Welcome back! Sorry there’s very little editing going on today. I’m buuuusy owo xD
Chapter 53.2
When they finished drinking wine that night, it was already midnight. Ji Bai and his eldest brother helped their father to his room, and just met their mother emerging from the room. The eyes of mother and son met, and Ji Bai gave a slight smile: "Mom, Dad drank too much, we will retire early."
Mrs Ji nodded, and did not say anything.
After making sure their father was comfortable, the brothers exited the room. Eldest Brother patted Ji Bai"s shoulder with a light smile before heading to his own room.
Ji Bai also laughed.
Although his mother did not state anything directly, and extended her hospitality, it was clear that she did not like Xu Xu; anyone could see it. This made Ji Bai uncomfortable, especially when he thought of how Xu Xu had smiled towards his mother in good faith. It left him feeling a bit distressed.
But he was not going to talk to his mother about this for the time being.
He knows very clearly how stubborn his mother was. Even now, there was a knot between them regarding the matter of him joining the police. Open communication would be useless. Now that his mother seemed very dissatisfied with Xu Xu, to persuade her would be impossible. It would only intensify the contradictions, and may even lead to a breach in basic etiquette. That would be very embarra.s.sing for Xu Xu.
At this moment, Ji Bai was astute enough to know that not all contradictions needed to be resolved overnight. This time with Xu Xu, he would visit the relatives and establish her status; thus the purpose of the trip would be met. He intended to speak to his mother on the eve of his departure. In case their talks collapsed, anyway, they would be leaving immediately afterwards and Xu Xu would not be involved.
As for the future, he would slowly wear her down. Once they were married and given birth to children, his mother was human after all — she would naturally accept.
Ji Bai went to the servant to take the room key.
Xu Xu"s room was dark and she had curled up in the quilt, revealing a small head. She had fallen asleep. Ji Bai bowed slightly to kiss her forehead, then turned and left the room.
The next day, Ji Bai’s oelder brothers and their families left early, leaving only Ji Bai and Xu Xu with his parents.
Breakfast was tofu, bread and soy milk. Xu Xu had never liked the northern cuisine. The tofu was a little bit oily and salty, the bread was bland. Her appet.i.te lost, she finally took the bottle of soy milk to drink.
Ji Bai observed this, hurriedly ate his breakfast, took her hand and stood up: “I am going out with Xu Xu."
Ji Bai drove with Xu Xu to a Cantonese restaurant to eat breakfast. Looking at her quietly eating her porridge, Ji Bai touched her hair: “I am sorry."
Xu Xu looked at him: “It"s ok, so how do we solve this matter?
Ji Bai thought for a moment: “I will have to deal with my mother. You don’t have to try to manage, don’t have to care, just maintain basic courtesy."
——
The next few days were tranquil. Xu Xu followed Ji Bai, met with a circle of relatives and friends, went out with with Shu Hang to have fun; every day was very comfortable. This way, she did not spend too much time with Mrs Ji, she was always accompanied by Ji Bai. However,But his mother’s att.i.tude was clear, she was hospitable to Xu Xu but ignored her completely.
Soon it was the last day of their holiday. Ji Bai had not scheduled anything as, they were planning to stay home with his parents and pack up.
In the afternoon, Ji Bai was playing chess with his father when the phone rang.
“Mr. Ji, the diamond ring you booked has arrived in Beijing.”
Ji Bai immediately laughed. He peeked into the room where Xu Xu was packing her things then took the phone and went to a corner.
The other side asked: “When do you want to see it? We will send someone to your house.”
Ji Bai laughed, “I’m driving over to get it now.”
Ji Bai only said that Shu Hang was trying to find him for something a little urgent and went out of the door. Xu Xu packed her own luggage. Thinking that Ji Bai had most probably not packed yet, she went upstairs to his room.
When she went in, she saw Mrs Ji sitting on the bed, holding a piece of his clothing to her chest. When she heard the footsteps, Mrs Ji turned her head, glanced at her and put her hands down: "You have to pack up."
She got up to go. Xu Xu hesitated a bit before saying: “Auntie, I would like to thank you and uncle for your hospitality. I am very grateful. Tomorrow we are leaving. The next time we have the opportunity, I will come again with Ji Bai. You take care of yourself. If you have the opportunity to come to Lin City, then I will do the honors and take you two around."
Her remarks were patient and polite and not too intimate. However, Mrs Ji looked at her quietly, and there seemed to be sarcasm in her tone when she said, “But I will not go to Lin City.”
This detached att.i.tude hit Xu Xu"s heart. Seeing her walking to the door, Xu Xu was silent for a moment, then said: “Auntie, can we talk about this ?”
Mrs Ji paused in her footsteps, turned around and looked at her.
If at that moment, this was any other person, Xu Xu would have had no patience to fight for recognition; she would have just left.
However, this person she was dealing with was Ji Bai’s mother.
Although Ji Bai had told her that she need not do anything and leave everything to him, but in the last few days, she had observed his mother’s att.i.tude towards her. Her "I do not care" att.i.tude was just a front, in reality her heart was somewhat aggrieved.
Also, if she did not get Mrs. Ji"s approval, would Ji Bai lateractually come to regret that and feel uncomfortable? She wanted to share all his burdens with him to the best of her abilities.
Xu Xu did not have any experience with elderly women (older female) relatives, but here, as in any complex problem, the final solution was simple and efficient.
She decided to communicate directly with Ji Bai’s mother.
After pondering for a moment, she stated gently: “Auntie, Ji Bai often told me that in his heart, you and uncle are not only his parents, but also people that he deeply respects a lot. He said that in the areas of your own life and career, you have been very successful. It was nice to be able to see you and his other family members this time."
Mrs Ji looked at her without talking.
Xu Xu continued: “I know that when Ji Bai joined the police, you had a little regret. I can understand your feelings – because someone who had grown up in this family environment since young will experience a lot of suffering he had not faced before. You were concerned because of your love for him. But in all these years, Ji Bai has been working very hard. You stay/live in Beijing, so you may not see, and Ji Bai will not tell you, but he worked very, very hard. Sometimes, for many days at a stretch, he would not be able to get a good night"s sleep or eat a proper meal. Often people break down. Criminal police work is difficult?hard, especially his work as captain(leader?) is so challenging that it is difficult for ordinary people to imagine.”
Mrs Ji"s face changed slightly.
Xu Xu softly continued: “Now, he is also very well regarded in the Ministry of Public Security. Everyone’s first choice for any case is Ji Bai. For this, I also respect him very much. I am not saying this with any agenda, but because I am at his side day and night, I can understand his inner thoughts. He is so dedicated; on the one hand is his integrity, on the other hand due diligence. In fact, he wants to prove himself to you and uncle. He is thirty years old. But in his own heart, he wants to prove to his parents that his own ideas and what he chose for himself was correct."
Mrs Ji said, “He brought it on himself!” Although she said this, but the emotion in her eyes had changed somewhat.
Xu Xu said: “No matter in which area – work, love, life, ideals, he really hopes to get your recognition and support. In fact, this relationship with him can be closer than before. This is also his desire for his children. Auntie, I have not talked about love before, Ji Bai is my first boyfriend. I have always regarded him as the most important person. He works very hard., Aalthough I am young, I will take good care of him. Also, we are police colleagues, we can take care of each other. So, I personally hope that I can get your approval, because you are the most important person to Ji Bai. ”
(TL note: Miumiu: I can’t help but say that’s my girl!! Bravo!!)
Having said that, she looked up at Mrs Ji.
Xu Xu felt that if they treated each other with sincerity, she would be able to impress her a little bit. Even if at that moment, Mrs Ji could not accept her, she would at least see her friendly att.i.tude.
She prepared herself to observe the reaction of Mrs Ji, and then decide on how to take the next step.
However, her understanding of Mrs Ji was still too meagre.
Being the child of senior (Communist) party members, from an early age she was brought up with the most orthodox and strict education. As Xu Xu had said a moment ago, she was genuinely at the top of the pyramid. Although Ji Bai’s father was from a business family, this was also a typical "Red firm", where the familial structure was closely aligned to the power structure. In her mind, she was deeply proud of her own cla.s.s. A natural sense of superiority was entrenched in her bones from childhood.
She did not necessarily require that Ji Bai’s partner be his equal. However, she still must be the best of the best to be good , enough to stand next to Ji Bai.
And this immature looking, simple character Xu Xu — just from the external characteristics alone, was a far cry from her concept of an ideal daughter-in-law.
There was also a deeper reason of which had a greater impact. Ji Bai was disobedient to her when he was bent on joining the police. Though this had been buried between mother and sonchild for many years, it was difficult to erase that divide. Xu Xu was now also with the criminal police; this was simply unacceptable.
Mrs Ji looked at her with an alienating smile: “You said so much, this was all because you want me to recognize you?"
Xu Xu stared blankly at her. She said: “Xu Xu, I did not want to talk to you, but you are a bit too self-righteous. Since we are talking about this openly — maybe you are a great girl, but you still do not meet my standards. You are not beautiful, your academic qualifications are average, your family is also common and cannot provide any a.s.sistance to Ji Bai. Moreover, you are in the police, a dangerous work that keeps you busy. How will you take care of the family in the future? As a mother, I just think you should not be with my son and I do not like you. I will not stop you from being with Ji Bai but my att.i.tude is clear – I will not accept you."