Ling Qingyu recalled her first meeting with Mother Zhao, who asked for her acceptance of Zhao Xiurong's faults in the job.
She was worried whether her daughter would trouble Ling Qingyu. In her eyes, Zhao Xiurong ceased to grow up and mature.
As the encounters grew, Mother Zhao met with Ling Qingyu's elders and the two sides were closer than ever before.
Even though Zhao Xiurong always addressed her formally, no matter how many times Ling Qingyu tried to change, it wasn't wrong to say their bond was stronger than sisterhood.
Speaking of Mother Zhao, Ling Qingyu didn't know much but from Zhao Xiurong's narration, she drew out some conclusions.
Since Sister Zhao never mentioned her father figure, her childhood mustn't be pleasant. Ling Qingyu knew her father was a gambler who ran away after facing heavy debt, leaving his wife and daughter a harsh and unprotected future.
Even then Mother Zhao held her emotions and braced the storms, protecting Zhao Xiurong under her umbrella. She singlehandedly raised Zhao Xiurong, preparing her university education and expenses, working various occupations including part-time until she fully repaid the debt.
And Zhao Xiurong met her high expectations and achieved greatness in her career. Maybe Mother Zhao worked under severe conditions, she appeared older than her counterparts.
Even though she was 7 years older than Ling Qingyu's mother, greyish linen already formed over her hair.
No one was greater than Mother Zhao in Zhao Xiurong's eyes. Now, the greatest worry left behind was to find a suitor for Zhao Xiurong.
She feared her child didn't look for love because of her experience and urged her. Luckily, Ling Qingyu's presence reduced the matchmaking burden off Zhao Xiurong's shoulders.
Thinking of this, Ling Qingyu felt relieved. She would have nowhere to curse if a wifey material like Zhao Xiurong was out of her catch. She praised her predecessor for having foresight.
The only weirdness was no news of Zhao Xiurong's father. Ling Qingyu didn't care and didn't ask. Who knew under Zhao Xiurong's gentleness, some ruthlessness must exist to protect the family?
Ling Qingyu shrugged at this possibility. So what if Zhao Xiurong wasn't as gentle as she initially thought? As long as her treatment toward friends, family, and close ones didn't change, Ling Qingyu wouldn't change her view.
Mother Zhao was a strong woman in Ling Qingyu's view and a rare one too, looking at the timeline where opportunities for women were the lowest.
Zhao Xiurong always complained to Ling Qingyu that her mother did household work by herself. Even if she persuaded her, that she would hire someone, Mother Zhao disagreed. At last, the two negotiated to hire a part-time cleaner once every week.
Although she fancied children, it must be someone giving birth for her instead, not from her. The pain and suffering of a mother, Ling Qingyu couldn't bear to think about it.
Even though she hadn't experienced her monthly period yet, it might be her instinct to forecast the level of pain.
Her face grimaced at the thought of giving birth herself.
Ling Qingyu looked bleak but replied simply to the elder. "Yes...."
How could she argue with someone, older than her mom? Even if she thought she had the truth, Ling Qingyu avoided clashing ideas across generations.
In fact, what Mother Zhao stated was correct, the best time to have a child was within the range of their age.
But when the two must choose between creating families and careers for now, even if Zhao Xiurong had regrets later in the future, they would still prefer a career.
Her perfunctory reply caused Mother Zhao to shake her head, lamenting on how to solve the two workaholics, and continued to talk with Athena, treating the AI like her granddaughter.
The convoy reached Ling Qingyu's manor later and her residence also attracted exclamation from Mother Zhao, who inquired what happened with the previous apartment.
Zhao Xiurong gave an excuse for the reason to move houses. Feeling spacious and peaceful, Mother Zhao nodded her head, praising Ling Qingyu's choice.
Ling Qingyu drove near the entrance and parked the car. Everyone stepped out. Mother Zhao still looked around, enjoying spacious scenes, a mixture of nature and manmade, rarely seen back in her apartment.
"Welcome to my house, Auntie." Ling Qingyu gestured Mother Zhao to enter. Returning the salutes by the maids, Ling Qingyu walked ahead.
Mother Zhao looked back at the vehicle and caught Ling Qingyu's attention. She smiled at Mother Zhao's reluctance to part with Athena and whispered: "Athena, you really know how to chat."
"Of course, Mom. I'm the best." A voice came from the spectacle. Amidst the stunned expression of many, Athena drove away the Bentley to its area.
Everyone who noticed the strange phenomenon watched dumbfounded, at Bentley, moving without a driver.
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