I took a deep breath and then opened the heavy doors.
Much like the corridors and Hanzhi's bedroom, the dining room was luxurious.
Expensive white marble filled the room, tall standing pillars, and, of course, gold accents were basically everywhere. A dazzling chandelier hung from the ceiling, the diamonds shining in every direction as the warm sunlight bounced around.
A dining room like this is something I could never afford, even if I had worked till eighty.
A long, elegant table whose craftsmanship was no less than jaw-dropping...and Hanzhi's...no, I guess they're now my parents, were sitting at the end of the table, along with Shouyi.
They were smiling so happily that I don't even think they noticed me walking in...but I guess the dining room is pretty big, so I suppose it could have been possible for them not to have seen me.
Their chattering filled the room, and so many smiles and laughs were exchanged. I suppose this is what a normal family should be like, huh?
My heart felt like it was in a lock, stuck, unable to beat.
Realizing that I was stupidly staring away, I quickly went over to them, trying to walk elegantly while also being brisk.
Shouyi was the first to notice me. It was quite scary, actually, how her face went from so refined and joyful to dark and threatening, and back to refined, but now, not so cheerful.
Hanzhi's mother and father then looked at me.
Unlike Shouyi, I couldn't tell what they were thinking. Their eyes were mixed, with deep emotions, but there was one thing certain, and it was that their eyes looked...so...tired.
Hanzhi's mother stood up from her chair, and smiled at her son...me, but her smile didn't ever seem to reach her eyes.
"Oh my, look at you. What happened to your face, Hanzhi?"
Hanzhi's mother asked, worried.
I had totally forgotten about my face, considering all the emotional strain that was happening; my physical health was pretty much ignored.
"Oh...that? Uh-"
That's when I saw Shouyi glaring at me from across the table, completely throwing away her young noble lady charade.
Alright, alright, I get the hint...gee, you can stop glaring at me now.
The thought of her punching me in the face again was enough for me to make up an excuse. Granted, my excuse dragged down my reputation even more, but right now, pleasing Shouyi outweighed gaining the affection of Hanzhi's parents.
"Hanzhi?"
"Oh, right, Mother, I must have gotten it last night while drinking, I-"
I trailed off.
His mother stared at me.
With coldness in her eyes.
I could tell that she was tired.
Tired of Hanzhi.
Tired...of me.
What was I expecting? To have loving parents. The real Hanzhi had already ruined that dream.
I smiled, the best I could, repressing any other emotions, and pulled the chair next to Hanzhi's mother.
Hanzhi's father sat at the end of the table, while Shouyi sat on his right, and Hanzhi's mother sat on his left.
After watching me sit, Hanzhi's mother had also sat down, but the table did not go back to the joyful chattering before.
Because it was dead silent.
I didn't even have the heart to look anybody in the eyes. I looked down, just like I've always had.
The table did not have any food or any drinks, which made me realize that I was actually quite hungry. Hanzhi's body hasn't eaten anything since last night, and the alcohol in his system was not helping with that hunger.
Hah! I'm still starving, even after coming to a new world.
"Hanzhi, Shouyi."
I jolted back awake from my thoughts. Hanzhi's father had finally spoken, and everyone at the table turned their attention to him.
His voice was stern and unwavering, cold, yet fatherly.
"As you know, both of you tested positive for high Li-Liang, meaning that you can enter a Li-Liang academy."
Li-liang. Li-liang was basically the "magic" of this world. People with high Li-Liang output can perform amazingly with their gifted skills, with their jobs usually being tied to zengmen outbreaks. Everyone in the world has a specific set of skills gifted to them by the "Gods," but few can actually pursue these skills and master them, as someone with low to no Li-Liang would have a lot of trouble even practicing their skills.
Right now, both Hanzhi and Shouyi have a lot of potential Li-Liang, not actual Li-Liang, as Li-Liang holders younger than eighteen aren't allowed to hone their skills or Li-Liang yet.
"Your mother and I believe that having more Li-Liang holders shall bring the Wen household a lot of honor, and it will also bring great benefit to you two."
"Oh, Father, I'm so grateful for your words of encouragement, along with Mother's."
Shouyi smiled cheerfully.
Hanzhi's father softened a little, then continued.
"Of course, you two will be sent to the best academy there is!"
"Wait, Father, are you really saying?"
"Yes, Shouyi, your Mother and I have decided to send you two to Lingdao Academy."
"Oh my, oh my! Father! Mother! Thank you so much!"
Shouyi's once refined and elegant face had turned into an excited little puppy, eyes sparkling with nothing but love, excitement, and delight
"We know how much you wished to go there, Shouyi, so your Father and I made sure to reserve you two a spot there right after you two tested positive for high li-liang."
"Ohhh, no words can describe how I'm feeling right now!"
Shouyi squealed and then jumped out of her seat.
"Please excuse me, dear Father and Mother, I must tell everyone this amazing news!"
Shouyi then hurriedly left the room, then, suddenly turning around, embarrassed, asked her Father,
"Is packing up now too early?"
Hanzhi's father stared blankly at her, then laughed heartily.
"You still have a whole month remaining before the academy starts. I reckon you have tons of time left."
"Right! Um, I shall get going now, good day Father, good day Mother!"
Shouyi flusteredly turned around and jogged out of the room in a very unsophisticated manner.
I can't believe that's the same girl who bruised my face this badly.
I had also decided to get up, seeing as how Shouyi had already made her exit.
What Hanzhi's father said is good news. The story is progressing as it was before, and I have now confirmed when the main storyline should start. I still have some time left, so before I leave the mansion, I should start leaving some good impressions on the people here.
Before I even got out of my chair, Hanzhi's father stopped me. His voice turned back to being cold.
"Hanzhi...me and your mother have something to say to you."
I gulped. I could feel my back heating up and sweat starting to form.
"As you know, last night was the last chance we gave to you. You have broken our final warning."
His eyes showed no light, and no more wiggle room for escape, yet I still foolishly tried to play along.
"Ah, that, Father, I swear, this is the last time I will do such a thing, I have truly learned my lesson this time-"
"No. It's time for repercussions. Because you were to inherit the Wen's household and gold mines, our mother and I had hoped you would come to your senses, and for years we have tried to be patient. We can no longer wait and support you."
"W-what are you saying?"
I scrambled. A feeling of dread came before me.
"You are no longer to stay here at the Wen Manor anymore. Pack your belongings, you are leaving tonight."
"..."
Wh....what. This has to be a sick joke. A sick joke from the heavens. This wasn't ever mentioned in the game. Hanzhi never said he was kicked out of his house. Why? Why bring me here if everything was just going to be the same as my last life? I thought my transmigration would bring new opportunities, but nothing has changed. Nothing.
Not.
A.
Single.
Thing.
I could feel their eyes piercing into me, and I could feel the anger boiling up inside of me.
"As a father showing his son mercy, perhaps you can reflect during your stay at the academy."
"I STILL HAVE A MONTH BEFORE THE ACADEMY STARTS, WHERE THE HELL AM I SUPPOSED TO STAY UNTIL THEN?"
I couldn't hold it in. My head pounded, and I could feel my body shaking; my words started to tremble.
How could they kick their own son out? Their son, who had just turned eighteen, just like this?
They glared. Unmoving, unwavering, unchanging.
"Since you like going out drinking and harassing people so much, I suppose living in the slums would be the last step of you finally becoming a hooligan, no?"
"......fine....fine then, I'll leave."
I walked out of the room. If they didn't want me, then I don't need them.
I absentmindedly went to Hanzhi's room and somehow found a briefcase. It was sitting in the corner of the room, something I didn't notice the first time coming into his room.
Did he know he was getting kicked out?
It looked old and plain. It didn't fit in with everything else in his room.
I then stuffed anything and everything expensive into the brown briefcase. From the necessities to the flashy mob boss outfits, fancy gels, and pompous jewelry. I packed and packed until the briefcase looked like it was going to burst open.
I walked out the door, into the dead corridors, and to the main entrance.
Maids and servants started to gather, as if they knew something was going to happen today. Where were they when I needed them? Where were they when I was lost?
They stared. Their eyes were full of judgment and disdain, and I looked away.
I didn't say a single word, and they didn't say anything back to me.
Because nothing needed to be said.
Everyone already knew what had happened and what was happening.
Nobody opened the entrance for me.
Nobody wished me luck.
Nobody bid me farewell.
My suitcase was heavy, but I carried it. Loud and proud.
It took a while, but I had finally reached the entrance.
Putting down my suitcase, I opened the doors, and I pushed as hard as I could. The doors slowly opened, and I could feel all their eyes on me, their suffocating eyes, all gaining up on me.
I kept pushing, and pushing, until I could smell the afternoon breeze.
The warm wind combed through my hair, and I was met with an already-opened golden gate.
So excited to get me out, huh?
I picked my briefcase back up and walked out of the house.
Everyone was looking at me, but I never looked back.
Because screw this world, and everyone in it.