Chapter 11: Lawyer Up

On Saturday, Kelly and Yuqi were having a great time at the pool while their parents tended to some yard work. Suddenly, they noticed three sleek, black SUVs pull up in front of their home. The driver emerged and opened the back doors, revealing three sharply dressed individuals: two Asian women and an Asian man. The man held a beautifully adorned wooden box, while each woman carried a briefcase. Their formal attire and confident demeanor exuded a sense of respect as they approached the front door.

Dad, his curiosity piqued, stepped forward. “Excuse me, can I help you?” he asked, his voice betraying a hint of unease.

One of the women turned to him and said, “Mr. Allen, I presume. We’re here to assist Yuqi. If it’s all right, we would like to meet with the entire family.” Her tone was formal, her words carefully chosen, adding an air of mystery to their unexpected visit.

“Please hold on a moment,” Dad replied. “Let us tidy up a bit before we discuss this."

The three visitors nodded politely and stepped back, waiting patiently as Mr. Allen hurried inside to gather his family. Yuqi, wrapped in a towel, exchanged a confused glance with Kelly as their parents quickly ushered them into the living room.

“Who are they?” Yuqi asked, her voice low.

“We’ll find out in a moment,” her dad said, trying to sound calm but clearly on edge.

A few minutes later, the family was seated, and the three visitors were invited in. The atmosphere shifted as the finely dressed group entered the house, their presence commanding but not imposing. Whatever they were here for, it was clear they meant business.

One of the women, her face calm but respectful, straightened from her bow and shook her head. “No, Mrs. Allen, we are not here to take Yuqi from you. On the contrary, we are here to provide guidance, support, and protection.”

The man with the wooden box spoke next, his voice firm but kind.

“Mistress Yuqi is of great importance, but her safety and well-being are paramount. We would never separate her from the family who raised her with love.”

Yuqi exchanged a nervous glance with her mom and dad, unsure how to feel about being addressed with such reverence. “Uh… why exactly are you calling me Mistress?” she asked hesitantly.

The second woman stepped forward, her briefcase still in hand. “We will explain everything in detail, but it is important to note that your heritage and lineage come with significant responsibilities. May we proceed?”

Yuqi’s dad cleared his throat, his protective instincts kicking in. “You’d better start from the beginning.”

The three visitors nodded in unison, their expressions serious but understanding. “Of course,” the man said, carefully placing the decorated wooden box on the table. “We are here to ensure that Mistress Yuqi, and by extension, your family, understands the truth of her origins and what lies ahead.”

Yuqi hesitated for a moment before the man with the box spoke again. “Mistress Yuqi, may we see the medallion? It is essential to confirm what we suspect.”

Her parents exchanged worried glances, but Yuqi nodded. “I’ll get it,” she said quickly, standing up. She darted upstairs, her heart pounding as she retrieved the medallion from her bedside table. The weight of the jade dragon in her hands felt heavier than usual.

Taking a deep breath, she hurried back down and placed the medallion on the table before the visitors. “Here,” she said, watching their reactions closely.

The three leaned in, their expressions turning solemn as they examined it. The man’s eyes seemed to glimmer with recognition as he gently traced the etched dragon on the medallion’s surface. “It is as we thought,” he murmured, glancing at his companions. “This confirms her identity beyond any doubt.”

Yuqi’s mom frowned. “What identity? What does that mean?”

The woman with the briefcase smiled gently. “It means that Mistress Yuqi’s transformation is not random. It is part of her destiny.”

Yuqi gulped, unsure whether to feel relieved or more confused. “Destiny?” she echoed. “What kind of destiny?”

The man gestured toward the medallion. “One tied to this artifact and the legacy it represents. Now, we can explain everything.”

The man carefully inserted the medallion into a slot on the side of the box. “Now, Mistress Yuqi, turn it,” he said, stepping back to let her approach.

Yuqi hesitated but obeyed, gripping the medallion and twisting it gently. A faint click sounded, and the lid of the box slowly opened. Nestled against velvet lining, the most intricate and beautiful crown Yuqi had ever seen was inside.

Her breath caught as she took in the golden headpiece. Two dragons encircled the base, their detailed scales shimmering even in the soft light. Their heads met in the center, holding a giant ruby between their jaws. Sharp and vivid emeralds glinted from their eyes. Above the dragons, plum blossoms were etched into the gold, delicate and precise.

On each side of the crown, golden rods extended outward, from which intricate jade beads hung, swaying slightly as if moved by an unseen breeze. Alongside the crown were matching golden hairpins encrusted with a dazzling array of jewels.

Yuqi’s mom leaned forward, her eyes wide. “What… is this?” she whispered.

The man straightened, his expression solemn. “This is a symbol of Mistress Yuqi’s lineage—a crown worn by those of great power and responsibility in her family line.”

Yuqi stared at the crown, her reflection barely visible in the polished gold. “And… this belongs to me?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

“It is your birthright,” the man replied. “A reminder of the legacy you are destined to uphold.”

The man gestured to the crown with reverence. “This crown once belonged to your mother, the Dragon Empress. Before her ascension to the status of Dragon Goddess, she wore this as a symbol of her rule and lineage.”

Yuqi’s heart skipped a beat. “My mother? The Dragon Empress?” she echoed, her voice trembling.

“Yes,” the man confirmed. “Her legacy now flows through you. You are her rightful heir, Mistress Yuqi.”

Her family exchanged wide-eyed glances, the enormity of the revelation leaving them speechless. Yuqi stared at the crown, the weight of her mother’s legacy pressing down on her shoulders.

The man inclined his head, his tone respectful. “Mistress Yuqi, your story begins a thousand years ago. The Dragon Empress, your mother, laid her egg, as it takes a millennium for a royal dragon egg to hatch. During that time, she ascended to become the Dragon Goddess, leaving behind her physical form to take her place among the celestial beings.”

Yuqi stared at him, struggling to process the enormity of what he was saying. “So… she just left me?”

The man shook his head. “Not at all. She entrusted your care to her most loyal human aides. She knew that once you hatched, you would be vulnerable to those who might seek to harm you. By placing you in the mortal realm, she ensured that you would grow safely, far from the reach of her enemies.”

Yuqi’s mom, sitting next to her, placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. “So, she wanted to protect you,” she murmured.

Yuqi nodded slowly, her eyes fixed on the crown. “And now she’s… what, waiting for me to step into her place?”

The man’s expression softened. “She waits for you to embrace your destiny, but your path will be your own to decide. You are her heir, Mistress Yuqi, and her legacy lives on through you.”

Yuqi frowned, her confusion evident. “If I hatched from a dragon egg, how am I human?” she asked, her voice tinged with doubt.

The man nodded as if expecting the question. “All dragons are born in human form,” he explained. “Your dragon form is your second form, which you take when your power has grown strong enough to handle the transformation. Dragons have the ability to appear human at any time, as it is often necessary for them to walk unnoticed in the mortal realm.”

Yuqi’s eyes widened slightly. “So… I’ve been human because that’s how I was born?”

“Precisely,” the man confirmed. “Your transformation into your dragon form will come naturally as you gain strength, but your humanity is as much a part of you as your dragon lineage.”

Her mom reached over and gently squeezed her hand. “That doesn’t change who you are, Yuqi. You’re still you, no matter what form you take.”

Yuqi nodded slowly, trying to absorb the explanation. Still me… but now, a dragon too.

Yuqi stared at the visitors, her brow furrowed. “But how am I supposed to live like this? A boy turning into a girl—it’s impossible for humans. How do I even explain this to anyone?”

One of the women stepped forward, holding a briefcase. “Mistress Yuqi, we anticipated this concern. As legal representatives of your lineage, we have already taken steps to ensure your transition is seamless within human systems.”

The man nodded and added, “We have prepared all the necessary paperwork for your gender change and name change. Once filed, these will make everything official and legal. Your identity as Yuqi will be recognized in all official documents.”

The other woman opened the briefcase, pulling out a folder. “We also have an NDA for the doctor who witnessed your changes. Since you are a minor, all medical records can be sealed to protect your privacy.”

Yuqi’s mom leaned forward, her eyes wide. “You’ve… already done all this?”

“Yes,” the man replied. “We also have a new birth certificate reflecting your gender and name. Everything is prepared. All we need is your family’s approval to proceed.”

Yuqi swallowed hard, staring at the papers. The sheer thoroughness of their preparation left her speechless. Her dad finally spoke, his voice calm but firm. “So, you’re saying this will make everything… normal, at least on paper?”

“Exactly,” the man confirmed. “We understand this is an extraordinary situation, but our goal is to make it as manageable as possible for Mistress Yuqi and her family.”

Yuqi nodded slowly, her mind spinning. At least this part will be easier to handle, she thought. “Thank you,” she said quietly.

Yuqi glanced at the papers spread across the table, a strange mix of relief and anxiety settling over her. “This is great for the official stuff,” she admitted, “but… what about the people around us? How do we explain this to my friends, my teachers, or even the neighbors?”

Her mom sighed, rubbing her temples. “That’s the part we’re still trying to figure out. We can’t exactly tell them the truth.”

The man from the legal team nodded, his expression sympathetic. “We can help shield you from legal scrutiny and ensure privacy, but how you handle your personal relationships is a more delicate matter. This transformation is… unprecedented.”

Yuqi’s dad folded his arms, his face stern. “We’ll take it one step at a time. We’ll focus on what’s immediate—getting Yuqi comfortable and settled—and then deal with the rest as it comes.”

Yuqi nodded, though the uncertainty gnawed at her. The thought of facing her friends, her school, and even strangers made her stomach twist. How do I explain something I barely understand myself? she wondered.

The woman with the briefcase cleared her throat, drawing Yuqi’s attention. “There is one final matter we need to address—your inheritance.” She placed a neatly bound folder on the table.

Yuqi blinked, her confusion growing. “Inheritance?”

“Yes,” the man interjected, his tone formal but kind. “You are the sole heir and owner of the Chang Shipping Company, one of the largest shipping conglomerates in the world. Additionally, your inheritance includes 2.4 billion in cash and stocks.”

Yuqi’s jaw dropped. “Excuse me, what?”

The woman smiled faintly, sliding a sleek black card across the table toward Yuqi. “We understand this is overwhelming. To give you time to adjust, this card will grant you access to $30,000 a month for your personal use. Your full assets and the company will remain in trusted hands until you are ready to take full control.”

Yuqi stared at the card, feeling as though the floor had just tilted beneath her. Shipping company? Billions? The numbers were incomprehensible. She could see her parents exchanging stunned glances, equally shocked.

Kelly leaned over, whispering with a grin, “Well, I guess lunch is on you next time, sis.”

Yuqi groaned, burying her face in her hands. “This just keeps getting crazier…”

The woman continued, “We also have three chests in the trunks of our vehicles, secured specifically for you. Only you will be able to open them. They contain items that belong to your legacy.”

Yuqi blinked, her mouth opening to ask a question, but the man interjected smoothly. “Additionally, we will serve as your personal legal team. You can contact us at any time if any issues arise—financial, personal, or otherwise—. It is our duty to protect and serve your interests.”

Yuqi exchanged a look with her parents, who seemed too stunned to respond. Finally, she asked, “What’s in the chests?”

The woman smiled faintly. “You’ll have to open them and see for yourself, Mistress Yuqi.”

Yuqi watched as the lawyers brought the three ornate chests into the living room, each one intricately carved and radiating an air of mystery. They placed them gently on the floor, bowing slightly before stepping back.

“Well, that concludes our business for now,” the lead lawyer said, offering a polite smile. “Mistress Yuqi, Mr. and Mrs. Allen, Kelly—it has been an honor. Should you need us, you have our contact information.”

With that, the three visitors excused themselves and left, leaving the family staring at the chests, their curiosity and unease mounting.