Wei Ziqian skeptically sized up Zhong Ziyan from head to toe before finally nodding with a careless shrug. "Alright then, I'll—"
"Ziqian, where’s your gratitude?" Wei Hanyun interrupted him.
Zhong Ziyan watched as the rebellious, rock-and-roll styled Wei Ziqian visibly shuddered. "..."
She really wanted to reassure him: It’s fine, the boss is actually quite nice—not that terrifying.
Wei Ziqian mumbled incoherently, scratching his head, his face flushing red as he barely managed to squeeze out a quiet "Thank you," as if the words were being dragged out of him against his will.
"No need for thanks," Zhong Ziyan kindly offered him an out.
Wei Hanyan also smiled. "Auntie, can I go open mine too?"
"Go ahead," Zhong Ziyan pointed. "The square one is yours."
Wei Hanyan eagerly dashed over, dragging along the still-flustered Wei Ziqian, who looked like he wanted to vanish into the floor.
The elders followed behind, while Zhong Ziyan stiffened under the affectionate, approving gazes of Wei's Mother and Old Madam Yu.
This wasn’t how it was supposed to go. She’d even mentally prepared for scripts like "Here’s five million, leave my son" or "My grandson must marry someone of equal status—what makes you think you’re worthy?" So why was reality so different?
"You didn’t have to bring gifts just for meeting us. We’re family—no need for formalities," Wei's Mother said, resting her cheek on one hand. Despite being in her fifties, she radiated a youthful, almost girlish charm. "I was worried your gifts would be too extravagant, making mine seem inadequate."
Zhong Ziyan replied earnestly, "This diamond ring is already very valuable."
Wei's Mother let out a delighted laugh. "Ziyan, you’re adorable."
Zhong Ziyan: "…?" What did that mean? Was this rock practically worthless to her?
"Wow—!" Wei Hanyan’s excited gasp came from near the billiards table. "It’s a complete set, and they’re all signed! There’s even a handwritten letter! Thank you, Auntie~"
Faced with the enthusiastic gratitude of the sweet young girl, Zhong Ziyan simply nodded. "As long as you like it."
Wei Hanyan cradled the envelope like a treasure, glanced at Zhong Ziyan, then suddenly grinned. "Auntie, wait here—I’ll be right back!"
With that, she flitted off like a happy little bird, letter in hand.
"She’s definitely sneaking off to read it," Wei Ziqian muttered under his breath. "What’s so great about Li Ye? Zhong Hui is the real electricity, light, the one and only legend!"
Zhong Ziyan couldn’t bear to listen any longer and turned her face toward Wei Hanyun.
This was too embarrassing.
To stop Wei Ziqian’s explosive cascade of praise, Zhong Ziyan decided to distribute the remaining gifts herself, placing them in front of each recipient.
Second Brother Wei watched in astonishment as she effortlessly lifted a fossil specimen, then tried to do the same himself.
He… couldn’t even budge it??
Zhong Ziyan quietly explained, "I’m naturally strong."
Second Brother Wei wiped his sweat. "R-right."
Wei Second Sister-in-law unwrapped her painting—a Renoir, unsurprisingly. She smiled at Zhong Ziyan. "Guess what I prepared for you in return?"
Zhong Ziyan thought about what an artist might give. "Another painting or sculpture?"
Wei Second Sister-in-law shook her head and pointed to a long table behind the billiards table. "See that chest? That’s what Second Brother and I prepared for you. We took Hanyun’s advice—hope he was right about what you’d like."
Zhong Ziyan: "…" Wei Hanyun knew she loved money. This was straightforward.
That treasure-chest-like box must be stuffed with stacks of cash!
After a confirming glance at Wei Hanyun, who nodded with a smile, Zhong Ziyan stepped forward and lifted the lid—only to be momentarily blinded by a dazzling golden glow.
The chest was filled to the brim with gleaming gold coins, their designs slightly vintage.
"We heard you like gold. How charming," Wei Second Sister-in-law teased, walking over. "We happened to know someone who could source these Victorian-era coins, so we bought them all for you."
Zhong Ziyan stood frozen. "…" It’s… it’s gold!
"You don’t like them?" Wei Second Sister-in-law asked, puzzled.
"I do," Zhong Ziyan picked up a coin, running her fingers over it. "Thank you."
Wei Second Sister-in-law leaned in, studying Zhong Ziyan’s awestruck expression, then suddenly hugged her. "You’re just too adorable."
A chest of gold was certainly valuable, and as historical artifacts, their worth was even higher.
But compared to the wealth of the Wei family—or Wei Hanyun himself—it was practically insignificant.
Yet Zhong Ziyan seemed far more fascinated by the gold than by the man standing behind her.
Wei Second Sister-in-law nuzzled Zhong Ziyan’s cheek, then glanced at the composed Wei Hanyun, barely suppressing her laughter.
In all her years married into the Wei family, when had she ever seen the mighty Wei Hanyun sulk?
"There’s plenty more gold out there. I’ll get you whatever you like," Wei Second Sister-in-law declared. "As long as it makes you happy!"
Zhong Ziyan sighed faintly. "Thank you, Second Sister-in-law."
Eleven months probably wasn’t enough time, she thought wistfully.
Wei's Mother and Old Madam Yu unwrapped their gifts—a protective charm and a manuscript—both looking pleased. The room was filled with warmth.
Wei's Mother handed Zhong Ziyan a red envelope and slipped an astonishingly pure violet jade bracelet onto her wrist.
Gold bars first, now jade—Old Madam Yu felt her position slipping.
Luckily, she’d come prepared.
While Second Brother Wei and Wei Hanyun were talking, Old Madam Yu beckoned Zhong Ziyan over like a mischievous child. "Want to see something special?"
Zhong Ziyan played along, nodding as she helped the elderly woman out.
Old Madam Yu led her through a maze of hallways to a room that resembled a music studio. Throwing the door open, she proudly gestured inside. "These are my lifelong collections. Pick whatever you like—it’s yours!"
Before Zhong Ziyan could even process the offer, she was struck by the sheer extravagance.
Truly a family trait—treating money like dirt.
Her eyes swept across the room—a massive space filled with nearly every instrument imaginable.
"This is Mozart’s piano," Old Madam Yu announced, striding in eagerly. "But the color’s too dull for a young lady like you. Oh! This viola would suit your music perfectly! Hanyun mentioned you only bought a harp and violin? That’s far too little! Don’t hold back—spend his money freely. Treat yourself well."
Zhong Ziyan, given almost no chance to speak, cautiously said, "I’ll just take one. Thank you, Grandmother."
Spending Wei Hanyun's money was one thing—with their agreement in place, Zhong Ziyan could do so with a clear conscience. But accepting gifts from an elderly woman… that felt a little inappropriate.
At the very least, a fair exchange would be more proper.
Old Madam Yu let out an exaggerated gasp and lightly swatted Zhong Ziyan’s hand in mock indignation. "Don’t you go picking up Hanyun’s bad habits with all this nonsense. Call me Grandma. I’ve seen your compositions—you’re far more talented than that boy. When he was little, he refused to learn music no matter what. His older brother was always digging in the dirt, and the great-grandson they gave me is obsessed with that rock music nonsense…"
The old lady had plenty of grievances and the energy to air them all. As she introduced Zhong Ziyan to each priceless instrument in the room, she kept up a steady stream of complaints.
Zhong Ziyan couldn’t even slip in a humble "You flatter me," so she simply listened attentively, playing the role of the perfect audience.
After a while, Old Madam Yu suddenly stopped in front of an ancient guqin. She lovingly traced her fingers along its head. "You know, playing an instrument is actually quite physically demanding. When you get old, your stamina fades—just performing one piece leaves me breathless."
How could Zhong Ziyan, who respected her elders, let that slide? She immediately offered, "Then let me try. But I’ve never played the guqin before—what if I damage it?"
"It won’t break," Old Madam Yu chuckled, eagerly nudging Zhong Ziyan toward the instrument. "Play something for me! I’ve only seen your sheet music—that stingy Hanyun didn’t even record a clip for me!"
As always, her elven instincts served her well. After a few experimental plucks, Zhong Ziyan quickly grasped the mechanics of the guqin and soon played an elven ceremonial hymn for the old lady.
It was a piece she had once heard another elf perform—soothing and calming, perfect for the elderly.
None of the instruments in this practice room were ordinary, as Zhong Ziyan could tell just by their sound.
Musical instruments were one of the few things where price truly reflected quality. The more expensive they were, the better they sounded—and each had a unique, irreplaceable tone.
Old Madam Yu listened with her eyes gently closed, swaying slightly in quiet absorption until the final note faded. Only after several beats of silence did she exhale deeply, as if releasing a long-held breath.
"How beautiful," she murmured. "You must have witnessed sights even an old woman like me could only dream of."
Her face was lined with wrinkles, but her eyes sparkled with the clarity of a child’s.
Zhong Ziyan paused in thought, then lightly strummed the strings again. "Being with Wei Hanyun has shown me many things I’d never seen before." It was the truth.
Though she had once traversed countless bizarre and boundless worlds, experiencing wonders beyond imagination, she had lived a life of hardship—one that would bring anyone to tears.
And in those worlds… death was never far away.
How many names had Zhong Ziyan remembered? And how many had actually survived to leave…?
"...But now is good," she said softly.
Old Madam Yu wiped her eyes and tugged Zhong Ziyan along. "Come, come—play this one for me next. It hasn’t made a sound in years."
……
Wordlessly, Zhong Ziyan followed Old Madam Yu from one end of the practice room to the other, trying out nearly a dozen different instruments—plucking, blowing, bowing, and singing until she had covered almost every category.
It wasn’t until Wei Hanyan curiously peeked in that the old lady finally released her, though reluctantly.
"I hardly use these anymore—just the university or concert halls borrowing them now and then," she said cheerfully, still holding Zhong Ziyan’s hand. "Take all the ones you played today when you leave. Is the house in Tingshan big enough? If not, just buy another one and convert it for the instruments."
Zhong Ziyan: "…" Wait. Hold on a moment.
