Chapter 3: The Family You Never Knew

Li Xue stood in the luxurious room, feeling a sense of overwhelming discomfort. The opulence surrounding her—the grand chandelier overhead, the intricate tapestries lining the walls, and the polished marble floors—was both mesmerizing and suffocating. It was all too much, too fast. She wasn't ready for this.

Li Wei, her brother, stood by the window, his arms crossed as he observed her with a keen gaze. He was a man of few words, but everything about him screamed power. His presence alone made the room feel smaller, more confined.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Li Xue asked, her voice barely above a whisper. She wasn't sure if she was asking him or her mother, but the question lingered in her mind like a heavy weight. Why hadn't they prepared her for this world? Why hadn't she known who she truly was?

Li Wei turned to face her, his expression unreadable. "You weren't ready to know, Li Xue. The family... it's complicated. The Li family doesn't just bring wealth and status; it brings enemies, power struggles, and secrets. We protected you by keeping you away from this life. But now, you have to face it. You're a part of this family, whether you like it or not."

Li Xue's hands tightened into fists at her sides. "I never asked for any of this."

"I know," Li Wei replied, his tone softening slightly. "But the reality is that you're not just any ordinary person anymore. You are an heir to one of the most powerful families in China. Your brothers and I have been waiting for you to return to us. We've kept our distance, not because we didn't care, but because we wanted to protect you from the dangerous world we live in."

Li Xue felt a pang in her chest. She could see the sincerity in his eyes, but it was hard to reconcile this man—this powerful, detached CEO—with the family she had never known. The more she learned, the more questions she had.

"Where are my brothers?" Li Xue asked, her curiosity finally getting the better of her.

Li Wei's lips curved into a faint smile, though it was brief. "They'll be here soon. You'll meet them tonight. You should know, Xue, that each of them has their own role in the family. They are all very successful in their own right, and each one of them cares about you more than you can imagine."

Just then, the door opened, and three more figures stepped into the room.

The first man was tall and strikingly handsome, his features sharp, almost sculptural. His dark eyes met Li Xue's with an intensity that made her stomach tighten. He exuded the kind of charm that could captivate an entire room without a single word. This was her second brother, Chen Hao, the famous actor. His reputation preceded him, but she had never imagined meeting him like this.

The second brother was dressed casually, in a hoodie and jeans, with an air of effortless cool about him. His gaze was sharp, his focus intense, but there was a warmth in his smile that made Li Xue feel strangely at ease. This was Zhang Ming, her third brother—the genius hacker. He seemed different from what she had expected. The world of technology was nothing she had ever been a part of, but seeing him now, she couldn't help but feel an undeniable intrigue.

And the last brother, Wang Lei, stood quietly in the corner, his calm demeanor belying the intensity of his gaze. His features were soft, but his presence was commanding. He was dressed in a simple white coat, his medical credentials evident. Her fourth brother, the doctor—the genius who saved lives. She could already feel the weight of his intellect, his responsibility, and his power.

"Li Xue," Li Wei began, his voice steady. "These are your brothers. Chen Hao, Zhang Ming, and Wang Lei. The four of us have been waiting for this day."

Li Xue's mind raced as she tried to process everything. Four brothers—each successful, each extraordinary in their own way. But it wasn't just about their success. It was the fact that they had been waiting for her. All her life, she had been an only child, unaware of the powerful, incredible people who were now standing in front of her. And now, she had to find her place among them.

"You must be Li Xue," Chen Hao said, his voice smooth, almost teasing, as he stepped forward. His smile was disarming, and for a moment, Li Xue felt a wave of warmth despite the chill that had settled in her chest.

"I didn't expect to meet you like this," she replied, her words barely audible. She wasn't sure if she was referring to the suddenness of everything, or the overwhelming sensation of being thrust into the world of the Li family.

Zhang Ming, the hacker, observed her carefully from his position by the door, but there was a knowing look in his eyes. "We've heard a lot about you, Li Xue," he said, his voice low and intriguing. "I have to admit, I didn't think I'd be meeting my little sister like this. I imagined a different kind of reunion."

Wang Lei, who had remained mostly silent, finally spoke up, his voice calm and steady. "It's good to have you here, Li Xue. I've always believed that family is everything, and now, we're all together. We'll protect you, no matter what."

Li Xue stood there, her heart still racing. For the first time, she felt the weight of the responsibility that had been thrust upon her. This was her family. A family of wealth, power, and influence. And now, she had to navigate the dangerous waters of their world.

"I... I don't know if I'm ready for this," she admitted, her voice shaky. "This isn't the life I wanted."

Her brothers exchanged glances, and then Li Wei stepped forward.

"It's not about what you want, Li Xue," he said, his voice firm but not unkind. "This is the life you were born into. You don't have to be ready, but you will need to learn quickly. This world won't wait for you to catch up."

Li Xue swallowed hard, feeling both the weight of their expectations and the terrifying unknown that lay ahead. She was no longer just Li Xue, the simple girl from a quiet apartment. She was part of something far larger, far more dangerous. And no matter how hard she tried to resist, it seemed that there was no going back.