Back to Auntie’s School Days - Chapter 50

Jian Hao’s transformation was obvious not just to her classmates, but also to Jian You, who lived with her day and night.

However, Jian You’s reaction was different from the others. She wasn’t marveling at the change. Instead…

The better and more well-behaved Jian Hao became, the more uneasy Jian You felt. She constantly worried: Could my daughter be depressed?

She sought psychological comfort from Zhu Xinsui, only for Zhu Xinsui to roll her eyes and tell her she was being pessimistic.

But how could she think positively? Ha! The girl runs away, comes back, and suddenly she’s studying hard, all those little bad habits she’d nagged her about for years have vanished, and she’s taken over all the household chores.

She calls her “Mom” at every turn, never gets angry no matter what is said, and has stopped being rebellious.

She was well-behaved, yes, but it was an eerie kind of well-behaved.

It was so strange that Jian You alternated between suspecting Jian Hao was depressed and fearing she’d been diagnosed with a terminal illness—and was keeping it a secret to be a filial daughter in her remaining days.

This noon, Jian Hao arrived home from school just as Jian You finished cooking.

Jian You’s tone was unprecedentedly soft. “Is it cold out? Go drink some warm water first.”

“Mhm.”

Jian Hao was wearing a short white down jacket. Jian You had bought it while shopping with Zhu Xinsui, but since it didn’t look as good on her as it did on Jian Hao, she’d given it to the girl.

Jian You watched her and clicked her tongue. “Aww~ my daughter is so pretty!”

Jian Hao, who was pouring water, glanced over and smiled but didn’t say anything.

Jian You walked over and tried to transition the topic naturally. “Tell Mom, is there something making you unhappy lately?”

Jian Hao frowned in confusion. “No.”

“Really?”

Jian Hao looked at her. “Do I look strange in some way?”

“You’ve been… weirdly well-behaved lately.”

Jian Hao burst into a laugh. “Isn’t being well-behaved a good thing? Or do you want me staying up all night, riding around the streets on loud motorbikes like those delinquents?”

“You wouldn’t dare!”

Jian You let out a laugh as well. Was she really overthinking it? But she knew Jian Hao’s true nature; how could she change so suddenly? In her view, it was still likely a result of a broken heart.

The two sat opposite each other at the dining table. Jian You placed a piece of sweet and sour pork into Jian Hao’s bowl, acting casual.

“Did you know Xiao Peng has a boyfriend? Her mom told me yesterday. She only found out after seeing them walking hand-in-hand on the street.”

Jian Hao didn’t look up. “I know.”

“How do you know?”

Jian Hao picked up a piece of stir-fried cabbage. “Her profile picture is a couple’s photo; it’s easy to guess. Plus, she posted it on her Moments.”

“She probably blocked her mom then.” Jian You suddenly looked up. “Have you ever blocked me?”

Jian Hao: “…No.”

Jian You clearly didn’t believe her, staring her down.

Jian Hao: “Why would I block you? I don’t have the energy for that.” (She had posted a “visible only to one person” post before, but she’d always delete it the next day when Tan Yanqing didn’t like it.)

Jian You chuckled, then remembered what she wanted to say. She cleared her throat. “At your age, dating is normal. As long as you don’t focus entirely on it—you know, that obsessive ‘die for her’ kind of mindset—Mom doesn’t object to you dating. If there’s a classmate you like, or someone who likes you and the feeling is mutual, you can give it a try.”

As Jian You spoke, Jian Hao’s chewing slowed down. She guessed exactly what her mother was getting at.

When Jian You finished, Jian Hao looked up and asked with feigned nonchalance, “Did you like any classmates in high school?”

Jian You froze, then quickly recovered. “If I didn’t, where would you have come from?” She clicked her tongue. “I’m talking about you! Why bring me into this? My past is ancient history.”

Jian Hao’s eyes curved mischievously. “Is it really the past tense? Not the present continuous?”

Jian You was stunned. …She’d hidden it so well; how did her daughter know?

Seeing this, Jian Hao put a large piece of meat into Jian You’s bowl.

“Mom, I won’t mind your business with Auntie Zhu, so don’t mind my business with Auntie Tan, okay?”

Jian You lowered her head to eat. “What are you talking about? What’s going on with me and your Auntie Zhu?”

“Are you shy?”

Jian You looked at her, raising her chopsticks slightly. “You brat! I’ll hit you!”

Jian Hao giggled.

Jian You laughed a little too, then said, “Don’t go spreading rumors outside. It’s not good if people hear.”

“What’s not good about it? You love Auntie Zhu and she loves you. You two are living your lives for yourselves, not for others.”

It was a rare sight to see Jian You blush. After a few seconds, she asked, “How did you know? Did Tan Yanqing tell you?”

“Did I need her to tell me?” Jian Hao gestured toward her eyes. “Anyone with eyes can see.”

Jian You looked at her with pampering eyes. “I thought you’d mind… so I never told you. You don’t find it strange?”

Jian Hao shook her head, her gaze full of earnestness. “Mom, I want you to be happy more than anyone. I want you to be with the person you love. So, you must want me to be happy more than anyone too, right? You want me to be with the person I love?”

Jian You’s eyes had begun to well with tears, but hearing the second half, the emotion vanished instantly. “I do want that, but if the person is Tan Yanqing, I advise you to forget it.”

“Why?”

“Why? How old is your Auntie Tan? How old are you? Besides, she watched you grow up; she sees you as her daughter. She only has maternal love for you; she simply doesn’t have those kinds of thoughts.”

Jian Hao: “Then if Auntie Tan agrees, would you accept it?”

“Impossible!” Jian You said. “She would never agree.”

“Forget Auntie Tan’s thoughts for a moment. I want to know your attitude, Mom.”

Jian You lowered her head to eat in silence.

Jian Hao waited, then switched questions. “You think she won’t agree because of Jian Lai?”

“I don’t know where you heard that name, but in the future, don’t mention it in front of her.” Jian You let out a sigh. “Of all the people to like, you pick your Auntie… I haven’t asked you yet, when did this start?”

“Fifth grade.” Jian Hao didn’t hesitate for a second.

“?!” Jian You nearly choked. “You… you really are a precocious one… I don’t know what I did to deserve this.”

The rest of the meal passed in silence. Jian Hao tried to wash the dishes, but Jian You chased her out of the kitchen.

A moment later, Jian Hao walked back in and leaned her chin on Jian You’s shoulder, acting clingy.

“Mom, do you remember what Jian Lai looked like?”

“No,” Jian You replied quickly.

Jian Hao stared at her profile; she didn’t believe for a second that she didn’t remember. She said, “Are you worried… that Auntie Tan only likes me because I look like her? That I’m just a substitute?”

“…”

After two seconds, Jian You glanced at her. “How do you know you look like her?”

Jian Hao smiled. “Auntie Tan said so. She said Jian Lai was my cousin once removed.”

What a “cousin.”

Jian You: “…”

“Is it true, Mom?” Jian Hao asked with a smile.

Jian You: “…Mhm.” She coughed. “Yes.”

Jian Hao moved her chin from her shoulder and said softly, “Don’t you know Auntie Tan? Once she decides something, she needs a result. The person she chooses can only be that one person. So don’t worry about her having ‘thoughts’ about me—your daughter won’t be mistreated by her for a second.”

Jian You’s expression grew quiet. She turned to gaze at Jian Hao for a long time before saying: “I was once a daughter too. I know what it’s like when your feelings aren’t supported by parents. I used to wonder what I’d do if you brought home someone I didn’t like. Now I still don’t know, but at the very least, you have to look at their character—whether they are upright, whether they have you in their heart, and whether they can handle things.”

“Tangtang, your Auntie Tan’s character is beyond reproach, and she can handle things. When your grandma passed, she was the one who helped with the arrangements. I can’t find a flaw in her. But Tangtang, your age, your status, your perspectives—they are all factors. Even setting those aside… her heart… has no room for anyone else… You will definitely be the one mistreated… Mom isn’t trying to stop you from pursuing who you like, but I can’t stand to see you chase and chase, only for it to be for nothing. Do you really have the confidence to win over Tan Yanqing? Even if you do, she—”

“I do!”

Silly child.

Interrupted by Jian Hao, Jian You finished her thought anyway: “She’s good to you, but she won’t tolerate you pestering her forever.”

That person’s heart had been filled by someone named Jian Lai seventeen years ago. Seventeen years is enough to forget everyone you met in high school or university, yet that person who appeared for only two months remained in her heart, irreplaceable by anyone.

It was soon late December. 2026 was fast approaching.

For over a month, Jian Hao hadn’t contacted Tan Yanqing, and in a mutual “telepathy,” Tan Yanqing hadn’t contacted her either. This made Jian Hao feel a bit angry and depressed.

She didn’t contact Tan Yanqing to give them both a “buffer” period. Tan Yanqing didn’t contact her to avoid giving her a chance—treating her like she was radioactive.

On this day, some commuter students were discussing whether to go to People’s Square for New Year’s Eve. Hearing this, Jian Hao pulled her phone from her bag and, mimicking her old cheerful self, messaged Tan Yanqing.

Jian Hao: 【Auntie! Working overtime tonight?】

Tan Yanqing replied: 【What’s up?】

Jian Hao: 【If you aren’t, can you pick me up after school?】

Tan Yanqing: 【Where’s your mom?】

Why do you ask about my mom every time? You’re picking me up, not her.

Jian Hao: 【It’s New Year’s Eve, right? The shop is crowded; she’s busy.】

Jian Hao: 【I thought there’d be a lot of people on the street tonight, it might not be safe, so I thought…】

Tan Yanqing: 【I have dinner plans.】

Jian Hao narrowed her eyes. Dinner plans today? Spending New Year’s Eve with someone? Fine, fine, fine.

Jian Hao: 【Cry.jpg】

Jian Hao: 【Oh, I see…】

Jian Hao: 【Then I won’t bother you. Have a good dinner~】

Tan Yanqing: 【Mhm.】

What do you mean “Mhm”?!

Jian Hao: 【But Auntie, who are you eating with? Do I know them?】

Jian Hao: 【Can I crash?~~~】

As she sent this, Tan Yanqing’s reply to the previous question came through.

Tan Yanqing: 【Auntie Shao.】

Tan Yanqing: 【The reservation is set.】

Meaning, no, she couldn’t crash.

But… Auntie Shao?! The one who handed her a love letter before! Jian Hao’s heart squeezed.

Jian Hao: 【Okey-dokey~】

Jian Hao: 【My classmates just asked if I wanted to go to the square for the countdown. I’ll just go hang out with them then~】

Jian Hao: 【Enjoy your dinner, Auntie~】

In reality, she had just turned her classmates down. She said it on purpose to see how Tan Yanqing would respond.

Tan Yanqing: 【Okay.】

Okay your head! Stinky Tan Yanqing!

Tan Yanqing: 【Stay safe.】

One sentence, two words, and Jian Hao was placated. At least she’s worried about me. Not so stinky after all.

Jian Hao: 【Mhm! Which restaurant are you at? I’ll see if I can run into you; I have something for you.】

Tan Yanqing: 【What?】

Jian Hao: 【A surprise.】

Jian Hao: 【Can’t say.】

Tan Yanqing: 【Give it to me another time. I don’t have time tonight.】

Huh?!

It’s just dinner; how could there be no time? Are you eating all night?! Are you a Taotie (gluttonous beast)?

But soon, a thought crept into Jian Hao’s mind. She quickly dismissed it, telling herself it was impossible. Tan Yanqing must be saying that on purpose to make her back off; she might not even be eating with Auntie Shao.

But… what if Tan Yanqing was “faking it until it’s real” just to make her give up?

And, since Tan Yanqing said that night was “too far away,” did it mean that in her heart, she was already over her?