Adjusting the Asset Profile
Li Tianyi accepted Princess Elara's compliance with the same detached calm he used to manage his stock portfolio. However, before the official transfer to the Lakefront Villa, he instructed Han Mengjie to immediately update the asset profile, noting their equal age.
"Mengjie, adjust the diplomatic sensitivity rating," Li Tianyi instructed over a secured line. "Princess Elara is not a seasoned political figure, but a young woman—my age. This introduces a variable of unpredictable youthful emotionalism combined with high-level martial training that must be managed."
"Understood, Chairman Li," Mengjie's analytic voice replied. "Age parity introduces a higher risk of impulsive action, but also the potential for mutual intellectual understanding. I am adjusting the strategic timeline accordingly."
Li Tianyi sighed. Managing a chaotic genius sister was enough; now he had to manage a runaway foreign royal who possessed both significant martial skill and the potential for emotional drama—all at his own age.
The Transfer of Ownership and Equal Disdain
Li Tianyi personally oversaw the transfer. He sat in the back of his armored sedan while Elara sat beside him, still wearing the ineffective disguise, guarded by Long Wei in the front.
"So, Li Tianyi," Elara said, breaking the silence, her tone sharp and competitive. "We are the same age. You've achieved global financial dominance by focusing on money, and I was bred to maintain global political stability by avoiding it. It seems we are equally inefficient in our pursuits."
"My pursuit of tranquility through financial control is the height of efficiency," Li Tianyi countered, without looking up from his tablet, where he was calmly shorting a textile company. "Your avoidance of responsibility is merely a selfish, chaotic choice."
"And your reliance on overwhelming corporate force to avoid a little social drama is equally inefficient," Elara retorted, a spark of equal fire in her eyes. "We are two sides of the same coin: highly capable people who prefer to let our systems fight our personal battles."
The Lakefront Villa: Terms and Conditions
They arrived at the Lakefront Villa—a secluded, heavily secured property that resembled a fortress disguised as a minimalist architectural masterpiece.
Li Tianyi led Elara inside, presenting the terms of her confinement/protection:
Freedom of Movement (Internal): "You have full freedom within this property's boundaries. The house is entirely at your disposal. I want your existence here to be enjoyable; chaos comes from deprivation."
External Communication: "All external communications will be screened and managed by Li Tianyu's intelligence division. No messy, unauthorized calls home."
Physical Exertion: "You may continue your martial training, but it must be done efficiently, with supervision from Long Wei. He will ensure your practice does not cause unnecessary damage to the Dynasty's property."
Elara looked at him, a flicker of professional interest in her competitive eyes. "You assume I have martial skills."
Li Tianyi gestured toward the subtle scars on her delicate knuckles. "Your martial discipline is a high-value asset. To ignore it would be inefficient. You clearly use physical movement to manage your stress—a crude, but understandable, method."
He then showed her a specialized training room Long Wei had prepared. "You will train here. If you can defeat Long Wei in a sparring match, you may request one additional, non-critical, luxury item."
Long Wei, standing silently in the doorway, offered a slight, respectful bow.
Elara smiled for the first time—a genuine, challenging smile that matched Li Tianyi's own subtle intensity. "A suitable wager, Li Tianyi. I enjoy a difficult, high-stakes challenge, even if it is simply a wager on your bodyguard's integrity."
Li Tianyi nodded, already turning to leave. "Good. Then you are occupied. Your activity is now managed and contained. My personal tranquility is restored."
He left Elara to the capable watch of Long Wei and the vast security apparatus. The Li Dynasty now held a runaway princess of equal age and equal disdain for unnecessary effort, an asset whose presence added a layer of complexity and high-stakes efficiency to the elegant boredom of the Dragon King's heir.