Linlin-2

The sad fact was Xiaosu could honestly say YuZhi had not been a happy person for the many years that she had been employed by the family. Since first his father, then mother passed. Followed by the tragedy of his extended family and an ill-fated plane crash.  Xiaosu believed Rhea picked up the pieces at the right time and was the only reason YuZhi finally let a woman close enough to start dating and commit. Xiaosu didn't believe that YuZhi had fallen for her truly and instead he was dependent on her and used her as a shield and a crutch.

"So, Miss Lei, when are you coming out to play so I can properly hug my sister, and introduce her to Shanghai high society? I have missed you too much" Linlin changed the topic as she could feel TangShi was getting tired of turning it over; her mood souring and it's the last thing she wanted. Linlin finally had her home again, so much sooner than planned and she wasn't going to waste time. Even though TangShi was now married to the Leng family, Linlin saw it only as a blessing.

It brought her more freedoms than she ever had in the Lei home and it meant that someone, even if grudged, would now take care of TangShi's health and finances, where no one did before. Linlin could see that even in a hostile environment she was still better off than being with her own family. YuZhi may not be kind to her, but at least he had to show her some kind of care to make sure she carried a healthy child, and in public, he would have to acknowledge her as his loving wife. Linlin could only hope that soon he would see how pure and good of heart her TangShi was, and that he would soften to her better traits. She had pure faith that anyone who spent real time with her best friend would fall head over heels in love with her good heart and compassionate soul.

"Not for a few days yet. Not that I have ever been part of high society, nor do I wish to be.  It seems I am to be primped and preened and turned into a beauty queen. I had an examination today too and now my belly aches with the amount of remedies and supplements I was given to improve my womb's health. I feel like a walking prized baby oven."

TangShi had endured an hour in an office, being questioned and examined until her face flamed and she wanted the ground to open up and swallow her whole. Embarrassed about the topic, and mortified her male doctor had to place hands on her and do things she had never experienced before. She now had an app on her phone to track her periods and fertile days, and Xiaosu had obediently taken all written documents and left them in YuZhi's assistants care at noon. He whisked them away for YuZhi to inspect and make plans. It all felt very sterile.

The lack of romance in the whole thing, the cold reality of it had made TangShi feel so many bitter emotions. Yet she swallowed them and reminded herself that this was her path to freedom and a better future, and she just had to endure.

"Boo. Oh, well. I guess that gives me time to make plans for us to have some fun. I start my second term of fashion school soon, so we have limited time before I have to return to my dorm and be a good student. Father told me I was allowed no outside activity when term time was on because he's paying enough for such a 'pointless' education." Linlin laughed at her father's grumpy words. Someone who hated fashion and the entertainment business, yet he spoiled her too much and did whatever his daughter asked for. This was her third career change in five years, and he allowed her to do whatever she wished. The girl had first been an entertainment journalist and then started a business degree before switching to fashion. She was too impulsive.

"He knows you too well, Party Queen. It's not good for you to drink so much and go dancing to clubs so often. It's not a good reputation to have for a notably wealthy Shanghai heiress." TangShi scolded her gently, that maternal tone moving in because she only wanted what was best for her friend and she knew Linlin was a wild child. She loved to drink, party, and go out for fun and laughs. Very few knew that she had little to no interest in meeting men at these times though, only TangShi knew that Linlin's heart was on her career when she chose which path that was and her future, but she liked to use fun as a stress reliever.

Linlin had sworn that despite her inclination towards marriage, she never wanted to do it.  Maybe because her father was on his third wife, and Linlin's own mother was on her second husband. They had tarnished her view of marriage forever. It was a wonder she had such a penchant for romance at all, well when it was not related to her own beating heart anyway.

"Pffft. You, what do you know? You're such a good and quiet little specimen and that's been your problem for too long. You're protected now. Going out, being seen, attending parties... it's all beneficial to Mr Leng and I am going to make full use of your new status. After all, someone needs to accompany the heart of Master Leng and treat his wife to the social side of Shanghai." Linlin was excited even thinking about all the opportunities they would have now Father Lei didn't control TangShi's activities.

"I don't think YuZhi will be too thrilled with those plans. From the schedule his assistant handed Xiaosu today, it seems my life is controlled by him now and my appearances will be at his side. He has everything mapped out for our slow introduction to the world."

TangShi had almost laughed at the almost military planned operation of TangShi's being put in the public eye while Rhea was slowly receding. The PR team had timelines, planned dates, and even Rhea and TangShi double dating in six weeks’ time to show she supported the new woman in YuZhi's life.

It was bizarre, but the story was that YuZhi, and Rhea realized after a lifelong friendship that their romance had faded, and they were truly only friends. They had amicably decided to part and in coming weeks, TangShi was to be introduced by Rhea and supported in the dating, engagement, and then marriage of her ex-boyfriend. It was ridiculous to read but knowing the power of the netziens and the popularity of this prized couple, it was apparently a necessity. The public opinion held power and they didn't forgive easily. Especially not a golden couple breaking up for a third woman to enter.

No one wanted scandal, no one wanted YuZhi to be called a cheat, or Rhea to be portrayed as a broken-hearted victim. Leng's reputation was everything and grandfather got what grandfather wanted. An heir from a family he respected, an obedient and married grandson and the name of his empire still held intact.

If only they all were to find out how grandfather pushed aside YuZhi's love and arranged this marriage purely on title. How would they feel about the great Leng group if they found their idyllic love couple were ripped apart and YuZhi was being forced to have a baby with someone he despised?

A stranger who was picked out and thrust in his bed after a rushed marriage they would be lying about until it was appropriate to reveal it. So many shady secrets and pretense. That kind of gossip would cause all sorts of drama.

This marriage was a joke and with a foundation of lies, TangShi knew it would only get worse.