Chapter 1008: The moment before thunder breaks

The days that followed passed quietly.

With Ji Jingxu finally home and recovering under the watchful eyes of Grandfather Ji and the household staff, Yue Ling and Lu Tian gradually returned to their usual routines.

Although Yue Ling wasn’t particularly eager to leave him for long, Dr. Dong had reassured her that his recovery was progressing well. As long as he followed his treatment plan and avoided strenuous activities, there was little reason for concern.

Nevertheless, Yue Ling continued checking on him throughout the day.

Sometimes it was a phone call.

Other times, a simple message asking whether he had eaten or taken his medication.

Ji Jingxu, who had grown accustomed to his sister’s constant attention, would occasionally send her photographs of his meals just to prove he was following instructions.

Lu Tian found the exchange amusing.

"He’s beginning to report to you like one of your employees."

Yue Ling glanced at the photograph on her phone.

"At least he’s listening."

Lu Tian faintly smiled.

"Only because he knows you’ll go over and check."

She did not deny it.

As their schedules resumed, Lu Tian returned to Lu Corps, where Xu Long had accumulated several documents requiring his attention.

Although he had continued overseeing the company remotely during Ji Jingxu’s hospitalization, there were matters that required his personal presence.

Yue Ling, meanwhile, divided her time between An Qing and De L’amour.

She wasn’t concerned about Fate because it was secured and only Steward Yang remained there with the occasional visitations from other members of Fate.

Whereas H-International in City Z had been left in the hands of those she trusted who did not come with her to Imperial. If the matter truly required her attention, they would reach out to her.

The members of her design team had managed most of her responsibilities during her absence. Liu Shan had ensured that operations continued without major complications.

Every new clothing launch did not run into any problems.

However, there was one matter she had been particularly eager to resume.

Her engagement dress.

After Ji Chu Hua had stolen the dress she had purchased from Ages of Love, Yue Ling had decided against buying another.

Instead, she started creating something of her own.

Something that belonged entirely to her.

At De L’amour, the design room had once again become a hive of activity.

Sketches, fabric samples, and intricate embellishments covered the large worktable. A mannequin stood near the window, draped in the beginnings of an elegant gown.

Yue Ling stood before it, studying the silhouette.

The design had undergone several revisions since she first began working on it with her design team.

She wanted something sophisticated and timeless, but with enough individuality to reflect her personal style.

Qi Li stood nearby, examining a selection of fabric samples.

"What about this one?"

He held up a piece of delicate embroidered material.

Yue Ling glanced at it.

"Too heavy."

Gui Tian Lan, who had been reviewing another set of sketches, looked up.

"Then this?"

She studied the design for a moment before shaking her head.

"The neckline is too elaborate."

Tang Zhonghui chuckled from his seat.

"At this rate, we’re going to redesign the entire dress ten times before you’re satisfied."

Yue Ling calmly picked up a pencil.

"Then we’ll redesign it ten times."

Ju Suo laughed.

"That’s our boss."

Despite the teasing, everyone returned to their tasks.

The dress was gradually taking shape, with each member contributing to the process in their own way.

Some helped source materials, others coordinated with the atelier, while Yue Ling personally oversaw the design and construction.

It was one of the few projects she insisted on handling herself.

After everything that had happened, she wanted this dress to carry happier memories.

However, there was something tugging at her heart about everything.

One afternoon, while the others were discussing the placement of the embellishments, Yue Ling found herself staring absentmindedly at the unfinished gown.

Her pencil remained motionless between her fingers.

Her thoughts had drifted back to her grandfather.

’I wanted to make sure the company was in safe hands before I leave.’

His words had remained with her ever since their conversation in the study.

She had spent the past several days thinking about his request.

Taking over Ji Corps was not a small responsibility.

Between An Qing and De L’amour, her schedule was already demanding.

And that was only when operations at Fate and H-International were running smoothly. Any unexpected complications within either organization would demand her immediate attention, leaving little room for anything else.

Although she had capable people supporting her, adding another corporation would require considerable time and attention.

But the thought of refusing her grandfather weighed heavily on her.

She understood now why he had been so persistent.

He was not simply asking her to inherit a company.

He was asking her to protect something he had spent his entire life building.

And he wanted to leave knowing that the Ji family’s future was secure.

Yue Ling lowered her gaze.

She could still remember the weariness in his eyes when he told her he was tired.

The way his voice trembled when he spoke about losing his daughter, her mother.

And the quiet resignation with which he acknowledged that his remaining time was limited.

Her chest tightened.

"Boss?"

Qi Li’s voice pulled her from her thoughts.

Yue Ling looked up.

"Hm?"

"You’ve been staring at that sketch for a while."

She glanced down at the paper.

A faint smile touched her lips.

"Just thinking."

"About the dress?"

She paused.

"Something else."

Qi Li studied her for a moment but did not press further.

Instead, he placed another fabric sample beside her.

"Well, whenever you’re finished thinking, we still need your approval on this."

Yue Ling chuckled softly.

"Alright."

She set her thoughts aside and returned to work.

But the decision continued to linger in the back of her mind.

This time, it wasn’t about her grandfather, but something else.

That evening, Lu Tian arrived at De L’amour to pick her up.

By then, most of the design team had finished their assignments, leaving Yue Ling alone in the room reviewing the latest design.

He entered quietly and found her standing beside the mannequin.

"Still working?"

Yue Ling turned.

"Almost finished."

Lu Tian approached and glanced at the gown.

"Looks like it’s coming along."

She smiled.

"It’s getting there."

He slipped an arm around her waist and pressed a kiss against her temple.

"Have you eaten?"

"Not yet."

"Then we’re leaving."

Yue Ling laughed softly.

"You’re becoming very strict."

"Someone has to be."

He took the pencil from her hand and placed it on the table.

"Come."

She allowed him to lead her toward the door.

However, as they entered the elevator, Lu Tian noticed that she had grown unusually quiet.

"Something on your mind?"

Yue Ling leaned against him.

An inexplicable feeling stirred within her, one she could neither understand nor put into words. She wanted to tell him, but she did not know how. In the end, she chose to bring up something else instead.

"Yeye."

He looked down at her.

"Still thinking about Ji Corps?"

She nodded.

"I’ve been considering his request."

Lu Tian remained silent, allowing her to continue.

"I know taking over another company isn’t going to be easy. But after hearing everything he said..."

Her voice trailed off.

Lu Tian gently squeezed her hand.

"You don’t have to decide everything at once."

"I know."

She looked up at him.

"But I think I’ve already made my decision."

He studied her face.

"Then I’ll support you."

Yue Ling smiled faintly.

"Even if it means more work?"

"Especially then."

He brushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

"You have people who can help you. You don’t need to carry every responsibility alone."

Yue Ling rested her head against his shoulder.

For a moment, she said nothing.

Then she quietly replied, "Thank you."

Lu Tian kissed the top of her head.

"Always."

A few days later, while the couple was having dinner at home, Lu Tian received a call.

It was his mother.

He placed Inu’s bowl, filled with fresh food, into its stand before answering the call.

After exchanging a few words, he glanced toward Yue Ling.

"Tomorrow?"

A brief pause.

"Alright. We’ll be there."

He ended the call and sat across from her.

Yue Ling looked up from her plate.

"Your mother?"

"Mm."

"What did she say?"

Lu Tian placed his phone beside him.

"She wants us to go over tomorrow since it’s the weekend."

Yue Ling raised an eyebrow.

"Something important?"

He smiled.

"Apparently, our engagement party and wedding aren’t going to plan themselves."

Yue Ling paused before laughing softly.

"Right. We still have that to arrange."

With everything that had happened to Ji Jingxu and Grandfather Ji, the preparations had understandably been pushed aside.

Lu Tian reached across the table and took her hand.

"Mother said everyone wants to discuss the arrangements together."

"Everyone?"

"Everyone. Considering it’s just her."

Yue Ling chuckled.

"That sounds serious."

"Very."

He leaned back in his chair.

"She also mentioned that we should come prepared with our preferences."

Yue Ling looked at him.

"And what are yours?"

Lu Tian’s gaze softened.

"Whatever makes you happy."

She gave him a look.

"That’s not an answer."

"It’s my answer."

Yue Ling shook her head, smiling.

"You’re impossible."

Lu Tian chuckled.

"Then I suppose you’ll have to make the decisions."

"Absolutely not. You’re getting married too."

He reached for her hand and gently brought it to his lips.

"Wedding or no wedding. You’re my Mrs. Lu."

Their conversation lasted through dinner. After washing the dishes and cleaning up, the couple headed upstairs to get ready for bed.

The bathroom door clicked shut behind her, and the silence of the bedroom felt louder for it.

Yue Ling stood there, steam still clinging to her skin from the shower. The silk of her nightgown pooled against her thighs, cool and impossibly smooth. A matching robe hung loose over her shoulders, untied, the fabric barely brushing her collarbones as she moved.

She caught her own reflection in the dark glass of the window. Hair still damp. Lips slightly parted.

Across the room, Lu Tian was already watching her.

He hadn’t moved when she emerged. He was propped against the headboard, bare shoulders catching the dim lamplight. The sheets pooled around his waist.

His sleeping pants sat low on his hips, and his chest—lean, defined, the kind of stillness that belonged to a man who knew exactly what he wanted—rose and fell with slow, deliberate breaths.

The air between them felt charged, like the moment before thunder breaks.

"Come here, my love."

His voice was low. Not a command. An invitation. A statement of certainty.