章節 20: Concern

"Dear! I thought you would be busy with work like usual" Mo Sha Sha is not expecting her husband because he would come late or stay at the company sometimes so it's joyful as well as surprising to see him.

"I was ordered to come home soon and not let you get all worked up like always" Mo Zheng Yuan takes her hand and kisses on the knuckles gently. Mo Sha Sha looks at him with her loving eyes.

"Who dares to order you, my dear?" she asks humorously as she takes her seat on the big sofa with her husband and daughter.

"Our company's future Chairman," he says proudly glancing at Shi Lian. Mo Sha Sha is confused; she doesn't know that Shi Lian will be the future Chairman.

"What? You are resigning?" she squeaks in shock.

Her father laughs and says, "It's our daughter Shi. She will be the future Chairman."

Mo Sha Sha's eyes go wide and she keeps looking at her husband and then her daughter.

"Is it true Shi?" she asks; she still cannot believe what she heard.

"Yes, mother. Father just announced this in the morning. I was as surprised as you are" she explains to her mother.

"Dear, are you serious about this?" she asks with concern. Mo Sha Sha knows that Shi Lian never wanted to work in the company and she also knows how stubborn Shi Lian is; she is curious what makes her daughter her mind? She thought of asking about this after dinner to Shi Lian, alone.

"Yes, I know what I am doing. Rest assure honey, our daughter will do great" he says in a serious tone, taking Mo Sha Sha's hand in his.

Sha Sha nods and smiles. She wanted to ask further but she protested against it and thought she is worrying too much. Mo Zheng Yuan is a responsible man and he must have thought carefully before making this decision.

"Dinner's set, madam!" Nanny Zhang announces from the other room.

"Come, let's fill our tummies, and then we could talk about this later" Mo Sha Sha got up from the sofa and invited both of them. The three of them walk to the dining room where Nanny Zhang and the servants are setting the tables and cutleries.

"Master," Nanny Zhang bows to greet him. She continues to do the same, "Madam" "Young Miss." They take their seats and the servants start serving the dishes.

After dinner, Shi Lin went to her room. It was an exhausting day for her. She knew life in the company would be dreadful but it was interesting as well.

"I need to be prepared for tomorrow," she says to herself and starts doing the paperwork which Ruxi provided.

*Knock* *Knock*

Someone is knocking outside Shi Lian's room.

"It's open" she informs and the person walks inside opening the door. It's her mother who walks inside.

"Mother, do you need any help?" Shi Lian got up and helped her mother taking her hand.

"No, I wanted to talk to you about something," she says, her tone neutral and gentle as always.

"Sure mother. Have a seat here first" she agrees and tells her mother to sit.

"Oh! Did I disturbed you sweetheart?" her mother asked warily seeing the paperwork on the bed.

"No mother, I was only looking through it," she says collecting the papers from the bed and place them inside the file.

"So what were you going to ask?" Shi Lian asks after keeping the file on the study table.

"Sit here first" Mo Sha Sha orders her to sit beside her. Shi Lian does as she said.

"About you being the Chairman….are you happy with that Shi? Did your father force you to agree with this? You can tell me, Shi….I will talk to your-"

"Mother," Shi Lian interrupts.

"I know that you are worried about me but trust me I will do my best to save the company, our company," says she, "Honestly, it was shocking for me when father announced about this. I first thought the father was joking about it but he wasn't, he was serious. It felt like a very heavy mass of rock thrown upon me and there's no way other for me than to lift it and be responsible about it...I will do it, mother."

"Oh, my dear Shi…I so proud of you" Mo Sha Sha cries. Seeing how mature and understanding Shi Lian has become, she feels very proud of her. When Mo Zheng Yuan sent Shi Lian to America, she was worried about how her daughter will survive in a foreign country.

Sending her away after that depressing incident, she thought it was not a good idea, she even protested to her husband but he was determined. She knew he was doing for her good but at that time her motherly love was stronger than an understanding parent. However, it was the complete opposite of what she thought. She was worrying for nothing all this time. Shi Lian adapted herself very well in that place and it was surprising to see her do so well there all alone by herself. Shi Lian was brave and strong, determined and headstrong, but she became aloof which was not what she usually was.

"Mother?" Shi Lian's voice wakes her from her thoughts.

"It must be hard for you" she sighs caressing Shi Lian's face.

"I am a fine mother. You should worry less" Shi Lian says taking her mother's hand in her.

"There's one more thing that I want to tell you.." Mo Sha Sha says nervously. Shi Lian observes the nervousness on her mother's face and gently tells,

"Is this about Mrs. Hu? She came again right?" Mo Sha Sha is shocked how Shi Lian guessed it right.

"Yes… she came to look for you again," she says.

"I already made it clear that day, why is she being so clingy?" Shi Lian grimaces.

"Shi, she is worried about her son and as you know Atian…."

"So what? I don't want to get into their family matters!" Shi Lian says trying to keep her temper. Just hearing his name makes her heart clench.

"Atian's health is delicate and the only way he could be cheered up is through you Shi, " Mo Sha Sha explains it to her.

"But mother, you should already know that it wasn't easy for me to overcome the past! That incident left a hole in my heart that is never mended! I can't let my past engulfs me so I can't do any help to him or the Hu household" Shi Lian trembles as she says. A drop of tear comes out from her eye and falls on her left hand; she instantly removes and controls her level best not to collapse, not now.

"It's okay sweetheart, I am here. You don't need to meet him" Mo Sha Sha coaxes her daughter.

"I will tell Yao not to bother anymore. I won't let her ruin your stay anymore." Shi Lian nods looking down at her knotted fingers.

"Sorry sweetheart for bringing this up. I-"

"You don't need to tell sorry mother when you have done nothing. I know as a friend you are worried about her and that's okay" Shi Lian gives a weak smile taking her hand in hers.