“I clearly… clearly thought there was still so much time to be with Mother, to do so many things with her.”

“But… before I realized it, Mother was no longer by my side.”

Shen Cishu choked on her words. Su Li simply listened as a capable listener, hearing yet another story of guilt that failed to stir her own emotions.

For her, losing loved ones was not a storm, but a lifelong dampness.

“Little Cishu has done very well. Mother watches from heaven and would be comforted to see you grow into a qualified adult.”

“Besides, Mother wouldn’t want to see her precious daughter sad. She would want you to be happy.”