We decided to drive to the nearest mall and buy gifts separately in case someone discover Ming Chen.
I called my father and told him that there will be a visitor coming on our house. He berated me after sighing and ordered us to be away for an hour so they can prepare.
I think my father knew of my love life, I thought I hid it pretty well, but my father knew.
After that, I was several steps away from Ming Chen as I continued to think of what my parents would like as gifts.
I knew my mom would love some new ceramics and her favorite Oolong tea so I decided to text Ming Chen of my family's likes and dislikes. He sent me an cute bunny with a thank you sign on top making me giggle.
We decided to buy my father a beautiful fountain pen since he love doing calligraphy and a whole set of vintage CD collections from his favorite singer. Towards my brother, we decided to buy him a limited edition shoes, eh, men.
Of course I tried to stop him from buying more expensive stuff but he insisted saying that he wanted to make a good impression from my parents.
It did make me swoon seeing his efforts but my heart hurt secretly after seeing the total amount.
As we got closer to my home, Ming Chen begun to look ghastly pale and muttered incoherent words before he stops. We were only a few steps away from my house when he looked at me and said.
"I'm nervous, really really nervous" Ming Chen repeated for the hundred time.
"Relax" I laughed out loud seeing his face scrunched up after hearing the word relax.
This confident man with a very shameless disposition and a sky personality is acting scared by just meeting my parents.
I really don't know whether I should cry or laugh at his expression. But even so, I couldn't help but pity him so I peck his cheeks.
"It's not enough" he said then leaned down to kiss me.
It felt like hours before he left my lips, his eyes are like those of a starving wolf while I leaned back like a sheep about to be slaughtered.
Then I leaned close to him for a kiss and hook my hands to his neck before a sound knock us off into oblivion.
I immediately tried to make myself more presentable while Ming Chen leaned away from me and organized his self.
"Well, well, well, isn't this my sister and who else? Ah, isn't this person my lover?" My brother mocked at us as he step back to make space for us.
We got off the car, my face must be so red and I took a glimpse on Ming Chen and saw his ears beet red. I snickered in laughter when my brother knocked me in the forehead.
"Young lady, restrain yourself"
I huffed and followed him to our house, still holding Ming Chen's slightly sweaty and cold hand.
My brother was about to open the door when the door open itself and voila, here comes my father. He was looking all groomed and he even out on a collared shirt and pants before patting his hands on his legs and initiate an introduction to Ming Chen.
"Hello, my name is Wu Li Bei and I'm Feng Mian's father. Nice to meet you" he smiled without fail and ushered us inside.
"Good evening yuèfù- no- I mean sir, yes sir"
Brother burst out in laughter so I smacked his stomach making him groan in pain while I pursed my lips to avoid laughing.
Father seem a bit shock but nevertheless, smiled at him warmly creating a comfortable aura that immediately calms Ming Chen down.
"Um...good evening sir, I'm Hao Ming Chen and I'm your daughter's boyfriend. I'm sorry if I didn't ask for your permission and also that I didn't come here the moment we became a couple"
Ming Chen was surprisingly polite right now, his words were filled with seriousness and his gaze never left my father's figure.
"Well, it's fine, I trust Feng Mian" he said and smiled in my direction before facing Ming Chen again and said. "It's fine for me but for my wife.... well, you still need hers"
I saw Ming Chen inaudibly gulp and almost burst out into tears from laughter when my brother nudge me in the arm.
"Did you tell mom about him?" he sneered as I heard him say, 'Finally got my revenge' and shiver in fear.
Then I also did what Ming Chen did and gulp in fear. Shoot, I didn't inform mom about it, argh!
You're in so much trouble Feng Mian!
...
The gifts were settled into the living room while we waited in the dining room.
Ming and I were stiff to the bones, my father couldn't help but cough to ask our attention. I snap back into reality and almost wished that I didn't when Mom arrived.
She have this look on hers which means you're in deep shit and I honestly am. I didn't notice that she wore a dress or that she put on makeup but was frozen in fear once again.
"Let's eat" she commanded which we adhere immediately like soldiers.
No matter how appetizing the meal looks or how it smells so divine, all I could do is eat. It honestly felt like I was eating wax and the act of even digesting it was so painful I wanted to stop eating.
Ming Chen on the other hand looked well and calm. He looked like he handled himself well but I can see the tremors in his hand which made me feel pity for him.
So I decided to shorten this torture and do this in one go.
"Mom, I wanted to introduce you to Ming Chen.... my boyfriend"
The sound of a utensil slamming to the table made my heart beat stop. My mother's eyes turned into slits as she calmly said.
"Really?"
It was just a word but it made sense that she didn't really approve of our relationship. I held Ming Chen's hand under the table and squeezed it as he did the same.
"Yes mom, he is really my boyfriend"
"Is he like one of those fu er dai? Just based on his clothes and mannerisms, you can see him being a part of those" she said with such acidity making me cringe.
"Dear, he's not like that, I heard from Gu Jia that he's an actor and-"
"That's even worse and another reason to not approve of you two's relationship"
I looked at my mother, she was serious and I felt like deja vu all over again. It fee like the time where my mother told me to stop painting and focus on my studies.
I feel like I was being suffocated, the feeling of helplessness washed over me again as I pursed my lips to avoid saying hurtful words.
"A yi, I assure you, I won't be like those men who abandon their woman and play with them. I'm planning to marry-"
"Do you want my daughter to be called a person who lusted over swan's flesh?! To be degraded by your fans, to be looked down by rich people and to be someone who relies on men?"
I looked at my mother and saw her from a different light. Although her words were poisonous, truth are always painful to hear. I couldn't deny her from saying something since she was the person who gave life to me.
She's my mother.
It felt like she still cared for me and that gave a bittersweet taste my heart. My mother, who I taught hated me for years, decided to be the villain just to protect me from the future pain. On the other hand, it's Ming Chen who I wished for a future with.
I don't know what to do.
"Mom..."
"I'm going to my room, excuse me" she stood up with my father walking towards her as he look at us apologetically before closing the door.
My brother didn't stay and just left to go to his room after squeezing our shoulders in comfort.
"Ming Chen...." I trailed off, still absorbed by my mother's hurtful words.
"She's right" I stop and look at him, my hands trembling as I fear his next words.
"What?" I whispered, my heart beating painfully at my chest.
"She's right that I'm a trash who can't protect you from the problems you'll face once you were known to the public. I'm just a rich kid who plays with people's feelings-"
"Stop, you've changed. You were just distraught by life, still in pain from being alone, you're not a trash" I said sternly and hold his trembling hands and kissed then softly.
"I'm sorry for dragging you into this pit"
"Don't be, my mother, she...she just wanted what's best for me. She doesn't want me to be hurt but she's wrong, I'll always be hurting. It could be your fault, or mine or the people around me or it's just because I was in my period. It could be anything. Life isn't smooth sailing, there will always be waves and storms, we just need to overcome them"
His hands stopped trembling, he looked at me and envelope me with a tight hug filled with desperation and relief. I stuck close with him, tears shed as I pat his back as if he was a child that needed comfort.
"I love you" he whispered to my ears and I smiled before repeating his words.
"I love you too"
Then all of a sudden, we heard someone saying.
"You pass the test"
We looked at the familiar voice of my mother, her eyes were red indicating that she cried. My heart cried out for her and she just smiled at me before turning to Ming Chen who stand stiff.
"I'll be handing my precious child to you so...be sure to take care of her"
"Mom..." She shook her head and waited for Ming Chen's response while a new batch of tears fell from my eyes.
"I will"
Notes:
• Fallen leaves return to the root (the title of this chapter) means returning to place of birth.
• Oolong tea, also known as blue tea, is unfermented tea with unique characteristics. Made from a blend of green and red teas, oolong tea boasts the best flavors and aromatic qualities of both.
• Fù èr dài – Literally the "rich second generation," fù èr dài are the sons and daughters of well-connected business and political figures. Their extravagant lifestyles are mocked by the general population.
• A toad lusting after a swan's flesh, meaning aspiring after something one is not worthy of.