Chapter 66: Auntie, My Mother Is in Heaven

Bai Qingxia had always preferred to keep her distance from every stranger who appeared around her.

She liked to walk close to the wall, not only to stay away from people but also to free one side of her body, avoiding contact and savoring the sense of security the wall provided.

This was not a symptom of any disorder; it was simply her habitual behavior.

The only two people in the world she felt safe enough to touch with that side of her body were her father and Lu Yuanqiu.

Because only these two could be trusted without reservation.

Now, the young girl stood in a shadowed corner, timidly watching the unfamiliar woman. She glanced at the woman's elegant, expensive attire and her refined bearing, and for a moment, Bai Qingxia dared not approach.

She could guess the woman's identity, and that was the main source of her nervousness—just as she had felt when first meeting Uncle Lu Tian.

Lu Yuanqiu gestured, “This is my mother. My father and I often talk about you, and she wanted to come meet you.”

Bai Qingxia nodded quickly, bowed, and greeted, “Hello, Auntie.”

“Hello, hello, Xia,” Su Xiaoya replied hurriedly.

She gazed at the girl with gentle eyes, finally understanding that her husband’s description of “as beautiful as a fairy” was not an exaggeration.

This girl was truly beautiful...

Anyone who saw her would surely feel the same admiration.

Yet, seeing the girl standing in the shadows, even Su Xiaoya, a woman herself, couldn’t help but feel a surge of tenderness.

Other children were either playing and laughing on the playground or waiting by the classroom door for their parents to come out; only Bai Qingxia sat alone in a rooftop corner, doing her homework.

Su Xiaoya was soft-hearted and easily moved. The more she thought, the more it weighed on her, though at this moment, she merely felt a pang in her nose. She couldn't possibly cry in front of the girl at their first meeting, before even exchanging a few words.

Seeing Bai Qingxia hesitate to step out of the shadow, Su Xiaoya walked over.

Standing before her, Su Xiaoya pointed to her chest.

“Xia, look, these little red flowers on me—here are four from Yuanqiu, and five from you. The teachers awarded them based on the results of the monthly exams.”

“His are for the greatest progress in the class, yours are for being the top student. All five of these belong to you. You’re amazing—five first places!”

Bai Qingxia lowered her head.

She stared at the little red flowers in surprise, her pupils unfocused, as if she hadn’t absorbed Su Xiaoya’s words.

Only one voice echoed in her mind—

“Xiaxia is so wonderful! Look, all these little red flowers on Mommy were just awarded by the teacher. The teacher said Xiaxia is the best-behaved child of all, right? Mommy’s good Xiaxia!”

The voice from memory faded, and Bai Qingxia slowly lifted her head, gazing blankly at the woman before her.

The kindly, blurred face from the past was gone, replaced by a gentle, unfamiliar one.

Bai Qingxia studied Su Xiaoya intently, silent as if she had lost her voice.

Receiving no response, Su Xiaoya glanced curiously at her son. Lu Yuanqiu seemed thoughtful.

To him, Bai Qingxia ought to be shy and reserved upon meeting his mother, but now she seemed lost in a daze.

“Bai Qingxia?” he called.

She looked at him, came to herself, then shifted her gaze back to Su Xiaoya. The face before her became clearer, and a hint of disappointment flickered in Bai Qingxia’s eyes. Her heart was suddenly pierced, and her eyes reddened.

“Thank you... Auntie,” she whispered, lowering her gaze and clutching her notebook.

Su Xiaoya sensed something amiss in the girl and spoke gently, “Xia, if you ever have anything you’d rather not tell Yuanqiu, you can always talk to me.”

Bai Qingxia smiled and shook her head, “Thank you, Auntie, but there’s nothing…”

But with your eyes so red, how can Auntie believe there’s nothing wrong?

Su Xiaoya was anxious.

The girl before her seemed so fragile, as if a single touch would shatter her, filling Su Xiaoya with both urgency and affection.

Back in her student days, Su Xiaoya knew the saddest moment at a parent-teacher meeting was when her own parents didn’t come, and her friends’ parents spoke to her, showing her care.

If Bai Qingxia was feeling sorrow for that reason, Su Xiaoya hoped she would use this opportunity to confide in her rather than keep it bottled up.

To Su Xiaoya, Bai Qingxia’s absent parents were not simply missing a meeting due to a rare circumstance.

“Xia, you’re close with Yuanqiu, and you help out at the supermarket with him every day. From now on, treat us as your family—I and your Uncle Lu, and Yuanqiu as well. Don’t ever feel you have to keep your distance.”

Perhaps it was these words that caused the girl’s defenses to fall away in an instant.

She finally looked up at Su Xiaoya, eyes red, choked with emotion, “When I was in kindergarten… my mother also attended a parent-teacher meeting. She wore lots of little red flowers, just like Auntie does now…”

Su Xiaoya held back her own sorrow, smiling as she gently stroked the girl’s head, “It’s alright, it’s alright. Your mother must have her own difficulties for not being here this time. What mother doesn’t love her child? People our age often have obligations they can’t escape, but can’t explain to their children.”

As she finished, Su Xiaoya froze, noticing two streams of tears trickling down Bai Qingxia’s cheeks.

The girl seemed even more heartbroken.

Bai Qingxia looked at her, blinking as tears fell. She stretched out a trembling little hand and pointed toward the sky, “Auntie… my mother is up there. She can’t come anymore…”

Su Xiaoya’s eyes widened, her breath caught.

Her mouth opened, but no words came forth.

Without hesitation, Su Xiaoya opened her arms and embraced the girl, her hands gently stroking Bai Qingxia’s back.

She wished to speak words of comfort, but her throat felt as if it were cut by a blade, unable to utter a sound—just a torrent of tears.

Yet the girl made no sound as she cried, her hands hanging limply, letting Su Xiaoya hold her.

“Damn…”

Lu Yuanqiu clenched his fists, tears streaming instantly.

He turned away, trembling fists raised, looking around before heading to the other side of the attic.

He leaned his back against the wall, scratching his scalp hard with both hands.

“Damn, damn, damn…”

Lu Yuanqiu gritted his teeth, blew his nose forcefully, and sat against the wall.

He stared at the sunset, but his vision was blurred, unable to see anything clearly.

After sitting alone for a while, Lu Yuanqiu took a deep breath, wiped away his tears, and returned.

Su Xiaoya was crying hard, while Bai Qingxia was gently patting her shoulder in comfort.

“Auntie…”

Seeing Lu Yuanqiu approach, Bai Qingxia looked helplessly at the boy, but he dared not meet her gaze, afraid that a single look would undo him again.

“Mom, Mom, it’s alright, it’s alright…”

Lu Yuanqiu supported Su Xiaoya’s arm, hugging her to comfort her.

Su Xiaoya sobbed uncontrollably, unable to speak, and Bai Qingxia quickly took a napkin from her pocket and handed it to Lu Yuanqiu, who wiped Su Xiaoya’s tears.

“Enough, stop crying!” Lu Yuanqiu called, frowning, “How can you comfort others when you’re like this yourself?”

Su Xiaoya wiped her tears, sniffled and calmed herself a little, “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m just like this… I just can’t bear these things.”

“If I imagine Yuanqiu’s mother gone, I just…”

She broke off, mouth open, as fresh tears poured out anew.