4 Chapter 4: Lu Minzhe

Y City is a coastal metropolis and at the city center stood Lu Co.'s headquarters. In an executive office, a tall, extremely good looking young man in a bespoke suit sat reading a report handed by his personal secretary. After a few minutes, the bespectacled secretary, Shi Jin, heard his boss begin to tap his slim fingers on the desk.

"She truly forgot everything." Lu Minzhe mumbled with a wry smile. After a short while, he leaned back on his chair and closed his eyes, "Maybe this is for the best."

Poor Shi Jin was left standing there with an unfortunate look on his face. 'What is the matter with the boss?! He has been oddly pensive this past few days! He even contacted 'THAT' Cheng Yan to do a private investigation!' Shi Jin cast another glance at Lu Minzhe's handsome face. 'Aiyah! I really want to know lah~'

...............….

On the morning of August 23rd, Shu Li called Miyeon to remind her to be on time for her party tonight.

Author's note: Words in CAPITAL are spoken in English. Both Shu Li and Miyeon lived in the UK for an extended period 7 and 11 years, respectively.

[Shu Li]: Miyeon-ah~ I sent over a package. Wear that dress tonight, okay? Do you need me to send a stylist over as well?

[Miyeon]: *a little helpless* Shu— I'm not a celebrity. I don't really need too much. I could wear something from my own wardrobe.

[Shu Li]: ABSOLUTELY NOT! IRENE! BABY! I LOVE YOU BUT, YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO WEAR ANYTHING FROM YOUR OWN CLOSET. I ALREADY LET YOU CHOOSE YOUR OWN WORK CLOTHES.

[Miyeon]: …. YOU. WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO SAY? THE SUITS AND OFFICE ATTIRE I WEAR FOR WORK ARE COMPLETELY FINE.

[Shu Li]: MMHMMMHMMMM.. *dismissively* SURE~ IN ANY CASE, MAKE SURE YOU WEAR THE DRESS I SENT. SEE YOU SOON!

[Miyeon]: *sighs* I don't need a stylist. Bye~

When Miyeon received the beautifully packaged delivery, she couldn't help but sigh. Inside was a nude embroidered lace tulle cocktail dress with a fitted sheer bodice and a T-length silhouette fluttery skirt. There was also a pair of blush open-toed diamond encrusted ankle strapped 12 cm heels. This outfit is probably worth more than her apartment. She shook her head and smiled helplessly.

Her best friend, Shu Li is a prominent fashion designer in Y City whose designer roots began in Cambridge. Miyeon sent a text thanking Shu Li for the outfit to which she received the following response.

**text message**

[Shu Li]: Of course, that's from my newest line. Not available in-boutique.

..................

At the Wei residence, everyone was busy with the preparations for Shu Li's 25th birthday. She was considered the darling of the main family so no expense was spared on the preparations. Even the flowers that were brought in for decorations were said to have cost 6 figures. And it was not as if the Wei residence lacked a garden of their own. The main hall was 18th century European style with large windows, high ceiling decked chandelier, and a twin winding staircase.

At around 5:00pm the butler welcomed Miyeon into the residence. Miyeon had met this ever stoic bear of a man several times this past month. Though he seems quite restrained and professional on the outside, he is quite a softie on the inside and rather afraid of his wife.

"Hello Uncle Shen. It's nice to see you again." she said with a smile.

"Wonderful to see you well, Miss Lee. The young lady has been waiting for your arrival upstairs."

"Has Auntie Shen been doing well?"

"She is energetic as ever. Do say kind words about me when you meet her." Cough.

"I will head on up. No need to send me."

"As you please." Uncle Shen responded with a deep bow.

As Miyeon neared Shu Li's room, she heard voices of a conversation. Her brows furrowed as she wondered why Uncle Shen let her go up when Shu Li was clearly with a guest.

In fact, Wei Shu Li was currently in a very happy mood! Her most favorite and elusive Ge~ stopped by to visit her on her birthday.

"Ge!! Anyways, why didn't you let me know you were coming! I missed you so much! I haven't seen you in ages!"

"Mm. I just wanted to stop by a bit for your birthday. I have a meeting after so I'll be leaving soon."

"Already?! But didn't you just come back from your business trip?!"

"Mmm. Here, happy birthday." The man handed a beautifully wrapped white and gold box to Shu Li.

When she was about a meter away from the door, Miyeon felt it would be impolite to intrude into a warm familial conversation, no matter how close she is with Shu Li. So she made up her mind to wait in the nearby upper floor parlour room. However, as if hearing the rustling of the tulle fabric outside the door, she heard Shu Li suddenly call out.

"Miyeon? Is it Miyeon?!"

Although Miyeon was the type to be able to socialize well whenever the situation requires, she actually prefers to be by herself or around only a few close friends most of the time. In this type of materialistic and high tech society, good looking people tend to naturally receive a lot of benefits. It is quite easy for Miyeon to make friends and she tends to get special treatment at most places. People would get beguiled by her smile. They cannot help but want to get to know the beauty who is impartially kind yet politely indifferent. However those are all just superficial relations; in truth, she has only bothered to form meaningful connections with very few people. The number of phone contacts she considered friends can be counted in one hand.

Right now, she cannot help but feel a bit cross. She was in no mood to socialize, unfortunately there was no choice but to let her presence be known. Miyeon cannot help but rue over Shu Li and her drastically different personalities. Her best friend was alluring, extroverted and the quintessential socialite. Shu Li thrives at being the center of attention wherever she goes. She in contrast, was introverted and a complete salted fish in private.

(Salted fish: person who has no intention of doing anything.)

"Yes. It's me" she responded after a few seconds. Miyeon entered the sitting room adjoining Shu Li's massive bedroom. Across from her sat Shu Li, beautifully made up wearing a long silk robe. Nearby stood a very handsome gentleman whom she did not expect she would meet again, Lu Minzhe.