Chapter 2 Chapter 2

“I’m looking for a let…” She lifted her head and froze when she saw the prince of her dreams. “Ah… It’s a four-leaf clover. I’m looking for a four-leaf clover.”

“A four-leaf clover?” Tony repeated, slightly surprised.

What am I even saying? She muttered under her breath, her face as red as a ripe gac fruit.

He gave a small, polite bow and introduced himself. “Hi, I’m Tony, a third-year. We seem to be in the same engineering technology class.”

“That’s right, but I’m only a first-year.” She replied with an awkward laugh.

“So you’re my junior.” Suddenly, he stepped closer. In that instant, when their eyes met, her heart nearly stopped. But he only reached out and brushed away a small caterpillar from her shoulder. “Don’t be afraid. There was a little caterpillar on your shoulder. I’ve taken it away. It’s getting late now, so you’d better head home early.”

With that, he turned and walked away. Flustered, Serenity called after him. “Tony, my name is…”

He turned back and gave a faint smile. “Your name is Serenity, right. Goodbye.”

“Goodbye.” Serenity stood there in a daze, watching his figure fade into the deep red glow of sunset, her heart racing wildly. He knew her name. He even talked to her. She covered her face, so happy she felt like jumping up and down on the spot.

Her phone suddenly rang, snapping her out of her daydream. It was Adele. “Serenity, did you find the letter?”

“Not yet.” At the mention of it, Serenity’s voice drooped.

“Don’t worry. You can look again tomorrow. Go home now. The security guards are about to close the gates.”

“Okay. I hope I can find it.” Hanging up, she sighed, then smiled to herself. If I hadn’t come back to look for the letter, I wouldn’t have talked to Tony. That alone makes it worth it.

From the university, Serenity took a bus to the restaurant where her mother worked to pick her up. Still, the owner told her that her mother had asked to leave early long ago, and that her demeanor had been rather unusual.

Serenity thanked her. As she turned to leave, the owner called after her with a reminder. “Recently, your mother has been quite absent-minded. Please pay a bit more attention to her.”

Serenity nodded slightly and stepped outside. On the way home, night had already fallen, and the wind felt colder. She pulled her coat tighter around herself. As she turned into the alley, Serenity saw her mother, Mrs. Briona, accidentally slip and fall by the roadside.

“Mom,” she cried, rushing over to help her up.

“Serenity, is that you?” Her mother winced in pain.

“Are you okay?”

“It hurts a lot.”

They supported each other back to their home, not far away. In the small room, the warm yellow light made the atmosphere feel cozier. Serenity applied medicine to her mother.

“It hurts,” her mother groaned softly.

“Alright, hang in there. How could you be so careless? Mom, is something bothering you?”

“No.”

“No? But the owner said you’ve been absent-minded lately.”

“Mom…” Mrs. Briona hesitated.

“Didn’t you once tell me that we shouldn’t keep secrets from each other?” Serenity gently held her mother’s hand.

Her mother still wavered. Serenity stood up and helped her to her feet. “Let’s go.”

“Where to?”

“Just come with me.”

Serenity guided her mother out through the gate and to the nearby park. The familiar stone bench seemed to be waiting for the two of them to return after so many years. Serenity walked more slowly than usual, her steps heavy with emotion, while Mrs. Briona took a deep breath, as if preparing to speak of something she had buried for far too long.

She gazed ahead and spoke, her voice blending into the quiet surroundings. “Do you remember how hard things were after your father passed away? We didn’t have enough money to make ends meet. Back then, a classmate of yours lost some money, and they suspected you. Even without evidence, they still didn’t believe you, so they started bullying you, tearing up your books, and throwing your bag into the trash.”

Serenity lowered her head. The painful memories of those years surged back, stinging her eyes.

“You didn’t tell me about it, so I never knew and wasn’t worried at all. Instead, you skipped school and came to this park to sit alone. When I finally found you, you still refused to tell me.”

The wind rustled through the trees, carrying with it the lingering regret of years past.

Serenity spoke softly. “I remember you once told me that no matter what happened, you wanted there to be no secrets between us. I didn’t tell you about that because I didn’t want you to worry.”

Mrs. Briona turned to look at her daughter, her eyes gentle yet moist. “You worry about me just as I worry about you, right? Serenity, I want to be your closest friend. I want to share every joy and sorrow with you forever.”

Serenity blinked, her heart tightening at those words.

“From then on, whenever we have something difficult to talk about, we come here.” Mrs. Briona said pensively.

At that moment, the park felt truly sacred, like a place that held all the unspoken thoughts of mother and daughter.

“Serenity, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hide it from you.”

Serenity flinched slightly, sensing that something serious was coming. “Then what is it, Mom. Tell me. We’ll face it together.”

Mrs. Briona looked down at her hands, her voice trembling faintly. “I… I’ve fallen in love with someone.”

Serenity’s eyes widened, her heart skipping a beat. “What did you say. Your secret is that you’re in love with someone.”

Mrs. Briona sighed, confessing what she had kept hidden for so long. “I lied to you and secretly kept in contact with a man.”

She could hardly believe her ears. “I never thought you would date someone.”

Mrs. Briona clenched her hands, ashamed and afraid. “I will never see him again.”

Serenity frowned, her heart pounding harder. “Does he already have a wife. Are you the third person, breaking up their family?”

Her mother immediately shook her head, her voice firm. “No, no. He’s already divorced.”

Serenity let out a breath but still felt unsettled. “Are you sure. How did you meet him? How long have you two been seeing each other?”

Mrs. Briona told Serenity about how she first met the man at the restaurant where she worked as a server. “The first time I met him was at the restaurant. After that, he came often. Every time he came, he would ask me to serve him. Gradually, I began to feel fond of him.”

As she said this, Mrs. Briona’s face flushed slightly, her eyes avoiding Serenity’s gaze.

Serenity did not miss it. “What’s with that expression, Mom?”

“I’m fine.”

“I’ve only ever seen you act like this since Dad passed away.”

Mrs. Briona let out a shy laugh. “I’m sorry.”

Serenity softened, her voice gentler, filled with affection. “You should have someone by your side so you won’t feel so lonely.”

Mrs. Briona looked at her, blinking as she asked. “So you’re not angry at me or against this.”

“If he’s a good person, I’ll support you one hundred percent. But if not, you should put this relationship aside. The two of us can still live happily together like before.”

Mrs. Briona nodded, her face full of trust. “You can rest assured about that. I’m certain he’s a good man. Um… can I go out tonight?”

Serenity laughed. “If I said no, I’d be an unfilial daughter.”

Mrs. Briona could not hide her joy. “Oh, my daughter, I love you so much.” She hugged Serenity tightly and kissed her on the cheek.

Serenity teased, “Have a nice date, Mom. Make sure to wear a really sexy and charming dress.”

“I know. I’ll go get ready.”

Serenity smiled, watching her mother’s figure slowly leave the park, filled with new happiness, and thought to herself. How did I not realize Mom was dating someone? Since Dad passed away, this is the first time I’ve ever seen her this happy.