Four years later.
"Miss Ji, this way please."
The receptionist could not believe that Ji Weixi, the fashion designer who made her name in Paris was actually a young woman.
And she already had a son.
Her skin was luscious, her features elegant, and her curving, bright eyes were vibrant. She was wearing a classic black dress accentuating her long, white, and alluring legs.
Her red lips were slight curled, and she emanated all the exuberance of an empress, making her unapproachable.
The young boy she was leading shared her elegant features in his dainty face that seemed to be carved out of precious stones. His dark pupils resembled black grapes, and he was dressed in the style of an English gentleman, at once elegant and handsome.
Meanwhile, the receptionist led mother and son to an elevator.
Inside, as she kept glancing at the young boy, she could not help but crouch and ask the child, "Hey, kiddo. What is your name?"
The young boy smiled sweetly. "My name is Ji Jiayu."
"That's a very nice name!"
"Of course." The toddler grinned happily. "Mommy named me."
The elevator doors then opened, but as the receptionist was about to speak, another woman dashed and lunged at them.
"Xixi, I've missed you so much!"
"Get off. You're strangling me." Almost choked of breath, Ji Weixi quickly pulled Tian Miaomiao out of her neck."
"Oh my, Jiajia is ever adorable! Give me a kiss!"
Unperturbed, Tian Miaomiao then pinched the young boy's cheeks lovingly.
The young boy merely made a fanning motion with his little hand in front of his nose. "Sister Miaomiao, you didn't brush your teeth."
"Nonsense!"
Tian Miaomiao tapped the toddler on his forehead. "Rascal, just a few days apart and you need a beating!"
Cheekily poking his tongue, the young boy quickly ran off to cling to his mother's legs.
Meanwhile, Ji Weixi asked indifferently, "Miaomiao, how has the company been these few days?"
In return, Miaomiao merely threw a careful glance at the receptionist.
Flustered, she left. "I shall take my leave. Please continue with your conversation."
"Guess what I've learned!" Tian Miaomiao then said with a lowered voice after looking around them. "Did you know? Recent word is saying that Lee Group is about to be bought out!"
"An acquisition?" Ji Weixi felt the pang of bad luck at the grievous news, right after she was extended an invitation. "By whom?"
"CBS International!" Tian Miaomiao was increasingly agitated. "Oh my god, I'm about to faint!"
Ji Weixi's brow wrinkled. "CBS International?"
Having been busy taking care of her son over the years, she could not spare the effort to concern herself with news about commerce.
As she was putting her hands together, Tian Miaomiao appeared as if she was lovestruck. "CBS International is the transnational conglomerate belonging to the Li family! The Lis have been holding talks with CBS over the last few days, and rumor has it that a hottie is going to be parachuted as president!"
Ji Weixi shook her head helplessly. "Where did you hear that from? And have you actually met the hottie before?"
"I didn't. But I am sure that the parachuted president would be a Li!"
***
Four years ago, after Ji Weixi had given birth to her son, one of the outfits she had unwittingly designed claimed the crown in a Parisian competition.
She enjoyed a meteoric rise since then, with Lee Group extending her an invitation for the position of chief designer.
To avoid unnecessary trouble, Ji Weixi had sent Tian Miaomiao—her assistant of three years—to scout the situation in the company. Never would she have thought that there would be a change in leadership even before she met them.
"Jiayu, play with Miaomiao for a while. Mommy will be busy."
Crouching, Ji Weixi gently put her palm over the child's head.
Four years ago, when she had lost everything and fled overseas helplessly while pregnant, there were moments when she hated the boy.
She had thought that her miseries were because of him.
But when he was born, she found that all her sacrifices were worth it.
"Roger! Yes, madam!"
The child stood to attention and made a salute with his tiny hand. He was at once charming and adorable.
Meanwhile, Ji Weixi knocked on the door to an office and entered.
"Greetings, Miss Ji. I've been looking forward to meet you." Chairman Lee hurried to her with an apologetic smile. "Regrettably, the company is about to change hands… and right after we've invited you to join us here."
Ji Weixi smiled faintly; her mannerisms were entirely of a mature woman. "It's fine, Chairman Lee. Do forgive my frankness, but why is your organization being bought out by CBS?"
Before Ji Weixi had arrived, she had especially spent time to study Lee Group.
While the organization was certainly not first in River Town, their influence was not to be underestimated either.
So why would such a large company be bought out almost at a whim?
Chairman Lee lowered his head and sighed. "Miss Ji, to tell the truth, our Lee family has presided over the company for generations as it excelled on foreign soil, but when it comes to River Town, one mountain cannot accommodate two tigers. Four years ago, the Li family was declining, and yet they managed to found CBS international in just two years and take Europe by storm… Being always overseas, you probably wouldn't know that after the rise of CBS, all major companies across River Town have been acquired."
Chairman Lee appeared to be frightened at the very mention of it.
Even Ji Weixi was slightly astonished.
Having grown up in River Town, she was most familiar with the Li family.
They were an old powerhouse that stood for over a century had once been the undisputed leader of the city. However, when their head of the household had suddenly died, the entire household was left in utter shambles, with rumors claiming that someone had seized the opportunity to claim power, leaving their entire family ruined with one stroke.
Never could she thought that after just four years, the Li family experienced a resurgence and made their way into the European market to ascend as true overlords.
And with what Chairman Lee had told her, Ji Weixi could imagine that the Li family must have a formidable mastermind.