Accidentally Called His Mother-in-Law “Mom”
In the past, a scene like today’s, of a father chasing his sons, would never have occurred.
Because the always rational Zhong Lingyu knew very well that his old arms and legs couldn’t compare to the stamina of a young person, middle-aged or not, he would be an elegant middle-aged man. Holding the reins of the family finances, he naturally possessed the capital to command respect without anger; a simple freeze of his children’s accounts would immediately earn him two dutiful sons.
But at this moment, Zhong Lingyu seemed quite eager to demonstrate his stamina, chasing Zhong Cheng and Zhong Xin from the teaching building to the cafeteria, and then from the cafeteria to the back mountain, until they finally witnessed the endurance of their younger father and collapsed to the ground in surrender. Only then did the fierce chase come to an end.
Dark clouds blocked the sun, casting a gloomy shadow. The summer woods behind the mountain were chilly, surrounded by many dilapidated old buildings. A long shadow moved in front of him, Zhong Lingyu’s expression unreadable.
“I really underestimated you all. You’ve only been at Luhua for a short time, and you’ve already become celebrities throughout the school.”
Zhong Xin, like a boneless cat, clung to Zhong Cheng’s arm as he stood up, barely managing to stand.
“That’s all because you taught me so well, Dad!”
“What?”
“Ah, no, no, no, I didn’t mean to talk back to you at all. How could I dare?”
Zhong Lingyu stood there, desperately needing Song Chan to pinch his philtrum. His daughter, hiding behind her son, lowered her eyes, twisting her ankle, her submissive demeanor so fake she didn’t even bother to appease him.
Zhong Cheng realized the seriousness of the situation. Seeing Zhong Lingyu’s stormy expression and his spoiled younger sister showing no sign of backing down, he desperately needed his expert at smoothing things over.
“Dad, we didn’t cause you any trouble. Really, we didn’t this time. It was just my sister being delusional, thinking a male classmate liked her.”
Zhong Xin was astonished that Zhong Cheng had betrayed her. “Zhong Cheng, you?”
Zhong Cheng didn’t have time to pay attention to Zhong Xin. “Not only did she mistakenly think that the classmate liked her, but she also rejected him. Isn’t that outrageous?”
Zhong Xin refused to admit to Zhong Cheng’s words. She tried to explain, “I didn’t! People who know me know I’m always humble and objective, and I have insight that most people can’t match. I would never jump to conclusions without sufficient factual evidence!”
Zhong Lingyu, however, remained unusually calm, resting her chin on her hand, pondering Zhong Cheng’s words: “That’s something Zhong Xin would do.”
Zhong Xin: “!”
Completely ignored.
She gaped, blinked incredulously, and finally gave up trying to explain. Her cheeks puffed out, and she turned away angrily—only her mother understood her!
Zhong Lingyu seemed to have calmed down, but she still walked over with a serious expression and gave her children a lecture.
“Last time you were expelled from the dormitory, and this time you caused such a huge uproar. I don’t need to list all the trouble you’ve gotten me into, do I?”
“Hmm…”
“I hope you can be more discreet in the future. After all, your current identities can’t withstand investigation.”
Zhong Xin and Zhong Cheng nodded vigorously, showing some obedience at this moment.
“Let me emphasize again, Zhong Xin, you know your father really has no intention of retiring with his future son-in-law.”
Zhong Xin looked up, wanting to protest, but meeting Zhong Lingyu’s unusually stern eyes, she couldn’t help but feel intimidated, lowering her gaze timidly and stammering, “Then you can actually work until you’re ninety, and you’ll never retire.”
Zhong Lingyu frowned. “Thank you for your blessing.”
Seeing that it was getting late, Zhong Lingyu didn’t want to say anything more. When it came to educating children, he always believed in knowing when to stop.
Seeing Zhong Lingyu about to leave, Zhong Xin suddenly asked anxiously, “What’s Daddy going to do?”
Zhong Lingyu flicked his school uniform with his finger. “Of course I’m going to class.”
Zhong Xin was taken aback: “You actually go to class properly?”
His daughter’s question made Zhong Lingyu feel the need to prove himself: “Why can’t I be proper and attend class diligently? Your dad was attentive in school, and he’s a diligent worker. I’m a promising young man.”
Zhong Xin didn’t want to understand; she just wanted to go out and play. She looked disappointed. “Okay then, if you ever think about skipping class, remember to take me with you.”
Zhong Lingyu’s brow twitched. He had always believed that his image in his children’s eyes, if not perfect, was at least that of a gentleman: “Skip what class? Didn’t I make myself clear?”
Zhong Xin: “I just think skipping class with Mommy and Daddy is really cool.”
Oh? What’s that? What was on Zhong Xin’s face? A pitiful yet hopeful expression. And she even thought of her mother…
Zhong Lingyu glanced at her, and his heart softened.
He reluctantly turned his gaze away, “We’ll see.”
Zhong Cheng gave Zhong Xin a high five with his eyes. To be honest, he didn’t want to go to this school either. What kind of high school required the young master and young lady to attend twice?
Zhong Xin put on an act, and the probability of Zhong Lingyu agreeing was 1%.
Zhong Xin put on an act and brought up Song Chan, and the probability of Zhong Lingyu agreeing was 1000%.
Zhong Cheng had already calculated this all along.
“Zhong Cheng, what are you calculating now? I can hear the beads on your abacus.”
Zhong Lingyu narrowed her eyes, bending two fingers and pointing them at Zhong Cheng.
Zhong Cheng was startled, then heard Zhong Lingyu’s very serious warning: “Call me ‘brother’ in front of your mother, not ‘Dad.’ My status with her now is your cousin.”
Zhong Xin and Zhong Cheng: “Okay, cousin!”
After Zhong Lingyu had walked quite a distance, Zhong Xin and Zhong Cheng looked at each other, puzzled.
“So why did he suddenly become our cousin?”
=
After parting ways with Zhong Cheng and Zhong Xin, Zhong Lingyu was still thinking about the conversation as he walked towards the teaching building.
His daughters were good at everything, except for their poor judgment. Such an excellent, upright, and successful person—how bad could they have been in their youth? They even dared to label him a truant; they really needed a good talking-to.
Upon reaching the fifth floor, Zhong Lingyu glanced into the office as he passed it.
And then he saw his mother-in-law.
His mother-in-law sat on the sofa, her face tense, listening intently to the homeroom teacher. Sitting ramrod straight, her tightly furrowed brows indicated she was facing a serious matter.
Beside her, Song Chan sat with her back to the door, her expression obscured, but her head was bowed low, her fingers constantly fidgeting, as if she had done something wrong and was being scolded.
Zhong Lingyu racked her brains, unable to recall what Song Chan, usually a diligent student, had done wrong recently. The only possibility was that she had been mistakenly caught having a relationship not long ago.
A short while later, Song Chan and Meng Mian emerged from the office.
After parting ways with the teacher, the mother and daughter walked forward. Meng Mian’s eyes were wide, muttering something under her breath, seemingly scolding her. The submissive Song Chan remained silent, simply listening obediently, unaware of Zhong Lingyu at the far end of the corridor.
But from Zhong Lingyu’s perspective, she could see Song Chan biting her lip, her expression one of utter shame.
Zhong Lingyu never rashly intervened in conflicts between his mother-in-law and wife, but seeing Song Chan’s pitiful state, he couldn’t bear it.
Just as he was pondering this, Meng Mian suddenly stopped, her anger flaring, and pinched Song Chan’s arm. The pain made Song Chan stumble back against the wall, a small tear rolling down her cheek.
“You siblings are always causing me trouble!”
Meng Mian’s anger only intensified; she took a step towards Song Chan, raising her hand.
But before her hand could strike, it was swiftly caught in mid-air. At the same time, a chivalrous young stranger stepped in front of Song Chan.
“Mom, let’s talk this out. Don’t hit me, don’t hit me.”
Zhong Lingyu, without thinking, continued explaining to the shocked Meng Mian, “Please calm down. The situation isn’t as serious as you think. Why don’t you listen to me again? I can explain it more clearly for you.”
Meng Mian: “You?”
“Yes, no one understands this better than me.”
Zhong Lingyu spoke sincerely to Meng Mian while simultaneously and anxiously rubbing Song Chan’s reddened arm.
Now, not only Meng Mian, but even Song Chan was stunned.
It took her slow-witted mind a while to realize that she was being anxiously protected, and the way the other person was rubbing her sore arm was like someone routinely caring for a child. Moreover, Song Chan sensed that while resolving the conflict, Zhong Lingyu had even considered her mother’s feelings.
Perhaps Zhong Lingyu came to help her out of righteous indignation, but throughout, she showed genuine respect for her mother.
There was only one thing…
Meng Mian didn’t know whether it was a good thing or a bad thing for her daughter at this age to be protected so unconditionally by a male classmate. She smiled enigmatically, “Then tell me.”
Zhong Lingyu gave Song Chan a reassuring look, then solemnly began to explain, “The temperature dropped sharply those days. As her deskmate, out of concern, I put a jacket on Song Chan. I could have woken her up, but Song Chan does math problems until the early hours every night, and her lunch break is precious to her, so I couldn’t bear to wake her.”
“Zhong!”
“As for fixing her hair, it was actually because of the angle…”
Song Chan nudged Zhong Lingyu several times, but he ignored her. She couldn’t stand it any longer and interrupted him directly, “Zhong, my… my mother came because of my uneven academic performance.”
A cold wind swept through; it seemed like crows had already flown by in early autumn.
Zhong Lingyu’s expression froze. He saw a strong scrutiny in his mother-in-law’s eyes. “As for the issue of his uneven academic performance, if you don’t mind, I can actually help.”
His smile was somewhat stiff.
Wise mother-in-law, listen to his excuses, oh no, his justifications.
Meng Mian stared intently at Zhong Lingyu, slung her bag over her shoulder, and crossed her arms. “Why don’t you explain that crisp ‘Mom’ you just called out?”
Zhong Lingyu felt a lump in her throat.
Actually, it wasn’t that crisp… right?
But that’s not the point.