Lu Xinyi looked around and followed her mother-in-law inside her home. Unexpectedly, Zhang Jingwei wasn’t living in a high-rise condominium or a penthouse. The house was old but still in great condition, and what a house it was.

Of course, Shen Yi’s mother would have the biggest house on the block. It was a large Victorian-inspired house with a stone pathway and a well-trimmed lawn.

She followed Zhang Jingwei through the front door and wide corridors of the house, moving along the wooded flooring before finally coming to the main living area.

Lu Xinyi let out a low whistle, appreciating the decors of the house. From where she was seated, the kitchen was visible through an open partition in the wall—as well as the dining room. Double glass doors led outdoors with a stone patio.

She then saw her mother-in-law go to the kitchen and prepare some snacks for her. Zhang Jingwei went back with a tray and placed it on the coffee table filled with medical magazines and books. Noticing her stare, Zhang Jingwei smiled.

“If Yi hasn’t told you yet, I’m a doctor by profession.”

“Ohh…”

Now that they were alone without her husband, Lu Xinyi found her heart pounding, reminding her of her discomfort as she sat stiffly.

“Calm down, Xin’er. Your anxiety is totally unnecessary. I only wish to talk to you.”

Lu Xinyi blushed and nodded, though she was still aware that the woman in front of her was still wary of her.

“I’m sorry for the short notice. This was actually the first time Yi has introduced a woman that he wasn’t dating as for you are already his wife. I’m sure you have questions, but it would be wise to wait for him to tell you the details than to hear it from me.”

“He’d never told me anything about you until today,” Lu Xinyi admitted.

“Of course, he wouldn’t. The years have passed, but he remained the same.” Zhang Jingwei replied bitterly. “I’ve never been a good mother to him and Xue.”

Lu Xinyi kept silent. She didn’t dare to stop the woman in front of her. She could see the internal conflict and regret on Zhang Jingwei’s eyes.

“I must congratulate you though.” Her mother-in-law continued.

Lu Xinyi lifted her head up to stare in wonder at Zhang Jingwei.

“I’m sorry, but for what are your congratulations, Miss Zhang?” She was trying to understand what the other woman was thinking.

“Why…? For managing to break his walls, of course. As you know, my son avoided female interactions for a long time, and for you to manage to get under his skin is something commendable. Not even that Li girl can affect him like you do.”

Here Zhang Jingwei paused and shook her head.

“Just try your best to take care and understand him, eh? Sometimes, he can be such a pain in the ass—I know, but he’s really a good and caring person beneath his cold mask.”

Lu Xinyi blushed and nodded. “I intend to, Miss Zhang. I must be a fool to love him this much.”

Zhang Jingwei laughed at her blushing face.

“Xin’er. Everyone can be a fool when it comes to love. You’d have to be stupid in order to love that hard-headed son of mine.” Her laugh stopped abruptly and was replaced with a somber tone. “Just remember what I said. I’ve been a fool a long time ago. Take care of Yi and don’t lose him.”

An hour later, Zhang Jingwei left Lu Xinyi to take something from her room. She came back with a small jewelry box in her hand.

“Here. This is yours now, Xin’er. You are now the Young Madam Shen of the family. It’s only proper for me to pass this to you.”

Lu Xinyi took the box and opened it carefully. Her eyes widened as she saw a set of pink plum blossoms jewelry inside. Oh dear, she suddenly felt sick. It looked very expensive, and for her to own such a treasure…

“Only the madam of the Shen family can have it. Just like how the Matriarch Shen gave it to me, I’m passing this to you. Once you are ready to reveal your relationship to my son, you may wear it to prove your stand.”

Lu Xinyi was still speechless, unable to come up with words. In her daze, she didn’t notice Zhang Jingwei leaning closer to her, tucking some of her stray locks behind her ear. ρꪖꪕᦔꪖꪕꪫꪣꫀ​ꪶ​

“My dearest daughter, I welcome you as a good addition to our family. As a young madam, it is now your duty to stand beside my son and bear him as many sons and daughters that you could.”

As she watched her daughter-in-law blushed furiously, she couldn’t help but admit that fate really did have a weird sense of humor.

—

When Shen Yi came back to pick up his wife after his dinner appointments, he found Lu Xinyi with his mother talking casually over the tarts they made for dinner. It was weird for him to see his mother like this. After all, his coldness and his cold demeanor had been imposed upon him by her.

Lu Xinyi’s eyes lit up once she spotted her husband at the doorway. She washed her hands clean and wiped it dry before throwing her arms around his waist.

“You’re here! You are just in time. We made some tarts. Do you want some?”

Shen Yi leaned down and kissed her forehead. “Not tonight, dear. Maybe next time. Wait for me inside the car. I just need a talk with my mother.”

Zhang Jingwei then stepped forward and kissed goodbye to Lu Xinyi. She was aware of what her son wanted from her. Lu Xinyi gave her husband a questioning look but didn’t force it. She followed his words and turned to leave. The jewelry box was now in her possession, but she left without taking a glance to the mother and son one last time.

Shen Yi stood facing his mother, who had turned to give him her back. A sign of displeasure crossed on his face.

“Does she mean so much to you?” Zhang Jingwei asked a question that she already knew the answer to; she only meant to make him say it.

Instead of answering, Shen Yi kept silent; but his fist clenching on his side. What was his mother playing now?

Lu Xinyi did mean much to him, and he would rather lose his mother completely if she dared to hurt his wife.

She then turned as if sensing his glaring, and she gave him a bitter smile.

“Yi, I’ve said it before. You don’t have to nurture your hatred to the Sun family anymore. Your Uncle Jincheng wouldn’t be happy if he knows what you are up to. I could only hope that you wouldn’t use Xin’er…”

He knew it was true, but he would not deny it; but still, he would not give his mother the satisfaction that she could dictate him what to do.

“Preposterous. I would never use or hurt Xinxin.” Shen Yi countered. “But Uncle needed justice, and I swear I will not stop until that woman is ten feet below the ground.”

Sun Mingai. If she thought she could get away from her crimes, then she should watch out for her back.

His mother’s eyes softened on him in pity. Perhaps more than that, but Shen Yi ignored it.

“There’s no need to seek revenge, Yi, when you and Xin’er could live a peaceful life.”

“You think that spiteful woman would leave my wife in peace? You have seen Lu Xinyi’s face. The uncanny resemblance to her mother would be enough to piss that woman off, and she is still a legitimate heir of their old man. She will try to eradicate my Xinxin to get whatever she wants.”

“Yi, I have always wanted your happiness, and if Sun Meixiu’s daughter is what you want, then I’ll just have to accept it.” She looked away as she remembered the past, “Your Uncle Jincheng had loved Meixiu with all he had. I’m hoping you’ll do the same for Xin’er. If she found out that her mother is the cause of his death…”

“Xinxin shouldn’t bear the guilt of someone’s mistake. I do not see why my wife should suffer because of her aunt’s crime.”

“Then promise me that you will not betray and forsake her. She’d lost her parents, and if she also loses you, it will break her.”

Never before did he hear his mother this worried. Shen Yi only nodded his assent. His mother shouldn’t worry about Lu Xinyi.

He turned on his heel, intending to find his wife and leaving his mother watching as he retreated. Zhang Jingwei put a hand on her chest, praying silently that her son and Lu Xinyi be spared from the hurt and the Sun family’s scheming.

Suddenly, just as she was about to leave, Shen Yi paused mid-stride, his back still on her.

“Mom, thank you for accepting Xinxin.”

Zhang Jingwei smiled with teary eyes. It had been a long time since he regarded her like this. That even though she was never been a good mother to him, he still allowed her to meet his wife.

“Be happy with her, Yi.”

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