Lian Fei's thinly veiled threat hung heavy in the air as she stood in Jiang Meilin's hospital room. The black rose she had placed on the bedside table seemed to mock the tension between the two women.
Jiang Meilin met Lian Fei's gaze, refusing to cower. "Shedding all pretence now, are we?" she said, her voice surprisingly steady.
Lian Fei's eyes narrowed, a flicker of surprise crossing her features. She had expected a frightened street girl, easily cowed by her wealth and status. But the spark of defiance in Jiang Meilin's eyes was unexpected.
"Looks like you know more than you're letting on, little mouse," Lian Fei let out a chilling smile, her voice laced with venom. "You see, Jingshen and I have a long history, and a bright future ahead. Whatever little... dalliance he's engaging in with you, it's temporary. For your own sake, I suggest you end it before you get hurt."
Jiang Meilin leaned back against her pillows, a small smile playing on her lips. In another life, she might have been intimidated by Lian Fei's thinly veiled threats; perhaps they might have even worked on her. But, knowing who she truly was, they almost amused her. "Is that so, Miss Lian? And here I thought Jingshen and I were just getting started."
Lian Fei's composure cracked, her eyes flashing dangerously. "You little—"
"I'd choose my next words very carefully if I were you," Meilin interrupted, her voice taking on a steely edge that made Lian Fei pause. "Jingshen and I have a connection that goes beyond your comprehension. Just last night, he whispered the most delightful promises in my ear. I even had to play coy to get him to leave me this morning." She gave a slight pause while maintaining eye contact with Lian Fei. "I doubt he's ever looked at you the way he looks at me. If that isn't love and devotion, I wonder what it could be."
Unknown to both women, Zhao Jingshen stood just outside the door, having arrived in time to overhear Jiang Meilin's bold claims. A mixture of amusement and warmth blossomed in his chest as he listened to her fabricated tales of their intimacy. 'Love and devotion, huh?' Unknown to her, she had just put a name to his feelings.
Inside the room, Lian Fei's face had contorted with rage. "Looks like I was too kind to you. Next time, I'll speak in a language you'll better understand." She turned on her heels to leave the room, only to be stopped by Jiang Meilin's next words.
"Miss Lian, the next time you want to really threaten someone, make sure you don't leave your guts with your daddy. You were absolutely a delight." After a slight pause and a wicked smile, she added, "Thank you for coming to visit me. Maybe you should bring some fruits next time." Then she picked up the black rose and threw it back at Lian Fei's face with practiced accuracy.
Lian Fei's expression was utterly twisted. Jiang Meilin's aura did not match the person she thought she was dealing with. "You'll regret this," she hissed, turning on her heel and storming out of the room, nearly colliding with Zhao Jingshen in the process.
"Jingshen!" she exclaimed. "I was just—"
"Leaving," Jingshen finished for her, his voice cold and unfeeling. "And Lian Fei? Don't ever come near Jiang Meilin again. Consider our engagement officially terminated."
Knowing she had other plans up her sleeve and a big backer, Lian Fei smiled at him. "With just you? Dream on, darling. You see, our engagement is in its prime, and you'll do well to let it be so if you want to protect your precious little mouse in there." She pointed at the room behind her with her thumb.
The temperature in the corridor plummeted to an all-time low, and Zhao Jingshen was multiple shades of furious now. "We'll see," he responded to Lian Fei in a freezing whisper.
As Lian Fei's heels clicked angrily down the corridor, Zhao Jingshen removed his phone from his pocket and made a call. "I want the Lian Group within the week," he said and ended the call as fast as he made it without waiting for a response from the other end.
Zhao Jingshen schooled his emotions before he entered Jiang Meilin's room, his stern expression melting into an apologetic smile. "Meilin," he said and enveloped both of her hands in his as he bent beside her bed. "I'm so sorry you had to experience that. Lian Fei can be very annoying and vicious sometimes. I wish I hadn't involved you in all this."
"Jingshen, it's fine. Don't beat yourself up over what Miss Lian did. I can stand up for myself," Jiang Meilin replied, consoling him. If only he knew that she could singlehandedly bring down the Lian family, let alone a small fry like Lian Fei.
Seeing that his expression was not getting any better, she decided to comfort him some more. "Trust me, I can take care of myself. I also know that you may already have some suspicions about me, but not to worry, I'm not your enemy." Seeing that there was no apprehension or distrust in his gaze, she continued, "I promise to tell you everything in good time." She smiled and squeezed his hand back.
Zhao Jingshen's expression softened. He maintained eye contact with her, hoping their gaze could relay all the unspoken words between them. He was glad that he had told his people to drop the investigation into her and that she had decided to bring it up by herself; it showed character. He was going to give her time to tell him everything, but for now, knowing that she could take care of herself was more than enough. He decided to divert the topic to lift the sombre mood.
"So," he drawled, settling into the chair beside her bed, "I whispered delightful promises in your ear, did I? I must say, I'm impressed by my own romantic prowess, considering I have no memory of it."
Meilin felt heat rise to her cheeks, but she met his gaze unflinchingly. "Well, a girl has to defend herself somehow. Besides, you should be thanking me for my creative storytelling, or your Miss Lian Fei would have overpowered me."
Jingshen chuckled, a warm, rich sound that sent a shiver down Meilin's spine. He leaned in, his breath ghosting over her ear as he murmured, "Perhaps we should make some of those stories true."