Mo Yanlin gripped the steering wheel tightly as he pulled out of Liu Xiuying's neighborhood, his mind replaying the recent phone call with his mother. He had barely hung up, and already her words were gnawing at him. The idea of a family reunion wasn't entirely unexpected, but her insistence on involving Liu Xiuying was something he hadn't anticipated.
Dialing Jiang Fenya again, he steadied his tone, preparing to reason with her. When she picked up, her warm voice greeted him cheerfully, "Yanlin, I knew you'd call back. What is it this time?"
"Mother," he began firmly, "I've been thinking. This is a family reunion, not just a casual gathering. The Liu family will be there, too. It wouldn't be proper to bring my assistant along—it might even come across as disrespectful." He glanced at his rearview mirror as if searching for clarity in the dark streets.
