By the time Weiwei returned home, the late afternoon light had softened, casting long shadows across the polished marble floors. She slipped off her heels in the foyer, the faint scent of sandalwood drifting from somewhere deeper in the mansion.
Her father's voice carried from his study. "Weiwei, come in a moment."
She stepped inside to find him leaning back in his leather chair, a glass of tea on the desk beside a stack of documents. "How was lunch?" he asked without looking up from the paper in his hands.
"Pleasant enough," she replied, choosing a seat opposite him.
He set the paper aside. "I had a call this morning from the Lu family. They're… interested in renewing ties." His gaze was calm, weighing her reaction. "Do you remember Lu Shixian? You were playmates together."
Of course she remembered — a lanky boy with sharp eyes, who'd once stood between her and a barking dog in the garden, refusing to move until she stopped crying. In her past life, she'd dismissed him as irrelevant.
"I remember," she said softly.
"He's back from overseas. Taking over more of the family business. A capable young man." Her father sipped his tea. "They hinted at… a possible match. But with your engagement to Zhao—"
"Nothing is final yet," Weiwei cut in, her tone gentle but deliberate.
Her father's brows lifted slightly. "No?"
She allowed a small smile. "Would it hurt to at least speak with them?"
He studied her for a moment longer, then gave a slow nod. "I'll arrange something. But you know the Zhaos will not take this well."
"I'm sure they won't," she murmured, standing. "But we must keep our options open… right?"
Her father chuckled, shaking his head. "Just like me."
Weiwei turned toward the door, her expression serene — but inside, the decision had already taken root.
This was where her real game would begin.