"He...He…" Lei Biya was at a loss for words.
Zizi yelled. "Go ahead! Tell us. How could you get so violent with Xiaosi!? Who the hell are you to suddenly attack us?"
She clenched her fists and breathed hard. With her handkerchief, she wiped the sweat off her forehead and slightly shivered.
Lei Shu held her shoulders. "Mom?"
"N-No...t-that…"
Zizi narrowed her eyes. "Why are you stuttering now? Come on, speak up!"
Caihong froze. Her expression turned a little pale but she managed to hide it somehow.
'We still have to take care that his brain is not triggered by any sudden shocking news or such.'
No, no! Xiaosi cannot know about the past with his mother. If she reveals about his birth, that truth would be too shocking for him to handle. His condition will get worse!
Caihong quickly said, "I-I think that there has been some misunderstanding. I hope you let go of this…"
Zizi was stunned. "Caihong, how can you…? She even slapped Xiaosi for nothing!"
Caihong clenched her fists and bit her lip.
Indeed, she felt extremely hurt by that. She was the one who wanted to stand up for him the most, but if not for Xiaosi's health, she wouldn't have kept quiet.
Xiaosi noticed Caihong's distress and smiled it off. "It's okay, Zizi. I don't think we should escalate this anymore. We will leave."
Zizi was heavily dissatisfied by this. "You two... Why are you two being so kind? She doesn't deserve this!" She glared at her.
Lei Shu anxiously said, "We are extremely sorry. I apologize on behalf of my Mom."
She nudged Lei Biya and signaled her to apologize too, but she didn't respond.
What is wrong with Mom today?
Lei Biya glanced at Xiaosi and the more she looked at him, the more hatred burned in her chest.
I...I cannot leave it at this! He even met Shu. What if tomorrow he meets my son and husband? What if he spills out everything? I cannot take that risk!
Lei Shu profusely apologized to them once again and dragged her mother away.
The rest of the customers who were quietly whispering amongst themselves quickly went back to their shopping.
Zizi said, "She was one crazy woman!"
Caihong faintly smiled. "Let's not think about her anymore…"
She looked up at Xiaosi and noticed his cheek that had turned slightly red. She trembled and raised her hand and as she gently held his cheek, she asked, "I-It hurts, right?"
Tears threatened to escape her eyes.
Xiaosi smiled and squeezed her hand back. "It doesn't. I am fine. Really."
She knew that he wasn't. In his black orbs, she could faintly see a trace of sadness in them. He was affected by it but he wasn't letting her know about it.
Nobody was in the mood for lunch anymore, but Xiaosi insisted anyway. He didn't want the atmosphere to be ruined because of that incident.
After lunch, they decided to head back home. Zizi smiled. "See you later."
Caihong and Xiaosi nodded. "Thanks for inviting us."
From the corner of her eyes, Caihong saw a man approaching them, wearing a white driver's suit. From behind him, she faintly saw Lei Biya's figure watching the driver and them.
Caihong froze.
Has she sent that driver?
A million thoughts ran in her mind and she felt anxiety creeping in.
She said, "Oh! I think I forgot one bag inside. I will fetch it and come back."
Xiaosi said, "A bag? Wait, I will fetch it for you."
"No, no. I will be back in a minute. You two stay here only…"
Caihong swiftly left.
Zizi frowned. "But don't we have all our bags? What did she forget?"
Xiaosi stared at her back. "...I don't know."
---
Caihong met the driver on the way and dragged him into a corner. "Why are you coming to meet us?" She hastily asked.
"Mam, Mrs. Lei asked me to fetch that man."
"Mrs. Lei?"
"Yes, the one waiting near the black car at the back."
She stiffened.
Just as I thought…
"Why does she want to meet him?"
He shook his head. "I don't know, Mam. She only said that she wants me to fetch him."
Caihong thought about it for a moment.
Whatever it is, I won't let Xiaosi meet her. She definitely wants to talk to him about the past. Xiaosi doesn't remember anything regarding it!
"He won't come. Take me with you. I will talk to her on his behalf."
"But…"
She narrowed her eyes. "Take me with you or we are leaving."
"No, no! Please come with me."
Behind the shopping complex, Lei Biya was nervously pacing back and forth, keeping an eye on the driver. She wasn't able to keep her calm ever since she met Xiaosi and when she heard that he already met Lei Shu, her stress only increased ten fold.
She saw Caihong coming towards her and looked at her in shock. "You? What are you doing here? I called for Xiaosi!"
Caihong stared at Lei Biya and then shook her head. "He won't come. Whatever it is, please talk to me."
She was stunned.
"Won't come? No way! I want to talk to him only! He-he dare meet Shu and talk to her," she trembled as tears flowed, "I want to set him straight! If he ever comes near my family or tries to contact any of them then I will never forgive him!"
Something irked Caihong that left a bitter feeling inside her.
She slowly said, "You...you met Xiaosi after so long and this is what you have to say to your son?"
Lei Biya stiffened. "You-you know?"
"Yes. I know everything."
"H-How?" She paled. "Who are you?"
"I am his wife, Zhu Caihong."
Lei Biya widened her eyes. "Wife?"
He is married?
"Yes, wife. That's why I asked if...the first thing you want to say to him is to stay away? Hasn't he already been doing that? And you don't have to worry about him interfering because he has-"
"Y-you won't understand!"