The Fake Daughter is a Max-Level Green Tea [Transmigrated into a Book] - Chapter 59

Chapter 59: What You Mean

The girl was like a nimble butterfly, flitting past the person in front of her through the snowy air. She threw herself straight into the arms of the newly arrived Lin Chumu. Before the other woman could react, Lu Chaoqing tilted her head and left a kiss on her cheek.

Lin Chumu didn’t dodge or refuse. Under Gu Ming’s stunned and incredulous gaze, she slowly reached out and lightly pinched Lu Chaoqing’s chin—a gesture akin to comforting a kitten that had been acting spoiled after finally seeing its owner.

Since Gu Ming was a collaborator in her work, her appearance was clearly no coincidence. A little inquiry into Lu Chaoqing’s life would have revealed most of the current situation. Gu Ming certainly knew about the “True and False Young Miss” incident, but she never imagined…

That the two of them would have this kind of relationship.

Gu Ming’s mental state was crumbling.

While she was breathing heavily, her brain frantically brainstorming how to speak, Lu Chaoqing had already affectionately hooked her arm through Lin Chumu’s. She leaned against her, her voice lazy and pampered: “I’m a little hungry. Can we go back now?”

She had gone straight from the recording studio to handle other matters, and indeed hadn’t eaten a single bite all day, spending most of her time immersed in work. She had originally planned to treat herself to Korean BBQ tonight, but that plan had been scrapped because of Gu Ming.

I have to find a chance to make it up to myself, Lu Chaoqing thought.

She had seen that look in Gu Ming’s eyes more than once. Unlike pure admiration or appreciation, that poorly concealed possessiveness always felt uncomfortable. Lu Chaoqing was already quite repulsed by her, but she showed none of it on her face. Instead, as she spoke, she quietly hooked her fingers into Lin Chumu’s. The wide sleeves of their coats hid the small gesture, making the detail feel all the more intimate.

Lin Chumu understood. She reached out with her other hand to tuck a stray lock of hair behind Lu Chaoqing’s ear. Meanwhile, her hand inside the sleeve naturally intertwined with the girl’s fingers. She asked softly, “What do you want to eat?”

“BBQ!”

Lin Chumu replied, “Then let’s go home and order delivery. Mom is home today too.”

Upon hearing this, Gu Ming, who had still been calculating a move, felt like a deflated balloon. She lost all her confidence and strode away with a displeased expression, without even saying goodbye. Lin Chumu watched her figure recede until she vanished from sight, but she didn’t let go of Lu Chaoqing’s hand. They held each other tighter to draw warmth as they walked all the way to their front door.

They stood close together, the white mist of their breath mingling in the air. Lu Chaoqing noticed that Lin Chumu seemed to be wearing a different perfume—a scent of cedar and plum blossoms mixed with bluebells, the perfect fragrance for winter. The refreshing aroma felt somewhat soothing; as they walked together, Lu Chaoqing’s previously irritable mood gradually calmed.

“Your birthday gifts arrived,” Lin Chumu said succinctly while unlocking the door with her fingerprint. “Mom’s, Dad’s, and mine are all here.”

The Lu family tradition was for everyone to give individual gifts rather than a collective one. In previous years, the original host would unwrap her parents’ gifts two days early. This year, there was Lin Chumu’s as well. Lu Chaoqing already knew what Mother Lu had prepared, and she could guess Father Lu’s style from the host’s memories. The one she was truly looking forward to was Lin Chumu’s.

Thinking of this, Lu Chaoqing smiled brilliantly. While taking off her shoes, she glanced at the woman beside her: “So, what did Sister get for me?”

Lin Chumu, who had been relatively calm, stiffened strangely at the word “Sister,” though the expression vanished so quickly Lu Chaoqing almost thought she had imagined it.

“A gift is only a surprise if you open it yourself.” Lin Chumu’s tone cooled slightly. She first greeted her mother, who had come to the door, then turned back to ask: “And what are you giving me?”

Lu Chaoqing intended to brush it off: “I’ll tell you when the time comes.”

Dinner was sumptuous, so Lu Chaoqing didn’t insist on ordering BBQ. At the center of the table were king prawns over garlic vermicelli, swimming in a golden broth and garnished with green and white—a sight that stimulated the appetite. The nanny was always meticulous; the prawns were deveined and prepared so that eating them was effortless.

Lu Chaoqing loved shellfish. Having skipped lunch, she sat down and leisurely ate quite a bit, reaching a rare state of being nearly full. As soon as she put down her chopsticks, Mother Lu mysteriously called them over to see the finished “collarbone chains” she had ordered. She also praised Lin Chumu’s aesthetic taste without reserve.

Lu Chaoqing had only given them a quick glance before, but seeing the real items now, they looked more and more like a “couple’s set.” Not to mention the colors were a perfect match, the pairing of lilies and roses was highly suggestive. The back of the charms featured gold and silver wire outlining a woman’s silhouette with a short arrow underneath. Beside the heart-shaped arrowhead were scattered rose and lily petals—the attention to detail was perfect.

…This wasn’t just “similar.” No custom shop would include a “Cupid’s arrow” as an element for “sisterly” jewelry, not to mention the inherent romantic connotations of roses and lilies.

Amidst Mother Lu’s constant praise, Lu Chaoqing stole a glance at Lin Chumu. The other woman had no major expression, merely studying her own “Rose” chain with a calm face. Her slender fingertips traced the pattern before stopping on the cold metal of the chain.

“I think they look very good too,” Lin Chumu said after a long silence, before quickly lowering her eyes.

Lu Chaoqing was more direct and cheerful. Regardless of whether it was a “couple” or “sister” set—the line was blurry anyway—she put it on and shook Mother Lu’s hand. “Thank you, Mom! Chuchu-jie and I both love them!”

For some reason, she didn’t want to call Lin Chumu “Sister” in front of Mother Lu. Having a “Mom” and a “Sister” made them feel too much like actual relatives, which felt a bit strange. Mother Lu didn’t notice the subtle change in address. She chatted for a few more minutes before saying goodbye.

“Mom has to go on a business trip, so I won’t be able to spend your birthday with you. When Dad gets back from his trip, we’ll find time to make it up to you both.”

Mother Lu was a bit nervous saying this. In the past, whenever she missed an important date, she was met with either silence or violent resistance—hysterical shouting and a lack of understanding. Although she had only missed a birthday two or three times over the years, each instance had become a deep, painful thorn for both sides.

Lu Chaoqing didn’t mind. Furthermore, a birthday should really be a day to honor a mother’s labor. Instead of focusing on one’s own happiness, one should thank the mother who brought them into the world.

The mother in the original plot was always a gentle person who didn’t get the happy ending she deserved. Lu Chaoqing pulled Lin Chumu along, and they both kissed Mother Lu on the cheeks. Content, Mother Lu had someone take her luggage and left, waving and blowing kisses even as she reached the bottom of the stairs.

Lu Chaoqing stood on the balcony, waving vigorously until the car vanished.

To ensure privacy, the nanny didn’t live in the same house; she lived nearby and went home after her shift. With Mother Lu gone, the vast house was left with just the two of them. Lu Chaoqing excitedly picked up the collarbone chain again to study it, walking toward her room as she looked.

Lin Chumu followed unhurriedly, calling out to her just as Lu Chaoqing pushed open her bedroom door.

“Lu Chaoqing.”

The girl turned back quickly, seemingly confused as to why she was being called by her full name. But as Lin Chumu spoke her next sentence, the smile froze on Lu Chaoqing’s lips, and the joyful atmosphere dissipated.

“There’s something I didn’t tell you. The Jiang Yang situation is resolved. Dad had a heart-to-heart with his parents all night. His father is sending him abroad for further studies. They were going to return everything they took from you, but Dad refused. He won’t be able to bother either of us ever again.”

Actually, this had happened a while ago, but Lin Chumu hadn’t remembered to mention it—or perhaps she felt there was no right time. Their “pretend relationship” was primarily because of the persistent Jiang Yang. Now that he was dealt with, there seemed to be no need to continue the charade.

Even Lu Chaoqing’s encounter with Gu Ming today had been easily resolved. Yet, for some reason, as Lin Chumu spoke, her mind was filled with that sweet “Sister” she had heard when she walked up.

She watched as Lu Chaoqing hesitated for a few steps. Their rooms were directly across from each other. With those few steps, the distance between them narrowed to a hair’s breadth. Both could feel their shallow breaths growing heavier. The “Little Green Tea’s” eyes seemed a bit misty, as if covered by a thin fog.

“What you mean by saying that suddenly…” Seeing the other woman hold her breath and retreat slightly, Lu Chaoqing continued to advance steadily until Lin Chumu’s back was against her own door. Lu Chaoqing’s gaze locked onto hers, giving her no chance to look away. “Is it because you think that with Jiang Yang gone, we don’t need to continue? Or is it because, Sister, you’ve already fallen for me and don’t want to keep pretending?”