The Picture

Yanmei tried her best to stay away from the topic of "daughter-in-law." Not only was it an awkward discussion, but the man Mommy Soon was trying to pair her with was gay. However, despite her efforts, Yeong Soon continued to linger on the possibility.

"Anton, you are already thirty-two years old. Five years of running your father's company, surely, you have already surpassed the adjustment stage," said Yeong Soon, addressing Anton.

She turned to Yanmei and explained, "He told me before he was not ready to see anyone because he was still adjusting to being the new CEO of the company."

"Oh, I see," Yanmei's only response before giving a fake laugh.

"Mother, if you do not stop this right now, I will walk out of here. Yanmei is not interested in me, nor am I interested in her! She is not my type! Now… are we going to have a decent coffee or not?" Anton threatened, his previous smile had disappeared, only lasting for seconds.

Hearing his earlier words, Yanmei told herself, 'Even if you were a real man, I would not be interested in you too! You are also not my type!'

She did not understand it, but somehow she felt disappointed with his declaration. For Yanmei, he seemed to have suggested that she was not likable.

Yeong Soon realized his son was already agitated. She gave up the idea for now, but it did not mean it was the end of it.

"Anton, we should invite Yanmei to your birthday dinner. She is your sister's friend, after all. She is not a stranger… and I heard she is alone here in Korea - "

"Fine, fine. She can go," said Anton, stopping his mother from saying more.

"Birthday?" Yanmei made sure she heard her right.

"Yes, dear. It is a rather advance invitation, but I wanted to make sure you reserve that day only for us," explained Yeong Soon.

When they finished their coffee and snacks, they returned to the office to resume work.

Yanmei instantly became famous, having been named as Yeong Soon's daughter. Her team kept probing about her relationship with the boss's mother. She immediately knew, the issue needed to be addressed.

She called for her staff's attention and explained thoroughly saying, "I have a good working relationship with Lu Fang and his wife, Andrea Lu. I am also a cousin of the boss's brother-in-law in China. This is how Andrea had left me in the care of Yeong Soon. To make the long story short, she considers me a daughter because…"

Thinking hard what to say next, she could only reason out, "… because she liked the idea of having a daughter… There is really nothing special about it. Please, everyone. Let us not make this a bigger gossip."

Carefully looking at everyone she suggested, "Let us just focused on work, shall we?"

Gossiping was not allowed in JKW Investments and most employees abide by the rules. However, there are still a few, especially new employees who did not understand the consequences or how the company seriously considered it as an offense.

Within the week, Yanmei's assistant, Yeona heard a rumor that Yanmei was the future daughter-in-law of Yeong Soon. Yeona was quick to report this with Yanmei, but she figured Anton is not the type to entertain such gossips. She dismissed it completely.

The talk about Yanmei being in a relationship with Anton Yeong would have died sooner if not for Yeong Soon's regular visit to Yanmei's office. It did not also help that Mommy Soon was so vocal about her wishes that everyone could hear.

"Oh, there is my daughter-in-law… You are so beautiful, today."

"My dear daughter, should we have lunch together with Anton today?"

If Yeong Soon was not able to visit, she would send over her housemaid to give Yanmei pack lunch.

What Yanmei did not know was, every time Mommy Soon came to the company, she pestered her son before going to her office. She regularly reminded Anton to find a girlfriend. In his office, she was constantly creating drama, saying words circling around the idea of having a relationship.

One time she said, "Look at me, my son. I am growing old and I don't have a grandchild… Now unless you can have your sister bring her babies here on a regular basis, I demand that you give me a grandchild soon!"

Yeong Soon suddenly took out her phone, smiled and showed him a picture, "Oh look, son. Yanmei is so beautiful here. We took this picture the other day. Don't you think she looks lovely?"

Anton was shocked by his mother's sudden change in temperament; from demanding to sweetly persuasive.

"Would you like me to send you a picture?" She asked him as her eyes glistened. "Give me your phone… I know you want it!"

"Mother, please. I have work to do," said Anton with a flat tone.

"I'm not leaving until you give me your phone - "

"Fine! Here!" With his voice already raised, he gave his mobile to his mother just so she would finally leave.

After sending her son Yanmei's picture via bluetooth, she smiled triumphantly and soon bid goodbye to her son.

Anton was busy the entire day that he never took out his phone. He was about to give his driver a call when he saw the picture saved on his screen. He was utterly startled that his heart raced and he dropped his device. He exclaimed, "Oh, what the f**k!"

Junsu, who was still inside his office, picked up his phone asking, "Anything wrong Mr. Yeong?"

"Check my phone... Mother did that," Anton said. He then instructed, "Remove the screensaver, will you, Junsu?"

Junsu could not help but chuckle a little with the thought of Yeong Soon playing cupid. However knowing his boss, he quickly wiped off the smile on his face and adjusted the settings on his device.

When he was done, he asked, "Mr. Yeong, do you want me to delete the picture of Yanmei?"

"Ye - "

Anton was about to give an answer, but he thought for a moment. His face abruptly turned into a frown and he said, "My instruction was to remove the screensaver. I did not say anything more!"