I rejected your confession, but you took my best friend home?

Chapter 273 These are all my... best friends, ah... there's one who isn't.

The group bought some souvenirs in the small town. They weren't very expensive—nothing particularly valuable—but it was better than going empty-handed...

Afterwards, they followed Yu Lingxue to a residential building. The building looked a bit old and didn't have an elevator. It only had six floors.

Yu Lingxue arrived on the first floor, stood at the door, and knocked...

"Coming -"

After a while, a woman's voice came from inside, along with the sound of footsteps quickly approaching the door.

"Who?"

"Mom...it's me, Xiaoxue."

"what?"

The woman was surprised for a moment, then opened the door and slowly peeked out, glancing outside...

The woman should have been in her forties, but her wrinkled and weathered face showed how tired she was... her skin looked like that of someone in their fifties.

The moment she saw Yu Lingxue, her eyes widened suddenly, then lit up with surprise!

"Oh! Xiaoxue's here! Oh my god... I missed you so much!"

The woman immediately opened the door, opened her arms wide, and hugged Yu Lingxue tightly, as if she were about to jump up with excitement...

"Mom...Mom...I didn't come alone, I came with friends..."

Yu Lingxue blushed slightly with embarrassment and looked at the others beside her, only to find that they were all smiling at her.

"what?"

Yu Lingxue's mother paused for a moment, then turned to look to the side, only then seeing Zhou Heng and the other three...

Hello, Auntie!

The four of them greeted each other in unison.

Yu Lingxue's mother paused for a few seconds, blinked, and then released Yu Lingxue, a smile spreading across her face.

"Hey! Hello everyone! Please come in!"

She warmly greeted everyone, opened the door, and let them all in.

Zhou Heng and his group carried their things inside.

"Auntie, this is for you. Where should I put it?"

"Oh dear, child, why buy anything when you're here to play! Really... Auntie appreciates your kind offer, but I can't accept it, please take it back..."

"Oh, Auntie, please keep it. Since you've already bought it, you can leave it here by the door!"

They piled the things they bought at the entrance before taking off their shoes and going inside.

The entire house is about 60 square meters, with one bedroom, one kitchen, one toilet, and a very small living room.

"Excuse me, my place is a bit small. Please have a seat, I'll get you some water..."

Yu Lingxue's mother quickly tidied up the sofa and patted it with her hand.

Yin Mengran quickly stepped forward to help, saying, "It's alright, Auntie, no need to trouble yourself. Please sit down and have a good talk with Yu Lingxue. Don't you miss her a lot..."

"No trouble at all, this child is so kind." Yu Lingxue's mother looked at Yin Mengran and nodded with a smile.

Yu Lingxue quickly stepped forward and said, "Mom, let me introduce them to you. These are all my... best friends. Oh... there's one who isn't."

"Tsk smack—" Bai Cang's lips twitched; he knew without a doubt that this was directed at him...

After everyone had taken turns introducing themselves, the smile on Yu Lingxue's mother's face never left; it remained there the whole time.

Looking at these children, I like them more and more...

After a while, she poured water for Zhou Heng and the others, then sat down next to Yu Lingxue.

He reached out and took Yu Lingxue's hand, whispering:

"Why have you lost weight again? Have you been not eating properly again? How have you been lately?"

Yu Lingxue's mother's words were full of concern for Yu Lingxue, as if she were afraid that Yu Lingxue wasn't eating or dressed warmly enough...

This made Yu Lingxue's nose feel a little sore again...

I have plenty of money and clothes to wear, but my mother... lives at this standard of living...

As a daughter, I can't do anything; I'm spending my father's money. If I secretly give it to my mother, she'll definitely find out, because my financial records can't escape my father's notice.

At that time, my living expenses will be cut off.

If I'm not yet able to earn money by then, and I can't put any more pressure on my mother, then my plan to provide her with a good life after I succeed will completely fail...

So now she hates herself terribly, hates her own powerlessness, watching helplessly as her mother lives this kind of life, unable to help...

Yu Lingxue chatted with her mother for a long time, talking about how she was doing, her studies, and what she usually did. Yin Mengran and the others occasionally chimed in.

Yu Lingxue's mother listened with great interest; even the most boring things sounded interesting to her.

After a while, suddenly the sound of a key turning came from the doorway...

"Click——"

Everyone turned to look at the door, where a middle-aged man walked in. He carried a bag, wore glasses, and looked quite cultured.

"I'm home, honey."

The man looked down and saw so many new pairs of shoes, and paused for a moment in surprise...

When he looked up, he was completely stunned to see so many people in the living room...

Zhou Heng and the others remained silent, all looking at Yu Lingxue.

This person... must be... Yu Lingxue's mother's remarried partner, right... Yu Lingxue's stepfather?

Yu Lingxue's mother quickly stood up, stepped forward, and said:

"Old Li, look who's here! My precious daughter has come to see me! And her friends too!"

Yu Lingxue also stood up and greeted him politely, "Uncle Li...long time no see..."

"Oh my, oh my, oh my, Xiaoxue is here! It's been so long...you've gotten even more beautiful!"

Old Li adjusted his glasses, gave a friendly smile, took off his shoes, and came in.

Zhou Heng and the others followed closely behind, stood up, and greeted him, "Hello, Uncle Li!"

"Hey! Alright, alright, kids, come sit down, come sit down! Honey! It's already noon, have you cooked yet? Make some food for the kids..."

Yu Lingxue's mother slapped her forehead and said, "Oh dear! Look at my brain, I was so busy chatting with Xiaoxue that I forgot! I'll go do it right away."

Just as she was about to go to the kitchen, Old Li stopped her and said:

"Alright, alright, it's been so long since I've seen Xiaoxue. You should chat with her. I'll go cook for you all. You can all eat here later. I'll make a couple more dishes! Try my cooking!"

After saying that, Old Li put down his bag, rolled up his sleeves, and went to the kitchen.

Yu Lingxue's mother had a face full of happiness, which was obvious to everyone else.

Yin Mengran whispered in Yu Lingxue's ear, "Uncle Li is a really nice person, isn't he? He's very good to you, isn't he?"

Yu Lingxue nodded and responded softly:

"Hmm... He's a primary school teacher who taught me a lot since I was little. He's been incredibly kind to me and my mom..."