Just as Su Xiao’s mother was about to ask, Su Xiao suddenly frowned. “What are you even talking about? If you’re done, go back to your work. Don’t interfere in my business.”
Su Xiao’s mother felt a pang of bitterness in her heart.
She knew she hadn’t been there for Su Xiao much during her childhood, which led to her daughter becoming somewhat paranoid and emotionally distant. However, hearing such words still hurt. She felt like a total failure as a mother, where even a simple question of concern seemed redundant and annoying.
But there were things she had to say.
“Su Xiao, your mother isn’t trying to control you, nor is she doubting your friend. It’s just this Luo Luo… I saw her at the Hospital this morning. Her true identity is the girlfriend of one of my patients. That patient is only 19 years old, and his condition is very dire. If he doesn’t receive treatment soon, he might only have 3 months left. The treatment costs at least 200,000 to 300,000, and that boy has no family. Luo Luo is the only one he has.”
Su Xiao’s pupils dilated slightly.
‘So… that’s how it is?’
She needed money to save her boyfriend.
19 years old, 3 months, 200,000 to 300,000…
The pink bubbles of romantic fantasy that had just begun to sprout in Su Xiao’s heart were like a punctured balloon, deflating until only a sour sense of longing remained.
It turned out she wasn’t the only one who had discovered this treasure. Furthermore, this treasure already had someone she was desperately trying to protect.
So, how could someone as wonderful as Tiantian bear the pain of losing a loved one? That boy she had never met was only 19 years old—was his life really about to wither away? No! Absolutely not!
“Mom, does that boy really only have 3 months? Is there no other way?” Su Xiao looked at her mother seriously.
Su Xiao’s mother breathed a small sigh of relief. Although Su Xiao was willful, she wasn’t cold-hearted.
“To be honest, if he receives full treatment, there’s still a glimmer of hope. But that depends on the funds being available, the treatment being timely, and the patient having a strong will to live. But Su Xiao, helping others is a good thing, but you must be clear about what you’re doing. Act within your means. Especially regarding emotional matters, don’t—”
“I get it!”
Su Xiao suddenly cut her mother off, her expression turning cold.
Su Xiao’s mother fell silent.
She knew she had annoyed Su Xiao again.
Was this a lingering rebellious phase?
Not exactly.
It was like when someone was already planning to sweep the floor, but then their parents suddenly ordered them to do it immediately, calling them a lazy pig. No one would be in a good mood after that.
Resisting orders, resisting privacy violations, resisting conversation, and resisting being near one’s parents.
The closest of strangers.
Enemies.
Su Xiao’s mother left the kitchen and looked at Luo Tiantian, who was sitting uneasily on the sofa. She forced a smile and sat down lonely in a chair by the dining table, her face filled with desolation.
Luo Tiantian didn’t know what to say.
The voices in the kitchen hadn’t been quiet; she had heard everything clearly.
A few minutes later, Su Xiao emerged from the kitchen carrying a bowl of noodles and placed it on the table.
Su Xiao’s mother looked at the handful of chopped green onions in the noodles.
When she wasn’t home, Su Xiao preferred ordering takeout, so there were usually no ingredients in the kitchen.
She loved green onions, so every few days, Su Xiao would buy some and put them in the refrigerator.
Su Xiao never explained these things. It was just like when Su Xiao was a child; her mother would scold her for eating without washing her hands or face, but in reality, her mother only came home once every 7 or 8 days. She would see it once and immediately yell at Su Xiao, and Su Xiao would never talk back.
Did Su Xiao love her?
Su Xiao’s mother didn’t know.
But Su Xiao certainly didn’t hate her; she just didn’t know how to treat her as a close mother.
If she could go back in time, she would never have worked every single day. Even if she had to change jobs and stop being a doctor, she would have stayed by Su Xiao’s side.
Su Xiao’s mother picked up her chopsticks and began to eat.
On the sofa, Su Xiao had already sat down next to Luo Tiantian. She was pointing at the computer screen and saying something. The girl named Luo Luo tilted her head slightly, listening intently. The curve of her profile was soft and beautiful, but a lingering trace of sorrow always hung between her brows—likely because of her gravely ill boyfriend.
Su Xiao’s mother sighed softly.
What beautiful children they were. At an age where they should be carefree, one was trapped by love, while the other… sigh.
She finished her noodles quickly, cleared the dishes, and walked into the living room.
“Luo Luo, is it convenient for us to have a private word? Just over there on the balcony.”
Su Xiao’s brow furrowed, but before she could speak, her mother spoke first. “Su Xiao, I just want to understand the situation from your friend. I won’t say anything mean. Trust me, okay?”
Luo Tiantian followed Su Xiao’s mother to the balcony connected to the living room.
“Luo Luo, don’t be nervous. I just want to chat.” Su Xiao’s mother leaned against the railing, looking at the girl standing with her head bowed. “At the Hospital today, you said you were Luo Tiantian’s girlfriend. You should be very clear about that child’s situation. 3 months, 200,000 to 300,000—it’s not a small amount. Moreover, the treatment process will be extremely painful, and the success rate isn’t 100%. Have you considered all of this? You’re still so young. Staying with him might not lead to a future…”
Luo Tiantian bit her lower lip and nodded. “I know, but I don’t want to give up on him. As long as there’s a sliver of hope, I have to try.”
‘Auntie. I don’t want to give up on myself.’
Seeing her stubborn yet fragile appearance, Su Xiao’s mother felt her heart soften again.
This girl was certainly devoted to her feelings.
“Then how do you plan to raise that much money? By Livestreaming?” Su Xiao’s mother asked.
Luo Tiantian hesitated. “Su Xiao said Livestreaming might make some money. I’ll also find ways to look for other work.”
Su Xiao’s mother looked at Luo Tiantian’s exceptionally striking face. “The Livestreaming industry has very deep waters. It’s unstable. Money comes fast but leaves just as quickly. With your looks, you’ll be far too conspicuous online. Su Xiao’s thinking is quite simple, and she can be impulsive. With the two of you together, I’m a bit worried.”
She was afraid Luo Tiantian would be swept up in the temptations and dangers of the internet, and she was also afraid Su Xiao might lead her into a ditch.
“Auntie, I understand your concerns. I’ll be careful. We’re just trying it for now. If it doesn’t work, I’ll find other ways.”
For example, by continuing to make money lying down in the game.
Looking into those clear eyes, Su Xiao’s mother didn’t know what else to say.
Urge her to give up? That seemed too cruel. Support them? She truly couldn’t rest easy.
“Alright.” Su Xiao’s mother eventually sighed, a trace of exhaustion in her smile.
Returning to the living room, Su Xiao looked at her mother. “You didn’t say anything out of line, did you?”
“What could I possibly say? Take good care of your friend and don’t fool around. I’m leaving; there are things to do at the Hospital.”
“Oh. Take care. I won’t see you out.”
Su Xiao’s mother didn’t mind. She picked up her bag, nodded to Luo Tiantian once more, and then opened the door to leave.
As soon as the door closed, the smile on Su Xiao’s face grew. “I thought my mom was going to play out a scene where she offers you 5,000,000 to leave her daughter.”
Luo Tiantian was almost amused by her description, but thinking about what the mother had just said, she couldn’t bring herself to laugh.
“Su Xiao, your mother seems very worried about you,” Luo Tiantian said softly.
“…Yeah, I know.”
Su Xiao’s expression stiffened for a moment as if she didn’t want to talk about her mother.
“Let’s talk about you instead… Um, Tiantian, have you and your boyfriend not been intimate in a long time?”