Manipulative Harem God

Li Liying's eyes flickered with a hint of doubt as she accepted the card, her gaze darting from the man before her to the luxurious Rolls Royce parked outside—a silent evidence to the truth of his claims.

"I hope I'm not intruding at an inconvenient time," Zhang Wei continued, his voice smooth as silk, a stark contrast to the humble surroundings. "I was passing through and couldn't help but notice the...unique charm of your residence."

Despite her initial hesitation, the visible signs of wealth and perhaps the curiosity sparked by his unexpected visit nudged Li Liying to step aside, allowing him entrance, albeit with a caution that remained visibly tethered to her demeanor.

As they moved into the living room, Zhang Wei couldn't help but marvel at the stark difference between the outer world's perception of wealth and the humble reality of this home.

It was a reminder of the diversity of lives outside his bubble of affluence.

"Thank you for welcoming me into your home," Zhang Wei began, sensing the need to ease the tension. "I assure you, my intentions are purely sociable. In the world of business, it's rare to find moments of genuine human connection."

Li Liying, now slightly more at ease but still guarded, nodded slowly. "It's not every day that we have the chairman of a big entertainment company standing in our living room. To what do we owe the pleasure?"

Zhang Wei's mind raced, searching for the perfect blend of truth and strategy. "Let's just say, I'm exploring the area for potential new talents. The world is full of undiscovered stars, wouldn't you agree?"

"..."

Li Liying's expression darkened, her elegance momentarily overshadowed by annoyance.

She was draped in a cheongsam, its modern cut marrying traditional grace with a relaxed fit and a daringly low neckline, all of which was accentuated by her tasteful selection of jewelry.

A delicate hair ornament nestled amidst her locks, perfectly complementing her attire.

Her posture and beauty could easily place her among the ranks of top actresses, yet upon hearing Zhang Wei's insinuations, she quickly deciphered the motive behind his unexpected visit.

"Sorry, Mr. Zhang, but I have no interest in acting or entering the industry. If there's nothing else, I'd appreciate it if you could return tomorrow morning," she said, her tone firm as she moved towards the door, her movements betraying a cautiousness born of too many similar encounters.

Such propositions were not new to her.

Experience had taught her the most effective strategy: clarity and firmness. Leave no room for misunderstanding, or they would forever haunt your doorstep, endless in their pursuit.

Zhang Wei, unfazed by her standoffish demeanor, maintained his smile, the very picture of charm and composure. "Miss Li, perhaps there's been a misunderstanding. My visit isn't about you," he clarified quickly, hoping to disarm her growing wariness with his correction.

Li Liying narrowed her eyes, suspicion threading through her voice. "Huh? You know me?" The thought flickered across her mind—had he feigned ignorance just moments before?

Zhang Wei's initial frown deepened, a fleeting shadow of frustration crossing his features.

Yet, as quickly as it came, his expression transformed, eyes sparkling with a newfound purpose.

"Mom? Is it brother Feng?"

The soft patter of bare footsteps broke the tense silence.

Tap... Tap...

A young girl emerged, her appearance a stark contrast to the night's solemnity.

Adorned in white pajamas dotted with panda prints, her visage radiated innocence, the kind of purity that only the unburdened carry.

Her drowsy movements, coupled with a face that seemed to beckon the moon's glow, left Zhang Wei momentarily captivated, an conflicting urge to protect, cherish and defile blooming within him.

!!

It was as if a chord had been struck deep within Zhang Wei's heart at the sight of her.

"Her! I am here for her!"

Her proclaimed, his voice loud and clear, leaving a momentary silence behind it.

Li Liying, "Huh!?"

Li Xiaoyu, "Eh?"

Both mother and daughter stood, their expressions mirroring each other in astonishment, an array of confusion that momentarily united mother and daughter despite the generational gap.

Before misunderstanding could take root, Zhang Wei cleared his throat, eager to dispel the brewing storm of bewilderment.

"Cough, what I meant is, Miss Li, it's your daughter, for whom I am here for. The first time I saw her, I knew—she possesses an unparalleled talent for acting!" His declaration was bold, his gaze shifting to Li Xiaoyu with an intensity that sought to uncover the potential he perceived within her.

His abrupt declaration sent ripples of surprise through the quiet room.

"..."

"..."

Li Liying's astonishment mirrored her daughter's, their expressions a perfect blend of bewilderment and curiosity.

"I beg your pardon?" Li Liying's voice carried a mix of surprise and protective skepticism, her stance instinctively shifting to place herself subtly between Zhang Wei and her daughter, Li Xiaoyu.

The young girl, still rubbing the sleep from her eyes, looked between the adults, trying to piece together the sudden focus on her.

Zhang Wei, realizing the potential misstep his abrupt announcement could have caused, hurried to clarify, his demeanor softening to convey sincerity without alarming them further. "Please, allow me to explain. It's not every day that one encounters a natural talent so compelling that it stops you in your tracks. Your daughter, Miss Li, possesses such a talent. It's in the way she carries herself, even in her simple pajamas—there's an undeniable presence about her."

Li Xiaoyu, still in her white panda-imprinted pajamas, blinked up at Zhang Wei, her initial confusion slowly giving way to a spark of interest, her youthful curiosity piqued.

Li Liying, though taken aback, remained cautious. "You've never met Xiaoyu before tonight. How can you be so sure about her talent?" Her voice was laced with a mother's protective instinct, her eyes searching Zhang Wei's for any sign of deceit.

Zhang Wei met her gaze, his expression earnest. "It's true, this is the first time I've seen your daughter in person. But sometimes, you don't need a long acquaintance to recognize potential. It's something you feel instantly—a spark. And I believe Tianyi Entertainment can nurture that spark into stardom, with your consent, of course."

The room fell silent, the weight of his proposal increasing.

Zhang Wei watched both Li Liying and Li Xiaoyu closely, hoping his acting would convince them.

"Huh?" Li Xiaoyu's didn't understood what was happening , yet her cheeks coloring with a mix of shyness and surprise at the unexpected praise from such a distinguished-looking man.

Innocence shone from her eyes, untouched by the complexities of adult world.

However, Li Liying's maternal instincts surged to the forefront, her protective stance firm as she stepped in front of her daughter, effectively shielding her.

"You? I am sure you already knew about Xiao Yu. Where did you see her? Are you spying on us?" Her voice was laced with a guarded caution, her trust not easily swayed by the charm or status of the man before her.

Zhang Wei felt a twitch in his eye, frustration creeped in his voice. 'Why is this woman so distrusting?' he pondered, struggling to maintain his composure.

He took a deep breath, choosing his words carefully, aiming to dispel her doubts without causing further alarm.

"Miss Li, indeed, I had seen your daughter previously, as she was leaving school. It was my intention to find you and discuss her potential immediately, but unforeseen work obligations delayed my plans," he explained, striving for a tone of sincerity. "Fortunately, my path led me past your street tonight, and witnessing your confrontation outside, I couldn't let the chance to speak with you slip away."

Zhang Wei's eyes sparkled with a calculated light, his mind racing with strategies to win over Li Liying's trust.

He knew the art of persuasion required a delicate balance—

melding truth with partial reveals, a method that painted his intentions in a credible light without revealing his full hand.

'To convince someone, outright deception is never the key.'

'The art lies in weaving truth with elements of omission, creating a story that persuades without betraying the essence of honesty,' Zhang Wei mused internally, his resolve firm to demonstrate the genuine 'opportunity' he saw in Li Xiaoyu.

And indeed, it worked. Li Liying felt an unexpected pang of guilt, though she couldn't pinpoint its origin, and sighed, "Let's sit and talk, Mr. Zhang. Please, don't just stand there." She gestured towards the sofa.

Zhang Wei nodded, following her lead to the couch.

Surprisingly, Li Liying didn't send Li Xiaoyu away; instead, she kept her close as they all gathered around the living room's cozy center.

As Zhang Wei unfolded his tale to Li Liying, a shadow of empathy crept into her heart.

From a young age, he had been thrust into the merciless world of politics.

To escape the suffocating ties of his family, he fled, severing all connections with them.

He arrived in this modest city with nothing but his ambition, slowly building his empire from the ground up.

Over time, he achieved significant success and came to own several companies.

His wife, a woman of considerable education and dreams, shared his longing for children.

Yet, despite their deepest desires, they faced the heartbreaking reality that she could not conceive.

Hearing his story, Li Liying's eyes glossed over with a film of tears, her heart heavy with melancholy. "Mr. Zhang, you must have endured so much..." she said, her voice laden with compassion.