Chapter 87: A Little Too Enthusiastic

The three of them finished getting ready and were just waiting for Ms. Meng.

Around 7:30, Ms. Meng arrived with Qian Duoshu, and trailing behind them was Chen Yan, who seemed awkward and avoided eye contact.

Su Qinghu didn’t misread the situation, nor did she misunderstand it—Chen Yan really didn’t dare look at her. It wasn’t because Su Qinghu was being coquettish, but because Chen Yan was sure Erdan had tattled to Su Qinghu.

Su Qinghu greeted Ms. Meng, then formally said hello to little Qian Duoshu, and finally, with a carefree wave, beckoned to Chen Yan.

Chen Yan was floored—right under her own mother’s nose, Su Qinghu still dared to call her “sister-in-law”!

She glanced at her mother, Ms. Meng, hoping to find some reaction, but her mom acted as if nothing was wrong, not even sparing her a glance, just pulling Duoduo along to greet Dadan and Erdan.

“Sister-in-law, what brings you along today?” Su Qinghu teased with a smile. “Are you worried about Duoduo, or are you worried about me?”

Chen Yan replied, “No.”

She denied it immediately, but her answer was so quick it seemed suspicious.

Su Qinghu chuckled. Noticing Ms. Meng wasn’t paying attention, she decided to tease Chen Yan further. “Why do you look so preoccupied, sister-in-law? Why won’t you look at me?”

“Who says I’m not looking at you?” Chen Yan snapped her head up and glared at her. “Aren’t I looking at you right now?”

Did Erdan actually tell Su Qinghu about what happened yesterday? The more she talked to her, the less sure she felt.

Meeting Chen Yan’s angry gaze, Su Qinghu smiled. “Last night, when I got home, Erdan told me—”

She paused here, giving Chen Yan time to imagine the worst.

Chen Yan’s heart skipped a beat. She knew Erdan would tattle, but now that it had actually happened, she couldn’t quite keep her composure.

“Erdan told me,” Su Qinghu drawled, speaking so slowly that Chen Yan felt like she was being tortured, “that you almost walked into the men’s restroom yesterday.”

The anxiety that had been choking Chen Yan suddenly dropped—then shot right back up. “I did not!”

“I can read, you know! How could I possibly walk into the men’s room?” Compared to being accused of entering the men’s restroom, Chen Yan almost wished Erdan had tattled about her saying bad things about Su Qinghu.

Erdan, who had been ignoring Qian Duoshu, perked up at the sound of Chen Yan’s voice and hurried over, tugging at Su Qinghu’s sleeve. “Mom, what did you just say? Did you say Aunt went into the men’s restroom, or almost went in?”

Last night, after his bath, he’d told his new mom all about eavesdropping.

“Almost,” Su Qinghu replied, smiling at him. “That’s what I said. Isn’t that what you told me yesterday?”

Erdan, ever the sidekick, burst out laughing. “You scared me! I told you so much yesterday...”

Chen Yan: “…”

Chen Yan looked at Su Qinghu and Erdan, uncertain if Erdan had told Su Qinghu about her badmouthing.

“What’s this about the men’s restroom?” Ms. Meng frowned at Chen Yan and asked directly, “When did this happen? Did you see—”

Realizing the kids were around, she abruptly stopped herself.

Chen Yan was exasperated. “I said I didn’t! Didn’t Erdan just say it was almost? Not actually!”

Qian Duoshu sighed and shook his head. “Mom, the more you protest, the more everyone will think you really went in.”

Chen Yan was at a loss for words and looked at her son, who seemed like a little grown-up.

Qian Duoshu said seriously, “Grandpa Cheng always said, the more calmly you describe something, the more convincing you are.”

Chen Yan fell silent.

Even Ms. Meng looked at him in surprise.

Su Qinghu clapped her hands and praised him generously, “I didn’t expect our Duoduo to be even more impressive than I thought yesterday! Well done!”

“Auntie, you look even prettier today than yesterday.” Qian Duoshu flashed his baby teeth in a sweet, adorable smile, trotted over, grabbed Su Qinghu’s hand, and invited, “Auntie, can you come visit our house?”

Su Qinghu shook his little hand and smiled, her eyes crinkling. “How about you come to Auntie’s house instead?”

Qian Duoshu immediately turned to Chen Yan. “Mom, when Big Brother and Second Brother are on summer break, can I go visit Auntie’s house?”

There was still about a month until summer break. Chen Yan wanted to brush him off, but when she met her son’s clever gaze, she gritted her teeth and replied as gently as she could, “That’s not something Mom can decide alone. Remember? Grandpa, Grandma, and Dad all said our family is democratic. For things like this, we have to vote or discuss it together before making a decision.”

Qian Duoshu nodded. “Mm, Mom remembers very well.”

Su Qinghu almost burst out laughing at that. Chen Yan had tried to use a family rule to stall for time, but instead, her son had turned it right back on her.

Once they got home, if it really came down to a vote or a family discussion about whether he could go visit, whatever the outcome, Chen Yan would have to accept it.

Of course, it also helped Chen Yan save face, indirectly proving her innocence.

Whether intentional or not, you had to admit—Qian Duoshu was a clever kid!

Chen Yan wasn’t stupid either; she caught on quickly. Looking at her son’s eager little face, she almost wanted to cry, but held it in.

If he went to visit, it’d only be for a few days. He was still her son—no one could take him away!

Su Qinghu said, “Mom, why don’t you take the kids to the place we talked about yesterday? I’ll catch up with you in a bit.”

Ms. Meng had no objections. “Just be careful when you’re riding.”

“Okay.”

+++

Ms. Meng and Chen Yan took the three kids by taxi to their agreed meeting spot.

Su Qinghu tied her hair back with a ribbon, transforming instantly into a vibrant, fashionable young woman. She locked the door, hopped on her tricycle, and sped off, taking a shortcut to catch up.

When she arrived, the three kids were each munching on a meat bun. As soon as they saw her, they waved from afar. Qian Duoshu was about to run over, but Dadan stopped him with a firm hand.

He looked at him.

Dadan said, “Your legs are too short. By the time you run over, she’ll already be here.”

Qian Duoshu blinked, then blinked again, looking down at his own chubby legs, then at Erdan, who was already charging over like a cannonball. He pouted and stayed put.

His legs were a bit short…and a bit chubby…

Erdan ran over. “Mom!”

“What is it?” Su Qinghu, worried about bumping into him, gauged the distance, gripped the handlebars, and braked, eyeing him critically. “You’re being a little too enthusiastic today, you know that?”

Of course Erdan knew. He ran over and shouted so loudly just to show that little rascal Qian Duoshu that his mom was still his mom!

“No matter how enthusiastic you are, any baskets we don’t sell today, you still owe me two cents each,” Su Qinghu raised an eyebrow. “No discounts!”

Extra chapter for monthly votes will be posted tomorrow."