Mrs. Xiao walked into the restaurant, her designer dress commanding attention. She spotted Mrs. Yan already seated at a table, sipping a glass of wine. The ambiance was elegant, the soft hum of conversation and the clinking of glasses creating a sophisticated atmosphere.
“Ah, Mrs. Xiao, thank you for joining me,” Mrs. Yan said, her smile warm and inviting.
“Of course, Mrs. Yan. It’s always a pleasure,” Mrs. Xiao replied, taking a seat across from her.
They exchanged pleasantries, discussing everything from the weather to their latest travels. But as they ordered their meals, Mrs. Yan’s tone shifted, her eyes gleaming with a calculating intensity.
“I wanted to follow up on the proposal I made earlier regarding Zhan and Lizzy,” she said, her voice dripping with sweetness. “I think it’s a great opportunity for both families to unite and strengthen our business ties. Just imagine it – our companies merging, our families becoming one. It’s a match made in heaven, don’t you think?”
Mrs. Xiao’s expression turned stern, her eyes narrowing. “I appreciate your enthusiasm, Mrs. Yan, but that’s not a decision for me to make. It’s ultimately up to Zhan to decide who he wants to be with. And I will not pressure him into a relationship he doesn’t want.”
Mrs. Yan’s smile never wavered, her eyes glinting with determination. “Ah, come now, Mrs. Xiao. You have a lot of influence over your son. I’m sure you could persuade him to see things our way. It’s a great opportunity for him, for both of them. They’re perfect for each other.”
Mrs. Xiao’s frown deepened, her voice firm. “I will not be swayed, Mrs. Yan. My son’s happiness is my priority, and I will not force him into a relationship that doesn’t make him happy. That’s not how we raise our children in our family. We value their independence, their free will.”
Mrs. Yan’s face suddenly contorted in a well-rehearsed display of contrition, her eyes widening in feigned alarm. “Oh dear, I’m so sorry, Mrs. Xiao! I didn’t mean to overstep any boundaries. I value our friendship above all, and I wouldn’t want us to have a misunderstanding.”
Mrs. Xiao’s expression remained skeptical, but she nodded graciously, her eyes never leaving Mrs. Yan’s face. “It’s fine, Mrs. Yan. I know you didn’t mean any harm.”
As the tension dissipated, Mrs. Xiao turned her attention to the menu, her eyes scanning the options with a renewed sense of interest. “I’ll have the grilled salmon, please,” she said to the waiter, her voice calm and composed.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Yan’s face betrayed a fleeting moment of disgust, her lips curling into a subtle snarl. But she quickly masked it with a bright smile, her eyes sparkling with false warmth. “And I’ll have the vegetarian quinoa bowl, thank you,” she chimed in, her voice dripping with saccharine sweetness.
As the waiter nodded and took their orders, Mrs. Xiao remained oblivious to the brief flash of animosity, her focus solely on the culinary delights ahead. But the undercurrent of tension lingered, a palpable reminder that beneath the veneer of friendship and politeness, a more sinister game was afoot.
As Mrs. Xiao stepped into the cozy living room, the warm sunlight streaming through the windows highlighted her elegant figure. Her husband, Mr. Xiao, looked up from his newspaper, his eyes locking onto hers with a warm smile. The wrinkles around his eyes deepened as he took in her radiant appearance, his gaze lingering on her face.
"Ah, my lovely wife," he said, his voice low and affectionate. "You light up the whole room with your presence."
Mrs. Xiao's lips curved into a slight smile, her eyes softening as she sat down beside him. The tension from the lunch with Mrs. Yan still lingered, but her husband's warm demeanor began to dissipate the clouds.
Mr. Xiao's gaze turned concerned as he noticed the lingering sourness in her expression. "What's wrong, my dear? You seem troubled," he asked, his voice filled with genuine interest.
Mrs. Xiao's eyes fluttered closed, her shoulders sagging slightly as she let out a soft sigh. "It's just Mrs. Yan, trying to manipulate me into pushing Zhan towards Lizzy," she said, her voice laced with frustration.
