Yue Ling stayed outside the Ji Mansion and watched Inu run around the yard with some soldiers. She was able to catch up with Gu Ting.
She was glad that although he didn't become a soldier, he trained every chance he got with them and is now going to school to further his studies. He was even offered a scholarship to study abroad.
Looking at the young man next to her, Yue Ling felt proud of the man he had become, but remembering the hardship he had gone through, she felt guilty for not getting there in time.
If she had arrived sooner, she could have saved his parents. If she had, none of them would have had to suffer the way they did.
Gu Ting sat staring ahead at Inu and the soldiers, who had become his friends when he saw Yue Ling watching him from the corner of his eyes. His cheeks turned red at the intense stare from his idol, but he knew why she was looking at him.
He turns his head to look at her. Meeting her eyes filled with guilt and sympathy, he smiles.
"I don't blame you for what happened. No one knew it would happen."
While at the Ji Mansion, he had closed himself from everyone. However, no matter how often he gave others the cold shoulder, they never gave up on him.
He always thought it was his misfortune, but it wasn't until he grew closer to the others that he discovered he wasn't the only one.
Some lost their family just like him, while some never had a family to begin with. The ones who had families always made sure the ones who didn't have one knew what it felt like to have one.
His friendship with Ji Jingxu also taught him how to move on.
He looks away from his idol and stares at the gray sky above Imperial.
"If it weren't for you, I wouldn't be here. And for that, I am thankful because you gave me a purpose to live and meet the amazing people here."
Yue Ling felt touched by his words. She raised her hand and patted him on the head.
"I'll always be here if you need anything. Don't feel embarrassed to ask for help."
She knew he would never ask her for help, but she wanted him to see that he could, and if he ever needed her help, she would help him.
"You are part of this family now."
Just as her last word fell, she felt a chilling breeze brush past her. She looked at the gray sky, and a shiver ran through her spine.
"We should head inside."
Winter is here, and so will the first snow.
She murmurs the words, and her expression turns solemn. A memory surfaces inside her mind, but she quickly shakes it away and whistles for Inu.
The little guy's ears perked in response and dashed in her direction. He stops next to her and rubs his head against her leg.
She pats his head and then bids Gu Ting and the other soldiers farewell before leaving the Ji Mansion.
"Young Miss, would you like a cup of warm tea?"
Housekeeper Hu asked upon seeing her enter the mansion. Yue Ling smiles a nod as she slips into a pair of slippers.
"Thank you, that would be nice."
She walks to the living area to sit while Inu drinks water, but her phone chimes with a notification just before she can sit. She takes her phone out, furrowed brows at the unfamiliar number.
The Regal @ 4 pm. End booth on the left.']
She checks the time on her phone and sees it is 3 p.m. She maps the location on her phone. Her lips pursed in thought. Jingxu should be on his way home from school now.
Should she wait for her brother to get home or head to the place to meet this person?
After pondering it for a few minutes, she put her phone away and left to find Housekeeper Hu.
She asks to borrow one of her grandfather's cars and takes the keys from him.
"When Jingxu comes home, tell him I have gifts for him. I must step out, but I'll be back."
Housekeeper Hu nods in understanding, but remembering the weather forecast, he nervously looks at her.
"But Young Miss, the forecast says tonight will be the first snow in Imperial… are you sure you should be leaving?"
He knew just as much as everyone close to Yue Ling what the first snow meant. However, he didn't dare bring up the topic of why.
Yue Ling smiles reassuringly and tells him everything will be fine.
"Please watch Inu until I get back, and if Lu Tian comes back before I do, tell him to wait for me. I won't be long."
She walks to the garage and leaves after saying a few more things.
Driving out of the gate, she watches the road but thinks about the anonymous message. She is curious to know who it is and what they have to say.
It didn't take long before she arrived at The Regal. She steps out of the car and looks at the luxurious building, knowing from a glance that it is a lounge and bar for the elite.
She hands the valet worker the keys and walks towards the front entrance, where a security guard opens the door for her.
Inside, The Regal was dimly lit, with a few customers considering the time. She walks towards the far end of the place to the left booth.
Once she was near, she saw the back of a person's head.
One of her eyebrows arched curiously at the person she did not expect to meet.
"You're the last person I would expect to meet ."
She sits across from the person and leans back in her seat.
"What do you want, Ji Chu Hua?"
Ji Chu Hua rolled her eyes at Yue Ling's words. She casually sips her glass of wine and then looks at the woman.
A wry smile appears on Yue Ling's lips. She slightly tilts her head to the side and crosses her arms.
"And what makes you think I will accept your proposal?"
Ji Chu Hua sneers inside at how Yue Ling talked down on her. She must admit that the woman was beautiful and could see why many worshipped her. However, she believed she was prettier.
She reaches for her bag and takes out a folder. Sliding it over to Yue Ling, she sips her wine.
"If you accept my proposal, all of that will be yours."
Yue Ling stares at the woman in front of her. She knows what the woman is planning but picks up the folder. Inside is a list of Ji Chu Hua's followers at Ji Corps.
"What's our purpose for this?"
She closes the folder and sets it down on the table. Her eyes looked straight at the woman without faltering.
"I know that Grandfather Ji is planning to name you Chairman of Ji Corps."
Ji Chu Hua answered with a smile that did not reach her eyes. She has worked under Ji Corps since she finished her studies. She had made connections and gathered many followers in hopes that she would take over the company.
That was until she unexpectedly heard Grandfather Ji mention to one of the directors that he was passing the company to Yue Ling.
Clearing her throat, she twirls the glass in her hand.
"You know I have many followers at Ji Corps, and they are against you taking over. If you agree to my proposal, I can persuade all of them to accept you as the new Chairman."
Yue Ling arched a brow at her cousin. She had indeed agreed with her grandfather about taking over Ji Corps. However, the words had not gone out. Ji Chu Hua knows that she is curious, but not by much.
She taps her fingers on the folder like she is pondering the idea. After a long minute, she parts her lips.
"So, you're saying, if I agree. All of this…"
She pauses in her words and points at the folder before continuing.
Ji Chu Hua nods her head and finishes her glass of wine.
"I'm willing to give you 5 percent of my shares too."
She reaches for the wine bottle and fills her empty glass.
"As long as you agree, the position is yours."
She spoke with promises, but deep down, she had other plans. She would never let Yue Ling take the position she worked so hard to get.
Yue Ling watched her without batting an eye. She knew people like Ji Chu Hua like the back of her hand. She's been in the business world far too long to know who was scheming and who wasn't.
However, wanting to know what the woman is planning, she smiles.
"And what are you proposing?"
Ji Chu Hua smiles a chuckle. She knew Yue Ling was like everyone else when moving up the ladder.
She takes a sip of her wine and then places it down. Her eyes flutter gently as she meets the woman's bluish-green eyes.
"I want you to call off your wedding with Lu Tian."