**Naomi's POV**
The day after talking with my parents was a rollercoaster of emotions. Dad called me into his study and laid out a bunch of new responsibilities for me—stuff that needed my full attention and commitment. He made it clear that any distractions would mess things up.
As I walked through the grand halls of the estate, my mind kept drifting to Lian. The time we spent together felt like a rare escape from my strict life. But now, it felt like those moments were slipping further away.
I found myself standing outside Dad's study, his stern words echoing in my head. He'd told me to focus solely on my new duties, which included a ton of public appearances, charity events, and meetings with international guests. And, worst of all, he said I couldn't see Lian anymore. It felt like a cruel punishment.
I took a deep breath and knocked lightly on the door before stepping in. Dad was behind his big desk, looking unreadable. Mom was by the window, lost in thought.
"Good morning, Naomi," Dad said, his tone neutral.
"Morning, Father," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady.
Dad gestured for me to sit. "We need to go over your new responsibilities. As you know, our family's position requires constant public engagement and diplomacy. We need you to be all in on these duties."
I nodded, feeling a knot in my stomach. "I understand. I'm ready for it."
Dad's eyes narrowed slightly. "Good. But there's one more thing we need to talk about."
Mom stepped forward, her gaze firm but kind. "We've decided that for now, you need to focus only on your responsibilities. This means you won't be seeing Lian Zhang anymore."
The words hit me hard. I tried to hide my shock, but my heart sank. "Why? Lian has been a positive influence in my life. She's helped me see things differently."
Dad's expression stayed stern. "While we know Lian has impacted you, our main concern is your role and image. We need you to be fully committed. Any personal distractions could hurt our efforts."
I felt frustrated but tried to stay calm. "This isn't fair. I need to have some control over my own life."
Mom's voice was gentle but firm. "We're not trying to be unfair. We want what's best for you and the family. Right now, that means focusing on your public role."
I took a deep breath, trying to accept it. "Okay. I'll do what's required."
Dad nodded, looking satisfied. "Good. We're counting on you to represent our family with dignity."
As I left the study, I felt a heavy weight on my shoulders. Not seeing Lian felt unbearable. She'd become so important to me, and the thought of losing that connection was a painful reminder of how little control I had over my own life.
I wandered through the gardens, my mind racing about how to deal with this new reality. I knew I had to follow my parents' wishes, but it didn't make it any easier. The garden, usually my escape, now felt like a prison.
As evening came, I sat on a bench, staring at the sky. The sunset was beautiful, but it didn't lift my spirits. My heart ached for the freedom I'd tasted and the connection I'd cherished.
I knew I had to find a way to handle this situation—for both my sake and Lian's. The thought of losing her was more than I could bear, and I was determined to find a way to balance my duties with my feelings.
**Lian's POV**
The next day, I spent the morning taking photos around the city, trying to keep myself busy and distracted. But no matter where I went, my thoughts kept drifting back to Naomi. I'd been looking forward to our next meeting, but when I got a message from Naomi's assistant saying she was no longer available, my heart dropped.
I knew Naomi's life was complicated, but I didn't expect such a sudden and complete cutoff. The message was vague but clear. It felt like a door had slammed shut, leaving me on the other side, unsure of what to do next.
I sat down on a park bench, staring at the people passing by. My thoughts were a mix of confusion and frustration. I wanted to reach out to Naomi, to understand why things changed so suddenly, but I didn't want to overstep or cause any trouble.
I was lost in thought when I noticed Chao Wei standing beside me, looking serious.
"Lian," he said, his voice a mix of concern and frustration, "I've been looking for you."
I sighed and looked away. "What is it, Chao Wei?"
He sat down next to me, his eyes on the ground. "I heard about what happened with Naomi. I'm sorry. I know she means a lot to you."
I was surprised. "How did you know?"
Chao Wei met my gaze, and I saw a flicker of something I hadn't expected—hurt. "Let's just say I have my sources. I've been trying to figure out how to handle this too."
I felt a pang of guilt. "You've been trying to find out about Naomi?"
Chao Wei nodded, looking conflicted. "I care about you, Lian. It's hard seeing you hurt like this. But I don't know if I'm the right person to help."
I looked at him, feeling a mix of emotions. Chao Wei had been a friend and confidant, but knowing he had feelings for me made things complicated. "Thank you, Chao Wei. I appreciate your concern. But I don't know how to fix this."
Chao Wei hesitated before speaking. "Maybe you should talk to Naomi. Find out what's really going on. If there's a way to fix this, it starts with understanding."
I nodded slowly, thinking about his advice. "I'll try to reach out. I just hope there's a chance to resolve this."