Chapter 302: Double Care

The door closed softly behind them, and the bedroom instantly fell quiet, leaving only the clearer sound of birds chirping and the rustling of leaves outside the window.

Chen Mo stood still, not moving immediately.

The image of his mother Chen Xi’s eyes, which rarely revealed such pure love and happiness, and her phrase, "the happiest days," still echoed in Chen Mo’s mind.

He was used to his mother’s eccentric, almost "abstract" style, so this direct, heartfelt expression was unexpectedly touching, warming his heart.

On this day, his birthday, she wanted only to give all she could, not to ask for anything in return.

Su Yuqing stood quietly beside him, equally moved by Chen Xi’s profound maternal love.

She looked at Chen Mo’s slightly stunned profile, sensing the emotion stirring within him.

She gently reached out and took his hand, which hung at his side. Her fingertips were slightly cool.

Chen Mo felt her touch and snapped out of his trance. He turned his hand over, completely enveloping hers in his warm palm.

He looked down at her. Morning light streamed through a gap in the curtains, casting a soft play of light and shadow across her face.

"My mom can be a bit out there sometimes, but when she gets serious, the things she says can really warm your heart..." Chen Mo began with a smile, his voice tinged with a faint, almost unnoticeable hoarseness, as if he were choked with emotion.

In his two lifetimes, Chen Mo had rarely seen his mother so openly display her true feelings.

In his previous timeline, he had been forced to mature overnight, creating a rift that cut him off from his mother’s love.

In that state, it would have been difficult for Chen Xi to show her love to him, even if she had wanted to.

Thinking back on his past life, Chen Mo realized that in his grief over losing Su Yuqing, he had neglected his parents and grandparents. He felt he owed them a great deal.

As a result, the more affection they showered him with now, the more undeserving he felt.

Su Yuqing nodded, her eyes filled with gentle understanding. "I really like your mom’s style."

She thought back on Chen Xi’s antics, which left one unsure whether to laugh or cry, and a smile touched her lips.

But at crucial moments, she always managed to convey her deeply hidden love—clumsy, yet incredibly sincere—with such clarity.

’It’s a real blessing to have a mother like that.’

"Yeah," Chen Mo responded, squeezing her hand a little tighter.

His mother’s words were like a warm current, washing away his minor annoyance at their kiss being interrupted. They also made the love swelling in his chest—sparked by Su Yuqing’s birthday gift and her deeper confession—feel even more profound and real.

’In this world, he had so many things to cherish.’

They looked at each other and smiled. No more words were needed; the shared warmth of family and love had already filled the small bedroom.

RUMBLE...

A faint, inopportune rumble broke the warm tranquility.

Chen Mo gave an embarrassed smile. He hadn’t even had a chance to eat the special breakfast she’d made for him in the living room before being "shooed" back here.

Seeing his reaction, Su Yuqing couldn’t help but let out a soft laugh. The sentimental mood was mostly broken by this adorable, practical need.

"Hurry and eat before it gets cold," Su Yuqing said with a smile, looking at the breakfast she’d prepared, which was now sitting on the computer desk.

"Yeah..."

Just then, a series of sounds came from outside the door—deliberately muffled, but loud enough for the two inside to hear. Chen Xi’s voice was among them, hushed but unable to conceal her excitement. "Shhh—quieter!"

It was followed by his grandparents’ equally hushed, amused replies:

"Hear anything?"

"Sounds like... they’re talking..."

"Oh, come on, young people need their privacy. Let’s go, let’s go. Don’t disturb them..."

Chen Mo and Su Yuqing: ...

Their blatant eavesdropping left the pair unsure whether to laugh or cry.

Chen Mo sighed in resignation and called out toward the door, "Mom! If you guys keep this up, I’m taking Yuqing out to ’catch up on some sleep’!"

All movement outside the door ceased instantly.

A few seconds later, they heard Chen Xi’s voice, trying to sound business-like. "Ahem! The streamers! Yes, hang them higher! Dad, are those balloons inflated yet? Pick up the pace!"

This was followed by the sound of hurried footsteps retreating, punctuated by the grandparents’ suppressed chuckles.

’Finally, some peace and quiet.’

Su Yuqing couldn’t help but let out a soft laugh, her earlier shyness dissipating. She found Chen Mo’s family of "adult-children" to be... so full of life.

She really envied this kind of family atmosphere.

’She’d never had a family atmosphere like this before, but now, she would.’

"Looks like they’re really gone," Chen Mo said, relaxing. He walked over to the computer desk, sat down, and started to enjoy the special breakfast Su Yuqing had made for him.

Su Yuqing, on the other hand, sat on the edge of the bed, quietly watching him.

"If you’re tired, you should get some more sleep," Chen Mo said, his eyes on her face, his tone gentle and caring.

Su Yuqing shook her head and leaned against his shoulder, her voice soft and a little clingy. "I’m not sleepy. I just want to lean on you for a bit."

Chen Mo chuckled. "Lean away, then. I’m going to start on my breakfast."

Su Yuqing leaned on him for a while, watching him enjoy the breakfast she had so carefully prepared. Then she slowly straightened up to get a better look at his expression.

She loved watching the look of bliss on Chen Mo’s face as he ate her food.

Seeing that look on his face made all her effort worthwhile, filling her own heart with happiness.

After delightedly finishing the breakfast she’d made, Chen Mo naturally didn’t forget to praise the chef.

Su Yuqing just smiled without saying much. Seeing his satisfied expression was more than enough for her.

He put down his chopsticks, wiped his mouth, and rested for a moment before his gaze fell on the deep blue silk pouch containing the Peace Talisman.

He hadn’t yet had a proper look at the Peace Talisman inside.

He reached for the pouch. It felt smooth and warm in his hand.

"This Peace Talisman..." he began, looking at Su Yuqing with gentle eyes. "Did you and my mom go get this together?"

"Yeah." Su Yuqing nodded, sitting up straight. She explained seriously, "There are two of them inside. One from me and one from your mom. We were going to give them to you separately, but we figured it would be inconvenient for you to carry two pouches, so we put them together."

A devout glow seemed to settle on her face as she remembered herself and Chen Xi praying earnestly at the temple.

Chen Mo carefully loosened the drawstring and took out two bright yellow talismans, each folded into a triangle.

A faint scent of sandalwood and cinnabar wafted out, carrying with it a sense of peace.

He soon placed the two talismans—a representation of their twofold affection—back inside. Then, he solemnly hung the pouch around his neck, tucking it inside the collar of his T-shirt so that the small pouch rested right against his heart.