Falling Dreams, Rising Hopes: Saving Mr. Boyfriend

"Mom!" Mei Qingyang finally reached her home with Yu Tian, Yu Bufan and Su Lang. She was not sure how her mom would react since she was now with the scion of the Yu family. Nonetheless, her mom welcomed her with a warm smile and hugged her as soon as she called out.

"My sweet child! How are you? It's been so long since I have seen you," Mrs. Jiang took her daughter's face in her hand and examined her from top to bottom. "It feels like you have lost weight. Are you eating properly?" she asked worriedly.

"Mom, I am fine. Look, I have these two to take care of me, how can I not be eating properly. Rather, you look you have lost quite some weight," Mei Qingyang looked at her mom's sagging skin and sunken eyes and cheeks. She practically looked sick. Was it something serious?

She glanced towards Li Hanyu who was standing at the side and then her eyes shifted around. Her dad was nowhere to be found. Her mom noticed her gaze and slight disappointment right away.

"Your dad is running late but he will be here. Don't worry," she patted her shoulder and then looked towards the three boys behind.

"Young Master Yu, what an honor!" she stepped ahead and opened her arms for she had no idea of Yu Tian's condition. She just wanted to give the boy, who had conquered her daughter's heart, a courtesy hug. Mei Qingyang looked at him from behind her mother and realized it might not be too comfortable for him.

"Mom, I think we should go inside, it's a bit cold in here," Mei Qingyang tried to deter her Mrs. Jiang and make her go in. She went and took her mom's right arm in her arm and tried to act a bit spoiled. Yu Tian, on the other hand felt relieved. If not for his condition, he would have loved to be in an elder's embrace for he had never experienced it in his life. From as far as he could remember, he only knew Yu Rong holding him in her arms, and that was not a pleasant feeling at all.

Mrs. Jiang did not think much of it. She put down her arms and patted her daughter's arm. She nodded towards Su Lang and Yu Bufan and invited them in. She directly took them all to the big dinner table outside in their small garden. The table was surrounded by heaters as they could not really use fires for the fear of Mei Qingyang relapsing into her

"I did not know what you guys liked, so I ended up making too much," she smiled warmly again and displayed a table full of delicious looking dishes. Half the table was just the vegetarian dishes, which showed her affection for her daughter.

"Mom! This is so good! How much time did you put in in just cooking?" On the table, all her favorite dishes were present. Seemed like her mother had put in quite some effort in the feast. Plus, there were some fancy dishes for boys too.

"What effort for my daughter, this is all so worth it!" Mrs. Jiang made an angry face. She then turned to Yu Tian who was sitting in front of Mei Qingyang and took out a few spoonsful of rice to fill his bowl.

"Young master Yu, I hope you won't mind," she passed the bowl to him. Yu Tian had, for the first time, experienced the fondness from an elder. He accepted the bowl gratefully and comped down the food like he had not eaten since ages. The food tasted especially delicious today, although they were of simple preparations, not even befitting of what he has been eating as a young master. Mei Qingyang put a few side dishes on his portions as well.

"So then, you both are official couple now?" Mrs. Jiang asked inquisitively. She looked very excited by the prospect of her daughter brining her first boyfriend home. Mei Qingyang coughed twice in embarrassment. Jeez mom, how could you be so direct?

Yu Tian glanced at his bashful kitten and then looked Mrs. Jiang straight into her eyes, nodding his head slightly.

"That's wonderful. I had always wanted to treat the man she brought home. I did not realize he would be closer than I thought. Say Lang, tell me stories about them. I want to hear them all," she was just excited like a child who had found a new toy. Su Lang started telling stories about them, making the whole table laugh with his wit and quirkiness. He did have a way of telling stories.

Li Hanyu was the only one who did not seem too happy. He was just observing the two who could not get enough of each other.

Yu Tian just wanted to sit there whole night and take this new warmth in. He, for the first time, felt like a part of family. His friends were his family too, but for the first time he understood what familial love meant. If he ever ended up marrying his kitten, would he be able to become a real part of this family? Her mom was already treating him like a son. She was occasionally feeding him, stuffing him like a pig to be sacrificed. But his heart was just so filled with cozy feelings right now, that he did not refuse her at all and ate whatever she was offering him.

"Mom, don't overstuff him!!" Mei Qingyang protested on the side.

"You both ah! You both are so skinny, I am so worried about you. You also eat some more," she filled her daughter's bowl as well. Mei Qingyang g.r.o.a.n.e.d, eliciting a laugh from everyone on the table.

"It's okay, he will come, he is just stuck in a meeting," Mrs. Jiang c.a.r.e.s.sed her daughter's hair who was impatiently looking at the head table.

"Here, I made your favorite dessert. Let's celebrate," she got a huge fruit cake for her daughter, who was looking downcast because of her dad. Mrs. Jiang did not understand that Mei Qingyang was not even worried about him showing up, she would probably be relieved if he did not. But if he did join the party, who knew how he was going to explode?

"Sir!" Li Hanyu suddenly got up from his seat. All his comrades also stood up. Mei Qingyang's worst fear had arrived.

"Dear! You are late, dinner is almost over!" Mrs. Jiang left her seat and dragged her husband by his arm on the table. Mei Qingyang and the group also stood up to welcome the head of the family. The girl did not want to look at him but she still greeted him.

"Dad!" she called out but got no response. She knew he was angry, angry at her betrayal. She saw him giving a nasty stare to both Su Lang and Yu Tian. Without saying anything, he sat down at the table. Li Hanyu and others followed suit.

"Guys, sit down and have fun. Hanyu, go bring some more wine. I was waiting for him to arrive. We are still in the middle of dinner, so it should be okay no?" It seemed like Mrs. Jiang failed to read the mood. She was still jolly and trying to make best out of the event.

Mei Qingyang, on the other hand, was feeling a bit nervous. Her palms were sweaty. She was praying in her head that her dad would not insult the guests in front of everyone. The two guys were intelligent enough, that they did not say anything to the host. They just ate silently.

Mrs. Jiang, as usual, kept stuffing her husband's bowls as well. The cold expression on Minister Jiang did not melt at all, even though his wife was trying very hard.

By the end, everyone who had been frol.i.c.k.i.n.g had calmed down as Minister Jiang's energy washed over the whole table.

What was he going to say to her? To break up with Yu Tian? Would she have to follow? What would happen to him then?

"Coming," Mei Qingyang followed him right away. Mrs. Jiang also accompanied the father daughter duo. Everyone prayed that Mrs. Jiang would help them out.