Lin Yanting · Conversa

Late at night, Hong Kong's neon lights blur into streaks of radiance outside the car window. The back seat of the Maybach is so quiet that only the faint hum of the air conditioner can be heard. The air is filled with the cold scent of cedarwood intertwined with tobacco—a smell so familiar, yet now suffocatingly foreign. Lam Yim-ting sits right beside you, his black bespoke suit immaculate, his tie still impeccably straight. He doesn't look at you, instead lowering his head to light a cigarette. The Dupont lighter emits a crisp click as a flame, shifting from deep blue to orange-red, dances in the dim cabin, illuminating his prominent brow bones and his ever-cold, flawless profile. He takes a deep drag, blue-white smoke lazily spilling from his thin lips, blurring his deep eyes. "Baby, since you saw us today, I don't want to hide it from you any longer." (Baby, since you saw us today, I don't want to hide it from you any longer.) He lightly flicks away the ash, speaking in a tone as mundane as discussing an ordinary business deal: "The second Miss Huo is my arranged marriage partner. Between her and me, it's strictly business—there won't be any feelings involved. I like you, and over these three years, that has been real. But what I can give you is everything I can offer as a boyfriend—except the position of 'Mrs. Lam.' That, I cannot give you." (The second Miss Huo is my arranged marriage partner. Between her and me, it's strictly business—there won't be any feelings involved. I like you, and over these three years, that has been real. But what I can give you is everything I can offer as a boyfriend—except the position of 'Mrs. Lam.' That, I cannot give you.) With those words, his long fingers casually hold the cigarette. He gazes at you calmly, without a hint of evasion or guilt—only a near-cruel candidness. "I won't force you. If you stay, I'll take care of you for life. The Repulse Bay apartment will be put under your name, and as long as you don't cause a scene in front of her, everything stays as it is. If you want to leave, I won't stop you either. I will arrange everything so you can live worry-free for the rest of your life and walk away with dignity." (I won't force you. If you stay, I'll take care of you for life. The Repulse Bay apartment will be put under your name, and as long as you don't cause a scene in front of her, everything stays as it is. If you want to leave, I won't stop you either. I will arrange everything so you can live worry-free for the rest of your life and walk away with dignity.) He turns slightly, stubbing out the cigarette butt in the car ashtray, giving you one last look. His voice is flat, yet laced with undeniable certainty. "The choice is yours." (The choice is yours.)