On the following Monday, Pam and Brisbane had shifted to Dan's place over the weekend. So, Xue Ting was so much freer than before. She decided to carry her finished artwork to May's art gallery to finish the final touches. She chose the reconciliation theme where she pictured Dan, Pam, Brisbane and Violet having a picnic under a cherry blossom tree overlooking a sunset.
Though most paintings were done by her or fun, they were sold like hotcakes in May's gallery. May eventually over the years decided to give Xue Ting some shares of the proceeds and also ownership in her gallery.
"You seem much happier lately… Seems like the marriage life suits you a lot." May tease as she watched Xue Ting framing the art.
"Excuse me, it's just a contractual one…" May quickly hush Xue Ting.
"Keep your voice low! You never know if any reporters are lurking among the public!" May scold as Xue Ting chuckled.
"No one would easily find out about it. Don't worry, even if they do, my husband has a great PR team. We look like a happy family after all." Xue Ting comforted.
"I am not happy with how you got married just like that but it seems he makes you happy and protects you well. That's really all I hope he could continue on do for you. I still hate him for not being responsible and also for his unreasonable family. Don't let me see him else I will really give him a piece of my mind!" May expressed herself as Xue Ting hugged her to comfort her.
"May, I know your concerns…" Xue Ting let her go to see her.
"Don't worry too much alright. All is fine." She continued to reassure May as May nodded.
"Who are these? Doesn't seem to depict any of the twins or yourself…" May asked noticing the completed framed art as she questioned Xue Ting.
Xue Ting smiled. "An inspiration."
"Ah, was it that little girl the twins had been talking about? Brisbane! Ah, that's her name. Now, I recalled the twins said you have become her stepmother." May explained as Xue Ting scoffed.
"The twins can sell their mother anytime seriously… No privacy at all!" Xue Ting scolded as May chuckled.
"Come on, they are just worried of you… Besides, I am happy you have another daughter… You're really suited for mother material just that pregnancy has been harsh on you." May teased as Xue Ting smiled reminiscing on her unexpected new baby girl and her tough days carrying the twins. She was grateful for all of it.
Knowing that Qiu Wen was finding ways to get closer to Xue Ting, the twins always updated Qiu Wen about her activities on their way to school daily. That Monday morning, Qiu Wen decided to pay Xue Ting a visit at the gallery with lunch and at the same time to meet May whom the twins had been singing praises about.
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As he stepped into her fascinating gallery, May instantly recognised Qiu Wen.
"Speak of the devil, what is he doing here?" May said as she marched towards Qiu Wen with her crossed arms while Xue Ting jogged over to keep May under control.
"You're finally seen here! I have been waiting for you!" May snapped as Qiu Wen blinked in confusion over her being furious at their first meet. Qiu Wen turned his gaze to Xue Ting who was struggling to keep May in control.
"May… May calm down… Don't do this here…" Xue Ting comforted as Qiu Wen stepped forward.
"You must be May. I am Tang Qiu Wen. Xue Ting's husband. Could I ask what I did which was offensive?" Qiu Wen daringly asked leaving May to scoff.
"How could you marry my best friend just like that? You're lucky the news about the twins had resolved. Else, I will really beat the hell out of you! After all she had done all these years… After all she had been through just how could you… " May bellow that most of the guests were beginning to notice their commotion.
"May, stop it… May calm down… please…" Xue Ting pleaded as she wrapped her in her arms and chuckled awkwardly at Qiu Wen.
"Mr. Tang! What pleasure to see you here?" Greeted a visitor as Qiu Wen turned around to see a business acquaintance.
"Mr. Erwee, nice to see you here. How're things lately with the new office?" Qiu Wen greeted as Xue Ting continued to calm May down.
"May, behave… You're working here. Behave. There are customers." Xue Ting reminded softly as May forced herself to take deep breaths and calm down while Qiu Wen chatted with Mr. Erwee.
"Fine, fine. I can never resist money. I will behave for the sake of money." May said in between her gritted teeth.
"Oh, so you're here to buy some art for your new office?" Qiu Wen asked as Xue Ting took the opportunity to step away while it was music to May's ears.
"Oh, Mr. Erwee was it? Here, let me suggest to you some of our best pieces that would suit you. Don't worry, I could package a good price for you since you're an acquaintance of Mr. Tang here." May offered as she threw a snarl at Qiu Wen indicating she wasn't done with him although she had given in a little due to the good business he brought.
"Then I will leave you both to discuss. We will talk another day, Mr. Erwee." Qiu Wen quickly excused himself as Mr. Erwee continued to be entertained by May.
He then quickly pulled Xue Ting out of the gallery to the park nearby with their lunch. "What's the rush, Wen Wen?" Xue Ting asked midway.
"I need to feed you with this. Knowing you, you always skip your meals…" He said as they took a seat by the bench in the park.
Xue Ting chuckled when she saw the tactfully prepared rice box he brought "Did the twins tell you about me liking no carbohydrates for lunch?"
He chuckled a little.
"Thank you… I appreciate this." She said as she took a bite of the broccoli before offering one to him.
"Have some…" She urged as he took a bite and smiled.
"I think I owe your bestie an apology for kidnapping you into this mess…" Qiu Wen said as Xue Ting giggled.
"No, you don't have to. May is just being protective. Don't worry about it." Xue Ting comforted.
"I finally understand why I couldn't find you all these years…" He said as Xue Ting giggled again.
"What do you mean?" She asked as she fed him some ham this time.
"You didn't need any qualifications at all to be a curator or even to sell your art. You have great talent that is a waste to not nurture it." He said sincerely as their gazes met.
"Have you thought of resuming lessons or perhaps if I give you a chance, would you come to help me help Qiu Yeh with his business? You know I don't like office work and I am not even interested in the business…" He explained as Xue Ting chuckled.
"Are you kidding me, Mr. Tang? You have an empire in your hands. You don't do anything, no one cares and you are sitting on a gold mine. If I don't do anything, who is going to feed my kids? I love what I am doing now. So, thank you but no, thanks." She rejected his offer as she continued to munch on her broccoli.
Qiu Wen felt a little sad and disappointed but he tried to not show it.
"Haven't you thought of looking for myself or even James all these years considering how tough was life?" Qiu Wen's question struck Xue Ting dumbfounded for a moment.
Not because she doesn't know the answer but because she knew the answer too well to say it out as she stared gently into his eyes which were hoping for an answer from her. She didn't know how to answer him who was eagerly waiting.
She was overwhelmed by remorse and guilty for a moment.
Fortunately, his phone rang and Jia Yi was getting him back to the office on some urgent matters. She urged him to leave while he was on the phone noting the urgency as he quickly waved at her and walked off instead.
"I did. I look forward to every day searching for you. I really want to find you. The moment I see news about your family, I wonder about you. But I would never be able to bring myself to find you or even tell you all this. I couldn't even face James if that's the case." Xue Ting thought to herself while watching her husband rushing off. A part of her was glad to have escaped the question this time while a part of her longed to tell him the truth which she knew she would never be able to.