Chapter 16 - Pretty Boy

The alarm on Song Luli's phone startled her awake; she was still wearing the same clothes as the night before, but she realized that she fell asleep next to Song Meiling.

They both stayed up talking last night that she didn't even remember drifting into a slumber.

She quickly rose out of bed, stealing some of Song Meiling's clothing and headed straight to work.

Her parents were stunned to see her, but since she was rushing, Song Luli said to them, "I'll call you guys later. Bye! Love you!" before running out the door, descending the steps of the porch and hopping into her car.

It was rare for her to be late. And with her position, she had to be an example to those who worked for her. Therefore, she sped off from the driveway, heading towards the main office.

...

Song Meiling woke up in the late morning, just before lunch. She yawned and stretched on the bed after having her much needed sleep. She felt better from just being at home, and in front of Luli, she had to pretend that she was all right. But deep down, the pain of the breakup was still raw.

She decided to wash up and change before heading down the stairs to greet her parents.

At the threshold of her bedroom door, she heard her parents' voices mixed in with one that was unfamiliar.

She descended the steps nonetheless when she saw the back of her parent's figures, but in front of them was the silver-haired man from the airport.

Her eyes widened. At the moment, she felt like bolting, but he already saw her with an equal mix of surprise and astonishment.

Her mother turned around, her eyes widening. "Meiling! You're back!"

Song Meiling smiled awkwardly. She continued to descend the steps, approaching her parents and hugging them.

"Why are you back?" Qian Meigui asked.

Song Meiling glanced at the stranger before meeting her mother's worried expression, "I will explain everything later," she said.

Her mother smiled warmly, squeezing her hands. "All right," she said.

"Ah, Meiling," her father said. "I want you to meet Zhang Enyu. He's going to be staying with us while he works on his dissertation on Chinese Studies. His family lives in Canada, so he does not know many people here."

In Shanghainese, Song Meiling asked her parents, "Why is he staying here?"

Her father, Song Sheng, looked at her awkwardly. But it was her mother who explained, "It's cheaper to stay with people willing to let him in. We've already interviewed him; he's staying until he finishes school."

"But why?" she asked.

Her mother frowned. "Because we thought you were gone. Song Luli moved out, and your brother is leaving. Your father and I may be leaving for trips here and then, and it would be a waste to leave the house empty," she said.

"But what if he's a thief?" she asked.

Zhang Enyu stepped in. "Forgive me, my name is Zhang Enyu," he spoke with a coated accent, acting as they've never met before.

"My Shanghainese is not very good; I speak more Mandarin. But from what I can gather, I won't rob your house," he said to her.

He then took out an I.D. Card from the university he attends. He also passed her some documents detailing his life in Canada. He was of Chinese descent, born to one Chinese-Canadian parent, and the other of European descent. He was also the top of his class, obtaining his bachelor's and master's degrees. He also included his police background check and visa status.

At that, Song Meiling felt embarrassed, but she kept her expression poise.

"So he will be staying with us?" she asked her parents in Mandarin while staring at him.

"Mhm," her mother answered with a smile. "Be nice to him, will you?" she asked.

"I'll try," Song Meiling said.

Zhang Enyu smiled.

Her parents then left to go to the garden they loved so much, leaving the two of them alone.

It was awkward.

She then felt the need to introduce herself. "My name is Song Meiling."

"I know who you are," he said, stepping towards her. "You're the rich heiress who gave up an inheritance for a man."

Song Meiling gritted her teeth. "I didn't give it up for a man!" she spat.

"Then why did you do it?" he asked low and deep, curiously. His grey eyes narrowed with something feline behind them. He was handsome, but she doesn't trust pretty boys, not like the last time. She promised herself to stop being naive.

"I don't have to tell you," she said. "But, it's nothing severe like dropping it over a man."

Zhang Enyu's expression darkened. "I just find it odd that a woman like you, who has everything, would give it up for nothing."

Song Meiling curled her fingers into fists. She then stormed out of the foyer, up to the stairs, slamming the door shut behind her.

Zhang Enyu felt guilty. But he didn't understand that woman.

Of course, he knew all about her. He did some research on the Song family before travelling over, and when he heard the news about how she gave up everything for nothing, it irritated him.

His parents were from a poor background, and he had to study hard in school to get to where he was. It was still challenging to come to China with the money he didn't have, but then the Song family was willing to take him in until he finished school.

He then coincidentally met their eldest daughter at the airport, but she acted arrogant and rude, and he hated spoiled heiresses. So he didn't care what he said to her. Even if she hated him, it's better than having to pretend to tolerate her.

Zhang Enyu followed the directions Song Sheng gave him earlier to his guest room. It was on the first floor of the house, by the sunroom.

He stayed in a hotel room the night before because he didn't want to interrupt them late, but that hotel room paled in comparison to the expensive and elegance of his new room. It had everything he needed and more.

Zhang Enyu sighed before beginning to unpack his suitcase.