We Can Only Share Happiness Rather Pains

“Mom, please stop making up stories. Han Chen might already be married... or have a girlfriend,” Zhou Mo said.

“No, I asked Auntie Liang when I was chatting with her the other day,” Liu Xiangru replied.

“...” Zhou Mo suddenly felt like she had been betrayed. She asked, “You didn’t tell Auntie Liang about my situation, did you?”

Liu Xiangru hesitated for a moment, coughed lightly, and whispered, “We... just caught up as old friends and chatted about random things.”

Zhou Mo was speechless. It seemed like her mother had already revealed her recent situation to Han Chen’s mother. The next step... was probably to try and match her with Han Chen.

“Mom, we still haven’t resolved the situation with Yu Yizhou, not to mention that I don’t have extra energy for it. With our family’s current situation, please don’t worry about my lifelong matters,” Zhou Mo said.

Liu Xiangru wanted to say something, but seeing Zhou Mo’s gloomy expression, she suddenly fell silent. After all, it was because of her that Yu Yizhou was introduced to Zhou Mo, and it ended up causing trouble for the whole family.

“Mo Mo, I’m sorry. I won’t meddle in your affairs anymore,” Liu Xiangru felt nothing but guilt in her heart.

Zhou Mo sensed her mother’s self-blame and couldn’t bring herself to blame her. She reassured her, “It’s okay, Mom. Don’t think too much. Your daughter, who is so outstanding, how can she have trouble finding a husband? Besides, I’m a Ph.D. now.”

“But being a Ph.D. is the problem. It will still take three or four more years for you to graduate. By then, you’ll be in your thirties,” Liu Xiangru said.

Zhou Mo sighed and massaged her temples. “Back then, you and Dad were supportive when I said I wanted to pursue a Ph.D.”

Liu Xiangru said, “Of course, furthering your education is important, but a girl’s youth is only a few years. Marriage is also important.”

“Mom, let’s not be too greedy. You can’t have both the fish and the bear’s paw. Let’s focus on one thing at a time,” Zhou Mo said.

Liu Xiangru looked at Zhou Mo and sighed helplessly. At this point, they could only take it step by step.

Allowing Zhou Mo to lead her upstairs, Liu Xiangru continued to talk non-stop. “Back then, I shouldn’t have listened to your teachers. They talked about early love and all that.”

Zhou Mo couldn’t help but curl her lips. In her mind, she recalled the time when she and Han Chen were in a relationship, and a classmate reported them. The teacher caught them and brought them to the office for a lecture.

The teacher went on and on, but Zhou Mo didn’t say a word to defend herself. At that time, she had a clear mind. After all, she was seeking revenge. She didn’t pay attention to the teacher’s lectures about “being responsible for your life” or “not letting it affect your studies.”

Her life was her own, not something that could be taught by a few words from a teacher. Her goal was simple: Han Chen had caused her to fall in the rankings, and she wanted to bring him down as well.

Zhou Mo was naturally rebellious, but she wouldn’t show it openly. She silently made a vow in her heart. No matter what the teacher said, she remained unaffected. The only thing that made her panic was the last step, “calling the parents“.

At that time, Liu Xiangru and Zhou Zheng had strict requirements for her. If they found out about this matter, there would be a big storm at home.

Out of nowhere, Han Chen, who had always been silent, suddenly spoke up, “Can you just call my mom?”

The teacher, infuriated, puffed up his beard and stared, slamming the table. “Isn’t this relationship a mutual one? Ah? Can one hand clap?”

Han Chen remained calm and said, “I pursued her, but she didn’t agree. It has nothing to do with her.”

Zhou Mo stared blankly at Han Chen, listening to him earnestly telling lies.

Clearly, she was the one who pursued him first.

Experienced teachers often knew that at such moments, the two people were deeply in love. To protect each other, they would start lying and take the blame upon themselves, opposing the adults, thinking that this was “love“. However, in the eyes of adults, it was nothing but a laughable act.

“Zhou Mo, how about you?” The teacher had a look of anticipation, waiting for Zhou Mo to fearlessly defend Han Chen.

But who would have known...

Zhou Mo hesitantly said, “We weren’t in a relationship. Han Chen already said it, he pursued me, but I didn’t agree.”

The teacher’s face darkened, unable to determine who was telling the truth. After all, both of them were “good children” in the teacher’s eyes.

However, the informant the teacher had placed in the class never reported false information, which made the teacher feel conflicted for a moment.

“Regardless of whether you were in a relationship or not, bring your parents to school!”

Afterward, the teacher notified both Liu Xiangru and Han Chen’s mother.

Upon learning about Zhou Mo’s love affair, Liu Xiangru was furious and ignored Zhou Mo for three days. On the day she returned home, she intended to confront Han Chen’s mother, but was ultimately stopped by Zhou Zheng.

The reason was simple: Zhou Mo denied it, so there was no point in going.

If children said they weren’t in a relationship and the parents caused trouble, it would be unreasonable. Moreover, since Han Chen ranked first and Zhou Mo was in the top ten, the matter was ignored.

Zhou Mo privately apologized to Han Chen for “abandoning” him and placing all the blame on him.

Han Chen didn’t blame her, but coldly said, “You really can only enjoy the good times and not endure the hardships.”

Zhou Mo also had her reasons. “Given the circumstances at that time, if I had truly admitted it, would we be where we are today?”

A chilly look flashed across Han Chen’s eyes as he said, “Zhou Mo, we never really dated. You were just forcing me into doing something bad.”

Han Chen’s words hit the nail on the head, exposing Zhou Mo’s true thoughts. The triumphant delight in her rebellious heart was suddenly extinguished by Han Chen’s cold water. Her once joyful flame was instantly doused, and her enthusiasm vanished.

Han Chen was right. Zhou Mo enjoyed their relationship not because she liked Han Chen so much, but because she finally had her own secret. She used it to resist the teachers and parents, filling the rebellious factor in her heart.

Being seen through was quite boring. Zhou Mo casually replied, “Think what you will.”

As long as Han Chen didn’t declare it was over, the game of negotiating with the adults would continue.

...

Zhou Mo and Liu Xiangru returned home. Zhou Zheng was lying on a sun lounger on the balcony, basking in the sun.

When he saw the mother and daughter return, Zhou Zheng immediately uncovered himself and got up, grabbing Zhou Mo and asking, “Has Yu Yizhou contacted you again? Is he causing trouble?”

Zhou Mo helped her father back to his seat and reassured him, “Dad, don’t worry. He hasn’t been able to get out of bed in a few days. He won’t do anything to me.”

“What about the Industrial and Commercial Bureau and the police station?”

“I’ve reported and filed a complaint. I’ve submitted evidence. As you know, the process takes time. It’s not going to have an immediate result.”

Zhou Zheng sighed. As a former official, he understood that this matter couldn’t be resolved in just a few days. “Unfortunately, I don’t know anyone at the Industrial and Commercial Bureau. If I could find someone, communicate with them, maybe things could be resolved faster.”

Zhou Mo didn’t want her father, who was in poor health, to worry about her affairs. She saw the few extra white hairs on Zhou Zheng’s temples and felt even more uncomfortable.

“It will pass. We have all the evidence. Resolving this issue is only a matter of time. And, we have to believe in justice, right?”

Zhou Zheng nodded. “I hope Yu Yizhou’s leg gets better soon and we can have a resolution. Otherwise... I’m afraid he’ll harass you when you’re out alone.”

Liu Xiangru also shared the same concerns. “Yes, Mo Mo, why don’t you pack up and come back to live with us?”