The Xing Dilemma
Min tapped her foot, filled with anticipation. Leaving Nainai was possibly the most significant decision of her life. Once the decision was made, it was irrevocable. Consequently, she sat beside an ecstatic Meng Yao in Mr. Zhang's luxurious Mercedes, which smoothly stopped before an automated gate. A security guard emerged from his booth, alert and attentive. As the Mercedes glided down the driveway, Meng Yao gaped in amazement. "Wow." While Min straightened her, black-trimmed glasses to have a proper look.
Zhang's Mansion epitomized the luxuries a billionaire could possess. It was a modern architectural marvel, with its vast white structure boasting curvilinear designs that formed stunning, curved balconies and expansive glass windows. The property featured a generous green lawn adorned with artistically landscaped gardens and elegant fountains, complemented by extensive two-way driveways converging onto a circular cement forecourt at the mansion's entrance. Opulence radiated from every facet of the estate.
Elder Zhang's driver, Mr. Li Hui opened the car door for them. As Min got off, she saw Meng Yao fan her face and blow out the air before grinning at her. Min was no different; she muttered through tight lips, "I can see too."
"Make yourself at home girls." Elder Zhang smiled as he signaled for them to walk in.
Shortly after Elder Zhang had retreated to his room, Min and Meng Yao settled into the elegantly designed, contemporary living room. Before long, a slim woman with dark, short hair, dressed in a designer coral dress, made her way toward them. Her lively curls and sparkling eyes exuded the vibrancy of a cheerful disposition. As she embraced Min and Meng Yao in a warm, hearty hug, Min caught the intense fragrance of her alluring perfume—an intriguing gesture for a first encounter. "I've been looking forward to meeting you girls. I'm Su Shan, Zhang's daughter-in-law," she introduced herself, while her eyes briefly scanned and dismissed them, as if both the girls needed an extreme wardrobe makeover. "Don't worry. I have things sorted out, starting from the accommodation to your wardrobe. You'll stay in Zhang's mansion while the latter will be fixed in no time." She lowered her voice as if sharing a secret, "I have cleared my schedule for shopping tomorrow."
* * *
Leo sat across from the girls at the dinner table. Their allure captivated grandpa, evident from the twinkle in his eyes and his attentive listening. Even dad and mum were drawn into the lively discussion. Leo, on the other hand, was either engrossed in his meal or tracking the conversation as it bounced from one person to another. He wasn't particularly interested, yet he found himself unable to look away from one girl. Xing Min, once a nerdy bookworm clad in spectacles, jeans, and a hooded sweater, had blossomed into a stunning woman with long raven hair, her glasses still perched on her nose. He hadn't noticed her hair before, but now, waves of black curls fell over her petite frame, an extraordinary shade resembling bluish black. He was certain he would have remembered such striking long curls had he seen them before. But no, he was sure he hadn't, Leo was completely certain of that.
Zhang Su Shan, Leo's mum, inquired, "I understand that you girls have come to Shanghai City for employment. What type of job are you looking at?"
As usual, the chattier girl, Meng Yao, answered, "Event organizer, specifically, wedding organizers."
"I am sure the gentlemen of this house can come up with something for you girls," hinted Su Shan with a narrowed gaze at her husband.
"Of course," offered Chen, coloring a little, perhaps realizing that he could have offered to help earlier, "Leo can look into that, isn't it?" He waved his hand towards his son. Trust dad to pass the buck thought Leo.
Both the girls looked at him, one smiling with gratitude while the other had a blank expression. Expecting nothing from him.
"Zhang Enterprise is a software business, and we don't do weddings," he smiled at Meng Yao, who was pouting at him now, "But I can ask my friends to help. I hope you are not planning to start a business straight away?" Before he could explain his comment further, Min cut in.
"We were planning on getting some experience first, you know as a traineeship with an accomplished wedding planner. I would be a fool to say I don't dream of running a business of my own in the future, but I believe in getting to know the trick of the trade first."
"Beauty and the brains," mused Leo. Ah, well, he couldn't help it the comment just popped out of his mouth.
"Now you have just talked like a true businessman's daughter, Min," grinned his grandpa winking at her. Leo realized he was missing something in here. Another query in the Xing's folder. "That reminds me, Leo, see me after dinner in my common room. Su Shan, can you please ask one of the kitchen staff to send coffee for us?"
This confirmed Leo's suspicion; there was something about this Xing girl and grandpa was up to something.
* * *
Elder Zhang sat on his leather chair, sniffing his cigar. Leo walked in without knocking. "You know you are not allowed to smoke." He sat opposite his grandpa.
"I am not, and you shouldn't be so blunt to beautiful girls," countered Elder Zhang.
"Is there something that you wish to discuss with me?"
Grandpa leisurely slid a cigar across his philtrum, inhaling deeply to savor the roll's scent before reluctantly returning it to its case. Leo always said the old man's robust willpower was key to his success in business.
"I have known the Xing's for the past 55 years. Due to some financial difficulties, my father sold the Beilian farm to Xing Mingzhu's husband. Mingzhu, Min's grandmother, changed the farm into a garden retreat. Several years later, when I could afford to buy the farm back, I went to Beilian farm and met Mingzhu's son and Min's father, Xing Tian Kuo who had just finished studying business. I took him in and soon he made the business even more successful. However, he was addicted to gambling," Zhang Chang sighed with a faraway look.
A gentle knock jolted him from his reverie. Elder Zhang straightened his posture and invited the knocker inside. A kitchen worker, clad in a white apron, wheeled the coffee cart into the common area. Leo leaped from his chair, relieved the staff member of the cart, and requested she shut the door on her way out. He poured black coffee for both of them, opting for silence for the time being. The slight glisten of moisture in the elder's eyes spoke volumes to Leo—it was a matter of significance.
"Xing Tian Kuo cheated me and took a large amount of the company's profit. When I came to know of his betrayal, I asked him to leave. The deal was to return all the money if he wanted to avoid a fraud case. By then, he had lost all his money in gambling. Mingzhu offered the Xing's Haven Retreat as a reimbursement, and I would have taken it had it not been for Tian Kuo and his wife's accidental death. I couldn't take a source of income from Mingzhu and little Min. A deal was made that in time, the Xing's Haven Retreat would be transferred to me."
"You mean to say you are the rightful owner of Xing's Haven Retreat?"
Elder Zhang nodded. "But you see Xing's Haven Retreat is worth a little fortune in today's market. If I take the whole garden retreat, I will have to pay Mingzhu a little extra because the prize of the retreat is more than interest and sum accumulated from Tian Kuo's scam."
"So, what's stopping you?" asked Leo a little confused. What was a few million to Zhang Chang? He couldn't understand.
"You see Leo, Mingzhu, for health reasons, wants to retire in a nursing home. The catch is what she desires for Min. Mingzhu wants Min to settle in life." Grandpa cleared his throat, "Find a good family and have a secure future. Only then she will transfer the estate to me."
It came to Leo then that he had heard Xing's Haven Retreat before from his grandpa. The farm was his grandfather's dream! And the only thing in his way was Xing Min. "You have contacts; why not arrange something for the girl?"
Grandpa harrumphed, "Xing Mingzhu is smart. She wants Min to be successful in her career or fall in love with a man who can look after her all his life." He sipped his coffee and put the cup back on the table as if he disliked the taste, "If you ask me, I like the second option because I don't have years to wait for her to become successful."
Now Leo had had enough, he leaned forward and asked harshly, "Why are you entertaining them? Just take legal action, pay the excess amount, and take the farm."
"I can't because I don't have any legal documents to prove that the farm should be mine. Just Mingzhu's word." Grandpa said in a low tone, looking at his toes.
"Hell, what type of businessman are you?" taunted Leo.
"One that made the Zhang Enterprise worth billions today." Grandpa had a twinkle in his eye.
Pursing his lips, Leo continued, "So what do you want me to do?"
"Play cupid, find the girl a decent man, should be rich, and make her marry him. The sooner, the better."
"Hell, old man, do you even know my reputation in this society?"
"A billionaire playboy. It's not as if I am asking you to marry her. Find someone decent," coaxed grandpa. "Surely, you have contacts."
"My contacts involve filthy rich bastards allergic to wedding rings."
It was then grandpa passed his ultimatum. "Well then play Cupid, take the girl to a party, and introduce her to some decent guy. Whatever you do, be fast about it. And the fine print is, Xing Min is very dear to me, and I do not want to see the girl harmed. The girl should willingly marry. Also, ask all your friends to stay away from her until and unless they are thinking of marriage!" Grandpa stretched his legs and grinned, "Now off you go boy, make and put plans into action, and find the girl a man."
"Don't forget grandpa this is not your era; Min is only twenty-one. Age to come out of their shell and start exploring." He frowned. Damn in twenty-first-century girls date in early teens! "For all, we know, she may already have a boyfriend. Anyway, why don't you arrange for someone?" queried Leo getting up.
"Through my sources, I confirm that Min has no boyfriends. As for matchmaking, I've already started, but I hang mostly with 70-year-olds. You'll have more success with a beauty like hers. Don't forget the clause: Min has to fall in love or willingly accept the marriage."
"Yeah, whatever you say, old man." Leo kissed grandpa's forehead and marched out. How on earth, a beautiful girl like Xing Min, didn't have a boyfriend? Undoubtedly a piece of information that gave the playboy in him a jolt.
* * *
Min slipped into her frilly white nightgown with a deep neckline. It fell to mid-thigh, accentuating her curves. Grandma had insisted she pack it. But really, who cared what she wore to bed when there was no one to impress? Stepping out of her walk-in wardrobe, Min was greeted by the sight of Meng Yao spread out on the double bed.
"Hey, what are you doing here?" Min chucked a pillow aiming at Meng Yao's bottom. She grinned when it hit the intended target.
"Oh wow, you look frilly and sexy," she mused turning over her back.
Min groaned inwardly, wishing she could have Meng Yao's leggings. Much more comfortable and less revealing. She didn't like the seductive womanly touch that her nightie had. "Weird combination, don't you think?"
"Not at all. The short length of the dress and the way it hugs your body makes you sexy. While the soft frills emphasize your innocence, the exact thing to wear, the night you are losing it." By now, Meng Yao was sitting on the bed with her feet tucked under her bottom. She grabbed the TV remote diverting her attention to the screen.
"Thanks for your advice, but what makes you think it will be a night? I mean, it can be the daytime." Min argued but kept her eyes focused on her chest as her fingers stroked the soft frills in her nightie. She had never thought of the nightie as such. Maybe grandma did. What was Nainai up to wondered Min looking at the TV?
"Don't thank me doll, and I didn't buy you the nightie. And night for, as far as I know, you are not the type to dally with someone on a sofa, let alone party halls." She changed channels and settled for one where a movie was possibly ten minutes into its introduction... "Oh, I have wanted to re-watch this series for a long time, something Legend, can't remember the name right now. It has a hot steamy kiss scene." Steph got up, mischievously winking at Min.
"Oh no not this one, I've watched it few times. Maybe we should try another channel," she moved to snatch the remote from Meng Yao.
Taking a few steps out of Min's reach, Meng Yao smiled wickedly, "Yes, you are watching the whole episode with me, or whatever remains of it. I'd say this is better than your romance novels." She increased the volume of the TV and waved the remote in front of her face. "Going to microwave popcorn and taking the remote in case you change the channel."
With a sigh, Min crossed the short distance to the dressing table and picked up her moisturizing lotion. Dispensing a liberal amount of the cream, she began to massage it into her legs. Absorbed in the TV scenes, she abruptly lifted her head when a knock sounded at the door.
* * *
Leo hurried towards Min's room, intending to leave as soon as possible when the sight ahead, hit directly his senses. Min stood with one foot positioned at the edge of the bed. Her round bottom was barely covered by the delicate dress. Endless legs glistened as her hands rubbed the length of it. Her not so full breasts almost spilled through the opening at her front when she kneeled even lower. Leo shifted a little at his spot. He wasn't a saint, and the view was fucking irresistible. He stood at the doorway watching her for a full minute before his manners kicked in.
"Can I come in?" Leo gently tapped the door twice.
"Oh!" Min almost shrieked in astonishment. She pulled her feet and stood while her hands surfaced to straighten her nightie. Her fingers brushed over her gorgeous dark curls as if putting them in place. Not tricking Leo, though. He caught her pulling her hair over the exposed upper curves of her breast. Which of course, very much disappointed him. "Sorry, I wasn't expecting you."
"I was caught up with grandpa. Would you prefer to meet me downstairs in the sitting room?" Leo raised his voice over the TV while his traitorous eyes scanned her from top to bottom. Damn, that sexy attire exposed more than covered her luscious body. Hell, he couldn't even remember why he came into her room.
"I assume it's important, or else you wouldn't have come here," Min reasoned.
"I could have contacted you via phone, but I don't have your number." Leo moved closer as his peripheral vision captured the series on TV. One of the very few dramas that he had ever watched in life. "What are your thoughts about attending an elite party tomorrow evening?" He didn't wait for her to respond, "My opinion is that it is a good opportunity to make acquaintances. Best way to advertise that you are available... I mean to work," Leo cleared his throat. His pupils dilated when he realized that the most famous lovemaking scene of the series was underway. Oh, this was torture. He was trying to think of the matter at hand instead of the girl in frills ahead of him. Seriously, a difficult task when lusty thoughts like ripping that nightie and having her silky legs wrapped around him played in his mind.
* * *
"Did you say tomorrow? I think I'll ask Meng Yao...." Min's eyes widened as she registered the now raspy sounds of the heroine in the TV. Automatically she turned to face the large TV screen and saw her worst nightmare dancing in front of her. Or making out in front of her. The hero positioned himself with his ladylove on the bed as they kissed feverishly. Fumes of embarrassment whooshed through her ears. Min cursed as she rushed towards the bed for the remote. "Oh, I can't find the remote!"
"It's all right I was just leaving. You can tell me of your decision tomorrow," muttered Leo. But he didn't move. On the contrary, he stood staring with a roguish smile. As if waiting for her response. Oh, that bedroom-eyed look of his prevented Min from thinking straight.
Min was sure she must have changed colors from creamy complexion to red. Walking swiftly towards the TV, she ran her fingers on the edge of the screen. Hell, this love scene had to come now of all the time. Min was sure to strangle Meng Yao the minute she entered the bedroom. No second! Finally, her fingers pushed the much-sorted switch. The room became uncomfortably silent. Now Min couldn't find her voice.
"So, I guess I'll hear from you tomorrow?" inquired Leo. His upper lips curved upwards a little while his eyes were a shiny mirror of mockery. He found her embarrassment amusing, though she was thankful to him for killing the awkward silence.
"I'll think about it. How about I get your phone number in case we come?"
"We? Oh yes, Meng Yao. Yes, she is invited too." Leo extracted his business card and handed it to Min. He turned to leave, but as if on second thoughts turned, "Please continue, I don't want you to miss your drama." He turned on his heels and walked lazily. God, he didn't even have the curtsey to hide his chuckles.
Seconds later, Meng Yao walked in with a bowl of popcorn. "I am back, let's do the drama."
Drama? No, Min was in the mood for wrestling! She raced towards her friend as if possessed by a mad bull. However, minutes later, both girls were kneeling on the soft, rugged floor picking every tiny piece of popcorn and giggling away.