CHAPTER 13: A DANGEROUS ALLIANCE

The next morning, Mei Xing didn't wake with tears—she woke with purpose.

The betrayal from Madam Lin and Mei Li had cut deep, but it also lit a fire in her. She could no longer rely on love and loyalty to protect her. What she needed now was strategy—and allies.

But finding someone to trust in a house full of masks wasn't easy.

Her first instinct was Zhao Chen. He had always been her anchor, even now, though Mei Li had begun driving a wedge between them. Still, he was the only person who knew her before the lies began.

She sent him a message: "Can we meet privately? I need to talk. It's urgent."

He replied almost immediately. "Tonight. The lakeside garden. I'll be there."

The day dragged slowly as Mei Xing prepared. She reviewed files, took secret copies of the documents she had found, and carefully photographed the letter from Madam Lin. She encrypted everything and saved it on a secure drive—just in case.

By evening, she slipped out quietly, heading toward the secluded lakeside garden where Zhao Chen waited beneath the soft glow of lanterns.

He stood as soon as he saw her. "Xing'er, are you alright? You sounded worried."

She took a deep breath and looked him in the eyes. "I need to tell you something. Something you won't believe at first."

Then, she told him everything.

The fake merger. The secret transactions. The note. The conversation she overheard between Madam Lin and Mei Li.

Zhao Chen listened in stunned silence, his brows furrowed deeper with every word. When she finally stopped, he didn't speak for a long time.

"You're saying… your mother is part of this?"

"Yes. She's working with Mei Li—and I think they're planning something bigger than just humiliating me. They want power, influence… possibly even control over Lin Enterprises."

Zhao Chen rubbed his temple. "This is insane. But it makes sense. I've been getting strange calls from unknown numbers, offers to shift my allegiance. I thought it was business politics, but now…"

"They're trying to remove me," Mei Xing said quietly. "One step at a time."

He stepped closer. "I believe you, Mei Xing. And I won't let them win."

Her eyes softened. "I can't do this alone, Chen. I need someone who sees through the lies."

"Then you're not alone anymore," he said firmly. "Whatever they're planning—we'll take them down together."

For the first time in weeks, Mei Xing felt hope stirring inside her.

But even as she found her first ally, she knew this was only the beginning.

The real battle hadn't even started yet.

And from the shadows, another figure watched silently—eyes cold, lips curled into a thin smile.

The game was getting more dangerous.

And Mei Xing had just made her first move.