Dinner I

Xinyi emerged from the bathroom, her hair damp and clinging to her face. She walked to her bed, her movements heavy with exhaustion. She sat down quietly, her gaze distant as if lost in thoughts she didn't want to entertain.

Qin Lianyi was already in the room. Noticing Xinyi's pale complexion, she walked over with concern etched on her face. Sitting beside Xinyi, she gently cupped her face, tilting it upwards to examine her more closely.

"Xinyi," she said softly, her voice laced with worry. "Did the nosebleed happen again?"

Xinyi shifted uncomfortably, avoiding Lianyi's gaze. She tried to pull away, mumbling, "No… just a little." Her tone was dismissive, but it lacked conviction.

Qin Lianyi's eyes narrowed, her grip firm but still tender. "You can't hide it from me," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "I told you this is not good for your health. How many times do I have to beg you to take the medicine I gave you?" She paused, her voice dropping to a whisper. "If this gets worse… you will die, Xinyi. Please, think about yourself for once."

Xinyi finally looked into Qin Lianyi's tear-filled eyes. Her own eyes glistened, but she quickly turned her head away, swallowing hard to suppress her emotions. "Aunt Lianyi," she said in a strained voice. "Whether I take those medicines or not, it doesn't matter. Lei Xian won't let me die peacefully. She will keep me alive until she drains the last drop of blood from my body."

Her voice broke, and tears rolled down her cheeks. But she quickly wiped them away, forcing herself to maintain composure.

Qin Lianyi's voice cracked as she whispered, "This is all my fault, isn't it?"

Xinyi shook her head vehemently. "No, it's not your fault," she said firmly. "You're just a slave here, like me. I know Lei Xian is threatening you because of your family. Don't feel guilty. At least you have a family… unlike me."

Her voice faltered, and she took a deep breath before continuing. "I'm not even a daughter to my mother. I killed her."

Qin Lianyi grabbed Xinyi's hands, her tears spilling freely now. "No, you didn't," she said, shaking her head. "Don't say that."

Xinyi pulled her hands away and interrupted, her voice cold and detached. " I've spent seven years in this prison. Seven years is enough time to understand the truth. Lei Xian was right. I'm not a human; I'm an object. I didn't know my biological mother. The woman who raised me for eighteen years died because of me. I don't know who my father is. I have no family, no siblings, no one. This is who I am. This is my identity."

Her words were hollow, devoid of emotion, but her eyes betrayed her—lifeless and devoid of hope.

Qin Lianyi covered her mouth, trying to stifle her sobs. She wanted to say something, anything, to comfort Xinyi, but the words wouldn't come. All she could do was hold her trembling hands tightly.

***

Yi Chen stepped out of the bathroom, his damp hair glistening under the warm light. He wore a dark bathrobe, the fabric clinging to his toned physique. Standing before the full-length mirror, he began drying his hair with a towel, his movements slow and methodical.

He paused, a strange sensation prickling the back of his neck. Turning abruptly, he found Zhou Hao Yang standing at the doorway, his expression neutral.

"How many times have I told you to knock?" Yi Chen growled, his teeth clenched in irritation.

Zhou Hao Yang remained unfazed, his calm demeanor unshaken. "My apologies, sir," he said with a slight bow. "But Chairman Yi Dao Ming has arranged a dinner for you tonight."

Yi Chen's brow furrowed, and he tossed the towel onto the chair. "Dinner?" he repeated, his tone dripping with annoyance. "And he didn't think it necessary to ask me first? How does he even know my schedule?"

Zhou Hao Yang's lips twitched, almost as if he wanted to smile. "You have thirty minutes, sir. I'll be waiting in the car." Without waiting for a response, he turned and left the room.

Yi Chen stood there for a moment, his jaw tightening. "Is he my boss, or am I his?" he muttered under his breath before heading to his wardrobe.

Twenty minutes later, he stepped out of his apartment building, dressed sharply in a tailored suit. A sleek black Lexus awaited him at the curb, with Zhou Hao Yang already seated in the driver's seat. Without a word, Yi Chen slid into the back seat, pulling out his iPad to review his schedule.

As the car moved through the bustling city streets, Yi Chen opened a news app. The top headlines featured him and his family. One article highlighted the award he had received last week. Another was an interview with Lei Xian, titled: "Journey of Life Pharmaceutical's CEO: How She Overcame Challenges to Achieve Success."

Yi Chen's eyes narrowed as he read the article. "There's something fishy about Life Pharmaceutical," he murmured to himself. "Making 'effective' medicine, gaining so much fame… Aunt, what are you trying to do?"

He shook his head, dismissing the thought for now, and moved to the next article. The headline read: "First Grandson of Chairman Yi Dao Ming to Tie the Knot: Congratulations to Him and His Family."

Yi Chen let out a humorless chuckle. "So that's why Grandfather is so eager to meet me," he muttered.

The sleek black Lexus rolled to a smooth stop in front of the city's most luxurious Chinese cuisine restaurant. The building stood as a modern-day palace, exclusive to the elite 1% of society. The grand entrance was adorned with ornate lanterns and calligraphy that glowed under the warm amber lights. Inside, the restaurant followed a traditional Chinese theme, each corner meticulously designed to transport diners back to the grandeur of ancient China.

Yi Chen stepped out of the car, dressed in his usual all-black tailored suit.The staff guide him. "Mr. Yi Chen, your room is ready. This way, please.Chairman Yi had, of course, booked one of the VVIP private rooms—only the best for the head of the Yi family. As the hostess led him through the corridor, Yi Chen noticed the intricate wooden screens and paper lanterns that cast soft shadows on the floor. The air smelled faintly of sandalwood and jasmine.

When Yi Chen slid open the traditional wooden door of the private room, he was greeted by a scene that could have been plucked straight out of an ancient dynasty. Chairman Yi sat cross-legged on the floor by a low wooden table, surrounded by golden and silver utensils glinting under the soft light. The man exuded the air of an emperor awaiting an audience, his presence filling the room.

Chairman Yi's gaze landed sharply on Yi Chen as he entered. "You're late," he said, his voice laced with a hint of impatience.

Yi Chen stepped inside, his footsteps silent on the polished wooden floor. He bowed his head slightly in respect, then greeted, "Hello, grandfather."

Chairman Yi raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "Hmph. You punk Are you here just for the food, or did you actually come to meet your grandfather?"

Yi Chen paused, For a brief moment, a sheepish smile threatened to betray his composed exterior, but he quickly masked it with his signature poker face. "Sorry, grandfather. I didn't come to meet you."

Chairman Yi's eyes widened, then a slow, proud smile crept onto his face. "Hah! At least you're honest. Fine, fine. I forgive you. Now, sit down and eat!"

As they began to eat, Chairman Yi's voice broke the silence. "I invited someone else to join us tonight."

Yi Chen raised an eyebrow. "Who?"

Before Chairman Yi could answer, the sliding door burst open, revealing none other than Zi Hao, who stormed into the room with his usual infectious energy. "Grandpa!" he called out cheerfully.

Zi Hao rushed to Chairman Yi's side, giving the elderly man a tight hug. "Oh, Grandpa, I missed you so much!"

"Oh, dear, I'm fine, I'm fine," the chairman said, patting his back.

Zi Hao turned to Yi Chen, arms outstretched for a hug. But Yi Chen immediately raised a hand, stopping him in his tracks. "I'm fine. No need for that."

Zi Hao froze mid-step, his expression a mix of disappointment and awkwardness. "Uh, okay then."

Chairman Yi shook his head with a smirk. "This arrogant punk..." He gestured for Zi Hao to sit beside him. "Leave him be. Sit here."

Zi Hao quickly complied, bringing his usual liveliness to the room. As they ate, he began regaling them with stories from his life as a singer.

"Grandpa, you won't believe it," Zi Hao said, excitement evident in his voice. "I'm hosting a variety show next month! It's such a big opportunity—I couldn't be happier."

Chairman Yi nodded, clearly pleased. "That's excellent news, Zi Hao. You're making me proud."

Yi Chen, however, remained silent, his expression unreadable as he picked at his food. Finally, he spoke, his tone flat yet teasing. "Hosting a show, huh? Maybe you should start by fixing your hair. That bright red color makes you look like a clown."

"Excuse me? My hair is fashionable! Besides, it's better than being a walking mannequin in black suits all the time. At least I don't look like a brooding old man."

Chairman Yi burst out laughing, clapping his hands. "Hah! He's got a point, Yi Chen. You do look a bit...stiff."

Yi Chen's lips twitched in annoyance. "It's called elegance. Something you clearly wouldn't understand with your ripped jeans and oversized shirts. You look like a beggar, not a national singer."

Zi Hao leaned forward, his grin devilish. "And yet, this so-called 'beggar' is a national treasure with millions of female fans swooning over my every move. Meanwhile, you—32 years old and single—are out here scaring women with your 'death stare' and all-black wardrobe. Do girls even know you're available? Or do they think you're some ancient monk who swore off relationships?"

Yi Chen calmly picked up his glass, taking a slow sip before responding. "Correction, I don't scare them. I filter out the unnecessary noise. Unlike you, who probably has a horde of screaming teenagers following you everywhere. What's that like, by the way? Living as a public nuisance?"

Zi Hao gasped, clutching his chest dramatically. "A public nuisance? Excuse me, I'm adored! Loved by the masses! You? The only people who adore you are your employees—and that's only because you sign their paychecks!"

Zi Hao nearly choked on his food. "At least I have a career that makes people happy! You? The only person who probably calls you with genuine excitement is the bank manager, thanking you for keeping their accounts full."

Yi Chen leaned back, his voice sharp yet calm. "And that's why I sleep peacefully at night while you're up at 3 a.m., dodging your fan club in a disguise that doesn't work."

Chairman Yi burst into laughter, "Zi Hao, stop bullying him! Though... he does need some advice on how to lighten up. Maybe you should teach him how to smile."

Zi Hao smirked, leaning back with his hands behind his head. "Grandpa, teaching him to smile would be harder than teaching a rock to sing..

Yi Chen's lips twitched in the faintest hint of a smile, though he quickly masked it. "Fans don't impress me. Results do. But if you're so proud of being a walking billboard, I suggest you start charging rent for all those logos plastered on your clothes."

Zi Hao shot back, "At least my clothes have personality! Unlike you, who dresses like you're headed to a funeral every day."

Chairman Yi was now laughing so hard that he wiped tears from his eyes. "You two are impossible. But I'll say this—dinners are always more entertaining when the two of you are together."

Yi Chen sighed, clearly regretting engaging in the banter, while Zi Hao grinned triumphantly.

After a while, Chairman Yi's tone shifted, becoming more serious. "I got a call from Ru Xuan last week. She's returning from Germany next week."

"That's great news," Zi Hao said with a smile.

"There's more," Chairman Yi added, his voice commanding. "I've decided to throw a party to celebrate her return and announce Taisun's engagement. It will be held at the Yi Group Hotel."

Both Yi Chen and Zi Hao froze. The air grew tense, and their cheerful expressions faded instantly.

Chairman Yi narrowed his eyes, addressing both of them. "And I expect both of you to be present."

Yi Chen's grip on his chopsticks tightened, his knuckles turning white, while Zi Hao shifted uncomfortably. The idea of attending such a grand event—one filled with unnecessary drama and expectations—was enough to sour their moods.

Zi Hao tried to lighten the moment with a forced laugh. "Grandpa, are you sure you need us there? You know how these things turn out."

Chairman Yi's tone was firm. "This isn't a request, Zi Hao. It's an order."

Both Yi Chen and Zi Hao's expressions darkened, their eyes flashing with annoyance. Neither of them dared to argue, but the tension in the room was palpable.