"Do you have a girl you like? What's her name, how old is she, and where does she live? What's her personality like? Have you started dating?"

My mother's barrage of questions left me momentarily speechless,

"Could it be...?"

My silence caused a trace of anxiety to appear on my mother's face,

"No, don't overthink it, I wouldn't do something like having a child in high school,"

I said to dispel my mother's worries,

"If there really is something, I'll have to show you the power of the crucifix hold..."

"Eh?"

I shudder involuntarily at the thought of that powerful move,

"Just kidding! How could I casually use such a deadly move on my own child?"

This clearly wasn't a joke, and if it was true, I'd definitely die in a terrible way,

"So... what's the girl's name... and other information, hurry up and tell me,"

My mother urged me,

"Well..." Why is it that when it comes to actually saying it, I feel too embarrassed to speak?

"Do you need some help?" My mother grinned and pretended to pinch my waist,

"Please don't play around with your child's life!" I raised my voice,

"Don't you like a mother who expresses her love like this, Yu Jie?" My mother asked with a sad face,

"This kind of love is too suffocating, and I might end up meeting Jesus,"

"Isn't it supposed to be King Yama?" My mother tilted her head in confusion,

"What kind of mother would curse her own son to go to hell?"

I said irritably,

"Just kidding! As a mother, of course, I hope for my child to grow up healthy,"

My mother laughed naturally, and I couldn't help but shiver. The meeting with King Yama just now really scared me into a cold sweat,

"Alright, back to the topic, time to tell me about the girl you like?"

My mother resumed her serious demeanor,

"Her name is Su Yuqian, she seems to be a year younger than me, and she's my classmate. She's also mixed-race, has a melon-seed face, and is very pretty, just like a doll. Her hair is blonde, and her eyes are green..."

Talking about her made my heart feel warm and excited,

"She seems like a great girl, but have you confessed to her? Or are you dating already?"

"No... She doesn't seem to like interacting with boys, and many boys have confessed to her and failed," My expression turned dark,

"So Yu Jie failed too?" My mother gave me a sympathetic look,

"I haven't confessed yet..." I hurriedly said,

"Is that so? But I still have one question, why do you like this girl called Su Yuqian? You said she doesn't like to interact with boys, so wouldn't you all just gradually drift apart from her?"

My mother asked with a puzzled expression,

"Although I don't know the mentality of those boys who confessed to Su Yuqian, for me, her beautiful blonde hair and her behavior have all deeply attracted me. Especially her cold and proud attitude, as well as her ability to beat up boys who confessed to her – I just couldn't help but fall for her,"

I said dreamily,

" Yu Jie, do you have an Oedipus complex, and are trying to achieve your love for me through another person in a twisted way, that's not allowed, you know,"

To my surprise, my mother said something shocking,

"I don't have any Oedipus complex, nor am I trying to achieve my love for you in a twisted way,"

I said with a red face,

"So that means you really do like her, and might even confess to her later?"

"Hmm..." I nodded, and my mother showed a troubled expression,

"I don't mean to discourage you, but even if you pursue that girl, she might not be willing to be with you, and you've already been betrothed to Zhiye,"

"How would I know I won't succeed if I don't try? And I believe Zhiye will understand if she knows I have someone I like..."

"No!" My mother strongly disagreed,

"Why?" I looked at my mother in confusion,

"This is simply a dangerous gamble. If you fail, you may lose Zhiye as your lifesaving straw,"

My mother's face showed concern,

"But I really do like her," I said seriously,

"Well then... if you can successfully date her and even sign a marriage agreement with her, I'll help you cancel your marriage with Zhiye," My mother decided after painful deliberation,

"Really?"

I was a bit excited, and my mother nodded, then showed a guilty expression,

"It's so unfair to Zhiye and Chuanmei..."

"Mother, you're so understanding..." I happily said,

"When have I ever not been understanding? But don't get too excited yet. You have to fulfill what I just said in order to cancel the marriage with Zhiye, and during this time you can't neglect or deliberately hurt Zhiye. Otherwise... you know the consequences,"

My mother showed a terrifying expression,

"I know, I'll do as you say," I hastily nodded in agreement,

"That's good..." My mother's expression softened,

Why does my mother still resort to violence so easily? And her conditions are really difficult; dating is unpredictable, and signing a marriage agreement is even harder. But things will work out eventually, right?"If you don't succeed, don't think too much about it, just be obedient and stay with Zhiye,"

Should I not even start to discourage my enthusiasm?

"I will definitely succeed..." I think as long as there is love in my heart, there is nothing I can't do, but this is just my one-sided thought, reality is very cruel,

"Then work hard... It's rare to see you showing some growth, so, my mother is somewhat supportive of you... But her position will not change, I think Zhiye is still the best candidate,"

Mother really values Zhiye, which makes me worry that if I succeed, will she be dissatisfied with Su Yuqian. However, before having these concerns, let's just make it happen first,

"Have you finished talking? Now we should go out..."

Indeed, we have been talking in the room for a long time, Zhiye has probably been waiting for a while. Mother opened the door and went out, I followed her out immediately, and closed the light that was turned on when I entered the room.