Batter My Heart,Mr Xi (Book 2)

Chapter XXIX

Yang Zhilan froze in the doorway, hardly believing her eyes when she stepped into her apartment. "Mom?"
Her mother turned, her face lighting up with a warm smile that crinkled the corners of her eyes. Without a word, Yang Zhilan ran into her mother's arms, breathing in the familiar scent that always seemed to follow her.

"My dear girl," Mrs. Yang murmured, stroking her daughter's hair. "You've gotten thinner."

" Well, I don't have you to cook for me and what Chu makes are just edible enough."

Xi Jinwei stood in the doorway, his expression softening at the reunion. When Yang Zhilan finally pulled back, wiping happy tears from her eyes, she asked, "Where's Chu by the way?"

"He went to get some groceries from the market. I was planning on making us a small feast." her mother replied, then noticed Xi Jinwei. Her eyes widened slightly. "Oh! Mr. Xi? You're here too?"

"Yes, aunty," he bowed slightly. "I was just dropping Zhilan off."

"Ah," Mrs. Yang clasped her hands together. "I never properly thanked you for handling all those hospital bills last time. It was too much-"

"It was my duty and honour," Xi Jinwei interrupted smoothly. "Please don't mention it."

Mrs. Yang looked between them, confusion clear on her face. "Your duty and honour? I don't understand..."

Yang Zhilan stepped closer to Xi Jinwei, her cheeks pink. "Mom... Weiwei and I are together now."

There was a moment of silence as Mrs. Yang openly studied Xi Jinwei, taking in his perfectly tailored suit, his commanding presence, the quiet authority that seemed to radiate from him. Then her gaze shifted to her daughter - beautiful in her own right, but in Mrs. Yang's maternal eyes, worlds apart from this man who looked like he stepped out of a luxury magazine.

"Oh," she finally said, covering her surprise with a warm smile. "That's... wonderful! I hope my daughter isn't giving you too much trouble, Mr. Xi."

"Not at all, Aunty," he replied with perfect politeness. "And please, call me Jinwei."

"I should go," he said after a moment, touching Yang Zhilan's elbow gently. "You two have catching up to do."

Yang Zhilan walked him to the door, a soft smile playing on her lips. "Drive safely."

"I'll call you later," he promised, his eyes warm with unspoken affection.

She stood waving until his car disappeared around the corner. The moment she turned around, her mother's hand connected with her arm. Hard.

"Ow! Mom!" Yang Zhilan wailed, rubbing her arm. "What was that for?"

"Did you seduce that man, Zhilan?" Mrs. Yang demanded, her eyes wide with concern. "Is this some kind of arrangement for him helping us or something? He is your boss. Do you know what people will say?"

"Mom!"

"Look at him! He's clearly from a different class. Did you see his shoes? Those shoes alone probably cost more than your monthly rent here!" Her mother's voice rose with worry. "I don't want you getting hurt, Zhilan. Men like that..."

"It's not like that," Yang Zhilan protested, her eyes filling with tears. "Why would you think-"

"Because I'm your mother!" Mrs. Yang's voice cracked slightly. "Because I've known and seen too many young girls get their hearts broken by rich men who treated them like temporary amusements. Because you're my daughter and I couldn't bear to see you hurt like that."

"Mom, it's not like that at all," Yang Zhilan said softly, wiping her tears. "Jinwei... he's different. He knows me - the real me. And I know him."

There was something in her daughter's voice that made Mrs. Yang pause. It wasn't just the conviction, but a depth of understanding that seemed beyond their few months of acquaintance.