Chapter 145 - Meeting Marshall

The dinner was awkward at first, but it slowly lightened up as time passed by. Thanks to Bella, who was fangirling throughout the entire dinner, and Dion, who was nagging Lewis, things ended up smoothly. 

"Bye, thank you~" Devon waved, standing outside their door with Lewis. "Take care."

"Good night." Bella looked back and smiled before she scurried forth to walk beside Derek. Dion didn't look back, but he waved, while Mike bowed once.

"You look happy." Lewis glanced at her as he slid his arms over her shoulder.

"Well, I get to spend time with them. I feel like it's just the rest I needed.." Devon puckered her lips, facing him with her arms snaking around his waist. "Thank you for inviting them over."

"Well, I just didn't want to spend more time with Derek." Lewis grinned, bending over to kiss her forehead. "I'm certain things won't be like this if it's just the three of us."

"Bella seems delighted."

"Oh? Are they together now?"

Devon frowned as she stared at the misplaced cluelessness in his eyes. "I don't know. You don't know?"

"Well, I don't pry in Derek's personal affairs." Lewis shrugged indifferently. "Also, he wouldn't appreciate it if I meddle with his life. He's the type of person who likes to meddle with my life, but doesn't like others doing the same to him."

"You are really fond of Assistant Wang." A subtle smile appeared on her face, but Lewis shook his head.

"I am not fond of Derek. I simply respect him as his boss." Lewis smiled, brushing her hair gently. "But as a friend, I just know he will tell me things if he couldn't keep it in."

"You and Assistant Wang are strange." She humored with a chuckle, tightening her grip around his waist. "You don't have work tomorrow, right?"

"We will have to visit Grandpa, remember?" Lewis smirked, placing his thumb on her chin as he planted a kiss on it. "Let's go back in?"

Devon bit her lower lip before she nodded. "Alright." 

Just like the past months, Devon and Lewis spent the rest of the night cuddling. They would talk every once in a while, have a sip of wine until it was time for bed.

******

Morning came. Devon and Lewis had planned to visit the old man in the Qin's old residence. Lewis had postponed this meeting too many times as he believed Marshall couldn't behave himself. 

"What is Grandpa like?" asked Devon, turning her head to Lewis, who was in the driver's seat. 

They were already on the way to the old residence. The closer they get, the more anxious she felt. There were just too many things she wanted to know more, despite all myriads of questions Lewis had already answered.

"You don't have to be nervous." Lewis cast her a quick look and smiled, offering his hand to her while the other was on the steering wheel. "No one will hurt you there."

Devon pressed her lips together as she slipped her hand into his hand. 

"It's not whether or not they will hurt me. I'm meeting your family. That alone will make anyone anxious," she muttered before taking deep breaths. "Dion will be there, right?"

"Do you feel more secured with Dion instead of having me around?"

"No. It's just... at least, I know someone there aside from you."

Lewis decelerated his speed to give her some time. He looked at her and let out a chuckle, as she truly seemed anxious. He could not help but sprawl his arm towards her, pinching her cheek lightly. 

"You're so cute," he teased, making her pout. "I'm also anxious since I don't know what will be your reaction. Grandpa tends to over-share embarrassing stuff. You might see me in a different light."

Devon smiled suddenly, batting her eyes coquettishly. "I will pretend I didn't hear a word."

"That mischievous smile says otherwise, though."

She giggled as they talked on the way. Soon, they entered the gates of the Qin old residence. Devon could not help but be in awe, as there was a long driveway — almost like a noble estate in her previous life. Besides being awed, her heart started racing as her eyes landed on the mansion. 

Lewis snuck a glance at her, studying her anxious expression. There was a butler and a few maids standing outside the mansion to welcome them. However, Lewis didn't pull over. Instead, he kept driving around the driveway.

"Huh?" Devon furrowed her brows, turning her head to him.

"Take deep breaths. Tell me once you're ready. Until then, I don't mind driving around." Lewis winked at her as the side of his lips curled up into a charming smirk.

Her eyes softened as her anxiousness slowly calmed down. She took deep breaths, preparing herself to meet Lewis's family. Meanwhile, as the car drove around the driveway, the entourage outside the mansion looked at each other in confusion.

"Is there something wrong with the Young Master's tires?"

"Butler Xue, is young master alright? Should we stop him?"

The butler, who was staring at the car driving around them, raised his hand. Although they couldn't see through the tinted window, he knew this had nothing to do with Lewis's having a terrible mood.

"Tell the Chairman the young master will take some time." He gazed over his shoulder, giving out an order to let Marshall Qin know about it. As his eyes landed on the car once again, a subtle smile resurfaced on his lips.

"It seems the future madam is anxious," he muttered as they waited patiently until the car finally pulled over.

Lewis glanced at Devon after unbuckling his seat. "Dizzy?"

"A little." Devon cleared her throat as her anxiousness was now replaced with nausea. 

"I'm sorry."

"It's fine. Let's hurry?" A weak smile resurfaced on her face while he nodded in agreement. Lewis then went out of the car and before Devon could open the door for herself, he opened it from the outside.

"I got you." He winked, offering his hand, which she clasped.

"Thank you." Her smile remained, shifting her attention to the entourage outside. "Greetings."

Devon was about to perform a curtsy when the butler, along with the servants, lined up behind him, bowed deeply. She raised her brows, turning her head to Lewis instinctively. Lewis simply cast her a knowing look and smirked.

"Welcome to the old residence, Miss Lin. We've been looking forward to having you here." The butler expressed politely, making Devon take little steps near Lewis. His eyes fell on Lewis's hand as he held her hand.

"The chairman had been waiting for young master and Miss Lin. Please, follow me inside."

"Lu." Devon squeezed his hand lightly, looking up at him.

Lewis's eyes grew gentle, squeezing her hand back. "It'll be fine."

They looked at each other before Devon nodded. With that, they both followed the butler inside the old residence. The manor was a mix of old and modern architectural designs with a high ceilings and antiques around. 

"This way, please." Butler Xue looked back with a smile, beckoning them the way. "The chairman is waiting in the garden."

"Oh, sis!!" On their way, they stopped as they heard Dion's voice behind them. He hurriedly jogged towards them, darting his eyes from Lewis to Devon. 

"Sis, you look nervous!" he pointed out, causing her to click her tongue. 

"Dion, you don't have to say that aloud. She already knows about that." Lewis muttered in a knowing tone. "We will meet Grandpa first."

Lewis cast Devon a look, raising both his brows. "Don't mind him. He doesn't know what's best for him."

"What? what did I do?" Dion gasped in disbelief, watching Devon nod as they followed the butler. "Eh? Wait! I'm coming~!"

Soon, they reached the mansion's vast garden. Devon's eyes scanned the surroundings while her jaw fell open. The garden looked more like a farm for how vast it was. There were different types of trees and a greenhouse she could see not far away from them.

"Grandpa had always wished to have a farm, but until now, he couldn't give up the city life. So, instead of choosing, he brought the farm in his own house." Lewis explained, taking notice of her reaction.

"It's… nice." She smiled as it seemed this garden slash farm was a perfect place to kill boredom. 

"The only fun thing in here is having horses." Dion leaned into her side, placing the side of his hand close to the corner of his lips as he whispered.

"You have horses?" her eyes lit up, clasping her hand enthusiastically. 

"Do you want to --" Dion couldn't finish his sentence when he heard Marshall's dramatic voice behind them.

"My angel?" Marshall slowly took a step forward, fixing his eyes on Devon. Dion's face distorted, seeing that Marshall was acting like he was meeting his long-lost granddaughter after many years.

Devon pursed her lips as she slowly turned around to face Marshall. For a second, she froze as soon as she set her eyes on the old man, blinking. Her eyes softened a second later as she unconsciously walked towards him.

As she approached Marshall, Lewis, and Dion furrowed their brows. All they heard was a soft whisper, "Arthur."

To their surprise, Devon suddenly embraced Marshall, and the latter was surprised as well.

"I'm overjoyed to see you again, my friend," Devon muttered in relief, smiling as tears formed in the corner of her eyes.