“Your Brother?” Li Xue asked, looking at her friend with an expression as if she was not sure of it. Feng Yi Lan also held her breath nervously in anticipation.

To her, the little chipmunk was very familiar to her cold, hard hearted brother. Be it her eyes or lips or her serious expressions everything reminded her of him. If she could form a sensible sentence with her thoughts regarding their similarities, then she will call her the splitting image of her brother.

But how can that make sense? Feng Shufen was that kind of barbaric ruler who has a heart in his body just as an organ to pump blood, not to have some feelings; to show the skills of ruthlessness but not the prowess to care. There is no way she could ever believe that he would be capable of having such a sweet daughter in this life.

And above from that he never had any history with women. Though his charms never fail to attract women around him but his ruthless ways always make it hard for them to approach.

She would never want her friend to have a man like her brother as a love companion. There was no doubt that her brother was the best among the crowd, can be called the pick – of – the – litter. But he was someone who was simply not meant for any romantic relationship.

Even if her friend was a mother now, she still deserves to have the best in the world. She deserves to have a man who cherishes her for what she really is, not what that the world made her look like.

Finger crossed, she was expecting Li Xue to deny any encounter with her brother. “Ummm of course I know your brother. Who would not know him? The great ‘Feng Shufen’, CEO of Feng Internationals and also my boss”

“Boss?” she asked in surprise.

Li Xue nodded nonchalantly and explained, “Yes, I am working as a head dessert chef in one of the restaurant under his label”

Feng Yi Lan was jolted at the new set of information presented to her. When did her brother become her boss? She became a chef after quitting her life as a fashion model?

Now remembering, she has yet not asked about her whereabouts in the last 5 years. She has yet to know many things from her.

Looking at her as a single mother she knew how hard her life would have been. Having a small daughter to bring up at such a young age and that too all alone was something that can scare any woman. It must be really hard for her.

“My brother is your boss? When did that happen? I mean …” she asked gibberishly, not knowing how to frame her question in a right way.

“I understand what you are asking. I know you are concerned but you can rest assured. I am fine and doing good in my life”, Li Xue said, placing her hands over hers, assuring her with her words.

“I can only be assured if you promise me that you are not going to pull that stunt again. Stunt of leaving everything and everyone behind, without giving any clue to guess. Do you get that?” she asked. Her voice laced with a strictness that made Li Xue agree to her words instantly.

“Fine. I won’t do that again. Are you happy now? You are much more stubborn than Li Wei”.

“Mama, I am not stubborn. You said I am your angel then why are you calling me a stubborn child now?” the little girl said as she lifted her head and looked at her mother pointedly.

All this time she was having her chocolate éclair happily and was cherishing the moment where her mother was so relaxed and happy.

She has made a mental note in her mind to ask Aunt Yi Lan to come often and accompany her mother, that way she could be more relaxed and happy. In her little head Feng Yi Lan had already become a part of her family who has brought a cheerful smile on her mother’s face.

“Of course you were a stubborn one earlier. Did you forget how you made me buy a dress  when I wanted to use that money to buy two more dresses for you”, Li Xue said, imitating the pout expression her daughter made every time.

“O God, Mama I already have so many dresses in my cupboard when you have none. That’s why I asked you to get one for yourself. How can I get a title of stubborn for that?”, the little girl reasoned as she folded her arms over her chest.

Looking at the mother – daughter duo, Feng Yi Lan couldn’t control her laughter. “You two are really interesting like this. I am very excited to have such a sweet display in future too. How sweet!!” She said pinching Little Li Wei’s soft chubby cheeks gently.

At this moment, something else caught the attention of the three. At the billing counter there was a small girl in the embrace of a man who must be her father. She was happily making demands to him to buy her different sweets presented on the counter.  The scene was nothing but too normal in the eyes of the people around but for Li Wei, it was quite fascinating.

The child who does not have a father to boast of, would always feel something lacking in their life. The two ladies who were also at the table could feel the little girl’s eyes admiring the father and the daughter for their actions.

Li Xue could feel her heart clenching at the sight of her daughter’s eyes which clearly had a craving in it. A desire to have something that she doesn’t have.

Feng Yi Lan could see the pain in her friend’s eyes, a helplessness where she couldn’t help herself. She too felt bad for the little girl. To a daughter, the doting love that a father could bestow can never be replaced.

She looked at the little chipmunk with extreme endearment.  “Hey little chipmunk, do you want a father too?” she asked.

Li Wei looked at her mother with a smile and then turned to answer her Aunt. “Hmmm”, she said as she nodded her head in acceptance. But again shook her head in denial as if a wave of thought crossed her mind changing her perception.

Li Xue just looked at her daughter and didn’t say anything. Feng Yi Lan was also confused at the little girl’s sudden denial. “You don’t want a father?”

The girl shook her head again, “No I don’t want a father”. Though her eyes had a desire for having one but her words were going against those desires.