Ending Up with the Female Lead’s Mom - Chapter 4

“Gu Shiyue has good grades and great looks. Don’t mind her bad temper and icy attitude; she’s actually the ‘School Goddess’ at our school. I definitely like her for real.” Su Ming rattled off the female lead’s details like she was counting family treasures.

The Exception was a Yuri novel written from a “bottom” perspective. So, no matter how cold or high-status Gu Shiyue seemed as the school goddess, she was essentially a cold-but-easily-flustered “tsundere” submissive. The one who truly kept her composure was always the second female lead.

Gu Zhanci expressed skepticism. Her own school days were far behind her; in her eyes, the “love” Su Ming spoke of was far too juvenile.

Seeing the “I don’t believe you” look on Gu Zhanci’s face, Su Ming said, “Do you need me to prove it to you?”

“As you wish.” Gu Zhanci never knew she could be this bored—bored enough to actually wait for a “proof.”

Su Ming took out her phone. “Look.”

Gu Zhanci leaned her head over to glance at it. Once again, the two were very close; a faint, sweet fragrance radiated from the girl. She took the phone, her brow furrowing slightly.

It was the campus forum for Hongyan No. 7 High School. The forum was buzzing with activity. A post titled 【The Years Su Ming Spent as a Simp】 was constantly being bumped to the top, with Su Ming’s past “Simp Quotes” being reposted and mocked relentlessly.

“‘If you are a beautiful flower, then I am willing to be the cow dung, nourishing you with my only nutrients.’ Have to say, Su Ming’s writing is top-tier. Simp Quote #1.”

“Hahahaha!”

“A brand new interpretation of ‘a flower stuck in cow dung’.”

“This is the funniest, most simp-tastic love letter I’ve ever seen. Thanks to the sister who posted this; you’ve successfully brought us all joy. Congrats to Su Ming for Simp Quote #2.”

Gu Zhanci frowned. “Did you really write this?”

“I suppose so.” Su Ming felt helpless. The original host really was the female lead’s simp, and a famous one at that. Fortunately, she had already graduated and didn’t have to attend the same high school as the leads anymore; otherwise, she would face “social death” every minute.

“Even if you like someone, there’s no need to belittle yourself like this. Love yourself first, then love others,” Gu Zhanci said quite seriously, as if lecturing a junior.

The entire thread was filled with disdain for these quotes. Perhaps Su Ming’s original heart was sincere, but in the eyes of others, it was nothing more than a joke.

Su Ming, of course, understood this logic. If the original host had any common sense, she wouldn’t have ended up with such a tragic “death of a simp” ending in a sweet Yuri novel.

“But I’ve been like this for years. I don’t see a problem with it.” Su Ming decided to double down, portraying herself as a “troubled youth” in need of guidance.

“For years?” Gu Zhanci said earnestly. “Only when a person values themselves will others value them. If you constantly belittle yourself, how can you expect respect from others? Let alone love.”

Her gaze swept over Su Ming. Su Ming didn’t look like a simp, but since the girl was baring her heart to her, she felt she shouldn’t just stand by and watch.

Su Ming said with forced sincerity, “That’s why I need to please my future mother-in-law and get on your good side. Since she listens to you most, if you step in, it’ll be twice the result with half the effort.”

Gu Zhanci: “…”

Was she the one who didn’t understand relationships, or was it Su Ming? How did the conversation loop back to this again?

The banquet had already begun. Gu Zhanci was startled to realize she had spent so long bickering over a relationship with a teenage girl.

“It’s useless to look to me.” Gu Zhanci wasn’t one to meddle in others’ business, but Su Yao was her competitor, and Su Ming was pursuing her daughter—it seemed to involve her at every turn.

Gu Zhanci turned and entered the banquet hall. Su Ming casually gave the “Simp Quote” post a “Like.”

Amidst the clinking of glasses and toasts, Gu Shiyue’s birthday banquet ended uneventfully.

Back at home, Su Yao tilted her head curiously. “Why were you clinging to Gu Zhanci all day? Don’t you like Gu Shiyue? I thought you’d be pestering her instead.”

Su Ming said, “She doesn’t like me anyway. Why should I press my warm face to her cold backside?”

Su Yao wore a “you finally realized it” expression. Deeply relieved, she said, “Baby, you finally understand! Two-legged toads are hard to find, but two-legged Gu Shiyues are everywhere. Why hang yourself on a crooked tree?”

Su Ming: “…”

Is it really okay to trash-talk the female lead like that?

Su Yao then thought of something. “Wait. Isn’t Gu Zhanci just as cold? Why were you so happy chatting with her?”

Su Ming said, “She’s different.”

At least Gu Zhanci was beautiful and her thoughts weren’t childish. Plus, she hadn’t offended Gu Zhanci yet, so she could play the “pity” card.

Su Yao said seriously, “I know you’re trying to please her. In the end, it’s still for Gu Shiyue.”

Su Ming: “Not entirely…” She just wanted to cling to the mother’s leg.

Su Yao interrupted, “I know, I know. You don’t need to explain.”

Su Ming: “…”

Su Yao said with certainty, “Gu Zhanci is just a ‘fake prude.’ Don’t be fooled by her serious exterior. I bet beneath that upright skin hides a wild, unrestrained soul. Don’t let her lead you astray.”

“Sis, just because you aren’t serious doesn’t mean everyone else is like you,” Su Ming sighed.

She could bet that Gu Zhanci was truly upright. So upright that by the end of the book, when the leads were in a sweet relationship, Gu Zhanci still didn’t have a love interest. Whether it was the original setting or Gu Zhanci’s natural abstinence, it was hard to say—supporting characters in “sweet treats” novels usually don’t get full character arcs.

Su Yao: “…”

She just couldn’t stand how “proper” Gu Zhanci was at every turn. It was like seeing a calm lake; she couldn’t resist throwing a stone to break the peace and stir up ripples.

The banquet hall, which had been crowded moments ago, was now empty. People had receded like a tide. Servants were handling the cleanup. Gu Zhanci had changed into a light coffee-colored silk nightgown that made her skin look porcelain-smooth. In front of her sat a girl with a straight back and a proper posture.

Gu Zhanci asked seemingly casually, “Are you dating someone lately?”

Gu Shiyue’s eyes flickered. “No.”

Gu Zhanci curled her lips. “Better not be. Until you become a qualified successor to the company, you have no right to talk about love. Unless I’m dead.”

Gu Shiyue bit her lip. “I understand.”

Gu Zhanci stood up, looked at her calmly, and reached out to straighten her collar.

Gu Shiyue’s breath almost stopped instantly. Thinking her clumsy acting had been seen through, and smelling the faint, cold fragrance from Gu Zhanci, she became flustered.

“Happy birthday. Go to sleep. I’ve had someone pack your gifts and move them to your room.”

“Yes.” Gu Shiyue hesitated for a moment, then called out to her. “Can I have dinner with you tomorrow night?”

Gu Zhanci’s footsteps paused slightly. “Tomorrow? I have an appointment tomorrow night. Let’s make it the day after.”

A flash of anger sparked in Gu Shiyue’s eyes. “Fine.”

The day after… it’s always the day after! Because time is infinite, adults always feel entitled to borrow against it.

Gu Zhanci attended countless banquets every year, yet the one that left the deepest impression this year was Su Ming, who spent the whole time discussing “mother-in-law” issues with her.

“I’ve really got to hand it to you. Only you could make a daughter’s birthday so uninspired. This was a coming-of-age ceremony! It means she can do ‘adult’ things now. When I had my ceremony, my parents went all out. I still remember it vividly.”

Gu Zhanci was unbothered. “It was merely to announce to everyone that she is officially the successor of the Gu Corporation. It was just to give the Old Man an account of things.”

“Boring. You’re going to be single for the rest of your life.” Lu Lu complained. “You’ve worked so hard for the Gu Corporation all these years, watching it thrive, only for the Old Man to designate the successor anyway. Haven’t you thought about having a child of your own?”

Gu Zhanci said, “I don’t do anything illegal.”

Lu Lu said, “I’m not telling you to get a surrogate… forget it. By the way, did that little girl who wanted to please her ‘future mother-in-law’ show up today?”

Gu Zhanci didn’t hide it. “She did.”

Lu Lu had been sent abroad by her father a couple of days ago, so she could only video chat with Gu Zhanci. The video only showed the ceiling, as Gu Zhanci was busy at her computer processing documents.

Lu Lu wasn’t annoyed. She had once video-called Gu Zhanci while showering; their “revolutionary friendship” could withstand any camera angle.

“So? How is Gu Shiyue’s little ‘peach blossom’?”

Gu Zhanci looked up from her work. “Not much.”

“I looked her up for you. This little peach blossom just turned nineteen and graduated. She’s the famous simp of Hongyan No. 7 High School, Gu Shiyue’s loyal fan, Su Yao’s sister—the little princess of the Su family.”

Gu Zhanci rubbed her temples. “I know.”

“Then there’s definitely something you don’t know. Her famous ‘Simp Quotes’ have redefined the meaning of ‘a flower in cow dung.’ Hahahahaha!”

Gu Zhanci: “…” She cut the video.

On the other side, Su Ming was also on a video call with Guoguo. Summer break after the Gaokao was hard-earned. Su Ming was checking the original host’s college applications. The book never mentioned them, and Su Ming didn’t want to live in another world just to study medicine again.

“Mingming, what gift did you give Gu Shiyue today?”

“I forgot.” Her focus wasn’t on Gu Shiyue, so she had just followed Su Yao’s lead. She didn’t even know what Su Yao had sent. Since her current status with Gu Shiyue was “Simp vs. Simped-on,” any gift would do.

Guoguo hesitated. “How can it be like that?”

Su Ming looked up. “Guoguo, do you have something on your mind?”

“Well… Susu’s birthday is early next month. There will be an event. I want to celebrate with him, but I don’t know what to give. Should I give him a figurine or paper cranes? I’ve been watching idol dramas lately, and hand-folded cranes seem to really represent one’s heart.”

Su Ming: “…” That’s way too old-fashioned.

Guoguo continued, “But I’m afraid he’ll scold me.”

Su Ming: “Then don’t send anything. Just don’t go. Stop spoiling him.”

“Mingming, how can you say that? You’ve always supported me! It’s his birthday; of course I have to support him! What if he performs badly because he doesn’t see me there?” Guoguo said seriously.

Su Ming: “…”

Truly, between two simps, only one can survive.

“Just send whatever.”

Su Ming never expected that her “just whatever” would turn out so chaotic. On the night of Luo Su’s birthday, she received a call from Guoguo in the middle of the night.

“Mingming… wail…”

“What’s wrong? What happened?”

Guoguo had a natural baby face and was the original host’s loyal follower. In the book, she and Luo Su were childhood friends, but the CP ended in a tragedy (“BE”). Hearing her sobbing, Su Ming’s rare maternal instincts were awakened.

“I think I’ve gotten into trouble,” Guoguo’s voice was tearful.

“What happened? Take your time,” Su Ming said patiently.

“I tried to celebrate with Susu last night, but he ignored me. So I went to a bar. I just woke up today and found myself in bed with a woman…”

Su Ming took a breath. “Do you know the woman?”

Guoguo said, “She seems to be Gu Shiyue’s mom…”

Su Ming’s brain buzzed. No way it’s this melodramatic? She thought she was in a pure campus Yuri novel.

Thankfully, Guoguo finally cleared her throat. “Actually… she seems to be a friend of Gu Shiyue’s mom.”

Su Ming breathed a sigh of relief and soothed her. “Don’t be afraid. I’m coming to find you right now. You weren’t bullied, were you?”

“I’m fine… wail… but I think I slept with her. I only like Susu! I’m straight! What should I do? Am I going to be wanted by the entire ‘lesbian city’?”

Su Ming: “…”