Back to Auntie’s School Days - Chapter 19

She expressed her love for them with such frankness, yet she had no idea that her words had sent the person across from her into a spiral of confused thoughts.

“I think I’ll go check on them.”

Jian Hao lowered her legs from her curled position and couldn’t help but stand up from the sofa. Her heart was entirely occupied with worry for Jian You. As she shuffled toward the bedroom in her slippers, she failed to notice Tan Yanqing slowly standing up behind her, a trace of darkness flickering in her eyes as she watched her retreating back.

Jian Hao stood at the bedroom door and listened for a moment. The room was silent.

It was the same when she was a child—whenever Grandma was angry with Mom, she would never argue in front of her. Instead, she’d call Mom into the room to handle the issue. Back then, Jian Hao didn’t understand the situation and thought they were playing hide-and-seek. It wasn’t until one time when the sound of things smashing came from the room, scaring her into tears right there in the living room, that she belatedly realized it wasn’t a child’s game.

Since no sounds of smashing had occurred yet, did that mean things weren’t too serious? Jian Hao prayed in her heart. After letting out a long breath, she knocked gently on the door.

“Auntie…” Jian Hao stammered, “The food is going to get cold. Why don’t we eat first?”

One second, two seconds…

“Understood.”

On the third second, Jian Sihong’s voice came from behind the door. Outside, Jian Hao’s restless heart steadied slightly. If she wasn’t too angry to speak, it meant things weren’t that dire.

She replied, “Then I’ll go serve the rice.”

As she spoke, the door was pulled open from the inside. Jian Sihong walked out, smiling at her. “I’ll do it.” She walked past Jian Hao and even greeted Tan Yanqing in the living room.

Jian Hao’s gaze shifted from Jian Sihong to Jian You, who was still in the room. Jian You looked over at her.

Jian Hao hesitated for a moment before walking over and grabbing Jian You’s arm, launching into her practiced routine of acting spoiled. “I’m sorry, I didn’t think Auntie would be back so soon…”

Jian You shook off her hand.

Seeing Jian Hao freeze, Jian You initially wanted to snap, but she let it go. Why bicker with someone whose head wasn’t right? She pinched Jian Hao’s nose. “Lucky for you my mom didn’t hit me, otherwise you’d be finished.”

“Then you hit me instead,” Jian Hao said, hugging Jian You’s arm again and speaking softly, “As long as you’re not mad at me.”

Jian Hao realized she was practically an automatic anger-generating machine—one moment upsetting Tan Yanqing, the next upsetting Jian You…

But she couldn’t help it. She had been pampered by these two since childhood and naturally acted willful in front of them. It made her constantly forget that right now, they weren’t her mothers yet. The fact that they tolerated her was entirely due to their good natures.

Jian You was angry, of course, but the words had come out of her own mouth; it had nothing to do with Jian Hao. She looked at her arm being hugged, pulled it out with a look of feigned disgust, and said crossly, “Stop talking about having kids in front of me. The family planning policy isn’t hurting for my contribution.”

Jian Hao nodded frantically. “I won’t say it, I won’t say it anymore.” It was actually wonderful that Jian You felt this way.

At the door, Tan Yanqing stood still, her voice cold: “Time to eat.”

Jian You looked over at the sound and squinted. “Why haven’t you left yet?”

Tan Yanqing swept a flat gaze over her, turned, and walked away.

“Hey?!” Jian You gave Jian Hao a shove. “You go.”

Jian Hao stumbled. She turned her head in surprise, only to hear Jian You say, “Warn her not to tell anyone what she heard today, or she’s finished.”

Jian Hao: “…”

By the time Jian Hao emerged from the bedroom, Jian Sihong had already served everyone’s rice. She praised Jian Hao, “Lailai, you’re so skilled to make so many dishes.”

Jian Hao instinctively lowered her head. “Auntie…”

Knowing she was embarrassed, Jian Sihong smiled. “You’ve waited long enough. You must be hungry, right?” She shouted toward the bedroom, “Hurry up and come eat! Stop dawdling. Did I scold you that hard?”

Inside the room, Jian You’s eyes instantly reddened.

The second she had turned and seen Jian Sihong at the door, her first thought was: It’s over. Her life was over before it even began. With Jian Sihong’s old-fashioned mindset, even drinking soda was a major offense; liking girls and not marrying or having children surely felt like a capital crime.

But after being called into the room and letting her mother calm down, Jian Sihong had only asked three questions:

1. “Is this for real or a joke?”

2. “How long has this been going on?”

3. “Is there someone you like? Or are you dating?”

Since it had all been heard, denying it would just be burying her head in the sand. She decided to let it all out.

To the first question, she nodded. “It’s real.”

To the second, she bit her lip and looked at her toes. “Fifth grade. A classmate dragged me to an internet cafe, and I saw some things online.” She didn’t elaborate on what she saw, but the shock of it was something she’d never forget.

To the third, she said, “I’m not dating.” After hesitating, she added, “There’s someone I like, but she doesn’t know, and she doesn’t like me back. You don’t have to worry about me being in a relationship early.”

Relationship? The fact that her daughter was gay was enough for Jian Sihong to process; a “premature relationship” was the least of her concerns.

After Jian You answered the third question, Jian Sihong stared at her for a long time in silence. She seemed to be accepting reality, yet also felt like she was only just meeting her daughter for the first time.

For the rest of that time, Jian Sihong sat weakly by the bed, staring out the window. Jian You stood there, waiting for the verdict.

They say that when a mother and daughter fight, the mother’s way of breaking the ice is to call her for dinner. When Jian Sihong finally called her, Jian You’s tensed nerves snapped. She hadn’t been beaten, she hadn’t been cursed at, and she wasn’t treated as if she were crazy. Her mother had accepted her.

Jian You and Jian Hao were both talkative types who couldn’t stay still. The dining table, usually bustling and noisy, was exceptionally quiet today. The only audible sound was the crisp clinking of bowls and chopsticks.

Was it because Tan Yanqing, the unsmiling iceberg, was there?

Tan Yanqing didn’t take the blame for that. In fact, while the three of them remained silent, she was the first to speak.

Noticing that Jian Hao had a poor appetite and hadn’t touched a single dish, Tan Yanqing thought for two seconds, put her chopsticks down, and looked at Jian Sihong.

“Auntie.” She looked solemn, making Jian Sihong pause. “Mhm?”

“Even though this is a family matter and I shouldn’t say much, Jian You is a very good friend of mine. I don’t want to see her this sad.”

Jian You and Jian Hao snapped their heads up: “?”

Tan Yanqing ignored them both and said to Jian Sihong, “You are an adult; you’ve been married, had a child, and you’re working now. You should be the most aware that the thing to worry about most for Jian You right now isn’t who she likes or who likes her.”

“It’s the college entrance exams.”

Tan Yanqing continued, “This determines what university she goes to, what major she studies, and what job she finds. I think with your insight, Auntie, you should understand that if a person wants to be happy, they must rely entirely on themselves. Finding a good job is far more important than marriage or children.”

Jian Sihong looked at her. “What are you trying to say?”

Tan Yanqing: “I’ve analyzed Jian You’s grades. If things continue like this, she definitely won’t get into a four-year university.”

Clack! Jian You slammed her chopsticks on the table and snapped at Tan Yanqing, “Are you finished eating? If you’re finished, leave!”

What do you mean she “definitely” won’t get in?! Who are you looking down on?!!

“Be quiet,” Jian Sihong said, then looked back at Tan Yanqing. “What are your thoughts?”

“I’ll tutor them after school.”

Jian Sihong was stunned for a moment, then her eyes lit up. “Really?!” She smiled broadly. “Wonderful! But is that too much trouble for you? Won’t it affect your own studies?”

“It won’t,” Tan Yanqing replied. “Tutoring them will consolidate my own knowledge and help me find gaps in my own learning.”

Jian Sihong stared at Tan Yanqing for a moment and asked, “Do you like my Youyou?”

Jian Hao, who was still wondering why Tan Yanqing suddenly claimed to be Jian You’s “good friend,” whipped her head toward Tan Yanqing upon hearing this.

“No.” Tan Yanqing didn’t hesitate for a second. Catching Jian Hao in her peripheral vision, she added, “Just friends.”

Jian Sihong burst out laughing. “It’s fine even if you did like her. You’re a top student; help lead these two kids of mine.” She said, “So from now on, you’ll come here after school for tutoring?”

Tan Yanqing: “To my house. My house is quieter. They can bike back after we finish.”

Jian Sihong: “Your parents won’t mind? These two are quite noisy.”

Tan Yanqing: “They won’t.”

Jian Sihong: “Alright then. Thank you for the trouble. If you ever need anything, just ask me.”

“Alright what?” Jian You finally couldn’t hold it in. She hadn’t said a word, and suddenly her life was filled with extra classes? When would she watch her dramas? She gave Jian Hao a look, signaling her to speak up.

Instead, Jian Hao said with a face full of joy, “It’s fine if tutoring runs late! Tan Yanqing has spare rooms and huge beds—they’re big enough for both of us.”

“…” Jian You sighed toward the ceiling. “…You traitor!”

Jian Sihong swiped at her hand with a chopstick. “Eat properly, study hard, and bring me back an admission letter when the time comes.”

Jian You clutched her hand and whined to her mother, “Mom, you’re being scammed. She and I are definitely not good friends.”

“She volunteered to help you study; what is she if not a good friend? You’re a hair’s breadth away from having to kneel and kowtow to Xiao Tan in thanks.”

“Kowtow to her? I’d rather die.”

The atmosphere at the table returned to its usual rhythm. Jian Hao’s eyes curved in a light smile. She picked up a piece of food and put it in her bowl, accidentally catching Tan Yanqing’s eye. She opened her mouth and silently mouthed: Thank you.

Tan Yanqing acted as if she hadn’t seen her, lowering her eyes to eat without giving a response.

Jian Hao froze at that icy look. Did something happen?