Jichen gestured for Li Mei to take a seat on the plush sofa in the living room, the warm afternoon sun spilling in through the large windows, casting a golden glow around the elegant space. The once-grand mansion felt eerily quiet, as if it too were holding its breath in anticipation of what was to come.
"Mother, I need you to understand," he began, his voice steady yet filled with an uncharacteristic hesitance. "Xiaoxing isn't just any little girl. I saved her from a dangerous situation, and her family's whereabouts are unknown. I'm treating her as if she's my daughter."
Li Mei's eyes widened in disbelief, her mind racing to process his words. "You saved her? But how? When did this happen? I thought you were focused on your career."
Jichen's brow furrowed, recalling the whirlwind of events that had led to this moment. He ran a hand through his hair, trying to organize his thoughts. "It's a long story, one that involves a lot of pain and decisions I never thought I'd have to make. I found Xiaoxing in a situation that I couldn't ignore. I had to take her in."
Li Mei leaned forward, her interest piqued despite the tumult of emotions swirling within her. "What situation?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper, as if afraid that speaking too loudly might shatter the delicate fabric of this revelation.
"Xiaoxing was in danger, and I couldn't just walk away. I had to make sure she was safe," he explained, his tone grave as he recalled the memory of that night—shadows lurking, threats looming, a child crying out for help.
"What kind of danger?" Li Mei pressed, her maternal instincts kicking in. She could hear the weight of responsibility in her son's voice and felt the urgency of his situation.
Jichen hesitated, his expression darkening. "It's complicated. The people I dealt with… let's just say they're not the kind you want to cross. When I found her, she was scared and alone, hiding from those who sought to exploit her. I couldn't stand by and let that happen."
Li Mei's heart sank as she absorbed his words. The notion of her son being involved in such dangerous dealings filled her with dread. "So, you've been raising her alone?"
"Yes," Jichen admitted, his gaze dropping to the floor as if the weight of the truth was too heavy to bear. "It hasn't been easy. I didn't plan for this. I thought I was just helping a little girl escape a dangerous life, but… it's so much more than that. She needs me, and I can't walk away."
"But you didn't tell me any of this," Li Mei said, her tone softening as she tried to navigate the tumultuous emotions swirling within her. "You've kept such a huge part of your life hidden from me."
Jichen met her gaze, his expression sincere. "I wanted to protect you from my past. You've been dealing with so much with Father… I didn't want to add to your burdens."
"Jichen, you should never feel like you have to protect me from the truth," Li Mei said, her voice rising slightly with emotion. "I'm your mother; I want to be here for you. I want to help."
The tension in Jichen's shoulders eased slightly, relieved that his mother seemed to understand. "I know. And I'm sorry. I just didn't know how to explain it all. I'm still figuring things out with Xiaoxing."
Li Mei's mind began to race as she processed everything. "What does she need right now? What can I do to help?"
Jichen smiled, a flicker of warmth in his eyes. "Just being here is enough. She's taken a liking to you already, and I think having a grandmother figure in her life would be amazing. Maybe you can help her adjust."
"Of course," Li Mei replied, her heart swelling with love and determination. "I would love to be involved. It's my right as a grandmother to spoil her with cookies and stories!"
Jichen chuckled, the tension easing in the room. "She mentioned cookies earlier. I think that's a good start."
As they spoke, Li Mei's mind wandered to the child upstairs, playing with her teddy bear. She had seen the innocence and joy in Xiaoxing's eyes, and it made her heart swell with warmth. "Have you considered what this means for your future? Raising a child?"
Jichen leaned back in his seat, contemplation etched on his face. "Honestly, I never thought I would take on this role. But now that I have her, I can't imagine my life without Xiaoxing. She brings me joy in ways I never thought possible."
"Then you must do everything to protect that joy," Li Mei advised, her tone turning serious. "If there are threats, you need a plan to keep both of you safe."
Jichen nodded, his expression resolute. "I've been working on it. I want to ensure she has a normal life, away from all the chaos."
Just then, they heard a cheerful voice echoing from the hallway. "Papa! I'm making a super-duper surprise for you and Grandma!"
Li Mei's heart melted at the sound. "What kind of surprise?" she asked, feeling an unexpected excitement bubbling within her.
"Xiaoxing's kind!" she chimed, her footsteps approaching quickly. "You'll see!"
Li Mei laughed, her spirits lifting as she imagined the little girl's enthusiasm. "I think we're in for quite the show."
Jichen smiled, a sense of contentment washing over him as he stood to meet Xiaoxing, who burst into the room, a flurry of energy and excitement. "Look what I made!" Xiaoxing exclaimed, holding out a crayon drawing of a colorful family. "This is you, Papa, and you, Grandma!"
Li Mei felt a tear escape her eye as she knelt to admire the artwork. "It's beautiful, sweetheart! Thank you for including me. I feel so special!"
Xiaoxing grinned, her big eyes sparkling with joy. "I want us to be a family! Can we be a family, Papa?"
Jichen felt a lump form in his throat at her innocent declaration. The weight of responsibility pressed heavily on his shoulders. He exchanged a glance with Li Mei, who nodded subtly, encouraging him to respond with love.
"Of course, we can be a family, Xiaoxing," he replied, kneeling to her level, his heart swelling with emotion. "You're part of our family now."
"Yay!" Xiaoxing cheered, clapping her hands in delight. "Then I'm going to make the best cookies ever for our family!"
Li Mei couldn't help but chuckle at Xiaoxing's infectious enthusiasm. "I think I'm going to love these cookies. What do you need from me?"
"Help me bake!" Xiaoxing insisted, her eyes wide with excitement. "You know all the secret recipes, right?"
Li Mei smiled warmly, her heart full. "I do know a few tricks. Let's go to the kitchen together!"
As they moved toward the kitchen, Jichen watched his mother and Xiaoxing interact with a sense of warmth enveloping him. For the first time since his father's accident, he saw a genuine smile on Li Mei's face, her laughter ringing through the house like a long-forgotten melody. It was a stark contrast to the weight of sorrow that had shadowed her since that fateful day.
He felt a profound sense of gratitude for this unexpected bond that was forming between them. It was a connection he had not anticipated but one that felt right, as if it had been meant to be all along.
In the kitchen, Li Mei and Xiaoxing began gathering ingredients. Flour dusted the countertops, sugar filled the air with sweetness, and the sound of laughter filled the room. Jichen leaned against the doorway, a smile playing on his lips as he watched the two important women in his life bond over baking. The sight was almost surreal, and he couldn't help but feel that perhaps this was a step toward healing for all of them.
"Now, we need to mix the butter and sugar," Li Mei instructed, demonstrating with practiced ease. "Xiaoxing, can you help me?"
"Sure! I love mixing things!" Xiaoxing exclaimed, climbing onto a stool so she could reach the bowl. She watched intently as Li Mei showed her how to blend the ingredients until they were creamy and smooth.
As the aroma of baking cookies wafted through the kitchen, Jichen felt a sense of peace settling over him. Despite the chaos of his life, moments like these reminded him of what truly mattered—family, love, and connection. He was building something beautiful and lasting, even amidst the turmoil.
"Papa, can I add the chocolate chips?" Xiaoxing asked, her eyes shining with excitement.
"Absolutely!" Jichen said, stepping closer to join them. He felt a swell of pride as he watched her carefully pour in the chips, her small hands working diligently. "You're going to make the best cookies ever."
Xiaoxing beamed at the compliment, her confidence growing with each word of encouragement. "And then we can eat them together! It will be our family tradition!"
Li Mei smiled, her heart swelling with affection for the little girl. "I love that idea. "