Chapter 22: Sigh! Conditions & Capitalism

“What’s there to be angry about?” Lin Zhiyan sat at the edge of the bed, looking at Li Siheng with a smile. “I thought the two of you were one and the same.”

Her seemingly casual sentence smothered all of Li Siheng’s anger back down.

Li Siheng lowered his eyes, but his arm slid around her neck again, trying to coax her.

“I already regret it. You can’t treat me like this. Everything was Zefi’s plan…” His reddened eyes stared fixedly at her, lips still damp and glimmering faintly. “If you’re angry at me, then how can you stay completely indifferent toward Zefi?”

Looking into his gaze, Lin Zhiyan suddenly had the illusion that if she believed even a little in his current misery and grievance, then in the very next second, he would open his mouth and swallow her whole.

If Zefi was a king snake openly luring prey closer without concealment, then Li Siheng was a smaller snake hidden quietly within the environment itself.

Clinging to her body, Li Siheng whispered beside her ear like a serpent flicking its tongue.

“I just don’t want to lose you. I know I was wrong too. You told me not to leave this room, not to move, so I absolutely didn’t leave… What do I have to do before you’ll believe me?”

Lin Zhiyan pushed away his clingy affection and picked up the clothes scattered across the floor.

Then she draped his shirt over his shoulders and looked at him.

“Raise your arms.”

Li Siheng froze slightly in surprise. Tiny sparks of light appeared in his eyes, quickly igniting the gray-black depths of them.

He obediently lifted his arms like a puppet, letting her dress him.

Lin Zhiyan buttoned his shirt one button at a time, then examined him as though admiring her handiwork.

Under her scrutiny, Li Siheng unconsciously tilted his face upward, allowing every detail of himself to bask in her gaze.

“Of course I want to trust you,” she suddenly said softly, meeting his eyes. “But like you said, Zefi controls everything about you.”

Her hand rested against his face, lightly brushing the red marks at the corner of his eyes.

“Sometimes,” she whispered, “I’d rather we were still back in District Sixteen. At least there, there were only the two of us. No Le Mans. No Zefi. No Aiwen. No all those people watching us.”

Li Siheng hurriedly grabbed her hand.

“It can still be like that now!”

He sank deeper into her touch.

“There’s nothing impossible about it. You could have only me by your side, and I could have only you. If I ask my parents for permission, Zefi won’t be able to stop it. Nobody will interfere with us.”

“How do you know Zefi can’t stop it?” Lin Zhiyan withdrew her hand. “How are you going to prove you can stand against him? Just now, I realized you were following along with Zefi’s plans all this time, weren’t you? Zefi—”

“Zefi, Zefi, Zefi—how many times are you going to say his name?!”

Li Siheng seemed to wake abruptly from a dream.

He grabbed her wrist, sliding downward until he pinned her onto the bed.

The sweetness in his eyes mixed with something poisonous, spilling out through his smile.

“Before, it was Le Mans. Now it’s Zefi. In your eyes, am I always inferior to them?”

Lin Zhiyan looked at him calmly.

“Then at least prove otherwise.”

Li Siheng froze for several seconds.

Then suddenly he said:

“You want to use me against Zefi?”

It was as though he had seized onto some vital key. His eyes narrowed slowly, a smile curving across his lips.

Finally, he laughed aloud, fanatic light burning in his eyes.

“Of course you can. I’d do anything for you. But what do I get in return?”

Lin Zhiyan’s brow twitched slightly.

“Who do you think caused all this in the first place? I’m already trying my best not to blame you, and now you still want to negotiate conditions with me?”

“Who caused it?” Li Siheng seemed to regain the upper hand. Leaning over her, he kissed the corner of her forehead.

“Aiwen was the one who reported you. Zefi’s the one forcing you out of school. The only wrong thing I did was come to see you.”

Lin Zhiyan found it unbelievable.

“Then who was the one acting all guilty and regretful just now?”

“That was me.” Li Siheng smiled, like someone clutching desperately onto a lifeline, happily kissing her cheek. “I was terrified you’d disappear. Terrified enough to lose my mind.”

Then he continued:

“Of course you wouldn’t willingly accept expulsion. Of course you wouldn’t accept living some ordinary mediocre life. Naturally you want me to help you—and naturally I’ll help you. Promise me something, Lin Zhiyan… Just give me a promise, and I’ll cooperate with you…”

Excitement made his face shine brilliantly, making him look even more beautiful.

Lin Zhiyan lifted a hand to brush aside the gray-black hair near his ear.

Part of her thought his darkness and malice always forgot to hide themselves in front of her.

Another part of her suddenly found many blurry memories about him becoming clear.

She even remembered small things she had never noticed before.

For example—the first meal he ever brought her had contained strands of hair in it.

At the time, Li Siheng apologized and said he hadn’t been careful while cooking.

Lin Zhiyan had never cared much about quality of life due to poverty, so she simply picked the hairs out and continued eating.

But after pulling out three separate strands from the same meal, she’d merely concluded Li Siheng shed hair rather badly and thought she probably shouldn’t eat his cooking next time.

Still, since there had never been anything stranger than that in the food, she had never thought deeply about it.

But now, Lin Zhiyan suddenly remembered an old superstition about lovers—

One version claimed that if one person mixed hair, nails, or blood into food and fed it to another person…

“Why won’t you believe me?” Li Siheng gripped her hand tightly, anxiety and unease brewing in his gray-black eyes as he spoke cautiously.

He pressed his face against her palm.

“I’ll help you. I’ll do anything. But… you have to let me know there’s a place for me in your heart. I can prove my feelings for you, but you—”

His voice stopped abruptly.

Because she had fully withdrawn her hand.

Li Siheng’s eyes widened as he stared at her hand, moisture gathering in his gaze like poison.

Then he watched her calmly pull several strands of hair from her own head.

Looking at him, she said:

“The one who needs to make a promise isn’t me. It’s you.”

Li Siheng froze.

“What?”

“Le Mans is destined to be separated from me. Aiwen was my friend, yet you could still manipulate her into turning against me. And Zefi…” She lifted her face and kissed his eyes, then slowly kissed downward from the bridge of his nose to his lips and jaw. “Rather than worrying I’ll be drawn to someone as dazzling as him, I think what disgusts me more is seeing you act as his puppet.”

The red at the corners of Li Siheng’s eyes deepened and spread.

His voice became extremely soft.

“I’m willing to. But you—”

“If you’re willing to promise,” Lin Zhiyan interrupted, showing him the strands of hair in her palm, “then eat this.”

Her other hand slid into his hair, gently stroking it.

“I know a legend. If someone eats another person’s hair, then… they’ll never betray their promise.”

Li Siheng stared at her for a long time.

Then his eyes curved gently, tears dripping down one after another.

Finally, he leaned down obediently like a loyal dog and used his tongue to take the strands of hair from her palm into his mouth.

Tilting his head back, his throat moved as he swallowed them.

Li Siheng looked up at the swaying lights overhead, yet it felt as though it was his mind and entire body swaying instead—wrapped tightly inside something like happiness itself.

She clearly knew the legend wasn’t really like that.

And yet she still lied to him.

Just like back then, when he himself had lied to himself because he didn’t understand his own feelings and didn’t dare take that first step.

Yes.

Everything had become clear now.

From the moment she allowed him into her room…
From the moment she said she wanted to see him…

He should have noticed her unease.

But he hadn’t.

Still—it wasn’t too late now.

There were no more obstacles between them anymore.

Their relationship should move into something entirely new.

Li Siheng felt as though the swallowed strands of hair were spreading through his stomach, wrapping around his insides before melting into his bloodstream.

Not long afterward, the sound of a lock clicking echoed out.

The bedroom door finally opened.

Zefi had already been waiting in the living room for nearly ten minutes.

Though impatience had begun to build inside him, he showed none of it outwardly.

Both hands rested atop the umbrella handle as he watched droplets slide down the umbrella’s frame one by one, gathering into a small puddle that soaked into the beautiful carpet below.

Li Siheng emerged fully dressed, tightly holding Lin Zhiyan’s hand.

Seeing this, Zefi raised a brow slightly and looked toward him.

But Li Siheng showed no intention of obedience at all. Without saying a word, he gripped her hand even tighter.

Lin Zhiyan squeezed his hand back and led him to sit down on the sofa.

She herself remained standing behind him, looking toward Zefi.

Zefi withdrew his gaze.

“How much did you tell Lin Zhiyan about those courses?”

His fingers tapped lightly against the curved black umbrella handle as he lowered his eyes, weighing what sort of answer this test would bring.

But several seconds passed in silence.

Zefi looked up again.

Li Siheng remained silent while Lin Zhiyan rested her hands on his shoulders, smiling sweetly at Zefi.

Something dark flickered between Zefi’s brows, though it vanished quickly.

“What?” His voice lowered. “Now you’re refusing to speak and expecting someone else to answer for you?”

The icy gray eyes were full of suspicion.

“Or does this Miss Lin possess such overwhelming charm that she’s managed to silence you completely?”

Li Siheng finally spoke.

“I don’t know what you mean,” he said calmly. “But I won’t let her be expelled. And regarding the policies you’ve been pushing recently… I believe you still need Father’s support.”

“It seems she’s also taught you how to threaten me.”

Zefi laughed softly, eyes narrowing as he stood and walked in front of Li Siheng.

“So now you’re negotiating terms with me?”

The moment the words fell, Zefi suddenly grabbed Li Siheng by the hair and forced him to look upward.

The next second, he slapped him hard across the face.

Excitement almost flashed within his eyes.

“If I don’t discipline you, it seems you’ve forgotten the debt you and your mother owe my mother—”

His voice stopped.

Because in the middle of their confrontation, another movement slowly entered his vision.

Instinctively, he looked over.

It was Lin Zhiyan’s arm.

She leaned forward, wrapping her arm around Li Siheng’s neck like a growing vine, embracing him from behind.

Then she rested her chin lightly atop his head, almost brushing against the hand Zefi used to grip his hair.

At this moment, just as she had fought Zefi earlier for control of the umbrella handle, she was now openly fighting him for control over Li Siheng himself.

Gray hair fell across Zefi’s eyes as though warning her not to come any closer.

But Lin Zhiyan only tightened her embrace around Li Siheng, even rubbing her chin provocatively against Zefi’s clenched hand.

Looking up at Zefi, she stared directly into his icy gray eyes.

Yet her words were directed toward Li Siheng.

“No matter what debt exists,” she said softly, “he still has no right to lay hands on you. Doesn’t he?”

Her voice drifted gently between the two men like thin mist.

Tiny sparks appeared in Li Siheng’s eyes.

Those sparks rapidly grew into flames.

It was as though he had finally discarded the obedient mask he’d worn all this time, revealing every trace of his impatience, irritation, rebellion, and hidden fangs.

He grabbed Zefi’s wrist in return.

Lin Zhiyan gently stroked his face.

“Does it hurt?”

Outside the windows, wind howled endlessly while rain lashed violently against the glass.

Lightning illuminated their faces, throwing the room’s colorful interior into chaotic brilliance.

Li Siheng tilted his head upward.
So did she.

Her black hair spilled across Li Siheng’s, while her chin rested against Zefi’s fingertips.

Lowering his head, Zefi could easily see Li Siheng’s face—far too similar to his own.

She embraced Li Siheng’s head, yet her warmth seeped into Zefi’s fingers as well.

For one fleeting instant, Zefi almost felt as though he and Li Siheng were two halves of the same tree.

And Lin Zhiyan was a climbing vine slowly wrapping around Li Siheng—drawing nourishment from him while ambitiously extending branches upward toward Zefi himself.

“I’m fine.”

Li Siheng’s tone was calm as he tightened his grip on Zefi’s wrist further.

Zefi nearly laughed aloud.

He nodded slightly, tongue pressing against his teeth.

Several seconds later, he released his grip.

“Get out.”

Li Siheng released him too, brows twitching faintly.

Clearly, he didn’t want to leave.

But Lin Zhiyan lightly patted his shoulder.

Li Siheng lowered his gaze for several seconds before finally standing.

Before leaving, he coldly looked at Zefi.

“If you do anything to her, I won’t let you go.”

Zefi closed his eyes tightly, fingers gripping the umbrella handle hard.

If possible, he truly wanted to smash the umbrella across Li Siheng’s head.

“You still think you haven’t caused enough trouble?” Zefi’s expression finally turned completely cold, eyes dark and dangerous. “Do you really think you can fight against me? Against your father and mother? Or do you think they’ll believe you more?”

“If you don’t want this matter to explode further, then get out. Now.”

Li Siheng’s eyelids trembled slightly.

“Of course you can make things bigger,” he said coldly. “You can also let Father carefully consider whether the Sorent family is truly worth cooperating with.”

He sneered softly before turning and walking out.

The door slammed shut behind him.

Flames of anger burned within Zefi’s chest, every trace of his earlier smile gone.

Leaning against the umbrella, he sat down on the sofa in silence for several seconds.

Lin Zhiyan didn’t rush him.

Instead, she leaned against the sofa back and waited for the real negotiation to begin.

“You really are clever,” Zefi finally said. “You knew those few recordings in your terminal weren’t enough to threaten me.”

It seemed he had adjusted his emotions again. Silver-gray hair framed his face as his smile returned, bright and dazzling once more.

He tapped the table lightly with his finger.

“Come here.”

The gesture was deeply disrespectful.

But Lin Zhiyan didn’t refuse.

She walked around the sofa and stopped in front of him.

The moment she stood still, she couldn’t help asking:

“So now it’s my turn to grab your hair?”

Zefi said nothing.

He merely lifted the umbrella.

Lin Zhiyan instantly tensed and tried to dodge.

“What are you doing?”

Zefi smiled faintly, eyes cold.

“I’m simply checking whether you’re wearing any listening devices.”

“So you’re about to offer me a condition I can’t refuse?”

Lin Zhiyan obediently spread her arms.

Zefi used the umbrella to lightly tap across her body, checking for hidden devices.

After confirming there was nothing unusual, he lowered the umbrella again.

“I’ll recommend to Lady Esela that she allow you and Le Mans to date.”

Lin Zhiyan stared at him in shock.

“What?”

“Once you begin dating, you’ll find a way to make Le Mans give up completely.” After a pause, he added, “And naturally, you’ll also sever ties with Li Siheng.”

Then Zefi continued:

“If you can cleanly resolve your relationships with both of them before the semester ends, then during the break afterward, I can arrange an internship for you at the royal family—the Moradthai Palace.”

“Of course,” he added, “that’s assuming your grades are impressive enough this semester to qualify for selection.”

…Holy shit.

A royal internship?!

This kind of thing could just be handed out like that?!

Lin Zhiyan was utterly stunned.

She dug her nails into her palm hard just to stop herself from bursting into manic laughter.

Biting her lip, she asked:

“You’re certain you can persuade Le Mans’s mother?”

“I’m certain.”

Zefi looked at her.

“So, Student Lin… what do you think of this offer?”

Finally, Lin Zhiyan laughed.

Looking directly at him, she answered sincerely:

“Compared to expulsion? Much better.”

For several seconds, Zefi’s breathing deepened heavily, anger surging inside him.

But soon enough, he smiled too.

“Then I hope you work hard enough not to waste such a valuable opportunity. And I hope you keep your word. Otherwise, what you lose won’t just be this opportunity.”

Understood.

She couldn’t resolve things too quickly.

Otherwise, Zefi would absolutely eliminate her.

Meaning this whole situation had to be handled slowly.

“I can tell you care very deeply for your younger brothers,” Lin Zhiyan replied earnestly with a nod. “I’ll find a way to distance myself from both of them. We’ll see whether you can keep your promises as well.”

Zefi still smiled, though his eyes remained cold as ice.

He stood and walked toward the door, but before leaving, he turned back.

“Lin Zhiyan. Let me give you one piece of advice.”

“Feelings are the most useless things in the world. This time, you used them to secure a better future for yourself. But someday, those same feelings may set fire to your own body.”

His voice was gentle, almost like a blessing—or perhaps a curse.

“Otherwise, sooner or later, your cleverness will destroy you.”

“Then let me also give Senior Zefi a piece of advice.”

Lin Zhiyan met his gaze directly, determination burning in her dark eyes.

“Not everything will always go your way. And not everyone is meant to live under your control.”

“Maybe right now everything is still within your grasp,” she continued. “But who can say whether someday your own obsession with control won’t destroy you instead?”

Zefi turned and walked out.

His gray hair swept lightly behind him, carrying unmistakable disdain.

Even so, he still maintained perfect manners.

The door closed softly.

Lin Zhiyan finally released a long breath.

One by one, the taut nerves in her body relaxed.

Exhaustion swept through her so hard she nearly vomited.

She didn’t even have the energy to celebrate the better bargaining position she had won.

Instead, she rushed to the bathroom and dry-heaved, the lingering tension slowly draining away while cold sweat continued breaking out across her body and her heart pounded violently.

Too much had happened tonight.

She would probably have nightmares.

But it didn’t matter.
She’d deal with it tomorrow.

If she kept thinking any longer, her brain might burn out entirely.

As she washed up, Lin Zhiyan repeated silently to herself:

Tomorrow.
Deal with it tomorrow.

The night grew deeper, the post-rain air even more suffocating.

Zefi entered the car wearily.

Removing his gloves, he pressed fingers against his temple and said darkly:

“Drive to Lady Esela’s residence.”

He had no time to rest.

Some matters couldn’t be delayed.

Whether it was Le Mans or Esela, he needed to handle everything tonight.

As for Li Siheng…

Zefi lowered his eyes, pulled out his terminal, and made a call.

Several seconds later, the line connected.

Expressionless, he said:

“Inform the butler. The moment Li Siheng returns, confiscate his terminal and lock him up. Prepare the car before dawn. I’ll personally bring him to Mother’s residence.”

“Notify Mother and Aunt immediately.”

The call ended.

Zefi’s temples began aching again.

He needed everything to return to his control.

First settle these people.

Then make his next move.

📚 Also on NHV Novels

Heemin’s One-Sided Love

AdultBoys LoveDrama

Read Now →
Not interested