Mama's Princess is Daddy's Beloved

Though Chen Rui has not witnessed all of it, she could still guess the plans those girls could get up to. After all, she may not have the habit to judge the book by its cover, she still could find its gist after giving a quick overview. 

Li Xue didn't understand at first but when thought in between her words, she realized what the lady was talking about. "Umm … that was really something trivial that I could handle. So was not an issue." She said, giving an innocent smile to the woman. 

To which, Chen Rui just pressed her lips. "See, you are saying as if it would have been something big, you would have involved me in between." 

Li Xue had nothing to say. Though things were trivial this time and someone's support wasn't needed in it, Chen Rui was still right to guess. Even if it would have been something dangerous, she wouldn't have thought to put the lady in the tough spot. "Ah that, don't you trust me enough? Do you think that I can't handle things on my own for myself?" 

"See, as I said I was right. Even bigger, you wouldn't have asked for my help. This is not how daughters are actually with their mothers. Do I have to remind you always?" Chen Rui chided. She knew she had guessed it right for Li Xue. And she always would, because not just by name but truly from her heart, she has taken the girl as her own. So, knowing her own daughter's heart wasn't a tough job to do. 

Li Xue felt embarrassed. It was not like she hasn't considered the lady as her mother. She has done that far before but it was just that she was still not too comfortable in expressing it at the front. Blame it on the lack of childhood she had in past. Or blame it on the poison she had to intake in her relationships. The consequences have come out all clear – Her lack of trust in people around her. 

It already took forever for her to build trust in Feng Shufen. And that was even possible for the man has been very understanding and patient with her. But she couldn't expect the same from everyone, right? 

"I-I am …" 

"It's fine, I can understand you." Before she could say anything, Chen Rui reached out to hold her hands. Her eyes held the assurance for all the doubts Li Xue felt in her heart. "Until it's someone you take as your own from heart, you would be willing to wait for them to accept you. No one is patient since birth, time makes you learn the lessons of patience over time." She said and such words only gripped Li Xue's heart harder, spreading the warmth all over. 

"Ma, I …" 

Chen Rui patted over the back of the hands of Li Xue while keeping a smile over her lips. "I know. I know. You are trying your best. And I also know that it would take time. We are willing to wait. Just keep putting in your efforts and we will be satisfied. At the end of the day what we actually want is you to take us as your reliable family. The ones who would always love you and would never abandon you." 

She said and Li Xue could feel the sincerity in between her words. Though she could feel the warm wetness at the corners of her eyes, she didn't let them become evident on the surface. Instead of nodding, she agreed. "I will double my efforts since I already believe that the mother, I have now would never abandon me for anyone."

Chen Rui smiled. She felt the tears as well, but laughing out, she shrugged it off. "Of course. I would never. If I dare to abandon you, then from where would I be able to find a beautiful and sensible daughter like you. After all, I won't be able to keep the rapport with those types of girls that just went in." 

She said and then giving a small pause, both of them burst into laughter. 

After some moment, when their laughter died, Chen Rui checked the time on her watch and said "Aish, it's already time. We should go in first. I still need to introduce you to everyone. So, stay by my side and company me around, okay?" 

Li Xue nodded before following the lady but then remembering something, she paused in her steps. "Your Highness, wait for a moment please." She said and Chen Rui turned to look at her with a wrinkle in her brows. 

"What happened?" She asked. Li Xue shook her head, before walking up to her to say. 

"Nothing too serious but a simple request." 

"Request?" Chen Rui couldn't guess. 

Li Xue nodded with humbleness. "Mhm. I hope you don't mind." 

Chen Rui chuckled. "Of course not. You don't have to request. Until it's your wish, I will try my best to fulfill it. Come on, tell me what is it?" She asked and Li Xue smiled 

"Can we not let anyone know our mother-daughter bond? I mean it might bring you the accusation of biasness toward me if later I couldn't perform well. And I won't really like seeing you get on a tough spot because of me."  Li Xue explained and with her words, once again Chen Rui realized how sensible could a daughter be. 

Chen Rui was amused with the girl's choice of words. "Bond?"

"I mean …" Li Xue thought to rectify it but not giving her the chance the lady, herself, helped her. 

"Haha … Xiao Xue, bonds could never be kept hidden. Especially the one that mother and daughter share." Chen Rui spoke before further adding to it, "Don't worry I believe you. If it's you performing, it would be nothing less than perfect. But since you have requested me and I don't want to see you standing with awkwardness, I agree. We will keep our relationship hidden in front of those people for the meantime. But for that too, you have to promise me something" 

She said and Li Xue didn't understand. "Promise you something?"

Chen Rui nodded. "Yes, it's quite simple, nothing too expensive. After your work, stay with me here for some time. Have snacks and a few conversations with me before leaving. If that's fine with you then we can agree on cooperation." She said and Li Xue didn't know how to respond. 

So not thinking much of it, she nodded. "Fine.. I agree."