"Mother, are you sure it's alright to accept Lu Xinyi just like that?" Shen Huang has still had some reservations about Lu Xinyi. Although he could see that his eldest son was enamored by her and she reciprocate Shen Yi's feelings, Shen Huang was worried that his son may suffer the same fate as his brother.
"When was the last time you saw him happy like this?" Madam Shen replied, her eyes watching the married couple sitting at one of the benches on their garden murmuring to each other while their two Akita dogs played and rolled around them.
Shen Huang gave a good look to his eldest son and daughter-in-law. Indeed, it had been a long time. Since his divorce to his wife, his eldest son had stopped smiling and spending more time with them. He will only allow being dragged on some occasions if it were related to work.
Just last night, Shen Yi had done something neither Madam Shen or Shen Huang expected from him. He just successfully ruined Crystal Sun overnight, leaving Sun Ruying bankrupt. Once a great company but now in shambles. The things Shen Yi could do to protect his wife was startling.
For the first time since forever, Shen Yi wanted to pursue something out of his own volition — not to follow his father's footsteps, or to obey his grandmother's wishes. And though he knew that his family will have their reservations regarding Lu Xinyi's social status, he was willing to look past that for a chance at redeeming some happiness for himself.
---
"Are we late?"
"Of course not, we just sat down ourselves.
Shen Huang shook his head as he sat beside Shen Xue who didn't wait for them and start eating his share. He watched how Shen Yi helped his wife sat on a chair.
Lu Xinyi whispered her thanks to her husband and politely greeted her in-laws. Her eyes sparkled with delight as she spotted braised beef short ribs, pesto shrimp tartlet, and chocolate truffle tart. Her stomach rumbled in hunger, earning a smirk from her husband.
The meal for lunch had been Madam Shen's choice. Her impression about Grammie really improved. How did she know Lu Xinyi's favorite foods? Did she ask Shen Yi about it?
After having their lunch, Lu Xinyi leaned to her side and looked at Shen Yi's dessert.
"Do you want it?" Shen Yi asked with a knowing smile.
"No, thanks." she murmured, not wanting to give his family an idea that she was such a glutton.
"Can I have it then?" Shen Xue interjected.
Shen Yi glared back to his brother and pierced his tart with his fork. Shen Xue pouted and left the table to find more desserts at the kitchen.
"More tea?"
Lu Xinyi looked up at the old woman sitting beside her, her smile polite as she shook her head.
"No thanks, I'm fine."
Madam Shen nodded as she handed back the teapot to one of her maids. She then smoothened her dress, removing the napkins she placed on her lap earlier.
"Xin'er, I heard what happened to your mother." Madam Shen started the conversation as she took a sip of her tea. "I'm sorry. You know she was a dear friend of my only daughter and been a family friend of ours."
"It's been a long time and to be honest I still don't know what happened before and why we were treated like that by her own family." Lu Xinyi said softly, her lips curling at one corner at the slightly bashful smile Madam Shen gave her. "I figured that you know more than I since you mentioned meeting my mother."
"If you want to know something, you can always ask me." Madam Shen assured her. "And I don't—"
A ringing sound cut Madam Shen's words off, her eyes turned from Lu Xinyi to her son.
"I thought we agreed not to receive phones calls during family meals." she glared at Shen Huang.
"Sorry, mom. It's important. I have to take this." Shen Huang stood from his seat and left them at the dining table. Him, being the chairman of the Shen Group still keep him busy these days.
"I'll follow him, just in case it's another problem." Shen Yi murmured as he stood to follow his father.
"Something you wanna know?" Lu Xinyi asked, her lips pulling into a smile when she noticed the older woman's gaze on her.
"I'm just fascinated to know how you were able to worm your way up to his cold heart."
Lu Xinyi looked at Madam Shen in surprise while Madam Shen continued.
"You see my grandson… he wasn't a nice kid to be around when he was younger. He always picked up fights with Xue. He was always grumpy and took everything seriously."
Lu Xinyi had no idea that her husband was like this to his own family. Very different to the Shen Yi who always come home to her with an amused grin on his lips, the one who persistently flirts with her even after they consummated their marriage.
She had no idea how to respond to Madam Shen, good thing Shen Yi and his father came back to their table.
"Sorry about that. Some people just can't understand simple instructions." Shen Huang told them.
"Just like you?" Madam Shen asked, quirking a brow to her son.
"I-uhh" Shen Huang turned his attention to the couple, "so when do I get to see grandchildren?"
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