The next morning, Lei Shaoxin woke up early.
With a travel bag in her left hand and an electric guitar slung over her right shoulder, she stepped out of her room.
As she passed the dining area, He Zhuosheng was already there. He looked up at her.
Her curly hair was tied into a high ponytail, paired with shorts and combat boots that made her legs look especially long. Her fox-like eyes were lined with sharp eyeliner, and a diamond-studded snake bracelet coiled around her slender wrist.
Her expression was calm—cool, distant, and slightly detached.
To He Zhuosheng, time seemed to slow. The world around him faded into silence, leaving only the sound of his own heartbeat.
All he could see… was her.
Beautiful.
Completely different from the cold, elegant woman in heels and a gown the last time they met.
Lei Jiu spoke first. “Xinxin, where are you going with your luggage?”
“I’m not used to living with so many people,” she replied casually. “I’m moving back to my mom’s place.”
She continued walking toward the door.
“Zhuosheng is here too—come have breakfast before you go,” Lei Jiu said. “It’s hard to get a ride from here. Let him drop you off.”
As soon as he said that, He Zhuosheng’s assistant stepped forward and took her luggage.
With no room to refuse, Lei Shaoxin walked to the dining table.
Only the seat beside He Zhuosheng had been set—with cutlery and coffee waiting.
She glanced at him briefly, pulled out the chair, and sat down. Taking a sip of coffee, she picked up some bread and began to eat.
Business had already been discussed before she came out. Once she finished eating, He Zhuosheng left with her.
Outside, the assistant had already lowered and adjusted the lift beside the car. He Zhuosheng controlled his wheelchair forward toward the vehicle.
Walking behind him, Lei Shaoxin noticed his broad shoulders—evidence of regular training. His back carried a refined, gentlemanly air.
A true gentleman, she thought. What a pity… he’s in a wheelchair.
Inside the car, she noticed the seats had been specially modified to accommodate the wheelchair.
“Xinxin, where to?” He Zhuosheng asked as he fastened his seatbelt. “I heard from Master Lei that you’ll be working at Lei Group?”
“Just drop me at the next intersection,” she replied calmly. “And you should call me Miss Lei—we’re not that familiar.”
She rested her elbow against the window frame, supporting her head as she gazed out at the passing streets, no longer looking at him.
He Zhuosheng remained composed. “If you’re working at Lei Group, we’ll have plenty of opportunities to collaborate.”
She turned back, offering a faint smile and a nod.
After getting out of the car, Lei Shaoxin walked through the crowd, following directions on her phone—bag in hand, guitar on her back.
Eventually, she found the place she was looking for.
It was a tailor shop, named after its owner, with an old-fashioned charm.
Inside, there was only one person—a gray-haired tailor.
Lei Shaoxin opened her bag and took out the suit jacket. Though it had been washed, the bloodstains remained as dark brown marks.
“Sir, I noticed your signature inside the inner pocket. Did you make this suit?” she asked, handing it over respectfully. “I’d like to order an identical one, using the same measurements.”
The tailor removed his reading glasses and examined it. “Yes, I made this.”
He walked to the counter and flipped through a worn notebook, its cover nearly falling apart.
“This belongs to Mr. Fu, doesn’t it?”
Lei Shaoxin was slightly surprised. “Yes… how did you know?”
“He’s been ordering suits from me for years. I just need to check the number to know who it belongs to.”
So that meant the tailor had all his measurements.
After a brief thought, she said, “Then I’ll order a three-piece suit.”
“The fabric for this one is no longer available,” the tailor replied. “Come, choose a new material.”
After selecting the fabric and leaving her contact number, Lei Shaoxin picked up her bag and guitar and left the shop.
As she walked into the villa, it was already spotless—she had arranged for a full cleaning just a few days earlier.
Passing through the garden, she saw that the bright red roses had been replanted, and the swimming pool had been cleaned and refilled.
At a glance, everything looked exactly the same as when she was a child.
And yet… it somehow felt completely different.
Lei Shaoxin walked further inside.
In the living room, she looked up at the large crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling, then slowly scanned her surroundings.
The furniture hadn’t changed.
But the house had been empty for too many years—there was no warmth, no sense of life. It felt cold and hollow.
She walked into her room, setting down her guitar and travel bag.
From the bag, she took out a brown envelope and crouched in front of the safe.
A sudden wave of emotion hit her. Her chest tightened, her eyes filled with tears.
“Mom… I miss you so much,” she whispered.
Her right hand trembled slightly as she opened the safe and placed the envelope inside.
The tears she had been holding back for so long finally broke free.
Curled up on the floor in front of the safe, she sobbed uncontrollably.
At last, there was no one around—she could cry as much as she wanted.
At some point, exhausted from crying, she fell asleep right there on the carpet.
The next morning, she woke up in the same position.
She hadn’t brought many clothes with her, so she planned to go out today—buy some things and get familiar with Hong Kong again.
Inside the European-style office, Lei Jiu sat with a briar pipe between his lips. Even in his loose silk Tang suit, his stocky figure was hard to conceal.
Taking a puff, he said, “The auction for Plot No. 9—stay on top of it. There can’t be any mistakes.”
“Understood, Master Lei,” the department managers responded, nodding as they filed out.
“Dad.”
Just as they opened the door, they ran into Lei Shaoxin coming in.
She nodded politely at the managers as they passed.
“Xinxin, starting work today?” Lei Jiu gestured for her to come closer.
She nodded. “Yes, just came up to say hello.”
He took another puff of his pipe. “Good. Go to the Development Department first—learn under Director Liu and get familiar with things.”
After a brief exchange, she left his office.
As soon as she arrived at the Development Department, news that she was the Lei family’s eldest daughter spread throughout the company.
When Lei Zhiying heard, she immediately went over—still carrying that same arrogant attitude.
“Lei Shaoxin, let me make this clear,” she said loudly. “Don’t even think about coming here to take anything from me. I am the true eldest daughter of the Lei family.”
She raised her hand as if to slap her.
Lei Shaoxin let out a cold laugh, blocked her hand, and grabbed her wrist, pulling her forward.
Leaning in slightly, mindful of the wound at her lower back, she whispered into her ear:
“Don’t provoke me again. Or I’ll settle both old and new scores with you.”
Then she shoved her away and walked off expressionlessly.
Back at her desk, Lei Shaoxin wasted no time.
Using her access within the company, she reviewed all available documents—but found nothing useful.
She sat there, frowning.
Could it be that Lei Jiu isn’t involved?
But the timeline didn’t make sense.
The rushed move to the UK back then… and the dates on the financial report were only days apart.
Less than a month later, Lei Group had successfully gone public.
There had to be a connection.
Ring, ring—
Her thoughts were interrupted by her phone.
She answered.
“Miss Lei, the car you ordered has arrived at the dealership. You may pick it up anytime.”
“Alright, I’ll come tomorrow,” she replied, a faint smile forming on her lips.