Huang’s mother held out her open hand.
"Mom, what do you mean by that?"
Huang’s mother glared at him. "Didn’t you say you were going to be frugal? Fine. Where’s this year’s year-end bonus? Hand it over. I’ll manage it for you so you don’t squander it with your bad company."
Huang Xiaojue coughed dryly. That 50,000 yuan he had sent Yan Xixi last time was an advance on his year-end bonus. He had almost nothing left now, so how could he possibly hand anything over?
An idea struck him. He picked up a piece of rib and placed it in his mother’s bowl. "Mom, eat the ribs quickly. They won’t be good if they get cold."
"Stop that cheeky grin of yours. Where’s the money?"
Huang Xiaojue gave Yan Xixi another piece of rib, very affectionately. "Xixi, you eat too. You need to eat more, put on some weight... I always ramble on about all sorts of things with my mom. Xixi, you’ll get used to it."
Huang’s mother also began to smile. "Right, that’s just how our family is—very democratic. Parents and children are like friends here, no strict formalities. His father and I always say that any girl who marries into our family is truly fortunate."
Yan Xixi forced a laugh and offered a few polite phrases. As she ate, she could barely taste the food.
Finally, the meal ended. Yan Xixi tactfully helped Huang’s mother clear the dishes. Huang Xiaojue also tried to pitch in, but his mother shooed him away as if he were a fly. "Go on, go on! What’s a grown man like you doing in the kitchen? You work hard enough outside. Let your mom take good care of you when you’re home. Son, you must be tired from the flight. Go upstairs and check out your room. Let me know if you need anything."
Yan Xixi also said gently, "Let me help Auntie. Xiaojue, you go rest for a while."
Seeing his mother and girlfriend getting along so well made Huang Xiaojue very happy. He whistled and winked. "I’ll go to the study and play games for a bit. When I’m done, I’ll take you both out for a drive, and we can also see the C City nightscape."
"Okay, okay, stop your chatter." Huang’s mother casually closed the kitchen door.
Yan Xixi had already started washing the dishes. Hearing the door close, a jolt went through her heart. She turned and, sure enough, saw Huang’s mother watching her with an incredibly shrewd gaze, arms folded, clearly with no intention of helping. Yan Xixi acted as if she didn’t mind and forced a smile. "Auntie, you should go rest too. I can handle this myself."
Huang’s mother’s smile faded, her tone becoming very serious. "Miss Yan, I have something to say to you."
Yan Xixi said nervously, "Auntie, please say whatever is on your mind."
"In that case, let’s not beat around the bush. Miss Yan, Xiaojue lent you 50,000 yuan, didn’t he?"
Yan Xixi hadn’t expected her to bring this up so directly. She was flustered, her mind buzzed chaotically, and it felt as if someone had slapped her hard across the face. She stammered, "I... Auntie... I’ll pay Xiaojue back as soon as I can..."
Huang’s mother sneered inwardly. Pay it back? What could you possibly pay it back with?
But her tone remained very polite. "Miss Yan, I’m not rushing you to repay the money. Xiaojue is a straightforward young man. Besides, he believes one shouldn’t stand idly by when a friend is in trouble—he’s always been a kind-hearted person. He told us all about your family situation before, and that you two have always been good classmates and friends. We understand that. However, Xiaojue has his own difficulties too. He was alone in North City for the past two years, and life wasn’t easy for him there. Now that he’s finally transferred back to this city, we can take better care of him. His father and I are getting older, and we’re anxious to have a grandchild. We really hope he can settle down..."