Qiao Ruo was confident that Cree's adoptive mother would show up again, and that what happened that day was not the end of it. But not wanting to complicate things for the moment, she had not spoken about Li Yao's visit to the mansion, even after a few days had passed. She racked her brains for a solution, knowing very well that Li Yao would pose a threat to her relationship with Cree.
They were at the park having a late-night picnic when she decided to ask Cree what he thought of his mother's attitude to him having a relationship.
"Of course, it will not be easy. My mother is even harder to handle than Madam Venus," Cree stated. "I hope that the fact that my mother is in town will not stress you out too much."
She swallowed. "Not at all. Are you positive that she will not be a problem for us?"
"She always had her ideal daughter-in-law figure in her mind, but what can she do when the person I love is you?" he teased her by poking her with a blade of grass he had picked. She poked him back with another blade of grass.
"Just how do you want to win this battle against her, Cree?" she asked, placing her head in his lap, exhausted from all the playing. Above them, a bed of twinkling stars adorned the sky.
"Be polite, but ruthless," he laughed. "Fight till the end, show her what you're made of."
"What am I made of, Cree?" she giggled.
"Sugar, spice, and everything nice." It was a quote from a poem he had known in primary school. However, he continued, "And a bit of attitude."
She pinched him for the statement.
......................................................................
Hours later, she had fallen asleep precisely at midnight when they were catching a movie at home, and he recalled that he had a few matters to settle with Ye An.
Ye An answered the call on the third ring.
"What's up, Boss?" Ye An sounded a bit sleepy as if he had been taking a nap when Cree called.
"Give me the latest update on my mother's whereabouts."
"She's living at the Emerald City. She arrived a week ago."
"I know that she's here. But, strangely, she has not made any moves so far."
"Perhaps she already came over," Ye An said. "Historical records of her last travels with the PickMeUp private taxi service indicate she came this way three days ago."
Cree was appalled. If she had come by to the mansion, indeed, it would have been picked up by the surveillance cameras, but even Qiao Ruo had not said a word. Knowing his mother's personality, Li Yao would not stop until achieving something. If his mother had come to the mansion when nobody was around, he was sure she would come by again or even called him. She would not have left her pursuit of finding out about his new lifestyle just because nobody was at home.
Unless she had already met Qiao Ruo? Then, why had she not told him? Was there anything more?
Ye An cleared his throat. "Brother, there's something more."
"Is it about my mother?"
"No. It's about your little girlfriend."
Cree gulped. From Ye An's grave tone, he gathered that it had to be problematic, so he set up a meeting the next day for them to have a discussion.
The next morning, breakfast was in bed for Qiao Ruo, who hated getting anything done on a lazy Saturday morning. Cree had learned to fry pancakes, and he was eager to present his new 'creations' to Qiao Ruo. However, it had taken him hours to get them in the right shape and size, and he sincerely hoped she would not have to starve from the long waiting time.
