Shi Yen introduced herself to Yuan Shun's mother, apologizing that they had to meet under different and unusual circumstances. Yuan Shun's mother hugged her tightly and said, "I didn't know my Shun had a girlfriend!" She nearly burst into tears of happiness, and Shi Yen smiled, leaning into her warm frame.
Yuan Shun's mother—Sun Xiaolan—then guided her to the kitchen with Yuan Xinyi, and they sat around the table, indulging themselves with tea and cookies.
Shi Yen then explained to them about what happened with the Chairman's visit and why she felt compelled to come the Yuan Estate.
"I'm sorry you had to go through that," Yuan Shun's mother consoled. "My father-in-law is not a warm person. You see, my dear, the Chairman is an ambitious man. He wants Shun to hold as much power as he can. He wants to leave behind a legacy he's proud of. And, I'm afraid, he thinks that you would get in the way of that."
