Li Meilin's heels clicked against the marble floor as she entered the Li family villa.
The scent of garlic, ginger, and a faint hint of jasmine drifted through the air. The villa was large, modern, and spotless, but cozy in the way a home felt lived-in without losing style.
From the kitchen came a familiar voice:
"There she is," Li Yuhuan said, emerging like a general inspecting her favorite soldier. She held a tea towel in one hand, a spatula in the other, and wore a smile that made her eyes crinkle. "Almost had to send a search party to get you back."
Li Meilin dropped her bag by the door and smirked. "You don't need a search party. I'd have left a trail of chaos—they'd find me eventually."
Her mother laughed. "Of course. Chaos is your signature, after all. How was campus today? Let me guess—you embarrassed someone again?"
Li Meilin leaned against the wall, smirking faintly. "A boy tried to confess to me in front of half the business faculty."
Her mother raised an eyebrow. "Half the business faculty?"
"He thought it was romantic. I thought it was… informative."
Her mother laughed so hard she had to grab the countertop. "Informative? Meilin, only you can make rejection sound like a lecture."
Li Meilin shrugged casually. "I didn't say it was kind. Just… effective."
Her mother shook her head, still chuckling. "I swear, you were born calculating."
Li Meilin tilted her head. "Born smart. Learned sarcasm later."
They both laughed.
As they moved to the dining area, her mother poured wine into their glasses—not too much, not too little, perfectly measured. The villa's lights cast a warm glow over the room.
Li Meilin plopped into a chair, kicking her legs slightly under the table. "So, what's this 'important discussion' you mentioned earlier?"
Her mother leaned back, crossing her arms. "I figured we should talk business. Your future. Opportunities."
Li Meilin arched an eyebrow. "Business, huh? So this is going to be one of those lectures where I have to sit still and pretend to be impressed?"
Her mother chuckled. "Nope. I need you awake for this. Eyes sharp, mind sharper. No pretending necessary. Just… think of it as a negotiation exercise."
Li Meilin sipped her tea slowly, savoring it. "Negotiation, huh? Sounds promising."
Her mother smiled. "There's an alliance forming. Strategic. High-level. And… you'll be involved."
Li Meilin's lips curved into a faint grin. "Involved, but not trapped. Right?"
Her mother nodded. "Exactly. You gain leverage. Resources. Influence. Autonomy. And yes… the arrangement will require someone to partner with you. Strategically."
Li Meilin chuckled softly, thinking of Chen Rui's teasing voice from earlier: "Are you going to be married though?"
"Strategic partner," she murmured, amusement in her tone. "Sounds… tolerable."
Her mother leaned closer, still smiling. "Tolerable is practically a win. That's all I ask. No one expects you to swoon. Just see the advantage—and act."
Li Meilin tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Advantage… autonomy… influence… sounds like my kind of deal. Okay."
Her mother raised an eyebrow. "Okay?"
"I agree," Li Meilin said firmly, smiling faintly. "But let's be clear—I'm not signing away my life for anyone."
Her mother laughed, shaking her head. "I know. That's why you're my daughter."
Li Meilin leaned back, letting the warmth and humor linger. It was light, real, grounded. Serious business had been handled—but entirely on her terms.
She wasn't panicked. She wasn't intimidated. She was her own force.
And that was exactly how she liked it.