Chapter 22: I Apologize

  Coming out of the wine cellar, it was already late afternoon. The remaining sunset glow passed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, stretching the shadows on the ground.

  "Master, dinner is ready!"

  "Are you hungry? Come on, let's go eat."

  The man in the black suit bowed his head in front of him, and he pulled my hand up with a calm tone. I let my hand be held by him, since we were pretending to be a couple, we had to make it look real, holding hands was just a normal phenomenon. Thinking this way, my face still felt slightly warm.

  My other hand was holding a pair of high heels behind my back, and when the butler caught sight of my bare feet, his face twitched slightly. Although I felt embarrassed, if I didn't take off these shoes, my feet would be ruined, and I didn't want to become crippled.

  On the exquisitely set dinner table, various delicacies from land and sea dazzled my eyes, I secretly swallowed a mouthful of saliva, wanting to pick up my chopsticks and start eating, but afraid of being too impolite. Behind me, two attendants appeared out of nowhere, with an air of waiting for orders at any moment. It seemed that in his household, except for Wang's mother, everyone else was male, which made me feel quite uncomfortable due to the imbalance of yin and yang.

  A footman in a tailcoat walked up with decorum, poured half a glass of Lafite into the wineglass, and then retreated to stand still.

  He and I sat face to face, he didn't make a move, nor did I dare to move randomly, quietly waiting for his next action. All I saw was that he picked up the high-footed cup with two fingers, lifted it lightly, and elegantly raised it towards me, tilting his head with a slight smile: "cheers!"

  He just maintained this action, as if waiting for me to make the first move. This expression, is he testing my learning results? Thinking back, tasting red wine, I remember him saying that it should be...

  He picked up the glass with a learned gesture, observing it against the light. The wine was clear and shiny, with a bright cherry red color, like fresh blood. The red color was enough to stir one's heart, and looking through the glass at the crystal-clear red liquid made one want to take a sip.

  He brought his nose close, first smelling lightly, then swirling the glass, and bringing it back to his nose for a short, quick sniff. Compared to the previous direct and clear aroma, this time the fragrance was richer, more intense, and complex.

  Next, he placed the rim of the glass between his lips, pressing down on his lower lip, tilting his head slightly backward, and gently inhaling into his mouth, letting the wine swirl around. The classic blackcurrant and pencil lead aromas were accompanied by notes of sandalwood, cedar wood, and mineral hints. On the palate, it was sweet and concentrated, with rich layers, precise and strong tannins, prominent floral and fruity flavors, and a smooth, velvety texture.

  Finally, he swallowed it all down, and the fragrance lingered for a long time, leaving an endless aftertaste.

  Chateau Lafite truly deserves its reputation as the "Queen" of wine! Even someone like me, who has never been into wine, was drawn in by it.

  "You're learning well, just like a pro." He also took a small sip of wine, narrowing his eyes as he looked at me.

  "Aren't you happy to see me make a fool of myself? Unfortunately, it's not going to happen, learning is my strong point, what's so difficult about that!"

  The red wine was the last thing he taught me, and I managed to do it relatively perfectly while my memory was still clear. However, all that history stuff he mentioned earlier is now a jumbled mess in my head, and I can only hope that I won't be caught off guard on my weak points.

  Eat to your heart's content, wipe the corners of your mouth with a wet towel, and transfer the last bit of lipstick to the white towel. Quickly flip it over and put it back in its original place, then take a sip of red wine to cover up the awkwardness.

  The end of the corridor on the second floor is a spacious large balcony, with potted landscapes of arhat pine in the corners on both sides.

  As night falls, I stand at the railing and gaze intently at the scene before me. Behind the villa is a large swimming pool, with white spotlights shining into the turquoise water, creating a dazzling display of light and color that exudes an air of fantasy. On the surrounding green lawn, several white-clothed long tables are neatly arranged, already set with exquisite lamps and various pastries, fruit platters, and red wine. Figures dressed in uniform black tailcoats flit about, busily preparing for a dinner party to be held by the pool.

  "Hey, will there be a lot of people at tonight's party? I'm afraid..." I stopped halfway through my sentence, the atmosphere here reminding me of that night at the masquerade ball. Only that night was a coincidence, but tonight is unavoidable.

  I still don't like noisy places, I don't know when I started to lean towards being alone. He should be similar to me too, otherwise I wouldn't have met him in that backyard.

  "Is that so? If you're scared, then stick close to me." He seemed to have misinterpreted it, the one leaning against my side with a slight smile on his face, suddenly reached out and pinched my chin, turning me towards him.

  "I... I have nothing to be afraid of, it's just that I don't like crowded places!" She took a step back and dodged his hand, her heart somewhat flustered.

  "Oh? So you want to find a quiet place with me?" He smiled slyly, slowly walking closer to me, his ghostly face approaching mine.

  My body arched backward, eyes wide with fear staring at his face inches away, heart racing, I immediately crouched down and dodged to the side.

  "You seem to be afraid of me?" He leaned against the railing, tilted his head and raised the corner of his mouth, standing with his long legs crossed.

  "Can't you stop teasing me all the time? Is it fun?" I backed away to the potted plant, staring at his lazy face.

  "Are you kidding me? We were always that kind of relationship, it's perfectly normal, isn't it?" His tone was full of playful teasing, he stretched out his index finger and slid it over his lower lip, gave a sly smile and took another step closer to me.

  My eyes frantically searched for a nearby shelter, biting my lips tightly. He can't do anything to me here, this is his home, and his mom will be back soon...

  "Master, madam has returned, please go to her room."

  I looked gratefully towards the source of the sound and saw the butler standing at the carved glass door, slightly bowing to us.

  "I know, tell your mother and we'll be right over." He stopped in his tracks, his tone light, and with a wave of his hand towards the butler, he bowed slightly and backed away.

  What a close call! It seems we still can't let our guard down around him. We must remain vigilant at all times.

  On the second floor, right in the middle, there was an arched wooden door. Yu Qing lightly knocked twice on the door, and a crisp female voice came from inside: Come in.

  The door creaked open with a slight turn, and I stepped in, following his footsteps. My feet trod on the brown carpet, my center of gravity slightly off balance, my heart racing fast. Finally, I was going to see the true face of his mother's Lushan.

  What a big room, in the center is a Simmons bed with mosquito netting, still elegant and luxurious decorations. There's also a sliding door inside the room, it seems like someone should be there. I pulled on his clothes from behind, he didn't react and continued walking on his own, so I had to tiptoe after him, the shoelaces that were just tied up seemed a bit loose, my feet kept slipping out, plus this uneven carpet, walking was really suffering.

  He pushed open the wooden door with a stern face, and I caught a glimpse of the elegant lady standing in front of the window from behind him. She was dressed in a simple yet elegant black suit, her hair styled in a high bun, without any excessive decorations, which happened to be my favorite style.

  "Mom, I've brought Mimi to see you." There was a hint of excitement in his voice.

  The lady turned around, her face lightly made up, and she had a very elegant temperament, but her appearance was not as beautiful as I had imagined. She slightly furrowed her brow, her eyes fixed on me who was standing behind him in a daze.

  I realized my rudeness and hastily thought of asking a good question, but before I could even get the words out, I was tripped up by something and fell forward heavily, landing on all fours in front of her like a dog eating feces. My golden high-heeled shoe flew off my foot. This was utterly humiliating! As I lay there awkwardly, the sheepskin rug was surprisingly soft, and while my body didn't hurt, my ankle twisted sharply, and to make matters worse, my shoelace came undone at this critical moment!

  "A bow so deep at our first meeting?" a low, slightly mocking female voice said.

  I raised my head and looked at her cold eyes, which were exactly like those of Yu's. They were indeed mother and son...

  Ignoring the cold ridicule and scorching gaze, I quickly stood up barefoot and gave her a bow: "Aunt... Aunt is well!"

  "A Yu, who is this girl?" She furrowed her brow and gave me a cold glance, her expression as chilly as an iceberg.

  "This is my girlfriend, she's really nervous. I brought her here today to introduce you two." Ze Yu was unexpectedly honest and polite in front of his mother.

  "Oh? Did you get my permission? You just casually show up, I won't acknowledge it." She looked me up and down, my makeup that had been perfect in the morning was now flawed all over, full of loopholes, I lowered my head not daring to meet her piercing gaze.

  "I don't like this girl, tonight is very important, you can't just find some unreliable person to fool me."

  Are you saying I'm neither three nor four? Shouldn't that phrase be used on your son instead? To go along with it, I endured.

  "Please forgive me, I'll be taking her with me tonight." He slightly lowered his head, and it seemed like there was no exchange of eye contact between the two, more like an employee reporting to their boss.

  "What about the daughter of Li Zong that I introduced to you? Aren't your relations already very good? What's going on now, how can you make me lose face like this? I won't allow it, send her away immediately!"

  "Mom, am I just a tool for you to make money? Who I'm with is my freedom, please don't interfere."

  "What... what nonsense are you spouting? For her sake, now you won't even listen to me?"

  "Mom, this time I have to go against your wishes, sorry."

  His voice was firm, but his eyes were sad, and that gaze touched the soft spot deep within me. This is the second time I've felt his sorrow. He asked me to pretend to be his girlfriend, probably just because I had seen this side of him before... But isn't he the one who loves his mother the most? Why would he let their relationship deteriorate over something like this? It's not like it's a serious commitment, why be so resistant? Zhang Ze Yu is such an obstinate person, even more inflexible than me.

  "Tonight you must follow my orders, otherwise, don't recognize me as your mother from now on!" She threatened with a stern face.