Chapter 43: My Mom Knows About Us Part 2

If only she had managed to kiss her then.

The more she thought, the more regretful she became. Qu An’ge suddenly remembered something and spoke up. “Mimi, remember when Fang Yinzhen reposted that Weibo post? You said you’d give me a reward.”

Xu Mi’s voice was muffled. “Did I?”

Qu An’ge grew anxious. “You can’t go back on your word! I still have the chat logs.”

Xu Mi fell silent for a moment, then asked softly, “What reward do you want?”

Qu An’ge now suddenly didn’t dare to say it, afraid Xu Mi would get angry immediately. She fidgeted and hesitated for a long time.

Xu Mi was very patient and didn’t make a sound. Qu An’ge finally mustered her courage and said, “A kiss.”

In the darkness, with her back to Qu An’ge, Xu Mi couldn’t help the corners of her mouth lifting.

To hesitate that long, and it was just this request.

Their relationship had progressed so naturally when they first got together; they’d never had such a phase. They’d quickly become inseparable. At that time, neither of them knew much and lacked experience, so they’d searched online for specific steps. Xu Mi remembered once seeing a search record on Qu An’ge’s computer—How to breathe while kissing.

She hadn’t teased Qu An’ge about it, because she had also posted on forums—How to relax during sex.

But progress was fast. In half a year, they were proficient in everything that needed proficiency.

Now, after years together, it surprisingly felt like they were back at the very beginning.

Thinking of the past made her feel sweet, but thinking of a year ago made her feel a fortress inside her was fuming smoke everywhere. She was still mad at Qu An’ge, so she didn’t want to satisfy her. She spoke: “No.”

Qu An’ge let out an “Oh,” clearly filled with regret.

Unwilling to give up, she added, “Not even a kiss on the cheek?”

Xu Mi didn’t speak again. Qu An’ge quickly pleaded, “No kiss then, no kiss at all, just don’t be mad.”

Her grin was practically reaching her ears.

Smiling, Xu Mi covered half her face with the blanket. Her stomach seemed to stop hurting. Qu An’ge’s palm was fiery hot, making her want to lean closer.

She suddenly thought about her seemingly deep-rooted desire for Qu An’ge not to enter showbiz. A few months ago, this thought had been so profound and certain, as if it was a main branch determining their fate. Yet now, it inexplicably started to waver.

Actually, with Qu An’ge the way she was now… even if she joined the industry, maybe… maybe she wouldn’t change?

She wasn’t sure; perhaps she was just convincing herself.

Perhaps it was her human conscience, still unable to support letting her beloved give up her dream.

After hesitating a while longer, she finally spoke. “Why don’t you go give it a try?”

As soon as the words came out, she felt a tremor of hesitation. She clenched her fists tightly, nails digging into her palms.

But she’d finally said it.

Qu An’ge didn’t understand. “What?”

Xu Mi said, “Time Flies. I said, go try out for it.”

For a split second, Qu An’ge thought she was dreaming. An epiphany dawned on her. No wonder Xu Mi had even agreed to let her help warm her stomach—it was all a dream. But this dream felt way too real. She pinched her own thigh and immediately yelped in pain.

Xu Mi’s serious, warrior-marching-to-war determination was strongly affected by this yelp. She’d felt this was a very grave topic and decision, but Qu An’ge’s reaction made it a bit ridiculous.

Qu An’ge’s explanation was even more ridiculous. “I thought I was dreaming.”

Xu Mi said, “This is your reward.”

Qu An’ge was deflated. “Huh?”

Xu Mi held back her laughter. “What? You’re not satisfied with this reward?”

Qu An’ge said, “It’s not that I’m dissatisfied… Okay, are you really sure?”

Qu An’ge naturally wanted to act.

Especially after remembering all the context and consequences.

She was even thinking: what if she snatched Jiang Yuan’s role, creating a butterfly effect that prevented all the subsequent tragedies?

If a tragedy could be avoided, that would be wonderful.

Besides, the role was so good.

Qu An’ge had actually wanted to persuade Xu Mi herself, but thinking of her previous promise, she felt that if she asked to do one more film, even she wouldn’t believe her own promises were credible anymore. She never expected Xu Mi would be the one to say it first, leaving her so incredulous it felt unreal.

Xu Mi’s voice became clear. “Mhm, go try. Anyway… it’s not like you’ll definitely get the part.”

Qu An’ge: “…”

Her wife seemed to be looking down on her.

Qu An’ge’s competitiveness flared. “Either I don’t audition at all, or if I do, I’ll definitely get it.”

“It’s pretty hard, you know. This role isn’t easy to play.”

“I’m Film Empress level!”

“Heh.”

“I’ll definitely get the part.”

“Don’t let Lin Zhenyi pull strings for you.”

“Absolutely! No! Way!”

“Hmph.”

Gradually, silence fell.

In the night, the two wrapped around each other, both sinking into sweet dreams.

…

The next day, they slept until noon.

After waking up, Qu An’ge first sent a message to Lin Zhenyi, saying she’d read the script, was blown away by it, and truly wanted to act in it.

Lin Zhenyi immediately called. Laughing, she said Director Fan Yu had already headed to the filming location and that she was planning to hold auditions there. Hearing the name of the shooting location, Qu An’ge paused, then said, “They’re filming right here?”

Lin Zhenyi said, “Yeah, isn’t her story background set by the sea? Your hometown is by the sea, right?”

Qu An’ge asked suspiciously, “Sister Lin, did you say something?”

Lin Zhenyi laughed. “All I did was give a little opinion when Xiao Fan asked me about a suitable filming location.”

Qu An’ge was deeply moved, but Lin Zhenyi only told her to prepare well for the audition. If she didn’t get the part, that would be the real waste of her painstaking effort.

Qu An’ge hung up the phone and then adjusted her expression.

Right now, she was standing in front of her own doorstep, but it felt like she was walking towards an execution ground.

She still remembered just calling her mother, who had hung up on her directly. She called again. Her mother picked up, her tone confrontational. “What is it? What do you want?”

Qu An’ge weakly said, “I’m home, and I don’t have a key.”

She had parted ways with Xu Mi that afternoon. Xu Mi went to the studio first, while she went home to drop off her luggage.

Qu An’ge’s mother said, “Your dad’s there.”

With that, she hung up again.

Qu An’ge gathered her courage and knocked. It was indeed her dad who answered the door. Her dad seemed completely oblivious to certain matters, cheerfully helping her in, taking her luggage, and even washing some plums for her. This only made Qu An’ge more panicked, feeling it was the calm before the storm. At six o’clock, her father finished making dinner. The sound of a key turning in the lock came from the door. Qu An’ge, sprawled on the sofa, immediately sat bolt upright, rigidly facing the entrance.

The person who came in was indeed her mother.

As a veteran teacher with years of experience, the woman’s gaze was fiery and her aura formidable. Upon entering, she first swept a glance around the room, her eyes finally slowly settling on Qu An’ge.

“So it’s just you,” she remarked casually.

Qu An’ge said, “Mimi has some things to do. Her work is pretty busy.”

Qu An’ge’s mother said, “I know she’s busy. Even so, over the past few months, I’ve seen her way more than I’ve seen you. She’s much more filial than you, comes by every week with some nice things…”

She glanced at the table. “See, look at that squid, she brought it.”

So, Xu Mi had been coming to visit her parents all these past months.

Xu Mi had completely neglected to mention that yesterday.

What had Xu Mi been thinking? Did she know her mother already knew about them?

They ate dinner in silence. Qu An’ge proactively washed the dishes. After washing them, she sat in the living room, watching TV with her parents for a while.

She was actually waiting for her mother to launch her attack, but for some reason, her mother just wouldn’t open fire. She stared at the TV screen like an old monk in meditation, sipping water. She took a bite of a plum and spat. “Ptui! So sour.”

Qu An’ge felt that “Ptui” was directed at her.

The most agonizing thing is never the raging storm that’s already hit, but the stillness before it. The air is stifling, humid, making it hard to breathe. That was exactly how Qu An’ge felt now.

She was almost having trouble breathing, constantly drinking water to ease it. But too much water meant she couldn’t hold her bladder. By her third trip to the bathroom, there was suddenly a commotion outside. Emerging, Qu An’ge saw Xu Mi seated in the living room.

Xu Mi sat there serenely, a faint smile on her face. Qu An’ge’s mother was warmly pressing a cup of red date tea into her hands. “Red date tea is good for you, nourishes the blood and replenishes Qi.”

Xu Mi said, “…Thank you.”

Qu An’ge’s mother added, “Auntie will go cut up a Hami melon for you. Want a tangerine? Though tangerines can cause internal heat if you eat too many. How about I peel a pear for you?”

The contrast was far too stark, making Qu An’ge feel like she was some passerby who just begged to use the restroom.

She stood frozen in place. No one even noticed she was there for a while, until finally, Qu An’ge’s father spoke. “Oh, An’ge, you’re out.”

Qu An’ge put on a smile. She noticed her mother didn’t give her the usual cold shoulder this time, just that her smile faded slightly.

Her feelings were a bit mixed.

But the knowledge that her mother was mad at her, yet didn’t take it out on Xu Mi, made her a little happy.

Xu Mi looked up at her and said gently, “We’re planning to go sing karaoke tonight, came to ask if you wanted to join. Everyone hasn’t seen you in a long time, wanted to have a get-together.”

Qu An’ge quickly nodded.

The two of them sat for a while longer before heading out. Qu An’ge glanced secretly at Xu Mi and, after hesitating, asked, “Do you visit my parents often?”

“Mhm,” Xu Mi affirmed.

“You never mentioned it before.”

“Why would I need to mention it? I wanted to come on my own. It has nothing to do with you.”

Qu An’ge’s lips curved into a smile, because while Xu Mi spoke these indifferent words, her ears were already bright red.

Her tone was already very good at masking her emotions, but clearly, her capillaries couldn’t cooperate.

That evening, besides Tan Zhenzhen and Yue Mei, the newly hired little assistant also joined for karaoke. Their studio was already so successful that they needed an assistant. Qu An’ge also asked about Lin Wanzhao and Qiu Shuiyi. Tan Zhenzhen said Lin Wanzhao had gone to school, and Qiu Shuiyi still came by sometimes.

“But mostly just to mooch food and drinks!” Tan Zhenzhen said, grinding her teeth.

They sang until late into the night, then each went home. Qu An’ge and Xu Mi walked together for a stretch. Thinking about going home to face her mother again, Qu An’ge sighed. “Let me stay at your place tonight too.”

Xu Mi looked at her disapprovingly. “Uncle and Auntie really missed you.”

Qu An’ge stopped walking. She realized her mother might not have told Xu Mi that she already knew about their relationship.

But she had to say it.

Xu Mi kept walking ahead, seemingly not noticing Qu An’ge had stopped. Qu An’ge caught up, took a deep breath, and spoke—

“My mom knows.”

Xu Mi halted. She tilted her head slightly, blinking as if confused.

Qu An’ge decided to just rip the bandage off. “My mom knows about us. Our relationship, I mean. That we’re lovers, not just friends.”