Chapter 84: Accepted.

Ji Yunhao looked over to her daughter, Lu Mingxi just frowned and her face almost twisted from seeing her mother.

"Mingxi, how could you do this to your own mother? . . Why did you have to do this to me? Is this revenge? Why are you here? Is it to get my attention?"

"Why am I here? . . Here where!? . . Well first off, I'm here in the capital because my big sister was attacked, kidnapped and almost gang raped."

"What!? . . Why didn't anyone tell me!?"

"Huh!? . . How are we supposed to tell someone that ran away and abandoned us? Is there a number we're supposed to call for locating and leaving messages to people who abandon their family?"

" . . . "

"The other reason I'm here at this factory is because I needed fabric to make my entries for the Ouxiang Up competition and it was the closest one to the hospital!"

"Is it Mingyu!? Is Mingyu in the hospital!? Is she alright!?"

"What does it matter to you!?"

"Of course it matters I'm her mother!"

"Okay lady! Stop right there! The moment you gave up and abandoned us! You also gave up the right to call yourself our mother. So you can cut that out right now,"

"LU MINGXI!"

"LADY!"

" . . . "

Lu Mingxi shouted back to her mother's loud exclamation.

Lu Mingxi only held disdain in her eyes, it was brought on by the aggrieved look Ji Yunhao gave her.

"Listen! You have no right nor need, to worry about me, my sister or our father. What you need to do is worry about you and your damn thieving boyfriend."

Ji Yunhao collapsed to the floor, the man that had wooed her turned out to be a fraud.

He had never been a designer squeezed out of Secondhand due to jealousy or because his ideas and designs were stolen, it was all lies from the beginning.

She gave up her husband, her daughters, a life of comfort for a charlatan.

She had said to Jie Lin that the marriage was forced upon her by her parents. She didn't like her husband very much, she wouldn't have mind if he were a little handsome, but, it wasn't so.

She had to deal with it, but it plagued her, her own dreams of being a fashion icon, of being a designer had to be pushed aside to cater to her role as a house wife and mother.

When Jie Lin came into her life, he manage to flip her entire world, a man that had to scrape by with just his fingernails, a rugged, fearless man that wanted to take on the world.

His thoughts and ideas encapsulated her, his thinking and outlook on life from growing up poor but not giving up, fighting the good fight were enticing the dried up creativity she had pushed far to the back of her mind.

All of it was slowly coming to the surface and it was all thanks to Jie Lin.

She said all of this while on the ground looking pitifully at Lu Mingxi.

However, Lu Mingxi, she only snorted in reply before she pulled out her phone.

"Hey lady! Do you know what this is?"

The pictures on the phone were of a good sized garden shed, but it wasn't what she remembered.

It was a studio, it had everything from a few mannequins, to sewing machines, over lockers, fabrics and a designers drawing table, the works.

It looked like a professional studio.

"All the gifts you cast aside or brushed off from father, these are them! The small shed, he had rebuilt it himself into a studio for you. The day you abandoned us was also the day he was about to unveil this to you."

" . . . "

"Father did this because he knew how much you love fashion, your dreams of being a designer he knew it all. He felt sorry for you, when grandpa died, he was the only one able to keep the business afloat so you weren't able to do the things you wanted to do, . . "

" . . So he made all of this with his own two hands as an apology for you and also because he loved you. Yet, . . just like those gifts and your own family, you tossed his love aside as if it were a used tissue, so easily discarded."

Lu Mingxi then pointed to her designs that the models were all wearing and continued,

"You see all of that up there? Those came from that shed built with father's love! I, Lu Mingxi will not see my father's efforts, love or heart go to waste. I will use that love you heartlessly tossed away for myself, I will create all of these wonderful dresses and gowns as appreciation to him."

Lu Mingxi stopped there and said no more.

The large police contingent moved in and a raid of Song Textiles was underway.

One of the members of Tā de had received a call stating the same thing was happening at their offices and main stores.

While all of this was happening, Lu Mingxi paid no attention to her surroundings and ambled over quickly towards Yang Mingchun and gave a deep bow to the woman.

"Madam Yang, it's truly an honour to be here meeting you! Ever since the south city branch opened up I have tried to buy a dress every month, but now my allowance is very small because of all the materials I needed to buy so I hope you'll forgive me for not purchasing any lately."

"Hahaha! Aren't you just the cutest little thing! Xiaoxi, oh, I hope you don't mind me calling you so."

"Not at all, please do,"

"Alright, Xiaoxi, even though we've just met, I hope you don't take what I'm about to say unkindly,"

Lu Mingxi stiffened up a little in apprehension,

"Even though you're friends with and have a good relationship with Xi Susu and Wen Wú Ling, do be mindful and careful of the Xi family. If you can, just limit your interactions to those two."

" . . . "

"Call it occupational habit."

"Oh, okay,"

"Right, these great designs of yours, how did they end up in the hands of those people?"

"I'm not 100% sure, but my best guess would be that lady over there. Whether or not it was intentional, she's the only link between them, me and my designs."

"Did you get that Lieutenant?"

"Yes ma'am. Ma'am, regarding commander Xiao Yixuan . . "

Yang Mingchun gave a solemn nod and waved her off,

"I've received notice Lieutenant, you have my condolences. I'll head to the hospital once I'm done here."

"As you say ma'am."

Yang Mingchun and Lu Mingxi chatted some more, as Qin Qianyu watched from the side while nibbling on seeds.

She wasn't surprised when she saw Lu Mingxi toss her ice coffee grenade at Jie Lin and storm the stage.

If she didn't do that then she'd be a bit worried that the entire thing was a bit too heavy for her to handle.

She didn't know when PIT turned up, that was truly unexpected too. Then thinking about it, it was probably Yang Mingchun that had initially alerted them.

So many things amazed and shocked her in the short span of time she and Lu Mingxi had arrived here.

Lu Mingxi's mother, the history behind PIT and Secondhand, Yang Mingchun and of course her mentioning the Xi family just like Grandpa Wú.

Her face was expressionless as she overheard the conversation, it was like Grandpa Wú had said to her. He can't and won't stop her from who she makes friends with, just be wary of the Xi family, and after hearing something similar from Yang Mingchun she decided to take his words seriously to heart.

The police, under command of PIT started cuffing the four individuals as they saw that there was sufficient evidence to do so.

Song Zhaoge started making a scene and throwing out his family's name to which the PIT officer in front of him sniggered,

"Never heard of it! . . "

"I know superintendent Chen, he can vouch for me! The two of us are on really good terms."

The officers stopped and looked at Song Zhaoge. He took this to mean, that, this meant he had control over the situation.

"Heh! Seems you've heard of that name huh!?"

He stated arrogantly. He adjusted his cuff and sneered at the officer then to Qin Qianyu who was further away,

"See haughty girl, what can the police do to me!?"

"Keep being the clown and your find out!"

Qin Qianyu sneered in her heart as she raised a single eyebrow at him,

"Good! Now, I'll be leaving and calling to give a few words to Superintendent Chen regarding all of you here, and next time you see me you better show respect, else I'll make sure you're cleaning toilets with your tongue!"

"Pfft! . . Since you're such good friends with Superintendent Chen, you really need these cuffs on you now. Thanks for letting me know!"

The officer reached out to grab Song Zhaoge's wrist, suddenly that officer was hit in the face by Song Zhaoge.

"You're asking for it now!"

The hit officer extended his baton and Song Zhaoge was surround by several more officers.

Song Zhaoge was stunned stupid by what had just happened. He didn't know how his arm moved to hit the officer without him giving it a command.

Qin Qianyu sneered in her heart, she had flicked a seed at a point on Song Zhaoge's body causing his arm to react.

The officer hit the offending arm then the legs of Song Zhaoge for good measure.

Song Zhaoge was howling in pain from being stuck. He was soon cuffed properly and made to sit up.

"Since you're such good friends with former superintendent Chen, I'll place you in a cell next to his."

" . . . "

Seeing what happened to Song Zhaoge, the other three didn't resist the cuffs and stopped protesting.

Instead, all four were casting blame onto the other and they weren't being polite about it either.

Jie Lin was calling out to his parents like a 12 year old kid being held back from playing outside.

Jie Lin's parents who where only moments ago where like proud peacocks and casting nasty glares at Yang Mingchun were now acting if they had been sterile their entire lives.

They didn't dare acknowledge their son.

Soon, another commotion broke out as teams of men all in black suits came marching in.

They soon came to a stop in front of Yang Mingchun and saluted together.

"We salute Lieutenant General Yang!"

Their voices boomed out.

Yang Mingchun gave them a cursory nod and waved them on.

Mr Hui noticed the pins on their jackets and a deep shudder ran down his spine.

Song Zhaoge and the others weren't familiar with it or them, but he was. Song Zhaoge notice the temperamental change in Mr Hui, he had gone from undisguised anger to apparent angst just from looking at them.

"Mr Hui, who are these men?"

"Hell hounds, they're men of Feng & Xiong."

"You mean that! Feng & Xiong!?"

"Is there any other!? . . Who the hell have you three pissed off and why'd you drag me into this!? . . If I survive this, I'll be spending the rest of my life making all of yours an unfathomable misery! If they haven't beaten me too it!"

" . . . "

"Mr Hui, is it really that bad?"

"If your crime was spitting, they would make sure you got life in prison!"

" . . . "

"Mingxi! . . Mingxi! . . "

A voice called out from within the group of men that had arrived.

They parted and allowed the distressed man through!

"Daddy!?"

The distressed man was indeed Lu Li. He cupped Lu Mingxi's face and rubbed her cheeks with his thumbs.

"I'm sorry, I wasn't sure how this here would turn out, so I gave Uncle Lu a call."

Qin Qianyu came over and added. She turned to the men Lu Li came with and apologised for having interrupted their meeting.

She knew that Lu Li was meeting with some important people, she just didn't know who.

But looking at them she could tell that they were indeed very important people, especially if a number of them saluted Yang Mingchun.

"No need for that young lady Qin, if a child is in danger we would all stop to help."

Qin Qianyu cocked her head to the side, a little puzzled how this man knew her.

"Apologies, seems I've unnerved you some. My surname is Xiong, I'm an acquaintance of your grandfather, Elder Wú Haodong and I'm also his personal lawyer."

"Not at Mr Xiong, I was just curious that's all, compared to Grandpa Wú you guys are like kittens,"

"Pfft! Hahaha, he says you're quite the cheeky one with a foul mouth, but I don't see it! I find you very endearing instead."

"Heh, seems like he's been telling tales, how is he, has he been resting well?"

When Xiong Jianguo heard her he looked at her confused

"What do you mean?"

"Huh!? . . Hasn't he been working on some troublesome acquisitions lately?"

"Oh! . . Oh ye . . Yes, he's resting and eating very well, although it's stressful he should at least come home."

"Ah, he keeps going on about the fantastic and grand garden and the courtyard of his. But, his only complaint is the cat? . . He always seems to turn sour whenever he mentions the cat."

"Haha sounds about right. Oh well, here's hoping the acquisition and pricing bid for Véridique studio goes well, then he'll come back home sooner."

"Unfortunately, I believe it'll still take awhile Young lady Qin. The French people seem very particular but I think the deal we'll offer them will be accepted."

The middle of Qin Qianyu's brow twitched a little at Xiong Jianguo's reply. She now knew something was up with Grandpa Wú and it seems like he doesn't want anyone to know.

Song Zhaoge noticed how Qin Qianyu and Xiong Jianguo were interacting. He made a conscious decision to steer clear of her now and not cause any trouble for himself with his cocky provocations towards her from then on.

Subconsciously however, his big ego wanted nothing more than to tame and dominate Qin Qianyu. He wanted her under him both in mind and in body.

His arrogance started seeping through to his conscious thoughts and it sat there side by side with the decision he made.

It was nudging at that conscious decision like an old buddy, whispering sweet words, telling the other that he still has a chance and not to give up just yet.

He wasn't the only one, the others saw this too. Mr Hui and Jie Lin saw that she was with Lu Mingxi and that they were very close.

One was blaming his egotistical stupidity for convincing himself of his own lie.

He had actually thought he could talk his way into the luxury brand giant as he had done so to Ji Yunhao and many others like her.

The other, Mr Hui, he was blaming himself for being convinced easily and being caught in a lie.

Ji Yunhao however was biting her bottom lip as she stared at the man cupping her daughter's face.

At first, when she saw him rush to Lu Mingxi, Ji Yunhao thought that he may have been her suitor, then on closer inspection she noticed that the "young" man was actually Lu Mingxi's father, her ex husband, Lu Li.

"Li Gege, . . "

Ji Yunhao muttered under her breath.

She couldn't believe that the man she had abandoned could change so much.

The image of Lu Li that was still in her mind since she left her family looked similar to Mr Hui. Overweight, lethargic, unmotivated and unattractive compared to the rugged hunk that wooed her away.

But now, the "hunk" she had run away with looked like a clump of sink hair clogging the drain while Lu Li looked like a mature idol that's now an underwear model.

The contrasts between the two men held no comparison.

It was all thanks to Qin Qianyu's pills.

Because of them, Lu Li had started working out more since he had extra energy to burn, it also tightened up the skin making it smoother and more healthier in appearance.

It was blemish free, and his muscles started forming making him seem more youthful.

He himself hadn't noticed the changes as all of his focus had been on his girls. They noticed and liked the improvement.

They found that he wasn't as irritable as he was before and he seemed to be a lot more energetic.

He started exercising regularly and eating more maintaining a stable and balanced diet.

Ji Yunhao wanted to get up and run into his arms, the "reality" in her mind had completely shattered.

The rose coloured glasses that were put on her by Ji Yunhao herself had been torn away by the current events and predicament and now she's seeing the world as it truly is, she's now truly seeing what she gave up and what she gave it up for.