The hospital hallway seemed to close in around Zhao Jingshen as he answered his grandfather's call, his voice taut with tension. "Grandfather," he greeted, bracing himself for the storm to come.
"Jingshen," the gravelly voice of Zhao Weimin crackled through the line, a hint of steel beneath the casual tone. "I've just had a very interesting conversation with Lian Guanghao. Care to explain why you're dismantling our most valuable alliance over some nobody girl?"
Zhao Jingshen's jaw clenched, his free hand curling into a fist at his side. "My personal life is none of your concern, Grandfather," he replied, his words measured and cold. "The Lian family has outlived its usefulness to us. I'm merely... restructuring our business interests."
"Is that so?" Zhao Weimin's unexpected chuckle sent a chill down Jingshen's spine. "Are you sure you're not letting your emotions cloud your judgment? This Jiang Meilin—"
"Yes, Grandfather," Jingshen cut in, his patience wearing thin. "I understand the importance of the Lian alliance, but I cannot go through with this engagement. It's not just about personal feelings – the Lian Group is becoming a liability. Their recent ventures are drawing unwanted attention from regulators."
His grandfather's voice hardened. "The Lian family has been close to the Zhao family for generations. You know how much your grandmother cherished her maternal family, which is why she pushed for the engagement between you and Lian Fei..."
Zhao Jingshen listened to the older man's rebuttal, his mind racing with counterarguments and strategies. "No, I'm not being hasty," he insisted. "I've had our team look into it. The Lian Group is on shaky ground. If we proceed with this merger, it could drag us down with them." His voice took on an edge of steel. "I've already set plans in motion to acquire their assets. It's a more prudent move than tying ourselves to a sinking ship."
As the conversation progressed, Zhao Jingshen's grip on his phone tightened. He had built his reputation on being five steps ahead of everyone else, and he wasn't about to let his grandfather's outdated notions of alliances jeopardize everything he had worked for.
Suddenly, his grandfather's tone shifted, veering into dangerous territory. "This Jiang Meilin," Zhao Weimin began, his voice laced with thinly veiled threats, he decided to test his grandson, "perhaps she needs to be reminded of her place—"
"Choose your next words very carefully, Grandfather," Jingshen interrupted, his voice low and dangerous, barely above a whisper. The temperature in the hallway seemed to drop several degrees. "Jiang Meilin is under my protection now. Anyone who threatens her will answer to me personally... Even you, Grandfather."
A heavy silence fell over the line, stretching for what felt like an eternity. Unbeknownst to Jingshen, Zhao Weimin's lips curled into a smile of satisfaction. His unfeeling grandson was finally showing some backbone over a woman. Perhaps there was hope for the Zhao legacy after all.
When Zhao Weimin spoke again, his voice was unexpectedly amiable. "Jingshen," he said, a note of approval in his tone that caught his grandson off guard. "Since you've decided to protect this Jiang Meilin, do so with everything at your disposal. Don't say I didn't warn you."
Zhao Jingshen blinked, momentarily thrown by the sudden shift. "Grandfather, is everything alright?" he asked, suspicion creeping into his voice.
Zhao Weimin's response was cryptic. "Bring her home for dinner once you have the time." With that, the line went dead, leaving Zhao Jingshen staring at his phone in confusion.
He leaned against the wall, his mind whirling. He knew his actions had likely put Meilin in even greater danger, but he would be damned if he let anyone harm her. His grandfather's response also shocked him; he had expected threats of disinheritance, not... whatever that was. It seemed a visit to the family estate was in order, and soon.
Taking a deep breath, Jingshen composed himself and re-entered Meilin's room. He forced a smile onto his face, hoping to mask the confusion within. "Sorry about that. Now, where were we?"
Meilin studied him, concern evident in her eyes. "Jingshen, what's wrong? Who was that?"
He sighed, sinking back into the chair beside her. "My grandfather," he admitted. "I think he's... not feeling well." He paused, choosing his next words carefully. "Meilin, I need to assign you some personal security. At least until things settle down."
Meilin bit her lip, her mind racing. She couldn't let Zhao Jingshen discover her own security detail, and it seemed she'd need to make some moves soon. Although Jingshen wasn't telling her everything, she knew there was something significant brewing. "I appreciate the thought, Jingshen, but is that really necessary? I can take care of myself, you know."
Jingshen's eyes softened as he took her hand, bringing it to his lips for a gentle kiss. The tenderness of the gesture contrasted sharply with the steel in his voice moments ago. "I know you can," he murmured against her skin. "But it would give me peace of mind. Please, Meilin. Let me do this for you."
Looking into his earnest eyes, Jiang Meilin found herself nodding, even as her heart raced with the complications this would bring. "Alright," she conceded. "But promise me you'll be careful too. I couldn't bear it if something happened to you because of me."
Jingshen leaned in, brushing a tender kiss against her forehead. "Nothing will happen to me," he promised, his voice a low, soothing rumble. "And nothing will happen to you. I'll make sure of it."
As they sat together, hands intertwined, neither of them spoke about their earlier confessions of love. The weight of unspoken truths hung between them, a veil that neither dared to disturb. Both were acutely aware of the storm gathering on the horizon, even if they couldn't see its full shape yet.
For now, in this stolen moment, they were just Zhao Jingshen and Jiang Meilin – two people on the cusp of something beautiful and terrifying. The future, with all its complications and revelations, could wait. For now, they had this – the warmth of each other's embrace, the silent promise of protection and devotion.
Zhao Jingshen's phone buzzed again, an insistent reminder of the world beyond this room. He ignored it, his eyes never leaving Meilin's face.
Meilin reciprocated his gaze, her heart a tumultuous mix of love and fear. Whatever the future held, she would fight to keep this man by her side. And maybe, just maybe, when all was said and done, they could build a future together – one free from secrets and shadows.