Chapter 183 - Mother’s Instinct!

"Wh — what?" Vivian Xi stuttered for the first time in a long time. 

"Jeez..." Sighing, Zoey slowly placed down the untouched tea back on the table. "I'm thinking he's gender confused. After all, I've read articles about some gays having children. I mean, they're still a man deep down and get aroused — somehow. So, what if our setup will be like that?" Genuinely worried, Zoey locked her desperate gaze onto Vivian Xi. 

The more Vivian Xi processed Zoey's words, the more it rendered her speechless. Not only had Zoey mentioned the taboo word, she repeated it twice with an added logical reason. 

"And I don't understand why I feel sad about it. I think my period will arrive soon." Once again, Zoey let out a deep sigh. "Madam Xi, what do you think I should do?" Calling for backup, Zoey turned to the mortified Vivian Xi as her last resort. 

For Zoey, any advice regarding this would be fine. After all, she's been dreading about it lately and she couldn't drag this anxiousness further. 

"Huh?" Snapping back to reality, Vivian Xi blinked her eyes as she forced a smile on her lips. "I... I mean, if that's the case, bend the rules along with his nature." Clearing her throat, Vivian Xi reminded herself to conduct properly. 

With that thought in mind, Vivian Xi cleared her mortified thoughts as she pretended to be fine. She should blame her son for overdoing things! 

Why must he have to do this to himself?! Was he cursed that this word beside his name would not leave him?!

"Bend the rules...?"

"Aren't you 'The capable, Miss Zhou Zoey'? Don't stop until you get what you want... even if it means ironing him and make him want you." Despite the shock, Vivian Xi's motivation for Zoey to pursue 'hard as a stone' son of hers triumphed. 

Also, Vivian Xi came here to check their status as she had received news that Matthew Xi and Zoey were living together. To her dismay, she didn't receive any good news; ie, Zoey's pregnancy or a huge progress in their relationship. 

Who would have thought that her attempt to help her son was truly needed?! Just what was Matthew Xi doing?!

"I'm a woman who gets what I want... and I smell the same aura from you." Disregarding any thoughts and reprimands for her son, Vivian Xi managed to compose herself within a span of seconds. 

Truly, she wouldn't be the chairwoman of the Xi Corporation if she was slow to adapt. Matthew Xi truly inherited his mother's quick wittedness. 

"By hook or by crook... What's your resolve, Miss Zhou?" Arching her right brow, Vivian Xi cast her a knowing look while Zoey contemplated on her advice. 

Slowly, Zoey's troubled visage turned determined as she returned Vivian Xi's gaze and nodded. "By hook or by crook!" She announced, making Vivian Xi smile in satisfaction. 

"Well then, I wish you good luck." Vivian Xi shrugged. "If all things fail, I can introduce you to my son!" Having an idea in mind, Vivian Xi started to set her traps as she was uncertain what would be the outcome of this peculiar relationship of her son. 

In Vivian Xi's perspective, she felt proud of herself as a mother. Surely, mothers know best. If she listened to her son not to meddle, this relationship would just blow up suddenly without him realizing it. Talk about being inexperienced in love. 

'Huh, that Xi Matthew. He must obey me more as I'm going to extra lengths to help him!' Vivian Xi scoffed, recalling how Matthew Xi put spies behind her back to protect his privacy. 

Meanwhile, Zoey's face distorted upon hearing Vivian Xi's suggestion. Not even concealing it, she peered at the elegant woman in disdain. 

'Hell no!' Zoey rejected it internally. 

*****

Two hours had passed by in a blink of an eye. Aside from Zoey's love life, the two talked about just about anything. 

And because of that, Zoey's initial awkwardness around Vivian Xi eventually poofed into thin air. As much as Vivian Xi enjoyed Zoey's company, Zoey's initial expectations of the woman had taken a 180 degree turn. 

Vivian Xi wasn't like other Madams like Olivia Tang or Richard Sun's mother. She was rather humble, chill, and very humorous — just as what she preferred. 

On the other hand, Vivian Xi's impression towards Zoey wasn't wrong. No wonder her son was so into her because Zoey was easy to get comfortable with. 

It was like Vivian Xi could talk about anything with her. Vivian Xi even shared a few little secrets with her on which they shared good giggles. 

"Anyway, I remember I have appointments to attend to." Still chuckling at the last gossip they both laughed about, Vivian Xi cleared her throat. "I truly appreciate your company, Miss Zhou. Even though I came unannounced, you still spared me some of your time. I appreciate it." She added, smiling gently as she, now. approved Zoey two hundred percent as the next matriarch of the family. 

"No, Madam Xi. It's been my pleasure all along. Also, thank you for listening to my rants." Smiling back, Zoey shook her head as she expressed her feelings about this unexpected visit. 

"Auntie." 

"Hmm?" Raising her brows, Zoey hummed a tune at the address Vivian Xi spouted. 

"No need to be so formal. You can call me Auntie Vivian, I'll be glad if you do." Since she approved of Zoey, Vivian Xi wanted to reduce the gap between them by changing how she addresses her. 

"I... Ye — yes, Au — Auntie Vivian." Going back to being awkward, Zoey forced a grin as she nodded her head slowly. 

Well, it was a bit strange for Zoey to be so close with Vivian Xi. After all, it's Vivian X, the queen!! How could a simple commoner like her have the blessing to have good ties with her?!

Aside from the fact that Vivian Xi was the chairwoman of the XI Corporation, Zoey could hear the cash flowing through her company if Vivian Xi invested in Z Image Group. With just that thought in mind, Zoey's eyes twinkled with a bit of guilt. 

"Good." Pleased, Vivian Xi nodded her head as she assisted herself up. "Anyway, I had a good time, little Zoey." Just like Vivian Xi, Zoey also stood up with a satisfied smile on her lips. 

"Me too, Auntie Vivian." 

"Oh dear, now I wished I had a daughter like you. Why didn't I give birth to you?" Moved that Zoey was now calling her Auntie faster than she thought, Vivian Xi sighed. "Your mother must be very proud." She added out of envy.

Yet, Vivian Xi's brows slightly raised upon witnessing the complicated glint across Zoey's eyes. For some reason, Vivian Xi felt pained as Zoey's eyes were akin to a little girl who only wanted for her mother's warmth. 

"Come here," Vivian Xi softly whispered, taking a few steps forward as she embraced Zoey. Mother's instinct! 

For a second, Zoey stiffened as Vivian Xi's warmth was gentle and loving, while she caressed her back like how mothers do to their little girl.. Biting her lower lip, Zoey hesitantly raised her hand and placed it on Vivian Xi's back.