Elder brother.

"Listen to me this once, my little ancestor." Matriarch Zhao said. Qi Mingxia suddenly had a realization. Her eyes instantly dimmed. Her vision started to blur, but her efforts in the last few years helped her in quickly regaining control.

"Matriarch Zhao." Qi Mingxia said. "If you are thinking of introducing me to a possible husband or boyfriend, I request you to refrain from doing so. It won't end well. No one knows better than you do."

Matriarch Zhao sighed. "Qi Mingxia. Listen to me very carefully. I am your grandmother. So my first priority would always be to make sure you are alive and well. I would not do something that could possibly make you lose control. Like you said, no one knows better than I do. As for asking you to dress up, it is because I hope you gain some more colors and joy in your life and stop living a black and white life. I have no other intentions. I am your grandmother before I am Matriarch Zhao." Another sigh escaped Matriarch Zhao's lips after she finished speaking.

Qi Mingxia pursed her lips. She assumed things too quickly. "I apologize." She murmured. Taking a deep breadth, she continued in a firmer voice, "I apologize for rashly drawing conclusions. Sorry, Grandmother." A small smile escaped Matriarch Zhao's lips hearing the word 'grandmother'. The girl would call her 'Matriarch Zhao' when upset and then switch back to 'Grandmother' when the anger was gone.

"That is alright. Just be on time tomorrow." Matriarch Zhao said.

"Yes. Yes, I will." Qi Mingxia replied.

*******

As Qi Mingxia made her way to her office, she spotted two executives talking to each other, looking very much like they did not want to be seen. Qi Mingxia made a mental note and walked away.

As soon as Qi Mingxia sat down, Si Xi entered the room. The beautiful lady, in white formals gave a refreshing vibe. On the other hand, Qi Mingxia still dressed the same. All black. A black pea-coat over a black shirt and black pants.

As Si Xi interacted with Qi Mingxia regularly, she also noticed the three rings that adorned her right hand. Two of them were similar looking silver-colored rings, ones people usually wore on their thumb. Looking closely would reveal that they were real silver rings that sat on her index and middle finger. One had a carved maple leaf, the other a carved scorpion. And then there was another more feminine ring, with intricate carvings to make a flower. A Silver Bloom. It sat on her ring finger. She always wore these rings on her right hand. Always.

Si Xi always wondered if these rings meant something to the President or she simply wore them for style. But even if it did, it was not her place to ask her that. Clearing her voice, she started.

"President, the Ning Enterprises have been informed of your decision. We have scheduled a meeting with them for day after tomorrow. The proposal is being polished right now. You will have the final draft on your table by tomorrow." Qi Mingxia nodded, twirling a pen in her hand.

"However, the matter with the Jiang Enterprise is not settled. They are demanding for a meeting with you. They are alleging that we are being biased towards Ning Enterprises, that we have taken a huge sum of money from Ning Enterprise to select their proposal." Si Xi inwardly rolled her eyes.

"'We'?" Qi Mingxia raised an eyebrow. Some truly never learned. She let out a cold laugh.

"Cough...They meant you." Si Xi said quietly. "They are threatening action." She felt absolutely embarrassed for them.

Qi Mingxia continued to calmly twirl her pen. After a moment, Qi Mingxia looked at her secretary.

"Si Xi, send a message to my Private Team C to investigate Director Lin and Director Liu. Their relation with the Jiangs." The Jiangs could not themselves be that bold, if they did not have some other backing. "Also, send a message from me to the Jiang Enterprise- Tell them I am waiting for them to make good on their threats."

Si Xi frowned. If the President was involving her Private Teams, that would mean this was something deeper. She had heard rumors too. Si Xi nodded. "Yes, President Qi."

"Give me the Marketing Department's Black House plan." Qi Mingxia said. Immediately, Si Xi turned stiff. Plan? She did not have it. The Marketing Department were not done.

"Ehem... President, they are not done." Si Xi said timidly. The President hated slackers. She had warned them yesterday. They would surely meet their doom today.

Qi Mingxia's eyes dimmed. "Call them to the meeting room, now."

*******

At 6, Qi Mingxia drove out of Maple's HQ. She made a call to Yang Junjie, who picked up almost immediately. "Hey! What's up?" He spoke. Because Qi Mingxia was always on the receiving end of his bubbly persona, she instantly felt something amiss.

"That's the weakest 'what's up' I have received from you till date. What's wrong?" She asked.

"Yes! Yes! I am with my elder brother. You see, he is so handsome, he always has a lot of difficulties choosing his clothes. I know, right? He is just too handsome. The clothes are all too dull for him; absolutely does not match his charm! I am helping him make a choice, so he should be fine. You know of my impeccable taste, don't you?" Yang Junjie spoke.

....

Qi Mingxia was completely lost. Did Yang Junjie finally lose his mind from all the wine?

"Stop it. Now." She spoke. However, Yang Junjie just continued. "We are in the Phoenix Mall. Come quickly. You may find a dress for yourselves. I will help you too. My impeccable taste will be put to use for society's good!"

Impeccable taste? Qi Mingxia replied, "I was going there anyway. I need to buy a dress. I called you to accompany and help me. I don't know about impeccable, but you surely have better taste than me."

Yang Junjie's heart leapt with happiness. "Oh, you were coming here anyway? You called me because you needed my help in choosing a dress? Woah! So you do know! See, Elder Brother, she knows as well!" Yang Junjie said happily.

"Shut it." A voice. Cold. Emotionless.