Chapter 18: The Old Witch

The Lin family was not like the Fu family, with so many rules that even a simple family meal required strict attention to seating order. Thankfully, they didn’t have as many sons as the Fus, which spared them much trouble.

Lin Wanbai herself was not particular about her seat—provided that others were just as unconcerned. But in the Fu household, where rules were everything, she could not let herself fall behind; she had to stand her ground.

Fu Juxing tried to guide her to their seats, but Lin Wanbai resisted. “Our seats have been taken,” she said.

Her voice was gentle and clear, just loud enough for everyone at the table to hear. The seat that should have been Fu Juxing’s was now occupied by Fu Yanming, the third son of the Fu family. Eyes downcast, he acted as though he hadn’t heard, eating quietly on his own.

The atmosphere grew tense, but Fu Juxing remained good-natured, smiling as he said, “We’re late. Since everyone’s already seated, let’s not trouble anyone. We’ll just sit over there.”

“No,” she replied, shaking her head. Her tone was mild, but her stance was firm. “I remember Grandmother once told me that the Fu family values rules above all else. Now that I’ve married into the family, I am a member of the Fus too, and I can’t bring shame to the family. Every word Grandmother said, I’ve kept in my heart. If we break the rules now, what value will Grandmother’s words hold in the future?”

She didn’t look at anyone else, only at Fu Juxing, though her words were clearly for everyone present. “All descendants of the Fu family know the rules. We’ll wait.”

After she finished speaking, Fu Yanming let out a quiet, derisive laugh, but did nothing more.

Lin Wanbai kept her smile, graceful as ever. She glanced coolly at him, then turned to Jiang Shuzhi, her expression sweet. “Grandmother, am I not becoming more and more proper?”

Jiang Shuzhi smiled softly but did not reply right away.

By all rights, she ought to give Lin Zhaowei some respect. Yet when Lin Wanbai ruined her wedding with Fu Yanchuan only to marry Fu Juxing soon after, Jiang Shuzhi had grown to deeply resent her. For three years, she had endured her presence as a senior without making things difficult, but now, seeing Lin Wanbai pushing her luck, she decided that if rules were to be observed, they might as well be fully enforced.

Setting down her chopsticks, Jiang Shuzhi’s smile was warm as a spring breeze. “Ten minutes late, and not only do you not apologize, you try to justify yourself with clever words. It seems you’ve only paid superficial attention to what I’ve taught you, and remember but half of it. Xiaobai, you still have much to learn. You spend your days idle at home anyway. From today on, why not stay in the Sibai District and let me teach you properly?”

The smile on Lin Wanbai’s face faltered for a moment. The old witch was exactly as she’d expected—these so-called rules were always for Fu Juxing’s benefit. Still, she agreed readily, showing no fear. “Alright, that’s fine with me.”

Fu Juxing gave her hand a gentle squeeze, then turned quickly. “Grandmother, Xiaobai was only joking.”

Fu Changjun’s expression turned stern. “Go sit down at once! Standing around only delays everyone’s meal.”

Fu Juxing took Lin Wanbai’s hand, ready to move, but Jiang Shuzhi spoke again, her tone slow and deliberate. “Since Xiaobai insists on propriety, we must adhere to the rules. Ten minutes late—stand outside for twenty minutes before you may return to eat.”

The table fell silent. Some stifled laughter, others remained expressionless and indifferent.

“Very well. Since it’s the rule, of course I’ll follow it,” Lin Wanbai replied, unfazed. After all, Aunt Rong had packed plenty of snacks for her before she left, so she wasn’t hungry. As for the Fu family’s food, she never cared much for it anyway.

At this point, there was nothing more Fu Juxing could say.

The two of them stood side by side outside the house.

The Fu residence was designed in a traditional Chinese style, with an air of cultivated elegance. It had been expanded many times—partly for space, partly because Jiang Shuzhi loved her little gardens and always complained they weren’t enough, so each expansion led to another. Just maintaining the flowers and trees here cost a fortune every year.

Lin Wanbai thought the place could easily pass for a 5A-rated tourist attraction—no less impressive than the gardens of Suzhou.

Night descended, and before the courtyard lights came on, Fu Juxing quietly slipped a piece of candy into her palm.

Lin Wanbai looked down and opened her hand. It was a White Rabbit.

She raised her eyes.

He stood straight, gaze fixed ahead. “Something to tide you over.”