Dumplings and Mom Secrets

The smell of ginger and garlic wafted through the house as Lex stepped inside, shrugging off his coat. The rich aroma pulled at something deep in his chest, tugging memories of family dinners to the surface.

Laughter spilled from the kitchen, light and melodic, paired with a voice that could only belong to Gregory Tann.

"Darling! I said a splash of soy sauce, not a tsunami!" Gregory's voice carried like a Broadway performer hitting their cue.

"Gregory," came Lian Mei's calm reply, "you're supposed to be helping, not critiquing."

Lex smirked, heading toward the kitchen. He leaned on the doorframe, taking in the scene. His mom stood at the stove, a bamboo steamer in one hand and a spoon in the other, her silk blouse impeccably ironed as always. Gregory was perched on a barstool, wearing a lavender blazer that practically screamed for attention, gesturing dramatically with a glass of wine in hand.

"Lex!" Gregory called, spotting him. He raised his glass like he was toasting a royal. "You've arrived just in time to witness culinary perfection—and to save me from your mother's tyranny!"

Lian Mei shot Gregory a look, but a small smile tugged at her lips. "Tyranny? You're the one who insisted on chopping scallions for garnish, then complained about the knife being too heavy."

"Excuse me," Gregory sniffed, looking scandalized. "These hands were not made for manual labor. They're instruments of artistry, not—" He paused to wave dramatically toward the counter. "—kitchen drudgery."

Lex stepped into the kitchen, shaking his head. "I see you've made yourself at home."

"Of course I have," Gregory said with a grin. "Your mother insists I'm family. Isn't that right, Lian Mei?"

She turned to Lex with a sly look. "He insists he's family, and who am I to argue?"

Gregory gasped in mock offense. "You wound me, darling. After all the years I've known you? I'm practically a brother to you!"

"More like a very loud cousin," Lian Mei said with a soft laugh as she set the steamer on the counter.

Lex crossed his arms, his smirk deepening. "Alright, Gregory. What stories have you been prying out of her?"

"Oh, only the most delicious ones!" Gregory leaned forward, lowering his voice like he was about to reveal a scandal. "Did you know your mother was an art dealer before she married your father? Traveling the world, mingling with eccentric billionaires, sipping champagne at auctions—pure glamour."

Lex blinked, turning to his mom. "Art dealer? You said you were into art, but you never mentioned this."

Lian Mei waved him off, brushing flour from her hands. "It was a side job while I worked for my father's company."

Gregory tutted loudly. "Side job? Please. She was moving Van Goghs and Ming vases, darling. And her father? He wasn't just running some little business. Sixty warehouses in Hong Kong, shipping everything from spices to priceless antiques. The man was a legend."

Lex stared at his mom, caught somewhere between awe and confusion. "Sixty warehouses?"

Lian Mei shrugged, her expression softening. "It wasn't an empire, but it was steady. My father believed in focusing on essentials—things people needed. Flour, spices, textiles. And sometimes… art."

"Art," Gregory cut in with a flourish, "that your lovely mother curated and shipped across continents. She was a queen of logistics and luxury, darling."

Lex tilted his head, processing this new information. "You always made it sound like Dad was the ambitious one."

Lian Mei smiled, a touch wistful. "Your father had big dreams. He wanted to build things that would last. I suppose we complemented each other. He grounded me, and I kept him inspired."

Gregory placed a hand over his heart. "They were iconic. Your father bought buildings, your mother filled them with treasures. I mean, come on—power couple goals."

Lex's lips quirked into a faint smile. "You never told me any of this."

"Because it was a different life," Lian Mei said simply. "A good one, but not one I wanted you to feel tied to. Your father and I wanted you to grow up with balance. We didn't always get it right, but we tried."

Gregory sniffed, dabbing at an imaginary tear. "I'm getting emotional. Someone hand me a dumpling."

Lian Mei laughed, shaking her head. "Alright, sit. Dinner's ready."

The three of them sat around the table, the plates piled high with steaming dumplings. Gregory hummed dramatically as he took a bite.

"Perfection!" he declared, holding up a dumpling like it was a trophy. "Lian Mei, you've outdone yourself."

Lian Mei shook her head, amused. "You say that every time."

"Because it's true every time," Gregory replied, popping more dumpling into his mouth.

Lex ate his dinner, letting the warmth of the moment sink in. This was what he was fighting for—these quiet moments of connection, of family.

When tey finish mom serve cake and tea.

"So," Gregory said, as he ate the last piece, "when do we talk about Rose's outfits for the video?"

Lex arched a brow. "You already have ideas, don't you?"

"Darling, I always have ideas," Gregory said with a grin. "To the living room! We must begin immediately."

The living room felt like stepping into another world, its shelves lined with books and treasures from Lian Mei's past. Gregory wasted no time, pulling garment bags from seemingly nowhere and laying out a collection of dresses, jumpsuits, and accessories that practically sparkled under the soft lighting.

"Now," Gregory began, hands on his hips, "we need looks that say three things: 'I'm talented,' 'I'm confident,' and 'You'll never forget me.'"

Lex crossed his arms, leaning against the back of the couch. "Got anything subtle in there?"

"Subtle?" Gregory gasped, clutching his chest like he'd been stabbed. "Subtle is for amateurs, Lex. We're creating a star."

He pulled out a sleek black dress with a plunging neckline, holding it up dramatically. "This. For the bar scene. Mysterious. Sultry. Unforgettable."

Lian Mei tilted her head, studying it. "It's bold, but does it fit Rose's personality?"

Gregory waved her off. "The dress doesn't have to fit her personality—it elevates it."

Lex smirked faintly. "What else have you got?"

Gregory pulled out a tailored burgundy suit, holding it up with a flourish. "For the studio shots. Polished but approachable. It says, 'I'm serious about my craft, but I'll still steal your heart.'"

Lian Mei nodded approvingly. "I like that one."

Gregory beamed, then gestured to a pair of vintage heels. "And these? Universal magic. They go with everything."

As the night wore on, the living room transformed into a staging area for Rose's new look. Gregory worked with the enthusiasm of a man on a mission, his energy infectious as he spun stories about the power of image.

By the time they stepped back to admire the collection, Gregory clapped his hands together. "Lexington, darling, you're going to make her a legend."

Lex glanced at his mom, who was watching him with a quiet smile.

"Dad would've liked this," Lex said softly. "We using the club for the video."

Lian Mei reached out, placing a hand on his arm. "Your father would've been proud of you, Lex. I know I am."

For a moment, Lex let the weight of her words settle. Then he straightene himself as he had more work to do.