231 The mother-in-law's approval
After the pleasantries were done, Jun asked if he could use her kitchen to make the apple pie.
“I should be really making it as I am the host,” Xie Nuying insisted.
“It’s fine. You are meeting Ai after a long time. So catch up with her until I make the pie. You must have a lot to talk about.”
“Indeed. Okay then.”
“Thank you.”
Jun went ahead in the kitchen while Xie Nuying sat beside Ai. “Congratulations on winning the Summit. I loved your story.”
Ai’s pupils held a beautiful light in them. “Thank you Mom.”
“You have been working hard. I am proud of you,” she patted her head.
Ai held her hand and softly asked, “Mom, are you…are you still against me writing?”
Xie Nuying glanced at her. “I just wanted you to have a good and stable future, unlike your father.”
Her brow twitched.
“Your financial stability depends on your popularity in this field and how much your books sell. It is not a steady flow of income like other jobs, and it’s a challenge to maintain your place constantly. It’s risky. I just didn’t want you to have a stressful life.”
“It’s not stressful for me, Mom. Indeed, there are times when it gets difficult but that is with any other job too, isn’t it? Also, Jun is with me now. My life feels even more colorful ever since I met him. I know as long as we are together, nothing can be too difficult to handle,” Ai said with sincerity.
“Do you trust him that much?”
Ai nodded.
“I see.”
The smell of the sweet apple pie wafted in the air, and the mother-daughter pair’s attention shifted to Jun.
When it was finally ready and Xie Nuying took a bite, her expression blossomed with joy. “This is so good. It just melted on my tongue.”
Jun was nervous about her reaction, but now relief filled his heart. “I am glad you like it.”
Ai added. “Jun is a really good chef! He makes delicious food.”
“Is it?”
Jun shrugged. “It’s nothing really. That credit goes to my Mom. She is an awesome chef and has her own restaurant. It is now run by my elder brother and younger sister. It is because of her that we all siblings became good at cooking.”
“I see.”
She observed Jun and asked, “When did you two meet for the first time ?”
Jun cleared his throat and answered. “In December.”
“Oh. So only around three months it is. Yet you are absolutely sure of marrying my daughter?”
Ai pursed her lips. “Mom, don’t be like this.”
“Ssh. Don’t interrupt me. Eat your pie.”
Dejected, Ai went back to eating her pie.
This was the first time that Jun saw somebody managing to stop Ai from talking.
Mothers are always amazing, he thought.
He narrowed his eyes as he stared at her straight and unflinching. “I am absolutely sure. I don’t need to have second thoughts. I only want Ai and nobody else.”
“You don’t feel it’s too soon to judge that?” She sharply questioned. “It’s only the beginning of your relationship. When you get to know more about each other, you may feel you are not suitable for each other. What will you do then? I don’t want Ai to face the same fate as me and my ex-husband. We also felt that we did the right thing at that time when we got married.”
Jun shook his head. “Even if there is more to know about Ai, there is nothing that will convince me to break up with her or think that we are not suitable.”
Thinking about the past and this life, Jun confessed with resolution. “Ai and I are meant to be with one another. I know it might sound cheesy to you, but it’s fate to me that we met and fell in love. My heart wants only Ai, and I will only marry her. Nothing can shake that emotion within me. Trust me. I love Ai with all my heart. I love everything about her.”
Ai felt her heart pound in her chest, and she wished to hop into his tight hug and kiss him on his lips.
Xie Nuying and Jun’s staring competition went on for a few seconds before she finally said, “That’s good. I feel assured.”
Ai probed. “So, do you accept Jun?”
“Yes. He is a good man. I like his eyes the most,” she smiled. “They are beautiful.”
Jun coughed in embarrassment.
A’s face radiated with excitement. “I know, right? I also like his eyes the most.”
“S-stop it!” Jun wanted to hide. “My eyes are just normal.”
Xie Nuying blinked. “Oh you are cute too.”
“…”
Ai nodded her head even harder. “He is really cute though he doesn’t like me calling him that.”
“We can ignore that.”
“…”
Jun’s brow violently twitched.
These two are really the same!
Xie Nuying glanced at Ai and asked with anticipation, “So, when will the good news come?”
“What good news?”
“About my grandchild. You two already slept together.”
*Cough! Cough!*
Jun choked hard and had difficulty in breathing.
Aunt, you threw that out nowhere!
Ai’s face flushed harder. “M-Mom!”
“Did you use protection?”
!!!
Jun’s choking only increased.
Xie Nuying looked concerned. “Oh dear, you seem sick. Are you okay?”
Jun stared at her dumbly.
Do I look okay!? What’s with the sharp change in trajectory of the questions!?
Jun tried to smile the best he could. “You were just disappointed at me for luring your innocent daughter right on the first night and now are asking about a grandchild?”
Xie Nuying tilted her head. “I was never disappointed in you. I already liked you the day we talked on the phone. I liked the fact that you didn’t hesitate to set me straight when you felt that I hurt Ai. You are a good and fearless boyfriend. I like it.”
“…”
“S-so what happened on the street…”
“I was just teasing you. I didn’t know what else to tease you about,” she nodded.
“…”
That was teasing me? You got nothing else to tease me about? And here I thought I was screwed!
“So can I expect a grandchild?”
Jun coughed. “Well…no.”
“So you used protection?” Disappointment hung on her face, “A pity.”
Jun – “…”
Ai – “…”