The next day, Julian's extended family gathers at his grandparents' home. Jasmine wears a soft blue cheongsam dress Gabriel picked out for her, and though she smiles politely at every compliment thrown her way, she's already exhausted by the repetition.
"You are so beautiful," an elderly woman says, touching her cheek lightly and Jasmine smiles yet again.
Another red packet adds to the ones beside her, piling up and she sighs.
"Thank you," she says again to yet another stranger.
This time, the man doesn't leave. Instead, he takes a seat beside her and leans in with a knowing grin.
"You really love my cousin?"
Jasmine blinks, caught off guard. She rest her eyes on him, trying to figure out who he might be but he is young, younger than Julian and about her own age.
"Of course," she says, as convincingly as she can.
"You're lying."
Her heart jumps, not expecting to be exposed so soon.
"I—I don't know what you're talking about."
"Really?" He chuckles darkly.
"I bet everyone here is also aware of your evil intention he continues, making Jasmine's skin crawl.
If everyone here knows about her lie, then they would not be so welcoming.
"What do you mean?" she asks.
"The size of those red packets beside you says everything. You married him for money, didn't you?"
Jasmine clenches her fists, stunned by his boldness.
"That's not—"
"You are saying I married him for money?"
"Why else would a kid like you marry a grumpy old man like Julian?" he replies.
Jasmine's blood boils. She wants to slap him. But she forces herself to stay calm, she almost gave herself out because of his nonsense.
"I'm not a kid," she says sharply.
"And he's not old."
Jasmine defends, although Julian is already thirty and her own nineteenth birthday is in a few months.
"Yet you're not denying you married him for his money," he goads.
"I did…"
She trails off, realizing too late what she's admitted.
"Perfect. Why don't we make a deal to split his assets when he dies?"
Jasmine stares at him, speechless. What kind of person says something like that?
She is not even sure who on earth is in front of her and what his position is.
She opens her mouth to respond when a cold chill settles around them.
Julian is approaching, his wheelchair silent but swift. Gabriel follows close behind.
"If looks could kill," Jasmine thinks,
"this man before her would be buried already."
"Did you lose your mind?" Julian's voice is cold, deadly calm.
"Brother," the man stammers.
Jasmine can hear the fear in his voice.
"I was just introducing myself to your wife—" he says, turning to Jasmine.
"The name is Alex Chen." he finally introduced.
Jasmine mouths an 'oh'
So it's the troublemaker in the Chen's family. She remembers a time when Julian was so furious because of him.
"Scram." Julian's gaze sharpens like a blade.
Alex—clearly terrified now—forces a smile.
"Sure."
He vanishes quickly.
Julian doesn't look at Jasmine right away, but when he does, his expression softens—just slightly.
"You okay?" he asks.
She nods silently, unable to find her voice.
"Well, he's a weird one," Jasmine murmurs, still watching Alex walk away with a bewildered expression.
When she turns, Julian's gaze is fixed on her—sharp, unreadable.
"I haven't seen your mother or grandfather," she says softly, trying to steer the moment somewhere calmer. Those are the only people here she feels slightly familiar with.
"Next time, don't speak with him."
Julian's tone is firm, unflinching.
Jasmine could understand why he is wary, after all, there are rumors of his grandfather changing his successor.
And despite the fact that Alex's father is a defect, he is still the closest to replace him.
Julian's eyes don't leave hers, and the command in his voice makes her spine straighten.
She nods, then hesitates.
"Yes… sir," she adds out of habit, but the second the word leaves her lips, she sees the disapproval flicker in his eyes.
Before he can respond, a hush falls over the room.
Wei Chen steps out of his study, and in an instant, the atmosphere changes. Conversations die. People rush forward to greet him, all hoping to earn his favor.
"I'd like to rest," the old man says with quiet authority, waving off their attempts.
With that single sentence, the crowd begins to disperse.
Jasmine stands, unsure if she should follow suit, but instead she walks toward Julian, standing quietly beside him like a shadow seeking refuge.
"Grandpa, how are you?" Alex calls out cheerfully, slipping beside the old man and taking his arm.
Surprisingly, Wei Chen allows it.
"You never used to visit," Wei Chen says, smiling faintly.
"Now I see more of you than I do Julian."
Jasmine watches Julian's jaw tense, but he says nothing.
Gabriel chuckles.
"Well, since Julian doesn't drop by often, I thought I'd fill in for him."
Wei Chen had two children in the past, and after losing Julian's father to some illness, he passed all his love to Julian and raised him despite his mother's protest.
Alex is the only child of his daughter, but his father is a disappointed who wreck havoc and has been expelled by Wei Chen. Despite that, he tries to treat him fairly as well.
Maybe more fairly in the last few years.
Julian's eyes remain fixed ahead, cold and unmoved. He's good at staying unreadable, but Jasmine senses the heat simmering beneath his calm expression.
Wei Chen lowers himself into a chair.
"It's enough that you're both here." He gestures for everyone else to sit, and soon it's just the four of them—Wei Chen, Gabriel, Julian, and Jasmine.
"Where's your mother?" Wei Chen asks Julian.
Julian only shrugs.
Everyone knows Mrs. Chen isn't fond of Jasmine. She never said it aloud, but her disapproval clings to every silence and cold stare.
"If only she were half as obedient as your wife," Wei Chen mutters with a sigh.
"Maybe then we'd get along better."
"Mom isn't your servant or one of your employees," Julian replies evenly.
"And Jasmine's not yours either."
Wei Chen ignores that and instead calls Jasmine over to sit beside him.
Hesitantly, she walks across the room and settles next to Alex, who immediately leans close.
"How are things between you two?" Wei Chen asks, his eyes narrowing with curiosity.
Doctor Song assures him before the wedding that there wouldn't be any problem in that area.
Jasmine blinks, caught off guard. She fumbles for the right way to address him.
"Mr…" she pauses, then quickly adjusts,
"Julian and I are doing well." She manages a polite smile, sneaking a glance at Julian.
He gives no reaction to her saying his name, but somehow that makes her stomach flutter more.
"Good," Wei Chen nods, seemingly satisfied.
"Grandfather, don't you think she's better suited to be my woman instead of cousin's? our ages are also similar" Alex smirks suddenly, clearly enjoying the tension he stirs.
Jasmine's head snaps toward him, and her tone sharpens.
"Did you hit your head before coming here, brother-in-law? You might want to watch your words."
Julian shifts slightly in his seat. His silence feels like a storm waiting to break.
"You're scolding me?" Alex asks, amused.
"Why can't I?" she says coolly.
"After all, I outrank you. You should be showing me some respect."
Gabriel chuckles, but the weight of Wei Chen's stern look wipes the amusement from his face.
"She's right. Show some respect, and stop teasing your brother," Wei Chen says sharply.
Gabriel mutters something under his breath and goes quiet.