Chapter 10: Mom

Liu Haoyu felt his anger growing with every step. His mother had been right. He'd failed to protect her but there would be no more of that.

However, as Liu Haoyu hadn't taken over the family business yet and wouldn't for years, he alone wouldn't be enough to get revenge for his woman. So, he went to his father.

As soon as he stormed in the room, Liu Ting stopped what he was doing to look up at his son.

"Dad, I need your assistance with getting revenge for my wife."

Liu Ting motioned toward the seat in front of him. From the moment he'd learned his son would be marrying the only daughter of the Zhao's, he'd made sure to do some research. While all he was looking for was ensuring his son found a proper match, if there was any dirt, he was sure to find it.

Liu Haoyu sat down in front of his father. He knew his father would understand his intentions. This was personal and he needed to make sure he could resolve this on his own. He also needed to be careful as to not harm the entire family. He'd given his woman his word.

Liu Ting was satisfied with the intense look in his son's eyes. While he didn't know what exactly happened, he knew whatever it was angered his wife and ignited a passion in his son that he hadn't seen before.

Liu Ting rummaged around in his desk drawer before pulling out an envelope.

"I intended to throw this away as it could be very damaging to Zhao Yingyue's immediate family but it seems as if it'll be better off in your hands. Do what you will with this information."

Liu Haoyu took the contents out of the envelope quickly. If his father passed it off to him with that warning, he knew that the information had to be pretty damning.

He would send that Zhao's straight to hell.

As he read through the stacks of paper in silence, a plan started to form in his head. With the information he had, he could easily reveal everything at what was supposed to be their engagement party.

"Does Yingyue know any of this?"

Liu Ting shook his head.

"Not likely. After all, even her own father is oblivious to these things."

Liu Haoyu nodded before getting up and bowing to his father in gratitude.

"Father, may I trouble you for one more thing?"

***

Downstairs, Hao Mengyao had finished treating Zhao Yingyue. Now, she wanted to spend quality time with her.

Hao Mengyao rested her hand on Zhao Yingyue's as she said, "You know Yingyue, I've always wanted a daughter. You'll be fine when you're living with me from now on."

"Thank you Auntie, but I'm afraid I'll disappoint you."

Hao Mengyao shakes her head.

"I don't care if you aren't married yet. You're my daughter Yingyue so call me Mom."

Zhao Yingyue was silent. She hadn't expected this when she came here and she didn't want her mother-in-law's love from pity.

"I won't accept anything else Yingyue," the woman warned.

"I'm sorry, M-mom."

With a satisfied smile, Hao Mengyao said, "Now leave the rest to us. Those people don't deserve to call you family. Now I hear you also like to play those games that my son loves so much."

For the first time, Zhao Yingyue talked to someone who showed genuine interest in her interests. Hao Mengyao didn't hold judgement in her voice when she spoke to her which made Zhao Yingyue smile.

"Ever since I discovered 'Honor', I had an escape that was there for me at anytime. I fell in love with my role and the game in general. I never thought I would be able to play pro since there are no women in the league and my parents would never allow it."

"That's why, in a way, Liu Haoyu has saved me and I think I'll forever be in his debt. He's given me the chance to live the life that I've only dreamed of."

"Really, you should play with us Mom. You can actually learn a lot about yourself and others through games."

Hao Mengyao smiled at how genuine Zhao Yingyue sounded as she spoke about 'Honor'. It seemed that this game not only helped her daughter but connected her to her son.

"I'll be counting on you to teach me then. If you insist that I can learn more about myself, then maybe it's worth a try. And I can also get closer to you and Haoyu, right?"

Zhao Yingyue didn't actually expect Hao Mengyao to agree with her. She was starting to realize not to expect anything from this family, otherwise the continuous shock wouldn't be good for her heart.

"Okay Mom."

Hao Mengyao smiled as she decided now would be the time to tease Zhao Yingyue a bit.

"If you can tell a lot from someone from the game, what did you learn about my son when you played with him? What kind of husband does it make you think he'll be? While I don't understand much about those games and stuff, I know how to follow gossip so don't try to avoid my question."

Zhao Yingyue's face practically glowed red as she whined, "Mom, don't do this to me."

Hao Mengyao gave Zhao Yingyue a playful look which prompted her to sigh and reply. There would never be a day she would win against this woman.

"Well... he plays a Striker. Strikers tend to be strong but easy to kill early on. As they develop, they don't get much defenses but get really strong which helps them live longer. They make it so that they can kill you before you can kill them."

"This shows a defensive nature through offense. Liu Haoyu... is someone who will not only defend himself but everyone else on his team by becoming the sword."

"However, a Striker is most at risk. He's always on the front line and needs to rely on his team—those he cares about and trusts—to have his back. While he defends his team, they defend him in return. When you hear how he leads his team, he always listens to them which supports that."

"As a team, if it were not him, we would still be strong but we would also be helpless. After all, there isn't another who would care for his team so much."

"It's one of the biggest flaws a person can have in e-sports to want to show off—yet it's quite common. Liu Haoyu isn't like that and I don't think he could act like that if he wanted to."

Hua Mengyao smiled. It seemed the easiest way to get Zhao Yingyue to open up. She really needed to try this whole gaming thing these children are into!

"So, what type of husband would that make my son?"

Zhao Yingyue didn't need to even think before she replied, "It just means that he will be reliable —always defending and attacking for his wife. However, that doesn't mean that he doesn't also need support. People always see the strong and he'd need a wife who would be able to know his weakness and comfort him when he needs to."

"He'll always listen and won't make crazy decisions on his own. The type of husband he would be is probably... the type that most girls never realized they needed."

Hua Mengyao took pride in hearing Zhao Yingyue speak of her son that way. The child was absolutely right about her precious son.

"You better remember the words you've said when you two wed."

Zhao Yingyue blushed but nodded along. While she spoke about him, she'd completely forgotten that she would be that wife!

Now she was worried as to whether she could support him the way he deserved.

Zhao Yingyue said, "Mom, I feel as if I owe so much to him already. How could I ever repay him for the good he's done?"

Hua Mengyao smiled as she replied, "That's easy. Just make sure to stick by his side and be the exact kind of partner that you, yourself, said he would need. He needs nothing more than that."

Zhao Yingyue had a respect not only for Liu Haoyu, but his entire family. They had the structure that she'd never been able to have herself and soon, she'd be apart of that.

"Thank you for accepting me so easily, Mom. I won't let you down."

"I know you won't Yingyue. Otherwise, how else would you have been worthy enough for my son to select you? His motives may seem simple but they never are."

Zhao Yingyue had no idea what else Hua Mengyao could mean as she looked curiously at the woman. The woman turned away from her—obviously not willing to tamper anymore in her children's love life.

After that, Hua Mengyao started asking Zhao Yingyue more about herself. She politely replied to the woman's questions and even started getting comfortable enough to ask some in return.

They talked about things such as their favorite dramas or favorite foods, and even about their guilty pleasures. They, of course, even had a good laugh while exchanging stories.

While both women had suffered, they'd also had great stories about life, too.

When Liu Haoyu had finally come back to the room, he saw the two women curled up on the couch watching a drama together. He watched as they would comment on some scenes in frustration and laugh at others for a while before sneaking a picture.

All he could ask for was that the two most important women in his life get along and this was more than he'd even hoped for.

He quietly left the room and pulled out his phone. The image of the genuine joy that he'd seen on his future wife's face remained in his head as he dialed a certain number.

"I need you to do something for me."