As Shang and I are lying on the couch in the middle of the living room-library, we hear three knocks from the wooden door. Shang gets up to open the door.

"Shang!" An old-but-young woman hugs my fiance. It's Shang's mother.

"Hello Meiling!" I greet Meiling and she gives me half a smile and half a disgusted look.

"Mother, I am so happy you were able to make it!"

Ever since I had met Shang for the first time at the library and we began dating his mother was always there with us. Just to make sure we're not doing anything, erm, dirty. Of course a lady like me wouldn't do such a thing. When Shang and I were able to get away from Meiling, we spent time running away to purchase ice cream and eat it together in the park. But I still think she doesn't trust me enough to be her future daughter-in-law. I can tell Meiling has had a tough time living in Paris, France. Before Shang's family moved out here, he used to live in China and served in the Chinese army. He's my hero.

"I would not miss visting my son for all the money in the money in the world." Meiling says while caressing Shang's cheek. She looks at me and sighs.

"And to see my future daughter!" Meiling comes closer to me. Her concrete colored hair in a bun should be let down loose.

"Just to tell you, Shang is a very heroic young man. When he was young, his father taught him kung fu and karate to defend himself and the ones he loves."

Everything Meiling said was true. Shang had even told me himself that he was the kind of man to take a bullet for you.

"Shang dear, could you please fetch me a glass of water? It was a very long drive from Dijon to Paris." Meiling asks kindly. Shang nods and heads to the kitchen for the water.

"I know what you are up to." She says coldly.

"Excuse me?"
"Do you think I am a fool? Well think again." Meiling's eye twitches slightly and I take a step back.

"Shang should have been with another woman. Not you." I'm offended, no one has ever spoken to me like that.

"I'm sorry if you don't approve of me Meiling." I start to stand up for myself. "But Shang and I are getting married."

I hear the kitchen door open and Shang walks out with a pitcher of water and two glasses. He sets them down and pours the liquid into one of the cups.

"Here you are mother." Shang hands the water filled glass to Meiling.

"Thank you." She takes a gulp of water in.

"Would you like some dear?" Shang questions me as he holds up the half full pitcher of water. I just shake my head.

"No thank you."

Shang puts the pitcher down on a nearby coffee table and pulls me close to his body.

"Well, I should be going now. Your father needs me at home."

My fiance and I watch as Meiling disappears through the door and it shuts.

"Are you alright?" Shang asks as he looks at the expression on my face.

"Yes I am." But the truth is, I'm anxious.