Lin Che tried her best to act normal.
She really did.
But every time she glanced at Zhang Rui—no, Gong Rui—her stomach twisted with guilt.
I kissed someone… I kissed someone yesterday…
And the man she kissed was very much not the man currently watching her with worried, gentle eyes.
"Che Che," Gong Rui leaned forward slightly, lowering his voice, "are you sure you're fine? You look pale."
Lin Che felt her heart shrivel like dried fruit.
"I—I'm okay," she said quickly, forcing a smile that even she didn't believe. "Just… having a hard time adjusting to the city. It's too… different."
Gong Rui exhaled in visible relief.
"Ah, I see. Then that's fine. If you feel unwell, just tell me. I'll bring the doctor immediately."
"No! I mean—no need," Lin Che waved her hands. "I'll… adjust. Eventually."
The guilt was killing her.
Just as she was about to bury her face in her hands, footsteps sounded from the hallway.
A servant's voice echoed:
"Second Madam has arrived."
Immediately, everyone at the table stiffened.
Lin Che sat up straighter without realizing it.
Second Madam Gong walked in gracefully, dressed in a perfectly tailored morning suit. Her hair was tied neatly, her makeup subtle but flawless. She was beautiful—elegant even—but the most striking thing about her was the calm, soft smile she wore.
Right as Second Madam Gong stepped fully into the dining hall, another figure followed behind her—a tall man in a crisp suit, holding a briefcase as if he hadn't stopped working since dawn.
Lin Che blinked.
The resemblance was so strong it nearly startled her!
Same nose. Same jawline. Same eyes.
It was like seeing an older, sharper version of Gong Rui.
It was no wonder Second Madam Gong was so sure this was her son at the first glance!
"Good morning," the man said, voice deep and hurried. "Apologies for the rush—I'm needed at the office."
He gave Grandpa Zhang a polite nod, then a small smile toward the table.
"Rui, eat well," he said quickly, already loosening his tie as if he had run downstairs. "And all of you, make yourselves comfortable. There's a lot happening today, but we will see each other tonight at the party."
Before anyone could respond, he grabbed a single piece of bread off the platter, tucked it into his mouth in a very un-Young-Master-like manner, and waved toward them with his free hand.
"I'll be late if I don't leave now—see you all in the evening!"
Then he rushed out almost as fast as he had come in, the servants scrambling to open the door for him.
Second Madam Gong watched his retreating back with a helpless sigh, the kind only a long-suffering wife could perfect.
"My husband," she said lightly to no one in particular, "always in a hurry."
Her tone was fond.
She then turned and offered a smile.
A smile that somehow felt… dangerous.
"Good morning," she said pleasantly, her eyes sweeping the table. "I hope everyone slept well."
Lin Che opened her mouth to greet her—
—but the woman's gaze abruptly sharpened.
Not openly hostile, not rude.
Just… cutting.
Like a silk ribbon hiding a blade.
Her gaze dropped to where Lin Che was sitting, directly beside Gong Rui.
"Oh," she said lightly. "You're sitting there?"
Lin Che blinked. "I—I…"
Second Madam's smile widened a fraction.
Yet every syllable was a warning.
"That is my seat."
"…Ah."
Lin Che leapt up so fast her chair scraped loudly on the marble.
Her face flushed bright red.
"S-sorry—I didn't know—!"
"It happens," Second Madam answered smoothly. "Common mistake."
Nan Lu's mouth dropped open.
Even Auntie Li paused mid-step, her hands clasping her tray tighter.
"Come," the madam continued with serene gentleness, "you can sit… over there."
She pointed at the far end of the table.
The very far end.
Practically a different continent.
Auntie Li silently walked over, removed Lin Che's plate and chopsticks, and started carrying them toward the seat next to Gong Rui—only to freeze when Second Madam cast the briefest glance in her direction.
That single glance was enough.
Auntie Li immediately changed direction and placed the plate at the farthest possible seat from Gong Rui.
Lin Che wanted to disappear into the floor.
When Second Madam finally took her rightful seat beside her son, she gently kissed Gong Rui's forehead.
"You're up early," she said warmly.
"Mother," he smiled, "I didn't want to keep everyone waiting."
The mother-son closeness was so natural, so smooth, so… impenetrable, that Lin Che felt Grandpa Zhang stiffen beside her.
His smile dimmed just slightly.
Then faded completely.
Breakfast resumed in uncomfortable silence.
Lin Che tried to lift her spoon—
—but she immediately felt it.
That gaze.
Soft.
Polite.
Yet impossibly sharp.
Second Madam Gong was watching her.
No—studying her.
Lin Che's hands trembled. The spoon clattered back into the bowl, splashing soup onto her sleeve.
She nearly choked on her own embarrassment.
Nan Lu kicked her foot lightly under the table.
Che Che. Pull yourself together.
But before Lin Che could breathe, Second Madam spoke again.
"So," she began, tone gentle, "you told me last time that you were my son's girlfriend."
The spoon froze halfway to Lin Che's mouth.
She swallowed nervously. "Y-yes."
"How long have you two been together?"
The woman asked the question with perfect politeness, but everyone could hear the hidden edge.
Lin Che felt trapped.
"A—about… since we were fifteen."
Second Madam blinked.
Her smile didn't fade.
"Oh my," she chuckled lightly, glancing at her son. "Fifteen? Such childish promises you two have been holding onto."
Her tone was warm.
Her words were not.
Lin Che bit her lip.
"It wasn't just promises," she said softly. "We… were already engaged when we turned eighteen. We were planning to marry when we became stable."
For a moment, a flicker of something—annoyance?—crossed the madam's eyes.
Then it vanished behind another serene smile.
"I see," she said simply. "So that is—"
But she didn't finish.
Because suddenly—
"Master Gong has arrived!"