Chapter 1 Heavenly Thunder Strikes Earthly Fire
When her mother knocked on the door, Lin Zaoyi was having a dream, a dream with color.
Like thunder and lightning striking the earth, you entangle me, and I entangle you.
Ironically, this dream was a reflection of reality.
It's been more than three months, and the memory has almost faded, so why did I dream about it today?
She groggily opened her eyes, slowly got up, and said in a hoarse voice, "Mom, the door isn't locked."
The door opened, and Mom clicked her tongue, moved to the window, and pulled back the curtains. "Still sleeping? Your brother Zhaojing will be here soon."
Upon hearing this title, Lin Zaoyi was momentarily stunned, but then remembered that it referred to Uncle Tan's son, her mother's... stepson.
Three months ago, my mother married into the Tan family, a family even wealthier than the wealthy elite.
And so, she gained an older brother who was not related to her by blood, yet was a real person.
Because he was busy with projects abroad, he missed his mother's wedding to Uncle Tan; he only knew of him but never met him.
Her mother pushed her towards the bathroom, saying, "Hurry up and wash your face, or your brother Zhaojing will be all sweet-talking you later."
Lin Zaoyi pursed her lips. "Why are you so sweet-talking? Can't you treat him like royalty?"
"You silly child," her mother smacked her on the bottom, "change your clothes and go downstairs."
Ten minutes later, Lin Zaoyi finished getting ready and left the room.
As soon as I entered the living room, I saw Uncle Tan step in from the courtyard. The years had etched elegance and gentleness upon him. My mother was half a meter behind him. To be honest, people would believe that my mother looked 35.
I overheard my mother asking Uncle Tan, "How much longer until we reach Xiyuan from Zhaojing?"
"Soon."
Just two minutes later, the sound of wheels rubbing against the ground came from the courtyard. Lin Zaoyi subconsciously turned her head and a car with consecutive license plates came into view.
The car door opened, long legs stretched out, and leather shoes were spotless.
My gaze shifted upwards, sweeping over the newcomer's features. The moment I saw them clearly, it felt like I'd been hit on the back of the head with a blunt object, leaving a buzzing sound.
The face in her field of vision was flawless, both in bone structure and appearance, but she was terrified because this person had appeared in her dream half an hour earlier...
My body shook uncontrollably.
So, it was Tan Zhaojing who was offended that night?
At that moment, she had only one thought.
escape!
Just as she made a move, her mother grabbed her, "Where are you going?"
"I...I..." Lin Zaoyi stammered, not knowing what to say, her clenched palms were covered in sweat.
Finally, she slumped her head in dejection and asked, "I'm going to say I want to go back to my room, do you agree?"
Clutching her mother's hand pitifully, she said, "I'm shy around strangers..."
Ms. Ming chuckled, glanced at her daughter, and said, "Do you think I agree or not? Aren't you afraid of being impolite? Just stay here obediently."
She took a few steps forward, took the towel prepared by the maid, and handed it to him, saying, "Here, Zhaojing, wipe your hands."
Tan Zhaojing accepted it, saying, "Thank you, Aunt Ming."
He nodded to his father, "Dad."
His gaze shifted slightly, landing on the girl in the light green dress, and his eyes narrowed.
Lin Zaoyi stood there, forcing herself to stay calm, but she couldn't help but tremble the moment she met Tan Zhaojing's gaze.
He frowned, his dark eyes scrutinizing, appraising, or perhaps identifying...
She tried to keep her composure, but her heart was pounding uncontrollably. She could manage for a second or two, but after a while, she felt like she wanted to die.
In his moment of helplessness, he finally moved away.
Tan Zhaojing handed the used towel to a maid near the station, then turned to look at the driver carrying the luggage, saying, "Just give the things to the auntie."
“Come here, Zhaojing,” Tan’s father said, putting his arm around his son’s shoulder as he introduced him, “This is your younger sister, Zaoyi. We’ve sent you photos before, do you remember her?”
Lin Zaoyi: "..."
Why would you send her photos for no reason...?
Then Tan Zhaojing gave a faint "hmm," and said, "I have a deep impression of it."
Upon hearing this, she panicked. Profound… what profound?
The tall, slender figure walked towards her. She was still in shock, but thankfully, she sensed a distance in his approaching aura.
The man stopped half a meter away. "Hello."
Lin Zaoyi lowered her eyes and squeezed out three words through gritted teeth, "Brother Zhaojing."
Regardless of whether the other person could hear her, she greeted them and moved next to her mother. As soon as she sat down, her mother nudged her shoulder and said, "Why didn't you greet them?"
"..."
Can she say that she has already shouted?
Left with no other choice, he spoke again, "Brother Zhaojing."
The volume is normal now.
Then they heard Tan Zhaojing give a heartless "hmm".
His attitude of being happy suggests that he didn't recognize him.
Lin Zaoyi thought with a glimmer of hope.
Even as she tried to reassure herself, cold sweat still poured down her face. She whispered in her mother's ear, "I'm going to the restroom."
In the restroom.
The tap was running.
Lin Zaoyi practically stuck her head into the sink.
The cool water splashed on my face, washing away the sweat, but the palpitations remained.
Looking back on that absurd night, she also felt wronged.
That night, one of her classmates put something in her cup.
Fortunately, I reacted quickly and ran out as soon as I realized something was wrong. I was careful not to go to the restroom, but instead pushed open an empty private room, gagged myself, and drank a lot of water, but I still couldn't resist the effects of the drug.
Just as she was being scorched by the heat, a man approached from the shadows. It turned out that someone had been in the private room she had barged into, but the lights were off.
Using the light from the restroom, I could make out the person's appearance; I had noticed him before entering the club.
Tall with long legs, and possessing a refined and elegant demeanor.
At that moment, she absurdly thought, if something were to happen, why not just find someone she finds agreeable?
The man instinctively grabbed her as he lunged forward, asking, "What's wrong with you?"
They could tell something was wrong with her; she must have drunk something unclean.
She responded with a tearful "hmm".
Thinking of this, Lin Zaoyi splashed a handful of water on her face several times to suppress the embarrassment and heat. She then grabbed a tissue and walked towards the living room.
A hurried voice suddenly burst in, "Brother, you're back!"
Talk about Jia Ni's voice.
Tan Jiani jogged over in her slippers and asked, "Brother, didn't you say the project wouldn't finish until next month?"
Tan Zhaojing slowly sipped his tea. "I came back early to see someone."
A casual reply, however, touched a nerve that Zao Yi found most sensitive.
Looking for someone... looking for whom...
Tan Jiani, acting as a mouth double, asked, "Who are you looking for?"
Zao Yi quietly pricked up her ears.
But Tan Zhaojing only twitched his lips, without uttering a single word.
This made her even more afraid.
In any case, Xiyuan, which is this place, is no longer a place she can stay; she needs to move as soon as possible.
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