Chapter 202: Ye Mama’s Warmth
Shanghai, located on the western coast of the Pacific Ocean, at the forefront of the Yangtze River Delta, the middle of China’s curved coastline, sits on the alluvial plain of the Yangtze River Delta, with an average elevation of four meters. In the west, there are remnants of hills like Tianma Mountain, Xueshan, and Fenghuang Mountain, Tianma Mountain being the highest point on land. Shanghai straddles the Yangtze River estuary, Dianshan Lake, Huangpu River, and Wusong River, its landscape a tapestry of rivers, lakes, and ponds. With its subtropical monsoon climate, it enjoys mild, humid weather, four distinct seasons, ample sunshine, and abundant rainfall.
She had been here once before, not for tourism, but to get a signature from her legal guardian, a memory not entirely pleasant.
This time, she was with Ye Zhiyun.
Ye Zhiyun’s family lived in Shanghai, though she rarely visited. She had inherited her parents’ workaholic tendencies, her passion for making money a driving force, not out of necessity, but simply for the thrill of it.
And Shanghai, with its culinary delights, offered a new adventure. Having sampled the snacks in Hong Kong, she was eager to explore Shanghai’s food scene.
Life had been rather dull lately, Yu Linna realized, the constant struggle for survival replaced by a quiet, uneventful existence. Since becoming a novelist, she no longer had to worry about food, shelter, or rent.
But it was a good kind of dull, a peaceful existence she had come to appreciate.
“Are we there yet?”
In the chauffeur-driven car, Yu Linna asked for the umpteenth time, Ye Zhiyun always replying, “Almost.” This girl… she must be hungry.
Leaning back in the passenger seat, Ye Zhiyun sighed, a wave of weariness washing over her.
This trip to Shanghai wasn’t just for fun. Her aunt wanted to acquire the rights to Shion’s novel, and she had brought Yu Linna here to discuss the matter.
Her family wanting to buy her rights… it was a complicated situation. She didn’t know whether to support it or not, ultimately deciding to let Yu Linna make her own decision. After all, she wasn’t the one buying the rights.
“Nana, we’re here.”
“Oh.”
Ye Zhiyun’s house was even bigger than she had imagined, a luxurious villa with a beautifully landscaped garden, the meticulous planning and high-quality materials a testament to the family’s wealth.
Miss Ye was truly a tycoon.
Though her father wasn’t the richest man in China, he was incredibly wealthy. And her mother… a former business titan.
“You’re back, Zhiyun. And this is your friend?”
Li Xiaoyue, watering the flowers in the garden, smiled at her daughter, who had brought a blonde girl with her.
Ye Zhiyun’s mother, having aged gracefully, looked younger than her forty years, almost like a woman in her late twenties, her resemblance to Ye Zhiyun undeniable, except for the lack of her daughter’s sharp, piercing gaze. Li Xiaoyue had long since shed her ruthless business persona, her eyes now soft and gentle, her focus on enjoying life, rarely involved in business matters.
“Hello, Auntie. I’m Yu Linna. Nice to meet you.”
Yu Linna greeted her politely, her demeanor reminiscent of her time in foster homes.
“Hello, Little Linna. Don’t be so formal. Make yourself at home. Zhiyun has told me a lot about you. You two seem close. And you’re so beautiful! You’ll be a stunning woman someday. Come in, come in! I’ve prepared some snacks.”
“Thank you, Auntie.”
Yu Linna was still a bit reserved, her politeness a defense mechanism, a habit from her past.
But Li Xiaoyue’s first impression of her seemed to be a good one, much to Ye Zhiyun’s relief. The first step was a success.
“Zhiyun, your mother is beautiful.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment to me as well.”
“Are your father and brother not home?”
“My brother should be back in a couple of days. As for my workaholic father… you probably won’t see him.”
Yu Linna looked around the house, even more spacious and luxurious than Ye Zhiyun’s apartment in Guangnan City, with maids and servants, a first for her, though they were older women, not the cute maids from anime, much to her disappointment. The butlers, however, were quite handsome, though she wasn’t interested in men.
“Zhiyun, how long are you staying this time?”
Li Xiaoyue, having served a fruit platter, sat down, instructing a maid to make tea.
“I’m not sure. Depends on the situation. If I don’t have any other appointments, I can stay longer.”
“You’re becoming more and more like your father.”
“You, who used to secretly undermine my father, have no right to say that.”
“That was a long time ago. And you make it sound so… sinister. I was just… teasing him.”
“I don’t think so…”
Her parents’ love story was a legend in their family, their initial rivalry in the business world a constant source of amusement. They had been fierce competitors, their battles ruthless, Li Xiaoyue almost getting her father fired from his company.
And then, unexpectedly, they had started dating, their relationship blossoming, leading to marriage. A few years later, Li Xiaoyue had resigned from her position, claiming she had earned enough to last ten lifetimes and wanted to focus on raising her children.
And so, Li Xiaoyue, a legend in the business world, had retired, leaving her past behind.
“Zhiyun, when I was young, I was fearless. You’re different from me now. You’ll find a better path, won’t you, my dear daughter?”
Li Xiaoyue gave her a meaningful look, then glanced at Yu Linna, who, oblivious, was happily eating fruit, her only thought being how beautiful her mother was.
She wanted to say, Madam, I love you.
But she restrained herself.
“Little Linna, you don’t seem like an ordinary child. You and Zhiyun are close. Can you tell me… what do you do?”
Wow, this woman, a former business titan, her gaze sharp, her intuition keen, had seen through Yu Linna’s facade.
Yu Linna, unsure how to answer, was saved by Ye Zhiyun.
“Nana… she’s a student.”
“Hmm?”
“…She also has another identity: a Wenqing author, pen name Shion.”
“Oh, the one my sister is looking for. I thought that person was a man. I didn’t expect it to be such an adorable loli. Well done, Zhiyun. You brought her home.”
At her mother’s teasing, Ye Zhiyun fell silent. Though her mother seemed carefree, not like a serious businesswoman, Ye Zhiyun knew she was incredibly intelligent, her insight sharper than anyone’s. She felt like she couldn’t hide anything from her.
“Is that so, Little Linna?”
“Yes… I’m a novelist, but I’m still a newcomer. I’m not very famous.”
“Don’t be so modest. If you weren’t famous, my sister wouldn’t have noticed your work. Though I don’t read novels often, I’ve heard your name. With all the buzz on Weibo recently, it’s hard not to.”
So nervous in front of this elegant woman!
Yu Linna lowered her head, fidgeting with her clothes.
Though her tone was gentle, not at all intimidating, Yu Linna felt like she was being seen through, her secrets exposed. It was terrifying.
“Nana… my daughter calls you that. Can I call you that too?”
“Of course, Auntie. Please, feel free.”
“Alright, Nana, I have a question for you. Are you American?”
“…I’m Chinese.”
Why did everyone ask her that? Did she really look that American?
But her question, surprisingly, eased Yu Linna’s tension.
Ye Zhiyun, however, was frantically trying to signal her mother, who, with a calm, knowing look, seemed to say, Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing.
“Since you’ll be staying with us for a few days, I’ll have a servant show you to your room. We’ll take care of your luggage.”
“No, thank you, Auntie. I can do it myself. I’m used to living alone. I don’t want to be a bother.”
“You’re a guest. Now, Nana, listen to Auntie, or I’ll be upset.”
“…Okay.”
A servant was summoned to lead her to the guest room. In the living room, only Ye Zhiyun and Li Xiaoyue remained. Li Xiaoyue, a smile still on her face, looked at her daughter, her expression making Ye Zhiyun uneasy.
“Mom?”
“Mmm, I understand. I’m not stupid. She was so polite, so formal, her posture so rigid… it’s a clear sign of someone who has lived under someone else’s roof for a long time. And she said she’s used to living alone, which means she has. I saw her carrying her own luggage; she doesn’t need anyone’s help. So… she doesn’t have parents, does she?”
“…Mom, just… say these things to me, not to her.”
“Of course. I’m not that foolish. But… the way she looks at you… she trusts you. You have to treat her well. And since she’s here, I have an idea for a fun activity. Let’s all go together.”
“…She’s a guest. Don’t scare her.”
Ye Zhiyun had a bad feeling about this.
Since retiring from the business world, her mother had become increasingly unpredictable, her newfound love for fun — a source of constant worry.
