The interior design of the apartment was slightly inclined towards an industrial-style decor. As soon as Yan Jinyi stepped inside, she could smell the rich aroma of food.
There was already a variety of delicacies laid on the large wooden table.
Yan Jinyi sniffled her nose as she was starting to feel peckish.
"How is it?" Zhuang Heng asked with a smug expression and both hands on his waist. "Is the food cooked by our nanny very fragrant? Little pepper, once you marry me, you'll get to enjoy these delicacies every day."
Yan Jinyi glanced at him quietly and said, "Nah."
"???"
"Where's your mother?"
Zhuang Heng immediately stopped smiling and he was obviously displeased. "She's taking a shower in her room."
'Huh?'
Zhuang Heng brought Yan Jinyi on a tour around the room. They were seated on the couch and watching some cartoons when a middle-aged woman suddenly spoke up.
"Zhuang Heng, is the girl you mentioned, here yet?"
"She's here."
Yan Jinyi immediately turned around to look at the woman.
She had wavy hair and was wearing makeup on her face. Dressed in designer clothes, she looked rather fashionable.
However, her slightly arrogant gaze was making Yan Jinyi feel uncomfortable.
"Are you Yan Jinyi?"
Yan Jinyi nodded and tried to look as polite as possible. "Hello, Auntie."
"Hm, I heard that you acted in a movie that's very popular lately. I also heard that Second Young Mistress Huo had invested in that movie."
Yan Jinyi nodded.
"You should thank Zhuang Heng for it. If it wasn't for his popularity, you wouldn't have risen to fame overnight."
'Is Zhuang Heng's mother such a mean and sarcastic person? It's shocking that she could give birth to such a simple-minded son!'
"Mom, be polite to Jinyi. I wouldn't have taken on that role as a monk if it wasn't for Little pepper."
Zhuang Heng's mother glared at him and pulled her cloak together. "My name is Zhuang Lijuan, you should have heard of me. I'm the head of a famous local dance troupe."
Yan Jinyi frowned slightly and said, "I'm sorry, I haven't heard of you before."
Zhuang Lijuan was displeased. 'Is this woman doing this on purpose?'
She looked at Zhuang Heng and said, "Son, go see if your father is here."
Zhuang Heng sulked and humphed as he turned his head to the side. "No."
'Huh? Didn't Zhuang Heng say that he's from a single-parented family? Why does he have a father now?'
Yan Jinyi couldn't help but size up Zhuang Lijuan again. 'Oh right, they should have gotten a divorce. It must be because this old hag is too hot-tempered.'
"Zhuang Heng's father is not someone a person of your status can meet. Watch your words later. Hmph, if it wasn't for Zhuang Heng's threat, I wouldn't have let you come."
'I would have beaten you up badly if it wasn't for your son. What are you being such a snob for?'
Zhuang Lijuan scrutinized Yan Jinyi's outfit again and said in disdain, "Are you wearing clothes bought from roadside stalls? It's Zhuang Heng's birthday, don't you know to dress up properly? Zhuang Heng, take her outside to buy some clothes before your father arrives."
Zhuang Heng was already on the verge of losing his patience. He barked, "Have you had enough? Jinyi can wear whatever she wants to. Don't forget that I agreed to let that man come over on the condition that you would accept Jinyi."
Zhuang Lijuan was momentarily speechless and she couldn't help but glare at Yan Jinyi furiously.
Yan Jinyi could tell that Zhuang Heng wasn't on very good terms with his mother and his relationship with his father was extremely strained.
However, she was puzzled by the fact that Zhuang Lijuan seemed to want Zhuang Heng's father to come over even though they had supposedly already gotten a divorce.
Yan Jinyi looked extremely cold and aloof. Zhuang Heng was just chattering non-stop while Zhuang Lijuan sulked angrily at the side.
After a long time, the helper who was waiting outside rushed in and said, "Madam, Mr. Zhuang is here."