41 Play 2 (1/2)

Once Pei Ling exited her father's study, she ran into her mother who was waiting for her at the door. Mrs. Pei rushed over to ask in a concerned tone, ”Are you alright, Pei Ling?”

Mrs. Pei really did care about her daughter but the hierarchical system within the family was so ingrained in her mind that it did not even cross her mind to go up against her husband for the sake of her daughter. She could only hope that her daughter would not hold that against her.

Pei Ling touched her mother's hand because she knew the physical contact would be able to offer her mother some comfort. Against her mother's concerned face, Pei Ling was still all smiles. She even added in a note of confidence, ”I'm alright, mother. There's no need for you to worry about me. Unlike what father would like to believe, this is not over yet, I have not lost. It is still too early to call the mission a failure.”

When Mrs. Pei heard that, a part of her just wanted to tell her daughter to stop. Nothing good was going to come out of this. Already, it had already become such a huge issue that worsened the father and daughter relationship.

However, she knew her advice would not be heeded. Perhaps it was true when they say the outsiders see things much clearer compared to those too close to the centre. The thing that Pei Ling and Mr. Pei failed to realize but Mrs. Pei saw a little too clearly was how similar the pair of father and daughter was in terms of attitude, personality and the way they went about things.

They both could be very stubborn and would stop at nothing once they had their eyes on something, even if it meant doing something less than honorable. It was due to their strong personality that they often butted head on things that she felt were quite inconsequential.

Looking at her daughter, Mrs. Pei could not help but wonder if life would be easier for Pei Ling if Pei Ling was more like her mother instead of her father. Mrs. Pei had a sense of resignation to her place in life and her passivity meant that she was a good complement to Mr. Pei's assertiveness and dominance.

Before Mrs. Pei could offer her wisdom, Pei Ling patted her mother's arm to show that she appreciated her concern and then walked away. There was nothing Mrs. Pei could have done but to sigh and pray for her daughter's success.

...

The next day, it was a school day and Pei Ling accosted Jun Yang in the corridor before the class started. People were milling around them, going in and out of their classrooms but the two of them managed to find a rather secluded spot where they would not be disturbed.

Due to the proposition that Pei Ling offered yesterday, Jun Yang still felt quite uncomfortable and awkward around her. He had half a mind to escape from the scene but their years of friendship together stopped him from doing so. She deserved a chance to explain herself.

Pei Ling was a picture of diffidence and regret. She began in a sincere tone, ”Jun Yang, I did not know what came over me yesterday.”

Jun Yang merely nodded and allowed her to continue.