“Shang?”
He turns when he hears the sound of Eden’s voice. It’s warbled, like she’s nervous or afraid. Concern shoots straight through him when he notices her brows pulled together in worry. He rushes over, the instinctive need to protect overcoming his senses.
“What happened, sweetheart?”
Eden looks down at the envelope in her hands. Shang hadn’t noticed it before. “Your mother, she...”
“What’s going on?”
“I said I didn’t want to be compensated. I was more than happy to help with the catering, but she insisted.”
“She paid you?”
Eden nods, sniffling. “Mm-hmm.”
Shang’s nothing but confused. “And that’s... bad?”
“No. It’s a really good thing. She says she has an envelope for you, too.”
“Okay, then why do you look like you’re about to cry?”
“Because...” Eden sucks in a shaky breath through clenched teeth. “She gave me two grand, Shang. I finally have enough to hire Maxine Kendo.”
Eden stands by the car, Li seated directly beside her on the driveway. They watch the back and forth in silent amusement.
Shang pushes the envelope back toward his mother. “I told you, I don’t need you to pay me.”
Xu Hong pushes the envelope right back. “I’ll hear none of it. I’m paying you for services rendered.”
“This is too much.”
“Nonsense. This is what I would have paid the caterer had he shown up.”
“The bastard was over-charging you, then.”
“Would you just take it?”
“Absolutely not.”
“Take it!”
“No. I’m not exactly hurting for cash, A-Ma.”
“Well, then think of it as making up for all the red envelopes you’ve missed.”
“Aren’t I too old to still be getting red envelopes?”
“You’re always going to be my baby.”
“Mom.”
“Son. You’re not supposed to refuse a gift. I thought I raised you better.”
“Oh dear God, why are you like this?”
“I will stuff this down your pants, mark my words!”
“Why do you have to make everything sound so threatening?”
