Before Meilin could respond, Zhao Jingshen closed the distance between them, capturing her lips in a kiss that started gentle but quickly deepened with barely restrained passion. Jiang Meilin found herself melting into his embrace, her hands coming up to tangle in his hair. The world around them faded, replaced by the electric current of their connection.
When they finally broke apart, both breathing heavily, Jingshen rested his forehead against hers. His dark eyes, usually so guarded, now brimmed with an intensity that made Meilin's heart race. "Meilin," he said softly, his voice a low rumble that sent shivers down her spine, "I know we haven't known each other long, and there's still so much unsaid between us. But I can't deny what I feel for you. You were right to call it love and devotion because that's exactly what I feel."
He inhaled a deep breath, and when he didn't notice any refusal in her gaze, he continued, his words measured but filled with sincerity. "Will you go out with me? Properly, I mean, once you're out of this hospital bed."
Meilin's heart raced, a mix of elation and trepidation swirling within her. Oh, how she had waited to hear these words from him! But her little bit of morality held her back from saying yes right away. "Jingshen, I... Um... Your fiancée just left, remember?" she said with feigned laughter in a bid to reel in her emotions.
His expression fell again, a shadow crossing his face. 'Fiancée' – that word always left a bitter taste in his mouth and felt like a shackle. He was going to speak to his grandfather properly after this. "I know, and I don't mean to insult you by asking you out when I already have a fiancée," he began, his voice low and earnest. "It's just that I have never really been concerned about who will become my wife, and I have never felt anything for any woman before you came along. Now all I think about is you, and what I felt when I saw you just lying there without moving was beyond my comprehension."
Zhao Jingshen's usually stoic demeanor cracked, revealing a vulnerability that took Meilin's breath away. She had heard whispers of his power, of the cold, calculating businessman who could bring empires to their knees with a single phone call. But here, in this sterile hospital room, she saw a different side of him – a man capable of deep emotion, of love.
Jiang Meilin's eyes were filled with tears as she took in everything Zhao Jingshen was saying. It was exactly the same for her; she was lucky that her family never believed in arranged marriages, so she wasn't tied to anybody. A part of her understood Zhao Jingshen, but she knew that in order for her to be with him properly, he had to take care of the flies around him first, or maybe she would just do it by herself.
"Jingshen," she began, her voice soft but firm, "I know. I feel the same way. It's great to know that we feel the same way about each other. But I cannot be with you while you're still engaged to Lian Fei." She paused, gathering her courage. "I won't be someone's mistress, no matter how much I care for them. And I do care for you, more than I thought possible in such a short time."
Zhao Jingshen smiled amidst his roaring heart that was about to burst, knowing she felt the same way about him. Her integrity, her strength – these were just a few of the reasons he had fallen for her so hard and so fast. "I know," he said, his voice filled with determination. "I'm going to take care of Lian Fei and the Lian family. You can use this period to think about it, but after that, you're officially mine." He declared, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Jiang Meilin nodded and let out a radiant smile that was a stark contrast to the sterile hospital room they were in. For a moment, she allowed herself to hope, to dream of a future where they could be together without complications.
Zhao Jingshen's answering smile was equally radiant upon seeing her nod, but before he could kiss her again, his phone buzzed insistently. Zhao Jingshen growled in frustration, pulling back to check the screen. His expression darkened immediately. 'Speak of the devil,' it was his Grandfather on the line.
"I need to take this," he said, squeezing Meilin's hand before stepping out into the hallway.
As Zhao Jingshen left the room, Jiang Meilin's smile faded. She closed her eyes, leaning back against the pillows. The weight of her secrets pressed down on her, threatening to suffocate her newfound happiness.
She remembered what she had found out about the Zhao family and Zhao Jingshen. The Zhao family was a vastly powerful dynasty who dabbled in politics, military, and business. They held half of Country A's economy in their hands, their influence extending far beyond mere financial power. Zhao Jingshen was very instrumental to their foothold as well.
He was a man of contrasts – the gentle lover who had just kissed her with such tenderness, and the ruthless businessman who didn't blink in the face of torture, murder, or pain. He was even more merciless to his enemies, evident by the bloodshed from when he took over the Zhao Corporation. His underworld influence and his terrifying private military strength and information network were a testament to his power.
Meilin had heard whispers of his exploits – how he had single-handedly crushed a rival company that had dared to challenge the Zhao family's supremacy and plot against him. The CEO had disappeared and his company taken over by Zhao Jingshen, a power grab that no one dared question. She had heard of board meetings where Zhao Jingshen's mere presence was enough to make hardened businessmen break out in cold sweats.
Yet, this was the same man who had held her hand so gently, who had looked at her with such vulnerability in his eyes. God knows he was the perfect partner for her due to the dangers constantly surrounding her. But could she truly bring herself to involve him in her world?