Pulling up to the Xin family home, Mei Yin stepped out of her car with light feet. She was excited to see her mom again and it felt like the longest two weeks of her entire life. The house was well kempt and had a lasting charm about it. It felt like it had been forever since she had been back home. Mei Yin felt complete nostalgia and serenity. Mei Yin bumped right into her mom the second she walked through the front door. "Mom."
"Oh my baby! I really missed you." Mei Yin's brows scrunched up as she felt a pain her heart. "I missed you too mom. I would have came to visit but I was just too tired." Mei Yin had been working so much that she couldn't find the time to see her mother. Even on her off days, all she would do was stay at home due to jet lag and fatigue.
Yi Ran pulled her daughter to the couch and sat her down. "Munchkin, you know how your Auntie Li and I have been friends for a very long time..." "Yes mom, I love Auntie Li. She treats us really well." "Let me finish." "Oh..." Yi Ran looked almost nervous, but held her thoughts together. Auntie Li has a son and we just thought-" "Xin Yi Ran!" "Xin Mei Yin!!" Mei Yin knew she was wrong for raising her voice at her mom, but her mom also caused a lot of trouble when she got together with Auntie Li. All she could do was get her emotions under way and apologize.
"I'm sorry mom, I shouldn't have yelled. You can tell me what you wanted me to know now. Yi Ran simply took and patted her daughter's hands in her owns. "Auntie Li and I thought that since we are already good friends, that it would be great if you and her son got married and gave us grandchildren.
When Mei Yin's face didn't change Yi Ran's racing heart began to settle down. "Aiyo mom, that's no big deal. I don't know about Auntie Li's son, but I am planning on getting married. Although, no one is actually looking to marry me as of yet... anyways, you should talk to Auntie Li's son and see how he feels about the whole thing."
Women are practically raised believing that marriage is the end result, but men are different. Men are given the option and time, while women are being swallowed from the neck down. "Eh? My darling daughter, mom gave you so many good traits up until now, so why are you showing such a bad one right now?!" "Mom what do you mean bad trait?" This girl. Yi Ran's head began to spin in circles.
"Mom means that you are so beautiful and so intelligent, but why are you and idiot when it comes to relationships?" "Huh? Mom, what do you mean?" Just as Mei Yin took a sip of water, her mother fixed her lips to speak, letting her heart out. "Foolish human child, mom wants you to get married to Auntie Li's son! We want to become in-laws!
*Cough cough cough*"Mom, say that again. I didn't hear you right." Mei Yin said as she hit her chest trying to get her breathing back to normal. "I said we want to be in-laws with each other. Mei Yin can you marry Auntie Li's son?" "Auntie Li's son?! Mom, I never even met the guy! I'm 21 years old." "Munchkin this is my point exactly! You will be 22 years old in two months time. You don't have a boyfriend.
You're not actively looking for one, so what's so wrong with Alexander?! Plus, your job makes you so busy that even I haven't seen you in two weeks!" This was the harsh reality news that only Mama Yi Ran could deliver. Mei Yin just stared at the floor wanting to sink right through it. She didn't want to admit it, but she knew her mother was right.
"Mei Yin, mom didn't mean to hurt your feelings. I'm getting old and you're my only child. Even if it's not Auntie Li's son, mom just wants you to be happy. It would mean the world to me if I could leave this earth knowing that there is someone that I trust, taking care of you." "Mom..." Yi Ran got up from the couch and turned to face the staircase. "You don't have to say anything. I shouldn't have pushed you into a corner like that." "23." Mei Yin said in anew almost hushed voice. "23. Can you give me just one more year to find my own happiness. If I can't find a boyfriend by the time I'm 23...then I'll marry whoever you want.
Yi Ran turned back to face her daughter and smiled. "Mom will promise this to you. I'll give you one more year." With that she ascended the stairs and went to her bedroom. On her way down the hallway, she stopped by Mei Yin's room and stared at it for some time before finally leaving to rest in her own room.
Mei Yin sat planted on the couch for at least ten minutes before she decided to just leave a note for her mom and head home. She had been away from her mom for 2 weeks but they didn't even have dinner together. It was partially her fault, she was standoffish about the whole idea of an arranged marriage. But any normal person would have had that very same reaction. They both needed some time to situate their thoughts and process all that just happened.