Watching Pei Yan walk away flustered was strangely satisfying. Lu Mian focused back on her second bowl of beef noodles, the steam curling around her face as she let her thoughts settle.
The brief interlude with the soldier had re-awakened something in her — not just memories, but purpose. It made her realize what she truly wanted.
She wanted to stand beside Aegis again, not as the girl he once saved, but as the woman who could protect and fight alongside him. She wanted to grow stronger — strong enough to defeat his enemies, to shield those she cared about, and to make her own world brighter. She wanted to shine, not as an accessory to some CEO, but as her true self.
Compared to the magnitude of that desire, the Lu family and their petty schemes felt trivial. They were no longer monsters in her nightmares, merely background noise.
She didn't want to waste her second chance at life trapped in their shallow games or the suffocating expectations of the Pei family.
Lu Mian wanted to do greater things, things she had just scratched the surface of in her last life and she didn't want these old shackles holding her back anymore.
With that quiet resolve, she hailed a taxi to her next destination — the Pei family estate.
Aunt Lin deserved to hear the news directly from her.
Lu Mian walked up the pristine white stairs of the Pei mansion, her expression composed, every step echoing with finality. She wasn't here for reconciliation — she was here for closure.
Aunt Zi opened the door with her usual condescension. "Our young master doesn't wish to see you."
"Good," Lu Mian said briskly, brushing past her. "I'm here to see Aunt Lin."
Before Aunt Zi could protest, a calm but firm voice cut through the hall. "Since when does Aunt Zi decide who I meet?"
Lin Shuyun entered from the sunroom, graceful in a soft silk qipao, her presence quietly commanding. "Go bring us pastries — and don't forget the good tea."
Aunt Zi froze, bowed awkwardly, and scurried off.
"Don't mind her, dear," Lin Shuyun said warmly, her eyes softening. "Before you run off to chase that useless son of mine, come see my Snow Lotus Root it finally bloomed."
Lu Mian's lips curved in genuine affection. "I missed you, Aunt Lin. Actually, I came to see you — not him."
"Oh?" Lin Shuyun's smile deepened. "What a rare treat. Sit down, tell me what's on your mind."
They walked to the solarium bathed in sunlight. The air smelled faintly of jasmine and medicine. For a while, Lu Mian helped her tend the plant, answering her questions with the patience of a daughter rather than a guest.
Finally, as they sat down for tea, Lin Shuyun asked gently, "What brings you here, Mianmian? Did Yan'er upset you again? That boy's arrogance could flatten mountains."
Lu Mian smiled faintly. "There's no easy way to say this, Aunt Lin. I don't want to marry him anymore. Could you please help me dissolve the engagement?"
The teacup in Lin Shuyun's hand trembled. "Mianmian, are you sure? You love him so much — "
"I don't," Lu Mian interrupted softly. "Not anymore. He's let me down too many times. I've realized... love shouldn't hurt this much."
Pei Yan watched her walk into his home from his study upstairs. She really was bluffing he grinned, all the unease in his heart dissolving completely. For a second he had almost believed her angry words in the morning and had considered apologising.
He admitted he was attracted to her and she was useful to his family. It just rankled his male pride to see her constantly overtaking him. He was four years older and had already graduated from college. How could Lu Mian possibly be better than him?!
His plan had been to make her jealous by flirting with her step-sister Lu Xinya. Not that he liked Lu Xinya, that girl was incredibly dull, but he saw her ambition and her trying for his attention. That soothed his ego. He wished Lu Mian was more like Xinya.
Now that Lu Mian had willingly come to his doorstep, he would torture her only for a week. Pretend to have an engagement with his sister, and, when she was despairing, he would swoop in and deign to be with her again. That would make her nice and compliant and teach her to treasure him.
He had already messaged Xinya to come and was expecting her any minute. The fun will start right away he thought with glee.
Just as Lin Shuyun was about to reply to Lu Mian, they both heard laughter floated in from the hall. Lu Xinya appeared on Pei Yan's arm, their closeness shameless. Pei Yan looked down at her dotingly, his smile all self-satisfaction.
"You're so thoughtful to visit my mother, Xin Xin," he said. "Girls should be more like you — gentle, understanding. If only you were my fiancée."
"Oh, Yan ge," Lu Xinya simpered, "don't tease me like that. Sister might misunderstand."
"Yan'er!" Lin Shuyun's sharp voice cut through the room like glass. She stood up from her usual seat in the solarium, fury radiating from every inch of her. "Have you lost all sense of decency? You have a fiancée, and yet you flirt openly with another woman — her sister, no less?"
Pei Yan's smug smile faltered. He'd never heard his mother raise her voice at him.
"Mother, relax," he began, tone dripping arrogance. "The Pei family's engagement with the Lu family never specified which daughter. I'm simply choosing the one who suits me best."
Smack.
The slap echoed through the marble hall.
For a heartbeat, silence reigned.
Lin Shuyun's palm trembled faintly, her face pale with restrained rage. "That's for every ounce of shame you've brought upon this family."
Pei Yan stared at her, shocked — humiliated. "We're not suited, Mother! She humiliates me in public, runs to you for help, flaunts her brains — "
Smack.
"And that is for hurting your fiancée, and not knowing right from wrong. How did I raise a son like you?" Lin Shuyun whispered. "She's saved your company more times than you can count, and you repay her with betrayal?"
Lu Mian rose calmly. "It's all right, Aunt Lin. Please, don't say any more."
She didn't want Pei Yan to know how much he owed her. To her it was all a lifetime ago.
"I don't need your defense!" Pei Yan snapped.
"Sister, please don't be angry," Lu Xinya interjected sweetly. "Yan ge didn't mean — "
"Who are you to interrupt?" Lin Shuyun turned on her, voice sharp. "Second Miss Lu, this is a Pei family matter. Have the decency to stay silent."
Lu Xinya's face flamed red. Inside, hatred twisted her smile. Just you wait, Lu Mian. I'll see who's laughing later.
"I'll take my leave now, Aunt Lin," said Lu Mian smoothly, turning to leave. "Please think about what I said."
Pei Yan stepped forward, face stormy. "Don't believe a word she says, Mother. She's after something — she always is — "
"Is that truly how you see her, Yan'er?" Lin Shuyun asked quietly. Her tone was stripped of anger now. Only disappointment remained. "Search your heart. Tell me honestly."
He couldn't meet her eyes.
After a long silence, Lin Shuyun sighed. "What a sin." She straightened, dignity returning to her spine. "Please drive Second Miss Lu home."
"What?" Pei Yan blinked, startled. Whatever it was he expected, this was definitely not it. Once again, he felt uneasy about things spiraling out of his control. He opened his mouth, maybe to protest? Maybe to apologise? But Lin Shuyun cut him off.
"That's all. Mianmian, come with me."
Without another glance, Lin Shuyun turned and walked upstairs.
Lu Mian followed her, serene as moonlight, not sparing Pei Yan or Lu Xinya a single look. She didn't want to waste any more energy on them.
Pei Yan was left watching them both walk away, no longer confident in his scheme. He had not anticipated his mother would have such a strong reaction - she had always been on his side after all. But never mind, once she realized he was truly going to marry Mianmian, she was sure to be happy.
"You can get back by yourself." he told Lu Xinya icily.
"But, Yan ge, I didn't do anything wrong, did aunty misunderstand me for something sister said? I know you are her fiance. I know I can never be with you in this life and only watch you from afar. But why did sister have to pour dirty water on me?" she sobbed, truly looking like an abandoned rabbit.
Pei Yan sighed. It was Lu Mian's fault after all. Coming and tattling to his mother, when it was she who pushed him in the first place. Forget it, as her fiance, he will clean up this mess for her.
"I will drop you back. Stop crying" he said curtly and, guided a sobbing Lu Xinya who nestled closely in his embrace.
Upstairs, Lin Shuyun watched them cuddle and leave from the bay windows.
"I am sorry Mianmian. I failed to teach my son well. It is the Pei family's fault." She apologised sincerely. She knew Lu Mian had been deeply hurt by her son's behavior.
'I agree to cancelling the engagement" she added. "It's my son's misfortune that he cannot have such a lovely wife."
"Thank you Aunt Lin" said Lu Mian relieved. "I was worried because you had a pact with my mother..."
"Silly child. The pact was in place because we both wanted you to be happy and safe. Clearly, the engagement will not help you. It's meaningless."
Lu Mian choked up. She truly had been blind in her past life. For the first time, she truly understood: her mother hadn't bound her, she had shielded her. Her mother wanted the best for her. She wanted her safe, happy, and give her a standing in society. It was her way of watching out for her child. She fiercely held on to what her Aunt Lin said.
"I will live well Aunty. I will not let her down".
Lin Shuyun teared up. "I know you will. Good girl. Now, Pei Yan doesn't know the true benefits you have brought to the company over years. My husband does. It won't be easy to make him give up." She warned.
Lu Mian frowned. "Well, I could give up the Lu family's prescriptions as collateral, but I do not want to part with it. It is my mother's legacy after all."
"Your mother's true legacy is you Mianmian. Lin Shuyun murmured softly. Those prescriptions, she would whole heartedly agree to burn them all up, if it could give you even a minute of happiness".
Her words broke through Lu Mian's mind like sunlight breaking through fog.
Then Lin Shuyun's expression turned thoughtful. "Wait here a moment. There's something your mother left for you."
She walked up to her cupboard and opened a hidden compartment that anyone in the Pei family would be surprised to see. From inside, Lin Shuyin withdrew an ornate antique box. It was sealed and looked like it had not been disturbed in ages. "This was the last thing she gave me. She said you would know what to do with it".
Lu Mian looked astonished at the old box, richly carved with insignias. In her past life, she had no idea this existed. Aunt Lin definitely hadn't have given it to her.
"Would you have given this to me when I married in auntie?" she suddenly asked. She wanted to know what had changed in her last life and now for this to appear.
"I honestly don't know" confessed Lin Shuyun. "Her instructions said to give this to you only if it wouldn't be a burden, if you are truly searching for something more. I know that's pretty vague but..."
"I understand" cut in Lu Mian. Now she knew she hadn't seen this box before. She was merely not ready in her previous life. As a young wife, she struggled to win her husband's love, and find her place in upper class society which scorned her for not being a favored wife. Her business intelligence, her acumen, her genius, all that did not matter - when it was all tied around a big knot in her heart. Now that the knot was loose, she was truly free.
"Tread well little MianMian. If ever you need anything, I will always be there to help you."
That was a heavy promise, it had more than what a usual elder would tell a junior. Lu Mian stared for a while and asked "Why are you so good to me aunty?".
Lin Shuyin chuckled "I asked your mother the same thing once." She said softly. "Your mother was an amazing woman. She helped me when I was at my darkest times and made me walk in the light again. Do you know what she told me then?
Because you are my friend.
For the first time in my life, I was enough as myself and I was seen worthy of love and support. Her belief, her love, her unflinching support made me the person I am today."
Lin Shuyun gently brushed back a lock of hair that had fallen across Lu Mian's eyes. "You were her treasure. She poured all her love into you. She stayed up late knitting countless baby booties for you. She worried if you would be cold at night or whether her clothes would be enough. She had a spectacular mind, you know. You get that from her. But, for all her genius, she couldn't figure out how to knit baby booties" laughed Lin Shuyun, recalling the precious times with her friend. "She didn't give up anyway. Look, here's one of the things she made for you."
Lin Shuyin gently handed her a small pink pair of boots. The knots were crooked and the size was off. The boots did not even look like they were a pair. To Lu Mian, it was the most beautiful thing she had seen. She held it with trembling hands.
"And that, is my gift to you Mianmian" aunt Lin said quietly. "I hope this little piece of her always reminds you how much you were loved. All your mother ever wanted for you is happiness. For your light to shine bright, however you choose. Soar high with confidence girl. Live and love bravely. You are the mighty Gu Qinglan's precious daughter. Don't ever let anyone tell you any different."