Feng Zhi arrived at his villa, a smaller residence compared to his main mansion. The housekeeper, Madam Gong Xu, greeted him at the door. "Welcome back, young master. Would you like your dinner served now?" Feng Zhi nodded curtly before heading to his bedroom chambers.
Madam Gong quickly attended to his meal, which had been prepared since late evening. She knew his schedule and was aware that he always arrived home late. The kitchen staff swiftly set the table, and Feng Zhi's meal was ready.
Feng Zhi returned downstairs, freshly changed into comfortable clothes, and was on a call with his mother. "I won't make it," he said calmly in his husky voice. His mother, Huang Yue Qin, dramatically exclaimed, "Feng Zhi, don't you want to see your mother? You've completely forgotten about me!" Feng Zhi sighed inwardly, knowing how extra his mother could be.
Meanwhile, Ling Mei woke up to the sound of her alarm clock. She checked her phone for any calls or messages from Yan Yi and was relieved to find none. Today was supposed to be a free day, and she planned to visit her mother's grave site, which she hadn't done in a while.
Ling Mei got dressed in a black two-piece long-sleeve top and palazzo trousers. She picked up her car keys and got out of the house, getting to her private garage. She decided to drive a more low-key car, the last thing she wanted was getting unnecessary attention. She picked an Audi A4 and gently drove out of her condo.
She stopped at a florist shop and got a bouquet of chrysanthemums, carefully securing her face with a pair of dark shades. She arrived at the cemetery, which was a little distant from the main city. The atmosphere was calm and quiet, signifying the needed tranquility for the deceased souls.
Ling Mei got down from the car, holding the bouquet of chrysanthemums carefully in her hands as she approached her mother's grave site. She arrived at her mother's grave, which looked dirty with dried leaves littered on the surface. What was she thinking? It had been more than a year since she paid a visit to her mother's grave site; of course, she expected it to have this look. With guilt in her heart, she gently swept off the dried leaves and stick twigs on the surface of the grave. She removed the old flowers and replaced them with the new fresh ones. With a deep sigh, she sat beside the grave, quietly lost in her own thoughts.
For some reason, she felt calm and satisfied sitting next to her mother's grave. She felt peaceful sitting next to the woman who held her heart. Yes, she was drastically killed; memories of that dreadful night flooded her senses.
FLASHBACK
The rain was falling heavily. Ling Mei tried to peep outside from the wardrobe her mother had carefully placed her in. She could remember vividly her mother's warnings telling her not to step out from the wardrobe. Before she carefully placed her inside the wardrobe, there was a loud bang outside. She could hear the servants yelling and shouting. Severe cries followed each bang; she covered her ears, shaking vigorously as she listened to each gunshot. Just then, the house fell into complete silence. She peeped outside the wardrobe; she was kept in her parents' bedroom by her mother. She stealthily opened the door of the wardrobe and carefully stepped out.
She took quiet steps as she opened the bedroom door and went outside. She held her mouth, suppressing her gasp as she passed through different dead bodies of their house servants. Blood littered down the hallway to the main living room; her eyes stung with tears threatening to come out. She climbed the stairs quietly, and on arriving at the main living room, she was shocked to her bones. There lay her mother's body, filled with numerous holes caused by different gunshots. Ling Mei could not stop the tears from rolling down her eyes; she shouted heartbrokenly. "Nainai..." she yelled as she ran over to her mother's body, her little legs going on the fastest pace they could carry her. She held her mother's hands, which dripped with blood; heavy loads of tears rolled down her eyes. She looked at her left and found the butler shot on the leg; he stared at her, and could only feel sorry for the little child.
END OF FLASHBACK
Ling Mei sighed heavily; she ran her hands over the grave surface in silence. She sat there for more than an hour, reminiscing about the days she spent with her mother. After spending a long time at the grave site, she slowly stood up, straightening her clothes.
She steadied her glasses and took one last look at the grave site before returning to her car. As she got in, she suddenly received a call from Yan Yi.
"What's up?" she asked calmly over the phone.
"Ling Mei, I sent you a thousand messages on WeChat. Why haven't you been responding?" Yan Yi queried.
"I'm so sorry. I visited my mother's grave site today, and my phone was in the car," Ling Mei explained.
"Oh, you should have said that. Where are you now?" Yan Yi asked.
"I'm currently driving out of the cemetery. Do you have any plans for the day?" Ling Mei asked, reversing the car and driving out of the cemetery.
Yan Yi furrowed her brows in surprise. "Young lady, don't tell me you're forgetting the plans for today."
"I really don't remember. What is it?" Ling Mei asked.
"You dull brat, the Feng Household family event you told me about," Yan Yi scolded.
Ling Mei's head hit her with realization. "Oh my, the Feng's... Ugh, Yan Yi, I totally forgot."
Yan Yi couldn't help but shake her head in pity. "Grandpa will be mad at me if I arrive late. What do I do? I haven't prepared my outfit yet."
Ling Mei suddenly felt tense. Under normal circumstances, she wouldn't have bothered about this event, but since her grandfather was already involved, she had to attend, even if it was against her wish.
Yan Yi picked up her checker's jacket from the sofa. "Come pick me up from my apartment. I'll be waiting for you."
Ling Mei quickly hung up and changed direction, heading to Yan Yi's apartment. In a few minutes, she arrived at Yan Yi's apartment to pick her up, and they both arrived at Ling Mei's condo.
Yan Yi quickly climbed down from the car. "Aish, Ling Mei, this scenery is too good. Why don't you ask me to visit more often?" Yan Yi asked with huge, doe-like eyes.
Ling Mei shook her head and heaved a hard sigh. This Yan Yi could be really extra sometimes.
She typed her pin on the elevator and arrived inside the condo. Yan Yi took off her top and sprawled herself on the sitting room sofa.
Ling Mei cast her eyes on the huge Chanel bag Yan Yi brought over. "Why is your bag so huge, Yan Yi?" Ling Mei asked, pulling off her heels and taking them over to the bedroom.
"I told you I was going to place an order for you from Zara. Luckily for you, it arrived in time," Yan Yi said with a proud smile.
Ling Mei sighed heavily ,at leat the burden was lifted off her shoulders. "Oh my Yiyi, you are the best."
Ling Mei said thankfully as she walked over to the bag and retrieved the box from inside. She carefully unboxed it and was amazed at the custom-made gown.
It was almost time for the event, and she had to start getting ready. Yan Yi told her to freshen up before anything else.
Ling Mei sat in front of the mirror as Yan Yi helped style her hair. Although she wasn't really happy about attending the event, she had to do it for Ling Bao's sake.
Ling Mei slipped into the dress, which shimmered like the moon. Its delicate silk fabric was embroidered with intricate patterns of silver and gold. The dress was a masterful blend of traditional and modern styles, with a fitted bodice that accentuated her slender waist and a flowing skirt that seemed to dance around her legs.
A delicate silver necklace glinted at her throat, bearing a small crystal pendant that refracted the light into tiny rainbows. As she moved, the dress rustled softly, releasing the scent of jasmine and rose petals into the air.
Her hair was styled in an elegant updo, with a few loose strands framing her face like a delicate painting. Her eyes sparkled like stars as she smiled, and her skin glowed with a soft, ethereal light.
Ling Mei's dress was a true masterpiece, one that seemed to capture the very essence of elegance and refinement. She couldn't stop staring at her reflection in the mirror. Yan Yi was really the best manager ever.
The car arrived after some minutes. Ling Mei took graceful, steady steps and got into the car. With a proud smile, Yan Yi turned on her heels and got back inside the condo.
The ride to the Feng Mansion took almost an hour. Ling Mei continuously stared at her phone screen, knowing she was already late for the party. Ling Bao was surely going to nag about it.
The car finally arrived at the ancestral mansion of the Fengs. It screamed of raw luxury, now she believed why they were described as one of the most influential families.
One of the valets opened the door for her with a warm smile, which she returned with a mild one. Different luxurious cars filled the courtyard, and this event was really not for kids.
The butler escorted her inside. As she stepped inside, all eyes turned in her direction. Already used to getting a lot of stares from people, she took her time as she walked with an elegant aura, her face forward and her back straightened. She was giving off a confident vibe.
The women around couldn't help but murmur in silence. Her dress screamed of stringent mastery, definitely a noble piece.
She quickly sighted Ling Bao seated along with the other family memebers , She gracefully approached them .
" Am here grand father" .she sweetly announced taking the seat next to him ,she could see Ling Li and Chen Hua scowling at her as she gracefully took her seat beside him poised .
Ling Bao lowly chastised her .
" You are late " .
Ling Mei smiled mildly she knew he was going to talk about her lateness.
" Sorry for the delay grand father" she sweetly apologized .Ling Bao responded with a snort .Ling Mei smiled lightly she was already used to his naggings.
Different patriachs came over to their table to pay respects to Ling Bao ,Ling Mei sighed inwardly ,she was already getting bored ,was the event going to be about just exchanging pleasantries ?.
Just then the legendary Feng Xiang Arived at thier table ,he was the old master of the feng household .
" Ling Bao ....you are getting more old" .Feng Xiang commented playfully .
" You arent getting any younger " Ling Bao replied with same enthusiasm and both men burst out laughing.
" Its a surprise to see you here ..you would never attend any social gathering" .Feng Xaing continued as they both took a walk within the chattering crowd.
" I also need to exercise my legs " .Ling Bao teased .
" Where's that spoilt grandson of yours ?..i heard he is causing a menace in the business industry"
" Febg Zhi Gang turned out exactly how i wanted him to be ,fierce without mercy " . Feng Xiang remarked earning a nod from Ling Bao .
Ling Mei camly surveyed the arena ,she continued praying for the party to end soon .
" Ling Mei what are you doing here " .Ling Li suddenly asked ,she noticed Ling Bao was occupied with his discussion and was paying no notice to Thier table . Ling Mei smiled lightly
" Do you have a problem with me attending '? .Ling Mei asked lazily
Ling Li snickered " this is no place for kids ..you are not supposed to be here " Ling Li stated with hate .
"Little Li is saying the truth ..you are not supposed to attend this event " . Chen Hua continued siding With Lin Li . The others at the table agreed with them .
" Ling Mei you should get you purse and leave immediately..your face alone will scare away our potential inlaws " . Ling wang one of her uncles suddenly commented . Ling Mei sighed inwardly ,what was wrong with this people,she wont be here if Ling Bao hadnt forced her to come .She looked away paying a deaf ear to Thier mean words. Just then there was an uproar at the entarnce ,a line of body guards walked behind him ,his dark eyes glinted under the chanderlier light ,Ling Mei surveyed him as he walked in ,this man emanated a dark aura ,he walked past everyone with a stoic face scaring away anyone who wanted to strike a conversation with him .
" Aish ..he is finally here " . The eldest lady of the ling Household Zhuang Yi muttered with shiny eyes,she quickly looked over at her own granddaughter and motioned her to be at her best behavior. Ling Mei sat quietly her eyes following his every movement.If this was the legendary young master feng ,then she didnt want to have anything to do with him .