Mei Loufei entered the elevator, the manager hurrying in behind her, clearly flustered.
The doors slid shut, leaving only the faint hum of movement.
Mei Loufei stared at her reflection, jaw tight.
"Find a way to get her fired," she snapped, irritation sharp as glass.
"B-But Miss Mei, it's not that simple—"
"Fire her," she cut him off, eyes blazing. "Or you'll be the one packing your things."
The elevator dinged at the ground floor.
The doors opened.
She strode out, heels clicking sharply on the tiles, straight toward the exit.
"Miss Mei, please reconsider—" the manager called, panic in his voice.
She ignored him.
Her flashy sports car gleamed under the sunlight. She slid into the driver's seat, slammed the door, and the engine roared to life. Within seconds, she disappeared down the street.
The manager stood frozen, staring after her, face pale.
Minutes later, two black SUVs pulled up in front of the mall. The manager straightened, wiped the panic from his face, and fixed his tie.
The first SUV door opened. A driver quickly circled and opened the rear door for the passenger.
A man in his fifties stepped out. Mei Zhenhua.
Tailored blue three-piece suit, hair neatly combed, faint wrinkles at the corner of his eyes—experience etched, not weakness. His presence alone made people pause.
The second SUV door opened. Another driver, more bodyguard than chauffeur, stepped out and opened the rear door.
A chubby man in his sixties, adjusting his grey suit over his round stomach, emerged.
The manager bowed deeply.
"Where's Loufei?" Mei Zhenhua asked, calm but commanding.
"S-She just left, sir," the manager stammered, pointing to the direction her car had gone.
Mei Zhenhua exhaled slowly. "At least she showed up. Even if only briefly." His gaze softened slightly before sharpening again.
A man of command, Mei Zhenhua ran his empire with calm precision. Sharp, observant, exacting—yet he had always indulged his only daughter, letting her whims slide as long as they caused no harm. Responsibility, he knew, was a lesson to be learned gradually.
"Mr. Mei, you let your daughter work?" the chubby man, Zhou Hongyi, asked as he walked beside him.
"Well, she's my only child. She needs to learn the family business," Mei Zhenhua replied with a faint, controlled smile.
"Hm. But having her work in the mall…" Zhou Hongyi glanced around, eyebrow raised. "Does she hold an executive position?"
"No. She works as a salesgirl."
"Salesgirl?" Zhou Hongyi's brows lifted in surprise. "Wow, Mr. Mei, I didn't expect you to teach her in such a… grounded way." He chuckled, patting his belly.
"She's a little spoiled. I can't hand over major responsibilities too soon," Mei Zhenhua said, calm yet firm.
"I understand. After all, you built your empire from scratch. Wouldn't want it ruined overnight," Zhou Hongyi laughed again.
Mei Zhenhua gestured toward the entrance. "Shall we?"
"Lead the way," Zhou Hongyi said.
The manager, eager to impress, stepped forward. "This way, sirs."
He guided them through the mall, speaking like a seasoned tour guide, careful with every word. Rumor had it Zhou Hongyi was interested in investing—one wrong step could cost him dearly.
They entered the elevator, doors dinging softly as they ascended to the second floor.
The second level, quieter than the bustling ground floor, catered exclusively to VIPs. Clothing, accessories, and jewelry filled floors two through four, while the fifth housed a private lounge for VVIPs and the office of the general manager who was currently on a business trip.
Stepping into the VIP clothing section, Zhou Hongyi scanned the area lazily—then spotted her.
Lin Yuxi.
A slow, lewd smile spread across his face as his eyes roamed over her.
"Who's that lady?" he asked, voice low, gaze fixed.
"That's one of our best sales associates—Lin Yuxi," the manager said, professional and unaware.
Mei Zhenhua noticed the look immediately. He knew what would follow.
"Call her over," Zhou Hongyi said casually.
As expected.
Zhou Hongyi's reputation was well known. Married, yet constantly surrounded by young women. Most stayed willingly—money made many things easier to ignore. Even his wife turned a blind eye.
The manager summoned Lin Yuxi. She had been directing a junior employee when the sensation of being watched prickled her skin. She tried to ignore it—until she heard her name.
Two men stood before her: one familiar, the owner, Mei Zhenhua. The other… leering.
She nodded politely. "Sir, you called?"
"Yes, I—" the manager started.
"Young lady, how old are you?" Zhou Hongyi interrupted, eyes roaming.
"Twenty-seven, sir," she answered evenly, heart tightening.
"Very young… are you married?"
"No, sir. But I—"
"Perfect." He turned to Mei Zhenhua with a grin. "I want her at dinner tonight. We'll finalize the contract then."
Lin Yuxi's fingers curled slightly, ready to protest.
"I'll arrange it," Mei Zhenhua said smoothly, eyes warning.
"Good, good," Zhou Hongyi chuckled, walking away.
Lin Yuxi wanted to speak—but Mei Zhenhua's gaze froze her in place. He followed silently.
The manager leaned in. "He's an important investor. Feel honored. Do as told… unless you want to lose your job."
Lin Yuxi swallowed her disgust, forcing the familiar polite smile, and returned to her duties.
---
Break time arrived, and Lin Yuxi left the mall to pick up Lin Chaoxing.
She reached the school just as her daughter emerged, arms crossed, expression blank.
"Sweetie!" Lin Yuxi crouched, reaching out. Chaoxing sidestepped smoothly.
"I told you to stop using such terms."
"Fine, fine. How was school?" Lin Yuxi asked, smiling.
"The usual. Earned a gold star," Chaoxing replied flatly.
"Wow! Another gold star? My daughter is brilliant," Lin Yuxi praised, ruffling her hair. Chaoxing swatted her hand away, frowning.
"It's nothing special. Teacher asked a simple question. Stars don't matter," she muttered.
Lin Yuxi smiled gently. "They reward effort—and encourage others."
"The stars encourage no one. They're just stickers."
"Tsk. Some things never change," Lin Yuxi chuckled, ruffling her hair again. "Let's go."
Just as they turned, a voice called out.
"Chaoxing! Chaoxing, wait!"
A small boy came running, panting, and stopped in front of them.
"What's wrong, kid?" Lin Yuxi asked, bending down.
"Chaoxing forgot her star!" he exclaimed, holding up a tiny gold sticker.
"Oh. Chaoxing?" Lin Yuxi looked at her daughter.
"I don't need it," Chaoxing said plainly.
Lin Yuxi sighed, crouching to the boy's level. "And your name?"
"Qin Jiayao," he answered, smiling brightly.
"Jiayao, you can keep it. Chaoxing has plenty."
"But my mom said to never take what's not mine," he frowned.
Lin Yuxi patted his head. "Your mom's right—but this is different. We're giving it to you."
"Huh?" he blinked.
"Chaoxing has plenty of stars at home. Think of this as… a friendship gift from her," Lin Yuxi explained.
"Friendship gift?" Jiayao's eyes sparkled.
"Exactly. Unless you don't want to be friends with her?" she added with a smile.
"No! I do. I'll accept it!" He hugged the star like it was priceless.
"But I don't have a gift for Chaoxing," he added worriedly.
"I don't need one," Chaoxing said flatly.
"It's okay," Lin Yuxi said softly the boy, ignoring her daughter. "You don't need to bring anything."
"I must! I'll find something nice," Jiayao insisted.
"Young master, time to go home," a calm voice interrupted.
A tall, striking man in a black suit stood there—Zhao Haoyu. He nodded at Lin Yuxi.
Jiayao ran to him, proudly holding the star. "Look! Chaoxing gave me a friendship gift!"
"Chaoxing?" Zhao Haoyu asked.
"That's my daughter. They're friends," Lin Yuxi said warmly as she stood up straight.
"We're not," Chaoxing muttered.
Lin Yuxi extended her hand. "I'm Lin Yuxi."
"Zhao Haoyu," he replied briefly, shaking it, then taking Jiayao's hand.
"We'll get going," he said, guiding Jiayao to a car.
"Bye, Chaoxing! Bye, Chaoxing's mom!" Jiayao waved enthusiastically.
Lin Yuxi waved back, then turned to Chaoxing. "Let's go meet your godmother," she said, guiding her daughter, who walked beside her in silence, clearly displeased with her mother's attempt to arrange friendships.
Zhao Haoyu opened the rear door and helped Jiayao into the car—a glossy black luxury sedan that gleamed under the afternoon sun.
"Uncle!" Jiayao exclaimed, spotting Qin Haoxuan.
"Seatbelt," Qin Haoxuan said coolly, gaze fixed on his tablet as he scrolled through documents.
Jiayao fastened it quickly with Zhao Haoyu's help. Once he was secured, Zhao Haoyu climbed into the driver's seat.
"I made a friend! Her name is Chaoxing. She gave me a friendship gift! She's so smart! And we're friends! And she—" His words tumbled nonstop, arms waving, pointing back the way they came.
Qin Haoxuan glanced briefly at the woman and child walking away, then returned his gaze to his tablet. "Drive."
Zhao Haoyu nodded and pulled away.
Not long after, Jiayao's voice slowed as sleep overtook him. His head rested on his uncle's arm, but Qin Haoxuan didn't flinch, scrolling through a tablet with calm precision.
"What's my schedule tonight?" he asked, eyes fixed on the screen.
"You have a business meeting with Mr. Mo at the Stardust Hotel at seven, and…" Zhao Haoyu trailed off.
"And?" Qin Haoxuan prompted calmly.
"The Old Master scheduled a date for you at eight, same hotel," Zhao Haoyu continued.
"Cancel that," Qin Haoxuan said without hesitation, voice calm and unyielding.
"Mr. Qin, but—"
Qin Haoxuan met Zhao Haoyu's eyes in the rearview mirror, and Zhao Haoyu fell silent instantly. "Whatever dates the old man sets, cancel them all." He returned his gaze to the tablet.
"Understood, sir," Zhao Haoyu said. The Old Man would be displeased, but crossing Qin Haoxuan was far worse.
He cast a final glance at Qin Haoxuan before focusing on the road ahead.