Chapter 192 - Jean Long

Two weeks later...

"What time are you going home? Should I pick you up?" Matthew Xi inquired, glancing at Zoey eating opposite him while he played with his breakfast using a fork. 

"I don't know." Shrugging her shoulders, Zoey sighed. "I can manage. If I didn't return tonight, that means I was forced to stay the night with the family." Zoey informed, giving him a heads up of what she was expecting that day. 

"You don't seem happy." Noticing how Zoey felt gloomy upon the invitation to have a family day with the Kwan's, Matthew Xi furrowed his brows. 

"That's because I'm not." In a matter-of-fact tone, Zoey raised her brows as she lightly stabbed the bun with her fork. 

"They are your family, though." He argued, recalling that Zoey told him they were good people. Moreover, from his investigation, the Kwan's truly searched for Zoey and were willing to adopt her if she didn't disappear. 

"Mhmm," Humming a tune, Zoey sighed as she placed the last piece of bun inside her mouth. 

"You don't have to go if you don't want to." Sensing her reluctance, Matthew Xi hinted that it wouldn't be a surprise if Zoey wouldn't attend the Kwan's family day. 

"But I have to." She sighed, shaking her head as she reminded herself of the reason she has to attend. 

"Why?" Since Zoey only told him that she was invited by Zion Kwan's father himself through a call, Matthew Xi was a little clueless on the details. 

"To ruin it, of course." Not a bit enthusiastic just like her energy back at Ezekiel Tang's engagement party, Zoey pinched the space between her brows in distress. 

"Ruin what?" Arching his brows, Matthew Xi probed. 

Alas, Zoey shook her head profusely. "The main agenda of this family gathering. Don't worry about it too much. I'm just reluctant not because they're bad to me. Actually, they've been good and today, I had to oppose them with all my might." Zoey sighed, reassuring him vaguely which heightened his concerns further. 

"They might hate me, jeez...!" She grumbled, murmuring to herself which Matthew Xi heard. 

"Call me if you need help." 

"Mhmm," Nodding her head, Zoey stretched her lips into a meek smile. "I should go. You can do the dishes, yeah?" After Zoey drank a mouthful of water, she carried her plate and spouted as she placed it in the sink. 

"Sure." Matthew Xi watched Zoey paced back and forth as if recalling what she would do before she turned to him and smiled. 

"Don't miss me too much. I'll be back~" Her meek smile brightened as she skipped her steps out of the dining area. 

Meanwhile, Matthew Xi just watched Zoey depart the dining area. It has been three weeks since he moved in in this house and lived with her under the same roof. 

Ever since then, they've been 'inseparable' as they were bound by their work and also lived in the same house. Thus, this was the first time Zoey might not go home which slightly made him a little sad. 

Alas, since she was going to meet the Kwan's, Matthew Xi had nothing to oppose about it. After all, they were technically her family now albeit not biological. 

'I guess I'll be able to finish the wall today.' He whispered internally, shrugging his worries for Zoey and her strange reluctance. 

After all, he was still working on the background of the painting and hadn't added the main art of his concept. Hence, Zoey hadn't realized what he has been planning on the wall they've been working on. 

*****

Almost two hours later, Zoey arrived in front of a grand mansion. Slowing down as the huge gate opened for her, Zoey saw the numerous cars parked on the side of the driveway. 

"Brother Zion is already here," She whispered, noticing that Zion Kwan's car was also there. Well, not that she was surprised as Zion Kwan was always present just like what a filial son does. 

The guard on the gate approached Zoey's car as she halted. Zoey rolled down the window that showed her eyes. 

Upon recognizing the person inside, the guard nodded and gestured to his colleague to completely open the gate. Although Zoey rarely comes in this place, her face would make one hard to forget her beauty. 

Too bad she wasn't an official Kwan. If only she was, she'd be perfect with her beauty and family background. 

Clueless of the guard's thoughts, Zoey slowly maneuvered her car and found a space to park her vehicle among the luxurious cars. She could not help but roll her eyes as Zion Kwan's cousins seemed to be present as well; those flashy, rich young masters and misses. 

Soon, after settling her car and retouching her light makeup, Zoey entered the grand manor. The moment Zoey entered the huge residence, indistinct laughters coming from the open garden assailed her ears. 

"Little Zoey!" Just then, an old nanny who often took care of her and Zion Kwan in the past approached her with gentle eyes. 

"Auntie Jean!" Upon laying her eyes on the blanched haired woman, Zoey's eyes softened as she strode forward to welcome Jean Long's embrace. 

"Oh, little Zoey!" Moved at the refined woman returning her embrace, Jean Long patted Zoey's back before she gently pushed her away to look at her. "You grow prettier each year!" She complimented, proud at how the poor little girl grew up. 

"Why didn't you visit us more often? Madam and Master always inquire about you from your brother!" Jean Long tattled, expressing how the Kwan parents longed for Zoey's affection. 

They might not show it, but Jean Long knew that the Kwan parents were truly concerned about Zoey. After all, everyone knew that Zoey was the Kwan's princess despite not being blood-related. 

"I was busy, Auntie Jean." Smiling, Zoey reasoned out. "Auntie Jean seemed to grow younger though! Why? I mean how?!" Giggling, Zoey poked Jean Long's side which made the old lady chuckle. 

"This little girl... your mother and father are already in the garden — with your brother and his fiancee!" Jean Long winked, pushing Zoey to pay her respects to her 'adoptive' parents. 

"Thank you, Auntie Jean. I'll catch up with you later. Hehe~" Nodding her head in understanding, Zoey beamed a smile at Jean Long one more time. 

"Yes, Young Master updates me always. You have to tell me about your lover.." Giving Zoey a knowing look, Jean Long humored which made the smile on Zoey's lips turn awkward.