Reborn Young Miss: Phoenix Burning Red-Chapter 347: The Qin Family (2)

The others followed suit, and the clinking of glasses filled the air. Adrienne noticed Lennox’s discomfort and squeezed his hand reassuringly. She knew it was hard for him to be in the same room as his family, but she was determined to make the most of their time there.

She leaned forward towards him and whispered, "Are you alright? Should we get going?"

Lennox shook his head. He also wanted to meet and have a word with his grandfather. It was just that whenever he looked at his two uncles and aunts, he couldn’t help but be reminded of his father’s death.

"I’m alright, Addie." He answered. "You don’t need to worry, love. I came here for a reason."

The conversation flowed easily, and soon, they were talking about everything from politics to business to current events.

"I was surprised when I found out how successful you are, Adrienne. Didn’t you just turn twenty-two recently? And yet you are the owner of one of the fastest-rising brands in the country. I’m sure your father regrets overlooking your potential." Reginald suddenly said:

Lennox was tense in his seat, while Adrienne remained calm. She had already expected that the Qin family had done an intensive background check on her. They would surely look down on her if she couldn’t meet their expectations. After all, the Qin family was still conservative, and it was usual for them to enter into arranged marriages to gain advantages and spread their network of influence.

"Thank you for your kind words, Uncle Reginald. It means a lot coming from someone as successful as yourself," Adrienne replied, her voice smooth and confident.

Reginald laughed and raised his glass. "You have a sharp tongue and a quick wit, Adrienne. I like that."

The meal continued, and Adrienne found herself trapped in the company of the Qin family with their incessant questions, despite the unease she felt in the air. She noticed that everyone was careful with their words, as if they were afraid of saying something wrong.

After dinner, Alyssa led them to the sitting room, where they sat down on comfortable couches and sipped on glasses of brandy. The conversation turned lighter, and Lennox’s uncles and aunt laughed and joked with each other.

As the time passed, Adrienne noticed that Lennox was becoming increasingly restless. She could tell that he was eager to speak with his grandfather, and she decided to take matters into her own hands.

As if on cue, Alyssa, Henry, and Reginald suddenly stood up and remained silent. Lennox followed shortly and helped Adrienne up from her seat. It was then that Adrienne heard a hoarse voice from the entrance of the sitting room.

"I heard Nox arrive with his wife. Where is he?" An old man said it in an authoritative tone, with an old butler standing behind him. He was seated in a wheelchair, and his face was lined with deep wrinkles. Despite his age and frailty, there was a fierce look in his eyes that demanded respect.

Lennox stepped forward and walked towards his grandfather, and Adrienne followed closely behind him. The rest of the Qin family remained silent as they observed the interaction between them.

"Grandfather," Lennox said, bowing deeply. "It’s good to see you again."

"And who is this?"

The patriarch turned his gaze towards Adrienne, and she could feel his eyes piercing through her.

Lennox stepped aside, allowing Adrienne to step forward.

"This is my wife, Adrienne Jiang," he said, his voice firm and steady. "We got married a few months ago."

"Adrienne Jiang, you say? So you married Cedric’s granddaughter, huh?"

The old man stared at her for a long moment, and Adrienne met his gaze head-on, refusing to back down.

"Hmph," he said finally. "You’ll do. I can see you are different from the rest of the Jiang family. You take after your mother."

Adrienne felt a chill run down her spine at his words, but she didn’t let it show on her face. Instead, she put on a smile and said, "It’s an honor to meet you, Grandfather Qin. Thank you for allowing us to visit you."

The old man grunted again and motioned for them to come closer.

"I have something to tell you, boy," he said, his voice low and urgent. "But not here."

"Bring me to the study," Old Master Qin told his trusted aide.

Lennox hesitated to leave his wife in the company of his uncles and aunts, but Adrienne assured him she would be fine.

"Go. I’m sure there are a lot of things you want to talk about. I’ll be here when you are done."

Lennox nodded and followed his grandfather out of the room, leaving Adrienne behind. She sat on the couch and sipped her cold drink, her mind racing with questions. She knew that Lennox’s family was wealthy and influential, and she also expected them to be so complicated. It was obvious that the Qin siblings were apprehensive about who would become the chairman of their vast business empire.

"Your brand is quite impressive, Adrienne," Alyssa said finally, breaking the silence. "I’ve heard a lot about it from my friends. They couldn’t stop talking about how comfortable your shoes are and how they can stand for hours without hurting their feet. You know elderlies like us tend to complain, but we still want to look best in front of others."

Adrienne smiled, feeling a sense of pride in her words. "Thank you, Aunt Alyssa. It’s been a lot of hard work, but it’s been worth it."

"I’m sure it has," Alyssa replied, taking a sip of her brandy. "But you must know that being successful in the business world is not enough to impress the Qin family. We value tradition and family ties above all else."

Adrienne nodded, sensing the underlying threat in Alyssa’s words. She knew that the Qin family was known to be ruthless in their pursuit of power and influence. But she refused to be intimidated. She had fought hard to get where she was, and she wouldn’t back down now.

"I understand that, Aunt Alyssa. But I also believe that one’s success in business is a reflection of their character and determination. And I know that Lennox shares those same values."

Alyssa smiled, seemingly satisfied with Adrienne’s answer. "I can see why Lennox chose you as his wife," she said. "You are a smart and strong woman. But be careful not to underestimate the power of family ties. They can make or break a person’s success."

Adrienne nodded again, taking in Alyssa’s words. Just then, a couple arrived, with the woman holding a young child in her arms. Adrienne recognized them as Jacob and Audrey.

"Sorry, we’re late. The meeting at the company stretched longer than expected." Jacob said this before he spotted Adrienne. His lips curled up in a smile, and his eyes flashed with mischief.

"Oh, Lennox brought his little wife, I see. My eyes are blessed today."