The date 9

Xinyi was sure she'd never met any elder person who was as narcissistic as this elderly lady but she kept her thoughts to herself because she wanted to respect the friendship between madam Luo and her grandmother.

So, she merely scoffed as her lips slightly curved up into what was more of a sneer than an actual smile. "Hello madam." She merely said before walking over to the chair and sitting.

"She doesn't even know simple courtesy towards elders. She greeted me so rudely!" The elderly lady sniggered, tilting her chin in the air.

"Don't be too hard on my granddaughter. I literally forced her to come here so don't mind her manners. She's not usually like this." Madam Liu chuckled slightly and patted Xinyi's upper arm though that only seemed to make Xinyi even more upset. Her grandmother knew better than to allow someone talk down on her and not defend her against the person.

Just who exactly was this woman?

"You mean to say you actually forced her to come on a date with my infamous tall, goodlooking and gracious grandson? Has she not heard about him? He is every woman's dream. He's handsome, rich and also from royalty. He's everything one would ever wish for in a man. He's the nation's husband and she should be grateful he left his busy schedule just to come on a date with her!" Madam Luo harrumphed.

Xinyi's eyes turned frosty as she stared at the bowl of gizzard soup sitting in front of her grandmother, telling herself to keep calm no matter what madam Luo said. 

"My Xinyi isn't that bad."

Xinyi was already in an irritated mood, wondering how her grandmother managed to meet such a foul mouthed woman but to make matters worse, she just heard her grandmother telling her friend, 'my Xinyi isn't bad.'

Just what does that mean exactly? 

Her grandmother had repeatedly called this shameless madam Luo a friend when they spoke the other day. Xinyi glanced at the said lady once more, taking in her clothes and simple but classy jewelries. Even though madam Luo was properly dressed and looked like someone that belonged to the elite society with her expensive but cool sense of fashion, her words weren't seasoned with even a little bit of graciousness or poise.

It was a shame, really!

Xinyi had met all sorts of people in the industry so she was used to people like this madam Luo who acted like their breaths could purchase lives.

Still, she knew she would have to put a stop to it. It was unusual of her grandmother to sit calm that way when someone was speaking bad about her and she began to wonder if this madam Luo had anything on her grandmother.

Was she being blackmailed?! That would be the only reasonable response as of yet.

"Why isn't your granddaughter speaking?" Madam Luo taunted with raised brows when Xinyi still wasn't speaking.

"She probably doesn't have anything to say, friend. Don't push it." Madam Liu chuckled, already looking awkward as she sensed the air shift. 

Xinyi's countenance remained calm and gracious but anyone sitting with them would've instantly sense the change in the atmosphere.

Xinyi looked from her grandmother to madam Luo and back, her expression neutral. She shook her head slightly at the predicament she found herself. Had her grandmother become so desperate to see her get married to someone that she wouldn't mind any man no matter who he was?

Even the man's grandmother was already so rude towards her. She couldn't imagine just how rude the said grandson would be. Now she realized just why she hated him when they were children— even though she couldn't seem to remember him at all.

Xinyi shook her head, narrowing her eyes as she got to her feet to show some respect even though her next words wouldn't be so kind.

"I'll like to let you know that I have no intention of dating your grandson. He might be famous in the industry but it's a shame I've never heard of him so maybe he isn't all that. I came here because I wanted to socialize and my grandma mentioned it that she had a friend she would like me to meet but it seems I'm not welcome here. Grandma-"

"Silly girl." Grandma Liu laughed instead of acknowledging her grandmother's words while madam Luo looked from grandmother to her fierce looking granddaughter.

The Luo family matron couldn't help but feel pride gush in her heart as she nodded in satisfaction, greatly pleased by Xinyi's reactions. She'd known Xinyi since they were children but she wanted to know if Xinyi was the child she used to know back then. From the moment they walked through the door, madam Luo already knew this young lady would be perfect for her brooding grandson.

The way Xinyi carried herself alone said a lot. The temperance, the fierceness in her eyes and the grace she applied in her every move. Still, madam Luo decided to play along just a little more. For the sake of it.

"But friend, you said she liked our Zihan- did you hear her just now? Did you hear how she spoke to me?" Madam Luo asked with a slightly hurt expression while Xinyi stared, blanking her expression.

Xinyi couldn't be bothered to care about the woman. She often did this while dealing with difficult people, especially in public. She would state her facts plain and keep her expression neutral. Even if pictures of her was captured at the scene, the media would have no idea what to use in describing the scene. After all, ones expression usually said a lot about them.

Grandma Liu started laughing, patting her friend's shoulder and madam Luo too finally joined in the laughter. Xinyi's brows furrowed in annoyance as she wondered what was funny.

"She's just as the tabloids described her." Madam Luo chuckled and took a sip of her tea, her expression softening as she admired Xinyi.

The child she used to play with back then had now grown into such a beautiful and admirable young lady.

"Sit down dear-" her grandmother began when Mrs Luo stopped her with a slight shake of the head as she stared at Xinyi with fondness.

"No. Let her give me a hug. I haven't seen her in a very long time. Come here my dear."

Xinyi was still confused as she walked around the table and awkwardly hugged the elderly lady that had just been running her mouth off barely minutes ago.

She pulled away and walked to her seat, still looking confused about the whole interaction.

"She doesn't remember me does she? Ahh, the times have changed. I never knew a day would come when my smart mouth would forget me. She used to call me grandma grumps back then because Zihan always called her grumpy pants while I used to call her smart mouth."

"Yes I just remembered you used to call her smart mouth. Oh, the good old days."

"Indeed! And judging from what I witnessed here today, she's still a smart mouth. That was what attracted Zihan to her in the first place."

"She doesn't remember Zihan anymore. Can you believe it? They used to fight a lot but whenever one was punished, the other one would also take the blame just to ease the offender of their punishments."

Xinyi looked from one woman to the other. They were having this discussion about her and this certain Zihan and they kept referring to her as if she wasn't even present.

She chuckled at the women's eagerness to recall her interactions with this certain Zihan.

She was surprised she'd never come across Zihan before. The Luo family was a big name in the country and they also came from old fame that was redefined with every generation that passed.

If Luo Zihan was an elite in the city, she would've come across his name a few times even if they never had a business deal together.

"Forgive my manners. I was so lost in my act that I didn't even ask you what you would like to eat or drink."

"I'll have what my grandma is having." Xinyi said politely.

"Still sticking to your grandma and eating only what she eats. That's fine. Hey you, bring another tray of everything madam Liu ordered."

"Yes matron Luo." The attendant left while another one stepped in. 

"Madam, the young master is here." The attendant announced and a wide smile spread on the two elderly women's faces.