Zhang Family Residence
"I set up your engagement with the Han family's son. You have to show up for tonight's meeting and cooperate," Weijian spoke firmly, his gaze sharp on his daughter.
"I don't want this. Why would you decide my fate without me?" A single tear fell on the girl cheek.
"Xuemei!" Weijian snapped. "You have no choice. I am your father, and every decision I make must be respected. This is for your good, whether you like it or not."
Xuemei's fingers clutched at her clothes. She looked down, biting her lower lip. "I don't want to get married," she muttered.
Weijian gritted his teeth. He grabbed the vase and threw it to the floor. A loud noise echoed. The vase shattered into pieces, and some of the shards cut Xuemei's leg.
"If you refuse, I will remove your name from the list of heirs!" Weijian said curtly.
"But Father—"
"XUEMEI!" He stepped forward and gripped his daughter's shoulders tightly. "This marriage is crucial to the progress of our family business. Refusal is not an option."
Xuemei shook her head slowly. "No, please... ," she murmured. Her eyes searched for a glimmer of hope in her father's gaze.
Weijian sighed and pushed Xuemei harshly. The girl fell, her back hitting the table behind her.
"I cannot believe this. I have raised you since you were a baby, given you luxury, indulged your every need. And this is how you repay me? Since when did you become so disobedient?" Weijian glared.
Xuemei remained silent. She was still shaken by the engagement her father had arranged.
"I will not listen to your whining. Be ready for the engagement tonight," Weijian spoke without leaving a room for argument.
The man walked out. He stopped in front of the guard. "Make sure she attends the meeting."
"Yes, sir." A woman named Rowan bowed slightly as a sign of respect. After the man disappeared, she straightened her posture and stepped inside.
Rowan is Xuemei's bodyguard. She had been working for the past 2 years. Back in her homeland—Germany—Rowan was used to guarding celebrities or government officials.
But when her boss offered her a job to protect the only daughter of a Chinese conglomerate, she found herself intrigued. And here Rowan now, struggling almost everyday to deal with Xuemei.
"Let me help you, my lady." Rowan guided Xuemei to sit on the bed. She then checked the wounds on her legs and treated them.
Once she was done, she looked up, meeting Xuemei's eyes evenly. "What would you like for lunch? I'll have the maid bring it to you."
Xuemei turned her gaze aside. "I don't want to eat," she said softly.
Rowan stood up, she carefully gathered the shattered vase and discarding the pieces into the trash.
"Then get some rest. I'll make sure you're awake two hours before the meeting," she spoke, brushing her hands of as she talked.
Hearing Rowan mention about the meeting, Xuemei grew even more annoyed.
"I'm not going anywhere! I refuse to attend that meeting!" Xuemei raised her voice. She grabbed a book and threw it at Rowan.
She caught the book just in time. "You can't behave this way, my lady. Defying Mr. Zhang will make him even more upset."
The girl sighed. "I don't want to get married, Rowan. I haven't even seen him before. I'm pretty sure he's ugly. Or even worse... an old man in his late 40s," she grumbled.
Rowan put the book aside. She walked closer. "I'm certain he isn't as you imagine," her voice calm, almost comforting.
"No!" Xuemei stood up. "I've made my own decision. I'll stay in my room," she looked up sharply.
"My lady, you need to calm down." Rowan tried to get Xuemei sit again.
The girl immediately brushed Rowan's hands away. "Leave me alone!" she yelled.
Rowan took one step back. She closed her eyes for a slight second, trying her best to stay patient.
"Get out of my room now!" Xuemei pointed towards the door. "Tell my Father I won't attend the meeting."
"I apologize, but I must follow orders to keep you from being present," she spoke professionally.
Xuemei's hand clenched, her frustration boiling over. Without a word, she grabbed anything within reach and began hurling them at Rowan.
She didn't care where they landed or if they hit. Each throw was sharper than the last, a chaotic storm of her exasperation.
Of course, Rowan was quick to dodge and swat away the objects flying towards her. "Please stop, my lady. Your room is already a mess," her voice calm yet firm.
"I don't care," Xuemei glanced briefly at her bodyguard. "Get out!" she ordered with frustration.
Rowan sighed and stood up in silence. She watched Xuemei moving restlessly from one corner to another, tossing things into disarray.
The floor was a chaotic mess of papers, broken glass, books, pens, cosmetics, and assorted objects.
"You'll hurt yourself, my lady," Rowan warned.
Just a second after Rowan's words, Xuemei yelped, her foot pierced by a shard of shattered glass. The woman rushed over and knelt beside her to examine the wound.
"It's quite deep," she muttered, rising to help Xuemei sit.
The girl didn't utter a word. She looked down, observing Rowan tend to her for the second time. Her frustration has gone. What lingered in her heart now was a mix of annoyance and a slight embarrassment.
"I really don't want to be there. How can I marry someone I don't love?" Xuemei murmured. She hissed as Rowan pulled the shard of glass from her foot.
"I was never given the chance to choose since I was a kid. They always decided things for me, saying it was for my own good," her voice sounded sad.
"But deep down, it was only for their satisfaction. I was forced to obey things I never wanted," she watched Rowan cover her wound with a plaster as she spoke.
"They built a mall just to keep me entertained because I said I was bored—when all I really needed was a friend. Back then I asked for a bunny, but they bought me an Ashera cat instead."
"And on my seventeenth birthday, they didn't even ask what I wanted. They just went ahead and bought me an island under my name."
Rowan listened carefully, bitting back a laugh. Only Xuemei could make getting an island sound like suffering.
"I've finished treating your wound, my lady." Rowan placed Xuemei's foot down gently before lifting her gaze.
"I know, I have eyes too," she said sarcastically. "Now leave. I won't be changing my mind. I'm simply too beautiful for the man they want to marry me off to."
For a few seconds, the room fell silent.
Rowan fixed her eyes on Xuemei. "I can help you," she offered, her tone respectful.
"Sorry?" The girl blinked in confussion.
"Yes, you heard me right, my lady."