Chapter 11: Do You Think You're That Old?

It was already dark by the time Jiang Lingzhi returned home. 

She had long finished eating the cotton candy and thrown away the bamboo skewer. 

If her mother were to find out that she had been eating junk food outside, she would definitely not be spared from a nagging session. 

As she opened the door with her key, she was greeted by the bright and spacious living room.

Jiang Lingzhi changed her shoes at the entrance and walked in with her school bag.

When Lu Yuping heard the commotion, she got up and walked over from the living room. 

Pointing to the clock on the wall, she chided, "Zhi Zhi, why are you home so late today?"

Jiang Lingzhi leaned in and rubbed Lu Yuping's arm. "Mommy, I'm sorry, I missed the stop. I had to walk a long distance." 

She had never been a worrisome child and whenever she acted cutely, Lu Yuping would not know what to do about her. Lu Yuping said in a mellower voice, "Didn't I tell you to take a cab? Silly child, go wash your hands and eat."

"Okay." Jiang Lingzhi agreed, put down her backpack, and headed to the bathroom. 

After washing her hands, Jiang Lingzhi came out of the bathroom and sat down at the dining table. She dried her hands with a paper towel, and asked in the direction of the kitchen, "Where's Daddy?"

The ambiance at home seemed exceptionally quiet today. The TV was still playing in the living room, and the sounds of the TV seemed to have highlighted the silence even further. 

Lu Yuping placed the food on the table and said, "Your father has been busy lately, and he hasn't been able to pick you up after school. Be careful on your own. Once the car is repaired in a few days, Uncle Chen will be able to fetch you to and fro school."

Jiang Lingzhi nodded. After some thought, she tried to discuss with her mother, "Mommy, I think I can go home by myself in the future."

Lu Yuping refuted without considering it at all, "How can that be okay? It's not safe for you to go home alone! Didn't you see those cases that have been reported on the news?"

"Those human traffickers and hooligans love to pick on schoolgirls who are all alone by themselves!"

Jiang Lingzhi was speechless. 

She had lost in the first round.

Jiang Lingzhi tapped her fingertips on the glass and tried to make a last-ditch effort. "But my classmates go home by themselves too. You can't always treat me like a child. Besides, I've been going home by myself for the past few days. I'm alright, aren't I..."

With a rag in her hand, Lu Yuping glanced out of the kitchen at her. She chided, "You're only sixteen years old, do you think you're that old? Besides, look at what time you got home today." 

"…"

Jiang Lingzhi was at a loss for words. 

She lost in the second round too. 

After failing to convince her mother, she was no longer interested in talking.

After dinner, Jiang Lingzhi carried her bag and made her way upstairs. "Mommy, I'm going back to my room to do my homework." 

While tidying the table, Lu Yuping instructed, "Remember to practice the piano, your competition is coming up. You can't be careless at this point." 

"Got it." 

When she returned to her room, Jiang Lingzhi took a shower, changed into a clean and fresh set of home attire, sat down at the piano, and began her daily practice of basic techniques.

By the time she was done practicing the piano for an hour, it was almost ten o'clock already, and it was pitch dark outside. The sounds of insects chirping could be heard in the summer night. 

Jiang Lingzhi rubbed her eyes, sat in front of the desk, took out the practice paper from her backpack, and began doing her homework. 

There was one paper for each of the three subjects, namely Mandarin, Mathematics, and Foreign Language. She also had to do all sorts of revision questions. 

It was already past midnight when she completed her homework.

After checking once more to make sure that she did not miss anything, Jiang Lingzhi finally placed her things back inside her backpack, rubbed her sore wrist, and planned to go to sleep.

She lay down on the bed and switched off the bedside lamp. She was so sleepy that her eyelids were heavy, and she couldn't even open her eyes at all. However, she suddenly thought of something and switched the lamp on again.