Xiaoyu was just about to step into the sleek black car with Liang Wei when a sudden commotion broke the early-morning calm. The doors of the driveway gate slammed open, and a familiar whirlwind of energy swept across the driveway.
"Grandmother!"
Liang Wei's usually unflappable posture stiffened imperceptibly, though his expression remained stoic. Xiaoyu, on the other hand, froze mid-step, her hands clutching her bag as two figures stormed toward them across the polished driveway.
They had come from another town, a few hours' drive away, but the scandal—the press conference, the headlines, the sudden public attention—had reached them immediately. No one in the family could sit still when the name "Xiaoyu" was spoken in conjunction with their usually untouchable, unapproachable grandson.
The first to arrive was the grandmother: a woman who could only be described as formidable in every sense of the word. Short in stature but colossal in presence, her silver hair was pulled into a tight bun that added an almost comical severity to her sharp features. Her eyes were piercing blue, framed by thin glasses perched precisely at the tip of her nose. She moved with surprising speed for her age, the click of her heels announcing her approach.
Behind her came the sister, taller and younger, with a sharpness in her expression that mirrored the grandmother's but carried a hint of mischief. Her dark hair was tied back in a high ponytail that swung as she moved, and her designer outfit was impeccable—an air of effortless elegance that contrasted starkly with Xiaoyu's slightly disheveled, morning-harried look.
They stopped a mere foot away from Xiaoyu, and the grandmother's gaze zeroed in immediately. It was as if she were a scientist examining a rare specimen.
"Hmm," she said slowly, turning her head from side to side as if she were evaluating a painting. "So… you're the one."
Xiaoyu's cheeks flushed a deep shade of crimson. She tried to muster a polite smile. "Y-yes, I am… Xiaoyu."
The sister stepped closer, craning her neck slightly as though the mere act of looking closer would reveal some hidden truth. Her eyes scanned Xiaoyu from head to toe, lingering with playful curiosity. "Interesting… not what I expected," she said, tilting her head. "You're… petite. And… ordinary, in a refreshing way."
Xiaoyu blinked, unsure if this was a compliment or an insult.
The grandmother leaned in slightly, her hands clasped behind her back. "Ordinary?" she repeated, eyebrows raised. "Ordinary is a strong word. You've survived a press conference unscathed, endured the chaos, and—most importantly—you managed to wake Liang Wei from a nightmare without fainting or screaming. That is… notable."
Xiaoyu opened her mouth to reply, but nothing came out. She felt like she had just been presented to a royal court, and instead of a gentle bow, she had tripped over her own words.
The sister laughed softly, a sound that was almost teasing. "I've seen a lot of women try their luck with him," she said, glancing at Liang Wei with a raised brow. "Models, actresses, socialites. None of them managed to get him to notice them. And yet here you are… He didn't even look at you during the press frenzy. And still, you've… done something. Somehow."
Xiaoyu's knees weakened slightly at the implication. She had not expected such praise, nor had she expected to feel the weight of being scrutinized by this formidable pair.
The grandmother, however, was far from finished. She reached out, lightly tapping Xiaoyu's chin with a finger. Xiaoyu flinched slightly, unsure of how to react to this inspection.
"You have a kind face," the grandmother said, as though this singular observation explained everything. "But you have the look of someone who could be… trouble."
"Trouble?" Xiaoyu echoed, her voice small.
"Yes," the grandmother said with conviction, turning to glance at Liang Wei. "A woman who can disrupt a man who is usually untouchable—who has never looked at anyone this way—she is trouble, my dear. But perhaps… the good kind."
The sister joined in, circling Xiaoyu slowly as though performing an analysis. "Yes, yes… I see it now. She's awkward, unpolished, genuine. Not the type he usually notices. That is… intriguing."
Xiaoyu's thoughts raced. Why did he even let them come here now? Why am I standing here like some exhibit?
Liang Wei, standing a few feet away, did nothing to intervene. His expression was calm, unreadable, his gaze directed forward. He had a habit of letting others make their own judgments, allowing them to reveal themselves while he observed silently. This was new to him as well—seeing his family react to someone he was slowly forming a connection with, watching Xiaoyu handle their intense scrutiny without faltering completely.
Xiaoyu's stomach turned. Every word, every glance made her feel as if she were under a microscope. She wanted to shrink, disappear, or suddenly become invisible, but the eyes of the family held her firmly in place.
The grandmother finally stepped back, her sharp blue eyes still studying Xiaoyu. "Well. You survived the ordeal, you handled him… adequately," she said with finality. "That is no small feat. Consider yourself… tolerated."
The sister grinned, crossing her arms. "Tolerated is a start. But I have questions. Many questions."
Xiaoyu's mind blanked. She was unsure where to start. What did they want to know? Did they already have expectations? Did Liang Wei tell them anything—or nothing at all?
The grandmother shifted slightly, producing a faint but noticeable chuckle. "Ah… I remember when he was your age. None of the girls could catch his attention. He was… focused. Determined. Unreachable. No woman could crack the wall he built. And now…" She waved her hand slightly in Xiaoyu's direction. "…You are here. You've made him vulnerable. Interesting indeed."
Xiaoyu felt herself blush furiously. The words were oddly flattering but also terrifying. She had never considered herself capable of making anyone feel vulnerable, let alone someone like Liang Wei.
The sister stepped closer again, her eyes narrowing playfully. "Yes… interesting. But can you survive a family encounter like this?" she asked. "Can you endure the relentless questioning, the subtle critiques, the—oh—just the sheer energy of our household? This is only the beginning, little one. Brace yourself."
Xiaoyu's heart skipped a beat. She had barely handled the press conference, the headlines, and Liang Wei himself. And now… now she had to face a family who scrutinized her like an art critic evaluating a new masterpiece.
She glanced at Liang Wei, hoping for some subtle support, some indication that he would shield her in some way. But he remained statuesque, posture perfect, his expression entirely neutral. He had allowed this, she realized, letting his family test her. Perhaps he wanted to see how she would handle them. Perhaps… he wanted to see what she was made of.
Xiaoyu swallowed, trying to steady herself. "I… I'll do my best," she said softly, almost as a plea, almost as reassurance to herself.
The grandmother's lips curled into a faint smile, though her eyes still held a spark of mischief. "Good. That is what I expected. Survive the day, and you may yet survive the week."
The sister laughed, clapping her hands lightly. "Week? Oh, we're going to have fun with you. I promise, you will learn quickly what it means to be part of this family—or at least part of our chaos."
Xiaoyu's stomach churned. She felt as if she were stepping onto a stage, under the gaze of the most discerning audience she had ever encountered. Every movement, every word, every glance was being analyzed. She wasn't sure if she was prepared.
Liang Wei simply stood silently, a quiet pillar amid the whirlwind. And somehow, that made everything both easier and infinitely more terrifying.
Xiaoyu took a deep breath, clenching her hands at her sides. She was about to get into the car, about to be whisked off into the day and the public eye again—but first, she had to survive the scrutiny of Liang Wei's family, and that challenge felt like walking a tightrope above a pit of flashing cameras.
Little did she know, this encounter would mark the first of many tests in a world she had never imagined entering—one filled with scrutiny, laughter, judgment, and, unexpectedly, a growing sense of connection with Liang Wei.