Destined to be his Wife

Chapter 42 - Dinner

TangShi focused on her food and tried to avoid Aunt's glare, mid-way through Sunday roast and yet she was uptight and wishing it was over. It had been a tense half hour already and despite YuZhi shielding her, she was aware of the darts being visually aimed her way from across the table.

"Grandad, we're staying for coffee afterwards in the study. TangShi wants to know more about her mom. Give you time to spend some quality time with your granddaughter in law and build some bonds." YuZhi reminded him, smiling with content, reaching out to pick up some meat and put it on TangShi's plate. Ignoring his aunt's scathing mood today and relaxed with the casual late lunch even if his Aunt had been a frosty and silent member who kept tutting because he rejected a specialized diet for Tang. He had sent it back to the kitchen and asked for her to eat the same as everyone else.

"Yes, yes. That'll be nice. We can have some cake." Grandad perked up smiling to himself. Since the engagement, in fact since YuZhi confessed TangShi and he were in love, he had been a completely different character. Smiling and bright with hopes for his family's future.

"No cake. Your blood sugar is more important than treats." Aunt scolded and the old man waved her away with an unconcerned smile.

"YuZhi only comes home every so often. One piece won't hurt." He snorted, being a cantankerous member of the household and always ignoring her advice.

It was a small lunch today with only the four of them. The other uncles rarely came home to eat anymore and YuZhi's sister was still abroad. Other Leng family no longer lived close to Shanghai, after the tragedy that broke all their hearts, so their numbers had dwindled over the years.

Xiaosu was back and forth bringing dishes to the table, cleaning away the empty and topping up the glasses while smiling TangShi's way with utter joy. It was obvious to her that they had progressed to a real relationship in the time they had been gone from the main house. She had always secretly rooted for them and was over the moon that YuZhi was now treating TangShi with the care and love she knew he was capable of.

"Don't run off too soon, I invited a guest for coffee, so you can all stay out here for their arrival." Aunt cut in, a tone that dared them to argue and everyone fell silent. Even though Aunt was not the lady of the house or YuZhi's mother, she had been running it as if she were for almost ten years and they all respected her authority. Grandfather loved his daughter but knew she was a force to be reckoned with if tackled head on.

"Who?" Grandad and YuZhi asked in polite unison, interest piqued.

"My adopted daughter of course. She just flew home last night, and I have missed her terribly. I told her to come over and sort out this mess that seems to be going on with you all. I cannot stand bickering and nonsense fall outs." Aunt raised a brow at TangShi as though she was responsible and the clatter of YuZhi chopsticks hitting his bowl as he dropped them interrupted them all as it broke the silent tension.

"Why? Why would you do that? Why would you interfere?" YuZhi snapped, his temper flaring because he had been enjoying today as something happy and casual which was supposed to end with his fiancée and grandad bonding over memories. Not a heart to heart with Rhea when they still hadn't spent enough time putting everything to bed. Despite knowing it was a bridge they had to cross, it was early days and he had only officially gotten engaged to the love of his life two days before.

"Because, I said so." She grit her teeth, giving YuZhi a warning frown.

"RuiZi, you should let the children deal with their own problems." Grandfather interjected, not on board with this at all. His own feelings on it were clean cut and uncomplicated. He had what he wanted now and to him, Rhea was nothing of interest.