Two Offers

Shao Lin deep-friend some cream cheese wontons as Long Xia packed some of the other dishes she made in Tupperware. She bagged it, tying it securely before handing it over to her father. Long Jie expressed his thanks and said goodbye to both of them before he sauntered out of the apartment.

Before Shao Lin could ask why he did not say to join them for dinner, Long Xia said, "My mother got held back at work, and my father never has dinner without her. He is going to meet her there, so I gave him enough food for two people."

Shao Lin's face beamed at the thought of them. He hasn't met Long Jie's wife, but she wondered about the mother that raised Long Yat-sen and Long Xia.

"Besides," Long Xia added. "It gives us time to chat. Woman to woman." She then reached for one of the kitchen cupboards, taking out a bottle of wine. She showed it to Shao Lin and popped it open with a wicked smile.

Shao Lin and Long Xia took their time eating dinner and chatting until they were on their third glass of wine. Shao Lin started to feel light-headed while Long Xia's face was flushed.

"What do you think about marrying my brother?" Long Xia asked straightforwardly as she took a sip from a new glass.

Shao Lin's flush deepened. She then drank from her own glass. "I don't think he wants to marry me," she sighed. "He made it clear when we went to see your father."

"But do you want to marry him?"

Shao Lin thought about it now when she didn't allow herself to think about it before. Does she want to marry Long Yat-sen?

Long Yat-sen had been honest to her about her curiosities, questions, and her lineage. He had saved her from a situation she may have never been able to get out of. He wanted to protect her—genuinely protect her without the lies and evasiveness.

Shao Lin was unsure whether she could fully trust Long Yat-sen after what happened with Zhong Bai, but she already knew the answer to Long Xia's question long before she'd even asked her.

A light knock sounded on the front door before she could reply to her friend. Long Xia stood to answer it when Long Yat-sen walked through the entrance, ignoring his sister, looking straight at Shao Lin.

Long Xia glanced between them, noticing the tension in their gazes, so she took steps back. "I am going to make myself busy. Later now," she said, running out of the apartment, shutting the door behind her.

Shao Lin was still seated by the dining table when Long Yat-sen approached, taking the seat across her.

Silence filled between them, neither of them knowing what to say or how to begin.

It was Long Yat-sen that spoke first. "My father gave you an offer, but I'm prepared to give you two," he began.

Shao Lin observed him before he continued. "The first is that I can help you leave the country, move somewhere no one can find you. You will take a new name and new life as you did before, and I will ensure that you live comfortably for the rest of your days." He paused to give her the second offer. "Or you can choose to marry me."

Shao Lin gazed at him. "And what is that you want?" She questioned.

"I want you to be safe," he replied, his voice and expression neutral.

Shao Lin weighed the options. While the first sounded tempting and secure, she felt like the second was the smartest and safest choice. "I can't leave everything I have like I did once before," she began. "I want to face my problems, and I'm tired of running away." She crossed her arms firmly. "Therefore, I choose to marry you."

Shao Lin was surprised to see Long Yat-sen's mouth curve into a smile. Her face flushed at the sight of him, wondering what he was thinking.

"Why are you smiling?" she found herself brave enough to ask.

He shook his head lightly, his black hair falling over his eyes. "You don't surprise me," Long Yat-sen admitted. "But you amaze me."

Shao Lin's eyes widened at his statement. Her lips parted, and her heart skipped a beat from its rapid pace.

Long Yat-sen then pulled something out from his pocket, opening a small velvet black box. Shao Lin gaped at it, not believing her eyes.

"I went to my family's personal jeweller and picked this so we can make it official," Long Yat-sen said, lifting an engagement ring in the shape of a daisy. There was a large diamond embedded in the middle and smaller ones all over the flower's petals. Stunned, Shao Lin stretched out her arm, and Long Yat-sen grasped one of her soft hands in his, gently and slowly slipping the ring on the third finger from the thumb.

Shao Lin stared at it, noticing that the circle of the ring had a dragon engraved around it. It was, indeed, from his the Long family's jeweller. Long Yat-sen withdrew his hand from hers when he watched her gaze at it with amazement.

Shao Lin couldn't stop staring at the gem and she felt so moved by it she wanted to cry. Not of sadness, but something like relief and joy.

A tear had then escaped from her eye and fell down her face.

Long Yat-sen stiffened.

He stood up abruptly. His expression was distant and unreadable as he said, "The ceremony will be a private one. I'll let you know the details of the arrangements. You will also start living in my apartment on our wedding night."

Shao Lin was surprised to see Long Yat-sen act a bit cold and distant, so shortly after telling her that, she amazed him and then gifting her the most beautiful ring she'd ever seen.

At that, Long Yat-sen said nothing else before he stalked out of the apartment and quickly left.

Shao Lin frowned when she watched her fiancé disappear from her.

…

Long Xia had run into Shao Lin's arms when she heard the news. "Oh, you two are officially engaged. How wonderful!" She said, embracing her strongly. "I've always wanted more sisters!"

Long Xia let her go as she continued to ramble on. "You know, growing up with three older brothers, it was brutal and exhausting." She shivered at the memories. "Getting into constant brawls with boys was hard, but it toughened me up and to think I am finally getting a sister-in-law! We need more women in this family."

Speaking of brothers, Shao Lin wondered when she'd meet the other two.

"I'm so excited about your wedding!" Long Xia clapped her hands, disrupting her thoughts. "You're going to meet so many new people there." She started to daydream. "I want to help you and my brother plan this beautiful fantasy wedding, and I know where to start!"

Shao Lin kept her face neutral.

"Is there anything wrong?" Long Xia stopped to ask.

Shao Lin shook her head and smiled faintly. "Not at all." She then showed her future sister-in-law her engagement ring, and Long Xia gawked at the rock on her hand, eyes wide. She looked at the ring with curiosity and amazement. She then said, "Interesting how he picked this."

Shao Lin wondered what she meant by that, but Long Xia quickly shook her head and smiled. "Well, let's get to it, we don't want to waste any time!"

Shao Lin then let Long Xia's excitement fill her, and the thoughts settle in. She was marrying into the Long family, and she was going to be Long Yat-sen's wife. She wondered if he'd ever love her or to him, would this always be a marriage of convenience?