Another reason Xiu Ling decided to take a break in the conversation was because she saw from the corner of her eye the waiter coming back with their order.
"Miss, your tea. Enjoy." The waiter placed the cup of green tea before Joann and bowed.
Xiu Ling nodded her thanks at the waiter on Joann's behalf.
When the other party's stance has weakened, it is time to push your own perspective. They will be more accepting towards it then.
Xiu Ling nudged the cup of tea towards Xiu Ling, saying, "Here, have some tea."
As Joann picked up the tea to take a sip, Xiu Ling picked up the thread of conversation, "In today's day and age, it is wrong to view a group of people with prejudice and bias. There are good and bad in every group of people. Just like not all celebrity are stuck up and hunger for fame, wouldn't you agree, Joann?"
Joann nodded slowly being persuaded by Xiu Ling. Xiu Ling smiled and added, "Similarly, there are good and bad eggs among the reporter profession. They couldn't be all bad, right?"
This time, Joann was hesitant to nod but Xiu Ling did not mind. She had done everything she needed to do, which was to plant the seed of doubt. Then, to push her argument further, she reminded Joann the benefit of having a daughter in the reporter business, starting from the immediate pros before moving to a more general view.
Picking up the newspaper again, Xiu Ling said, "Since the news on Lee Mu is not released, this means that Sylvia has some weight at the papers, or at least influential enough to stop certain news from meeting the press. Isn't that a good thing to have in an ally especially in your line of work, Joann?
"Celebrities and reporters share a tense relationship but it is undeniable that both parties need the other to survive. Therefore, instead of antagonizing them, why not seek a more peaceful and mutually beneficial way of co-existence?
"And Sylvia has provided you with the perfect opening to do that. Of course, I am not telling you to go and fraternize with them but getting to know Sylvia's colleagues wouldn't hurt, right? After all, at the end of the day, they are only doing their job."
Joann thought about it and sighed, "Perhaps you are right."
"In any case, I am no celebrity so I have no idea whether my advice is of any use, I am merely stating things from my perspective as an outsider. I do not wish to see you and Sylvia exist in this kind of unharmonious relationship."
Then, Xiu Ling moved onto something she knew Joann could identify with, "As a mother, we only want what is best for our child. Blessed is the child that's got his own, right?
"Isn't it a good thing that Sylvia knows what she wants out of her life and is working hard towards achieving it?
"Even though I am a new mother but I believe there is only one thing to a parent's job, which is to provide them with the needs to live. Beyond that, it is the child's own homework. Let them live and do not live for them.
"Joann, it might sound hurtful but sometimes I fear you insert yourself too much into Sylvia's life. Let the girl live her own life, walk her own path."
Xiu Ling did not know this but when she said the last sentence, Joann's heart shook because this was exactly the same thing she accused her own mother-in-law of doing towards Xu Jing. Was she repeating Mrs. Xu's mistake?
Sometimes, one needed an outsider's eye to help get a clearer gauge of one's situation.
Joann took another sip of her tea and as she placed the cup down, she told Xiu Ling, "Xiu Ling, thank you for coming out to talk to me today. You have given me a lot of things to think about. Perhaps I have indeed pushed Sylvia a little too hard."
Xiu Ling smiled. Years of close friendship made her realize that she was not going to change Joann's mind so easily. The woman could sometimes be as stubborn as a bull. This was the best result she could hope to get, at least Joann's stance had softened.
"Actually, Joann, if you do not mind, may I talk to Sylvia? I plan on asking her out for an afternoon tea tomorrow and I will try to talk some sense into her," Xiu Ling asked.
"Of course not. A talk with you will probably do her some good." Joann smiled in return before adding, "I am so sorry, Xiu Ling for dragging you into our family business. It should not fall on your shoulders to be our family's mediator."
"Don't mention it. As you once told me, this is what friends are for, right?"
Issue with her choice of profession was not the only reason why Xiu Ling wanted to converse with Sylvia. She was considering revealing the information about Xu Jing's infidelity to Sylvia instead of Joann.
Based on how Joann had reacted to Sylvia's profession, Xiu Ling shuddered to think what she would have done when she found out her husband had cheated on her. In comparison, Sylvia looked like the calmer of the two.
Furthermore, she might be able to get Sylvia to talk to Xu Jing first and thus resolving the whole issue before it bubbled to the surface. They would be able to spare Joann the pain of betrayal and she would not be able to be hurt by things that she did not know.
If there was a way to settle this whole affair peacefully, there was no need to go and purposely poke the bear.
Xiu Ling and Joann continued their conversation until the tea cups ran dry. Joann once again thanked Xiu Ling for her help and her willingness to listen, while Xiu Ling messaged Sylvia, stating her desire to meet up the next day.