Navigating Bonds and Secrets

"Yes, she has been my friend since childhood. We lived in Guilin."

She squealed and hugged me tightly.

"Madam, can you tell me about my mother? I lost her when I was 8 years old. My father doesn't tell me about her."

"Let me tell you, my child. I grew up in Guilin until we went to high school. I came to Shanghai because I like music. Your mother also studied ballet at my university. Your mother met Cheng when she came to see a show of hers. Even though your mother continued to dance, Feng's father suddenly passed away. So she also went to Guilin. We exchanged letters and talked. Feng took care of her family while working in a company. After a while, she married Cheng. I did that and Yojana liked the proposal from home and got married. I had a little son when I was in France. I told Feng about that too. But in France, I did not receive a letter from Feng. The last letter I got from Feng said that she had a beautiful baby boy. I went to France and then I couldn't find Feng. after a few years When I also came to Guilin, you guys went to another city."

Madam took a deep breath and looked at the sky. My mother was a ballerina, that's why she told me never to give up on my dreams. I asked myself.

"Muyang,"

"yes ma'am"

"You know, the first time I saw you, I saw you as Feng. I kept you in our house because you were a talented boy. But now I think my decision was right. I met my best friend's son after many years. You have Feng's eyes. Muyang Where do you guys live now?"

"It's just me, Grandma, and Dad live in Shenzhen. Dad runs a small restaurant in Shenzhen. Grandma is sick, so I'll go there soon."

"Hmm, did you book the ticket?"

"Yes ma'am"

"Wait, I'm coming with you too. I also wanted to come see you guys."

Leaving a kiss on my forehead, madam quickly went inside the house.

"Mom...I found your best friend.." I looked up at the sky and asked myself.

After packing the bag pack, I took it to the airport with Madam Lena. Going alone with Madam Lena is a bit difficult. A few people are running with cameras. Madam said that there were more people than before. We both went and sat on the flight. Even though I said I was coming, I didn't tell my father that Madam Lena was coming.

In 2 hours and 35 minutes, I am under the sky of Shenzhen. Feels amazing peace. The life spent with grandma and dad is very beautiful. Will I be able to eat the bamboo noodles that Dad makes? I didn't eat anything on the flight because of Dad's food.

"Muyang, do you know the reason why your mother named you Muyang?"

I really don't know.

"No ma'am, I don't know that."

"One day when Feng and I were in the cafeteria of the university, she asked me this. If we keep our friendship even after leaving college, we should make our children good friends and give them a part of our name. So your name is Yang. My son's name is also Feng. I am Lena Yang ."

"Ma'am, didn't you have our mother's number?"

"At that time, the use of phones was less. Even though I sent letters, my mother did not reply to them. It must have happened because you came to Shenzhen."

"May I ask something from madam? Madam doesn't think wrong about me, does she?"

"Oh, my son, ask anything you want. But remember one thing, don't call me ma'am. It's okay to say that in college. But don't say that at home. Say, Auntie Lena. If you want, it's okay to call me Lena mom."

My eyes widened in surprise. Lena Madam patted my head while smiling beautifully. She is a very lovely person. Madam Lena misses her son.

"I will try to address Madam Lena appropriately. Madam, where is Feng (*son) now?"

I saw Madam's eyes tear up when she heard that name. I realized that she was trying to tell me the story of Madam after taking a big sigh.

"My son is with his father. I think he is 2 years older than you. He is studying in our college. Business management. He was taken away by his father when he was young. So he is happy with his second mother."

Tears fell from Madam's eyes. What kind of child is he? A second mother is more valuable than one's own mother. Of course, if I meet that boy, I will rip his ear off. Even from a mother as beautiful as an angel, that boy is a fool. I held Madam Lena's hand.

"Let's forget them. Lena Mom doesn't want that stupid boy. I will take care of Lena mom" 

I laughed with Lena mom with my most beautiful smile. Yes, I called her mom. I thought she would like to hear the words of her mother. My mother will be happy too. Because I am his best friend's mother.

"Oh, my little Muyang. Finally, we arrived at the destination, let's go to Shenzhen. Now tell me the way home."

 Lena's mother smiled, placing a kiss on my forehead. Me and Lena's mother got off the flight and got into the taxi and left to go to Hubei. During that time, there was hardly any conversation between us. After a few minutes, we arrived at the house.

"Dad, where are you? Your mulan come to heaven, come quickly" I shouted loudly from outside without going home. I saw Lena mom also laughing at my crazy stories. Yes, I want to keep you happy.

"Ah, my little troublemaker?" Wiping his hands with his apron, he came out and hugged me. "Dad, here is my music teacher." 

I always talked about Madam Lena. But he didn't say that he knew Madam Lena. Dad was looking at Madam Lena in surprise.

"God, is this you, yang?"

"Cheng, how are you? I'm sorry I couldn't come earlier."

He was also looking at Madam Lena who had tears in her eyes. They both hugged and smiled.

"We couldn't find you, Yang. After Feng passed away, I went to Guilin. That's when I received the letters you sent. But I wrote about it and sent you a letter. Maybe you didn't receive it."

"I didn't receive any letter, Cheng, I came to China last year. I went to France a year after you two got married. I went to Guilin this time. I am searching for you. Then the villagers said that you have left the village."

"Hmm, They don't know that Feng is gone. It's okay, we'll meet again anyway. Let's eat something. Mulan, show a room for yang. Let's talk slowly, Yang.."

"Mama Lena come with me"

I showed Mom Lena a room in our small house and ran to Father and hugged him from behind.

"Why is my little troublemaker hungry?"

"Dad, I was lonely. I missed your food"

"Oh, my crazy boy. Everything you want has been prepared. Wash your body and eat. Let's go see Grandma in the evening."

"My good cheng. This is why I am here and I love you. Dad, is it okay if I call madam Lena mom?"

"Mulan, if your mother was there today she would be very happy. I don't see anything wrong. Do you know the story behind your name?."

"I know that story. Lena mom told me. Tomorrow I'm going to see my mom."

"How many days are you staying?"

"Dad, I have to go the day after tomorrow morning. It's too much work because I'm a new student."

"Hmm. Let's talk about it slowly."

Yuxi pov

Sipping bubble tea, I came down the stairs from the dance academy today, feeling lonely without my stupid friend who is like my right hand. Because of my two brothers, the opportunity to have a loving boyfriend has also been missed. "Oh, will it be possible to have a boyfriend before I die?" I scolded myself and came to the car park.

"yuxi" I heard my name and turned around. It is no one else. Aiden Zhang is the only son of the owner of Hongyong High School. "If Kao sees him now, it's over." I rubbed my forehead thinking that.

"ah, Aiden what are you doing here?"

"Yuxi, I was waiting for you. Shall we talk freely?"

"Hmm. Then come to the restaurant below our club. I will come there," I said got into the car, and left quickly. While driving the car a call came from home. It is well known that this call is a problem whether it is taken or not.

"Say Mom, I'm at work"

"Yuxi, don't you have time to talk to your mom now? It's okay, it's grandfather's 70th birthday. You three come together."

"Mom, don't tell me to come with Kao. My brother and I will come. I will tell Kao about this. But I don't know if he will come."

Saying that I hung up the phone and went inside the restaurant. Even then I saw Aiden waiting for me. I looked around and sat in front of him.

"Aiden, let's talk about the problem now. I don't have too much time to waste.?"

"Yuxi, I have been asking you for 2 years now. Give me an answer now Yuxi"

"Aiden, I told you I don't like you. And what will happen if Kao finds out again?"

"Yuxi, is it true what the people on this campus are saying?"

"What are they saying?"

"You and Kao are having an affair"

"Why? Can't that happen, Aiden?" I was shocked at those words. When I turned around nervously, Kao shot me an angry glance, his hands firmly lodged in the pockets of his pants.I quickly ran to him. Because I felt that there was definitely going to be a big problem here.

"Kao, let's go. Mom called to give you a message."

"Yuxi, how many times do I have to tell you? Don't you know that we shouldn't deal with them like this?" Through gritted teeth, Kao spoke to me in a hushed tone, his eyes tinged with a reddish intensity

"Aiden, I'm telling you this for the last time. Stay away from Yuxi, because you and I have a big deal to save. Remember that I will not be as patient as Jeon. You know very well that it doesn't matter to me who you are the son of."

Pulled by my hand and came to the Kao car park. He came and pushed me to the car.

"Now get in the car, what else are you waiting for?"

"Kao, I will come in my car" makes me tremble. If Kao gets angry, I know very well that no matter who comes again, that anger cannot be extinguished.

"Give me the key" I gave the car key.

"Security, kindly escort this vehicle to my apartment within the next 20 minutes."

"Okay sir."

I left without saying anything and got into the car without making a sound. We went home without saying a word. I went to the room and closed the door without even looking at my face. Jeon stood in front of me while wiping his head with a towel.

"Why is Kao angry today?"

"I was talking to Aiden."

"Oh, damn, you know Aiden and Kao are enemies."

"So Jeon, what should I do? I also wanted Aiden to stop following me."

"Okay, don't think about that now. Come, let's have dinner now. Kao, come to eat now. Don't be angry with food."

We both sat at the dining table and waited for Kao to arrive. After a while, he came and sat at the table without talking with us.

"Kao, I'm sorry. I won't be able to meet him either. Please smile now," I said, handing him the soup cup. After being silent for a while, He offered a subtle smile, the corners of his mouth lifting ever so slightly, a gesture that held a world of unspoken sentiments. It was a smile that seemed to carry the weight of untold stories and hidden emotions, adding an enigmatic charm to his countenance. In that fleeting moment, the curves of his lips conveyed a depth of emotion that words could scarcely capture

"Yuxi, why did Auntie talk?"

"Did mom talk?"

"Hmm, they said your phone isn't working. They asked you to come to your grandfather's birthday party."

"You two go. I'm not coming."

"I told my mother that."

"Yuxi, tell Mom that Jeon and Kao won't come."

While talking, my phone rang. When I looked at it and saw that it was a great aunt, my face was full of smiles. I turned on the speaker and placed it on the table.

"Great aunt, I called you today, but you didn't answer"

"Yuxi honey, I'm out of Shanghai. Why did you call? Did you remember me?"

I sneaked a look at Kao. He still smiles when he hears his mother's voice.

"Aunt, when will you come? I'm waiting for you."

"Lena mom's food is ready, Come and eat."

"Okay son, I'll come."

"Yuxi, I will come tomorrow. We will meet then. Is Yuxi Feng okay?"

"Yes Aunty, he is eating. He is fine. take care, Auntie."

When the call ended, I looked at Kao. He is looking away with his spoon in his hand. "Who really called Auntie Mother?" I asked myself. After letting out a big breath, Kao muttered, "Then she has someone to call mother."

"Kao, who knows if that aunt's niece's child. You also call my mother " mother."

"There is no one in my mother's family. Only she is in her family. Her parents are no longer there either."

"Actually, kao, we don't need to worry. I will ask about it when I go to my aunt's house. Kao, you are also wrong, brother. You should have talked to Auntie once."

"Mrs. Lena Yang is someone who left me when I was 8 years old. She is not mine."

"Jeon, tell this to your cousin. None of you can scold my great-aunt, because I know very well about my great-aunt. They all kicked my aunt out of the house because they were greedy for their money. Although the second mother and her eldest son are valuable, they are not worth it to me. Tell me. I came from that house as soon as I realized that both of you will meet the same fate."

I stopped eating and came to the room and closed the door.