Preparations

The light and crisp, early morning air was blowing through the open windows of the living room, bringing in the fresh and beautiful floral aroma of the peonies in the garden which can calm one's mind and uplift one's spirit.

However, the refreshing scent didn't seem to have much calming effect on the young man seated on the black couch. On the contrary, he looked as though he was on the verge of losing his mind.

Lu Yizhi fidgeted in his seat as he nervously cast a glance at Wang Rouxi, who was standing near the windows with her back facing him.

He really had no idea about what their leader was talking about!

Just as he was at his wit's end trying to figure out her meaning, Wang Rouxi's mild voice sounded out in the silent house.

"Tell me what happened after I left three years ago."

Lu Yizhi froze upon hearing those words, his lips forming a thin line. His hands clenched into tight fists at his sides as he averted his gaze.

He promised Lu Lenglian and the others not to tell their leader about what happened then, and he couldn't bring himself to do so. Although he had tried to bury that memory on the deepest part of his soul, the pain was vividly etched into his mind.

Not hearing any response from him, Wang Rouxi tore her gaze away from the birds playing outside on her window sill and turned her head to look at Lu Yizhi.

A frown worked its way across her face. She didn't expect to see him in such a state. He sat hunched forward on the couch, clenching his fists so tightly that all the knuckles turned white. His hooded eyes glared daggers at his white knuckles as though he wanted to burn holes in them.

Seeing him like this, Wang Rouxi was absolutely certain that something bad had happened while she was gone.

Lu Qingya and Lu Wei had the same expression back then when she asked them about the Lu Corporation.

From what she could infer from her words, it seemed that this had something to do with the Headmaster.

Wang Rouxi's eyes suddenly revealed a dangerous light.

Headmaster, huh?

It was that same Headmaster who gave her that mission then.

Wang Rouxi was not stupid. That Headmaster was clearly up to no good. He was surely in cahoots with the Shang Faction to deal with her Lu Faction!

Luring her out of the country to launch a sneak attack on her people while she was not around...

Talk about being shameless!

Because the Shang Faction couldn't win against them in a fair competition, they resorted to underhanded means.

Although she didn't know up to what extent those people had gone in dealing with her faction, the mere fact that they touched her people warrants her wrath.

Wang Rouxi would not take this lying down!

Taking a deep breath to calm herself down, Wang Rouxi walked over to Lu Yizhi and tapped him on his shoulders.

"Relay my words," Wang Rouxi said, looking straight into Lu Yizhi's eyes. "Lu Faction will rise again."

'Lu Faction will rise again.'

Each word was said with certainty. It was a declaration that they, the Lu Faction, would be back!

Lu Yizhi's eyes rimmed with unshed tears. His body couldn't stop trembling in agitation as he looked up at that dignified person right in front of him.

No matter what disguise she put on or what identity she had, Lu Yizhi knew that one thing is for sure:

She was their leader!

She was Lu Xi!

Now that she's back, Lu Faction will surely rise again!

...

Wang Rouxi saw the undisguised adoration in Lu Yizhi's eyes, and she could not help but smile ruefully.

If she hadn't gone to that mission three years ago, nothing would have happened to the Lu Faction then.

Pulling out a red handkerchief from her pocket, she tossed it to the sniffling young man before she left.

"After you're done, go fetch my car."

Lu Yizhi perked up when he heard Wang Rouxi mentioned her car. He hurriedly wiped his nose using the hankie and quickly caught up with her retreating figure.

"Leader Xi! Leader Xi!" Lu Yizhi followed Wang Rouxi like a little puppy wagging its tail. "Leader Xi..."

Wang Rouxi found it quite amusing. The 'little puppy' followed her senselessly and did not even realize that they had reached her room. "What?" She asked as she threw him a sideways glance.

It was then that Lu Yizhi noticed where they were. He scratched the back of his neck and revealed a sheepish smile, "Hehe... um, Leader Xi, are we going to use your Ferrari?" He asked with a twinkle in his eyes.

He actually envied Lu Lenglian because Wang Rouxi tasked him to drive the Aston Martin back to the Xia Family Old Residence. He really wanted to drive that beauty!

But since their leader had made up her mind to have him go with her, then he could only agree and watch on as Lu Lenglian drove away the Aston Martin.

And now that a chance presented itself in front of him, Lu Yizhi would not let it slip away. He could already visualize himself driving a handsome Ferrari!

Just then...

"No. Prepare the Toyota. We will leave in half an hour."

With those words, Wang Rouxi shattered Lu Yizhi's dream of driving her Ferrari and she left him to cry alone outside her room.

Paying him no mind, she started unbuttoning her suit as she went over to her walk-in closet. Her eyes searched for an appropriate attire to wear for the first meeting with her parents.

The walk-in closet was almost the same size as her room. It was packed with various styles of clothes for different occasions. Not just any clothes though, they were the latest trends from high-end brands. On one side of the room, footwear for every season lined up the wall.

Everything inside this walk-in closet costs hundreds of thousands, no, the price should be in millions.

Wang Rouxi shrugged off her suit jacket and draped it on her arm while she continued to look around the room.

What would be appropriate to wear when meeting with family for the first time?

A formal business suit?

A simple dress?

Casual attire?