Chapter Nineteen: Homecoming (Side Story – CP) Shu

“Back to Jinan at last~” Tang Shiying looked at the sign for Jinan Station, unable to help but marvel at how long it had been since she’d last returned.

“Yes, that’s right.” Song Cijin reached over to pat Tang Shiying gently as she spoke.

…

“Tsk, tsk, tsk, Shiying, you finally decided to come down? Not glued to your Cijin anymore?” Du Qianmo’s lips curled up in amusement as she looked at Tang Shiying, her satisfaction growing the more she looked—she couldn’t help but think her Cijin wasn’t quite worthy of Shiying.

Tang Shiying nodded awkwardly, lowering her head to stare at the floor, wishing she could burrow into a hole and escape right then.

“Come here, Shiying. And Qianmo, don’t scare her—you know how thin-skinned she is, she can’t take much teasing.” Leng Sumei beckoned Tang Shiying over with a gentle wave of her hand.

Tang Shiying nodded and walked over to sit beside them.

At that moment, Song Cijin strolled down leisurely. Seeing Tang Shiying, she couldn’t help but smile.

Indeed, in front of Tang Shiying, Song Cijin was never able to keep her composure.

“Song Cijin, come here. Kneel.” Du Qianmo’s expression changed in an instant—she had been so gentle with Tang Shiying, but now, facing Song Cijin, she was all sternness.

“Mom, what is it?” Song Cijin walked over unhurriedly and knelt on the floor with practiced ease, casting Tang Shiying an exaggeratedly pitiful look.

Seeing Song Cijin kneeling, Tang Shiying’s heart ached. She said a word to Leng Sumei, then hurried upstairs to fetch a cushion for Song Cijin to kneel on.

During all this, Du Qianmo and Leng Sumei watched from the side, faces full of amusement. Song Cijin had never tried to act pitiful when kneeling before. But now? Ah! It’s true—falling in love can turn even the strongest person “soft.”

“Tsk tsk, she’s already feeling sorry for her.” Leng Sumei shot Du Qianmo a look that seemed to say, See? The couple I ship is the real deal. “At this rate, she’ll spoil her rotten in the future.”

“Isn’t that exactly what you do to me?” Du Qianmo suddenly adopted a cutesy tone, whispering adorably into Leng Sumei’s ear.

Leng Sumei stiffened for a moment, then scooped Du Qianmo into her arms and whispered, “Momo, are you acting out because I didn’t dote on you for a day?” Then, turning to Tang Shiying and Song Cijin, she added, “You two go ahead and have breakfast. School starts tomorrow, so hurry up and get ready. See if there’s anything you need to bring. Oh, and don’t forget—both of you have military training coming up, so be prepared.”

After her reminders, Leng Sumei carried Du Qianmo off to their bedroom. As for Tang’s and Song’s fathers, the two of them had gone to the office together early in the morning. Calling it “work” was generous—it was more like a nap in the company lounge.

“Cijin, get up quickly—are you alright?” As soon as Du Qianmo and Leng Sumei left, Tang Shiying rushed to help Song Cijin up, worry etched across her face.

Song Cijin shook her head, patted Tang Shiying’s head, and said, “I’m fine. Go have your breakfast.”

Tang Shiying nodded, but her eyes reddened.

Song Cijin smiled, scooped Tang Shiying up, and sat down on the sofa with her.

“Look at you, you’re already crying and I’m not even hurt. If I ever really got hurt, would you cry yourself to death?” Song Cijin teased her with a laugh, gently ruffling her hair.

“Song Cijin! You’re such a bully! Why can’t you ever wish yourself well?” Tang Shiying wiped her eyes, her voice thick with tears.

“I just want to make you care, that’s all. Alright, don’t cry, my little princess. Let’s go over what we need to prepare for university in a bit, and then head to the library, alright?” Song Cijin wiped away her tears, coaxing her.

Tang Shiying nodded, and Song Cijin carried her off to the dining room for breakfast.

…

Library.

Inside the library, Song Cijin was reading while Tang Shiying leaned against her shoulder, scrolling through Weibo, keeping her company.

“By the way, Cijin, have you heard about Xingchen?” Tang Shiying suddenly looked up at Song Cijin.

Song Cijin was a little confused and shook her head. “I haven’t been on Weibo lately. What happened?”

“Xingchen, the actor and singer Li Xiner—she broke up with her boyfriend, and she’s pregnant!” Tang Shiying said, shocked. “I really feel bad for Xingchen, she ended up with a jerk!”

“It’s alright, as long as she’s okay.” Song Cijin comforted her, patting her head. “I bet she’ll still take part in that voice acting contest. She never lets her fans down if she’s promised something.”

Tang Shiying shook her head solemnly. “Cijin, I’m just afraid she won’t go, or that something bad will happen if she does.”

“I know. Don’t worry—she’ll be just fine.” Song Cijin smiled, reassuring her.

“Mm, she’ll be fine!”

…

“I’m so bored.” Tang Shiying leaned on Song Cijin’s shoulder, staring at her phone, not sure what to do.

Song Cijin set her book aside, patted Tang Shiying’s head, and pulled her into her arms. “How about we go see if there’s a place nearby selling hanfu, and then take a stroll around Daming Lake? If we go home now, we’ll probably get scolded.”

Tang Shiying nodded, packed up her things, and off they went to buy hanfu. After their shopping, they headed for Daming Lake.

…

Daming Lake.

Tang Shiying and Song Cijin strolled the streets in matching black-and-white hanfu. Tang Shiying felt there wasn’t much to do besides admire the scenery and take photos. Suddenly, an idea struck her. “Cijin, how about we narrate the history of Daming Lake as we walk? Wherever we go, we’ll talk about that spot in our own words.”

Song Cijin patted her head indulgently and nodded, “Alright, whatever you like.”

“Okay, do you want to start or should I?”

“Why don’t you go first?”

“Alright.”

The two of them checked some information online and, combining it with what they saw, began their narration.

“Daming Lake, located in the urban area of Qizhou in Shandong Province, is one of Jinan’s three famous historical sites. It lies in the northern part of the old city, formed by the convergence of countless springs in Jinan. The lake drains into the Luo River, which then flows into the Xiaoqing River. Daming Lake covers forty-six hectares, with an average depth of two to three meters. It is a core part of the national 5A-level ‘First Spring Under Heaven’ scenic area.

Daming Lake itself is renowned for its beautiful scenery and crystal-clear waters…”

…

“Daming Lake has a long history, with many buildings and natural sights commemorating historical figures and events—such as Lixia Pavilion, Iron Duke Temple, Little Canglang, North Pole Pavilion, Hui Bo Tower, Nanfeng Shrine, Xiyuan, and Jiaxuan Shrine. These have inspired poets throughout the ages to visit, pay homage, and write poems. Since the Tang dynasty, poets have left behind many celebrated verses.

After liberation, in 1957, it was officially developed into a park and has been renovated and beautified many times, becoming a renowned tourist destination in Qizhou. In the Northern Wei dynasty, Li Daoyuan called it ‘Lishui Reservoir’ in his Commentary on the Water Classic. In the Tang era, it was known as Lotus Lake. The Northern Song writer Zeng Gong called it ‘West Lake’ and ‘North Lake.’ It was during the Jin dynasty, in Yuan Haowen’s ‘Notes on a Journey in Qizhou,’ that it was first called ‘Daming Lake.’”

…

…

“Yingbao, shall we go?” Song Cijin handed Tang Shiying a cup of milk tea, sat down beside her, and looked out at the people enjoying the view.

Tang Shiying took the milk tea, nodded, took a long sip, then took Song Cijin’s hand, and together they caught a ride home.

…

At home, the parents of both families were no longer sitting in the living room. Leng Sumei and Du Qianmo were on the couch watching TV together, while Tang Xiangwan and Song Liuguang were in the kitchen preparing dinner for the four young people.

Why not spend time in their own bedrooms?

Well, since Song Cijin and Tang Shiying had gone out together, as parents, it was only right to help make things work. After all, they were devoted shippers of this couple—no matter what, their favorite pairing had to become real!

Most anxious of all was Song Cijin’s mother, Du Qianmo, who was worried her daughter wouldn’t win the heart of her beloved.

She pulled Leng Sumei up, anxiously watching the door in case she missed anything. “Sumei, why aren’t they back yet? All the things they need for college have arrived—what’s keeping them?”

Leng Sumei stepped forward, gave her a hug, and sat her back down on the couch. “Don’t worry. Let them have a little more fun. Remember, they’re going to the capital soon for that competition, and their novel has just been signed. Don’t you think they need to go out and get some inspiration? Besides, they’ll be studying in the capital too.”

“I suppose… that makes sense.” Du Qianmo considered it, then was quickly convinced.

“Alright, let’s get back to the show—don’t worry.”

PS: Ah! I’m stuck! It’s terrifying! I really don’t know what to write next! Ah! This is so hard!

You’ve probably guessed who Chu Yuxiu’s CP is, right? It’s Qin Yu—the ‘double Yu’ pairing.

I’m going crazy, truly! Writer’s block is a heartbreaking thing.

Alright, see you tomorrow~