Mei Xing sat in her room, her fists clenched tightly on her lap. The words she had overheard from Mei Li echoed endlessly in her mind. "…He won't look at her the same soon." That sentence replayed like a haunting tune, twisting in her chest with every breath.
She wasn't just imagining the rivalry anymore—it was real. Calculated. Dangerous. It was actually a real thing now.
For the first time in her life, Mei Xing felt like the ground beneath her feet was truly cracking. The home she had loved, the people she called family, and now even the man she cared about deeply—everything was slipping through her fingers. She felt that Zhao was almost gone.
She couldn't tell Zhao Chen yet. Not without proof. If she came off as jealous or paranoid, it would only play into Mei Li's game. Mei Xing needed to be smart. She needed to fight back—but not recklessly.
The next few days were a blur of polite smiles and silent battles.
At a family dinner hosted by Mr. Lin's business associates, Mei Li made her move more boldly than ever. She arrived wearing a striking red gown—the very dress Mei Xing had picked weeks ago for an upcoming charity ball. She walked in gracefully, looping her arm through Zhao Chen's and greeting guests like she belonged beside him.
Mei Xing's heart sank.
When she approached them, Zhao Chen looked visibly uncomfortable. "Xing'er," he said quickly, "I didn't know Mei Li was coming with me."
"She invited herself," Mei Li said, sipping her wine nonchalantly. "I figured since we're all family now, we should make a united appearance."
"Of course," Mei Xing said stiffly, though her insides boiled.
As the evening progressed, Mei Li clung to Zhao Chen, laughing loudly at his every comment, sharing stories as though they had known each other for years. But what truly hit the breaking point was what happened next.
During a toast, one of the guests—a prominent investor—raised his glass. "To the future of the Lin family—and to this beautiful young couple," he said, gesturing toward Zhao Chen and Mei Li.
Mei Xing's smile faltered.
Zhao Chen stood, clearly flustered. "I think there's a misunderstanding—"
But before he could finish, Mei Li leaned in and planted a kiss on his cheek.
The room erupted with claps and laughter. Even Mr. Lin chuckled awkwardly, trying to ease the tension.
Mei Xing couldn't take it anymore.
She stood abruptly, ignoring the startled gasps, and walked out of the hall, her heels clicking sharply against the marble floor. Her heart felt like it was being ripped in two. The humiliation, the betrayal, the pain—it was too much.
Back in her room, tears spilled freely. But as they fell, something changed in her eyes.
She wasn't going to sit and watch her life crumble piece by piece.
If Mei Li wanted a battle, then she'd get one.
Because this time, Mei Xing was done being polite.