Panda Cub – Chapter 59.1

Jing Li He Yuan

Jing Dan was puzzled as to why He Ying was feeling melancholic. She was currently holding a small knife, meticulously peeling the skin of water chestnuts. These water chestnuts were sent over by the elderly, who had grown some in their own yards and sent them over as a token of gratitude for the meal they had prepared earlier.

By now, these water chestnuts had already been washed clean. After a few people had eaten some and lost interest, Jing Dan was different. She brought over a bowl, then grabbed a small knife and a small stool, and earnestly peeled the skin. Once peeled, she placed them into the bowl, and gradually, the bowl was filled with sparkling water chestnut flesh.

Pushing the bowl towards He Ying to indicate that she should eat, Jing Dan continued peeling without stopping.

He Ying: “…”

Watching Jing Dan like this, He Ying found it somewhat amusing yet heartwarming, softly saying, “No need to peel anymore, I can’t eat that much, it’s enough.”

Watching her holding that small knife and slashing back and forth, she was really afraid she would cut her hand, especially when she was still not skilled at it. When she made a cut, almost half of the flesh was gone in an instant. The knife was just a little away from where she held the water chestnuts, almost scaring He Ying into jumping up.

If she didn’t let her peel, she would be unhappy, sulking there with a frown, poking the remaining half of the water chestnut in her hand with the small knife bit by bit, as if she had been greatly wronged.

In the end, He Ying really couldn’t bear to see her like that, so she taught her how to use those small knives to protect herself while being able to peel the flesh.

He Ying ate the flesh in the bowl, the crisp and sweet water chestnut spreading between her lips and teeth. Watching Jing Dan look so serious helping her peel and eat the flesh, she smiled gently.

—Ahhh, I really love this pair!! They look so peaceful and harmonious, like time stands still!!

—I totally agree! No need for too many words, just a glance can draw people in!!

—Ahhh, I wish I could have a partner like that too. No need for many words, just being together is the best.

As the show gradually came to an end, it was also time to say goodbye.

Perhaps due to the actions of Bian Fengyu during the broadcast, which had brought too much criticism, the company had him behave better. Since then, he had not disturbed Jing Dan again, staying in his room all day. He only came out when necessary for the CP game interactions.

Initially, their company had wanted to create a wave of isolation and exclusion against him with other guests, but the audience’s eyes were sharp. They clearly knew that Bian Fengyu had gradually created this situation for himself. Since he didn’t want to participate in group activities, how could others isolate him?

Moreover, his actions were not endearing at all. This time, in this program, he really ruined his own popularity.

At the end of the show, He Ying stepped forward on behalf of Jing Dan and said to Jiang Ya, “I heard your contract with the original company is about to expire soon. If you are interested, you can come to Qingzhu. Qingzhu welcomes someone like you.”

Jiang Ya’s performance in this program was impressive. He was astute and observant, and his own abilities were also quite good. Unfortunately, he had been overlooked by the company before, and Jing Dan’s intention was not mind giving him a chance to see how far he could go.

Jiang Ya was taken aback when he heard this, but quickly reacted and thanked He Ying. He then bowed to Jing Dan respectfully and said a sincere thank you.

He participated in this program because he was paired with Bian Fengyu, who wanted to be in the spotlight. He had no choice but to cooperate unconditionally. Little did he know that one day he would receive an olive branch from Qingzhu.

Jing Dan and her group didn’t say much more. After the show ended, she and He Ying returned to Huaqing City first. Her mother was coming back tonight, so she definitely needed to go home.

Upon hearing Jing Dan’s mother was back, He Ying paused for a second and asked, “Do I need to go see her?”

Jing Dan looked at He Ying strangely, “Why wouldn’t you go?”

He Ying: “…” She wondered in what capacity she should go!

But seeing Jing Dan’s oblivious expression, she sighed lightly. Forget it, if she wasn’t going as her girlfriend, then the other roles didn’t matter.

When they returned home, even though she wasn’t going to meet Jing Dan’s mother as her girlfriend, she couldn’t afford to leave a bad impression. The first thing she did upon returning was to take a shower and then choose appropriate clothes to meet the parents.

At that moment, she truly felt that ignorance was bliss. When Jing Dan visited her house before, did she have this awareness? She didn’t have to worry about making a good impression, just going and coming back happily.

All her thoughts were focused on how to dress more appropriately, to the point where she temporarily forgot about her earlier idea of sleeping in a separate room from Jing Dan upon returning.

By the time she finished getting ready, it was already six o’clock in the afternoon. Sitting in the living room, Jing Dan waited for her to come out. When she emerged and she looked up at her, she was momentarily stunned.

Seeing Jing Dan’s expression, He Ying also felt a bit nervous. Did she look suitable to meet the parents in today’s outfit?

The coffee-colored dress was neither overly flashy nor plain, exuding a simple and fashionable vibe while maintaining a sense of composure. Would Jing Dan’s mother be reassured seeing her and entrusting Jing Dan to her?

“You look beautiful today,” Jing Dan hesitantly remarked, feeling that He Ying looked different yet somehow the same as before. It was a strange sensation.

Upon hearing her words, He Ying breathed a sigh of relief. Since Jing Dan had said that, then she must look beautiful today.

After all, if there was anything wrong, that guy wouldn’t hesitate to let you know directly.

After Jing Dan spoke, without giving her time for any further mental preparation, she reached out and grabbed her wrist, teleporting them directly to Jing Shiyue’s house.

Standing in the yard, Jing Dan approached the door and knocked.

The person who opened the door was a woman that He Ying had never seen before. She was young and beautiful, with a bright and charming look in her eyes. When she saw Jing Dan, her eyes lit up instantly, not even noticing the person standing beside her. She reached out and hugged Jing Dan tightly, joyfully saying, “Zaizai, have you missed your mom!”

He Ying on the side: “…”

She hadn’t expected Jing Dan’s mother to be like this…

Jing Dan nodded. Before she could speak, the woman didn’t let go of her at all and urged her eagerly, “Quick, quick, turn back so Mom can hold you. Mom hasn’t held her child in a long time.”

Helpless, under the woman’s persistent urging, before Jing Dan could say anything, she had to transform back to her original form to satisfy the woman’s desire to hold her. Amid the woman’s stroking and kneading, Jing Dan strained to stretch her neck to look at He Ying.

At that moment, Jing Shiyue appeared at the door, pulled her somewhat embarrassed sister inside, and then invited He Ying in.

He Ying watched as Jing Dan was held and turned around like a sticky cake, while her mother was like a cat, burying her face into the child’s belly and letting out a satisfied sigh.

He Ying: “…” It seemed that Jing Dan was already used to this.

Jing Shiyue, ignoring the mother-daughter duo, poured a glass of water for He Ying and said, “She’s always like this, so excited every time we meet. Don’t be surprised.”

At that moment, Qiu Shuhuai also sat down next to Jing Shiyue, observing Jing Dan’s cub form and feeling her hands getting a bit itchy.

He Ying nodded and took a sip of water. She had never really heard Jing Dan mention her mother before, always talking about her aunt instead. She had assumed that their relationship wasn’t great, but looking at them today, it was clear that wasn’t the case at all.

“Ah, Zaizai is so adorable!” Jing Li lifted her head with a satisfied smile, kissed Jing Dan on her forehead, and refused to let her go as she held her in her arms.

Even though she is also a panda, her child was about to make her heart burst with cuteness!

Jing Shiyue turned her head, unsure how to face He Ying, deeply embarrassed by her sister’s worthless demeanor.

Once her mother calmed down a bit, Jing Dan tried hard to point towards He Ying with her claws and introduced her earnestly, “Mom, this is my friend He Ying. She’s really good at dancing!”

Upon hearing her daughter’s words, Jing Li looked at He Ying and belatedly realized that He Ying had seen all her previous actions. She felt a fleeting moment of embarrassment in her eyes, thinking she had just made a fool of herself. However, embarrassment was only temporary. After living for so many years, what shame could there be in facing a younger generation?

She smiled at He Ying, “I am Jing Dan’s mother, my name is Jing Li. In the future, just be with Zaizai and call me Mom!”

He Ying’s eyes widened slightly in disbelief as she looked at Jing Li.

Jing Li didn’t think there was anything wrong with what she said. When she returned, Jing Shiyue had already explained some of Jing Dan’s situation to her. Anyone approved by Jing Shiyue naturally wouldn’t be lacking. Besides, since Jing Dan was willing to bring He Ying back, it showed her genuine approval of He Ying from the bottom of her heart. Otherwise, He Ying wouldn’t have been able to enter this door today.

Seeing that Jing Li didn’t change her mind, He Ying was at a loss for words.

“Mom, she wasn’t born to you, why should she call you Mom?” Jing Dan popped out her head, looking puzzled.

He Ying: “…”

Jing Shiyue, Qiu Shuhuai: “…”

However, Jing Li was not at all speechless. She said with a smile, “Because she’s your friend now.” She silently added the word “girl” in her heart.

Being a bit dense, there were still some things Zaizai didn’t understand, and even if she explained, she wouldn’t comprehend it, so she didn’t bother elaborating further.

Jing Dan was still a bit confused by her mother’s words. Do friends call each other’s mother Mom? She hadn’t seen her let Hu Tu call her Mom. Moreover, she had seen on TV that after marriage, partners would refer to each other’s parents as Mom and Dad. But she and He Ying weren’t married, so why would He Ying call her Mom?

Fortunately, He Ying didn’t know what Jing Dan was thinking, otherwise she might feel even more despair. Her emotional entanglement was of hellish difficulty.

“What about Dad?” Jing Dan asked curiously.

“Oh, he went back to the clan to handle some matters first. I missed you, so I came to see you first. I’ll go back to the clan tomorrow,” Jing Li answered Jing Dan’s questions with basic responsiveness, rarely disregarding her inquiries.

“Okay.” Jing Dan nodded, then struggled out of Jing Li’s arms and ran into He Ying’s embrace.

“Zaizai~” Seeing Jing Dan’s actions, Jing Li plaintively called out. She had only held her for a short while, and her child already went to find her beloved one!

Jing Dan turned back and reassured, “I’ll let you hold me later!”

He Ying: “…”

She held this panda cub, unsure whether to laugh or not. Looking at Jing Dan’s mother’s wistful gaze, she felt a mix of satisfaction and embarrassment.