Mrs. Zhou leads me toward the terrace where a small group has gathered near the tall windows overlooking the gardens.
Six people total, including me now.
She gestures to each of them as we approach. "Young Master Wuchen, let me introduce you, this is Mrs. Lin, Mrs. Zhao, Mr. Kim, and Mr. Wei."
They all turn to look at me with varying degrees of interest.
Mrs. Lin and Mrs. Zhao are both in their late twenties, dressed impeccably, their smiles are polite but don't reach their eyes. There's a coolness there, a distance that feels deliberate.
Mr. Kim and Mr. Wei, on the other hand, look far too eager. They're both omegas, roughly my age, and the way they're studying me feels less like judgment and more like fascination.
"It's lovely to meet you all," I say with that practiced smile.
Mrs. Lin nods politely. "Congratulations on your marriage."
"Thank you."
"Quite the ceremony," Mrs. Zhao adds, her tone perfectly neutral. "Very... elegant."
