n

n

nShu Xian was honestly having fun with Cai Li. With her being dressed up by her, she actually felt warm in her heart, making her admire herself in the mirror before her, not believing that the reflection shown is her.

nWith Shu Xian looking at her reflection, Cai Li smiled and called her attention, slightly surprising her.

n

"I told you… you're beautiful,

" she commented, Shu Xian, shyly smiling at her as she approached her, holding both of her hands to thank Pan An's mother.

n

"Thank you so much for boosting my confidence, Ma'am Cai Li. You're indeed right. I feel happy to have experienced this. It's as if that I am indeed having fun with my mother,

" she said, Cai Li, holding her face with her right hand as she caressed her cheek with her thumb.

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"I told you… you may call me 'ma.' It's not an issue, dearie.

"

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"Ma,

" Shu Xian shyly said, the term slightly foreign on her tongue.

"Thank you.

"

nCai Li smiled at her. With her already holding Shu Xian's hand as they walk down the stairs, she then told her something that further surprised Shu Xian, making her feel warm in her heart as well.

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"Keep the dress, dear. It's yours.

"

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"Thank you.

"

nWith that, the chef also arrived in the living room at the same time. With him giving them a smile, he then updated the two that lunch is ready, making the two feel excited as they do feel hungry right at this moment.

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"Lunch is already served in the dining room, Ma'am Cai Li, Miss Shu Xian. I have served it on the table and is already ready for devouring.

"

nWith a small joke, both of the women laughed, already excited to eat.

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"Thank you for preparing our meal,

" Cai Li thanked, already walking to the dining room with Shu Xian.

nWhen they arrived in the dining room, they immediately smelled and saw the food that was served on the table.

nBoth of them saw that they were having herb chicken and buttered asparagus. Beside them were two sticks of garlic bread, making Shu Xian and Cai Li sit beside each other, marveling at the food before them.

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"Will there be dessert after this?

" Cai Li asked, the chef, nodding to answer her question.

n

"Yes. I will be serving banana split later, Ma'am Cai Li.

"

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"Oooh~!

"

nShu Xian couldn't help but exclaim her excitement. She then turned to the chef and gave him a smile, the middle-aged man feeling warm in his heart as he had never seen such a bright smile before.

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"Thank you so much for preparing for us! I'm excited to taste what you have prepared!

"

nThe chef smiled at them. Afterward, he then nodded at both of them, leaving them alone in the dining room for privacy.

n

"My! I only realized now how hungry I was,

" Cai Li commented, already eating the sliced chicken for their convenience.

"This food is delicious!

"

nShu Xian agreed, already taking a piece of chicken in her mouth. With her swooning as she tasted the herbs that were put in the chicken, she loved the taste of it, making her nod in agreement and said her opinions.

n

"I agree! The chef that your family has is indeed wonderful and experienced! I'm excited to know what our dinner is for already.

"

nWith both of them already laughing that they are excited for dinner when they are just eating lunch as of the moment, the atmosphere between them became lighter, making it easier for them to engage in any conversation.

nHowever, Cai Li knew that she invited Shu Xian over for a reason, remembering that they would have to talk about something before she goes home to Pan An.

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"Anyway, let's not forget our main agenda—the reason why we are here,

" she said, Shu Xian, nodding as she took a small sip of her sparkling water.

n

"Yes. We can start on it right now as we take our meal,

" she suggested, Cai Li, sighing after she took a piece of her asparagus.

n

"You see, Shu Xian, Ruo Xi is back in the city when I specifically threatened her not to come back.

"

nHearing this, Shu Xian couldn't help but furrow her brows. She then cocked her head to the side as she looked at Cai Li beside her, wondering why.

n

"If it is alright to ask… why? Is her scheme too much to make you do it?

"

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"Yes,

" Cai Li immediately answered, not hesitating.

"It was too much for my Pan An and as a mother, I was only doing my best to protect him, but I was seen as the villain instead. No matter… as long as Pan An is alright, I don't care about my image to him.

"

nWith this said, now Shu Xian couldn't help but be curious of what she was hearing. With her taking another piece of her chicken as she chewed carefully then swallowed, Cai Li then spoke, getting her attention.

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"I kept matchmaking him, however, in hopes that it would make him forget that woman. But it seems that it was impossible. So when I knew that he suddenly has a girlfriend after all that I've done, I was wondering why… after all this time.

"

nCai Li then held Shu Xian's hand, further reiterating her concern for her son.

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"That's why, I told myself that I need to meet you and somehow coordinate with you to protect my son. If after all those times that he had been pushing aside my matchmaking, then with you, I know you would be someone different that has caught my son's fancy.

"

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"But… I'm just the woman he saved,

" Shu Xian replied,

"We know that Pan An is just kind and is helping a homeless and hopeless person like me, and—

"

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"I know, but you stand a chance against that woman, Shu Xian,

" Cai Li interrupted, her hold on Shu Xian's hand tightening.

"You can make him forget that woman, Shu Xian. I can feel it. Both of you are living together, how is it not possible?

"

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