Zhou Yunhe’s carefully made-up face crumpled instantly.
Within the Zhou family, only the Old Master could rein Zhou Beiming in. Many had come to lodge complaints before, and Zhou Beiming had invariably received a scolding of some sort. She now felt secure standing before him, as if backed by a mighty force. “Watch your tongue! I am your aunt! Do not speak such vulgar nonsense.”
Zhou Beiming stretched one long arm along the back of the sofa behind Su Nian, his fingers idly toying with her dangling earring. Su Nian, taut with nerves, sat perfectly straight and rigid hands nearly clasped behind her back like a schoolchild called to attention. At the sight, Zhou Beiming let out a low laugh, his gaze unapologetically bold and unruly.
“Little rabbit,” he murmured, “others are picking on me. Shouldn’t you say a word in my defense?”
Picking on him? Who on earth would dare? Su Nian had no clue how to speak up for him. The word helpless was practically written across her face could he not see it? She had never learned to hurl insults or bicker. Yet Zhou Beiming’s gaze pressed into her like a blade, as though it would flay her alive if she remained silent.
Summoning every scrap of courage she possessed, she whispered faintly: “Rebound.”
It was pitifully weak scarcely louder than the buzz of a mosquito. Had the study not been so utterly still, the other three might not have caught it at all. It was the most formidable “retort” she knew. In the past she had only ever mouthed it silently in her mind; this was the first time it had passed her lips. Heat rose to her face, and she lowered her head, blushing.
Whether because its power was indeed too great or for some other reason, the study fell so silent that a pin dropping would have echoed clearly. Even Zhou Yunhe, whose temper was notoriously quick to ignite, stood tongue-tied for a long moment.
“Heh…” Zhou Beiming burst into genuine amusement, his rich, warm laugh shattering the suffocating stillness.
Su Nian could not see what was so funny. She lifted her eyes toward him. Perhaps the lamplight was too soft and kind, but his smile seemed to spread warmly through the room, leaving her momentarily dazed and spellbound.
Then he spoke and promptly ruined the mood. “Eldest Aunt Niannian says you are the one speaking vulgar nonsense.”
Su Nian had said no such thing. Yet… in a manner of speaking, hadn’t she? She had simply bounced his own words right back at him. Her ears burned bright red, embarrassment washing over her. She parted her lips to explain, then paused. She was supposed to be on Zhou Beiming’s side. Her stance, she decided, must remain firm.
Zhou Yunhe glared at her fiercely. “You haven’t even stepped through the Zhou family’s doors yet, and already you speak with his insolence? Is this the upbringing you received?”
It was entirely undeserved trouble brought down on her by Zhou Beiming. Su Nian stealthily nudged his shoe with her own, unsure whether he still expected her to speak. If not… silence, she decided, was golden.
Zhou Beiming caught the tiny movement from the corner of his eye. Must she wait to be prodded into action? He wanted her biddable with him not yielding and meek before everyone else. Still, he decided not to press her further. She had, after all, mustered a brave little “rebound” on his behalf.
Slowly, he withdrew his fingers from her earring and rose lazily to his feet. He sauntered over to the Old Master’s desk, one hand tucked casually into his pocket, the other resting atop the polished wood. He tilted his head and looked down at Zhou Yunhe from on high tall enough that even slightly bowed, he still towered over her. The arrogance in his eyes was laid bare, undisguised.
“Dare lecture my Niannian on propriety? Be careful I see to it that you no longer have a home to return to.”
Zhou Yunhe drew breath to retort, but the Old Master cut in. “Yunhe… leave us.”
If this quarrel continued, his hotheaded daughter really might lose everything. Should Zhou Beiming expose the truth about her secret son born out of wedlock and hidden away in Finland her husband would assuredly demand a divorce.
“Father…” Zhou Yunhe’s voice dragged, thick with protest. The Old Master cast her a single sharp glance, and his sheer authority silenced her. She could only glare furiously at Zhou Beiming. Turning on her heel in her heels, she stormed past Su Nian, letting out a sharp, disdainful huff. “Like a rabbit’s tail your good fortune will not last long!”
Su Nian felt wronged, yet chose to hold her tongue. Then she looked up and found Zhou Beiming watching her, expectant.
Reluctantly, she delivered her assignment. “Rebound.” This time, she said it gently, almost softly.
Zhou Yunhe might as well have kicked a ball of cotton. Fuming, she looked as though she could have squeezed the life out of Su Nian. Bang! With nothing else left to say or do, she slammed the door behind her in defeat.
Once more, silence reigned. After a long while, Zhou Beiming turned to the Old Master, a hint of smug satisfaction lurking in his dark eyes. “Well? What do you make of your granddaughter-in-law?”
Su Nian already knew the answer. From the moment she stepped inside, the Old Master had shown her nothing but cold displeasure. She kept her head bowed, bracing herself for a failing grade.
“How on earth did such a girl come to take a fancy to you?” the Old Master asked. “What despicable trickery did you employ, you rascal?”
His voice no longer held the frost of before it had softened, grown distinctly warmer. Su Nian lifted her head in bewilderment. The Old Master was looking at her now, his expression kind and gentle. She stared, thoroughly confused.
He continued, “Zhou Beiming is a thoroughly unworthy fellow. I ask only that you bear with him, my dear. If ever he wrongs you… come straight to me. I shall see to it he regrets ever having been born.”
Does a grandfather truly know his grandson best? Su Nian remained utterly perplexed.
Then the Old Master drew forth a pink box. He stood, walked over to her, and pressed it gently into her hands. “A small gift from your Grandfather. Keep it.”
Su Nian took it mechanically. Had he not intended to rage and condemn her? She felt suddenly as though she had wandered into a den of kindly thieves. She did not open the box, but murmured softly, “Thank you, Grandfather.”
Old Master Zhou said little more only smiled gently. “I have had a room prepared for you. I hope it is to your liking.”
Su Nian had assumed she would be staying with Zhou Beiming tonight. She repeated, not knowing what else to say, “Thank you, Grandfather.”
Zhou Beiming lifted an eyebrow. “She stays with me.” Displeasure edged sharply into his tone. “Old Man, cease meddling in matters that do not concern you.”
The Old Master’s genial expression vanished in an instant. “You shameless scoundrel! Until you are properly wed, do not presume to take such liberties with this young lady!”
Su Nian fell quiet, saying nothing. Liberties? He had been taking them for two years now every last inch of her had long since been thoroughly claimed by him. She waited to see if Zhou Beiming would speak up and set the record straight.
Instead, he merely let out a dismissive huff. “Eighty-year-old relics… always such tedious fussiness.”
The two grandfather and grandson seemed perpetually at odds, yet beneath the bickering lay an unmistakable bond of affection. Su Nian could not fathom why the Old Master had treated her so frostily before the others, yet she trusted he had his reasons.
They did not remain in the study much longer. The butler arrived to escort Su Nian to her quarters. Zhou Beiming made to follow, only to receive a resounding smack upside the head. “Go on with you! Step foot out that door and I shall break your legs!”
“Ugly old man… just you wait,” Zhou Beiming grumbled, displeased. Then he turned and departed at an unhurried pace.
The Zhou family estate was vast, laid out like a labyrinth. Su Nian followed the butler through winding corridors until they reached her room. The door opened to reveal a spacious suite larger even than her own apartment. It was… rather overwhelmingly feminine. Everything was soft pink. On the vanity sat a large Barbie doll.
She was no little girl. She had never been one of those lucky children with a princess-themed bedroom and dolls to call her own. Her parents were both alive, yet she had never truly had a home. Standing there amid all this unfamiliar sweetness, her heart swamed with unexpected warmth.
The butler handed her a key. “The Young Master has a sharp nose he can sniff out anyone anywhere. This was arranged by Old Master especially for you, Miss Su. The door locks from within.”
Su Nian accepted the key. With a respectful nod, the butler withdrew. She stood looking down at the key in one hand and the pink box in the other, then let her gaze drift once more over the soft pink room. Her heart felt gently warmed. She had never imagined… that someone, somewhere, might still see the little girl within her.