To Love You Again

It was a pleasant afternoon with the smell of flowers lingering in the air. The two followed Zhou Min's suggestion and take a walk in the garden.

Xiong Gaiyu could not help but pluck a flower and admire its beauty.

"Young Miss." A deep voice made her look back.

Linfeng stood a few steps away from her. She did not answer and just looked at him.

All of the Xiong's had long been used to the presence of the Zhou's serving them. That was how Xiong Gaiyu looked at Linfeng right now.

"May I ask some personal questions?" 

Xiong Gaiyu completely faced him. She found this butler a bit strange. Perhaps, because of his demeanor. If not because of his actions and the way he talked to her, no one would think that this outstanding handsome man was actually a butler.

"You may, as long as I can answer it." 

"Thank you. It's not my place to ask, but..." Linfeng's eyes bore down on her. "What if... Master Xiong called you here to arrange a fiancé for you? Would you accept it?" Linfeng asked. He wanted to know her answer. 

If both of them were unwilling, then maybe they could reject it, without anyone forcing it on them.

Yes, that was right. Linfeng had an ominous premonition that was quite accurate.

Xiong Gaiyu was taken aback by his question. It made her wonder of the reason why she was summoned. Arranging a marriage for her for a political purpose... Was it not the Xiong's way since the beginning?

"...Of course. It's a decision from above." Xiong Gaiyu turned her back and looked at the flower in her hand.

Flowers were groomed then plucked out, and carefully put on a vase, all for the purpose of admiring it. For these plucked flowers on a vase, that was their only purpose, until they wither and die.

Just like how daughters of the Xiong family were born and groomed to be married off. 

If she was a man, maybe she could still stand a chance. Grab a branch of the Xiong Empire, manage the company, and eventually join the power struggle within the Xiong family.

"Is it really your thoughts? Or is it because, this was how you were taught?" Linfeng did not give up. He wanted to at least convince her to not accept the engagement, if ever the worst possible situation come out later.

Xiong Gaiyu furrowed her brow. 

"Why do you care? You should listen to yourself. You do realize how disrespectful you are being to us, Xiongs, don't you?" 

Of course. Xiong Gaiyu had her own thoughts, but those did not really matter. If she said it out loud, she would just sound more pitiful.

"I mean no disrespect. However, this one choice would affect your whole life." 

Xiong Gaiyu glanced back at him faintly. 

"I am not your master, so it's not your responsibility to advise me about such matters. I believe I have already answered your question."

Linfeng no longer challenged the other's bottom line.

"I apologize for my rude behavior." He bowed.

Xiong Gaiyu simply waved her hand.

"That's alright. But don't speak to me of this kind of thing again. Your master might need this kind of advice, but not me."

Linfeng looked up. His dark eyes were unwavering as he looked at her.

"Thank you, Young Miss, for your kind thoughts. But I also would like to tell you, if I am the person that is given arrangements to marry someone for political reasons, even it came from the highest order, I will reject it fully. Not because I am not satisfied with the partner, but because I have already set my mind to marry someone I have feelings for," Linfeng spoke with determination.

Xiong Gaiyu could not help but gaze at his eyes, which were filled with resolve. She momentarily lost herself for a while. Such deep black eyes, made one feel as if they were being sucked in to its depths. 

After a while, she let out a careless smile.

"I don't know why you are saying this to me. But you indeed have made yourself clear." She then continued walking. The man behind her was only a butler, yet he had the will of a master. 

She who was a master lost to a mere butler.

******

After half an hour of walking around, the two was called back. 

When Xiong Gaiyu entered together with Linfeng, she finally started to have some doubts as to why this butler was called in together with her. When she saw her father's pale face, and Butler Zhou Min seating across her father, her mind slowly connected the dots.

Why did this pair of father and son butlers sit with them?

Xiong Gaiyu glanced at his father, who did not have a good complexion, and her thoughts began running wild.

But none of this was shown on her face.

"Grandfather." Xiong Gaiyu bowed in respect to Old Xiong.

Old Xiong just nodded and instructed them to sit.

Xiong Gaiyu sat down with her father, while Linfeng settled beside Zhou Min.

"I have already discussed it with your parents. They both agreed. Gaiyu—" Old Xiong glanced at Xiong Gaiyu.

"I heard you are talented in the modeling industry. Too bad, the title did not fall on your head. Still, it's not really bad because we did not lose face, thanks for your cousin, Wuyue." 

Xiong Gaiyu looked down on her hands. She was ashamed of that loss.

"You don't have to worry, The Xiong family still takes pride on you." Those emotionless words were not an insult nor truly a compliment.

Old Xiong then looked at Linfeng.

"But I believe with the help of the talented son of Zhou Min, you could grow more and achieve more."

Thump.

Xiong Gaiyu's heart skipped a beat.

'It can't be.'

She felt as if she stepped on thin ice which broke to pieces, sinking her into freezing depths.

Her premonition seemed to be right. She looked forward and met Linfeng's gaze.

He was calm and composed like he was not affected of it all. His demeanor calmed Xiong Gaiyu down. 

Seeing the serene face of the butler, Xiong Gaiyu composed herself as well. It was not good if her image fell in front of the head of the family.

She was quite surprised that this butler knew what the talk would be about once they entered the room. 

'Is that why he probe on me and made his stance clear?' Xiong Gaiyu could not help but admire Linfeng in this situation. However, the uneasiness grew as she waited for Old Xiong to say more.

She swallowed to make her mind clear.

That's right. They had just a talk earlier. This butler said he would not accept any political marriage, as long he was unwilling. 

Then, she suddenly stilled.

Was she hoping for the butler to change the head of the clan's decision?

She laughed at herself mockingly inside. She had a higher status, yet all she could do was accept the decision and live with it. What more of a butler who only knew how to follow orders?

Even the man seems confident and had unwavering thoughts, it would not matter.

Status was the one who would decide their fate.

The numbing coldness spread throughout her body.

Xiong Gaiyu lost hope. Her fate was now decided at this moment. The funny thing was, she never had a say at all.