As Zhao Jingshen's sleek black Rolls Royce Phantom wove through the neon-lit streets of Xia City, Jiang Meilin found herself in a daze, her mind spinning like the tires beneath them. The sumptuous dinner they'd just shared seemed to linger on her taste buds, but it was the aftertaste of their newly minted relationship that truly intoxicated her. She, Jiang Meilin – or rather, Rosie Eliza Blackwood – was now officially Zhao Jingshen's girlfriend. The thought sent shivers down her spine, a delicious cocktail of excitement and trepidation.
Zhao Jingshen, usually the picture of cool composure, couldn't contain the boyish grin spreading across his face. His hands gripped the steering wheel a little tighter, as if he could somehow hold onto this moment forever. He stole glances at Meilin, marveling at how the city lights danced across her features. He couldn't wait to show her off to the world, to proudly declare her as his, because she was HIS.
"I was thinking," he broke the comfortable silence, his voice a mix of tenderness and authority, "we should station some security at your apartment. Just as a precaution."
Jiang Meilin's heart skipped a beat at his protectiveness. It was sweet, really, but if only he knew the truth. She, the heiress to one of the most feared families on Continent F, hardly needed protection. But that was precisely why she had crafted this elaborate charade, the reason she didn't want her identity to be known. The last thing she wanted was to drag Zhao Jingshen into her perilous world. Yet, as she looked at him, she felt a resolve growing. Step by step, she would reveal her true self.
As they pulled up to her apartment building, Jiang Meilin couldn't help but chuckle at Zhao Jingshen's poorly concealed surprise. Her modest abode was a far cry from the luxury he was accustomed to. She mentally knocked herself in the head, wondering why she decided to live poorly in order to achieve Jiang Meilin's dreams when she could still do it by living her luxurious life.
"Welcome to my humble paradise!" she announced with a theatrical flourish, but her laughter died in her throat as she spotted a familiar figure lounging by her door.
"Jimin?" she gasped, rushing forward to embrace her best friend. "What are you doing here?"
Li Jimin, tall and roguishly handsome, returned her hug with a fierce protectiveness before stepping back, his eyes twinkling with mischief and concern. "Can't a guy check on his sister? Especially when said sister decides to take an impromptu vacation in the hospital after being poked by a bullet, without so much as a text?" He was referring to how she had told Reggie that her injury was just a forceful poke.
Meilin winced. After her call to Li Jimin, asking him to investigate the Zhao and Lian families, she should have known he'd be worried.
And of course, the family matriarch, her mother would have also called to scold him.
"What the hell, Rosie?" Li Jimin hissed, his exasperation causing him to slip up and use her real name. "I had to hear it from Mother, of all people!"
Jiang Meilin's eyes widened in panic, a fit of coughing conveniently masking her shock. Zhao Jingshen, ever attentive, immediately began rubbing soothing circles on her back. He had noticed the slip up on Li Jimin's side but his expressiin did not change. The tender gesture didn't go unnoticed by Li Jimin, whose outstretched hand froze mid-air, a flicker of pain crossing his features before being swiftly buried beneath his usual charming facade.
When she finally caught her breath, Meilin turned to make introductions, acutely aware of the tension crackling in the air. "Jingshen, this is my brother, Li Jimin. Jimin, meet Zhao Jingshen... my boyfriend."
Zhao Jingshen was ecstatic at the introduction, and Li Jimin felt his heart shatter at the same introduction, He had been in love with Rosie for as long as he could remember, but he was destined to remain as her brother for the rest of his life.
The two men shook hands, their grips a little too firm, their smiles a little too sharp. Zhao Jingshen's voice was polite but laced with ice as he said, "It's a pleasure to meet Meilin's 'brother.' I'm the boyfriend." He had noticed all the changing emotions in Li Jimin's face and boy, was he jealous.
Li Jimin, never one to back down from a challenge, retorted with a grin that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Oh, Meilin and I go way back. We grew up together, caused all sorts of trouble..." Feeling like he had not hit him where it hurts yet, he added a finishing blow "Our relationship is also not biological."
Jiang Meilin shot Li Jimin a warning look, silently pleading with him to tread carefully. Zhao Jingshen seemed to relax slightly at the explanation, but a hint of suspicion and coldness still lingered in his gaze.
As the night drew to a close, Zhao Jingshen made his move. With a pointed look at Li Jimin, he pulled Jiang Meilin close and planted a soft, lingering kiss on her lips. "I should go. Have a good night, babe."
Jiang Meilin stood there, momentarily stunned by the unexpected display of affection and the casual "babe" that rolled off his tongue. Smooth, real smooth, she thought. But as Jingshen turned to leave, she found herself chasing after him.
Li Jimin remained standing on his spot and his eyes followed her, he could not believe he even had to watch her be affectionate with another man, without showing any expressions, but no matter what, it was still better to be near her than not.
"Jingshen, wait!" Jiang Meilin called out, catching up to him just before he rounded the corner. "I promised to tell you something about me after dinner, remember?"
He nodded, curiosity and anticipation evident in his expression. Meilin stood on her tiptoes, her lips brushing his ear as she whispered, "Rosie... Rosie Blackwood. That's my real name."
Before he could react, she pressed a quick kiss to his cheek and darted back towards her apartment, leaving Zhao Jingshen standing there, processing the weight of her revelation. As she closed her door, leaning against it with her heart pounding, Meilin knew that this was just the beginning. The game was changing, and she was rewriting the rules with every breath.