The Persuasion (3)
Xiu Ling only received the reply from Sylvia after dinner time. The girl probably had fretted over whether to answer Xiu Ling's invitation for the whole afternoon. Xiu Ling was thankful that Sylvia eventually chose to meet her.
She messaged Sylvia on the phone to settle on the location and time.
In pure coincidence, they planned to meet at Spring Leaf Café, the location Xiu Ling met with Joann that afternoon. 'Could this be a sign,' thought Xiu Ling innocently.
…
Similar to yesterday, Xiu Ling arrived earlier than her guest. She took the same table as she did yesterday and she ordered the same thing as well, hoping for the good luck from yesterday to overflow into today and she would end up with same result as before.
Sylvia arrived at the same time as her order.
When Xiu Ling saw Sylvia, she noted the heavy dark circles under the young woman's eyes. They were sure sign of a restless sleep. Xiu Ling realized the young woman probably was more troubled by this conflict with her mother than she was willing to admit.
From her perspective, it was obvious to Xiu Ling that the two cared about each other, if only she could just force them into a room and make them talk this out. Alas things were not that simple.
Since she had taken on the role of the mediator, she was going to try her best to make it work.
Before she even sat down, Sylvia told Xiu Ling, "Auntie Xiu Ling, if you are here to talk to me on my mother's behalf, then you better save your breath because I am leaving."
That was rather rude on Sylvia's part but Xiu Ling did not take offense. She understood how stressed the young woman was.
Instead she smiled and expertly deflected the aggression away by saying, "Sylvia, your Auntie Xiu Ling misses you because I have not seen you for a very long time. I simply wish to have a little chat with you, to get updated on your life. So why don't you sit down, calm yourself and join me for some tea?"
Sylvia hesitated before eventually pulling out the seat across from Xiu Ling and sat down even though she knew this was just a tactic by Xiu Ling.
When Sylvia sat down, Xiu Ling was hit by a sense of deja vu. It felt like she had been transported 24 hours back in time. This was because her best friend's image overlapped so perfectly on top of the young woman before her. Be it in terms of their physical features or temperament, the pair of mother and daughter was very much alike.
After Xiu Ling recovered, she began the conversation with, "Sylvia, I heard you have moved from your original beat to the entertainment beat at the papers. How is the new environment?"
Of course, Sylvia knew the angle Xiu Ling was aiming for but she answered truthfully, "I enjoy the new environment. The work feels fulfilling and I like my job." Sylvia paused before adding, "And thank you for not using the term, paparazzi, Auntie Xiu Ling. It means a lot."
"Don't mention it." Xiu Ling smiled. Right then, the waiter came to ask for Sylvia's order. The young woman ordered a glass of warm water.
After the waiter left, Xiu Ling continued, "I am glad to hear that you are enjoying your new job. Finding an occupation that you enjoy in life is a very important and lucky thing. Many people get stuck in dead-end job that they hate but they cannot extricate themselves from it because they need the money to survive…"
Xiu Ling continued to make small talk but she kept the topic skirting around the elephant in the room. Oftentimes, the more one said one did not want to talk about it, the greater the influence it had on our heart and mind. Xiu Ling knew that and instead of breaching the topic directly, she was waiting for Sylvia to get around to it.
Eventually her plan paid off. When they were talking about the latest project that Sylvia was involved in, the young woman suddenly sighed and said, "Auntie Xiu Ling, I truly enjoy my work. Why couldn't my mother see if from my perspective and give me her support?"
Sylvia smiled kindly like a grandmother as she reached for Sylvia's hand. "Sylvia, I am not going to give you a long lecture on why. Instead I am just going to ask you one simple question.
"Why can't you see it from your mother's perspective and give her your support?
"Sylvia, you are a bright girl, I am sure you will understand."
Xiu Ling patted the back of the young woman's palm before pulling back her arms. Xiu Ling did not repeat the same spiel she told Joann yesterday on Sylvia. Even though they shared an amiable relationship but Xiu Ling and Sylvia were not close friends of equal age like Xiu Ling and Joann were. Instead Xiu Ling was Sylvia's elder, if she had replicated the whole pitch she used with Joann on Xiu Ling, it would sound like a lecture and which young generation liked to be lectured by their seniors?
Therefore, Xiu Ling opted for this method instead. She felt it would be more productive than her lecturing Sylvia directly.
The waiter arrived and Xiu Ling leaned back in her seat.
Sylvia lowered her head, perhaps she felt ashamed or perhaps she needed to think. No matter which one it was, Xiu Ling was going to give her all the time she needed.
She needed Sylvia to be in the right frame of mind before she moved onto the second purpose of calling Sylvia out that day.
When sufficient time had passed, Xiu Ling cleared her throat to get Sylvia's attention. When the young woman raised her head, Xiu Ling said, "Sylvia, I am going to tell you something I have not told anyone else, not even your mother. It is about your father."