The original Zhao Meixiang did not meet Lin Heng until months before their wedding date. The Viscount had to drag his spoiled daughter, kicking and screaming, to meet her betrothed. When she finally met the young man and fell in love with him, it was already too late in the game. Lin Heng's feelings for Liu Jiaying had been growing for almost six years before Zhao Meixiang entered his life. With no other women to compare and no other soul to pour his heart into, his feelings for Liu Jiaying became unbreakable. By the time Zhao Meixiang made her appearance, the game had already ended.
The present Zhao Meixiang knew the game and decided to attack Lin Heng when he was still young and weak. She entered Lin Heng's life at the moment when his heart was most vulnerable. The best time to attack a person is when he or she is heartbroken. Despicable? Some may say so. But isn't it also true that all is fair in love and war?
"Meixiang, are you cold?"
Zhao Meixiang was lost in her thoughts when the warm voice brought her back into focus. For the past few weeks, Meixiang had been visiting the Lin family with her father. Each time, Lin Heng would take her around the expansive Lin estate, showing her all the gardens and private quarters in his family home. Of course, the Viscount was careful to have a few maids accompany Meixiang. Now that the young Lin Heng seemed to show interest in his daughter, the Viscount took precautions to protect his precious daughter's virtue.
"Come, bring over the coal," Lin Heng ordered the nearby servants.
Before Meixiang could say she was fine, several stone buckets were placed all around her.
"Thank you..." Meixiang smiled softly, carefully keeping her eyes on the folded hands on her lap.
Currently, they were sitting in the plum garden underneath the small pavilion. Sitting across from one another, the two had been watching the plum blossom trees for a while now.
"Ah... It's snowing..." Meixiang was surprised when a snowflake fell on top of her hand.
Turning, she looked out at the garden to see the gentle snowfall. Against the fallen plum blossom, the white flakes blended charmingly.
So white and pink
Cold but warm, sinking
Falling yet still blooming
Meixiang recited quietly while gazing at the blend of fallen plum blossom and white snowflake. She had forgotten that she was not alone until Lin Heng responded with another poem.
White and pink blooms
Unknowingly, the light blossom
Spring is imminent, soon
Hearing Lin Heng's response to her poem, Meixiang smiled. When a plum blossom flower fell right in front of her, she held it in her palm.
"You must like plum blossom..." Lin Heng watched the quiet Meixiang as her attention was on the small, delicate flower in her white porcelain hand.
"Who does not like plum blossom?" Even though Meixiang was smiling at the flower in her hand, it did not escape her that Lin Heng's expression changed ever so slightly by her rhetorical question.
"Some prefer a stronger flower."
"Stronger flower?" Meixiang repeated—her voice filled with confusion as her eyes lifted to meet Lin Heng's. "What flower is stronger than the plum blossom? In the middle of winter, only the plum blossom blooms. While the world is covered in white, this pink flower still blossoms."
While Lin Heng was startled, Meixiang looked back down at the flower in her hand, smiling softly to herself. Just as Lin Heng was about to speak, a young maid appeared and rushed to Meixiang's side.
"Miss, master said it's time to leave."
"It's barely an hour since you came." Lin Heng couldn't stop himself from speaking his mind.
When he realized what he had said, he quickly turned and coughed into his fist, hoping to hide his embarrassment.
"Meixiang bid Lin-gongzi a good day." Meixiang gave her usual quiet smile as she stood.
Lin Heng wanted to ask the young girl if she was going to visit again but stopped himself. While Meixiang walked away with her maids, Lin Heng stood underneath the small pavilion watching after her.
"Miss..." A maid who was holding Meixiang's arm whispered with a smile. "It seems Lin-gongzi have fallen for_"
"Do not speak foolishness in someone else home" Meixiang voice was calm and steady, revealing no emotion.
"Y....Yes miss, forgive me to speaking out of bounds" The maid quickly lowered her head and said nothing else.
Walking quietly through the empty corridor, Zhao Meixiang's expression was unreadable. No one could see through her thoughts—she had made sure of that. After all, the Meixiang now was different from before. She wasn't foolish enough to lose in the game called love. Yes, Lin Heng was indeed drool-worthy, but Meixiang knew better. The man might be somewhat interested in her now, but who's to say he would remain interested if she gave in to his charms so easily?
Besides, the protagonist of the story had yet to reenter the game. Right now, Zhao Meixiang was just a temporary distraction for the young Lin Heng—a rebound love. In three months, Meixiang would have to return home with her father. With cities between them, who could guarantee that Lin Heng wouldn't fall for Liu Jiaying again in Zhao Meixiang's absence? First love is always the hardest to forget. For a second male lead like Lin Heng, it would be even harder.
Still, this Zhao Meixiang was determined to win this game - one way or another.