205 The Apology 3 (1/2)

Xu Jing thought that was the end of what his mother had to say. However, Mrs. Xu was not done. Like most Asian mothers, Mrs. Xu believed in the philosophy of tough love. They could be cruel for the sake of love. They were so hard on you because they wanted you to learn from your mistake and grow from the adversity.

Looking down at her son, Mrs. Xu uttered in a clear voice, ”Xu Jing, if your father is still alive today, he would be so disappointed in you.”

That hurt more than a slap to the face and Mrs. Xu said so because she knew exactly the effect it would have on Xu Jing. Mrs. Xu knew how much her son adored his father and earning his disapproval would torment Xu Jing for a long time.

Mrs. Xu didn't say that when Xu Jing was playing around during his youth, she didn't blame him when he tried but failed to step up to the plate when Elder Xu passed away and Xu Jing was required to take over his place at the company.

Mrs. Xu accepted the man's flaws because he was her son but this, the betrayal of love was where she drew the line. Mrs. Xu was deeply disappointed in Xu Jing and she let her son knew exactly how she was feeling.

Xu Jing crumbled before his mother. The loaded disappointment in his mother's words was so heavy that he found it difficult to breathe much less speak. Xu Jing needed time to process what he was told.

Ultimately, Xu Jing couldn't say that he disagreed with his mother. Mrs. Xu was right, he had acted like a disappointment. Xu Jing couldn't even gather the words to contradict his mother because he saw himself reflected in his mother's eyes and like his mother, he too saw nothing but a disappointment.

Mrs. Xu looked at her son and she turned her head away like she couldn't bear to look at the disaster that was unfolding before her. ”I want you to think about what you've done,” was all she said before she walked away to head to her room, leaving the shell of a man crumbled before the door to his wife's bedroom.

...

Mrs. Xu closed the door behind her and the mask of a stern mother fell from her face. She sighed. Mrs. Xu's heart broke when she saw how her precious son collapse and break before her eyes but what was she going to do?

She couldn't show any sign of weakness lest Xu Jing thought that his transgression had a chance to be forgiven that easily.