33 The Gues (2/2)
”Don't mention it. This is what friends are for, right?” Joann said with a smile before adding with a hint of concern, ”By the way, how are things over there? I hope things are settled down by now and everything is fine.”
”Thankfully Lin Xi has slept through the whole commotion or else I really do not know how the situation would have impacted his growth… But what am I supposed to say when he wakes up the next morning and realizes his grandmother has disappeared? Hopefully he is still too young to understand what has really happened.” sighed Xiu Ling weakly.
”In my experience, some explanation is better than none. Perhaps you should still explain to him that Auntie Xiu has to return home overnight on the account of some emergency back home. I am sure a child as bright as Lin Xi will understand,” Joann suggested.
”I suppose so…” Xiu Ling said, ”We will cross that bridge when we arrive at it, so I will just ignore it for now. In terms of everyone else, the house has returned to relative peace.
”Mother has retired to her room, probably tired from all the commotion, while Lin Kang…” Xiu Ling paused as if to listen to her surrounding before continuing, ”The man has fallen asleep. I have not had the chance to talk to him but since he manages to fall asleep, it means that he probably isn't that angry anymore, right?
”In any case, I will talk to him first thing tomorrow morning, hopefully his mood will be more permissible then. I will broach the subject of leaving the house to visit your place, I believe he will allow something like that.” Xiu Ling sounded like she was convincing herself rather than Joann.
Joann hated how defeated and subservient her best friend sounded on the phone but as a fellow female, she understood the challenges Xiu Ling faced in a culture like theirs. Oftentimes, they were simply deprived of choices other than the ones allowed by the man of the house.
Xiu Ling's words pulled Joann out of her reverie, ”Joann, I really do not know how to thank you for what you have done tonight. I do not know what would have happened to mother without you.”
”Xiu Ling, there you go again. I have already told you, don't mention it. Do not worry too much, I am sure everything will be fine…” Joann said before ending the phone call with, ”Then I will see you tomorrow, Xiu Ling, take care and good night. Don't worry about Auntie Xiu, we will take good care of her until you arrive.”
”Thank you again, Joann. Good night.”
After hanging up, Joann turned back to glance at Mrs. Xiu who was seated at the living room. The elder woman appeared like she had not moved an inch. Joann sighed and climbed up to her room, leaving Mrs. Xiu be. She figured the elder woman needed some peace and quiet to herself.