After the gruesome interview wrapped up, the activities for the rest of the day all went smoothly. Jiang Ai Yue was so busy that day that the morning interview immediately went at the back of her mind.
She was so busy thinking how to answer the questions that Ai Yue didn't realize why did Chen SyaoRan block this kind of news in the first place. She didn't even think about that the article was very different from the previous reports. All she did was work that a certain cold-faced man was turning the office into an ice cave.
Chen SyaoRan always had someone watching over Jiang Ai Yue for security and the he was immediately updated on how she reacted towards the article.
He was scolding her in his mind. Did she not even realize that was a confession from him? She was telling them that the media must have misunderstood his statement but clearly, it was Jiang Ai Yue who's blind.
He didn't even had the idea of blocking the news because he wants her to finally realize and get the hint he was dropping from a long time ago. You know, Chen SyaoRan didn't even bother clarifying all the rumors flying around about them because he doesn't want to deny them right now when he knows that they'll be together in the near future.
Chen SyaoRan was even more unhappy when Jiang Ai Yue avoided answering the question about the possibility of their relationship progressing. Were she against having a relationship with him? Did she secretly hate him?
Even the most composed person like Chen SyaoRan turns very vulnerable on the face of love. He could only sigh at his misfortune. Why do the girl he loves such a fool? How obvious does he have to be so that Ai Yue could finally understand his feelings for her?
"Sir, here are the reports that you've requested." That is what PA Xing said after entering the office of the Director. He was very much envious at the life of his cousin who was appointed by his boss to work as Miss Jiang's manager. When compared to his life, Xing Ning's was clearly better. He was always at the receiving end of the Director's wrath everytime he's stressed on wooing Ms.Jiang.
PA Xing wanted to cry. Why did he have to love the higher pay than his life? Was he a masochist?
The next day, Jiang Ai Yue has the whole day off. She just got accepted for the antagonist role in a drama from yesterday's audition and she was planning to study the whole script until the shooting starts two months later. Manager Xing also gave her five drama offers in which she would pick one that she would like to work on.
Her commercial shoot was scheduled for the next week and the only schedules that she have for the week would be most fan meetings and contract signing for sponsors.
Starting the day off by studying the script of the first episode, her phone rang. Without bothering to check the caller's name, she answered it.
"Hello, Ai Yue speaking."
"My sweetie little darling, can you please come home right now?"
The instant Jiang Ai Yue heard those words and recognized the owner of the voice, she once again felt fear for her life.
"M-Mom... hehe..." Ai Yue shakily laughed.
"Darling,in one hour okay? ONE.HOUR. Take care~" Ai Yue hadn't replied a word when the call was dropped. She checked her phone screen to double check and understood that her Mom really hung up on her.
Ai Yue threw away her script and gripped her head with both hands. Oh my god, was her Mom going to strangle her?
She remembered all her recent offenses and she felt more scared. Aside from what happened to the car, did she know about me getting drunk?! Did Chen SyaoRan report it her Mom?! But he promised not to tattletale!!
Without any second thoughts, she went back to her walk-in wardrobe to change and grab a cab home. Even though Ai Yue doesn't really want to come home right now due to the current danger, she still must go home.
Once the Queen Jiang speaks, you have to listen and follow. In her family, her Dad's position is only second from Mom's. And whenever the four siblings get in trouble, they are all at the Queen's mercy.
Within 45 minutes, she was dropped off in front of the Jiang Mansion. Quickly greeting all the people she passed by, she ran fast to the living room.
"I'm ho----me..." Jiang Ai Yue took a small step back when she saw her Mom standing at the entrance. Her eyes narrowed at her and she thought that some slipper would fly on her way anytime soon.
"My sweetie little darling, follow me to the study please." Mom Jiang turned around and walked towards the direction of the study. Silently praying to the gods and goddesses, Jiang Ai Yue resigned to her fate and followed her. She even saw her Dad send her a pity look when she passed by him at the living room that made her want to cry.
"Sit." Her Mom pointed to the empty seat across from her.
Jiang Ai Yue: Will the kneeling come later?
She immediately sat like a child prepared to receive her scoldings.
"Ai Yue, you know your sins."
She was tearing up. Mom... you sound like a priest.
"I do. I... I'm sorry." She lowered her head.
"Good. So I won't have to explain why we're holding off on gifting you your dream car on your next birthday."
"But why?!" Ai Yue was very much interested in kneeling in front of her mother right now.
"You disobeyed us and on top of it all, you drunk. At 17. Tell me Ai Yue, what kind of punishment should we impose on you?"
Won't the sofa just swallow me up whole? She knows that I drank. Waaaah.
"H-How did you know I drank?" She doubt that Chen SyaoRan broke his promise with her. He was never one to break his promises unless something happened.
"Your Aunt Li told it to me in passing yesterday."
Does Aunt Li have any grudges with me? She must've known how my Mom will react when she hears about how much she drank that day.
Mom Jiang observed her daughter's movements and knew that she was feeling wronged inside. But she wasn't one to spoil her children too much. Jiang Ai Yue is clearly the one in the wrong and she must discipline her before she turns more rebellious that she is right now.
Thinking back how her only daughter grew up, Jiang Ai Yue was really used to everyone petting her at such a young age. With her husband and 3 sons spoiling their only sister, she never lacked anythig and was always given what she wanted. She was also spoiled by Chen SyaoRan and the elders around her. Ai Yue didn't grow up as a spoiled brat because she was disciplined from time to time but maybe, Mom Jiang was getting pretty lax onto her when she entered the acting industry.
She should at least correct her habit of disobeying her parents advice so that she won't have to suffer the consequences of such actions.
Mom Jiang got very worried when Madame Li told her about her daughter getting molested. She knew her daughter is also a cautious person and she knows how to read people. But at that night, she got drunk and became defenseless letting those kind of people to take the opportunity to get close with her. She was thankful that Chen SyaoRan was there with her at that time and protected Ai Yue. But she knew that there's not always someone there to always protect her daughter.
So she must steel her heart and engrave her words to her daughter's mind.
She is after all, her only sweetie little darling. The princess that her and her husband wished for so long.