The atmosphere inside Cloth Co.'s conference room was divided into two different moods. On one side, the air around Yue Ling and Madam Lu was full of brightness like the sun was hovering above them. On the opposite side of them, Lu Tian sat with his usual indifference, but the air was grim and dark. It was like grey clouds had floated above him.
However, if one were to look closely, one can see a vexed expression on his face.
Lu Tian was in utter disbelief at the scene that unfolded in front of him. A few seconds ago, his mother was throwing a huge fit and now, she's suddenly turned into the world's sweetest and kindest mother.
He closes his eyes and massages his forehead in frustration. This was another reason why he didn't want to inform his mother about the meeting. Knowing how much she (Madam Lu) adores his wife, his mother will no doubt turn this meeting into one of those meetings women like to drink tea and chitchat for hours.
However, remembering his mother's words about his wife's hands, he opens his eyes and stares straight at her.
"Manager He, is the heater in here not working?"
Standing by Lu Tian's side, Manage He was as stiff as a board. He is used to Lu Tian's aloofness but at this moment he wishes he were standing on the other side where there are light and warmth. Instead, here he is standing on the dark side where there is only pure coldness.
When he heard Lu Tian's question, he felt a cold sweat slip down his forehead, and it awoke his senses. He quickly wipes it away with the back of his sleeve and looks down at the young man.
"Young Master, the heater is on. I made sure the staff set it to the highest temperature so the entire company will be warm."
He spoke each word in his usual tone, but deep inside he was crying with all his heart. He is a person who likes the cold, so being inside the company right now was making him sweat more than usual.
To be more precise, the reason for him sweating isn't because he is afraid, it was because it is too hot.
Hearing this, Lu Tian furrows his brows in a frown. He found the room to be warmer than usual too, so why would his mother say that his wife's hands are cold?
Madam Lu rolled her eyes at her son's frowning expression. She ignores him and looks at Yue Ling with a soft smile as she gently squeezes her (Yue Ling) hand.
"Ah Ling, do you have any plans for lunch? If you don't, should we go out and eat?"
Yue Ling was at a loss for words for the mother and son. She could only blink her eyes a few times and ponder about the change of situation. However, the thing that confused her most was, why is Madam Lu here?
She parts her lip to ask, but before she could utter a sound, her hand that was in Madam Lu's grasp was suddenly grabbed by another hand.
Unlike Madam Lu's fair and soft hand, this hand was larger, and she could feel the light brushed of the callouses on the palm.
She turns her head to look at the owner and her eyes ever so lightly trembles.
"Tian, what's the matter?"
He was so quiet that she didn't even see or hear him get up from his seat, let alone walk over to her.
Lu Tian stares down at her and the corners of his lip arcs up a little. The tone of voice was like a small whimper and he felt the urge to tease her. However, remembering that she had asked for a professional meeting, he could only hold himself back.
He sighs inside and smiles softly to her.
"Miss Han, I apologize for the disturbance of our meeting. If you will follow me, we can continue this meeting in a more appropriate place without any interference."
"…"
Yue Ling stares up at him speechlessly. Why is he apologizing? And what appropriate place? Isn't this the conference room inside Cloth Co.? What other place is better to have a meeting than here?
While Yue Ling ponders to herself, she was unaware of the thoughts of Madam Lu, Liu Shan, and Manager He. All three individuals had the same look on their faces, and it was one of horror.
Who is this man in front of them? When was it known that the almighty tyrant of Imperial ever apologizes to anyone? Could it be that they are in a dream?
Manager He kept his eyes on Lu Tian. Unable to grasp the smile on Lu Tian that he has never seen before, he slowly pinches his arm. Feeling a sharp pain, he swallows a hard gulp.
'Oh, God! This isn't a dream!'
Oblivious to the other people in the room, Yue Ling was the first to come to her senses. She inhales a deep breath to help maintain her composure.
"Mr. Lu, we can continue the meeting here. Now, if you don't mind, please let go of my hand. It is inappropriate."
Her words fell calmly as she returns to the demeanor she has when in a meeting. At the same time, she didn't forget to try and pry her hand free from Lu Tian's hand.
However, the more she tried to pull away, the more Lu Tian tightened his grip with a hint of gentleness.
The corners of his lips curl up more as it reaches his eyes, and a devilish smile appears on his face. He then leans forward to be at eye level with his wife.
"But I do mind. I want to hold your hand and I want to discuss the matters regarding the supply contract with you in private."
Without any sort of warning, he gently pulls her up from the chair and swiftly adjusting his hold on her hand, he strides out of the conference room with her.
"W-w-wait a minute. What is the meaning of this? Why are we leaving?"
Yue Ling's protesting words echo inside the room before it can be heard outside of the room. It wasn't until minutes pass that the three people still in the room finally came back to reality.
"This is preposterous."
Madam Lu slams her palm on the table and abruptly stood up. She storms after Yue Ling like a knight in shining armor out to save the princess from a dragon.
The second she stepped out of the room, she sees Yue Ling ushered inside the elevator by her son and her face turned fiery red.
"Tian! You unfilial child! Where are you taking my daughter-in-law? This is supposed to be my meeting! I am the rightful owner of Cloth Co.! How dare you snatch this chance away from me?!"
Just when she was a few feet away from the elevator, the door slides closed, and she flew into frantic disbelief.
"How dare he!"
She angrily stomps one foot and reaches inside her coat pocket for her phone. Pressing a number on speed dial, she places the phone next to her ear.
"Has he forgotten that I am his mother? My capability is just as strong as his."
Her words fell in a mumble as the call rang once then the line connects. The person she had called had yet to answer when she spoke first.
"Honey—!"
Everything about her changes into a grieving mother who had been wronged in life. She covers her mouth with one hand and sobs pitifully.
"Wuuu…. How can Tian do this to me? Wuu…."
