Lai s.h.i.+-on had changed into casual clothes. He was at his desk typing away. He replied to emails and started doing some paperwork so he could free up more time for tomorrow.

Lai Yongliang was sat on the edge of Lai s.h.i.+-on's bed.

Lai s.h.i.+-on continued typing away: "Bro are you going to say something? You've been sitting staring at me for almost 30 minutes now."

Lai Yongliang: "Can I not just want the pleasure of your company?"

Lai s.h.i.+-on spun around on his swivel chair: "I think that's a pickup line and you are definitely not allowed to use it on your younger brother. Just say whatever you have to."

Lai Yongliang: "You are interested in Dr Yao Changying?" He phrased it as a question, but both brothers knew it was a factual observation.

Lai s.h.i.+-on took out the earphone that was in his left ear.

Lai Yongliang: "Mother and father will not approve."

Lai s.h.i.+-on said nonchalantly: "They don't approve of anything I do anyway, what's one more thing?"

Lai Yongliang: "s.h.i.+-on I am only trying to warn you of the difficulties you will face. All be it this conversation is not going how I planned."

Lai s.h.i.+-on casually said: "Relax bro, I know what I'm doing. Can't you be happy for me for finally moving forward? Mom and Dad don't support or approve of anything I do but can't you at least support me as my older brother? I like her and I want to get to know her. I'm not saying I want to marry her right this second. I don't even know if this will go anywhere at all."

Lai Yongliang clasped his hands together: "This matter is not as simple as you make it sound. You will not be able to withstand the pressure from our family. You are well aware of what means they will resort to when they believe it is for your benefit and for the greater good of the Lai family.

Lai s.h.i.+-on became defensive: "So I just have to be resigned to my fate? Haven't I done enough of that already? If it's so easy why don't you hurry up and chose one of the women that mother keeps showing you? She's choosing them for your benefit and for the greater good of the Lai family right? Why have all your blind dates somehow ended in failure? Don't try and pretend it wasn't intentional sabotage on your part."

Lai Yongliang's voice became slightly sharp: "I will marry a woman that mother chooses, so far there has not been one that I can tolerate or trust. Do not question me as if you don't know what my fate is as the eldest son of the Lai family. I would not even question this if you had chosen someone with a similar background to ours. If you had chosen Ren Daiyu then this would not be a point of contention. ."

Lai s.h.i.+-on: "I can't help who I like and I can say with certainty that I don't feel like anything for Ren Daiyu. If you think she's so appropriate why don't you marry her?"

Lai Yongliang shook his head at Lai s.h.i.+-on childish response.

Lai Yongliang: "It was a fact. I was not suggesting that you should force yourself to like Ren Daiyu besides we both know that Xu Junjie is entangled with her. I am only warning you about the consequences of your actions. It is not fair on Yao Changying to go into this situation unaware. Will you wait until she develops feelings for you? Will you be able to protect her from the onslaught she will face when you will not even be able to protect yourself. "

Lai s.h.i.+-on: "I just want the opportunity to get to know the person I like and that I've chosen. If she is the person for me then I will fight for her. If not I will walk away and fall into the Lai family line. However, for now, I'll fight for my happiness. Will you fight for yours?"

Lai Yongliang sighed and stood to leave. There was nothing more he could say right now to change Lai s.h.i.+-on's mind. He knew that his brother was immensely stubborn and once he decided on something he would follow through until the bitter end.

Lai s.h.i.+-on: "I don't want you to investigate Changying. Her past is hers to keep and tell me whenever and whatever she wants too. I don't want it to be used as a weapon against her."

Lai Yongliang didn't turn around as he said: "I did not realize you are so naive and innocent in your thinking. Do you think that our family will not submerge themselves into Yao Changying's past and present life? They will go through everything with a fine-tooth ivory comb."

He left the room, closing the door behind him.

Lai Yongliang gracefully navigated the hallway down to his room. Upon entering he locked the door and went to the large window. The night sky appeared clear, he gazed at the crescent moon. He wanted to find happiness, who wouldn't want to spend their lives with someone they loved. He had responsibilities and there were expectations he had to meet. If he ever found anyone who he loved, the most he could do for her was to let her go and escape the Lai family's rules and restrictions.

Lai Yongliang took out his phone and contemplated whether he should have Yao Changying investigated. It's not that he wanted to know about her past, it's just he wanted Lai s.h.i.+-on to be prepared for anything that his parents may use against them being a couple.

After a few moments, he sent a text to Lai s.h.i.+-on [I will let you handle everything in whatever way you see fit. If you require my help you will have to ask].

....

Apartment 5

Li Xiuying had showered and changes and was now sitting on the bed with a circle of paper around her. She had prepared some ideas for tomorrow's meetings with Qin Song. There were some doctors who had spoken to her about taking part. Some even suggested they would be happy to mentor some of the older children. She thought a mentors.h.i.+p scheme would be beneficial to the children, improve the portfolios of doctors and improve the hospital's reputation.

She finished looking at the last of the doc.u.ments she had printed and put everything together in a pile at the side.

Li Xiuying turned off her bedside lamp and laid down for the night. Thoughts of tonight were keeping sleep at bay. Li Yu Yan's threat and her sudden ability to unlock another level of her white lotus game; the white lotus with a backbone. She would have to give director Zhang, perhaps she should give a lecture at the University after all.

Li Xiuying phone started vibrating under her pillow. She pulled out her phone and looked at the screen and saw it was a number she didn't recognize. She glanced at the time; 11:30.

Li Xiuying: "h.e.l.lo"

Qilin: "Ah Dr Li were you able to get home safely?"

Li Xiuying: "Mmm."

Qilin: "I just called to give a quick reminder about you coming to see my father this week."

Li Xiuying remained silent.

Qilin: "I have contacted everyone from my line of business and they all know that you have left the Li family and that you will be reclaiming favors owed."

Li Xiuying kept quite.

Qilin chuckled: "I have also called my IT a.s.sociate. There will be a slight delay due to unforeseen circ.u.mstances and Little Xuànfēng will report to you in 4 days."

Li Xiuying: "Fine."

Qilin: "Will you be free this weekend?"

Li Xiuying: "No. I'll a.s.sess him tomorrow. Have all his medical notes and images available."

Qilin: "I'll let my father know. I'll have him at the restaurant by 7 pm. Zang Yong will escort you to the office when you arrive. I would like to suggest that you wear comfortable shoes."

Li Xiuying: "Okay." She didn't know why he would mention her footwear, but she was happy to wear shoes that she could run in, if necessary.

Li Xiuying paused for a brief second before saying: "Mr Tu Yu Qing, you have probably looked into my separation from the Li family. What your investigation didn't tell you was why I left. Would you like to hear?"

Qilin: "Please enlighten me."

Li Xiuying coldly said: "The main reason was that the Li family liked to meddle in all of my affairs and tried to control my actions. I don't like being forced into situations." She was giving Qilin a not so subtle hint that the shenanigans he pulled tonight were something she didn't like.

Qilin wasn't her friend, they had a business relations.h.i.+p based on mutual benefits. If he had truly wanted to be friends he wouldn't have bartered for his father's surgery. He also wouldn't have allowed the Li family to remain intact.