"That''s exactly what you meant. You told me to get lost," ir remarked sadly. ''How could he say that to me? If he didn''t want me around, he could have just said that. Why did he have to be so rude and harsh?'' she thought to herself.


    Wesley panicked when he spotted the sadness in her eyes. He stood up and exined, "I wasn''t saying it to you. That was meant for Niles."


    Bam! That was the sound of a door closing. Niles fled to his bedroom and mmed his door shut—hard. You could hear it from anywhere in the house.


    His exnation didn''t make ir feel any better. She gnawed at her lower lip and uttered dejectedly, "I should have left well enough alone. It''s none of my business. I''m sorry. I''ll get lost now."


    She turned to leave. Wesley grabbed her wrist and said, "ir."


    "What!" She red at him with red eyes.


    "Cut it out!" Wesley said. The woman always had new tricks to y on him. He wouldn''t be taken in this time.


    ir sighed, pouting. ''Fine. He''s good. He got me. But how did I fall for it again?'' She didn''t dwell on her failure, though. "You''re the older one. You''re supposed to protect him. Why are you so mean to him? And you knew he did nothing wrong," she told him. Her voice returned to normal.


    ''Hey on your bed. He was asking for it. My only regret is that I didn''t beat him hard enough, '' Wesley thought to himself.


    He had been silent. Too silent. ir sighed, "You''re quiet. I suppose I can''t convince you to go easier on Niles, huh? Never mind. Forget what I said. I''m going back to my room. Good night."


    She wrenched free of his grip and continued to walk to the door.


    "It''s not like that," he said, looking at her receding figure. ir giggled without turning around.


    "All right. Go to sleep. We shouldn''t disturb the others," she said.


    Wesley leaned on the door and watched her leave. When she reached Niles'' room, she lifted her hand like she was going to knock. But then something dawned on her. She put her hand down and continued to her own room.


    Actually, she wanted to say something to make Niles feel better. But considering what happened tonight, she decided against it.


    When everyone had retired to their own rooms,


    shower and let''s eat breakfast," she reminded him with a smile.


    "Okay." Wesley greeted his grandpa and went upstairs to his bedroom.


    While Wesley and ir talked, Keith observed them with a satisfied smile. But he pretended not to notice. It was best not to push the boy.


    Near noon, a group of guests visited the Li family. Wesley was sitting on the couch, ying on his phone while ir was watching TV with Cecelia. A bowl of sunflower seeds sat on the table in front of the sofa.


    "Wesley!" Ga called out. She was crushing so hard that all she saw was him. Shortly after, she realized that she had gotten too excited. So she greeted Keith first before walking up to Wesley.


    It was not until then that she noticed ir. But her nce didn''t linger.


    Ga''s parents were with her too. They had brought some gifts to say happy New Year to the family.


    Wesley and Niles greeted her parents politely.


    Ga''s father was a serious and proud man. But when he saw Wesley, he was all smiles. "Long time no see. d you came!"


    "I have more avable time now. I cane home for Spring Festival each year from now on," Wesley replied.


    Ga''s mom, Lauren, said with a smile, "We heard Wesley got promoted again. He is so sessful. You must be very proud."


    Cecelia grinned happily as if there were a hanger in her mouth. She was always proud of Wesley. Still, she said modestly, "He''s a great guy, but believe me, he''s not perfect."