After being caught in Huo Jinyao’s throes of passion for the larger part of the night, Su Qingsang could hardly get out of bed the next day.
She gritted her teeth secretly and, before taking her shower, decided to look for the rabbit outfit to discard it. However, she realized that she could not find it anymore.
She began to blush. It was obvious to her who had taken it away. She felt angry, frustrated and regretful at the same time. There was also a faint sense of anticipation in her.
With great effort, she managed to get herself out of bed, showered and left her room. Xiang Caiping had already made breakfast. “Qingsang, aren’t you going to work today?”
“I am. I’ll go after I am done with breakfast.” Su Qingsang’s waist felt a little weak and she looked a bit embarrassed. When it was just her and Huo Jinyao living here, she did not feel that self-conscious about what they did together.
However, even though Xiang Caiping was now also present in the apartment, Huo Jinyao still did not know how to control himself. This really made her very uncomfortable.
Indeed, when they were having breakfast, Xiang Caiping looked at Su Qingsang as if she wanted to say something, but stopped herself.
“Mother, what’s the matter?”
The look on Xiang Caiping’s face caused Su Qingsang to think that something serious had happened to her. She had not been around for the whole of yesterday; could it be that Su Chenghui and Li Qianxue had come to bother her?
Su Qingsang was a little worried and fearful of Xiang Caiping getting the short end of the stick.
“Qingsang, please don’t be angry at me for what I’m about to say.”
Xiang Caiping’s words caused Su Qingsang to feel nervous all of a sudden. Li Qianxue did not have a chance to teach her a lesson before, so did she actually look her up again?
“I know that you and Huo Jinyao are a young married couple, so it is unavoidable… unavoidable that both of you are passionate about each other. However, there still needs to be some restraint.”
Su Qingsang blinked a few times. When she was aware of what Xiang Caiping was getting at, she immediately became embarrassed. “Mother…”
“Don’t you be mad at me. I am not judging you. I just think that you still need to care about your physical wellbeing. Don’t you think so?”
Xiang Caiping had been there and done that. She could understand how young people’s passion and desires could be all-consuming.
However, looking at how her daughter’s physical state was not in the best form, she was honestly very concerned. “Don’t you over-think this. I am not trying to interfere in your affairs, I just feel that Jinyao really does not know how to restrain himself.”
When she observed Su Qingsang’s walking posture, she guessed how intense the previous night had been for her daughter.
Su Qingsang still had to go to work today. Even though Huo Jinyao was quite a good man, he really did not know how to have mercy on his wife.
“Mother,” Su Qingsang tried her best to remain composed, and worked hard at keeping her face impassive so that her mother would not think that there was anything wrong with her. “This is strictly between you and me, is that right?”
“I have also spoken to Huo Jinyao about it.”
She loved her daughter dearly. Xiang Caiping did not get to spend a substantial portion of her life with Su Qingsang; now that she had acknowledged her daughter, she naturally could only think of doting on her and cherishing her. She wanted to do her best to make up for all the lost time.
Su Qingsang and Huo Jinyao were a loving and affectionate couple, and she was happy about that. However, when she considered Huo Jinyao’s insatiable appetite, Xiang Caiping naturally felt concerned for her daughter.
“Mother,” Su Qingsang was distressed. Being reprimanded by her elder because of such a matter was really…
“You do not need to feel embarrassed about this. Jinyao also knew that he should not have treated you the way he did. He had promised me that he will restrain himself in the future.”
Xiang Caiping was honestly a little embarrassed about what she was saying. She had a nagging feeling that she was expressing unwanted advice.
However, she could not bear to keep her thoughts to herself.
“Alright, Mother. I understand.”
Su Qingsang could not even sit still anymore at that moment. She lowered her head and started eating, hiding her discomfort and awkwardness by digging into her food.
Because of this incident, Su Qingsang had also forgotten to sound out her decision of leaving Lin City.
Sure enough, a representative from the hospital’s management came to ask her about the exchange program the next day. Since Zuo Hongchen had recommended her to the management, a representative asked her if she was willing to go to Song City’s Central Hospital to participate in an exchange program to gain new medical knowledge as well as share her expertise.
Of course, Su Qingsang was willing to go. Recently, she was doing research on cervical cancer, and there was a doctor in Song City who was extremely experienced in this area.
The departure date was in three days. After Su Qingsang had confirmed that she would be participating in the exchange program, she realized that she had apparently forgotten to tell Huo Jinyao about it.
Did this count as ‘act first and report later’ on her part?
During dinnertime that evening, Su Qingsang finally brought up this matter.
“I am going for a work-related exchange program for two weeks. There is a Professor Wu in Song City, and I have always wanted to learn from her.”
Huo Jinyao exchanged a look with Xiang Caiping. They were both a little surprised at Su Qingsang’s decision.
“Qingsang, I’m not against this… this exchange program, but why do you have to go to Song City, which is such a distance away?”
Song City was situated in another province and was a considerable distance from Lin City. Even though Song City’s state of development was comparable to Lin City’s, it was still a foreign place for Su Qingsang. She would definitely not feel as at home there as she did in Lin City.
As it has only been a short time since Xiang Caiping had acknowledged Su Qingsang as her daughter, this upcoming separation filled her with dread.
“My work place has a partnership with the Song City Central Hospital.” Su Qingsang explained with much patience. “This opportunity was difficult to come by. Since the management has offered me this chance, I definitely have to make the most of it.”
Huo Jinyao did not speak. He knew how single-minded Su Qingsang could be regarding matters of her concern.
She could neglect him for a week because of a piece of thesis or a task, so he could understand her wish to go to Song City.
“However, by the time you return, it will almost be the New Year.” Xiang Caiping was still a little worried. “If it happens that your return is delayed, wouldn’t you fail to make it in time to spend the new year here?”
“Mother, why do you think about such a scenario?” Su Qingsang was tempted to laugh, and felt a little sense of heartache at the same time. “The program’s duration has been fixed at two weeks. I will definitely be back after that. Moreover, I am looking forward to spending New Year’s with both of you.”
“You mean it?”
“Of course I mean it.” As she spoke, Su Qingsang thought of her promise to Li Qianxue. She turned to take a look at Huo Jinyao. “Shall we spend this New Year’s celebration in Rong City?”
“In Rong City?” Huo Jinyao did not reply, but Xiang Caiping was at a loss. “Why are we going to Rong City out of the blue?”
“Mother, Jinyao is from Rong City, so it would be natural for us to go there for the festivities. . Moreover, have you not been living in Rong City for a long time, Mother? I also wish to take a look at the place you used to live in.”
Xiang Caiping was a quick-witted person. She immediately caught on to the crucial point in this conversation.
This wish of going to Rong City was just a smokescreen for wanting to avoid Su Chenghui and his family.
Huo Jinyao remained silent. He finally lifted his eyes to look at Su Qingsang after hearing what she said at this point. “After going to Rong City for the New Year’s, are we not coming back here anymore?”
“I guess you could say that.” Su Qingsang nodded. Since she had made a promise to Li Qianxue, she definitely had to honor it.
She was actually not afraid of a confrontation with Li Qianxue, and she did not believe that Li Qianxue would really dare to do anything to her.
After all, Su Chenghui was still around, and so was Huo Jinyao. Moreover, Li Qianxue was extremely mindful of how she looked to others. It was definitely not Li Qianxue’s style to put her pride aside in order to deal with an insignificant illegitimate daughter like her.
She had lived with Li Qianxue without any conflicts for so many years, so she already knew that as long as she did not test her stepmother’s limits, she would leave her be.
Since Su Qingsang had already made up her mind, this matter could be considered settled. Su Qingsang would head to Song City for the exchange program, and when she returned, she would pack up her things and they would all leave for Rong City together.
Xiang Caiping did not mind this. She would follow her daughter wherever she chose to go.
Huo Jinyao looked at Su Qingsang. He knew that Su Qingsang did not speak the truth. At least, she did not speak the whole truth.
