The social media and the fashion world erupted the next day when news broke out that NU C has held a pre-launch. The followers of Ying Design Limited who were able to receive an invitation but did not see it on time were wallowing in despair.
'Why did I sleep early last night? I had an invitation!' The post was accompanied by a screenshot of the invitation.
'Commenter above, same here. I had a problem with my internet service provider. Damn, I'm going to sue them.'
'But I'm curious about the person who took the main prize.'
'Indeed. But all of those who attended were influential in the fashion and business industry.'
'RuRu and Mimi were also there! They posted pics of NU C designs."
Meanwhile, in the Yang Ancestral House in Pavilion, Yang Lina threw her pillow against the wall. NU C has collaborated with Li Textile in this pre-launch. No wonder she was not invited.
Of course, Yang Lina will never know that the invitation did not intentionally excluded her. If she had been following the Ying Design Limited, she might also have received an invitation.
It was a good thing that Yang Shana was not in the country. If not, she will face another bullying from that Young Miss Yang.
Although Yang Lina was an illegitimate daughter, her father highly favored her. Her mother was his father's first love. It was Yang Shana's mother who stole her father. A sinister smile hovered on her lips as she clenched her fists. The time will come that she will get the title Young Miss Yang. It will only be a matter of time.
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Li Nuxie was buried in her comforter when the doorbell interrupted her sleep. Reaching for her pillow, she buried her face deeper. She doesn't want to get up yet. However, incessant ringing of the doorbell has totally destroyed her will to sleep more. With lines appearing on her forehead, she stomped her feet towards the main door.
Whoever outside was definitely asking for some body pain. Opening the door, she also opened her mouth to lash out. Only to be greeted by her brother.
Looking at her from head to toe, Li Chao shook his head as he took a step inside. "Sis, are you short on money? Do I need to tell father to increase your allowance?"
"What?" Her face scrunched up. Closing the door, she followed her brother to the kitchen. Why is it that all people who visit her were going straight to the kitchen?
Li Chao looked downward. Following her brother's gaze, Li Nuxie almost choked her saliva. Without uttering another word, she sprinted towards her bedroom. She was used on roaming around her house wearing only a shirt and undies. Although normally, her shirts were loose, she was so sleepy after coming back from the coffee shop that she just pulled a shirt from her wardrobe.
After changing into jogging pants, Li Nuxie marched to the kitchen. Her brother was already helping himself with a bowl of noodles. She pointed at Li Chao. "I stopped receiving allowance from father when I turned 23."
Li Chao swallowed his noodles before glancing at his sister. "Correction, you stopped spending your allowance at 23. But father continuously send you money."
She rolled her eyes. Okay, her brother was correct. Her father was still sending money to her bank account until now. Maybe, his way of making up for the time he was not with them while growing up. But it was no use since she was earning enough to last her a lifetime.
While eyeing her brother, Li Nuxie leaned on the table counter. "Why are you here? Don't tell me, your allowance was not enough to buy yourself noodles?" She raised her eyebrow.
"Come on. Didn't you miss your brother?" Li Chao asked in between slurping the noodles.
"I definitely did not," Li Nuxie twisted her lips. "You're a walking disaster."
"Ouch," Li Chao put down the bowl on the table and grasped his chest playfully. "The acidic tongue of Young Miss Li struck again."
Li Nuxie covered her mouth as she yawned. "Oh, please Chao-ge. I don't have enough sleep. State your business and leave."
Li Chao's smile has vanished when he heard his sister. With dark circles under her eyes, he knew that she did not have a good rest. He pressed his lips together as she stared at his sister.
"You don't need to bother yourself with Li Textile," he told her.
Li Nuxie pulled a chair and sat. She eyed her brother. "You're going to get the CEO position from Grandma?"
He shook his head. "You know that the board room is not my favorite place."
"Then I'm going to take the CEO position," Li Nuxie declared.
Li Chao's expression did not waver, as if he was expecting it. Still, he cannot allow his only sister to enter the lion's den. The business world of Country C was not a place for women. There were only less than ten women who dominated the country's business world. And that includes their grandma.
But standing and occupying that position was not a walk in the beach. The position itself was full of blood and tears. Li Chao could not stand to see his sister being eaten by the system.
"You were trained to be a future young madam. Not a CEO, if I may remind you."
Li Nuxie sneered. "I didn't know my brother was a male chauvinist pig." She waved her hand dismissively when Li Chao opened his mouth to speak. "Ah, ah. Don't use on me that bull that you want to protect me," her eyes narrowed into slits.
"The board will not allow you to take the position. Both of us know that," Li Chao sighed helplessly on her sister's stubbornness.
"There's only one thing that can stop me from taking the CEO position. You choose, Chao-ge," She stood up midway and leaned slightly over the table. She curled her lips. "Me or you?"
Li Chao twisted his wrist watch. He knew his sister was difficult but never this difficult. Taking a deep breath, he stood up and walked towards the main door. His shoulders were stiff.
Li Nuxie's sight followed her brother's back. Whatever Li Chao had chosen, it was still a win-win situation. The question was how brave was her brother?
Before turning the door knob, Li Chao's steps halted. "I'll report tomorrow to CEO Li. Let's meet each other outside the Li Headquarters at 8am sharp on Friday," he pulled the door open and went out.
A slight close-lipped smile was Li Nuxie's answer.