Chapter 282 - Nono In Trouble

The next two days were rather quiet and troubleless. In fact, there was nothing noteworthy that happened during the next two days. Xiu went back to being a good employee and Dylan went back to being a good boss. Well, as good as he could become. But Xiu's meetings with Darren changed a little, instead of Darren waiting for her outside her apartment, now Xiu literally just stayed over at his place since Nora was not home as well.

On Friday night...

Since Nora had already informed Xiu that her mother was calling her home, Xiu decided to visit Jing Family home. Just as she pressed the doorbell, she could hear the sound of a tiny figure calling out, "It's Xiuxiu, I'm gonna open the door for her." Xiu's lips hooked up since she could even hear the eagerness in Jackson's voice. This little man was really anticipating to meet her.

He pulled open the door and was taken aback when two arms wrapped around his small frame. Xiu had already kneeled on the floor to match his height. Her bear hug almost crushed the little one in her arms but Jackson only giggled in happiness.

"Xiuxiu, I missed you so so so much," he beamed.

Xiu stood up with him in her arms as she kissed his small face saying, "Xiuxiu missed Jackie so so so much as well." 

"Hehe..." Jackson had a broad smile etched on his face.

"Aww, what an emotional reunion," came the voice of Nora who had been leaning against the door frame looking at both of them. She even dramatically wiped her non-existent tears as she added, "Xiu'er, I missed you so so so much as well." She opened her arms to hug Xiu crushing little Jackie between herself and Xiu.

"Ah! Get off of us!" glowered both Jackson and Xiu simultaneously. 

However, Nora being Nora didn't bother with what they were whining about as she kept her stance and didn't let them escape. "Don't be so mean to me. I really missed you very much."

Xiu rolled her eyes at Nora and pointed towards a paper bag at the floor saying, "I missed you too as much as I could in the last two days. Now, will you please get that inside?"

Nora hesitated for a moment and reluctantly let her go before picking up the paper bag and walking back inside the house. Xiu followed behind with Jackson still stuck in her arms with his tiny arms encircled around her neck. He wasn't willing to let go as he kept telling her stories about school and whatnot.

"Jackie, let your sister take a seat first," came Clara's voice as she saw her son clinging to Xiu like a koala bear. 

"Hey, Clara mom!" Xiu greeted her with a kiss on her cheek while the later did the same as well. "Don't worry about Jackie. I don't mind him doing this at all."

Clara shook her head at Xiu and stated, "You're the reason why he's turning into little minx now."

"What did I do?" retorted Xiu feeling wronged for being accused so unjustly.

Clara pinched Xiu's nose and said, "You always go along with his wishes and that's why he's forgetting his manners."

Jackson pouted at his mother and looked at Xiu who nodded and they both announced simultaneously again, "There is no such thing as manners between family."

"Haha! Exactly! If we have to keep track of manners even at home, wouldn't that make us seem distant?" chimed in Nora as she picked up a strawberry from the fruit salad and yelped when a hand hit the back of her hand that was stealing around.

Clara pulled Nora's ear and said, "You young lady should not be the one to talk! You didn't even help me with the dinner but now, you even want to steal around before dinner. Shameless!"

"Mom, that hurts!" groaned Nora in pain.

"Hahahaha!"

Seeing the scene playing before them, Xiu and Jackson laughed their hearts out. There was in fact nothing new in this particular scene but somehow, it was always entertaining to see Nora struggling with her mother. This was the reason why Xiu always said that Nora was no match for her mother.

This lively atmosphere in the dining hall caught the attention of the master of the house who came out of the kitchen with an apron around his waist and went up to his wife's side, "My lovely wife, give my daughter a break. Isn't your husband enough to help you?"

"Uncle Jing, why are you helping Clara mom in the kitchen?" asked Xiu as she found it quite funny to see him in an apron. That womanly apron on his tall stature looked not so right and yet so right. How weird!

Jing Ge gave Xiu a side hug and kissed the top of her head saying, "Well, my dear daughter, a man has to do everything after marriage. Where can I bring the courage to say no to the Empress?"

Clara shifted her attention towards her dear husband, "Oh, so husband, you're only helping me because you're scared of me?"

Noticing that hidden meaning behind her words, Jing Ge immediately tried to placate his wife. "Absolutely not! How can I see my wife suffering alone? This is our house and we should be willing to help each other to run this house together."

While Clara's attention was on her husband, Nora tried to slip away but little brother didn't think so. "Mom, Nono is trying to run away again." Nora glared at her brother who stuck his tongue out at her in response.

Nora stood still and tilted her head to look at her mom. "Trust me, I was just gonna bring..." she looked around for excuses and found one, "Yes, Xiu'er brought this. I was just going to bring this to the kitchen." She was referring to the paper bag that Xiu brought with herself.

"Such a lame excuse sister," said Xiu with a smirk.

"You too?" Nora looked at her best friend who was also not taking her side and wanted to cry now.