Chapter 102: A Gentle Mother
The Song family moved quickly. Since they had only recently moved into their current apartment, they didn’t have much to pack. By the time Xu Youyou had gone downstairs, their belongings were already packed.
“Boss, I followed your requirements to look for a new place. After careful selection, I think the neighborhood where you live is the best option. There are available apartments for rent there, and the agent said they could move in today. However, the rent is quite high. If you think it’s too much, I have a few alternatives,” Xu Fang whispered.
Xu Youyou glanced at Xu Fang’s list of alternative options and was quite satisfied with how efficiently she had found multiple choices in such a short time. Without hesitation, she decided, “Just rent the one in Tomson Riviera. Don’t worry about the money.”
Xu Fang’s heart skipped a beat upon hearing this. A monthly rent of 130,000 yuan was just “a small amount” in their boss’s eyes.
As the Song family boarded Xu Youyou’s car, both mother and son felt a sense of disbelief.
“Don’t worry. After what happened today and with a new place to live, the Shen family won’t come knocking again,” Xu Youyou reassured Song’s mother.
Song’s mother nodded, though her gaze kept shifting between Xu Youyou and her son.
By the time Xu Youyou arrived at Tomson Riviera, the real estate agent was already waiting. She inspected the apartment, confirmed that it was fully furnished and move-in ready, and then remembered the two little girls. She carefully explained the situation to Song’s mother.
“Auntie, these two kids are pitiful. There aren’t any suitable female guardians at the company, and I wouldn’t feel comfortable leaving them with just anyone. After thinking it over, you’re the best choice. You raised Xiao Song so well—I think you’d be perfect for the role.”
Xu Youyou spoke sincerely, praising Song’s mother’s ability to educate children, making the older woman smile.
“I wouldn’t let you take care of them for free. The company will sign a formal employment contract with you, outlining your duties clearly. You’ll get full benefits and a proper salary,” Xu Youyou added with a smile.
Song’s mother quickly waved her hands. “Miss Xu, because of you, my son and I already owe you so much. It’s just looking after two kids, and from what you said, they’re really pitiful. Please don’t mention any payment—just let me take care of them.”
Seeing that Song’s mother seemed to be in good spirits, Xu Youyou didn’t insist on hiring additional caregivers. However, she remained firm about the company arrangement. “Auntie, please don’t say that. Work deserves fair pay. If you don’t accept it, I’ll have to find someone else.”
Song’s mother hesitated, worried that if someone else was chosen, the two children might not be treated well. “Alright, alright. You’re too persuasive!”
With that settled, Xu Youyou personally went back to the company to pick up the two girls.
Now dressed in clean clothes, the girls looked even more fragile. Though the outfits were tailored to their sizes, they still seemed oversized, hanging loosely on their thin frames. Their exposed arms were as skinny as sticks, reminiscent of black-and-white photos from a bygone era.
Song’s mother’s nose tingled with emotion. Before her marriage, she had worked as a public school teacher, only resigning after her husband became wealthy. Following their divorce, she struggled to reintegrate into the workforce and ended up as a substitute teacher at a private school.
Having been a teacher for many years, she couldn’t bear to see children suffer. Without hesitation, she pulled the two girls into her embrace.
“From now on, I’ll take care of you. I promise I’ll make you chubby and healthy.”
The two sisters, who had lost their mother years ago, had only experienced rejection from their female relatives. It had been a long time since they had felt such warmth. For a moment, they almost believed their mother had come back.
Xiao Mei wiped the tears from the corner of her eyes and whispered, “Can I call you ‘Mom’? I haven’t called anyone ‘Mom’ in years…”
Her older sister looked at Song’s mother with hopeful eyes.
Song’s mother’s eyes welled up with tears. “Of course, you can.”
She had never had daughters of her own. Seeing how well-behaved and obedient these two were, her heart melted. She turned to Xu Youyou and asked, “Miss Xu, can I formally adopt them as my goddaughters?”
Xu Youyou smiled. “If you’re willing, that would be wonderful.”
She trusted Song’s mother completely. After all, she had raised Song Zhibai to be a man of integrity. With her influence, the two girls would surely grow up on the right path.
After making all the arrangements, Xu Youyou left the Song family’s new home.
Although both residences were in Tomson Riviera, they were in separate buildings. However, the distance between them was minimal—just a few minutes’ walk.
That evening, after dinner, Song’s mother watched television with the two children for a while. Then, judging it was getting late, she took out two clean towels and called out to them with a gentle smile, “Time for a bath. Little ones shouldn’t stay up too late watching TV.”
The girls had spent years doing all the household chores back home and had rarely had a chance to watch television. They actually enjoyed it a lot, and their eyes were practically glued to the screen.
But as soon as Song’s mother spoke, no matter how reluctant they were, they obediently followed her into the bathroom.
The apartment, which was labeled as a four-bedroom unit, actually had en-suite bathrooms in each room.
Inside the bathroom, instead of leaving, Song’s mother said, “I don’t know what customs you followed back home, but here, a mother should bathe her daughters at least once.”
The girls couldn’t refuse such a gentle request.
From running warm water to lathering soap, every move Song’s mother made was slow and tender.
The sisters seemed to understand something. They kept their eyes wide open, carefully watching Song’s mother’s actions and learning how to use the modern shower facilities.
Each of them had her own room, but they insisted on sleeping together. Song’s mother understood—they had just moved to a new place and were still feeling uneasy—so she didn’t force them apart.
Once the two sisters were alone, Xiao Mei lay on the soft bed, still feeling as if everything was surreal.
“Sis, am I dreaming?” she asked.
Her sister squeezed her hand tightly.
“No, you’re not. We’re really living in this big house now. And we can eat meat from now on…”
Xiao Mei immediately rolled into her sister’s embrace. The older sister felt her chest getting damp from her sibling’s quiet tears and gently patted her back.
“I wish every day could be this happy…” Xiao Mei murmured.
Her older sister thought of Xu Youyou’s smiling face and whispered, “It will be… She wouldn’t lie to me… I’ll definitely become the amazing singer she said I could be…”
The two sisters cried for a while, but exhaustion soon overtook them, and they fell into a deep, peaceful sleep.
Later that night, Song’s mother tiptoed into their room and pulled the blankets back over them before quietly leaving.
Then, she walked toward the farthest bedroom in the apartment. She knocked on the door, and upon hearing “Come in,” she entered.
Song Zhibai was still awake. Seeing his mother, he paused the movie playing on the projector.
Song’s mother sat down beside him and got straight to the point. “Do you have feelings for Miss Xu?”
