Her eyes lit up slightly at his words. "Exactly. I've always wanted to be seen for my own achievements, not just as the daughter of a prominent family."
She gave a small, heartwarming smile. "But I suppose it's all part of the experience, isn't it? Learning to balance both worlds."
Alister's gaze softened just a bit, and he seemed genuinely interested. "Well, in that case, what do you want to be known for, Lady Lian? Not as part of the Zhang family—but as you."
Lian felt herself pause, the question catching her off guard. "I suppose... I'd like to be seen as someone who understands people, not just someone who commands respect because of her name."
She glanced down, almost embarrassed by her own vulnerability. "Sometimes, I wonder if there's a place for that kind of thinking in the world we live in."
