The first meeting with both families went down quite tense and anxiety-inducing - Not for Hai, but for Chunhua because she his mother's distance for her was blatantly evident. With the news of her pregnancy, none of the families had any other choice but to arrange for a quick wedding.
Chunhua's mother, though happy with the eventual outcome of her daughter's marriage into the Liu family, wasn't so happy through the means which it was turning into a reality. Even now, her silent glares made Chunhua feel as if she was standing in the middle of a burning building surrounded with tall flames leaping at her.
Hai's mother's condition was even worse. One who had dreams of her son's lavish wedding with the woman of her choice was now reduced to settling with Chunhua, who according to her, seduced her son like a shameless vixen. The news of her pregnancy was nothing less than an atom bomb dropped upon her.
The fathers in all this, though equally furious by the turn of events, said nothing much. Hai's father, in particular, was neither interested nor disinterested in the topic of what the future held. He would have remained cooped up in his room had Chunhua's family not come. Appearances had to be maintained.
A bastard child before marriage was an extremely embarrassing and shameful incident to overlook.
"Great! So it's all settled~ Chunhua and I will sign the marriage registration papers tomorrow~ Oh! And of course I will arrange a grand wedding sometime!"
Among all the present audiences, only Hai sparkled and shone.
Chunhua's mother quickly said, "No, no, I don't think that's required. Considering…" her jaw clenched as she threw another blazing glare at her daughter, she said while trying to keep her smile intact, "how things have unfolded, we shouldn't…I mean, Chunhua's father and I think we don't need a grand ceremony or anything."
For once, Hai's mother was on the same page as them. Her cold, gruff voice struck down the notion of any wedding with a resounding rejection.
"There's no need for a wedding. Just…get the papers signed and be done with it," Hai's mother wasn't any different, who was struggling to keep her anger and displeasure in check.
Hai pouted. "Why are you two so passionately staring at my future wife? One might assume your incestuous feelings towards her."
"LIU. HAI!"
Needless to say, Hai's mother broke into a storm herself, dumbfounded at his claim. "What nonsense do you keep spouting! Don't you think before running your mouth!?"
"Then how should I interpret your fiery gazes at her? Don't scare my wife. It's a happy day and a happy event. Don't make me angry," he grinned.
His grin didn't quite go so well with his last threat, and the two mothers grudgingly toned down their dissatisfaction.
Liling stood up. "Chunhua! Since this boring talk is over now, let me show the villa. You didn't get a chance to really see it the last time, right?"
Chunhua remained glued to her seat. "Um…"
Hai raised his hand, beaming. "I will come too! You oldies can discuss whatever else you want about the wedding - without spitting any insults or fireballs, okay~ Behave!" His nostrils flared.
His mother clutched her chest, a dull pain flowing through it. "How dare you…talk to me like that?"
"I am talking to all the oldies here, not particularly you. Especially you, Dad," he smiled. "You seem really tired. You should go and rest. Sorry for forcing you to come out of your cooped up shell to discuss your second son's marriage. You can return to missing your first, most favorite but dead son."
He froze, even more so in Chunhua and her family's presence. His choice of words forced her parents to exchange a glance too amidst the screeching silence.
"Hai…" his voice dropped to a fearful decibel.
Hai stood up, chuckling. "Don't worry. The plates and glasses are kept far away from you this time," he then whispered into his ear, "Cannot allow you to humiliate me in front of my lovely Chunhua, now can I?"
Amidst his shaky breaths and trembling shoulders, his countenance tightened by several knots. Yet for the first time in his life, he felt helpless to do anything.
—
"Phew..!" Liling breathed out. "That was such a suffocating discussion! Finally got it over with."
She turned around but noticed a grey cast expression across Chunhua's features. She gave it a thought.
"Oh-oh! I have brought some cool stuff for my unborn niece or nephew~ I will bring it right away! Then we will all squeal together~"
She dropped a meaningful glance at Hai and then hopped away, chirping and singing.
Hai approached her and held her hands in his, kissing her knuckles. "What is my Chunhua thinking about? Oh, I am telling you firsthand - don't bother about Ma, okay? She will eventually come around. Even if she doesn't, it's okay. You don't have to impress her or anything. It's all cool."
Chunhua was, in fact, thinking about his mother's hostility. But not at the present moment. She glanced left, then right, contemplating something deeply.
"Hm?" Hai tilted his head.
Chunhua looked up, her voice slow and steady, "You said that…the plates and glasses are kept far away from your father this time."
He blinked twice.
"That day, you had a cut on your temple. Did your father have something to do with it?"
Hai's expression changed, the smile though, never leaving his lips. "He has become quite weak, so he keeps dropping the crockery. They are quite expensive, you know? So we keep them away~"
Chunhua stared, feeling the walls closing in upon her. Feeling him drawing the line before her. A line she mustn't cross. But because he drew the line, she knew there was some truth to her thoughts.
Chunhua gently held his face, staring at the bruise mark. It had turned faint now, but she still remembered how raw and swollen it had looked that day.
"I will protect you, Hai."
Though she remained in the dark about the actual dynamics between Hai, Jinhai and his father, it was anything but pleasant - that much she was sure of. But no matter the unpleasantness, she knew she wouldn't allow anyone to Hai hurt again.
Hai stared at her unblinkingly. It was something he was just about to convey to her. He wondered if her realization scared her of what was to come. Yet here she was, consoling him instead.
He cupped her face just like she had, a breathtaking smile that would sweep any woman off her feet.
"Yeah. Protect me, Chunhua. I will protect you too. Until my very last breath, Mrs. Liu."
