Today was the last semester exam in Guangzhou University.
Liu Xiuying woke up before dawn to revise for the last time before entering the exam hall. She slept late last night and because of that, she had dark circles, but it wasn't that obvious if not looked at her face properly.
Liu Xiuying wasn't used to wearing makeup in the first place and she didn't think of doing that.
Qiao Liuli arrived at her apartment to cook for her because she knew she was writing her exams today.
After eating, Liu Xiuying hurriedly left the apartment.
—
The exam was starting by 7 in the morning, but Liu Xiuying arrived before 7. She had two papers to write; one in the morning and the other in the afternoon.
Qiao Liuli wanted to follow her to the university, but Liu Xiuying refused her. She probably knew her mother was tired and she needed to rest. Her father was still in the hospital and it was Qiao Liuli who had been taking care of him alone since she started preparing for her exams.
When it was time for the exams, Liu Xiuying secretly prayed in her heart as she entered the exam hall.
The first paper was a 2 hours paper, then they had a break before they came back for the second paper which they wrote till evening.
When she came out from the exam hall,the sun had set and the sky had become so beautiful, painted with golden light from the sun.
—
It was 10:30pm in the evening when Liu Xiuying entered her apartment. She hung her bag on the bag hanger at the door and bent down to remove her shoes. She picked slippers from the cabinet to change into.
Afterwards, she walked into the kitchen and saw that her mom had prepared dinner for her.
Her heart warmed up instantly. Her beautiful thin lips curled into a sweet smile. She warmed up the food and sat at the dining table to eat. While she was eating, her phone vibrated. She opened her phone to see an unread message from Dai Mao, asking her how her exams went.
Liu Xiuying dropped her chopsticks. She replied, telling her she was sure she did well.
After eating, she went to the bathroom to wash up and changed into her pajamas.
She sat on the chair in her room, placing her textbook on the desk in front of her to read. She had a week to write the exams before going on a break.
Liu Xiuying wanted to use that opportunity to look for a job, so that she would be able to take care of her dad's surgery payment.
Apart from that, she didn't want to depend on them for money. She was already old enough to take care of her needs as a college student. If she asked them for money, wouldn't she be adding to their problems.
Her parents didn't complain about her asking for money. In fact, her father didn't want her to start working yet as it would affect her studies.
However, she felt uncomfortable going to them everytime she needed money. She had to get a job that pays well after she was done with her exams.
—
The next few days had been so stressful for Liu Xiuying. She would wake up early in the morning, get ready for exams and get home late at night.
The last day of the exam, Liu Xiuying watched as her mother cooked for her and smiled. She walked towards her mother and hugged her from behind. She placed her chin on Qiao Liuli's shoulder, looking over her shoulder to check what she was cooking. "Mom, thank you for taking care of me" her voice sounded low and calm.
"Why are you thanking me? You are my daughter, so it's my right to take care of you. Who will take care of you if not me" Qiao li's voice had a hint of affection. She reached out to pat her daughter's hand gently. "Today is the last day of your exam, I wish you good luck"
"Let me help you with the dishes" As Liu Xiuying said, she had picked up a bowl, rinsed it and gave it to her mother.
Qiao Liuli served the dishes and told Liu Xiuying to place them on the dining table. She removed her apron and hung it on the apron hanger in the kitchen before sitting at the dining table to eat with Liu Xiuying.
After they ate, Qiao Liuli packed some dishes in a thermo flask for Old Liu. She watched as her daughter waved down a taxi and left.
The cold breeze blew on her skin, making her tremble. Tears welled up in her eyes when she thought of how her daughter hadn't had enough rest and how thin her daughter had become.
She sighed heavily, wishing for the best for her family.
—
Qiao Liuli, through the transparent glass window on the ward door, saw a nurse changing Old Liu's drip. She pushed open the door and walked in, standing at the side as she watched the nurse adjust the drip.
She smiled at the nurse as she watched the nurse leave the room.
"How's YingYing?"
Qiao Liuli shifted her gaze to Old Liu when she heard his voice. She placed the thermo flask on the bedside table, and opened it. "She's good. Today is the last day of her exams" she smiled when her gaze landed on her husband's face.
She couldn't tell Old Liu that Liu Xiuying had become thinner and she hadn't had a good sleep since she started preparing for her exams. It would only make him worried.
Old Liu was a stubborn man. If he became agitated and his emotions struck, he would refuse to take his drugs and even eat his food.
To persuade him would become a great problem.
Old Liu smiled when he heard his wife's words. He nodded his head and watched as she blew onto the soup she had scooped and brought it to his lips. He opened his mouth and drank the soup.
"It's a good thing that she is doing fine"
Old Liu thought that he had failed when it came to parenting and wanted to make it up to her. He looked at Qiao Liuli and said, "Let her come here when she is done with her exam"
Qiao Liuli's body froze. If Old Liu saw how his daughter was, wouldn't he think that she was lying to him?
"She's too busy. She told me she would be going out with her friends after her exams" she lied without even blinking her eyes.
Old Liu felt disappointed. "Oh"
Qiao Liuli felt relieved, but Old Liu's next reply made her feel a headache coming in. "But I can still call her"
—
After her exams, Liu Xiuying took a taxi to the Mo family residence. She had arranged to meet Dai Mao in the evening at her place. It was sunset when she arrived at the Mo family residence.
Perhaps, it was because Dai Mao had told the security guards that Liu Xiuying was coming, she was allowed to enter the moment they asked her of her name.