Versatile Sword Cultivator

Chapter 189 – The mother’s request

Faced with Ren Lan's explanation, Ren's Mom simply didn't believe it.

Just now, she saw Lin Jichen touch her daughter's face. The two were so intimate, how could she believe there was nothing between them?

Ren's Mom spoke earnestly to Ren Lan, "You've grown up. I don't oppose you dating, but there's no need to hide it from me."

"Mom, I really..."

Not giving Ren Lan a chance to speak, Ren's Mom continued, "I used to think you were clueless, always busy with fitness, boxing, and martial arts. I worried you wouldn't date anyone even by thirty, and your father and I wouldn't get to be grandparents by seventy. But now, it seems I was overthinking."

"Mom, you really misunderstood. We're just friends," Ren Lan said awkwardly, her face full of embarrassment.

"Alright, it's none of your business now, so hush." After saying this, Ren's Mom turned to Lin Jichen, her gaze softening.

"Young man, what's your name?"

Lin Jichen coughed lightly and answered honestly, "Hello, Auntie. My name is Lin Jichen. I'm Ren Lan's junior, also a student at Jiangling University..."

"I believe that. You look very young, and my daughter has always lived on campus. If she were to find a boyfriend, it would definitely be someone from her school," Ren's Mom said with a smile.

"Mom, I..."

"I told you to hush. If you keep talking, I'll tell your father," Ren's Mom warned. Ren Lan quickly covered her mouth, not daring to make a sound.

Ren's Mom then continued to question Lin Jichen, "Xiao Lin, what do your parents do?"

"Uh... Auntie, my parents passed away a long time ago."

"Oh, I'm so sorry. It's my fault for asking. How did you manage your university tuition?"

"I was specially admitted, and the school waived my tuition fees."

"Special admission? Wait, I remember now. You're the student who scored over 690 in the college entrance examination last year, right? You broke our school's record."

"Yes," Lin Jichen responded.

In fact, he had long forgotten his exact score. He only remembered that his score was good enough for the best universities in the country, but due to the tuition fees, he chose Jiangling Normal University.

"You could have gone to the best universities, but because of the tuition fees, you had no choice but to come to our school, right?"

Lin Jichen nodded awkwardly and quickly added, "But after being here for so long, I feel that Jiangling Normal University is no worse than any top institution, really."

Ren's Mom's smile deepened. "I'm glad to hear you say that. The tuition is free, but what about your living expenses?"

"I earn my living expenses by working part-time in my spare time, and I have a cousin who helps me occasionally," Lin Jichen admitted.

After hearing this, Ren's Mom's appreciation for him grew even more.

"You're a good child, with a natural ambition and a resilient heart. You've turned your unfortunate past into a source of strength and determination. I believe you'll achieve great things in the future. A stream cannot hold back the waves of the sea."

Ren's Mom's heartfelt words made Lin Jichen blush.

This was the first time he had heard such praise.

Behind him, Ren Lan couldn't help but laugh. She wondered if her mother would still say such things if she knew Lin Jichen had dropped out of school to play video games.

"Thank you, Auntie, for your affirmation. I'll work hard."

Ren's Mom nodded in satisfaction. "But you two are still young. It's fine to date, but living together is a bit much. If something happens, it won't be good. Recently, a girl at school was expelled for getting pregnant."

Lin Jichen: "..."

"Auntie, don't worry. We haven't done anything. We're really just renting together," Lin Jichen quickly explained.

"If that's the case, then that's best. Auntie thinks you're a good kid and doesn't oppose you being with my daughter, but there's one thing I hope you can promise Auntie."

"Uh... Auntie, go ahead," Lin Jichen felt he couldn't clear his name anymore, so he just went along with Ren's Mom's words.

"Auntie hopes that during your university years, you won't have a sexual relationship. Can you do that?"

Lin Jichen: "...."

Ren Lan: "...."

This was the definition of speechless.

Lin Jichen had lost the ability to speak, and Ren Lan was so embarrassed she wanted to crawl into a hole.

But Ren's Mom continued to explain, "It's not that Auntie is old-fashioned, but you two are still young. Your feelings might not be stable yet. If something happens, I don't want my daughter to get hurt. In other words, if you break up, it's always the girl who suffers, right?"

"...Auntie, you're right... I promise you," Lin Jichen replied, gritting his teeth.

"That's good. Auntie trusts your character and my daughter's judgment."

Ren's Mom finished speaking with satisfaction and said to Ren Lan, "Alright, I won't hold this against you anymore."

"Really? Mom, you're the best. Mwah~" Ren Lan excitedly kissed her mother, feeling like she had escaped a disaster.

"Don't try to sweet-talk me. Come home with me," Ren's Mom said.

"Huh? Go home?" Ren Lan was stunned.

"Of course, you have to go home. Do you still want to live with Xiao Lin? You young people are like dry wood and fire. If something happens, your father would be furious," Ren's Mom said.

Ren Lan's face turned red with embarrassment and anger. "Mom, I've explained a thousand times. We're just renting together, sleeping in separate rooms. What are you thinking?"

"Still being stubborn? Fine, take me to where you live and let me see," Ren's Mom said. She was actually worried they might be sleeping together and wanted to verify it.

With Ren's Mom's request, Ren Lan and Lin Jichen had no choice but to take her home.

"Mom, how did you find out?" Ren Lan asked as they walked.

Ren's Mom snorted, "Your Auntie Taozi lives near this mall. She saw you and even took a video to show me. That's how I found out you've been lying to me."

"Hehe, Mom, I know I was wrong. I promise I won't do it again," Ren Lan said with a cheeky smile.

"Who's this child?" Ren's Mom finally noticed Niu Naitang beside Ren Lan. She hadn't noticed earlier in her anger.

"She's the landlord's child. She lives upstairs and often comes down to play with us," Lin Jichen explained.

"Hello, Auntie. My name is Niu Naitang, but you can call me Tang Tang," Niu Naitang introduced herself sweetly.

Ren's Mom immediately liked this pretty and cute little girl and praised her for being so well-behaved.

The four of them returned to the apartment. After entering, Ren's Mom looked around and found that they were indeed sleeping in separate rooms, which finally put her mind at ease.

Moreover, the apartment was clean and tidy, which improved her impression of Lin Jichen even more.

She didn't think her daughter was the one who cleaned up.

This young man was not only good-looking and sensible but also knew how to clean. When she found out that Lin Jichen could cook, she was even more satisfied.

"Mom, now do you believe me?"

"I believe you, but you still have to go home."

"Huh? No, I only have a few days left of my vacation. Mom, please let me stay a bit longer," Ren Lan pleaded.

"What if your father finds out? He'd be furious," Ren's Mom hesitated.

Seeing a chance, Ren Lan quickly promised, "He won't find out if you don't tell him. It's only a few days. Besides, I already told Dad I wouldn't be coming home this vacation. If I suddenly go back, he'll be suspicious."

Ren's Mom thought about it and agreed. She looked around the apartment and at Lin Jichen, who was organizing the fridge, and felt reassured. She agreed.