Push Me Away When I Come, Don't Hold Me Back When I Leave - Chapter 32

Chapter 32: Liu Ruoxue’s Request, Xu Fengwu’s Choice

***

After Liu Ruoxue briefly explained to Xu Fengwu about the household matters and where various medicines were kept, she helped apply a warm compress to Xu Fengwu’s eyes. Xu Fengwu felt some relief from the pain and fatigue in her eyes.

“Auntie…” With her eyes covered, Xu Fengwu seemed hesitant to speak.

“What is it, Xiao Xu? Just say what’s on your mind.” Liu Ruoxue said softly when she saw Xu Fengwu’s expression.

“Was my previous relationship with Ruoming… always this bad?”

The room suddenly became so quiet you could hear a pin drop, with only the sound of Liu Ruoxue’s soft sigh remaining.

“As parents, there are many things we’re aware of. I even went to the temple to draw a fortune slip for her relationship, and it was the worst possible outcome. Usually, the temple staff won’t put such slips in the container, or they’ll tell you that fortunes can change, after all, people pay money just for peace of mind.

“But they said nothing.”

Liu Ruoxue shook her head as she said this.

“It’s just that Ruoming is still too young. If we were to interfere with her feelings directly, she might even break ties with the family. Plus, after meeting you a few times, I thought you were actually a good girl, so I could only let her do as she pleased.”

“Though I don’t know exactly what happened at Zhong Hui’s place that day, but the smell of alcohol that hadn’t dissipated by the next day, and the lighter I found in her bag a few days ago, how could I not know about these things? However, these aren’t things we can discuss openly, I can only hope she’ll adjust on her own.”

“I’ve seen all her diaries and artwork, I know she really likes you, but some things can’t be resolved just with feelings. Xiao Xu, since you’ve asked this question today, I, as a mother, would like to request something from you.”

“Please tell me, Auntie…”

“If you truly don’t have feelings for Ruoming, please let her go, even if you have to be cruel about it. That child has difficulty walking out of her dreams on her own, and has never known how to live her own life.”

There was no blame in Liu Ruoxue’s words, only concern for her daughter.

But behind the compress, Xu Fengwu’s eyes couldn’t hold back the urge to cry.

She hadn’t been good to Xia Ruoming, and Liu Ruoxue wasn’t satisfied with her either, anyone with sense could hear that.

Hearing the quiet sobbing, Liu Ruoxue understood Xu Fengwu’s current feelings for her daughter. If this had been years ago, Liu Ruoxue might have tried her best to bring them together, but now she couldn’t offer much help. She also knew Xu Fengwu’s answer, she liked Xia Ruoming and wouldn’t easily let go.

This was the path young people chose for themselves. Even if they had to walk it crying or crawling, they had to complete it themselves.

Xia Ruoming chose Xu Fengwu, and she wouldn’t interfere. Sometimes people only understand right from wrong after experiencing things completely themselves, even if it costs them their future, but that was something she, Liu Ruoxue, was powerless to change. When young people are determined to do something, they subconsciously resist their parents’ opinions, regardless of whether those opinions are right or wrong.

Xu Fengwu decided to win back Xia Ruoming, and she wouldn’t interfere with that either. If Xu Fengwu encountered any difficulties in life, she would help with all her power, but in this matter, she was equally powerless. When Xia Ruoming spoke about Chu Suhe, the gentleness she showed, even though she tried hard to hide it, was noticed by Liu Ruoxue. If her daughter already had someone she loved, and that person was far better to her daughter than those in the past, what reason did Liu Ruoxue have to make her daughter look back at someone who had hurt her before?

Liu Ruoxue unconditionally trusted Xia Ruoming’s choice, and similarly accepted Xu Fengwu’s choice unconditionally.

……

In the classroom.

While Xia Ruoming was reading by herself, a bag was placed on her desk.

“Ruoming, I brought you breakfast. It’s much better than what you can get outside. Please eat some.” Xu Fengwu took a deep breath before slowly speaking to Xia Ruoming.

Many classmates were petrified, and the sound of hearts breaking could be heard throughout the classroom.

No way, my goddess, even though Xia Ruoming rejected you so firmly recently, why are you still pursuing her? Can’t you look at us instead? — This was what many people were thinking.

Give it to me! If she won’t eat it, I will!

Although Liu Ruoxue had said those things to Xu Fengwu, she couldn’t bear to see a girl crying, so while Xu Fengwu was wearing the compress, she had busied herself in the kitchen.

“Take this bag with you, and please give it to Ruoming when you go to class.”

This is what Liu Ruoxue had said to Xu Fengwu before she left for school.

In the bag were chicken sago porridge and three-delicacy spring rolls — Xia Ruoming’s favorite breakfast, something only Liu Ruoxue knew about. Perhaps this way, her daughter might understand something of Xu Fengwu’s feelings.

Xia Ruoming initially wanted to refuse, but after looking at the contents of the bag, she suddenly became hesitant.

Bringing her breakfast? What’s going on? How did Xu Fengwu know what she likes to eat?

Plus, her stomach was hurting badly now. While Zhong Hui’s cooking skills for main dishes were excellent, but for breakfast, though probably very nutritious, the taste was… best left unmentioned.

Ji Chuan beside her was completely stunned. Wow, his sworn sister had mastered the art of playing hard to get, and after just a few days of breakup, Xu Fengwu has already self-strategized her way to win his sworn sister over, and now she’s even bringing her food? He hadn’t even made much progress with He Ya, this was too ridiculous!

Did something happen between them without his knowledge? Was that why his sworn sister called him out for drinks last night to celebrate getting back together?

Damn it! He thought she was upset, but it turns out he just got a face full of dog food again!

Opening the lid of the paper bowl in the thermal container, Xia Ruoming’s face showed an indescribable expression.

That chicken sago porridge with those specific side dishes, only Liu Ruoxue would make it that way, because… she had taught her. It was also the only thing from her early years that wouldn’t destroy the kitchen. Back then, she would wake up an hour or two early to prepare breakfast for Xu Fengwu, and when Liu Ruoxue saw this, she asked Xia Ruoming to make her a portion too. Over time, Liu Ruoxue started eating this too and asked Xia Ruoming to teach her how to make it.

What’s going on? She made breakfast for her and even went to ask her mom what she likes to eat?

“Thank you…”

After hesitating for a few seconds, Xia Ruoming still accepted the thermal bag and said softly to Xu Fengwu.

Looking at the somewhat excited Xu Fengwu, she doubted whether her momentary wavering was a mistake.

But, she was really hungry! Hungry to the point her stomach hurt! Auntie Zhong’s breakfast was simply inedible, and on the way to school, she had been too caught up talking with Ji Chuan about He Ya’s progress that she forgot to buy bread!

Seeing Xia Ruoming accept the breakfast, another wave of invisible petrification and heartbreak spread through the classroom.

Some people thought they had a chance when Xia Ruoming left Xu Fengwu. Some people thought they had a chance when Xu Fengwu rejected Xia Ruoming.

But now, what’s going on with these two? Xia Ruoming rejected her so firmly a few days ago, but now she’s accepting her kindness? Xu Fengwu never showed any kindness to Xia Ruoming before, but now she’s showing her affection every day?

Are you two playing mind games, acting hard to get?