two players; lin yanjun

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third person pov

"You and Yanjun seem to be getting along well again," Mrs. Huang stated as she and Scarlett ate dinner together. Scarlett had picked her mother up from the hospital to take her to eat since she knew her mother wouldn't leave her side unless for a good reason or her children needed her. "I saw you at the company with him the other day. It's nice to see you smiling again."

"What were you doing there," Scarlett asked, not really in the mood to talk about Yanjun since she had just talked to Andrew earlier. She was so conflicted. Yanjun had told her that he still loved her and wanted her, but he didn't know everything.

"I forgot some things in his office and had to pick them up. It's a real mess in there, but your father doesn't fancy having people in his office."

"...I'll clean it," Scarlett said. She wanted to help with her dad's things while he was in the state he was in, but she thought it would be a good idea to look around.

"I don't know, Xiulan. Your father-"

"I'm sure he won't mind. Could I have the key," Scarlett asked her mom who had hesitated, but agreed to let her have it.

The two of them continued eating and Scarlett's eyes scanned the place. She had never been to this particular restaurant, but she liked it a lot. It reminded her of a vintage restaurant with all the round tables placed around the stage with a grand piano and a live singer. The lights were dim with the exception of the single light that shined on the stage.

"Xiulan," Ms. Huang spoke again, catching her daughter's attention. "Are you sure you want to marry that Andrew boy? I know you're thinking about your father's company, but I think that your father believes in you. We both believe that you are more than capable of handling the company. I know it seems like a lot now, but you're just starting out. Besides, I'm not really happy about possibly winning me and your father's bet."

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"Mom, I told you you don't have to walk me to the house. I'm more than capable-"

"I know, Sweetheart, but I just wanted to make sure you made it home safely," Mrs. Huang told her daughter as the two of them reached the house. It was already dark out so Scarlett insisted that her mother just stay at the house.

"I'm home and I brought mom - not Tingting," Scarlett clarified when she opened the door and allowed her mother inside first. She closed the door behind the two of them and noticed that all the boys and Xudan were standing in the opening of the living room. "What are you guys..."

Scarlett and her mother both walked toward the living room and saw tension spilling out of the room. There was an uninvited guest.

Yanjun was seated across Andrew who was dressed in fancy clothing. The two of them were watching one another and Scarlett wasn't enjoying it.

"Crimson," Yanjun smiled, showing dimples, being the first of the two to notice her presence. Andrew looked over and smiled revealing his straight white teeth. "Xiulan."

"Hey," she said to both of them before looking to her fiancé.

Andrew got off the couch and made his way over to her. A smirk pulled at his thin lips and without warning, he kissed her. His hand grasped her hip as he pulled her towards him and her eyes widened.

The other's eyes widened and Yanjun's jaw clenched at the sight of another man kissing Scarlett. He stood up to rip Andrew off of her, but Xukun, Ziyi, and Zhangjing held him back, but barely.

"Hey...um...wh-what are you doing here," Scarlett asked, pulling away from the man and stepping out of his arms.

"I just dropped by to say hello. My parents and I flew over early so we could do some adventuring before the engagement dinner. I wanted to know if you'd like to join us tomorrow," he smiled like they were actually close. Scarlett wanted to punch him for kissing her like that, but it wouldn't be a good idea.

"Yeah, sure," Scarlett nodded before remembering her mother was there. She quickly turned and saw her mother quietly staring at the two of them. "Andrew, this is my Mother. Mom, this is Andrew. You remember him..."

"Hello," her mother smiled and hooked her arm with her daughters.

"Hello..."

"Mrs. Huang."

The boys snorted since Mrs. Huang usually let anyone that was associated with her children, Mom. This was the first time they even heard her tell someone to call her Mrs. Huang.

Yanjun grinned and Mrs. Huang smiled over to him.

It took Scarlett a while, but she got rid of Andrew and she was more than happy with the exception of having to spend time with him and his parents.

Scarlett let out a sigh of relief when she closed the door behind Andrew and locked it. When she turned, she was about to introduce her mother to Xudan, but was stopped when a familiar arm wrapped around her waist. Yanjun grabbed Scarlett's face between his thumb and fingers before pecking her lips multiple times.

Mrs. Huang smiled when she heard her daughter's giggles ring through the air as Yanjun kissed her.

"These...are...mine," Yanjun said between kisses. "Okay?"

"Mhmm," Scarlett hummed, but he kept kissing her. "Yanjun~"

"Say it."

"My...My lips...are...yours."

"No, all of you is mine. You're mine," he said releasing her face and staring down at her. Scarlett stared up at him and even though she wanted to agree, she couldn't. Instead, she grabbed his face and gave him a slow, loving kiss. Yanjun could feel her love, but he knew the kiss wasn't one that he wanted. It wasn't a promise that she was his, but he took it because he didn't want to lose time with her. When she pulled away, she gave Yanjun a sad smile before leaving his grasp.

"Mom, I'll go get the bed ready. Justin, could you introduce her to Xudan?"

"Sure," Justin muttered as his sister went upstairs without another word. Yanjun silently watched, a frown on his face. "I know she doesn't love Andrew. Why is she marrying him? It's not like you and Dad are forcing her to marry him."

"Don't be mad at your sister, Minghao," Mrs. Huang said out loud when she heard Scarlett's door close. "She has a lot more on her plate than you think."