She fell into a state of trance and forgot who she just bumped into and who's land she was standing on.
"What are you looking at? Bring down your eyes and apologize!" The manager bellowed. He too was scared of the outcome, the current president was known for his kindness but had bad records with women. Mostly because they always try to seduce him though they never get to him but use his name for scandals to climb higher. The manager eyes popping out of their sockets when he saw what happened, he had been talking to the receptionist but came back to reality immediately.
"Young lady, you should apologize if you bump into people." Secretary Jiang said calmly, knowing the president wouldn't get angry but she had to apologize or the security will drag her out. 'How can a young girl like her walk around with her head bowed?' He asked himself.
"I'm...sorry," Xueyan muttered, she didn't like this coincidence for any reason. First at the supermarket and now at the hotel. 'Oh he owns it, but shouldn't he be busier with the four wheels?' Xueyan wondered.
"You should lower your eyes and..." Secretary Cheng Jian trailed off as he saw Secretary Jiang throwing him a glare.
"I'm sorry, really sorry." This time more audible than the first apology.
"You can leave now, but be more careful." Secretary Jiang said.
***
At the parking lot "Sir are you OK?" Secretary Jiang ask.
Zhaolin only replied with an "Mhm." And they drove straight to the Xing Motor company.
*****
Returning home she heard laughs coming from her apartment and rushing in she saw Qingran in her mother's arm.
"Mo...Mom, I had no idea you were coming over."
"Yes, we decided to give you a surprise since you won't bring Qingran home to us." Bai Zhangyao said, smiling.
"We?" Xueyan asked.
"Yes we, tada," Bai Yuxi said spreading her hands.
Xueyan hugged her little sister and sniffed. "Hey, what's up? Why are you crying?" Yuxi asked, in a worried tone.
"Nothing little one." Xueyan said patting Yuxi's head.
"Argh, I have told you to stop calling me that and Ranran is the only Little one now," Yuxi growled.
"Xueyan, go take a warm shower and come eat dinner."
"Yes mom." Xueyan said, giving Yuxi a wink before rushing into her bedroom.
*****
At the Xing manor Xing Xiaocan came out of the kitchen carrying a tray of herb-and-lemon roasted full chicken. She had been told her son and grandson were coming home. The table thoroughly cleaned and arranged with different dishes. Xiaocan had been watching a television show when Xing Ziyu came to the sitting room. "Go prepare dinner, your father has called for a family gathering."
Not sparing her a single look Ziyu turned to leave. "I will get Quo Ping and Zhan Bin to prepare it, I..."
"Linlin and Haohao are coming over as well, Rongbo will be home soon." Ziyu said.
"Oh ok, any specific dish?"
"Prepare everyone's favorite." Ziyu said.
*
Butler Zhan saw her struggling to place the tray of herb-and-lemon roasted chicken in the middle. "Here ma'am," Zhan Bin said after making adjustments.
"How does the dinner table look?" Xiaocan was a good woman and very communicative with everyone living in the Xing's main manor. "Oh ma'am I bet everyone will be happy to see their favorite dish and little Young Master Zhihao will be much more happier when he sees you prepared him Steaming mix pudding." Butler Zhan said, smiling.
"Hehe, you think so too?"
"Yes ma'am," The doorbell rang.
"I will go get that ma'am." She nodded to Butler, then followed behind him to see which of the family member arrived first.
***
Zhaolin stood up frowning as he couldn't get her off his brain or mind. 'Doesn't she remember me?' or 'She truly never thought about me?' It had been eight years ago when they first met and she had been expelled by the school authority. 'Xueyan was...' his thoughts were interrupted by his phone. Picking up the phone he massaged his temple and heard his grandfather's voice at the other end.
"Zhaolin come home today with Zhihao and Shishi, your mother prepared dinner and there's a family gathering."
"Ok," his answer short and simple.
"Good, leave the office now and go pick Shishi and Zhihao up."
"Ok, grandpa." Though Zhaolin wasn't informed about this family gathering earlier or beforehand, he still wanted to go and the reason was to see his mother. He stood up, taking large strides out of the office he called his secretary.
***
Back at the Xing's main manor Xiaocan face changed from it's previous sweet smile to a forced one when she saw Xing Jiayi coming in with Ru Yumzheng clutching onto her like his whole life depended on it.
"Sis Jiayi, welcome. How have you been?" Xiaocan asked.
"XiaoXiao since when did you care or worry about me? Oh you should have called to check up on me then, though I'm doing great," Jiayi said, smiling sinisterly.
"Xiaocan how have you been?" Ru Yum Zheng asked.
"Good, come in."
"Yes we will surely come in though you don't want us to," Jiayi said, passing by Xiaocan she tried to brush shoulders but Xiaocan was too intelligent, being a smart woman she was, she took a step from where she was previously standing.
Ru Songyan and Ru Yichen entered looking all high and mighty, Ru Songyan bowed slightly to acknowledge Xiaocan and went straight in. "Aunty, good evening," Ru Yichen said as he went to hug Xiaocan.
"Yichen, you always tend to forget that I'm your aunty and you shouldn't always try to hug me whenever you..."
"But Aunty it's being years I saw you, don't tell me you didn't miss me." Yichen said, frowning as his arms hung in the air.
"Ok. Just a hug, rascal,"
"Oh yeah I know you can't resist my charm and that's why I love you so much." Yichen smile brightened as he hugged Xiaocan.
"Yichen get in here." Songyan commanded. "Aunty you look much younger now..." Yichen was cut off by his mom this time.
"Chen, didn't you hear your elder sister?"
"Ok Aunty, I will go greet grandpa and ma."
"Ok my darling boy." Xiaocan said smiling.
She had good relationship with Ru Yumzheng and Ru Yichen but was on a very bad term with Xing Jiayi and Ru Songyan. Turning to leave she heard the sound of a car engine coming to an end.