Chapter 85: Extra - Family Portrait
This translation is originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com please read it there. and check out other stories too.
Before taking her annual leave, Wen Ruoxian attended a simultaneous interpretation conference.
The client was someone she'd worked with multiple times. She thought she could wrap up the year's work on a perfect note after finishing this job, but instead, she ended up feeling disgusted.
"It's not that I won't pay the remaining amount. You did make several mistakes that affected our speeches and progress..."
"Mr. Xu, if I remember correctly, you repeatedly changed your speech at the last minute, making it very different from the original materials. That's what caused these issues."
The cunning old man didn't want to pay the remaining fee. Wen Ruoxian argued with him based on reason. However, she was still young and couldn't match these seasoned veterans' thick-skinned nature. Plus, because he was an old client, the contract wasn’t drafted meticulously. After a few rounds of back-and-forth, it seemed like she was going to suffer a silent loss.
The exhibition hall was bustling with people coming and going.
Song Yulan took the sightseeing elevator down to this level and spotted Wen Ruoxian from afar. The person next to her looked familiar too.
"Ruoxian—"
Both turned their heads at the same time.
Song Yulan walked over with a cheerful smile, naturally and affectionately putting her arm around Wen Ruoxian. She pretended to be surprised and said, "Why didn’t you tell Mom you were coming here today?"
The cunning old man saw her and his face changed dramatically.
Wen Ruoxian thought of Qingluo acting spoiled at home and followed suit, hugging Song Yulan and mimicking her: "Mom, I’m so tired. I worked so hard, and they’re still picking on me. What should I do…?"
She wasn’t sure how well she imitated Qingluo, but her face felt a bit stiff.
"Oh?" Song Yulan glanced at the old man, her smile fading.
The cunning old man's face turned green. His eyes darted between the two of them, and he forced an awkward smile. "So, this is Ms. Song’s daughter! Haha, no, no, we were just discussing some details earlier…"
He babbled on, afraid that speaking too slowly might get him into trouble. He even tried to cozy up to them.
Song Yulan responded perfunctorily and then left with Wen Ruoxian.
All the way to the underground parking lot, Song Yulan didn’t let go of Wen Ruoxian’s hand. Wen Ruoxian, feeling embarrassed, carefully released her hand when she saw no one around.
"Auntie, thank you."
She leaned against Song Yulan, catching the faint and elegant fragrance on her.
The soft, glossy white cashmere coat, her hair as smooth and shiny as silk, paired with simple pearl earrings and a plain silver ring. Her makeup was light, yet she exuded an air of graceful sophistication.
"Your way of addressing me changed pretty quickly," Song Yulan teased her.
Wen Ruoxian blushed, and her ears gradually warmed up. She gave a shy smile and said, "Mm... I was imitating Qingluo."
"Speaking of Qingluo, this morning I asked her if she wanted the driver to pick you up. She said you’d come over yourself after finishing your work. Who would’ve thought, by coincidence, I’d run into you here this afternoon while visiting the exhibition? Perfect timing—we can go home together."
This year, they were spending the Spring Festival vacationing in the Southern Hemisphere.
Everything was arranged, and they were set to depart the morning after tomorrow. Their family of four had welcomed a new member, making this year particularly special.
"Alright."
Wen Ruoxian glanced at her phone. Half an hour ago, Qingluo had messaged her, saying she had just left. She should be arriving soon. Both of their luggage was already in the car, and they were staying at Changdao Junting tonight.
The cunning old man also sent her a message apologizing and directly transferred the remaining payment through private channels.
She decided she wouldn’t work with someone like him again.
The driver was already waiting. Song Yulan gently put her arm around Wen Ruoxian and helped her into the car. Noticing her unease, she asked kindly, "Would you mind telling me what happened?"
Wen Ruoxian met her warm gaze. Her eyes were like rippling lakes, clear and vast, with unfathomable depth. There was a natural kindness and all-encompassing love in her smile, making one want to draw close and pour out everything.
Wen Ruoxian recounted her experience today, detail by detail.
As she spoke, it was as though she were a child complaining to a parent after being wronged outside. Without realizing it, her tone grew more and more aggrieved.
When she finished, the car fell into a brief silence. It wasn’t until then that she regained her composure, realizing she might have said too much, crossed a line, or left Song Yulan with the impression that she was fragile and overly emotional.
"That bastard made you suffer." Song Yulan sighed softly and held her hand affectionately.
Wen Ruoxian lowered her gaze.
Wen Ruoxian’s hand rested against the woman’s warm palm. The nerve that made her sensitive to physical contact seemed to have dulled, letting the warmth flow into her heart.
"Auntie, do you know him?"
"Not really. I’ve seen him a few times at dinner parties. He’s always trying to connect with us. He’s good at talking but bad at getting things done. I don’t think much of him," Song Yulan said with a dismissive shake of her head.
"He can afford to put on a show but still tries to cut corners on your hard-earned money. Saying business isn’t good is just an excuse. He’s only bullying you because you’re a familiar client. He’s just a small fry, not worth worrying about."
To Wen Ruoxian, he seemed like a pretty big client, but to Song Yulan, he was just a small fry.
The way Song Yulan complained reminded Wen Ruoxian of Qingluo. Her eyebrows raised slightly, her lips puckered, giving off a playful vibe. She wasn’t as delicate or sweetly charming as Qingluo, but still very cute.
They really were mother and daughter.
Wen Ruoxian looked at her, as if seeing a more mature version of Qingluo.
"Mm, I understand. I won’t work with him again. If I hadn’t run into you today, Auntie, I would’ve just accepted it. Next time, I’ll definitely be more careful, especially about my personality..."
She thought she should reflect on herself rather than completely push the blame. Song Yulan’s comfort was one thing, but on another level, maybe Song Yulan thought she couldn’t handle things—that even at her age, she was still a bit naive.
When she had worked as the client before, Wen Ruoxian only viewed Song Yulan professionally. But now there was a new relationship and identity. This made her feel more personal emotions toward her.
"You’re my goddaughter. What mother wouldn’t help her child?" Song Yulan said, smiling as she patted her hand.
"And as for your personality, everyone has their own way of living. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with you."
She’d been seen through.
Wen Ruoxian coughed lightly and smiled with her lips pressed together.
So obedient and shy, she looked even more like her own little daughter. The more Song Yulan looked at her, the more she liked her. She sighed and said, "Such a good child, always keeping everything bottled up. It makes people feel so sorry for you."
The last person who said they felt sorry for her bottling things up was Qingluo.
"Auntie..." Wen Ruoxian’s eyes felt a little sore, and her smile carried a hint of bitterness. "Meeting you and Qingluo makes me feel very happy."
Song Yulan gently tucked the loose strands of hair behind her ear. "If you say that, happiness must go both ways."
As soon as she said this, her phone rang. The caller ID showed the name "Xiao Yun." Wen Ruoxian accidentally caught a glimpse but quickly turned her face away.
It was probably Qingluo’s godmother, Shi Yunqiu.
"I’m on my way."
"You didn’t come with me."
"You’ll know when I get back. Oh, come on, it’s just a few minutes."
"How can it still be called a surprise if I tell you in advance?"
Wen Ruoxian openly "eavesdropped" while sending Qingluo a message, letting her know she was on her way home. Not long after, she received a long voice message from Qingluo.
She was about to play it but remembered Song Yulan was beside her. If it turned out to be something private or romantic, it wouldn’t be great for her mom to overhear.
So she converted it to text instead—
[Ruoxian, I’m dead! I made a huge mess. Wuwu, just now I wanted to test the self-driving feature, and it rushed out and crashed into the greenhouse. It went bang, and then the whole thing collapsed... completely!]
Seeing the word "collapsed," Wen Ruoxian was startled. She quickly typed back: [Are you okay? Are you hurt?]
She pulled out her headphones, put them on, and listened to the message again.
[I’m fine. I wasn’t in the car. But all the flowers Mom planted are destroyed, wuwu… They were all rare species! They were supposed to be a gift for my godmother. What should I do…? I’m dead, so dead…]
[How long until you guys arrive? Can you stall my mom for me? Actually, it’s no use. There’s no way to fix this. I’m totally done for. My mom is really going to kill me, wuwu…]
She sent three crying cat emojis in a row.
Is it really that bad?
Wen Ruoxian wanted to laugh but held it in. She patiently typed a message to comfort her.
….
Changdao Junting.
The east courtyard of the main building was a complete mess. Broken glass and pieces of clay pots were scattered everywhere. Soil was splattered around, and flower petals and leaves had been ripped out by the roots, lying all over the place, crushed beyond recognition.
The brand-new car, parked in an outdoor spot nearby, had a dent the size of a basketball on its hood.
The red brick wall separating it from the greenhouse had also collapsed.
"Why didn’t I spend more time reading the instructions? Why didn’t I go to the public area outside? I should just hit myself!" Song Qingluo flopped onto the sofa, looking devastated.
"What do I do, Chuchu?"
Shi Chuning sighed repeatedly. "Pray for blessings."
"Wuwu."
This was a pretty serious matter.
Recently, her godmother has taken a liking to planting and gardening. Ms. Song collected some rare flower species, and personally planted and carefully nurtured them, intending to give them as a gift to her.
Flowers that bloom in winter are rare, and before going on vacation, Ms. Song wanted to surprise Ms. Shi.
Not earlier, not later, it just had to be today.
Song Qingluo was completely hopeless.
If Ms. Song were just growing them for her own enjoyment, it wouldn’t matter even if she accidentally ruined them or deliberately threw them away. But these were gifts for her godmother! Her dear godmother, who is the apple of Ms. Song's eye, and her untouchable treasure.
Although, she is also the most cherished in Ms. Song's heart.
Ai.
"How about, when Mom comes back, you just say it was you who accidentally caused it?" Song Qingluo leaned pitifully against Shi Chuning.
Her godmother’s real daughter—Song Yulan spoiled her too much to blame her.
Saving a sister’s life is a noble deed!
"What?" Shi Chuning tugged her ear. "Then my mom would definitely punish me, okay? You’re really my dear sister, huh."
"Sisters shouldn’t leave each other to fend for themselves..."
Footsteps sounded behind them.
"Chuchu, Qingluo?" Speaking of godmother, and godmother appears.
Shi Yunqiu had come downstairs at some point. Her tall figure appeared beside the sofa, watching the two girls mess around. "Did you guys hear something? It was really loud, and seemed to be coming from the east building."
She had just returned and changed into a new outfit. A fitted turtleneck clung to the curves of her waist, paired with a pencil skirt that highlighted her long legs. Her hair cascaded down to her collarbone, and all her jewelry had been neatly removed.
"…"
Shi Chuning became mute.
Song Qingluo shrank her neck even further.
"I’ll go take a look.”
Shi Yunqiu was about to leave when Shi Chuning suddenly jumped up and grabbed her. "Mom!"
"?"
"You have to promise me that when godmother comes back, no matter what happens, you’ll protect Qingluo."
Shi Yunqiu looked them up and down, then pointed at each of them with her finger. "You two little troublemakers, what are you up to this time, hmm?"
"…"
"You caused some trouble."
Ms. Shi’s tone was a statement, not a question.
Song Qingluo nodded furiously like a pecking chick. She was just about to confess everything when the elevator hall doors opened. Song Yulan and Wen Ruoxian walked in, one after the other, looking cheerful and relaxed.
"Babies, you’re all here."
Her smiling gaze landed on Shi Yunqiu. After winking playfully, she led Wen Ruoxian over to her daughter. "Qingluo, you and Chuchu take Ruoxian upstairs and see if there’s anything else to add to the luggage. Come down later for dinner."
"Mom~"
At this moment, Song Qingluo couldn’t care about her wife anymore. She hummed as she threw herself into Song Yulan’s arms. "Tell me, am I your favorite baby?"
As she spoke, she kissed her mother’s face.
"Yes."
"Then let me tell you something. You definitely won’t blame me, right?"
Song Yulan felt uneasy.
She knew her daughter well. At home, Qingluo was always calling her "Mom" sweetly, hugging and kissing her for no reason. But when did she ever need to emphasize it like this? Just look at that guilty face, clearly up to something.
"Mm, go ahead."
"Come with me..."
Song Qingluo linked arms with her mother and led her toward the east door. The others followed, walking through a long corridor. When they opened the door to the courtyard, Song Yulan had a faint sense of foreboding and began to feel uneasy.
The quiet courtyard was littered with broken branches and leaves, lifeless and desolate.
She froze.
Shi Yunqiu was also stunned.
The collapsed red brick wall had shattered the greenhouse glass. Soil-grown and water-grown plants were all smashed to pieces. The mud was streaked with tire marks, and the crushed petals had oozed sap—a truly tragic sight.
"I wanted to test the remote control feature of the self-driving function, but I made a mistake, and... and this is what happened." Song Qingluo explained softly, her head hanging low.
"I’m sorry."
It wasn’t just the wall that collapsed, nor was it only a few pots of flowers that were destroyed—it was her hard work, her hopes, and her surprise.
Everything was gone.
"Crashing like this? Darling, are you okay? Let me take a look. Oh, you silly child..." Shi Yunqiu pulled Song Qingluo into her arms, then subtly nudged her toward Song Yulan, brushing against her clothes.
Song Yulan finally reacted, turning around to examine her daughter from head to toe.
"I wasn’t in the car, I’m fine. But I was so scared. If I had been in the car, I might not be here with you now, wu." Song Qingluo played along, carefully snuggling up to her mom.
She was trying to stir up some motherly love.
Whether it was because Song Yulan felt reassured seeing her lively and unharmed, or because this little act didn’t work in the face of her ruined efforts, Song Yulan’s expression remained stern, her gaze growing colder.
"Mom?"
"Mommy..."
It’s over.
Someone, save her!
Is it still possible to escape with her wife now?
"Did I or did I not tell you to stay away from this courtyard? Did I or did I not tell you not to use the outdoor parking spot next door for now?"
"You did."
"How many times?"
"Twice."
Song Yulan took a deep breath. Once again, she had the urge to smack her daughter, but with the whole family present, she couldn’t lose her temper. She forced herself to stay calm.
She turned to grab the broom in the corner, but when she looked back, Song Qingluo had already darted behind Shi Yunqiu, scared out of her wits. "Ah, godmother, save me!"
"Alright, alright, Qingluo didn’t do it on purpose. It’s just a few pots of flowers—if they’re gone, we can plant more anytime. I really don’t mind," Shi Yunqiu said casually, fully intent on defending Qingluo.
The courtyard suddenly fell silent.
Song Yulan stared at her in disbelief. Her eyes quickly reddened, glistening with tears.
"I..."
Shi Yunqiu realized she had said something wrong.
The three girls each had a different expression. Shi Chuning kept giving her mom meaningful looks, Wen Ruoxian seemed confused, and Song Qingluo focused on looking down, avoiding eye contact.
"Song Qingluo, come here."
"!!"
"Clean this place up before dinner." Song Yulan threw the broom at her daughter’s feet and walked away, disappointment written all over her.
Song Qingluo stood there, dumbfounded.
That’s it?
She thought her mom would hit her.
Watching her mother’s figure move farther away, her heart felt heavy, like it was being pricked and scratched.
….
Fifth floor.
Shi Yunqiu arrived at the door of the east master bedroom and gently pushed it. It didn’t open. She tried using the fingerprint lock, but it showed as locked from the inside.
"Xiao Yu?"
She knocked on the door and waited for a while. "Baby Xiao Yu?"
"It’s me, Xiao Yu."
"Can you open the door, please?"
Shi Yunqiu took out her phone and made a call. It rang for a long time, but no one answered.
She kept knocking.
"Xiao Yu…"
"You really don’t want to talk to me?"
"I already feel sad because the gift is gone. Now you don’t even want to speak to me."
The surveillance camera could see and hear everything. If Song Xiao Yu gets angry, it's hard to appease her, but she has a soft heart.
"Fine, I’ll leave then."
Before she could take a step away, the door automatically unlocked and opened.
Inside the bedroom, all the lights were on, and a calming, soothing scent lingered in the air. Shi Yunqiu took a few steps forward and noticed earrings, rings, and the coat she had gifted her, all scattered on the carpet.
She quietly picked them up.
The coat was hung up properly. She brushed out the tangled fur with a soft brush and moved it to the dressing room to air out. She opened the island drawer, lifted the third glass panel, and returned the earrings and ring to their place.
She was familiar with the layout of her bedroom and aware of her daily habits.
After spending seven or eight minutes on these tasks, Shi Yunqiu leisurely headed inside, "Xiao Yu, I’m coming in, okay?"
Song Yulan was lying diagonally on the soft couch on the balcony, like a lazy lioness.
As Shi Yunqiu approached, she noticed Song Yulan’s shoulders were slightly hunched, her face turned inward. Her loose hair covered her eyes, and her breathing was heavy, carrying a faint nasal sound.
"Are you mad?"
Shi Yunqiu sat down and gently brushed her hair aside, revealing eyes brimming with tears. "Xiao Yu…"
She hurriedly wiped her tears.
"Say what you just said again," Song Yulan pushed her hand away, her voice slightly hoarse.
"I’m sorry."
"Not that."
Shi Yunqiu held her hand to her own cheek. "Forgive me, baby. I misspoke. You know I could never think that way in my heart."
Song Yulan struggled twice but couldn’t break free. She glared at her angrily. "I know? Yes, I know you don’t care at all. Just a few pots of flowers, gone is gone…"
"I care," Shi Yunqiu interrupted.
"From the day you told me about it, I’ve cared. Is it the flowers you wanted to plant but hadn’t yet? Or the ones I’ve never heard of or seen? I care, and I care that Xiao Yu is so clumsy—she can’t even keep goldfish alive for three days, so how can she take care of flowers? That’s why I thought, for you to prepare this gift, you must have put so much effort into it. You must have learned everything and done it all yourself."
"I care about you, baby. Without you, they’d just be a few pots of flowers. With you, they’re the most precious thing to me." Shi Yunqiu held her close, letting out a long sigh.
If it had been a minor squabble, coaxing would have been enough. But clearly, this wasn’t so simple. After decades spent together day in and day out, she knew her best.
Song Yulan lowered her gaze in silence. After a while, she finally said, "Do you think I’m mad just because of the flowers?"
"Of course not. It’s because of my awful mouth, spouting nonsense and letting you down."
Shi Yunqiu finished speaking and lightly slapped her own face, like waving away air rather than hitting herself. Song Yulan grew anxious and pulled her hand away. "Good that you know."
"Wasn’t this just to stop you from hitting the child?"
"When have I ever hit her? Qingluo’s grown up so much—how many times have I actually hit her? Even if I really did, so what? I’ve warned her countless times. The huge underground parking lot and backyard are there, but she just had to park there for convenience. Flowers can be replanted, but what if something happened to her? What would I do? Hitting her once would be considered light!"
"Yes, yes, that child needs some discipline.”
"Hmph, you’re all talk, but just now you were quicker to defend her than anyone else." Song Yulan pinched her.
"Ouch."
Shi Yunqiu pretended to be in pain, tilting her head to nuzzle against her face, coaxing her gently. "I can’t help it. Qingluo is your own daughter. My baby’s baby. If it were Chuchu who did this, I bet before I even found out, you’d already have carried her and run eight hundred miles away."
Fair enough.
Song Yulan looked exasperated. "She’s so mischievous, I don’t even know who she takes after."
"You."
"?"
"You were just as mischievous when you were little, remember? If you weren’t disciplined for three days, you’d be climbing the roof and tearing it apart. Mother and daughter in harmony, chaos everywhere. When you got into trouble, you’d either act all innocent or run straight to my house..." As she spoke, Shi Yunqiu burst into laughter.
Song Yulan couldn’t help but laugh too. She shifted into a more comfortable position, lying in her arms. "That was so many years ago."
"Yes, so many years."
Shi Yunqiu stroked her hair, a hint of melancholy in her expression.
Back then, they lived in the same compound, and their families were the closest. They ate, slept, went to school, and played together, inseparable every day. Not blood sisters, but closer than real ones.
Song Yulan was the leader of the kids, while Shi Yunqiu was the big sister of the group. Though their personalities seemed similar, there were subtle differences. Shi Yunqiu, as the eldest in her family, was strong-willed, decisive, and authoritative. Song Yulan, the youngest in hers, was full of mischief and loved causing a stir.
Xiao Yu only behaved obediently in front of Shi Yunqiu, and Shi Yunqiu was the only one who couldn’t do anything about Xiao Yu.
They grew up bickering, and in the blink of an eye, half a lifetime had passed.
Time really flies.
"Mm-hmm..." Song Yulan loved having her head stroked. She closed her eyes in comfort, her face full of contentment.
"Not mad anymore, baby?"
"I’m sad."
"What?"
"Flowers can bloom again, but youth doesn’t return. At this age, every year that passes is one less year ahead. How many more surprises can we have? How much longer can we be there for each other?"
By the end, her voice choked with emotion.
Shi Yunqiu felt a pang in her heart, her eyes stinging. She quickly spat twice, "Bah, bah! It’s New Year’s—don’t say things like that."
Last spring, she had a health scare during a check-up, underwent a minor surgery, and stayed in the hospital for a week. While she herself wasn’t too affected, Song Yulan had been worried sick, unable to eat or sleep well for over a month. That anxiety had taken root ever since.
She was sad too.
On this matter, she was weaker than Xiao Yu. Though she seemed focused on the present, in truth, she was avoiding the issue.
"I’m going to say it."
"Xiao Yu..."
"Alright, alright."
Song Yulan buried her face in Shi Yunqiu’s neck. She stayed quiet for barely three seconds before stubbornly muttering, "Anyway, you’re not allowed to die before me."
Tsk.
Shi Yunqiu slapped her leg lightly, putting on her authoritative big-sister demeanor. "Say the word ‘die’ one more time and see what happens. Can’t you wish me well instead?"
This time, it really went silent.
After a while with no response, Shi Yunqiu started to regret it, thinking she might have hit her too hard. She began rubbing her leg while calling out, "Xiao Yu?"
"Mm."
A trembling nasal sound.
Shi Yunqiu turned her face toward her, only to see tears streaming down her cheeks, her face like a rain-soaked pear blossom.
Suddenly, she didn’t know what to say. She wiped her tears, her palm damp, as if she were caught in an endless rainy season, the air heavy with moisture, suffocating.
Song Xiao Yu was still the little sister who relied on her.
"Those flowers were your blessings and hopes, weren’t they? Blooming flowers represent life flourishing. But when they were destroyed by accident, you felt it was a bad omen. Because of what happened last year when I was hospitalized, you’ve been scared. Even the slightest thing makes you anxious, but you didn’t want me to know, so you kept it to yourself, thinking you hid it well. Silly girl."
She understood everything.
Song Yulan turned her back to her. "No, I didn’t."
"I’ll count to three. Turn back. One, two, three."
She didn’t move.
Shi Yunqiu moved to the other side and sat down, forcibly turning her around. "You mother and daughter have the exact same temper—so stubborn. You’re really my two enemies!"
Song Yulan didn’t speak or resist, leaning against her and closing her eyes.
Obedient as a cat.
Half-asleep, her phone suddenly vibrated. She frowned impatiently, glancing at the table without any intention of picking it up.
"Not answering again?" Shi Yunqiu knew who was calling.
Family and work calls were set to ring—one she didn’t want to miss, the other tied to her interests. Only the unlucky boyfriend’s calls were set to vibrate, and whether she answered depended on her mood.
Song Yulan wasn’t in the mood to deal with it. "Don’t bother me."
Shi Yunqiu picked up the phone for her and hung up. Just as she was about to put it down, two WeChat messages popped up on the screen. Her face instantly unlocked, revealing the content.
"He says he misses you and asks if you can meet before the New Year."
"No time."
"Alright.”
Shi Yunqiu thought for a moment and changed the reply to "No time."
This way, it didn’t come across as too harsh. After all, in a relationship, there’s no need to speak with barbs and risk hurting feelings just because of a moment of irritation—only to have to make up for it later.
The other party kept messaging, starting to plead.
"…"
Shi Yunqiu was still thinking about how to respond when Song Yulan, having waited a while without feeling her shoulder, opened her eyes. Dissatisfied, she snatched the phone away, typed "Keep pestering and you’re out," and tossed it aside.
Forget it.
Let her handle it.
If she couldn’t smooth things over later, she’d just replace him.
Shi Yunqiu chuckled, pulling her into an embrace and stroking her hair. "Feeling sleepy?"
"A little."
Song Yulan yawned.
After crying so much, no amount of coaxing could help. She just needed to sleep it off and feel better when she woke up. Shi Yunqiu found it amusing.
"Go sleep on the bed. It’ll be more comfortable."
She shook her head.
Hooking her arms around Shi Yunqiu’s neck, she leaned against her in a crooked, unsteady position.
"Can your back handle this?"
Didn't move.
"Still being stubborn with me? What did the doctor say last time? At your age, you should know better. Lie down!" Shi Yunqiu turned her over, laying her flat on the sun lounge. The hand Song Yulan had hooked around her neck slowly loosened and dropped down.
"Don’t go."
"Mm, I’ll stay with you."
Shi Yunqiu brought over a blanket, covered her up, and lay down herself.
She wasn’t sleepy. Her mind was a chaotic mess, with unrelated images flashing by like a disjointed film reel, jumping randomly.
"Xiao Yu."
The person next to her paused in breathing, her face turned toward her, though her eyes remained shut.
Shi Yunqiu knew she was listening, but she still gazed at the ceiling, speaking into the air: "No matter what happens, as long as our family is still together, I’ll be happy. To me, that’s what happiness and hope mean."
"Let’s plant the flowers again, together."
She turned her face toward her, and Song Yulan opened her eyes, gripping her hand tightly.
"Alright."
….
At six o’clock, the sky had turned dark.
Song Qingluo insisted on cleaning up the courtyard by herself. In the middle of winter, she bundled up in a hat, scarf, and down jacket, working outdoors for half an hour. Exhausted and sore, she finally gave in—
Shi Chuning and Wen Ruoxian came to help. The three of them divided the tasks and worked together, managing to finish cleaning up before nightfall.
Looking at the tidy courtyard, Song Qingluo didn’t feel much joy. Her stomach kept growling, reminding her she was hungry, but she couldn’t muster the energy to eat.
Back inside, she took off her gear and slumped onto the sofa, listless.
Wen Ruoxian noticed her mood and felt a pang of sadness, unsure how to comfort her. She quietly asked Shi Chuning, "Is it really that serious?"
Shi Chuning shrugged and spread her hands.
"Let me put it this way: Qingluo has always been bold enough to mess with anyone, except my mom. Because godmother really will hit her."
Song Qingluo’s first time being hit by her biological mom was when she was seven years old. She played a prank on Ms. Shi, who took it seriously and ended up missing a performance by an artist she loved—a final public show that left her with regret. When Ms. Song questioned her later and realized the truth, she went home that night and gave Song Qingluo a spanking.
Originally, Ms. Shi didn’t know about it. Late at night, Song Qingluo called her crying, saying she wanted to run away from home.
That night, Ms. Shi had to comfort both the little one and the big one, keeping herself busy.
Sometimes, when Song Qingluo had minor conflicts with her mom, she would go to her godmother, feeling aggrieved, and ask her to "deal with Ms. Song." Every time, Ms. Shi would comfort her, pretending to criticize Ms. Song.
This translation is originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com please read it there. and check out other stories too.
With Shi Chuning, the roles were reversed.
Ms. Shi was stricter when it came to raising her child. Compared to Song Qingluo, she was the one who often went to her godmother to "deal with Ms. Shi." As a child, this tactic worked particularly well for her.
The family lived a lively and bustling life, and before they knew it, many years had passed.
They had grown up.
"But for this matter, I don’t think it’s about whether it’s serious or not. Those flowers, rather than being a gift for my mom, were more like a form of emotional expression. Qingluo probably understands that too, so right now, she’s not afraid of her godmother being angry, but rather…
"Guilt," Wen Ruoxian finished her sentence.
Shi Chuning nodded.
"So what should we do?"
"Don’t worry, my mom can handle it. It’s not a big deal."
After sitting with Song Qingluo for a while, Shi Chuning received a call from her mom, asking why they hadn’t come to dinner. The moment the speakerphone was turned on, Song Qingluo jumped up and bolted straight to the dining room.
A sumptuous dinner was set on the round table, with the warming equipment still running.
The sound of running water came from the bathroom.
"Godmother~"
Song Qingluo darted inside, throwing herself into Shi Yunqiu’s arms as she was washing her hands. "I’m sorry! I ruined your gift. When we’re back, I’ll learn how to plant flowers, fill the entire courtyard with them, and make it up to you. Will you forgive me?"
"No matter how many you plant, they won’t be the original flowers." Shi Yunqiu didn’t even glance at her.
Song Qingluo looked small, helpless, and pitiful. "Godmother…"
"Just kidding, you silly child. What’s there to forgive or not forgive?" Shi Yunqiu couldn’t hold back her laughter and flicked water onto her face.
"But next time, you can’t do something so dangerous again."
Song Qingluo nodded vigorously. "Absolutely no next time." After speaking, she kissed her cheek. "I knew my godmother still loves me, hehe."
She hesitated, some words stuck in her throat. Seeing that Shi Yunqiu didn’t seem to have any intention of bringing it up herself, she struggled for a moment before cautiously asking, "How’s Mom?"
It seemed Shi Yunqiu had been waiting for her to ask. Her smile faded. "Cried herself to sleep."
"Ah??"
Song Qingluo’s face turned pale, and she looked a little flustered. "Then… then she… won’t eat?"
"Let her sleep first. If she wakes up feeling hungry, make some supper and bring it to her. But ideally, she sleeps through till morning."
"Mm."
"This time, you really went too far, Qingluo. Your mom is genuinely heartbroken." Shi Yunqiu patted her on the shoulder, pulling a tissue to wipe the water off her face.
It was sadness, not anger.
That’s right.
Song Qingluo lowered her head, a thin mist forming in her eyes. She blinked twice, holding back the tears.
"She cherished those flowers so much and even told me to keep it a secret. She said blooming flowers would bring good luck. The same type of flower, blooming in a different color each season, would make it feel like there were flowers blooming all year round, never fading."
Spring, summer, autumn, winter—a garden always in bloom.
And now, that beautiful hope had been destroyed by her own hands.
….
After dinner, Song Qingluo said she wanted to go upstairs to keep watch, and Wen Ruoxian went with her. Shi Chuning wanted to go too, but her mom stopped her—
The matter had been more or less resolved, and what remained was between mother and daughter.
"Mom, be honest, are you upset?"
"Of course."
"Are you upset about the flowers, or about godmother?"
"Both."
The two of them sat on the sofa eating fruit. Shi Yunqiu fed her daughter a strawberry. "When Qingluo was testing the car, you were there—why didn’t you stop her? If it had caught fire or exploded, how dangerous would that have been?"
"I tried to stop her. I was going to drive it to the backyard myself, but she said she wanted to test the map memory function and accidentally pressed the wrong button on the remote. She wasn’t familiar with the new car, so that’s how it happened. Luckily, she wasn’t inside."
Shi Chuning swallowed the strawberry and went on to recount the entire incident in detail.
After listening, Shi Yunqiu sat in thought for a long time before saying, "Send the car for an inspection. I’ll get in touch with their boss another day."
"Is there a problem with the car?"
"It’s only reassuring if we rule it out completely."
Shi Chuning made a gesture, signaling she had it under control.
"Oh, Grandma called me today, asking when we’d go back. I said when the vacation’s over. Then she started asking about godmother and Qingluo… Haha, you know."
They exchanged glances and smiled knowingly.
It was probably Ms. Song’s family who asked Grandma to bring it up, skirting around the issue. In the past, at least they’d contact Ms. Shi first, but now they went straight to the younger generation, beating around the bush because they didn’t want to lose face. Honestly, what’s the point?
"She also tried introducing me to a ‘marriage alliance’ match—a high-ranking official’s son. I turned it down. There’s no way I’d marry someone like that."
"Not anyone."
"?"
Her mom’s suddenly serious tone left Shi Chuning feeling a little wronged.
It was just last year that she casually brought up asset planning and prenuptial agreements. She was purely curious, but since it was during her honeymoon phase of dating, Ms. Shi misunderstood and became unusually vigilant.
"Don’t think about testing me. No means no. Date ten or eight people, I don’t care, but dare bring one home, and I’ll throw you out along with them."
Shi Yunqiu dropped her stern face, enunciating each word.
Such a ruthless mother.
Shi Chuning’s rebellious streak kicked in, and she shouted, "I wasn’t testing you! You’re the one being overly sensitive and not trusting me!"
Another enemy to the list.
"I trust, I trust," Shi Yunqiu said as she picked up a strawberry and stuffed it into her mouth, cutting off any further protests.
"Mm-mmph—"
The mother and daughter both burst into laughter.
….
East master bedroom.
After a short sleep, Song Yulan woke up to find Shi Yunqiu was gone and her daughter sitting by the side of the couch, looking at her.
"Mom…"
She lifted the blanket and sat up. Song Qingluo eagerly helped her, pouring a glass of warm water she had prepared earlier and bringing it to her lips. "Have some water."
She took it herself and drank half.
"Mom, are you hungry? Should I make some midnight snacks? Ruoxian taught me how to cook noodles—let me show you what I’ve learned." Song Qingluo pulled out a tissue and carefully wiped her mouth.
Seeing her hair a bit messy, she reached out to tidy it. Spotting wrinkles in her clothes, she smoothed them out.
More meticulous than the attendants serving an empress.
Song Yulan glanced at the clock. It was just past eight o’clock. Though she felt somewhat hungry, it wasn’t urgent enough to break her strict "no eating late" rule.
"I’m not eating."
"Aw."
"Is the courtyard clean now?"
"Mm-hmm. Ruoxian, Chuchu, and I worked on it for two hours. Before dinner, we cleaned it spotless. I even took pictures." Song Qingluo pulled out her photo gallery to show proof.
"I told you to clean it yourself, yet you’re so good at finding helpers."
"I tried! It was exhausting. My arms are still sore now. Besides, I just wanted to get it done quickly, to give closure and help mom feel more at ease."
Her attempt to curry favor was undeniably endearing.
She was her biological child, after all. Song Yulan closed her eyes and rubbed her temples, letting out a neutral "mm" without joy or anger.
After sleeping, her emotions had stabilized quite a bit.
"I have already apologized to my godmother. She said she forgives me, but I know this incident made you very sad. It doesn't matter even if you don't forgive me. You will always be my most beloved mother..." Song Qingluo hugged her and rubbed her, her voice getting smaller and smaller as she spoke.
Song Yulan relented and decided to hold on for another five minutes.
"I was wrong, Mom."
"I won't do it again.”
Three minutes would do, she thought.
"Wuwu…"
Her nose tingled, and the sobs came out, tears streaming down in big drops.
Song Yulan immediately surrendered, pulling her into her arms. "Don’t cry, don’t cry. Mom understands. I forgive you, alright?" She wiped her face and kissed her forehead.
"The anger has passed, and yes, I was a little sad. But no matter what, as long as you’re safe and you’re all still here with me, that’s what matters most. Our family being safe and happy is the most important thing."
Song Qingluo nodded, sniffling and hiccupping.
"When we get back from vacation, let Chuchu redesign the greenhouse, and we’ll replant the flowers together." The old greenhouse had also been designed by Chuchu, with some elements she had added to the plans.
"Alright," Song Yulan said with a doting smile. "Your godmother said she’d plant them with me."
"Oh no, I came late, couldn't even get in line," Song Qingluo joked, pulling a funny face.
"You’re not late. Actually, I have something to tell you."
"Huh?"
"Your car is confiscated. All your cards are locked for three months."
"…"
Truly her real mom.
She grabbed her vital point with one move.
Oh my, that wasn’t what she said earlier—just as long as she’s safe and happy, right? Now, without money, how can she be happy? If she’s unhappy, she’ll be frustrated, and safety will go out the window.
Her savings would barely last half a month; she spends faster than she earns.
"Oh."
Song Qingluo obediently accepted the punishment.
It didn’t matter—she still had her sister, her godmother, and her wife. She wouldn’t end up destitute.
"I’ll talk to Xiao Yun and Chuchu. As for Ruoxian… if she’s willing to let you live off her, that’s her choice. Whether you can feel at ease about it, that’s for you to figure out." Song Yulan pinched her ear, and with just a few words, she blocked off all escape routes.
Given her spending habits, unless she scrimped and saved, her wife’s savings would be nearly depleted within three months.
She couldn’t touch that money.
"Mom—"
Song Qingluo let out a desperate wail, wilting like the ruined flowers.
"I’m your biological, beloved baby. How can you be so heartless? Three months is such a long time. By then, I’ll be starving and depressed. You’ll feel bad for me, and I don’t want to see you worried."
"How about two months? Or leave me one card? Please, my beautiful, lovely, and kind angel mommy?"
Once Ms. Song made a decision, there was no room for negotiation.
She remained unmoved. "If you keep bargaining, I’ll extend it to six months."
Song Qingluo shut her mouth.
There were plenty of ways to escape; getting money wasn’t hard. But she knew this was a punishment for herself, so she willingly accepted it. After all, she wouldn’t starve or freeze—it just meant buying fewer clothes.
Even with her fate firmly gripped by the neck, she clung to her mother’s side, not planning to leave tonight.
"Where are the others?"
"Ruoxian is in my room reading. Godmother and Chuchu are sorting out the luggage."
"Go back," Song Yulan said, rubbing her head. "Ruoxian had a rough day too, and it’s the first night. Don’t leave her hanging."
"What rough day?"
"You ask her."
"But I told Ruoxian I’d sleep in your room tonight. She didn’t tell me anything happened to her."
Her innocent look made her mom shake her head in both exasperation and amusement.
Song Yulan shook her head and stood up. Song Qingluo grabbed her. "Where are you going?"
"To take a bath."
"I’ll go too."
"?"
"Let’s bathe together. I’m staying here tonight."
"How old are you, still wanting to bathe with your mom? Aren’t you embarrassed?" Ms. Song suspected her child had been overstimulated today.
"Oh, right."
Song Qingluo scratched her head and pointed at the door. "Then I’ll go take a bath and come back."
"No need to come back. Go keep Ruoxian company."
"If she needed me, she’d say so."
"Be good…" Song Yulan placed her hands on her shoulders and gently pushed her step by step toward the door. "It’s obvious she’s thinking about you and chose to stay silent. At times like this, you should be more attentive and notice the other person’s emotions."
"She’s probably waiting for me to finish things here before telling me because she loves me. Compared to her own troubles, she thinks my matters are more important. I’ll accept this love, and she knows I can give her the same love in return. We understand and trust each other."
Song Qingluo’s argument was flawless, leaving no room for criticism—clearly a skill she had inherited from Wen Ruoxian.
She had grown up.
Impressive.
"Isn’t it already resolved now?" Ms. Song was still struggling.
"Ugh, why are you making it sound like completing a task? I just want to sleep in your room, can’t I? You used to always tell me to come home, and now you’re pushing me away. Hmph."
"…"
Song Yulan raised her hands in surrender.
….
On the morning of departure, the family took a group photo on the plane.
"Ah, Shi Chuchu! Did you capture an ugly photo of me??"
"My hands slipped, slipped, haha… Ah, help! Murder!!"
"Careful not to hit your head."
"Ruoxian, she’s bullying me. Let’s team up, two against one, come on."
"Is that fair?"
"Exactly, exactly, not fair."
"Old-fashioned, so old-fashioned…"
"Ahem."
The kids were playing around in the back, their voices growing louder and louder. The two mothers leaned against each other, watching a movie, seemingly unaffected.
Wen Ruoxian gestured, "Keep it down."
"Okay, okay."
The two sisters quieted down.
Feeling defeated, Song Qingluo let out a soft hum, hugged Wen Ruoxian, and sneaked a glance at the moms. Seeing that no one was paying attention, she boldly kissed Wen Ruoxian on the lips.
Wen Ruoxian’s heart skipped a beat, then resumed.
This one.
A kissing maniac.
She used to wonder why Qingluo wasn’t sensitive about physical contact between women and could naturally hold hands with girls. Later, after being brought into this family by Qingluo and spending over a year with them, she went from initial shock to eventual acceptance. She finally understood—it was because the family atmosphere was like this, not some so-called "straight girl tricks."
Before her sexual orientation had even awakened, Qingluo had been surrounded and cared for by female relatives, sharing close bonds with her mothers and sisters.
And she herself, while accepting, was also accepted.
"Qingluo..."
Wen Ruoxian’s cheeks flushed as she glanced around. Shi Chuning was holding her phone, busy editing photos, while the two mothers remained focused on their movie.
Song Yulan and Shi Yunqiu’s heads were leaning against each other.
Ms. Song slightly turned her face, her mouth half-open, and Ms. Shi casually fed her a piece of fruit without taking her eyes off the screen, the motion so practiced it seemed like muscle memory.
"What are you doing?" Song Qingluo asked with a sly smile.
She just loved seeing her wife blush.
Too bad there was only one double bed on the plane; otherwise, what a wonderful scene they could have unlocked.
Wen Ruoxian lowered her head and bit her lips.
For the first time, she learned to fight back. She refused to back down. Song Qingluo flailed like a fish for a moment before obediently staying still until she was released.
Wen Ruoxian’s face lit up with a victorious smile.
"Take a look—does this edit work?" Shi Chuning poked Song Qingluo and handed her the phone, only to see her red-faced and out of breath.
"Wah—"
"Can’t stand young lovers."
On the phone was the group photo they had just taken.
The two mothers sat in the front, and the three children stood in the back. Song Qingluo was in the center, while Shi Chuning and Wen Ruoxian stood on either side, each holding up a hand to mimic rabbit ears above her head.
"Perfect," Wen Ruoxian said, imitating Qingluo’s tone.
Shi Chuning showed the photo to the moms, and it received unanimous approval.
The digital version would be used for posting online, and once they returned, the original image would be uploaded to the computer for professional post-processing, then framed and kept as a memento.
They had already collected over a dozen four-person family portraits.
This was their first one with five people.
Before saving it, Song Qingluo added a few words to the photo:
[Happy New Year]
Author's Note:
Happy New Year!
I really love this big family. Dedicated to the two best mother-daughter pairs, in memory of my utopia. (If I get itchy hands again, I will just start a separate extra story!)
