Mother-Daughter Heart-to-Heart

Chapter 170

"Click."

The sound of the door lock turning was exceptionally harsh in the quiet entryway.

The two of them, having just finished their "night run," changed their shoes. Before they could even catch their breath, two gazes swept over them.

Gu Ran: "???"

Ye Zhenzhen: "???"

How strange, why did it feel like they were being stared at by something sinister?

On the sofa, the newspaper in Gu Xiangcheng's hands hadn't been turned in ten minutes, clearly showing his mind was on other things.

On the other side, Ye Shulian folded clothes at a leisurely pace, every movement feeling like it was stepping right on the young girl's heart.

These two older folks... could they have had a fight?

"You're back?"

Ye Shulian shook out the shirt in her hands, her tone as flat as a straight line. "Running really does make a difference, your face is so red."

The young girl's scalp instantly tingled, and she subconsciously glanced at the "chief culprit" beside her.

Out of this hour and a half, actual running took up twenty minutes at most. As for the rest of the time...

She had been pinned in the shadows by a certain guy for some intimate cuddling, how could her face not be red?

"Um... I haven't exercised in a long time, my physical fitness can't keep up..."

Ye Zhenzhen's eyes darted around as she decisively dragged the boy next to her down with her. "Mom, look at Gu Ran, he's in good shape. He finished running without blushing or skipping a beat..."

Gu Ran: "???"

You're dragging me into this too? Ye Zhenzhen, don't you ever call me a dog again!

"Auntie Ye, Dad, what time is it? You two aren't asleep yet? Staying up late is a skin killer."

Gu Ran, however, was as steady as an old dog. He grabbed a glass of cold boiled water from the coffee table and took a gulp, not a trace of guilt visible on his face.

"Stop being glib."

Gu Xiangcheng took off his glasses and pointed to the sofa beside him. "Gu Ran, come here. There are some nuances to the recent personnel changes at the bureau. I'll explain them to you, try to learn something."

Gu Ran raised an eyebrow, gave Ye Zhenzhen a "you're on your own" look, and sat down carelessly opposite his old man, looking like an obedient student.

The young girl wanted to take advantage of the chaos to slip back into her room, but the empress dowager's decree followed closely behind.

"Zhenzhen, come to my room."

Ye Shulian picked up the clothes and walked toward the master bedroom. "I bought new bedsheets, help me put them on."

For some reason, the young girl's heart skipped a beat, and she increasingly felt that something bad was about to happen.

She gritted her teeth and looked at Gu Ran, but that dog of a guy was listening with a serious face as Director Gu talked about "workplace Machiavellianism," not even glancing at her.

Traitor!

...

The moment the master bedroom door closed tightly, the air seemed to freeze.

Ye Zhenzhen stood up straight against the wall with her hands behind her back, like a primary school student waiting for a verdict.

"Mom, where are the bedsheets?"

Ye Shulian ignored her. Sitting on the edge of the bed, her gaze swept over her daughter—the damp bangs, the flushed cheeks, the evasive eyes.

Her whole body was written with three words: I am guilty.

"Zhenzhen."

Ye Shulian suddenly spoke, her tone so soft it made one's hair stand on end. "College is a collective life. You need to learn how to handle interpersonal relationships and not throw little tantrums."

"Huh?" The girl's tense nerves relaxed a fraction. "Oh, I know, Gu Ran is also in Qinglin, we'll look out for each other."

"Yes, Ranran is a capable kid..."

Ye Shulian nodded, but the topic suddenly shifted.

"But Mom still finds it strange, what kind of friend gives red roses?"

Boom!

Ye Zhenzhen froze completely, cold sweat pouring down her back.

Sure enough, this matter wasn't over at all!

"Th-that was Susu messing around!"

The young girl's brain worked at lightning speed, almost smoking. "Mom, you know her, she watches those idol dramas every day and says things like red roses represent everlasting friendship... This is called 'new-style bestie love,' it's the current trend!"

To increase her credibility, she nodded vigorously, her eyes so sincere she almost believed it herself.

Ye Shulian quietly watched her daughter's performance.

The harder she tried to explain, the guiltier she felt inside.

How could this be from Pei Susu? It was clearly from some wild boy!

But the child was grown up now. If some paper windows were poked through, it would be harder to clean up the mess.

As long as she didn't cross the line, turning a blind eye would do.

"Alright, stop explaining, you're only making it worse." Ye Shulian waved her hand.

The young girl froze in place, thinking that she probably wouldn't escape a disaster tonight.

However, the expected storm did not arrive.

Ye Shulian opened a drawer, took out a thick kraft paper envelope, and handed it over.

"Take it."

The girl subconsciously took it, her palm suddenly sinking.

This thickness... was it all cash?!

"Mom, this..."

"This is ten thousand yuan."

Ye Shulian's tone carried a bit of doting. "I see other people's children going on graduation trips, so don't just stay cooped up. Use this to buy some clothes, or go out with your classmates and see the world."

Ten thousand yuan!

In 2010, this was definitely a huge sum of money that would allow a prospective college student to do whatever they wanted!

Ye Zhenzhen held the envelope, her eyes inexplicably heating up.

She was secretly dating behind her mom's back, and her mom was actually thinking of giving her a "bonus"?

Just as the girl was so moved that she wanted to turn herself in on the spot, Ye Shulian suddenly patted her hand, her tone becoming serious:

"However, Mom has one condition."

"Tell me!"

Through the crack in the door, she looked at Gu Ran, who was chatting and laughing with Gu Xiangcheng in the living room, a trace of satisfaction flashing in her eyes.

"You can go out and play, but you must bring Gu Ran along."

"...Huh?" The girl was a bit dumbfounded.

"What do you mean 'huh'?"

Ye Shulian poked her forehead. "You're a girl, and you're eye-catching. How can I feel at ease with you going out alone? Although that kid Gu Ran is a bit mischievous, we know him inside and out. He has an upright character and is responsible."

Know him inside and out?

Upright character?

Responsible?

Ye Zhenzhen's mouth twitched, almost losing her composure.

Did she have some misunderstanding about these words?

"You both applied to the same university, so you can look out for each other in Qinglin in the future."

The more Ye Shulian thought about it, the more she felt this arrangement was perfect. "There's a share for him in this money too, you hear me?"

The young girl held the money, her expression a colorful mix of emotions.

"What? You don't want to?"

"I do! I really want to!"

...

Twenty minutes later.

The living room lights went out, leaving only a faint night light.

Ye Zhenzhen sneaked back to her room like a thief, closed the door, and climbed onto the balcony.

"Knock, knock."

Pulling back the curtains, a bewildered Gu Ran poked his head out.

Under the moonlight, the young girl leaned against the railing, waving the kraft paper envelope in her hand, smiling like a fox that had successfully stolen a fish.

"What's wrong?"

Gu Ran familiarly pulled the visiting guest into his room and closed the window behind him. "Did the little fox steal a hen?"

"Get lost!"

Ye Zhenzhen tossed the envelope onto the bed and collapsed next to it. "Scared me to death, I thought the fact that you gave me flowers was going to be exposed."

"So what did you say?" Gu Ran weighed the envelope in his hand. "Whoa, pretty heavy. Are you keeping me as a sugar baby?"

"Gu 'Dog' Ran!"

"Your grandpa is right here!"

Ye Zhenzhen: "..."

A few minutes later, the boy covered his ears and muttered softly, "Seriously, can't even take a joke, why do you always resort to violence..."

"I'll use my feet too!"

As soon as she spoke, Ye Zhenzhen couldn't help but kick him. Then she rolled her eyes, her eyes curving into a smile as she leaned closer. "Guess what my mom said?"

"What did she say?"

The young girl cleared her throat and imitated her mom's earnest and heartfelt tone:

"Zhenzhen, it is not safe to be away from home. You must take Gu Ran with you. He is an upright boy, and I will only have peace of mind if he protects you."

After repeating those words, she rolled around on the bed, laughing uncontrollably. "Upright... hahaha... Gu Ran, listen to that. Aren't you embarrassed?"

Gu Ran looked at the girl shaking with laughter on the bed, the corners of his lips curling up slightly.

With a sudden movement, he planted his hands on either side of the girl, trapping her in his own little world. The once spacious bed instantly felt cramped and filled with an intimate tension.

The laughter came to an abrupt halt.

"Why should I be embarrassed?"

He lowered his head until it almost brushed against the tip of her nose. "Auntie Ye has excellent judgment. She knows I am a responsible, good man."

"You... get off..." Ye Zhenzhen's cheeks burned hotly. She pushed against his chest, but he did not budge an inch.

"Since my future mother-in-law trusts me so much and even sponsored us with ten thousand yuan..."

"Should I properly plan out our... honeymoon trip?"

"Who... who is going on a honeymoon with you!" The girl was so flustered she almost bit her tongue. "The trip is already over. Don't... don't spend money recklessly. Let's save it to go out next semester."

Gu Ran let out a light chuckle, his warm lips brushing against her earlobe. "Oh, so you admit that our last trip was a honeymoon?"

"Gu 'Dog' Ran!!!"