93 A talk
“Lanlan, mom has something to talk to you,” An Qinyan said as soon as she saw her daughter returning. “You can change first, I will wait for you in the living room.”
An Xiulan nodded her head and walked to her room. She didn’t pay attention to her mother’s words like she usually did. Instead of changing into other clothes, she laid on the bed and before she realised, she was fast asleep. For someone who had been running to extra classes, tuition classes and preparation for exams, she was tired to the bone. As soon as her body hit the soft mattress, she fell asleep.
An Qinyan had been waiting for her daughter for more than half an hour in the living room. She had been wanting to talk to An Xiulan about Lu Xuan but didn’t get the time. She didn’t know what had happened between the twins that made them distanced from each other so much that they would even bear to see each other’s faces.
Three years ago, An Xiulan went to meet Lu Xuan with her as usual. Every month, they would get to meet Lu Xuan and it was the only chance for An Qinyan to make sure that their children bonded well. Although the children were far from one another, their hearts were together.
However, something mysterious to all of them happened and she had brought a crying An Xiulan home. For days, her daughter had locked herself in the room, never stopping crying or talking to anyone. When she came out after secluding herself for days, she was quiet and reserved. She never talked about her twin again, it was as if she didn’t want his existence in her life.
It wasn’t only An Xiulan and Lu Xuan’s relationship that had taken a hit that day but An Qinyan’s relationship with her children too.
An Qinyan didn’t know how An Xiulan was going to take the news of Lu Xuan coming home but she hoped that her daughter would take it positively. She was completely oblivious of the fact that An Xiulan had no memory of this twin of hers whatsoever. She didn’t recognise anyone from the Lu family either.
“Meimei, where is Lanlan?” An Qinyan asked the maid that she had sent to call her daughter.
“Madam, Missy is asleep,” Meimei quickly replied. “She hasn’t changed her clothes either.”
An Qinyan sighed. Her daughter had been under a lot of strain. High School was not easy and she was under too much stress. She was so tired that she didn’t have the energy to change her clothes yet she was insistent on going to support her friend who was participating in an art exhibition.
“Don’t wake her now, “An Qinyan ordered the young maid. “Let her sleep. Serve her warm food when she wakes up.”
She knew that An Xiulan would wake up in the middle of the night when she wouldn’t be able to control her hunger.
Meimei nodded her head and An Qinyan walked to her bedroom.
An Qinyan called Shawn, the head of Lu Xuan’s security team and as soon as the call connected, he said, “Young Master is safe and at the friend’s house. Does Madam wish to know about his address?”
An Qinyan sighed. Lu Xuan was a stubborn character, just like her. He was petty, just like her. So, she understood him way better than anyone. He was not going to like the fact that his mother was spying on her.
“You don’t need to tell me his location but I wanted to be assured that he is sound and safe,” An Qinyan replied. She was a worrywart and she couldn’t do anything about it. When you have seen your child returning from the brink of death, anyone would be worrywart like her. ρꪖꪕᦔꪖꪕꪫꪣꫀꪶ
“I think Madam should know where the Young Master is, “Shawn said.
“What do you mean?” An Qinyan asked, alarmed. She knew that something was not right.
“Young Master is at CEO Gu’s house,” Shawn said and An Qinyan forgot breathing for a moment.
What was he doing there?
Gu Yanxi’s house?
But Gu Yanxi wasn’t home.
She knew that Gu Yanxi had been delaying a meeting with Japanese clients for weeks because he wanted to be with her when the judge would give the final verdict and he left as soon as they got out of the court. Why would Lu Xuan go there?
An Qinyan hung up the call and dialled Gu Yanxi.
“Why is Ah Xuan at your house ?” An Qinyan asked as soon as her call connected.
“Wow, Yanyan, is this how you greet your boyfriend?” Gu Yanxi said with a chuckle. He could imagine a very angry An Qinyan coming for his life! Too bad she wanted his life, not the heart.
“Gu Yanxi, answer my question!” An Qinyan stressed. How could he not see that she was barely holding on!
“Relax,” Gu Yanxi softly said. “Take a deep breath.”
An Qinyan did what he said.
“Do you remember I told you that I had given Gu Shangyan’s name for the tutoring service that his school is conducting because he doesn’t have friends and I wanted him to interact more with children his age than those books he read all day and night?” Gu Yanxi said and An Qinyan recalled having this conversation with him. It was the same conversation that gave her the idea to add An Xiulan’s name to the list of students that needed tutoring.
“Lu Zhaolin arranged a tutor for Lu Xuan and the tutor is no one else but Shangyan, “Gu Yanxi said. “I did not tell you but Lu Xuan has been pretty close to Shangyan and he often visits him at home. I just found out from Shangyan that Lu Xuan wants to stay the week at our house.”
“You are saying that they are friends?” An Qinyan asked.
“Yes but they will claim otherwise, “Gu Yanxi said.
“Why are both my children weird?” An Qinyan asked no one in particular.