Chapter 18: His Dominance

Hearing these words, A Li felt the food in her mouth suddenly lose its flavor.

Move the piano?

"Oh no!"

Aunt Liu immediately sensed trouble and hurried to drive the workers away. "Go, go, go! Who told you to move the piano? Leave at once!"

The workers were just following orders and replied, bewildered, "Why are you chasing us off? Our boss said the owner of this house asked us to come. You're just a housekeeper—what business is it of yours?"

"Just leave, that's all!"

"If we leave, how do we explain to our boss?"

"I don't care how you explain—"

"Aunt Liu!"

Before Aunt Liu could finish, A Li suddenly stood up and called out, "Let them in. They're just doing their job."

"Madam..."

Aunt Liu hurried to A Li's side, trying to comfort her. "Maybe someone downstairs acted on their own. It might not be Mr. Lu's arrangement. Don't take it to heart—just eat, dear."

A Li knew Aunt Liu meant well, but without Lu Jin Yan's instructions, who would dare act on their own?

All because it was Liu Meng Wan's request, he couldn't wait to comply.

It was impossible not to feel hurt.

A Li's heart twisted painfully, tears threatening to fall.

She pressed her lips together, trying to hold back her tears, but her voice still came out hoarse and shaky. She shook her head and turned away. "I'm a bit tired. I'll go to my room."

"Madam!"

Aunt Liu watched anxiously as A Li rushed upstairs. How could Mr. Lu be like this? He worries about whether Madam eats, but insists on moving the piano at precisely this moment to upset her. What is he thinking? If he drives Madam away, he'll regret it bitterly!

Evening.

Lu Jin Yan returned home; only Aunt Liu was downstairs.

In the past, every time he came home, that girl A Li would rush to greet him immediately.

When had she stopped waiting for him downstairs?

"Mr. Lu."

Aunt Liu came to greet him.

Lu Jin Yan asked calmly, "Did Madam eat properly?"

At this, Aunt Liu couldn't help but complain. "Mr. Lu, if you want her to eat, why hurt her so? The piano could have been moved later; now is her saddest time, and you had it taken away. She barely ate at lunch before going upstairs, and she refused dinner as well."

Lu Jin Yan fell silent.

He had indeed instructed Secretary Zhang to have the piano moved—why had it happened right at mealtime?

"Is there any food left?"

"Yes, I've kept the minced pork congee warm, thinking Madam might eat whenever she feels hungry."

"Bring a bowl."

"All right."

Upstairs.

A Li curled up on her bed, staring blankly at the business card Song Qi Sheng had given her.

She spent the afternoon pondering many things alone.

Now she faced two roads.

One was to keep living as before, like a bindweed clinging to her uncle, devotedly serving him. Life would be luxurious, but the risk was great.

If her uncle reconciled with Liu Meng Wan, she might be cast out of the Lu family altogether.

If he was kind, he might give her some money. But if Liu Meng Wan objected, she could end up with nothing, just as Tang Ying had said—her fate hung on Liu Meng Wan's whim.

The other path was to become independent from now on.

She had researched Song Qi Sheng—he was highly esteemed, known as the youngest genius conductor, not yet thirty, and had already led dozens of world-class concerts.

Since he said she had talent, perhaps if she worked hard at the piano, she could make a living from it.

But practicing piano would mean going against her uncle. If he got angry, he might abandon her.

Still, given she had cared for him, maybe he would give her some money, since piano studies were expensive...

Knock, knock.

Suddenly, someone rapped on the door.

A Li thought it was Aunt Liu urging her to eat, so she called out, "Aunt Liu, don't bother. I'm not hungry."

But the door opened.

Lu Jin Yan entered, carrying a bowl of congee. His expression was calm, his deep eyes fixed on A Li as he spoke softly, "If you don't eat, are you trying to starve yourself?"

"Uncle!"

A Li called out instinctively, but the memory of what he'd done made her resentful.

She turned away, saying, "I told you I'm not hungry. If I am, I'll eat."

"You barely ate at lunch. Are you still not hungry?"

"I'm not!"

Lu Jin Yan knew she was angry and didn't argue. He sat at the bedside and said, "Aunt Liu kept the congee warm for you. Have a little."

"I don't want it!"

Why couldn't he understand plain words?

But as soon as she finished, his hand seized her chin, forcing her face toward him.

In the next moment, his warm lips pressed against hers, and without allowing any refusal, he parted her lips and gently fed her the congee from his mouth.

A Li was forced to swallow, struggling to push him away, furious and flustered. "Lu Jin Yan, what are you doing?"

His dark eyes were as deep as a lake, commanding and unyielding. "If you won't eat, I have no choice but to feed you this way."