บท 12: Family Gathering

Author's note:

For the readers not to get confused, here is how I plan to address some of the characters since they are kind of much.

Li Muchen's mother, Jiang Dana who married first into the Li family would be addressed as 'FIRST MADAM'.

Li Hoy/Li Minde's mother although married the oldest son of the Li family, she married later after Jiang Dana, would be addressed as 'SECOND MADAM'.

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CHAPTER 12

Once everyone was done exchanging pleasantries, they all sat down inside the private room with executive sofas.

The last people to arrive were Sara's parents, Wang Jianjun and his wife Song Changyu who preferred to be called Wang Changyu instead of her family name. As far as she was concerned, she didn't have any ties with the Song family. Her father already died in prison and her mother was in a nursing home already. She knew it wasn't going to be long before she also joined her husband. But she wasn't mean enough to not see her once in a while despite all the woman did to her.

Wang Jianjun apologized for coming late but his wife as usual, acknowledged everyone with a small bow before she went to sit down.

Everyone was used to her attitude so they didn't find it annoying. In fact, they would have been surprised if she had actually apologized or smiled at all of them in a friendly way.

At 55, she was still an epitome of beauty. She took proper care of herself and her skin so she looked far younger than her real age.

"Alright everybody," Joreen's mother Cixi stood up and clapped once to get everyone's attention.

"We are glad to have you all here today. It has been a rather stressful year...." She started.

Joreen was excited to meet everyone. She looked from her uncle, Wang Jianjun and his wife Song Changyu who was carrying Li Queen on her lap, to Sara and her husband, then to Li Minde, Li Hoy's older brother who was sitting beside his wife Kim Eva. Their five years old son was sitting beside his parents. Li Muchen's father sat beside his wife while Li King sat beside Li Hoy.

The three single ladies sat beside each other with Joreen in the middle.

She was lost in thought and didn't know when the second madam, stood up to speak.

The older mothers were in charge of organizing and planning meetings and vacations. They knew what their husbands liked, what their kids liked and once their kids had wives, or husbands, they made sure to know what their spouses liked and also what their grandkids liked and what they all didn't like. So they prepared their outings with the information they had gathered so far

"First of all, we would like to appreciate a few people here, who has made the family proud." The second madam continued before turning to look at Joreen,

"Luo Joreen—"

Joreen looked surprised when she heard her name and sat up.

"It's going to be 10 years since you made your debut and joined the entertainment industry. Since then, you have made this family extremely proud..."

Joreen still looked surprised but she grinned.

"There haven't been any ill report of you so far. You have been obedient and brought great honour to this family—"

"Awws" echoed around the room making Joreen embarrassed. She looked at Li Hoy who preferred to speak with his cousin's son, Li King instead of "awwing" with the others.

"So we have an early birthday gift for you. Luo Joreen."

The woman picked up an envelope from the table in front of her.

Joreen was so surprised, she stood up with wobbly feet and went to take the envelope, wondering what was inside.

Whatever was inside was far smaller than the envelope. She opened it curiously and took out a a very small controller which she recognized belonged to a vehicle. She gasped immediately.

"A C--ar? I have a car!????" She squealed excitedly, eliciting laughter from the lips of majority of them inside the room.

Joreen began to hug everybody she saw. Even though they were seated, she still forced a hug on them. The first person she had hugged was Reen who looked even more excited and had jumped to where Joreen was to hug her and take the controller to admire it.

Joreen embraced her parents until they had to release themselves from the hug. When she looked at Li Hoy, their gaze locked. He shook his head gently, obviously telling her to not think about coming to hug him. Instead, she sent him a wink. He looked away immediately and whispered something to Li King who lifted his little head to look at Joreen with a curious expression before he smiled, then he turned and nodded at Hoy.

Joreen could swear they were talking about her, but she ignored them completely. That was the least of her problems at the moment. She was too excited, she wanted to check out her new car which she guessed was in the VIP parking lot.

"I'll go check it out." Joreen said and began to pull Reen along with her.

"Hold on a second, We aren't done yet." The second madam said, stopping both girls.

"Another person who has made this family proud is our darling, Luo Reen."

"Oh my!" It was Reen's turn to gasp in surprise.

"You've been excellent in your academics, also in the extracurricular activities. Not everyone can be pretty and also a good basketballer like you. And you have been a great support to your younger sister Joreen especially in managing her fanpage. So... we thought you would need to do a lot of shopping for this new year." She said with a smile before handing an envelope over to Reen.

That also followed with many hugs and congratulations. Luo Jaime was very proud of his girls and it was obvious in his eyes as he watched them hug excitedly. Everyday, he thanked the Heavens for making him meet his wife, Wang Cixi. He imagined how his daughter would have been living had he not met Cixi. After Reen's mother died, he raised his little girl alone and she was a total introvert. But the moment she met Joreen, both girls clicked instantly, became total chatterboxes and gambled with both their parents' monies.

Cixi had been one very difficult woman to woo but all of it was worth it. Their daughters were happy. He loved his wife now more than he loved her yesterday and she loved him too.

"To our princess, Li Heya who has been nothing but spectacular. She was even invited by the president to sing in his son's wedding..."

Heya smiled and lifted her glass in a silent toast.

"To my wonderful baby boy, Li Hoy.."

Many of them chuckled while Hoy looked repulsed to be addressed that way by his mother.

"You have been nothing short of amazing. There have been a few challenges in the company, but you handled it well. You have also been a great guardian to Joreen and treated her as you would your own sister—"

Joreen let out a silent snort. Sister indeed.

The appreciation went on and on until it was time for the women to disclose the venue for the Christmas party.