She tossed her handbag onto the sofa and let herself sink into the cushions, staring at the ornate French chandelier on the ceiling while desperately trying to calm herself down.
Li Yang had never imagined that at twenty-one years old, she would receive a life script like this.
But how could she not understand?
For girls born into families like hers, this path had already been laid out from the day they were born.
Love?
That was a luxury for wealthy families, not a necessity for families like hers.
Hadn’t all her older female cousins gone through the same thing? Married into the Li family, married into the Zhou family, married into this family and that family.
A single marriage in exchange for soaring stock prices for two companies, approval from banks for loans, and connections in both political and business circles.
Li Yang simply felt a suffocating pressure in her chest.
What kind of father did something like this?
What kind of absurd situation was this?
Li Yang stared at the ceiling without blinking, even as her eyes grew sore.
If it wasn’t Xie Zongxu, it would have been someone else.
She had seen far too much of this within their circle.
Her cousin Li Lan had married the Second Son of the Li Family. The wedding had been grand, dominating the trending searches for an entire day and night.
And then?
Three months after the wedding, the groom was photographed embracing a female celebrity in a nightclub.
Li Lan did not make a scene. The very next day, she attended a brand event as usual, smiling flawlessly.
Her cousin Chen Lanxi was even more ruthless. Her marriage alliance partner had been a notorious playboy. At their engagement banquet, he got drunk and refused to let go of his ex-girlfriend.
Chen Lanxi had not exploded on the spot, nor had she called off the engagement afterward. Instead, she signed an agreement with the playboy. They would each live their own lives, put on a show together during holidays and family gatherings, and then separate amicably three years later.
Were such stories really rare in their circle?
When Li Yang had listened to them talk about these things back then, she had thought it was ridiculous. Now that it was her turn, she finally understood that sense of helplessness.
It wasn’t resignation.
It was knowing that making a fuss would change nothing.
If she protested, her father would accuse her of being immature.
If she stayed silent, she could not get over the hurdle in her own heart.
But then again…
If there absolutely had to be a marriage alliance, Xie Zongxu truly was the best possible match.
Li Yang pulled herself upright from the sofa, crossed her legs, and began analyzing the situation point by point.
First, he was undeniably handsome.
That height, those features, that face.
Forget the Beijing elite circle—even in the entire entertainment industry, he would stand out.
If she really married him, waking up every day to see a face like that would probably reduce half her anger.
Second, his family background was solid enough.
She knew exactly what kind of powerhouse the Xie Family was. The four words “Xie Corporation Group” alone were enough to make banks approve loans without requiring collateral.
If she married into the family, the struggling businesses of the Li family would at least gain a few more years to survive.
Although her father had handled this matter dishonorably, if the Li family truly collapsed, she could never simply stand by and do nothing.
Third, he had no scandals.
That was genuinely unusual.
Twenty-seven years old, the head of Xie Corporation, blessed with a face capable of causing disasters, and yet not a single romantic scandal had ever surfaced.
Whenever the young ladies of their circle gathered to discuss men, the moment Xie Zongxu’s name came up, they all gave the same answer.
“That one? Don’t even think about it. The only thing in his eyes is work.”
That night…
Li Yang’s ears heated up again.
That night had been an accident.
At the time, she had thought, Fine. They’re both adults. Just treat it as—
And then, a few days later, both families sat down together to discuss marriage.
She now had every reason to suspect that night had been a trap set by Xie Zongxu.
But the problem was…
What would he gain from trapping her?
Was it because he wanted her?
They had not even known each other before that.
The Li family’s assets?
Would the Xie Family even care about something that insignificant?
Li Yang could not figure it out.
She sighed and buried her face in a cushion.
Forget it.
If she couldn’t understand it, she wouldn’t think about it anymore.
After all, if it wasn’t Xie Zongxu, it would be someone else.
Compared to those greasy rich second-generation heirs…
Compared to those arrogant young masters who thought themselves above everyone else…
At least Xie Zongxu looked acceptable.
At least that night…
Li Yang buried her face even deeper.
She could not think about it anymore.
Breakfast at the old residence was always served in the small eastern dining room. The floor-to-ceiling windows faced the old pagoda tree in the backyard.
It was early September, and the blossoms were in full bloom. Whenever the wind blew, tiny petals drifted down onto the windowsill.
When Xie Zongxu came downstairs, Yang Lingyun was already seated at the dining table.
There was half a bowl of bird’s nest porridge in front of her. She stirred it slowly with a spoon, but her eyes kept darting toward the staircase.
The moment she heard footsteps, she immediately set down the spoon and followed her son’s figure with her gaze as he entered the dining room.
“You’re up? Did you sleep well last night?”
Xie Zongxu responded with a simple “Mm” and sat down across from his mother.
The breakfast Auntie served was the same as always: a bowl of plain porridge, two small plates of side dishes, and a basket of soup dumplings.
He picked up his chopsticks and was just about to take one when Yang Lingyun spoke.
“Zongxu.”
His chopsticks paused.
“What time is your flight today?”
“Ten.”
“Oh, ten.”
Yang Lingyun nodded and took a sip of her bird’s nest porridge before setting it down again.
“Then there’s still plenty of time.”
Xie Zongxu did not respond. He lowered his head and took a bite of a dumpling.
Watching his unhurried manner, Yang Lingyun grew anxious.
Her son was excellent in every aspect except one.
He was far too reserved.
At twenty-seven years old, she had never once seen him become anxious over any woman.
When she heard he had asked for Li Yang’s photograph, she had thought he had finally awakened to romance.
Instead, all he had said was: “She’s prettier in person than in the photo.”
What was the use of that? He needed to take action.
Clearing her throat, she shifted her posture and tried to sound casual.
“By the way, how many days will you be in Singapore?”
“One week.”
“One week, huh.”
Yang Lingyun nodded and stirred her porridge again.
“Then what are you planning to do about the Li family?”
Xie Zongxu raised his eyes and looked at his mother.
Under his gaze, Yang Lingyun suddenly felt inexplicably guilty. But then she thought about it.
She was his mother. What did she have to feel guilty about?
Straightening her back, she met his gaze.
“I mean, the matter between the two of you. Your father and the Li family have already reached an agreement. The engagement is set for one month from now. But you two young people have barely exchanged a few words. How can that work?”
“Haven’t we already met?”
“Does last night count as meeting?”
Yang Lingyun could not help raising her voice slightly.
“Were you together for even ten minutes? From what I saw, you said a few words and then left.”
Xie Zongxu said nothing and continued eating his breakfast.
Seeing his reaction, Yang Lingyun felt both anxious and frustrated.
She took a deep breath, softened her tone, and spoke earnestly.
“Zongxu, I’m not trying to pressure you. I just think Li Yang is a very good girl. I saw her yesterday. She’s beautiful, carries herself well, and speaks openly and confidently. She’s not shy or awkward. The fact that she was willing to come already shows sincerity. What about you?”
His chopsticks stopped moving.
Yang Lingyun immediately pressed her advantage.
“You’re busy outside, and I can’t interfere with your work. But while you’re in Singapore this week, no matter how busy you are, surely you can find time to make a phone call?”
At last, Xie Zongxu put down his chopsticks and picked up a napkin, wiping the corner of his mouth.
“Mom.”
“Mm?”
“How do you know she was willing to come?”
Yang Lingyun froze.
“What do you mean?”
Xie Zongxu folded the napkin neatly and placed it on the table.
“Last night, her father brought her there. Whether she was willing or not is a completely different matter.”
Yang Lingyun was rendered speechless.
She opened her mouth to argue, but suddenly realized her son’s reasoning seemed sound.
The girl had indeed arrived with Li Luqian.
She had barely spoken throughout the evening, and when she left, she had not really said goodbye to Zongxu either.
At the time, Yang Lingyun had not thought much about it. She had assumed the girl was simply shy.
But now that she thought about it…
“Then… what about you?”
Yang Lingyun’s mind worked quickly, and she immediately threw the question back at him.
“Are you willing?”
Xie Zongxu stood up.
“I’m leaving for the airport.”
“Hey!” Yang Lingyun stood as well. “I’m asking you a question!”
Xie Zongxu walked to the entrance of the dining room before his steps slowed briefly.
“Mom, a marriage alliance isn’t something one person gets to decide.”
Yang Lingyun froze.
What did that mean?
She followed him to the doorway, but Xie Zongxu had already gone upstairs, leaving only the empty staircase behind.
She stood there thinking for a long time but still could not figure it out.
What did he mean by saying it wasn’t something one person could decide?
Did he mean that his own willingness did not matter?
Or that the girl’s willingness was what truly mattered?