Chapter 82: Changing Some Girls’ Perspectives

[It’s easy for her to say—she’s financially independent, so of course she can do whatever she wants. Yan Yueqing seems to be speaking up for stay-at-home moms, but isn’t she actually stirring up family conflicts?]

[Here come the critics again? What’s wrong with her encouraging everyone to be themselves? Must we always be confined to our small domestic sphere? Are children solely the mother’s responsibility? Why is it always the mothers who have to sacrifice?]

[I’ve been a stay-at-home mom for three years, ever since my child was born. Every time I suggest going back to work, my husband says there’s no one to take care of the child! But that’s not true—I’ve just been fooled by his excuses! After listening to Yan Yueqing today, I finally realise how much I’ve missed out on in these three years, being disconnected from society. No matter what my husband thinks, I’m going back to work!]

Yan Yueqing hadn’t expected that her words would not only spark passionate online discussions but also cause everyone present to fall into deep reflection.

Tang Tang listened intently, though she didn’t fully understand. Still, she believed that whatever her godmother said must be right!

Tian Tian, on the other hand, seemed to realise something and gently patted Du Mansheng’s hand. “Auntie, are you worried that Sister Xiaoxiao might become distant from you because of your work? That won’t happen! She’s always telling me how much she admires you for doing charity work all over the country. She even said that when she grows up, she wants to follow in your footsteps and spread love across the nation!”

Du Mansheng was taken aback, pleasantly surprised. “Really? Did Xiaoxiao really say that?”

Tian Tian nodded. “Yes, she’s mentioned it more than once!”

Just as a smile started to spread across Du Mansheng’s face, it suddenly froze.

She had always thought her daughter had grown distant because of her work. If that wasn’t the reason… then what could it be?

Yan Yueqing noticed this and kindly asked, “Mrs. Song, when did you first start feeling that your daughter was becoming distant?”

Du Mansheng’s face filled with worry. “It was about a year or two ago… I always thought it was because I was too busy and couldn’t take care of her properly.”

“That’s not it at all!” Tian Tian put down the fruit in her hands and shook her head vigorously. “Sister Xiaoxiao admires you so much! She would never be upset with you because of your work! I know she has something on her mind. Every time she comes back from her grandmother’s house, she’s quiet for a long time. I even saw her crying secretly once!”

“What?!” Du Mansheng was heartbroken. “When did that happen? How could I not know anything about it?!”

Tian Tian thought for a moment. “It was about two years ago. Auntie, you were leading a team on an out-of-town inspection, and I was bored during summer vacation, so I went to play with Sister Xiaoxiao. She had just returned from her grandmother’s house and was curled up in her room, crying her heart out! She said she missed you, but… I didn’t think that was the real reason…”

Tang Tang, cupping her face in her hands, was deep in thought. “Could it be that Sister Xiaoxiao’s grandmother was saying bad things about Auntie Du in front of her? I’ve seen lots of TV shows where the wicked mother-in-law badmouths the mom in front of the kids. It’s so annoying!”

Tian Tian considered this. “I don’t know. Sister Xiaoxiao wouldn’t say anything and forbade me from telling anyone else…”

“Then why are you telling us?” Tang Tang asked in surprise.

“Auntie isn’t just ‘anyone,'” Tian Tian replied matter-of-factly.

Tang Tang nodded. “Oh, that’s true!”

Jun Yan: These two and their logic…

Du Mansheng took a deep breath. “Thank you, Tian Tian. If you hadn’t told me this, I might have remained in the dark forever! I’ll fly back tomorrow and talk to Xiaoxiao to find out what’s really going on.”

“Don’t worry, things will get better,” Yan Yueqing said, gently brushing a couple of loose strands of hair off Du Mansheng’s shoulder.