The Housewife O Made Me Become a Mom (GL) - Chapter 20: She Found Out Again

Chapter 20: She Found Out Again

“Are you sure you want to stay here?”

Shu Qingyou’s hand rested on the car door handle. She glanced back at Lin Xu, who was pretending to sleep, her jacket draped over her, only the back of her head visible.

“Why do you care so much? Are you my mom?”

It wasn’t that Lin Xu didn’t want to go with her. She just felt like Shu Qingyou was keeping her at a distance, like a hot potato she couldn’t wait to toss away.

An ex-girlfriend wasn’t a current one, so what was the point of meeting?

Shu Qingyou thought for a few seconds and concluded, “I can’t handle that role.”

Anyway, Lin Xu had been sulky with her for a while now, so a little more time wouldn’t hurt.

She knew Lin Xu didn’t really mean for her to act like her mom.

Shu Qingyou stepped out with her long legs, and a cold breeze rushed into the warm car. Lin Xu pursed her lips, turned her neck angrily, and glared at her.

“Stop! Don’t go!”

Shu Qingyou asked with amusement, “Are you ordering me?”

“So what if I am?” Lin Xu said boldly. “First, tell me what you’re going to do.”

“Do I have to tell you?”

In her eyes, Lin Xu was like a wife interrogating her husband about where he went, what he did, and when he’d be back.

“No…”

Lin Xu felt guilty and didn’t know how to keep her there. She changed her usual attitude, clasped her hands together, and softened.

“Please, please, Sister Shu.”

It was a move that always worked. Shu Qingyou couldn’t help but laugh. Lin Xu’s childishness only showed at times like this.

She had to admit, it was moments like these that made Lin Xu feel more real to her.

Lin Xu’s expression was lively, her lips red, teeth white, and eyes bright like stars. She didn’t suit a gloomy, sullen face.

Then Lin Xu adjusted her jacket and pulled her phone from her pocket.

“Sister Shu, you haven’t given me your number. I don’t know when you’ll be back. I’ll be so lonely alone.”

If she just wanted her number, Shu Qingyou could understand. She pointed to the back seat, correcting Lin Xu’s mistake.

“Shu Rong is here.”

“Her? You don’t think I have anything in common with a kid, do you?”

Shu Qingyou took the phone, unbothered.

“I’m going to talk about work.”

After entering a string of numbers, Lin Xu snatched the phone back before she could speak, dialed the number, and mumbled softly.

Shu Qingyou saw her eagerness and said firmly, “In some ways, you’re less mature than three-year-old Rongrong.”

Lin Xu denied it strongly. Compared to a kid, where was her pride?

“No way! I can protect and take care of you. She’s so small she can’t even open a water bottle.”

Shu Qingyou stayed silent meaningfully.

She was heading to a coffee shop that hadn’t opened yet, not some dangerous place. Lin Xu always blew small things out of proportion.

Mentioning a water bottle? When they were together, Shu Qingyou usually opened them for her.

Who was taking care of whom?

Her judgment that Lin Xu had a childish streak wasn’t baseless. Before leaving, Shu Qingyou reminded her, “The car keys are there, the AC is on, don’t fall asleep.”

As soon as she spoke, a ringtone sounded. Shu Qingyou held the car door with one hand and picked up her phone with the other.

It showed the number she’d just entered for Lin Xu.

Shu Qingyou: “…”

She tilted her head toward Lin Xu.

Lin Xu raised her chin confidently. “Yeah, I called. I was worried you’d give me a fake number.”

The coffee shop was across the street, clearly a proper place. Lin Xu’s need to control things was the same as ever.

Shu Qingyou gave her a deep look and turned to leave.

There weren’t many people around. Most rode bicycles, and the plane trees cast varied shadows. Shu Qingyou left Lin Xu with the shrinking back of her black wool coat.

Lin Xu’s eyes followed her like they were glued, until Shu Qingyou turned into an alley. Lin Xu felt disappointed.

“She’s gone.”

“She doesn’t want you.”

“Hey, are you listening?”

Lin Xu’s triple soul-searching questions went unanswered for a moment. Shu Rong finally reacted, realizing the big sister was talking to her.

She looked up from her picture book. The big sister looked unhappy, like she’d taken bitter medicine.

Kids were kids, not understanding her complex emotions. Lin Xu sighed. “If you could talk, you might help me feel better.”

Shu Rong shook her head. Her mom wasn’t abandoning her; she’d be back soon.

When left alone at home, her mom would give her a kiss and say that after reading a book or watching a cartoon, she’d return.

She’d just started her book, and Shu Rong was puzzled about how to respond to Lin Xu.

The car’s soundproofing wasn’t great. Lin Xu heard honking, groups of people chatting, and the busyness of a workday.

She couldn’t help but wonder: if she could go back, would she still feel so insecure about Shu Qingyou?

Had she ever loved anyone before? Regardless, wealthy families were always tied to social connections.

She searched her phone and soon found exaggerated, unrealistic descriptions under her name. Clicking a webpage, she saw photos with celebrities.

Or maybe cutting ribbons at a mall or skyscraper, with luxury cars and flowers. But no photos with any women by her side.

Was this the life she’d always wanted?

Lin Xu knew deep down that for people like her, the more you gained, the more you lost. Responsibility was a mountain.

Especially since she was labeled a corporate heir, she’d be swamped with work. Where was the personal life in that?

An heir with amnesia would probably be kicked out, like a disposable character in a drama.

She hesitated, then checked for clues about amnesia. The doctor said her memory loss was due to nervous system damage.

But psychological or emotional factors couldn’t be ruled out. Her brain might have deleted or hidden parts, suppressed by her subconscious.

Either way, it made her heart race, like a headless fly with no way out.

“Shu Rong, how about I take you to find your mom?”

Shu Rong ignored her, making vague sounds even if she heard.

Pretending not to hear, Lin Xu grinned and pulled Shu Rong’s picture book away, acting friendly.

“I said, want to go find your mom with me? You should learn to worry about her.”

Shu Rong reached for the book, but Lin Xu held it out of reach. With her mom gone, the big sister was bullying her.

After thinking, Shu Rong opened her arms, signaling Lin Xu to carry her.

“Tch, so big and still needing to be carried everywhere. Those legs are wasted.”

She complained but didn’t find Shu Rong heavy. Her eyelashes were thick like little brushes, cute with her soft arms and legs, perfect for cuddling to stay warm.

Shu Rong rested her chin on Lin Xu’s shoulder.

The coffee shop wasn’t open yet. The front door was locked, tables and chairs stacked like a mountain inside. The kitchen was in the back, accessible through the alley.

Lin Xu walked into the alley, looking around. A few passersby glanced at her, and she stopped sneaking around awkwardly.

Old houses had bamboo poles sticking out from windows, drying freshly washed clothes.

Colorful fabrics fluttered in the wind, the air smelling of detergent. Staring too long made her dizzy.

The coffee shop’s back door was on the left, slightly ajar. She stepped on the dry ground, covered Shu Rong’s mouth, and pushed it open.

The stainless steel counter reflected the bright lights, shelves full of coffee bean bags.

Women’s voices came from an office-like room, one of them familiar.

The room’s blinds were shut, so Lin Xu had to eavesdrop.

A gentle, jade-like voice spoke softly.

“Qingyou, it’s settled then. Direct sales, consignment, and co-branded customization. Once I start the trial run, I’ll order standard mugs and espresso cups first.”

Shu Qingyou sipped her coffee, the fruity aroma filling her senses. A rough ceramic cup sat by the pour-over kettle, a flawed gift she’d given Chi Jia in college.

“A little failed creation.”

“Jiajia, how about selling desserts too? I’ll make you a batch of gradient and floral ceramic plates for free.”

Catching Shu Qingyou’s casual glance, Chi Jia smiled, resting her chin in her hand. After years apart, Qingyou’s gloomy air was gone.

Her long hair was simply clipped back, her lightly made-up face more vibrant. The coffee cup covered half her face, adding charm.

“I’m not nostalgic, don’t get the wrong idea.”

Shu Qingyou gave her a playful look.

“I didn’t think anything. You, on the other hand, watch yourself.”

Meaning, Chi Jia had just complained about fighting with her girlfriend. She couldn’t let her nature slip now.

Though she and Chi Jia were long over, having briefly dated in college.

Chi Jia was an Omega, and any woman who caught her eye got close because of her innocent, lovely appearance.

Hitting a sore spot, Chi Jia’s brows lowered, but her tone held sweet frustration.

“You don’t know, even going to the bathroom, I have to report to her. Both at home, and she still calls my name constantly.”

She sighed, dragging her tone.

“I ask what she wants, and she says nothing, just wants to hear my voice. God, too clingy, I can’t handle it.”

Shu Qingyou smiled. The couple seemed to get along well.

“The little butterfly finally settled down, tamed by her.”

“You’re mean, I’m not a butterfly. Qingyou, don’t just talk about me. Why didn’t you bring Shu Rong? I want to be her godmother.”

Hearing her name, Shu Rong’s eyes lit up. She wriggled wildly, trying to break free from Lin Xu’s arms, like a restless animal clawing at the door.

Lin Xu quickly held her down and rushed out, but the door still made a sound.

“Who’s there?”

Annoyed, Chi Jia opened the door and chased after, only seeing a curly-haired woman in a jacket and jeans slip away at the alley’s end.

“Crazy, sneaking through the back door in broad daylight. Up to no good.”

Chi Jia checked her items. Seeing Shu Qingyou silent, staring where the woman fled, she thought Shu Qingyou was worried and reassured her.

“Don’t worry, I have cameras. If anything’s stolen, I’ll report it right away.”

“Yeah, probably not a thief. Maybe took the wrong way.”

They finalized delivery dates and commission splits. Shu Qingyou said goodbye to Chi Jia, promising to bring her daughter to support the shop when it opened.

Back in the car, Lin Xu gently pinched Shu Rong’s nose, warning her playfully.

“You unlucky kid, answering when someone calls your name. If your mom and I aren’t around, any stranger could trick you away.”

“Didn’t your mom teach you not to talk to strangers? Oh, I forgot, you can’t talk. Then don’t listen to strangers. Close your ears.”

Shu Rong, intimidated, pressed her ears shut with her hands, showing she’d be good.

Lin Xu couldn’t help laughing. “Don’t open your eyes either.”

Having tamed Shu Rong, Lin Xu felt proud.

“Not bad. When your mom comes back, I’ll ask her to buy you a cupcake.”

But not seeing Shu Qingyou’s ex-girlfriend’s face was a huge regret. To win, you had to know your rival.

A new wave of anxiety hit her.

A while later, the car door opened. Lin Xu, lost in worry, jumped and touched her nose.

“You’re back! That was quick, heh.”

“If I’m not quick, someone will throw a fit.”

Shu Qingyou slowly sat in the passenger seat, her boot tip lightly on the gas pedal, her eyes glancing sideways.

Lin Xu’s heart tightened, her lips feeling dry.

She looked up to see Shu Qingyou speak calmly, “Lin Xu, why are you acting guilty?”