Miss Beautiful C.E.O and her system

Chapter 162: Mother Zhao's life

Ling Qingyu recalled her first meeting with Mother Zhao, who asked for her acceptance of Zhao Xiurong's faults in the job.

She was worried whether her daughter would trouble Ling Qingyu. In her eyes, Zhao Xiurong ceased to grow up and mature.

As the encounters grew, Mother Zhao met with Ling Qingyu's elders and the two sides were closer than ever before.

Even though Zhao Xiurong always addressed her formally, no matter how many times Ling Qingyu tried to change, it wasn't wrong to say their bond was stronger than sisterhood.

Speaking of Mother Zhao, Ling Qingyu didn't know much but from Zhao Xiurong's narration, she drew out some conclusions.

Since Sister Zhao never mentioned her father figure, her childhood mustn't be pleasant. Ling Qingyu knew her father was a gambler who ran away after facing heavy debt, leaving his wife and daughter a harsh and unprotected future.

Even then Mother Zhao held her emotions and braced the storms, protecting Zhao Xiurong under her umbrella. She singlehandedly raised Zhao Xiurong, preparing her university education and expenses, working various occupations including part-time until she fully repaid the debt.

And Zhao Xiurong met her high expectations and achieved greatness in her career. Maybe Mother Zhao worked under severe conditions, she appeared older than her counterparts.

Even though she was 7 years older than Ling Qingyu's mother, greyish linen already formed over her hair.

No one was greater than Mother Zhao in Zhao Xiurong's eyes. Now, the greatest worry left behind was to find a suitor for Zhao Xiurong.

She feared her child didn't look for love because of her experience and urged her. Luckily, Ling Qingyu's presence reduced the matchmaking burden off Zhao Xiurong's shoulders.

Thinking of this, Ling Qingyu felt relieved. She would have nowhere to curse if a wifey material like Zhao Xiurong was out of her catch. She praised her predecessor for having foresight.

The only weirdness was no news of Zhao Xiurong's father. Ling Qingyu didn't care and didn't ask. Who knew under Zhao Xiurong's gentleness, some ruthlessness must exist to protect the family?

Ling Qingyu shrugged at this possibility. So what if Zhao Xiurong wasn't as gentle as she initially thought? As long as her treatment toward friends, family, and close ones didn't change, Ling Qingyu wouldn't change her view.

Mother Zhao was a strong woman in Ling Qingyu's view and a rare one too, looking at the timeline where opportunities for women were the lowest.

Zhao Xiurong always complained to Ling Qingyu that her mother did household work by herself. Even if she persuaded her, that she would hire someone, Mother Zhao disagreed. At last, the two negotiated to hire a part-time cleaner once every week.

Ling Qingyu had no idea if Zhao Xiurong was bragging about her mother blatantly on purpose or not though.

Mother Zhao exited from the room after a change. Her attire was dressed up simply and Ling Qingyu praised her elegance, bringing smiles to the elderly.

The group soon departed. This time, Mother Zhao was in Ling Qingyu's Bentley, sitting in the back seat.

Ling Qingyu watched Mother Zhao from the rearview mirror, smiling happily as she conversed with Athena. Zhao Xiurong would give her mother, helpless glances once in a while.

As for how the situation unfolded, after seeing Ling Qingyu and Zhao Xiurong speak with Athena, Mama Zhao became interested and decided to have a talk through the television behind the front-seat.

Back and forth, the conversation grew. Athena made use of her extensive knowledge to chat with the elderly and won Mother Zhao's heart.

Mother Zhao who had lived through difficult times could see through people and saw what Athena was up to. Her heart warmed.

In front of her eyes, Athena seemed like a child whose brain had developed to an extreme. Although Mother Zhao knew Athena was a developed AI, she somehow felt the little one was alive.

Of course, Ling Qingyu introduced Athena to the mother-and-daughter duo as a simple AI program and hid the secret. So, despite suspicion, they threw away the impossibility.

The atmosphere in the Bentley wasn't boring, with Athena cheering everyone up with little jokes and quizzes.

Mother Zhao sighed suddenly and scolded Zhao Xiurong. "Look at you getting older. When will you get married and have a child as cute as our Athena? Do you want me to have a lonely life?"

Zhao Xiurong's smile stiffened and replied coquettishly: "Mom! I'm still busy with work. And no man dare to even speak to me."

Ling Qingyu chuckled quietly and shook her head inwardly. Why all elders were similar? Always matchmaking for their children and worrying they would die lonely.

Parents, most, always hoped the best for their children.

Hmph, if there was any man who dared to lay a hand on her Sister Zhao, she would break their limbs, including the third leg. Ling Qingyu thought to herself.

Not for long, Ling Qingyu wasn't spared and her face turned black, hearing Mother Zhao say. "Yu'er too. Don't be like my daughter always focusing on work. You must balance your life too. Find love and get married, having children to fulfill a happier life."

Zhao Xiurong covered her mouth as she withheld her laughter. Though she tried to disapprove of her mother, it was obviously shown in her expression, that her secretary was having fun because Ling Qingyu was targeted.

Although she fancied children, it must be someone giving birth for her instead, not from her. The pain and suffering of a mother, Ling Qingyu couldn't bear to think about it.

Even though she hadn't experienced her monthly period yet, it might be her instinct to forecast the level of pain.

Her face grimaced at the thought of giving birth herself.

Ling Qingyu looked bleak but replied simply to the elder. "Yes…."

How could she argue with someone, older than her mom? Even if she thought she had the truth, Ling Qingyu avoided clashing ideas across generations.

In fact, what Mother Zhao stated was correct, the best time to have a child was within the range of their age.

But when the two must choose between creating families and careers for now, even if Zhao Xiurong had regrets later in the future, they would still prefer a career.

Her perfunctory reply caused Mother Zhao to shake her head, lamenting on how to solve the two workaholics, and continued to talk with Athena, treating the AI like her granddaughter.

The convoy reached Ling Qingyu's manor later and her residence also attracted exclamation from Mother Zhao, who inquired what happened with the previous apartment.

Zhao Xiurong gave an excuse for the reason to move houses. Feeling spacious and peaceful, Mother Zhao nodded her head, praising Ling Qingyu's choice.

Ling Qingyu drove near the entrance and parked the car. Everyone stepped out. Mother Zhao still looked around, enjoying spacious scenes, a mixture of nature and manmade, rarely seen back in her apartment.

"Welcome to my house, Auntie." Ling Qingyu gestured Mother Zhao to enter. Returning the salutes by the maids, Ling Qingyu walked ahead.

Mother Zhao looked back at the vehicle and caught Ling Qingyu's attention. She smiled at Mother Zhao's reluctance to part with Athena and whispered: "Athena, you really know how to chat."

"Of course, Mom. I'm the best." A voice came from the spectacle. Amidst the stunned expression of many, Athena drove away the Bentley to its area.

Everyone who noticed the strange phenomenon watched dumbfounded, at Bentley, moving without a driver.

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