Chapter 1572 Game

1572 Game

Lu Lian rapped gently on the guest room door before announcing her entry, "Lanlan, I'm coming in." She stepped into the room to find Ming Lan adjusting the clothes sent over, standing before the mirror.

"What's with the frown?" Lu Lian inquired, making her way closer.

"Just trying to conceal something that might spark another clash between my husband and yours," Ming Lan replied, dabbing at her neck with makeup.

Lu Lian chuckled knowingly, producing a bottle of concealer, "Let me lend a hand. I had a feeling you might need this. With our husbands on the brink of driving each other mad these days, it was only a matter of time."

"I swear Zac did it on purpose to annoy my brother," Ming Lan remarked, shooting a glare at the marks on her neck. "Even concealer can't entirely mask them."

"Turn to me," Lu Lian instructed, examining the marks, "Looks like he had you screaming quite nicely."

"Could anyone hear it from outside?" Ming Lan asked with concern.

Lu Lian laughed, "No, I'm just deducing from these hickeys," as she began to apply makeup to conceal them.

"Was there another spat between them?" Ming Lan inquired.

"Your audacious husband seems unwilling to hold back in front of your brother, so it's not entirely Rusheng's fault."

"That's why I sent Zac first," Ming Lan remarked wryly. "Can't handle more of embarrassment."

"It's done. Check," Lu Lian declared, and Ming Lan inspected her neck. "Seems fine now. Thank you."

"It's time for dinner. If you're ready, we shall leave," Lu Lian suggested.

"I am ready."

The two women made their way to the Drawing Hall, where Ming Lan avoided eye contact with her brother. Although they shared a strong sibling bond, her husband's recent behavior had strained their relationship.

"Everything is ready. Let's head to the dining hall," Lu Lian announced.

They entered the opulent dining room, adorned with a large circular table topped with a moving glass centerpiece. Servants had already set everything in place.

"Shall we take our seats?" Lu Lian proposed.

Ming Rusheng gestured to a chair, urging Ming Lan, "Lanlan, come sit next to me."

"We're not," several voices chimed in unison, belonging to those who had previously participated in the game: the Lu brothers, the Jiang siblings, Jake, and Noah.

"You guys can relax. I'm not bored enough to replay the same game and listen to the same things on repeat," An Tian assured, then turning to Lu Lian. "We can play, though, since there are new faces here."

"Let's play after dinner, then, over drinks," she agreed.

"Deal."

After the peaceful dinner, the group moved to the garden where drinks awaited them. Stone-carved circular seating arrangements, adorned with plush cushions, were scattered around, with a fireplace embedded in a small stone wall on one side. The garden was illuminated by numerous lamps, casting a beautiful glow over the surroundings.

As they arrived, Wen Zac took Ming Lan's hand and led her to a seat, declaring, "No more brother-sister dynamics. You're sitting with me now."

Following suit, all the women nestled close to their respective partners, enjoying the comfort of the cushioned seating arrangements around the stone structure.

An Tian glanced at his brother and remarked, "It's a couples' affair. Go fetch your guy," before settling next to Lu Feng. "I'll keep your lonely self company."

"As if you're swimming in women," Lu Feng teased.

"Having none, is better than having those like yours," An Tian countered with a grin.

Jake looked at Noah who had place empty next to him but didn't go sit there. He turned around to leave the place instead. "Jake, where are you going?" Lu Lijun asked. "To get fresh air," Jake said and walked away. Noah glanced at him but then resumed his conversation with Jiang Yang who said, "Seems something off with him. Why don't you go and check?"

"He is not a kid for anyone of us to worry about him," Noah countered, "So where were we...."

An Tian explained the rules of the game they had played in England.

"So, I'll ignore those who've played before. Let's focus on the newcomers," An Tian began, scanning the group. "Who wants to ask the first question and to whom?"

"I'll go first," Lu Lian volunteered.

An Tian flashed her a satisfied smile. "So, Mrs. Ming, who do you wish to direct your question to?"

"Hmm," Lu Lian pondered, her gaze sweeping over everyone until it settled on one person. "Mr. Wen Zac."

Wen Zac raised an eyebrow. "Go ahead."

"Tell me the name of the woman - your first love," Lu Lian inquired, her eyes darting to her friend.

Both Lu Lian and Ming Lan knew that Wen Zac had someone he had pined for a long time, but her identity remained a mystery to them.