The next morning, Li Xinyue's phone rang. She glanced at the caller ID and saw Mu Zhenyu's name flashing on the screen. She quickly picked up, keeping her voice steady.
"Good morning, Mr. Mu," she greeted.
"Good morning, Li Xinyue," Zhenyu replied. His tone was as calm as ever. "We will be having dinner at the old mansion today, family wants to meet you tonight. It's a formal introduction,
Xinyue paused, taking in his words. "Understood. What time should I be ready?"
"I'll pick you up at six," he said. There was a brief pause. "And if you want to bring gifts, my grandfather likes fine teas, my mother enjoys rare perfumes, and my younger brother… he's fond of model cars."
Xinyue made mental notes. "Thank you, I'll make sure to have something suitable for them."
Later That Day
After getting off the call, Xinyue set out to buy gifts. She knew that meeting the Mu family was more than just a formality—it was a test. If she wanted to make a good impression, she'd need to choose her gifts thoughtfully.
She picked out a box of aged Pu-erh tea, the kind known for its rich flavor and history for Old Madam Mu. It was rare and costly, but she knew it would reflect respect and appreciation.
For Madam Mu, Xinyue selected an elegant perfume. It was a soft floral scent, expensive but refined, a fragrance that would suit a woman of high status and elegance.
For Mu Chen, Zhenyu's younger brother, she found a high-quality model car, a collectible item that was both sophisticated and playful. She hoped it would convey friendliness without seeming overly familiar.
Satisfied with her choices, Xinyue returned home to prepare herself for the evening.
That Evening
At exactly 6 p.m., Mu Zhenyu arrived to pick her up. His car—a sleek, black luxury sedan—pulled up to the curb. Xinyue, dressed in a simple but elegant dress, stepped out with the gifts in her hands. She opened the car door and slid into the passenger seat.
"You're right on time," she said with a slight smile, glancing at him.
Zhenyu nodded. "It's good that you prepared gifts. My family will appreciate it."
As they drove, Xinyue looked out the window, mentally preparing herself for the evening. Zhenyu noticed her thoughtful expression and spoke, breaking the silence.
"My family can be… intense. Don't take anything personally. They'll test you, but they'll respect you if you stand your ground."
Xinyue met his gaze briefly, nodding. "I understand. I'm ready for whatever comes my way."
As they settled into the car, Mu Zhenyu glanced over at Xinyue, noticing the way she sat quietly, almost too formally. After a moment, he spoke, his voice softer than usual.
"Xinyue… you don't have to keep calling me 'Mr. Mu' anymore," he said, a slight hint of a smile in his tone. "We're married now. Just Zhenyu is fine."
Xinyue looked over, a bit surprised by the shift in his tone. He sounded less distant, and it caught her off guard for a moment. She took a breath, allowing herself a small smile as she met his eyes.
"All right, Zhenyu," she replied, testing his name on her lips. She felt a subtle change in the atmosphere between them, a touch of warmth that softened the tension she'd been feeling.
"And you can call me Xinyue," she added.
Zhenyu nodded, acknowledging the small yet meaningful step forward between them. "Xinyue," he repeated, his voice calm but with a familiarity that hadn't been there before.
They exchanged a look, a silent understanding passing between them. This was new territory, and they both knew it would take time to find their footing, but at that moment, it felt like they had a small start toward something real.
Li Xinyue took a steadying breath as she stepped into the grand Mu family estate. The air felt heavy, and the lavish decor hinted at generations of power and wealth. Every glance around told her she was entering a world where one misstep could cost her everything.
As she followed Mu Zhenyu down a long hallway, she steeled herself. This family—her new "in-laws"—were strangers to her. But today, she needed to play her role well.
In the main room, several members of the Mu family were waiting. At the head of the room sat Old Madam Mu, a stern-looking man in his seventies, with sharp eyes that seemed to pierce right through her. Beside him was Madam Mu, Zhenyu's mother, who eyed Xinyue with a cold, assessing gaze.
Zhenyu introduced them to each other and sat near his grandmother with a calm, unreadable expression.
Madam Mu's voice was the first to cut through the silence. "So, you're … Li Xinyue. The way she said it felt dismissive.
Xinyue held her gaze, unfazed. "Yes, I am."
Old Madam Mu leaned forward, his eyes narrowing. "What family are you from again? Zhang, was it? And yet, I hear you're not truly one of them."
Xinyue didn't flinch, though his words struck a nerve. She'd expected this. "Yes. I was taken by mistake by the Zhang family, but that doesn't make me any less of a person."
At this, Zhenyu spoke up, his tone calm but firm. "Mother, she's my wife now. It's my decision, and I don't appreciate anyone questioning it."
Madam Mu looked at him in surprise, but she quickly masked it. "Of course, Zhenyu. But we only want what's best for you." Her gaze slid back to Xinyue, filled with suspicion.
Suddenly, a younger voice broke in. "Mother, aren't you being a bit too harsh on her? We haven't even given her a chance."
Xinyue turned to see a young man, probably in his twenties, with a warm smile. This must be Zhenyu's younger brother, Mu Chen. His face showed genuine kindness as he offered her a slight nod.
"Welcome, sister-in-law," Mu Chen greeted her with a respectful bow. "We don't get many new faces around here, so it's nice to have someone fresh."
"Thank you, " Xinyue replied, her tone softening slightly. His warmth was unexpected, a small but comforting presence amid the hostility surrounding her.
Old Madam Mu gave Mu Chen a stern look but seemed to relent, easing back in his chair. "Enough. She's part of the family now, whether some of you like it or not."
Madam Mu's expression tightened, but she said nothing, though her disapproval was clear. The others in the room exchanged glances, watching the family dynamics shift slightly.
Just then, another voice broke the tension. This one was cold and unimpressed. "And I wonder how long she'll last in this family."
A woman in her mid-thirties stood by the doorway, arms crossed and an eyebrow raised. Xinyue recognized her from photos she'd seen before. This was Mu Yuyan, Zhenyu's older sister, who was known for being ruthless in business.
Zhenyu's eyes narrowed slightly at his sister's words, but he didn't respond.
Xinyue looked directly at Yuyan. "That depends on how much I'm allowed to prove myself, doesn't it?"
Yuyan's lips twisted into a smirk. "We'll see if you're worthy of being a Mu." Her words were more of a challenge than a welcome.
Old Madam Mu spoke up, silencing the room again. "Enough. I called you back to have a simple dinner not been hostile to her. Xinyue, if you can handle Zhenyu's temperament, you'll do fine here. As long as you respect our family's traditions and values, you have my approval."
Xinyue inclined her head respectfully. "Thank you, Old Madam Mu."
The room relaxed slightly as Old Master Mu signaled the end of the formal introduction. Xinyue could still feel the weight of Madam Mu's and Yuyan's gazes on her, though Mu Chen's friendly expression eased the tension a bit. It was clear that some members of the family were more welcoming than others.
As they left the main room, Zhenyu walked beside her, offering a subtle nod of reassurance. "You handled that well."
Xinyue allowed herself a small smile. "Thank you. I knew it wouldn't be easy, but... it's only the beginning."
He gave her a sideways glance. "It gets easier once they know you better. Don't let them intimidate you."
She met his gaze, appreciating the hint of support. "I won't. I can handle them."
For a moment, there was a flicker of warmth in his expression before his usual calm demeanor returned.