Chapter 17 - Are You Alright?
"Oh, my! Oh, my, my!"
Even Pan An's mother, Cai Li, who was slightly drunk moments ago, is now sober the moment she saw her son kissing his new girlfriend, whom he just introduced to her.
Shu Xian, who was also tipsy a while ago, returned to her senses when she realized that her first-ever-kiss got stolen by Professor Pan An!
With that in mind, the young lady furrowed her brows, her hands on his chest balling into tight fists as she slightly pushed him away, surprise evident on her face.
"Y-you!"
Shu Xian's face turned beet red. Her heart was thumping crazily in her chest as Pan An's eyes had not left hers, Shu Xian then averting her gaze from him as she felt embarrassed in front of him.
"W-why did you have to kiss me?" she mumbled, only enough for Pan An to hear.
Pan An cocked his head to the side as if Shu Xian had said something stupid. He then slightly chuckled as he tucked some of her hair behind her ear, a teasing smile appearing on his face.
"Why ask that question? You're my girlfriend, aren't you?"
Shu Xian narrowed her eyes at him, her crazed heart still not calming down because of the words he said.
'Why this... professor shamelessly getting my first kiss!'
When Cai Li laughed, it had gotten the attention of the two, making them look at her as she shook her head. Cai Li then smiled at the two, her eyes showing happiness as she felt happy for her son.
"It's as if you have never tried kissing before, Shu Xian," Cai Li commented, Shu Xian, letting out an embarrassed laugh as she shyly bit her lip, giving her a lie.
"Ah... I'm not much expressive with my feelings," she half admitted, the other true that she isn't expressive, the other not factual that she had kissed Pan An before.
"Yeah," Pan An chimed in as he wrapped his arm around Shu Xian's waist, making her body stiffen. "Even though we only started dating for a short time, she's still shy around me since she claimed I'm her first boyfriend."
"Oh!" Cai Li looked at Shu Xian, "My Pan An is your first boyfriend?"
Shu Xian smiled at Cai Li, nodding at the same time to give her an answer to her question.
"Yes. Pan An is my first boyfriend. We could say that he is my first love," she added, Pan An, looking at her from the corner of his eye, internally scoffing at her reply.
'Now you can easily lie to my mother? You're doing great to keep this act together since you're staying under my roof. Impressive.'
The three of them then started walking down the stairs on their way to the entrance. The moment they arrived, at the same time, Mr. Lee came to pick up Cai Li.
Mr. Lee opened the door of the car. At the same time, he gave a small bow to Pan An and Shu Xian, both of them nodding to acknowledge Mr. Lee's presence.
Cai Li then turned to the two, bidding them farewell before she goes down the stairs to enter the car.
"Thank you so much for dinner today, son, Shu Xian."
She then planted a soft kiss on each of their cheeks, the two smiling at Cai Li then she spoke again.
"Shu Xian," Cai Li said her name, sweetness evident in her voice as she held her hand. "Thank you so much for being with my son. It has been two years since he started dating someone. It was because his--"
"Mom."
Before Cai Li could even finish her sentence, Pan An interrupted her, making Shu Xian look at the professor as she slowly furrowed her brows in consternation.
'Is there something Professor Pan An is hiding that's why he interrupted his mother?'
"It's getting late," Pan An spoke again, snapping Shu Xian out of her thoughts. "You have to get home and rest."
Cai Li heaved a small sigh as she realized that Pan An didn't want to go back to the past. She then smiled at her son, nodding, then she planted another kiss on his cheek.
"Alright. Do remember to have dinner with me some time again soon, okay?"
"Yes, mom," Pan An answered, the two already escorting her to the car.
The moment Cai Li entered the car, she gave one last look to Shu Xian, a gentle smile appearing on her face as she got her attention.
"Shu Xian, dear, can you do this lady a favor?"
Shu Xian then walked in closer towards the car, slightly bending down to meet Cai Li's eyes. The moment she did, a light glint of sadness appeared on Pan An's mother's eyes, her favor surprising the young lady.
"Please continue to stay by my son's side. My son--he may not appear that much happy after he was left by someone whom he loved so much."
Surprised and confused, Shu Xian almost raised a brow at her, not getting what she meant.
"Ma'am Cai Li?"
Cai Li shook her head, "Let him open his heart to you. If he can't share anything even to his mother, then I hope he does with you."
With that, Mr. Lee drove off, already heading home so Cai Li could rest. When Pan An saw that the car already went, he approached Shu Xian, curiosity present in his eyes.
"What did my mother say?" he asked, Shu Xian, turning her body to face the professor she was with this moment.
Shu Xian did not say a word. She looked straight into the professor's eyes, the man suddenly feeling conscious as he raised a brow at her, not understanding her silence.
"What?"
Shu Xian then reached out to his face. She did not know why, but she suddenly felt touching him. Maybe the effect of the alcohol is still present in her body and mind even though the kiss jolted her back to reality.
"Are you alright?"