A Love For Keeps

Playing Match

(QING)

I accompanied my brother back into our home this afternoon.

"Are you sure you told Mama that I will drive you back?" I asked my brother as we entered the main gate of our parents' home.

"Yes," SengYou Gege rolled his eyes. "Mama and Baba are aware that you are coming home with me. Wowo messaged me to say he is leaving as to not clash with you again. Great job,  Wang Qing. Now people in our family are going out of their ways to avoid you. What's next? Two Chirstmases? Two New Years?"

"Stop being dramatic," I said to my brother as I stopped the car on the driveway.

The first person we saw as we are getting out of my car is my father, looking grim.

"Baba," I walked towards him but he raised a palm to stop me. "Not another step if you are here to bring more grief to your mother..."

"I am here to look at Mama. See her for myself. I know what I said was wrong, Baba. I swear. I am here to apologize to Mama." I said placatingly.

Baba stared at me. And then he sighed, "You are one stubborn kid. Maybe your Mama has the right idea." He said cryptically before turning to enter our home first.

I gave a questioning look at SengYou Gege who also frowned at me and shrugged his shoulders. Telling me silently that he also have no idea what our father's words are all about.

We entered our home to look for our mother. We saw her in the garden lanai.

With companies.

"Ah! My sons are finally here..." Mama greeted us with a smile so bright that it should have been my first warning that I will not like what will happen next.

"Qing, SengYou, greet our guests. This is Mrs.Chen and his son, LuBao. He is an economic analyst." My mother presented her guests to us.

I look at my brother whose frown is not leaving his face. But as a true Wang gentleman, my brother greeted our mother's guests cordially and politely. So I followed suit. Shaking Mrs.Chen and her son's hands.

Mama stood up from her chair to hold my arms with her two hands. "Qing, Mrs.Chen and her son had been telling me about this fascinating convention about combining scientific discoveries to be applied to other businesses to help our economy. I think I would love it if you can accompany us to this convention..."

"Me?" I stared at my mother. The last time I saw her, she was struggling against my brother's hold as she tries to scratch, kick and slap me for saying some insensitive things that I totally regret now.

But that image of my mother is totally missing on her face now as she smiles at me in that pleased manner, "Mrs.Chen is a scientist of sort, like us. Her son studied economy and they have fascinating ideas they are combining. I love intellectual people who truly use their education to full capacity."

Why is she saying these things on me? I use my education in full capacity. I am in business. Marketing to be exact.

My mother pulled me to sit on one of the chairs around the lanai table.

"LuBao is also interested in the current economic market. I told him that my son is into marketing...." Mama smiled at her guests.

Mrs.Chen nodded at me. She is a petite looking woman with ordinary features and kind eyes. "Mrs.Wang is quite interested with the thought of combining science with economic and business talk. My son and I are quite impressed with how you have achieved to be a successful director in a large brewery company at such a young age."