Chapter 16

Chapter 16
“you're parents”. The word tasted bitter in Lian’s mouth.

“Why didn’t you tell me earlier?”

“Would you have slept if I had?”

Lian didn’t answer. He already knew the truth.

Cheng stepped closer, his tone softening. “Just be yourself. They won’t bite.”

Lian laughed, humorless. “That’s great, coming from a man whose father once shot someone over an undercooked steak.”

Cheng smirked. “He won’t shoot you.” Cheng didn't bother to ask how he knew about what his fafher did.

Lian arched a brow. “You sure?”

“He wouldn't dare,” Cheng admitted, and gently brushed a strand of hair behind Lian’s ear, “but I’d take the bullet first.”

The intimacy of that gesture caught Lian off guard. He looked away quickly, pretending not to feel the warmth blooming in his chest.

He pretended to smooth the fabric of the robe, trying to ignore the heat climbing up his neck.

“You don’t need to say things like that,” he said, his voice quieter now.

Cheng tilted his head, still watching him. “I don’t say anything I don’t mean.”

Lian let out a breath through his nose, half a laugh, half frustration. “You confuse the hell out of me.”

“Good,” Cheng replied. “Means I’m doing something right.”

Lian shot him a look. “Or something very, very wrong.”

A small smirk curled at the corner of Cheng’s mouth, but he didn’t press further. Instead, he glanced toward the hallway.

“We leave in twenty minutes.” he said, eyes flicking down briefly at Lian’s robe, then back up. “You’ll charm them. Or at least make them uncomfortable enough to stay quiet.”

Lian blinked. “That’s your strategy?”

“It works.”

“You’re insane.”

“And you’re stalling,” Cheng said, already walking away.

Lian stayed where he was for a moment, breathing in the silence he left behind. Then, slowly, he turned and headed toward his bathroom.

IN THE CAR

The black Bentley was silent.

Lian sat with his hands clasped in his lap, staring out the window at the blur of trees. Every so often, he glanced at his reflection in the glass checking his hair, his appearance, the way the necklace Cheng gave him sat against his throat.

Cheng sat beside him, scrolling through something on his phone. He looked calm. Too calm. Like this visit wasn’t a big deal at all.

“You’re quiet,” Cheng said, without looking up.

“I’m trying not to pass out.”

Cheng smiled faintly. “Don’t worry. If anyone’s rude to you, I’ll ruin their life.”

Lian gave him a Comforting look.

They rode in silence for another minute, and then Cheng reached over slowly and took Lian’s hand.

Lian looked at their intertwined hands for a long second. He didn’t pull away.

THE LI ESTATE

The car rolled to a stop in front the villa which was very much bigger than Cheng's.

The door opened. A suited guard stood waiting.

“Master Cheng. Miss Mei,” he greeted with a slight bow.

Cheng stepped out first, then turned and offered Lian his hand which he took.



DINING ROOM

Lian sat at the long, polished mahogany table, his hands resting neatly in his lap. The crystal glasses sparkled under the chandelier. Plates were already set, silverware lined up.

He could feel Cheng’s eyes on him.

“You okay?” Cheng asked quietly, leaning in just a bit.

Lian gave a small nod, barely moving his head. “Fine.”

“You’re not.”

“I’m trying to be.”

Cheng didn’t push. He just sat back in his chair and draped an arm casually along the backrest.

The heavy double doors finally opened.

Reginald LI entered like a judge taking the bench tall, silver-haired. He didn’t look at Lian. Not at first. He walked straight to the head of the table, buttoning his jacket before taking his seat.

Isabella followed behind him.

Lian stood with perfect posture, “Mr. LI. Mrs. LI,” he said, smoothly. “It’s an honor to finally meet you.”

Reginald looked him up and down like assessing a business deal.

“You’re smaller than I expected,” he said flatly.

Lian didn't respond he assumed it was a way of accepting greeting.

“You’re different from what i saw in pictures,” Isabella chirped in.

Lian kept his smile soft. “People grow up.”

Reginald snorted. “Once a slut always a slut”

Silence dropped like a bomb.

Lian stayed still. Calm. But his fingers clenched around the edge of his clutch.

“Mei’s not here for this bullshit.” Cheng growled angrily.

Reginald’s eyes snapped to his son. “She’s marrying into this family. I have a right to know what she brings to the table.”

Lian met his gaze. Calm. Steady. “I’m not for sale, sir. But I’ve learned to handle priceless things.”

That made Reginald’s lips twitch — not a smile. Something colder.

Cheng gave Lian a sidelong look.impressed.

Then the chef began serving the dishes. They began eating and silence followed.

Reginald eventually asked, “And how’s your education going? Still in theatre? Or have you finally decided to take something useful?”

Lian didn’t blink. “Art history. Sculpture. Classical painting.” it dawned to that he had made a deep research on him to know everything about him.

Reginald scoffed. “Even more useless than theatre.”

Suddenly the door opened.

A man walked in, Lian hadn’t seen before younger than Cheng, maybe late-twenties, with tousled dark hair and a devil-may-care walk that screamed charm and danger wrapped in one expensive suit. His leather jacket didn’t match the formal atmosphere, and neither did his crooked grin.

“Sorry I’m late,” he drawled, pulling out a chair and sitting down like he owned the table. “Traffic’s hell when you drive fast enough to scare it.”

Reginald’s jaw tightened. “Ryder.”

“Father.” Ryder glanced around, then settled his gaze on Lian. His smirk faded into something more curious. “You must be the famous Mei.”

Lian straightened slightly, forcing a polite smile. “That’s me.”

Ryder tilted his head, studying him. “Huh. You’re not what I expected.”

Lian blinked. “We’ve never met.”

“Exactly,” Ryder said. “But your name? It’s been floating around this family for weeks. I figured you’d have horns. Or a halo. Not sure which yet.”

Isobel cleared her throat sharply. “Ryder, please.”

“I’m just saying hello,” he said, still watching Lian. “I didn’t know you were bringing her today, Rob.”

“You don’t need to know everything,” Cheng said, his tone clipped.

Ryder leaned back in his chair, watching Lian with amused curiosity. Cheng didn’t look away from his plate, jaw tense, but he was listening.

Reginald dabbed his mouth with a linen napkin and set it down with deliberate care.

“I’d like a word with Mei,” he said suddenly, eyes locked on Lian.

The entire table stilled.

Cheng looked up sharply. “No.”

Reginald’s mouth twitched at his son’s defiance, but he didn’t back down. “It’s a private matter.”

“She’s not some pawn you can summon,” Cheng snapped.

“I didn’t summon her,” Reginald replied coolly. “I asked. Out of courtesy.”

A heavy silence fell over the table.

Lian could feel eyes on him Ryder’s curiosity, Isabella’s mild amusement, Cheng’s quiet storm of protectiveness. Lian looked at Cheng and then he gave a single, subtle nod.

It wasn’t pleading. Just… trust me.

Cheng sighed through his nose, clearly unhappy. But he leaned back and gave a tight nod. “Fine. Five minutes.”

Lian stood, smoothing down the front of his dress as calmly as he could. Reginald rose as well, leading him through a side door into a small, private sitting room. The moment the door clicked shut, the air changed.

Reginald walked to the liquor cabinet.

“You know,” he began, pouring himself a glass of scotch, “I never liked women who played the long game.

Lian didn’t respond. He stood still, hands folded in front of him like a statue. Calm.

“You’re clever,” Reginald said, turning to face him. “I’ll give you that. But clever doesn’t make you clean.”

He took a sip. “How much?”

Lian blinked. “Excuse me?”

“I said how much do you want to walk away?” Reginald stepped closer. “A blank check. Right now. No questions asked. You disappear, and I’ll pretend none of this ever happened.”

Lian let out a soft laugh. “You think this is about money?”

Reginald’s eyes darkened. “I think you know exactly what this is about. You’re a nobody, Mei. A pretty face with no strong history. My son could have anyone. And instead, he brings home a woman with no legacy. No pedigree.”

Lian held his gaze. “Then you’re lucky I’m not here for your approval.”

Reginald stepped in, too close now, his voice low and cold. “You think this is a fairy tale? That marrying my son means you get the crown and the kingdom? You have no idea what you’re stepping into.”

Lian’s spine stayed straight. “I’m not scared of you.”

Reginald’s mouth curved—not a smile. A threat. “You should be.”

He stepped back, set his glass down a little too hard.

“You have one chance. Walk. Or I’ll dig up every filthy detail of your past and use it to bury you.”

Lian’s heart was pounding, but his voice didn’t tremble. “Do your worst. I have nothing to hide.” but his hands where trembling.

For a second, they just stared at each other. Tension thick enough to choke on.

Then the door opened.

Cheng stood there, eyes scanning Lian instantly.

“Are you
done?” he asked, voice razor-sharp.

Lian walked past Reginald without flinching, chin lifted high. He didn’t look back.

“hmm nothing to hide right but your trembling.“ Reginald thought as he let out a smirk.