Some more days flew by in the blink of an eye and eventually the day arrived for Yin to meet Chyou's family. Chyou was all set in her room just doing her last touch up. She looked at herself in the mirror and exhaled a silent breath.
For now we just have to look like everything is okay…
She didn't know why but she couldn't help be tense. It didn't feel to be the right time for Yin to be meeting everybody when there was strain in their relationship currently.
Added to that, Yin had not been responsive to her texts and messages in the last couple of days. She wasn't sure what was wrong but she figured he must be busy with other shootings. Just like her, he had many projects on hand.
She sat back on her chair, releasing a troubled sigh.
Why am I so nervous? Everything will be fine.
She slapped her cheeks to reassure her. She then heard a knock on the door and turning back, she saw Caihong smiling at her. "My daughter looks so pretty."
Chyou grinned back. "I got all the wonderful genes."
She pinched her cheeks. "Brat. Everything is ready by the way. Dinner is all set," she proudly said.
"Mom is the best!"
"So when will be be reaching?"
She slightly cleared her throat. "Yeah he will be here. He might be already on the way."
The truth that she was trying to reach out to him but he hadn't replied back to her. She didn't know if he was even on his way or not.
"Good. Then I will take my leave and arrange for some snacks for your father and Yating," she shook her head.
"Wait, what!?" Her eyes widened in utter shock. "Yating is here?"
"Yeah. Xiaosi had some work related matters to discuss with Gu Rong actually but he was busy so he sent Yating instead. They are in the study room."
Chyou failed to understand how she should be reacting. "I-I didn't even realize that he was here."
Caihong chuckled. "Well, you were busy getting ready in your room. You wouldn't have noticed it anyway. He has been here for over an hour now. I should be serving them some snacks."
Her face with the beautiful pink blush was now beginning to grow whiter.
What if Yin sees him?
—
In Xiaosi's study, Yating's expression was similarly growing apprehensive as time ticked by.
"Do you have to be somewhere?" Xiaosi blinked and asked.
"No, Uncle."
"But you are looking at your watch quite frequently. I wonder if you have any prior engagement."
"It's not like that. But…"
He tilted his head.
"I think that I should take my leave," his smile held a hint of stress. "I heard that Cheng Yin is coming here to meet you all, right?"
"Oh, yes. I guess he is already on the way."
"Yeah…so I feel I should leave."
"Why? Is there a problem? You could chat with Cheng Yin when he arrives. Since you meet each other on the set, you must have become quite good friends. I am sure Chyou would have made you two good friends."
His smile faltered. Xiaosi wasn't even aware that Yating had stopped visiting the movie set since a long time ago.
How could he tell him that the situation might turn worse if they came face to face?
Cheng Yin might misunderstand things and see it differently if I am here…
"Hello."
Caihong came in, bringing a tray of snacks and drinks. Yating quickly walked up to her and took the tray from her. "Aunt, you really didn't have to take the trouble."
"It's not any trouble, dear. How can I not even serve you some food while you are here?"
"I smell cookies!"
Xiang narrowed his eyes and popped his head inside the study. His eyes caught the tray and he said, "Aha! I knew it!"
Caihong's brow twitched. "Are you a dog?"
He jumped at the tray to grab some cookies but Caihong slapped his hand away. "It's not for you."
"Why not?" He whined. "You are not allowing me in the kitchen either!"
"Cheng Yin is not here yet. We are supposed to start dinner when he is here."
Yating handed him one cookie and smiled. "Here."
Xiang beamed. "No wonder sis always praises you so much~ You really are the hero. You saved her from the fire and now you saved me from hunger!"
Yating coughed. Xiaosi rolled his eyes.
Caihong said, "You don't have to spoil him so much."
"Are you my mother or my enemy?" Xiang gasped, hurt.
"Quiet!"
Xiang pouted. "But it's getting boooooring. When will Cheng Yin be here? I am so hungry!" he complained as he munched on the cookie.
—
Chyou, too, was now getting more and more jittery. Yin was supposed to arrive by 7.30 and the clock's hands now were inching towards 8.30. It was almost an hour late but there had been no message from Yin yet.
Is he in any trouble?
She broke into a cold sweat and dialed his number again and again but none of the rings were picked up. She eventually called his manager, Qiao Kang, who did answer her call.
"Sorry, Chyou. I also don't know where Yin is. He left the set today as usual…I don't know where he went after that."
"I see….No problem. Thank you so much."
Caihong came back again to ask, "Did you talk to Yin, dear?"
She froze and couldn't find any words to answer. "...Y-Yeah! He apologized for being late. He got stuck in traffic. But he will be reaching soon!"
Caihong's eyes slightly widened and she held her face. "You look pale. Is anything the matter?"
"No, Mom," she tried to smile. "Don't worry. Yin will be here in some time-"
It was just then that the door bell rang and the pale, white color from Chyou's face immediately vanished. She beamed with joy.
It must be Yin!
"Oh, I think he is here," Caihong said.
She nodded. "I will go and get him. Can you tell Dad and Xiang too?"
"Sure."
Chyou's racing and pounding heartbeats finally calmed down and she heaved a big sigh of relief as she ran downstairs. She opened the door with a bright smile to welcome him. "Yin! You are finally-"
Her words abruptly stopped as her mind went blank upon what she was witnessing before her.
It surely was Yin but a Yin who was heavily intoxicated. He had a breezy smile on his lips and he staggered at his place. There was no sense of balance.
"Hm? Who is it? Ah…Chyou…it's you, right?" He laughed dazedly.
Chyou stared at him vacantly, her hands dropping to her sides. Her voice uttered very quietly, "Yin. What…Did you come here drunk?"
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