Lu Jingyan and Lu Xinyan walked into the mansion and saw
Inside *Leng Manor*, the atmosphere was one of silent majesty a blend of cold opulence and timeless authority. The grand foyer stretched wide, its floor a glossy spread of black marble streaked with silver veins that mirrored the flicker of the crystal chandelier suspended far above. Every line in the architecture was sharp, deliberate, no excess, no softness, only control.
The air carried the faint scent of aged wood and jasmine, elegant yet restrained. Along the walls, minimalistic art pieces hung in gold-edged frames—each one a quiet statement of wealth, not flair. To the left, a sunken lounge in deep emerald tones offered luxurious seating, but no one ever sat there without permission. To the right, a spiral staircase coiled upward like a steel serpent, its handrails cold to the touch.
At the top of the staircase, she stood. Lu Jingyan recognized the woman as 'Madam Leng'. A woman in her late fifties, but age bowed to her presence. Her long qipao was a deep wine red, embroidered with subtle black plum blossoms. Her silver-streaked hair was pinned into an elegant bun, not a strand out of place. Eyes sharp behind thin-rimmed glasses, lips painted with quiet steel, she looked down the stairs not with curiosity—but judgment
She didn't speak. She didn't need to.
"Sis" Lu Xinyan called as she looked at the woman standing in front of them
"You..." The woman trailed off as she looked at Lu Jingyan and Lu Xinyan standing beside her daughter.
"Hello madam Leng. My name is Lu Jingyan and this is my brother Lu Xinyan" Lu Jingyan introduced as she bowed deeply to the woman
"Madam Leng?" The woman called as Leng Yumo let out a laughter
"Grandma. You are scaring them" she said as the woman looked at both ignoring her own daughter
The grand hall of the Leng Manor was as silent as ever, sunlight spilling through the high windows. Lu Jingyan stood nervously with her younger brother, Lu Xinyan, both unsure of why Madam Leng had summoned them.
Madam Leng descended the staircase with her usual regal poise expression unreadable, steps quiet yet firm. She stopped before them and said nothing at first, her eyes briefly scanning Lu Xinyan's worn sneakers.
Instead of scolding, she gestured for a housekeeper. "Bring tea. And... pastries," she said curtly. "The boy hasn't eaten."
Lu Xinyan looked up, surprised. No one had noticed that. Absolutely no one had expected that
Turning to Lu Jingyan, Madam Leng walked past her and carefully draped a thick shawl over her shoulders. "The wind is strong today," she said. "You don't want to catch a cold."
Still no affection in her tone. But the gesture said enough.
Then she handed a folder to Jingyan—a private hospital card. "Your father's bills have been transferred here. Quietly. Don't argue."
Jingyan blinked, stunned. No warmth in Madam Leng's eyes, but the layers of protection wrapped around her actions spoke louder than any soft words.
Lu Jingyan looked at the lady and she doesn't know whether to cry or laugh. Weather to be happy that she has finally saw a mom after her mom ran off or she should still be afraid of this woman whose cold gaze could freeze the whole ocean. She just looked at Leng Yumo as the latter could only smile at her