Bab 141: The Fluff (3)

"Furthermore, the flyer also states that allowing the child to feel and sense the raw ingredients would instill in them an appreciation for natural food. On top of that, they would have a greater appreciation for their food because they will now be familiar with the process that is involved in making them." Mrs. Lin said.

Xiu Ling, on the other hand, was merely baffled. She was surprised that Mrs. Lin remember so much of the details on the flyer and could rattle them off the top of her head like that. Either way, it went to show how much Mrs. Lin cared about her grandson considering the attention she provided to his education.

This exchange also brought about a renewed understanding of Xiu Ling towards her mother-in-law. As presumptuous as it was, she believed that her mother-in-law did not really care about Lin Xi. In Xiu Ling's mind, Mrs. Lin perhaps saw Lin Xi as an extension of his mother and thus hated him as much as she did his mother.

Prejudice goes both way. After being looked down upon for such a long time, Xiu Ling herself did not realize that her impression of her mother-in-law also had gradually worsened. After all, it was only human nature to hold those that did not treat us kindly in negative regard.

However, right then, Xiu Ling realized her mother-in-law only had her son's well-being at heart. Mrs. Lin's method of teaching which Xiu Ling saw as unreasonably and cruelly harsh was, for Mrs. Lin, the best way to raise a child. After all, she had raised Lin Kang that way and the man turned out more than fine.

To be perfectly honest, Mrs. Lin did have some tender moments with Lin Xi but Xiu Ling either missed them or she was too colored by her impression of her mother-in-law to see them for what they were.

In other words, both Xiu Ling and Mrs. Lin had a lesson to learn that day.

...

Back to the issue at hand, Xiu Ling considered her mother-in-law's words and she had to concede that Mrs. Lin had a point. There was no harm in teaching Lin Xi how to cook or bake. In fact, it could be a wonderful activity to bond between mother and son.

Seeing Xiu Ling slowly being persuaded to her cause, Mrs. Lin knew she had to strike while the iron is hot. "Since you're not bringing Lin Xi to those classes, why not do it at home? I'm sure the boy will also enjoy it very much."

Mrs. Lin was appealing to Xiu Ling's motherly feelings, she knew all mothers only want what was best for the child. In a way, that was exactly what she was doing for Lin Kang as well.

In the end, Xiu Ling agreed. There were two reasons behind it. For one, she did see the valid reasoning in her mother-in-law's argument. It had plenty of benefits for Lin Xi.

For another, it was because of guilt. Xiu Ling did not know whether her mother-in-law did it on purpose or not but when she brought up the issue of Lin Xi missing those classes, Xiu Ling knew she no longer had any legs to stand on. After all, she was one of the main reasons why Lin Xi was not in those classes. Perhaps to make up for that, Xiu Ling agreed to her mother-in-law's request.

They set the time to be the morning of the coming weekend. Xiu Ling initially wanted to do it during the weekdays but Mrs. Lin insisted on the weekend, saying she wanted to give Xiu Ling ample time to prepare the ingredients required.

In reality, Xiu Ling only needed to order one of the maids and the ingredients could be prepared overnight. She knew her mother-in-law was privy to that as well but since Mrs. Lin insisted on the weekend, Xiu Ling believed she had her reasons. She found no point to make this a source of contention, so Xiu Ling just went along with it.

Xiu Ling was right on one front, Mrs. Lin did have her reasons for having the day fall on a weekend. Lin Kang needed to work on weekdays and it would far more easier to get him to have a break on the weekend.

...

After dealing with Xiu Ling, Mrs. Lin found an excuse and left the kitchen. She needed to find Lin Kang to get the plan moving.

To her surprise, Mrs. Lin found Lin Kang in his home office.

Lin Kang frowned involuntarily when his mother entered his office. To his knowledge, his mother normally had no reason to disturb him when he was working but in his recent memory, Mrs. Lin had done that twice already.

Lin Kang put his work away and turned to face his mother. "Mother, how can I help you?"

"Lin Kang, listen to me, are you free this coming weekend?" Mrs. Lin barged into the room and asked.

"Wait a minute, let me see." Lin Kang turned back to his computer supposedly to check his schedule. As he clicked on the buttons, he asked, "Why? What is going on this weekend?"

Mrs. Lin answered, "I want you to stay home this weekend."

"What? Why?!" Lin Kang paused and whipped his head around to ask with not a small shred of hostility and suspicion. He did not like to be ordered around not even by, or especially not by his mother.

Mrs. Lin urged with frustration, "It's something important. I'll tell you all about it after you finish checking your schedule. Why did you stop? Quickly get back on it."

Mrs. Lin probably needed to have a lesson on how to converse with her son because she only made it worse. Lin Kang was annoyed by the forcefulness in her tone. It was not that he was such a horrible person but it had something to do with the rebellious instinct of a grown-up child. 'I know you are my mother but I'm no longer a child. Why are you barging into my room to order me around?'