Chapter 51: Mother's Meeting

Every student in Elite High School was feeling a bit burned out as the half of the semester final examinations had just concluded. Lin Miaomiao leaned back in her chair, resting her head on Ye Bai's table. "Ye Bai, what do you think my grades will be this term?" she asked, seeking some encouragement and hoping to calm her mind. Her grades would determine whether her parents would continue to allow her to spend time with Ye Bai, so she was feeling a bit anxious.

Ye Bai leaned on his table and looked at Lin Miaomiao. "Be confident, Miaomiao. Today's exam wasn't as challenging as the first year, where there were too many science subjects. With your abilities, being in the top 10 shouldn't be a problem," he reassured her.

Lin Miaomiao turned her head to look at Ye Bai and realized they were quite close to each other. She felt a little mesmerized but quickly sat up straight. Glancing around, she saw that the other students were occupied with their own tasks. "What are you doing so close to me?" she asked Ye Bai.

Hearing Miaomiao's question, Ye Bai furrowed his brow. "What? We used to be like this before, when I hadn't confessed to you yet back then." He whispered as he moved closer to her. "You're just more conscious now." he teased softly.

Lin Miaomiao tried to recall their past interactions and realized that they had indeed been close like this before. Now, however, she was more aware of their proximity. "I just noticed it now," she admitted.

Just then, Deng Xiaoqi entered the classroom with snacks in hand. She approached Lin Miaomiao's desk and dropped the snack there. "I knew you'd be hungry after the exam," she said with a smile.

"Thank you, Xiaoqi," Lin Miaomiao hugged her waist. "So, did you manage to catch a glimpse of Qian Sanyi on your way?"

Deng Xiaoqi blushed slightly, realizing that Lin Miaomiao knew about her plan to peek at Qian Sanyi's room. She playfully slapped Miaomiao's arm. "I thought I was being secretive," she said.

How could I not know? Your expression gave you away; it was clear you were going to look for Qian Sanyi even without saying it," Miaomiao chuckled, shaking her head. She picked up a snack and offered some to Ye Bai, who happily accepted.

"As I was walking by, I overheard that there's an upcoming Parent-Teacher meeting," Deng Xiaoqi informed them, recalling what she heard in the teachers' office.

Lin Miaomiao nodded, feeling less anxious now. She decided to inform her parents about the meeting so they could prepare accordingly.

...

At the bustling restaurant, two families found themselves seated at the same table, enjoying each other's company. Wang Shengnan and Wu Qian engaged in lively conversation, catching up on old times. Meanwhile, Lin Miaomiao appeared a bit apprehensive, stealing glances at her mother from time to time. Sensing her unease, Ye Bai, sitting beside her, shot her a playful look. "Why so anxious? Weren't you the brave one when we were kids? You used to charge ahead, and I was just tagging along," Ye Bai teased, trying to lighten the mood.

Lin Miaomiao bit her lip, her fingers nervously tapping on the tablecloth. "That was then. But now, with my mom talking to yours... What if she says something I did and Auntie will not like me?" she voiced her concern, her fingers nervously pinching Ye Bai's hand resting on the table.

In a gesture of comfort, Ye Bai gently covered Lin Miaomiao's hand with his own, offering her a supportive squeeze. Lin Miaomiao was taken aback by the sudden but comforting touch.

"My mother likes you, and Aunt Wang wouldn't let anything happen to her daughter's reputation. Let's order some food and enjoy ourselves," he suggested, flashing her a comforting smile.

Lin Miaomiao's anxiety eased as she returned Ye Bai's smile. "Okay," she agreed, picking up the menu to order.

Ye Bai chuckled as Lin Miaomiao listed a variety of dishes to the waiter. "Are you sure you can finish all of that?" he teased.

She stuck out her tongue playfully. "Of course," she replied confidently.

Meanwhile, the two mothers observed their children happily chatting at the neighboring table. "Miaomiao is truly lively and charming," Wu Qian remarked, expressing her fondness for Lin Miaomiao.

Wang Shengnan nodded in agreement. "Your son is wonderful too. He's been a great help to Miaomiao, especially this grading period," she replied warmly.

...

A while ago, when Wang Shengnan arrived at the Parent-Teacher meeting, she was greeted by Deng Xiaoqi, who was acting as the receptionist for the event.

As she stepped into the room, Lin Miaomiao eagerly pulled her over to the chalkboard displaying the students' rankings. "Mom, look at my ranking," she exclaimed.

Wang Shengnan was pleasantly surprised to see Lin Miaomiao ranked fourth in her class. A smile of pride spread across her face as she admired her daughter's achievement.

Tang Yuanming, the teacher, approached her along with the parents of other students. "Miaomiao's performance in math this time has been really stable. She's also excelled in History and Politics, ranking in the top 10 of our class. Additionally, she's second in Literature, just behind Ye Bai. If not for him, she'd be the top student in Literature as well," he praised.

Wang Shengnan beamed with pride as she absorbed the details of her daughter's achievements on the board.

"Moreover, she's a well-behaved student. She's excelling in all areas. If she maintains this level of performance, getting into a top school will be no problem at all," Tang Yuanming remarked.

Wang Shengnan glanced at her daughter, who was radiating with confidence and succes. She seemed to be shining like a blooming sunflower. She then turned to Tang Yuanming. "Thank you, Teacher Tang."

Suddenly, another parent interjected, curious about Wang Shengnan's secret for her child's success. "Your child has achieved such high scores and shown rapid progress. Do you have any tips to share?"

Wang Shengnan felt a bit bashful under the spotlight. "I believe the most crucial factor is interest. Initially, when she was selecting her major, I had hoped she would choose the science department. However, Miaomiao expressed her desire to study Literature. I've come to realize that one's passion serves as the best teacher," she explained.

"That's absolutely right. When I was in Class 1, I struggled with self-confidence. I was hesitant to laugh or even lift my head. However, once I transitioned to the social sciences class, I felt a weight lifted off my shoulders. My improved grades are a testament to that," she added, proudly displaying her scores. "My results speak for themselves," she concluded with excitement.

The surrounding parents were intrigued, and their questions flowed freely until Ye Bai and his mother arrived at the door.

Wu Qian signed her name in the reception booklet and spotted Lin Miaomiao surrounded by her parents. She had already heard about Lin Miaomiao's ranking from Ye Bai and couldn't help but feel proud of her.

Lin Miaomiao broke away from the group of parents and hurried over to Wu Qian, her face lit up with excitement. "Aunt Wu," she exclaimed, embracing her warmly

"Congratulations, Miaomiao, on your fourth-place ranking. Your hard work has paid off," Wu Qian praised, acknowledging Miaomiao's efforts.

"Thank you, Aunt Wu. Ye Bai has been a huge help in achieving this grade," Miaomiao replied with a silly grin, her eyes shining as she looked at Ye Bai.

Wu Qian observed the chemistry between the two and felt a warmth in her heart. "I'd love to meet your mother. It's been too long since we last saw each other," she expressed warmly.

...

As the two mothers exchanged smiles, Wu Qian's warm words filled the air. "I really admire your daughter," she expressed genuinely.

Wang Shengnan returned the smile, though a hint of concern lingered in her eyes. "I can't help but feel they're still too young for all of this," she admitted, voicing her reservations.

Understanding Wang Shengnan's sentiments, Wu Qian nodded reassuringly. "Of course, we can take things slow. I only mentioned it so you could rest assured. I'll always look out for your daughter," she promised.

Wang Shengnan's smile widened, relieved to hear Wu Qian's words. Every mother wants to protect her daughter from any potential harm, even from future in-laws. Suddenly, she shook off the thought. Why was she already thinking of Wu Qian as Miaomiao's future mother-in-law?

Meanwhile, Lin Miaomiao and Ye Bai were immersed in their own world at the opposite end of the table, enjoying their meal together. Ye Bai couldn't resist capturing the moment, snapping photos of Miaomiao as she ate with gusto.

"Ye Bai, put the phone away and enjoy your meal. This food is delicious," Lin Miaomiao chided him playfully, her mouth full of food.

Putting his phone down, Ye Bai joined in, savoring the meal and the moment shared with Lin Miaomiao.

Lin Miaomiao stole another glance at her mother's table, her curiosity piqued. Playfully, she nudged Ye Bai with her feet and whispered, "What do you think they're talking about?"

Ye Bai followed her gaze, contemplating for a moment before responding with a mischievous twinkle in his eye. "I have a feeling my mother is singing your praises. She really likes you and probably dreams of you being her daughter-in-law."

Blushing at the thought, the term "daughter-in-law" made Lin Miaomiao a bit self-conscious. "Do you really think Aunt Wu sees me that way?" she inquired, her voice tinged with uncertainty.

"Absolutely," Ye Bai affirmed, a nostalgic smile on his face. "Back when we were kids, she used to tell me to look after you so I could marry you one day. But at that time, I was just a kid who wanted to play and follow you around." He chuckled at the memory.

Lin Miaomiao joined in his laughter, finding solace in their shared childhood innocence. "I guess some things never change. Even now, I still think like that—just wanting to eat and play," she confessed with a shy smile.

"Yeah, you're a foodie. I think if you did a mukbang, you'd become famous," Ye Bai remarked, amused as he watched Miaomiao devour her food happily.

"Do you really think so?" Miaomiao chuckled, liking the idea of being able to eat and earn at the same time.

"Prioritize your school first and don't disappoint your mother, or else..." Ye Bai's voice trailed off, leaving the threat implied, but unnecessary, as Lin Miaomiao already knew what he meant.

"By the way, Teacher Tang mentioned that there will be an announcement from the school on Monday. We should prepare for it," Lin Miaomiao mentioned.

Ye Bai nodded in agreement, having heard the same information. "Do you have any plans for tomorrow? Let's hang out."

Looking up at Ye Bai, Lin Miaomiao locked eyes with him. "Is this a date?" she asked, a hint of curiosity in her voice.

Ye Bai scratched his nose sheepishly. "Yes, let's consider it a date. We haven't had an official one until now," he admitted.

Lin Miaomiao nodded in agreement. "I'll talk to my mother about it. Let's hope she agrees," she said, her excitement evident in her smile.

...

In the car, Wang Shengnan took the wheel while Lin Miaomiao bubbled with excitement, sharing her happiness with her mother. "I made a lot of progress this time," she exclaimed proudly.

Wang Shengnan couldn't help but pinch Lin Miaomiao's cheeks affectionately. "Don't get too ahead of yourself. Keep up the good work," she advised, equally pleased with her daughter's achievements.

"What about a reward for my progress? Shouldn't it be a full-course treat?" Lin Miaomiao teased mischievously.

Wang Shengnan chuckled and glanced at her daughter. "It's only halfway through the semester. Let's save it for later. We'll cash in all your rewards once the semester ends."

"Can't we cash in now, Mom? Ye Bai and I are planning to hang out tomorrow," Miaomiao pleaded playfully.

"Who said I agreed to let you go out?" Wang Shengnan raised an eyebrow, her tone firm.

"Mom, I worked hard to improve, and now you're stopping me from hanging out?" Lin Miaomiao protested, a hint of frustration in her voice.

After a moment's consideration, Wang Shengnan relented. "Fine, you can go out, but your reward will have to wait until after the semester," she declared.

Lin Miaomiao looked at her mother, feeling a bit disappointed, but her desire to hang out with Ye Bai outweighed it. "Okay, but I want the full payment after the semester," she negotiated.

"Deal!" Wang Shengnan agreed with a laugh, pleased with their compromise.