"Little Jun has bee like that after spending more time with Dr. Poon," Jiang Ying Yue said. "Not only does the doctor help my son deal with his trauma, but she also acts like a teacher to him. She teaches him how to speak more clearly. She told me and Yehan that it’s important not to baby-talk children so as not to hinder their language development. Children should know how to municate properly so that they can tell us what’s wrong and if they need help in a timely manner."
Iris kept on nodding. She glanced at her twin sons. "That makes sense. Liwei and I will try that on the twins."
"I don’t know for sure, but it seems to be working on your godson. Dr. Poon is someone that Second Brother Yingjie remended to us. It doesn’t hurt to trust her."
"You’re right. When I have time, I would love to consult with her. I want to raise my children in the best way possible."
"That’s all we want for our children, isn’t it?" Jiang Ying Yue sighed as she looked at her own son. "If only we could protect them forever. But that’s not possible. They’ll eventually need to stand on their own feet and navigate the world on their own. The only thing we can do is to be there for them when they need us the most and try to guide them to the right path."
The two friends reflected on motherhood and their experiences of raising small children.
Then the nannies returned from their break.
Iris changed the topic again. "By the way, Ying Yue, have you thought about the future of your career? I’m not driving you away, don’t get me wrong. If possible, I want you to work here in my household for the rest of your life, but Liwei and I have noticed that Eldest Brother Yehan has bee increasingly dissatisfied with you working for us. Maybe he doesn’t like the fact that Liwei and I are still your employers when you’ve already bee our eldest sister-in-law after marrying Eldest Brother Yehan."
Jiang Ying Yue released a heavy sigh. She didn’t speak for a full minute.
Iris knew that something was up.
"To tell you the truth, Xiulan, your Eldest Brother Yehan and I almost had a fight because of this."
Iris nodded. Indeed, something was up.
"I wanted to continue working here," Jiang Ying Yue said, "but Yehan wants me to reconsider my employment with you. I understand what he’s saying, that I now have the opportunity and capacity to pursue something different, but I just can’t make up my mind yet."
"Although I want you to continue working for our family’s security team, I have to say that I do agree with Eldest Brother Yehan," Iris said with a pursed lip. "Your situation when you started working as my personal bodyguard was vastly different to your situation right now. Back then, you were a single mother struggling to make ends meet. You had to make do with what’s available. Long Hui helped connect you with me. And that’s how our relationship as employer-employee and later as friends started. Now that you’re in a better situation, what’s more, you’ve married a better man, I think that it’s time for you to leave your fort zone and start a new career where you’ll be your own boss. I also think that that’s what your husband wants for you. That’s my opinion, as a friend."
Jiang Ying Yue sighed several times. "I still need to think about it, Xiulan. But thank you. If you had tried to stop me, I would have stayed regardless of what my husband said."
Iris chuckled. "Don’t worry. If Eldest Brother Yehan upsets you, just leave his farm villa and return here. You and Little Jun will always have a home here."
"I know. Thank you, Xiulan."
"Just think about what you want to do next," Iris told her. "I know that you still want to work in the security industry. Maybe you can start your own security agency. Or you can bee a trainer for new bodyguards. There are so many other options. Talk to your husband and see what he thinks. But always remember that he can’t force what he wants for you. It has to be your own decision. The most important thing is for you to be happy. And Little Jun, too, of course."
Jiang Ying Yue nodded. "I’ll keep that in mind. Thanks."
Iris stood up and glanced at her wristwatch again. "I’ll check the kitchen and ask the chef what’s for dinner. Liwei hasn’t regained all the weight he lost yet since Grandma Li passed away. I have to make sure that he eats something nutritious every day. I’m worried that he might fall sick."
Jiang Ying Yue stood up as well. "Okay. I also need to return to my post."
"Join us for dinner?" Iris asked.
"Sure. Little Jun always loves to spend time here."
"Eldest Brother Yehan is wele to join us for dinner later, too."
"I’ll inform my husband, then."
After making sure that the nannies were all there to watch over the children, Iris and Jiang Ying Yue left together. Fortunately, the children were too preoccupied playing together that they didn’t notice their mothers leaving without them.
Iris headed to the kitchen. She paused on the way and turned to another corner. After a series of interconnected hallways, she arrived at her impromptu destination.
It was the huge painting, "Once a Mother, Forever a Mother", created by her good friend, Ashandra Knightson.
Talking to Jiang Ying Yue about their experiences with motherhood made Iris a little emotional. She wanted to look at the painting first to help her stabilize her emotions.
Gazing at the beautiful painting always made her feel calm and peaceful, no matter how stressful her actual life played out.
pared to the painting where her twins were depicted as infants, Little Mochi and Little Matcha were now bigger. They could walk and run, albeit unsteadily, on their own. They could also now speak a few simple words.
Her children were growing fast.
Too fast.
On one hand, it excited her to watch how they grew up. But on the other hand, she dreaded them growing up too quickly.
This was perhaps the bittersweet feeling of being a parent.
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