8 Xi Lin (2)

"What's wrong?" Father asked quietly while sitting next to me, "Did something happen?"

I kept my eyes on the scenery passing by outside the window as I told him nothing happened. I wonder if he noticed that my eyes were red earlier. I had already calmed myself with deep breaths and made sure my eyes were dry before he came so it should be fine.

I felt Father's gaze linger on me a little longer before he sighed and turned away. I turned my head back a little to glance at him from the corner of my eye and noticed a slight crease in his brow. Somehow, I get the feeling that he wants to tell me something but he's keeping quiet for some reason.

The trip continued in silence and soon a beautifully lit hotel came into view.

"Master, Young Master, we have arrived."

The driver parked the car and opened the door for us as we arrived at the entrance of City T's largest hotel. The whole hotel was reserved by the Xi family to celebrate my 4th birthday today.

I shook my head to clear my thoughts and stepped out after Father with a determined look in my eyes. I didn't believe in gods and wishes. If I wanted to stop the wedding announcement from happening I would have to do something about it myself.

A red carpet was laid out and we walked along it to reach the ballroom. As we passed through the wide doors, people started approaching us and greeting Father as well as giving me perfunctory birthday wishes. I nodded at them and gave a few thanks here and there.

As always, it's so boring. People don't really care about me during these occasions. It's just an excuse for the adults to gather and socialise.

As the crowd increased, I quietly slipped away while Father was caught up in a conversation with someone. I roamed further into the ballroom until I spotted my target, Aunty Chu. She had a wine glass in hand and had just finished talking to Grandmother. I hid behind a table and noticed that Grandmother's face seemed a bit dark as she walked away. Peeking at Aunty Chu, I noticed that she was smiling smugly with a hint of slyness while swirling her wine. A shiver went down my spine for some reason. She was scheming something again. I could feel it.

I had to do something to stop it. Firming my resolve I decided to run over and 'accidentally' bump into her and hopefully spill some wine on her dress in the process. She would have to leave and change which would buy me some time to think of something else. As she turned her back to me and faced the table next to her, I quietly ran over. But before I could reach her, she suddenly slammed her glass on the table and turned around. What the heck! Did she have eyes on the back of her head?!

Unable to stop my momentum, I bumped into her as she stepped toward me and fell onto the ground.

She seemed flustered to see me as she reached out and asked if I was okay.

I instinctively backed up a bit and slapped her hand away.

"Don't touch me!"

I quickly got up and glared at her. That fake concern. That smug glint in her eyes. It was clear she was happy to have knocked me down.

"I will not let you win," I declared before running off.

It failed. I wanted to leave here as soon as possible. I didn't want to see her. Plus, if I'm not here, they can't commence the party and make the announcement. I just needed to find a way to disappear. I carefully avoided the people and cameras as much as I could while making my way to the entrance. There was a lower chance for people to find me if I wasn't in the hotel. As I got near the entrance, I carefully stayed out of sight of the waiter and two bellboys as I hid behind a cluster of potted plants.

I sat down and waited patiently for a chance to leave the hotel.

As I peeked between the leaves, I heard a car pulling up at the entrance. I couldn't really see what was happening outside, but the two bellboys seemed to be surprised at the person who just arrived. The sound of someone in heels walking down the red carpet came closer as I caught sight of a beautiful goddess-like lady in a red dress. A tingly feeling swept through me as I stared intently at her face. For some reason I felt my heart beat faster; I felt like it was telling me this person was someone special.

The lady continued walking while exuding an aura of confidence and elegance. She handed her invitation to the waiter and kept walking toward the ballroom. I followed her with my eyes until I heard the waiter's voice.

"Xia Xinghe…"

I froze for a moment with widened eyes before snapping my head around to look at the dazed waiter reading the invitation in his hand. What…? No way…

I quickly jumped out of my hiding spot and ran toward the waiter.

"What did you just say?"

I stared at the startled waiter; eyes imploring him for an answer. The waiter seemed a bit shocked and confused and didn't respond immediately.

My heart surged with a mixture of anticipation and anxiety as I impatiently asked again.

"What did you say her name is?"

This time the waiter composed himself and answered politely, "The name on the invitation is Xia Xinghe…"

Xia Xinghe!

I whipped my head swiftly to the side and fixed my eyes on that lady's back.

That lady… is Xia Xinghe… my real mom!