The household staff paused what they were doing to bow in greeting and show their respect to the sprightly old man. They treated the elder as if he was the Jin patriarch. And in a sense, he was. A handsome, roguish younger man followed closely behind him.
"Sister Zhiruo, Yuyan, did you give me the wrong time? Look at your household staff. It's obvious they're still preparing! Did you call me and my Haohao this early to help out with the preparations? I'm telling you, I'm old already! I don't have the energy to work! Do you want this old man to break his back, ah?" Grandpa Lu complained in a loud, booming voice. However, it was obvious in the twinkle in his eyes that he was just teasing the two Jin madams. "Haohao my boy, your Aunt Yuyan wants to enslave you today. Go help her out!"
"Hello, Grandma Li and Aunt Yuyan. It's been a long time. Good to see you all again," Lu Zihao ignored Grandpa Lu and greeted the two madams instead, flashing them a devilish smile.
They were slightly taken aback by his overflowing charm. Huang Yuyan couldn't stop herself from blushing. Grandma Li squinted her sharp eyes and looked more carefully at Lu Zihao. She nodded with a pleased expression.
"Zihao my dear, you look absolutely dashing. You look more mature now than the last time I saw you," Grandma Li told him.
Lu Zihao's smile became even more roguish. "Grandma Li, what can I say? I've grown up."
"That you are. Very good. Grandma is happy for you."
"Oh, I'm so glad that Liwei snatched Xiulan early," Huang Yuyan mumbled before she could stop herself. She covered her mouth when she realized what she just said, blushing even more.
"Oy oy, Yuyan! What did you just say? Are you rubbing in this old man's face that my Haohao didn't get Xiulan? I want to know!"
"N-no…of course not, Uncle..." Huang Yuyan began fidgeting.
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"Oh…I see…" Huang Yuyan felt a little confused at how serious Lu Zihao was treating his sibling-like relationship with Iris. However, she didn't ask him why because she was just relieved that her own son got Iris.
Grandma Li led her noisy friend and Lu Zihao to the living area for some tea while Huang Yuyan returned to the kitchen to make sure that all the dishes would be ready in time for dinner. Lu Zihao charmed Grandma Li, making her laugh and feel like a younger woman.
"Zihao my dear, you're still as naughty as ever, just like your grandfather, but there's something different about you. I can't pinpoint what it is but I know you've changed somehow. Whatever it is, I like that you seem more mature now," Grandma Li said.
Lu Zihao kept the roguish smile on his face, but his eyes darkened dangerously for a few moments before the playful twinkle in his eyes returned. Nobody noticed the quick change in his expression.
He quietly sipped tea, not really listening to the two elders who were bickering about various trivial things. If not for his little sister, he wouldn't even bother coming here. He had so many things to do as leader of the Shadow Winds. This was a critical time for his group to consolidate their power before the authorities started suppressing them.
About half an hour later, someone arrived.
Lu Zihao's sharp senses allowed him to be the first one to notice Jin Chonglin's arrival. However, he didn't really care much about the younger man so he just stayed silent, continuing to sip his tea.
Grandpa Lu soon noticed the new arrival. "There you are, Chonglin my boy!" His voice boomed, catching the attention of Grandma Li.
"Hello, Grandma, Grandpa Lu, Brother Hao," Jin Chonglin greeted them. He walked to his grandmother and gave her a hug and a kiss on her cheek.
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"You look terrible, my boy! Why do you look like a zombie? I want to know!"
Jin Chonglin laughed weakly, scratching his head in an awkward manner. "I've been busy writing some new songs for my comeback."
"Hai! You musicians are a bunch of weirdos, that's what! Xiulan also looked like a zombie playing the piano all day when we were at Switzerland…oh! She was depressed that time. Are you also depressed, Chonglin my boy? Tell Grandpa! Maybe I can help."
"No, Grandpa Lu. I'm not depressed. I'm alright, really. Just feeling inspired to write some music."
"That's how you look when you're inspired? Bah! It's better if you're not inspired then. Otherwise, you'll turn uglier the more inspiration hits you. Bahahaha!"
"Oh be quiet, you old gorilla! Stop bullying my grandson," Grandma Li rebuked her noisy friend.
"Who're you calling old gorilla, you old hag? And I'm not bullying the boy! I'm just showing him my grandfatherly love and concern!"
Before the two elders could bicker again, Jin Chonglin interrupted them. "Grandpa Lu, you mentioned Xiulan. Is she the same Xiulan who's the fiancée of my brother? The one he'll bring today?"
"Of course she's the same Xiulan! Why do you look so clueless, my boy? Eh? Don't tell me you don't know who Xiulan is?"
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"Bahahaha! You dunderheaded boy! You obviously know who—ah! Never mind." Grandpa Lu gave an evil chuckle. "It's better that you meet your future sister-in-law in person later. It's going to be fun! Bahahaha! Haohao my boy. Make sure to take good pictures of your Brother Chonglin's reaction later."
"You wicked old gorilla," Grandma Li muttered while chuckling and sighing at the same time at her friend's antics. However, she didn't tell her grandson the truth either.
They all sat down. Jin Chonglin sat beside Lu Zihao while the two elders started squabbling once again.
"Brother Hao, have you met sister-in-law yet?"
"Hm, yeah."
Jin Chonglin didn't notice Lu Zihao's disinterest. He was too curious about his brother's fiancée. It seemed that he was the only one who hadn't met her yet.
"What is she like? Is she beautiful? How old is she? What does she do? Is she cold and scary like Big Bro?"
Lu Zihao raised an eyebrow at Jin Chonglin's nonstop questions. "You really don't know who she is?"
"If I knew, I wouldn't be asking you all of these questions. The elders won't tell me anything. All I know is that she's named Xiulan. I don't know anything else."
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Jin Chonglin began to feel uncomfortable under Lu Zihao's probing gaze. "Brother Hao? Is there something on my face?"
Lu Zihao looked away. "Nothing," he said. His tone and expression were light, but there was an unreadable look in his eyes. Then he smirked. 'She'll never like you. You lack substance compared to your brother,' he thought to himself.
He turned to Jin Chonglin again. "You want to know what Xiulan is like?"
"Yes, of course. She's my future sister-in-law after all."
"Well…she's the most beautiful, talented and intelligent woman I know in the world," Lu Zihao told him with an affectionate smile.