The morning dawned bright, with the golden light streaming into Mei Lin's room, but her heart felt heavy. After Li Wei's declaration the previous evening, she hadn't been able to sleep. The enormity of his decision weighed on her, and while her love for him felt stronger than ever, the unknown future frightened her.
She stood at her easel, attempting to paint, but each stroke seemed disconnected from the last. Her mind wasn't in the colors or the canvas—it was with Li Wei and the consequences of what he had chosen.
Li Na had noticed Mei Lin's distraction during class earlier and had pulled her aside afterward, offering comfort and support, but Mei Lin had waved her off, not wanting to worry her friend too much. There were still too many uncertainties swirling around her thoughts.
A knock on the door pulled Mei Lin from her thoughts. She opened it to see Li Wei standing there, his expression unreadable but determined.
"We need to talk," he said, stepping inside.
Mei Lin closed the door behind him, her stomach twisting with nervous energy. "What's wrong?"
Li Wei leaned against the desk, his posture tense. "I've cut ties with my father. Officially. It's done."
Mei Lin's heart skipped a beat. "You… what?"
"I left the company. Walked away from the family. I told him I'm not interested in the life he's set out for me," Li Wei said, his voice steady but his eyes reflecting the weight of his decision.
Mei Lin's mouth went dry. She knew this was coming, but hearing it felt so final, so real. "What happens now?"
Li Wei looked at her, his expression softening. "I don't know exactly. But I do know that I'm done living under his shadow. We'll figure this out, Mei Lin. I'm not afraid of losing the money or the status. I just want to live on my own terms."
Mei Lin nodded, her heart aching for him. She stepped closer, placing a hand on his chest. "Li Wei, you don't have to do this alone. I'm with you, no matter what."
He took her hand, intertwining their fingers. "I know. But this won't be easy. My father… he's not going to let this go. He's already moving to isolate me. I've been locked out of the company's accounts. My access to everything has been cut."
Mei Lin felt a chill run down her spine. She had always known Mr. Li was ruthless, but to see him act so swiftly against his own son shook her.
"I'll manage," Li Wei continued. "I have savings, and we can plan for what's next. But I need you to know that this might get worse before it gets better."
Mei Lin looked into his eyes, seeing the storm of emotions behind his calm exterior. She took a deep breath, summoning her courage. "We'll face it together. I'm not backing down."
---
Later That Day
Word of Li Wei's dramatic departure from the company had spread quickly, and soon the school's gossip network was ablaze with speculation. Mei Lin couldn't walk through the halls without overhearing whispers about Li Wei's "fall from grace" and the growing tension between him and his father.
Some students gave her sympathetic glances, while others stared with curiosity, wondering what role she had played in the scandal. Mei Lin tried to ignore it, but it wasn't easy. The weight of their relationship had always been intense, but now it felt as though the whole world was watching.
Li Na caught up with her between classes. "Hey, I heard some rumors. Are you okay?"
Mei Lin forced a smile, grateful for Li Na's support. "It's... complicated. Li Wei's cut ties with his family."
Li Na's eyes widened. "Whoa. That's huge. Is he okay?"
"He's handling it, but things are going to get rough," Mei Lin admitted. "His father's not going to take this lightly."
Li Na frowned, her brow furrowed in concern. "Are you sure you're okay? This is a lot to deal with."
"I'll be fine," Mei Lin replied, though she wasn't entirely sure if she believed it. "I just need to focus on what comes next."
Li Na nodded, giving her a reassuring smile. "I'm here if you need anything. Just say the word."
---
That Evening: Confrontation Looms
Later that evening, as Mei Lin and Li Wei sat together in her apartment, a sudden knock on the door interrupted the quiet. Mei Lin exchanged a nervous glance with Li Wei before getting up to answer it.
Standing at the door was a man Mei Lin had never seen before—tall, stern-faced, and dressed in a sharp suit. His presence exuded authority, and the cold expression on his face immediately put her on edge.
"Ms. Mei Lin, I presume?" he asked, his voice clipped and formal.
"Yes?" she replied cautiously.
The man stepped forward, his eyes narrowing as they flicked to Li Wei, who had now joined her at the door. "I'm here on behalf of Mr. Li."
Mei Lin's heart sank. She could feel Li Wei tense beside her, his jaw tightening.
"What does my father want now?" Li Wei asked, his voice cold.
The man held out an envelope, ignoring Li Wei's question. "This is for you, Ms. Mei Lin. It's in your best interest to read it."
Mei Lin hesitated but took the envelope, her fingers trembling slightly as she broke the seal and unfolded the letter inside. Her eyes scanned the contents, and her heart pounded harder with each line.
The letter was a thinly veiled threat from Mr. Li, warning her to stay away from his son. It outlined the consequences she would face if she continued to interfere in Li Wei's life, including using his influence to damage her career and reputation.
Mei Lin felt a chill run through her as she looked up at the man. "What is this?"
"A message," the man replied simply. "Mr. Li is giving you one last chance to reconsider your involvement with his son. If you refuse, the consequences will be severe."
Li Wei stepped forward, his face a mask of barely controlled fury. "You can tell my father that I don't take kindly to threats. And neither does Mei Lin."
The man remained unfazed. "I'm merely the messenger. The decision is yours to make, Ms. Mei Lin. But I would advise you to consider it carefully."
Without another word, the man turned and walked away, leaving the cold threat hanging in the air.
Mei Lin stood frozen for a moment, the letter still clutched in her hand. Her mind raced, fear and anger warring within her. She knew Mr. Li would stop at nothing to control his son, but seeing it laid out so plainly in front of her made the danger all the more real.
Li Wei turned to her, his expression softening as he saw the fear in her eyes. "Mei Lin, I'm so sorry."
She shook her head, trying to steady her breathing. "It's not your fault. But... what do we do now?"
Li Wei took her hands, his grip firm and reassuring. "We fight. We don't back down. My father doesn't get to dictate our lives."
Mei Lin nodded, though her heart still raced with uncertainty. "I'm with you, no matter what. But... this is going to get worse, isn't it?"
Li Wei sighed, pulling her into his arms. "It might. But we'll face it together."
As they stood there, holding onto each other, Mei Lin couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning of a much larger battle. The storm was coming, and they would need all their strength to weather it.
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