Chapter Three: Family Rules

The scent of blooming flowers wafted throughout the peaceful place. It originated from a group of tall sturdy trees, under which a family read worn, adored books, leaning against the comforting, uneven surface of the bark.

Entering the neighbourhood, a slight breeze rustles the leaves making them fall to the solid ground one by one.

The sound of water dripping from a statue's mouth at the center of a glistening white fountain pleased the parents chatting away their worries while inattentively watching over the infants playing in the clear luscious liquid.

Flowers are vast, and they conceal the freshly cut green grass. There are sun-colored daisies, vivid purple lilies, carrot-tinted hydrangeas, and cotton candy pink hyacinths. The pathway is nothing more than concrete moulded into different shapes and size. The ground, moist from the night before, causes other kids footing to slip, keeping me on them toes as they walk to school. There is a black iron mesh fence that runs along the trail, reminding Yan Xinyi of the one running along her grandparents house. The neighbourhood

is barren except for an elderly couple feeding the ducks and a couple of fellow joggers breathing in the fresh morning air.

Walking by the minute green and brown tinted pond, the milky white, soft feathered ducks can be heard a block away as they quack and battle for the food being thrown at them. The elderly couple, dressed in their black silk slacks and crème-colored matching sweaters, watch in amusement as they are the ones causing all the excitement. Behind the oddly shaped rocks and algae in the pond, orange, red, and yellow fish dart back and forth. They only come out of hiding when tiny bits of bread begin to fall. Yan Xinyi looked closely enough,and saw a turtle, colored forest green, blending in with the algae. Her mind. Looking around watching the leaves fall off tree after tree flying like butterflies, all different colors. When they stopped, they immediately died and they were not coming back alive again. Piled leaves filled up under trees and children ran and jumped on them like they were pillows. These trees tripled the height of humans with numerous branches holding hundreds of leaves. While walking the river flows and it is such a beautiful view with the sun shining right off of it. The ducks and little birds chirping and floating through the smooth water puts a joy to her face.

In a soiled pant with torn pockets and stained shirts, Hao Yuhang was walking past the most beautiful mansion in the town. Suddenly his feet stopped, and he turned his head towards his left to admire the beauty of the villa. Each corner of the wall was beautifully carved, and the designs were made with complete care as they shone brightly. With the combination of sky blue and spotless white paint, it was looking like a palace from the fairyland. Greeneries around the mansion was adding more beauty to it. As he admired the mansion, he recalled his small hut, which often leaked during rainy seasons, and insects would crawl inside to take shelter. Drains would sometimes overflow and come inside the hut along with the rainwater. And during summer, he would find it hard to keep himself cool with the constant power cuts. He had his son,Hao Yuchen to keep him alive and kicking though. He was only a peasant.

He started dreaming to have a beautiful mansion of his own. No, it was too much for him at that time. So, he dreamt of having a concrete home instead of the clay hut. At least he could keep himself safe during rains. As he was about to dwell deeper in the imagination of a beautiful house of his own, he was brought back to reality by the security guard.

"Oh, man! Why are you standing here like a a planted tree? What do you want and don't you have anything else to do anywhere else?" The man asked seeming annoyed because the old man did not seem to want to be going.

"Nothing sir, I was just admiring the beauty of the mansion.",he looked down hesitatingly while he answered at his soiled shoes that had a gap and displayed his big toe finger.

"It is not a tourist attraction neither a museum where you simpy admire things. Get lost from here, or else I will give you to the police telling them that you came here to steal the things and invade others' privacy." And he pushed him away hard.

He had almost lost his balance. But by throwing hands here and there in the air, he controlled himself and prevented his fall. Tears rolled down his cheeks while he dragged his feet to move forward. On the whole way, he kept thinking that he was one of those hard-working labourers who toiled day and night to make that beautiful, fairyland palace-like mansion. And after it was ready, forget about having a look of it from inside, he was not even allowed to admire it from a distance.

Accepting his fate, he continued walking until he was lost from the eyesight of the security guard. Yan Xinyi from her seat had already seen what had happened to the old man and promised herself that if she would see him again,she would help him.

Then suddenly the rolls-Royce Phantom which ferried the two arrived at the contemporary wrought iron gate. There werw stone statues guarding the entrance, a freshly trimmed lawn, flowering bushes and sunlight reflecting off the surface of a pool on a typical warm summer day. The security guard welcomed them with a broad smile on his face. The car drove in and was parked in the open parking lot.

The sound of water dripping from a statue's mouth at the center of a glistening white fountain,the Hu's were eagerly waiting for Yan Xinyi's arrival.

A young lady in a pink cut off dress,apair of white block heels and a rhinestone embellished faux pearls chain cross body black tote bag stood just next to an older lady in blue pumps and a bluish A-line dress and a large smile on her face. The father was in a tar black classic suit and in black penny loafers and finally Hu Le Qi was dressed in blue modern suit and wearing a pair of black penny loafers with a long queue of servants behind them.

A man dressed in a black classic suit and black sharpshooters got off and opened the door to Yan Xinyi and her mother,Yue Lan Fen who got off.

The madam in the Hu Family ordered some maid servants to take Yan Xinyi's to her bedroom. Then she approached them and hugged Yue Lan Fen and Yan Xinyi and said afterwards.

"Hello," she greeted in a gentle voice, "My name is Yu Yi Ming, Yan Xinyi dear you refer to me as Mother-in-law or simply mother. "She concluded and smiled amiably exposing her eggshell white teeth.

The older man came and said , "Hello, my name is Hu Biao Laohu and I'll be your father-in-law or father from now on. C'mon here Le Qi and Meilin. "

Yan Xinyi's current husband came together with the younger girl. Hu Biao Laohu introduced the young girl, "Her name is Hu Sun Meilin,she is your sister-in-law or simply sister. "

"You can simply call me Meilin and I'll call you Jiejie. Or we can simply call each other jiě mèi Okay?" She said as she stretched out her hand and gave Yan Xinyi a firm handshake while Yan Xinyi smiled broadly.

"I think you and Qi'gege should call each other Qīnài de." Hu Sun Meilin said as she looked at the two who were glaring at each other.

'Is she simply trying to tell me that I should call her "dear"?' Hu Le Qi thought to himself.

'Over my dead body. 'Yan Xinyi said to herself.

"Let's go inside now." Yu Yi Ming said trying to resolve the current situation.

It was a big luxurious mansion having front and back yard, swimming pool, and two floors. There was a small park full of flowers and plants in front of the mansion, so that the Hu Family could do gardening whenever they wanted.

The mansion also had a parking lot; it was also used either to park the guest's motorcycle or to play badminton when it was vacant. The garage was on the left side of the house, while the door was on the right side where the parson chairs and the glass tables were located. The floor in the house was made of ceramic so that it wood make easier to clean when it was dirty. In the first floor there were two bedrooms and bathrooms, living room, family room, dining room, and kitchen. In the second floor, there are three bedrooms, two bathrooms, warehouse, and balcony. There was also much furniture in the house including fancy lamps hanging on ceiling in each floor. The LED TV was located in the family room,living room and each bedroom, while the refrigerator was in the kitchen. There was air conditioner available in each room, except the bathrooms, kitchen, garage, and warehouse; the house had internet hotspot as well which made the Hu Family easier to browse everything and stay up-to-date. In the back yard of the house, there was a swimming pool and gazebo, so that their friends or my family could enjoy free time over there.

There it was in front of Yan Xinyi, the Hu mansion living room. There were unconventional pendant living room lamps hanging from the ceiling. On the side there was a wall clock and next to it was the family potrait hanged on the wall including the Yan's too as they were now a family. The big open glass windows showed every clear view of the outside. The LED TV was hanging from the greyish white walls. There

a glass top console table with a bowl of fruits in a white bowl placed on top of it accompanied by white geraniums in a vase and the TV remote control below the large television and pure white bubble 2 curved sofas placed in the room in a circular manner. Others were long and others just one-cushioned with a coffe table in between them.There were also cute pillows on chairs and wine drawers and a small bar with some chairs at the left-side corner ofthe room. It seemed the family was very fond of drinking.

There was a dark grey granite spiral staircase leading to the upper floors where a spriral chandelier hanged from the ceiling. In front of the staircase was a bookshelf containing a lot of different books for one to read.

Next to the living room was an open dining area arranged in an empire dining table style. There were circular living room lamps hanging from the ceiling. As they sat down served with some drinks. A cute pure white,fluffy Samoyed entered the room. "Tang Tang!" The young lady shouted and the dog responded by walking to where she was and it received somepetting on it's fluffy fur. The maidens hadjust finished serving them with orange juice and cookies in a porcelain bowl.

All of them sat down on the sofas.

Yue Lan Fen cleared her throat and said, Today is the day I have finally come to officially hand over my daughter to you. Take good care of her and inform me incase of misbehaviour or casualties. "

Yan Xinyi admired the house thinking of how much fun she would be having whe staying there. This made her really happy because she thought she would have no rules.

"I'll take my leave now,remember what we talked about Xinyi." Yue Lan Fen as she woke and left the room.

........

Yu Yi Ming and other servants were in a queue. Yan Xinyi was in front of them as she wondered what the matter was.

"Each and every household must have rules to govern them unless they will not prosper. As for us,we have our rules. "One of the servants handed Yan Xinyi a big book and curtsied.

Yan Xinyi flipped the book open only to look at it with her jaws dropped with her eyes almost popping out of their sockets.

"So many rules!" She said out aloud in astonishment as she looked up to Yu Yi Ming who still had a calmed composure.

The rules were as follows:

1)Fun – There is no having fun as one is only allowed to carry out business related activities.

2)No making unnecessary noises.

3) No showing our secrets to other families.

4) Everybody must go to work accordingly.

5) Food should be served according to the menu set aside and at the right time.

6) We should all dine together as a family.

7) No keeping of secrets from each other as a family we should share our burdens. Or you will be taken to the forbidden palace.

After closing the book she looked up and asked, "Where is the forbidden palace?"

"The store room,itself just a fancy word. "Yu Yi Ming answered bodly.

'How do the people here survive?' Yan Xinyi asked herself as she scratched her head.

"Oh my. I also would like to name my rules. Rule number one,no servant shall be seen carrying food away from this house especially cooked food. Rule number two,no servant should give away secrets of the family to other people or else they shall be banished to the forbidden palace which is typically the store room for a week without being given food so as to reflect on your mistakes. Rule number three,nobody shall ask me where I am going or what I am doing for I always go out for some fresh air and to have fun and lastly rule number four,I shall make any unnecessary noises or necessary noises at any time of the day as long as it's not at night." She said as she paced around the room.

Everybody looked at her surprised wondering what Yan Xinyi meant by laying down her own rules at her in-laws.

"Escort her to her room." Yu Yi Ming said to one of the maid servants. A young lady emerged from the queue,walked to Yan Xinyi and said to her, "This way." As she led the way. They climbed the stairs and to the second floor.

The maid servant pushed the door open and walked in.

The floor in the room was marble, and it did not creak when Yan Xinyi stepped on it. However, it did have one white, fluffy carpet approximately in the middle of the floor. It was rather clean-looking, considering it was white

To the left of the wooden door was a pink leather chair. Past the chair was the electronic station, where the phone was charged at night. Also, center-left was a french window overlooking the backyard garden and swimming pool. It was a pleasant view for newbie's room.

Center-left and far-left was the pink the queen-sized Duchess bed frame bed, with white and pink covers, and white and a light shade of the pink colour for the fleece blanket. The blanket in particular has a floral design and is heavy. The Eiderdown pillows had a white and some pink cases and nothing else to it. At each side there were pink bedside drawers on one was an alarm clock.

Above, to the right of the bed, was a narrow, elongated window, which allowed one to view the sky and neighbor's fence. On the sill, there was a candelabra lamp.

Below that window was the a beanbag to the right, and a small white round table to the left of the beanbag was a white shelf with all sorts of books. It was big enough to hold the books,files and papers in an organized fashion.

To the right of the beanbag was the walk in closet, which behind the door contained a rack of sweaters, a suit, scarfs, and belts. There is also a brown, lean dresser, which would have the rest of Yan Xinyi's clothes in it. On the floor, below the rack, there were miscellaneous items, such as an extra blanket, shoes, and hair oil. Right before the closet on the left of it, and before the beanbag,

The walls were all white, except the back room, which was painted white and had pictures of the married couple and of the two families together on it. The curtains over the large window were also white and see-through, which almost defeat the purpose of having them. The ceiling was white.

It was one of the coldest rooms in the mansion, as it was located at the far end. It seemed that during autumn and winter, sometimes a heater was brought in to feel comfortable. However, with enough heavy blankets, sleep was manageable.

There was also a pink dressing table just before the closet and a bathroom which had pink and white tiles,a large marble bathtub.

She got in and sat on the bed,it was so soft.

"Hey!" Yan Xinyi called out to the maid servant.

"Yes my lady," She responded.

"'What is your name?" Yan Xinyi inquired.

"TianMei. "She answered politely.

"Don't call me 'my lady',that is too old fashioned. Call me my princess. "Yan Xinyi said.

The maid servant was hesitant to call her that since it accorded no respect. But she could not dare offend the young master's wife.

"My princess,what do you need?" She inquired.

"Does Hu Le Qi live in this house?" She asked because according to rumours,he hated being controlled by stupid laws.

"No,he has his own mansion where he lives alone." She answered.

The vibrant smile on Yan Xinyi's face expressed incredulous joy as she thought of a way to escape this 'prison'. Her heart melted with joy like butter exposed to heat.

"But he has a title deed and will that shows it his property and no one is allowed in until they have the will." The maid servant added.

"When is he leaving?" Yan Xinyi asked seeming interested in the topic.

"Three weeks from now." She replied.

"Three weeks?!" Yan Xinyi was shocked beyond words,she sat there perplexed, mesmerised and rooted on the ground.

'I have to persevere for three weeks. 'She said to herself.

"Sigh...just so long. "She said. She felt as though an atomic bomb had just been dropped at the centre of her existence.

"You can go. "She said to the maid servant who soon exited the room and left the door behind her shut. Yan Xinyi unpacked her stuff and then took her cellphone and left for the backyard.

The beautiful trees stood erect, the way the yellow and red leaves crumbled underneath her feet every step she took. When the flowers bloomed and how it was the most spectacular sight she could ever imagine seeing, all the different colors that appeared. When Yan Xinyi breathed in and she got the smell of purity,shd felt free and alive. Sometimes she thought she would have liked to sit on the old wooden bench where the bench frame was a little rusted, and she would get rid of her thoughts and her eyes searched the sky.

The scent of blooming flowers wafted throughout the peaceful place. It originated from a group of tall sturdy trees,and peonies .

The sound of water dripping from a statue's mouth at the center of a glistening white fountain pleased the maid servants chatting away their worries while inattentively watching over the dogs playing in the clear luscious liquid.

There was a picnic table and a big umbrella covering it. She helpled herself to the french bistro chair and poured orange juice in the glass from the jug containing the juice. There were some potted begonias and coral bells next to where she was seated. Yan Xinyi was just listening to some pop music on her airpods. There were small kindergarten children peeping through the fence as they got off from school. Some were accompanied by their parents while others just accompanied each other as they licked ice cream and ate other treats. Their tiny voices sounded like buzzing of bees.

Near the rocky road, a plump vendor with a silly oversized hat sold refreshing ice cream to passers-by. One particularly kindergarten girl handed over money receiving vanilla cream in a bright purple cone. She smacked her lips in anticipation of that delicious sweet taste melting on her tongue. The cream was all over her mouth as she skipped around the road.