Lihua sat beside Jiang Lanying, putting her hands on her knees. She smiled at her as she patted Lihua, the cat's head.

  There was a pause after which Jiang Lanying spoke, "Thank you…" ??

  Lihua was surprised. "For what?"

  "For helping everyone until now, especially Ruiling," her smile slightly faltered. "I know that as her sister-in-law, I should have helped her in her relationship with Shen Yang. I also knew about them like Li, Mom and Dad. But when Old Madam brought her marriage with Wen Yaoting, I couldn't do anything to support her."

  She lowered her head and clasped her hands together. "……I feel embarrassed. I am the daughter-in-law of this family who came here earlier than you, yet……I feel that I have done nothing for my family in these two years."

  Lihua was taken aback. She thought that she would be feeling down because of what happened in the morning. But it seemed like there were many more things that bothered her.

  Her lips trembled and tears rimmed in her eyes. "I knew that Aunt Xiurang and Jiang Fai were suffering. I know about Aunt Yubi too. There were problems in this family and I wanted to help, but I don't know how. Or maybe……it's just an excuse. You know, Lixue. I envy you."

  Jiang Lanying smiled at her with her misty gaze. "The truth is that I didn't have the courage to stand against Old Madam and give justice. I should have done something, but I was scared to lose Li. I am afraid I would lose Mom, Dad and Ruiling. I know we haven't talked much, but I know they care about me.

  But then you came and then took everything into your hands. You freed Aunt Xiurang in one month who had been suffering for eleven years. You helped Ruiling to break the marriage which sounded impossible once Old Madam set her mind to it. So……all this while I wondered if it was really so simple? Why couldn't I do it then?"

  She tickled the cat and slowly said, "I am really happy for Aunt Xiurang and Ruiling. And even though I wanted to share their joy, I felt as if I didn't have any right. I didn't do anything when they were facing problems."

  Lihua felt like she had to say something, but she didn't know what.

  Jiang Lanying chuckled. "It's okay, Lixue. You don't have to console me. I understand the difference between us. Courage. It's the courage that I am lacking to face my family members. You are standing tall even though Old Madam had opposed your marriage with Wei while I am just there in the background even though I had her approval."

  Her gaze dimmed in sadness. "I am a coward, Lixue who cannot even talk to her husband."

  Lihua said, "Don't say that! You don't have to feel that everything is your fault. Taking initiative for anything is not easy and it's Uncle Weiyuan and Aunt Ninghong's fault too. I even scolded them for this."

  Jiang Lanying looked at her speechless. "Scolded them?"

  She fumed. "Yes. As your in-laws, they do care about you but they don't show it enough. Expressing support is just as important! Be it them or Jiang Li! It's difficult for a woman to adjust to a new family after marriage and they were just too silent," she sighed.

  "Y-you really scolded them for me?" She was still in shock.

  "What is wrong is wrong and it must be pointed out or things won't ever change," she grinned. "See? That's why Uncle Weiyuan patted you and Aunt Ninghong cared about you so much today. Even if only a little, they finally took a step in expressing themselves."

  Lihua placed her hand on top of hers. "So, that's why it's your turn to show your emotions now. You really love Jiang Li, right?"

  She faintly blushed and looked away.

  Ah, so cute! She giggled.

  "By the way, I am curious about something."

  "What?"

  "I heard from Jiang Ruiling that your marriage was originally supposed to be with Wei."

  She widened her eyes. "Y-Yes, but don't misunderstand. I don't think about him in that way."

  Lihua laughed. "No, no. I am not talking in that sense. I know that you don't feel about him that way. I am curious about Jiang Li. I mean that you were set for Wei, but you married Jiang Li. What were your thoughts about that?"

  Jiang Lanying coughed. "Yes. But actually…" her cheeks turned slightly red as she spoke, "I-I……wanted Jiang Li only."

  Now Lihua looked at her wide-eyed. "Huh!? Really?"

  She nervously but shyly nodded.

  "Why? Have you two met before?"

  She smiled. "Yes, we have. It was a banquet and a masquerade party. I get nervous at such parties and I accidentally spilled some juice on my dress," she smiled, feeling embarrassed. "I quickly washed it and came back but the other socialites were secretly laughing at me for being a clutz."

  "How mean! Can't they do anything more useful than just laughing at others?"

  Jiang Lanying smiled. "It was time for the dance and everybody mocked that no man would offer to dance with an airhead like me. But then……a man did. He was wearing a golden mask and he offered his hand for a dance. I didn't know who he was, but his smile felt reassuring to me," she chuckled. "Everybody went silent after that."

  Lihua beamed. "And he was…"

  She nodded. "He left soon after the dance. I didn't even have the chance to thank him. When I asked around, someone said that it was Jiang Li who danced with me. Honestly, I was shocked because he was from the prestigious Jiang family after all."

  "Then, then!?" She eagerly asked.

  *Meow*

  Lihua, the cat yawned.

  So much energy…


  "I saw him next when I came with my family to meet Wei for the marriage proposal. I hadn't seen his face, but when my gaze fell on him, I instantly knew that he was the masked man."