I said politely, "Hello, Auntie Wu. I'm sorry to trouble you today."
She stood up, and only then did I realize she was quite tall and well-preserved. Her white dress was cinched at the waist with a decorative belt, revealing a very slender figure. The skirt was a flared one that reached her knees, below which her full, shapely calves were encased in fine, high-end nude stockings. They looked as smooth and even as silk, stretched so sheer they almost showed the natural pink tone of her skin, appearing perfectly symmetrical and sexy. On her feet were a pair of exquisite, creamy-white high heels with thin heels, about five centimeters high.
Truly, like mother, like daughter. This woman bore a strong resemblance to Yao Wei. Her hair was styled in an elegant updo, making her look graceful and poised. Though a mature woman, she still retained her charm. While her looks and figure fell slightly short of a true goddess like my mother or Zhu Yun, she had a good foundation and must have been a beauty in her youth. Coming from a wealthy family, she didn't have to work hard and had ample time and money to spend on her appearance and grooming, making her a rather charming, mature beauty.
Auntie Wu took my hand and warmly gestured for me to sit. "Look at you, being so formal. We haven't seen you in so many years; your Uncle Yao and I have been thinking about you. We'll have plenty of time to catch up tonight."
I quickly thanked her, feeling a bit embarrassed. I wasn't used to such warm hospitality.
"Xiao Bin, it must have been over five years since we last saw each other. What has your father been up to lately?" Yao Shuanglei asked as I sat down, giving me a slight nod.
I hesitated for a moment before replying slowly, "I separated from him a long time ago. I don't know where he is these days."
"Separated? You don't live with your father anymore?" Yao Shuanglei asked, surprised.
I said, "Mm."
I was about to say I was living with my mother now, but on second thought, I couldn't be bothered to elaborate. I didn't want to waste my breath on this man named Yao.
"Alright, everyone, sit down. I'll have them serve the food. We can talk as we eat," Auntie Wu said.
"Yeah, Mom, I'm starving," Yao Wei said, affectionately pulling on her mother's arm and acting coquettishly.
We all took our seats. Yao Liang and I sat side by side, Yao Shuanglei sat at the head of the table, and Yao Wei sat next to him. Auntie Wu went to the doorway and said something to the black butler, Max. It seemed she was giving instructions for the upcoming courses. Max took out a pen and paper and diligently jotted everything down.
Auntie Wu then sat down on the other side of Yao Shuanglei. We started making small talk, and soon, exquisite and delicious dishes were served one after another. Besides the butler, they had several other servants in their house.
Yao Wei chattered away with her mother about this and that, mostly things about school, or cosmetics and designer brands. The mother and daughter were engrossed in their conversation, while Yao Liang and Yao Shuanglei remained silent.
"So, you're living with your mother now? I heard her company has been doing quite well since she returned," Auntie Wu asked, her bright eyes blinking. This beautiful woman exuded a natural, elegant, and gentle grace unique to a lady of high society.
"Mm," I replied, putting a piece of premium beef into my mouth.
My brief answer might have seemed rude, but Auntie Wu showed no displeasure. She said softly, "Wanxin and I haven't had a chance to get together since she came back. I must pay her a visit sometime. Where are you living now?"
I smiled slightly and said, "In the villa at Riverside Garden, the old house."
"Oh, that place. It's a nice location too," Auntie Wu said.
Yao Shuanglei seemed a bit surprised to hear this. He looked up and said, "Your mother bought it back? I heard your father had mortgaged it to someone else before."
"Yes, she bought it back after she returned. We've been living there for quite a while."
"Oh," Yao Shuanglei replied in a low voice.
Auntie Wu then asked Yao Liang, "Xiao Liang, why are you so quiet today? You haven't said a word. Are you worried about your exams?"
Yao Liang was indeed uncharacteristically silent, a stark contrast to his usual dissolute demeanor.
Before he could answer, Yao Wei chimed in with a laugh, "Is it because you're running out of time and have to cram, so you don't even have the appetite for dinner?"
"I wouldn't worry about exams. What's so hard about them?" Yao Liang said irritably.
"Then who was it that stayed up all night for several days in a row, cramming like crazy?" Yao Wei said, pouting.
Yao Liang wasn't one to back down, and the two of them started bickering back and forth. Nothing good ever came of these two siblings being together, and I watched them with secret amusement.
"As for your studies, Yao Liang, you need to apply yourself. The men of the Yao family are destined for great things. You're my only son; don't you dare make a fool of yourself," Yao Shuanglei said in a stern voice.
"Got it, old man," Yao Liang replied casually, chewing his food loudly.
This guy had been lawless since he was a child, showing no respect for his parents whatsoever.
"In two years, after you graduate, I'm sending you to study in the States," Yao Shuanglei said slowly as he cut the steak on his plate and put a piece in his mouth.
"America!? Are you out of your mind? I can't be bothered with a boring place like that. I'm not going!" Yao Liang yelled.
"Dad, you're playing favorites! How come I don't get to study abroad, but he does?" Yao Wei cooed, hugging her father's arm and shaking it.
"Vivi, don't you worry. If you want to go abroad, you can go anytime. Your mother just misses you too much to let you be so far from us," Yao Shuanglei said gently to his daughter.
Yao Liang looked disdainful and said nonchalantly, "Dad, let me be clear. I have zero interest in studying abroad. I won't just follow your arrangements when the time comes. I have my own plans, so don't even think about trying to control me."
Yao Shuanglei looked at his son's arrogant and domineering attitude, put down his chopsticks, and snapped, "So childish! You want to do everything your own way! Your parents' arrangements are for your own good. You don't understand anything, so what are you doing here, running your mouth and acting tough?"
Seeing the tension between father and son, Auntie Wu quickly intervened to smooth things over. "Alright, alright, we'll talk about the future later. Just focus on finishing high school for now. There's no rush."
Yao Liang said nothing, just shoveled a few mouthfuls of food down, and then got up and left. Seeing this, Yao Shuanglei was furious. He shouted, "You little beast! Acting up at home again! Is that any way to talk to your father!"
Yao Liang just walked away as if he hadn't heard. Yao Shuanglei cursed under his breath while Yao Wei and Auntie Wu rushed to comfort him. Auntie Wu handed him a glass of warm water and said with concern, "Shuanglei, don't get so worked up. Ailiang is still young; he'll understand when he gets older. You mustn't get angry, especially with your high blood pressure. What if something happens? Please, calm down."
Yao Wei also comforted her father, and only then did Yao Shuanglei's anger subside.
"I'm sorry, Xiao Bin, you had to see that. Xiao Liang has been disobedient since he was a child and never got along with his father. You just eat, don't mind him," Auntie Wu said, quickly putting food on my plate, which made me feel quite embarrassed, as if I had witnessed a private family matter.
We finished the meal soon after. Yao Shuanglei wasn't in good health and went to the study to rest. The butler, Max, apparently also had a medical license and served as the family's private medical consultant. Since Yao Shuanglei had gotten angry, Max went to help him relax and soothe his nerves.
"My father is getting old, and he has high blood pressure and a weak heart. Ailiang is always so willful and constantly makes him angry. Things aren't always peaceful at home," Yao Wei said to me in a melancholic tone.
We were in the living room drinking after-dinner black tea, which her mother had personally brewed in the kitchen. The tea leaves looked very expensive, and Auntie Wu's tea-making skills were excellent.
"Ailiang is a smart kid. He understands things and will come around eventually. Uncle Yao doesn't need to worry so much," I said to comfort her. "But Ailiang does have a mind of his own. He does need some discipline sometimes."
I thought of his "womanizing" exploits.
Yao Wei sipped her tea and said nothing. I leaned in and gossiped with her in a low voice, "That butler, Max, is he new? I don't think I've seen him before."
Yao Wei leaned in intimately and whispered in my ear, "We only hired him last year. He's British you know, a graduate from a professional butler academy in the UK. He was an exchange student at our university. He's very professional and has lived in China for many years, so his Chinese is excellent. He said he was looking for a job, so I suggested he apply at our house, and my parents really liked him."
She then gave me a flirtatious wink and said with a low laugh, "Isn't he so strong and handsome? Everyone likes to look at something pleasing to the eye, right? The previous butler, Uncle Bao was too old, so Mom let him retire."
So he was an exchange student at Jinghai University. This guy was quite capable.
I didn't have a very favorable impression of him, but on second thought, no matter how educated he was, a butler was still just a servant. I didn't give it another thought.
*****
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