Chapter 45: Mother-daughter Love
After Xu left, her fatigue was gradually eaten away by deep worry. She opened her eyes again, stared at the roof, her heart in a mess.
Suddenly, there was a slight knock on the bedroom door. Jiang Zhiyu was startled and sat up quickly. Xu's voice came through the crack in the door, soft and concerned: "Yu'er, are you asleep?"
"Mom, I haven't fallen asleep yet." Jiang Zhiyu replied softly.
Xu gently pushed the door open and walked in, holding a bowl of steaming nutritious soup in her hands. She slowly walked to the bed and gently placed the soup on the small table beside the bed. Then she sat on the edge of the bed with a gentle look and a warm voice: "Yu'er, mother understands that you are worried that mother will be bullied in the Jiang family, but mother still hopes that my child can grow up safely and happily. Do whatever you want to do. Mother will always support you. This is the chicken soup that mother cooked by hand to nourish your body. You have suffered in the Imperial College."
Jiang Zhiyu truly felt Xu's concern for her, "But mother, if I am gone and go to the Imperial College, what will you do alone in the Jiang family?"
Xu gently stroked Jiang Zhiyu's hand, her tone gentle and comforting: "Yu'er, I feel your filial piety. Family disputes have always been unpredictable. All we can do is try our best to resolve them and protect ourselves."
Xu smiled and said, "Yu'er, don't blame yourself too much. Everyone has their own limitations. You just need to do your best. Don't forget, you are not alone. I am by your side."
The two were silent for a moment, and Xu suddenly changed the subject: "Yu'er, do you know? I also went through a similar predicament when I was young. At that time, I also felt confused and helpless, but in the end, I relied on my own wisdom and courage to get out of the predicament."
Jiang Zhiyu's eyes flashed with curiosity: "Mom, I have never heard the story of your youth. Can you share it with me?"
Xu smiled gently and said, "Okay, then let me tell you the story of my youth."
Then, Xu slowly told the story. She described how she remained neutral in family disputes, how she used wisdom to resolve conflicts, and how she gained the appreciation and support of family elders at critical moments.
After Xu finished her story, she looked at Jiang Zhiyu tenderly, "Yu'er, I hope my experience can bring you some inspiration. Remember, no matter what challenges you encounter, never give up easily."
Jiang Zhiyu's eyes flashed with gratitude, and she held Xu's hand tightly: "Thank you, mother. Your story has given me great encouragement. I will work hard to move forward."
Xu smiled and patted Jiang Zhiyu's hand, then stood up and prepared to leave. Before leaving, she turned back and said to Jiang Zhiyu: "Yu'er, after drinking this bowl of soup, you should rest."
Jiang Zhiyu nodded slightly, and a warm feeling surged in his heart.
Because the Imperial College will announce the test results of this ten-day examination and the class divisions for next month tomorrow morning, Jiang Zhiyu and Jiang Shuyuan have to prepare to leave early the next morning.
Xu held Jiang Zhiyu's hand tightly, with deep reluctance in her eyes. Her eyes lingered on her daughter, as if she wanted to imprint her every outline and every expression in her heart. She said worriedly: "The journey is long, you must be extra careful and take good care of yourself. The world is complicated and changeable now, so you must always be vigilant."
A determined light flashed in Jiang Zhiyu's eyes. She smiled and responded softly: "Mom, don't worry, I will act cautiously. Please take care of yourself at home and don't worry about me." Although her tone was light, it revealed great determination and courage.
Xu gently stroked Jiang Zhiyu's hair, and a warm current surged in her heart. She recalled the years of careful teaching and care she had given her daughter. Now, her daughter has grown into a graceful young girl, and is about to face the ups and downs of the outside world alone. She is both proud and worried.
Xu looked at the gradually brightening sky and said affectionately: "Zhi Yu, remember, no matter what kind of difficulties you encounter, you must stay calm and never give up easily. I believe in your ability, and you will be able to overcome all difficulties."
Jiang Zhiyu nodded solemnly. She took a deep breath, looked at her mother's concerned eyes, and comforted her: "Mom, I will write home regularly to let you know how I am doing. You should also take care of your health at home and don't overwork yourself."
Xu nodded gently, with a hint of relief in her eyes. She knew that her daughter had grown up and could face the challenges of life independently. But she was still worried that her daughter would encounter difficulties and setbacks outside.
Farewells are always hasty. Xu hugged Jiang Zhiyu tightly and said, "I look forward to your reply. I hope everything is well with you." Her voice was full of expectation and reluctance.
Jiang Zhiyu's eyes were filled with tears. She hugged Xu tightly and then resolutely embarked on a journey to a distant place. Her figure seemed particularly firm and brave in the morning light, as if silently promising that she would bravely face every challenge in the future with her own strength.
Xu stared at her daughter's back as she walked away, her heart filled with blessings. She knew that this was the only way for her daughter to grow up, so she could only pray silently in her heart, hoping that her daughter would be safe all the way and arrive at the Imperial College smoothly.
"Are you going to leave or not? You're still pretending to be a loving mother and daughter!" Jiang Shuyuan said impatiently, "Humph, you're acting like you're parting forever. You've never seen the world."
Jiang Zhiyu then got on the carriage reluctantly, and rode in the carriage with Jiang Shuyuan, slowly heading towards the Imperial College.
However, the atmosphere inside the car was very different from the tranquility and harmony outside.
The two of them were each thinking about something and kept their distance from each other, as if the space in the carriage was filled with indifference between them. Jiang Zhiyu sat in a corner of the carriage, expressionless, looking out the window. Jiang Shuyuan leaned against the other side of the carriage, her eyes revealing disdain and contempt, as if she sneered at everything Jiang Zhiyu did.
"I absolutely do not believe that you can succeed again in this ten-day test by luck." Jiang Shuyuan's face was full of contempt, and her disdain was evident in her words.
"Then let's just wait and see." Jiang Zhiyu looked at Jiang Shuyuan with a firm gaze, a fearless smile on his lips.
Jiang Shuyuan's eyes were wide open, filled with deep resentment. She bit her lips tightly, as if she was trying hard to suppress the anger in her heart.
"Jiang Zhiyu, do you think your cleverness can always make you famous? In this ten-day exam, if you dare to show off again, I will make sure you pay!" Jiang Shuyuan's voice was low and cold, like a poisonous snake lurking in the dark, making a chilling hissing sound.
"Jiang Shuyuan, why are you so angry? I'm just doing my best to do what I should do." Jiang Zhiyu responded calmly, but there was a barely perceptible sharpness in his eyes.