Professional Substitute

Chapter 9: The Master Storyteller

Ms. Cui was momentarily speechless. Her intention was to replace Mo Qinglan, which was why she was so relentless in belittling her. "After all, blood is thicker than water. If there's anyone in this world who can truly care for Xuebao, it would naturally be me, her aunt. Taking care of Xuebao was also my sister's last wish."

"Truth and falsehood are obvious. Children might not understand, but adults certainly do, right? My brother-in-law said you're good with children and asked me to learn from you. Although I don't see what there is to learn, since my brother-in-law mentioned it..."

Her implication was clear: Mo Qinglan was just a stand-in, and this fake mother should step aside. Little did she know, Mo Qinglan's confidence stemmed from the fact that not everyone could be like her. To understand children's behavior, she had read dozens of parenting books over the past year, not to mention countless picture books.

With a slight smile, she said, "Learning takes time, but you need to survive to learn, don't you?"

"Clack!" Ms. Cui's face changed as she slammed on the brakes, the car in front just inches away. She mistakenly thought Mo Qinglan was trying to harm her. Mo Qinglan also breathed a sigh of relief, considering it a lesson for her.

"Ms. Cui, as long as it's for Xuebao's benefit, I'm willing to do it, and I have no problem sharing everything I know. But please, drive carefully now. If there's an accident, there will be no one left to love Xuebao."

Ms. Cui's face burned with embarrassment, left speechless. It was all true, and there was no arguing against it. As the car continued, Ms. Cui refused to remain silent, deciding not to look at Mo Qinglan.

"In any case, I still stand by my words. University students have plenty of ways to make a living. Don't take shortcuts just for quick money. You might end up ruining your life!"

Mo Qinglan chuckled. "Unless you've experienced someone else's hardships, don't advise them on kindness. When I was at my wit's end, I handed out flyers and washed dishes. More than one boss asked me why I didn't take the easy way out and suffer like this."

Back then, the Mo family was hounded by creditors, their house confiscated, and her mother struggled to provide for her and her brother, barely better than living on the streets. She vowed to work, earn money, and change everything.

"You see, sometimes it's hard to stay grounded. But who says washing dishes is grounded and our line of work is a shortcut?"

People naturally pursue benefits, and there's nothing wrong with that. So why shouldn't Mo Qinglan earn more and live more comfortably?

Ms. Cui found herself at a loss for words. Fortunately, they soon arrived at the kindergarten.

"Xuebao!" Mo Qinglan opened her arms to the little girl, her face beaming with genuine joy. Xuebao stood at the front of the line, right next to the teacher, a privilege of hers. Today, she wore a Snow White dress, her hair styled like a princess, half braided, half down, her little face pink and adorable. Every time Mo Qinglan saw Xuebao, she felt a sense of "my daughter is growing up."

"Mommy!" Xuebao ran towards Mo Qinglan with her short legs, like a swallow returning to its nest, proudly puffing out her chest, "Mommy, Xuebao was very good in class today." She didn't even glance at Ms. Cui.

Ms. Cui felt frustrated. What about the close blood ties? Why didn't this silly child distinguish between near and distant relatives?

"Xuebao is amazing!" Mo Qinglan expertly picked up Xuebao and turned to the teacher, "Xuebao, say goodbye to the teacher."

Clinging tightly to Mo Qinglan's neck, Xuebao obediently said, "Goodbye, teacher."

The teacher looked on with undisguised envy. She had seen Xuebao's father, mature, steady, and handsome, exuding a sense of security. Mo Qinglan must have saved the galaxy in her past life to marry so well and have such an adorable daughter. But then again, despite her mature attire, it was clear that Mo Qinglan had excellent natural beauty. To have a little princess, one must be a queen first!

Mo Qinglan carried Xuebao into the car, treating Ms. Cui as the chauffeur. Ms. Cui closed the car door in frustration, rolling her eyes at Mo Qinglan through the rearview mirror. But Mo Qinglan was completely focused on Xuebao, and the eye roll seemed to hit cotton.

"Xuebao, look what Mommy bought for you!" Mo Qinglan took out a pair of cute little yellow ducks. The ducks were dressed as ancient Egyptian sphinxes, wearing Native American feather headdresses, black shirts with white buttons, and round beer bellies, resembling Roman warriors. This was something they had discussed in Western Art History class, and she had casually ordered a pair on Pinduoduo for Xuebao.

"Oh, duck!" The child's eyes sparkled, bursting into English in her excitement.

"Oh, what does it remind you of?" Mo Qinglan prompted her to expand her memory.

Holding the little yellow duck, Xuebao counted on her fingers, "Pyramid, Pharaoh, Museum."

Mo Qinglan patted Xuebao's head, praising her, "Xuebao is so smart! Correct, now let me think, what reward should I give Xuebao?"

Ms. Cui in the driver's seat was frustrated. She realized she knew every word they said, but together, she couldn't understand them.

"The child is so young, what's the point of teaching her these things? They won't add points in future exams."

Mo Qinglan, holding Xuebao, gently replied, "Who says we're learning these for extra exam points? Now, art education is a necessity; we all need eyes that can discover beauty."

Xuebao immediately pointed to her round eyes, "Xuebao wants to discover beauty too, the little yellow duck is beautiful!"

Ms. Cui fell silent. Her brother-in-law had asked her to learn from Mo Qinglan, but how could she? It was like trying to learn from a higher dimension!

The car drove into the heritage-protected area and entered Bai Ke's villa. Mo Qinglan carried Xuebao through a neatly trimmed garden and into the living room. Bai Ke, dressed in linen home clothes with an apron over them and a string of prayer beads on his wrist, greeted them. Since gifting his watch to Mo Qinglan, he had switched to wearing prayer beads.

"Xuebao and Mommy are back!" Xuebao immediately reached out to Bai Ke, "Daddy!" She gave him a kiss and then proudly showed off the little yellow duck, "Mommy bought it for me, just as cute as Xuebao."

Bai Ke tapped her little nose, "Yes, my Xuebao is the cutest."

"Mr. Bai, you spend some time with Xuebao, I'll go cook. I learned a new recipe online recently, sweet potato tarts, homemade and nutritious."

To better serve her clients, Mo Qinglan's side skills had improved rapidly. In another two years, she might become a chef.

"No, let me do it. You play with the child for a while," Bai Ke said, giving a knowing look to Ms. Cui, who had just parked the car. The look said, "It's time to learn, make the most of it."

Ms. Cui felt like the odd one out in their harmonious family, unable to fit in. But she wasn't willing to give up, so she took Xuebao's hand and smiled, "Come, Xuebao, Auntie will tell you a story. Today, we'll talk about Snow White."

Mo Qinglan chuckled inwardly. Snow White and the stepmother—a perfectly fitting story theme!