Chapter 3 — The first time Lin Xiaoyu met Zhou Yanchen's grandmother, she understood one thing very clearly—
This woman did not raise a weak man.
The black Bentley stopped in front of a traditional courtyard house hidden behind layers of greenery in the outskirts of Shanghai.
"This is… your grandmother's place?" Xiaoyu asked softly.
Zhou Yanchen unbuckled his seatbelt. "She dislikes apartments."
Of course she does, Xiaoyu thought. This place screamed authority. The kind that didn't need to speak loudly to be obeyed.
Before she could mentally prepare herself, Zhou Yanchen opened his door.
"Wait," Xiaoyu blurted out.
He paused.
She tugged at his sleeve nervously. "What does your grandmother like?"
He looked down at her hand gripping his sleeve like it was a lifeline.
"…Honesty," he said after a brief pause.
Her heart sank. "I'm doomed."
He almost smiled.
Almost.
Inside the courtyard, the air smelled faintly of tea leaves and old wood. A maid led them through the hall.
"Madam Zhou is waiting."
Waiting.
Xiaoyu's spine straightened instantly.
The moment they stepped into the living room, an elderly woman sat upright on a wooden chair, a jade bracelet resting against her wrist. Her hair was silver, neatly styled, her eyes sharp despite her age.
She looked up.
And fixed her gaze directly on Xiaoyu.
"So," the old lady said slowly, "this is my granddaughter-in-law?"
Xiaoyu swallowed.
"Yes, Grandma," Zhou Yanchen said calmly.
Grandma Zhou's eyes didn't leave Xiaoyu's face. Not even for a second.
Xiaoyu suddenly felt like she was being examined under a microscope.
"You're thinner than I imagined," Grandma Zhou said.
Xiaoyu didn't know whether that was good or bad.
"She's a lawyer," Zhou Yanchen added. "Busy."
"Lawyer?" Grandma Zhou raised an eyebrow. "Hmm."
That hmm felt heavier than a whole paragraph of criticism.
Xiaoyu forced a polite smile and bowed slightly. "Grandma, hello. I'm Lin Xiaoyu."
Grandma Zhou gestured for her to sit.
Xiaoyu obeyed instantly.
Tea was served.
No one spoke.
The silence stretched.
Xiaoyu's palms were sweating.
Finally, Grandma Zhou spoke again. "How long have you known my grandson?"
Xiaoyu's mind went blank.
Zhou Yanchen answered smoothly, "Half a year."
Xiaoyu nearly choked on her tea.
Half a year?!
Grandma Zhou nodded slowly. "That explains it."
Explains what?!
She turned to Xiaoyu. "You must be very patient."
Xiaoyu smiled weakly. "I… try my best."
Grandma Zhou studied her for a long moment, then suddenly said, "Yanchen is difficult."
Xiaoyu nodded instinctively. "Yes."
The room went silent.
Zhou Yanchen turned his head slowly.
Grandma Zhou burst out laughing.
A real laugh. Loud. Sharp.
"Good," she said. "At least you're honest."
Xiaoyu froze.
Was that… approval?
Before she could relax, Grandma Zhou leaned forward.
"When are you planning to have a child?"
Xiaoyu's soul exited her body.
"Grandma," Zhou Yanchen said immediately, "we're taking it slow."
Grandma Zhou snorted. "You said that ten years ago about marriage."
Xiaoyu stared at the tea cup.
Help me, ancestors.
Grandma Zhou looked at Xiaoyu again. "Do you want children?"
Xiaoyu's mouth opened before her brain caught up. "Yes—no—maybe—"
Zhou Yanchen coughed lightly.
Xiaoyu shut up.
Grandma Zhou smiled faintly. "You're nervous."
Xiaoyu nodded miserably. "A little."
"Good," Grandma Zhou said. "It means you care."
She stood up with the help of her cane. "Stay for dinner."
This wasn't a request.
Dinner was worse.
A long table. Too many dishes. Too many relatives.
Every gaze on Xiaoyu felt sharp.
"So this is Yanchen's wife?"
"She looks young."
"Is she from a good family?"
Xiaoyu smiled until her cheeks hurt.
Zhou Yanchen sat beside her, calm as ever.
At one point, an aunt leaned closer. "How did you two meet?"
Xiaoyu opened her mouth—
"At a bar," Zhou Yanchen said calmly.
The table went silent.
Xiaoyu nearly stabbed him with her chopsticks.
"A bar?" Grandma Zhou repeated.
"Yes," he said. "She cried. I listened."
Everyone stared at Xiaoyu.
Her face burned.
Grandma Zhou laughed again. "So she's human."
That night, on the drive back, Xiaoyu exploded.
"ARE YOU CRAZY?!" she hissed. "A BAR?!"
He kept his eyes on the road. "You said honesty."
"That wasn't honesty—that was suicide!"
He glanced at her. "You survived."
She slumped back in her seat, exhausted.
"…Your grandmother is terrifying."
"Yes."
"She likes you."
Xiaoyu laughed bitterly. "I don't think she likes me."
He didn't answer immediately.
Then he said quietly, "She does."
Xiaoyu turned to him.
For the first time, his voice wasn't cold.
And for one dangerous second—
Her heart skipped.
She looked away quickly.
This marriage was fake.
But her pulse didn't seem to care.