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."

anger increased after seeing the two of them together, and she turned her face away. She picked up her coffee and

observed a weird expression on Amelia's face. "Amelia, didn't you promise not to take Fannie seriously? Why are you frowning?" His

touched her forehead and asked, "Did

old lady in her seventies!" Lucian had a playful smile on his lips. He urged her to sit on the couch and asked, "Guess why my father called me in the study?" His voice carried a

gaze cast on him before pouting when he didn't

sound as if he was dramatically beating drums before revealing some mystery. Lucian took out two red packets from his coat and handed them to Amelia. "This one is

in a daze. The packets had a

mind traveled back to when Iris used to give her 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 painful memory. When she looked at the two red packets in her hand, her eyes

the Spring Festival, and Lily had gone to her hometown to stay with her family members. That meant Lucian and Amelia were

thinking about all the dishes she would make. Just as Amelia was about to start cooking, Lucian stopped her. He smiled and

'He can't even wash the dishes. How can he cook?'

care of the chores tonight. You have

in Lucian's cooking skills,

to be stared at by others while cooking. 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

wanted to see him working in the kitchen, she had to

hour had passed, and Amelia couldn't take it anymore. Curiosity 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

God! A romantic dinner with candles!" Amelia stared at the scene with wide eyes and covered her mouth. She was so surprised

"Amelia, please turn off the lights." He watched her robotically clicking the button, still

up and looked at his arrangement. The entire table was decorated with lily flowers on the edges with candles in the middle. Two plates

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

and bright. That was when she returned to Earth and looked at Lucian. Candlelight reflected on his handsome face, carving out everything perfectly. Her heart jumped

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

at her adorable face. "Mrs. Amelia,

but she could tell that he had

Her heart was deeply moved. "You know,

a coincidence! It's my first time too." He

as he guzzled the wine. He looked alluring in the candlelight, making her

wine spread across them as they filled their cups with it. Their eyes met one another, and both of them smiled. Everything was

mouth and emptied it

like setting too many restrictions on her. Back when they went for dinner in a western-style restaurant, he had realized the fact that Amelia loved her freedom. They were at home anyway. He could

figure fell in his arms. Just as he realized who he was, she snuggled

went soft in his arms. Her cheeks were burning because of the

In the candlelight, half of his face lit up in yellowish color. A trace of warmth spread in her heart when he

entered her nose, making her feel intoxicated. Amelia couldn't hold it in anymore. She put her hands on the nape of his neck and pulled