Chapter 16 – The Price of Trust
The silence in Li Yanzhou's car was thick with unspoken emotions. Meilin sat with her hands folded on her lap, the city lights passing by in streaks through the tinted windows. After the dramatic encounter at the Xue residence, her mind buzzed with everything that had been said—and everything that had been left unsaid.
Yanzhou didn't speak either. His hand rested loosely on the steering wheel, his eyes focused ahead. It wasn't just that he was quiet—he was giving her space. And for the first time, Meilin appreciated that more than words.
When they finally arrived at one of Yanzhou's private residences—a sleek, high-rise apartment tucked away in a quiet, exclusive district—he led her inside without a word.
The interior was understated but luxurious. Floor-to-ceiling windows offered a breathtaking view of the Huajin skyline, and soft ambient lighting bathed the room in a warm glow. A breeze from the automated cooling system brushed Meilin's skin as she stepped into the living room.
"You can stay here as long as you want," Yanzhou said, finally breaking the silence. "No one will bother you. This place isn't on any registry."
Meilin turned to him slowly, her expression unreadable. "Why are you doing this for me?"
Yanzhou met her gaze. "Because you helped me once, when you didn't have to."
Meilin's heart skipped. "You're talking about... the charity auction?"
He gave a slight nod. "And other things. I don't forget debts… or kindness."
A flash of memory struck Meilin—her past self had indeed spoken up for a young man being cornered at a high-society event. She never realized that man was Li Yanzhou.
The Celestial Marriage System chimed softly in her mind.
> [Celestial Marriage System Notification] 🌸 Favorability with Li Yanzhou has increased. 💠 Current Trust Level: 35% 💠 Minor reward unlocked: [Protection Sigil – Grade C] has been added to your inventory.
Meilin blinked as the symbol of the sigil briefly hovered over her palm before disappearing. She felt a strange warmth course through her body—subtle, but comforting.
"Thank you," she said softly, returning her gaze to him. "I don't take this lightly."
Li Yanzhou stepped closer, his voice a low murmur. "You don't need to thank me. Just… don't shut me out. Not like you did earlier."
Meilin looked away. "I've been betrayed before. The people I trusted most were the ones who—" She stopped herself. It was too early to open that wound.
But Yanzhou understood. "You're not alone anymore."
Her eyes snapped back to his. There was no teasing, no agenda in his voice. Just a quiet sincerity that threatened to crack the walls she had spent years rebuilding.
A long pause stretched between them.
"Can I ask you something?" she finally said.
He nodded.
"Do you believe in fate?"
Yanzhou's lips quirked slightly. "I don't know. But I believe in choices. And I've made mine."
Meilin's chest tightened. She hadn't expected that answer… or how much it would mean to her.
—
Later that night, Meilin stood by the window in one of the guest rooms, her gaze lost in the shimmering city lights. She held the Protection Sigil in her mind, trying to understand its function.
> [Protection Sigil – Grade C]: Forms a temporary barrier that blocks low to medium spiritual attacks for 5 minutes. Can be activated with a mental command.
It was her first real defensive ability from the System. A reminder that danger wasn't just emotional anymore—this world held layers she hadn't even begun to uncover.
Her thoughts drifted to Lin Haoxuan. The man who had once been her everything. Who had smiled at her while plotting her death. In her past life, she had died because she'd trusted blindly.
This time, she wouldn't make the same mistake.
A soft knock came at the door.
She turned to find Yanzhou leaning casually against the frame, holding a tray. "You didn't eat much earlier. I made something."
Meilin blinked. "You cook?"
"Only for people I like," he said with a faint smirk, setting the tray down.
She eyed the bowl of congee and the neatly plated side dishes. The aroma was simple, but comforting. Like home.
She hesitated, then sat down, taking a bite. Warmth spread through her. Real, nourishing warmth—not just from the food, but from the gesture.
"You're not like how people say you are," she murmured.
Yanzhou raised an eyebrow. "Oh? What do they say?"
"That you're cold, ruthless, and emotionally unavailable."
He gave a slow chuckle. "They're not entirely wrong. But they don't know me. You… might."
The air between them thickened again. And this time, Meilin didn't look away.
For the first time in this new life, she felt the faint stirrings of something real—something that wasn't bound by the past.
Maybe, just maybe… fate was offering her a second chance not just at justice, but at love too.
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