Chapter 75: A Mother Can’t Always Be a Mother
Leia’s words touched Yifu’s heart. She originally wanted Leia to enjoy the hard-won peace.
But this girl never thought that way. Clearly a child, she was instead thinking about how to share the life’s burdens with Yifu.
Kids her age were most likely still nestled in their mother’s warm embrace.
You must know that Leia was basically the same age as Vivian, yet neither had celebrated their twelfth birthday.
But the destinies of the two were utterly different…
One had Yifu’s care in childhood, being treated as if she were something precious, feared to be spoiled or broken.
The other only had simple aid from Yifu in childhood, even being somewhat overlooked because Yifu devoted herself entirely to Vivian.
Not only were their fates entirely different, but their personalities were also vastly different.
Vivian would exchange Yifu’s life for her future.
Yet Leia was willing to share Yifu’s burden, preferring to do the dangerous and hard work of protecting traders.
“It’s alright, listen to me, sweetheart. What do you call me?”
“Mom…”
Leia answered without hesitation, cherishing this title, though she always called her with a hint of caution, afraid Yifu might refuse.
Yet she believed, deep down, that this title carried great weight for her.
“That’s right. Since I’m your mother, I have the obligation to protect you. There’s no need to rush into finding a job; how old are you now?”
Yifu gently pressed Leia’s shoulders, her delicate face full of warmth.
That sweet, crystal-clear voice was like a massage for Leia’s ears, tender and soothing.
The initially agitated Leia gradually calmed under Yifu’s comfort.
“Compared to students who graduate with you, you are at least three or four years younger.”
Leia was a genius, an absolute prodigy among humans.
At such a young age, she exhibited powerful magical skills, which was why Yifu valued her.
She easily passed the Church Academy’s assessments at the age of eight; her talent was self-evident.
But even geniuses are still minors, and it is too cruel for a child so young to worry about money.
If this continued, Yifu, as a mother, wouldn’t protect anything at all; where would her face go?
“So there’s no need to rush into finding a job; stay by my side for a while and be my carefree little angel.”
“Mom has money; she can take care of you. Whatever you want, I can buy it for you.”
Yifu was not bragging. As the Great Witch, she could certainly provide everything that could be purchased in human society.
It is not an exaggeration to say that if Leia wanted stars or the moon, Yifu could pick them for her.
“I… I don’t want anything.”
Leia pouted. She wasn’t a materialistic girl, or rather… she just didn’t know what material desires were.
Having grown up thinking a full meal was a celebration, she didn’t possess such wants.
Or perhaps her desires were few; aside from an inexplicable trust in Yifu, her desires were low.
She wanted to earn money to buy something more important.
“I want to buy a small house, a little house that belongs only to us. It doesn’t have to be big, nor does it have to be as luxurious as we have now, but it must have you and me inside.”
“And… I’ve already found one.”
The reason Leia’s eyes lit up at the sight of gold coins was that she wanted to buy a standalone little courtyard not far from the church.
Not very large, quite old, and currently vacant.
Though this little house was not as luxurious as their current apartment, it was the house Leia most wanted.
Because once upon a time… Yifu and Vivian lived in that very house.
Perhaps Yifu herself didn’t remember, as she usually was benevolent and gentle towards everyone.
When Leia was really hungry in the past, she would sneak around the vicinity of the house where Yifu once lived, hoping that Yifu would discover her pitiful self and invite her in for a meal.
At that time, Leia had already begun to envy Vivian, envying Vivian for having such a gentle and beautiful mother.
Envious that she could taste Yifu’s cooking every day, envious that her dresses were always clean and pretty, envious that she received Yifu’s affection and love…
But for some reason, Vivian always seemed somewhat unsatisfied.
Leia was different; every time Yifu gently served her food, encouraging her to eat more, the heart that had always been anxious became inexplicably steadier.
Thus, that little courtyard became Leia’s White Moonlight in her heart.
Even after experiencing the luxury apartments in the capital’s prime locations and the imperial royal palaces, Leia still believed that little courtyard was her one true utopia.
“Buy a house?”
Yifu showed a hint of surprise.
“No wonder our darling’s eyes sparkle at the sight of gold coins; she’s been planning such a grand scheme!”
Yifu did not discourage Leia. Unlike ordinary parents, who would immediately use their own experiences to dismiss a child’s outlandish ideas, she was different.
Just like now, a child her age was telling you she wanted to buy a house in the capital with her own money.
Anyone would find it hard to believe.
But Yifu was different; her warmth was ingrained in her bones. Faced with Leia’s grand ideas, she first praised her.
“So tell me, where do you want to buy a house? In the capital? Even a small courtyard in the imperial capital would cost quite a bit.”
Yifu bent down, gently rubbing Leia’s head.
“A little courtyard is enough; I want to buy a house that belongs only to the two of us. I want to have our own home.”
“Whether now… or in the future.”
For some reason, when saying the word “home,” Leia’s heart couldn’t help but flutter.
To Yifu, these were words filled with a child’s filial piety towards her mother.
But little did she know, what Leia was thinking seemed to be a bit distorted…
After all, Leia believed she would grow up one day. And Yifu, being a witch, would never change in appearance.
She would eventually catch up to her, and by that time…
Just like the strange dream from last night, where even the underwear changed, a mother can’t always be a mother, right?
“Alright, I support you. However… it’s fine to look for a job, but I can’t accept anything too dangerous. After all, you don’t want me to worry about you all the time, do you?”
“I’ll help you check with the palace later; with your skills, getting a job at the Imperial Palace will be a piece of cake.”
