One Condition

Shao Lin was stunned when Long Jie addressed her casually. Her eyes were wide, her mouth agape. Then, finally, she stood, shaking one of his firm hands. "Nice to meet you, Mr. Long," she greeted, astonished by his strength and his beauty. Winter night. His hair was lighter than Long Yat-sen and Long Xia's, but the contrast of his eyes made him look like ice and fire.

He smiled. "I hear my son and daughter are treating you well?"

Shao Lin nodded enthusiastically. "Yes! Of course. Never better company." She smiled back nervously.

"Glad to hear, Miss Shao. Can you follow me for a moment?"

Shao Lin blinked at him. "Yes. I don't mind."

Long Jie then tucked his hands in his pockets and started walking toward the home office. The door left ajar. It was Long Yat-sen's place, but his father walked as if he owned it. Owned everything. Perhaps he did in some ways. The Longs had established their power and wealth for years.

Long Jie then settled on the office chair, and Shao Lin took a seat opposite of him. She glanced around the room, taking in Long Yat-sen's things. Educational books. Paperweights. Trinkets.

Shao Lin wondered if this meeting was something more than talking about her family lineage, given that an office space meant business.

She tried not to look nervous as her eyes glanced at anything but the intimidating man in front of her. After a moment, Long Yat-sen had entered, fully dressed in a cobalt suit. His hair was slick and tousled, some strands falling loosely. Long Yat-sen took a seat next to her. Shao Lin's face flushed at the sight of him since she did not want to look away.

Long Jie glanced between them. His smile broadened knowingly, which only made Shao Lin's blush deepen when she turned back to face him.

He then started to speak. "Now that I have you both here, we can discuss some important matters.

Long Jie's face hardened a bit, his expression reserved. He looked at Shao Lin. "My son made me aware that he would tell you about your family lineage. Normally, those who run the syndicates don't necessarily have to be blood-related to the founders, but they believe it makes them look stronger. The syndicates would look weak if their bloodlines die out; therefore, Niu Wen was determined to look for his heir. By blood, you have the right to reclaim it. The Empress of the Underworld—the one that oversees all the syndicates—would honour the Eighth Syndicate back to you if you wish. Your father also had the same right and chance many years ago, but he wasted it by joining the Dragon Syndicate, plotting revenge."

He paused and straightened, then continued. "Niu Wen realized his mistake was using his son to plot revenge. So now he believes that his next heir should claim the Eighth Syndicate again and place it back into the hands of Niu."

Shao Lin took a moment to register the information. It was a lot to take in before she asked. "Why can't my grandfather claim it again?"

"He was forbidden from doing so since he was the reason the Eighth Syndicate was disbanded in the first place. Therefore, only his legitimate heir can reclaim it."

Shao Lin's eyes widened. "But I…I don't want to. At least…I never thought about it."

Long Jie nodded. "Your father tried very hard to shelter these secrets from you. He did not want this for you at all, but now I'm certain that Niu Wen is doing what he can to get his hands on you."

Shao Lin's body shook slightly. She was scared. She did not want Niu Wen to find her, to force her to rule, to marry a man she didn't want. And if he was to get her, would he give her power? Or would he use her to regain his power and dispose of her when he's finished? She'll never know freedom again.

Shao Lin looked at Long Jie with pleading eyes. Then, finally, he looked at her neutrally. "I'm prepared to guarantee you safety under our protection permanently on one condition."

Shao Lin's breath hitched. She replied eagerly. "I'll do anything. I can't let him take me."

Long Jie nodded in response. "All right then. My one condition is that I want you to marry my eldest son. Long Yat-sen."

Shao Lin gaped at him. Her head went quiet. She didn't believe she heard it right. "Sorry. Come again?"

"Marry my son."

Shao Lin glanced at her side. Long Yat-sen's expression was so neutral that she could not tell what he was thinking. But something told her that he was not aware of this condition, and it was the first time he heard of it like her. Long Jie then continued. "As my son's wife, you'll legally become a member of the Long family. The resources, protection, and money will go toward you. It's the only way to convince the public why you have a strong connection to us."

"How is that any different than forcing her?" Long Yat-sen cut in harshly. Shao Lin's eyes widened at his response.

Long Jie glanced at his son, his face matching his. Hard and reserved. "It's the only way to protect the girl without anyone asking questions."

"I can't believe you'd even consider this," Long Yat-sen countered.

Shao Lin glanced between father and son, who exchanged death glares. She felt nothing more than wanting to shrink and disappear from the room.

She then felt someone's firm grasp on her arm. She turned to find Long Xia with a wary smile. "Come help me finish cooking downstairs. Let the boys talk it out."

Shao Lin followed Long Xia, grateful that she had an excuse to leave. The tension in that room was at an all-time high, and she didn't want to disrupt them.

Long Xia led her out of the office, stalking back to her apartment. "I had a feeling father came today for a different reason," she said.

…

Long Yat-sen could not believe what his father was asking of him—of them. He was used to Long Jie's guarded expressions. He was used to the life-changing decisions he made for those around him. He had that power. But this was unexpected. Never did he expect his father to pull something like this.

"Think about what you're asking of us," Long Yat-sen told him. "I will not force that girl to marry me."

His father's blue eyes narrowed like chipped ice. "Let Shao Lin decide that for herself. It's her choice whether she wants the marriage or not."

"Why now?" Long Yat-sen questioned him with a forced chuckle. "After all these years. You never encouraged me to marry before."

Long Jie took a deep breath. "That's because you can't just marry anyone, son," he reminded him gently. "You need a wife that you can entrust the secrets of this family. Someone that would never betray you. Shao Lin never panted after you as other women do. She does not want you for your money, your fame, or your power. All she wants is your protection. Not only would this prevent the Eighth Syndicate from re-claiming their power. This would protect her. You will be protecting her."

"And this is not some trick to affirm the power of the Dragon Syndicate?"

"No," Long Jie answered truthfully. "We don't need to affirm anything. This will all be for Shao Lin. Unless you don't want this union?"

Long Yat-sen's expression turned despondent. "It's not that. I don't want to force Shao Lin to marry someone she doesn't love."

Long Jie glanced at his son with something like sympathy, understanding. Then, he placed a hand over Long Yat-sen's shoulder and said, "Things could change. Feelings can evolve."

"That's easy for you to say," Long Yat-sen replied. "You and mother fell in love after marrying. But, unfortunately, that doesn't happen to everyone in a marriage of convenience."

"You're wrong," he said.

"What?"

"You're wrong," his father repeated. "I've loved your mother long before I married her. When she agreed to marry me out of convenience, I encouraged her not to. I nearly pushed her away." Long Jie laughed, his eyes filled with love and warmth. "And I was lucky that she was stubborn, and she married me anyway and fell in love with me back."

Long Yat-sen's eyes widened. He'd never heard his father speak of his mother in that way, not in a long time. He'd always declared he loved her in front of him and his siblings but never was he vulnerable to speak about how deep it ran since the beginning.

At that, his father patted his shoulder and started to leave. "Give me an answer soon, my son. Don't let that girl slip from your fingers." He stalked out of the room, leaving Long Yat-sen speechless.