Madam, Please Behave-Chapter 149: Do You Like Short Hair?

Zhao Yalin, now 36 years old, reflects on her tumultuous life, one filled with twists and turns.

Her father passed away early, and her mother remarried, giving Zhao Yalin a new name that followed her for over a decade: Zhang Ya. This name marked her primary and middle school years until her stepfather was sentenced to life imprisonment, allowing her to reclaim her original name.

During middle school, Zhao Yalin was a quiet and reserved girl. Years of moving around with her mother left her frail compared to her peers. To help support the family, she even sold her hair, so she spent much of her childhood with short hair.

In the second year of middle school, she was classmates with Liu Changqing. Coincidentally, her seat was directly in front of his. Back then, Liu Changqing would occasionally tease her, but he never went too far. In fact, when other classmates clashed with her, he would sometimes stand up for her.

Because of this, Zhao Yalin felt gratitude toward Liu Changqing. He brought warmth to an otherwise difficult period in her life.

But everything changed after a theft incident.

One day after gym class, a classmate from a relatively well-off family noticed that a newly purchased jade pendant, brought from out of town, had gone missing. Since Liu Changqing had left for the restroom during class due to an upset stomach, the accuser immediately pointed fingers at him.

All the blame seemed to fall on Liu Changqing. Zhao Yalin could still vividly remember the panicked look on his face as he vehemently denied the accusation. Yet no one in the class spoke up to defend him. The silence was deafening. Despite wanting to stand by Liu Changqing, Zhao Yalin, succumbing to peer pressure, ultimately stayed quiet.

In those days, classrooms didn’t have surveillance cameras. With no evidence to clear his name, Liu Changqing was deemed highly suspicious. The teachers decided he had to pay half the cost of the missing jade.

Zhao Yalin would never forget the scene of Liu Changqing’s parents arriving at school to apologize and his father angrily kicking him multiple times. Throughout it all, Liu Changqing remained silent.

After that incident, Liu Changqing became withdrawn, isolated himself from the class, and his academic performance began to decline.

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Witnessing this, Zhao Yalin felt deeply remorseful. She tried to communicate with Liu Changqing, but her efforts seemed futile. By the time they entered their third year and were placed in separate classes, their connection had completely ended.

That same year, Zhao Yalin’s life changed dramatically. Her stepfather’s imprisonment led her family to leave the city, and she reverted to her original name.

Years flew by. Zhao Yalin endured a failed marriage and became a mother to a daughter who took her surname. Time and life had reshaped her personality.

Yet, unexpectedly, twenty years later, when they met again, Liu Changqing didn’t recognize her.

Zhao Yalin distinctly remembered telling Liu Changqing about her previous name back in school. She had always preferred “Zhao Yalin” over “Zhang Ya.” But during a recent conversation about publishing, while she instantly recognized him, he showed no signs of recalling her.

Looking at Liu Changqing standing in front of her now, Zhao Yalin couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. No wonder the photo of that chubby child her daughter had shown her looked somewhat familiar...

Liu Changqing, on the other hand, felt baffled by Zhao Yalin’s cryptic remarks.

Why is she saying sorry to me?

Though he had spoken harshly to her during their last meeting, Liu Changqing, considering the possibility of Zhao Yalin becoming his future in-law, thought for a moment before responding.

“Last time, I was also at fault. I was dealing with some personal stress and may have come across too harshly. Let’s move past it. If there’s a chance in the future, we can still work together.”

Zhao Yalin remained silent for a while, staring at Liu Changqing as if she wanted to say something but ultimately holding back. She sighed softly.

“Let’s head inside. Where’s Xuanwen?”

“She’s resting inside.”

With that, Liu Changqing started walking, and Zhao Yalin followed, maintaining a two-step distance between them.

“The doctor has already prescribed medication,” Liu Changqing said as they walked. “But it’s just a temporary fix. The most important thing is to avoid eating too many cold foods in the future.”

“Got it.”

Their conversation ended as they arrived at the destination.

Inside, Zhao Xuanwen looked slightly better. She held a paper cup, sipping slowly, while An Yuanyao sat nearby. Hearing the approaching footsteps, she looked up and saw Liu Changqing and Zhao Yalin.

After a brief moment of surprise, An Yuanyao stood up. She glanced at Zhao Yalin, then shifted her gaze to Liu Changqing with a questioning look.

“And this is...?”

“Mom...”

Before Liu Changqing could introduce her, Zhao Xuanwen softly called out. Perhaps fearing a scolding, she forced a smile after speaking, though it didn’t suit her current weak state.

Seeing her daughter’s frail appearance, Zhao Yalin’s eyes filled with concern. She stepped past Liu Changqing, sat beside her daughter, and reached out as if to pinch her cheek.

As her mother’s hand approached, Zhao Xuanwen instinctively leaned back. Zhao Yalin paused, then gently patted her daughter’s head.

“How many times have I told you not to eat so much cold food? You never listen.”

“I won’t eat so much next time...”

“Next time?”

“There won’t be a next time!” Zhao Xuanwen quickly corrected herself, realizing her mistake.

Standing aside, Liu Changqing watched the interaction between mother and daughter. He found their dynamic endearing and thought Zhao Yalin didn’t seem like a strict mother.

Unaware of his thoughts, An Yuanyao glanced at Liu Changqing, then at Zhao Yalin with a subtle shift in expression.

After giving her daughter a few more reminders, Zhao Yalin turned to Liu Changqing.

“I drove here. I’ll take her home. If you two have other matters to attend to, feel free to leave.”

“Alright. I’m really sorry about this. I didn’t realize your daughter couldn’t handle so many popsicles.”

“It’s fine;it’s not a big deal.”

After a few more polite exchanges, Liu Changqing and An Yuanyao left.

As they reached the car, Liu Changqing got into the driver’s seat, fastened his seatbelt, and was about to start the car when he noticed An Yuanyao in the passenger seat staring at him.

After a brief pause, he looked at her, confused.

“What are you looking at me for?”

Without answering immediately, An Yuanyao studied him for a while before finally asking, “Do you like... short hair?”