Clack. Clack. Clack. Clack. Clack.
The soft sound of heels against the floor echoed like thunder in Li Tian's ears, growing louder with each step. It was a sound that made him want to sink into the chair and disappear. After all, it was the sound of his mother's heels.
"Twenty-four million Yuen." The sharp voice cut through the silence like a blade. "I wonder if you plan on using your concert earnings last night to cover all of that."
It was a silent indication that the family was not funding his behavioral issues.
Li Tian kept his head low, focusing intently on his fingers, which suddenly seemed far more interesting than anything else at that moment. He didn't dare speak, didn't dare move. His hair was especially messy that day in order to hide his expression as much as possible.
Damn it… Meilin hadn't warned him about this. Granted, he rarely cared about his schedule, but this was his mother we were talking about! Li Yelan, the woman who pulled the strings behind the entire Li Empire! He needed mental preparation for this kind of meeting.
He shot a glance at Meilin, who was sitting on the sofa beside him, but she was offering no help and no signals. Of course, even if she wanted to, she couldn't have warned him. He left the concert as soon as it ended last night, with no chance for her to reach him. After getting out of the situation he put himself in last night, it was already too late for him to rewind and prepare himself anyway. He only had himself to blame.
His entire body ached, the bruises from the beating still fresh. The migraine was unbearable, but it was nothing compared to the pain pulsing from his ribs.
That bastard Yijun... When I get my hands on him...
He thought about the time he first met the guy.
---
It was a chance encounter, or supposedly it was. He had been wandering the office building, bored out of his mind after a meeting with one of the family's advisors. It was another one of those endless discussions about numbers and investments—things he couldn't care less about. He hated those meetings. He wasn't the heir anyway so there was no point in forcing these lessons on managing the family business. That was his big brother's responsibility.
Li Tian was on his way out when he spotted Yijun. The guy had been hovering near the elevators, dressed in a simple, forgettable suit. At the time, he'd looked like any other mid-tier employee, another face in the crowd. If it hadn't been for the subtle glance Yijun gave him—a glance too deliberate to be accidental—Li Tian probably would've walked right past.
But he didn't. Something about that glance made him pause. There was intent behind it, and Li Tian didn't like the idea of being watched without knowing why.
"Do I know you?" Li Tian asked, narrowing his eyes at the unfamiliar face. His tone carried its usual arrogance, like he expected Yijun to stumble over his words in apology.
But Yijun hadn't flinched. "We haven't met officially," he said smoothly and extended his hand for a handshake. "Yijun of the Luo Clan."
Li Tian's eyes flickered with mild interest at the name as he completely disregarded the stretched out hand. The Luo Clan? He'd heard of them in passing—loyal, competent, but nothing noteworthy. Yet here was one of their own, appearing out of nowhere with hidden intentions.
"You've got five minutes," Li Tian said, cutting to the chase. "Whatever pitch you've got, make it quick."
To his surprise, Yijun didn't flinch at the dismissal. Li Tian half-expected some dull sales pitch or a plea for business partnership, but that wasn't what he got.
"I don't have a business offer," Yijun said with a steady voice. "I want to follow you."
Li Tian's eyebrow raised. "Follow me? You mean like a fanboy?"
Yijun didn't blink, didn't falter. "More than that. Every successful figure needs close followers. I take a lot of pride in my intellect. You need someone who can think for you when you're focused on bigger things—someone who can handle details, strategize, and keep you on top. Someone you can have at your beck and call whenever you need."
Li Tian let out a dry laugh, leaning forward. "And you think you're that person? Sounds to me like you're trying to be my dog."
Yijun met his gaze, unfazed by the arrogance that dripped from Li Tian's every word. "A loyal dog that follows his master's every order."
Li Tian towered over Yijun, arms crossed in amusement, as if deliberating the words that were just said. "You really think you're worthy of being my dog?"
Yijun's eyes flickered with determination, but his tone remained composed. "That's not the question. The question is, can anyone else?"
Li Tian paused. He liked the audacity, the nerve. People rarely had the gall to say something so bold, let alone to him. His confident words were pathetic, almost laughable, but at the same time, intriguing. What kind of man would openly admit to wanting to be someone else's dog? The man clearly wanted something from him. But at this moment, Li Tian couldn't care less.
He gave Yijun a smirk. "Fine. You want in? Prove you're worth my time. Bark for me."
Yijun's expression finally cracked. It was obvious that the suggestion took him off guard. However, he only paused for a second before he parted his lips. "Woof."
Li Tian stared at him, and for a moment, he didn't know whether to laugh or be impressed. He actually did it.
This guy was going to be interesting.
---
Smack!
A newspaper was flung onto the coffee table, landing directly in front of him. Li Tian's eyes widened as they caught the large, bold headline and the grainy photo printed on the front page. A picture of him at the club, one girl straddling his lap, while another seemed to push him down. His hands were already cuffed, and Lila, that bitch, had her hand trailing dangerously low.
The angle was vague, nothing explicit, but perception was a dangerous thing. The image alone was enough to ignite a storm in people's minds, setting fire to all sorts of rumors.
His stomach churned. He turned away, not able to bear another glance at the paper.
"Too much for you to handle?" his mother's voice dripped with sarcasm. "Imagine how much worse it would've been if this abomination had been published this morning. If it weren't for Meilin, it would be splashed across every news outlet by now."
Li Tian's fists clenched, a sharp sting shooting through his knuckles. Again. Meilin saved me again. He tried to peek up from beneath his bangs but quickly recoiled when he saw his mother standing just two meters in front of him, her hands planted firmly on her hips.
"Well?"
That single word—Well?—made his blood boil. His whole body vibrated with frustration. How was any of this his fault? He just wanted to celebrate, but instead, they beat him and humiliated him!
"It was Yijun and the others!" he burst out, still looking at the floor. "They tricked me! Got me to drink! They decided I'd pay for everyone! Even the damn tablet! I didn't—"
"Enough!" Her voice cracked through the room like a whip. "I'm not interested in hearing your excuses."
"Ex-excuses?" Li Tian made the mistake of looking up, meeting his mother's cold, piercing gaze. The fury in her eyes was terrifying, like a sword poised to strike.
"They didn't make you drink. You chose to. They didn't make you pay for anything. You allowed it," she continued, shredding his excuses one by one. "Remember, Xiao Tian, you are a Li. No one can force you to do anything you don't want to. Every bad decision you make is your own."
The words hit like blows to the gut. His defenses, his anger, everything collapsed under her unrelenting judgment. He couldn't speak. He didn't dare look at her again.
"Did I make myself clear?"
How is this my fault!? His mind screamed. He couldn't accept it. Those bastards…
"Li Xiao Tian!"
He snapped back to reality. "Y-yes, mother."
Li Yelan's eyes narrowed. She could see through him, through the wall of ego still standing around him. How had her youngest son become so incredibly arrogant? None of his siblings had their heads so far up in the clouds. But then again, none of them were pop stars either. And he was the youngest. Spoiled since birth.
Li Tian was a mess, socially incompetent, and blind when it came to choosing trustworthy people. She loved her son dearly, but that didn't change the facts. He was handsome, with his slightly tan complexion, much like most Southerners, her dark brown eyes, and his father's unruly chocolate curls—he was the embodiment of her pride when it came to looks. But she was never one to be shallow. His handsome appearance meant nothing if he lacked everything else that truly mattered. Besides, since all his siblings were also good looking, her youngest would always be known the most for his reckless behavior.
She didn't object to her son's career choice. As long as he was thriving in something he loved, she had no complaints. The fact of the matter was that no matter how much he earned as a singer, it was merely a drop in the ocean compared to the vast wealth of the Li Family. Whether he worked within the Clan or pursued his passion outside of it, the Clan would remain unshaken.
Unfortunately, her son was not only showing a lack of seriousness and passion in his profession, but he was also losing money wantonly. His lack of self-awareness was damaging both his image and the family's reputation. Seeing him sit there, seemingly unbothered by it all, reignited her frustration. He needed to understand what it truly meant to uphold the family name and be a responsible citizen.
"I'm sending you to the North," she announced, her voice cool and decisive.
Li Tian's head snapped up. "W-what?"
Ignoring his shock, she continued, "Not only am I sending you to the North, but all your earnings will be blocked, and you'll also receive a minimal allowance—just enough to cover your living costs. No servants, no late-night outings. You will adapt to life as a commoner."
"What!?" He shot up from his seat, his face a mix of disbelief and horror. Did his mother just say she was sending him to be a fucking commoner!?
No. He must have heard wrong.
"You heard me, Tian," his mother replied evenly, not the least bit moved by his outburst. Though she may not have been around often, he was still her son, and she could read him like an open book.
Li Tian slumped back into the chair at her timely response, his mind spinning. A commoner? The reality barely registered in his mind as his expression cycled through various stages of disbelief and grief.
Li Yelan felt no sympathy for her son's devastation. It was time for him to face a harsh reality check and shed his current worldview. Throwing him out to fend for himself could serve as a valuable lesson in independence and help him gain experience.
"S-so..." he stammered, grasping the gravity of the situation. Perhaps it wouldn't be so bad after all. "I just have to survive out there?"
"Of course not," she replied, casting a glance at Meilin, who sat quietly beside him. "You'll be earning your keep by working as usual. Meilin will manage your work schedule while you're there."
He turned to his expressionless cousin, uncertainty flickering in his eyes.
Meilin, who had been quietly observing, stepped in, her tone professional. "You'll be doing photoshoots, small singing gigs, and interviews to raise your reputation in the North. Until your new music is finalized, there will be no scheduled tours in the North, especially with Yingxue's highly anticipated summer tour approaching. Competing against her on her home turf without fresh material will be a significant challenge."
Li Tian's face twisted at the mention of her name. Yingxue.
Without missing a beat, his mother took another jab at him. "When you arrive, you will propose a partnership with the young Yingxue. It would be beneficial for both of you to increase your influence together."
He stiffened, the name sparking a deep-rooted resentment.
Why Yingxue? Why her? Why? Why?? Why???
Meilin, having noticed his reaction, said nothing but observed her cousin's internal struggle. She had always been aware of his reluctance regarding the North Siren. As his manager, how could she not? Whenever Yingxue's name was mentioned, he would become irrationally agitated. She understood the root of the problem: Yingxue had bruised his ego deeply. She was like an inner demon that had burrowed into his heart and cultivated a dense forest of insecurity. And they hadn't even met yet.
Li Yelan elegantly settled onto the sofa in front of him and picked up the untouched cup of tea. "You'll receive the basic necessities of the average person, with slightly better accommodations for security reasons," she informed him.
Despite his turmoil, Li Tian struggled to regain control over his emotions and find a silver lining. "What… can I get for entertainment?" he asked, casting a hesitant glance at his mother.
She looked at her listless son and replied nonchalantly, "I'll throw in a television."
He clenched his fists, hesitating. There was something else he wanted but was unsure if he should voice it. Suddenly, he felt a gentle nudge on his right arm. It was Meilin, offering him a supportive glance. It did make him feel a bit better.
"Mother, can I have my gaming system instead?" he finally asked, mustering his courage.
He earned a piercing stare from his stoic mother, but it was all or nothing. If he had to survive on his own and confine himself indoors, he at least wanted some form of entertainment.
Watching her fidgeting son, an intriguing thought began to form in Li Yelan's mind. She knew exactly what he was after, and while she wasn't entirely opposed to it—after all, it was certainly better than going out to party—allowing it would undermine the lesson she wanted him to learn.
After a long moment of terrifying silence, she smiled. "Alright, I'll let you bring your games. I'll even throw in the television as a bonus."
His eyes widened with delight.
"But there's a catch."
His heart stopped mid-celebration.
"I'm sending you to school," she dropped the bomb, a teasing smile still playing on her lips.
"S-school!?" he stammered, disbelief flooding his voice.
"Yes, Tian. Youngsters your age go to school."
"But I've already learned everything they have to offer!" he protested weakly, desperate to defend his freedom.
"If you want any form of entertainment, you will go to school. A public school. No exceptions," her eyes sharpened. "And I have a simple assignment for you while you're there. If you complete it, I'll allow you to come back. Understood?"
"Yes, Mother…" He looked down at his fidgeting, seemingly interesting, fingers again, awaiting further instructions.
"You will head to the North undercover, and besides working on assignments, you are not to have any contact with others as Li Tian."
Was she implying what he thought she was?
She set her teacup down and held his gaze firmly. "Yes, Tian. When I said you are going to live the life of a commoner, I meant it. In the North, you will no longer be Li Xiao Tian of the Li Family, but a normal seventeen-year-old boy. When you go to school, no one is to find out who you are. Every time you go out, the Li Family will mean nothing to you. There will be no more getting whatever you want just because it's you who wanted it. Understand? I want absolutely no wind of such a thing happening."
The final sentence held an implied weight. She had let him get away with far too much lately.
"B-but how am I supposed to go undercover? What identity am I supposed to have?" Li Tian asked, confusion lacing his voice.
"That is something you will have to figure out on your own. Meilin will assist you," she replied.
Meilin nodded in confirmation.
"Now let me make myself CLEAR, Tian. I want no news whatsoever regarding your identity being exposed, and especially not news like this," she said, waving her hand in disgust at the ghastly newspaper article on the table. "Either make some real friends or learn to survive without them. After all, you were a lone wolf at one point in your life."
His eye twitched at her lashing.
"You are to leave in three weeks and remain undiscovered until the end of October. If you are discovered, the cycle will start all over again and you will be back to square one in a different area."
"October!?" he exclaimed involuntarily before catching himself. But the look in his eyes was unmistakable.
It was still April! He had to endure nearly six months in school there!?
Maybe he didn't need the gaming system after all…
"It shouldn't be too difficult now, should it, Tian? You're not a man yet; you're still just a boy. So act like one. Who knows… maybe you'll actually want to stay there," his mother chuckled softly.
Well, that's never going to happen.
-----