Young Brother-in-law Is Now My Husband

1572  Game Nôv(el)B\\jnn

Lu Lian rapped gently on the guest room door before announcing her entry, "Lanlan, I'm coming in." She stepped into the room to find Ming Lan adjusting the clothes sent over, standing before the mirror.

"What's with the frown?" Lu Lian inquired, making her way closer.

"Just trying to conceal something that might spark another clash between my husband and yours," Ming Lan replied, dabbing at her neck with makeup.

Lu Lian chuckled knowingly, producing a bottle of concealer, "Let me lend a hand. I had a feeling you might need this. With our husbands on the brink of driving each other mad these days, it was only a matter of time."

"I swear Zac did it on purpose to annoy my brother," Ming Lan remarked, shooting a glare at the marks on her neck. "Even concealer can't entirely mask them."

"Turn to me," Lu Lian instructed, examining the marks, "Looks like he had you screaming quite nicely."

"Could anyone hear it from outside?" Ming Lan asked with concern.

Lu Lian laughed, "No, I'm just deducing from these hickeys," as she began to apply makeup to conceal them.

"Was there another spat between them?" Ming Lan inquired.

"Your audacious husband seems unwilling to hold back in front of your brother, so it's not entirely Rusheng's fault."

"That's why I sent Zac first," Ming Lan remarked wryly. "Can't handle more of embarrassment."

"It's done. Check," Lu Lian declared, and Ming Lan inspected her neck. "Seems fine now. Thank you."

"It's time for dinner. If you're ready, we shall leave," Lu Lian suggested.

"I am ready."

The two women made their way to the Drawing Hall, where Ming Lan avoided eye contact with her brother. Although they shared a strong sibling bond, her husband's recent behavior had strained their relationship.

"Everything is ready. Let's head to the dining hall," Lu Lian announced.

They entered the opulent dining room, adorned with a large circular table topped with a moving glass centerpiece. Servants had already set everything in place.

"Shall we take our seats?" Lu Lian proposed.

Ming Rusheng gestured to a chair, urging Ming Lan, "Lanlan, come sit next to me."

Ming Lan smiled awkwardly at her husband and quickly took the seat beside Ming Rusheng. Others pretended not to notice, focusing instead on the delicious spread before them.

19:30

Ming Lan smiled awkwardly at her husband and quickly took the seat beside Ming Rusheng. Others pretended not to notice, focusing instead on the delicious spread before them.

"Seems like it's a brother-sister day today," Lu Lian remarked. "Then I'll sit with my brothers as well," she said, moving to sit between Lu Feng and Lu Lijun, directly across from Ming Rusheng at the circular table.

Following suit, Nicky settled next to Lu Feng, and Jiang Yuyan joined Jiang Yang, who sat beside Nicky.

Jiang Yuyan exchanged a guilty glance with Lu Lijun, seated opposite her, to which he responded with an reassuring nod, silently conveying- it's alright.

"I don't have a sister, so I'll sit with my brother," An Tian remarked, glancing at Jake. "Not that you can feed your guy if you sit next to him."

Jake remained silent and opted to sit beside his brother.

Wen Zac glanced at Noah, "Seems like it's just us two left out by these people. How about you become my younger brother and avoid feeling left out among these siblings?"

Noah smiled in response, "Sounds like a plan. I wouldn't mind having a wealthy man as my brother. I'm even prepared to sign adoption papers."

Wen Zac chuckled and settled into his chair, with Noah taking the seat next to him.

As the servants began serving the freshly prepared food, An Tian reminisced, "This dinner tonight reminds me of the time everyone visited my home in England."

"True," Lu Feng interjected, glancing at An Tian. "But don't even think about bringing your game here again. We've had enough of it."

An Tian smiled knowingly. "Why? Are you afraid of revealing your secrets in front of others?"

"I don't have time for your childish games," Lu Feng retorted with a frown.

"Childish, you say?" An Tian chuckled. "I believe it made things clearer for everyone."

"Everyone?" Lu Feng glanced at Jake and Noah. "I don't think so."

"Forget about those two. As you said before, maybe I'll just toss them into the rooftop swimming pool to refresh their rusty brains," An Tian joked.

"What game are you referring to, Brother Tian?" Lu Lian inquired.

"It's an intriguing game," An Tian replied. "Would you care to play?"

"Well, I don't mind if others are interested," Lu Lian responded.

"We're not," several voices chimed in unison, belonging to those who had previously participated in the game: the Lu brothers, the Jiang siblings, Jake, and Noah.

"You guys can relax. I'm not bored enough to replay the same game and listen to the same things on repeat," An Tian assured, then turning to Lu Lian. "We can play, though, since there are new faces here."

"Let's play after dinner, then, over drinks," she agreed.

"Deal."

After the peaceful dinner, the group moved to the garden where drinks awaited them. Stone-carved circular seating arrangements, adorned with plush cushions, were scattered around, with a fireplace embedded in a small stone wall on one side. The garden was illuminated by numerous lamps, casting a beautiful glow over the surroundings.

As they arrived, Wen Zac took Ming Lan's hand and led her to a seat, declaring, "No more brother-sister dynamics. You're sitting with me now."

Following suit, all the women nestled close to their respective partners, enjoying the comfort of the cushioned seating arrangements around the stone structure.

An Tian glanced at his brother and remarked, "It's a couples' affair. Go fetch your guy," before settling next to Lu Feng. "I'll keep your lonely self company."

"As if you're swimming in women," Lu Feng teased.

"Having none, is better than having those like yours," An Tian countered with a grin.

Jake looked at Noah who had place empty next to him but didn't go sit there. He turned around to leave the place instead. "Jake, where are you going?" Lu Lijun asked. "To get fresh air," Jake said and walked away. Noah glanced at him but then resumed his conversation with Jiang Yang who said, "Seems something off with him. Why don't you go and check?"

"He is not a kid for anyone of us to worry about him," Noah countered, "So where were we...."

An Tian explained the rules of the game they had played in England.

"So, I'll ignore those who've played before. Let's focus on the newcomers," An Tian began, scanning the group. "Who wants to ask the first question and to whom?"

"I'll go first," Lu Lian volunteered.

An Tian flashed her a satisfied smile. "So, Mrs. Ming, who do you wish to direct your question to?"

"Hmm," Lu Lian pondered, her gaze sweeping over everyone until it settled on one person. "Mr. Wen Zac."

Wen Zac raised an eyebrow. "Go ahead."

"Tell me the name of the woman - your first love," Lu Lian inquired, her eyes darting to her friend.

Both Lu Lian and Ming Lan knew that Wen Zac had someone he had pined for a long time, but her identity remained a mystery to them.