Chapter 20

"If you need anything, my room is just down the hall to your left. Everything else you need is in the bathroom. You can rest for a bit and before we leave, we'll have a cocktail in the den. I'd better go down and see my mother. She hasn't had a guest for dinner in some time." Syaoran said.

"I hope it's not Gwyneth Cho," I said.

He laughed. And then he thought for a moment, looked worried and hurried out. I had to bite my lip to keep from laughing.

I dropped myself onto the bed and looked up at the ceiling. I closed my eyes. I wasn't tired, exactly. It had just been a day filled with new sensations and even more so feelings. They had come at me so quickly and were so abundant that I was feeling like someone who had overeaten.

Maybe that was why otou-san had wanted me to spend less time experiencing the outside world. The darkness within his possessiveness drove me to seek brightness, warmth and freedom. I had a hunger and thirst for so much of it that I felt as if I would explode. It was the way I felt right now.
Syaoran's kisses, his gentle embrace, the sound of his laughter and the light of his smile danced on the insides of my eyelids. I thought I could replay every second, every moment of our time together, from the first time he had kissed me the previous night to the day we had together at Sanya.

At this very second, I was happier than I had been since running away from my stepfather, since leaving Tomoeda. I felt guilty being happier with Syaoran than I had with Akatsuki-kun, but my time with Akatsuki had been filled with too much angst. Along with our joy had ridden the fear of attempted murder, of otou-san's sick pursuit to make me his. Whether or not I was deluding myself, I felt free here, free to let my guard down, if only for a little bit and embrace this new-found happiness.

I almost fell asleep thinking about all of this, but I gathered myself and took a long, delightful shower under a large rain head that splattered my body with a torrent of warm, soft water. The towels were soft and large. I wrapped myself in one and sat at the vanity mirror, drying and brushing out my hair before pulling it up into a high ponytail. I wore just a little lipstick. There was nothing much to do about my face, which at the moment looked as if it was stuck in a constant blush.

Syaoran had emphasized "casual", so I slipped on a white loose batwing long-sleeve Dolman lace blouse with a pair of black sateen skinny ankle pants and a pair of backdrop buckle boots. I thought it would be perfect for the cooler evening air. When I had went shopping with Gwen, I had bought myself a pair of sliver bamboo earrings. I thought it looked good with my hair up. I wore no other jewelry. I had nothing else, actually. Just as I finished, I heard a knock on the bedroom door.

"Perfect timing," I called, expecting it to be Syaoran. To my surprise, when I opened the door, I was facing his mother.

"I don't mean to disturb," she began. I thought she looked stunningly beautiful in a long-sleeved white Hanfu, with light-purple borders and a royal-blue sash tied with golden rings & red ornaments hanging around it.

"No, no. It's fine. I'm really ready," I said, stepping back.

She nodded and entered. For a moment, she simply stood there studying me while her face remained neutral, as if a mask and I imagined that this was the sort of reaction she first gave any young woman Syaoran brought to the house.

Li Yelan was a tall and extremely beautiful young woman, with an air of grace and elegance that effortlessly commands respect and awe. It was easy to see she was an extremely serious person and deeply respected by her children, especially Syaoran, who actually admitted to had even feared her at times when he was younger.

"You're a really beautiful young woman, Kinomoto-san," she said. "A natural beauty. Most of the women I'm introduced to these days have lost that peculiar trait and appear too smug or vain."

" Xièxiè, Li-sama." I said with a bow.

"You do not blush yet you do not come off being conceited or arrogant," she tilted her head to one side, continuing to look at me. "You are indeed an interesting young woman." A soft smile appeared on her lips. "I can see now what my daughter talks about having witness you myself,"

"Nevertheless, I appreciate the compliment, Li-sama."

She nodded.

"I didn't get a chance to tell you yet," I continued, "but speaking of beauty, you have a beautiful home."

"Xièxiè." She said. She glanced around and then sat in the side chair. "Qǐng zuò."(Please, sit.) She gestured to the one beside it. I sat.

"Is something wrong, Li-sama?"

Her full scarlet lips thinned and her eyes shadowed, growing deep & dark for a moment. I thought she might have suddenly seen something in me that she didn't like.

"No, nothing is wrong. My son is very taken with you. He's a perceptive young man. I respect his opinion and trust his judgement."

"I like him, too."

'Where's the second shoe here?' I wondered. 'What's going to be dropped on me?'

"The reason I came up here once I learned you were here was to have a brief chat. I want to be sure that your intentions with Xiao Lang are pure and that seeing him is something you really want to do. I trust he's shared with you his past and you have learned of his previous engagement. He may be happy right now, happier than I have seen him since he had been a little boy, but that does not mean I will standby and have history repeat itself a second time. What I mean to say is Kinomoto-san, do not do anything you think might be necessary to hold on to your job and keep you financially secured."

I sat back sharply. "I don't know what sort of girl you're used to seeing with your son, Li-sama, but I assure you, I wouldn't spend a moment with him outside of the company if I didn't want to do so. And if my job depended on my pleasing the company's heir, I'd be out of there in a minute."

Instead of being annoyed at my sharp comeback, she smiled. "You must forgive me, my dear, for as a mother, I will always have high initial instincts about people, especially young women. Though you have reassured me that my instincts are not as dull as I feared. I don't doubt the difficulties of your own family situation have hardened you. What's that quote, 'If it doesn't kill me, it makes me stronger'?"

"You mean Neitzche. It's 'What does not destroy me makes me stronger.'"

"Yes, well, I wish that were true in Xiao Lang's case."

"I don't doubt that he's already strong, Li-sama. Sometimes we're too close to see."

She smiled warmly at me and her eyes lost any trace of darkness seen momentarily.

The truth was, I wasn't thinking of Syaoran when I said that. I was thinking of myself and otou-san.

"I won't deny how happy you've made him. It is nice to see this change in him, it is a change for the better."

"I hope that this, between Xiao Lang and I, doesn't upset you."

"Not at all. I have no qualms with the two of you dating, Sakura. I just wanted to be sure there were no ulterior motives regarding you seeing my son." She leaned toward me to whisper. "I was secretly laughing to myself at Xiefia's mentioning of how hard a time you were giving him and also the other young men."

"A girl alone my age does have to be careful."

"Of course, but don't ever think of yourself as alone as long as you work for us. Us Li's treat those we trust and are closest to our hearts as family." She said. She patted my knee softly and stood. "Now that this particular conversation is over and done with, tell me, how was your trip to Sanya? I understand you and Xiao Lang went out on the yacht. Did you have a good time?"

"I did, Li-sama. Sanya had been fun. Xiao Lang was an excellent tour guide and took us all around town, even the beach." I said.

"Please, call me Yelan," She said as she walked toward the door and turned after she opened it.

"I'll try," I said. "No promises."

She laughed. "I am thrilled you enjoyed Sanya. It is truly one of dozens of places that attract local tourists. If you'll excuse me, there is something I must get in my bedroom so I shall meet you & Xiao Lang downstairs before the two of you leave to your dinner reservations."

I wondered how Syaoran would react if he knew his mother had come in to cross-examine me. I hope he didn't know. I hurried out and down stairs. Wei was standing there, as if he had been assigned to wait for me.

"Master Xiao Lang is in the den," he said, smiling. "Allow me to show you where it is."

Even though he didn't have to show me where the den was, I thought it was best to be polite and accept his offer to do so, instead of mentioning my being here late last night and knowing the way.

"I understand you've been here for quite a long time," I said as we continued to walk alongside each other, step for step.

"Yes, I have served as the Li's caretaker and butler since the Mistress's late husband had been but a young lad. I had taught Xuan-sama martial arts as well as Master Xiao Lang & Mistress Mei Ling when they were children. You can say that many years with the Li Clan I have become like family to them." he said, smiling a bit and I smiled.

We continued to walk down the wide slate corridor. When we arrived at the den, Wei had excused himself and continued on. Xiao Lang was standing in front of the bar. He turned quickly when I entered.

"Wow, you sure know how to make casual look elegant," he said, rushing over to kiss me on the cheek.

"I'll take that as a compliment."

"You should if it means telling you how gorgeous you look,"

I tried hard not to blush but failed miserably.

"Xièxiè." I said.

"Care to try a glass of Changyu? It's Chinese red wine," he said.

"Sure."

He turned and opened the glass door of the wall wine cooler giving me a glimpse of what looked to be more than a hundred different bottles.

"Changyu...Changyu... Ah! Here it is," He said and pulled it out putting it on the bar.

"Ever heard of it?" He asked.

"Once," I said and a memory flashes through my mind on how I had been little and wanted to try what my mother had been drinking at the restaurant otou-san took us to to celebrate her birthday.

He began to open the bottle, keeping his eyes on me.

"What?" I said.

"Nothing. I just can't help staring at you. As creepy as it sounds, I don't think I can stop. I just...there's something about you. Something that draws me to you, and only you."

I brought the glass to my lips to hide my smile and took a sip of the wine.