"It must be so tough. How can there be such a terrible mother? Luckily, my mother isn't like that," Song Wenwen sighed, feeling very sorry for Cheng Zhili.

After the competition, Song Xia remained somewhat absent-minded. Even though she knew that the two children had been switched, she hesitated whether she should tell them. It was the Cheng family's fault, and why should she have to bear this psychological torment?

Forget it, I'd better pretend I don't know. If I tell everyone now, I don't know how panicked Wenwen will be. If I'm really forced to leave, I'm afraid Wenwen will have some thoughts.

Ultimately, it was because she wasn't strong enough. If she were richer and more powerful than the Cheng family, why would she need to be afraid of this and that?

We still need to work hard to make money so that we won't have to worry about mistreating anyone in the future.

"Mom, I'm going out now." Since Wenwen started junior high school, Song Xia only kept track of the general direction. She didn't care what friends her daughter made, and besides, her daughter always had a driver with her when she went out, so she wasn't worried about any danger.

"Yeah, have fun with your friends."

She knew her daughter had a good friend whom she often chatted with on her phone, but she didn't know that Wenwen's best friend was her own daughter, Cheng Zhili. It wasn't until Wenwen took Cheng Zhili to a newly opened restaurant that she found out.

It was a rare occasion that Cheng Zhili's mother went abroad, and she had already finished her studies for a while, so the two of them had a day to go out together. When they got tired of shopping, Wenwen dragged them to try some new dishes.

"You're so lucky today, Mom made this for us herself," Wenwen said excitedly when she came back from the kitchen.

"Really? Come to think of it, I've never met Auntie before. Can I go and say hello to her?" Cheng Zhili asked nervously.

“My mom will be here soon. I’ll introduce you to her. I’m sure she’ll like you.”

Cheng Zhili smiled shyly. In the conversations she had with Wenwen over the past few years, the most Wenwen talked about was her mother. She also knew how Wenwen's mother had made her fortune. Every time she heard about it, she thought Wenwen's mother was amazing.

Since Song Xia rarely had time to entertain Wenwen's good friend, she personally cooked a few delicious dishes.

As she pushed open the door, she felt that the child's face was somewhat familiar: "Hello, little friend, please sit down, don't be shy."

"Thank you, Auntie." Cheng Zhili felt that the aunt in front of her was particularly kind at first glance, and couldn't help but look at her again and again, even forgetting her usual manners. Fortunately, the aunt not only did not blame her for being impolite, but also kept smiling at her gently.

"Zhili, this is my amazing and best mom. Mom, this is Cheng Zhili, my best friend." Wenwen enthusiastically introduced the two.

Song Xia's heart skipped a beat upon hearing this; this girl was Cheng Zhili!

"Hello, Auntie."

"Hello." Song Xia quickly adjusted her breathing, as if trying to etch Cheng Zhili's face into her heart. No wonder she felt familiar; it turned out to be this child.

Wenwen had previously said that she had a best friend, and she never suspected that it was Zhili. Now she realizes that she was being narrow-minded. The circumstances in this life and the previous life are different, so it's not surprising that the two of them have crossed paths.

"Auntie often hears Wenwen mention you, saying you're an exceptionally outstanding child." Song Xia smiled as she ladled out a bowl of soup. "Does Auntie mind if I put some food on your plate?"

"It's no problem at all, thank you Auntie." Cheng Zhili was pleasantly surprised. Her family never allowed the act of serving food to someone, because her mother thought it was impolite. Wenwen's mother serving her food only made her feel warm and cared for. Wenwen's mother was so kind!

"Try it and see if it suits your taste."

While serving soup and vegetables to Zhili, Song Xia didn't neglect Wenwen either. Of course, the oblivious Wenwen didn't notice anything unusual about her mother today.

He even boasted, "See? I told you it was delicious."

"Mmm." Cheng Zhili nodded emphatically; she genuinely thought it tasted delicious.

"If you like it, eat more. Next time you come, have Wenwen tell me in advance, and Auntie will make it for you again."

"I can't bear to trouble you to do it yourself every time, Auntie."

"Since I'm just killing time anyway, sometimes I'll take Wenwen out to set up a stall."

Cheng Zhili's eyes widened as she asked Wenwen, "Really?"

“Really.” Wenwen nodded. “My mom made her fortune by setting up a stall. During holidays, she would take me there. We can’t forget how hard my mom worked back then. Zhili, you can go and check it out when you have time. We’re at the night market. I’ll grill some for you myself.”

"Okay!" Cheng Zhili agreed happily. She had never been to a night market before! She just didn't know if she would have a chance to go without telling her mother. She knew her mother would definitely not agree if she told her directly.

She was very polite and considerate throughout, and the two little girls chatted very harmoniously. Song Xia couldn't understand why, in her previous life, the two girls were like enemies, since Zhili didn't seem like a difficult child to get along with.

The three of them were enjoying their meal when Cheng Zhili's phone rang. Upon seeing the caller ID, even Song Wenwen noticed that her mood changed instantly, let alone Song Xia.

"Mom... I'm having dinner with friends outside... Yes, I'll be right back..."

She hung up the phone, sighed softly, and apologized to Song Xia, "Auntie, I'm sorry, I have to go back now."

Just from this one phone call, Song Xia could sense Zhi Li's repression. Was that family very harsh on her?

Do you want Auntie to give you a ride?

"No need, Mom said she told the driver to come right away."

"Okay, then Auntie will see you out."

When they returned, Song Xia intentionally asked Wenwen about Cheng Zhili's situation at home: "Is she usually very unhappy?"

“Yes, her family is very strict with her.” Wenwen had a lot to say once she started talking.

"Not only does she have to learn everything, but she also has to get good grades in everything. Otherwise, her mother will double the amount of lessons she has to take. She had to ask her to come out today, and she only came out after she had finished a lot of homework. I didn't expect her mother to find out. I don't know if her mother will punish her when she gets back."

Song Xia felt a pang of sympathy: "Didn't she know how to resist?"

“How can she resist? That’s her own mother. Her mother says it’s all for her own good, that the Cheng family doesn’t tolerate mediocre daughters. Luckily, Zhili is outstanding enough, otherwise she would have been driven crazy by her mother. I couldn’t stand it.”

After Wenwen finished speaking, she clung to Song Xia's hand and said, "Mom, you don't know, Zhili and I actually share the same birthday. Can I touch my little savings? I want to give her a big gift for her birthday."

"Of course you can. It's your little stash of money, you can use it however you want. But since you share the same birthday, Mom will give her one too, and you can give it to her, okay?"

"Okay, Mom, what are you planning to give me?"

"It's a secret, don't worry, you have one too."

"Of course I know I have one," Wenwen said proudly and happily. "Mom never forgets my birthday."

Now that she had met her biological daughter, Song Xia certainly wouldn't continue to pretend she knew nothing. At the very least, she had to give Zhili a birthday gift she would like. She had never imagined that this child lived such a high-pressure life.