Chapter 17- Love wants wellness of the kins

Two months later….

"MADAM!!! Miss Bai is out of her room." A maidservant ran to Li Zhen who reading a hard-cover thick book, Her blue-rimmed glasses resting on her nose as she was immersed in reading, Her resting face was hiding all the emotion she had been feeling while traveling through the world created by black ink.

She looked but showing no sense of excitement at first, she placed her book aside on the table beside a moon lamp. Stood up and spread her gown while brushing off dirt. She acted like, she was playing in the soil of a garden.

"Bring her to me!" she ordered in a monotonous voice. The young maidservant ran again to carry out her task as she flew like a butterfly up the stairs.

Bai Dongmei had gone into depression and refused to talk or listen to anyone. She had isolated herself only allowing the young maid to access her room. Li Zhen tried several times to get her treated but Dongmei was more stubborn than she looked.

In the end, the doctor advised Li Zhen to give her some space. It was however difficult for Li Zhen to see the girl who stood for her when no one was ready to in this state.

Dongmei came down followed by the overjoyed young maid whose name was Autumn. Li Zhen warmly spread her arms to embrace Dongmei, however, she ignored Li Zhen and sat down on the couch cluelessly.

"Miss Li, look my hand is completely cured," she spoke in a lifeless tone. Li Zhen settled herself down dumbfounded and nodded with a smile looking at the two scars on her hands.

"What are your plans now?"

"Are you going back into hibernation?" she asked sarcastically.

"No I had enough of time consumed in healing," Dongmei spoke as her eyes glittered. First time in two months throwing a genuine smile.

Li Zhen and Autumn could not believe what they heard. Dongmei chuckled at their expression and said, "Yes, I am not going back into hibernation."

"Although I have been living in the same mansion without going anywhere, I am used to doing something or other."

"To be honest, I was quite bored of myself all this while." Dongmei's smile was so beautiful and full of warmth that the other people in the living room could not move their eyes away which made her uncomfortable.

"Is there anything on my face?" She asked wiping the corner of her lips. Autumn nodded and said, "Yes, Cuteness!" Her comment made Dongmei feel shy. She had never heard such words from outsiders and in this style.

Li Zhen was elated to hear some positive words from her and she asked excitedly, "Do you want to do something?"

Dongmei gave careful thought and said, "Yes! But I don't know what?"

Li Zhen then spoke what she was holding in her heart for a long time, "Let's go to a resort."

"My son's partner has a sea-view resort."

"You said you have never been out for ever since you were born."

"I want you to experience traveling."

Autumn nodded filled with joy as she knew her boss takes her along with her on trips. It had been a long time since she went out too.

"Miss Bai, Don't tell me you are not curious, about how the world feels like?"

Dongmei felt butterflies in her stomach dancing and she gave a faint smile, "Okay! Miss Li. I am looking forward to it."

Li Zhen grabbed her hand and pulled her out of the Mansion with her. Dongmei was startled and asked on their way, "What are you doing?" She was regretting saying her last words.

Li Zhen replied, "Don't look forward! Just walk to the forward."

Dongmei grinned and said," Miss Li, Let me pack my stuff."

Li Zhen looked at her and said, "The one your grandfather sent? Miss when did you unpack them?"

Autumn stepped up and said, "I did. She needed the clothes and other things." She looked guilty in Li Zhen's eyes and hurriedly said, "Madam, you need to book the ticket and arrange your stay there."

Li Zhen narrowed her eyes and said, "You mean I got no patience." Dongmei gave a faint smile and said, "NO...Miss Li, It's just that you got excited."

"I must have dragged you all and your travel." She said looking at Autumn. Li Zhen replied taking her back into the room, "No dear lady, My life belongs to you."

"I don't mind getting dragged by you." She said as she made a call to her Assistant. Autumn giggled looking at Dongmei's red cheek.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" She complained slapping her cheeks.

Autumn spoke teasingly," I feel like you saving Miss Li was fated."

"Imagine if Miss Li was a man? You would be compatible. Look how you get shy so easily.Anyone can flirt with you."

Dongmei did not how to reply, She had no control over this. Nobody talked to her in this way and it had been a whole three years since she last heard people's praising her. Li Zhen turned to the two girls and asked curiously, "What's up? Dongmei, do you have a fever?"

She placed her hands on her forehead, She shook her head and said, "It does not look like it."

Autumn said laughing, "Miss Li, How I wish you were a man."

"You two suit each other so well." She said as she disappeared from the room to pack Dongmei's luggage.

Li Zhen's eyes narrowed as she did not get what Autumn meant, however she soon realized and yelled, "She is like my daughter."

"This Autumn has been reading a lot of LGBTQ+ comics." she turned to Dongmei who was feeling awkward.

Li Zhen switched on the television and was randomly changing the channel. Dongmei was blankly staring at the screen, feeling dizzy until the news channel caught the attention of both the ladies.

"Bai Qi, the CEO is back from his two-month business trip. According to an interview, Mr. Bai is going to focus on home appliances and is going to launch a contest to gather young inventors."

A news anchor was reporting, but unintentionally Li Zhen changed the channel. Dongmei looked at her with pleading eyes. Li Zhen tried to switch back to the channel but could not find it at that moment.

She hit the remote several times but it wasn't working at that specific point in time. Li Zhen restlessly looked at Dongmei who looked lost in a different world.

Out of blue, some other news channel was airing the same thing. It was the video file of an interview. Bai Qi was sitting on the luxury sofa which Dongmei could recognize. It was the broadcast room of her mansion.

The Broadcast room belonged to Shouyi who used to make videos of her handbag collection and due to her special status gained millions of followers.

"Mr. Bai, there were several rumors regarding your business trip.Your Company never disclosed your location.Are you comfortable letting us know, what kind of business trip were you on?"

An invisible voice asked, the camera was focusing on Bai Qi's calm face as he answered, "I was doing a market research in States."

"Did you gain anything?" The voice asked unconvinced.

"You will know when I will launch my new gadget." Mr. Bai answered slyly.

The voice moved to another question and asked, "Do you have anything to say regarding Lin Group's constant acquisition of potential businesses in the Textile industry?"

"It's their matter. I think this question is not relevant here." "But, In the business circle, who does not know the Bai and Lin alliance." The voice asked trying to push Bai Qi into giving some new information.

"You said it yourself. We are allies. The Lin group's success will benefit me as well. Since my family owns the second major stock." Bai answered.

The voice tried to ask more but was interrupted, "Sir, Your time is over. Mr. Bai has other things to do. If you want, please make an appointment some other day."

The recording stopped and a news anchor in his studio gave commentary, "That is for today, I wish Mr. Bai well. His contest and launch of products have improved our lives and we hope he continues with the same passion."

The ad started playing, Li Zhen switched off the television and said, "LOOK! Your father is doing great while you were hiding and almost tried to ruin your life.You were not willing to talk to anyone.So, I got no chance to tell you.He recovered and was back to the company fifteen days ago."

"But your grandfather did not even tell me. When he sends your expenses this month.Even your father did not inquire about you.

You must not hold on to your family.

They don't care about you.

Every night when I checked up on you. I heard you mumble the name Bai An.I guess it's your brother."

Dongmei, come to your senses.

Your family doesn't need you.

But you need yourself."

Dongmei could not speak as he observed frustration on her face. Her heavy heart could not hold back the tears. She was crying not because her family did not care about her but because she felt a strange calmness after seeing her father sitting and speaking like before.

Li Zhen moved beside her and patted her back and said, "I know it's hard."

Dongmei wiped her tears and said, "Miss Li, I don't want to think about how my family thinks of me."

"The two-month isolation gave me a new belief to hang on."

"As long as my family is doing well."

"They are healthy, I don't have to worry about them."

"I do miss my brother though."

"I was supposed to be away from them in the first place. It is my good fate that I am not locked with that Mafia man."

Li Zhen's eyes widened and she asked astonished, "How? Were you getting married?"

Dongmei nodded, she wanted someone to pour her heart and she felt Li Zhen could be trusted. She spoke taking a long breath, "They told me I was betrothed to him when I was born."

"It was his family that did not want their future daughter-in-law to live freely," she said in a sarcastic tone.

"I was supposed to get married at 18 but things were delayed from his end."

"I guess it was his first wife," she said with a sigh.

Li Zhen was bewildered, "How can he marry someone else when you were already engaged?"

"I refused and rebelled but my grandfather threatened me. He said he would disown me and throw me out of the mansion."

"I was reluctant because I did not know the world outside."

"I could simply not survive."

"His son showed up at the wedding and he behaved inhumanely with him."

"I could not marry a man who has no affection for his son."

Li Zhen nodded and asked, "I respect your choice."

"And don't worry God has given wings to your courage."

"You have met me now."

"Your grandfather has given me the responsibility to get you married."

"Don't worry, I will find a good man who is just your type."

Dongmei had no words to say and kept quiet. In her heart, she just wanted to meet her little brother. She was feeling empty and hollow but seeing her father after a long time, a feeling of relief was slowly filling her heart.

Just one glance of her brother would make her cheerful again. But it wasn't easy. "Dongmei??" Li Zhen asked her shaking her shoulder.

"Yes! What kind of men do you like?" She asked with a cheeky smile.

"I don't know."

Li Zhen put her arm around her and said, "Don't worry! I know what -' I don't know' type means."

"Let's first get you relaxed and spent some time traveling."

....

"Sir, Mr. William wants to make an appointment with you," said Sheng who was promoted to be Qian Jin's assistant after he moved back to China two months ago.

"Deny it."

"If I keep helping in making decisions. He would always be dependent on me."

"He must be wanting to ask about the fall in share price this week."

"Let him be!" Qian Jin without looking up and continued reading and signing the document. His grey aesthetic office looked depressing to people but for him, it was a calm and relieving place.

Sheng flipped a memo pad and asked gathering his courage, "When will you meet Madam Li?"

"She was calling and asking about you?"

Qian Jin dropped the pen and leaned back on the huge office chair and folded his arm, "When was it?" His cold glare gave chills to Assistant Sheng.

"Last week! Sir, but that's because I told her you were busy. She doesn't even know you moved here." He explained.

"Even though, I am in London for her. Shouldn't she inquire about me daily?"

"I am an ungrateful son. I know because I haven't forgiven her for leaving me."

Qian Jin rolled his eyes as the agony pierced his soul.

"She used to make calls daily after Old Master's death that was when she discovered you back. Through your public announcement as the company's founder."

"But she only calls once a week since you moved here."

"There can be two reasons, first either she knows you are back here working in the Asian Branch or she is not doing well enough to call you daily." Sheng was trying to put some good words.

"Or maybe the third option is she got no time for me."

"It is good that she dropped the act."

"Did you look for a school for Mumu?" He asked trying to distract himself. Sheng nodded and said, "He can join after the summer break."

Jin nodded relieved, he was planning to hire a nanny but Mumu was indeed a difficult child to deal with. He would behave properly with Jin but make things hard for the servants. He was worried and was planning to send him to his mother, Li Zhen.

However, he could not trust her with Mumu. After all, she was someone who got divorced for her career, leaving her son in other people's hands.

Sheng looked at her worried face of Jin and decided to give him more frustration, "Miss Bai…."

He said breaking the silence which was taking over the atmosphere, Jin immediately looked at him and asked, "What about her?"

"Miss Bai was getting married to Lin Xie, Lin Group's chairman."

"However, he left the ceremony after his son interrupted and his mistress called him with an excuse that she was hospitalized."

"Miss Bai's father whom you saw on television saying in an interview that he was on a trip."

"He was in a coma from that day."

"Miss Bai surprisingly saved a woman who took her away because her grandfather abandoned her."

Jin asked curiously, "Why though? And where did you get such deep information?"

Sheng grinned and said, "The newly hired driver Old He was fired by Mrs. Bai for taking Miss Bai to the hospital."

"There is more to it. But I know, Master doesn't like gossips."

"So I will keep my mouth shut." Sheng left holding his laughter in his pursed lips.

"Wait!" Qian Jin called out but Sheng pretended not to hear him.

After hearing about Dongmei in bits and pieces he was restless. He pulled his drawer and took out the lamented photo. He ran his finger through Dongmei's picture and said, "I almost lost you."

"Why has it become harder to meet you?"

"Are you purposely getting away from me?"

He spoke as his heart was filled with jealousy at the thought of Lin Xie almost getting married to her. For him, Lin Xie was an evil mafia CEO and bully senior.

"I guess it's time for revenge, Senior Lin." He said giving an evil smile.