The grandfather clock in Ji Yanluo's study ticked meticulously, echoing the heavy silence that hung in the air. Ji Yanluo leaned over the mahogany table, poring over documents and calculating their next move with a furrowed brow. Beside him, Han Su flipped through a report, the tension palpable.
"Mr. President, what color do you think Ms. Bai will wear tomorrow?" Han Su asked, attempting to lighten the mood.
"How about red?" Ji Lanxue chimed in as she burst into the room, her energy a stark contrast to the seriousness surrounding them.
"Red it is. Alright, tell the fashion designer to prepare a red dress and a white one," Ji Yanluo instructed, his focus unwavering. Han Su nodded and exited the room, leaving the siblings to discuss the growing tension.
"Why are you here?" Ji Yanluo asked, eyeing Ji Lanxue.
Without a word, she held up her phone, revealing the recording Bai Zhiqi had made. As the footage played, Ji Yanluo's expression hardened, his jaw clenched tightly.
"Where is Bai Zhiqi?" he demanded, his eyes still glued to the screen.
"In her room," Ji Lanxue replied, noting the intensity in her brother's gaze. Without another word, Ji Yanluo stood up and headed straight for Bai Zhiqi's room.
Xiao Lin emerged from her own room, concern etched on her face. "President Ji, don't enter!" she warned, but her words came too late. He had already opened the door.
Behind the closed door, Ji Yanluo froze as he spotted Bai Zhiqi sitting on the edge of her bed, clad only in her nightclothes. They locked eyes, and the moment stretched painfully long. He was too shocked to turn away while Bai Zhiqi, caught off guard, felt a rush of embarrassment and instinctively covered herself.
"I—I am sorry," Ji Yanluo stammered, finally finding his voice, and he turned away, leaving the room as quickly as he had entered.
Bai Zhiqi sank back onto her bed, her face flushed with humiliation. "Ji Yanluo!" she screamed, the sound echoing in the quiet hallway. He flinched, leaning against the door for a moment before retreating, the image of her vulnerable form seared into his memory.
As he made his way to the kitchen, he gulped down a glass of water, trying to erase the image from his mind. Memories of their past encounters flooded back—when he had used an aphrodisiac, their stolen kiss, and the recent tension between them. Shaking his head, he poured himself another glass, desperate to drown out his thoughts.
In the study, Ji Lanxue and Han Su exchanged glances, curiosity piqued. They turned to Xiao Lin, who had observed the whole exchange.
"What just happened?" Ji Lanxue asked, eager for details.
Xiao Lin explained, and laughter erupted from both Ji Lanxue and Han Su, the tension in the air dissipating slightly.
Just then, three precise knocks echoed from the door. Bai Zhiqi opened it to find Han Su standing there, holding two dresses, a mixture of urgency and professionalism in his demeanor.
"Han Su," she greeted, her voice steady despite her earlier embarrassment.
"President Ji asked you to wear these clothes," he said, offering her the red and white dresses. Bai Zhiqi took them, her fingers brushing against the fabric before she closed the door, retreating to her room once more.
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Moments later, Bai Zhiqi emerged, the red dress flowing elegantly around her as she stepped into the living space. The color ignited her spirit, transforming her presence into something vibrant and alive. It moved like soft flames, illuminating her features and symbolizing rebirth and new beginnings.
"You look breathtaking," Ji Lanxue remarked, but Ji Yanluo remained silent, his gaze fixated on her.
"Go," he began, but his voice was hoarse with emotion. He cleared his throat, struggling to regain his composure. "Go change into the other one."
Bai Zhiqi nodded, her heart pounding with uncertainty but also with a flicker of hope. She returned to her room, the anticipation building within her.
When she emerged again, this time in the simple white dress, the room fell into stunned silence. The fabric flowed gently around her, symbolizing innocence and a fresh beginning. Her expression was calm, untouched by the bitterness of her past, as if she had been cleansed of all her previous burdens.
In her quiet grace, she embodied rebirth—not through fire, but through purity, peace, and renewal.
The sight captured everyone's breath, the moment electric with potential. Ji Yanluo's heart raced as he took in the transformation before him, and he felt something shift within him.
"Bai Zhiqi," he finally said, his voice steady, "tomorrow is not just about the banquet. It's about reclaiming your narrative. Are you ready?"
With a determined look in her eyes, Bai Zhiqi nodded. "I am ready. No more hiding. Tomorrow, I will face whatever comes."
As they stood together in that moment, the weight of their pasts began to lift. Tomorrow would be a new beginning, and they would face it side by side, ready to reclaim their destinies.