At last Mrs Ning met with Jiang Meilin. She had to admit that Jiang Meilin has style and is a beautiful woman.
When Jiang Meilin simply nodded and said hello, Mrs Ning responded the same way. She watched the two of them do their thing as if she was not in the room.
"How have you been, dear? You look a bit thinner than last time. Why?" Jiang Meilin asked.
"I am fine. I have just been a little stressed mentally and emotionally. But I am fine. At least Chaoxiang makes sure of it," Ning Xiaozhi added the last part with a full smile.
"I see. I am glad to hear that."
"That aside, mum. You have not called me in a while. Renxiang is not your only child," Ning Xiaozhi whined and pouted.
Jiang Meilin chuckled. "I know and I am very sorry. To make it up to you, I will make your favorite when next I am coming. How is that for an apology?"
"Yay! I haven't had your nutritious meals for ages. I will look forward to it."
"Thank you."
"Now, start eating. I bet you have not had breakfast," Jiang Meilin started unpacking the food.
"Yeah. I had no appetite. But seeing you now, I'm as hungry as a starved kid," Ning Xiaozhi joked and they both laughed.
While Ning Xiaozhi took a portion of the food, she realized that there was no eater for them to drink. And eating without water close by is not recommendable.
"Let me go and get eater frim the cafeteria," she quickly stood up.
"Oh dear. I'm sorry I forgot about that."
"No need to apologize. I will be right back," Ning Xiaozhi said before she left.
Seeing tht they were alone, Jiang Meilin took the opportunity to speak to Mrs Ning. She took some food to her. She also brought fruits for her.
"Here. As a patient, you need to eat healthy too," Jiang Meilin offered her.
"I-Is it for me?" Mrs Ning asked.
"Yes. I just said so."
"T-Thank you," Mrs Ning collected the food.
The aroma wafted into her nose. She had to gulp before she visibly starts drooling. If not for her instilled etiquette, she would have wolfed down the contents of the plastic plate.
Seeing her staring at it so hungrily while keeping her courtesy, Jiang Meilin signed.
"You know..." Jiang Meilin sat on the edge of the bed. "Xiaozhi is a great child. One any mother would ask for."
Her words stopped Mrs Ning from eating. She stared her in the eyes so that Mrs Ning could see the seriousness and little anger in her eyes.
"She deserves more than an order. And I could tell she craved motherly attention. It was always in her eyes. Although she trued to hide it from us," She slightly laughed.
"That's why I hold her dear like I do to my daughter. Now that you may get a chance to be in her life again, I sincerely hope you treat her way more than all her other mothers."
Mrs Ning's brows furrowed. "Other mothers?"
Jiang Meilin nodded. "Yes. She has me, her mother-in-law who is Mrs Ye. Then there is Mrs Li and Mrs Yang. Let's not even talk about the men that are her father figures."
"And you see her friends, especially, Renxiang... They are like mother hens to their chicks. And then her little soldiers. So you might want to make up for your loss and step up your game," Jiang Meilin winked at her.
"I see. Xiaozhi had a lot of people to reolace me in her life, didn't she?" Mrs Ning said in a sad and regretfully tone. Even her expression cohld not mask them away.
"Not to replace you. We were there to fill whatever hole you drilled in her heart. But you still have a space there because Xiaozhi has a big heart regardless," Jiang Meilin corrected her.
"Why are you telling me all these? Xiaozhi must have spoken about my attitude toward her. You are supposed to be–"
"Mad at you," Jiang Meilin completed her words. "I am mad at you. But I am a mother and I might know how it feels to be ignored by your child."
"I hurts a lot but I hurt her way more," Mrs Ning admitted.
"Yes, you did. But I just want to let you know that there are people who would go out of their way for Xiaozhi if she gets hurt again. So be careful, alright?"
Though Jiang Meilin was not threatening her, Mrs Ning felt threatened. She could only nod and averted her eyes from Jiang Meilin's piercing ones.
Just then, Ning Xiaozhi came back with the bottles of water. She saw the two women together and Ning Xiaozhi became a bit worried.
"Is everything okay?" she asked.
Jiang Meilin stood up and flashed her an assuring smile. "Yes. Everything is okay. I just gave food to her as she needs to eat as well," she said.
"I see. I have the water now. Here," she passed a bottle to Mrs Ning.
"Thank you."
"Hmm."
After that, the atmosphere shifted a bit. Jiang Meilin shook her head and sighed yet again. She then chatted a little with Ning Xiaozhi before she left. It was almost lunch time.
p1ease visit n0ve1b(in).ne)t
Ning Xiaozhi chose to escort her as a way to escape the awkward atmosphere in the hospital room.
"You don't feel comfortable with her?" Jiang Meilin asked.
"It's not that. I just don't think I prepared for what sh me has to tell me. I know it's an apology but... I don't know," Ning Xiaozhi lightly groaned.
"I understand you. But do what your heart tells you to not your mind. Whatever decision you make is up to you, dear," Jiang Meilin patted her head.
"Alright, mum. Thank you for coming to see me. It meant a lot," Ning Xiaozhi appreciated and hugged her.