Destined to be his Wife

Chapter 7 - Linlin

"So, you really liked her?" Linlin expressed her confusion on the phone, while talking to her lifelong best friend now she had a moment's peace. A little astounded at this strange turn of events. It seems her good-hearted, honorary sister, from another mother, had been befriended by her new husband's ex-girlfriend. Linlin thought this was beyond weird, ridiculous even, and didn't have as much compassion or understanding as TangShi in this situation. She had always been more of a protector of this girl, and this baffled her, that TangShi was so willing to get on with Rhea. In Linlin's mind, Rhea was the enemy.

"Yes, I guess. She spent the day guiding me, helping me. We picked out enough clothes to last a year; she has such classy taste, and she was so patient and gentle and kept that horrid Ling Je away from me. I truly think she's not as bad as I was expecting." TangShi smiled, genuine affection gracing her pretty face, because she was speaking from the heart. Relaxing as she soothed away the pains of her tired body by rolling her shoulders and stood casually looking at gorgeous scenery.

"TangShi, you have lost your mind. She's your love rival...." Linlin exclaimed, trying to inject some sense, a voice of reason. Outraged that maybe TangShi was being taken for a ride by a master of scheming, an actress that surpassed most. She couldn't really believe that Rhea would be so gracious to the woman who just robbed her of her blissful future with YuZhi.

"I don't love him, nor do I like him, and I never intend to." TangShi was firm, a biting tone so instant it made her blush. A sudden fire in her belly, coming up to ignite her wounded heart as she stared from the window of the bedroom in the Leng mansion. The only thing that could prick up her aggression and anger tonight was that man. One mention of him and boom, a stick of dynamite was lit.

She stood her ground, aware of her outburst, taking calming breaths to return to her Zen state of before, aware this was an overreaction. Overlooking the pretty flowers in bloom below to return her calm state of mind.

All while Xiaosu put away all her new purchases behind her in companionable silence and kept her eyes on her task. The day was coming to an end and TangShi was not looking forward to dinner with the grandfather before being allowed to go to bed. She still had to face YuZhi too, but she knew with her schedule now, that he wouldn't do anything until her fertile day came in three more days.

Linlin sighed helplessly at the other end of the line. Knowing that TangShi was just trying to find a way to navigate this living situation, but Linlin was a romantic who had other ideas about why YuZhi stood her up five years ago. Stubborn and impulsive, she wanted TangShi to loosen up a little, to the possibility of her new situation. YuZhi was rich, famous, and gorgeous. Despite his attitude towards her little lotus, she knew TangShi would win him around before long and she was certain YuZhi had reasons for that night.

"Even if YuZhi turns out to be your masked fantasy from your sixteenth birthday? Can I just say though, he gives me crazy strong Shawne Dou vibes, as you know he's my ultimate bias actor. He could be his twin.... You never told me he was that level of gorgeous!! How I didn't know your masked man was YuZhi Leng is beyond me."

Linlin knew all about him, about how hurt TangShi was afterwards, even if she hadn't been there to accompany her on that trip so long ago. She had been held back for family affairs while TangShi had been sent out to give her father a break from looking at her face. Her birthday was spent with strangers on a convenient school trip in another city, so her family didn't have to make effort, and her best friend wasn't even allowed to be there. It still angered Linlin to this day, that her girl suffered all by herself and then came home with a broken heart. Linlin would have hunted YuZhi down had she known it was that infamous poser and dragged the truth from him.

"What difference does it make? He's not a nice person, even if he looks like your current celebrity crush and that night, it was all about seducing me. I see that now. I didn't give him what he wanted, so he left me on that bridge. If it's him, then it's all the more reason to dislike him." TangShi had given this a lot of thought this afternoon, when getting to know Rhea and seeing how sweet a soul she was. It shocked her that someone like her, would be with someone as aloof and cold as YuZhi, and strengthened her heart against him. She had also come to realize that it was the fact she was only seventeen that he left such a lasting impression. She had implied to him she was eighteen, assuming he was too, and her naïve little heart had been suckered. The reality was, he was turning twenty, now she could count it backwards. Mature enough to know how to play with a girl's heart.