303— Zhou Qiaohui Arrives For The Banquet
"I'm glad it all worked out," He said as he collected the earrings she removed and put them in their box. "I ran a bath for you."
"Just the way I like it?"
"Complete with lavender oil and bubbles."
"You're such a darling." Pei Yueran said and blew him a kiss.
"Why blow it? Just kiss me." He said as he drew her closer and joined her pink lips to his.
"Okay, you can leave now." Pei Yueran said after they pulled apart and she was able to catch her breath. The bathroom was connected to the closet and she could go in from there.
"Are you sure? I can help you in there. Or we can help each ot—"
"Chuan." Her firm tone meant he was pushing his luck too far.
"Fine. I'll pick out your pajamas then."
"Thanks."
Li Chuanmo watched as he disappeared into the bathroom and set out to pick the most transparent pajamas he could find.
Pei Yueran only raised an eyebrow when she came out and saw the flimsy piece of material, "What are you up to now?"
"Nothing much. I just wanted to properly admire my Honey."
Pei Yueran rolled her eyes, "Go and shower, then go to bed. We have a long day tomorrow."
Li Chuanmo's face fell. As he moved in the direction of the bathroom, she playfully slapped his back.
Li Chuanmo turned to her, "Don't go starting fires you won't quench."
"Yes Boss." She teased.
Unfortunately for him, the frosty gaze he leveled on her had no effect whatsoever.
When he came out, they snuggled together and Pei Yueran put on her ear pods.
"What are you planning to listen to?"
"Westlife. You want to listen too?"
When he nodded, she put one in his right ear.
In that cozy atmosphere, Pei Yueran didn't know when she succumbed to the land of dreams, accompanied by soulful music.
*****
Saturday afternoon came sooner than Pei Yueran expected. If seemed like one minute and she went to bed, and the next minute, Li Chuanmo was gently tapping her to wake her up.
It felt like she had not slept at all.
Breakfast went by in a rush and soon, the family driver sent to get Director Zhou from the airport returned, bringing her along.
Pei Yueran hugged her tightly, "Mom."
Director Zhou smiled, "Baobei, it's so good to see you again."
The love on display pricked Qiao Mingran's heart, but unlike yesterday, she didn't feel hopelessly sad. It was good enough that her daughter had a loving mother growing up, and their bond was obviously not fake.
Ever the gracious host, she stepped up to speak to Zhou Qiaohui, "You're welcome to our home. I hope your trip wasn't too stressful."
"No it wasn't. Thank you very much for inviting me." Director Zhou smiled.
"Not at all. We're happy to have you here." Qiao Mingran said. "Please, let me show you to your room. The wardrobe team will be arriving any time from now to get us ready for the banquet."
Director Zhou nodded in thanks and began walking, arm in arm with Pei Yueran.
When they were alone, Director Zhou asked how she was doing.
"I'm okay Mom. They're all friendly. So far so good."
Director Zhou nodded, "And are you ready for tonight?"
Pei Yueran hesitated, but ultimately nodded, "I guess I'm as ready as I'd ever be."
"Your mother told me that they'd be entering a different name into their family records. Tingyue, right?"
Pei Yueran nodded. She agreed to it because Qiao Mingran compromised. She didn't have to make the name legal, it would just be what she was known as in the Capital.
She didn't want to change the name on her birth certificate or any other certificate she had gotten since. Moreover, if she had to tell each person she worked with that she was now Special Assistant Gao instead of Pei, her mouth would dry up pretty quickly.
"She told me, and I'm so grateful to her. Grateful that she didn't take my only daughter, my surviving family away from me." Zhou Qiaohui said with red eyes.
"Don't cry Mom. You know I'll always be your daughter, name change or not. I love you."
Zhou Qiaohui nodded and enfolded her in a tight embrace.
"So have you finally had the chance to tell Qianhua?"
"Yes I did." She waited until they had been discharged from the hospital. She also sent the food she earlier promised, and threw in the certificate for an aromatherapy session as well, just for good measure.
"And how did she take the news?"
"Typical Qianhua style." Pei Yueran said with a chuckle. "She said it's good news and that I have good luck."
In her exact words, "Wow Ranran, did a humongous pie just fall from the sky and land on you?! Please Madam, why don't you make me your godchild instead of David? I'll be obedient!"
David was the English name of their son. They had still not settled on the name that would go on his certificate, but Su Qianhua said it was okay since he wasn't going to school anytime soon.
Pei Yueran was speechless at her silliness.
Zhou Qiaohui laughed at Su Qianhua's antics. She had gone to see them after her discharge, but they had not talked about Pei Yueran.
They were still talking when they were interrupted by a knock on the door. It was a house worker that had come to inform them that the wardrobe team had arrived.
The sombre mood was broken and Zhou Qiaohui laughed at the look on her daughter's face, "Time for some makeup. Isn't that lovely? I bet you can't wait."
"Yayy, of course it is. Thanks for the sarcasm Mom." Pei Yueran said dryly while Zhou Qiaohui laughed again.
The next several hours were spent on a flurry of activities, and from shaping and contouring brows to the application of mascara, the make-up was minimal but exquisite.
By the time they were done, Pei Yueran almost couldn't recognize herself. She stared at the mirror critically. It was a bolder style than what she was normally used to, but the end result was very pleasing to the eye.
To complement her look, the stylist in charge chose a crimson gown that sparkled like fire in the light as she walked and set off the color of her eyes.
One look, and she nodded. It was better than just good enough.
The stylist coordinated with Li Chuanmo's stylist and picked a tuxedo in the same hue as her gown.
Li Chuanmo's eyes darkened in approval when he took in her ensemble, "You look stunning Honey."