Jing Tian introduced us, "This is Auntie Zhi."
I went up to greet her, "Hello, Auntie Zhi."
Seniority was a problem for the three of us due to the complexity of our background.
Xiao Zhi's smile carried a sadness that I couldn't help but pity. "Hello. Oh, what beautiful girls. Jing Tian, your friends are all so beautiful!"
She exclaimed in surprise. She pulled each of our hands together and stopped at my side. "You must be Nanxing! You are so nice and so beautiful. Ah Lan is so lucky to have such a beautiful daughter-in-law."
I was slightly taken aback.
Wasn't she supposed to pamper her stepdaughter endlessly? Shouldn't she hate me? How come I didn't feel any hostility?
I looked at Jing Ni and Mai Qi with uncertainty. They responded to my confusion with their eyes.
I replied politely, "You flatter me."
She held my hand tightly. "No wonder our Jing Tian is unmoved by any girl. He already has you in his heart."
