The night had deepened over Yunnan province as Zhang Liu's taxi rolled to a halt on the gravel driveway of the sprawling Lin mansion. The clock had just struck 9:00 PM, and the air carried a crispness that hinted at the approaching autumn. The mansion's exterior lights cast a warm, golden glow across the stone path, illuminating the meticulously trimmed hedges that flanked the entrance.
Zhang Liu stepped out, his magenta hair slightly disheveled from the day's wear, a leather briefcase swinging in his hand as he paid the driver with a distracted nod. His heart thudded with anticipation, the head maid's earlier call echoing in his mind—"a boy, a son"—a milestone that promised to shift the fragile balance of his life with Lin Mei. Yet, as he crossed the threshold into the silent foyer, a pang of disappointment struck him.
The familiar sight of polished wood floors and the ornate chandelier overhead greeted him, but there was no sign of his wife to welcome him home, as she had occasionally done in the past despite their strained bond.
His mood dampened instantly, a heavy sigh escaping his lips as he set his briefcase down with a soft thud. The absence stung, a quiet rejection that gnawed at his hopes. He had envisioned a warm reunion, perhaps a shared moment of joy over their newborn, but the emptiness of the entrance hall mocked his expectations.
For a moment, his shoulders slumped, and he felt the weight of their distant marriage press against his chest. Then, a flicker of understanding softened his frustration. Lin Mei had just given birth a moment ago, her body must be exhausted from the ordeal.
The thought steadied him, and as a responsible husband, he resolved not to let such small slights sour his mood. She needed rest, he told himself, and that was justification enough to quell his initial dismay.
As he lingered in the foyer, the head maid emerged from the shadowed corridor, her uniform pristine despite the late hour. Her steps were measured, her expression a blend of deference and urgency. "Madam is resting," she informed him with a slight bow, her voice carrying the authority of her role. "I will awaken her. Please, allow another maid to guide you." She gestured to a young maid who approached silently, her head lowered.
The head maid then turned to issue a crisp instruction: "Escort Master Zhang to freshen up and proceed to the dining room. I will assist Madam in preparing for dinner." The young maid nodded obediently, her hands clasped before her, and motioned for Zhang Liu to follow.
Zhang Liu's initial impulse was to bypass the maid's guidance and head straight to Lin Mei's room. The urge to see his wife and their newborn son burned within him, a need to confirm their well-being with his own eyes. His feet shifted toward the staircase, but the maid's soft voice halted him. "Master Zhang, please freshen up first," she urged, her tone polite yet firm.
Irritation flared briefly, a scowl crossing his face as he considered ignoring her. Yet, a glance at his office attire—wrinkled from the day's meetings, tinged with the faint odor of sweat and city air—made him pause.
The children, especially the delicate new addition, deserved better than his current state. With a resigned huff, he turned and hurried to his quarters, shedding his clothes with haste and slipping into a clean tunic and trousers. The cool fabric against his skin lifted his spirits slightly, and he made his way back toward Lin Mei's room, his steps quickening with renewed purpose.
Upon entering, he found Lin Mei already awake, standing near the edge of her bed. Her silver hair was slightly mussed, her eyes drooping as though she'd been roused from a deep slumber. The head maid stood beside her, offering a supportive arm.
Zhang Liu's gaze softened as he took in his wife's weary form, and he offered a courteous nod to both. "Good evening," he began, his voice steady. "Lin Mei, how is your health? Were there any issues while I was away? Are you overly tired?" The questions tumbled out, each laced with genuine concern, though his rapid delivery betrayed his eagerness.
Lin Mei's brow furrowed at the barrage, a faint headache stirring behind her temples. She snorted inwardly, her thoughts sharp: there had been no problems until your return that stirred this quiet atmosphere.
Suppressing a sigh, she replied with measured calm, "I am fine, Zhang Liu. The doctor advised rest for a week." Her tone carried a subtle edge, directing his attention to the corner where their newborn boy played. There, Lin Yu slept peacefully in a small cradle, her silver hair fanned across the pillow, while Lin Ming and Lin Ling engaged the infant with gentle toys. The boy, nestled among colorful blocks, kicked his tiny legs, his unique black hair streaked with red catching the lamplight.
Zhang Liu's mood lifted at the sight, a smile tugging at his lips. He took a step toward Lin Mei, intending to check her condition more closely and perhaps embrace her in gratitude for their son. But as he moved, Lin Mei sidestepped with a fluid grace, her body language a clear barrier.
The head maid stepped forward, positioning herself between them with a quiet murmur. "Master Zhang, please see the child. Madam is still fatigued. His name is Lin Kai. We will join you for dinner shortly." The words were delivered with a respectful firmness, her presence a shield for Lin Mei's boundaries.
Zhang Liu's expression tightened, a wave of tension knotting his stomach. The rejection stung, and his mood visibly dropped, his shoulders slumping once more. "Why was I not consulted about the name?" he asked, his voice tinged with frustration as he turned to Lin Mei. Her frown deepened, but her response was composed.
"You named the three girls when they were born, and I did not object. I have the right to name this boy, and you cannot contest it." Her logic was unassailable, leaving Zhang Liu speechless, the weight of her words settling heavily upon him. With a resigned nod, he moved toward the children, his steps slow.
Lin Ming and Lin Ling brightened at his approach, rushing to hug him, their small arms wrapping around his legs. The warmth of their embrace eased his troubled heart, and he smiled down at them. Noticing Lin Yu's slumber, he refrained from disturbing her, instead crouching beside Lin Kai.
The infant's violet eyes, a mirror of his mother's, met his gaze, and a giggle escaped the boy's lips. Zhang Liu lifted him gently, marveling at the tiny frame. The black hair with red streaks fascinated him—perhaps a trait inherited from his own lineage—and he wondered if those unique hues were a blend of their bloodlines. The boy's smile, innocent and curious, melted his earlier irritation, and he began a playful exchange, bouncing Lin Kai lightly.
The head maid's voice interrupted, clear and authoritative. "Dinner is ready, Master Zhang. Please proceed to the dining room. I will tend to the children with the other maids." Reluctantly, Zhang Liu set Lin Kai down, watching as Lin Mei approached.
She scooped the boy into her arms, her expression softening into a loving smile as she whispered into his ear, "Mom is going to eat now, little one. I'll play with you later." Turning to her daughters, she instructed, "Lin Ming, Lin Ling, take care of your brother while the maids feed you." The girls nodded eagerly, their attention shifting to Lin Kai.
Zhang Liu observed the tender scene, a flicker of jealousy stirring within him. Why did she reserve such warmth for the children and not me? I had fulfilled their contract, securing a son as agreed—shouldn't that warrant her affection? The thought lingered, bitter and unspoken, but he pushed it aside, unwilling to dwell on it. With a final glance at the playing children, he headed toward the dining room, Lin Mei following at a measured distance.
The meal unfolded in silence, the clink of porcelain and the soft shuffle of maids serving food filling the void. The table was laden with steaming dishes—roasted vegetables, fragrant rice, and a delicate fish stew—yet the atmosphere remained heavy.
Zhang Liu ate mechanically, his mind drifting to the day's events, while Lin Mei picked at her portion, her thoughts elsewhere. As the last plates were cleared, they rose to retire to their separate rooms. But before they parted, Zhang Liu paused, turning to her with a hesitant question. "Lin Mei, may I sleep with you and the children tonight?"
Her frown returned, the air thickening with tension. She opened her mouth to respond, her voice poised to address the delicate boundary he had crossed…