Love 020 : Love and family

Chapter 15 - The cat is out of the bag

The next morning, Nai woke up to the smell of breakfast. His parents loved American breakfasts, especially pancakes. They had lived in the US for a few years after graduation and had taken a shining for breakfast items. He came downstairs to find his dad flipping pancakes, his mom and Weiwei eating and all of them laughing about some incidents from his childhood.

"Good morning", he said, stealing a strawberry from Weiwei's plate, while they all smiled at him.

Papa Xiao teased," Morning sleeping beauty. I thought you'd sleep till noon based on the sores we heard". Nai rolled his eyes and grabbed a plate as Weiwei defended him, " He's been working non-stop. Come on, he deserved his rest." Aunite Lin teased back, " How quick you are to defend your man. You don't know how lazy he used to be. Would never wake up before 11 on a holiday." Weiwei was surprised to hear that. Nai's neck heated up. Every day of the summer, he had been up before she was and even made her breakfast before they left for work. Seeing the look of surprise on Weiwei's face, Auntie Lin asked Weiwei conspiratorially, " I see that look . Spill. Spill. You know I'm not going to let it go. So just tell me". Weiwei glanced at Nai looking for a way out, when he just shrugged, she sighed , " Well. .. Um..He was up early all summer and made breakfast for both of us everyday. I would come downstairs, sit down and eat before we started our day."

Papa Xiao responded, " Well done son.I have taught you well. The path to a woman's heart is through her stomach." They all laughed. He asked Weiwei ," Are you moving to the dorms today? I heard you will be done with most of your courses this year. You'll only be left with your thesis next year. "

Weiwei, " Yes uncle. I'll be moving today. I still need to pack. But I'm a short distance away, so I can come home if I need to. ", deciding to tease Nai she said, " Of course, that means I'll miss my personal chef and his delicious breakfast". The parents were glad she was finally loosening up enough to tease their son. Nai shook his head and said, " My parents are a bad influence on you. I should keep you guys apart for my own sanity. Finish your breakfast. I'll help you pack." Just then, Nai's phone rang with some emergency situation at work. He dressed quickly, discreetly kissed Weiwei goodbye and left. Weiwei prepared to leave when Auntie Lin stopped her, " We'll come with you and help you pack"

Weiwei, " It's fine auntie uncle. I can manage. I'll just get a cab."

Papa Xiao, " Weiwei, first of all, stop with the auntie and uncle. You have always been family qi qi and it will be more permanent soon judging by how things are between you and Nai. We can't replace your parents, but call us papa and mama. I have waited years to take my daughter to school, so you are not denying us of this chance. We will help you pack and drop you off. I don't care what anyone says or thinks." Seeing no choice but to agree, but also happy, Weiwei let them help her pack and drop her off to the dorms.

They helped her get her bags out, hugged her and Papa Xiao said, " Have a good term qi qi. Come home whenever you want. If it gets too tiring to commute between work and college, please call us, we will come get you. Remember, you are not alone." Auntie Lin hugged her next  and added, " That's right child, make sure you eat well and get proper sleep. Don't overwork yourself. I'll ask Nai to check on you as well".

Weiwei's heart felt full for the first time in years. She had parents and a boyfriend who meant the world to her. Teary eyed, she hugged them back and said, " Bye Mama . Bye Papa. I'll be home for lunch on Sunday". Weiwei's sisters were watching this scene unfold from their window. They couldn't hear a word but they were ready to tease Weiwei.

As Weiwei walked into the dorm Xiaoling started, " Weiwei, people usually get dropped off by their parents. You are the first person to get dropped off by in-laws". When Weiwei simply shook her head and smiled, Er Xi yelled, " Look, she's not even refuting it. So, when's the wedding dear sister?" . Weiewei rolled her eyes and said, " Its not like that. You guys don't know anything." Sisi teased, " Educate us then sister. You get dropped off by your boyfriend's parents. The whole campus now knows that the campus beauty is full and final off the market. It's a clear signal."

Weiwei debated internally and decided to come clean to her sisters. She said with a mischievous look, " You know, Mama Lin is not just Nai's mom. She's mine too". The sisters looked incredulously at her. " Explain" said Xiaoling. Weiwei explained how she was orphaned at 14 and that Mama Lin had signed for her as a guardian. She gave them an abbreviated version of how she never wanted to be a burden, so stayed away from them and had never once interacted with their son until, he literally walked into her life. She concluded, " I guess there's no point running from it now. They have always been family. Being with Nai, well, it just the cream on the cake. I got very lucky." The sisters knew she never talked about her family, they had no idea that Weiwei had experienced so much loss at such a young age. They all hugged her mutely to show their support. What could they say really?

Er Xi, ever the one to lighten the mood teased her," Weiwei, you realize you will be the first woman that will get a tea ceremony with your own parents. Don't worry, we will represent your family at the ceremony"

Weiwei shook her head in exasperation, " Of all the things, you bring this up. Who knows if we'll get there? We are nowhere near that okay"

Sisi, " Sure, that's why they made breakfast for you and dropped you off. And that's why you have an antique jade bracelet on your hand. Girl, please! "

Weiwei protested showing her insecurities, " It's not like that. They think of me as a daughter"

Xiaoling, " Okay answer me this. They were out all summer, right? How many times have they messaged to check up on you?"

Weiwei, " Everyday almost. But they used to check in on me frequently before as well. They just wanted to know how Nai was doing as well"

Er Xi screamed, " Nai? So you spent all summer with him. Tell us about your progress Weiwei. Have you kissed? Done more?" , she teased. Weiwei's involuntary blush set them off and the rest of the afternoon, they spent harassing Weiwei. When she had enough of it, she went on the offensive by asking about Xiaoling's progress with her boyfriend Da Zhong , successfully distracting them.