Milking

Chen Kaori lied on her bed in a daze. It was five days before holiday festivities, yet she does not plan to celebrate with anyone.

The previous year, she was forced to come home by her father to spend the holidays with his new family.

Her stepmother was a celebrity who lost her place in the limelight after she had a son with a novice director.

She met Chen Zhiyi, Kaori's father, when she was looking for a job in the countryside as she cannot afford city life anymore.

Her son just finished high school at that time and was not even considering college.

Chen Zhiyi fell in love with her, married her, sent her son to a vocational school and eventually hired him in his company.

Chen Kaori was fine with her stepmother, but this new brother was a pain in the neck with poor manners.

That holiday, she had to stay with them and be mindful, not relaxing at all.

"Chen Kaori, you studied in the city but ended up slaving in a company? If I heard right, you're not even a supervisor there. What's the use of your good grades?" Su Mocheng mocked his stepsister as he took a bite from his steak.

Chen Kaori raised her brow, placed her glass of wine on the table, and with a smug look, replied, "At least I'm not milking from the company my father built from scratch with such minimal credentials."

"You!" Su Mocheng tried to aim a fork at her.

...

The present Chen Kaori laughed as she recalled how her stepbrother made a fool of himself. Of course, her father disciplined him severely as her stepmother was apologetic to her.

She tapped on her phone, and told her father that she will not be home for the holidays.

She smiled bitterly as she thought it would be better not to see her hometown where she first met He Zifeng. Being nostalgic will not help her forget.

She decided to spend the holidays alone, like giving herself a break from everyone, including her so-called family.

Her mother has a new family as well, and though she calls from time to time, spending the holiday in City O is not an option.

...

Holidays came and He Zifeng still could not get hold of Chen Kaori.

He was initially staying with his parents, but the day before Christmas, he decided to revisit Chen Kaori's hometown.

He Zifeng went to the Chen's mansion, thinking that Chen Kaori might have gone there for the holidays. It was Christmas eve. Even if she was busy with her new work, she would have gone home to have dinner with her family, or so he thought.

He Zifeng pressed on the door bell at the gate. He looked on through the fence. The lilies which previously adored the façade of the house are gone. He saw the garden looked like it was still being tend to, but the flower bushes became roses and daisies.

"Can I help you, Sir?" the old butler suddenly appeared on the other side of the gate.

When He Zifeng moved his head to look back at the old man, the butler looked like he recognized him.

"Oh...Young Master He, isn't it? Please come in." the butler pulled open the gate for him and led him into the foyer.

Then the butler informed the master of the house of a guest's arrival.

"Zifeng!" Not long after, Chen Zhiyi went to welcome him.

"Uncle Chen." He Zifeng acknowledged him. This man looked much older than he expected. He Zifeng knew he would age, but it looked too much from how he remembered Chen Kaori's father.

"What brings you here? Are you and your parents gonna spend the holidays next door?" Chen Zhiyi was delighted about the idea of seeing their old neighbors.

"Come in. Sit!" Chen Zhiyi sat down with the guest in the living room. A minute later, tea was served.

"Uh...Uncle Chen, I'm looking for Kaori." He Zifeng made his purpose clear.