Meimei interrupted her aunt’s happiness. “Whoa, Xiulan. Did Jinjing approve of you giving so many products away for free? She’ll complain to you about the company’s budget again.”
Yang Jiahui’s excitement turned to concern instead. “Oh. Xiulan, is it really alright to give me this many Orchidia Beauty products? I don’t want you to get into trouble.”
Iris gave a subtle glare at Meimei before smiling at Yang Jiahui. “Of course, Auntie. Don’t worry about it. You mustn’t forget that Orchidia Beauty is MY company. If it makes you feel better, these products are the last batch of samples that I’m free to give away for this month. I decided to give them all to you.”
Indeed, Yang Jiahui felt better after hearing Iris’ assurance.
Meimei pouted. “Then what about me? You gave so many to Auntie but where’s my Orchidia Beauty free samples?”
“Didn’t you already mooch some from Clover?”
“You knew about that? Did she tell you?”
“Of course I know. I’m the company owner. Besides, it’s not like Clover is doing anything questionable behind my back. She also receives a set number of free samples every month. She could give it away to anyone as she likes. You two are the only ones acting like you’re doing something illegal.”
Meimei giggled. “True. It just feels exciting that way. It gets me into a dangerous yet thrilling mood that is very important when I write my webtoon.”
“Your webtoon is very entertaining. I’ve almost caught up to the latest chapter. I can see why it became extremely popular. Congratulations,” Iris told her friend.
“And if you really like to receive more free products, then you must attend my company’s launch tomorrow. We’ll be giving out gift packages to all the guests who attend. They’re the full market versions of the products, not free samples.”
“Really? That’s great! I can’t wait! Don’t worry! I already worked extra hard this past week on my webtoon so that I can take the day off tomorrow! I’ll definitely attend! Besides, that bossy bitch Chen Fei will kill me if I don’t come.”
Iris chuckled and nodded.
Later, the group headed to the dining hall. Jin Liwei spoke with Long Tengfei and Yang Jiahui about the France trip, while Iris and Meimei continued to chat with each other.
Meimei had big, dark eye bags. She also looked, er, fatter—COUGH COUGH—”bigger” than the last time Iris had seen her.
“Stress eating,” Meimei said after noticing Iris trying to covertly look at her body. “My webtoon has entered a dramatic and emotional arc. I’m always crying whenever I’m working on it. Not to mention that many of my readers are demanding for faster and longer releases. Eating makes me feel better. It soothes me.”
Iris only nodded, choosing not comment about it.
They finally arrived at the dining hall and were seated around the table. Iris and Jin Liwei noticed that there was an extra seating placement. Even Meimei looked confused.
“Is there someone else joining us?” Iris asked.
Long Tengfei cleared his throat before replying, “Your brother.”
Iris, Jin Liwei and Meimei’s expressions turned dark.
Right at that moment, Long Hui arrived led by the old chamberlain. When he saw Iris and Jin Liwei, his expression also became ugly.
“Why are you here?” he asked, his tone filled with spite.
“That’s what I want to know, too,” Iris said, her tone cold.
Long Hui sneered. “Of course I’ll be here. I live here, not like you.”
Jin Liwei narrowed his eyes and was about to open his mouth to join the argument, but Iris squeezed his hand under the table, silently telling him to let her do the talking this time.
“Yes, you live in the compound at another wing, not here in the master’s wing. You’re not the head of the clan, so you’re not the master. Father is still alive so don’t go around claiming that you live here in the master’s wing. Based on your attitude, it sounds like you can’t wait for Father to die and replace him as the next head of the clan,” Iris retorted without mercy.
Long Tengfei’s expression turned black. He encouraged healthy competition between his children, usually not minding them talking about inheritance after his death, but he didn’t like watching his children fighting and hating each other like this.
“Enough!” Long Tengfei shouted.
Silence.
The atmosphere was heavy and tense. They glared at each other, the invisible antagonistic sparks shooting between them.
Iris and Jin Liwei vs. Long Hui.
It was Long Hui who looked away first and said, “I didn’t know that you’ll have guests. I don’t want to disturb your dinner so please excuse me. I’ll return to my residence.” Then he started walking away.
“Come back here. You’re eating dinner with us,” Long Tengfei called him back.
“I don’t want to eat with him—” Meimei started to complain.
“Xiao Mei!” Yang Jiahui reprimanded her niece, shooting her a warning look.
Meimei shut up but continued giving Long Hui a dark look. The man might be her Uncle Tengfei’s son, but she couldn’t forgive Long Hui for insulting and hurting her two friends, Iris and Jiang Ying Yue. He hadn’t apologized to either of them yet.
Long Hui looked around. “It’s only the two of you? You didn’t bring Jiang Ying Yue and Long Jun?”
The couple didn’t reply to his question, making Long Hui glare at them even more.
Then Iris stood up all of a sudden. “I’m not feeling well. Father, Auntie Jiahui, please excuse Liwei and me. Darling, take me home.”
“Xiulan, stay,” Long Tengfei said in a softer tone but it was still strict and commanding.
Iris’ stubborn streak didn’t want to listen to him. She wasn’t the least bit intimidated by Long Tengfei. He was like a mouse compared to her draconian parents in her past life, especially her artic-cold mother.
Her mouth pressed together into a tight and thin line. “We’re going. Let’s go, darling.”
Jin Liwei also stood up and started following her.
Yang Jiahui panicked. “Wait! Xiulan, Liwei, please stay. You too, Hui. I…It’s actually my idea to invite all of you for dinner tonight. Please don’t blame your father. If you want to blame someone, then blame me.”
Iris’ hard expression softened a little. She and Jin Liwei stopped walking away but they didn’t return to the dinner table yet. Same thing with Long Hui. The scene came to a standstill.
“It’s not your fault, Auntie!” Meimei interjected.
Yang Jiahui smiled sadly at her niece before looking at the two opposing sides with nervous uncertainty. Her husband, Long Tengfei, continued to sit at the head of the table with a seemingly impassive expression. His eyes, however, showed a similar nervous uncertainty as his wife.
“Both your father and I are well aware of the conflict between you. Hui, Xiulan, you are brother and sister. Your father and I can’t bear to watch you fighting against each other like this anymore. I invited you all for dinner tonight hoping that we can at least have a meaningful conversation. Let’s talk about the issues between you. It won’t be pleasant, I know, but conversation is still important,” Yang Jiahui said, trying to explain herself.
The two opposing sides didn’t reply. The dining hall once again descended into a heavy and tense silence.
Iris no longer cared about the dinner. She wanted to go home. After what happened at the Jin Family’s Old House and then Grandma Li’s health scare earlier, Iris had no mental and emotional energy to deal with any negativity for the rest of the day. She was about to pull Jin Liwei and leave but Meimei’s pleading eyes stopped her.
‘Please do this for my aunt,’ her eyes seemed to implore her.
Iris sighed. Her friend was asking something of her. It wasn’t that difficult to do but it was, without a doubt, a great bother.
“Fine,” she eventually said, sighing once again. “Come, darling. Let’s join everyone for dinner.”
