Don't linger in the shadows.

Qi Mingxia paused. That must be Junjie's elder brother. Just from his voice, she could tell that he must be a very cold person. It was not surprising. The head of the Yang's underworld business could not possibly be a softie. He must inspire fear. He was the CEO of Yang Group as well. Their skyrocketing profits meant he was very capable too.

Qi Mingxia sighed. "I will be there soon."

******

The Phoenix Mall was the most popular mall among people from wealthy families. The mall had stores of almost every high-end brand. Qi Mingxia owned some shares of the company that built this mall, and mentally commended the CEO for taking on this project. It had been met with lot of skepticism when it was first proposed, due to various problems with the location. However, the CEO pushed through, and now they were making huge profits. He has good foresight, thought Qi Mingxia.

Walking to the second floor, Qi Mingxia spotted Yang Junjie furiously typing on his phone, outside of a men's apparel store. He must have been told off by his brother, thought Qi Mingxia.

"Junjie." Qi Mingxia called out. Yang Junjie turned his head. She thought she would find him in a sad puppy state, instead he flashed his teeth in a blinding smile. Qi Mingxia was taken aback for a second.

"Mingxia! My brother promised to buy me a villa in the Red Garden Houses!! I'm moving out!!!"

Qi Mingxia paused. "Why do you need your brother to buy you a villa?" She was confused. It was not like Yang Junjie had no money. Yang Junjie shook his head.

"It's not about not having money. Actually, I've been wanting to move out for a very long time, but my parents just would not allow me. They have been keeping an eye. But with my brother's support, they cannot stop me." Yang Junjie looked absolutely pleased with himself.

Qi Mingxia started walking to the nearest store displaying women's apparel. "Is that why you were helping your brother choose clothes? You were buttering him?" She was truly amused. Yang Junjie really had a talent for diplomacy. He was good at breaking through people's barriers and making them acquiesce to his request.

"Yes." Yang Junjie replied. "Clothes and also a present for your Grandmother. He's attending the banquet this year." Qi Mingxia raised her eyebrow.

"Why is he attending this year? Usually it's your parents." She would probably meet him there, for the first time, Qi Mingxia thought.

Yang Junjie nodded. "Yeah, but my parents are not in China right now. They have gone to handle some business in Singapore. They instructed my brother to attend and to also get a gift. I offered to help him."

"I see." Qi Mingxia nodded. "Grandmother wants me to wear a dress to her banquet. I would have trouble selecting one, so I called you."

"Aye! Don't worry. I'll help you with everything. Dress, jewellery, shoes. Everything."

*****

"But why?" Yang Junjie whined. "The red one looks so much better on you. Plus, you're always wearing black clothes, so the red dress would look good on you for a change. And it really enhances your aura as well. Believe me, this red dress is a statement dress; it radiates power." Yang Junjie huffed, having spoken everything in one breath.

"It's too eye-catching." Qi Mingxia said. She wasn't looking to attract too much attention. She wanted to keep a low profile.

"....." Seriously. Yang Junjie took a deep breath. "Mingxia, are you going to live in the shadows forever? Take this chance to introduce yourself, to let others know your position. Don't linger in the shadows anymore."

Don't linger in the shadows anymore....

Come to think of it, it was indeed time to step into the spotlight. She would not rush it though. She wanted to take it slowly. After all... She was not sure if she was strong enough to handle it. She should start by dipping her toes first.

The banquet was indeed a very good opportunity.

As Yang Junjie was about to launch into another round of praise for the dress, Qi Mingxia said, "The red one then."

Yang Junjie was overjoyed. He too wished that Qi Mingxia would stop living a black and white life. He knew she had suffered much, but it would truly be a win for those bastards if she did not really live her life because of them. If they truly ruined her chance at happiness.

Yang Junjie nodded. This could be called progress.

"Okay then. We'll take the red one. Pack it up, please." Yang Junjie instructed the shop assistant. The shop assistant took the dress carefully. It was one of their top pieces. The woman looked powerful and was pretty too; she would do the dress justice, the shop assistant thought to herself.

As Qi Mingxia turned to look outside the shop while waiting to pay, she spotted a man walking away. She did not get to see properly, but one look at the back and she could make an accurate guess of who it was.

Instantly, her vision turned blurry. Bloody images started to float into her mind. Vicious laughter. Screaming. Gunshots. She was losing control.

Control. Control your emotions. She kept reciting in her mind. But as she felt her food retracting their path, she asked the shop assistant with a hint of urgency in her voice, "Excuse me, where's the washroom?"