Chapter 47. Warmth

Liu Pingping didn’t expect it, Li Mo had actually bought a car.

That he could even answer her call in the middle of the night already surprised her.

But what she really didn’t anticipate was that he was still in the car at this hour.

However, Liu Pingping quickly understood.

This was Shenzhen, after all. The country’s economy was in a period of rapid development. Coastal cities like Shenzhen and Shanghai were growing at an unprecedented pace.

Living in such a big city undoubtedly came with immense pressure, unless, of course, one could be like her daughter and start their own business.

But nowadays, the difficulty of entrepreneurship was on a completely different level compared to when her daughter had started. Looking back, the decision to use her savings to support Su Xiaoxiao’s business venture had been absolutely right.

“Well, with how hard you work, you really do need a car.”

“Young people shouldn’t worry too much about appearances.”

“A car is just a means of transportation, after all.”

“As long as it gets you to and from work, that’s enough.”

“But you really do work too hard, child.”

“Getting off so late at night…”

As she spoke, Liu Pingping couldn’t help but feel a pang of sympathy for Li Mo.

Living alone in Shenzhen wasn’t easy for him.

During the divorce… he hadn’t taken a single penny of their daughter’s assets.

His character truly was beyond reproach.

That was why Liu Pingping had immediately thought of asking Li Mo to pick her up.

“It has been tough lately, really tough.”

Li Mo sighed.

Even though his phone gave him access to all his investment information, strategizing was still complicated.

Recently, between Tencent’s expansion and acquiring shares from Teacher Ma, he had been working nonstop. Tonight, especially, after drinking with Teacher Ma until late, he felt utterly exhausted.

Hearing the fatigue in his voice, Liu Pingping could sense his weariness.

She could imagine how a divorced, unemployed man must cherish finding work again.

Li Mo was undoubtedly pushing himself to the limit.

His exhaustion came from deep within.

For a moment, her heart ached for him.

Apart from disapproving of his career choices, she had to admit, throughout their marriage, he had treated her like his own mother.

Whether it was her or Yan Yan, he had never given them any reason to complain.

Even after the divorce, he still called her “Mom.”

It wasn’t as if he had done anything wrong.

His only flaw was being too… ordinary.

“Xiao Mo, you really have had it hard in Shenzhen.”

“It’s not easy being alone in such a big city.”

Li Mo sensed it, Su Pingping definitely had something to say.

“Mom, is there something you want to talk to me about?”

He was sure she had a reason for calling so late.

Could it be that she had found out about him and Su Qingyan?

But he quickly dismissed the thought.

Aside from his roommates, no one in their close circle knew about their relationship.

And none of them would betray him.

Besides, if Su Pingping knew, she wouldn’t sound this calm.

“It’s nothing serious.”

“I just wanted to visit Yan Yan and Xiaoxiao in Shenzhen.”

“But I arrived very late, and now I’m at the train station.”

“Since it’s not safe at night, I thought I’d ask you to pick me up.”

“I couldn’t reach Xiaoxiao.”

“But now that I hear how tired you are, just rest.”

“I’ll find a decent hotel nearby and figure things out tomorrow.”

She couldn’t bring herself to make him travel all this way for her.

His place was quite far from the train station.

“No, Mom, wait for me.”

“I’ll come get you right now.”

“I’ll be there soon.”

Before she could protest, he hung up.

Stunned, Liu Pingping stood frozen.

She had planned to stay nearby, but Li Mo had insisted on coming, without even letting her refuse.

That single word, “Mom”, warmed her heart.

Despite how her family had treated him, he still cared for her so deeply.

Guilt washed over her.

“Child…”

Her emotions were indescribably tangled.

“Xiao Liu, head to the train station.”

The reason Li Mo cared so much about Liu Pingping was simple, he still wanted to be with Yan Yan.

The bond between parents and children never truly broke.

Unless there was some irreparable conflict, that connection would always remain.

If he treated Liu Pingping coldly or distantly, Yan Yan would undoubtedly feel hurt.

Putting himself in her shoes, if his wife disliked his parents, he’d feel the same way.

“Understood, Boss.”

Xiao Liu was full of energy.

In all his years as a driver, he had never met a boss as kind as Li Mo.

His loyalty was unwavering.

Even at this late hour, Shenzhen’s streets were packed.

Countless people were just getting off work.

Neon lights painted the city’s rapid prosperity in vibrant colors.

Staring out the window, Li Mo lost himself in thought.

After about forty minutes, the Rolls-Royce finally pulled up to the train station.

“It’s too crowded, Mr. Mo.”

“You should go in and bring Madam out yourself.”

“There’s no way to drive in.”

Xiao Liu rubbed his temples in frustration.

For drivers, stations were the worst, chaotic and unpredictable.

“Alright.”

Just as Li Mo stepped out, Xiao Liu added,

“Mr. Mo, put on a checkered shirt over your clothes.”

“The temperature’s dropped a lot these past few days.”

Nodding, Li Mo grabbed a button-up plaid shirt from the backseat and draped it over himself.

The chill slowly faded.

“At this rate, winter will be here soon.”

“When New Year’s comes, I’ll have to take Yan Yan home, then there’ll be no hiding the truth.”

He strode into the station.

Before long…

He spotted Liu Pingping standing near a convenience store.

Even at forty-five, her figure and looks stood out in the crowd.

No one would guess she was a day over thirty.

“Mom!”

He called out and jogged toward her.

Liu Pingping hadn’t expected him to actually come, this late, from so far away.

His devotion to her was unwavering.

As a son-in-law, he treated her no differently than a real son.

Perhaps even better.

“Mom, you must be freezing.”

Noticing how lightly dressed she was, he reached for her hand.

It was ice-cold.