Mama's Princess Is Daddy's Beloved

When Zhang Xiaotong opened the door, her eyes turned to look over every person present there. Though her eyes as well-matched with the sharp pairs of her mother, she ignored it with all casualness before turning to address the servants. "It's still early in the morning. Why are you all standing here like this? Don't you have your works to do?"

The servants bowed their heads and at once left. They were already relieved that it was nothing serious and their jobs were still secured.

Lillian heard her and coughed slightly, "*ahem* It's no longer morning, but already afternoon." She said, softly rectifying for the girl.

Zhang Xiaotong looked at her over her shoulders but didn't say anything. Maybe for she wasn't surprised with the hour of the day.

Lillian found it a bit different in her attitude. But before she could ponder over it more, her gaze caught with the lady at the front. She looked away the very moment she got the chance before turning to look at the butler to say, "Since it's already time past breakfast, please prepare a healthy brunch for Ms. Zhang."

The butler nodded and left as well. And once he was gone, Lillian went to stand behind Zhang Xiaotong while the girl came up in front to greet her mother. "Ma, you are back. How did the meeting go? Did the deal get final?" She asked and the lady simply stared at her as if analyzing her words.

"Do you really want to know about business?" Zhang Qian Lan asked, raising her brows of surprise at her.

Zhang Xiaotong stared at her mother and smiled with her best, "Of course, Ma. I need to hear it from you. Only after that, I will be able to proceed with the project. By the way, why did you ask so?"

Zhan Qian Lan smiled. But her smile was not of happiness but was of mockery. "You don't have to ask me the reason. Instead, ask yourself. From the day you have returned to the country, you have not once taken your goal seriously. You have neglected all your responsibilities at the company. Seeing you like that, do you think I won't be surprised seeing you back to normal?"

Zhang Xiaotong's expression paused. But after a while with some determination in her eyes, she said, "Ma, I have been too liberal before. But don't worry, I won't be the same. I have understood my priorities well and for that, I will work from now on. I will achieve everything I have dreamt of, no matter what. I won't be a disappointment. Neither for you nor myself."

She said and her words like that surprised the mother to some extent. She felt that although those words were saying something that she had always wanted to hear. Behind those words, there was also an intention that was simply not coming clear to her understanding at the moment.

But before she could ask more, Zhang Xiaotong reached out to hold her hands to assure, "Ma, this time, I would not disappoint you. Believe me. From tomorrow, I would return back to the company to manage the things." She said and looking at her serious expression like that Zhang Qian Lan chose to believe her.

"The deal has been cracked. I will ask my assistant to detail you about my discussion with the clients later. First, you should go, wash up yourself, and have your brunch." She said and Zhang Xiaotong feigned a smile at her.

"Mhm, Ma. I will do that. But you seem tired as well. Go and have some rest first. I will ask Lillian to order the butler to prepare some relieving tea for you."

The mother nodded, before walking in the direction of her room. But that was not before, giving a gaze towards Lillian. The assistant looked at her but the moment her eyes matched with the lady, she looked down in order to avoid it.

Once the lady was gone, Zhang Xiaotong turned around and walked back inside the room. Lillian looked at her like that and followed before closing the door after her. "Xiaotong, what happened to you today? Are you alright? I heard that you haven't taken your meds yet. Is there some problem with it? If there is I will help you consult the doctor on the very first appointment."

Full with concern, the assistant asked before scanning the room around. But everything inside looked so proper that it was giving her the feeling of something improper going on with the girl.

Zhang Xiaotong remained nonchalant to all her questions. Getting into the washroom to freshen up, she simply said, "I don't need those medicines any longer. Neither I need a doctor. I am all fine and have learned my lessons. So take all those medicines away and throw them. Till then I will go and get freshen up. When I return, we would have to leave for the company as well."

She said and then closed the door on the assistant's face. Everything seemed very easy and normal, but somewhere things didn't feel right.

All fine! No need for medicines! No need to see the doctor anymore! She was not having just some fever that once the temperature dissipates, there would be no need for a doctor or medicine. Rather she was suffering from severe depression symptoms, for which except the medication and meditation there was no other way.

Lillian knew all this too well and that's why her words were more frightening to her. Though Zhang Xiaotong was looking all chilled and normal at the surface, her calm demeanor was scary for her; since she knew this was really not normal.

But if not normal, what was the woman planning?  And why this time she was not involved in any of her plans?

Lillian was thinking to herself when the sound of running water inside the bathroom snapped her out from her thoughts. She rushed to check the medicines in the wardrobe. As frightening to her core, all the medicine dozes from the last few days were kept untouched. She reached further inside to check the calming pills whose use was restricted, and it was also the same. The units of the pills were kept all intact; meaning that in the past few days Zhang Xiaotong has not touched any of them.

But how was this even possible? Lillian was scared. But she had no answer for the question running in her thoughts. Given how she has last seen her … in that condition, it was simply not possible to not be able to sustain those anxiety attacks. Then how did she manage without the pills?