The Fluff (5)

To avoid an awkward situation, Lin Kang deftly changed the topic, "By the way, where is Lin Xi? Shouldn't he be here already if all these preparation are meant for him?"

It worked like a charm. "You're right..." Xiu Ling looked around and moved out of the kitchen to go look for her son. "Perhaps he's still in his room, excuse me a minute while I go get him."

That would not be necessary because when Xiu Ling exited the kitchen, her mother-in-law was coming down the stairs with Lin Xi in her arms. The boy was chuckling joyfully probably from the bounce as Mrs. Lin went down the stairs.

Now age 2, Lin Xi was almost twice as large compared to when he was one. He had started learning how to walk and could mumble simple words to express his feelings.

When Xiu Ling saw her mother-in-law and her son, her brows creased, not because she did not like seeing them but because of what they were wearing.

Normally, at home, Lin Xi would be wearing his onesie to make changing the diaper easier. However, that morning, the boy had on a fashionable cap, a thin fleece jacket, pants and shoes. It was definitely not an outfit conducive for baking. Should any flour get into the furs on his jacket, it would be impossible to get them out.

Xiu Ling realized her son looked like he was preparing to go out. The biggest give-away was her mother-in-law who was all decked out in her pearls and jewels.

"Mother, where are you going?" Xiu Ling asked the first question that came into her mind.

"Oh, good morning, Xiu Ling!" Mrs. Lin said cheerfully before explaining, "I'm going to the Four Seasons Restaurant, my friends invited me out yesterday night to join them for brunch."

"But what about..." Xiu Ling pointed at Lin Xi. "Is Lin Xi going with you as well?"

Mrs. Lin answered readily, "Oh yes. This bunch of friends just came back from overseas. We have not seen each other in years. They didn't even know I have a grandson now. When I mentioned that on the phone yesterday night, they said they have to meet him in person no matter what. Therefore, I'm bringing him with me, I'll take good care of him, don't worry. You don't mind right, Xiu Ling?"

"Of course not, mother," Xiu Ling answered as if on instinct but she later added hesitantly, "But mother, how about the whole baking lesson..."

Mrs. Lin smacked herself lightly on her head as if she had really forgotten about that. She apologized with such sincerity, "Xiu Ling, I'm so sorry but this has completely slipped my mind. I wonder what we can do about this..." Then Mrs. Lin halted as her gaze moved to stop behind Xiu Ling.

By then, Lin Kang had wondered out of the kitchen. He came out because it was taking his wife too long. The man showed himself at the perfect moment at least for Mrs. Lin because the elderly woman added like a bright idea just came to her, "Oh, hey, Lin Kang is surprisingly home today! Why don't you just have the lesson with him? I'm sure it'll be fun!"

"Huh?!" Both Lin Kang and Xiu Ling uttered in unison.

Before either of them could put up the wall of objection, Mrs. Lin pressed forward, "Listen, Xiu Ling, since you've already prepared all the ingredients, don't let them go to waste. Why not do it with Lin Kang, it'll be fun, I'm sure of it. Get him to help you."

"But mother, I don't even know how to cook," Lin Kang countered with a confident smirk on his face, he had faith that was reason enough to get out of this trap. As if to rub salt on the wound, he added snidely, "And whose fault do you think that is?"

"Lin Kang, how can you talk to mother like that?!" gasped Xiu Ling who came to her mother-in-law's defense.

"It's alright, Xiu Ling." Alas Lin Kang had underestimated his own mother, Mrs. Lin could be quite resourceful when she needed it. She admitted freely, "Lin Kang has a point. It is indeed my fault for not teaching him how to cook or even send him to cooking classes when I had the chance. However..."

Lin Kang was smiling listening to his mother's admission of defeat but when that 'however' left Mrs. Lin's lips, Lin Kang's smile cracked. He had a bad feeling forming in the bottom of his stomach.

"That doesn't mean the mistake cannot be rectified. Therefore, I'll turn him over to Teacher Xiu Ling." Turning to Xiu Ling, she added, "Xiu Ling, I'll be counting on you to teach him the skill that I have failed to impart in him." Then, she turned to her own son and said, "Lin Kang, now be a good boy and listen to your Teacher Xiu Ling. Have fun."

Before either of them could say anything, Mrs. Lin sailed away from them, carrying Lin Xi with her. "I'll be back in a jiffy. Lin Xi, say goodbye to your mommy and daddy."

Lin Xi did as he was told and waved his hands at Xiu Ling and Lin Kang. Then he clapped excitedly like he was showing his support and awe at the trap that his grandmother had set up.

The last thing Mrs. Lin did before she escaped from the house was to turn back to level a meaningful gaze at her son, adding, "Lin Kang, don't screw this up."

From the way she looked at Lin Kang and the tone that she used, it did not sound like Mrs. Lin was merely talking about baking.

Xiu Ling was clueless to what her mother-in-law meant but Lin Kang started to have an inkling what the whole arrangement was for. He honestly did not know whether he should feel embarrassed or glad that he has his mother to act as his wingwoman.