Chapter 8: The Shen Family Dinner

Theriault looked at the Tang suit Shen Zheng had given him for the dinner. "It's so big," He complained to no one in particular, looking at the loose-fitting fabric.

He was used to most of his clothes not fitting by now, but it was beginning to be a hindrance for him to clip everything.

"Ah the groom preparing for his big day," A mocking voice said as Theriault sighed.

"Yeah, it's not my wedding day jackass, I'd rather elope so I can get out of here as soon as possible..."

"Yeah, you're wasting quite a lot of time... It's good for you though, your heart will be much healthier with someone to love," The skeleton said, and if it could smile, it would probably be smirking.

"Love is quite the stretch, I'm using her and her family is using me, that's all there is to it... There's no love in marriage."

The skeleton nodded, clearly not buying what Theriault said.

"Oh really? So you're doing this purely because of your silly self-given mission of getting The Master key? It's not because, say, a beautiful amber-haired Asian girl was offered to you?"

"Geez," Theriault said, an annoyed look on his face. "You're behind the times... It didn't hurt that she was cute," Theriault said, smirking slightly at the chuckle from the skeleton.

Hearing a knock on his door, Theriault opened it immediately, seeing Shen Lim standing there with a box.

"Oh my!" She exclaimed, pulling him into a hug and smiling her cheery smile. "You look so handsome, this is much better than that crap you were wearing earlier."

Theriault pulled away. "Those are my only clothes..." He murmured.

"What was that?"

"Nothing, what do you need?" Theriault asked, eyeing the white box.

"Well, considering everything, I wanted to make you more comfortable, I know this is all very sudden," Shen Lim began, placing the box on the bed. "But I hope you do go through with the marriage. Shen Yi is young and doesn't know what she wants, she is too vulnerable right now... It's the main reason she's not leading the estate."

"Huh? Why would she lead the estate?" Theriault asked. He knew eventually Shen Yi would take over, but the way Shen Lim said it made him think there was a certain reason that she wasn't already leading.

"Hah... Well, family estates are usually led by the one who had the key they represent. The Shen family represents the love key, so usually..."

"Shen Yi would be leading... but why doesn't she?" Theriault asked.

"It's... A long story, my daughter was very troubled as a child... but there's no need for such a sad story right now, I brought you a gift."

Shen Lim opened the white box, revealing two rings, clearly engagement rings.

"The groom of every generation used these rings to propose to the Shen woman, it's a very important tradition, one day, your kid will probably propose with the same rings... What a nice thought yeah?"

"Yeah, having children is such a nice thought when you're 18..." Theriault looked at the rings. They were beautifully crafted, the design a lion and a lioness.

"Well, that was all I wanted to talk about, I can't wait to see your bit tonight, I'm sure it will outperform all the previous engagements in our family... And thank you, thank you for doing this for our family."

Theriault looked at Shen Lim awkwardly, it almost seemed like she was going to cry, but luckily for him, she didn't and instead stood up to leave, giving him one last hug and leaving the box with the rings on his bed.

'Ah... This is a lot harder when they do things like that... It's nice though, they feel... Warm.'

...

Hundreds of people danced around the courtyard, dressed in traditional tang suits and cheongsam dresses, mainly blue and red ones, but there were a few purple ones.

"Yeah!" Shen Wuhan, Shen Yi's father, yelled as he stumbled around, greeting the family with a bottle of sake in his hand, not very modest for the husband of The Family Head, but at the moment he didn't care much.

"So where you from?" A man asked Theriault, who was standing off to the side of the courtyard trying to blend in as much as possible.

"Ah, I'm from the States, but I've lived everywhere because of my dad's job," Theriault answered, smiling at the friendly man who looked to be in his twenties.

"Oh really, interesting," The man said something in Mandarin to the two other guys who had gathered to talk to Theriault, causing the pale boy to frown and drink from his cup.

"Well, enjoy the dinner Theriault, I can't wait to see the surprise you have in store for us," The man said, but Theriault didn't find his smile all that friendly.

'The hell's his problem?' He thought to himself, inwardly sighing as he looked around the party. It was going to be hard having everyone like him when he couldn't even talk to them.

Suddenly, as a group, the party quieted down, the music changing to a traditional song that had a lot of flutes in it, though Theriault couldn't understand the words he enjoyed it.

The people clapped as Shen Yi walked out onto the courtyard, wearing a violet cheongsam. Theriault watched from the back of the courtyard. 'Well she does look good,' He admitted, remembering the skeleton's words in his room.

Theriault began walking over before stopping, seeing the man who had acted weird when talking to him just before, walking up and hugging Shen Yi deeply.

'Huh...' He thought, rolling his eyes and going to a nearby table, sitting down, and grabbing another cup of the frothy liquid. It was sweet, yet also bitter, a perfect combination of the two.

"Alright everyone, settle down, The Family Head has arrived," A woman announced, bowing as Shen Bo rounded the corner in a beautiful silk dress, drawing breaths from the crowd as, like a wave in the ocean, each family member knelt or bowed.

"Rise, let's begin," Shen Bo said, looking around and seeing Theriault by his lonesome.

"Theriault," She called out, a mischievous look in her eyes as the entire courtyard of people turned toward him.

"As is tradition, would you lead us in prayer for your proposal dinner?" She said, resisting the urge to smirk at him.

After their encounter she felt slightly intimidated by the boy, though her bodyguard said he held back, people didn't just move like Theriault had.

"Uh..." Theriault said, his face blank as he thought of what to say. 'No one told me about this...' He thought as he saw the judging looks from the Shen family.

'Oh... Is this part of the test?' He thought, wanting to sigh as he set his cup down, bowing his head.

"Oh heavenly gods, ones of wisdom, ones of hope, may you bless this proposal dinner with only the finest blessing, leaving nothing to be questioned in my intentions. I pray for peace, fertility, and long-lasting prosperity for The Shen Family, and of course, my future bride..."

Theriault opened his eyes, looking up to see the changed faces of The Shen Family.

Some had tears in their eyes, some smiled, and some of the older members held each other, an approving look in their eyes as people clapped.

"Very nice, let the festivities begin!" Shen Bo said, annoyed her attempt at embarrassing the annoying boy didn't work.

'Yeah put me on the spot again bitch,' Theriault thought to himself, sliding into a random spot at the table.

He didn't bother trying to sit next to Shen Yi, not only was it a waste of effort, but it was clear to him that mister mandarin shit talker was trying to start something.

Theriault locked eyes with the man from earlier, earning a small smile as the man pulled a seat next to Shen Yi, maintaining eye contact with Theriault.

'Geez, this guy is so weird...' Theriault thought, looking away uncomfortably as food began to pass around the table.

There was a bit of everything. Rice, duck, chicken, beef, Theriault even noticed some American things being passed around.

"So, what's your plan with my cousin?" A young boy asked, sitting next to Theriault and looking at him as if he suspected him of a crime.

"My plan?" Theriault repeated, thinking seriously about the question. What was his plan with Shen Yi?

Well, he'd marry her, receive the Pheonix key and also be the next council representative of The Shen Family, beyond that though, his mind was drawing a blank.

"I guess have children…" Theriault said with a shrug, glancing over at Shen Yi as a plate of pork, rice, veggies and a piece of fried chicken was set in front of him.

"Have babies!?" The kid yelled aloud, causing everyone to look over as Theriault wanted to attack him.

'This family is way too high maintenance,' He thought to himself as he began eating, ignoring the little remarks and judging stares from the people around him.

"So!" Shen Wuhan yelled out, standing on top of the table. and looking at his family members. "For the first event! Father resistance, you all know how this game works..."

Theriault stopped eating, a smile coming to his face. Shen Zheng had explained this game, and it seemed quite amusing.

"With both of our hands tied behind our backs, this young pursuer of my daughter's hand shall duel, the first one to get a clean hit wins!"

The family cheered, quickly clearing out the courtyard and circling around.

Once the courtyard was all set, Theriault and Shen Wuhan, with both their hands tied behind their backs, stood face to face.

"And..." Shen Bo said before striking a gong, the sound echoing through the courtyard as Shen Yi's father rushed forward.

"Yah!" He yelled as he jumped up, kicking out at Theriault. The boy quickly dodged, kicking out himself.

"Easy," He said before widening his eyes, seeing his foot pass right through Shen Wuhan.

"Hehe..." The man laughed, his eyes glowing as he pressed Theriault, kicking at him again.

'He's a Keymaster too?' Theriault thought as he dodged another kick, stepping back and dodging another one that was aimed at his leg.

"That's not very fair," Theriault said, a small smile coming to his face as Shen Wuhan sent a spinning back kick to his stomach.

"This world is unfair," Was all Shen Wuhan said as Theriault dodged again, attempting another attack only for the same to happen.

'Alright fine...' Theriault thought, a smile coming to his face as his eyes began to glow. 'Oh wait...' He thought, stopping his power and narrowly dodging a kick to his face.

He didn't want to reveal all his cards to a bunch of strangers. Marrying into the family or not he remembered his father's words.

"Never show people too much," He had been told, and he would listen as long as it was necessary.

"This is taking a little while... Shall I go a little harder kid?" The man asked, smiling as he disappeared.

Theriault looked all around, wondering where the man could have gone before he felt wind fly past his ear.

Theriault tried to dodge out of the way, a sigh escaping his lips as he felt a foot graze his ear.

"I win, you're a pretty good kid... Not as good as me though!" Shen Wuhan said cheerily.

Contrary to what Theriault thought would happen, everyone clapped, their expressions much less hostile than before.

"Strength is a big factor in our family," Shen Wuhan said, untying his wrists and then untying Theriault. "I meant what I said, you are very good..." The man said, eyeing Theriault almost suspiciously as Theriault waved it off.

"No," He said, trying to sound modest, "I just got lucky for a little bit," He finished, smiling as he looked over at Shen Yi, who was engaging in conversation with the man who had been sending dirty looks at Theriault all evening.

"Ah... Shen Tang, he's an up-and-comer, just got a key last month... He's always had an interest in Shen Yi..."

"Good for him," Theriault said, turning away from him.

The night went on, and many different events were played, most of them some kind of physical activity, but there were a few drinking games.

Finally, midnight was upon the Shen family.

"Alright everyone quiet down..." Shen Bo said, a blush on her cheeks as she had gotten a little drunk. "As we get prepared to end the night, The proposal shall now commence.

"I object!" Shen Tang yelled, smirking at Theriault, who rolled his eyes.

"Shen Tang?" The head questioned as the man stood and walked in the middle of the circle.

"As is tradition anyone in the family can object to a proposal, I object and challenge this child, if I win then I shall propose to Shen Yi instead."

Theriault sat there, staring at the man with an uninterested expression as The Shen Family looked between him and his challenger.

"Seriously man, you've been reading way too many novels..." Theriault said with a sigh, standing up and walking in the center.

"I suppose I'm supposed to accept the challenge to win Shen Yi's hand in marriage?" Theriault asked, an annoyed tone seeping through to his speech.

"That... is correct," Shen Bo said, frowning at her daughter, who covered her face in embarrassment.

'Ugh, this is so stupid,' She thought. She would have much rathered avoiding all this drama. Now, as she looked at Shen Tang staring down Theriault with a cocky grin, she felt turned off by the behavior.

'Maybe I don't even know what I want,' She thought to herself as Shen Tang took off his Tang suit, pulling out a small red key.

"You ready?" He asked the younger boy, who stood a few feet away from him with his hands in his pockets.

"Shut up, this young master shit is annoying," Theriault said, brushing off Shen Tang's words and just gesturing for him to come at him.

"Young master?" Some people murmured, but that was when Shen Tang rushed forward, his eyes glowing as he smiled and waved his hand across his chest, sending a fireball toward Theriault.

'Hm, another elemental key...' Theriault thought as the fireball got close.

*Boom!*

The ball of fire burst, spraying flames all around, some of the other keymasters in the crowd used their keys to block the flames, cursing at the same time.

"How does it feel!?" Shen Tang yelled, flexing as he winked at Shen Yi, who wanted to gag.

"Are you... Joking?" Theriault asked, standing in the same spot, perfectly fine.

"Huh how are you-" Shen Tang was cut off as Theriault rushed forward, kneeing him in the throat and slamming his foot into the older man's knee, snapping it cleanly as he grabbed him by the hair and slammed his face into the concrete, blood splurting as his nose broke.

The Shen Family gasped at the brutality, looking at Theriault in shock as they weren't sure what to do. Yes, Shen Tang had challenged him, but wasn't that just a bit too far?

"Oh shut up," Theriault said, hearing complaints from the family. "You guys are so infuriating, I just want to get my property and you force me into all this bullshit? Do you want a proposal? Here it is..."

Theriault turned and faced Shen Bo, his eyes cold as he stared her down. "I won't marry your daughter, she has too many lovers for anything serious to ever occur between us, and she has a bland personality. Your entire family is annoying and I don't see myself ever getting along with any of you except for your husband."

The Shen Family began to protest Theriault's words. Some called him a coward, and some cursed him. "Yo," He said, raising his hand. "Shut the fuck up already," He demanded, looking at the circle for a second before facing Shen Bo once again.

"I have important things to do in the world, I will leave tomorrow to continue my mission, I don't have time playing husband and wife with you fucks," With this Theriault walked in the opposite direction, ignoring the taunts from The Shen Family.

"Oh, I almost forgot..." Theriault said, suddenly appearing next to Shen Yi with a hand on her shoulder. "The Pheonix key, give it to me now..." He commanded, his cold gray eyes staring into her shaking brown ones.

Shen Yi's eyes glowed. "Calm down," She said, her voice shaky.

Theriault stood there for a second before a smile came to his face. "Ha... I get it now, did you think your key worked on me? Haha!" Theriault burst out laughing in Shen Yi's face, the confused girl growing more and more embarrassed.

"Ah... You're more daring than I thought, it's your family that sucks huh?" Theriault shook his head. "Key in my hands by tomorrow," He finished, walking away back toward the room they had given, leaving everyone in shock, and Shen Tang groaning on the concrete.

_

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