C7 I Was Nervous

The home was adorned in a lavish European style, with patterned creamy white tiles reflecting the delicate crystal chandeliers above. To the left of the entrance was the living room, where an elderly man clad in a traditional Tang suit was enjoying his tea. A woman in her early thirties sat on the sofa, smiling warmly towards the doorway. A teenage girl, around 15 or 16, stood behind her, also grinning. Yet, upon closer inspection, one could detect a hint of scorn and indifference in their eyes despite the smiles on their faces.

Yi Lanyou had been utterly overwhelmed during her first visit in her past life, her behavior timid and cautious. She endured a night of mockery, which only deepened her existing insecurities and made it harder for her to hold her head high.

In this life, from the moment Yi Lanyou stepped into the house, she had burned her bridges. She wore a smile as she followed Yi Haoen.

"Yi Lanyou, this is your grandfather," Yi Haoen introduced. "Dad, this is Yi Lanyou."

"Hello, Grandpa," Yi Lanyou greeted with a nod. She wasn't very familiar with her grandfather, Yi Weihai. She knew he had ordered her return to the Yi family to reclaim her heritage, but since her return, Yi Weihai hadn't so much as glanced at her. Her grandfather had stood by while she was humiliated, almost as if he was watching indifferently, leaving her fate to chance.

Yi Lanyou couldn't comprehend it, not then and not now. However, she was aware that the Yi family's prominence in Z City was inextricably linked to Yi Weihai's youthful endeavors. His influence extended beyond Z City, holding significant sway in the culinary industry throughout Z Country.

"En," Yi Weihai acknowledged, appraising Yi Lanyou from head to toe.

"This is your..." Yi Haoen paused, "your mother..."

Yi Lanyou cut him off before he could finish, "Hello, Auntie."

Yi Haoen was momentarily taken aback. He had intended for Yi Lanyou to seize the moment to address Fang Fang as 'Mom,' rather than 'Auntie.'

"Uh..." A flicker of surprise passed through Fang Fang's eyes before she lifted the corners of her mouth into a smile. "Hello there, your name is Yi Lanyou, isn't it? It's a lovely name. Now that you've joined the Yi family, we're all family here. You don't need to think about going back anymore. Just enjoy spending time with your sister."

Fang Fang gestured to the girl behind her and introduced her, "This is Rui'er, a year younger than you. She's a sophomore in high school. She's bright and quite the little trickster, so if she plays a small prank on you, try not to get mad at her, okay?"

Fang Fang's words were impeccable, offering comfort to Yi Lanyou and warmly introducing her to her younger sister, exuding the warmth of a caring mother.

Yi Lanyou's smile didn't quite reach her eyes as she responded with a single word, "Mm."

Fang Fang noticed that Yi Lanyou wasn't really paying her much attention, and it was a struggle to maintain her enthusiastic facade, creating an awkward moment.

"Lanyou, that's quite impolite!" Rui'er chided, hands clasped behind her back, her long black hair neatly cascading over her shoulders. Her face still held a touch of baby fat, and she was dressed in a pale pink cotton dress, looking as pretty as a doll displayed in an upscale shop window.

"I'm nervous," Yi Lanyou stated plainly, the words carrying a weight that left Rui'er momentarily taken aback. Nervous? It seemed like a good excuse, but Rui'er couldn't quite believe that Yi Lanyou was actually nervous.

"It's time to eat," Yi Weihai interjected, rising to his feet and giving Yi Lanyou a fleeting glance that was hard to read.