Lu Xinyi paused and lifted her gaze to her grandmother. She didn't know where to start though. Should she be blunt and ask her where she was when her mother died in Sun Mingai's hands? Before, she had so many questions she could think of; but now that the old woman was in front of her, Lu Xinyi's mind refused to cooperate.
She sat down and thought hard. There were things she couldn't understand. Maybe if she knew more about the past, she'd understand why the Sun family had a complex family and why her mother chose to give way to Sun Weijun—Sun Feiyan's father—as the successor of the Sun family before his untimely death.
"I really don't know what to ask," Lu Xinyi admitted truthfully, resting her chin on her slender hands propped on the table, "but I'm curious, Lady Tang… Chairman Sun got his mistress pregnant not only once but thrice, but after that, you gave birth to my mother, his legitimate child. So how come it took you so long before you decided to divorce the old man?"
She was curious. Lu Xinyi herself was a wife. If she discovered Shen Yi having an affair outside their marriage, she didn't think she could bear the pain and share him with another woman while still married to him.
She would rather divorce him and free herself from the marriage than make a fool out of herself.
Tang Lingfei pursed her lips and stared down on her hand on her lap. It's normal for Lu Xinyi to ask about it since the problem started because of her. She smiled bitterly at her granddaughter.
"Xinxin, in every popular novel and TV shows, didn't they portray the wives as virtuous and faithful to their husbands until they discover about the affair and suddenly had a change of heart? The once-virtuous wife has become a tyrant and vengeful woman, wanting to destroy the husband who cheated on her and crush the woman who seduced her man."
Lu Xinyi nodded but didn't utter a single word, hoping that her Grandmother Tang would continue; but she could already roughly guessed what transpired between her grandparents.
"Xinxin, you and I were born in prestigious families. While we were both born with a silver spoon, commoners wouldn't believe that we're also bound to suffer. As such, women from wealthy families were bound to face and accept marriage arrangements settled by our parents or elders. At a young age, we've been groomed to become someone else's wife." The old woman continued. Her eyes were looking past Lu Xinyi as if remembering the past.
---
*Flashback*
A large aircraft was flying smoothly in a clear blue sky, leaving a jet stream of white on it.
Outside, the sun was shining brightly, causing the young woman to pull down her shades to protect her eyes from the blinding light. She'd already claimed her baggage and walked outside the arrival area.
With red lips and curly black hair that reached down to her waist, Tang Lingfei was wearing a black bodycon dress that fit her body. Her black high heels hitting the floor with a clicking sound. It had been years since she last came home. She'd been living abroad for the past ten years to study, and now, she was ready to join her brother at Griffin Entertainment.
Aside from that, she was excited to see and meet her fiance she hasn't seen in years, Sun Liuxian. Betrothed to him since childhood, Tang Lingfei had believed that one day she'd become the next Madam of the Sun family; and because of this, she focused all her attention and time to become a better wife for the Young Master Sun.
As she walked out of the arrival area, her ears heard a familiar voice calling her name.
"Miss Lingfei!"
Tang Lingfei stopped. Looking to where the sound came from, she saw their family driver waving at her with a smile on his face. She thought that his smile was warmer than the sun above them.
"I always knew that you'll be a great beauty when you were a child. Seeing you right now, you become more beautiful since the last time I've seen you, Miss," the old man named Zhong Hai said.
"And I'm still impressed you know how to butter someone up." She grinned back.
"Just telling the truth, Miss." Zhong Hai laughed before taking her luggage and leading her to the parking lot. "Your brother has canceled all of his appointments and told the servants to clean the Tang Mansion. I wasn't the only one who's excited to see you."
Zhong Hai started the car and drove away from the busy airport.
Tang Lingzhi was Tang Lingfei's brother. He'd inherited Griffin Entertainment and was now the Chairman of the Board despite his young age. Since she'd be joining the company as its Director for Procurement, Tang Lingfei would be able to assist her brother this time.
"I know." She sighed. "My brother sent me the data to get my opinion. Seriously, though I don't see why he doubts his capabilities to lead Griffin Entertainment."
"Well, I guess that's because he suddenly felt a lot of pressure and responsibilities passed onto him since your father's death," the old man replied. In truth, he wanted to say that it was because Tang Lingfei was smarter and more decisive compared to her brother.
Tang Lingfei nodded and looked out of the window, her gaze lazy but cold. One hand supported her chin on the edge of the window as she watched the scenery outside with a bored expression. There were several changes she'd noticed around the city since she arrived, and somehow, she felt at home until the car she was in took the path towards the Tang Mansion.
The mansion was one of those that rich people buy when they get paranoid about having too much money. For Tang Lingfei, it was like a fortress: tall gates with more security gadgets than a military compound. Perhaps behind those high walls, they feel safe from harm; but she couldn't help think they've only built themselves a beautiful prison.
"How's Sun Liuxian now?"
She heard that the Sun Corporation was facing a huge problem at the moment and wondered if she should extend a hand to help him. After all, she was to become his wife; if Sun Corporation fell down, she'd have no future in the Sun family.
"Not good." Zhong Hai looked at her through the rearview. She looked upset over the news though it wasn't surprising anymore.
Everyone within the Tang family knew that their Young Miss was so smitten with the Young Master of the Sun family. Too bad though that the man only accepted their marriage arrangements to strengthen his influence not only within the social circle but the business world.
The long flight had tired her out, but once Tang Lingfei arrived at the mansion, she was welcomed by her brother and his family. Tang Lingzhi had just married two years ago, and now, his young wife was cradling a baby boy in her arms.
"Is this my nephew?" Her eyes widened as her sister-in-law passed the sleeping boy to her carefully. Tang Lingfei wanted to decline, in fear that she might accidentally hurt the infant or make him cry.
"He looks adorable, brother." Her eyes softened as she ran her fingertips gently on the baby's head.
Tang Lingzhi laughed at her.
"I didn't know you like babies, sis. Don't worry. Once you get married to Sun Liuxian, you'll have a baby of your own."