Empress Of The Lost Kingdom

Li Juan stood in front of the dinner table with her eyes widened in surprise.

Every kind of protein was present on the table. It was just a meal, but why did they make so many varieties of dishes?

"I know your favourite is seafood, but I hope you enjoy freshwater fish too." Zhang Zi Zhong said with my smile.

"Ah, you make me overwhelmed Mr and Mrs Zhang with your hospitality. Thank you so much for the food,"

Li Juan took her chopsticks and started to eat.

"It is delicious, Mrs Zhang. You are a fantastic cook. How did you know that I like seafood?" Li Juan was surprised. 

"CEO Tang told me that you like seafood." Zhang Zi Zhong said without any second thoughts.

Upon hearing Tang Wei Sheng's name, the glow on Li Juan's face faded.

"Did he know that I am coming here?"

"No," Zhang Zi Zhong realised that he made an unnecessary comment. "He told me when you came for the first time to Xi city." Zhang Zi Zhong looked at his wife and tried to change the topic.

"Lili,"

"Yes," Li Juan and Lin Li-Hui answered at the same time.

Three of them looked at each other in surprise.

"Ah, my mom used to call me, Lili," Li Juan tried to explain sheepishly.

"Oh, that is so great. Even my pet name is Lili." Lin Li-Hui said with a smile. "My mother gave me that name."

"Ahha, already both of you look alike now you have the same pet name. Isn't it too much coincidence for tonight?" Zhang Zi Zhong said with an amused face. 

"A big Lili and a small Lili. Why did mother in law, used to call you Lili?"

"She used to think that I am the prettiest." Lin Li- Hui said jokingly. "I guess your mom had the same reason?"

"No, no. When I was a kid, I used to be very weak and easily gullible. My mom called me Lili so that I will become bold. Nowadays, my friends call me "Lily" the flower."

"Let's stick with bold and beautiful, I hope you don't mind me calling you Lili?" Lin Li-Hui asked Li Juan. Though Li Juan hit some wrong keys when they were talking about families, Somehow Lin Li-Hui felt a heartfelt connection with Li Juan.

"I won't mind." Li Juan smiled and looked at the main course served for the evening.

"Isn't it, casserole fish dish?"

"Yes, Zhang Zi Zhong explained." Have you had it before?"

"It is the signature dish of Yun cuisine. It is made by tender sliced chicken, winter mushrooms, and carp fish from Yun-mi Lake." 

"My mom used to make this for me."

"Oh, your mother is from Yun city?"

"Honey, Xiao Lili's father is from Yun city." Lin Li- Hui clarified her husband's doubt.

"Oh really, no wonder you two have similar features, maybe you two are related in some ways?"

"Who Knows? Please try this Lili?" Lin Li-Hui placed a piece of fish in Li Juan's bowl.

Li Juan thanked her and took a bite of the fish, and the savoury taste of the dish gave goosebumps on her body.

Li Juan took another a bite and suddenly her mother's memory flashed before her eyes.

Casserole fish dish held a special place in Li Juan's heart. 

It was her late father's favourite food.

Li Juan never met her father in person, she only knew him through the memories shared by her mother.

She knew about her father's habits, likes and dislikes from her mother.

Li Qin used to recreate her husband's favourite dish on every special occasion, making it Li Juan's favourite dish.

After her mother's death, Li Juan never tried to make or eat casserole fish. Even a single thought of this dish leaves Li Juan in tears, Especially whenever she eats alone at home. 

"Why everything in Zhang Zi Zhong's house reminds her that she is alone in this world?" Li Juan tried to hide her uneasiness with a smile.

"It tastes really good." 

"Please eat more, Lili" Lin Li-Hui placed more food on her bowl.

Li Juan gaped at the woman sitting beside her with affectionate eyes. Why this woman reminds her mother? Li Juan turned to look Zhang Zi Zhong and met with his tender smile. Both of them were watching Li Juan enjoying the food prepared by them and serving her more. It wasn't just the food they served, it filled their love.

It was the first time in Li Juan's life she had a meal like this. 

"Is this the feeling of having a family?"

A teardrop rolled down from Li Juan's eyes.

"Why are you tearing up?" Lin Li-Hui got worried. "Is it spicy?"

"No. not at all," Li Juan tried to suppress her tears. But no matter how hard she tried to stop it, the teardrops flowed down like a river.

"Xiao Li, what happened?" Lin Li-Hui came closer and touched her arm.

"It is just I missed my mom." Li Juan spoke in between sobs. 

"Oh no, don't cry, my dear," Lin Li-Hui placed her arm around Li Juan's shoulder and hugged her.

But instead of stopping Li Juan from crying, Lin Li-Hui's words actions made her cry more.

The warmth of a caring touch, a shoulder to cry on – that's what Li Juan needed at that moment. She was struggling to act bravely to fool her mind about the recent adversities that happened in her life.

Without even hesitating, Lin Li-Hui hugged her back and stroked to her hair.

Zhang couple looked at each other startled and doubted what would've made Li Juan burst into tears.

Both of them didn't say anything. They just let Li Juan cry as much she wanted.

Zhang Zi Zhong looked at the weeping girl in his wife's arms. Is she is this the same girl whom he met at the Hill-side manor, the one who appeared radiant and charming?

Suddenly his eyes got stuck at the Li Juan's slender fingers.

"The ring, it is gone."

He was hundred per cent sure that, the ring Li Juan had was the Jade ring which Tang Wei Sheng custom made for his girlfriend.

Even though Li Juan and his boss acted like they are strictly following a boss-employee relation, Zhang Zi Zhong has seen the love in their eyes. 

They were in a relationship and Tang Wei Sheng even said that he is going to take their relationship into the next level.

But Li Juan said that it is a mistake and Tang Wei Sheng is getting married to some other woman.

What exactly happened between them?

"It is okay, my dear," Lin Li-Hui tried to console Li Juan. Even her eyes were misty. 

Li Juan released herself from her embrace and wiped her tears using her sleeves.

"I am sorry, Mrs Zhang. I suddenly remembered my mom. She left me two years ago. I couldn't control myself. I really sorry," Li Juan repeatedly apologised.

"It's alright, my dear, please don't feel bad."

Zhang Zi Zhong handed her a glass of water. 

"Go and wash your face," He informed her "and please continue eating."

"Hmm," Li Juan stood up and Lin Li- Hui led her towards the wash area.

Li Juan washed her face and came back to the dining room.

Zhang Zi Zhong was nowhere to see.

" Mr.Zhang might have gone outside for some air. Xiao Lili, please continue," Lin Li- Hui suggested.

"I am really sorry for making you all uncomfortable, Mrs Zhang," Li Juan said with an apologetic face.

" Hey, it's okay. Mr Zhang is too sensitive. He can't bear to see someone crying. Especially when you remind him of our daughter." Lin Li-Hui smiled and continued. 

"When Li Jun left us, we also went through a similar phase. Every single moment without our daughter felt like torture. But what we can do? We can't bring the dead back to life. All we can do is to pray for them to rest in peace."

Suddenly Zhang Zi Zhong came to the room with his mobile phone and looked at Li Juan.

"Boss is coming here to pick you." 

"What? Why is coming here?" There was a visible shock and sadness in Li Juan's face.

"A few minutes ago he called me and asked whether you are here?"

Li Juan's face lost its colour and appeared pale.

"Mr Zhang, I have to go now." Li Juan said the very first thought came to her mind.

"I know, it is extremely rude to leave in between the meal. But it is too urgent." Li Juan stood up and bowed to show her gratitude. 

"I am happy that you have invited me to your house. I have enjoyed your company. I wish we can meet again." 

Is she running away from Tang Wei Sheng? Zhang Zi Zhong felt something amiss about Li Juan.

"Miss, I know you have some issues with your boss. But when he called me, he sounded worried. I hope everything will be alright once you talk to him." Zhang Zi Zhong tried to stop Li Juan from running away.

"There is nothing to talk in between us. Once again thank you, Mr and Mrs Zhang. Whenever you visit Jing city, please do come to my home." Li Juan smiled and took her bag and walked towards the door.

"At least let me drop you, wherever you want to go," Zhang Zi Zhong suggested to Li Juan who appeared befuddled.

"No, it is alright," Li Juan glanced at them with remorseful eyes. She clearly knew that leaving in the middle of the dinner is extremely rude towards the hosts, but she has left with no other option. 

Even the thought of meeting Tang Wei Sheng at this moment put Li Juan's mind in an awkward position. It is evident that he knew about her dismissal from the team. He is coming to take her back.

But she doesn't want to go back to that hell.

Li Juan bowed once again and grabbed the doorknob.

Before she could open the door, someone opened the door. 

Tang Wei Sheng's towering stature appeared before Li Juan.

"Are you leaving, sweetheart?"