[Lin Feng's Bedroom — September 16, 8:45 AM]
Lin Feng stood in front of the mirror and worked at his collar.
As he did, he couldn't help but look at his lips. There, he could still see it.
It was purple in the center, crusted brown at the edges where dried blood had caught. Swollen enough that his mouth sat asymmetrical. Every time he pressed his lower lip against his upper, a dull throb answered.
She really bit me hard last night, didn't she?
Behind him, his bedroom door hung from a single hinge. The wood around the lock had splintered completely, the door swinging gently whenever a breeze passed through.
No one had bothered to come to repair it.
Then, the bathroom door clicked open.
Lin Weiwei came out of floral shampoo and steam. She was wearing a cream sweater paired with simple jeans. Her long black hair hung damp past her shoulders, her skin still held a pinkish hue from the bath.
She moved in the room with a loose and satisfied ease. Then, she saw him looking at the bite mark in the mirror, causing her lips to twitch.
"Big Brother."
She padded across the floor on bare feet and reached up to fix his collar. Her fingers brushed his jaw, and her eyes stayed on the swollen lip.
"That's a good look on you."
"It's a bite mark."
"I know."
Her thumb brushed the edge of the wound. Careful. Almost reverent.
"What a lovely mark," she said.
Lin Feng caught her wrist. Her pulse jumped under his thumb.
"You're not sorry at all."
"Should I be?"
This girl.
He released her wrist and checked his phone. 8:47.
"Big Sis called us for breakfast at nine sharp."
Lin Weiwei nodded. As she did, something flickered across her face — a small wariness. Then it was gone.
I wonder what Big Sister wants to say at the table today? She thought as she took his arm and pressed herself close against his side.
Then the two of them passed the ruined door and walked towards the dining hall.
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[Dining Room — 9:00 AM]
The Lin family dining room was built to intimidate.
Thirty feet of polished mahogany ran the length of the room.
A crystal chandelier hung overhead, worth six figures or seven depending on the appraiser. Floor-to-ceiling windows opened onto the manicured gardens, and the September sun came in at a low, careful angle.
The scent of fresh congee drifted from covered tureens. Across the table lay plates full of steamed buns, pickled vegetables and century eggs.
Though none of them warmed the room.
Servants stood at attention along the walls like guards, their expression as readable as a poker player.
At the head of the table sat Lin Zhentian. His silver hair swept back from his face, looking like it had been carved rather than grown. He was wearing a charcoal suit, even at something like a breakfast.
If anything, he looked like he was presiding over a board meeting rather than a family breakfast.
Beside his plate lay a folded newspaper. The paper showed no signs of being read, as if it was only there as decoration.
To his right sat Jiang Mei. She was in her late thirties, though her age barely dented her beauty. If anything, it only emphasized the allure of a more mature woman.
Her manicured fingers drummed against the tablecloth in an anxious rhythm as her gaze kept sliding toward her daughter's empty chair.
Lin Weiwei's empty chair.
Beside her sat Lin Hao. He was the youngest of the Lins, being only a twelve year old boy. He was already in his middle school uniform and supposedly, he should be off already for school.
But the abrupt announcement by the eldest daughter and his half elder sister, Lin Qingwan, had caused him to stay in this family breakfast.
And at the far end of the table, opposite to Lin Zhentian, was Lin Qingwan.
She was wearing a burgundy blouse. Her silver hair was pinned in an elegant twist. A tablet lay in front of her, one of her manicured nails tapping through something.
Then she looked up when Lin Feng and Lin Weiwei crossed the threshold. As soon as she saw them, her eyes drifted to Lin Feng's lips — to the bite mark.
Seeing her looking at him with such a mischievous look, Lin Feng kept his expression flat and headed for the far end of the table, toward the empty seat beside Lin Qingwan. Lin Weiwei followed him.
The moment he was about to pull the empty chair beside Lin Qingwan, a voice cut across the room.
"Lin Feng!"
It was Lin Zhentian.
He gestured to the chair on his right — the side where Jiang Mei and Lin Hao sat. The side opposite Lin Qingwan.
Lin Feng stopped.
He looked at his father. Then at the indicated seat. Then back at him.
"Is there a problem with where I sit?" Lin Feng asked, his voice neutral.
Hearing his response, Lin Zhentian's grip whitened on his teacup.
"So you're running to your sister for money now?" The words came out clipped. "Su Qingxue finally drained you dry?"
The room went still.
Jiang Mei's fingers stopped drumming the table while Lin Hao ducked his head, but not before flashing Lin Feng a small and satisfied grin that was gone a moment later.
Lin Feng said nothing.
He then pulled out the chair and sat down.
Beside him, Lin Qingwan's nail paused on her tablet; her eyes were still looking at him with that same mischievous look.
Though now, her mouth also settled into a quiet satisfaction.
As soon as Lin Feng sat, Lin Weiwei also pulled the chair next to him, pushed it closer to Lin Feng and sat right beside him.
"Weiwei." Jiang Mei leaned across the tablecloth, her voice soft and pleading. Her hand stretched out. "Come sit close to Mother."
Lin Weiwei did not even bother to look at her mother, causing Jiang Mei to have stretched out her hand for nothing.
Jiang Mei's hand hung in the air for a long moment before it withdrew. Her lower lip trembled. She pressed it flat.
"Hao-er." Lin Zhentian's voice sliced the silence, his voice loud enough, ensuring everyone heard him. "Come. Sit beside Father from now on."
Lin Hao's chair scraped as he rose. He then walked around the table with his chin lifted, passing Lin Qingwan first, then Lin Feng.
For a moment, their eyes met.
A small satisfied smirk pulled at the corner of Lin Hao's mouth. Then it disappeared again as he looked back to his father.
"Yes, Father," Lin Hao said after he settled into his new seat, his back straightening further, his hands folded on the table like an executive.
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Once everyone was seated, silence fell over the room. The maids then quickly placed two pairs of plates and utensils along with some dishes in front of Lin Feng and Lin Weiwei.
After the maids were done, Lin Zhentian looked around the table, his gaze moving from face to face.
Then that same gaze found Lin Feng's lip.
Beside him, Lin Weiwei sat too close to him, their shoulders touching, moving as if she belonged to him.
Then, Lin Zhentian finally pieced it together. Soon, the temperature in the room dropped to another degree.
Lin Qingwan pressed her lips together. Her shoulders started shaking again as if holding her laughter.
Jiang Mei's eyes caught the split lip. Her chopsticks stopped halfway to her mouth.
Lin Hao's face twisted with open revulsion. "Shameless," he muttered, loud enough for everyone to hear.
Lin Zhentian gave a small nod of approval. Seeing it, Lin Hao sat straighter, his chin lifting at the validation.
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After that short exchange and her urge to laugh finally settled, Lin Qingwan finally set down her tablet.
"Now that everyone's here," she said, her hands folded on the table. "I have two announcements."
Lin Zhentian's eyes narrowed. "Announcements?"
"Family matters first. Then business."
Lin Qingwan continued, ignoring her father.
"I am officially recognizing and reinstating Lin Weiwei's status as Lin Feng's childbride."
Her words landed like stones dropped in still water.
Jiang Mei shot forward in her chair. Lin Hao's smirk vanished. Even Lin Zhentian's face darkened.
Then, Lin Qingwan paused, tilted her head as if considering something. "No. That's not quite right…"
She looked at Lin Weiwei. Then at Lin Feng. Then back at the head of the table.
"Yeah, that's right," she flicked her fingers then continued, "...from this point forward, Weiwei is now my little brother's fiancée."
Her words dropped like a bomb.
"As for their wedding… We can arrange that after they both graduate. I will also plan their engagement party—"
"Absolutely not!"
Lin Zhentian's voice cut through the room like a cold blade.
"You have no authority to arrange marriages here, Qingwan."
"Oh, I just did. I'm simply—"
"Her mother hasn't agreed." His eyes flicked to Jiang Mei. "I haven't agreed. This is not your decision to make."
Jiang Mei seized the opening. "Exactly! Weiwei is MY daughter. She's only eighteen. This is too sudden—"
"Precisely."
Lin Weiwei answered before her mother could finish. Her voice went flat.
"I'm eighteen now. I'm already an adult. I can make my own decisions."
Then she looked at her mother with a gaze so cold it could freeze water.
"And I've decided."
The table went still.
Lin Weiwei had talked back to her mother.
She was the girl who had been the perfect obedient daughter for eighteen years. The one everyone in the mansion knew was submissive to Jiang Mei. The one who asked how high when her mother said jump.
But now, she finally said no to her.
The two servants along the wall exchanged a fast glance and looked away again. Even the ones trained couldn't quite keep their faces straight.
Jiang Mei's face went slack. Her mouth hung open before she caught herself.
Then, her voice wavered. "She — Weiwei needs time to consider her options. There are other eligible young masters from good families—"
"Other eligible young masters?"
Lin Weiwei's tone remained cold. Almost mocking.
"Isn't Lin Feng an eligible young master?"
She tilted her head, and her eyes went sharp.
"Second Young Master of the Lin family. One of the five leading families of Jiangcheng. What exactly is lacking?"
Jiang Mei's mouth opened, then closed as nothing came out of it.
Checkmate, Lin Feng thought.
"Well said, Weiwei. Well said."
Lin Qingwan tipped her head toward Weiwei — approving — and clapped her hands with a small smile.
"But let me add one more point."
Her eyes moved from Lin Feng to Lin Weiwei to her father and stepmother.
"My good little brother and stepsister slept together last night in the same bed. When I came to their room early this morning, I even saw the two of them being topless."
The room went dead silent.
Lin Zhentian looked at his son. Then at his stepdaughter. Then at his eldest. Meanwhile, Jiang Mei's chopsticks slipped from her fingers and in front of her, Lin Hao's lips curled with disgust as his eyes landed on his sister.
"What is left then for my good little brother and stepsister but to get married?"
On his seat, Lin Feng just ate in peace as Lin Weiwei's face looked like it was on fire, pressing herself closer to him and stayed silent.
Lin Qingwan continued, her voice as smooth as silk.
"Unless, of course, Father would prefer the alternative."
"My good little brother takes her virtue and then... what? We pretend nothing happened?"
"Let her become damaged goods while he moves on to the next woman?"
Her eyes sharpened. "Is THAT the Lin family way?"
Lin Zhentian's jaw tightened until a muscle twitched in his cheek.
If he refused the engagement now, not only would he be condoning his son ruining a girl's reputation, it could also damage his own reputation. If he agreed, Lin Qingwan won.
Either way, Lin Qingwan won already as Lin Zhentian turned his gaze to Lin Weiwei who had, without a word, already declared herself as Lin Feng's woman.
"...Fine." The word came out through teeth. "The engagement stands."
Lin Qingwan's smile was small and victorious.
"Thank you, Father. I knew you'd see reason."
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She picked up her tablet again.
"Now. About business…"
Lin Qingwan continued on the second part of her announcement. As if this part was nothing more than an afterthought.
"Lin Group has successfully acquired Zhonghe Technologies. We're expanding our ELEC manufacturing significantly."
Lin Zhentian's expression soured further.
"At our current growth rate, in less than a year, the Lin family will surpass the Chen family." Her voice stayed professional. Steady. But her eyes were as triumphant as ever. "We will become the third richest family in Jiangcheng."
Lin Zhentian looked at his eldest daughter as the numbers sat between them. His face did not know what to do — jealousy and fury pulling one way, accomplishment and pride pulling the other.
But he remained silent as he grabbed his teacup and took a long sip.
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Sitting right across Jiang Mei, his youngest son, Lin Hao, cleared his throat. "Father."
Lin Zhentian turned to him, the taste of the last defeat still bitter on his mouth.
"I received my exam results yesterday," Lin Hao said, his voice steady. "I have perfect scores in all subjects. I've also topped my class in mathematics, science and literature!"
Lin Zhentian's expression shifted, his bitterness faded by a notch.
"Perfect scores?"
"Yes, Father. The teachers even said I could skip a grade!"
"Good! Very good!" Lin Zhentian's voice became warmer and for the first time that morning, a smile crept to his old face.
He then patted his son's head softly and picked up his chopsticks again. "That's my son!"
Meanwhile, Lin Hao puffed his chest out, looking prideful after receiving his father's praise.
"THIS is what a Lin should be." Lin Zhentian's eyes turned towards Lin Feng, his expression changing from pride to disappointment. "A Lin should be disciplined, focused, achieving through merit. Not chasing women."
He then turned back towards Lin Hao while he stretched his arm towards Lin Feng, as if pointing at him.
"Not making spectacles. Not… whatever THIS is."
Lin Hao couldn't help himself. He glanced at his brother without hiding the smugness at the corner of his mouth.
"Hao-er has always been exceptional. He studies four hours every night and never complains about it. He is not a troublemaker," Jiang Mei commented, her voice warm and proud.
"Not like some pathetic man out there," she added as she turned to Lin Feng's direction with a sneer.
Throughout the exchange, Lin Qingwan and Lin Feng remained silent. Lin Feng busied himself with what was left of his breakfast.
Emboldened by their non-response and Lin Hao's win, Jiang Mei turned towards her daughter.
"Weiwei, darling…" Her voice softened, conciliatory. "…Even if this engagement is… settled… even if you're going to become pregnant with his child… I think we still need to discuss your marriage—"
Lin Weiwei, seeing that Lin Feng's plate was almost empty, picked up a steamed bun and turned to Lin Feng.
"Big Brother. Open your mouth."
Jiang Mei's words died in her throat.
Seeing the food in front of him, Lin Feng blinked for a moment, looked at his stepsister and then opened his mouth.
Lin Weiwei soon placed the bun between his lips with a small, satisfied smile.
"Good." She brushed a crumb from the corner of his mouth with her thumb. "You need to eat more. You used up a lot of energy last night."
She then tilted her head, picking up one more bun.
"And I need you to be energetic later."
Lin Zhentian's chopsticks froze mid-air.
Lin Qingwan's hand flew to her mouth.
Lin Hao looked away, his lip curling.
Jiang Mei looked like she wanted the floor to swallow her whole.
Lin Feng meanwhile opened his mouth and took another bite of the bun. After swallowing, he then opened his mouth, prompting Lin Weiwei to continue feeding him lovingly, her attention fixed on him as if no one else at the table existed at all but him.
Jiang Mei sat frozen. Her outstretched plea hung invisible.
The silence stretched as she was forced to watch her daughter feed the man she hated the most.
Her hands then began to tremble against the tablecloth. Her teeth gnashed against each other. Her breath came fast, shallower.
"ENOUGH!"
An ear piercing scream shocked the dining hall. Jiang Mei quickly shot to her feet; her chair scraped against the floor with a loud screech.
"You—" She jabbed a finger at Lin Qingwan. "Who are you to make decisions for MY daughter without asking me?!"
Then she whirled on Lin Zhentian.
"And you just AGREE?! That's MY daughter we're talking about, from before I ever came to this family! I'm the mother here!"
Her finger then swung towards Lin Feng, trembling with fury, while her eyes locked on Lin Weiwei.
"That boy is EVIL! He'll destroy you! He'll use you and throw you away!"
Jiang Mei continued to erupt like a volcano. Then when her gaze landed on Lin Feng, disdain and disgust came, prompting her to look away.
Whenever she saw him, her stomach churned, her skin crawled, and something in her bones screamed that the boy was wrong. She could even taste bile at the back of her throat.
Though she didn't know why she reacted that way to him.
Seeing her mother, Lin Hao quickly supported her and nodded, "Mother is right. Sister shouldn't be forced into this."
He tried for the sound of the good son taking the moral high ground. But the satisfaction in his eyes gave him away.
Lin Zhentian straightened. "Qingwan, Feng, Weiwei — Mei-er has a point. Weiwei, you are still her daughter. Proper etiquette dictates that you should have consulted her first."
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Lin Weiwei didn't say a thing to rebuke Lin Zhentian. If anything, she hadn't even budged at all, as if Jiang Mei hadn't screamed earlier.
But she then slowly rose from her chair. For a moment, Jiang Mei's lips curled into a smile.
However, what she did next stunned the room.
After rising just a bit, she then braced one hand on the table, leaned back in a very suggestive way, and slid sideways off her chair onto Lin Feng's lap.
Right there. In front of everyone.
Lin Weiwei then wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her face against his chest. Then she looked at him and spoke in a rather soft, coquettish manner.
"Big Brother... you'll protect me, right?"
What kind of chaos is she concocting. Lin Feng thought as he blinked.
But he had heard them call him the villain. Even Jiang Mei labeled him 'evil'.
Fine, I'll play as the villain then.
Lin Feng soon wrapped an arm around Lin Weiwei's waist and pulled her closer. He then looked up at Jiang Mei over his stepsister's shoulder.
And smiled.
"Evil? Me?" He pressed his free hand to his chest in mock offense.
"I'm Lin Feng. I'm rich. Handsome. I am from one of the five great families of Jiangcheng," he said, stroking Lin Weiwei's hair with slow, deliberate fingers.
"Weiwei can't seem to keep her hands off me." He then tilted his head, pinching Lin Weiwei's waist, causing Weiwei to let out a soft sound. "Are you saying that Weiwei is evil too? What does that say about you, her mother then?"
Lin Weiwei then brushed her fingers on the split on his mouth in response to his provocation of her.
Then Lin Feng continued. "For the record, Auntie — she's the one who climbed into my bed last night."
He let the smile turn innocent. Almost angelic.
"She was so overwhelmed with how good things between us were last night, she even bit me hard enough to draw blood."
Lin Weiwei's face burned red against his shirt. She buried herself deeper. She did not deny a single word. "Yes. Big Brother felt so good last night."
Jiang Mei looked like she was about to have a stroke.
Meanwhile, Lin Qingwan almost choked on her tea, her face getting redder as she tried desperately to hold the laughter within her.
"Big Sister is right. I already did it with Weiwei. So I must take responsibility. And only I must do it."
Lin Feng's voice came out steady.
"Of course I'll protect her. I'll protect her for as long as I live."
-----------------------------
Lin Qingwan still tried to hold off her laughter, but in the end, it was a futile act.
"Pfft— HAHAHA!"
Lin Qingwan laughed so hard she grabbed the nearest napkin and pressed it to her mouth, but it was too late — tea had already sprayed across her end of the table.
Seeing his eldest daughter laughing openly at his expense, Lin Zhentian's face flushed a deep crimson. A vein pulsed at his temple.
"This is a dining table, not a BROTHEL!"
The patriarch shot to his feet. His composure finally cracking after years of cold control.
"Have you no shame?! ALL of you THREE!"
His voice echoed against the mahogany. Yet, no one answered him.
Meanwhile, Lin Weiwei's grip on Lin Feng's neck loosened. She shifted on his lap, one hand finding the plate, and began feeding him again as if nothing had happened.
Lin Zhentian looked at his eldest daughter. She was still holding the napkin against her mouth, suppressing her laughter.
Then he looked at his second son, and he was still holding his stepdaughter on his lap. He finally looked at Lin Weiwei, who was happily feeding Lin Feng, a sweet smile appearing on her lips.
None of them looked back at him.
Enraged, he pushed his chair back and moved towards the door.
However, when he saw Lin Hao, he stopped. He then stepped closer to him, his hand descended onto his youngest son's shoulder.
It was heavy and deliberate, a gesture of acknowledgment Lin Feng had never received. Not even once.
"At least ONE of my sons still has a good head."
Lin Hao then looked up at his father, his eyes bright with pride.
"I won't disappoint you, Father."
Lin Zhentian nodded and squeezed Lin Hao's shoulder once more.
Then he turned to Lin Feng, his eyes cold and voice even colder.
"So you have chosen your side today, second son. Well then, don't come crawling back when you need my help again."
Then his gaze drifted on his eldest daughter one more time.
Twenty-three years ago, he remembered how he held her in his arms in the delivery room. How Ye Wanqing made him and her twin sister, Ye Wanrou, swear to be together, and to take care of him in her stead.
He could still remember that day, when Lin Qingwan was crying in his arms, Ye Wanrou crying as her sister was losing consciousness in that delivery room.
Now here she was. Looking like her whimsical, temperamental, reckless, and highly competent first wife.
She just looked like her, except with that silver hair.
Then he looked away from her. And with that, he stormed out. The door slammed hard behind him.
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[End of Chapter]