Mrs. Su stared at her for a moment.
She had to admit that she was extremely beautiful but she didn't expect her son to pick up just anyone. That wasn't the issue. This girl seemed familiar.
"Hello ma'am. I am Li Hua from the Li Family."
Noticing the stare, she quickly introduced herself.
Hearing this, it all clicked. This was "that" girl!
A few years ago, she had been invited to a party by a few of her friends. Attending that party had been Ms. Feng who brought her two daughters. Feng Yu had been a socialite since she was young, so she was well acquainted with many people .
Up until that point she hadn't heard of there being a second child so she was surprised to see her.
She wasn't a tall girl and her figure was slim. Compared to the other kids attending, she seemed the most meager. She kept to the back of the crowd, only chiming in occasionally.
She wasn't the only one curious to find out as a bunch of the other ladies began to question Feng Yu. It turned out that Li Hua had been the daughter of Mr. Li's mistress! Feng Yu complained to the other woman in the circle about the whole ordeal.
As if she couldn't wait to tell everyone about her mistreatment.
She learned that Li Hua's mother had seduced her husband and shamefully had that child. Shortly after she died from childbirth and they had to care for the girl as she was blood. Describing the story, Feng Yu was near to tears.
She complained that Li Hua was such a burden. She was unmanageable and unruly. Hence why they never brought her around. She told stories of the times where Li Hua had tried to provoke Li Yan and labeled her off as jealous. The ladies hearing this began to grow disdain for Li Hua. How could they know that Feng Yu was simply lying to hurt her reputation.
Looking at both Li Hua, Mrs. Su would never had guessed she was such an unruly child. In looks Li Hua easily beat Li Yan. Talking to the other children she had such a bright smile and warm eyes. Could she really be the same girl from the stories? However looks and appearance only got one so far. It took more to be excellent. Comparing accomplishments, Li Yan was far more ahead and capable then Li Hua. It easy to see why the girl would be jealous.
However, the dealbreaker had occurred later on into the night. Suddenly a scream was heard and all eyes were on where it came from.
In the middle of the room was Li Hua and Li Yan who was on the ground. Li Yan had been drenched in juice and seemed to be pushed to the floor.
Seeing this Feng Yu rushed over to her daughter. Li Hua on the other hand stood there confused.
What had just happened?
A few seconds ago everything had been fine. She had been happily talking with the others when Li Yan ushered her over. At first the conversation started off fine until Li Yan switched and started to pick at her.
"Having fun?" Li Yan started
"Yeah I guess..." Being pulled over to the side by Li Yan, Li Hua started to feel something was wrong. It was pretty blatant between the two of them that neither of them liked the other, however she asked her was she having fun?
"Well it's only right that someone like you is so dumb."
"What do you mean?"
"Well you know being the daughter of a vixen, you don't belong here. Everyone can tell."
It took a moment to process what she said.
"Excuse me, I have to go."
She didn't have to take it and planned on just walking away. She knew Li Yan better than anyone else and all she did was talk and spread lies.
As she began to walk past her, Li Yan smirked and pushed herself onto Li Hua. Without too much mind, she nudged her off her. Though it wasn't hard, Li Yan fell back spilling her cup of juice on herself.
From an outsiders perspective, it seemed like she had forcibly pushed her. Li Yan sat there silently for a second but then began to cry. When some of the attendants ran over to ask what was wrong, she exclaimed that they were simply talking when Li Hua suddenly got mad and attacked her.
Seeing what was happening, Li Hua wanted to explain herself but turning to look at everyone, All she saw were stairs of disdain and contempt.
She realized that anything she said would be futile as they wouldn't believe her. Li Yan was right... she didn't belong. Feng Yu got up and started to yell at her. However those yells quickly turned into sobs.
"Why must you take it out on my daughter!"
The scene looked like she had been the bad guy and was terrorizing this mother and daughter pair. Suddenly the gazes of the crowded started to weigh down on her and she felt like she was going to have a panic attack.
Seeing no way out she quickly ran out of the room, leaving behind whispers and gasps. More attendants rushed to Li Yan to console her. Li Yan on the other end had her hands covering her face, completely in tears. However, hidden under the facade was a sly smile.
Everything had gone to plan. The goal was to exclude Li Yan from any chance of a social life. It was her mother's plan initially, coming to Li Yan with concern of Li Hua trying to upstage her at today's gathering. Hearing this Li Yan jumped at the idea and was happy to go along.
After that day, they no longer brought Li Hua to events like this and no one even questioned it. How could they as it was obvious she was a problem child. Feng Yu urged everyone in her circle to forget about the whole incident and slowly the fact that the Li's had another daughter slowly disappeared.
Thinking back, Mrs. Su was happy she hadn't brought her son that day as he was sick. No way did she want him to know about that girl.
However now standing in front of her was that very same girl! It had been the same as back then, on the outside she appeared alright but Mrs. Su knew what kind of a person she was. Had her son really picked this girl? She remembered the time when Li Yan showed up to their house one day to speak with him. Had he really not liked her instead!?
The room was silent and awkward.
Su LingTian cleared his throat and broke his mother out of her thoughts.
"She has a gift for the both of you."
Hearing this Li Hua quickly reached inside her purse and pulled out the small two boxes. "I hope you like them."
Taking the gift hesitantly, Ms. Su opened the box.
Inside was a beautiful necklace and matching earrings.
Mr. Su on the other hand opened his box and inside was a matching pair of cuff links and a handkerchief.
"I hope you like them" she smiled.
Looking at the gifts, the two happily accepted them. However, Li Hua didn't miss the hint of conflict on Mrs. Su's face. Actually she caught her strange behavior from the moment she looked at her. However she really had no clue why. She hadn't meet this woman before, or at least she didn't think so. Yet Mrs. Su looked at her with such an expression.
The four sat down again and began to eat. Mr. Su made small talk, however Ms. Su couldn't help but think back to the party.
The girl seemed sweet and kind. She had very good manners and spoke politely. Was this really the same girl? She hadn't talked to her at the party but only observed her from far away. All the thinking was eating away at her.
She wanted to ask how they met and especially this engagement! He swore off marriage and even talks of marriage for years, however suddenly he was engaged! Her son was never one to do anything irrationally. However before she could do it Mr. Su spoke up instead.
"So Ms. Li how did my son meet such a nice girl?"
Hearing this, Li Hua started to grow nervous. Could she tell them about Highschool? It wouldn't be an issue right? She looked at both Mr and Mrs Su's expecting eyes and turned to glance at Su LingTian, almost asking for permission.
However he met her gaze and only smirked turning away! How rude...
Looking down a little shyly she began "Well LingTian and I first met in Highschool. It was nothing at first, if I'm being honest he was a little annoying." She slightly laughed
Hearing her sons name in such a casual way took Mrs. Su back. Her son could barely tolerate his friends calling him that but he let this girl?
"However a simple friendship grew and soon..." as she continued talking a small blush crept on her face.
Hearing Highschool, Mrs. Su felt like her jaw was going to drop. Highschool?! So long ago? Her son had been in a relationship for so long and hadn't told her.
"However, I suddenly had to move to the States half way through school to study and we split. It was the best for both of us." She had to simple down the situation quite a bit. Rather than breaking up, it was more of a sudden disappearance.
She was going to continue when Su LingTian started to speak.
"When she first told me I was rather distraught. It was like I found something amazing and then lost it the very same day."
He said this with a straight face but it seemed to be coming from the heart. Hearing this both Mrs. Su and Li Hua were taken back. Li Hua never knew he felt this way back then. For all these years she believed he thought of her as a quick fling. That she was the only one who found it serious.
Mrs. Su on the other hand sat there blankly. So this was the cause? About 7 years ago, her sons mood drastically changed and he wouldn't tell her why. It was also around this time that Li Yan visited the house. At the time she believed it had something to do with her but now she realized that he was upset over Li Hua!
The room was silent for a moment until Mr. Su slightly coughed and started a new conversation. The rest of the meal went by smoothly, the meal ending on a good note.
Su Lingtians parent really did go all out for the dinner. By the time it was over Li Hua was completely stuffed.
"Well Ms. Li it was a pleasure to meet you today." Mr. Su smiled.
She hadn't met his parents before to notice but Su LingTian was the spitting image of his father all especially his smile.
Hearing this Li Hua agreed, "Yes it was truly nice"
Mrs. Su chimed in "Of course we wish to see you again soon!"
Mrs. Su wasn't sure what to think. It was true that it had been many years since the incident, so it was possible that Li Hua changed. However she still remained wary.
Feeling an awkward pause, Su LingTian spoke up
"Well mother and father, it's late so I suppose Li Hua and I will be leaving now."
As they walked out the door, his parents sat in the doorway waving goodbye.
Su LingTian opened the door for Li Hua and they began to drive off.
Seeing they were finally gone, Mrs. Su turned to her husband.
"So?"
"She seems nice enough" he shrugged
"I don't know. I've heard things and I'm worried about LingTian."
"Do you believe our son has bad judgement of character?"
"No but…"
Mr. Su sighed.
"I say we leave it to them to figure out."
Seeing her husband resolution, Mrs. Su subsided.
Maybe she truly was worrying too much