[This chapter is dedicated to my Amore Mio, Zeno98, for being the best supportive boyfriend EVER! Ti amo~! Thank you for always showing your support and for being one of those people who motivates me!]
***
Before they even knew it, dinner went by quickly, making them realize that it was already almost 10 PM.
Shu Xian didn't expect to have a great conversation with Cai Li, Pan An's mother.
Cai Li told Shu Xian childhood stories about him, Shu Xian, laughing as she expected Pan An to be a naughty kid years ago.
"Typical of mom to talk about embarrassing moments about me to my girl," he commented, playfully rolling his eyes at her as Cai Li stifled her laugh, shaking her head at the same time.
"Of course, dear Shu Xian should know, no? Since both of you are dating, what could you possibly hide from her?"
Shu Xian bit her bottom lip, feeling lightheaded as she realized too late that she drank more glasses of wine while talking with Pan An and Cai Li.
She had to admit that she was having fun spending time with them when at first, she thought that the dinner with Pan An's mother would flop.
Shu Xian smiled as she rested her head on Pan An's shoulder, slightly surprising him to have seen her act this way.
Pan An looked at Shu Xian from the corner of his eye as he saw the blush appear on the lady's cheeks, making his heart skip fast to see her this alluring.
'Is she tipsy?'
"It's nice to meet you tonight, Ma'am Cai Li," Shu Xian said sweetly, her perfect white teeth beaming at the beautiful woman before them.
"Oh, the pleasure is all mine, Shu Xian," Cai Li replied, a sweet smile appearing on her face as well. "It has been long since I saw my Pan An happy with a girl," she added, Pan An's facial expression turning slightly serious.
"Mom, I think Shu Xian and I need to go home," she suggested, wrapping his arm around her shoulder to support her.
"Was Pan An not dating anyone before me?" Shu Xian asked, Pan An's eyebrows furrowing when he heard his mother's reply.
"Oh, my son has not told you?"
Cai Li asked, cocking her head to the side as the alcohol started to affect her as well.
"Pan An dated a girl, too. She--"
"Mom!"
Shu Xian's body shook in Pan An's hold when suddenly, he stood up, making her abruptly stand up as he supported her with his strong arm.
"It's getting late. I should call Mr. Lee to pick you up, and once he does, that's when we'll head home," he said firmly, shutting his mother up as she sensed the hostility in his voice.
"Hey..."
Tipsy, Shu Xian narrowed her eyes at Pan An. She traced her index finger on his chin, Pan An's body stiffening as he did not expect this quiet, gentle lady, acting this way when she was so subtle moments ago.
"Why are you answering back to your mother that way?"
Shu Xian then sprawled her right hand on his chest, Pan An's breath hitching as he felt her hand slowly traveling down his stomach, stopping there the moment her hand landed on his perfectly formed abs that was kept under his clothes.
"Your mother was about to tell your girlfriend something," she added, giggling a bit before she pouted like a child. "Are you hiding something from your baby girl?"
Pan An's eyebrow twitched.
'Baby girl? This lady is obviously tipsy...'
Cai Li covered her mouth with her hand, seeing Shu Xian act this way towards her son. She had to admit that at first, she didn't like the fact that Shu Xian is young and is still a student.
But with her acting gentle and sweet at first, to being naughty now that she is drunk, she had the gut feeling that Shu Xian is more than what meets the eye.
She is interesting--an eye-candy one should look out for when it comes to dealing with her.
"Stop being this way now, Love," Pan An scolded her, Shu Xian now wrapping both of her arms around his waist as she rested her head on his chest.
"You big meany..."
Not minding her for a while, Pan An heaved a small sigh as he fished his phone from his pocket, calling Mr. Lee, the personal butler of their family.
Pan An then looked at his mother after talking to Mr. Lee for a minute, a small smile appearing on his face as he bode his mother farewell.
"I'm sorry I can't stay any longer. As you know, I have work early in the morning, and Shu Xian will have her classes," he said, Cai Li, slowly walking towards her son to hold his hand.
"It's alright, son," Cai Li replied, a sincere smile appearing on her face.
She then looked at sweet Shu Xian, who had her eyes closed, then tiptoed to whisper something against Pan An's ear.
"Someday, you would have to tell her about your past if you are serious about her. Hmm?"
Pan An's lips turned into a tight line. He nodded once, acknowledging what his mother had said as his mind lingered otherwise.
'Don't worry, mom. Our relationship is just an act. She doesn't need to know everything.'
At the same moment, Cai Li turned her body to tuck some of Shu Xian's hair behind her ear, the young lady, opening her eyes to meet Cai Li's.
"I hope to meet you the following days, Shu Xian," Cai Li said, planting a soft kiss on her cheek. "I would like to get to know you better."
"Oh!"
Shu Xian grinned ear to ear, surprising Pan An with what she was about to say.
"I'm sorry, Ma'am. But Pan An and I--we're just doing this because--mmph!"
With the influence of the alcohol taking a toll on her body, Pan An knew he had to act fast.
With its effect making her honest and act differently, Pan An had no choice but to shut her up in the best way he knew was effective.
"Oh, my!"
Cai Li's eyes were about to pop out of their sockets! Her mouth was agape to the scene that she saw right before her very eyes!
Pan An tipped Shu Xian's chin up, making her face him. He then smoothly caressed her cheek, the professor slightly bending down to silence Shu Xian once and for all tonight.
He pulled her closer towards him by the waist, Shu Xian's hands both sprawled on his chest as his lips smoothly landed on hers, making Shu Xian sober in an instant as she realized...
That her first-ever kiss was taken away from her tonight.
Even right in front of her fake boyfriend's mother!