The late afternoon sun dipped low on the horizon, casting long shadows across the winding roads leading to the Lin Mei mansion in Yunnan province. Zhang Liu trudged homeward, his footsteps heavy with the weight of a long day's work. The air carried the earthy scent of the surrounding hills, mingled with the faint tang of exhaust from the city he had left behind.
Dressed in a tailored suit that spoke of his professional status, his broad shoulders carried a subtle slouch, a sign of the mental burden he bore. His hair, a striking magenta hue that set him apart in any crowd, fluttered slightly in the breeze, the vibrant color a bold contrast to the muted tones of the landscape.
His sharp eyes, usually bright with ambition, were clouded with introspection. It had been several months since he last shared an intimate moment with Lin Mei, a fact that gnawed at him with increasing frequency. Her indifferent and calm attitude toward him persisted, a wall of composure that neither his charm nor his persistence could breach.
Yet, when he allowed himself to reflect on their marriage, a sense of contentment washed over him. He had married a woman of unparalleled beauty and intelligence, a prize that many envied, and that thought alone often lifted his spirits, reminding him of the prestige her name and lineage brought him.
His mood darkened as his thoughts turned to the nights they spent apart, sleeping in separate rooms within the sprawling mansion. The distance felt like a chasm, a silent rejection that stung more with each passing day. A fleeting temptation crossed his mind—perhaps an affair with a cute female colleague from work, a young woman with a bright smile and eager demeanor who had shown subtle interest in him.
The idea lingered, a dangerous whisper that promised escape from his loneliness, but he quickly dismissed it, his sense of duty and the fear of scandal holding him back. He was, after all, bound by the arrangement with Lin Mei, a marriage built on her terms, and he respected her authority even as it left him unfulfilled.
Shaking his head to clear the troubling thoughts, he focused on the path ahead, the silhouette of the mansion emerging through the trees like a beacon of stability amidst his turmoil. The magenta strands of his hair caught the fading light, a vivid reminder of his individuality amidst the conformity of his circumstances.
As he approached the grand entrance, the heavy wooden doors swung open, and the head maid greeted him with a formal nod. Her stoic face, framed by neatly pinned black hair, momentarily distracted him from his reverie, her presence a reminder of the household's rigid order. She was an older woman, her eyes sharp with experience, and her uniform crisp, exuding an air of quiet efficiency.
Zhang's pulse quickened briefly, a flicker of attraction sparked by her poised demeanor, but her unyielding expression quelled any stray thoughts. He greeted her with a polite smile, his voice steady despite the turmoil within. "Good evening," he said, extending the courtesy to the other maids who hovered nearby, their hands busy with evening chores. His gaze then sought Lin Mei, a habitual gesture to connect with her after a day apart, but the head maid interjected with a calm directive. "Sir, please change and freshen up for dinner. I will call Madam Lin Mei."
The words, delivered with practiced neutrality, caused a slight dip in Zhang's expression, disappointment flickering across his features. He had hoped for an immediate encounter with his wife, a chance to bridge the emotional gap, but he nodded obediently and turned toward his room, the weight of her absence settling heavier on his shoulders, his magenta hair swaying with each step.
Meanwhile, the head maid moved with purposeful strides to Lin Mei's room, her footsteps muffled by the thick carpets. She found Lin Mei dozing lightly, her silver hair spread across the pillow, her pregnant form nestled among blankets on the floor where she slept with her children. The room was a cocoon of warmth, the twins Lin Ling and Lin Ming curled up beside the cradle, their purple and pink hair a striking contrast against the bedding, while Lin Yu's silver locks peeked out from under a blanket.
The head maid approached with a gentle touch, her voice low but firm. "Madam, Zhang Liu has returned." Lin Mei snorted softly, a sound of mild irritation, but she roused herself with calm grace, her movements deliberate as she prepared for dinner. With the help of other maids, she ensured her daughters were fed—small portions of steamed vegetables and rice spooned with care—before rising to join Zhang. Her steps were slow, her body adjusting to the pregnancy's demands, but her demeanor remained composed, a mask of control she wore effortlessly.
She entered the dining room where Zhang waited, his freshly changed attire a contrast to the day's weariness, his magenta hair a vivid splash of color against the room's neutral tones. The room was elegant, with a long mahogany table adorned with fine china and a centerpiece of fresh orchids, the maids standing at attention along the walls.
Lin Mei flashed a false smile, her lips curving with practiced ease as she asked, "How was your day?" The question, though routine, sparked a visible lift in Zhang's mood. His eyes brightened, and he launched into an enthusiastic recounting of his day—meetings with clients, a successful negotiation, and a humorous anecdote about a colleague's mishap. His voice filled the room, a torrent of words that reflected his need to connect, to share the burdens and triumphs of his world with her.
Lin Mei listened, her smile unwavering, though inside she felt a growing agitation. The long chatter grated on her nerves, a reminder of the emotional distance between them, but she maintained her facial expression, her training in diplomacy holding firm.
When Zhang finally paused, his energy spent, Lin Mei sighed tiredly, the sound a quiet release of the tension she had suppressed. The maids began serving dinner—steamed fish, stir-fried greens, and fragrant rice—prompting the couple to follow the custom of praying to the heavens for blessings, a ritual rooted in tradition.
They ate in relative silence, the clink of cutlery and the maids' discreet movements filling the space, the meal a bridge between their separate worlds. As the last dishes were cleared, Zhang hesitated, his fingers fidgeting with the edge of the tablecloth. "Lin Mei," he began, his voice tentative, "it's been a long time since we slept together." The words hung in the air, a bold yet vulnerable plea.
Inside, Lin Mei recoiled with disgust, the suggestion clashing with her resolve to maintain boundaries. Her expression remained calm, however, as she replied, "I can't. I'm caring for the children and pregnant." The firmness in her tone brooked no argument, and though Zhang opened his mouth to protest, her steady gaze silenced him. He nodded, retreating from the confrontation.
"I'll go greet the girls," he said, rising to leave, and Lin Mei nodded, her permission a dismissal.
She stepped outside onto the terrace, the cool evening breeze a balm against her agitation. The sky was a canvas of deepening blues, stars beginning to prick through the twilight, and the fresh air filled her lungs, calming her racing thoughts.
Inside, Zhang entered the children's room, his demeanor softening as he watched Lin Ling, Lin Ming, and Lin Yu play. Their laughter, a melody of innocence, warmed him, and he thought, They're so cute. They'll grow into beautiful girls. He engaged them briefly, lifting Lin Yu into a gentle hug, her giggles echoing, his magenta hair catching the light as he moved, before retiring to his room. "Good night, Lin Mei," he called as he passed her on the terrace, and she returned the greeting with a polite nod, her mind already drifting to her own rest.
Lin Mei returned to her room, where the maids had arranged blankets and pillows on the floor, a precaution against her daughters falling from the bed. The setup was cozy, a nest of softness where she joined Lin Ling, Lin Ming, and Lin Yu. For a time, she played with them, her hands guiding a toy car for Lin Yu, her voice reading a simple story to the twins, their eyes wide with delight.
The moment was pure, a fleeting escape from her burdens, and as they settled down, she covered them with blankets, their small forms nestling against her. She sighed contentedly, the sound a whisper of fulfillment. Such is the blissful life I have now, she thought, her heart swelling with anticipation.
Earlier, she had consulted a doctor, who confirmed the baby—her son—would arrive in a month, a revelation that filled her with joy. The promise of freedom from her family's oppression, the chance to raise her children in love, danced in her mind as she drifted into sleep, her body and soul at peace amidst her little ones.
The night deepened, the mansion settling into silence, save for the soft breaths of the sleeping family. Zhang lay in his solitary room, his thoughts a tangle of longing and resignation, his magenta hair a silent testament to his inner vibrancy dulled by circumstance, while Lin Mei's dreams wove a future of hope, her unborn son a key to her liberation. The household, bound by custom and ambition, stood on the cusp of change, its rhythms shaped by the lives within its walls.
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Note: This chapter explores Zhang Liu's perspective and his strained relationship with Lin Mei, while highlighting family dynamics and Lin Mei's anticipation of Kai's birth.