The next morning, Xiao Yu sat alone at the elegant rosewood dining table, her chopsticks gliding gracefully across her congee bowl. A rare smile curved her lips as she chewed slowly, savoring the steamed dumplings with delight. The morning sunlight filtered through the lattice windows, casting golden patterns across the white ceramic ware. She was in a good mood—her eyes sparkled with a sense of innocent joy, something she hadn't felt in years.
Just as she reached for a cup of warm soy milk, Long Shan emerged from his suite upstairs, dressed sharply in a tailored charcoal Zhongshan suit. His hair was neatly combed back, face unreadable as always. As he descended the stairs, his gaze fell on the glowing expression of Xiao Yu, and for a moment, his brows lifted slightly in confusion.
"Good morning!" Xiao Yu chirped, her tone unusually bubbly, as she looked up at him with a grin.
Long Shan took his seat at the table with a furrowed brow, pouring himself a cup of pu-erh tea from the traditional clay teapot. He took a sip before speaking, eyes narrowing with suspicion. "What's with that smile? Did someone win the lottery?"
Xiao Yu tilted her head, amusement dancing in her eyes. "Can't a girl just be happy?"
Long Shan scoffed lightly, placing his cup down with a clink. "It's about the phone, isn't it?"
She nodded unapologetically, her face glowing with excitement. "Of course. It's the latest iPhone! Who wouldn't be happy?"
He raised an eyebrow, a teasing smirk tugging at his lips. "What, planning to start dating now? Searching for your knight in shining armor?"
Xiao Yu leaned back in her chair, mischief flickering in her eyes. "Bingo! That's reason number one."
Long Shan's smirk disappeared, replaced by a dark scowl. "Try bringing a man into this house and I'll personally smash that phone."
Her smile faltered. "What?! Why? Am I not allowed to have a boyfriend?"
"You're still a child," he said flatly.
"I'm eighteen," she shot back, the chopsticks pausing in her hand.
Long Shan leaned forward slightly, eyes gleaming with authority. "And you'll always be a child to me."
She narrowed her gaze at him, voice laced with defiance. "So when exactly am I allowed to have a boyfriend, Master Shan?"
He took a calm bite of his mantou and replied nonchalantly, "Never."
Xiao Yu choked on her tea. "Never?! What do you expect me to do? Die alone in your mansion?"
"I can live with that," he replied, his expression cool and unfazed.
She slammed her chopsticks on the table, glaring at him. "You are the most ridiculous old man I've ever met! Is this how you'll treat your own daughter?"
Long Shan smirked, sipping his tea with an air of superiority. "That's the rule in this house. No boyfriends. Period. Disobey me, and you'll be punished."
"You're so annoying!" she snapped.
"And you're loud," he countered, rising from the table.
"Old man!" she muttered under her breath as he walked away with a smug smile. Her frustration boiled, but deep inside, a strange warmth fluttered in her chest.
---
Two Weeks Later – Lu Yiren's Mansion
In the courtyard of the Yanjing-style estate, Lu Yiren stood on the stone terrace overlooking his koi pond, the calm water reflecting the overcast sky. A servant approached, bowing low.
"They've been brought in, Master Lu. Just as you instructed."
"Untie them," he said coldly.
The guards removed the blindfolds from three trembling figures—Xiao Yu's parents, Fang Jing and Fang Ai, and her aunt, Hong Yue. Their eyes blinked in confusion as they adjusted to the sunlight, then widened in shock as they realized where they were.
"Sis?" Fang Ai gasped. "Is that you?"
"Yes, it's me," Hong Yue answered, equally confused. "Ai, what is this place?"
A slow clap echoed across the stone path as Lu Yiren descended the stairs with his usual smirk. "Welcome," he said smoothly, "to the place where debts are paid in full."
The three turned to face him. Panic crept into their expressions.
"W-we don't have the money," Fang Jing stammered.
Lu Yiren chuckled darkly. "Who said I brought you here for money?"
Fang Ai dropped to her knees. "Please, don't kill us. We were desperate. We needed funds to save our company, and you helped us once…"
"And in exchange," Lu Yiren interrupted, his tone sharpening, "you gave me something far more valuable—your daughter."
Hong Yue gasped, her face draining of color. "What?! Ai, you… you sold Meilian?!"
"I had no choice, Sis," Fang Ai sobbed. "We were drowning in debt. If we didn't act, everything would've collapsed."
Fang Jing looked ashamed, his head bowed. "We always planned to pay the debt and reclaim our daughter, but then… we left her with you."
Hong Yue's eyes blazed. "You selfish cowards! You ran off and dumped your child on me like she was a burden!"
But then Lu Yiren's expression turned devilish. "Oh, and Hong Yue, don't act so righteous."
Her face turned toward him slowly. "What are you saying?"
"You also sold her," he said coldly. "To the most dangerous man you could find. And for what? A measly payout to cover your gambling debts?"
Ai gasped. "Sister!, no… please tell me he's lying."
Hong Yue looked away, shame covering her like a dark veil.
Fang Jing roared, "What the hell did you do to my daughter?!"
Lu Yiren leaned back lazily on the armrest of a carved sandalwood chair, enjoying the drama. "You people really are a piece of work."
---
Back at Long Shan's Mansion – Later That Night
Long Shan descended the stairs, noticing the eerie silence of the house. The staff confirmed that Xiao Yu hadn't been seen since she returned from school.
His instincts immediately flared.
He rushed upstairs and knocked on her door. "Xiao Yu? Are you in there?" No reply.
"I'm coming in." He turned the knob and stepped inside.
There she was—huddled beneath her blanket, trembling. Her face was pale, lips dry, and body clearly burning up.
"Xiao Yu!" Long Shan rushed to her side, placing a hand on her forehead. "She's burning."
"Mm…" she moaned faintly.
He quickly pulled out his phone. "Get Dr. Cheng here now," he barked into the receiver.
As he watched her frail form curl tighter under the covers, a deep, unexpected fear gripped his chest. For the first time in years, he felt helpless.
And furious.