The soft hum of a lullaby drifted through the nursery, gentle and melodic, like a breeze brushing against silk curtains.
Lin Mei paced slowly across the room, her bare feet silent against the polished wooden floor. In her arms, cradled close to her chest, was her two-year-old daughter, Lin Yu.
The child's silver hair shimmered faintly under the warm ceiling light, a mirror of her mother's own.
Her tiny fingers clutched the collar of Lin Mei's dress, her sleepy eyes half-lidded as she listened to the quiet song being sung just for her.
Lin Mei's voice was low, almost a whisper, but filled with affection. She swayed gently with each step, her arms secure, her gaze soft.
"Sleep now, little moon," she murmured, "the stars will guard your dreams."
Beside the cradle, a small bed rested against the wall. On it, two little girls slept soundly, their breaths slow and even. One had a cascade of purple hair, the other a soft pink. Their faces bore the same delicate features—rounded cheeks, tiny noses, and faint dimples that appeared even in sleep.
Anyone who saw them would know instantly: they were twins.
Lin Ling and Lin Ming.
Three years old, and already the embodiment of charm. Their beauty was unmistakably inherited from their mother, and their presence filled the room with a quiet warmth.
Lin Mei approached the bed and sat down carefully, her back resting against the wall. She adjusted Lin Yu in her arms, patting her gently on the back, coaxing her into deeper calm.
Her gaze lingered on the twins.
Three little girls, she thought, a faint chuckle escaping her lips. And soon… a new troublemaker will arrive.
She didn't know why she was so certain, but something in her heart whispered that the child growing inside her was a boy. And that thought—just that thought—made her chest tighten with hope.
Lin Yu stirred slightly, then relaxed. Her small stomach was full, her mood content. After a few more moments, she wriggled out of her mother's arms and toddled across the room, her steps unsteady but determined.
She reached the corner where plush toys and teddy bears lay scattered, a miniature kingdom of innocence. She plopped down among them, giggling softly as she picked up a stuffed rabbit and hugged it tightly.
Lin Mei watched her, a faint smile curving her lips.
This sight… it could melt anyone's heart.
But her smile faded slowly, replaced by a distant look. Her thoughts drifted—unbidden, but familiar.
Her parents. Their expectations. The weight of legacy.
She was the heir to the Lin Franchise, one of China's most influential conglomerates. From cosmetics to food, from luxury goods to household essentials—the Lin name was everywhere. And she was its future.
Or so they had decided.
Her branch was in Yunnan Province, far from the bustling headquarters in Shanghai. She managed it with precision, with grace, with the kind of authority that made subordinates straighten their backs when she entered a room.
But it wasn't always like this.
From the age of sixteen, she had been groomed for leadership. Her father, Lin Zhen, was a man of rigid principles. Her mother, Yuehua, elegant and calculating. There had been no brothers. No one else to shoulder the burden.
She had carried it all.
Until twenty-one, when she finally broke.
She had demanded a pause. A break. A life.
Her father had resisted, of course. But in the end, they had signed a contract—cold, legal, binding. If she bore a male heir, she could step back. She could raise her children. And when her son turned twenty, he would inherit the franchise.
It was a deal. A transaction. And it had left a crack in their relationship that never quite healed.
Lin Mei sighed, her fingers absently tracing the hem of her dress.
Their customs… so rigid. So structured. But maybe that's why the franchise stands so tall.
She didn't hate them. Not entirely. But the pressure had shaped her, carved her into someone who rarely smiled, who rarely trusted, who rarely loved.
And yet, here she was.
After leaving Shanghai, she had come to Yunnan. A quieter place. A slower pace. And there, she had met him.
The man.
He was talented. Physically strong. Intelligent enough to rise quickly through the ranks. And like most of the male employees, he admired her. Respected her. Perhaps even liked her.
She had approached him with a proposal.
Marriage. In name only.
She had been clear. She wanted a male child. That was all.
But he had misunderstood. Thought she loved him. Thought she was choosing him against her family's wishes. He had overthought it, tangled it in complications that didn't exist.
And now, even after all this time, the misunderstanding remained.
He listened to her every word. Followed her instructions with enthusiasm. And she… tolerated him.
She didn't dislike him. Not entirely. But she didn't love him either.
She respected his loyalty. His obedience. But that was all.
Her gaze shifted to the twins.
Lin Ling and Lin Ming.
She had been disappointed at first. Two girls. Not the heir she needed. But when she saw their faces—when she held them for the first time—her heart had changed.
They were hers. And that was enough.
Then came Lin Yu. Another girl. Another delay.
She had been frustrated. Angry, even. But Lin Yu's laughter, her silver hair, her tiny hands reaching out—it was impossible to hate her.
And now… now she was pregnant again.
And she knew. She just knew.
This one… will be a boy.
Her heart fluttered with anticipation. If she was right, she could finally step away. Finally live. Finally breathe.
She would raise her children with love. With freedom. With joy.
Not like her own childhood.
She would give them what she never had.
Lin Mei leaned her head back against the wall, her eyes drifting shut.
The man was working. Sunset would arrive soon. He would come home, and they would eat dinner together—as per family custom.
She grumbled softly at the thought.
How do I make him leave? she wondered. He's too comfortable here.
She didn't want him around forever. She didn't want a husband in truth. Just a father for her heir.
And yet… he remained.
Still, he was useful. He followed orders. He didn't complain. And that, at least, was something.
Her body ached. Her mind felt heavy.
Pregnancy was taxing. Even for someone as strong as her.
She adjusted her position, pulling a cushion closer, and let herself drift.
The room was quiet. Lin Yu played softly in the corner. The twins slept peacefully. And Lin Mei, heir of the Lin Franchise, closed her eyes.
Not as a businesswoman.
Not as a strategist.
But as a mother.
And for a moment, just a moment, she allowed herself to dream.
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Author's Note:
Ah, hope my readers will like the background and a little plot before finally starting action. If u want some emotional, bonding, etc. and other things at first few chapters then read this. It will definitely pay u off.