I felt there was something odd about the Cheng family, but I could not pinpoint what it was.
Seeing that they treated each other with respect and acted seemingly normal, I did not think too much of their minor tiffs. This seemed like what a normal family would experience.
However, I still had an uneasy feeling that bugged me like a grain of sand in my shoe. It was a constantly annoying feeling that I could not get rid of.
Soon, old madam Cheng came down. Perhaps I was being too sensitive about it, but I felt an immediate and subtle change in the rooms mood when she came down. All the women in the room became more humble. However, considering old madam Chengs wealth and position in the family, it seemed normal that the Chengs would respect her. The only exception was Professor Cheng. In a relaxed manner, he looked up and greeted the old madam.
The old madam replied with a nod and sat down at the head of the dining table. She took a glance at us too. Though her gaze seemed calm, there seemed to be a hint of pridefulness.
Soon, everyone was at the dining table having breakfast.
Wu Yu sat beside me, but he did not take one look at me the whole time. Although I was somewhat disappointed, I also thought it was quite funny. The most obvious expression on his face when I turned his head was shock and awe. Though, to be honest, my heart was racing when I did that. I guess me acting like a bad girl was too drastic of a change from my usual sweet image.
The Chengs did not talk much while eating. Even when they conversed, they spoke very softly. Seeing how everyone was being so well-mannered at the dining table, I too politely ate my food. When I finished my food, I felt Wu Yus gaze on me, but he turned his gaze to somewhere else when I cleaned my mouth with a napkin. Instead, he showed me the back of his head.
When everyone had finished, Professor Cheng went to his reading room. I could recall Wu Yu telling me that Professor Cheng would spend most of his time in his reading room. Considering what a young and beautiful wife he had, he seemed rather boring.
Tan Lanlans attitude toward Feng Yan took a drastic change after breakfast, as she proactively helped Feng Yan in the kitchen. I offered to help but was quickly rejected. Feng Yan said I was a guest, so Wu Yu and I had no choice but to go to the living room and watch TV.
The old madam sat beside a window with tea and meditated with her mala beads. Then Cheng Baozhu went to the old madam and said, Mother, I still have some work to do at the company. Zhiwei will come afterward.
Wu Yu had told me that Cheng Baozhu worked at a big state-owned company.
The old madam opened her eyes slowly then said, Ill pay a visit to your boss one of these days. How could he ask you to work during the New Year? Either he has poor management skills, or youre doing poorly at work.
Cheng Baozhu did not refute her or comment. Behind those glasses, her eyes did not show any emotion either. Instead, she said nonchalantly, Ill be leaving then. Then she left.
I was shocked by how the old madam had reprimanded Cheng Baozhu in front of us. Although her words were reasonable, it did not seem that she had any consideration for Cheng Baozhus reputation.
I turned to Wu Yu, and our gazes met. As an outsider, he naturally said nothing. Then it struck methe odd aspect of the Cheng family.
The mood in the house was suffocating and stifling.
It was the way they interacted with each other. Even though the mood seemed calm and everyone seemed to be used to it, there seemed to be an oppressive figure. At the same time, something else seemed to be brewing behind the scenes.