7 The Unseen Flower

While the prospect of returning with Mr Lian to visit his family gave her a golden opportunity, Lei Yinying was unsure of where to lay out her pieces. She had made plans for years, but as the tides of the ocean changed in response to the winds. She would have to remodel those plans. What secrets to reveal, which to keep hidden for a time longer. She had so many pieces to play, but where they would fall and react were unknowns.

And that was one thing she disliked. The unknown. The small amount of knowledge she had before her rebirth and the amount she had gathered afterwards never seemed like enough for her. Never enough to counter the dangers that lurked beyond the horizon. Eventually, the child's biological father would enter their lives. Eventually, she would be faced with the political climate of Adun.

She felt her heart seize in her chest as memories threatened to engulf her. [Lei Yinying! You are different. Stronger.] She had to remind herself. The hand that had gripped her heart eased only slightly. Enough for her to move her frozen body from her seat and onto her balcony.

The balcony was covered in plants which were appropriate for the season. ¼ of her balcony were covered in herbs and unknown greenery, the kinds of plants used to kill or heal when in the right hands. The rest were flowers and other plants used often in perfumery. Lei Yinying walked over to one corner of her balcony and her fingers brushed against a soft pink bud.

"Anemone hupehensis," she mumbled and noted the flower's name as she lost herself in its simplistic beauty. It was a small flower, easily lost amidst the variety of plants she kept on her balcony. There was something about the thin stems that allowed it to stretch upwards, closer to her careless fingertips.

She looked upwards and noted the faint glow of the moon behind the haze of the clouds. Pink flower buds and a hazed moon. There was something romantic hidden in those two images. Something which didn't call out to her sweetly. There was a hard bite of irony to her new thoughts.

Lei Yinying from her first incarnation was more similar to the dirt in which those pink buds grew. She was capable of nurturing others. Providing a home and a place to grow, but she wasn't necessary beyond that. These flowers could grow anywhere, be moved and manhandled, yet still thriving elsewhere. The dirt, on the other hand, would be left behind and at some point would outlive its usefulness. Afterwards, it would be replaced.

A shiver ran down her spine. Was that what happened after her death in her first incarnation? Did her "husband" move on afterwards? Forget about her and her children's sacrifice as he moved past their lifeless bodies. The bitter irony turned to rust in her mouth.

"I'm not like that anymore," she declared aloud, her voice soft and deadly. She plucked one of the flower buds that was partially opened. The faint beginnings of a sweet and toxic flower was perched between her finger pads. Lei Yinying lifted it close to her face and breathed in heavily. "My children and I won't die. Not this time," she was determined as she pinched the bud.

She felt her sensitive skin tingle slightly in response to the nectar of the flower. Although there was no other reaction to be seen. Lei Yinying turned away from the outside world and into her dimly lit apartment. She didn't have time to reflect on the past, not when her path was shifting before her eyes.

"A press conference. The elusive founder and CEO of Beautiroot will be hosting a gala to celebrate the beginning of summer," she murmured as she began writing out her plans. It would be there that she revealed herself as the face of the company, accompanied by her children.

Beforehand, she would be accepted into Nan Jing University. That would give her time to invite some well known faces from the student body and staff. She would've met Mr Lian's family and depending on her first impression, she might be able to extend an invitation to them. At the least, she would be able to invite Mr Lian, himself. She knew that those in the know would mark his presence with importance. A chance at having the elusive Lei family in attendance to this supposed gala would be a great boon to her impending actions.

She licked her lips. Would now be a time to expand? Lei Yinying looked at her table, littered with the remains of her tea from earlier that evening. A tea shop focused on healing one's physical and spiritual ails. She would be able to attract those from the upper middle class and up. An exclusive cafe located on a second floor, reservation had to be by recommendation only. She could start with whoever she appointed as her summer spokesperson. The summer collection would have to be changed. They were still in early planning phases and her people were used to her "whimsical" changes.

Lei Yinying didn't hesitate as she began to dial the number to Person A, the silly bastard who owned 12% of her company. The dial tone rang and rang until a tired and whiny voice entered her ears.

"Boss, I was in the middle of something?" the voice belonged to a person of indeterminate gender. A young man or a baritone female. It was unknown unless you knew the person in person.

"Peron A, I need you to return to China within a few days. We will be making some major moves. Get B and C to return as well if they aren't nearby," Lei Yinying ordered without any leeway.

"Boss?! A few days, but I was in the midst of…"

"I don't care which gullible person is falling for your lies. Return to China at this very moment!"

There was the sound of sheets moving. The soft hum of a person could be heard in the background. "Fine, fine. Just let me blame you if my mother scolds me for not being married again," Person A sighed and the sound of a computer turning became prominent. In a whisper, Person A addressed someone on their side, "I'll be leaving in the morning. Do forgive me for leaving so soon, my love."

Satisfied that Person A would be doing their job, Lei Yinying hang up on them. She tidied the messy dining table and glanced at the moon once more. It shone brightly, the clouds since moving past. The light brought her attention to the pink buds as the remnants of water clung to the closed petals.

She would be like those pink buds. Able to be moved and thrive wherever she went. Sweet and toxic. A hidden danger to those who failed to take notice.