To what extent does Ms. Huang Li have a “sharp tongue but soft heart,” and how contradictory is she in her words and actions? 

For example: 

After ending a phone call last night, she went to the supermarket to buy pork bones and simmered them in a clay pot for three to four hours, only turning off the stove around midnight. 

This evening, when Lu Nan drove her home, Ms. Huang still put on a nonchalant attitude and said, “There’s not much for dinner — just a soup, some boiled shrimp, and a plate of greens.” As she spoke, she put on gloves to peel yam, which she added to the pot last because yam is said to boost energy and is good for the body. 

“That’s already a feast,” Lu Nan sincerely complimented. 

Ms. Huang’s lips curled up slightly, but she still replied, “It’s certainly not as fancy as the delicacies you eat at restaurants.” 

Lu Nan: …This is my own mother. My real one. Just endure it! 

After dinner, following a short rest, Ms. Huang changed into a different outfit — she had been wearing casual home clothes for cooking, which weren’t very presentable — and said to her daughter, “Let’s go. I’ll visit Teacher Zhang too.” 

Lu Nan joked, “Mom, you said last night you’d give Teacher Zhang some braised pork and pastries, so I didn’t want to steal your thunder.” 

Ms. Huang looked both surprised and worried: “You’re going empty-handed? Grab a box of milk from the shop at the corner. Quick, drive over there.” 

“I was kidding — I brought some tasting wines. Teacher Zhang enjoys a little drink; I’ll bring her two bottles.” 

“That’s more like it,” Ms. Huang nodded with satisfaction. 

Although Lu Nan’s parking permit for Xingguang Yipin had expired, the security guard recognized her and raised the barrier to let her car in. 

Teacher Zhang answered the door in thick pajamas and was delighted with the gifts of braised pork, pastries, and tasting wines: “Then I’ll gladly accept them.” 

The three women, spanning quite a few generations in age, sat on the sofa chatting over tea, without discussing business — just casual conversation. 

Lu Nan subtly steered the conversation to give Ms. Huang more chances to speak. 

She noticed that her mother got along quite well with Teacher Zhang. This wise and cheerful elderly woman might have had a genuinely positive influence on her mother, whether through words or actions. 

Lu Nan felt sincerely grateful to Teacher Zhang. When leaving, she gave her a hug: “Happy New Year in advance.” 

Teacher Zhang returned the hug and also hugged Ms. Huang: “Thank you for visiting and for the wonderful gifts.” 

She stood at the door watching them enter the elevator before turning back into her now-quiet apartment. 

After closing the door, she looked around at the suddenly silent living room and sighed. 

That night, Lu Nan slept in the guest room. Seeing the bed had already been made up, she stood at the door and cheerfully said, “Thanks, Mom.” 

Ms. Huang snorted, “I didn’t even complain about your tossing and turning all night, and you’re the one who minded my snoring.” 

“I didn’t mean it that way.” Lu Nan looked innocent and sincere. 

“Wasn’t it you who, the last time we shared a bed, got up in the middle of the night to put in earplugs and missed the alarm in the morning?” Ms. Huang clicked her tongue. “I’m used to sleeping alone now; I don’t like having someone next to me. Sleeping separately is better.” 

Lu Nan knew that Ms. Huang probably didn’t truly mind — she might even have liked the idea of mother and daughter chatting a bit after lights out. 

But Mom, sorry—first, I’m still not in the mood for ‘night talks’; second, your snoring really does affect my sleep quality. 

With this in mind, Lu Nan played along, washed up, and went to sleep in the guest room. 

The next morning when Lu Nan woke up, Ms. Huang had already left. 

On the dining table was a note: 
The pork and preserved egg congee is kept warm in the rice cooker. Unplug it after eating. I took a portion of the braised pork and pastries to give to Xiao Hu. 

After breakfast, Lu Nan freshened up and left the house around 9:30. 

At Mr. Yang’s office, the advertising company was already on holiday, but the beverage sales company was very busy. Just that morning, their delivery vans had made two trips back and forth, and both Liu Yuhan and Meng Lusi had dark circles under their eyes — clearly, they had been handling a lot of social events lately. 

Lu Nan stayed briefly; although Mr. and Mrs. Yang wanted her to stay for lunch, Lu Nan politely declined, saying, “Maybe next time, Mr. Yang, Ms. Yang— you two are busy.” They were indeed busy, so after trying to persuade her once or twice, they didn’t insist. 

Lu Nan then visited Mr. Yuan, the president of the Readers’ Club, Mr. Song, and others. 

Fortunately, they were all located in the CBD, and Mr. Song was even in the CIMC building, making his visits very efficient. 

Since Xiang Feifei had already sent them New Year’s wine on behalf of the company, Lu Nan only brought along the braised pork and pastries this time. 

People in such high positions don’t care if a gift costs thousands or just a few hundred—they all know it’s a specialty from Hua’an, and it’s the thought that counts. Besides, it’s not good to accept lavish gifts at work anyway. 

Mr. Yuan even remarked with slight regret, “I tried so hard to recruit you last year, but you ended up moving to another city. I heard you’re now a city manager? That’s great.” 

Lu Nan smiled — she was grateful for Mr. Yuan’s support, but everyone has their own path. 

… 

In the evening, when she picked up Ms. Huang, she helped close the office’s main power and lock up. 

“Mom, have you confirmed the reopening date with Xiao Hu? And how much was the New Year’s bonus?” Lu Nan asked curiously. 

“You really like to fuss,” Ms. Huang replied. “Yes, we agreed to reopen on the twelfth day of the lunar month. I gave her 500 yuan — after all, she’s still an intern. Whether she’ll stay long term is uncertain, so it’s just a token.” 

Lu Nan smiled: Ms. Huang was quick to grasp things now. Progress! 

“What are you smiling at?” 

“I just think my mom is becoming more and more like a real boss.” 

“Smart mouth. Let’s go — didn’t buy groceries this morning. Let’s grab something simple outside.” 

Lu Nan nodded: “And afterward, let’s go shopping for new clothes. I just got my bonus~” 

“I knew you couldn’t keep money in your bag!” Ms. Huang muttered. 

While shopping, Ms. Huang considered picking up some clothes for her son too, but Lu Nan stopped her: “Little brother is grown up now, he definitely has his own taste. Let’s wait till we get back and take him shopping ourselves.” 

“Kids should just wear whatever is bought for them. If they’re always focused on dressing up, how can they concentrate on their studies?” Ms. Huang said. 

Lu Nan didn’t argue, just puffed up her cheeks and made a soft “pfft” sound. 

In the end, Ms. Huang left the teen boys’ clothing store seemingly reluctantly. 

When they got to a women’s clothing store, Ms. Huang asked, “You already have so many coats. Do you really need another one?” 

Lu Nan shook her head. “I’ll just get a dress to wear underneath.” After all, the main purpose of this trip was to get Ms. Huang some new clothes. 

As it turns out, few women can resist the temptation of new clothes. Although Ms. Huang had initially said, “I don’t need anything,” she ended up buying a dark gray plaid coat. 

It looked great, but it was a bit expensive — luckily, winter clothes were all on sale. At the checkout counter, Ms. Huang shot her daughter a look and insisted on paying herself. 

Back at their place, Ms. Huang seemed a little upset all the way until bedtime. 

Lu Nan pretended not to notice, tapping away at her laptop in the living room, filling out a market expense application form — something that honestly could have waited until after the New Year. But Ms. Huang didn’t know that. She walked past her daughter two or three times, and seeing her diligently “working,” she had no choice but to bottle up her anger and start packing rather noisily. 

Is that it? Just like before — as soon as I start working, she calms down. Old trick, but if it works, it works. As long as it’s not about serious issues or her ex-husband, she’ll probably be fine by tomorrow morning. 

Lu Nan’s ears twitched but she kept up the act of not noticing. 

Sure enough, by the next morning, Ms. Huang had completely forgotten about being angry the night before. 

After having breakfast at a place near their apartment, they shut off the utilities and packed the luggage into the car. Then they stopped by a market to buy some seafood. 

The market vendor was very professional — he packed the seafood they picked out with ice in a foam box. 

The vendor said, “You’re driving for half a day? No problem. Even if it’s a full day, the ice won’t melt!” 

Lu Nan drove steadily, but because the trip was long, Ms. Huang, who always got carsick, still looked a bit pale. 

After getting off the highway, Lu Nan immediately slowed down and said, “Mom, open the window a little.” Some fresh air would help. 

Ms. Huang complied. 

“Mom, you should really consider getting your driver’s license. If you drive yourself, you won’t get carsick. Seriously.” 

Ms. Huang was momentarily tempted but replied, “Forget it. Even if I get the license, I’d have to buy a car too. Not worth it.” 

While Ms. Huang had grown more open-minded over the years, some beliefs weren’t going to change overnight. Lu Nan wasn’t discouraged — she figured her mom would eventually come around. 

When they arrived at the school to pick up Lu Yang, it was clear the boy had grown taller over the past few months. 

After getting into the car, Ms. Huang asked, “The final exam results are out, right? How did you do?” 

Lu Yang looked casual. “First in my class, third in the entire grade.” His grades had always been good, but this time he stood out even more. 

“Not bad. Looks like you study better when I’m not at home.” Ms. Huang’s mouth really got sharper the closer they got to their hometown. 

Through the rearview mirror, Lu Nan exchanged a knowing smile with her younger brother. 

When they got home, they found that the place had already been cleaned. 

A few years ago, after changing the locks, Grandma had kept a spare key. 

Ms. Huang thought about it and called her mother. 

Sure enough, Grandma had taken the rural bus to come and clean the house ahead of time — even the windows had been wiped down. 

After that, Ms. Huang organized her children to go shopping at the supermarket and market for New Year supplies. 

During this period, Lu Nan, despite the pressure, sold the old home computer for a couple hundred yuan and bought a new one. 

By the time Ms. Huang found out, it was already a done deal. 

Unlike buying clothes back in Hailin City, Ms. Huang was really angry this time. 

Seeing her younger brother getting scolded into silence, Lu Nan patted his back and said, “Go work on your homework.” 

Then she pulled Ms. Huang by the wrist. “Let’s talk in the living room.” 

Ms. Huang flung her daughter’s hand away. “Getting bold now, aren’t you?” 

Here we go again. 

Lu Nan had already expected that “coming back home” combined with “New Year pressure” would heavily affect her mom, so she wasn’t disappointed or angry — just calmly said, “All these years, my brother and I have spent every New Year with you, and we will continue to. You don’t need to express your anxiety by lashing out at us. Also, if every New Year is going to be like this, next year we might as well just travel instead. No one has to come back.” 

“You…” 

“I’ve already replied to my dad’s side. Like every year, I’ll go with him to visit the graves on the third day of the New Year. Lu Yang won’t go. It’s just one day. I’ll show my face and come back.” 

This was the first time Lu Nan clearly stated her own feelings: “show my face.” 

She used to think saying something like that was too cold, but now she felt that everyone already knew what was going on. Why bother pretending? 

Lu Nan’s overly calm attitude did have an effect on Ms. Huang. By dinner, she was trying to act casual, even ladling soup for her daughter. 

Lu Nan accepted the gesture and, after finishing dinner, said, “A friend asked me out. I’m heading out for a bit.” 

“Don’t come back too late. Looks like it might rain — take an umbrella,” Ms. Huang reminded her. She wanted to ask who invited her, whether it was a guy or a girl, but in the end, she resisted the urge and just offered the reminder. 

“Got it.” 

… 

The friend who invited Lu Nan out was her best friend from high school, Qiu Xuan. 

As soon as they met, Qiu Xuan said, “Oh my god, Nan Nan, you’ve changed so much. If I saw you on the street, I wouldn’t even dare call your name.” 

“It’s not that dramatic,” Lu Nan replied. 

“Hey, I’m actually here on someone else’s behalf — I have something to give you.”