<strong><b>Chapter 31: Song Qian: “Su Bai, I’ll Make You Noodles to Eat.”</b></strong>


    “Dad, just drop me off here. No need to walk me upstairs—Aunt Xiao Meng is still waiting for you at the gate,” Qiao Yingzi said with a light smile.


    After spending over an hour at dinner, Qiao Yingzi cherished the rare chance to spend time alone with her father. It also allowed her to dy facing her mother at home, especially since she had dropped to third ce in her school rankings.


    “Are you sure? I could walk you up to the door,” Qiao Weidong offered.


    “No need, Mum won’t want to see you anyway. Go back before she startsining,” Yingzi quipped yfully.


    “Fine, fine. I’lle by in the morning with breakfast—soy milk and fried dough sticks, your favourite,” Qiao Weidong said as he relented.


    “Bring an extra serving for Su Bai. He must be tired of Mum’s breakfast by now,” she teased.


    “You got it. Now, hurry upstairs. I’ll watch until you’re inside.”


    “Goodbye, Dad!”


    “Bye-bye!”


    When Qiao Yingzi opened the door to her home, she noticed her mother sitting on the couch, her face flushed. Given her recent obsession with yoga, Yingzi figured her mum had just finished a session.


    However, the faint scent of perfume in the air confused her—why spray perfume at home?


    Her questions dissolved the moment her mother noticed her arrival.


    “Yingzi,e over here for a moment,” Song Qian called out.


    Though apprehensive, Qiao Yingzi braced herself for the inevitable scolding as she approached.


    “Look at this—I got you an early birthday gift,” Song Qian said with a gentle smile.


    Yingzi stared, sceptical of her mother’s unusually calm demeanour. <em><i>Is this the calm before the storm?</i></em>


    But she opened the gift box anyway, revealing a sleek eye massager.


    “This is for your eyes. Use it whenever they feel strained,” Song Qian exined.


    The unexpected gesture made Yingzi feel uneasy. Finally, she decided to rip off the metaphorical band-aid.


    “Mum, I know I only got third ce this time. I’ll study harder and get first next time, I promise!” she blurted out, standing abruptly as if to run away to her room.


    But her mother grabbed her hand, pulling her back down.


    “Yingzi, you may have ced third, but your score has improved significantly—nearly 700 points! That’s excellent,” Song Qian said warmly.


    “It shows how hard you’ve been working, and I’m so proud of you. Tonight, take a break and rest up. Study after you’ve recharged. That’s the best way to learn.”


    Qiao Yingzi gawked at her mother, disbelief written across her face.


    “Mum, are you feeling okay? Do you have a fever?” she asked, reaching out to touch her mother’s forehead.


    “I’m fine. Su Bai made me realise I’ve been too hard on you,” Song Qian admitted. “He also promised to help tutor you every day to ensure you break 700 on the college entrance exams.”


    Hearing this, Yingzi immediately understood Su Bai’s role in her mother’s change of heart.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    <em><i>Su Bai, you’re a miracle worker. Only you could manage this,</i></em>she thought with gratitude.


    Seeing an opportunity, Yingzi chirped, “Mum, I want to thank Su Bai. I’m going to talk to him!”


    “Go ahead,” Song Qian said, smiling.


    When Yingzi entered Su Bai’s room, she found him changing into a fresh set of clothes.


    “Su Bai, you’re incredible! How did you convince my mum?” she eximed.


    “Nothing much—just a disy of my charm,” Su Bai replied with mock arrogance.


    “Your charm? Don’t make meugh,” she scoffed.


    “If you keep doubting me, I’ll tell your mum you want her to go back to her old strict ways,” Su Bai teased.


    “Okay, okay, I was wrong! You’re amazing!” Yingzi quickly capitted, eager to maintain her newfound freedom.


    “No matter what, Su Bai, you’re my saviour. I need to treat you better from now on,” she said with a grin.


    “That’s great, but remember, the opportunity I secured for youes with a condition: you must hit 700 points. I’ll help tutor you daily, but if you fail, we’ll both be in trouble,” Su Bai reminded her.


    “Don’t worry! With you as my tutor, I’m confident 700 points will be a breeze. And for the chance to live a more rxed life, I’ll give it my all!” she dered enthusiastically.


    Just then, Song Qian entered the room carrying a bowl of noodles.


    “Su Bai, I made you some noodles. You haven’t eaten dinner, right? Eat up,” she said warmly before turning to Yingzi.


    “Yingzi, do you want some too?”


    “No thanks, Mum. I’m full,” Yingzi replied, leaving the room with a satisfied smile.


    Su Bai followed Song Qian out to the dining area, grateful for the meal. Despite the chaotic day, the gesture warmed him.


    The evening had certainly been a rollercoaster—from his misadventures with Tong Wenjie to defusing tensions at home.


    Now, with a simple bowl of noodles, he felt a sense offort only someone like Song Qian could provide.