Chapter 15 – The Unseen Threads of Destiny
The sky over Huajin City was awash with hues of amber and rose as the sun dipped behind the skyline, casting a warm glow on the world below. Meilin stood on the rooftop garden of the Xue family estate, her eyes tracing the horizon as the wind tousled her hair gently. The day's chaos was finally quieting, but her mind was far from still.
The events of the past week had been unlike anything she had ever imagined. From her shocking rebirth to the confrontation with Lin Haoxuan, and the sudden appearance of Li Yanzhou, everything felt like a storm circling her heart. Yet amidst the whirlwind, she found herself standing—taller, stronger, and more determined than ever before.
"System," she whispered into the wind. "What's next?"
A soft chime answered her.
[System Update]
> Emotional Resonance: 52/100
Relationship Progress: Fated Partner Detected – Li Yanzhou
System Favor: +12
Hidden Side Quest: Gain Li Yanzhou's trust (Progress: 3%)
Main Mission Update: Protect the Xue Family Legacy
She frowned slightly. "Only three percent? And I've already had dinner with him, walked with him through the garden, and shared a memory…"
The system replied:
> Trust cannot be forced. True bonds require time, sincerity, and action.
She sighed. "Fine. I'll keep trying. But don't blame me if he continues acting like a block of ice."
Just then, her phone buzzed.
Text Message from Unknown Number:
> Meet me at the Moonlight Tea House. 8PM. Come alone. —L.Y.
Meilin's heart skipped.
She read the message three times before finally accepting what the initials meant.
"Li Yanzhou…?"
She checked the time. 7:15 PM.
She bit her lip. This wasn't just some casual meeting. Not with someone like him. It had to be important.
Meilin turned, leaving the rooftop. Whatever this meeting was about, she needed to be ready—inside and out.
---
At exactly 8PM, Meilin stepped into the quiet serenity of the Moonlight Tea House, a secluded establishment tucked away in the heart of the city. Bamboo wind chimes tinkled softly outside, and the scent of lotus tea filled the air.
She spotted him immediately—Li Yanzhou sat at a private corner table, dressed in a sleek black suit without a tie, his shirt collar slightly open. He looked out of place in such a warm and peaceful place, like a storm waiting to be unleashed.
"You're punctual," he said as she approached.
"I learned the value of time recently," she replied calmly.
He studied her, eyes narrowing slightly. "You've changed."
She arched a brow as she sat across from him. "Is that a compliment or a warning?"
He didn't answer immediately. Instead, he poured her a cup of tea and said, "Tell me, Meilin. Why were you really at the university art building that day?"
Meilin's breath caught. So this was what it was about.
"I transferred departments," she answered truthfully. "I decided to pursue a different future."
"You're avoiding the business world?"
"I'm avoiding traps."
His fingers paused on the rim of his teacup. "Like Lin Haoxuan?"
Her gaze snapped up to meet his. The air thickened.
"Yes," she said evenly. "I won't fall for him again."
A flicker of something passed through Li Yanzhou's eyes—surprise? Approval?
"Then we have something in common," he said.
She leaned forward, heart thudding. "What do you mean?"
He reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a small data chip, sliding it across the table.
"This contains surveillance footage. From the night of the Xue Corporation's fall. You may want to see what really happened."
Meilin's fingers trembled as she took it. "Why… why are you helping me?"
"I don't like debt," he said simply. "You saved me from that paparazzi ambush, and you didn't sell the footage. Most people would've cashed in."
"I'm not most people."
"I noticed."
Another pause stretched between them.
Finally, Meilin asked, "So what's your real reason for calling me here?"
Li Yanzhou leaned back in his chair. "I want to offer you something."
Her breath stilled.
"I'm forming a private alliance. Off the books. I need someone with your intelligence and… instincts."
Meilin blinked. "You want me to join your company?"
"Not exactly. I want you to be my partner."
She stared at him.
The word echoed in her mind.
Partner.
Not employee.
Not pawn.
But an equal.
"Why me?" she whispered.
He met her gaze, and for the first time, his voice softened. "Because I think you're the only person I can trust right now."
The system chimed again.
[Hidden Side Quest Progress: 28%]
[Trust Pathway Unlocked]
> You have gained Li Yanzhou's provisional trust.
New Quest: Work together without betrayal for 7 days.
Meilin's lips curled slightly. "Alright. I'm in."
But in her heart, a warning rang clear: Trust wasn't given lightly. And in a world where betrayal ran deep, she would need to be sharper than ever.
---
That night, back in her room, Meilin plugged the data chip into her encrypted tablet.
The video loaded.
Footage from a security camera.
Lin Haoxuan.
Sitting in her father's office.
Talking to someone cloaked in shadow.
"Do it," Lin said coldly. "I'll handle Meilin. You just take care of her father."
The screen flashed to static.
Meilin's chest burned.
He had planned everything.
From the company's downfall… to her heartbreak… to her father's "accident."
Tears stung her eyes—but they didn't fall.
She clenched her jaw, fire burning in her veins.
"You won't win this time, Haoxuan. I'll tear down everything you built on lies."
The system flickered again.
[Revenge Pathway Unlocked]
> Side Mission: Expose Lin Haoxuan's Crimes
Time Limit: 180 Days
Reward: Xue Family Power Boost + Secret Legacy Inheritance
Meilin inhaled deeply.
A plan was forming.
A dangerous one.
But she wouldn't face it alone anymore.
This time, she had allies.
And she had power.
---
Meanwhile, in a dark room on the other side of the city…
Lin Haoxuan stared at the photo in his hand.
It was of Meilin—smiling, laughing, walking beside Li Yanzhou.
His fingers curled, crumpling the paper.
"She was supposed to die," he hissed.
A voice behind him murmured, "Then maybe you need to kill her again."
"No," Lin said, his smile sharp and cruel. "Let her play her little game. I want to see how far she thinks she can go…"
He turned toward the glowing ritual symbols on his desk.
"And when the time comes… I'll finish what I started."
---
Back in Meilin's room, her system blinked one final time before midnight.
[Daily Quest Completed: Smile at someone sincerely]
> Reward: +10 Emotional Resonance
Bonus Unlocked: Temporary Affinity Boost with Li Yanzhou
[New Daily Quest Available]
> Mission: Learn something new about your fated partner
Reward: +10 Insight
Hidden Reward: ???
Meilin closed her tablet and whispered to herself:
"One step at a time. One truth at a time."
The night was quiet.
But destiny had already begun to turn its wheels.