Volume One, Chapter 13: On the Subject of Love

When Xu Qingning returned home, her mind was still somewhat muddled.

The words she had just spoken were, frankly, no different from toying with someone's emotions.

If Pei Xi agreed, it meant not only would he be in a relationship with her, but he would also have to provide emotional and material support.

Yet all of this would end the moment the mission was over; she wouldn’t grant him any status, and would even draw a clear boundary between them.

Going out to nightlife spots for fun costs money—there was no way she could just freeload all the benefits herself.

No wonder Pei Xi remained silent for such a long time. If she were in his shoes, she wouldn’t just walk away quietly; she’d have slapped him twice. Even that would be a civilized response.

Only someone either utterly deluded or insane would agree to such an absurd request.

Fearing rejection or ridicule from Pei Xi, she didn’t even have the courage to look up and say goodbye; she turned and ran back.

As soon as she stepped inside, without even taking off her coat, she sat on the sofa and stared blankly at the ceiling.

“Sweetheart, why aren’t you asleep yet?” her mother asked, having just finished her shower and prepared to have a glass of milk. She opened the door to find Xu Qingning sitting in the living room.

“Was everything fine at home, but you got upset after seeing him off? You like little Pei so much, you’re already unhappy after parting?” her mother teased.

Xu Qingning smiled faintly. “Mommy, you really love teasing me.”

She patted the sofa. “Come, sit with me for a while.”

When her mother sat down, Xu Qingning leaned on her shoulder. “Mommy, when you and Dad decided to be together, did you ever worry about the possibility of being unhappy?”

“What’s wrong? Did you have a fight with little Pei?”

“No, I just wanted to ask.”

Her mother wrapped an arm around her, letting her lie down with her head on her lap, gently brushing her hair away from her forehead.

“To be honest, no, I didn’t.”

“Why not?”

Her mother touched her cheek. “The word ‘happiness’ means different things to different people. Some think having money is happiness; others think just having enough to eat is happiness.”

“For me back then, I was only afraid of not being able to share the future with your dad.”

“Do you think your mommy was a bit lovestruck?” Her mother smiled as Xu Qingning blinked in agreement.

“Want to know why?”

“Yes!”

Her mother sighed deeply. “When I was young, I worked as a marriage counselor. Back then, many couples stayed together because of their children or fear of public opinion, even if they fought all the time. They muddled through a lifetime.”

“My colleagues and I had daily mediation tasks—family disputes, mother-in-law conflicts, marital quarrels. Listening to all that made me dread marriage.”

At this, Xu Qingning’s eyes brightened. “So, Dad showed up at the crucial moment?”

Her mother chuckled, tapping her nose. “You little smart one. Your dad was rather clueless then, a civil lawyer who spent every day hanging around our mediation office.”

“When asked why he didn’t approach the clients directly, guess what he said?”

“What?”

“He said he was afraid of getting beaten up, so he didn’t dare to go.”

They both chuckled softly. Her mother pointed toward the bedroom. “Don’t wake your dad up. If he hears us badmouthing him, he’ll throw a tantrum.”

“What happened next?”

“I started to see him differently during one mediation session when the couple began fighting again. The man was losing face and about to strike. Your dad suddenly rushed over and pinned the man to the table.”

“He said that no one’s life belongs to anyone else—it belongs to oneself alone, and no one has the right to bind another with any excuse.”

“Wow, my dad is so cool!”

Her mother nodded. “When they started dating, your dad knew nothing but was willing to learn, asking about my thoughts and feelings. Don’t be fooled by his current romantic self; it was built bit by bit by both of us.”

“Eventually, I was the one who proposed marriage because your dad said marriage is a union of two families and a decision between two people. Women, due to childbirth and other reasons, often lose many personal rights in marriage.”

“So your dad said he wouldn’t act on his own accord. Even if we didn’t marry, he could date me forever. My work as a mediator gave me plenty of experience and lessons, and I wanted to try starting a new chapter.”

Xu Qingning sat up. “So you chose to marry?”

Her mother stroked her face. “Most people think marriage is a cage because the rights they should have are secretly taken away after they marry. But true marriage supports you in enjoying your original rights and has someone to back you up, willing to create more possibilities with you.”

“Looking back, our choice wasn’t wrong.”

“So, sweetheart,” her mother hugged her tightly, patting her back, “whether it’s love or life ahead, it takes two people working together. If you feel uncomfortable along the way, stop and communicate; even if you need to vent, express your feelings.”

“Those who love each other will naturally make adjustments. After this filtering, the one left standing will be the person who can walk with you till the end.”

Xu Qingning rested her head on her mother’s shoulder without speaking, clutching her arm a little tighter.

“Mommy, thank you.”

“Silly child, no need to say thanks in a family. Well, I’m a bit tired now. Time for bed.”

Xu Qingning nodded, letting go and sitting up obediently. “Good night, Mommy.”

Her mother kissed her cheek. “Good night, sweetheart.” She walked a few steps toward her room, then turned back. “Do you want Mommy to sleep with you tonight?”

Xu Qingning smiled. “What about Dad?”

“Who cares? He can’t even get jealous over his own daughter!”

They both laughed quietly, then hushed themselves. Xu Qingning waved her hand. “This time, I’ll let Dad have his turn. Next time I’m home, Mommy has to sleep with me!”

“Of course!”

After her mother went into her room, Xu Qingning curled up on the sofa. “Working together, huh?”

For her now, it felt difficult.

She was used to solving all problems on her own, afraid of troubling others or seeing their impatience. So she simply turned herself into someone who could do everything alone.

She was like a lone ranger, never joining teams or group activities. Compared to briefly having something and then losing it, never having it at all seemed easier to bear.

But Pei Xi’s arrival disrupted all that, or rather, from the moment the hidden trigger was activated, everything changed.

In trying to unlock the hidden ending by getting to know Pei Xi, she had unconsciously started to accept him as part of her life.

Now, she was even unsure whether she was just being overly dedicated or had already become somewhat immersed in the role.

Suddenly, a question arose: Pei Xi, did you really let me trigger the hidden ending just because of my demands?