Yanmei was smiling from ear to ear as she walked down the aircraft, having just landed in Korea. She could not explain the joy that she felt knowing she was oceans away from her father. She told herself, "Finally no one to bother me in this country."
It has been more than seven months since she left the Royal Dragon Corporation, only to receive occasional project work from her cousin. Yet, her father continued to pressure her into getting Xia Ting to give back the shares to him. In the end, the pestering of her father and Yi Meixu did not stop.
When she was offered the opportunity to work for China's second largest company, Lu-Wei Enterprises, she took the chance, knowing her father has no affiliations to a company that was based in a different city.
What came as an even better surprise for her was the offer to manage the company's expansion and investment in Korea. This happened just merely after two months of working for the new office.
Lu-Wei Enterprises happened to be owned by the Lu Family. It was Andrea Li, now Andrea Lu who initially invited her over to join the company. Technically, the company's CEO, Lu Fang was now a brother-in-law to her cousin, Xia Ting.
Now, here she was at Incheon International Airport ready to face her new undertaking.
Carrying a piece of huge luggage, she came out from the airport's VIP arrival area. Her meet and greet included her direct boss, Lu Fang, his wife, Andrea and Xio Hanxi, Andrea's good friend which she strongly considered a brother. It was very easy to spot as behind them was a 2019 Mercedes Maybach.
"Yanmei! Over here!" Andrea called out to her, eagerly.
She walked confidently towards them and gave a sweet smile before exclaiming, "Oh, don't worry. I can see you well!"
She extended her hand to them and said, "Lu Fang, Andy. Thank you for giving me this opportunity and putting your trust in me."
Yanmei received a warm hug from Andrea and she heard her say, "Welcome! Welcome to Korea. How was your flight?"
"Very good. Their wine was exquisite. I could not dare to complain. You had me in first-class!" She responded pleasantly. She loved a good long flight with wine. It was perfect for taking a beauty rest.
She then turned to Lu Fang, who was all smiles at her. He said, "Good afternoon, Yanmei. We are happy to see you and we wish you all the best in managing the company's investment."
Looking down at Andrea's belly, Yanmei was reminded that Andrea was about four or five months pregnant that she said, "Wow, the babies are starting to grow."
"Yes, it's true," said Andrea as she looked down to her stomach before adding, "and that is why we need your help. We will have difficulty in travelling to Korea so this is where your role comes to in."
"Absolutely! I look forward to drowning myself with work!" Her response invited mix reactions. Nevertheless, they all ended up laughing.
Soon, they boarded the vehicle. While on the road, they discussed the location of the office and the environment at work.
"Our investor for this expansion is my brother, Anton Yeong," Andrea said before explaining to her how they have different last names. Yanmei then recalled having this conversation with her in the past, that she just grinned in response.
"For now, my brother gave us half a floor at his building, though he intends to have a new skyrise constructed where we can have more space," said Andrea.
"So we are technically under your brother's company?" asked Yanmei as she sat back on her inclined seat. She was sitting in front of Andrea as they spoke.
Andrea nodded before confirming, "Yes, we are under JKW Investments. It is in this company name where my brother and his family hold several partnerships with many other corporations within the country and a few of them outside. His prized and most cared for, however, is the Yeong Guns and Ammos Corporation, the biggest arms manufacturing and dealership business in the country."
"So technically, you will report to both Anton and to me, but for the most part, you will only be sending me reports and answer to any of my queries," Lu Fang explained.
The three talked more about what Yanmei should expect until she noticed Andrea take a moment to pause as if she was about to break the bad news. "There is one very important detail you should know about my brother. It's something, we are hoping you could live with."
Xia Yanmei's eyes opened wide in curiosity, "Oh? What is it? He is not a scumbag, is he? By the way, I don't like pervs!"
Andrea laughed but was quick to say, "No! no, no…. The thing about my brother is… He hates women."
Her words made Yanmei frown instantly. She said to herself in silence, 'Great now I have to deal with a woman-hater?'
"What's so wrong with women?" she asked.
"Nothing! He treats me fairly - "
"You are his sister, Andy," Yanmei cut her off while trying to prove a point.
She clearly saw Andrea gulped in her own fluid before disclosing, "He's gay! Yep… We think he is gay."
"Oh… I see what you mean," said Yanmei. She recognized that some gays, when still hiding their true selves, acted as if they disliked women.
Andrea nodded several times and added, "Umhuh… So he might push you away, but it doesn't mean he dislikes you. I just hope you'll be patient with him, considering he is in denial."
Xia Yanmei was in deep thought. The truth was, she always felt sorry for those who had a different sexual preference, yet could not express it. She had a few gay friends herself back in the States where she studied. Eventually, she came to concede with plans of helping Anton Yeong be himself.
"But, Yanmei. You must not tell a soul about our suspicion. He is going to deny it for sure and he will not like it - "
"I understand, Andy. Such a powerful man like himself, he would feel the need to hide the truth to everyone." Yanmei's expression turned soft thinking about the circumstance of Andrea's brother.
Then out of nowhere, her eyes brightened, and she immediately announced, "I'm already thinking of setting up your brother up with a gay friend of mine who lives in New York! I'm sure he would be delighted to fly to Korea at any time."
The thought excited Yanmei. One of her best friends was gay, and she does not mind getting a new gay friend in Korea. While smiling with excitement, she told Andrea, "I think it's great. I will have a new bestie."