Free Web NovelChapter 379: Chapter 379: Yue Ming 29
Xu Jia had no idea that before he’d even seen a glimmer of hope, his would-be mother-in-law was already planning to make things difficult for him. He, on the other hand, was still feeling quite pleased with himself, wondering if Liuu Yuming would think of him constantly if she were to make him a suit.
"Mom, you don’t need to worry about me," Liuu Yuming said suddenly while folding a freshly made shirt. Tan You put down her book and looked at her, a little puzzled.
"You always say I’m a clueless sweetheart, but that’s only because I’m like this in front of family." Liuu Yuming chuckled. "I know a lot more than you think. After all, I started dating on my own when I was just a teenager."
"Men don’t want to be just friends with women. It’s mostly for affection or desire, especially when the woman is pretty."
Tan You’s lips curved slightly. "Praising yourself for being pretty... aren’t you a little conceited?"
"I just have a clear understanding of myself," Liuu Yuming said, as proud as a little peacock. "Didn’t you always say that you have to know yourself best, Mom? I’ve known I was good-looking since I was little."
"I actually understand what Xu Jia is thinking. But so what? You once said that only the more desperate person needs to put in more effort. All I need to do is watch him."
"I always thought you hadn’t grown up, but I never realized you’d thought about so much." Tan You was a bit emotional. This was her first time being a parental figure, and her usual ways of dealing with people were clearly not as applicable to a parent-child relationship.
"It’s because you worry about me, Mom. When there’s someone in the world to worry for me, I don’t have to think too much. But I understand the basics," Liuu Yuming said, folding the ironed shirt. "As long as I protect myself first, I see nothing wrong with enjoying love and life."
Liuu Yuming added with a smile, "I also get the feeling you look down on men, Mom, and have no interest in marriage or family."
"That’s a rather skewed way to put it," Tan You said, raising an eyebrow. "It’s not that I look down on men. In fact, I admire any capable person, regardless of gender. I just have no interest in intimate relationships. They’re a complete waste of my time."
"As for marriage and family, honestly, when you’ve been on your own for a long time, the urgency to build a family and get married disappears. They might bring wonderful experiences, but they bring even more trouble, and I happen to be someone who hates trouble."
Liuu Yuming asked, "So, you’ve been staying with me all this time because you’re afraid Xu Jia will get his way with me?"
"Half and half," Tan You said with a wave of her hand. "Part of it was to see how you’d handle Xu Jia. The other part is that I realized I don’t seem to know you that well. You’ve been growing up in ways I haven’t seen. Have I been neglecting you too much?"
"Not at all. I don’t usually show this side of myself." Liuu Yuming rested her chin in her hands. "I actually have the courage to face the outside world. I just enjoy staying in the greenhouse you built for me. You taught me yourself, so how could I not understand anything?"
"Being a ’mama’s girl’ is just for show. I’m a very strong woman."
"Do you see me act like this when I’m out and about? You’re just worried about me, that’s all."
Tan You asked, "So I was just being meddlesome then?"
"Of course not!" Liuu Yuming pouted. "I love it when you worry about me, Mom. My uncle and aunt are very good to me, but they aren’t my birth parents, after all. Besides, Jun and I have always worked together, which is why they take extra care of me."
"I know I shouldn’t be too demanding of others. Pure, unconditional affection is too rare in this world. If you asked me to love someone without any reservations right now, I couldn’t do it, either."
"But you’re different, Mom. You’ve always taken such good care of me, with no ulterior motives, always putting me and Little Min first. That kind of devotion is rare. When it comes to parenting, you’ve truly given so much."
Tan You teased, "As long as you don’t blame me for raising you to be a mama’s girl."
"What’s wrong with being a mama’s girl? You can only be treasured if you have a mom." Liuu Yuming tossed her hair. "Other than me and Little Min, I won’t let anyone else know about you. You’re the greatest warmth in our lives, and we don’t want to share you."
"I don’t want to meet other people either. Little Min is fine, but I used to worry about you a lot. Luckily, you were relatively obedient and well-behaved," Tan You said lightly. She wasn’t the bleeding-heart type who wanted to save every person she met.
"I know you like obedient and well-behaved kids, Mom," Liuu Yuming said, wrinkling her nose. "I figured that out a long time ago. You don’t like children who are too rowdy or mischievous. When Second Aunt’s little grandson came to visit, you never went over, but you used to follow us wherever we went."
Tan You was a little surprised. "You two figured that out so early? You had only just started working as a bridal makeup artist back then, right?"
"Mhm," Liuu Yuming said, a little smugly. "When it comes to reading people, I have a bit of a knack. But it’s not like Little Min and I were deliberately trying to please you. For me, it’s just better if someone else does the worrying so I don’t have to use my brain."
"Little Min is just completely quiet and reserved; that’s her natural personality. Actually, she doesn’t like loud places either. In that respect, you two are quite alike."
Since Liuu Yuming had said all this, Tan You stopped worrying about her love life. "Alright, then. It seems I was overthinking things when it comes to your relationships. But I have to give you one piece of advice, and you’d better remember it well."
Liuu Yuming sat up straight, suddenly serious. "Go on."
"Don’t give yourself away so easily," Tan You said softly. "People’s attitudes are becoming more open these days, but I personally believe one should still be cautious when it comes to physical intimacy." free𝑤ebnovel.com
"Even... even in the heat of the moment, you must protect yourself. Get the basic check-ups done so you can both have peace of mind. Although, Xu Jia doesn’t seem like the reckless type."
Liuu Yuming grew bashful. "I know, I know! Aren’t you even blushing telling me all this?"
"Why would I blush?" Tan You didn’t understand. "This is for the sake of both parties. What’s there to be embarrassed about? Once you’re in an intimate relationship, sex is unavoidable. And from what I can see, Xu Jia is not the type to be satisfied with a platonic relationship."
"We’re not at that stage yet!" Liuu Yuming protested. She wasn’t even that interested in Xu Jia right now.
Tan You smoothly changed the subject. "Fine, we won’t talk about Xu Jia. Let’s talk about your future partner, then. No one wants to live a platonic life."
Liuu Yuming covered her face. "I’m begging you, please stop."
Tan You shook her head. "Alright, I’m leaving. It looks like I don’t need to worry about you anymore. But really? You’ve already had a child, and you’re still getting embarrassed about this?" freёwebnovel.com
’I’m the one who’s never experienced any of this, and I’m not embarrassed. Yet Liuu Yuming, who’s been through it all, is getting shy? Between the two of us, who’s the real greenhorn?’
Shaking her head, Tan You vanished from Liuu Yuming’s sight. She might as well go back and study with Liuu Min.
