1.19

"It's a pleasure to meet you," I smiled widely at the elderly man standing before me. His cold, dark brown eyes scanned me, top to bottom as if appraising my worth. I was so pleased Jianyu had stopped at a store to let me buy concealer to cover the mark on my neck.

"Yes, yes, good to see you grown so big child, come in and eat," the table was spread with an assortment of food. A middle-aged couple sat with a young man, who looked around my own age.

The men all had very similar prominent features that made it obvious they were family. Except, only Jianyu had such sparkling grey eyes.

I recalled Dr. Wu telling me they were from his deceased mother. So that would make the woman at the table his stepmother.

The sibling had at least thirty percent familiarity with Jianyu's stepmother, so I assumed he must be Jianyu's half-sibling. 

Jianyu's hand rested on my lower back, guiding me to sit down, then he sat between me and the brother who kept staring at me with awestruck eyes.

"Big brother, since when did you get a girlfriend and why does she look like my goddess, Wei Zhiyue?" He asked, leaning backward to get a better view of me thanks to Jianyu's obstruction.

The grandfather slapped the back of his head on his way back to his chair, making the sibling pout stupidly as he smoothed out his hair.

"That's because I am Wei Zhiyue," I smiled, trying to remain friendly with these people. Regardless if I regretted it now, I'd married into this family. So technically they were my family now too right?

"Ah Xin, behave," the mother chastised him, "welcome to the Fu family home," she nodded her head, acting the part of a perfect hostess. 

Her eyes caught mine for a moment I could swear I spotted an inkling of killing intent. I couldn't help but gulp. Was Jianyu sure this was the safest place for me right now?

"Thank you aunty Fu," I tried my best to be sincere with everyone's gaze on me.

"No, no, dear, call me mother," she smiled wider, showing sharp canine teeth.

Damn rich people's family dynamics.

By the looks of the ancestral home when we approached it was a whole mountain. A freaking mountain. Just how rich was this guy's family?

No wonder he could sort my contract out without batting an eye.

"Yes, Jianyu told us the news of your marriage over the phone, it's good to finally see my boy grow up," the father finally spoke, "call us mother and father from now on."

So they all knew we had married.

I felt reluctant to call them that, it somehow felt disrespectful to my real parents somehow, whoever they were. 

"Yes father," regardless I submitted, I was at their mercy now, then I turned to his wife, "mother."

"Good, good," the grandfather clapped his hands together, "call me grandpa too, just ignore this rascal," he nodded his head at the younger brother, "Zhixin still acts his age when he gets excited."

"It's not my fault big bro brought my goddess home for dinner, now are you telling me he married her too?" He pouted, slumping in his chair.

Just how old was he? I thought he was my age, yet he acted much younger. Or was I just mature?

"You have already lived at least one lifetime, even if you cannot remember it," System reminded me playfully. 

I could not help but blush, feeling insecure, with all the attention on me. Thank the void I hadn't actually entered the entertainment industry. 

Jianyu cleared his throat, making their attention finally turn to him.

"Zhiyue will be staying in my courtyard for a few weeks to rest up," he explained without explaining, as perusal, then reached out to place some sweet and sour pork into the bowl the servants had dished out whilst we talked. 

I glanced at him, feeling even more insecure at hearing him call me by that unfamiliar name. That wasn't my name. 

"Alright, now that's settled," Grandfather Fu nodded, then gestured to the food, "now let's eat before it gets cold and the cook scolds us."

***

"Jianyu, why did you keep calling me Zhiyue at the table?" I asked, unable to let go of the insecure feeling. The more he called me it, the more he reminded me that he was in love with and married Zhiyue, not me.

We walked steadily down a winding pathway through the tall tree's towards his courtyard, which was a little further down the mountain than the main house. 

"Only grandpa knows who you are, the other three just think you're Wei Zhiyue." We stopped at a large wooden gate, the courtyard was walled in with smooth cream stone.

"Young Master," an elderly woman opened the gate to greet us, "and you must be the young madam, call me nanny Han."

Caught off guard by the sudden new person, I blushed, "hello nanny Han."

"You did not need to come out and greet us," Jianyu tutted, letting go of me to usher the elderly woman back through the gates.

They seemed to have a good relationship, I had only seen Jianyu look at me and Dr. Wu like that. I made a mental note to do my best and make a good impression on this nanny Han. Even his own grandfather did not get this treatment.

"I'm not that old yet," she laughed, but still let him lead her back inside.

Following behind, I felt like I'd stepped through a portal, not a gate, into a little slice of paradise. 

To my right was a small bungalow attached to the wall. In front was a large pond, which had a stone bridge connecting to an area with two similar small bungalows. 

There was barely a single patch of grass. Everywhere was covered in thick and richly coloured vegetation, that looked like a chore to maintain. 

We crossed the bridge, giving me a chance to glimpse the shine of multi-coloured scales in the water.

Between the two bungalows was the only paved area, with a stone table and chairs, it had two footpaths that led to the bungalows and one that lead to a gazebo that sat over the water.

Entering the left bungalow I noticed that it was all decorated in a modern style, but maintained an ancient Chinese twist. 

Was this the kind of decor he liked? It was so different from the way Zhiyue's penthouse was designed. 

"I'll go make you two some tea," nanny Han gave us a warm smile, then walked towards the kitchen leaving us alone inside the living room.

"So, what now?" I asked, glancing around and feeling lost.

"Just make yourself at home," he surprisingly pulled me into an embrace, not allowing me to speak a word of complaint.