-||chapter sixteen - the ranks & the list||-

"Both the King and the Crown Prince had underestimated the First Princess's abilities. Unlike what the Crown Prince thought, the First Princess was very much capable of standing against his King. He knew not of her true capability and abilities.

Similarly, the King too had thought that the First Princess was just another princess who only liked to be fashionable, organize balls and tea parties, and find a suitable man to get married to. As he had never met the First Princess before her encounter with the Crown Prince, the King knew not that the First Princess is not just a random princess but a warrior as well who knows how to wield a sword to do both; protect and kill."

****************

"Aye" Lu Zhi grinned, "You won't have to do that ever!"

Sean just smirked in response and took a sip of his tea, "I know but the offer still stands."

"What's the update on Isle of Danu project? I had reviewed the blueprints a week back and there were some changes that I asked to make. When will the new blueprints be ready?" asked Lu Zhi.

Isle of Danu was a private island that Lu Zhi had bought a few years back. She had this idea of creating a private sanctuary for her and her loved ones, a private vacation spot. It was an island about 50 miles from the coast of the country and has approximately 625 acres of land space out of which only 250 acres of land could be used for construction.

Lu Zhi's plan is to construct a rustic style mansion equipped with all the necessary amenities where she and her loved ones could go and relax.

"The architect is working on it. I have been informed that it will be finalized by tomorrow." informed Sean.

"Okay." Lu Zhi nodded wile munching on flaky pastry, "How much time will it take to finish up the Mr. Ren Yi Feng's resort?"

"Only the final touches remain. We have informed Mr. Ren that his resort will be ready by the next week." told Sean.

Lu Zhi and Sean continued to discuss StarBuild's ongoing and upcoming projects unaware of the fact that Lu Zhi's orders to Dai Xi had upset Zhang Dong.

After Zhang Dong's last visit, Lu Zhi had ordered Dai Xi to not let Zhang Dong meet her without an appointment. Dai Xi was instructed that she has to tell Zhang Dong to book an appointment first as no matter how rich and powerful businessman he is, he just cannot call her to work for him whenever he wants. Zhang Dong shall be reminded that not everybody is available at his beck and call.

So, while Lu Zhi and Sean were discussing business, Dai Xi was on a call with Zhang Dong's assistant.

The call from Zhang Dong was to inform Lu Zhi that she could come to his mansion today to meet his wife to discuss about what kind of outfit and jewelry she wanted to wear for the vows renewal ceremony.

"I am sorry, sir but you have to schedule an appointment first. Miss Lu is in a meeting right now and her schedule for today and tomorrow is already packed. I can schedule an appointment for the day after tomorrow at 11:30 A.M. if you want to have a consultation session with her." informed Dai Xi.

Zhang Dong's assistant looked over at his boss who had been listening to each and every word as the phone was put on the speaker mode. The assistant gulped anxiously while waiting for Zhang Dong to reply.

"Should I schedule an appointment for you sir?" Dai Xi repeated her question when she didn't get a reply from Zhang Dong's assistant.

"Do it." the assistant, Cheng Xian, could sense the anger in Zhang Dong's tone. He had been working for Zhang Dong for over 8 years now and could tell how his boss was actually feeling at the moment.

And at this particular moment, Zhang Dong was furious.

"Okay, sir. I have schedule your appointment with Miss Lu for the day after tomorrow at 11:30 A.M. As per your previous discussion with Miss Lu, she will be visiting your place for the consultation. Thank you and have a good day." informed Dai Xi before ending the call.

Zhang Dong got up from his chair and walked around his desk only to pick up the landline and throw it against the wall. "This chit of a girl!" he yelled, his nostrils flaring in anger.

Cheng Xian remained quiet and let his boss vent his anger, "I, Zhang Dong have to book an appointment to meet her? Huh, the audacity of this little bitch!"

Zhang Dong ran a hand through his hair and went back to sit on his chair. He picked up a black folder in front of him and opened it. The folder contained details of the women who according to Zhang Dong were good enough to be his son's wife and the Zhang family's daughter-in-law.

The folder contained documented details about Lu Zhi, Lu Ying, and three other women who in Zhang Dong's opinion were the most suited candidates for the next Mrs. Zhang. They were arranged as per their ranks and the first one was Lu Zhi.

She was ranked first because Lu Zhi not only had her own businesses which were of great market value but she would also bring in about 50% of the assets of the Lu family. Whereas, Lu Ying was ranked 3rd because she only had the remaining 50% assets of the Lu family as in comparison the woman who was ranked 2nd, Gu An Xin, was the only child of the Gu family and if she gets married to Zhang Yi Chen, she will be bringing in with her all the business and assets of the Gu family.

Zhang Dong had ranked the women on the basis of their monetary worth. While he was personally looking into Lu Zhi because of her being of the highest value, Zhang Dong kept tabs on the other four women as well. To him, his son's marriage wasn't about his son's happiness. It was all a business deal to him. More the profits, better the client.

"You are flying very high, Miss Lu Zhi. But not worries, once, and if, you get married into my family then the first thing I will do is clip your wings so that you would never be able to fly. Never!" growled Zhang Dong.

****************

Later that night, Zhang Yi Chen was at Ming's place for dinner. It was Grandma Lin's birthday tomorrow and like always, she had asked her close family members to have a dinner together. Zhang Yi Chen was also a part of this family. He was a son, no by blood, but of heart and had been one since Yi Chen and Ming Ze became best friends.

While his own family was responsible for the darkness in Yi Chen's life. The Lin family, on the other hand were the only source of light in his life. They brought him happiness, they treated him as if he was their own and that was enough for Zhang Yi Chen. It is because of them he is alive. Otherwise, he had long lost his will to live.

Right now, at the dinner table, they all were having a good time while laughing and enjoying the delicacies prepared by the chefs at the Lin mansion. Their main topic of discussion being Ming Ze and his constantly failing attempts to woo Lu Ying.

"Why don't you tell her directly about your special bond with her? When I found about my connection with your grandmother, I didn't hesitate to propose!" told Grandfather Lin.

"All you did was tell your parents about it and they were the one who talked with my parents and fixed our alliance. I got married to you thinking that it was an arranged marriage. It was after about 3 months of our marriage that you revealed to me about your family's special gift." countered Grandmother Lin making her husband blush in embarrassment.

"I did tell your mother about it on our very first meeting." told Father Lin making his wife chuckle, "And I ran away thinking that he was a crazy man."

"In my case, Ri Shan was the one who proposed first. Even though I knew what he was to me but I just couldn't tell him especially when he was the most handsome guy on the campus." smiled Ming Wan, Ming Ze's elder sister.

Ri Shan placed a kiss on his wife's cheek and said, "I fell for her first when I saw her during the orientation program at college and didn't knew what she felt for me. I approached her first without thinking about repercussions and I am glad that I did."

"So it is really true!" Yi Chen was amazed to learn about the stories of all the couples.

Ming Ze threw a piece of broccoli at him, "Didn't you believe me when I told you about it?"

Yi Chen threw the piece of vegetable back at his friend and replied, "I did. But seeing you all and listening to you talk about it just made it more real."

"It's really a cool power, isn't it?" grinned Ming Wan, "I wish you would find someone too. Someone who understands you and loves the golden hearted Yi Chen that we all know and love."

Ming Wan's words caused Yi Chen to blush while the others laughed at his reaction.

Looking at his best friend, Ming Ze hoped and prayed that his sister's words about Yi Chen would come true.

****************

Another day later, Lu Zhi stood in front of the massive mansion, a glorious piece of infrastructure that the Zhang family mansion was. She was on time for her appointment with Zhang Dong and his wife Huo Mei. She was lead inside the mansion by a house help and seated in the spacious living room.

"Sir and Madam will join you in a few minutes." the house help told her and walked away leaving Lu Zhi alone. A few minutes later she was served some refreshments but there was no sign of Zhang Dong or his wife.

Lu Zhi waited for about 25 minutes for them but when they didn't come, she got up to leave but stopped when she heard his voice.

"What are you doing here?" Lu Zhi turned around and saw Zhang Yi Chen standing at the stairs.

He was dressed in a dark blue pin-striped three piece suit with a white shirt underneath. His hair were styled perfectly as always. He looked more like a gorgeous model from a fashion show and not the businessman that he actually is. Lu Zhi couldn't help but stare at him as she was reminded of her own words to Lu Ying.

'He's so damn hot!'