Since She Met Lucian

Just as Lucian handed over the framed painting to Nicholas, Nicholas's smile widened to form a pleasant grin.

No matter who had made this painting, Nicholas was moved by Lucian's intention.

Lucian had always been aloof ever since Fiona passed away. He seldom returned to the Zhan mansion for the Spring Festival. Nicholas found it both surprising and pleasant to have dinner with his son.

Fannie stayed silent and just stood in one corner, glaring at Amelia at the same time.

"Mom, this is what Amelia chose for you." Lucian took the clothes from the bag and handed them to Fannie.

Fannie's expressions changed at that. Her face turned from slightly surprised to indifferent in a few seconds. She looked coldly at Amelia and said, "I have many clothes. I don't need these."

Amelia's heart trembled when Fannie rejected her gift bluntly. After recovering from her shock, she forced a smile.

Before she could open her mouth, Lucian interrupted, "All right." Lucian's expression was cold and icy when he stuffed the clothes back in the bag.

"It's the New Year's Eve, Fannie. Why can't you at least pretend to be happy?" Nicholas couldn't stand still after seeing Fannie's behavior. Seriousness floated in his eyes when he gazed at her.

Fannie clutched her fist tightly and glared at Nicholas. She took multiple breaths to suppress her anger. "Do I have to grin all the time just to make you happy?"

Nicholas was speechless and sighed deeply.

Fannie ruined the serene atmosphere between Lucian and his father.

Lucian ignored Fannie and walked toward Amelia. He held her hand gently and whispered soothingly, "It's okay."

Amelia's lips stretched to form a faint smile. Her heart didn't have a trace of anger or distress anymore. She had expected Fannie to behave like that anyway.

After eating, both Nicholas and Lucian went to the study while Amelia waited in the living room.

Fannie was calmly staring at the cup in her hand, and she sipped it again. Fannie seemed calm on the surface. She didn't even gaze at Amelia with her displeased expressions. Amelia glanced at the woman and shifted uneasily on her seat as if she wanted to say something. She opened her mouth, but nothing came out. What if she ended up annoying Fannie again? The silence made her feel even more awkward.

"I know Lucian and his father like you already, but I won't. And don't worry, I won't accept you for the rest of my life," Fannie said coldly.

Those words made Amelia's heart feel suffocated. She averted her eyes and looked down.

Before silence between them could become even more awkward, Lucian walked downstairs and took hold of Amelia's hand. He didn't even glance at Fannie and said, "Happy New Year, mom. We should go home."

face away.

entire journey. Just as Lucian got out of the car, he observed a weird expression on Amelia's face. "Amelia, didn't you promise not to take Fannie seriously? Why are you frowning?" His gaze carried

touched her forehead and asked, "Did I

He urged her to sit on the couch and asked,

confused gaze cast on him before pouting when he didn't say anything else. "I

two red packets from his coat and handed them to Amelia. "This one is from father, and the

stared at the red packets in a daze. The packets had a lot of money. Her heart floated in

red packets, especially the one Iris handed just before dying. Amelia used to feel distressed at this time of the year because she would be reminded of that

the Spring Festival, and Lily had gone to her hometown to stay with her family members. That meant Lucian and Amelia were alone in the huge villa. It was Amelia who decided to cook for the Spring Festival's

wore a floral apron, thinking about all the dishes she would make. Just as Amelia was about to start cooking, Lucian stopped her. He smiled and took her apron off. "I'll cook

cook?" Amelia couldn't believe what she heard. 'He can't even wash the dishes. How

chores tonight. You have done enough

rolled her eyes. She didn't believe in Lucian's

Just as he opened the fridge, he felt someone's stare on his back, and he turned around to see Amelia still standing at the door. Smiling awkwardly, he said, "You

kitchen, she had to leave. "All right."

took over her heart, and she sneaked into the kitchen. Lucian was standing in the dining room, holding a bottle of red wine. He placed it on a round table draped with a red cloth. In the middle, she could see a giant white candle bursting with yellow light. Then she

dinner with candles!" Amelia stared at the scene with wide eyes and covered her mouth. She was so surprised that her words came out in

his shoulders the next second. "Amelia, please turn off the lights." He watched her robotically clicking the button, still in shock, and he presented her with a

flowers on the edges with candles in the middle. Two plates filled

the table decorated with candles, and a sense of insecurity filled her

hold of Amelia and pulled her in his embrace. The atmosphere seemed both romantic and bright. That was when she returned to Earth and looked at Lucian.

lily mixed with wine and cakes entered her lungs, and she closed her eyes. Her mood was instantly lifted, and

the chair for her, he smiled at her adorable face. "Mrs. Amelia, have a seat, and try it." A faint smile graced Lucian's

Lucian was not good at cooking, but she could tell that

a long time and smiled. Her heart

a coincidence! It's my first time

He looked

their cups with it. Their eyes met one another, and both of them smiled. Everything

to her mouth and emptied it in a

to stop her from drinking more, but he didn't feel like setting too many restrictions on her. Back when they went for dinner in a western-style restaurant, he

dizzy. Before he could do anything, a small figure fell in

Her cheeks were

tried to focus her blurry eyes at him. In the candlelight, half of his face lit up in yellowish color. A

intoxicated. Amelia couldn't hold it in anymore. She put her hands on the nape of his neck and pulled him closer,