200: A strange sense of guilt (bonus chapter)

The car soon arrived at the reserved restaurant.

Jiang Ye had chosen a private kitchen restaurant; the storefront wasn't large. On Meituan, it was listed at an average of 120 yuan per person, placing it in the "good taste, decent environment, moderate price" category.

Until she sat down in the private room, Xu Man's expression was still a bit dazed.

She knew that the thoughts and ways of the younger generation were quite different from her own. To have a common language with her son and avoid a large generation gap, she had been trying to accept new things and concepts.

But... the surreal plot of "dating three girlfriends at the same time and they all know about each other" was still a bit too shocking.

She glanced again at Su Ning, who was obediently scalding and washing the tableware and pouring tea for her, and couldn't help rubbing her temples.

This girl was truly good-looking, sweet-talking, and capable; she looked like a likable, good child no matter how you looked at her.

How could she... "Little Su, have you already graduated, or are you still in school?"

Su Ning gently placed the poured tea in front of Xu Man, her voice soft and warm: "Auntie, I'm currently in my internship period. I won't officially graduate until June this year."

"Oh, an internship..."

Xu Man nodded: "Then... what kind of work do you do?"

Su Ning's movements paused slightly. Jiang Ye, who was looking at the menu, looked up and smiled as he took over the conversation: "Mom, Su Ning is a host."

"A host?"

Xu Man was somewhat surprised and looked at Su Ning again: "That's very impressive. You could enter a TV Station right during your internship?"

"It's not a TV Station."

Jiang Ye explained with a smile: "She's a radio host, like the Radio Stations of the past, but now it's online."

"Oh... online radio."

Xu Man nodded, seemingly understanding but not quite.

To her, whether it was a TV Station or a Radio Station, as long as she had a proper job and was a steady, good girl, it was fine.

Although she hadn't fully digested the setting that her son might be a "scumbag with a girl on each arm," deep down, she definitely didn't want any girls with complex backgrounds or bad character around her son.

From what she could see so far, this Su Ning had a decent appearance, proper manners, and her job sounded legitimate, which put her mind at ease a little.

As the waiter began to serve the dishes, exquisite food was placed on the table one by one.

The three of them chatted while eating. Although Xu Man still asked some questions indirectly from time to time, Su Ning gradually relaxed and roughly understood Jiang Ye's intention in bringing her to meet his parent.

Consequently, her answers became more appropriate and generous—neither deliberately showing off nor being overly humble. Occasionally, she would add a bit of a young girl's charm, playing the role of a "well-behaved, sensible, and cute girlfriend" just right.

Halfway through the meal, Su Ning got up and said she was going to the restroom.

As soon as she left the private room, Xu Man, who had been smiling just now, immediately darkened her face:

"Xiao Ye! Tell me the truth, what... what exactly is going on with you guys?"

Jiang Ye shrugged helplessly: "Mom, like I just told you, the four of us are getting along quite well. Everyone knows about each other, and no one has any objections."

"A family of four?!"

Xu Man was choked by this quantifier, glaring at him several times before continuing to lower her voice and press for answers:

"Xiao Ye, have you... have you become bad now that you have some money in your hands, and started kee—cough, supporting poor female college students?"

"Mom! Where are your thoughts going! Am I that kind of person? Let me put it this way..."

Jiang Ye pointed toward the parking lot outside the window, caught between laughter and tears: "That car outside was bought for me by Su Ning."

"Huh?"

Xu Man was startled to hear this, her eyes widening.

Jiang Ye raised his wrist again, revealing his watch: "This watch was given to me by Ye Cheng on Christmas Eve; it cost over forty thousand. On New Year's Day, she also gave me a top-spec laptop, which was nearly twenty thousand."

He paused, and seeing his mother's expression tighten, he quickly waved his hand and added: "Mom, don't overthink it. I've spent a lot on them too... My point is, they are all financially independent and don't lack money."

Xu Man finally breathed a sigh of relief, but her confusion deepened instead.

Her son was handsome, filial, humorous, honest, simple, innocent, broad-minded, and exceptionally capable... but it shouldn't be to the point where these girls, who seemed to have good conditions, would willingly... "share" him, right? What were they after?

Jiang Ye saw his mother's confusion and really couldn't explain it. He picked up his phone and tapped a few times.

Xu Man's phone on the table vibrated with a "buzz," the screen lighting up with a WeChat transfer message.

She clicked it open, her pupils shrinking slightly: "Why... why did you transfer so much money to me?"

"Mom, keep this money for me for now."

Jiang Ye's tone was relaxed: "Later, rent out the old house, and I'll give you some more money to change to a more comfortable house. But I won't come back to live long-term. My side... cough, the situation is special."

"..."

Xu Man looked at the 500,000 transfer on her phone, then looked up at her son's smiling face. After hesitating for a moment, she still clicked to receive the payment.

Jiang Ye was about to say something more to soothe his mother's startled soul when the phone next to him suddenly rang.

"Mom, it's Ye Cheng." He naturally pressed the speakerphone button.

"Oh ho~~"

Ye Cheng's clear voice immediately came from the receiver: "Classmate Xiao Ye, what are you doing? I just finished an exam, and I'm exhausted."

Jiang Ye replied with a smile: "I'm eating. How did the exam go?"

"It was okay; I shouldn't fail."

Ye Cheng replied casually and teased: "Eating all by yourself? Didn't you call your second wife to join you?"

Jiang Ye clicked his tongue and glanced at his mother's face, which had instantly become extremely complex: "Watch your words, Student Xiao Ye. My mom is right here."

There was a noticeable pause on the other end of the line. Ye Cheng instantly switched to an incredibly well-behaved and serious voice:

"Ah! Hello Auntie! Hello Auntie! I'm Ye Cheng! I was just joking with Jiang Ye just now, Auntie, please don't mind!"

"..."

Xu Man looked at Su Ning's empty seat and suddenly felt an inexplicable... sense of guilt.

She gave two dry laughs: "Oh, it's fine, it's fine. Hello, Little Ye. You young people like to joke; Auntie understands."

"Mhm, Jiang Ye, are you home? Then stay and talk more with Auntie. I won't disturb you guys for now."

"No, I came out with Su Ning today to pick up a car. It just so happened that Mom came back from her trip, so we're having a meal together."

Jiang Ye explained casually. Just as he was about to say "let's hang up then," there was a silence on the other end, and Ye Cheng's voice rang out again:

"Eh? What delicious food are you guys eating? I'm about to throw up from eating the food in the Cafeteria here."

Jiang Ye: "...?"

Xu Man: "..."

Mother and son looked at each other, both a bit caught between laughter and tears.

This girl had obviously heard that Su Ning was also present, so she deliberately found a topic to "participate" in and make her presence felt.