He Wan was indeed the birth mother of Yan Sui, the master of Haicheng's most distinguished household. However, the relationship between a mother and their biological child would not always be peaceful. She and Yan Sui were enemies– opponents who did not view each other highly at all.
Yet, Yan Sui matured early and became the one to manage the household even earlier. The only matter in which she could create difficulties for Yan Sui was his marriage.
She would definitely not do anything such as finding him a wife who was intelligent and beautiful with a strong background. That would only be providing Yan Sui with assistance, and increasing her own feelings of suffocation. However, He Wan would also not do anything which could become a pretext for gossip. In her eyes, she believed that the identity and status of illegitimate children from prestigious households were quite appropriate.
The reason why she had continuously collected and selected potential partners was not that those illegitimate sons and daughters were not good enough. Rather, it was exactly the opposite. They were too good, too outstanding.
Before choosing Meng Ting, she had actually been quite optimistic about Su family's illegitimate child, Su Siyu. Meng Ting was foolish, and a waste. Su Siyu was very spoiled, and he was four years older than Meng Ting. He led a life of debauchery, and always flirted around with others. His reputation in their circles was not much better than Meng Yide's.
Of course, Su Siyu's life was much better than Meng Ting's. His father pampered and protected him as if Su Siyu was his treasure. This caused him to become undisciplined and out of control, as well as growing more and more spoiled.
He Wan wanted Yan Sui to suffer through chaotic and stressful days in the future, but just when the marriage was going to be settled, Su Siyu suddenly changed for the better. He managed to get into Su family's old Madam's good graces, and his reputation improved. With this, it would be odd if He Wan continued to be satisfied with him.
Feng Zejiao faintly understood He Wan's thoughts. It was only then that her mind cleared, and she felt that it was a lucky coincidence for the Meng family to bring out a waste like Meng Ting. She was able to receive the other, and negotiate with He Wan. As for the result, it could almost be said that they clicked together from the very start.
Although the Meng family was also a well-known household in Haicheng, they were still a class lower than the Yan family. Even if it was Meng lao yezi, he wouldn't be able to find anything unsatisfactory about connecting the two families together with marriage through an illegitimate child.
As for Yan Sui, He Wan would settle everything with him. From what she revealed, it seemed that he wouldn't have that much of an objection.
Following this, Feng Zejiao and He Wan both departed from the flower arrangement room. They both returned back to their own homes, each carrying a piece of 'good news'.
For the Meng family, this was indeed regarded as a genuinely important good news. However, this was not necessarily the case for Yan Sui. Just like how He Wan had defined their relationship, Yan Sui was also well aware of her intentions.
"Alright, we'll go ahead with that."
Yan Sui was standing with his back to her as he finished his call. Then he turned and directed his gaze at his birth mother, He Wan, who had never once knocked on the door before entering. Etched across her face was a gentle and soft smile. On the other hand, Yan Sui's expression was one of cold indifference.
Like an enemy, Yan Sui's birth mother was always thinking of ways to create blockages in his path.
Yet, from beginning to end, Yan Sui did not seem to care about it. Or rather, it could be said that he watched in a detached manner as He Wan continued to overstep his bottom line. Only when Yan Sui was unwilling to tolerate her any longer, he would break off their relations.
At 165 centimetres, He Wan came up to Yan Sui's shoulders. Yan Sui was well-proportioned and with his stature, he would easily sweep away other male actors or models if he were to step into the fashion or entertainment industry. He was also quite handsome, with excellent features. It was only that Yan Sui's aura was too imposing. Hence, when others faced him, they rarely noticed anything else.
The light in his eyes dimmed and He Wan suddenly felt cold, it was if she was being looked down upon. The anger and blame in her heart burned more intensely, but the tender smile on her face persisted.
"I know that you're dissatisfied with Su Siyu, so I won't force you to engage with him. This is the seventh young master of the Meng family. His appearance is quite good, and his temper is also fine." As He Wan spoke, she pulled out a photograph that she had just printed and offered it to Yan Sui. Then she added, "I think he's suitable."
Yan Sui swept his gaze over the photograph but did not take it. He then turned and sat down in his chair. His formidable and imposing aura flared stronger as the apathetic light in his eyes sharpened. He Wan could not help but feel fear and trepidation¹. It was only after a long silence that Yan Sui spoke. "Alright."
[1] 心惊肉跳: literally translates to 'heart alarmed, body leaping; meaning fear and trepidation in the face of disaster
Sure enough, Yan Sui complied to what she had suggested. However, the stifling feeling in He Wan's heart did not dissipate in the least. In truth, He Wan often also did not know exactly what she was thinking herself. She laughed modestly, "It's good that you like him. We'll settle on Meng Ting then."
Just like before, Yan Sui did not further express himself. He Wan placed the photograph on his desk then departed. Her gait appeared almost eager, as if she was repressing something.
After He Wan had left, Yan Sui once again picked up his phone.
"I need a complete profile regarding Meng family's Meng Ting."
Meng Ting had no idea that his wishes had been so quickly fulfilled. After everyone had withdrawn from his room. Meng Ting had collapsed on his bed and slept for a while. In the end, he was still frightened awake by a similar dream to the ones he had before. However, Meng Ting was already accustomed to this problem as he could not do anything about it.
Besides, he currently had a more urgent issue which needed to be resolved. He was hungry. Other than the two boiled eggs Meng Ting had eaten at the school cafeteria this morning, he had not had anything else. Seventeen and eighteen year old's at his age were in the height of their growth period, so Meng Ting had long been hungry to the point of death.
After dressing himself with his clothes, Meng Ting pulled open his door, only to be faced with a maid in her thirties who had been guarding his room.
Meng Ting's eyes widened as his plans to scavenge for food was thwarted. He stammered for a good while before finally saying, "What is it?"
As expected, the Meng family was extremely terrifying; he could not go and have a meal, and they even had someone standing outside to watch him. Meng Ting pondered. How long would he be able to resist his hunger? He estimated that he would not be able to last longer than three days. However, was it possible for him to he get married within three days so he could finally eat a full meal?
One of Meng Ting's reasons for wanting to get married so quickly was his intense desire to be able to eat to his content.
The maid gave Meng Ting a practiced smile, "The old madame would like to meet you."
"Okay." Meng Ting nodded, and followed her lead. Under the roof of another's house, he had no choice but to yield, even though Meng Ting's reasons for giving in was merely due to his hunger.
In actuality, Feng Zejiao did not really have any particular reason for summoning Meng Ting. Even though the matter of his marriage had now been set, it was the Meng lao yezi who would arrange a suitable time to announce it. It was just that Feng Zejiao could not resist taking a look at Meng Ting as she was feeling pleased about the part she had played in securing the marriage.
"You have only just returned home, are you living well?"
Meng Ting restrained his urge to cover his stomach. Instead, he nodded hesitatingly.
The corner of Feng Zejiao's lips curved up. She knew that it was his foolishness that caught He Wan's eye. Since Feng Zejiao currently had no ill feelings towards Meng Ting, she said, "There is a banquet tomorrow night and you will accompany me. There's no need to be nervous, I am only bringing you to give you some experience."
"O-Okay." Meng Ting nodded. After all, he did not have any grounds or position to reject her.
Meng Ting spoke little. Hence, no matter how pleasing to the eye he was to Feng Zejiao, she simply could not continuously humble herself and initiate further conversation. Once again, she swept a measuring glance over Meng Ting before gesturing with her hand. "You may go back."
"Yes.�� Meng Ting nodded, then turned around and left without hesitation.
As Meng Ting exited the living room, the thirty-year-old maid led him back to his living quarters.
When Meng Ting was pushing open the door of his bedroom, he paused then looked back. Sure enough, the maid was standing at the place where she had waited previously. Meng Ting once again felt a deep sense of sullenness strike him. He retrieved his sight, then opened the door and proceeded to close it behind him.
Weren't they just trying to starve him?
Then he would bear it. After all, it was not as if he hadn't had to endure his hunger before.
In fact, this was actually an act of carelessness on Meng Zhong's part. On their journey to the mansion, he should have explained the rule that it was not acceptable for meals to be eaten after the set dinner time to Meng Ting. However, Meng Ting had been daydreaming that entire ride whilst ignoring Meng Zhong and treating him indifferently. It wasn't that Meng Zhong had done this on purpose; rather, he just thought that he had clarified everything that needed to be said. For a matter like eating dinner, Meng Zhong did not mention it.
He certainly did not foresee that Meng Ting would so stubbornly believe that the Meng family was purposely not giving him food and trying to starve him.
Of course, this was not anything strange according to Meng Ting's logic. After all, even though he had been considered 'useful' in the past, his treatment then was not very good either. Now, he was simply a 'waste'. Being starved could be considered quite normal and expected.
The aforementioned was not merely the work of Meng Ting's own logic, but also the logic that was enforced upon him by his grandmother.
Early the next morning, Meng Ting woke up at exactly five thirty. He pulled on the sportswear that was buried in his pile of new clothes, then walked out of his room. As expected, that maid was no longer there. Meng Ting sighed in relief. However, when he descended down the stairs, Meng Ting's path was blocked by a bodyguard. The man bowed at Meng Ting.
"I'm going for a run."
At his highschool, all students (regardless of gender) were required to run more than ten laps every morning. If anyone did not complete their laps, their meals for the day would be deducted. In order to be able to eat his fill, Meng Ting had always ran the most laps.
However, after he had left that place in his past life, Meng Ting had subconsciously rejected everything that he experienced there. He had run during his first year at university, then stopped when his studies became more hectic. After that, Meng Ting did not run again. It was also like this when he was sent to the experiment base. Meng Ting had thought that he would die from overworking there. One of the reasons was due to the Meng family, but the other was because he was negligent in his physical exercise and training.
Now that he had returned to the Meng family, Meng Ting did not plan to fall again. In regard to eating the meals provided at the Meng family, he was diffident. However, he would not feel any embarrassment in tempering himself.
Sure enough, the man stepped aside and allowed Meng Ting to pass. Meng Ting headed towards the parterre at the forefront of the mansion and ran alongside the paths there. The Meng residence occupied an enormous amount of area, demonstrated by the grove which was situated beside the flowerbeds. Following the outermost paths, Meng Ting ran ten laps before finally coming to a halt. By the time he had finished running, an hour had already passed.
Meng Ting returned to his quarters and took a shower. After changing into a white shirt and jeans, he descended down the stairs once again. He then found the kitchen by relying on his instinct for the whereabouts of rice-cookers. The aunties in the kitchen were quite nice and pointed him towards a table, thinking that Meng Ting was another servant at the Meng family.
"There's milk and three sandwiches over there, you can take some."
Since Meng lao yezi woke up rather early, the chefs would be very busy during this period. They simply just did not have any time to pay attention to anyone else.
As for Meng Ting, he picked up two sandwiches and two bottles of milk before leaving. He walked back to his room and ate one half, preserving the rest for his lunch. There would be a banquet tonight, so there should be food there for him to eat.
Upon thinking of this, Meng Ting's eyes glowed with longing.
Not long after Meng Ting had finished eating his breakfast, Uncle Wen arrived. He had also brought several other people along with him. Meng Ting was then once again fussed over from head to toe. Following this, general knowledge about the banquet was crammed into him.
However, upon seeing the slightly bewildered and nervous expression in Meng Ting's eyes, Uncle Wen knew that there was not much use in feeding him all that information.
At around five o'clock in the afternoon, Meng Ting was requested to go downstairs. He was directed into a limousine that would drive him and Feng Zejiao to the Gu family's banquet. Apparently, they were Feng Zejiao's family, and it was her grandfather's birthday. Other than Feng Zejiao and Meng Ting, the family of her eldest son would also be present.
Meng Ting could be regarded as being from Meng lao yezi's mistress Li Yifei's side of the family. However, he was an illegitimate son and had not been brought up by either side. Besides, it was her who had arranged Qian Qiaoda's marriage, so Meng Ting could not really be considered as being from either side of the family.
Feng Zejiao swept a glance over Meng Ting. His suit was delicate and refined, not falling short of the exquisiteness of his features. She thought that this was rather expected; after all, if it were not for Meng Ting's birth mother who had indeed been very beautiful back then, Meng Yide would not have been persuaded to the point of wanting a divorce.
Only the eldest son, Meng Yihang, was hers. The rest were all children of that woman from a secondary branch of the family, Li Yifei. The only reason that Feng Zejiao had tolerated for so long and held the peace was that Meng lao yezi had promised her that the position of the Meng family's master would be given to her son, Meng Yihang.
Yet, the day that men's words were able to be trusted, was the day that sows would be able to climb trees. Feng Zejiao had already lost faith in the promise meng lao yezi had given her. After all, they even needed to make preparations to fight for the family's properties.
After being stared at for so long, Meg Ting finally lifted his head and asked Feng Zejiao, "Is there a problem?"
Hearing this, Feng Zejiao shifted her gaze away and then smiled, "In a while, I'll introduce you to your uncle's family. We're all a family, so you don't need to feel anxious."
"Okay." Meng Ting nodded. He would only feel nervous when faced with various kinds of strange academic courses. He was fine with everything else, including this.
Meng Ting did not speak much, but he was very obedient. Thus, Feng Zejiao did not feel any dissatisfaction. As for her reasons in bringing him to the banquet, she wanted to rope him in and also let Li Yifei's side of the family know that Meng Ting was already one of her people.
Of course, Li Yifei's side of the family did not seem to care very much anyway. Meng Ting had been able to catch He Wan's attention, but they believed that there was really not much value or worth able to found.
By the time they had arrived and stepped out of the limousine, it was already nearly six o'clock. When he took in the sight of the courtyard burning with glorious lights, Meng Ting could not help but feel a bit tense. He had come to the banquet with the goal to hunt for food and eat to his content, but he did not know whether there would actually be enough refreshments provided.
Feeling both distressed yet fascinated, Meng Ting followed Feng Zejiao into the Gu family's compound.