When Lily walked inside the mansion, the first thing that she noticed was the number of displayed things that seemed to come from different countries. From elephants to the Eiffel Towers. And many other things that were safely displayed in a glass box. For some reason, the Yu Mansion instantly reminded her of a museum.
“Please… this way,” the butler gestured Lily to follow him towards the second floor of the mansion. This house is where the family of the Eldest Yu Helong lived. However, since today is a weekday, everyone seemed busy working outside of the mansion. Lily nodded silently as she followed the butler onto the stairs.
The mansion is bigger than Lily and Zhou Jingren’s mansion. The house was a three-story mansion that features a delightful view of Hong Kong and an extensive garden with a maze and a swimming pool. Because of its beauty, many family gatherings are held in the garden, just like the birthday of the old man.
“Please take a seat,” the butler said after he let Lily inside Old Man Yu’s study. “Master Yu is already on his way here.” He uttered as he bowed and told Lily that he will prepare some refreshments for her.
For the second time, Lily nodded as her eyes were glued at the enormous wedding portrait just behind Old Man Yu’s leather chair. The painting looked really old, and it somehow reminded Lily of her grandmother and grandfather’s portrait in London. She frowned. Even the coloring was similar.
The fact that her grandmother and grandfather are a few years younger than Old Man Yu only meant that they are of the same generations. Lily’s knowledge in art is quite limited, so she wasn’t really sure if this style of artwork was popular at that time. Nevertheless, they are quite… old and very beautiful.
For some reason, just looking at the painting made Lily emotional. Memories of her grandmother resurfaced in her mind. She couldn’t help but wonder about her grandmother’s reaction if she would know that Lily is pregnant.
All throughout the years that Lilian and her had been living together, Lily never once saw her grandmother get excited or even talk about kids. To Lily and everyone else in the company, Lilian had always been cold, chilly. In those seven years, Lily could count the times that Lilian would show emotion around her.
And it was mostly when she around her husband’s grave.
Lily’s thoughts were interrupted when she heard Old Man Yu walk inside the study.
“She is beautiful… right?” His voice was gentle and for some reason Lily detected a little bit of… weakness in it. Was it because he was talking about his wife? Or was it because of exhaustion?
“She is lovely.” Lily nodded. Lu Xialu was in fact beautiful, not the type that would enamored multiple men. Still, no one would say that she was ugly. While Old Man Yu is not exactly someone that Lily would call handsome. However, she could not deny the emotions that was apparent in the couple’s eyes at the painting.
“May I know why you are here?” the old man sat opposite her. He examined Lily��s face. “Was it because of the fire two days ago?” he asked.
“Yes.”
“Then I would assume it was not an accident.”
In response, Lily eyed the old man’s wizened face. She recalled the reports that they receive last night about the fire. “No, it wasn’t.” She shook her head.
“And you are here because? You thought it was me?” He asked and looked at the butler who just arrived with the refreshments.
“No. I know it wasn’t you.” Lily answered, ignoring the butler that was standing near her. “And I also know… it was of your spawns.”
“Hah!” the old man gestured for the butler to pour some tea for him before he smiled at Lily. “Then… are you here to accept my proposal?”
“This reaction makes me wonder if you have gone senile,” Lily said. She pursed her lips when she realized that she could not really stop her anger anymore. She could still feel rage rushing inside her. First, the fire then there was the case with the Mafia.
Lily immediately thought that this was because of the pregnancy. She immediately tried to control herself. “A war… is expensive.” She said. “In business, war involves a lot of money and some losses. That is something that I cannot afford.”
The old man stared at Lily as confusion clouded his gaze. “So�� if you are not here to agree to my condition then…” he didn’t continue his words as she watched the sudden change in Lily’s expression. Her grim face vanished as a smirk blossomed on her face. Seeing this, the old man leaned against his chair and lifted an eyebrow at Lily.
The realization hit him. Slowly, he nodded, as if silently giving Lily the permission that she never asked. “So… you are laying traps.” He uttered in a low voice. Not long after he uttered those words, the door to his study was burst open.
“Father! I didn’t know that you have a visitor.” The woman who a little identical to Lu Xialu gave a surprising look as she eyed Lily, then shifted her gaze back into the old man. “My apologies,” she said and walked towards them. “I am not expecting to see Miss Lily today.” This woman is the third child of Old Man Yu.
Lily and her already met at the old man’s birthday party. So she quickly approached and acknowledge Lily’s presence. “I heard about the fire in your mansion. I am hoping that you and your husband were not hurt.” Yu Yanwan gave Lily a smile that didn’t reach her eyes.
“We are lucky the fire was not that big.” Lily smiled at the woman standing in front of her. “But to be honest… at the same time… I think it is such waste that the fire was not even enough to damage the kitchen.”
“W-What do you mean?” Yu Yanwan asked, confused at Lily’s words.
“Well… it was too small. Killing the one who caused it… seemed not worth it.” She beamed and looked at Old Man Yu. “Isn’t that right… Uncle Yu?”
…..
Want to buy me a coffee? https://ko-fi.com/theblips
Discord: https://discord.gg/kXsa2DN
