THE FAMILY GATHERING

"Hello 2nd master, welcome 2nd Madam." The Butler said giving a bow of 360° because if he didn't do that they might be a commotion. "Hmm." Xing Jingze answered and Waited for his brats to show up.

"Hello brother-in-law," Xiaocan said ignoring the eyes Xing Tingting was looking at her with. 'She's trouble.' Xiaocan said to herself.

"Yes, how have you been?" Jingze asked turning to look at the door.

"Good, welcome Tingting,"

"You could have done better if you had called me sister-in-law than calling me by my name." Tingting cut in sharply.

Xiaocan ignored her and said "Shenshen, ShiShi, you two still look so handsome and beautiful."

"Haha, aunty stop teasing me already, I'm a man now."

"Who said you are?" Jing Shi asked her older brother, while smirking.

"Ye ye, truly you are a man now," Xiaocan commented before ushering them in.

After they went in she stayed put waiting for her son.

***

Inside the family sitting room grandma Xing sat in a circular shaped couch with her four grandchildren.

Jing Shi: "Brother Zhao isn't here yet, I delayed everyone at home so when we get here I could just run straight to into his arms but seems like Shiya is holding them up."

Song Yan: "He's too selfish, look he's late like..."

Grandma Xing: "How dare you insult your eldest cousin Yanyan?"

"Grandma just ignore her, she has always been bitter towards brother..."

"Shut up and show some respect!" Song Yan flared into a fit of rage.

"Why should she apologize when she's following your footsteps of insulting your elders?" Grandma Xing asked.

Songyan: "Grandma, Zhaolin is just a year older than me so I have the right to say whatever I wish about him but I'm five years older than Jing Shi and she doesn't have any right to talk to me the way she did just now."

"Be quiet Yanyan and you should listen more to your elders if you want respect too!" Grandma Xing said.

"Now, we weren't invited to fight over age difference, were we?" Yichen asked no one in particular.

"I'm... sorry. Sorry Granny just that..."

"Stop it when granny says so Songyan." Qiang Shen who had been quiet the whole time spoke up.

"Ok, grandma I'm sorry," Songyan pleaded. "Let's go to the dinning area now." Grandma said.

*

Back at the door Butler Zhan tried coaxing the first madam and finally agreeing to go wait in the dining area, Xiaocan turned to leave and heard the door being pushed opened.

Zhihao that didn't want to let go of his father jumped down from his arms without warning. "Grandma, oh grandma I missed you so much," Zhihao said running towards Xiaocan.

"Oh my sweet little potato, grandma missed you too. You look better than last time," Xiaocan said scooping Zhihao up into a tight hug.

"Oh really? haha, but grandma you..." Zhihao trailed off.

"What is wrong with me!?" Xiaocan asked in a panicked tone.

"Haha, I got you. You just look more beautiful and full of energy."

"Zhizhi you sure have learnt a lot sticking to your father like a glue,"

"No way, dad isn't much of a talker." Zhihao said, shanking his head in disapproval.

"Oh My," Xiaocan exclaimed, she knew her grandson was smart but didn't expect him to know his father way too well.

"Mother," Shiya said giving her best smile.

"Oh Shishi, I'm sorry I was too engrossed with Zhihao that I forgot everyone else in here."

"No, no need. How have you been?"

"Ok, Zhao how are you?" Xiaocan asked.

"Ok." Zhaolin answered not sparing his mother a second look. He had come only because he missed her but it seemed like he wasn't missed. He stormed off into the main hall and into the dining area.

Jingshi screamed with excitement. "Brother Zhao, ahhh why did it take you long to arrive I have missed you." She hugged Zhaolin tightly. Everyone knew the two had a good relationship so there weren't surprised When he reciprocated her hug. "Brother Zhao, you didn't call to check up on me, did little ShiShi do anything wrong?"

"Look at you calling yourself little ShiShi, when you are old enough to be a mother." Qiang Shen teased.

"Nobody asked for your opinion mr old man." Jingshi retorted.

"Haha. Shen stop it," grandpa Xing said.

"But I said nothing wrong," Shen retorted.

"I'm sorry Shishi. I have..." Jingshi covered his mouth with her palm and some of the family members expected him to flare into rage as they saw his face twist.

He closed his eyes to take a deep breath and took Jingshi's hand off slowly revealing a charming smile.

Songyan: "ShiShi go sit your butts down,"

"Let her be," Grandpa said smiling, he enjoyed the way the two interacted.

"Shishi I expected you to be in Canada already, why are you still here?" Zhaolin asked.

"I can't leave, no I mean not at the moment because that's what mother said." Jingshi said.

"Ok." Zhaolin said before Shishi went to sit closer to her father and patting on a sit beside her she beckoned on Zhaolin to sit ignoring her mother's deathly glare. She didn't know why there were so many crises in the family but she had promised not to get involved.

"No, Zhaolin sit at my left hand side." grandpa Xing said pointing to the three empty seats.

Songyan: "Shiya, you must have forgotten how to greet and where's Zhihao?" She asked not because she cared though but just to cause trouble.

"Grandpa, Grandma, father, aunties and uncle," Shiya greeted, giving grandpa Xing a deep bow of her head whom smiled in return.

"Shishi, how are you?" Grandma asked.

"I'm fine grandmother, I'm sorry for not visiting..."

"Don't tell me you have been busy trying to sugar-coat Zhihao?" Songyan cut through Shiya's explanation.

"Hi So...Aunt Song Yan," Zhihao corrected himself.

"Grandpa, great grandpa and great grandma." Zhihao beamed with happiness.

"Grand-uncle and grand-aunt. You all look good eating grandma's food daily."

"Zhihao you are a great talker," Shishi patted his head.

"Come give great-grandfather a hug," grandpa Xing said.

"Everyone sit, and let me serve." Xiaocan said. After serving the food the Butler and head maid left. The dining table filled up with Zhi Hao and grandpa Xing's laughter. Grandma Xing, Rong Bo, Yi Chen, Jing Shi and Ru Yum Zheng didn't hold in their laughter as Zhi Hao teased everyone nonstop.