Chapter 273 - Lunch

Outside a bubbly Aria came crashing into Ryuu. She wrapped her short arms around his waist and yelled," Bro! Let's have a basketball match! I'm going to defeat you again!" 

Ming Xiuying had a shocked expression on her face and beside her Zhenyi had an urge to roll her eyes at Aria's narcissism.

Ming Xiuying wasn't shocked because Aria was hugging her husband, but because she hadn't seen a doting look in Ryuu's eyes. She hadn't imagined a man like him could have soft sides too. 

Of course, Ryuu didn't have soft sides just for anyone.That side of his was reserved for his people. 

He ruffled Aria's hair and agreed but not before whispering something in her ear. 

"If I win, you'll give me whatever I demand and if you win, I'll do whatever you ask for." This was Aria's condition.

Aria, who would forget about everything else in front of Ryuu, looked straight ahead to find Xiuying and Zhenyi standing. She made an opps expression and came forward.

She bowed her head to greet Xiuying. "It's nice to finally meet you, SIL." 

Then, she looked at Zhenyi," Sis! I missed you so much!" 

Zhenyi gave her a look which said -I-don't-believe-you-brat. 

Aria simply nodded her head like an obedient child. 

"Brat," Zhenyi muttered. 

Aria pointed behind Zhenyi," Sis! Why is there a maid waiting for you with lemon water? Is it for me?"

"Oh, the lemon water is for someone who was drunk to oblivion last night," the answer was given by Ryuu and Zhenyi just pursed her lips. 

Aria and Xiuying looked between the two of them with curious eyes, but didn't find the answer. 

Not wanting to raise questions, Zhenyi picked up the glass and finished it in one go. 

"Sis, where is BIL?" Aria asked. 

"BIL?" Xiuying said with furrowed brows. 

"Just like SIL stands for sister-in-law, BIL stands for brother-in-law." 

"He is still not back," Zhenyi answered her honestly. She didn't not remember what had happened last night. She remembered that she was drinking but with whom, it was still not clear to her. 

"Really?" Ryuu questioned her.

"Do I have any reasons to lie?" She retorted. 

"Bro! Let's start the match! Someone is in a bad mood," Aria said, and trotted away along with Ryuu. 

When Aria and Ryuu left, Xiuying spoke. "He is quite close to you guys." 

Zhenyi could feel that Xiuying was just curious and had no ill thoughts in mind, so she replied," He is our brother. So, it's natural that he would be close to us." She paused and took a deep breath to add,"Come, I'll show you around. Ryuu spent the majority of his childhood in this mansion." 

Zhenyi showed him the major highlights of the Xin mansion and it would be a lie to say that Xiuying didn't fall in love with this ancient styled Xin mansion. Although the mansion she and Ryuu are staying in was antique and overly beautiful, Xin mansion was still something else. Especially the garden area. She felt as if she just fell in love with that place.

Now the place where both of them were standing, they could see the vast Xin mansion, and the nature surrounding it. It was a surreal view for Xiuying. From a distance, they saw Ryuu and Aria playing basketball. 

In casual sports attire, Ryuu looked extremely hot with sweat dripping down his chiseled face, he was a sight to behold. Xiuying didn't know why but this husband of hers seemed to affect her so much. His eyes met hers from a distance, and Xiuying swore that her body was on fire. Her face turned rosy. 

"He can really play well," Xiuying praised. 

"Indeed. But he will lose the game again," Zhenyi said after a while. 

"That's impossible," Xiuying rebuked. 

Zhenyi didn't say anything. 

And in the end Ryuu really lost the game to Aria.

Xiuying turned to Zhenyi in surprise," He intentionally lost the game to her, doesn't he? Oh, I understand now." 

"Every time, Ryuu and Aria will play basketball. She will set the same condition. Ryuu doesn't get defeated just to make her feel better. He knew whenever she challenged him for a game, it meant she needed something, and since Aria and Sam are always at each other's neck, her only option is Ryuu. And Ryuu being Ryuu never say no to any of her demands as long as it's reasonable. " 

As Xiuying heard Zhenyi's words she felt the need to learn more and more about him. She wanted to get to know about him as much as she could. 

A maid came to call them for lunch. 

"Let's go back," Zhenyi said to Xiuying. 

___

Everyone was gathered around the dining table, only four chairs were empty. Aria, who had changed into different clothes now, was sitting beside her dad. 

Just as Ryuu sat next to Xiuying, Zhenyi asked,"Where is Yèyè?" 

"Your Yèyè said he is not feeling well. So, he would stay inside his room," Xin Yichen answered as Zhenyi occupied her chair which was beside him. He felt as if his daughter was ignoring him. And it was definitely not a good feeling. 

Everyone started dinner with usual chatting and laughter, but Zhenyi hadn't spoken a word till now. She was eating an extremely spicy dish, and felt her eyes along with her tongue burning. 

Xiuying, who was sitting in front of Zhenyi, could feel that her husband's attention was more on the woman sitting in front of her than on the food. She was of the opinion that something was troubling him. 

As Zhenyi was about to pour more into her bowl, Ryuu said," Throw the soup. It doesn't taste good." 

Since nobody except for Xiuying and Zhenyi had tasted it, they didn't find anything wrong with what he said. However, Xin Yichen did. He had specifically ordered the kitchen to cook Xiuying's favorite dishes and the soup was one of them. He saw Xiuyinhmg heartily savoring it. He could feel tensions between the siblings. 

What he didn't know was that his daughter was angry with him, not Ryuu! It was just that she was in an extremely bad mood and was attempting to not lose her temper. 

Zhenyi had never expressed grief, so anger and bitterness was the only way for her to lighten her heart. 

And just like this the lunch ended just like it started, peaceful for many and punishment for somebody.