Chapter 89：The Japan Trip (1)

However, Joann stopped herself at the last minute. This was because she was also taught the important lesson of not looking a gift horse in the mouth and she felt like this was a good time to practice that. She had taught Sylvia similar lesson so practice what you preach, right?

Furthermore, from what Xiu Ling had said, both the plane tickets and hotel rooms had been paid for so it would sound rude for her to question the giver's intention. Plus, she failed to see how a free trip to Japan could be hiding any malicious intent.

Therefore, Joann went along with it and asked about the details of the trip instead, "When will we be leaving? What is our date of departure?"

There was another period of silence at the other end of the phone. Caught in her excitement, Xiu Ling had completely forgotten about this most basic detail.

Accompanied by an awkward laugh, Xiu Ling told Joann, "One minute, let me ask Lin Kang."

Joann smiled at the mistake done by her ditzy friend. "Okay."

A few seconds later, Xiu Ling's voice came back on. "We'll be leaving this weekend."

"This weekend?!" Joann repeated with consternation. "But that is so soon…"

"Joann, let's just drop everything and go. Haven't we been planning for a girl's trip for so long? So why not now?" Xiu Ling pleaded. "We don't have much to pack since it's just the two of us. There'll be no husbands, families and troubles back at home. Trust me, the change of scenery will do you good."

Joann thought about it and she had to admit the offer does sound tempting. A trip to a foreign could be the very thing that she needed to forget about the scandal back at home.

Joann found it funny that somehow in that moment, their roles had switched. Normally, it would her, the more brazen one convincing Xiu Ling, who was the more cautious one of the two, to do things that the latter was hesitant to participate in.

Then again, Joann understood this break in character for Xiu Ling. Since her best friend came from a modest family background, this was probably the first time Xiu Ling had travelled out of the country.

As a celebrity, Joann had gone to many places already and the allure of travelling had slowly worn out over the years. However, for Xiu Ling, it was probably something exciting and new. Joann envisioned it would be something similar to how she felt when she travelled overseas for the first time.

In the end, for the sake of her friend, Joann agreed to this impromptu trip. Joann smiled when she heard the barely contained cheer coming from the other end of the phone.

"I'll see you this weekend then, Joann. I'll need to go pack now! I wonder what we need to bring…" Xiu Ling said before hanging up.

Lin Kang felt like a sun was shining within him when he noted how excited Xiu Ling was in response to his "gift". The woman was as excited as a primary school student going on their first graduation trip.

Lin Kang left Xiu Ling in the living room as he strode to his study to prepare for more surprises that he felt like he should do for Xiu Ling. For some reason, there was a yearning need within the man to please his wife.

It was as if his own emotion was connected to his wife and seeing Xiu Ling so happy made him very happy as well.

In his mind, this realization did not shock Lin Kang because he rationalized it as a need to compensate Xiu Ling for everything she had done for the Lin family. After all, Xiu Ling was his son's mother and doing a nice gesture for her once in a while was the least he could do.

Xiu Ling did not even notice Lin Kang had left the room. She was still figuring what to bring for the immediate trip.

She ran back up to her room to start packing and when she opened the door, she saw Lin Xi playing in his crib. Then, a sense of guilt hit Xiu Ling. She felt weirdly guilty for going on this trip without taking him with her. To have fun without Lin Xi in company felt like she was doing something immoral.

Xiu Ling walked to the crib and carried Lin Xi up into her arms.

"Lin Xi, mother is so sorry for leaving you like this but I promise, we'll go on our own trip when you're a little older. We'll have fun of our own, okay?"

Perhaps Lin Xi did understand her because when she pulled him closer into her arms, he reached out to pat Xiu Ling on her back as if saying he did not mind.

Feeling the pat of his small arm on her back, Xiu Ling couldn't help but blurt out laughing. Miraculously enough, a huge weigh did feel like it had been moved from her shoulders. Maybe it was just psychological effect but Xiu Ling still felt appreciative of the gesture and she told Lin Xi, "Thank you so much."

Lin Xi smiled his innocent smile like he didn't understand what she was talking about. "You, cheeky little thing, you."

Lin Xi then wiggled his body, a signal that he wanted to be placed back into his crib or on the ground. In any case, he didn't want to be carried around anymore. Sometimes, Xiu Ling had this feeling that there was an adult living inside her son because he would show wisdom that was so beyond his years.

With Lin Xi safely inside his crib, Xiu Ling started to pack.