"...They asked me to be a part-time model for their products and they are willing to pay me as well."
Yu Mei frowned. As a princess, Mia was that proper example of a prodigal spendthrift. She was more interested in exploring the world, going to bars, wine, men, and money. Work was not something that was ever available in her 'to-do list'. "You know you don't have to do this. I can give you all my money to squander and it will still not end," She stretched her neck feeling a slight ache in the back.
"I have to set good examples for you as an elder sister,'' Mia shrugged.
"Do whatever makes you happy," Yu Mei chuckled. She was damn sure that Mia would soon get over this and be back to her carefree routine. Work and commitments were impossible for the woman but she did not find it necessary to stop her. There is nothing bad in experiencing everything.
"You look tired. Go sleep."
"How will you sleep?" Yu Mei frowned looking at the woman's flushed and sweaty face.
Mia swiftly transformed into her fox form before swishing her tail elegantly, "It is still cool inside the refrigerator."
"_"
The next day, Yu Mei had to go over to the headquarters of Rosette for a board meeting. Now that her identity was out, she took her own sweet time to know her employees by their CVs. She stayed in the company for a few hours and sorted out the work piling up over the last few days,
"President, are you leaving?" Director Xiang asked as he received the files from her hand.
"Yes," She removed her shades and tilted her face to the side to look at him, ''I'll have to thank you for everything. Claiming my position would have been much difficult if it wasn't because of you."
"That's nothing," The old man laughed.
She smiled, "You don't need to address me so formally. I don't mind if you call me lass as usual," With that said, she turned around and left, leaving the old man stunned.
In her previous life, she was way too ambitious about the success of the Rosette that she did not pay attention to anything else. To her, they were just her employees and she was their employer. But this time, they felt like a family to her.
It was probably because she got to see everything from a new perspective or because they stuck together through the tough times.
She got inside the car before taking out her phone. A few notifications popped up directing her to another website. There was news about her brother, his current whereabouts, and everything else. There were a few pictures of him posted on social media too with girls swooning over the man in the comment section. And finally, everything felt kind of normal to her.
In the past few months, no matter how she tried she could not find anything about him on the tabloids or anywhere else. It looks like this was his way of assuring her that he was fine.
She smiled and liked the picture.
Her phone started ringing at the moment. She glanced at the caller ID before answering the call, "Shuang?"
"Mei, will you accompany me somewhere? I want you to go with me to meet someone," Li Shuang spoke up from the other side.
Yu Mei paused as she glanced at the time on her wristwatch, "Alright then. I'm on my way to your apartment. "
By the time they reached their destination, the sky was turning dark.
"So, where is this place?" Yu Mei asked as they stopped the car near an enormous mansion, "And who are we meeting?"
Li Shuang glanced at her, "My Grandfather. He is also the founder of our University."
The founder of Imperial University? Yu Mei raised an eyebrow, "Any more bombs you plan to drop on me?"
Li Shuang hesitated in answering, rendering her speechless.
"Alright, let's go inside first."
As they stepped inside, her gaze landed on the various proses and poetries hanging on the wall in a beautiful manner. She followed them towards the end. It was her first time seeing something so traditional and she could not help but be amazed by the wonderful calligraphies too.
"You understanding their meaning?" A deep gruff voice asked.
She shook her head without turning around, her gaze still stuck to poetry which was written on peach blossoms painting in the background, "They are pretty but out of my comprehension," Passing in the Chinese exam was already difficult for her, let alone understanding these complicated poetries and all.
"Grandpa, she is my friend..."
Hearing Li Shuang's voice, Yu Mei snapped out of her daze and turned around only to find an old man standing near the fireplace holding a cane in his hand. His long beard gave him a domineering appearance and his eyes narrowed the moment their gaze locked.
"I am Yu Mei Zhen," She bowed at the old man respectfully.
A frown tugged at his face, wrinkling the space between his brows.
The old man opened his mouth, "You are-?"
His words were interrupted when her phone started ringing. She glanced at the caller ID and rejected the call.
'Ring Ring.'
Her phone started ringing again. Yu Mei wondered what was so important that Shi Luo was calling her like this.
"Excuse me," She looked at Li Shuang and her Grandpa as both of them nodded at her, indicating her to take the call.
"Luoluo?" She answered the call and her expressions shifted in the next moment.
She hung up the call before looking at them, "I apologize but I have to leave now."
"Is everything alright?" Li Shuang was concerned looking at her expressions.
"Ah Jin is sick..."
Li Shuang frowned, "What happened?"
"I don't know. I'll have to go now," Yu Mei turned to look at the old man before bowing slightly, "It was nice to meet you. Hope we will meet again.''
The old man nodded and she walked out of the place without looking back.
Looking at her Grandpa's meaningful gaze settled on Yu Mei's back, Li Shuang spoke up, "Grandpa, let's talk."
"About..?"
"It's time for you to let go of all that. She is no more," As straightforward as she was, Li Shuang did not beat around the bush.
"What?" The old man's cane dropped as his expressions changed, "This is not possible."