Ling Mei bid Yan Yi farewell and got into her car, driving all the way back to her condo. She could not get her mind off from her grandfather's call. She wondered what he was up to this time. Of course he knew how much she despised family gatherings but he always found a way to bring her back home.
Her mind drifted to her step mother and sisters. She hated them with everything in her. Facing their ugly faces was sure gonna spoil her mood. She arrived at her condo and pulled up and parked her car in the garage. She took a deep breath before stepping out from the car, her designer bag in one hand and her phone in the other.
She took steady steps inside the elevator and arrived inside her apartment. She slowly kicked off her heels, dropped her bag on the bed and made her way to the kitchen. She stared at the clean kitchen, she could not remember the last time she made a meal. She walked over and opened the fridge. It was almost empty, just contained a few eggs and three packs of instant noodles. She made a mental note of getting new groceries.
In no time she had already prepared hot spicy noodle, she settled on her bed and took her time to ravish her meal. The time was far spent and it was almost evening. Ling Mei sat in front of her mirror as she made finishing touches to her light makeup. She was not still happy about going to the Ling's mansion.
She gently put on the black pebble-studded, halter dress, it accentuated her curves, bringing out her sexy shape. She picked up her Chanel purse and walked out of the house. Just getting outside, a black limited version Rolls Royce was already waiting for her outside. Two hefty bodyguards stood awaiting her arrival.
Since she moved out of the mansion, her grandfather made it a tradition to always send a car to bring her home whenever she wanted to come back. "Good evening young madam," her grandfather's personal assistant, Song Min, greeted, head bowed. Ling Mei nodded in response as the door was opened for her and she got in.
In a few minutes, they were already on their way to the mansion. Ling Mei quietly stared outside the window, staring at the vast green land. The ancestral mansion was built in the outskirts of the countryside, away from the bustling city.
They arrived at the huge gates, different armed men surveyed the area. Ling Mei was already accustomed to the hostile-looking men. The car pulled up in front of the water fountain. The door was opened for her and she gracefully stepped out. She glanced around taking note of the different cars parked outside.
Her other family members had arrived, she took a deep breath, preparing her mind for the chaos about to take place. Song Min led her inside the mansion. She took graceful steps as she approached the chattering ladies, the men sat in the main living room playing mahjong. They all stopped talking immediately she stepped in.
Ling Mei continued walking with an indifferent face. "Look who's here... the slutty model," her elder step-sister said loudly. Ling Mei had a beautiful smile on her face, completely ignoring the hostile words.
"Ling Jie... long time no see... Grandpa never told me you had returned from your holiday," Ling Mei remarked, stating the last word in a provocative tone. Ling Jie had an ugly look on her face.
"You... how dare..." "Bye... I gotta go." Ling Mei quickly cut her off as she slid away. She had said that on purpose, Ling Bao had found out Ling Jie was having an affair with one of his aides.
Ling Jie was angry at Ling Mei for bringing up her ugly past. She watched in resentment as Ling Mei made her way upstairs to Ling Bao's office.
"I see no reason why Grandfather favors her exceptionally," one of her cousins said. "She's so ugly... like a pig," another contributed. "Don't worry, sister. She can't be chosen by Master Feng," another said with hate.
Ling Jie listened at their horrible words with a wicked smile. She swore to make life hell for Ling Mei when she becomes Young Master of the Feng household's wife.
She opened the door to the office and walked in. Ling Bao raised his head, ready to scold the intruder, but was greeted with Ling Mei's sneaky smile.
"Grandpa," she shouted happily as she ran over and hugged him while he sat. His heart softened, holding his favorite grandchild in his arms.
"You insolent child... you never thought of giving me a call," Ling Bao suddenly said, changing his facial expressions.
"Am so sorry Grandpa... being the B city top model isn't an easy job," she replied with a playful tone.
Ling Bao snorted in response, still angry. "Okay, I'm sorry... still being bratty, Grandpa, I'll steal your candy." Ling Mei tugged further, and he raised his cane to hit her, but she quickly moved away, laughing.
She helped him stand up from his chair, and they both made their way outside the private office. "Is about time you take a break, Grandpa... you aren't getting any younger," Ling Mei said with care as they ascended the staircase.
"I am not ready to see my hard work in shackles," Ling Bao quickly retorted.
"You have to rest, Grandpa," Ling Mei continued.
"I will do that when I have placed the right person in my position," Ling Bao said, his eyes gleaming with determination.
They arrived downstairs, and everybody stopped talking, acknowledging the presence of the powerful Ling Household patriarch. Ling Bao stared at his huge family with a slight satisfaction; it was a proud thing to be the root of so many people. However, he was disappointed in all of them in one area - they were all too lazy to work. They depended on his hard-earned money; no one wanted to tire themselves out making money.
Of course, he had worked his butt off creating generational wealth for as many as they could become. He took steady steps to the dining hall. They all quietly followed behind. Ling Mei walked beside him gracefully; they could only help but murmur in resentment.
They took their seats after he had comfortably sat. The house servants quickly set the table as the whole family sat down for dinner. Ling Mei felt her mouth water as different dishes were assembled on the table. She couldn't wait to try them all.
Ling Bao cleared his throat as they all got ready to eat. "I didn't call you all here to eat my expensive food." They all became dead quiet.
"The old master of the Feng household is in need of a wife for his eldest son. He would be hosting a party in his favor. A special invite was sent to me on your all behalf. The party is scheduled for tomorrow's evening. I want you all, especially the ladies, to be of good conduct. Many patriarchs and their families would be present at the event. Do I make myself clear?" he asked in a stern voice.
They quickly replied, "Yes, Grandfather."
After addressing the issue, they all began eating. Ling Mei paid no attention to whatever he was saying; she had already decided in her heart not to attend the event. But before this could happen, she had to quickly leave the mansion before her grandfather would notice.
She took her time, ravishing each of the dishes. Her stepmother watched from the other side as she ate her food. "Mei Mei, it has been a long time since you paid a visit to your father. Don't be unfilial," Chen Hua suddenly said with a wide smile.
Ling Mei dropped her fork and dabbed her mouth with the table napkin. She was already full. "I'm too busy to come home, Stepmother," Ling Mei replied.
Chen Hua was not surprised at her reply; she knew how much Ling Mei hated her. "Honey, Ling Mei should pay a visit home," she suddenly turned, facing her husband, Ling De.
Ling De nodded and turned, facing Ling Mei. Ling Mei was patiently waiting for her father's reply. As usual, he would always subdue to her stepmother's wishes.
"You should pay a visit home, Ling Mei. It's been more than a year," Ling De said.
Ling Mei stared at him expressionlessly. Sometimes she wished he could just be a loving father. She knew he was being manipulated by her stepmother; that was why he never had time for her when she was a kid.
"I already said it... I'm too busy to come home," Ling Mei replied with a calm voice. She picked up her glass of champagne and took a sip.
"Hmph, why are you always so stubborn? Grandfather!" Ling Jie suddenly called.
Ling Bao sat without care, he was not interested in their family issues. He cleaned his hands and got up, getting ready to go back upstairs.
"Ling Mei, I know how stubborn you are. You better make it to tomorrow's event," Ling Bao warned sternly.
"Yes, Grandpa," Ling Mei replied with a low voice, though she wasn't able to escape this time.
Ling Bao took his cane and proceeded upstairs, fully ignoring Ling Jie. Ling Jie watched with resentment; she still couldn't understand why this grandfather of hers never paid heed to her.
She turned, facing Ling Mei with a hateful look. "You bitch!" she shouted loudly.
Ling Mei had a crooked smile on her face. This triggered Ling Jie even more.
"How dare you still smile?" Ling Jie asked with anger
Ling Mei feigned surprise. "Oh my, I never knew I was restricted from smiling too."
Ling Mei said still smiling. Ling Jie moved towards her.
"I would destroy you," Ling Jie said with anger.
Ling Mei stood up from her seat with ease, picking up her bag. She gracefully walked over towards Ling Jie. The latter was surprised that Ling Mei was actually approaching her.
"Watch your mouth, Jie Jie. I'm not your sugar daddy," Ling Mei said with a calm, shrill voice that sent shivers down Ling Jie's spine.
Chen Hua quickly walked over and pushed Ling Mei away. Ling Mei staggered but quickly regained her stance.
"You have no right to speak to my daughter that way, you cheap model," Chen Hua cursed spitefully, unable to contain her anger.
Ling Mei laughed out, looking even more sexy as she laughed.
"Mr. Ling, be sure to hold your wife and daughter carefully. I'm afraid they're both going haywire. Goodnight, everyone," Ling Mei gracefully said as she turned on her heels and made her way to the waiting car outside.
Chen Hua made to go after her, but Ling De held her back. The mother and daughter duo watched in hate as Ling Mei catwalked out of the mansion without a care in the world.