219 — Meeting Madam Gao

He had reserved a private room for today's meeting but his mother insisted they wait outside for Pei Yueran.

The Li couple had no objections and in a short while, they were seating in a private room. After the waiter served them drinks and left, Pei Yueran spoke.

"So, what is it that you wanted to see me about?" She asked, looking at Gao Tinghua.

She had always been uncomfortable around Gao Tinghua, and even more so after the last incident. The fact that his face was currently looking very serious and that the woman beside him kept shaking made things worse.

The whole setup was too mysterious. She couldn't understand why he had to bring his mother to her wedding and to this meeting. But due to that, she had an inkling that this was not about business.

Under the table where they couldn't see, Li Chuanmo held her hand gently, reassuring her.

To set the atmosphere, Gao Tinghua wanted to order some food, but Pei Yueran politely declined.

She had stopped eating outside since the last incident, not to mention that she didn't think any food would go down well if she ate in Gao Tinghua's company. Li Chuanmo of course supported her. He planned not to say or force her to do anything.

Qiao Mingran looked visibly saddened, but she didn't say anything as she was still trying to control her emotions.

Helpless, Gao Tinghua cleared his throat and said, "About that, my mother wanted to see you. We have something to tell you, but I'll let her speak."

He then gave Qiao Mingran a gentle pat on the shoulder, "Go ahead Mother."

For a few moments, Qiao Mingran didn't say anything. Then closing her eyes, she took a deep breath, and in a manner that was familiar to the two men present, she squared her shoulders and straightened her posture, as if getting ready to do battle.

Her gesture was familiar because she looked like an older version of Pei Yueran at that moment.

"First, I must apologize to both of you for scheduling a meeting so soon when you've only just gotten back from your trip. Do forgive me, it's just because I couldn't wait."

Pei Yueran nodded to express her understanding. Anyway, if it wasn't convenient, she wouldn't have come. She wasn't good at letting herself suffer for someone else's benefit.

Then Qiao Mingran began her story, "The thing is, thirty-four years ago, I lost a daughter in City A."

In this room, only Pei Yueran looked shocked. Then her eyes took on a pitying look, "I'm so sorry for your loss ma'am."

Qiao Mingran almost broke down at that moment, but she tried to control herself enough to finish telling her story.

The more she spoke, the more absorbed in the story Pei Yueran got. When she got to the part about the birthmark, Pei Yueran's eyes widened.

So that was what Gao Tinghua was looking for that night?

No one knew better than her — except Li Chuanmo — about the size and location of the birthmark on her chest. Particularly how it felt. Li Chuanmo would probably be in the best position to describe it, and she was sure he could do that with his eyes closed, since he cooped a feel of her chest at every opportunity he got.

Qiao Mingran finished up by saying, "So that's why I couldn't wait any longer. If you, if you are my daughter, I really want to know. I've lost so much time with you, and I want to make up for lost time as much as possible."

Pei Yueran sat stunned at the end of her story. Li Chuanmo, who was still holding her hand noticed the slight tremble and squeezed it reassuringly.

After a long moment, she spoke, "So in summary, you think I'm your long lost daughter?"

Qiao Mingran only nodded.

Pei Yueran continued, "Well, I do have a star shaped birthmark, as your son knows." The look she shot at Gao Tinghua was far from friendly, causing him to look away in slight embarrassment.

"It is also true that I was adopted, but my parents told me I was found, abandoned outside the orphanage."

"No no, I never abandoned you. I've regretted losing you all these years, living in anguish and pain. How could I have abandoned you?" Qiao Mingran was quick to respond, eager to persuade.

Pei Yueran shook her head, "I'm not saying you did, I'm only stating what I heard. This also means that it might not be me you're looking for."

Gao Tinghua cleared his throat and spoke, "That's also why we wanted to speak to you. If it's okay with you, we would like to do a DNA test."

Pei Yueran frowned slightly and looked at Li Chuanmo, making Qiao Mingran hold her breath, but she eventually nodded. "That seems like the best course of action."

Qiao Mingran let out a breath. "Thank you very much. Should we go now?"

Shaking her head, she responded, "No, I need to go and pick up my sons today. I also need to speak to my Mom about this."

She missed the flash of sorrow that crossed Qiao Mingran's features. The daughter she had pined for all these years had another mother. And by the look on her face, it was someone she loved and trusted.

It made her realize just how much of her life she had missed.

Then she realized something else. "You have children?"

When the couple nodded, she turned to Gao Tinghua, who nodded as well.

Pei Yueran still saw her as a stranger and didn't feel any attachment, but seeing the lost and sad look on the other woman's face, she somehow wanted to make her feel better.

"We both had children from our first marriages. They came from boarding school for the wedding, so we want to spend some time with them before they have to go back tomorrow. We can do it afterwards."

Qiao Mingran nodded, digesting the new information. There was so much she wanted to ask her, so much she wanted to know, but now was not the time.

They needed something to thaw the ice of unfamiliarity between them, and she hoped the DNA test results would help to do that.