Episode 3 Ah-Gong's Guest
Before long, the roar of luxury car engines pulling up to the mansion broke the tension at the dinner table. Heavy, confident footsteps echoed through the hall. Leading the group with a wide grin was Ah-Gong Song, a long-time best friend of Lin's grandfather, followed closely by a tall, lean young man.
"Come in, come in, Ah-Song! I'm so glad you've finally arrived," Ah-Gong greeted his friend with a vitality that didn't belong to a dying man.
"I'm glad to see you're still looking so robust," Ah-Gong Song laughed, before nodding to the young man behind him.
"Come, sit. Chen, go sit next to Ah-Lin."
Lin looked at the newcomer with a blank stare at first. But as his sharp features and rectangular glasses came into focus, her face stiffened instantly. Memories of the foul-mouthed brat on the road flashed through her mind.
"You! You foul-mouthed brat!" Lin bolted upright, pointing a finger at him, completely forgetting her manners.
"Muay Lek! Sit down!" Ma hissed, grabbing her daughter's arm and pulling her back down as the table fell into a stunned silence.
Chen didn't look offended. He simply let a small smirk play on his lips and calmly pulled out the chair next to her. The look in his eyes behind those lenses was so provoking that Lin wanted to dump her soup over his head.
"Hello... Jee." The word 'Jee' (Big Sis) made the vein in Lin's temple throb. He knew exactly how old she was, and he was weaponizing it to get under her skin.
"Do you two know each other?" Ah-Gong Song asked, surprised.
"Not exactly, Gong. I just happened to run into a very hot-tempered 'elder' on the road earlier," Chen replied in a smooth, deep voice a far cry from the brat who was barking at her on the street.
"Ah... well, let me introduce you. This is Muay Lek, my granddaughter. She's 32 this year and very talented at her work," Ah-Gong began his sales pitch immediately.
"And this is Ah-Chen, my grandson," Ah-Gong Song added with a mischievous glint.
"He's only 28. Even though he's four years younger than you, Ah-Lin, he's already the CEO of a major accounting firm. He's so capable I wanted the two of you to meet."
Lin's jaw tightened. She glared at the man beside her, who was now acting like a polite, innocent saint in front of the elders.
32 and 28... Ah-Gong wants me to marry a toddler who just called me Grandma?!
"Nice to meet you," Lin squeezed the words through her teeth. She sat there fuming, shooting daggers at the
"Pale Faced Brat" who was now boldly adjusting his glasses while checking out her figure.
"Now that everyone is here, let's eat! We can discuss your wedding plans while we're at it."
Lin nearly choked on her water. The welcome dinner, which was supposed to be warm, was now a suffocating mess of awkwardness between her and the man she detested most. And the worst part? He was set to become her husband in a matter of days.
"Ah-Gong... I haven't agreed to get married yet," Lin protested, her voice trembling with a mix of rage and confusion. The spotlight was on her, and the sharp gaze of the Toddler CEO next to her made it feel like he was watching a comedy show.
"Oh, come on, Ah-Lin. Since Ah-Chen is already here, why not open your heart and get to know him first?" Ah-Gong Song tried to lower the temperature.
"I stand by what I said: I don't want to get married. I can take care of myself. I see no reason to peg my life to anyone else," she declared firmly.
"Muay Lek!!" Ma barked, her face darkening at her daughter's rudeness.
"Ma! This is my life! And Ah-Gong, you said you'd let me think about it! Why are you skipping steps and tiger-trapping me like this?!" Lin stood up, completely abandoning the etiquette she'd been taught her whole life.
The room went dead silent. Ah-Gong Song, sensing the disaster, stepped in.
"Everyone, calm down. Let's not let emotions decide." He looked at the two.
"But please understand, our two families have shared highs and lows for a long time. We want to be 'Gold of the same sheet.' You two are the hope for this legacy."
Ah-Gong, who had been playing sick, let out a soft sigh.
"How about this... you two go talk privately outside. Settle it like modern people. We'll stay here and consult further."
Fine,they both said in unison.
Lin marched out toward the back garden, desperate to escape her mother's piercing gaze. Chen followed at a leisurely pace, adjusting his suit. Under the shadow of a large tree, Lin spun around to face him. Before she could speak, his mocking voice cut the air.
"Thirty-two years old... and still throwing tantrums like a kid, Jee."
Lin stomped toward him.
"Nobody asked for your opinion!"
"Well, Jee, we're going to be husband and wife soon. You should speak nicely to me. Maybe then I'll show some mercy and not annoy you so often," Chen smirked.
"I. Am. Not. Marrying. You!" Lin emphasized every syllable.
"Suit yourself," Chen shrugged, stepping closer. Because of the height difference, Lin had to tilt her head back.
"But think about it. If you reject me, your Ah-Gong won't stop. He'll keep throwing new guys at you until you break. Or do you plan on staying on the shelf forever?"
"I'd rather rot on the shelf than marry you!"
"Then how about this..." Chen lowered his voice.
"A deal. A marriage in name only. Once the elders are convinced we're stable, we find a way to divorce. You get your freedom back, and I get this burden off my back."
Lin narrowed her eyes.
"You seem awfully eager. What's the catch?"
Chen let out a dry laugh, looking at her with a gaze that made Lin want to kick his shins.
"Don't flatter yourself, Jee. I have zero 'appetite' for a woman your age. I prefer the pale, cute high-school types."
"You... you brat!!" Lin doubled her fists.
"Red-lipped Old Lady," he shot back.
"I'm going to slap that smirk off your face!"
"Ooh, I'm terrified," Chen mocked, his eyes sparkling with amusement.
"So, deal or no deal? My Ah-Gong is breathing down my neck too. If you agree, we can end this drama and tell the parents."
Lin went quiet. Her brain did a quick cost-benefit analysis. A fake marriage would stop the endless blind dates, and she could keep her single lifestyle with a puppet husband for show.
"Fine! Deal. We're getting married," she snapped.
"There. Was that so hard? All that acting for nothing. Old and dramatic."
"You! I'm going to break your glasses!" She swung a fist, but he dodged it with annoying grace.
"Heh..."
His low chuckle made her want to scream. She watched his broad shoulders as he hummed a tune and strolled back into the house like a victor.
Back at the table, Lin masked her face with cold indifference while Chen maintained his mask of a sophisticated gentleman.
"Ah-Gong," Chen started, his voice sounding so sincere it made Lin's skin crawl.
"Lin and I have talked it over... we've agreed to get married."
"Is it true, Ah-Chen?! You aren't just lying to please an old man?" Ah-Gong Song asked, his eyes lighting up.
"Yes," they both replied.
"Aiyoo! Wonderful! Today is the most auspicious day!" Ah-Gong, who was 'bedridden' hours ago, was now radiating energy. The room erupted in cheers. The servants scrambled to bring more food and drinks. The parents immediately started discussing auspicious dates and grand yet minimal wedding plans.
Amidst the celebration, Lin took a long sip of her water. She glanced at her fiancé, who was naturally serving food to her parents like he was the Son-in-Law of the Year.
'What a talented liar, Lin thought.'
She knew her peaceful single life was officially over. The psychological warfare they'd agreed upon was about to begin. She was officially moving in with the foul-mouthed brat.
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