CHAPTER 252: CHAPTER 252 ORIGINAL SIN 61

Shuangshuang was so receptive, which made Teacher Chu very happy. She had seen many top students with excellent grades, but such children inevitably tended to be somewhat arrogant.

This was quite normal, as students with good grades had the capital to be proud. However, these children also had shortcomings. Unless someone had better grades than them or was their direct teacher, they rarely accepted others’ criticism, including from other teachers.

Initially, Teacher Chu was a bit worried that this little girl, Yun Shuangshuang, who could teach herself to such an extent, might be arrogant and not receptive to others’ guidance. To her surprise, Shuangshuang’s character was indeed commendable. She was humble enough to accept others’ opinions.

Teacher Chu had been teaching and nurturing students for many years and had always studied what her students thought. Thus, she could easily discern that the gratitude and thirst for knowledge in Shuangshuang’s eyes were genuine, which instantly lifted her spirits. She liked this kind of smart, excellent, yet teachable student!

After encouraging Shuangshuang a few more times, broadly suggesting that she should study hard, summarize her insights after finishing extracurricular books, and present them to her for further guidance, Shuangshuang didn’t refuse such a good deal and earnestly agreed to everything.

After instructing Shuangshuang, Teacher Chu, having completed her task of supervising Shuangshuang’s exam, hurriedly said goodbye to the principal and left. Although she had gained a future prized pupil, she couldn’t set her mind at ease about the students in her class.

With only a few months left until the college entrance examination, it was the crucial time for review. If she wasn’t there, her students wouldn’t get timely answers for their questions.

Moreover, there were a few naughty boys in her class, whose grades were decent, but they were too restless, acting as if they had hyperactivity disorder. They couldn’t sit still, and if she didn’t keep them in check, they’d start being disruptive during study time!

After Teacher Chu left, Hao Jianxing also encouraged Shuangshuang a few times, then took her to complete all the school registration procedures. Since it was the weekend for the next two days, Hao Jianxing suggested that Shuangshuang come to school the following Monday.

Holding her loosely designed school uniform and textbooks emanating the fragrance of paper, Shuangshuang’s lips curved up in palpable joy as she walked briskly toward the exit.

As soon as she stepped out of the school gate, Shuangshuang saw her mother, Feng Jinyan’s, car parked in a spot not far outside, and her mom was leaning against the car, looking in the direction of the school gate.

Shuangshuang paused for a moment; she had told her mother to take a lap around and come back after her exam, but from her mother’s appearance, she must have been waiting outside for quite a while!

Shuangshuang felt a warm sourness in her heart, feeling a bit regretful for not letting her mother accompany her for the sake of pride.

She quickly moved towards Feng Jinyan with a big smile on her face, showing off the things in her hands to her, "Mom, I passed the exam today. Look, I’ve even got my uniform and textbooks!"

Feng Jinyan also looked at the books and uniform in Shuangshuang’s hands with a face full of smiles, "My daughter is amazing. Let’s go out to eat a big meal and celebrate properly!"

Shuangshuang thought about it and felt it was a good decision to try a five-star chef’s cooking at a five-star restaurant. Perhaps she could sniff out a few recipes to compare with her own culinary skills and see if she could enhance her cooking or if anyone had surpassed her culinary expertise.

After a brief discussion, the mother and daughter decided to dine at the largest restaurant in F City.

On the way, Shuangshuang turned her head to observe Feng Jinyan’s profile as she drove seriously, and couldn’t help but think about the hints of disappointment she saw on Feng Jinyan’s face when she walked out of the school gate.

Although Feng Jinyan quickly concealed that disappointment, Shuangshuang noticed and couldn’t forget it.

Shuangshuang kept pondering; she always thought handling everything by herself and preventing her mother from worrying was a way to show filial piety, like dealing with the school admission by herself.

So, Shuangshuang did it all herself, believing this independence would make her mother happy, as Feng Jinyan was an assertive and decisive career woman. Being her daughter, carrying the same independent and strong-willed character, should make her mother proud and happy.

But in fact, what Shuangshuang saw was disappointment on her mother’s face! It left Shuangshuang feeling a bit uneasy; she didn’t understand why her mother felt forlorn. Wasn’t her independence a good thing? Shuangshuang tried to figure out her mother’s thoughts despite feeling anxious.

The first thing that came to Shuangshuang’s mind was how her relationship with her mother differed from that of a typical mother-daughter relationship. During the time Shuangshuang should have been cared for by her mother, it was the reverse, with Shuangshuang taking care of Feng Jinyan, who should have been the one caring for her daughter.

Later, when Shuangshuang and Feng Jinyan escaped, for many years following, Shuangshuang was devoted and detailed in caring for and teaching her mother, akin to nurturing a child. During that period, their roles were largely reversed, with Shuangshuang as the daughter acting as the mother, while Feng Jinyan as the mother accepted Shuangshuang’s protection, care, and meticulous guidance as if she were the daughter.

Did Shuangshuang find the arduous task of caring for her mother challenging? She asked herself and realized it wasn’t burdensome. It was fulfilling to see her mother become increasingly intelligent, knowledgeable, and recovered under her care, bringing immense satisfaction!

Shuangshuang thought this was a joy brought by familial love, unswayed by burdens or struggles. Caring for the dearest person is not a burden but a happiness; being together with the one you love most is the greatest bliss.

But this happiness wasn’t experienced by Feng Jinyan. When she should have looked after Shuangshuang, her mind was incomplete and unstable. After she recovered, her daughter had already become independent enough not to need her! Therefore, Feng Jinyan felt a sense of loss!

Shuangshuang’s heart trembled; was it because she had deprived her mother of the joy and instincts of caring for her daughter?

Watching Feng Jinyan drive seriously, Shuangshuang smiled. She playfully found an excuse in a slightly coquettish tone, "Mom, from now on, can you take me to school every day? Just the thought of walking such a long distance to catch the bus makes life seem bleak! If the bus is late, I’ll be a tardy student!"

When Shuangshuang spoke those words, she could feel Feng Jinyan’s hands tighten suddenly on the steering wheel. Then Feng Jinyan glanced at her, and Shuangshuang swore she saw brightness and anticipation in her mother’s eyes!

"Shuangshuang, are you not staying on campus? Do you mean to come home every day despite the distance?" Feng Jinyan’s tone was filled with expectation and uncertainty, bringing a pang to Shuangshuang’s heart. It was a mistake on her part as a daughter, realizing her mother’s thoughts too late!