Résonance: a LingOrm's Story

Chapter 26: In Law

Orm's heart pounded in her chest as she stood outside the hospital, watching Ling's mother walk a few steps ahead. Her pulse thudded so loudly she thought it might echo in the quiet courtyard. Ling's mother's words repeated in her mind: "Do you have feelings for my daughter?" She had never imagined having such a direct conversation with someone so close to Ling, let alone her mother. And now that the moment had passed, the weight of her answer lingered.

As Orm walked back toward Ling, her thoughts were racing. Her heart was still pounding, the adrenaline of the conversation making her feel both exhilarated and anxious. The bluntness of Ling's mother had caught her off guard, but in a way, Orm felt a strange sense of relief. At least now she wasn't hiding her feelings anymore, not from herself, and certainly not from Ling's mother.

Ling was standing near the hospital entrance, her arms folded, waiting for Orm. When she saw Orm approaching, she raised an eyebrow. "You okay?" she asked, her voice calm, but her gaze was searching, as if she could sense that something significant had just happened.

Orm nodded, managing a small smile. "Yeah, I'm fine."

"Good," Ling replied, though she seemed unconvinced. But she didn't press further. "Let's go. My mother's waiting in the car."

---

The ride back to Ling's apartment was quieter than usual. Ling's mother drove with her usual composed demeanor, the silence between the three of them comfortable but heavy with unspoken thoughts. Orm sat in the back seat, glancing at Ling's profile as she sat beside her mother in the front. She couldn't help but think about the way Ling's mother had asked her so directly about her feelings. And though the conversation had ended on a calm note, Orm knew there was more to come. Ling's mother would eventually have to speak to her daughter.

Back at the apartment, Orm tried to relax. She had brought some of her university paperwork with her, intending to get some work done while Ling rested. Ling's mother, surprisingly, seemed to take an interest in what Orm was doing.

"Finance, is it?" Ling's mother asked, her eyes scanning over the documents Orm had spread across the table.

Orm nodded. "Yeah, it's for a project. I'm trying to analyze the financial structure of a large corporation."

Ling's mother moved closer, her curiosity piqued. "Let me see. I deal with corporate finance all the time. Maybe I can help."

Orm blinked in surprise but handed over the paper. Ling's mother scanned it quickly, her brow furrowing as she read.

"This is about mergers and acquisitions, right?" she asked, looking up at Orm.

"Yes," Orm replied. "I'm having trouble with the valuation part."

Ling's mother nodded thoughtfully. "You need to focus on the revenue projections and how they'll be impacted by the merger. Look here," she pointed at a section of Orm's paper, "you need to adjust these numbers. They're too optimistic."

For the next hour, Orm found herself in a completely unexpected tutoring session with Ling's mother. It was surreal—she had been so nervous about meeting this woman, and now here she was, getting valuable advice for her project. Ling, for the most part, sat quietly on the couch, resting her arm and occasionally glancing over at them with a faint smile.

As the evening wore on, Orm realized how much she had actually enjoyed Ling's mother's company. There was a warmth to her, beneath the composed exterior. And Orm could see how much she cared for Ling, even if she wasn't the most expressive about it.

Finally, Orm checked the time and realized how late it had gotten. "I should get going," she said, standing up and gathering her papers.

Ling's mother looked at the clock and frowned. "It's late. Let me drive you back to your dorm."

Orm shook her head quickly. "No, that's okay. I don't want to trouble you."

"It's no trouble," Ling's mother insisted. But when Orm continued to politely refuse, she sighed and pulled out her phone. "Fine. I'll call a taxi for you."

Before Orm could protest, Ling's mother had already ordered the taxi. Orm thanked her profusely, feeling slightly embarrassed but also grateful. When the taxi arrived, Ling walked her to the door.

"Thank you for today, P'Ling," Orm said as they stood by the entrance. "And please thank your mother for me too."

Ling smiled softly, her eyes warm. "I will. Get home safely, okay?"

Orm nodded, and after a brief, awkward moment, she got into the taxi and waved goodbye. As the car pulled away, she pulled out her phone and texted Ling.

"I'm home. Tell your mother thank you again for the help with my project."

A few moments later, her phone buzzed with a reply.

"I will. Get some rest. You've been working too hard."

Orm smiled at the message, her heart feeling lighter. But before she could respond, another message came in.

"How was it with my mom?"

Orm hesitated for a moment before typing back, "It was... intense. But good."

Ling didn't reply immediately, and Orm could imagine her thoughtful expression on the other side of the screen. After a moment, another message popped up.

"I know she can be tough, but she means well. I think she likes you."

Orm chuckled softly. "She asked me some... pretty direct questions."

"Like what?"

Orm hesitated again. She wasn't sure if she should tell Ling about the conversation they'd had. But before she could decide, a new message appeared.

"Never mind. You don't have to tell me. I'm just glad you two got along."

Orm let out a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding. She replied with a simple, "Thanks, P'Ling."

---

Back at her dorm, Orm flopped onto her bed, feeling both exhausted and exhilarated from the day's events. Her mind was still buzzing with everything that had happened—meeting Ling's mother, the intense conversation, and the way Ling had looked at her so warmly when she left.

Before she could drift off to sleep, her phone buzzed again. It was Pring, sending her a string of teasing emojis and a voice message.

"Hey! How was it, meeting your soon-to-be mother-in-law?" Pring's voice was full of laughter. "Bet you were shaking in your boots, huh? Come on, spill the details!"

Orm groaned but couldn't help smiling as she replied with a series of eye-rolling emojis.

"It wasn't that bad."

"Oh, really? You sure about that?" Pring's teasing continued.

Orm sighed, but her smile didn't fade. She closed her eyes, her thoughts drifting back to Ling, to the quiet understanding that had grown between them, and to the woman who had raised her.

The day had been a whirlwind, but Orm knew one thing for sure: she was willing to face whatever came next, for Ling.