Ye Xiaomei was very enthusiastic about this trip. After discussing it with her daughter, she immediately booked plane tickets and a hotel for departure the day after tomorrow.

The next day, the two stayed at home and didn’t do anything else—just packing their luggage took up half the day. Women are naturally beauty-loving. They tried on summer clothes from the wardrobe one by one, matching bags, jewelry, shoes, and hats, critiquing each other. When they found good-looking outfits, they first took beautiful photos. As a result, halfway through packing, the two unanimously agreed that the clothes in the wardrobe couldn’t maximize their beauty, so they linked arms and took the bus together to buy clothes.

Cheng Lele bought a light yellow cotton dress and picked out several outfits for her mother. Because of her performance work, Mom had always maintained her figure well, and she looked full of charm in whatever she wore.

The sales associate said sweetly: “You don’t look like mother and daughter at all—anyone would think you’re two young sisters.”

The two carried bags large and small back home and continued packing their luggage when they arrived.

Cheng Lele temporarily set aside the distress Chen An had brought her. Having experienced the oppressive darkness of most of that year after Dad passed away, Cheng Lele treasured the small happiness before her eyes immensely. It was as if heaven had given her light again. She didn’t dare wish for more, only wanting Mom to stay this happy forever.

The plane landed at the Capital International Airport with a roar. Cheng Lele wore her hair in a loose mermaid braid, with a woven straw hat on her head, and had vainly stuck a rose flower in the little round hat. Her white Bohemian-style long dress carried a strong vacation vibe. After getting off the plane, she ceremoniously put on sunglasses and pulled her suitcase, walking beside her mother like a little princess out inspecting her territory.

While waiting for her mother at the restroom entrance, several people came over asking for her phone number.

Big city people are so straightforward.

One of them looked old enough to be her father and asked: “Miss, can I get your WeChat?”

Cheng Lele didn’t understand what WeChat was. At that time, not everyone had a WeChat account yet, so she only half understood. The noble princess immediately became as provincial as the village chief’s daughter. She simply turned around and faced the wall.

Her phone dinged. Little Bro had sent a message.

Since that day, Little Bro hadn’t contacted her again. She opened it to see: “Went on a graduation trip?”

Cheng Lele wanted to reply, but Ye Xiaomei came out of the restroom. She had fixed her makeup inside. The ink-wash style qipao outlined her graceful figure, making her look elegant and refined.

The two linked arms and walked to the exit. Someone came over to greet them.

Cheng Lele thought he was going to ask for her WeChat like that uncle just now, and quickly tightened her arm and walked to the side: “No phone number, no phone number.”

Ye Xiaomei stopped and pulled her back, pointing at the person and saying: “Lele, this is Mom’s friend, Old Qin. Just call him Uncle Qin. He came specially to pick us up.”

Only then did Cheng Lele realize she had made a mistake and quickly apologized: “I’m sorry, Uncle Qin.”

Uncle Qin was about the same age as Cheng Dong, with the burly build of a northerner, a slight paunch, and a string of beads on his wrist.

“Hello, Lele. Your mother mentions you often. I’ve been looking forward to meeting you. Seeing you today, you’re indeed as beautiful as your mother.”

Cheng Lele felt a bit embarrassed. Uncle Qin naturally took their luggage and asked Ye Xiaomei: “Tired?”

Ye Xiaomei smiled gently: “A little.”

“Once we get to the hotel, there’s no rush to go out. Rest first.”

“Mm.” Ye Xiaomei asked softly, “Where’s Qin Rui?”

“There’s a game at school. He’ll come join us for dinner tonight.”

“Okay.”

Cheng Lele followed behind them, finally understanding from their slightly intimate conversation why Mom liked Beijing so much.

Fall in love with a person, fall in love with a city.

She couldn’t help but think of Dad. She remembered Dad chatting while holding Mom’s waist in the kitchen, remembered Dad holding Mom’s hand to buy flowers, remembered Dad covering her eyes to kiss Mom when he came back from business trips. Those scenes hadn’t faded in her mind yet, but Mom already had someone else.

Is love always this fickle?