Mama's Princess is Daddy's Beloved

Like an abandoned kid, Shin You Jun stood there with a pout over his face, gazing at his father leaving. Then turning, he looked at his mother before stomping his feet on the floor. "Ma, why didn't you take my side earlier? If you have said, Pa would have surely considered taking me along." He said and Li Xue looked at his attitude with great amusement. 

It was rare to see the young boy so eager for work. In recent times, did he develop a habit of working? Or was it just her wishful thinking? She couldn't decide between the two, so turned to Chen Rui to see the response. 

Chen Rui heard her son as well but remained very cool to his nags. "That's because I was on the side of your father. He got a point. If you had tagged along with him to the meeting, you must have definitely created a mess there. And later we would have to work to cover for you. It's not easy every time, you know." 

She said before turning to walk to Li Xue and then tugging her towards the living space to have the seats. 

Li Xue didn't show any rejection. When the lady came to hook her arms with hers, she followed the suit and went along. While behind, the young kid felt wronged. 

"Ma, why are you saying like it's me every time? It was not my fault last time. It was him who came first to provoke me. Otherwise, it would have …."

Before even the boy could defend himself completely, his words were sharply snapped, making him go all in silence. Unhooking her arms from Li Xue, Chen Rui turned sharply to look at her face. Her eased demeanor getting all changed immediately. "Shin You Jun! How many times have I told you to not defend your wrongs?" 

"B-But Ma, it's him who …" 

"He provoked you and you got provoked all easily by him? Was it all that I have taught you all these years?" Chen Rui looked really enraged. 

For the first time, Li Xue has seen her like that and she felt like she least knows the topic about which the two were discussing. She wanted to make the lady relax but didn't have the idea how to interrupt in between. But given the changing complexion of the lady, she knew she won't be able to take it for long. 

Guessing the necessity of the situation, Li Xue was ready to turn to ask the boy to concede but before she could say anything, Shin You Jun said on his own, making the situation go worse. "Ma, I wasn't wrong last time. It was …" 

And before he could say more, Chen Rui's coughing went rough. Her face was already red and with the sudden attack of coughs only made it look unbearable. 

*Cough* "You Jun … *cough* you really know how to act arrogant but arrogance should also know its timing. Arrogance is not good for all times. Do you get it?" Still taking the chance to put some brains into her son, Chen Rui tried. Even though her condition didn't seem good. 

Seeing his mother like that, Shin You Jun panicked while Li Xue already came to support the lady up to take the seat on the sofa. 

"Anyone is there? Bring some water fast." Li Xue called loudly while giving a glare in the direction of the boy. 

Shin You Jun felt guilty and immediately ran up to get the glass of water himself. Rushing back, he at once got on the side of his mother to apologize. "Ma, I am sorry. Please have some water first. Later you can beat me." He said and, in his eyes, the apology was all sincere. 

Chen Rui looked at him and could no longer stay strict. Taking the water, she sipped to calm herself but the coughing didn't die down. Y-You Jun, when will you get mature? *cough* You are already twenty-one, yet you hold the childishness in your attitude. Do you want me to …?" She couldn't complete her words as her profuse coughs didn't let her. 

But Shin You Jun understood his mother's words really well, without even her saying it. Shaking his head, he instantly assured, "I promise to learn, Ma. I will try my best to get matured soon. Just don't leave me like that." He said and with his shivering voice, it could be said that he would be breaking into tears anytime. 

Li Xue couldn't believe it. She looked at the boy and could only scrunch her brows in a frown. What exactly was he thinking of? The woman was just coughing which was very common when you are suffering from cough and cold. Why was he making it sound like she is going to leave them another moment?

Wasn't he getting a little too imaginative? 

Not able to take his cry-baby attitude for longer, Li Xue couldn't help but simply say in an irritated tone. "Hey! You are already this big. Do I still have to make you understand that coughing is all common during cough and cold?" 

"But her face is looking so red. How could she …" 

"That's because you agitated her to the extent where she couldn't take it anymore. And you are still not helping her." Li Xue gave him a reality check but the boy was too engrossed in the situation to take it. 

Blinking at her, he turned to look at his mother who was trying her best to get a hold of her coughs. "Then what should I do? How can I help her?" He asked, getting all desperate and seeing him like that Li Xue could just shake her head. 

"Anyone there?" She called again and from behind, the maid instantly answered. 

"Young Miss!" 

Li Xue paused at the address for a moment but then focused on the thing that was necessary at the moment. "Quickly go and prepare some honey tea for Her Highness. And also get cough syrup with thyme and ivy leaves as core ingredients. That would be helpful." She ordered and the maid at once ran to get the things prepared to give a bow to her. 

Chen Rui looked at the girl and felt a different feeling. The calmness in her attitude at the situation again made her realize how much she was like Tinming.. Her lips curled up on their own, realizing it once again as she said, "Sorry, dear. I didn't want to make you see this side of me?"