《Mr. CEO Loves The Devilish Beauty》


 Chapter 1 - Bitter Medicine tastes Good

    Love is not cheap.


    It¡¯s the most expensive thing in this world. One might have to pay with everything they got but they still can¡¯t afford it.


    Love is actually really demanding.


    It takes your heart.


    It takes your soul.


    And then,


    It asks for more...


    Xu Mey was one of the people who couldn¡¯t afford this luxury in her life. And the reason was not the fact that she didn¡¯t have anything to offer, it was just that she wasn¡¯t aware of what love felt like or what it meant. The only kind of love she knew about was which she shared with her best friends.


    Looking at that happy couple getting married, a sudden question popped up in her mind. ¡¯Is it love that led the bride and groom to this stage?¡¯ Laughing at her own ridiculous thought, she shook her head lightly.


    The thing that led them to marriage was definitely not loving instead it was mutual benefits for their respective families. Wu Xia, the bride was actually her best friend, Wu Wang¡¯s younger sister and Xu Mey knew that Wang¡¯s chose Ming Qu as her life partner because it was beneficial for business.


    Owing to the fact that humans look for their own benefit these days. A mere marriage is also a form of convenience for both parties. No one loves without a rationale.


    Xu Mey sighed closing her raven colored eyes for a moment. There was a metaphor she remembered, ¡¯Good medicine tastes bitter.¡¯


    But for her, rtionships and love were always like, ¡¯Bitter medicine tastes good.¡¯


    "My poor sister is happily walking towards a prison," Wu Wang who was sitting beside Xu Mey said in a low murmur. Understanding his meaning, sheughed.


    She knew only a brother like Wu Wang would say that his sister¡¯s married life is like a prison.


    "Wang boy, keep your voice down before your parents hear it," She said in a calm voice. "It¡¯s her own choice, anyway." Wu Wang nodded his head in agreeing with her.


    "Oh dear, this boy is too clean. I can¡¯t find a speck of dirt on him," Li Qiao joined the conversation as he stared at his tablet with a look of loss.


    "You found nothing about him?" Xu Mey asked as she pointed towards the man of the night, the groom.


    "Nope. He doesn¡¯t even have a speeding ticket record." Li Qiao was feeling discouraged. Xu Mey pressed on the frown between his brows with her finger.


    "The cleaner one looks, the more he¡¯s trying to hide something," Her reply made not only Li Qiao and Wu Wang stare at her, it even attracted the attention of her other two best friends, Lin Shen, and He Jian.


    Xu Mey met Li Qiao and Wu Wang at her school while the other two were introduced to her by them. Wu Wang was involved in his family business but not many people knew that he was also a painter.


    Li Qiao was the CEO of an entertainment agency while Lin Shen was chief of surgery at Lin Hospital in City D. He Jian had his own architecture firm. But together, they were just a bunch of bantering kids.


    When all of them looked at her calm face, an involuntary sigh escaped from their mouth. She picked up her phone and sent a simple text. They knew nothing could stay hidden from Xu Mey as long as she was willing to find out herself.


    -------


    Ye Jie came to City D for his best friend¡¯s wedding. His long-term girlfriend, Lu Yuhan was not tagging with him this time around. Her absence disturbed Ming Qu but Ye Jie didn¡¯t exin anything to him.


    Ye Jie didn¡¯t want his best friend to know about his break-up, at the very least, not on his wedding day. Ye Jie was actually nning on proposing to Lu Yuhan but the night he nned to take action was the night she talked about a break-up.


    He still remembered her ck watery eyes looking back at him with a sad expression when she said, "Let¡¯s end it now Ye Jie. You¡¯re amazing but after spending so much time with you, I realized that we are not meant to be."


    Coming back to the wedding...


    He was d in a beautiful royal blue colored suit with a ck shirt underneath. His dark brown chopped hair was perfectly gelled.


    He was already tired from the long journey and now the long traditional wedding was making him impatient. His gaze was wandering around in the hall and finally, it made contact with a smiling face.


    She was wearing a light peach colored gown with a sequin pattern. Her pitch ck hair was tied in a side braid. The light make-up made her porcin white skin seem more enthralling. But the smile made her squint her eyes and her cherry lips to turn upward. A small deep dimple appeared at the side of her right cheek was something that beguiled him.


    After a moment, the smile was gone as if it was just his own imagination ying with him. A serene expression took its ce and she seemed like a fascinating fairy with those clear bright eyes.


    "When are you nning on getting married?" Mr. Ming asked while tapping on his shoulder which broke his contact with her.


    He knew it was an avoidable question but that was the question which scared him. He still hadn¡¯t told his parents about his break-up because he knew it will hurt them. He wasn¡¯t young anymore, he was turning 30 this year and everyone in his family was expecting him to marry this year.


    "I¡¯ll invite you to my wedding soon, Uncle Ming," He replied while trying hard to stay calm and hide his hurt expression. Uncle Mingughed heartily seemingly happy with his answer and patted his back.


    For Mr. Ming, Ye Jie was just like Ming Qu and Ye Jie also gave him the same respect as his own father. Ming¡¯s and Ye¡¯s had a close family rtionship which also became the reason for Ye Jie and Ming Qu¡¯s friendship.


    He wasn¡¯t lying to Uncle Ming, he concocted in his mind to meet Lu Yuhan again. He wasn¡¯t nning on giving up. Neither on her Nor on their rtionship.


    After Uncle Ming turned towards another guest, Ye Jie looked behind but to his dismay, she wasn¡¯t there anymore. He darted his eyes around the hall but didn¡¯t find her.

 Chapter 2 - Like What You See?

    After the ceremony, Ye Jie was chatting with Ming Qu in the reception area which was in the back garden of the hotel. It felt roughly like a social gathering instead of a wedding reception. Each person was engaged in striving to seek for connections.


    ¡¯Social animals craving to survive in this social jungle.¡¯


    Wu Xia joined them afterward swapping her traditional red wedding dress for a beautiful white dress. d in a simple but elegant white gown with a slit down the knee, she looked stunning. She looped her arm with Ming Qu¡¯s and he murmured something in her ear which caused a visible blush to appear on her fair delicate cheeks.


    She hit him yfully with her clenched fists. After calming herself, she said, "Do you guys want to join the real fun?"


    Both Ming Qu and Ye Jie gave her puzzled guise. "Don¡¯t tell me you want to spend the time with the older generation." Following her gesturing towards the garden filled with people, both of them realized that there was not a single person from the younger generation.


    "Where exactly is the real fun?" Ye Jie asked hiding his grim mood behind a set smile.


    A mysterious smile spread on Wu Xia¡¯s face as she dragged Ming Qu back inside the building. They passed by another wedding hall where a wedding was in process and took an elevator to the rooftop of the building. Seeing Wu Xia, the bouncer opened the passage for her to enter.


    The rooftop was crowded with young people hanging around and dancing to the beats of music. Ye Jie was surely not an enthusiast of loud music as it made him feel nauseous. The rooftop was decorated with colorful lights with a dance floor specifically set up in the middle. Coupled with the DJ along with a bar section and snacks bar gave the illusion of a fancy nightclub.


    "Who organized it?" The question that was bothering Ye Jie was voiced out by his best friend as Ming Qu looked at Wu Xia with a questioning look.


    "Let¡¯s just say, my brother and his friends love to party." Her reply was not direct but it made one thing understandable, the after party was orchestrated by her brother.


    Wu Xia dragged Ming Qu to the dance floor leaving Ye Jie alone with his tangled ruminations. Ye Jie nced at the bright dazzling lights and walked towards the snack table which was right beside the bar.


    He picked up a set of chopsticks and ced some chicken wantons on his te. Just when he proceeded to take some chocte cake, his gaze fell on a figure d in high waisted wide leg ck pants with white stripes on it paired with an elegant white button-up shirt.


    Her hair was left open in soft curls which fell to her mid back. It wasn¡¯t her enticing figure that captivated him rather it was her face which held the identical poised bearing he perceived back in the wedding hall.


    --------


    Xu Mey trudged back to her Presidential Suite in the hotel to change out of the peach gown before joining her friends at the party. Anyone familiar with her or her friends had a misconception that they loved to party.


    None of them was an admirer of parties but what they actually loved was free drinks and snacks. Drinking was her forte and eating was her He Jian and Li Qiao¡¯ department. While Wu Wang was a certified yboy and Lin Shin was a virtuous man who merely trailed behind his friends.


    She was drinking her vodka shot when the familiar gruff voice of Li Qiao sounded beside her, "Did you find any dirt?" He settled on the seat beside her and took a beer from the bartender.


    She cocked her head to see thezy smile on Li Qiao¡¯s face. "Oh, I found the dirt, alright." With that, she passed a humorless smile to him.


    "He¡¯s really hiding something?" He Jian asked the question as he joined them with a shrimp dumpling on his te paired with spicy ginger sauce.


    Seeing her nod Wu Wang asked, "Should we be worried about it?" His yful expression was reced with a serious one. Wu Wang was protective when it came to two people; first his sister and second his best friend.


    "¡¯Too many cooks spoil the broth¡¯," She air quoted while drinking her vodka shot and faced all of their anticipating looks. "Let me take care of it. It¡¯s not anything consequential."


    "She¡¯s my little girl. I own the right to protect her, exactly as I own the right to be informed," Wu Wang replied as he took a sip of his wine.


    "Wang boy, ¡¯It¡¯s better to walk thousands of miles than to read thousands of books¡¯. That is to say, let his past be his past. We should be wary of his present and his future with Wu Xia. He has the right to keep his past," There was not a single change in her calm expression.


    ¡¯To bury your past is easy. To wear that past with pride takes courage.¡¯


    Her gentle and soft unhurried voice paired with her calm face worked like enchantment on most people. Even Lin Shen once said, "You can make a dying person believe that he¡¯s going to live with that demeanor of yours."


    But for them, it was not her reassuring countenance that put their mind at ease but rather it was herself. Her mere presence was enough to raise their spirits.


    "Now, Scram! Let me drink in peace," She made a ¡¯Shoo¡¯ gesture and pushed them away.


    All of themughed at her childish behavior as they ruffled her pitch ck hair and walked away leaving her in peace with her drink. Li Qiao and He Jian walked up to the snack table while Lin Shen found a silent corner for himself to make a goodnight call to his fiance. Wu Wang, on the other hand, wandered around in search of a night partner to take back.


    Xu Mey was extremely familiar with their antics, so she left them to do whatever they desired. As she picked up yet another vodka shot, she felt a pair of eyes staring at her.


    She tilted her body a little as she said, "Like what you see?" Her cherry lips were turned slightly upward giving the illusion of a smile which was definitely not a smile.

 Chapter 3 - Taking Advantage of Drunk Guys

    Her unexpected words flustered Ye Jie as he lost his equanimity for a while. He coughed a little when he heard her amusing voice again, "Did I just catch you checking me out?" He looked up at her narrowed eyes staring right back at him.


    "It-It¡¯s a misunderstanding," His words faltered a bit which caused an amusing smile to linger on Xu Mey¡¯s lips.


    "Rx, It¡¯s not like I¡¯ll eat you or something," She turned back to her drink and continued, "I didn¡¯t mind you checking me out. I check myself out all the time."


    Her words lead another coughing fit to follow as he looked at her calm face again. Seeing his widened eyes, she added, "Don¡¯t you check yourself out in the mirror every morning?" Ye Jie nodded his head hesitatingly. "So, how do you checking yourself out in the mirror is different from me checking myself out?" She raised her arched brow in a questioning manner.


    "Is it a rhetorical question?" After a period of time, Ye Jie seeded in uttering a few words.


    "Maybe... Maybe not."


    Ye Jie trudged and settled himself beside her while he observed her features. Other than having a delicate clear skin, she had the most alluring ck eyes. Ye Jie asked for red wine while she mixed soju with the beer in a ss. They didn¡¯t interact any further.


    Eventually, she left the bar when Wu Wang dragged her to the dance floor. His eyes trailed behind her to the dance floor while she happilyughed disying her beautiful dimple. Her dance steps were unhurried as she swayed her body a little letting herself lose to the beats of music. Her soft curls bounced forming an enchantment of dark clouds hiding her small beautiful face.


    Observing her dance moves triggered a smile on his grim face. Alcohol was not Ye Jie¡¯ strong suit but her smiling face and dance moves enthralled him and he didn¡¯t realize how many sses he downed.


    ¡¯Ahh, my head hurts.¡¯ That was the first thought that came to Ye Jie¡¯s mind as he rubbed his temples to soothe the pain. His eyelids felt like holding tons of weight and it took some effort for him to open his eyes. In his groggy state, he saw the wall length ss windows through which the zing sunlight fell on him making him shut his eyes again.


    "Finally, you¡¯re awake," When Ye Jie heard that soft voice, his heart shook a bit and opened his eyes, instantly. There she was leaning against the door frame with a tray in her hand. She walked towards him and noticed his abashed look. She ced the tray on the side table and offered him the ginger drink to ease up his hangover.


    He took the ss from her hand with gratitude and looked down to see him wearing the suit he worest night. Observing the way he sighed in relief after seeing his own clothes, Xu Mey smiled in a mischevious way.


    "I don¡¯t like taking advantage of drunk guys. So, you can be at ease." He opened his mouth to exin but she cut him with her own words, "Especially the broken-hearted ones."


    Ye Jie¡¯s eyes widened in shock as he raised his head to see her walking towards the windows as she pulled the sheen curtains. Her slim figure had tight fitted jeans paired with an over-sized ck shirt while her hair was tied in a high pony-tail. It was a simple ensemble but on her, it felt much more. It made her appear like a young girl.


    "How did you know? Did I say somethingst night?" Ye Jie was feeling disturbed, he knew if he said something than Ming Qu must have known by now. ¡¯Drunk Ye Jie was more than bearable¡¯ that¡¯s what Ming Qu always said.


    "No, you didn¡¯t. It was not difficult to conjecture. You were drunk and alone, apart from that topic there were no spare rooms in the hotel. So, I brought you to mine as a good human being." ¡¯Which I¡¯m definitely not.¡¯ Obviously, she left thest part unsaid. She strode towards the door as she added, "There are some spare clothes on the chair, take a shower before asking any further."


    At all the parties, Xu Mey was the final one to exit. Previous night when she was leaving the party, she happened to see Ye Jie cked out on the bar counter. His head was buried in the crook of his arm as he slept peacefully. Xu Mey looked around and asked the hotel staff to inquire about his room no but since Ye Jie arrived right before the wedding ceremony, he hadn¡¯t booked a room for himself.


    Due to the wedding season, there was not a single room avable. Wu Wang had a femalepanion which leads to Lin Shen sharing the room with the other two. Thinking about all the possibilities, Xu Mey ushered him to her own Presidential suite.


    Coming to the next morning...


    She walked out and Ye Jie decided to take a hot shower to ease up his aching body. The ginger drink worked like magic for him. His head was not as heavy as it had been when he woke up earlier. After the shower, he walked to the living area where Xu Mey was busy on herptop. When she saw him enter, she offered him a cup of coffee while he took a seat opposite of hers.


    "Ming Qu left me at the party?" He wasn¡¯t asking her but she heard his words.


    "What? Do you expect the groom to take care of you on his wedding night?" Her eyes were fixed on theptop as she asked. "Because I wouldn¡¯t expect that. Not even in my wildest dreams." She was shaking her in slow-motion.


    Ye Jie nodded his head in understanding. "Thanks forst night." He passed a sincere smile in gratitude.


    "It¡¯s not a big deal." She saw the way he was chewing his lower lip and said, "If you have something to ask, feel free."


    Ye Jie yed with a ck stone ring on his ring finger while he asked, "How did you guess about my breakup?"


    "There are two situations when people drink themselves to the state of fainting; either they are extremely happy or they are awfully sad."


    "So, are you extremely happy or awfully sad?" Ye Jie asked after a moment when he remembered the way she drankst night. He clearly remembered that she drank a hell lot more than him but she appeared to be fine.


    Xu Mey raised her eyes and nced at his extraordinary handsome face. "Neither." Just one word was her reply but Ye Jie felt that one word was like a mask that hid a million scars behind it. But he didn¡¯t pry any further. ¡¯The prerequisite of feeling happy or sad is; having feelings, to begin with.¡¯ Naturally, she wouldn¡¯t voice that out.


    "I should take my leave now. I¡¯ve to catch my flight in a few hours." Ye Jie got up from his seat and picked up hisst night suit with him.


    "Mr. Rain!" Ye Jie heard her leisurely voice and turned to look at her. "Remember, ¡¯While there are green hills, there¡¯ll be wood to burn¡¯(Where there is life, there is hope). So, don¡¯t be so dishearted ¡¯No man is a perfect man; no gold is sufficiently bare.¡¯(no-one¡¯s perfect)"


    Her metaphors made himugh lightly as he bit his lower lip softly. "Thanks for the advice, Ms. Cherry. Hope we see each other again."


    Saying that he walked out of her Presidential Suite with a broad smile gracing his handsome features.

 Chapter 4 - Youre A Very Scary Person

    Just as Ye Jie walked inside his family house, he could hear the loud argument between his younger brother, Ye Jun and his father, Ye Kang. He sighed as he shook his head a little prior to strutting inside the opulent Chinese vi.


    When Ye Jie came back from Ming Qu¡¯s wedding 6 months ago, he tried to contact Lu Yuhan plenty of times but she ignored him and finally, moved to Country E without even informing him.


    Ye Jie decided toe clean to his family and as expected, everyone was worried for him but they understood his pain and didn¡¯t push him for details. For that, he was really thankful to everyone. His mother, Zhou Ning even said, "I¡¯ll find a much better girl for my precious son."


    Their love was overwhelming for him because they always embraced his shortings with open arms. The thought of their warmth caused a soft smile to appear on his face.


    "I¡¯m not going to marry her and that¡¯s my final decision, dad," Ye Jun bellowed at his father while throwing daggers with his re.


    "You were fine with the arranged marriage before. What¡¯s the problem now?" Father Ye, asked while he held his head. Mother Ye held Father Ye¡¯s arm and brought him to sit on the sofa as she offered him water. He took the water with gratitude in his eyes.


    Seeing his father¡¯s deteriorating health, Ye Jun softened his voice, "Dad, I agreed before because the marriage was going to be with Xu Liqing, the younger daughter of the Xu family. But now, they want me to marry Xu Mey, the eldest daughter. That Xu Mey is infamous because of how cowardly and timid she is. I can¡¯t spend my life with someone like that. She¡¯s a useless wretch."


    Father Kang patted his son¡¯s head as he said, "I heard about that son. But Xu Liqing fell in love with someone else. This marriage between Ye¡¯s and Xu¡¯s was decided by your grandfather, if you¡¯ll say no then how¡¯ll I face your grandfather in death?"


    Ye Jie listened to the entire conversation and he understood the gist. "If they are recing the younger daughter with the eldest one then we can do the same," Ye Jie suggested while giving a hug to his mother.


    "Brother, you want to take my ce?" Ye Jun asked unsurely. He was most familiar with his brother¡¯s nature and knowing him, it was inevitable to not know how much he loved hisst girlfriend.


    "Xiao Jie, you don¡¯t have to do this," Mother Ye said while looking at her son lovingly.


    "Mom, I¡¯m already 30. I have to marry someone. So, why not Xu Mey or whatever her name is."


    "Thank you, son! Father will always be grateful for saving my face," Father Ye hugged his eldest son with a warm smile on his elderly face.


    ------


    "You agreed for the wedding?" Li Qiao was the first one to ask. Xu Mey was having a group-call with her best friends. When she told them about getting married, at first, they didn¡¯t believe her and then gave her an expression like she had gone crazy.


    "Yes, I agreed." She replied while unpacking her clothes. She came back to her family house because his grandfather called her. The news of the day was she¡¯s getting married to a person she had never met before.


    "Why?" All of them screeched simultaneously piercing her ears making her wince.


    "Aish. Shut up!" Her shouting made them close their mouths. "It¡¯s not that I want to get married but this marriage is actually a blessing in disguise. Right now, the only way to separate me from Xu family is marrying into the Ye family."


    After a pause, she added, "You know very well that I¡¯m a strong believer of the saying, ¡¯There is always hope, even in the bleakest moments.¡¯* And I know very well, how to hold onto that hope."


    "You have other ways to aplish your goals with Xu family. I don¡¯t think you need to use Ye¡¯s for that," Lin Shen¡¯s words were right as expected of him being the smartest of them.


    "I can do that but boys, it¡¯s not wise toy all your cards open at once." Her reply left them with their own thoughts.


    "But what¡¯s the guarantee that your future husband will take your side in destroying the Xu¡¯s? After all, Ye¡¯s and Xu¡¯s are not only establishing a personal rtionship, they are also establishing a business one as well." Wu Wang¡¯s worry was not far-fetched. It was the reality.


    "And that¡¯s why I¡¯m marrying into that family," Xu Mey replied in her calm voice again making them confused. "Right now, if I y my cards, Xu Corporations will get Ye Enterprises to help stable themselves and the only way to stop Ye¡¯s from helping is infiltrating from the inside. And what better way is to creep in than being a part of them?"


    Understanding her n, all of them broke into a fit ofughter. "Gosh, it¡¯s a good thing, I¡¯m your friend. You¡¯re a very scary person, Mey." Everyone agreed with Lin Shen¡¯sment.


    "I¡¯m more cunning than scary, boys," She smiled looking out the window observing the orange rays painting the sky. The sunset seemed rather beautiful today.


    "Goodbye, boys! I have to get my beauty sleep. After all, I¡¯m meeting my future husband tomorrow," The way she said ¡¯husband¡¯ made them cringe.


    They all felt sorry for her future husband. But they¡¯ll never say it out loud. No matter if she¡¯s scary, cunning or aplete devil, for them, she¡¯d always be their precious little girl.


    *(It¡¯s a dialogue from Korean Show, ¡¯It¡¯s Okay, That¡¯s Love¡¯)

 Chapter 5 - I Should Get To Know Her A Little Better

    Ye Jie came with his parents to the Star Night Hotel for the date fixing meeting. After Lu Yuhan left, Ye Jie¡¯s desire to have a perfect wedding with a perfect girl was also destroyed. He didn¡¯t want to fall in love again, not that deeply. In the end, he felt it was a better choice to marry someone his parents chose for him.


    They were seated on a corner table when he saw the Xu family patriarch, Xu Chaun walking inside the restaurant with his cane in hand. His son, Xu Cheng wasgging behind, hand in hand with his wife Fu Lan. Thest person to enter was a girl in wide-legged pants and an over-sized shirt. Her long ck straight hair that reached her waist was left untied making a mess in front of her face.


    There were huge sses perked up on her small nose but Ye Jie was busy in contemting, ¡¯Where have I seen her?¡¯


    When the Xu family arrived, Ye Jie greeted them warmly knowing how much Xu¡¯s mattered to his own grandfather when he was alive. Grandfather Xu patted Ye Jie¡¯s shoulder happily in acknowledgment.


    "This is my granddaughter, Xu Mey," Grandfather Xu ced his hand on her back as he introduced her to everyone. Ye Jie saw the way she only nodded in greeting and kept her head lowered like an obedient little girl. Even her hands were sped in front of her.


    They all took seats on the table as Xu Mey sat opposite to Ye Jie. His eyes didn¡¯t leave Xu Mey for a second. With her lowered head, he couldn¡¯t even see her face properly which enraged him.


    "Xu Mey doesn¡¯t talk much. She spent most of the years in hostels, so it gets difficult for her to adjust with new environments." Father Xu exined with a doting smile on his face as he caressed his daughter¡¯s head.


    His actions infuriated Xu Mey who kept repeating, ¡¯hypocrite¡¯ inwardly. She lost her affection or whatever feelings she had for her father a long time ago. Now, he was just a father in name. For her, his presence was close to non-existing.


    "Xu Mey, I heard you¡¯ve gotten your arts degree from The Nation Arts School," Mother Ye took the initiative to involve her in the conversation. But Xu Mey replied with ¡¯Ummn¡¯ while nodding. But that didn¡¯t discourage Mother Ye as she continued, "Are you nning on working after the marriage?"


    "Yes, I would like to try," Xu Mey replied in a soft timid voice making Mother Ye¡¯s heart soften. Inwardly, Xu Mey wanted to p herself for using such a sweet tone that could make even her feel nauseous.


    But she still didn¡¯t raise her head. She always avoided raising her head in the presence of her family because she knew her efforts in hiding her contempt and disdain for them will go in vain.


    When Ye Jiu heard her voice, suddenly a cherry lips beauty came into his peripheral vision. ¡¯No, it can¡¯t be her.¡¯ He shook his head ignoring his own thoughts. ¡¯But what if it¡¯s really her?¡¯ That thought made his heart feel stuffed up. ¡¯Would I like her to be here?¡¯ He asked himself again and in reply, his heartbeat quickened. He calmed himself with a ss of water.


    "Ye Jie, Congrattions for acquiring the business deal with Ning group." Father Xu said with a proud smile on his face. He was satisfied with having Ye Jun as his son-inw but whenpared to Ye Jie, Ye Jun was merely an aplished person while Ye Jie was an extraordinary leader. As a father, he was really happy.


    When Xu Liqing ran away from home because she didn¡¯t like Ye Jun, he was distressed. When his father suggested to let Xu Mey take her ce, he wasn¡¯t happy about it. But he decided to ask for her opinion. He wanted Xu Mey to reject but like usual she agreed without even arguing with him. Xu Cheng could count on his fingers the number of times he had a conversation with his eldest daughter since she went to boarding school.


    He loved both his daughters but Xu Mey was thest reminder of the women he fell head over heels in love with at first sight. But his own daughter didn¡¯t even like looking at him, talking seemed far-fetched. When Ye¡¯s suggested tying Ye Jie with Xu Mey in marriage, he felt an extreme sense of happiness. He thought he could be rxed about her future little did he know, his own flesh and blood were looking for a way to dig his grave.


    After contemting for an hour, Ye Jie decided to see the face of the girl sitting before him. He was getting tired of his own thoughts and conjectures. He nudged her feet lightly under the table with his own foot but received no response in return.


    After trying nicely for two times, he kicked her feet with a little forced this time to get her attention. More importantly, to make her look at him. And it worked, Xu Mey raised her head to re at him but her eyes widened when his handsome face came in her sight. Ye Jie was no better at that moment. He didn¡¯t know whether to cry or tough.


    He was fearing for an hour that it¡¯ll be Ms. Cherry and eventually, his fear came true. But contrary to his expectations, Xu Meyposed herself quickly as if the shock never appeared on her face and lowered her head again.


    Ye Jie saw all the elders talking with each other and no one was paying attention towards them. So, he ced his hand at the side of his lips to hide his movements from everyone as he said in a low murmur, "Are you ignoring my presence? Or are you ignoring the fact that we met before?"


    Xu Mey mimicked his actions and replied, "You should know, ¡¯Ignorance is bliss.¡¯"


    Ye Jie nodded his head in slow motion and added, "Ms. Cherry, you were not like this when we met 6-"


    Xu Mey cut his words short as she said, "¡¯Disasteres from careless talk¡¯ so think before you talk, Mr. Rain." Her voice seemed strained.


    Ye Jie stared at her for a while before he turned to his parents, "Mom, Dad, I would like to talk to Ms. Xu alone. After all, we¡¯re going to spend our whole life together. I should get to know her a little better." Xu Mey cursed inwardly but maintained her calm and timid expression.


    Seeing his sincere expression and hearing his true word, everyone agreed without any issue. Eventually, a devilish smile appeared on his cold handsome face.

 Chapter 6 - Im Gonna Use You

    Xu Mey followed Ye Jie to a Presidential Suite on the 25th floor of the Star Night Hotel. The moment she entered the room behind him, she closed the door with a thud halting Ye Jie. She locked the door securely before she turned around to face Ye Jie with a scowl etched on her face.


    "Why is it you?" How she managed to use her calm and gentle voice in this situation was out of his knowledge. Since her guise was anything but serene.


    "Huh?" He gave her a questioning look.


    "I can¡¯t believe my so-called father is actually giving me a second-hand product. I really didn¡¯t expect him to disregard me this much," She was walking in circles in her frustration without noticing that she was saying her thoughts out loud.


    When Ye Jie heard the word ¡¯second-hand product¡¯ he was dumbfounded. He couldn¡¯t believe that someone actually dared to call him that. He was still known as the most eligible bachelor and now someone was calling him a used product.


    "Ms. Cherry, I¡¯m not a second-hand product you know," Ye Jie gnashed his teeth, he was seething with rage but he could only restraint himself for the moment.


    Xu Mey stopped her walking parade and stood before him raising her head to look straight at him. "Are you trying to tell me that you didn¡¯t have a girlfriend?" She challenged him with her chin pointing at him.


    She was about a head shorter than him but she still felt really short in front of him. ¡¯He¡¯s just abnormally tall.¡¯ She inwardly calmed her inferiorplex about height. Even though she was taller than most girls but she still didn¡¯t like seeing boys who were taller than her.


    "Yes, I had a girlfriend but that doesn¡¯t make me a used product," He defied her with a confident look on his face.


    "Says the guy who got himself drunk to the point of copsing just for the sake of one girl," Xu Mey retorted sarcastically making him close his eyes and bit his lower lip.


    "That¡¯s not rted to this conversation," He replied after thinking for a while.


    "Of course, it is. The person who had that much control over your life that her absence made you lose yourself, that person would definitely won¡¯t be a fling."


    Hearing her reply, Ye Jie didn¡¯t know what else to say. He didn¡¯t have the answer to her question. She was right, he did give Lu Yuhan a lot of rights in his life and in his heart. Randomly a thought crossed his mind. "Why did you agree to this arranged marriage?"


    "Because my family asked me to," She replied but her words couldn¡¯t even assure herself much less the keen person before her.


    "Hahaha!" Heughed heartily for a while before taking a seat at the couch. "You want me to believe that a girl who hides behind a million faces is actually such an obedient little girl that her family asked her to marry a stranger and she happily agreed."


    Looking at his handsomeughing face, she took a seat at the nearby couch and asked, "Million faces?"


    Ye Jie looked at her serious face. It felt weird. There was no calm or gentleness. There was only a silent storm hidden behind her serious look.


    "When I first saw you at my friend¡¯s wedding, you gave me the impression of a gentle fairy." He started in a soft voice. "At his reception, I took you for a bewitching fairy. On the dance floor, you looked like a carefree and yful kind of person with a hint of wildness. The very next morning, your serene impression seemed like a storm was brewing on an ocean and it actually scared me." He sighed audibly before continuing.


    "And today, your whole persona was like a pitiful damsel in distress. You fooled me so much that even I wanted to go up to you to ask how can I possibly save you. Look at your self now, in a matter of minutes, you turned feisty. I don¡¯t even know what¡¯s hiding behind all those faces?"


    Listening to his words, Xu Mey kept looking in his eyes. His brown eyes were asking her a million questions and she didn¡¯t know how to answer any of them. Her perplexed mind kept thinking for an answer but in the end, she knew, he¡¯ll figure out whether she was lying or not.


    "A devil!" She said in a low murmur but he heard it. Before he could say anything, she started, "I¡¯m marrying you because I¡¯m gonna use you." She continued in her soft voice, "I¡¯m gonna use you as my shield and my getaway."


    Ye Jie thought about what she just said for a while before saying, "You¡¯re gonna use me to deal with the Xu family." He wasn¡¯t asking that question, he was stating a fact. "Why are you telling me the truth?"


    "Because if we¡¯re going to spend our life together then we need to be honest with each other. If it was someone else, I¡¯d have naturally not told the truth but because it¡¯s you, I wanted you to know. I wanted to give you a way and reason to back out." She exined her words and silence engulfed them.


    To break the awkward silence, Ye Jie asked, "What are you nning on doing? And how are you going to challenge the power of the Xu family?" He was genuinely very curious about her course of action. He knew to fight with Xu¡¯s was not easy, they had a history of a century old.


    "How I do it is my problem. You don¡¯t have to concern yourself with that. I¡¯m ready for the battle. Also, you don¡¯t have to worry about spending the rest of your life with me. I won¡¯t put shackles on you. It¡¯s just a matter of time, I¡¯ll walk out of your life." She wanted him to know all his options. It wasn¡¯t like she was nning on spending the rest of her life with him. He was just a stepping stone, she needed that stone to reach the battlefield.


    Spending another moment in silence, Ye Jie said, "Your appearance really can fool someone. I really took you for a fairy. Gentle and Kind." He had a hint of a smile on his lips.


    "¡¯Man cannot be judged by looks; seas cannot be measured by a cup.¡¯* This phrase is for people like me."


    *Don¡¯t judge a person from their appearance.

 Chapter 7 - Then I Can Marry You

    The sun was slowly fading away behind the dark clouds. The bright sunny day took a turn toward a dark rainy one. Xu Mey and Ye Jie were still in the suite. Ye Jie ordered some food while Xu Mey made her way toward the tiny bar in the suite.


    When the food arrived, Xu Mey had already drunk about 2 bottles of beers. Ye Jie was focused on her movements, the more he looked, the more he wanted to look deeper. She was trying to open the 3rd bottle which was acting stubborn.


    Looking at her delicate skin, that frown between her brows and that cherry lips pouted in annoyance, he had a strong urge to touch her milky white skin. And before he could sleep on that thought, he took the action.


    He walked towards the bar counter and stood right behind her. As his strong cinnamon scent assaulted her senses, she turned around only to bump into his chest. He raised his hand up to cup her face in his palm.


    "Why don¡¯t you keep your hands to yourself, Mr. Ye," She suggested as she swatted his hand away from her face with a re.


    Heughed lightly before his arm came around her waist and pulled her towards his chest,pletely trapping her with no route for escape.


    "But Ms. Cherry, I simply can¡¯t resist that skin of yours," He replied with an innocent expression while caressing her right cheek with the back of his hand.


    "Don¡¯t push me to break that hand of yours," She was at her limit and he knew that but he just loved to see that adorable scowl on her jade-like skin.


    "So, you¡¯re going to be a violent wife?" He hummed as if this thought enlightened him somehow. Xu Mey raised her head a little to see his pursed lips and a mischievous glint in his eyes. She pushed him with both hands and walked away from him to maintain a distance.


    She huffed and sat down to pick some food to eat. She decided to eat some chicken dumplings and egg rolls. After observing her puffed up cheeks, he found it really cute. He also took a seat and took some fried rice to eat.


    Maybe it was their good manners or maybe they didn¡¯t have anything to talk but they ate in silence. The deafening silence was broken by the pitter-patter sound of rain along with the forks and tes.


    They took their coffee mugs and came to stand in front of the ss wall looking over the rain falling down with full force. Looking at the steam escaping from her coffee cup, Xu Mey thought, ¡¯It¡¯s a pity that we have to leave our safe havens just to be shattered by the world. And yet we call it independence.¡¯ The steam or rain both were like what she thought, both left their safe haven just to be scattered in this world. She sighed and ignored the burn at the side of her face where Ye Jie¡¯s gaze was stuck.


    "Why do you want to ruin your own family?" His gaze was still attached to her side profile where he found indifference.


    "¡¯Every family has its own problems.¡¯" She started indifferently, "And who said I¡¯m going to ruin them?" She took a sip of her Espresso letting its burning taste tingle her taste buds before adding, "I¡¯m going to seize everything they have." Seeing the way her lips curved into devilish mirth, a cold shiver ran down his body making him quiver.


    He decided to not pry. He knew she¡¯ll eventuallye clean with him. He broke his gaze away from her and looked out at the falling drops of rain. Remembering something, he again asked, "Why do you call me ¡¯Rain¡¯?"


    She didn¡¯t turn to look at him but retorted with a question of her own, "Why do you call me Cherry?"


    "Because of your lips," He bit his tongue after blurting it out and saw the way she raised a single brow in a suspicious manner. "I¡¯m not a pervert. Don¡¯t give me that look."


    She shrugged her shoulders nonchntly and replied to his earlier question, "I call you ¡¯Mr. Rain¡¯ because of Rain¡¯s association with sadness and mncholy." Realizing how she thinks he¡¯s a sad person because of their first meeting. He facepalmed himself inwardly for leaving such a bad impression on her.


    He chuckled a little and sighed. "You¡¯re a weird person." Hisment was not wrong from not only his perspective but also everyone else¡¯.


    "No, I¡¯m merely one hell of a person," She smirked and saw his bbergasted aspect. "You didn¡¯t get the reference?" She asked with a bit of shock in her soft voice. He shook his head with an impassive look. Her eyes widened as her voice rose an octave, "You haven¡¯t watched ck Butler?"


    Ye Jie pursed his lips and said in a guilty tone, "No." He didn¡¯t even know why he was the guilty one for not watching something. But just her expression was more than enough to make him guilty.


    "I¡¯m not marrying you. You¡¯ve not watched my Sabastian. How am I supposed to marry a person who doesn¡¯t have a clue about ck Butler?" She was fuming in rage making her milky white cheeks to puff up and be red.


    She stomped her foot like a child who didn¡¯t get his favorite candy and sat at the nearby chair while sping her arms in front of her chest. Ye Jie stood at the side watching her throwing a tantrum, he realized how much adorkable she looked with that expression.


    He chewed on his lower lip and walked up to her. He sat down on the armrest of the chair as he caressed her smooth ck hair and said, "I can watch it with my wife. That is if she wants to."


    Xu Mey pursed her lips while biting the inside of her lip and asked, "You will?" She looked up at his face as he nodded his head in agreement. "Then I can marry you."

 Chapter 8 - More Like Lust Bite

    Over the next weekend, Xu Mey sneaked out of her Xu Residencete at night. She came to a private room in the illusion nightclub where her friends had already been waiting for her. She settled herself beside Li Qiao as he passed her a displeased look.


    "Your future husband¡¯s been involved in a deep rtionship for 8 years," Li Qiao stated while looking at her with a grave look. "You really want to be a wife of someone whose heart has another girl in it?"


    "Qiao, you¡¯re talking like he¡¯s cheating on me," She repliednguidly before taking wolfberry to eat.


    "Isn¡¯t this also cheating?" Li Qiao was glowering at this point. He never wanted his best friend to have a fake rtionship. He believed that one day she¡¯ll love someone but he was scared of her love as well. He knew she had a habit of doing everything to an extreme and if she loved to the point of going crazy one day, he won¡¯t be surprised at all.


    The door to the private room opened and in walked Wu Wang with a radiant smile and disheveled hair. His clothes had creases giving away what he¡¯d been doing. "Oh, here¡¯s my pretty girl," He came to Xu Mey for a hug but she paced backward to hide behind He Jian making Wu Wang pout like a baby.


    "You have a," She pointed at his neck but couldn¡¯t speak out.


    Easing her stress, Lin Shenmented, "She¡¯s trying to say that you have a hickey at the side of your neck."


    Wu Wang saw the hickey through his phone¡¯s camera and replied, "It¡¯s called love bite you ignorant people."


    "Minus the love part," He Jian added with a pleased expression.


    Xu Mey snorted at his reply and said, "More like lust bite, Wang boy." Her words made all of them burst outughing. She passed him a wary smile and sat back down.


    "Always expect my best friend to say the joke of the day," Wu Wangmented and sat with Lin Shin.


    All of them were busy in their usual banter when a knock was heard on the door and a head poked in. Looking at the face, Xu Mey¡¯s smile turned into a dark expression. Her assistant shivered under her scrutinizing gaze and passed a tablet to him before literally running out of the room.


    Her expression was grave as she looked through the report in her hand. The rest of them came around and nced at what was she reading. It was a detailed report on Ye Jie¡¯s life, including the kind of brands of clothes he used. The only ck spot on his wless attributes was hisst rtionship. He was known as a cold and aloof CEO but he valued his family the most.


    "What¡¯s wrong?" Lin Shen noticed the change in Xu Mey¡¯s expression with his keen senses. She looked into his beautiful eyes and Lin Shen understood the meaning behind her gaze. "Even if he grew up in thepany of a loving family and you didn¡¯t that doesn¡¯t change anything." All of her friends hugged her stopping her breath. But eventually, they managed to uplift her mood.


    The next morning, Xu Mey decided to pay her future husband a visit to assess everything. She arrived at his two-story house in the Peach Estates. There was a pathway decorated with beautiful flowers leading to the main door.


    She rang the bell and stood at a side waiting for the door to open. She was wearing a white knee length skirt with a red top along with knee-high leather boots and a long coat.


    It was Sunday morning, for Ye Jie this was ate morning because he had a bit of the flu. Last night, it took a lot of effort to sleep, when the doorbell woke him it made him a bit moody. He came downstairs to open the main door and didn¡¯t see on the screen before opening the door with an irritated look.


    The sound of the door opening made her turn around to see Ye Jie standing in only his night trousers leaving his toned abs and lean body for her to gawk at. He was rubbing his eye to shake away the sleep when he heard her familiarnguid voice, "Not bad!" He opened his eyes to see her licking her lower lip looking at his naked self. To make it worse, she even gave a wolfish whistle like a hooligan.


    "F*ck!" He cursed before shutting the door leaving her out in the cold with a sullen look. He ran back to the room and wore a woolen sweater and came back to open the door. "You cane inside, now." He saw the sour look on her face as he made a hand gesture for her to enter.


    She walked inside the modern style house, it had everything but it still felt empty to her. ¡¯I guess, home is really with people.¡¯ She thought to herself looking at the huge chandelier in the living hall. Ye Jie was walking right behind her and as she halted in her steps, he bumped into her figure without realizing it.


    He scratched the back of his head while apologizing to her. "What are you doing here?" He asked while she took off her coat and ced it on the side of the couch.


    "What you¡¯re not happy to see your beautiful future wife?" She asked with a fake sweet smile on her face which actually made him worried.


    "No, that¡¯s not what I meant. It¡¯s going to be your house as well in a month anyway. I¡¯m just saying you should have informed me so that I could clean up the house a bit," He looked around at the mess of clothes and files and he scrunched up his nose. He wasn¡¯t a messy person but because of flu, he didn¡¯t let the maid enter the house for the past 2 days.


    "You don¡¯t have to worry about the mess. I can deal with that. And for why I¡¯m here? They say, ¡¯To know a fish go to the water; to know a bird¡¯s song go to the mountains.¡¯ And since I want to know my future husband, I had toe to his house." She sat down on the rug and started organizing the papers and files scattered around. "Sorry foring unannounced but I didn¡¯t have your contact details."


    "Achoo!" He sneezed and took a tissue before asking, "So, the report you received didn¡¯t have my contact information? How ironic?"


    Xu Mey saw the pleased look on his face but ignored it. "Since we¡¯re on the topic, why don¡¯t you ask your minions to stop trailing me? It¡¯s not like they¡¯ll find anything." Her reply made a shocked expression to surface on his face.

 Chapter 9 - Future Wife, Future Husband?

    "You knew?" Ye Jie asked quizzically. She stood up to pick up the clothes and replied:


    "If you have ways of knowing that I pried into your past then naturally, I have my ways of knowing who¡¯s trying to y with me."


    "But it¡¯s not fair." He said with a sullen face. She gave him anguid indifferent look. "You must have found everything about me but all I found was bullsh*t. I don¡¯t even believe that you have an Arts degree."


    "Let me be honest with you, I do have an Arts degree as well," He heard her gentle voice as she walked to the kitchen.


    He followed her back to the kitchen to find it in a worse condition than the living room. There was a pile of unwashed tes scattered around on the counters. She put on the gloves and collected the dishes to wash. Ye Jie didn¡¯t know at first why he didn¡¯t stop her from doing his house chores butter he realized that he was enjoying watching her treat his house as her own.


    He sat on the stool and propped his elbows on the counter while cing his head on it. Her ponytail swayed as she washed the dishes and his eyes didn¡¯t leave her even for a second. "Do you like silence?"


    "Because ¡¯Silence is the most powerful scream.*¡¯" With this reply, Xu Mey filled a pot with water cing it on the stove, she added Garlic, and Ginger in it bringing it to boil for about 20 minutes. Then steeped it and added the cayenne along with honey. She pushed the cup of herbal tea towards Ye Jie who was gaping with an open mouth. "It¡¯ll help your flu."


    "I didn¡¯t take you for an observant person." He really didn¡¯t think of her as an observing person. And he definitely didn¡¯t take her for a caring one. Yet, once again, she surprised him and he thought that maybe life with her will be a surprising one.


    "I¡¯m a silent person, don¡¯t take me for a blind person." Ye Jie drank the herbal tea in silence and Xu Mey made coffee for herself. "Do you mind me looking around the house?"


    Ye Jie shook his head and offered, "Let me give you a tour."


    "Refrain yourself from moving around so much. I¡¯m not a kid. I¡¯ll find my way around," She left his half standing-sitting self in the kitchen and walked around by herself.


    There were 5 rooms downstairs including a Home Theatre, Gym, Study, Game room, and a vacant room. There were about three bedrooms upstairs with huge closets and attached bathrooms.


    Xu Mey was roaming upstairs and Ye Jie was drinking his tea in the living room when the front door opened and walked in Ye Jun with a bento box in his hand. Ye Jie looked at his younger brother who had a cheeky grin stered on his face. "Brother, mom sent some side dishes for you. She said you¡¯ll feel be-" His words got stuck in his throat when he saw a delicate beauty descending the stairs with her eyes on the phone in her hand.


    "Woah, Big Brother, you¡¯re not even married yet and already cheating on your fiance with this beautiful fairy." He walked towards Xu Mey and extended his hand as he introduced himself, "Hi! I¡¯m Ye Jun. And may I know this beautiful person¡¯s name?" He had a wolfish expression not hiding his intentions even for a second.


    Xu Mey looked at his extended hand and then back at his face which didn¡¯t look simr to Ye Jie at all. "I¡¯m Ms. Useless Wretch." Her introduction made Ye Jie choke on his tea as he sprayed the tea out. Ye Jun stood there wide-eyed looking at her with an ugly expression.


    "Brother, she¡¯s your fiance?" He wanted his brother to say no so badly but receiving a nod from Ye Jie. "Sh*t!" He cursed loudly. As if remembering something, he turned to his brother who was enjoying his expression he asked, "You told her that?"


    Before Ye Jie could open his mouth, Xu Mey made a gesture with her hand to shut him and said, "I have my ways of knowing. Mr. I can¡¯t spend my life with someone like that. This time, I¡¯ll ¡¯Rece weapons with jade and silk.¡¯ But if there is a next time, remember ¡¯If you don¡¯t do stupid things you won¡¯t end up in tragedy.¡¯" She patted his cheek like an elder giving lessons to a kid and sat beside Ye Jie on the couch.


    Ye Jie still held the amusing expression and when she sat down beside him, he couldn¡¯t help himself as he caressed her head and said in a low murmur, "You were awesome just now, Future Wife."


    Xu Mey was having theugh of the day, inwardly but her outer expression was like a serene illustration. When Ye Jun¡¯s embarrassment wore off, he looked behind at his brother caressing the girl beside him with a pleasant smile. It had been months for Ye Jun to see his brother¡¯s real smile and not the forced one. His pleasant smile brought an involuntary smile to linger on his own lips.


    "Future husband," Ye Jie gave all his attention to Xu Mey when she called, "There is a vacant room, I want that." Her demanding tone made his already pleasant mode to sore through the roof for an unknown reason.


    "All yours."


    "I can bring someone to decorate it?"


    "If it¡¯s already yours, do whatever you want to."


    "Okay, thanks." She said with a broad smile showing her cute dimple to him. In her excitement, she even granted him with a peck on his cheek before picking her coat and walking out briskly leaving the two dumbfounded brothers behind.


    If the kiss was unexpected for Ye Jie, it was a lot more shocking to Xu Mey herself. She was a devil who was a naive little girl when it came to rtionships or romantic involvements with the opposite gender. Inside the house, Ye Jie touched his cheek where her cherry like delicate lips stroked like a fleeting feather. While outside the house, Xu Mey skimmed her slim fingers on her lips which stroked his cheek.


    *(Dialogue from ¡¯ck Butler¡¯)

 Chapter 10 - More Like The Love Of My Life

    As per Xu Mey¡¯s request or order, Ye Jie gave her the passcode to his house and she brought the interior designers and other workers to work their magic. She needed to turn the vacant room into her office. To achieve the task, she always brought the workers when Ye Jie was in the office.


    It was true that Xu Mey had an Arts degree but a very few people in her circle knew that she was a Jewellery Designer who owned a famous Jewellery brand in Asia. Thepany was not that bog but every single jewelry piece of it was recognized as precious. Also, thepany had a rule; they only designed limited pieces which were sold at an enormous amount. She worked like a crazed person to achieve the goal of turning her jewelry into a Brand recognized by the world.


    She turned 28 this year but she couldn¡¯t remember a single time when she actually went on a vacation. All her foreign tours were for the sake of her business. The only time she felt rxed was whenever she was in thepany of her friends. They made her feel secure. They brought the feeling of being loved and doted on. If anyone would ask Xu Mey, ¡¯What is love?¡¯ Her answer would be ¡¯Her best friends.¡¯


    In the following days, whenever Ye Jun came across her, he had a pleasant grin stered on his face. He tried to please Xu Mey in every way possible but neither she showed interest in his diamond-encrusted bracelet from Vintage nor the limited designer dress of Phantom.


    What the poor guy didn¡¯t know was that the bracelet he offered her was designed by herself, Vintage was her Brand name. While the limited dress he gave her was designed by Lin Shen¡¯s girlfriend, Sun Ju who was the owner of Phantom Brand.


    It took a week of work but her office was finally ready ording to her wishes. On the weekend, she dropped by at Ye Jie¡¯s ce again to show him the office design. But another tenacious person followed suit, Ye Jun.


    "Jun, you¡¯ve been spending a lot of time at my cetely," Ye Jie told his brother when he saw him trailing behind Xu Mey.


    "Why? Can¡¯t Ie to my brother¡¯s ce?" Ye Jun asked with a bleak look. Ye Jun came inside the house moved ahead to hug Xu Mey. "Sister-inw! Look I baked a cake for you with my own hands, today." Seeing him getting closer to Xu Mey, Ye Jie came between the two and hugged his younger brother while patting his back with a little extra force.


    Ye Jun rubbed his back after escaping from his brother¡¯s clutches and red at him. Then his expression took a 180 degree turn when his gaze fell on Xu Mey. She was standing in a corner amused by the antics of the Ye brothers. Ye Jun stretched his hand which had a ss box with a chocte cupcake inside towards her.


    "Thanks for the cake." She took the cake from him with a polite smile and added, "Don¡¯t make this again, I don¡¯t like sweet things." Ye Jun¡¯s face fell but it turned into a grin after listening to her next words. "But I¡¯ll eat this one for sure." She took a small bite of the cupcake in front of him.


    She realized in a week that people¡¯s perception of Ye Jun waspletely wrong. He was not a rude or narcissistic person instead he was like a big baby. From no angle, he looked like an aplished PR Departments Head.


    "Let me show you the office," Xu Mey held Ye Jie and Ye Jun¡¯s wrist excitedly and dragged them towards the back room. Her excitement was understandable, no one ever said to her ¡¯This is your ce, do whatever you want¡¯ before. She was grateful to Ye Jie for giving her a ce to call home for the first time. Whether it was permanent or temporary, she pushed that thought to the back of her head.


    She opened the door to disy the ck and white decor of the office. There were racks filled withic books and Magazines along with novels and a whole row was covered with books of Chinese poetry. There was aptop ced on the table along with stacks of sheets and pencils of different kinds. But the thing that caught both brothers eyes was the huge picture hanging on a side wall.


    It was a picture clicked on a mountaintop, Xu Mey was in the middle of four boys who were ruffling her hair like a kid and her face held the broadest smile, Ye Jie had ever seen. Looking at the way both of them were expressionless after seeing the picture, Xu Mey exined, "They are my closest best friends. Actually no, they are more like the love of my life." Listening to her saying, ¡¯love of my life¡¯ both of the clenched their fists. "They are not in the city but I¡¯ll introduce you to them at the wedding."


    Both brothers shared a look and silently made a pact to give them a hard time. Xu Mey was not aware of their evil schemes, if she knew, she would have kicked both of them where the sun doesn¡¯t shine.


    Ye Jie¡¯s housekeeper had cooked the dinner and they sat together to share a meal. During the meal, Ye Jun asked, "Sister-inw, who is nning the wedding?"


    "Your parents and Xu family," She didn¡¯t call Xu family her own family but Ye Jun didn¡¯t catch that mishap but Ye Jie definitely did. She looked at her indifferent look but didn¡¯t say anything.


    "But the wedding is yours. Why are you not deciding anything?" He was really curious about it. Usually, girls loved to n their dream day but Xu Mey was talking as if the wedding was of a stranger. "Don¡¯t you have a dream wedding in mind?"


    "I didn¡¯t even have the idea of a wedding in mind. Why would I have a dream wedding? If it was left to me, I would love to marry in Civils Affair Office and be done with it. I hate the idea of people looking at me like I¡¯m some kind of showpiece." She was eating her food nonchntly but Ye Jun was gaping at her. Ye Jie was getting familiar with her out-of-box ways which made it easier to take this information as any other news.

 Chapter 11 - Lets Hug On It

    Mother Ye along with Xu Mey¡¯s step-mother, Fu Lan was busy with all the nning of the wedding. From florists to food, from the wedding dress to the wedding hall everything was decided by her.


    When she went for Ye Jie¡¯s opinion or asked him to contact Xu Mey, he simply replied, "She¡¯d love whatever you choose and as for my opinion, I only have one request. Keep a short guest list." He asked to invite a few guests because of Xu Mey but Mother Ye didn¡¯t know that. She actually thought her son was still depressed over his breakup.


    It wasn¡¯t like he forgot his ex-girlfriend but now most of his spare time was spent in thinking about Xu Mey. He wanted to solve the mystery she was. She was like a Pandora box, the more he opened, the moreyers there were to peel off.


    When the wedding dress arrived from the designer, Mother Ye sent it to Ye Jie¡¯s ce first. Since Ye Jun wanted Xu Mey to try the dress, he called her to Ye Jie¡¯s ce. There were only 4 days left for the wedding and everyone was pretty busy which gave a way to Xu Mey to escape from Xu Residence.


    When she arrived, Ye Jun was not there yet but Ye Jie was busy on hisptop not knowing when or why his brother called Xu Mey. Xu Mey told him the reason foring and he led her to the second bedroom upstairs where the wedding dress was.


    It was a floor length longce open sleeve dress with a mandarin cor style. The upper body was tight fitted like a qipao but from the waist down, there was trailing chiffon with a slit down one knee. All in all, it looked half like a qipao and half like a modern gown in red color. It hugged her slim body like an outer skin.


    She looked at herself in the floor length mirror and couldn¡¯t recognize her own reflection. The girl in the mirror was beautiful but Xu Mey never took herself as a beautiful person. ¡¯A Fairy with A Devil¡¯s Heart¡¯ That¡¯s what she always called herself.


    She walked outside the room and descended the stairs to find Ye Jie. The moment Ye Jie¡¯s eyes caught sight of her figure d in the red wedding gown, he was stunned to his ce. He even forgot to blink for a moment.


    "Sister-inw, I hate your sister. She¡¯s getting on my nerve-" Ye Jun wanted to say further but just like his brother, he lost the words at her sight. And he could only utter, "Wow..."


    Under their gazes, Xu Mey felt awkward. She started fidgeting and ran back to the room to change back to her clothes. She wasn¡¯t a shy person but she didn¡¯t like it when people look at her for a long time. When she came back down, Ye Jie and Ye Jun were discussing something in a serious tone.


    When they turned to saw hering, Ye Jun announced, "Sister-inw, brother and I decided that we¡¯re getting you a veil with that dress."


    "Yes, I¡¯m not letting you up on that stage without the veil." Ye Jie stated with a stern look.


    Xu Mey gaped at both of them for a while before asking, "Who wears a veil in this era?"


    "We don¡¯t care. You¡¯re wearing it. That¡¯s final." Both brothers replied simultaneously making her roll her eyes at them. She had to grumble a ¡¯fine¡¯ at the end. Her answer ted both of them.


    "Oh, what were you saying before the veil-drama?" Xu Mey asked Ye Jun remembering his words before he went into a stupor.


    His expression changed instantly as he said, "I was saying that I don¡¯t like your sister at all. She was sitting with mom at home and she was trying to curry favor with her. It seemed like she wants to take your ce and be my sister-inw and I¡¯m telling you, I won¡¯t let that happen." His wrathful expression made her chuckle a little.


    "Let¡¯s be best friends from now on, Jun." Her words made Ye Jun look at her stupefied. "Enemy of my enemy is obviously my friend. I don¡¯t like her as well." She came closer to him to say it in a low murmur like telling a secret. "Let¡¯s shake on our newly found friendship." She stretched her hand towards him to take.


    "Let¡¯s not shake on it." He pulled her in a bear hug and said, "Let¡¯s hug on it."


    Ye Jie dragged him away from Xu Mey from his cor and said, "Let¡¯s not hug my wife again, little brother." Ye Jun grumbled ¡¯mean brother¡¯ under his breath but Ye Jie heard it.


    Ye Jun was busy teasing Ye Jie who was giving him a stoic look when they heard a gentle voice talking to herself. "When did that drama queen came back? Didn¡¯t she run away from home 3 months ago? Why is she back now?" She tapped her chip in a thoughtful manner and suddenly widened her eyes as if realized something. "Oh, so your mother managed to contact you and told you that now Ye Jie is the groom. So, you decided toe and please everyone by showing your graceful and polite upbringing. Huh, Shameful. Like mother, like daughter." She snorted and saw the brothers looking at her weirdly.


    "I said that out loud right?" Both of them nodded. She folded her fingers to knock on her head and said, "Let¡¯s pretend like I said nothing, okay?" She made an okay sign with her hand and both of them followed her actions.


    "But you need to tell me about the running away part. We were told that she fell in love with another person and that¡¯s why the bride was being swapped." Ye Jie was the first to indulge himself in details.


    Xu Mey snorted again. "Fell in love?" Sheughed in a mocking way. "Who will love that scheming witch? She ran away because the one to marry from the Ye family was Jun and not Jie. After all, for her like everybody else, Jie is a lot better choice."


    Both brothers didn¡¯t pay attention to the content of her exnation, they were busy thinking about the way she called them by their names affectionately. ¡¯Let¡¯s see how you take Jie from me, Xu Liqing.¡¯ Xu Mey thought and a cold smirk spread on her delicate features.

 Chapter 12 - Never Lived To Tell The Tale

    Getting familiar with Ye Jie was really easy for Xu Mey. They both shared amon thing; their passion for their work. Ye Jie didn¡¯t like someone bothering him while he was working and same was the case with Xu Mey.


    In the past month, they didn¡¯t meet every day rather they met over the weekends and that too for a reason. Without any reason, both didn¡¯t bother the other person. Just like Ye Jie was getting familiar with Xu Mey¡¯s surprising nature and moods. Xu Mey figured him out like the back of her hand.


    Meeting Ye Jun at first made Xu Mey really annoyed and furious because of what she read in the report of how he talked about her at home. But knowing him, she realized he was ¡¯following the public opinion¡¯ kind of person. He didn¡¯t like probing to know the truth. He really was like a big baby who loved it when someone appreciated him or talked to him nicely.


    After deciding the design of the veil, Ye Jie called for take-out food. The food arrived in 15 minutes. Ye Jie ordered some sour and spicy chicken with rice for himself and Ye Jun while Xu Mey got spicy noodles with soup. She took a whiff of her noodles and almost drooled. She was appreciating the Picante aroma of noodles while both brothers were exchanging a meaningful look when they heard a voice, "Xiao Jie, have you seen the dress?"


    "Sister-inw, hide," Ye Jun said over his shoulder as he walked briskly towards the door to stop his mother from entering.


    Xu Mey hid behind the couch when Mother Ye walked in. Seeing the take-out food on the table, she got really angry, "You boys, I told you to eat healthy food but you have to eat this oily take-outs. Are you both trying to kill your mother from worry?" Both Ye brothers held their mother¡¯s arm and shook their heads.


    "Oh, look at this spicy noodles." She picked up the bowl of noodles while Xu Mey could only see with a cry-baby face as she threw it in the trash can. Xu Mey had the urge to scream at that scene. There were only two things she loved; alcohol and spicy food. Whoever messed with these two things never lived to tell the tale. Metaphorically, of course.


    "Mother will send some delicious food for my big boys." She affectionately patted both of their faces. "I just remembered, Xiao Jie, do you like the wedding attires?" She was eager to know about his thoughts.


    "I loved it, mother. As expected of my mother¡¯s selection, they look amazing." Ye Jie gave a side hug to his mother as he pecked her cheek with love.


    "But Xiao Jie, these are not the dresses that mother decided." Ye Jie gave her puzzled look. "When I went to pick the dresses, some idiot assistant dropped an iced coffee on them. There was a kind youngdy who offered to exchange them with these dresses. I wasn¡¯t taking it but she insisted that I should take it aspensation." Ye Jie unconsciously looked at the couch where Xu Mey was hiding. He had an itching feeling that she had something to do with the dress fiasco.


    "It¡¯s okay, mom. I loved these dresses as well." Ye Jie replied respectfully.


    Mother Ye looked at him with a tender look in her eyes. A stranger could tell from the way she looked at him, how much she doted on him. She gave a hug to both her sons and said, "Send the bride¡¯s dress to Ye Residence and I¡¯ll just send some food for you both in a second." With that Mother Ye walked out of her son¡¯s house.


    Actually, Ye Residence and Ye manor, Ye Jie¡¯s house were not that far apart. There were only a couple of manors between them.


    "Brother, you¡¯re getting married. You should change the passcode. Everybody knows your passcode. Only give me the new passcode, okay?" Ye Jun suggested and Ye Jie pped the back of his head yfully.


    Mother Ye sent the food almost instantly to Ye manor where both brothers were arguing and in their argument, they forgot about a certain someone who was still sitting behind the couch. Seeing the food, they remembered her existence in the room and came around the couch to see her.


    There she was sitting in a knee position on her heels with her gaze glued to the trash can that contained her spicy-spicy noodles and that hot-hot soup. Her lips were trembling like she was going to cry any minute. Ye Jie¡¯s lips twitched at the sight of her. He tried really hard to control himself. But she looked so adorable that he couldn¡¯t control it any longer.


    "Sister-inw, are you going to cry?" Ye Jun asked in between hisughing fit. He always felt light in the presence of Xu Mey. She was honest and very straightforward. He loved that about her.


    She tilted her head a bit, he crouched down beside her. "Why will I cry? The number of times, I cried in my life can be counted on one hand while the number of times, I made others cry... Hehehe... You can¡¯t tell." Her creepyugh scared Ye Jun¡¯s, poor heart.


    "This is not fair. I really wanted to eat that," She was sulking but Ye Jie was smiling.


    He gave her his hand as he said, "Come get up from the cold floor first." Xu Mey took his hand without any argument. He pulled her straight to his chest and buried her in his embrace. That scent of cinnamon wafted into her nostrils making her feel dizzy. In her dizziness, she heard his husky voice near her ear as he said in a low murmur, "I¡¯ll get you the spiciest noodle when you move in, okay?" She nodded in his embrace without looking at his expression. Ye Jie kissed her hair before letting her go.


    Upon seeing their PDA, Ye Jun was left with a lonely feeling in his heart.

 Chapter 13 - Cold Without His Body Warmth

    The night before the wedding, Xu Mey¡¯s friends called her out for a bachelorette party. They didn¡¯t invite the outsiders, just the four friends were there. Lin Shen¡¯s fiance, Sun Ju also tagged along. And Wu Wang¡¯s sister Wu Xia who brought her husband Ming Qu managed to find her way in. This chain reaction ended up with Ming Qu calling Ye Jie and Ye Jie brought Ye Jun with him.


    The illusion nightclub was only hosting these few special guests, tonight. The extravagant threeyered nightclub was closed for business just for the sake of celebrating a bachelor party.


    When Xu Mey saw Ye Jie and Ye Jun entering the club, she was stunned. She didn¡¯t expect them to appear here in her friends¡¯ group.


    Ye Jie was d in a simple ck attire but still, he was mboyant. While Ye Jun was dressed up for a party with his peculiar fashion sense.


    Li Qiao was hugging Xu Mey when Ye Jie saw her and it made a surge of anger boil up inside him. Ye Jun held his clenched fists in his hands to ease him up.


    As they say, even when there is no love, no one likes to share what belongs to them.


    She went to greet both of them and dragged them towards her friends. "Boys, this is my future husband Ye Jie and this is his brother, Ye Jun." She introduced both of them as they said ¡¯Hi!¡¯ in a stiff manner. "And these are the love of life. They are stupid, shameless and a hell lot of crazy but I still love them a lot." Xu Mey didn¡¯t see the way Ye Jie stiffened at her affection towards them but the four boys had sharp eyes. They seemed amused by seeing his possessive bearing.


    "Mey baby, let¡¯s have a drinkingpetition." Li Qiao suggested.


    "No, let¡¯s dance guys." Wu Wang offered.


    "Our baby girl is getting married and you want to dance over that fact. Aren¡¯t you a bit sad?" Lin Shen made a wiping fake-tears gesture.


    "You¡¯ll be missed, Mey," He Jian also mimicked Lin Shen¡¯s actions with adding his own touch by blowing a nose as well.


    Xu Mey rolled her eyes at her idiot friends and pinched all of them one by one making them wince in pain. They all red at her. "I¡¯m getting married. Not Dying that you guys are acting like this."


    "Hahaha!" They allughed heartily looking at the scowl on her face. "We know our little pumpkin but we just can¡¯t believe our little baby has grown so much that she¡¯s getting married." Everyone nodded in agreement with Lin Shen¡¯s words.


    "What? Do you guys want me to cry now?"


    "Who dares to make you cry?" Li Qiao started.


    "We¡¯ll break his legs." Wu Wang followed behind.


    "Then we¡¯ll cut him into tiny-tiny pieces." Lin Shen was not far behind. The doctor was acting like a butcher.


    "Finally, we¡¯ll make his broth." He Jian said.


    "And serve it to you on a silver tter." Four of them said simultaneously making herugh out loud. All of them buried her in their bear hug.


    The way they treated Xu Mey, it made Ye Jie realize what she actually was for them. She was not just a friend or a lover, she was beyond that. They had a rtion which Ye Jie couldn¡¯t challenge even if he wanted to. And he understood why she onlyughed from her heart around them; they made her feel loved and a part of them.


    After their banter and hugs, they took everyone to the dance floor. The only person who was not familiar with Xu Mey was Ming Qu but he was also happy for his best friend. Ming Qu never really liked Lu Yuhan for his best friend. He always said that she was not the person for him.


    Ye Jie pulled Xu Mey towards himself and ced one hand on her waist while intertwining the other with hers. Her other hand was on his shoulder. They swayed their bodies to sound of music as Ye Jie pulled Xu Mey even closer to himself leaving no space for even air to pass. "Your friends are very close to you," He said in his husky voice near her ear making it tingle.


    "¡¯Love the house and its crow. (Love me, love my dog)¡¯ So, you have to bear with them." Her breathing was harsh as she licked her lips repeatedly. Ye Jie¡¯s eyes followed the way her lips licked making a cold shiver run up her spine.


    "I have one for you as well, ¡¯Radishes and greens, each has those who love them. (One man¡¯s meat is another man¡¯s poison)¡¯" With that, he let go of her body. Xu Mey felt cold without his body warmth. She walked to the bar and drank a shot before gaining her senses.


    "What do you guys think about him?" Wu Wang and others had their gazes fixed on Ye Jie from the moment he walked in. They saw the way he looked at her, talked to her and even the way he held her.


    "He will either be the poison that could cure the poison in her." Lin Shen started staring at the dance floor.


    "Or he will be the poison that kills her." Li Qiao finished his thought as he took a swig of his drink.


    "Whichever it¡¯ll be, we¡¯ll be here to stand by her side." He Jian added his thought while gazing dotingly at Xu Mey who was conversing with Wu Xia.


    Ye Jun was trying to remember the girl beside Lin Shen from the minute he saw her. He had a feeling that she looked familiar. He searched through his phone and finally found it. And in his enthusiasm, he bellowed, "Aha! Found it."


    Everyone passed him a weird look which made him want to shrink to the size of unnoticeable dust. "What did you find, Jun?" Xu Mey asked as she ced her hand over his shoulder.


    "Sister-inw, I was trying to figure out where have I seen her," He pointed at Sun Ju making her raise her brows. "Now, I figured it out. She¡¯s the famous designer that goes by the name of Phantom."


    "Oh, that¡¯s it," Xu Mey patted his shoulder as she said, "Took you long enough." Ye Jun felt he had made a fool of himself in front of everyone, so he sat down silently on his seat.


    Ye Jie walked up to them and asked, "She¡¯s the one who designed the wedding dresses of ours?" He wasn¡¯t really asking but Xu Mey and Sun Ju nodded in reply.


    "Ju-Ju asked about the wedding dresses and I told her that my mother-inw is taking care of it. So, she did that fiasco but I really didn¡¯t know it until your mother mentioned the part of iced coffee ruining the dress." Xu Mey exined in a in unhurried gentle way.


    "How exactly did you link coffee with her? Anybody could do that," His suspicion was realistic. Dropping a coffee is amon thing. It happens all the time. But all the friends shared a meaningful look and eventually burst intoughing.

 Chapter 14 - Compensate The Young Lady With A Fancy Dinner

    *shback*


    It was their first summer break during the first year of college. Wu Wang, Lin Shen, He Jian, and Li Qiao along with Xu Mey went to City S to spend the summer break on the beach. On a bright sunny day, they nned to have some cold drinks and went to a small cafe.


    The cafe was small but it was decorated in an exquisite manner bringing a homey feeling to it. They chose a corner table near the window and ordered for their drinks. Everyone ordered a c or lemonade except for Lin Shen who got himself an iced coffee.


    Instead of talking about random topics, they decided to y truth and dare but since all the friends knew every single detail about each other. The game got a twist that only dares were given. The dares could be anything like Li Qiao had to kiss a random girl, Wu Wang had to flirt with someone but he wasn¡¯t allowed to touch her or see her ever again. To make it worse for Wu Wang, Xu Mey picked the prettiest girl for him.


    He wasn¡¯t happy about the dare and eventually lost it. Xu Mey was dared to get a random guy¡¯s number which seemed the easiest to her. When it came to Lin Shen, being the good boy he was, they couldn¡¯t give him anything rted to flirting. So, Xu Mey gave him the dare to spill his coffee on the next person who walks inside the cafe.


    It seemed pretty easy until Lin Shen saw a brawny guying towards the entrance of the cafe. He gulped visibly with his Adam¡¯s Apple bobbing up and down. Lin Shen closed his eyes in the fear of receiving a good beating from the guy and when he heard the ding from the bell above the door, he just walked straight and spilled his coffee.


    What he didn¡¯t anticipate was the fact that brawny guy moved to the left at thest moment and a small petite figure d in a white sundress took his ce and walked inside. "Ah!" Her shriek made Lin Shen open his eyes mechanically. To his horror, he saw her looking at her ruined dress. She was trying to clean the coffee with her handkerchief while making a cute pouting face.


    Lin Shen smiled a beautiful smile and kept his gaze glued on her. "You ruined my dress," Her statement broke his reverie, startling him. She looked up at him and whatever insults she was going to throw at him went back down her throat. His charming smile along with his noble presence left her in awe.


    They both were staring into each other¡¯s eyes. Two pairs of brown eyes drowned in each other forgetting the world around them.


    Being the nosy friends they were, Xu Mey and others dry coughed and startled them awake. "Look, boy, you ruined the prettydy¡¯s dress." It was Wu Wang who started trying to hide the smile on his face but failing miserably.


    "Yeah, yeah, you shouldpensate her for it," He Jian followed the lead with his suggestion.


    "How are you going topensate the prettydy, Student?" Li Qiao added with an angry tone to add some effect in the conversation.


    Xu Mey came around Lin Shen and ced her arm around his shoulder and said, "Boy, you shouldpensate the youngdy with a fancy dinner." Xu Mey looked up in a thoughtful manner and patted his shoulder in encouragement.


    Their acting skills made Lin Shen want to beat the crap out of them but he didn¡¯t want to ruin his image in front of the prettydy. So, he stayed quiet. He was throwing daggers with his eyes towards all of his shameless friends when they heard a cheerful chuckle. They eyed the young girl as she covered her mouth in an attempt to hide her chuckle.


    "I should give you guys ¡¯The best actors¡¯ award for this performance," She stated as she made another attempt to stop herughter. "Clearly, you guys are friends and it had to be a dare."


    All of them dry coughed and hummed a tune before walking back to their table leaving aughing Lin Shen behind. He seemed happy to see his friends embarrassment. "But thatpensation with dinner is not a bad idea," Lin Shen choked on air that went the wrong way at her words.


    He looked wide-eyed at her, she stretched her hand out and introduced herself, "I¡¯m Sun Ju."


    Lin Shen stared her stretched hand like he had seen an alien before he heard Xu Mey¡¯s voice, "He¡¯s Lin Shen and he¡¯s saying nice to meet you." He red at Xu Mey and smiled sheepishly while scratching the back of his head.


    "Well, then Lin Shen I¡¯ll hold you for that dinner promise. This is my contact information." She passed a note to him and turned to leave. Lin Shen held her wrist, she turned to look at his hand on her wrist which he left instantly and moved her eyes up to see a bright red color tinting his cheeks.


    "Wait here for a second!" He ran out of the cafe leaving a confused Sun Ju and amused best friends behind. Those shameless friends behind him made a bet on what he went to do and eventually, Xu Mey was the winner. Lin Shen walked back after 5 minutes with a shopping bag which had a pretty pink dress in it. "You should change out of that before leaving."


    This thoughtful and caring gesture dug a grave of feelings for Sun Ju. She fell in love with him at first sight but this gesture intensified those feelings by 1000 folds. She saw the way his friends tried to set him up with her and it brought an infectious smile to spread on her face.


    *shback Ends*

 Chapter 15 - You Need To Learn A Lesson

    The memory of Lin Shen¡¯s and Sun Ju¡¯s first meeting made a sweet fragrance to linger in the air. Lin Shen kissed the top of Sun Ju¡¯s head and all his friends scrunched up their nose saying, "Chessy." He ignored them, it was not anything new for seeing his friends to make suchments. He was used to it by now.


    "You guys have been together for how long now?" Asked Ye Jun with a curious expression.


    "It¡¯s gonna been 10 years this summer," Replied Sun Ju with her eyes holding a loving gaze for her fiance.


    "And on their 10th anniversary, they¡¯re getting married," Xu Mey said the words Sun Ju left unsaid. Making Ye Jun nod in understanding.


    All of them were sharing their random experiences when suddenly the lights in the club turned off. "What¡¯s going on?" Wu Xia voiced out in fear of darkness.


    They saw a candlelit moving towards them. The candle was ced on a cake and a tall person was holding it in hands. ¡¯Who is he?¡¯ The question was in everyone¡¯s mind except for Xu Mey who got up from her ce. "Jun Li Na, you got a way to congratte huh?" She had a regal appearance matching the other person¡¯s grandiose presence.


    Lights lit up the club again showing the person¡¯s graceful appearance. She looked like a youngdy from a noble family that made Ye Jun awestruck. She made an unhappy expression and said in aining way, "I closed the club just for you and this is how you say thanks. I even baked this cake myself."


    "Aiya, our dark world princess is really improving these days." Jun Li Na ced the cake on the table and narrowed her eyes at Xu Mey with her hands on her waist in an imposing way. Xu Mey chuckled a bit and said, "I was just messing with you, princess."


    Both beautifuldies shared a warm hug and Xu Mey introduced everyone to Jun Li Na. In normal days, Jun Li Na was known as the heiress of a biggest Real Estate Company. But on not so normal days, she was associated with the underworld people because of her family¡¯s old history. For people, they were a cleanpany but Jun¡¯s still had connections. Very strong ones at that. Jun Li Na spent her weekends running the illusion nightclub which was her sole business.


    Xu Mey only talked about her being an heiress of Real Estate Company and left the other matters untold. Xu Mey blew the candle and cut the cake but since she didn¡¯t like eating sweet things, Jun Li Na had Spicy Rice Cakes for her. Xu Mey dug into the spicy rice cakes as if her life depended on it.


    They stayed at the club till midnight and finally decided to call it a night. Ye Jie offered to drop Xu Mey which she politely epted. Ye Jie was driving his red sports car on an empty highway and Xu Mey was looking out the windows at the cold winter night. The lights on the road seemed dreamier and gentler to her, easing up her mind.


    Xu Mey observed the way Ye Jie was avoiding her gaze and felt his brooding expression affecting her. "Do you ¡¯Like sitting on a carpet of needles¡¯ (To feel tense and uneasy) Because of the wedding tomorrow?"


    Ye Jie shook his head with a small smile and turned his attention back to the road. He wasn¡¯t nervous about the wedding. In fact, if someone would ask him, he would say he¡¯s excited for some reason. The idea of spending his life with the most unpredictable girl was excitement in itself.


    Ye Jie¡¯s denial didn¡¯t ease up the knot in Xu Mey¡¯s mind. She had an intuition, he was hiding something from her. Xu Mey never liked the idea of someone keeping things from her. She remembered the way he was looking anxiously at his phone during the party.


    Thinking about this, she sent a text to Li Na. ¡¯NaNa, Do me a favor.¡¯ By the time, she came back to her room, Li Na sent Ye Jie¡¯s phone record for the past month which she asked for her. Xu Mey changed into her night clothes before looking through his records. It wasn¡¯t that eye-catching. But a text sent about 3 days caught her sight which had her name in it.


    ¡¯Mr. Ye, it¡¯s Xu Liqing here. I want to meet you in person. Please, it¡¯s rted to Xu Mey.¡¯ This was the first text from Xu Liqing to Ye Jie which was sent the same day she came back. There were more to follow.


    ¡¯Mr. Ye, even if you disconnect my calls you have to know that I can¡¯t let you ruin your life by marrying my sister.¡¯


    ¡¯She¡¯s not a nice person. Do you know, she even tried to kill me when she was in high school. You have contacts, you can ask around about that incident. I¡¯m not lying to you.¡¯


    ¡¯She¡¯s a jealous person. She¡¯ll ruin you along with your family. She only seems quiet but she isn¡¯t that quiet or simple.¡¯


    ¡¯Mr. Ye, your fiance is having an affair with another guy. You can see me before the wedding at the back storage room of the hotel and I¡¯ll show you the proof of her being unfaithful to you.¡¯


    After reading the texts, a wry smile appeared and her eyes held a dark look. "Seems like you love to interfere in my life." She looked at her reflection in the mirror. "You need to learn a lesson." Te smile on her face chilled. "Yes you do and being your elder sister, I¡¯ll be kind enough to teach you a lesson." She replied to her own self.


    A burst of evilughter resonated inside her bedroom filling the room with a dark chill. She dialed a number and waited for the other party to pick up. "Hello!" A sleepy voice was heard from the other side.


    "Director Yang, I believe you¡¯re healthy," She said in her usually gentle voicepletely hiding her evil aura.


    "To what do I do to owe this pleasure to have Vintage¡¯s CEO calling me at this hour of the night? Did I do something to offend you, Ms. Xu?" Director Yang¡¯s voice was cautious as his heartbeat was getting harsh.


    "No, no, Director Yang didn¡¯t do anything to offend me," Director Yang breathed in relief but her next words made his breath hitch. "Yet."


    Director Yang gulped audibly. "What can I do to avoid offending Ms. Xu?" His tone was really polite.


    Director Yang was a 35-year-old man with an aspiring future ahead of him. But the girl on the other side of the phone was known as a devil. He¡¯d met her only once but he heard about her reputation at plenty of asions.

 Chapter 16 - Whos Getting A Face Slap?

    Xu Mey took a deep breath after discussing the way of not offending her with Director Yang. It wasn¡¯t much of a big deal.


    "I heard you¡¯re taking a small time actress in your next movie as a lead?" She asked indifferently. Director Yang replied with a ¡¯Yes¡¯. She further said, "Leaving a top star like Song Yuling, Director Yang is settling for a petty actress? It¡¯s such a shame."


    "Song Yuling is in Hollywood," Director Yang replied keeping his humble tone.


    "Yuling ising next week. And she¡¯d love to work with Director Yang." Director Yang couldn¡¯t believe her words.


    "But Ms. Xu, Xu Enterprises is one of the biggest investors and if I kicked Xu Liqing out from the crew, they¡¯ll pull their investments." Director Yang stated his dilemma making Xu Mey frown.


    "Would you like for Lotus Entertainments to invest in your movie or Xu Enterprises?"


    "Of course, Lotus Entertainments," Director Yang was ted to hear the Lotus Entertainments name. It was known to be the biggest Entertainmentpany with all the supermodels and actors signed under them. They even had some signers along with directors in their team. Lotus Entertainment was built from scratch by one and only Mr. Li Qiao.


    "Then, I think you know what you need to do." Without hearing Director Yang¡¯s reply, Xu Mey disconnected the call.


    Sheid on the bed flipping her phone in hand and finally, dialed the number of Li Qiao. "Little Mey, are you alright?" He was worried when he saw her name sh on his phone screen.


    "Qiao, Song Yuling ising next week, right?" Li Qiao hummed in reply still confused about her calling at this time. "I told Director Yang that she¡¯ll be his new lead actress and you will also invest in the film."


    "Okay," Was the only answer he gave.


    "You won¡¯t ask why I did it?"


    "Never. Lotus Entertainment is as much yours as it¡¯s mine. You can do whatever you want to do, Little Mey. I won¡¯t mind. Now, stop worrying and go to sleep. My little girl is getting married tomorrow." Xu Mey could hear the love in his voice and it made the chill around her to dissipate a bit.


    After his talk with Xu Mey, Li Qiao called his assistant and said in his stern voice, "Inform Song Yuling, she¡¯s gonna sign a movie with Director Yang next week and arrange our production team to have a meeting with Director Yang to discuss the details of investments."


    The first thing in the morning, Xu Mey heard a loud shriek of Xu Liqing which made her day seem brighter. With a smirk, she got out of her bed.


    Xu Mey went to the wedding hall earlier than she was supposed to. Her maid was holding her wedding dress along with other essories behind her. "You can give it to me." The maid looked at the boy who offered to help and shook her head to refuse his offer.


    "Give him the things and you can leave," She heard Xu Mey¡¯s voice and gave the things in her hand to the boy before her with pursed lips. "You¡¯rete, Qin Hao."


    Qin Hao cleared his throat. "Sorry about that Boss."


    "I don¡¯t like apologies and you know that," She walked inside the bridal room as Qin Hao followed behind with his head lowered. "Did you set up everything?"


    "Yes, I did," He passed a tablet to Xu Mey and said, "All the cameras are attached and you¡¯ll be able to see everything from here." Xu Mey nodded and asked him to leave.


    She tapped her fingers on the dressing table and heard the door open behind her. Jun Li Na walked inside in her green colored dress that reached her knees and Sun Ju was beside her in a pink colored mermaid gown. "You¡¯re nning something?" Li Na gave her an ecstatic look and Sun Ju rolled her eyes at them.


    "Who¡¯s getting a face p?" Sun Ju asked with curiosity.


    Xu Mey showed her cunning smile making a cold shiver run down her spine. "You¡¯ll know." Both Jun Li Na and Sun Ju was excited about her giving a face p. Because the person being pped hardly knew who delivered the crisp p to their faces.


    Xu Mey turned on the tablet and all cameras were showing the view of hall, doorway, and storage room. Xu Mey saw Xu Liqing entering the storage room in her bright blue colored dress that barely reached her mid-thighs. Her brown hair was tied up in a side bun with various pearl essoriesplimenting her dress. Her puffy panda eyes were hidden beneathyers of make-up.


    Xu Liqing sent a text to Ye Jie which Xu Mey received on her phone as well. She asked Li Na to hack Xu Liqing¡¯s phone and connect it with her own. Liqing didn¡¯t even know when Li Na¡¯s people ced a small chip inside her phone. Now, Xu Mey would know about every call and every other activity on her phone. The text read; ¡¯Mr. Ye, I¡¯m in the storage room. You shoulde discretely.¡¯


    Xu Mey waited for 30 minutes. She was waiting to see whether Ye Jie will go to meet Xu Liqing or not. When he didn¡¯t show up for half an hour, she perceived he won¡¯t being. And the thought of him showing trust in her made her really happy. "It¡¯s time for me to make a move now." She stood up leaving two beauties with their mischievous looks.

 Chapter 17 - A Violent Face Slap

    Ye Jie asked his assistant to install his own cameras in the wedding hall and specifically the storage room. He wasn¡¯t worried about Xu Mey cheating on him. He judged the fact that if she wanted to do that she¡¯d have not made her true intentions known to him. He was curious about what game Ms. Xu Liqing was trying to y.


    He was in the dressing room with hisptop screen showing the view of the storage room where Xu Liqing was pacing back and forth. He was contemting whether to meet her or not.


    "I don¡¯t think you should go," Ye Jun offered his suggestion and Ming Qu agreed with him. "If you went, it¡¯ll prove the fact that you don¡¯t have any trust in sister-inw."


    They were busy in their argument when Xu Mey entered the storage room. Xu Liqing was standing with her back facing the door. She thought it was Ye Jie, so she started talking without seeing the person behind her. "Mr. Ye, I knew you¡¯de. I have these photos of my sister with another man. I really didn¡¯t want you to be fooled by her. I¡¯m really ashamed to be her sis-" Liqing¡¯s words got stuck in her throat when she saw Xu Mey standing behind with a nk look.


    "Why are you here? Where is Mr. Ye?" Xu Liqing looked around in hope of finding Ye Jie but to her disappointment, there was no one.


    "If my future husband would have been here then there was no need for him to be a part of my life."


    Ye Jie¡¯s eyes widened when her words sunk into his mind. "I think I saved you, Brother," Ye Jun ced his hand on Ye Jie¡¯s shoulder.


    "B*tch, do you think that just because you¡¯re getting married in Ye family, you¡¯re something." Xu Liqing sneered, her words wereced with malice. "You¡¯ll always stay the weak little girl who has to depend on antidepressants to survive. Do you think Ye Jie would be able to deal with your cowardly bearing?"


    "Coward, Coward. Coward." Xu Mey repeated the word with each step she took ahead as if tasting how it felt on her tongue. She stood right in front of Xu Liqing. Xu Mey was taller than Liqing which made her more imposing. "Let¡¯s see the photos, you have."


    She tried to take the photos from Xu Liqing¡¯s hand but thetter resisted which led to Xu Mey twisting her wrist behind her back making her scream in pain. Xu Mey snatched the photos and looked at them.


    After looking through the pictures, Xu Mey burst into a fit of humorlessughter. "You clicked my pics with my own assistant?" Xu Mey passed a look like she was looking at a clown. "I agree, he¡¯s very handsome. But he¡¯s a kid of only 24 years, I¡¯m 28. I don¡¯t like dating kids."


    Xu Liqing was gnashing her teeth in anger which lead to her not noticing the keyword; assistant. Xu Mey let go of her wrist and Xu Liqing taking advantage of her newly found freedom tried to p her but her wrist was caught by Xu Mey. "I gave you and your mother plenty of chances to redeem but you both insisted on getting a bad end." With that, Xu Meyid a violent p on her delicate face.


    Xu Liqing¡¯s face instantly swelled up from the force of the p and she red at Xu Mey. "What? Want to tell mommy and daddy?" Xu Mey talked like a small baby. "You can tell whoever you want to tell. The day you said I tried to push you from the roof was the day you sealed your own fate."


    Xu Mey¡¯s wrathful look scared Xu Liqing so much that she trembled without knowing it. "Don¡¯t worry, I won¡¯t try to kill you." Xu Liqing breathed out a breath of relief. "I¡¯ll just turn your life into a living hell." Xu Mey gave a devilish smile to Xu Liqing who was so scared by her that she ran out of the storage room. But being the scheming person, she locked the storage room and took the key with herself.


    Staring intently at theptop screen, Ye Jie, Ye Jun, and Ming Qu had inscrutable expressions. "We need to get her out of there." Ming Qu spoke but saw Xu Mey taking a seat on a box.


    "Poor girl, still thinks she can lock me up like she used to do," Xu Mey snorted and made a hand gesture. It took barely 2 minutes for the door to open. Looking at her assistant who opened the door, Xu Mey said. "Qin Hao, get a girlfriend." Qin Hao didn¡¯t know how to respond to that and only followed after his boss.


    "I think, I underestimated my soon-to-be-wife." Ye Jie had a roguish bearing making him seem even more handsome in his ck tux.


    But what Ye Jie didn¡¯t know was that the drama was just starting. The real y was after that p shended to Xu Liqing¡¯s face. It was a way to start an open war. She told her enemies, she was not backing out with the marriage instead moving forward with full force.


    Xu Liqing ran to Xu Cheng and her mother, Fu Lan. Seeing the palm print on her daughter¡¯s face, Fu Lan was anxious. "What happened, sweety? Who did it?" Fu Lan touched her daughter¡¯s cheek making her wince in pain.


    When Xu Liqing saw Mother Ye and Father Yeing their way. She started to shed crocodile tears. "Mom, it was the big sister. But it¡¯s okay. I think she was having another stroke. It doesn¡¯t hurt that much." If Xu Mey had seen her acting she would have given her a round of apuse for such a shameless performance.


    Upon hearing the word ¡¯stroke¡¯ both mother Ye and father Ye got anxious.


    "But Xu Mey was with me all this time," Grandfather Xu stated as he saw his granddaughter wailing so loudly.

 Chapter 18 - The Game Has Just Begun

    "What are you saying, grandfather? I¡¯m not lying to you all." Xu Liqing got anxious hearing Grandfather Xu¡¯s words. She knew her grandfather loved Xu Mey. She thought he was trying to save her. "I even locked her in the storage room. You can check yourself."


    Sharing a meaningful look, all the elders decided to follow Xu Liqing. "She¡¯s still inside and she might be having another episode. So, be careful she can be violent." She was being cautious, she was making Mother Ye and Father Ye have a bad impression of Xu Mey.


    She took the key and opened the lock but what awaited her was an empty storage room. There was not a single person inside. Xu Liqing was baffled and in her frustration, she started acting like a crazed person.


    "I told you Liqing, Xu Mey¡¯s been in the bridal room for hours now." Grandfather Xu again spoke up for his eldest granddaughter.


    "Believe me, everyone. She was here. I locked her here myself." Xu Liqing¡¯s face was stained with tears. Fu Lan hugged her daughter and murmured lightly, "I believe you, sweetheart."


    All the elders went to the bridal room to check on Xu Mey.


    Actually, Grandfather Xu and Xu Liqing were both telling the truth. Both of them spent the time with a Xu Mey. But that¡¯s different that one met with the real Xu Mey in the storage room and the other met Jun Li Na who was recing Xu Mey for a while. Jun Li Na and Xu Mey had quite simr features but the real magic was in Sun Ju¡¯s face pack which covered her face.


    When the elders walked inside the bridal room, the real Xu Mey was already dressed in her bridal wear and was getting her make-up touched. "Is everything okay, grandfather? You just left a few minutes ago." Xu Liqing was baffled once again but this time the reason was the beautiful face of Xu Mey.


    Xu Liqing always thought she was the prettiest daughter because Xu Mey always wore baggy clothes to hide her figure and her hair was always in a mess in front of her face along with her big sses, she looked like a nerd.


    "Your sister said, you pped her." Fu Lan had a grim expression not liking the way Xu Mey looked.


    "But step-mother, little sister didn¡¯t evene to me. How can I possibly p my own sister?" Xu Liqing thought herself to be the smartest one but she never took her opponent to be the cunning one. Xu Mey not only said that she didn¡¯t p Xu Liqing, in turn, she even med her for not evening to her sister on her wedding day.


    Xu Mey was keeping her head lowered and her every word was spoken with so much respect that anybody could feel how much scared she was. Xu Liqing wanted to puke blood on her acting skills which surpassed even her own. She so wanted to scratch Xu Mey¡¯s face at the moment.


    "Why would she me you if you didn¡¯t hit her?" Fu Lan was convinced that a cowardly person like Xu Mey could never hit Xu Liqing but she couldn¡¯t ignore her own daughter¡¯s words. Also, it was a good way to humiliate Xu Mey in front the Ye¡¯s.


    "I think step-mother, sister is really troubled because of losing the lead role in the movie. That¡¯s why in her crestfallen state she must be hallucinating. It happens to a lot of people." Xu Mey wasughing in her mind just like Li Na and Ju who stood at a corner.


    It was a real challenge for them to control theirughter from escaping. ¡¯I thought her heart was evil. I just realized even her soul is evil.¡¯ Sun Ju thought in her mind. While Li Na had her own thoughts, ¡¯Scheming B*tchs, she¡¯s always ten steps ahead of you.¡¯


    "You¡¯re saying that my daughter is going crazy that is why she is having hallucinations?" Fu Lan was fuming with rage.


    "I-I did-didn¡¯t mean that step-mother." Xu Mey¡¯s whole body trembled as a pitiful person and teardrops fell down her face.


    "That¡¯s enough." Father Xu talked after listening clearly. "Xu Mey said she was in the room and even dad was with her. The wedding ceremony is about to start, so let¡¯s not create a scene here." He took all the elders with him out the door.


    Xu Liqing was thest to exit and she heard Xu Mey¡¯s scary voice from behind making her halt. "The game has just begun, little princess."


    After the door closed behind Xu Liqing, Sun Ju locked the door and couldn¡¯t control theughter she was holding. "Gosh, you really are a scary person. Your acting even convinced me that you¡¯re a pitiful girl."


    "Oh, by the way, where did the tearse from?" Jun Li Na asked with interest.


    "To beat someone at their own game, one has to pick a trick or two. If a b*tch try to y with a fox, it has to bear the consequences." The three of them shared another fit ofughter.


    "Mom, I¡¯m telling the truth. She¡¯s really hiding deeply." Xu Liqing was trying to convince her mother that Xu Mey was scheming against them.


    "Liqing, I know how much you hate her. And I also know it was a good n to humiliate Xu Mey in front of her inws but you should have been careful with the n. Your Grandfather was with her all this time. He¡¯s an albeit. Nobody would believe what you¡¯re saying." Fu Lan tried tofort her daughter. "And you also know Xu Mey can never be scheming. The way we¡¯ve changed her antidepressants all these years is enough to make her into a timid little girl she is today."


    "Don¡¯t worry, Mom will make you Ye Jie¡¯s wife. Mrs. Ye will get tired of her timid nature sooner orter and then it¡¯ll be easy for you to take her ce. If not, I¡¯ll just ruin her to make you Ye Jie¡¯s wife." Fu Lan stated with a resolute look assuring Xu Liqing who smiled hearing her mother¡¯s n.

 Chapter 19 - She Needs Trust

    Globe string lights in rose gold color were draped from the wee table. A ton of Lanterns was hung from the hall¡¯s ceiling making it as a winter fairytale. The dangling lights along with flowers made a perfect atmosphere. Around 50 round tables with 6 seats each were set up in the hall. The chairs were decorated with sparkly rose gold sashes with a silk flower which added an extrayer of mour.


    Pedestal and floating candles aisle decor added a stratum of beauty and sophistication. The wedding arch was designed with flowing sheer fabric draped Chuppah with Flower ents.


    When Xu Mey entered the hall, Ye Jie had a cheeky smile. The veil they decided onst time was semi-transparent with embroidered flowers on it. It didn¡¯t give a clear view of her face but her aura alone was enough to leave people in awe. That slit down her knee was showing her long slim leg with each step she took.


    Exchanging rings vows, all in all, the ceremony was long and tiring for both Xu Mey and Ye Jie. After the ceremony, they had to greet the guests but Ye Jie didn¡¯t let her take off the veil.


    But Xu Mey ignored him and took the veil off her face. The guests were already in awe of her beauty.


    "Miss Xu, this is for you," A girl in her early twenties presented a small gift to Xu Mey with a polite and respectful smile. Xu Mey didn¡¯t pay much attention to her and ced the gift on the table beside her.


    After a while came a young man with ck rimmed sses. "Miss Xu, this is to congratte you on your wedding." He presented the gift with a bow and left the way he came.


    "Ex-boyfriends are on the run," Wu Wang tried to tease her but Ye Jie¡¯s expression halted his movements.


    "Well, seems like I¡¯mte on my little Mey¡¯s wedding."


    "Uncle Wu!" Xu Mey was surprised and also very happy to see Wu Wang¡¯s father. "You said, you can¡¯t make it." She looked usingly at him.


    Uncle Wu chuckled and gave her a side hug. "I had toe. My little Mey is getting married. I had to see the rascal who¡¯s snatching you from us." Uncle Wu turned to Ye Jie. "Young man, if you hurt my little Mey even a bit, I¡¯ll be a very hostile person."


    "I won¡¯t hurt her, Mr. Wu."


    "You better not."


    "Wu-Wong, what are you doing here?" Grandfather Xu and Father Ye came when they saw Uncle Wu.


    "Naturally, I¡¯m here to congratte my little Mey." Uncle Wu replied in an obvious kind of way making Wu Wang and Xu Mey roll their eyes.


    "You are familiar with Xu Mey?" Father Ye asked with uncertainty.


    "She¡¯s my son¡¯s best friend for 20 years. I obviously am more than familiar with her."


    "Ugh! Why are you here earlier than us?" They turned to see Li Man and He Kun with presents in their hands.


    "Looks like I won this round," Uncle Wuughed proudly.


    "Auntie Li, Uncle He thanks foring," Xu Mey greeted both Li Man and He Kun with equal enthusiasm.


    "We had toe, our little Mey." The way they greeted each other made it obvious that they were really close.


    Xu Cheng was not happy with his daughter being so affectionate to outsiders but he still was happy for the fact that those outsiders brought a smile to his daughter¡¯s face.


    "Am I thest one to arrive?" Lin Han¡¯s voice sounded near them. "Oh my, our little Mey is dazzling today. I might get blind."


    Xu Meyughed lightly at his words. "Uncle Han is making fun of me now."


    "Oh no baby, I¡¯m serious. Our little Mey is mesmerizing as always." Li Man, He Kun agreed with Lin Han¡¯s words.


    It was like a jolly atmosphere with all of her best friends and their parents. Only Jun Li Na¡¯s parents couldn¡¯t make it but the rest treated her like their own precious daughter. The number of time Ye Jie was warned by all of them about hurting her can¡¯t be counted on two hands.


    Because of Xu Liqing, Fu Lan left right after the ceremony. So, naturally, she didn¡¯t see the way all those conglomerates treated Xu Mey. If she had seen it, she would have believed in her daughter¡¯s words.


    "You seem to be worried about something," Lin Shen asked Ye Jie noticing the look on his face.


    "I¡¯m not worried. It¡¯s just that I don¡¯t know if I can really make a ce in her heart for myself." Ye Jie shared his heartfelt thought with Lin Shen.


    Lin Shin smiled at him. "It¡¯s very easy." Ye Jie looked at him. "Little Mey¡¯s heart is empty." Ye Jie gave him a baffled look. "It¡¯s true. Her heart is really empty. She¡¯d never dated a single person in her life before. She¡¯s like a naive girl when ites to love and rtionships."


    "To fill that heart, you have to give her what she never had before." Wu Wang joined their conversation with a wine ss in hand.


    "What is it that she never had?"


    "A home that is solely hers." He Jian added his words in.


    "And a loving person who is solely hers." Li Qiao also had to add his thoughts.


    Ye Jie was trying to understand their words when he heard a feminine voice. "Most of all, she needs trust. If you¡¯re willing to trust her, she¡¯ll not only give you her heart but even her soul if you ask for it." Jun Li Na¡¯s words made all the boys nod in agreement.


    Ye Jie looked at his wife stuck between the elders. His eyes had an indescribable feeling of affection. He was also impressed by her. Even watching aplete dark side of hers in the storage room, he couldn¡¯t stop himself from being attracted to her.


    It felt like the devil in her was provoking him in a way that he couldn¡¯t ignore her dazzling and enchanting presence.

 Chapter 20 - Youre Ready For Our Wedding Night

    Xu Mey¡¯s friends made Ye Jie realize how much he still didn¡¯t know about his wife. The smile on her face, talking to her best friend¡¯s parents was just a mirage. The real person inside of her was crying. Screaming to break free. Shouting to be heard.


    Xu Mey had a belief that she didn¡¯t matter and changing that belief was the real challenge for Ye Jie. That belief was the obstacle, he had to cross. To reach her heart, he had to alter that belief. And Ye Jie knew with his own heart in shambles, he won¡¯t be able to help her at all. He decided to get Lu Yuhan not only out of his mind but also out of his heart.


    He wanted to be a good, no, a perfect husband for Xu Mey. The girl who could make him smile with mere her presence. Feeling his gaze on her face, Xu Mey looked at him asking with eyes, ¡¯What?¡¯ He smiled and shook his head as saying, ¡¯Nothing¡¯. Xu Mey scanned his expressions closely and rolled her eyes at him.


    Mother Ye¡¯s gaze was on her son¡¯s face. The way he smiled at Xu Mey and the interaction between the two made her heart fill with joy and warmth. An uncontroble tear escaped from the corner of eyes. "What¡¯s wrong, Ning?" Father Ye asked his wife with concern.


    "Kang, our boy is gonna be alright." Father Ye followed her gaze to see his son. "I thought this girl will not be right for him. But now I think, she can save my son." Father Ye agreed with his wife.


    Meanwhile, Ye Jun¡¯s gaze was following Jun Li Na to wherever she went. He didn¡¯t move his gaze away from her figure for even a second. Li Na was trying to ignore his burning gaze but it turned difficult than she thought. She walked up to him glowering. "Mr. Ye Jun, do you hate your life that much?"


    "Does all my sister-inw¡¯s friends are violent?" He asked with a delighted look.


    Li Na sighed. "No, Mey¡¯s the worst of us all." Ye Jun looked at her quizzically. "She learned something from all of us. For instance, keeping her calm appearance was learned from He Jian. Outsmarting someone was learned from Lin Shen. She also took Wu Wang¡¯s yfulness and Li Qiao¡¯s business mind. As for me, she took the violence from me."


    "Are you trying to indirectly tell me that you¡¯re really going to hit me?"


    "I don¡¯t have to lift a finger. But those bodyguards of mine are a little overprotective." Ye Jun followed her gaze to see a few brawny guys scattered around in the hall. He gulped visibly.


    He raised both his hands in surrender. "I was just trying to be friends. No violence, please. I¡¯m a peace-loving person." He even made a peace sign at the end making Li Na giggle like a little girl.


    "Because of you being funny, I can consider being friends with you." Ye Jun instantly felt happy to hear that. "But don¡¯t get any other ideas." She shook her finger in front of eyes in a warning and he nodded. "I have a fiance, anyway."


    "Who said things can¡¯t change in future? I¡¯ll settle for being friends for now." Ye Jun grumbled under his breath passing an innocent smile to Li Na.


    "Oh, right! If sister-inw learned all that from you guys, what is the real her then?" His question changed the color of Li Na¡¯s face as a grave expression took the ce of a cheerful one.


    She stayed quiet for long while. Ye Jun thought she didn¡¯t want to answer him but after taking some time, she said it. "She¡¯s a whole lot of crazy hiding behind a whole lot of darkness."


    -----------


    Ye Jie walked beside his wife cing his arm around her small waist and pulled her to his side. "So, my pretty wife, hope you¡¯re ready for our wedding night?"


    Her face turned pale at his words as she blinked repeatedly. She was so tense that Ye Jie felt her body trembling. But instead of his cheeky smile to vanish, her expressions intensified it.


    Xu Mey not having rtionship experience was an idea that never crossed Ye Jie¡¯s mind before. He always thought with her nature, appearance, and personality, she¡¯d have at least a few boyfriends. But knowing that his wife was only his brought relief to his heart. He was feeling at peace.


    "Oh, by the way, my dear wife, I¡¯m really hungry tonight. Hope you can help your husband a bit."


    "What are you talking about, Mr. Ye?" Xu Mey made an innocent face at him.


    "I think you know what I¡¯m talking about." He was being sassy at her innocence. ¡¯So, there is actually something that can shut you up.¡¯ He kept his thought to himself.


    Poor Xu Mey had no idea about his evil schemes. A pure maiden was caught in ws of a hungry wolf. The worst part was she had no clue that he was ying with her.


    "Dear wife, I obviously have to prove to you that I¡¯m not a second-hand product." His reminder of ¡¯second-hand product¡¯ made her choke on air as she fell into a fit of dry coughs.

 Chapter 21 - Fear, Enemy Of Intimacy

    Upon hearing his voice filled with inexplicable charm, skittishness, and desire, Xu Mey ran for her life. She wasn¡¯t scared of intimacy. She wasn¡¯t even scared of amity either.


    She was scared of being vulnerable. She was scared of showing her bare wounds which were not even healed yet. She was scared of sharing her life. Most of all she was scared of him-Ye Jie- The man who just barged into her life. She was scared of herself; Her heart that always went into delirium around him.


    The girl who never let the idea of love cross her mind was losing her mind over a man. She wasn¡¯t a weak girl. At the least, not anymore.


    She was a victim once. She fell hard as well like any other person in this world. But she was one of those victims who refused to stay as victims. She wanted to be different. She made herself stand tall.


    She hid her own victim soul all these years. It is easier to live when people stop giving you pitiful looks. She didn¡¯t want Ye Jie to look at her like she was a particrly piteous person.


    Li Qiao felt his phone vibrating in his pocket and pulled it out to have a look. He kept staring at the caller id shing on the screen intently. After a moment of hesitation, he picked up the call and walked towards the hallway.


    "Hello! President, Li?" The feminine voice on the other side was low but really alluring. He stayed quiet. "I heard you want me to sign the movie with Director Yang," Realizing he was listening, she continued in her beautiful voice.


    "If you already heard about my decision, why are you bothering me?" He was brusque in his speech.


    "I just wanted to hear it from you," Her voice held a tint of pain and sadness.


    Li Qiao didn¡¯t want to talk anymore. He was feeling tired as he rubbed his forehead when he saw Xu Meying towards him briskly.


    "I¡¯ll call you backter, " He disconnected the call and ced his hands on Xu Mey¡¯s shoulders to support her.


    Her breathing was harsh as if she ran for miles. Her beautiful ck eyes were glistening.


    "What¡¯s wrong Little Mey? Did something happen? Are you feeling okay?" Li Qiao¡¯s voice was low but filled concern and indulgence.


    "Qiao Qiao, you need to help me, " She looked up at his deep eyes trying to catch her breath.


    "Mey, why did youe out like this?" This voice belonged to Wu Wang who followed her out to the hallway seeing her worried look.


    Xu Mey tilted her head to see all her friendsing closer to her anxiously. She looked back at Li Qiao and said, "I forgot something very important."


    "Tell me what it is and I will help you."


    "In my escapade of revenge, I forgot that I¡¯ll have to share my life with another person." Her voice was low but audible to everyone as she buried her face in her hands.


    All of them shared a stupified look at her words except for Li Qiao, he had a small smile on his face. His gaze was indulgent as he caressed her smooth silky hair.


    "Are you scared of sex?" Jun Li Na asked with an arched brow.


    Xu Mey took a moment before replying, "Yes. That¡¯s exactly what I¡¯m scared of." She nodded her head repeatedly to emphasize her words.


    "Little Mey, look at me?" Li Qiao held Xu Mey¡¯s delicate face in his callused palms. "First of all, stop lying to yourself." Xu Mey stared back at his deep eyes. "You¡¯re not scared of sharing your life or your body with him. You¡¯re only scared of showing him your scars. Also, what those scars made you into."


    Xu Mey bit her lower lip. "You just don¡¯t want to show your vulnerable side to him along with your dark side. You¡¯re scared that he won¡¯t be able to ept that part of you."


    "No. That¡¯s not true." She shook her head stubbornly declining the truth. "If I would have been scared of that. I wouldn¡¯t have agreed for this marriage."


    "When you agreed for the marriage, he was just another man in your life. Now, that man somehow became a part in your messed up life." Lin Shenmented.


    "¡¯Your naked body only belongs to those who fall in love with your naked soul.¡¯ If he can¡¯t ept that dark part of your soul, he really doesn¡¯t deserve you." He Jian¡¯s words made her fall into deep thought again.


    Did she want him to fall in love with her? Did she want him to see her dark side?


    She wasn¡¯t sure about the former question but the answer to the second question was quite clear in her mind. No, she didn¡¯t want him to see her dark soul.


    "Fear is the greatest enemy of intimacy. Stop being scared of useless stuff. Remember, we face things as theye." With those words, Li Qiao buried her slender figure in his embrace.

 Chapter 22 - He Is Dangerous For Me

    There are plenty of things people fall in love with. Some love rainy days while others love clear blue skies. Some fall in love with a rose while others fancy the cactus. Some love bright days while some enjoy the darkness of the night. But there is always something people love.


    Why? Because love is a feeling you can¡¯t control. It¡¯s not like a rope, you could hold whenever you want to or let it slip away when you feel like it.


    But fear is not that different from love. Some people are scared ofmitment and love. Some are scared of death and some are just scared of life itself.


    We can¡¯t possibly control fear as well. Fear is also an uncontroble feeling.


    But love and fear have something inmon. Both teach a person a lesson. A lesson of survival. A lesson of growth. A lesson of ¡¯life¡¯.


    Xu Mey learned the lesson of ¡¯life¡¯ from fear. Love was foreign to her. And the worst of all fears in life is the fear of unknown.


    When Ye Jie brought Xu Mey back to his mansion, it was almost past 9 o¡¯clock. Since she was familiar with the house, she didn¡¯t need Ye Jie¡¯s help to find her way to the bedroom. But he still led her to his, oh no, their bedroom upstairs.


    He unlocked the door and pushed it lightly. The fragrance of roses was pervading the candlelit room. Observing her surroundings and that bed filled with rose petals, Xu Mey¡¯s jumbled up mind went into hysteria.


    Ye Jie was surprised to see the room himself but watching Xu Mey¡¯s pale face was amusing. He hid the surprised look along with his amusement with coyness. "I hope my wife liked the arrangements... for the wedding night."


    His low husky voice made her heart skip a beat. She tried to walk away from his reach but to her dismay, he held her wrist in his hand. She licked her lips before biting her lower lip to get her senses back.


    He pulled her wrist and her body crashed into his broad chest.


    ¡¯Pull yourself together, Mey! This is not the first time you¡¯re in close proximity to a man. Stop being so girly.¡¯ Xu Mey¡¯s inner-self was bellowing in rage.


    ¡¯But I am a girl. And what¡¯s so wrong with acting like one. Once in a while.¡¯ Xu Mey rebutted.


    ¡¯He¡¯s not good for your health. Walk away from him.¡¯ The inner-self was really nagging harshly.


    ¡¯Well, he is dangerous for me.¡¯ Her inner battlests for a moment.


    Trying to calm her breathing, Xu Mey looked up at his face to say something. He had an obvious mischievous glint in his brown eyes with a radiant smirk on his thin lips.


    But that look left her in a daze. ¡¯But he¡¯s really handsome as well.¡¯ She again thought in her mind losing thest bit of rationality.


    Ye Jie was pleased with her transfixed countenance. He lowered his face towards her. Inadvertently, Xu Mey took a step back. It was on reflex she had no control over. He took another step ahead and in response, she took another step back.


    They continued with a step back and a step ahead until Xu Mey¡¯s legs felt the edge of the bed behind. There was nowhere else to run anymore.


    There was a haughty smirk ying on Ye Jie¡¯s lips. His brows were arched as if to challenge her. ¡¯Where are you gonna run now?¡¯ He lowered his face again towards her. Xu Mey bent her body backward but she lost her footing. On pure reflex, Ye Jie snaked his arm around her waist and she held onto Ye Jie¡¯s tie making him fall with her on the bed.


    As sheid on her back on the bed with Ye Jie¡¯s body pressing on her own, an odd thought came to her mind. ¡¯Even the strongest warrior will have a weakness that could make him submissive.¡¯ She took herself to be strong until this day. But at this moment, gazing at his handsome face inches away from her own with his piercing gaze prating her soul, she realized she had no ability to push him away.


    She wanted to get him off her body. She wanted to stay far away from him. But she couldn¡¯t do it. His face was so close that she could smell the spearmint from his warm breath as it tingled her.


    When his soft thin lips touched her cherry plump ones, her mind was electrified. He softly nibbled on her lower lip, sucking it slowly. The kiss was not urgent or passionate. It was just a simple kiss which disyed a gentle but sincere feeling.


    Ye Jie didn¡¯t try to deepen the kiss. He knew his limits very well. Most of all, he respected their rtionship. He knew she was new to this rtionship thing and he didn¡¯t want to rush anything. He was scared that she would run away if he went any further. It took a lot of effort to pull away from her sweet taste but he managed it somehow.


    Xu Mey¡¯s eyes were tightly shut. She only felt the soft touch of his lips along with a warm feeling in her stomach. The response she provided to his soft kiss was nonexistent. She didn¡¯t know how to respond at all. Even after his warm lips left her own making her feel a bit cold, she didn¡¯t open her eyes.


    Until she heard his low husky voice near her ear, "You can call me a second-hand product, dear wife. But don¡¯t forget this second-hand product is not useless."

 Chapter 23 - Did It Hit The G-Spot

    Ye Jie left the wide-eyed Xu Mey on the bed and went to the bathroom for a shower. Usually, when a girl doesn¡¯t respond to a kiss, boys either get angry or dejected. But this was not the case with Ye Jie.


    He was unexpectedly very happy. Her non-existent response gave him a content feeling. From her body movements, he gathered that it was her very first kiss. That first kiss which, means a lot to girls. Just knowing that she didn¡¯t reject his kiss or touch was amusing enough.


    Xu Mey stayed on the bed in the same position he left her. She raised her hand and her slender fingers traced her tingling lips. She kept blinking in disbelieve. She never anticipated her first kiss. She never had the time to think about such things.


    But this first kiss was not like what Jun Li Na or Sun Ju described to her. This kiss was soft, gentle, simple and yet mesmerizing. Her lips turned upwards at the memory of his lips on hers. Her cheeks were tinted red without her realizing it. She only felt a searing heat on her ears.


    Upon hearing the sound of a door opening, Xu Mey sat up straight and tilted her head to see her husband with only a towel around his lower body leaving the rest on disy for ogling. Ye Jie was drying his hair with the other towel walking inside the closet. He emerged again in the room after 5 minutes in a winter long sleeve round neck shirt along with striped pajamas. He had brown short shaggy haircut style.


    His damp hair fell over his forehead touching the tips of his brows. With his side frame leaning against the closet door, he gazed at his dear wife keeping the same posture with her hands sped in herp.


    After observing her for a while, he said, "Take a shower ande downstairs. I have a surprise for you."


    Xu Mey watched him leaving the room in her confused state. It took a minute for his words to register in her mind. ¡¯Ha... There is still a surprise? Is he trying to make me hate surprises?¡¯


    She shook her and walked inside the bathroom. It was a luxurious bathroom with a bathtub and a separate shower area. She took around 30 minutes to take a shower and wore a simple set of dark blue pajamas. She blow dried her long hair and applied lotion on her face.


    After her personal care activities, she went downstairs to look for Ye Jie. What caught her attention was the delectable aromaing from the kitchen. She took small steady steps towards the kitchen and found Ye Jie immersed in stirring something in a pot.


    Feeling her presence, he looked at her flushed face and smiled a bit. "Take a seat, I¡¯ll serve it in a minute."


    She obediently took a seat at the dining table and waited patiently. True to his words, Ye Jie served a hot bowl of extra spicy ramen with extra beef to her. Xu Mey¡¯s eyes had stars in her eyes while she was drooling inwardly at the sight of such delicious ramen.


    "You cooked this for me?" She asked in disbelief with a hint of curiosity.


    "Didn¡¯t I promise you?" He replied with his limited words.


    ¡¯I¡¯ll get you the spiciest noodle when you move in, okay?¡¯ His words rang in her mind. She remembered being upset that day about her noodles which she didn¡¯t even get to eat. She also remembered his words because he kissed her hair that day. Those words were just that ¡¯words¡¯ for her. She didn¡¯t take them seriously but he did.


    It meant a lot to her that he remembered. And not just remembered but he also made it for her all by himself. Come to think of it, "You know how to cook?" She asked with an arched brow.


    "Yeah, a little bit." He lied tantly. Why would the eldest son of Ye Kang need to learn about cooking when he always had servants running around him? It was that promise he made to her. He thought about asking his maid to cook the ramen but decided against itter.


    He wanted to make the ramen a special memory which is why he asked his maid to teach him how to make delicious ramen. The maid was so shocked that she almost fainted at his words. It took several tries to make the perfect spicy ramen she so desired.


    But seeing the way she looked content and happy while slurping the hot noodles, he felt like all his effort was worth it. The bright smile on her lips with her pretty dimple made him even forget that he scalded his hand with hot water earlier.


    Xu MEy was like a little kid in her own world with her bowl of ramens. She slurped the hot noodle and took a sharp intake of breath feeling the sensation of heat from the spiciness. Her eyes got teary and her cheeks were red but she still held a pleased look. A moan escaped her mouth involuntarily surprising Ye Jie who was immersed in observing her reactions.


    He walked closer to her ear and said in a low but amusing tone, "Did it hit the G-spot?"

 Chapter 24 - Great Food Is Like Great Sex

    "Did it hit the G-Spot?"


    Upon hearing those bold words, Xu Mey choked on her food and started coughing profusely. Ye Jie rubbed her back slowly to ease her difort. It took a while for the coughs to settle. Xu Mey red at her husband.


    "Ohe on my dear wife, I didn¡¯t say anything wrong. I was just asking about your opinion. You see this food was not only filled with spices but also my deep love." The cheeky smile on his face seemed really annoying to Xu Mey at that moment.


    After a pause, he added, "Haven¡¯t you heard, ¡¯Great Food is like great sex. The more you have. The more you want.¡¯"


    Xu Mey gulped down a ss of water to calm herself.


    She wasn¡¯t angry about his audacity to talk about her G-Spot rather she was upset about the fact that she couldn¡¯t refute his words. Spicy Food was like a slice of heaven for her. She needed to burn her tongue with the intense taste of spices to fight like poison with the heat burning inside of her heart.


    Xu Mey might not know what an orgasm felt like but she definitely knew about the foodgasm. But knowing about something and openly talking about it are two very different things.


    Her anger came from the embarrassment she felt. There was a frown etched between her brows as she red at him with bitterness.


    Ye Jie pressed down her frown with his thumb and forefinger as he said, "There is no need to take everything so seriously. Life is aboutughter. Don¡¯t you think, it¡¯ll be awfully sad ifughter faded away." His eyes were gazing into her ck orbs with care, love, and protectiveness.


    Xu Mey was not unfamiliar to that gaze, she had seen it way too many times in her friends¡¯ gaze. But his gaze gave a different kind of feeling to her. And that gaze scared her even more.


    As they say ¡¯There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.¡¯ For Xu Mey, that untold story was her almost entire life. She didn¡¯t want to share that story but the pain was getting unbearable.


    "Sometimes, life doesn¡¯t give you a reason tough. It only teaches you to wear a facade of happiness." Xu Mey replied avoiding his gaze.


    "If life doesn¡¯t give a reason. We should find the reasons ourselves." Xu Mey looked at his face as he sat beside her. "As someone famous said: ¡¯Love what you have before life teaches you to love what you lost.¡¯" His head was tilted as if thinking about something.


    That look pulled Xu Mey¡¯s heart from a deep slumber. Those words were like a bucket of cold water, reminding her about her status in his heart.


    When she epted to be his wife, she was clear about one thing; She could be his wife, a part of his life but she won¡¯t be able to have a ce in his heart. Originally, that idea was appealing. She didn¡¯t want unnecessary attachments. But that exact idea suddenly felt painful to her.


    ¡¯He is still deeply in love with his ex. And I can¡¯t possiblypete with their rtionship... Huh! Where did that thoughte from? I don¡¯t want topete. At least not for his affection or love.¡¯


    "She must have been a really awesome woman." Xu Mey said in a low voice but Ye Jie heard her words making him arch his brows in confusion.


    "Who are you talking about?"


    "Your ex-girlfriend." She replied with a straight face.


    "Let¡¯s not talk about her again. I hate that woman." Ye Jie¡¯s yful aura was reced with icy one at the mention of Lu Yuhan. He stood up from his seat intending to walk away but Xu Mey¡¯s next words halted his steps.


    "Without the presence of love, hate in impossible. Only the people we love or care about have the ability to hurt us emotionally. A stranger can hurt you physically but that strangers words won¡¯t matter. Because there is no feeling involved."


    "I won¡¯t deny the fact that I loved her. I loved her more than I can describe with words. But the intensity of love is reced with the intensity of hate. It won¡¯t change anymore." His voice was filled with conviction.


    Instead of feeling ease, Xu Mey felt her heart constrict. It was exactly like saying, ¡¯My heart was filled with love for her with no room for anyone else and now, it¡¯s filled with hate for her.¡¯


    No matter how one says it, the meaning was obvious.


    Ye Jie ascended the stairs leaving his needles like words for Xu Mey along with her loneliness. She stared at her now sticky cold ramen bowl and didn¡¯t feel anything.


    Xu Mey tapped the tabletop with her fingers as she said to herself, "Never was yours, never gonna be yours. Don¡¯t forget your aim." She picked the bowl of cold ramens and sauntered inside the kitchen.


    After dealing with the dishes, she went to the bedroom upstairs. Only a sidemp was dispersed in the room. Ye Jie was already asleep taking the left side of the bed. She heard his steady breathing. Under the faint light, his handsome face seemed at peace.


    Xu Mey sighed beforeying on the right side of the bed keeping her distance from him.

 Chapter 25 - I Dont Cook

    -The next morning-


    The orange rays of the sun broke the shadows of dark night and found its way out. There was an earthy smell in the air and those nts that were crestfallen in cold were now standing proudly showing their newly found youth. The fragrance of blooming flowers could make this morning a vibrant one for anyone.


    When the pearly rays of the sun fell on Ye Jie¡¯s face, he squinted his eyes and covered them with the back of his hand. After a moment, he decided to wake up and start the day. Xu Mey was not beside him when he woke up but he didn¡¯t think much about her absence.


    He took a shower and wore a tailored made suit entuating his broad shoulders along with his flourishing beauty.


    He picked up his tie and coat before going downstairs. The moment he came down, he heard the sound of a door closing. He turned to see Xu Mey closing the door of her office as she walked towards him.


    "Good morning, Mr. Ye!" Her voice was t just like her countenance. Ye Jie replied with own ¡¯good morning¡¯ as his eyes followed her slender figure d in ck high waisted velvet pants with a full sleeve jersey crop top. Her long hair was tied in a proper bun.


    After a moment of hesitation, Ye Jie said, "Don¡¯t you think, you should repay me?" Xu Mey turned her head to look at him with a confused look. "I cooked dinner for you. You should make breakfast for me." He said it like it wasmon sense to know about that.


    "I don¡¯t cook." Her reply was short and precise.


    "Breakfast is not that difficult to make." Ye Jie retorted stubbornly. Xu Mey narrowed her eyes at him before replying with an ¡¯okay.¡¯


    She walked over to the kitchen and wore an apron over her dress. She picked some eggs and toast and other necessary ingredients. She didn¡¯t try to impress him with her Chinese dishes and chose to make an easy western style breakfast.


    Within 30 minutes, she made Tomato Toast with Macadamia Ricotta, a few egg muffins, cheesy spinach baked eggs and scrambled eggs along with healthy peanut butter and banana smoothie.


    Ye Jie was used to eating a heavy Chinese breakfast. Seeing all the dishes neatly served on the table before him, He was a bit surprised. He was not unfamiliar with western food. He had his fair share of western delicacies while traveling around the world for business. But he wasn¡¯t expecting Xu Mey to make them.


    Xu Mey took a seat at the dining table with her cell phone in hand. She took a ss of smoothie without paying attention to Ye Jie. She neither talked to him during the breakfast nor looked at him. She was immersed in eating.


    Her phone ced beside her te on the table rang repeatedly. She picked it up and ced it near her ear. "What?" That was the only word she said.


    "President Xu, you need toe to the office right now," Her assistant, Qin Hao¡¯s panicked voice came from the other side.


    "I told you, I¡¯m on a leave for a week." She replied in a calm voice. But Qin Hao was aware of the storm behind her calmness.


    "I didn¡¯t want to disturb you myself. But the investors from Paris are here and they want to meet you."


    Xu Mey became quiet hearing his words, she looked at Ye Jie who was pretending to not pay any attention to her. In reality, he was focused on her every move.


    After a moment of contemtion, she replied, "I¡¯ll be there in half an hour." With that, she disconnected the call.


    "Mr. Ye, I need to leave," She didn¡¯t want to exin any further to him as she stood up.


    "Our flight is in 2 hours," He informed her while taking a small bite of his toast.


    She rubbed her nose and sighed loudly. "Can we postpone this honeymoon?" He raised his brows at her words. And she continued, "Actually, let¡¯s just cancel it. These formalities are really not necessary in our rtionship."


    She didn¡¯t say anything else and took her leather jacket from the couch and strode out of the house.


    Ye Jie was thinking about her words. Formalities word seemed annoying to him for some reason. He couldn¡¯t deny the fact that this rtionship was a formality. He was frustrated not just because of the reality of their rtionship but also for the reason that he didn¡¯t even know where she was doing her job. Or what her job actually was?


    "Good morning, Master Ye!" The maid¡¯s voice broke the train of his thoughts.


    He informed his own assistant to cancel the tickets and hotel reservations. Since they were not going on a honeymoon, he decided to go to the office as well. Staying at home alone for no reason was not productive.


    As he entered the garage to take his Maybach, he suddenly remembered that Xu Mey didn¡¯t have a car. Then how did she leave? There is no way for her to get a taxi in this area.

 Chapter 26 - The Kiss Was Really Special

    -At Ye Enterprises-


    The atmosphere in the office was tense. Every employee was trying to please their boss who was supposed to leave for his honeymoon but ended up at the office. Everyone had the same question in their hearts, "Why is the boss not on a flight for his honeymoon?" But not even a single person had the guts to voice out their questions except for the second young master Ye Jun.


    Ye Jun had a habit of arrivingte at the office and by the time he came, he heard about his brother¡¯s tyrannical behavior. He was in deep thought.


    Brother was supposed to take sis-inw on the honeymoon but he is at the office? He didn¡¯t even tell me? Did his overworking tendencies take over again? Or he had an argument with sis-inw?


    Instead of straining his mind with all these thoughts alone. He decided to ask his brother directly. By the time he came outside his brother¡¯s door, there was a booming voiceing from inside the room.


    "Is this how you are supposed to work? And you, where are your work ethics? I need all the reports within 2 hours otherwise, pack up your stuff. Scram!" Ye Jun flinched a bit hearing this angry voice of his elder brother.


    The senior employees that walked out of his office had sweat running down their forehead and a young pretty Manager couldn¡¯t control her tears and let them fall freely. Ye Jun patted her shoulder. He could sympathize with her on personal experiences. No one knew the extent of his brother¡¯s brutality better than him.


    "Second young master, take care of yourself," When the employees saw Ye Jun opening the door of the office, they encouraged with their best wishes and silently prayed for his well being in their hearts.


    Taking a deep breath and with a nod to those pitiful employees, Ye Jun crossed the gates of hell. Ye Jie was buried in the piles of work on his table and didn¡¯t bother to look up to nce at the intruder in his office. "Scram!"


    "Woah! Bro, did someone ran away with sis-inw?" Ye Jun asked in a yful way but Ye Jie¡¯s reaction seemed exaggerated. Ye Jie¡¯s brown eyes appeared to be turning ck in anger. The scowl on his face got deeper than ever. The air turned chilly even with the heating system providing a reasonable amount of heat.


    Ye Jun felt the chills and shuddered. He tried to soothe his brother¡¯s emotions with a cheesy smile but failed miserably ¡¯cause it seemed faker than he would have liked it to be.


    "If you nothing important to say, leave my office." Ye Jie lowered his eyes again to read through papers in his hand.


    "Bro, I just came to ask why are you here? What about the honeymoon? Sis-inw might feel really upset." Ye Jun was concerned about Xu Mey¡¯s feelings. Knowing his brother, he concluded that Ye Jie did something for sure.


    "Your sis-inw is the one who suggested that we should postpone the honeymoon. Ah! No no, she said, let¡¯s cancel it altogether. It¡¯s a formality anyway." Ye Jun could hear the frustration in Ye Jie¡¯s voice as he looked at his brother feeling amused.


    "Why did she say that?" Ye Jun was rubbing his chin in thought.


    "How would I know that?" Ye Jie¡¯s choleric bearing was infectious to Ye Jun.


    Ye Jun kept tapping the arm-rest of the chair as the silence pervaded the huge office. The walnut hardwood office tableplimented the white walls of the office. Ye Jie was inclined to light colors rather than dark ones and his office disyed it perfectly. The couch and other stuff were either in white or a touch of silver-grey was used elegantly. All in all, the office exuded the aura of its master; Sparkling, noble, and distinctive.


    "Bro, did she liked the arrangementsst night?" Ye Jie knew Ye Jun was talking about the arrangements in his bedroomst night. He wasn¡¯t surprised to hear about it. He already deduced that it was Ye Jun¡¯s handiwork.


    "She didn¡¯t say it but she seemed to be pleasantly surprised." Thinking about the memory of her reactions and those soft lips, the corners of his lips turned upwards. Ye Jun might be the person who followed the public opinion but he wasn¡¯t a dense person. He was rather observant when it came to people around him.


    That gentleness and spark in Ye Jie¡¯s eyes couldn¡¯t escape Ye Jun¡¯s hawk eyes. He was rather surprised and ecstatic to see that look on his brother¡¯s face. Taking the advantage of his brother¡¯s distracted mind, Ye Jun asked, "Something special happened?"


    "Yeah... It was special... The kiss was really special," Noticing what he had just said, Ye Jie red at his younger brother who tricked him.


    Ye Jun, on the other hand, was busy trying to hold hisughter. "Bro, you should have seen your expressions. Haha!!!"


    "Shut up, Jun!"


    "Okay... I¡¯ll stop now... But if it was special than what changed? Why would sis-inw call honeymoon a ¡¯formality¡¯?" Ye Jun air-quoted to emphasize


    "I don¡¯t know," Ye Jie was confused about that himself. How could he possibly provide Ye Jun with an answer?


    "Give me a detailed version of what happenedst night," Ye Jun demanded.


    "Nothing happened. Xu Mey suddenly became cold. That¡¯s all." Ye Jie replied with a scowl.


    "You must have done something. Bro, people don¡¯t just turn cold out of nowhere. Especially the Sincere and honest people like sis-inw."


    Ye Jie felt like his brother¡¯s words were right. No one just changes without a reason. She was even a sincere person when she helped him as a stranger all those months ago. So, he decided to share the details ofst night with Ye Jun leaving the bedroom activities out of it.

 Chapter 27 - I Like To See Her Smile

    Upon perceiving a certain part of Ye Jie¡¯s statement, Ye Jun cursed out loud, "F*ck!"


    Now, it was his turn to re at his elder brother. "¡¯Love what you have before life teaches you to love what you lost¡¯?" He repeated Ye Jie¡¯s word. "Seriously, bro?"


    "What?" Ye Jie still had no clue about what Ye Jun was trying to imply.


    "Bro were you thinking about... Lu Yuhan when you said that?" Ye Jun hesitated before saying Ye Jie¡¯s ex¡¯s name.


    Ye Jie puckered his lips in irritation with a scowl on his face disying his dissatisfaction. "No. Why would I be talking about someone, I have nothing to do with?"


    "What were you implying then?" Ye Jun propped his face on his palms for support as he asked his brother with interest.


    "I was talking about Xu Mey... I was trying to imply that she should try to ept me in her life before its toote. I wanted her to ept the changes in her life not because it¡¯s essential. Instead, because the change could bring happiness in her life. I like to see her smile but she doesn¡¯t smile that often."


    Ye Jun didn¡¯t know whether to cry orugh at his words. The thought was beautiful but his brother was rather inexperienced with words and feelings. He only had a single girlfriend in his whole life and that too was their childhood friend. Ye Jun sighed at his brother¡¯s witless way of saying things.


    Such a beautiful thought and he must have given the impression of thinking about his ex in front of sis-inw. That would exin the cold behavior. As I said, it had to be my brother¡¯s fault.


    "Bro, do you realize what you did wrong?"


    "I gave her the impression that I was talking about Yuhan, right?" There was hesitation in his husky voice. Seeing his younger brother¡¯s head nodding like a rattle, Ye Jie wanted to bang his head against a wall. But chose to use his hand instead. He knocked his head with his knuckles while shaking his head. "That exins it."


    I wanted her to be at ease and I¡¯m the one who made her ufortable. I needed her to see my house as hers and my words must have made her feel like she¡¯s the other women in my life. Ugh! I¡¯m really imprudent.


    "Bro I know you don¡¯t love sis-inw," Ye Jie nced at his brother. "But I know you like her. The way I got interested in her. Your interest must have also been piqued. Am I right?"


    "More or less... Yeah."


    "Then try to be normal with her. I have an obvious idea about her that sis-inw doesn¡¯t want an exaggerating rtionship. She would like a normal one. A simple home where her husband would eat with her, talk with her and even in silence make her feel protected."


    Ye Jie stood up and walked up to the ss wall looking over the skyscrapers. "How are we supposed to have a simple rtionship, when I don¡¯t even have any clue about what she does for a living?"


    Ye Jun came up to his brother and ced his hand on Ye Jie¡¯s shoulder. "If you give her a peaceful and trusting rtionship, I believe she¡¯ll open up to you... Anyway, didn¡¯t you asked that friend of yours which had some mafia links?"


    Ye Jie sighed loudly and rubbed his forehead. "Wayne said he found nothing." Ye Jun frowned at this statement. "ording to Wayne¡¯s sources, it¡¯s like someone is pulling string in the background. There is no record of Xu Mey¡¯s life anywhere not even in her College."


    "How¡¯s that possible bro? Hiding someone¡¯s whole life requires a lot of resources and only a few people are capable of that. And I don¡¯t think, there is anyone in her best friends who would be able to do that."


    "You¡¯re right... Li Qiao, Lin Shen, He Jian, Wu Wang, and even Jun Li Na have a hand in hiding her life records but there is someone more powerful than them as well. That person won¡¯t even let mine or Wayne¡¯s people from seeing her school grades or whereabouts." Ye Jie was already frustrated over this unknown person behind the scenes.


    Her friends said that she never fell in love with anyone. But that can¡¯t guarantee that someone else didn¡¯t fell for her. She is beautiful, simple and most of all real. She is mboyant but not pretentious.


    The onlyforting thing at the moment for Ye Jie was; She was his wife, legally. All he had to do was take advantage of that plus point but apart from that, he wanted to be a pir in her life. A pir she could lean on.


    To be a pir of support in her life, Ye Jie decided to be her friend first. He needed to take one step at a time. He believed, friendship was a way to make their bond stronger.


    But to be that pir, he needed to know about her past. The reason for her conflict with the Xu family. And most of all, the reason for her being a meticulous person.

 Chapter 28 - Love Is Not Treacherous, Trust Is

    Xu Mey left the house in a hurry earlier in the morning. She was busy for most of the day with investors from Paris. She spent 3 hours of heated discussion with her own board of directors after the investors left.


    She was a capable President and she already proved that to everyone in thepany. No one had the courage or basis to question her authority. Once she made her stance clear, there was no room for discussion left anymore.


    The deal with the CoCo Jewels was not only vital but also imperative. Fu Corporations had a subsidiary known as Jade Stones which was under Fu Lan¡¯smand but she gave it to her daughter Xu Liqing. On the surface, Xu Liqing was behind the sess but in reality, there was an entire team of professionals dealing with thepany¡¯s crisis.


    Destroying Fu Lan would have been easy if only she didn¡¯t have the support of her paternal grandfather and hispany. ¡¯A journey of a thousand miles begins at one¡¯s feet.¡¯ That¡¯s exactly what Xu Mey learned in her life.


    Before invading the Xu Corporation, she needed to cut off Fu Lan¡¯s support. The idea of destruction involved ruining Fu Corporations and taking over Xu Enterprises. It wasn¡¯t easy but Xu Mey never liked the easy things in life.


    The President¡¯s office in Vintage Gems was a sight to behold. It was not an office, it was a work of art. Thebination of sky blue non-transparent ss with novelty pendant style led lights hanging from the ceiling gave it a modern and contemporary look.


    The beautiful paintings hung on one side of the office giving it an intense artistic feel. Xu Mey was sitting on her revolving chair, spinning it like a four-year-old. The ringtone of her phone made her halt her spinning exploit.


    Upon seeing the caller ID ¡¯Private Number¡¯, a faint smile appeared on her cherry blossom-like lips. "Konichiwa, Sensei![1]" She said in a bright and cheery tone.


    "Why are you upset?" Came an alluring but calm voice from the other side.


    "Sensei, I¡¯m not upset... I¡¯m talking in such a cheery tone." She argued.


    "Mey Ai[2], you¡¯re the person who loves to talk in a cheery way when you¡¯re trying to hide your broodiness." The voice was still calm andposed with a hint of doting.


    "Sensei... Do you think someone can make a ce in a heart which doesn¡¯t have a ce to spare?" Xu Mey asked in a serious way.


    "Hmm... It depends on the person who is trying to take the ce."


    "Doesn¡¯t it depend on the person whose heart already belongs to someone else? If he¡¯s not even willing to give a single spot in his heart to another person, how can he give his entire heart to someone else?"


    "If I knew how tough, I would have definitelyughed at this moment, Mey-Mey." There was amusement in this voice. "There is nothing one can¡¯t take unless he doesn¡¯t want to. If you¡¯re willing to take someone¡¯s heart, that person won¡¯t defy you."


    "Sensei, some people are buried deep in a heart. It¡¯s not that easy."


    "My dear student, when ites to love, it¡¯s never toote or too early. A heart is very capricious. One¡¯s sincere endeavors can shake the heaven much less a fickle heart. Unless someone is keeping his love immersed in his soul. Because we can perturb a heart, the soul is not be messed with." The calmness of the voice could make a person instantly fall in love with the owner of it.


    "But sensei, why is it not possible to mess with a soul?" She asked in a low voice.


    There was silence for a while on the other side. Then she heard a faint sigh. "My dear student, Soul is scary. We lose the purpose of our existence with it. An empty shell is not worth much."


    Xu Mey nodded in understanding, feeling at ease. The person she called ¡¯Sensei¡¯ had the ability to provide her with reassurance. Sensei¡¯s words which she referred to as ¡¯words of wisdom¡¯ always helped her in life. She didn¡¯t remember when it happened but this person was someone she could depend on. Because this person was the only one in her life who never asked for anything in return.


    She still remembered the words said to her, "Life is on a lease. It¡¯s a loan, one has to pay it back at a specified time."


    Coming back to the present, she heard the same calming voice again, "Someone¡¯s been probing in your life a lot recently."


    Xu Mey quirked her brows thinking about Ye Jie. Didn¡¯t she tell him not to do anything? Now, he is not even respecting her wishes.


    "Before you conclude it to be your husband and go out to kill him. Hear me out." Xu Mey listened attentively. "It was your husband¡¯s people at first but they stopped about half a month ago. The people looking into your activities now are different."


    "Who are they?"


    "It¡¯s your step-mother¡¯s loyal dogs." A killing intent shed through her dark orbs. "I almost forgot to ask, do you know that your husband has connections with Wayne?"


    "Wayne Chu?" She asked.


    "Yup... That¡¯s the one." The familiar voice replied.


    "I didn¡¯t know about it." Xu Mey fell into thought. A noble son of a noble household has links with underworld? Does that even make sense?


    "Try to avoid Wayne, he might recognize you." It was a piece of cautionary advice.


    "I know, Sensei... I¡¯ll be cautious."


    "Mey-Mey, if you need me to help you just give me a call. After all, ¡¯An old broom has its value.¡¯"


    Xu Mey burst intoughter at that saying. "Sensei, Senior brother already told me that you¡¯re younger than me. When did you be an old broom?"


    She heard awkward dry-coughing from the other end making herugh even more. "Your Senior Brother really needs to seal his lips... But anyways, you know very well, I can take the revenge you so desire with a flick of my finger."


    "Sensei, I told you before, I won¡¯t feel at ease unless I¡¯m the one to take what¡¯s mine. You¡¯re the one who taught me ¡¯The person who removes a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.¡¯" Her voice was resolute.


    "Take care of yourself, Mey-Mey."


    "I will."


    "Mey Ai!"


    "Yes."


    "Love is not treacherous, trust is..." The call disconnected after these words leaving Xu Mey in deep contemtion.


    [1]: (Hello, Teacher!)


    [2]: (Mey-Ai: Mey Love)

 Chapter 29 - Shes One Of Those People

    Xu Mey spent an hour thinking about ¡¯Love is not treacherous, trust is.¡¯ She was trying to understand whether Sensei asked her to not love Ye Jie until he gains her trust or to love him without any trust? This skepticism was making her dizzy. She only drank the smoothie in the morning and now her stomach was growling in protest.


    She was going to order the food but decided against it. She hated eating all alone. In all these years, she perceived one thing; eating without anypany makes you feel the loneliest person alive. Instead of you eating the food, it gives the impression that loneliness is eating you whole.


    She thought for a moment, Wu Wang and Lin Shen worked in City T. Jun Li Na was too chatty for her to bear. He Jian was on a business trip. That left only Li Qiao.


    She wore her leather jacket before wearing the helmet. Her Suzuki Hayabusa, the fastest motorbike in the world was like her baby. She didn¡¯t like cars very much but bikes were her love. Other than loving the speed, she also loved the fact that it served as a way to hide her identity. There was no news or photos avable of President Xu because who would expect a President to ride on a bike to her office?


    She reached at Lotus Entertainment¡¯s building in 10 minutes and drove straight to the underground car parking. Most people in Lotus Entertainment knew Xu Mey. They didn¡¯t know who she was but they definitely knew that she had some kind of a rtionship with President Li.


    She didn¡¯t have the ess code for the private elevator in the parking. She rarely came and whenever she did, Li Qiao¡¯s personal assistant Ms. Kim was always waiting for her. Today, she was dropping by unannounced. She wanted to surprise him but who knew she¡¯d be the one to get surprised instead.


    She passed the reception without any hitch but at the next turn, a blind bimbo bumped into her. The blind bimbo had a cup of coffee in her hand which was oh so conveniently spilled on Xu Mey¡¯s clothes along with her own.


    "Aiyo! Are you blind? Can¡¯t you see? You ruined sister Yana¡¯s dress. It¡¯s a branded dress from Phantom¡¯s limited collection series. You need topensate for the damage." The girl beside the blind bimbo which seemed to be her assistant gave Xu Mey a look over. Xu Mey¡¯s clothes were not branded. She didn¡¯t like wearing branded clothes. They were a hassle to her.


    She always dressed up simply but decently. But the assistant¡¯s face held a look of disdain and contempt seeing her not so worthy clothes. So what if she had a pretty face? Clothes make a person.


    Xu Mey looked at the blind bimbo and recognized her to be Yana Mo. She was the artist Lotus Entertainment signedst year poaching her from Spark Entertainments. She was pretty with decent acting level. Xu Mey didn¡¯t have any interest in movies or dramas which is why she didn¡¯t know much about Yana Mo.


    "Feng, don¡¯t be so rude. This miss doesn¡¯t seem like she canpensate for this expensive dress." Her voice was soft like a breeze. "Look, Miss, why don¡¯t you just apologize to me on your knees and we can forget this matter."


    "You want me to apologize and that too on my knees?" Xu Mey snickered. "Are you worth it?"


    "See sister Yana, people like this b*tch won¡¯t appreciate your sympathy for them. They don¡¯t deserve it." The assistant raised her hand to p Xu Mey but her wrist was caught by Xu Mey. They were a lot of people gathered around them whispering around.


    Under the watchful eyes, Xu Mey twisted the assistant¡¯s arm making her scream in pain. When Xu Mey wasn¡¯t paying any attention to Yana Mo, she tried to push her down. Being caught unguarded, Xu Mey took a few steps back involuntarily but before she could lose her footing, her back bumped into a broad chest and a strong arm snaked around her waist keeping her steady.


    Xu Mey looked up at the man¡¯s face to see the familiar eyes staring back at her with concern. "You okay?" He asked in a low voice. Xu Mey nodded in reply.


    Upon seeing Li Qiao, Yana Mo and her assistant came running towards him. "President Li, this women ruined the dress whichpany provided for my movie premiere and refused topensate for it as well." Yana Mo was busy being pitiful with teary eyes which is why she failed to see the way Li Qiao held Xu Mey at his side. The anger in Li Qiao¡¯s eyes was ring but no one noticed except for Xu Mey and his assistant, Kim. "She¡¯s so evil. She even injured my assistant."


    "Are you done?" Li Qiao asked impatiently with a cold look. Yana Mo nodded meekly. "Then pack your stuff." With that sentence, he directed Xu Mey to his private elevator. Xu Mey looked at the baffled Yana Mo and passed a smug smile to her.


    Yana was so angry that she dug her nails in her palms piercing them. "Ms. Yana Mo, Lotus Entertainment is canceling the contract with you. Ourwyers will contact you shortly." Secretary Kim walked away after saying her piece.


    Yana Mo ran after her like a lunatic and held her wrist as she begged. "Sister Kim, please don¡¯t do this. Help me cate President Li somehow." Her tears were flowing freely.


    "I heard a saying once, ¡¯There are some people in this world, we should not mess with¡¯." Secretary Kim escaped her clutches and added, "The one you just offended is one of those people." She left a crying wide-eyed Yana Mo before following her boss.

 Chapter 30 - See You At Home, Dear Wife

    "Ms. Kim, bring a set of fresh clothes for Mey." Li Qiao ordered Ms. Kim on their way to his office.


    "Yes, Sir," She bowed her head before leaving to follow his orders.


    When he entered his office with Xu Mey following behind, he asked, "Why didn¡¯t you tell me?"


    She knew he was asking about why she didn¡¯t tell him beforeing to the office.


    "I was hungry." She said it like these words would exin everything. But she was not wrong, these words were enough for Li Qiao to know that she didn¡¯t want to eat alone and decided toe here on the whim of the second.


    He made her sit on the couch and picked his phone to call Ms. Kim again. "Bring food as well." He terminated the call without hearing her reply.


    "Go take a shower, your clothes will be here by then." Observing his somber countenance, she quietly walked into the elevator in his office which led to his penthouse.


    Ms. Kim was the most efficient person she had ever met in her life. She alwayspleted her task with ease. She was even more efficient and loyal than her own assistant, Qin Hao. By the time she took a shower, a fresh set of clothes was already ced on the bed outside.


    It was a jersey top with skinny jeans. Simple... Just what she liked.


    After dressing up in new clothes, Xu Mey came back to Li Qiao¡¯s office to see him working on hisptop with his other hand holding his phone near the ear. There was food neatly ced on the coffee table at one corner. There were steamed buns, dumplings, hot spicy soup, rice, and some other side dishes.


    Xu Mey sat down on the couch while waiting for Li Qiao to join her. She picked her phone to y games to kill time. She was about to get the 1st ce in the game when the phone rang making her scowl.


    "Hello!" She said with an annoying expression.


    "Dear wifey, someone ran away with your food?" Ye Jie¡¯s husky amused voice made the scowl on her face to vanish.


    "Why are you calling me at this time?"


    "Your words are really cruel, dear wife." His voice held a pained tone. "Does a husband need a reason to call his beautiful wife who¡¯s working so hard?"


    Xu Mey¡¯s lips curled a bit upwards. "Don¡¯t they?"


    "No, they don¡¯t. A husband just needs to miss his beautiful wife¡¯s voice. That reason is enough. Isn¡¯t it?" He asked anxiously.


    "Hmm... Maybe." Her ¡¯maybe¡¯ was like a thread he needed at this moment. He smiled brightly.


    "So, when is my dear wifeing home?"


    "Why? Don¡¯t you have work to do at the office?"


    "I have only a short unimportant meeting in 10 minutes and after that, I¡¯ll be free. So, I thought we should binge watch ck Butler. After all, it was a promise to my wife." Ye Jie asked with a hopeful expression.


    The meeting described as ¡¯unimportant¡¯ happened to be about a new business venture. It was anything but unimportant.


    He waited patiently for her reply. Upon hearing about ck Butler, she was really excited and it took a lot of effort to control her scream. "I¡¯ll see you in 2 hours, then?"


    "Okay. See you at home, dear wife." Ye Jie was all smiles with her answer. But he didn¡¯t know the effect of his simple ¡¯see you at home¡¯ on Xu Mey. The thought of having a ce to call home made her heart skip a beat.


    She felt like an idiot for losing herposure over an ordinary sentence.


    Li Qiao was watching her while she was on the phone, he couldn¡¯t hear anything from where he was standing but her smile was enough to make everything clear to him. Her sweet smile brought a faint smile to linger on his own lips.


    He walked over to her and sat beside her as he rubbed her head lovingly. She gave him a radiant smile which he reciprocated happily.


    Xu Mey was cing some side dishes on Li Qiao¡¯s bowl when they heard a knock on the door and after a moment, Song Yuling sauntered inside. Looking at Xu Mey, she paused for a second. Song Yuling with her beauty and aura deserved the title of Goddess Song in the industry. She had a long, slender, and beautiful pair of legs. Her phoenix-like eyes with long straight ck hair intensified her beauty.


    Li Qiao quirked his brow in a questioning manner looking at her just standing there. Song Yuling bit her lip in nervousness. "President Li, I signed the contract with Director Yang."


    "Ms. Kim has already informed me about that. You didn¡¯t need toe personally." She stood there with her head down. "If you have nothing more to say, you can leave." He really wasn¡¯t giving any face to hispany¡¯s top-star. Song Yuling didn¡¯t bother him any further and left briskly.


    "You really don¡¯t want to give her another chance?" Xu Mey asked after she saw her disappearing figure.


    "You asked me to give her another chance with her dreams and I did. But asking for a second chance in my life? Isn¡¯t that a bit too much? Focus on eating now." His statement left no room for further discussion.

 Chapter 31 - I Want To Share My Life With You

    Xu Mey spent an hour with Li Qiao after eating. Recalling Ye Jie¡¯s phone call, she decided to take leave.


    When she walked out, she thought of making a quick stop at Ms. Yu Kim¡¯s office. Yu Kim, was a Korean-Chinese with shoulder-length ck hair, a small delicate face, and an average height.


    She stood up as Xu Mey opened the door to her office. She pulled down her sses and smiled at Xu Mey.


    "You¡¯re leaving?" Yu Kim asked politely.


    "Yup... Since you didn¡¯t give me any time, I decided to take my leave." Xu Mey replied usingly.


    Yu Kim smiled. "I had a pile of work to sort out. Sorry about it. How about I treat you to hotpot someday?"


    "You¡¯ll cook yourself?" Xu Mey asked with anticipation.


    "Yes, I¡¯ll cook myself."


    "Okay. I¡¯ll let it pass this time." Xu Mey hid her excitement. "You didn¡¯t go home for vacations?" Xu Mey asked after an instant of hesitation.


    Yu Kim looked at the beautifuldy before her with an effort to keep her smile. "Let¡¯s not talk about it." Xu Mey nodded sensing her sadness and said her goodbye with a hug.


    Xu Mey knew Yu Kim for almost 15 years. Yu Kim, the only heiress of a conglomerate. She left home back when Li Qiao decided to start his own business. Xu Mey called her a silly girl. And she indeed was a silly girl. A girl who left her loving father¡¯s protective luxury nest just so she could support Li Qiao on his way to the pinnacle of sess.


    With her qualifications, she could have worked in any department but she still decided to be his personal assistant. She was familiar with Li Qiao more than his own mother. When Li Qiao asked her why she wanted to work with him back then, she only replied with "Because I believe in you and I want to be a part of your sess." ¡¯And I want to share your life with you.¡¯ She left thest words unsaid.


    Xu Mey still couldn¡¯t figure out whether Li Qiao was ignorant about her feelings or was he acting to be ignorant?


    Xu Mey happily strolled up to the elevator and got in. Song Yuling sauntered in the elevator right behind her. Xu Mey didn¡¯t want to pay any attention to her presence. So, she gave her phone unnecessary attention.


    "I heard about what happened today," Song Yuling started the conversation aking her arch a brow. "Yana Mo is arrogant but she¡¯s a good actress. Can¡¯t you ask President Li to forgive her this time?"


    "Why should I?" Xu Mey was bored.


    "Because he¡¯ll only listen to you. Just like he listened to you when he gave me a second chance back then. And my mistake was far worse than hers."


    "I have no interest in saying anything because he won¡¯t listen." Xu Mey was counting seconds to get out of the elevator.


    "So, you¡¯re gonna be exactly like that when he broke our rtionship?"


    "Rtionship?" Xu Mey gave her a scornfulugh. "You asked me to save your dreams back then and I did that. If you¡¯d have asked me to save your rtionship, I¡¯d done that." Song Yuling¡¯s glistening eyes stared at Xu Mey¡¯s ck orbs. "You¡¯re the person who can¡¯t even give up her dream for him even when you im to love him. I believe, the person beside him who¡¯s even ready to lose her life for him is a lot better than you."


    The elevator door opened and Xu Mey walked out. She halted after a few steps and without turning back, she said, "Longest love is not an achievement you should be proud of." Without sparing a nce her way, Xu Mey walked away.

 Chapter 32 - An Enticing, Exciting, & Nervous Love

    -At Ye Enterprises-


    The meeting about the Ye Enterprises to set foot in the online gaming industry was in full heat. Everyone wanted to impress the CEO with their own proposals. And it seemed like their zealous efforts luckily were impressing the cold CEO. Throughout the entire Ye Jie felt a weird kind of excitement in his heart which led a wandering smile to y on his lips.


    But his poor employees had a self-opinionated inkling that their boss was very happy with their performance. On the other hand, Ye Jun who was sitting right beside his elder brother had an itching feeling that the smile was rted to Xu Mey.


    Ye Jie was in college when he started dating Lu Yuhan. The reason was straightforward; he wasfortable with her. Lu Yuhan and Ye Jie were friends since middle school. He never had any thoughts about dating her at first but when she proposed to him, he felt like there was no harm in trying out.


    Being familiar with each other in a rtionship is always a healthy thing but when that familiarity turns into over-familiarity, it bes a disaster. They shared a good andfortable rtionship with each other. But the rtionship was exactly that; Afortable one. It didn¡¯t have any excitement, anticipation or nervousness in it.


    But that kind of a rtionship was good enough for a person like Ye Jie who had no experience. He believed that rtionships were supposed to be like this until his best friend, Ming Qu and his younger brother, Ye Jun shared their exciting rtionship experiences.


    When Ming Qu met his now wife, Wu Xia, he shared the story with Ye Jie about how he fell in love with. "Jie man, I feel excited just at the thought of seeing her. I always spend hours or days anticipating our dates. And all my time is spent in trying to make her happy." He had a dreamy expression.


    "I just love when she smiles because of me." He pointed at his nose with his finger. "And the first time she called me affectionately, I felt like until that day, I had been living a lie. The way her presence makes me nervous and excited at the same time... Ahh! I can¡¯t exin in words to you."


    Ye Jie didn¡¯t take his remarks seriously. But now, thinking about those times, he realized how much wrong he was back then. Just an ordinary date with Xu Mey, well it can¡¯t even be considered a date, made him feel really excited. He was anticipating his anime-date with his wife.


    Looking at the time on his wristwatch, Ye Jie raised his hand, "Meeting is adjourned... You can talk the rest of the details with Ye Jun." Getting up from his seat, he buttoned up his coat and walked out with his usual posture yet the aura felt different to people.


    Ye Jun being the annoying brother couldn¡¯t stop himself from bothering his brother. "Bro!" He called out to Ye Jie making hime to a standstill. Ye Jun ran to catch up to his brother. "What¡¯s the hurry?" He was panting profoundly in an exaggerating manner. "Bro, how can you leave such a big project at my weak shoulders?"


    "Jun, I need to go home. Stay here and decide the project rted details. I¡¯ll look over them tomorrow, okay?" Ye Jie patted his younger brother¡¯s shoulder to encourage him and made an attempt to leave.


    "It¡¯s barely 5:30 bro. What¡¯s the hurry? You usually leave the office around 8 o¡¯clock." Ye Jun stepped in his track to stop him.


    "Jun, don¡¯t make me angry." Ye Jie gnashed his teeth to keep himself from hitting his brother.


    Ye Jun had an amusing glint in his eyes as he came closer to Ye Jie¡¯s ear to whisper. "Are you that excited to see sis-inw?"


    "Yes!" Ye Jie ended up epting without realizing it. He immediately refused it. "No... I have some important matters to take care of."


    Seeing his brother¡¯s righteous and flustered look, Ye Jun burst intoughter. "Oh My God! Bro..." He tried to self-control hisughter which proved to be more difficult than he thought. "You¡¯re not good at lying."


    "Shut up." Ye Jie grumbled under his breath. Pushing Ye Jun out of his way, he walked away taking long strides with his long legs.


    Ye Jun was contented seeing his brother¡¯s smiling face. He watched the disappearing back of his brother with a smile on his lips. Ye Jun had nothing against Ye Jie¡¯s rtionship with Lu Yuhan. But he always felt that there was something missing. He saw his brother¡¯s happy andfortable life with Lu Yuhan but he wanted his brother to experience a different kind of love.


    The day he met Xu Mey, he just knew instantly that she¡¯d be able to change his brother¡¯s idea of love.


    Ye Jie was familiar with the kind of love where you didn¡¯t have to say anything to make the other person know where you stand in this rtionship. As they say, ¡¯Actions speaks louder than words.¡¯ But Ye Jun knew, with Xu Mey¡¯s nature, Ye Jie will have to use both words and actions.


    Because sometimes actions can be misleading.

 Chapter 33 - Youre Scared Of Losing

    On his way back to home, Ye Jie thought of buying some snacks for the night. But he couldn¡¯t decide what to buy? And in his chaotic frame of mind, he ended up buying Chicken Stir Fry, Dim Sum, Peri Peri Chicken Satay, Veg Manchow Soup, and Chilli fish. After happily purchasing the ¡¯snack¡¯, he drove back to Peach Estates.


    When he parked his Maybach in the underground parking, he saw Xu Mey walking towards him. Her clothes were not the ones she wore in the morning when she left. But what caught Ye Jie¡¯s gaze was the ck leather jacket and the helmet in her hands which gave her a wild and carefree mien. Her beautiful cherry blossom-like lips were curved slightly upward in a smiling yet not smiling fashion.


    Then he looked behind at the motorbike parked in a corner. He wasn¡¯t a huge fan of motorbikes, but he wasn¡¯tpletely oblivious about them as well. He smiled at the beautiful woman walking up to him.


    "Good evening, Ms. Cherry!" Her bright cherry lips made him recall the nickname he so fancied.


    "Good evening to you too, Mr. Rain!" Xu Mey responded in an identical manner. Thinking back to the meaning behind that nickname, his face twitched gloomily.


    "That¡¯s your ride?" He asked indicating in the direction of her motorbike with his hand.


    "Yup!" She nodded exuberantly making him shake his head lightly at her jubnt bearing. "What are these?" She looked at different bags in his hand with a quirked brow. The delicious aromas of food were enticing her. She had an invisible drool running down her mouth.


    "Some snacks for our date." Ye Jie replied keeping his voice low at the end of the sentence.


    Xu Mey didn¡¯t catch thest word clearly. She heard the word ¡¯date¡¯. But decided not to believe in her own delusions so that she won¡¯t end up making a fool of herself. "For our what?" She asked in an unassertive manner.


    "For our... For our dinner... Yes, definitely for our dinner." He rubbed the tip his nose with the back of his finger while lying straight to her face.


    "Ohhh..." Xu Mey dragged the word while feeling crestfallen. But she tried to argue with herself that she wasn¡¯t anticipating it to be a date. After all, dates are supposed to be outside at restaurants, parks and other special ces with special people. And she wasn¡¯t special in his life... Yet. Huh! Where did that thoughte from? She shook her head trying to get this crazy thought out of her mind.


    I don¡¯t want to be special in his life. No way! Never! She wanted to be scornful about him, ¡¯He¡¯s so... So...¡¯ But her features softened thinking about his regal and poised bearing. ¡¯So handsome and perfect... Why would he want to make me a special person in his life when he already has someone special.¡¯ Her face fell once again.


    Ye Jie was observing the changing expressions on her face intently with a frown etched between his brows. "Shall we go inside?" In her self-argument, she didn¡¯t hear his voice. Ye Jie ced his hand over her shoulder making her flinch in surprise.


    She looked up at him saying, "Huh? What? Did you say something?"


    "I said, let¡¯s go inside." He kept his eyes on her serene eyes which gave the impression of her tumultuous mind. A in nod was the only reaction he received from her.


    "How was your day?" Ye Jie asked as both of them walked side by side inside the mansion. He wasn¡¯t just attempting for a casual talk, he genuinely wanted to know about her day. She tilted her head to look at him unnaturally.


    "It was alright." Seeing his expectant expression, she was in a daze for an instant. "And your?" She asked dubiously.


    "Mine?" He rubbed his chin in a thoughtful manner saying, "Morning was very lousy," He was thinking about the time she left after dropping the bomb of canceling the honeymoon. "And the afternoon was gloomy." He thought about his discussion with Ye Jun bringing a bitter taste to his mouth. "But the evening was exhrating." The memory of the phone call made him smile.


    His semi-detailed version of his mood throughout the day made her frown but she didn¡¯t pry any further. She had a strong desire to inquire but she talked herself out of it.


    "Freshen up... I¡¯ll serve the food by then," He walked to the kitchen with all the food bags in his hand.


    She wanted to offer some help but decided against it. Master Ye should learn to do some house chores himself... She was being obstinate knowing herself very well.


    Xu Mey ascended the stairsnguidly without any sense of urgency or impatience. Today, Ye Jie surprised her plenty of times; when he called her no special reason, when he brought the ¡¯snacks¡¯ when he didn¡¯t bring up the topic of her swapped clothes, and most importantly when he asked her about her day.


    It was a foreign feeling for her. Other than her friends, no one ever asked that question. She didn¡¯t know how to answer that ordinary question. She never even replied in detail to her best friends which were the closest people she had to a family.


    She never liked it when people asked questions like: ¡¯How are you?¡¯, ¡¯How was your day?¡¯, ¡¯What are you doing?¡¯.


    For her, these questions were meaningless. The person inquiring usually didn¡¯t have any interest in knowing about it. But it has be a custom to ask these useless questions.


    But Xu Mey saw the sincerity in Ye Jie¡¯s eyes. She had a feeling that he wasn¡¯t just asking as amon courtesy.


    She had a habit of overthinking about everything. Life didn¡¯t give her a chance to be carefree so she became an overthinker. She needed to analyze every decision no matter how simple, in a detailed manner.


    ¡¯Overthinking doesn¡¯t prove that you¡¯re a perfectionist. It actually proves that there is something you¡¯re scared of losing.¡¯ And right now, she was overthinking about Ye Jie. Whether it was for her inner perfectionist nature or because she was scared of losing him... Only time could tell.

 Chapter 34 - Learn To Let Go

    Downstairs, Ye Jie served all the food in an orderly and clean fashion before using themon bathroom downstairs to take a shower himself. He worefy casual clothes for the night and replied to some important emails while waiting for Xu Mey.


    Xu Mey saw him sitting with straightened back while his head was buried in his cell phone with a frown between his brows and his fingers were dancing on it. As he heard her light footstep, he looked up at her and smiled.


    "Shall we?" He made a gesture towards the Home Theatre with his hand swapping his earlier frown with a coy look.


    "We shall." She reciprocated with a mild look as if it wasn¡¯t a huge deal at all.


    Ye Jie ced his arm around her small waist as he led her to the corner most room which happened to be the Home Theatre.


    The dark mahogany colored door had a wall art of Antique Bronze Metal Movie Reels on it. Last time, when Xu Mey was touring around the house, this wall art was enough to tell her that this was the Home Theatre room. She didn¡¯t feel the need to walk inside after knowing it.


    This time, however, when Ye Jie opened the door, she was surprised.


    ck color dominated the room along with silver small lights. There was a huge t screen tv mounted at the front wall with a double chaise ced before it. Behind the Double Chaise, silver metal wall art of ¡¯Lights¡¯, ¡¯Camera¡¯, ¡¯Action¡¯ decorated the ck wall.


    There was only one window in the room which had darkplete ckout curtains over it.


    The ceiling was on a whole new level with the illusion of a dark night with small but bright stars illuminating it.


    There was no need to say it out loud, Xu Mey was without a doubt profoundly in awe of it. Her eyes were giving away her heartfelt feelings and Ye Jie was pleased with himself seeing her reaction.


    He led her to the silver colored Double Chaise seat which had side tables beside it with food all over them. Low deep bench seat cushions and plush pillows gave an ideal lounging experience.


    Xu Mey¡¯s finger touched the soft armrest feeling rxed. Ye Jie pressed a few buttons taking a seat beside her. The t screen tv turned on. Meanwhile, the lights dimmed even further only leaving a trail of purple lights in the back corners.


    When the opening theme song of ck Butler yed on the screen, Xu Mey had an urge to sing it along but Ye Jie¡¯s presence made her feel self-conscience. So, she stayed quiet with her focus on the bowl of Chicken Stir-Fry in her hands.


    Don¡¯t know from where did Ye Jie pulled out afy nket and covered her legs in a very thoughtful and gentlemanly manner making Xu Mey¡¯s heart flutter. He looked at her under the dim lights and smiled faintly but dotingly making her fluttering heart jump into a frenzy.


    She passed an awkward smile to him and moved her hand to tuck some stray strands behind her ear. But he stepped ahead of her. The moment his fingers grazed lightly against her cheek while tucking the loose strands, her face was flushed which she hoped was hidden from his keen eyes.


    But Ye Jie had a pair of extra keen eyes with his exceptional thinking skills. He might not have seen her heated face tinted with red color but he deduced it from the way she was fidgeting awkwardly.


    To get rid of her weird state of mind, Xu Mey cleared her throat saying, "Are you going to watch it without subtitles?" She was nning on asking this question earlier but his damn sweet gestures made her forget everything.


    "Hm..." Was his reply as he kept his eyes on the screen while eating dim-sum.


    "You know Japanese?" After this question when he quirked his brow in an amused fashion, she realized how idiotic it sounded. She had already done a detailed background check on him. And in the report in the bold letter was inscribed that he learned about 6nguages and Japanese was one of them. Then she thought of something else, "Okay, you can understand Japanese and I know it. But what gives you the idea that I can understand it as well?"


    "Isn¡¯t it obvious dear wife? You give the impression of someone who would learn Japanese just so you could watch your Sebastian without having to look down at the subtitles." He spoke in fluent Japanese making her eyes-wide-open hearing his reply which seemed like a taunt to her.


    She decided to ignore his presence and focus on Ciel and Sebastian. They didn¡¯t talk to each other during the episodes but it didn¡¯t feel awkward. It was an exceptionally calm and harmonious atmosphere. It was so serene that Xu Mey felt sleepy.


    She was rubbing her eyes with the back of her hands repeatedly. When Ye Jie saw her state, he found her amazingly adorable. Finally, she couldn¡¯t fight with her sleep and nodded off. Her head slipped down to Ye Jie¡¯s shoulder and she moved around to find afortable position.


    After finding thefort in the crook of his neck with cinnamon scent wafting in her senses. She was in a deep slumber.


    But unknowingly, her small actions turned into agony for Ye Jie. Her soft and warm breath on his neck was tickling making his poised posture turn into a crumbled upstate. He didn¡¯t know whether tough at the fact that it was a ¡¯Mission Aplished¡¯ or cry that she was only physically close to him.


    He took a deep breath trying to calm his breathing and kissed her head full of shiny ck hair. After gazing at her sleeping figure for a long time, he picked her up in his arms ¡¯princess-style¡¯ and brought her to their bedroom.


    He gently ced her on the bed and covered her with the duvet. "Before learning to hold onto you, I need to learn to let go first." He whispered softly.


    Today¡¯s events made one thing very clear to him; Xu Mey was a surprise in his well-nned life which was turning into an important person without him realizing it.

 Chapter 35 - Healthy Breakfast For You

    Some peoplee in our life as a surprise. Surprises are always unexpected. That is why they are called surprises after all. Some turn into the most beautiful dream while others turn into the worst nightmare.


    For Ye Jie, Xu Mey was a surprise which was neither a dream nor a nightmare. She was a reality. His reality. His beautiful wife.


    For Xu Mey, his existence in her life was skeptical. He was her husband. But a paper husband. She never nned on letting her feelings astray. But feelings can¡¯t be controlled and she was mindful of that.


    -The Next Morning-


    The sky was still a bit dark. The early birds¡¯ chirps were breaking the silence of the early morning.


    Xu Mey stirred a bit in sleep as her hand felt around on the bed but couldn¡¯t find Ye Jie. Her eyes shot open at once. She sat up, frantically looked around in the still dark room.


    She pulled the duvet off her body and ran outside the room. She hurriedly came down the stairs without caring about the fact that she was bare-footed.


    There was a time Xu Mey was actually the timid and innocent girl. She was just a kid with a broken family. But the reality of having a broken family was just the start in her life¡¯s misery. Theter miseries made her scared of a lot of things. But with time and help from people close to her, she managed to rise above her fears except for a few.


    Solitude!


    Being all alone...


    Loneliness was one of the things that scared her the most even now. Every inhabitant gets used to its environment. Stars get used to fame. Animal gets used to Jungle while people get used to cities. Even loners make an ord with their solitude.


    But Xu Mey couldn¡¯t be one of those people. She still couldn¡¯t get used to her solitude and insecurity. This was the reason she never bought a house or even an apartment for herself. She spent all her life in hostels or hotels with a lot of people surrounding her. It didn¡¯t matter if the people around her were strangers as long as they were living breathing people, it was enough for her.


    When Lin Shen advised her to buy a house, she refused. Jun Li Na suggested that she can hire servants to keep herpany at the house. But perhaps, she got ustomed to being a vagabond.


    At the moment, Xu Mey wasn¡¯t afraid of Ye Jie leaving her alone but rather why wasn¡¯t he beside her. But figuring out the reason for her worry for him was out of her mind. At thest step of the stairs, she heard a faint voice singing the ending theme song of ck Butler, ¡¯I¡¯m Alive¡¯. She halted in her steps listening attentively.


    The voice was exactly what she was getting familiar with; low, husky and elegant. He was singing with a perfect sense of tone adding his own allure to the song. Reaching the end, he started humming the tune pleasantly.


    "You¡¯re up?" His voice broke her dazed state as she looked at the handsome- wait! He looked like a hobo. His brown hair was disheveled, there were huge bags under his beautiful eyes giving away his sleep-deprived state. He was wearing an apron over his clothes, which was in worse condition than him. He looked like, he¡¯d fought a long and hard battle.


    But how he managed to smile brightly in his state was a mystery to Xu Mey. Ignoring her judging look, he said, "Why are you up so early?"


    "I usually wake up at this time." She replied honestly in her daze. "Did you binge-watched the entire season?"


    Ye Jie scratched the back of his head and smiled sheepishly. "Yeah... I got into it too deeply."


    Xu Mey chuckled loudly which made all Ye Jie¡¯s tiredness vanish in thin air. "Sorry..." Her apology was definitely not sincere but he didn¡¯t mind at all. "Did you like it?"


    "Yup! I did... But I think Sebastian is..." Xu Mey red at him daring him to say anything uneptable. "He¡¯s amazing... Definitely... Very amazing..." He reced the word ¡¯old¡¯ with ¡¯amazing¡¯ avoiding the wrath of his dear wife. He was thinking about how ck Butler released a decade ago but he couldn¡¯t possibly say ¡¯old¡¯ ever... Not in front of her...


    "He sure is amazing..." She replied amused by hisment. Ye Jie released a sigh of relief. "There are not many people who canpete with Sebastian¡¯s charm."


    "What about me? Can Ipete?" His body lowered forward towards her. His coquettish bearing made her feel nervous as she looked anywhere but at him.


    She was thinking of ways to get out of this plight when it suddenly hit her, "It wouldn¡¯t take the entire night to binge watch one season. Why didn¡¯t you sleep?"


    He straightened his body saying, "I wanted to make a healthy breakfast."


    "You spent the night making a healthy breakfast to eat for yourself?" She found him rather odd at the moment.


    "No, my dear wifey, I spent hours making a healthy breakfast for you." Her body went rigid at his words. Her heart was beating so loudly that she could hear it. To make it all worse, she did the mistake of looking into his eyes. Instead of humor, they were brimming with sincerity.

 Chapter 36 - A Sudden Confession

    "Haha..." She avoided his piercing gaze with an awkwardugh and headed to the kitchen hurriedly.


    The kitchen was wrecked entirely. The waste-bin was filled to the top with burnt food. It was worse than the time she first came to his house. The marble floor had flour spilled all over it and the counters didn¡¯t have a single empty space.


    She stood outside the kitchen without making an attempt to take a step further. Her eyes were wandering around when she saw Ye Jie crouching beside her as he ced slippers near her feet.


    This action made her heart skip another beat. He stood up with a faint smile saying, "Don¡¯t walk around bare-feet, you¡¯ll get cold." She nodded obediently wearing the slippers in her small feet.


    The frown of worry was still visible on her face as she watched the kitchen¡¯s disorderly state. Ye Jie ced his hands on both her shoulders turning her body around to look at the dining table filled with covered food containers.


    He pushed her to the dining table and made her take a seat uncovering the food containers. The delicious aroma of Steamed Dumplings, Scallion Pancakes, Chicken and green Veg Congee along with soy milk, eggs and pickles filled the air. The delicious aroma in the air was overwhelming.


    "You made all of this?" She asked in bewilderment pointing at the dishes before her.


    "Yes..." Of course, he made it but with the help of his maid. He tried for 2 hours to make it right but after several unsessful attempts, he decided to call the maid who lived in the Ye Residence.


    "You made it for me?" She asked again pointing at herself this time.


    "Yes... I made it for you."


    "Why?"


    "Uhm... You made a delicious breakfast for me yesterday. So, I wanted to repay you in the same way."


    "Oh..." Before she could continue, she saw him shaking his head saying, "I can¡¯t believe that you just believed me. It¡¯s not to repay you. My beautiful but dense wife, this is to thank you."


    She looked at him. "To thank me? For what?"


    Ye Jie took her hand in his own. "For being here... With me... For epting me... Even my past... For being weird..." She raised her brows. "For being this adorable." He touched the tip of her small nose."


    He was silent for a while waiting for her to say something. Anything. But she didn¡¯t spoke. He sighed. "Dear Wife, Let¡¯s have a discussion."


    Ye Jie felt her body stiffen at the word ¡¯discussion¡¯. "Let¡¯s not." She tried to get her hands out of his but he tightened his hold not letting her escape.


    "Why?" He wasn¡¯t sure whether she¡¯ll answer or not but he couldn¡¯t stop the words from flowing out his mouth.


    Xu Mey dropped the struggle and sat with a straight back looking at his tired face. She felt bad. He wasn¡¯t supposed to be making breakfast for her. And from the looks of the kitchen, she pretty much got the idea that he didn¡¯t know how to cook. She sighed audibly closing her eyes briefly.


    "Whenever I had a discussion with someone, it always ended in my loss." His interest was piqued. "I was 5 when my father said to me: ¡¯Let¡¯s have a discussion¡¯ and he told me that he got engaged to Fu Lan. I was 8 years old when the second discussion ended with: ¡¯I¡¯m sending you to boarding school¡¯ and the third onended me in-" She stopped herself from revealing that part.


    Ye Jie did see the change in her but didn¡¯t say it. "And thest discussion was: ¡¯You¡¯re gonna marry into Ye Family.¡¯" She managed to stir away the conversation. Her momentary slip of tongue was gonnand her in a big trouble. It was a secret she wanted to take to her grave.


    "Then let¡¯s have a mutual talk," Ye Jie suggested lighting up the mood.


    "About what?" She asked hesitantly.


    "About you... Me... And most importantly, about us..."


    "About us?"


    "Yes... I realized a huge issue in our rtionship. It¡¯s the fact that you don¡¯t like talking and I don¡¯t like talking myself. Both of us need a reason to start a conversation. Am I right?" He was looking expectantly at her.


    "Yeah... I think so," She replied honestly.


    "We don¡¯t have that understanding yet where without any words the one person would know about the other person¡¯s thoughts. But at this point, we don¡¯t need that kind of understanding. What we need is words." His face was unusually serious.


    "Words?"


    "That¡¯s right! We need words... Like I want to confess, I love you." Those words that could make a girl¡¯s heart beat like a drum had no effect on her.


    "Have you gone crazy??? You don¡¯t even know me." Her tone wasical.

 Chapter 37 - Amour...

    Love...


    Amour...


    Ai...


    Mohabbat...


    Aejeong...


    Differentnguages... Different sound...


    But the meaning?


    Meaning is exactly tantamount... But what makes love unconventional for every person?


    The innervations it induces to every person is peculiar. The modus used to express it, is also unique. Because the person dering the love and the one being pronounced too, have the right to have their own story.


    To write a story, just for them. In their own way... With their own exceptional feelings.


    As a genius person once said, ¡¯A man is love sees a pimple as a dimple.¡¯


    In other words, love word can be the same but the way one sees it makes the difference. The real difference lies in the eyes of the ygoer.


    When the words ¡¯I Love You¡¯ came smoothly out of Ye Jie¡¯s mouth, Xu Mey¡¯s mind ran at a speed that even her favorite motorbike might shy away.


    Huh? Did he say he loves me? No, I must have misheard. No, no, he said exactly that. But how is that even possible. Does he mean it? Where is this idiotic thoughting from? Of course, he didn¡¯t mean it. He couldn¡¯t... No! He shouldn¡¯t! He must be going through a heatwave. Oh, wait! Summer is not here yet. Then he must be going through menopause. No, no, he is not a middle-aged man. Then what the hell is wrong with him?


    She felt like pulling her hairs in frustration. Not from his words. No, no, not at all. She wanted to pull her hair at her own cogitation.


    "Have you gone crazy? You don¡¯t even know me?"


    Even her calling him ¡¯crazy¡¯ didn¡¯t bring any change to Ye Jie¡¯s somber look. He didn¡¯t appear to be disingenuous. Xu Mey¡¯s heart shook at his silence violently. "Why?" Her tone was careful yet she didn¡¯t want to believe in his words.


    "Why not?" He asked his own question.


    "Because... Because... Because love is not a joke. You can¡¯t just fall in love with me. At least don¡¯t say that you fell for my looks. That will make me look at you as a shallow person and I know for a fact that you¡¯re not shallow." It took some time to get the words out but it went smoothly. At least she thought it did.


    Ye Jie was quietly looking at her beautiful profile as the sun rose slowly in the sky and the rays fell on her back through the huge ss doors. Her bedhead, unwashed face made her look pure.


    But his silence apanied with his deep gaze was falling on her like a heavy boulder.


    "That¡¯s exactly what I expected from you." Xu Mey raised her eyebrows. "I can bet my life on the fact that in the span of 60 seconds which you took to reply me, there must have been a thousand thoughts running in your tiny brain." He flicked her forehead yfully. She red at him viciously while rubbing the spot between her brows even though he didn¡¯t apply any force.


    "You¡¯re one of the most shrewd people I have ever met in my life. You like to analyze everything before saying or acting on it. But that cleverness of yours makes you the foolish person as well."


    "I¡¯m not foolish." She retorted stubbornly.


    "My dear wife, analyzing a situation is a good thing but when that analysis turns into overthinking, that¡¯s not good."


    "Don¡¯t you analyze the situation before making a deal?"


    "I do but not always. Let¡¯s take an example of our marriage. You married me for your own personal agenda. So, technically you¡¯re the one profiting from this rtionship, not me."


    "Who said you didn¡¯t gain anything?" She asked.


    "You tell me, what did I get?"


    Xu Mey put her palms against her cheeks and made an adorable face saying, "You got a beautiful wife."


    Ye Jie: "..."


    Okay, you win!


    I can¡¯t possiblypete with that answer. I did get a beautiful wife that even I¡¯m confused whether to hide her from the world or show her off.


    "Too much?" Xu Mey asked carefully looking at his expressions.


    Ye Jie ruffled her already bedhead in a loving manner saying, "Not at all. I do have a beautiful wife and I can scream it out to the whole world."


    Xu Mey smiled beautifully hearing him. She never liked being called beautiful. She always believed in the inner beauty rather than outer one. But today, hearing it from him was different. Like he was the only person in the world who was meant to call her beautiful. Like he was the only one who had the right to call her beautiful. This feeling was very new yet it made her heart warm.


    Coming back to the agenda of talking, Ye Jie said, "On a serious note, next time before running your brain at the speed of light, just say whatever is on your mind."


    "What if I hurt you with my words? Like when I called you a used product." She was cautious in talking. She had to think properly before replying to anyone. She knew eventually she would end up saying something that could hurt him. And at this point, she didn¡¯t want to hurt him. Last time, the ¡¯second-hand¡¯ment was supposed to stay in her mind but she unknowingly said it out loud hurting him in the process.


    Of course, she felt bad for that.


    Xu Mey wasn¡¯t an unreasonable person. She was a naturally very soft-spoken and polite person. But when faced with people that annoy her, she turns into a ferocious beast ready to pounce on the enemy with poisonous words.


    Ye Jie was indeed hurt at herment back when she said it. But after a while, he made peace with the fact that his beautiful wife is a candid person.


    "You hurting me with your words will be a lot better than you hurting yourself by keeping it inside you." It was a very simple answer. But the meaning behind was loud and clear; he didn¡¯t like seeing her hurt.


    Thump...


    Thump...


    Thump...


    Xu Mey¡¯s poor heart was being yed by Ye Jie¡¯s sweet-talking early in the morning. The heart that was barren for decades was suddenly lighting up with the thunderstorm which will bring a rain of feelings to this deste heart and slowly, slowly the flowers of love will make their roots deep in it. And then those love filled flowers will bloom like cherry blossoms.


    "Rtionships have some stages but we skipped all of them and jumped straight to the marriage. Now, we need to explore the other stages together." Ye Jie continued in a calm voice unaware of the inner turmoil in Xu Mey.


    "Together?" That¡¯s a very strange word for me.


    "Yes, together. All we need to give each other is time. Time can make up for every other stage we missed. And words will help us to grow together." Ye Jie took her hand in his looking expectantly at her glistening eyes. "You can spare some time for me... For us... Right?"


    "Just say yes sis-inw..." A loud but tired voice made both Xu Mey and Ye Jie turn their heads.

 Chapter 38 - Your Abs Are All Mine To Look At

    It¡¯s a familiar presumption that in monogamous rtionships only two people are involved. It¡¯s not wrong. Traditionally, there are only two people in a rtionship.


    But...


    We tend to forget a small detail. We live in an age where no rtionship can stay as just between two people. Especially, we can¡¯t escape from those lightbulbs.


    And the praiseworthy thing about these lightbulbs is; they have that supernatural ability to pretend like thin air. And when they feel like ruining the moment-which is almost always- they shine brighter than the sun itself.


    Second young master was not a born lightbulb but this was the first time in his life he felt good about being that so-called ¡¯third wheel.¡¯


    The previous night he¡¯d been super drunk and to escape from Mother Ye¡¯s wrath he decided to take refuge at his brother¡¯s ce. He barely managed to stagger up to the couch in the hall and fell in a deep slumber.


    Poor second young master Ye was sleeping on a couch that couldn¡¯t even fit his tall frame and that too without a nket over him. He was cold with a slight sprain in his neck and that shooting pain in his head due to the hangover was already miserable for him.


    But...


    To top his misery, he was woken up at dawn by his brother and sister-inw¡¯s flirting.


    There are times when a lightbulb would love to enjoy these moments. But for our single Ye Jun, these moments were as distressful as they were congenial. He was deciding whether to be happy that his brother was willing to try being honest or cry that he was being so charming and endearing right in front of his little brother.


    Ye Jun¡¯s presence was really like thin air for both Ye Jie and Xu Mey. Throughout their whole conversation, they didn¡¯t take their eyes off of each other making Ye Jun cringe with overloads of sweetness. Ye Jun was tormented thoroughly early in the morning.


    With his sullen expression, he decided to make his presence known. Because let¡¯s face it, the young ones in a family always hate to be ignored. "Just say yes sis-inw."


    Xu Mey and Ye Jie turned their heads in sync. The scene before them was very distinctive. Ye Jun was half sprawled on the couch with his arms on the backrest supporting his chin. He physical appearance was worse than Ye Jie. But with his hair messed up and swollen eyes, he was exuding a cute vibe.


    Both Xu Mey and Ye Jie even stood up in sync and their words were also in sync, "When did you get here?" Both looked at each other and turned towards Ye Jun again. "And why are you here?" Seeing their awesome synchronization, Ye Jun was in awe.


    He stood up disying his taut chest. Xu Mey was not a pervert but of course, having four shameless fitness freaks as best friends had its own benefits, cough, cough... ws. Seeing appreciation in Xu Mey¡¯s eyes, Ye Jun was feeling smug. "Sis-inw, you like it?" He pointed at his hard chest. Xu Mey¡¯s head bobbed up and down as if on reflex. It made Ye Jun¡¯s smug smile even more bright. "Wanna see more?" She again nodded like a rattle. To satisfy his own narcissistic nature, Ye Jun wanted to open the rest of his shirt¡¯s button.


    Her eyes were wandering on Ye Jun¡¯s body as he unbuttoned a single button slowly and Ye Jie¡¯s eyes were throwing daggers at him. The appreciation in Xu Mey¡¯s eyes coupled with her radiant face was making Ye Jie resentful.


    Ye Jun didn¡¯t even bother to heed any attention to Ye Jie¡¯s resentment and continued to unbutton his shirt leisurely. When Ye Jun reached thest button, Ye Jie took long strides and held his wrist in his hand. "That¡¯s enough!" His voice was low, cold and threatening. Ye Jun gulped visibly noticing his brother¡¯s red eyes.


    Woah! I have never seen bro this angry before. What are you sis-inw? How did you turn my brother into a vinegar jar? And that too in a short span of time.


    Admiration for Xu Mey increased in Ye Jun¡¯s heart.


    "Ugh! Why are you ruining my view?" Xu Mey childish voice made both brothers look at her. She was pouting adorably. "Jie, get away. Let me see Jun¡¯s abs."


    "Dear wife, why don¡¯t you see my body?" Ye Jie offered dotingly.


    Xu Mey crossed her arms over her chest saying, "Dear husband, I can see yours whenever I want to. Your abs are all mine to look at. But right now, I wanted to see Jun¡¯s." Xu Mey bit her tongue when she realized what she had just said. Her face was heating up as she buried her red face in her palms and ran upstairs with her tail between her legs.


    The brothers that were left behind both were standing rigid with eyes wide open. Ye Jie was flustered. ¡¯I can see yours whenever I want to. Your abs are all mine to look at.¡¯ The rest of the words didn¡¯t even register in his mind. He was content with only these words alone.

 Chapter 39 - My Love, My Delicious Food

    On the other hand, Xu Mey ran straight to the bedroom. Took her cellphone and ran into the bathroom, locked the door and leaned against it. She slid against the door and sat on the ground. Controlling her breathing was getting tougher by the minute.


    She connected the call with her friends and waited for them to pick up. Xu Mey was right about her friends, they were the fitness freaks. Even at the moment, all of them were in the gym when they received her call. Lin Shen was the first one to receive her call, "Hey Baby Mey! So early in the morning?" By the time he asked the question, the call was connected with all others.


    Even after a minute, they didn¡¯t hear Xu Mey¡¯s voice making them anxious.


    "Xiao Mey, what¡¯s wrong?" He Jian asked clearly bothered with her silence.


    He also received silence in reply.


    "Mey-Mey, you¡¯re scaring us. Everything is alright, right?" Li Qiao picked up his keys, ready to drive to her ce.


    Even Li Qiao wasn¡¯t able to break her silence.


    "Mey honey did that Ye Jie did something? Did he hurt you? I¡¯m booking my flight right now. Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll be there soon. How dare he upset my sister?" Wu Wang was on the verge of exploding. In his mind, hepletely med Ye Jie.


    But his words actually managed to shatter the silence as they heard her low breathy voice. "He didn¡¯t hurt me. But his words made me really confused and I embarrassed myself because of my stupid bluntness." She was still trying to catch her breath but all of them could discern her flushed state.


    "Baby Mey, there is no hurry. We all have time for you. Take your time and exin in detail." Lin Shen encouraged her like talking to a small kid. Naturally, others voiced their agreement.


    Xu Mey recounted the events fromst night till the moment of her extreme embarrassment. Sensible Li Qiao, cid Lin Shen, and mysterious He Jian stayed quiet. But Wu Wang being the hot-tempered one exploded. "How dare he called my Mey, foolish?"


    "Hold your aggressive behavior, Wang." Li Qiao said.


    Lin Shen: "Don¡¯t forget, he also called her clever."


    He Jian: "It doesn¡¯t matter what he thinks. What matters is what you think about his proposal, Xiao Mey. He seems sincere from his words."


    Even though He Jian usually treasured his words but he was quite generous when it came to Xu Mey.


    "But can I trust him, Bro?" That was the real thing bothering her.


    "Who asked you to trust him? You just need to try sharing." Li Qiao added his thought.


    "Consider him a friend and just share as much as you want him to know for now." Lin Shen also agreed with their thought.


    Wu Wang was very wary of Ye Jie. But he couldn¡¯t deny the fact that Ye Jie was a good person. He wasn¡¯t worried about Ye Jie¡¯s past rtionship. He was concerned about whether Ye Jie can take care of Xu Mey. He was very protective of her.


    "Share what¡¯s in your heart and stop thinking with your mind." Wu Wang couldn¡¯t stop the words from flowing out.


    Xu Mey smiled. Their voices were enough to calm her frenzy heart and mind.


    There are things easy to forget in life and there are some that don¡¯t get out your mind. For instance, Our Xu Mey forgot her embarrassment but Ye Jie¡¯s honest words couldn¡¯t get out of her mind. For Ye Jie, he wasn¡¯t paying attention to the earlier conversation, his mind was stuck on her Xu Mey¡¯sstment on his abs.


    He was d that in his sullen, heartbroken period of six months, he listened to his friend and focused on his own body. Exercising is not only good for health, but it¡¯s also good for heartbreak. After all, it takes your mind off of useless contemtion as it eases your mind.


    Ye Jie always had a notion in mind that youngsters like to show off their bodies with those abs. And he never thought about hitting the gym just for the purpose of muscr body. He always had a fit body and he was satisfied with it.


    But...


    Now...


    I guess I¡¯m gonna keep this toned body. Remembering her words, "Your abs are all mine to look at." he thought, ¡¯After all, they¡¯re not just mine anymore.¡¯ He was grinning like an idiotpletely unaware of his surroundings.


    But there was something that both Xu Mey and Ye Jie forgotpletely. First thing was the healthy breakfast that Ye Jie spent hours on and second was our pitiful second young master Ye. Even being in the same space, Ye Jie was treating Ye Jun like thin air. In his dreand, Ye Jie didn¡¯t even notice the arrival of the maid. He ascended the stairs with the same idiotic smile on his face.


    His smile shocked the young maid so much that she almost lost her footing.


    When Ye Jun was being ignored, he was grumpy until his gaze fell on the healthy food made with love. Even though the love was not for him. But who cares? He will just pretend like it was for him.


    He instantly ran to brush his teeth and came back to the dining table. He was rubbing his hands with an invisible drool flowing down his mouth. "My love, my delicious food. You and I both are treated as thin air by those heartless people. But you don¡¯t worry at all, this young master is one of your admirers and I¡¯ll definitely give you justice by eating you with adtion."


    But Ye Jun also forgot a simple detail or rather chose to ignore it. That was; the breakfast was made by Ye Jie and that too for his dear wife, Xu Mey.

 Chapter 40 - I Never Took You For A Jealous Type

    There is an ancient saying, ¡¯If heaven made him, Earth can find some use for him.¡¯


    And our Ye Jun believes that as the Heaven bestowed him as the youngest one in the family, the notable usage that the Earth actuate for him is to annoy his elder brother as much as he can.


    By the time, Xu Mey came downstairs, Ye Jun had already eaten most of the food. There was barely anything left on the table. She was dressed in her usual jeans and a turtleneck shirt. She watched as Ye Jun was immersed in devouring the food.


    She wasn¡¯t paying much attention before but now that she noticed Ye Jun, she realized something was odd about him. His nose was bright red and he was sniffling after a period of time. He ced his chopsticks on the table and rubbed his neck and stretching his stiff muscles. After that, he again picked up his chopsticks to eat. Even though it was early spring but there was still a chill in the air but Ye Jun was barely wearing anything.


    She walked up to his eating figure and ced her hand on his forehead intending to take his temperature. Ye Jun feeling her cold hands raised his head to look at her. She was deep in thought. "You have a fever, Jun." Ye Jun quirked his brows and ced his own hand over the forehead where Xu Mey¡¯s hand had been a moment ago. "Why are you wearing so little?"


    Xu Mey ran up the stairs and brought him thick clothes to wear. "Hurry up and change into these clothes." She ordered him as she pulled him away from the food and pushed him up the stairs. She asked the maid to bring the medicine box. And she herself walked into the now clean kitchen to make some Ginger tea for him.


    She brought the ginger tea and medicine to the guest room upstairs. Ye Jun was walking out of the room at that time when he heard her distressed voice. "Go back inside." Ye Jun frowned in confusion. "You¡¯re not allowed to leave the bedroom today."


    She pulled him back inside the room and made him recline on the bed. Ye Jun was awfully quiet. He was constantly staring at her face with a weird glint in his eyes. Xu Mey gave him two tablets for fever and painkillers to ease his muscles. She also made him drink the ginger tea right in front of her. He obediently listened to her.


    "Don¡¯t move. Rest for the day otherwise your fever can get worse." Ye Jun nodded his head with a faint smile.


    Satisfied with his response, Xu Mey turned to leave when she saw Ye Jie leaning against the door frame. When Ye Jie saw her taking care of Ye Jun he felt really good. She gave the vibes of a caring mother which was amusing to Ye Jie.


    Xu Mey cleared her throat inconspicuously, lowered her head and took a step ahead intending to walk past him. But Ye Jie had other ideas in mind.


    He stood in her way not letting her leave. Xu Mey didn¡¯t look up instead moved to the other side but Ye Jie did the same thing again. He was being childish. Xu Mey raised her head to re at him but the moment her eyes fell on his clean face and that killer jawline, she raised her head further up avoiding his eyes.


    Ye Jie frowned when she avoided looking at him. And just like that hispetitive side took over. Taking advantage of his tall height, he tried to make her look at him. Xu Mey, in turn, lowered her head. Ye Jie bent down making his face appear in front of her eyes.


    Thinking about how to deal with this childish husband, Xu Mey turned her body 180 degrees. Ye Jie left the door and walked in front of her again giving a way to Xu Mey. She took advantage of the situation and ran faster than Usain Bolt to escape.


    "That was really immature of you, bro." Ye Jun who watched their anticsmented trying to take control of hisughter.


    Ye Jie¡¯s amused expression turned cold when he looked at his younger brother. Ye Jun could see the killing intent visible in his eyes. The room turned so cold that Ye Jun felt like he was gonna be a popsicle.


    Ye Jie took one slow step at a time as he headed towards Ye Jun¡¯s bedside. But that each step was like a call from Hell for Ye Jun. He was cowering his body to shrink saying, "Bro, I¡¯m really sick."


    Ye Jie inclined his upper body towards Ye Jun¡¯s face and held his chin between his fingers. "Dear little brother, do you know what you did wrong?" Ye Jie¡¯s voice was so low that only Ye Jun could feel the chill in his words.


    Ye Jun gulped visibly as his Adam¡¯s apple bobbed up and down. "I, I, I do."


    "I can forget about the part where you interrupted our conversation by being the third wheel." Ye Jun heaved a sigh of relief but his next words made the air stuck in his throat making him choke on air. "But I can¡¯t possibly forget that you ate the food I made just for her. Also, you made her take care of you."


    "I, I, I really didn¡¯t ask to do anything. Sis-inw is just too sharp. But you should be d about it. It shows that she cares about the people that are rted to you. I mean she cared for me because I¡¯m your brother. Otherwise, do you think she¡¯s the kind of person to care for just anyone?" Ye Jun was half trying to escape with his words and half of him actually believed in his own logic.


    But this reasoning seemed to hit the bull¡¯s eye. Ye Jie¡¯s cold temperature dropped a bit but notpletely. He kept his inclined position while deep in thought.


    He abruptly raised his hand making Ye Jun close his eyes in fear of being hit. But Ye Jie just picked the pillow next to him and hit his brother repeatedly.


    "You schemer! Next time, don¡¯t you daree to my ce like a thief." After smothering his younger brother with a pillow, Ye Jie turned to leave.


    He stopped right before stepping out of the room as he heard Ye Jun saying, "I never took you for a jealous type, bro."


    Ye Jie didn¡¯t turn around to look at his brother¡¯s beguiled look. "Neither did I." His voice was low but Ye Jun managed to hear it.


    ¡¯Jealousy is ack of self-confidence.¡¯ Ye Jie might not be sure about other things but he was always self-confident. He was charming, handsome, sessful and most importantly a good person. So he never felt the need to be jealous of anything in life.


    But just a single Xu Mey¡¯s presence was enough to shake hisposure. The first time when she mentioned her best friends as the love of her life, he felt weird. The feeling was so foreign that he didn¡¯t realize what it was. But today, the feeling was very obvious. And when Ye Jun specified the word ¡¯Jealous¡¯, he realized that¡¯s exactly what he was feeling.


    He was jealous of his younger brother. That too for the first time in his life. He was not even jealous when his mother always preferred Ye Jun over him. But now he was feeling wretched.

 Chapter 41 - Ms. Cherry A.K.A Your Wife, Xu Mey

    "Life ends when you stop Dreaming...


    Hope ends when you stop Believing...


    Love ends when you stop Caring...


    Friendship ends when you stop Sharing..."


    Isn¡¯t this the reality of life? Of us as a human?


    Xu Mey went through a phase of life where there was no dream. But someone gave her the courage to dream again. Even if the dream was to take back what belonged to her. She lost the belief in life and destiny but that dream brought a ray of hope with it. Friendship and sharing were taught to her by her best friends and with friendship, she learned the meaning of love.


    Therefore, the caring associated with love for her was purely tonic. Ye Jun was not wrong when he said that she was worried for him because of Ye Jie. No one can deny the fact that Xu Mey was not a nice person to strangers. But if you¡¯re rted to someone that matters to her, she¡¯ll do anything for you.


    Xu Mey never felt embarrassed before in her life. Her shameless friends made her into a person that didn¡¯t blush over small matters. But with Ye Jie, it waspletely at a whole new level. He was her husband but she wasn¡¯tfortable with him yet.


    When she saw the ¡¯most of the eaten¡¯ food on the table, another wave of warmth spread into her heart. Her lips hooked up into a smile. She warmed up the leftovers and packed them into a bento box to take with her.


    She had thought of giving an answer to Ye Jie¡¯s question but she couldn¡¯t say it at his face. Thinking back to Lin Shen¡¯s suggestion, she decided to write a note. It was a very old fashioned way but she liked it. It gave a ssic feeling which she loved.


    Ye Jie¡¯s zer wasying on the couch and Ye Jie was still upstairs with Ye Jun. Seizing the golden opportunity, Xu Mey looked left and right to make sure no one was around and put the note in his inner pocket sneakily. Later on, when she saw Ye Jie heading down, she acted like an innocent person who didn¡¯t do anything out of the ordinary.


    The more you try to act normal, the more you appear to be suspicious. That was happening with Xu Mey. She was hoping to give an innocent impression while Ye Jie was getting cynical vibes from her. But seeing the bento box in her hand and empty dining table, his suspicion turned into a cheeky grin.


    Xu Mey¡¯s heart had skipped so many beats since dawn because of Ye Jie that she was afraid of getting arrhythmia at this rate. She strived to elude but to her dismay, Ye Jie ced both his hands on the backrest of the couch caging her in. To hold the backrest, Ye Jie had to incline forward and that brought his face near hers leaving little space between them.


    His spearmint breath assaulted her senses as her heart skipped another beat and she turned her face sideways to avoid his gaze. But this action didn¡¯t annoy Ye Jie in the least. In fact, it made his cheeky grin more prominent. "Are you scared of me, dear wife?"


    "N, No... Absolutely not." She still kept her eyes away looking anywhere but him.


    "Won¡¯t you give me a good day kiss before leaving?" Xu Mey abruptly looked at his face making their lips almost touch. Ye Jieughed heartily at her panicked expression. He even felt her body trembling lightly and decided not to scare her anymore. "Since you won¡¯t..." He dragged his words and left a soft kiss on her hair making her body stiffen and her heart a wild mess.


    "Have a good day Ms. Cherry. And miss me a little bit." With this, he moved back waving his hand in a way to let her know that she¡¯s free to leave.


    Xu Mey stood there frozen for a moment. She turned to leave but halted after a few steps. "You too have a good day, Mr. Rain." She left after these words with her high ponytail swinging with her each step.


    ¡¯The day will be good now that you said it. And I think I¡¯m gonna miss you even though you didn¡¯t ask me to.¡¯ Ye Jie chuckled a bit watching her disappearing figure and shook his head lightly.


    Leaving some instructions for the maid to take care of Ye Jun, he left the house as well. It was not sunny today. The shadows of clouds were dominating the sky. But Ye Jie felt like this was the brightest day.


    At the office, his good mood was infectious for his employees. After all, it made their life easier than yesterday.


    He spent the entire morning going through all the proposals rted to their Online Gaming investment. In his arduous work, he didn¡¯t find the note until Ye Jun¡¯s call made him pick up his zer to pull out the cellphone from the inner pocket. With the phone, the note also came out. Ye Jie frowned and opened the note to read.


    "Mr. Ye Jie/ Husband,


    I know, its a very archaic way of giving my answer but I couldn¡¯t think of anything else.


    I¡¯ve always associated time with moments. Because time doesn¡¯t make moments instead it¡¯s moments that make the time worthwhile. If you can appreciate my presence, I won¡¯t disappoint you with my absence. That¡¯s the answer to your first question.


    As for the words, some people say that words are just words, it¡¯s the actions that matter. But you¡¯re right, I¡¯m a dense person. Actions are always misinterpreted by me. And I do need words to understand anything. But as much as I want to hear those words, I don¡¯t like saying them out loud myself. I¡¯m not sofortable with words because they end up hurting others.


    But if you¡¯re willing to share words with me, I¡¯m not an ungrateful person. I¡¯ll try my best to speak up as much as I can. But I hope you know when to stop asking.


    Ms. Cherry a.k.a Your Wife, Xu Mey."


    Now, this just made the day a whole lot brighter for Ye Jie.

 Chapter 42 - Life Is A Game, Only Destiny Knows How To Play It

    Some words are bitter. Some words are sweet. Some words are powerful yet some words are weak.


    But...


    Some words are just simple. Yet those simple words are the heaviest. They carry the burden of feelings. Heartfelt feelings. Unpretentious feelings. Pure feelings.


    Therefore, in reality, words are not simple. They can¡¯t be. As long as feelings are involved. No words are ordinary.


    Currently, Ye Jie was lost in his reverie. Xu Mey¡¯s subtle yet radiant smile under the rays of the sun was the only thing circting in his mind making a silly smile appear on his handsome face.


    The constantly ringing phone by his side was entirely neglected.


    But our second young master was a persistent person. He kept calling repeatedly until the annoying ringtone broke Ye Jie¡¯s daydreaming and made the smile to turn into a scowl. "What do you want, Jun?"


    Ye Jun could feel the burning heat through the phone as if Ye Jie would love to burn him alive just with his words alone. ¡¯Wrong timing?¡¯ He thought to himself. ¡¯Who cares? I already walked into the tiger¡¯s den. Now, I can only walk ahead. There is no way back.¡¯ Ye Jun was resolute.


    "Bro, I¡¯m sick and still you¡¯re yelling at me? That¡¯s not fair." His voice was heartbreaking but his drama had no effect on Ye Jie.


    "Get down to the business." Ye Jie enunciated each word slowly.


    "Bro, I¡¯m feeling hungry. Bring me something to eat." He demanded in a childlike tone.


    "Ask NaNa to make you something." He replied in a bored way. He specifically left Qu NaNa at home with instructions just for Ye Jun.


    "She¡¯s not here." Ye Jun replied calmly.


    "Why? I asked her to stay with you. How can she leave like this?" Ye Jie was frowning at his brother¡¯s answer. It was not possible that the maid won¡¯t listen to him.


    "I asked her to leave." Ye Jun replied in a matter-of-fact tone.


    "Why?" Ye Jie was gnashing his teeth at this point.


    "She was annoying me time after time. Second Young Master, are you feeling pain anywhere? Should I call the doctor? Should I inform Madam Ye? Or should I call Eldest young master? Would you like to eat something? Tell me what you want and I¡¯ll make it for you. And h... h... h... I got tired of her hence I made her go away."


    Ye Jie understood the situation instantly. Ye Jun turned into a child whenever he was sick. Well, he was usually a big baby but during his sickness period, he was worse. And he hated it when someone repeatedly asked him something. He was easily irritable.


    "Jun, I¡¯ll bring something whileing back from the office. I¡¯m really busy with this investment details that you didn¡¯tpletest night." His tone was leaning towards a bit of usation paired with a brotherly scolding. For now, be a good brother and ask someone to bring something for you from the Ye Residence." Ye Jie was talking slowly without showing his anger just cate his big-baby brother.


    "No. No. And definitely no." Ye Jun was as stubborn as he could be. "Forget it. I¡¯ll call sis-inw." Ye Jie sat up straight at his words and raised his brow. "She¡¯ll definitely bring me food."


    Ye Jie waspletely in an alert mode now. "What do you want to eat my dear little brother?"


    Ye Jun smiled smugly at his reply. From the morning antics, he deduced one thing, it was easy to manipte his brother using sis-inw. Even just her name was powerful enough. You¡¯re a life-saver sis-inw.


    "Go to a Korean restaurant and bring me some tteokbokki (Spicy Rice Cakes)." Ye Jun replied while trying to control his drool.


    "Jun, you¡¯re sick. Avoid eating spicy food. I¡¯ll bring abalone congee for you. It¡¯ll be good for your health." Even though Ye Jun was annoying sometimes (always but we¡¯ll keep that a secret) but Ye Jie loved him a lot. And Ye Jun knew that very well that Ye Jie was helpless before him.


    "I want it. I want it. I want it." Ye Jun¡¯s tantrum was tiring him out. Ye Jie rubbed his forehead and sighed.


    "Fine." He gave into his brother¡¯s tantrums as expected of him making Ye Jun smile with pride.


    Disconnecting the call, Ye Jie¡¯s gaze fell on the noteying on his office table. Each word was written delicately showing the emotions of the one who wrote it. Ye Jie smiled once again looking at it. He picked it up, folded it and kept it back in his inner pocket right over his heart and tapped it as if to assure himself that it is real.


    He decided to reply in the same way she did. But for now, he needed his wife to miss him a bit like he was missing her flushed face and avoiding eyes.


    To love or to not love? Ye Jie left that part on the destiny. After all, Life is a game only destiny knows how to y it.


    He knew one thing; instead of falling in love, he was going to be in love this time. Falling in love is dangerous. You never know whether the other person is willing to catch you or not.


    But...


    Being in love is different.


    It¡¯s a mystery. A mystery worth solving. A mystery that can turn into a fairytale if you just put the right amount of effort.


    Because falling in love depends on luck. But the concoction of the right amount of efforts with the sincerest feelings makes the perfect kind of love.


    They say, ¡¯To live your dream, you¡¯ll have to sleep for the rest of your life." Maybe love is exactly like that dream that makes you want to sleep for the rest of your life willingly.

 Chapter 43 - Uncertain & Stressful

    There were quite a few things running around in Xu Mey¡¯s mind when she left the house in the morning.


    Her head was like: "What¡¯s up with that kiss? And those sugary words?"


    Her heart was like: "It was a way to show that he cares." Xu Mey¡¯s heart again skipped a beat without any prior notice.


    Her head was again like: "Is he giving mixed signals?"


    Her heart was like: "No, you stupid. You¡¯re just having second thoughts... AGAIN!"


    Xu Mey parked her motorbike at a secluded ce and knocked her head with her knuckles. She was frustrated. And the worst part was; She didn¡¯t even know why she was frustrated in the first ce.


    They are right when they say: ¡¯Uncertainty is the most stressful feeling.¡¯


    Xu Mey was both: Uncertain and Stressful.


    The feeling when you don¡¯t even know what you¡¯re feeling is a damn f*cking feeling.


    She remembered a saying at this moment: ¡¯If he loves you, you¡¯ll know. If he doesn¡¯t, you¡¯ll be confused.¡¯


    Which means if he loved me I¡¯d have known by now but he doesn¡¯t love me that¡¯s why I¡¯m so damn confused. Right? Right.


    She joined her fist with her other hand¡¯s palm as she concluded in her mind. Now, there was only one answer to her weird behavior; there was something wrong with her heart.


    She put back her helmet and got on the motorbike. But instead of taking the right turn which was the way to her office building, she took the left turn leading her to...


    The Hospital.


    At the hospital, she went through ECG, Blood Test, Chest X-Ray and even CT Scan but when the doctor concluded there was nothing wrong with her heart, she didn¡¯t believe a word.


    "You went through all the tests and the result is before you. But if you¡¯re still insisting there is something wrong with you, why don¡¯t you exin in detail?" The doctor was a tall man in histe forties but he was very handsome even at this age.


    "I¡¯m telling you something is wrong because my heart just skips a beat whenever it feels like it." Xu Mey replied is an obvious kind of way.


    Dr. Zhu Chen nodded his head like an experienced doctor trying to understand his patient. He recently came back to China from the Country F. He was a renowned cardiothoracic surgeon. But today, he was helping an old friend by just seeing somemon patients. Who knew Xu Mey would be the first one.


    "Can you exin further? Like when it started? How did it start? And what do you really feel when it happens?" He was very professional with his questions.


    "Today is the third day. Before this, it never happened. It started when my husband talked to me about our wedding night during the ceremony." She tilted her in thought. "And now it¡¯s bing a habit. When he talks or juste close to me, this stupid heart skips a beat or does that annoying ¡¯thump¡¯ ¡¯thump¡¯ sound. It¡¯s so loud that I¡¯m afraid, I¡¯ll be stone deaf soon enough." Xu Mey exined so calmly that it was hard to say whether she was telling the truth or just messing around. Her expression was as if her heart¡¯s reaction was a mystery to her.


    Dr. Zhu pursed his lips trying hard not tough at his patient¡¯s exnation. But rather than finding her to be annoying or a nuisance, she seemed adorable to him.


    "You¡¯re an odd one." Hemented.


    "You have to be odd to be at the top." Xu Mey replied with a straight face. Dr. Zhu was amused just listening to her. "Dr. Seuss once said: ¡¯You have to be odd to be number one.¡¯"


    Dr. Zhu¡¯s gaze held admiration for her. She¡¯s not that old but she seems strong. ¡¯A person with an easy past can never be strong.¡¯ She must have been through her personal hell to turn into the person she is today. But she¡¯s really ignorant about love.


    "Let me teach you some breathing techniques. It¡¯ll help you a lot." He couldn¡¯t just tell her about why her heart was skipping a beat around her husband. It was something she needed to discover herself.


    Even if he told her, she won¡¯t understand it at all. Love can¡¯t be exined in words. It can only be felt and that too with your heart.


    He taught her some breathing techniques which she picked up very smoothly. "Try drinking Hibiscus Tea or Lemongrass Tea. It¡¯ll help you a lot." He offered his expert suggestion.


    "Thanks, doctor. But are you sure, that I don¡¯t have an arrhythmia?" She was still suspicious.


    "Yes, I¡¯m sure." He replied with a faint smile.


    "How sure are you?"


    "Very sure."


    "How sure is very sure?"


    He didn¡¯t get angry at all. "100%"


    Xu Mey nodded. "Oh well, I can only trust you. Okay then. I¡¯ll be leaving now. Thanks once again, doctor." She closed the door behind her politely.


    "What an interesting youngdy." Dr. Zhu chuckled thinking about Xu Mey.


    With a sullen face, Xu Mey walked out of the hospital. She was supposed to be happy about being healthy but she was gloomy instead.


    The reason was very simple. If it had been an arrhythmia, her confused mind would have been at ease. But now the confusion was back with a loud bang.


    She was getting on her motorbike when her cellphone rang. She pulled the phone out of her jacket. It was Li Qiao¡¯s call.


    "Hi, Qiao!" Her voice was dull and Li Qiao could feel it.


    "Mey-Mey, are you alright?" He asked anxiously.


    "Yeah, I¡¯m fine." She replied.


    Li Qiao heard an ambnce siren from her side and his heart started beating like a drum as he abruptly stood up from his revolving chair. "Where are you?"


    "Me? I¡¯m at the hospital." Her short sentence fell like lightning on Li Qiao as the coffee mug in his hand fell down breaking into tiny pieces.

 Chapter 44 - But Its Called Love

    The ttering of the cup was loud enough to reach Xu Mey¡¯s ears making her frown. Realizing what she had just said and what effect it must have had on Li Qiao she facepalmed herself.


    "Qiao, calm down. Nothing happened to me at all. I¡¯m in perfect condition. You know I won¡¯t lie to you ever." Xu Mey said slowly trying to get her words across to soothe his uneasy heart.


    Li Qiao was not convincedpletely but he tried to calm down knowing well enough that she really won¡¯t just lie to him. "Then why are you at the hospital?"


    "It¡¯s all this stupid heart¡¯s fault. I did nothing. Trust me, I¡¯m very innocent in this case." Xu Mey depicted the reason foring to the hospital and also what the doctor told her.


    Li Qiao¡¯s tensed muscles finally eased up as he reclined back on his seat. He felt a droplet of something trickle into his eye making him realize that he¡¯s broken into a cold sweat.


    In just the span of two minutes, Li Qiao had walked to the door of heart failure and back. He was drained emotionally and physically feeling really tired. He heaved a long sigh of relief and then smiled at his Mey-Mey¡¯s antics of running to the hospital for a simple thing.


    Xu Mey experienced all kinds of feelings; hate, fear, anger. But love was new to her. Li Qiao knew it might be a bizarre feeling but she wasn¡¯t as dense as to run to the hospital for it.


    The real issue was in her belief:


    "Love?


    It¡¯s a mirage...


    It lures you in...


    And devours you whole..."


    Even Li Qiao had no idea who taught it to her. But she wholeheartedly believed in it. And he couldn¡¯t do anything about it.


    "So, your heart skipped a beat around Ye Jie?" His voice was calm, doting but hiding his amusement.


    "Yeah..."


    "And you want to know why it happens?"


    "Yeah... That¡¯s exactly what I want to know." She was feeling mystified. She kept rubbing her temple to ease the pain that was crawling in.


    "Give it some time. You¡¯ll know the reason." He tapped his fingers on the armrest casually. "Just remember, when ites to Ye Jie, stop running your mind faster than your motorbike. Always focus more on what your heart thinks."


    Xu Mey frowned at his words. "Qiao, what are you trying to imply?"


    "Mey, it¡¯s not like you have a low EQ. You and your heart both know very well about what you¡¯re going through. But the problem lies in your attitude... You don¡¯t want to ept what your heart is desperately trying to tell you."


    Where it was true that love was foreign territory to Xu Mey but she heard about it. He Jian and Li Qiao never talked about love with her and Wu Wang stopped talking after his own belief was trampled on. But Lin Shen and Jun Li Na never stopped talking about how beautiful and magical love is.


    Xu Mey had an idea about her heart¡¯s abnormal behavior. But the truth was; she didn¡¯t want to ept it. She desperately needed a reason to escape from this feeling. To deny it. And that¡¯s why she chose to believe that it was a disease rather than believing that a new feeling was trying to make cracks in the thick walls around her heart.


    Some walls are built to protect ourselves from the storm. But sometimes, these walls stop us from seeing the world beyond that storm.


    Love is an existence that makes you forget even your own self. But Xu Mey was scared of forgetting. She lived with only a single aim. Revenge. She was afraid that love will make her weak and in weakness, she¡¯ll forget the promise she made to herself. And if she forgot that, her reason for existence will vanish.


    After staying quiet for a long while she said, "There was never a ce for that feeling in my life."


    There was a bitter smile on Li Qiao¡¯s face. "The more you¡¯ll run, the closer it¡¯ll be to you. And that feeling is unpredictable. It can never be nned Mey-Mey. Ites like an unannounced storm."


    "Yeah and that storm ends up destroying you." She snickered. "I¡¯ll talk toter, Qiao. I have to go to the office. I have a meeting with some new investors."


    Xu Mey disconnected the call without waiting for his reply. Li Qiao shook his head as he thought: ¡¯You can run... You can hide... But it¡¯s called love... Because you can¡¯t survive...¡¯ He sighed.


    He crouched down to pick up the shattered pieces of his favorite cup. The cup was favorite because it was a gift from his one and only aunt. While picking the pieces, the knock at the door distracted him for a second and in that second of recklessness, a sharp shard of the ceramic cup pierced the skin of his hand. He took a sharp intake of cold breath at the pain as the blood gushed out of his palm.


    "Sir, what are you doing?" Yu Kim¡¯s voice prated the silence in his office as she tookrge strides and came closer to his crouched figure. She inclined her body intending to take the broken cup from his hand but his hand gesture made her halt her movement.


    "It¡¯s not in your job description to pick up the broken pieces." He replied calmly as he continued to take the rest of pieces off the ground. "Walk back." He ordered and Yu Kim took a few steps with a hurt expression but hid it very well.


    He was afraid that she¡¯ll get hurt while not taking note of his own blood dying the marble floor in red color.


    She was clutching her chest in her hand as she saw his blood falling. "It¡¯s not your job either. Let me call the cleaning staff." Li Qiao didn¡¯t stop her.


    He ced all the broken pieces in a small box to keep them safe while Yu Kim brought the medicine box.


    Li Qiao arched his brow in question at her and took a step back from her. It was actually funny that a grown man was not afraid of getting hurt but he was certainly scared of disinfectants.


    Yu Kim knew what was running through his mind very well. "Take a seat Sir and let me help you clean that wound before you get an infection." She was very calm but the worry in her eyes was betraying her big time.

 Chapter 45 - You Love All Alone...

    We always heard that there are only two types of love:


    Intimate love and tonic love.


    But people like Yu Kim believed there is a third type of love:


    The one-sided love.


    And it¡¯s the most beautiful one.


    You feel the moments alone.


    You feel the happiness alone.


    You feel the pain alone.


    And...


    You love all alone...


    Li Qiao was not nning on listening to Yu Kim. He took yet another step away from her. Yu Kim narrowed her eyes at him. "Li Qiao, get your damn a** right here before I drag you myself."


    Li Qiao¡¯s eyes widened at her loud voice. But the words were not shocking at all. They were more amusing. But the surprising fact was; It had been years, she stopped calling him Li Qiao. She always stuck with Sir or Mr. Li. Too formal. As if creating a barrier of ranks between them.


    But the amusement in Li Qiao¡¯s eyes was swapped with intive glint as she held his wrist and dragged him to the sofa and almost pushed him from his broad shoulders to take a seat.


    "Give me your hand." Her voice held authority making Li Qiao extend his hand obediently.


    As she dabbled the disinfectant on his cut, he winced in pain. He had to bit down hard on his tongue to stop that damn scream from escaping. If every person is strong in their own way, every person is weak in their own way as well. Strength and Weakness are not that different.


    Some people are just too good at hiding their weaknesses and some are good at hiding their strength.


    Yu Kim had glistening tears in her eyes threatening to fall any minute and to hide them from Li Qiao, she kept her head stooped low. She was in as much pain as he was just by seeing him hurt. Or maybe her pain was worse. Because it was her heart that was bleeding while his was only a hand.


    Keeping her head down had an advantage and a disadvantage. The advantage was that she didn¡¯t notice the way Li Qiao¡¯s gaze held usation for her in them. He was looking at her as a sacrificialmb looks at the butcher.


    But the disadvantage was that she also missed how the feeling in his gaze shifted as he saw her trying to blow a loose strand of hair away from her eyes. With his other hand, Li Qiao picked that strand andnguidly tucked it behind her ear. Her body stiffened at the sudden contact of his callous thumb with her earlobe. She was surprised but Li Qiao took it as her disapproval.


    "Sorry." He mumbled under his breath keeping his distance. She didn¡¯t see the hurt in his eyes while she used the gauze to wrap his wound.


    A worker from the cleaning department came during this period and started cleaning up the ce without making any noise.


    After a long while, his voice punctured the silence. "Mey was at the hospital."


    That got a reaction out of her. She looked up at his handsome face. "Why? What¡¯s wrong with her? Is she okay? Should we visit her?" In a single breath, she shot all the questions while fidgeting impatiently.


    Her anticipating eyes were stuck on his face not even blinking. ¡¯I was hurt and you kept your face down. My Mey¡¯s name came and you have the audacity to even stare at me like this. What a masterpiece you¡¯re.¡¯


    Getting tired of his silence, she held his arm and shook it to break his daze. "Sir? Tell me something."


    That ¡¯Sir¡¯ ticked him off once again. "Stop calling me Sir from now on and I¡¯ll tell you."


    Yu Kim let go of his arm. "Are you negotiating with me? And that too at a time like this?"


    "You call my friends by their name. What¡¯s so odd about me?"


    "You¡¯re my boss now. That¡¯s the odd part."


    "I¡¯m your boss... Right... I am..." His voice was so low that Yu Kim couldn¡¯t catch a word of it. He looked at her. "Don¡¯t worry. Mey is fine. She¡¯s in denial. That¡¯s all."


    "Denial?"


    "She doesn¡¯t want to believe in her heart¡¯s signals."


    "Is she falling in love?" Yu Kim was quite happy thinking about it.


    Li Qiao saw the radiant smile on her face and an odd bitterness spread in his heart. "Close... She¡¯s in that anticipation phase. Where every simple word or action brings a storm of butterflies." His expression was distant but pleased.


    "Like you felt around Song Yuling back then?" Why these words came out of her mouth was out of her own mind. She didn¡¯t even realize it but the impact of these words was huge.


    Li Qiao gritted his teeth as a searing fire rose in his eyes. He closed his eyes and dug his nails in his already hurt palm to let the pain ovee his anger and disappointment.


    "Yes... Exactly how I used to feel back then." He enunciated each word through gritted teeth putting more force in them than necessary.


    Yu Kim¡¯s face fell at his words and she left making an excuse of having an important file to process. Li Qiao was left alone in the office with his painful hand and that pierced heart. He couldn¡¯t determine which was hurting more; The hand which was cut by a splinter or his heart that was cut by her brutal words.


    No matter which one it was, it was painful for him.


    He picked up his phone and tapped on it. The lock screen had a group photo of all his friends. Using his fingerprint, he unlocked the phone and the wallpaper on the screen disyed. It was a side profile of a girl standing alone under the starry night. The girl in the photo had short hair falling right on her shoulders.


    She was wearing a ck crop top matching the darkness of the night and her eyes were exactly like those stars that were brightening up the darkness of the night.


    He caressed the screen with his thumb. "At least my Mey is just trying to deny her feelings because she¡¯s scared. But you¡¯re the most ignorant person, I¡¯ve ever met in my life... Yu Kim." His voice was soft and low.

 Chapter 46 - A Single You

    A person doesn¡¯t always hide in the murk because he¡¯s fearful of the people around him.


    Oftentimes, a person just conceals himself in the dark because he¡¯s petrified of his own silhouette.


    ¡¯You keep a lot to yourself because it¡¯s difficult to find people who understand.¡¯


    More often than not, your own silhouette rather than grasping the mayhem running wild in you, end up abandoning you.


    It¡¯s not strenuous to find a person to hear you out.


    But...


    It¡¯s arduous to find a person who cares. Who actually understands you. Who actually gives a damn.


    From the moment Xu Mey entered her office, she ced Ye Jie in the far backseat of her mind. She would have loved to kick him out of itpletely but apparently, not just her heart, even her mind was not ready to pay heed to her desires. Humph, Traitors!


    -The President¡¯s office at Vintage Gems-


    Xu Mey¡¯s typical serene, alluring and beaming semnce was nowhere in sight. The prim and proper President Xu was just like a lethargic olddy. With her hair sticking out of ce, shoulders drooping in a sluggish manner and theck of energy was clear evidence of her withdrawn interest in working.


    For Qin Hao, this behavior was more terrifying than the one, when she goes on a rampage. As much as he was familiar with her, he¡¯d observed how she always prioritized her work. As if her life and death depended on achieving something.


    "Boss?" He called her cautiously.


    Xu Mey looked up with weary eyes. Qin Hao gulped down his saliva with great effort. "I just received the news that Jade Stones¡¯ representative team met with Ms. Louise from the CoCo Jewels."


    "What about it?" Xu Mey¡¯s disinterest in listening to his report was visible. We might lose our investors and Boss is acting like it¡¯s not even a big deal? What¡¯s wrong with her today?


    Qin Hao could only swallow these words and continue on with his report. "They might try to end their contract with us. After all, the contract is just verbal even after a month¡¯s discussion."


    Xu Mey sighed. Qin Hao saw the way her fingers were tapping on the office tabletop rhythmically. In the tranquil office, the rhythm was audible and it seemed beautiful to Qin Hao. His uneasy heart was calming down unknowingly.


    The frustration that was adorning her beautiful features since the time she walked in the office was substituted with her enchanting serene bearing. It was one of those moments when Qin Hao couldn¡¯t take his eyes off of her face. Even with that haggard look, just her facial expressions were enough to put someone in trance.


    He remembered the time he first came for an interview for the job right after graduating from college. The first time he saw her gorgeous looks, just like a normal person, his views were, "Just another beautiful face trying to climb up through daddy¡¯s wealth." He clicked his tongue and shook his head.


    But the way she won him over in just a single day made him worship her like a goddess.


    "Put that expression and your cheap mind out of this room, if you want to continue with this interview." She had said with a stern face.


    "What?" Qin Hao frowned in confusion.


    "My face and my mind are two different things. If you want to judge me on the basis of my face, you can get the hell out of here right this moment." Qin Hao¡¯s mind went nk hearing her words. Her expression and tone were like she was talking about the weather but those words... Those words were like sharp swords cutting him. "Also, mypany is quite small and I don¡¯t think people with such splendid minds like yours can work at such a congested ce."


    Qin Hao felt bad about his self conjectures. He respectfully stood up from the chair and bowed his head a little deeper than necessary saying, "Ms. Xu, yourpany is not small. It¡¯s my own mind that is. I¡¯m a fresh graduate with no experience of the world. For me, everything is true what the world believes to be true. I won¡¯t lie. I did judge you on the basis of how you look. But I¡¯m sincerely sorry about it."


    He turned to leave the room when he heard her calm voice. "Mr. Qin, You¡¯re hired." Qin Hao abruptly turned his body to look at her poised countenance. She wasn¡¯t looking at him. Her eyes were reading through the Resume in front of her. "Don¡¯t look so baffled. I like honest people. It¡¯s easy to make mistakes but it¡¯s not that easy to ept it and ask for forgiveness. For your sincerity, I¡¯m hiring you. Don¡¯t let me down."


    Coming back to the present, Qin Hao¡¯s face held a faint smile thinking about that interview years ago.


    The rhythmic tapping came to a stop. "Continue keeping an eye on them."


    Her order was odd. He expected her to contact the CoCo Jewels to demand an exnation or something else but he never expected her to say, ¡¯keep an eye on them.¡¯ But no matter how odd the order was, for Qin Hao, it was like an Imperial decree.


    He would do whatever she wanted no matter how odd her wishes were. It was not because she was his boss rather it was because, in these years of working with her, he came to have trust in her. A trust that was unparalleled. He had always seen her calm and collected bearing even in the most difficult of times.


    And maybe, it was that calm aura that allowed him to feel rx and have full faith in her. He nodded his head and replied. "I will, Boss."


    We don¡¯t always need words of assurance to put us at ease. A casual smile or a casual look can do magic. Sometimes, a person¡¯s aura is enough for another person to feel rxed.


    A smile can overturn the gloomy sky...


    A word can overturn the frenzied mind...


    An action can overturn the absurd heart...


    But you...


    A single you can overturn someone¡¯s whole world...

 Chapter 47 - We All Broke Ourselves

    Doubt...


    It¡¯s a veryplicated word. We all have doubts. Doubts in ourselves. Doubts about our abilities. Doubts about our rtionships. There is doubt everywhere around us.


    We have caged ourselves, our creativity, and our passions between the shafts of the doubt.


    A single word, doubt. It destroys us.


    There is a very peculiar thing about doubt; once it¡¯s seed makes a ce in a person¡¯s mind. There is no way to get it out. It doesn¡¯t even need the water of evidence to sprout. It just grows on its own. And keeps growing on and on and on...


    When Xu Mey first started out on this journey of revenge, she was filled with doubts. She had no confidence in herself. The timid, weak, and unapproachable girl. She was someone who always avoided standing in front of the mirror.


    She was scared of her own reflection. Why? Because she believed that the reflection in that mirror always asked her questions, she had no answer of.


    She had the talent but no conviction. She asked back then, "What if I fell?"


    Back then her sensei was standing beside her. That person brought her before a mirror and made her look at her own reflection. "Make the mirror your best friend. And, you¡¯ll never be alone again..." Was the reply she heard in that familiar calm yet alluring voice. "If you fell, just stand in front of this mirror. And your reflection will tell you how to stand back again."


    "The mirror only tells the truth, Sensei. It¡¯ll only criticize me on my failure like it always does." Xu Mey was exasperated.


    "If you¡¯ll have the ability to ept that criticism, you¡¯ll be able to stand back up. Even taller than before. Stronger than before." Those brown eyes looked into her own ck ones. "Don¡¯t hide from the truth. Don¡¯t hide from criticism. And most importantly, don¡¯t hide from the mirror. It¡¯s true that people like to hide behind the mirrors of lies and we wish that those around us were like ss; transparent. But when ites to us, we need to face that reflection of reality in the mirror."


    Xu Mey fell into another dilemma back then. But that moment and those words made her wish to grow out of her cocoon of self-doubt. She¡¯ll never be able to forget the words her sensei told her at the end:


    "Some people like to escape the reality.


    Some people like to face reality.


    But...


    No one likes to embrace reality..."


    The doubt, the nagging question in her mind that frustrated her from the morning was still not answered. Even until the afternoon, she had no idea what to do?


    Li Qiao was right that she needed to hear her heart. But it wasn¡¯t as easy as he made it sound like.


    There was only one person who could answer her questions. She picked up her phone and typed a single sentence. "What if he broke me?"


    She knew she didn¡¯t have to type the unnecessary details. That person didn¡¯t need her words to know what¡¯s running in her mind. But then again, that person didn¡¯t need to hear words from anyone to know about their personality or thought.


    She waited for 2 minutes before the reply came. It read: "At least once in our life, we all broke ourselves for the sake of someone else."


    That sentence hit the deepest part of Xu Mey¡¯s heart. No. It struck at her soul. The meaning was clear; even if she¡¯ll have to break, she¡¯ll have to walk through this experience. She needed to experience every feeling herself without anyone else¡¯ interference.


    Xu Mey was staring at the shing screen deep in her thoughts when the phone in her hand started ringing. The caller ID made her so jumpy that she almost dropped the phone. Calming her nerves through the breathing techniques she learned in the morning, she finally managed to pick up the call.


    "Hello, my dear wife!" Came the sweet, soft and husky voice from the other end. Ye Jie was standing in line waiting for his turn to get the tteokbokki for Ye Jun when the reminder on his phone caught his attention. It was a reminder he set yesterday to call Xu Mey at the exact time he called the day before.


    "Why are you calling?" Xu Mey was really curious about it.


    Ye Jie frowned a bit at her reply. "Didn¡¯t I just tell you yesterday that a husband doesn¡¯t need a reason to call his wife?" He heard a low ¡¯oh¡¯ from her side. "When will you be home?" He asked.


    "Mmm, I don¡¯t know. Why?"


    "Well, I left work early today. So, I was thinking why not we go out for dinner tonight?" Ye Jie was cautious and expectant at the same time.


    "I don¡¯t think so." She replied without taking a minute to think.


    "Why?" He was feeling dejected.


    "Your brother is sick. And it doesn¡¯t seem nice to leave him alone at home while he is running down with a fever. A sick person always needspany." She had a sad tone in her voice as if reminiscing about something.


    Ye Jie suddenly felt the urge to snap Ye Jun¡¯s neck with his bare hands. This was the second time in a single day that he became a lightbulb and a bright one at that too. Thinking about something Ye Jie said, "So, we can go out for dinner tomorrow if Ye Jun is better by then?"


    "Yeah, sure." Her reply appeased him a bit. "If there is nothing else-"


    Ye Jie interrupted her speech. "Ms. Cherry?"


    "Mhm."


    "Why are you so worried about Ye Jun? You see, he¡¯s my brother." He emphasized on ¡¯my brother¡¯ a bit more than necessary.


    "That¡¯s exactly why." She replied calmly.


    "Huh?" Ye Jie didn¡¯t get her meaning.


    "He¡¯s your brother, Mr. Rain. That¡¯s why." Xu Mey disconnected the call after her sentence. She said it very casually. But those casual words were not so casual for Ye Jie. He waspletely stunned on his ce.


    The person standing behind him in the line pushed a little and broke his train¡¯s route to merrynd and brought it back to reality. ¡¯Because he¡¯s my brother.¡¯ Ye Jie was smiling idiotically.


    ¡¯Ye Jun... My brother... You finally came to some use...¡¯

 Chapter 48 - The Tango Of Relationship

    Where this phone call left Ye Jie in a euphoria, Xu Mey was in an intense predicament. It was an undeniable fact that Xu Mey cared about Ye Jun just because he was Ye Jie¡¯s only brother. She wasn¡¯t the kind of person to run from her responsibilities and taking care of her husband¡¯s family was also a responsibility she couldn¡¯t just shake off.


    Her predicament at the moment was that she felt bad about saying no to Ye Jie for dinner. Even though she promised to go tomorrow but no one might ever know the difference between going today and tomorrow better than her.


    The time she asked her father to apany her to school, he said, "Little Mey, I¡¯ll go with you tomorrow. Today, Daddy has an important meeting." He left his 6-year-old daughter with that ¡¯important meeting¡¯ excuse once again.


    Xu Mey was downhearted. It was the annual function at her school that day. There was a huge difference in going today and tomorrow. The worst part was; that tomorrow never came for her.


    The heart that she took years to harden was actually sad thinking about that memory. She gently closed her eyes leaning back in her leather chair and sighed. When she opened her eyes again, there was apletely unreadable look in her eyes.


    Back at the Peach Estates, Ye Jie brought tteokbokki (Spicy Rice Cakes) as per his brother¡¯s requests. When he entered the living room, Ye Jun pounced at him but Ye Jie¡¯s nimble body movements saved him from being squished in his brother¡¯s arms. But Ye Jun was not as lucky as Ye Jie. Because Ye Jie moved at thest minute, Ye Jun couldn¡¯t control his speedy body and ended up hitting his face against the closed door behind Ye Jie.


    Seeing his younger brother hugging the door intimately, Ye Jie couldn¡¯t stop hisughter. Ye Jun turned his now aching face towards Ye Jie to re. His nose and forehead both were red from the hit and he was in intense pain.


    But the way Ye Jieughed hurt him, even more, making his eyes sting with tears. "Who told you to get out of bed?" Ye Jie patted his brother¡¯s shoulder in an affectionate manner. His words were using but his tone very gentle. "See, I brought your food." Ye Jie raised his other hand to show the stic bag in hand which made Ye Jun¡¯s eyes brighten up again.


    Ye Jie didn¡¯t have to drag Ye Jun to the sofa in the living room. Ye Jun excitedly took the stic bag from his hand and happily skipped to the sofa like a kid who just got his favorite candy.


    Ye Jie took a seat beside him and rubbed his forehead at Ye Jun¡¯s childish behavior. Ye Jie¡¯s biggest worry about Ye Jun was just the fact that Ye Jun never took anything seriously in his life except for food.


    Even in thepany, Ye Jun just worked because he couldn¡¯t possibly refuse Ye Jie for anything. The person Ye Jun respected the most in this world was Ye Jie. He might not listen to his parents but if Ye Jie once told him to stand, he definitely won¡¯t sit.


    As the proverb goes, ¡¯It takes two to make it work.¡¯ A rtionship also needs two people for harmony. A single person¡¯s effort might make a rtionship. But it can¡¯t possibly make it stand for long.


    To make a rtionship stand longer, both parties involved have to give something. Every rtionship in this world is based on giving and taking. If you give love in a rtionship, there is no way you won¡¯t expect it in return. And it¡¯s not really your fault for expecting. It¡¯s a basic human nature. We always do something in hopes of gaining something in return.


    In the case of Ye Jie and Ye Jun, if the younger one was respectful, the elder one was doting.


    The Tango of rtionship needs two people but in case of love, one of the people has to take a step ahead. If you won¡¯t ask for the dance first and kept waiting for the other person to make the first move, the consequences most likely will be; That first dance will never happen!


    Ye Jie was trying to make that first move with Xu Mey. He didn¡¯t want to take any chances with her. As Ye Jie was thinking about Xu Mey, Ye Jun¡¯s starry eyes were devouring the food. Ye Jun picked up his chopsticks and was about to take the first bite when the main door opened making him halt. Ye Jie also cocked his head to look.


    Xu Mey was standing there with one hand on the doorknob while the other had a few stic bags in it. As her eyes fell on that red spicy sauce dripping down while Ye Jun¡¯s mouth was gaping intending to take that bite, she squinted her eyes at him. Ye Jun swallowed his saliva at that expression.


    He still remembered Xu Mey¡¯s expressions in that dark storeroom on the wedding day. He definitely had no intentions of messing with his sis-inw. Never in his life!


    The hand that was holding the doorknob raised slowly. She pointed her finger at Ye Jun and waved her finger in a ¡¯no-no¡¯ gesture. Then she made a ¡¯put-it-down-at-once¡¯ gesture making Ye Jun pout. But he still brought the chopsticks down reluctantly.


    I was so close to having that explosion of taste in my bitter mouth. Why at this time, sis-inw? I wanted to eat that!


    Ye Jun¡¯s heart was crying but his face only had a pout on it which shifted into a grin when his eyes fell on Ye Jie. The way Xu Mey was ring at him while heading up to his side was priceless and the even more priceless expression was Ye Jie¡¯s which made him look extremely guilty.

 Chapter 49 - I Need You

    Someone once said: ¡¯The worst feeling in the world is the feeling of guilt.¡¯


    But the worst kind of guilt is when you haven¡¯t even done anything wrong. That was the kind of guilt in Ye Jie. He merely gave in to his brother¡¯s tantrum but now his wife¡¯s re was like scorching heat making him resolve: ¡¯I¡¯ll never give in to Ye Jun¡¯s tantrums ever again. It¡¯ll be a lot easy to avoid him than to face Xu Mey¡¯s re.¡¯


    "My dear husband," Normally, Ye Jie would have been happy to hear the way she addressed him but now, he could feel the sarcasm clearly dripping from her words. "Your younger brother is sick and you know it¡¯s not healthy for him to eat such food. Yet you brought it?"


    Ye Jie looked at the ground submissively not facing her. "It¡¯s not my fault. He yed the emotional ckmailing card. I couldn¡¯t fight with it."


    "Even if he did y a card. You¡¯re older than him. You shouldn¡¯t have given in to his wishes. Do you know what you did wrong?" Xu Mey was chiding him like he was bully.


    "Yes." Hearing his brother¡¯s faint voice, Ye Jun chuckled and received a re from Xu Mey in reply making him purse his lips.


    "And you," She turned to Ye Jun. "Even when you¡¯re sick, you asked for such spicy food. Also, you¡¯re not wearing any jacket. And you¡¯re not even in the bed like you¡¯re supposed to." It was Ye Jun¡¯s turn to look submissive. He understood why his overbearing brother became so meek. His sister-inw¡¯s oppression aura was no joke.


    "Sis-inw, that medicine made my mouth so bitter. That¡¯s why I wanted something with enriched taste." Ye Jun replied as if he had been wronged.


    "That¡¯s why I brought these candied plums for you." She opened one of the stic bags and pulled out a box of candied plums. Ye Jun¡¯s eyes brightened up again. "I brought some abalone congee and some udon for you as well. Now, eat this first and take some meds. You need plenty of rest."


    Ye Jun raised from his seat intending to hug Xu Mey but Ye Jie pushed his body back to where it raised from. "Hug your own wife." His voice was low but held the same authority as it did in front of his employees.


    Ye Jun puckered his lips usingly. "I don¡¯t have a wife."


    "Then get one to hug." The reply was straightforward.


    "Don¡¯t want to." Ye Jun announced.


    "Not my problem." Ye Jie kept his answer short and turned to his wife beside him. "Howe you¡¯re so early?" He was stroking her ck glossy hair.


    She looked at him with her gleaming eyes. "I thought even if we can¡¯t go out, we can have dinner at home together." Ye Jie grinned at her answer seemingly satisfied with it.


    Both of them forgot Ye Jun who was right beside them as they got into a staringpetition. It took a while before Ye Jun kissed the top of her head and said in a low voice near her ear, "Stop running your mind for no reason." That kiss actually froze her thoughts.


    Xu Mey frowned. Clearly, he couldn¡¯t have known that her mind was running wild again. But he knew. "You want to ask something?" Xu Mey nodded. "Don¡¯t hesitate. Just ask."


    "The night of our wedding... Mm... Did I say something wrong? Or did I get the wrong idea about something?" The moment she was told that she should stop overthinking. She realized that maybe she had done overthinking which led to Ye Jie making everything clear to her. He was patient with her which gave her the impression that she must have done something.


    Both brothers nodded their head like a rattle. "You do know that our past is something we can¡¯t change, right?" Xu Mey nodded in reply. "But we can¡¯t build our future looking at that past either." Ye Jie took a pause to let his words sink in her mind. "The thought that made you so cold that night was your own thinking."


    Xu Mey thought back to their conversation and widened her eyes. "You weren¡¯t thinking about your ex?"


    Again both brothers shook heads simultaneously. "Only an idiot will think his ex while sitting in front of his wife."


    "But she was your girlfriend for 8 whole years. She was even with you since your childhood. There is no way you can possibly forget her that easily. People don¡¯t just fall out of love."


    Ye Jie looked at his shrewd wife¡¯s face and smiled. This was within his expectations. The way her mind ran, it was not odd for her to say all this. "Yes, my dear wife is as always right. People don¡¯t just fall out love just like people don¡¯t just fall in love. In fact, the way they need someone to pull them in love is exactly how they need someone to pull them out of love." Xu Mey was listening attentively to him with her palm supporting her face.


    "So, you¡¯re saying that you need someone to pull you out of love?" She asked curiously.


    "Not someone." Ye Jie moved even closer to her making her sit straight. "You! I need you."


    Xu Mey¡¯s heart was one thing, this time her whole body shook. *Cough* *Cough* "Why me?"


    "Simple... Because... You... Are... My... One... And... Only... Wife..." The more he enunciated each word slowly, the more her breathing was getting stuck.


    As much as fluffy clothes werefortable to Xu Mey, these fluffy words were as much ufortable. She always believed that fluffy words were just fluffy not heartfelt or sincere. She felt like some stuffed her up with cotton candy.


    It was hard for her to digest anything that came out of his mouth. And she would haveughed at it on any other asion but the look in his brown eyes, his soul prating eyes mixed with his handsome face. Only brought one sentence to her mind: ¡¯I¡¯m doomed!"

 Chapter 50 - Lets Bet On Him For Once

    A rtionship with insecurities can neverst long. When insecurities enshroud the credence in a romance, what leaves behind is a crumbled rtionship.


    "Insecurity is a side effect of loving too much but receiving too little."


    Xu Mey¡¯s insecurities came from her own family. An abandoned daughter that had nothing else other than insecurities in her. The girl who was abandoned by her own mother right after her birth, what could she expect from the rest of the world?


    But...


    That foolish girl still attached all her hopes with her father. The same father who let her down time and time again. The only thing Xu Mey knew about her mother¡¯s absence was that Fu Lan also got pregnant with Xu Liqing while her mother was in herst month of pregnancy. She knew her father cheated and it would have infuriated her mother but that thing will never be able to exin why she abandoned her own daughter.


    And if she did, she should havee to look for her at least once in the past 28 years. But that woman didn¡¯te, even when Xu Mey wished for her toe and take her away. She didn¡¯te.


    With her father evading her, Fu Lan¡¯s constant reminders of how her parents don¡¯t love her because she¡¯s not worth it and the way Xu Liqing made her feel useless; It all became a reason for her low self-esteem in herself. That low self-esteem made her feel jealous of Xu Liqing. And eventually, that jealousy made her lie to her own self.


    Insecurities give birth to low self-esteem.


    Low Self-esteem gives birth to jealousy.


    Jealousy gives birth to lies.


    And Lies puts you to your death bed.


    Lies even pulled her to death but there was someone standing at the edge. The person who managed to pull her up from the sea of lies and jealousy. But insecurity was something she needed to get rid of herself.


    Even though Ye Jie¡¯s words were sincere but her insecurities were not letting her believe in him.


    ¡¯Let¡¯s bet on him for once.¡¯ She heard her heart¡¯s voice nagging her.


    ¡¯You can¡¯t break a broken thing. So, why not just give him a chance?¡¯ Even her mind was in cahoots with her heart. And that was a rare scenario.


    Xu Mey took a deep breath to ease up her stiffened body and looked at his brown eyes. Those orbs were akin to an enchanting vortex that kept pulling her in. She opened her mouth to say something but her mind froze without a warning. That gaze held a million questions in it but there was not a single word that came out of his mouth.


    It was the first time in her life when Xu Mey wanted the other person to ask her. Because she desperately wanted to know whether she¡¯ll be able to speak about her own dark past or not.


    Confusion is also a curse. You can¡¯t even know what you want. She was having a battle inside of her. She wanted him to know everything and at the same time, she didn¡¯t want him to learn anything about it. She wanted him to know ¡¯cause she was tired of lies but she didn¡¯t want him to know because...


    She couldn¡¯tprehend why she didn¡¯t want him to know. If the question was asked a week before, she would¡¯ve answered without a pause that it doesn¡¯t matter whether he knows or not. But it was not the same after just a week. If in only a week, he was making her mind turn into a confused-box, she didn¡¯t want to think about what it¡¯ll be like after spending more time with him.


    She suddenly realized that she was getting more scared of his presence in her life than she was of her own past.


    When nothing came out of her mouth, Ye Jie stared at her cherry-blossom lips with a faint smile and held her hands in his own making her jolt. "Stop running your mind. I¡¯m right here." His beautiful soft voice was akin to the dew-drops that caress the flower petals in the early morning to refresh them.


    In her daze, Xu Mey nodded at his words still lost in his eyes that held an indescribable feeling in it.


    Ye Jun coughed loudly on purpose to let them know that he was still feeling sick and their lovey-dovey mood was making him feel worse.


    Recalling that Ye Jun was still here, Xu Mey tried to free her hand from Ye Jie¡¯s grip but he ended up tightening his hold. Xu Mey didn¡¯t want to bother with him at the moment, so she turned to Ye Jun. "Why were you herest night?"


    Ye Jun scratched the back of his head with a guilty face. "I was out drinking and ended up being wasted. I couldn¡¯t go home like that. Mom would have killed me. So, I decided to crash here." He told everything honestly.


    Xu Mey frowned. "Why were you drinking?"


    "It¡¯s all your best friend¡¯s fault." He replied usingly.


    "My best friend?" A crease appeared between her brows. "Which one?"


    "Jun Li Na." He replied matter-of-factly.


    Xu Mey nodded her head in understanding. "What did she do?"


    "She didn¡¯t pick up my calls." He was resentful.


    "You have her number?" She raised her brows feeling surprised.


    "Yeah! She gave it to me during your wedding." Ye Jun smugly replied while passing his phone to her.


    Xu Mey looked at the number disying on the screen and didn¡¯t know whether to cry or tough. But she ended upughing. Herugh fell like thunderbolts on Ye Jie¡¯s heart. Just theugh made his body react in the way even he didn¡¯t know it could.


    "Why are youughing, sis-inw?" Ye Jun pouted.


    "Sorry... Haha... It¡¯s just that... She made a fool of you... This is definitely not her number." Now it was Ye Jun¡¯s turn to be stunned at her reply.

 Chapter 51 - Your Mr. Rain

    It took Xu Mey a long while to make Ye Jun understand the reason behind Jun Li Na not giving out her number. There were two reasons; first, she loved her fiance a lot more than Xu Mey could understand and second, Jun Li Na was an only daughter of a family that was deeply tied to the underworld.


    "Take my advice and forget about Li Na." Xu Mey tried to convince him.


    "Is her fiance so great that I can¡¯t possiblypete with him?" Ye Jun was feeling indignant.


    "That I don¡¯t know."Xu Mey replied calmly.


    "You¡¯re her best friend. How do you not know?" Ye Jun was suspicious. It felt odd that a best friend didn¡¯t know about her other best friend¡¯s fiance.


    "I never met him."


    "Why not? She¡¯s your best friend."


    "I never met him because I was never interested." Xu Mey took a pause and seeing the confusion on Ye Jun¡¯s face, she continued. "Jun Li Na was my neighbor and that¡¯s how we became friends. But when I was 8, I was sent to boarding school. I got distant to her but I still was in contact with her. We lost contact when I was 12 and... *cough* Anyways, I didn¡¯t have a way to contact her for a while. Later I met Jun Li Na during thest year of college and by that time, she was already engaged to someone. I never asked because I don¡¯t like asking and she didn¡¯t tell. Maybe she thought I was not interested in knowing him which I definitely wasn¡¯t."


    She took a deep breath after exining everything in the shortest version possible. Ye Jun was focused on the story but Ye Jie only noticed that small pause with a cough. She avoided saying something and Ye Jie had a nagging feeling that it wasn¡¯t as simple as losing contact for some small reason.


    What do you want to hide so badly, dear wife?


    Ye Jun was downhearted. He obediently took the medicine and went to his room to get some rest. Xu Mey and Ye Jie both had the dinner together after freshening up. The maid that Ye Jun sent away in the morning came back and made avish meal. There were cheesy shrimp spring rolls, beef fried rice, hoisin roast asparagus, Egg drop soup along with almond crescent cookies.


    As much as it was a feast for the eyes, it was much better in taste. Xu Mey ate with content and Ye Jie was alighted to see her happy face thoroughly enjoying the meal.


    The discussion during the dinner was very casual. Like Ye Jie asked: "How was your day?"


    Xu Mey replied: "It was okay. And yours?"


    Ye Jie: "Mine was really good as usual. It got better with that mysterious note in my coat."


    Xu Mey¡¯s chopsticks stopped mid-air. She gave him a side nce. "Mysterious note?" She was nning on pretending to know nothing.


    Ye Jie: "Forget it. There was something like that." He realized how she wasn¡¯t an open person and decided to y the ignorant game.


    After the harmonious dinner, Ye Jie went to his study to work on the project he had to leave mid-way because of Ye Jun. Xu Mey couldn¡¯t do much during the day at the office and decided to make up for it herself.


    When she was about to open the wooden door of her own home-office, her gaze fell on a red envelope with a single daisy flower above it. She arched her body to pick them up from the floor. She looked around with confusion and shrugged her shoulder nonchntly.


    She brought both things in the office and ced them on the table while reclining on her leather chair. She held the envelope between her fingers as she yed with it while her gaze was stuck on the daisy. After much contemtion, she opened the envelope and took out the note inside. She could smell the faint scent of cherry blossoms on the note.


    "My Dear Wife, Xu Mey,


    Although the way you answered was really an archaic way. But I loved it. It gave me the feeling that I was important enough for you to take the effort to write an answer. So, I chose that same archaic way to say my piece.


    You¡¯re right. Time doesn¡¯t matter. Moments do. And I¡¯ll feel honored to be a part of your worthwhile moments.


    I already figured that you¡¯re not good with words. And it doesn¡¯t matter to me. I know my limits.


    What I don¡¯t know is you. And what I want to know is you and only you.


    Do you know what a daisy flower represent in flowernguage? It means innocence, loyalty, and purity. It is exactly like your nature. You¡¯re innocent when ites to love. You are loyal and anyone can tell from your rtionship with your friends. And purity is something that is written all over your face. You seem so pure that even I¡¯m scared that I might taint you with a single touch.


    You must have read this poem of Christy Ann Martine:


    ¡¯Shed your insecurities


    and reveal yourself to me


    so I can see each Imperfection,


    cherish every w,


    get to know you


    from the inside out,


    for my love is raw.¡¯


    Daisy is usually given between friends to keep a secret and to never unfold that secret.


    I¡¯m giving this daisy to my wife. It¡¯s a promise that all our imperfections, ws will stay between us. I want to know you inside out no matter how much time it takes and I¡¯ll let you see everything that I am without hiding anything.


    All you have to do is stand by my side and I assure you, I¡¯ll be standing right by your side as well. Let¡¯s start this rtionship with being friends. Hope that will bring somefort to you.


    Your one and only husband, Ye Jie A.K.A Your Mr. Rain."


    Xu Mey might not have known before what effect her note had on Ye Jie but after reading his words, she had no way to avoid the reality. Whether he was a smooth talker or not, only time can tell. For now, I can give you a chance.

 Chapter 52 - How Did It Turn Into A Dinner Date?

    As the saying goes: ¡¯The best thing you could give someone is a Chance.¡¯


    It might not seem like a big deal to the one giving the chance but the one who gets that chance can¡¯t possibly say in words how much it means to him.


    But for people like Xu Mey who¡¯s thinking is like: "How can he possibly love a girl covered in scars? The scars that are even yet to heal." Giving that chance is akin to showing their scars. Now, it¡¯s up to the other person whether that person puts salt on them or makes those scars go away.


    No matter which path Ye Jie takes in the future; healing her or hurting her. For her, it was a great foot to even give that chance to him.


    Her lips curled slightly upward while she kept looking at that daisy flower in her hand. You¡¯re turning into an interesting person Mr. Rain.


    It took her a while to concentrate on her pending designs. Since the Paris investors were important, Xu Mey designed each jewelry piece herself. But what Qin Hao told her in the office was still in her mind. It is not difficult to deal with shameless people, you just have to be even more shameless than them.


    And staying with her shameless best friends had already brought a huge change in her. Since you would like to y my dear step-mother, let¡¯s y this game then. I would love to see whether you¡¯re more shameless or I¡¯m more wicked.


    After devising the counterattack, Xu Mey left the office for some sleep. Ye Jie was already sleeping soundly under thefort of the duvet. He must be tired. He didn¡¯t sleepst night as well. Xu Mey pulled the duvet further up to cover his upper body as she looked at his peaceful face. His face was emitting a calm aura which made her feel at ease just by looking at him.


    She positioned herself on her side of the bed and fell asleep instantly. Whether it was because she was mentally tired or because his aura was too strong was one of those mysteries which are meant to stay as mysteries.


    When Xu Mey woke up the next morning, Ye Jie was already d in his silver-grey tailor-made suit. There was a limited edition Patek Philippe watch on his wrist. There were two bright blue diamond studs on his cufflinks. A simple yet elegant rose flower brooch was pinned to hispel.


    "You¡¯re awake?" Feeling her gaze, he looked up at her sitting figure.


    "Isn¡¯t it too early to leave for office?" She noticed it was only 6:30 in the morning and he was already set to leave.


    Ye Jie walked up to her, bent his body to leave a fleeting kiss on her head. "It¡¯s early. But I need to settle everything soon. After all, I have a dinner date with my wife." Ye Jie gave another kiss on her head as he caressed her hair before leaving.


    Huh? Wasn¡¯t it just a dinner? How did it turn into a dinner date?


    Xu Mey was nonchnt about it before but now that the dinner turned into a date, she was freaking out.


    Oh well... It¡¯s not much different. Dinner and dinner date are exactly the same. Let¡¯s take it as the same thing.


    She convinced herself before getting up to take a shower. d in herfy bathrobe, she walked inside the closet. Usually, Xu Mey picked the dress that came in front of her. She was about to pick casual jeans and shirt when Ye Jie¡¯s handsome look in the morning suddenly popped up in her mind. She looked around her clothes to look for something special. But let¡¯s face it, she didn¡¯t keep any special clothes.


    All her clothes were either casual or formal with no exception. She rubbed her head in confusion. If she decided to call any of her friends, she knew about their reactions.


    Xu Mey would say: "I¡¯m going on a dinner date."


    Wu Wang would be like: "Are you sick somewhere, honey Mey?"


    Lin Shen: "Oh! So, he¡¯s trying to woo his wife."


    Li Qiao: "You look nice in anything. Don¡¯t bother choosing, Mey-Mey."


    Jun Li Na: "Wear something sexy. He should know how beautiful his wife is."


    As for He Jian: "Noment, Baby Mey."


    They really are useless sometimes. Now, she had two options; Either to call Sun Jun or Yu Kim. But knowing Sun Ju, she¡¯d make her wear an exclusive dress designed by her. Xu Mey didn¡¯t want to wear a dress. So, she decided to call Yu Kim in the end.


    "Hello!" Yu Kim¡¯s sweet voice came from the other end.


    "I need your help." Xu Mey got straight to point.


    "How can I be of help?"


    "I can¡¯t decide what to wear. Ye Jie asked me to go out on a dinner date with him." Yu Kim was smiling at her sentence.


    "Wear anything for now. I¡¯ll bring something over to you at noon." Yu Kim replied after a pause.


    "Okay." After the call, Xu Mey picked up a in washed up jeans with a white sweater and a pair of sneakers to go with it.


    She first went to Ye Jun¡¯s room to check up on him but his bed was empty and he was nowhere in sight. *Ding* She received a message. It was a text message from Ye Jie. It read: ¡¯Don¡¯t worry about Jun. Mom called him back home.¡¯


    Xu Mey felt rxed and didn¡¯t ponder much on it. Taking her bike keys, she left the house.

 Chapter 53 - Because Of You...

    Xu Mey was immersed in dealing with the office projects that she didn¡¯t realize when the time flew by. It was only when her phone rang that she looked up from the pile of work on her desk.


    Holding the phone in hand, Xu Mey was surprised. Not because of the call from Ye Jie but because the call was exactly at the same time as it was the previous 2 days.


    "Hi, dear wife! Are you ready for our dinner date?" His disembodied voice was charming with a hint of coyness.


    "Where are we going?" Xu Mey asked her own question.


    "I called to give you the address. It¡¯s not like I can pick you from work." Obviously, he was trying to make her feel guilty and surprisingly it worked.


    "You can pick me from the E Road." She didn¡¯t invite him too far from office but not too near as well.


    Ye Jie instantly got excited. "Okay, I¡¯ll pick you at 6:30 then?"


    "Sure." There was nothing else to continue talking about. So, they said their goodbyes for now.


    Yu Kim was more efficient than one could describe her to be. She arrived exactly on time with all the stuff needed. She had many bags in her hand. There were plenty of clothes, shoes, essories, and make-up. Xu Mey was a bit scared at the way, Yu Kim was prepared.


    Yu Kim¡¯s own mother was a famous stylist in Korea and she picked up some of her traits. She was extremely good at changing ones whole outer look. She could change a beggar into a royalty.


    But with Xu Mey, she didn¡¯t need to do much.


    -At 6:30 P.M around E Road-


    Ye Jie wasn¡¯t driving his usual Maybach. Instead, he was in his favorite Porsche. The silver-grey Porsche was a striking match with his suit. Even the sleek body was like his own brown hair.


    He arrived early to wait for her like a gentleman. His eyes were wandering around when they fell on a slim and slender figure walking towards him. Ye Jie¡¯s brain was frozen. Oh, No. There were fireworks in his mind.


    Xu Mey was wearing a high-waisted ck leather pant, a ck v-neckline top exposing her extremely fair jade-like skin and those corbones. She matched it along with a white Zip Detail zer and her ck high heels Chelsea Bootspleted her look. The make-up on her beautiful face was minimalistic. There was only a faint red colored lipstick that was most noticeable on her face. Her ck lustrous hair had soft curls that made her waist-length hair to fell on her mid back.


    The most eye-catching detail was that almost identical golden rose around her neck. The rose on that pendant was nearly like his own rose brooch. While Ye Jie was in a daze, Xu Mey was already standing before him. His daze broke with a jolt and he opened the passenger seat door for her mechanically.


    They both didn¡¯t talk much on the road. It took Ye Jie almost 45 minutes to reach the destination. When Xu Mey saw the board of the restaurant, she was surprised herself. "We¡¯re eating hotpot?"


    They were standing before the City¡¯s most popr hotpot restaurant. He chose it very carefully. Since he didn¡¯t know her likes or dislikes. He only knew that she likes spicy things. And when ites to spicy food, hotpot has to take the crown.


    "You don¡¯t like it?" Ye Jie was nervous.


    Xu Mey chuckled. "Like it? I love it! Thank you so much for not going to a fancy restaurant." Ye Jie was content to see the smile on her face.


    As they made their way inside, they caught a lot of attention from the people. After all, they both were strikingly beautiful in their own ways and together they were just dazzling.


    "Are they a couple?" They heard someone¡¯s voice.


    "They seem to be." There was envy in that voice.


    "How can such perfect looking people end up together? Isn¡¯t it bit unfair to normal people like us?" This voice was a bit like ming them for being so beautiful.


    "Aiyo, Some people are just meant to be in the spotlight with just their looks."


    "Do you think they are dating?"


    "Nonsense. Can¡¯t you see the rings in their hands? They are definitely married."


    The voices were getting louder which made both Ye Jie and Xu Mey ufortable. Luckily, Ye Jie had already booked a private room. So, they were brought to their VIP room on the third floor. The room was spacious with nt pots and paintings. It gave aplete ancient feeling to oneself.


    Ye Jie pulled out a chair for Xu Mey elegantly and took a seat opposite of her himself. They both sat in silence after giving the order. The alcohol was brought before the ingredients for hotpot and Xu Mey had gulped down a whole lot of alcohol to stop her fidgeting.


    Ye Jie wanted to stop her but realized that she had a thing for alcohol. "Is alcohol that good that you like drowning yourself in it?"


    Xu Mey looked up at his face. Even after downing 2 bottles, her eyes were clear, sparkly. "It¡¯s not that alcohol is good. It¡¯s just a reminder." There was no hint of being drunk in her speech.


    "A reminder? Of What?"


    Xu Mey tilted her head in a thinking manner. "A reminder that life is bitter." She chuckled. "Actually, life and alcohol are not that different. Both are bitter. But we love both. No matter how much life gets bitter, the one who gets used to it doesn¡¯t want to die. And no matter how much alcohol gets bitter, the one who gets used to its bitterness also doesn¡¯t want to leave it."


    "Which bitterness are you trying to remember? Life? Or Alcohol¡¯s?"


    Xu Mey looked down at her hand specifically at her wrist that had a tattoo on it. It was a simple, clean tattoo with just a single word; Scars.


    "I think, I¡¯m trying to remember the bitterness of life at the moment." Her voice was very soft but it didn¡¯t lose its original charm.


    "Why?"


    "Because of you..." She pointed her index finger at him.

 Chapter 54 - My Happiness Is You

    Those using words were too hefty for Ye Jie to bear. He was shocked. "Because of me?" To make sure that he didn¡¯t hear things, he asked again with an emphasis on his words along with his own index finger pointing at his face. Xu Mey nodded. "Why? Am I reminding you of the bitterness of life?"


    Xu Mey leaned back in her seatnguidly. "No... You¡¯re not the reminder of bitterness...." She sighed audibly. "Instead, you¡¯re trying to show me the sweetness of life."


    "Isn¡¯t that a good thing?" He frowned.


    "Not for someone like me. I¡¯m scared... If I got used to your sweetness, it¡¯ll get tougher to ept the bitterness of life. It was already hard enough to embrace this bitter taste." She was looking everywhere except for him. His soul-sucking eyes were too much for her to take.


    Ye Jie sighed. "Then let me share that taste with you." His face was straight without any hint of jest.


    These words forced her to look at his face once again. They kept gazing into each other¡¯s eyes when the servers brought all their food. Even when all the food was served none of them moved their gaze away.


    "You¡¯re good with words, Mr. Ye." Xu Mey started.


    Ye Jie stretched his arm over the table and took hold of her smooth, soft hand. "I¡¯m being honest."


    Xu Mey snickered. "I¡¯m darkness. Why do you want to be the light that passes through it?"


    Ye Jie gave her his signature smile showing his canines. "Because that makes a picture worth remembering." Seeing her confused face, Ye Jie added. "The stars are the light that passes through the dark night. Isn¡¯t it beautiful?" Xu Mey nodded after thinking. "I want to be like those stars in your sky of darkness."


    She was stunned. "You do know that words carry weight?" She asked with a stern face.


    "Yes... I know very well... And I can carry the weight of the words I just said." He replied calmly.


    "¡¯The ultimate mystery is one¡¯s own self.¡¯" Xu Mey quoted. "And people love to solve mysteries. I¡¯m a mystery to you and you¡¯re a mystery to me. Until I stay as a mystery, you¡¯ll be interested and the day this mystery is solved... I¡¯ll be just another person in your life."


    Ye Jie was baffled. He didn¡¯t know whether to praise her for her knowledge or bang her head against the wall for being so foolish. Obviously, he didn¡¯t have the nerve to do thetter one.


    "I have only heard, ¡¯The less you reveal, the more people can wonder.¡¯ While this saying is true but doesn¡¯t forget that this doesn¡¯t mean we need to start hiding from the truth. I won¡¯t lie, you piqued my interest because you were different. But doesn¡¯t that mysterious difference makes you special?" Ye Jie was still calm with his words and tone.


    "¡¯They who know the truth are not equal to those who love it, and they who love it are not equal to those who delight in it.¡¯ Do you have the courage to delight in my truth?" She asked with an indifferent tone.


    "If you give me a chance. I might really delight in it." Was his reply.


    The silence that prevailed the room once again was stagnant. They both ate without talking. Ye Jie didn¡¯t stop her from drinking again. He deduced that while drinking she really had a lot to say.


    Looks like I need to make her drunk to break the damn locks on her tongue. Ye Jie was feeling a bit bitter about her silence.


    The way Ye Jie was stealing nces at her was not unnoticed by Xu Mey. "You can just ask? But let me warn you: Thou shall not try me." She was being dramatic with her tone but Ye Jie found it cute.


    "You¡¯re cute." He couldn¡¯t stop himself from saying.


    "Cute but Psycho..." She stuck her tongue out childishly. She seemed cheerful for some reason. Even though her eyes were still clear and her speech was as always soft with no slurring or dragging her words.


    You sure are a psycho. He thought.


    "What do you do?" He finally asked the question in his mind.


    "I do marathons." Her serious face with that stern tone made his crease his brows. "On Netflix... Haha..." Sheughed radiantly with her perfect teeth on disy. Her reaction left Ye Jie dumbfounded.


    "On a serious note, I am a jewelry designer." She replied honestly. "Anything else?"


    "What about hobbies?"


    "Does drinking counts?" She asked innocently.


    "No." Came a curt reply.


    "Then I don¡¯t have any." She replied.


    "Why not?"


    "Never got a chance to pick anything as a hobby." Ye Jie couldn¡¯tprehend why that sentence felt so sad to him.


    "What do you like to eat?"


    "Anything that¡¯s not sweet."


    "Why no sweet? Afraid to get fat?" Ye Jie was curious about it from the time she refused to eat the cake Ye Jun baked for her.


    "Nope... I can¡¯t seem to digest anything too sweet." Ye Jie didn¡¯t know whether she was talking about sweetness in life or sweetness in food but he still nodded.


    "My happiness is you." Xu Mey suddenly said making Ye Jie¡¯s body stiffen up.


    "Huh?"


    "I never understood this phrase." She replied and Ye Jie felt like someone dropped a bucket of cold water on him. Like seriously? Do you have to dampen the mood like this?


    "What¡¯s not understandable?" He asked.


    "How can a person be the happiness for another person?"


    "When a person is able to make a smile appear on the other person¡¯s face. That person bes the happiness for him." Ye Jie replied wisely.


    Even though every person holds a mystery within. I would love to make you my mystery. And I suddenly don¡¯t want this mystery wife of mine to be solved by anyone else. Even by myself.

 Chapter 55 - She Knows How To Find Her Way In My Heart

    There is a saying, "Let life surprise you."


    Nah!


    It¡¯s actually not the life that surprises you. It¡¯s the person you made your life that surprises you. So, let¡¯s change the phrase a bit: "Let the one you call life surprise you."


    Just let that someone take the reins and let him blow your damn mind. It doesn¡¯t hurt to be surprised once in a while.


    Xu Mey propped her chin on her palm as her clear ck orbs stared at the man sitting before her. Xu Mey was rather used to shocks than surprises. Therefore, she was a bit confused about whether Ye Jie was a shock in her life or a surprise.


    Life catches us as a surprise. But in my case, you¡¯re hell-bent on catching me by surprise. Why are you doing this? Isn¡¯t my life messy enough? You¡¯re scaring me even more now. What if you suddenly decided to drop me? With these thoughts going wild in her mind, Xu Mey still held an indifferent look.


    It was the second time in Xu Mey¡¯s life when she wished to have superpowers to read someone¡¯s mind. She really wished to open Ye Jie¡¯s mind to see what tactic was he trying.


    There wasn¡¯t much said after that and they both ate the meal in an unsaid harmony. Either there was nothing to talk about or they both had no courage to say was another mystery. They both left the restaurant under the gazes of people around after eating.


    Xu Mey had been an observant person for all her life. She was a bit sensitive to change. With her observant nature, Xu Mey realized that this week, Ye Jie had a consistency. He never called her by her name instead chose to use my dear wife every single time. He always was the first one to greet her in the morning and without kissing the top of her head, he never left for office.


    Even if this was a small change, it was a change for her.


    -Friday, Lotus Entertainments Head Office at lunch hour-


    Li Qiao was having a discussion with some new directors in hispany when there was a knock on the door. Yu Kim opened the door slightly and said, "Sorry to disturb you, Sir. Mr. Ye is here to see you."


    Li Qiao frowned. "Mr. Ye?"


    "Mr. Ye Jie. Xu-" Before she couldplete, Li Qiao interrupted her.


    "Send him in." Then he turned to the people around him. "We¡¯ll continue after some time." He was perplexed but he couldn¡¯t just let Ye Jie wait for him.


    After 5 minutes, Ye Jie walked in his sapphire blue tailor-made suit. He had his usual noble aura around him. Just one nce and Li Qiao knew how much attention Ye Jie must have attracted from the time he entered hispany building.


    "Hello, Mr. Ye!" Li Qiao greeted him politely and stretched his arm to indicate for him to take a seat. He sat right opposite of him.


    "Sorry foring unannounced." Li Qiao waved it off like it wasn¡¯t a big deal. Ye Jie went quiet after that. He had a lot of things in mind but now he didn¡¯t know how to ask.


    "What do you wanna know about Mey-Mey?" Li Qiao¡¯s surprised Ye Jie.


    "How did you?" Ye Jie didn¡¯t know what gave it away that he was here to talk about Xu Mey.


    "You and I have only one thing inmon... Xu Mey." Ye Jie instinctively nodded.


    "You must have heard that she doesn¡¯t want to go to honeymoon." Li Qiao nodded indicating that he had heard about it.


    Ye Kim entered with a cup of coffee for both of them and left immediately after cing it on the coffee table.


    "I wanted to take her out. But I don¡¯t have any idea where?" Ye Jie stated his dilemma.


    Li Qiao picked his cup of coffee and took a sip letting the hot coffee burn his tongue. "You can take her anywhere. It doesn¡¯t make much difference." Li Qiao stated with a straight face.


    "Why doesn¡¯t it make a difference?"


    "Just because it doesn¡¯t." Was the only reply he received. Ye Jie realized why Xu Mey was so difficult. It came from this guy.


    They were quiet for a minute before Ye Jie said, "You don¡¯t seem to be fond of me."


    Li Qiao reclined back in his seat. With his legs crossed, a ck cup held between his long slender fingers, he looked distinguished. "It¡¯s not that I don¡¯t like you. I¡¯m still deciding."


    "Ha? Deciding? About what?" Ye Jie¡¯s curiosity was piqued.


    "Have you heard, ¡¯A good destiny is when two people find each other without even looking.¡¯" Li Qiao asked and Ye Jie nodded instinctively. "You and Xu Mey are the two people who met without looking for each other. You were looking for someone else and she had no n to even start looking for anyone. What I can¡¯t seem to decide is whether you¡¯re her good destiny or bad?" Li Qiao took another sip of his coffee while his sight was trained on Ye Jie¡¯s face.


    Ye Jie was in deep thought. He couldn¡¯t think of a reply. Li Qiao¡¯s voice broke the trail of his thoughts, "Let me ask you something, Mr. Ye." Ye Jie looked up at him as Li Qiao uncrossed his legs and sat straight. "Are you ready to put Xu Mey in your heart or are you gonna make her fight for a ce in your heart with someone else?"


    The question seemed very simple but Ye Jie felt the pressure. Did he want Xu Mey to fight with someone? If yes then who? Lu Yuhan? Definitely not! But was he ready to put her in his heart? Or did he already gave her the ce?


    Ye Jie¡¯s lips curled upward slightly. "Fight? She doesn¡¯t have to fight with anyone. Naturally, the ce in my heart should belong to her since she¡¯s my wife. But even if I don¡¯t give it to her... That beautiful smile, that indifference in her eyes for me, her adorable scowl and her as a person... She doesn¡¯t need me to put her in my heart, she knows how to find her way in my heart."

 Chapter 56 - Make Up For The Bitterness

    Ye Jie left Li Qiao¡¯s office with plenty of things in mind. Even though Li Qiao didn¡¯t say much but what he said was more than enough for Ye Jie. He was thinking about the answer Li Qiao gave him when he asked the question. "Does she not get drunk?"


    Li Qiao¡¯s face was indifferent but his voice held a lot of concern. "It¡¯s not that she doesn¡¯t get drunk. Lin Shen said that she¡¯s putting all her efforts in settling a psychological barrier. That barrier around her mind is not allowing her to put her guard down. She doesn¡¯t want to let anyone close to her weaknesses." Li Qiao sighed as he pinched his brows.


    In his thoughts, Ye Jie didn¡¯t see the person standing in front of him and ended up banging into her. "Sorry!" He apologized immediately without missing a beat.


    Yu Kim smiled politely and said, "It¡¯s okay, Mr. Ye."


    Ye Jie stared at her face with a frown between his brows. He rubbed his chin with the index finger as if trying to remember something. "Have we met before?" He asked.


    Ye Kim was surprised at his question but she replied, "I don¡¯t think so."


    "Why do you look so familiar then?" He wasn¡¯t asking her the question rather the question was to himself. Before Yu Kim could react Ye Jie walked past her in his thoughts. But after a few steps, he abruptly stopped. "Ahan!" He turned to her again as she looked at him. "You¡¯re reminding me of Mr. Yu Ting. Are you rted?"


    Yu Kim¡¯s body stiffened at that name but she recovered in a matter of seconds. With a smile stered on her small face, she replied. "He¡¯s my father, Mr. Ye. Isn¡¯t it obvious I¡¯ll look like him?"


    Ye Jie¡¯s eyes widened at her reply. He was even gaping. Yu Ting was a name to be feared in the business world. He belonged to a conglomerate family with a history that went far ancient times. He had only heard that Yu Ting had only a daughter that was precious to him more than his business. It woulde as a shock to anyone that such a powerful man¡¯s daughter was working as an assistant.


    "Do you want to ask why I¡¯m here?" Yu Kim asked since that was the most asked question in her life.


    Ye Jie shook his head without dy. This time Yu Kim frowned. "I¡¯ll ask my wife about that. That way, I¡¯ll have something to ask and she¡¯ll have to talk." Ye Jie was rubbing his hands inwardly but he only showed a smile outwardly.


    For some reason, Yu Kim found his answer very pleasing. She didn¡¯t expect that what she heard about Ye Jie was not true at all. She shook her head with a smile on her face as she watched Ye Jie¡¯s disappearing figure.


    -Conference Room At Vintage Gems-


    The conference hall was submerged in a vehement debate. The agenda for the board meeting was closely rted to how Vintage Gems was nning on dealing with CoCo Jewels who appeared to have decided on choosing Jade Stones over Vintage.


    Everyone Loves profit. As they say, "Profit is sweet, even if ites from deception." There is no doubt that people would choose a profit. Even though Vintage was a huge name in the market, but Vintage only depended on the talent of its people and their hard work. While Jade Stones had the backing of both Fu¡¯s and Xu. It was quite evident for a sensible person to know which one will be profitable.


    And a verbal agreement is like sand in the business world. One can just make that sand go away with a bit of wind.


    "Vintage will have to take a huge blow if this deal went to someone else." One of the directors spoke with fury.


    "Jade Stones are getting shameless day by day. Our market value is better than them yet they are using other means to take away our deals." Another one chimed in.


    "But if they sealed the deal with CoCo Jewels, Vintage¡¯s market value will go down. Our shares will drop drastically." This voice was not furious rather anxious.


    All this while, the person sitting at the main seat had not said a word. Xu Mey was reclining on her chair with an air ofnguidness. It was like she wasn¡¯t even listening to what was being said. But the truth was she was listening to every word, she just wasn¡¯t letting those words enter her brain. Her mind already had Ye Jie¡¯s words, how could it let some not-so-important directors words enter?


    All of a sudden, a phone ringtone rang in the conference room making everyone¡¯s breath hitch. All the members of the board pulled out their phones to check with cold sweat making its way on their foreheads. It wasmon knowledge that President Xu didn¡¯t like the sound of the phone. There was once a manager whose phone rang during the meeting and after that, the poor manager had to work overtime for an entire year without a single vacation.


    "Whose phone is ringing?" Everyone looked at each other before sneaking nces at Xu Mey to observe her reaction.


    Xu Mey¡¯s phone wasying with the screen facing the table on her right side. She picked it up and saw the familiar caller id shing on it. When everyone saw that it was the President¡¯s own phone, they all had mixed feelings.


    "President Xu has a phone?" Someone voiced out in surprise.


    "Isn¡¯t it obvious that she has a phone?" Another one chided the previous one.


    "No... I mean... She doesn¡¯t really use it..." He was a bit hesitant but he wasn¡¯t alone. Every board member had to contact Xu Mey through Qin Hao. So, they assumed that she didn¡¯t like cell phones. And her own phone was just for show.


    When Xu Mey looked up at them, everyone quietened. There was pin-drop silence in the room. "Hello!" She epted the call in a calm voice.


    "Hey, my dear wife! How are you?" Ye Jie asked the usual question.


    "I¡¯m fine." She replied straightforwardly. Even though everyone saw her calm face, they felt like her voice a bit gentle than usual. Her usual calm voice was a bit cold but today, it was awfully gentle.


    "Since you won¡¯t ask. Let me tell you, I¡¯m also fine." Ye Jie continued to talk.


    "En." She replied making Ye Jie roll his eyes.


    "Dear wife?" His voice suddenly seemed softer and cautious.


    "Yes."


    "Your... *cough* Your dad called to invite us to Xu Residence tomorrow." Ye Jie answered honestly. He was walking out of Lotus Entertainment when Xu Chen¡¯s call surprised him.


    "Mhm..." She replied.


    "What should I say to him?"


    "Do you need my permission for everything?" She asked amusingly.


    "Fine... " He stayed quiet for a long while just listening to her soft breathing. Knowing well enough that she won¡¯t talk by herself, he continued, "I ced a pack of orange fruit jellies in your jacket. Don¡¯t forget to eat it."


    "I told you, I don¡¯t -" He interrupted her.


    "I know you don¡¯t like sweet things. But I think you should try eating some sweet things. You said yourself, Life is bitter. ¡¯That¡¯s why everyone wants sweet things.¡¯ We have to make up for the bitterness." She could feel the smile in his tone. But she was more surprised that he quoted ck Butler. "Take care of yourself and I¡¯ll see you at home." Ye Jie disconnected the call.


    Almost all the pair of eyes in the room was trained on Xu Mey. She straightened up after the call and said, "Leave CoCo Jewels deal with me. I¡¯ll deliver the results by next week." The gentleness in her voice was taken over by a frost.


    "But President Xu, Jade Stones is signing the deal with CoCo Jewels next week." One of the members tried to reason with her.


    Xu Mey looked at him making him gulp. "Did I ask you?"


    "N-No..." He stammered.


    "Then I don¡¯t need your suggestion." With that, the meeting came to an end.

 Chapter 57 - Personal Hell

    There was a man who went by the name, Shams Tabrizi. He once said: "Don¡¯t search for heaven and hell in the future. Both are now present. Whenever we manage to love without expectations, calctions, negotiations, we are indeed in heaven. Whenever we fight, hate, we are in hell."


    But is there a love that doesn¡¯t expect anything? Doesn¡¯t seem to be. Is there a time when we don¡¯t try to calcte our benefits? Definitely not! What about negotiations? We live in an age where we even negotiate with our parents much less anyone else. All we do is spread hate and then we start fighting without any reason or rhyme. So are we living in our own personal hell?


    And oddly, we seem to enjoy this personal hell of ours. The world has enough power to feed every single hungry person around the globe. But we use this power to destroy each other instead.


    Xu Mey didn¡¯t want to live in her personal hell but people forced her to live in hell. It was up to her to decide whether she wanted to be burned by this hell and perish or to rule this hell like a devil. Xu Mey originally chose the former one. She wanted herself to burn and perish. Every person who mes himself for every wrong thing in life tends to choose the burning path.


    Xu Mey was just a fortunate person to have met someone who made her realize that bing the devil to rule this hell was a lot more exhrating.


    She stopped expecting anything from her father. She calcted her rtion with Ye Jie before negotiating it with him. She only had hate in her and a fire that could burn everyone. A person like her was the true definition of living in hell.


    Since Ye Jie epted the invitation on behalf of Xu Mey, both of them drove to the Xu Residence. Ye Jie swiftly swapped his sports car with Audi today. He wasn¡¯t dressed in his usual tailor-made suits. Instead, he was wearing washed up jeans with a round cor full sleeve shirt in white color. He paired it with a checkered shirt in ck and red leaving the buttons unfastened. He looked young and carefree.


    Xu Mey was wearing a loose knitted sweater with checkered pants. Her long hair was tied in a low bun and face was clean without any make-up. During the car ride, both didn¡¯t talk much. Ye Jie could feel how much she despised going to Xu Residence with the way her body was fidgeting.


    The housekeeper greeted them at the door and brought them to the living area where Fu Lan and Xu Chen were waiting for them. Xu Cheng greeted Ye Jie and walked to Xu Mey. He was intending to hug her but she instinctively took a step back. Xu Chen was disappointed but didn¡¯t say it.


    Fu Lan, on the other hand, was gushing over Ye Jie. "Aiyo! Our Ye Jie is such a nice person. He even remembered to bring all these fruit baskets and gifts for his inws." She was looking at the stuff Ye Jie brought with him. The way he handled things showed his noble bearing. "Although, our Xu Mey should have been the one to do all this but... " She clicked her tongue making a disappointed face. "You don¡¯t worry. Xu Mey will learn with time." She maintained her hypocrite behavior.


    She was praising Ye Jie while making him realize how much Xu Mey wascking. But the drama didn¡¯t end here, she walked to Xu Mey¡¯s side stroked her hair lovingly and smiled sweetly. "Son-inw! Even though our Xu Mey is a bit dense and doesn¡¯t understand things easily, you need to be patient with her. She¡¯s such an obedient child. All the rumors about her arepletely untrue. You must not believe them." Actually, she was trying to bring Ye Jie¡¯s focus towards the fact that there were rumors about Xu Mey in their circle. She knew saying it like that will get Ye Jie¡¯s attention.


    And she was right, Ye Jie was indeed curious now. But he wouldn¡¯t show it on his face that easily. "Auntie is too polite. Auntie and Uncle don¡¯t have to worry about a thing. I like my dear wife just as she is. I don¡¯t need her to change anything at all. But what Auntie said is true, my wife really is very obedient indeed." Only Xu Mey could hear the sarcasm in Ye Jie¡¯s voice and really wanted tough out loud. It took a bit of effort to not let her emotions control her.


    "Oh this is my first time in Xu Residence, I was hoping Auntie will show me around." Ye Jie¡¯s politeness and respect were a perfectbination that struck Fu Lan¡¯s heart like an arrow.


    ¡¯I¡¯m definitely gonna have you as my son-inw. Who doesn¡¯t want a son-inw like him? I¡¯ll make you fall for Xu Liqing at all costs.¡¯ Fu Lan was making a happy house for her daughter in her dreams while Ye Jie just wanted her to stay away from Xu Mey. He could see how much repulsive Xu Mey was towards Fu Lan.


    Fu Lan happily became the tour guide for Ye Jie showing him around the whole Residence. Only Xu Mey and Xu Chen were left behind. "Is he treating you well?" Xu Cheng asked with his fatherly concern visible in his voice and on his face.


    "Does it matter to you?" Xu Mey retorted. "You already sold me for a damn promise. Why is it your concern how I am now?"


    Her sharp tone and vexation in her eyes were hurtful to Xu Cheng but he had no way to reply. He couldn¡¯t tell her why he sold her for a promise. He couldn¡¯t tell her why he avoided her. He couldn¡¯t tell her why he couldn¡¯t be a father he was supposed to be. So, he stayed quiet instead.


    Xu Mey and Ye Jie stayed at Xu Residence from noon till dinner time. At the dinner table, Fu Lan kept putting food in Ye Jie¡¯s bowl. "Our son-inw is so thin. You should take care of your diet. I know, you¡¯re a diligent worker but let the employees do some work as well." Then she turned to Xu Mey. "Xiao Mey, you should take care of your husband¡¯s meals. You¡¯re his wife. It¡¯s your responsibility." She facepalmed herself. "I almost forgot, Ye Jie! Our Xu Mey doesn¡¯t know how to cook. So, don¡¯t mind ha. Xu Liqing spends hours in the kitchen but Xu Mey was pampered from the young age so she isn¡¯t well-versed in house chores."


    Xu Mey and Ye Jie choked on their food at the word ¡¯pampered¡¯. but Fu Lan didn¡¯t think much about it. She picked up a pineapple cake with her chopsticks and stretched her arm towards Xu Mey¡¯s mouth. Since Xu Mey couldn¡¯t refuse at that moment, she ended up taking a bite.


    She knew the consequences of eating the cake but sigh... She couldn¡¯t do anything at the moment. Taking actions too early and toote are both worthless, we have to wait for the perfect time. And if the waiting is not what you can do, we should just make this time as the perfect time.


    Just as Xu Liqing entered the dining room, Xu Mey smirked. ¡¯And our perfect time just walked right to us.¡¯

 Chapter 58 - A Dramatic Queen

    "Ah, Liqing! Come here." Fu Lan beckoned her daughter towards herself. "Take a seat here." She gave her own seat to Liqing which was in the middle of Xu Mey and Ye Jie. "Ye Jie, our Liqing is really like you. She loves to work. Today is Saturday and she was still working hard at thepany."


    "Mom!" Liqing pretended to be angry. "I can not be like Mr. Ye Jie. He¡¯s such an aplished person. Although he¡¯s my role model I¡¯m still far from him." Xu Liqing was in perfect sync with her mother.


    They really took Ye Jie to be just a noble, polite and kind person. But every person has a side they don¡¯t want others to see. Ye Jie also had that side. He had already done his study on both Fu Lan and Xu Liqing. He was aware where Xu Liqing spent her time. Even today, he knew that she was out on a shopping spree with her socialite friends.


    "That¡¯s a good thing." Ye Jie started. "But I heard Xu Liqing was rejected for the role in Director Yang¡¯s film." Ye Jie was putting her being kicked out of the crew nicely. It was a blunt taunt but both mother and daughter were too oblivious to that.


    Fu Lanughed waving her hand. "Oh no... It was just that Xu Liqing wanted to focus on thepany work now. The entertainment industry is not for people from our circle."


    Ye Jie nodded indicating that he understood. Inwardly he was sneering. ¡¯She doesn¡¯t even know how to read bnce sheets. How will she focus on yourpany?¡¯


    After the dinner, Ye Jie apanied Xu Chen and Fu Lan to the living room for tea. Xu Mey was walking behind them. Xu Liqing intentionally stretched her leg to trip Xu Mey but as they say, ¡¯Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.¡¯ Xu Mey swiftly avoided the mishap. But it just infuriated Xu Liqing even more.


    She grabbed Xu Mey¡¯s arm with extra force. Xu Mey raised her brows as her eyes held disdain for her. "Don¡¯t be so happy, elder sister. You won¡¯t stay as Ye Jie¡¯s wife for long." Xu Liqing sneered.


    Xu Mey didn¡¯t try to escape from her clutches. "Well my dear little sister, are you enjoying being aughing stock? It must have been fun to be kicked out of Director Yang¡¯s movie at thest moment. Right?" Xu Liqing saw the smirk on Xu Mey¡¯s face that made her tremble.


    ¡¯Did she do something? No no... She doesn¡¯t have the resources to do anything.¡¯ Xu Liqing immediately kicked the idea out of her mind.


    "Don¡¯t try to be smart with me. If you were able to y a game with me at your wedding, it doesn¡¯t mean you can y it again. You¡¯re just a mouse whose tail is under my feet. I can crush you anytime." She red with contempt in her eyes.


    "Oh my dear sister, you¡¯re really naive. Have you heard about: ¡¯What you do not want to be done to yourself, do not do to others.¡¯" Xu Mey didn¡¯t lose her smirk. Instead, it was more prominent now.


    Xu Liqingughed menacingly. "You think you can put me exactly where I ced you years ago? That¡¯s your wishful thinking."


    "There was a time, you made me look like a liar. Today, I¡¯ll make you a liar." As Xu Mey¡¯s smile broadened it scared Xu Liqing for some unknown reason.


    In a second, the smile was gone. Xu Liqing felt like it was just her mind ying games with her. Xu Mey¡¯s whole demeanor took a 180 degrees turn. "Little sister, please don¡¯t take this from me." Xu Mey¡¯s eyes were watery while her face waspletely red. She deliberately raised her voice. "This bracelet was a gift from my brother-inw. I can¡¯t give it to you. I¡¯ll get you another one if you want." Xu Mey scratched her own neck while ruffling her hair making the low bun loosen up. "Liqing don¡¯t hit me. I¡¯m still your elder sister."


    Xu Liqing was in shock. It took her a while toe around. She tried to let go of her arm but Xu Mey held her hand at that ce to make it look like it she was trying to escape from Liqing. In anger, Liqing lost control and raised her hand at Xu Mey. Xu Mey being the drama queen fell even though Liqing¡¯s hand barely grazed her cheek.


    "What do you think you¡¯re doing?" The booming voice belonged to Ye Jie who came because of the noises. But seeing Xu Mey fall to the ground made him seethe in wrath. He bent down to help Xu Mey stand as her body was trembling terribly and her face was stained with tears. Blood-shot eyes, reddened face, streams of tears, all of this acted like oil to the fire.


    He hid her in his embrace and looked at Xu Liqing with a fury gaze. "How dare you touch my wife?"


    Fu Lan came around to soothe things out. "Ye Jie don¡¯t be angry. They are sisters and it sometimes happens between sisters." The whimpering body in his embrace made him lose all rationale.


    "I don¡¯t care. She is my, Ye Jie¡¯s wife now. I won¡¯t give just anyone a chance to hurt her like this. Even if that person is her own sister." Ye Jie¡¯s voice was resolute that made a sh of light appear in Xu Cheng¡¯s eyes.


    "There must be a misunderstanding here. Liqing, tell me what happened?" Fu Lan inquired in a gentle voice. But before Xu Liqing could speak, Xu Mey said.


    "Little sister liked this bracelet of mine." Xu Mey showed the bracelet on her wrist to Ye Jie. Her voice was hoarse. "I told her it was Ye Jun who gave it as a present to me. But she insisted on taking it." Her pitiful eyes looked up at Ye Jie. "I couldn¡¯t give it to him. Ye Jun won¡¯t be happy and that will hurt your feelings as well." Xu Mey started crying at the end of the speech. Ye Jie rubbed his hand on her back tofort her.


    Xu Liqing was speechless. She didn¡¯t know how to refute. But when she opened her mouth to say something, Ye Jie spoke up. "I don¡¯t want anyone else¡¯ exnations. My wife¡¯s words are the truth for me." He red at Liqing making her cower in fear. "You better remember who she is from now on. I won¡¯t be this polite next time." Ye Jie didn¡¯t listen to anything else and walked out of Xu Residence with Xu Mey. He didn¡¯t pay heed to Fu Lan¡¯s attempts to stop him.

 Chapter 59 - Its So Adorable That I Want To Eat It

    The person Xu Mey venerated the most in this world, once adviced her. "Love the one who trusts you. Not the one who wants to trust you."


    "Is there a difference, Sensei?" She asked back then.


    "There is a huge difference, Mey Ai. The one who trusts you, won¡¯t ask for a reason and the one who wants to trust you, will always look for reasons."


    From the time, Ye Jie helped her sit in the car, she¡¯s been pondering about his utterance. He just believed her. Why? Am I that good at theatrics? And why does he look so troubled? And where are we going?


    Xu Mey sniffled. "Where are we going?"


    Ye Jie didn¡¯t reply to her. But she got her answer in 10 minutes when the car parked in front of the hospital.


    "Why are we here?" It was illogical toe to the hospital, right?


    "You¡¯re hurt. We need to see a doctor." He replied with his hands clutching the steering wheel so tightly that it turned white.


    "Hurt?" She furrowed her brows.


    Ye Jie didn¡¯t look at her. "There is blood on your neck." He replied in a choked up voice. Xu Mey touched her neck and realized there was indeed blood. But it was dry already. "And your whole face is bright red." He continued hastily.


    "Mr. Ye!" Xu Mey called out his name calmly in her soft voice but Ye Jie didn¡¯t stop.


    "This is all my fault. I knew you didn¡¯t like Xu Liqing and Fu Lan. But I still took you there." Ye Jie was regretful.


    "Mr. Ye Jie!" She called again. A little louder than before but it was like Ye Jie was in his own guilty conscience world.


    "I¡¯m not gonna let her be. I¡¯m gonna ruin both-" Before he could finish his resolution, Xu Mey¡¯s angry voice startled him.


    "Ye Jie!" He turned to look at her ring at him. "I¡¯m fine. She didn¡¯t hit me. I was acting." Ye Jie didn¡¯t seem to believe her words. His eyes fell on the blood on the side of her neck. Xu Mey noticing his gaze replied, "I scratched myself."


    Ye Jie stayed quiet for a long while. Before the silence thickened, he asked, "Why?"


    Understanding his question clearly Xu Mey replied, "I did it because of you." Ye Jie was bbergasted. "If only Fu Lan and my father had been there, I wouldn¡¯t have done anything like that. it wouldn¡¯t matter. Because they will always take Liqing¡¯s side. It doesn¡¯t matter who is right or wrong. For them, Liqing is always right." Ye Jie was listening with the utmost attention. "I wanted to see what would you do in that situation. That¡¯s why I orchestrated the whole act."


    Ye Jie¡¯s eyes were trained outside the windshield as he let those words sink in his mind. All of a sudden, he opened the door and walked out. Xu Mey saw him walking around the car anding to open her side¡¯s door. He held her wrist and pulled her out making her crash into his broad chest.


    Xu Mey¡¯s body stiffened. But his warm body and his peculiar scent calmed her nerves and she slowly rxed in his embrace. When we are tired, we look for our safe haven. At that moment in his embrace, Xu Mey felt likeing back home. Like she found her safe haven. She could feel the way Ye Jie¡¯s tensed body rxed when he hugged her. But she didn¡¯t know why he was so tensed?


    Ye Jie ced his chin on her head as he stroked her hair slowly. "Give me a heads up next time." Xu Mey tilted her head to look at his anxious face. "Please, don¡¯t scare me like that again. Okay?" Seeing his agog gaze, Xu My nodded instinctively.


    "You believed me? Just like that? Why? I thought you were a rational person. You should have seen through my act." When she asked these questions, she didn¡¯t know what answer she was expecting but the answer she received was something that never crossed her mind.


    "Because you make me lose my rationality. When I saw you on the floor, I forgot that I was supposed to be a rational person." Ye Jie¡¯s tone was so tender that Xu Mey even forgot to breathe. Looking at her adorable face swelling up, Ye Jie went in another fit of anxiousness. "Why are you swelling up? And why is your face so bright red like a ripe tomato?"


    Xu Mey touched her face and realized that it was indeed swelled up. "Is it really bad?"


    "No... It¡¯s so adorable that I want to eat it." The hint of a smile on his face wasbined with his coquettish tone. Xu Mey dry coughed to lose her embarrassment.


    "You really are a smooth talker." Xu Meymented under her breath but Ye Jie heard it.


    "Thanks for thepliment dear wife but for now, just tell me why is your face like this?"


    Xu Mey sighed animatedly. "Do you think my dear step-mother is so loving that she¡¯ll feed me with her own hands?" She scoffed. "She was aware that I¡¯m allergic to pineapples. She intentionally fed me that pineapple cake."


    After listening up to this point, Ye Jie held her wrist again and pulled her towards the hospital. "I have my allergy medicine at home. I don¡¯t need to go to the hospital." Xu Mey tried to reason with Ye Jie but it didn¡¯t work.


    "Since we are already here. Let¡¯s just go in to see if anything else is wrong." Ye Jie had to drag Xu Mey inside the E.R.


    Looking around Xu Mey grumbled. "We could have just gone to see a doctor. Isn¡¯ting to E.R. for allergy a bit excessive."


    "Stay quiet." Ye Jie turned to look at her sternly. Then he turned to the nurse who was asking, "What¡¯s the patient¡¯s name?"


    "My dear wife!" When the nurse arched her brows, Ye Jie bit his own tongue as he realized his mistake. "Xu Mey... Her name is Xu Mey." He corrected himself.


    "You are?" Before he could reply, the nurse answered her own question. "Obviously her husband."


    While Ye Jie answered all the questions, Xu Mey was gazing at the back of Ye Jie¡¯s head intently. Trying to figure out the person standing before her. All she knew about him through herworks seemed like a lie all of sudden.


    What are you Mr. Rain? Or should I ask, who are you?

 Chapter 60 - Youre My Responsibility

    "So, you¡¯re allergic to pineapple?" The doctor d in his white coat asked her professionally.


    "I am. But usually, the reaction is not this bad. After eating pineapple, I only have a minor rash and that¡¯s about it. This time it¡¯s a bit excessive with all the swelling up." Xu Mey exined in detail with a frown on her face.


    "Are you allergic to something else?" The short doctor asked again.


    "Yeah, I have an allergy to peanuts as well." Xu Mey replied honestly.


    Her blood test results came back and the doctor narrowed his eyes at the report in his hand. "Is everything okay, doctor?" Ye Jie who was quiet all this while asked impatiently.


    The doctor looked at him and replied, "It¡¯s good that you brought her to the hospital. Otherwise, there were chances of anaphxis." Ye Jie furrowed his brows at the medical jargon. "In simple words, she could have gone into shock." Ye Jie¡¯s eyes widened. "We found traces of peanuts in her blood along with pineapple. She¡¯s lucky that the reaction is mild otherwise it could have been life-threatening."


    Ye Jie¡¯s heart took a blow. And his anxiety slowly turned into fury. ¡¯I¡¯m definitely going to make you pay for this Mrs. Fu Lan.¡¯ He thought to himself. Xu Mey¡¯s reaction was a lot calmer than him. Saying that she expected it would not be wrong.


    The doctor administered an IV and gave some anti-allergy meds to her. She was advised to stay for a few hours for observation. Ye Jie sat right beside her bed as he held her hand in his own. Looking at her bright red face, his heart was breaking. His eyes never left her face and hers couldn¡¯t look away from his face.


    The nurse who asked for her name before came to clean up her wound on the side of her neck. Xu Mey closed her eyes when the nurse applied the disinfectant. She didn¡¯t wince in pain but Ye Jie could feel her body stiffen up. He drew circles at the back of her hand with his thumb to soothe her.


    The nurse had short hair with small eyes. Even after cleaning up her wound, she was constantly looking at them. "They seem to be madly in love." The nurse beside hermented with a sigh.


    "They match each other perfectly. Both have the features of a top star." She added.


    "Don¡¯tpare them with stars. They have an air of nobility and supremacy. Stars can¡¯t have that." The short-haired nursemented. The others around her nodded as they watched how Ye Jie¡¯s eyes held tenderness while Xu Mey¡¯s were nk.


    "You should go home. Don¡¯t tire yourself. I¡¯ll be fine here." Xu Mey told Ye Jie as she saw how worn out he looked.


    "No... I don¡¯t want to leave you here alone." Ye Jie replied without thinking.


    "I can just call Li Qiao." Ye Jie scowled at her suggestion.


    "I can¡¯t leave my wife¡¯s care up to others. You¡¯re my responsibility and I still have enough exuberance to take care of my wife." Ye Jie replied controlling his emotions. Xu Mey chose to stay quiet.


    Xu Mey quietened up after that. Ye Jie stayed beside her in silence but in silence, there was an assurance that he was there for her. Silence speaks louder than words. It was exactly that silent assurance that let Xu Mey put her guard down. She never liked the smell of disinfectants and medicine in the hospitals but today, she didn¡¯t feel that repulsive.


    Ye Jie¡¯s phone broke that peaceful silence. Seeing the caller id, Ye Jie frowned and rejected the call. The call came again after a minute. "You should pick the call up. It could be important." Xu Mey urged him. Ye Jie stood up and walked out of the E.R. to take the call.


    When Ye Jie left the Xu Residence in fury, Fu Lan was seething in wrath. She red at Xu Liqing. "Why are you so dumb? Why did you do that? I wanted Ye Jie to have a good impression of you. Look what you did."


    "Mom... I didn¡¯t do anything. It was all that sl*t Xu Mey¡¯s doing." Liqing refuted meekly as the tears fell down her face in a stream.


    "You want me to believe that the girl I turned into a retard suddenly turned into a cunning witch? Talk with sensibility, Liqing." After chiding her own daughter Fu Lan left Xu Liqing alone.


    ¡¯I¡¯ll turn you into a liar¡¯ Xu Mey¡¯s words rang in her mind making her dig her nails in her palms.


    So what if mom doesn¡¯t believe me? Do you think Ye Jie will have a psychotic person like you? Let me show you what I can do. Xu Liqing was smoldered with indignation. She turned herptop on and drafted an email with a video along with a few photos.


    Then she called Ye Jie. Ye Jie wasn¡¯t attending the call because it was Xu Liqing¡¯s but then he decided to talk to her.


    -In the corridor-


    Before Ye Jie could say anything, Xu Liqing¡¯s voice rang out from the other end. "Before cursing me, Mr. Ye Jie. I realized you don¡¯t want to believe my words when I say that my sister is not good enough for you. But you just need proof. Why don¡¯t you check your emails? I believe you¡¯ll find it very interesting." She disconnected the call after saying her piece.


    Ye Jie had no intention of listening to Xu Liqing¡¯s words but the title of the email sent a few minutes ago broke his resolve. It read: ¡¯Are you still proud of your psychotic wife?¡¯


    Ye Jie scowled and clicked to open the email. The moment he yed the video, his mind went nk. Then the photos of some old reports and documents made his whole world shatter in front of his own eyes. He felt like the ground under his feet was slipping away slowly. And he had nothing to hold onto.

 Chapter 61 - Protects You Like His Ego

    In the E.R, Xu Mey was waiting patiently for Ye Jie oblivious to Ye Jie¡¯s feelings which were in a turmoil.


    "Ms. Xu Mey?" She heard a familiar but unassertive voice. She looked at the middle-aged man heading towards her bed. The only thing giving away his age was the grey hair on his head. Other then that. he had anky frame and radiant face.


    A crease appeared between her brows. "Dr. Zhu? What are you doing here?" It was the doctor whom she met earlier this week for consultation. When Dr. Zhu gave her a knowing look, she realized how absurd her question sounded. She smiled sheepishly. "It¡¯s the hospital. Obviously, you¡¯d be here." She answered her own question.


    "Do you love hospitals that much?" He asked her while beckoning the nurse to bring Xu Mey¡¯s chart to him.


    "I don¡¯t. I actually hate hospitals." Xu Mey replied honestly. Dr. Zhu skimmed through her chart with a frown.


    "Were you aware of your allergies?" He asked turning to her. Xu Mey nodded. "Then you must have been impatient to walk through the doors of death." Xu Mey could feel the sarcasm in his voice but didn¡¯t mind.


    "Maybe I am impatient." Xu Mey¡¯s voice was extremely low. She was contemting with her mind whether she was really impatient or not. Death gave the impression of being a lot easy at times like it did all those years ago.


    "A little impatience will spoil great ns." Dr. Zhu quoted a proverb. "This time you almost knocked at the door of death." He informed her with a bit of anger in his tone.


    "Doc, you have a great memory. Do you still remember me? I thought doctors can¡¯t possibly remember all their patients." Xu Mey diverted the course of conversation in the other direction.


    "I don¡¯t remember all. But you... You¡¯re unforgettable." His voice was deep, strong and pleasant to hear. His charming brown eyes which struck to be familiar to Xu Mey for an unknown reason held tenderness in them. A fatherly affection that she always saw in her best friends¡¯ parents but never on her own father.


    Xu Mey smiled broadly. "Even if that was sarcasm, I¡¯ll take it as apliment." She replied happily.


    He shook his head. "You¡¯re here alone at this time of the night?" Dr. Zhu asked with concern as he noticed the time. It was almost midnight.


    "No... My husband is here. He just went out to take a call. I told him to go home but he insisted on staying like a stubborn person. It was him being headstrong that I came to the hospital. I wasn¡¯t nning oning." Even though she was scowling unhappily but her voice didn¡¯t contain even the hint of anger.


    "He seems like a loving husband." Dr. Zhumented affirmatively.


    Xu Mey looked into his familiar brown eyes asking, "Doc, what is a loving husband?" Dr. Zhu was taken aback by her question but heposed himself instantly.


    "A loving husband is the one who knows you better than he knows himself. Love you more than he loves himself. Cares for you more than his money. And protects you like he protects his ego. Most of all, who trusts you more than he trusts his eyes." Dr. Zhu appeared to be in deep thought as if living a distant memory all over again.


    "Doc?" Xu Mey¡¯s voice broke his reverie and he looked at her with a polite smile. "You talk exactly like my sensei." She never expected to meet a person who shared her sensei¡¯s views in life. He gave her a surreal feeling.


    Dr. Zhu chuckled softly like a sophisticated person exuding novelty. "Your sensei is a smart person."


    "You¡¯re right." Xu Mey nodded in agreement. "Huh? Did you praised my sensei or your own self?"


    Dr. Zhu touched the space between her brows with his fingertip lightly. "What do you think?" Xu Mey pouted at his reply making him feel even more amused. "Take better care of yourself. If not for yourself, do it for the people who love you." Dr. Zhu turned to leave but stopped after a few steps saying, "Like your husband." Then he walked away without looking back at all.


    Meeting Xu Mey felt like a serendipitous encounter to Dr. Zhu. She reminded him of a proverb; ¡¯A fall into a ditch makes you wiser.¡¯ In just two meetings, he was able to figure out that she was not fond of life or love. Ostensibly, both were like that branded product that an ascetic person like her didn¡¯t want to pay attention to.


    For Xu Mey, Dr. Zhu¡¯s existence was dubious. He gave her a homey feeling. A self-assurance that allowed her to open up with him. She became aware of the fact that she wasn¡¯t a reserved person whenever she talked to him. Despite the fact that he was generally assumed to be a stranger to her. But his deep voice filled with tenderness allowed her to open herself a bit. His voice had the same effect on her as Ye Jie¡¯s; both made her feel rxed.

 Chapter 62 - I Cant Explain

    Ye Jie sshed his face with cold water for a long time. He was tired but at this moment, he lookedpletely beaten up. The wisps of his hair fell over his eyes. His eyes were getting bloodshot. Through deep breaths, he calmed down himself and walked inside the E.R.


    The doctor was rting some precautions to Xu Mey who gave the impression of being concentrated on his words. Her swelling had visibly gone down but there were still some red spots on her body and face. When he came near her bed, he heard the doctor¡¯s voice. "Take care of your diet and sleep. Both are necessary for speedy recovery."


    "Thank you, doctor." Ye Jie thanked him sincerely. The doctor nodded before walking away. "We can go home now. Let¡¯s go!" Ye Jie¡¯s voice was stern and he didn¡¯t look at Xu Mey while speaking. But Xu Mey wasn¡¯t in her observing mode. She was rather in her sleepy mode at that time. All she wanted to do was escape from the hospital.


    The tranquility in the car was exuberant to the point that Ye Jie felt stifled. But Xu Mey was feeling congenial. Enjoying silence was her forte and at this time, when she just escaped a hell she called the hospital, she was even more content.


    She was leaning back at her seat with her eyes closed. "Are you feeling okay?" Ye Jie started the conversation.


    "En." She replied with closed eyes.


    Ye Jie didn¡¯t want to be direct with his confrontation. But he needed the answers. He felt like he¡¯d go mad if he didn¡¯t speak. "Mypany is starting a new resort. They called me thiste for some important details rted to the location." Ye Jie lied keeping his eyes on the road ahead.


    "Ahan..."


    "Some directors suggested we should choose Kun Vige." The moment he said ¡¯Kun Vige¡¯, Xu Mey¡¯s sleep was thrown out the window. She abruptly opened her eyes, sat straight and looked at him in horror. Under the dim road lights, he saw the way her face went pale in a second. She was breathing heavily. "Have you been there?"


    ¡¯Get a grip of yourself, Xu Mey! He doesn¡¯t know anything about your time there. Calm down! Don¡¯t make him suspicious.¡¯ Xu Mey calmed her mind and replied, "No... I haven¡¯t."


    "Oh..." Ye Jie¡¯s eyes were brimming with the usation but Xu Mey couldn¡¯t see it. "Well, I heard it¡¯s a beautiful ce with mountainous forests and shallowkes." Ye Jie was marveling about the beauty of Kun Vige without paying attention that his every word was making Xu Mey ufortable. "Would you like to visit? We haven¡¯t even gone on our honeymoon yet. So, we can spend a weekend there for rxation. It¡¯ll be like a mini-holiday."


    For normal people, that suggestion was very ordinary. But Xu Mey¡¯s heart was being pricked slowly. The pain was getting unbearable with each passing second. Her chest felt stuffed up making it harder to breathe. Her head was pounding loudly blocking every other sound around her. "Stop the car." She said slowly.


    "Huh?" Ye Jie didn¡¯t understand her intention.


    "I said, stop the car!" She yelled all of a sudden taking Ye Jie by surprise. He parked the car on the roadside and Xu got off immediately. The cold night breeze stung her face but she enjoyed it. Ye Jie got off after her and ran towards her. Before he could ask for a reason, he saw her bent down and puke her guts out.


    Ye Jie was rmed. He didn¡¯t expect this to be the reason. His earlier frenzied mind now only focused on one thing; she was looking paler and sickly. Ye Jie rubbed her back slowly and held her hair in ce for her. He passed his handkerchief to her which she epted with gratitude.


    "We should go back to the hospital." Ye Jie decided all by himself feeling the worry seeping in his heart.


    Xu Mey held his hand and shook her head. "It¡¯s alright." Her voice was feeble.


    "How is this alright?" He was agitated by her stubbornness.


    "This is nothing to worry about." She said.


    "You said that about that allergy as well." He retorted.


    "That was different. This is different."


    "How? Enlighten me?" Ye Jie had a displeased written all over his face.


    "I can¡¯t exin." She tried to argue weakly.


    "Can you exin anything to me?" Ye Jie was fuming at his point as he crossed his arms over his chest and pointed his chin at her.


    Both kept their eyes at one another without a word. The cold night breeze was freezing but both were standing without any concern. There were asional sounds of vehicles passing on the road. His eyes were asking a million questions, her eyes were hiding a million emotions. But both were equally stubborn.


    After a long while, when Ye Jie was about to give up he heard her low voice, "When my mind is overly stressed, I can¡¯t digest anything. It leads to vomiting. It¡¯s verymon. Nothing out of the ordinary for me." She was looking down at her hands which held his beautiful silk handkerchief.


    ¡¯Stress? Vomiting? Common? Nothing out of the ordinary?¡¯ Ye Jie¡¯s mind was running around for answers while his heart felt like being pricked by a needle. ¡¯How much are you burying inside that it¡¯s unbearable? And why did you get stressed so suddenly today? Was it because of Xu Liqing and Fu Lan or did I do something to trigger it?¡¯ Apparently, these questions were worth asking but Ye Jie had no courage left to ask any further.


    He supported her in walking and brought her to the car. The rest of the ride was spent inplete silence. But this time, the silence was earth-shattering for Xu Mey. She felt like caged between a double-edged sword. There didn¡¯t seem a way to escape at all.


    If the secret is simple, it wouldn¡¯t be worthy of being a secret anymore. Some secrets might only break a rtionship. But some secrets break a person.

 Chapter 63 - I Wont Be Caged

    There was absolute darkness with no ray of light. It was like a canvas painted in ck with other colors left to the imagination of the person appraising it. The darkness was like a promise. A promise of her ineluctable doom and gloom.


    Suddenly, a sliver of moonlight sshed down the darkroom as a silver-white glow painting the ck canvas. The milky white light caressed her small, weak and pale figure d in a white gown. She was sitting on the cold hard floor as she hugged her knees to her chest and buried her face between her knees.


    She could hear the loud wails, shrieks, the sound of banging the door making her body tremble frightfully. She curled up her body shrinking back towards the corner in fright.


    The scene changed in a second as her younger self stood at the top of the hotel trying to escape from Xu Liqing. "Today, I¡¯ll end youpletely." Her voice wasced with malice making Xu Mey¡¯s tears fall uncontrobly.


    Then she heard her eerie voice. "Kun Vige is a beautiful ce with mountainous forests and shallowkes. You¡¯ll love it there, dear elder sister."


    The whole world drowned in the chasm of endless light. She squinted her eyes trying to ustom herself to the bright light around. There she saw a handsome tall man walking towards her. Her present self was d in a ck dress while the man in front of her had a beautiful white suit with a daisy flower in his hand. His dark brown eyes were looking into her ck orbs making her soul feel naked.


    It was a terrifying feeling that he could read not only her mind but also her soul. She was charmed by his eyes feeling herself drown into them. Then she heard his low, husky voice that seemed to tingle her ears. "I heard it¡¯s a beautiful ce with mountainous forests and shallowkes. Would you like to visit?"


    Her body started shaking fortuitously. As she looked again at his smiling face, she felt a tug at her heart. She felt like someone trying to suck her soul out of her.


    She started running. Running as fast as she could. As far away as she could. She couldn¡¯t see in the bright light but it didn¡¯t matter as long as there was a way out she¡¯ll run. All she found was a tall mirror towering above her.


    She turned around only to be rammed into a hard thing. She looked up to see the handsome face smiling back at her. She stepped back only to strike into the mirror. The reflection inside the mirror changed. Now, the mirror showed her young self with Xu Liqing holding onto her arm. She looked back at those charming brown eyes staring back at her.


    "Kun Vige is a beautiful ce with mountainous forests and shallowkes. You¡¯ll love it there, dear elder sister."


    "I heard it¡¯s a beautiful ce with mountainous forests and shallowkes. Would you like to visit?"


    Both voices were intermingling. Frightening her even more. Her body shook with vigor. The voices were getting louder and louder. She opened her mouth to scream but nothing came out. She shook her head repeatedly trying to shake off both the voices around her.


    "I-" Her voice was hoarse and low. Barely audible. But she didn¡¯t give up. "I won¡¯t-" The constraint in her throat was making it harder for her to speak. It felt parched like she hasn¡¯t drunk a drop of water for a million years. She felt scared even more. All of a sudden, she felt something hard in her hand. Without even looking, she raised her hand banged the hard thing on her head while screaming with utmost strength. "I won¡¯t be caged!"


    She felt a stream of blood trickle down her forehead. It felt warm. Then a faint voice came from far away, "Wake-" She couldn¡¯t hear it clearly. She tried to hear it again with concentration this time. "Please, wake up, Xu Mey. Don¡¯t scare me like that." The voice was brimming with fraught.


    Xu Mey frowned. ¡¯Who can be scared because of me? I clearly remember people scaring me all the time. But can my absence scare anyone?¡¯ She was confused in her own mind.


    Her eyes felt like they were bearing the burden of a boulder. Her head was hurting. But the anxious voice was still there. Faint but still there. "Wake up... Wake up already..."


    She tried to open her eyes slowly but closed them because of the bright light ring at her. She tried to open them again and seeded. She felt wet and cold. She realized her pajamas were sticking to her body because of sweat.


    Cold sweat was dripping down her forehead. There was a piercing pain in her head. And there was that beautiful face filled with distraught looking at her. Seeing her opened eyes, he visibly rxed and pulled her in his embrace.


    He stroked her hair saying, "You scared me to death just now. I told you we should go to the hospital. But you really don¡¯t like listening to me."


    Xu Mey¡¯s mind was muddled. "Do you also think, I¡¯m crazy?" Her voice was still hoarse. Ye Jie pulled her body out of his embrace to look at her pale face dripping with cold sweat. Her body was still trembling. Her next words broke everything inside Ye Jie. "Are you gonna cage me as well?" Her eyes were filled with tears but she was holding on to it. Not letting a single tear escape.


    "I only want to cage you in my heart, silly... But I want you to cage me in your life..." He replied while cleaning her face with a towel as a solitary tear trickled down her face. He passed her a ss of water.


    She took a sip to ease up her parched stinging throat. She held the ss in her hand while her thumb was drawing circles on it. "I¡¯m not good enough for you, right?"


    Ye Jie pulled her into his warm and cozy embrace once again. "I suddenly realized, it¡¯s me who¡¯s not good enough for you." He replied as he buried his face in the crook of her neck.


    His warm breath tickled her softly. But his scent and warm embrace made her muddled mind to clear up. That¡¯s when her eyes fell on his left hand. It was bleeding profusely. She saw the ss shards strewn on her bedside.


    She pushed his body lightly saying, "What happened to your hand? How did it get injured?" She was totally rmed now. With all her focus on his bleeding hand as she took it in her own. But seeing the light grazes on her own hand with a tiny ss shard stuck in one of them. She caught the whole picture. "I did it."


    "No... You didn¡¯t do anything." Ye Jie tried to exin but Xu Mey wasn¡¯t listening.


    "It¡¯s not the first time. It must be me. It has to be." She looked at his eyes and asked, "How?"


    Ye Jie sighed finding no way out. "I think you¡¯re having a nightmare. I woke up. I saw you holding onto that ss in your hand and you¡¯re about to hit your head. So, I ced my hand between the ss and your forehead."


    She didn¡¯t know how to react. Whether to be happy that he saved her or to yell at him for hurting himself in the process. In the end, she chose to stay quiet. She pulled out the medicine box from her side table and helped him with his wound. Her own were not worthy of mentioning but on Ye Jie¡¯s insistence she had to apply some medicine on them.


    Theyid back in bed in silence. Both were wide awake. "Are you still scared?" He asked softly.


    "Yes..." Xu Mey didn¡¯t lie this time surprising Ye Jie.


    He pulled her body towards himself and let her use his arm as a pillow. "I¡¯m here. You don¡¯t have to be scared anymore. I¡¯ll make all the nightmares go away." His words would have been absurd to her under usual circumstances but at this time, they worked like magic.


    His soothing voice, with his soft spearmint breath along with his warm body that perfectly fit her small one, worked like charm as she slowly fell into a deep slumber.


    We can run from reality because our nightmares are enough to haunt us. But to escape nightmares, we can only live them over and over again. Until someone helps us in embracing reality.

 Chapter 64 - An Overwhelming Desire To Kiss

    Trying to avoid sleep can never make the nightmare go away. The nightmares we see with open eyes are scarier. The dawn¡¯s first light can help you escape the looming shadows of your nightmares but what about the reality that you have to face with that first light of dawn.


    We can pick our nightmares neither can we choose our reality. It¡¯s either the cruel reality or ruthless nightmares, both choose us. In that case, we can have only two choices; Either we let the nightmares or reality destroy our soul or we can make those nightmares our old friends, dance with those devils buried deep in our hearts and let the ghosts of past sing the lubies for us.


    But like every other thing in our life; it¡¯s easier said than done. Because the ghosts of past don¡¯t sing lubies, they howl. They howl loudly to crush your soul. And we let them do it.


    The bright sun was gazing inside the room through the gaps between the sheer curtains of the tall windows. The honeb-yellow rays caressed his face like a warm nket. Ye Jie felt a bit weight on his chest and opened his eyes slowly trying to cover his eyes with the back of his other hand.


    There she was with her head on his chest and an arm wrapped around his waist. He smiled softly. The soft body his embrace felt nice and cozy making him want to close his eyes again.


    He noticed it was almost 11 in the morning. Ye Jie wasn¡¯t a heavy sleeper or azy person. His sleeping hours were reasonable. But he couldn¡¯t decide whether it was because he was too tiredst night or a soft body was buried in his embrace that he slept peacefully for such long hours.


    He tilted his head to look at her face as the soft smile didn¡¯t leave his face. Her closed eyes gave a peek at how her longshes made a shadow over her cheekbones. Her face was clear but it was still a bit pale. Her usual bright cherry blossom-like lips were lustreless. But there was peacefulness on her face that overshadowed her unwell traits.


    Ye Jie loved watching her sleep but there was an itch he couldn¡¯t avoid. He raised his bandaged hand and tucked the loose strand of hair behind her ear which was obstructing him from seeing her face clearly. But he didn¡¯t stop there. His rough hands stroked her forehead, moving to her cheeks and finally, her lips. Her lustreless lips were still as soft as he remembered.


    Xu Mey squirmed a little halting his hand. In her groggy state of mind, Xu Mey started rubbing her head against his warm chest like a kitten. Her arm around his waist tightened. It took a lot of effort for Ye Jie to stop that groan from escaping.


    "Your presence is giving me basorexia," Hemented softly.


    "What¡¯s basorexia?" He heard her hoarse voice taking him by surprise. But heposed himself and smiled at her rubbing her eyes adorably.


    "Look it up yourself," He replied. "Go back to sleep. It¡¯s good for health." He pulled her back to his chest making her body stiffen on reflex. But it rxed after listening to his rhythmic heartbeat.


    The sound of the doorbell made all his ns to make her sleep, drown in an ocean. "I¡¯ll go check. You go back to sleep." Ye Jie sternly adviced her before walking out of thefort. Thefort was definitely from her presence and not from thefy duvet.


    Ye Jie didn¡¯t like having servants running around the house. That¡¯s why only one maid was allowed to enter his house for basic chores or cook a meal when he asks for it. And since he changes the passcode of the door because of Ye Jun, he had to open the door himself.


    He didn¡¯t check the monitor and directly opened the door. There stood his parents with a frown etched on their faces but as their eyes fell on Ye Jie, they smiled sweetly. "What took you so long, Ah Jie?" Mother Ye asked with mild irritation.


    "I was sleeping, mom," He replied while scratching the back of his head.


    "Really?" Both parents were surprised but it was a pleasant surprise for them to see him sleep till thiste. They made their way inside the house while their eyes were looking around, trying to find something or more specifically someone. "Where is Xu Mey?" Mother Ye asked as Father Ye sat down on the couch.


    "She¡¯s sleeping."


    "It¡¯s sote. Why is she sleeping even now?" Mother Ye¡¯s temperament took a 180 degrees turn.


    "Mom, I was also sleeping. It¡¯s not a big deal."


    "You can sleep for this long, it¡¯s normal. She¡¯s the mistress of this household. She has some responsibilities. She¡¯s supposed to prepare a meal for you, take care of your necessities. But she¡¯s still sleeping?" Mother Ye was feeling indignant. But Ye Jie found it a bit odd.


    "Mey was tiredst night. So, it¡¯s fair that she catch up on some sleep." Ye Jie was defending his wife and oddly it made mother Ye even more resentful.


    "What did you dost night?" Ye Jun¡¯s voice came from behind as he sauntered inside the house using the spare key he had sneakily stolest time. Ye Jie frowned. "I mean you must have done something that tired out our sis-inw." His voice was suggestive and it made Ye Jie want to strangle him. He red at Ye Jun making him swallow the rest of his imaginative theory.


    "What happened to your hand?" When Father Ye asked this question, it made both Mother Ye and Ye Jun notice his bandaged hand.


    "It¡¯s nothing... I just hurt myself." Ye Jie didn¡¯t want to disclose how he injured himself. Both his parents will me Xu Mey and he wasn¡¯t going to let them do it.


    The first thing Xu Mey did when Ye Jie left the room was to find her phone. It was a tough task since she never took notice of her cellphone. The poor phone was found under the bed. When she searched for basorexia, the search result made her eyes widen. Her pale face instantly turned red burning her cheeks from embarrassment. The search result read: ¡¯An overwhelming desire to kiss.¡¯


    Hearing the voices, Xu Mey also came downstairs. Ye Jun was the first to notice her, he opened his mouth to say something but his eyes fell on the scratched around her neck and the bandage on her hand.


    "Now, you guys really need to tell me. What have you both been doingst night?" Ye Jun¡¯s question made everyone look at Xu Mey.

 Chapter 65 - Sorry For A Lifetime

    "Ouch!" Ye Jie pped the back of Ye Jun¡¯s head.


    "Nothing happenedst night." Before Ye Jun could open his mouth, Ye Jie added, "Xu Mey was helping me clean up the wound and a small shard in my hand hurt her. Okay?" Ye Jie had to think of a lie in a hurry and that was the only thing that came to his mind.


    But the lie he told to save Xu Mey from trouble made her feel even more guilty. "Oh... Mom, Dad, what brought you to my ce?" Suddenly remembering, Ye Jie asked.


    "We thought we should spend the Sunday with our son. And we¡¯d also have lunch prepared by our daughter-inw." Mother Ye replied as she looked at Xu Mey standing at the side with her head down.


    "But mom, Xu Mey hurt her hand. So-" Before he could avoid the impending task of cooking, his mother interrupted him.


    "It¡¯s only a few small cuts. If she can¡¯t even handle that much, how is she going to take over the Ye Family in the future?" For everyone, her words were reasonable but Xu Mey could feel the dislike in her voice.


    "Mom..." Ye Jie was about to argue but Xu Mey held his hand as he looked at her, she shook her head. So, Ye Jie stayed quiet.


    "I¡¯ll cook. Mother-inw is right. It¡¯s my responsibility to cook for them." Xu Mey¡¯s soft, polite voice took both Mother and Father Ye by surprise. It felt like cherry blossoms were falling in April.


    Xu Mey ascended the stairs back to freshen up beforeing down to enter the kitchen. The moment she picked her cellphone, she saw two text messages. One was from Ye Jie and the other from Ye Jun. Both brothers wrote the same thing: ¡¯Do you need help?¡¯


    Xu Mey: ¡¯Nope.¡¯


    Both replied at the same time with the same words again: ¡¯Should I order food and say that you cooked it?¡¯


    Xu Meyughed at their synchronization. But her heart felt warm. She replied: ¡¯It¡¯s alright.¡¯


    Then only Ye Jie sent a message: ¡¯I¡¯m sorry!¡¯ Xu Mey frowned.


    ¡¯For What?¡¯ She sent but no reply came.


    Ye Jie knew that she could cook western food but his parents wanted Chinese traditional food. He was worried about two things; first that she didn¡¯t know how to cook and second that she was emotionally exhausted. ¡¯What if she fell sicker? I can¡¯t even argue with mom.¡¯ Ye Jie loved and respected his mother the most. There was no way that he would allow even himself to be rude to her.


    Xu Mey took a deep breath and decided to call Auntie Li Man before she starts panicking again. Li Man, Li Qiao¡¯s mother picked the call within seconds. "Oh my little Mey, how are you?" Her voice was not the usual stern one but instead, it was warm brimming with love.


    "Auntie Li, I¡¯m fine. I needed your help with something." She replied straightforwardly.


    "Auntie will help little Mey with anything she wants." Xu Mey knew that¡¯d be her reply. Her Auntie Li never said no to her. Being a famous researcher herself, she was always busy but she still found time to call Xu Mey every other day. Even Li Qiao had toin that his mother loved Xu Mey more than her only son.


    "Before I start panicking again, tell me what should I cook for my inws?" She heard Auntie Li¡¯s amused chuckle making her purse her lips.


    "First tell me, what¡¯s the deal with ¡¯panicking again¡¯?" She asked with amusement.


    Knowing that Auntie Li won¡¯t let it go. Xu Mmey described the scenario of her dinner date making Auntie Liugh. "Dinner or dinner date? Aren¡¯t both the same thing, darling?"


    "Well, apparently, they are not. Sun Ju told me once that on dinner dates, there is dinner, then holding hands, then leaving with a goodnight kiss and if the rtionship is old then it ends with rolling on the bed." Auntie Li loved Xu Mey for her honest-to-goodness behavior.


    "Do you know what rolling on the bed means darling?" Auntie Li asked.


    Xu Mey scowled. "Doesn¡¯t it literally mean rolling on the bed?" Her innocent reply received a loud cheeryugh at the other end. But she felt someone else was there as well. "Where are you, Auntie?"


    "I¡¯m in Country A, little Mey. I came here to see my sister-inw and she is amused by you. She justs said that she would love to meet you."


    "Auntie say hello to her. But doesn¡¯t rolling on the bed literally means rolling on the bed?" She asked cautiously.


    This time Auntie replied with seriousness. "Let¡¯s forget that little Mey. Next time, just don¡¯t listen to Sun Ju at all."


    "Okay... What about the food?"


    "Mmm... Let me think... It¡¯s your first time cooking for your inws... You have to impress them... What do you think, Xiao Qian? What should little Mey prepare?" She heard her voice probably talking to her sister-inw for the suggestion. The other woman¡¯s voice was faint but it still felt pleasing to hear. It took about 5 minutes before deciding on the list of what to prepare.


    Mother Ye didn¡¯t allow anyone to help her which left Xu Mey alone to make all the food by herself. Cooking for Ye Jie and his parents were both totally different things. Xu Mey said ¡¯Fighting!¡¯ to herself and started out with the food.


    Ye Jie was apanying his parents in the back garden when he noticed that Ye Jun was not around. He came back inside to look for him and found him staring at the phone screen with eyes as wide as saucers.


    "Jun! Why do you have my phone with you?" Ye Jun looked up at his brother in a daze.


    "Bro, this..." Ye Jun turned the screen to show the video which he receivedst night. Ye Jie¡¯s face lost it¡¯s color before he briskly came and snatched his phone from Jun.


    "Who told you to check my phone without my permission?" Ye Jie¡¯s voice was louder and evasive.


    "Bro, we never had any secrets between us... And that video... It actually concerns our whole family." Ye Jun replied with a stern face which was rare for him.


    "It doesn¡¯t concern anyone. She¡¯s my wife and it only concerns me." Ye Jie¡¯s voice was definite.


    "Bro, but if what is in that video is true than sis-inw-" Ye Jie interrupted him.


    "The video only showed one side of the story. It doesn¡¯t even have audio. Because of that ¡¯if¡¯ I almost lost my wifest night." Ye Jie ran his hand through his hair in frustration. "I won¡¯t be able to forgive myself for doubting her for just a second. Saying sorry for a lifetime is not enough. And you¡¯re asking me to believe in that video. She¡¯s with me. She¡¯s real. That video. I wasn¡¯t there. So, I won¡¯t judge my wife for that clip." His firmness and self-repentance startled Ye Jun.

 Chapter 66 - Xu Mey Is Home?

    If Xu Mey had heard Ye Jie¡¯s words, she would have realized the meaning behind his ¡¯I¡¯m sorry!¡¯.


    An apology is also a weird thing. If you apologize, you feel like it was not enough and if you don¡¯t apologize, it keeps gnawing at your heart.


    For Ye Jie, his doubt of a minute was enough to make him ashamed at himself for the rest of his life. Words and actions are not the only things you should be sorry about. Your thoughts also matter. Because those thoughts make you.


    Ye Jun sat beside his frustrated elder brother and patted his shoulder. "Bro, what happenedst night?" He was cautious with his words because of Ye Jie¡¯s earlier outburst. Ye Jie narrated everything honestly to Ye Jun making him feel guilty. Then he showed the photos of documents he received with that video. "Bro, this?" Ye Jun was bbergasted reading the details in those documents. "She spent 4 years in that ce?" His voice was extremely low as if talking to himself.


    "4 years is a long time, Jun." Ye Jie started. "Even at this age, if I have to spend a day there, I¡¯ll lose my mind. She was barely a teenager and she had to spend 4 years in that ce. Look at her calm and serene personality, even if it is a facade, she¡¯s still holding on. You and I can¡¯t even imagine what she went through." Ye Jun nodded, agreeing with his elder brother.


    "What are you gonna do?" Ye Jun asked after a moment of silence.


    "I¡¯m gonna wait for her to open herself. Whatever courage I had to question her is shattered afterst night. I¡¯ve seen her warm side, her cheery side, and even her irritated side butst night, her petrified side is what I never want to see again." Ye Jie replied honestly as the memory of her trembling body came to his mind shaking him.


    They were conversing when the doorbell caught there attention. Ye Jun headed to the door and opened it. A dignified man with his noble air was staring back Ye Jun. "Xu Mey is home?" He asked in his polite yet authoritative voice. Ye Jun nodded and Lin Shen walked inside without asking.


    Ye Jun was about to close the door when he heard another voice, "Wait!" He saw a man in jeans and v-neck shirt with a leather jacket almost running up to the door. He was panting as he asked, "Xu Mey is home, right?" Ye Jun nodded again and just like Lin Shen, Wu Wang ran inside leaving a startled Ye Jun at the door.


    He had only closed the door for a minute before the doorbell rang again. Ye Jun pulled open the door in frustration to yell but the men in front of him were exuding the air of danger making him swallow down his profanities. "Xu Mey?" He Jian only said the name not bothering to say further while Li Qiao stayed quiet. Ye Jun was gaping at that time while he nodded his head instinctively.


    Even though the group of people had different auras but one thing was the same about them; they all saw Ye Jun as a doorkeeper. As both Li Qiao and He Jian made their way inside, there was a cold temperature inside the living room. Ye Jie was standing before Lin Shen and Wu Wang as a criminal stood before the judge.


    "You!" Wu Wang walked up to Ye Jie while ring at him. "You did something. Didn¡¯t you?" Ye Jie felt like digging a grave for himself to lie in. Oh, wait! Seems like Wu Wang was gonna dig a grave for him. Ye Jie gulped audibly.


    "Wang! Stay back," Lin Shen ced his hand on Wu Wang¡¯s shoulder to hold him back. He looked at Ye Jie. "Where is Mey?" He asked with a faint smile stered on his face. Oddly enough, the smile scared Ye Jie even more than Wu Wang¡¯s furious face.


    "She¡¯s in the kitchen." He replied in a small voice. True to their nature, all of their faces showed ck lines as they stared at him.


    "You¡¯re trying to tell me, Mr. Ye Jie that my Xiao Mey was in the hospitalst night and today you pushed her in the kitchen." He Jian was a man of few words and seeing him say so many words in one go made Ye Jie realize the dire situation he was in.


    "I didn¡¯t ask her to," He really didn¡¯t want her to be in the kitchen but he really had no power before his mother. Ye Jie was not outspoken like Ye Jun who always challenged his mother¡¯s decisions. Ye Jie was the obedient one.


    "And you want us to believe that?" Li Qiao asked with a solemn face.


    "It was really not bro¡¯s fault." Ye Jun tried to speak up for his brother. "Mom suddenly came and asked sis-inw to cook. And sis-inw said she will. No one forced her."


    "You don¡¯t have to force her. And that¡¯s the real problem here," Wu Wang snorted. "Where is the kitchen?" He asked Ye Jie.


    "Over there," Ye Jie pointed towards the kitchen direction and all of them left Ye Jie and Ye Jun alone in the living room.


    "They are scary..." Ye Junmented looking at their back.


    "Not scary... Just overprotective, " Ye Jie pursed his lips and asked Ye Jun to follow him back to the garden. Any minuteter and his parents would havee inside.


    Li Qiao, Wu Wang, Lin Shen, and He Jian stood looking at their precious Xu Mey wearing an apron, holding adle and stirring something in the pot. Even though to a normal person, she looked beautiful while cooking but they were her best friends who had the hawk-like eyes when it came to her.


    All they saw was her nched skin, scratches at her neck, cuts on her hand and the way she kept rubbing her right upper arm. All of their heart broke at that sight.


    Even Ye Jie couldn¡¯t tell that her right upper arm was swollen. When Xu Liqing was holding her yesterday, the force was more than necessary making an ugly blue spot appear on her jade-white skin.


    "Honey Mey!" Wu Wang called her softly making her look up. She was stunned.

 Chapter 67 - There Is A Difference?

    "Ah! What are you guys doing here?" She was really surprised to see them standing before her. "Weren¡¯t you out of country Wang? And Lin Shen, you had some surgeries, you promised in S City. As for you He Jian, I thought you had to stay at your family home." In all her rambling, she didn¡¯t notice the way they were looking at her.


    He Jian moved forward and pulled her in for a hug making her stop rambling. "You didn¡¯t even bother to tell us that you were at the hospital yesterday. Are we that unimportant now?" The downcasted tone of He Jian was very new to Xu Mey. He was a mysterious person who never let his emotions show.


    "And we had to know of it through someone who saw you leaving the hospitalst night." Lin Shen said. He seemed dispirited.


    "And I took the first flight to get here and you¡¯re asking why are we here?" Wu Wang¡¯s voice made her realize how much she must have let them down.


    "Sorry! I was going to tell you, today. It was verytest night and I didn¡¯t want to disturb you all." Xu Mey replied while looking down guiltily.


    "What happened?" Li Qiao had to get to the point. First, because he didn¡¯t like her guilty look and second, because he needed to know the reason.


    Xu Mey had to rte all the events from entering the Xu Residence to leaving it along with the hospital escapade. While she was at it, she exined the nightmare as well only leaving the part where Ye Jie talked about ¡¯Kun Vige¡¯. She knew they will end up beating him and she didn¡¯t want that. Especially, because he hurt her unintentionally and she was also the one who hurt him in the end.


    Although their anger for Ye Jie thawed a bit the anger for Xu Liqing and Fu Lan reached a new pinnacle. If only their Xu Mey gave them permission to take her revenge, they wouldn¡¯t hesitate for a second.


    "Let us help you with the food," Li Qiao offered and all of them nodded indicating their agreement.


    "No... No... Stop!" Xu Mey stopped them from touching anything. "You guys go back. I don¡¯t your help at all. I¡¯ll see youter." She pushed them out of the kitchen literally asking them to get out of the house.


    "You barely cook for us anything. What¡¯s so special about your mother-inw?" Wu Wang was being childish for no reason.


    She groaned in exasperation. "Auntie Li said mothers-inw are very cunning. I have to be in her good books. She seems hostile for some reason." She replied.


    "Tell me, I¡¯ll take care of your mother-inw for you, " All of them cracked their knuckles when Wu Wang said that.


    Xu Mey knew they were not kidding at all. If they want, they can take very special care of her mother-inw. But she didn¡¯t want to get to that level... Not yet.


    "Forget it... Go back now..." She had to push them again.


    They were dejected for being treated this way by their Xu Mey but they didn¡¯t want to make anything worse for her. Therefore, they chose to leave.


    As they were about to leave when Father Ye bumped into them. Seeing Mass Media King Li Qiao, World renowned Surgeon Lin Shen, one of the youngest heir to a conglomerate family Wu Wang and the CEO of the famous Architecture Firm who had a mysterious background He Jian, Father Ye was in a daze for a minute. He blinked repeatedly to assure himself that he wasn¡¯t dreaming.


    "Hello, Mr. Ye!" All of them greeted Father Ye before walking past him.


    When Father Ye came out of his daze, he called them from behind. "You guys should stay for some food, It¡¯s already lunchtime anyway." He invited them to join not because of politeness but because of making connections. There was no need to mention their individual families, they were powerful people themselves.


    Father Ye guided them to the back garden and Mother Ye was also surprised to see them. At the wedding, she saw them but to both parents, they were just casual friends. They didn¡¯t notice them much because of their low-profile lifestyle but after asking around, they realized how important these four people were.


    "What¡¯s taking your wife so long?" Mother Ye said with an unpleasant face after waiting for a long time.


    "I¡¯ll check up on her." Ye Jie walked inside the house and different aromas assaulted his senses making his mouth watery.


    As he headed to the kitchen, he saw a line up of porcinware ced neatly on the dining table. Seeing the line up which seemed to be for a festival, Ye Jie¡¯s jaw dropped.


    Xu Mey was standing beside the table cracking her knuckles in nervousness. Seeing Ye Jie she asked, "Do you think it¡¯ll be enough?"


    Ye Jie looked at her in horror. "Enough? It¡¯s more than enough." He barely got that out of his mouth. "I thought, you couldn¡¯t cook."


    "I never said I can¡¯t. I said I don¡¯t cook." She replied righteously.


    "There is a difference?"


    "Of course there is. I can¡¯t cook means I don¡¯t know how to. But I don¡¯t cook means I just don¡¯t like cooking in general." She was talking animatedly with exaggerated hand gestures.


    Ye Jie cleared his throat. "So, What did you cook?" His eyes were following the colorful dishes on the table increasing his curiosity along with his hunger.


    Xu Mey smiled weirdly. "I made Sesame Ginger Chicken with slightly sticky sweet and spicy sauce which I garnished with toasted sesame seeds and scallions." She pointed at a dish and continued, "This is Shrimp Lo Mein, in this, I used Stir-fried shrimp, assorted veggies and hearty egg noodle which are coated in salty and spicy soy-sesame-oyster-chili sauce. Then I seasoned it with garlic, ginger, and scallions."


    Then she moved forward, " This is Slow Cooker Broli Beef- vorful beef simmered in a fragrant sauce with bright crisp broli over a bed of white rice. Doesn¡¯t it entice your hunger?" Ye Jie noddedpletely agreeing with her. Just the look of it was making Ye Jie want to pick it up and devour it. "Over here I have Crock Pot Sausage and Peppers with provolone and crusty rolls. It has a bit of Italian touch for a change." Xu Mey was exining in detail with ease.


    "Right here is Slow Cooker Chicken Parmesan Pasta. Like Pasta + chicken + parmesan ¡ª can we get it any better than this?" Ye Jie shook his head with a warm-hearted look. He was enjoying how she loved to talk about food. Surprisingly, she said she doesn¡¯t like cooking. Who would believe her if she appeared this enthusiastic?


    "Here we have, Posh Chopped Suey. Simply put, Fragrant Chicken and Mushroom Stir-Fry. It¡¯s loaded with fresh vegetables and lean strips of chicken. It¡¯s quick to make but healthy to eat. But it has a very authentic vor. You won¡¯t forget it." She assured him with a challenge.


    "I count on it," He replied.


    "Ah! This is y Pot Chicken with Shiitake Mushrooms and Chinese Sausage. But you didn¡¯t have a y pot. So, I used a metal pot. But I¡¯m sure it will taste not any different." She said confidently. "Hopefully." Losing confidence in the next minute.


    "Here is Bacon, Egg and Prawn Fried Rice which is garnished with chopped spring onions. Along we have Golden Gate Chilli Ribs which I¡¯m serving with Roasted Sweet Potatoes and a mixed sd. Just look at that fresh color of the ribs making me want to eat it right here." She gulped down her saliva.


    "Other things are Prawn and Chive Potstickers. Serving alongside the dipping sauce. Perfect Pot Stickers which I made sure that they stay moist while prepping." She took a break catching her breath. "Mapo Dofu is here. You have eaten it for sure before. It has a spicy, salty bean paste. I also made Sweet and Sour Pork topping the pork loins with pineapple juice and lime mixture. I thought seafood will be missed so I wanted to make Grilled Coconut Lobster. But first, we didn¡¯t have lobster at home and even if we did, that would need hours to marinate."


    "In desserts, we have, Homemade Chinese Doughnuts and Egg tarts." She finished talking and looked at Ye Jie gazing at her with an indescribable look. "What do you think?" She asked nervously.


    Ye Jie walked up to her and whispered near her ear. "The exotic vors your hands added would definitely make these sizzling dishese alive."

 Chapter 68 - Shes Our Precious Little Girl

    The people always deem you the way they want you to be. We don¡¯t have control over how someone thinks about us or through which filters they are looking at us. Everyone has the entitlement to think but no one has the right to judge.


    But we forget this very easily. We love to judge everything around us. It¡¯s like judging will bring the feeling of sanctimonious to us. And the more someone tries to please us, the more we have the cause to believe that he¡¯s faking it.


    But our human nature doesn¡¯t allow us to stop trying. Therefore, we keep trying to impress the people around us.


    Mother Ye became that person for Xu Mey. She was trying to impress her with all her might and Mother Ye was holding on to her prejudice against her for some unknown reason.


    The food that Xu Mey spent 4 hours to make, when Jun asked his mother, "Mom, how¡¯s the food? It¡¯s delicious right?"


    She replied with a dry, "Hmm..." with a nod and that was done unwillingly.


    Father Ye didn¡¯t hold back in his praises, "Our daughter-inw is so filial. She has a unique taste in her hands. She¡¯s such a nice child." All the while, his eyes were following the reactions of her best friends giving away the fact that he was only trying to please them.


    And Our overprotective four bros were keeping a solemn expression. They have been keeping an eye on every single interaction without getting involved themselves. Whenever Father Ye tried to strike a conversation with them, they either nodded with a practiced smile or replied in monosybles.


    It was almostte at noon when both the parents decided to leave. Both Ye Jie and Xu Mey walked them back to the door leaving the best friends behind in the back garden.


    "So, we don¡¯t like his parents, right?" Wu Wang started with his question looking at the others.


    "Don¡¯t worry. We are on the same page this time." Lin Shen answered his question while sipping on his rose tea in a poised manner.


    "Yet, you guys think that Ye Jie is right for our honey Mey." Wu Wang grumbled while rolling his eyes.


    "He and his parents are both different, Wang. We can¡¯t judge a child based on his blood." Li Qiao added looking in the direction of the door that led to the living room.


    Wu Wang raised both his hands to emphasize, "I still think, we should consider divorce."


    "Shut up, Wang!" He Jian¡¯s voice was calm and low but his tone gave Wu Wang a shiver. "Rtionships are no joke. Just because your own became one. Don¡¯t try to make Xiao Mey¡¯s like yours."


    Wu Wang stared at He Jian with pursed lips. He didn¡¯t have a reply to that. "That was a low blow, Jian." Li Qiao said to He Jian and turned to Wu Wang. "Even though Jian said it in the wrong way but he is not wrong, Wang. It¡¯s only been a week. We should observe for a while longer." Lin Shen showed his agreement with a nod.


    "Whatever!" Wu Wang grumbled as he reclined back in a wicker chair with both arms crossed over his chest.


    There was silence for a moment before He Jian broke it, "¡¯Pearls don¡¯t lie on the seashore, you have to dive into the ocean to get them.¡¯ Since they found our pearl like Xiao Mey so easily. They are taking her as a pebble."


    "Maybe they believe in, ¡¯Better to have a diamond with a w than a pebble with none.¡¯" Wu Wang sat straight as he said.


    "Our Mey-Mey is neither a diamond with a w nor a pebble without any w, she¡¯s our precious little girl. No matter what they think about her, that doesn¡¯t concern us." Lin Shen joined the conversation cing his empty cup on the table.


    They were immersed in their own debate that they didn¡¯t notice when Xu Mey came behind them. They only noticed her when she spoke, "Is it just me or my mother-inw seems to hold a grudge?" There was a frown between her brows.


    Li Qiao stood up and pressed her frown with his fingers saying, "It¡¯s not just you. We all noticed that." Knowing that she wasn¡¯t being paranoid, she rxed a bit.


    "Oh! So, did you guys see the way she treats my husband?" Hearing ¡¯my husband¡¯ from her mouth was a bit odd for all of them but they didn¡¯t let it show on their faces.


    He Jian wore his gold-rimmed sses as he said, "If our Xiao Mey noticed it then isn¡¯t it obvious her brothers noticed it as well."


    She was familiar with their natures and naturally, she was aware that their eyes were following exactly what she was seeing. It wasn¡¯t very obvious but she and her friends had a habit of noticing the subtle changes.


    During the meal, Mother Ye kept filling up Ye Jun¡¯s bowl with food but she only ced a rib in Ye Jie¡¯s bowl once. And even at that Ye Jie showed a very gratifying expression. Then when Ye Jie asked about the meal, she didn¡¯t reply at all. But when Ye Jun asked, she gave a reply even though it was not worth mentioning at all.


    Her mother-inw¡¯s attitude didn¡¯t fit in the criteria of what she was told. ording to the world, Ye Jie was his parents¡¯ favorite son for being so filial. But what Xu Mey saw was apletely different story. Only Father Ye treated him like the eldest son. As for Mother Ye¡¯s behavior, she wasn¡¯t so sure about it anymore.

 Chapter 69 - I Learned Cooking To Bribe Someone

    All of them didn¡¯t stay for long. They only advise Xu Mey to take care of her health and threw warning looks towards Ye Jie before leaving. Ye Jie pulled Xu Mey to their bedroom after everyone left.


    "I¡¯m really sorry," She heard his faint guilty voice as he made her sit on the bed. She arched her brows in a questioning manner. "Sorry for not being much of help with mom and food."


    Afterprehending his meaning she said, "It¡¯s not much of a deal."


    Ye Jie gave a humorless smile. "I would have believed you on normal days. But today, you were sick." He crouched down before her on the ground and held her hands. "I never really disobeyed her. Thest time I argued with her was-" He stopped speaking making Xu Mey curious.


    "When was thest time?" She asked.


    He looked into her ck orbs asking, "Do you really wanna know? It... It¡¯s actually rted to my ex." He was hesitant in his words.


    "I have no problem in listening at all." She replied with a straight face. "But you could feel hurt after living through the memoryne."


    Ye Jie frowned. "No, I won¡¯t. She doesn¡¯t have a ce in my life or my heart anymore."


    "Then why are you getting frustrated?" She asked making his frown deeper. "I believe you when you said she doesn¡¯t have a ce in your life but when you say she¡¯s not in your heart..." She sighed. "I really don¡¯t believe you."


    "How can I make you believe in my words?"


    "It¡¯s very simple actually. I¡¯ll believe you the day you won¡¯t hesitate to talk about her."


    "Any reason for that?" Ye Jie ced her legs up on the bed and ced pillows to support her back. Then covered her legs with the duvet.


    "My Wang bro had a girlfriend years ago. He fell in love with her and spent an entire year with her. When he met her, he told her that he was a painter. An artist trying to make his name in this big world." She was looking into a distant.


    "He lied?" Ye Jie sat beside her on the bed as he asked.


    "No... He didn¡¯t lie... He was actually trying to make a name for himself through painting during that time. He never liked that girls approached him because he was Wu Wang- the heir of Global Corporations. But he wanted an honest rtionship. He thought he found that love in her. Especially when she became pregnant with his child." She took a pause. Ye Jie¡¯s whole attention was on her.


    "Wang Bro decided to propose her ande clean about his identity but in the end, when he was on his knee, she told him about the abortion. The reason was simple, she didn¡¯t want to marry someone who didn¡¯t hold an identity worth mentioning, after all, she was supposedly a nobledy from a business family."


    Ye Jie was confused. "How is this rted to me?"


    "Be patient..." She shifted a bit. "It¡¯s been almost 8 years and Wang Bro still has a portrait of her in his penthouse. He¡¯s known to be a yboy now. But he still has feelings for her." She shook her while sighing.


    Ye Jie thought for a minute before speaking. "Maybe he¡¯s keeping her portrait as a reminder of his mistake of loving the wrong person."


    Xu Mey smiled at his statement. "That¡¯s what Wang Bro said as well. But that¡¯s not true. The day he¡¯ll be ready to sell that portrait will be the day, all of us will believe that she doesn¡¯t have any control over his heart anymore."


    Without even realizing it, Ye Jie had given control of his emotions to Lu Yuhan. He realized that talking about her really made him frustrated. And frustration is also a feeling. In Xu Mey¡¯s words, when her name won¡¯t be able to bring any kind of feeling in him, that¡¯s when she¡¯ll be out of his heart.


    ¡¯Couldn¡¯t she just say it like an ordinary person?¡¯ He thought. ¡¯But wait! I didn¡¯t know anything about Wu Wang. I always thought he was just a yboy but he seems to be hiding a lot in him.¡¯


    No one could me Ye Jie for his opinion. Not even Xu Mey. Wu Wang had portrayed himself as a yboy who only has single night-stands. He never approached girls or try to establish any other rtionship. Most of all, he never gave any girl hope. He knew how much it hurt when hopes are shattered.


    Ye Jie passed her painkillers with warm water and asked her to rx. "Where are you going?" She asked seeing him getting up from the bed.


    "I¡¯m going downstairs to get you some milk and then I have some work to finish. But don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll be done very soon." He replied as he headed to the door.


    Remembering the start of the conversation, Xu Mey asked, "What about your first argument with your mother?"


    Ye Jie stopped in his steps and turned to look at her. "You still are curious?" Xu Mey nodded. "It happened about a year ago, mom was against our rtionship and she asked me to break up with her. I refused and that¡¯s how the argument happened."


    Xu Mey creased her brows. "And then what?"


    "Ha? Then nothing... My ex broke up with me and left. So, the argument with mom ended naturally." He shrugged his shoulders and walked out of the door.


    She was deep in thought when Ye Jie came back with a cup of milk and made her drink it right in front of him.


    "By the way, for someone who doesn¡¯t like cooking, you made one hell of a feast... Where did you learn to cook?" He was getting curious about her knowledge about food.


    "I learned cooking to bribe someone." She replied nonchntly.


    "Do I need to know about it?" He asked cautiously.


    "Not yet," She turned her head to one side. After that, he kissed the top of her head and asked her to take some rest. He went down to his study to work.


    Xu Mey picked up her ownptop to check emails but instead her mind was wandering off to Ye Jie¡¯s words. A ring tone broke her wool-gathering. Catching the caller id shing on the screen, she smiled broadly.

 Chapter 70 - The Deceitful Rose

    The moment Xu Mey ced the phone against her ear an alluring butzy voice rang out, "Dear student, I heard you were at the hospitalst night." It wasn¡¯t a question and Xu Mey knew it very well.


    "If you know that then you must know why I was there, Sensei," A smile was lingering on her lips curling them upwards.


    "I know about the allergy and I also know you went to Xu Residence yesterday. So, I don¡¯t have to think much to figure out anything else. What I want to know is how are you?" The voice transmitting from the other side felt like feathers tickling her ears. She still couldn¡¯t figure out how a person like her Sensei had such an amazing voice.


    Whether it was the voice texture or the manner of speech, it was so poised,zy and delicate yet made one feel cold shivers running up their spine.


    Xu Mey sighed as weariness was oveing her. "I¡¯m fine... Just tired."


    "Tired? When did I ept such a weak disciple like you?" The words were spoken with irritation but Xu Mey could hear the underlying concern. Her Sensei was indirectly asking for the reason of her tiredness.


    Xu Mey chuckled. "Sensei?"


    "Mm..."


    "I had a nightmarest night."


    She heard some shuffling at the other end. "It¡¯s been almost over a year. What triggered it?"


    Xu Mey recounted the discussion with Ye Jie without hiding anything. Then she depicted the entire nightmare with perfect details. After that, she had to narrate the story of today¡¯s events with her mother-inw.


    "¡¯I won¡¯t be caged!¡¯" The voice at the other end repeated her words. "We like to cage the beautiful birds because ugly ones are not worth much. And we love to cage our ugly sides while unting our beauty. Such a weird world we live in."


    "Why do you care about his mother? Why does it matter whether she likes you or not?" After a silence came a curt voice.


    "Sensei, she¡¯s my husband¡¯s mother after all. I have to impress her." She took a pause to think, "Earlier, she seemed nice to me. I don¡¯t know what changed suddenly." That was bothering her all this time. For a girl who never had the love of a mother, she really wanted a good rtionship with her mother-inw. But now, it seemed impossible.


    "My dearest disciple, how can you be so gullible even after everything you went through? Don¡¯t even dare to forget, even a rose has thorns much less a human." Came the reply. "I taught you before, this world is two-faced. Beauty and ugliness are only said to not co-exist. But in reality, we all live with beauty and ugliness hiding within ourselves."


    "But I only saw beauty in you," Xu Mey said.


    She heard a heartyugh from the other side making her shake her head. "Are you sure, you¡¯re my first disciple? How can you be so credulous? I have beauty? Why didn¡¯t I get the notice?" Xu Mey rolled her eyes at the mocking tone. "My dear dear dear disciple, don¡¯t always fall for the deceitful roses. Trust this Lord, a cactus that shows it¡¯s ugliness is a lot better than a rose which disys its beauty."


    "I can¡¯t possibly call you an ugly person. Sensei, you saved me."


    "Oh no, my dearest... I didn¡¯t save you... I just showed you a way to save yourself... As I said back then if the darkness is within you than look for a small light outside. Every day, find that light to show you a way out of that darkness." The calm,nguid voice spoke.


    She remembered those words clearly. She also remembered what she asked after hearing that, "Sensei, do you look for light as well?"


    The reply was, "Nope... I don¡¯t need a light to show me my way. I¡¯ve befriended the darkness. Now, this darkness shows the world to me."


    Coming back to the present, Xu Mey said, "Ye Jie asked me who taught me how to cook?" There was amusement in her voice.


    "Did you tell him that you learned it to bribe this Lord and in the end, this Lord was the one who had to teach you as well. Ironically, the person who wanted the bribe had to first teach you how to give that bribe, Wow!" Xu Mey chuckled at this. She had to pester her Sensei to help her with something and being the biggest foodie on the, that person said, "Give me a bribe first."


    Xu Mey had to learn how to cook but in the end, she made her sensei teach her how to cook as well. That was the reason, she didn¡¯t like cooking for others. She learned it for her Sensei, so she believed only that person should get to eat her food.


    "Hehe... Sensei... I still learned, didn¡¯t I?"


    "Yes, you did..." There was silence for a minute. "Did you say that your husband was about to argue with his mother for you but you stopped him?"


    "Yeah... Why are asking that again?" She scowled.


    "Because I think that¡¯s where your answer lies."


    "Huh?"


    "Use your brain, my foolish disciple." Xu Mey pouted at the choice of words. "Lose the frown and that adorable pout." Xu Mey opened her mouth to ask but the reply came before that, "Did you forget? I know you better than you know yourself." Xu Mey had to nod in agreement at this. "Now, what I think is that your mother-inw was fine until you were an unimportant person. But today, she saw how Ye Jie wanted to defend you in front of her. So, she became hostile towards you."


    "That seems unlikely..." Xu Mey was doubtful.


    "You don¡¯t believe this Lord? Humph! Think yourself, he had an argument with his mother for his ex and suddenly his ex broke up with him and even left the country without telling him. Now, he was going to argue because of you, so she became rude and uncaring towards him. Doesn¡¯t it seem fishy?" After a pause, "It¡¯s clear your mother-inw has some authority issues. She wants to keep Ye Jie as her obedient son and whoever enters his life should also be like him."


    Before she could say anything in reply, the call was disconnected. ¡¯Sensei is throwing tantrums now. I was just a tiny bit doubtful but really Sensei can¡¯t handle it when someone doesn¡¯t show trust.¡¯ She thought to herself.

 Chapter 71 - He Is A Keeper

    Xu Mey¡¯s past made her a selfish person. She never thought of herself to be selfless. Other than a few people in her life, nobody gave her a reason to be selfless. Mother Ye was like her in this aspect. Mother Ye was selfish when it came to her family. But unlike Xu Mey, Mother Ye made her selfishness to turn into a storm inside of her. And now that exact storm was destroying her own inner peace.


    With a filial, obedient, and most importantly, astute son like Ye Jie, one could hardly not want to be selfish. But it doesn¡¯t exin the fact that why doesn¡¯t she want to see her own son happy?


    Xu Mey shook her head to get rid of all these thoughts. ¡¯It¡¯s all Sensei¡¯s fault!¡¯ She groaned and looked at the long forgottenptop in herp. There were plenty of emails waiting to be read but a particr one caught her attention.


    It was from the CEO of Glow Gemstones- It was gemstones dealingpany with mines in different countries. Thepany was not old but it had a very strong footing in the business world. Xu Mey¡¯s Vintage Gems started their coboration about a year ago. Although Xu Mey stopped involving herself with the gem collection department she knew about Glow Gemstones.


    The title of the mail was: ¡¯Jade Stones deal n for CoCo Jewels¡¯


    She squinted her eyes and clicked on the email. It read:


    ¡¯President Xu,


    I¡¯ve heard about how Jade Stones snatched the CoCo Jewels deal from Vintage. And I know the way, they did it. I¡¯ve attached their coboration n. You should take a look and devise a suitable counterattack. I believe in President Xu¡¯s capabilities. The only thing I ask of you is to make sure that Jade Stones loses its credibility. If you need me for anything, please feel free to contact.


    Jacob, CEO of Glow Gemstones.¡¯


    "Interesting... Very Interesting..." Xu Meymented with a beguiled smile gracing her beautiful cherry lips.


    Having friends in the business world was quite hard but having enemies was too easy. Like sometimes, your mere existence makes you the subject of dislike. We might find friends after looking through the whole city but we¡¯ll find at least one enemy at every other corner.


    For Xu Mey, it was not surprising that someone wanted to help her in crushing the Jade Stones but she was more curious about what did Fu Lan or Xu Liqing did to offend Glow Gemstones. In just 5 years, thispany controlled most of the gemstone market in the entire country. Offending them was like suicide for a jewellery designingpany like Jade Stones.


    Because every jewellery needs precious gems or stones and Glow Gemstones already held control over that. In the future, if Jade Stones wanted gems, they¡¯ll have to look for overseaspanies. And that will need extra resources and money. Suddenly Jade Stones seemed very pitiful to Xu Mey and she couldn¡¯t help but click her tongue at their future miserable state.


    But Xu Mey didn¡¯t need Glow Gemstones help in making Jade Stones miserable at all. She had done her homework very well. But to reject someone¡¯s kindness was not a good gesture. So she wrote a reply to that email.


    ¡¯Mr. Jacob,


    I¡¯ve received your email which is rather interesting. Although I¡¯m delighted to know that you¡¯re trying to help Vintage. But I don¡¯t need their coboration n to destroy them. First, I don¡¯t like underhanded deals and second, because Jade Stones destruction is my responsibility. I can only assure you that by the end of the next week, Jade Stones shares will be in the ditch.


    I¡¯ll make sure of that.


    President Xu of Vintage Gems¡¯


    She sent the email and shut theptop. Ye Jie came back to the room and saw her putting theptop on the side table. "Didn¡¯t I tell you to rest?"


    Xu Mey looked at him and scratched the back of her head sheepishly. "I had some work." She replied in an uncertain way.


    Ye Jie sighed and headed to his side of the bed. "Are you scared?" He asked whileying down.


    Remembering how she had her head buried in his chest in the morning, a blush tinted her ear red. "Nope... I¡¯m fine." She replied hastily.


    Ye Jie saw her embarrassed state with delightful expression. He snaked his arm around her waist pulling her to his own body saying, "We shouldn¡¯t take any risk."


    Xu Mey was again buried in his chest as his heartbeat felt like soothing music to her. Easing her body and taking away the pain she felt in her muscles. Her weariness took over and she fell asleep instantly.


    "I really don¡¯t know what¡¯s wrong with mom so suddenly. But don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll make her like you at all cost and if I can¡¯t, then I¡¯ll make sure to stand by your side." Ye Jue spoke softly unbeknownst to the fact that she was already asleep. When he felt her steady breathing, he looked down at her face pressed against his heart and couldn¡¯t help but smile. "Good night, my dear wife!" He kissed the top of her head and hugged her even closer to his body before closing his eyes.


    The next morning, as usual, both of them had small interactions during the breakfast which was prepared by the maid. Ye Jie asked Qu NaNa to stay backst night because he didn¡¯t want Xu Mey to do any work at all. But he knew, she was not going to avoid her office work just like him.


    The unusual thing was the parcel that came early in the morning for Xu Mey. Ye Jie received the parcel from a young man who looked very familiar. After thinking for a while, he remembered, the young man came to his wedding with a gift for Xu Mey and today he had a parcel for her.


    "Sir, pass this on to Ms. Xu, " He said politely extending his hands to pass the parcel to Ye Jie. Ye Jie took the parcel and said,


    "I will."


    After he closed the door, he looked at the parcel which was actually a wooden box with an intricate design of turtle doves on the cover. The design was so beautifully carved that Ye Jie had the urge to know which artist designed it.


    As Xu Mey came to the living room, she saw Ye Jie looking closely at the box in his hand. Noticing her presence, he said, "This came for you." He passed her the box.


    She held it with a curious expression but seeing the turtle doves at the top, a beautiful smile bloomed on her face. She instantly opened the box. She didn¡¯t hide the content from Ye Jie.


    There were pouches filled with herbs neatly ced inside and a small note was underneath. Xu Mey pulled it out and read it,


    "Boil the herbs and drink them before sleeping. It¡¯ll calm your senses and help you with sleeping.


    Although I don¡¯t care about what your mother-inw is like, I do care about you. Stop trying to impress others. And stop saying you turned your heart into a metal.


    Even the hearts made of metal have to burn in the presence of fire inside of us. And the fire of revenge you have will only burn you.


    So, instead of burning yourself, try sharing with your husband. Let me tell you, HE IS A KEEPER!!!"


    There was no one the note was addressed to and even the sender¡¯s name was not written. But how could Xu Mey not know the unique style of her Sensei? But what surprised her was thest sentence. It was very rare for her Sensei to say something nice for anybody. That person only knew how to find faults. But today, thepliment was for Ye Jie, her own husband. She really had no idea what her Sensei was thinking while writing this note.

 Chapter 72 - You Work At Vintage Gems?

    Xu Mey learned to act like a trusting person. But in reality, she didn¡¯t trust at all. The person she trusted the most was also the one who taught her that trust was a luxury not everyone could afford. That person was her Sensei- who brought her back to life and gave her a new dream in life to live.


    Her trust for her Sensei was so deep that just with his one sentence, ¡¯He is a keeper!¡¯ She decided to trust Ye Jie. She didn¡¯t want to go all in this rtionship but she didn¡¯t want to get all out as well. Therefore, she decided to find a middle ground in this rtionship.


    When she was walking towards her motorbike, she stopped. Turned around and headed to Ye Jie¡¯s Audi which he was about to drive out. She bent a little, knocked at his window and when the ss rolled down, she asked, "Do you mind giving me a ride?"


    Ye Jie kept staring back at her without blinking. This was one of the rare times when she spoke first. He opened his mouth but nothing came out. He cleared his throat and tried again. "Yeah sure... Get in."


    Xu Mey smiled faintly and walked around the car to sit at the passenger seat. "Where to?" He asked.


    "Just drive. I¡¯ll tell you the directions." She replied and Ye Jie stepped on the elerator.


    There was silence in the car and Ye Jie kept stealing nces at her face from his peripheral vision to discern her frame of mind. After much bickering with himself, he tested the water. "Those herbs that you received..." He dragged his sentence, not daring toplete it.


    Xu Mey tilted her head towards him. "Oh, those... They are to help me get better sleep." She repliednguidly.


    Ye Jie nodded. "Who?" He again didn¡¯tplete the question.


    She gazed at the side of his face for a while. "They are from the person who said you are a keeper." Her blunt reply stunned Ye Jie to the extent that he ended up stepping on the brakes. Fortunately, they were not yet on the highway otherwise you could imagine the consequences.


    After looking at her face trying to see whether she was telling the truth or not, he coughed a little. "Sorry about this." Xu Mey waved it off like it was no big deal. And it was really not a big deal, no one got injured or anything.


    "Okay, you can stop the car right there," She pointed towards the building and Ye Jie¡¯s eyes widened.


    He parked the car and asked, "You work at Vintage Gems?"


    Xu Mey was unbuckling her seatbelt when she said, "Isn¡¯t it a dream of every jewelry designer to work at Vintage these days?" She looked at him with raised brows. When she received no reply from Ye Jie she said, "Fine... It¡¯s not to that extent... Yet... But its still a good ce to work." Indirectly, she was trying to make Ye Jie talk about his opinion of Vintage but he didn¡¯t make ament.


    "Should Ie to pick you up?" He asked looking expectantly at her.


    She pursed her lips, thought for a minute and said, "Sure, juste by at around 6:30."


    "Got it!" He did a salute with two fingers making her roll her eyes at him ced her hand over her mouth to hide her smile. She was about to turn when she heard his voice, "Wait!" She turned to see him getting off of the car and walking up to her. He gave her a light hug and kissed the top of her head. "Now, you can go." He waved his hand and got in the car again. She stood at the side watching his car disappear before she walked inside the building.


    Ye Jie was unusually happy today. It was like another step to knowing her. He finally knew where she worked. As for her workce, he knew about Vintage very well. He had every detail of thepany with him except for one - Who was the President of thepany? It was a question asked by many but if you had no business interactions with Vintage, there was no way of knowing about the President.


    But the worst part for Ye Jie was that he had a very close business interaction with Vintage and yet he had never met or seen the President. ¡¯Ha? President Xu? Xu Mey? They have the same family name. Weird!¡¯ He was talking to himself in his office.


    Seeing the reports on his table, he stood up and headed to Ye Jun¡¯s office. Ye Jun was busy ying games when Ye Jie came inside without knocking. "Bro, knock before you enter." He got defensive.


    Ye Jie threw the files in his hand in front of Ye Jun making him jump in his seat. "You¡¯re the one who wanted to get into e-sports and now, you¡¯re not taking responsibility." Ye Jie was furious. He clearly told Ye Jun that even though he yed games, none of them had much idea about e-sports but he still insisted. Ye Jie was regretting agreeing to it.


    "Bro, you take care of it. I can¡¯t handle it anymore." Ye Jun raised his hands trying to get out of the mess he created.


    "I guess I was expecting too much from you." Ye Jie was disappointed in Ye Jun once again. For the world, Ye Jun was an exceptional worker but in reality, Ye Jie had to do everything behind the scenes. He didn¡¯t want anyone to question Ye Jun¡¯s abilities but it was true that Ye Jun enjoyed hanging around instead of working.


    Ye Jie pinched his brows and came back to his own office. His cell phone was ringing when he walked back inside the office. Ye Jie received the call without looking at the screen. "Hello!"


    "What hello? What an ungrateful best friend are you?" Ming Qu¡¯s voice transmitted from the other end. "After the marriage, you havepletely forgotten your best friend." Ming Qu was trying to act brokenhearted but Ye Jie was familiar with his antics.


    "Get over it. Didn¡¯t you forget me when you got married?" Ye Jie replied in frustration. All of his frustration over Ye Jun was being directed to Ming Qu.


    "Ouch! You got mean, my friend." Ming Qu dered. Ye Jie rolled his eyes and loosened his tie while taking a seat.


    "Is your wife with you?" Ye Jie asked as a sudden thought came to his mind.


    "She is. What do you want with her?" Ming Qu was suspicious.

 Chapter 73 - After Her Nightmare, I Do...

    "Just give her the phone. Don¡¯t ask questions." Ming Qu had a look of askance but he didn¡¯t argue with Ye Jie any further.


    "Xiao Xia?" Ye Jie heard Ming Qu¡¯s voice calling Wu Xia.


    "Yes, baby!" He heard Wu Xia¡¯s faint voice from the other side.


    "Could you pleasee here, Ye Jie wants to talk to you," Ming Qu said.


    "Ye Jie?" Wu Xia¡¯s voice got closer. "You mean sister Mey¡¯s husband?" Ye Jie figured Ming Qu must have nodded because the next reply came, "Give the phone to me then."


    "Oh, Hello! Jie Ge-Ge?" Her addressing him as big brother surprised Ye Jie but he didn¡¯t mind it. Even before Ye Jie could say anything, Wu Xia spoke, "How are you? How is sister Mey? I haven¡¯t spoken to her in a long time. Sorry, I couldn¡¯t attend the wedding. I so wanted to but that idiot brother of mine didn¡¯t let me. Even dad went to the wedding." She was aggrieved. "But since dad went alone, he had been sleeping in the guest room for a week now. Haha! Mom was very upset that he didn¡¯t bring her along. Oh, I almost forgot, why did you want to talk to me?"


    ¡¯Thank God you just remembered that. Ah! She really talks a lot.¡¯ Even though Ye Jie was not used to this much talking but he was actually feeling rxed listening to herining nonstop. She felt like a little sister mithering about being wronged.


    "Do you know where Wu Wang is?" He asked.


    "Huh? Wang-Ge is out of the country." She replied innocently.


    "But he came to my house yesterday." Ye Jie imed.


    "What? Wang Ge is back? He was supposed toe after 2 weeks." She fell quiet for a minute. "Jie Ge-Ge? Is sister Mey alright? There is no way Wang Ge woulde back so suddenly unless it has something to do with sister Mey." She asserted.


    "She... She is fine now. Why don¡¯t youe to meet her over the next weekend and see for yourself?" Ye Jie offered.


    "Oh, okay!" Her voice was cheerful. "I¡¯lle for sure." She dered.


    "Yes, please do." Ye Jie smiled. "Do you have any idea where Wu Wang could be?" Ye asked again.


    "Mmm... If he had gone to the office, mom would have told me... Then... He must be at his penthouse in the suburbs." She came to a conclusion.


    "Can you give me the address Xia Mei-Mei?" Hearing ¡¯little sister Xia¡¯ in Ye Jie¡¯s soft voice felt so good to Wu Xia that she was over the moon.


    "Yes yes... Of course..." She replied cheerfully. She gave Wu Wang¡¯s address to him joyously.


    "I¡¯ll see on the weekend, Mei-Mei." Ye Jie smiled. His voice filled with gratitude.


    During the lunch break, Ye Jie left the office and drove towards the suburbs. Ye Jie was walking to the lobby when Wu Wang entered the building wearing casual clothes. As Wu Wang¡¯s eyes fell on Ye Jie, he scowled.


    Before Wu Wang could ask, ¡¯Why are you here?¡¯ Ye Jie answered the question himself. "I¡¯m here to meet you, Mr. Wu." Ye Jie replied in a business-like tone.


    Wu Wang sighed and said, "Follow me!" He stepped into the private elevator with Ye Jie trailing behind him. They quietly entered his penthouse.


    Wu Wang turned to Ye Jie and said, "Why did you want to see me?"


    "Why? Can¡¯t I want to see you?" Ye Jie answered with his own question.


    "I think you already got the idea that I¡¯m not very fond of you." Wu Wang retorted in all honesty.


    Ye Jie sniggered. "The idea I got is that none of you are fond of me." Wu Wang looked at his face with an arched brow. "The only difference is that you¡¯re very open about it. And that¡¯s why I¡¯m here... Lin Shen has a way with words. Li Qiao is strict with his words. As for He Jian, *sigh* he¡¯s a mystery. The kind that scares me."


    Wu Wang chuckled at hisst remark. "Since you share my views about He Jian, you can take a seat." Wu Wang finally offered him to take a seat. "Would you like to drink something?"


    "Just water." Ye Jie replied while sitting down. As Wu Wang left to take water, Ye Jie looked around his penthouse. It had a very sophisticated feel to it with minimalistic design. The most eye-catching things were the paintings hung on the walls. Before Ye Jie could focus much on the paintings, Wu Wang brought a water bottle for him and sat beside him.


    "So," Ye Jie looked up at his face as he heard his voice, "What brought you to my humble abode?"


    Ye Jie took another sip of water. He rummaged out his cellphone and pushed it towards Wu Wang. Wu Wang was skeptical but when his eyes fell on the video, he froze. He watched the video in silence. Even after the video ended, his eyes were frozen on the screen. With a jolt, he came out of his daze as he asked, "You didn¡¯t show this to Xu Mey, did you?"


    Ye Jie shook his head and Wu Wang sighed. "How do you have it? Did you pry into her past?" Before Ye Jie could defend himself he heard, "No... You can¡¯t possibly find it even after looking. The only people who have it-" He stopped as a furious fire burned in his eyes. "Which one was it? The evil stepmother? Or her witch daughter?" Ye Jie saw the way his hands were clenched.


    "I¡¯ll choose thetter one." He replied calmly seemingly not affected by Wu Wang¡¯s outburst.


    "Do you believe it?" Wu Wang¡¯s voice was low very much unlike his usual self.


    "If I did, I would have been confronting my wife instead ofing to see you."


    "Then why are you really here" If Ye Jie didn¡¯t believe the video, there was no reason for him to be here at all. There had to be something else. And true to Wu Wang¡¯s spections, Ye Jie showed him the photos of the documents. "Do you believe these?"


    "After her nightmare, I do." Ye Jie replied honestly.


    Wu Wang sighed feeling drained all of a sudden. "Don¡¯t bother believing it." Ye Jie frowned at his reply. "While the documents do say that she spent 4 years there but in reality, she spent only a year."


    Ye Jie was shaken. "Why does it say 4 years then?"


    Wu Wang shrugged his shoulders nonchntly. "Although I don¡¯t know who got her out of there or why? Or why the documents say 4 years? But I know only one thing, there was someone who saved her back then. And whoever he is, I¡¯m thankful to him. She would have died otherwise."

 Chapter 74 - My Cherry Wife

    This time Ye Jie was not stunned. From what he gathered during her nightmare, if she really had spent 4 years in that cage made for her, she really would have killed herself.


    "What about the video?" Ye Jie started as the warmth of the sun fell on his face through the tall windows.


    "Do you trust her?" Wu Wang asked.


    "I do!" Ye Jie''s words were absolute.


    "Then be patient. I believe that she thinks you won''t trust her because she doesn''t have proof of her innocence. When she gets the proof, she might open up to you." Wu Wang said leaning back on the couch.


    Ye Jie nodded and quietly sat there looking around at the paintings. His penthouse was like an art gallery. Ye Jie stood up to look at the painting closely. Noticing something, he asked, "Why do you have my wife''s portraits?"


    "Because she''s my little sister..." Wu Wang replied naturally as he came to stand beside him.


    Okay, Bro... You win!


    I guess, Now I know why my wife is so blunt...


    "And my first muse as well..." Wu Wang continued thinking about something as a gentle smile appeared on his face.


    Ye Jie''s eyes caught the sign at the side of paintings. "You!" He pointed at Wu Wang in disbelief. "You''re the famous painter, Eric?" Ye Jie was in disbelief.


    "You have a problem with that?" Wu Wang asked.


    "No way... I like your paintings from the very beginning. I even bought your first auctioned painting, ''Meeting and Parting''. It''s still in my study." Ye Jie always liked his work. He always told Ming Qu that this painter had a deep story. Each stroke of brush or color felt like the painter poured his heart out.


    Ye Jie wasn''t wrong. For Wu Wang, a nk canvas was like his empty world. And he painted it with the pain inside his heart to hide his empty world from judging eyes. Although people thought painting was a hobby to him. But it was his escape from his own empty world.


    "Wow, I never thought I''ll meet my favorite artist. Not here at least." His interjection showed his honesty to Wu Wang. Seeing the weird way Ye Jie was looking at him. Wu Wang asked,


    "What do you want to ask?"


    "I heard that Eric donates all of the money earned from paintings to the cancer patients. Is that right?"


    "Obviously it''s right..."


    "Why?"


    Wu Wang gave him a look that made Ye Jie feel like a clown in front of him. "Look at me..." Wu Wang pointed at himself with both his hands. "Does this young master look like he needs money?"


    Ye Jie figured that Wu Wang didn''t want to share the real reason with him. They were not close. Wu Wang was not obliged to tell him anything at all. But the idea that a broken flower boy [1] like Wu Wang spent millions on cancer patients was really refreshing.


    Ye Jie didn''t ask anything and set out to leave. When he was leaving, Wu wang passed him a painting and said, "I still don''t trust you very much. But I believe you have a heart that can shield my Mey''s heart. So, I''ll stop disliking you from now on." Ye Jie smiled at his words and left.


    Lunchtime was over when Ye Jie came back. He opened the painting which Wu Wang gifted him when he came inside the office. For a moment, he didn''t have words to say.


    It was a painting of Xu Mey''s side profile with a smile that showed her beautiful dimple. She looked rxed with her eyes closed as the cherry blossoms fell on her. He decided to hang the painting in his office.


    At the office, Ye Jie was again frustrated. This e-sports business was really out of his league. Actually, it was not that he couldn''t do it, it was that he wasn''t interested in e-sports at all. He was a typical example of a bookworm. Far away from gaming.


    At exactly 4 o''clock, he called Xu Mey. Asking her about lunch and her medicines. And after informing her that he''ll be on time to pick her up, he disconnected the call. While talking to her, his disposition was pleasant but the moment, the call was disconnected, he was back to his hectic work.


    In the blink of an eye, it was already evening and Ye Jie set out to pick up Xu Mey. When he arrived at the front of the building, he saw her walking out with a cold and indifferent face. She spotted his car instantly and climbed in.


    As they were on their way back to the Peach Estate, Ye Jie asked, "How was your day, my dear wife?"


    "It was alright..." After a pause, she said, "Can you stop calling me ''dear wife''?"


    Ye Jie trained his eyes on the road as he said, "Sure..." Xu Mey sighed in relief which instantly vanished at his next words. "My cherry wife." She groaned in irritation.


    "Don''t you have anything else? Why not just call my Xu Mey?"


    "Nope... Not happening..." He replied calmly.


    At this hour, the traffic was quite heavy and they were stuck in a jam. "How was your day?" Xu Mey asked him.


    "Perfect!" Ye Jie smiled looking at her but the smile didn''t reach his eyes.


    "Liar!" Ye Jie quirked his brows at herment. "If you''re going to lie at least learn how to."


    Ye Jie couldn''t help but chuckle at her observing nature. "It was very hectic." He seemed tired.


    "Why?"


    "There is a new e-sports business, we''ve started. And at this moment, we only have losses. I don''t know what to do." Ye Jie pinched his brows.


    "Did you y online games before?" She asked.


    "No... Ye Jun ys... I never did." He replied.


    "Hmm... You seem like the kind of person who wouldn''t know about gaming much." He asserted.


    "Howe?" He was very curious.


    "I''m an observing person with discerning eyes." She looked out the window and all of a sudden turned towards him. "You never even yed the ssic game like Legend''s League?"


    "Not at all..." He replied watching her gaping at him. "Have you yed online games?"


    "Yup!"


    "You said you don''t have hobbies. Gaming isn''t a hobby for you?" She shook her head to answer him. "Why not?"


    "Because I yed games to earn money. I cleared FC''s and people paid me for it." Her expression was formal with no visible emotions.


    Ye Jie stared at the side of her face for a long time. To earn money, the eldest daughter of Xu Family had to y games for others. What else have you done, my cherry wife?


    [1] flower boy: yboy

 Chapter 75 - We Are Not Done Yet

    Some people be your habit


    Some habits be your nature


    And nature be your individuality


    When did giving Xu Mey a call or kissing her forehead in the morning and before going to bed or calling her cherry wife became a habit? Ye Jie didn¡¯t realize at all.


    And when did sleeping soundly in his arms with his heartbeat acting as soothing music or his smiling face whenever he looked at her became a habit? Xu Mey didn¡¯t know as well.


    These small habits were bing a part of their nature without them feeling it at all. This week wasn¡¯t much different. Except for the fact that Ye Jie was acting like Xu Mey¡¯s personal chauffeur. But he loved to y this role. They got to spend time together and talk. Actual talk about random stuff.


    Whether it was some news ying on the radio or a song, they¡¯d easily start a conversation over it without feeling awkward.


    In this week, Xu Liqing was feeling content thinking that Ye Jie must have been angry and rude with Xu Mey after everything she sent him.


    Unbeknownst to her, their rtionship was moving steadily because of her stupid mistake in the fit of rage. She didn¡¯t try to contact Ye Jie because she was busy nning the deal with Jade Stones which they were about to sign this week.


    It was Thursday. The day, CoCo Jewels and Jade Stones were publicly going to announce their coboration. The big screen in the conference hall of Vintage Gems was showing the live broadcast of the press conference.


    As bothpanies were signing the contracts, all eyes in the hall shifted to the youngdy in white sitting like an empress at the head seat. She looked like a pure fairy with a snow white dressplimenting her jade-like skin. But the fairy¡¯s cold aura was missing. Instead, she had anguid look almost like she was bored enough to even look at the press conference.


    All of a sudden, her personal assistant whispered something to her and she nodded in reply. Qin Hao, her assistant changed the channel which was ying the press conference and connected his phone to y an inte video instead. The video was from an international blogger.


    "Sapphire designs wee you all friends of the media. We are d that you¡¯vee forward to support us." A beautiful foreignerdy in a golden and ck dress spoke in fluent French. "All of you must be curious about the agenda of this press conference. So, without further ado, I would like to invite our general manager to say his piece." The beautifuldy gave her spot to a middle-aged man.


    "First of all, thanks to all of you for joining us. The agenda of today¡¯s press conference is to share very important news with everyone." He took a pause as the media went into discussion mode. "Sapphire Designs is proud to announce that we are coborating with one of Asia¡¯s most prominentpany, Vintage Gems."


    Not just the media but the people in the conference room had mixed expressions. None of them expected this oue from Xu Mey. They thought this time, President Xu was done for but who knew, she¡¯ll find her way around. And that too with Sapphire Designs? It wasn¡¯t only the most popr brand in Country F but also in entire Europe.


    "And with this coboration, Vintage Gems will be opening their first 3 stores in Paris anytime during next month. The time and date will be shared with you and we¡¯d like you toe to show your support." With that, the video ended.


    All the board members looked at Xu Mey without a word. She didn¡¯t react much but her cold chilly voice rang out, "We are not done yet. Qin Hao!"


    Hearing her words, everyone gulped. Qin Hao yed the Jade Stones Press conference again. The signing ceremony was done and they were shaking their hands.


    After a while, a reporter raised his hand. He was anky young man in his mid-twenties. "Ms Xu Liqing, we¡¯ve heard that the coboration n you proposed to CoCo Jewels was actually stolen from Vintage Gems. What do you have to say about this?"


    Xu Liqing nched for a moment beforeing back to her senses. "I don¡¯t know where you heard this groundless usation but it¡¯s just that; a groundless usation. A well-establishedpany like Jade Stones doesn¡¯t need a wanna-bepany like Vintage for sess."


    The reporter smiled coldly. "Ms Xu, we¡¯ve also heard that Vintage Gems is actually nning on suing Jade Stones for stealing not only their ns but also the designs."


    Seeing Xu Liqing in a tight spot, Jade Stones Manager spoke, "Vintage Gems are the one who stole our ns and designs yet we are being the bigger person here. But looks like they really don¡¯t know how to repay kindness with kindness."


    "So, are you insinuating that Vintage is actually the fake one?" The reporter asked.


    "Absolut-" The manager¡¯s words were cut off when he saw the police and a few other people entering the hall.


    "Vintage Gems have formally sued Jade Stones for theft of ns and their designs. Ms Xu Liqing, since you¡¯re the CEO of Jade Stone, you¡¯ve toe with us to the police station." The bulky officer at the front said.


    Xu Liqing panicked. "What do you mean? I won¡¯t go anywhere. I didn¡¯t even do anything. Even if anything was done, it must be done by this stupid manager. Why do I have to go to the police station?"


    "Miss don¡¯t make it worse for yourself. We have the court orders." Thewyer showed the documents to everyone present.


    No matter how much Xu Liqing tried to get free, the police dragged her right in front of everyone.


    Qin Hao turned off the screen. "President Xu, how could our designs get leaked?" One of the directors asked.


    "Shouldn¡¯t I be asking all of you instead?" Xu Mey¡¯s cold aura was back. Her tone and those chilled eyes made everyone feel cold. "If you will ask me then who will I ask?"


    "Doesn¡¯t President Xu already know about the culprit?" Another board member spoke. He was rather young to be sitting here.


    "Oh, really? And why do you think that Mr Hao?" Her cold eyes looked at the youth.


    "Because, the President Xu I know of wouldn¡¯t have filed thewsuit without knowing the whole truth." He replied seemingly calm yet with a turmoil of fear within. Fear of her losing her temper.


    Xu Mey gave a half smirk which looked evil. "Then Mr Hao we should ask our capable manager, Mr Ching?" She looked at the man who was sweating profusely at the moment, "What do you think, Mr Ching?" Her slow voice was akin to a poison slowly torturing him.

 Chapter 76 - The Devilish Beauty

    "I don¡¯t know what the president is insinuating here." Manager Ching tried to stay calm but the youngdy¡¯s aura was so strong that he still stammered a bit.


    "Some people don¡¯t learn until they see the coffin." Xu Mey waved her hand and Qin Hao yed the voice recording.


    "You don¡¯t have to worry at all. President Xu didn¡¯t share these designs with anybody at all. Even if she imed, the designs belong to her, she won¡¯t be able to prove it at all. Don¡¯t forget my share at all. I¡¯ve given you the whole coboration n and President Xu¡¯s personal designs. If Jade Stones betrayed me, I won¡¯t be foolish like President Xu. I¡¯ll take you down all the way." The recording ended there. Everyone heard Manager Ching¡¯s voice clearly.


    "You can¡¯t put me in jail for this at all." Manager Ching snickered. "You¡¯re still a young little girl. You don¡¯t know how this world works at all. Otherwise, it wouldn¡¯t have been so easy to steal from you." Heughed menacingly at the end.


    Xu Mey was giving him a particr look like she was amused by him. She shook her head and said, "Mr Ching..." He looked at her standing from her seat and walking towards him. She stood face to face. "Do you think if I wanted those designs or my coboration n to be saved, they would have gotten into your hands?" He frowned at her words. She smirked. "You were able to get them because I let you. CoCo Jewels was a bait I threw and you along with Jade Stones caught it like hungry wolves." She clicked her tongue. "Tsk... My original goal had always been Sapphire Designs. Why would I choose a goldfish like CoCo Jewels when I have a whale like Sapphire Designs in my pond?"


    Manager Ching understood her meaning clearly. She yed him. And he didn¡¯t even realize it at all. "Security!" Her voice rang out and security officers dragged a stunned Manager Ching out of the conference hall.


    Xu Mey sat back at her seat with her cold aura still present. "Let me say it again if you think I¡¯m not capable,e at me from the front. I don¡¯t like backstabbers. And don¡¯t forget, when people say I have two eyes on my back, they are not kidding at all. What I hate the most is a betrayal. So, you all better remember, who I am and how far I can go." With that Xu Mey left the conference hall. She was seething in fury.


    Qin Hao was walking behind her when she abruptly stopped. "You stay here. I have something to deal with." Leaving Qin Hao behind, Xu Mey left thepany hailing a cab for herself.


    She came to a deserted area in the northern district of the city. She asked the cab driver to drop her off in the middle of nowhere and started walking. After walking for about 15 minutes, she arrived at a warehouse.


    Manager Ching was sitting on an old chair and 4 men were surrounding him. As they saw Xu Mey, 4 men bowed to her and Mr Ching was scared out of his wits.


    "You can¡¯t takew in your hands, President Xu. Consequences will be dire." He warned her to scare her off. But the poor guy didn¡¯t know that the devil was not scared of any human.


    "Oh, really... I didn¡¯t know that... Did you guys know?" She looked at the 4 men and all of them shook their head. "Let me tell you something Mr Ching, I am thew here." She enunciated her each word as her face was so close to his face that he could see her cold eyes freezing his soul.


    There was some movement outside and after a while, a group of dozen people marched inside with guns in their hands. The guns were pointed at Xu Mey and her men. Facing the guns and the murderous aura of those people, Xu Mey was unfazed.


    "Haha..." Mr Chingughed loudly. "Are you scared now, Xu Mey?" He took her silence to be her fear. "But it doesn¡¯t matter anymore. Even if you beg on your knees, I won¡¯t let you go."


    "Scared?" She snickered. She looked at their uniforms and said, "Since when did Qilin Group¡¯s people get so gutsy?" She pointed at the man at the front. "Hey, you! Your boss is on that earpiece right?" She pointed her chin at the earpiece in his ear. "Put him on speaker for thisdy." The man didn¡¯t know why he listened to her. He thought her authoritative pressure was too strong for him to withstand.


    "Wayne Kai, did you eat the guts of a tiger that you¡¯re pointing a gun at thisdy?" Hearing a familiar voice, the man at the other side of the phone was stunned.


    "Is... Is this... The devilish beauty?" He stuttered.


    "What do you think, bastard?" She roared making him fall from his chair.


    "Fu*k! Fu*k! Fu*k!" He cursed loudly. "Now I know why I had a bad premonition about this mission." He said softly. "Look, my great aunt, I didn¡¯t know it was you. If I knew that do you think I would mess with someone like you?" He was cursing the moment he listened to one of his acquaintances to help Mr Ching. As much as he was familiar with her, there was no way he had the guts or power to face her backer.


    "You¡¯re people still have guns which are pointed at my head, " Her voice was calm andnguid as if talking about the weather.


    Wayne Kai gulped. "All of you rascals!" He roared at his people. "Put your damn guns down. Right now!"


    All of his people shared a look and put their guns down. Seeing this, Mr Ching lost whatever energy he had but he didn¡¯t want to lose to her. "I¡¯ll pay you with as much money as you ask for. Any of you just have to get rid of this sl*t for me." That was hisst resolve.


    One of Wayne¡¯s people had a twinkling look in his eyes after he heard this. "I¡¯ll do it, " He announced.


    "Didn¡¯t I say back off!" Wayne Kai was furious with a vein bulging out of his forehead. He was losing his mind just listening to them.


    "Boss, I can take of her by myself." He pointed his gun at her again as he said that. With a murderous look in his eyes.

 Chapter 77 - Death Is Very Easy

    Loyalty is often forsaken for greed. And greed is often born from ignorance. The biggest greed of a man is money and money has a tendency to make you a blind person. After all, money is love and love is blind. And love gets you killed.


    Xu Mey¡¯s head hung low. Everyone saw her shoulders shaking. The guy with the gun smirked under his mask in victory taking it as a sign of her weakness. But the smug look was frozen the moment he heard herugh.


    Hanging her head backwards, the girl inplete white formal suitughed delightfully. Herugh was soft but pleasing to hear. With her ck hair contrasting her white suit, she was the personification of a charming goddess. All of the people present couldn¡¯t help but stare at her in a daze.


    But the daze broke all of sudden when she stoppedughing and closed her eyes. A thick savage aura sheathed her like encasing a fierce de. There was pin-drop silence in the warehouse. No one even dared to breathe loudly.


    Her eyes steadily opened like an Agapanthus flower emerging from its cocoon. But unlike Agapanthus flower which literally means love flower, there was no love or beauty in her dark orbs. There was only a sinister look. Her face was extremely solemn as if the earlierugh was just an illusion.


    The masked man with the gun was taken aback by her look. But he stubbornly held his ground. "Boss might be scared of you. But I can finish you off with just a bullet." He spoke with an air of gloating.


    He barely managed to put his index finger on the trigger when abruptly a Quill Spike went through his hand making him wail in pain as the gun dropped with a thud. Xu Mey¡¯s movements were so nimble that nobody caught it when she pulled the spike from under her sleeve and threw it with perfect precision. Her aim was so perfect that the spike managed to pierce his hand and went across it.


    The man fell on his knees holding his hand which still had the spike in it with heart-wrenching wails. The four men behind Xu Mey took a step ahead intending to hold him but Xu Mey¡¯s hand gesture halted their action. "You guys don¡¯t have to deal with him. The spike wasced with poison." Everyone¡¯s eyes widened at her statement. "John!" She called one of her men as he moved to her side. "Just put something in his mouth. He¡¯s too noisy."


    The Qilin Group¡¯s people gulped looking at her serene expression. "Oh, and get that spike back. It¡¯s expensive." She smiled innocently at the end making everyone¡¯s already widened eyes to turn into saucers.


    Whether she was being frugal or savage was unknown. The tall man, John pulled off the mask of the wailing man and stuffed his mouth with his own mask. Then he pulled the spike out brutally making him roll on the floor with pain as the blood gushed out like a fountain. John cleaned the blood off of the spike before presenting to Xu Mey.


    "Is he going to die?" She heard Wanye¡¯s voice transmitted from the phone which was still connected. She held the Quill Spike in her hand rubbing her finger on its sleek threadlike body.


    "Don¡¯t fret. He won¡¯t die." All of Qilin Group¡¯s people heaved a sigh of relief but the next moment choked on air at her next utterance. "But he won¡¯t live as well." Wayne Kai expected as much from her. There was no reaction from his side.


    "What are you all still doing there? Get back right now!" Wayne Kai ordered his people. And the eleven people that were left didn¡¯t need to be told twice. They ran away as fast as they could.


    After they left, she turned to Mr. Ching whose body was shaking terribly. Even though the girl looked like a beautiful fairy but for him, she was like a devil unhurriedly taking a step closer to him. Her every step felt like her crushing his soul with ease. Losing all hope, he fell on his knees and started kowtowing. He banged his head with so much force that blood was trickling down his face. But he didn¡¯t care much about it. "President Xu, I know I was wrong. Please forgive me for once. Please don¡¯t kill me."


    His pleading had no visible effect on the girl in white. She calmly asked, "Who said I¡¯ll kill you?"


    Mr. Ching looked up at her face with a hopeful gleam in his eyes. She sat down at the wicker chair that her subordinates ced for her and crossed her legs elegantly. She propped her elbow on the arm-rest and supported her chin on the palm of her hand. "Let me tell you a story, Manager Ching."


    She closed her eyes in a thoughtful manner. "Once upon a time, a young girl had an evil step-mother. That step-mother used to add some medicine to her milk every night for 3 years. Do you know what that medicine was for?" Mr. Ching just stared at hernguid look. "It was to make her turn into an aggressive and retarded person." Mr. Ching listened attentively.


    "Then the evil step-mother locked her up in a cage. The cage was horrible and the young girl didn¡¯t like it at all. One day, she ran away from there... Before she could get caught, she met a person who saved her... The young girl started calling him her Sensei... One day, she told her sensei that she wants to kill her evil stepmother and her half-sister to take her revenge. Do you know what the sensei said?"


    Mr. Ching shook his head instinctively. She leaned forward as her face came closer to his bloody one, she replied, "He said, ¡¯Death is very easy...¡¯ When the young girl looked confused, he added, ¡¯Living is the harder part. We all can die but to live, we have to die every single day.¡¯" She sighed. "Do you know who that young girl was?"


    She clutched his neck in her hand and replied, "That young girl was me." Mr. Ching¡¯s eyes widened with terror. "So, I won¡¯t kill you. I¡¯ll let you live, just so you can die every single day for the rest of your life." His breathing was getting harsher with the force she used.


    Mr. Ching realized toote that the person he messed with was not an easy one. That medicine might not have turned her into a retard but it definitely made her an aggressive person.

 Chapter 78 - Speechless With His Words

    After getting out of the warehouse, Xu Mey¡¯s whole persona took a turn. The bloodthirsty aura around her vanished and a cold but calm aura encased her body. Seeing her spotless white dress, no one could tell that she yed with blood just a moment ago. She started heading towards the highway to g a cab for herself. As she was walking, she rummaged her phone out to text Ye Jie.


    Xu Mey: ¡¯You don¡¯t have to pick me today. I¡¯m going home early.¡¯


    His reply came instantly.


    Ye Jie: ¡¯Why? Are you feeling okay? Should Ie? We should go to the hospital if you¡¯re not feeling well.¡¯


    Xu Mey rolled her eyes at his imaginative mind. But a warm feeling gushed into the depth of her heart making the coldness around her dissipated


    Xu Mey: ¡¯I¡¯m fine. I just don¡¯t have much work today.¡¯


    ye Jie: ¡¯Oh... Okay... Don¡¯t start working at home. Just go to bed to take rest. You need it. You¡¯ve been overexerting yourself a lot this week. And I asked the doctor, he said, you need to cut down on your working habits.¡¯


    ¡¯Huh? When did he consult a doctor? And why did he consulted a doctor? I thought I was a smart person until now but I really can¡¯t understand you, Mr. Ye Jie.¡¯ She thought to herself while shaking her head with a sigh.


    Xu Mey: ¡¯Okay... I¡¯ll try my best.¡¯


    Ye Jie: ¡¯That¡¯s more like my cherry wife.¡¯


    Xu Mey groaned reading thest text. But chose not to reply. She had to walk for a long time but she didn¡¯t mind. She was used to walking and it feltfortable to let the soft breeze caress you slowly.


    She received Qin Hao¡¯s call informing her that to save Xu Liqing, Jade Stones made there General Manager a scapegoat to get Xu Liqing out of trouble. But since thepany is already tagged with being a thief, their shares have dropped drastically and plenty of board members were looking for a way to get out of this sinking ship.


    Because of Jade Stones, CoCo Jewels also suffered a huge blow especially when they received the news about Sapphire Designs and Vintage Gems Coboration project.


    Xu Mey had already known that Xu Liqing won¡¯t be implicated. But seeing her being dragged by the police officers and that too on live tv was satisfaction in itself.


    Xu Mey came back to Peach Estates in a cab. She was right outside the gate when Mother Ye bump into her. Xu Mey greeted her politely with a bow and was about to walk past her.


    Mother Ye¡¯s harsh voice stopped her. "What are you trying to do?" Xu Mey turned to look at her with a frown. "When I clearly saw your face at the wedding, I knew you¡¯d be a seductress. But I didn¡¯t know, you were this good?"


    "I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re trying to imply here, Mother." Xu Mey was speaking her in low voice.


    "Don¡¯t call me mother." Mother Ye roared. "I can¡¯t tell how you made my son be against me but let me warn you. Ye Jie will always listen to me. And just me. You or any other person won¡¯t be able to control him" With that, she walked away.


    Xu Mey stood at the door with a thinking expression. She realized what Sensei said was right about her mother-inw. She really wanted to control Ye Jie. But the question was why?


    "Whatever!" She said to herself and made her way inside the house. After getting into casual home clothes, tying her hair in a high ponytail, she walked to her study.


    She logged into her email ount. Surprisingly, an interesting email was waiting for her.


    The title was: ¡¯I knew you¡¯re smart but didn¡¯t take you for the cunning type.¡¯ Xu Mey hooked her lips upward slightly. She clicked on the email. It read:


    ¡¯President Xu,


    I always heard that we are a very smart and calctive person. But seeing the way you kept your words made me realize you¡¯re a very honest person as well. Cunning but honest. I¡¯ll be rooting for President Xu from now. Let me know if you need me for anything.


    Jacob, CEO of Glow Gemstones¡¯


    Xu Mey smiled after reading this email. It was a weird feeling. Without knowing each other at all, he was offering to support her. Even if she didn¡¯t need his help. Someone¡¯s sincere words mean a lot more than other¡¯s insincere actions.


    She only sent a single line in reply, ¡¯Thanks for showing this sincere gesture.¡¯


    Another email came from him. ¡¯Since we have the same enemy. I hope this humble person gets a chance to meet the famous President Xu. How about a cup of coffee to show my gratitude for keeping your words?¡¯


    Xu Mey replied without having to think for long. ¡¯I promised to spend this weekend with my husband. Maybe some other time.¡¯


    His email came again after a while. ¡¯I didn¡¯t know President Xu was married. It¡¯s surprising.¡¯


    She sent. ¡¯You don¡¯t even know President Xu. Isn¡¯t it obvious that you wouldn¡¯t know that she¡¯s married?¡¯


    Mr. Jacob replied again. ¡¯Haha! Fair enough president Xu. But now I¡¯m curious to know which man managed to wrap your heart in his hand.¡¯


    Xu Mey wrote the reply. ¡¯He¡¯s better than woman¡¯s Prince Charming. Not because he¡¯s handsome- which he really is- but because he has ws. He¡¯s perfect because he has ws. His ws make him real. If he had no ws, he¡¯d have been pretentious. He¡¯s someone who makes a person like me curious to know what love is. And he¡¯s the man who makes my heart beat like a drum. Most importantly, he can a person like me speechless with his words.¡¯


    This time, it took a while before the email arrived. ¡¯He sounds amazing. And you seem to be very fond of him. I wish my wife would say the same words to me one day. But that¡¯s my wishful thinking. Anyways, I¡¯d like to meet President Xu whenever she has some time to spare.¡¯


    Xu Mey replied with, ¡¯Sure!¡¯ and didn¡¯t wait for another email. She turned off theptop and left the study room.

 Chapter 79 - Mother-In-Law In Action

    On the other hand, Ye Jie was having a rough day at work. In the morning, he received the blow that the professional yers of their business were being poached by their rivals. When he confronted Ye Jun, he replied with, "I¡¯ll look into it, bro."


    And until lunchtime, Ye Jie hadn¡¯t heard anything from him at all. He was scrolling through the reports when his assistant came inside after knocking at the door. "Sir, I think you should watch the live news broadcast. You¡¯ll find it very interesting."


    Ye Jie frowned but still turned on the t screen tv in his office. The live signing ceremony of Jade Stones and CoCo Jewels was ying. He didn¡¯t know what his assistant wanted him to see but when he was about to call him to ask, the events on the huge screen took a turn taking him by surprise.


    He was amused to see how the reporter barraged Xu Liqing with his questions and how she cked out. All of a sudden, the police officers entry made the event even more raucous. It was unassable that Xu Liqing would get out un-scraped but Ye Jie couldn¡¯t refuse that Vintage Gems was incredulous. Instead of just quietly ruining Jade Stones, they ruined them at their own press conference. That was mortifying!


    Ye Jie couldn¡¯t hide the simper look on his face. He called his assistant inside his office and asked in baritone, "How did you know that this event will be interesting?"


    His assistant, Qi Guan replied politely, "I received a text, Sir." As Ye Jie gave him a questioning look and his assistant stretched his arm to ce his phone in front of Ye Jie.


    There was indeed a text message but it was from a private number. It read: ¡¯Tell Mr. Ye Jie, he should try watching the live news broadcast. He¡¯ll find it particrly amusing.¡¯


    Ye Jie stayed quiet and waved his assistant off. He reclined in his leather chair with a custom made golden ck pen held between his perfect teeth. He turned his chair a bit to look at the skyscrapers as the majestic sun was gracing his light to the petty buildings trying to challenge its height and might.


    Suddenly, he heard some voices as the door to his office was pushed open from the outside without any prior notice. Mother Ye sauntered inside in a light cream dress. With a shrug topliment it.


    Ye Jie stood up as he saw her face was contorted. She looked incensed. Without speaking anything, she threw her Chanel handbag at the leather couch and sat in a dignified manner. Ye Jie like an obedient son took a seat opposite of hers at a single couch.


    "What brings you here, Mother?" His voice was deep but brimming with obeisance.


    Mother Ye gave him a look. "Since my own son doesn¡¯t have time toe see me. I thought I should see for myself what¡¯s keeping him so busy?" Her tone was sharp.


    Ye Jie stayed quiet for a while. "Mother, you and I both know why haven¡¯t been in contact with you."


    "Oh, do we now?" There was nuance in Ye Jie¡¯s expression at her words.


    "Mother, I was busy with some new projects." His words conduced her rage.


    "I never thought she was so good at snatching people." Mother Ye made ament making Ye Jie frown.


    Ye Jie was an astute person. He could understand the concealed indictment in her statement. "Mom, Xu Mey has nothing to do with this." Ye Jie was sporadically this steadfast with Mother Ye.


    "It¡¯s only been about 2 weeks and she¡¯s already creating a wall of differences between us. Can¡¯t you see that?" Her screeching voice hurt Ye Jie¡¯s ears making him wince.


    Ye Jie gently closed his eyes for a brief moment. After opening his eyes, he looked at his mother with a calm look. "Mom... The person who¡¯s trying to create differences is you..." Mother Ye¡¯s eyes widened. She suddenly couldn¡¯t believe the person sitting in front of her was actually his ¡¯yes mom¡¯ son.


    Mother Ye had heard of Xu Mey¡¯s reputation in the circle for a long time. And she believed that a useless person like her would suit with Ye Jie. She made sure to present Xu Mey as a useless wretch to Ye Jun to make him create havoc at home. And true to her thoughts, Ye Jun did exactly that and Ye Jie being the nice person, became the recement for his brother.


    The day she thought she had made a mistake was the day of the wedding when she looked at Xu Mey¡¯s face clearly with that smirk that she passed to Xu Liqing and heard the words, ¡¯The game has just begun.¡¯ That moment, she felt that Xu Mey was not the right person for Ye Jie but it was already toote.


    "Ah Jie! Haven¡¯t you had enough with Lu Yuhan that you even want a girl like Xu Mey toe between us now? You don¡¯t know the kind of person she is. She even locked her own sister in the storeroom at the wedding and even med her for it." Ye Jie was not much surprised to hear it.


    He spoke calmly. "That was just Xu Liqing¡¯s own insinuations without any evidence." He was sure that that the only people who knew about it was him, Ye Jun and Ming Qu. And both the other men won¡¯t talk to his mother at all. She was just ying the me game.


    "Mom, stop sharing rain and dew.[1]" Ye Jie spoke with dissatisfaction.


    Mother Ye widened her eyes at Ye Jie with clear fury. She bit her lower lip as her eyes became red with tears filling up. "Ah Jie..." She sobbed lightly. "How could you talk like this with your mother for a girl who came in your life just a few days ago?"


    Seeing his mother¡¯s trembling shoulders as she sobbed in silence, Ye Jie¡¯s cold face thawed. He looked lovingly at his mother and spoke in a lighter tone. "Mom, I just want you to give Xu Mey a chance. Just for the sake that she¡¯s my wife." He patted his mother¡¯s back slowly to calm her as he came to sit beside her.


    It took a while for Mother Ye to stop her sobbing routine. She touched Ye Jie¡¯s cheek with her palm lovingly looked at him with her tear stained face. "Ah Jie, a melon forced off its vine is not sweet.[2] You¡¯re trying to heal the wounds given by Lu Yuhan with Xu Mey¡¯s presence. But trust me, my son, the more you¡¯ll try to veer your heart, the more it¡¯ll bring you pain."


    Mother Ye picked up her handbag and trotted out of his office. Although, Ye Jie was heart broken to see his mother¡¯s tears but when she mentioned Lu Yuhan, it brought a bitter and acrid taste to his throat. ¡¯You didn¡¯t like me with Lu Yuhan and now you don¡¯t like me with Xu Mey... What do you want from me, mother?¡¯ Ye Jie sighed loudly in disappointment.


    [1] Share rain and dew: ying favourtism


    [2] ¡¯A melon forced off its vine is not sweet¡¯: forced love neversts.

 Chapter 80 - Bad Day Into Warm One

    While it was true that Ye Jie had only known Xu Mey for a short time but that short time had brought so many feelings with it that he hadn¡¯t experienced in his 8-year rtionship with Lu Yuhan. The feelings and emotions that Xu Mey brought to him were indescribable to him.


    Just like the feeling he got when he opened the door of the house to walk inside and was greeted by Xu Mey¡¯s beaming face. Her hair tied in a high ponytail. A peach cardigan over her white top with her washed up jeans was all she wore. A clean but flushed face making her look adorable and yet appealing.


    "You¡¯re home!" She said as she moved to take his bag from him. He kept looking at her excited face. It was a very unfamiliar sight yet he wanted it tost forever.


    ¡¯Why does forever sound too short suddenly?¡¯ He frowned to himself as he looked at her cing his bag gently on the coffee table in the living room.


    In an instant, a million emotions and feelings overwhelmed him as he took long strides and hugged her slender figure from behind. Xu Mey was stunned for a second but she didn¡¯t push him away.


    He sped his hands in front of her as he buried her figure in his embrace. Taking in hervender scent mixed with a peculiar refreshing scent which he couldn¡¯t decipher, he felt at ease. He rested his chin at her shoulder and closed his eyes gently.


    "Bad day?" She asked as she raised her hand to touch his cheek.


    Ye Jie leaned into her palm letting her soft cold hands bringing a rxing feeling to him like a breath of fresh cold breeze. He only replied with a, ¡¯¡¯En...¡¯¡¯


    "Need help?" She asked softly as her soft hands caressed his warm cheek.


    "Just let me stay like this. It¡¯s already a huge help on your part." He answered sincerely.


    If it was before, Xu Mey would have thought a million times how could staying like this could help him? But after sleeping in his embrace every night for the past week, she felt her own weariness dissipate. Therefore, she concluded that it must have been the same thing for Ye Jie as well.


    They stayed in that position for a long time without realizing how much time had passed. Xu Mey¡¯s head was tilted to a side touching his head as her hand was fondling with his cheek even now.


    "Freshen up... Let¡¯s have dinner together, " Xu Mey offered, making Ye Jie groan lightly as he let her go reluctantly. Xu Mey saw creases between his brows indicating his fatigue. She pinched the space between his brows and ruffled his perfectly trimmed hair. "Go on!" She had to lightly push his back to break his dazed state.


    This time, Ye Jie listened to her and went upstairs to freshen up. After 20 minutes, when he came downstairs, a delicious and enticing aroma assaulted his nostrils making him follow it like a bee flowing a flower.


    He saw Xu Mey cing dishwares on the table as she saw himing, she smiled faintly. Ye Jie saw the sizzling hotpot base with fresh vegetables and other ingredients besides it. He gave a questioning look. "I thought we should have hotpot. And don¡¯t worry, I made the mild-base. Not the piping hot spicy one."


    Ye Jie couldn¡¯t help walk up to her and nted a soft kiss on her cheek. She was immediately flustered as she looked at him with a gaping mouth. "If you¡¯ll part your beautiful cherry lips in such an adorable way, then don¡¯t me me for wanting to taste them." Hearing his flirtatious voice, Xu Mey closed her mouth instantly and pursed her lips making him chuckle.


    Xu Mey pouted and red at him. Ye Jie ignored her re and focused on her red face.


    ¡¯No matter what mom¡¯s opinion about you is, I¡¯ll not be affected. Standing up for Lu Yuhan might have been a mistake. But you are not a mistake at all. I just feel like one day you¡¯ll feel like, I¡¯m not the person you were looking for to spend the rest of your life with.¡¯ Ye Jie¡¯s chin was supported on his palm as he looked at his Xu Mey stirring the hotpot and serving him.


    She picked a meatball with her chopsticks and brought it to his mouth saying, "Try this... I made everything myself. It¡¯ll taste better than the restaurant¡¯s."


    Ye Jie parted his lips instinctively looking at her talking animatedly. Even though the taste was really amazing but he still frowned and Xu Mey was more anxious looking at his frown. "Is it not good?" She was sure, it was the best. There was no way her hotpot didn¡¯t taste well.


    "Didn¡¯t I tell you to rest?" He parted his lips to ask.


    Xu Mey smiled sheepishly. "I... I wanted to..." She stammered thinking about what to say that doesn¡¯t make her sound weird. "But I had a feeling that you¡¯d be upset and hotpot was best for cheering up." She couldn¡¯t possibly tell him that the real reason was, ¡¯She wanted to make dinner for him and wait for him like she¡¯d seen Auntie Chu, He Jian¡¯s mother doing for her husband.¡¯ She wanted to experience that feeling of a wife waiting for her husband and greeting at the door.


    After experiencing it today, she felt much better than the feeling when hees to pick her up from the office.


    She kept cing different things in his bowl as he did the same. He was awfully quiet and it was making her feel upset. Just his tired face dampened her good mood. She suddenly had the urge to share how she crushed and humiliated Xu Liqing but she didn¡¯t know how he¡¯d react. So, she didn¡¯t bring it up.


    Without her realizing it, she had already made Ye Jie¡¯s bad day into a warm fluffy one.

 Chapter 81 - An Ocean I Want To Drown In

    Xu Mey kept ncing at Ye Jie while eat in silence making her feel ufortable. She wasn¡¯t used to his silence. She was starting to like his sweet and smooth talking. Him always trying to tease her with his words. Or warming her heart with his actions.


    Today, he had the same gentle look in his twinkling brown eyes. That beautiful charming smile that could melt her anytime and anywhere. But he felt distant. Like he was alone. Surrounded by a shadow of gloominess.


    After the dinner, Ye Jie helped her with the dishes. And they walked to the living room with Maojian tea and sat down on the sofa. "Ye Jie!" Xu Mey called out his name softly. Ye Jie looked up at her and smiled gently. "Is everything alright?"


    Ye Jie nodded. "Of course. What could be wrong?" Ye Jie was avoiding her discernible gaze knowing well enough that she could see things even he couldn¡¯t.


    "Well, I thought you¡¯d have many questions to ask but you don¡¯t seem to?" Ye Jie frowned looking at her. "Like who sent that wooden box?" She suggested.


    "Would you tell me, if I ask?"


    Xu Mey sighed loudly. "I might not be able to tell you everything but I can tell you who that person is."


    "Really?" He was surprised. It really came out of the blue. "Then please do tell."


    Xu Mey wanted him to lose his gloominess and to do that she brought out the things he was curious about. After all, a men¡¯s curiosity can take over gloominess sometimes.


    Or make it worse.


    "Well..." Xu Mey turned to look at him. "The person who sent that wooden box is my Sensei."


    "Sensei?" His brows quirked.


    "Yes, my Sensei. I can¡¯t tell you much about Sensei. But I can tell you that Sensei means a lot to me. Sensei didn¡¯t just save me from the world. He saved me from me. I haven¡¯t seen Sensei in a decade but I get to talk to him... Once in a while... The rest, I won¡¯t be able to exin." Shemented.


    "That¡¯s enough for me to know... For now..." He replied as he fell into deep thought.


    Xu Mey stared at his thoughtful expression before she spoke again. "Do you know there are three kinds of people in this world?" Ye Jie turned to her. "The loneliest people... The saddest people... And the most damaged people..."


    She slid closer to Ye Jie and took his hand in her own asking, "Do you know which one are you?" Ye Jie didn¡¯t reply waiting for to speak herself. She sighed softly. "You¡¯re in the first category; the loneliest people." Looking at his questioning eyes she continued. "The most damaged people are the wisest ones just like my Sensei." She smiled sadly. "The saddest people like to smile brightly like me." She smiled bitterly this time. "And the loneliest people are the kindest ones just like you." She pointed at him.


    "Do I look kind to you?" He asked.


    "You don¡¯t have to look kind... You have a kind heart." She replied calmly.


    "But I¡¯m surrounded by people; friends, family and you." He said.


    "¡¯The worst thing in the world isn¡¯t being alone, it¡¯s being surrounded by people who make you feel alone.¡¯" She quoted with a serious look.


    "Which great person¡¯s words are you quoting?" Ye Jie asked with a pleasant look making her choke on air.


    "I was trying to act wiser. Did you have to ruin it?" She red at him with no hostility just sheer yfulness. Ye Jie chuckled at her wife¡¯s look. His chuckle made Xu Mey¡¯s feature to turn gentle.


    "I learned it from this great person, " Xu Mey pulled off her cardigan and pointed at her white top. There was a figure in an orange and ck suit with a head of yellow spiky hairs and a headband tied around his forehead. He was smiling brightly shing his teeth and looking quite like an idiot. And a name was written under his figure which read, ¡¯Naruto¡¯. A kunai shuriken was piercing his name in the middle.


    "Don¡¯t tell me, he¡¯s also like your Sabastian San?" Ye Jie passed an odd look to his wife.


    Xu Mey frowned. "Don¡¯tpare Sabastian San with Naruto Kun. Sebastian San is charming in his own ways with a devilish aura. But Naruto Kun is different. When I was at my worst, Naruto Kun made me realize a lot of things. Even with his mistakes, he taught me to stand tall and smile. He taught me that my tears won¡¯t change anything but even if my smile couldn¡¯t bring a change, it¡¯ll make my enemies burn with envy."


    "What else did he teach you, my cherry wife?" Ye Jie grabbed her shoulder as he pulled her towards himself.


    And yed with her hair.


    Xu Mey wasn¡¯t paying attention to what he was doing. Instead, she spoke, "He said, ¡¯The strongest people aren¡¯t always those who win, but the people who don¡¯t give up even when they lose.¡¯" Her eyes were brimming with passion and strength.


    Ye Jie nuzzled his nose in her hair and kissed her forehead softly before speaking, "I¡¯ll have to watch Our great Naruto Kun as well then." He wasn¡¯t mocking her at all. Watching ck Butler made him understand Xu Mey at a different level. Therefore, he felt like watching Naruto will bring greater insight about her life.


    Xu Mey rubbed her eyes as she kept talking about Naruto with enthusiasm as her head was ced on his shoulder and his head was resting on her head. He listened to every word attentively. She was feeling the spell of sleep falling on her but she stubbornly stayed awake trying to justify the reasons for liking Naruto so much.


    Ye Jie figured that her watching Anime as a grown-up was not her childishness. On the other hand, she watched them to learn something, not just to pass the time. She needed an escape. To learn to deal with her sadness and Anime gave her that escape. ¡¯Why are you turning into an ocean, I want to drown in, My cherry wife?¡¯ Ye Jie thought to himself as he felt her head drooping down and voice fading as she fell into a deep slumber.

 Chapter 82 - A Bike Ride To Office

    We believe that we live a very simple or miserable life without any meaning or purpose behind it. But when that exact life of ours is seen through others eyes, it bes meaningful. It¡¯s not the eyes that bring that purpose but that person is one who makes it meaningful.


    The night before, Xu Mey talked a lot about Naruto just because she wanted Ye Jie to lose that gloomy look. And it worked in the end.


    The next morning, Xu Mey was frowning with a thoughtful expression as she watched Ye Jie getting ready for the day in his maroon handmade suit. "Jie, take your suit off!" Her sudden words made Ye Jie cough profoundly. Realizing how her words must have sounded to him, she cleared her throat and avoided looking at him. "I mean to say, wear something else." Even though she tried to hide her earlier embarrassment but her red ears were giving her away.


    "Then, my cherry wife should help me choose." He didn¡¯t try to tease her early in the morning.


    Xu Mey nodded and ran inside the closet. She brought out ck jeans with a white round-cored shirt and a ck leather jacket over it. It was aplete opposite of what he was used to wearing in the office but since it was picked by Xu Mey, he had to change at all costs.


    After 10 minutes both of them walked downstairs together. Xu Mey was wearing blue skinny jeans with rose gold colored top pairing it with a beautiful ck zer with gold lining. She looked clean and fresh like a college student.


    After both of them ate breakfast, they headed out. Ye Jie had just opened his car door when Xu Mey pushed it to close. Ye Jie turned his head to look at her shaking her index finger in a ¡¯no-no¡¯ gesture. She pointed with her thumb at the motorbike parked behind her. Ye Jie frowned with suspicion in his eyes.


    "Since, you¡¯ve been giving me a ride for this week. I thought I should also give you a ride once in a while. How about my motorbike?" Xu Mey raised her brows suggestively with a beaming smile disying her dimple that made Ye Jie swallow whatever argument he wanted to make. In the end, he nodded.


    Xu Mey put on her helmet before getting on the bike and passed another helmet to Ye Jie. He took it kindly and put it on. He climbed on the motorbike right behind her.


    He wasn¡¯t scared of her driving skills rather he was a bit worried that he was the CEO of Ye Enterprises and if his employees saw him like this, it¡¯ll give them plenty of things to gossip about. And Ye Jie hated the gossips.


    But all his worries were dumped out of his mind, the moment Xu Mey held his hands and made him grab her waist tightly. Then, she sped off with a woosh.


    The cold breeze in the morning was pleasant with a bright blue sky. And a fragrance of freshly bloomed flowers in the air made it even more pleasing. Ye Jie leaned on her back inching closer to her body taking in hervender scent. And since, Xu Mey wasn¡¯t rejecting him, he wasn¡¯t being bashful at all.


    It took less than 30 minutes on the bike to reach the Ye Enterprises. In the busy hours, it was easier to whiz around the traffic with a bike.


    Xu Mey parked the bike right at the front door of the tall building. There were many people briskly making their way inside the building to arrive on time.


    Ye Jie got off the bike and took off his helmet as he passed it to her.


    "Hey! Isn¡¯t that our CEO Ye?" Someone at the door mentioned and everyone stopped to look. They all saw that it was indeed their CEO but he dressed differently. With his already handsome face, he looked young, carefree and a bit wild like this.


    "CEO Ye is so handsome." Another girlmented.


    "He surely has the looks and the brawns as well." One of the passersby sighed.


    Ye Jie could hear their voices clearly from where he was standing. He frowned. "Take your helmet off!" He said to Xu Mey.


    She didn¡¯t think much about his request and took off her own helmet. When the people staring at Ye Jie looked at the girl sitting on the bike. Their eyes widened. Everyone was stunned.


    "She¡¯s beautiful..." After a moment of silence, someone spoke.


    "What beautiful? She¡¯s gorgeous like a pure goddess." Another one chimed in.


    "Are we not going to focus on who is she?" Another gossipmonger spoke.


    "She seems close to the CEO."


    "But didn¡¯t CEO just got married?" One of the men pointed it out.


    "Then she must be CEO¡¯s wife?" A gasp escaped someone¡¯s mouth.


    "Or she could be the mistress. I heard,the CEO¡¯s wife is just average." Everyone around nodded in agreement.


    Ye Jie had to roll his eyes at their gossipy mouths. ¡¯They are definitely not getting any bonus this month. How dare they describe my wife as average and what? She¡¯s a mistress!? Huh!¡¯


    He bent down a bit and kissed the top of Xu Mey¡¯s head like their personal tradition. "Have a good day, Wifey!" He said loud enough for everyone around to hear. All the people watching, stared while gaping. He even shed his charming smile.


    A young assistant watching behind fainted at his gorgeous smile. It was rare for the CEO to even smile politely.


    With Xu Mey¡¯s nature, she really didn¡¯t notice the passersby. For her, if they were not rted to her then they didn¡¯t matter at all.


    She looked at Ye Jie standing tall beside her. She beckoned him toe closer. Ye Jie leaned towards her obediently. Xu Meybed his hair with her fingers which were ruined by the helmet but gave him a rough look. Even though he looked handsome like that, she knew it was not appropriate to wear that kind of hairstyle at the office.


    Ye Jie allowed her to fiddle with his hair as she wanted. He didn¡¯t care about the moonshine stares they were receiving from around.


    After setting his hair, she nted a soft kiss at his cheek and smiled brightly. "Have a nice day, husband."


    Ye Jie was still leaning ahead in a daze as she put on her helmet again and drove into the distance.


    All the fangirls around started screaming in excitement breaking Ye Jie¡¯s daze. He straightened his back and turned around to walk inside the building. Ignoring all the looks around.

 Chapter 83 - The Person Youre Curious About

    -President¡¯s Office, Vintage Gems-


    Xu Mey still had a beautiful smile on her face when she entered her office. Qin Hao was surprised beyond words.


    "I asked you to look into Mr. Jacob?" Xu Mey inquired Qin Hao. She was curious about what animosity he could possibly have with Xu Liqing?


    Qin Hao ced his tablet on the table and stood to a side with his hands sped before him. "I have done my research on Mr. Jacob. This report contains everything you needed to know."


    Xu Mey picked the tablet and scrolled through it. She frowned after a minute of reading. "This fatty is Mr. Jacob?" Xu Mey pointed at the photo on the screen. The man in the picture had mix-features. A bit fat with his short height, he looked extra fat.


    "Yes, Boss!" Qin Hao replied. Xu Mey nodded and didn¡¯tment any further.


    "Go, get busy with something." Xu Mey shooed Qin Hao away before looking at the report with extra care. The report had vivid information like;


    Name: Jacob Chu


    Age: 38


    Company: Glow Gemstones


    And things like he grew up in New Jersey, has a wife and a daughter. A very low-profile and family loving person. The rest was unrted. Xu Mey couldn¡¯t find a single reason for him to be hostile towards Xu Liqing.


    In the end, she shrugged her shoulders saying, "Only time will tell what¡¯s your deal." She closed the report and went to the Store designs for the Paris branch.


    On the other hand, Ye Jie¡¯s day started with a bang. Everything was falling into ces. He felt like walking on clouds. The news about him and Xu Mey spread like wildfire in the entirepany and naturally, Ye Jun heard about it as well.


    He was pleasantly surprised. But how could he leave such an amazing chance to tease his brother? He walked inside Ye Jie¡¯s office after knocking but without waiting for a reply.


    Ye Jie looked up from the file in his hand. "Bro, you¡¯re moving faster than I thought." Ye Jun¡¯s words made him frown. Ye Jun sat in front of him. "I mean to say, how did you manage to get sis-inw to give you a ride?"


    A smile tugged at the corners of Ye Jie at the memory of it. "She offered herself." He replied honestly.


    Ye Jun was shocked. "Really?" Ye Jie shrugged his shoulders nonchntly.


    Ye Jun had a thoughtful expression. "You guys seem to be getting closer."


    "It looks like it." Ye Jie said looking out the tall windows.


    Looking at his brother¡¯s face, Ye Jun asked, "Bro?" Ye Jie looked at him. "Are you happy?"


    All that mattered to Ye Jun was whether his brother was happy or not? If Ye Jie was happy then whatever that video showed him had no concern with him anymore. It didn¡¯t matter anymore what the truth behind that video was. What mattered was that Ye Jie was happy. And he remembered his brother¡¯s words clearly, ¡¯She¡¯s with me. She¡¯s real. That video. I wasn¡¯t there. So, I won¡¯t judge my wife for that clip.¡¯ He couldn¡¯t get that out of his mind at all.


    Ye Jie stayed quiet for a minute. "How to say this to you, Jun? I¡¯m not happy." Ye Jun scowled clearly not happy to hear that. "I¡¯m more nervous than happy. You silly brother of mine."


    "Why are you nervous?" Ye Jun asked.


    "Isn¡¯t it obvious? I¡¯m nervous because I don¡¯t know if I¡¯m giving her as much happiness in return as much she has brought to my life?" He took a pause. "And I¡¯m also excited. Excited to think about ns to return that happiness. I¡¯m anticipating her reaction when she sees my surprises." He smiled widely with content.


    Love is an emotion that brings the feeling of nervousness along with it. We can¡¯t escape the nervousness. Because the presence of this feeling is like proof of how much the other person means to you. When you love someone dearly, you get excited and happy in their presence but you also feel nervous.


    Ye Jun was stunned to look at his brother. He looked like a lovestruck man. "You¡¯re whipped, bro!" Ye Jun asserted in a low voice. Then he smiled looking at his happy expression.


    ¡¯I never thought, you¡¯ll be able to make my brother smile like a lunatic, sis-inw.¡¯ Ye Jun shook his head as he thought. ¡¯You¡¯re just on a whole different level. Hats off to you. I need to treat you to a meal, now¡¯


    After dilly-dallying for a while, Ye Jie came back to business. "What about our team?"


    Ye Jun scratched the back of his head awkwardly. "Bro, I¡¯m trying to get some yers but it¡¯s a bit difficult at the moment."


    "We¡¯ll lose investments at this rate, Jun." Ye Jie rebuked him in a low voice.


    "I know... I know... But bro, I think we need a Strategic nning Manager... And an experienced one at that too... It will help ease both our burdens." Ye Jun suggested. And Ye Jie carefully thought about his suggestion with seriousness.


    He was already more than familiar with the fact that he or Ye Jun couldn¡¯t possibly devise the strategies for e-sports. What they needed was an experienced person in their team. All the experienced employees they hired before only had an idea of how this business worked but none of them actually worked with a professional team in action. But finding an experienced person was like 9 cows and 1 strand of cow hair. [1]


    At this point, he really needed someone to share his burden. "I¡¯ll look for someone experienced but in the meantime, focus on your task. Don¡¯t mess around." His voice was stern as he gave Ye Jun a look. Ye Jun nodded his head and took long strides to run out of his brother¡¯s office.


    Ye Jie was engrossed in his thoughts when his phone buzzed at the table catching his attention. Ye Jie stared at the screen shing with a caller I¡¯d: Private Number.


    Ye Jie frowned as he started for a while at the screen before deciding to take the call.


    After the initial silence, a deep,zy but alluring voice transmitted from the other end, "I believe I¡¯m speaking to Mr. Ye Jie."


    Ye Jie was surprised at how beautiful that voice sounded. Heposed himself and replied, "This is Ye Jie and May I know who am I speaking to?"


    "I¡¯m the person you¡¯re most curious about." Came a scrupulous reply.


    "Excuse me?" Ye Jie wasn¡¯t enjoying this guessing game. But the next confab made his eyes widened as he was left stunned.


    "Don¡¯t tell me, you¡¯re not the least bit curious about the person who sent the wooden box to your wife which you received with your own hands."


    [1] ¡¯9 cows and 1 strand of cow hair¡¯: It indicates something that¡¯s so small that it¡¯s like one strand of cow hair among 9 cows.

 Chapter 84 - Unexpected Pasts

    "You... You!" Ye Jie didn¡¯t know how to respond.


    There was a raspyugh at the other end. "So, are you surprised to hear my voice or shocked?" Ye Jie heard the samezy voice.


    "Is there a difference?" Ye Jie asked in a daze.


    He couldn¡¯t tell how a man¡¯s voice could be this alluring and tempting.


    "Hmm... There is a huge difference, Mr. Ye... Surprises are unexpected but pleasant. While shocks are also unexpected but heartbreaking." Ye Jie was unconsciously listening attentively to him speak.


    Ye Jie stayed silent for a while before sighing in defeat. "She told me, you¡¯re her Sensei. And you mean a lot to her because you saved her life." And that was something Ye Jie couldn¡¯tpete with.


    He heard the same deep voice again, "I know what my dearest disciple thinks about me... What I¡¯m curious about is what do you think about me?"


    "Honestly, for me, you¡¯re a wall standing between my wife and me." Ye Jie didn¡¯t hold back at all. He thought the person talking was the reason, Xu Mey learned to close off herself. So, indirectly, he was ming him.


    A pleasant heartyugh rang out from the other end. After theughter died, Ye Jie heard, "Indeed... There is a wall between you and Xu Mey... But Mr. Ye that wall isn¡¯t me." Ye Jie frowned.


    "The wall between you and her is past... Her past... Your past... Both of your past is the only thing standing between you."


    Ye Jie listened and felt he was somewhat right. The real wall between them was their individual pasts. "Can¡¯t you help her break that wall? She listens to you." Ye Jie understood his importance the day his single note brought a bright smile to her face and even made her give him a chance.


    He heard a tired sigh. "I can¡¯t break that wall."


    "Why not?" Ye Jie asked with a scowl.


    "Because the past is yours and hers. I have nothing to do with it. What you both need is to fight that past yourself. You can break the wall between you with the help of each other. The moment you involved a third person, forget about breaking that wall. It¡¯ll only stand stronger."


    "Aren¡¯t you a third person in our rtionship?" Ye Jie asked standing up and walking towards the ss wall.


    "I¡¯m the third person... But I¡¯m the person who can only create a door in that strong wall of your individual pasts. Now, how you both reach out to each other through that door is up to both of you." Ye Jie realized what his ¡¯he¡¯s a keeper¡¯ment meant. He was really creating a door for them. And it actually helped a lot.


    "But you still mean everything to her... You saved her life."


    "A mere human like me doesn¡¯t have the power of God to save someone¡¯s life. She was saved because a part of her wanted to be saved. I was merely lending her a hand."


    "She¡¯s not even letting me lend her a hand. She¡¯s hiding her frowns behind her smiles." Ye Jie spoke wearily.


    "Roses aren¡¯t always red, violets aren¡¯t always blue although some words might be silent feelings are always true." Ye Jie couldn¡¯tprehend the meaning. "You¡¯re upset that she¡¯s not letting you lend her a hand... Let me ask you, Mr. Ye... How much of your past is hidden from her?"


    "What do you mean? She knows everything about my past." Ye Jie wasn¡¯t liking the tone of his voice.


    "Do you want me to spell it out for you... Mr. Jacob." Ye Jie¡¯s body stiffened. Jacob was Ye Jie¡¯s English name and most people didn¡¯t know it at all. When he started his own business separate from the Ye Family, he preferred to use his English name to avoid suspicion. Except for some higher-ups, the employees of his ownpany had no way of knowing anything about him. But his next statement was akin to a thunderstorm for Ye Jie. "Imperial City... First Emperor Hospital... Sixth floor... Room no 610... The most luxurious hospital room with the world best medical care... Do you want me to go on?"


    Ye Jie¡¯s knees buckled and he had to lean on the ss wall to support himself. "How... How do you know about it?" His words were getting incoherent as his body shook uncontrobly.


    He heard a soft chuckle. "I¡¯m the person who¡¯s keeping your wife¡¯s past hidden from the world. Do you really think, it¡¯s that difficult for me to dig deeper in yours?"


    Ye Jie had a sudden apprehension. ¡¯The person on the other end of the call was anything but simple.¡¯


    "Are you...?" Ye Jie couldn¡¯t continue his question.


    But he received the answer. "Just like Xu Mey¡¯s past is not mine to tell, yours is also something I can¡¯t disclose. You both have to do it yourselves."


    "Do you... know my...?" Ye Jie stopped his question again.


    "If I can know about the girl on that hospital bed for a year and a half then I obviously know about your rtionship with her as well." The reply seemed reasonable to Ye Jie.


    The difficult part should have been, him finding out about her in the Imperial City. The hospital room was even booked by his friend and he didn¡¯t get involved much himself to keep her safe. But Xu Mey¡¯s Sensei just easily found out about her.


    "Thanks a lot... I want to tell Xu Mey myself... But not now. It¡¯s not the right time."


    "There is never a right time for us humans. We have to create the right times with the right means and share them with the right people. You don¡¯t have to thank me. It¡¯s not like you¡¯vemitted a crime or something. And taking care of that girl in the hospital is your responsibility."


    Ye Jie heaved a sigh of relief feeling a huge burden sliding off of his shoulders. "What should I call you?"


    "You can call me anything you like."


    "Huh!"


    After a soft chuckle, the reply came, "The funny thing is, even your own wife doesn¡¯t know my name yet."


    Ye Jie was clearly surprised to hear that. "Can I ask something?"


    "Please do," The deep voice spoke.


    "Why did you tell Xu Mey that I¡¯m a keeper? You haven¡¯t even met me before." Ye Jie was immensely curious about that.


    "You¡¯ll know... One day... I won¡¯t need to tell you." That was thest thing he heard before the call was disconnected.

 Chapter 85 - The Dream We Live

    While the phone call left Ye Jie in a bigger dilemma however he didn¡¯t know why Xu Mey¡¯s Sensei called in the first ce? It was not like that person threatened Ye Jie to treat Xu Mey well or anything. Instead, he just advised him to be careful.


    ¡¯How powerful he could possibly be to know so much about me? I didn¡¯t leave a single trace behind.¡¯ These were Ye Jie¡¯s thoughts.


    Meanwhile, Xu Mey was in a debate with herself. "I should give him a surprise." She walked towards her motorbike while spinning the keychain on her index finger.


    "What if he minds seeing me at his office? I can¡¯t just go without notifying." She stopped in her track.


    "But if I informed him, it won¡¯t be a surprise anymore." She groans as she ruffled her own hair.


    "I should just go home alone." She climbed on her motorbike with this decision in mind.


    After about 45 mins, she was parking her bike right in the parking lot of Ye Enterprises. She was nning on going straight home. But at the juncture when she was supposed to take the left turn, she took the right turn.


    "It¡¯s all this motorbike¡¯ fault... I was definitely not gonnae here." She was in denial.


    Settling her helmet hair, she sashayed to the lobby where she was greeted by a pretty girl who looked to be in her early twenties. "How may I help you, Miss?" The receptionist asked Xu Mey with a pleasant tone and a polite smile.


    "I want to see Mr. Ye Jie." Xu Mey replied carefully choosing her words.


    The young girl gave Xu Mey a once over before asking, "Do you have an appointment?"


    "No... I don¡¯t, " Xu Mey replied honestly. "Why don¡¯t you just check if he¡¯s free or not?"


    The receptionist made a call to the top floor to Ye Jie¡¯s receptionist. "There is ady here to see the CEO." She heard quietly for a minute before turning to Xu Mey, "Miss. Our CEO is a bit busy today and he asked not to let anyone disturb him. Why don¡¯t you tell me your name and wait over there?" The receptionist politely suggested.


    Xu Mey found her behavior very normal. Her ownpany employees would have done the same. So, she politely told her name and turned to walk towards the waiting area.


    At this time, Qi Guan, Ye Jie¡¯s personal assistant¡¯s gaze caught Xu Mey¡¯s figure and was startled for a second. He thought he was hallucinating. If their Young Mistress was supposed toe then CEO would have gotten people to wee her. But when he looked closely, he realized it was Xu Mey indeed.


    He briskly walked up to her side and called her politely. "Young Mistress Xu!"


    Xu Mey turned her head letting her ponytail bounce with her movement. "What brought you here?" He immediately bit his own tongue for asking such a ridiculous question. "I mean... Does the CEO know that you¡¯re visiting?"


    Xu Mey smiled politely. "I wanted to surprise him. But the receptionist said he is quite busy. So I decided to wait here."


    Qi Guan red at the receptionist making her shrink her body. "Young Mistress doesn¡¯t have to wait here. I¡¯ll apany you to the CEO¡¯s office." Xu Mey pursed her lips and nodded after thinking about it.


    Qi Guan took her to the top floor in the private elevator. "Mr. Ye said that no one is allowed to see him at this time." The receptionist in the hallway told Qi Guan as she saw him taking Xu Mey to the office.


    "Boss won¡¯t mind her presence. You don¡¯t have to worry." Qi Guan replied without stopping or turning to her. The receptionist frowned while ring at Xu Mey.


    Xu Mey had already seen the way that receptionist was dressed like she was ready to seduce anyone. With her hair falling to her shoulders and that bright red lipstick on her formal but body fitted dress that allowed to see her curvy body, she was hard to resist.


    "Young Mistress, you can go inside yourself." Qi Guan said as he stood beside the door not daring to knock.


    Xu Mey took a deep breath, curled her fingers and knocked lightly on the door. After hearing a low familiar voice, she opened the door and walked in.


    "Did you bring the financial report? Give it to me." Ye Jie wasn¡¯t looking up. With his head still on the file before him, he stretched his arm to ask for the file.


    Xu Mey wasn¡¯t paying attention to his words. Her eyes were focused on his half exposed arms with the veins bulging out. Frustrated by the wait, Ye Jie shook his hand to ask for the file and in return, he felt a soft touch on his calloused hands.


    An electric wave ran through his body making him abruptly raise his head. There she stood with her one hand in his big ones and the other hand in her pants.


    Ye Jie was more than just surprised at the moment. He looked at her in disbelief and rubbed his eyes with his free hand. But Xu Mey was still there when he opened his eyes again. "You! What brought my cherry wife to my office?" He managed to ask.


    Xu Meynguidly took a seat at the chair and said, "My motorbike brought me here. I definitely didn¡¯t want to give you a ride." Xu Mey lied straight to his face making him chuckle softly.


    "Of course... It¡¯s all your motorbike¡¯s fault. My cherry wife would never be at fault." Ye Jie already figured that she came to pick him up and that was enough to make his dampened mood to bloom again.


    "How much work do you still have?" She asked crossing her legs elegantly.


    "I have a bit of extra work. Why don¡¯t you go to that room and rest for a while?" Ye Jie suggested pointing at the small room behind him.


    Xu Mey was nning on saying no but decided to take some rest. She walked to the room and a saw a round bed in the middle of the room. It wasn¡¯t a very small room but it was not that spacious either. There were only a bed and a closet in the room and nothing else.


    Xu Mey was about toy down on the bed when her eyes fell on the painting facing the bed. Xu Mey was stunned to see that painting. It was her painting which Wu Wang made when she started herpany.


    That day, she was really happy. It was the day, her dream was not just her dream but a reality. She only taught herself one thing then; The dream we dream should be the dream we live. Otherwise, the dream will lose its value.

 Chapter 86 - The Experts Opinion

    She stared at the painting for a while before sitting on the bed and took out her phone to y games. Her mind was wondering how did Ye Jie got the painting from Wu Wang? Wu Wang didn¡¯t even give her this painting when she asked for it. She was distracted because of the painting and soon got bored. She decided to give Ye Jie somepany.


    "Can¡¯t sleep?" He asked as he felt her presence.


    "Yup!" She replied. She plopped down on the chair and supported her elbows on the table to hold her chin. She kept looking at his handsome face. Sometimes, he frowned looking at the files or theputer screen and sometimes he just shook his head in frustration. "If you need some help, you can ask me. I won¡¯t mind." Xu Mey offered politely.


    Ye Jie looked at her sincere eyes. "There is a bid for a government project in a month. I have to deal with that and Ye Jun was supposed to deal with e-sports tournament. But now, Ye Jun can¡¯t find a single Strategic nning Manager. And Strategies are crucial in e-sports." Ye Jie replied.


    Xu Mey nodded in understanding. She was quiet for a while before speaking, "Have you ever heard of Murong Yi?"


    Ye Jie thought about it. "Yes... I think I have... He was a very popr gamer back in the days but now he¡¯s nowhere to be found."


    "He¡¯s in Tokyo..." Xu Mey replied. Seeing the expression of Ye Jie she exined. "He loves online games. And what better ce than Tokyo? Also, an acquaintance of mine told me about it. I¡¯m a huge fan that¡¯s why."


    "Ohh..." Ye Jie thought about her suggestion. Xu Mey¡¯s idea wasn¡¯t bad. Murong Yi was famous for his strategies when he was a yer. He was an experienced person. He had to make him join their business. But how? Suddenly a beautiful face popped up in his mind.


    "You need to look for someone who could convince Murong Yi." After a pause, "Do you have anyone in mind?"


    "I do... But I doubt she¡¯ll help..." Ye Jie replied without thinking. Xu Mey arched her brows. He cleared his throat and replied. "She¡¯s a childhood friend. She can fix anything. Except for her own brain."


    "Why don¡¯t you take a chance with her then?" Xu Mey was curious but denied firmly to herself.


    "I should..." Ye Jie replied and dialed a number in his phone right before Xu Mey. The call connected in no time.


    "Ah Jie?" A masculine voice called out. "Is everything okay?"


    "Yeah... I just want your help to contact Ru¡¯er..." Ye Jie replied.


    "Hmm... Why don¡¯t you do it yourself?" The other voice asked.


    "She and I are at odds."


    Ye Jie heard augh. "When was thest time you both weren¡¯t at odds? Just call her yourself." Ye Jie thought about it for a bit and replied with, "En".


    He looked at Xu Mey who was spinning a stone paperweight with ease. " You¡¯re at odds with a childhood friend?"


    Ye Jie¡¯s lips curled up a bit. "We always had conflicts but this time it dragged on for a long time."


    "Why?" Xu Mey stopped spinning the paperweight as she asked.


    Ye Jie sighed. "Because she waspletely against my ex for some reason."


    Xu Mey nodded. "But if she¡¯s a friend, I don¡¯t think she¡¯ll hold the grudge."


    Ye Jie had to agree with that. Even though Ru¡¯er was impulsive but she never held any grudge for people she cared about.


    After much contemtion, he dialed another number and kept the phone on speaker this time.


    "Hello!" A groggy deep voice replied which shook both Xu Mey and Ye Jie.


    "Ru?" Ye Jie asked with uncertainty.


    They heard some shuffling on the other side. "Jie Ge-Ge!" The voice turned into a fruity feminine one brimming with excitement. "How can I help you?"


    "Why do you think I need something?"


    "Isn¡¯t it obvious. Otherwise, you wouldn¡¯t have woke me up at 3 in the morning. Well, I know its still 7:30 there but here it is only 3 o¡¯clock." The other voice was still a bit hoarse giving Xu Mey a very familiar feeling.


    "Find someone for me, " Ye Jie got straight to point throwing formalities out the window.


    "Send me his details." The call disconnected.


    Ye Jie typed an email and sent it to her. "Let¡¯s go home." Ye Jie said to Xu Mey who was still in a daze. The earlier voice reminded her of someone but who?


    She shook her head and stood up. Ye Jie took his jacket draped on the chair and put it on. "Shall we?" He offered his hand to Xu Mey. Seeing the extended hand in front of her, she was confused. But she took his hand anyway, with the excuse that his warm hands will help her cold ones to get better.


    Hand in hand they walked through the hallway where the receptionist couldn¡¯t help but re at Xu Mey with hatred. As they walked inside the elevator, Xu Mey said, "Your receptionist is going all the way to make you notice her."


    "Are you jealous?" Ye Jie asked with amusement.


    "Jealous? Of her?" Xu Mey snorted. "Leaving this face, " She pointed at her own face. "If you went for that stic face, " She made a gesture to point at the receptionist. "Then I really doubt your intelligence."


    Ye Jie burst outughing. "I didn¡¯t know you were a narcissist..."


    "Well, I don¡¯t need otherspliment when I have the experts opinions." She replied with ease and calm.


    "Expert?" Ye Jie frowned.


    "Me..." She raised her chin as if to challenge him to deny it. "We all need an expert and experts are ourselves but we often neglect this expert."


    Ye Jie was pleased with her reply. As Xu Mey passed Ye Jie a helmet, she asked, "Can you ride a bike?"


    "Yes, I can." Ye Jie replied proudly.


    Xu Mey threw the keys to him which he caught with ease. "Then drive." She said.


    Ye Jie was stunned beyond belief. Li Qiao obviously told him that Xu Mey doesn¡¯t like people even touching her motorbike much less drive it.


    But Ye Jie didn¡¯t question and climbed in the bike after Xu Mey settled up, he started the bike as they started their journey.


    Xu Mey¡¯s hands were not holding anything at first but when Ye Jie deliberately made the motorbike jump a bit, she had to hold his waist. Ye Jie was more than pleased with this oue.


    It was another small but steady step in their rtionship. Whether the step was in her life or heart, Ye Jie had to figure that out.

 Chapter 87 - Hugs, Kisses & Thank You

    "Where are we going?" She asked for the umpteenth time.


    "You¡¯ll know soon enough." He repeated like a parrot again.


    As per the promise, Xu Mey gave her weekend to Ye Jie. After the light breakfast, both wore casual clothes and left the house. They had been on the road for more than an hour already and during this time, Xu Mey asked repeatedly about their destination but Ye Jie¡¯s lips were sealed.


    "Can¡¯t you give me a hint?" Ye Jie saw her pouting adorably through his peripheral vision. And for a moment, he thought about disclosing the surprise. It was a good thing that he managed to shake this thought out of his mind.


    "Don¡¯t act cute with me. Your face is your deadliest weapon but I¡¯m not falling for it. Not at any cost." Ye Jie was stern with his speech.


    Xu Mey humphed and leaned back on her seat while crossing her arms in front of her chest. But her anger couldn¡¯tst long. "At least tell me how far away it is?"


    Ye Jie held the steering wheel with one hand expertly maneuvering it while his other hand stroked her long hair lovingly saying, "Be good, my cherry wife. Don¡¯t make me spoil the surprise."


    "Fine!" Xu Mey grumbled making him chuckle softly.


    After driving further ahead, Ye Jie stopped the car at the roadside. Xu Mey looked at him with questioning eyes. He pulled out a ck cloth from the hiddenpartment and stretched his hand towards her. "Wear this blindfold."


    Xu Mey was gaping at this point. "What? Now you even want me to wear a blindfold?"


    "Yes... I do want you to wear a blindfold." He replied ignoring her protesting voice.


    "I don¡¯t want to..." Xu Mey turned her head away to look outside the windowpletely ignoring him.


    "Come on... We¡¯re gettingte... Wear this for once... Just for me." Xu Mey contemted his words for a minute chewing the inside of her lips and nodded at the end.


    Ye Jie smiled brightly, passing her the blindfold which she tied around her eyes. "You can¡¯t see, right? No peeking, okay?" Ye Jie waved his hand in front of her to check.


    "If you don¡¯t even have that much trust, I¡¯m taking this off..." Xu Mey raised her hand to remove the blindfold but Ye Jie held her hand in his own.


    "I trust my wife the most... But my cherry wife doesn¡¯t seem to trust me." Both of them didn¡¯t speak any further as Ye Jie¡¯s Rolls-Royce drove steadily on the road.


    About 15 minutester, Xu Mey heard some noises around making her curiosity reach a pinnacle. She had the urge to take off the blindfold but thinking about Ye Jie, she controlled herself. She could hear chattering, music, kidsughing and some other noises. But no matter how she thought about it, she couldn¡¯t think of anything at all.


    Ye Jie parked the car when he heard her voice, "Can I take it off now?"


    "Just a minute, " Ye Jie got off the car and ran towards her door. He opened the door for her, unbuckled her seatbelt and held her hand to help her out of the car.


    He helped her out and stood behind her to untie the blindfold. Suddenly catching the sunlight made Xu Mey squint her eyes. It took a bit of effort to look around herself. As her eyes got adjusted to the light, she looked at where she was standing.


    She turned her whole body to look at Ye Jie with her eyes widened. "You brought me to an amusement park?" She was in disbelief. Ye Jie nodded with a smile.


    "You brought me to an amusement park." This time she wasn¡¯t asking, rather it was a realization.


    Ye Jie looked at her as a beaming smile bloomed on her face. "You brought me to an amusement park." She looked overly excited to point that she jumped towards Ye Jie taking him by surprise.


    Her slender arms looped around his neck, she looked happy like a kid who just received his favorite candy. It was a good thing that Ye Jie was standing closer to his car otherwise, the way Xu Mey jumped on him, he would most probably have lost his footing and both of them would have ended up on the stone pathway.


    "I didn¡¯t know that our Honey Mey loved PDA as well." Xu Mey¡¯s body left Ye Jie on reflex as she heard a familiar voice of Wu Wang.


    Sure enough, Wu Wang was standing behind her with Li Qiao, Yu Kim, Lin Shen, Sun Ju, and He Jian.


    "Don¡¯t you think, one PDA couple is enough for all of us? Didn¡¯t they feed us single people with enough dog food already?" Wu Wang asked as his eyes were looking at Xu Mey but his words were directed at Lin Shen and Sun Ju.


    "Shen-Shen, Wu Wang is again being a jerk." Sun Ju tugged at Lin Shen¡¯s arm as sheined about Wu Wang.


    Lin Shen caressed Sun Ju¡¯s hair with a doting expression as he said, " Ju-Ju, Wang doesn¡¯t have to act like a jerk... He is a jerk." Wu Wang rolled his eyes at them.


    Ye Jie stood watching their banter which made him smile like a lunatic. "Did you get them here?" Xu Mey asked him as they decided to enter the park together.


    "Yeah... I thought you¡¯ll love seeing them more than the park itself." Ye Jie replied giving her an affectionate look.


    "Thank you." Xu Mey tip-toed to leave a feathery kiss on his cheek.

 Chapter 88 - Thrill Of Life...

    Love can bebeled as poison. It has the power to ruin youpletely. While loving someone deeply gives you the courage to drink that poison happily and die. Or to kill someone else for that poison of love.


    But...


    When someone loves you deeply, it gives you courage. Courage to live even with that poison of love running wild inside of you.


    There are only a few people in your life who will give that courage to you. Looking at Ye Jie¡¯s hand in front of her face, Xu Mey was probing whether Ye Jie would be poison who could make her want to die happily or the one which could give her a reason to live. No matter which one it was, one thing was clear to Xu Mey; He walked into her life with ease and he was crawling into her heart with effort.


    Leaving all the absurd thoughts aside, Xu Mey gave her hand to him as they intertwined their fingers.


    "Wait for us!" They heard a feminine loud voice making them turn to see Wu Xia running towards them. She stopped a few steps away from them and panted like she ran a marathon. "Sister Mey!" She excitedly ran towards Xu Mey to give her a tight hug.


    Xu Mey was quite surprised to see her there. She looked at Ye Jie and his smile gave her the affirmation that he invited Wu Xia as well. Wu Xia reluctantly let Xu Mey go. "Sister Mey, do you know how much I wanted toe to your wedding?" She was aggrieved. "This is all of Wang Ge¡¯s fault." She pointed at Wu Wang making him shake his head. "I really wanted toe. I even prepared a gift for you. Oh, did you receive my gift or this brother of mine didn¡¯t bother with that as well?"


    "I got the gift..." Xu Mey replied with patience.


    "Oh... oh... Did you open it?" Wu Xia was looking at her starry-eyed.


    "Not yet... I didn¡¯t get a chance to see the wedding gifts yet." Xu Mey replied honestly.


    Knowing Xu Mey¡¯s nature, Wu Xia didn¡¯t find it odd at all. "You need to help me with this idiot brother of mine. He didn¡¯t even tell me that he came back." Wu Xia red Wu Wang who very conveniently ignored it.


    "Wang Ge, this is not fair with our baby sister Xia. You should have let here to my wedding." Wu Xia gave a provoking look to Wu Wang. " You know how much she loves free food."


    Everyone burst intoughter. Wu Xia pouted as she looked at Xu Mey with a grievance. "Sister Mey!"


    Xu Mey gave her a side hug. "That was just a joke, baby. Even though we know you love to eat but we won¡¯t say that you love to eat ever again." Although she was consoling Wu Xia indirectly, she still reminded her how much she loved to eat.


    After dilly-dallying, they walked inside the Star y Amusement Park. It was one of the biggest parks in the city.


    "Shen-Shen, let¡¯s go on the swing carousel, " Sun Ju pulled Lin Shen towards the ride.


    "What ride do you want to try?" Ye Jie asked Xu Mey in a low voice.


    Xu Mey tapped her index finger on the chin in a thoughtful manner. "Mm... I want to ride all of these." She announced.


    When Li Qiao first told him that Xu Mey had never been to an amusement park, he was surprised. But why she never came to amusement parks was something Li Qiao didn¡¯t share with him.


    He happily agreed to apany her to all the rides. "Qiao, you take Kim to that horse carousel. She¡¯s scared of heights and Shen Ge is apanying Sun Ju." Xu Mey looked at Wu Xia who already dragged Ming Qu to the electric trackless train. "Wang Ge, you givepany to Jian Ge."


    "I have better things to do honey Mey." As Wu Wang said it, his assistant brought his painting equipment for him.


    Wu Wang and He Jian both had the most arguments in the group but still, they were the closest ones as well. Since both shared a lot of habits. While Wu Wang was going to paint, He Jian was going to capture the moments in his camera.


    Xu Mey decided to take the rollercoaster. "Are you scared?" Ye Jie asked as he looked at her nervous face. Xu Mey nodded. "Why did you choose this ride then?"


    "You don¡¯t get it, husband. Everybody is sacred but they still ride this. Why?" Ye Jie turned his head to face his wife. "Because the moment we get over that momentary fear, that¡¯s when the real thrill of life begins." Ye Jie nodded in agreement.


    During the ride, Xu Mey held Ye Jie¡¯s hands in a right grasp. Even though it turned painful but Ye Jie wasn¡¯t the one toin about it at all. After going through Rollercoaster, Swing Carousel, Ferris Wheel and other thrill rides, Ye Jie was exhausted. But Xu Mey was energetic as ever.


    "Shen-Shen, you have to get that teddy bear for me, okay? Don¡¯t let these idiots win." They were passing when the heard Sun Ju¡¯s cute voice near a stall.

 Chapter 89 - Rage, Fizzle & Yearning

    Ye Jie turned to see Lin Shen and Sun Ju at a stall with some bulky guys standing beside them.


    "What is happening there?" Ye Jie was about to walk to them to help but Xu Mey held his sleeve and shook her head.


    "I can exin everything from right here." She said with self-admiration. Ye Jie arched his single brow at her. "Look!" She pointed out where Lin Shen and Sun Ju were standing. "Ju-Ju loves teddy bears. And it¡¯s obvious that she must have asked Shen Ge to win one for her through that darting game. But Shen Ge doesn¡¯t like these kinds of activities. He must have refused and those street thugs must have provoked him by saying something about Ju-Ju. So, now Shen Ge is going to win those teddy bears for Ju-Ju." She rted the whole scenario in a single breath and started panting.


    Ye Jie was giving her a weird look. "Do you think, he can win?" He asked uncertainly.


    "Don¡¯t underestimate my Shen Ge... He worked as a military surgeon for 3 years. This is child¡¯s y for him." Xu Mey assured him and dragged him to another stall.


    Meanwhile, Li Qiao was walking around the park with Yu Kim beside him. They were walking side by side and their hands asionally brushed together because of all the people around. As per Xu Mey¡¯s order, Li Qiao took Yu Kim to the horse carousel and after that, he didn¡¯t know where to take her.


    "Do you want to ride the trackless train?" Li Qiao asked softly unlike his usual self.


    "Sure Sir, " She replied obediently making Li Qiao¡¯s mood sour with that ¡¯sir¡¯ word.


    After the train ride, he asked again, "Would you like some cotton candy?"


    "Sure Sir, " She repeated in the same demeanor enhancing his sour mood.


    After eating the cotton candy, he asked again, "Would you like to take a ride on a rollercoaster?" He knew she was afraid but he deliberately said it to make her say no for once.


    But to his dismay, she said, "Sure Sir, " Although this time she wasn¡¯t that calm as she was before.


    In his fury, Li Qiao held her wrist and pulled her towards himself, "Aren¡¯t you scared of heights, Ms. Yu?" The pitch of his voice was dangerously low.


    Yu Kim squirmed in his grasp due to the pain his grip brought. "I¡¯m scared... But... You want to ride it, Sir." She felt a sting of a tear in her eyes.


    "Just because I want to?" Li Qiao scoffed. "So, if I tell you to jump down from a cliff would you really jump?"


    Yu Kim looked up into his eyes. His piercing gaze was prickling her heart. "If that¡¯ll make you happy... I will." She replied without hesitation.


    Li Qiao kept looking into her deep eyes. The eyes that always felt like a chasm. They stayed quiet like that for a while and the silence chagrined Li Qiao to another zenith.


    Abruptly, he dragged her with him saying, "Let¡¯s see how much you care about what I want." He made her take the rollercoaster ride with him.


    From the start till the end, Yu Kim didn¡¯t leave Li Qiao¡¯s wrist. Her nails dug deeply piercing his flesh but he didn¡¯t bother saying anything in retaliation. His focus was on her. He wanted her to say no. He wanted her to scream or yell or do anything. But she silently passed the trial of her fear.


    It wouldn¡¯t have been about 5 minutes that they got down from the ride and Yu Kim started puking her guts out. Li Qiao stretched his arm intending to rub her back or to soothe her but at some thought, he clenched his hand into a fist and brought it back.


    Not far away, Ye Jie and Xu Mey were buying the cat ears for each other. Ye Jie saw the look of hurt in Li Qiao and the look of hope in Yu Kim. But themon thing he perceived in both of them was; Yearning. They silently were asking the person to stay but they both didn¡¯t say it out loud.


    Li Qiao walked up to Xu Mey and pointed towards Yu Kim with his eyes. Xu Mey looked behind and saw Yu Kim¡¯s pale face making her frown. "Can¡¯t you be a bit nicer?" Xu Mey said with a shake of her head and headed to Yu Kim.


    "You have something to add?" Li Qiao gave Ye Jie a challenging look.


    Before Ye Jie could reply, He Jian¡¯s voice rang behind them. "He might not. But I have a lot to add."


    He Jian¡¯s one hand was in his blue cks while the other was holding a camera. He alone was enough to capture a lot of attention but with Li Qiao, Ye Jie and Wu Wang in the picture, they were like a striking boy band.


    "Are they celebrities?"


    "I think I¡¯ve seen that one on a magazine." Someone pointed at Li Qiao.


    "They are so handsome."


    "They are the real definition of flower boys."


    "Why is the temperature getting hotter?"


    A lot of people turned to look at them but none of the boys were paying any attention to bask in all the praises around them. They had a more important staringpetition with each other at hand.

 Chapter 90 - The First Step Of Snug Communication

    "I would prefer if you don¡¯t add anything at all, Jian." Li Qiao talked with a solemn face.


    "That¡¯s what you always say." He Jian replied in a stern voice.


    Ye Jie was on sidelines. He had the general idea of Yu Kim having a crush on Li Qiao when he first visited Lotus Entertainments. After all, a noble young heiress working as a personal assistant would sound absurd unless a little birdie called love was involved.


    Today, Ye Jie realized that Li Qiao also had feelings for Yu Kim. What those feelings meant was something he didn¡¯t know.


    At first impression, Ye Jie used to think that Lin Shen was the most sensible and quiet person. Buttely, he saw that it was He Jian. He had a mysterious aura but it was dignified. He gave the feeling of a strict person who valued his principals.


    After calming Yu Kim, Xu Mey brought her to the spot they all had decided to meet for lunch. It was a fast food shop and all of them had to join two tables to make room for everyone.


    "I should order for everyone." Yu Kim stood up but Li Qiao¡¯s voice made her halt in her movement.


    "Are you nning on letting us starve? Just stay where you are. Wang,e with me." He stood up and walked away to order with Wu Wang.


    Xu Mey shook her head at her dumb friends. Even though, the thought was good. The way of execution ruined everything. Li Qiao clearly wanted her to not burden herself but Yu Kim took it as she was ipetent as his assistant. Xu Mey rubbed her forehead as she felt a headacheing on.


    "Hey! Cherry wife!" She heard Ye Jie whispering and looked at him wearing the adorable cat ear she bought for him. It made her smile involuntarily. "I want to know something."


    Xu Mey beckoned him to sit beside her. "What is it?" She asked as he took the seat beside her.


    "What¡¯s up with KimQiao?" He got straight to the point without dawdling.


    "KimQiao?" Xu Mey furrowed her brows in confusion.


    Ye Jie clicked his tongue and lightly flicked her forehead. "Tsk... Yu Kim and Li Qiao... My Cherry Wife... Got it?"


    "Ohhh..." Xu Mey dragged the word nodding her head. "Nothing¡¯s up with KimQiao." She replied after the epiphany of ¡¯KimQiao¡¯.


    "Are you sure?" Ye Jie was absolutely not convinced.


    Xu Mey sighed wearily. "The problem is that there is nothing between both of them."


    "Why? They clearly have feelings for each other." Ye Jie said as he put a French fry in his mouth.


    "Aigo! Even you can see that... But both of them don¡¯t want to." When Ye Jie gave her a questioning look, she said. "What was the problem between us?"


    "We both didn¡¯t like sharing." Ye Jie replied after a moment of thinking.


    "Bingo! That¡¯s the problem with them as well. They bothck the first step of snugmunication."


    "Snug Communication?" He frowned.


    "Aiyo! My dear husband! Snug means Soulful, Neat, Unfeigned and Genuine." Ye Jie gave her a thumbs up and she added, " In our case, you took the first step and broke the wall of silence between us. But in their case, none of them wants to take that first step."


    Ye Jie was surprised that she mentioned how he took the first step to start their rtionship. He stroked her hair with an affectionate look and a beautiful smile on his face.


    "Doesn¡¯t Li Qiao already knows that she likes him?" He asked while bringing a French fry to her mouth and she obediently opened parted her lips to take a bite.


    "He does. But what does that change?"


    "Why?"


    "Yu Kim never said it to him. She never spoke. Not even once. Li Qiao didn¡¯t want her actions to speak, he wanted her to speak. But now, he doesn¡¯t want her to say it at all. If she said that, he¡¯ll lose someone very important in his life and he doesn¡¯t want that."


    "What do you mean?" Ye Jie was even more confused now. No one could me him. Xu Mey spoke in a round about way.


    "Li Qiao dated Song Yuling just to spite Yu Kim. But it didn¡¯t work. And then he broke up with Song Yuling. ¡¯Cause he wanted to rightfully have Yu Kim in his life, Qiao didn¡¯t go to confess his love to Yu Kim. Instead, he went to her father."


    "So, he told everything to her father?" Ye Jie was surprised.


    "It didn¡¯t get to that part. Long story short, Qiao was told that Yu Kim had an engagement since the moment she was born."


    Ye Jie¡¯s eyes widened. He sat straight and thought for a while. "But can¡¯t he just snatch Yu Kim from the other guy? They¡¯re only engaged. Not married."


    "Can you snatch your brother¡¯s girl, dear husband?" She asked.


    "No... It¡¯s not that I can¡¯t I just won¡¯t do it." He replied without missing a beat making Xu Mey smile.


    "How can Li Qiao snatch his brother¡¯s fiance?" Her smile looked sad to Ye Jie. It was like instead of Li Qiao, her own heart was breaking.


    Preferably, Ye Jie would have loved to solve the knot of love in Li Qiao and Yu Kim but his own wife left him with a bigger knot. ¡¯Which brother is she talking about?¡¯ It was a known fact that Li Qiao was an only child. And the ones he called brothers were right here at this time. His gaze wandered from Wu Wang to He Jian and he felt he was going to lose his mind just thinking about it.

 Chapter 91 - Shes No More...

    Xu Mey noticed Ye Jie¡¯s unusual gaze. He was staring at He Jian and Wu Wang as if both of them were the criminals. And he was the executioner.


    "Why are you giving odd looks to my Jian Ge and Wang Ge?" She couldn¡¯t help herself and asked him. Ye Jie looked at her face. As if reading Ye Jie¡¯s mind, Xu Mey burst outughing.


    "You think that Jian Ge or Wang Ge are engaged to Yu Kim?" She asked in between her heartyugh.


    "Am I wrong?" He inquired cautiously.


    "Of course you¡¯re wrong, dear husband." Xu Mey consciously ruffled Ye Jie¡¯s hair and when his soft hair felt good to touch, she forgot to move her hand away. "The brother I was talking about is neither Jian Ge nor Wang Ge. The brother I was talking about is actually Qiao¡¯s cousin brother. What was his name?" She had a thoughtful look.


    "Ahan!" She clicked her fingers and said, "Xin Xiamu. Yup... That¡¯s the name."


    Ye Jie was enjoying her messing with his hair softly but the name entangled his curiosity.


    Xin Xiamu? Why does it sound familiar?


    "Hey, cherry wife!" Ye Jie started.


    "En."


    "Is this Xin Xiamu the same one from Xin Group of Industries?" He asked.


    "Yes... He is." She replied in a bored way engrossed in eating her burger.


    "How is Li Qiao rted to Xin Xiamu? I never knew he had a cousin." Ye Jiemented.


    Xu Mey ced her half-eaten burger on the te, wiped her face with a napkin and sighed. "Actually my dear husband, Li Qiao¡¯s father was Xin Zhang who was Xin Xiamu¡¯s uncle. But when Li Qiao was born, a monk said something about his safety and life and whatnot. To be safe, Auntie Li gave her own family name to Li Qiao. So, Xin Qiao became Li Qiao. Got it?" She looked at him listening with utmost attention.


    "That exins a lot." He said. "But can¡¯t his cousin walk out of this engagement. After all, Li Qiao and Yu Kim like each other."


    "If we look at the nitty-gritty, Xin Xiamu was the one who introduced Yu Kim to Li Qiao. Kim might not know that she¡¯s engaged to Xin Xiamu but he¡¯s still her best friend."


    "Which means Li Qiao is the one who came between them?"


    "Now, that I can¡¯t be sure of. I never met Xin Xiamu. So, I can¡¯t say whether he loves Kim or he¡¯s just trying to live up to elders expectations and wishes." Xu Mey turned her focus back to her burger leaving Ye Jie to digest all theplicated information.


    Ye Jie understood Li Qiao¡¯s dilemma. He couldn¡¯t snatch his own cousin brother¡¯s girl and he couldn¡¯t stop himself from craving for her as well. If Xin Xiamu had no feelings for Yu Kim, the matter could be simple and straightforward. But if Xin Xiamu is also in love with Yu Kim... Sigh... Ye Jie didn¡¯t want to think of the consequences.


    "Excuse me!" Ye Jie heard a feminine voice making him look up. He Jian was sitting opposite of him and a girl was smiling at him.


    "Yes, " He Jian replied curtly in a regal manner.


    The girl was feeling bashful and the other girls behind her were urging her to say something. Ye Jie slurped on his soft drink enjoying the scene. It was like junior girls trying to strike up a conversation with senior boys they had a crush on.


    "Do you have something to say?" He Jian asked impatiently.


    The girl in floral skirt bit her lips and mustered up her courage. She stretched her hand which held her phone towards He Jian.


    ¡¯Woah! Girls are really fast in this generation. Directly asking for the phone number? Hats off, man. Sigh! I wish someone teach this to my wife as well.¡¯ Ye Jie shook his head in forlorn.


    But the girl in a floral skirt wasn¡¯t asking for He Jian¡¯s number. Instead, she was showing something to him on her phone. Whatever he saw it made He Jian¡¯s body stiffened which in turn made Ye Jie turn back to him.


    "This is you, right?" The girl asked softly.


    He Jian closed his eyes briefly and said, "Yes."


    "How is your fiance?" The girl asked biting her lip again in nervousness.


    He Jian¡¯s hand on the table clenched into fists. His face nched and a redness poured into his beautiful almond eyes. He stood up from his chair. "She¡¯s no more." That¡¯s all he said before turning around and leaving the restaurant.

 Chapter 92 - Im Already Yours

    Memories are another name of expectations. And expectations are the name of disappointment. But disappointment is torturous.


    Therefore, one way to describe memories is torture. The good, the bad, or just a in memory, all bring unbearable torture with it.


    But we often ignore the reality we are living in for the memories we hold dear of the past. And then one day, the same reality turns into another memory we hope to live again. The endless cycle doesn¡¯t end. Because we don¡¯t stop looking back and time doesn¡¯t stop looking forward.


    He Jian was living that torture of memories.


    Seeing him leave abruptly, Xu Mey got up intending to follow. Ye Jie held her wrist with a questioning gaze. She rummaged out her cell phone, clicked a few times and gave it to Ye Jie before following He Jian.


    Ye Jie looked at her cell phone screen with a frown. Not knowing what she was intending to do. But his frown was instantly smoothened out when the screen disyed the beautiful scene.


    The sun was setting in the horizon leaving an orange warm glow behind. The scene was from the exact amusement park they came to visit today. The difference lied in the pathway decorated with faux blue orchids. At the end of the pathway stood a wan and sallow but still an exquisitely beautiful girl. She looked so frail that it felt a simple breeze would topple her down.


    She was wearing a beautiful yellow sundress with a leather belt around her waist and a big hat on her head. On the other end of the pathway was a small fountain. A group of orchestra yers was behind the fountain and in front of the fountain, a handsome young man was standing with a bouquet of 99 red roses in his hand.


    The girl took slow steps towards the young man with a beautiful smile on her face. As if nature was in cahoots with the young man, at thest step she took, the dim darkness engulfed the earth. But almost instantly, a million fairy lights lit up not just on the pathway but around where the frail girl was standing with her hand in the young man¡¯s huge ones.


    The young man passed the bouquet to her, which she epted with gratitude and reddened eyes. The orchestra yed softly in the background. The young man went on his one knee and held her slender, frail hand in his and looked up into her eyes.


    "Weiwei! I know all of this is very cheesy, " He pointed around at the decorations andughed at himself. "I really never thought that I¡¯d do something like this for anyone. But you, " He rubbed her fingers with his calloused thumb. "You made me a cheesy person. You always wanted to have a proposal at an amusement park between hundreds of people. Today, I¡¯m here on my knee with all my heart. But I know my heart won¡¯t be enough. So, I gave you my soul as well. You can y with it all you want. Just don¡¯t leave me." His throat felt constricted at the end of the speech.


    "Ah Jian! You know I can¡¯t apany you for the rest of your lif-" The young man got up and ced his fingers on her lips, not letting herplete her sentence.


    "If you can¡¯t apany me for all of my life. Just be with me for the rest of your life." He said with tender filled eyes. "I gave you 99 roses. Do you know why?"


    She shook her head as the tears trickled down her face. He wiped her tears with his hand saying, "Thest rose, I¡¯m keeping it for the day we get married. I want to give it to you when you rightfully bes mine."


    Her silent sobs got louder as she buried her face in his chest. "So, would you do me the honor of bing my wife?" She nodded softly. "What did you say?" She nodded vigorously this time. "I can¡¯t hear it." He said in a teasing manner.


    Her soft frail hands punched his chest and her tears mixed smile face looked at him. "How can I give you the honor? I¡¯m the one honored to have someone like you, Ah Jian. You gave me love when I needed it, you gave me your time when I needed it, you even gave me support when I most needed it. I¡¯m scared that if one day I asked for your life, you might even give that to me as well."


    "I can¡¯t give my life to you, Weiwei, " He looked aggrieved. She was surprised to hear it. He caressed her cheek with the back of his hand and said, "Because it¡¯s already yours." Her eyes widened. It was a huge thing to say that his life already belonged to her, she didn¡¯t need to ask for it. She sobbed again leaning into his palm. "I love you the most in this world, Weiwei. Please be mine."


    "I love you more than life itself, Ah Jian. What are you asking for? I¡¯m already yours." He Jian pulled her in his embrace as a roar of apuse rang out from around them.


    And then, the fireworks painted the sky with beautiful colors making it even more enchanting.


    Watching this scene y in the video, Ye Jie didn¡¯t realize that he was on the verge of crying himself. He didn¡¯t know whether tough or to cry. It was surprising to see a stoic person like He Jian to have such a soft and beautiful side to him.

 Chapter 93 - Dont Mess Up

    Xu Mey left the restaurant to look for He Jian. After a bit of wandering around, she found him standing before the fountain. She slowly came behind him and ced her hand on his shoulder. He Jian turned his head to look at her. Seeing her concerned look, he tried to smile but his smile looked rather sad to Xu Mey.


    He ced his hand over Xu Mey¡¯s hand on his shoulder saying, "She didn¡¯t even give me the chance to give her thest rose." He said sotto voce.


    Xu Mey had no idea how to console him at all. She took a deep breath. "Weiwei¡¯s loss was of life. She lost the battle of life and death. In your case, Jian Ge, you lost a part of yourself with her even when you¡¯re alive. Somehow, your loss seems bigger to me."


    He Jian nced at her face. He was trying to remember when he met her for the first time. She was bashful, weak, timid and fearful of everything around. She said to him back then, "Life teaches you to fear death. But death actually wants us to see the worst side of life. In the end, death always wins this battle. Because no matter what, living is so scary that we happily want to embrace the death."


    Right now, that same girl had changed drastically. She didn¡¯t talk about death that easily as she used to do. He Jian was d to know that she was epting life instead of running behind death with potency.


    He ruffled her hair lovingly and gave her a sincere smile. She smiled back at him and looped her arm with his as they headed back towards the restaurant.


    After the meal, when everyone left the restaurant, Ye Jie walked beside Xu Mey and bent his head to whisper, "Did they break up or-?" He didn¡¯t dare toplete his spection.


    "She died." Xu Mey replied in a t voice without any expressions on her face. Seeing Ye Jie in a daze, she added, "She was a cancer patient. She fought for 4 years but on the night before her wedding with Jian Ge, she lost the battle of life and death."


    "Your friends have reallyplicated love lives," Ye Jiemented reeling from the love crisis her friends had.


    But his simplement worked as oil on the fire for Xu Mey. "Says the guy whose own girlfriend left him after 8 years of a rtionship without any reason or rhyme." She was spitting fire and it took Ye Jie by surprise.


    "Really? You wanna go down that road?" He asked with a quirk of a brow.


    Xu Mey bit her tongue for not having control on it. "The four of them are like my dragon scales. Touch them and I¡¯ll show you what going berserk means in reality."


    "I¡¯ll keep that in mind." Ye Jie replied obediently.


    His calm reaction made Xu Mey feel guilty for bringing up his ex. ¡¯I really need a filter for my mouth.¡¯ She thought.


    "Did I go too far?" She asked after a moment¡¯s pause.


    Ye Jie stared at her head drooped down in guilty and smiled. He stretched his hand towards her asking her to take it which she took without hesitation. "You didn¡¯t say anything wrong. And I don¡¯t want you to be guilty unless you really havemitted a crime."


    She stared at their intertwined hands and asked, "What if I have done a crime?"


    Ye Jie stopped walking, turned his head and gazed into her ck orbs. "Then I¡¯ll..." He paused in a thoughtful manner. Xu Mey was staring anxiously at his face. He smiled and added, "I¡¯ll make sure to stand by you through all of it."


    "What if my past¡¯s tears are like a flood?" All of a sudden, she asked.


    "Then I¡¯ll stand firm against that flood with you." He replied without missing a beat.


    "What if you can¡¯t withstand the gush of tears with me?" She asked again.


    He brought their intertwined hands up and left a fleeting kiss on her knuckles. Then he ced the joined hands against his heart and raised his other hand to caress her soft cheek. "If I can¡¯t withstand it... Then I¡¯ll drown in that gush of tears with you."


    Xu Mey was stunned at his reply. She didn¡¯t realize when a tear trickled down her face. She only realized it when Ye Jie¡¯s thumb wiped the tear away and his soft lips touched her forehead. He buried her head in his chest and ced his chin on her head while stroking her hair. "I didn¡¯t know that my wife is so sensitive. You¡¯re so easily touched. What if I was lying to you?" He asked jokingly.


    "I¡¯ll cut you into pieces myself... If you said it, you should keep your word. Otherwise, don¡¯t just throw out your words like pebbles." He heard her muffled voice making him chuckle.


    "That¡¯s a very dangerous oue." He made her look up at him. "I¡¯ll make sure to keep my words at all cost."


    "You better do..." She grumbled.


    "I will... I will... Now, please don¡¯t let another teardrop from your eye." He coaxed her.


    "Who said it was a tear? Something went in my eye and that¡¯s why it was watery. Do you really think your words were that touching? Such wishful thinking." To hide her weakness, she draped the arrogance over herself making Ye Jie amused with his wife¡¯s antics.


    "You... Are... One... Amazing... Wife..." He enunciated each word and ruffled her hair rashly making her scowl.


    "Don¡¯t mess up my hair." She bellowed with a re.

 Chapter 94 - Ghosts Of Past

    After their touching banter, Ye Jie held Xu Mey¡¯s hand intending to leave the park. But suddenly, Xu Mey¡¯s eyes fell on something and she stopped walking making Ye Jie halt as well.


    He looked back at her questioningly but she wasn¡¯t looking at him at all. She gave the limelight to soap bubbles. The way she opened her eyes wide to look at them with desire and the way her mouth was opening, closing and turning into a smile looked adorable to Ye Jie.


    At this moment, he really wanted to pull her cheeks and without even realizing it himself, his hands raised, held both her cheeks and pulled them making her growl lowly.


    "What do you think you¡¯re doing?" She asked scrunching up her face.


    "You looked too adorable for me to resist." Since he called her adorable and that too with a bright grin, it made her scowl and she crossed her arms in front of her chest.


    "I¡¯m not adorable," She grumbled while avoiding his gaze.


    "Yes Yes... My cherry wife is not adorable..." Ye Jie bit down hisughter. He held her small face in his hands and made her look at him. "My Cherry Wife is beautiful." He said sincerely.


    She looked down to hide the blush which tinted her face.


    "Do you like soap bubbles?" He asked to cover her embarrassment. She nodded. "Do you want to y with them?" She shook her head. "Why? If you like them, you should y with them."


    "Dear husband, at one point we all like books, music, and movies. But therees a time when that exact book is left untouched, that music left with no listener and that movie left with no one to watch it in a big theatre. Just because I like soap bubbles, doesn¡¯t mean I want to y with them. Somethings only look pleasing from a distance." She said looking at the soap bubbles with a sad longing.


    "Somethings are pretty up close as well." He started. "A rose is beautiful up close. A soap bubble gives you the illusion of watching rainbows up close."


    "A rose tends to wither away with time and a soap bubble tends to burst up at a slight touch."


    They didn¡¯t continue the debate and headed to the parking lot. She was a pessimistic person and turning her into an optimistic one was a difficult task. "Should we go to the KTV?" Wu Xia suggested enthusiastically.


    Everyone shared a look and before anyone could say anything, they heard a voice calling out, "Bro, sis-inw!" Ye Jie turned and saw Ye Jun waving his hand in the air like a child.


    Ye Jie held his forehead as he sighed. Ye Jun ran up to him while panting. "Good thing I caught you guys here. Why did you not invite me as well?" He looked usingly at Ye Jie.


    "How did you find us here?" Instead of answering, Ye Jie asked his own question.


    "I asked your assistant, Qi Guan." Ye Jun replied nonchntly.


    Meanwhile, He Jian pulled Xu Mey and bent his head to whisper, "Are you sure that this one is Ye Jie¡¯s brother?"


    "I¡¯ve been meaning to ask that too," Wu Wang chimed in from the side.


    "That¡¯s what the world knows." She replied half-heartedly.


    "Do you think there is some kind of mistake?" Lin Shen asked.


    "How would I know that?" She retorted.


    While they were specting Ye Jie and Ye Jun¡¯s rtionship, Ye Jun was talking animatedly to his brother. "I didn¡¯t want to follow you guys but Zhou Qi came back and she insisted on meeting sis-inw. Then mom pressurized me and I had to bring her along. Oh, wait!" He suddenly remembered, "Where did this girl run off to?" He looked around and jogged up to a nearby ce. He came back with a delicate looking girl trailing behind him.


    The girl can¡¯t be described as a peerless beauty but she had her own charms. She was wearing a body-hugging dress with red stilettos. She had glistening eyes and in one look, she gave the feeling that people would want to line up to protect her.


    But her arrival was akin to thunder for a certain someone. Wu Wang¡¯s gaze didn¡¯t leave her figure and Xu Mey along with Qiao, Jian, and Shen could feel the temperature dropping in the surroundings.


    Xu Mey leaned back a little and asked in a low whisper, "Am I seeing things? Or the girl in front of us has the same face as-"


    "As the painting in Wang¡¯s house." Li Qiaopleted her sentence.


    "Sh*t!"


    "Fu*k!"


    All of them cursed simultaneously. No matter how you run, some people just walk right back in your life. It¡¯s just a matter of when and how? And some people are like ghosts, who leave themselves but leave behind a shadow of their¡¯s to pester someone. This delicate looking girl was akin to that ghost in Wu Wang¡¯s life.

 Chapter 95 - Keen Senses and Trials Of Love

    "Hello, everyone!" The girl greeted them while tucking a loose strand behind her ear.


    As if on queue, Wu Wang¡¯s assistant Suzy came beside him and reminded him, "Sir, you have a flight. I think we should leave now. You might miss your flight otherwise." Suzy was an experienced person in her mid-forties, she could read the tension clearly and she¡¯s been with Wu Wang since his teenage years, which gave her an even deeper understanding of him.


    The girl Ye Jun brought was stunned to see Wu Wang standing before her. Her daze was broken by Suzy¡¯s words. "Ah... Mm... You¡¯re right... We should leave now." She heard Wu Wang¡¯s distant voice.


    He turned to look at his friends and said, "Honey Mey, I gotta go back. I came earlier because of you but I have to leave now. I still have matters to handle."


    "It¡¯s alright... You should go... Take care Wang Ge!" She waved awkwardly trying to get him out of here as soon as possible.


    But a certain someone was not getting the hint at all. "Aiyo! Ge, you can¡¯t leave like this. You haven¡¯t even visited home. Mom is really missing you. She¡¯s beenining to me how much you¡¯re ignoring her." Wu Xiained.


    "My dear mother¡¯sckey!" Wu Xia gaped at his choice of words while Xu Mey chuckled. "Tell mommy, I¡¯ll be back next month. But if she¡¯d nned another blind date. Then she won¡¯t even be seeing me." Then he turned to Suzy and said, "Let¡¯s go!" With that Wu Wang left.


    "Sister Mey, Ge called me mother¡¯sckey," She made a crying face trying toin to Xu Mey. Xu Mey just rolled her eyes at Wu Xia¡¯s old childish antics.


    "Find a new way to lure me into your traps, Xiao Xia." Xu Mey said.


    Although Wu Xia was aggrieved she quickly got over it. "So, should we go to KTV?"


    "I think it¡¯s a good idea," Ye Jun chimed in enthusiastically.


    Xu Mey nudged Sun Ju with her feet making herself clear with this action. "Shen-Shen, I¡¯m feeling really down. Let¡¯s go home. Father also said that we need to take care of some wedding stuff." Sun Ju faked an illness with perfection. How she turned her face pale waspletely out of Xu Mey¡¯s mind.


    "Ju-Ju, hold on for a while... I¡¯ll take you home." Lin Shen gave an apologetical smile to Ye Jie and headed to his own car while holding Sun Ju.


    Xu Mey turned her head to Yu Kim. "Sir, your mother is back and she wants you toe home right this instant." Yu Kim informed Li Qiao with a straight face.


    Slowly most of the people left. Ye Jie wasn¡¯t a dense person, he could catch the slight hints. "Cherry wife, this is our cousin, Zhou Qi." Ye Jie politely introduced Xu Mey to his cousin.


    Xu Mey smiled politely without showing a hint of displeasure on her beautiful face. Her heart was bitter but she didn¡¯t let it show at all. But her eyes were following Zhou Qi¡¯s every movement. The slight difort of Ming Qu didn¡¯t escape her eyes either.


    "Xiao Xia, let¡¯s visit your mother," Ming Qu said to Wu Xia all of a sudden.


    "Really?" Wu Xia got excited as Ming Qu nodded his head to show his intention.


    "I¡¯ll see youter, Ah Jie!" He bid goodbye to Ye Jie as Wu Xia hugged Xu Mey like they were parting for a lifetime.


    "I should take my leave as well." He Jian said curtly. He hugged Xu Mey lovingly and walked beside Ye Jie, "You have very keen senses. Don¡¯t wander around and take your wife back home. She rarely gives herself a free time." After that, he left as well.


    Before Ye Jun could open his mouth to say anything, Ye Jie said, "Jun, take Xiao Qi out for dinner. I have to take Xu Mey back home." His voice didn¡¯t leave any room for discussion at all.


    While driving back to Peach Estates, Ye Jie kept stealing nces at Xu Mey who had her one elbow propped on the window letting the frigid breeze hit her face. "You can just ask?" He heard her soft voice.


    "I had a weird thought..." He started while keeping his face straight to look at the busy road.


    "About what?"


    "He Jian¡¯s girlfriend, *cough* I mean fianc¨¦ died because of cancer and Wu Wang likes to donate all his auctioned money to cancer patients." Xu Mey rolled up the window and turned her attention to him. "Is there a connection or I¡¯m overthinking?" He asked hesitantly.


    "You caught up quite fast." Shemented. "There is indeed a connection." She sighed. "Let me say it this way, Jian Ge¡¯s fianc¨¦¡¯s name was Wu Weiwei."


    Ye Jie was surprised yet again. "She was rted to Wu Wang?"


    "Wu Weiwei was Wang Ge¡¯s elder sister." She replied. "Now that¡¯s different that she had always been sick, so she didn¡¯te out to socialize like Wu Xia."


    "Oh!" That was the only expression Ye Jie could think of at the moment. "I wasn¡¯t kidding when I said that all your friends have gone through love trials except for Lin Shen."


    "Who said Shen Ge¡¯s love is simple?"


    "It¡¯s not?"


    "Far from that. In their case, the problemes from external forces. So, they¡¯re holding their ground through mutual efforts and love." She exined.

 Chapter 96 - The Wedding Gifts

    They arrived home in the evening. After freshening up, both of them pulled out some documents to look through but the difference was that both of them stayed in the living room instead of being cooped up in their individual study rooms. While Ye Jie was on the couch with hisptop in hisp and documents scattered around. Xu Mey was on the rug on the floor with all her designsying around.


    "Hey, cherry wife?" Ye Jie suddenly thought of something again. It was like he had an inkling to talk to her again and again. He felt he never gets tired of talking to her.


    "Mm..." She replied distractedly.


    "We haven¡¯t opened our wedding gifts, have we?"


    Xu Mey rubbed her nose and said, "No... We haven¡¯t. What do you have in mind?"


    "Let¡¯s look through them." He suggested cing hisptop on the coffee table.


    "Why?" She asked in a whiny tone.


    "Because I always loved to unwrap the gifts. Come on!" He had to drag her up from the ground. Xu Mey very reluctantly followed him to the guest room where all the gifts were stored.


    There was a huge pile of gift in the room which made Xu Mey turn around wanting to escape but Ye Jie was faster than her, he held her shoulders and turned her back around. She looked at him innocently making puppy dog eyes. Ye Jie closed his eyes and said, "Stop that! Let¡¯s just get over with this."


    "Fine!" She stumped her foot on the ground.


    Ye Jie kept unwrapping the gifts while Xu Mey just sat there to give himpany until a particr gift caught her attention.


    It was a wooden photo frame, seemingly very ordinary. But at one closer look, one could see the intricate design of roses carved by an expert artisan. The frame could open from the center and both sides had a photo. One of Ye Jie and one of Xu Mey respectively. But the photos were from their teenage years.


    There was a short poem carved on the sides of the frame. It read:


    "The road might be long,


    The wind might be strong,


    But if that one person hold you tight,


    Then all worries will be gone..."


    Xu Mey chuckled at this rhyming poem. ¡¯This is so your style, Sensei.¡¯ She thought with a shake of her head.


    Meanwhile, in Ye Jie¡¯s mind was another debate session. ¡¯Why does this kind of poem is giving me a familiar feeling? Do I know someone who likes to rhyme like this? Or should I say try to rhyme?¡¯


    He didn¡¯t pursue the matter, seeing Xu Mey¡¯s smile was enough indication that the sender was her Sensei. They moved on to another gift and this time, Xu Mey¡¯s smile was swapped with annoyance.


    There seemed nothing wrong with the gift to Ye Jie. It was a tinum bracelet with three charms dangling from it. In the middle was a tulip flower, on the right side was Effile tower and on the left side was a crescent moon.


    She clutched the bracelet tightly in her hand and raised it as if to throw it but at thest second, she changed her mind. "I¡¯ll throw it at your face. That¡¯ll be more thrilling." She seemed to be talking to herself but Ye Jie heard her clearly.


    After this gift, Xu Mey wasn¡¯t in the mood of staying even for a second. Therefore, she went back to the bedroom to sleep. Ye Jie¡¯s heart was brimming with curiosity but he just couldn¡¯t bring himself to ask anything.


    The next morning, when Xu Mey woke up, Ye Jie was already dressed up. She frowned because it was Sunday and he wasn¡¯t supposed to work. Then her eyes caught a small suitcaseying near the door.


    "You¡¯re going somewhere?" She asked.


    Ye Jie sat beside her on the bed. "Get up and freshen up. Faster!"


    "We are going somewhere?"


    "Mm... I¡¯m going to Tokyo and you¡¯re going to the airport with me." He replied.


    "Why are you going to Tokyo and why am I going to the airport?"


    "I¡¯m going to Tokyo because of business and you¡¯reing with me to the airport because I want to spend some extra time with you." He replied caressing her face. He rubbed her bottom lip gently letting it linger there for a while.


    Xu Mey suddenly felt hot. A feeling of embarrassment and warmth spread over in her body. "Okay!" She didn¡¯t argue anymore and obediently went to freshen up.


    She randomly put on some clothes after taking a shower and headed to the door with him. Ye Jie¡¯s assistant, Qi Guan was waiting in a car outside. He opened the back seat door and both of them got it.

 Chapter 97 - Love Rival?

    "For how long are you going?" Xu Mey asked him while Ye Jie was going through some emails on hisptop.


    He took a deep breath. "About a week." He replied. Xu Mey lowered her head as she felt something odd. "But I¡¯ll try toe early." He added which made Xu Mey¡¯s odd feeling to dissipate a bit.


    "Mr. Ye, we¡¯ve arrived." Qi Guan informed them from the front seat and disembarked to open the door for Ye Jie.


    "Take care of yourself then," Xu Mey said in a low voice.


    "Aren¡¯t youing out of the car?" He looked at her questioningly.


    "I don¡¯t like goodbyes." She replied.


    Ye Jie got back in the car, closed the door and pulled her in his arms. He kissed her hair, her forehead but didn¡¯t feel satisfied. He lowered his head and just inches away from her lips, he stopped. She could feel his spearmint hot breath tingling her skin and making her heart go into a frenzy.


    "May I?" She heard his husky voice as she was lost in his brown charming eyes. The way he looked seemed to pull at her heartstrings. She unconsciously nodded her head slowly giving him the permission, he needed.


    Without any restraint, he further lowered his head and let his own lips touch her cherry ones. Instead of just grazing his lips with hers, He took her bottom lip in between his own lips. He slowly sucked on her bottom lip. Xu Mey had closed her eyes on reflex. He lightly nibbled on her bottom lip as his hand went around her waist and holding her even closer to himself while the other hand secured her neck.


    And when Xu Mey responded to his kiss, he feltpletely losing control. His hunger was turned insatiable, it was a desperate hunger for her which he couldn¡¯t control.


    The kiss couldn¡¯tst long because he had to catch the flight but it still left Xu Mey reeling. Seeing her dazed state gasping for air, Ye Jie chuckled and left a fleeting kiss on her lips again before getting out of the car.


    "Drive my wife back safely." He instructed Qi Guan before he made his way towards the VIP section.


    Xu Mey touched her lips which were still tingling from the kiss as her face felt hot. She was embarrassed. Embarrass because he always left her vulnerable. She hid her face inside her hands and shook it vigorously.


    She heard the car¡¯s door opening and coughed a bit before straightening up her crumpled state. Qi Guan climbed in and asked, "Shall we leave, Missus?"


    "Yes... Sure let¡¯s go back." She answered awkwardly.


    After Qi Guan dropped her at the Peach Estates, Xu Mey didn¡¯t enter the house. Instead, she went straight to the garage to get her motorbike.


    She drove straight to Feng Golfing Club. It was a popr membership base golfing club and obviously, a person like Xu Mey who had no interest in golfing didn¡¯t have the membership. But that doesn¡¯t mean she didn¡¯t have other ways to enter.


    After just a single call from He Jian¡¯s father, Xu Mey was served like royalty.


    She briskly walked on the lush green ground towards a group of males and females happily enjoying a golf game.


    "Master Shuang is still the best!" One of the femalepanions said loudly after the tall man in white made a shot.


    "Master Shuang is National level champion. Obviously, he¡¯ll be the best." Another one praised him.


    The tall man was basking in all the praises with a radiant smile on his finely carved face. He felt a touch on his shoulder making him turn his head and before he could see the person, a crisp pnded on his face. *Pow*


    There were audible gasps around them but Xu Mey ignored it all. Master Shuang held his jaw and rubbed it slowly as he tasted his own blood. Without looking up, he said, "Now President Xu, you really need to tell me why I¡¯m being assaulted?"


    He straightened up and looked at her furious face. Xu Mey rummaged out the bracelet and threw it at him which he caught with ease. "Oh, it¡¯s the gift I sent you. Did you like it?" He looked at her with bright eyes. Seeing her furious gaze, he stepped back. "You didn¡¯t like it?" He made a dejected face. "I made this with my own hands for your birthday."


    "Do you know when my birthday is, Master Shuang?" She asked while tapping her feet impatiently on the ground.


    "No..." He said. "But I always celebrated your birthday on the day we first met." He was lost in memoryne.


    "Then from now on, celebrate that day as my wedding anniversary." As her words entered his ears, he abruptly looked at her face in disbelief.


    "You¡¯re messing with me, right?" He asked nervously.


    "I¡¯m so not..." Xu Mey said with a straight face.


    He gripped her arms and asked, "You said you¡¯ll not marry anyone. Then what does he have that I don¡¯t?" He kept staring into her indifferent eyes. "I left for 3 months and you¡¯re telling me that my whole world is lost?"


    "Master Shuang! Let me go," She squirmed in his grip. Seeing the difort on her face, he loosened her grip.


    "President Xu, at the very least, tell me why do you hate me from the moment we first met?" He asked with a grievance. "You can p me again if you want. Just give me an answer."


    Xu Mey gave another p on his face making everyone gasp again in disbelief. Master Shuang chuckled lightly. "You really are not a humble person."


    Xu Mey turned around, took a few steps, stopped and said, "One day, I¡¯ll let you know what¡¯s the reason of animosity between you and me, Mr. Fu Shuang." With that, she left the golfing ground.

 Chapter 98 - An Old Best Friend

    Meanwhile, at the Tokyo airport, Ye Jie passed through all the security checks and came out through the VIP arrivals passage.


    A man d in ck with a stern look and an earpiece in his ear came up to him and bowed slightly to greet him. "Mr. Ye, please follow me."


    Ye Jie nodded and trailed behind him to his BMW parked up front. When the bulky stern looking man was focused on maneuvering the car through the rushed up roads, Ye Jie raised his eyes from theptop and asked, "Where are we going?"


    "I¡¯m asked to bring you to the Ichiko Bar in the northern suburbs." He replied in a courteous but professional tone.


    Ye Jie didn¡¯t talk again and sat quietly to look through his documents. It took them about an hour to reach the destination and after dropping Ye Jie, the tall bulky man bowed in respect and took his leave. He informed Ye Jie before leaving that, "Your suitcase will be delivered to your hotel room."


    Holding on to his leather bag, Ye Jie made his way inside the Ichiko Bar. It wasn¡¯t avish bar with overly splendid infrastructure. Rather it was a very ordinary bar with a very low-key profile.


    It didn¡¯t take long for Ye Jie to find the person he was looking for. He heard the sound of a ss bottle breaking and he figured that was where he was supposed to go.


    The person he came to see can be described in many ways but Ye Jie liked calling that person a troublemaker. Wherever that person went, trouble followed quietly behind.


    True to his expectations, he found 3 young teenagers in their uniforms sitting on their knees with their hands raised high above facing the sky. Almost all of them had a ck eye and visible bruises were no exceptions. Their heads were lowered as they sat with an aggrieved expression.


    Then he the heard the familiar voice, "So, who¡¯s going to ditch school ande to a bar again?" The voice was veryzy but pleasant to hear. But he was more than familiar what lied behind that facade.


    "We¡¯ll never ditch ss and we¡¯ll never even look at a bar again." All the teenagers loudly announced.


    "Then get the hell out of here!" As soon as they heard these words, they heaved a sigh of relief as if someone gave them a new lease on life.


    Ye Jie rolled his eyes as he saw the young boys staggering out. There were shards of ss scattered around and Ye Jie had to take very careful steps. "Look like you still know how to cause trouble."


    When the person turned around to look at Ye Jie, the first striking feature was those green eyes. They were green as a calm sea before the storm engulfs it. "Oh, look! If it isn¡¯t my traitor but still a best friend."


    "Girl! Who¡¯s the traitor here?" He asked getting annoyed with that damn smirk on her face.


    The girl¡¯s looks can be described in only one way; breathtaking. She was wearing an oversized hoodie with the hood over her head and a baseball cap underneath it. Even though her eyes made her even more breathtaking but the look in those eyes was so cold that it could freeze someone easily.


    "Aren¡¯t you the best friend who stopped contacting me just because of a girl?" Her tone was still silvery but it couldn¡¯t disguise the sarcasm from Ye Jie.


    "Can we not talk about that? I¡¯m married to someone else now. Do you have a problem with her as well?" Ye Jie sat on the couch opposite of her.


    A beautiful sever came to their table and asked, "Sir, What should I get you both?" She was asking both of them but her eyes were looking the person with the oversized hoodie.


    The green-eyed one tilted her head a bit to nce at the server. "What does the youngdy suggest?" Her voice texturepletely changed as she propped her elbow on the armrest and passed her signature smirk to the server.


    The poor server blushed and replied, "May I suggest Tangerine Ginger Sake Sangria?" She spoke while staring at those cold yet charming green eyes.


    "How can I disappoint such a beautiful youngdy?" Ye Jie looked at his best friend flirting with a girl without any shame and had an inkling to punch that damn smirk off of her face.


    ¡¯She really knows how to charm girls.¡¯ He thought to himself with a shake of his head.


    The server bit her bottom lip and bowed before leaving them.


    The green eyes turned and looked at the re from the brown-eyed guy in front of her. "What?" She asked animatedly as if she waspletely innocent.


    "Can you stop hitting on girls? Don¡¯t forget you¡¯re a girl as well." Ye Jie reminded her.


    "Only for you, my dear best friend, I¡¯m a girl. For the rest of the world, I¡¯ve lived as a man for all my life." She also reminded without an indifferent look on her face.


    The server brought the Spanish heritage drink with the Japanese twist in no time. Ye Jie picked up his ss and took a sip. The bursting taste of fresh ginger was the first thing his taste buds caught followed by crispy tangerine and a finish of minty vor was a pleasure of its kind.


    "Like the taste?" She asked as she sat straight with her legs a bit partedpletely udylike. She had not even touched her own drink and Ye Jie knew the reason.


    "You¡¯re still avoiding alcohol? Then why did you order this?" He asked his own question ignoring her questionpletely.


    "It¡¯s not like I don¡¯t know what it tastes like. There hardly a taste of drinks that this lordy haven¡¯t tried before. It¡¯s not fun anymore." She repliedpletely getting over her pause.


    "Show-off!" Ye Jie grumbled. "Ru¡¯er, Did you find Murong Yi?" He got to the main agenda.


    "Do you take me for a joke? No one can hide from mywork." She proudly announced.

 Chapter 99 - Monster Best Friend

    "You could have simply replied with a yes." Ye Jie said in a mocking tone.


    "You can make me fly all the way from Country R to here in Tokyo and I¡¯m not even allowed to reply in a roundabout way?"


    Ye Jie smiled pleasingly. "Your problem is not that you had toe to Tokyo. Your problem is with the ne ride." She passed him an ugly look. He ignored it while clicking his tongue. "Tsk... Tsk... Such a brave person is scared of ne rides."


    "Hei!" She bellowed in Korean while squinting her eye. "It¡¯s not that I¡¯m scared of ne rides. They just make me nauseous. I can¡¯t help it."


    Ye Jieughed out loud at her expressions. He knew about her extreme repugnant feelings. She got up from her seat and left himughing all by himself. It took a while for Ye Jiepose himself. He noticed that the bar was getting empty and it was already evening, the business should be booming at this time.


    He saw his best friend ying with coins as she came up to him. "Come, I¡¯ll let you taste the Japenese style drinks today." He frowned and figured that she must have booked the entire bar.


    "Was it necessary?" He asked looking around in the empty bar.


    "Of course, it was. We have a lot to talk about after all." She replied in her silvery voice. There was a time, Ye Jie used to think that her voice sounded like silver bells ringing; it was beautiful. But with time, he realized, the more her voice sounded pleasant, the worse her personality was.


    She got inside the bar counter and beckoned Ye Jie to take a seat at the stool. Then she got busy with preparing a drink. Ye Jie looked at how with the expertise she mixed the drink. He only caught her movement when she ced a martini ss in front of him.


    "You¡¯re in Tokyo, my friend. Taste the Tokyo Slipper." She said dramatically.


    He took a sip carefully eyeing the drink. It wasn¡¯t that he didn¡¯t have faith in her rather he didn¡¯t trust her very much with alcohol. She had a tendency to get wild with alcohol; not drinking it but when she was making the drinks. He couldn¡¯t decipher the other mixes but he tasted pineapple. She was asking him about his opinion while quirking her brows.


    "Mm... It¡¯s good." He said.


    "I know that." She replied matter-of-factly. "Now, let¡¯s be honest here, it¡¯s not that you called me here for Murong Yi."


    Then she turned to get busy with something else. Ye Jie stayed quiet for a while. "What do you think of my wife?" She paused for a second before resuming her activities. Ye Jie was looking at the martini ss, he didn¡¯t notice her slight pause.


    "How can Iment on her? I haven¡¯t met her?"


    Ye Jie sniggered. "You didn¡¯t meet my ex as well yet you had a million opinions about her."


    She paused while shaking a cocktail shaker and looked at her best friend. "I literally have no opinions about your wife. She seems like a nice person." She resumed the shaking as she added. "It¡¯s not like you looked for me when you wanted to check her background." It was a in taunt directed at Ye Jie.


    "Hei! You weren¡¯t talking to me that¡¯s why I went to Wayne. it¡¯s not like he found anything." Ye Jie tried to justify himself.


    "Right..." She snickered. She poured the cocktail in a ss and slid it towards Ye Jie asking, "Do you want me to look into her background?" Her eyes were trained on her best friend¡¯s face looking for something.


    Ye Jie took a sip of the new drink and closed his one eye on reflex at the citric taste. "No... I don¡¯t... I¡¯m liking the slow pace and I like it when she shares her past with me herself." His lips curled slightly upward into a faint smile. Then he frowned at a memory. "I just don¡¯t like her being a pessimist about everything."


    "Pessimist?" She asked curiously.


    "Yes... Pessimist... She doesn¡¯t like beautiful things. She said what¡¯s the use of a rose, it withers away with time. What¡¯s the use of books, they turn old and left untouched. What¡¯s the use of music that no one is going to listen to one day. What¡¯s the use of a movie that¡¯s gonna have no one to watch it an empty theatre. Also, she said, even soap bubbles are not that pretty if we look at the fact that they burst away at a touch." Ye Jie wasining but she simply found it amusing.


    She walked around the counter and took a seat beside Ye Jie and ced her hand on his shoulder. "My dear best friend, I suddenly feel like I haven¡¯t raised you well." Ye Jie gave her a re which she ignored and said,


    "A book turns old but leaves a musky smell which wafts into its reader¡¯s senses and lingers there as a reminder. A rose withers away but we still keep it in those old books. A rose is not preferred for its beauty but for its fragrance that never goes away. Music can be old but whenever that sound is yed, it brings a million feels and memories with it. The theatre might be empty but if there is a single person to appreciate that movie, it was all worth it. A soap bubble definitely burst up at a touch but leaves behind a wet touch on our hands as a reminder that it was us who spoiled such a beautiful thing. The beauty has never been in the world, it needs to be in the one seeing it. Don¡¯t forget the world is even beautiful for a blind person."


    Unknowingly, Ye Jie listened to her words attentively. He smiled at a thought. "If you act in such a sensible way, how¡¯ll I say that you¡¯re 4 years younger than me. Who taught you this, Ru? You weren¡¯t like this before."


    "Life is a teacher in itself, dear best friend but death is even more of a teacher." She smiled bitterly. Ye Jie had so many questions he wanted to ask her but he didn¡¯t. She was not the sharing kind of person, to begin with.


    "By the way, you were teaching those teenagers to not ditch sses. Have you even went to a school yourself?" He asked sarcastically.


    "I¡¯m still more well-educated than you, Ah Jie." She replied with a straight face.


    "Oh, I just remembered," Ye Jie said as he remembered something. "My wife has a Sensei and I don¡¯t like that person."


    Ru choked on the water she was drinking. Sheposed herself quickly. "Why? What did he do to you?" She asked cautiously.


    "He knows about First Emperor Hospital. And the only person who was supposed to know about it was you." He looked straight into her eyes. "You were the one who arranged everything and with your skills, I never thought anyone will be able to find out about it." He had been thinking about it deeply for days now.


    "Wow," She said unenthusiastically. "He has such skills." Ye Jie didn¡¯t find anything odd with herck of interest.


    "Help me find out more about that person." She again spurted the water out of her mouth at his words.


    Wiping her mouth with the back of her hand she thought of something. "Win a game and I¡¯ll do it." She offered.


    "Win a game of what? Ser? No thank you... No one can win from a monster like you in that game." Ye Jiemented looking at her like she really was a monster.


    "Does your wife know what kind of a person you are, Mr. Ye Jie? Or does she also take you for a kind-hearted, soft-spoken with a noble bearing kind of person?" Ye Jie dry coughed but didn¡¯t know how to reply. She red at him. "Okay... Choose a game yourself. No ser." She changed the offer.


    "My answer is still no. You¡¯re a monster that I can¡¯t win from. You¡¯re so damn smart that it takes you merely minutes to grasp whole gamey."


    "Loser!" She grumbled angrily. Then she shifted closer to him and patted his shoulder. "My dear friend, if you expect your wife to be honest with you, be honest yourself first. Honesty is one of the keys of a rtionship and both of you need it badly. No third person can get between you unless you both give that person a chance yourself."

 Chapter 100 - Simple Living, Pleasure Giving

    While back on Xu Mey¡¯s side, she spent the day at the Vintage working on her pending work. It was normal for her to work on weekends. She stopped working on the weekends after her marriage with Ye Jie. Now that he wasn¡¯t around, she decided to work like her usual self.


    When the phone didn¡¯t ring at 4 o¡¯clock, Xu Mey felt a strange tug at her heart. She tried to ignore it with her focus on her work and it worked to some level. She drove back to the Peach Estates quitete. It was already past 9 when she opened the door of the house. The darkness and silence weed her.


    She went straight to the bedroom, took a shower, put on casual clothes and dried her hair before snuggling up in her warm bed. She kept tossing and turning but sleep didn¡¯te. She picked up her cell phone from the nightstand and kept staring at the screen.


    "Did he get safely to Tokyo? He should have called to let me know." She was talking to herself. "Did something happen to him?" She felt anxious all of a sudden. "I should call him myself." She decided and opened the call log.


    Her finger hovered above the call button but she couldn¡¯t bring herself to press it. At the same time, the iing call startled her and she almost dropped the cellphone from her hand. It was Ye Jie¡¯s call. She smiled and felt a flutter in her stomach seeing his name shing on the screen and attended the call without any dy.


    "Hello!" Her voice was impatient as she unconciously touched her lips remembering his soft lips.


    "Hey, My Cherry Wife!" He seemed a bit tipsy.


    "Are you drunk?" She asked.


    "Not yet but the way this idiot best friend of mine is making drinks for me, I¡¯ll be drunk soon enough." He replied. She stayed quiet. After a pause, he said, "How are you?"


    "Mm... I¡¯m fine. What about you? How was your journey?" She asked sitting up to support her back against the bedpost.


    "I¡¯m also fine..." He again stopped talking. "I miss you." He said in a low voice all of a sudden. "Aren¡¯t you missing me?" He asked hopefully.


    "...Maybe..." She replied softly making him chuckle.


    "Gosh! I wish I was there to see the expression on your face." He was amused thinking about her blushing. "Cherry Wife?"


    "Mm..."


    "Do you think I¡¯m only useful because I¡¯m Ye Jie- the CEO of Ye Enterprises?" He asked hesitantly.


    Xu Mey found his question really odd. ¡¯Why did he ask this out of nowhere?¡¯ She thought.


    "At first, you were only useful because of being the CEO." She replied honestly.


    Ye Jie felt dejected. "And now?" He didn¡¯t have much courage to hear any more.


    "Now..." Ye Jie was nervously waiting for her answer. "Now, I think, you¡¯re not that bad as just my husband, Jie." Ye Jie¡¯s mind went nk for a moment.


    "Really?" He asked ecstatically.


    "Yup..." She heard her deepugh making a smile to appear on her own face.


    "Baby, go to sleep. It¡¯s quitete. I would love to talk to you for hours but you need rest. I¡¯ll call you tomorrow. Will you wait for my call?" He asked.


    "Mhmm..." He heard her voice before the call hung up.


    Ye Jie wasughing like a maniac. His best friend, Ru, looked at him behaving like this and shook her head. "Tsk, people in love are surely crazy." She muttered to herself.


    "I heard that." She heard Ye Jie¡¯s voice.


    "So what? Aren¡¯t you acting like a crazy person?" She gave him a challenging look. Ye Jie couldn¡¯t deny. "Ah Jie?" She called him with softness in her tone making him raise his head to look at her tender eyes. "Are you falling in love with her?"


    Ye Jie thought about it for a while. ¡¯Was he really falling in love?¡¯


    "I don¡¯t know..." He said in all honesty. "I just know that she makes me feel alive. Just listening to her voice brightened up my mood. In a way, she¡¯s like you, Ru." She gave him a questioning look. He smiled tenderly, "She makes me believe that there is not just one kind of rtionships in this world. Some rtionships and feelings are too special. And those feelings don¡¯t even have words."


    Ru looked at him admiringly. "You make this Shifu proud, my dear disciple." She said while cing her hand over her heart in a dramatic way.


    "Fu*k off! You have another dear disciple that seems dearest than me." He cursed.


    She chuckled. "For this Shifu," She pointed at herself. "All the disciples are dear. But you¡¯re my friend more than a disciple. Don¡¯t you remember those days we spent together? That just reminded me, I¡¯m hungry. Bring me to eat a free meal."


    Ye Jie rolled his eyes at her again. "My foodie friend. What¡¯s up with you and free meals? You¡¯ve be one of the richest and most powerful people in the whole world and yet you¡¯re asking me for a free meal."


    She slung her arm around his shoulder taking advantage of their almost equal heights and said, "Dear friend, you and I got where we are through our own hard work. No one can better understand the value of money more than the one who earned it. I can¡¯t just spend my money like water now, can I?"


    "Why don¡¯t you just say that you¡¯re a miser." He suggested.


    She flicked his forehead and said, "Not miser. I¡¯m simple living while you¡¯re pleasure giving. Now, buy me food. Stop arguing."


    "I should stop arguing. No one can win the battle of words with you anyway." He muttered and walked beside her leaving the empty bar behind.

 Chapter 101 - A Small Accident

    Meanwhile, after talking to Ye Jie on the phone call, Xu Mey realized how much she was actually missing him. She shook her head to deny her feelings. ¡¯I¡¯m not missing him. I¡¯m just missing the sense of protection he brings with himself.¡¯ She thought to herself.


    After tossing and turning for 2 hours when the sleep didn¡¯t seem possible, she suddenly realized that she was all alone in this house. There were darkness, coldness and a sense of being lonely. It reminded of her worst nightmare in life. Her fear of loneliness crawled up in her heart and started wreaking havoc.


    She ran to the closet and d herself into leather pants and a ck jersey top with a brown leather jacket. She picked up her gloves and keys. She headed to the garage and put on her helmet before getting on her bike.


    In the middle of the night, without any destination in mind, she drove away from home. The roads were mostly empty at this time of the night. She was driving aimlessly ignoring the surroundings. While her focus was lost, a small child suddenly appeared in front of her bike on the road.


    Due to the high speed and a sudden shock of seeing the baby, Xu Mey had to swivel her bike to avoid hitting the small girl in her tutu. She lost control of the bike and fell down on the road.


    She felt pain in her muscles but didn¡¯t think much about it. She looked at her bike and realized that it had a few scratches and some dents on its beautiful sleek body. Before she could aggrieve about her loss, she heard the girl crying and a man¡¯s voice. "Baby Princess, why did you leave daddy¡¯s hand?" The man ran from the side of the road towards the scared little girl and held her in his arms.


    "Are you okay, baby? Are you hurt anywhere?" He was asking while touching his daughter to see whether she hurt herself anywhere or not. "Don¡¯t leave daddy¡¯s hand ever again, daddy¡¯s princess." The man chided his girl lightly while patting her lovingly. He looked anxious, worried andpletely lost.


    While she was observing a father¡¯s love and concern for his daughter, she didn¡¯t realize that a tall figure had walked up beside her. He crouched down and looked at her bleeding ankle and dazed expression. "Are you okay, Xu Mey?" The familiar voice made her raise her head to see a very familiar looking face.


    "Is it true that daughters are always their fathers¡¯ princesses, doc?" Dr. Zhu looked at her tenderly and stroked her hair.


    "It¡¯s very true. Daughters are not just a child for a father. They are a part of them. A part of their heart and soul. A daughter always stays as a father¡¯s pride." He said with a sad smile. "Get up, you¡¯re hurt."


    Xu Mey¡¯s daze broke and she looked at her bleeding ankle. "It¡¯s no big deal, doc. But my bike is hurt." She made a crying face.


    "I¡¯ll get someone to take care of your bike. Youe with me first." He ced his handkerchief to press on her ankle to control the bleeding.


    "It¡¯s really not a big deal, doc." She tried to argue.


    "Stay quiet. And follow me. Where were you going? I¡¯ll drop you off in my car." He supported her to his own car parked close by while Xu Mey was thinking about where she was going? "This road leads to the militarypound. Were you going there?" Xu Mey stared at the road ahead for a while and nodded. "Great... I was going there as well." He said. "First, I¡¯ll take you to my sister¡¯s ce so that I can treat your wound."


    "There is no worry. My friend¡¯s mother will help." She said thinking about He Jian¡¯s mother.


    Dr. Zhu called for a man and he took Xu Mey¡¯s bike to get fixed. Then, he drove the car towards the militarypound. The guards at the entrance opened the door wide open seeing Dr. Zhu in the driving seat.


    Dr. Zhu didn¡¯t ask for Xu Mey¡¯s destination and brought the car to his sister¡¯spound. "Chen! I¡¯ve been waiting for hours." A beautiful voice was heard as a woman in beautiful qipao came towards the car.


    Xu Mey kept staring at the woman¡¯s face for a long time in a daze. Before Dr. Zhu could open his mouth to say anything he saw his sister running up to the passenger seat with anxiousness. "Xiao Mey!" She called out as Xu Mey was still staring at her in a daze. Her mind was reeling. "Oh my God! What¡¯s happened to her?" The woman looked at her brother, Dr. Zhu behind and asked.


    "She had a small ident. So, I brought her here. Qinyang-Jie, you know her?" He was really curious about this, seeing his sister¡¯s concern.


    Zhu Qinyang, his sisterpletely disregarded her younger brother. "Ah Jian!" She bellowed rming almost everyone. "Xiao Mey is hurt." Her voicepletely broke Xu Mey¡¯s dazed state.


    "Auntie Zhu?" She called out her name as her head felt heavy all of sudden and she lost consciousness.


    He Jian came running from inside at her mother¡¯s call along with his father, He Kun trailing behind him. He Jian nched looking at her unconscious body. He immediately picked her up in his arms and ran inside. "What are you standing here for, Chen? You¡¯re a doctor. Help in treating Xiao Mey." Dr. Zhu Chen nodded immediately following her inside.

 Chapter 102 - Suspicious Doppleganger

    idents happen in life. We can¡¯t avoid it no matter how hard we try to. idents are a part of life. But the oue of those idents entirely depends on us. How we will act will choose our life. Life likes to throw us down. It¡¯s life¡¯s way of challenging our limits. In other words, there is no such thing as idents. It¡¯s all part of the game that life ys with us.


    Xu Mey stayed unconscious for an hour and all that while, Zhu Qinyang, He Jian¡¯s mother made her brother Dr. Zhu Chen wait beside her. Dr. Zhu didn¡¯t know the rtion between his sister and Xu Mey but he figured that Xu Mey was quite close to his own nephew He Jian.


    Zhu Chen always thought that his nephew was indifferent and cold kind of person without any feelings. But the way he cared for Xu Mey cleared up that he had feelings as well.


    When Xu Mey opened her eyes, she found herself in a familiar room with familiar faces looking at her anxiously. "Are youing back to senses, Xiao Mey?" She heard the familiar concerned voice and it curled up her lips slightly.


    "Auntie Zhu!" She called in her hoarse tone. He Jian passed her a ss of water as Zhu Qinyang helped her to sit up. She took the water and let the cooling sensation soothe her stinging throat. "What happened? How did I get here?" She asked.


    Everyone¡¯s eyes shifted to Zhu Chen who was innocently sitting in a corner. Feeling all the gazes on himself, he raised his head. "You had a small concussion from the ident¡¯s impact earlier and it¡¯s not a huge issue. But your ankle was badly hurt and I had to stitch it up a bit. As for being here, " He looked around for a bit taking a pause. "I just brought you to my sister¡¯s ce for treatment. I didn¡¯t know that my elder sister was this close to you." He answered her question.


    "Oh!" She nodded. "Doc, you are Auntie¡¯s brother?" She asked all of a sudden.


    "Unfortunately." Zhu Chen muttered as he walked up to her side to take her pulse. "Ouch!" He screamed as his sister hit the back of his head. "Sis, stop using your authority of being my elder sister."


    "I will use it until I¡¯m alive. What can you do about it?" Zhu Qinyang challenged him with her hands ced on her waist.


    Seeing the way Zhu Chen cowered, Xu Mey chuckled. "Auntie didn¡¯t your brother lived in Country A?"


    "He did." Zhu Qinyang replied looking tenderly at Xu Mey. "He recently came back to the country." Xu Mey nodded.


    Dr. Zhu Chen asked a few questions and checked up Xu Mey before telling her to sleep. As he was leaving the room, he heard Xu Mey¡¯s soft voice, "Doc, this is the third time, we met coincidently."


    He smiled thinking about how she first came to him for consultation and the second time, they met when she had the allergic reaction and had to stay in the hospital for observation. This time, it was another coincidence that he wasing to see his sister and saw her getting into an ident on the way. "It indeed is our third coincidence." He replied turning to nce at her.


    "My Sensei once told me that when coincidences happen too often, it bes fate. Looks like, doc and I have a stronger fate." She said looking at his familiar and yet unfamiliar features.


    Zhu Chen smiled at her words. "You should inform your husband." He suggested thinking about her caring husband.


    "He¡¯s out of the country. It¡¯s better if I don¡¯t tell him just yet. He¡¯ll be worried for no reason." She said.


    "Suit yourself." With that, he left her room.


    "Jian-Ge!" Hearing her voice He Jian who was sitting quietly beside her bed on a stool tilted his head to look at her.


    "Hm." That was his acknowledgment to her.


    "Have you noticed?" She started looking into a distance.


    "About what?" He asked.


    "Your uncle-" She didn¡¯t know how to say it.


    He Jian understood her meaning without her saying it and smiled softly. "I did notice that." He replied.


    "You did, right? I¡¯m not just the only one." She had to hear him say it out loud to believe that she wasn¡¯t overthinking again.


    "The first time I saw Ye Jie I was also very shocked." He Jian said. "He and my Uncle..." He didn¡¯t finish.


    "He and your uncle look exactly alike. Like a carbon copy. It¡¯s like they are made from the same mold." Xu Mey was bewildered even just thinking about it.


    The first time, she met Dr. Zhu Chen, she had an inkling that he looked familiar to someone. But until today, she wasn¡¯t sure who? Tonight, when Dr. Zhu¡¯s brown eyes looked at her with concern and stroked her hair tenderly, that¡¯s when she realized how much simr he was to Ye Jie.


    "Is this what they call having a doppelganger?" She asked staring at He Jian.


    "Xiao Mey, don¡¯t think much about it. Take rest." Even though that¡¯s what he said to her but inside he had a turmoil running as well.


    As he left her alone in the room to rest, Xu Mey couldn¡¯t avoid thinking about it. ¡¯They say there are seven people with the same faces in this world. Maybe, Dr. Zhu and Ye Jie are exactly like that. The only difference is that one is old enough to be the other¡¯s father.¡¯ She tried tough this thought away but her ownst thinking made her heart feel weird.


    Suspicions are quite dangerous. They don¡¯t just ruin a rtionship, they can even kill a person inside. And a person who¡¯s dead inwardly is probably most suited to be called a zombie.


    Xu Mey ruffled up her own hair in irritation andid down to sleep.

 Chapter 103 - Familiar Voices

    Suspicions have a mind of their own. They whisper their tales in a person¡¯s mind and like a believer, that person begins to follow the tales of suspicion unknowingly. Then our mind nourishes those suspicions by feeding them with his own conjectures. In the end, those suspicions be the reality for the mind.


    Even in sleep, Xu Mey was thinking about Ye Jie and Dr. Zhu Chen. Even if they had a slight juxtapose with their features or manners, Xu Mey¡¯s mind wouldn¡¯t have been running a marathon faster than Usain Bolt. Due to frustration, Xu Mey couldn¡¯t sleep well. She was wide awake at the break of dawn.


    Standing before the ss window, her eyes were gazing at the mighty sun that was fighting a battle with the darkness. And eventually, the sun lost the battle not from darkness, instead, from the dark clouds that came to hide it behind them. Her one arm was crossed in front of her chest and the other arm¡¯s elbow was using it as a support. While Xu Mey was chewing on the nail of her thumb.


    It was an old habit to chew her nails whenever she was frustrated or had plenty to think about. ¡¯I need an answer or I¡¯ll definitely lose my mind.¡¯ She thought as she felt a splitting headacheing on. Her ankle was stitched with a huge bandage around it and she could feel the pain rising up in her entire leg making it harder for her to stand.


    When she couldn¡¯t bear the pain anymore, she dropped down at the swivel chair ced right beside the window. She started tapping her fingers at the contemporary ss coffee table beside the chair. While she held one of the cushions in herp.


    ¡¯There is only one person who can help me at this time.¡¯ She sat straight nodding to herself. She picked up her cellphone and kept chewing her bottom lip not knowing whether to make the call or not.


    Finally deciding on taking the bullet, she dialed a number. The bell rang for 5 seconds before she heard a feminine voice from the other side, "Hello!" Xu Mey frowned.


    "Sensei?" She asked with doubt.


    "Aish!" She heard before a cough was heard and she heard the familiarnguid yet alluring voice. "Is it my lucky day or what? My Mey-Ai is calling on her own ord." Xu Mey rolled her eyes. "But my dear disciple forgot that this Sensei doesn¡¯t like skeptical students."


    Xu Mey was worried about this attitude of her Sensei. ¡¯Can you ever let something slip your mind for a second?¡¯ She really wanted to say it but she didn¡¯t. It was not the time to bicker.


    "Who was the girl?" She asked thinking about the most pleasant voice she had ever heard earlier.


    "What girl?" Came the reply, making her scowl.


    "The one who answered your phone." She enunciated each word through gritted teeth.


    There was silence for a moment at the other end. "That was my girlfriend." Thenguid voice replied with ease.


    "You have a girlfriend, Sensei?" Xu Mey asked with indecision.


    "This handsome young lord hasdies lining up for him. What do you take this lord as? Humph!" Thezy voice harrumphed but it was done with such perfection that Xu Mey couldn¡¯t even roll her eyes at his narcissism. "Come to the point now." She heard after a second.


    Xu Mey cleared her throat trying to ease her parched throat. "Do you think doppelgangers exist?" She asked not mustering up the courage to ask her absurd question.


    After a pause, the reply came, "Why? Found your own doppelganger?"


    "No, Sensei!" She replied with slight irritation. "I found my husband¡¯s doppelganger. But the thing is, that doppelganger is old enough to be my husband¡¯s father."


    A silence prevailed. Xu Mey couldn¡¯t hear anything for the other end for a long time making her frown. She thought the connection was cut and was about to say, ¡¯Hello!¡¯ when she heard the samenguid voice again. "There are things that are not yours to touch my dear disciple. I pretty much can guess the content of your suspicions but for the time being, let those tales stay as just that; tales. Don¡¯t divulge yourself into unknown waters. Especially when those waters have nothing to do with your territory."


    "Once in a while, can you please speak human, Sensei?" Xu Mey was already frustrated and with the way her Sensei was rolling words made her want to punch him in the face. But even if her Sensei was standing right before her, she knew she wouldn¡¯t be able to even touch his hair.


    "Don¡¯t get involved unless you are sure about what answer you want. Sometimes, when the suspicions turn into reality, they hurt worse than when they were just suspicions." She heard the reply but the tone in which the words were said seemed a bit off to her. Thenguidness was swapped with a tinge of concern and anger.


    "I¡¯ll keep that in mind." Xu Mey replied in all seriousness.


    "Damn you, big dummy!!!" Xu Mey heard a distant but extremely familiar voice from her Sensei¡¯s side. The voice seemed like Ye Jie¡¯s. Xu Mey shook her head instantly at her own absurd thought. What could he be doing there? He¡¯s in Tokyo. Am I missing him that much that I¡¯ve started to hallucinate now?


    "Who was that?" Before Xu Mey could stop, the words escaped her mouth. There was some shuffling at the other end.


    "Huh? What? Oh, that? That was... My girlfriend¡¯s best friend. Yes, yes that was her best friend." She heard the hurried voice as if he wanted to clear something immediately.


    "By the way, I always thought your voice was the most pleasant one in this world but today, I realized that your girlfriend¡¯s voice is even better than yours. It¡¯s like her voice can enchant anyone in a second. She must be beautiful." Xu Mey spected.


    "Have you seen this lord? If this lord is so handsome than obviously his standards for a partner are also very high." There was a bit of muffledugh in the voice.


    "Tsk... Tsk... You and your narcissism." Xu Meymented while clicking her tongue.


    "Mey-Ai, it¡¯s not called narcissism. It¡¯s called living with optimism. Just because you and the world say that I¡¯m not good enough doesn¡¯t mean I should ignore what my heart and mind said to me. We are the only ones who know how much we have put in improving ourselves not the world. So, it¡¯s only right that it¡¯s our own self that we should listen to instead of the gossips around us." There was a pause. "Let¡¯s talk again if the life gave us a chance to." The call was hunged up.

 Chapter 104 - Banters, Beauty & Boy

    Meanwhile, at Ye Jie¡¯s end, there was a storm brewing. Not in the sky rather it was in Ye Jie¡¯s heart. d in only a bathrobe with shampoo all over his hair, he was running after his best friend as if his life depended on it.


    "You turned the water off." It wasn¡¯t a question. It was not an unfound usation either. It was a clear deration.


    "Aigoo! How can a poor baby like me, can do that?" He heard his best friend¡¯s pleasant voice filled with an innocence that could make anyone believe that she was being wrongly used.


    "I¡¯m gonna murder you, Ru!" Ye Jie eximed with raging fury.


    "First, you can¡¯t kill me, my best friend. Second, haha... Even if you could, you wouldn¡¯t because you love me so much. Third, Gosh! You have some serious abs game going on there." She waved her hand yfully looking at his exposed toned chest making Ye Jie even more furious.


    "You! You!" Ye Jie was seething in a volcano ready to burn his best friend any moment.


    "What me? I¡¯m beautiful? I know that." Shemented as she took off her baseball cap and let her Korean-Style messyyered short hair fall on her forehead. She raised her hand and touched her messy hair flipping them sidewards. She had red hair with copper highlightsplimenting her green eyes perfectly. With her high cheekbones and mixed breed features along with golden skin, she was the perfection of beauty in herself. Her movements were so beautiful that even Ye Jie was stuck for a moment.


    Ye Jie really wanted to argue with her but he knew, she wasn¡¯t narcissist as the world said about her. With her talents and beauty, she had the right to have this pride in herself.


    "Turn the water on, I don¡¯t want to argue with you early in the morning." All of his anger vanished into thin air and he paced back to the bathroom toplete his bath.


    After 20 minutes, when he came back to the living area of the presidential suite, he saw his best friend sitting in the balcony while looking out at the haze. She was wearing ck jeans with a ck tee and a side-zipper stylish hoodie on the outside. When she felt Ye Jie¡¯s presence, she muttered, "Cheapskate!"


    Ye Jie heard that making him sigh loudly. "Are you calling me a cheapskate because I didn¡¯t let you those fish cakesst night?" He asked pacing up to her side and taking a seat opposite of hers. She ignored himpletely and turned her head away with a humph. Ye Jie chuckled inwardly at her adorable actions. "I can¡¯t believe you, Ru. Do you know how much street food you atest night? Street food is supposed to be inexpensive yet I paid almost a 1000$ for that food. That¡¯s how much you ate."


    "I only asked for food and yet you didn¡¯t let me try those fish cakes. They looked so yummy dipped in that sauce." She was almost drooling just remembering it.


    "Fine!" Ye Jie grumbled. "I¡¯ll take you out to eat as much fish cakes you can possibly eat. Even though I believe even the stall won¡¯t have enough fish cakes to satiate your hunger."


    "Really? Okay!" She replied excitedly as her thin lips stretched showing her pearly white teeth. Shepletely disregarded hisst sentence. It was not like there was going to be only one stall on the food street? Aye! She was rubbing her hands inwardly with an evilugh.


    Ye Jie made a call to his wife, Xu Mey right before his best friend, Ru. "Good morning, Baby!" His coquettish voice made Xu Mey¡¯s heart flutter.


    "So, you decided to move from Cherry wife to Baby?" She askedpletely disregarding the butterflies in her stomach.


    Ye Jie chuckled at her question. "Why? Shouldn¡¯t do it?" He asked.


    "I didn¡¯t say that." She replied softly.


    "Well, it¡¯s about time that my Baby gives me a name as well." He suggested.


    Xu Mey coughed. "Don¡¯t you have work to do? Stop wasting time with me." She avoided answering him.


    Ye Jie was a bit disappointed but he didn¡¯t let it show in his tone. "Have a nice day at work, Baby. I¡¯ll call you at night." They hung up after that small phone call.


    Ru was looking at her best friend¡¯s face intently. She saw the happiness but his frowns were not hidden from her as well. "What up?" She asked.


    Ye Jie pursed his lips looking at Ru¡¯s green eyes. He sighed. "I feel like her moods are unpredictable." Hemented.


    "What do you mean?" She asked.


    Ye Jie thought for a while before replying. "Let¡¯s take the example of the night we were opening our wedding gifts." He took a pause. "She waspletely uninterested in gifts unlike you." He gave a look over to Ru making her narrow her eye at him. "But a certain gift made her very happy. And I know it was from her Sensei for sure." Ru stiffened for a second before rxing back.


    "How are you sure?" She asked curiously.


    "Because of the smile on her face." He replied in a ¡¯duh¡¯ kind of way making Ru roll her eyes at him. "Now that I look at it, it seems that her Sensei is very simr to you." Ru avoided his eyes.


    "Why?"


    "He has the same bad sense of rhyming as you." He replied with sarcasm making her scowl.


    "Hei! I¡¯m very good at rhyming, okay?" She knew herself, that she wasn¡¯t that good at it as she always believed herself to be but who cares? As long as she was happy with it.


    "Whatever!" Ye Jie avoided the banter yet again. "So, what I was saying was that there was another gift that caught her attention. But she seemed very angry seeing it."


    "What was it?" Ye Jie exined the design of the tinum bracelet in detail. "Tsk... Tsk... Tsk... My dear best friend. You really are dense." Rumented.


    "What do you mean?" Ye Jie asked.


    "There was a red tulip flower, Eiffel tower, and a crescent moon. Are you really not getting it?" Ye Jie shook his head. Ru flicked his forehead making him rub the sore spot between his brows. "A tulip flower means eternal or perfect love, Eiffel tower is the representation of the city of love and a crescent moon is like the love of a dark night." Ye Jie raised his brows letting herplete. "In other words, whoever sent the gift said to your wife that he fell in eternal love with her on the Eiffel tower under the crescent moonlight."


    Ye Jie was struck with a bolt. "You¡¯re messing with me right?" He asked with no confidence.


    "What do you think?" She retorted.

 Chapter 105 - Old But Beautiful Memories

    Xu Mey was nning on leaving for the office when He Jian¡¯s mother came behind her. "Xiao Mey, you¡¯re not going anywhere." She said in her sweet voice.


    "Why not?" Xu Mey asked turning to look at her.


    "Because I said so." The sweet voice held a tinge of danger this time making Xu Mey gulp. In all her best friends she believed that He Jian¡¯s mother was the scariest one. Not because she was always angry but because of the mind games she liked to y.


    He Family was an aristocratic family with a history of military generations. Even He Jian served in the military until a couple of years ago. His father was the current General in the military while his mother was a renowned researcher working with the government. Although He Jian¡¯s family seemed strict to everyone for Xu Mey it was the warmest home.


    "I have really important things to deal with." She tried to plead with Auntie.


    "You can work from home and don¡¯t even think about going out of the house." Xu Mey lowered her head obediently agreeing to her. It¡¯s not like she had another choice.


    Then Xu Mey was picked up by He Jian who brought her downstairs for breakfast. Even when she argued that she can walk that much, he didn¡¯t listen to her.


    When Xu Mey took a seat at the dining table, she greeted everyone. He Jian¡¯s father, He Kun was sitting at the head seat in his uniform with a newspaper in his hands while Dr. Zhu Chen was sitting beside him in a formal suit, looking through some files in his hand. He Jian¡¯s mother, Zhu Qinyang was serving the breakfast with the housemaid.


    She ced a bowl of sliced meat porridge in front of Xu Mey and sat beside her. She filled a spoon with porridge and blew on it before bringing it near Xu Mey¡¯s mouth. "I can eat myself, Auntie Qin-Qin." Xu Mey said.


    "Aiya! Our Xiao Mey is such a bright youngdy. Of course, she can do it herself. But right now, Auntie wants to do it for her daughter. Got a problem?" When Xu Mey heard the word daughter, she felt an indescribable feeling in her heart as her eyes stung with tears. She happily opened her mouth wide letting her Auntie feed her. "Auntie is really sorry for not attending your wedding but it¡¯s your uncle¡¯s fault." Mrs. He spoke while feeding Xu Mey tenderly and ring at her husband at the side.


    Xu Mey chuckled. "It¡¯s alright, Auntie. But you let Uncle Kun off very easily." Xu Mey looked at her Uncle Kun who was focused on them now disregarding his newspaper. "Auntie Bingbing actually made Uncle Wong sleep on the couch for 2 weeks for the same mistake." She told her thinking about Wu Wang¡¯s parents.


    "Really?" Mrs. He was very delighted with this suggestion.


    "Xiao Mey, don¡¯t you love your Uncle anymore?" Xu Mey heard her Uncle Kun¡¯s pitiful voice making her smile.


    "Well, of course, I do. But you need to learn that I love Auntie Qin-Qin as well and I really didn¡¯t like it that you didn¡¯t bring her to the wedding." Xu Mey replied looking lovingly at her Auntie.


    "Husband, be ready to sleep on the couch tonight." Mrs. He said with yfulness making Mr. He Kun sigh out loud.


    "As my dear Xiao Mey wants that I¡¯ll be d to sleep on the couch." Xu Mey heard Uncle Kun¡¯s reply making her grin widely.


    The breakfast continued in silence. "Dr. Zhu!" Xu Mey called out.


    "You can call me Uncle Chen since you¡¯re so close to my sister anyway." Dr. Zhu replied.


    "Okay. So, Uncle Chen, how old are you?" Her question was weird and out of the blue making, everyone give her a sideways nce.


    "Mm... I¡¯m turning 53 this year. Why?" Dr. Zhu replied.


    Xu Mey nodded calcting in her mind. "When did you get married?" She asked not answering him at all.


    Dr. Zhu rubbed the tip of his nose. "I got married at the age of 22."


    "That¡¯s early." Xu Meymented.


    "I was madly in love with my wife since elementary school. I couldn¡¯t wait for long." Dr. Zhu replied with a radiant smile talking about his wife.


    "What about children? Do you have a son... Daughter... Son." She said ¡¯son¡¯ twice to emphasize.


    "No... Youngdy... I have only a daughter... She¡¯s younger than you." Xu Mey¡¯s face dropped hearing this. If she calcted the time from the marriage to now, it was very possible for Ye Jie to be Dr. Zhu¡¯s son but he said he has only a daughter and that too is younger than her own self much less Ye Jie. So, the idea of the baby swap was cut outpletely. And there was nothing left in her mind yet there was a nagging voice in her mind.


    "You¡¯re really curious about my brother." Mrs. Hemented.


    "Nah... I was just making some small talk, Auntie Qin-Qin." Xu Mey replied dejectedly.


    "If you¡¯re curious, let me feed you with many details." Xu Mey¡¯s ears perked up. "My brother is actually married to your Uncle Kun¡¯s sister."


    "Really?" Xu Mey asked while Mrs. He nodded. "That means Uncle Chen is married to Uncle Kun¡¯s sister while Uncle Kun is married to Uncle Chen¡¯s sister. Right?"


    "Absolutely."


    "How did that happen?" Xu Mey asked looking for inside details.


    "Well, Both Zhu and He family were friends for generations and since both are aristocrat families, all of us used to study in military school together. When Chen fell in love with Qi-Qi, our families decided to make the bond stronger by marriage between children. I was betrothed to your Uncle Kun because of my brother¡¯s love for your Uncle Kun¡¯s sister." Mrs. He exined thinking about the old times.


    "That was not fair with you." Xu Mey said.


    Mrs. He smiled as she caressed Xu Mey¡¯s cheek. "Xiao Mey, after the engagement, we both also fell in love with each other. So, in a way, our siblings love yed as a matchmaking scheme for your Uncle Kun and me."


    "You seem like a very romantic person Uncle Chen." Xu Mey conjectured.


    Dr. Zhu Chen and He Kun bothughed at her words while Zhu Qinyang said, "You can¡¯t even fathom how much of a romantic he was."


    "I want to know." Xu Mey had never learned about love stories except for her best friends who had tragic love stories rather than sweet ones.


    "Hmm..." Mrs. He fell into thought.


    "Let me tell you." Mr. He Kun offered. "My brother-inw here actually announced on the school speakers in the assembly that he was in love with my sister." Xu Mey¡¯s eyes widened and she was gaping at Dr. Zhu. "Not only that he also made his friends throw roses from the top of the building on her in the assembly ground."


    Mrs. Heughed thinking about it. "And Chen was punished to cleaning the bathrooms for a month for that and that too was because the principle was our father¡¯s friend."


    The three of the middle-aged people on breakfast were having a goodugh thinking about those times. It was a new feeling for Xu Mey but it was beautiful.

 Chapter 106 - Dont Be Late

    Xu Mey stayed for another two days with the He Family and during this time, she learned a lot of things about Dr. Zhu Chen. For instance, the Zhu Family from generations were working for the government. Either as the politicians or as scientists. Dr. Zhu himself served as military surgeon back in the day but after an incident, he left the country with his wife and even his daughter was born while they were in Country A.


    This time, Dr. Zhu Chen listened to his sister and came back to join his old position at the military hospital. Apart from this, Xu Mey also kept a close eye on his habits and realized how much he was like Ye Jie. From the way of carrying himself to the way of eating, everything was simr and these simrities were making Xu Mey even more frustrated than she already was.


    On Wednesday, Xu Mey finally managed to leave the He Family House. He Jian himself dropped her at the Vintage Gems building. "Take care of yourself. And there is no need to hop around during this time. I¡¯ll send a car with a driver to be at your beck and call. Please, avoid riding on your motorbike."


    Xu Mey kept listening to him nagging for another 15 minutes. "I¡¯ll do exactly what you said. So, please, stop Jian-Ge." She finally wasn¡¯t able to listen anymore.


    Xu Mey would have loved to run inside the building to hide from his nagging but her ankle didn¡¯t allow her to run. She could only walk slowly. She tried her best not to limp enduring the pain. She didn¡¯t want to appear weak in front of her own employees at any cost.


    "Are you feeling better, President Xu?" Her assistant, Qin Hao asked as she entered her office with much difficulty. There was cold sweat trickling down her face while she was panting.


    "Uh huh." That¡¯s all she could manage to say at the moment. As if on cue, Qin Hao offered her a ss of water and she epted it quite dly.


    She walked to her seat and reclined back on it while she ced her foot at a stool nearby. She waved her hand to beckon him to start talking. "President Xu, I have a piece of good news for you and a bad one too. Which one should I inform first?"


    Xu Mey gave him a look that clearly said, ¡¯just start talking already.¡¯ Understanding her intentions clearly, Qin Hao said, "The good news is that Jade Stones had filed for bankruptcy." Xu Mey didn¡¯t give much of a reaction. It was within her expectations that there was no future for Jade Stones anymore. She didn¡¯t only mess up their reputation but also messed with their share prices. It was about time for them to file for bankruptcy.


    "The bad news is that Ms. Xu Liqing has managed to clean up her image. Jade Stones didn¡¯t only wipe their hands clean of the mole they ced in ourpany, they also managed to prove that Ms. Xu Liqing was away for months and because of that she wasn¡¯t aware ofpany matters." Qin Hao was feeling bitter. "And Jade Stones announced in the recent press conference that Ms. Xu Liqing will also apologize to Vintage Gems personally."


    Xu Liqing will apologize to me? Xu Mey smirked. Interesting. Very interesting.


    "Make sure to amodate her when shees for the apology and don¡¯t forget to let the media in." Xu Mey said all of sudden taking Qin Hao by surprise.


    "President, she¡¯s trying to just figure out who is behind Vintage Gems and I don¡¯t think it¡¯s a good idea for you to reveal yourself." Qin Hao offered his suggestion.


    "Qin Hao, you don¡¯t need to worry. Our young Princess Liqing has actually decided to ask for forgiveness. How can a harmonious person like me can deprive her of her right to apologize?" When Qin Hao heard her statement, he was crying inside.


    ¡¯When did you be a harmonious person, President?¡¯ He didn¡¯t have the courage to say it to her face. He still had a wish to live and marry a pretty girl.


    He saw the smirk on her face which scared him even more. "What are you nning to do?" He asked.


    She tilted her head to look outside the ss wall at the skyscrapers as she rubbed her bottom lip. "I¡¯m gonna make a boy oh no I mean a girl cry wolf."


    Qin Hao felt his heart slowing down and didn¡¯t have the courage to ask for the meaning of her words. But he knew, whatever she was going to do, it was going to ruin Xu Liqing even more.


    Since the time, Xu Mey made Xu Liqing¡¯s life difficult in the entertainment circle, her little sister was looking for ways to appear in press conferences to improve her image and now, she even was using charity as a means to enhance her screen time on the tv screen.


    When my sister loves people talking about her then how can I as a sister not help her in her endeavors? I¡¯ll make sure people only talk about you for a long time, Xu Liqing.


    Her painkillers were making her sleepy a lot in these past days. Even working in the office was getting difficult for her. She barely could manage to work till afternoon and felt really tired. True to his words, He Jian sent the car for her which brought her back to the Peach Estates. When she walked in the front garden, she saw Ye Jun standing before the door with an anxious look.


    When he turned, his eyes caught Xu Mey¡¯s figure and he almost ran towards her. "Sis-inw, where were you? You were not at home. You weren¡¯t picking up your phone and it scared me a lot." He kept talking without any intention of stopping. He saw the bandage around her ankle and his eyes widened. "Sis-inw, how did you get hurt? What happened? I should call bro right now." He rummaged out his phone from his coat.


    "Stop!" Xu Mey bellowed. "I¡¯m fine. It¡¯s a small wound. Nothing too big. No need to make your brother worry for such a tiny thing."


    "But-" Before Ye Jun could say anything, Xu Mey interrupted him.


    "No buts are allowed. I¡¯m fine means I¡¯m absolutely fine. Come inside." She paced up to the door and entered the passcode while Ye Jun trailed behind her. She threw her zer on the couch and sat down. "Why were you looking for me?" She asked narrowing her eyes at Ye Jun.


    He pursed his lips then scratched the tip of his nose. "I just wanted to see my sis-inw." He said excitedly with his usual goofy smile.


    Xu Mey didn¡¯t buy his words even for a second. "Cut the cr-ap!"


    Ye Jun coughed lightly to ease his throat. "I wanted to see if you could tell me where can I find your friend." He replied honestly this time.


    "You mean, Jun Li Na?" Xu Mey asked as she remembered how her brother-inw had a crush on her friend Jun Li Na since the bachelors¡¯ party night. Ye Jun nodded his head like a rattle. "I told you she¡¯s not your cup of tea. Why do you want to hold that hot potato?"


    Ye Jun first gave her a surprised look for her choice of words and then he smiled. "And listening to my one and only sis-inw, I actually tried to forget about her. But you see, sis-inw, the more I want to stay away from her, the more my heart wants to see her. Just one time. Please!" He pleaded pitifully.


    "You can find her at Illusion Nightclub close to midnight. She¡¯ll be on the fourth floor in the security room at that time. But let me warn you about one thing, the person who can remove her fianc¨¦ from her heart is her own self. So, don¡¯t push your luck." Xu Mey advised him sincerely.


    "I¡¯ll keep that in mind. Thanks, sis-inw and please take care of yourself. Do you want me to stay back to look after you?" Ye Jun offered but Xu Mey shook her head.


    After Ye Jun left, Xu Mey was about to go upstairs when her phone rang. She picked the after ncing at the caller Id. "Hello, husband!" She said.


    "Baby, pick me up from the airport at 10 o¡¯clock. Don¡¯t bete okay?" She heard his husky voice.


    "Weren¡¯t you supposed toe on Saturday?" She asked.


    "Well, I didn¡¯t know that I¡¯ll miss my wife so much that I would end up finishing everything so soon." His words made Xu Mey speechless yet again.


    "I¡¯ll be there. Bye." She hurriedly replied and hung up.

 Chapter 107 - Ive Missed You

    -At Tokyo International Airport-


    "So..." Ye Jie started as he looked at his best friend¡¯s green eyes. "Erm... Take care of yourself."


    He heard her deepugh. "Do I look like someone who wouldn¡¯t?" She asked.


    "Yes... You do... Ru¡¯er, The one thing you never cared about in your life is your own life." Ye Jie reminded her.


    "That used to be my old self. From the time I have these green eyes," She pointed at her eyes. "I have stopped running after death desperately." She smiled bitterly at the memory.


    "Ru?" Ye Jie called her name making her raise her head to look at him. "I won¡¯t ask what happened back then."


    "And I should give you a reward for that," Ru said as she smiled evilly. She came closer to his ear and whispered, "The one you love and one you¡¯re trying to love, both are the same person." With that, she waved with an amused smile looking at the frown on his face.


    "What do you mean?" He asked.


    "What will be the fun, if I said it that easily?" She said ambiguously.


    "Let¡¯s just say that this friend of yours is using you as bait to see whether the thing you call love really exist or not. You once said love finds its way. Let¡¯s see whether yours does or not." She turned around and left him standing there with a confused look.


    When he heard the announcement, Ye Jie ran to catch his flight while Ru didn¡¯t turn around to look at him. She sat in her SUV as her assistant opened the door for her. "Chairman?" Her assistant called to get her attention. "What game are you ying?"


    "What gave you the idea that I¡¯m ying a game?" She said as her voice texture turned back to masculine.


    "You made me deliver some herbs to Ms. Xu Mey and the man who was with you just now was the one who received the package. It clearly means that you know both of them but they both have no idea about it." Her assistant was an observant person and he picked up the details easily.


    Ru smiled pleasantly. "I¡¯m ying the game of hide and seek. Not that I don¡¯t want to let them know about their connection to me but I can¡¯t."


    "Why not?"


    "Because if I revealed their connection to me. They both will figure out the old connection they have with each other. Now, how can I let that happen so easily? My dear best friend once challenged me that he¡¯ll recognize that girl no matter where she is and how she is. Now, I want him to recognize her by himself. It should be easy. After all, they are married now." Ru exined looking out the window with an amused smile gracing her beautiful face.


    Meanwhile, Ye Jie was thinking about Ru¡¯s words in the ne. ¡¯The one I love? And the one I¡¯m trying to love? What does she mean? The one I¡¯m trying to love is... Xu Mey. But the one I already love? Lu Yuhan?¡¯ He shook his head. ¡¯No way... Lu Yuhan could only be someone I loved. But who¡¯s the one I still love then?¡¯


    Ye Jie ruffled his own hair and held his head in his hands. "Are you okay, young man?" He heard a clear voice from beside and lifted his head. The middle-ageddy beside him was d in a ck business suit with her hair tied in an updo. She looked poised and elegant. But what caught Ye Jie¡¯s attention was her clear glistening eyes. She gave Ye Jie a questioning look.


    "I¡¯m fine... Thank you." Ye Jie replied courteously thinking about how much of an idiot he must have looked like to her.


    "You seem to be frustrated to me." Shemented making Ye Jie look at her again. Ye Jie gave her a surprised look. "Don¡¯t look at me like that. I¡¯m a psychiatrist. It¡¯s in my nature to see what people are trying to hide."


    Ye Jie nodded lightly indicating that he understood. "It¡¯s nothing much... Just something my best friend said and it confused me a lot. I can¡¯t seem to find an answer." Ye Jie replied nonchntly while shrugging his shoulders. While why he was talking to a stranger waspletely out his own understanding.


    "If it¡¯s that confusing then don¡¯t think about it." She advised with a beautiful smile on her face. "Sometimes, when answers seem out of reach than we should take a break. Give it some time and the answer you¡¯re looking for will be right before you."


    Ye Jie nodded. Ye Jie thought for while before he said, "Since you¡¯re a doctor, can I ask a question?" Thedy beside him nodded giving him permission. "How to open a person¡¯s heart who wants to hide every single pain from the world?" Ye Jie was talking about Xu Mey.


    "Em... If the past has brought enough pain to make that person close up than it¡¯s a bit serious." She remarked as Ye Jie¡¯s face fell. But she continued. "But it¡¯s not impossible." Ye Jie had a tinge of hope in his eyes as he looked at her. "That person needs someone to give enough reasons to open up. And that¡¯s not possible through just words. Actions are also very important." She took a pause. "May I ask, how are you rted to that person?"


    Ye Jie pursed his lips and decided to answer honestly. After all, they say that you should be honest with two people in life; yourwyer and your doctor. "My wife... She has been through something in her past that made her want to shut her heart up."


    The psychiatrist nodded her head. "Then what your wife needs the most right now is you... You need to show with your actions that you cherish her and trust her. That way, it will give the patient a sense of security that she needs. In most cases, the closed up people or loners tend to want a person to open up to. A person who listens to them but doesn¡¯t judge them." She took a deep breath. "In your case, your wife might even be scared of losing you. Give her a reassurance."


    "Thank you so much,..."


    She smiled. "It¡¯s Alice."


    "Dr. Alice. Thank you. Really I think you¡¯re right. She¡¯s just scared of my judgment and I need to get that thought out of her mind." Ye Jie said with a smile. Dr. Alice looked at his smiling face and her eyes stuck. In the end, she gave a sad smile with a shake of her head.


    Beforeing to the airport, Xu Mey made sure to remove the huge gauze from her ankle and took a smaller bandage to cover her stitches while she wore bell-bottom jeans with a white top and a grey zer over it. She did everything she could to cover her ankle as much as she could.


    Ye Jie¡¯s assistant Qi Guan picked Xu Mey up from the Peach Estates and brought her to the airport precisely at 9:30 pm. There were only a few people at the VIP arrivals when she came. She was looking around in a daze.


    Her daze was broken when she heard her own name with that familiar voice making her turn her head. She looked at Ye Jie who was briskly walking towards her with a wide grin on his face. Xu Mey looked at him in a daze and her daze was broken when he came closer, pulled her in his embrace and whispered close to her ear, "I¡¯ve missed you."

 Chapter 108 - PDA & Hot Kisses?

    Xu Mey¡¯s heart quivered when his hot breath grazed her skin. Ye Jie angled his head as his lips came down to im hers.


    Xu Mey¡¯s body instead of stiffening, convulsed. His lips were softer than she remembered them to be. He was gently biting on her bottom lip. And there was a lot of teasing making Xu Mey close her eyes.


    This was the time when she didn¡¯t want to avoid his touch at all. The way his tongue licked her bottom lip, biting it and pulling at it made her gasp as the butterflies in her stomach turned into a searing desire and a feeling of pleasure engulfed her body.


    His hands encircled around her waist and pulled her closer. Xu Mey wanted him to pull even closer, she wanted to feel the warmth of his body burning her into ashes. She wanted his peculiar scent to encapste her body and senses.


    It was like Ye Jie heard her thoughts and pulled her so close that there was no space left between them. This public disy of affection was rather new for Xu Mey but Ye Jie had caged her senses so deeply that she didn¡¯t even feel the seething gazes of envy and disdain around.


    For her, he was the only person there and for him, she was the only one that mattered. When Xu Mey was breathless, Ye Jie reluctantly parted away from her lips. His thumb fondled with her bottom lip as he said, "Let¡¯s continueter." It felt like a promise to Xu Mey and she wanted him to keep his promise.


    Qi Guan had efficiently taken Ye Jie¡¯s luggage to the car. When Xu Mey turned to leave, there was a hitch in her stride as she felt his warm hand intertwining with her own. He looked at her and smiled as the sides of his brown eyes crinckled up in a familiar manner. Now that Xu Mey noticed, she realized that he was still handsome but not like his usual self.


    He had dark circles around his eyes, and he looked lethargic. It looked like he worked extra hard toe back home earlier than nned. ¡¯But why?¡¯ She asked herself. ¡¯For me?¡¯ Her heart felt a tug at this thought.


    She wasn¡¯t feeling as much pain in her ankle while walking beside him as she did before. Whether the painkillers were working or Ye Jie¡¯s touch or presence was acting like a painkiller, it was unknown. But it made it easy to hide her wound from him. So, Xu Mey was thankful.


    They climbed in the backseat of the Rolls Royce. And Qi Guan started the car. As they just had left the airport, Ye Jie said, "Qi Guan..." He didn¡¯t have to say it twice for his assistant to get his meaning. Qi Guan instantly pressed a button as the partition raised up leaving Ye Jie and Xu Mey with privacy.


    Xu Mey was frowning when she saw the partition raising but she understood what he wanted to do in the next moment when Ye Jie pulled her from the hand he was holding. Xu Mey¡¯s whole body crashed into him as he adjusted her on hisp. Xu Mey parted her lips to protest but her lips were imed by him in a fierce kiss.


    As his lips imed hers in abandon, the butterfly kisses were thrown out the window. There was no teasing or coaxing left. His one hand was on Xu Mey¡¯s back pulling her closer while the other hand secured her neck. The hand around her neck plunged into her long hair controlling the kiss. As if to scream to her: ¡¯You are mine. And I missed you more than I can say in words.¡¯


    There was no way to run anymore and oddly enough, Xu Mey had no desire to run as well. She wanted him to im her. For the first time in her life, she wanted someone to mark her as his.


    Ye Jie¡¯s hot tongue traced the seam of her lip making her gasp and taking advantage of her opening, his tongue darted inside her mouth to y. Xu Mey¡¯s heart was like a fish out of water, pping around to survive. Her legs were like overcooked noodles, ready to buckle any minute but it was a good thing that she was sitting otherwise, she would have fallen to the ground at this moment.


    He made her weak inside with just his moist but hot tongue. Even she had any thoughts of resistance, his irresistible scent and warm, sweet lips were enough to say her otherwise.


    He raised his head a bit to catch his breath. "Is it just I or my Baby has be even more intoxicating than before?" His voice was deeper than usual, huskier. It made her heart quiver uncontrobly.


    Before she could retort, he smothered her lips again. He wasn¡¯t kissing her anymore. He was devouring her. His tongue explored her mouth leisurely. While her emotions touched another level of ecstasy that was unknown to her.


    Like a patient person, his tongue guided hers to explore. And that tango of their tongues made a moan escape her mouth involuntarily. Xu Mey¡¯s body stiffened when she realized that the embarrassing noise came from her own self. She tried to push him away but Ye Jie understood her intention and pulled her closer.


    "There is no such thing as shame and bashfulness between a husband and wife. I want you to see me at my most vulnerable state just like I want you to lean your head on my shoulder." This was another blow to Xu Mey¡¯s poor heart. It was so jittery that Xu Mey thought she might end up at a hospital at this rate.


    This time he didn¡¯t im her lips instead, he buried his face in the crook of her neck. He inhaled hervender scent as a groan escaped his mouth. He kissed a soft spot behind her earlobe. Once didn¡¯t seem enough. Therefore, he kissed again. First, his soft and moist lips kissed then he bit at the same spot lightly and then he licked. He was repeating the process while Xu Mey was losing her mind all over again. She held his arms to support herself but his tenderness was melting her into a heated marshmallow.


    She was not only burning with desire anymore, but her body was also aching in need. Need to be held. A need to be cherished. A need to be devoured.


    Ye Jie¡¯s hand kept fondling with her back but he didn¡¯t cross any further line than that. How he was controlling himself from owning her waspletely out of his mind as well.

 Chapter 109 - The Reality Im Running From

    Xu Mey had given up the idea of squirming out of his embrace. Instead, she greeted his warmth with impetuoussciviousness. The girl who thought herself to be pure suddenly lost all her beliefs. For her, sexual interaction was rather crude and coarse. But he was the first person whose touch or the unconcealed hankering in his eyes didn¡¯t make her feel the cringy feeling she usually felt.


    His touch was so gentle and soft that even Xu Mey felt that he was scared of hurting her. And that thought made her feel giddy. She felt not just loved but also pampered and cherished. For the first time in her life, she feltpletely protected.


    She remembered once her Sensei told her, "Look for your safe haven, Mey-Ai?"


    Xu Mey asked in return, "Where will I find it? Where will I have to go?"


    "You don¡¯t have to go anywhere. Just listen to your heart and one day, someone¡¯s arms will be your safe haven." Xu Mey was demented by this reply. Because she didn¡¯t want to believe that someone can be a safe haven for anyone.


    But at this moment, that memory made her snort at her own self. She surely was kooky to think that a person can¡¯t be another¡¯s safe haven. She raised her hand and touched the soft hair of the man who still had his face buried in her neck lovingly. ¡¯Are you really the safe haven I was looking for?¡¯ Xu Mey asked inwardly.


    He wasn¡¯t just making her feel protected from the world. He was also protecting her from herself. Just his presence was enough to take Xu Mey¡¯s mind off of her wounds, pain, and past. He was teaching her to learn to live in the present. The present which had him. And the future, they were supposed to build together.


    The Xu Mey who used to spend hours thinking about making the lives of people who hurt her miserable was actually nning on how to ease up his burden. She didn¡¯t want him to be worried about anything. His exhausted look made her heart feel a prickling feeling. And she didn¡¯t like that feeling at all.


    In all these thoughts, Xu Mey hadpletely lost track of time and when she looked out the window, she frowned. "This isn¡¯t the way to home." Shemented softly.


    Ye Jie who was relishing in the way her slender fingers ran through his silky smooth hair didn¡¯t want to open his eyes at all. "I know." He replied in his husky tone as his hot breath stroked her neck making her feel electrocuted.


    Xu Mey shook her head lightly and took a deep breath to get her thoughts straight. "Where are we going?" She asked as she tried to take her hand away from his hair which felt nice to touch but Ye Jie¡¯s hand held her hand and ced it back in his hair.


    "I need to take you somewhere. We¡¯ll reach there soon." He replied and adjusted his head back in her neck. Xu Mey didn¡¯t question it at all.


    There was only a dim light of road lights falling on her face from time to time as she still was held in hisp. She thought he¡¯ll get tired eventually. It wasn¡¯t like she was light as a feather. Although she was said to be malnourished because she never took care of her meals but that didn¡¯t mean she was not heavy at all.


    But she read somewhere that when you have interest, nothing is too heavy. For instance, for a man picking up a sack filled with 10kg weight might be tough but for a groom picking up his bride of even 60kg is not a difficult task at all. In conclusion, interest is all that matters.


    Psst... Xu Meyughed at her own thoughts. She had to bit her tongue to not let theughter escape. Because if Ye Jie asked the reason for herugh, she might have nothing to say at all.


    It was past midnight when the car stopped and Qi Guan opened the door of the back seat. Xu Mey disembarked and looked around. The building in front of her had a huge fluorescent board with the words: ¡¯First Emporer Hospital¡¯ She frowned and turned to look at Ye Jie with an arched brow.


    ¡¯Don¡¯t tell me he found out about my ident?¡¯ She thought but shook her head to deny her own conjecture. ¡¯He didn¡¯t have to bring me to Imperial City for that, right?¡¯


    He didn¡¯t say anything, just held her hand in his own and walked towards the west wing. It was the VIP Ward Wing and to Xu Mey¡¯s surprise, it waspletely empty. Xu Mey decided to have patience and see what he was trying to do. They took the elevator to the sixth floor and Ye Jie brought her to the end of the corridor.


    Xu Mey had a weird kind of fear of hospitals. They were eerily silent at times and it scared her a lot. But even though at the moment, the hospital was too quiet for her liking, Ye Jie was holding her hand giving her a reassurance silently that he was there just for her. And it calmed her a lot. The crawling fear in her heart was diminished instantly.


    Room No. 610... Ye Jie stood before the door, took a deep breath and slid the door open. Xu Mey heard the beep... beep... beep from the machines as her eyes fell on the frail figure lying still on the white bed with a lot of tubes attached to her.


    Ye Jie paced up to the bedside with Xu Mey trailing behind him. The girl on the bed looked sallow and wan along with all the machines made it as if her life was hanging by a single thread that could break any minute. She was wearing the blue colored hospital gown which made herplexion look paler inparison.


    But her beauty could not be overlooked. She had clear and soft features. Longshes that made shadows on her under eyes. She had long brown colored hair but looking at her felt like she wasn¡¯t dying but rather sleeping peacefully.


    Xu Mey tilted her head to look at Ye Jie and saw the tender look in his eyes as he gazed at the girl on the bed. Xu Mey pursed her lips. She didn¡¯t know what to think or what to say. But she knew whatever she said will not be the right words. She had to pull this trigger at all costs and she did. "Who is she?" She asked.


    Ye Jie stroked the hair of the girl lying on the bed lovingly and with a sadness in his eyes, he replied, "She¡¯s the reality, I¡¯m running from."

 Chapter 110 - Im Yours And Youre Mine

    "She¡¯s the reality, I¡¯m running from."


    A seemingly very ordinary sentence but it fell like thunder on Xu Mey. Her mind was reeling as she felt her knees weakening. That sentence was akin to a sharp-edged sword that pierced her heart. All the feelings and words felt like a lie to her. She felt a splitting headacheing and her body trembled uncontrobly.


    Through the hand held in his own, Ye Jie felt the tremor and turned to nce at her. She was blinking repeatedly without a pause making Ye Jie roll his eyes at her and shake his head. He let go of her hand and held her arms. "Stop running your mind. Let me finish before going round and round in your head. Okay?" Xu Mey nodded with much difficulty. She really needed an answer. One that doesn¡¯t break her bubble of happiness and all the feelings she was beginning to have for him.


    Ye Jie helped Xu Mey sit at the couch in the hospital room and sat beside her. He angled her body to look at him and held both her hand in his own. "Should I start from the start?" He asked. Xu Mey nodded yet again not getting the courage to open her mouth.


    Ye Jie sighed loudly. "Where should I start from?" He asked himself as Xu Mey¡¯s eyes were trained on his brown eyes. "Let me clear one thing first. That girl," He pointed at the girl on the bed. "Apparently, she¡¯s my sister."


    Xu Mey¡¯s frown deepened. With much effort, she said, "But you don¡¯t have a sister." Ye Kang only had two sons; Ye Jie and Ye Jun. That was a very well known fact especially for Xu Mey whose family¡¯s been close to Ye Family from generations.


    Ye Jie pinched her frown down and said, "That¡¯s what I used to believe as well. But..." He took a pause, "It changed a year and a half ago when she got into an ident." He was looking at the girl on the bed with sadness and tenderness.


    "I met her when I went for summer vacations after middle school to Country A. She was a kid back then probably 9 or 10 years old. But she was a very clingy person. Why she approached me? I had no idea but she kept running behind me for 3 months." He took another pause, drawing circles at the back of Xu Mey¡¯s hand.


    He was thinking about that memory, "Jie-Ge!" He heard her childish voice as the girl with her two pigtails bouncing ran towards him.


    "I told you to stop following me. What do you even like about me?" He asked exasperatedly.


    She smiled widely. "I like you... Erm... Because you¡¯re so handsome." Her answer made him speechless.


    Back to the present, Ye Jie continued. "After I came back, I thought, I won¡¯t see her again until a couple of years ago, I met her at an official dinner party. I didn¡¯t recognize her but she recognized me for sure. Although she was older and mature, her weird fixation with me was still there. But this time, I didn¡¯t try to shake her off at all. She became a very good friend of mine."


    He remembered that dinner party too well when he saw a slender beautiful girl d in an aquamarine colored mermaid tail gown sauntering towards him. She came up to him and smiled asking, "How have you been, Jie-Ge?"


    Ye Jie frowned at the way a stranger addressed him. "Have we met?" He asked curiously.


    The beautiful girl made a face. "I didn¡¯t expect my Jie-Ge to forget me so easily." Shemented.


    "Mr. Ye, this is Ms. Azalea!" A man near Ye Jie introduced the beautiful young girl making Ye Jie¡¯s eyes widen.


    "Azalea? The same girl who used to run around me?" Ye Jie asked with a disbelief look in his eyes.


    She smiled again. "So, you do remember me."


    He suddenly stopped talking thinking about those memories. Xu Mey saw the look of bitterness in him along with self-loathing. She let him silently collect his thoughts. Ye Jie took a sip of water from the bottle ced on the table before him. "One day, she came to tell me something. She was really happy."


    Back then she barreled into his office and hugged him with all her might. She kept hugging him for a long time as Ye Jie felt her shoulders shaking. She was crying.


    "What happened? Why are you crying?" Ye Jie asked panicking. He knew her to be a strong young woman who didn¡¯t cry so easily. But today she was sobbing.


    "I¡¯m crying because I¡¯m so happy, Jie-Ge." She replied in between her sobs.


    "Which idiot cry when they are happy?" Ye Jie asked with a scowl as he wiped her tears.


    "That idiot is me." She said. After a minute, she held Ye Jie¡¯s wrist and said, "I need to bring you somewhere. Come with me." She dragged him out of his office building.


    They took Ye Jie¡¯s car as he was the one driving the car.


    Suddenly he received a call from his business associate who wanted to see their new project site. Ye Jie stopped the car and turned to look at her anxious face as he unbuckled his seatbelt.


    "Zelie, take my car and I¡¯ll see youter. Whatever you have to show me. Let¡¯s do itter." He patted her head and got off the car to hail a cab for himself.


    Coming back to the hospital room, Ye Jie held his head in hands hiding his face from Xu Mey. Xu Mey slid closer to him and stroked his hair to calm him. "If I knew that my mistake of leaving her there will get her in an ident. I would have never done that at all." When Ye Jie looked up at Xu Mey, he had tears in his eyes which he was holding onto. "I was informed about her ident because I was thest person she called."


    He was living that nightmare again. He picked the call and heard, "Mr. Ye Jie?"


    "Yes!" He replied.


    "We have a patient named Azalea who got into an ident and you¡¯re saved as her emergency contact number. Could you pleasee to the First Emporer Hospital?" When Ye Jie heard all the details, he went numb. He didn¡¯t know how he replied. He only knew that when he reached the hospital, she was in surgery. Her condition was very critical.


    They gave him all of her belongings and he found the DNA test result in her things. He didn¡¯t know how she got his sample but she had sneakily done a DNA Test and they matched to be full-siblings.


    Xu Mey¡¯s eyes widened at this revtion. So she wasn¡¯t wrong in thinking that Ye Jie had no simrities with neither Father Ye or Mother Ye. That means, her mind wasn¡¯t always just running uselessly.


    "I did the DNA Test again but the results were the same. She is my younger sister. And I couldn¡¯t protect her." Ye Jie¡¯s voice turned hoarse as his eyes were red.


    Xu Mey ced his head on her shoulder and said, "It¡¯s not your fault. You didn¡¯t know."


    "But the ident was my fault." Ye Jie said as he raised his head from her shoulder and looked at her. "It was my car and it was tampered with. I was supposed to get into that ident. Whoever it was, that person was hunting me but my sister became the prey." Ye Jie clenched his hands into fists.


    Xu Mey didn¡¯t know what to say anymore. Who could try to kill him? And if the girl in this room is his sister than what about the parents?


    "What about her parents?" Xu Mey asked hesitantly.


    Ye Jie lowered his head. "I don¡¯t know." Xu Mey frowned at his reply. "I told you, she¡¯s the reality I¡¯m running from. If for a second, I ept this reality then my entire life will be a lie and it will crumble up right before me." He looked into Xu Mey¡¯s eyes and said, "I¡¯m scared. I don¡¯t even know if I¡¯m ready to find the truth or not. I just know that until she wakes up and exins everything to me herself, I have no n to dig anything out."


    Xu Mey nodded. It was a scary thing that the parents he called mom and dad, one day, they are said to have no rtion with him. He would not be human if he wasn¡¯t scared at all. Then, can Dr. Zhu really have a rtion with Ye Jie? Xu Mey bit her nails in nervousness. ¡¯Should I tell him?¡¯ Xu Mey contemted. ¡¯No... No... Not yet... I need to be sure first.¡¯


    "What¡¯s her name?" Xu Mey asked.


    "I don¡¯t know her Chinese name but her English name is Azalea." Ye Jie replied with a small smile.


    "That¡¯s a beautiful name just like herself." Xu Meymented.


    "Is this why you asked?" Xu Mey didn¡¯t have to remind Ye Jie of his own question when he asked her whether he was important just because he was a Ye. Ye Jie nodded and Xu Mey scowled. "Aye! Do I look that pretentious to you?"


    "Absolutely not, Baby. I just needed to know whether you were ready to know this truth or not." Ye Jie replied softly.


    "Next time, don¡¯t ask." She started. "Whether she¡¯s your sister or not. Or whether you¡¯re a Ye or not. For me, you are my husband now. Your rtionship with others doesn¡¯t matter much. What matters is that I¡¯m your family and you¡¯re mine, now." Xu Mey said like a wise person and it made Ye Jie¡¯s heart flutter.


    He pulled her in his embrace and said, "Yes... You are my family and I¡¯ll always stay like yours. No one can change that. I¡¯m yours and you¡¯re mine..." He whispered.

 Chapter 111 - Similarities

    Back at the airport:


    As Dr. Alice walked out after passing through the security checks, her eyes fell on a tall figure in a ck coat and her steps halted. Frozen at her spot, she kept gazing at her husband waving like a lunatic with a goofy smile and running towards her. Dr. Alice rubbed her forehead and sighed loudly. They were already this old but this husband of hers was still like he was years ago.


    The tall figure came closer step by step, encircled his arms around her waist and picked her off the ground making Dr. Alice gasp in surprise. "Let me down, Chen!" She eximed while hitting his arms.


    Dr. Zhu Chen reluctantly put her back down on the ground but his arms around her waist tightened burying her in his embrace. "I missed you so much, Su darling," he said while stroking her hair lovingly.


    "Chen, we are in public." Dr. Alice tried to reason with her husband but he wasn¡¯t in the mood of listening.


    "So?" He asked. "I¡¯m hugging my wife. What does that have to do with other people? If they are envious, that¡¯s not my concern. My concern is only that I missed my wife." Dr. Alice was smiling with her face against his chest.


    "Chen?" She called out in a muffled voice.


    "Uh huh," he replied.


    "What did you miss about me in just 2 weeks?" She asked with extreme curiosity.


    Dr. Zhu Chen took a deep breath and said, "I missed my Su darling¡¯s scent of choctes. I missed my Su darling¡¯s smooth and soft skin. I missed my Su darling¡¯s way of calling my name, way of looking at me. Oh wait, I missed everything about my Su darling."


    Dr. Alice expected the answer to be this but she still wanted to hear it. In this marriage of 31 years, there had never been a moment when her love for him or his love for her lessened. She knew how her husband would find new ways to make her fall in love with him all over again as if it was the very first time.


    "Dr. Zhu¡¯s smooth talking has reached a new level," shemented.


    Zhu Chen scowled and replied, "Even if this is smooth talking, this is only for my wife. Apart from my Su darling, no one has any right to hear this smooth talk." After another moment of hugging her, he parted away and held her hand in his own to walk towards the car.


    "Chen?"


    "Uh huh." Without turning or stopping, he replied.


    "How did you know about my flight? I was nning on surprising you." She was aggrieved thinking about how her whole n was spoiled.


    He turned to look at her pouting face and smiled beautifully as his brown eyes crinkled up at the edges. Seeing his smile, Ye Jie¡¯s smiling face shed through her mind, stunning her.


    "I have my ways," he replied, not noticing her stunned look.


    The chauffeur opened the door of the car and Zhu Chen along with Dr. Alice got inside the backseat. As always, Zhu Chen didn¡¯t let her hand out of his own. It was an old habit that the couple shared. Now, it had be a part of both their lives so much so that if they weren¡¯t holding each others hands, they would have a tingling feeling in their hands as if something was missing.


    Dr. Alice leaned her head on her husband¡¯s shoulder. "Tired?" He asked.


    "A little bit..." She replied. There was silence in the car until she spoke again, "I met a young man on the flight, Chen."


    Zhu Chen tilted his head to look at her face on his shoulder and arched his brow. "You aren¡¯t thinking about leaving me. Are you?"


    Dr. Alice punched his chest making him wince. Her slightly aged face was beet red. "Chen, don¡¯t you dare say that even as a joke, okay? Besides, I¡¯m not going through midlife crisis." She crossed her arms on her chest and puffed up her face.


    Beside her, Zhu Chen chuckled, uncrossed her arms, took her hand in his own and left a small kiss on her cheek. "I won¡¯t do it ever again. Promise..." Dr. Alice gave into him as always and leaned her head back on his shoulder. "If the young man caught my wife¡¯s attention, he must be exceptional." Zhu Chenmented.


    Dr. Alice smiled thinking about Ye Jie. "He was just like you, Chen." Zhu Chen looked puzzled. "I mean, the way he ruffled his hair when he was frustrated. The habit of overthinking just to look for answers and most importantly, the way he loved his wife. It was all like you." She excitedly told her husband.


    "Really? How can he love his wife like I love mine? Only I can do that." Zhu Chen proudly announced.


    Dr. Alice rolled her eyes at her husband¡¯s childishness. "I mean, he looked like he could do anything for his wife. Just like you..." She gazed lovingly at her husband and continued. "Although I don¡¯t think he would be crazy enough like you to jump in the water and pretend to drown just so I could confess that I love you too." That was one of the sore spots between them. Even though Dr. Alice forgave Zhu Chen for scaring her like that just so he could hear an answer, but her mind still had that fear of losing him.


    "It¡¯s good to know that the young generation knows what real love is." Zhu Chen was trying to distract his wife. He knew if that drowning incident came out, his wife will again get angry or upset and he didn¡¯t want that. In reality, the drowning incident was real. He was going to die if she hadn¡¯te to save him but when he opened his eyes and saw her anxious look with tears running down her face, it scared him and he felt his heart breaking. In the end, he lied that he was just pretending. He was okay with her anger but her tears... They were not eptable to him.


    Zhu Chen¡¯s distraction worked and Dr. Alice didn¡¯t divulge into the same incident again. Instead, she said, "He even looked a lot like you, Chen. Especially when he smiled, I felt like seeing the split image of yours. He looked like your younger version." After a pause, her tone turned sadder as she added, "Our son would have looked exactly like that young man."


    "You promised that you¡¯ll not think about that time," Zhu Chen reminded his wife.


    "I can¡¯t just forget it, Chen. He was my own son and I couldn¡¯t even say hi to him." Tears had pooled up in her eyes.


    Zhu Chen ced his arm over her shoulder, rubbing lightly to soothe her. "We went to Country A just because of that, Su. And I knew thating back will remind you of everything again. That¡¯s why I was against the idea ofing back here. But you insisted that we should live with our family again. And you even promised not to make me worry."


    Dr. Alice wiped a single tear trickling down her eye and said, "I will not think about it. And I won¡¯t talk about it either..." She took a pause and asked, "Have you talked to Azaleately?"


    "She just sent me some texts telling me that she¡¯s fine and she¡¯s still traveling." Zhu Chen replied.


    "Don¡¯t you find it odd?" Dr. Alice started. "Azalea loves to talk and it¡¯s been more than a year that I haven¡¯t heard my daughter¡¯s voice."


    "It¡¯s been bothering metely as well and I asked Brother Kun to look into her whereabouts." Zhu Chen was suspicious about it himself. His one and only daughter were like the crowned jewel of his house. How could he not be worried?


    "I¡¯ll talk to brother myself." Dr. Alice said.

 Chapter 112 - Hospital Is Getting Hotter

    -First Emperor Hospital-


    "Does it really not matter who I am?" Ye Jie asked all of a sudden.


    It¡¯s been almost an hour since Xu Mey and Ye Jie came to the hospital. After he revealed everything, they had been silently apanying each other.


    "Yes... It really doesn¡¯t matter." Xu Mey pinched Ye Jie¡¯s chin and turned his face towards herself. As her ck clear eyes looked into his charming brown ones, she added, "Because I know that just as My Jie, you¡¯ll still be the mostpetent person. I didn¡¯t only marry you because of you being a Ye, I epted you because you epted me even after knowing my reason for this marriage."


    Ye Jie¡¯s lips hooked upwards slightly as he listened to her soft but very clear voice. He just stared into her eyes losing himself again in their depth. Xu Mey frowned as a thought came to her mind. "What about her family? Her cell phone must have their contacts, right?"


    Ye Jie sighed. "I told you that I¡¯m not ready to deal with that baggage until Azalea wakes up herself. I¡¯ve been sending them texts, pretending to be her. I don¡¯t think I have the courage to tell her parents that their precious daughter might never wake up again because of me." Ye Jie felt a bit queasy talking about this topic and Xu Mey noticed it with her discerning senses.


    "If you want, I can ask Shen-Ge to look into her case?" She suggested trying to ease his burden. He must have been extremely tired from keeping everything inside himself for such a long time. And the guilt must have been enhancing with each passing day. "More the experts, more her chances for recovery." Ye Jie looked at her with gratitude in his eyes and nodded, giving her the consent.


    Ye Jie abruptly stood up and said, "You must be tired, let¡¯s go back." He stretched his hand towards Xu Mey and she took it without hesitation.


    "Are we going back home? It will be a long drive and you¡¯re already tired." Xu Mey said as they were passing through the empty corridor.


    "Don¡¯t worry... We¡¯re not going back home..." Xu Mey was puzzled. "My friend¡¯s apartment is close by. We¡¯ll stay there for the night."


    "Ohhh!" Xu Mey dragged the words unnecessarily and in this process, she didn¡¯t see the bench in her way and her foot bumped into it making her wince loudly. She took a sharp intake of breath and closed her eyes as the impact made her already stitched ankle hurt even more.


    This simple action was not concealed from Ye Jie. A crease appeared between his brows as he knelt down in front of her and made her ce her one hand on his shoulder for support while he picked her right foot off the ground and ced it on his knee. Xu Mey tried to retract her foot but Ye Jie¡¯s grip was like iron ws. Steadfast...


    Ye Jie held the hem of her bell-bottom jeans and lifted it up a bit. As his eyes fell on the rectangr bandage on her ankle, he closed his eyes briefly and sighed. He raised his head to look at her face. Xu Mey was avoiding his eyes trying to hide her guilty look. "How did this happen?" His jaw was clenched it took a lot of effort to say the words.


    Xu Mey pursed her lips and smiled sheepishly while scratching the back of her head like an idiot. "I... Erm... I fell. Yes yes, I fell." She replied.


    "You¡¯re not as good at lying as you think," he said through gritted teeth. "Let¡¯s leave how you get injured. But when did it happen? Can you say that?" He carefully ced her foot back on the ground and asked.


    Xu Mey lowered her head and grumbled, "The day you went to Tokyo."


    "Are you kidding me?" Ye Jie¡¯s voice was sharp and loud making Xu Mey cower back a bit. Ye Jie took deep breaths to calm himself. "Why didn¡¯t you tell me?" His voice got softer than before but he could hide the feeling of hurt and anger.


    "I thought you¡¯d be worried for no reason. It wasn¡¯t that big of a deal but your work was rather important. It wasn¡¯t a good idea to disturb you for such a tiny matter." Xu Mey replied honestly. She really didn¡¯t want him to be worried for no reason.


    Ye Jie rubbed his forehead and held her shoulders making her raise her head to look at him. "Why are you not getting it? I would have left everything toe back to you." He was quite exasperated.


    "I knew you¡¯d do it. Didn¡¯t I just say that I didn¡¯t want you to skip your work just for such an unimp-" Before she could say ¡¯unimportant matter¡¯, he interrupted her.


    "This might be an unimportant matter to you but not to me. Didn¡¯t you just say that you¡¯re my family?" Xu Mey nodded looking into his eyes. "Then I have the right to know. Work can never be more important than you. You¡¯re my wife, Baby. And I want to be there for you whenever you need me. Even if it is just a small needle prick, you need to tell me." Ye Jie coaxed her in his softer tone.


    Seeing how Ye Jie looked sad, Xu Mey didn¡¯t like it at all. "Sorry!" She said in a low voice. "I will tell you next time. I promise!" She crossed her heart to promise in an adorable manner making Ye Jie¡¯s mind wander off from the main topic. "I¡¯ll..." Her words were instantly lost as she saw the burning look in Ye Jie¡¯s eyes. Ye Jie dipped his head down and covered her mouth with his fierce kiss.


    He wrapped her in his arms. Xu Mey was shocked at the sudden change of events. But her heart was so not in synch with her mind or body. While her body and mind were shocked, her heart was bouncing around epting his spearmint taste with pleasure. While kissing, he pushed her body against the wall behind her and angled his head to kiss her with savage intensity. The kiss was akin to punishment showing his anger and frustrationbined.


    Yet his mouth was still firm and moist. He was crushing her into himself while Xu Mey was motionless. It was a good thing that the corridor was empty. He smothered her lips as if to demand something... What was he demanding? Xu Mey couldn¡¯t tell.


    He raised his head a bit and said in a raspy and low voice, "Consider it a warning." He dipped his head again to im her lips.


    Her palms were tingling with an urge to touch him, to wrap around his neck... Or to just touch his chest... His hand banded around her hips making their hips collide leaving no space between them. He was being possessive.


    Abruptly, his kiss turned gentler and softer as a soft glide of his tongue between her lips made her open up and let him invade her territory. Her mind blurred and enticed her to give in to her urges to touch him. It was indeed a passionate kiss with a demand to possess her. She ran her fingers wildly through his hair liking the touch against her palms. While the slightly rough texture of his hands running all over his body was sending an indescribable pleasure into her.


    When he parted away, she felt her head spinning. Her heart was beating so loud that she felt like it was echoing in the empty hallway. Ye Jie¡¯s condition wasn¡¯t any better than her. His brown eyes were still lingering on her slightly swollen lips with a look of desire. He bit his own bottom lip to get back hisposure.


    He bent down a bit and scooped her up in his arm making her yelp in surprise. "What are you doing?" She was still panting with widened eyes as she stared at him.


    "Stay quiet or do you want me to silence you up again?" He suggestively looked at her lips and back at her eyes making her gulp. Although she had the urge to say that he should silence her up. But unfortunately, they were in a hospital. Even though the whole wing was empty because of Ye Jie, that didn¡¯t mean that Xu Mey didn¡¯t feel self-conscious.

 Chapter 113 - Im Being A Gentleman

    After 10 minutes, Ye Jie with Xu Mey still tucked in his arms, was standing before a condominium building. From the signboard beside the building, Xu Mey learned that it was named ¡¯Joyous Homes¡¯.


    Ye Jie strode inside the lobby and stopped when he reached the elevator. Xu Mey noticed that each apartment in the building had their private elevators while the one Ye Jie brought her to was at the top of the building.


    It was a triplex apartment. When Xu Mey entered the apartment still in Ye Jie¡¯s arms. She squirmed a little to indicate her difort. Ye Jie reluctantly put her down on the floor. The hardwood floor at the entrance was unblemished and it was sleek making it appear like a ssy floor.


    But the hardwood floor was not the most eye-catching feature. Walking through the entrance, when they reached the living room. Xu Mey was stunned for a second.


    There was a top-down view of the living room from the third floor of the apartment. Taking the inspiration from the beautiful sky outside the ss walls, a neutral ivory base palette with different shades of blue andvender was mixed together in the interior. It had four bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms.


    The entire apartment had a minimalistic interior with abination of modern and antiquity. Even though Xu Mey couldn¡¯t find much furniture in the apartment, it still didn¡¯t give a cold feeling. It was rather cozy.


    The bedroom Ye Jie brought her to gave off an intimate feel with the white sheer canopy, it was reminiscent of a fancy hotel room giving off elegance and dreaminess.


    The wall behind the bed and at one side was of ss with sheer curtains draped over them. Xu Mey could see the beautiful view of bustling city lights from the wall behind the bed and from the other wall, she could see the beautiful dark sky with hazy stars.


    Xu Mey was savoring this beautiful scenery when she felt Ye Jieing closer to him. "Do you like it here?" He asked close to her ear making her shiver.


    "Yes... It¡¯s beautiful. I like the fact that it¡¯s designed with the concept of simple but elegant. Who¡¯s the owner?" Xu Mey gave her opinion and asked.


    "Hmm... Do you remember Ru? I told you a bit about her. This is her apartment." Ye Jie replied. "But I¡¯m the one who designed it. If it was left to her then the whole apartment must have looked like her bedroom." His tone was a bit spleen.


    "What¡¯s her bedroom like?" Xu Mey got curious because of his reaction. Ye Jie didn¡¯t say it in words and silently brought her to the third floor of the apartment and opened a dark mahogany door.


    Xu Mey noticed that while the first 2 floors had a light theme, this third floor gave off a rather dark feeling. When Ye Jie pushed open the door, Xu Mey¡¯s eyes stuck at the wall ahead of her; half of the wall was covered with a wall-mounted waterfall. But it was designed in a peculiar way; on both sides, antique ceramic cups were ced meticulously with water droplets fallings in them at some interval. When the water drops fell in those cups, they produced a musical tune, pleasing to hear. And the waterfall sound added another enchanting effect to it.


    Xu Mey pulled her eyes away from that wall with much effort and looked around in the spacious bedroom. She noticed a few Bonsai Double Shaded Maple Tree pots, Bonsai Rainbow Azalea pots, and some Red Azalea pots. They added a different kind of charm to the room as they were scattered around in the huge room.


    At first, Xu Mey was frowning at the fact that Ye Jie called this room odd. It was clearly a beautifully designed room. But then she caught a particr detail. "Why is there no furniture? Not even a bed?" She asked Ye Jie.


    There was indeed no piece of furniture in the room. Although it was designed beautifully, it was a bedroom without a bed in it. Ye Jie smiled bitterly. "First, my best friend seems to be at odds with sleep." Xu Mey was surprised that his friend was insomniac but it still didn¡¯t give enough reason for not having a bed. "Second, she never needed a bed to sleep on." Xu Mey frowned unconsciously. "She was mostly away from her family. That left her with a habit of sleeping anywhere. This hardwood floor is the mostfortable spot for her."


    Xu Mey wanted to ask further but decided against it. They came back to their bedroom and Xu Mey took off her zer. She was getting ready to sleep since it was already past 3 in the morning when she heard Ye Jie¡¯s voice, "Don¡¯t think I¡¯ll easily forget that you didn¡¯t inform me about you getting hurt. I hold grudges."


    Xu Mey turned to look at him as he was unfastening his buttons. Xu Mey¡¯s eyes followed his hands¡¯ movements. ¡¯Then I just have to pull that grudge out.¡¯ Xu Mey said to herself inwardly as an evil smirk spread on her face.


    She took a deep breath and paced up to him. Ye Jie¡¯s hands stopped as his eyes fell on her feet. He raised his head and before he could say anything, Xu Mey grabbed his shirt¡¯s cor and pulled him towards herself. Just like he gave her a punishment kiss for hiding things from him, she pulled him to punish him for holding a grudge even when she said sorry.


    In reality, the kiss was not a punishment for holding a grudge rather it was for all those new feelings he invoked in her. The butterflies she never felt, the care she never felt before, and the feeling of healing that she never had before. She hated him but also loved him for all those feelings. Because he was putting the pieces back together which life broke inside her.


    She also kissed him because he was her husband. Her HUSBAND! Her Jie!


    The moment she epted him as her own, her heart felt at ease for an unknown reason. Maybe because her heart was tired of her running away from this truth and now that she epted it, her heart was unburdened.


    After his initial stun moment, Ye Jie grabbed her round and fine shoulders with his big hands and possessively his hands ran down her back. Even though there was a jersey top acting as a wall between his hands and her skin, she still felt the warmth making her squirm inwardly. He pulled her against his body making their hips collide leaving no space. On cue, Xu Mey kissed him harder while biting his bottom lip as he did to her before. Most importantly, she was teasing him, challenging his limits.


    Ye Jie took a sharp intake of breath and a low growl escaped from his mouth. It acted as encouragement to Xu Mey who kissed him even harder now as she let her tongue invade his mouth with all its might. Her hands were dugging on his arms trying to ept every pleasure that he gave her and still asking for more.


    His fingers stroked the exposed skin on her neck making her head spin. She realized rather than her possessing him, he was taking the charge now. Out of breath, they pulled away as Ye Jie dropped his forehead gently against hers.


    "May I ask what this was for?" Ye Jie asked breathlessly with a glint of mischief in his eyes.


    "Husband and wife shouldn¡¯t hold grudges." She tried to say her piece but felt it was a pathetic excuse.


    Ye Jie chuckled lightly. "If this activity is the result of having a grudge, I should consider doing it often." He was teasing her and it worked as her face flushed and she tried to push him away but Ye Jie held her shoulders again.


    He slid her shirt off her shoulder a bit and left a trail of kisses up to the spot behind her earlobe making her shiver with pleasure and desire. "If I¡¯m being a gentleman keeping your wound in mind, don¡¯t test my patience." Ye Jie said close to her ear in his deep husky voice.


    Ye Jie left her reeling there and walked towards the bathroom to take a cold shower. He was scared of hurting her and that is why he kept his restraint. Although it was difficult when he looked at her radiant cheeks and delicate neck, he needed to do it. He knew he had to cross a long road until he¡¯ll be able to reach the point topletely own her. But it was a start and it was enough for him.

 Chapter 114 - Ah Jie!

    -At Xu Residence-


    "Mom, I¡¯m not going to apologize to that lowly President Xu. Whoever she is, she can¡¯t have more influence than our family." Xu Liqing screeched as she was on a call with her mother, Fu Lan.


    Fu Lan had to leave the country for some urgent affair and that¡¯s why she had not been able to stand by her daughter through the turmoil.


    "Qing-Qing, we already lost Jade Stones because of that President Xu and I don¡¯t want that person to affect our Xu Enterprises in any way possible." Fu Lan tried to debate with her tantrum queen of a daughter. She decided to stay calm while talking to her daughter grasping entirely about her character. "We can¡¯t risk at this moment we are trying to strike a significant deal with Sandalwood Group of Companies. Don¡¯t mess everything up for me and your dad. You just have to show some remorse to get into the good books of people again."


    Xu Liqing contemted for a while. "Mom, I¡¯ll apologize but not on live tv. So, make sure that no media is there."


    Fu Lan sighed out of relief. "Yes yes... I¡¯ll keep the media away. This Monday go to Vintage Gems office. I¡¯ll inform them about you." She instructed a bit more details to her daughter and hung up the call.


    Xu Liqing was seething with hatred as she picked up a vase and threw it on the floor shattering it into pieces. She skimmed her hand on her dressing table overthrowing all the things to the floor. She was shrieking like an insane person. The fact that she had to apologize to someone was like a p to her face as she felt her face stinging.


    She had never apologized to anyone in her life. She had always been her daddy¡¯s princess and her mother¡¯s jewel. But right now both of her parents were pushing her to bow her head in front of someone else and apologize.


    The fact that was making her act like nonpos mantis was actually that President Xu was said to be from a humble background. And a prideful heiress like Xu Liqing had to bow her head to her; it wasn¡¯t simply feeling offended anymore. It was more of a matter of ego now.


    When people start feeding their ego with illusions, it bes a misery of its own kind. Often times, ego doesn¡¯t just destroy a rtionship, it destroys the soul of a person. As long as ego stays as self-respect, it¡¯s worth keeping. But when that exact ego takes the shape of self-judging, it¡¯s not worth retaining it anymore.


    Ego is just another name for insecurity but we often mistake it as self-esteem. And while feeding our illusion of ego, we disregard the reality of love and care.


    That was the issue with Xu Liqing, she wanted her illusions of ego to stay as her reality while she disregarded the care and love she received from her parents.


    "I¡¯ll make you regret this apology, President Xu!" Xu Liqing said to herself menacingly as she stood in her now unkempt room. There were broken vases, sses, and other things scattered around her. But she wasn¡¯t paying any attention to anything.


    -Joyous Homes, Imperial City-


    "Good morning, Baby!" Xu Mey opened her eyes to see Ye Jieying on his side with his face propped on his palm. His eyes were trained on her sleepy face. The bright sun rays were falling on the back of his head making a halo around him.


    Xu Mey tried to pull the duvet up to hide her face as she thought about thest night events. But Ye Jie didn¡¯t give her a chance. He held the duvet and pulled it off of her face and giggled. He caged her as his body came to hover above hers.


    With both his knees on either side of her hips, he seized her like a predator. But Xu Mey didn¡¯t feel startled or queasy. Rather she felt her heart anticipating his next action. She even felt her own skin craving him to touch it badly.


    Ye Jie dipped his head and left a soft kiss on her forehead. Xu Mey closed her eyes and only felt her soft, gentle kiss as his lips caressed her skin. He moved and kissed her closed eyes, then her cheeks and jawline. But he didn¡¯t kiss her lips. Xu Mey was straining for him to kiss her lips but he kept teasing her by kissing anywhere but her lips.


    "Get up and freshen up. Qi Guan is bringing our brunch." She heard his deep voice before his body¡¯s shadow looming over her own, disappeared.


    When she heard the sound of water, she opened her eyes and raked her fingers through her long hair in frustration. He left her unsatisfied and that too, early in the morning. Xu Mey punched the damn duvet in her indignation. But she couldn¡¯t figure out the reason for indignation at all. It was not like she was ready to let him cross all the boundaries. But his touch made her body burn even when he was touching her with clothes between them.


    ¡¯What will happen if he touched my bare skin?¡¯ Xu Mey shivered on reflex just thinking about it. ¡¯I was such a good girl. What are you doing to me, Jie?¡¯ If only she could ask this question.


    To distract herself, she took her phone and dialed a number. After a single ring, the call connected and came a sweet voice, "Hey, Little Mey! How are you?"


    "Shen-Ge, I¡¯m fine but I need your help. Where are you?" She straight got to the point.


    "I¡¯m in Imperial City for the Neurosurgeon¡¯s Annual Conference. Why? Everything is all right?" His tone showed his concern.


    She waved her hand nonchntly and realized she was on a call and Lin Shen couldn¡¯t see her. "It¡¯s about..." She rted the whole story to Lin Shen about Azalea. "Shen-Ge, can you help?" She asked anxiously.


    Lin Shen stayed quiet for a while letting everything sink in. "Mmm... I can¡¯t promise anything." Xu Mey¡¯s face fell. "But," she felt hopeful again. "Let me visit First Emperor Hospital and check her reports. After that, I¡¯ll let you know my opinion." He neither gave her a false hope nor snatched all her hope away. He gave a straightforward professional reply.


    But that reply was enough for Xu Mey. She smiled widely. "Okay... I¡¯ll ask Jie to let the hospital know about your visit." After that, she talked about useless things and hung up.


    After Ye Jie came out of the shower, he saw her smiling to herself and asked for the reason. Xu Mey told him that Lin Shen was already in Imperial and tonight, he¡¯ll go to check up on Azalea. Ye Jie only smiled and didn¡¯t say anything. He had already hired the best neurosurgeons to check up on Azalea and none of them gave him any hope. Although Lin Shen was also one of the most prestigious neurosurgeons Ye Jie didn¡¯t want to have any hope. But he didn¡¯t want to dampen her mood as well.


    After the freshening up and dressing up in the fresh set of clothes brought by Qi Guan, they sat at the ss dining table and ate the brunch in silence. "When are we leaving for home?" Xu Mey asked after eating.


    "We¡¯re staying in Imperial till Sunday, Baby." He informed her indifferently.


    "What?" Her eyes widened. "Why?" She asked.


    "Because if we went back, my baby will find a reason to go back to the office and this husband of hers doesn¡¯t want that." Ye Jie answered as if talking to a kid.


    "But my ankle doesn¡¯t hurt anymore. It¡¯spletely healed." Ye Jie gave her a look and she gulped guiltily. "Okay... Not healedpletely but it¡¯s much better. It¡¯s the fourth day and I barely feel anything." She was convincing him in any way possible. "Ah Jie, let¡¯s go back. You have to work as well." She tugged at his sleeve shaking her shoulders with a pout.


    "Don¡¯t try to tempt me, baby. I was supposed toe on Sunday and everyone thinks that I¡¯lle back on Sunday. As for you, until those stitches are all gone, you¡¯re gonna stick right by my side." He patted her head like a dog making her scowl. He was about to get up when he halted midair, "What did you just call me?" He just realized that she called him ¡¯Ah Jie¡¯ and he was more than just happy about it.


    "Ah Jie." She replied with a scowl not paying attention to him.


    He grinned widely and pinched her cheeks lightly. "Since you called me so sweetly, I¡¯ll take you out to y." He informed her and took the tes to the kitchen.


    Xu Mey¡¯s scowl was reced with a smile as he mentioned going out. She had been to Imperial plenty of times but sightseeing was never in her itinerary.


    It¡¯s true the person who faced pain will be the one to value pleasure. Especially someone like Xu Mey who had a craving of being cherished buried deep inside. In her goal of avoiding the pain, she was unknowingly pushing the pleasure away from her life as well. But Ye Jie¡¯s presence changed a lot she never thought was possible.

 Chapter 115 - Cherry Blossoms & Cherry Wife

    Ye Jie wore casual denim jeans with a white t-shirt and a denim jacket over it. Very rarely he chose to let his perfectly trimmed hair to be messy and today was one of those days when he left his hairs untouched.


    His brown hair fell over his forehead caressing the edge of his brows. He casually swept them to one side with his hands.


    Xu Mey was sitting beside him in the backseat of his car looking intently at his side profile while his one hand held hers and the other hand held his cell phone to his ear. With the sunlight stroking his side profile, he looked mesmerizing to Xu Mey.


    She was utterly enthralled by his attractive face. As her eyes fell on his soft lips, a reminder of his kisses made her blush in embarrassment and she turned her face to look outside the window.


    Xu Mey read a poem by Nikita Gill, once. It went like this:


    ¡¯Kiss Someone


    who makes you


    feel their magic


    in your bones,


    who makes you wonder


    how can someone


    who looks like


    witchcraft


    at midnight


    taste so holy.¡¯


    Those were Xu Mey¡¯s thoughts about Ye Jie at that time as well. It was really unfair that he not only had a handsome face to bewitch others but he also tasted so divine that he could make Xu Mey forget her own self.


    Xu Mey didn¡¯t know where they were going but in an unknown period of time, she came to have established a blind trust in him. The extent of her trust in him was unknown to her but she knew that she trusted him enough to believe that he won¡¯t hurt her.


    Therefore, as long as he was apanying her, it didn¡¯t matter where they were going.


    The car stopped after driving for more than an hour and Ye Jie helped her ining out of the car. Xu Mey disembarked the car with her hand in his rough ones and looked around with curiosity.


    They were in the northern mountains and as far as Xu Mey could see, there were mountains and tall trees in her sight.


    "We have to walk for a bit," Ye Jie started. "Where I want to take you, our car can¡¯t reach there." He said with a pleasant smile on his face enhancing his enchantment. Xu Mey had to look away to escape his charms.


    Although, Xu Mey couldn¡¯t find many buildings in this area she had a feeling that it was private property. She had seen some security checks when they entered this mountain range. But she didn¡¯t question Ye Jie about it.


    "Let me carry you," Ye Jie suggested thinking about her still hurt ankle.


    "Nooo..." Xu Mey dragged her answer dramatically as she took a couple of steps back. Seeing Ye Jie¡¯s crestfallen face, Xu Mey added, "I mean my ankle is much better. I can really walk." She really tried to convince him.


    "But my heart is not at ease." Ye Jie¡¯s statement made her feel guilty for some reason.


    She contemted for a minute and said, "Then... Erm... How about you give me a piggyback ride?" She suggested herself thinking that it was a safer choice.


    "Piggyback ride?" He quirked his brows seemingly amused. Xu Mey nodded her head like a rattle in excitement. Ye Jie smiled sweetly and squatted down allowing her to climb on his back.


    Xu Mey looped her arms around his back and got on his back. Ye Jie slowly stood up and started walking on the stone path. Xu Mey was looking around at the greenery. There was a strange kind of peace at that ce. The chicks chirping with the sun shining and a faint fragrance of flowers in the air was soothing to Xu Mey.


    "Baby?" Xu Mey heard his deep voice.


    "En." She replied.


    "Is this your first piggyback ride?" Why he asked this question was unknown to Ye Jie. He just noticed that she was really excited about it.


    "Yup. It¡¯s the first time. Who else will give me a ride?" She retorted absentmindedly.


    "Your d-" Ye Jie bit his own tongue not daring toplete his sentence. He wanted to ask about her dad but realized that he¡¯ll spoil her mood with just her father¡¯s name. He coughed a bit and continued walking in silence.


    After walking for 20 minutes, Ye Jie ced Xu Mey down. She was looking around with wide eyes.


    They were standing between a beautiful cherry blossom forest. The cherry blossoms were in full bloom. The pink blooms entranced Xu Mey. Her surrounding was full green a moment ago and now, it looked like she walked inside pink heaven.


    Looking at her face filled with happiness, Ye Jie asked, "Do you like it?"


    She tilted her head to look at his brown eyes looking at her. "Like it? I love it. Cherry blossoms are my favorites." She told him. "How did you know I love cherry blossoms?" She asked.


    "I didn¡¯t." He replied making her frown. It was true that Ye Jie didn¡¯t know about her liking for cherry blossoms but he knew that he loved her cherry lips and he really wanted to show her this ce that reminded him of her. But he didn¡¯t tell her that. "I just brought you here for hanami [1]. Also, because you¡¯re my cherry wife." He replied.


    "But we don¡¯t have a pic basket." Xu Mey argued and ignored thest statement. He smiled again and pointed his finger in a direction ahead of them. As Xu Mey followed the direction of his finger, she saw a beautiful pavilion in the middle of the cherry blossom forest with a table full of delicacies.


    Xu Mey looked back at Ye Jie¡¯s face and said, "Thanks for being so meticulous, Ah Jie."


    The moment she said ¡¯Ah Jie¡¯ Ye Jie¡¯s heart missed a beat. He ced a hand over his chest. "Are you okay, Ah Jie?" She looked worried but Ye Jie¡¯s heart really was in disarray. Ye Jie only nodded to assure her that he was fine.


    He had heard Ah Jie plenty of times from other people then why did the way she said it, was different? ¡¯If only you knew what you¡¯re doing to me, baby.¡¯ He thought.


    ¡¯If only you knew what it means for me to stand here with you, Ah Jie.¡¯ Xu Mey thought looking at him.


    [1] Hanami: It¡¯s a Japenese tradition known as flower-viewing and picking under the blooms.

 Chapter 116 - Sweet Mouth

    Every person has some expectations from their life partners. Xu Mey didn¡¯t have any. But now, she slowly developed some. One of those expectations was that she wanted Ye Jie to see her real self and still be the way he was right now.


    She¡¯d been waking up every morning for years with a facade.


    But he was the person she wanted to show her real self. She was scared more than she had ever been about losing him all of a sudden. But telling him was also inevitable. She didn¡¯t want their rtionship to be based on the deceptions she lived.


    The girl who was scared of being exposed wanted to show her scars. It was one of those times when someone noticed her presence. He not only noticed her but he was also too solicitous towards her sentiments as well.


    Care...


    Sometimes this word was really scary. Especially, when we believe that we won¡¯t be able to give back what we received from the others.


    Sitting under the pavilion with the pink blooms surrounding them, they chatted about random things while enjoying the sushi, caviar sd, along with fresh fruits and other snacks.


    Xu Mey suddenly asked, "Isn¡¯t this a private property?"


    Ye Jie replied, "It is indeed a private property."


    "How did you manage to get inside?" Xu Mey pried a bit.


    "Because I own this." He answered. Xu Mey looked at him agape. Seeing her mouth agape, Ye Jie ced a tangerine inside her mouth and further added, "Actually, I even have my own apartment in Joyous Homes it¡¯s right underneath the one we¡¯re staying at. But it¡¯s renovating and that¡¯s why I had to take you to my friend¡¯s apartment." He took a pause. "As for this mountain range... Although I don¡¯t own all of thends here this particr Cherry blossom forest is my own."


    Xu Mey nodded in understanding. "Any special reason for buying this ce?" She asked.


    "Erm..." He thought for a moment. "I don¡¯t remember. Actually, it was on the spur of a moment." He replied honestly.


    After some time, both of them strolled along the flora and fauna, side by side. On Xu Mey¡¯s insistence, Ye Jie had to let her walk on her own. As they came out of the Cherry forest, they reached a wide ground.


    There was a man-made cascading waterfall with a pond at one side. It was bordered by purple Geranium ¡¯Rozanne¡¯ and white Lysimachia clethroides. The artwork of stones to create the cascading waterfall along with small pebbles gave it another kind of elegance.


    There were Lotus flowers floating in the pond giving it anotheryer of enchantment. The warm glow of the evening made the atmosphere heavenly. "I almost forgot..." She heard Ye Jie¡¯s voice and looked back at him. He stretched his hand which held a Aster flower towards her making her quirk her brows.


    "What¡¯s with this Aster? You always gave me a Daisy." It was true that Ye Jie had been giving her Daisy flowers almost every day. It was the first time, he gave her an Aster flower which surprised her.


    "Daisy was for you being so innocent and for our friendship while this Aster is for our thoughtfulness towards each other, fidelity in our rtionship and patience which we both need to love each other." Xu Mey felt a tug at her heart. She had nothing to say. She was left speechless all over again by his words.


    "We are taking another step?" She was asking about their rtionship.


    "This is me taking a step towards you." He replied as he did take another steping closer to her. "I know we have a long journey ahead of us. But the feelings brought by these small steps are worthwhile."


    Xu Mey smiled. "Baby, stop smiling like that. You¡¯re making me so want to take a leap and make love to you right here." She instantly stopped smiling.


    "No, you can¡¯t!" She retorted.


    "Why not?" He asked taking another step towards her with a glint of mischief in his eyes. She unconsciously took a step back. She was about to take another step when Ye Jie hurried up to hold her body with his arm around her back. She instinctively looked back and realized that she was going to fall into the pond if not for Ye Jie holding her.


    Xu Mey could hear her own heartbeat mixed together with his in this silent evening. She didn¡¯t know whose heart was beating faster but she believed that her own was the loudest.


    "I need to tell you something." She said as she thought it was necessary that he knew about it. "You can¡¯t do that."


    "Why not?" He asked even when he knew the answer.


    She didn¡¯t know how to say it but looking into his brown eyes, she managed to say, "I have two reasons. First, doing ¡¯that¡¯..." She was referring to s-e-x. "is a very huge step." Ye Jie listened attentively without any intention of interrupting her or leaving her. "I believe that s-e-x is not all about physical intimacy. You don¡¯t just offer your body to the other person, you¡¯re showing them your most vulnerable state. Seeing a person¡¯s naked body is like reading their souls." She paused. "And I don¡¯t want you to read the lies I¡¯ve been living and telling people. Before taking that leap, you need to know mepletely."


    Ye Jie had a weird kind of feeling. He was feeling touched and also he was feeling proud that his wife made an attempt to talk about the things running in her mind. "My silly wife," he flicked her forehead lightly. "I gave that Aster flower to you because I meant the same thing. If I wanted to take that leap, I would have done it on our wedding night but that would have been meaningless. Just like I need your patience in knowing me and bearing with me, I¡¯m ready to give you the exact same patience in return."


    Silence prevailed for a moment as Xu Mey felt a gush of warmth because of his words. He really had a sweet mouth.


    "What¡¯s the second thing?" He asked as he remembered she said there were two reasons.


    Xu Mey shook her head and coughed awkwardly. "Second reason might be odd to you..."

 Chapter 117 - A Romantic Fool

    Xu Mey twisted to make some distance between her and Ye Jie. She was pondering about how to say it and decided to be straightforward. "I¡¯m a Virgin."


    She said it conviction but didn¡¯t dare to turn around to look at Ye Jie who was busy in trying to stiffle hisugh. From their wedding night he knew that she was a virgin but why she thought it was something off putting was far from his understanding.


    The way she was fidgeting with the hem of her shirt made Ye Jie want to y oblivious. He thought if he told her that he already figured that fact then she might be embarrassed about it. "Oh!" He tried his best to put a surprised tone. "What makes you think that it¡¯s something bad?" He was really curious about the answer.


    Xu Mey pursed her lips. "Jun Li Na once told me that most men nowadays prefer to have a experienced life partner." She started as Ye Jie paced to stand beside her. "A girl at my age and still a virgin is said to be an unstable woman. She said most men believes that sexually inexperienced girls are clingy and easily tempted. Also, they are emotionally unstable."


    "Thats not always the case, some do look for virgin pure girls, " hemented after listening to her. Her statement exined why she was nervous about talking.


    "Yes, it¡¯s not always like that. But she also said that the men that are looking for a pure girl expect too much from them. My virginity was my choice and I don¡¯t want others to judge me for that." She exined.


    Ye Jie held her shoulders and made her look at him. "I¡¯ll be lying if I said that I¡¯m not d about you being a virgin. But I also would have no problem if you were not pure. What I needed was never a pure body, I needed someone¡¯s pure heart and feelings for me." He ced his rough palm against her cheek. "The reason I¡¯m d for is that I¡¯ll be the first person to not only touch your body but also your heart and soul. Because that¡¯s where I want to stay; your heart. Now that¡¯s different that staying in your arms doesn¡¯t feel bad as well." He tried to make her smile and it worked as she showed him her pearly white toothy grin.


    He patted her head like a kid and said, "Now, look over there." He turned body and made her look up at the sky.


    Suddenly, the hazy evening sky was painted with hundreds of colors. The beautiful fireworks under the vast sky with Ye Jie standing right behind her with his arms looped around her waist made it seem like a fairytale dream to Xu Mey and for the first time, Xu Mey didn¡¯t want this dream to end.


    "Why did you put so much effort? Look all the fireworks are gonna fade away." Leave it to Xu Mey to ruin a perfect moment.


    "Baby, what did you just feel?" Ye Jie asked patiently, he had expected her reply earlier.


    "There were fireworks and they were beautiful for a while and I felt happy, contented and warm." She answered.


    "You once told me that time means nothing to you rather its the moments that make the time worthwhile." Xu Mey pondered and realized that¡¯s what she had written in the letter that she gave him. "This was a moment for you to remember. Even though the fireworks ended, I want you to remember that feeling which they brought in you because that is OUR moment."


    Xu Mey felt something stinging in her eyes and her throat was prickling. It was a very first time that she was emotionally overwhelmed.


    "Why are you so nice to me?" She didn¡¯t realize that she had said it out loud.


    Ye Jie turned her body towards himself and said, "It¡¯s not that I¡¯m nice to you. I never thought myself to be nice or perfect. I have many secrets and many imperfections. But you make me want to be perfect... Perfect for you. I want to let go of all my imperfections so that you could lean on my shoulders whenever you¡¯re tired from your fight. I don¡¯t want you to ask for my help because I know how much independent you want to be. I just want you to hold my hand so that I can help you cross this storm of your past and your future revenge."


    The tears Xu Mey was holding onto trickled down her face with full force without her realizing it. Seeing her tears, Ye Jie got anxious. "What¡¯s wrong baby? Did i say something wrong? Or does your ankle hurt?" He was worriedly looking at her.


    Xu Mey shook her head and tried to say something but choked on her tears. She put her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly. "Thank you!" She managed to say in her hoarse voice.


    Ye Jie rubbed her back to soothe her. "Thank you for being you, Ah Jie! I know how it must be frustrating to deal with someone like me. But I¡¯m grateful that you have the patience to let me say it on my own pace. And thank you for epting me as your wife. Although i still have no clue about what made you ept me as your wife."


    Ye Jie smiled against her hair and said, "That fighter brave girl inside of you made me ept you as my wife. No matter how much life broke you, you still had that creed in your yourself that you can challenge not only the world but also your destiny. "


    It was the first time, Ye Jie recognized the reason for epting her as his wife. It was bizarre that he chose a wife who didn¡¯t need his help in everything but that made him want to stand by her side even more.


    She was that precious treasure that needed to change even his own destiny. ¡¯My dear cherry wife is not even realizing that she has turned me into a romantic fool.¡¯ Ye Jie thought to himself with a satisfied look look on his face.

 Chapter 118 - Beauty Before Bros

    These moments and words brimming with endearment brought agony and a weird kind of ecstasy for Xu Mey. It was an agony that they were hugging and yet she could feel a space between them. That space was her own secrets.


    It was pure ecstasy that she felt drawn to his brown eyes... Oh, those brown eyes that slowly were engulfing her in their enchantment. It felt like a spell that could change not only her life but also her beliefs as well. Yet, she so badly wanted to stay enchanted.


    In her dark life, he entered as a firefly and that small firefly was beginning to turn into a beautiful moon drawing light to her dark world. She didn¡¯t know whether she was ready to face that light but she knew that she wanted to explore that bright world for once. To see what it felt like to stand under the care of a beautiful moon guiding you through the dark night.


    When they both left that ce, they felt relieved like the barrier between them had formed cracks in it. And through those cracks, they were able to see each other in a different way.


    -First Emperor Hospital-


    Since Xu Mey asked Lin Shen for help and he promised toe at night, both Xu Mey and Ye Jie came to the hospital as well.


    "Little Mey!" Xu Mey heard a sweet voice and instantly turned to Lin Shen with a cheeky grin.


    "Shen-Ge, thanks foring." Lin Shen frowned a little.


    "When did my Little Mey started thanking her Shen-Ge?" He rubbed her head like a pet and said, "Shen-Ge can never say no to his Little Mey."


    Ye Jie shook his hand with Lin Shen to show his gratitude foring. Lin Shen walked inside Azalea¡¯s hospital room leaving Xu Mey and Ye Jie outside to wait.


    If Ye Jie said that he wasn¡¯t hopeful then he would be lying. He definitely wanted Azalea to wake up. She was the key to his reality and somehow he was scared of opening that vault of reality and yet he wanted to open it. There was as much fear as much there was anticipation. He was fidgeting in his seat while tapping his foot on the clean marble floor constantly.


    Seeing Ye Jie fidgeting, Xu Mey ced her hand over his knee which halted his movement of tapping. As Ye Jie tilted his head to look at her with arched brows, he was met with her radiant smile reassuring him. "Rx, Ah Jie! Everything will be alright."


    When he heard ¡¯Ah Jie¡¯ againbined with that smile, it made his mind go nk for a moment. He kept staring at her eyes without blinking. ¡¯Gosh! Her face was enough to tempt me, why does she have to say Ah Jie so sweetly?¡¯ He thought to himself.


    "Let me bring some coffee for you," she walked away saying that leaving Ye Jie stuck to his seat in his frozen posture.


    As he saw her figure disappearing out of sight, Ye Jie was jolted awake from his daze. He rummaged out his cell phone and dialed a number. It took a while before he heard a displeased voice, "What the hell do you want at this hour?" Ru¡¯s voice was a bit sleepy and Ye Jie realized that he must have woken her up which meant she was burning with fury at the moment.


    "Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed," Ye Jiemented with amusement.


    "And who the f*ck woke me up?" She asked with indignation.


    "How would I know?" Ye Jie deflected her tone and asked with sheer curiosity.


    "You!" She roared making Ye Jieugh. Ru calmed herself and asked, "Why did you ruin my sleep? I barely slept for half an hour." Ye Jie was right when he said that Ru was insomniac. She barely slept and that was what made her so moody. Although Ye Jie felt guilty for ruining her sleep he wasn¡¯t going to ept it.


    "I needed to tell you something," he said with a pleasant voice and a fawning smile.


    "What is it?" She asked giving him attention as she was awake anyway and there was no way to sleep anymore.


    "You once said that the amount of sugar I consume will make me diabetic one day."


    "Uh huh... I said it, so what?"


    "So, I think it¡¯s not the sugar that¡¯s gonna make me diabetic but rather the way my baby calls me Ah Jie," he told her with a pleasant tone.


    "Omo Omo Omo[1]! When did you have a baby? And why didn¡¯t anyone inform me? This is such big news and I¡¯m left in the dark? This is so not fair!" Ye Jie had the urge to get inside the cell phone to punch her face for being so dramatic. She really was taking revenge for waking her up.


    "That¡¯s enough, Ru¡¯er!" He said through clenched teeth.


    She smirked at the other end and added, "There are so many words used for endearments like Honey, Cookie, Sugar and h h h... Why do you have to call her baby?"


    Since she was being impossible, Ye Jie decided to reciprocate her feelings. "Because if I called her Cookie then I¡¯ll want to eat her and if I called her honey then I¡¯ll want to lick her."


    "Yuck!" He heard her voice making him giggle. "E... F*ck Off, you shameless person!"


    "You¡¯re the one who started it," he replied calmly taking pleasure in her feeling disgusting.


    "Get to the business," she said annoyingly.


    "You know when she calls me Ah Jie, I feel a tug at my heart as if it¡¯s melting like a marshmallow." He told her thinking about the times Xu Mey called him Ah Jie.


    "Congrattions, my friend!" He heard Ru¡¯s loud voice with a couple of pping sounds. "A big round of apuse for you."


    "Why?" He frowned.


    "Because you¡¯ve finally moved on from your ex." She said in a matter-of-fact kind of tone.


    His frown deepened. "I tried to forget her for 6 months and it didn¡¯t work. What makes you think that it changed in 2 months?"


    "Aish! You seem to have forgotten that I told you; there are two ways to fall out of love, either someone has to push you out of it or someone has to pull you out of it." She exined in anguid manner getting over her earlier frustration. "In your case, Lu Yuhan pushed you out but you were stuck somewhere and Xu Mey managed to pull you out from wherever you were stuck."


    "Are you sure that I¡¯m over Lu Yuhan?" He asked with uncertainty.


    "I just said her name and you said her name as well, did you feel anything?" She asked in return.


    "Not really." He retorted. "It was like saying any other name."


    "There you have it. That was the crux of all my banter. Her name had an effect until she mattered in some way. Right now, you seem to have let her go because you unconsciously believe that her leaving you made your life better."


    "Because her departure brought Xu Mey in my life." He realized the meaning behind her long exnation.


    "Finally, you got it, Ah Jie."


    Ye Jie scowled. "Hei! Don¡¯t you dare call me Ah Jie from now on."


    "Why? I always called you Ah Jie. What changed now?" She asked seemingly amused by his antics.


    "Because now only my baby can call me Ah Jie. No one else is allowed to do it. It only suits when she says it in her soft, sugary voice."


    "Huh! Now, this is the ssic example of Beauty before Bros." With that, Ru hung up the call.


    [1] Omo Omo Omo: Oh My Gosh!

 Chapter 119 - Deja Vu

    Ru was left awfully irked by Ye Jie¡¯s call; not because of his words but rather his call itself that came as a bucket of cold water to sabotage her sleep. She was exasperatingly ruffling her short hair when her phone rang again. Her hand tightened around her cell phone as she stared at the caller id.


    She attended the call and said in a courteous and professional tone, "Dear customer, your subscription to this channel has expired. Kindly, look for another channel to share your issues. Thank you!" She was very pleased with herself when she hung the call up again.


    But the phone rang again in a minute making her scowl. Before she could say anything, she heard Ye Jie¡¯s strained voice, "If you went about the same bullsh*t again, I¡¯m going to murder you."


    Ru humphed at the other end. "What? What do you want now?" She asked in an enraged manner.


    "Can¡¯t you keep your mood swings in check?" He asked politely.


    "I can until people like you ruin my sleep." She retorted with a straight face. "Now, please do tell me what was left to tell me? Wasn¡¯t the dog food you served earlier enough?"


    Ye Jie chuckled when she mentioned ¡¯dog food¡¯. "Aiyo! Our Ru¡¯er is feeling jealous. That¡¯s a first." He conjured.


    "Ha... Ha... Ha..." She gave a dryugh making him roll his eyes. "First, I can¡¯t possibly be jealous. At least, not from you. Second, you very well know that these endearing acts or names annoy me and yet you said all that to make me feel obnoxious. Third, I do know that you¡¯re gonna ask for something. Therefore, don¡¯t waste your own and my time."


    In fact, Ye Jie was more than familiar with the fact that Ru was raised in an atmosphere where feelings like jealousy were not allowed and she never learned it as well. As for love, it was something she only researched about but never got to experience it herself.


    "Fine! I want your specially brewed Peach wine."


    "Have you lost your mind? What gave it away that I¡¯ll actually share it with you?" She asked as if she was talking to an idiot.


    "Well, it¡¯s not like you¡¯re going to drink it yourself. You said it yourself that you¡¯re bored of alcohol." Ye Jie reminded her.


    "I¡¯m bored of alcohol, not my peach wine." She argued.


    "Don¡¯t try to wiggle your way out by ying the word game. Just give me some."


    "Fine!" She grumbled. "But now if you disturbed me, I¡¯ll kill you."


    "Wait!" She heard Ye Jie¡¯s hurried voice.


    "Now what?" She asked.


    "I¡¯m at the First Emperor Hospital and Xu Mey asked her best friend, Lin Shen for help... You know about Azalea... He¡¯s inside her room checking her vitals and reports. It doesn¡¯t look good." Ye Jie informed her in a forlorn way.


    "Huh! That¡¯s not fair. You never asked me for help. Even when you know that I¡¯m unbeatable at tradition medicine." Sheined in a dramatic way.


    "If I asked would you havee back to the country? You don¡¯t even want to set your foot back here. How was I supposed to ask for help?"


    "If you as my best friend had asked, I¡¯d havee back no matter how much it killed me inside, I¡¯d havee to help." She said.


    "Then I¡¯m asking you now... Ru¡¯er pleasee back and help me wake up my sister... Because I know you can do that. And because you know how much I want her to wake up."


    "Let¡¯s talk some other time." He heard her distant voice before she hung up the call.


    "See! You avoided this matter. At least, tell me what did this ce have done to you?" Ye Jie was talking to no one in particr.


    Meanwhile...


    "Aiya! Did he really had to request this?" Ru raked her fingers through her hair and chuckled, "Looks like I¡¯ll have to see that country all over again." She sighed loudly.


    While she was still immersed in pondering about her next course of action, her phone rang again making her grown. She nced at the phone screen and couldn¡¯t help saying, "This husband and wife are really hellbent on annoying me today."


    "Hello!" She changed her voice texture and answered the phone.


    "How are you Sensei?" Xu Mey asked in a soft voice.


    ¡¯I¡¯m pissed off!¡¯ Of course, she couldn¡¯t say it out loud to her. She clenched her hands into tight fists to bridle her anger. "I¡¯m absolutely fine but I¡¯m sure, you didn¡¯t call to ask about my well-being."


    "Sensei..." Xu Mey¡¯s voice turned gentler as if she was hesitating. On the other end, Ru kept her patience and waited for Xu Mey to continue. "I think I¡¯m falling in love with Ah Jie..."


    When Ru heard ¡¯Ah Jie¡¯ from Xu Mey she realized the reason for Ye Jie¡¯s hyperbole. He wasn¡¯t being an extrovert. The way Xu Mey said ¡¯Ah Jie¡¯ really felt like she had deposited all her affection, love and trust into that one name. "Is it a bad thing?" Ru asked in hernguid tone.


    "I¡¯m not sure... I¡¯m really confused." Xu Mey replied.


    "Does he bring you peace?" Ru asked.


    "He does... He makes me feel at ease. It¡¯s almost like I can be myself, throwing away all the facades."


    "You must have heard that when you feel confused, look for peace. Right now, you only need to focus on the fact that even if Ye Jie confuse you, he is also the one to bring peace to you. So, keep that in mind and just walk ahead." Ru took a pause and said, "If it¡¯s unknown whether this fall breaks you or not, then why not just jump with the belief that maybe... Just maybe, it will be an endless abyss that won¡¯t be able to break you."


    Xu Mey contemted the words for a while and said, "Sensei, did you wake up on the wrong side of the bed?"


    Ru had a deja vu moment. ¡¯Do they have to be so in sync?¡¯ She thought to herself. "Let¡¯s just say that I did."


    "I am such a nuisance, right? I always end up troubling you with my worries when they have nothing to do with you. But Sensei, I have a favor to ask." Xu Mey was reflecting on the fact that she had to disturb her Sensei all the time.


    "What¡¯s the favor?" Ru asked with interest disregarding her other words.


    "I need you toe back to the country for that. Please, Sensei! Azalea... I¡¯m sure you know about Azalea... She needs your help." Xu Mey pleaded.


    "Didn¡¯t you ask your best friend, Lin Shen for help?" Ru asked with amusement.


    "I know Shen-Ge¡¯s reply. I have done my research very well. I just didn¡¯t want Ah Jie to feel disappointed."


    "What gives you the courage that I¡¯ll be able to help her?"


    "Sensei, you brought me back to life when you¡¯re just 12 years old. If your talent in traditional medicine was at that level during that period then I hardly need to think twice about your monstrous talent now." Xu Mey remembered clearly when she met her Sensei, she was heavily injured and even had poison in her body but still, her Sensei managed to save her.


    "Let¡¯s see about that. Mey-Ai..." There was a pause before Ru spoke again. "Look inside your heart and if you can¡¯t find your husband in there then don¡¯t bother looking anywhere else." The call disconnected after that.


    "I can¡¯t even say no to my best friend, how can I say no to the person he loves the most? His precious Junior, I¡¯ll listen to you. This friendship is really expensive." Ru was talking to herself. Sitting at the hard and cold floor, she looked around and finally, picked up her jacket to leave to leave the room.

 Chapter 120 - She Needs Her Family

    Xu Mey and Ye Jie were sipping on their coffee which Xu Mey brought when Lin Shen walked out of Azalea¡¯s room. Both of them abruptly stood up.


    Lin Shen looked at their anxious faces and didn¡¯t know what to tell them. Ye Jie tried to smile which was rather sad. "Don¡¯t hesitate. I believe I¡¯ve already heard the worst case scenario." He said.


    "On the surface, her vitals appear to be fine but her mind is irresponsive. She¡¯s in this state because of a traumatic road ident. I have checked her CAT, MRI and EEG report. And her GCS (*) shows the score of 6 which indicates that it¡¯s aa. But I believe that she can hear everything because I¡¯ve measured the level of electrical activity in her brain. 15-20 percent of people in this so-called vegetative state are fully conscious. We need to stimte her senses of touch, sound, smell, and vision." He exined in a professional tone while use as simple words as possible.


    "How can we do that?" Xu Mey asked while unconsciously she held Ye Jie¡¯s hand. Ye Jie looked at her soft hand and lifted his hand to see Lin Shen again.


    "You can stimte her senses by holding her hand but remember that we humans are sensitive to touch and a patient even in aa can discern a person¡¯s touch. So, it¡¯s better, that the person in close proximity is someone she¡¯sfortable with. As for the sense of sound, you can talk to her. Tell her about things like what¡¯s happening around and how much she is needed. Also, use her favorite perfume, flowers or food as a way to stimte her sense of smell." Lin Shen turned to Ye Jie. "You¡¯ll either have to move to Imperial or you¡¯ll have to take her with you to City Star. Because she needs yourpany."


    Ye Jie pursed his lips. "I brought her to the Imperial because First Emperor Hospital is the best in our country with the top doctors and facilities."


    Lin Shen smiled. "Well, I should thank you for thinking so highly of my family¡¯s hospital but we also have a hospital in City Star known as Star Emperor Hospital. Although the doctors can¡¯t match up the facilities won¡¯t becking in any way possible."


    "This is your hospital?" Ye Jie asked skeptically.


    "Not mine... My family¡¯s." Lin Shen replied with his usual sweet smile.


    "Your family¡¯s?" Ye Jie frowned. He knew about Lin Shen¡¯s own reputation as a renowned surgeon but he never pried about his family. He never felt the need to. That is why he was clearly surprised.


    "Ah Jie," Ye Jie turned to look at Xu Mey when he heard her soft voice. "Shen-Ge¡¯s family controls 70% of the health department in our country. The most renowned hospitals in the country are under the Lin family¡¯s name."


    Ye Jie pondered a bit and realized that he read it in a newspaper that the Lin Family of Imperial controlled the medicine and health department in most of the country. They had a history of prestigious surgeons but all of them kept a low-profile, only allowing their achievements to talk on their behalf.


    Seeing Ye Jie¡¯s hesitation, Lin Shen added, "You don¡¯t have to worry at all. I¡¯m gonna stay at City Star Emperor Hospital for the next few months until my wedding. So, I¡¯ll take care of Azalea myself. Even when I won¡¯t be able to, I¡¯ll ask Dr. Gao to make a trip to City Star from Imperial."


    Ye Jie nodded. "I¡¯ll make the arrangements for her." He said but Lin Shen shook his head.


    "You don¡¯t have to do anything. Leave it to me. I¡¯ll take care of everything." He said.


    "Thank you!" Ye Jie was truly grateful for his help.


    Lin Shen went to make the arrangements while Xu Mey ced her hand over Ye Jie¡¯s shoulder and said, "Ah Jie, you don¡¯t have to worry at all. Even if Shen-Ge¡¯s method won¡¯t work, I¡¯ve asked my Sensei for help as well. I¡¯m sure he¡¯lle to help Azalea."


    Ye Jie smiled looking at her rosy cheeks. "Do you believe that Azalea will be fine?" He asked.


    "My Sensei once told me, often times, a person needs to believe in things that seem impossible at first. For you, believing is very necessary because I can tell you that your sister believes in you. And you need to keep her believe and with that, we can bring her back." She smiled a radiant smile and added, "She needs your support and she needs her family. We need to bring her family."


    Ye Jie stiffened when she talked about family. Xu Mey noticed and patted his shoulder before saying, "You should talk to her, I¡¯ll be with Shen-Ge." She sauntered away from him.


    Ye Jie walked inside Azalea¡¯s room and sat beside her on the bed. He took her frail hand in his own hands. "Zelie, it¡¯s not that I don¡¯t want your parents toe here. It¡¯s just that I don¡¯t have the courage to ept or deal with that truth yet. I need you to wake up and stand by my side, guiding me through all of these lies. Actually, I don¡¯t want to ept this reality unless you say it yourself. You have to tell me that I¡¯m your brother, only then will I be able to ept that I¡¯ve been living a life of lies until now."


    Until now, Ye Jie was living with illusions and illusions are always pleasant and beautiful. But illusions can¡¯t bring happiness; not the real one at the very least. Realities don¡¯t just have the habit of pping you hard in the face, they have a habit of burning you into ashes. Burning us is a way of challenging us... And when realities challenge us, we often end saying a tender goodbye to our lives and dreams. But what we need is to rise up and let that reality of present turn into a reality of past because the reality is an illusion in itself.


    (*):sgow Coma Scale: It checks the severity of brain damage. Doctors take a score of eyes, verbal and motor reflexes and 8 or less indicates that it is indeed aa. While the rate of 9-12 indicates that the condition is moderate. As for the higher score, it means the impairment to consciousness is minor.

 Chapter 121 - Brother-In-Law Is Meticulous

    From Wednesday night to Sunday morning, Xu Mey and Ye Jie stayed in Imperial City. Since Ye Jie took special care of Xu Mey, her ankle was much better. Both of them drove back to City Star and reached the Peach Estates in the afternoon.


    When they set foot inside the house, Xu Mey entered her study room and asked Ye Jie to not disturb her at all. She had been away from work for the whole week and she had much to catch up on. Vintage was opening stores in Paris and she had to see the design ns and business ns herself to feel assured.


    Ye Jie had just finished up taking a shower when he heard the doorbell and he had toe downstairs. The person standing at the door was not grinning like usual instead he had a ck face filled with a grievance. "Bro, how can you do this to me? Why didn¡¯t you tell me that you came back? I had so much to tell you. There are so many things that happened while you were gone. Sis-inw got hurt but that¡¯s just one thing, more shocking thing is-" He was interrupted when Ye Jie held his lips to make him shut up.


    "You knew about your sister-inw¡¯s injury and you didn¡¯t bother telling me about it?" That was the only thing that caught Ye Jie¡¯s attention.


    Ye Jun felt wronged and hurriedly said, "I wanted to tell you. Believe me! But sis-inw didn¡¯t allow me to."


    "She said and you listened?" Ye Jie was most familiar with his brother and he knew how much Ye Jun avoided being obedient.


    "Bro, she said that if I will tell you then you¡¯ll be worried for no reason at all. When she put it this way, I had to listen to her." Ye Jun was desperately trying to make his brother believe him.


    "Jun," Ye Jie pped the back of his head making him wince in pain and said, "stop making excuses to me."


    Ye Jie¡¯s insinuation broke Ye Jun¡¯s heart and he humphed before turning away to leave and yet halted a few steps away from the door. "I was going to tell you a shocking discovery about sis-inw but now, I won¡¯t say a word." Ye Jun turned his head away from Ye Jie and instead of walking towards the door came back inside to sprawl on the couch.


    Ye Jie neither noticed on his words nor on his actions and ascended the stairs to dry his wet hair. Ye Jun looked around when he heard a door¡¯s sound. "Oh look, it¡¯s my most cunning sis-inw." Ye Jun whisper-yelled looking at Xu Mey making her perplexed.


    Seeing her confused look, Ye Jun added, "I never thought that my sis-inw would be inexplicably precocious."


    Xu Mey squinted her eyes and awkwardly said, "Thank you!"


    "Don¡¯t just thank me yet..." He looked around to see whether his brother was around or not and after confirming that Ye Jie was still upstairs said, "President Xu."


    Xu Mey¡¯s body stiffened as her eyes widened. She turned to see him crossing his arms over his chest with wrinkles on his forehead. "How did...?" She didn¡¯t know how to say it but Ye Jun was meticulous today.


    "When the next time you so mboyantly walk on the golf course and throw something at someone¡¯s face like a p and a bracelet, do take note of your surroundings." Ye Jun was perceptibly amused to see that nched look on Xu Mey¡¯s face. She remembered the tandem of people on the golfing ground but she really didn¡¯t pay attention to anyone there. How would she know that Ye Jun had some connection with Master Shuang?"


    "Did you tell your...?" She again didn¡¯tplete the question.


    "I was nning on telling brother but then I thought you should be the one to tell him not me." He lied with a rightful stance. He only nned to not tell when Ye Jie pped his head for no reason. But he didn¡¯t want to ept that reason before Xu Mey at all.


    When they both heard a door¡¯s sound from upstairs, Xu Mey had to drag Ye Jun to her own study room. She locked the door and turned to look at him. "How do you know him?" She was referring to Fu Shuang and even Ye Jun understood that.


    "I¡¯ve known him since high school. And I know you from the past 4 years." Xu Mey frowned. "Remember that trip to Paris?" Xu Mey remembered it very well. That¡¯s where she met Fu Shuang as President Xu for the first time. "I was there with Fu Shuang. I was there when he was dreamily enchanted by you on the Eiffel tower. I was with him when he followed you under the soft light of the moon. And I was also there when he left those red tulips in front of your hotel room."


    "Why didn¡¯t you recognize me then?" Xu Mey asked with curiosity.


    "First, it was 4 years ago. Second, it was evening when I saw your side profile and even then that idiot Fu Shuang was blocking my view. He was afraid that I¡¯d be charmed by you as well. Third, I never expected to meet you as the infamous Xu Mey of Xu Family." Ye Jun exined in detail as they kept silent for a long while. Ye Jun sighed tiredly. "Do you know that I might have not seen you in years but there has never been a week passed in which I didn¡¯t hear about you?"


    Xu Mey didn¡¯t speak anything at all. "I thought Fu Shuang was obsessed with you like he always had been with other people or things. But I was wrong." He stopped talking for a bit and looked at Xu Mey with an indescribable look in his eyes. "Sis-inw, you¡¯ve been consistent in his life for the past four years. And even now, you don¡¯t know how much he drank that night because of those ps. He got alcohol poisoning and is still in the hospital."


    "Jun, are you trying to tell me that I should sympathize with him? And give him hope when I already am in your brother¡¯s life?"


    "Noooo... I¡¯m scared that his devotion might sway you. It¡¯s not like you love my brother and I don¡¯t want my brother to break again. It was hard enough for him thest time." Ye Jun was really concerned about his brother since he had seen how crazy Fu Shuang had been for Xu Mey. Any girl might get swayed with his moves. Especially when Fu Shuang had the history of getting what he wanted.


    "Let me assure you of one thing. No matter what, Master Fu Shuang and I can never be together." Ye Jun saw sheer resolution in her eyes and it stunned him.


    "What did he do to make you hate him so much?" He asked in a daze.


    Xu Mey snickered. "Did you tell him that my full name is Xu Mey and I¡¯m from the Xu family?" Ye Jun shook his head. "What he did is to ¡¯Xu Mey¡¯ while he¡¯s obsessed with President Xu. His obsession has nothing to do with me. My life only has Ah Jie in it now. And I don¡¯t n on changing that at all."


    Ye Jun didn¡¯t know why but he believed her. Xu Mey took a deep breath and asked, "You were here to ask me the exact same question on Wednesday as well, right?"


    "Yeah... I did... But then I changed the question tactfully." He replied. After a pause, he added, "I won¡¯t ask you what he did to ¡¯Xu Mey¡¯ but sis-inw, you need to look for me if hees between you and bro."


    Xu Mey smiled at him. "Rx, my brother-inw, I¡¯ll make sure to use you like a wall between Master Shuang and MeyJie."


    "Huh? MeyJie?" Ye Jun scratched his head.


    Xu Mey chuckled while ruffling his hair. "Xu Mey and Ye Jie as in MeyJie."


    "Ooohhhh!" Ye Jun dragged the words with this happy realization. "Sis-inw, I¡¯m helping you keep your secret, I should get a reward."


    "What do you want?"


    "First, let me call you Sister Mey. Calling you, sis-inw all the time feels weird. Second, make me something to eat but only when your ankle is alright." He stated his reward terms.


    "Okay fine. I¡¯ll make you whatever you want."

 Chapter 122 - Shocking Revelations

    "Ding!"


    The sound of Xu Mey¡¯sputer got her attention and she walked up to her desk. She leaned a little to see the content of the email that she received. An alluring yet menacing smirk appeared on her cherry lips.


    Ye Jun felt a chill emitting from her body and shivered reflexively. "Sis Mey, what got you into this mood?"


    Shenguidly sat back at her chair and raised her head to nce at Ye Jun. "What do you mean?" She asked innocently but this time Ye Jun was not fooled at all by her acting.


    He narrowed his eyes in suspicion and said, "Sis, I heard about President Xu¡¯s nature and people say that she has a habit of being amused when she ns to hunt someone. Right now, you have that strange smirk that is giving me chills."


    Listening to his exnation, Xu Mey smiled innocently and said, "Little brother!"


    "Huh?" Ye Jun was shocked beyond belief at the way she called him little brother with so much feels that he was frozen to his spot just staring at her.


    "Since you already know that I¡¯m President Xu then there is no need to hide much from you." She paused for a bit as the smile on her face widened. "There is a dunce Princessing to Vintage tomorrow. And I... n to hunt her. Tomorrow¡¯s highlight news will be very interesting."


    Ye Jun gulped loudly. The look in Xu Mey¡¯s eyes felt like the frozen Mount Everest to Ye Jun. He literally could feel himself freezing up in this close proximity. He was thanking his good luck that saved him from being a part of her enemies.


    He suddenly remembered a piece of news he had heard recently. "Sis the Princess you just talked about, is it Xu Liqing? Your so-called sister?"


    "Yes, it surely is her." She replied with candor.


    "Can I watch the live show?" He asked with making his eyes glistening with hope and plead.


    "Hmm... Well..." Xu Mey had a thoughtful look as if she was pondering over this idea.


    "I will cheer you on and I¡¯ll also get the chance to see the might of my sis." He was brimming with energy. "We will raze her to the ground together."


    "No need to go overboard, little brother." Xu Mey started. "But why do you really hate Xu Liqing so much? It can¡¯t be just because of her nature."


    Ye Jun waved his hand. "Tsk... She¡¯s a maniptive person and I don¡¯t like such people."


    Xu Mey reclined back in her chair saying, "I¡¯m also a maniptive person."


    Ye Jun shook his head while shaking his index finger and said, "Sis, you¡¯re not maniptive. You¡¯re a calctive person."


    Xu Mey quirked her brows in an amused manner. "And how are both different?"


    "Aiyo!" Ye Jun sighed. "Sis, maniptors are devious while calctive people are shrewd." He opened his mouth to say something else but Xu Mey¡¯s next words made him swallow them back.


    "Just like you, little brother." Ye Jun looked at her with confusion. Xu Mey gave him a half smile and leaned ahead to spin a pen on her desk saying, "If you think, you¡¯re the only one who is holding my secret then you¡¯re very wrong. I happen to know you better than your own family."


    "Really? What do you know?" Ye Jun was not much surprised. If she was President Xu then it was given that she would have done her homework on him.


    "Hmm... There are a lot of things..."


    "For instance?"


    "For instance, you being an ingenious person. Also, how you can¡¯t drink alcohol and yet you try to make people believe that you are always partying out with girls. And I also know how much you love your brother." Ye Jun was listening attentively to all that she said with a sad smile on his face. "You could have handled this e-sports project with ease yet you yed the bad guy. What I don¡¯t know is, why? Why do you want to be bad and useless for the world? Are you trying to make your brother a hero or are you trying to just drag him down?"


    "It does have to do with bro. But not like what you think." He took a deep breath and got up from the chair to pace up to the window to gaze at the back garden. "You must have noticed our mother¡¯s partiality with bro." Xu Mey nodded. It wasn¡¯t that hard to see anyway. "If I¡¯ll act good and work diligently then my brother¡¯s efforts will be ignoredpletely. I always had to take all the credit for his hard work from a young age and I got tired of seeing that my brother had to take the backseat while I was always in the frontline."


    "So, to make your brother a hero, you became azy side character?" Xu Mey was really surprised to see that Ye Jun¡¯s love and care for Ye Jie was to that extent. She suddenly was scared of the time when Ye Jun would get to know that Ye Jie is not his real brother.


    "I¡¯m very happy being a side character." He replied with a goofy grin. He stayed quiet for a moment and said, "Sis, there are secrets in our family as well and they are scary. Those secrets were the reason bro¡¯s ex, left him but please, if you get to know about those things just remember that no matter what, bro is a very nice person."


    Xu Mey frowned. "What do you know, little brother?" She needed to see whether her suspicion was right or not. "Do you know that Ah Jie is not your-?"


    Ye Jun¡¯s stiffened listening to her words. "How do you know that?" He asked.


    "I should be the one asking that. How do you know that? And since when do you know it?"


    He didn¡¯t reply instantly. He was just staring into her ck orbs that seemed to shook him inside. "I¡¯ve known since I was 15 years old... That¡¯s when I learned that bro and I are not blood-rted."

 Chapter 123 - Scary Secrets & Wrenching Lies

    Lies and Secrets are like ghosts... Ghosts always find a way to haunt a person... These ghosts don¡¯t let us live in peace. Because there is always a troubled feeling gnawing at our hearts.


    Secrets are scary because they alter our idea of reality. While lies are simply heart wrenching. Some lies are even enough to shatter a person into a million pieces.


    Both Xu Mey and Ye Jun were staring at each other in a daze. It waspletely unexpected for both of them to know that the other one knew about the game of secrets and lies being yed around them.


    "Your turn." Xu Mey knew that he was asking her to tell him about how she knew about it but she didn¡¯t want to go first.


    "Complete your story first. I¡¯ll tell you mine,ter." Ye Jun thought it was fair enough and nodded.


    "Back then bro was injured while ying basketball and needed blood urgently. That¡¯s when I got to know that bro has the blood type AB negative." Ye Jun was immersed in his memories. "Mom and dad both have blood type A while I have the blood type O. I learned it somewhere that Type A parents¡¯ children can only have either Type A or O. I thought I was mistaken but in my suspicion, I did a DNA test with bro in secret." He took a pause and dejectedly looked at Xu Mey. "We were not a match."


    "Why didn¡¯t you tell Ah Jie about this?" She asked.


    "Bro means the world to me. I didn¡¯t want to lose him at all. I was scared that bro will not love me anymore. So, I hid it from him. I didn¡¯t have any bad intentions." Ye Jun exined. "What about you? How did you know?"


    Xu Mey pondered about what to tell him. Somehow, telling him about Azalea didn¡¯t feel right. And she also didn¡¯t want to be the one to disclose to him that Ye Jie knew about it himself as well. It was better to leave that part for time to reveal.


    "I met a doctor who looked an exact replica of Ah Jie and that¡¯s when my suspicion was born. Then mother Ye¡¯s urge to hold the mandate over Ye Jie felt odd to me and I did some digging." She left the rest to his imagination. Not bothering to say anything further.


    "That doctor who looked like bro..." Ye Jun hesitated as he chewed the inside of his bottom lip. "Is he... bro¡¯s real father?"


    Xu Mey saw his eager eyes staring at herself. "I believe so." She said. Seeing Ye Jun¡¯s crestfallen look, Xu Mey felt sad for him. She patted his shoulder and said, "Little brother, no matter what, you¡¯ll always be Ah Jie¡¯s younger brother whom he loves the most. But don¡¯t you think that your brother has the right to meet his real parents. He needs to face his real identity."


    Ye Jun contemted for a moment and said, "You¡¯re right... Bro needs to learn about his family. I¡¯ll help you in any way possible to find his family."


    Xu Mey smiled at his resolute bearing. "I¡¯ll make sure to tell you if I need any help. But must remember that your brother will need your help to tread through that storm of reality."


    "I will make sure to hold my brother¡¯s hand. I¡¯m not letting him go away from me at any cost."


    They stayed inside her study room for more than an hour and when they emerged from the room together, they were greeted by Ye Jie¡¯s narrowed eyes. His eyes darted between both of their faces andnded on Xu Mey¡¯s face at the end. "What were you guys doing?" He was surprised that their rtionship had gotten so strong that Ye Jun exited the study room even he was not allowed to enter.


    "We... Ah..." Xu Mey didn¡¯t know what to say. Hiding things from him was very easy but lying was an entirely different thing. She really was getting bad at lying in front of him. His piercing gaze was always like he could see her naked soul. Although that feeling didn¡¯t scare her anymore like it used to do it was still awkward knowing that someone had the ability to see through your lies.


    "I had to talk to Sis." Ye Jun replied when he saw that Xu Mey was having difficulty with lying.


    Ye Jie crossed his arms before his chest and arched a single brow asking, "About what?"


    Ye Jun cleared about his throat and straightened his back in a righteous way. "I had to take some advice about her friend, Jun Li Na."


    Ye Jie was not convinced at all as he kept ying the staring game with Ye Jun trying to pressure him into spurting out the truth. "Bro, don¡¯t intimidate me. I really needed to talk about that."


    "Ah Jie..." Xu Mey¡¯s loving voice rang in Ye Jie¡¯s ears and his eyes instantly ignored Ye Jun. "Li Na¡¯s bodyguards treated Jun so badly the other night."


    Ye Jun¡¯s eyes widened when he heard that. While it was true that he was beaten up but it wasn¡¯t that badly and also, when did he mention it to her? He leaned a little towards Xu Mey and whispered, "Sis, how do you know that?"


    Xu Mey whispered back, "Jun Li Na and I might not spend that much time together but that doesn¡¯t mean that she doesn¡¯t tell me anything. She texted me when you jumped in front of her car scaring her so much."


    Ye Jun made an ugly face. "Huh! And how her bodyguards were going to bury me? That was scarier okay." He really was treated wrongly.


    "What are you both doing?" Ye Jie asked as he saw how their heads were buried together and they seemed to be squabbling for some reason.


    "Nothing!" Both Xu Mey and Ye Jun replied simultaneously and stood straight like obedient students before a teacher.


    "Follow me!" Ye Jie beckoned and walked towards the living room.

 Chapter 124 - Thin Air Like Little Brother

    Xu Mey and Ye Jun had to follow Ye Jie willingly. Both of them kept their heads lowered not daring to look at Ye Jie.


    Ye Jie took a seat at the single sofa while Ye Jun sat across from him. But as Xu Mey was going to sit beside Ye Jun, Ye Jie held her wrist and pulled her towards himself making hernd on hisp. Xu Mey gasped while Ye Jun was gaping.


    Xu Mey tried to stand up but Ye Jie encircled his arms around her waist not letting her escape his grasp. She puffed up her cheeks adorably and red at him. "Be nice, baby or I¡¯ll forget that Jun is still sitting here." Xu Mey heard Ye Jie¡¯s deep voice as his eyes were lingering on her lips. She gulped and gave up on resistance.


    He kept his right arm around her slim waist while his other hand reached for her soft one andced her fingers with his own possessively. Xu Mey was profoundly fascinating to Ye Jie as always. While his eyes were engrossed of Xu Mey, he asked, "What really happened?"


    Ye Jun tried his best to ignore the look in his brother¡¯s eyes and replied, "I went to see Jun Li Na. It was close to 3 in the morning and she was getting out of the club in her car. I couldn¡¯t think of anything else so I just jumped in front of her car to stop her. How would I know that her bodyguards were around and they didn¡¯t even ask anything? They just started beating me into a pulp." Ye Jun made an aggrieved face.


    Ye Jie ran his fingers at Xu Mey¡¯s back slowly- up and down. She tried to protest but soon she rxed under his touch. "If you¡¯ll act like a jerk, what else do you expect?" Ye Jie¡¯s voice held sarcasm.


    "Bro, I was just trying to get to talk to her." Ye Jie argued.


    "Jun, this is not how you get a woman. That¡¯s how you lose one." Ye Jie retorted with his fingers still on Xu Mey¡¯s back.


    "Bro, that¡¯s not how you lose a woman." Ye Jun grumbled.


    "Oh really? Then how do you lose a woman?" Ye Jie asked with curiosity.


    "You forget to cherish her..." Ye Jun replied emphasizing with his hand gestures. While Ye Jie was surprised by his answer what surprised him more was the way Xu Mey startedughing at his reply.


    She tried to calm herself and asked, "Little bro, have you seen too much ¡¯The Suite Life Of Zack & Cody¡¯?


    Ye Jun nodded his head like a rattle and asked, "You too?" Xu Mey nodded as well in reply. "That¡¯s so cool. Bro always said that those shows were childish." Ye Jun red at Ye Jie who was amused at his wife¡¯s excitement.


    Ye Jie pulled Xu Mey even closer and buried his face in her neck as Xu Mey heard his low voice, "Baby, do you think I¡¯m too old?" Xu Mey couldn¡¯t help but shiver when he inhaled her scent and stole a kiss behind her earlobe.


    Xu Mey licked her lips and tried to speak. "I... I didn¡¯t say that..." She was stammering and Ye Jie was amused by it. "I... You¡¯re not old... Just a bit... boring~ Ouch!" She managed to say when Ye Jie bit her earlobe making her wince.


    "So, you mean..." Ye Jie kissed her neck. "I¡¯m boring?" He kissed her neck again. "Do you really want me to prove to you how much boring I really am?" Xu Mey could understand his underlying meaning as she tried to control her breathing.


    She tilted her body a bit and ced her soft palm against his cheek. This action managed to control the ferocious beast running wild inside Ye Jie as he stared into her ck orbs and felt himself losing his senses. "You¡¯re not boring at all... Ah Jie, you¡¯re the only one in the world who can make me speechless, how can you be boring?"


    People that managed to hold onto to their childishness in this tremendously scary and deceiving world really had a pure and innocent heart. Although Ye Jie knew that both Xu Mey and Ye Jun had an innocent and pure side buried in them, he still couldn¡¯t manage to control the feelings inside him. He felt like he was suddenly losing out from his own younger brother. Ye Jie wanted to be the one who could make Xu Meyugh but he never lived like a kid.


    Ye Jie was always an obedient, smart and mature kid. He didn¡¯t watch tv except for watching the news. He couldn¡¯t rte to Xu Mey¡¯s childish nature but when she said that he was the only one who held the power to make her speechless, he felt an extreme sense of relief wash over him. He wasn¡¯t rueful anymore about the fact that he never kept his childish side.


    So what if he couldn¡¯t make herugh? He could make her smile sincerely. And he could make her feel every other emotion that she missed in her life until now. This was enough for Ye Jie.


    If this was aic book then surely our young master Ye Jun would have a big bubble over his head with the words: ¡¯Forgotten like thin air.¡¯ along with an arrow pointing at him.


    Ye Jun thought he knew all about his brother but today, he saw a possessiveness in Ye Jie which was never there before. At this time, he realized that his brother was a lost cause in this ocean of love, he waspletely drowned.


    Ye Jun saw the way Xu Mey and Ye Jie were riveted in each other¡¯s eyes and felt sanguine inside. He knew that this was the love that Ye Jie needed in his life. From seeing Xu Mey in the storage room at the wedding, Ye Jun knew that she¡¯ll bring a huge change in Ye Jie¡¯s life. But it wasn¡¯t even in his wildest dreams that she¡¯ll manage to bring Ye Jie¡¯s real self out. He suddenly couldn¡¯t recognize his brother at all. It was like looking at a whole new Ye Jie.

 Chapter 125 - Snide Remarks

    -The next morning-


    It took a lot of effort for Xu Mey to convince Ye Jie. She pleaded desperately and that¡¯s when Ye Jie gave in and let her go to the office. But the condition was that Ye Jie will drive her there and pick her up as well. Xu Mey readily agreed.


    When Ye Jie parked the car in front of Vintage¡¯s office building, he was still reluctant. He really didn¡¯t want Xu Mey to work. But he couldn¡¯t manage to say no to her as well. Her ck eyes were enough to entangle him into her charms. He turned to Xu Mey and said, "Baby, let¡¯s just rest for one more day."


    "Ah Jie, I¡¯m really fine. It¡¯s really important for me to be there today." She replied making him sigh tiredly.


    "Fine!" He grumbled. "But," he held her hand and said, "Please take care of yourself. Don¡¯t run around and there is no need to overexert yourself." While Ye Jie was nagging her, Xu Mey was smiling widely as warmness gushed into her whole body.


    She leaned towards him and left a kiss on his lips saying, "I¡¯ll do everything that my Ah Jie said and I¡¯ll definitely try to leave early as well. Okay?" She made an ¡¯okay¡¯ hand sign and smiled before disembarking the car leaving a dazed Ye Jie behind.


    "And then she says that I make her speechless." Ye Jie said to himself while shaking his head lightly.


    When Xu Mey entered the building instead of being greeted by Qin Hao, she was greeted by an overly enthusiastic face. Xu Mey had to rub her eyes to see whether she was seeing things or Ye Jun was really waving at her with a goofy grin. Ye Jun ran up to her and stood at a distance afraid that if Ye Jie got to know that he hugged Xu Mey, he might kill him.


    "What are you doing here?" Xu Mey asked with clear surprise in her voice.


    "Didn¡¯t I tell you yesterday that I¡¯lle to watch the live show?" Ye Jun replied matter-of-factly.


    "But I didn¡¯t expect you toe so early," Xu Mey replied.


    "You don¡¯t like seeing me here?" Ye Jun¡¯s smile faltered a bit.


    "I didn¡¯t say that." He smiled radiantly again. "I am worried that in your excitement, you must have skipped breakfast." Xu Mey was right Ye Jun was so damn excited that he ran to Vintage Gem¡¯s building at around 7 in the morning. He scratched the back of his head sheepishly. Xu Mey pulled his ear and said, "Little brother, that¡¯s so irresponsible of you."


    "Ouch! Ouch! Sis! Let me go!" Ye Jun hollered getting unnecessary attention to himself and Xu Mey.


    Employees were looking curiously at the scene without anyone moving too close. It was a rule to keep a distance from President Xu. And if someone didn¡¯t value their life, they could break this rule. But everyone¡¯s life was precious to them. So, no one moved a muscle. Everyone just stared with interest.


    Xu Mey dragged Ye Jun to her private elevator leaving room for her employees to gossip.


    "Who was that handsome young man?" A female assistant asked fanning her face dramatically.


    "Gosh! He was really handsome." Another one chimed in.


    "Are we going to ignore the fact that he seemed quite close to the President." A sensible person spoke. "They looked perfect together." Okay, not so much of a sensible person here.


    "You¡¯re right. He really looked good with our President."


    "He looked very familiar though." The receptionist made herment.


    Ye Jun was in PR and he was mostly in news. It was hard for people to not know his face. The crowd slowly dispersed as today was an important day for Vintage.


    -President¡¯s office, Vintage Gems-


    Xu Mey asked Qin Hao to make arrangements of breakfast for Ye Jun while she went to the morning meeting. When she came back from the meeting, Ye Jun was looking around her office with interest.


    Ye Jun didn¡¯t disturb Xu Mey for unnecessary things and let her work like normal. He was surprised to see this authoritative side of Xu Mey. She really was a scary President. He smiled to himself. He found her very simr to Ye Jie. Both had the habit of forgetting about their surrounding while they were immersed in their work.


    It was lunchtime when Xu Liqing came to the Vintage Office. She went up to the reception and said, "Inform President Xu that Xu Liqing is here to see her."


    ¡¯You¡¯re here to apologize, what¡¯s with the attitude girl?¡¯ The receptionist thought inwardly but kept a professional smile on her face. "Ms. Xu, our President is in a meeting. I¡¯m afraid, you¡¯ll have to wait." The receptionist didn¡¯t think that what she said was wrong at all. These arrogant girls were meant to teach a lesson.


    Xu Liqing pped her hand on the reception and asked, "You¡¯re asking me to wait? How dare a lowly employee like you do that? Where is your management?"


    The receptionist smiled widely and replied, "Ms. Xu, this isn¡¯t a food stall where you can holler like this. It¡¯s apany and your people informed us that you¡¯ll being at 10 in the morning and right now, it¡¯s 1 o¡¯clock. I¡¯m sure you can understand that our President is not a free person." ¡¯Like some people here.¡¯ She didn¡¯t say thest sentence to avoid the possible conflict. But the conflict was already there. After all, her taunting remarks were enough to infuriate Xu Liqing.


    "You!" Xu Liqing was seething in fury. She had never been insulted this way in her entire life and that too by a mere receptionist?


    "Ms. Xu, please wait there in the lobby. Thank You!" The receptionist ignored Xu Liqing¡¯s beet red face and went on about her work.


    Xu Liqing had to dig her nails in her palms to diminish her anger. She stomped her foot and sauntered over to the lobby waiting area.


    When Xu Mey heard of what the receptionist did to Xu Liqing on her own ord, she only said, "Qin Hao, make sure ourpetent receptionist is promoted next month." Qin Hao nodded and left the office.


    "Wow! Sis, even your employees are just like you; ruthless and poisonous." Ye Jun remarked with admiration in his eyes.


    "Poison can be fought with poison, little brother. It¡¯s like fighting fire with fire." She only said that and buried herself in files on her desk.

 Chapter 126 - Lucky Charm Couple

    Just like Xu Liqing came 3 hourste for the meeting, Xu Mey made her wait for precisely 3 hours. How Xu Liqing managed to keep the seething volcano buried inside was a mystery but it sure was remarkable. The remarkable fact was that the girl who never liked to wait even for 5 minutes was made to have the patience for 3 hours.


    ¡¯You have to see this President Xu today, Liqing. Calm down. There is no rush at all. This is the only chance to see the face of the bit*h who has been getting in your way. We will have our day for revenge. But today is not that day.¡¯ Xu Liqing had to keep chanting these words in her mind like a mantra to hold on to thest shreds of rationality in her. With clenched teeth, she was taking deep breaths.


    Her barrier of tolerance was at its limits but no one came to get her. She went up to the receptionist again and through gritted teeth said, "When will this meeting end?"


    The receptionist yawnedzily like an idiot was standing before her but it wasn¡¯t the least bit amusing to her. "Ms. Xu," She smiled or forced it. "I¡¯m a mere receptionist. Who am I supposed to know how the higher management meetings work?" ¡¯What are you tired? That soon?¡¯ The receptionist kept thest words to herself.


    Xu Liqing patted her chest. "Then you can call to check. Can¡¯t you?"


    "Well, it¡¯s not like I can¡¯t... rather I don¡¯t want to," she muttered thest words and Xu Liqing couldn¡¯t hear it.


    "What did you say?" Xu Liqing eyed her suspiciously.


    The receptionist rolled her eyes at Xu Liqing inwardly. She fixed her sses and said, "I¡¯ll call to check." ¡¯If you¡¯re so eager to face your doom then what can I do? I¡¯ll dly serve you to my devil President. Haha¡¯ She really was having a fun time with her thoughts.


    She made a call to Qin Hao and he went to ask Xu Mey. "President, Ms. Xu is getting impatient."


    Xu Mey smiled rather menacingly while rubbing her hands together. "Okay, it¡¯s time to bring her up then." Qin Hao nodded and left the room.


    He sent Xu Mey¡¯s female secretary to bring Xu Liqing up while he stayed away from her as per Xu Mey¡¯s instructions. Although Xu Mey was sure that Xu Liqing would not be able to remember Qin Hao for this long; she didn¡¯t like taking unnecessary risks.


    When Qin Hao left, Xu Mey picked up her cell phone and dialed a number and almost instantly a deep voice was heard, "Am I seeing things or my baby really called me herself today?"


    Xu Mey was smiling but she used a sad tone to say, "Huh! It¡¯s 04:01 pm and my Ah Jie didn¡¯t bother to call me like usual. So, I decided to take the initiative myself."


    Ye Jun shook his head at Xu Mey¡¯s antics. He had the urge to give her a big round of apuse. And that too in slow motion. It would be epic that way.


    "Oho! What have I done? This is a huge mistake on your Ah Jie¡¯s part, isn¡¯t it?" The senior management people around Ye Jie almost toppled down to the ground when he said ¡¯your Ah Jie¡¯ and that too with so many feels.


    "Huh! So, you do know that you did a huge mistake?" said Xu Mey.


    "Of course, I do, baby. And you can punish me however you like." Said Ye Jie with his lips curled upward. Although he seemed to be cating or more like coaxing someone his employees all had the idea that he was really enjoying it. And they were right. Ye Jie surely was amused trying to coax her.


    "Okay! Erm..." Xu Mey pretended to think of punishment and replied, "I know! I have a punishment in mind.¡¯


    "Really? What is it, baby?" Asked Ye Jie curiously.


    "I want you to give me all your good luck."


    "Huh?"


    "Aiyo! Ah Jie, I mean I have to act like a white Lotus Flower today and for that, I need you to wish me luck." When Xu Mey exined it like this, Ye Jun spurted out the tea in his mouth and coughed profusely.


    He literally had a face that said, ¡¯What the hell are you doing? What Lotus Flower? Can you really act like one?¡¯ Xu Mey threw a cold dagger-like re towards Ye Jun and he instinctively straightened up.


    Ye Jie chuckled heartily. He surely was very happy. "Does my baby need my good luck? My baby is my good luck charm, how can I wish good luck to my own lucky charm?"


    Xu Mey opened her mouth wide at his words and held her chest with one hand as if Ye Jie had thrown an arrow and it hit the mark, perfectly. "That¡¯s not fair." She grumbled while puffing up her cheeks.


    "Stop puffing up your cheeks or I might want toe to you right now." Xu Mey immediately stopped puffing her cheeks.


    ¡¯You know me so well. That¡¯s also not fair.¡¯ Xu Meymented inwardly.


    "Ah Jie, stop making me speechless. Just wish me luck, okay? Let¡¯s just presume that the way you think I¡¯m your lucky charm, I also believe that you are mine." It was Ye Jie¡¯s turn to be stunned.


    While Ye Jun thought, ¡¯Are you both ying the lucky charm couple game or something? Why are you both so ruthless with my single heart.¡¯ He surely was aggrieved.


    "Best of luck, baby!" Ye Jie said in a daze.


    "Thank you! I¡¯ll see you soon. Bye for now!" She hung up the call and looked at Ye Jun who was dramatically bowing to her. "What are you doing?" She asked.


    "I finally know what really happened to my brother." Ye Jun shook his head.


    Xu Mey frowned and asked, "What happened to Ah Jie?"


    Ye Jun pointed at her and said, "You! You happened to my brother. You made my innocent brother turn into a romantic lunatic."


    "Oh shut up! Just follow me!" Ye Jun raised his brows in question. "Aren¡¯t you gonna watch the live show?" Ye Jun nodded while smiling and followed Xu Mey out of her office.

 Chapter 127 - Poor Little Sister?

    When Xu Liqing walked inside the room, Xu Mey was standing looking out the windows. She didn¡¯t turn right away. She pretended as if she didn¡¯t know of Xu Liqing¡¯s presence at all.


    "President Xu is surely busy. I¡¯ve been here for 3 hours." Xu Liqing spoke first.


    "Well, not everyone has the time for leisure like you, Ms. Xu."


    "What did you just say? Do I look like I have nothing to do?" Xu Liqing clenched her fists.


    "But doesn¡¯t Ms. Xu really have nothing to do?" Xu Mey said while still facing the ss wall. "If I¡¯m not wrong, Ms. Xu lost her chance to be a top actress and now, she doesn¡¯t even have her precious Jade Stones with her. Tsk... Tsk... It sure is a pity."


    Xu Liqing¡¯s body was trembling with anger and rage. "How dare you?" This was the sign of her losing her rationality.


    Xu Mey smirked and thought, ¡¯It¡¯s the right moment.¡¯ She turned her body to face Xu Liqing and with her cold smirk asked, "How can I not dare, little sister?" Her voice was low as a whisper but Xu Liqing could feel the coldness and viciousness hidden behind them.


    Xu Liqing stumbled as she saw Xu Mey standing before looking like a queen; domineering and fearless. "You!" Her eyes were wide as her throat felt constricted. "What... what are you doing here?"


    "Ohe on, little sister, you came to apologize to me and yet you¡¯re asking what I¡¯m doing here? Have you lost your mind?" Xu Mey rubbed her head like a nice elder sister. "Oh wait! I almost forgot that you didn¡¯t have a mind, to begin with."


    Xu Liqing swatted her hand away while ring menacingly at her. "My bad..." Xu Mey raised her hands in defense. "Let¡¯s take a seat, shall we?"


    Xu Mey sat down on the soft fabric sofa making herselffortable. Xu Liqing was reeling with fury. She took a seat to calm herself. "You¡¯re an imposter. You can¡¯t be President Xu... You can never be smart enough to build this empire."


    Xu Mey raised her single brow. "And why is that?"


    Xu Liqing chuckled menacingly. "You think I¡¯ll just tell you? I won¡¯t... I don¡¯t know how you managed to get here but I know you¡¯re not President Xu. You can¡¯t be. There is no way." Xu Liqing was shouting at this point. Xu Mey had to rub her ear.


    "Can¡¯t you let go of this habit of shouting?" Xu Liqing held a ss of water in her hand to take a sip when Xu Mey¡¯s words made her tighten her grip on the ss. "Tsk... Poor sister... You don¡¯t know how I ruined your acting career then I made you go to Police station on the live tv broadcast. I made you go bankrupt. And still, you couldn¡¯t think that only one person has that kind of grudge against you; ME."


    Xu Liqing¡¯s shoulders were shaking and she couldn¡¯t hold it in and threw the water at Xu Mey¡¯s face. "How childish of you, little sister." Xu Meymented while shaking her head.


    Thatment broke all of Xu Liqing¡¯s restraints. She hated being called childish the most. And Xu Mey was exploiting this exact fact.


    Xu Liqing raised up from her seat, broke the ss in her hand by hitting it against the edge of the table and walked towards Xu Mey and raised her hand which held a ss shard intending to hurt her.


    But...


    The sudden camera shes and clicking sounds made her halt her movements. She was horrified when she tilted her head to see a horde of reporters. She looked back at Xu Mey¡¯s nched look and snickered. "You yed me sl*t? I said no reporters."


    Xu Mey turned her head to avoid the camera¡¯s and whispered with a smirk, "I never agreed on that request. Mypany, my rules."


    "Ugh!!!" Xu Liqingunched towards Xu Mey but Xu Mey¡¯s secretary came between them. Xu Liqing was acting hysterically at this point. She didn¡¯t bother seeing that it was not Xu Mey or that there were reporters in the room. She threw the ss shard and pulled the poor secretary¡¯s hair also, wed at her face. The security people had toe and drag Xu Liqing away.


    Xu Liqing was kicking and punching in the air. "Ms. Xu you¡¯re here to apologize to President Xu but you insteadunched an attack at her. What do you have to say about that?" A reporter asked.


    "Apologize?" Xu Liqingughed. "Apologize to her?" She pointed at Xu Mey who was pretending to be cowering back in her seat. "I¡¯ll never ever apologize to that wh*re." She roared.


    The security guards made the reporters stop asking questions and started dragging Xu Liqing away. When she was being dragged, she looked at Xu Mey who wiggled her brows and winked at her with one side of her lip curled upward in a mocking way.


    "President Xu, can we ask you about the details?" The reporters tried to turn to Xu Mey.


    "Please, everyone. President Xu just got a scare. You all should leave for now. Vintage will release a statement soon." Qin Hao was handling the situation carefully.


    When all the reporters left, Qin Hao locked the door and passed a towel to Xu Mey. She took the towel and asked him to look after her secretary who got her hair pulled. Xu Mey was wiping her face when Ye Jun came out of the ce he was hiding.


    "Sis, what did you do just now?"


    Xu Mey smiled and replied, "I just made the Dunce Princess turn into a Hysterical one."


    "Are you satisfied with this much?" He was worried that if she had really gotten hurt then it would have been another chaos for him from his dear brother.


    "Of course not." She headed to the door and said, "Are youing?" Ye Jun didn¡¯t ask where they were going, he just followed her.


    The ce Xu Mey brought Ye Jun was somewhere inside the building and it was dark in that area with flickering lights. When she opened a door and entered inside, he could hear Xu Liqing¡¯s muffled shouts.


    Ye Jun looked at Xu Mey as he understood that she didn¡¯t send Xu Liqing out of thepany. He saw Xu Liqing held against a pir with a piece of cloth in her mouth.


    "Hello, dear little sister!" Even Ye Jun felt the chills emitting from her words as he shivered instinctively. Xu Liqing red at Xu Mey with menace. "Tsk..." She clicked her tongue. "Poor you..."


    When Xu Mey raised her head again, her entire persona took another turn. There was coldness, attitude, and indifference on her face. She raised her hand and delivered a crisp p to Xu Liqing¡¯s face saying, "This is to let you know that today, we have only reached the interval of the story. The ending is still pending."


    Then she raised her hand again and gave another p to Xu Liqing. "This is for having schemes about my Ah Jie."


    She was about to turn but stopped and gave another p on Xu Liqing¡¯s already stinging and swollen cheek. "This is because it felt good." She smiled innocently and waved her hand. Her men removed the cloth from her mouth while Xu Mey turned around to leave.


    "Haha..." Xu Mey heard Xu Liqing¡¯sugh but didn¡¯t turn to look. "You think that Ye Jie likes you? You¡¯re delusional. I¡¯ve already sent him the video. The proof of your biggest stain in life."


    Xu Mey sighed and said, "Since Ah Jie is still standing beside me, it means that he doesn¡¯t care about your so-called proof and my so-called crimes."

 Chapter 128 - Cute President Xu

    Ye Jun was stuck to his spot when Xu Liqing talked about the video. But what stunned him, even more, was Xu Mey¡¯s response. It felt like she already knew about it all.


    Ye Jun jolted awake and ran after Xu Mey. "Sis, you know about the video bro received?" Xu Mey looked back at him and replied calmly.


    "I did. No thanks to you or your brother."


    "Then how did you...?" He really was curious about her way also, he needed to know when she got to know about it.


    Xu Mey started walking while saying, "I have a tracker on Xu Liqing¡¯s cellphone. I can see her call, messages and her email records."


    "Then when did you find out that bro has the video?" He asked looking anxiously at her.


    Xu Mey heaved a long sigh. "It was when he went to Tokyo." She replied honestly.


    "Why didn¡¯t you try talking to bro about it?" Ye Jun was confused.


    "At first, I was scared when I saw the video but when I saw the date it was sent, I was more confused than scared." Xu Mey was thinking about the time when she identally stumbled upon that email. "He knew about it for weeks but he didn¡¯t ask me anything and even made me believe that nothing matters to him other than my words. I lost the fear, confusion and also the courage to say anything."


    They stayed silent for a while. "Oh did I mention?" Xu Mey looked at Ye Jun who gave her two thumbs up and with a goofy smile said, "You¡¯re super cool." Xu Mey giggled. "I¡¯m serious. Sis, teach me somethings as well."


    "You already are dramatic enough." Xu Mey retorted.


    "Aiyo! Sis, hear me out! I only know how to act badly. You know all kind of tricks. Let¡¯s share some tips."


    "Why?"


    "So, that we can open an Entertainmentpany."


    Xu Mey scowled. "Who will sign with ourpany?"


    Ye Junughed. "Of course, we will ourselves. Haha... We¡¯ll be the management and the top stars as well. It¡¯ll be a win-win situation." Xu Mey flicked his forehead to break his daze.


    "You should leave before your brotheres to pick me up. Otherwise, we both will be in a lose-lose situation." Xu Mey reminded him.


    "Ha! Sis, you only have to say ¡¯Ah Jie¡¯ and my brother will be t." Xu Mey¡¯s ears turned red hearing this but Ye Jun couldn¡¯t see it. "I¡¯ll be the only one left in that losing situation." He wasmenting while pouting like a kid.


    Xu Mey pinched his cheeks and said, "Shut up and just go already." She pushed his back a little.


    "Sis, this is no way to treat your partner in crime." Xu Mey growled lowly and Ye Jun ran away for his life without thinking twice.


    Xu Mey happily skidded out of the Vintage Gems building when she received Ye Jie¡¯s message that he was outside. When her eyes caught sight of Ye Jie d in ck pants and ck shirt with his sleeves rolled up to his elbows, she paused. His tall frame was leaning against the car¡¯s body with his hands crossed before his chest.


    "KYAAA! Why are there so many good looking boys at Vintage?" A female employee was shrieking. Her voice broke Xu Mey¡¯s daydreaming as she looked over to the girl who just spoke. There was a huge group of girls gathered to stare at Ye Jie.


    ck lines appeared on Xu Mey¡¯s face as she scowled but instantly her scowl turned into a grin. ¡¯Hehe... He¡¯s mine... Why am I eating vinegar?¡¯ She disregarded her employees and happily ran towards Ye Jie.


    When Ye Jie noticed her presence, she opened her arms and hugged his neck. Ye Jie was really taken by surprise. A pleasant one at that. She moved back a little and said, "Hi, Ah Jie!"


    Ye Jie was tongue-tied at that look in her ck eyes. "Hi, baby!" He managed to say. "Did something good happen?" She nodded. "My good luck worked?" She nodded again. "Hmm... Shouldn¡¯t I get a present then?"


    Xu Mey thought for second and said, "Okay!" And she tip-toed to leave a kiss at the side of his mouth. But how could Ye Jie let her escape so soon? Especially when she was giving him small heart attacks with that ¡¯Ah Jie¡¯ and the pleasant look in her eyes. Also, she left him hanging in the morning as well.


    He dipped his head but didn¡¯t im her lips, instead, he lingered there for a while and inhaled deeply making her shiver. To tease her, he also left open mouth kisses at the side of her mouth making her crave for more. Her heart was beating faster, her breathing was getting ragged even before he kissed her.


    Tired of his teasing, she tightened her grip around his neck and imed his lips herself. Time was stuck for Ye Jie. Her lips were soft, sweet and moist. She was teasing him with her tongue tracing the seam of his lips. Her hands were tingling to touch him, itching to feel his warmth. But Ye Jie held her shoulders and broke the kiss.


    "Baby..." he breathed heavily. "Let¡¯s not do it here." He pulled open the door of the car and made Xu Mey sit inside before walking to his own side.


    "Who said that the guy in the morning was handsome? This one was what we call a whole new level of perfection." A personmented.


    "Oh, my poor heart! President Xu can act cute?"


    "I know right!" Another one said.


    "Leave that. Just focus on the fact that they made a perfect couple like a match made in heaven." Now, this one was the most sensible person.


    Xu Mey was excited about tonight¡¯s news highlights but she didn¡¯t know that she had made another headline for herself today. All her employees couldn¡¯t control their urge to gossip about this huge news.

 Chapter 129 - Pure Desires

    We always meet someone in our life that has the ability to make us fantasize about things we never even thought about before. For instance, se-xual desires.


    Some people¡¯s mere existence is enough to crave for their simple touch. Se-xual desire happens to be the most dangerous desire; it holds the ability to make your imaginations run wild, it also holds the ability to bring you courage, where ites from, is unknown. But it also teaches you perseverance.


    There is nothing wrong with these wild imaginations. They give us a chance to embrace the real us. So, instead of running from these desires, we need to learn to love these desires. Embrace them. Only by embracing those desires can we embrace and love our own self.


    Trapped between the hard wall and his hard body, Xu Mey lifted her eyes to see his lips inches away from her own. Ye Jie held her waist and pulled her towards his hard body. Xu Mey ced her hands on his chest and she felt his heartbeat under her touch. "Do you feel that?" She heard his low husky voice. "This is what you do to me." Xu Mey looked into his brown eyes.


    There was so much tenderness in them that Xu Mey felt like floating in the air. "What do you want, baby?" he asked while she was lost in his charming brown eyes.


    "I..." She was lost for words. "I want you to kiss me."


    Ye Jie smiled and asked, "Where do you want me to kiss you?" She opened her mouth but nothing came out. Ye Jie lowered his face and kissed the space between her brows and asked, "Do you want me to kiss you here?" He moved to her eyes. "Or here?" He came right beside her lips saying, "Or right here?"


    Xu Mey groaned and leaned ahead to kiss his lips. He smiled against her lips and said, "If you¡¯ll act like this, my desire to absorb your soul will intensify." Xu Mey suddenly wanted him to absorb her whole. She so wanted him to act on his desires but she still wanted him to know everything before going all the way.


    Both of their lips parted and they kissed hungrily. Both were trying to savor the other person. Ye Jie¡¯s hand moved all over her body leaving a trail of fire behind. Finally, he held her hips and picked her off the ground. With her legs wrapped around his waist, he took her upstairs in the bedroom.


    Still, trying to taste each other, Ye Jie ced her softly on the bed and hovered above her body. His lips imed hers again making her feel overwhelmed. The strokes of his tongue made her shudder. On pure desire, Xu Mey raised her hands and started unbuttoning Ye Jie¡¯s shirt. He paused for a moment but continued again without any other care.


    Xu Mey helped him get out of his shirt and then she tried to satiate the hunger of her hands that were itching to roam all over his body. She touched his warm hard chest making him flinch a bit. His heartbeat got even faster than before.


    He buried his face in her neck, pulled her shirt off of her shoulders and starting nibbling on her cor-bones. He loved her beautiful cor-bones. Xu Mey arched her body a little while her hands roamed all over his back, chest and finally came to stay at his tight abdominal muscles.


    Ye Jie moved downwards and pulled her shirt up from her stomach and then his face dipped down to leave soft kisses on her stomach making her feel giddy. The pleasurable sensations were making her feel like exploding.


    She held his shoulders and toppled him on his back while sitting on his half-naked body. Her ck hair was long untied and now they were cascading over her flushed face. Ye Jie tucked the hair behind her ear to see her face clearly. "Baby what are you nning on doing?" He smiled suggestively.


    "Nothing..." She replied uncertainly while looking away.


    He nodded his head amusedly and held the back of her neck to pull her towards himself. Her swollen lipsnded on his own as she gasped. But Ye Jie angled her head and licked her bottom lip. She instinctively parted her lips wide for him. His warm tongue entered her mouth again. It was a kiss filled with greed.


    When their lips parted, Xu Mey left a trail of wet kisses on his jawline making him growl. He held her shoulders and said, "Baby, wait!" He was breathing heavily. "I need a seriously cold shower." Leaving a perplexed Xu Mey sitting on the bed with disheveled clothes and hair, Ye Jie ran to the bathroom and locked the door.


    He stood in front of the mirror and looked at his own reflection. His hair was tousled up, he could still feel the sensation of her soft lips on his skin. "Fu*k!" He cursed while raking his fingers through his hair. "When was thest time, I was this out of control?" He asked, his own reflection. "Never!" He replied to himself.


    He turned on the cold water and jumped under it without caring for his pants. As the cold water cascaded down his body, his mind was still thinking about her swollen lips, her soft fingertips, and those glistening eyes. ¡¯You really are making me obsessed with yourself.¡¯ He thought. ¡¯Is it really obsession or the kind of love I¡¯ve heard about?¡¯ He asked himself but didn¡¯t know the answer to his own question.

 Chapter 130 - Early Morning Fiascos

    That night, Xu Mey was very confused with Ye Jie¡¯s weird behaviour. But she thought that he left abruptly because he wanted to respect her wishes. And that thought really warmed her heart.


    What she didn¡¯t know was that although Ye Jie did respect her wishes, he was more bothered by his own feelings for her. When the question of obsession and love raised in his heart, he didn¡¯t know which feeling to ept.


    It took him more than an hour to calm himself down. Xu Mey was still awake but she pretended to sleep when she heard the sound of the door.


    Ye Jie walked up to the bed and stretched out on his side. Heid sideways and pulled Xu Mey¡¯s body against his own. She was trying to stay calm but when her back touched his chest and his arm tightly wrapped around her stomach, she couldn¡¯t stop her heart from beating fast.


    He buried his face on her neck and her aroma calmed him down. For the very time, he felt like, this was where he belonged. This was a home he wanted. He remembered the time, she said that she is his family. He was contented with her in his arms and that feeling told him that this was not an obsession. She was the love he was longing for.


    The next day, early in the morning, Xu Mey¡¯s phone ringtone woke her up. She sleepily answered the call and heard a roar, "What the hell did you do yesterday?"


    Xu Mey dragged the phone away from her ear. "Why? What¡¯s wrong?"


    "Sis... My dearest sis... Wake up! And look at the hot topics of the day." Xu Mey was feeling really sleepy which was very rare for her. "You and my brother are topping the charts everywhere." Now, this made all the sleep fly away.


    "What? What are you talking about?" Xu Mey slowly peeled Ye Jie¡¯s arm off of her own body, tip-toed out of the room and asked him in a low voice.


    "Check it yourself. I¡¯m sending you the link." Ye Jun replied.


    Xu Mey didn¡¯t hang up the call and opened the link he sent her. The first thing she saw made her eyes wide open.


    The top headline read: ¡¯Vintage Gem¡¯s low-profile President Xu is actually fond of PDA?¡¯


    A photo of her kissing Ye Jie was attached with it. The photo was clicked from an angle where only their bodies were visible but their faces were covered.


    The second headline read: ¡¯President Xu in her Handsome mysterious boyfriend¡¯s arms.¡¯


    There was a photo of her hugging Ye Jie attached yet again the faces were missed because Ye Jie had buried his face in her neck and she had hidden in his chest.


    The third headline was also about Xu Mey but not with Ye Jie but rather with Xu Liqing. It read: ¡¯Xu Enterprises¡¯ precious Princess, Ms Xu Liqing turned hysterical with Vintage Gems President Xu.¡¯


    The details were, that apparently instead of apologizing to President Xu, Xu Liqing tried to act bossy with her and when President Xu didn¡¯t pay heed to her, Xu Liqing turned into a crazed person who attacked President Xu with a broken shard but it was a good thing that President Xu¡¯s assistant came between them. Thankfully, President Xu was not physically injured but she received a traumatic blow. Also, her assistant is still hospitalized from the injuries she received from Xu Liqing.


    There were plenty of photos to prove the words but Xu Mey¡¯s face was not made clear in any one of them just like they had nned.


    She ced the phone against her ear and said, "What are you worried about?"


    "You and bro, duh!" He replied.


    "Rx! I¡¯ll make all those headlines about me and Ah Jie, go away. Geez! Don¡¯t fret or you¡¯ll regret."


    "How are you going to do that?" He asked.


    "Why don¡¯t you leave that to me?" She said. "Now I¡¯m hanging up."


    "Oh wait!" She heard Ye Jun¡¯s voice again.


    "What?"


    "I heard that Xu Liqing didn¡¯t get homest night and my internal sources say that Ms Fu Lan is going to look for you about this matter." After a pause, he added, "Sis, what did you do with Xu Liqing?"


    Xu Mey smirked to herself. "Let here then. I¡¯d like to see what Fu Lan can do to me. As for her precious daughter..." Sheughed. "Everyone will know about her in a short while. You have plenty of news to look forward to my little brother."


    Ye Jun was even more worried now. "Sis, I have a question."


    "Just ask."


    "What made Xu Liqing act exactly as you wanted her to?" Ye Jun¡¯s been thinking about it since yesterday but couldn¡¯te to a conclusion.


    Xu Mey didn¡¯t reply instantly. "Let¡¯s just say it like this, I did exactly what she did to me once." Ye Jun didn¡¯t know what she was talking about but he knew that Xu Mey was not an unreasonable person. No matter what she did, she must have a reason for that.


    Xu Mey hung up the phone as a memory shed through her mind. ¡¯Once you made me a drug addict, today I¡¯ll prove you one for the whole world.¡¯


    She dialled another number and before anyone could speak, she said, "I need help."


    "You don¡¯t have to ask, Mey-Mey. I¡¯ve already taken all the necessary precautions. No one will be able to look for President Xu anymore."


    "Thanks, Qiao!" She was really blessed to have Li Qiao. She didn¡¯t even need to say it and he had already done everything.


    "Just take care of yourself." He said softly with gentleness.


    "You won¡¯t ask me to stop causing troubles like these in the future?"


    "Of course not! In fact, I want you to do these reckless acts even more." He replied in a pleasant tone.


    "Huh? Why?" She frowned.


    "First, I¡¯ll get a way to take care of you and second, our Mey-Mey needs to act like other girls her age. So, don¡¯t hesitate at all. If your heart says it, just do it." He adviced.


    "Why don¡¯t you take your own advice with Yu Kim?" She asked while scowling.


    "Do I need to tell you?" He asked rhetorically.


    Xu Mey¡¯s shoulders slumped. "No... You don¡¯t have to."


    "Take care of yourself. I¡¯ll call youter." Xu Mey knew that he was avoiding the talk about himself and Yu Kim. She didn¡¯t pursue the matter herself. Now it was not the right time. She had a lot on her tes at the moment.


    She walked back towards the bedroom when she received a message from Ye Jun.


    ¡¯Sis, HOW DID YOU MANAGE TO TAKE IT DOWN SO EASILY?¡¯


    She typed a reply.


    ¡¯First, what¡¯s with the CAPS letters? Second, I have people who care about me as well. You¡¯re not the only one who has a caring brother.¡¯


    The reply came instantly.


    ¡¯HEY! Sis, I¡¯m telling you my brother is the best person okay?¡¯


    She smiled and typed.


    ¡¯That he surely is.¡¯


    Ye Jun fell down his bed when he read thest text. He was like, ¡¯SERIOUSLY? I just woke up and you¡¯re serving me dog food? STOP TORTURING ME LIKE THIS.¡¯

 Chapter 131 - Pampered Temper

    "Ah Jie! Ah Jie!" Xu Mey ran up to Ye Jie¡¯s side and started shaking him. "Wake up! We have to go to the hospital."


    Ye Jie instantly sat up and held her hand, turned her to a side looking all over her body. "Why? What¡¯s wrong, baby? Did you get hurt?" His anxious face surprised Xu Mey.


    "I¡¯m fine... Ah Jie, we have to go to the hospital to remove my stitches." She reminded him and he finally heaved a sigh of relief.


    "Gosh! That was one bad scare you gave me there." Xu Mey chuckled when she saw him rubbing his chest.


    "I didn¡¯t know that Ah Jie has such a weak heart." Shemented.


    Ye Jie pulled her hand which he was holding, making hernd on hisp. "I didn¡¯t have a weak heart before... But you had turned my heart into a weak one."


    Xu Mey innocently looked at him and asked, "Are you ming me?"


    Ye Jie touched the tip of her nose with his own and said, "How can I be an idiot to me you?"


    "You better not be." Ye Jie nodded and ced his chin on her shoulder. "Come on! Get up already. We need to leave."


    "Hmm..." Ye Jie replied still nuzzling into her soft hair- up and down. His movements made Xu Mey inhale a sharp breath.


    "Ah Jie!" She raised her voice an octave and Ye Jie groaned while reluctantly letting her go.


    Ye Jie went inside the bathroom to take a shower while Xu Mey walked inside the closet to look for clothes. She was skimming through her clothes when her phone rang in her pocket. She rummaged it out and answered the call. "What is it?" She asked curtly.


    "President Xu, Ms. Fu Lan¡¯swyer is here to look for you. Ms. Xu Liqing hasn¡¯t gone back to her house sincest night and thest person she met was you. So, they are insinuating that you¡¯re behind her disappearance." Qin Hao rted the details to her.


    ¡¯You surely are eager to face your doom, Ms. Fu Lan.¡¯ Xu Mey smirked to herself. "Do I need to tell you what to do?"


    "Should we start our counterattack?" He asked for her permission.


    "This seems to be the right time." She replied and hung up.


    While they were on the road after 30 minutes, Xu Mey asked Ye Jie to take the left turn instead of the right one where the hospital was. "Where are we going? We didn¡¯t eat breakfast as well." He said looking at the road.


    "No questions." Ye Jie kept silent after that. Was it possible that Xu Mey said something and Ye Jie had the courage to disregard it? Of course not! Definitely not! He realized, how much he enjoyed listening to her every demand. Especially because she rarely made any demands. Also, because his feelings for her cleared upst night.


    After driving for 30 minutes, they entered the militarypounds area. Ye Jie had no clue what Xu Mey was nning. In reality, even Xu Mey herself didn¡¯t know what she was nning. She was just listening to her heart and her heart told her to bring Ye Jie here.


    "Xiao Mey?" He Jian¡¯s mother was pleasantly surprised to see Xu Mey so early in the morning.


    "Auntie Qin-Qin," Xu Mey called her name and hugged her tightly.


    "How¡¯s your ankle? Is it better? Did you take care of it? I told you not to leave until you¡¯re alright. But you really don¡¯t listen at all." She kept talking and talking until her eyesnded on Ye Jie beside Xu Mey.


    For a moment, her eyes widened. She couldn¡¯t believe her eyes that the young man before her looked so much like her own brother. Xu Mey noticed the odd look in her eyes and said, "Auntie, this my husband, Ye Jie. And Ah Jie, this is my Auntie Qin-Qin, Jian-Ge¡¯s mother."


    "Hello, Mrs. He!" Ye Jie politely greeted her with a noble bearing stunning Auntie Qin-Qin even more.


    It took her a while toe around and she said, "You can just call me Auntie Qin-Qin like Our Xiao Mey."


    "Thank you, Auntie!" Ye Jie said with a smile and watching the crinkles around his eyes, she felt a bit dizzy.


    "Oh, Auntie, is Uncle Chen still at your ce?" Xu Mey asked about Dr. Zhu Chen.


    "Ha? Oh, yeah... Chen is still here." She replied and invited them inside the house.


    Everyone was gathering for breakfast just like Xu Mey guessed. "Hi, everyone!" She said and all the gazes shifted to her.


    "Xiao Mey, why are you running around with your ankle still hurt?" He Jian scolded her.


    "Exactly, you should be resting. Not hopping around everywhere." He Jian¡¯s father spoke forgetting all about his newspaper.


    "Aiyo! What¡¯s wrong with you all? Xiao Mey must be here to remove her stitches, right?" Dr. Zhu Chen spoke up for her and Xu Mey who hung her head low like she¡¯d been wronged looked up.


    "Uncle Chen is really wise. Jian-Ge and Uncle Kun, Xiao Mey won¡¯t talk to you both anymore." Xu Mey turned to face Ye Jie and said, "Ah Jie, let¡¯s go! No one even asked me if I¡¯ve eaten or not."


    Ye Jie was too stunned to react at all. When did his wife turn into such an adorable girl? And she even knew how to act so pitifully, looking still adorable? She even has such a cute temper? She really didn¡¯t seem like the girl who liked holding a sword against the world to fight. At this moment, she felt like she was rxed between these people.


    "Oh boy! Xiao Mey, you didn¡¯t eat anything? Come have a seat here, Auntie¡¯s little munchkin." Auntie Qin-Qin coaxed her but Xu Mey ignored her.


    She again said to Ye Jie, "Ah Jie, tell her that I¡¯m full from hearing all the scolding early in the morning."


    "Aiyo! Auntie¡¯s munchkin, Auntie¡¯s really sorry. You can be angry with Auntie but what¡¯s the food¡¯s fault. And coincidently, I¡¯ve made your favorite Steamed Buns filled with a lot of meat." She looked eagerly at Xu Mey who was still ying hard to get.


    But Xu Mey¡¯s eyes really sparkled when she heard about the Steamed Buns. She acted like she was unwilling and said, "Well... Food is not at fault... And since you¡¯re insisting so much then... I¡¯ll have a bite."


    She held Ye Jie¡¯s arm and dragged him to the table. Ye Jie fully understood why she was rxed. The reason was simple; here all people loved her to the extent that they loved seeing her tantrums. She really was like a pampered person here who had the right to have a slight temper. And Ye Jie was d that she had a home where she could be this happy and where people loved her unconditionally.

 Chapter 132 - A Suspicion Filled Breakfast

    Xu Mey took a seat beside Dr. Zhu Chen and Ye Jie sat on her other side. He was intently looking at the sparkles in her eyes and that adorable pout.


    "Let me bring your Steamed Buns," He Jian¡¯s mother spoke and headed to the kitchen.


    "Oh, I just remembered," Xu Mey lightly tapped her forehead at her forgetful nature. "Uncle Chen, this is my husband, Ye Jie."


    Ye Jie nodded with a smile to greet him- he wasn¡¯t really paying attention to other people except for Xu Mey- while Dr. Zhu Chen kept staring at his face. He nodded as well in a daze. Then he smiled warmly and said, "I¡¯ve heard a lot about you young man. Now, I know why she can¡¯t stop talking about you."


    Ye Jie looked at Xu Mey¡¯s flushed face and said with a surprise, "Really? She doesn¡¯t like talking to me though."


    "Mean husband." Xu Mey grumbled. Ye Jie smiled at her while Xu Mey made a face at him. "Nevermind. Ah Jie, you know Jian-Ge already and that beside him is Uncle Kun. You¡¯ve met him at our wedding." Xu Mey said while pointing at He Jian and He Kun. "As for Uncle Chen," She turned to Dr. Zhu Chen. "He¡¯s a doctor and also, he¡¯s Jian-Ge¡¯s uncle."


    "Xiao Mey, aren¡¯t youte for office?" He Jian asked with suspicion.


    Xu Mey turned her head away from him and replied, "Not that I want to tell you but I¡¯m taking a break today."


    Ye Jie frowned to hear her answer. He moved closer to her and whispered, "Are you really?" She nodded. "Let me inform Qi Guan that I¡¯m noting today." He was about to stand when Xu Mey held his hand.


    "You don¡¯t have to take a day off for me."


    He patted her hand on his own and said, "I want to spend time with my wife. Who¡¯s going to stop me? Even my wife herself can¡¯t stop me." Smiling, he excused himself for a minute.


    Dr. Zhu Chen was looking at Ye Jie¡¯s back when Xu Mey¡¯s voice made him shift his nce to her. "Uncle Chen, when are you going to remove my stitches?"


    "Let¡¯s do it after breakfast. But you¡¯ll still need to take some care."


    "Okay... But don¡¯t say that in front of Ah Jie, he already didn¡¯t let me walk for the past 4 days. If you¡¯ll say I need more rest then I¡¯m afraid, he¡¯ll tie me up to the bed." She sighed making everyone chuckle.


    "Looks like this kid needs to be praised." He Jian¡¯s father said making Xu Mey scowl. "Lose the scowl now. Uncle is just worried about you. You know how much Uncle loves you and you still go around getting hurt for no reason."


    "Well... I can lose the scowl if Uncle Kun will gift me his favorite gun." Xu Mey made her offer.


    "I can give you the gun but Xiao Mey, you don¡¯t even know how to use it." Hemented.


    "Jian-Ge will teach me. Right?" She looked at He Jian while blinking eagerly.


    He Jian closed his eyes briefly as if it was really getting difficult to look at her. He sighed in defeat and said, "Fine... I¡¯ll teach you." Xu Mey smiled in victory.


    At this time, He Jian¡¯s mother and his aunt brought breakfast to the table. Xu Mey didn¡¯t look at anyone other than the basket of Steamed Buns shaped as cute birds. She was drooling.


    Xu Mey¡¯s focus shifted to Dr. Alice when she heard her voice. "Chen, don¡¯t you dare touch anything other than Congee."


    Dr. Zhu Chen¡¯s face turned sad as he looked at the imposing woman beside him. "Su darling, let me eat just one Steamed Bun. Please!"


    "No means no. Now, just eat your Congee." She said sternly and her eyes caught Xu Mey¡¯s ck orbs looking at her with curiosity. A crease appeared between her brows as she looked at Xu Mey.


    Noticing her gaze, He Jian said, "Auntie Su, that¡¯s my best friend, Xu Mey."


    Dr. Alice¡¯ eyes widened and she smiled widely as she stepped closer to Xu Mey. "So, you¡¯re the Xiao Mey who has charmed my husband."


    "Huh?" Xu Mey frowned with confusion.


    "From the time I came back, he can¡¯t seem to stop talking about you. If it¡¯s not charming him then what is?" She was asking Xu Mey who scratched the back of her head awkwardly.


    "Su darling, don¡¯t intimidate my Xiao Mey. She¡¯s such a fine youngdy." Dr. Zhu Chen spoke up for her making Xu Mey feel warm. "Xiao Mey, this is my wife, He Susu but people know her as Alice. So, you can call her Alice if you want." Xu Mey nodded.


    This scene was encountered by Ye Jie when he turned after finishing up his call. He came closer and said, "Dr. Alice?"


    Dr. Alice looked behind Xu Mey and saw Ye Jie¡¯s familiar face surprising her. "Oh my, Chen! Look! That¡¯s the young man I told you about. The one I met on the ne."


    Dr. Zhu Chen gave another look to Ye Jie with a sadness in his eyes and replied, "I¡¯ve met him, Su darling."


    "You have?" She raised her brows.


    He nodded and said, "He¡¯s Xiao Mey¡¯s husband."


    "Ohhh!" Dr. Alice managed to say.


    "It surely is a small world." Xu Meymented, getting everyone¡¯s attention. When she felt all the gazes at herself, she smiled awkwardly and said, "I mean to say that when I met Uncle Chen, I didn¡¯t know that he was Jian-Ge¡¯s Uncle. And, Uncle Chen¡¯s wife met Ah Jie in the ne and now, they are seeing each other here. Isn¡¯t it a really small world?"


    Everyone nodded in agreement. "I don¡¯t know about before but now I definitely believe that this... This is not just a coincidence. It surely is a game of fate. Either it¡¯s a cruel one or a pleasant one, only time can reveal.¡¯ Xu Mey thought to herself.


    When the maid was about to serve the wanton and dumplings to Ye Jie¡¯s bowl, Xu Mey instantly reacted, "No, don¡¯t! Ah Jie don¡¯t like mushrooms."


    Dr. Zhu Chen, his wife, and He Jian¡¯s mother all looked at Xu Mey with surprise. "Go and bring the bowl without mushrooms." He Jian¡¯s mother said to the maid.


    "There is no worry, Auntie. I¡¯ll eat something else. It¡¯ll be a bother to you." Ye Jie said politely.


    She shook her head. "It¡¯s nothing bothersome at all. My brother doesn¡¯t like mushrooms as well. So, I already made extra without mushrooms. Don¡¯t feel burdened about it."


    "Thank you, Auntie!" Ye Jie replied.


    The breakfast table had a weird atmosphere. Xu Mey was looking at her left and right side to see the simrities between Dr. Zhu Chen and Ye Jie; both had the same way of sitting, talking, and even eating. Xu Mey felt sweat forming on her forehead thinking about the possibilities. There were a lot of possibilities and there was no real answer. And Xu Mey hated it when she didn¡¯t hold the answers.


    Meanwhile, Dr. Alice and Zhu Qinyang, He Jian¡¯s mother were also sneaking nces at Ye Jie. He Jian had seen the way everyone was acting and couldn¡¯t help but feel suspicious especially about the way Xu Mey was acting.

 Chapter 133 - The Plans In Motion

    Oddly, this time around, the breakfast at He Family House was very awkward. There was plenty to talk but no one knew how to start because everyone had something running through their minds. Even Ye Jie himself felt that Dr. Zhu Chen had some simrities to himself but how could he let that thought spoil his mood? He tried to avoid such crazy thoughts and focused on his Xu Mey.


    He Jian and his father left right after breakfast. Dr. Zhu Chen took Xu Mey to the living room and brought his medical box. While the maid was cleaning up the table, Dr. Alice and He Jian¡¯s mother took Ye Jie out in the garden.


    Dr. Zhu Chen was focused on dealing with Xu Mey¡¯s wound when her cell phone rang. "Hi, little brother! Aren¡¯t you missing me too much today?"


    "Sis... you¡¯re a very treacherous person." Ye Junmented.


    "Did you just figured it out?" She asked amusedly. "But please do tell, what made you believe that?"


    "Xu Liqing has been found." He started.


    "Ahan..." She replied.


    "Do you know where she was found?" Ye Jun asked.


    "How would I know?" She asked with a faint smile on her face.


    Ye Jun snickered at the other end. "She is found at the Cloak Club in the downtown. It¡¯s a high-end club and she was not alone."


    "Oh, really?" Xu Mey spoke with a shocked voice making Ye Jun want to puke blood at her deceitful nature.


    But he yed along with her. "She was found with 10 other celebrities; even top-listers were there."


    "She has such a high-sspany of friends? That¡¯s nice." Xu Mey said with fake sincerity.


    Ye Jun rolled his eyes at Xu Mey since she couldn¡¯t see anyway. "The highlight is not that she¡¯s been found. The highlight is that she waspletely messed up; she and the other people were having a drug party." He took a pause and asked, "You did it right?"


    "Do you take me for such a person?" She asked with a hurt tone.


    "No..." He instantly replied. "But you are involved at some level."


    Xu Mey smiled at his shrewdness. "Of course, I am." She looked at Dr. Zhu Chen who had cleaned up and was heading to sanitize his hands. "The people she¡¯s found with are actually her friends. I have nothing to do with them. I only added a small number of drugs she¡¯s already addicted to in her water. Her aggressive nature came out when she was intoxicated. After we left, she was freed."


    Ye Jun understoodpletely. "You knew that she¡¯ll go to her usual party spot to forget about her humiliation and that¡¯s why you made sure that the reporters catch her there. Am I right?"


    "Bingo! That¡¯s all I did." Xu Mey replied honestly.


    "But sis, this report will not only ruin Xu Liqing but also all those stars."


    "Why are you worried? They shouldn¡¯t have gotten involved with drugs in the first ce. It¡¯s not my fault." Xu Mey answered sharply.


    Ye Jun changed the topic. "Bro is with you, I believe."


    "He is my Ah Jie obviously he¡¯ll be with me." She replied.


    Ye Jun had the urge to bang his head against the wall. This is the second time, he was being tortured with dog food even when he was not around them. He didn¡¯t say anything and hung up the call.


    This drug involvement news fell like a storm on everyone involved. Everyone was being questioned by the reporters. Everyone knew that drug reports could make a top-lister turn into a beggar in the entertainment industry and that was exactly what was going on at the moment.


    While the worst blow was on Fu Lan and Xu Enterprises. Because early morning, Ms. Fu Lan imed that President Xu was involved in her daughter¡¯s disappearance. After an hour, Xu Liqing was found in a club in her messed up state. And it hadn¡¯t even been 30 minutes when Vintage Gems released a statement which clearly exined the happenings of yesterday along with a clip of Xu Liqing going all crazy on a female assistant. Also, the statement also imed that President Xu was involved in an ident a week before and that left a huge trauma on her mind and because of Ms. Xu Liqing, her emotional and psychological trauma rpsed. Xu Mey¡¯s medical report from a week earlier was attached to proof all the ims.


    It was also stated that President Xu was taking a break because of the huge blow she received. Also, Vintage Gems filed a case against Ms. Fu Lan and Xu Enterprises for both defamation and the attack.


    In simple words, Xu Mey left both Fu Lan and Xu Liqing in deep deadly waters. Her own father Xu Cheng was out of the country and Xu Mey knew that Ms. Fu Lan will try her best to make sure that he doesn¡¯t get to know anything. But how could Xu Mey let her win? She had already made her move to make sure Xu Cheng get to see the mess his dear wife and his dear daughter made.


    Xu Mey knew that Fu Lan would be pressured by the board to leave her position at the CEO of the Xu Enterprises. No matter how much of a dear wife she was to Chairman Xu Cheng, for the board members, only profits and image mattered. And at this moment, it was Fu Lan¡¯s daughter who was ruining the image of Xu Enterprises.


    True to her expectations, Xu Mey received a call from her insider in Xu Enterprises. "Boss, the board meeting is in action. The current Chairman is already on the flight and even the ex-chairman, Mr. Xu Chuan is also going to attend." Xu Mey didn¡¯t expect that her grandfather will also attend the meeting.


    "Make sure that everyone votes against her even the ones she has a good rtionship with." Xu Mey ordered.


    "Boss, you don¡¯t have to worry at all. There is no one in CEO Fu¡¯s favor here. Not anymore. You don¡¯t worry, it¡¯s your time to get what belongs to you." The person on the other side said with conviction.


    "Take care of your end. I¡¯ll tell Qin Hao to deliver you the evidence of all the crimes, Ms. Fu Lan hasmitted in thepany." She hung up the call and kept staring at the screen.


    Did she want Xu Enterprises? No! She never once dreamed of having it. She always had one aim. That was to get Fu Lan and Xu Liqing out of Xu Enterprises. It was Xu Family¡¯s legacy, how could she let it be ruined by someone like Fu Lan who had no moral character?


    ¡¯The first step of kicking you out of Xu Enterprises is about toplete. Now, it¡¯s time to kick you out of Xu Family.¡¯ Her lips hooked upward slightly in an evil smile.

 Chapter 134 - A Needle Prick

    Meanwhile, Ye Jie was being indulged by twodies; Dr. Alice and Zhu Qinyang, He Jian¡¯s mother. In the garden, they not only served hi Roman Chamomile tea but also served a whole range of dim-sums in the small baskets.


    Ye Jie was like those people who had no heart to refuse an elder person so, he reluctantly kept eating. "Ye Jie, why are you so skinny?" He Jian¡¯s mother asked.


    ¡¯I am not that skinny.¡¯ He wanted to say. After all, he took care of his body very well. But how could he speak that in front those gentle filled eyes?


    "Yes, young man, you should a lot more." Even Dr. Alice agreed with her sister-inw. After a while she added, "I didn¡¯t expect to see you here."


    Ye Jie tried to smile and nodded while taking a sip of his tea. "I didn¡¯t as well, Dr. Alice."


    "Oh, you can just call me Auntie Su if you like. Nobody calls me Alice here. Also, you¡¯re calling my sis-inw as Auntie." Dr. Alice said.


    Ye Jie pursed his lips and looked at her tender eager eyes making him feel rxed. "I¡¯ll call you Auntie Su then." He said making her smile with happiness.


    "Did your wife opened up to you?" She asked all of sudden. Ye Jie remembered asking her for advice about Xu Mey during the ne ride. But he didn¡¯t expect her to bring it up at this time.


    Her statement caught Zhu Qinyang¡¯s attention. "You want Xiao Mey to open up?" She asked turning to Ye Jie. He didn¡¯t know how to answer at all.


    "I just wanted to help her and for that, I needed her to share her past with me." He answered looking at the flower petals floating in the ceramic cup in his hand.


    He Jian¡¯s mother sighed. "Once I wanted to help her as well. But then I realized that she didn¡¯t need it anymore. To hold on to her sanity, she embraced her own madness." Ye Jie lifted his eyes to look at her sad smile. She was looking into a distance. "William Shakespeare once said, ¡¯Hell is empty. All the devils are here.¡¯ She¡¯s been a strong believer of that quote. She told me that if she has to live in the world filled with devils then it¡¯s better to turn into a devil herself."


    "We can¡¯t change the world but we can change ourselves. After all, change starts with one¡¯s own self." Dr. Alice added her opinion as she listened to Zhu Qinyang talking about Xu Mey.


    "You don¡¯t understand Susu. I said that to her as well. She replied, ¡¯A demon was also born an angel but eventually he turned into a demon. So, If we shouldn¡¯t forget that a demon was once an angel. We also shouldn¡¯t forget that an angel will eventually be a demon as well. Because light might be able to crack through the shadows of light but darkness also has a habit of devouring the light.¡¯ Her mind doesn¡¯t think like you and me, you won¡¯t be able to win in an argument with that girl. She has too much to make you believe that her beliefs are right and yours are wrong."


    Ye Jie listened very intently and agreed that what Zhu Qinyang said was right. Xu Mey had too many ways to win an argument. But that demon and angel part she said reminded Ye Jie of a certain someone; Ru. Ye Jie shook his head thinking that they must only have the same thoughts. Otherwise, how was it possible for Xu Mey to know someone like Ru who never liked making friends.


    Alice was about to argue when Ye Jie spoke up, "Auntie Qin is right. Xu Mey does have her ways. She once even said to me that, ¡¯People change for two reasons; they have learned a lot or they have been hurt too many times.[1]¡¯ In her case, she said the number of times she was hurt made her learn a lesson each time. And that¡¯s what changed her into who she is today."


    Alice had nothing to refute anymore. Suddenly, she felt like that the girl she just saw inside- smiling - actually was just an illusion. She tried to lighten up the mood. "So, Ye Jie, how many siblings do you have?"


    "I have a younger brother." Ye Jie had an indulging smile talking about Ye Jun.


    "You must love him a lot?" She asked.


    "Yeah... He¡¯s the youngest so, I like to indulge him a little too much." Ye Jie replied sweetly.


    "Ye Jie, when is your birthday?" Zhu Qinyang asked the question. Why she asked was out of her own understanding.


    "It¡¯s October 10." He replied. Both Alice and Zhu Qinyang looked at each other and turned to him with wide eyes.


    "What about the year?" Alice asked with anticipation. What that anticipation was? Even she didn¡¯t know.


    "Oh, it¡¯s 19-" His words were cut short when he heard Xu Mey¡¯s voice.


    "Ouch!" He instantly ran towards her.


    "What happened, baby?" He asked anxiously.


    "I ate too much." She scrunched up her face in pain. Ye Jie rubbed his forehead and didn¡¯t know whether tough or cry.


    "Seriously?" She smiled sheepishly at him or tried to before clutching her stomach again.


    "Xiao Mey, do you have indigestion? Let me get the needle." When Xu Mey heard Zhu Qinyang talk about the needle, she instantly straightened up.


    "I¡¯m absolutely fine." She said through clenched teeth trying to bear with her pain.


    "Aiyo! Look at this girl. She¡¯s not scared of getting hurt but when ites to a needle prick, she gets freaked out for some reason." Ye Jie smiled pleasantly when he got to know this piece of information.


    "Ah Jie! Are youughing at me?" Xu Mey¡¯s lips turned downwards.


    He stroked her hair lovingly and said, "Of course not baby. How can I dare to do that? Come, I¡¯ll apany you. The needle won¡¯t hurt a bit."


    "And if it did?" She asked.


    "Then... Erm... You can prick me with the needle as well. Okay?" Xu Mey thought for a second and nodded enthusiastically.


    Ye Jie brought her to the seat and Zhu Qinyang brought the needle set. "Auntie Qin-Qin make sure that you don¡¯t hurt me and don¡¯t make me have blood loss." Zhu Qinyang rolled her eyes at this girl who was being dramatic.


    When she held Xu Mey¡¯s arm, Xu Mey shut her eyes tightly. "Baby, are you scared?" Ye Jie asked amusedly.


    "Of course not. I¡¯m not scared of anything." She replied with her eyes closed.


    "Right... My baby is not scared of anything except for being alone and needle pricks." Ye Jie chuckled and Xu Mey opened her eyes to re at him. "Look it¡¯s done." Ye Jie said looking into her ring eyes.


    "Huh?" Xu Mey looked down and saw that it was actually done. "Ah! It didn¡¯t hurt."


    "I told you it won¡¯t hurt." Ye Jie said beside her ear and she turned to hug his neck taking him by surprise. He pleasantly weed her in his embrace and caressed her hair.


    [1] It¡¯s a dialogue from the Tokyo Ghoul (Anime).

 Chapter 135 - Life Is Unfair

    While hugging him, Xu Mey thought to herself. ¡¯Now, more than being alone and needle pricks, I¡¯m even more scared to lose you.¡¯


    It¡¯s weird how someone invades into your life and heart one day and alters your belief... makes you question your own feelings. And they give you a sense that they love you fiercely and sopletely that even if one day they left, you won¡¯t be able to survive and you won¡¯t be to forget them as well. They make you believe not only in themselves but also in your own self.


    K. Towne Jr. once said, ¡¯Sometimes a heart must be broken to slip through the bars of its cage.¡¯ For Ye Jie, it wasn¡¯t much different as well. How his heart was broken didn¡¯t matter anymore. What mattered was simple; it gave him a way to escape from his ownfortable love that he was used to. And escaping from that cage made him stumble upon the girl in his arms who wasn¡¯t just invading his heart anymore. She had be a part of him. An essential part he couldn¡¯t live without anymore.


    When Xu Mey let him go, she saw Alice and Zhu Qinyang looking at her with a smile. She wanted to bury herself in the ground at that moment.


    "Woah! What¡¯s with this PDA?" Xu Mey heard Dr. Zhu Chen¡¯s voice and turned to see him also smiling at her.


    "He¡¯s my husband. Can¡¯t I hug him?" Xu Mey stubbornly replied making everyone chuckle.


    "Of course you can. Just like I can hug my wife." Dr. Zhu Chen said as he moved closer to his wife who crossed her arms before her chest.


    "Chen! Behave!" That¡¯s all Alice had to say and Dr. Zhu Chen straightened up.


    It was Xu Mey¡¯s turn to chuckle. "Auntie Qin-Qin, you should leave now." She said.


    "This early?"


    "Don¡¯t you have to work today?" Zhu Qinyang sighed sadly and nodded.


    She turned to Dr. Zhu Chen and Alice. "Uncle Chen, you can keep uspany right?"


    Dr. Zhu Chen smiled at her and replied, "Of course, I can!" All of a sudden, a thought invaded his mind making appear a bit sad. "Gosh! I wish our Azalea was here. She would have loved you." Hemented making both Ye Jie and Xu Mey stiffen up.


    "Azalea?" Xu Mey couldn¡¯t help asking.


    "Azalea is our daughter. She¡¯s been traveling for more than a year now." Alice replied instead of Dr. Zhu Chen. "This girl really knows how to worry us to death. We haven¡¯t heard her voice or seen her all this time."


    Ye Jie went nched. He waspletely lost. Alice¡¯st statement made everything even more clear to him. His body was trembling terribly but he had to bit the inside of his mouth to keep his calm. Xu Mey turned to see him. He smiled with force. "I¡¯ll be back in a while baby." He said and left a kiss at the top of her head before leaving abruptly.


    He drove faster than usual and arrived at the Star Emperor Hospital where Lin Shen had transferred Azalea 4 days ago. He walked into her room and sat beside her bedside. He held his head in his hands and took deep breaths. But when he couldn¡¯t stop his mind from running wild, he made a call.


    Before anyone could speak, he said in a choked up voice, "Ru, why is life so unfair?"


    "Unfair?" He didn¡¯t hear the voice from the phone but rather he heard it right behind him. He instantly turned to see. There she was in dark gray button-up shirt with ck pant. Her red hair swept sideways and her green eyes staring back at him.


    "Ru?" He was really surprised to see her here right in front of him. "What are you doing here? You didn¡¯t likeing back to the country. You haven¡¯t been back for a decade."


    "Dear friend, I came because you asked me to. And as for life," She sighed heavily. "Life has never been unfair. We only like to think that life is unfair."


    "How is this life not unfair, Ru? This life is tearing me into ribbons right now." He raised his voice in exasperation.


    Ru ced her hand on his shoulder and said, "If life is tearing you into ribbons. Then pick those ribbons and make a beautiful bow with them." She smiled at him as he was stared at her.


    "You are the one who once said that life is a nightmare in itself. And it¡¯s a nightmare that doesn¡¯t end just because we opened our eyes." Ye Jie reminded her with his slightly red eyes.


    "Look at her," She turned towards Azalea on the bed. "Is she a nightmare?" She asked.


    Ye Jie frowned. Was she? Was Azalea really a nightmare for him? No! She wasn¡¯t. She was that beautiful breath of fresh air, he needed in his life. Because she liked talking andughing all the time making it seem like everything was alright in the world.


    "No... She¡¯s not a nightmare." He replied still looking at that frail girl.


    "Then how can your life be a nightmare? She¡¯s not your nightmare. She¡¯s your truth. She¡¯s the truth you have to embrace."


    "You¡¯re not understanding, Ru. Today, I met her parents and they are so nice. And the worst part is they are waiting for their daughter. How am I supposed to face them?" Tears were pooling into his eyes.


    "Look at me, Jie." Ye Jie looked up at her face. "Your fear is not that you don¡¯t need parents in your life anymore. Your fear is that you have made yourself believe that they don¡¯t want you or they don¡¯t need you."


    "What if they really don¡¯t need me and that¡¯s why I¡¯m ¡¯Ye Jie¡¯?" He asked biting his bottom lip.


    "And how would you know that?" She raised her brows. "Just like you have to fall in order to grow, you also have to ask in order to know. The answers won¡¯te to knock at your door. You¡¯ll have to knock at their door."


    "You really have changed." Hemented looking into her eyes.


    "Change is inevitable. Isn¡¯t it? I just learned to choose between staying and fading away." She smiled sadly.


    "You¡¯ve also learned to smile." He added.


    "Smiles are often like a mask. The masks we don¡¯t want to take off. You¡¯re the only person who knows what lies behind my smile, and yet you like asking me weird questions."


    "When did youe back?"


    "The same night you asked me to." She smiled again and said, "Stop asking questions now. Your sister is awake." She said and looked at Azalea.

 Chapter 136 - I Can Fix, Not Heal

    "Your sister is awake?" Ye Jie¡¯s mind was in disarray. He couldn¡¯tprehend her meaning until she pointed with her chin towards the hospital bed. Ye Jie followed her lead and looked at the wan figure with her eyes fluttering.


    Ye Jie was astounded. He felt staring at Azalea whose fingers made a slight movement. He leaned a bit and his hand stroked her forehead and her head. "Zelie? Are you awake? Come on, open your eyes and see, your Jie Ge-Ge is right here with you." Ye Jie lost the control over his tears as he felt a stream trickling down his face but he didn¡¯t care at all. "Ge-Ge will never let anyone hurt you anymore. Please, open your eyes." His eyes were beseeching while his voice was choked up. He held Azalea¡¯s weak hand in his own and tried to provide all his strength to her through his touch.


    "She can hear you. She can even feel your touch. She¡¯s just too weak and that¡¯s why she can¡¯t open her eyes. But by tonight, she¡¯ll be able to open her eyes." He heard Ru¡¯s rxed voice behind him and shifted a bit to look at her with tears running down his face and bloodshot eyes.


    "How did you do this?" He asked with a heavy burden weighing on his chest.


    "I think since I know being in aa at a personal level, I understood her condition better. Also, don¡¯t you trust my medicinal skills?" She asked giving him an askance look.


    "I believe in your heavenly skills. I just never thought that you¡¯ll be able to bring her back to me in 4 days." He replied wiping his tears with the back of his hand.


    "I¡¯m not the one who saved her. She¡¯s been well taken care of from the past year and a half. Also, I believe it¡¯s your voice that attracts her the most. More like, she has a will to wake up. It seems your sister loves you a lot." Rumented and turned to Azalea to take her pulse. After a while, she added, "She¡¯s a bit too weak. You need to make sure that she has proper meals filled with nourishment and also, don¡¯t try talking about unnecessary things with her." Ye Jie nodded.


    "Now, move away for a bit." She ordered and Ye Jie walked back leaving room for Ru.


    She pulled out a small wooden box from inside of her hoodie and opened it to reveal different acupuncture needles. Ru used the needles with precision. Two needles were on Azalea¡¯s toes that had a direct link with the brain then she used another needle on the brain point in her ear. After that, she held Azalea¡¯s hand and used mild pressure to massage the acupuncture point on herdyfinger.


    When she removed the needles, she massaged different pressure points on her body. After a while, she fed some medicinal drink to Azalea through a feeding tube.


    "Ru, sometimes I feel like you can bring a dead person back to life. Is there anything that you can¡¯t do?" Ye Jie asked looking at her immersed in doing the treatment.


    "I guess I¡¯ll have to thank that old man for making me sit through all those lectures that he gave me back in the days. Although I still think I can¡¯tpete with him if we don¡¯t consider him then I won¡¯t lose from anyone for sure. And this is not being a heavenly person. It¡¯s more like having the ancient traditional medicinal skills. You very well know the origin of my n; we have a lot of skills that defy the basic beliefs of people." She replied calmly not losing her focus.


    Ye Jie actually wasn¡¯t too sure about her family n but the thing he was sure about was that her family really was extraordinarily skilled. Also, they were ruthless. Ye Jie still remembered the day he met Ru; she was covered with bruises and blood. At just the age of 5, she was punished terribly for missing out on her training.


    "Also, there are plenty of things that I can¡¯t do like working on my own memory fragments." She sighed and added, "It will be better to get her to a house when she wakes up. She would need a change of atmosphere. It will help her in recovering. But wait for 3 more days, I have to perform the acupuncture for 3 more days."


    "I don¡¯t know, how to say thanks to you, Ru." He was really in debt to her this time.


    "You¡¯re the only friend I have. Why do you have to say thanks? Just buy me feel if you¡¯re feeling too touched." She said making Ye Jie roll his eyes at her. He was amazed by her yet again. How could someone be so nonchnt? Once Ru was nonchnt about death. Today, she was nonchnt about life. He looked at her green eyes and didn¡¯t know what to say. Ru patted his shoulder and said, "I can only fix things like these, Jie. I can only talk about the things I know. Taking care of someone like fixing them is in my hands but healing is not. A person can only heal through their own sheer willpower. If you feel like it¡¯s not the right time then don¡¯t go to your parents. Wait for the time when you have all the answers."


    "Can you help me in finding those answers?" He asked in a daze.


    She smiled and shook her head. "It¡¯s something you have to look for yourself. No one can help you in this except for the people who really matter in your life." After saying that, she pulled up her hood to cover her face and left the room.


    "Ge-Ge!" Ye Jie heard a soft voice almost like a whisper making him freeze at his spot. He turned his head slowly almost like he was afraid that the voice was his hallucination and if he turned, it will break. But to his utter surprise, the girl was staring at him with her brown weary eyes and her lips were furled up ever so slightly.

 Chapter 137 - Overwhelming Moments

    Moments have the ability to spellbind. Those moments hold so many emotions and feelings that they leave us in a state where we¡¯re not even sure about what we really are feeling. But those feelings are unfretted. Happiness... Pain... Guilt... Surprise... Shame... Fear... All these emotions intermingled to create an overwhelming sense of emotions.


    "Zelie!" Ye Jie called her name softly making her blink her eyes with an effort. Azalea tried to open her mouth to say something but her parched throat felt like needles were prickling it. Ye Jie noticed her struggle and poured her a ss of water and helped her take a sip with a straw. She felt the cold sensation of water gush down her body making a cooling sensation wash over her.


    Ye Jie kept staring at her face when he saw her trying to lift her hand. He instantly held her hand in his own and didn¡¯t realize that a tear had betrayed his restraint and fell down on his cheek. "Ge," She tried to speak in her hoarse voice. "If you kept crying, how will I call you my strongest brother?"


    Ye Jie smiled affectionately at her and wiped his tear. "Ge is just too happy to see you awake." He said. "Ge-Ge is really sorry. If I didn¡¯t leave that day-" He couldn¡¯t continue any further. He felt her fingers trying to press on his hand and lifted his eyes to look at her.


    "Ge, I don¡¯t me you for that," She took a pause and added, "Instead, I am so d that it was I who got in that ident and not you." Ye Jie hugged her small delicate figure and didn¡¯t know what to say to her.


    "I met your parents today." He told her.


    "Ge they are your-" Before she could continue, Ye Jie interrupted her.


    "Let¡¯s talk about it when you¡¯re absolutely fine." He caressed her cheek. "Sleep for a while. Ge will be right beside you." She nodded as fatigue was wearing her down. She closed her eyes to rx. Talking for just this much time was extremely difficult to her. But she needed to tell her brother that she never can me him for anything. She needed to talk to him even more but her body didn¡¯t allow it.


    At this moment, looking at her sleeping peacefully with a faint smile on her lips, Ye Jie felt rxation engulf his heart. He felt at peace. He realized that there was no moment to describe beautiful moments, they were just beautiful. Because those moments have so many unforgettable memories and feelings that it¡¯s hard to describe them in words. These kinds of moments are meant to be cherished.


    His phone¡¯s ring broke his daze and he answered the call to hear an anxious voice. "Ah Jie! Where are you? Are you alright?" He smiled when he heard the concern in Xu Mey¡¯s voice.


    "Sorry to scare you like this, baby. I¡¯m fine. Actually, I¡¯m more than fine. I¡¯m with Azalea. I¡¯lle to pick you up in the evening." Xu Mey¡¯s heaved a sigh of relief when she heard his deep voice brimming with strange tranquility.


    "I¡¯ll wait for you then." She replied and heard him softly humming. "Hmm."


    He rubbed the back of Azalea¡¯s hand and whispered, "Get better soon, Zelie. I have to introduce you to your strange and a bit crazy sister-inw. I promise you¡¯ll love her." He chuckled to himself. "I believe you¡¯ll be able to befriend her with your nature. She¡¯s an amazing person. Scary at times and adorable at other times." He sighed heavily. "Although I don¡¯t know much about her past; I still have fallen for her. She has given me the real sense of love and I couldn¡¯t help but loving her shattered self."


    Meanwhile, after the Xu Enterprises¡¯ shareholder meeting, Xu Cheng was seething with fury. He arrived at the Xu Residence with Fu Lan where his father Xu Chuan was already waiting for him.


    The scene he witnessed when he entered the house was of his father, Xu Chuan pping Xu Liqing fiercely. Due to the powerful impact of his p, Xu Liqing fell to the ground and tears started flowing down her face. Fu Lan ran up to her daughter and held her shoulders. "Father, this is not the way to deal with this matter. We can talk about it. There has to be a mistake somewhere." Fu Lan tried to appease the situation but it further intensified Xu Chuan¡¯s anger.


    "Mistake?" He snarled. "What kind of mistake there can be? When your daughter drowned the Jade Stones because of her ipetence, I overlooked it. But now," He gave a vicious look to both mother and daughter. "She¡¯s involved in drugs and that¡¯s a huge shame to our family name. The people who never dared to look at me twice passed me such disgusting looks today just because of this inept daughter of yours."


    Xu Liqing whimpered pitifully while her body shook. Her cheek was swelling up as well and the stream of tears was still flowing. "Grandfather!" She choked on her words. "It was all Xu Mey¡¯s fault. I didn¡¯t do anything. She was there at the Vintage." Fu Lan¡¯s eyes shed with shock when she heard her daughter¡¯s words.


    "Humph!" Grandfather Xu gave her a disdainful look. "me all you want to on Xiao Mey. After all, you are just like your mother." Both Fu Lan and Xu Liqing looked at him with wide eyes. "Once your mother tricked my son into sleeping with her and today, you n to ruin Xiao Mey¡¯s image just to get her husband. Do you think I don¡¯t know what goes on in both of your scheming minds?"


    Father Xu Cheng just lowered his head not saying anything. Even if it was true that Fu Lan tricked him back then but he couldn¡¯t deny that Xu Liqing was his daughter. As for Xu Mey, sigh. He didn¡¯t want to think about her at all. Getting Xu Mey married into a nice family was thest thing he could bear to do for her.


    "Father, you should calm down. Your blood pressure will re up." Father Xu Cheng helped his father to sit on the fabric sofa. "Bring some water for the Elder Master." He bellowed to get the housemaids attention.


    Today, Fu Lan lost her seat as the CEO and she still couldn¡¯t understand how it happened. She had bribed so many people for all these years and yet they betrayed her at the moment of crisis. Also, she took extra care in concealing Xu Liqing¡¯s drug habits but it still was revealed. How?


    She pulled her daughter to a side and asked, "Are you sure you saw Xu Mey at that Vintage?"


    Xu Liqing replied in between sobs. "Yes, mom. That bit*h is President Xu." She shook her head. "No... She just yed me. I know she did. How did she get to Vintage? I don¡¯t know. But she surely was the one, I was trying to hit."


    Fu Lan rubbed her back to soothe her and said, "Leave it to Mommy. I¡¯ll see what that wretch is trying to achieve."


    Fu Lan contacted someone and ordered them. "Find out about President Xu and her rtionship with Xu Mey."

 Chapter 138 - Disappointment

    Ye Jie went to pick Xu Mey in the evening but didn¡¯t stay for long. He was feeling guilty that he told Xu Mey he¡¯ll spend the day with her and yet he ran away.


    "Ah Jie," Xu Mey cautiously called him.


    "En."


    "Are you really okay?" She asked with a worried face.


    He smiled looking at the road and replied, "Of course, I¡¯m fine. Baby, stop worrying about me. I¡¯m not that weak."


    "Are we going to talk about it?" She asked referring to the discovery of his parents¡¯ identity.


    "Sorry, baby but not now. We¡¯ll talk but it¡¯s not the right time. I need some time, okay?" He gave her a sideways look.


    "Okay." She agreed. Even she knew that it was not easy for him to ept the changes in his life that soon. After a moment of silence, she asked, "How¡¯s Azalea?"


    "She¡¯s fine." He replied, not telling her about Azalea¡¯s waking up. He wanted to surprise her by bringing Azalea home. He knew Xu Mey would be really happy to see her. Also, he needed to surprise both Xu Mey and Azalea at the same time.


    While he was smiling to himself, Xu Mey noticed that his smile was very different today. It was almost like he was contented. Like he had found the missing piece of his life all of a sudden. Xu Mey felt rxed seeing that smile on his face.


    Late at night, Xu Mey was stretched out beside Ye Jie with his hand over her stomach and his head in the crook of her neck. He was cing soft kisses making her feel jittery. "Ah Jie," she called out his name.


    "Hmm." He hummed distractedly.


    "Do you think I¡¯m a bad person?" Ye Jie stopped kissing her and held her shoulder to make her turn her body to face him.


    "I don¡¯t." He answered with a straight face.


    Xu Mey bit her bottom lip and Ye Jie¡¯s brown eyes deepened as he followed her movements. "What if I¡¯m really a dark person with no hope?" She asked.


    "You can be dark, baby. But not hopeless." He started. Xu Mey lifted her gaze to stare at his handsome face. "I know what dark people look like. I have seen one. As for you, how can you be dark when you are even scared to be alone in dark?" He took a pause to kiss the tip of her nose and added, "Even if you¡¯re a bit dark then there is no worry. I¡¯m right here to pull you out of that darkness."


    Xu Mey blushed and scooted closer to his body with the side of her face against his heart and her arms wrapped around his back. Ye Jie ced his chin at the top of her head as his one arm stroked her hair and the other one stayed on her waist.


    "Ah Jie, who¡¯s the dark person you were talking about?" He heard her muffled voice and took a deep breath.


    "There is only one. My best friend, Ru." He replied.


    "How can you say that she¡¯s a dark person?" Xu Mey asked with curiosity.


    "Because baby, that person has made peace with her solitude. The darkness doesn¡¯t scare her at all. Instead, the dark nights are her favorite. She believes that in the dark night you can see the faces of the people they hide in the bright day. The dark nights are like a spell to her; the spell can make even the sun sleep." Ye Jie talked with an indescribable heavy feeling.


    "She must have been through a lot to have such bitter feelings." Xu Mey remarked.


    "Feelings?" Ye Jie chuckled as Xu Mey felt the reverberation. "She grew up in a family where feelings were named a taboo. You¡¯d be called weak if you had the slightest bit of unnecessary emotions."


    Xu Mey was surprised to hear his remarks. "Her family had such serious rules for an innocent person?"


    "Innocence?" He paused. "I don¡¯t remember her being innocent. She was naive once to think that the world outside her family was better. But soon, the world showed her the real definition of darkness."


    "Can I meet her?" Xu Mey asked.


    "I¡¯ll let you meet her soon. She just came back to the country. Now, go to sleep." He said and kissed her head before rxing in her embrace. It was very natural now toy in each others¡¯ arms or to nt a kiss. It was like they¡¯ve been doing it for years.


    -The next morning-


    When both Xu Mey and Ye Jie were at the breakfast table, he asked, "Are you taking a day off today as well?"


    "Ha?" She lifted her head to look at him. "No... I have to go. Today is Vintage¡¯s Jewelry Exhibition and I have to be there." She replied.


    "Okay." He replied not wanting to get in between her work.


    After breakfast, he drove her personally to the Vintage Gems Building. She unbuckled her seat and looked at him staring at her face. "What?" She asked. "Is something on my face?" She touched her face.


    "No... But something is missing." He said.


    "Huh? What is missing?" She leaned a bit to see her face in the mirror when Ye Jie nted a kiss on her lips.


    "That was missing." He said as she looked at him with her slightly parted lips. His hand lifted up to caress her cheek and his thumb kept skipping over her bottom lip in an intimate manner. "Take care of yourself. And don¡¯t forget to miss me. Tell me when you need the ride back. I¡¯lle to pick you."


    Xu Mey nodded in her daze reeling because of the sensations his thumb was creating. She jolted a bit and shook her head. "I¡¯ll tell you." She hurriedly got down the car and almost ran inside the office building.


    Late at night, two figures were ying a staring game- one tall and one a bit shorter.


    He walked a bit closer to her while staring at her face with raging fury. She opened her mouth to say something but no words could be formed.


    "Baby, tonight you have really disappointed your husband." She heard his sadened voice and lifted her eyes to look at the hurt in his brown eyes.

 Chapter 139 - President Xu, Mr. Jacob

    *shback To The Morning*


    After dropping Xu Mey at Vintage, Ye Jie drove towards the hospital. As he entered the hospital room, he saw Azalea looking at Ru like she had met her Prince Charming.


    Ru held Azalea¡¯s hand to massage her pressure points to ease up the stiffness in Azalea¡¯s muscles. Her mind was in better condition but her body was too weak and she couldn¡¯t talk without getting tired. Azalea stared at Ru¡¯s green eyes drooped to focus to her hand while Ru¡¯s perfect longshes were making a shadow. "You¡¯re really handsome, Doctor," Azalea said in her sweet voice. Her voice didn¡¯t have the same hoarseness as yesterday.


    Ru lifted her eyes and saw the look in Azalea¡¯s eyes. "First, don¡¯t call me a doctor. Second, stop with those dewy eyes. Your brother will murder me if he saw it."


    "I already am seeing it." Ru stiffened a bit before leaving Azalea¡¯s hand and looking at Ye Jie.


    "Hi, Jie! I¡¯m not flirting at all." Ru tried to exin herself still using her deep voice like a male.


    Ye Jie shook his head while clicking his tongue. "How can I believe the biggest flirt of the century?"


    "Now, this is not fair with me. It¡¯s like you¡¯re ming me for even breathing." Ru said with a scowl.


    Ye Jie chuckled. "How¡¯s my sister?" He asked.


    "See for yourself," Ru replied.


    "I¡¯m feeling much better, Jie Ge-Ge. My throat is not stinging and my muscles are not feeling stiff. Also, my mind is not fuzzy anymore." Azalea counted all the things with her smiling face.


    Ye Jie walked closer to her and said, "That¡¯s very good." Then he looked at Ru. "But Zelie, you should stay away from this hypocrite here. This person can only break people. Fixing them is very rare for this one."


    Ru smiled to herself. "Is he a flower boy who likes to break hearts?" Azalea asked like a curious little kid.


    Ye Jie patted Azalea¡¯s head and replied, "No... Breaking heart is not his nature. This one likes to break people as a whole."


    A pleasantly alluringugh spread in the silent room. Ye Jie and Azalea both looked at Ru who had dropped her head back tough out loud. "Best friend, didn¡¯t I tell you that hearts are dangerous to y with? Hearts carry the burden of feelings and I really don¡¯t have the courage to y with that kind of burdens. Breaking people is a lot more fun." Ru¡¯s voice was still deep andzy. Her face was smiling but it looked like hiding a storm behind it.


    "And you, my best friend¡¯s precious sister," Ru turned to Azalea who was curiously peering at her. "Let me give you a piece of advice. Don¡¯t be scared of having a broken heart. Be scared of not having a heart at all. Because a broken heart can at least remind you that you¡¯re alive with pain. But an empty heart is just numb. It can¡¯t feel anything at all. Your brother is right, you should keep your distance from me because I fall into the second category; an empty heart one." With that, Ru left Azalea and Ye Jie alone in the room.


    Azalea was deeply thinking about what Ru said and Ye Jie saw that. "Zelie, stop thinking." He said and made her look at himself. "You won¡¯t be able toprehend that person¡¯s words this easily. Just think that he¡¯s crazy. Okay?"


    Looking into Ye Jie¡¯s eyes, Azalea nodded her head and smiled at him. "Do you want to talk to your parents?" He asked after some hesitation.


    "No..." Ye Jie frowned at her response. "I can¡¯t talk to them. Especially not daddy. He¡¯ll instantly know that I¡¯m unwell. And then, he¡¯ll make everything too big of an issue. I can¡¯t deal with that yet. Let me get a little better."


    "But we have to tell them about the ident." Ye Jie said in a bit lower voice.


    Azalea held his hand and said, "Ge-Ge, it¡¯s better to avoid talking about my ident for now. Trust me, mom and dad will flip. And even more than them, grandpa and grandma are going to flip. Until you¡¯re not ready to be officially my brother, I don¡¯t want them hearing about it at all." Ye Jie reluctantly agreed to her demand.


    He wanted to spend some more time with Azalea so, he decided to take her out of the room for some fresh air. He was walking around with Azalea on the wheelchair when his assistant¡¯s call came. After some time, Qi Guan himself came to Ye Jie.


    "What¡¯s so urgent?" Ye Jie asked right in front of Azalea.


    "Sir, Vintage Gems is holding an exhibition tonight. They have invited the CEO of Glow Gemstones." Qi Guan informed him courteously.


    "Tell them, I can¡¯te." Ye Jie replied without any interest. Qi Guan nodded but didn¡¯t leave. "Is there something else?"


    Qi Guan nodded and stretched the iPad in hand towards Ye Jie. Ye Jie frowned but took it from him. There were news articles on the screen. The headlines caught Ye Jie¡¯s attention: ¡¯Vintage Gems low-profile President Xu is actually fond of PDA?¡¯ and ¡¯President Xu in her Handsome mysterious boyfriend¡¯s arms.¡¯


    It was very rare to know anything about President Xu at all. "Sir, these headlines were posted at 6 in the morning yesterday and were taken down in less than an hour." Qi Guan informed him further but Ye Jie wasn¡¯t paying attention. His eyes were stuck on the photos attached in the articles.


    Although the faces were hidden how could Ye Jie not recognize the girl he held in his own arms. Whose every movement had be familiar to him. His eyes were glued to those photos as a million things ran through his mind. ¡¯Xu Mey hugged me in front of Vintage¡¯ building. This is definitely me and her in the photos. But what¡¯s with President Xu? President Xu... Xu Mey... President Xu? Xu Mey?¡¯ At this sudden link, Ye Jie¡¯s mind frozepletely.


    "Qi Guan, tell them that CEO of Glow Gemstones will be there at the exhibition tonight." Qi Guan didn¡¯t know what changed in a moment but he still bowed and left.


    "Ge-Ge, you never liked going to such parties," Azalea remarked looking at Ye Jie weirdly. "Is your girlfriend going to be there?"


    He smiled wickedly and said, "Not girlfriend... Apparently, my wife is going to be there."


    Azalea¡¯s eyes widened with shock. "Ge! Did you get married? I told you I don¡¯t like that stupid girlfriend¡¯s of yours and you still married her?"


    Ye Jie looked at her making a crying face. He flicked her forehead and said, "Aiyo! Zelie, I got married but not to my girlfriend. I¡¯ll introduce you to my wife soon. But tonight, I need to introduce myself to another version of my wife. I need to surprise her. Or maybe I¡¯m the one who¡¯s going to be surprised." Azalea didn¡¯t understand the meaning but she knew that he must have his reasons for asking her to wait.

 Chapter 140 - Cant Stay Mad

    -In the evening, at the Star Convention Center-


    Ye Jie was d in a ck tux as he made his way through the entrance towards the hall with Qi Guan trailing behind him. Almost everyone present turned to see Ye Jie. He was extremely eye-catching with his handsome looks but today, he was akin to a Prince Charming walking straight out of a fairytale book. The ck tux enhanced his charms to a whole new magnitude.


    He wasn¡¯t just exuding charms but he also had the countenance of a noble, aloof, and a bit cold Prince which gave a warning to people to keep their distance. A man in histe thirties almost ran to Ye Jie with a fawning smile. "Mr. Jacob, it¡¯s so good to see you here. I¡¯m d that you epted our invitation." The man said. He was the manager of the Gem appraising department and he often had contact with Glow Gemstones for business. But it was his first time seeing Ye Jie so up close.


    Ye Jie didn¡¯t pay much attention to him. "I had toe. After all, I need to meet the capable President Xu." He replied indifferently but there was an indescribable look in his eyes.


    The managerughed lightly and said, "Of course. I¡¯ll introduce President Xu to you personally." His way of speech was really obsequious.


    After a while, everyone¡¯s gaze shifted to the person who had just walked in. As he heard the gasps around, Ye Jie also shifted a bit to see the person who had just walked in. And his eyes fell on her lithe frame, he was stunned.


    She was wearing a sleeveless Dupioni Trumpet Gown in midnight blue color. The gown had a gracefully red trumpet skirt and a jewel neckline. The striking style was finished with a pretty bow and a geometric cutout at the back. The cut was shaped as such that the shoulder des were covered. The cutout wasn¡¯t big enough but gave a peek of her wlessly fair skin.


    Her sleek ck locks had soft curls and were tied in a half up-do. The ocean blue pearl earrings were adding anotheryer of beauty to her already mesmerizing beauty. She was akin to an allurement that could stir passion and desire in a man along with envy in women.


    Looking at her... Oh, no! Wait! Not looking but instead while gawking at her, Ye Jie couldn¡¯t help himself from thinking about a poem by Lord Byron.


    ¡¯She walks in beauty, like the night


    Of cloudless climes and starry skies;


    And all that¡¯s best of dark and bright


    Meet in her aspect and her eyes;


    Thus mellowed to that tender light


    Which heavens to gaudy day denies.¡¯


    He felt like the poem was written just for her. It did justice to her allure magnificently. Ye Jie shook his mind to clear his muddled head. This was not the time for spellbinding. He needed to meet HIS WIFE.


    "Mr. Jacob, this is President Xu." The male voice from the manager earlier introduced while Ye Jie kept staring at the beautiful figure before him.


    "President Xu, this is the CEO of Glow Gemstones, Mr. Jacob." Xu Mey stared into his charming brown eyes and saw the storm brewing. There was anger, hurt and sadness visible in that pair of eyes that she loved so much. Each feeling pricked her heart badly as she wanted to say something but felt her throat constricted.


    With those feelings, shepletely forgot that Ye Jie was just introduced as Mr. Jacob to her.


    It was not even in her wildest dreams that Ye Jie would be here. She didn¡¯t n to hide her identity from him any longer but it was different now. He found out through other means. She was not the one who disclosed it to him. It made the whole matter a different story. A story she didn¡¯t like at all.


    "I shall take my leave." The manager courteously said and moved back leaving them to get acquainted. He knew better when to take advantage of the situation. And right now, it was a good opportunity for President Xu to get into the good books of Mr. Jacob. Little did he know that both of them were having a staringpetition behind him.


    Before both of them could speak, Xu Mey¡¯s phone rang. She picked up the call and a piercing voice howled, "Sis, how can you not invite me at such an important event of Vintage. I thought we¡¯re partners in crime. How can you do this to me? If you keep disregarding me like this, I¡¯ll tell bro that you¡¯re President Xu." While Ye Jun was bursting his heart filled with indignation, Ye Jie¡¯s face was turning cker. Ye Jun¡¯s voice was loud enough for Ye Jie to hear who was standing very close to Xu Mey.


    He could understand the pretext for hiding her identity as President Xu but the fact that even Ye Jun knew about it made Ye Jie feel like a fool.


    Xu Mey had seen the way Ye Jie¡¯s eyes deepened and she instantly disconnected the call without replying. "Ah Jie!" She called him softly while cing her hand on his arm.


    Ye Jie felt like he was duped. He tossed her hand away and said, "President Xu," Xu Mey didn¡¯t like the way he addressed her. It felt like there was a distance of a million miles between them. "I only allow my wife to call me ¡¯Ah Jie¡¯." Although he spoke with politeness and with a smile on his face Xu Mey knew that he was more than just upset at the moment.


    Her face fell. She looked dejected with her eyes losing their usual shine. "But I¡¯m the only wife of Ah Jie. And as you said, only Ah Jie¡¯s baby can call him Ah Jie." She managed to say in her soft voice.


    Ye Jie was nning on leaving when he heard her voice making him halt. He closed his eyes but when he looked at her; he only saw her lips turned downwards as her eyes were looking back at him with a hopeful gaze.


    Gosh! Why is she doing this to me? How can I just let it go? She could tell Ye Jun but not me? And here I am with needles pricking my heart just with those words and that look of her is killing me. Would you let me be mad for a while? Oh, wait! Did she just call herself, ¡¯Ah Jie¡¯ baby? His heart was stirredpletely at this point but he was trying his best to stay mad for a little bit longer.


    She sidled up to him and tugged at his sleeve inconspicuously. Now, that was Ye Jie¡¯sst resolve. He walked a bit closer to her and said, "Baby, tonight you have really disappointed your husband." Xu Mey didn¡¯t know how to reply or what to say at all. But he continued after a second, "But I clearly can¡¯t stay mad at you even for a minute." A radiant smile bloomed on her face which froze in the next second, "But we can¡¯t just let you get away unscathed this time. Can we?" He moved closer to her ear as his hot breath brushed past her ear. "And I have a perfect punishment nned for you." Xu Mey gulped audibly.

 Chapter 141 - Dancing To The Rhythm

    To calm herself and to break the spell of Ye Jie on her heart, she cleared her throat and suggested, "Why don¡¯t you apany me to see the things we have on showcase?"


    Ye Jie chuckled to himself and nodded. They walked around the huge hall, assessing the jewelry products in the ss disy cases. Ye Jie knew that Vintage was one of the fastest growing jewelry brands and he heard about the marvelous and elegant designs that they brought to people but it was his first time seeing the products himself. He noticed a particr detail that every piece had an intricate design but it also exuded simplicity and yet looked elegant; just like Xu Mey.


    Now, he understood the main theme of Vintage Gems; Be ssy, Be Simple. It was clear to see that the slogan was chosen by Xu Mey to match her preference.


    This specific Jewelry Exhibition was held because it was the 5th anniversary of Vintage Gems. A lot of people were invited whether they were business partners or just an employee, all were gathered in the huge hall. The media was strictly prohibited from entering on this anniversary. Because President Xu had decided to stay even after giving her speech.


    After her speech, a piece of soft music was yed and people with their respective partners came ahead to dance. Ye Jie alsoced his fingers through Xu Mey¡¯s and pulled her to the dance floor without asking for her opinion. Xu Mey was taken by surprise as she looked around to see people passing her odd looks. After all, President Xu didn¡¯t have the habit of mingling with people for no reason.


    Xu Mey tried to pull her hand away but his grip tightened. Xu Mey red at him but he was unfazed. He even passed her an using look which made Xu Mey agree to dance with him. She was feeling really nervous. Almost like freaking out. But when Ye Jie swung her to the circle of his arms, she lost herself in his brown orbs. His one hand was on the small of her back and his other hand ced her hand over his own chest.


    As her hand was syed on his chest, she felt trapped. As if someone glued her hand there. All her uneasiness vanished when she felt the warmth of his body and started enjoying being in his strong arms. The lights suddenly dimmed and for Xu Mey, the whole world vanished- leaving him with strong arms to provide protection to her.


    The hand on the small of her back started moving upward until his rough fingers made contact with the bare skin. He felt the softness, smoothness and wless skin under his touch and she shivered reflexively. His fingers were firm and yet light.


    His touch was gentle and it sent delightful shivers throughout her heart and body. They were swaying together in rhythm with the soft music. They were so close that she could inhale his pure masculine scent along with his warm breath on her face.


    By the time the dance ended, Xu Mey was left breathless. She felt the heat rising from the tip of her toes to the tip of her ears. When his arms left her body, she staggered a bit before getting her bnce back. Ye Jie was quite pleased with this reaction.


    "Isn¡¯t it weird for President Xu to stay at the party even after her speech?" The gossipmongers were at it again. They really couldn¡¯t stop from gossiping.


    "Also, she just danced and it was so beautiful. KYAA!" An excited one squealed like a teenager.


    "They look so damn perfect together. Who¡¯s the guy?" Someone asked.


    "The manager was introducing him as the CEO of Glow Gemstones." An evesdropper informed.


    "So, he is Mr. Jacob. He¡¯s really handsome unlike what I¡¯ve heard from people." Said another one.


    "But why do I find that man really familiar?" One of the girls had a thoughtful look.


    "Isn¡¯t he the one who came to pick the President on Monday?" The most observant person pointed it out as all of the people turned to look at him.


    Their eyes popped when they heard this revtion. "So, this means there is something between President Xu and CEO Jacob?"


    This anniversary party had turned into the most thrilling one with these spections. Almost everyone heard about it in the hall.


    But both Xu Mey and Ye Jie were unaware of the gossips around them. They had no concern at all. Xu Mey¡¯s heart was hammering in her chest at the thought of Ye Jie¡¯s way of saying ¡¯punishment¡¯ to her and Ye Jie was delighting himself with Xu Mey¡¯s adorable expressions.


    "Should we leave?" Ye Jie asked getting even closer to her making her jolt a bit.


    She wanted to say something. Something for sure. But her mind went nk and she only managed to bob her head up and down. He held her hand and walked towards the backdoor of the convention center. Qi Guan had already brought the car to the entrance and opened the door for both of them.


    After they settled inside the car silently, Qi Guan started the car. Throughout the ride to home, Ye Jie didn¡¯t make an attempt to touch Xu Mey. Not even once. He didn¡¯t even hold her hand in his own which was their habit.


    Xu Mey felt cold and upset. She didn¡¯t like that he was not touching her or talking to her. Even more so, she was mad at her own self. First, she wanted to escape his touch to maintain her sanity and now when he wasn¡¯t touching, she wasining in her heart. She really couldn¡¯t understand what she wanted herself.


    But this was all Ye Jie¡¯s fault. She had convinced herself that it was all his fault for invading her life and senses like this that his presence and absence both made her lose her sanity.

 Chapter 142 - I like You

    "Are you still mad?" She asked looking at his back while he was taking his coat off. Since the moment they had left the convention center, he hadn¡¯t said a single word to her. It felt like he was giving her a cold shoulder.


    He turned to look at her with a mischievous glint in his eyes as he unbuttoned the first 2 buttons of his shirt giving her peek of his hard chest. Xu Mey¡¯s eyes instantly darted to his chest as she felt her ears heating up again. "I told you that I¡¯m not angry anymore." He replied to her with a serious face.


    Xu Mey bit on her bottom lip and said, "But you didn¡¯t hold my hand."


    Ye Jie¡¯s brows quirked up when he heard her barely audible voice. "What difference does that make whether I hold your hand or not? You don¡¯t need my support anyway."


    Xu Mey lifted her head to look at him. She walked in front of him and said, "Who said I don¡¯t need your support? And who said that I don¡¯t want you to hold my hand?" She took his hand and held it tightly while she ced her other hand on his chest. "I need this hand to walk ahead. I could have easily lived without holding it before. But now, I can¡¯t do it anymore. Ah Jie, I like you."


    Ye Jie was stunned to his spot. He looked at her clear ck eyes and his heart shook terribly. "Baby, what did you just say?" He thought he was hallucinating and he needed to hear it again to believe it.


    Xu Mey pursed her lips and said, "I never wanted anyone to invade my life at all. And I never nned to like you as well. But you made me lose my control on my own heart. And I don¡¯t know when I started liking you so much. Ah Jie, I grew too used to this hand of yours in mine. Please, don¡¯t let me feel cold again. I really do like you a lot."


    Seeing that Ye Jie was frozen. She mustered up some courage to tip-toe and initiate a kiss at the side of his lips. But before she could pull away, he immediately reacted and held her neck with his hand. He angled her head and molded their lips together as if they were always meant to be a part of each other. His kiss was tantalizing and sweet. Xu Mey instantly clung to his body with her arms around his neck.


    He showered her with kisses on her jaw and pulled away a bit to ask, "Baby, can you say it one more time?"


    Xu Mey didn¡¯t know where the courage came from but instead of answering him, she caught his soft lips between her own and her teeth opened on their own volition to bite his lower lip. While her teeth were drawing his lower lip, she was drawing his body closer to her own. She broke away to take a breath and said, "I like you, Ah Jie!"


    He smiled pleasantly and dipped his head to smother her lips again making her quiver. She felt like floating in the air. He tasted divine to her- a taste she couldn¡¯t put in words. As for his scent, she was already addicted to that. His lips were warm and moist but his tongue was demanding while ying with the seam of her lips before exploring the recess of her mouth.


    His hand was also moving all over her body from her back to her waist and to her hips. He has trapped her as if scared to lose her. And he was really scared. He was scared that she would vanish from right within his grasp and he didn¡¯t want that.


    "Can you repeat it one more time, baby?" He said against her lips making her chuckle.


    She ced her hands on both sides of his face and said, "I like you... I like you... I like you a lot..." Ye Jie was so contented that he kissed her hard and swooped her off her feet.


    As he set her back on the ground, he caressed her cheek with the back of his hand and said, "Baby," his voice was deep and husky. "Did I tell you that you¡¯re looking gorgeous tonight?"


    Xu Mey pouted and replied, "You did not."


    Ye Jie smiled and nted a kiss at the space between her brows saying, "You¡¯re the most gorgeous person at the party."


    "Just at the party?" Xu Mey didn¡¯t know why she asked that. But she found her reason when she heard his answer.


    He touched her forehead with his own as the tip of their nose brushed together. He looked straight into her eyes and said, "You¡¯re the most gorgeous person in my life, baby." She started blushing as her rosy cheeks got even rosier.


    She yfully punched his chest and said, "As I say, you really have a sweet mouth."


    He hugged her closer to himself and let himself fall at the bed behind him with her in his embrace. Xu Mey yelped a bit but rxed when his hands tightened around her body. He buried his face in her neck and inhaled deeply. "It¡¯s all your own fault." Xu Mey didn¡¯t understand that he meant to say that it was her presence that made him a sweet talker.

 Chapter 143 - Love & Embarrassment

    *Attention! Kindly please if you¡¯re a virgin. Prevent your virgin eyes and skip this chapter. Thank you!"


    "What¡¯s my fault?" Xu Mey askedying peacefully on his chest.


    He made her look at himself and said, "It¡¯s your fault for being different. It¡¯s your fault for catching my interest out of nowhere. It¡¯s your fault for having such a beautiful heart. It¡¯s also your fault for being so mesmerizingly gorgeous. And it¡¯s also your fault for being so blunt and straightforward. But it¡¯s definitely not my fault for falling for all your faults." Xu Mey¡¯s body stiffened, anticipating his next words. "And it¡¯s definitely not a mistake that I am in love with you." He tucked a stary whorl of hair behind her ear brushing her ear like a feather. She was jolted awake by the sudden touch.


    She felt overwhelmed all of a sudden. Her emotions overwhelmed her. That feeling of happiness within her burst out and made her eyes sting with tears. But her fear was also overwhelming her. And she lost control over her tears as they fell down her face.


    Ye Jie immediately sat up with her and made her sit in hisp. He kissed her cheek, her jaw, and her neck while his hand wiped her tears away. "Baby, your single tear is enough to drown me. Are you nning on drowning your Ah Jie?" Xu Mey shook her head looking at the concern in his eyes. "You know what you can cry all you want. But remember, I¡¯m right here to wipe those tears for you. Also, is me loving you such bad news that you¡¯re crying so pitifully?" Xu Mey punched his chest and wiggled in his arms, showing her anger. But Ye Jie smiled. "Aiyo! Baby, it was a joke. I know it¡¯s an honor being loved by me."


    He was being narcissistic to make her smile and it worked. Xu Meyughed out loud. ¡¯It¡¯s really an honor being loved by you Ah Jie.¡¯ She thought to herself while still smiling at him.


    His eyes darkened as he saw her smiling so beautifully. He kissed her again. The kiss was deep and unveiled his hunger. Heid her down on the bed and kissed her bare arms starting from her hand and made a path down her neck. He kissed her corbones which were hidden under the fabric of her dress but she still felt the heat. He didn¡¯t stop. He moved lower and lower to her stomach making her arch her body uncontrobly.


    Xu Mey¡¯s hands wandered from his hard-rock chest to his arms. But since her small hand couldn¡¯t amodate his muscles, she started ying with the sleeve of his shirt- tugging at it to make him take it off. Ye Jieplied to her wishes and took off his shirt discarding it without a care.


    Xu Mey lost the count of times she moaned and gasped at his touch but what registered her mind was the low growl that didn¡¯te from her own throat. It was from Ye Jie who growled when her soft hands made contact with his bare chest and burned a path all over his back. He was groaning as if he was having a battle with himself.


    With much effort, he pulled himself away from her mouth- that sweet mouth that had be his oxygen and his drug. He ruffled his hair in exasperation. When Xu Mey realized that he was nning on running away like thest time, after making her a mess inside. She instantly refused to let him move away from her body. Ye Jie didn¡¯t lift his eyes to look at her flushed face afraid that it would make him lose all his restraints. "Baby, if we didn¡¯t stop here. I¡¯m afraid, I¡¯ll cross a line you don¡¯t want me to cross yet."


    Xu Mey felt so touched that he was controlling his own desires just for her sake. He was in pain but he still didn¡¯t want to disappoint her. It was an extremely pleasant feeling.


    "We..." She tried to say. "I mean you can continue." Ye Jie immediately lifted his eyes to look at her with his eyes wide open.


    "What did you say, baby?" He askeding closer to her face.


    Xu Mey had the urge to jump down from somewhere. She buried her face in her hands. Ye Jie peeled her hands away from her face and asked again, "Baby, you have to speak for me to know about what you want."


    "I-" She stammered biting her lip. "Weren¡¯t you going to punish me?"


    Instead of answering her with words, Ye Jie¡¯s lips slid against hers with eagerness. He pulled her body up a little to unzip her dress while his lips didn¡¯t leave hers. He turned the kiss almost wild. Her dress was rolled down from her body to her waist with ease while he touched the exposed skin under her bosom. Xu Mey shivered but her mind was brought back from the clouds when he unhooked her bra with his fingers.


    Xu Mey felt self-conscious. But he eagerly held her bosom in his hands making her lose all the self-consciousness as his thumbs were circling fast around her bosom. His mouth made a searing path down her throat to her bosom andtched onto one of the soft blobs. The moment his mouth sucked, Xu Mey was set on fire. This fire was different than the one she feels from his kisses and touch.


    His mouth had sent her mind into a cocoon filled with pleasure, passion and something else- she couldn¡¯t describe. While his mouth was torturing her with pleasure, she was trying to hold onto his hair, gripping them tightly. She liked the touch of his soft and smooth hair.


    He started kissing her exposed skin, under her bosom, on her stomach while his hand was running up from her leg to her thigh under the dress. He conveniently pulled her dress off her entire body. He gripped the duvet under them and continued kissing her all over, nipping her skin.


    He stopped when he reached the edge of her underpants. Xu Mey realized that this was the punishment he spoke of. Xu Mey held his shoulder shaking her head to stop him. He looked up at her and beseeched in a raspy voice, "Let me continue, baby."


    His brown eyes enchanted her and she bobbed her head in a daze. At this moment, even if he would have asked for her life, she would have dly given it.


    Getting her sincere consent, he dragged her underpants off her legs. She was on the edge of losing herself while he lightly caressed her smooth legs up and down. All of a sudden, he dipped his face and buried it between her legs in the most intimate part of her body.


    She wanted to cry out as she felt exposed, vited and humiliated at the moment but nothing coulde out of her throat when his lips made contact with her intimate part and his tongue darted out to y. She almost lost control at the feel of his tongue right there but before she could get up, Ye Jie¡¯s hand pushed her back down and caressed her thighs to soothe her. She dug her nails into his exposed shoulders.


    It was the kind of retribution that burned her with fire of pleasure and embarrassment. But in the end, the damn ecstasy emancipated the humiliation that she felt.


    He raised his head from between her legs when he heard a loud moan. He looked up to see her tightly clutching onto the sheets. He smiled a bit and nted a kiss at her inner thigh. He immediately pulled her in his embrace. "Baby, what¡¯s wrong?" He asked.


    She tried to squirm out of his embrace. She felt extremely embarrassed. Ye Jie figured the reason for her odd behavior and said, "Baby, look at me." She shook her head against his chest. "Okay. Then tell me, am I your husband?" She nodded not daring to open her mouth to reply. "If I¡¯m your husband that means I¡¯m the only person, you don¡¯t have to be embarrassed by. There is absolutely no ce for shame between us. I am as much a part of you as much you are of me. And I love you means I love every single part of yours as well." He kissed the top of her head as he felt her rxing in his arms.


    He pulled her under the duvet with himselfying beside her. He kissed her shoulder, her neck, and her face and kept murmuring sweet things.


    "My baby is the most beautiful."


    "My baby can intoxicate me with just her scent."


    "My baby is so brave how can she be embarrassed so easily?"


    "Where there is love, there is no ce for embarrassment, baby."


    Slowly but surely she let go of her embarrassment. And turned in his embrace him while using his arm as her pillow. She scooted even closer and let the drowsiness engulf her. She heard a soft whisper before losing herself in drowsiness, "I want to make love to you but I can¡¯t seem to be harsh with you."

 Chapter 144 - Taking A Whole New Advantage

    Early morning when Xu Mey opened her eyes and was greeted by his face close to her. Ye Jie was still sleeping with a serene look on his face. When the sunlight fell on his face through the sheer curtains, it seemed to have brightened up his face.


    Xu Mey kept staring at his closed eyes as the memories ofst night invaded her mind making her blush uncontrobly. She looked under the duvet and saw that she was stillpletely naked. The duvet on his body had slid down to leave room for her to gawk at his toned muscles. She felt the urge to run her hand all over his chest and she did. Her hand caressed all the parts of his exposed muscles but she didn¡¯t feel satisfied.


    Ye Jie¡¯s eyes twitched a bit and he couldn¡¯t pretend anymore. "Like what you see?" Xu Mey jerked a bit at his sudden question. Also, because she remembered it was the same question she asked him when they first met. She was about to retract her hand when Ye Jie held her hand and ced it back on his chest. He opened his groggy eyes and looked at her. "What are you trying to escape? After taking advantage of me?"


    Xu Mey pouted and retorted. "I was not."


    Ye Jie chuckled and said, "Okay... You might not be taking advantage of me but don¡¯t forget that you have a lot to answer."


    Xu Mey lowered her gaze. "Like what?"


    "Hmm..." Ye Jie made a thoughtful expression. "Like why my brother knew that you¡¯re President Xu but I didn¡¯t?" This was what vexed him in the first ce. So, he needed an answer for sure.


    "I didn¡¯t tell him." Ye Jie frowned. "Trust me, I did not. Let¡¯s just say that he got to know because of his friend somehow. And I was not trying to hide it from you on purpose. I just needed to keep it a bit secretive to avoid suspicions from Fu Lan." She answered honestly. "Do you not like me being President Xu?" She asked staring into his eyes.


    He pulled her closer to himself and replied, "Of course not. I¡¯m over the moon that my baby is such an awesome person. How can I not like it? How can anyone not like it?" Xu Mey rxed a bit and suddenly remembered something.


    "Oi! Even you hid the fact that you own Glow Gemstones." She looked at his usatory. Finally, she remembered this detail. Last night, he yed with her emotions and hormones so well that shepletely let it slip her mind. Now, her mind was a bit clearer since she was not floating in clouds anymore.


    "What you couldn¡¯t dig that part up when you were checking my background?" He asked with amusement.


    "No... It was nowhere that you¡¯re Jacob. Also, when I investigated Mr. Jacob, I got to know that he was a fat old man."


    Ye Jie chuckled. "Baby, there are two Jacobs in Glow Gemstones. Since I can¡¯te before the public, he takes my position and people think that he¡¯s the CEO." Ye Jie exined making Xu Mey¡¯s mouth open like a goldfish.


    At a sudden reminder, he pulled her closer and said, "I remember reading somewhere that President Xu¡¯s husband is better than a woman¡¯s Prince Charming." Xu Mey tried to lower head when she remembered that email she wrote to CEO of Glow corporation not knowing that it was Ye Jie. He ced his index finger under her chin and lifted her head but she didn¡¯t lift her eyes up as he continued, "He¡¯s handsome but he also has ws that make him perfect. Those ws make him real and make President Xu curious to know what love is like. And he has the ability to make her heart beat like a drum. And the most important part was..." He made a thoughtful look as if forgot thest part.


    "He makes me speechless with just his words." Shepleted his sentence and lifted her eyes to look at him grinning at her.


    "Do I really have the ability to make you speechless?" He asked gazing into her dark eyes.


    "First, it was your words that made me speechless. Now, your whole existence makes me speechless." Although she spoke with annoyance her eyes were saying otherwise. "I also heard that Mr. Jacob wishes to hear the same words from his wife and believed that it was his wishful thinking." She wasn¡¯t forgetful as well, she remembered his words very well.


    "I think the wishful thinkings are not that bad." He remarked. "We left somewherest night, don¡¯t we have to continue?"


    **Attention!! Caution!! Enter at your Risk. Under 18 not allowed.**


    *Hey you, kiddo! Shoo away!*


    *Stop peeking here. You¡¯re under-age*


    Before Xu Mey could utter a word, his mouth had alreadye down to catch hers. He kissed her lips and seared a path down her neck and to a sensitive spot below her ear. He bit her earlobe yfully exerting a slight pressure to make her moan with pleasure.


    He kissed her lips again hungrily as he felt her soft bosom brushing against his hard chest making him suck in a sharp breath. In between tantalizing and domineering kiss, he rasped, "I love you so much, Xu Mey that it¡¯s bing hard to keep my self-restraint."


    Xu Mey¡¯s fuzzy mind only registered the part where he called her name. It was the very first time, he called her by her full name. He always liked to call her ¡¯Ms. Cherry¡¯, ¡¯My dear wife¡¯ or ¡¯My cherry wife¡¯. Although all those names represented his endearment; somehow her name from his mouth sounded the most intimate one.


    She didn¡¯t reply. She simply put her arms around his neck and tightened her hold. She started kissing his jawline and raced down from his throat to his neck and moved towards his shoulders. She bit his shoulder lightly and heard a growl escape from his throat. She had a smug look thinking that she had as much hold on his heart as much he did on hers. She felt victorious.


    He pulled away a bit to look at her with tender filled brown eyes. But there was something else in those eyes- longing. He must have seen the same thing in her gaze as he dipped his head and thrusts his tongue inside her mouth. He was licking and tasting her divine taste, he kissed her throat with intensity. She felt intoxicated by his touch... his kisses... and his oh so heavenly taste.


    His slow licks and kisses dragged down from her throat to her corbones and came to shower down on her whole body. He wasn¡¯t being greedy or hurried her at all. He was taking his time to make himself ustomed to every single inch of her body. He wanted her every curve to be etched in his memory as he worshipped her body while savoring it and caressing it.


    He had brought her to the edge where all Xu Mey could think of was; wanting more. She didn¡¯t feel satisfied. Her body was burning with need.


    "Ah Jie..."


    As if it was exactly what he was waiting for, he held her legs and hooked them around his shoulders. He wanted to show her another level of ecstasy. He felt the need to make her feel loved and cherished.


    As he dipped his head between her legs again, he groaned. His whole body was burning but he didn¡¯t let himself get distracted at all. He was lost in her intoxicating scent and taste that he seemed not to get enough of.


    Xu Mey didn¡¯t feel the same embarrassment that she feltst night. She didn¡¯t get the time to feel self-conscious anymore as his eager tongue sent electric bolts all over her body making her moan in pleasure. It was pure torture of pain and pleasure that made her want to push him away and pull him closer.


    Her body reacted on its own and she started thrashing against him. As a huge wave of pleasure broke through her veins, she cried his name until she copsed.


    Her mind was nk but she was aware of his lips kissing the inside of her thighs and trailing upwards to reach her lips. He left a sweet and soft kiss on her lips and pulled back. Xu Mey held his wrist not letting him get away.


    She had already felt his hardness pressing against her stomach. She wasn¡¯t an idiot to not know that he needed the same feeling of pleasure that he had gifted her with. He showed her a whole new world that she hadn¡¯t seen before and she enjoyed it more than she could say in words.


    "You can-" She breathed out but Ye Jie ced his finger on her swollen lips and smiled. He had understood what she was nning on saying but he knew that she wasn¡¯t ready for that.


    "Mr baby, you only want me to cross all the lines because you¡¯re feeling guilty at the moment for not being able to give me relief. But I don¡¯t want our first time to be because of your guilt. Let¡¯s wait okay. I am absolutely fine." Although he said that he was fine he knew better, that he so was not fine but he couldn¡¯t just hurt his Xu Mey.

 Chapter 145 - My Silly Baby

    She once asked her Sensei, "What happens beyondfort?"


    He answered her, "Life happens."


    "What if life made me weak?" She asked back then.


    The reply came, "You can only seize the miracles of life when you¡¯re pushed to the edge of being weak and you have no other choice left but to fight with all you¡¯ve left."


    "What if we are so weak that nothing is left to fight with?" She questioned again.


    "Then believe. Believe that there is someone, somewhere in this world who wants you to survive. Survive for that person and life will change its meaning for you." She was answered.


    There is always that one person who has the ability to pull you out of yourfort zone. Not being vulnerable was Xu Mey¡¯sfort zone. She didn¡¯t want to show her naked soul to anyone. She always had that looming fear that once she bared her soul to someone, that person will destroy her.


    Today, she realized what it felt like to explore the magical world outside herfort zone. It surely was magical for her since she still felt giddy at the thought of it.


    She was blushing when she saw her reflection in the mirror, she couldn¡¯t help but scream. "Ahhhh!"


    Ye Jie was immediately rmed. He ran towards the bathroom door and knocked asking, "Baby, are you okay? What happened?"


    Xu Mey covered her mouth with her hand and cursed herself for screaming like that. She cleared her throat and said, "I¡¯m fine. Don¡¯t worry." Her voice was like a hamster was squeaking.


    Ye Jie surely wasn¡¯t convinced by her. "Are you sure? Why did you scream? Open the door and let me see."


    "Nooo..." She frantically replied. "I¡¯m really okay. I just lost my bnce a bit but thankfully I didn¡¯t fall."


    Although Ye Jie was still not very much convinced he didn¡¯t probe any further.


    Inside the bathroom, Xu Mey looked at all the red marks on her neck, corbones, and even her shoulder, she waspletely at loss for words. These were the red marks she hated seeing on her best friend, Wu Wang.


    She shook her head. ¡¯His were lust bites with no feelings involved. Mine are pure, love bites. And there are feelings involved.¡¯ She touched a red mark on her neck and softly said, "Clearly a lot of feelings are involved."


    After the shower, she wore a simple long sleeve formal bow button shirt in maroon color along with ck pants. Although the shirt hid her corbones and shoulders; her neck was still visible which had the reddest marks to give away the exploits ofst night. She picked a ck chiffon scarf and wrapped it around her neck. It looked kind of weird but she didn¡¯t care at all.


    When she came downstairs, Ye Jie looked at her scarf and couldn¡¯t help but purse his lips to hide his smile. "Baby, why are you wearing a scarf? It doesn¡¯t look good." He was teasing her and she knew that. She red at him.


    "And whose fault it is that I have to wear a scarf?" She asked with puffed up cheeks.


    Ye Jie couldn¡¯t hold it anymore and cackle out. He walked closer to her and caressed her cheeks with the back of his hand saying, "First, there is no need to hide from the world that your husband loves you so much. Second, there are other ways to hide the love bites."


    She frowned and gazed into his brown eyes asking, "For instance?" Big mistake on her part!


    He looked hungrily at her lips and said, "For instance," his thumb moved over lips rubbing them slowly. "We could just stay at home and no one will see those marks that my love left on you."


    Xu Mey gaped and he took the chance to invade her mouth. She punched his arms and pulled away, "That was not funny."


    Seeing her huffing, he chuckled and said, "I wasn¡¯t kidding. But if you¡¯ll act like it then I¡¯ll feel like you¡¯re ashamed of my love marks on you." He made such a pitiful face that Xu Mey forgot about all her embarrassment and pulled off the scarf to throw it away.


    "I won¡¯t wear it. I¡¯m not ashamed at all." She said sincerely making Ye Jie¡¯s already mushed heart, a puddle of something he couldn¡¯t describe.


    He pulled her in his arms and said, "I know. I was just messing with you. But I wasn¡¯t kidding when I said that there are other ways to hide the marks. You can use make-up to cover them up." He suggested.


    She lifted her face and asked, "How?"


    His index finger touched the space between her brows and pushed her a bit. "My silly baby. How would I know that?"


    "But I also don¡¯t know." Sheined.


    "Then we can check a video online. We¡¯re alreadyte from work. It wouldn¡¯t matter if we go a bitter." He answered and pulled out his phone to check online.


    It was true that after the exploits of the early morning, they were quitete from work. Therefore, both of them took their time to look up a video online and applied the make-up to hide the marks on Xu Mey¡¯s neck. Ye Jie was helping her exactly as he saw in the video.


    While Ye Jie was driving Xu Mey to the office, she was staring at the side of his face intently. On normal days, she liked seeing out the window but particrly today, she wanted to just stare at him.


    Ye Jie had felt her scorching gaze and when his body really couldn¡¯t take the heat, he said, "Baby, if you kept looking at me like this, we really won¡¯t be going to the office anymore."


    Xu Mey¡¯s cheeks reddened like a ripped tomato and she straightened up to look straight at the road. "You aren¡¯t thinking about taking advantage of me, are you?" He asked yfully.


    She punched his arm. "Of course not Mr. Jacob." She replied.


    "Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re still upset about that?" He inquired.


    "Why would I be upset?" Ye Jie heaved a sigh of relief but her next words made his breath hitch. "After all, now you¡¯re even more useful than before." Ye Jie narrowed his eyes and turned to look at her while they were waiting at the red light. Xu Meyughed seeing his expression.


    "Baby, I don¡¯t care whether you use me or not. Just don¡¯t leave me alone. Okay?" He implored and Xu Mey stoppedughing. She was lost for words once more.


    But she suddenly realized that Ye Jie must be really scared of being left alone just like her. If she wanted him to protect her, then he wanted her to stay by his side. He¡¯s been left by his real parents, his fake parents don¡¯t really care about him, and even his ex left him. He really was looking for a constant in his life.


    She smiled sadly and hugged him. "I only n on using you as my husband. Are you willing?"


    He smiled back. "Of course. I¡¯m willing to protect you with all I got."


    They hugged until they heard a car horn making them realize that the red light was green now. They settled back and got on the road again. Xu Mey was thinking about the time when she heard somewhere in an Anime that ¡¯True love is like ying chess. A boy always afraid of losing his queen. And a girl risking everything just to protect her king.(*)¡¯


    Just like that saying, Xu Mey knew that Ye Jie was afraid of losing her now. And as for her, she was willing to risk everything unknowingly just for him.


    (*): Dialogue from Anime (No Game, No Life)

 Chapter 146 - Bad-Tempered Princess

    Seeing a person¡¯s scars and understanding them are two very different things. It¡¯s easy to notice a scar of someone¡¯s body or heart but you can never understand the pain that created that scar just by seeing it. We can¡¯t fathom how much maimed that scar is inward.


    To understand a scar, you have to be able to be utterly sincere with that person. Efforts might count in a rtionship but sincerity ys a far more important role. Only with both sincerity and efforts, one can win the game of rtionships.


    Ye Jie had already shown his efforts and sincerity to Xu Mey. Now, it was her turn to return the same thing that he gave her. Because a rtionship bes worthless if only a single person is putting all the efforts. He had already built a bridge between himself and Xu Mey. All that was left for her to do was; cross it all the way.


    Meanwhile, Fu Lan received the details about President Xu.


    "Madam, we have done a thorough investigation and ording to our findings, President Xu is definitely not rted to Xu Mey in any way possible. Xu Mey works as a small assistant in a smallpany. There is no way that Xu Mey would have any connection with President Xu."


    Her employee informed her and walked away. Fu Lan was contemting the reason behind why Xu Liqing was insisting that Xu Mey was the one who had set her up. Fu Lan had been looking into all the details of Xu Mey¡¯s whereabouts in the past days but whatever she found didn¡¯t link up with President Xu at all.


    "Liqing, Xu Mey came back to the city from Imperial on Sunday and there is no way that she¡¯d be able to arrange everything in such a short time. Just rx and think carefully, what did President Xu look like?" Fu Lan was trying to coax her daughter. But it further red up Xu Liqing¡¯s anger.


    "What the hell, mom? I¡¯m telling you there was no President Xu. It was that useless bit*h who hates me. No one else hates me as much as she does. Isn¡¯t it obvious that she¡¯d be the one who ruined my image?" She screeched while ring at her own mother.


    "Okay, okay! I¡¯ll look more carefully. You don¡¯t worry." Fu Lan tried to cate her but Xu Liqing knew that her mother didn¡¯t believe her words at all. Just like everyone else, even her mother thought that she was just hallucinating.


    She stomped her foot like a kid and ran away from her mother¡¯s grasp. She took her car and drove straight to Fu Residence.


    "Young Miss Liqing," the maid immediately ran to serve the bad-tempered princess in Fu Family.


    "Where is Shuang-Ge?" Xu Liqing asked impatiently.


    "Emm... Young Master is in the garden." The maid barely managed to say and Xu Liqing ran towards the garden.


    Fu Shuang was enjoying his morning tea with a newspaper in his other hand when he heard a familiar voice, "Shuang-Ge!"


    He turned his face to see his only cousin running towards him with a crying face. "What¡¯s wrong with you Liqing?" he asked cing his newspaper down.


    Xu Liqing wiped her fake tear and pitifully asked, "Haven¡¯t you seen the news? That President Xu ruined my image. I can¡¯t even go out of the house anymore."


    ¡¯And yet here you are.¡¯ He thought to himself. "How did President Xu is at fault here? You¡¯re the one who attacked her."


    Xu Liqing was quite shocked at his tone. She was always pampered by her Shuang-Ge since she was the only cousin that he had. And he never refused her of anything but today his words were akin to scolding her.


    What she didn¡¯t know was that the moment Fu Shuang saw the pictures of Xu Liqing with a ss shard attacking President Xu, he was furious. He was very familiar with his cousin¡¯s attitude and personality. Therefore, for him, it was Xu Liqing¡¯s impulsive act and when he read the report that President Xu was in an ident a few days before this incident, he was so furious that he really wanted to teach Xu Liqing a lesson. She was imprudent and he was aware of that.


    But the most distressing thing was informed to himst night when the news of President Xu dancing with her boyfriend at the anniversary party spread like wildfire. Talking to him about President Xu at this time was like sprinkling salt on his fresh wounds.


    "Shuang-Ge, do you also think that it¡¯s my fault?" Xu Liqing was sobbing at his side.


    "I don¡¯t care who did it. What I know is that you acted on impulse and it led to the consequences of today." He replied with a somber look.


    "Shuang-Ge, this is all that Xu Mey¡¯s fault. She¡¯s still jealous of me." Xu Liqing conveniently stopped talking about President Xu.


    Fu Shuang frowned. "What does this have to do with your step-sister? And can¡¯t you just let her be at peace after all these years?"


    "Shuang-Ge, you know that she¡¯s jealous of me." She replied in between her sobs.


    Fu Shuang pinched his brows and said, "What else do you expect her to do? Don¡¯t forget that you took that girl¡¯s everything. Her father... her house... her right to inheritance... Everything. She has the right to hate you Liqing."


    Xu Liqing was taken aback by his tone and usations. "Ge! I didn¡¯t take anything from her. You know very well that she didn¡¯t have any right on any of those things. She doesn¡¯t even have the right be called a Xu but dad is still a very kindhearted person and that¡¯s why she still is Xu Mey."


    Fu Shuang didn¡¯t want to argue with her anymore. "Just get to the business. What do you want from me?"


    Xu Liqing straightened up and said, "I want you to ruin President Xu in any way possible."


    Fu Shuang instantly got up from the wicker chair and red at Xu Liqing. "Let me warn you. If you even dared to so much as look at President Xu. The person you¡¯ll have to face will be me. Don¡¯t get on my bad side. You know how far I¡¯ll go, otherwise."


    After that, he left the stunned Xu Liqing seething in her fury and walked away. Xu Liqing didn¡¯t know what happened but she was sure that Fu Shuang won¡¯t let her touch President Xu. But that didn¡¯t mean she won¡¯t hurt Xu Mey.

 Chapter 147 - Kabedon Brother

    We all have ns for our lives. And we always try our best to stick with that n. Our Xu Mey and Ye Jie also had the ns for their respective lives. For instance, they had an image of never beingte. But for Ye Jie, it¡¯s been bing a habit toete in the past few days and everyone was quite surprised on that.


    Entering his office, Ye Jie called for his younger brother toe to his room. After that, he took off his coat and ced it nicely behind his seat. He slowly rolled up his sleeves a bit and cracked his knuckles. He stretched his neck as well and gave a sinister smile. "Let¡¯s see where you run away from me now, Jun. How dare you be my wife¡¯s partner in crime? Only I can be her partner in life and in crimes as well!"


    The whites of his eyes were getting a shade of red. He calmly stood beside the door of his office and waited patiently for Ye Jun.


    Ye Jun excitedly knocked on Ye Jie¡¯s door and opened the door. But the moment he opened the door, he was pulled inside from his wrist and with a thud his back hit the door which closed behind him and he heard a ¡¯tick¡¯ sound which meant that the door was locked. When Ye Jun got out of his shock, he noticed the position he was in. He was trapped between a hard mahogany door and his brother hardcore eyes. Ye Jie¡¯s hands were ced on the sides of his body.


    Ye Jun gulped. He quaked, "Bro, don¡¯t you think you¡¯re doing this act of Kabedon (*) to the wrong person?" He grimaced at the end of his query.


    Ye Jie smiled pleasantly but Ye Jun felt a shadow of foreboding engulfing his body, heart, and soul. "I don¡¯t think I¡¯m doing this to the wrong person. The only person who needs a lesson is after all my dear little brother." Ye Jun quivered at Ye Jie¡¯s sinister tone making him want to gulp down his saliva but that damn thing was stuck in his throat somewhere.


    "My dear Grandfather, what have I done to get this treatment?" Ye Jun wailed in his frightened state and called Ye Jie ¡¯grandfather¡¯ instead of ¡¯brother¡¯. "This look of yours is really scary."


    "Am I scary?" Ye Jun nodded to agree. Ye Jie passed the same sweet smile and raised his one hand as if intending to p him and Ye Jun closed his eyes in fear anticipating the p which didn¡¯tnd. He slowly peeked and saw Ye Jie¡¯s hand still raised but when Ye Jun opened the eyespletely, Ye Jie lightly pped his face. "Dear little brother, how dare you to be my wife¡¯s partner in crime?"


    Ye Jun¡¯s eyes widened as realization dawned on him. Ye Jie pped his cheek lightly again and continued, "You didn¡¯t bother telling me that she¡¯s President Xu?" Another light p and Ye Jun was at the verge of crying with his lips quivering and watery eyes. Ye Jie knew that he was being dramatic as always but he still backed off.


    As if given another lease on life, Ye Jun slid down the door and tried to calm his breathing. He tried to stand back up but his legs wobbled when he heard Ye Jie¡¯s voice again questioning him, "What else are you hiding from me?"


    Ye Jun licked his dry lips and lowered his head not daring to look up or say another word. "I asked a question, Jun." Ye Jie¡¯s voice raised an octave scaring Ye Jun out of his wits.


    "Bro, don¡¯t ask that question, please, I beg you!" Ye Jun pleaded.


    Ye Jie sighed loudly. "Why not?" He retorted.


    "Sis will murder me." Ye Jun made a crying face beseeching his brother to have some mercy on his poor soul.


    "And do you think that I won¡¯t murder you?" Ye Jie inquired rhetorically.


    Ye Jie pursed his lips when he saw the look in Ye Jie¡¯s eyes, he knew that consequences won¡¯t be nice if he stayed silent. Ye Jie took slow steps towards Ye Jun¡¯s figure sitting on the cold floor. With each step, Ye Jun felt like someone strangling him and when the intimidating pressure got unbearable, he immediately raised his hands in surrender.


    "I¡¯ll tell you. Just don¡¯t punish me, okay?" Ye Jie shrugged his shoulders as if to say that ¡¯We¡¯ll see about that after you start talking.¡¯


    Ye Jun was left with no route to escape. He pushed his body off of the floor and dusted his pants and sat at the nearby sofa. He took a sip of warm water to soothe his parched throat and took a deep breath to muster up his courage.


    "Stop wasting my time." Ye Jie¡¯s threatening voice and somber look made Ye Jun choke on the water.


    He coughed a bit and went on, "I was there when Xu Liqing was implicated in all the mess." Ye Jie listened attentively while observing the skyscrapers with his hands in his pockets. "Although I don¡¯t know much about Sis Mey; I know that she¡¯s not that simple as the world takes her to be. But you also know that part. And I guess that made you fall for her in the first ce."


    Ye Jun saw the way Ye Jie¡¯s lips curled upwards at the mention of falling in love. "There is another thing that I know." Ye Jie turned his face with a questioning look towards Ye Jun. "You have a love rival. And a strong one at that too."


    Now, that caught Ye Jie¡¯splete attention. "What do you mean?" He asked taking a seat beside Ye Jun.


    "It¡¯s my friend, Fu Shuang." Ye Jie had a slight impression of that young man but he didn¡¯t know him at a personal level. "He¡¯s been in love with sis from years. And his love is at a whole new level of craziness."


    "Exin in detail!" Ye Jie demanded.


    (*) Kabedon: Originating in Japan, the bizarre phenomenon of kabedon - kabe means wall and don is the thud of someone hitting it. In other words, the male lead corners his love interest against a wall using his arms. (P.S: I think Ye Jie really needed this Kabedon thingy with our Xu Mey. Oh well, we have plenty of time for that.)

 Chapter 148 - A Single Smile Causing A Heart Storm

    *shback*


    -4 years ago-


    Ye Jun was traveling around the world with his group of friends. All his friends were young masters of prominent families. It was early summer when Paris became their destination for a couple of weeks.


    One day, they decided to visit the Eiffel Tower because the girlfriend of one of the young master was obsessed with Eiffel Tower. Although the idea was too boring for people like Ye Jun and Fu Shuang they still had to apany their friends.


    When they arrived at the Eiffel Tower, everyone scattered around. Ye Jun was stuck with Fu Shuang because both of them were very good friends for a long time. After taking the lift to top floors, they both were just looking around with nothing particr in mind. Ye Jun was busy in capturing the beauty of Paris in his camera while Master Shuang was leisurely leaning on the railing.


    It had to be mentioned that Master Shuang was akin to an eye-candy. Almost all the single girls turned to look at him but he was not interested in ying around at that time. Nothing caught his attention until his eyes fell on a slender figure standing alone.


    She was d in a white tank top with blue jeans along with a chiffon shrug. Her ankle boots helped her look a bit tall and her sleek ck locks were tied in a high ponytail. Her face was clean without anyyer of make-up- it looked pure jade. But what caught his attention was the smile on her face that made her pinkish lips turn slightly upward making a small dimple surface on the right cheek. Master Shuang was beguiled.


    Standing at the Eiffel Tower what made her smile was just a simple action- it was a family of three with a mother, father, and daughter. She was staring intently at the way the little girl was holding her parents¡¯ hands and when she wanted something, she stomped her foot making her father squat down and pick her up on his shoulders.


    All of a sudden, the slender girl¡¯s smile was gone as if he had seen an illusion. He rubbed his eyes to make sure that he wasn¡¯t seeing things and found strange tranquility on her beautiful face. Master Shuang frowned as his interest piqued.


    When he looked into her eyes, he was stunned by what he saw- sadness, anger, hate, and a storm. That look was all too familiar to him. How could it not be? He became the reason for that look in someone¡¯s eyes before.


    When he saw that the girl was going to leave, he immediately followed her. But his cor was caught in a tight grip from behind making his body jerk a bit. He turned his face to re at Ye Jun who shrugged it off. "What are you doing? And where are you going?"


    "You can follow me if you want," Master Shuang said distractedly while he craned his neck forward to see where the girl went.


    It took him a while to spot the girl again. She was sitting alone in the restaurant with a coffee cup in front of her. Master Shuang entered the restaurant but he didn¡¯t approach her. He sat a table quite far from her but he could see her face clearly from his seat. Ye Jun took the seat opposite of him.


    Ye Jun was quite confused with Fu Shuang¡¯s weird behavior. "What are you looking at?" He asked while turning his head to see where was Fu Shuang¡¯s eyes were glued. But all he saw was darkness because Fu Shuang put his hand over Ye Jun¡¯s eyes to block him from seeing. "What the heck?" Ye Jun yelled at him, swatting his hand away to re at him. "What¡¯s wrong with you?"


    "Nothing¡¯s wrong with me. But you!" He pointed at Ye Jun¡¯s face. "You won¡¯t look at her."


    "Oh, so, it¡¯s a girl. Tsk... Of course, it has to be a girl for our Master Shuang to act like this." Ye Junmented shaking his head.


    "Whatever, Ye Jun! Don¡¯t you dare look at her." Fu Shuang warned.


    "But why?" Ye Jun asked.


    "What will I do if you fell for her as well? You have a habit of snatching my girlfriends, I¡¯m telling you this time, keep your distance." Fu Shuang was talking to Ye Jun but his eyes were stuck on the girl¡¯s calm face. She was elegantly sipping on her tea while drawing something on paper.


    "Is she that beautiful that I¡¯ll just fall for her instantly?" Ye Jun scowled. "How can you just fall for a girl¡¯s beauty, Fu Shuang?" He was criticizing Fu Shuang but thetter didn¡¯t care much.


    "Do you take me to be pretentious?" He gave Ye Jun a sideways nce and went on, "It¡¯s not that she¡¯s beautiful. Well, yeah... She¡¯s really beautiful but that¡¯s not the reason I¡¯m stuck on her."


    "Then what is?" Ye Jun asked with curiosity.


    "It¡¯s her smile that suits her too much. But her ck eyes have caught me in a web." Fu Shuang sighed. "Those eyes reminded of someone."


    "Who?"


    "My first love..." He replied.


    "Even Master Shuang has a first love," Ye Jun was surprised.


    Fu Shuang gave him a sad smile. "Of course, I have a first love as well. She was like that fresh breeze of spring that could bloom all the flowers that had been withered away. Thest time I saw her she had the same look in her eyes like the one I¡¯m seeing right now."


    Ye Jun really didn¡¯t know what else to say. He had never seen Fu Shuang getting sad because of a memory like that. Ye Jun still had the urge to see this new girl that caught Fu Shuang¡¯s attention, so, he turned his face. But all he saw was her back as she was getting up from her seat to collect her things.


    "Come, let¡¯s go!" Fu Shuang held Ye Jun¡¯s arm and jolted him a bit.


    "What are we stalking her?" Ye Jun was bemused.


    "Yes, we are!" He only heard the reply before he was pulled out of the restaurant.

 Chapter 149 - Not For Sale

    *shback Continued*


    When Ye Jun walked out of the restaurant, he noticed the orange-gold rays stretching out in the sky to paint it with the color of fire hearths and tangerine jellies. As the sun merged with the sky, it gave the illusion of a mighty warrior going to sleep by draping the nket of darkness. The sky looked so serene and aesthetic that it was a sight to behold.


    Ye Jun had to jog up to catch up with Fu Shuang and when he did, he saw Fu Shuang immersed in gazing at the back of that girl while walking behind her with a distance of 5 steps. The way Fu Shuang was looking at her made Ye Jun feel like he was etching every single movement of that girl in his mind. And that was exactly what Fu Shuang was doing.


    The girl was wandering around aimlessly. The sun had setpletely as the moon came up to lighten up the dark night. The crescent moon hung in the sky while cascading its white-silvery glow bathing the dark night, illuminating it.


    The girl wrapped a chiffon scarf around her neck and half of her face hid under it. She walked further ahead and halted in front of a flower stall. The fresh flowers were spreading their mesmerizing fragrance in the beautiful night. She picked up a single red tulip in her hand to look at it.


    "Mademoiselle, voulez-vous l¡¯achether? (Miss, would you like to buy it?)" The shop keeper asked with a smile in French.


    "Non. (No)" Both Fu Shuang and Ye Jun heard that sweet soft voice of the girl replying in French and walking away with a faint smile. Ye Jun only managed to see the clear ck eyes that seemed to be darker than the dark night itself. But he could tell that she must be gorgeous from the way she spoke.


    When the girl left the flower stall, Fu Shuang ran up to it and asked for a bouquet of red tulips. Ye Jun was gaping at his friend who seemed to have lost his mind. "Master Shuang!" Ye Jun only called him ¡¯Master Shuang¡¯ when he was mad at him. "What do you think you¡¯re doing?"


    Fu Shuang gave him a perplexed look. "I¡¯m buying flowers." He replied matter of factly making Ye Jun roll his eyes.


    "Red Tulips represent Eternal Love. Are you seriously gonna give this to the girl, you just met? Oh, no! Not met. Just saw." Fu Shuang nodded his head like a chicken pecking at the grains and Ye Jun hit the back of his head. "Have you lost your mind?"


    Ye Jun¡¯s re did little to nothing. Fu Shuang smiled like a lovestruck teenager and replied, "I don¡¯t know about the mind. But I surely lost my heart." Ye Jun groaned but he still had to follow Fu Shuang.


    The girl entered the hotel and both of them followed after her. When Fu Shuang finally found her room, he ced the bouquet in front of the door on the ground. He took out a note, wrote something on it and ced it with the bouquet. Then, he knocked on the door and like a little kid hid behind a corner.


    The room door opened after a minute and the girl walked out to look. She looked around but there was no one then her eyes fell at the bouquet of red tulips. She bent a little and picked the flowers up from the floor. Her eyes caught sight of the note and she opened it to read:


    ¡¯I was standing right there


    But you didn¡¯t look my way


    I saw a smile that made my world bright


    But it vanished into the night


    I heard a soft voice tickling me


    And it captured my soul in its trance


    I saw a pair of lonely eyes


    But the moonlight brought them to light


    I think it was you;


    my heart beats only for you!¡¯


    She frowned and looked around but couldn¡¯t find anyone. So, she took the bouquet inside thinking someone left it at the wrong door and wille to pick it upter. But Fu Shuang thought that she liked the flowers. He was over the moon while going back to his own hotel.


    Early morning, the next day, Fu Shuang woke Ye Jun up and brought him to a small street cafe. Whatever confusion, Ye Jun had about the reason for Fu Shuang¡¯s desire to drink a coffee here was cleared up when he saw the same girl they sawst night. Ye Jun face palmed himself and sprawled out on the table to get back to his sleep.


    Xu Mey was seated right behind Ye Jun and ordered an Americano for herself. Fu Shuang mustered up his courage to go up to her. "Wish me luck, Jun." Ye Jun just waved him off with his head still down.


    Fu Shuang took a deep breath and walked up to her table. "Hi!" He said making her look up at his face. She was stunned for a moment before she got herposure back. "Did you like the flowers I sent youst night?"


    "You sent those red Tulips?" She asked with raised brows. Fu Shuang nodded immediately.


    "Yes, I did. I saw you at the Eiffel Tower yesterday and was very much interested in you. So, I couldn¡¯t stop myself from buying those flowers for you. Also, I bought a gift for you." He ced an expensive pendant in front of Xu Mey. Her eyes zed with fury but she kept her calm countenance.


    "Mr." She started.


    "Fu... Fu Shuang." He replied instantly.


    "Whatever your name is. Do you know me?"


    "No!" Xu Mey heaved a sigh of relief but didn¡¯t let it show on her face at all.


    "If you don¡¯t know me, how can you like me?" Fu Shuang wanted to say something but Xu Mey didn¡¯t give him a chance to. "Do I look like a product¡¯s advertisement to you?" Ye Jun¡¯s ears perked up like a rabbit while Fu Shuang frowned not getting her meaning. "I¡¯m not a product¡¯s advertisement that you saw it, like it and now brought an expensive gift to buy it." Ye Jun sat up straight and Fu Shuang was just staring wide eyes at her. "Mr. Fu Shaung, I¡¯m not for sale."


    "President Xu?" A male voice came from beside her and she turned to see the man she was here to meet.


    "Let¡¯s talk somewhere else." She said and walked away leaving Fu Shuang frozen at his spot.


    Ye Jun came up to Fu Shuang¡¯s side and patted his shoulder. "Bro, that¡¯s one feisty girl for you."


    Fu Shuang grinned widely and said, "Gosh! I love that attitude."


    Ye Jun gritted his teeth and punched him in the guts to break his daydreaming.

 Chapter 150 - First Love

    -Coming Back To The Present-


    Ye Jie¡¯s been listening attentively to Ye Jun for all this while. It wasn¡¯t a surprise for Ye Jie that Fu Shuang fell for Xu Mey just at first sight. She had that allure to capture anyone. But she was his and that couldn¡¯t be changed. He won¡¯t let it CHANGE!


    "What are you trying to say here, little brother?" He askednguidly. Just because Xu Mey said that she likes him, he had trust in himself and more so, in her.


    "Bro, how are you so rxed? Fu Shuang is not a simple person. He always gets the things that he wants."


    "And my Xu Mey is not a THING. Don¡¯t forget. She¡¯s not my girlfriend. She¡¯s my WIFE." Ye Jie said.


    "Why are you not getting it? Sis Mey is Fu Shuang¡¯s, first love!" Ye Jun eximed to get his words to Ye Jie¡¯s head.


    "What do you mean? Didn¡¯t you just that Xu Mey just looked like his first love?"


    "Yes, until yesterday, I believed that as well." Ye Jun felt another burden weighing down on his shoulders. And then he exined in detail.


    *shback tost night*


    Fu Shuang was drinking at a club and had called Ye Jun out. When Ye Jun reached the club, Fu Shuang was already quite drunk.


    "What¡¯s wrong with you? Why are you drinking again?" Ye Jun asked while taking a seat opposite him at the sofa.


    "You¡¯re here!" Fu Shuang managed to say and barely lifted his eyes to look at Ye Jun. "I¡¯m drinking my sorrows away."


    Ye Jun scowled. "What do you mean?"


    "Young Master Jun, do you know about the news going around about Xu Liqing and President Xu?" Fu Shuang slurped a bit.


    "Yes, I know. I¡¯m keeping a close eye on that news." Ye Jun said.


    "Of course, you would keep an eye on that news. It involves Xu Liqing." Fu Shuang¡¯s voice quavered a bit.


    "What do I have to do with Xu Liqing?" Ye Jun said in a displeased tone.


    "Xu Liqing¡¯s step-sister is your sis-inw. And I know how much your sis-inw hates Xu Liqing."


    "You know my sis-inw?" Ye Jun pried.


    Fu Shuang snickered. "Do I know Xu Mey? Yes. I do. Why wouldn¡¯t I know her? I remember that naive chubby little girl who used to hang around me calling me Shuang-Ge, Shuang-Ge." He sighed. "Don¡¯t kill me but my first love was your sis-inw."


    Fu Shuang¡¯s words were akin to thunderbolts for Ye Jun. "What?" He questioned.


    Fu Shuang leaned back in his seat. "I couldn¡¯t help it back then. We were little kids but she was so innocent and adorable that I couldn¡¯t stop my heart from loving her. But now..." He didn¡¯t continue.


    But Ye Jun was not ready to let him stop here. "Now what?"


    "Now, she must hate me the most. Oh, wait! She does hate me the most. I promised to protect her and stay with her. But I couldn¡¯t protect her. Not from my Aunt or from Xu Liqing. Do you know that I haven¡¯t seen Xu Mey in the past 16 years? Somehow, I don¡¯t feel bad for all that¡¯s happening to Xu Liqing. She deserved it. But I can¡¯t say this anyone else other than you ¡¯cause at the end of the day, she¡¯s my cousin."


    "What did you do to make her hate you so much?" Ye Jun asked again.


    "I left her alone. Even if I couldn¡¯t protect her from my Aunt. I was supposed to protect her from the world. I promised her that I will. But I didn¡¯t." Fu Shuang was buried in self-loathing while Ye Jun was dazed at the side.


    Coming back to the present...


    Ye Jie was staring at his little brother with a murderous gaze.


    "What have I done wrong?" Ye Jun felt wronged by seeing that expression.


    "He told you all that and you didn¡¯t even do anything about it?" Ye Jie was seething in fury at the moment.


    Ye Jun raised his hands in defense and went on, "I did. I did. I actually punched him before leaving the club." Although he said that, he didn¡¯t tell Ye Jie that after punching Fu Shuang he actually heard Fu Shuang say,


    "I wish I could go back in time and save my innocent Xiao Mey. But I want to save President Xu, now since I can¡¯t go back in time. She¡¯s stuck in my mind because I want to bring a smile on her face. I want to save President Xu from whatever she¡¯s running from because I couldn¡¯t protect Xiao Mey." He took a pause tough in self-mocking. "Do you know why I¡¯m drinking, today?" Ye Jun shook his head. "Because I can¡¯t seem to remember what Xu Mey looked like back then. I do remember that she was small, a bit chubby but adorable but I don¡¯t remember her face. No matter how hard I¡¯m trying, I can¡¯t seem to remember her face."


    Ye Jun knew that if he told that part of the story to Ye Jie, his brother would most definitely strangle him to death. Thinking about it, he gulped but stayed quiet.


    Ye Jie reclined back in his seat and raked his fingers through his hair. What worried him was not the fact that Fu Shuang had feelings for Xu Mey. His worry came from the words she once said to him, "Without the presence of love, hate is impossible. Only the people we love or care about have the ability to hurt us emotionally."


    He pinched his brows tiredly. Ye Jie figured that Xu Mey had hate for Fu Shuang but whether it was caused from love or care was unknown. And the only person who could exin everything to him was Xu Mey herself.

 Chapter 151 - Same Hell with Same Devils

    "Hello!" She said impatiently while holding her phone between her cheek and shoulder.


    "Hi, Xiao Mey!" She was taken aback by the familiar voice that came from the other end.


    Xu Mey was going through a hectic day at thepany and her mind was all over the ce from looking through all the nning reports on her table. While she was frenziedly trying to focus on her work, her cell phone on the table rang. She distractedly picked up the call but when she heard Fu Shuang¡¯s voice, she was frozen.


    It took her a while to get back, "You don¡¯t get to call me Xiao Mey anymore. And where did you get my contact number?" She asked with a scowl.


    "I got the number from someone closer to you." He replied making Xu Mey¡¯s frown even deeper. "And you¡¯re right. I don¡¯t get to call you Xiao Mey anymore."


    "Cut the cr*p and get to the point!" Xu Mey was getting impatient.


    There was silence for a while before she heard his muffled voice, "Is it toote to say sorry?"


    Xu Mey sniggered. "Are you going to give an excuse with that apology?" Without waiting for his reply, she went on, "Because no matter what you say your words will seem like an excuse to me. It really is toote for an apology."


    He sighed audibly. "I¡¯mte and I know that. But no matter how hard I tried to muster up the courage I couldn¡¯t bring myself to say it." He paused for a second. "I¡¯m not asking for an apology because I want to be free of guilt gnawing at my soul. I¡¯m asking for that apology because I want you to free yourself from the torture of disappointment."


    "I¡¯ve stopped being disappointed in people. And I¡¯m not torturing myself."


    "With the way you talk, I know you hate me the most."


    ¡¯And the way you looked at me at the golf course.¡¯ But he didn¡¯t say thest statement.


    Xu Mey didn¡¯t say anything for a minute. "Even if my hate is torture to myself, I won¡¯t let it go at any cost."


    "I knew to ask for forgiveness was my wishful thinking but I still wanted to try my best. You know I¡¯m a very prideful person and the only one I¡¯m willing to apologize to is you. So, if I¡¯m saying sorry that means I¡¯m sincerely apologizing." By all means, Xu Mey knew that he won¡¯t say sorry unless he actually meant it.


    "Do you have anything else to say or should I just hang up?" Xu Mey didn¡¯t want to hear anything else from him at all but she still asked.


    "I have nothing to say, " ¡¯I have a lot to say but I don¡¯t know how to say anything to you.¡¯ He thought to himself.


    "Then I¡¯m hanging up!" Xu Mey hung up the call without waiting for him to say anything.


    Heughed. But why heughed even he didn¡¯t know. "You seem to be in a good mood." The remark came from the girl who had just entered his office.


    "Happy? I don¡¯t have anything left in my life that could make me happy anymore." His tone was bitter.


    The girl strutted over to his side and checked his cellphone. The call log made her brows quirk up.


    "You called Xu Mey? What changed your mind?" She asked with curiosity.


    "Jun Li Na, " he called her name softly, "I called her to apologise. Why I did it now is something even I can¡¯t understand."


    "There must be a reason." Jun Li Na noted. "After all, I gave her number to you about 4 years ago. I think it was the day you figured-"


    "I figured that President Xu and my Xiao Mey are the same people." He sighed thinking about that time. Although he couldn¡¯t connect Xu Mey and President Xu to each other at the first meeting that was because he never thought that Xu Mey could have such demeanour that could enchant people.


    The Xu Mey he knew was a very quiet person who didn¡¯t like making friends but she was a cheery person who liked to smile all the time without any pretext.


    "What did you guys talk about?" Jun Li Na asked taking a seat at the sofa.


    "Nothing much... I just apologized that¡¯s all." He took a pause andughed lightly. "I thought she was the smartest person yet she didn¡¯t figure out that I knew Xu Mey and President Xu are the same people. I really thought that she¡¯ll catch me when I sent that wedding gift to her but she didn¡¯t catch on at all."


    "Shuang, what are trying to do? I know that you have loved her for a long time but she always treated you like a brother." Jun Li Na was distressed seeing her best friend in such a pitiful state.


    "It¡¯s true that I wanted to marry her but I didn¡¯t have the heart to bring her in the same hell whose devils were my own blood rtives." He hated his Aunt for everything she did to Xu Mey from the young age. She really ruined the innocence of a pitiful girl.


    "Why don¡¯t you just stop pretending that President Xu and Xu Mey are two different people?" Jun Li Na was exasperated by his stubborn nature.


    "I have two pretext for pretending. First, I don¡¯t want the battle between Xu Mey and my Aunt Fu Lan to be disadvantageous to Xu Mey. No matter what I need her to stay unscathed at all costs." His voice was resolute. "Second, if I tell her that I know her secret, she¡¯ll again start running away from me. In the past four years, even if it was just to re at me but she looked at me. And even if it was just to yell at me, but she still talked to me."


    "You¡¯re such a pitiful person, my friend." Jun Li Namented. "I still never understood how did you manage to recognise her?"


    "I might have forgotten her face but her eyes, I can¡¯t forget them. I tried so hard to convince myself that the girl on Eiffel Tower and Xu Mey are different but this heart didn¡¯t listen and I had to follow her." He sighed tiredly. "Since I couldn¡¯t help her when she was Xu Mey, I want to help her when she¡¯s President Xu. I¡¯ll keep pretending that both are different that way it¡¯ll be easier for my heart."


    "I just miss the days when you, I and Xu Mey were best of friends." Jun Li Na was lost in memories of old times. "Then you moved away so suddenly, I had to leave as well and Xu Mey... sigh... she was left with no one to protect her from that ce."


    Fu Shuang felt something pricking his heart when he thought about that ce.

 Chapter 152 - Shadows Of Darkness

    The warm yellow sun spread it¡¯s warmth as it fell on the verdant hues of lush trees. A cloudless sky, bright and free. The blue sky resembled a vibrant ocean, calm and peaceful.


    Under the shade of a huge lush green tree, she was sitting on the grass looking around at the rows of fragrant flowers. The red Tulips, in particr, entangled her in their allure.


    Hugging her knees closer to her chest with her chin supported by her knees, she sat there for a long time to just relish in the tranquillity of the milieu.


    "I knew I¡¯ll find you here, " she lifted her eyes to look at that smiling face strolling towards her. His smile was infectious for her making a smile bloom on her own chubby little face. He came closer and perched right beside her. "Did Auntie say something to you again?" He inquired while patting her head full of ck hair.


    "Shuang Ge, " she turned her face to nce at him and smiled beautifully. "I¡¯m absolutely fine."


    "Don¡¯t you dare lie to your Shuang-Ge, " he gave an using look to her.


    Her smile vanished. "Dad didn¡¯t go to the park with me."


    "Aiyo! That¡¯s what¡¯s bothering our little princess. That¡¯s easy. Shuang-Ge can take you out. Would youe with Shuang-Ge?" She radiantly smiled and nodded her head in excitement.


    Rapidly, the scene changed and she found herself in a familiar ssroom alone. Her breathing got harsh and she frantically ran towards the door. Her small hands clenched in fists knocked at the door frantically, "Please! Someone open the door. Anyone please just open the door!"


    The amount of pressure she used made her fists to bleed but she didn¡¯t stop banging on the door with her small but a bit chubby frame. Her caterwaul¡¯s prompted no corory. With tears trickling down her weary face, her body slid down the door.


    Her voice was stertorous, her body was aching and yet she didn¡¯t stop knocking at the door even though the knocks were soft now. The darkness was engulfing the bright sky outside but there was no energy left in her to be even scared of it.


    Suddenly the door opened from the outside. The young boy looked around anxiously but when his eyes fell on that chubby small frameying listlessly on the ground, his heart trembled.


    He ran up to hold her in his arms, "Xiao Mey!" He called in a whisper with his pain induced in his voice. Looking at her swollen eyes, bleeding hands and trembling body, he felt his own soul leaving his body.


    "Shuang-Ge, " she managed to lift up her eyshes to nce at his pained look. "You came to save me." She tried to smile but her smile only made him feel guilty and she could see it clearly in his eyes how much hurt he was. "Promise me, you¡¯ll always protect me."


    He looked at her pinky stretched out and raised his own pinky to hook with hers saying, "I¡¯ll always be there to protect you."


    A bright white light spread around and submerged the whole surroundings leaving only her small frame standing alone with her empty hands covered in blood.


    She heard a menacingugh making her look up. "Call your Shuang-Ge. Go on..." The other girl urged her. "But he won¡¯te to save you anymore."


    "No..." She covered her ears to not let thatugh perturb her. "He¡¯lle and I know that he¡¯lle. He promised me. He¡¯ll protect me." Her own voice turned into an echo.


    "In the end, you didn¡¯t protect me." She clutched her chest trying to ease the pain that seemed to have embedded into her soul. "Promises are useless. Someone will always break the promise that he made to you leaving you to fight your battle with your hands."


    She woke up with a jolt and turned to see a familiar face right beside her. Seeing Ye Jie¡¯s serene face, she felt herself calming down. She turned on her side and ced her hand over his cheek.


    Beads of cold sweat had drenched her body but seeing his face had made everything alright in her chaotic world.


    "Ah Jie!" She said his name making him open his eyes promptly.


    "Are you feeling okay, baby?" He asked gingerly. She smiled and nodded her head.


    "Can you drive me somewhere?" She asked with caution.


    Ye Jie frowned. "At this time?" He saw that it was past midnight and it was odd for her to make such a request at this time of the night. But when she nodded, he figured that she must have a reason. Therefore he didn¡¯t ask anything else and got up to take his jacket.


    During the car ride, Xu Mey didn¡¯t give him a specific location. She just gave him directions to wherever she was taking him. The roads were mostly empty and the dingy light of streetlights was illuminating the dark road.


    After an hour of drive, Xu Mey brought him to a hotel which made Ye Jie even more perplexed. They took the elevator and rode up to the rooftop.


    "What are we doing here?" Ye Jie finally asked to satisfy his curiosity.


    "I wanted you to see this ce." She replied looking at a certain spot intently.


    "Why? What is this ce for you?"


    "I needed you to see that this is a ce where my journey of life was sheathed in the shadows of darkness."

 Chapter 153 - The Haunting Past

    We all have an existence in our lives that we are running from. That existence could be a person, a thing, a memory, a lie or simply our past itself. There are two types of liars in this world; one that is an honest liar and the other one that is a dishonest liar.


    The difference in both liars is simple and yet not so simple. Honest liars are those that have epted the things they are running from. They don¡¯t let that same truth of their lives haunt them for the rest of their lives.


    But dishonest liars are those who keep running from things instead of epting them. They not only lie to other people around them, but they also lie to even themselves. And because of lying to themselves, they spend their entire life being haunted by their own truths and lies simrly.


    Xu Mey was one of the honest liars. She could lie to the whole world but her own self was never convinced by all her lies. But now, she didn¡¯t even want to lie to Ye Jie anymore.


    It was Xu Liqing¡¯s birthday and the Xu Family hade to the Gxy Hotel to celebrate. It was because of Grandfather Xu Cheng that Xu Mey was tagging along with the rest of the family. Xu Liqing could be considered to have a close rtionship with Xu Mey. She cheerily came beside Xu Mey and said, "Elder sister, should we go to the rooftop? I have prepared a surprise for you."


    The naive younger self of Xu Mey always believed that her younger sister was very sincere with her. Xu Liqing always stayed beside Xu Mey to support her even when her own mother Fu Lan was the one she had to stand up to. That fake support made Xu Mey believe that Xu Liqing was the best sister she could ask for.


    She didn¡¯t suspect anything and went along with Xu Liqing to the rooftop. The entire rooftop was decorated withnterns, candles, and flowers making it a picturesque sight. Xu Mey was in awe of the ce when Xu Liqing offered a ss of fresh fruit juice to her. "Elder sister, I asked mom to prepare this juice especially for you."


    Looking at the loving smile on Xu Liqing¡¯s face, Xu Mey smiled back pleasantly and took the ss offered to her without any suspicion. After taking a few sips, Xu Mey felt a piercing headache crawling in her brain. She felt lightheaded and had to hold whatever she could find. Coincidentally, she held onto Xu Liqing¡¯s figure.


    With her fuzzy mind, Xu Mey tried to open her eyes to see clearly but all she saw was Xu Liqing standing motionless. "Liqing, I¡¯m not feeling well."


    She heard Xu Liqing¡¯s snigger. "Of course, you don¡¯t feel good. Dear elder sister, did I tell you that the juice had drugs in it?"


    Xu Mey¡¯s eyes widened. Xu Liqing pushed Xu Mey¡¯s hands off of her body making Xu Mey stagger back. Losing her footingpletely, Xu Mey fell on the floor. "Today, I¡¯ll end youpletely." She heard Xu Liqing¡¯s menacing voice but didn¡¯t lift her head to look at her. "Do you know where I want to send you?" Xu Liqing askeding close to Xu Mey¡¯s half-sprawled figure on the ground.


    "I¡¯m going to send you to Kun Vige. I heard it¡¯s a beautiful ce with mountainous forests and shallowkes. Would you like to visit?" Hearing the strange tone of her voice, Xu Mey instinctively shook her head.


    "I don¡¯t want to go anywhere else." She felt her throat burning with her mind reeling. "Daddy has already sent me to boarding school. I know he won¡¯t send me anywhere else."


    Xu Liqingughed out loud to mock her innocence or maybe her naivety. "Do you really think that dad will save you? Even after every time that he let you down. Do you still want to believe in him?"


    "He¡¯s my dad. I have to believe in him." Xu Mey said with determination.


    "Tsk... Tsk... Tsk..." Xu Liqing clicked her tongue in pity. "My dear elder sister, you still haven¡¯t figured out that dad doesn¡¯t like you? And he¡¯ll never like you. My mom saw the way he treated you even when your mother left him. Leaving me aside, he always cared for you and my mom could never bear it."


    Xu Liqing pulled Xu Mey¡¯s hair making her look up with her red eyes at Xu Liqing¡¯s contorted face. "First, your mother took what belonged to my mom. She seduced my dad and my mother had to watch him marry someone else. And then you came along with those identical eyes as your mother." Xu Liqing was holding onto her urge to hit Xu Mey. "Even when mom made our dad believe that you¡¯re actually not his blood, he still wants to keep you around. Just for those eyes of yours." Xu Mey was taken aback.


    ¡¯I¡¯m not a Xu? How is that possible?¡¯ Her mind was in disarray and she had almost no ability to think straight anymore. Her depression suddenly turned into aggression. She yanked Xu Liqing¡¯s hand which was pulling her hair and twisted it badly.


    "Ah!" Xu Liqing screeched but Xu Mey didn¡¯t let her go.


    "You¡¯re lying. Dad loves me. I¡¯m his daughter. I am a Xu. How can he abandon me? He won¡¯t abandon me at all." Xu Mey was mumbling incoherently. Her breathing was harsher than before and her body was trembling vehemently.


    Even in pain, Xu Liqing didn¡¯t stop talking. That was exactly the reaction she wanted out of Xu Mey. She figured that the drug had taken its effect. "What are you going to call for Shuang-Ge? Go on... Call your Shuang-Ge, even he won¡¯te to save you anymore. In the end, you¡¯re just a useless person whom nobody wants in their lives. Shuang-Ge has left for Country A. Didn¡¯t he tell you?" Xu Liqing pretended to be surprised.


    Xu Mey loosened her grasp on Xu Liqing¡¯s wrist and shook her head from side to side slowly in denial. "He won¡¯t leave. No... He can¡¯t leave. He promised me that he¡¯ll protect me always." She mumbled to herself and in her frantic state of mind, she pulled on the table cloth near her. All the utensils fell and scattered around.


    The ss shards pierced her own flesh but it also pierced Xu Liqing¡¯s body. A big shard was stuck in Xu Mey¡¯s hands and as she tried to pull it, Xu Liqing came to stand right before her. "Why are you fighting so hard? My dear elder sister, how can you forget that you were born to be abandoned? Right after giving birth to you, your mother abandoned you. Then that friend of yours what was her name? Ah, Jun Li Na. She left you. And now, Shuang Ge is also gone. The only one left is, dad and he¡¯s going to abandon you now as well."


    "No!" Xu Mey covered her ears to block her vicious words as she said slowly. "No!" Her voice got a bit louder. "No!" She screamed at the top of her lungs while iling her arms in the air.


    In her state, she didn¡¯t realize that the shard in her hand had cut through Xu Liqing¡¯s arm until she screamed making Xu Mey halt. When she opened her eyes, all she saw was blood on her own hands, on Xu Liqing¡¯s clothes, and on the ground. Unknowingly, Xu Liqing¡¯s artery was cut and the blood was gushing out like a stream.


    Xu Liqing was screaming with her pale face while Xu Mey stood frozen staring at her. She came out of the daze with a jolt and ran towards the stairs. But her way was blocked by a waiter on the stairs who looked at the blood on her and anxiously asked, "Little Miss, what is all this? Did you get hurt? Did someone else get hurt?"


    Xu Mey¡¯s mind was still going through hallucinations and in her dizzy state, she tried to escape from that waiter¡¯s grip but she didn¡¯t realize that her push was strong as it ended up making that waiter lose his footing and he fell backward rolling down the stairs.


    Seeing the way his head was bleeding and him lying motionless on the ground, Xu Mey¡¯s young mind and body lost the strength and she fainted right beside the waiter¡¯s motionless body.

 Chapter 154 - Guilt & Abandonment

    Ye Jie listened to Xu Mey without any intention of disturbing. The content of her story was exactly what he saw in the video but the context waspletely contrasting. The video only showed the way Xu Mey ruptured an artery of Xu Liqing, hurting her pretty badly. Also, the other content of the video was when Xu Mey pushed that waiter away from herself and he ended up rolling down the stairs. In spite of the fact that Ye Jie was a keen believer of the phrase; Believe nothing of what you hear, and only half of what you see, he still couldn¡¯t stop himself from believing every word that came out of Xu Mey¡¯s mouth.


    Her state was right before his very eyes.


    He saw the way Xu Mey¡¯s body was shudderring. She appeared to be living that night all over again. She kept biting her bottom lip making it bleed a bit. Her face was nched and she stood rooted at the same spot looking at a certain location in a stupor.


    Ye Jie came behind her and held her trembling body in his arms with her back facing his chest. He made her head lie against his chest and kept rolfing her arms up and down to rx her.


    His calloused hand¡¯s warmth made Xu Mey feel at home. His familiar touch, and the familiar scent helped to diminish the turmoil in her heart and mind. She let herself loosen up in his arms and found the courage to speak again.


    At the age of 12 when she wasn¡¯t even considered a teenager, she had to see that bloody scene right in front of her and it left a huge stain on her mental health.


    She wasn¡¯t considered healthy from the time she was born. The doctors have said from her early age that due tock of nourishment, Xu Mey¡¯s mental health was weak and she was advised not to overwhelm her mind with thoughts.


    But with Fu Lan and Xu Liqing around, how could she possibly have a rxed mind? She had to take prescribed medicine for her mind from a young age but who knew that those meds were actually worsening her mental state.


    After that incident at the rooftop, Xu Mey stayed in aa for 10 days and when she woke up, she found herself in an unfamiliar surrounding.


    Everything was white in the huge room even her clothes were white. For a moment she thought that she was dead but then her father, Xu Cheng walked inside the room with Fu Lan tagging along. She saw her father taking a seat beside her bed.


    Xu Cheng held her small hand in own with a depressed look on his face. "What is this ce, dad?" Even though her throat was stinging, she had to speak out loud. She was having a bad premonition and her heart was beating uncontrobly fast.


    "This is a Rehabilitation Center." She heard her father¡¯s gentle voice but it shook her entire being. "You¡¯re going to stay here for a while, Xiao Mey."


    "No! Please, dad, don¡¯t leave me here! I¡¯m absolutely fine. Why do you want to push me away from yourself? I¡¯ll go back to the boarding school, just don¡¯t leave me here." Xu Mey¡¯s young, small self was pleading to her father while the tears streamed down her face without any restraint.


    But her words had little to no effect on Xu Cheng. He rubbed his forehead and said, "Xiao Mey, if you¡¯re having issues in school, you should have told me about it. Why did you resort to drugs?" Seeing the usation in her own father¡¯s eyes, Xu Mey was terribly taken aback.


    Xu Mey was frozen still on the bed she was lying on with nothing left to exin to him at all. When Xu Cheng saw her rigid body, he didn¡¯t know what he could do. He just wanted to help her. So what if she wasn¡¯t his own blood, she had the blood of the woman he loved the most in his life.


    He was about to leave the room when he heard Xu Mey¡¯s weak voice, "Did you have the time to listen to me?" Xu Cheng turned his body look at her bloodshot eyes staring back at him with an assertion. That look waspletely foreign to Xu Cheng who always saw Xu Mey as a weak and timid girl. "Even if I¡¯d told you that dad, I¡¯m being bullied in school every single day. Would you have cared?"


    "Of course, I¡¯d have cared. I¡¯d have tried to help you. After all, you¡¯re my..." He closed his eyes taking a deep breath. "My daughter." Although it wasn¡¯t easy to ept it that Xu Mey was not his own blood but he never loved her any lesser. He always tried to be her father.


    "Did you treat me as a daughter?" She asked andughed in a self-mocking manner. "It doesn¡¯t matter at this point. You¡¯re just like that mother of mine." After saying that, Xu Mey turned toy on her side not willing to see Xu Cheng anymore.


    There was silence in the room for a moment before Xu Mey heard the sound of door closing.


    "In the end, I¡¯m just an abandoned girl." She spoke bitterly in a soft voice. Up until now, she was scared of saying it out loud. Scared of the fact that if she epted those words, they will eventuallye true. And that was exactly what was happening with her.


    "You¡¯re absolutely right." Xu Mey heard a conceited voice right beside her ear. She knew the voice belonged to Fu Lan and that scared her even more. She tried to cower back in fear. "You are indeed abandoned yet again. And don¡¯t worry. No one will abandon you again." Fu Lan touched Xu Mey¡¯s pale cheek making her feel disgusted by her touch. "Because no one will be able to enter your life again. Then how can someone abandon you if no one is left in your life?"


    "Do you know why I hate you so much?" Xu Mey managed to shook her head from side to side. "I can¡¯t help it. Who told you to be born in this world? You could have chosen any other home, why did you have to be the firstborn of the Xu family?" Xu Mey was shuddering terribly by the menacing look in her eyes. "Don¡¯t me me for being cruel. me your own mother who abandoned you."


    Fu Lan stood up from the side of her bed intending to leave but she halted abruptly and before Xu Mey could make any sense of the situation, Fu Lan had pped her right on her face with a strong force. "How dare you hurt my daughter?" She delivered another crisp p on Xu Mey¡¯s face. "I love my daughter the most and you know it." Another pnded on her already stinging face. "Yet you hurt her so badly?" Fu Lan kept pping her face until it was swollen up like a sponge cake.


    "Now, you¡¯re not just a drug addict." Fu Lan smiled conceitedly, "Now, you¡¯re a murderer as well with unstable mental health. In short, I¡¯ve turned you into a retarded person for the world."


    After her anger subsided, she left Xu Mey alone to cry on her own with a badly hurting face. Before she even knew it, Xu Mey¡¯s whole world was pushed into an endless abyss of darkness. She was abandoned at the time when she needed the support of her loved ones the most.


    ¡¯How could I kill someone? No! No!¡¯


    ¡¯But you did!¡¯


    ¡¯You¡¯re a murderer.¡¯


    ¡¯You killed an innocent waiter!¡¯


    ¡¯You¡¯re supposed to be in prison not here in a Rehab Center.¡¯


    ¡¯You deserve to be abandoned.¡¯


    ¡¯Who would love or want a devil like you who killed an innocent person?¡¯


    ¡¯You should be ashamed of yourself.¡¯


    Xu Mey felt like she could hear the mocking from the people around her. As if the whole world was pointing a finger at her in usation. She shook her head and covered her ears trying to get rid of all the voices around her. But she forgot that the voices came from her own frenzied mind. And there is no way to get rid of guilt. It stays...


    It stays like a never-ending cycle pushing you towards your doom. We all are guilty of something in our lives. But some are left with only guilt to apany them till death.

 Chapter 155 - The Things I love

    An abandoned child can never forget the pain and suffering which he had to go through. Wounds have a habit of healing with time but the psychological scar left in the mind because of the pain they endured, that scar never goes away. And whenever you touch that scar, even after healing, it¡¯ll hurt like hell.


    Guilt is suffering in itself. Especially when you didn¡¯t deserve that guilt in the first ce. A mistake whether done in levity or not is still a mistake. And the mistake of taking a life, that¡¯s one of the biggest mistakes one could do in life.


    In this world filled with hypocrites, one often can¡¯t retain their innocence. We were born innocent once. But no one dies as an innocent person. Our mistakes and guilts apany us to the grave.


    Xu Mey also wasn¡¯t able to retain her innocence. To fight with devils, you have to either be one or wear a facade of being one. Even after years, Xu Mey wasn¡¯t sure about whether she was wearing a facade of a devil or she¡¯d be one. But she knew one thing; she was going to make people believe that she had indeed be a devil.


    Ye Jie sat back on a chair near him with Xu Mey still in his arms. He hugged her body from behind while she satfortably on his thighs. "Shuang-Ge is actually-" She intended to clear up her rtionship with Fu Shuang but Ye Jie interrupted her.


    "Shhh..." He started. "Let¡¯s take it a bit slower. We have the whole life ahead of us to know everything." He said. It was hard enough for him to even fathom her pain, how much she must have endured to even talk about it again? He didn¡¯t want her to suffer. Not anymore.


    Xu Mey cocked her head a bit to look into his brown eyes and asked, "What if I couldn¡¯t talk about the rest after tonight?"


    He smiled and stroked her hair lovingly. "Then I don¡¯t want to hear the rest." He replied sincerely.


    Xu Mey was in deep thought while staring into his eyes. "Ah Jie!"


    "Hmm.." He hummed in reply.


    "Even after seeing that video and even after me telling you everything, how can you still be so calm. Don¡¯t you feel repulsed by me? Don¡¯t you hate me now?" She inquired even when she was scared to hear his reply. ¡¯What if he really felt repulsed by me? What if he really hated me?¡¯ Those were her thoughts.


    He wasn¡¯t surprised that she knew about the video which Xu Liqing sent him. Ye Jun had already spilled the bean when he threatened him during the day. "When I saw that video, I was angry. Or maybe frustrated. I don¡¯t know." He spoke softly hugging her even closer to himself. "But that night was the first time, I realized how much of an important person you¡¯d be in my life. I felt like losing you would mean me losing my own sanity or the reason to live. Baby, I can never be repulsed by you. I can hate myself but you..." He touched her forehead with his own. "I can¡¯t hate you. Not even in my wildest dreams."


    Xu Mey was overwhelmed by his words yet again. "I love you and I can¡¯t help it. Before anything else in my life, you¡¯ll alwayse first. And I don¡¯t n on changing that. Even if my own reality changes one day, even if I ept my real identity one day, baby, you¡¯re the only constant in my life that I want. That I need the most."


    Xu Mey felt her eyes stinging as she bit her lips to control her tears from trickling down. "I know that your guilt is hurting you inside but seeing you in pain is killing me inside." Xu Mey covered his lips with her fingers shaking her head. Hearing him talk about dying made her feel scared all over again. Ye Jie smiled and held her hand in his own saying, "I might not be able to pull you out of guilt but I can promise you that I¡¯ll never ever abandon you."


    "Things that I love to do these days are; holding your small hands in my own, seeing that cute dimple at the side of your right cheek, holding your slender body in my arms, and..." He held the back of her neck and pulled her face towards his own locking her soft lips with his own. Before he lost himself in her sweet taste, he pulled back a bit and said, "And I love to kiss you."


    At this point, Xu Mey lost all her restraints over her tears as they streamed down her face. She was feeling ovee with feelings of being cherished and it was rather new to her. She opened her mouth to say something but nothing coulde out of her mouth. She encircled her arms around his neck and caught his lips between her owns smothering them with passion.


    She started by nibbling on his bottom lip making his gasp and taking advantage of the opening, she pushed her tongue inside his mouth. The moment that the tip of his tongue stroked her own tongue, she quivered.


    He was tentatively tasting her with his moist and warm tongue. The tangled tongues, rapid breathing, soft moans breaking the silence of night were telling the story of an indescribably intense kiss.


    When they pulled away, both were out of breath. Xu Mey ced both her hands on his cheeks, looked into his bright eyes, and said, "Ah Jie, do you know what I hate these days?" He frowned and shook his head. "I hate it when you don¡¯t do all the things that you love."


    Ye Jie was taken aback at her words but soon a pleasant smile bloomed on his handsome face making his eyes crinkle up. Seeing his beautiful smile, Xu Mey thought, ¡¯Even if I were to die tomorrow, I¡¯ll have no regrets anymore.¡¯


    She slowly moved her lips closer to his ear and said, "Ah Jie, I really, really, really like you."

 Chapter 156 - Intense Pleasures

    *Although it¡¯s of no use I¡¯ll still say it.*


    !!! Warning!!! Don¡¯t walk ahead if you¡¯re under 18!!!


    His familiar firm hands took hold of her body and swept her frame off the ground. Xu Mey conveniently encircled her legs around his torso. With her hands circled around his neck, his head was buried at the side of her neck.


    From the moment they left the hotel, both of them didn¡¯t stop kissing each other. As if the slight distance will make them part away.


    While Ye Jie led her upstairs, Xu Mey had no trace of where they were or what they were doing? All that mattered to her was that his kisses were making her heart dance atop the ocean waves stuck in a storm. Exciting her... Firing up her body... Providing a much-needed thrill in her life.


    Walking inside the bedroom, all Xu Mey heard was a ¡¯thud¡¯ of the door and then his moist lips came crashing down on her own. He kissed her with a passion... A raging fire... A burning desire... And... And... Something even Xu Mey couldn¡¯t figure out.


    She was so lost in his dizzy kisses that she didn¡¯t even realize that she was on the bed. At least not until she felt something soft beneath her body.


    Soon she felt his hands reaching underneath her oversized nightshirt and unsping her bra. His hands covered her supple and mellow bosom.


    He kissed her neck, licked every sensitive spot seemingly enjoying the sound of her moans. His hands that covered her bosom began to massage and roll her swollen nipples with his fingers. She squirmed under the torture of his fingers and bit her bottom lip to prevent herself from moaning louder.


    In one fluid motion, he pulled up her shirt and covered her bosom with his mouth to suckle on it. His tongue gave her tantalizing flicks. The tingling gratifying sensationved over her entire body and she felt her heart beating absurdly wanton. She had to clutch the sheets underneath her body to restrain her trembling self.


    Soon, he pulled away from her swollen mammi and looked at her naked upper body. Her milky white bosom was more natural, less close to each other and perfectly molded to her frame with nipples that was contained and well defined neither spreading nor stretching.


    His eyes didn¡¯t linger on her body for long- just enough to let her know how beautiful she was in his eyes and in his heart. Xu Mey didn¡¯t feel any embarrassment when he looked at her naked self, instead, she felt adored and cherished just by the intensity of his gaze.


    Ye Jie felt her tugging at his shirt and smiled before removing the barrier of shirt between his taut body and her soft hands. He dipped down his face to im her lips again while she explored every nook and cranny of his perfect muscles.


    "Baby, let me worship your body, please!" The huskiness of his voice put her in a trance and she nodded without any hesitation.


    Ye Jie rained down kisses all over her body ravishing and savoring her taste. Feeling gant for a moment, Xu Mey¡¯s hands grasped for his chest brushing her soft fingers while her lips touched the back of his neck softly making a growl erupt from the back of his throat. He was like an artwork that she wanted to explore with her hands. To feel his bare skin against her fingertips.


    "Ah Jie!" Xu Mey¡¯s voice was filled with feverish need. His brown orbs looked into her ck ones. "Let me be yours."


    "F*ck!" Ye Jie couldn¡¯t help but curse out loud. "Baby, you¡¯re already mine. And nobody can change that." With those words, in a swift motion, he pulled her trousers and underpants off her legs. "Let me show you tonight, how much I love you." His words held a promise- one that he was hellbent on performing.


    Xu Mey knew that she couldn¡¯t possibly take charge because she was too inexperienced. Therefore, for the first time in years, she let go of the dominance that she held so dear to herself. She allowed Ye Jie to be the master and dly, became his disciple for the night.


    His hands caressed her cheeks and slid down to her neck, further down to her corbones and shifted to palm her bosom, stroking it to fill her with intense pleasure. While his hands were busy, his mouth also didn¡¯t leave her body. He kept kissing the path his hands trailed on- it was almost like the strokes of his hands left sparks on the skin and his lips were igniting those sparks to make them turn into a raging fire brimming with desire, passion and most of all need.


    While his mouth was feasting upon the skin above her bosom, his hands slid further down to her ribs, her stomach, her hips and rubbed the inside of her thighs before stopping at the soft spot between her legs.


    His fingers coddled the heart of her femininity, drawing circles making her arch her body. "Ah Jie! I need you!" She beseeched him with her eyes. She was feeling hot. Like fire? No! More like ragingva.


    He slid his two fingers inside her pink pearl and explored her wetness making him harder than he already was.


    "I can tell," he replied making her blush in her hazy state of mind. Obviously, he had noticed the way her core was hot and wet and it was all for him.


    The more she wanted relief from him, the more he gave her making her mind go nk as the pleasure gushed in her entire being. Her loud cries were swallowed by his mouth and sheid therepletely spent. She didn¡¯t even notice it when Ye Jie took off his night trousers and boxers. She only came around when she felt him positioning himself between her legs.


    "Baby, look here. Look into my eyes!" Xu Mey listened to his voice and her eyes raised to stare into his brown ones. "It¡¯ll hurt a bit." He gently caressed her cheek while he coaxed her. "I want you to bear it for a little while. The pain will be gone before you even know it. Okay?" Still floating in her hazy pleasure, she blinked up at him and nodded her head.


    The moment he pushed himself inside her, she saw the way he gritted his teeth as if he was in pain. He surely was in pain as much as she was. She was too tight for him.


    She felt a piercing pain shoot through her pleasure filled haze making her lose her breath. She tightly gripped his shoulders trying to ease up her pain. Shutting her eyes close, she was trying to fight the urge to break away from this piercing pain like something shredding her insides apart.


    "Baby, are you okay?" She heard his anxious voice closer to her face. Although she felt full inside she didn¡¯t want him to worry.


    "I¡¯m all right, Ah Jie." She breathed making him rx a bit.


    "Baby," he kissed her cheek, her eyes and her neck saying, "Do you know why I said yes to marrying you?" He was trying to distract her mind away from pain and it seemed to work as she frowned.


    "Why?" She asked curiously.


    "Because your smile caught too much of my attention. I only saw it for a moment and when it was gone, I felt something was missing from the world." He licked her bottom lip. "I wanted that smile to be permanently on your face. Also, I was caught by your straightforwardness." He sucked her bottom lip in his mouth and his hand caressed her stomach.


    She felt the pain fading away as he moved his hips slowly making a pleasure wave shot up her spine. She moaned loudly. She was panting as he moved painstakingly inside her.


    When he felt that she got ustomed to his pace, he moved faster- in and out. He was groaning in pleasure with his head thrown backward. Ye Jie held her legs making her tightly wrap them around his body as his movements became wild.


    His mouthtched on to her neck, sucking it, biting it making her moans turn wild. He held her hips and grinded so hard that Xu Mey screamed out loud as she came apart right before his eyes.


    "My Mey baby looks gorgeous in every way. God! I fu*king love you so much, my love." With his words, he groaned and drove deeper inside her before crying out her name and falling right on her body.

 Chapter 157 - Morning After The *Ahem* *Ahem*?

    Since both Ye Jie and Xu Mey were tired from their *cough* exercisest night. They slept until the sun was shining brightly outside. Both were snuggled up together in afortable embrace.


    Xu Mey woke up when the sun cascaded it¡¯s a bright light on her face making her squint her eyes. Slowly, she tried to open her eyes while rubbing them in an adorable manner.


    "Hello, baby!" She heard his mellow and charismatic voice making her heartbeat elerate.


    She promptly opened her eyes. There he was smiling pleasantly while gazing into her eyes. "Hi!" she squeaked awkwardly. The hand that held her waist tightened as he pulled her face towards his chest.


    "Should we go for the round two?" His voice was sensual making her gasp.


    Taking advantage of her parted lips, he caught her lips into his mouth. Xu Mey neither had the energy to push him nor she had the desire to do so. He had be the drug that she needed in her life now.


    He pulled away after a minute of ravishing her taste. "Baby, are you tired?" He asked with concern. Xu Mey loved the fact that he wasn¡¯t just patient with her, he was caring to the extent that she never could have imagined a guy like him. He was really considerate towards her feelings.


    "I¡¯m fine." She replied even though she was feeling sore all over the body but she didn¡¯t want him to worry for something so small.


    "Are you hurting somewhere?" He asked again.


    Xu Mey smiled pleasantly and palmed his cheek. "Ah Jie, I¡¯m absolutely fine. Stop worrying for no reason. This much I can handle."


    "Oh..." His face fell. "That means you don¡¯t need me."


    Xu Mey was taken aback by his line of thought. The hand that palmed his cheek, pinched his cheek this time taking him by surprise. "When did I say that I don¡¯t need you? I just meant that since you¡¯re right by my side, I can manage this soreness."


    Ye Jie pursed his lips trying to take control of hisugh that was threatening to escape. He knew that she¡¯ll get blunt with a single word from him and that was exactly what she did. In other words, he just yed her early in the morning.


    "Aiyo!" He kissed the space between her brows and said, "My baby, how can you be so gullible? If you¡¯d have been honest at the start, I wouldn¡¯t have to pretend to be sad." Xu Mey scowled at his words. "Baby, I need to hear your voice. I want you to talk to me. That¡¯s the only way for me to know what¡¯s going on in your mind."


    "I¡¯ll try." She grumbled making him pull her body up on his own. Her soft bosom touched his hard chest. Her long hair sprawled at her side. Her hands on the side of his face. And her eyes gazing right into his.


    "Baby, I love you!" He said making her bit down on her bottom lip.


    "I know." She replied nonchntly like he was talking about the weather or something. But inwardly, she was feeling extremely giddy. She never thought just three words, ¡¯I love you¡¯ could make her heart all mushy but now, she believed that only those words from his mouth could possibly have that effect on her heart.


    He was staring expectantly at her face, trying to discern her thoughts. He wanted her to reciprocate his feelings but he knew that it was early for her.


    But...


    He was wrong...


    Xu Mey was already drowned in the ocean of love for him. She just didn¡¯t know it even herself. But she knew that he meant a lot to her and she wanted him to know it. Since she thought that she didn¡¯t have a sweet mouth like Ye Jie, she decided to show him.


    She raised her body a bit upwards and kissed the edge of his lips. Taking him by surprise, she imed his lips and kissed him. Not with passion or desire. It was intense. But... The intensity came from the love brimming in her heart. She kissed him softly to let him know how much that kiss and he meant to her.


    Ye Jie realized that this kiss was fiercer than the one filled with desire. This kiss was her unspoken words. Ye Jie encircled his arms around her back and let her kiss him for a long time. He loved the way she was teasing him and when their tongues dwelled, Ye Jie felt like losing his mind.


    Xu Mey felt like it was a dream that she was living and if she was living a dream, she didn¡¯t want to wake up at all. She realized that even if this dream turned into a painful nightmare one day, she¡¯d still be happy to live it but the condition is: Ye Jie has to be there to apany her.


    Ye Jie was just contented with her being by his side. He felt buoyant. For him, today was the day when he finally was home. With her in his arms, with her sweet tasting mouth and her intoxicating scent, he found his destination.


    His own self or his identity seemed to fade away whenever she was in front of his eyes. As if, she was a part of his being and the identity that was missing from him.


    Xu Mey continued to kiss him and pulled away to kiss his perfect jawline and moved towards his neck. Her hands raked in his soft brown hairs, ruffling them. But she didn¡¯t feel satisfied.


    Therefore, she dipped her face down towards his stomach, kissing and biting him teasingly.


    "Fu*k!" He cursed out when her hand tenderly touched the tip of his groin.


    "Ah Jie, are you okay?" Ye Jie didn¡¯t know whether she was acting innocently or she really was unaware of what she had just done to him.


    "Mhmm..." He could only get that out of his mouth.


    Xu Mey smiled smugly as her two fingers ran up and down the length of his groin. Although Xu Mey didn¡¯t know what she was doing; she really liked being the one affecting him. So, she continued her hand movements.


    But...


    Before she could take a step further, they heard a ringtone. Xu Mey got off of his body and said, "Ah Jie, it¡¯s your cellphone."


    Agitated, Ye Jie picked up his phone and roared, "Hello!"


    "Well, aren¡¯t you in a good mood, bro." Obviously, Azalea¡¯s voice held sarcasm and Ye Jie could feel it clearly.


    He cleared his throat and asked, "Why are you calling me?"


    "Jie-Ge, you¡¯re supposed to take me home, today. Remember?" Of course, Ye Jie forgot all about it. With a gorgeous enchantress like wife, how can he possibly remember his sister?


    He cleared his throat and answered, "I¡¯ll be there."


    He turned to look at Xu Mey who covered her naked body with the sheets. "Baby, I have to leave. Let¡¯s continueter." He kissed the top of her head and ran towards the bathroom.

 Chapter 158 - A Precious Piece

    Good moments are like a bonbon, they might end but leaves behind a sweet taste to linger on one¡¯s tongue. That sweet taste bes a part of one¡¯s memory reminding him of good times.


    Some people are like the bright sun, they are alone enough to brighten up someone¡¯s dark world. Like Ye Jie had be the sun of Xu Mey¡¯s dark life.


    Ye Jie left the house in a hurry leaving Xu Mey behind. Xu Mey tried to walk but found the unweed soreness between her legs a bit worrisome.


    When Xu Mey looked at her own reflection in the mirror, she couldn¡¯t help but blush to see her body painted with red bite marks. Especially the bright ones right above her bosom.


    But a sudden thought, ¡¯One shouldn¡¯t be embarrassed by the things that made him feel good about himself.¡¯ made her shrug her shoulders nonchntly. The hot shower made her body¡¯s soreness to dissipate a bit.


    It took her 30 minutes to get dressed and cover up all the visible red marks on her neck. She nned on hailing a cab to work but when she walked outside, she noticed Ye Jun waiting for her while leaning on his car.


    Upon seeing her, he waved excitedly and said, "Good morning, sis!" Xu Mey squinted her eyes at him usingly but didn¡¯t say anything. "Come I¡¯ll drop you to the office, today."


    Xu Mey silently climbed inside his car and looked outside the window.


    While driving, Ye Jun kept stealing nces at her which were not unnoticed by Xu Mey. "What is it? Just speak!"


    Ye Jun cleared his throat and started, "I don¡¯t know but..." he gave a thoughtful look and added, "You look a bit different for some reason."


    Xu Mey rolled her eyes at him and thought, ¡¯Look different? I even feel different you dumbo! But why am I feeling different? And what changed exactly? Is this feeling of being reborn? No, no! This must be the feeling of discovering oneself.¡¯ She bobbed her head up and down slowly in a trance


    Ye Jun saw the way she was lost in dreand. With one hand still on the steering wheel, he stretched the other hand in front of Xu Mey¡¯s eyes and waved to get her out of her daze. "Sis?"


    "Ha? What? Oh... What were you saying?" She asked again still notpletely aware of her surroundings.


    Ye Jun frowned at her reaction and said, "We are here." Xu Mey looked around to see that they were indeed right before Vintage building.


    Before disembarking from the car, she turned to Ye Jun and said, "If you have nothing special to do at the office,e inside I have to talk to you." Although her tone felt odd to Ye Jun he didn¡¯t think much about it and drove the car to the underground parking.


    When Xu Mey entered the building, she noticed a familiar face waiting at the reception area and when he looked at her, a smile bloomed on that familiar face as he came closer to her, "Hello, Xiao Mey!"


    "Dr." Xu Mey bit her tongue at her mistake and said, "Uncle Chen, what are you doing here?"


    Zhu Chen smiled at her and said, "I came to see you actually. I need your help with something."


    "What are we waiting here for then? Come with me." She led the way for Zhu Chen to her office. Even though she was surprised that he came to look for her on his own ord, she didn¡¯t show it on her face.


    In her office, she gave instructions to Qin Hao, "Bring some Blue Mountain Coffee and when my little brotheres up, ask him to wait in the other room." Qin Hao courteously bowed and walked out of her office.


    Then she turned to see Zhu Chen who wasfortably sitting at the couch with his eyes darting around the room. She took a seat at the single sofa and asked, "So, what can I help you with?"


    "Actually it¡¯s my 32nd anniversary next month and I¡¯ve been looking for a gift for my Susu. But I couldn¡¯t find anything. One of my colleagues suggested that I should buy a personalized piece of Vintage and I liked the idea. Then He Jian told me that you¡¯re the President of Vintage. So, I decided to ask for your help." As he spoke all the details in one breath, she was stuck at the fact that he was wandering around just to buy a gift and that too for their 32nd anniversary.


    "So, you want me to design something for you?" He nodded agreeing with her. "Hmm... Tell me about what do you have in mind." She picked up the notepad and pencil from the side table while Qin Hao came inside with the coffee and left after cing it on the table.


    Zhu Chen scratched the back of his head sheepishly and said, "That¡¯s what I don¡¯t know. I mean I think I know what I want and yet I don¡¯t know." He sighed. "It¡¯s confusing, right?"


    Xu Mey shook her head. "Not at all." She contemted a bit with the pencil between her teeth and said, "How about you share some precious memories of yours to let me get an idea?"


    "Ah? That¡¯s a good idea." He smiled but it soon faltered. "But we have so many precious memories. Which one should I tell you?"


    "How about the one that makes you feel warmest even now?" She suggested.


    "The warmest one?" He smiled thinking about something and said, "Maple Trees."


    "Huh?" She was perplexed.


    He exined, "There was a time when Susu was under mental stress and stopped talking. She didn¡¯t say a word for 2 years. During that time, she wrote some words for me on a maple leaf. That¡¯s one of the warmest memory to me." Xu Mey¡¯s mind held millions of questions but she didn¡¯t ask a single one. It was too soon to pry into their matter.


    "Okay, I can work with a maple leaf."


    "I feel weird asking President of thepany for such a small matter." He voiced out his thoughts.


    "I call you Uncle Chen that means you¡¯re just as much important to me as much Uncle Kun is. Don¡¯t feel burdened. I don¡¯t mind at all." Seeing her sincere smile, Zhu Chen rxed and picked the cup of coffee to take a sip.

 Chapter 159 - Kabedon Brother (Part 2)?

    Zhu Chen didn¡¯t stay for a long time. After drinking the coffee and telling some small details to Xu Mey, he left.


    Xu Mey called Qin Hao and said, "Send my little Jun inside." The tone of her voice made even Qin Hao shudder.


    Qin Hao went to Ye Jun who wasfortably ying games on his cell phone and said, "Sir, President Xu is calling you inside."


    "Okay!" Ye Jun made the ¡¯okay¡¯ sign with his hand and stood up happily.


    Looking at his enthusiastic face, Qin Hao could only sigh. "Sir, best of luck!" He raised two thumbs to encourage Ye Jun but thetter was a bit dense since he just frowned and knocked at the door.


    The door instantly opened and he was pulled inside at the lightning speed and he only came around when his back made contact with the hard door. He closed his eyes as he winced. And when he opened them, he had a sudden Deja Vu moment.


    Xu Mey was standing face to face with him trapped between her and the hard door behind. He tilted his head a bit to see her hand right beside his face and thought, ¡¯Is it just I or both my brother and sis-inw are ying this Kabedon to the wrong person? They should be doing it to each other. Not to me!¡¯ he made a crying face and looked at Xu Mey¡¯s narrowed eyes.


    "My great aunt, what have I done now?" He really was at the verge of crying.


    "What did you say to Ah Jie yesterday? How much did you speak?" Her questioning manner was quite simr to Ye Jie- intimidating.


    "Not much," he squeaked guiltily.


    "Jun!" she raised her voice a bit making Ye Jun tremble for some reason.


    "Let me go, I¡¯ll tell you everything." He readily agreed. Xu Mey walked back letting him breathe freely.


    With much effort, Ye Jun managed to take a seat at the couch and rted the things he told Ye Jie including the things about Fu Shuang. Xu Mey closed her eyes briefly to swallow down her anger.


    "Jun, you bbermouth! Who told you to talk about Fu Shuang? I was going to tell him myself."


    Ye Jun felt wronged. "Sis, first of all, bro is really scary when he wants to be. He¡¯s only a good boy when you¡¯re around. Second of all, don¡¯t focus on what I said, focus on the fact that bro was jealous. That¡¯s the key point here." Sure enough, Xu Mey got in his words.


    "Ah Jie was jealous?" She asked with amusement dancing in her eyes.


    "Yes... He was really jealous." Ye Jun heaved a sigh of relief when he realized that she was over her anger for the moment.


    She suddenly stopped smiling making Ye Jun¡¯s breath hitch. "I¡¯m letting you go easily just this once. Next time, if you opened your damn mouth, I¡¯m gonna cut your tongue and feed it to dogs." Ye Jun instantly covered his mouth with both of his hands.


    "Drink that water and get back to your senses. We have important stuff to discuss." She pointed towards the ss of water at the table and came behind her desk to take her seat.


    Ye Jun picked the ss of water, drank it in one go and took deep breaths to calm himself. After that, he walked up to the chair before her desk and plopped down on it.


    "I¡¯m ready!" he announced.


    "We¡¯re not going on a war. Mr. I¡¯m ready." Her sarcasm made Ye Jun scrunch up his face. "I need you to do something." She started.


    "What?" He inquired.


    "I need you to find out the reason behind why Ah Jie is living as your brother." Ye Jun¡¯s shoulders slumped down at her words.


    "Sis, do you think that I haven¡¯t tried?" He arched his brows. "I¡¯ve already looked into it but couldn¡¯t find anything."


    "Nothing?" She was certain that something should be there how can he not find anything.


    "Ah! There is one thing."


    "What?"


    "Whatever secret there is, only mom knows about it." Xu Mey frowned.


    "How are you sure?"


    "Because sis, mom always keeps the pretense of being a loving and caring mother whenever dad is around. She only stops caring for bro when dad is not around. And I¡¯ve done thorough research on this. Dad really loved bro even more than me. It¡¯s always the mom who shows the partiality." Ye Jun exined.


    Xu Mey pondered for a moment. "¡¯Hmm... It does seem like your mom is the key in this mystery." She took a pause and added, "How about you tell me something about your parents¡¯ love story?"


    Ye Jun gaped at her. "What love story? I don¡¯t think they have any."


    "What do you mean? If they don¡¯t have any then how did they get married?" She questioned with exasperation.


    "I don¡¯t know. Dad doesn¡¯t like talking about his wedding part."


    "Then that¡¯s where we¡¯re starting from. Look for a way to know about how your parents got married." Xu Mey ordered.


    "Do I have to?" Ye Jun was reluctant but the way Xu Mey squinted her eyes made him swallow the rest of his reluctance instantly.


    Suddenly, Xu Mey¡¯s phone rang and she smiled staring at the screen. "Hi, Ah Jie!" At the sound of that beautiful soft voice, Ye Jun wanted to vomit blood.


    ¡¯You are the biggest prejudiced person I¡¯ve ever met in my life, sis!¡¯ he really wanted to scream but he knew that she¡¯ll murder him so he had to keep his mum.


    "Hi, baby! Is your soreness better?" Xu Mey passed a look to Ye Jun and rotated her chair to hide her blush from him.


    "It¡¯s better after the warm shower." She replied in a low voice.


    Ye Jie: "Oh, that¡¯s good. I¡¯m really sorry for leaving in a hurry."


    Xu Mey: "It¡¯s alright." After a moment of silence, "Why did you call?"


    "Am I not allowed to call my wife?"


    "I didn¡¯t say that."


    He chuckled softly. "I¡¯lle to pick you up at 5 today. So, you better be done by then."


    "At 5 o¡¯clock? Isn¡¯t that early?"


    "I have a surprise for you, baby. Now, I¡¯m gonna hang up. I love you and I¡¯m missing you so much." Xu Mey grinned widely as he hung up the phone.


    As Ye Jun looked at her grin, he felt like banging his head somewhere. He stood up and grumbled, "I¡¯m leaving. I can¡¯t swallow any more than this."


    Xu Mey neither knew what he was talking about nor she cared about it. She just held her phone and kept staring at itpletely disregarding the fact that Ye Jun was leaving.


    Poor Jun could only sigh and leave her alone with her goofy grin.

 Chapter 160 - The World Of Hypocrites

    Meanwhile, Ye Jie was at the Star Emperor Hospital with Azalea. Ru had beening every day to take care of Azalea for more than 10 days and after her frequent visits, Azalea had shown better progress in her health.


    Now, she could walk around slowly without feeling too much strain on her muscles. Ru was even now serene and cautious while she held Azalea¡¯s calf in her hand to massage it.


    After getting done with it, Ru stood up from her squatting position and asked Azalea, "You should focus on exercise for a month or so and the stiffness will bepletely gone."


    "You¡¯re an amazing person." Azalea marveled as she swayed her legs like a little kid with her toothy grin.


    Ru awkwardly pulled the hood further down her face and said, "I¡¯m not amazing. It¡¯s your own will to survive which is amazing."


    Azalea pondered for a minute while tapping her finger at her chin and pointed out, "You don¡¯t likepliments. Right?"


    Ye Jie noticed the way Ru didn¡¯t reply to Azalea and added, "Zelie, don¡¯t ask questions. Ru can answer you anything as long as your question doesn¡¯t involve her own self."


    "If thepliment was based on my reality, I¡¯d have dly shown my gratitude for it. But yourpliment was based on what I showed you not on what I really am." Ru¡¯s voice deep and hoarse but brimming withpassion.


    "What do you mean?" Azalea questioned with a frown etched between her brows.


    "You really are too young and innocent." Ru noted and went on, "Little girl, we live in the world filled with humans- humans that are hypocrites. We all like to hear the truths even when we have built our own lives at the quicksand of lies. But who cares?" Azalea kept staring at Ru¡¯s green eyes hidden below her hood. "We all say that truth is what we all want, but in reality, all we want to hear is a lie that doesn¡¯t hurt us and doesn¡¯t let that castle sink in."


    Ru leaned ahead toe face to face with Azalea and added, "We are all like those peacocks that like to disy their extravagance feathers while they always hide there ugly feet from the world. You only saw me as I showed you. The day, you¡¯ll get to see the real me, you might never want me around yourself ever again." The strange certitude and elusiveness in Ru¡¯s voice made Azalea¡¯s heart skip a beat in fear.


    "Can you stop scaring my sister?" Ye Jie came behind Ru and pped the back of her head making her re at him viciously.


    "I¡¯m not scaring her. I¡¯m showing her the reality of the world which her parents hid from her. She grew up in a very protected world. But she needs to learn that the world is an ugly ce and only by wearing a mask of ugliness can you survive in it." After saying her words, Ru punched Ye Jie in his stomach making him wince in pain. "This was a light punch for the p you delivered earlier." With that, she took a step intending to leave the hospital room.


    She halted and again looked at Azalea. "Also remember, as a human, we all like to say that people changes... Time changes... But we all forget that we our own self also change with time and people. Do you know what is the thing we all need but we don¡¯t have?"


    Azalea shook her head.


    "It¡¯s understanding. We all need others to understand the pretext behind our change but none of us wants to understand the same pretext from someone else." She punched Ye Jie again and left.


    Ye Jie rubbed his stomach where she hit twice. Even though he knew it himself that it was one of the softest punch she could deliver. But it still hurt.


    "Bro, are you alright?" Azalea inquired anxiously as she saw the way Ye Jie¡¯s face was scrunched up.


    He tried to smile and assured her, "Absolutely fine. You get ready. We¡¯re leaving for home now."


    Azalea excitedly walked away to change her clothes and Ye Jie ran outside to the corridor to look for Ru.


    "Are you looking for me?" He heard her voice the instant he walked out of the room. He turned a bit and saw her leaning against the wall right beside the door with her arms crossed before her chest.


    "Are you gonna stay?" He inquired trying to look for something in her green eyes.


    "Since I¡¯m already here, I don¡¯t n on leaving that soon. I¡¯ll be in Imperial City if you want to reach me." She retorted.


    Noticing his piercing gaze at her own face, she sighed and stood straight. "What do you want?"


    "An answer. Can you give it?"


    "No... I¡¯m not in the mood at the moment." She calmly answered. "I¡¯ll see you soon. For now, I have things to do." She patted his shoulder before walking away from him. Ye Jie followed her frame until she disappeared at the corner.


    Azalea came out and announced, "Jie-Ge, I¡¯m all set." Her voice broke Ye Jie line of thoughts and he turned to Azalea and passed a smile to her.


    "Okay, let¡¯s go then." He picked up her small bag and led her out of the hospital. He had already done all the necessary process for checkout. And he specifically asked Lin Shen to hide the fact that Azalea is awake from Xu Mey since he wanted to surprise her.


    While he was driving the car, he saw the way Azalea was fidgeting while beads of cold sweat appeared on her forehead. Now he believed Ru¡¯s words when she said, "Try to pay attention to her. She had been in a severe ident and it might have left its marks on her memory. Although I hope that I¡¯m wrong, I think that she might be afraid of car rides from now on."


    He pulled her hand and held it in his own saying, "Zelie, I¡¯m right here. Ge is not gonna let anything happen to you. Just have faith in your Ge-Ge?"


    He felt her muscles rxing under his touch and smiled. She nodded her head and said, "Bro, you won¡¯t leave me right?"


    "Never ever..." he replied making her feelpletely rxed.

 Chapter 161 - Potential Mother-In-Law

    -President¡¯s Office, Vintage Gems-


    Xu Mey was engaged in work during the lunch break like a scrupulous person when Qin Hao knocked at the door and craned his neck inside to say, "President Xu, you have a guest."


    Before Xu Mey could open her mouth to inquire about the guest, she heard a familiar voice making her stand up abruptly. "Move away and let me walk through." The owner of the voice pushed Qin Hao out of the way and walked inside elegantly.


    "Xiao Mey!" Xu Mey just stared at He Jian¡¯s mother, Zhu Qinyang whose demeanour took a 180-degree turn, the moment her eyes fell on Xu Mey.


    Xu Mey could only smile and wave at Qin Hao who was gaping at the side, to leave. "Auntie Qin-Qin, what a pleasant surprise!" When Xu Mey came forward to hug Zhu Qinyang that¡¯s when her eyes caught the figure behind.


    Zhu Qinyang noticed Xu Mey¡¯s questioning eyes and exined, "I brought Susu here with me. She needs your help with something. Now, I¡¯m very busy. So, Xiao Mey, take care of my favourite sister-inw and I¡¯ll see you some other day."


    Xu Mey arched her brows in confusion. "Auntie, you¡¯re leaving? Why don¡¯t you stay for some tea?"


    Zhu Qinyang smiled delighted by and stroked Xu Mey¡¯s hair. "Xiao Mey, I would¡¯ve loved to stay but I have a meeting with the Minister in about 30 minutes. I¡¯m leaving her with you." Xu Mey pursed her lips and nodded.


    Then Zhu Qinyang turned to her sister-inw, He Susu and said, "Su, you can ask her to do anything. Xiao Mey is just like your own daughter, she won¡¯t deny you of anything. Okay?" He Susu smiled and nodded at her.


    When Zhu Qinyang left the room, a strange silence prevailed around. Xu Mey was struggling inside about how to talk to her ¡¯potential mother-inw¡¯. Oh, wait! Isn¡¯t she the ¡¯actual mother-inw¡¯? Xu Mey was having a debate inside her mind. No, no... She won¡¯t be the ¡¯actual¡¯ one until Ye Jie epts her. For now, she¡¯s the ¡¯potential¡¯ one.


    She sighed inwardly. ¡¯Whatplicated rtionships, I have to deal with. What a hassle.¡¯


    Xu Mey cleared her throat and tried to start the conversation. "Why don¡¯t you take a seat, Ms-"


    "You can call me Auntie Su. I won¡¯t mind." He Susu replied with a polite smile.


    "Okay... So, Auntie Su, take a seat and befortable." After He Susu sat down at the couch, Xu Mey asked, "What would you like to drink?"


    "Tea will be fine. Thank you!" He Susu replied.


    Xu Mey smiled and ordered Qin Hao to send in some tea. While He Susu was looking around, Xu Mey¡¯s eyes were trained on her. She was like an elegant, well-breddy. Beauty was just a single trait of her. Most of all, her personality was something that attracted people to her.


    "What can I help you with?" Xu Mey inquired while taking a seat.


    "Actually, it¡¯s my anniversary next month and I wanted your help with the gift." As soon as those words were said, Xu Mey was dumbstruck by the fact that both Zhu Chen and his wife were so damn in sync.


    Her trance was broken when He Susu added, "Sis Qinyang suggested that I should ask you for help. Well, now I know why she said that you can help me."


    "Huh?" Xu Mey didn¡¯t understand her meaning.


    He Susu smiled again and went on, "You¡¯re the President of one of the fastest growing Jewelry brands. Obviously, you can help me."


    Xu Mey could onlyugh awkwardly at thatment. When Qin Hao came with the tea, there was again an awkward silence in the air. After he left, Xu Mey asked, "Do you have something specific in your mind for the gift?"


    He Susu took a sip of her tea and nodded. "I n on giving him a pocket watch."


    ¡¯Do you need a Jewelry designer for that?¡¯ Xu Mey wanted to ask but didn¡¯t dare to.


    Seeing Xu Mey frown, He Susu further added, "I need your help with its design."


    "Ohhh..." Xu Mey dragged the world unnecessarily. "You have the design in your mind?"


    "Yes, as a matter of fact, I do." She took a pause. "I want the cover to have some words engraved on it while the inside to have a sketch. Is it possible?"


    Xu Mey pondered for a moment, "Well, it requires a bit of time but yeah, it¡¯s definitely possible."


    He Susu heaved a sigh of relief and focused on her tea. "Xiao Mey, I can call you Xiao Mey, right?" She looked at Xu Mey who nodded in reply. "So, Xiao Mey, you¡¯re really like what my husband says about you."


    "What does Uncle Chen say about me?" Xu Mey asked with a bit of curiosity.


    "He told me that you¡¯re a very strange kind of person." Xu Mey frowned to hear that. "You¡¯re simple and yet twisted in your own way."


    Xu Mey scratched the tip of her nose and asked, "Is that bad?"


    "No. It makes you refreshing and real in your own way." She heard the reply.


    "Say, if you could get a daughter-inw like me, would you like it?" Xu Mey words somehow made He Susu a bit sad as she stared at the floating flower petals in her teacup. "I¡¯m sorry. That was a dumb question."


    He Susu shook her head and gave a sad smile. "To be honest, if I had my son with me, I would dly want you to be my daughter-inw."


    Xu Mey spent a long time talking with He Susu about the design and about other random stuff. Xu Mey was d that He Susu was a very easygoing person with no hidden agendas. She was mostly like Xu Mey herself, especially when it came to bluntness.


    At precisely 5 o¡¯clock, Ye Jie came to pick up Xu Mey from the office and the moment Xu Mey slid inside the passenger seat, she was pulled in for a kiss which took her by surprise. But she soon loosened up and responded to Ye Jie¡¯s kisses with delight.


    Ye Jie reluctantly parted away from Xu Mey and said, "I missed you so much, baby."


    Xu Mey buckled her seatbelt and said, "I can tell."


    Ye Jie waited for her to say something else but she didn¡¯t, so, Ye Jie asked himself, "Didn¡¯t you miss me?"


    "I¡¯ll tell you at home, how much I missed you Ah Jie." Now, that answer was on a whole level ambiguity for Ye Jie. He couldn¡¯t figure out the meaning.

 Chapter 162 - My Sister

    Ye Jie was being excessively reticent about the surprise he had for Xu Mey. She asked loads of times during the drive from office to home but he didn¡¯t bother telling at all.


    His silence left Xu Mey with her wildly ingenious mind to run amok.


    "Are you ready for the surprise?" Ye Jie turned to ask Xu Mey at the doorstep of their house.


    Xu Mey shrugged her shoulders nonchntly trying to attest that she wasn¡¯t that eager. "Ready as I can be."


    Ye Jie smiled and opened the door wide for Xu Mey. She swaggered indoors with her eyes darting around to look for the surprise. But all she noticed was that everything was precise as she left it in the morning.


    ¡¯Ha? Where is this damn surprise?¡¯ She howled inside her mind. But all of a sudden, her ink-ck eyes fell on a slender figure d in apletely white dress with her long hairs falling over her face in a mess.


    Xu Mey was seriously taken aback by that sight as she staggered back and held Ye Jie¡¯s sleeve. One thing Xu Mey never told anyone in her life was that she was super scared of ghosts. And yes, she even believed in them.


    No matter how much someone says that ghosts are just your imagination, she won¡¯t believe it at any cost. For her ghosts are real and that¡¯s it. Final... No further discussion needed!


    Seeing Azalea sitting like a ghost scared Xu Mey at some level and Ye Jie noticed it. He rolled his eyes and said, "Zelie, what the hell are you doing?"


    Azalea pulled her hair back from her face and looked at Ye Jie standing before her. "What did I do?" She emphasized her words with hand gestures.


    "Pull your hair back." He said to Azalea and turned to Xu Mey who was staring at Azalea with wide-eyes. That¡¯s when Azalea regarded the presence of Xu Mey and peered at her with voyeurism.


    "Jie-Ge, is she your wife?"


    "Is she for real or am I hallucinating?"


    Both Azalea and Xu Mey spoke simultaneously and nced at each other.


    "Yes, Zelie. She¡¯s my wife, Xu Mey." Ye Jie answered Azalea¡¯s question and turned to Xu Mey, "Baby, you¡¯re not hallucinating. She¡¯s real and this was the surprise, I wanted to give you."


    "She¡¯s fine?" Xu Mey asked while peering at Azalea. Even though Azalea¡¯s body looked wan but her cheeks were rosy indicating that she was healthy. Her eyes were even bright and twinkling.


    "Well, I¡¯m as fine as I can be," Azalea answered her question and paced up to Xu Mey with narrowed eyes. She circled around Xu Mey¡¯s body studying her with a finger tapping at her chin in a thoughtful manner. "Not bad." Azalea concurred.


    Being appraised like that was apletely new encounter for Xu Mey and she wasn¡¯t sure about what to say. Therefore, she chose to say, "Thank You!" with a bit of a dilemma.


    Xu Mey¡¯s difiture was broken when through the opened door came the voice, "Sis, I¡¯ve been calling you for an hour now. Why are you not answering?" Ye Jun trudged inside with an using re at Xu Mey.


    "Do I have to answer every time you call?" Xu Mey retorted. Ye Jun made a face at Xu Mey. "Why were you calling?"


    "Oh, I forgot my keys at your office." Ye Jun notified her.


    "What were you doing at her office in the first ce?" Hearing Ye Jie¡¯s inquisitive voice, Ye Jun finally discerned that there were other people in the living room as well.


    Ye Jun tried tough but it came out a bit shaky. "Hi, bro!" He waved and while looking for an answer, his eyes fell on Azalea. "Oh, who do we have here?" He came to sit beside Azalea on the fabric sofa and said, "Hi! I¡¯m Ye Jun. And may I know who¡¯s this pretty youngdy?"


    Azalea smiled and opened her mouth to answer but Ye Jie beat her to it, "Are you trying to flirt with her?"


    "Of course not!" Ye Jun rolled his eyes at Ye Jie and went on, "These days, I only want to flirt with a single person."


    Xu Mey pped the back of his head and reminded him, "And she¡¯s already engaged. Stop wasting your time!"


    "My dearest sister, encourage me. Don¡¯t you know that a person¡¯s passion defines him? We should never discourage someone with our words, especially about their passion. Once a person loses the passion inside of him, he just bes a hollow person." Ye Jun was talking like a sage but in return, he received another p from Xu Mey.


    "Jun Li Na is your passion?"


    He rubbed the ce she just pped and said, "Yes... She has be my passion now and I can¡¯t just give up so easily anymore. I¡¯ve crossed the threshold of mere crush. Now, she¡¯s my passion." There were will andmitment in Ye Jun¡¯s eyes.


    Xu Mey rubbed her forehead and shook her head. "Did you cross the threshold after her bodyguards beat the cr*p out of you or before?"


    Ye Jieughed hearing Xu Mey¡¯s sarcastic remark while Ye Jun coughed awkwardly looking at Azalea who was bemused with everything. "Sis, you¡¯re not supposed to say that in front of outsiders." Ye Jun felt wronged.


    Xu Mey pulled his ear and added, "First of all, stop this bullsh*t about passion and all. Second of all," she pointed at Azalea and went on, "She¡¯s not an outsider. She¡¯s as much of a family member here as much you are."


    "Ouch!" Ye Jun rubbed his ear which was pulled a moment ago and looked usingly at Xu Mey. "How is she not an outsider?"


    "Because she¡¯s like a sister to me. No, actually, she¡¯s my sister which makes her a family member. So, you better not mess up around her." Xu Mey warned him while concealing the fact that Azalea was Ye Jie¡¯s blood sister.


    She had two pretexts for her lying. First, she didn¡¯t want Ye Jun to get sad for no reason. Second, she still wanted Ye Jie to be the one to talk about the truth with Ye Jun.


    "If she¡¯s your sister then she¡¯s my little sister as well." Ye Jun instantly got over his earlier pain and happily looked towards Azalea, "Hey, little sis! If anyone messes with you, look for me I¡¯ll take care of it all for you."


    Meanwhile, Azalea was thinking about how Xu Mey called her as her own sister. For some unknown reason, it felt really good to her. She smiled radiantly while nodding at Ye Jun.

 Chapter 163 - A Joyous Family

    On one side, Ye Jun was happily prattling away with Azalea and on the other side, Ye Jie held Xu Mey¡¯s hand in his own and yanked her towards himself.


    They stood facing each other with Ye Jie¡¯s hands intertwined behind her back and Xu Mey¡¯s hand sprawled on his chest. Ye Jie peered into her eyes and inquired, "Did you like the surprise?"


    "I love it," she rejoined with her head elevated a bit to gaze into his eyes. They kept staring into each other¡¯s eyes while the whole world went into obscurity omitting only these two behind. "I need to freshen up." Xu Mey said, a little breathlessly.


    "Okay..." Ye Jie replied.


    "Let me go," she demanded but didn¡¯t try to move.


    "I didn¡¯t stop you." He answered.


    Xu Mey fixed him a look yfully and said, "If you won¡¯t lift your hands from my body, how will I go?"


    Ye Jie didn¡¯t move, he didn¡¯t intend on doing it either. "That¡¯s for you to figure out."


    "Huh? How can I figure that out?" Xu Mey adorably pouted and Ye Jis dipped his head further to leave a lingering kiss at her pouted lips taking her by surprise.


    "May I suggest a solution?" Ye Jie offered while touching her forehead with his own. Xu Mey approved and Ye Jie said in a whisper, "I can apany you in the shower." Xu Mey¡¯s mouth opened wide while her eyes were as big as saucers. Heat tingled through her body from the tip of her toes to the tip of ears. "That way, I won¡¯t have to leave your body and you¡¯ll also get to freshen up. It¡¯ll be a win-win situation for both of us."


    Xu Mey punched Ye Jie chest with her small fists making him wince. "Ouch!"


    Xu Mey immediately got anxious. "Ah Jie, did it hurt?" Ye Jie opened his eyes to look at her worried face and shook his head.


    "I¡¯m not that weak." Xu Mey heaved a sigh of relief.


    "Stop messing around for no reason." Xu Mey red at his again making his smile brightly. "On a serious note, let me go. I¡¯ve to freshen up and then I¡¯ll make something for dinner."


    "You don¡¯t have to do anything. I know how much tired you are and that¡¯s why I asked NaNa to make the dinner. She¡¯s in the kitchen taking care of everything." Ye Jie informed her patiently.


    Xu Mey melted once again at his consideration. "Fine. But I still have to change out of my clothes."


    "But baby, I¡¯m not even holding you." When Ye Jie said it, that¡¯s when Xu Mey noticed that Ye Jie¡¯s hands were not on her body anymore. She was herself not moving away.


    Feeling embarrassed, Xu Mey tried to walk away but Ye Jie held her wrist and pulled her back towards himself. When her back touched his chest, he lowered his face towards her ear and said, "The offer still stands. Let me apany you, it¡¯ll be a lot more fun. You know, the count of two makes a perfect couple. And a perfect couple makes a perfect rtionship like us."


    "Ah Jie!" Xu Mey wanted to raise her voice but her voice came out like a needy person, beseeching him. Xu Mey squirmed to loosen his grip and ran upstairs not looking back at all.


    Ye Jie bit his bottom lip and cursed, "Fu*k!" before raking his fingers through his hair with exasperation.


    In the world that was left in obscurity by Ye Jie and Xu Mey, Azalea and Ye Jun were looking at them with indescribable expressions.


    "What is this strange feeling?" Azalea asked in a low voice with a frown on her face and an itch in her heart.


    "This is what the thin air feels around us," Ye Jun started while Azalea¡¯s frown grew deeper. "Snubbed... Neglected..."


    "Oh!" Azalea said in realization. "So, this is how being ostracized feels like." She nodded her head in understanding and asked, "Does this happen often?"


    Ye Jun gave a look to Azalea that said, ¡¯Are you crazy?! I¡¯ve even lost the count now!¡¯ and sighed, "This is the story of every single moment of every single day." After a pause, he went on, "They both can make you eat dog food even when they are together. So, take my advice and be careful otherwise by the time you get a boyfriend, you¡¯ll be too full by the dog food they served you that you won¡¯t be able to digest anything else."


    "I¡¯ll remember your advice, Senior!" Azalea affirmed.


    Ye Jun was very d about Azalea¡¯s answer. He grinned broadly and acknowledged, "That¡¯s like a good Junior. I like it. By the way, what¡¯s your name?"


    "Azalea," she answered.


    "Oh, you really are like a flower just like your name." He pinched Azalea¡¯s cheeks yfully and noted, "Gosh, you¡¯re really beautiful."


    Azalea grinned goofily. "Thank you! So, senior, will you take me out to y?" Looking at her twinkling eyes, Ye Jun couldn¡¯t say no at all.


    "Obviously. Call me anytime and I¡¯ll be there for you. This big brother is all yours to mess with my cute little sister." He patted his own chest while talking.


    "Won¡¯t you be busy?" She inquired curiously.


    "Even if I¡¯ll be busy, I¡¯ll make time for you. Who wouldn¡¯t for such a sweet little sister? Of course, I will. At all costs."


    Behind them, Ye Jie was really d to see the interaction between Ye Jun and Azalea. He knew that both will be friends because of their simr chatting habits but he didn¡¯t fathom that it¡¯ll be this soon. Nheless, he was more than just happy about it.


    Like a happy family, they ate dinner together while conversing about random stuff. For Xu Mey, it was a very joyous experience.


    After dinner, Ye Jun left for home while Ye Jie helped Azalea to settle in her room right beside his own. "Call me if you need anything. Don¡¯t run around for no reason." Ye Jie strictly ordered Azalea and came to his own bedroom.


    But the scene before him made his jaw drop to the floor. Figuratively. Of course, not literally. That¡¯ll be weird.

 Chapter 164 - Im Your Man

    When Ye Jie stepped inside the bedroom, a sour reality was anticipating his entrance.


    There she stood right beside the bed with a broad grin which appeared fake with her hands over her hips. Of course, it wasn¡¯t her stance or the smile that made his jaw drop, it was, in fact, the partition of pillows on the bed.


    He gave one look to the pillows separating the bed which left even space on both sides and then nced at Xu Mey with probing eyes.


    "Ah Jie," her voice appeared to be dribbling with nectar for some dreadful reason. "Tonight, you¡¯re sleeping on that side," she pointed towards the left side of the bed and went on, "And I¡¯ll sleep on this side of the bed."


    Ye Jie gulped visibly and took a step closer to Xu Mey who in turn took a step back and lifted her hands in guard, "No touching tonight, Ah Jie." She waggled her finger to entuate her point.


    "Baby, what are you talking about?" Ye Jie was really lost for words. What did he do to deserve this treatment? She was fine just a while ago. So, what changed in a moment?


    "Didn¡¯t I tell you that I¡¯ll show you how much I missed you today?" Ye Jie nodded his head. "This is exactly how I¡¯ll show you."


    She turned to sit on the bed and suddenly remembered, "Ah, remember! No touching even when we are sleeping!"


    "What?" Ye Jie couldn¡¯t believe that this was befalling on him. It was like being sentenced without even grasping the ground.


    He tried to walk closer to her but she again halted him with her hand and said, "Shoo! Don¡¯te closer or I¡¯ll make you sleep outside and that too for the entire week."


    That threat seemed to work better since Ye Jie backed off instantly and walked over to his own side of the bed.


    In the dim light,ying on his back with his arm under his head, he could hear her calm breathing but he knew that she wasn¡¯t sleeping. It was past midnight and he still couldn¡¯t catch a wink of sleep. "Baby!" He called softly.


    "Hmm..." He heard.


    "Can¡¯t I just hold your hand?" He used the pitiful voice and it seemed to have stirred something in Xu Mey for a moment before she shook her head.


    ¡¯Don¡¯t fall for his act?¡¯ She reminded herself and replied, "Nope!"


    Ye Jie groaned and tossed around for a while before sitting back up. "Baby, if I won¡¯t hold you then I really can¡¯t fall asleep."


    Xu Mey turned her back towards him and said, "You could sleep before I came into your life. Certainly, you can do that again."


    "Before you came to my life, I didn¡¯t know what heaven tasted like. But now, I¡¯ve gotten the taste of it which makes it hard to live without it. Don¡¯t deprive me of holding you. Or at least tell me, what the hell have I done wrong?" Ye Jie was exasperated. It was true that he could easily sleep alone before she barged into his life but in the past month, he got so used to her presence that it was really hard to sleep without her body snuggled up closer to him.


    Xu Mey sat up cross-legged on the bed and picked a pillow to ce over her legs. With her face supported by her palm which was propped on the pillow, she said, "You don¡¯t know what you did wrong?"


    "Obviously, I don¡¯t. I even nned such a huge surprise for you. Oh, wait! Are you upset that I didn¡¯t tell you about Azalea waking up? But in my defense, I just wanted to surprise you." Ye Jie kept rambling until Xu Mey made him shut up.


    "Would you shut up?" He instantly zipped his lips even made the gesture of zipping his lips which looked cute to Xu Mey in the soft light of the sidemp. "Why would I be upset about Azalea? I¡¯m as d as you are."


    "Then what¡¯s the problem?" He quirked his brows gazing into her eyes.


    Xu Mey puffed up her cheeks and crossed her arms before her chest. "I¡¯m upset because today I learned that you don¡¯t trust me." After saying that, she looked away avoiding looking at his face.


    "Huh? When did I not trust you?" He scowled trying hard to think about this matter but couldn¡¯t think of anything. "Baby, you need to tell me yourself."


    "I learned that you got jealous after hearing about Fu Shuang." Now, that rang a bell of danger in Ye Jie¡¯s mind. "The only way you could be jealous is if you have no trust in me."


    ¡¯Really? Where the hell did she make that connection? Oh, my baby really runs her mind at the speed of light.¡¯ He lightly shook his head and pinched the space between his brows. ¡¯I will kill you Ye Jun! That moron! Can¡¯t he keep anything to himself? Why does he have such a loose mouth?¡¯ But now, the damage was done and Ye Jie could only try to limit the oues.


    He sighed heavily and said, "Baby, this much jealousy is very healthy in a rtionship. It actually means that I love you so much that I don¡¯t feel good about other men thinking about you in the wrong way."


    "There is no room for jealousy in a rtionship. You said you love me that means that you should have immense trust in me but you don¡¯t." Xu Mey was still stuck on her own stubborn thoughts.


    Ye Jie took her hands in his own and said, "Baby, I trust youpletely. I just don¡¯t trust Mr. Fu Shuang." Xu Mey frowned. "You see, he¡¯s a man. And men are not very trustworthy. Especially when they are the third party in a rtionship."


    Xu Mey narrowed her eyes at him and retorted, "Then I shouldn¡¯t trust you as well. After all, you¡¯re a man as well."


    Ye Jie had the urge to knock his own head but he held himself back. "Baby, I¡¯m a man but I¡¯m different."


    "Oh, really? How?" She challenged.


    "Becuase I¡¯m your man!" Xu Mey was lost for words. She couldn¡¯t think of anything to say to him all over again.


    ¡¯Fu*k! He did it again!¡¯ She thought. ¡¯He and his damn sweet mouth!¡¯


    Taking advantage of her daze, Ye Jie threw the wall of pillows on the floor and wrapped his arms around her waist. And Xu Mey didn¡¯t resist anymore. She couldn¡¯t find a reason to.


    "Baby, let¡¯s go to sleep. I¡¯m seriously very tired today." Xu Mey rxed in his embrace and didn¡¯t say anything about him holding her like this. In reality, she herself couldn¡¯t sleep while he was tossing and turning right beside her.


    It didn¡¯t take long before both of them fell into slumber with Ye Jie¡¯s head buried on her shoulder and Xu Mey¡¯s hand over his arm on her waist.

 Chapter 165 - Fear Of Life

    Xu Mey woke up early in the morning to make breakfast herself. After taking a shower, she tip-toed out of the bedroom. By the time she came to the kitchen, Azalea was already there looking through the fridge.


    "Do you need something?" Xu Mey¡¯s voice startled Azalea as she jumped in surprise and clutched her chest when she saw that it was just Xu Mey.


    "You just scared me," she said trying to calm her breathing.


    "I¡¯m sorry about that." Xu Mey apologized and helped Azalea taking a seat at the kitchen stool. "What were you looking for? Tell me and I¡¯ll get it for you." Xu Mey offered with a smile.


    Azalea was almost starstruck by the way Xu Mey smiled and mumbled, "You have a beautiful smile."


    Azalea¡¯s words reminded her of Ye Jie¡¯s words when he said that he loves her smile the most. ¡¯Indeed, they are blood-rted.¡¯ She thought.


    "Thanks, I guess!" Xu Mey retorted with uncertainty.


    Azalea waved it off and got back to business. "Oh, I want to eat something. I¡¯m really hungry." She told Xu Mey and ced her hand over her stomach to stress further that she was really hungry.


    "I¡¯m gonna prepare breakfast, can you wait for a while?" Azalea nodded her head to agree. "But I can cut some fruits for you to munch on for the time being." Azalea again nodded her head with force this time.


    Xu Mey immediately cut some apples for her and got busy with preparing breakfast. While cutting veggies, she turned to Azalea and asked, "Why did you wake up so early?" Azalea¡¯s face fell and Xu Mey went on, "And don¡¯t say that you¡¯re hungry that¡¯s why you woke up. You can tell me anything."


    Azalea pondered for a while and replied, "I don¡¯t want to sleep anymore."


    "Why?" Xu Mey scowled.


    "I¡¯m scared that if I closed my eyes then I won¡¯t be able to open them again. I¡¯ve been lying in the bed for almost 2 years and now, the thought of bed makes me cringe." Azalea exined with a heavy sigh.


    Xu Mey paced up to her side and stroked her hair affectionately. "I was scared of life once."


    Azalea lifted her head to nce at Xu Mey. "Aren¡¯t you scared anymore?"


    Xu Mey smiled softly. "I am. I¡¯m still as much scared of life as I was before. But something changed in that fear."


    "What changed?" Azalea inquired.


    "My sensei once said to me, ¡¯Fear lies in the unknown. And the fear of the unknown can never vanish. It¡¯ll exist right beside us for as long as we are alive, it¡¯ll follow us like a shadow. But that doesn¡¯t mean that for that one shadow, we have to ignore the rest of our reality. Fear of reality and unknown is as strong as we let it be.¡¯"


    After a pause, Xu Mey added, "You don¡¯t have to concentrate on the fear anymore. Converge on the fact that there are loads of people around you who wants you to rise above that fear and who are ready to hold your hand just to guide you through life."


    "You¡¯re an interesting person," Azalea noted while gazing into Xu Mey¡¯s eyes.


    Xu Mey went back to preparing the breakfast and said, "Your parents really miss you. When are you nning on seeing them?"


    Azalea scrunched up her face. "I¡¯m not sure. At least not until I¡¯m absolutely fine."


    Xu Mey looked at Azalea through her peripheral vision and said, "It¡¯s your parents anniversary next month. Are you not nning on joining them?"


    Azalea was surprised that Xu Mey knew about it. "I want to and I hope that I¡¯m fine by then. But how do you know that it¡¯s my parents anniversary?" She inquired curiously.


    "Well, apparently both your parents are in sync. They both came to me yesterday to discuss the gift designs for each other with me." Xu Mey told her honestly.


    "Ohhh!" Azalea nodded her head in realization. "Well, that¡¯s true. They really are in sync. They always had been. I¡¯ve never seen them apart from each other. Sometimes, they can even make me feel unwanted." She wasining but smiled brightly at a memory after a while. "But I love their rtionship. They love each other so much that there is hardly room for me in them. They really set my bars high for a life partner."


    Xu Mey chuckled but didn¡¯t say anything. Azalea went on again, "How did you and Jie-Ge get together? Was it a love marriage?"


    Xu Mey arched her brows. "Does it look like love-marriage?"


    "It does. It really does seem like one." Azalea replied.


    "But it¡¯s not. We got married because of our respective families. Love had nothing to do with it." Azalea was really surprised by her answer. The way she saw Xu Mey and Ye Jie interact, she really thought that they got together because of love.


    "What about now? Is there still no love?" Azalea probed.


    Xu Mey contemted for a while and replied, "I think now love has a lot do in our rtionship." Seeing the sweet smile that lingered on Xu Mey¡¯s lips, Azalea felt rxed.


    "It seems that fate really yed you both," Azaleamented.


    "Someone once said to me that destiny has its way to y with us. No matter how much we think that we chose the path we wanted to. In the end, it was actually destiny ying with us. We can¡¯t shake it ¡¯cause destiny knows better what¡¯s right for us and what¡¯s not right for us." Thinking about a distant memory, Xu Mey said, "At the start, I really thought that I chose Ye Jie for myself. But now I think that it was really our destiny that brought us together."


    "Suddenly, I feel like falling in love with destiny," Hearing that familiar voice both Azalea and Xu Mey looked to the side to see Ye Jie leaning against the kitchen wall.


    Earlier when he didn¡¯t find Xu Mey beside him on the bed, he was tensed for a moment before running downstairs. And when he came to the kitchen, both the girls didn¡¯t notice his presence and he felt like eavesdropping for some reason and so he did.


    He trudged towards Xu Mey and kissed her head before turning to Azalea to give her a side hug. "Is it fun talking about me behind my back?"


    Azalea poked the fork in her hand in his stomach and said, "Jie-Ge, eavesdropping is a very bad habit."


    Ye Jie was about to open his mouth to retort but Xu Mey didn¡¯t give him a chance. "Ah Jie, go freshen up. I¡¯m done with breakfast."


    Ye Jie could only listen to Xu Mey obediently. He really didn¡¯t want to make her angry early in the morning.

 Chapter 166 - Special Relationship

    "Baby, get ready. I¡¯ll drop you to the office," Ye Jie spoke after the breakfast but Xu Mey didn¡¯t budge an inch.


    "Ah Jie, I¡¯m not going to the office today," she retorted indifferently while clearing up the table.


    "Why? Are you sick?" Ye Jie came up to her and extended his hand to examine her temperature but Xu Mey knocked his hand away stating,


    "I¡¯m absolutely fine." She even whirled to show him that she¡¯s really fine and went on, "I¡¯m just going to stay with Azalea. We can¡¯t leave her alone at home now, can we? She¡¯s still not healthy. She needspany."


    Ye Jie pondered for a moment and questioned, "Don¡¯t you have important projects going on in thepany?"


    Xu Mey relinquished a peek to Ye Jie that stated, ¡¯Are you kidding me?¡¯ and spoke, "I¡¯m not paying my employees to leisure around all the time. They can handle. And if they can¡¯t then they really need to be fired from work."


    Ye Jie narrowed his eyes and pondered about how contradicting her own statements are. She didn¡¯t even want to take a day off when her own ankle was hurt but now that she wants to apany Azalea, she has all the time in the world. So, obliquely, she was saying that she didn¡¯t have time to waste with him but she has all the time for his sister. How astonishing? Not!


    With a sigh, he shook his head lightly and said, "Fine then I¡¯m leaving."


    "Okay, bye!" She waved with a smiling face making him scowl.


    Ye Jie turned to Azalea saying, "Bye, Zelie! I¡¯ll see you in the evening." Azalea nodded while Ye Jie held Xu Mey¡¯s wrist and said through gritted teeth, "And youe to see me off for a minute."


    Xu Mey scowled but before she could open her mouth, she was dragged by Ye Jie towards the door. He pushed her against the wall and stood facing her.


    "Why do I feel-" Xu Mey¡¯s words were swallowed back when Ye Jie dipped his head to catch her cherry blossom-like lips between his.


    The sudden kiss made Xu Mey¡¯s eyes widen a bit but she soon rxed with his hands around her waist. The moment she closed her eyes to drown in the sweetness of his lips, Ye Jie bit her bottom lip with a little force and pulled away.


    "Ouch!" Xu Mey rubbed her lip while scowling at Ye Jie. "What was that for?" She snapped.


    "That was to remind you that I¡¯m your husband. How can you give importance to my sister over me?"


    "Are you jealous of your own sister now?" She really couldn¡¯t discern the reason for his weird actions.


    "I¡¯m not jealous of Azalea. I¡¯m mad at you." He lightly tapped her forehead and said, "I had to drag you here for the kiss otherwise you just shooed me away with that wave and ¡¯bye¡¯."


    "Oh!" Now Xu Mey realized that she was supposed to see him off as a wife would do. She felt a bit guilty seeing the way he was fuming. "Ah Jie!" she called him in the sweetest voice she could muster at the moment and made puppy dog eyes. "It hurts," she pointed at her lip where he bit earlier.


    That seemed to work since Ye Jie instantly palmed her face and worriedly looked at her, "Did I bite that badly?" Although he was sure that; he only bit in a teasing manner but since she said that it hurt, there was no way Ye Jie would bear to say that she was lying to him. "I¡¯m really sorry, baby. I didn¡¯t mean to hurt you."


    Xu Mey gave an empathic look and said, "It¡¯s okay. I was in the wrong as well."


    After a bit of coaxing Ye Jie left for the office and before she could smile in victory, Xu Mey heard Azalea¡¯s voice, "You really have my brother tangled up around your fingers, huh?"


    Xu Mey guiltily tucked a wisp of hair behind her ear and gave a dryugh saying, "I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about."


    The best way to get out of trouble is simply to deny that you even did anything wrong in the first ce. And that was exactly what Xu Mey was doing with Azalea.


    But Azalea was young, not stupid. "Of course, you know what I¡¯m talking about but if you want to deny then that¡¯s up to you. But I really like your rtionship with Jie-Ge."


    Xu Mey pursed her lips and asked, "What do you like about our rtionship?"


    Azalea chuckled and replied, "I love the fact that my brother knew that you were lying and yet he was willing to believe you. I also love that even you knew that he¡¯ll know your lie but he won¡¯t mind you lying." After a pause, she remarked, "You both have a very special kind of rtionship."


    Xu Mey couldn¡¯t think of a reason to disagree with her words. Even she herself was beginning to believe that they really had a very special kind of rtionship now.


    For some reason whenever she was with Ye Jie, Xu Mey didn¡¯t care about all the people who have hurt her or made her cry all this while. With him, the only thing that mattered was that he was the reason; she was smiling brightly again.


    A smile that she believed to be lost forever was caught by him and it made her feel alive again. The more attached she was bing to Ye Jie, the more her fear was gnawing at her heart. The fear of; what if?


    And someone said that the fear of ¡¯what if?¡¯ was the worst of all.


    Her thoughts were broken when she heard the doorbell. Xu Mey directed to open the door and saw her in a yellow dress standing there with a small smile on her face and eyes stuck on Xu Mey.


    "Hi!" Xu Mey heard her very soft breathy voice which made Xu Mey scowl.


    "Bye!" With that, Xu Mey banged the door at her face making a ¡¯thud¡¯ reverberate.

 Chapter 167 - She Does That

    Azalea frowned. She was taken aback by the way Xu Mey mmed the door at that girl¡¯s face. That was one savage way to deal with someone.


    "Who was that?" She queried.


    Xu Mey cracked her knuckles, and replied, "She¡¯s your brother¡¯s cousin sister."


    "And what do you have against her?" She probed.


    Xu Mey shrugged her shoulders indifferently. She was clenching her fists making her knuckles turn white. "I have nothing against her."


    "Oh, really?" Azalea wasn¡¯t convinced even for a minute. "It does seem like you have something against her," she remarked. "But I¡¯ll believe you if you open that door for her." Azalea gave a suggestion. She was scrutinizing Xu Mey¡¯s eloquence.


    After all, she was the daughter of a psychiatrist and a heart surgeon, she kenned her means to study a person. And from Xu Mey¡¯s actions, she could discern that the girl outside the door was profoundly despised by Xu Mey.


    "She must be gone by now," Xu Mey sought to evade the situation, but how could Azalea let that happen?


    "I can guarantee you that she¡¯s still waiting outside the door."


    Xu Mey pinched her brows and heaved a long sigh before yanking the door open. True to Azalea¡¯s spection, Zhou Qi was indeed standing outside the door.


    "Why don¡¯t youe inside?" Zhou Qi was looking at Xu Mey, but the invite came from the person behind Xu Mey.


    Zhou Qi nodded and was intending on entering, but Xu Mey didn¡¯t give her the way to pass which put her in an awkward position. Azalea had the urge tough at Xu Mey¡¯s childish act of blocking the way.


    She cleared her throat to shake off herugh, and said, "Sis, aren¡¯t you gonna let her pass?"


    Xu Mey turned sideways to give way to Zhou Qi. "Thank you!" Xu Mey heard from Zhou Qi but didn¡¯t reply. She was still scowling but she didn¡¯t want to do or say anything before Azalea.


    Xu Mey still wanted Azalea to have a good impression of her. But she knew that seeing Zhou Qi for long will make her furious. Therefore, she chose to say, "I¡¯ll brew some tea for our guest." With that, she disregarded Zhou Qi¡¯s presence and went straight to the kitchen.


    "Why don¡¯t you take a seat?" Azalea offered politely to Zhou Qi who was standing awkwardly at the side. "Hi! I¡¯m Azalea. And you are?" Azalea introduced herself.


    "I¡¯m Zhou Qi," she answered with the same politeness.


    "I heard that you¡¯re Jie-Ge¡¯s cousin sister," Azalea mentioned breaking the awkward silence.


    Zhou Qi smiled faintly, and replied, "Yes..."


    "Have you been really close to him?" She inquired.


    "Not really... My parents died when I was 10 and Auntie Ning brought me with her... But I studied abroad for most of the years, so, I¡¯m didn¡¯t get a chance to be close to him." Zhou Qi exined.


    Azalea was nning on asking about the conflict between her and Xu Mey, but a phone¡¯s ringtone interrupted her. Xu Mey¡¯s cell phone which was ced on the table was ringing. "Sis, your phone is ringing!" Azalea cried out for Xu Mey¡¯s attention.


    "Just pick it up and check who is it," Xu Mey¡¯s voice came from the kitchen.


    Azalea picked the phone and touched the screen to attend the call on speaker, "Hello!"


    "Hello! Isn¡¯t this Xiao Mey¡¯s phone?" The voice transmitting from the other side asked. Hearing the voice, Zhou Qi was startled for a moment.


    "This surely is her phone. And who are you?" Azalea asked.


    "If this is her phone then I should be asking, who are you?" The answer came within a minute.


    "You¡¯re the one who called. So, as amon courtesy, you should be telling me who are you?" Azalea argued like a stubborn child. "Oh, did I mention that your voice is really familiar?"


    "Yes, you did." The answer made Azalea frown.


    "When did I mention it?"


    "Just now." He replied making her roll her eyes. "Now, be a good girl and give the phone to Xiao Mey."


    "Well, now I don¡¯t want to pass the phone to her. What are you gonna do about it?" Azalea challenged him. When she didn¡¯t hear a reply, she continued, "By the way, I was serious when I said that your voice is familiar. You sound like my ice-cream brother." Sheughed at the memory.


    "Azalea? Is that you?"Azalea sat straight when she heard her own name from the other end. "What the hell are you doing with Xiao Mey? Do you even have any idea that He Jian is going crazy looking all over for you?"


    "Wang-Ge? Wow! What a surprise! It really is you!" Azalea wanted to bury herself 6 feet under the ground. Why did she mess with Wu Wang? He¡¯ll definitely tell Jian-Ge now. Azalea shook her head as she felt her dooming.


    "Give the phone to me!" Xu Mey came as a savior for Azalea at that exact moment. And Azalea obediently passed the phone to her. Xu Mey ced the teacup in front of Zhou Qi and walked to a side for the call. "Hey, Wang-Ge!"


    "Mey-Mey, why¡¯s Azalea with you? She hasn¡¯t been to home for 2 years now. You have no idea how much everyone is worried about her." Wu Wang was really furious.


    "Aiyo! Would you calm down for a minute? And tell me why you called?" Xu Mey tried to divert his attention.


    "I wanted to tell you that I¡¯ming next week." He replied clearly still in a bad mood.


    "Okay... When you¡¯lle, I¡¯ll exin everything to you myself. For now, don¡¯t mention Azalea to Jian-Ge. Can you do that?"


    Wu Wang stayed quiet for a moment and grumbled, "Fine."


    Meanwhile, Azalea gave an easygoingugh to lighten the mood and said, "Please, have your tea!"


    Zhou Qi¡¯s hand was trembling from the moment she heard Wu Wang¡¯s voice. Thest she heard his voice was at the amusement park and it¡¯s been weeks. The reason she came to Xu Mey was Wu Wang. She wanted to hear his voice.


    It was easy to pass the days without seeing him for years but now that she had seen him again at the amusement park, she couldn¡¯t stop herself from wanting to catch a glimpse of him. She had expected Xu Mey¡¯s hostile behavior but she still wanted to try. She just needed to hear his voice and she did. Her motive was aplished.


    She tried to control her tremble and picked up the cup of tea elegantly. The tea had a gorgeous deep pink hue which looked beautiful. But when she took a sip, she couldn¡¯t help but scrunch up her face. It was too sour for her liking.


    Azalea craned her neck to look at the tea color and realized that it was roselle tea. What she knew about roselle tea was that it was made by hibiscus flowers and it could be served hot or as iced tea. Also, in the hot tea, you need to add honey and lime or other stuff to enhance its taste.


    From the look on Zhou Qi¡¯s face, she could discern that Xu Mey didn¡¯t add honey in the tea but she definitely added lime more than it was necessary. But she had never expected that Xu Mey would be so childish to take vengeance through sour tea?


    Like, who does that?


    She turned her face to look at Xu Mey and answered her own question, ¡¯She does that.¡¯

 Chapter 168 - A Story To Tell

    After disconnecting the call when Xu Mey saw Zhou Qi¡¯s crumpled up face, she couldn¡¯t keep her smirk obscure. She felt triumphant for a moment before realizing; that lime bitterness was not even close to one bit of the pain that Zhou Qi had given to Wu Wang.


    She took a deep breath, dropped her phone on the couch and plopped down right beside Azalea.


    Azalea gave her a questioning look and Xu Mey returned a reassuring smile to her saying, "Don¡¯t worry. He won¡¯t tell Jian-Ge anything for now."


    Azalea felt a huge burden lifting off of her shoulders and reclined back in rxation.


    After reassuring Azalea, Xu Mey turned to look straight at Zhou Qi. She felt like there was no need to hide her hostility for Zhou Qi from Azalea anymore since Azalea was already acquainted with Wu Wang.


    "And may I ask what brought you to our humble abode?" Azalea couldn¡¯t help but cough at the sarcastic remark of Xu Mey.


    "Can¡¯t Ie to just meet you? After all, you¡¯re my cousin¡¯s wife." Zhou Qi wasn¡¯t wrong but Xu Mey knew that even in theirst meeting, she had made her impression about Zhou Qi very clear by disregarding her presence altogether.


    "Oh, cut it! Just get to the point!" Xu Mey didn¡¯t bother ying around with words and got straight to the business without dilly-dallying.


    "Aren¡¯t you biased towards me?" Zhou Qi asked, elegantly crossing her one leg over the other.


    "Ms. Zhou, do you know that I have four best friends?" Zhou Qi frowned at her question but still shook her head in reply. "In all my best friends, Wu Wang was the only one who never hid his emotions from the world. You can even call him an over-expressive kind of a person."


    "What are you getting at?" Zhou Qi asked trying to maintain the calm and gentle smile on her face but it was getting tough.


    "My point is that now, my Wang-Ge likes to hide behind people¡¯s criticism to avoid facing his own emotions." Xu Mey neither concealed the bitterness in her voice nor the disdain in her eyes. "And the reason for me losing my joyful and expressive brother is; you!" Xu Mey pointed a stern finger at Zhou Qi¡¯s face.


    Zhou Qi¡¯s face went nch and her heart felt like it was being pricked by Xu Mey¡¯s words but she bit the inside of her lips to keep herself from breaking down before Xu Mey.


    Watching from the sidelines, Azalea could see Xu Mey intentionally hurting Zhou Qi while Zhou Qi clenching her fists making her knuckles pale. If Xu Mey¡¯s sardonic feelings were not concealed from her then Zhou Qi¡¯s painful expressions were also not unnoticed by her.


    "I should take my leave, " Zhou Qi said with much difficulty before sprinting out the door.


    "That was really mean of you, " Azaleamented after Zhou Qi left.


    It wasn¡¯t like Xu Mey didn¡¯t know what she said but what she really didn¡¯t know was that her words were more than just painful for Zhou Qi. Xu Mey didn¡¯t want to say anything to Azalea, so, she went upstairs.


    Thinking about something Azalea stood up and paced up to the door. "I really wish that I¡¯m wrong." She softly said to no one in particr and pulled open the door.


    She looked around for a while and crossed the cobblestone pathway in the front garden to walk out of the main gate.


    She ended up cursing with a sigh, "D*mn!"


    She cursed because her thinking was proved right once again. Zhou Qi was sitting on the ground hugging her knees and burying her face in them.


    When Azalea came closer to her, she saw the way Zhou Qi¡¯s shoulders were shaking giving away the fact that she was indeed sobbing silently. Whoever said that ¡¯The silent tears hold the hardest pain was indeed telling the truth. Azalea shook her head silently and perched right beside her on the ground.


    Noticing someone¡¯s presence, Zhou Qi instantly wiped her tears and stopped her silent sobs. "You can keep crying, I don¡¯t mind," Azalea told her in a soft voice with a reassuring smile.


    Zhou Qi looked at Azalea¡¯s friendly smile through her teary eyes and said, "But I mind showing you my weakness."


    Azalea chuckled making Zhou Qi frown. "Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯m notughing at you." Azalea started. "I¡¯mughing that untilst week even I believed that tears were a symbol of our weakness."


    "And now, you don¡¯t?" Zhou Qi was perplexed.


    "No, not anymore." Azalea replied and further exined, "Last week I met a weird person who was taking care of me in the hospital. That person taught me, ¡¯Tears are not our weakness. They are our weapons to fight. Not with the world but with the storm brewing inside of us.¡¯" Azalea took a pause to heave a sigh and quoted again, "He also said, ¡¯Let the tears be the raindrops to calm the storm inside of yourself. Because when you don¡¯t let those tears drop. They rot you insidepletely with the storm of buried feelings. So, let the tears fall down before they make you fall down¡¯."


    Zhou Qi listened attentively to her words and pondered for a while before asking, "Why are you being nice to me? If you know Wu Wang then you definitely know what I have done to him."


    "As a matter of fact, I do know. I have heard a lot about you from Wang-Ge." Sheughed softly at the memory and said, "I call him Ice cream brother. Do you know, why?" Zhou Qi shook her head. "Because when I was younger, I was a pampered girl and I still am. Obviously, Wang-Ge also dotted on me. But I had a habit of crying to make everyone give in to my wishes. Wang-Ge always knew that I was faking my tears but he would still always bring my favorite ice cream behind my mother¡¯s back. And he used to say, ¡¯Zelie, eat as much ice cream as you want and whenever you feel like crying because of the bitterness in life, just remember the taste of this sweet ice cream that Ge has bought for you¡¯."


    Zhou Qi smiled listening about Wu Wang. It was exactly how she remembered him to be; loving. Soon, her smile turned into a sad one. Because no matter what he was now just a memory for her.


    Noticing Zhou Qi¡¯s sad smile, Azalea patted her back lightly and said, "I know what happened back then but only the part that Wang-Ge told me. But you must have your own story to tell."


    "How can you be so considerate? Xu Mey is not like that." Zhou Qi asked.


    "Sis is biased with you because she must love Wang-Ge a lot. To be honest, I¡¯d have been acting exactly like her if we would have met a week earlier." Suddenly, Ru¡¯s green eyes and ck hood appeared in her mind as she went on, "Someone said, ¡¯Everyone has a story to tell and a secret to keep. It¡¯s up to us whether we want to believe the story told or the secret left untold.¡¯"


    She encouragingly smiled at Zhou Qi again and added, "I¡¯m not gonna ask anything. But if you ever feel like just talking, you can find me. I¡¯m the daughter of a psychiatrist, I definitely know how to keep a secret or two." With that, she got up from the ground with the help of the wall beside her and dusted off her pants before trudging back indoor.

 Chapter 169 - Heartfelt Wishes

    -At Night-


    "Baby, is Mr. Xu Cheng really not your father?" The question came to Ye Jie¡¯s mind suddenly while he was preparing for bed.


    Xu Mey brows furrowed before she lifted her eyes up from the book in her hand which she was reading. "Who said that?"


    "Didn¡¯t Xu Liqing and Fu Lan said that to you?" Ye Jie reminded her.


    Xu Mey gave a weird smile for some reason and asked, "And you believe their words?" When Ye Jie brows creased like a crinkled cloth, she went on, "I didn¡¯t even believe their words when I was 12 much less now when I have already checked to make sure that he really is my father."


    "Oh!" That¡¯s all Ye Jie said.


    "And my version of destroying Xu Enterprises is still taking back what¡¯s rightfully mine as the firstborn child of Xu Family." She took a pause to ponder and added, "And I think that even my dad knows now that I¡¯m his real daughter."


    "What gives you that idea?" Ye Jie asked.


    "The fact that he tried his best to get me married to you." She gave Ye Jie a pointed look.


    "But wasn¡¯t it all just a coincidence that Xu Liqing vanished and wasn¡¯t reachable at that time."


    Xu Mey closed the book in her hand and sat straight on the bed. "Until a couple of days ago, even I thought that dad was selling me for a promise to Ye Family." With a sigh, she shook her head, "I talked to my grandfather recently and he told me that the reason dad called me home was not for the promise between two families, it was to get me out of Xu Family. It was my dad who made sure to send Xu Liqing for a tour and he was also the one who made hermunication impossible with anyone until our marriage was fixed."


    "Then I should go to thank my Father-inw, " Ye Jie remarked.


    "Don¡¯t bother. It doesn¡¯t matter anymore whether he did something nice for me or not. Because he didn¡¯t do what he was supposed to do back then." Seeing the way she was scowling, Ye Jie came to perch behind her and encircled his arms around her waist with his chin propped on her shoulder.


    "So, you¡¯re really not thankful for having me in your life, " Ye Jie¡¯s pitiful voice made her furrow her brows.


    Xu My palmed his chin from her current position and answered, "I¡¯ll always be thankful for having Ah Jie in my life." Ye Jie gave a smug smile which Xu Mey couldn¡¯t see. "But I can¡¯t forgive him for the rest of my life. If he wasn¡¯t the one who did anything to me, he also wasn¡¯t the one who did anything for me. And saying that he wasn¡¯t aware of anything happening in my life back then is not very convincing since he would have been able to know if he ever paid any attention to me in the first ce."


    "Okay... Let¡¯s change the topic. What were you reading?" To divert the course of the discussion, Ye Jie picked the book from her side which had the title: Life of Pi by Yann Martel.


    "Let¡¯s read it together, " he offered as heid back and opened his arm to pat on his shoulder for Xu Mey. She pursed her lips but didn¡¯t hesitate before cing her head on his shoulder while he wrapped his arm around her shoulders and held the book up for both of them to read.


    Reading a few certain lines which read;


    ¡¯Even when God seemed to have abandoned me,


    He was watching.


    Even when He seemed indifferent to my sufferings,


    He was watching;


    and when I was beyond all hope of saving,


    He gave me rest,


    and gave me a sign to continue my journey."


    Ye Jie looked at Xu Mey¡¯s small delicate porcin like the face on his shoulder and thought, ¡¯These words really seems to be written for Xu Mey. She knows what abandonment is like. She knows what sufferings are like but she still found hope to continue her journey. God must have sent her Sensei to bring that hope in her life.¡¯


    Meanwhile, Xu Mey hasn¡¯t focused on the book anymore. Her mind was drifting away thinking about a certain someone. She chose this book to read because of a certain dialogue in it. It read:


    ¡¯I suppose in the end, the whole of life bes an act of letting go, but what always hurts the most is not taking a moment to say goodbye.¡¯


    These words reminded her how she didn¡¯t get a chance back then to say goodbye to her Senior Brother. She learned from Sensei that, People like to leave because their journey is elsewhere but she never thought that she wouldn¡¯t even get a chance to meet her Senior Brother after that.


    Both Ye Jie and Xu Mey drifted to sleep while reading the book. Both were snuggled up with a single thought that they had no desire to say goodbye to each other at any point in life. Rather than a thought, it was more like a wish. A prayer. Heartfelt one.


    The next morning, during breakfast, Ye Jie was constantly trying to call someone but his call was not getting through.


    Seeing his frustration, Azalea asked, "Jie-Ge, is everything alright? Who are you calling?"


    Ye Jie tried to smile and answered, "Yeah... It¡¯s just Ye Jun getting on my nerve again."


    "What did he do now?" Xu Mey questioned.


    "He didn¡¯te to the office yesterday and he¡¯s not even picking up my calls." Ye Jie wasplexed whether to get angry at Ye Jun or worry about his well-being.


    "Let me try, " Xu Mey picked her phone to dial Ye Jun¡¯s number and it immediately connected, "Hello, Jun!" Ye Jie¡¯s eyes widened when Xu Mey¡¯s call connected so easily. He made a hand gesture to ask Xu Mey to put him on speaker and she did. "Where are you?"


    "Sis, I¡¯m on my secret base." Xu Mey rolled her eyes at Ye Jun¡¯s dramatic antics.


    "Why are you not going to the office and what¡¯s with avoiding your brother¡¯s calls? He¡¯s so worried about you." Xu Mey made a scolding tone to let Ye Jun know how much she was unhappy.


    "And whose fault is that I¡¯m running from bro?" Ye Jun retorted.


    "Huh? What do you mean?"


    "Sis, because of you bro is looking for me like a hungry wolf. And this time, he won¡¯t just w at me. He will bite me as well." Azalea and Xu Mey covered their mouths to hold theirugh while Ye Jue was gritting his teeth.


    "Jun, youe back and see how I¡¯m going to bite you, " hearing Ye Jie¡¯s voice, Ye Jun¡¯s mind went into disarray.


    "Sis, you sold me out!" He screamed and went on, "Now, I¡¯m nevering back. It¡¯s better to die here alone then being bitten by bro." He really was a dramatic person.


    "Jun,e back home before I get to you, " Xu Mey said and added, "Don¡¯t worry about Ah Jie, he won¡¯t say anything to you."


    "You promise?" Ye Jun asked hesitatingly.


    "Yes, I give you my word. Now, hurry back!" Her words just left her mouth when they heard Ye Jun¡¯s cheery voice from behind.


    "If my sis says and I don¡¯te, how¡¯s that possible?"


    Xu Mey pped the back of Jun¡¯s head and said, "What were you doing in the back garden?"


    Ye Junughed cheekily and answered, "I knew that bro will look for me everywhere except for his own house. So, I did camping in your back garden."


    Ye Jie, Azalea and even Xu Mey couldn¡¯t help but facepalm themselves.

 Chapter 170 - Little Bunny

    Because of Xu Mey¡¯s persistence, Ye Jie didn¡¯t bother lecturing Ye Jun in any possible way except for firing frozen res at him from time to time. But the intense res were akin to harmless flowers for Ye Jun. Because he perceived well enough, that Ye Jie won¡¯t be able to do anything since he had Xu Mey¡¯s protection.


    The subsequent week, when Wu Wang arrived back to the country, the friends¡¯ group voted to have a get-together.


    On Friday night, they met at the illusions nightclub¡¯s exclusive room on the 3rd floor. All of them sat at the couches with their drinks in hand, except for Xu Mey who was avoiding the drinks, for some reason.


    This fact was very unusual for all of her friends. "Xiao Mey, are you alright? Why aren¡¯t you drinking your favorite thing in the whole world?"


    Before Xu Mey could answer Lin Shen¡¯s question, they heard a loud gasp and turned to look at Wu Wang who had eyes as big as saucers. "Don¡¯t tell me!" He screamed a little louder than necessary. Suddenly, he dropped the pitch of his voice and came close to Xu Mey asking, "Are we going to be Uncles soon?"


    When his words registered in Xu Mey mind, her mouth opened wide. Then she gritted her teeth and punched Wu Wang¡¯s chest like a punching bag. "Wang-Ge, WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?" she shouted making his ears hurt a bit.


    Wu Wang made an innocent face while being assaulted by Xu Mey and said, "Did I say anything wrong? It¡¯s about time that you give us some good news." He turned to Li Qiao, He Jian, and Lin Shen who were busy in trying to muffle theirughter and asked, "Did I say something wrong guys?"


    All of them shared a look before darting their eyes between Xu Mey¡¯s fuming face and Wu Wang¡¯s nonchnt expression. "Yes... You¡¯re in the wrong." They all voiced out simultaneously making Wu Wang shake his head.


    ¡¯I knew it! You guys will ditch me as always!¡¯ Wu Wang thought bitterly. ¡¯But who cares? I would have done the same for her.¡¯


    "See! Wang-Ge, only you have a weird mind." Xu Mey remarked taking pleasure in the fact that all of them took her side instead of Wu Wang.


    Wu Wang smiled seeing the smug smile that bloomed on her beautiful small face and couldn¡¯t help smiling himself. "Xiao Mey, it¡¯s very obvious that I¡¯ll conjecture such a thing." Xu Mey¡¯s brows crinkled up. "You love to drink and today, you haven¡¯t even touched a single ss of alcohol. It just gave me the suspicion that maybe..." He coughed lightly and went on, "There might be a little bunny on the way to us."


    Xu Mey scowled, crossing her arms before her chest, she said, "I don¡¯t think getting a little bunny to this world is that easy. Also, I¡¯m not drinking because Ah-Jie doesn¡¯t like it when I drink." She smiled beautifully and added, "He said that alcohol is good for my health and if I¡¯ll be sick then he¡¯ll be worried. And, since I don¡¯t want to see him worried, I decided to not drink at all."


    Her words were on a whole new pinnacle of strange for all them that Li Qiao spurted out the drink in his mouth, Lin Shen started coughing awkwardly while He Jian was finding it difficult to maintain his calm demeanor.


    They all stared wide-eyed at her and wondered if she was really their best friend or someone else. Although they kept their suspicion to themselves; Wu Wang didn¡¯t. "Who are you? And what have you done to my Xiao Mey?"


    "What are you saying, Wang-Ge?"


    Wu Wang scrutinized her and said, "You can¡¯t be my Xiao Mey... She didn¡¯t serve me so much dog food. So, tell me who are you?"


    Xu Mey puffed up her cheeks and stomped her foot on Wu Wang¡¯s making him wince in pain, "Ouch!"


    "Do you believe now that it¡¯s still me. One and only, Xu Mey! Your best friend."


    Wu Wnag smiled broadly and held her shoulders saying, "Now I know. Only my Xiao Mey can be this cruel with her favorite brother."


    "Who said you¡¯re the favorite one?" Wu Wang bit his tongue when he heard three furious voices from behind along with res that were piercing through the back of his head. He felt a shiver run up his spine at the intensity he had to bear.


    He immediately raised his hands in defense and said, "I was kidding guys... No need to be this hyper for no reason." Heughed dryly.


    Wu Wang was saved from the wrath of Li Qiao, Lin Sen, and He Jian when the door of the private room opened and in walked a beautiful face with a radiant glow on her face.


    "Azalea!" He Jian was the first to recognize her and he immediately got up from his seat to walk up to Azalea who was smiling guiltily. "How are you here? Do you have any idea how much I¡¯ve been worried? I¡¯ve been looking all over for you but there were no tracks of you leaving this country at all."


    "Jian-Ge Ge, calm down!" Azalea spoke trying to pacify him a bit. "I¡¯ll tell you everything but you need to give me a chance to talk."


    He Jian controlled his emotions and pulled her towards the couch with himself making her sit right beside himself and asked, "Okay... Ge-Ge will listen patiently." After a pause, he frowned and asked, "How did you know that I was here?"


    "About that..." The voice came from Xu Mey who was scratching her ear sheepishly while biting her lip.


    "Xiao Mey, do you know Azalea?" He Jian asked very calmly.


    "Yes..." She replied.


    "And you know where she was as well?"


    It took Xu Mey some time to say, "Yes."


    He Jian closed his eyes briefly trying to not get angry without knowing the whole story.

 Chapter 171 - Ru & Sensei

    Meanwhile, Ye Jie coincidentally also came to the illusion nightclub with Ye Jun. Obviously, Ye Jie was there for some business while Ye Jun tagged along for fun.


    Ye Jie went to the private room on the 3rd floor leaving Ye Jun on the 2nd floor for his so-called fun. The moment Ye Jie opened the door of the private room, he heard a cheerful voice, "Ye Jie! Finally, you have some time for your friend."


    Ye Jie gave a bro hug to Wayne Chu and smiled, "It¡¯s you who hasn¡¯t been in the country for a while now."


    Ye Jie knew Wayne for over a decade now. They met in Country A while Ye Jie was there on vacation. Wayne¡¯s family background was almost simr to Jun Li Na¡¯s with dealings in the underworld.


    Wayne nodded agreeing with him and said, "Fair enough. I was in Europe for some business."


    They both sat the couches as Wayne took the couch facing the door and Ye Jie took the couch beside it which was in a bit of darker side of the room.


    "So, how¡¯s your wife? I haven¡¯t even met her yet," Wayne remarked taking a swig of his drink.


    Thinking about Xu Mey made Ye Jie smile like a lunatic which wasn¡¯t unnoticed by Wayne at all. "She¡¯s perfect."


    "Woah! Bro, are you that much in love with her that her ws have be perfection to you now?" Wayne questioned with interest.


    "Yes... I am so deeply in love with her that I don¡¯t find her shorings to be noteworthy. Because her w makes her wless for me."


    "I think defining your love as deep is not enough anymore."


    The chatter between the friends continued while in the room next door, Azalea was rting the whole incident of her encounter with Ye Jie from the time they first met to the point where she got into the ident.


    He Jian was clenching his fists tightly. The thought of his only cousin sister being in aa was too painful for him. On the side, Xu Mey was feeling guilty for not telling He Jian earlier. Therefore, she picked up a drink and gulped it down in one go.


    And after one drink, she couldn¡¯t stop her hand from stretching out to get the second one and then the third and then the count was lost. The drinks turned out to be too strong for her. She felt a bit dizzy and decided to go for some fresh air.


    She walked out and went to ssh some water on her face. But when she came back, instead of opening the door of her room, she opened the door of the room right beside hers.


    There were only two men inside, one was in the dark so Xu Mey couldn¡¯t see his face but the one at the front looked familiar to her with his American-Chinese features.


    "Sorry!" She apologized and closed the door.


    While Wayne was staring at the closed door withplexed feelings, Xu Mey was standing outside trying to remember where had she seen that guy. Suddenly it struck her and she slid open the door again.


    Poor Wayne who was already in shock almost jumped out of his seat when she opened the door again. "Wayne Chu?" Xu Mey called his name with glimmering eyes.


    Wayne clutched his chest with one hand and said, "Great aunt, what have I done that you¡¯re back?"


    Seeing him acting so meekly, Xu Mey frowned. "I just came to say hi. What¡¯s so wrong with that? Am I not allowed?" While Wayne was thinking for a reply, she went on, "And why are you so scared of me?"


    Wayne snorted. "I¡¯m not scared of you." Xu Mey arched her brow. "I¡¯m scared of the one behind you."


    Xu Mey looked behind herself and innocently replied, "But there is no one behind me."


    Wayne wanted to puke blood at her words. Was she for real? And when did she be cute and innocent? "I didn¡¯t mean literally."


    "Oh..." Xu Mey said in realization and added, "Then are you scared of my Sensei?"


    "Who else is behind you that can scare me?" He questioned with indignation.


    "Aye! My Sensei is not that scary as much you make him seem."


    "Sometimes I even doubt that you know the real side of your Sensei or not?" Xu Mey scowled at his statement but he disregarded it. "Have you ever seen your Sensei with a sword?"


    Xu Mey tapped her chin in thought and replied, "Nope!"


    Wayne shook his head. "Then you really don¡¯t know what kind of a monster your Sensei really is."


    "Oi! Don¡¯t you dare say anything about my Sensei! I¡¯ll chop you into pieces myself." Xu Mey pointed a stern finger at his face.


    "I might not be as important to your Sensei as you are but trust me, I¡¯m quite useful to Lord myself," Wayne said with a prideful look. "Lord won¡¯t be so unreasonable to let you go unscathed for cutting me into pieces."


    "My Sensei cares for me more. He¡¯ll definitely not say anything to me." She red and without waiting for his reply, she walked out of the room.


    All this while, Ye Jie stayed quiet in the corner without moving or saying anything. He was in deep thoughts.


    After she left, Ye Jie spoke up, "Wayne, do you know her?"


    Wayne looked at Ye Jie and smiled bitterly. "She¡¯s my death sentence."


    "What do you mean? And are you really scared? I¡¯ve never seen you being scared of anyone." Ye Jie probed.


    Wayne sighed. "I¡¯m not really scared of her. But the one behind her is my boss. How can I not be scared of him?"


    "Your boss?"


    "Lord Alev!" Wayne answered with a face filled with respect.


    "You mean Europe¡¯s, Lord Alev Knight. The one that owns the Knight Empires?" Ye Jie asked again.


    "Yes... One and only, Lord Alev Knight. I respect that person more than anyone in this world but I really don¡¯t understand his care for this President Xu Mey." Wayne was scowling while Ye Jie was having a turmoil inwardly. "I just remembered, your wife¡¯s name is also Xu Mey. What a coincidence that is. I hope your wife is unlike this one."


    Ye Jie didn¡¯t pay attention to what Wayne was saying, he was lost in his own thoughts. ¡¯Lord Alev? Ru? Ru is the one who owns the Knight Empires and she¡¯s also the one behind the name, Lord Alev Knight. But Ru can¡¯t be behind Xu Mey... What if Ru is Sensei Xu Mey talks about?¡¯ He shook his head getting these ridiculous thoughts out of his mind but it didn¡¯t work. ¡¯Ru can¡¯t be Sensei. I talked to that person and he didn¡¯t sound anything like Ru... But... Ru has been an expert at changing her voices since she was young... But she still can¡¯t be Sensei... Because... Because... Ru never liked interacting with people and Xu Mey seems really close to her Sensei while Ru would never allow anyone near herself even more so a girl.¡¯


    He raked his fingers through his hair in frustration. ¡¯If you¡¯re Sensei, Ru. Then who is Xu Mey to you? And what game are you ying?¡¯

 Chapter 172 - Feelings Are A Burden

    After retiring from Wayne¡¯s room, Xu Mey arrived back to her own room to see everyone with a somber expression. She grimaced in uncertainty, not grasping what was transpiring.


    "Is he really your brother?" Xu Mey heard He Jian¡¯s voice. He was asking Azalea with an indescribable look in his eyes. Azalea nodded her head softly. He Jian inhaled a sharp breath and said, "We need to tell Uncle and Aunt. Especially Aunt Su, she¡¯ll go crazy with happiness."


    "No!" Both Azalea and Xu Mey spoke concurrently and turned to share a look before turning to He Jian. He was scowling at their reaction.


    "Jian-Ge, you can¡¯t tell mom and dad. Not right now." Azalea held onto He Jian¡¯s arm to stop him.


    "She¡¯s right. Jian-Ge, Ah-Jie isn¡¯t ready for this." Xu Mey voiced out her words.


    He Jian pinched his brows. "Zelie, you know how much your parents have suffered thinking that their son was born dead." He was exasperated. "Auntie even went into so much depression that-" He stopped himself from speaking any further.


    Azalea held his hand and said, "I know. I might not have seen everything but I have seen the way both my parents wished for their son to be alive. But Jian-Ge, we need to think about Jie-Ge as well. He¡¯s been living a lie until now. It¡¯s not that easy to face the truth."


    "Listen to Azalea, man. She¡¯s right. You need to think about Ye Jie as well." Wu Wang said while tapping He Jian¡¯s shoulder.


    "It won¡¯t take long now. After all, our Xiao Mey will be able to make him face the reality." Li Qiao tried to lift up He Jian¡¯s spirits.


    Xu Mey at the side was just listening to everyone with attention. It was really strenuous to concentrate, with her spinning mind. It was very unusual for her to get dizzy. But today, she downed too many strong shots and that too, one after another.


    When she felt everyone¡¯s eyes exercised at herself, she promptly nodded her head like a chicken nipping at grains saying, "I¡¯ll make sure Ah-Jie epts his reality. I¡¯ll be right by his side." She articted each word without slurping even once.


    Maybe, everyone was preupied with digesting the storm of news that¡¯s why no one noticed Xu Mey walking out of the room again. She went to the rooftop of the building for fresh air without realizing herself.


    She only came around when she heard a familiar voice. "You¡¯re faster than usual." Hemented looking at an equally tall figure standing in the dark.


    Xu Mey could only make out Ye Jie¡¯s striking features in the dim lights, the rest didn¡¯t concern her obscure mind. "You called and here I am. What? Did you want me to bete?" Xu Mey heard an elegant and pleasant voice from the tall figure concealed in darkness. "Why did you call me?"


    Ye Jie turned his back towards where Xu Mey was and looked at the bustling city. "I wanted to ask you a question, Ru."


    ¡¯Ru?¡¯ Xu Mey frowned. ¡¯Huh? Isn¡¯t that Ah-Jie¡¯s best friend?¡¯


    "No need to be courteous. Just ask already." Xu Mey heard Ru¡¯s voice again that filled her with warmth.


    ¡¯How can a woman have such a soothing and melodious voice?¡¯ She thought to herself.


    "Are you hiding something from me?" Ye Jie asked giving Ru a sideways nce.


    Ru chuckled. "Did you just figure it out?"


    "I¡¯m serious." Ye Jie spoke in an unusually cold manner. Xu Mey was more than just taken aback by his icy tone. It was so unlike him to speak in this manner. "What game are you ying?"


    After a moment of silence, Xu Mey heard Ru¡¯s voice again, "I¡¯m ying the game you challenged me with." Ye Jie¡¯s brows creased. "You said to believe in love. It¡¯s an emotion that finds its way no matter how."


    Ye Jie turned his face to look into Ru¡¯s green orbs and said, "You still haven¡¯t stopped ying with people¡¯s emotions?"


    Ruughed out loud but somehow, it sounded really fake to Xu Mey. "Dear best friend," Xu Mey shook for a moment.


    ¡¯Dear student... Dear best friend...¡¯ It seemed awfully simr to Xu Mey. ¡¯Sensei?¡¯ She shook her mind immediately at her own ludicrous way of thinking.


    At the other side, Ru continued, "People like to y with toys which they don¡¯t have themselves. We always like to y games which we can¡¯t afford. A person like me can only y with others¡¯ emotions since I don¡¯t have any of mine."


    "It¡¯s not that you don¡¯t have emotions. It¡¯s just that you didn¡¯t try to develop any because you always found them a burden." Ye Jie remarked.


    The yful smirk on Ru¡¯s face faded away as she said, "Yes, I find them a burden. I grew up in a family where emotions could get you killed. My old man used to say, ¡¯Don¡¯t believe the angels that carry the burden of emotions. Always trust a demon that wears his heartlessness with pride.¡¯"


    After a moment, she went on, "I didn¡¯t understand his meaning at that time. But time taught me that he was right. The angels that carry the burden of feelings and emotions tend to backstab you for those feelings. But the demon has already shown himself to you, his strikes will always be out in the open."


    At Ru¡¯s words, even Xu Mey felt something stir within herself. ¡¯She¡¯s so damn right. Angels are not worthy of being called pure anymore.¡¯


    "Do you know why I wanted to see you?" Ye Jie asked. Ru shook her head. "I¡¯m scared of asking the question in my mind."


    "Why?"


    "Because I feel like if you gave the answer which I have in mind then a lot will change in my life."


    "A lot is intended to change in your life already. Dear best friend, how far do you think, you can run from all the realities in your life?" She ced a hand over his shoulder and looked into his eyes. "Running will only get you tired. Trust me. It¡¯s not worth it. Who knows maybe your reality is not as scary as you¡¯re thinking it to be."


    Ru turned to leave when she heard Ye Jie voice again, "Do you know my wife?" Before Ru could answer, he went on, "No, just tell me, do I know her?"


    Ru didn¡¯t turn to answer, only said, "That¡¯s something for you to figure out and for me to see whether you know her or not."

 Chapter 173 - Friends Are Life

    Hiding behind the wall, Xu Mey stared at Ye Jie¡¯s side profile- he was still looking in the direction Ru left. As if lost in some thought or maybe a memory.


    Whether Ye Jie was thinking of memory or not but Xu Mey surely was lost in a trance as her Sensei¡¯s young face came to her mind.


    Swiftly, a distant voice rang in Xu Mey¡¯s ears, "Friend? I don¡¯t make friends." That was the answer her Sensei gave her back then.


    In restoration, she questioned afresh, "There must be someone that¡¯s really important to you, Sensei." After a pause, she added, "For instance, my best friends are my life. Because I know that they will be standing right behind me whenever I would need them the most."


    "I don¡¯t know about that kind of friendship because in my opinion having a million friends can¡¯t ensure that they¡¯ll be loyal to you. But I do have a best friend. And he is enough for me. He is enough not because he is unique. He is unique because he is enough for me." After a rustle, her Sensei resumed, "He¡¯s the one who taught me that caring is not a crime. Friendship is something that demands care from us."


    "Would you do anything for him, Sensei?" She had questioned.


    The answer she received was, "More or less, I¡¯ll do anything for him. Just like caring for you."


    She frowned. "What do mean?"


    "If it was up to solely me, then trust me I would have never helped you in getting out of that rehabilitation center. It was my best friend who wanted to save you for some reason." After thinking a moment, the voice came again, "I told you at our first meeting, I¡¯m not a good person. Helping someone was never my nature. Because I¡¯m the person who always believed that helping someone will only get us into trouble for no reason."


    "Sensei, what am I to you?"


    "You¡¯re my responsibility."


    "That¡¯s it?"


    "What else there can be?"


    She felt bitter asking, "You don¡¯t love me, right?"


    "Love?" She heard her Sensei¡¯sugh. "First of all, I don¡¯t know how to love. Second of all, I¡¯m not allowed to love you."


    She pursed her lips and mumbled, "I thought you really loved me."


    "Wake up from your dreams. Not everyonees to your life to love you. Some people just stumble upon your life to show you the way like myself. I¡¯m nothing more than a guide in your life. Don¡¯t develop unnecessary emotions or attachments for me."


    She felt hurt. "You¡¯re brutally honest." She remarked.


    "My honesty is better than your delusions."


    "But I love you!" She imed.


    "You don¡¯t love me. What you have for me is called dependence, not love. Also, people don¡¯t fall in love with the monster like me."


    "You¡¯re not a monster." She argued.


    "That¡¯s another delusion of yours. Don¡¯t forget, you called me a monster as well."


    Her face fell. "I was too young. I didn¡¯t know better at that time."


    "And do you think that you know any better now?" Before Xu Mey could argue, the voice came again, "Stop wasting your time on trying to figure me out. I can only get stuck in someone¡¯s mind, not their heart."


    Xu Mey¡¯s trance broke when she felt a gush of cold breeze pping her face and making her shiver. She looked around but didn¡¯t see Ye Jie. "Huh? Where did Ah-Jie go?" She shrugged her shoulders and took the elevator back to the 3rd floor.


    "Where were you?" Li Qiao asked anxiously when she walked inside the room. Everyone was staring at her and in return, she just smiled.


    "I was getting some fresh air outside," she told everyone and sat back at the couch. Xu Mey picked another shot of drink and gulped it in one go.


    Meanwhile, Ye Jun was dancing at the 2nd floor when his gaze fell on a familiar face making him starry-eyed.


    He came to the bar counter and propped himself right on the stool beside Jun Li Na. He perched his elbow on the counter and supported his face on his fist looking at Jun Li Na¡¯s flushed face with a cheesy smile.


    Jun Li Na noticed his eyes on the side of her face and tilted her face. As she saw Ye Jun, she frowned, "What are you doing here?"


    "I¡¯m looking at you." He replied in matter-of-factly.


    "That even I ca-can see," she slurped a bit.


    "How much did you drink?" Ye Jun asked. Her face was beet-red with her eyes unfocused.


    "Does it matter?" she retorted.


    "Of course, it matters. Look at yourself, you¡¯re wasted. Don¡¯t drink anymore." Ye Jun¡¯s voice was a bit sharp.


    Jun Li Na pointed a finger at him and said, "Who are you to tell me that I should stop drinking? Are you my boyfriend? Or are you my fiance? Just who the hell are you?"


    "Well, I would love to be the boyfriend but since you won¡¯t allow that let¡¯s say that I¡¯m a friend." Ye Jun said patiently.


    Sheughed out loud out of the blue. "You can¡¯t be my friend."


    "Why not?" he frowned.


    "Because you said it yourself that you love me. So, if you really love me then this friendship will only hurt you." Ye Jun was surprised that she could even think about all that while she was drunk.


    "Let¡¯s not talk about that while you¡¯re drunk. Where are your bodyguards?" He inquired knowing well enough that they stuck to her like glue.


    She heaved a long sigh and said, "I sent them away. They were irritating."


    Ye Jun was surprised by her answer but didn¡¯t let it show on his face. "Thene, I¡¯ll drop you to your house."


    She stroked her chin pondering for a while before asking, "Do you know where I live?"


    "Nope!" Ye Jun answered honestly. She frowned at his reply while he added, "But I¡¯ll know if you¡¯ll tell me. So, you give me the address and I¡¯ll be your driver."


    "Okay!" She grumbled.


    Ye Jun helped her in walking since she was staggering around because of excessive alcohol consumption. He brought her to his car and helped in buckling her seatbelt the came around to sit behind the wheel and drove away.

 Chapter 174 - Jie Darling?

    Back at the illusion nightclub, He Jian had a lot to discuss with Azalea while Li Qiao was busy with his cell phone. On the side, Wu Wang was talking with Lin Shen. In a secluded corner, Xu Mey kept to herself. Unknowingly, she drank a lot more than her usual capacity.


    She was feeling down. She never got over the fact that her Sensei didn¡¯t love her the way she did. She never could even be a friend to her Sensei no matter how much she wanted to.


    For her Sensei, she still was just a disciple. Why she was thinking about this after years was because of Ye Jie.


    From the moment she saw him talking to his best friend, she realized that even though they both didn¡¯t meet daily, there was still a bond that she couldn¡¯t even imagine to challenge.


    Unlike her own best friends, she felt that Ye Jie¡¯s best friend was someone who didn¡¯t try to make his life brighter. Instead, his best friend tried to make his life better.


    "We should leave now," Xu Mey didn¡¯t know who said it but she readily agreed and got up from the couch. She was the one who slid open the door of the room and came face to face with Ye Jie.


    For a moment, Xu Mey was in a shock. She felt like dreaming. She took a step closer, trying to touch Ye Jie¡¯s face. And when her soft fingertips brushed against his handsome face, she believed, that she was definitely not dreaming.


    Knowing that Ye Jie was really standing before her, her downcasted face blossomed like a pink rain lily bloom after a pouring rain. She stretched open her arms widely with a toothy grin, she said, "Jie darling! Give your baby a hug."


    The endearment in that single ¡¯Jie darling¡¯ not only stunned Ye Jie, hepletely went into a shock mode. His feet rooted to the ground, he kept staring at her slightly reddish face.


    Seeing how Ye Jie didn¡¯t move at all, Xu Mey pouted and muttered, "Jie darling doesn¡¯t want to hug his baby."


    Her soft voice brought him back to the world and he looked at Xu Mey¡¯s lips pulled out a bit in an adorable pout. He took a step towards her and said, "Jie darling would be the biggest idiot if he didn¡¯t want to hug his baby."


    Xu Mey lifted her head and looked into his brown charming eyes saying, "My Jie darling is not an idiot!"


    Ye Jie smiled at her expression and pulled her from her waist in his arms. Xu Mey spontaneously wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her face in his neck. As her hot breath brushed at his neck, Ye Jie took a sharp breath.


    "Apparently, Xiao Mey¡¯s PDA is worse than our Lin Shen." Wu Wang remarked looking at the pair of love birds embracing each otherpletely oblivious to the people around them.


    "Are you jealous, Wang-Ge?" Azalea whispered beside him.


    Wu Wang snorted. "Why would I be?" He gave a haughty expression. "I don¡¯t like PDA¡¯s. They are overrated."


    "Well, since you don¡¯t have anyone beside you. That¡¯s the only thing, you can say." Azalea pointed out.


    Wu Wang red at her. "Should we interfere?" Li Qiao asked.


    "I don¡¯t think we should. Since Ye Jie is here, he¡¯ll take Xiao Mey home." Lin Shen voiced out. Everyone agreed with his suggestion.


    "Take me as well. I don¡¯t want to be the third wheel here." Azalea said looking at the way her own brother didn¡¯t even notice her presence. But it didn¡¯t upset her. Instead, she felt immensely d that Xu Mey had the power to make Ye Jie forget the rest of the world.


    "Who do you wanna go with?" He Jian asked her.


    Azalea looked at the four of them pondering. Going with He Jian was a big no-no while she wasn¡¯t closely acquainted with Li Qiao and Lin Shen. Therefore, she chose to go with Wu Wang.


    All of them passed ast look towards Ye Jie and Xu Mey before leaving them alone.


    Oblivious to the fact that all her friends were gone, Xu Mey lost herself in Ye Jie¡¯s embracepletely forgetting whatever was running through her mind.


    She only pulled away when she felt an impulse to mold his lips with her own. Under the dim lights, his face was really close to her just staring back at her. Ye Jie could smell the scent of alcohol on her but it didn¡¯t disturb him even for a second.


    Ye Jie was simply looking at her face seeing the delight in her eyes and those slightly parted lips. Her gaze was intense as it lowered down slowly to his thin lips. Ye Jie felt the intensity as her tongue came out of her mouth slightly to lick her dry lips in slow motion. His heart started beating faster.


    Ye Jie couldn¡¯t hold himself from following the movements of her tongue. Xu Mey felt a surge of warmth spread throughout her body making her go limp. Ye Jie was anticipating her next move while Xu Mey was luring him in towards herself with her eyes.


    *Enter At your own Risk* *!!!WARNING!!!*


    *ONLY ADULTS ALLOWED*


    Unable to hold back, Ye Jie inclined his face towards hers and with his lips, he touched the soft nket of her cherry lips. He could taste the alcohol in her mouth and it felt like he was getting drunk with every passing moment. He kissed her softly but her intoxicating taste drew himpletely and he wasn¡¯t able to hold back the intensity of the kiss.


    The loud music around them was omitted. The world around them was neglected. Even the rustling sound of their own clothes was disregarded.


    What mattered was the taste of each other.


    Xu Mey felt the world swaying as she clung even closer to Ye Jie. Her world got dizzy as tremors of nerves went wild in her body evoking all the feelings she thought to be unimportant in the world.


    She didn¡¯t even realize when Ye Jie pushed her back slowly with himself and walked back to the private room.


    Ye Jie¡¯s hands wandered all over her body from the back of her neck to the small of her back and further down to her hips. Then his rough hand slipped inside her shirt and started stroking the sides of her waist making her arch her body further towards him.


    They pulled away to catch their breath. Both of them could hear their drumming heartbeats mixed with the panting.


    Both stood still. Face to face with Ye Jie¡¯s hands on her waist and Xu Mey¡¯s hands on his shoulders. Ye Jie slowly lifted his hand to rub Xu Mey¡¯s lips. Xu Mey felt hot all over her body as a moan escaped her mouth making Ye Jie groan lowly.


    "F*ck!" He cursed out before pulling her face back towards himself. This time though, his lips didn¡¯t touch her lips. He rained down kissed all over face and moved down to her neck.


    Xu Mey ran her hands through his smooth hair and called out, "Jie darling!"


    Ye Jie halted to look at her face and replied, "Yes, baby."


    "I want you to kiss me!" She demanded.


    "Where do you want me to kiss?" He asked with a yful smile.


    She palmed his face and made him look straight into her eyes as she breathed out, "Everywhere!"


    "D*mn!" Ye Jie growled and pushed her body on the couch before locking the door.


    He came back to her body sprawled on the couch and peeled off his own shirt before helping her with her own shirt.


    As his half-naked body came over to hover above hers, Xu Mey touched his bare back with her soft fingers and he shuddered. In her half dizzy mind, she gave a smug smile feeling victorious at the fact that her touch has the as much effect on him as his, affected her.


    He kissed her neck, her throat, her shoulders while his hand touched her bosom- caressing it, massaging it with his big hands in a gentle manner. Then his mouth came down to catch her bosom as his strong tongue circled around, licked and flicked teasingly making Xu Mey moan delightfully.


    His tongue didn¡¯t stop at just her bosom, it moved slowly down searing a path towards her stomach.


    Xu Mey was squirming in pleasure under the sweet torture of his tongue and mouth. Suddenly, a thought made her feel sour. ¡¯Did he made love to his ex like this as well? Did she also felt helpless under his touch?¡¯ She was more than upset. She felt like she could shred that ex into pieces if she ever came before her. ¡¯But why?¡¯ She asked herself and her own heart gave her the answer, ¡¯Because you¡¯re jealous.¡¯


    Before Xu Mey could reel her mind further, Ye Jie¡¯s tongue licked her inner thigh making her shiver. She moaned in pleasure as he lifted his head to look into her eyes.


    He could see the intense passion in that pair of ck orbs but there was something indescribable in them as well. He licked his lips and came back up to catch her lips in his as their tongues dueled together.


    Xu Mey could only hold Ye Jie tightly as her body was convulsing under his touch. Xu Mey didn¡¯t realize when or how Ye Jie took off his pants, she only felt his strong presence between her softness making her gasp.


    Then he was inside her patiently as he was the first time. But after getting used to it, he started pushing and thrusting inside her, strongly.

 Chapter 175 - How Much One Can See Through Two Eyes?

    -The next morning-


    Jun Li Na opened her eyes in the dim-lit room. Although it was daytime, no one had pulled open the thick drapes leaving the room in darkness. She felt dark clouds roaming over her head. She held her skull with one hand as she felt ache ebbs and flow like a tide.


    With the cracking headache, dehydrated throat and cracked lips, she felt like swaying. When she tried to lift her other hand, she realized that she holding onto something or rather someone. She tilted her face in slow motion and the sight before her, stunned her.


    "Ah!!!" She screamed all of sudden and picked a pillow to hit Ye Jun who was sleeping beside her,ying on his stomach.


    "What the hell?" Ye Jun spoke trying to open his eyes. He sat up and the duvet lifted revealing his bare sturdy chest. He looked at Jun Li Na and asked, "Why are you screaming?"


    Jun Li Na looked at his bare body and looked down at her own clothes which were definitely not what she wore the previous night. Her head reeled worse than before as she kicked Ye Jun making him fall to the carpeted floor with a muffled thud.


    "Ouch! What was that for?" Ye Jun stood up rubbing his hip. Jun Li Na covered her eyes with her hand when she noticed that the idiot Ye Jun was only wearing his boxers.


    Her fear intensified as she felt her eyes stinging. "What happenedst night?" She asked controlling her tears.


    Ye Jun suspired audibly and said, "Last night was the most beautiful night of my life."


    The tears that Jun Li Na was holding on to came gushing down like a stream without restraint. When Ye Jun heard her sobs, he got anxious. "Why are you crying?"


    Jun Li Na red at Ye Jun indignantly. "What else am I supposed to do? I kept myself chaste for so long and to think that my mistake cost me this..." She choked on her words while Ye Jun quirked his brows in surprise.


    "You¡¯re celibate?" He questioned.


    "Clearly not anymore... You!" She looked at him usingly.


    Ye Jun raised his hands in defence. "Woah! What the hell are you talking about? Nothing like that happenedst night. I would have known that you¡¯re celibate if anything would have happened between us."


    Then he rted the happenings ofst night to her in detail.


    When he brought her to her apartmentst night, she was struggling with her keys. Ye Jun helped her with opening the door and guided her to her bedroom. When he turned to leave, he heard her sobs and instantly halted in his tracks.


    She was sitting at the edge of the bed, sobbing with a photo frame in her hand. She looked pitiful and it broke Ye Jun¡¯s heart. He immediately crouched down near her and asked, "What¡¯s wrong? Did I do something? Why are you crying?"


    Jun Li Na stared at him with her almond-shaped eyes and after a long while, she spoke, "Do you really love me?"


    Ye Junughed lightly at her question and answered, "Is there a doubt?"


    She asked again. "How much?"


    Ye Jun stayed quiet for a minute before speaking, "I can¡¯t answer that but I can tell you that the more I look at you, the more I fall in love with you. But the only unfortunate thing is; I have only two eyes. No matter how much I look, I would think that it¡¯s still not enough. After all, how much one can see through two eyes?"


    His words put her in a trance. Suddenly, she chuckled. "Why do you love me? What do I have?"


    Ye Jun stroked her cheek with his knuckles and said, "Love doesn¡¯t need a reason. It¡¯s a feeling that you have to feel and it¡¯s a duty that you have to do."


    Jun Li Na lowered her eyes and muttered, "Then why doesn¡¯t he love me like you?" Tears fell down her face breaking Ye Jun¡¯s heart further into pieces.


    After that Ye Jun stayed until she changed out of her clothes herself. He gave her warm milk and tucked her in the bed before turning to leave. But she held his wrist and said, "Can you stay? I don¡¯t want to be alone." Ye Jun happily nodded and sat beside her on the bed.


    Coming back to the morning, she had stopped sobbing and looked confused. "But you aren¡¯t wearing anything," she pointed out.


    "Excuse me! I¡¯m still wearing my boxers." Ye Jun felt wronged. "Also, I always sleep without clothes."


    "Who does that? That¡¯s so weird." She asked annoyed with his answer.


    "Well, for me, the men who sleep in clothes are weird. Likee on, a person deserves to sleepfortably and I¡¯mfortable without clothes." Jun Li Na scrunched up her face at his reply.


    "Oh, you also said that it was your beautiful night? Why did you mislead me?" Jun Li Na used him again.


    "What are you talking about? How is that misleading?" Ye Jun really didn¡¯t believe that he said anything wrong. "Also, it was my beautiful night because you on your own ord held my hand throughout the night. Doesn¡¯t that make my night beautiful?"


    Jun Li Na stared wide-eyed at him. She thought that he really had a weird way of thinking.


    "I¡¯m gonna take a shower." She said before almost running to the bathroom leaving Ye Jun alone in the dim-lit room.


    Ye Jun wore his disheveled clothes again and pulled open the drapes to let the sun shine brightly in the bedroom before walking to the living room. He was wandering around the apartment when the doorbell rang.


    Seeing that Jun Li Na was still in the shower, Ye Jun decided to open the door. He strode towards the door and yanked it open.


    The person at the door turned and stared at Ye Jun while Ye Jun stared back at him.


    "Who is at the door?" Both men heard Jun Li Na¡¯s voice. Ye Jun turned to see while the man at the door craned his neck to see behind Ye Jun.


    Jun Li Na only had a bathrobe around her body while a towel was wrapped around her head. Ye Jun turned back to the man outside the door and seeing his stormy eyes, Ye Jun gulped visibly.

 Chapter 176 - Utterly & Completely

    Meanwhile in the Peach Estates...


    Xu Mey opened her eyes when the soft golden rays of the sun caressed her jade-like skin. She found herself on herfy bed with her headying on top of Ye Jie¡¯s bare chest. She didn¡¯t feel shy about it at all instead, she felt his strong heartbeat the mostforting.


    For a long while, Xu Mey kept looking at Ye Jie¡¯s bare upper body while with her ear still pressed against his heart. It wasn¡¯t the first time that she looked at his muscles but she felt fascinated by him with every look. Under the soft pearl-like rays of the sun cascading through the sheer drapes, Ye Jie¡¯s body appeared to be twinkling like crystals. His muscles looked so inviting that Xu Mey had the urge to touch them again like she always does.


    She lifted her hesitating fingers to press against his abs but a single thought made her halt her movements mid-air. ¡¯His ex must have loved to touch him as well...¡¯ She felt sour all of a sudden.


    But then she heard her own heart calling, ¡¯So what? Can¡¯t you see where you are? Can¡¯t you hear his heartbeat? That¡¯s yours now. He¡¯s yours now!¡¯


    Xu Mey closed her eyes and listened attentively to Ye Jie¡¯s heartbeat.


    Ba-thump!


    Ba-thump!


    Ba-thump!


    Her lips curled upwards in a beautiful smile at that sound as she said to herself, ¡¯Yes, he¡¯s surely mine. He¡¯s perfect. But this perfect man is all mine to keep.¡¯ With that thought, she lifted her fingers and finally traced her fingers over his broad and hard chest and moved lower to the valley and ridges of his abdomen. It was hard and yet felt smooth.


    "Someone is a bit spicy early in the morning." When Xu Mey heard Ye Jie low husky voice, her hands stopped. She bit her tongue and pulled her hand back from his, oh so tempting body.


    Ye Jie straight pulled her over his own body and that¡¯s when Xu Mey noticed that she was wearing a red silk nightgown. As for where it came from? Xu Mey couldn¡¯t remember at all. Well, she realized that she didn¡¯t even remember how they got home but the soreness in her body told her clearly that the previous night was not simple at all.


    Ye Jie tucked her wild hair behind her ear and looked straight into her eyes. "Hi, baby!"


    Those eyes tongue-tied her. His eyes narrowed infinitesimally searching for something in her eyes. His fastened gaze on her made Xu Mey see an unfathomable emotion like a wild hunger. Xu Mey licked her dry lips. Bad move!


    Something flickered in his eyes. "Baby, do you know what you¡¯re turning me into?" His voice felt huskier to Xu Mey.


    She puckered her lips and tilted her head to a side asking innocently, "How would I know that, Ah-Jie?"


    Ye Jie arched a single brow. "Ah-Jie? What happened to Jie darling?"


    Xu Mey frowned. "Jie darling? What are you talking about?" While she was asking that question, her own voice came running to her mind, ¡¯Jie darling! Give your baby a hug.¡¯ Xu Mey stiffened a bit but she didn¡¯t let it show on her face. She really wanted to bang her head against the wall.


    Ye Jie tightened his arms around her body, pressing her against his own. "So, my baby doesn¡¯t remember what happenedst night?"


    Xu Mey wiggled a bit in his embrace trying to escape from his piercing gaze that made her feel hot all over. "I don¡¯t remember anything. I think I drank a lotst night. So, I can¡¯t help it."


    "Baby, be careful! You¡¯re hurting your Ah-Jie¡¯s feelings. How can you forget ourst night?" His sensual voice made Xu Mey feel breathless.


    Xu Mey suddenly stopped struggling in his arms and brushed his lips with her fingers.


    It was a single brush with her softs fingertips.


    And...


    It was all she needed.


    Ye Jie¡¯s eyes clouded as he loosened his grip on her body. Xu Mey could feel the way his muscles tensed under her touch. This sight reminded her of another moment fromst night when she felt victorious for having the same effect on him that he had on her.


    She got her focus back and instantly ran away from Ye Jie¡¯s grasp towards the bathroom. She leaned against the bathroom door with her heart drumming against her chest. Her breathing was uneven and her body felt deprived for some reason.


    She didn¡¯t realize that she forgot to lock the bathroom door until Ye Jie pushed open the door slowly and closed it behind him saying, "Tsk... Baby, I¡¯m already tangled around your fingers. You don¡¯t have to make me run behind you as well."


    Xu Mey took a step back while Ye Jie took a step ahead. Xu Mey¡¯s back touched the shower ss making her feel its cool surface. But her front was burning with the intensity of Ye Jie¡¯s gaze.


    Ye Jie ced one hand on the ss behind her and his other hand touched the belt of her silk nightgown, untying it. "What are you doing?" Xu Mey¡¯s voice came out breathy.


    With the untied gown, Xu Mey¡¯s naked body was right before Ye Jie. He ced his hands on her waist stroking it in an up and down motion. "I need to remind you of the story of Jie darling, my dear baby." He whispered near her ear making her breath hitch and her toes curl.


    Xu Mey closed her eyes as she felt the urge to let him remind her every single detail ofst night. With that thought, when she opened her eyes again, there was no bashfulness in them. Her eyes only held the same passion that he had in his.


    Xu Mey pressed her finger on his face and her hand trailed down to his throat, down to his smooth expanse of chest making him quiver while his chest heaved taking a harsh breath.


    His hand shot up to hold hers as he whispered, "As I said, someone is surely spicy today." With that, his arms were around her. He hauled her body off the ground and made her legs wrapped around his waist as his lips caught hers.


    His lips tasted so sweet to Xu Mey that she felt like it was a sin. But it was a sin, that she wanted tomit over and over and over again now. His lips devoured hers while his tongue imed her mouth. A fight of greed brewed between their tongues- a fight to conquer the other person and when they pulled back to take a breath and looked into each other¡¯s eyes, they realized that they had both lost this fight of conquering to each other.


    But there was no regret. It wasn¡¯t needed. For Xu Mey, if the winning person was her Ah-Jie then there was no harm in losing. As for Ye Jie, he had won the battle the moment he lost himself to Xu Mey.


    Both of them seemed to havee to the conclusion that no matter who won between both of them, the victory will still belong to both of them. Because... He was hers and she was his...


    Ye Jie brought her inside the shower partition and closed the ss door before turning the shower on. As water droplets trickled down their bodies, Xu Mey felt every line of his hard body against her soft one. She roamed her hand all over his body to im him as his own. His smooth, powerful torso, every single inch was imed for her own self.


    Pulling away from him, Xu Mey¡¯s lips raced down to his jawline, to his throat and neck making him growl when she bit his flesh over his shoulder. After biting him, she kissed the same spot and licked it. It was the exact same move that he did to her when he was upset with her.


    She lifted her face and saw her creation on his body. Her marks on his body. It was a clear announcement to the world that he was hers! She smirked in satisfaction saying, "Mine." It made Ye Jie chuckle at her antics.


    But he didn¡¯t mind it even a bit. He was more than d to see her marks painting his body. He imed her mouth again and said against her lips, "What about what¡¯s mine?"


    "Your baby is all yours," she said coyishly.


    Ye Jie pushed her wet body against the wall behind her as Xu Mey gazed at Ye Jie towering above him.


    "Mey." Xu Mey felt like today was the first time, her name sounded for what it¡¯s meaning meant; beautiful.


    "Jie." She said his name in a plea.


    They moved as iming each other¡¯s lips and exploring the unseen world.


    "Mey." Ye Jie breathed out her name again. "I love you." He whispered near her ear and Xu Mey felt her body go limp.


    He trailed kisses down her throat. Even standing under the cold water, Xu Mey felt like being burned in a storm of mes. But the mes weren¡¯t painful at all rather they were something she craved for.


    A need burned inside her as a thrill ran in her body. Whenever she was with Ye Jie, she felt precious as if his every touch or gaze screamed that she was really worth all of it.


    Never had in her life anyone held her in the gentle manner that he did. He not only showed her what love, passion or desire felt like, he also showed her what being cherished felt like. And she wanted to return all of it to him as well. So, he palmed his face and kissed him long and hard letting him know that he had changed her to the point that she wasn¡¯t able to recognize her own reflection anymore.


    He was making her fall in love. Not just with himself. He made her fall in love with her own self and it was an amazing feeling for her. New. Exciting. And yet damn addicting.


    Xu Mey moaned harder when Ye Jie pushed himself in her but this time, she weed the pain dly. The feeling of being deprived faded away as she felt full inside utterly andpletely.


    She threw her head back when she came and screamed, "Jie darling!" making Ye Jie smirk. Even when the memory of screaming, "Jie darling!" over and over against night came to her mind, Xu Mey didn¡¯t feel shy or nervous.


    Because all the thoughts were lost with the way Ye Jie looked at her face while she came right before him. "I guess, my baby finally remember." Xu Mey punched his chest yfully making him chuckle.

 Chapter 177 - Kill You Twice

    Ye Jun, on the other hand, was in a dilemma. He looked into the stormy eyes before him and said, "Shuang?"


    Seeing Fu Shuang at Jun Li Na¡¯s door and that too early in the morning was really shocking for Ye Jun. Fu Shuang darted his eyes from Jun Li Na¡¯s bathrobe to Ye Jun¡¯s disheveled clothes and his mind went nk for a moment.


    He instantly held Ye Jun¡¯s cor and pushed him against the wall, "What the hell are you doing here?" He spoke through gritted teeth with extreme difficulty.


    "Ah! Man, I can ask you the same question, " Ye Jun pointed out.


    Jun Li Na was shocked seeing both of them ring and bickering with each other and couldn¡¯t help but shake her head.


    "Shuang, let him go!" She sharply said, taking a step towards them.


    Fu Shuang looked at her and noticing her scowl, he loosened his grip. "And what the fu*k are you trying to imply with that look?" she asked looking ordingly at Fu Shuang.


    Fu Shuang cleared his throat and looked at Ye Jun again saying, "I¡¯m not implying anything."


    "Oh, really? Then why are you acting like this with Ye Jun?" She crossed her arms before her.


    "That¡¯s because Li Na, I don¡¯t trust young master Jun at all especially when ites to girls." Fu Shuang said straightforwardly.


    "Woah! Man, you sure are good friend huh! How can you use me like this?" Ye Jun felt offended since Fu Shuang said everything before Jun Li Na of all people.


    "Stay quiet, Jun!" Fu Shuang cast a warning look to Ye Jun. "And you, " he turned to Jun Li Na, "what is he doing here at this time?"


    "He was helping me." Seeing Fu Shuang¡¯s perplexed look, Jun Li Na rted the entire happenings ofst night.


    After listening, Fu Shuang gave an apologetic look to Ye Jun. "Sorry for the misunderstanding. But that doesn¡¯t mean that I trust you around her." He still warned Ye Jun.


    "What are you saying?" Ye Jun looked at Fu Shuang. "Oh, wait! Are you her fiancee? This is not happening. Gosh! Why am I so unlucky?" Ye Jun was mumbling when Fu Shuang delivered a p to his head.


    "Have you lost your mind? She¡¯s my cousin. Don¡¯t run your stupid mind for no reason." Ye Jun heaved a sigh in relief at his exnation.


    "How is she your cousin? Don¡¯t you only have one Aunt?" Ye Jun questioned looking at Fu Shuang.


    "Both of you stop talking at the door and juste inside." Both of them heard Jun Li Na¡¯s voice who was going towards her bedroom.


    Fu Shuang took a paper bag from his assistant and walked inside with Ye Jun towards the living room.


    After settling on the sofa, Fu Shuang answered Ye Jun¡¯s question, "Her grandmother was my grandfather¡¯s sister and that¡¯s how we are cousins."


    "Oh, distant rtives." Ye Jun said.


    "Not that distant as you think." Fu Shuangmented.


    "So, you¡¯re not the fiancee?" Ye Jun inquired again.


    "Of course not, Jun." Fu Shuang spoke in an irritable manner.


    Ye Jun looked at Jun Li Na¡¯s closed door and asked, "Then who is the fiancee?"


    "Stay for a while, he¡¯ll be here soon. I invited him." Fu Shuang¡¯s words were akin to a dagger that pierced Ye Jun¡¯s heart. Why on earth would he want to stick around? No matter, how curious he was about that person that doesn¡¯t change the fact that this fiance was the biggest hurdle in his love life.


    Before Ye Jun could refuse, he heard a phone¡¯s ringtone and rummaged out his phone. "Hello!" He answered half-heartedly.


    "Hi, Jun-Ge!" Ye Jun heard Azalea¡¯s voice from the other end making him smile.


    "Oh, hey, little princess! Don¡¯t tell me our little princess called because she wanted her Ge to spend the weekend with her?"


    "Wow! Jun-Ge is awesome. That¡¯s exactly why I called you."


    Ye Jun chuckled. "Should Ie to pick you from home? How about you ask Sis Mey as well, it¡¯ll be a pleasant weekend with all of us." Although Ye Jun said Xu Mey¡¯s name on instinct, the way Fu Shuang stiffened at that name made Ye Jun smirk as if to say, ¡¯Hurt me with Jun Li Na¡¯s fiancee? Don¡¯t forget I have a bigger card.¡¯


    Yes, he was acting petty but who cares?


    "First of all, I¡¯m not home. And second of all, I don¡¯t think Sis Mey is going to be able to even get out of bed today." Ye Jun frowned at Azalea¡¯s words.


    "Why wouldn¡¯t Sis be able to get out of bed today? Is she feeling sick? I should go to check." Ye Jun was seriously anxious to hear.


    "Stop it, Ge!" Azaleaughed out loud. "Ge, are you acting innocent or you really are?"


    "Huh?"


    "Oho! Ge, if Jie-Ge and sis Mey are together and it¡¯s weekend, then do you think that both of them would be getting out of bed?" Understanding Azalea¡¯s meaning, Ye Jun choked on air and coughed loudly.


    "Gosh! Little princess, you shouldn¡¯t be talking about such things." Ye Jun reprimanded her lightly.


    "Okay. I won¡¯t but are youing or not?" Azalea changed the topic.


    "I¡¯ming but where do I have toe?"


    "Oh, wait!" Azalea said to Ye Jun and he heard her calling someone, "Wang-Ge, what¡¯s the address of your ce?"


    "Penthouse. Star Heights." Wu Wang answered inly.


    "You heard that?" She asked Ye Jun.


    "Yeah, I heard that and coincidentally, I¡¯m also at Star Heights."


    "Really?"


    "Yup."


    "Thene up already."


    "Okay, give me a sec. I¡¯ll be right there." Ye Jun disconnected the call and turned to look at Fu Shuang¡¯s ckface. "Shuang, I¡¯m gonna leave now."


    "Are you leaving?" Jun Li Na askeding out of her room in a pair of shorts and a simple tank top.


    "Yeah, my little princess is calling. I have to leave. Bye!" Ye Jun didn¡¯t realize that his face¡¯ happiness was really misleading for people but he didn¡¯t care either.


    In just a week or so, Azalea and he had be really close as if they had known each other for years. Both were alike at some level and that helped in creating a special bond between them. Now, he didn¡¯t just call Azalea little princess, he even treated her like one.


    They say blood is thicker than water but the rtionships of hearts tend to be stronger than any other.


    Before he walked out of the living room, he stopped and turned to look at Fu Shuang. "Master Shuang!"


    "Hm." Fu Shuang looked at Ye Jun who was grinning broadly.


    "Next time before hitting me just remember one thing. You will hit me once but my sister-inw will kill you twice." Fu Shuang red at Ye Jun making his grin even widely. He turned to leave but stopped again. "And did I mention that my sis-inw loves me a lot, a little less than she loves my bro but still I¡¯m only second in line." Burning Fu Shuang with his words, Ye Jun felt aplished and left.

 Chapter 178 - Holding Hands

    "Jun-Ge!" Azalea excitedly opened the door of Wu Wang¡¯s Penthouse to greet Ye Jun. Her cheerful disposition was infectious for anyone and Ye Jun wasn¡¯t an exception.


    He smiled brightly and ruffled her hair a bit saying, "Hey, little princess!" He looked behind her to see Wu Wang staring at him. "Hello, Mr. Wu Wang!"


    "Woah! What¡¯s with this distant greeting? Wang-Ge is my brother and Jun-Ge is also my brother that means both of you are also brothers. Right, Wang-Ge?" Wu Wang looked at Azalea¡¯s eager face and couldn¡¯t help but agree with her.


    "Where are we going?" Ye Jun asked after a moment of silence.


    "I don¡¯t know. Both of you should decide." Azalea left the decision to both of them.


    While Ye Jun pondered, at the side, Wu Wang said, "How about going to the river bank for a pic? Today is really perfect for a pic."


    Ye Jun looked out the ss wall to see a clear blue sky and sunny sky. "I like that idea. What do you say, Zelie?" Ye Jun looked at Azalea for her opinion.


    "I love the idea as well. Let¡¯s go!" Azalea excitedly raised up from the sofa but Wu Wang pushed her shoulders a little to make her sit back down.


    "Zelie, for the pic, we¡¯ll have to prepare some stuff. So, you sit down and let me get somethings settled first." Then he turned to Ye Jun and asked, "Do you know how to cook?"


    "Yup. Since I love to eat that means I love to cook as well." Ye Jun replied without hesitation making Wu Wang chuckle a bit.


    "Follow me then," Wu Wang took Ye Jun to the open kitchen leaving Azalea to herself in the living room.


    In the meantime, at Peach Estates:


    Xu Mey was looking for clothes to wear when Ye Jie walked behind her and hugged her waist while propping his chin on her shoulder.


    "Ah-Jie, what are you doing?" Xu Mey wiggled a bit.


    "I¡¯m hugging my wife, what¡¯s wrong with that?" Ye Jie argued.


    "But I have to wear some clothes. Let me find something to wear, I can¡¯t spend the whole day in the bathrobe," Xu Mey replied with an unamused look.


    Ye Jie twirled her in his arms making her turn to look into his eyes. She gasped at the sudden movement and held his shoulders to support herself. She lifted her eyes to re at him but Ye Jie¡¯s feathery kiss on her lips caught her by surprise.


    "Baby, I don¡¯t mind you in the bathrobe." He dipped his face closer to her ear and went on, "I believe, you look the most gorgeous even without the bathrobe."


    Xu Mey¡¯s cheeks heated up and she punched his chest making him chuckle loudly even Xu Mey felt reverberation through his body. She pushed him a little saying, "Ah-Jie, let me concentrate. I have to cook something as well, I¡¯m famished right now."


    ¡¯It¡¯d have been surprising if you weren¡¯t famished, baby!¡¯ Ye Jie didn¡¯t dare say it out loud and only smiled to himself. "Baby, I¡¯m famished as well." With his husky, low voice when his eyes fell on her swollen lips, he took a sharp breath.


    Clearly, it wasn¡¯t unnoticed by Xu Mey. "Ah-Jie!" She raised her voice and Ye Jie reluctantly retracted his hands from her slender body with a groan.


    "Okay! But you have to wear this," he turned around and rummaged out a beautiful white pleated skirt with a red floral pattern and a red colored shirt.


    Xu Mey squinted her eyes at the clothes in his hand and asked, "Are we going somewhere?"


    Ye Jie kissed the space between her brows and answered, "Yes, baby. We are going somewhere. Now, wear it fast." With that, he left her alone in the walk-in closet.


    When Xu Mey walked out donning the clothes Ye Jie gave her, she looked at herself in the vanity mirror and thought of a quote, ¡¯Those painful memories are what help us make it to tomorrow and be stronger.(*)¡¯


    Once she was told that with time, she¡¯ll learn the reasons for all that she had been through. Today, looking at her own reflection, she felt happy. Every person does live the time that¡¯s been given to them. It¡¯s true that time neveres back and it stays as a painful reminder. But it¡¯s also true that time will also be a reminder of the fact that when you¡¯re struggling with life, you weren¡¯t alone. Time was there with you. Time might not be in your favor always but the only reason for that would be; that time wasn¡¯t yours, to begin with.


    Xu Mey walked downstairs and saw Ye Jie donning washed-up jeans with a white button-up shirt with the first couple of buttons left open. Looking at him, Xu Mey could only think of one way to describe him; super handsome.


    When Ye Jie turned to look at Xu Mey, he was tongue-tied by the way she was exuding the aura of a white rose; innocence and purity.


    "Shall we?" He extended his hand towards her and Xu Mey dly slid her small hand in his big ones.


    While driving, Ye Jie was looking at the door ahead while Xu Mey was frowning by his side. She kept her eyes on the side of his face. Waiting at the red signal, Ye Jie noticed her scowling look and asked, "What¡¯s wrong, baby?"


    "Ah-Jie!" She called him.


    "Hm..."


    "Can¡¯t you drive with a single hand?" She asked.


    Ye Jie gave her a pensive look and said, "I can."


    Xu Mey pulled his hand from the steering wheel in her own and inteced their fingers together saying, "Then drive with the single hand."


    Ye Jie couldn¡¯t help but chuckle at her innocent mind. He ruffled her hair and said, "My queen¡¯s wish is mymand." He even tapped his chest with his hand for a dramatic effect.


    When the car roved again on the road, Xu Mey looked at their joined hands and felt so secure that she couldn¡¯t even describe the feeling herself.


    The girl who was a firm believer of - ¡¯believing that loving someone will make you feel happy is a lie. A huge big fat lie.(**)¡¯ suddenly had the feeling that ¡¯I will conquer the whole world with one hand. As long as you¡¯re holding the other.(***)¡¯


    She smiled to herself and gazed at Ye Jie with an extremely loving gaze.


    (*): Dialogue of Erza Scarlet from Anime ¡¯Fairytale¡¯


    (**): From the Anime ¡¯Trickster¡¯


    (***): From the Anime ¡¯No Game, No Life¡¯

 Chapter 179 - Picnic & Sweet Moments

    After driving for an hour, Ye Jie eventually parked the car and Xu Mey with her grumbling stomach looked around in incredulity.


    Whatid before her eyes was a bright sunny sky and a park right beside the river. She could hear the giggles of kids and chatter from around. When she looked at Ye Jie, he beamed in return and extracted out a pic basket along with a nket from the car and took Xu Mey¡¯s hand in his own before entering the park.


    Because it was weekend, plenty of families were in the park making it a bit crowded that¡¯s why Ye Jie walked a while with Xu Mey and finally chose a more secluded space under the shades of green trees.


    Heid out the nket on the grass and one-by-one took out the food that he had packed himself. Since Xu Mey was made to stand on a side she couldn¡¯t help Ye Jie at all. But seeing the container of Kimpab (Korean Rice Rolls) and Mandoo (Korean Dumplings), Xu Mey¡¯s stomach roared brazenly. The sound even attracted Ye Jie¡¯s attention and when he turned to look at Xu Mey, she lowered her face in shame making him chuckle.


    Then Ye Jie set a container of fresh spring rolls and moon cake making Xu Mey literally drool at the side. After setting up everything, Ye Jie beckoned her to sit down beside him.


    She was about to pick up Kimbap when Ye Jie lightly tapped on her hand and shook his head at her. He took out a sanitizing wipe and holding her hand in his, he helped her in cleaning her hands. This simple gesture touched the deepest part of Xu Mey¡¯s heart who looked at Ye Jie with starry eyes.


    After helping her clean her hands, Ye Jie picked up a Kimbap and feed her with his own hands.


    On the other hand, Wu Wang brought Azalea and Ye Jun to the same location for a pic and while they were looking for a perfect spot to sit, Azalea¡¯s eyes caught Ye Jie and Xu Mey.


    "Oh, I thought they¡¯d be too busy to evene out today," She muttered to herself before shrugging her shoulders. "Oh, well, I should go to say hi."


    Before she could skip towards them both Wu Wang and Ye Jun held her back saying, "Are you that eager to eat dog food?" Azalea frowned at Ye Jun¡¯s statement. "Look at them." He pointed at Ye Jie and Xu Mey with his chin and Azalea curiously turned but instantly froze.


    At that time, Ye Jie was wiping Xu Mey¡¯s hand and feeding her himself. Both of them seemed to be immersed in each other so deeply that the entire world was non-existent for them.


    "Gosh! Why do I suddenly feel full?" Azalea remarked with her gaze still stuck on them.


    "I think that¡¯s enough dog food for you. Let¡¯s find another spot!" Ye Jun suggested and the three of them didn¡¯t bother Xu Mey and Ye Jie at all.


    Meanwhile, after eating to her fill, Xu Mey nced at Ye Jie who had a pensive look while looking at her long untied hair. "What¡¯s wrong?" Xu Mey asked while clearing up the nket.


    Ye Jie didn¡¯t speak and came behind Xu Mey. He held her hair in his own andbed them with his fingers. After that, he started braiding her hair. "What are you doing?" Xu Mey questioned.


    "Shh!" Xu Mey instantly quietened up after his reply.


    Xu Mey had no idea where he managed to get a hair tie but he perfectly braided her hair in a side braid andid it on top of her shoulder.


    Xu Mey was fascinated with his skills and couldn¡¯t help asking, "Where did you learn to braid?"


    Ye Jie shrugged his shoulders nonchntly and replied, "I told you, we can learn anything online."


    After saying that, he ced his head in Xu Mey¡¯sp andid down. Xu Mey looked at his closed eyes and raked her fingers softly in his hair.


    The soft sound of the water mixed with the serenity of the surrounding made Xu Mey feel really rxed. She kept staring at Ye Jie¡¯s face at his sharp jawline, his high bridge nose, and those thin lips. Looking at him she thought to herself, ¡¯How can a person like you love a person like me? And how on earth did you be the most important part of my life?¡¯


    Even though Ye Jie¡¯s eyes were closed, he could still feel her gaze on himself. "Do you have something to say, baby?" He suddenly asked breaking Xu Mey¡¯s trance of admiring him.


    She moistened up her lips and said, "The question is kind of weird."


    "It doesn¡¯t matter." He replied while taking her one hand in his own hands and leaving the other hand to wander around in his thick smooth hair.


    "Hmm... I wanna ask, why do you love me so much? How can you love me so much actually?" When Xu Mey voiced out her question, Ye Jie opened his eyes to gaze into hers.


    "Why and how? Hm... That¡¯s a bit tough..." He sat up and palmed her face saying, "My best friend once said that broken people have the tendency to love deeper than anyone in this world. Do you know why?" Xu Mey shook her head softly. "Because they are scared of being left alone."


    Xu Mey¡¯d frown deepened. But he went on, "When love breaks you once, it gets tough to embrace it again. But when you allow your broken heart to love again, then you love the other person with all those broken pieces that were left by the previous one... The people with broke heart tends to love deeply because they want to give everything which they couldn¡¯t do in their previous rtionship. And the reason is the same, they don¡¯t want to break again."


    He stroked Xu Mey¡¯s hair lovingly and added, "Loving you wasn¡¯t difficult at all. To be honest, it was the easiest thing in my life ¡¯cause youpelled me towards yourself and I couldn¡¯t stop myself from loving you. Today, I can scream it to the whole world that the person that I love the most is... Xu Mey... My wife." He pulled her cheeks adorably. "My sweet and sour, cherry wife."


    Xu Mey¡¯s eyes moistened up at his words. He was the one who turned her madness into his feelings and oddly, she fell in love with his feelings of being in love with her.

 Chapter 180 - Ocean Tides & Love Bites

    Azalea and Ye Jun were ying Toc Toc Woodman while Wu Wang was reading a book at the side. But his reading was mostly disturbed by both kids around him.


    He discerned that both Azalea and Ye Jun were like little kids spoiled by their respective elders. When he apprehended that reading was not an option, Wu Wang went back to the car to bring his sketch board.


    Closer to where Azalea and Ye Jun was, Wu Wang sat down leaning against the tree. He darted his eyes around to look for a scene to sketch when his gaze fell on a lonely figure d in a white dress sitting on a rock near the river.


    From where Wu Wang was, he couldn¡¯t see her face because her hair had covered most of her face but he could see the eyes of that girl. There was an intense yearning in those eyes as she looked at the kids ying around her happily.


    From her eyes, she looked familiar to Wu Wang but he didn¡¯t ponder on that idea for long. He focused on capturing her longing on his nk paper.


    After about an hour, Azalea came around Wu Wang¡¯s side after winning from Ye Jun plenty of times. "Wow! Wang-Ge is really amazing," she remarked while looking at the sketch. She darted her eyes to see what exactly was he capturing and that¡¯s when she saw the girl herself.


    At the same time, Ye Jun said, "Ah! What is Qi-Qi doing here?" Azalea frowned and looked at Ye Jun who was looking in the same direction as her.


    "Jun-Ge, that¡¯s your cousin? Zhou Qi?" Azalea inquired casting a sideways nce to Wu Wang whose hand halted at the mentioning of that name.


    "Yup! That¡¯s her for sure!" Ye Jun was resolute.


    "What is she doing here?" Azalea questioned again cautiously.


    "I¡¯m not sure..." Ye Jun tapped his chin in a thoughtful manner and said, "But I think that she¡¯s here on a pic with those kids again."


    Azalea saw the way Wu Wang¡¯s body stiffened at the side when Ye Jun mentioned ¡¯kids¡¯. She dry coughed. "Those are her kids?"


    Ye Jun gave her an odd look saying, "Have you gone crazy? Of course not! Those are kids from the welfare center. She likes to take those kids out to y."


    Wu Wang¡¯s body rxed a bit at the exnation while Azalea frowned. "She likes kids?"


    "Yeah... She likes kids a lot actually." Ye Jun retorted.


    "Does she have a boyfriend or husband or a fiance?" Azalea probed trying to get as much information as possible.


    Ye Jun scowled. "Boyfriend? Husband? Fiance?" He snorted. "I wish she had one of those but she doesn¡¯t."


    "She¡¯s single?" Wu Wang¡¯s ears perked up exactly like Azalea¡¯s curiosity.


    "From the past 8 years, she¡¯s single. I remember thest time she had a boyfriend..." He took a pause. "She was really happy during that year and she especially told me that she was deeply in love with him. But..." He sighed.


    "But? What happened?"


    Ye Jun shrugged his shoulders. "I don¡¯t know what happened. When I asked her about it, she said, ¡¯He is an amazing person, Jun-Ge. And he deserves a better person than me in his life.¡¯ I never understood her meaning but I do know that after that year, I haven¡¯t seen her the way she was."


    Azalea pursed her lips thinking deeply about this strange matter. ¡¯She loved Wang-Ge and yet broke his heart in the worst way? That doesn¡¯t make sense at all.¡¯ While thinking, her gaze fell on Zhou Qi whose face disyed a sad smile when she lifted her hair from the face. ¡¯Unless something happened back then which broke her first.¡¯


    "Should we go to say hi?" Azalea suggested to Ye Jun who naturally agreed. Both of them went up to Zhou Qi leaving Wu Wang alone with hisplicated feelings.


    Azalea and Ye Jun brought Zhou Qi along with them and when Zhou Qi looked at Wu Wang, for a moment, she was shocked. An immense feeling of pleasure gushed into her heart and all of sudden changed into a bitter one. She didn¡¯t dare to look straight at Wu Wang in fear that she might not be able to hold her tears back.


    At the moment, she wanted to escape but in the next moment, she wanted to stay. A constant battle of running away and staying brewed inside her.


    While in the meantime, Wu Wang stared straight at her lowered face. For some odd reason, he wanted her to look up. He wanted to look into her eyes. He wanted to see whether her eyes held the same contempt in them as she did when she left him alone or there was slight regret in them now.


    More so, he wanted to see whether her eyes could mask the same pain that he was holding in his heart even until this day. He spent years trying to hate her and he believed that he did hate her but looking at her now, Wu Wang wasn¡¯t even sure about this hate anymore.


    Perhaps, it was never the hate that grew in his heart. It was his love that grew with each passing second but he kept lying to himself that it was hate for her.


    "Zhou Qi, that¡¯s my big brother Wu Wang," Azalea introduced like she had no clue about their previous entanglement with each other. Then she turned to Wu Wang and continued, "And Wang-Ge, this is Jun-Ge¡¯s cousin sister Zhou Qi."


    Wu Wang didn¡¯t say a word and neither did Zhou Qi. But the awkward silence was broken by Ye Jun, "Qi-Qi, didn¡¯t you take those kids to the amusement parkst week?"


    Zhou Qi pursed her lips and nodded. "You must like spending time with kids a lot," Azaleamented with her gaze on Wu Wang who pretended to be busy with his sketching but his entire attention was towards Zhou Qi¡¯s reactions.


    Azalea made sure that neither Zhou Qi could run away nor Wu Wang.


    Sneaking a peek at Wu Wang¡¯s side profile, a memory floated in Zhou Qi¡¯s mind: "How much do you love me?" She had asked back then.


    He chuckled and replied, "Just go the ocean and look at the waves."


    "Why?" She frowned.


    "Because with every passing wave, you¡¯d hear the water talking to you and telling you how much I¡¯m in love with you."


    She had chosen this ce for the pic because she was missing him badly and also because she wanted the water to talk to her again and tell her that her Wu Wang was still in love with her.


    Ocean tides might have brought the message of his love to her once but now she was left with love bites that hurt her badly.

 Chapter 181 - Words Oftentimes Kill A Person

    People oftentimes say that they can¡¯t live without the person they love. We frequently hear them even say they¡¯d die without them.


    But...


    No-one dies...


    The insignificant absence of a person can¡¯t kill you...


    The mere so-called farewell can¡¯t kill you...


    But...


    Love is a foreign feeling...


    A person¡¯s embarkation might not kill us but a few words have the endowment to kill us. If notpletely then figuratively.


    In Wu Wang¡¯s case, Zhou Qi¡¯s departure from his life didn¡¯t kill him literally and the reason was that he had a lot of people who needed him. But that doesn¡¯t mean he didn¡¯t die figuratively.


    Something inside him also died that day. Or maybe she took that part of him with herself.


    When Azalea noticed that both Wu Wang and Zhou Qi were avoiding each other, she thought of a n. "Jun-Ge, I want ice-cream. Come and buy me some." She tugged at Ye Jun¡¯s sleeve and pulled him with herself even before he could argue.


    Wu Wang and Zhou Qi sat alone in silence. Even though there was a good distance between them, Zhou Qi felt suffocated with the gaze that Wu Wang cast towards her. She got up immediately saying, "I should go back."


    "I don¡¯t bite. You can just stay until your cousines back." Hearing Wu Wang¡¯s voice, she was stunned. After contemting, she sat down.


    Fidgeting with the hem of her dress, Zhou Qi kept biting her lower lip in nervousness. "How are you?" She asked after mustering up the courage.


    "Better than when you left me," his sharp words and the harsh tone was really unfamiliar to Zhou Qi and she felt hurt but she knew that she couldn¡¯t expect anything else from him after what happened. She drooped her head low. ¡¯What? Don¡¯t have anything else to say?¡¯ Wu Wang thought, looking at her.


    "Please tell Jun bro that I had to leave," she quickly said and denoted to leave.


    "Yes, you should." She froze in her steps. "After all, you¡¯re very good at leaving." Zhou Qi¡¯s heart stopped beating for a second at his words.


    With her face looking away from Wu Wang, she said, "Some people are meant to drift apart." ¡¯Because staying might hurt the one they love the most.¡¯ She left thest words unsaid and walked away with tears in her eyes.


    Wu Wang looked at her back and said softly, "People drift apart when they are left with no basis to stay. I gave you a million reasons to stay and you gave me a single reason to walk away from me. You said I was your home. Then I want to know when your feet left this home did you left your heart behind or not? ¡¯cause you definitely took mine with yourself." He wiped a sneaky tear that rolled down his eye.


    "Wang-Ge, where is Zhou Qi?" Azalea question when she saw Wu Wang sitting alone.


    "She left." He gave a curt reply making Azalea facepalm herself inwardly.


    ¡¯Why the hell are they so stubborn?¡¯ She thought and red at Wu Wang for being useless.


    When the sun started drifting into the west, Ye Jie and Xu Mey decided to leave and that¡¯s exactly when Xu Mey remembered something which made her eyes widen. "Ah-Jie, where is Azalea?"


    Ye Jie gave her a weird look and thought, ¡¯Isn¡¯t it too early for you to remember her?¡¯ Obviously, it was sarcasm but he didn¡¯t n on saying it out loud. Instead, he asked, "What do you mean, baby?"


    She held his wrist and said, "I took her to the clubst night and I haven¡¯t seen her after that. How can I be so irresponsible?!"


    "Oh my gosh! You forgot my sister at the club?" Ye Jie pretended to be shocked while trying hard to stifle hisugh.


    "I didn¡¯t do it on purpose. I drank and then I really forgot about her." Seeing Xu Mey¡¯s aggrieved look, Ye Jie couldn¡¯t mess with her any further.


    "Baby, calm down! Zelie is with Ye Jun and Wu Wang."


    "Really?"


    "Yes... Really." Ye Jie assured her making her heave a sigh of relief.


    After they packed up everything and got to the car, Xu Mey took Ye Jie¡¯s hand in hers again. On the road, she questioned Ye Jie, "Ah-Jie, let¡¯s suppose that one day youpletely forgot about me. What will you do then?"


    Ye Jie arched his brows at her and retorted, "First of all, why would I forget you? I don¡¯t n on doing that at all. So, thinking about what I¡¯ll do ispletely useless."


    "Ah-Jie, I asked you to just suppose that," she argued.


    "Baby, I don¡¯t want to even suppose that ridiculous scenario. I can never forget you at all." He argued pack.


    Xu Mey frowned and added, "But you forgot your ex. So, it¡¯s very possible to forget me as well."


    Ye Jie immediately stopped the car at the side and looked straight at Xu Mey asking, "Are you going to leave me as she did?" Xu Mey was speechless as she thought about it. "Well, are you?" He urged her.


    "No..." She shook her head with force. "Of course, I don¡¯t n on doing that. Why would I?"


    Ye Jie rxed visibly and caressed her cheek saying, "If you¡¯re not going to leave your Ah-Jie then your Ah-Jie can¡¯t possibly even imagine forgetting his baby."


    Xu Mey ced her hand over Ye Jie¡¯s on her cheek and said, "You really don¡¯t leave me with a way out. How am I going to argue with that?"


    Ye Jie chuckled. "Do you have to argue?"


    "Yes, I do!" She nodded her head like a rattle.


    "Fine... Go on, argue all you want." He offered making her brighten up immediately.


    "Okay, so about your family-" Ye Jie interrupted her.


    "Baby, I told you not now." He was still on the same track of ¡¯not now!¡¯


    Xu Mey rolled her eyes at him and palmed his face in her small hands saying, "I don¡¯t think there is anywhere left to run anymore. You need this, Ah-Jie."


    He groaned and said, "Baby, even though youing into my life gathered up all the pieces of my broken heart but there are still gaps and I¡¯m scared that walking into those new rtionships will actually make those gaps bigger."


    "Aiyo, my stupid husband!" Xu Mey flicked the space between his brows and said, "Haven¡¯t you seen that sometimes ice needs to melt in order to make a withered rose florish again?" Ye Jie frowned at her. "Just like that ice that melts. You have me. Your baby is also broken which means our broken pieces can fit together and no gaps will be left... Ever!"


    This was one of those moments when Ye Jie was left speechless by her sincerity and words. Since he didn¡¯t have words to exin his feelings, he pulled her in his arms and buried his face in her neck.

 Chapter 182 - Useless Husband

    Ye Jun dropped Azalea at Ye Jie¡¯s ce in the evening and went back home himself.


    "Hi, bro!" Azalea addressed Ye Jie with a wide grin on her face.


    "Hello, Zelie! How was your day?" Ye Jie inquired taking a seat at the couch with Azalea.


    "I had plenty of fun." Azalea beamed.


    "That¡¯s good," Ye Jie said and ruffled her hair a bit, affectionately.


    Ye Jie noticed that all of sudden, Azalea¡¯s smile turned sad. "Is everything okay?" He questioned with a bit of worry.


    "Bro, do you think that I¡¯m an annoying person who interferes in everyone¡¯s business even when it¡¯s not my ce to poke my nose in?" Ye Jie was taken aback by her question as his brows creased.


    "Who said that?"


    "Nobody said it but I feel like it myself. I can¡¯t help wanting to make everything okay even when I know that I can¡¯t make everything okay." Azalea exined to Ye Jie.


    "Okay... Then first tell me why do you want to make solve everything?" Ye Jie asked patiently.


    Azalea bit her lips and started, "Do you remember how I wanted to talk to you before my ident?" Ye Jie felt guilty when she mentioned that as she went on, "At that time, I wanted to talk to you but just because of my stubbornness to talk elsewhere, we missed that chance." She took a pause and added, "Now, when I see someone who can solve their problems with just talking to each other, I can¡¯t help myself. Bro, am I really getting too sensitive for no reason?"


    She only told half of her reason and left the other buried in her heart, ¡¯How can I tell you, bro, that because I stayed quiet back then even I lost him? I don¡¯t want Wang-Ge to be alone especially when I know that Zhou Qi must have a reason of her own for breaking his heart.¡¯


    Ye Jie smiled at his little sister who was talking so big. "Zelie, do you remember the person who took care of you in the hospital?" Azalea instantly nodded. How could she forget that person? "That person has a habit like yours. She likes to interfere too much in people¡¯s life."


    "Bro, she?" Ye Jie bit his tongue. It was slip of tongue that he actually mentioned Ru as a female before anyone else knowing well enough that Ru would kill him if he told anyone about her real gender.


    He cleared his throat and said, "I mean he. It was a slip of tongue for a moment." Azalea didn¡¯t think much about it. "So, I was saying that he likes to interfere a lot and when I asked him why? He gave me a simple reply, ¡¯If my intervention can save their lives then why not?¡¯ Iughed at him and asked, ¡¯What about people who get annoyed by you poking your nose where it doesn¡¯t belong?¡¯ That¡¯s when he replied, ¡¯Who cares? I don¡¯t! There will eventually be a day when they¡¯ll thank me for poking my nose where it didn¡¯t belong.¡¯"


    He looked at Azalea and asked, "Did you get what I mean?" Azalea looked at his eyes that were the pure reflection of her father. "If your heart says that you need to interfere, don¡¯t think twice and just do it. Because the heart can never be wrong. Also, make sure that your intervention is not hurting someone."


    Azalea¡¯s tears fell down her cheeks making Ye Jie anxious. "Zelie, what¡¯s wrong?"


    She sobbed a bit and said, "I suddenly want to hug dad."


    "I can take you there if you want," Ye Jie offered, looking at her acting like a kid.


    She shook her head and said, "I can¡¯t go like this. Dad will instantly know that something¡¯s wrong with me." Ye Jie shook his head and hugged her closer to his chest. Oddly, it calmed her down and it took a few minutes before her sobs turned into steady breathing. Ye Jie was surprised and when he looked at her, she was really sleeping peacefully.


    Xu Mey walked inside the living room and saw Azalea fast asleep in Ye Jie¡¯s arms. "She must be really tired?"


    Ye Jie tilted his face towards Xu Mey saying, "Her body is still weak and she needs a lot of rest but who can make her stay on the bed? She doesn¡¯t listen at all."


    Xu Mey smiled at the way Ye Jie¡¯s reprimanding words were said in a doting tone. "Take her to the bedroom," Xu Mey suggested and Ye Jie held her body and took Azalea to her bedroom.


    Early in the next morning, Xu Mey came to the kitchen to prepare breakfast and Ye Jie followed behind her. "What are you doing here, Ah-Jie?"


    "I¡¯m here to help my baby," he replied matter-of-factly.


    "Do you know how to cook?" Xu Mey gave him a questioning look.


    "I learned a bit of cooking during my summer camps." Ye Jie sheepishly scratched the back of his head.


    "And how many years, it has been?"


    "More than a decade." He replied with a cheesy grin.


    "Thought so. Now, go back and let me work," Xu Mey pushed Ye Jie¡¯s shoulders a bit but he held her wrists in his hands.


    "Baby, so what if my skills are a bit rusty. I still made that delicious spicy ramen for you on our wedding night." Xu Mey instantly blushed at the reminder of that night along with his words that made her choke back then. If she thought about it now, how easily he had asked, ¡¯Did it hit the G-spot?¡¯


    Ye Jie obviously had no clue about the things running in her mind at the moment as he continued, "Also, I made such an awesome breakfast for you which was eaten by Ye Jun in the end but still, I¡¯m the one who made it." He was still holding that grudge against Ye Jun.


    "Do you want me to remind you about how you managed to make those ramens and that breakfast?" Ye Jie coughed at her reminder. Naturally, he had to take help from the maid but that didn¡¯t mean that he wasn¡¯t the one who made everything.


    "Fine..." He grumbled in defeat. "But how about you teach me now. I¡¯ll help you as much as I can."


    "But I can do it myself, Ah-Jie," she pointed out.


    "But I don¡¯t want you to do it yourself. I know you can do everything on your own but don¡¯t make me feel like a useless husband." When he put his request this way, Xu Mey was left with nothing to say anymore.

 Chapter 183 - You Know Her?

    After eating the breakfast with Azalea and Ye Jie, Xu Mey left the cleaning to the maid. Ye Jie went to his study for work while Xu Mey got busy with misceneous tasks.


    When the doorbell rang, Azalea was the one who opened the door and collected the delivery. "Sis, there is a parcel!" She shouted while looking at the big parcel in hand.


    Xu Mey came to see the big parcel in Azalea¡¯s hand and frowned. Xu Mey stretched out her hand and Azalea immediately passed the parcel to her. Xu Mey turned it over but found no specific detail. She peeled the wrapping paper off and was stunned by the content before her.


    "Wow! It¡¯s your wedding album!" Azalea said behind her and broke her trance.


    It was indeed a customized wedding album of 12x8 horizontal and 8x12 verticalyout. The cover photo featured a simple photo of Xu Mey and Ye Jie¡¯s left hand¡¯s side by side, showing off their wedding rings and the only text on the cover was: ¡¯Mr. Rain & Mrs. Cherry¡¯.


    "Sis, turn it over." Listening to Azalea, Xu Mey turned the album over and on the back side was a ck and white photo of both Xu Mey and Ye Jie while holding hands.


    Azalea was so excited that she pulled Ye Jie out of his study as well and made him sit beside Xu Mey while she sat on Xu Mey¡¯s other side.


    Xu Mey turned every page with so many emotions that she couldn¡¯t describe. Oddly, Ye Jie made sure that there were no pictures of Xu Liqing or Fu Lan in the album just because he didn¡¯t want her to be upset.


    Each photo was taken with unique styles and it portrayed the wedding beautifully. Xu Mey looked at Ye Jie and asked, "When did you-?" She couldn¡¯t continue as her throat felt choked up.


    "It¡¯s quitete in my opinion but you see, I couldn¡¯t decide the style. I had to look through hundreds of designs and finally, I decided this one. As for when? I was nning this before the wedding of course." He smiled making her smile in return.


    Xu Mey hugged his neck saying, "Thank you, Ah-Jie!"


    "I¡¯m d that you like it." He replied while Azalea coughed a bit at the side making them pull away.


    "It¡¯s not like I don¡¯t want you guys to hug but I need someone to introduce me to everyone in these photos," Azalea said a bit guiltily.


    "I need to do some work, so, baby talk to her," Ye Jie kissed the top of Xu Mey¡¯s head and left them. Xu Mey excitedly pointed at each photo and telling Azalea about it.


    In the end, Azalea sighed heavily. "I really wish that I was there." Xu Mey saw her sad look and hugged her shoulders saying,


    "So what if you didn¡¯t see our wedding? You¡¯ll get to see our whole life journey that too at the front row." Azalea was convinced with Xu Mey¡¯s words.


    "Sis, you¡¯re really amazing," Azalea remarked happily.


    Xu Mey was talking to Azalea when her cell phone rang and caught her attention. She looked at the caller id and answered the call, "Hello, Auntie!"


    "Hey, Xiao Mey! Are you busy?" He Jian¡¯s mother, Zhu Qinyang asked from the other side.


    Xu Mey gazed at Azalea and replied, "Not really... Just checking through my wedding album."


    "Really?" Zhu Qinyang was pleasantly surprised. "Xiao Mey, how about youe over and bring that album as well. Since I couldn¡¯te to your wedding, I really want to see those photos."


    "Huh? Oh... Okay! Give me a sec, I¡¯ll ask Ah-Jie about it." Xu Mey said.


    "Okay. Come soon!" Zhu Qinyang hung up the call.


    Azalea gave Xu Mey a questioning look and Xu Mey exined, "Your Aunt wants to see the photos."


    "Auntie Qin-Qin?" Azalea inquired and Xu Mey nodded in reply. "Wow! I thought Auntie only knew how to scowl."


    "You don¡¯t like her?"


    "No, no... I love her but I¡¯m just a bit scared of her." Azalea confessed.


    Xu Mey looked around and leaned a bit towards Azalea to whisper, "Don¡¯t tell anyone but even I¡¯m scared of her a bit." Both of them burst outughing.


    "Ah-Jie!" Xu Mey came to Ye Jie¡¯s study and asked, "Can you give me one of your cars?"


    "They are yours. Why do you want my permission?" Ye Jie replied looking at his documents. "Are you going somewhere?"


    "Yeah... Auntie Qin-Qin asked me to bring my wedding album for her." Ye Jie nodded and threw his car keys towards her which she caught easily.


    "Drive safely and be back soon." Ye Jie called out behind her.


    Xu Mey happily skipped out of the house and drove Ye Jie¡¯s Porsche to the militarypound.


    Zhu Qinyang was already waiting for her in the garden eagerly and looking at Xu Mey, she smiled dotingly. "Xiao Mey!" She hugged Xu Mey tightly as she came closer.


    Xu Mey looked behind Zhu Qinyang at He Susu and smiled politely saying, "Hi, Aunt Su!"


    "Hello to you too, Xiao Mey!" He Susu greeted Xu Mey with the same enthusiasm as Zhu Qinyang.


    When both women brought Xu Mey inside, she was served with different delicacies. Xu Mey didn¡¯t mind at all and ate with pleasure as she opened the album for them to see.


    The firstment that she received was from He Susu, "Xiao Mey, you looked gorgeous at your wedding."


    "Our Xiao Mey is already gorgeous. And it was given that she¡¯d be ethereal in her wedding dress." Zhu Qinyang chimed in as if praising her own daughter.


    Xu Mey could only listen like an idiot, stuck between them. She really couldn¡¯t digest all the praises that too said with so much love.


    "Look here, both of them are so perfect with each other." Zhu Qinyang was talking to He Susu who was also nodding in return.


    "Sis, look here," this time He Susu shifted Zhu Qinyang¡¯s attention towards a certain photo. Both women were immersed in praising the photos while Xu Mey was busy with dim-sum before her.


    "Sis isn¡¯t that-" He Susu looked at Zhu Qinyang with a frown as she pointed at a photo.


    Xu Mey looked at both of them who were looking oddly at the photo. "I think it is her," Zhu Qinyang agreed with her.


    Xu Mey just ced a wanton in her mouth when both He Susu and Zhu Qinyang looked at her. Xu Mey chewed in a hurry and asked, "What¡¯s wrong, Auntie?"


    "Xiao Mey, who¡¯s this?" Zhu Qinyang shifted the album before Xu Mey to get a better look.


    "Oh, that¡¯s my mother-inw," when she said it, there was a bitterness in Xu Mey¡¯s voice.


    "Ha? Zhou Ning is your mother-inw?" Xu Mey instantly dropped the chopsticks on the table and looked at He Susu.


    "You know her?" Xu Mey asked.

 Chapter 184 - Falling For Tricks

    "Of course, I know her," He Susu replied.


    "How?" Xu Mey slid closer to her curiously.


    "Well... We used to be best friends back in school days." He Susu smiled at Xu Mey who was gaping.


    "Best friends? Are you sure?" Obviously, Xu Mey wasn¡¯t convinced.


    He Susu passed an odd look to Xu Mey saying, "How can I be wrong about that? We were really best friends."


    "So, what happened then?" Xu Mey probed a bit.


    "What do you mean?" He Susu frowned.


    "I mean, Aunt Su you just said that you guys were best friends. Are you not anymore? Or something happened? Like a conflict or something?"


    He Susu pondered for a while and answered, "We didn¡¯t have any conflict. After high school, she just vanished and I didn¡¯t see her after that." After a pause, she changed the topic saying, "Oh, I have something in the kitchen. I made it for you to take home. Give it your husband okay?" Xu Mey nodded in a daze.


    ¡¯If there was no conflict then why did she vanish? And why is Jie with her?¡¯ Xu Mey thought that she¡¯d go crazy thinking about all this, so she stopped thinking.


    Zhu Qinyang had noticed her frustration. "Xiao Mey!" Xu Mey looked at Zhu Qinyang. "I don¡¯t know why you¡¯re so curious but if you want to know about the conflict, go to my brother. Chen never told Su about what Zhou Ning did."


    Xu Mey straightened up. "What did she do?"


    Zhu Qinyang shook her head while shrugging. "I really have no clue. I just know that Chen asked me to make sure that Zhou Ning doesn¡¯te anywhere near Su. When I asked the reason, he said that she¡¯s not worthy of being a friend of Su."


    That left Xu Mey in an even bigger dilemma. ¡¯What the hell happened?¡¯ She had the urge to scream.


    "Auntie Qin-Qin, where is Uncle Chen?" Xu Mey asked about the whereabouts of Zhu Chen.


    "Chen is in Imperial City for some work. He¡¯ll be back in a few days."


    ¡¯Gosh! I have to wait more! That¡¯s not fair anymore!¡¯ But she could only swallow up her frustration and say, "I¡¯ll wait for him then."


    Xu Mey stayed tillte afternoon with them and when she decided to leave. He Susu brought the packed meal for Xu Mey to take with her. Xu Mey dly took the food and left the militarypound.


    On her way back to home, Xu Mey received a call from an unknown number. She picked up and before she could speak, she heard a familiar voice, "Hello, dear elder sister!"


    Xu Mey¡¯s good mood was thrown out the window. "What do you want?" She asked in an annoyed tone.


    "What, don¡¯t n on pretending to be the pitiful little girl anymore?" Xu Liqing asked with sarcasm.


    "Not nning on it anymore. You get to the business."


    "My business is that I want to meet you." Xu Mey heard Xu Liqing¡¯s voice.


    Xu Mey snorted. "And do you think that you¡¯ll ask and I¡¯lle?"


    "What are you scared of me now?" Xu Liqingughed heartily and added, "Don¡¯t worry, choose the ce yourself since you don¡¯t trust me."


    It was true that Xu Mey didn¡¯t believe Xu Liqing at all but she also wasn¡¯t scared of her as well. She just didn¡¯t want to meet her. "I¡¯m not interested." Xu Mey replied without thinking.


    "Either you meet me or I¡¯lle to your husband¡¯s ce to cause a ruckus. Would you like that?"


    Xu Mey really didn¡¯t want to involve Ye Jie with anything that concerned Xu Liqing. Therefore she decided, "Bamboo Tree Teahouse... You have 20 minutes to be there." With that, Xu Mey disconnected the call.


    She reversed the car and drove towards the Teahouse. The reason she chose the tea house was that she was familiar with that ce. When she arrived at the teahouse. Xu Liqing was not there. Xu Mey chose to sit in one of the private rooms and waited for Xu Liqing.


    After waiting for 5 minutes, she called Xu Liqing¡¯s number and it instantly connected. "Where are you? I don¡¯t have the entire night free for you."


    Xu Mey heard Xu Liqing¡¯s malicious voice, "Elder sister, no matter how much you grow up you¡¯ll still fall for my tricks. After tonight, you won¡¯t need free time for anything."


    "What do you mean?" Xu Mey frowned and got up from the cushion in an alert mode.


    Her question was just asked when Xu Mey felt the presence of other people in the tea room. The three masked men had a murdering look in their eyes as they jumped inside the room through the small window. Xu Mey waspletely caught unprepared. "I¡¯ll kill you, Liqing!" She snarled and Xu Liqingughed out even louder.


    "Try to live yourself first. I hired them specifically from the Tokyo mercenary. They¡¯re hired to kill you and make you vanish without a trace." With those words, Liqing disconnected the call.


    "F*ck!" Xu Mey cursed and stared back at the men. One of the men held a gun in his hand while the other had a sword.


    In her hurry, Xu Mey wasn¡¯t carrying her shurikens with her. "I can offer you double the money of what she had." She tried to negotiate.


    "A mission is a mission. Money is not our concern." The one with the gun spoke arrogantly.


    Xu Mey smiled evilly at his words. It¡¯s not like she didn¡¯t hear the rules. For assassins, the mission was always important because their reputation was at stake.


    "Okay..." Xu Mey said backing off a bit. She raised her hands in defense and said, "Let¡¯s end it faster." In a blink of an eye, Xu Mey kicked the tea table making the scalding tea water, fall on one of the masked men.


    She only heard a low ¡¯hiss¡¯ and that was what she¡¯d expected as well. They were given much worse treatment during their training, a bit of scalding water of no concern to them. But Xu Mey used their moment of hiss to pull out the daggers from the waist of one of them in front of her.


    The man with the gun pulled a trigger and with a low bang, the bullet shot out towards Xu Mey. Without thinking, Xu Mey leaned backward and fell on the ground with her hands supporting her body, she perfectly did a back handspring and avoided the bullet. Before her feet touched the ground again, she threw the dagger towards two of the men but one of the men with the sword dodged her attack but the other wasn¡¯t lucky enough as the dagger sliced right his stomach.


    Seeing one of his men, groaning in pain, the one with the gun aimed directly at her head. Xu Mey was stuck between the wall and the muzzle of his gun with nowhere to run. It was closed room and was too small for fighting.


    ¡¯I¡¯m really the dumbest person who came here without backup.¡¯ She thought in her heart and closed her eyes.


    Only the sound of pulling the trigger and a ¡¯bang¡¯ was heard after that in the room.

 Chapter 185 - Unexpected Saviors

    Xu Mey heard the sound of the bullet being shot but the pain never came. What came was a cry that was heard somewhere close to her.


    Xu Mey slowly opened her eyes and the scene before her, made her freeze for a moment. All she saw was blood around her and then her eyes fell on the figureying in her feet, groaning with pain.


    Her eyes widened up and she knelt down crying out, "Dad!"


    The moment she had closed her eyes earlier, two figures entered the room exactly at the same time. One came like a shadow through the window and the other pushed open the door and ran in front of Xu Mey.


    The figure that ran before Xu Mey managed to save her from the bullet but by making his own body a shield for her. And he was Xu Mey¡¯s own father, Xu Cheng. The bullet hit his shoulder. Due to the pain and force, he fell to the ground. The blood was gushing out from his wound, making a puddle under him.


    Looking at her father bleeding at her feet, Xu Mey¡¯s mind wentpletely nk for a while. When she knelt down to hold his body, her own limbs were quivering with fear. "Dad!" She called out again, touching his nched face with her trembling fingers.


    "Mey!" She could hear her father¡¯s low hoarse voice.


    "Don¡¯t talk, dad! You¡¯re losing blood." She closed her eyes briefly to get back herposure. After that, she ced both her hands on Xu Cheng¡¯s wound to control the bleeding but her hand was of no use. She darted her eyes around in the blood covered room and that¡¯s when her gaze fell on the lone figure standing at the side.


    The figure that flew inside earlier like a shadow had a hood on, in ck color that covered most of his face. When he jumped in the room, the lights reflected on the thin but sharp needles that flew out of his hands and pierced at the acupuncture points of the masked men inside the room.


    Because of the needles blocking their movements, none of them could even lift their head to see who shed their throat with a dagger. It was a clean cut which didn¡¯t even give them a chance to even cry out in pain. Their lifeless bodies dropped one after the other as the dark figure looked at the dagger in his hand and frowned seeing the blood covering its silvery body. The dark figure squatted down and cleaned the dagger with the dead men¡¯s clothes revealing the beautiful dagger in his hand.


    When the figure saw Xu Mey staring at him, he pulled off the hood to show his green eyes staring back at Xu Mey.


    Looking at that face that was familiar to her and those eyes that lookedpletely unfamiliar, Xu Mey couldn¡¯t think of anything. "Sensei?" She called out extremely cautiously.


    The green-eyed person threw a pill bottle to Xu Mey saying, "Feed two pills to your dad, it¡¯ll stop the bleeding until I take care of the people outside." Ru turned to jump out of the window, halted, and turned to look at Xu Mey, "Until I say so, don¡¯t you dare walk out of this room."


    Even though Xu Mey was worried for her father, she couldn¡¯t disobey the person before her either. The only thing she could do was have faith and she did. She fed two pills to her father and tore a piece of her own shirt to bind around the wound. The blood didn¡¯t stop but it wasn¡¯t gushing out as it did a while ago.


    She hugged her father closer to her chest and covered his ear. She could clearly hear the cries for help outside the window along with gunshots but she wasn¡¯t scared at all. Her only concern at the moment was her father.


    She couldn¡¯t think of a reason why her father was there in the first ce? Also, did he know that something was going to happen to her? And if yes, then how did he know? Apart from all that, why did he took that bullet for her?


    There were so many questions in her heart but there was no one to answer her. Because the only person who had all the answers wasying in her arms with irregr breaths. With each passing second, Xu Cheng¡¯s breathing was getting shallow and Xu Mey¡¯s heart was drumming against her chest abnormally.


    No matter how much she said that she hates her dad, they were still blood-rted. And no matter what, for a daughter, her father always stays the most important man even if he never did anything for her.


    She didn¡¯t realize that tears were staining her face and she didn¡¯t care for anything else at the moment anyway.


    When Ru walked back inside, she saw how Xu Mey was hugging her father while crying with her shoulders trembling. She squatted near Xu Cheng¡¯s body, held his wrist and took his pulse.


    After that, she got up silently and said, "He¡¯s still okay. Let¡¯s take him to the hospital. The bullet didn¡¯t injure any vital points."


    Xu Mey silently listened to Ru and tried to support her father¡¯s body but with her own panicking state, she couldn¡¯t manage to help him up. "Useless," Ru grumbled and held Xu Cheng¡¯s body with his arm slung over her shoulder, she brought him out.


    Xu Mey opened the door of her car and Ru ced his fainted body inside. Xu Mey was about to sit in the driver seat when Ru held her wrist saying, "I still n on living. Let me drive."


    The words were harsh but true.


    Xu Mey couldn¡¯t argue since her mental state didn¡¯t allow her to drive the car sensibly. She sat in the back seat holding her father¡¯s head.


    Ru drove the car silently but Xu Mey couldn¡¯t help asking, "Sensei, how are you here?"


    Ru snickered. "You should be d that I was here. Otherwise, you¡¯d have gotten yourself killed because of your dumb mind."


    As always, Ru didn¡¯t hold back with her honest words. And Xu Mey was aware of her own mistake. She lowered her head in guilt. "What? After everything that you went through? You still came alone?" Ru asked with disbelief.


    "I thought no matter what, she won¡¯t try to kill me." Xu Mey muttered wiping the beads of sweat of her father¡¯s face. She could expect everything from Xu Liqing but she still had a hope that Xu Liqing was her sister and she won¡¯t try to kill her. Today, Xu Liqing broke thest thread of the rtionship that they held.

 Chapter 186 - Confrontation (Part 1)

    After driving Xu Mey and Xu Cheng to the hospital, Ru didn¡¯t leave. She helped Xu Mey with the hospital procedure and came to stand beside the operation theatre.


    While Xu Mey was anxiously pacing in the corridor outside the operation theatre, Ru¡¯s green eyes kept following her movements.


    When Xu Mey suddenly thought about Ye Jie, she rummaged out her phone and texted him. She didn¡¯t give him the details, just told him that her father was injured and asked him toe to the hospital. The message read:


    ¡¯Ah-Jie,e to the hospital fast. My dad is injured.¡¯


    She slid her phone back inside her pocket. Suddenly, a clean set of clothes was pushed towards her. She looked at the shirt and lifted her eyes to meet her Sensei¡¯s gaze.


    Xu Mey bit her lips and looked down to see the blood covered and torn shirt. She pursed her lips and took the clothes from Ru before going to change out of her soiled clothes.


    Even after changing her clothes, Xu Mey¡¯s face looked haggard as if tired or lost from the world. She took a seat at the bench and her foot kept tapping on the floor impatiently while she fidgeted with the hem of her sleeve.


    After a long moment of silence, Ru got irritated by Xu Mey¡¯s constant fidgeting. "Can you stop?" Ru¡¯s voice was unlike what Xu Mey was familiar with. It felt like Ru was annoyed, so Xu Mey stopped tapping her foot and sat still.


    "Sensei," Xu Mey spoke in a low voice. "How did you know that I was in danger?"


    Ru pulled her hood back over her head saying, "About 2 hours ago, my men told me that a bounty for your life was issued in Tokyo Mercenary Group known as Devil¡¯s Den." She turned her eyes to look at Xu Mey before continuing, "Knowing you, something told me that you¡¯ll fall for some tricks again."


    Xu Mey lowered her head saying, "I told you that I just never thought that she¡¯d try to kill me."


    "She can try to drug you but can¡¯t kill you?" Ru mocked with contempt. "I didn¡¯t know that you¡¯d be so soft-hearted even after everything that you went through," Ru shook her head in disappointment.


    "Sensei, I¡¯m not soft-hearted. Not anymore!" Xu Mey stood up facing Ru with blood floating in her eyes.


    "If you weren¡¯t soft-hearted, your sister or your step-mother would have long been gone from your life. It¡¯s your own ipetence that¡¯s not allowing you to finish your prey." Ru bent down and pulled out her dagger from boots. She took Xu Mey hand and ced the dagger in her hand saying, "If you¡¯re not weak, go and slit those peoples throat. I¡¯ll take care of the consequences."


    Xu Mey¡¯s eyes widened as she felt the cold metal in her hand. She hesitated for a moment and it was enough for Ru to know the conflict in her heart. She pulled her dagger back saying, "Today, you proved the fact that you learned nothing from your life except for running away."


    Xu Mey stared right into Ru¡¯s eyes as a strange feeling invaded her heart and mind. ¡¯Was she really weak? Or just stupid?¡¯


    "Baby!" Xu Mey heard the mostforting voice making her turn to look at Ye Jie standing just a few steps away from her.


    When Ye Jie learned that Xu Mey was at the hospital, he immediately left everything to drive straight to the hospital. But what greeted him was the sight of Ru pushing a dagger in Xu Mey¡¯s hand and questioning her. A fury raged in his heart at that sight.


    He came closer to Xu Mey and hugged her tightly saying, "Everything is alright. I¡¯m right here with you." Xu Mey couldn¡¯t stop her tears from falling in his warm embrace.


    Whileforting Xu Mey, Ye Jie looked at the other person in the corridor. Ru was unfazed by his burning gaze directed at her. She crossed her arms leaned against the wall leisurely.


    The door to the operation theatre opened and the doctor came out, Xu Mey held Ye Jie¡¯s hand tightly. "The patient is out of danger now. He lost a lot of blood so he¡¯d need a lot of care and nourishment to recover." The doctor politely exined and Xu Mey heaved a sigh of relief.


    "Can I see my dad?" She asked.


    "He¡¯s not awake yet but you can stay beside him if you want," the doctor agreed, seeing the haggard look of Xu Mey.


    "Baby, you stay with your father. I¡¯ll be right there with you in a while," Ye Jie told Xu Mey and left her in Xu Cheng¡¯s room.


    Then he came back in the corridor, stared at Ru and holding her wrist yanked her away with himself.


    Ru didn¡¯t argue or question anything. She had expected this reaction from him. He took her to the rooftop of the hospital and pushed her in front of him.


    Runguidly rubbed her wrist which was held by Ye Jie. Ye Jie, on the other hand, was raking his fingers through his hair in exasperation.


    "Why?" Ru heard Ye Jie¡¯s low voice. He suddenly raised his head and held Ru¡¯s shoulders asking, "Why is it you? A couple of weeks ago when my suspicion turned to you, I tried so hard to assure myself that you can¡¯t be Xu Mey¡¯s Sensei."


    "Why it can¡¯t be me?" Ru asked in her feminine voice. She smacked his hand away from her shoulders.


    "Because..." He hesitated.


    "Because?" She urged.


    "I don¡¯t want to talk about it. I just want to talk about what you did today," Ye Jie changed the topic.


    "I saved your wife¡¯s life. What else have I done?" Ru questioned with an expressionless face.


    "And what about the part where you pushed a dagger in her hand and asked her to kill her own sister?" Ye Jie was fuming but Ru was still unfazed by the intensity of his anger.


    "I guess you haven¡¯t heard, ¡¯You can¡¯t change the world without getting your hands dirty.(*)¡¯ She has to get rid of those people at all costs." Ru answered looking right into Ye Jie¡¯s brown eyes.


    Ye Jie gritted his teeth to control his anger and snarled, "There are other ways to deal with people. Or you just want to turn my wife into a barbarian like your own self?"


    Ru¡¯s expressionless face stiffened at his words. ¡¯A barbarian... Means a beast?¡¯


    "Did you just call me a beast? A monster?" She asked with disbelief in her eyes.


    (*): Dialogue from Anime ¡¯Code Geass¡¯

 Chapter 187 - Confrontation (Part 2)

    Ye Jie bit his own tongue at the realization of what he just said. He opened his mouth to say something but Ru raised her hand to stop him.


    "In the past 26 years of my life, I¡¯ve been called monster plenty of times. And I didn¡¯t mind it. Even your wife called me a monster when we met. But you!" Ru gave a despondent look to Ye Jie and added, "You¡¯re the only person in my life who never called me a monster... Until today."


    "Ru, that¡¯s not what I meant. Hear me out!" Ye Jie took a step towards her beseeching her. He didn¡¯t mean it like that. He was angry at the fact that she so easily asked Xu Mey to kill someone even when Xu Mey already is living through her guilt of killing someone when she was young.


    "Stay right where you are!" Ye Jie froze at his spot. "Today, you proved that when ites to friends and girls, people always choose the girl. And it¡¯s a pity that you just called me a monster for the girl you love."


    Ruughed out loud menacingly before abruptly changing her demeanor. "Yes, I am a beast. A monster. I¡¯m the worst nightmare for people. But," her green eyes looked straight at Ye Jie. "I¡¯m not the monster who¡¯s wearing a friendly face! I wear my scars with pride and what is so damn wrong with that?!"


    "And you!" She pointed her stern finger at Ye Jie. "Before calling me monster remember that this monster did everything that you asked for. This monster took care of all those people who opposed you." She took a pause before adding, "This monster even saved your wife back then because you asked for it."


    Ye Jie¡¯s eyes widened at herst statement. The only person he asked her to save was...


    His heart skipped a beat. He lifted his eyes and stared at Ru nkly. "Is Xu Mey..." His voice faltered. "Was the girl back then... My wife?"


    Ruughed mockingly. "What? You couldn¡¯t recognize her? What a pity!" She clicked her tongue. "If you think that I¡¯m ying the role of a god in your and your wife¡¯s life then you should remember that this right was given by yourself."


    Getting her confirmation, Ye Jie staggered backward. "You... You actually saved that girl back then? Why?" Ru looked at him but didn¡¯t reply as he continued, "Why did you save her? You said it clearly to me that you hate weak girls. And there is no way that you¡¯d get someone timid like her around yourself. Then why did you save her?"


    "Because you asked for it." Ye Jie had nothing to say in return. "You know very well that I wasn¡¯t allowed to make friends and yet I took the punishment but didn¡¯t let you go because you¡¯re the only friend in my life. How could I not save her when saving her was your wish? My only friend¡¯s wish."


    "You say that I¡¯ll turn your wife into a barbarian like myself. Do you think that she has darkness in herself because of me?" She snorted. "Then why did you ask me to make take care of her?"


    "But... You actually gave her the courage to take revenge which can only destroy her and nothing else." Ye Jie was feeling stuck between his best friend¡¯s words and his wife¡¯s love.


    "I did no such thing!" Ru bellowed. "I told her to live her life freely and leave the revenge to me. She wanted to get her revenge with her own hands."


    "And for you, that revenge should be Xu Mey slitting her own sister¡¯s throat?" He questioned.


    "Why I asked your wife to kill, I know her better than you. I knew she won¡¯t take that dagger from me. It¡¯s not in her. She can never be ruthless. She¡¯s just another angel wearing the mask of a devil to save herself from hurting any further."


    Ye Jie didn¡¯t say anything else. He was lost for words. Or perhaps there was so much to say that he couldn¡¯t decide what to actually voice out.


    While Ye Jie was lost in his thoughts, Ru spoke in a low voice, "Today, I finally know why my grandmaster warned me not to befriend you." Ye Jie lifted his head with a crease between his brows. "Today, I finally know what he meant when he said, ¡¯Your friend is from a world where honest people like yourself, young master Ru are called impudent. He¡¯s from a world where emotions are only yed with and friendship is only kept until you are of use to the other person.¡¯ I fought with him back then saying, ¡¯Jie is not like that grandmaster. He¡¯s a very sincere person. He won¡¯t hurt me.¡¯" She snickered in between before continuing, "Grandmaster gave me a disappointing look and said, ¡¯Young master Ru, that friend of yours will one day make you hate your own self and this grandmaster of yours doesn¡¯t want to see you questioning your own existence.¡¯"


    Ye Jie was astounded. She turned to leave and said, "Today, you actually made me hate myself for surviving and for being a monster. So, I can only say, I¡¯m sorry! I¡¯m sorry that you ever had to meet or face a monster like myself." While Ye Jie was frozen at his spot, Ru vanished like a ghost in the night¡¯s darkness.


    Ye Jie looked around and called her several times but Ru was nowhere to be found. He fell on his knees as her words echoed in his mind, ¡¯You actually made me hate myself! I¡¯m sorry!¡¯


    He rubbed his face with his hand in frustration and guilt. Knowing the life Ru led, he knew how much his one word ¡¯barbarian¡¯ must have hurt her.


    "How can your tongue even slip up, Ye Jie?" He questioned himself. "Especially when you know yourself that her own parents always addressed her as a monster."


    "You didn¡¯t just break your friendship on this day. You also broke your own best friend!" The conscience¡¯ qualm was brewing while he sat on his knees on the ground.

 Chapter 188 - Shes Insane

    It took a long time for Ye Jie topose himself. He didn¡¯t realize that it was already midnight by the time he came down from the rooftop.


    Before going to Xu Cheng¡¯s room to apany Xu Mey, he went to the washroom to dash water on his face. And when he entered Xu Cheng¡¯s hospital room, he spotted Xu Mey fast asleep beside her father¡¯s bed. Her head wasying on the hand which was gripping her father¡¯s hand.


    A few strands of hair fell over her tired face. Ye Jie paced up to her side and tucked her loose hair behind her ear gently to avoid waking her up.


    His gaze lingered on her sleeping figure and stuck on her pink cherry lips that made a buried memory to rush back to his mind.


    *shback*


    From the time Ye Jie came across Ru, he started spending the summer out of his house in a summer camp which was actually a training camp under Ru¡¯s family n administration. It was in a secluded area in the forests where they taught different skills to the youth. The camp had a peculiar system of choosing their students from all around the world. The only way for Ye Jie to enter the camp was the young master Ru of the n.


    When Ye Jie was 15, as always, he went to the ¡¯Warriors Training Camp¡¯. During his stay at the camp, he asionally went out with Ru for hunting or fishing or simply to escape from the strenuous training.


    One day, he was going back to the campsite after hanging around with Ru. Treading his way through the mahogany-brown forest which appeared to be a woody paradise, he could hear the creaks of branches along with rustling of leaves.


    Walking on the twigs and fallen leaves, his foot stumbled on something and he fell to the ground. It was evening time and nightfall was just around the corner. He turned his head to look at what he just stepped on and saw a muddy figure wearing a knee-length frock.


    For a moment, Ye Jie was frozen and had the urge to see whether the person was alive or not but suddenly the figure¡¯s ck eyes opened and looked straight at him. "Help!" Ye Jie heard a small whisper from the mud-covered figure and moved closer to check.


    For a long while, Ye Jie just stared at the skanky person before him with a thickyer of mud sticking to her hair and face and all her body. Taking a deep breath, Ye Jie picked up the girl off the floor and walked back the path he came from.


    Earlier he was in a dilemma about where to take the girl since taking her to camp was a huge risk - Outsiders were not allowed at any cost. Therefore, he decided to take the girl to Ru since he knew she¡¯ll be able to help.


    When he came to their usual hideout spot, Ru was still sitting at a tree branch sharpening the edge of the arrow in her hand. Hearing the rustling sound, she looked at Ye Jie who was carrying a small figure in his arms and jumped down the tree.


    "What¡¯s that?" Ru asked looking at sticky mud.


    "I found her in the woods on my way back," he exined.


    Ru nodded and asked, "Why did you bring her here?"


    Ye Jie looked at Ru as if looking at an idiot saying, "Certainly, I want you to help her."


    "What if helping her got me in trouble one day?" Ru question, crossing her arms before her chest exuding an imposing aura with her tall figure.


    "Ru, look after her. I can¡¯t stay anymore. It¡¯s already quitete and I¡¯ve to get back to the camp." With that, Ye Jie left in a hurry before passing the muddy figure in his arms to Ru.


    Early in the morning on the following day, he came running back to Ru to inquire about the girl¡¯s health.


    "How¡¯s she?" He was panting as he ran up to here but still this was the first question he asked as soon as he caught sight of Ru boiling some herbs in a pot.


    "Do you want me to be honest with you?" Ru questioned in return still keeping her focus on the herb pot.


    "Isn¡¯t that a given that I want to know everything truthfully?"


    Ru dusted off her hands and rubbed them on thepels of her ck ancient style robes before standing up from the stone. She looked straight into Ye Jie¡¯s eyes and said, "The girl you have broughtst night is seriously sick."


    "Can¡¯t you help with everything you learn all day long?" Ye Jie asked, anxiously.


    Ru sighed audibly. "You¡¯re not getting what I mean."


    "Then exin it in words."


    "That girl is not just physically injured. She has much worse damage to her head." Ye Jie was taken aback by her words as she went on, "All the wounds on her body are either self-inflicted or she got hurt while running away from somewhere... The problem is that she¡¯d been consuming some wrong drugs for years and they have severely damaged her nerve cells. If I¡¯ll be blunt with you then in other words, she¡¯s almost insane now."


    Ye Jie staggered back until his back hit a tree. "But she¡¯s so young." He only managed to say. "How can someone be cruel enough to turn a small child..." He didn¡¯t continue any further.


    Ru patted his shoulder and said, "Rx! She¡¯s still holding onto some part of her sanity. She¡¯s unconscious for now and I think, it¡¯ll take days for her to wake up."


    Ye Jie walked inside the small bamboo hut and saw a girl¡¯s figureying on the nket on the floor with a white curtain around it. Through the curtain, Ye Jie couldn¡¯t make out the features of her face but he could tell that she was very frail and malnourished.


    He frowned as he spoke out softly, "Someone must have hurt you so badly that you decided to numb yourself with all the wounds on your body."

 Chapter 189 - Cant See Her Suffering

    *shback Continued*


    It took a whole week before Xu Mey woke up. Looking at the bamboo hut through her groggy eyes, she was really confused. That¡¯s when her eyes fell on a tall boy¡¯s figure sitting on the floor while leaning against the wall. She tried to get up but winced in pain.


    The boy lifted his eyes off the book in his hands and smiled at her. "Are you feeling better?" He asked while passing a ss of water from under the curtain.


    "I¡¯m..." She felt her throat stinging. She took a sip of water before trying again, "Where am I?"


    "Oh! This? You¡¯re actually in the Forest of fireflies."


    Xu Mey frowned. "There is such a ce?"


    She heard a heartyugh. "No, I¡¯m messing with you. This forest is actually known as the Boundless Trees." Xu Mey nodded and took another sip of water as her dark ck shoulder-length hair fell on her face covering it like a mask.


    "Ah! She¡¯s finally awake." Ru came inside the hut and looked at Xu Mey. She sat closer to her and extended her hand to hold Xu Mey¡¯s wrist to take a pulse but Xu Mey immediately curled herself in a ball in the corner with fear visible in her eyes.


    "You scared her!" Ye Jieined while ring at Ru.


    "What? If I don¡¯t take her pulse, how would I know about her condition?" Ru argued righteously.


    Ye Jie scowled but he knew he couldn¡¯t argue with Ru. Therefore, he looked at the curled figure in the corner, shivering and spoke gently, "Hey, don¡¯t be afraid. I know that this friend of mine looks like a bad person but trust me, sh-" He almost called Ru as ¡¯she¡¯ before tactfully changing his words with a cough. "He can act like a good person once in a while. He even saved your life from the poisonous berries that you consumed. Let him take your pulse."


    With Ye Jie¡¯s gentle coaxing voice, Xu Mey¡¯s eyes shifted a little but she didn¡¯t move. Ye Jie didn¡¯t push her, he waited patiently for her. Sure enough, after a few more silent movements, Xu Mey stretched her arm towards Ru but from under the curtain. Ru took her pulse and said, "You¡¯ve improved a lot in just a week. Now, mind telling us where are you from?"


    Xu Mey¡¯s body started trembling with fear. "Okay... Don¡¯t talk..." Ye Jie started looking at her condition. "Justy down and take some rest. We won¡¯t talk about it at all."


    Ye Jie walked out of the hut with Ru. In the next couple of weeks, whenever Ye Jie came, he¡¯d go inside the hut and try to talk to Xu Mey. Eventually, he managed to pull her out of the hut with him and brought her to the river that flowed through the forest.


    Because of her time in the rehabilitation center, Xu Mey had developed autism and with all the scars that she inflicted on her own body, she always covered her small face with her thick ck hair. Ye Jie barely managed to see her ck eyes once in a while.


    While both Xu Mey and Ye Jie were sitting at the shore listening to the sound of flowing water, Ru appeared from behind with a rabbit in her hand. "Hey, best friend! Should we cook this for dinner?"


    Xu Mey looked at the pitiful eyes of the cute rabbit and blurted out, "Are you a monster? That¡¯s such a harmless creature." She turned to look at Ye Jie and said, "Senior brother, your friend is a barbarian. Stop him before he really kills the rabbit."


    Ye Jie stroked Xu Mey hair saying, "My dear junior sister, calm down! He won¡¯t do anything to the rabbit."


    Ru was seething at the side as she said in her fury, "Who said I won¡¯t do anything? This is definitely my dinner for tonight." She was acting stubborn and she knew it.


    Ye Jie came up to Ru¡¯s side as Xu Mey watched the scene with interest. Ye Jie was talking to Ru but Xu Mey couldn¡¯t hear anything.


    Meanwhile, Ye Jie said to Ru, "Stop acting like a stubborn person. You know that her mental state is not stable. Just drop the rabbit." Ru was definitely not convinced with his words and had no intention of listening to him either. "Can¡¯t you do this much for your best friend?"


    Ru snorted before freeing the rabbit in her hands and said, "You should stop ying that friendship card." With that, she walked away.


    Day after day, Ye Jie started spending more time with Xu Mey since Ru was sent away by her family for some time. While taking care of Xu Mey, Ye Jie grew close to that timid and bashful girl.


    It had been over a month since Xu Mey was found by Ye Jie when he took her to the closest populous area which was a vige named Guan vige. He was going to leave in the next couple of days and he wanted to leave with beautiful memories. But both of them were unaware of the fact that since the time Xu Mey ran away from the rehab center, their security¡¯s been looking for her everywhere. The forest where Ye Jie found Xu Mey was only 20 kilometers away from Kun vige.


    While they were strolling around in the Guan vige, Ye Jie left to buy something. As she was standing alone on the road, one of the security personnel saw her and then a dozen bulky men came up to catch her. Xu Mey didn¡¯t even get a chance to scream as a hand covered her mouth and dragged her to the vehicle.


    When Ye Jie came back, he only caught sight of her clothes in the moving vehicle. "Junior sister!" he ran after the vehicle for a long distance but he couldn¡¯t catch up to them.


    Running as fast as he could, he reached back to find Ru and managed to see her filling up bucket with water and hooking them on a stick ced on her shoulders, she was carrying the weight with her bare feet on the rocky path.


    Ye Jie ran up to her and said, "You have got to do something." Because of him jolting her a bit, the buckets fell down spilling the water on the ground.


    "Oi! What do you think you¡¯re doing?" Ru burst up a bit. "These were thest buckets and since you spilled them, I have to start all over again."


    "I don¡¯t care at the moment. Ru, you¡¯re not listening. I said you have to save her." Ye Jie didn¡¯t pay attention to her words at all. "They took her somewhere. And I don¡¯t even know where."


    "Exin in words not in crosswords!"


    Ye Jie finally rted the whole events to Ru and she patiently listened. After he was done, she picked up her buckets and went back to the river to fill them. Ye Jie stared at her dumbfoundedly. "Did you even listen to what I said?" he questioned.


    Ru turned with buckets over her shoulder and said, "I listened and I understood as well. But I can¡¯t help you."


    "Why not?" He shook her shoulders making the bucket drop again.


    "Stop it!" Ru shouted taking Ye Jie by surprise. "Do you want to know why I don¡¯t want to help? Then listen! First of all, can you see what I¡¯m doing?" She pointed at the wooden buckets and continued, "This is my punishment for helping you in saving that girl¡¯s life without anyone¡¯s permission. I have to take 500 buckets of water to the n head¡¯s house. But since you dropped myst buckets, I have to do it all over again."


    While stretching her arms, she added, "Just because I¡¯m taller than most kids around my age, you seem to forget that I¡¯m only 12 years old, not 20 or something. And the second reason is, I don¡¯t like weak girls and I don¡¯t want a timid girl like that around me."


    Listening to her words, Ye Jie realized that he really seemed to forget always that she was only 12 years old and also, that Ru was a girl not a boy. "I just didn¡¯t want to see that girl suffer. And as a friend, I thought you¡¯ll help." He mumbled thinking about Xu Mey.


    *End of shback*

 Chapter 190 - A Journey Through Memory Lane

    By the time Xu Mey woke up in the morning, Ye Jie had left the room to buy some breakfast for her. She looked around and found a sticky note on the side table. It read: ¡¯Baby, I¡¯m going out to buy some breakfast for you. You haven¡¯t eaten anything sincest night. I¡¯ll be back soon.¡¯


    Xu Mey smiled reading the note and she didn¡¯t realize that her father had woken up and he was staring at her smile intently. Xu Cheng felt inexplicable happiness in his heart seeing that she was alright now.


    Feeling a gaze at the side of her face, Xu Mey lifted her head and saw her father smiling softly at her.


    "Dad, are you okay? Let me call the doctor," she ran out of the room to get a doctor before Xu Cheng could even say anything.


    She came back with the doctor and stood at the side while the doctor examined Xu Cheng. After a while when the doctor left the room before instructing a few precautions, Xu Cheng beckoned Xu Mey toe closer with his finger.


    Xu Mey took small steps and came beside her father¡¯s bed with a lowered head. "Did you get hurt?" She heard her father¡¯s voice making her lift her face. She shook her head slowly and stayed quiet. "That¡¯s good." Xu Cheng said and turned his face to look out the window at the side.


    "Dad!" After much contemtion, Xu Mey managed to voice out. "Why did you save me?"


    Xu Cheng stared at her face and raised his hand to touch her head saying, "If I won¡¯t save my own daughter then who else am I supposed to save?"


    The turmoil of feelings inside Xu Mey¡¯s hearts was getting uncontroble. "But you never saved me before. You always thought that I¡¯m not your daughter." Xu Mey felt bitter whileining for the first time in her life to her father.


    Xu Cheng heaved a long sigh but stayed quiet. "Dad, are you still going to stay silent? Even now after everything that happened?"


    Xu Cheng knew that he won¡¯t be able to hide anything for long now. His daughter was smart enough to figure out a lot of things.


    "What if dad tells you that he never believed the ones who said that you¡¯re not my daughter?" Xu Mey¡¯s eyes widened up.


    "Then why did you ignored me for so long?" She asked.


    "Because I know Fu Lan better than you." Xu Mey frowned. "She¡¯d been obsessed with me for a long time now and when I came back from Country F with your mother, Fu Lan went crazy thinking of several ways to get me. In the end, I fell for her psychotic n and Xu Liqing is the result of that n." He longingly stared into the distance before continuing, "I saw how she always tried to chide you without any reason or rhyme and I thought that perhaps, after marrying me her obsession will be over and let you live in peace."


    He shook his head at the memory. "I was wrong. Instead of letting you live in peace, she started taking advantage of her position. Do you remember that you fell down the stairs once?"


    "Yeah... It was my 8th birthday and I went rolling down the stairs." Xu Mey felt hurt at the memory.


    "One day before that I took you out to the park." Xu Mey clearly remembered that. It was one of her good memories with her father. "When Fu Lan got to know that I took you out, she nned to make you fall down the stairs."


    Xu Mey stared dumbfoundedly at her father. "But why?" She questioned.


    "I told you she¡¯s psychotic. She couldn¡¯t see that I was spending time with you or showering you with love. She¡¯s one of those crazy jealous people. I never touched her in all these years of our marriage and that might have added another reason for her hate for you. She believed that your mother was the one who came between her and me but in reality, Fu Lan was the one who came between us and tore us apart." Xu Mey silently listened to her father¡¯s voice which seemed to have aged in a single night.


    "Since I couldn¡¯t help you by myself, I asked Fu Shuang to take care of you because I saw the way he cared for you. I know he wasn¡¯t me but Fu Lan took control of Xu Corporations in some way and if I had intervened, she would have killed you a long time ago." He took a pause to catch his breath while Xu Mey passed a ss of water to him.


    After soothing his parched throat, he continued again, "I tried sending you to boarding school to save you but even that didn¡¯t work much. Until the day that hotel incident happened, I didn¡¯t even know that she¡¯d been trying to drive you insane through drugs. The worst part was that I had to choose between sending you to the rehab or the prison." Xu Mey¡¯s heart quivered a bit. Xu Cheng stroked her hair saying, "I chose the rehab because I could save you there. I bought all the people of the rehab center but the drugs and that incident had such an effect on your mind that you started believing that you¡¯re in a prison. The more you tried to kill yourself, the more I tried to save you in that year."


    "But it changed when you¡¯re caught after running away from the rehab. You started acting normally and it was a huge aplishment. One day, a person came to me and told me that he can save you. I didn¡¯t believe that person but he told me how the changes in you were brought by his care. The only thing, he asked me for was that I allow him to take you away from the rehab and to save you I chose him as myst hope."


    "Dad, who was that person?" Xu Mey¡¯s heart beat like a drum against her chest.

 Chapter 191 - Im Always With You

    Xu Mey¡¯s eyes held an eagerness while her heart was anxious to know the answer.


    "The person you call your Sensei is the one who came to me." Xu Mey¡¯s body stiffened and soon she felt strange in her heart. Xu Cheng continued, "When that person came to me, I was skeptical but he assured me that he¡¯d be able to save you. And I believed him."


    Xu Mey sat at the side in silence pondering his words in her mind for a long while. Then she gazed at her father¡¯s pale face and said, "Do you think that after knowing all this I should forgive you?"


    Xu Cheng¡¯s expressions didn¡¯t have much of a change in them except that he smiled faintly. "I didn¡¯t ask for your forgiveness because I know better now that I don¡¯t deserve your forgiveness. Whatever I did was a cowardly act. If you think that I didn¡¯t try to get a divorce than you¡¯re wrong. Fu Lan yed the game that I couldn¡¯t win and I ended up losing my Xu Corporation to her."


    "To get you out of Fu Lan¡¯s reach, I made sure that Xu Liqing wasn¡¯t around while your marriage with Ye Jie was fixed. To be honest, there was no promise of marriage between both families. It was something made up by your grandfather and your father-inw, Ye Kang." The things she hated him for was all her own thinking and this fact was even more hurting. As they say, our own negative thoughts turn a smallke appears as an ocean.


    Her head yed so much with her that she never tried to look at everything that her father did for her. She only focused on the bad things and pushed him away from her own self.


    "Dad, the only thing that you gave me in this life is my husband. Other than him, I can¡¯t think of anything that could prove that you¡¯re a good father." Xu Cheng smiled at her words. "I might not hate you anymore from now on but I can¡¯t forget everything so easily."


    Seeing her looking away from him and intending to leave, Xu Cheng said, "You don¡¯t have to feel bad about that. Just remember, this father had always been with you and he will always stay behind President Xu."


    Xu Mey instantly turned. "Dad, you... You knew?" She asked hesitantly.


    "The one who¡¯s been hiding you from the world actually gave me the ess to watch over you. Of course, I knew. And dad¡¯s been always proud of you. I knew you will be the pride of our family from the day you¡¯re born. But I only want you to know one thing."


    "What¡¯s that?" She inquired.


    "This was thest straw of hope that I left for Xu Liqing. My patience has run out now. So, I don¡¯t care what you do with both of them now. But I want to see you unscathed. No harm should befall on you." Xu Mey could perceive that her father was serious with his words and it made the resistance in her heart to melt away.


    She left the room with a bit of heavy heart andplicated feelings. She always wished for her father¡¯s love and now, she finally knew that he loved her. But the disappointment was so big that she couldn¡¯t just forget everything that easily.


    While she was leaving the room in a daze. she heard, "Baby, how was the chat with your dad?" Xu Mey was startled for a moment before she felt the warmth of his big hands on her shoulders.


    "Ah-Jie, do you think I¡¯m wrong for not wanting to forgive him so easily? It¡¯s not that I don¡¯t want to forgive him. But I¡¯m still a child in heart who wants to see how far her father can go to conciliate her." Xu Mey leaned back in his chest.


    "Absolutely not. It¡¯s been hard for you and for him at some level as well but that doesn¡¯t mean forgiveness cane easily," he replied trying to get her guilty conscious to calm down. "He needs to show his sincerity before anything else."


    Xu Mey turned her body and wrapped her hands around Ye Jie¡¯s back with her face against his heart listening to his strong and steady heartbeat. "Thank you, Ah-Jie!"


    Ye Jie encased her slender body in his arms asking, "For what?"


    Xu Mey lifted her head a bit to gaze at him saying, "For being here. For being caring and most of all..." She tip-toed and left a kiss on his lips and went on, "For being mine."


    "Baby, your Ah-Jie was always yours." ¡¯Because your Ah-Jie fell for you when you¡¯re a timid and broken young girl and you¡¯re Ah-Jie fell for you again when you¡¯re such a strong but silly young woman.¡¯ Xu Mey couldn¡¯t hear the things going around in his mind. So, she frowned at the words which he voiced out.


    Ye Jie shook his head and dipped his head lower to catch her lips in his own for a deep kiss.


    Before his kiss could turn her mind hazy, Xu Mey pushed him a bit and asked, "Have you seen my Sensei?"


    Ye Jie¡¯s body stiffened but he masked it with his own question, "While kissing your Ah-Jie, how can you even think of another man?" he made a hurt look making Xu Mey narrow her eyes at him.


    She punched his chest lightly saying, "It¡¯s not funny, Ah-Jie. Just tell me have you seen him?"


    Ye Jie rubbed the spot where she punched as if it hurt a lot to him and replied, "No... I didn¡¯t." He didn¡¯t look into Xu Mey¡¯s eyes as he lied.


    "Huh?" Xu Mey pouted. "This person really is like a ghost. You never know where he¡¯ll be."


    Ye Jie¡¯s fell into deep thought as the reminder ofst night¡¯s confrontation with Ru was too painful for him to bear.


    "Ah-Jie, do you know that Sensei was the one who once told me that too much hate will only make me a vessel filled with regrets. One day, I¡¯ll either learn to channel that hate into revenge or love or I¡¯ll simply kill my own self with that excessive hate." She sighed hugging Ye Jie closer. "I think I know how to channel my hate now."


    "No matter what way you choose, just know that your husband is always with you, baby." Ye Jie answered with a smile and took her to an empty room to eat her breakfast.

 Chapter 192 - Give You My Everything

    "Qin Hao, find out what is Xu Liqing up to these days." Xu Mey gave instructions to her assistant and went back to Ye Jie¡¯s side.


    But when she came back to where she left Ye Jie, he was nowhere to be found. She called him and when the call connected, she heard his deep voice, "Baby, wait for me in the car. I¡¯ll be there in a minute."


    Xu Mey didn¡¯t think much about it and went towards his car. Ye Jie¡¯s assistant, Qi Guan opened the car door for her and she climbed inside. Since she was feeling exhausted, she leaned back in the leather seat and closed her eyes to rx.


    Meanwhile, Ye Jie disconnected the call with Xu Mey and held his phone looking at Xu Cheng¡¯s face. Both men stared at each other pondering something in their minds.


    Eventually, Xu Cheng spoke, "I¡¯m d to see that you and my daughter are getting along very well. When I first thought about her marriage with you, I was a bit scared."


    Ye Jie frowned and asked, "Why?"


    "You were in a rtionship for 8 years and that¡¯s a long time. I was scared that you might not be able to love my daughter. Or protect her as I wanted." Xu Cheng worded out his reason for being scared making the frown between Ye Jie¡¯s brows to deepen.


    "Actually that¡¯s exactly what I want to know from you. Why did you choose me? You said it clearly that you¡¯re scared then why me?" Ye Jie asked.


    Xu Cheng smiled. "Go and ask your best friend." Ye Jie¡¯s eyes widened up.


    "What... What did you just say?" He questioned uncertainly.


    "Ye Jie, I know that my daughter¡¯s savior or as she calls him, Sensei is actually your best friend." Ye Jie listened but his mind was reeling with every word that came out of Xu Cheng¡¯s mouth. "It was exactly that person who suggested to me that I should choose you for my daughter. He didn¡¯t give me a million reasons for convincing. He only said one thing."


    "What did he say?" Ye Jie asked in a dazed state.


    "He said, ¡¯He might not be the best for your daughter but I can assure you, he won¡¯t leave her alone at any step of the way. Whenever or wherever she¡¯ll need him, he¡¯ll be there.¡¯ Those words managed to convince me that you¡¯re the right choice for her." Xu Cheng saw the way Ye Jie¡¯s body was stiffened up. Therefore, he didn¡¯t continue talking.


    "I¡¯lle to see youter, Mr. Xu." Ye Jie briskly left the room and leaned against the wall in the corridor. Raking his fingers through his hair in frustration, he said to himself, "What the hell have you done, Jie?"


    There was no doubt in his heart that Ru was the sincerest person he hade across in his life. But he never thought that even if she yed a god in his life, she did it all for him. She broke herself repeatedly just to make him happy. But he... He hurt her with the words that haunted her from the time she was born.


    He always questioned Ru¡¯s choices in life but today, he was questioning his own behavior towards her. Ru repeatedly told him that she was there for him and she always had to prove it as well. But what did he do? Even after staying in her life for the longest time, he still couldn¡¯t prove that he was there for her as well.


    And the worst part was... Ru never even asked for anything in return.


    Ye Jie¡¯s eyes moistened up as his time with Ru shed past his eyes like a movie. He rummaged out his phone and found her contact number.


    But his thumb only hovered about her name... He didn¡¯t press it. No! More like he couldn¡¯t find the courage in himself to face her or talk to her.


    Ru¡¯s beautiful voice rang in his mind, "Do you know the difference between me and you?"


    "What¡¯s the difference?" He had asked her out of curiosity.


    She smiled her usual practiced one and replied, "The difference is that I like giving you my everything even when I know that you don¡¯t need it all. But you like to be modest with your feelings. As long as I won¡¯t ask for something, you won¡¯t give it to." She took a pause before adding, "But you always forget that I wasn¡¯t taught how to ask for something. Even if it¡¯s just a small thing like feelings, I can¡¯t ask for it."


    "Then you should stop giving me your everything without expecting anything in return. Don¡¯t you get tired of it?" Ye Jie asked looking at the side of her face.


    "You might find it funny best friend," she patted his shoulder and went on, "But you¡¯re the best dream that I¡¯ve ever seen in my life. And I don¡¯t want this dream to be my nightmare."


    Today, Ye Jie felt like he actually made her dream turn into a nightmare eventually. Ye Jie didn¡¯t realize that tears were flowing down his face at this point. He noticed it when his tears fell on the phone screen. He stared at the phone screen for another moment before putting the phone back in his pocket.


    He wiped the tears off of his face knocked the back of his head on the wall behind him lightly, and thought, ¡¯So, it¡¯s actually true. When you lose a true friend, you can¡¯t help but cry. But I don¡¯t deserve a person like you Ru. You deserve someone who could give you his all as you do for others.¡¯


    He patted his cheeks and bit his lips to stop the tears from falling anymore. He came to the parking lot and sat in the back seat only to find Xu Mey fast asleep. He was d that she didn¡¯t see his haggard look. Otherwise, he really didn¡¯t have a way to answer at the moment. Ye Jie gently picked Xu Mey¡¯s head and ced it on his own shoulder where she immediately snuggled up like a cat.

 Chapter 193 - Messed Up Life

    For the next few days, Xu Mey visited her father in the hospital daily since he didn¡¯t allow her to inform anyone about his condition. He didn¡¯t want Fu Lan or Xu Liqing to know about the fact that he took the bullet for Xu Mey.


    One day after her visit to Xu Cheng, she came across Lin Shen in the hospital. She followed him to his office and took a seatnguidly.


    "How¡¯s your dad?" Lin Shen asked.


    "Hmm... He¡¯s doing better now." She replied. "Shen-Ge, where is Ju-Ju? It seems like I haven¡¯t seen her in forever." Xu Mey inquired about Lin Shen¡¯s fiance, Sun Ju.


    "She¡¯s in Paris. But she¡¯ll be back in a few days." Lin Shen answered her question looking at her face as she yed with her long ponytail. After observing her face for a while, Lin Shen asked, "What are you nning on doing?"


    "Huh?" Xu Mey lifted her eyes to look at him. "What are you talking about?"


    "I¡¯m talking about Xu Liqing and Fu Lan."


    "Oh!" Xu Mey nodded in understanding and said, "Shen-Ge, as the Chinese proverb says, ¡¯Life is an echo, what you send outes back.¡¯ So, isn¡¯t it given that I¡¯ll treat them ording to what they deserve."


    "You have thought of a n?" Lin Shen questioned.


    "Nope!" Xu Mey replied honestly making Lin Shen raise his brows. He really thought that she¡¯d have alreadye up with a perfect n. "But I know who I want to attack first."


    "What do you mean?"


    "Well, to hunt the mother, I¡¯ll make her daughter the prey. Because the more Xu Liqing will be in pain, the more our Ms. Fu Lan will be tortured. I¡¯m just gonna wait for the perfect time and then I¡¯ll strike." Seeing the way Xu Mey was confident, Lin Shen felt at ease.


    He stood up and walked up to her. Patting her head, he said, "I don¡¯t care how you take care of everything but just let me know if you need any help."


    "Shen-Ge should just focus on healing people, leave the hurting part to me." Xu Mey beamed.


    Lin Shen shook his head lightly saying, "Just because my profession doesn¡¯t allow me to hurt someone doesn¡¯t mean I¡¯ll allow other people to hurt our Xiao Mey. You just tell me, okay?"


    Xu Mey nodded. She stayed with Lin Shen for a long time to chat.


    After leaving the hospital, Xu Mey went to her office where unexpectedly, Ye Jun was waiting for her.


    "Hey, sis!" Ye Jun excitedly greeted Xu Mey and she couldn¡¯t help but roll her eyes at his antics.


    "What are you doing here?" Hearing Xu Mey¡¯s question, Ye Jun¡¯s smile dropped.


    "How mean of you, sis? Obviously, I came to see you because I missed you. I couldn¡¯t see you in the past few days then bro told me that your dad was in the hospital. So, I came myself." Ye Jun rted the whole thing in a single breath.


    "Are you sure, you missed me and that¡¯s why you came here?" Xu Mey raised her brows as she wrapped her arms around in front of her chest in an intimidating manner.


    "You¡¯re smart." Ye Jun grumbled and held her wrist, making her take a seat beside him. He pulled out an envelope from his jacket and extended it towards Xu Mey. Xu Mey suspiciously looked at the envelope.


    "What¡¯s in this?" She questioned.


    "Open it, you¡¯ll know." Ye Jun¡¯s face lost his earlier yfulness as he replied in a serious manner to her.


    Xu Mey curiously opened the envelope to find multiple old photos. Xu Mey abruptly raised her head and met Ye Jun¡¯s gaze. "That¡¯s bro¡¯s real father, right?" Ye Jun pointed at the teen boy in the picture. "You don¡¯t have to hide it from me. He looks like an exact replica of bro. So, it¡¯s a given that he¡¯s bro¡¯s father."


    Xu Mey knew she couldn¡¯t hide. So, she nodded. Zhu Chen wasn¡¯t the only one in the old pictures. He Susu and Zhou Ning were also in those photos that Ye Jun passed to her. "How did you find these?" Xu Mey asked curiously.


    "A few days ago, I asked dad about mom¡¯s school and early life. Before I only knew that mom¡¯s family was from amon background. That day, dad also told me that she studied in a military school through the help of her best friend." Ye Jun looked at the young version of his mother in the photo and went on, "So, I tried to find out about her school days. That¡¯s how I came across these."


    Xu Mey reclined back in the couch and heaved a long and tired sigh. There were so many things happening around her that she was confused about which one she should focus on.


    At one side, she had to take care of her psychotic step-sister and step-mother. She also had to focus on mending her rtionship with her dad. On the other side, she had to find the mystery behind Ye Jie¡¯s real parents and fake ones.


    She felt a headacheing up. She pinched her brows to ease the pain a bit but it only intensified with her messed up thoughts.


    "Jun, leave the pictures with me and go."


    "Huh? Aiyo! Sis, are you kicking me out?" Ye Jun acted pitifully but Xu Mey wasn¡¯t in the right state of mind to hang around with him.


    "Jun, listen up! I will give you all the answers when I have them all myself. For now, I think you should be thinking about how you¡¯re gonnae clean to Ah-Jie about the fact that you already know about him not being your brother." Ye Jun stiffened at the reminder.


    He was really scared of that certain topic. He had a bad premonition that their rtionship as brothers might change if he ever voiced out to Ye Jie that he knew all along about Ye Jie not being his brother.


    Since Xu Mey had dampened his mood entirely, he could only get up to leave. Xu Mey called her assistant, Qin Hao inside the office and asked, "What about the things, I told you to investigate?"


    "President Xu, Ms. Xu Liqing seems to be scared of somethingtely as she¡¯s not leaving her house at any cost." Hearing Qin Hao¡¯s report, Xu Mey sneered. "But I have a hunch of where she¡¯ll be going next week."


    "Even if it¡¯s just a hunch, tell me." Xu Mey ordered.


    "Mr. Fu Shuang¡¯s birthday party is next week and as his only cousin, I believe that Ms. Xu Liqing will be there." Qin Hao courteously stood at the side in silence after speaking his piece until Xu Mey waved him off.


    Xu Mey stood up from the couch and walked to her mahogany table. She pulled open the drawer and picked up a gold invitation in her hand.


    On the invitation in silver was written:


    ¡¯We invite you to share your blessing with the young master Shuang on the joyous day of his birth.¡¯


    At the rightmost corner, in Fu Shuang¡¯s own handwriting was written: ¡¯I hope President Xu allows me to meet her excellent husband whom I can¡¯t dare to even match up to.¡¯


    Xu Mey paced up to the ss wall and smirked, "I¡¯ll show you a lot more than just my husband, master Shuang."

 Chapter 194 - Gorgeous Wife

    On the day of Fu Shuang¡¯s birthday party, Azalea helped to dress up Xu Mey herself. From clothes, make-up and down to her essories, Azalea was the one who chose everything. She especially went shopping with Xu Mey and skipped around in several stores buying every dress that looked pleasing to her eyes.


    Even at home, Azalea made Xu Mey change out of 20 dresses before deciding the final one. Her issue wasn¡¯t that nothing suited Xu Mey, her biggest dilemma was that every single dress looked better than the previous one on Xu Mey¡¯s gorgeous body. Just as Ye Jie says, "Her body was to die for."


    Sitting stiffly on a chair for 2 whole hours, Xu Mey felt tired. It was pretty rare for her to dress up extravagantly for parties. Because she always avoided crowded ces except for the ones where her best friends were.


    "All done!" Azalea announced and allowed Xu Mey to look in the mirror. As she stood in front of the mirror, Xu Mey couldn¡¯t recognize the person staring back at her in the mirror.


    Azalea had chosen a mauve form-fitting embellished evening gown for Xu Mey¡¯s slender body whichplimented each curve of her perfectly. The gown was beautiful in itself with the embroidered beaded fabric, re bottom, sleeveless bodice with jewel neckline, and a perfect v-back that reached her mid-back. But somehow the gown looked even beautiful on her milky white skin.


    Azalea styled her long hair with a loose side braid and a beautiful silver headband toplete the hairstyle. With soft make-up and long earrings in an infinity shape with a blue crystal at the ends made her look gorgeous. She personally chose these earings from Vintage¡¯s new collection called, ¡¯Forever¡¯. Xu Mey had designed this collection keeping her rtionship with Ye Jie as inspiration.


    "Oh, my! You look so gorgeous." Azalea sighed dreamily.


    Xu Mey smiled at her and wore her stilettos before making her way downstairs.


    Downstairs when Ye Jie¡¯s gaze fell on her descending from the stairs, one step at a time. It felt like with each step she was taking Ye Jie¡¯s breath away. He was tongue-tied as she stood before him and asked, "How do I look?"


    To Ye Jie, she was breathtakingly beautiful with her twinkling ck eyes, jade-like skin and that amazingly perfect body.


    "You look absolutely perfect, baby," he spoke in a daze and added, "No, no. I think you look stunning." Xu Mey¡¯s smiled broadened as a red patch appeared on her cheeks. Ye Jie sighed and went on, "I believe calling you astonishing would even be not enough for tonight."


    Ye Jie was still staring at her when Azalea coughed from the side reminding him, "Bro, you¡¯ll bete for the party."


    Ye Jie coughed a bit topose himself and offered his arm to Xu Mey saying, "Shall we?"


    She dly took hold of his arm and walked outside. After settling in the backseat of the car, Xu Mey noticed that Ye Jie¡¯s gaze was still lingering on her body making her feel hot. It almost felt like his eyes were kissing every inch of her body, worshipping it.


    "Ah-Jie, if you kept looking at me like that then we won¡¯t be ending anywhere other than rolling in sheets on our bed," Xu Mey whispered closer to Ye Jie¡¯s ear making him choke on air.


    Before she could move her head away from his ear, Ye Jie grabbed the back of her neck and said, "That idea seems really appealing at the moment." Xu Mey blushed harder while Ye Jie dipped his head to drop soft kisses on her neck like a dragonfly skimming over the water surface.


    Xu Mey¡¯s breath hitched as she felt her whole body craving for his touch. She realized recently that she used to think what could be better than his hands that gently stroked her body? Now, she finally knew the answer... His tongue which was invading her mouth at the moment taking all her breath away was even better than his hands.


    His tongue alone had the power to make her melt away and turn into a mush. The same tongue could make her jumbled up mind to stop and focus only on the sensations that he brought to her body. For some odd reason, with him around, Xu Mey loved losing control of herself.


    He could easily make her give in to his desires and that¡¯s exactly what he was doing. He only wanted a taste of her but as always, just a little bit was not enough. And as Xu Mey tightened her hands around his arms, the memory of her nails piercing his skin rolled back to his mind. The way her slender legs wrapped around his waist and tightened to take whatever she needed and whatever he was trying to give to her.


    His hunger came back that could only be satiated by her. He needed her badly but he knew that this was neither the ce nor the time for that. He bit her bottom lip making her gasp. "Ah-Jie!" Her soft breathless voice made him suck lightly on her lip.


    He lifted her on top of himself with her back pressed against his chest. "How... will... I... enter... the... party... if... you... keep... acting... like... this?" Although she breathlessly asked this, in reality, she didn¡¯t want him to stop whatever he was doing to her.


    Ye Jie smiled against her lips and moved lower towards her exposed back. His hands grabbed her soft bosom and kneaded it in rhythm making her arch her body. Xu Mey unabashedly moaned since the partition in the car was up since they sat inside.


    She didn¡¯t know whether Ye Jie asked Qi Guan to do it or he was smart himself to provide them with privacy. But her thoughts were soon cut short when Ye Jie¡¯s hot, moist tongue licked the nape of her neck.


    "Ah-Jie! Please, stop before I lose myselfpletely." Xu Mey beseeched with her eyes but her voice only added fuel to the fire that was raging inside of him. A fire of desire.

 Chapter 195 - Work Out To Get A Son Like You

    Before Ye Jie could act upon his desires, the car stopped. Ye Jie groaned but didn¡¯t say anything. He reluctantly let go of Xu Mey. She tried to take care of her messed up state.


    Like a gentleman, Ye Jie walked out of the car and came around to open the door for Xu Mey. He stretched his hand for her and she smiled sweetly taking his hand.


    Fu Shuang¡¯s birthday celebration was held at the Fu Manor¡¯s back garden. With her hand on her arm, she walked elegantly down the cobblestone path which was lined with decorative banners andnterns.


    As the gazes of the crowd at the party fell on the pair of a strikingly beautiful couple a wave of gasps escaped. While the youngdy looked elegant, gorgeous, and poised, her partner was on another level of exquisiteness. He had a gentle look in his eyes as he gazed at Xu Mey¡¯s face with a smile ying on his lips.


    When the gasps intensified in the crowd, Fu Shuang noticed the presence of Xu Mey. He went nk for a moment as he stared at her from a distance. She always looked beautiful but today, the smile on her face seemed to be real without any hidden agenda.


    But as Fu Shuang noticed Ye Jie, a sadness took hold of his heart overwhelming him. He looked at the only dream he ever wished for, Xu Mey and told himself how she was a dream that could never be his ever. Even knowing all this, he still couldn¡¯t stop himself from loving her or yearning for her.


    He told himself repeatedly that she was better off without him but whenever he was closer to appeasing his heart, she would appear before his eyes looking so gorgeous that his heart would again go into disarray.


    Xu Mey came closer to Fu Shuang and passed a small gift box to him saying, "Wishing Master Shuang blessings from both me and my husband." She smiled brightly at Ye Jie and went on, "I forgot to introduce, Master Shuang meet my husband, Mr. Ye Jie."


    Fu Shuang only smiled sadly and stretched his hand out to shake Ye Jie¡¯s. "I didn¡¯t expect President Xu to actually be a part of this celebration." Fu Shuang remarked.


    "Then why did you send the invitation?" Xu Mey raised her brows inquiringly.


    Fu Shuang smiled again saying, "I was actually trying my luck. Who would have known I¡¯ll be so lucky tonight that President Xu would grace my humble home with her presence." Xu Mey couldn¡¯t tell whether he was taunting or not but Ye Jie knew that Fu Shuang was sincere.


    "It¡¯s really nice to meet you, Mr. Ye Jie." Fu Shuang turned to Ye Jie. "It¡¯s an honor meeting you."


    "And why is that?" Ye Jie somehow had a clue about his reply but he still had to ask the question.


    "The person who managed to make President Xu a wife must be an amazing person. That¡¯s why it¡¯s really an honor for me." Fu Shuang exactly said what Ye Jie thought he would.


    When Fu Shuang turned away to greet some other guests, Xu Meynguidly looked at the surroundings trying to find her prey of the night; Xu Liqing. But to her dismay, she could find neither Xu Liqing nor Fu Lan.


    Ye Jie received a call and he excused himself and walked a bit away. Although his voice was quite low, Xu Mey could hear the conversation.


    "I told you that I¡¯m busy." Ye Jie spoke into the phone. After listening to the reply, he said, "I don¡¯t care about that deal. I need to be here right now. Stop disturbing me."


    When Ye Jie came back to her side, Xu Mey narrowed her eyes at him and in return he smiled at her and stretched his hand asking her for a dance.


    Xu Mey gave her hand into his and walked to the dance floor. In the middle of the dance floor, both their bodies swayed with the sound of the slow song ying in the background.


    "Do you have to be somewhere?" Xu Mey asked looking into his brown eyes.


    "Nope!" Ye Jie replied.


    "Liar! I heard the phone call."


    "It¡¯s really nothing, baby. I need to be here with you and that¡¯s more important." Ye Jie replied sincerely.


    "But I don¡¯t want you to disregard your work for me." Before Ye Jie could argue, she added, "More importantly, if you won¡¯t earn money what¡¯ll happen to our future."


    "What do you mean, baby?" Ye Jie asked curiously.


    "Well, you surely won¡¯t want to see your wife and kids on the roadside just because you didn¡¯t want to leave your wife." She spoke righteously and bluntly as always without thinking her words over.


    Ye Jie choked at the mention of kids and said, "Baby, for now, you¡¯re my only baby. So, where did these kidse from?"


    Xu Mey pursed her lips as she realized what had she just spoken. But she had already said it so she could only go with the flow now. "Well, yeah! Just because we are two at the moment doesn¡¯t mean we won¡¯t be three in the future."


    Ye Jie pulled her body closer to himself and whispered, "Three? I was nning on having a dozen or so babies running around us."


    Xu Mey gasped at his words and punched his chest lightly. "I don¡¯t want that much."


    "Then how much do you want?" Ye Jie asked seriously.


    "Erm..." Xu Mey pondered for a while before raising two fingers and saying, "I think two will be okay. One girl like you and one boy like me."


    Ye Jie frowned at her reply and asked, "Isn¡¯t it usually boys like their father and girls like their mothers?"


    "No, no..." Xu Mey shook her head and said, "I don¡¯t want anything cliche. Baby definitely wants a son like herself and a daughter like baby¡¯s Ah-Jie."


    Ye Jie couldn¡¯t help butugh at her stubbornness and how she called herself, Ah-Jie¡¯s baby. He lowered his head again and whispered, "Then shall we go and work out to make a son like Ah-Jie¡¯s baby?"

 Chapter 196 - Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me

    This time, it was Xu Mey¡¯s turn to choke on air. She coughed and Ye Jie rubbed his hand on her back to soothe her but his touch only awoke Xu Mey¡¯s sleeping hormones.


    Gosh! Why is he torturing me? He really seems to enjoy ying with me like this.


    Xu Mey shook her head and thought about how did the conversation took this strange turn? They were clearly talking about something else but now they were talking about babies.


    The biggest shocker for Xu Mey was that she was actually feeling excited at the idea of having a kid with Ye Jie. The person that could make you feel giddy about the future really is a precious one. Xu Mey wasn¡¯t scared of the future anymore, she was actually anticipating it day after day.


    The days she spent with Ye Jie was akin to a surprise gift with an infiniteyer. Every day they both peeled off ayer and enjoyed the gift of the day. The more she disregarded the presence of Xu Liqing and Fu Lan and most of all her past, the more she felt life was beautiful.


    It was Ye Jie¡¯s presence that made her realize that even if she snatched the smile off of Xu Liqing¡¯s face, that smile won¡¯t be hers. Instead, that smile will be a reminder of how she was deceiving herself. A borrowed smile always stays as a borrowed one, it can never be a part of you entirely.


    "Ah-Jie, let¡¯s get back to the serious topic." Xu Mey took a few steps back making a distance between their bodies as they came down the dance floor.


    "Baby, do you think the topic of our kids is not serious?" Ye Jie made a sad face. "Is the idea of having my babies that repulsive to you?"


    "I did not say such a thing." Xu Mey argued while Ye Jie smiled at her acting defensive all of a sudden. "Ah-Jie, can we please focus?"


    "Okay... I won¡¯t disturb now."


    "Alright! So, I was saying that you should go and attend to your work." Xu Mey suggested.


    "Baby, the work is in Imperial City and it might take a few days there. I really don¡¯t want to leave you here." Ye Jie caressed her cheek with his knuckles.


    "But the work is important and you should go. I can manage everything here for you."


    Ye Jie groaned and said, "I can¡¯t just leave my gorgeous wife here all alone."


    "Ah-Jie, are you jealous that people are looking at me?" Xu Mey asked teasingly.


    "Why would I be jealous?" Ye Jie snorted. He had seen the gazes of men on Xu Mey but it didn¡¯t affect him much since he knew one thing as always he reminded himself; she was his and his alone.


    "Huh? So, you¡¯re not jealous at all?" Xu Mey felt a bit sad.


    Ye Jie flicked the space between her brows saying, "My silly baby, why would your Ah-Jie be jealous? They can look all they want, I can¡¯t stop them and I don¡¯t me them as well since my baby is so beautiful that it¡¯ll be odd if they didn¡¯t look at you. I would think something is wrong with their eyes if they didn¡¯t look at you."


    Xu Mey grinned like an idiot. "Oh, really?"


    "Yes, really." Ye Jie replied and pulled her closer making her look into his eyes as he said, "Also, they should be the jealous ones because they can only see, only my baby¡¯s Ah-Jie can touch her," he touched the exposed space on her back. "Kiss her," he nted a kiss between her brows. "And n babies with her." Xu Mey blushed hard as he rubbed his hand over her stomach.


    "Aren¡¯t you acting deviously tonight?" Xu Mey asked.


    "Well, I can¡¯t help it. To match my baby¡¯s devilish side, I have to be a bit devious myself."


    Ye Jie¡¯s phone rang again making him curse out. "I told you I don¡¯t want toe-" Before Ye Jie could continue, Xu Mey took his phone from his hand.


    The person at the other end was saying, "You¡¯re not understanding. If these Russian people went back then forget about entering the Russian market. I¡¯m telling you, this is very important."


    Xu Mey silently listened and spoke at the end. "Don¡¯t worry. You arrange the meeting, Jie will be there soon." She disconnected the call leaving the other person in a daze.


    She gave Ye Jie his phone back and said, "Ah-Jie, you¡¯re going and that¡¯s final." Ye Jie opened his mouth to say something but Xu Mey raised a finger saying, "We¡¯re not discussing. It¡¯s an order."


    She pulled his hand and brought him outside the party. Near the car, she turned to Ye Jie and said, "You don¡¯t have to worry about anything. I promise you that I won¡¯t do anything without you being by my side."


    "I don¡¯t want to leave you alone with that Fu Shuang." Ye Jie said honestly.


    "I thought you weren¡¯t jealous of anyone?" Xu Mey raised her brow at him.


    "I¡¯m not jealous of him. I just don¡¯t trust him and I don¡¯t like the fact that he¡¯s been in your life when you didn¡¯t even know me."


    Xu Mey palmed Ye Jie¡¯s face and smiled saying, "Jie darling!" Ye Jie stared at her with his mouth agape. "Even if he was there when you weren¡¯t, always remember that only you can walk my journey with me. He saw me when I was weak. You are here to watch me grow stronger."


    Ye Jie smiled and leaned into her touch. Then he turned his head a bit to kiss her palm. "I really am gonna miss you."


    "Ah-Jie, I¡¯m already missing you but I can¡¯t be an obstacle in your way."


    "Baby, you¡¯re the best thing that ever happened to me. How could you be an obstacle?" He pulled her in his embrace and kissed the top of her head.


    Silently under thenterns, they stood in each other¡¯s embrace for a long time. If it was up to Ye Jie, he would never leave Xu Mey at any cost but Xu Mey was the one who asked him to leave so he could only listen without any argument.

 Chapter 197 - Hidden Motives

    Watching Ye Jie¡¯s car depart, Xu Mey was nning on leaving the party herself since Xu Liqing was not there. She only came to the party for Xu Liqing but if her prey wasn¡¯t even here then she didn¡¯t need to be here as well.


    She had just unlocked her phone when she heard a familiar feminine voice, "Mey-Mey!" Xu Mey turned her face and saw Jun Li Naing towards her with a smile. Although the lighting was a bit dull, Xu Mey could see her puffed up eyes as if she had been crying for a while. "I didn¡¯t know you¡¯d be here."


    "I didn¡¯t expect you here as well even though I should have." Xu Meymented. Jun Li Na was acting bravely before Xu Mey so, Xu Mey didn¡¯t feel like probing her for the reason of her tears.


    She knew how much the image mattered to Jun Li Na. She also knew that Jun Li Na would have shared with her if she wanted to.


    "Let¡¯s go inside," Jun Li Na looped her arm with Xu Mey¡¯s and pulled her inside with herself. "Why are you alone?"


    "Huh? Oh, Jie had to leave for some urgent work." Xu Mey answered still lost in her thoughts.


    "Oh!" Jun Li Na nodded and muttered, "He must love you a lot."


    It wasn¡¯t a question but Xu Mey still agreed with her saying, "He really does love me a lot." Thinking about Ye Jie, Xu Mey could only smile.


    Jun Li Na smiled and said, "You really are lucky." Xu Mey frowned and she continued, "You have so many people who love you. Just take your best friends alone. They love you so much more than I can even imagine. As for your brother-inw, he seems to be head-over-heels for you as well."


    "Huh! What do you mean? How is Ye Jun head-over-heels for me?" Xu Mey asked.


    "Well, the other day, he actually had a bit of a teasing contest with Shuang." Jun Li Na rted the incident when Ye Jun provoked Shuang with his words. Xu Mey couldn¡¯t stopughing as she heard theplete story.


    Especially the part, "If you¡¯ll hurt me once, my sis-inw will kill you twice." That part made Xu Mey want to go and pat on Ye Jun¡¯s shoulder. He finally did something worthy of being praised.


    Seeing her grin, Jun Li Na asked, "Would you really hurt someone for Ye Jun?"


    "Of course!" Xu Mey replied straightforwardly without even thinking.


    "Why?" Jun Li Na questioned.


    "First, because he¡¯s my husband¡¯s younger brother and second because he¡¯s actually ying the role of my younger brother which I never had." Ye Jun had be very important in her life. With all their interactions, she hade to develop a strange connection with him. Perhaps that¡¯s why Ye Jun always came to look for Xu Mey whenever he needed help.


    Jun Li Na sighed audibly saying, "It surely is a beautiful connection." She drank the flute in her hand without blinking.


    "Have you seen Xu Liqing?" Xu Mey asked Jun Li Na.


    "Don¡¯t mention that b*tch to me at all. If I got a chance, I¡¯ll strangle her with my own hands." Xu Mey was surprised by the indignation in Jun Li Na¡¯s voice. Although she was familiar with the fact that both Jun Li Na and Xu Liqing were never on good terms, it still was weird to know that these cousins rtionship was this much worse now.


    But what happened? They always avoided each other but when did they start despising each other?


    Xu Mey couldn¡¯t help her curiosity and ask, "What happened between you two?" Jun Li Na stayed quiet and looked at the ss of alcohol in her hand with mncholy in her eyes. "Don¡¯t tell me that you were crying earlier because of her." Jun Li Na still kept her silence making Xu Mey¡¯s doubt stronger. "What did she do, Li Na?"


    Jun Li Na smiled sadly and said, "She¡¯s snatching my man from me. Since she couldn¡¯t get your husband, she has changed her prey to mine now. She truly is a ssic example of like mother like daughter."


    "What? And you let her?" Xu Mey almost yelled. "How could you give up so easily?"


    "Mey, you¡¯re not getting it. I can stop her but what am I supposed to do with my fiance? We can¡¯t me the third person when our own is not sincere." Jun Li Na couldn¡¯t control the flood of tears that flowed down her tears.


    From a side, Fu Shuang saw Jun Li Na crying and came running up to her, "Hey, little sister, what¡¯s wrong with you? Did that idiot say something to you again?"


    "Why don¡¯t you go and ask your precious Liqing?" Xu Mey sneered from behind him. Fu Shuang couldn¡¯t understand her meaning.


    "You need to talk for me to know what¡¯s going on here." Through Fu Shuang¡¯s coaxing, Jun Li Na¡¯s hups seized.


    "Shuang, I just saw her acting coyly with Lu Ge. They were together in the parking lot in a dark corner. And when I tried to confront them, that crazy b*tch pushed me before climbing into his car and going God knows where." Jun Li Na spoke venomously as if saying Xu Liqing¡¯s name was akin to soiling her tongue.


    Fu Shuang was stunned for a moment but Xu Mey wasn¡¯t. Perhaps, for Fu Shuang Xu Liqing only had a bad temper but only Xu Mey and Jun Li Na knew the unscrupulous ways of Xu Liqing.


    Xu Mey dialed a number at the spot and said, "Look for Xu Liqing¡¯s whereabouts, now!"


    Fu Shuang¡¯s dazed state broke and he looked at her asking, "What are you gonna do, Mey?"


    "Well, I¡¯m gonna change my n a bit. Nothing else." Xu Mey replied with a chilly smile. In her anger, she even didn¡¯t notice that Fu Shuang had called her ¡¯Mey¡¯.


    Fu Shuang already knew that Xu Mey came with a hidden motive. There was no way that Xu Mey woulde to his party without any reason.

 Chapter 198 - Love-struck Teenager

    In just 5 minutes, Xu Mey received a message with Xu Liqing¡¯s location. She immediately turned to leave but Fu Shuang held her wrist. "Where are you going, Mey?" He asked.


    "That¡¯s none of your business, Master Shuang." Xu Mey replied and realized something. "What did you just call me?"


    Fu Shuang straightened up and stared back at her. "I called you Mey. Isn¡¯t that your name?"


    "How did...? No, When did you know?" She asked.


    "Would you believe it if I said that I knew it from the moment I saw you again?" Fu Shuang retorted.


    "Then why didn¡¯t you say so?"


    "If I had, would you have talked to me?" Xu Mey knew that he was right, she would have avoided him at all costs instead of using him for this long.


    After a moment of silence, she spoke again, "I see you¡¯re still crazy."


    Fu Shuang smiled but didn¡¯t argue with her. "Now, would you tell me what are you nning on doing?"


    "Now, I have more reasons not to tell you. Enjoy your birthday party." Xu Mey turned to leave.


    "Don¡¯t do anything reckless!" She halted as she heard Fu Shuang¡¯s voice from behind.


    Xu Mey turned her body and asked, "Why not? Huh? She can send assassins to kill me and I¡¯m not allowed to even act recklessly?"


    Both Fu Shuang and Xu Liqing were stunned listening to her words. "What do you mean, Mey-Mey?" Jun Li Na asked.


    Xu Mey snickered, "That psychotic witch sent assassins to kill me and I would have died by now if dad wouldn¡¯t have been there to take the bullet for me." As she spoke, both Fu Shuang and Jun Li Na turned pale. "Do you still want me to not act recklessly?"


    Fu Shuangposed himself and said firmly, "Yes... I don¡¯t want you to act recklessly. We don¡¯t have to stoop to her level. I know she went far but I think you¡¯d feel more peaceful if Xu Liqing ended up exactly as you did back then."


    At the reminder of that past, Xu Mey felt bitter and said, "You really don¡¯t get to talk about my past since you left. That too even without saying a word to me."


    Fu Shuang scowled at herst statement and held her shoulders asking, "What do you mean that I didn¡¯t provide you with a reason?"


    Xu Mey pushed him back, pointed a stern finger at him saying, "Don¡¯t touch me again! And when did you exin anything? You just left. On your own... Breaking your promise."


    "Listen! Mey, I gave you the reason. I met you in the church and told you about why I had to leave. Don¡¯t you remember?" Fu Shuang looked at her with a questioning gaze.


    "What the hell are you talking about? I didn¡¯t see you at church at all." Xu Mey replied.


    "Weren¡¯t you wearing a mask and you told me that you had a bad cold and you didn¡¯t want to pass your germs to me?" Xu Mey scowled and shook her head vigorously. "Then who was under that mask?" While Xu Mey shrugged her shoulders indifferently, Jun Li Na patted Shuang¡¯s shoulder.


    "Who do you think?"


    "F*ck!" Fu Shuang cursed at the realization. "I¡¯m so going to kill her now." He turned to Xu Mey saying, "Where is she? Take me with you."


    "Don¡¯t want to." Xu Mey replied curtly.


    "Stop acting stubborn and let¡¯s go! You¡¯d need help as well." Fu Shuang didn¡¯t listen to Xu Mey¡¯s protests and dragged her with himself. Jun Li Na also followed behind them.


    In Fu Shuang¡¯s car, Xu Mey gave the address to Fu Shuang since Jun Li Na insisted.


    "I can¡¯t believe that you actually thought, I¡¯d ever leave without seeing you." Xu Mey disregarded Fu Shuang¡¯s presence and dialed up Ye Jie¡¯s number.


    When the call connected, she said, "Ah-Jie! Are you there?"


    Fu Shuang ended up pressing the breaks abruptly making the car halt with a jolt. Xu Mey red at him but it wasn¡¯t his fault that he had never heard Xu Mey talk so adorable and lovingly. It made him feel sour.


    "Not yet, I¡¯m still on the road." Ye Jie answered. "Where are you, baby? Did you leave the party or are you still there?"


    "Ah-Jie¡¯s baby left the party." Fu Shuang had the urge to puke blood with the amount of vinegar he had to drink at the moment. "But your baby is not going home for now."


    "Hmm... Then where is baby going?" Ye Jie asked as he leaned in the leather seat where her scent still lingered. He really was missing her more than he thought he would.


    "Baby will tell youter when youe back."


    "Baby, are you nning to do something?"


    "Ah-Jie! I promised you that I won¡¯t so, trust me. I really won¡¯t do anything. At least not myself." Xu Mey spoke innocently.


    Ye Jie smiled at the other side and shook his head lightly. "Okay... Do whatever you want. Just don¡¯t get hurt."


    "I won¡¯t. I assure you." Xu Mey answered solemnly. "Oh, and I¡¯m not alone."


    "Hm... Who¡¯s with you?"


    "Jun Li Na and... Master Shuang." Xu Mey said hesitatingly but she didn¡¯t want to hide this from Ye Jie. If a misunderstanding arose in the future, she really didn¡¯t have the courage to argue with Ye Jie. So, she decided to timely clear up everything.


    "Alright! Then enjoy your plots and don¡¯t go home alone." Xu Mey smiled since Ye Jie didn¡¯t say anything as she had expected from him. He really was too trusting.


    "Yes, boss! I¡¯ve texted Qiao-Ge, he¡¯ll be there. So, he¡¯ll be dropping me home." Ye Jie hummed in response and Xu Mey saw out the window that they were almost at the hotel, so she said, "Ah-Jie, call me after getting there. I¡¯ll talk to youter. Bye and take care. And oh, I miss you already."


    Ye Jie chuckled and said, "I miss you more, baby!"


    Xu Mey grinned from ear to ear as she disconnected the call. There was a strange silence in the car. Xu Mey looked at Fu Shuang to see him making a foul look while Jun Li Na was smiling like a lovestruck teenager.

 Chapter 199 - Im His Wife

    After entering the hotel one after the other, Xu Mey went up to the reception to inquire about the room no. "Good evening, miss! Wee to the Pearl Hotel! How may I help you?" The receptionist asked looking at the gorgeousdy before her.


    "Um... Can you tell me the room no of Mr. Lu Ge?" Xu Mey smiled pleasantly.


    "I¡¯m really sorry, miss! But the hotel policy doesn¡¯t allow us to share our customers¡¯ information. It¡¯s against the rules." The receptionist spoke courteously.


    "How about if I¡¯m the one asking?" The receptionist looked past Xu Mey and saw a stern looking Li Qiaoing.


    "Sir! Let me check it," the receptionist took a 180-degree turn instantly and checked theputer records. She couldn¡¯t possibly deny anything to the person before him. He was from the family which owned this hotel. How could she have the guts to mess with the boss?


    "Qiao-Ge!" Xu Mey beamed before hugging him. Li Qiao¡¯s features turned soft instantly.


    "Why are you wearing so little? The night breeze is really cold. You might catch a cold at this rate." Li Qiao was reprimanding her but he wasn¡¯t angry at all. Instead, his words were showing his love and care for her. Xu Mey just listened and scratched the back of her head sheepishly. Li Qiao waved his hand and his assistant went running away to get a shawl for Xu Mey.


    "Sir, he¡¯s staying in room no 1109." They heard the receptionist¡¯s voice and nodded.


    "Xiao Mey, I¡¯m in the conference room. If you need anything let me know. Also, I¡¯ll look for you after I¡¯m done." His assistant came back with a shawl and Li Qiao wrapped it around Xu Mey¡¯s shoulders. He turned to leave when suddenly he turned his body and said, "Oh, and tell your dear husband that he doesn¡¯t have to remind me a million times that I have to drop you home."


    Xu Mey blushed slightly and grinned. "Qiao-Ge, I¡¯ll see youter. And even if I tell Ah-Jie, he won¡¯t listen." Li Qiao didn¡¯t say anything and turned back.


    She turned around and saw Fu Shuang and Jun Li Na leaning against a pir while staring at her. "What are you guys wasting the time around for?" Both Fu Shuang and Jun Li Na had the urge to tell her that she was the one who was wasting time in either chit-chat or making them eat vinegar.


    After taking the elevator to the 11th floor, Xu Mey looked at both of them and asked, "So, Master Shuang what¡¯s your brilliant n?"


    "First, we need to make sure that Xu Liqing is inside with Lu Ge." Fu Shuang started.


    "And after confirming?" Jun Li Na asked.


    "Then we¡¯ll disclose this adultery before the whole world."


    "Have you lost your mind? How is this punishment enough? It¡¯s not even fun at all." Xu Mey remarked with disdain.


    Fu Shuang knocked on Xu Mey¡¯s head as if they were still the same kids who yed around all the time. It had been decades since the three of them sneaked around like this together. "We¡¯re doing this to push her to an edge." Fu Shuang answered.


    "Humph! I already pushed her there. It didn¡¯t change many things." Xu Mey spoke irritatingly as she remembered the way how Xu Liqing got out of the drug involvement.


    "That was because you left a loophole. You only proved she was there for one night and my aunt exploited that loophole to make Xu Liqing clear of all the charges and allegations." Xu Mey realized that he was speaking the truth, just because of her simple ignorance, Fu Lan managed to clear up everything.


    "This time we¡¯re gonna attack where it hurts the most. Having an affair with your own sister¡¯s husband is not something that our society takes lightly. She¡¯ll be scorned in the society."


    "And then what?" Xu Mey asked in a bored manner.


    "Then? I¡¯ll show you how I¡¯ll take my revenge for lying and acting so unscrupulously. How dare she try to kill someone?" Xu Mey naturally had no interest in what he did or would do? She only wanted to make Xu Liqing miserable.


    "But how are we going to check whether she¡¯s inside or not?" Jun Li Na inquired from both of them.


    "Leave it to me." Xu Mey said and texted Li Qiao. Within a few minutes, she had the master key in her hand. "So, who¡¯s going inside?" Xu Mey looked at both of the other people. In the end, Xu Mey spoke, "Our very own Li Na will be joining the fundies and gentleman give a big round of apuse for encouragement."


    Jun Li Na scowled while Fu Shuang chuckled at Xu Mey¡¯s dramatic act. She passed the key to Jun Li Na and pushed her towards the door.


    Jun Li Na slowly with her trembling hands opened the door and walked inside the room silently. After just a minute, she came running back with a hand over her mouth and tears pooling in her eyes.


    "I think we have our answer." Xu Mey said staring at Jun Li Na¡¯s crying face. Fu Shuang was quite surprised to see Xu Mey¡¯s indifferent expression but he figured that she must have been through enough to toughen her up.


    He hugged Jun Li Na and tried to calm her while Xu Mey made a call to the news reporters. But before she could speak, Jun Li Na snatched the phone away from her. Xu Mey frowned.


    "No, let¡¯s not do it. I don¡¯t want to ruin his reputation like this." Xu Mey immediately lost hernguid expression and rage burned in her eyes.


    "How can you even love someone like him? He¡¯s a jerk. And you deserve so much better. I don¡¯t give a damn about his reputation." Xu Mey wasn¡¯t in the mood to listen to anything.


    "My reputation is associated with his now, Mey. I¡¯m his wife!" Xu Mey¡¯s body stiffened.

 Chapter 200 - Good Cop, Bad Cop

    "What... What do you mean?" Xu Mey asked staring back at her.


    Fu Shuang supported Jun Li Na¡¯s body and told Xu Mey, "It happenedst week. Because Lu family was in trouble, the elders thought to tie the know between Jun Li Na and Lu Ge as soon as possible. They filed for marriage in the court just a few days ago. Lu family got the support they needed and Jun Li Na¡¯s dream of marrying him came true."


    Xu Mey pondered at the side for a while and kept staring at Jun Li Na¡¯s swollen eyes. "Are you happy to marry him?" Jun Li Na lifted her eyes and Xu Mey went on, "Do you finally realize that some dreams have the tendency to turn into our nightmares?"


    "But I loved him for so long. I don¡¯t even think that I can love anyone other than him." Jun Li Na was breaking down into tiny pieces inwardly. The conflict inside of her was unknown to Xu Mey.


    Xu Mey held her wrist in a tight grip and asked, "After what you just saw inside, can you look at him in the same way as you did before? How can you be so gullible? I thought you¡¯re stronger than this."


    "But love can make you gullible and weak." Jun Li Na remarked.


    Xu Mey snorted. "If the love is turning you into a weakling then that love doesn¡¯t deserve you. Because true love can never make you feel lost." Xu Mey thought about Ye Jie¡¯s smiling face and said, "Love gives you the courage to stand tall and fight. It doesn¡¯t bring self-doubt instead it brings self-confidence to love your own self." Jun Li Na stared at Xu Mey and stopped crying. "This n is going down today."


    Xu Mey called the reporters again and hid around the corner with the other two.


    There is a quality of reporters, they always end up at the scene even before the police. Xu Mey had slipped the master key to a reporter through the hotel staff and as they rushed into the suite, Xu Mey could hear Xu Liqing¡¯s shrieks and a manly roar.


    "Ms. Xu, is it true that you¡¯re having an affair with your sister¡¯s husband?" A reporter shot up the question immediately catching Xu Liqing off guard.


    "Is the person beside you actually your brother-inw?" Another one chimed in.


    "Ms. Xu, you¡¯ve been recently involved in a drug case and now this shameful act. Don¡¯t you think that you¡¯re actually staining Xu Family¡¯s reputation?" The reporters got fierce with their questions while Xu Liqing was dumbfounded with the scene before her. Wrapped in nkets to hide her nakedness, she had no idea, what was going around herself.


    Outside the room, Xu Mey called Fu Lan. "Hello, dear step-mother!"


    "Why the hell are you calling me?" Fu Lan had just woken up and in her groggy state, she didn¡¯t notice Xu Mey¡¯s changed tone.


    "Aiyo, dear step-mother, how can you sleep at a time like this when your daughter¡¯s being stripped naked before the world." Xu Mey smirked.


    "What nonsense are you spouting?" Fu Lan was surely not going to believe Xu Mey so easily.


    "Why don¡¯t you check some news channel," Xu Mey suggested like a humble person.


    Fu Lan instantly turned on the tv and right before her in live news, she saw Xu Liqing sitting on a bed with a nket wrapped around her body. The headline read: ¡¯A sister is actually snatching another sister¡¯s husband.¡¯ Her mind reeled. "You! Did you do this?" Fu Lan shouted.


    "So, what if I did?" Xu Mey argued.


    "Huh? So, this meek little girl has grown some feathers and is wishing to fly. Just because of a husband, don¡¯t be so arrogant!" Fu Lan spoke indignantly.


    "Aiyo, you surely are an idiot if you think that I can¡¯t fly. Ms. Fu Lan, I called to tell you that from this point onwards your miserable life is starting. Because grandfather will surely throw both you b*tches out of our family."


    Fu Lanughed menacingly. "Haha... What a joke! That old man can¡¯t do anything to me, I still have my shares in the Xu Corporation, I can ruin hispany in a minute."


    "Oh, you really are delusional like your daughter. But it¡¯s alright, I¡¯ll make sure to get you a good doctor. Bye, bye!"


    "I¡¯ll kill you, Xu Mey!" Xu Mey heard Fu Lan¡¯s annoying voice making her rub her ear.


    "Oh, yeah? I¡¯ll be waiting for that." Xu Mey provoked her on purpose.


    "Why did you tell aunt that you¡¯re the one behind it all?" Fu Shuang was confused. It was clearly his idea then why did she take the me. Was she saving him? No, no... He shook his head to get rid of such ridiculous thoughts. She must have something nned again.


    "One... Two..." Instead of answering his question, Xu Mey counted. "Three..." Fu Shuang¡¯s cell phone rang. "She is right on time."


    Fu Shuang frowned and looked at the caller id. It was a call from Fu Lan. "Attend it and act normal." Xu Mey instructed Fu Shuang and he nodded.


    He turned to a side and connected the call. "Hi, aunt! Is everything okay? Why are you calling me sote?"


    "Shuang, I know you must be tired after the birthday party and auntie is sorry for not being able to attend. But I need your help." Fu Lan¡¯s anxious voice rang out from the other side.


    "It¡¯s okay auntie. Your blessings are always with me. Please, do tell how can I be of help?" Xu Mey praised Fu Shuang¡¯s acting skills.


    "Liqing is stuck in a situation. Please, help her get out of there." Xu Mey rolled her eyes at the side.


    "Tell me in detail. So, I can see how I can help her." Fu Lan told him whatever she knew which was nothing much. "Let me get there. Auntie, don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll do something for sure."


    "What are we ying?" Fu Shuang asked the instant he disconnected the call with Fu Lan.


    "I¡¯m ying the bad cop and you¡¯re gonna y the good cop."

 Chapter 201 - Broken Pieces

    "Huh?" Fu Shuang and even Jun Li Na were perplexed.


    "Aiyo, idiots! My sensei once taught me that to ruin an enemy, infiltrate its base. make the fortress hollow from inside and then it¡¯ll be a piece of cake to conquer the world. That¡¯s exactly what I¡¯m doing." She looked at Fu Shuang and said, "If you really mean that you never meant to leave me without seeing me then you have to be my mole."


    Fu Shuang stared back and asked, "Will I get my friend back?"


    Xu Mey contemted a bit and nodded saying, "Yes, I¡¯ll be giving our friendship another chance." For Fu Shuang, it was more than enough that she was going to forgive him. So, he readily agreed. He hated her being distant and if he was getting a chance to be close to her again then why would he not agree?


    "Should I go to rescue her from there?" Fu Shuang asked Xu Mey.


    "Nope, not yet. If you appeared so soon then it¡¯ll be suspicious. Wait for some time here." Xu Mey instructed.


    When Xu Mey allowed Fu Shuang to move ahead, Xu Liqing was wailing inside like an olddy. Fu Shuang brought some guards with himself who were arranged by Xu Mey for him. He covered Xu Liqing¡¯s face with his jacket and through the path that the guards made, he took Liqing out. The reporters were instructed to only focus on Xu Liqing which was why they all left Lu Ge inside the room alone.


    "Let¡¯s go!" Xu Mey told Jun Li Na but thetter didn¡¯t move at all. "What are you waiting for?"


    "You go without me, Mey. I¡¯ll be there soon." Xu Mey didn¡¯t try to convince Jun Li Na since she knew that Li Na needed to lose herst hope that was the only way for her to move on.


    When Xu Mey left, Jun Li Na walked out of the corner. At the same time, Lu Ge walked out of the suite d in his disheveled clothes. As his gaze fell on Jun Li Na, a fury raged inside of his heart. With furious eyes, he came to Jun Li Na, held her wrist and pulled her with himself. She followed quietly behind him.


    He pushed her inside the car and sat in the driver seat before driving at a high speed. "Slow down the car," she spoke meekly afraid of his wrath.


    Lu Ge pressed the brake and unbuckled his seatbelt. He grabbed a fist of Jun Li Na¡¯s hair and pulled her face towards himself. He wasn¡¯t kissing her. He was torturing her with the bites that made her even taste her own blood. She tried to push him away but he grabbed her wrist and snarled, "Isn¡¯t this what you wanted? You¡¯ve been following me for years. Just for this right? Then take it, I¡¯m finally giving it to you."


    He smothered her face, pushed the seat back as he hovered above her body. He bit and licked on her neck and moved lower. She repeatedly tried to escape from his grip but he didn¡¯t let her loose. He brought both her hands over her head and held her wrists with one hand while his other hand grabbed at her full sleeve gown and tore the sleeve.


    Jun Li Na¡¯s tears had no restraint as they trickled down her face burning her but his eyes and his touch were akin to needles that prickled her skin repeatedly making her feel disgusted by him. Seeing him groping her breast, she felt repulsed as the memory of seeing him in bed with Xu Liqing came back. She thought that Xu Mey was right, she¡¯ll never be able to look at this man in the same way ever again. Because for her now, he¡¯d always be a person who cheated on her with her own cousin sister.


    Even more so, after him acting like an animal with her, she won¡¯t be able to forgive him. Or perhaps, she won¡¯t be able to forgive herself for loving such a scum. Forgiving others is easy, forgiving your own self only breaks you even more. But without forgiving yourself, you can¡¯t expect to forgive others as well.


    Jun Li Na¡¯s hand loosened a bit and she pped his face. She cowered back in her seat saying, "I always wanted your love not this. I never desired this."


    Lu Ge pped her back and said, "You crazy stalker, you even didn¡¯t spare your sister? Do you know that you just ruined her life?"


    "Did you spare my sister?" Jun Li Na questioned bravely ring at him. "And what about my life? You care about hers but mine is not even worthy to be mentioned? I gave you my everything and yet, this is where you brought our rtionship."


    "Hiss!" She winced in pain as he grabbed her hair again.


    "What rtionship? The one that existed in your delusions? Who would love a useless wretch like you?" He snarled again and pushed open the door of her side. He got out of the car and pulled her out as well.


    It was middle of nowhere. There were barely any road lights that illuminated the area. This ce gave her an eerie feeling, making her want to run away. Lu Ge pushed her on to the roadside making her skin graze upon on the road. Blood oozed out of her scraped knee and elbow.


    "You!" He pointed a finger at her. "Don¡¯t ever show me your face again."


    He sat back in his car and drove away. Jun Li Na stayed on the floor without any intention of getting up at all. As she gazed at the nails and teeth marks on her body, she realized that her 10 years of love was murdered today torturously.


    Some hearts learn to love only to be broken by the one they loved. Her heart was one of those. Today, it not only broke, but its broken pieces were also disgustinglytched to her body in the form of torn clothes and bite marks. She dazedly looked at the flickering light right above her head and thought, ¡¯Did she loved so much only be broken like this?¡¯

 Chapter 202 - Im Really Sorry!

    On a silent road, in the middle of the night, a car was driving slowly and inside, a girl¡¯s sweet voice was ringing, "Jun-Ge, this ce is perfect!" Azalea spoke with excitement from seeing such a secluded and silent ce.


    "You really are weird. How is this perfect? Little princess, this ce is one of the unsafest ces in City Star." Ye Jun calmly informed Azalea.


    "Oh!" She nodded her head and silently looked out the window pane.


    After reaching a juncture, Azalea immediately shouted, "Stop!" Ye Jun stopped the car on reflex and stared at her.


    "What¡¯s wrong?" She wasn¡¯t focused on him instead, she was gazing out the window at something intently.


    "Jun-Ge, they are trying to take advantage of that vulnerable girl over there," Ye Jun looked in the direction Azalea was pointing and sure enough, a couple of thug looking guys were surrounding a girl.


    "Zelie! There are plenty of girls who willinglye here. You don¡¯t have to focus on that."


    "I don¡¯t think she¡¯s one of those willing ones," Azalea argued and Ye Jun looked again.


    This time, he did notice that the girl was like a lifeless doll. Just sitting there. He frowned and walked down the car. "Stay inside," he instructed Azalea before walking in those thugs direction.


    "Hey, man! Is everything alright here?" Hearing Ye Jun¡¯s voice one of the guys looked at him.


    "We are fine. Off you go! Don¡¯t disturb us."


    Ye Jun didn¡¯t like his tone at all. He tried to talk to the girl. "Miss, do you need help? Are you okay?" Hearing a familiar voice, Jun Li Na lifted her head a bit. Ye Jun nked out when he recognized her. Even though her face was swollen and her eyes were puffed up, he could still recognize her.


    "Jun!" She called out faintly looking at him in a daze.


    Ye Jun felt his blood flow backward as his gaze fell on her torn clothes and different wounds on her body. With a furious rage, he clenched his fists and threw a power-packed punch to one of the guys.


    As the other two attacked him, he nimbly avoided their attack and pushed them to the ground. He twisted an arm of the guy in front of him and asked, "Who did this to her?"


    "We don¡¯t know." The guy answered honestly.


    "Don¡¯t lie!" Ye Jun warned.


    "I¡¯m telling the truth. She was already sitting here like this when we came here. We know nothing. Please, let us go!" Ye Jun loosened his grip and let the thugs leave. Then he peeled off his jacket and wrapped it around Jun Li Na¡¯s body. He picked her body off the ground and carried her to the car.


    "Zelie, go in the back seat." Azalea listened to Ye Jun obediently and sat in the backseat. Ye Jun buckled Jun Li Na¡¯s seatbelt and came around to take his seat behind the wheel.


    "Jun-Ge, do you know her?" Azalea asked curiously as she noticed that he was really angry with his hands clutching the steering wheel tightly.


    "Yes, she¡¯s sis Mey¡¯s friend." Ye Jun chose to answer this way while Azalea observed the ragged look of Jun Li Na. She wasn¡¯t a child who couldn¡¯t tell what her state meant but she chose to be sensible and silent.


    Ye Jun drove Azalea home and brought Jun Li Na to his own apartment in the suburbs after that. "Take a bath and I¡¯ll find some clothes of mine that could fit you." He pushed Jun Li Na to the bathroom and walked to the closet to look for something in her size.


    After spending 15 minutes, he finally found some old pajamas in a bit smaller size. He knocked at the bathroom door but no response came from inside. He knocked again for 3 times but still nothing. He felt scared and used the key to enter the bathroom. The sight before him made his heart bleed.


    She was standing before the mirror with a scissor on the counter and a mess of her long hair on the floor. Only shoulder-length hair was left on her head and that too cut in an unruly manner. Her tears had dried uppletely but she was left with her hands rubbing her body d in torn clothes. She was trying to rub herself clean to peel off the skin to remove all of his presence that lingered on her.


    Ye Jun¡¯s eyes moistened up at the sight as he came closer to her and touched her shoulder lightly. She immediately went into defense mode and pulled away from him. "Rx! It¡¯s me. Your idiot Jun." Jun Li Na stared at his face for a long while before rxing in his presence.


    "Jun!" She called his name softly and he passed a sad smile to her.


    "One and only."


    Ye Jun carried her into the bathtub and turned on the water for her. He personally picked up the showered head and poured water on her head. She jolted as the water touched her skin. When the water filled up the tub, he helped her take off her clothes while keeping his eyes closed.


    As he helped her take a shower and clean up, she kept staring at his handsome but anxious face. She could only see that he was upset but she didn¡¯t know that he was actually breaking apart slowly. The more wounds he saw, the more Ye Jun had the urge to murder someone.


    He d her in the pajamas and dried her hair before carrying her to the bed. After cing her under the nket, he went to get some milk for her. When he came back, Jun Li Na was snuggled up in the nket and breathing steadily. He ced the milk on the nightstand and stroked her hair saying, "I¡¯m sorry for beingte. I¡¯m really sorry."


    On one side, his tears were trickling down and on the other side, Jun Li Na¡¯s tears were rolling down as she listened to his sincere apology. Even when he wasn¡¯t the one who needed to be sorry.

 Chapter 203 - Everything Hes Looking For

    Meanwhile, Li Qiao drove Xu Mey home as per her Ah-Jie¡¯s constant reminder. Li Qiao couldn¡¯t decide whether to be happy or upset with Ye Jie¡¯s constant disturbance during the meeting.


    "Qiao-Ge, you look a bit upset." Xu Mey remarked looking at his face.


    Li Qiao smiled at her pleasantly and said, "I¡¯m fine, Xiao Mey."


    "Liar, liar, pants on fire!" Li Qiao chuckled at her childish act and ruffled her hair.


    "Just tell your Xiao Mey. She¡¯ll make everything okay for you." Xu Mey patted her chest as she emphasized her point.


    "Mom told me that my cousin ising back to the country." Li Qiao spoke while Xu Mey¡¯s brows arched up.


    "But you love your cousin. What¡¯s his name? I forgot again."


    Li Qiao chuckled and replied, "Xin Xiamu. His name is Xin Xiamu. And I do love him a lot. He¡¯s my only little brother. How can I not love him?"


    "Then what¡¯s the problem?" Xu Mey questioned. Or should I ask what exactly is heing here for?"


    Li Qiao sighed heavily. "Mom said that he¡¯sing for marriage."


    "Oh!" That¡¯s all Xu Mey could think of to say to him at the moment. Shepletely forgot that this cousin was the one who was engaged to Yu Kim whom Li Qiao loved a lot. She wanted to bang her head against the wall. When did rtionships get soplicated? Or perhaps, only the rtionships in her life wereplicated.


    It was getting difficult for her own self to keep track of her rtionships at the moment. She felt like she needed to build a Family Tree properly linking every person to the other. Perhaps, it might help her frenzied mind.


    "I recently talked to him." Li Qiao spoke again after a pause. "ording to him, he¡¯sing to find some answers."


    Xu Mey frowned. "Answers? What kind of answers?"


    "That he didn¡¯t tell me at all. He only said that Star City has everything that he¡¯s looking for. I really have no idea what¡¯s he nning but I hope he doesn¡¯t act recklessly."


    "Is he reckless?" Xu Mey inquired curiously.


    "Not more than you. Mostly he¡¯s very sensible but sometimes, he just acts on impulse."


    "Rx! I believe that everything will be alright."


    "Aren¡¯t you hopeful today?" Li Qiao was surprised by her positive thinking.


    "Well, if you think nice then only nice things will happen to you." Xu Mey said with a smile.


    "And who said that?" Li Qiao raised his brow inquiringly.


    Xu Mey grinned and rubbed the tip of her nose saying, "My Ah-Jie said that."


    "Gosh! I¡¯ll act like you didn¡¯t say that." Li Qiao groaned in front of her but inwardly he was smiling himself. He felt content with her acting like a normal girl her age. "Take care of yourself!" Li Qiao said to her before she climbed down the car.


    As she walked inside the house, she found Azalea sitting at the couch with a distressed look. Xu Mey wasn¡¯t used to seeing that expression on her face. Azalea loved to smile and that¡¯s what everybody liked about her.


    "Everything okay with you, little sister?" Xu Mey asked taking a seat beside her on the couch.


    Azalea looked at Xu Mey¡¯s eager eyes and bit her lips. Clearly, she was in a dilemma whether to talk about the incident that happened or not. Finally, she decided to share it with her. "Sis, I went out with Jun-Ge."


    Xu Mey smiled at her and said, "That¡¯s nothing to be sad about since I can guarantee that my little brother can never make anyone sad." Calling Ye Jun her little brother felt so natural to her.


    "I know that. Jun-Ge can make everyone feel happy but that¡¯s not the issue."


    "Then what¡¯s the issue?" Xu Mey asked seriously.


    Azalea ended up rting the whole thing about Jun Li Na. "Do you know the girl¡¯s name that he saved?" Azalea shook her head.


    "They both stayed silent all the way to here. After that, I don¡¯t know where he took her." Azalea informed her.


    "Can you tell me the girl¡¯s features?" Xu Mey asked feeling uneasy in her heart.


    "Erm... She had most of her face swollen so, I¡¯m not too sure but yeah, there was a beautiful mole at the edge of her eye." Xu Mey¡¯s body stiffened.


    Xu Mey rubbed her forehead and said, "Zelie, go to sleep. I¡¯ll take care of everything."


    Azalea nodded and went upstairs to her room while Xu Mey paced in the living room repeatedly before picking up her cell phone to dial Ye Jun¡¯s number.


    Ye Jun picked up and whispered, "Hey, sis!"


    "Where did you take her?" Xu Mey got the point.


    "So, Zelie told you as I expected." Ye Jun remarked and went on, "I brought her to my apartment in the suburbs."


    "You should have left her here," Xu Mey said.


    "I also wanted to. But looking at her I realized that she would never want to appear in that condition before you. So, I brought here to save her dignity."


    "Aiya! My little brother has really grown up after falling in love." Xu Mey remarked in a bit of teasing tone making Ye Jun smile.


    "Sis, you can¡¯t imagine the way she was behaving. She¡¯s listless and it¡¯s hurting me. I have never seen her this way before. I have the urge to murder that damn bastard who did it. But I don¡¯t even know who he is." Ye Jun spoke ruefully.


    "But I know who that bastard is," Xu Mey said with ferocity in her tone.


    "Who is he? Tell me," Ye Jun asked.


    "You stay with her. I¡¯ll take care of that bastard. How dare he touched my best friend? I¡¯ll show him what it means to hurt someone who Xu Mey cares for." Ye Jun could hear her conviction and couldn¡¯t argue with that. He knew that Xu Mey would treat that bastard in a much worse way than himself.

 Chapter 204 - What-ifs

    d in aplete leather ensemble, Xu Mey put on her gloves and with many dilemmas decided to just take her bike. She promised Ye Jie that she won¡¯t ride the bike after her ident but right now, she felt the need to do so. She needed to be inconspicuous and the bike was her best suit.


    But she couldn¡¯t just forget what Ye Jun told her. Even though she grew apart from Jun Li Na, that didn¡¯t change the fact that Xu Mey¡¯s very firstpanion was her.


    She had plenty of ways to make Lu Ge regret even touching Jun Li Na. She applied one of the ways when she called the reporters and said, "Remember I told you not to get the man¡¯s name out who was with Xu Liqing?"


    "Yes, I am making sure to bury that part." The reporter answered respectfully.


    "Don¡¯t bother," Xu Mey spoke. "Now, I want you to trample all over that adulterous couple. Write whatever you want and even more so, hype it up as much as you can. Get his Lu Financial Company involved as well. But, don¡¯t you dare mention the name of his wife at any cost."


    At first, because of Jun Li Na¡¯s insistence, Xu Mey decided to hide the identity of the man with whom Xu Liqing was found but now, she didn¡¯t give a damn at all. Even after passing the instructions, she didn¡¯t feel at ease. There was an itch in her heart that she couldn¡¯t let go of and that itch forced her to put on her biker suit and made her way towards the garage.


    She was about to mount on her bike when she heard a voice, "Where are you going, sis?"


    Xu Mey was startled for a second and turned to see Azalea with her inquiring eyes. "Um... Well, I¡¯m going out for a ride." Xu Mey answered with an innocent smile.


    Azalea gave an all-knowing look saying, "Sis, do you think that I¡¯m a kid who would believe whatever you say?"


    "Can¡¯t you?" Xu Mey made a pitiful face.


    "I can but what if bro-" Azalea didn¡¯t get toplete her worry since Xu Mey interrupted her.


    "Little sister, one of my favorite characters once said, ¡¯We can¡¯t waste time worrying about the what-ifs.(*)" For a moment, Azalea was speechless. She could find anything to argue with her.


    Seeing Azalea keeping her mum, Xu Mey added, "What-ifs can only hurt ourselves. And I know that if I asked myself that simple ¡¯what if?¡¯ then I¡¯ll have a million reasons to back off right now. But it won¡¯t change the fact that I even have a million reasons to move ahead as well."


    Azalea pondered for a moment before a sweet smile bloomed on her small face. "Then let mee with you." She suggested.


    "Oh, no! I can¡¯t." Xu Mey shook her head. "Ah-Jie will kill me if anything happened to you."


    Azalea frowned. "Would you let anything happen to me?" She questioned.


    "Of course not! But you never know." Xu Mey argued.


    Azalea paced up to Xu Mey¡¯s side and patted her shoulder saying, "Sis, I trust you. Also, if anything does go wrong, bro can never even have the courage to even yell at you much less kill you. And, in case of getting caught, you¡¯ll need someone to say it with you."


    "Say what?" Xu Mey narrowed her eyes.


    "F*ck it!" Azalea gave her a toothy grin making Xu Mey smile in return.


    In the end, Xu Mey gave in to Azalea and took her out on her bike. It was way past midnight and the roads werepletely empty with the exception of a few cars.


    After a ride of 20 minutes, Xu Mey stopped the bike in front of an elite bar. Azalea looked around and asked, "This is where he is? Are you sure?"


    "You have a doubt?" Xu Mey retorted.


    "No... I just find it weird that after everything the guy would be here." Azaleamented.


    "Zelie, people like him like to drown themselves in alcohol when they can¡¯t do anything else."


    Both the girls- one in ck and one in simple jeans and shirt- walked inside the bar. The smell of alcohol and smoke mixed with some strong perfumes made abination of a pungent smell which made Azalea¡¯s eyes sting. She scrunched up her face in disgust.


    "Go over there and sit still. Don¡¯t do anything. And don¡¯t move at all." Xu Mey directed Azalea towards a secluded corner and darted her eyes around to look for her prey.


    It took her just a minute before her eyesnded on Lu Ge¡¯s figure sitting between a group of young master of elite families in City Star. "Found you!" She mumbled and rummaged out a piece of ck cloth to bind around her face.


    After that, she picked up an alcohol bottle and took her aim. She might not call herself a prodigy in martial arts but she had amazing marksmanship. From her position, she shot the bottle straight towards Lu Ge¡¯s head and sure enough, itnded exactly where she aimed for.


    "Hiss!" Lu Ge hissed in pain as the blood oozed out of the side of his head. The three young masters around him were also startled at the turn of events. It happened so suddenly that nobody noticed. Also, they were really drunk after spending 2 hours in the bar so, they couldn¡¯t even stand straight at this point much less notice anything.


    "Who did it?" Lu Ge snarled but it came out as a slurp.


    Xu Mey walked up to his side and said, "Oops, my bad! The bottle just slipped out of my hand." Obviously, there was no such thing as guilty on her face whatsoever. Although they couldn¡¯t see the smirk on her face because of the cloth, they did saw the glint in her twinkling eyes.


    "Slipped? It was clearly intentional." Lu Ge rose his voice at Xu Mey trying to intimidate her.


    Xu Mey¡¯s eyes turned chilly in a second as she stared back at his eyes without fear and said, "Oh, yeah? It was intentional. What¡¯re you gonna do about it?" She challenged him.


    "You!" Lu Ge raised his hand intending to p Xu Mey but before his hand couldnd on her face, it was held in Xu Mey¡¯s strong grip.


    "Looks like, young master Lu really likes to show his manliness through beating girls. How about I show you what it feels like to p someone?"


    (*): Dialogue of Ichigo Kurosaki from Anime ¡¯Bleach¡¯

 Chapter 205 - Im Surely Doomed!

    Before anyone could react, Xu Mey struck her knee straight between his legs making him kneel down on the floor.


    While he was howling in pain, his friends got up to attack Xu Mey. She wasn¡¯t fazed at all.


    Xu Mey picked another bottle, broke it, and held it in her hand pointing at Lu Ge¡¯s friends. "Move a muscle and see what happens."


    One of his friendsughed and said, "She¡¯s only trying to scare us. Let¡¯s make a move together."


    His words had just left his mouth when Xu Mey shed his arm with the broken bottle in her hand saying, "I don¡¯t scare people. I learned to frighten them."


    "You!" The guy whose arm was bleeding growled at Xu Mey with indignation.


    Xu Mey shed his other arm and said, "Do you want me to continue? Because my target is your friend over here, " she pointed at Lu Ge who was rolling on the ground in pain. "But if you intervened, I don¡¯t mind castrating your manhood as well."


    Her tone made the three young masters put their hands before their fronts on reflex.


    Xu Mey turned back to Lu Ge and grabbed his neck from behind making him look at her with his nched face. She delivered a punch straight to his abdomen and he curled his body. Xu Mey was going to knee his manhood again when a sly smile made her halt.


    She dropped him on the floor and with her agile body pressed the pressure points at the three young masters¡¯ neck making them faint instantly.


    After that, she dragged Lu Ge from his cor with herself to the 3rd floor of the bar. When Lu Ge¡¯s droopy eyes looked at the sight before him, his eyes widened up.


    Only a very few people knew that the third floor of that particr bar was actually a gay prostitution facility. And weirdly, Xu Mey was one of those few people who has acquired this piece of information.


    She threw Lu Ge in the middle of the hall where a guy was giving his dance performance while several closet gays were gathered around to cheer him on.


    Seeing Lu Ge falling at their feet, all the gay men turned to look at Xu Mey with surprise. "I believe this one is quite handsome too." Xu Mey held Lu Ge¡¯s chin and gave everyone a good look of his handsome face. The only reason she didn¡¯t hit his face was that she thought he¡¯d be of some use.


    The gay men in the hall actually appreciated Lu Ge¡¯s appearance. Even though his face was pale and his head had some dried up blood that didn¡¯t cover up his handsome features.


    "What do you mean by this?" The owner of the club came forward and asked Xu Mey. She was actually a woman in her forties with an explosive wig and over the top make-up trying to hide her age.


    "Madam Qi!" Xu Mey addressed the old owner by her title and said, "Usually you take money for letting your boys spend some time with these closet young masters. But, " she paused and smirked at Lu Ge saying, "Today, I¡¯ll give you money to eat this young master alive. Take whatever he can give and as much as you can."


    The woman¡¯s eyes widened up as she understood the meaning of Xu Mey. The meaning was simple, she wanted them to strip his dignity as a man. "How much?" She asked seemingly interested in the offer.


    "20 million." Xu Mey quoted a price making everyone gasp in surprise.


    Madam Qi smiled deviously and waved her hand. "Boys, show this young master the ecstasy of life. Oh, and do it the way that ourdy here will be satisfied with our work."


    Xu Mey added to her statement, "Oh, and everyone here can join the fun." Her meaning was simple, any gay man could spend time with Lu Ge and that too without paying any money for it.


    "No!" Lu Ge screamed in horror as he realized what was actually happening to him. But it was toote.


    "You love to force yourself on girls, let them show you the helplessness that the girls feel because of scums like you!" Xu Mey punched his abdomen again before letting the guys drag him in the biggest and luxurious room in the facility.


    Madam Qi looked at Xu Mey¡¯s chilly look and asked, "He must have done something awful for you to choose this way?"


    "You don¡¯t need to know." She replied curtly and signed a check of 20 million for her.


    "Do you need anything else?" Madam Qi asked looking at the check in her hand.


    "Just take some beautiful pictures. Also, do film from a nice angle, after all this Oscar-worthy film will be broadcasted far and wide." Madam Qi¡¯s eyes widened at Xu Mey¡¯s statement. She shook her head thinking that thedy before her was not someone to be messed with. She actually pitied Lu Ge for messing with this devil.


    Xu Mey was pleased with her handy work when she made her way back to the bar on the ground floor. But to her misfortune, the three friends of Lu Ge had called for police.


    "Sh*t!* Xu Mey cursed and vowed to make these friends of his to pay the price as well.


    "Officer, she¡¯s the one. That one who had covered her face." They pointed at Xu Mey and the officer came closer to her.


    "Miss, these men have imed that you assaulted them and took their friend with you." The officer tried to size up Xu Mey as he spoke.


    "Look at me, I¡¯m such a small girl. How can I handle four men on my own? Yes, we argued but that was because their friend was going to attack me first." Xu Mey shirked all of the responsibility.


    "Liar! You threw the bottle first, " The one who was shed by her spoke making Xu Mey re at him.


    "I told you guys that my hand slipped. I was waving the bottle and it just slipped out of my hand." Xu Mey looked at the officer and made hand gestures showing him that, "Officer, I was doing this and suddenly the bottle left my hand." Her tone was so pitiful that the officer definitely started to believe her.


    "Officer don¡¯t listen to her. If she had no ulterior motive then why are you hiding your face?" The other young master asked sharply.


    Xu Mey rolled her eyes. "I have a severe cold." she coughed to emphasize her point and added, "So, I covered my face to avoid transferring my germs around."


    "Huh! You could have worn a face mask." Thenky one from the young masters chimed in.


    "But I didn¡¯t have a face mask. So, I chose to cover my face with a cloth. Is it a crime, officer?" Xu Mey¡¯s eyes moistened up as she asked righteously to the officer.


    "We should check the CCTV cameras." The young masters suggested when they realized that she was not so easy.


    Before the officer could say anything, his subordinate said something in his ear making his eyes widen up. "Miss, I¡¯m really sorry to bother you. You can leave. We¡¯ll take care of everything here." The officer respectfully spoke to Xu Mey. After all, when his subordinate told him that the He Family called to drop this case, how could he still have guts to mess with a military family?


    Xu Meynguidly walked out of the bar and saw Azalea at the side with He Jian. He Jian frowned a bit and said, "Follow me, Xiao Mey!"


    ¡¯I¡¯m surely doomed.¡¯ Xu Mey thought.

 Chapter 206 - Win Or Lose

    Xu Mey¡¯s cunning smile spontaneously took a turn towards an innocent and meek look. She looked at He Jian¡¯s zed eyes and didn¡¯t dare to argue.


    She climbed on to her bike and followed He Jian¡¯s car. He Jian revved the car back to Peach Estates with Azalea.


    After they entered the house one after the other, Xu Mey lowered her head avoiding He Jian¡¯s gaze. He stood straight in the middle of the living room with his arms crossed before his chest. "Xiao Mey?" He called her name gently perfectly masking his anger.


    "Present Sir!" Xu Mey answered in an adorable manner making He Jian narrow his eyes at her.


    "What do you think you were doing?" He questioned.


    Xu Mey bit her lower lip and grumbled, "After what he did, my actions arepletely justified."


    "I didn¡¯t say such a thing. You know very well that this brother of yours will never question your ways of dealing with stuff." When he received the call from Azalea, he drove as fast as he could to reach to Xu Mey. Azalea only briefly told him that Xu Mey was taking revenge for someone closer to her.


    Azalea didn¡¯t mention Jun Li Na¡¯s name because she didn¡¯t feel like talking about it so easily. Also, it wasn¡¯t her ce to talk at all.


    "Then why are angry?" Xu Mey lifted her eyes to nce at He Jian.


    He took a step closer to her and lifted his hand. "Ouch!" Xu Mey screamed in pain when He Jian pulled her ear saying, "You were supposed to be the one to call me. And that too even before acting on impulse."


    Xu Mey rubbed her ear and red at He Jian. "Jian-Ge, I didn¡¯t think about his stupid friends. And I was gonna call you if I felt the need to." He turned to Azalea and added, "How would I know that Zelie would call you over?"


    "I only called Jian bro when I heard that those three idiots were going to call the cops. I thought only Jian bro could be of help at that time." Azalea answered in a righteous way. "Although I know that you¡¯re good with words, I still thought that we should have a backup."


    Xu Mey couldn¡¯t possibly say anything to Azalea since she did everything thinking in favor of Xu Mey¡¯s well being. And it was the right thing to do.


    "It¡¯s a good thing that Zelie bothered to call me otherwise, a certain someone doesn¡¯t even feel necessary to tell me anything at all." He Jian said with a hurt look.


    Xu Mey felt guilty and didn¡¯t know what to say. All of a sudden, she decided to change her tactic. She paced up to He Jian and tugged at his sleeve swinging it from side to side. "Jian-Ge..." She blinked her eyes and puckered her lips adorably. "I was really gonna tell you. But I thought it¡¯d be better to tell you only when necessary."


    The way her demeanor took a 180-degree turn, Azalea was dumbfounded. On the other side, He Jian¡¯s anger had deted like a balloon. He patted Xu Mey¡¯s head and said, "Xiao Mey, you know that I really don¡¯t care about your decisions in life as long as they don¡¯t end up hurting you. Tonight, you could¡¯ve ended up at the police station if I didn¡¯t have interfered."


    "Humph! Who dares to take me to the police station when I have my Jian-Ge to protect me?" Xu Mey said proudly making He Jian smile. He shook his head and looked at the time.


    It was already 5 in the morning. "I should leave now. Both of you take care of yourselves." With that, He Jian left the house.


    Behind him, Azalea stared at Xu Mey and couldn¡¯t stop herself from pping. Xu Mey frowned and turned to look at Azalea.


    "You really are amazing, sis!" She remarked with an admiring look in her eyes.


    Xu Mey coughed a bit questioning, "What do you mean?"


    "You not only have a way with words. You also have a way with people. Can you tell me how you learned it?"


    Xu Mey stared at Azalea for a moment longer and her lips curled upwards faintly. "My Sensei used to say, ¡¯To deal with life or people you always have to remember two things. When ites to life and people, always think of winning. But in the case of people who love you, always focus on losing. Because sometimes, we have to lose and that¡¯s how we win.¡¯"


    Azalea was perplexed. "I don¡¯t get it." Shemented.


    Xu Mey smiled at her and ruffled her hair. "Life and people like to push us down and expect us to lose. But we need to rise and win this battle with life. As for the people who love us, it¡¯s not so wrong to lose once in a while. It shows that you cared enough."


    "I can only say that your logics are mostly like Jie-Ge¡¯s friend. Complicated!" With that said, Azalea went upstairs to her room.

 Chapter 207 - Pure & Deep

    Early in the morning when Ye Jun woke up, he didn¡¯t found Jun Li Na on the bed. His heart jolted as he frantically ran around the apartment to look for her.


    "Jun Li Na?" He called her name several times but there was no response. Theck of response scared him even more.


    Thinking of something, Ye Jun ran towards the bathroom. There sheid in the bathtub fully clothed. It was filled with cold water. Her face was expressionless and her eyes were nk as she stared at her body drenched in water.


    Ye Jun bit his lip and took slow steps towards her side. He crouched down beside the bathtub and stroked her wet hair. "What are you doing here?" He questioned in a gentle tone.


    Jun Li Na didn¡¯t give any reaction. She was still like a listless doll. Ye Jun didn¡¯t push her and patiently waited for her answer. Eventually, she turned her face towards Ye Jun and stared into his eyes.


    There was an unmasked worry in those eyes that stared back at her along with an ocean of gentleness that wanted to engulf her. Something shifted in her eyes.


    She frowned and asked, "Don¡¯t you feel disgusted?"


    "By what?" He smiled back at her.


    "By me." She answered directly with an emotionless face. "Even I¡¯m feeling disgusting. It¡¯s dirty. Every single part is dirty. And I hate it." She rubbed her body harshly as she spoke.


    Unknowingly her tears trickled down her cheek breaking Ye Jun¡¯s heart. He held her hands to stop her from hurting herself. Then grabbed her head and ced it against his chest saying, "I told you before I¡¯m a very stubborn kind of a person. Disgusted? Never and ever. You were the most beautiful girl to me when I first saw you and today, you look even more gorgeous."


    Jun Li Na lifted her eyes in confusion. Ye Jun rubbed her cold cheek saying, "Because you¡¯re brave and I know it. I know this is a setback but soon, you¡¯ll get over this phase."


    As hot tears rolled down her face, she asked, "What if I¡¯m not brave enough to get over this?"


    Ye Jun palmed her face and wiped her tears with his thumb. Looking into her eyes, he smiled saying, "Then I¡¯ll be right here to carry you all the way over this phase. No matter what, I¡¯ll still be right here. Just for you."


    Jun Li Na avoided his gentle gaze. "I told you that a sincere person like you deserve someone better than me. Someone perfect."


    Ye Jun extended his hands and carried Jun Li Na out of the cold water. "And today I will say it for the final time, I don¡¯t want a perfect person. I only need you and I only want you."


    Jun Li Na¡¯s heart was startled at his words. He ced her down and passed a bathrobe to her before turning around to leave. After a moment, she came out in a bathrobe with a towel wrapped around her head.


    Ye Jun passed her an oversized shirt with trousers which he found from his own clothes. After leaving her, he went to the kitchen to prepare something for breakfast.


    While he was immersed in cooking, he didn¡¯t notice Jun Li Na sitting at the dining table and staring at him intently. She was lost in her own thoughts. ¡¯How different they both are. One said I¡¯m not perfect for him. And this fool says I¡¯m already enough for him.¡¯ She sighed propping her face on her palm.


    Ye Jun put down Rice Porridge, pancakes with eggs, soybean milk along with deep-fried dough sticks. Jun Li Na was surprised to see breakfast before her. She stared at Ye Jun who in response shrugged his shoulders nonchntly while pouring soybean milk in her bowl.


    Originally, she had no heart to eat anything at all. She felt like swallowing would be difficult. But then she heard Ye Jun¡¯s tender voice as he ced a nket around her shoulders, "Even if you don¡¯t want to eat, take a few bites. You have got yourself a high fever. You need to take some medicine after this." He had already seen the way she was rubbing her temples and massaging her neck. Even her face was getting red from the heat along with the shivers.


    She picked up a long, brown, deep-fried dough stick and dipped it in soybean bean milk before taking a bite. It tasted better than she had expected. It was really surprising to know that he could cook so well. Ye Jun passed a bowl of rice porridge to her and noticed her gaze stuck on his face.


    "Do you need something?" He questioned. Jun Li Na shook her head. "Do you want to say something?" He wasn¡¯t convinced by her answer at all.


    She hesitated a bit before speaking a low voice, "Where did you learn to cook?"


    "Oh, this... Well, I always had a thing for food. So, when I was in summer camp, I decided to take cooking seriously." Ye Jun exined while taking a bite of his pancake.


    She went quiet after that. Ye Jun helped her with medicine and tucked her back inside a light nket. He sat beside her on the bed and ced the cloth dabbed in cold water on her forehead. She kept staring at him in silence.


    "Close your eyes and take plenty of rest." Ye Jun said keeping a straight face. When she closed her eyes and her breathing got a bit steady, he spoke again, "I know it¡¯s tough right now. But it¡¯s only hurting so much because your heart is in denial. You still can¡¯t believe that what happened was real. But trust me, even though with time you might hurt more, I¡¯ll still be right here with you."


    Jun Li Na felt peaceful as she listened to his caring words. She slowly closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep.


    She used to think that Ye Jun was like that child who only learned to smile or joke around in his life. But now, she was realizing that he was intentionally living as a child because he wanted to live his life in the best way possible.


    But she still didn¡¯t notice that just like a child¡¯s love, Ye Jun¡¯s love for her was also beyond just pure and deep.

 Chapter 208 - Youre Straight, Right?

    While Ye Jun was taking care of Jun Li Na, he waspletely unaware of the happenings of outside. Every news channel and inte hot topics were only filled with the story of an adulterous couple. Xu Liqing¡¯s photos with Lu Ge in the bed were circting all around.


    Those photos were a sight to behold.


    Just as Xu Mey ordered, Lu financial group was also implicated badly. Their shares dropped drastically in a single day because of one scandal. Along with that, no matter how much Lu family or Fu Lan tried to bury this scandal, it didn¡¯t go away at all. Its heat was only intensifying with each passing hour. But it proved one thing to both Lu family and Fu Lan that there was definitely someone pulling the strings at the back.


    What they didn¡¯t know was that there was indeed someone pulling the string behind the scene; Li Qiao. His Lotus Entertainment had a whole media group under it and once the Lotus Entertainment wanted to defile someone¡¯s career or life, it was no big deal at all for them.


    Xu Mey was working in her office when Madam Qi from the gay brothel sent her all the details she asked forst night. The content included not just photos or videos but it also included the way Lu Ge was left lifeless right outside Lu family house in the morning.


    Xu Mey didn¡¯t check the other videos, from one video of Lu Ge being thrown outside the Lu family house, she could discern that he was akin to a sheep who had been squeezed, devoured, and then trampled on by a bunch of wild hungry wolves. She had only heard somewhere that gay s-e-x was wild but now that she had seen Lu Ge¡¯s lifeless condition, she actually started believing in it.


    Seeing the amused smile on Xu Mey¡¯s lips, Qin Hao remarked, "You look really amused, President Xu."


    Xu Mey looked at her assistant and pondered for a while before calling him, "Qin Hao,e here and help me see something."


    Like a servile employee, Qin Hao came up to her side. Xu Mey passed him theputer tablet and said, "Since you¡¯re a straight guy, help me see how much this person¡¯s self-esteem has been demolished." Qin Hao was confused about her words but then again he had made peace with the fact that his boss was always talking in mysteries.


    As if thinking of something, she added, "You¡¯re straight, right?"


    Qin Hao stared at her wide-eyed and mouth agape. "Boss! I am straight. Do you have a doubt on me?"


    "Yes, I do. Because you¡¯ve been with me for years and yet I haven¡¯t seen you even talking to any girl." Xu Mey spoke with a straight face. It was true that in all the years that Qin Hao had been working for her, he had never gotten himself a girlfriend. She wasn¡¯t wrong in thinking that he some special preferences.


    "Rest assured. I¡¯m perfectly straight. Just because I don¡¯t date doesn¡¯t mean that I¡¯m not interested in girls. It just means that I¡¯m a very diligent employee." Xu Mey snorted and urged him to look at the video.


    As soon as the video yed, the tablet in Qin Hao¡¯s hand almost dropped to the ground. He didn¡¯t know whether to cry or just cry even more with the way his boss asked him to look at gay p-o-r-n. Wait! It¡¯s not p-o-r-n. It¡¯s more like... Qin Hao gave Xu Mey a sideways nce. It¡¯s torture. He tsked inside his head thinking, ¡¯What have you done to let this devil¡¯s wrath befall on yourself?¡¯ He was asking Lu Ge in his head.


    With each passing second, Qin Hao¡¯s body... No! Even his soul shuddered at the sight. He wanted to close his eyes but Xu Mey¡¯s voice stopped his actions. "You have to watch it with your own eyes. Don¡¯t close your eyes. Otherwise, I¡¯ll cut your pay." Qin Hao gulped and kept watching the video in his hands.


    The way his chaste eyes were tarnished today, it was almost like someone... someone... What could be the term? He thought. Ahan! It¡¯s like someone r-a-p-e-d my eyes¡¯ chastity. Oh, mother! How did I end up with a devil boss? His consciousness answered, ¡¯You chose her yourself, idiot!¡¯ He couldn¡¯t possibly argue with that since it was true. He chose to work for Vintage Gems and specifically for President Xu by himself.


    "What do you think, Qin Hao?" Xu Mey asked staring at his pale face. "Was it good?"


    "Good?" He gulped. "It¡¯s torturous. Oh, no, no. It¡¯s more than just torture. You didn¡¯t just trample on his self-esteem, I believe he might not get out bed for the rest of life." He was really feeling bad for that person.


    "Oh, he¡¯ll have to get up. He has a marriageing up for him," Xu Mey¡¯s lips curled up faintly and it scared the hell out of Qin Hao.


    "How can you even smile at a time like this?" Qin Hao muttered to himself but Xu Mey heard it loud and clear.


    "Haven¡¯t you heard, ¡¯Whatever you do enjoy it to the fullest. That¡¯s the secret of life. (*) I¡¯m simply taking pleasure in someone else¡¯ misery. One man¡¯s pain is another man¡¯s pleasure."


    Qin Hao red at her smiling face and facepalmed himself but in his anger, he forgot that he was holding theputer tablet in his hand. As a result, the tablet hit his forehead a lot harder than his hand would have. "Hiss!" He hissed in pain and almost mmed the tablet on her table before rubbing his forehead and leaving her office before she does something to his poor heart.


    Xu Mey shrugged her shoulders nonchntly as she watched him leave the office. "Kid got some attitude." She grumbled behind his back andughed out loud thinking about the next stage of her n.


    (*): Rider from anime ¡¯Fate Zero¡¯

 Chapter 209 - A Suggestion

    After messing with Qin Hao, Xu Mey was having a st thinking about his reactions. She could even bet that poor Qin Hao must have run away from her office to puke his guts out.


    A knock at the door caught her attention as Qin Hao¡¯s head craned inside, "President Xu, you have a visitor." As he spoke, he kept avoiding her gaze. But Xu Mey had seen the way his face had turned pale.


    She had the urge tough again but sheposed herself like a professional asking, "Who is it?"


    "Um... Well, he says that he¡¯s your father." Qin Hao stated rather uncertainly.


    Xu Mey immediately stood up and frowned. "Send him in." Qin Hao nodded before closing the door.


    After a few minutes, Xu Cheng opened the door to her office and took slow but steady steps inside. Looking at Xu Mey, he smiled gently.


    "Dad, what¡¯re you doing here? Are you even allowed to leave the hospital?" Xu Mey inquired with worry and held his arm to help him take a seat at the sofa.


    "I¡¯m fine. And even if I¡¯m not allowed to leave the hospital, I had to." Xu Mey¡¯s brows furrowed at his reply. Xu Cheng sighed and said, "Your grandfather called and asked me toe home as soon as possible." He stared at Xu Mey with amusement as he added, "And I believe it has something to do with you."


    Xu Mey rubbed the tip of her nose sheepishly and asked, "What are you implying, dad?"


    "That news scandal is your doing, isn¡¯t it?" Xu Cheng narrowed his eyes at her.


    "It is." Xu Mey answered honestly making Xu Cheng chuckle softly.


    "What are you nning on achieving by doing this?" He questioned as he turned his body towards her.


    Xu Mey pursed her lips, pondering for a while in silence before looking into Xu Cheng¡¯s eyes. "Actually you can help if you want to."


    "Do tell. Dad will do anything for you."


    Xu Mey smiled faintly at his reply and told him, "I¡¯m sure that grandfather called you to discipline Xu Liqing. Also, if my sources are not wrong, Lu family elders will also be there along with Fu and Jun family members. Because these four families are involved in the scandal, in one way or another."


    Xu Cheng nodded his head saying, "I know that. Father told me that these families will be there."


    "Ahan! That¡¯s the right time then." Xu Cheng raised his brows at her inquiringly. "Dad, you have to do only one thing and that is, propose the idea of marriage between Lu Ge and Xu Liqing."


    Xu Cheng was dumbfounded with her suggestion. What was she nning on doing? "Mey, what are you trying to do?"


    "Oho, dad! Look! Just do as I tell you to. You have to force them for the marriage to mediate this situation." After all, once this marriage is set, only then will I be able to use the content in hand. She sneered inwardly as she thought, ¡¯I¡¯ll make you cry tears of blood, little sister!¡¯


    Xu Cheng observed her expressions for a while before inhaling a long breath and said, "Okay. I¡¯ll do exactly what you said." He ced his hand on Xu Mey¡¯s head to stroke it but her body stiffened under his touch. Xu Cheng felt sour in his heart but he smiled to not let his sourness show. He stroked her hair affectionately before getting up to leave.


    After Xu Cheng left, she received a call from Fu Shuang, "Have you heard about the important meeting between the elders?" He straight got to point without dilly-dallying at all.


    "I have." She repliednguidly.


    "What¡¯s the next step?" He asked.


    "Just agree with whatever my dad suggests at the meeting." She answered nonchntly.


    Fu Shuang scowled at the other end. "Okay... Oh, I almost forgot, I heard a very strange thing this morning."


    "Strange people like you can only hear strange things." Xu Mey teased him making him frustrated.


    "Very funny! Anyways, it¡¯s about Lu Ge."


    "Oh, really?" Xu Mey pretended to be surprised. "What is it that you heard?"


    "I heard that he¡¯s in a hospital right now as for what happened is not disclosed. But the Lu family is covering the truth by saying that he was under immense stress because of the scandal." Xu Mey sneered in her heart at that lousy excuse.


    "Let¡¯s see how long they can cover the truth for," Xu Mey murmured in a low tone.


    "Why do I have a feeling that his hospitalization has something to do with you?" It wasn¡¯t a hunch. More like, his heart was adamant on believing that she was somehow involved in this for sure.


    "And if I say that I am involvedpletely, then?"


    "Then I can only say, well done!" Fu Shuang answered cheekily. "Oh, right! Have you seen Jun Li Na, everyone¡¯s looking for her."


    Hearing Jun Li Na¡¯s name, Xu Mey went quiet for a while. "Master Shuang, Can you tell me what is your family and Jun family nning on doing with the marriage between Lu Ge and Jun Li Na?"


    Fu Shuang was surprised that she suddenly brought up this topic but he still answered, "I talked to aunt and she seems to be in a dilemma."


    "Dilemma?" Xu Mey spoke inaudibly and tapped her fingers on the tabletop.


    "Okay, you do as I told you. Agree with my dad¡¯s suggestion at any cost. No matter how absurd it seems to you." With that, Xu Mey hung up the call.


    She called Qin Hao back inside and said, "I need you to get me some footage."


    Qin Hao covered his mouth with his hand. "Oh, get over it. It¡¯s nothing like that. I want you to get security footage." Qin Hao uncovered his mouth and rxed a bit.


    "Is it urgent?" He questioned.


    "Very." Xu Mey curtly answered making Qin Hao nod his head and turn back to leave.

 Chapter 210 - A Marriage Proposal

    -At Xu Residence-


    The four families have gathered around in the huge living hall. The one leading the discussion was the old master of Xu Family, Xu Chuan. On his left side, his son, Xu Cheng was seated with a calm expression.


    When Xu Chuan observed the tranquil look on his son¡¯s face, he was surprised. From the time Xu Cheng married Fu Lan, grandfather Xu had never seen his son at ease. But today even though his own daughter, Xu Liqing was involved in all the mess, Xu Cheng looked unfazed.


    Grandfather Xu decided not to dwell too much into this matter and focused on addressing everyone. "I believe, everyone here knows the reason for this meeting." Every person shared a look with each other before nodding their heads. "At first, like all of you, our Xu Family also wanted to bury this scandal. But as you all have observed, someone is not letting the heat die down. And whoever is behind this must have more authority and power than all our four familiesbined."


    Everyone sucked a cold breath since they were aware of this particr fact. "Now, I don¡¯t n on burying this scandal. We need to look for a way to mediate the situation right now." Grandfather Xu was raging in fury at the moment but he controlled himself with much difficulty. Thinking about all the shame that Xu Liqing had brought him, he was ready to kill her right at this moment.


    "We don¡¯t know about the rest but our Jun family doesn¡¯t want to have any familial ties with Lu¡¯s anymore." Jun Family¡¯s old mistress spoke with resolution.


    "Old Mistress, what are you talking about? It was just a mistake on children¡¯ part. We can¡¯t be impulsive in decided anything." Lu Ge¡¯s mother spoke in favor of her son.


    Grandmother Jun scoffed. "Mistake? Your family¡¯s son has made my granddaughter wear a green hat and that too even before the marriage is even announced to the world. What would he do to my Jun Li Na, if I let her be a part of your family?" She was brimming with indignation and disdain.


    "Old Mistress, trust me, our Lu Ge really loves Jun Li Na. They had been together since school days. How can you even think about breaking them apart?" Lu Ge¡¯s mother looked aggrieved as she spoke with righteousness.


    "The only person who broke this rtionship is your own son." As grandmother Jun said it, a maid yed a video on the t screen tv in the hall. Everyone was stunned and no-one even dared to speak a word or take a loud breath.


    In the video, under the flickering lights on a deserted road, a car was parked and suddenly the passenger¡¯s seat door was pushed open and Lu Ge walked out in disheveled clothes. After that, he yanked Jun Li Na out of the same door and threw her on the roadside in torn clothes. Although the lighting was dim and the angle was bad, everyone was experienced and they understood the meaning behind the video.


    It wasn¡¯t known who gasped but everyone¡¯s daze was broken. "This is how your family¡¯s Lu Ge treats our precious granddaughter and you still expect us to be polite about it?" Grandmother Jun fumed while Jun Li Na¡¯s mother was sobbing by her side.


    Fu Shuang waspletely taken off guard as he staggered back. he clutched the side of the table until his knuckles turned white. ¡¯Lu Ge! You bastard! I¡¯ll murder you for treating my cousin like this!¡¯ He solemnly vowed in his mind. And when he remembered the incident of Lu Ge being hospitalized, he figured that Xu Mey must have known about this all. ¡¯You traitor! How can you hide this huge news from me!¡¯ He was cursing both Xu Mey and Lu Ge in his heart.


    The Lu family went silent at the scenes that unfolded before them. They were familiar with Lu Ge¡¯s dislike for Jun Li Na but they never thought that he would forget everything and treat her this badly. Jun family won¡¯t let this go at any cost and they knew it all since Jun Li Na was the only precious daughter they had.


    "At this point, I don¡¯t see any way to mediate this situation at all," grandfather Xu sighed since he was greatly affected by the video himself.


    But by his side, Xu Cheng was pondering the words of Xu Mey. Since she had asked him to do it, he¡¯d do anything for his daughter. "There is still a way out of this situation. That way all of our reputations can be saved."


    Everyone gazed at Xu Cheng with furrowed brows. "Since the Jun family already doesn¡¯t want to keep this rtionship. It¡¯s better that lu Ge and Jun Li Na get a divorce."


    "But-" Before Lu family people could argue, Xu Cheng interrupted them.


    "But this divorce will only add fuel to fire for both Xu and Lu family."


    "That¡¯s what I¡¯m trying to say. More so, people will call Xu Liqing a homewrecker. Mr. Xu should think about it again." Lu Ge¡¯s father spoke up, politely reminding him in this society a girl¡¯s reputation was the only one that could be tarnished, a man could walk away unscathed even after plenty of illicit rtionships.


    "Humph!" Jun Li Na¡¯s mother huffed in between her sobs and said, "So, what do you guys want? Huh? Do you want people to point their fingers at my daughter all her life telling her how her husband made her wear a green hat right before the whole world, on live tv?"


    "That¡¯s not what I mea-" Lu Ge¡¯s father words were cut short as a booming voice reverberated in the hall.


    "Everyone keep quiet!" All the people turned to look at Xu Cheng. "I have a solution if you guys give me a chance to speak up." When everyone finally calmed down, he went on, "The only solution that can save all of us is the marriage between Xu Liqing and Lu Ge."


    As his words fell, the hall was suddenly engulfed in silence as everyone stared at him in disbelief.


    "Cheng, what do you mean?" Fu Lan tugged at Xu Cheng¡¯s sleeve.


    Having an affair with the young master of Lu family was one thing but Fu Lan could never let her daughter marry into a small-fry like Lu family. Although Lu family had a high status in the society, it couldn¡¯t even challenge Fu family or Jun family¡¯s power much less Xu Family. How could she let her daughter be ughtered like this?

 Chapter 211 - Cobweb Of Strategies

    Other then Fu Lan, even Fu Shuang was a bit surprised by this sudden proposal but then Xu Mey¡¯s words rang in his mind, ¡¯You have to agree with whatever my dad suggests.¡¯ He squinted his eyes while rubbing his chin in a thoughtful manner. ¡¯What the hell are you trying to achieve with this marriage, Xiao Mey?¡¯ But since he couldn¡¯t read Xu Mey¡¯s mind, he could only agree with whatever she wants.


    Before Xu Cheng could reply to Fu Lan, Fu Shuang spoke up in his favor saying, "I think Uncle Cheng¡¯s suggestion is the most reasonable one."


    Fu Lan stared at him with her mouth agape. "Shuang! How can you even say that?"


    Fu Shuang put on act of being a humble and obedient nephew as he said, "Aunt, I¡¯m only saying this because if we annul the marriage between Lu Ge and Jun Li Na, and instead of them announce to the world that Xu Liqing is Lu Ge¡¯s wife then none of us has to be implicated in this mess at all."


    Everyone in the hall began to whisper as they thought that this suggestion was actually good. If it was proven that Lu Ge and Xu Liqing are actually married then no-one will have any basis for this scandal.


    As he noticed that everyone¡¯s opinion was swaying towards his suggestion, Fu Shuang added, "If there will be no scandal then there will be no losses in our business as well."


    "I agree with this suggestion." Grandfather Xu started and turned to look at Lu Ge¡¯s parentspletely disregarding Fu Lan¡¯s sharp gaze. "Lu Family should get Lu Ge to get a divorce. We¡¯ll be holding the wedding for Xu Liqing and Lu Ge in theing week."


    "Father!" Fu Lan tried to speak up but Grandfather Xu¡¯s stumped his cane on the floor as he red at her.


    "No-one is allowed to object here. Fu Lan, instead of talking uselessly here, you should go and discipline your precious daughter!" Fu Lan¡¯s face contorted as she heard Grandfather Xu¡¯s sneer.


    Naturally, Lu Family was d about this oue. Leaving Jun family and bing a rtive of the Xu family was a huge deal. After all, Xu Family was second to none in the City Star.


    Fu Lan was the only one who wasn¡¯t happy with this oue at all. As for the Jun family, when grandmother Jun received that video from an unknown source, she¡¯d decided to get her granddaughter¡¯s freedom at any cost.


    She was content and calm because, in the packet along with a video, a message was written that read,


    "Old Mistress, Jun!


    I know after watching the video, you¡¯d most definitely want to murder Lu Ge with your own hands. And I also know that with your background you are very much capable of doing so. But, I¡¯d like you to show some restraint and let me handle this for now. Killing him won¡¯t be as painful as much I want him to suffer."


    There was no name or address attached with the packet but somehow reading those words, grandmother Jun wanted to believe in them. And if she didn¡¯t see a satisfactory result then it¡¯s never toote for her to cut that Lu Ge into pieces for humiliating her precious little girl.


    "Shuang!" Grandmother Jun called Fu Shuang and asked, "Have you seen Jun Li Na? I¡¯m really worried about her." Her old wrinkly face was brimming with anxiousness.


    "Grandmother Jun, I haven¡¯t seen her sincest night but I do know that she¡¯s safe. Don¡¯t worry about her." Grandmother Jun rxed after his reassurance. "Oh, right. Where did you get that video from?" Fu Shuang questioned with curiosity.


    "I just received it from an unknown source right before I was leaving the house." She shook her head lightly as she added, "If not for that video, I would have never known the way that bastard was treating my granddaughter."


    After a moment of silence, she said, "Shuang, I¡¯m not understanding why you¡¯re letting that shameless Lu family still have any rtion with us? Isn¡¯t it better that we throw them out now? I was quiet until now because Jun Li Na liked that bastard otherwise why would I let her get married into Lu Family which doesn¡¯t evene in our social circle." She was speaking with contempt and disdain without hesitation. She was never fond of Lu family but she had to sumb to her granddaughter¡¯s wishes back then.


    Fu Shuang smirked and shook his head. "Grandmother, patience is the key. Lu family will get what they deserve."


    Grandmother Jun narrowed her eyes at him. "Are you gonna let your precious cousin Xu Liqing be a part of Lu family?"


    Fu Shuang scoffed. "Can you forgive her for trampling all over Jun Li Na¡¯s pride?" Grandmother Jun was taken aback but she still managed to shook her head. "Neither can I. We should always remember that our evil intentions will eventually catch up to us."


    Seeing his resolute and fuming look, grandmother Jun didn¡¯t question him any further. Xu Liqing had nothing to do with her and neither had she ever liked that spoiled brat.


    After a while, grandfather Xu called Xu Cheng and Fu Shuang to his study.


    "What are you both up to?" He straight got to the point.


    Fu Shuang stared at Xu Cheng but didn¡¯t say a word.


    "Father, let¡¯s just say that your most favourite granddaughter wants this." Xu Cheng replied honestly.


    Grandfather Xu straightened up and stared at his son. "How is my Xiao Mey involved in all this?"


    "You know better than us." Fu Shuang muttered under his breath but grandfather Xu had heard him.


    "Shuang, you better keep your mouth in check. If I know stuff that means I can make sure that my granddaughter serves you in the best way possible." Fu Shuang felt like crying at this tant threat. He simply meant that he would make Xu Mey serve him as she does with her enemies.


    Inwardly he thought, ¡¯And here I was thinking, how did Xu Mey have a violent nature? So, it¡¯s all your fault grandfather Xu!¡¯


    Just because grandfather Xu mostly stayed out of the country, it didn¡¯t mean that he wasn¡¯t close to Xu Mey. For him, Xu Mey was the only granddaughter he had.


    His son had hidden a lot from him in these years but now, grandfather Xu didn¡¯t want anyone to wrong Xu Mey. He took this charge the moment he nned Xu Mey¡¯s marriage.


    Naturally, Xu Mey reciprocated his feelings by loving him the most.

 Chapter 212 - Caged By Your Love

    -President¡¯s Office, Vintage Gems-


    "Did you delivered the parcel?" Xu Mey asked Qin Hao who stood before her with his head buried in the tabletputer in his hands. She had meticulously prepared the security footage along with the note for grandmother Jun because Xu Mey knew only she¡¯d be able to persist on the fact that Jun Li Na should get a divorce.


    "I delivered the parcel exactly as you asked me to," he answered without looking up at her. He didn¡¯t even dare to check the security footage when he was collecting it. It¡¯d be safe to say that poor Qin Hao was traumatized for life by his own boss.


    Xu Mey observed his weird behavior and knitted her brows. "Why are you avoiding me?" She knew that he was a simple kind of a person but his behavior got weirder.


    "I¡¯m not," his voice came out as a squeak. Feeling the intensity of her gaze increasing, Qin Hao sighed. "Can I ask you something, President Xu?"


    Xu Mey raised her brows inquiringly,ced her fingers together to support her chin saying, "Please, do ask!"


    "Um... Erm..." Qin Hao took a while before anything coherent coulde out of his mouth. "About that video... you showed me earlier..."


    "What about it?" Xu Mey urged him to speak up.


    Qin Hao cleared his throat. "Why did you punish that guy? I mean... what did he do?"


    Xu Mey¡¯s eyes stared at Qin Hao and under her scrutinizing gaze, he was sweating profusely. Xu Mey reclined back in her chair and swiveled it to look out the ss wall. "He dared to insult a girl... Not just physically but also, emotionally. He made her feel like her feelings were nothing more than just a joke." Qin Hao could hear the strong sense of resentment in her voice.


    He gulped the lump stuck in his throat with difficulty before mumbling to himself, "I should remember not to hurt a girl. Who knows when a devil like her is watching." He gave Xu Mey an odd look before thinking, ¡¯Karma sure is a b*tch!¡¯ One thing was clear, for Qin Hao, Xu Mey was akin to karma at the moment.


    Hearing her phone¡¯s ringtone, Xu Mey waved Qin Hao off and picked up the call. "Hey, Mey!" Fu Shuang voice rang out from the other end in a breezy manner.


    "What do you got?" Xu Mey spoke ndly.


    "Can you be any more dulcet?" Fu Shuang questioned sarcastically. Xu Mey rolled her eyes at him but obviously, he couldn¡¯t see it as he went on vivaciously, "Coming back to the business... It¡¯s a mission aplished!"


    "Really? ¡¯Mission Aplished¡¯? Can you be cornier than this?" Hearing Xu Mey¡¯s taunting, Fu Shuang had the urge to remind her that this was her favorite phrase.


    "Whatever!" Fu Shuang grumbled and hung up the call since he didn¡¯t want to argue with her at this time. He didn¡¯t want to spoil this newly foundmon ground of theirs.


    Xu Meyughed to herself and dialed Ye Jun¡¯s number. After a couple of rings he picked up, "How¡¯s she?" Xu Mey inquired a bit mildly.


    Ye Jun raked his fingers through his hair and looked at Jun Li Na¡¯s sleeping figure on the bed. "I¡¯m not sure. But I know she¡¯ll be okay, soon." He sighed at the other end.


    Xu Mey nodded her head and said, "Jun, are you really serious about her?"


    Ye Jun¡¯s forehead furrowed at the sudden question. "Do you still have a doubt, sis?"


    "No... I just want to hear you say it once. Can you really heal her broken parts? Because let me warn you, it won¡¯t be easy at this point. She¡¯s mentally, physically, and emotionally broken. It¡¯s a huge challenge and if you can¡¯t take up this challenge then take your steps back now." Although her voice was gentle, Ye Jun knew that the meaning behind those words was anything but gentle.


    "Sis, if even you won¡¯t believe that I¡¯m serious about her then who else will? I know it¡¯s not easy for me. But so what? I¡¯ve wasted my years on useless things, now I have the chance to make her mine and I won¡¯t back off. I don¡¯t want her to love me back as one of my friends¡¯ once told me that if I loved someone and expected the same thing in return, I¡¯ll be the only one losing." The conviction in his voice rxed Xu Mey as she smiled to herself.


    "Now, you better remember that I won¡¯t give you a way to back off from this path." Xu Mey warned him.


    Ye Jun chuckled saying, "Sis, I don¡¯t have any desire to back off anymore. The only reason I had was her fiance and now, he¡¯s can¡¯t be between us."


    "Take care of her and yourself!" Xu Mey disconnected the call and contemted his words in her mind. ¡¯You really hid your mature side well, Jun.¡¯ She thought to herself.


    In the meantime, when Ye Jun turned around he saw Jun Li Na wide awake staring at him. Ye Jun smiled sheepishly at her asking, "How much did you hear?"


    "All of it," she replied nkly. Ye Jun scratched the tip of his nose and opened his mouth to say something but she didn¡¯t give him a chance. "I heard all my life that love, at first sight, is just an illusion. How can you be serious about this illusion?"


    Ye Jun walked to her side, sat down on the carpet floor and held her hands in his own. "Let me tell you a story of love at first sight." Jun Li Na attentively looked at him. "I had a friend who fell in love at first sight with a guy. Do you know why?" She furrowed her brows and shook her head. "Because she found her home in his eyes."


    He stared into her eyes as he continued, "She¡¯s the person who taught me that love doesn¡¯t need time to grow. In fact, we grow with love and time... Time just loses its value before love." He drew circles at the back of her hand with his thumbs. "So, I believe that when I first saw you at the nightclub, I lost myself only to be caged by your love. I won¡¯t let time be the reason for you to reject me and that I know for sure!"


    Jun Li Na felt so overwhelmed with emotions that tears swam in her eyes. She bit her lip trying to fight back the tears but his sincere gaze and warm hands made her forget everything. For a moment she forgot everything that transpired the previous night. She was left staring into Ye Jun¡¯s eyes through her tear-filled ones.

 Chapter 213 - Loving & Losing

    -Imperial City-


    Ye Jie had been busy from the time he came to Imperial City. But in all his work he didn¡¯t forget to keep his phone by his side. He was waiting for Xu Mey¡¯s call.


    Ye Jie had seen the news early in the morning reporting everything about Xu Liqing¡¯s scandal. He thought that Xu Mey would call now. But she didn¡¯t. He felt disappointed but didn¡¯t lose hope.


    Several times he picked up his phone to dial her number but each time, his thumb would hover over the name, ¡¯My Baby¡¯ before he¡¯d lock the phone and throw it aside.


    At first, he was fuming with rage and slowly that rage turned into bitterness than to sadness and eventually he felt empty. The reason he couldn¡¯t call her was just to see whether she would call or not.


    Oddly enough, in their marriage period the number of times she called him could be counted on one hand and still you¡¯d have fingers to spare. His feeling of mncholy brought him to the bar in the evening.


    He sat down at the stool and called out to the bartender, "One Negroni!"


    The bartender took his order and brought the sun-kissed and refreshing drink. Ye Jie took a mouthful of the bittersweet, carmine-colored cocktail. The refreshing drink brought a distant voice to echo in his mind, "Hakuna Ma¡¯Vodka!(*)"


    A sad smile lingered at his lips at the reminder of Ru¡¯s slogan. "Ya! (**)" He had knocked on her head saying, "Alcohol won¡¯t solve your problems. It¡¯ll just give you a momentary rxation."


    "My dear friend," Ru ced her arm over his shoulder saying, "Who said my problems will be gone with the alcohol? But haven¡¯t you heard? Even milk won¡¯t be able to solve my problems." She stared right into his eyes and winked wickedly saying, "Besides, ¡¯Vodka might not be the answer, but it¡¯s still worth a shot!¡¯." Sheughed at her own statement as Ye Jie red at her. He was always annoyed at the way she rted everything with proverbs.


    But he knew, only she could do it.


    "No-one can make better drinks than you..." Ye Jie whispered as he stared right at the drink in his ss. Suddenly, he lost interest.


    He was already sad because of Xu Mey and now, nostalgia hit him hard in the guts.


    He jolted a bit when someone tapped his shoulder lightly. Ye Jie turned and came face-to-face with a smiling face that looked like a spitting image of his own face. "I thought I saw you," Zhu Chen remarked taking a seat beside Ye Jie. While Ye Jie was staring dumbfoundedly at him, Zhu Chen gave his order to the bartender, "One old-fashioned cocktail!"


    "What are you doing here?" Ye Jie questioned nkly and realized that his words must have sounded a bit rude. So, he added, "I mean to say that what brought you to Imperial?"


    "Well... I¡¯ve been stuck here from 2 weeks because of work." Zhu Chen answered as the bartender ced his drink before him. "What about you?" He turned to Ye Jie.


    "I came yesterday." Ye Jie didn¡¯t exin anything and Zhu Chen asked in detail either.


    Zhu Chen saw the way Ye Jie was tracing his finger on the ss rim. "Are you upset?" Even Zhu Chen himself couldn¡¯t figure out the reason why he asked this question. He just knew that seeing Ye Jie with that empty and nk gaze, his heart felt weird.


    Ye Jie turned his face to look at Zhu Chen¡¯s anxious face and was taken aback. ¡¯Was this what they call fatherly concern?¡¯ He asked himself and had to shook his head to get his mind and thoughts straight. "Is it very easy to forget someone when they¡¯re not around?" Ye Jie couldn¡¯t stop the words from leaving his mouth.


    "Did you have a fight with Xiao Mey?" Zhu Chen thought perhaps that was the reason for Ye Jie¡¯s sullen look.


    Ye Jie scoffed. "Two people have to talk before they can fight."


    Zhu Chen understood his meaning and smiled to himself. ¡¯Young love... Quite impatient, huh!¡¯


    "Do you know whates with love?" Zhu Chen questioned Ye Jie.


    Ye Jie shook his head. "Fear!" Ye Jie furrowed his brows at this reply. Zhu Chen went on, "Fear of losing..."


    Ye Jie got the gist of his reply at some level but Zhu Chen added after a pause, "Wherever love is involved, fear will follow it. And it¡¯s only natural that when you love someone, you¡¯re scared of losing them." He took a sip of his cocktail before continuing, "In reality, that fear pushes us to love even deeper. We try everything we possibly can just so that the person we love stays ours. Sometimes, this fear takes the form of obsession and then we want to chain that person with ourselves."


    He looked straight into Ye Jie¡¯s eyes that seemed to him like looking into a mirror. "But love is all about freedom." He suddenlyughed at a thought saying, "Do you know that my wife loves to talk? Like a lot... Oh, wait! Did I mention, a lot like a lot more than a lot?"


    Ye Jie smiled at him as he listened attentively. Zhu Chen sighed, "But even though she loves to talk, she always forgets to tell me that she loves me. It¡¯s really frustrating and I believe that¡¯s exactly your problem as well, right?"


    "Well, she remembers everyone but she seems to forget me easily." Ye Jie spoke bitterly.


    Zhu Chen patted Ye Jie¡¯s shoulder saying, "Oh, son!" Ye Jie¡¯s body stiffened at the word, ¡¯son¡¯. It felt so natural but unfamiliar and yet it made him feel warm. Zhu Chen didn¡¯t notice the changes in Ye Jie¡¯s expressions as he continued, "Of course, she remembers you. And even if she doesn¡¯t then as a husband, it¡¯s our own job to remind them."


    Ye Jie spent hours talking to Zhu Chen in the bar. It was fate or coincidence, he didn¡¯t know. But he knew one thing that when he was feeling lonely, his biological father came up to him to cheer him up. And that feeling was really precious to Ye Jie.


    He already knew that he was afraid of losing Xu Mey. It took him years to find her again, how could he have the heart to lose her again? But he was also afraid to ask her whether she was as much scared of losing him as he was? He believed that he might not be able to live if she said that she wasn¡¯t scared like him.


    ¡¯I guess Ru was right when she said that if I¡¯m the one loving the most then I¡¯d be the one losing the most as well. Gosh! I hate you, Ru!¡¯ Obviously, he didn¡¯t mean it. He just hated the fact that Ru was always right.


    (*): "Hakuna Ma¡¯Vodka": It means no memories for the rest of your night.


    (**): "Ya!": Hey! in Korean (informal way) can be a bit offensive for some people.

 Chapter 214 - Lies That Doesnt Hurt

    Ye Jie actually wasn¡¯t trying to be like those husbands who wanted their wives to call. But he grew up without any real affection and it made him want that Xu Mey would care about him. He wasn¡¯t demanding. He never was. But he was a sensitive person at heart. He just wanted his wife to show a bit of concern for him and especially today when it was... Sigh!


    ¡¯When truth starts hurting you, choose to lie to yourself. Lies are always beautiful. If nothing else, lies will make you feel alive instead of killing you every second.¡¯ As Ru¡¯s voice reverberated through his mind, Ye Jie chose to lie to himself. ¡¯My baby must be really busy and that¡¯s why she forgot to call me.¡¯ It was a good way to convince his mind and heart.


    "Give me a sec," Ye Jie excused himself and went to a quiet corner to make a call.


    It was about midnight when Xu Mey¡¯s phone rang by her side. In her sleep, she tried to find the phone and answered it, "Hello!"


    "Hey, baby! How are you?" Xu Mey heard Ye Jie¡¯s sweet voice and she rubbed her eyes to look at the clock.


    "Ah-Jie isn¡¯t it toote for you to call? Why are you even awake at this time?" Ye Jie¡¯s smile stiffened at the other side.


    "I wanted to talk to you. I¡¯m missing you." Ye Jie¡¯s voice was a bit lower than usual.


    Xu Mey smiled in her sleepy state and replied, "I miss you too. But Ah-Jie, I¡¯m really tired today. Can we talk in the morning?"


    "Alright! Go back to sleep and take care of yourself." Ye Jie hung up the call and stood there looking at the phone screen. ¡¯Baby, how am I suppose to lie to myself when you didn¡¯t even bother asking me if I¡¯m alright?¡¯ He shook his head, took a deep breath and came back to sit beside Zhu Chen.


    Zhu Chen nced at Ye Jie¡¯s dull face but stayed quiet. "Hey, Dr. Chen I forgot to ask, what brought you to a bar? I didn¡¯t take you for someone who particrly liked drinking." Ye Jie tried to divert his mind away from Xu Mey as he asked Zhu Chen. It¡¯s easy to lie to your heart but the mind is very meticulous. It just doesn¡¯t listen. Therefore, Ye Jie was avoiding thinking about it further.


    Zhu Chen took a sip of his drink and stayed silent for a moment before saying, "I¡¯m here for the same thing you came for." Ye Jie knitted his brows at his reply. "I came to forget something."


    "What do you have to forget?" Ye Jie peered at him with curiosity.


    Zhu Chen tilted his face and stared straight at Ye Jie¡¯s face saying, "Today is the day, I lost my son." Ye Jie went nk at his statement. "He would have turned 31 today if life would¡¯ve given him a chance." Zhu Chen¡¯s eyes turned red and Ye Jie could see the unmasked sorrow clearly. Zhu Chen didn¡¯t notice Ye Jie¡¯s odd look and turned to order another drink for himself.


    ¡¯I wonder if I should say happy birthday to myself on turning 31 or not? Seeing you this sad, my heart doesn¡¯t even want to hear a single happy birthday now.¡¯ Ye Jie thought to himself as he couldn¡¯t bear to see the mncholic look on Zhu Chen¡¯s face. "Shouldn¡¯t you be with your wife today of all days?"


    Zhu Chen inhaled a deep breath saying, "I avoid Susu on this day. I can¡¯t bear to look at her. Somehow I feel like it¡¯s my fault that our son was born dead." He gazed into a distance saying, "Today is the day when I can¡¯t stop her tears from falling and I also can¡¯t bear to see her cry. Therefore, I choose to avoid seeing her altogether."


    Tears had pooled up in his eyes. Ye Jie had to bit his lower lip to avoid the tears in his eyes from falling. "I¡¯ll be right back," he excused himself again and briskly walked towards thefort room.


    In his hurry to hide his emotions from Zhu Chen, Ye Jie left his cell phone at the counter beside Zhu Chen. When it rang, Zhu Chen darted his eyes around but couldn¡¯t see Ye Jie. After pondering for a while, Zhu Chen decided to pick up the call.


    Before he could say, "Hello!" he heard an extremely familiar voice from the other side, "Happy birthday, Jie Ge-Ge!" Azalea¡¯s voice was a bit hoarse because of the cold she caught suddenly.


    ¡¯Oh, it¡¯s Jie¡¯s birthday. That¡¯s why he¡¯s feeling so lonely.¡¯ Zhu Chen thought to himself as Azalea continued to talk, "I¡¯m just calling now since I figured that you¡¯d want sis Mey to wish you first. Oh, and Ge-Ge when are youing back? I¡¯m missing you a lot. And I¡¯m missing my Chen dad a lot as well."


    Zhu Chen stuck for a while hearing her say ¡¯Chen dad¡¯, that was what his own daughter called him. "Azalea?" He asked in disbelief.


    Azalea was taken aback at the voice she heard from the other end. But she shook her sleepy head and added, "Ge-Ge, I know that you¡¯re a spitting image of dad that doesn¡¯t mean that you have to even talk like him. I¡¯m already missing him a lot. But this is not fair huh... Why do you have all the features like dad and I have none?" Azalea whined for a minute more before Zhu Chen heard the sound of her steady breaths. He knew his daughter¡¯s habit of falling asleep while talking.


    ¡¯That was Azalea for sure!¡¯ Zhu Chen thought, looking at the caller id on the phone screen, ¡¯Little sister¡¯. He couldn¡¯t be wrong about recognizing his own daughter¡¯s voice especially when he heard it after more than a year. ¡¯But how did Azalea and Jie get acquainted? And what did she mean by all that?¡¯


    Zhu Chen saw Ye Jie walking back towards him and he couldn¡¯t shift his eyes away from him. Looking at Ye Jie, he noticed all that he didn¡¯t pay attention to before; his face, his style of walking, his demeanor, and most importantly his eyes.


    ¡¯Is he really... my son?¡¯ Zhu Chen¡¯s heart shook at the possibility of this.

 Chapter 215 - Regret Is Better Than Doubt

    Ye Jie saw his phone on the counter and picked it up saying, "I forgot my phone here. I think I should leave now. It¡¯s quitete."


    "Wait!" Hearing Zhu Chen¡¯s sudden cry Ye Jie stopped. "I mean let¡¯s leave together." Ye Jie smiled and nodded his head.


    Both men left the bar and came out. "Where are you staying Dr. Chen? I can drop you," Ye Jie offered.


    "I¡¯m staying at the Imperial Grand Hotel. It¡¯s not far, I¡¯ll just walk." Zhu Chen said looking at Ye Jie with an indescribable look in his eyes.


    "What coincidence, I¡¯m staying there as well. Let¡¯s walk together," Zhu Chen agreed and both of them walked side by side on the roadside.


    After reaching the hotel, Ye Jie was about to go to his room when someone tapped on his shoulder. He tilted his head and saw a man standing before him. "Master asked me to pass this to you," the man extended a box towards Ye Jie.


    Ye Jie stared at the wooden box for a while before staring at the man in disbelief. He took the box from the man¡¯s hand and felt a tremble in his hand. His stunned state didn¡¯t go unnoticed by Zhu Chen who was standing right beside him.


    "Is everything okay?" Zhu Chen asked with concern and Ye Jie looked at him in a daze.


    "Yeah." He jolted awake saying, "I just didn¡¯t expect my best friend to send a present."


    "Why not?" Zhu Chen frowned as he asked.


    Ye Jie gave a sad smile saying, "Because I hurt her pretty badly."


    Zhu Chen chuckled as he retorted, "A best friend is one who¡¯s willing to love you even when you hurt him. And true friends don¡¯t have a thing like the distance between them. Not at heart for sure." Ye Jie listened attentively to his words. Zhu Chen patted his back and added, "I believe this best friend of yours is like a four-leaf clover and that¡¯s very rare. Cherish it." With that, Zhu Chen went back to his own room.


    Ye Jie brought the box to his own room and opened it to reveal a crystal perfume bottle. Ye Jie held the delicate looking bottle and opened the cap. An enchanting scent spread around in the room. Ye Jie couldn¡¯t figure out all the ingredients but a highlightedbination ofvender and lemon along with sandalwood and geranium enhanced the scent¡¯s allure.


    He knew the reason behind Ru sending a perfume as a birthday gift. He was well familiar with Ru¡¯s sudden obsession with perfumes. "Scent is like a mystery. A mystery trying to y with one¡¯s heart to trigger a million emotions." She had told him at plenty of asions, "A fragrance is part of memory. When the memory fades away, it leaves a scent behind. A fragrance has the power to turn a bitter memory into a memorable one. So, don¡¯t forget to wear the scent of mystery and feel this moment of freedom."


    He shook his head at the memory as his eyes fell on the letter at the bottom. Ye Jie carefully opened the letter and started reading it out loud.


    "Dear ¡¯ex¡¯ best friend," Ye Jie chuckled and shook his head at that ¡¯ex¡¯ part and continued reading, "When I nned to write this letter, I had a lot to say. But now that I¡¯m holding a pen in my hand, I have nothing to write. It¡¯s like I¡¯m nk. So, let¡¯s get to business. Happy Birthday! I know as an ¡¯ex¡¯ best friend I shouldn¡¯t send you this gift and all but I¡¯m still stubborn. I promised to wish you for the rest of my life and I can die rather than going back on my words. So, no matter if we talk or don¡¯t, I¡¯ll still be wishing you on your every birthday. Well, that¡¯s all I have to say."


    Ye Jie smiled sadly after reading the letter. Without hesitation, he picked up his phone and texted Ru. He only sent a simple, "250!(*)"


    Within a few minutes, he received the reply. "YA! Don¡¯t you dare call me that!"


    Ye Jie smiled to himself and typed, "What else should I call you? Only an idiot would send a letter in this age and day."


    Ye Jie waited for the reply but nothing came. After a while, he typed again, "Anyways, thanks for concocting such an amazing perfume just for me." He had already figured that Ru must have made the perfume herself. Since she had plenty of time to spare, she picked up some weird hobbies and perfumes was one of those.


    Ye Jie didn¡¯t sleep as he felt a strange sense of happiness in his heart and decided to drive back to City Star. Hepleted the journey of 4 hours in only 2 and parked the car in the garage. He silently walked inside the bedroom and climbed on the bed right beside Xu Mey.


    She was sleeping peacefully with a small smile etched on her lips. Ye Jie kissed her on the lips softly and pulled her back against his chest. Burying his face in her neck, Ye Jie closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.


    Xu Mey felt a weight on her waist as she tried to move. She immediately opened her eyes and turned to see Ye Jie sleeping beside herself with his arm around her waist. "Ah-Jie!" Her voice and movement made Ye Jie open his eyes slowly. He gazed at Xu Mey¡¯s broad smile and felt that the world had brightened up.


    "Hi, baby!" He said groggily.


    Xu Mey pounced on him and kissed his lips hungrily. "When did youe back?"


    Ye Jie let her use his body as her mattress and replied, "Hmmm... When you¡¯re sleeping."


    Xu Mey red at him for such an obvious answer but stayed quiet. She didn¡¯t feel anything amiss other than Ye Jie¡¯s bloodshot eyes but she thought it was because of theck of sleep. She softly nted kisses all over his face saying, "I have so much to tell you."


    Ye Jie smiled at her. "I¡¯m right here to listen."


    After messing around for a while, Xu Mey went to take a shower. Ye Jie picked up his cell phone and saw an unread message. It was from Ru. It read, "Since you have already chosen love over friendship, don¡¯t doubt your decision. There is no use in doubting. The worst that can happen is regret and even that is better than doubt."


    Unknowingly, Ru had helped to ease Ye Jie¡¯s mind. There was no doubt in his heart that he loved Xu Mey and that was enough. When he was there to show his love than her not being so open about it didn¡¯t matter much.


    (*): "250": in Chinese, 250 sounds like you¡¯re an idiot or you¡¯re foolish!

 Chapter 216 - Worthy Defense

    Xu Mey left for office earlier than Ye Jie since she had some important meeting at the office. Ye Jie was sitting at the breakfast table when he noticed the absence of a, particrly cheery person. "Where is Azalea?" Ye Jie asked the maid.


    "Miss hasn¡¯te out of her room," the maid answered courteously.


    Ye Jie furrowed his brows and went upstairs. He knocked at her door for a couple of times but no answer came. His frown deepened and he twisted the doorknob to open the door.


    The room was cascaded in darkness as the thick curtains were draped over the windows. He saw Azalea sprawled on the bed with her head dangling from the edge. "What are you doing?" He asked.


    Azalea opened her eyes and tilted her face to see Ye Jie. She spontaneously got up from the bed and came running towards him excitingly saying, "Ge-Ge, you¡¯re back! It¡¯s good that you¡¯re back. I have nned so much for your birthday."


    Ye Jie shook his head at her saying, "Zelie, I don¡¯t want to celebrate my birthday. Also, I have something important to discuss with you. Come down after freshening up." Azalea was confused but she didn¡¯t question him and nodded her head.


    After a while when Azalea came down her face looked fresher than her earlier half-dead look. "What do you have to talk about?" She questioned Ye Jie taking her bowl of rice.


    Ye Jie put his chopsticks down and started, "I think it¡¯s time that you meet your parents."


    Azalea was taken aback by this sudden suggestion and choked on the rice. She coughed profusely and Ye Jie had to rub her back to soothe her. She didn¡¯t choke because it was an unreasonable suggestion, instead, she was shocked because she had been thinking about the same thing for the past two days.


    She¡¯d been always close to her dad and fromst night, she¡¯d been missing him to the extreme. Even in sleep, she felt like calling her dad over and over again. That¡¯s why she nned on talking to Ye Jie about it.


    "Okay!" She answered to Ye Jie taking him by surprise.


    "Really? Then you¡¯re okay if I bring you to them tonight?" Ye Jie asked to confirm again.


    Azalea smiled saying, "Yes... Any day is good and I think there is no better day than today." ¡¯Since it¡¯s your birthday and mom will be super upset. I think me going today will bring some joy to her.¡¯ She left thest part to her own self.


    Ye Jie nodded his head and said, "Then you pack up your stuff. I¡¯ll pick you up at night." Azalea nodded in acknowledgment.


    They both ate the rest of breakfast in silence and Ye Jie left the house.


    When he left, Azalea made a call to He Jian, "Jian Ge, I need your help with something."


    "What can I help you with?" He Jian asked with interest.


    "Today¡¯s Jie Ge-Ge¡¯s birthday and he wants to surprise mom and dad by bringing me to them but I want you to prepare a surprise for him in return," Azalea spoke in a bright way.


    "What surprise are you thinking of?" A smug smile bloomed on her adorable face.


    Meanwhile, Xu Mey nned to visit Jun Li Na after her meeting. When she drove to Ye Jun¡¯s apartment building, she parked the car and made her way towards his apartment.


    After a single doorbell, Ye Jun opened the door and was surprised to see Xu Mey. "Sis, what are you doing here?"


    "What do you mean? I came to see Jun Li Na, what¡¯s wrong with that?" Xu Mey pushed him aside and walked inside.


    Then her eyes fell on Jun Li Na sitting on a wicker chair in the balcony. Strands of hair were scattered around her on the floor. She tilted her face and her eyes caught sight of a scissor in Ye Jun¡¯s hand. She smiled to herself at how Ye Jun was helping Jun Li Na in cleaning the mess that she had made of her own hair.


    "There¡¯s nothing wrong. I just expected you to spend this day with bro." Ye Jun grumbled at the side.


    "I¡¯ll spend time with Ah-Jie in the evening. What¡¯s the big deal?" Xu Mey paced up to Jun Li Na and crouched down before her. Ye Jun was left perplexed at the side with her reply.


    ¡¯Bro¡¯s birthday is not a big deal? I thought it was a huge deal.¡¯ Ye Jun asked himself raising his brows.


    "Hey, Li Na! Wanna see what your friend did just for you. I bet it¡¯ll make you happy." Xu Mey was all smiles as she stared at Jun Li Na.


    Jun Li Na didn¡¯t say anything but Xu Mey¡¯s infectious smile did affect her as she smiled faintly as well. "Look at this," Xu Mey passed some documents to Jun Li Na. She frowned and looked at the papers in her hands.


    "Divorce Agreement!" Jun Li Na spoke out softly.


    Xu Mey smiled at her saying, "After you sign this, I¡¯ll make sure to turn Lu Ge¡¯s life into a living hell. Will you sign it?"


    Jun Li Na tilted her face to look at Ye Jun staring at her intently. His eyes were imploring her. Looking at her eyes, Ye Jun smiled and it reassured Jun Li Na. Without any hesitation, she took the pen and scribbled her name on the papers. "That¡¯s like my girl." Xu Mey patted her head and stood up.


    "I¡¯lle to see youter." Xu Mey said and made her way out of his apartment with a triumphant smile on her lips.


    Ye Jun frowned as he chewed on the inside of his mouth. Thinking of something, he ced his hand on Xu Mey¡¯s shoulder. She halted in her steps and turned with her inquiring gaze. "Sis, you do know what today is, right?" Ye Jun asked uncertainly.


    "What do you mean?"


    "Don¡¯t tell me that you have no idea that today is bro¡¯s birthday," Xu Mey¡¯s eyes widened at his words.


    "What?" She screeched making Ye Jun wince a bit.


    "As I expected, you really didn¡¯t know. Wow!" Ye Jun shook his head in disappointment.


    "Damn!" Xu Mey cursed out realizing how she forgot such an important thing. But in her defense... Oh, well, damn! I don¡¯t even have a worthy defense!

 Chapter 217 - You Make Me Wilder

    Xu Mey was cursing herself all the way back. ¡¯How can I forget Ah-Jie¡¯s birthday? He gave me so much to remember in life and yet here I am forgetting all about his birthday.¡¯ Remembering something, she parked the car at the side and knocked her head against the steering wheel. ¡¯You moron! He must have calledst night because he thought I¡¯d wish him and yet here I am having no clue about it.¡¯


    She took a deep breath to calm herself and said, "It¡¯s not a time to regret. Mey, you have to make up for it. You better do!" She reprimanded herself.


    She went up to a bakery and picked up a cake along with a whole bunch of balloons and red roses.


    She immediately drove to Ye Jie¡¯s office building. She didn¡¯t bother asking at the reception and went straight to the top floor. Ye Jie¡¯s assistant Qi Guan greeted her with a bit of surprise and said, "Madam, Sir is in the meeting right now!"


    Xu Mey frowned, passed the cake to him and pushed him aside. She straight walked inside the conference room. Everyone¡¯s gaze turned towards the beautiful youngdy who had suddenly barged inside the meeting. And looking at the stuff in her hands, everyone was curious to find out what was happening. Xu Mey was a confident woman, their weird gazes did little to nothing for her.


    She locked her target sitting at the head seat and elegantly trudged up to his side. Ye Jie was in shock at her sudden appearance and that too in this manner. He raised his brows inquiringly while Xu Mey innocently smiled at him and went on her one knee on the floor.


    Ye Jie waspletely taken aback at this turn of events. "Happy Birthday, Ah-Jie!" Xu Mey extended the balloons and roses towards him.


    While Ye Jie stared at her in a trance, a wave of whispers erupted in the room.


    "Today is CEO¡¯s birthday?"


    "Wow! That¡¯s one bold way to surprise someone."


    "CEO¡¯s wife is gorgeous then what I¡¯ve heard about her."


    "Mr. Ye is surely surprised with this."


    When Ye Jie trance broke, he turned to the people in the room and announced, "I apologize for inconvenience everyone but let¡¯s continue tomorrow with this meeting." Everyone dly left the meeting room while trying to see what would happen behind them.


    Ye Jie took the roses and balloons from Xu Mey and helped her up from the ground. Xu Mey held her ear in a pitiful manner. "Ah-Jie, your baby is the worst. Please forgive her! You can punish your baby as you want. She doesn¡¯t have any excuse for hurting her Ah-Jie. Your baby will do anything for you."


    Ye Jie tied the balloons with the armrest of the chair and ced the bouquet of roses on the table saying, "Hey, my baby is not the worst." Xu Mey smiled but it turned into a re at his next words, "She¡¯s just a bit silly."


    "Ah-Jie!"


    Ye Jie chuckled and said, "There was something about you doing anything. I wonder what that meant?"


    Xu Mey chewed on her bottom lip as she tried to muster up her courage. After taking a deep breath, she looked at Ye Jie with a smirk. He raised his brow with curiosity as he said, "I¡¯m not even getting a cake on my birthday."


    Xu Mey pushed him on the chair behind him and sat down on hisp. Before Ye Jie could say anything, Xu Mey said, "I¡¯m offering something sweeter than the cake."


    "Oh, really? And what¡¯s that?" His words had just left his mouth when she caught his lips with her own. Her lips worked like magic as it ignited all the feelings inside Ye Jie. He had been craving her touch, her taste along with his name from her mouth.


    Xu Mey pulled back a bit and said against his lips, "Aren¡¯t I sweeter than the cake?" Where did such corny wordse from? Xu Mey had no clue. She just knew that she really was not feeling okay with seeing him hurt because of her own self.


    Ye Jie gripped her hair in his hand and said, "My baby surely is the sweetest!" He pulled her towards himself. Into himself. To devour her.


    He bit her lip lightly and sucked on it while Xu Mey wrapped her legs around his waist. As she adjusted herself on the right spot between his legs, Ye Jie groaned.


    Wrapping her arms around his neck, Xu Mey started moving her hips in slow motion. Pushing and pulling a bit urging him to gasp at this sudden boldness.


    But Xu Mey had no time to think of actions since her mind was already dizzy with desire and her whole body felt hot and tingly. Ye Jie thurst his hips a bit upwards and kissed the exposed neck of Xu Mey making her lean her head back. She moaned and rocked her hips faster than before.


    Their clothed bodies rubbed against each other creating an incredible sensation in both of them. Even though theyer of clothes was between them, they could see the unmasked desire in each other. Both of their breathing was ragged at this time.


    Ye Jie was kissing her corbones hungrily when she came undone in his arms andid in his arms with her head on his shoulder. Ye Jie was in no better condition than her as he stroked her hair gently and whispered against her ear, "I never would have thought that I¡¯d be dry humped on my birthday and that too in my conference room."


    He body shook a bit as her soft and beautifulughter filled the huge room. "Can¡¯t help it." Xu Mey started as she lifted her head to look into his brown eyes and added, "Who told you to drive me crazy? It¡¯s your fault for making me wild."


    Ye Jie chuckled and murmured, "What about you?"


    "Huh? What about me?" Xu Mey yed the innocent maiden part.


    Ye Jie kissed her lips again and said, "You make me... wilder." Xu Mey blushed and hid her face in the crook of his neck.

 Chapter 218 - I Love You, Jie!

    !!! You know what? I won¡¯t even bother with mentioning the damn ¡¯mature content¡¯ anymore!!!


    Ye Jie encircled his arms around Xu Mey¡¯s body and picked her up with himself. His mouth had already been engaged in an intense battle with hers. His moist and warm tongue had pried open her mouth to explore the excess of her mouth with craving and yearning. He walked up to the door of the meeting room that was connected to his own office. He took her straight to the small bedroom at the back and locked it from inside before making her sit on thefy bed.


    Xu Mey¡¯s hands crept up to his chest making small rubbing movements before she moved back up to his nape. She couldn¡¯t help but gasp when she realized that he had already opened the buttons of her shirt and was peeling it off of her. His big hands outlined the circle of her bosom and even through the barrier of a bra, Xu Mey felt the surge of sensuality.


    She already knew that mere his touch could invoke her hidden beast but now it was weirder since he could make her surrender herself even when there is ayer of clothes between them.


    Ye Jie gazed into her ck eyes clouded with passion and murmured, "I don¡¯t think I can exin the things that you do to me." He eased her down on the bed as she panted with her chest heaving; up and down. He unsped her bra and caught her bosom with his strong tongue.


    His licking movement continued until her nipples were swollen and in the pit of her stomach, there was a wild swirl. He was greedy and he ravished her like one.


    His hands¡¯ touch set her body ame and it traveled every inch of her body patiently. His touch neither was it too possessive nor was it too light. It was magically exploring her body with painful teasing.


    He pulled down her pants and his fingers skimmed her hips and thighs before rubbing the inside of her thighs making her moan aloud.


    Xu Mey gripped his hair in her hand and made him look at her saying, "What are you doing?" She was on the verge of losing herself and yet he wasn¡¯t giving her what she wanted. He was just ying with her by being so close and yet so damn far. It annoyed her to the extreme. He was obstructing her intense pleasure. And that was mean.


    "You said, I can do whatever I want to," Ye Jie smiled at her yfully making her groan. Xu Mey squinted her eyes and pulled at his shirt. Under her strength, the poor buttons popped open and she slid her hands on his body before pushing him on the bed and taking the charge while sitting on his stomach.


    She made sure to skim her soft fingers over his taut muscles in a teasing manner while she recaptured his lips with savage intensity. Ye Jie¡¯s fickle self reciprocated her actions by meeting her tongue with his own. Both were burning, aching and dying with desire at this moment as they were intoxicated by the taste and touch of each other.


    Xu Mey boldly moved her hand down towards his pants and unbuttoned it before sliding her hand inside his boxers. As her delicate hand touched his hard self, Ye Jie cursed, "F*ck!"


    Xu Mey smugly grinned and moved her hand slowly all over his length making him groan. He gripped her neck and said, "Now, who¡¯s the one ying?" Xu Mey fluttered her eyshes innocently.


    Xu Mey helped him out of his clothes and held his groin in her hands. Although her movements were amateur, Ye Jie was still affected with the way her eyes were gazing at him. Slowly, she got the hang of it as her movements became smoother and faster.


    With a growl, Ye Jie came all over her hand. Xu Mey stared at him and lifted her hand slowly. His eyes didn¡¯t even blink afraid to miss her actions. She brought her hand up and slowly licked her hand making Ye Jie close his eyes.


    When he opened his eyes, the untamed beast of his had broken the shackles. He tackled her down on the bed, shifted his weight a bit and settled between her legs.


    "Mey..." He groaned in his husky voice. "You... are... unbelievable." His throbbing heartbeat was ringing against her ear or it was hers? Who knows? Neither they cared, nor it mattered at all.


    He rolled down her soaked underpants and with a swift motion entered inside her core. Xu Mey habitually dug her nails on his back and he left kisses all over her jaw.


    Their bodies moved in exquisite harmony as they learned to soar in the sky to reach the heaven of ecstasy. And reaching the heaving, they both exploded with pleasure and shattered like fireworks; into a million pieces to glow together.


    As theyid undone in each other¡¯s arms,pletely spent, Ye Jie heard Xu Mey¡¯s low whisper, "I can¡¯t believe that this argument happened."


    Ye Jie frowned as he retorted, "Baby, I think we had s-e-x, not argument as of yet."


    Xu Mey tilted her face up to look at him and said, "Jie darling!" Ye Jie melted at the sweet cotton candy like voice and cursed himself for being so easy. While she continued, "I read somewhere that the key to a sessful marriage is;" She dramatically took a pause and shifted closer to his ear and said in a whisper, "Argue naked."


    She chuckled making Ye Jie smile as well as he pulled her naked body closer to himself saying, "I guess we should argue more from now on."


    "Ah-Jie, I¡¯m really sorry for forgetting your special day." Ye Jie heard her voice as her faceid on his chest.


    He stroked her hair and spoke, "Baby, birthday was never a special day for me. My special day can only be the one when I got married to you." Xu Mey smiled and rxed while nting a kiss right above his heart.


    After a moment of silence, Ye Jie heard her muttering, "I love you, Jie!" Ye Jie¡¯s eyes widened at this confession.


    "Baby, what did you say?" He asked uncertainly but Xu Mey pretended to have fallen asleep.


    He sighed but smiled to himself with contentment. "Your words are the best birthday present I have gotten in my life." He spoke in a low voice and closed his own eyes feeling tired.

 Chapter 219 - The Vows

    The orange hues of the sun seemed like a tangerine jelly merging with the sky. The sun hid half of itself under the nket of the sky as if blushing thinking of how the twilight will soon beckon the stars. Silhouettes of birds appeared on the now magenta sky as they flew back to their homes.


    As thest orange rays made her sleeping figure aglow, his lips bore a semnce of a smile at the sight. He enjoyed this feeling of being able to lie next to her and just stare at her milky white skin.


    The birds might be flying home outside the window but as he ced a kiss on the space between her brows, he knew that he was really home. He pulled her body closer to himself and said, "I love you, baby. And I also love the feeling of loving you. Oddly, I don¡¯t seem to care anymore about what your love does to me." His voice sounded like whispering meadows; serene, mysterious, and most of all beautiful.


    Xu Mey stirred a bit in her sleep as his voice fell to her ears. She smiled and tilted her face to look at him. "Jie, what am I to you?" She asked out of the blue in a soft voice.


    Ye Jie yed with her long locks and smiled beautifully. "You are my weakness." He started making her scowl but he kissed the tip of her nose and added, "But you¡¯re also my strength."


    "How?" She questioned seemingly very interested in this conversation.


    Ye Jie tousled her hair a bit and said, "You¡¯re my weakness because I care for you too much. As for being my strength, that¡¯s because I love you too much."


    Xu Mey stared dumbfoundedly at his face that seemed to be glowing for some odd reason. Then her lips curled upwards as a beautiful smile bloomed on her face. She hugged him tightly as if afraid that he would slip away from her grasp.


    "Oh, I almost forgot!" She suddenly remembered as she sat up covering herself with sheets and added, "I have a gift for you."


    Ye Jie¡¯s brows quirked up in surprise as he listened to her, "I prepared it about a month ago for your birthday but I got tangled up with stuff so much that Ipletely forgot about your birthday." She was feeling really bad about it.


    "Found it!" She managed to pull out a small box out of her jacket which was thrown somewhere earlier and walked back to the bed. She extended the box towards him with a toothy grin.


    Ye Jie eyed the box curiously and took it from her. As he opened the box, his brows knitted together.


    There was a bracelet set inside the small box. The tinum bracelets had a very simple design of infinity carved on them but what made them special was the words written inside the infinity lines.


    In one loop of the first bracelet was written, ¡¯Cherry¡¯s¡¯ and in the second loop¡¯s line was written ¡¯Jie¡¯ while on the second bracelet in the same pattern was written, ¡¯Rain¡¯s Baby¡¯.


    He opened his mouth to say something but could find neither words nor his voice. He looked up to see her nervously waiting for his response. "Do you like it?" She voiced out her uncertainty.


    Ye Jie didn¡¯t answer her question with words instead he pulled her towards himself and nted a long kiss on her lips. The long kiss slowly turned into a deep one as they started losing themselves in each other all over again.


    Before he would lose himselfpletely in her, Ye Jie pulled away a bit. Face-to-face, the tips of their nose brushed together as he spoke in a low voice, "Just like I love you. I love everything thates with you. Even your forgetfulness." Xu Mey grinned goofily which didn¡¯tst long as he held her face and caressed her bottom lip with his thumb.


    Xu Mey gulped down looking into his deep brown eyes that made her feel dizzy and hot once again. She tried to pull away and suggested, "Let me put this on for you."


    Ye Jie didn¡¯t tease her and extended his hand in front of her. She took the bracelet with ¡¯Cherry¡¯s Jie¡¯ written on it and made him wear it. As she helped him with the bracelet, he held her hands in his own and looked straight into her eyes with indescribable emotion.


    "Baby, I¡¯m in awe," He started speaking in his husky tone, "Not just with the fact that you¡¯re so beautiful but also with the fact that a beautiful person like you is all mine to keep for the rest of my life." Xu Mey felt a blush creeping up her face as he went on, "I heard about miracles but never believed in them and yet you became my miracle. You found me who was lost and slowly, with your mysterious smiles pulled at my heartstrings making them y out a tune that only you could hear." Tears started pooling in her eyes as she looked at the sincere smile on his face. "You became the answer for a person like me who always kept looking for answers in life. I always believed that love is all about being patient and not proud. But whenever I¡¯m with you, I be the proudest person in the world and oddly enough, I¡¯d love to boast about my wife to the whole world as well. And I won¡¯t even feel any shame for unting you around." Xu Mey chuckled a bit as a tear seeped out of her eye. "I want tough, I want to love and most of all I want to cherish this life with you and all of this is because of you. You walked into my life and dared me to see the dreams that had you in them and I did. Day by day, every day... My dreams are all about you... With you... You are and will always be the love of my life... My reasons for dreams... My reason for living and I¡¯d love to keep you right beside me as my soulmate and most of all, as my one and only, Cherry Wife."


    Xu Mey was in betweenughing and crying as he finished speaking or more like making this vow. It was like he spoke all the vows one would do on their wedding day.


    Ye Jie wiped her tears with the back of the hand and said, "Baby, can you not cry please?" Xu Mey nodded but couldn¡¯t help sobbing at the way his voice warmed her heart. She encircled her arms around his neck and buried her face in his neck.


    Ye Jie rubbed her back softly trying to soothe her. After a while, her hups seized and he heard her hoarse voice, "I never thought in my life that I¡¯d find someone who¡¯d be willing to pick up my shattered and scattered self. You showed me that beauty doesn¡¯t exist in the picture perfect things, it can exist in a whithered rose and fading fireworks. The only condition is; one has to have a person to share it with them." She pulled away herself and her soft hands palmed his face saying, "Ah-Jie, you made me realize that broken people like me can also love and be loved. You made me want to anticipate everything. I even started anticipating the moment when your eyes would look at me again and what emotions and feelings I¡¯d find in them. You taught me what freedom is. Not from the world but from my own self. You freed me and made me want to fly high." Ye Jie had a content smile stered on his lips as he listened to her voice that felt like a tinkling ss and her words were akin to a lover¡¯s kiss.


    She took a pause to gather her thoughts before she added, "Jie, I need you in my life for the rest of it... I know I¡¯m impulsive, impatient, rude, blunt, and most of all, forgetful. But I feel blessed that a man like you who could have found someone way better than me had fallen for me. I never took myself to be the luckiest girl but with you in my life, I don¡¯t think anyone can win in luck from me anymore. I love you and I am willing to scream it to the world that I love you. And I¡¯d dly announce it to the whole world that you are my husband. Mine. One and only. Forever!"


    She sealed her vow with a kiss on his lips taking him by surprise. As the moonlight cascaded inside and fell on her face, it made her appear ethereal. Well, to him, she had always been ethereal.

 Chapter 220 - Happy Birthday

    Both husband and wife lost the track of time and when Ye Jie noticed the time, it was already past 8. He suddenly remembered that he told Azalea he would take her to He family house in the evening. And that just also reminded him that he still had to tell Xu Mey about sending Azalea back.


    Both of them got dressed up while Ye Jie spoke up, "Baby, I have something to tell you."


    "Mhmm..." Xu Mey replied distractedly.


    "Um... I decided to send Azalea back," Xu Mey turned to see him pulling out a new shirt since she had ruined his other one.


    "Why so suddenly?" she questioned.


    Ye Jie sighed heavily as he said, "I met Dr. Chen in Imperial. He seemed like he was missing his daughter a lot. And she¡¯s fine now so, I thought now is better thanter."


    Xu Mey nodded her head. "So, are you clearing everything else as well? I mean... about you and them?" She questioned hesitantly.


    "No, I just want to send her back for now." He answered inly.


    "Oh, okay." Xu Mey didn¡¯t say anything else since this was something he had to decide for himself. As for her, she just needed to stand by his side and support him with whatever he chooses.


    As they came out of the bedroom and walked into Ye Jie¡¯s office, his eyes caught sight of a small cake ced on the coffee table. He looked at her and turned to look at the cake. "You brought it?"


    "I did. But I forgot... again." She said ruefully as she facepalmed herself.


    Ye Jie pinched her cheek and remarked, "Baby is getting way forgetful. I¡¯m afraid that she might even forget me one day." He would have never said those words if he knew that those words would y with him in the worst way in the future.


    Xu Mey punched his chest andined, "And whose fault is it that I forgot?"


    "How would I know?" Ye Jie yed the innocent part.


    Xu Mey poked her finger at his chest saying, "It¡¯s all your fault. Who told you to entangle me in the web of your words, and those dreamy eyes that I can¡¯t seem to get out of?" Ye Jie held her finger poking him and opened his mouth to say something but she interrupted him. "Also, how dare you to say that I¡¯d forget you? If I forgot you then how will I breathe?" Her voice turned into a whisper as she added, "And if you forgot me, I¡¯ll lose my reason for existence."


    Ye Jie chuckled and pulled her in his embrace saying, "Rx! Baby, it was a joke. Now, shall we cut this cake?"


    He felt her shaking her head against his chest. "It¡¯s not fresh anymore. We¡¯ll buy a new er."


    "Okay." Heplied to her as he was willing to do for the rest of their lives.


    By the time he left the office building, all the employees had gone home. On the drive back home, Xu Mey stared at the side of his face thinking about something. "Ah-Jie, if you have to choose between your real parents and the one who raised you, who would you choose?" she finally asked the question that¡¯s been bugging her for a while now.


    Ye Jie looked at her through the corner of his eye and answered, "I¡¯d choose you."


    "Huh?" Xu Mey was feeling confused. She wasn¡¯t one of the options. Was she? "I didn¡¯t even add myself in the choices."


    "So what? If there is no you in my options of life, I¡¯d rather not choose. Or I¡¯ll just keep adding my own option and choose you over and over and over again." He spoke crisply as he focused on the road ahead.


    "Cheeky! And Corny!" He heard her grumbling beside him making him chuckle.


    When they reached home, Azalea was pacing outside the door waiting for them. "Bro, you told me to wait for you. And look, you¡¯re 3 hourste."


    "Sorry!" Ye Jie smiled trying to cate her and it worked Azalea¡¯s anger deted like balloon seeing his eyes crinkling like her father¡¯s.


    "Whatever!" She said and pulled out her suitcase saying, "I¡¯m all set."


    "Oh, okay!" Ye Jie took the suitcase from her and put it in the trunk.


    All three of them set out towards the militarypound. Azalea was feeling jittery and excited about seeing her parents after almost 2 years. Xu Mey noticed her nervousness from the front seat and turned a bit to hold her sweaty hands. "Rx! Instead of feeling nervous, you should be excited right now."


    Azalea nodded and smiled back at Xu Mey. She was nervous because she didn¡¯t have much to tell her parents. She didn¡¯t even know whether to lie or tell the truth about her ident.


    But she knew Ye Jie wasn¡¯t ready to disclose his identity and if he wasn¡¯t ready then she didn¡¯t want to bring up the ident part since it¡¯ll only shift the me on Ye Jie and she didn¡¯t want that.


    "Jie Ge-Ge," she called out.


    "Hmm..." he hummed in response.


    "When we get there just tell everyone that I¡¯m friends with you and that¡¯s why you picked me up from the airport."


    "You want to stick with the lie of traveling around the world?" Ye Jie questioned her.


    "Yes, and don¡¯t argue with me on that. I don¡¯t want to bring up the ident at all." Hearing Azalea, Ye Jie could only nod.


    He was nning on revealing the truth about the ident leaving his identity aside. He was ready for the punishment because he wasn¡¯tfortable with lies. As Ru always teased him before, ¡¯Dear best friend, you¡¯re the kind of person who would rather take the punishment than to lie. And you despise exining yourself. Would it kill you to clear up everything?¡¯


    He knew that Ru was right. He didn¡¯t like exining himself to anyone. And punishments would help in pulling him out of guilt while lies will only push him further in guilt.


    But he couldn¡¯t say anything to Azalea. He didn¡¯t want to hurt her. So, he decided that he would neither say anything nor would he lie.


    When they arrived at the He family home, there was pitch ck darkness. There wasn¡¯t a single person in the front garden and there wasn¡¯t even a single light on.


    "Are they even home?" Ye Jie asked with furrowed brows.


    Azalea smiled to herself and said, "They must be inside. Let¡¯s go!"


    The three of them trudged their way on the cobblestone path and right in the middle of their way, with a ¡¯pop¡¯ confetti fell on Ye Jie and the whole garden illuminated as they heard loud cheering of, "Happy Birthday!"

 Chapter 221 - Birthday Party

    "Happy Birthday!"


    As the cheers rang out, Ye Jie was stunned to his spot.


    The garden before him was illuminated withnterns and twinkling fairy lights along with a whole range of flower decorations.


    And the faces before Ye Jie were all well too familiar. There weren¡¯t just He Jian¡¯s family. All of Xu Mey¡¯s best friends were there along with a few other guests. Someone had also invited Ye Jun to the birthday party and he somehow managed to bring Jun Li Na out of her cocoon with himself.


    Nobody was surprised to see Azalea with Ye Jie, instead, all of them were happily gazing at them. As if they had exxpected to see Azalea already.


    "What¡¯s going on here?" Ye Jie managed to voice out his question.


    "Isn¡¯t it obvious?" Xu Mey smirked beside Ye Jie.


    "Huh? This was my surprise... How did it turn all around?" Azalea whined darting her eyes between Xu Mey and He Jian. She clearly wanted to surprise her parents with her presence and her brother with the party arrangements.


    Xu Mey tousled Azalea¡¯s hair saying, "Zelie, did you really expect my Jian-Ge to hide all of this from me?"


    Azalea scrunched up her face and looked usingly at He Jian, "Ge, how could you? And you even already told everyone that I¡¯ll be here?"


    "Wasn¡¯t he supposed to?" Azalea turned towards the voice of her mother who was ring at her furiously.


    "Hi, mom!" Azalea smiled sheepishly.


    "Hi? You! You mischievous little monkey! You spoiled brat! You rotten egg! How dare you?" He Susu burst up as she came closer to Azalea with a raised hand intending to hit her only daughter.


    Azalea was expecting this from her mother. So, she ran behind her dad. Zhu Chen was quietly looking at the perfect harmonious scene before him with a smile. When Azalea came behind him, he immediately hugged her and hid her from the wrath of his own wife. "Su, let¡¯s calm down! She¡¯s still young. And we¡¯re gathered here for another reason."


    At this reminder, He Susu turned back to Ye Jie and smiled brightly saying, "I never thought your birthday would be on the same day as my son. But since I don¡¯t have my son with me, " her voice choked up a bit but she still added, "I¡¯d love to celebrate your birthday like I would have done for my own son."


    Ye Jie was overwhelmed when she pulled him in for a warm hug with her petite body. He didn¡¯t know whether he was supposed to be happy or sad? This was such an unexpected surprise for him.


    "Thank you, everyone!" Ye Jie could only say those words in gratitude but he knew that those words were not enough. They could never possibly be enough since this was the birthday party he never even dreamed of in his life.


    He was always away from home on his birthday and that¡¯s why his only perfect memory of a birthday existed with Ru.


    On his every birthday since the time he had known her, she had always been the one to find him on his birthday. The thing that made him feel worse was that he didn¡¯t even know about her birthday since she didn¡¯t know about it herself. She was only told the year, the exact date waspletely unknown to her.


    He had told her that they should just choose any day and celebrate it as her birthday but she refused, saying, ¡¯First, there is nothing to celebrate about my birth. Second, I¡¯ll celebrate the birthday when I¡¯ll discover the reason of my existence.¡¯


    Everyone came up to offer their blessings to him but Ye Jie was distracted. He turned to look at Xu Mey smiling right beside him and he couldn¡¯t help but smile in return. He mouthed a simple, "Thank you, baby!"


    She grinned broadly and brightly as she mouthed back, "Anything for my Ah-Jie."


    Earlier when He Jian texted her to inform about Azalea¡¯s n, she was on her way to Ye Jie¡¯s office. She didn¡¯t mind the whole surprise and decided to call Ye Jun so that Jun Li Na could get a glimpse of a healthy atmosphere between her best friends and their families.


    Also, she thought this was a good way to create a bonding between Ye Jie and his biological parents. That way he might break free from doubts in his mind ande clean before them.


    "I think the most excited one for this party is Uncle Chen," Wu Wang came around Xu Mey as he said in a loud voice.


    "Tell me about it," Li Qiao¡¯s mother started. "This stupid Chen didn¡¯t even tell me abouting back to China but today, he called me suddenly. Can you guess for what?" Everyone gazed at her curiously as she elbowed Zhu Chen in his guts saying, "To cook longevity noodles." Everyone stared at Zhu Chen with their mouth agape and he simply shrugged his shoulders.


    "Xiao Man," Zhu Chen called Li Qiao¡¯s mother, "We have known each other for decades. And noodles are the very least thing you can do for me. And besides, in my defense, you¡¯re the only person who makes the best longevity noodles which is bizarre knowing how much you hate cooking." Everyone burst outughing at his defense making the atmosphere lively.


    "Humph! I even baked a beautiful and delicious cake. Don¡¯t try to insult me," Li Qiao¡¯s mother, Li Man warned him with an icy re making Zhu Chen chuckle.


    "Well, it¡¯s official. Our parents are more childish than us." Li Qiao said standing beside Xu Mey as they all were gazing at the middle-aged people gathered around Ye Jie making himugh with their own stories and kept watch while he had to eat the unbroken longevity noodle¡¯s bowl in one continuous strand.


    "Tell me about it," He Jian added with a shake of his head.


    "I¡¯m d, my mom is out of town. Otherwise, I can¡¯t even imagine the way this party would have turned into," Wu Wang shuddered at the thought. There was mostly nothing wrong with his mother. For Xu Mey, she was one the most loving person in the world but the problem lied in her childlike mind. Wu Wang¡¯s mother had an obsession with kids and since her own grew up, she turned herself into one.


    "And I wish my mom was alive to be here," they heard Lin Shen¡¯s sigh and turned their heads at the same time to look at his expressionless face.


    Noticing their gazes, Lin Shen shifted a bit saying, "I wasn¡¯t trying to spoil the mood. I just couldn¡¯t help missing her." He spoke righteously and none of them could me him. Lin Shen lost his mother when he was 10 and he always missed her at such joyous asions.


    "Shen-Shen, I¡¯m right here for you," Sun Ju came around Lin Shen¡¯s side and gave him a side hug.


    "I know, Ju-Ju," he replied smiling at her.


    "Then you should also know that your mother is still with you. Right here," Sun Jun tapped on his heart making him smile widely.


    "I think it¡¯s time to move," Xu Mey was the first one to suggest and everyone else nodded agreeing with her. They turned and left the clingy couple behind.

 Chapter 222 - It Sticks With You

    While Xu Mey was happily chatting away with her friends, suddenly she felt a tug at her arm as she was dragged to a corner by Ye Jun.


    "What?" She questioned while squinting her eyes.


    He held her shoulders and twisted her body a bit to turn her towards where Zhu Chen was smiling along with Ye Jie. "Would you mind telling me how that man over there seems like the old version of my brother?"


    Xu Mey¡¯s eyes went round and she started scratching the back of her head sheepishly. "About that... Go and ask your brother." She tried to shirk all the responsibility but Ye Jun wasn¡¯t nning on letting her escape so easily.


    "Sis, don¡¯t try to run and just answer me," he was going crazy thinking about the possibility in his mind.


    "Jun, you¡¯re smart and I know that your mind already knows who he is. Now, please don¡¯t ask me anything. Because I already told you that I won¡¯t be the one talking about this with you." She answered crisply but calmly.


    Ye Jun pursed his lips as his shoulders drooped down. "You¡¯re telling me that my mind is absolutely right?" For some reason, he wanted her to say no and yet his mind wanted her to say yes.


    "Jun, it¡¯s better that you talk to Ah-Jie. It¡¯s time you bothe clean anyway. So, look for him," she took a pause before adding, "But after this party. Don¡¯t think about spoiling his mood right now."


    "I¡¯m not that stupid," Ye Jun defended himself.


    Xu Mey shrugged her shoulders not paying heed to hisst words and came back to He Jian¡¯s side.


    While Ye Jie was stuck between the elders, he didn¡¯t mind it at all. Their conversations were livelier making him feel calm.


    "Let¡¯s cut the cake." He Jian¡¯s mother announced. "Everyone gather around."


    Holding the knife in his hand, Ye Jie looked around at the tandem of people, trying to find a certain someone. Catching his line of sight, He Jian¡¯s motherughed as she went up to Xu Mey and pulled her up to Ye Jie¡¯s side saying, "Aiyo, Xiao Mey! How can you stand so far from your husband? He wants you by his side."


    Ye Jie smiled while Xu Mey could only blush since there was the whole wave of "Ohhh!!" going around in the crowd. Ye Jie kept staring at Xu Mey¡¯s bright red face with tenderness his eyes.


    "Come on! Enough with that lovey-dovey moment. Cut the cake already, my sweet tooth is craving for that cake," Azalea shouted loud making everyone chuckle.


    "Behave yourself!" Azalea received a light p on her shoulder from her mother making her pout.


    "Did I say anything wrong? They are simply making us singles feel miserable." Azalea spoke righteously.


    "Zelie, shut up!" He Susu red at her daughter making Azalea seal her lips tight.


    After the ceremony of cake cutting, everyone went back to chatting in their respective groups.


    "Happy birthday, man!" Ye Jie¡¯s old friend Ming Qu gave him a bro hug.


    "Thanks!" Ye Jie said. He wasn¡¯t surprised to see Ming Qu since he was Wu Wang¡¯s brother inw, there was no odd thing for him to show up here.


    "Where is Xiao Xia?" Wu Wang inquired about his sister from Ming Qu.


    "Well, she¡¯s right there," Ming Qu pointed towards the ce all the middle-ageddies were huddled up.


    "I can¡¯t believe that she still enjoys herself between old people." Wu Wang shook his head in disbelief.


    While they were chatting away, a figure d in an aquamarine gown came up beside them and smiled at Ye Jie saying, "Happy birthday, Ge-Ge!" Ye Jie looked at his cousin, Zhou Qi and smiled brightly as he thanked her.


    Her appearance caused a change in Ming Qu¡¯s expression as he excused himself away from them. But this certain detail wasn¡¯t unnoticed by Wu Wang. He already had noticed the way Zhou Qi¡¯s body stiffened when Ming Qu spoke up to say, "I¡¯ll be right back." But the worst reaction was of Ming Qu who simply ran away from her.


    When Zhou Qi went to stand beside Ye Jun, Xu Mey came to Ye Jie scowling, "What is she doing here?"


    "Baby, she¡¯s my cousin. Obviously, Ye Jun must have told her about this." Ye Jie answered seemingly amused by the way her face was scrunched up. "You¡¯re not very fond of her, huh?"


    "Humph! Fond? I hate her!" Xu Mey answered straightforwardly and stomped away. Ye Jie hadn¡¯t seen her this irritated by someone¡¯s presence before, so he found it quite amusing.


    Xu Mey went up to Wu Wang with a sad look saying, "Wang-Ge, I didn¡¯t know that she¡¯d be here. I didn¡¯t call her. I¡¯m sorry!"


    Wu Wang smiled at her reaction and said, "Mey-Mey, it doesn¡¯t matter. It¡¯s been a long time. I¡¯m over it."


    Xu Mey rolled her eyes saying, "As if I don¡¯t know you." Wu Wang tousled her hair lightly but didn¡¯t answer her. He knew that Xu Mey could see through his lie but he couldn¡¯t help it. He had to lie.


    Yes, it affected him greatly whenever Zhou Qi came before his eyes! But what could he do? Even after 8 years, his heart was still affected. And he couldn¡¯t even do anything about it. As they say, love might notst forever but sad love... it sticks with you till the day you die.


    Wu Wang was trying to live his life by the rule of, ¡¯Sad things happen. They do. But we don¡¯t have to live sad forever.¡¯ And because of this rule, he alwaysughed before everyone trying to evade the sadness in his heart.


    No matter if she had given him a million reasons to hate her, he just couldn¡¯t bring himself to hate her. Because if he could just let a single moment of their breakup slip away from his mind, everything else was just too perfect to be true. But sometimes, a single moment can overshadow the rest of the good ones.

 Chapter 223 - What A Pity!

    It¡¯s bizarre how we love someone eminently, only to be told that we are not good enough for them. And the worst part of that statement is; you spent every second trying to be the best version of yourself for that person and it takes him only a minute to say, "We¡¯re not meant to be."


    With these thoughts and a bottle of beer in hand, Wu Wang went to a quiet corner behind the shrubs. He perched down on the green grass and looked into the distance.


    "Let my hand go!" Wu Wang¡¯s ears perked up when he heard that familiar voice that once made him feel special but now, it only brought the feeling of being unwanted.


    "What are you doing here?" Wu Wang¡¯s brows knitted together since the masculine was also of someone he was familiar with.


    "It¡¯s my cousin¡¯s birthday. I have to be here." Zhou Qi replied matter-of-factly.


    "I have a question for you," Ming Qu said and stared at Zhou Qi¡¯s face. "Was your boyfriend back then..." he hesitated before continuing, "Was it Wu Wang?"


    A silence followed that question. "Answer me, damn it!" Ming Qu raised his voice a bit in exasperation.


    "Yes. It was Wu Wang. So what?" Zhou Qi snapped back at him.


    "Sh*t!" Ming Qu raked his fingers through his hairs. "And you still haven¡¯t told him why you broke up?"


    "I didn¡¯t and I won¡¯t!" She was adamant on her words while Ming Qu red at her.


    "Have you lost your mind? I asked you to tell him even back then. And you¡¯re still keeping it from him after years?" Ming Qu felt a huge burden weighing down on his shoulders.


    Zhou Qi bit down on her lips and meekly said, "I can¡¯t tell him. I won¡¯t be able to bear the look in his eyes. What if he felt disgusted?"


    "And the look of hatred is better?" Ming Qu retorted.


    Zhou Qi shook her head saying, "I don¡¯t know. I don¡¯t know anything at all. You just stop showing me your face. It reminds of the time I desperately want to forget."


    "Huh! Do you think I¡¯m any better? Especially after you just told me that your ex-boyfriend was actually my brother-inw? You¡¯re impossible!" Ming Qu was looking at her with disdain.


    "What else could I do? I wanted him to have a better life." She tried to defend herself but it felt like excuses to Ming Qu.


    "Humph! After ruining him, you still have the audacity to say that you wanted a better life for him? Miss. Zhou, you¡¯re nothing but a coward. You were back then and you are even now!" With that, Ming Qu left her alone standing in the dark.


    Behind the shrubs, Wu Wang listened to everything in silence even the sniffling sound that followed after Ming Qu walked away.


    What he was thinking? Nothing! Or perhaps, even he didn¡¯t know what was on his mind. He only knew that he wanted to shut his mind for a while.


    How Ming Qu and Zhou Qi knew each other? The answer wasn¡¯t difficult to guess. One was Ye Jie¡¯s cousin and the other was his friend. As for what secret they had, he strangely didn¡¯t want to know.


    He spent 8 years of his life feeling ¡¯not good enough¡¯ and nothing could bring back those 8 years of his life. He was the only one who knew how his heart broke into pieces every day and how he had sewed those pieces together every night just so he could smile before everyone in the morning.


    He waited for her even after being brutally rejected but he had been so disappointed in the past years that he didn¡¯t even have the wish to see her again. There was nothing left in his heart anymore. Neither love nor any attachment. There was only a broken heart which had learned to live with the emptiness between it.


    Between the crowd, the parents had made a separate group to discuss their children¡¯s lives with each other.


    "Ge, don¡¯t you think it¡¯s time for Jian to get married?" He Susu asked her brother He Kun.


    He Kun sighed heavily as he said, "He¡¯s still not over it." His eyes were on Wu Wang¡¯s father as he spoke those words. He directly didn¡¯t mention it but everyone knew that he was talking about how He Jian wasn¡¯t over his ex-fiance, Wu Weiwei.


    "I think it¡¯s about time that he stops living for someone who has left this world for good." Even though it pained Wu-Wong to talk about his eldest daughter, he still had to. He couldn¡¯t let He Jian waste away his life waiting for his dead daughter.


    Lin Shen¡¯s father, Lin Han patted Wu-Wong¡¯s shoulder saying, "That¡¯s called love, my friend. And it¡¯s already very rare to find that kind of love in this generation."


    "But I still think that He Jian should get married. Why don¡¯t you look for some candidates, Qinyang?" Wu-Wong turned to He Jian¡¯s mother.


    Zhu Qinyang rubbed her forehead as she felt a headacheing up. "I don¡¯t even know what to do. He doesn¡¯t listen to me at all. Whenever I bring up marriage, he runs at the speed of lightning. You should ask your wife to talk to him. Jian respects her the most. I believe he¡¯ll listen to her."


    "Well, Bingbing has already even nned a whole list of candidates for Jian," Wu-Wong replied thinking about his wife, Fan Bingbing¡¯s obsession with matchmaking these days.


    "Huh?" Everyone was surprised by his words.


    "Isn¡¯t she looking for a candidate for Wang?" Zhu Qinyang asked with a frown.


    Wu-Wong clicked his tongue. "As if she can rule over Wang¡¯s life. Pssf... He won¡¯t let her. So, she¡¯s looking for a perfect candidate for He Jian."


    "Don¡¯t you know, Qinyang? Bingbing even went to Imperial to personally keep an eye on a candidate she liked." Lin Shen¡¯s father informed He Jian¡¯s mother making her mouth wide open in surprise.


    "Now, I know why my son says that she loves him more than I love him." Zhu Qinyang muttered to herself and shook her head with a smile.


    She was d to know that her friend was concerned about her son more than she was. But then again, Fan Bingbing said that she was adopting He Jian as her son on the day he got engaged to her daughter, Wu Weiwei.


    "Oh, Xiao Man! I heard Xiao Qian ising back," Zhu Chen turned to Li Qiao¡¯s mother to inquire about his neighbor in Country A.


    Everyone looked at Li Man with anticipation. "Yeah! Finally, my sister-inw has decided to grace the country with her presence."


    "Woah! That¡¯s big news! When is sheing? And why?" Zhu Chen asked curiously.


    "I don¡¯t know when but I know that she¡¯sing for Xin Xiamu¡¯s marriage." Li Man answered inly.


    "Marriage to whom?" He Susu asked this time.


    "To her," Li Man pointed at Yu Kim standing in a corner talking with Jun Li Na. "Yu Kim... Yu Ting¡¯s one and only precious daughter."


    "What?" That reaction came from Zhu Chen. "Wasn¡¯t she with Li Qiao?"


    Everyone pursed their lips since that was their own thinking as well. They all thought that Yu Kim and Li Qiao looked good together. What a pity!


    "Stop spouting nonsense, Chen! Kim¡¯s been engaged to Xiamu since they were in school even before Kim even met Qiao." Li Man exined in detail making everyone feel strange for some reason.

 Chapter 224 - Bright & Red

    "Jian-Ge, you¡¯re getting married!" Azalea happily announced as she walked up to the group.


    "Don¡¯t joke around, Zelie!" He Jian warned Azalea making her pout.


    "I¡¯m not joking. I just heard it while I was sitting closer to the parents." Azalea answered smugly.


    "Are you serious? Who¡¯s the girl?" Xu Mey asked excitedly.


    "Xiao Mey! Seriously?" He Jian gave her disapproving look which Xu Mey ignoredpletely.


    "Rx, Jian-Ge!" Then she turned back to Azalea. "So, who¡¯s the girl?"


    "That I don¡¯t know..." Azalea made a sad face which instantly brightened when she saw Wu Wang walking towards them. "Ah, Wang-Ge would know." Everyone turned to see Wu Wang who looked lost under their curious gazes.


    "What do I know?" Wu Wang asked.


    "About Jian-Ge¡¯s marriage candidate," Xu Mey helped him walk through this talk.


    "I don¡¯t know anything," Wu Wang denied all the facts making Azalea re at him.


    "Hey, Wang-Ge! Your mother is the one looking for the candidates and as much as I know Auntie Bingbing, she always tells you everything." Azalea turned to speak mawkishly as she added, "Ge, just tell us the name."


    "Wang, what are you hiding?" He Jian asked in a stern tone.


    "I¡¯m not trying to hide anything. Mom just asked me not to tell you yet." Wu Wang said calmly which was surprising considering his state of mind at the moment.


    "You already know that I don¡¯t want to get marry," He Jian was furious by now.


    Wu Wang rolled his eyes. "And what are you nning on doing? Spending the rest of your life with the memories of my sister who is buried six feet under the ground?"


    "Wang!" He Jian raised his voice a bit.


    "Shut up, Jian! Anyhow, you have no way to get out of this marriage proposal. No matter what you do." Wu Wang announced rather confidently.


    "Wang-Ge, but tell us who she is," Xu Mey shook Wu Wang a bit.


    "Xiao Mey, I can¡¯t tell you her name. But I can tell you that she¡¯s from Imperial city and also, the young miss of a reputable household." Wu Wang answered inly.


    "Is she pretty?" Azalea asked this childish question making Wu Wang tousle her hair like a kid.


    "Yes, she is very pretty. Not only pretty, but she¡¯s also well mannered and well aplished in life. All by herself." Wu Wang told everyone with the same calmness he had before.


    "Now, I¡¯m really curious." Xu Mey grumbled by his side. "What¡¯s her profession? You can at least tell us that."


    "Hmm..." Wu Wang pondered for a while before answering, "She¡¯s a wedding nner."


    "Oh, cool!" Azaleamented excitedly.


    "Is she the same famous wedding nner who your mother has hired for my wedding?" Lin Shen asked Wu Wang with a raise of his brow.


    "Damn it! I still gave it away," Wu Wang cursed under his breath and cleared his throat before saying, "I don¡¯t know anything." He ran away leaving everyone curious to know more. Since Wu Wang¡¯s mother went herself, the girl must be someone extraordinary.


    On the other side, Ye Jie had walked up to Ye Jun¡¯s side with a strained smile. "Why are you hiding here?" Ye Jie asked his younger brother.


    "Not hiding. I¡¯m just giving Jun Li Napany." Ye Jun replied with the best smile he could muster up.


    "My little brother is all grown up for love," Ye Jie remarked since he had heard the way Ye Jun managed everything with Jun Li Na.


    "I learned from the best," Ye Jun replied.


    "Really? Who¡¯s this best person?" Ye Jie asked curiously.


    "He¡¯s is right here," Ye Jun pointed his finger at Ye Jie¡¯s face making him chuckle.


    "You¡¯re saying that you learned it all from me?" Ye Jie asked amusingly.


    "Yup!" Ye Jun popped the ¡¯p¡¯ unnecessarily. They both fell silent for a while before Ye Jun managed to speak up, "Bro, I think we need to talk."


    Ye Jie stiffened a bit before he looked into Ye Jun¡¯s eyes seeing the same feeling he had in his own eyes; fear. Both brothers were scared of losing each other to the extent that they pretended to know nothing for years.


    "I know," Ye Jie answered and went on, "Let¡¯s do it tomorrow?" Ye Jie looked expectantly into Ye Jun¡¯s eyes.


    Ye Jun nodded and asked, "Bro, after that talk... you¡¯ll still be my brother, right?" Ye Jun felt really nervous and scared in his heart.


    Ye Jie pulled him in for a hug and said, "Idiot! We¡¯ll always be brothers. No matter what."


    "I like the sound of that," Ye Jun said in a choked up voice.


    "Woah! I almost forgot, where is my gift?" Ye Jie pulled away from Ye Jun and inquired wiggling his brows.


    "Erm... Um..." Ye Jun scratched the tip of his nose sheepishly.


    "What? Erm... Um... That won¡¯t work right now. I want my gift," Ye Jie extended his hand gesturing Ye Jun to ce the gift in his empty hand. "Oh My God! You forgot the gift? What kind of a brother are you?" Ye Jie made a shocked face dramatically.


    "No, no... I have a gift." Ye Jun said hesitantly.


    "Oh, really? Where is it? Most importantly, what is it?" Ye Jie questioned looking suspiciously at Ye Jun.


    "Your gift is at your service, Sire!" Ye Jun made a saluting pose making Ye Jie¡¯s face turn ck. Ye Jun made an adorable face and with ¡¯Nyan Nyan¡¯ pose said, "Aren¡¯t I cute as a gift?"


    That pose ticked Ye Jie so off that raised his clenched fist but stopped inches away from Ye Jun¡¯s face. "Are you kidding me?" Ye Jie roared with a re.


    Ye Jun¡¯s lips turned downwards as he whined, "You¡¯re getting such an adorable brother as a birthday present. How can you be mean to him?"


    "You¡¯re impossible! You haven¡¯t even gotten a girlfriend but you already have forgotten your brother. What will happen after you actually managed to woo Jun Li Na? You might not even look at me." Ye Jie muttered to himself as he went on, "Today, I¡¯m realizing how Ru must have felt when I chose Xu Mey over her."


    "What are you mumbling to yourself?" Ye Jun asked curiously.


    "Nothing!" Ye Jie snapped at him. "Now, stay away from me. You¡¯re a... sloppy brother."


    Ye Jun stared with his mouth agape at Ye Jie and said, "Oh, bro! Do you know that there is a bright red hickey on your corbone?"


    Ye Jie froze in his track and looked down. True enough, there was a bright red mark on his corbone. "Sh*t!" He cursed and was trying to button up the top buttons of his shirts.


    "Bro, don¡¯t bother buttoning up the shirt. You¡¯ve already unted that with pride." Ye Jun was trying to muffle hisughter when Ye Jie passed a deadly re to him.

 Chapter 225 - Burn Each Other With Words

    Ye Jun¡¯s goofy and carefreeughter seized when Ye Jie walked away. He silently went to Jun Li Na¡¯s side with aplicated look on his face.


    "So it¡¯s really not a coincidence that Azalea¡¯s father looks simr to Ye Jie, right?" Jun Li Na voiced out softly, looking into Ye Jun¡¯s dark ck eyes.


    He gazed into her eyes and replied, "It doesn¡¯t seem to be."


    Jun Li Na stared at his face for a long while in silence before extending her hand to hold his. "Do you wanna talk about it?"


    Ye Jun was stunned not just by her words but also because of the hand that nowid over his own. It felt so natural that Ye Jun couldn¡¯t help the smile to return on his face.


    "I think I¡¯ll be fine." He answered her question with boyish charms.


    "Are you trying to be strong or are you strong?" Jun Li Na asked quirking her brows at him inquiringly.


    "Neither." She furrowed her brows, not believing him at all. "But this touch is surely making me feel stronger." Jun Li Na immediately tried to retrieve her hand away from his hand but he held it. "Let it stay. I still need more strength." He made a pitiful face making it impossible for her to say no. After a while, her hand on his rxed.


    "You¡¯re really a flower boy," Jun Li Na remarked wistfully.


    "I was one until I finally found a flower... You." Ye Jun replied inly.


    "Don¡¯t make me want to dream again. It¡¯s painful when that dream breaks. Let me just go." She said avoiding his eyes brimming with so many feelings that overwhelmed her.


    "Dreams doesn¡¯t make us cry. Only nightmares do." He held her shoulders making her look at him, "As for letting you go, I can¡¯t do that." Jun Li Na was stunned at his blunt speech. "I barely managed to catch you."


    "Jun, you really can¡¯t like me." her voice was feeble as she spoke.


    "But dear Li Na, I don¡¯t like you. I already am in love with you." Jun Li Na stood with her wide eyes looking back at him as he went on, "I tried not to. I tried so hard. But my own efforts turned so fruitless that even I was angered by it. But now, that I¡¯ve finally caught you, I¡¯m not nning on letting you run away ever again."


    He took a pause before caressing her cheek as he said, "Also like every flower needs rain to grow, you also needed this storm in your life to help you not just grow but also flourish. And we just pulled that weed like Lu Ge from your side, now this flower will only bloom to its prime." Jun Li Na chuckled lightly at his words taking him by surprise. It¡¯s been days, he hadn¡¯t seen her smiling at all. He felt really at ease seeing her smiling like this.


    "You know flowers also wither away." Jun Li Na reminded him with a sad smile.


    "Aiyo! So what? I¡¯m right here to make sure that this flower doesn¡¯t even get a chance to wither away." Ye Jun answered cheekily.


    They say love is a poison and yet we drink it without thinking twice. Ye Jun only wanted to love her and it was the first time in his life when he wasn¡¯t expecting anything in return, not even the same feelings. He had seen her fall apart right before his eyes and the feeling was not pleasant at all. Now, he only wanted her to stand back up taller than before and stronger than ever.


    "Ah-Jie, what did you wish for?" Xu Mey asked Ye Jie when he came by her side and hugged her from behind without any care for all the people around him.


    "Hmm... I wished for nothing." Ye Jie replied making Xu Mey knit her brows.


    "Why not?"


    "Because I have my wish right in my arms," he whispered close to her ear making her blush profusely.


    "Cheeky are we now?" she teased.


    "Cheeky? Baby, do you think I¡¯m kidding? How can you even think like that about your Ah-Jie? That¡¯s so unfair with me." Ye Jie felt like he was wronged.


    Xu Mey nted a kiss right on the side of his jawline and whispered, "Stop being adorable. It¡¯s not healthy for me."


    "Not healthy? How?" Ye Jie asked innocently.


    "Well... I might want to pounce on your adorable self right here," Ye Jie choked on air hearing her words.


    "I suddenly love this phrase." He said after his coughing fit ended.


    "Which one?"


    "Pouncing on me." Xu Mey¡¯s cheeks grew beet red as she punched his arms around her waist.


    "Ahem! Ahem! Ahem!" A dry coughing sound made both Xu Mey and Ye Jie get out of their own world and look at the group of people staring at them.


    "How about keeping this PDA to a minimum?" Wu Wang suggested with a smile which was really not a smile.


    "How minimum?" Xu Mey asked amusingly.


    Wu Wang smiled radiantly before his face turned all serious. "Minimum as in NDIAA."


    "What¡¯s NDIAA?" Xu Mey wasn¡¯t the only one curious. Everyone had the same look as her.


    "NDIAA means... NOT DO IT AT ALL!!!" Wu Wang spat out and red at her making everyoneugh out loud.


    "Wang-Ge, why are you eating vinegar? Go and get a girlfriend for yourself," Xu Mey suggested not paying any heed towards his re.


    Wu Wang fell silent for a while and everyone around him noticed this particr change. "I think I¡¯m doing just fine without one." His eyes darted surreptitiously towards Zhou Qi chatting away with someone.


    "Woah! Abstinence is really not your thing, Wang." Li Qiao voiced out making Wu Wang shake his head.


    "Right! I forgot it¡¯s your strong suit," Wu Wang mocked Li Qiao with his smirk. Most of them got that Wu Wang¡¯s suggestiveness was towards how Li Qiao had managed to restrain himself from proposing Yu Kim even after all these years. The only lost person was Azalea who kept trying to figure out the meaning behind his words.


    "They really know how to burn each other with words," Xu Mey grumbled to herself with disappointment.

 Chapter 226 - Heart To Heart Session

    -The next morning-


    "I think you both have a lot to talk about. So, I¡¯ll be taking my leave for now!" Xu Mey kissed Ye Jie¡¯s cheek and left him with Ye Jun alone.


    Ye Jun hade early in the morning since he had agreed to talk things out with Ye Jie. No matter how much he tried to run, he knew that it was about time to face reality.


    Both brothers stood facing each other without anyone taking the initiative to talk. It was like they were lost for words. Ye Jie pursed his lips and cleared his throat lightly saying, "Take a seat."


    Ye Jun listened to him and sat back on the sofa in the living room. "So?" He heard Ye Jie¡¯s voice from opposite of him.


    "So?" Ye Jun copied his style.


    "We¡¯ve gotta start from somewhere," Ye Jie voice was wavering as he spoke and that was unusual for him.


    "I know!" Ye Jun retorted inly and with a calm countenance which was rather unfitting with his demeanor.


    Again a silence engulfed both of them. As the silence grew thicker in the air, both of them felt ufortable.


    "When did you figure it out?" Ye Jie finally found his voice to ask the question.


    "Hmm... I always had a doubt but when you needed blood for your surgery that¡¯s when my suspicion was confirmed." Ye Jun replied thinking about the time when Ye Jie injured himself in a basketball game that led to surgery and he needed blood urgently. That was originally the time, Ye Jun grew over-protective of his elder brother not wanting to lose him at any cost.


    He knew he was acting selfishly but he couldn¡¯t help it. Only his brother was the one who loved him without asking for anything in return. Even now, his parents had been out of the country for a month and didn¡¯t bother to even try to find out about his whereabouts. Ye Jun knew that in the end, he only had Ye Jie to depend on.


    "What about you, bro? Since when do you know?" Ye Jun inquired hesitantly.


    Ye Jie sighed as he thought about the time he figured it out. Oddly, he couldn¡¯t remember that time at all. "I honestly don¡¯t know. My mind was never ready to ept this possibility that I¡¯m not a part of Ye Family but when Azalea came running into my life with a DNA test, my world fell apart. Because I wasn¡¯t left with any excuses for myself."


    "Azalea is your blood-sister?" Ye Jun stared into Ye Jie¡¯s eyes as he asked the question. Ye Jie nodded his head confirming everything in Ye Jun¡¯s mind. "Since you have already found your family, why are you not revealing your identity?" It really pained Ye Jun to even suggest this but he knew that he had to.


    "What? Want to get rid of me?" Ye JIe¡¯s words stunned Ye Jun who made a crying face.


    "Bro, how can you even think like that? If it was up to me, I¡¯d dly reject what those stupid piece of test reports say. Because to me, you¡¯ll always be my Jie bro. Mine. One and only." Tears were swimming in Ye Jun¡¯s eyes at this point.


    Ye Jie stood up and came up to him. He pulled him up to hug him saying, "Juni, Oi! My little Juni!" Ye Jie ruffled his hair annoying him. "That piece of paper can¡¯t change the bond we have. You¡¯ll be my little brother. I won¡¯t let it change. Even if you tried to forget me for Jun Li Na, I¡¯ll pull you back to me from your ear."


    Ye Junughed out between his crying. "Bro, you¡¯re really mean!"


    "Well, I¡¯m your brother. I have to be a little mean. Also, my stupid little brother, it already means the world to me that I have a brother like you in my life."


    Ye Jun sniffled a bit and said, "Bro, you still can¡¯t run from the truth."


    Ye Jie sighed heavily and let go of Ye Jun. He raked his fingers through his hair. "Jun, there are a lot of things that are unclear at the moment. And I don¡¯t think I¡¯ll be able to tell anyone anything until I know why I¡¯m here. Why I¡¯m a Ye and not a Zhu? I need those answers before anything."


    "There is something else. That can¡¯t be the only reason." Ye Jun wasn¡¯t that gullible to believe Ye Jie¡¯s wordspletely.


    Ye Jie rubbed his chin in a thoughtful manner before speaking, "Jun, did you notice Zhu Chen and He Susust night?" Ye Jun frowned but nodded his head. "They seem like the kind of parents whose entire life would revolve around their kids." Ye Jun spontaneously nodded his head in agreement. "I... I don¡¯t know... I kind of feel like I won¡¯t be able to... I mean their love is so overwhelming that I might not be ready for that."


    "That¡¯s not making sense, bro." Ye Jun remarked waspishly.


    "Ugh! I know!" Ye Jie had the urge to pull his hair. "I guess I¡¯m not used to seeing that kind of parental love. So, it¡¯s really overwhelming."


    "Just for that reason, you¡¯re avoiding them. That¡¯s really not fair with them." Ye Jun patted Ye Jie¡¯s shoulder as he said, "Bro, it¡¯s luck that you got a chance to cut yourself from living this life of a lie. This is a lie. You were never supposed to be in the Ye family. Stop living this life." Ye Jie was started to hear Ye Jun¡¯s words.


    He tapped Ye Jun¡¯s cheek saying, "Ay, my little brother has not only grown up but he has also matured. I guess I don¡¯t have to worry about you anymore."


    "Yes, you can stop always worrying about me. But that doesn¡¯t mean that you can just forget me. I still need you in my life."


    "I¡¯m always here for you." Both brothers hugged each other tightly not hiding their love for each other at all.


    They really needed this heart to heart session. It was very healthy for both of them.

 Chapter 227 - It Makes Sense

    "Xiao Mey!" Xu Mey heard someone calling out to her as she just stepped into her office building. She looked around to find Zhu Chen walking towards her. Her eyes glinted as she was taken by surprise.


    "Uncle Chen, what a pleasant surprise. What are you doing here so early in the morning?" Xu Mey was clearly very surprised to see him but she knew something was amiss. Otherwise, Zhu Chen wouldn¡¯t have sorted her out like this. Not so early in the morning for sure!


    "Is there a coffee shop where we can talk?" Zhu Chen asked in his gentle tone.


    "Umm... There is actually. Let¡¯s go there," Xu Mey led the way and brought him to a small coffee shop near her office. It was a small shop with a minimalistic interior. Xu Mey took a seat at the window table and Zhu Chen followed suit.


    The waitress in herte twenties came up to them to take their order.


    "One Espresso!" Xu Mey said without looking at the menu and looked at Zhu Chen for his order.


    "I¡¯ll take a Blue Mountain Coffee. Thank You!" The waitress went away after taking their orders.


    In the early morning, most of the seats were empty since people were ordering coffee for a take out on their run to the office. Therefore, there was hardly any noise in the shop making it very serene.


    "What brought you to me so early in the morning?" Xu Mey asked the question without missing a beat. She didn¡¯t feel the need to dawdle about.


    "My sister told me that you¡¯re looking for me when I was in Imperial Capital." Thinking back, Xu Mey realized that the day, she was plotted against by Xu Liqing, she had indeed asked Auntie Qinqin about Zhu Chen. Also, she had decided to see him after he woulde back. Who knew that in between so much, she wouldpletely forget about this.


    "Ah! I was looking for you actually. I needed to talk to you about something." She said in realization/


    "About?" Zhu Chen asked curiously as he surveyed her expressions.


    The waitress came back with two cups of coffee with steam gushing from the cups. She ced their respective coffee, took a small bow, and walked away silently.


    "About? Well... I don¡¯t know how to ask anything right now." Xu Mey gave a dryugh trying to hide her nervousness. She was confident about asking this question before but now, she had a bad premonition that the answer might bring too much of changes in everyone¡¯s lives.


    "You can ask me anything." Zhu Chen encouraged her with his signature smile that made Xu Mey feel like looking at Ye Jie. That smile really gave away their rtion.


    "Um..." Xu Mey yed with her cup of coffee before finally asking, "Do you know Zhou Ning?"


    Zhu Chen straightened up at that name. The rims of his eyes turned red with fury. That expression was really different for Xu Mey since she had always seen him with an affectionate and gentle look on his face.


    "I know her... I know her very well actually." Xu Mey could hear the unmasked hatred in his voice. She could see a muscle in jaw twitching with anger.


    She took a sip of her piping hot coffee burning her tongue in the process. Fanning her burnt tongue she remarked, "You don¡¯t seem to like her."


    "Like?" Zhu Chen sneered. "I hate that women."


    She gave a half smile and queried, "Why?" Xu Mey¡¯s curiosity was piqued to another level.


    Zhu Chen gazed into her questioning eyes and sighed. "She tried to take my Susu¡¯s life. What do you expect me to feel about her?"


    "What?" Xu Mey choked on her coffee and started coughing profusely. After calming herself, she looked back at Zhu Chen and asked, "What do you mean? You need to clear it up for me."


    Zhu Chennguidly took a sip of his coffee and proposed a deal, "If I clear this up then you¡¯ll have to answer one of my questions honestly."


    Xu Mey blinked her eyes a few times before nodding, "Okay. Deal!"


    Zhu Chen reclined back in his seat as he thought about the old times, "We were senior in high school. Although I never like Su¡¯s friendship with Zhou Ning, I never got to openly oppose it. But in that year, Zhou Ning dropped her facade and actually showed her real side which was as thorny as a rose bush." His voice wasced with venom and his face as stiff as a board.


    "What exactly happened?" Xu Mey voiced out patiently letting him take his time to think it through before talking.


    Zhu Chen raked a hand through his brown hair. It was a habit that Ye Jie had as well whenever he was frustrated over something. The thought made her smile to herself instinctively.


    Zhu Chen took a deep breath to calm himself before speaking again, "There were a lot of things but I noticed quitete. At first, she tried to tear me and Su apart with her lying schemes and when that didn¡¯t work, she actually tried to hit on me. Well, you can imagine how that would have worked out for her." He gave Xu Mey a knowing look who in response nodded. "But to be precise, I pped her hard. And it felt good!" Well, Xu Mey could see the ¡¯good¡¯ feeling flowing from his face but she didn¡¯tment about it. "Anyway, that sl*t moved her game and pushed my Su down the stairs on the graduation day and after that, she vanished from our lives. But I won¡¯t ever forgive her, my Su spent months in the hospital because of her psychotic mind."


    Xu Mey¡¯s mind was letting the words sink in. Tearing apart a couple? Snatching someone¡¯s boyfriend? Attempted murder? Oddly, these things suit best with when you¡¯re describing a jealous ex-girlfriend. At that thought, Xu Mey immediately asked, "You didn¡¯t date her, did you?" Don¡¯t say, yes! My heart won¡¯t be able to take it! I hold you in high regard! Xu Mey was bellowing in her mind but Zhu Chen was oblivious to her crazy thoughts.


    "I have better taste than that," Zhu Chen replied matter-of-factly making Xu Mey heave a sigh of relief and chuckle lightly at the distasteful look on his face.


    "So, do you know why she did all of this like a jealous ex-girlfriend?" Xu Mey raised her brows inquiringly.


    Zhu Chen knitted his brows saying, "Of course, I know!" Seeing Xu Mey¡¯s eager eyes peering at him, he went on, "Because she is indeed jealous."


    "Huh? Jealousy? Of what?"


    Zhu Chen flicked her lightly on the head. "Slowpoke! Jealousy of everything. It started after her family went bankrupt. Because of Su¡¯s ¡¯kind nature¡¯," he made an air quote gesture making Xu Mey¡¯s lips twitch a bit. "She couldn¡¯t bear to see her friend suffering and that led to Su bringing that Zhou Ning everywhere. Eventually, looking at Su¡¯s loving family and all, she got jealous. Scheming bit*h!"


    "Ha! It makes sense now!" Xu Mey mumbled to herself.

 Chapter 228 - Interrogation

    "Oh, what did you want to ask me?" Xu Mey looked at Zhu Chen with her bright eyes. She had a curious look visible on her face.


    Zhu Chennguidly took another sip of his coffee. He had a contemtive look on his face as he thought about whether to ask the question or not? ¡¯She¡¯s not the person whom I should be asking about Ye Jie?¡¯


    ¡¯Why not? She¡¯s his wife! Only she can answer your queries.¡¯ His conscience retorted.


    ¡¯Yeah, but I don¡¯t think I want to hear the answer from her.¡¯


    ¡¯At least, you¡¯ll have an answer!¡¯ His conscience reminded him again.


    ¡¯And what if my mind is ying games with me and Ye Jie is actually not my son? It¡¯ll break me in the worse way than before. Forget it! I will change the question.¡¯ Zhu Chen decided in his mind. He was a realistic person and no matter what he didn¡¯t want to break his own heart by expecting something which was not possible.


    "Erm... Uncle Chen?" Xu Mey called his name to get his attention back to her.


    "Oh, right! I-I wanted to ask," he tried to procrastinate. "About Azalea!"


    Xu Mey¡¯s eyes widened a bit as she avoided his gaze. "What about your daughter?" She didn¡¯t think about this possibility at all. As they say, talented people often think that things will go their way but they often forget that they can¡¯t y with life. It¡¯s always the other way around. Only life gets to y with us.


    Zhu Chen noticed her suspicious behavior. "Where was Azalea for the past year?"


    Xu Mey dry-coughed a bit before whispering, "I heard she was traveling around."


    "Was she?" he challenged making Xu Mey curse under her breath.


    ¡¯Why the hell did I agree for this questioning deal? I feel like being interrogated!¡¯ But she couldn¡¯t do anything about this now since she had agreed for it herself.


    "You promised not to lie," Zhu Chen reminded her in his gentle voice but Xu Mey could hear the underlying meaning.


    He really tricked her this time. His ns were rock solid and so were his aims. Ugh! This surely is not something I should be answering. "Why don¡¯t you ask Azalea yourself?" Xu Mey pleaded with her eyes.


    "I know my daughter better than you. She won¡¯t talk unless she feels the need to talk." He answered without batting an eye.


    Xu Mey nibbled on her lower lip and eventually sighed in defeat under his scrutinizing gaze. "Okay! I¡¯ll can only tell you a part of it. Not the whole truth since I¡¯m not the one who¡¯s supposed to talk here."


    "Fine!" He said and gestured her to keep going.


    "Well, she was in a hospital."


    "What?" Zhu Chen stood up from his chair abruptly with wide eyes staring her down.


    Xu Mey smiled meekly and added, "Just sit back down. She¡¯s fine now."


    Zhu Chen drank another sip of coffee to let the liquid soothe him a bit before saying, "Why was she in a hospital?" He already had a bad feeling about all this. But since Azalea had a habit of keeping her life personal, he didn¡¯t try to pry into it. Mostly the fact that she didn¡¯t call them during that year also didn¡¯t bother them because Azalea liked to vanish on her own.


    This was indeed the longest vanishing period but still, knowing her unpredictable nature, they really couldn¡¯t have guessed that she¡¯d be in a hospital.


    "Mmm... She was in an ident." Zhu Chen closed his eyes as if he was in pain by just listening to her speak about it. "But you really don¡¯t have to worry. She¡¯s fine now. Trust me!" Xu Mey tried to convince him again.


    "I want to see her medical records," Zhu Chen announced not bothering to ask for her opinion at all.


    Xu Mey was in an awkward situation now. She really wasn¡¯t sure about this anymore. ¡¯Fu*k it! I¡¯m already swimming in the sea of thorns. No, no! More like stuck between a rock and a hard ce. At one side is rock, my dear Ah-Jie and on the other side is the hard ce, my dear Ah-Jie¡¯s father.¡¯ Xu Mey made a crying face as she stood up from her seat.


    "Come, wait in my office. I¡¯ll ask Shen-Ge to send the reports." She could only offer this solution as he followed her silently to her office.


    Within 15 minutes, Lin Shen sent all of Azalea¡¯s medical reports to Xu Mey through email. She passed the reports to Zhu Chen who was pacing in her office impatiently making her feel fidgety along with himself.


    Zhu Chen held the tabletputer as he went through the reports. Xu Mey could see the way his hands were trembling but she couldn¡¯te up with the words to console him. She just didn¡¯t know how to?


    She could only talk to her inner self at the moment, ¡¯Ah! Such a loving father he is. He must be going through all kinds of feelings at the moment. Guilt. Sadness. Anger. Anguish. Did I forget to add something? Oh, well... Nevermind!¡¯


    Zhu Chen sat back on the couch in the corner of the room. More like, fell back on it. He was beyond shocked. His mind and feelings, everything was in agitation. But the only thing that Xu Mey heard from his was, "How did she wake up?" his voice sounded as if he was in disbelief.


    "Oh, that!" Xu Mey frowned as she realized that she had no clue about it. "I don¡¯t know."


    Zhu Chen stared at her, clearly not believing her. "Don¡¯t look at me like that... With that look of mistrust. I really don¡¯t know." Xu Mey tried to defend herself. "Why? Is something wrong?"


    "These reports..." Zhu Chen thought for a minute before speaking again, "She was severely injured. It¡¯s weird that the reports from two weeks earlier were like there was only a bleak chance of her waking up and the reports after two weeks showed that she is absolutely fine." He stroked his chin in confusion. "How is that possible? Unless a miracle happened."


    "Please, ask the details from Ah-Jie. I have no clue about this stuff." Xu Mey shirked all the responsibility from her shoulders.


    "I think I have to ask Ye Jie." Zhu Chen concluded as he stood up to leave.


    "Also," he heard Xu Mey¡¯s voice from behind and turned to look at her. "My Sensei once said that miracle is another name for faith. The stronger your faith is, the more you can create miracles in this world." Zhu Chen didn¡¯t reply to her since he was lost in her wordspletely.

 Chapter 229 - Devilishly Beautiful Butterfly

    After Zhu Chen left her office, Xu Mey furrowed her brows as she spoke to herself, "He won¡¯t go to look for Ah-Jie, right?" She shook her head trying to persuade herself, "Surely, he won¡¯t!"


    She was busy talking to herself when her phone rang catching her attention. She looked at the caller id weirdly and picked up the call. "Hello, dad!"


    "Xiao Mey, I have a piece of news for you," Xu Cheng¡¯s warm voice came from the other side.


    "What¡¯s the news?" Xu Mey inquired suddenly getting a vibe of interest.


    "You dearest sister is getting married tomorrow," he spoke in a vitriolic manner making Xu Mey¡¯s brows quirk up in delight.


    "That¡¯s sooner than I thought it¡¯d be," Xu Meymented unsympathetically.


    "Well, you know your grandfather very well. Her scandal¡¯s not been dying down thanks to a certain someone," Xu Mey grinned at his suggestive words. "So, your grandfather thought that sooner the better."


    "Grandfather is surely swift in his execution." Xu Mey had a satisfied look.


    Xu Cheng chuckled a bit as he said, "He is indeed swift just like his precious granddaughter."


    "Oh, dad! How did Liqing react to this whole marriage arrangement?" Xu Mey inquired with gleaming eyes.


    "It won¡¯t be fun to just tell you. Let me show you instead," Xu Mey¡¯s brows knotted together not understanding his meaning at all. But in the next few minutes, she received a video on her phone as she heard Xu Cheng¡¯s voice, "I sent you the whole movie. Watch it, you¡¯ll love it!" With that, he hung up the call.


    Xu Mey curiously clicked on the video and reclined back on her leather chair. The video was shooted from the corridor that was closed to the kitchen but she could clearly see the interior of Xu Residence.


    Xu Liqing came running down the huge staircase in her short red dress and stormed up to Grandfather Xu who was sitting in the living room.


    "How can you decide whom I¡¯m going to marry? Huh? This is my life! ONLY I GET TO CHOOSE THE PERSON I WANT TO SPEND IT WITH!" Xu Liqing roared furiously without caring about the fact that the person before her was her Grandfather.


    Although grandfather Xu¡¯s brows were furrowed in anger, he still calmly answered, "Before talking to me, go back to learn how to talk to your elders. As for your marriage, the mess that you¡¯ve created is enough already for me."


    "HA! MESS! I ONLY DID WHAT I WANTED TO DO! WHAT¡¯S SO WRONG WITH THAT? I ONLY SLEPT WITH HIM THAT DOESN¡¯T MEAN THAT YOU CAN MAKE HIM DANGLE AROUND MY NECK LIKE A LEASH!" She was acting hysterical at the moment making grandfather Xu¡¯s jaw clench in anger. His hand tightened over his cane.


    Grandfather Xu turned to look at Fu Lan and said, "This is how you raised your brilliant daughter? With these manners, you should be d that even Lu family is considering taking her as a daughter-inw. Otherwise..." He shook his head in disappointment.


    Fu Lan held her daughter¡¯s arm pulling her back as she said, "Liqing, don¡¯t create a scene with your grandfather. He¡¯s your elder."


    Xu Liqing pulled herself out of Fu Lan¡¯s grasp and looked at her with disdain saying, "Mother, this is already your fault! Because you broke a couple, this grandfather of mine has never even looked at me like I¡¯m anything to him. He always sees your reflection in me and gives me a cold shoulder!" She shouted at the top of her lungs as she threw cold daggers at grandfather Xu with her eyes. "And you, grandfather! For you, only Xu Mey is the best, right? No matter what, she¡¯ll always be the real blood of the Xu family! Is that why you chose the best husband for her and a beggar for me?"


    An open-handed smacknded on Xu Liqing¡¯s cheek making her face turn to one side. The p was as loud as a p and Xu Liqing could hear her ear ringing because of the strong impact. She staggered backward, clutching the side of her face in disbelief. Her eyes got red as if she was drowning in blood.


    "You! You actually pped me! Again! What kind of a lousy and biased grandfather are you?" Xu Liqing became more malicious with her words.


    Grandfather Xu¡¯s hand cracked across the other side of her face, this time, it didn¡¯t just snap back, Xu Liqing fell to the ground and a cut appeared on her lip. Her head reeled but she still managed to look at grandfather Xu with resentment.


    Grandfather Xu was unfazed by her look as he announced, "You were never better than your mother. If anything, you¡¯re worse! As for this wedding, it will happen tomorrow at any cost!"


    "Father!" Fu Lan immediately ran to him anxiously, "It¡¯s too soon. She¡¯s my only daughter and I want the wedding to be perfect." She was pleading since she thought that as much she dyed the wedding, she¡¯d be able to find a way out of it but now it was too soon.


    Grandfather Xu red at her making her shut her mouth. "I don¡¯t want to hear another word. I want this uncultured daughter of yours out of my family as soon as possible! I¡¯m done being the center of jeers for everyone in our circle." Grandfather Xu mmed his cane on the floor in rage and strode out of there.


    Xu Liqing sat on the ground holding her face while Fu Lan fell back on the couch holding her head in worry.


    Seeing their faces, Xu Meyughed to herself. "Aww! Dear step-mother, if you¡¯ll act so weak from just this then the fun of tomorrow will be worthless for me."


    She got up and trudged out of her office, she paused at Qin Hao¡¯s office, opened the door wide and with a broad and radiant smile said, "Qin Hao! Cancel my meetings! I have to n a huge surprise for my sister. After all, she¡¯s the only sister I got." Her sickly sweet tone made Qin Hao gag inwardly as he thought,


    ¡¯President Xu¡¯s sister, I¡¯ll pray for your soul to rest in peace! Because this boss of mine is surely gonna make you the pitiful person alive.¡¯


    Xu Mey smiled her way out of there as if floating in the air like a beautiful butterfly. Now, that was different that for some people, she was more like a devilishly beautiful butterfly.

 Chapter 230 - Remind Him Thoroughly

    Sitting on the sofa in the living room, Ye Jie had a book in his hand while his other hand was supporting the side of his face. Xu Mey was descending from the stairs when her eyes fell on the beautiful sight before her.


    His one leg was leisurely crossed over the other one. The setting sun¡¯sst orange rays were caressing the side of his face making it shine. He was d in a casual white t-shirt along with chinos trouser in the navy color. His chiseled facial contour, elegant brows, and that sexy lips line... Sigh!


    He literally could give a girl beautyplex with his looks. And let¡¯s not even talk about him as a person. ¡¯Cause nobody could possibly be more perfect than him as a husband! Period!


    ¡¯How did I get so damn lucky?¡¯ Xu Mey sighed to herself. Her eyes were still glued on him. He was so immersed in reading with a slight frown between his brows that he didn¡¯t notice Xu Mey¡¯s gawking escapade. ¡¯Haiz! He¡¯s all mine... And I can touch him as well...¡¯ Xu Mey felt giddy at the thought as she came up to his side and stood right in front of him.


    "Ah-Jie!" She called out in a sing-song voice to get his attention.


    Ye Jie lifted his face and seeing his baby before his eyes, he immediately smiled making Xu Mey¡¯s heart thump loudly. ¡¯Gosh! This smile is gonna kill me one day!¡¯ She thought to herself with her lips slightly parted in a dreamy way.


    "Baby! You okay?" Ah-Jie asked looking at her grinning from ear to ear all by herself.


    "Huh? Oh!" Xu Mey bit her tongue to make herself focus. "Ah-Jie, do this," she lifted her arms over her head. Although Ye Jie wanted to question the reason but looking at her fervent eyes, he didn¡¯t open his mouth.


    Like an obedient husband which he is, he raised his hand over his head. Serendipitously, Xu Mey sat at the couch a bit farther away from him andid back with her head on his thigh. "Now, you can continue reading." She said seemingly very pleased with herself.


    Ye Jie tousled her hair a bit at her childishness while shaking his head lightly. "Don¡¯t mess up!" she warned making Ye Jie pout.


    "But I love running my fingers through your long hair," Ye Jie remarked giving her an innocent look.


    "Mmm..." Xu Mey stretched her lower lip a bit outwards and Ye Jie¡¯s eyes followed her movements giving him the urge to bite that lip between his teeth. Acting on his urge, he bent down his head and caught her bottom lip with his teeth.


    Xu Mey who was thinking about how to answer to him lost her thought with all the butterflies that flew in her stomach. Wait! How the butterflies in the stomach had a connection with thoughts in mind? Nevermind! Focus on those damn sweet lips, you stupid Mey! Xu Mey was having a monologue inside but Ye Jie¡¯s lips didn¡¯t her a chance to continue.


    His thin soft lips were possessively nibbling and sucking on her bottom lip teasing her. Xu Mey gripped his hair and pulled out her tongue to trace the seam of his lips making him groan. Well, her teasing was more effecting since Ye Jie immediately plunged his tongue inside her mouth to take in her taste.


    They both parted away to catch their breath. Lost in each other¡¯s eyes, they didn¡¯t talk. It wasn¡¯t really needed.


    "You can touch my hair," Xu Mey said while panting heavily.


    "I thought you didn¡¯t like that," Ye Jie said licking his lips to take in whatever was left of her taste on his lips.


    "But you like it," Ye Jie frowned at her reply and she exined, "Since my Ah-Jie loves to y with my hair then who am I to stop him?"


    Ye Jie grinned and pecked her lips softly. Xu Mey made a face not liking the fact that he pulled away so soon. But she didn¡¯t say anything. Her original reason forying in hisp was to appreciate his features from up close and that¡¯s what she began to do while he kept his eyes on the book in one hand and with the other hand, he kept ying with her hairs.


    "Ah-Jie, have I ever told you that you¡¯re really handsome. Like super duper handsome!" Ye Jie raised his brows in surprise and closed the book in his hand.


    "No, you haven¡¯t," he replied calmly.


    Xu Mey furrowed her brows as she sat up facing him, "How¡¯s that possible? I¡¯m sure, I must have told you that."


    "I don¡¯t seem to recall such an event." He answered keeping his eyes on her.


    "Okay, fine!" Xu Mey grumbled and heaved herself up on hisp and faced him, eye-to-eye. She palmed his face and said slowly, "Ah-Jie, you¡¯re really handsome. So handsome that even I feel inferior standing beside you."


    Ye Jie¡¯s body reverberated with the chuckle as he ced the closed book in his hand on the side table. "Oh, really? Exactly what is handsome about me?"


    Xu Mey grinned mischievously as she lowered her face to leave a wet kiss on his chin saying, "You have a strong jawline that I love to gawk at." she left a trail of wet kisses on his jawline. Ye Jie¡¯s hands came around to lienguidly on her waist, caressing it slowly. "I love these charming brown eyes of yours that make me want to drown in them." She pressed her lips against his eyes softly. "But then I remember that I can¡¯t drown in them." She pouted adorably.


    "Why not?" Ye Jie questioned with interest.


    Xu Mey whispered closer to his ear, "Because I¡¯m already drowned in them. How can I drown anymore than this?" Ye Jie rolled his eyes at her cheekiness. She kissed all over his face without leaving any spot and came closer to his lips and said, taking heavy breaths, "Most of all, I love this mouth of yours." She pressed her lips against his and wrapped her arms around his neck making the kiss deeper than before.


    "Anything else, baby?" Ye Jie asked against her lips as their foreheads were pressed together.


    "I love the fact that you can rock it." She answered seriously.


    "Rock what?" Ye Jie was lost.


    "Rock my world, silly!" Xu Mey grinned widely and Ye Jie started coughing as he choked on air once again because of her bluntness. In between his coughs, he startedughing.


    "Baby, are you okay? What hase over you today?" Ye Jie inquired as he tried to check her temperature.


    "I¡¯m fine. I¡¯m just happy."


    "Happy? Any special reason?" He questioned curiously.


    "Aiyo! My sister is getting married, I have the birthright to be happy." Ye Jie quirked his brows in surprise.


    "Who¡¯s crazy enough to marry her?" Ye Jie¡¯s asked with derision.


    Xu Mey¡¯s grin widened even more at his words if that was even possible. "Oh, Jie darling! Do you know I love you?"


    Ye Jie pulled her closer to his face saying, "I¡¯ve been told recently but I don¡¯t mind being reminded again." He wiggled his brows suggestively making Xu Mey blush.


    "Then let me remind to thoroughly tonight!" Saying this, Xu Mey pressed her lips against his and her hand fumbled with his buttons. She surely was gonna remind him thoroughly!

 Chapter 231 - Quite Vocal

    His hands were roaming in her hairs as he loved to just y with those long locks. His relentless lips were bewitching as they captured hers making her moan with his tongue which was edged inside her mouth.


    "Jie!" she muttered softly in desire as his lips trailed down to her jawline, neck and further down to the bridge between her bosom. The trail of wet kisses made her burn and her toes curled in passion.


    His mouth nibbled and sucked all over soft spots making another wave of sensations burn through her being. She knew this pleasure will leave a lot of marks for her to cover upter but with her head in the clouds, how could it matter?


    With his mouth attached to hers, he hoisted her body up and walked up to the bedroom. Laying her down on the bed as if she was a delicate porcin doll which would break if handled carelessly, he began to tug at her top making her lift her body to squirm her way out of that casual top.


    As the clothes were peeled off of their bodies removing the barrier between them, her eyes flew open.


    Her chest was heaving heavily as she looked around to see that she was wearing a silk gown which must have been done by Ye Jie. After all, she could barely open her eyes after that heavy set of exercisest night.


    She held her head in both hands as she thought, ¡¯How stupid of me! I even dreamt about the happenings ofst night? I¡¯m surely going mad!¡¯


    "Baby, are you okay?" Ye Jie asked as he came inside the room in his office attire. Seeing her holding her head, he was anxious.


    She lifted her head to see Ye Jie¡¯s worried look and thought, ¡¯And the reason that¡¯s making me mad is right before me. Can¡¯t me him though.¡¯ She sighed heavily as she spoke, "Yeah! I¡¯m fine. Why are you going so early today?"


    Ye Jie came to her side and caressed her hair saying, "Baby, it¡¯s quitete actually. You overslept."


    "Oh!" she managed to say.


    "I¡¯ll see you in the evening. Sleep some more and take care of yourself!" Ye Jie kissed the top of her head before leaving her in a daze on the bed.


    Ye Jie was about to climb into his car when he heard Xu Mey¡¯s voice, "Ah-Jie, stop!" He turned and saw her running bare feet towards him. He scowled and took long strides towards her, meeting her halfway.


    "Baby, why are you running without any slippers?" Ye Jie was scowling at her carelessness while she scratched her head sheepishly.


    "Forget that. Come home early today," Xu Mey changed the topic escaping his wrath.


    "Early? Why?" asked Ye Jie.


    "Oh, we have a wedding to attend." Xu Mey reminded him.


    "I¡¯m really not interested in that wedding," he replied.


    Xu Mey held his hands and ced them on the side of her waist saying, "But you¡¯re interested in me."


    "About that... I¡¯m a sucker for you baby." Xu Mey tried to hide her grin but failed miserably.


    "Anyways..." She tried to ignore the stupid blush creeping up her cheeks and said, "You have to be there for me. Because President Xu needs her Ah-Jie tonight."


    "You¡¯re gonna disclose your identity as President Xu of Vintage Gems?" Ye Jie was surprised to hear that.


    "Nope..." she said popping the ¡¯p¡¯. "I¡¯m gonna disclose that President Xu¡¯s husband is a hottie," she announced seemingly very proud of the fact.


    Ye Jie had no words to argue with. Or perhaps, before her, he seemed to forget about arguing at all.


    "I¡¯ll be home on time." Ye Jie smiled brightly as he kissed the edge of her lips teasingly.


    "Ah-Jie, do you know that there is something about that smile of yours that always gets me." Xu Mey said with sparkling eyes.


    Ye Jie tucked her hair behind her ear saying, "Actually, baby, there is something about your smile that always gets me. I remember clearly at our first meeting, it was your smile that made me lose myselfpletely."


    Xu Mey frowned clearly not satisfied with his reply. "No, it¡¯s your smile. Not mine. Yours is better!"


    "No, baby! Yours is much better!" he retorted.


    "I said it¡¯s yours means it¡¯s yours. No more discussion!" Xu Mey puffed up her cheeks.


    Before Ye Jie could argue further, they heard a familiar voice, "Can you both consider someone else¡¯s feelings?" Both Xu Mey and Ye Jie turned to see Ye Jun standing at the end of the pathway with a solemn look. He strode up to them saying, "If you really love to show-off, please do it inside the house. Leave me somece to breathe without eating dog food!"


    "Why are you drinking vinegar so early in the morning?" Xu Mey¡¯s face was twisted.


    "Exactly what I want to ask you both. Why are you making me drink it?" Ye Jun acted pitifully.


    "Mr. drama king! What are you doing here so early in the morning?" As Ye Jie asked this, he tightened his arms around Xu Mey¡¯s waist instead of loosening them.


    Ye Jun sighed at that possessive act and shook his head saying, "I came to talk to sis. Not to you. You can leave."


    "Talk right here."


    Ye Jun rolled his eyes at his brother and looked at Xu Mey, "Sis, what¡¯s the n? I heard today¡¯s the wedding."


    "How do you know about the wedding?" Ye Jie asked.


    "It¡¯s all over the entertainment news, bro! But how would you know since you don¡¯t bother with entertainment news at all." Ye Jun spoke knowingly.


    "Jun, go back. I have everything under control. All you have to do is make sure that Jun Li Na watches the news tonight." Xu Mey¡¯s smile and words made Ye Jun rx a bit and he nodded his head.


    "Now, go! Shoo!" Ye Jie said to Ye Jun. Ye Jie was clearly pushing Ye Jun out of his house, the only thing left to do was push him with his hands otherwise his words and res were quite vocal at the moment.


    "Why didn¡¯t you let him stay?" Xu Mey asked as Ye Jun was out of sight.


    Ye Jie shook his head and his hands held the loose belt of her nightgown to tie it. Xu Mey¡¯s mouth opened wide. She realized that he wasn¡¯t letting her go because if he had, her gown would have opened and being the careless person that she was, she wouldn¡¯t have even realized it.


    Xu Mey was about to facepalm herself when Ye Jie held her wrist and kissed the spot between her brows saying, "Now, go back to take plenty of rest. You have a showdown tonight." Xu Mey chuckled at his choice of words and kissed his cheek before waving him goodbye.

 Chapter 232 - Dont Seduce Me

    Since tonight Xu Mey had decided to announce to the world about her identity, Lin Shen¡¯s fiancee Sun Jun specifically brought her handmade dress for Xu Mey from her new collection.


    Yu Kim became the personal stylist for the day, dly as the two gorgeousdies dressed up a dazzling one.


    Both Yu Kim and Sun Ju gave Xu Mey a nod of approval and did a high-five feeling triumphant. Xu Mey rolled her eyes at them and said, "Let me see myself now."


    "No!" Both of them stopped her simultaneously and shared a devious look.


    "See yourself from your husband¡¯s eyes. That¡¯ll be more satisfying!" Yu Kim nodded agreeing with Sun Ju¡¯s words and Xu Mey gave them a dirty look.


    "Fine! Whatever!" Xu Mey grumbled and walked down the stairs. Ye Jie was chatting with Lin Shen in the front garden.


    As they heard the clicking sound of the heels, both of them tilted their heads to see Xu Mey sauntering out of the door. Looking at her, Ye Jie stood up from his chair and kept staring at her without even blinking.


    She was wearing a satin, red high low dress with the lower part trailing down to her feet while the high part was just hiding her knees. The dress had a gold applique and it must be said that Sun Ju had done a great job with that gold needlework patterns. The dress was off-shoulder with a sweetheart neckline giving a clear view of Xu Mey¡¯s jade-like skin and those corbones that Ye Jie loved to suck on.


    Xu Mey was wearing gold heels and held a gold clutch in hand. Her eyes were glossy and her hair looked beautiful in waves. Her makeup wasn¡¯t over the top. It was rather kept natural with only a bright red lipstick making her look alluring. Wait! Ye Jie shook his head. She was beyond alluring. She was graceful, elegant, divine, and graceful.


    Dazzling she always had been, so there was no need to even mention it. Tonight, Ye Jie felt like calling her pulchritudinous might not even do justice.


    He wasn¡¯t any less handsome in his solid grey slim fit suit and leather shoes. Her brown hair was styled back giving a full view of his forehead. He was dazzling as always with an aura of dominance emanating from him. One look at his face could instantly put one at an edge.


    "And here I thought, Xiao Mey would be the dazzling one," Xu Mey heard Sun Ju¡¯s sigh behind her.


    "Hehe... They really make a beautiful couple." Yu Kim added in her opinion making Sun Ju nod.


    Seeing him in a trance, Xu Mey gave him a pearly white smile nervously. "How do I look?" She askeding closer to him.


    "Ravishing..." Ye Jie replied without missing a beat. "But then again you always look ravishing to me. I really feel like going to this wedding would be such a waste of time."


    Xu Mey smiled as she looked at his brown eyes clouded with desire and said, "What does Ah-Jie have in mind then?"


    Ye Jie heaved a dreamy sigh saying, "Baby, I have plenty of ideas in mind to make this time worthwhile." Xu Mey¡¯s cheeks grew crimson red as she avoided looking into his eyes.


    "Ahem! Ahem!" The series of fake coughs made both of them aware of the people around. "Since you guys are gettingte. We¡¯ll be taking our leave now. Break a leg, Xiao Mey!" Lin Shen gave Xu Mey a side hug and added, "Don¡¯t just break the leg literally. I mean it metaphorically."


    "Shen-Ge!" Xu Mey whined a bit at his teasing.


    Lin Shen chuckled and turned to Ye Jie, "You better be alert. With her looking like this, tonight might get out of hand."


    Ye Jie snaked an arm around her waist pulling her by his side as he said, "Don¡¯t worry! I¡¯ll keep her right by my side. She¡¯s mine now. Nobody gets to take what¡¯s mine." Lin Shen patted his shoulder and left with Sun Ju and Yu Kim trailing behind him.


    "Shall we, mdy?" Ye Jie made a gentlemanly bow making Xu Mey giggle.


    "Yes, we shall! M¡¯lord!" She curtsied in a fancy manner and slipped her hand in his.


    During the whole car ride, Ye Jie¡¯s eyes were stuck on her bright red lips while his hand held hers. Both their intertwined hands wereying on Ye Jie¡¯s leg as he drew circles at the back of her hand with his thumb. It was quite disturbing for Xu Mey. The heat emanating from his hand and the way his thumb¡¯s rough pad rubbed against her soft skin made her neck feel tingling.


    It was weird that the sensations from her hands were felt by her neck which craved for his lips but she held herself back. It was really not the time.


    "Ah-Jie, why are you staring at my lips?" She finally asked him as she was on edge of dropping everything and staying in the car with him.


    "Because you never wore lipstick and tonight, your lips look blood red." He spoke calmly still keeping his darkened eyes on her lips.


    "So what if they are blood red?" Xu Mey didn¡¯t know why she asked this stupid question since the answer made her suck in a sharp breath.


    "Because those blood red lips are making me bloodthirsty. I wonder what they taste like," his voice was husky near her face as his thumb stroked her lower lip softly making her close her eyes spontaneously. But his soft lips didn¡¯te down on hers, she opened her eyes inquiring him. "But I won¡¯t taste them."


    He leaned back in his seat leaving her frustrated and on edge. "Why not?" she managed to breathe out.


    Ye Jie looked into her eyes and smiled dangerously. "Because I know, after I touch those lips. There will be no way back. This expensive dress of yours will beying torn apart on the car floor. Now, I know I¡¯d like to see that but you might not."


    Xu Mey opened her mouth to say, ¡¯No! I¡¯d love to see it torn apart!¡¯ But a bit of her sensible conscience held her back and scolded her to focus on the task of tonight!


    But her focus was again thrown out the word when Ye Jie leaned closer to her ear and whispered, "That doesn¡¯t mean that this dress won¡¯t be torn off of you. I¡¯ll get my wish. It doesn¡¯t matter if it¡¯d be a bitter than I¡¯d like it to be."


    Xu Mey ced her index finger between his brows and pushed his face back saying, "Ah-Jie, don¡¯t seduce me!"


    Ye Jie made an innocent face, "When did I do that?"


    Xu Mey shook her head at him and stayed quiet. Although she wanted to scream, ¡¯Always!¡¯

 Chapter 233 - Stole My Thunder

    The StarNight hotel had done a splendid job at arranging the wedding within just a day. And since the wedding was to clear up the whole scandal, there was plenty of news media channels to cover the event.


    Xu Family was one of the prestigious families of the country and that led to plenty of important figures attending the party. At Xu Mey¡¯s wedding, the guest list was kept minimum for personal reasons but at Xu Liqing¡¯s wedding, the guest list was quite long and every person was prominent than the previous one.


    A whole red carpet scene was going on outside the hotel with plenty of celebrities making an appearance to make acquaintance with the upper-ss people. Fu Shuang was walking on the red carpet when an extended Bentley stopped at the end.


    After a minute, a tall figure in a solid grey suit came down from the car and came over to the other side to open the door. Ye Jie offered his hand to Xu Mey which she took pleasantly and disembarked from the car.


    The frenzied media went quiet for a second to gape at the dazzling couple walking on the carpet. After a moment of silence, the trance broke when a specific reporter shouted, "President Xu, are you also here for Ms. Xu Liqing¡¯s wedding?" This certain reporter was from Lotus Entertainment¡¯s subsidiary Lotus New Media and Li Qiao had personally asked him to recognize Xu Mey as President Xu since people weren¡¯t familiar with her face.


    The other reporters got another shock. "Is she the famous and mysterious President Xu of Vintage Gems?"


    "Look, she¡¯s even wearing the Vintage¡¯s unreleased products," another one added and people turned to see the beautiful bracelet dangling on her delicate wrist while long earrings were hooked on her ears.


    Xu Mey smiled at the reporter who asked the question and spoke softly but elegantly, "Yes. I¡¯m also invited to the wedding."


    Since she actually epted her identity, who else was going to question it? The reporters could only suck in a cold breath and run towards her. It was a good thing that Ye Jie had arranged for bodyguards to keep these reporters away from his wife.


    "President Xu wasn¡¯t your rtionship with Ms. Xu Liqing at odd because of thest incident?" A reporter brought up old history.


    Xu Mey sighed as she replied, "It¡¯s all in the past. How can I hold such things against her when she¡¯s moving into a new phase of her life?"


    "President Xu, are you rted to Ms. Xu Liqing?" Another sensible one made the connection from her surname.


    Xu Mey smiled again. "Of course! Qingqing is my only younger sister." Xu Mey spoke in a sharine manner making Ye Jie impressed by her acting. "As we all know, arguments happen between sisters. But as an elder sister, it¡¯s my responsibility to teach my younger sister. I failed in that task. So, I can only take the me for her inappropriate behavior."


    Ye Jie had the urge tough since the reporters around her looked at her with a favorable look. For the people, she was now like a perfect example of a big sister. Poor them! How would they know the inside story of this sisterly ¡¯love¡¯?


    "President Xu, you really are kind to your sister," a young reporter spoke naively.


    "No, no... My little sister is so good that I can¡¯t evenpare to her. A sweet person like is always loved by everyone much less by me. And you might be thinking that I¡¯m being biased because she¡¯s my sister. But trust me, Qingqing is a very filial daughter and an exceptional sister." ¡¯Being the bit*h she is, obviously, she¡¯s exceptional.¡¯ Xu Mey kept her smile on for the cameras giving them a good look of her beautiful face.


    As Xu Mey made way to inside, she heard another voice, "President Xu,st question!" Xu Mey turned around politely.


    "Yes, please!" Her tone was very modest and humble making the reporter a bit flustered.


    "President Xu, if you don¡¯t mind. Can you tell us who¡¯s the man beside you?" Xu Mey had expected this question and was prepared for this one for sure.


    "Ah!" She looked up into Ye Jie¡¯s eyes and said, "He¡¯s Ah-Jie." she immediately tapped her head and added, "Silly me! I mean he¡¯s my husband, Mr. Ye Jie!" The reporter¡¯s eyes were already wide when she called him ¡¯Ah-Jie¡¯ with affection but when he heard the word, ¡¯husband¡¯ and ¡¯Mr. Ye Jie¡¯, he felt like reeling.


    "President Xu, you¡¯re married?"


    "Is your husband the CEO of Ye Enterprises?"


    "President Xu, why did you keep your rtionship a secret until now?"


    Anotheryer of questions started but it was all under her n. She calmly faced all the reporters and replied, "First, yes. I am married. Not just married, but happily married." She took a pause before adding, "And second, yes. My husband is currently the CEO of Ye Enterprises." Seeing her arrogant look made Ye Jie want to just kiss her. Damn it! He knew this wedding was waste! Wait! It¡¯s not. Now, the world knows that she¡¯s his and he¡¯s only hers.


    Oblivious to his thoughts, Xu Mey went on, "Most importantly, both of us like to keep our lives personal. And that¡¯s why our wedding was kept a secret. Thank you very much! Now, we¡¯d like to enter the venue."


    "Wait! Mr. Ye, would you like to add something?" They heard another question from the horde of reporters.


    Ye Jie tightly held Xu Mey¡¯s waist and faced the cameras saying, "I think my wife has already added whatever was needed. But still, if you want myment, then I can only say that I kept this wedding a secret because I wanted my wife to be just mine. I don¡¯t like people gossiping about my rtionship with her. She¡¯s an important person in my life and I would not like to see peoplementing about us." Her voice surely was megantic. So pleasant that even Xu Mey was in awe much the female reporters.


    As they walked inside the hotel towards the banquet hall, Xu Mey said to Ye Jie, "Ah-Jie, you stole my thunder with your words."


    "Baby, when I¡¯m yours then my thunder is also yours." Realization dawned on her face as she nodded haughtily.


    They both didn¡¯t notice a certain someone looking at them from a side with a sad look on his face. Fu Shuang knew that he was only hurting himself, but he still stood there to watch them unt their love all around.


    ¡¯You¡¯re the biggest idiot, Shuang!¡¯ He thought to himself and went towards the banquet hall himself.


    Well, it was without doubt that he was the biggest idiot! Who asked him to keep loving her so much? He could only me himself and that he surely was doing.

 Chapter 234 - Dear Stepmother!

    Fu Lan was greeting the guests at the banquet hall¡¯s gate with a pleasant smile, unknown to themotion of the outside world. If she knew about Xu Mey being President Xu, she¡¯d have already puked blood with anger.


    As soon as Xu Mey appeared before her, Fu Lan¡¯s smile stiffened but because of Ye Jie, she had to maintain her pleasant look. But her contorted face made her look ugly. Fu Lan smiled brightly at Ye Jie and disregarded the presence of Xu Mey.


    Since she was being such an oblivious person, Xu Mey decided to introduce herself to not just her but to all the people gathered around her. There was no harm in doing that at all. If anything, it was time for her to show her Oscar Winning performance.


    "Dear stepmother!" Xu Mey spoke louder than necessary catching the attention of a lot of people around as she pulled Fu Lan in for a hug. It was tight hug making people feel like they were really close. Xu Cheng who stood by Fu Lan¡¯s side had a look of askance as he looked at his daughter¡¯s ever-changing mood. "Did I mention, this ugly look on your face really suits you. It actuallypliments your ugly soul." Xu Mey whispered near her ear and keeping her sickly sweet smile, she pulled back. Herment made Fu Lan¡¯s face ck like tar.


    "Stepmother, you look so gorgeous in that qipao that I¡¯m super jealous. Oh, wait! I think people might think that you¡¯re my elder sister," hearing Xu Mey¡¯s words a lot of guests around yfullyughed. She was really getting better at thispliment stuff.


    "Aw! She¡¯s such a sweetheart." An olddy remarked looking at Xu Mey and Ye Jie could only praise his wife in his heart. He greeted Xu Cheng politely with respect and stood by his side.


    "Stepmother, you must be tired of greeting the guests. Forgive this unfilial daughter foring sote. Leave the rest to this unfilial daughter of yours. You should go and apany my little sister, she must need you right now." Xu Mey offered as she urged Fu Lan to leave.


    Keeping her stiff smile, Fu Lan replied, "No, no. You¡¯re a guest Mey. How can I ask you to do this stuff?" Fu La tried to push Xu Mey away but today, Xu Mey was the pest. She wasn¡¯t going anywhere!


    Xu Mey gasped as she held her hand over her heart and spoke ruefully, "Stepmother, just because I¡¯m married that doesn¡¯t mean that I¡¯m a guest now. I¡¯m still your Mey. I¡¯m still the daughter you raised with so much love. And I still consider you as my family." To add another level of effect, her voice choked as tears swam in Xu Mey¡¯s eyes making her seem pitiful to the guests.


    "Aiyo, such a sweet girl she is." Anotherdy spoke up.


    "Fu Lan, let the youngdy take your ce. You should go to check on Liqing." Another olddy suggested.


    Seeing them all taking Xu Mey¡¯s side, Fu Lan seethed in fury but she could only swallow it back down. With a belly full of anger, she turned to leave.


    Out of nowhere, Xu Mey stuck her foot in her way making her trip over. "Ah!" Fu Lan screamed as she fell to the ground on all four.


    Xu Mey muffled herugh as she held her arms acting anxiously. "Stepmother, are you alright? Aiyo! Are you that excited to see Liqing that you tripped over your own qipao?" Someone giggled from the side making Fu Lan¡¯s rage to reach a pinnacle. "Walk carefully! We wouldn¡¯t want you to get hurt now, would we?"


    "You!" Fu Lan gritted her teeth and pointed a finger at her.


    Xu Mey held her pointed finger and whispered softly, "What? Wanna take revenge? Better yet take care of your daughter. I have plenty of surprises for you to watch. Her poor heart might not be able to bear this much attack from my side." Xu Mey winked devilishly and helped her up.


    "Wow! That was some level of acting!" Xu Chengmented when Fu Lan was out of hearing range.


    Xu Mey covered her mouth with her hand in shock. "Dad! How can you say that? I was trying to be such a good daughter to my lovely stepmother." Her sarcasm waspletely unmasked making Xu Cheng shook his head.


    "You should go! She¡¯ll keep looking this way," Xu Mey told her father and made him leave her alone with Ye Jie.


    "Ah-Jie, was I good?" She looked up to Ye Jie as if asking for praises and approval.


    "Baby," Ye Jie fixed her strands of hair and said, "You¡¯re always good at whatever you do and I love your way of doing things."


    Xu Mey grinned like a Cheshire cat. "Sheesh! Ah-Jie always knows what to say. Such a sweet mouth!"


    "Well, how do you know that my mouth is sweet? Have you tasted it?" Ye Jie asked keeping a solemn look.


    "I certainly have tasted it. It¡¯s mine to taste anyway. And I must say, it¡¯s too addicting." Xu Mey replied sassily.


    "But baby," Ye Jie came closer to her face, "You haven¡¯t tasted it tonight. So, you really can¡¯t tell whether it¡¯s sweet or not?" Although his face was serious, Xu Mey¡¯s heart was not. It was inplete disarray because of his words.


    Both were unbeknownst to the fact that a few reporters had made their way inside the venue and were snapping away the PDA moments between the couple with zeal. It was like hitting jackpot for them. Xu Mey¡¯s blush was priceless while Ye Jie¡¯s smile was out of this world.


    "Oi! We are here to take photos of the top star Zhang Jingjing." The reporter smacked his partner¡¯s head.


    "Forget her! She¡¯s old news. They, on the other hand, have such good vibes. I must say, they are better looking than those celebrities." The partner replied as he kept clicking photos.


    They bothplimented each other so well that even the reporter had no argument to make. The way they looked at each other seemed like as if there were flowers blooming all around them leaving them in their own cocoon.

 Chapter 235 - Strength & Sensibility

    Xu Liqing¡¯s wedding was quite different from Xu Mey¡¯s. For instance, there was only flower decor but it was donevishly by a famous florist. Also, Xu Liqing was wearing a white gown for her wedding. She didn¡¯t want to go with the traditional red dress.


    The dress was quite beautiful but sigh! The person wearing the dress was not worth it at all. Xu Mey sat in a corner with Ye Jie and some other old people. She didn¡¯t want to be involved with this ceremony at all.


    To be honest, she didn¡¯t have to even be here at all for her n to work. But she needed a front row for this show. Otherwise, it¡¯ll not be worth it at all!


    As for Ye Jie, he was more interested in holding his wife¡¯s hand then the wedding before him. He could only think, ¡¯My baby¡¯s hand is so soft. Why is it so soft today? Gosh! She¡¯s looking gorgeous. How I wish this ends faster.¡¯ Now, this one is called ¡¯The whipped husband!¡¯


    Xu Mey gave him a quizzical look seeing him sigh to himself and he shook his head making her feel at ease.


    The wedding ceremony felt longer to both Xu Mey and Ye Jie as they both got bored of idling around like this with their hands so empty. When they could have been doing something very productive at the moment with both their hands and mouths!


    What?


    What are you thinking?


    Don¡¯t be such a shameless person!


    They were thinking about being productive as in closing a business deal or writing a new business proposal. Nothing of the other sort!


    Anyways, as the bride and groom finished the vow and ring exchange. People went up to congratte them.


    When most of the people had presented their gifts, Xu Mey also stood up and looked at Ye Jie, "Ah-Jie, let¡¯s go! We have to give our big gift to her."


    Ye Jie didn¡¯tment at all. He silently and obediently followed her. He never had the thought ofing in her way of doing things. He was just happy with the fact that he got to stood beside and hold her hand to support her in any way she wants him to. That was all that actually mattered to him.


    "Congrattions, little sister!" Xu Mey smiled brightly as she walked up on the stage.


    Xu Liqing¡¯s face turned ugly at her sight. Now that Xu Mey noticed, Lu Ge was quite pitiful since he barely could even sit on the couch and his ashen face was covered with makeup but his nk eyes gave away the fact he was in misery.


    But did Xu Mey really feel pity for him?


    The answer was; definitely not!


    If anything, she was actually quite happy to see him in this state. Seeing this bastard, she had the urge to smack him again. But she held herself back because of the hand that was holding hers, secretly providing her with strength and sensibility as well.


    Xu Mey extended an envelope to Xu Liqing with a smile. "This is a gift from me and Ah-Jie."


    With cold daggers shooting from her eyes, Xu Liqing took the envelope from her hand but it was snatched by Mother Lu. Oh, oh! It was mother-inw Lu now.


    Mother-inw Lu opened the envelope and her eyes went round. "Oh my! You¡¯re actually gifting a mansion in Rose Garden¡¯s to Xu Liqing?" Her voice was heard by plenty of people as the whispering started. Even Xu Liqing was shocked to hear that much less anyone else.


    ¡¯How can she be this generous?¡¯ Xu Liqing thought to herself.


    "Aiyo, that elder daughter of the Xu family ispletely unlike what people said about her. She¡¯s such a bright and beautiful youngdy."


    "Not just bright and beautiful. She¡¯s also sessful. Also, she has a heart of gold."


    "Haiz! That¡¯s true! Her heart must be of gold otherwise how can she give away a mansion in Rose Gardens? Getting a house there is not even a matter of money. It¡¯s a matter of power!"


    There were different kinds of whisperings around but Xu Mey didn¡¯t focus on them as she said, "Aiyo, Mother Lu! This house is nothing before my precious sister. If we can give our precious girl to your son then we can definitely spoil her a little more. After all, who knows whether your family would be able to pamper our princess or not." Xu Mey¡¯s tone was on point and so was her words since they made Mother-inw Lu look down in shame.


    After all, who didn¡¯t know that there was no match between the Xu family and the Lu family. It was a pure joke!


    Xu Mey leaned a bit to hug Xu Liqing and whispered gently stroking her hair, "Dear little sister, this was my first gift. The second one is about to start. Oh, I almost forgot! That one will be your personal nightmare!" Xu Mey¡¯s smile made Xu Liqing¡¯s heart quiver in fear. She couldn¡¯t help but be afraid of her unequivocal threat.


    Soon, the hall was engulfed in chattering as if bees were buzzing in. Everyone was staring at their mobile phones intently and making the person beside them see the content as well. This sudden change was not unnoticed by anyone on the stage.


    People first stared at the mobile phone and then their pitiful eyes looked at Xu Liqing. And looking at Lu Ge, all the people could only look away in contempt.


    Xu Liqing frowned and looked up at Xu Mey who mouthed in reply, ¡¯Congrattion!¡¯ and smiled with her words making Xu Liqing¡¯s bad premonition toe true. Xu Mey pointed inconspicuously at the huge wall screen at the side of the stage and Xu Liqing followed her movements.


    The huge screen suddenly lit up and Xu Mey turned Ye Jie¡¯s face away with herself saying, "Ah-Jie should not see such filthy stuff." Ye Jie gave her a skeptical look but did as she says. As expected of him!


    On the huge screen, the video yed with a man¡¯s loud moans and other indescribable sounds.


    "Ah-Jie, cover your ears as well." Xu Mey said smiling awkwardly.


    "I think you should!" Ye Jie spoke sternly as he covered her ears with his hands. As a man himself, he could guess the content of the video. Now, that was different that he could only hear the sound of men¡¯s moans and not a girl¡¯s. His heart shook a bit at this realization as he stared straight at Xu Mey in shock.


    Xu Mey again showed her pearly white teeth in an awkward smile. His face had a look that was like, ¡¯Are you fu*king kidding me?¡¯ And Xu Mey¡¯s face had the look that seemed to reply with, ¡¯I didn¡¯t think it¡¯d be this weird.¡¯ Ye Jie could only stare at her with no words at all.

 Chapter 236 - Farewell, My First Love!

    "Stop the video!" Father Lu¡¯s loud roar was heard while grandfather Xu and Father Xu stood silently without anything to say at all. This was... Like a nightmare! They never expected it even in their wildest dreams. Even when grandfather Xu wanted to move, Father Xu held his hand and shook his head making him halt.


    At the end of the video, pictures of Xu Liqing and Lu Ge were added to spice things up. For people to see that Xu Liqing actually slept with a man who likes to get his pleasure in a gay brothel, it really made one think whether he did it because he was gay or because Xu Liqing wasn¡¯t very pleasing in the bed?


    "Aish! My aged-eyes are tainted after this," an olddy said while cringing.


    "Don¡¯t even tell me! He¡¯s such a bastard!"


    "He actually ruined a poor girl¡¯s life."


    All kinds of whispering began again. But it abruptly came to a halt as the video wasn¡¯t ended. A statement appeared on the screen, "But is our bride really that pitiful?"


    People were frowning in confusion but then another piece of video yed. It seemed like a video of Lu Ge with another girl whose face was blurred. Then Lu Ge pushed her down and tried to have his way when she pped him and said, "I¡¯m your wife. How can you possibly do this to me?"


    "And what about you? Aren¡¯t you ruining Xu Liqing¡¯s career with all those reporters that came knocking at the hotel door?" Lu Ge¡¯s voice boomed.


    "You care about her but what about me? She¡¯s not your wife. I am! And she¡¯s my cousin! For God sake, couldn¡¯t you both have at least chosen someone else to cheat with?"


    This video waspletely unfamiliar to everyone since it was made up by Xu Mey. She wanted to prove that Xu Liqing was the bit*h that ruined someone¡¯s life but she didn¡¯t want to bring out the original footage with Jun Li Na out. So, she hired people to act out like Lu Ge and Jun Li Na. With voice phishing and editing, no-one could check the reality.


    Everyone would believe what was on the screen before them.


    Xu Liqing¡¯s heart kept shaking as she looked at Xu Mey. ¡¯Congrats, again!¡¯ Xu Mey mouthed to her making her eyes sting. Whether it was anger or anguish, she couldn¡¯t tell.


    "Such a b*tch she is!"


    "Tell me about it! The rumors were all true! This marriage was only to cover up that scandal!"


    "Such an act!"


    "Tsk! Tsk! Like mother, like daughter. Once her mother took someone¡¯s ce and today, she did it. Such an eye opener this was for me." An olddymented with a sigh.


    Lu Ge had long fainted away from seeing his nightmarish night ying out on a huge screen before such a huge crowd while Xu Liqing held onto herself till now.


    Fu Lan was busy in trying to find the people responsible for ying this cr*p out. So, she didn¡¯t notice her daughter falling from her seat to the ground as her legs had turned to jelly. And she couldn¡¯t walk at all. She was hyperventting.


    Xu Mey crouched down beside her and held her shoulders seemingly trying to soothe her. But in reality, she was whispering, "Dear sister, you¡¯re only done with this much? I still have more!" Xu Liqing¡¯s breathing got harsh as she stared back at Xu Mey. "What? Feel like dying? How about poison? I have it with me. Specially prepared just for you!"


    Xu Liqing screamed like a lunatic catching everyone¡¯s attention. "You did it! You did it all! B*tch! Sl*t! You wh*re! How dare you!" Xu Liqing tried to strangle Xu Mey but Ye Jie managed to hide Xu Mey behind himself.


    "Mind yournguage!" Ye Jie spoke sternly. "Just because you¡¯re my wife¡¯s sister I¡¯m still talking otherwise..." He left his threat ambiguous.


    "Ye Jie, you don¡¯t know her. She said she¡¯s gonna give me poison!" Xu Liqing shrieked hysterically.


    Ye Jie was about to raise his hand but Xu Mey held it. Tears streaming down her face, Xu Mey said, "Ah-Jie, little sister is in shock. She doesn¡¯t know what she¡¯s saying at all. Don¡¯t hurt her!" People around felt pitiful for Xu Mey much less her Ah-Jie. Although he knew she was acting, he still couldn¡¯t bear those tears on her face at all! He was hell-bent on bing the ¡¯Husband of the Year¡¯!


    He wrapped her in his arms and stroked her hair saying, "Okay! I won¡¯t touch her. Please, stop crying." Xu Mey sniffled against his chest while Xu Liqingughed hysterically.


    "Ha! You should get an award for this acting. And you," Xu Liqing pointed at Ye Jie. "How can you be so blind? Can¡¯t you see the real her? Let me tell you, I was the better choice when I told you to marry me instead of her. But you still went to this psycho maniac." Xu Liqing dropped her facade in her anger without any care.


    "She¡¯s really a vixen! She even seduced her blood-rted sister¡¯s husband! Such a cruel one she is!" Everyone nodded with thisment.


    "Eldest daughter of Xu family is such an amazingdy while this one, Huh!"


    "Eldest one is so pitiful in this case. She¡¯s still thinking about her sister." People sighed in disappointment and pity.


    "Little sister, calm down!" Xu Mey tired to move ahead but Xu Liqing picked up a vase from the stage and iled it around.


    "Liqing! What are you doing?" Fu Lan came running to her daughter¡¯s side.


    Xu Liqing kept iling the vase and before it couldnd on Xu Mey¡¯s head, Xu Mey pushed Fu Lan a bit making the vasend straight on her head while Xu Liqing lost her footing and fell off the stage. Both mother and daughter lost the consciousness and that¡¯s when Father Xu and Grandfather Xu moved from there spot.


    "Get her out of here," Father Xu said to Ye Jie and moved to Fu Lan¡¯s side whose head was bleeding profusely. ¡¯Serves you right! You tried to hurt my daughter and today, your own daughter hurt you. I couldn¡¯t think of a better way than this. But this surely is just the start for you!¡¯ Father Xu thought to himself as he lifted Fu Lan and moved towards the outside.


    In thismotion, Fu Shuang didn¡¯t take part. He was the only one from the Fu family who was willing to attend this wedding and something told him that now, Fu family would never want to even look at his aunt Fu Lan.


    He silently made his way out of the hall and walking out. He noticed Ye Jie holding Xu Mey closer to his chest as he walked towards the car. Xu Mey was clinging on to his waist as if scared to lose him.


    "Farewell, my first love!" Fu Shuang spoke to no-one particr and turned to his own car.

 Chapter 237 - Not Wife, Shes His Life

    On their ride back to Peach Estates, Ye Jie was lost in thoughts as he kept gazing outside the window pane.


    Xu Mey, on the other hand, was fidgeting in her seat because of his silence and solemn expression. She suddenly felt scared thinking if Ye Jie didn¡¯t approve her way of doing stuff then what? What if he realized that he married the wrong girl? He didn¡¯t care that I had a lot of baggage but what if he felt like my other side is fierce? What if he decided to leave me?


    Thest thought made her breath hitch and her heart shook violently. A few months ago, he was no-one in her life. He was just a stranger who agreed to marry her even knowing her true intentions.


    But now... Everything had changed in the past months. He became someone she couldn¡¯t possibly imagine to even live without. He was like the oxygen in his life now. The thought of losing him made her uneasy.


    With much struggle, Xu Mey turned her eyes to look at Ye Jie¡¯s side profile. His brows were knitted together as he still had his eyes on the outside world.


    "Ah-Jie!" She called out softly with a bit hesitancy in her voice.


    "Mmm..." Ye Jie answered absentmindedly and it scared Xu Mey even more than before.


    Xu Mey chewed her bottom lip and stayed quiet. She suddenly realized that she had nothing to say. Or perhaps, she had too much to say? Whatever it was, she knew that she had no courage to say anything for sure.


    There was barely any distance between them on the back seat and yet, she felt like they were miles apart. And this distance and silence were unbearable for Xu Mey. For the first time in her life, she realized how terrifying silence could be. Normally, the silence between them was alwaysforting as if giving each other support through their presence but right now, this silence was building a barrier between them.


    "Ar-Are you upset with me?" Xu Mey managed to ask after much contemtion.


    Ye Jie turned his head to look at Xu Mey¡¯s face which was distorted with anxiousness. He silently gazed at her face for a long while. As the silence thickened, Xu Mey felt even more ufortable under his scrutinizing gaze.


    Just when she thought he wouldn¡¯t say anything, she heard his voice, "Yes, I¡¯m very upset with you."


    Those words were like a blow straight to Xu Mey¡¯s heart as it quivered and not the way it does when he touches her or kisses her. It was the bad kind of quiver like her whole world was falling apart before her eyes.


    "And do you know why I¡¯m upset?" Ye Jie asked looking into her eyes.


    Xu Mey lowered her eyes avoiding his gaze as she answered, "I know. You¡¯re disappointed. You must have never thought that you got yourself such a devilish kind of wife. It must have been an eye-opener for you and you must be thinking why you even love me?"


    Ye Jie rolled his eyes at her and had the urge to give an open-handed p on the back of her head but since it¡¯d hurt him more, he decided not to do so. Instead, he pinched her nose and said, "Have you lost your mind? How many times have I told you to not run your stupid brain at the speed of lightning? But no, you just have to assume stuff all on your own. Half of your worries are created by your negative mind. So, can you stop thinking?"


    Xu Mey felt the anger in his tone but it was more like he was chiding her for doing something wrong. As if scolding her with a right. His right! She lifted her eyes and looked at his narrowed eyes.


    "Are you not disappointed?" she asked in a low voice acting sheepishly.


    "I am disappointed... Actually, more than just disappointed." Xu Mey¡¯s face fell but he continued, "But, not with the fact that you did all that. I¡¯m upset because you idiotically moved ahead knowing the psychotic nature of that scheming witch of a sister of yours. What if you¡¯d have gotten hurt?"


    Xu Mey kept looking into his brown eyes filled with worry as she was in disbelief. ¡¯Eh? He was mad for that reason? But aren¡¯t I fine?¡¯ she thought to herself and grinned goofily.


    "You were right there. How could I get hurt when I knew that you¡¯re right beside me?" Ye Jie couldn¡¯t decide whether she was telling the truth or just being cheeky but he knew that those words surely warmed his heart. Now that was different that he wasn¡¯t nning on letting her see that his heart has melted.


    ¡¯Ugh! Jie, you fool! Are you again falling for her? How can you not even hold yourself? She¡¯s in the wrong this time. Don¡¯t you dare fall into her love trap and definitely not in the beauty trap!¡¯ Ye Jie¡¯s conscience nagged him making him determined not to back down.


    Earlier, when Xu Liqing picked up that vase, he was scared out of his wits. And when the vase was just about to hit Xu Mey, he felt like his world was ending. His breathingpletely stopped until he held Xu Mey in his arms to know that she was safe and sound. She acted recklessly and he was letting this go. Not this time!


    "And what if I wasn¡¯t there? Were you nning on being even more reckless? Or maybe you thought you¡¯re the superwoman? How can a vase hurt you, right?" He was rarely sarcastic with people. Or more like he had only been sarcastic with Ru before. One of the reasons for that was because Ru never took his sarcastic remarks to heart. But today, he felt like it was necessary to remind his wife that she wasn¡¯t alone now.


    She was not just his wife. She was his life now. The life that gave him the reason to live for. He always tells her to take care of herself but she always acts recklessly without caring for the fact that her slight frown was enough to drive him crazy much less a wound.

 Chapter 238 - Tied To Heart

    Although his words were dripping with sarcasm, all Xu Mey felt was the pain in his beautiful eyes. Xu Mey lost herself in thoughts gazing into his eyes, ¡¯What are you, Ah-Jie? You¡¯re angry over such an insignificant thing? Such an insignificant me?¡¯


    She slid closer to him and ced her soft hand against his cheek. "Ah-Jie," her voice had gone softer as she went on, "I know I¡¯m not a superwoman. I also know that my single mistake would have led to a grave injury." Ye Jie closed his eyes as if feeling the pain with just her words of possibilities but Xu Mey didn¡¯t stop, she continued, "But Ah-Jie, now I also know that I am not scared of falling. Because of you..." Ye Jie¡¯sshes fluttered as he gazed into her sincere eyes. "Now, I know that my Ah-Jie will never let me fall, he¡¯ll not only hold me, he will also help me fly instead. How can I be scared of getting hurt when I know that my Ah-Jie is right beside me?"


    Ye Jie was at a loss. He really was tongue-tied with his mind running amok. ¡¯Damn! Am I really this easy to cate? When did I turn into someone so fickle?¡¯ Then he saw her smiling softly and gently at him and replied to himself, ¡¯Yes. This is it! This damn smile is enough to undo me. Fine! I¡¯m finally a fickle person while my wife is the insidious one. But I¡¯m surely not dropping this look of anger!¡¯


    He had determined to keep up the pretense. So what if he was already a puddle of mush? He could at least act. He couldn¡¯t be that bad that she¡¯d figure it out.


    Thinking this, Ye Jie scoffed and turned his face away from Xu Mey avoiding her eyes. "You¡¯re getting good with words. Even if you think that I¡¯m easy but let me tell you that I¡¯m not that easy. You¡¯re in the wrong this time and that fact won¡¯t change." He was avoiding his gaze because he knew he won¡¯t be able to pretend if he looked into her eyes but Xu Mey thought that he was really angry and that¡¯s why he wasn¡¯t even looking at her.


    It was very new for her since Ye Jie always gazed into her eyes while he talked to her and it always gave her the confidence to talk. She kept silent for a long while as her mind went nk.


    Thinking of something, she smirked to herself and looked at Qi Guan through the rearview mirror and gave him a look. Taking the hint, Qi Guan immediately put the divider up. Ye Jie didn¡¯t notice this change until Xu Mey heaved herself up to hisp and wrapped her bare arms around his neck.


    "Jie darling can¡¯t possibly be this mad at his baby," she whispered near his ear and even licked his earlobe with her hot tongue making Ye Jie curse inwardly. But Xu Mey didn¡¯t n to stop just there, she caught his earlobe between her teeth and nibbled on it seductively.


    "Are you trying to seduce me?" Ye Jie clenched his fists tightly to keep his voice normal.


    "Ani!(*) How can I seduce the seduction master himself?" Xu Mey replied innocently as her lips moved to leave feathery kisses all over his jaw.


    Ye Jie smiled to himself as he said, "Seduction master? Who have I seduced?"


    Xu Mey stopped her kissing and looked straight into his eyes. She lowered her face and as their foreheads touched and the tips of their respective nose brushed together, she voiced out breathily, "Me! Jie darling has seduced his baby."


    "When did I do that?" Ye Jie retorted but in a breathless way losing control on his pretensepletely.


    Xu Mey grinned broadly knowing well enough that Ye Jie was cracking up. "Just a few hours ago," she started as she held Ye Jie¡¯s hands and ced them on her bare knees. "A certain Jie darling seduced his baby by challenging that he¡¯d tear this red dress off of her gorgeous body." She stopped as she moved his hands under her dress and leaving his hands on her own thighs, she lifted her own to his face. "Now, this baby of Jie darling would love to see this dress torn apart on thevish carpet of this Bentley."


    Ye Jie closed his eyes briefly at her words but when he opened them, his eyes were dark with lust. His rough hands on her thighs gripped tightly making Xu Mey¡¯s breathing harsher. He looked at her bosom heaving up and down making him go wild.


    He gripped her hair and pulled her face towards himself to catch her lips in for a kiss. A passionate one at that. Now, how could Ah-Jie not listen to his baby ah? It would seem like he was an ipetent husband and that... that he surely was not.


    Xu Mey moaned against his lips making Ye Jie smirk as he said against her lips, "I believe this seduction master¡¯s baby is more of an enchantress having the charms far above her husband¡¯s."


    Xu Mey grinned goofily and traced the seam of his lips with her tongue as she replied, "Well, what can the baby do? Baby learned it from the best master ever! And do you know who that is?" Ye Jie shook his head as if he was really curious to hear her reply. "The best master is the baby¡¯s one and only Jie darling!"


    "Well, then this baby shouldn¡¯t forget that her Jie darling gets scared seeing his baby close to such danger." Ye Jie didn¡¯t forget to remind her the real reason for his anger again.


    "I have a solution for that," Xu Mey replied.


    "And what¡¯s that?" he asked curiously.


    "Jie darling should tie his baby to his waist for the rest of this life." Xu Mey answered feeling proud of her own thinking.


    Ye Jie chuckled heartily before nting a searing kiss on her lips again and said, "But what can baby¡¯s Jie darling do? He can¡¯t tie his baby against his waist."


    "Ha? Why not?" Xu Mey¡¯s face fell.


    Ye Jie reciprocated her earlier action and nibbled on her earlobe before saying in his husky voice, "Because I¡¯ve already tied my baby to my heart." A warmth gushed into Xu Mey¡¯s heart just like the heat that gushed to every single part of her body.


    (*): "Ani": No in Korean

 Chapter 239 - Savviest Wife

    Xu Mey grinned and rain down kisses all over his face making Ye Jie chuckle. "You better not think about untying me from your heart then." She warned him in between her kisses.


    "How can I do that? I¡¯m just scared that you haven¡¯t tied me to your heart yet." Ye Jie answered capturing her neck with his mouth.


    Xu Mey ran her fingers through his hair saying, "Don¡¯t fret. I¡¯ve tied you securely. And I won¡¯t let anyone snatch you away from me."


    Ye Jie smiled as his mouth traced its way towards her corbone while his hands started stroking her inner thighs in a very gentle and yet urgent manner.


    "Jie darling hasn¡¯t even told me whether he liked the wedding show or not?" Xu Mey asked.


    "I loved the show if we don¡¯t consider thest part where you almost got hurt." Ye Jie replied honestly making Xu Mey groan.


    "Can¡¯t we just get over it? It was almost! But it didn¡¯t happen!" Ye Jie made a face but didn¡¯t argue. "But on a serious note, do you think I went overboard?" Xu Mey looked at him anxiously.


    Ye Jie smiled at her saying, "Nope! I thought my wife was pristine and immacte!"


    "Is that bad?"


    "Nah! It just means that I have one cool, awesome, amazing, and now a ssy and savviest wife to apany me on this journey of life. I believe life will never get boring from now on." Xu Mey grinned happily and fumbled with the top of his shirt buttons. Before they could move any further, the car stopped.


    "Let¡¯s continue this seduction back in the room." Xu Mey suggested while Ye Jie just hummed along with his mouth still sucking on her corbone.


    Without letting her escape, Ye Jie wrapped her legs around his own waist and secured her with his hands on her back. Xu Mey was more than happy toply since who would want to walk in heels when your super handsome husband is there to offer himself as your ride? She wrapped her arms around his neck as they both got out of the car.


    Xu Mey was giggling like a little girl against Ye Jie¡¯s lips when they were interrupted by a certain someone¡¯s cough.


    "Ahem! Ahem!" Both Xu Mey and Ye Jie turned their head to see Ye Jun standing in the front garden and both husband and wife couldn¡¯t help but say,


    "It¡¯s you! Again?" Seeing their reaction so in sync, Ye Jun wasn¡¯t surprised at all. One could say that his poor soul got used to this.


    "I think we came at the wrong time." Hearing this feminine voice, both Xu Mey and Ye Jie noticed the presence of Jun Li Na standing behind Ye Jun.


    "Li Na!" Xu Mey called out happily but when she tried to get down, Ye Jie wrapped his arms tightly around her waist not letting her escape at all. "Put me down, Ah-Jie!"


    "I was Jie darling just a moment ago," he argued childishly.


    Xu Mey kissed his lips briefly as she coaxed him, "Ah-Jie, baby needs to be there." Ye Jie made a face and ced her down on the ground but not without ring hatefully at Ye Jun who felt a chill from this distance.


    Xu Mey excitedly ran over to Jun Li Na and held her hands in her own. "Hey, are you okay?"


    Jun Li Na nodded her head and smiled radiantly as she answered, "Mey, you¡¯re the best friend one can ask for in life." She hugged Xu Mey.


    Xu Mey patted her back teasing her, "Just best? Come on, I thought I¡¯d at least get the title of being an amazingly extraordinary friend."


    Jun Li Na chuckled lightly. "You are an amazingly extraordinary friend. And not just that," she pulled herself away and looked at Xu Mey as she went on, "You¡¯re the savviest friend."


    Xu Mey didn¡¯t know whether tough or to cry? Because hearing the word ¡¯savviest¡¯ reminded her of the way Ye Jie called her ¡¯savviest wife¡¯. It made her ears turn red as she felt hot all over.


    She awkwardlyughed and changed the topic, "Did you like my style of revenge?"


    "I loved it! He deserved all that I¡¯m very happy with everything that you did," Jun Li Na gave her approval making Xu Mey ease up a bit.


    "But I still don¡¯t feel happy." Jun Li Na looked at Xu Mey in question. "He made you cry for ten years. I need to make him cry and beg for death." There was a fierce look on her face. A strange determination. "But you don¡¯t worry my friend. I¡¯ve already arranged for everything. Tonight we only reached the interval of the movie, tomorrow Mr. Lu Ge¡¯s pathetic movie wille to an end."


    Although Jun Li Na didn¡¯t know what Xu Mey had nned out, she knew that Xu Mey won¡¯t be going easy on Lu Ge. And Jun Li Na herself didn¡¯t want her to go easy at all. Once he trampled on her heart, her sincerity. Today, Xu Mey was trampling on his pride and dignity. As they say, Karma surely is a b*tch!


    Meanwhile, Ye Jun was shuddering from all the chills that he felt by just standing closer to Ye Jie.


    "Jun, follow me!" Ye Jie said and walked inside the house. Something told Ye Jun that the end of this won¡¯t be good but since he was an obedient brother, he just followed Ye Jie like a lost puppy.


    The moment they walked inside the house, Ye Jie turned and delivered a hard blow to Ye Jun¡¯s stomach making him bent a bit. He looked at his older brother in question with his pitiful eyes and received a deadly re in return.


    "Couldn¡¯t you have chosen a better time to show up?" Ye Jie roared and raised his fist again but Ye Jun ran for his life.


    "Bro! Calm down! How would I know that you guys would be... busy?" Poor Jun was really innocent since he only wanted to fulfill Jun Li Na¡¯s wish to see Xu Mey at this time after she watched the whole show on live tv. Now, where was he at fault? He definitely won¡¯t say that his love was at fault. Never! Ever!


    Ye Jie threw a cushion at Ye Jun still raging up. "You did twice in the same day. You jerk! Stop right there!" He kept running after Ye Jun in the living room trying to catch him.


    "I haven¡¯t lost my mind yet. If I stopped, wouldn¡¯t you just murder me? Or perhaps, you might even want to chop me into minced meat." Ye Jun shuddered at the thought.


    "Do I look like a beast to you?" Ye Jie stopped running as he questioned.


    "No! But when ites to sis Mey, you can turn into anything. Much less a beast." Ye Jun replied honestly without paying attention to his brother¡¯s changing expression.


    Ye Jie fell back on the sofa as if lost something within him. "Do I really forget everything when ites to Xu Mey?" He muttered.

 Chapter 240 - Brutal Sensei

    "Haven¡¯t you noticed bro? Sis Mey¡¯s name is enough to change your whole persona. You almost forget that the other people also matter not just her." Ye Jun replied sincerely as he sat beside Ye Jie. "I¡¯m not saying that it¡¯s bad. I just think that you should not let others feel insignificant in your life."


    "Perhaps that¡¯s why my best friend said that I chose love over friendship of two decades." Ye Jie mumbled to himself as Ru¡¯s words came to his mind.


    "I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about but bro, I do know that you need to realize something. Your world can¡¯t just always revolve around sis Mey. Because a lot of other people also are present in your life." Ye Jun reminded his elder brother since he felt that someone needed to break this news to him that he was disregarding other people in his life who really cared about him.


    Ye Jun patted his shoulder and got up to leave when he saw Jun Li Naing his way. "Let¡¯s leave now, Jun." Hearing Jun Li Na¡¯s voice, Ye Jun instantly sprang up to leave.


    When they both left, Xu Mey noticed Ye Jie¡¯s somber face. "Ah-Jie, is everything okay?" She asked seemingly perturbed by his expressions.


    Ye Jie immediately smiled at her and said, "Absolutely. Everything is fine." He stood up and told her, "I¡¯m gonna take a shower." Then he left her alone in the living room while he went to take a shower upstairs.


    After taking the shower, Ye Jie didn¡¯t see Xu Mey in the bedroom. He came out of the room to look for her and found her fiddling with something in the kitchen. He was about to enter when he heard her soft voice, "Hey, Sensei!" Ye Jie stopped in his track. As if someone froze him at the spot.


    He couldn¡¯t hear anything in reply but it seemed that neither could Xu Mey since she called out, "Sensei, are you there?"


    "Yes. I am right here!" Ye Jie¡¯s eyes widened when he realized that Xu Mey had put the phone on speaker. Something in him didn¡¯t let him move away. He hadn¡¯t heard Ru¡¯s voice since the fight. Or was it a fight? Argument? Okay, let¡¯s call it mimunication for now.


    Although it wasn¡¯t her real voice, he was d that at least he could know that she was fine.


    "Oh, sensei did you like the show tonight?" Xu Mey asked excitedly.


    "Huh? What show?" Ru¡¯s voice came from the other side.


    "Sensei, you don¡¯t know? How¡¯s that possible? You always knew what¡¯s happening in my life." Xu Mey felt odd since it was really the first time that her sensei was clueless about something rted to her.


    "You are a married woman. This lord should stop involving himself in your matters. That¡¯s why I stopped keeping track of your ns." Ru answered inly but knowing her nature, Ye Jie knew that she was putting her words very mildly.


    Xu Mey scowled but she didn¡¯t say anything about it. "Well, let me tell you tonight I made a super hit show," She continued to rte the whole event and added, "Now, I need your help to make it super duper hit." She was beaming from ear to ear.


    Ye Jie heard a tired sigh as Ru¡¯s voice came again, "How can this lord help you?"


    "It¡¯s very easy for you actually. All you have to do is," she told the whole n to Ru and went on, "it should happen by tomorrow morning. It can¡¯t be difficult for my sensei, right?"


    "Send me the name and details. It¡¯ll be done by the morning." Ru was about to hang up but Xu Mey spoke again.


    "Sensei, don¡¯t you like me anymore?" Xu Mey asked in a sad voice. "I mean you didn¡¯t even call me since thest time at the hospital. Are you mad that I didn¡¯t take the dagger from your hand? But I had my reaso-" Before Xu Mey could continue Ru interrupted her.


    "This lord really doesn¡¯t care about the fact that you didn¡¯t take that dagger. What matters is that you got your revenge in your way. Congrattions on that." Although there was nothing wrong with Ru¡¯s voice, Xu Mey felt like those words were odd.


    "Sensei, do you think that I did something wrong?" Xu Mey asked softly.


    "Are you happy with what you did?" Ru asked in return.


    "Yes. I¡¯m more than just happy. I finally dropped that Xu Liqing down along with Fu Lan." Xu Mey was smiling triumphantly.


    "Then you really don¡¯t need my approval for your actions. Not mine or anyone else¡¯. Because they haven¡¯t lived your life and they can never understand your reasons for doing what you did."


    Xu Mey frowned a bit. "I don¡¯t need the world¡¯s approval. I just want yours."


    "Haha..." Xu Mey heard a deepugh surprising her. "You want my approval? I guess then my words are only going to hurt you as always. I never approved of your revenge 13 years ago and I still stand where I did back then."


    "You think I¡¯m wrong with the revenge?" Xu Mey really hoped that her sensei would approve her revenge. At least this once.


    "No... I just find it quite unnecessary as always." Before Xu Mey could say anything Ru spoke again, "It¡¯s true that I haven¡¯t lived your life and I have no right to judge you, with the kind of person I am. But... I still find it funny that you have 99% of people to love you and yet you chose to drive your life for that 1% of hateful people. It¡¯s very bizarre for me."


    Although Xu Mey knew that her sensei was brutal with words, it still hurt her. Especially because the words weren¡¯t wrong. She chose to drive her life in hate for just two people while a hundred were around her to love her. But before today, her sensei never said these words.


    Ru always just told Xu Mey to leave the revenge to her and focus on the people who care for her in this life. But Xu Mey was the one who chose this path. Did she regret it? No! Even if she did, she¡¯ll never say it out loud. Because she knew that once she actually epted it that her revenge ruined her heart, her life will shatter away.


    "I did the wrong thing, huh?" Xu Mey managed to say out loud.


    "Wrong? Yes! But then again, we are all wrong. We all do the wrong things. But our reasons are always right. I always wondered how do our reasons be the right thing when we are the ones called, ¡¯Wrong¡¯? Let me tell you, the thing is your reason for revenge was never wrong. It was you who was wrong to disregard the love of hundreds to always let yourself burn in the fire of hatred." With that, Ru disconnected the call leaving Xu Mey alone to ponder and Ye Jie to reel withplicated thoughts.

 Chapter 241 - Was He A Friend?

    Ye Jie¡¯s thoughts took aplete 180 degree turn when he noticed that Xu Mey was brooding all by herself after the call disconnected. He didn¡¯t like that look of sadness on her face.


    Seeing her feeling sad, Ye Jie got angry.


    He immediately walked up to his study and dialed a number without any hesitation. Before anyone could speak up from the other end, Ye Jie roared, "What the hell were you thinking?"


    "Well, hello to you too, Mr. Ye Jie!" Ru¡¯s calm voice came from the other side making him more furious.


    "Cut the cr*p! Why did you say all that to Xu Mey? Her revenge is not wrong. SHE IS NOT WRONG!" Ye Jie eximed as he wasn¡¯t gonna beat around the bush.


    There was a silence for a moment before Ye Jie heard Ru¡¯s voice again. "Did I say her revenge is wrong? I certainly didn¡¯t. The only thing I reminded her of is that she¡¯s letting her hate rule her. Yes, I believe I should sugar-coat my words but my apologies for that since I wasn¡¯t taught how to say things nicely."


    Ye Jie raked his fingers through his still damp hair in exasperation. "Ru¡¯er, you didn¡¯t need to say anything to her. You are thest person who should judge someone like this."


    "Judge? I never judged her. As you just said, I have no right to do so. After all, only humans have the right to judge. Demons like me don¡¯t have that kind of luxury. I just wanted to remind her that at least now of all times, she should set her priorities straight." Her voice was still calm as if talking about the weather. Ye Jie hated her calmness.


    Ye Jie scoffed. "Why is that your pain is a pain but others are not? Why is it that always you are right and no-one else is? Your revenge is justified but others are not? Yes, I know you helped her and me. But so what? As a friend that was your responsibility."


    "My pain? But I never even said anything about my pain. I can¡¯t remembering to you to cry about my pain. As for revenge, I¡¯m certainly not living for that either even when that¡¯s the only reason I have. As for helping you or her, I didn¡¯t ask for anything in return. I knew I had no right to." She took a pause before Ye Jie heard her voice again. "Anyways, I still think I was wrong. I¡¯m really sorry. I¡¯ll apologize to your wife as well." With that, she hung up before giving any chance to Ye Jie.


    He wasing out of the study when his eyes caught sight of Xu Mey sitting in the living room and suddenly the tranquility of the living room was broken by her cell phone¡¯s ringtone. Xu Mey picked up the call and heard, "This lord is remorseful for saying such harsh words to you. I apologize for letting my personal prejudice spoil your mood like this. This lord was in a bad mood and he took it out on you. It won¡¯t happen again. I¡¯ve done what you asked for. You can see the live news tomorrow for the good news. And again, this lord is extremely apologetic for the earlier behavior."


    Xu Mey was dumbfoundedly listening and she didn¡¯t even realize that the call had been disconnected. ¡¯Did sensei just apologized? To me? What happened to him?¡¯ Xu Mey was thinking to herself when Ye Jie received a text message.


    It read:


    "I have apologized to your wife. She¡¯ll certainly be in a good mood now. Anyways, I have a question for you Mr. Ye Jie. Five years ago, when I punished a man for a gang r-a-p-e case, you stood before me to remind me that that¡¯s not how thew works. Today, you said your wife is not wrong at all. I wonder how the rules are so different when ites to her and me?"


    Ye Jie¡¯s eyes widened as the memory of that certain case came to his mind. Ru¡¯s been working with thew enforcement department at that time and the case was of a girl who was in aa after she survived from a gang r-a-p-e. At that time, he remembered how Ru chose to strip one of the men naked and hung him outside with the pole in harsh cold weather. He was almost frozen to death when she let anyone take him to the hospital and Ye Jie had an argument with her that she was wrong in doing so.


    He never thought at that time that one day, he would call Xu Mey¡¯s way of dealing with stuff as right. In other words, Ru was right. For him, Xu Mey killing someone can be justified but if the same thing will be done by Ru then he would end up saying that it¡¯s her nature.


    With this kind of prejudice, was he even allowed to call himself as Ru¡¯s best friend?

 Chapter 242 - Ill Find Him

    In the silent living room, there was a sound of whimpers suddenly breaking the tranquility of the night. Ye Jie was startled as he saw that the sound of whimpering came from his dear wife.


    He ran up to her and asked, "Baby, what¡¯s wrong?"


    "Ah-Jie," Xu Mey¡¯s face was stained with tears as she wrapped her arms around his neck and said in a choked up voice," My sensei is abandoning me."


    "Huh? What do you mean?" Ye Jie asked with confusion as he kept rubbing his hand on her back to soothe her.


    "My sensei," Xu Mey¡¯s voice broke in between. "He actually apologized to me. Can you believe that?"


    "You didn¡¯t want him to?" Ye Jie frowned a bit. ¡¯Wasn¡¯t she just sad because of Ru¡¯s words?¡¯


    "No!" Xu Mey eximed. "He¡¯s my sensei. He¡¯s the only person in my life who had been honest with me. I know everybody loves me but all the other people always sugar-coat their words and never tell me the truth. But sensei was never like that. He had always been brutally honest with me. And I hated that about him." She took a pause to pull herself away from Ye Jie and sniffled a bit. "But his honesty was the thing that made me admire him as well. He had always been at a pinnacle for me. A ce where he didn¡¯t have to feel bad about what he say or do. Today, when he apologized, I felt like he¡¯s breaking himself away from me. And I don¡¯t like that feeling at all."


    Ye Jie fell into deep thought. "What do you want now, baby?" He asked after much contemtion.


    Xu Mey looked at him with her red eyes and replied, "I don¡¯t want sensei to abandon me."


    Ye Jie nodded and stood up as he offered his hand to her. Xu Mey looked at his hand and then at his face quizzically. "Come, I¡¯ll take you to your sensei."


    "Huh? Ah-Jie, sensei is the most difficult person to find. How are you gonna take me to him?" Xu Mey questioned rather innocently.


    "Leave that to me. I¡¯ll find him but," he paused and added after a sigh, "You won¡¯t ask anything after seeing him."


    Xu Mey was really skeptical about this. How could Ye Jie find her sensei? He only met her sensei once? And even though she trusted Ye Jie and believed in his capabilities, she also was familiar with her sensei. Nheless, she chose to hold his hand.


    Ye Jie dragged her to his sports car and after settling her in the passenger seat, he took his own seat as the driver.


    It took them 2 hours to drive to Imperial and during the ride, Ye Jie didn¡¯t say a word to Xu Mey. He had been concentrating on driving without any distraction.


    When Ye Jie parked the car that¡¯s when Xu Mey noticed that they were somewhere in the mountains and there was only a small bamboo hut before them. There was no light in the hut or outside of it. Only the soft moonlight was illuminating the area making it rather eerie for Xu Mey¡¯s liking since she was scared of ghosts.


    "Ah-Jie," Xu Mey held Ye Jie¡¯s arm as her eyes looked at the scary ce. "Why are we here?"


    Ye Jie patted the back of her head and replied, "Don¡¯t worry. The person inside is scarier than ghosts. So, ghosts won¡¯t waste their time here."


    Before Xu Mey could react, the cabin before her lit up along with the pathway. Ye Jie led the way and was about to knock at the door when it opened and there stood a 182cm tall figure staring back at him with the beautiful emerald green eyes.


    "You have got to be kidding with me! What now do you want me to bow to offer the apology?" Ru asked ring at Ye Jie who in return rolled his eyes at her. But before he could answer, Ru bent her body at the 90-degree angle and said, "I¡¯m sorry, Xu Mey. For saying such hars-"


    Her words were cut off when Ye Jie pinched her arm with excessive force. Ru was caught off guard. "You! What? I apologized nah?"


    "Sensei?" Xu Mey was in a daze. First because of seeing her sensei and second because of Ye Jie¡¯s punch. ¡¯This is insane! Ah-Jie pinched sensei and sensei is only ring in retaliation? What am I missing here?¡¯


    "My wife thinks you¡¯re abandoning her and that¡¯s why you apologized," Ye Jie said inly as looked back at Ru.


    "Abandon? When did I say such a thing? And do you think this lord is that easy? I only apologized because of this jerk! Otherwise, this lord would never apologize until he feels like he¡¯s at fault." Ru answered in her usual intimidating manner.


    Xu Mey stared at Ye Jie in disbelief. ¡¯Does Ah-Jie know sensei? If yes, then how? Since when? And why are they closer to each other than me?¡¯ Her mind was reeling with questions.


    "Don¡¯t ask! I won¡¯t be able to answer for now." Ye Jie answered her unasked questions. Then he turned to Ru and said, "Tell her that you¡¯re not abandoning her. She¡¯s been crying for such a long time."


    Ru obediently turned to Xu Mey and said, "I¡¯m not abandoning you. Actually, I can¡¯t! Your husband will kill me otherwise."


    Ye Jie held Xu Mey¡¯s face in his hands and told her, "Baby, you heard that? No-one is abandoning you. Now, go back to the car and I¡¯ll be right there with you." Xu Mey nodded in a daze and went back to the car.


    Ye Jie stared intensely at Ru and said, "We need to talk."


    "Why? Want to remind me again that she¡¯s more important than me?" Ru retorted venomously.


    "You used to read out Confucius sayings to me and one of those was, ¡¯When anger arises, think of the consequences.¡¯" Ye Jie spoke mildly.


    Ru scoffed. "You should have remembered that saying when youshed out on me without so much of a good reason. In our two decades of friendship, you always told me right from wrong and I listened. But we only fought two times and both of the times, your love interests were involved."


    Ye Jie sighed loudly and fell on his knees making Ru¡¯s eyes widen up.

 Chapter 243 - Dont Swing That Way

    "You son of a bachelor! What are you doing?" Ru crouched down before him as she red at him.


    "I¡¯m sorry! Not for what I did today but for what I did thest time." Ye Jie spoke softly.


    "Eh? That doesn¡¯t sound right. Aren¡¯t you suppose to say sorry for tonight?" Ru asked him curiously. "Since I can¡¯t forgive you for thest time."


    "Why not?" Ye Jie asked hastily.


    "You jerk! I already got over it. I overreacted a bit because of my trigger word, ¡¯barbarian¡¯," she emphasized with the air quotation and Ye Jie found it quite funny. "So, where¡¯s the apology for tonight?"


    "I can¡¯t even look at you for what I said tonight in anger. You were right, people should really stay quite when they are angry."


    "Did you just realized that?" Ru asked as she sat down cross-legged before his kneeling figure. "Anyway, now you¡¯re making it seem like you¡¯re the bad guy."


    "Aren¡¯t I? I really chose the words that would hit you where it hurts."


    "Haha..." Ruughed before saying, "And how did you know that those words would hurt me? Obviously, because you know me best. Also, my best friend can never be bad or wrong. Even if he¡¯d be wrong then I¡¯d made sure to manipte this world to make him right."


    They both stayed quiet before Ye Jie spoke again, "I really am sorry, Ru¡¯er!"


    "Dear friend, you¡¯ve always been the only person who called me Ru¡¯er. No-one has ever called me this affectionately other than you. You can hurt me because I allowed you to. As for that being biased part, I was just about to call you for that..." She grinned and said, "You should be biased actually. You are not just my best friend. You are like an elder brother I so desired in my life. It¡¯s your job to tell me that I¡¯m wrong."


    "But it¡¯s also your job to stand by your wife¡¯s side and say that she¡¯s right. It¡¯s not you being biased. It¡¯s you being in love... I can¡¯t possibly fight with the love of your life now, can I?" Ye Jie hated each word that she said since as always she dropped the damn me game. "Also, I tried hating you. Trust me that was not a good feeling at all."


    He shook his head and rummaged out a chocte bar from his pocket. "I guess we don¡¯t need this since you already forgave me." He was about to open the packet when Ru snatched it away.


    "Yah! How can you be such a cheap-star? You brought it for me. So, it¡¯s definitely mine to eat." Ru pointed her chin at him and gave the chocte her full attention ignoring Ye Jie entirely.


    "Ru¡¯er!" He called out softly looking at her enjoying the chocte.


    "Hmm..." she hummed in response.


    "Do you know why I never chose you?" Ru looked at him as she raised her brow inquiringly. "I always thought you¡¯re an exceptional person and I don¡¯t deserve a friend like you. I tried to push you away but you never listened. And here I am still telling you, idiot girl, you deserve someone even more exceptional than yourself."


    "First of all, you chose me when even the death rejected me. You gave me these green eyes and with that, you gave my eyes the light to see the world again. What else can I possibly ask for? No-one can fight with you on that since you chose me when I needed you the most." She gave a sad smile thinking of a far off memory.


    "And what are you saying about that exceptional someone? This lord doesn¡¯t swing that way." Ye Jie gave an open-handed p on the back of her head making her scowl.


    "So, if this lord is not looking for a husband then do you n on taking a wife for yourself?" He was really angry at her for being so nonchnt about it.


    "Although I¡¯m quite good withdies, I still don¡¯t want a wife for myself. Girls are noisy and their screeching voices are too much for this lord."


    "Stop being so conceited! Even girls won¡¯te near you otherwise."


    "I don¡¯t want them to. Anyways, go away now! Your wife must have a million questions in her mind. The rest is up to you but don¡¯t you dare tell her that I¡¯m a girl." Ru warned him.


    "Why?" he knitted his brows.


    "Well, your wife had a bit of crush on this lord once and I don¡¯t want that to go away."


    "You! Narcissistic bastard!" Ye Jie knew that Ru only was messing with him. Her real reasons for hiding her gender were different.


    "What can I do? This lord was born with such handsomeness." Ye Jie shook his head and hugged her tightly making herin about being choked up. "Let¡¯s not fight again, okay?"


    "You only have to remember that, ¡¯A tongue might weigh little, but it can crush a man.¡¯ If you kept that in mind then we both won¡¯t have any fights in the future." Ye Jie tousled her dyed hair.


    "Ru¡¯er, your grandfather believes that you¡¯re alive." Ru was startled by his words.


    "What?"


    "He came to look for me again in hope that if you¡¯re alive than you¡¯d definitelye to see me." Ye Jie told her.


    "Don¡¯t be polite about it. I know grandfather must have kidnapped you again because he¡¯d nevere himself."


    "He did. He came himself this time." Ye Jie answered. "You said you¡¯ll go back to your golden cage after looking for something."


    "I will. I just haven¡¯t found what I¡¯m looking for." Ru spoke in a serious voice losing her earlier yfulness.


    "What are you looking for?"


    "My memories!" Ru replied to his question and closed the door of the cabin again.


    It was really weird. One might ask what was weird? Ye Jie would answer, their friendship. He met her identally. They had been through so much together and yet they never could break off their friendship.


    He asked himself earlier in the night, ¡¯Was he really a friend?¡¯ The answer was yes! He was the friend who saw his best friend in her most vulnerable state. He could never forget the time when he almost lost her right before his eyes. He was a friend who was asked to remind her that she was born as a leader.


    He surely knew how to mess up everything and yet she always knew how to fix everything. He really was tired of lying to his own master that his dear ¡¯grandson¡¯ Ru is dead. He was gonna sit inside the car when Ru opened the door again and shouted, "Mr. Ye Jie, don¡¯t take your sweet time in bing Mr. Zhu Jie! It¡¯s about time for you to stop running." Ru closed the door shut and Ye Jie got inside the car to see Xu Mey fast asleep in her seat.


    He covered her with a nket and drove the car out of there.

 Chapter 244 - Karma Sure Caught Up To You

    Early in the next morning, there was an uproar on the news channels since Lu Insurancepany had been used of embezzlements, tax evasions, and moneyundering. It was like a storm had struck the 30-year-oldpany overnight.


    While the outside world was specting about the means that destroyed Lu Family, inside the hospital VIP ward, a man was seated beside a hospital bed.


    On the bedid a frail girl who seemed to have lost her vitality during the course of a single night. When the man beside her saw her move a bit, he didn¡¯t show any sign of happiness. His face still had no expressions but his bright eyes couldn¡¯t conceal the hidden sadness in them.


    The girl¡¯s eyes fluttered a bit before she opened them slowly. Seeing the man sitting by her bedside, she asked, "Shuang Ge, why are you here?"


    Fu Shuang gave her a lopsided smile before he spoke, "I had to congratte you. So, I decided to stay by your side."


    "Congratte?" Xu Liqing¡¯s mind hadn¡¯t conceived the entire situation yet as she was still a bit dizzy.


    Fu Shuang stood upnguidly and turned on the huge t screen tv in her private hospital room. Every channel still was broadcasting the scenes from her wedding along with how she turned out to be a psycho maniac.


    Xu Liqing looked petrified as she felt anger searing inside of her. She tried to get up but realized that her wrists were tied to the bed. "What is this? Who dared to tie me? Don¡¯t they know who I am? I¡¯m Xu Liqing!"


    Her screams were akin to an annoying bee that kept buzzing near Fu Shuang¡¯s ear making him frustrated. "Shut up!" He finally roared to make her quiet. "I¡¯m not even done with my good news for you. And you¡¯re already acting this excitedly." Obviously, he was mocking her without any care.


    He came closer to her side and leaned a bit toe face-to-face as he whispered, "Congrats, little cousin! You¡¯re gonna be a mommy soon."


    Xu Liqing was beyond shocked as his words registered in her brain but Fu Shuang didn¡¯t stop his verbal attack. "Poor you! Your husband is close to being a beggar and you are about to be under doctors strict supervision." Xu Liqing kept staring at him in shock. Her mind was reeling as she couldn¡¯t absorb any word that came out of his mouth.


    "No... I can¡¯t be pregnant... No, no... I don¡¯t want this child!" She shook her head in disbelief as she kept mumbling hysterically. Who would want Lu Ge¡¯s child? Especially after what happenedst night? Wouldn¡¯t she be an even biggerughing stock for people? She tried to il her hands but the belts were tied tightly to her wrists retraining her movements.


    "At this point, you can¡¯t do anything."


    "What do you mean?" She asked.


    "The doctors said that since you fell from the stage today, you have already harmed your child and since you¡¯re over 2 months pregnant, you can¡¯t get an abortion. If you did, you¡¯ll die along with this unborn child." Fu Shuang had no sympathy in his voice or expressions since he really felt nothing inside. He had tried to save this little cousin of his but she still chose the path that she shouldn¡¯t have.


    "What?!" Xu Liqing eximed. "How is it over 2 months? That¡¯s impossible! You¡¯re lying to me!"


    "Neither I have a wish to lie to you nor any reason whatsoever. Also, you have tried to assault your sister before the guests and that¡¯s why now, you¡¯re gonna have to say under doctors strict supervision." He turned to leave but stopped as he said, "Karma sure caught up to you."


    Suddenly, Xu Liqingughed out loud but Fu Shuang wasn¡¯t surprised at all. "You always wanted this. Didn¡¯t you? Shuang Ge, you¡¯re my cousin and yet you have always taken that b*tch¡¯ side." Fu Shuang knew who she was talking about and because of that he walked back to her side and delivered a resounding p on her face.


    "I had to be on her side since you even snatched her father from her. And what else? You actually tried to kill her! That¡¯s not a small matter!" He was raging with fury but he still was trying hard not to let his inner beast strangle this cousin of his. "I can¡¯t even believe that you¡¯re my cousin. I¡¯m actually ashamed to even see her again because of you. If you and aunt didn¡¯t y any tricks, I¡¯d have never lost her."


    "But you were supposed to stay as my Ge-Ge, not hers?!" Xu Liqing shrieked again in exasperation.


    "How can you say I¡¯m your Ge-Ge when you snatched your Ge-Ge¡¯s biggest wish in this life? I¡¯ve loved her from the moment she walked into my life and yet you pushed her far away from me." Tears had started pooling up in his eyes and the rims of his eyes got red. "I will never forgive you for anything that you did to her. And most importantly, I won¡¯t forgive you for breaking my beautiful dream of a lifetime."


    Xu Liqing kept staring at him with indignance. She hated it when Fu Shuang prioritized Xu Mey over her. She hated the fact that he loved Xu Mey so much.


    "I have another good news for you." Xu Liqing had lost the energy or interest to listen to him anymore. Therefore, she didn¡¯t react at all. "Because of your attack, your mom is in aa." Xu Liqing¡¯s eyes widened up as her heart shook.


    "What? What did you say?" She asked as her voice wavered. She thought she heard him wrong. How could her mother be in aa? She must be fine. At least, her mother had to be there for her!


    "I said, you¡¯re responsible for your mother¡¯s condition." Fu Shuang smiled in a sickly sweet way at the end of his speech.


    "How can you even be okay right now? That¡¯s not just my mother. She¡¯s your aunt as well!" Xu Liqing looked at Fu Shuang in disgust.


    "Haha..." Fu Shuangughed a bit before saying, "Even my father is not gonna acknowledge her as his sister, why would I bother with such thick skinned rtives? You and aunt, both had this daying from the moment aunt broke a marriage with her schemes." With these parting words, Fu Shuang didn¡¯t bother to stick around and left the hospital immediately.


    Walking out of the hospital, Fu Shuang looked up at the clear blue sky and whispered softly,


    "Today is the day I say goodbye,


    I had it longing my way


    But my heart was in denial


    While my soul was on fire


    How can one say goodbye to the memories


    The ones which I kept engraved for so long


    How can this world be cruel enough to tear us apart


    When it was the memories that held me all along


    Today, I say goodbye to you my first love


    Cause this pain is something I can¡¯t get rid of..."


    Fu Shuang wiped a single tear at the edge of his eye and trudged towards his car.

 Chapter 245 - The Parting Gift

    Xu Mey woke up quitete in the morning. She rubbed her eyes and the events ofst night yed before her eyes one-by-one. While she was gathering her thoughts, the bedroom door was pushed open and Ye Jie walked in with a small table full of food.


    "Finally, you¡¯re up! I thought you were nning on sleeping for the whole day." He said flippantly with a beautiful smile on his face.


    Xu Mey kept staring at him for a while as her mind was thinking of many things. But she only had one question to ask. "How long have you known my sensei?"


    Hearing her groggy voice, Ye Jie sighed and sat down on the bed right in front of her. "We have been friends for about 22 years now."


    "22?" Xu Mey was surprised by this piece of information. "That¡¯s a long time, eh!"


    Ye Jie chuckled at her words. "That¡¯s indeed been long enough."


    "So, you guys must be like bros now, right?" Xu Mey asked curiously.


    "Bros?" Ye Jie thought about the time when he met Ru. Indeed, he thought he found a bro for himself who knew after five years, he¡¯d receive a huge blow when that bro turned out to be a ¡¯girl¡¯! "Yeah, very close bros actually." Both stayed quiet for a moment before Ye Jie asked, "Don¡¯t you have any other question?"


    Xu Mey pondered a bit and shook her head, "Nope! I¡¯m good." Ye Jie was surprised but as he expected Xu Mey couldn¡¯t stop her curiosity at all. "So, do you know anything about sensei that I don¡¯t?"


    Ye Jie ruffled her bed hair making them an even bigger mess. "There is a lot that you don¡¯t know about your sensei." ¡¯Your sensei being a female would be at the top of the list.¡¯ He didn¡¯t say thest words.


    "For instance? Can¡¯t you share some secrets with your baby?" Xu Mey blinked her eyes giving him an innocent look.


    "Mm..." Ye Jie thought about the secrets of his best friend and realized that the list was too long. "Well, your sensei is a foodie you must know already, right?" Xu Mey nodded her head vigorously. That she sure knew. "But do you know that your sensei is an even bigger fan of sweets than the food itself?"


    Xu Mey raised her brows. "Really? I have never seen him eat any sweets."


    "Also, your sensei doesn¡¯t like mobile phones at all."


    "Huh? Why?"


    "Because baby, he says that every problem in the modern age is created by this mobile phone."


    "I knew he¡¯s weird. Never thought he was this weird." Xu Mey remarked.


    "Now, finish your breakfast. Fast. I¡¯ll share more some other time." Ye Jie left her to eat her breakfast and went to his study downstairs.


    Xu Mey was delighted to see her favorite food on the table and dug in. As if a reminder made her look for her phone and she immediately looked up the hot topics.


    A triumphant smile bloomed on her face as she saw how Lu Insurance Company was left with no way out. She had no doubt in her sensei¡¯s capabilities at all but she was still impressed, to say the least.


    While she was enjoying her breakfast and online news, her phone rang.


    "Hello!"


    "Xiao Mey, I have a piece of news for you." Her father, Xu Cheng¡¯s voice came from the other side.


    "What is it, dad?" Her way of speaking with him had drastically changed even without her knowing it.


    "Xu Liqing is pregnant. Also, she can¡¯t abort the child at this point because ofplications," this news came as a surprise even for her. ¡¯Looks like even the heaven is working against Liqing now.¡¯ she thought to herself.


    "Also, Fu Lan is in aa because of the vase that Xu Liqing attacked her with. She was in the surgery till morning but the doctors said that her chances of waking up are very bleak for now." Xu Cheng exined the whole situation to Xu Mey.


    "So, what I heard was right. A person always receives his punishment right in this world. One way or another." Xu Mey spoke out softly as if talking to herself.


    "For now, you can say that heaven is on your side." Xu Cheng replied to her tenderly.


    "Heaven is sure on my side since I have so many people to love me." Xu Mey truly felt like that she was blessed to have so many people who warmed her world. She shouldn¡¯t have spent her life ignoring this fact.


    She always thought that it was her drive for hate that pushed her to live and be strong but today, she felt like it was always the love of people who encouraged her to live. And to fight. But until now, she had been fighting for herself. It was time to fight for those people who loved her.


    "Also, I don¡¯t know if it matters to you or not but Fu Shuang is leaving the country for good." Xu Cheng informed her before saying, "I thought you should know that." And he hung up the phone.


    "Huh? That jerk, Master Shuang is again leaving without a goodbye. Such a hateful person he is!" Xu Mey grumbled to herself and in her grumbling, she saw that her phone had a voice message that she received early in the morning.


    She clicked on the y button and Fu Shuang¡¯s voice was heard. "Hey, little Mey! Guess where am I? No? Okay. I¡¯ll tell you myself. I¡¯m at the airport waiting to board the ne. This time I really wanted to see you before leaving but..." His voice broke and Xu Mey thought she heard a sniffle. "I don¡¯t have the courage to see you. Not just because of my foolish rtives. Also, because I think I won¡¯t be able to say goodbye to your face. You do know that I have loved you, right?" Xu Mey nodded listening to this voice as if he was right before her. She knew very well that he loved her.


    "I still do and that¡¯s the only right I want from you. Please, don¡¯t ask me to stop loving you! I might not even be able to take my next breath if you didn¡¯t allow me the right to love you..." This time, Xu Mey was sure that he was crying since his voice had gotten heavy. "And don¡¯t worry, I won¡¯t ask you to love me. Although I want to snatch you away from Ye Jie, I know he is still right for you. Sorry for everything that you had to go through because of my blood rtives and farewell. I¡¯m not sure if I¡¯ll ever want toe back here. I¡¯ve lost my reasons. Goodbye, and take care!"


    Xu Mey hadplicated feelings in her heart as she clutched the phone tightly in her hand. How could one allow the other to love all alone knowing that this love might kill him? But it was the first time, Fu Shuang had asked for something from her. Therefore, she decided to give it to him as the parting gift.

 Chapter 246 - Biggest Duffer

    -Two Weeks Later-


    Although the news about Xu Liqing¡¯s wedding incidents had vanished from the news channels, there was no one in the elite circle who wasn¡¯t gossiping about it.


    Xu Liqing was kept in istion to not let her harm anyone. The doctors have imed that she had an unstable mental state and that¡¯s why she was under strict supervision. While her mother, Fu Lan was still in aa. The doctors weren¡¯t very hopeful about her condition.


    But neither the Fu family showed any concern about these two nor the Xu family. After the night of the incident, Xu Cheng didn¡¯t evene to check up on their condition.


    But he had genuine reasons for that. The Xu Corporation had fallen into chaos after everything that came to light about Xu Liqing. Thepany¡¯s shares dropped since their reputation took a huge blow.


    Xu Cheng had been busy trying to solve everything in the previous weeks.


    "Sir, Old master asked to see you in his study," the maidservant informed Xu Cheng when he came home that night.


    "Father, you want to discuss something," Xu Cheng entered the study room of his father and asked.


    "I have invited Xiao Mey for lunch tomorrow. You better be there." Grandfather Xu informed his son.


    Xu Cheng frowned, not knowing the intention of his father at all. But since he had already invited Xu Mey, Xu Cheng had no reason to argue. If nothing else, he thought he¡¯ll have some time to spend with his daughter.


    On the next day, the entire Xu Residence was engaged in preparing for the lunch since the early morning. One could say that it had been decades since thest time Xu Residence was this lively. Grandfather Xu had been ordering people around to make everything perfect and Xu Cheng was not at all surprised to see his father¡¯s vigor.


    Around half past twelve, Xu Mey arrived at the Xu Residence but she came alone. After hugging his favorite granddaughter, grandfather Xu questioned, "Where is your husband?"


    "Ah-Jie had some important matter at hand." Xu Mey answered with a warm smile on her face.


    "Come join us inside," Xu Cheng gestured for his daughter toe inside and when Xu Mey took a few steps further inside, she couldn¡¯t help but be surprised.


    "Dad, what happened to the house?" She noticed how the entire interior seemed different than thest time she visited. And oddly, seeing thebination of nature and art, Xu Mey was sure that it couldn¡¯t be Fu Lan¡¯s choice at all.


    "Ah, this... I asked some people to change the interior. The old one reminded me too much of the woman who I wish neveres back to my life." Xu Cheng replied nonchntly.


    Xu Mey nodded her head but didn¡¯tment further. After they settled in the sitting area, Xu Mey turned to her grandfather, "Grandfather, why did you call for me? Is there something wrong?"


    Grandfather Xu sighed heavily. "Have you heard about the predicaments of Xu Corporations?"


    "Naturally... I believe everyone knows about it by now." Xu Mey answered and picked up a ss of juice for herself.


    "I want you to join thepany." Xu Mey spurted out the red grapes juice in her mouth and started coughing profusely.


    "Xiao Mey? Are you okay?" Xu Cheng rubbed her back to soothe her. The words of his father were also very surprising for him but he didn¡¯t mind it at all. Originally, Xu Mey was the true heir of their family business.


    "I¡¯m fine, dad." Xu Mey assured her father and he stopped stroking her back. Then she turned to her grandfather again, "Grandfather... I don¡¯t even have any shares in thepany."


    Grandfather Xu scowled clearly unhappy with her words. "Who said that? The rightful heir doesn¡¯t have any shares? Does that even make sense?" Xu Mey¡¯s brows knitted together but before she could argue, grandfather Xu continued, "You silly granddaughter of mine! You had been the biggest shareholder of Xu Corporation from the moment you took your first breath."


    "What?" Xu Mey¡¯s eyes widened and she kept gaping.


    Grandfather Xu patted her head saying, "Grandfather had already signed off his shares to you when you were born as for your father, even he gave you half of his shares but to hide this fact from Fu Lan, your dad kept your shares under a false identity."


    Xu Mey tilted her head to look at her father smiling tenderly at her. "Xiao Mey, to be honest, there is no-one who can possibly challenge your authority in the wholepany."


    ¡¯What the hell? Why was I fighting for this long then? I wanted to seize thepany since I didn¡¯t have any shares in it. But who knew that I¡¯d turn out be the biggest duffer for not knowing that thepany was already mine, to begin with!¡¯ Xu Mey had the urge to facepalm herself but because of her father and grandfather¡¯s presence, she restrained herself from doing so.


    "But dad and grandfather, what if the board members didn¡¯t agree with your decision. After all, they don¡¯t know me." Xu Mey voiced out her fears.


    "Aiyoh! Our Xiao Mey has nothing to worry about. Those members could have argued until they didn¡¯t know that you¡¯re the president of Vintage Gems. Now, that the world knows it, they have nothing to use against you." Xu Cheng stroked her hair affectionately. "Also, even if they did question your talent, you can shut their mouths with your work and strength."


    "Then it¡¯s decided. This Monday, we¡¯ll be appointing you as the CEO of thepany." Xu Mey didn¡¯t know how to react to this news. This was it! She had worked for so long to get her right in Xu Corporation and finally, she was getting what she wanted. Or perhaps, even more than what she wanted or needed.


    "Do you both have faith in me?" Xu Mey asked a bit emotionally.


    "We have full faith in you. After all, you are part of the Xu family. Business is in our blood from generations." Hearing her father¡¯s words and seeing the trust in her grandfather¡¯s eyes, Xu Mey was too overwhelmed with emotions. She hugged both men beside her.


    "Thank you! Both of you. I won¡¯t let you down at any cost. As for this small crisis, this is no big deal for your Xiao Mey." Xu Mey praised her own self shamelessly making them chuckle along with herself.


    "Old master, the lunch is prepared." Hearing the maidservant¡¯s voice, Xu Mey pulled away from their embrace.


    "Let¡¯s go and eat. I¡¯m famished!" Xu Mey excitedly announced and hooked her arms with theirs. She pulled them both to the dining room with herself with a goofy smile on her face.


    Today, she really felt like she was home. The home where her grandfather doted on her beyondpare and where her father always scolded her for making a mistake. She¡¯d be lying if she said that she didn¡¯t miss these moments with her father or grandfather. They both were the only blood rtive she had and they mattered a lot to her.

 Chapter 247 - Big Sister

    The lunch was more than just a joyous asion. It was the moments that Xu Mey spentughing and talking with her father and grandfather without hiding herself behind any facade.


    Seeing herughing so contently, Xu Cheng couldn¡¯t stop the tears that had pooled up in his eyes. He was lost in his own thoughts with a tender smile on his middle-aged face.


    Xu Mey saw her father wiping his tears and asked anxiously, "Dad, why are you crying?"


    "Nothing..." Xu Cheng shook his head but Xu Mey wasn¡¯t convinced at all.


    "What nothing? Something must be up? Otherwise, why would a fully grown man like yourself cry?"


    Xu Cheng patted her head like a little kid and said, "I¡¯m crying because I¡¯m really happy seeing youugh freely. These are the tears of joy."


    "Aiyo! Dad, you should get used to thisugh now since your daughter is not nning on losing it again."


    "Oh, really? And what made my Xiao Mey decide this?" Xu Cheng asked curiously.


    "Mm... Someone recently reminded that I should start living for love in my life instead of hate. And since I have so much in my life, why would I be sad? I¡¯ll onlyugh now." Xu Cheng was happy hearing that from his daughter. And something in him knew about the person who must have said those words to her.


    Until today, he didn¡¯t know how to thank that person who became the guardian angel of his daughter.


    Xu Mey was nning on staying for the night but then she received a text and decided to leave. She hugged them goodbye and walked out of the Xu Residence.


    Coming out, she caught sight of a silhouette that seemed to have been lurking around the mansion. Xu Mey didn¡¯t open the door of her car and walked towards the shadow that she had seen.


    Outside the main gate, there seemed to be a young man pacing back and forth while he kept biting his nails nervously.


    "Can I help you with anything, Mr?" Hearing Xu Mey¡¯s voice, the young man jumped up a bit.


    "Ah! You scared me!" Xu Mey heard his polished voice. And when he lifted his face to look back at Xu Mey, she was startled.


    Looking into his dark eyes, for a second she had an illusion as if she was looking at her own reflection. She shook her head to get rid of such absurd thoughts.


    "Why are you hanging around my house?" Xu Mey asked the question for which she came to him.


    "Oh, you live here?" He asked in return.


    "Not anymore but still, it¡¯s my father¡¯s house." Xu Mey replied calmly staring at the man before her. He had a strange boyish charm to himself. And yet he seemed refined, responsible, and spirited.


    Just like Xu Mey was surveying him, he was trying to read Xu Mey as well. "You¡¯re Ms. Xu Mey, right?" Xu Mey raised her brow at him.


    "How do you know? Are you a stalker?" Xu Mey narrowed her eyes at him as if trying to intimidate him.


    But for some odd reason, he smiled beautifully giving Xu Mey another jolt. "I¡¯m not a stalker. You have been all over the news. Showing off with your husband." Was he being sarcastic? She couldn¡¯t tell. "Also, I¡¯m your new neighbor. I just moved into that house two days ago." He pointed at the house right opposite of Xu Residence.


    "If you¡¯re a neighbor, why were you lurking around my house?" Xu Mey didn¡¯t forget to interrogate him again. Perhaps, staying with her sensei had made her paranoid. She was always suspicious of people.


    "About that..." He scratched the back of his head awkwardly. "I was nning on introducing myself to my new neighbors. But I thought you rich people might not like that. So, I was in a bit of a dilemma."


    His exnation seemed reasonable to Xu Mey and she couldn¡¯t question him further. "Well, since you¡¯re a neighbor. Let¡¯s introduce each other officially. Although you already know, I¡¯ll still tell you, I¡¯m Xu Mey."


    She extended her hand and he looked at it for a moment before holding it in his own. "Hi! Ms. Xu Mey. I¡¯m your new neighbor. You can just call me Kaden." Xu Mey felt a little strange when his hand touched her own. Almost like, he was someone very close to her. As if, she knew him.


    But she was sure that she would have remembered such a handsome guy if she had evere across him. So, she concluded that she was overthinking.


    "You¡¯re not from here?" Xu Mey asked this question, not because of his name but rather because of his mannerism. He was refined and civilized but it still showed that he grew up elsewhere.


    He smiled and answered, "No... I grew up in States with my mother."


    "Who else lives in your house?" Kaden seemed curious but he was acting nonchntly. "I mean I should know this much about my neighbors, right?"


    Xu Mey didn¡¯t think much about his question and told him, "My father lives here. But for now, grandfather is also staying."


    "That¡¯s it?" Xu Mey frowned at his question.


    "Yeah! That¡¯s it. Who else will be there?"


    "No... I mean, you mother or siblings..." He didn¡¯t continue his sentence.


    "Well, I don¡¯t have a mother and certainly not any siblings." She scowled and said, "Now, if you¡¯ll excuse me, I have to leave." She turned to leave.


    "Okay... Nice to meet your Ms. Xu!" Xu Mey heard his voice from behind but didn¡¯t stop to reply.


    She got into her car and drove out of the Xu Residence but on the road, she stopped the car beside Kaden. Rolling the window pane down, she said, "It was a pleasure meeting you too Kaden." With that, the car revved on the road leaving Kaden behind with his eyes stuck to her car and a gentle feeling visible in his eyes.


    "It was indeed a pleasure meeting you, big sister!" He whispered softly and walked towards his house.

 Chapter 248 - I know Im hot

    "Ah-Jie, what are you doing?" When Xu Mey came back home she saw Ye Jie pacing back and forth in the living room. He seemed to be so immersed in his thoughts that he didn¡¯t even notice Xu Mey¡¯s presence at all.


    "Oh... Hey, baby! When did you get back?" Ye Jie asked trying his best to smile but couldn¡¯t seem to do so very convincingly.


    "Why are you so... red?" Xu Mey instantly came up to him and ced the back of her hand against his forehead to take his temperature. "Ah! You¡¯re hot." She moved her hand away as if it was burned.


    "You don¡¯t have topliment me all the time." Xu Mey frowned at his reply as he grabbed her waist and said, "I know I¡¯m hot."


    Xu Mey rolled her eyes at him and pped his chest. "Ah-Jie, I meant it literally. You¡¯re burning up. Let¡¯s go to the hospital."


    Xu Mey tried to pull him but he didn¡¯t move an inch making Xu Mey groan. "Baby, I¡¯m fine. I¡¯ll take some meds and it¡¯ll get better. Don¡¯t worry too much." Xu Mey wasn¡¯t convinced at all. Ye Jie stroked her hair lovingly and changed the topic of discussion. "So, why did your grandfather call you?"


    "Oh, that!" Xu Mey grinned widely and went on, "Grandfather is appointing me as the CEO of the Xu Corporation." Ye Jie wasn¡¯t surprised, he only smiled seeing her happy face. "Also, did you know that I¡¯m the biggest duffer who didn¡¯t even know that she is the biggest shareholder of Xu Corporation."


    And just like that Xu Mey kept chattering all about her day as she was snuggled up in his arms. Ye Jie, on the other hand, didn¡¯t mind at all. He loved hearing her non-stop chatter. Her voice was making him smile without any reason at all.


    During the dinner, taking advantage of her silence, Ye Jie asked, "Are you happy with your grandfather¡¯s arrangement?"


    "Mm... Yup! I¡¯m very happy actually. It¡¯s almost like I finally achieved what I had been working for." Hearing those words from her, Ye Jie naturally felt at ease and didn¡¯t say anything else.


    After the dinner, Xu Mey checked his fever and gave him some meds since he didn¡¯t want to go to a hospital for just a minor fever.


    The next morning, when Xu Mey woke up, she realized that Ye Jie was shivering. She immediately checked his temperature and realized that he had a high fever.


    "Ah-Jie! Ah-Jie!" Xu Mey tried to wake him up but Ye Jie wasn¡¯t responding. "I don¡¯t even know what to do!" She was mumbling anxiously and decided to take him to the hospital some way.


    She called the housemaid and with her help, she managed to take Ye Jie to the hospital. After the doctors checked him up, she asked, "Is he alright? Why is the fever so high? I gave him the medsst night but it didn¡¯t work at all."


    "Rx! Miss. He seems to be under some stress and his body is quite tired as well. Proper diet and rest will make him fit in no time. You don¡¯t worry." The doctor consoled Xu Mey and left her alone with Ye Jie.


    Ye Jie stayed unconscious till nightfall and when he woke up, he saw Xu Mey holding his hand as she sat by the bedside. "Hey!" He called out in his hoarse voice.


    "Ah-Jie!" Xu Mey shot up from her seat and hugged him. "You fool! You scared the hell out of me. I told youst night toe to the hospital with me. But no... You don¡¯t listen. You never listen to me. I am the idiot who¡¯s been worrying for no reason." Xu Mey keptining and Ye Jie kept listening obediently.


    He never thought that being scolded felt this good. He was smiling to himself when Xu Mey¡¯s anger went up a notch. "What¡¯s so funny? Your condition or me? Oh, it must be me, right? After all, you have a clown like wife. Perhaps that¡¯s why you don¡¯t ever listen to me." She huffed and turned her face away from him.


    Seeing her arms crossed over her chest and her cute cheeks puffed up with anger. Ye Jie surely was amused.


    "Aiyo! Baby, if I won¡¯t listen to you then who else will I listen to? And this is only a minor thing. Why are you worrying so much?" Ye Jie tried to coax her a bit.


    "Ah-Jie, this is no small thing-" Before she could continue her lecture. The doctor came to check up on Ye Jie¡¯s condition.


    "You¡¯re recovering well." The doctor remarked after looking at his stats.


    "Can I leave the hospital?" Ye Jie asked ignoring Xu Mey¡¯s re.


    "Yes... Just take your medicine on time and everything will be fine. Also, rest is the most important here." The doctor gave some other bits of advice before leaving.


    "Let¡¯s go. I don¡¯t fancy hospitals very much." Ye Jie said getting ready to leave the hospital. Xu Mey didn¡¯t agree with his decision but Ye Jie was also adamant. "Baby, you can nag me. You can tie me up to bed. But please, let¡¯s leave the hospital. Eh?"


    Xu Mey scowled a bit but in the end, gave in to his decision. "Fine," she grumbled and did all the discharge work.


    While she was driving, her phone rang. "Ah-Jie, read out the message."


    Ye Jie picked her phone and checked the messages. He raised his brows as he saw that the sender¡¯s name was, Uncle Chen.


    He looked at Xu Mey and clicked on the message. He started reading it out, "Xiao Mey, where are you? Have you forgotten? You were supposed to bring the anniversary gift to me today. I¡¯ve been calling you all day. Please, hurry! Only 2 hours are left before midnight."


    Xu Mey instinctively stepped on the break and cursed out loud, "Sh*t! I totally forgot about that." She looked at Ye Jie and said, "Let¡¯s go to deliver the gift first. I¡¯ll bete if we went home first."


    Ye Jie was in a daze but he still managed to nod his head. ¡¯I guess the fate is really pushing me to the people, I¡¯m trying to run away from.¡¯

 Chapter 249 - Ye Jie Is Sick

    Ye Jie was in his own thoughts and didn¡¯t even realize that Xu Mey had brought him to the He family home. While she ran inside the house, Ye Jie decided to take his time. He wasn¡¯t eager to go inside. Or was he? Perhaps he was! But he couldn¡¯t decide at the moment.


    The reason for his stress had been this family in the first ce. He couldn¡¯t decide whether he wanted toe clean or not? One thing was sure, he had a jumbled up mind.


    "Uncle Chen!" Xu Mey called out to Zhu Chen as soon as her eyes caught sight of him. "I¡¯m really sorry. Ah-Jie was in the hospital and it totally skipp-"


    "Ye Jie is in the hospital? Why didn¡¯t you inform us? Which hospital? Tell me," Zhu Chen instantly forgot all about the gift in Xu Mey¡¯s hand. It didn¡¯t matter at the moment.


    Xu Mey was surprised to see his flustered look. "Calm down, uncle Chen! Ah-Jie is fine now. He had a bit of a fever. He¡¯s absolutely fine now. He¡¯s in the car outside."


    "Oh, really? I should check his fever myself." Zhu Chen mumbled to himself and ran out of the house to see Ye Jie. Xu Mey was left alone to look at his disappearing figure.


    She was frowning when she heard the voice from behind, "Xiao Mey, when did youe?"


    "Huh? Oh, I just arrived." Xu Mey said distractedly and pulled out a small box from her jacket. "Here. This one is yours."


    He Susu looked at the small box and took it from her hand. She opened it and was surprised. "Xiao Mey, I asked you for a pocket watch. But this is a doublepel broach for men."


    "Oh, about that... Auntie Su, you had been away from the country so it might have slipped from your mind but watches are a taboo gift in our culture. You know it brings bad luck and people avoid using it as gifts. I wanted to inform you about changing the gift but honestly, I was too busy with stuff." Xu Mey exined everything in a single breath making He Susu chuckle.


    "It¡¯s alright. This is also very beautiful and the way you used maple leaf design along with these gems is a masterpiece. I love it. And I¡¯m sure my Chen will also love it." He Susu was quite satisfied with the gift in her hand. She was very touched that Xu Mey even took notice of the fact that watches should not be given as presents. It¡¯s ominous but He Susupletely had forgotten about it.


    Outside the house, Ye Jie was walking slowly when Zhu Chen almost ran out of the doors. "Ye Jie, are you fine? Come inside, let me check your temperature. How can you get sick like this at such an age? You should take more care of yourself. You¡¯re a fully grown man, does it make sense that fever got stronger than you?" He was nagging and Ye Jie didn¡¯t know what to do about it.


    Zhu Chen didn¡¯t even give Ye Jie a single chance to say anything in his defense. He kept dragging Ye Jie inside the house. "Dr. Chen, I¡¯m absolutely fine now. I just overtired myself. You don¡¯t have to worry at all. This is an important time for you. Your anniversary is tomorrow. You should be with your wife right now."


    "How can any celebration be more important than your life? We¡¯ll do a proper checkup and then we¡¯ll decide about the further actions." Zhu Chen spoke sternly making Ye Jie sit quietly.


    ¡¯Huh? Was my fever more important? How? When did that happen?¡¯ Ye Jie thought to himself.


    "Elder sister, bring me my bag!" Zhu Chen yelled and after a while, Zhu Qinyang came with his bag.


    "Why do you need it at this time?" Zhu Qinyang asked looking at her brother sternly.


    "Ye Jie is sick." He replied and took the bag from her.


    "Aiyo! What happened?" Zhu Qinyang sat beside Ye Jie and kept asking him about how it happened. "Why didn¡¯t Xiao Mey even inform us?"


    "It¡¯s a small matter. That¡¯s why she didn¡¯t disturb you guys." Ye Jie defended his wife as he was really stuck between these people.


    "The B.P is a bit low and temperature isn¡¯t gone yet. You need plenty of rest. Elder sister, ask someone to clean up the guest room. He¡¯ll be staying here. And also, ask the maids to make some porridge for him." He stopped to think before adding, "Forget it, I¡¯ll go myself to make the arrangements for the room and you should make the porridge yourself."


    "You guys don¡¯t-" Before Ye Jie¡¯s word could leave his mouth, Zhu Chen cut him off.


    "You young man just stay still. We¡¯ll be right back." With that, Zhu Chen went upstairs.


    "I¡¯ll be back with some porridge for you." Zhu Qinyang smiled affectionately at him and patted his head like a kid before standing up to leave.


    "What are they doing? It¡¯s just a bit of a fever." Ye Jie whispered to himself. But he¡¯d be lying if he said that he didn¡¯t like this all. It was rare for him to see someone taking this much care of him.


    While Zhu Qinyang was running to make the porridge she bumped into He Susu. "Sis, why are you running?"


    "Su, Ye Jie has a fever and I¡¯m going to make some porridge for him." Zhu Qinyang answered in a hurry.


    "What? Where is he?" He Susu asked in a fluster.


    "He¡¯s in the living room." Then Zhu Qinyang turned to Xu Mey who was walking towards them and said, "You! Xiao Mey, I¡¯ll talk to youter. In detail at that too." Xu Mey felt the hidden anger in her voice and gulped.


    "What did I do?" Xu Mey asked but no-one was around to solve her confusion since both the women had left her alone in the hallway.


    She trudged towards the living room after shrugging her shoulders and to see the sight before her, she was stunned.

 Chapter 250 - Schemer

    In the living room before her, Ye Jie was sitting with an awkward smile on his face while He Susu kept asking him all sorts of questions.


    "Are youfortable?"


    "Do you need anything?"


    "You must be really tired."


    "Aiyo! You should take care of yourself. How can you be so careless with your health?"


    "I should make some soup for you as well."


    At this point, the only person doing the talking was He Susu herself. The sight was very beautiful and warm for Xu Mey. ¡¯Mothers really have a thing for worrying.¡¯ She thought to herself and kept looking at the mother-son pair before her. ¡¯Aiyo! Ah-Jie, if only you stop being such a coward than I think this mother would dly give her life to you.¡¯ But she could only shake her head in disappointment.


    "Oh, Ah-Jie, let¡¯s go home now!" Xu Mey announced as she walked up to both of them.


    "O-" Ye Jie¡¯s ¡¯okay¡¯ was still in his mouth when Zhu Chen¡¯s voice rang out. "No-one¡¯s leaving tonight. Ye Jie needs plenty of rest. I have made the arrangements, he¡¯ll be staying for the night."


    Xu Mey stared at him with her mouth agape and darted her eyes towards Ye Jie as if asking, ¡¯When was this decided?¡¯


    And Ye Jie seemed to be replying, ¡¯Noments!¡¯


    "Uncle Chen, we don¡¯t want to disturb you guys at all," Xu Mey tried to speak but it didn¡¯t seem to work at all.


    "Don¡¯t worry at all! No-one¡¯s disturbing anyone here. Both of you go upstairs to the room. No more discussion." Zhu Chen was adamant on his decision.


    "Chen is right! You both are staying. Just go upstairs." Even He Susu was taking his side but then again one can¡¯t possibly me her, she¡¯s a wife and a wife should always be by her husband¡¯s side.


    Xu Mey and Ye Jie shared a look and groaned defeatedly. Why are these old people so intimidating?


    Xu Mey helped Ye Jie to the room upstairs and sat down on the bed beside him.


    "How did they know about my fever?" Ye Jie asked.


    "It just slipped from my tongue, how would I know that they¡¯d react like this." Xu Mey answered exasperatedly.


    Ye Jie was kneading his temples when the voice came, "Do you have a headache? Chen, go and get some painkiller for him." Zhu Qinyang shouted to get her brother¡¯s attention.


    "No, no... It¡¯s not a headache. I¡¯m fine." Ye Jie was even getting tired of saying ¡¯I¡¯m fine¡¯ at the moment.


    "Rx! Just eat this porridge then take the painkillers and take plenty of rest." Zhu Qinyang spoke to him like she was coaxing a little kid.


    Xu Mey decided to stay quiet before Zhu Qinyang. She definitely didn¡¯t want her to burst up, on her right before Ah-Jie.


    "Here¡¯s the painkillers." Zhu Chen gave the painkillers to his sister and stood at a side. Under the scrutinizing gazes of all these people, Ye Jie barely could swallow the porridge but he had to. None of them left the room until they were sure that he wasfortable in the bed.


    "Phew!" Ye Jie and Xu Mey heaved a sigh of relief simultaneously when they left.


    "Ah-Jie, have you seen how much they care about you? Imagine this will get to ten-folds if they got to know that you¡¯re their son." Xu Mey tried to convince Ye Jie since she had nothing better to do at the moment.


    "Baby, don¡¯t try to coax me. I have already decided to tell them everything about two weeks ago." Ye Jie told her with a smile.


    "Ah? Then the stress? Was it because of this?" Xu Mey questioned him and he nodded his head in reply making Xu Mey facepalm herself. "If you have already decided then what¡¯s the stress all about?"


    "Baby, it¡¯s not like I can get up and walk up to them toe clean. I don¡¯t even know what to say." Ye Jie raked his fingers through his hair in exasperation.


    "Seriously? Juste clean straightforwardly." Xu Mey retorted earning an ¡¯Are-you-even-serious?¡¯ look from him.


    "Right, I should go and say, Hi, Mr. and Mrs. Zhu! You see, apparently, I have your blood running through my veins. Weird, right? I mean my name is Ye Jie but I¡¯m not even sure myself about why I have a Ye in my name when I don¡¯t even have a single drop of blood from that family. Also, did I mention that I¡¯d known it from a long time that you both are my parents and yet I chose to hide it because I was scared that you would either not like me or you won¡¯t want me." Ye Jie spoke the whole thing in one go. "I can¡¯te clean like this."


    "Why not?" Xu Mey questioned. She found this very reasonable. There was no way around it. Beating around the bush would only waste the time. It was better to say it face-to-face without any fear. Matter solved!


    "And do you think that if I say it like this, they¡¯d listen to me? Why would they believe me? This is ridiculous that after 30 years a strangeres to your door to knock to say that I¡¯m your son, and you¡¯d just believe him." Ye Jie was going crazy thinking about this all. And now, he really had a headacheing.


    "Why wouldn¡¯t they?" When Xu Mey asked this question, at the same time, another voice came from the door.


    "Why wouldn¡¯t we?" Hearing that voice both Xu Mey and Ye Jie froze. They both looked at the door to see Zhu Chen and He Susu looking at them with an odd gaze.


    "Oh, Fu*k!" Xu Mey and Ye Jie cursed out loud simultaneously. ¡¯Fate sure is a schemer!¡¯ Ye Jie thought to himself.

 Chapter 251 - Overwhelming Emotions

    When Zhu Chen and He Susu were leaving earlier, suddenly He Susu decided to tell Xu Mey that the extra nket was in the cupboard as a precaution for if Ye Jie felt cold at night. But when they were about to enter the room, Xu Mey¡¯s voice was heard from inside, "Ah-Jie, have you seen how much they care about you? Imagine this will get to ten-folds if they got to know that you¡¯re their son." Both husband and wife were stunned at the spot with that statement.


    Both hadplicated feelings in their hearts as they further stayed to eavesdrop. He Susu clutched her chest when Ye Jie said that he had their blood in his veins. She didn¡¯t know what she was feeling. She just knew that she wanted to run to her son and embrace him in her arms. Her heart didn¡¯t doubt for a second that he was not her son!


    Ye Jie got off the bed and kept staring at Zhu Chen and He Susu and his mind went nk. He couldn¡¯t think of anything. He couldn¡¯t even bring himself to say anything. What was he supposed to say? He wasn¡¯t even sure about how much they heard.


    "Dr. Chen..." Ye Jie tried to say but his voice wavered at the sight of tears swimming in Zhu Chen¡¯s brown eyes.


    Xu Mey saw the staringpetition between them and decided to voice out her question, "How much did you guys hear?"


    "All of it..." Zhu Chen replied to her question and Xu Mey thought to stealthily leave them alone to talk. She had no use of staying since they had heard everything. There was no way around it. It was better to leave them alone to talk.


    When she left, Zhu Chen and He Susu slowly and carefully came closer to Ye Jie who was as still as a log. He could have gotten the award for being the best log if that kind of award ever existed. But one couldn¡¯t possibly me him.


    The feelings and emotions that he could see in their eyes were making him feel apprehensive. He Susu lifted her trembling hand to touch Ye Jie¡¯s face. "Are... Are you really my son?" Her voice choked as the tears kept trickling down her face.


    Ye Jie felt uneasy seeing those tears in her eyes. Since he was tongue-tied, he chose to nod his head. Seeing him agreeing with her statement, He Susu burst out crying as she pulled him in her arms.


    "Look, Chen! I told you that he looks like you. I told you he gives me a feeling of being mine." He Susu kept mumbling and her words made Ye Jie cry along with her.


    "Why did you hide it from us?" Zhu Chen asked as his face was also stained with tears. He had known it from the night he heard Azalea calling him as ¡¯bro¡¯. But hearing from Ye Jie¡¯s own mouth that he was their son, made a whole lot of difference. He suddenly felt being reborn.


    "I... I was scared." Ye Jie answered his question as he bit the bottom lip.


    "Why?" He Susu asked anxiously.


    "I thought you guys might not want me... I was afraid of rejection. Also, I thought you won¡¯t believe me." Zhu Chen knocked him on his head before pulling him for a tight hug.


    "Have you lost your mind? I thought you¡¯re a smart man." Zhu Chen spoke in a hoarse voice. "How could we reject our own son? As for believing you, how can you even assume that without trying? Do we look that dense to you?" Zhu Chen was reprimanding him but Ye Jie felt like smiling. It was the first time someone¡¯s tone had such care and love for him. "From the day we saw you, we had been wishing for you to be our son. Even if we didn¡¯t have a blood rtion. Su and I would still choose to have a son like you."


    Ye Jie couldn¡¯t help but cry even more at his words. Saying that they would have epted him even without any blood connection meant a huge deal.


    "Can you..." He Susu hesitated before asking, "Can you say it once? I want to hear you say it."


    Ye Jie was about to ask, ¡¯What?¡¯ when Zhu Chen answered his question, "Su wants you to make the speech that you did with Xiao Mey earlier."


    Ye Jie wiped his tears with the back of his hand and said, "Hi, Mr. and Mrs. Zhu! My name¡¯s Jie and it seems that I¡¯m your son. Now, how did that happen is out of my knowledge."


    "You¡¯re our son!" He Susu stated softly.


    "I¡¯m your son." Ye Jie followed, making He Susu smile widely with tears still running down her face.


    Ye Jie wiped her tears and didn¡¯t know what else to say. He Susu held his hand in her own and kept rubbing it as if feeling the touch. She lifted their joined hands and rubbed the back of his hand against her own cheek feeling overwhelmed all over again. She nted a soft kiss on the back of his hands.


    She was in a dilemma whether she was supposed to be happy that she found her son after 30 years or sad that she never got the chance to hold him in her arms. She considered herself to be the most unfortunate mother, who couldn¡¯t even touch her son¡¯s small hands or teach him how to walk or talk. She did nothing!


    And she couldn¡¯t even attend her own son¡¯s wedding. She didn¡¯t spend any time with him. She was a stranger to him. Just like he was to her. She didn¡¯t even know what her son liked eating. With tears of these regrets and a smile of happiness, she kept holding his hand as her other hand kept caressing his cheek.


    Zhu Chen kept staring at his son who grew up without him teaching his own son how to drink or y chess. He held He Susu¡¯s shaking shoulders to give his warmth to make her stop crying. But he was in a conflict, he couldn¡¯t stop crying himself how could he ask a mother to stop crying? Especially that mother who didn¡¯t speak for 2 years when she was told that her son was born dead.

 Chapter 252 - The Camouflage Of Deception

    When Ye Jie saw the time on the huge clock in the room, he smiled beautifully as he said, "Happy anniversary to both of you!" Both Zhu Chen and He Susu turned to look at the time. It was precisely 12:00 am. "I don¡¯t have a present for you both. So, you guys have to cut me some ck." Ye Jie was trying to ease up the intense mood in the room.


    Both He Susu and Zhu Chen chuckled at him as He Susu told him, "I have already gotten the most precious gift, tonight."


    "What¡¯s that?" Ye Jie asked curiously.


    "You!" Zhu Chen replied to his question. "Getting our son is already the best gift we can wish for."


    Ye Jie pursed his lips before his lips slowly turned upwards.


    "Look at my forgetfulness," He Susu facepalmed herself as she pushed Ye Jie back to the bed saying, "I totally forgot that you¡¯re still sick. And look at you, you¡¯ve been standing barefoot all this time. What if the fever got worse?" He Susu checked his temperature with the back of her hand.


    "I¡¯m fine really," Ye Jie had to repeat this umpteenth time but it appeared that even now, no-one cared of what he said.


    "That¡¯s for Chen to decide. He¡¯s the doctor here." He Susu told him as she tucked him under the duvet and bundled him as sushi only leaving this face out.


    Zhu Chen checked his pulse again and said, "Your fever hasn¡¯t gone down yet. You need plenty of rest. We won¡¯t disturb you for now. Go to sleep and leave all those crazy thoughts out of your mind." Ye Jie nodded his head.


    "Oh, I have to tell Azalea. She¡¯ll be so happy to know that you¡¯re her brother." He Susu announced happily. But seeing the odd expression on Ye Jie¡¯s face, she had a thought, "Does she already know?"


    Ye Jie scratched the back of his neck sheepishly. But his reaction only confirmed her suspicion. "That child! How dare she hide such a big thing from me?" He Susu suddenly raged with fury as she turned to leave.


    "Oh no! Su, stop! Calm down first," Zhu Chen tried to stop He Susu since he was the one most familiar with his wife¡¯s anger. "Let¡¯s hear him out." He suggested but He Susu wasn¡¯t nning on listening to anyone.


    Seeing her leaving with such angry vibes emitting from her, Ye Jie got anxious. He couldn¡¯t let her me Azalea for his own stubbornness. He was the one trying to hide from them. Azalea had been nagging him from the day one. But Ye Jie and his stupidck of security made him keep his mouth shut until now. His mind was reeling and in his disarrayed mind, he called out, "Mom, stop!"


    Those two words fell like a spell that had frozen He Susu to her spot. Not daring to move an inch at all. And Ye Jie continued to talk, "I asked Zelie not to tell you. I¡¯m sorry about that! But Zelie is not at fault here." He was doing a good job defending his sister. "Please, don¡¯t be angry."


    He Susu turned around and Ye Jie saw a bright smile on her face as if a rose had bloomed anew. She paced back to his bed and said, "Say it one more time!"


    Ye Jie pursed his lips but still managed to say, "Mom!"


    "I can die in peace now." He Susu palmed his face saying, "If my son will say then this mother will give her life much less forgiving Zelie." She couldn¡¯t possibly exin the feelings that she felt when she heard him call her, ¡¯mom¡¯.


    Although Zhu Chen was brooding at the side that Ye Jie didn¡¯t call him dad, he was still d that Ye Jie managed to ept He Susu as his mother subconsciously. Slowly, his son will ept everyone. He needed to stay patient.


    "Aren¡¯t we forgetting the most basic issue here?" Ye Jie voiced out his question making both He Susu and Zhu Chen look at him.


    "What issue?" Zhu Chen asked.


    "How did I be a Ye?" Listening to his question both of them went silent. That was the mystery that needed to be solved. But since both of them were too engrossed in the happiness of finding their son that they had disregarded this issue.


    Finding the real culprit of this whole mystery was the main purpose. Mysteries are always bent and twisted. It¡¯s our job to untangle the webs of secrets and camouge of deceptions to reveal the truth. Because in the end, every mystery starts with oneself and ends with oneself.


    Mysteries begins when we start questioning and turn to look for answers but mysteries only end when we understand those questions to find the answers hidden in them.


    Now, it was time to reveal some people¡¯s real face by snatching their camouge of deceptions away from them.

 Chapter 253 - Buy One, Get One

    Happinesses in different forms. But real happiness had always been hidden within ourselves. The most bizarre thing about happiness is that we tend to spend all our life looking for it elsewhere instead of finding it in our own ws and the people around us.


    Ye Jie learned the meaning of happiness when he fell in love with Xu Mey but something was missing in his life until today. He didn¡¯t realize that all this time he was breaking his own connection with his happiness by being scared of opening the doors of reality.


    After revealing every single thing, Ye Jie was feeling at peace. It was a different kind of peace. One that he hadn¡¯t felt before in his life. Even though there were questions that still needed to be answered, he was at ease. Because now, he had people who would hold his hand to support him.


    Zhu Chen and He Susu were over the moon without any doubt. This was literally the best present for both of them on their anniversary. Ye Jie slept peacefully holding his mother¡¯s hand and He Susu didn¡¯t want to close her eyes for a second. She was afraid that if she closed her eyes, this all might turn out to be just another dream.


    And she didn¡¯t have the courage to bear to let it be merely a dream. And if it was really a dream, she would dly want to live it for the rest of her life.


    The following morning, the He Family house was in an uproar. The news of Ye Jie being the son of Zhu Chen and He Susu spread like a wildfire.


    Zhu Qinyang was so happy that she couldn¡¯t stop her tears from falling and Xu Mey was shocked to see that. She always thought that He Jian¡¯s mother was the strongest one but now it seemed like she was also just another person with deep and sincere feelings.


    Or perhaps, facing these kinds of bonds, anyone could be weak. These bonds of blood surely are thicker than water. They have a way of their own to pull people close.


    "From the moment I saw you, I knew you have some connection with us," Zhu Qinyang said as she kept looking at Ye Jie with gentle eyes.


    The person who was most excited at the moment was Azalea. She finally could brag about having a brother. "Finally, my tummy won¡¯t hurt every night from keeping this huge secret!" She eximed getting a round of chuckles from the people around her.


    "Was it hurting too much?" Ye Jie ruffled her hair as he questioned her.


    "Too much to bear. If you didn¡¯t say it now, I¡¯d have run to dad myself." Ye Jie patted her head making her scowl.


    "I just knew that you¡¯re not a very reliable person." Azalea pouted at his words but couldn¡¯t argue since she knew that he was right. She really wasn¡¯t the reliable one when it came to secrets. At least, not when it came to others¡¯ secrets.


    He Jian already knew about the secret while his father, He Kun wasn¡¯t very surprised to hear this revtion. He was a military man. He knew how to discern people and somewhere in his heart, he had already assumed this possibility of Ye Jie being his nephew.


    "Well, let¡¯s have a dinner party since it¡¯s mom and dad¡¯s anniversary," Azalea¡¯s suggestion was quite good and everyone instantly agreed with it.


    He Susu held Xu Mey¡¯s hand and pulled her in a secluded corner. Xu Mey lowered her face since she was also guilty of keeping this secret. But in her defense, she had to stand by her husband¡¯s side at any cost.


    "Why aren¡¯t you looking at me?" He Susu asked seeing her abnormal behavior of looking at her feet.


    "I... I think you¡¯re angry with me for keeping this a secret. Also, you must have wanted to choose your son¡¯s wife yourself. It¡¯s a dream of every mother but you instantly got a daughter-inw with your son in a package. Like, buy one get one deal. It must be quite weird." Xu Mey kept talking without noticing the cold re of He Susu. And she didn¡¯t stop bbering until He Susu tapped on her head.


    "I considered you to be smart." Xu Mey frowned not understanding the meaning and He Susu continued, "You silly girl, why would I be angry with you for keeping this secret? You kept the secret for your husband since you¡¯re obliged to do so. You had no obligations towards us." Xu Mey¡¯s frown eased up a bit. "Also, yes I had the wish to choose my own daughter-inw," Xu Mey felt tensed all over again. "But, even I couldn¡¯t have found a better life partner than you for my son."


    Xu Mey lifted her eyes to meet He Susu¡¯s tender filled ones making a smile bloom on her face. He Susu caressed her cheek saying, "You stood by my son¡¯s side and that shows how much he means to you. Why would I interfere when I can see the love between you two?"


    "Also, you¡¯re his everything and he treats you like his life," Xu Mey heard Zhu Chen¡¯s voice as he came to join them. "You¡¯re his happiness and us as parents have no right to question his happiness." Zhu Chen ced his hands on He Susu¡¯s shoulders from behind as both husband and wife shared a look of perfect understanding.


    Xu Mey was d to hear this. Or perhaps, more than just d. She thought once to find a mother in her mother-inw but Zhou Ning treated her like an enemy. But today, she felt the warmth of a mother from her real mother-inw. Because this was a mother who didn¡¯t question her past. Although Xu Mey had remarkable qualities, for He Susu, Xu Mey was right because her son loved her. And that reason was enough for He Susu and Zhu Chen.


    "Oh, and did I mention that I like this deal of buying one and getting one free very much?" He Susu looked at Xu Mey surprising her then with a glint she looked at Zhu Chen and added, "Now, that¡¯s different, that we¡¯d have loved the deal of buying one and getting two free."


    Xu Mey choked on air listening to her suggestive words. While Zhu Chen and He Susuughed at her reaction. They already found her too cute and now that she was their daughter-inw, they couldn¡¯t help loving her even more.

 Chapter 254 - Be Better, Not Bitter

    In the evening, the dinner party¡¯s guest list was very straightforward. Only four families were invited. The Wu family, Lin Family, Li Family and Xu Family.


    Yes! Xu Cheng was told the truth about Ye Jie¡¯s real family and he was quite surprised at first but after meeting Zhu Chen, he didn¡¯t have a speck of doubt left in him.


    "Mr. Xu, I must say you have one hell of a daughter," Zhu Chenplimented Xu Mey without any restraint and as a father, Xu Cheng was obviously feeling proud.


    He stroked Xu Mey¡¯s hair who was standing beside him and said, "That even I can¡¯t argue with." His words and eyes held the pride that he felt as a father for her.


    "Chen!" Hearing He Susu calling him, Zhu Chen excused himself leaving Xu Cheng with Xu Mey while Ye Jie was stuck between his mother and his aunt.


    "Now, that¡¯s a new face," hearing this familiar feminine voice, Xu Cheng turned his face and rolled his eyes at the speaker.


    Seeing the neer, Xu Mey skipped over to her side as she eximed, "Auntie Bingbing, I¡¯ve missed you so much!" Fan Bingbing, Wu Wang¡¯s mother smiled at Xu Mey.


    "I¡¯ve missed my Little Mey as well." Fan Bingbing kissed Xu Mey¡¯s head affectionately. If Xu Mey had to choose one mother for herself from all of her friends, she¡¯d always choose this woman. Calling Fan Bingbing a middle-aged woman would be an insult to her. She had maintained herself so well with yoga and nutritious diet that people often mistake her for being ady in early thirties.


    But Xu Mey¡¯s reason for choosing her would be the fact that Fan Bingbing provided her with a sense of security that she always wanted. And the motherly affection and warmth were never-ending. Also, there was a sense of belonging that Xu Mey couldn¡¯t find anywhere else.


    "Oh, Auntie! This is my dad, Xu Cheng." Xu Mey introduced Fan Bingbing to Xu Cheng but she failed to notice the smirk on Fan Bingbing¡¯s lips.


    "Little Mey, do you really think that I don¡¯t know your dad?" Xu Mey was frowning when Fan Bingbing¡¯s next words left her dumbfounded. "Hey, bro! I see you still love rolling your eyes at me. Well, right back at ya¡¯." She even added an eye roll at the end of her statement. Quite childish!


    "And I see, our Xiao Bing still doesn¡¯t know how to greet her elder brother." Xu Cheng¡¯s statement stunned Xu Mey even more.


    "You both?" Xu Mey wanted to know the reason for this familiarity and soon she got her answer.


    "Xiao Mey, that¡¯s my sister," Xu Mey was gaping at Xu Cheng and he went on, "Well, not by blood. But from the deepest part of my heart." Fan Bingbing grinned at his statement. "Actually, when we were younger, my mother didn¡¯t have time to spend with me and that¡¯s why she always left me with Xiao Bing¡¯s mother. So, technically her mother became my second mother and she became my sister."


    "Woah!" That¡¯s all Xu Mey managed to say since she had no idea what else she could say. "Hold on a second!" Xu Mey suddenly thought of something. "So, all these years, you knew who I was?" The question was asked to Fan Bingbing.


    "Well, about that..." She turned to look at Xu Cheng and seeing him nod, she continued, "Yes, I knew from the very beginning. To be honest, the reason why Wu Wang was sent to boarding school was you." Xu Mey stood stuck to her ce. "When Cheng bro asked me to find a way to help you. We could only think of surrounding you with people who could cherish you. Wang was very resistant at first but after meeting you, he instantly agreed."


    Xu Mey fell into deep thought. This was quite a shock for her. Her father sent the people who made her feel loved all these years? And she kept hating him? If he hid his own love than, he sent a hundred other people her way who loved her dearly.


    "Did Wang Ge knew?" Xu Mey asked hesitantly.


    "Nope! I only told him to befriend you. I never told him the reason why. And oddly, that son of mine never even questioned." Fan Bingbing replied honestly and seeing Xu Mey expression, she decided to give some space to father and daughter.


    Xu Mey turned to look at Xu Cheng with tears swimming in her eyes. "Dad!" Her voice was choked up. "You¡¯re the worst for hiding all of this." Xu Cheng hugged his daughter with a smile on his face.


    "Yes, yes... Dad is the worst... But dad has the best daughter in the world. So, that bnce out everything." Xu Mey hugged him tightly.


    "I really am the best. You better not forget it." He heard his daughter¡¯s muffled voice making him feel a sense of peace. It had been years for him, feeling this closeness with his own flesh and blood. He knew that he couldn¡¯t justify all of his wrong choices but at least, he could justify his love for Xu Mey.


    Xu Mey knew that it was high time that she stop dwelling in the past. If she kept keeping a distance from her father because of the past that was gone then she would be unfair not just with her father but also, with herself. The past was gone and she had survived it. For that scorching past, she didn¡¯t want to punish her dad anymore. It wasn¡¯t worth it all.


    As her Sensei said to herst time, ¡¯It was time to be better, not bitter! Being better will bring the joys of life while being bitter will only burn her alive.¡¯


    From afar, Ye Jie saw Xu Mey hugging her father and he couldn¡¯t help but smile. He was d that Xu Mey finally managed to open her heart again for her father. He had seen Xu Cheng¡¯s love for Xu Mey and he knew that there was no doubt in the fact that for Xu Cheng, Xu Mey was literally his everything.


    But Ye Jie couldn¡¯t keep his eyes on his baby for long since He Susu and Zhu Qinyang kept talking to him. He didn¡¯t mind it. Not even a bit! It was his first experience being held by twodies who were gushing over him as if he was an extraordinary person. What he didn¡¯t know was that for He Susu, her son was extraordinary without a doubt and for Zhu Qinyang, her nephew was more amazing than her own brother.

 Chapter 255 - Four Knights & One Princess

    "So, you¡¯re my Xiao Mey¡¯s husband," Fan Bingbing was rubbing her chin thoughtfully as she observed Ye Jie.


    "Also, my son!" He Susu chimed in.


    "And my nephew," Zhu Qinyang didn¡¯t bother staying quiet as well.


    Fan Bingbing smiled at them and added, "It¡¯s nice meeting you, Ye Jie. It¡¯s our first official meeting. I¡¯m Wu Wang¡¯s mother, Fan Bingbing. You can address me as however, you like."


    "Oh..." Ye Jie was quite surprised to hear her introduction. He really didn¡¯t expect Wu Wang¡¯s mother to be so... Young? But what Ye Jie liked about her, at first sight, was the fact that Fan Bingbing came to the dinner party in casual clothes. There was hardly any make-up or pretentiousness about her. "It¡¯s nice to meet you, Mrs. Wu!" He said politely in a courtly manner.


    Fan Bingbing frowned a bit saying, "I didn¡¯t expect you to be this formal."


    "Calling you auntie will be weirder." Ye Jie retorted receiving a wide grin from Fan Bingbing in return.


    "I¡¯m the same age as your aunt here. Don¡¯t be too polite." Fan Bingbing told Ye Jie surprising him since he knew that Zhu Qinyang was older than his own mother.


    Ye Jie had greeted everyone officially as Zhu Chen and He Susu¡¯s son at the party. Since the people were only close family friends. This was the first time Ye Jie had a proper talk with Li Qiao¡¯s mother, Li Man and Lin Shen¡¯s father Lin Han.


    He had heard before from Xu Mey that Wu Wang¡¯s mother, Fan Bingbing was a housewife. One could call her a socialite. But Ye Jie didn¡¯t find a single resemnce to the type of socialites he had seen in his life. The perfect example would be his own fake ¡¯mother¡¯, Zhou Ning.


    Fan Bingbing was modest but not servile. She had an elegance to herself while Zhou Ning only held a haughtiness. He used to cringe thinking about socialites but today, his stereotypical belief was shattered.


    Also, what surprised him the most was thefortability level between the older generation. They didn¡¯t seem like friends at all. One could literally call them one happy family. There was no doubt that at all. This friendship... This bond was quite rare.


    "Ye Jie seems very happy," hearing thement, Xu Mey turned to see Li Qiao standing behind her.


    Xu Mey smiled at him and said, "Of course, he¡¯s happy. He¡¯s been hiding for too long. And this is the first time, someone is willing to love him so deeply." She stayed quiet for a moment before speaking again, "Qiao Ge!"


    "Hmm..." He hummed softly in response.


    "Why did you go to boarding school back then?" The question came as a surprise to Li Qiao. In all these years, Xu Mey had never noticed the fact there was no reason for Li Qiao or Wu Wang to enter a boarding school.


    Li Qiao contemted for a while before saying, "Because Wang said there is a cute little Princess who needs her knights to protect her." Stunned Xu Mey, turned her face to look at Li Qiao smiling tenderly at her. "And when I met that little Princess, I found her adorable with her cheeks puffed out. Even in rudeness, she was the most adorable little Princess that I had ever seen."


    "And you followed him without thinking?" Xu Mey asked looking into his eyes.


    "As you can see yourself, our families had been friends for decades. And naturally, each new generation creates a bond of friendship. Wu Wang and I also became friends but when He Jian and Lin Shen were added into this picture. We became the inseparable brothers." He patted her head as he added, "Therefore if one says let¡¯s go to hell, the rest would naturally follow without thinking for the reasons."


    Xu Mey chuckled softly at his way of giving an example. But she knew that Li Qiao wasn¡¯t lying to her. Her best friends were really close to each other. They never thought about the consequences before speaking to each other. Even when they knew that their words might hurt the other one, they would still say it. And that made their friendship a very honest one.


    Whether she was a little Princess or not? She didn¡¯t know. But she knew that she definitely found her knights. And as for her Prince Charming... No-one could possibly beat her Ah-Jie in that department.


    She was d that back then these four boys came to her life. No matter the reason, they epted her even after her rudeness. But she also knew that the real bond with them started after she left her Sensei¡¯s side and came back to these four knights of her life.


    The reason was simple, she had said back then, ¡¯I¡¯ll fight my battle alone. With my own strength.¡¯


    ¡¯Are you alone?¡¯ Her sensei had asked her.


    ¡¯Aren¡¯t I?¡¯ Xu Mey retorted stubbornly. ¡¯Also, being alone means I won¡¯t be hurt by others.¡¯


    Her sensei had looked into a distance saying, ¡¯Dear disciple, staying alone is not scary at all.¡¯ After a brief pause, the deep voice came again, ¡¯But getting used to being alone is the scariest part.¡¯ Xu Mey¡¯s heart shook at those words. But that voice didn¡¯t stop, ¡¯You have people who are waiting for you. Go to them! They¡¯ll show you a whole new world.¡¯


    Back then, she had chosen to meet her four knights because of her sensei¡¯s words. And today, she could happily smile and say that she didn¡¯t make the wrong choice. Life would have been awfully boring without her knights.


    For the world, she might not be a princess. But she knew that these knights of hers definitely treated her as one. They dotted on her without second thoughts. And she¡¯d always be grateful to them. No matter what happens, they were the people she¡¯d never want topromise on.

 Chapter 256 - Drinking Sorrows

    "Qiao Ge, where is Yu Kim? You didn¡¯t invite her?" Xu Mey¡¯s question made Li Qiao lose hisposure for a moment.


    "She¡¯s busy." Li Qiao¡¯s answer confused Xu Mey.


    "What is she so busy with?" She asked again.


    "Something important obviously." Li Qiao retorted.


    "Oh,e on! Qiao Ge, at least I should know what¡¯s keeping her busy." Xu Mey wasn¡¯t nning on dropping this topic since the way Li Qiao¡¯s face nched, made her feel weird.


    Before Li Qiao could open his mouth to make another excuse, He Jian came beside Xu Mey to give her an answer, "Why don¡¯t you just tell Xiao Mey that Kim is busy with her fiance?"


    Li Qiao clenched his fists but after a brief moment of deep breaths, he unclenched his fists and the lost color of his face returned.


    "Huh? Fiance?" Xu Mey stared at both He Jian and Li Qiao. "You mean, Qiao Ge¡¯s cousin is back?"


    "Yup! That¡¯s the one. Xin Xiamu is back!" He Jian answered excitedly and his excitement gave Li Qiao the urge to punch him in the face. But he couldn¡¯t do it. First, they were best brothers and second, He Jian¡¯s fighting skills were superior to his own.


    "Aiyo! Howe you didn¡¯t tell me?" Xu Mey was questioning Li Qiao.


    "Xiamu didn¡¯t inform anyone about his arrival. The first person he called was Yu Kim and that was today during lunchtime. When I went to invite her to the dinner party, she informed me that she¡¯s runningte. Her Xiamu is here and she¡¯s very excited to see him after a long time." Li Qiao spoke bitterly. But He Jian was having fun seeing Li Qiao¡¯s jealous state.


    "So, are you upset that she didn¡¯t listen to your invitation or that she ran away to Xiamu leaving you alone?" He Jian was trying hard to stifle hisughter but was failing. It was a good thing that Li Qiao was quite distracted.


    "Both!" In distraction, Li Qiao spoke the truth but when he heard the bouts ofughter from Xu Mey and He Jian, he immediately changed his demeanor saying, "I mean, I¡¯m not upset. Not at all! Why would I be? She went to meet her childhood friend and fiance who also happens to be my cousin. How can I be upset about it? I have no right to be upset." He spoke thest words softly.


    "Are you trying to convince us or yourself?" Wu Wang joined the conversation with a bottle of baijiu in his hand.


    "Correct! Qiao, all of us can see that you¡¯re drinking vinegar here. How pitiful!" He Jian remarked making Wu Wang smirk while Li Qiao didn¡¯t say anything. What could he possibly say? He was drinking vinegar. And the worst part was that he couldn¡¯t evenin about it. One was the love of his life, other was his brother.


    "You seem very happy, Jian." Wu Wang¡¯sment made He Jian narrow his eyes at him in question.


    "Just because you¡¯re drinking your sorrows doesn¡¯t mean I should as well." He Jian retorted.


    "Aww... You¡¯re so cute sometimes, Jian!" Wu Wang pinched He Jian¡¯s cheek making him swat his hand away. "But you¡¯re wrong. I¡¯m not drinking my sorrows. I¡¯m celebrating!"


    "What are you celebrating, Wang Ge?" Xu Mey asked curiously. Wu Wang smiled at her and tousled her hair lovingly.


    "Little Mey, you go over there to your husband." Wu Wang pointed towards Ye Jie¡¯s side but Xu Mey definitely wasn¡¯t willing at the moment. But before she could argue, Wu Wang added, "Ye Jie¡¯s missing you a lot. See, he¡¯s been constantly looking over here. Go to him!" Xu Mey turned to see and realized that Ye Jie really had been looking her way for a while now.


    Seeing the smile on his face when their eyes met, Xu Mey forgot all about the people around her. "I¡¯ll be back." She ran away leaving the three of her knights behind.


    Watching her excitedly running towards Ye Jie, the three knights behind had the same reaction. "Haiz! God, protect this love from evil eyes." As they wished inwardly, they shared a look with each other.


    "Now, enlighten us with your reason for celebration," Li Qiao was trying to stare Wu Wang down but thetter was a bit drunk. So, he didn¡¯t even notice the chill in Li Qiao¡¯s eyes.


    "I¡¯m celebrating the misery of both of you." Wu Wangughed out loud but seeing both of them wearing the same look of confusion, he decided to enlighten them. "So, my brothers, you both are quite pitiful. I¡¯m mean I don¡¯t even know why both of you are not drinking away your sorrows?"


    "Get to the point," He Jian warned him sternly.


    "Okay... Okay, boss!" Wu Wang staggered a bit and shook his head. "One of you is drinking vinegar already what would you do when I tell you, Qiao, that Xiamu had taken Kim to her favorite French restaurant for a date night. By now, he¡¯d have opened the bottle of her favorite wine. What was the name?" Wu Wang tapped his chin thoughtfully.


    "Chateau Mouton Rothschild Pauic." Li Qiao spoke the name of Yu Kim¡¯s favorite wine, making Wu Wang smirk to himself. By now, Li Qiao had a rage brewing inside him. He felt like someone was crawling up his heart and squeezing it mercilessly.


    "Hey, Qiao! Calm down." He Jian patted Li Qiao¡¯s shoulder.


    "Tsk..." Wu Wang clicked his tongue making both of them look at his again. "Jian, you shouldn¡¯t beforting him. Comfort yourself!" Before He Jian could evenprehend his words, Wu Wang exined himself. "My mom¡¯s favorite son, she had brought a perfect wife for you from Imperial. After two days, she¡¯s nned a marriage meeting for you both. Also, she has nned to get you both married alongside Lin Shen and Sun Ju. Congrattions!" Not just He Jian was stunned to his spot even Li Qiao looked at He Jian with pity.


    He Jian had heard about Fan Bingbing looking for his prospective life partner but he didn¡¯t think that everything would be happening so fast. Just two days for marriage meeting and if he wasn¡¯t wrong there was only a month left in Lin Shen¡¯s wedding.


    "You¡¯re cruel!" Both He Jian and Li Qiao spoke simultaneously as they fell back on the chair. Did he have to spoil their happiness like this?


    Wu Wang scoffed. "Qiao, the same thing that Xiamu was gonna tell you after the date, I told you before him. And Jian, mom was gonna tell you the same news after the party, so I did it before her. It¡¯s easier to digest it when I say it, at least it wouldn¡¯t hurt this muchter on." He patted both of their shoulders and passed the bottles of baijiu to them saying, "Now, let¡¯s drink our sorrows together."


    Both Li Qiao and He Jian turned to nce at Wu Wang¡¯s smiling face and felt even bitter knowing that he wasn¡¯t any better then they were.

 Chapter 257 - The Sixth Sense

    "Baby, have you been avoiding me?" Ye Jie whispered to Xu Mey when she came sauntering to his side.


    "How can I do that Ah-Jie?" Xu Mey gasped at the usation. "I didn¡¯t want toe between you and your family. So, I decided to keep a bit of distance."


    "And why does my baby always forget that she¡¯s also my family?" Xu Mey was tongue tied at those words. She had the urge to facepalm herself. She really kept forgetting that she was his family as well!


    "Okay... Forget it!" Xu Mey tried to wave off the topic. "You know earlier your mom said that she¡¯d have been more than happy if we came in the package of buy one and get two free." Ye Jie raised his brows at her in surprise. "Crap!" Xu Mey just realized what she had spoken so damn bluntly. "It sounded decent in my mind but now, I feel like I should have kept my mouth shut."


    Seeing her adorable reaction, Ye Jie chuckled and pinched her cute little nose, saying, "Baby, we can go inside to try for that third member." Xu Mey¡¯s mouth opened wide. "After all, it¡¯s not a good thing to make our parents unhappy." The way his hand was rubbing against her waist made Xu Mey feel hot all over her body.


    "Do you want to make them happy or yourself, Ah-Jie?" Xu Mey managed to ask trying to calm her breathing.


    Ye Jie moved closer to her face and his hot breath tingled her ear as he said, "I certainly want to make my baby happy." Before shifting away, he even left a soft kiss right below her ear making Xu Mey bit down her bottom lip trying to control her own body which wasn¡¯t acting on her wishes.


    "Are you okay, Xiao Mey?" Their moment was broken when they heard Zhu Qinyang¡¯s concerned voice.


    "Huh?" It took a moment for Xu Mey to get over the feelings that Ye Jie¡¯s hands were brewing inside her. She gulped and tried again, "Yeah! Nothing¡¯s wrong at all."


    "Why are you so red? Are you sure that you¡¯re okay?" Zhu Qinyang inquired again with emphasis this time. Xu Mey nodded her head vigorously since she had a feeling that if she opened her mouth, she¡¯d only spout nonsense again.


    She pped Ye Jie¡¯s hand away saying, "You keep a distance. Ugh! I lose my senses around you." Ye Jie chuckled making Xu Mey scowl.


    "Baby, you¡¯ve already lost your heart to me much less, your senses," Xu Mey gaped at him in disbelief. She whipped her body and decided to walk away. It was better to keep the distance at a public ce. She didn¡¯t want to be embarrassed before others.


    ¡¯Shameless husband! Shameless!¡¯ Xu Mey was shaking her head when she bumped into her father.


    "Watch where you¡¯re going. You¡¯ll get hurt." Xu Cheng reminded her making Xu Mey smile at him sheepishly.


    "Sorry, dad! I had something running in my mind." Xu Mey answered vaguely.


    "Do you want to talk about it?" Xu Cheng asked looking into her eyes.


    Xu Mey pondered for a moment before taking her father to sit at the nearby table. She turned to him and asked, "Dad, how is it possible for someone to lose their senses when they are around a special someone?"


    Xu Cheng chuckled softly. "Because my dearest daughter, you can either keep your senses or that special someone."


    "Huh? What do you mean?" Xu Mey asked curiously.


    Xu Cheng patted her head affectionately and said, "You know that we have five senses, right?" Xu Mey nodded her head not knowing where this conversation was headed. "Now, there is another one. The sixth sense."


    "I know, it¡¯s that intuition one." Xu Mey interrupted him.


    Xu Cheng shook his head and continued, "The sixth sense is love. And love has the ability to eat all the other five senses. That¡¯s why I said, you can either be smart or you can be in love."


    Xu Mey was dumbfounded. That¡¯s the first time listening to such logic. But oddly, it didn¡¯t feel wrong at all. Whenever ites to Ye Jie, she always loses her smartness. And it seems like all her senses run away to have a feast. ¡¯So, this is all love¡¯s fault... Hmm... This is dangerous.¡¯ Xu Mey nodded to herself and Xu Cheng patted on her hand.


    "Dad, I want to be smartly in love." Xu Mey spoke feeling happy about her thinking and took his hand in his own feeling safe. Senses didn¡¯t matter anymore.


    Xu Cheng again shook his head at his naive daughter. ¡¯Love isn¡¯t an exam paper that one can do brilliantly and smartly.¡¯ But he didn¡¯t want to say that to his daughter.


    Suddenly, she heard somemotion and turned to look towards the entrance. Due to all the people gathering around in a circle, she couldn¡¯t see clearly but she got the idea that someone hade to join the party.


    "Xiao Qian!" She heard Li Qiao¡¯s mother¡¯s voice calling out to someone. She could even hear the happiness in her voice. "Why didn¡¯t you tell me that you¡¯reing?" The name seemed familiar to Xu Mey but she couldn¡¯t decide where had she heard it.


    "Because I wanted to surprise you," the otherdy spoke elegantly making Xu Mey crane her neck in an attempt to look but she suddenly realized that her father¡¯s hand in her own was trembling. It had turned cold instantly.


    Xu Mey looked at her father and was shocked to see his face nched as if he was gonna pass out any minute. ¡¯What happened? Dad was fine just now!¡¯ She had a lot of questions in her mind but seeing Xu Cheng¡¯s condition, she had no courage to ask.


    "Where is my nephew? He didn¡¯te with you?" The question was asked by Li Man again.


    "Well, you know him. My son has a habit of running off on his own." The answer was again in that soft elegant voice but Xu Mey felt that her father¡¯s grip on her hand had tightened.


    "Dad, is everything alright?" Xu Mey asked anxiously. She really felt scared seeing Xu Cheng¡¯s condition.


    Xu Cheng breathed harshly and tried to smile at Xu Mey to reassure her but it didn¡¯t work. "Where are you ufortable? I should call uncle Chen, he¡¯s a doctor." Xu Mey was about to turn when Xu Cheng held her again and shook his head.


    "If you really want to help dad, please, take me home!" The way Xu Cheng¡¯s voice was weak and his manner of imploring made Xu Mey feel hurt.


    "Okay, let¡¯s go!" She felt so scared that she immediately helped him out of the He family house without informing anyone.

 Chapter 258 - Xin Qian

    "Jie, let me introduce you to someone," He Susu pulled Ye Jie with herself towards where Li Man was chatting with the neer. "Meet Xin Qian... She¡¯s actually Li Qiao¡¯s aunt but she had been our neighbor in Country A for all these years." She took a pause before adding, "We are more like a family now."


    Ye Jie looked at the woman standing before him in an A-line dress. She had beautiful features and wrinkle-free skin.


    "Xiao Qian, here¡¯s my son, Jie." He Susu spoke with a hint of pride in her tone.


    Xin Qian smiled at Ye Jie and said, "Nice to meet you, Jie." She spoke elegantly in her soft and mellow voice.


    "Likewise..." Ye Jie replied politely.


    Meanwhile, Wu Wang asked Li Qiao, "Who came that your mother is talking so loudly?" But Li Qiao only shrugged his shoulders indifferently and focused on the baijiu in his hand.


    "What are you guys doing?" Lin Shen joined the three of them and leaned down a bit to pick a bottle of baijiu for himself. But his hand was swatted away by He Jian. "Ouch! What is wrong with you?" He red coldly at Li Qiao.


    "No alcohol for you Mr. doctor." He Jian replied inly.


    "I just want to join you guys," Lin Shen told them feeling wronged. He had been having a feeling that his friends were distancing him and it wasn¡¯t a good feeling.


    "No, no, no..." Wu Wang spoke making Lin Shen frown. "You can¡¯t join us. You¡¯re the only winner in our group and we don¡¯t want to share our misfortune of love with you. So, please go and spend time with your fiance."


    "Exactly! We¡¯re drinking our sorrows and we don¡¯t want you to do that too." Li Qiao added ruefully.


    "Not today and not ever in the future." He Jian concluded.


    Lin Shen didn¡¯t whether he was supposed to be happy that they were thinking about his happiness or be sad that they were this sad. He could only look at the deste faces of his best friends and had nothing to say. He couldn¡¯t even argue with them especially while they were a bit tipsy. Lin Shen sighed heavily and informed, "Qiao, your aunt is here."


    Li Qiao raised his brow in surprise and immediately changed his deste demeanor to a lively one as he shot up from the chair to walk away.


    "Hey, auntie!" Li Qiao came up to hug Xin Qian. He had always been close to his one and only aunt and this time was no exception.


    "Do you know where Xiamu is, Li Qiao?" Xin Qian inquired about her son¡¯s whereabouts.


    The smile on Li Qiao¡¯s face stiffened a bit but he managed to say, "He... He went on a date with Yu Kim."


    Xin Qian shook her head lightly, "I can¡¯t believe this... He¡¯s impossible."


    "What¡¯s so wrong about that, Xiao Qian? Xiamu went out with his fiance." Li Man defended her nephew brutally hurting her own son with words.


    ¡¯Did you have to mention the ¡¯fiance¡¯ part?¡¯ Li Qiao thought to himself.


    "Sis, you¡¯re not understanding. That kid¡¯s whole life revolves around Kim. He¡¯s always talking about her. Even I get tired of it." Xin Qian talked about her troubles.


    "That shows how much he loves her." Li Man answered giving another stroke to her own son.


    "Oh, wait! I want to introduce you to my daughter-inw." He Susu told Xin Qian and looked around for Xu Mey. She frowned since Xu Mey was nowhere in sight which troubled her a bit. "Jie, where is Xiao Mey?"


    Hearing her question, Ye Jie looked around but couldn¡¯t find her at all. "I¡¯ll look for her."


    "Okay..."


    When he went to look for Xu Mey, Wu Wang and He Jian came to greet Xin Qian. They had seen the way Li Qiao¡¯s face was changing colors and the only way to help him was to interrupt this talk about Xin Xiamu and Yu Kim.


    "Oi! Bingbing, look who¡¯s here..." Fan Bingbing turned and strutted towards Zhu Qinyang hearing her voice.


    "Hi, Bingbing," Xin Qian greeted Fan Bingbing with a smile but Wu Wang could see the scowl on his mother¡¯s face as always. In all these years, he never understood the reason for the animosity between his mother and Xin Qian.


    He just found out that for some reason, his mother hated Xin Qian while Xin Qian always acted cordially with her. There was a time when he used to say that his mother is wronging Xin Qian but after understanding his mother¡¯s nature, he reckoned that there must be some serious reason for his mother¡¯s strange behavior.


    "Hello to you too!" Fan Bingbing replied to Xin Qian and was gonna turn away to look for Xu Cheng. There was no way that she could let him see Xin Qian. Knowing Xu Cheng¡¯s health, she was really worried.


    Watching Ye Jieing with a worried look, He Susu asked, "Where is Xiao Mey?"


    "She¡¯s gone." Ye Jie replied.


    "Where? And why?"


    "Her dad wasn¡¯t feeling well. So, she took him home." Ye Jie replied inly.


    ¡¯Not feeling well? Did he see Xin Qian? Damn!¡¯ Fan Bingbing thought and turned to a silent corner to call Xu Cheng. His phone was constantly unreachable making an ominous feeling creep up in her heart. She dialed Xu Mey¡¯s number but even she was picking up. ¡¯Something is definitely wrong.¡¯


    "Wang,e here!" Hearing his mother calling him, Wu Wang walked towards her side.


    "Yes, dear empress," he spoke passively.


    Fan Bingbing wasn¡¯t in the mood to y with him. So, she got straight to the point. "You friends have an app that can detect your whereabouts, right?" Wu Wang nodded his head. "Look through it and tell me where is Little Mey."


    "Huh? Why?"


    "Just do it!" Fan Bingbing red at him. Wu Wang rummaged out his cell phone and clicked on the app.


    "What is this?" He stared wide-eyed at the screen.


    "What¡¯s wrong?" She inquired anxiously.


    "Little Mey is at a hospital." Wu Wang replied softly.

 Chapter 259 - Stay In Past

    Earlier when Xu Mey left with her dad, Xu Cheng was insisting on going straight to home and Xu Meyplied. After riding for a while, she received a call from Ye Jie asking, "Baby, where are you?"


    "Ah-Jie, dad isn¡¯t feeling too well. So, I¡¯m taking him to the hospital." Xu Mey answered.


    "Oh, when will you be back?" He inquired further.


    "I think I¡¯ll spend the night with dad. You don¡¯t wait for me." Xu Mey had just hung up the call when she realized Xu Cheng¡¯s pale and haggard look. His breathing was harsh even more than before. His face was sweating profusely.


    "Dad!" Xu Mey called out as she touched his face but Xu Cheng didn¡¯t open his eyes. "Dad!" She called out again but no response. "Driver, take the car to the hospital. Fast!" She held her dad¡¯s body feeling anxious.


    When they arrived at the hospital, Xu Mey forgot her cellphone in the car. She couldn¡¯t think of anything at the moment. Her focus was solely on her father.


    The doctors asked her to wait outside while they examined her father. Xu Mey was pacing back and forth in the corridors not knowing what suddenly went wrong.


    "Xiao Mey," Xu Mey turned to see Fan Bingbing but instead being surprised, she felt relieved. "What happened?"


    "I don¡¯t know... Dad suddenly fainted. Doctors are still inside the room." Feeling a tremor in her voice, Fan Bingbing hugged her trying to soothe her.


    Wu Wang had brought Fan Bingbing immediately to hospital after seeing Xu Mey¡¯s location. He didn¡¯t even get the time to inform anyone. He was scared that Xu Mey was hurt but it was her father.


    When the doctors came out after the examination, Xu Mey instantly sprinted towards him, "Doctor, how¡¯s my dad? What happened to him?"


    "Mr. Xu had an anxiety attack. He has a history of anxiety disorder and it¡¯s hard to say what triggered this kind of stroke. But he¡¯s fine now. You don¡¯t need to worry about it." The doctor told Xu Mey.


    "Anxiety?" Xu Mey mumbled to herself. ¡¯When did dad get the anxiety disorder?¡¯


    Fan Bingbing rubbed Xu Mey¡¯s arms up and down saying, "Little Mey, don¡¯t worry! The doctor just said that bro is fine now."


    Xu Mey looked at Fan Bingbing pondering something before speaking, "You don¡¯t seem surprised. Did you already know that dad had anxiety?"


    Fan Bingbing coughed dryly before saying, "Yes... Bro has been suffering from anxiety disorder for the past 28 years now."


    "From the time, I was born?" Xu Mey asked with disbelief. ¡¯Did my birth was such a stressful matter?¡¯ Her mind was wandering to wrong sides as always.


    "No, from the time your mother left him." Fan Bingbing replied with a sigh. Knowing Xu Mey¡¯s nature of ooverthinking, she decided to be honest and straightforward.


    "I don¡¯t have a mother." Xu Mey scowled. And she didn¡¯t want the one who gave birth to her.


    Fan Bingbing smiled sadly and stroked her hair. "I know... But your dad had a wife once." ¡¯The wife whom he loved more than anything else in his life.¡¯ She left thest part unsaid. She didn¡¯t want Xu Mey to know that the woman she hated was still loved by her father. So, what if she hated Xin Qian herself? Her brother never stopped loving her.


    "I don¡¯t care about that... I only want to know why he suddenly got this attack." Seeing Fan Bingbing acting weird, Xu Mey thought of something, "You do know what happened, right? Please, don¡¯t hide it from me. Dad has always hidden his pain from me. Now, I want to share it with him."


    "I¡¯m not too sure..." Fan Bingbing tried to evade answering her question. She couldn¡¯t inly lie to Xu Mey. And the matters rted to Xin Qian were not hers to talk about.


    Xu Mey could feel that Fan Bingbing was hiding something from her but she didn¡¯t push her for an answer anymore.


    "Wang, take Xiao Mey home. I¡¯ll stay here." Xu Mey was reluctant to leave but Fan Bingbing¡¯s look told her to do otherwise. "Seeing your worried face, bro will be more stressed. Just go home." Xu Mey pursed her lips and nodded. Fan Bingbing kissed her forehead and sent her away.


    After 2 hours, Xu Cheng woke up and found Fan Bingbing staring at him intently. She helped him to some water but didn¡¯t say a word.


    "Am I getting a silent treatment?" Xu Cheng asked in a hoarse voice.


    Fan Bingbing snickered, "I can¡¯t believe that she still has this much effect on you. Just getting a glimpse gave you an anxiety attack?"


    "I didn¡¯t see her." She was surprised to hear that. "I just heard her voice."


    "And you recognized the voice?"


    "I fell in love with that voice, how can I possibly forget it?" He retorted while she looked at him in disbelief. "Also, this anxiety wasn¡¯t because of hearing her voice."


    Fan Bingbing frowned, "Then what happened?"


    Xu Cheng turned his face and replied, "You didn¡¯t tell me that she has a son."


    Fan Bingbing didn¡¯t know what to say at this. Fortunately for her, he wasn¡¯t asking for an exnation. "Keep her away from Xiao Mey. My daughter doesn¡¯t need a mother like her who left her daughter behind."


    "If she had asked about you or Xiao Mey in all these years, I¡¯d have might let her be near Xiao Mey but since she didn¡¯t, I don¡¯t even n on letting her know about Xiao Mey." Fan Bingbing replied indignantly.


    Xu Cheng closed his eyes. ¡¯I had kept my distance from Fu Lan all these years and what did you do? You even have a son. You never gave me a chance to exin myself. But I¡¯m okay with that. The problem is that you never even gave our daughter a chance. What was her fault?¡¯ His mind was roaming all around in past memories.


    He wasn¡¯t sure before tonight but now, he knew that he wanted to keep this past in the past. There was no point in dwelling into the past that left him alone. It was time to let the past stay in the past.

 Chapter 260 - CEO Of Xu Corporation

    -Board Room, Xu Corporation-


    The meeting room was engrossed in an intense discussion. Thepany was under a lot of pressure and at this delicate time, a new CEO was appointed.


    The moment Xu Mey entered the board room, the discussion seized and everyone¡¯s gaze stuck at Xu Mey¡¯s solemn face. In her office attire, she gave the vibes of an experienced and intimidating ruler. The charming girl that they had seen on Xu Liqing¡¯s wedding was nowhere to be seen.


    Xu Mey took the main seat and looked at the members of the board trying to size them up.


    "I believe all of you have already heard about me. So, I won¡¯t introduce myself again." She took a brief pause before speaking again, "A lot of you here might not befortable with seeing me here. But you can¡¯t help it since I¡¯m already here."


    Her words were rather arrogant but the board members knew that she wasn¡¯t lying. None of them had the right to question her position.


    "Ms. Xu," a board member interrupted her speech. "We have the right to question your position." Xu Mey supported her face on her hand with an amusing look. "None of us know you and whatever we know is nothing worth mentioning. The name Xu Mey is quite notorious in the elite circle. We don¡¯t think that you¡¯re fit to be the leader of this corporation."


    Xu Mey reclined back in her chairnguidly and waved her fingers. Qin Hao bowed his head understanding her meaning and operated the big screen in the room. Qin Hao typed Mr. Hou¡¯s name in the search engine and Xu Mey spoke, "You should worry about your own position rather than mine, Mr. Hou."


    Hearing her words, everyone tilted their faces to look at the huge screen. On the screen, every headline was about how Mr. Hou was involved in selling corporation secrets along with embezzlement. Mr. Hou¡¯s face paled at this and his phone started ringing.


    "Pick up the phone Mr. Hou, there is a lot more toe for you." He looked at Xu Mey with a horrified expression. Mr. Hou attended the call with trembling hands and ran out of the meeting room.


    "Does anyone else wants to question my abilities?" Xu Mey gave a pointed look to all of them. But no-one had the courage to speak anymore. They could see that the new CEO was not someone to be messed with. Seeing that no-one intended to talk, she said, "That¡¯s what I thought."


    "Was it necessary?" Her grandfather asked after the meeting ended.


    "Grandfather, it was extremely necessary. They needed to know that I¡¯m not like Fu Lan who would let them do whatever they desired. This is my Xu family¡¯s legacy, how can I let them ruin it?" Grandfather Xu was pleased to hear her answer.


    "Do whatever you want. This is your responsibility. I¡¯m going to retire now." Grandfather Xu told her while stroking her head lovingly.


    She smiled up at him and said, "Grandfather should be at ease. I¡¯ll take care of everything." She poured some tea for him and took a seat beside him. after a moment of silence, Xu Mey thought of something, "Grandfather, did you know about dad¡¯s anxiety disorder?"


    Grandfather Xu looked at her for a long while before sighing. "Yes... I knew about it."


    "Does he get these attacks very often?" Xu Mey inquired again.


    "No... He usually doesn¡¯t get anxiety unless he¡¯s worried about you or..." Grandfather Xu stopped talking abruptly.


    "Or? What else?" Xu Mey tried to probe since she knew that she wasn¡¯t the reason for this attack. She was smiling and chatting with Xu Cheng, how could that bring anxiety? Then what was the other reason?


    Grandfather Xu rubbed his forehead tiredly and said, "I think you should ask this question to your father. I have a feeling that he doesn¡¯t want you to know about the other reason."


    Xu Mey was silently pondering his words when her cell phone rang. She picked up the call and heard an anxious voice, "Ms. Xu Mey?"


    "Yes... Who is it?" Xu Mey asked with a frown.


    "Ms. Xu, I¡¯m Mr. Wu¡¯s secretary. Can you pleasee to Nightingale Bar?" Why was Wang Ge¡¯s secretary calling her?


    "Why? What¡¯s wrong?"


    "Sir¡¯s been drinking for hours and no matter what I say, he¡¯s not listening to me. Please, you have toe!" She hung up the call and Xu Mey stood up in a hurry.


    "Grandfather, I¡¯ll see youter," Xu Mey tossed the words over her shoulder and ran out.


    Although she was aware of Wu Wang¡¯s drinking habits, he still drank reasonably. She immediately drove towards the bar and ran inside.


    In the private room, Xu Mey was stunned to look at Wu Wang¡¯s condition. His face had turned pale. "Wang Ge?" She called out but Wu Wang was in a state of confusion with no awareness of his surroundings. His breathing was irregr and the body temperature had dropped. "Call the ambnce!" Xu Mey shouted looking at his state.


    She kept rubbing his hands to provide some warmth but to no avail. When the ambnce came, Wu Wang had already lost his consciousness. Xu Mey had lost herposure looking at his state.

 Chapter 261 - 48 Hours

    Wu Wang was rushed into the emergency room and doctors immediately started the treatment. "Doctor, what¡¯s wrong with Wang Ge?" Xu Mey asked anxiously seeing a doctor leaving the room.


    "Miss, the patient¡¯s condition is not very hopeful at the moment. He has gotten severe alcohol poisoning. We¡¯re trying our best but you should be prepared for other consequences." The doctor¡¯s left Xu Mey frozen to her ce.


    ¡¯Alcohol poisoning?¡¯ She fell back on the chairs in the corridor while her mind was reeling. ¡¯Why is this happening with me? First, dad and now, Wang Ge...¡¯ She didn¡¯t realize that a tear had trickled down her face.


    "Ms. Xu," Wu Wang¡¯s secretary ced her hand over Xu Mey¡¯s shoulder to get her attention. "Should I inform anyone?"


    ¡¯Inform? Right! I need to tell someone.¡¯ Xu Mey took deep breaths to calm herself, wiped her tears, and pulled out her cell phone to make a call.


    "Qiao Ge, Wang Ge is in the hospital. Come fast and don¡¯t tell aunt about it. Not yet!" Xu Mey didn¡¯t wait for his answer and disconnected the call.


    Then she made another call, "Ah-Jie, where are you?"


    "Baby, I told you I¡¯m leaving for Imperial in the morning. Did you forget?" Ye Jie answered with a frown. "Is everything okay?" He inquired feeling her tone a bit odd.


    "Huh? Yeah! Everything is fine. Call me when you¡¯re free." Xu Mey hung up the call and didn¡¯t know what else to do.


    She sat alone in the corridor holding her head. She was fidgeting due to the nervousness. She was constantly feeling on edge with a strange irritation crawling up in her heart. Her heart was uneasy as if something bad was gonna happen.


    "Xiao Mey," hearing He Jian¡¯s voice, Xu Mey turned her face to see all of her friends running up to her side. Xu Mey immediately shot up from the chair and hugged He Jian. "How¡¯s he?" He Jian asked while stroking her hair.


    "I don¡¯t know." Xu Mey shook her head.


    "Let me check," Lin Shen turned and entered the emergency room without any restrictions since the hospital belonged to his own family. Who would dare to stop him?


    "Calm down! There is no need to panic." He Jian tried to soothe Xu Mey as he rubbed her back in a circr motion.


    Lin Shen came out of the room with a glum look. "Shen Ge, what¡¯s going on?" Xu Mey looked at him expectantly. "I need to see him."


    "Little Mey, first calm down!" Lin Shen helped her to take a seat and crouched down toe at her level saying, "The doctors have pumped his stomach to flush out the fluids but since his breathing wasn¡¯t getting under control, they had to add a breathing tube in his windpipe. It¡¯s better if you don¡¯t see him right now."


    Xu Mey felt her own breathing getting harsh as she asked, "But he¡¯s okay? Right?"


    Lin Shen smiled softly and nodded his head, "He¡¯s unconscious but he¡¯s out of danger now." Xu Mey breathed a sigh of relief not noticing the look in Lin Shen¡¯s eyes. "Now, go and ssh some water on your face. And take some fresh air. Wang won¡¯t be happy seeing you like this."


    Xu Mey smiled nodded and got up to leave. "Also, eat something as well." Xu Mey heard He Jian¡¯s voice from behind.


    Seeing her disappearing figure, Li Qiao turned to Lin Shen asking, "Now, spill the truth."


    Lin Shen looked at both He Jian and Li Qiao before telling them. "He¡¯s not okay. At least, not for the next 48 hours." He shook his head and added, "The doctors did all they could. Now, he¡¯s in aa and if he didn¡¯t wake up in the next 48 hours. He might never wake up again."


    "Sh*t!" Li Qiao cursed out.


    "He always drank reasonably. What changed?" He Jian wasn¡¯t the only one thinking about this.


    Li Qiao looked at Wu Wang¡¯s secretary who was craning her neck trying to eavesdrop and beckoned her toe closer. "Yes, Sir!"


    "So, Jennie! Who met your boss before his abnormal drinking escapade?" Li Qiao¡¯s question made Jennie look around before she answered honestly.


    "Mr. Ming Qu came to see him, Sir."


    "Ming Qu?" The three of them shared the same expression.


    "What did they talk about?" He Jian inquired this time staring directly at Jennie. She felt intimidated by their stares.


    "How would I know that, sir?" Jennie cowered but obviously, none of them bought it.


    "Cut the cr*p, Jennie! You¡¯re not like Wang¡¯s personal assistant, Suzy. She likes to keep her distance from someone¡¯s personal life but you don¡¯t. You have a very bad habit of eavesdropping." Lin Shen pointed out making Jennie feel embarrassed.


    She fixed her sses and with a sullen face said, "For that reason, the boss didn¡¯t let me stay inside his office. But while I went to drop the coffee, I heard a name. What was it?" She rubbed her temples and as if her mind¡¯s bulb was lit, she said, "Zhou Qi. Yup! That¡¯s the one. They were talking about someone named Zhou Qi but I have no idea who she is."


    She noticed the way their expressions changed just listening to that name and decided to stay quiet. "You can leave now." He Jian waved her off and she bowed before leaving rather reluctantly.


    "I knew she¡¯ll be the death of him someday." Li Qiao grumbled and the other two couldn¡¯t help but agree with him.


    "Dr. Lin, this is the patient¡¯s cell phone. It¡¯s been ringing for a while now." A nurse came out to pass Wu Wang¡¯s cell phone to Lin Shen.


    "Who¡¯s calling?" Li Qiao asked and Lin Shen turned the screen towards him letting him see the caller id: Mother Empress. "Don¡¯t pick up. I can lie to my own mother but Wang¡¯s mother is a lie detector."


    "I wasn¡¯t nning on attending the call either. Aunt Bingbing might not be able to take this blow. She has already lost her eldest daughter and now, her one and only son is standing at the door of death. I have no courage to tell her this news." Lin Shen replied with a heavy heart and bit his tongue realizing that he wasn¡¯t supposed to talk about Wu Wang¡¯s sister before He Jian.


    "Give me the phone," He Jian took the phone and talked pleasantly to Fan Bingbing telling her that Wang had forgotten his phone with him. Disconnecting the call, he saw the odd looks from his friends and shrugged his shoulders indifferently. As he was passing the phone to Lin Shen, his eyes fell on the wallpaper of Wu Wang¡¯s phone.


    There was a quote, it read: ¡¯Drink the sweet poison of Love, it will only drive you mad. But don¡¯t wish for loneliness, it feels like a deadly banishment.¡¯


    He wasn¡¯t the only one who noticed the wallpaper, Lin Shen and Li Qiao also had read the words. The three of them had the same thought in mind; Howe they never noticed that his smile was actually killing him inside?

 Chapter 262 - The Love Itself

    Xu Mey listened to Lin Shen¡¯s advise and sshed her face with some cold water. After that, she got a cup of coffee and walked out on an open terrace to take some fresh air.


    Sitting on the bench, she was taking a sip of her hot coffee when her eyes fell on a familiar face sitting with an IV drip attached to his hand.


    "Mr. Kaden?" Xu Mey called out his name and Kaden jolted a bit in surprise.


    "Gosh! You scared me!" He ced his hand over his heart to calm down a bit.


    "I¡¯m sorry about that," Xu Mey spoke softly before taking a seat opposite of him. "What are you doing here? Are you sick?"


    "Nah! It¡¯s nothing much. I ate something not knowing there was pineapple powder in it." Kaden replied calmly.


    "You¡¯re allergic to pineapple?" Xu Mey raised her brow inquiringly.


    "Yeah!" Kaden answered honestly. "Why are you asking?"


    "Oh, nothing! I have a pineapple allergy as well." Xu Mey replied feeling rather weird in her heart. And at that moment, she missed the smile on Kaden¡¯s face. "But why did you eat it if you weren¡¯t sure of the ingredients?" Xu Mey asked sternly since she was someone who knew well enough how dangerous a simple food allergy could get.


    "How could I say no to eating it?" Xu Mey frowned at his response. "It was made by my fiancee. I had to eat it at any cost." There was a bright smile on his face as he spoke.


    "Where is this fiancee of yours? She didn¡¯t even know about your allergy? What kind of a person is she?" Xu Mey inquired again feeling angry for some reason.


    "Don¡¯t say that. She must have forgotten because of all the work she has to do. It doesn¡¯t matter. As for her being here, I can¡¯t see her upset. So, I didn¡¯t tell her anything." Xu Mey had the urge to p him seeing him grin like that but she controlled herself. She had to remind herself that he was just a neighbor nothing else. She actually approached him because of the same fact.


    "You must love her a lot," Xu Mey remarked.


    "I do..." He replied with a sadness swimming in his eyes. "Oh, what about you? Why are you at the hospital? Are you also sick? What¡¯s wrong?" Seeing his anxious look, Xu Mey was taken aback. Why was a stranger so concerned about her. They were neighbors but they only met once, surely he didn¡¯t have to react this way.


    "I¡¯m fine. I came with a friend." Xu Mey assured him and saw the way he visibly rxed. Xu Mey sat infortable silence with him for a while before getting up to leave. "I should get back to my friend." Kaden nodded and waved her goodbye.


    Meanwhile, Wu Wang was shifted to the VIP room. Lin Shen was the only one inside the room waiting for someone and when the door opened, he turned to see a young woman walking inside.


    "Dr. Yang Ziyi?" Lin Shen asked.


    "Hello, Dr. Lin Shen! It¡¯s a huge pleasure finally meeting you in person." Yang Ziyi smiled pleasantly at him and shook hands with him.


    "I should be saying it¡¯s my honor to make your acquaintance." Lin Shen spoke politely.


    "Let me have a look at the patient," she turned and Lin Shen felt that she halted for a second before walking ahead. Yang Ziyi looked at Wu Wang¡¯s pale face and picked up his report file.


    Suddenly the door opened and Xu Mey walked inside. Yang Ziyi looked at her inquiringly and Lin Shen answered, "She¡¯s family."


    Yang Ziyi nodded and said, "Dr. Lin can I talk to you alone?"


    "Xiao Mey, wait outside for a while." Lin Shen said to Xu Mey.


    "You said Wang Ge is fine. Why is he still sleeping like this?" Xu Mey tugged at Lin Shen¡¯s sleeve disregarding his words.


    "He¡¯s absolutely fine and there is no doubt in that. Please, if you don¡¯t mind. I have to discuss something with Dr. Lin." Xu Mey narrowed her eyes at the young looking doctor skeptically.


    "Xiao Mey, believe Dr. Yang¡¯s words. She¡¯s not only a renowned surgeon but also an expert in traditional medicines. Wait for me outside," Lin Shen coaxed her a bit and Xu Mey left the room reluctantly.


    "Dr. Lin, your friend¡¯s reports are absolutely fine and you know that as well." Lin Shen nodded his head. The reports were fine but his friend was still in aa. And with each passing second, his friend was walking farther away from him. "I believe his unconsciousness in due to mental stress."


    Even Lin Shen knew that himself. His phone ringtone made Lin Shen excuse himself and he left the room for a while.


    Yang Ziyi looked at Wu Wang¡¯s face and smiled. "Looks like you¡¯re still torturing yourself in the name of first love." She stroked his cheek softly saying, "If I knew I¡¯d actually get to be your doctor aftering to this hospital, I¡¯d have taken this job years ago."


    "Don¡¯t be stubborn. Your friends are worried for you and if I¡¯m not wrong that girl who just entered is the one whom you treasure the most. How can you let her cry like this for you?" She was talking as if Wu Wang was listening to her voice. "You¡¯re the one who once told me that love can beat friendship. Then how can you let down your friends for love?"


    Looking at his wan skin texture, she felt a bit of pain in her heart. In her memories, he was the cheery person whom she hated the most. She hated his yboy habits. She hated his drinking habits. She hated him in general but what she couldn¡¯t hate was his heart. "Wake up soon! I still have a lot to fight about."


    Hearing the sound of the door, she stood straight and behaved like a professional doctor. "Dr. Lin, I think you should let your friends apany him. An emotional strike might help in stimting his desire to live." With that, she cast ast look at Wu Wang and walked out of the room.


    Walking out, Yang Ziyi could hear his voice in her memories saying, ¡¯You know what¡¯s the deadliest kind of love?¡¯


    She had shaken her head in response and he added, ¡¯The love itself. Because there are no kinds of love. There is either love or there is no love.¡¯


    It took her a while to understand the meaning behind his words but surely, she understood it.

 Chapter 263 - If I Could Forget

    As the hours were passing by, Lin Shen¡¯s stress was increasing. For the second time in his life, he felt helpless. When he lost his mother to a brain tumor that was the first time he realized how helpless he was and that pushed him to be the world-renowned neurosurgeon. But today, even after bing the best in his field, he was once again helpless seeing his brother like best friend losing his battle with life right before his eyes.


    He didn¡¯t realize when a single teardrop escaped from his eye. "Shen, get a grip man! If Xiao Mey saw you crying like this, she¡¯ll tear everything apart." Li Qiao had to remind him. Lin Shen wiped his tear and nodded his head trying his best to get a grip over his emotions for the sake of Xu Mey.


    Xu Mey had sat beside Wu Wang¡¯s bed for all night. She had a feeling that her best friends were hiding something from her and that¡¯s why she even tried asking Dr. Yang Ziyi but she didn¡¯t get any concrete answer from her either.


    After 36 hours of painstaking waiting, Wu Wang opened his eyes slowly to see He Jian and Li Qiao talking in a corner while Lin Shen kept rubbing his temples on the couch. As for Xu Mey, she had her head ced beside him while she held his hand.


    Feeling the movement of his fingers, Xu Mey looked up at him and without notice, jumped on him to hug him. "You used to always tell me to stop drinking. Look what you did yourself?" Hearing herin in a choked up voice, Lin Shen ran up to Wu Wang¡¯s side. "You really don¡¯t care about me or any of us. Do you know how worried we were?"


    Wu Wang listened to herments in silence with a tender look in his eyes. "Why aren¡¯t you saying anything?" Xu Mey looked at him with a sad face that broke Wu Wang¡¯s heart. He opened his mouth to speak when Lin Shen interrupted him.


    "Don¡¯t try to talk, Wang. Because of the tracheostomy tube in your windpipe, you won¡¯t be able to speak clearly. Save your breath." Listening to Lin Shen¡¯s advice, Wu Wang stayed quiet but lifted his hand slowly to caress Xu Mey¡¯s hair, silently telling her to cheer up.


    Seeing the anxious faces of his friends whom he loved more than life itself, Wu Wang felt a warmth gushing in his heart. This was the family that was bonded by heart and blood wasn¡¯t of any importance. He could reckon from their lethargic looks that none of them had slept because of him and he didn¡¯t know how to say thanks to them for loving him unconditionally.


    "You better stop drinking now!" He Jian red at him as he spoke sternly. Wu Wang could only blink his eyes in response silently agreeing.


    After a while, Wu Wang made a hand gesture to shoo them away. "You want us to leave?" Li Qiao asked in disbelief. Wu Wang blinked his eyes again. "We¡¯re not going." Li Qiao answered straightforwardly.


    Wu Wang knew their nature. therefore, he didn¡¯t argue in this condition and closed his eyes again feeling drowsiness taking over him.


    When his breathing was controlled, the doctors removed the breathing tube from his neck. While he stayed two days in the hospital, none of the others moved away from his side. So, when he could finally talk slowly, the first thing he said was, "I¡¯m tired of seeing such ugly faces of yours. Go away and take some rest. Also, bring back some cabbage soup on your way back." Thest one was directed at Xu Mey. Before they could argue, he added, "Do you want me to take discharge?"


    Knowing Wu Wang¡¯s stubborn personality, they didn¡¯t dy for a moment and left his side not before Lin Shen instructed the staff to take extra special care of him. Wu Wang was really tired of seeing their puffy panda sleep-deprived eyes. Behind them, he turned his face to one side as if lost in some thoughts when he heard the sound of the door.


    He shifted his eyes to see a petite figure walking inside with her high ponytail swinging with her each step. She had a toothy grin on her small face and her hands were in the pockets of her white coat as she sauntered up to his side. "Finally, I¡¯m seeing you awake." Yang Ziyi spoke with her infectious cheery tone.


    Wu Wang didn¡¯t speak but his eyes were stuck on her even when she was studying his reports. "Well, everything else seems good but you need to take rest and have to take proper diet. Also, there might be some headaches, nausea, stomach cramps or even tremors. As for anxiety, that you already have otherwise you wouldn¡¯t be here, right?" She stopped smiling when she realized that Wu Wang¡¯s eyes had narrowed at herst statement. She dry coughed a bit and continued, "Anyways, you need special care since alcohol poisoning can attack again."


    Wu Wang still didn¡¯t respond to her words. "Are you looking at me because you forgot about me or because you remember me too well?"


    This time, Wu Wang didn¡¯t stay quiet as he responded, "If I could forget easily, I wouldn¡¯t have been on this hospital bed."


    "Fair enough." Yang Ziyi remarked and added, "That means you remember me, right?"


    "I certainly can¡¯t forget the girl who locked me up in a women bathroom." Yang Ziyi choked on air at his words as she bit her tongue.


    "I¡¯m sorry about thest time, it was just a mistake." She said sheepishly. "But it was your own fault for hitting on my friend." She argued righteously.


    "In the past 10 years, I¡¯m tired of telling you that I¡¯ve never even approached a girl myself." He felt a fury brewing inside of him as he tried to burn the girl before him with his eyes because he couldn¡¯t raise his voice.


    "Okay, fine! It was the other way around but I didn¡¯t know at that moment. Sorry about it." Yang Ziyi felt wronged at the moment for being under his burning gaze. "Oh, by the way, I just realized that we have met 15 times in the past 10 years and yet, we never officially introduced ourselves. I¡¯m Yang Ziyi."


    Wu Wang looked at her fair hand stretched out and after pondering, he shook it lightly before yanking her hand away as if it burned him. "I¡¯m..." He was about to introduce himself when she interrupted him.


    "You¡¯re Wu Wang. I know, I read the file already." Yang Ziyi spoke cheerfully. Wu Wang red at her hatefully but Yang Ziyi shrugged it off as always.

 Chapter 264 - Ah-Jie Smitten By His Baby

    Sluggishly, Xu Mey opened the door of the house and stepped inside. Keeping her eyes open was a battle in itself. She dragged her exhausted self to the living room and thinking that she had reached the couch, she let go of her body.


    But in her weary state, she didn¡¯t see that she had just reached the entrance of the hall, the couch was feet away from her. Fortunately, before her body couldnd on the marble floor, Ye Jie ran up to catch her. She would havended face front on the hard floor if not for Ye Jie approaching her at lightning speed.


    The familiarvender scent made her rub her eyes to see and her exhausted body immediately got recharged as she wrapped her arms around his neck excitedly, "Ah-Jie, you¡¯re back! Why did you juste now? Your baby¡¯s been missing you so much."


    Ye Jie held her face and frowned seeing the condition of her face. "What have you been doing in the past two days while I was gone?"


    Xu Mey ced her head against his chest feeling the warmth of his body and mumbled softly, "I was at the hospital."


    "Why? Is your dad okay?" Ye Jie thought her father was again hospitalized.


    "Dad is fine, thankfully! But it was Wang Ge..." She rted the whole events of thest two days while dragging her words a bit unnecessarily.


    "You must be exhausted," Ye Jie remarked and Xu Mey snuggled up closer to him as she nodded like an innocent bunny. Our Ah-Jie who was already smitten by his baby felt a tug at his heart seeing her in such a state.


    He bent a bit and picked Xu Mey in his arms. "Have you eaten anything?" Ye Jie asked close to her ear and she shook her head in her half sleeping state. He could only roll his eyes since she had a habit of acting perfunctorily.


    He took her straight towards the bathroom and helped her in removing all the dirty clothes off of her body as he filled the bathtub with hot water for her. He ced her body in the hot water and said, "Baby, I¡¯ll be right back. Don¡¯t sleep in the tub." Xu Mey rubbed her eyes like a kitten and nodded her head vigorously.


    Ye Jie came out to call the maid to make some light dinner for Xu Mey and when he went back to the bathroom he was stunned. Xu Mey did exactly what he told her not to do, she slept in the bathtub and was now coughing loudly to get the water out of her lungs.


    Ye Jie came to her side and she smiled cheekily at him. "Baby, I told you not to sleep." He was trying to control his anger as he supported her body and helped her in taking the bath.


    "I didn¡¯t realize it," Xu Mey spoke softly melting Ye Jie¡¯s heart as always.


    After the bath, he d her in a silk nightgown and took her to the bed. The maid brought the dinner for Xu Mey and Ye Jie asked her to eat but she shook her head wanting to sleep. Taking the wonton soup in his mouth, Ye Jie had to hold her face and push the soup down her throat.


    Feeling his warm lips against her own, her eyes flew open instinctively. She wrapped her arms around his neck trying to pull him closer. She couldn¡¯t decide who tasted better; the soup or her Ah-Jie. But she knew that her Ah-Jie was the best. Therefore, she lost herself in his taste instead of the soup¡¯. While she tried to push her tongue in his mouth, Ye Jie bit down on her lip making her hiss. "Shhh... Ah-Jie, that hurt." Xu Mey whined as she looked at Ye Jie with a saddened look.


    "Stop ying around and drink the soup like a good baby." Ye Jie tried to coax her a bit.


    "But I¡¯m Ah-Jie¡¯s best baby. Aren¡¯t I?" Xu Mey asked docilely. That meek look made Ye Jie¡¯s lip curl upward involuntarily.


    He tousled her hair and said, "Yes... My baby is the best and that¡¯s why she¡¯s going to finish this soup before sleeping."


    Xu Mey made a face and as if thinking of something, she smiled brightly saying, "If Ah-Jie will feed me, I¡¯ll drink happily."


    Ye Jie narrowed his eyes at her and took the bowl from the side table. He extended the spoon towards her mouth but Xu Mey turned her face away saying, "Nope. Ah-Jie has to feed me as he did earlier."


    Ye Jie pushed the spoon in her mouth and wiped her lip with his thumb as he spoke in a low voice, "Baby, do you want to sleep tonight?" Xu Mey frowned a bit but nodded since she couldn¡¯t fight with her exhaustion anymore. His thumb lingered on her bottom lip as he added, "Then just drink this soup with the spoon. If I went back to the earlier method, I¡¯m afraid you¡¯ll break because of exhaustion."


    Realizing the meaning of his words, Xu Mey pursed her lips and avoided looking at him but obediently drank the soup with the spoon.


    After feeding the whole bowl of soup, Ye Jie nted a kiss against her lips and said, "Now, go to sleep." He was about to leave when she held his wrist and pulled him to the bed.


    Fixing her head on his chest, she snuggled up as a satisfied smile bloomed on her tired face. Ye Jie shook his head lightly and pulled her closer as he wrapped his arms around her small waist. He kissed the top of her head and whispered, "I love you very much, my baby."

 Chapter 265 - Distressing Son

    Meanwhile back at the hospital, Wu Wang tried to get up to find his cellphone but his body wasn¡¯t helping much. "Who told you to move?" Yang Ziyi spoke sternly as she walked up to him and ced her index on the space between his brows to push him back. "What do you want?" She asked.


    "My cellphone." Wu Wang answered and she looked for his phone. She picked his phone and gave it to him. "Thanks." Wu Wang said to her and dialed his mother¡¯s number. "Hi, mom!"


    "Where the hell have you been? Do you love scaring your mother?" Fan Bingbing was fuming at the other side and Wu Wang could feel her anxiousness even when she was scolding him. "Why am I so unlucky when ites to children? Especially you! When I say to marry someone, you run away. When I say, live in the family house, you run away. What¡¯s up with you and running away? Tell me, what did you get yourself into this time?"


    He smiled gently as he kept listening to her voice while Yang Ziyi¡¯s eyes got stuck on the charming smile on his pale face. She even forgot about why she came to the room in the first ce.


    "Are you done, mam¨¢?" The tone of his voice changed and Yang Ziyi felt touched by the way he spoke. "I didn¡¯t want to worry you. And if you¡¯ll keep scolding me, how will I tell you about where I am and how I am?"


    "Huh! Do you take your mother to be an idiot?" Fan Bingbing scoffed. "I already figured that something must have happened to you otherwise, He Jian wouldn¡¯t lie to me so easily."


    Wu Wang chuckled lightly and said, "Aiyoh! As Li Qiao says, you really are a lie detector. But if you knew that I¡¯m not okay, why did you let their lie pass so easily?"


    "I have faith in them. They can take better care of you. Now, tell mam¨¢ are you? And how are you?" Fan Bingbing always tried to disregard Wu Wang¡¯s careless behavior but it didn¡¯t mean she never cared about him. He was her only son, how could she possibly be not worried about him? Especially when he always found new ways to give her stress.


    "Mam¨¢, I¡¯m still in the hospital but I¡¯m fine now. Don¡¯t try to run here to me otherwise I¡¯ll run away from here and you won¡¯t see me." Wu Wang warned her knowing very well that his mother would already be on her way and he was right, Fan Bingbing had just opened the door of the car when his words stopped her.


    She mmed the door shut and grumbled, "Fine!"


    "That¡¯s like my best mam¨¢. Now, go back to the room and rest for the night. Come to see me in the morning and bring some food." Fan Bingbing chuckled softly and agreed to his request. Wu Wang hung up the phone but the smile was still lingering on his lips.


    "A! You¡¯re such a mam¨¢¡¯s boy." Yang Ziyi¡¯sment earned her a deadly re from Wu Wang making her instantly shut her mouth and focus on changing his IV drip. Although it was the job of the nurse, she took it upon herself.


    Wu Wang¡¯s mind again wandered off to his discussion with Ming Qu and he felt a strange feeling crawling up in his heart. It was painful than the headache he had. He didn¡¯t want to think about Zhou Qi or anything rted to her at the moment. He used to feel hollow after she left but now that he knew the reason why she left, he felt despair and moreover, inferior for some reason.


    His gaze wandered off to Yang Ziyi who was seriously doing her job. He sighed and decided to distract his mind by using the crazy girl before him.


    "What are you doing here?" Wu Wang asked looking at her curiously.


    Yang Ziyi frowned and answered uncertainly, "Changing the IV drip."


    "You¡¯re still the dumbest person I¡¯ve ever met in my life." Wu Wang¡¯s statement made her scowl but he didn¡¯t care as he went on, "I meant what are you doing in the country? In this city? And more specifically, what are you doing in this hospital?"


    "Oh..." Realization dawned on her. "I was going toe back to the country eventually but as for being here in Star City Hospital, I came here for Dr. Lin Shen." Wu Wang wasn¡¯t very surprised to hear thest part. "It was my dream to work with him. I mean he is one of the youngest chief surgeons in our country."


    "Lose the fangirl expression, Sun Ju will murder you," Wu Wang adviced her nicely.


    "Sun Ju?"


    "She¡¯s your Dr. Lin Shen¡¯s fiance and soon to be wife." Yang Ziyi¡¯s face fell but he didn¡¯t stop there. "There wedding is in precisely 28 days now. I¡¯ll invite you for sure."


    "You just broke my heart. Why are you so brutal?" She dramatically ced her hand over her heart. "What rotten luck I have?" She gave a heart-rending expression making Wu Wang roll his eyes at her.


    "Who gave you the doctor¡¯s degree? You should try in the entertainment industry. Trust me, you can even leave Song Yuling behind." Wu Wang was being sarcastic with a stern look.


    "What a pity that nobody took notice of my talent before." She even added the effect of wiping an invisible tear. "I would have been the top actress of the nation by now." Shemented.


    Wu Wang shook his head at her feeling light-hearted because of her weird actions. "If you want you can still be the nation¡¯s goddess. Just get some stic surgery to fix your ugly face and I¡¯ll ask Li Qiao to sign you under hispany."


    Yang Ziyi gave him a dirty look saying, "I already have the features of a goddess."


    "Yeah, right!" He scoffed.


    She ignored his reaction and smiled brightly looking at him. "I should think about bing an actor seriously. Anyways, on a serious note, take some rest. It¡¯s not good to strain your vocals so soon. I¡¯ll see you in the morning, Mr. Patient!"


    "Sure, Ms. Doctor!" Wu Wang reciprocated her way of speaking and watched her figure leaving his room. "I can¡¯t believe she still hasn¡¯t changed. Dumb girl!" He spoke to himself and shook his head lightly before closing his eyes.


    She really helped in taking his mind off of unimportant stuff and he was thankful for that.

 Chapter 266 - For You!

    Xu Mey was in the kitchen early in the morning to make the cabbage soup for Wu Wang. Wearing a cute red apron, she was cutting all the ingredients evenly. She had been so immersed in cooking that she didn¡¯t even realize that Ye Jie had been leaning against the door.


    He hadn¡¯t seen her in the past two days and he couldn¡¯t lie to himself that he didn¡¯t miss her. He had realized a strange thing about her. Whenever Xu Mey was jealous or tired, her inner clingy and cute self would burst out just likest night. He was smiling like a fool all by himself thinking about her cute actionsst night.


    His eyes followed her each and every movement. With a sigh, he shook his head at his ignorant wife and decided to make his presence known by himself. She was adding the carrots, cabbage, tomatoes, and other ingredients of the soup in the pot when two strong arms encircled around her waist and her shoulder felt the weight as Ye Jie nted his chin on it.


    "Good morning, baby!" He kissed her cheek as he greeted her affectionately.


    Xu Mey smiled radiantly and replied, "Good morning, Ah-Jie!"


    Ye Jie didn¡¯t let her go and followed her even when she turned towards the cabs to find onion soup mix. She tried to push him off but he still stuck to her like glue.


    Finally, in thest cab, she saw the box of onion soup mix at the top shelf. She tried to jump but Ye Jie¡¯s arms restricted her. She pped his arm and said, "Let me go, I need to get that."


    Ye Jie groaned like a kid and made an adorable face. If he had stomped his foot, he would have exactly looked like a kid showing tantrums over being apart from his favorite teddy bear. But Ye Jie actually had the same feelings in him since his baby was not only his favorite but also, his only teddy bear.


    "Ah-Jie!" Hearing the warning in her voice, Ye Jie reluctantly let her go. Xu Mey smiled smugly and lifted her arm to reach the box of soup mix. But apparently, the luck was on Ye Jie¡¯s side. She tip-toed, jumped but still couldn¡¯t even touch the box because of her height. She had a good height but whenever she looked at her husband, she felt short.


    With a mournful look, she turned her face to look at Ye Jie who was smiling amusingly by himself with his arms crossed before his chest. It took a lot of effort to stifle hisugh seeing the way Xu Mey was jumping around like a bunny.


    Xu Mey rubbed her nose adorably and with her index finger, pointed towards the box she was trying to reach. Silently asking him for help. Ye Jie chuckled as he tousled her hair and wrapping his arms around her waist again, he lifted her up.


    Xu Mey happily picked up the box and Ye Jie nted her feet back on the ground. She tried to get out of his grasp but he tightened his arms making Xu Mey look at him with a frown. "Don¡¯t think about running away before giving me my reward for helping you." Xu Mey rolled her eyes at him and tip-toed to kiss him on the lips before pulling away immediately.


    "How mean!" Ye Jie grumbled since he felt she had used him and was abandoning him now but he still stuck close to her.


    Holding adle in hand, Xu Mey stirred the soup in the pot before covering it. She turned her body to face him still stuck in his arms. Suddenly a strange thought came to her mind and lifting her head up she asked, "Ah-Jie, why are you so tall?"


    Ye Jie didn¡¯t know why this strange question came at such a sweet moment. "I thought girls like tall guys."


    "Which girls are you talking about? And how many girls have you been hanging around?" Feeling the dangerous edge to her voice, Ye Jie cursed himself inwardly. But he also felt gleeful since she was being jealous again.


    "Baby, I meant that isn¡¯t me being tall helpful? Like I just helped you," Ye Jie tried to divert her attention and it worked at some level.


    "Well, it is good," she remarked and added, "But I don¡¯t like the fact that my head barely reaches your shoulder." She puffed out her cheeks like a balloon.


    Ye Jie tapped her nose lightly, saying, "Silly, there is a reason for that."


    "Huh? What is that?" She asked like a curious cat.


    He grabbed the back of her head and ced it again his chest. "Now, tell me what do you hear?"


    "I can hear your heartbeat obviously... By the way, your heartbeat is very strong and... soothing." She grinned while Ye Jie shook his head at how his baby was so easily forgetting the main point here.


    "Exactly, that¡¯s the reason why I¡¯m taller than you." She knitted her brows skeptically. "Oho! Baby, because of our height difference, whenever you hug me, my heart gets the chance to whisper in your ear."


    "What is it whispering?" She inquired gazing into his brown eyes.


    Ye Jie lowered his head to touch her forehead with his own as he softly replied, "With every beat, it¡¯s reminding you that it¡¯s only beating for you."


    Xu Mey¡¯s heart skipped a beat making her realize how easy it was for her Ah-Jie to wrap her in the web of his sweet words. And yet, she dly wanted to keep being tangled up. From the tip of her toes to the tip of her ears, she felt heat crawling up and she was ming Ye Jie for that.


    ¡¯One should not have such a damn sweet husband, there are chances of getting diabetes.¡¯ She thought to herself.


    Ye Jie caught her lips between his in a passionate kiss and all her earlier thoughts were thrown out the window and new thoughts took their ce, ¡¯But I don¡¯t mind having this diabetes inducing husband.¡¯ After this thought, she dly encircled her arms around his waist and lifting his shirt a bit, her hand roamed inside freely as if it was their own territory.


    Oh, wait! Our Xu Mey¡¯s Ah-Jie was obviously her territory, how can people like usment on that?

 Chapter 267 - Old Granny & Handsome Hunk

    Her soft fingers floated across his muscles smoothly and balletically. She loved the tingling sensation that his skin left on her fingers. Xu Mey knew she could never be tired of touching him ever.


    Feeling her soft fingers softly caressing his ribs, Ye Jie grinned against her lips and asked suggestively, "My baby seems fervent." Xu Mey disregarded hisment and caught his lips to continue what they were doing.


    Ye Jie wasn¡¯t the one to hold back as he lifted her body up on the counter and her legs circled around his torso tightly, pulling him closer. Ye Jie grabbed her head and thrust his tongue inside her mouth in slow motion. He made his movements painstakingly slow making Xu Mey groan in frustration making him feelcent.


    Xu Mey also wanted to resist him because of his teasing but her body was so responsive that left Xu Mey feeling betrayed. Until she was anxious in the hospital, she hadn¡¯t paid attention to how much she missed the touch of his taut body on her fingers and his warmth against her body. Now, seeing him so close she figured that she had missed him tremendously.


    Therefore, she kicked out her pride and surrendered herself to him. Ye Jie undid her apron¡¯s tie and pulled it over her head. Xu Mey was wearing a spaghetti strap tee in the house and taking advantage of this fact, Ye Jie¡¯s hand moved from her torso to upwards and stopped right at his destination. A gasp escaped Xu Mey¡¯s mouth as his callous hands gently outlined the circle of her strawberry creams making them surge by his sensual touch.


    She tugged at his shirt making him chuckle. He discarded his shirt on the kitchen floor and Xu Mey nestled her face in the crook of his neck, leaving a trail of wet kisses towards his chest. Ye Jie palmed her face and made her look into his eyes.


    Xu Mey felt her body surging with merely his gaze. His brown eyes held a burning intensity and yet there was immense gentleness. Xu Mey suddenly smiled broadly surprising Ye Jie as he asked, "Why are you smiling, baby?"


    Xu Mey gently caressed his cheek and answered, "Ah-Jie, you¡¯re drop-dead gorgeous."


    "Did you just realize that?" Ye Jie tried being a bit narcissistic before her.


    She left a fleeting kiss at the edge of his lips and said, "Nope... But now it seems like you¡¯re getting more handsome with each passing day." Suddenly, her lips turned down as she said, "At this rate, I¡¯ll be an old granny soon and you¡¯ll still be a handsome hunk."


    Ye Jie threw his head back tough pleasantly at his silly wife. "Silly," he tapped her forehead lightly and went on, "How can my baby be an old granny? My baby is so damn beautiful that even I ask myself, how did I get so lucky?"


    Xu Mey smiled bashfully but still argued stubbornly. "You¡¯re more beautiful." Ye Jie was going to argue again but Xu Mey ced her finger against his lips making him frown. The same finger of hers traced down as she spoke, "I said, my Ah-Jie is more beautiful than that¡¯s final. Don¡¯t forget, Ah-Jie¡¯s baby is always right. Isn¡¯t she?" Ye Jie obediently bobbed his head up and down as she continued, "Also, the reason why my Ah-Jie is so beautiful is right here." She tapped on his chest and added, "Since you have the most beautiful heart, that makes you the most beautiful husband in the whole wide world."


    Before Ye Jie could say anything, Xu Mey cut him off, "And don¡¯t say that I also have a lovely heart because you and I both know that¡¯d be a lie. I don¡¯t have a beautiful heart like yours."


    "That won¡¯t change the fact that you¡¯re the most beautiful wife for me." Ye Jie whispered close to her ear as he sucked on her earlobe and gently nibbled on it making Xu Mey¡¯s hand clutching his body closer.


    His mouth moved from her ear towards her smooth, fair and beautiful neck. As his mouth moved, he left a trail of bright red marks as if leaving his signs on her body. His mouth was painfully teasing her, setting her body ame. His hands rubbing against her ribs were possessive and his mouth on her jawline was ravishing and hungry.


    Xu Mey could feel the heat of his greed for possession, intoxicating her as well. She raked her fingers through his thick hair enjoying the feeling of his smooth and silky hair.


    His mouth captured hers but with a savage intensity this time around. And Xu Mey didn¡¯t fall behind as she reciprocated his kisses with an abandoned passion. She knew her body was craving for his touch. Yearning to have him buried deep within. Longing for his tongue to be elsewhere. Desiring the warmth of his soft flesh to heal the ache in her body.


    Just as Ye Jie¡¯s hand stopped ying with the straps of her shirt, he was about to slide them aside when Xu Mey¡¯s eyes widened and she shrieked a bit. "What¡¯s wrong baby?" Although Ye Jie was taken aback by her sudden cry, he still asked calmly afraid that she was hurt.


    Xu Mey gave him a horrified look and said, "Soup!"


    "Huh? Soup?" Ye Jie raised his brow inquiringly.


    Xu Mey pointed at the pot of soup on the stove and repeated softly, "Soup." She jumped down the counter to turn off the heat and lifted the lid to check the soup.


    But she didn¡¯t realize that her single ¡¯soup¡¯ was akin to a bucket of cold water that had drowned Ye Jie, extinguishing the volcano brewing inside of him.


    "Thank God! The soup is fine." Xu Mey spoke delightedly and looked at Ye Jie rubbing his forehead with a nk look. Remembering what they were doing, she felt a bit guilty as she said, "Sorry, Ah-Jie!"


    Ye Jie raked his fingers through his hair exasperatedly and blew out his breath. "It¡¯s okay." He rep(lied) and picked up his shirt to leave. After all, this bucket of cold water was anything but... okay!


    Xu Mey watched his retreating back and curled her fingers to knock on her own head as she said to herself, "Idiot Mey! Couldn¡¯t you have chosen a better moment to open your damn mouth?" But of course, she couldn¡¯t have. She was still the stupid Xu Mey who knew how to spoil the moment!

 Chapter 268 - Strange Family

    "Good morning, Mr. Patient!" Yang Ziyi greeted Wu Wang cheerily. But he responded in a nonchnt way. Her lips twitched at his indifferent look and she decided to focus on her job of treating him.


    The private hospital room was spacious but extremely silent with only the sound of machines lingering in the air. It was a serene atmosphere for a patient.


    But...


    Suddenly, this tranquility was disturbed when the door of the room was pushed open and a wave of people came running inside.


    "Wang!" Fan Bingbing ran up to her son¡¯s side and touched his pale face feeling heartbroken.


    "You! Young man, look at how much exhausted you seem in a couple of days," this voice belonged to Sun Ju who came along with Lin Shen.


    "Bro, you look so sickly," his sister Wu Xia also have tagged along and was now bawling her eyes out looking at her brother¡¯s condition.


    "I¡¯m absolutely fine. Stop overreacting!" Wu Wang didn¡¯t know how to deal with these dramaticdies at all. So, he turned to his friends for help. "Shen, please calm your fiance and Jian, could you please hold my mother?" Then his gaze shifted to his little sister as he went on, "And you! Stop crying, I¡¯m not dead yet!"


    Hisst remark earned him a thrashing from his mother and even Sun Ju joined in. "Could youdies refrain being so violent with a patient?" Wu Wangined like a victim.


    "Then stop spouting nonsense!" Sun Ju warned him with a re.


    "Exactly! I have only one son and you¡¯re still cursing yourself?" Fan Bingbing didn¡¯t seem easygoing at all for the time being.


    "Who cursed whom?" Hearing the soft pleasant voice, everyone turned to look at Xu Mey who was gazing curiously at everyone while Ye Jie was silently following behind her.


    "Little Mey, look this brother of yours was cursing himself," Fan Bingbing didn¡¯t hold back at all. She knew the only person Wu Wang would listen to was Xu Mey.


    Sure enough, Xu Mey narrowed her eyes at Wu Wang and red at him dangerously taking slow steps towards his bed. "Wang Ge, how dare you dictate your own life? Did we allow you to die? No, we did not! Don¡¯t forget, your life is not just yours. We all are a part of it." Wu Wang stayed quiet and listened to her lecture with a ghostly smile on his lips. He didn¡¯t mind anything Xu Mey said.


    We all get used to changes thate with time but there still remains hope in us that some things could stay the same forever. With everything changing in his life, Wu Wang was more than just content to know that no matter what, his friends and family were standing by his side with the same feelings they once had for him.


    After the lecturing was done, Wu Wang¡¯s mother remembered something and said, "Oh, right! I brought you some porridge." She opened the lunch box she had brought.


    "Auntie, Wang doesn¡¯t like porridge. How can you not know that being his mother and all?" Sun Ju gave Fan Bingbing an odd look.


    "I know he doesn¡¯t like it but it¡¯s very healthy for him." Fan Bingbing argued righteously.


    At the same time, Sun Ju also opened her lunch box and an enticing aroma wafted out as she said, "Wang, you eat this. I made seafood soup for you early in the morning. It has a lot of protein and it will help you in healing."


    Wu Wang was obviously drooling at the sight of seafood soup rather than that nd porridge that he despised the most. But at the same time, Xu Mey pushed her own lunch box saying, "Wang Ge, you asked for the cabbage soup and I made it just for you. No matter what you have to eat this."


    While Wu Wang was in a dilemma, nobody noticed the petite doctor who had been gawking at this scene with a baffled look. This was a first for Yang Ziyi to see a family this strange. All of them ran here early in the morning with food containers. But she would be lying if she said that it didn¡¯t warm her heart.


    "Excuse me!" Hearing an unfamiliar voice, everyone¡¯s gaze shifted to the corner of the room to see Yang Ziyi smiling awkwardly. She coughed lightly before taking a step to add, "It¡¯d be better if the patient doesn¡¯t eat any of these."


    "Huh? But this is very healthy." When Xu Mey argued all the otherdies nodded in agreement making Yang Ziyi want tough.


    "It¡¯s healthy but he¡¯s still under observation. But if you still want to feed him anything as a doctor I¡¯d suggest to eat the seafood soup." Xu Mey¡¯s face fell but there was another person whose face darkened and that person was none other than Ye Jie.


    ¡¯Great! First, this soup spoiled my morning and now, it¡¯s upsetting my baby.¡¯ Ye Jie had the urge to curse out loud. The soup had really ruined his perfect morning.


    While Yang Ziyi was leaving the room, Fan Bingbing stopped her. "Who are you, prettydy? I haven¡¯t seen you before."


    Before Yang Ziyi could answer Lin Shen cut in to introduce her, "Auntie, she¡¯s Dr. Yang Ziyi. She has just joined the hospital and she¡¯s the attending doctor of Wang."


    "Oh, really?" Fan Bingbing was delighted to hear that. "Here, since you¡¯re taking such good care of my son. Why don¡¯t you eat this porridge? He can¡¯t eat it anyway." Yang Ziyi didn¡¯t take the lunch box, she was quite reluctant. Clearly, taking care of Wu Wang was her job as a doctor. She didn¡¯t do anything extraordinary. But Fan Bingbing didn¡¯t think the same way, she smiled gently and said, "You¡¯re so frail yourself. You should also keep check of your diet as a doctor."


    "That¡¯s because Dr. Yang Ziyi is infamous for living in hospitals. Her work is her food." Lin Shen¡¯s remark made Yang Ziyi feel embarrassed for some reason.


    "Aiyo! Youngdy, that¡¯s not nice at all. Take it, please!" On Fan Bingbing¡¯s insistence, Yang Ziyi took the box and thanked her politely.


    Feeling something strange in Fan Bingbing¡¯s gaze, Xu Mey came closer to her. "You¡¯re not nning anything, are you?"


    "Little Mey, wouldn¡¯t that pretty doctor look good with our Wang?" Xu Mey frowned understanding what she was implying. Xu Mey frowned when she added, "Oho! See, our Wang is heart-broken, right?" Xu Mey nodded agreeing silently. "And what he needs is someone to heal his broken heart and who better to heal a person than a doctor herself?" Fan Bingbing wiggled her brows yfully.


    Xu Mey didn¡¯t know who was more immature she or her aunt that was standing before her acting like a teenage match-maker. But when Xu Mey pondered a bit, she realized that the idea wasn¡¯t so bad after all.


    Yang Ziyi was beautiful, sessful and most importantly, she had a very likable personality. ¡¯They really would look good together.¡¯ Xu Mey thought but didn¡¯t share her thoughts with Fan Bingbing.

 Chapter 269 - Bros Gathering

    After arguing for an hour, Wu Wang managed to convince his mother to go back home and Wu Xia had to follow her back as well. On the other hand, Xu Mey had an important meeting at the Xu Corporations and with much reluctance, she also left the hospital.


    Since Sun Ju and Lin Shen¡¯s wedding was not far, they had to make a trip back to the Lin Family house to have lunch with the elders for some discussion and Wu Wang didn¡¯t dare to stop them.


    With all of them gone, only Li Qiao, He Jian, and Ye Jie remained behind with Wu Wang.


    "What? Don¡¯t you all have something to do?" Wu Wang stared at the three men who were busy drinking coffee elegantly on the sofas as if having a small gathering of friends. The three men on the sofa didn¡¯t spare him a nce and merely shrugged their shoulders nonchntly. Wu Wang was enraged by their reaction but he still wasn¡¯t allowed to strain his vocal cords, therefore, he stayed quiet.


    "Jian, my cousin wants you to design his new office," Li Qiao told He Jian keeping a calm look on his face.


    "I¡¯ll look into it," He Jian answered as his gaze shifted towards Ye Jie as he said, "So, should I start calling you cousin now?"


    The cup in Ye Jie¡¯s hand paused for a moment before he answered, "Suit yourself, Jian Ge!"


    He Jian narrowed his eyes at Ye Jie while he smiled sweetly in return. This scene made Li Qiao frown a bit.


    "So, when are you nning on confronting your parents? Oh, sorry! I mean fake parents." He Jian asked on impulse. "Or my dear cousin is still scared to do so?"


    Ye Jie knew that He Jian was trying to incite him because even till now, he wasn¡¯t gettingfortable with the idea of having an older cousin brother. Although He Jian was only a few months older than him. But that didn¡¯t mean, he would let this cousin tease him like this.


    Ye Jie took another sip of his ck coffee and with a brittle smile said, "I heard Jian Ge¡¯s prospective life partner was supposed to meet him a couple of days ago. How was the meeting?" He Jian clenched his hands in fists while he tried his best to control his urge to punch Ye Jie¡¯s face.


    "Ooohhh! That one must have stung!" Even Wu Wang couldn¡¯t help butugh since Ye Jie chose the exact topic that ticked off He Jian. "Tsk... Tsk... I pity you both for using these means to have an argument." He was busy clicking his tongue.


    Seeing that both He Jian and Ye Jie were equally stubborn, Li Qiao could feel the vibes of blood between them. He shook his head and tried to mediate the situation. "Jian didn¡¯t get to the meeting."


    "Why?" Ye Jie inquired. This time he was genuinely curious to know the answer.


    "Because when he was driving to meet the supposed ¡¯prospective life partner¡¯," even Li Qiao couldn¡¯t stop himself from air quoting as he went on, "I called him to inform about Wang¡¯s condition. Therefore, he ran over here to the hospital."


    "Oh, sh*t!" Wu Wang swore as he red daggers at He Jian. "Did you miss that damn meeting?" He Jian nodded his head indifferently. Wu Wang looked hatefully at him and then he had the urge to cry. "Have you lost your mind? My mother empress is going to kill me!"


    "I think Jian even made that girl wait for him since he didn¡¯t inform about his absence. She must have waited a long time before realizing that he stood her up." Li Qiao spoke out to inform Wu Wang and this time he really wanted to bury himself alive.


    "That¡¯s very rude of you, Jian Ge." Ye Jie remarked with disappointment. "Leaving a girl alone on a date to wait for you is disrespectful. How could you even do that?"


    "I was worried for my best friend¡¯s life. I didn¡¯t think about anything else at that time." He Jian spoke in his defense.


    "Are you sure you weren¡¯t just trying to find excuses to run away from that meeting?" Ye Jie pointed out making He Jian roll his eyes at him.


    "Dear cousin, I am not that cheap." Ye Jie nodded his head actually believing his words since he was already aware that He Jian was nning on asking that girl to reject the marriage proposal as he couldn¡¯t do so himself.


    "What¡¯s wrong with you Wang? Should I call the doctor?" Li Qiao was the one to observe Wu Wang¡¯s nched face.


    The three of them came close to his bed and looked at him weirdly. Laying lifeless, suddenly an idea popped up into his mind as he searched for his phone and dialed a number.


    "What is he doing?" Ye Jie asked seeing the anxious face of Wu Wang but the other two were just as confused as he was.


    "Hey, little ducky! What¡¯s up?" Wu Wang¡¯s speaking manner took an abrupt change as the call was connected. After hearing the answer from the other side, he frowned, "You¡¯re taking your medicine? Why?" Again after a pause, he said, "You waited for Jian till the morning? Who does that? You fool! You¡¯re impossible."


    ¡¯Till morning?¡¯ Li Qiao red at He Jian while He Jian could only look down embarrassingly.


    "Since you¡¯re the dumbest person who slept in the tea house while waiting for him obviously you¡¯d be sick now." Wiu Wang scoffed and shook his head. "Anyways, the reason I called you is to ask for a favor." After taking a brief pause to hear, he added, "Can you please not tell mom about it? Please, pretty please! Although you don¡¯t give a damn, it wasn¡¯t Jian¡¯s fault, I was hospitalized and he came running to me."


    Ye Jie didn¡¯t understand the reason for such a request but the other two weren¡¯t fools. They knew themselves that if Fan Bingbing got to know that He Jian actually ditched his prospective wife, there will be riots!


    Wu Wang finally smiled as he said, "Okay, thank you! As always, our little ducky is the best! I¡¯ll see you after I get a discharge." After he hung up the phone, he really wanted to punch He Jian. "You better meet her next week. For now, she¡¯ll tell mom that she was busy and couldn¡¯t meet you."


    He Jian ignored him and went back to the sofa while Ye Jie followed him. However, Li Qiao leaned a bit close to Wu Wang¡¯s ear and asked, "Aren¡¯t you, my best bro? At least tell me who our future sister-inw is?"


    Wu Wang pushed him away and said, "After He Jian meets her, everyone will know who she is."


    "Do we know her? At the very least, you can spill this much." Li Qiao was still insistent.


    Wu Wang sighed heavily and said, "Yeah! You all have seen her. Now, let me rest." He even yawned to emphasize his point leaving Li Qiao¡¯s craving for gossip unsatiated.


    "Jerk!" Li Qiao could only hatefully grumble.

 Chapter 270 - Bonding Over Street Food

    After Wu Wang went back to sleep, the rest of them left him alone. In the parking lot, they were walking side by side in perfect harmony when Li Qiao suggested, "Shall we grab some snacks before going back to the office?" It was an excuse since he didn¡¯t want to go back home.


    He Jian and Ye Jie looked at each other before shrugging their shoulders nonchntly, silently giving their consent. Li Qiao rolled his eyes at their equally stubborn nature and said, "Okay! So, how should we move from here?" Because in his opinion, each of them brought their own car, it was necessary to ask.


    "My baby took my car. So, I don¡¯t have a ride." Ye Jie told him politely since he didn¡¯t even bother to ask Qi Guan to fetch him. But Li Qiao was roaring inwardly, ¡¯Do you have to feed people dog food even when she¡¯s not here?¡¯


    "Shen picked me up from home. I don¡¯t have a ride either." He Jian also replied in an indifferent manner.


    Li Qiao could only look at their faces and shake his head. "Fine! Then our problem is solved. Get on my car." He Jian took the passenger seat while Ye Jie sat in the backseat and Li Qiao took his position behind the wheel.


    As the engine was revved up, they drove out of the parking lot and Li Qiao again spoke up, "Any suggestions for where to go?"


    "I have no opinion," He Jian replied and looked out the window. Li Qiao had expected that much from his cold best friend. ¡¯What man of few words? He¡¯s an iceberg!¡¯ Li Qiao thought to himself.


    Li Qiao looked at Ye Jie through the rearview mirror. "Drive to the downtown." Li Qiao was pleasantly surprised that Ye Jie actually gave a suggestion and he listened to him.


    After driving for 45 minutes, Ye Jie asked him to park the car on the roadside. After Li Qiao parked the car, the other two climbed out of the car and looked around at the bustling streets of the downtown and gave Ye Jie an inquiring look.


    "Follow me," Ye Jie didn¡¯t mind their looks and took them through some small alleyway towards their destination. The ce where he brought them had street stalls crowded with customers. Ye Jie found a small empty table and asked both of them to take a seat.


    Although He Jian and Li Qiao both didn¡¯t have those pretentious habits, they still felt out of ce. What surprised them was that Ye Jie actually knew about such hidden spot. They weren¡¯t at fault though, their aura definitely didn¡¯t match with the surroundings no matter how one looked at it.


    "Three bowls of noodle soup!" Ye Jie ordered for them as well.


    "How do you know about this ce? Do youe here often?" Li Qiao asked the question which was running in He Jian¡¯s mind at the moment.


    "Nope! I only came here once." The touch of a nostalgic smile on Ye Jie¡¯s face made both He Jian and Li Qiao squint their eyes in suspicion. "As for knowing about this ce, my best friend brought me here. She¡¯s a foodie and I believe if one told her that hell has the best food, she might dig out a path to their as well." Thinking about Ru, Ye Jie couldn¡¯t help but grin.


    Soon three bowls of noodle soup were ced on the table. The bowl of noodles was topped with chicken drum sticks and the soup seemed to be topped with chili and Sichuan pepper. Being reluctant was not an option, therefore, both He Jian and Li Qiao picked up their chopsticks to take a bite.


    Surprisingly, the noodle soup was beyond their imaginations. It was a perfectbination of spices and it wasn¡¯t heavy at all. All in all, it was indeed a perfect snack.


    "It¡¯s better than what I expected," Li Qiao remarked in appreciation.


    "You can¡¯t judge a food by where it¡¯s sold," Ye Jie retorted with a smile and Li Qiao nodded agreeing with him.


    "By the way, earlier I was serious. When are you nning on officially bing a Zhu?" He Jian asked Ye Jie straightforwardly.


    Ye Jie ced his chopsticks down and said, "I¡¯ll do it after my ¡¯fake parents¡¯e back from abroad," Ye Jie did the air quotation on purpose since at the hospital, He Jian was the one who named them as fake parents. He picked his chopsticks and added, "And I don¡¯t think I have to do anything. Mom is going to be enough for this matter." Ye Jie had subconsciously started calling He Susu as a mom with ease and it made He Jian feel happy.


    "Can¡¯t argue with that," He Jian started. "I think aunt Su is gonna pull some hair."


    "Ohhh! That¡¯ll be an epic one! Don¡¯t forget to invite me for the show," Li Qiao chimed in making He Jian p him on the back of his head. Li Qiao scowled. "What? Isn¡¯t it going to be epic? You know Aunt Su¡¯s temper better than me."


    Of course, He Jian was familiar with his aunt more than anyone. "You focus on the epic show going on at your ce. Although Xiamu is back in the country, you¡¯re avoiding him on purpose. The only person he met is Yu Kim. Try focusing on your family¡¯s drama."


    "You¡¯re hurting Qiao¡¯s feelings, Ge!" Ye Jie voiced out but he didn¡¯t realize that he called Jian as ¡¯Ge¡¯ with a sense of familiarity andfortability.


    He Jian looked at him with a small smile and added, "My little brother, don¡¯t try to take his side. I¡¯m hurting him because he¡¯s being a coward. Instead of facing everything, he¡¯s been running away from even facing his own cousin like he¡¯d done some crime."


    Ye Jie was a bit stunned to hear ¡¯my little brother¡¯ but he smiled softly after a moment. He was always the eldest brother, it was a first being the younger one. "What are you running from Qiao?" Ye Jie asked looking at Li Qiao.


    "I feel like I¡¯ve betrayed him. Being his elder brother, I was supposed to protect him but instead, I fell in love with the person who he loved." Li Qiao answered getting up to leave.


    Ye Jie paid for their meal and ran after him. When he exited the alleyway, Li Qiao was leaning against the car while He Jian was looking around aimlessly.


    Coming close to them, Ye Jie asked, "But I don¡¯t think you¡¯re wrong. Since I believe even Yu Kim loves you, not your cousin."


    "He knows that," He Jian answered on Li Qiao¡¯s behalf. "And perhaps, that¡¯s the reason making him feel more guilty."


    Ye Jie frowned but after a bit of pondering, he understood clearly. He patted Li Qiao¡¯s shoulder and said, "Don¡¯t make that face. My baby will murder me if she got to know that I made her bro upset." After a pause, he added, "I have an idea. Let¡¯s go bowling. I¡¯m also not in a good mood and both of you are the same. What do you guys think?" Obviously, he wasn¡¯t going to tell them that a certain soup became the reason for his bad mood.


    "Sounds good to me," He Jian agreed to the idea. It was a rare opportunity for him to get close to Ye Jie and also cheer up Li Qiao. Killing two birds with one stone! How could he miss?


    After they nned it out, they hopped inside the car and drove away to the bowling arcade. But in their own world, they didn¡¯t notice that a young man had been hiding at the corner, listening to their conversation.


    The young man¡¯s face had turned pale and his body was trembling as tears were pooling into his eyes. If Xu Mey was here, she would recognize this young man to be Kaden; the new neighbor she met. But if Li Qiao had noticed, he would recognize the young man to be his one and only cousin; Xin Xiamu!

 Chapter 271 - Bleeding Heart

    When Xin Xiamu came out to meet Li Qiao, he¡¯d have never even thought that his life would take this strange turn. Even when his head screamed that Yu Kim didn¡¯t love him like that, he still wanted to fight with those thoughts. Now, his heart was wavering.


    Seeing Li Qiao here was not a coincidence at all. He¡¯d asked his aunt to confirm about Li Qiao¡¯s location before he drove to here. It was his misfortune that the moment he was going to go up to him, he heard the words he wasn¡¯t supposed to.


    His thoughts were distorted while he felt dizzy. He took deep breaths to calm himself but it didn¡¯t work. He drove around the city aimlessly. From the morning till the sunset, he kept wandering around and when he parked the car, Xin Xiamu realized he was under Yu Kim¡¯s condominium building.


    Closing his eyes briefly, he mustered up his courage and went up to the 8th floor. Ringing the doorbell, he waited patiently.


    The door was pulled open to reveal Yu Kim¡¯s small figure wearing an oversized sweatshirt along with shorts. "Xiamu! What brought you here?" She was pleasantly surprised by his sudden visit and seeing the sullen look on his face, she felt strange. "Is everything okay?"


    Yu Kim gave him a way to enter and he walked inside the apartment with a heavy heart. "Yeah! Everything is okay. I just wanted to see you. Is there something wrong with wanting to meet my best friend at this time?"


    Yu Kim smiled at him and replied, "Obviously not! I just never saw that serious expression on your face. So, it kinda scared me a bit."


    Xin Xiamu tried to pass a smile but it came out rather stiff. He sat down on the couch while Yu Kim brought some water for him and sat opposite him with herptop in herp. Clearly, she was busy but Xin Xiamu wasn¡¯t nning on disturbing her work. He sat there silently observing her expressions.


    "Kimmi, do you know what Qiao Ge¡¯s allergic to?" Xin Xiamu decided to go roundabout since he didn¡¯t have the courage to ask straightforwardly.


    "Hmm..." She didn¡¯t lift her eyes from theptop screen and answered, "He¡¯s not allergic to anything as such but he has some grudge against peanuts."


    "Do you remember what I¡¯m allergic to?" He asked again and secretly hoped that she did but he wasn¡¯t very lucky today.


    "Mmmm... I can¡¯t seem to recall." She kept scratching her head trying to remember but to no avail.


    "What do you think about me as a person?" He asked another question.


    "Xiamu, you¡¯re my best friend. Obviously, you¡¯re the best. Also, you¡¯re such a nice and caring guy that I sometimes think that your future wife would be damn lucky. You¡¯re sessful and handsome,e from a beautiful family. What else one can ask for?" Yu Kim replied in a single breath but she didn¡¯t know that her words made Xin Xiamu feel bitter in his heart. She evaluated him like he was a stranger.


    "What about Qiao Ge?" It took a bit of struggle to get his voice back.


    Yu Kim looked up from the screen and sighed out. "He is... amazing?" She chuckled lightly and said, "Were you expecting something like this? No way! I won¡¯t say it at all! He¡¯s the biggest jerk I have evere across in my life. He¡¯s bossy and domineering. A total tyrant. Super picky with his clothes." Her face softened as continued to say, "But that¡¯s what makes him so different and real. I can see the way he loves his mother and you can¡¯t even fathom his love for his best friends. In short, he¡¯s perfect!"


    Xin Xiamu felt his heart bleeding but he couldn¡¯t even dare to shift his expressions. While he was dying inside, he had to look at her with a beautiful smile on his face.


    "Kimmi, do you love my cousin?" He couldn¡¯t believe that the question actually came out of his mouth but he couldn¡¯t deny the fact. He was the one who had spoken.


    Yu Kim was startled as she averted her gaze. "I¡¯m your best friend. At least, I never thought you¡¯d hide this from me." He had figured the answer already from her demeanor, what was he doing? Perhaps, his heart still was in denial.


    "I love him but he doesn¡¯t love me at all." Xin Xiamu was stunned to hear her voice that seemed to be piercing his heart. "He always either avoids me or runs away from me. I don¡¯t want to force him but he doesn¡¯t even want me to be close to him anymore. And it¡¯s hurting now." Seeing the tears in her eyes, he came close to her and patted her head.


    "I think you¡¯re wrong. I know my cousin. If he has let you stay with him for this long then that means he feels something for you. He¡¯s a bit dense in the PDA department." he was trying tofort her.


    Today, he realized another thing; there was nothing more painful than watching the one you love cry before you for another person. It was tormenting!


    "I hope you¡¯re right. Because I thought I¡¯ll be fine staying close to him but now, the idea of seeing him with another person is scaring me." Her anxious expression made it difficult for Xin Xiamu to breathe.


    As her childhood friend, Xin Xiamu stayed for an hourforting her before leaving her apartment and when he got in his car, his restraint was broken as he dropped his head on the steering wheel with ragged breathing and tear-filled eyes. He wanted to talk to someone but he couldn¡¯t since there was nobody whom he could tell that his own fiancee has just told him how much she loves his cousin.

 Chapter 272 - Biased Again

    Sshing the cold water on her face, Xu Mey blinked her eyes and shook her head. She was getting a splitting headache. She tried to rub her temples but to no avail.


    She joined some Japenese business partners for a drink in the nightclub and now, she was regretting her decision. She had a pretty good alcohol tolerance but today she drank way too much.


    Holding the wall, she tried to find her way back to the parking in a dizzy state of mind. She was trying to find her keys but it wasn¡¯t proving to be easy for her. In frustration, she kicked the front of her car and losing her footing, she staggered back.


    Taking a deep breath, she finally managed to find the key and settled behind the steering wheel. Without further ado, she backed out of the space but she crashed into an oing car in the traffe. Because of the sudden jerk, her head banged against the steering wheel.


    Her ears rang for a while until she heard someone tapping on her window pane. Xu Mey opened the door but lost her consciousness before she could get out.


    "It¡¯s a minor concussion. She needs to rest for a while." Xu Mey heard an unfamiliar voice as her mind came back from the dreand. She felt the soft bed underneath her body and opened her eyes to find herself in a hospital bed.


    "Thank you, doctor!" Xu Mey heard another male voice but this one was a lot familiar as if she heard it somewhere but her mind couldn¡¯t pinpoint where had she heard it. With a groggy mind, she tried to focus and saw a young maning to her side. "Are you awake? Is it hurting somewhere?" Xu Mey tried hard to squint her eyes and looked back at the familiar face. She tried to speak but her throat was stinging and no sound came out.


    Seeing her difort, the young man helped her in drinking some water. As the coolness soothed her throat, Xu Mey spoke up, "Kaden, what are you doing here?"


    Xin Xiamu smiled at her rting the story of how in his heartbroken state he decided to hit a club but who knew before he hit the club, Xu Mey would hit into his car in the parking lot? He was scared out of his wits when he saw her fainting. He rushed her to the hospital and found out that it was a minor shock and nothing else.


    Xu Mey scratched her head sheepishly and said, "Sorry! I overestimated myself after all that drinking. Are you hurt anywhere?" She was really guilty and seeing her guilt, Xin Xiamu decided to ease her up.


    "Nope! I¡¯m absolutely fine." He smiled radiantly making Xu Mey heave a sigh of relief. "Should I inform someone? Like your family?"


    Xu Mey¡¯s eyes widened as she just realized that she had been in an ident and that too because she was drunk. If anyone and like anyone got to know, she¡¯ll be banned to even touch a car for the rest of her life. She already couldn¡¯t ride her bike because of thest ident and this one will even snatch her right to drive a car. No way! She can¡¯t afford that!


    "Stop! There is no need to inform anyone." Xin Xiamu looked at her panicked state strangely and Xu Mey calmed herself a bit saying, "I mean, it¡¯s not like I got hurt or anything. I¡¯m fine! Let¡¯s just look over this incident."


    Thinking for a minute, Xin Xiamu decided not to push her and sat down beside her bed. "I¡¯ll just stay here with you then."


    Xu Mey wanted him to leave since she wasn¡¯t his responsibility but he insisted and stuck around her. Looking around in the room, Xu Mey noticed Xin Xiamu¡¯s swollen and bloodshot eyes as if he had been crying. She knitted her brows in confusion.


    "Kaden, what were you doing at the nightclub?" Xu Mey asked looking at his face directly.


    "Nothing... I just thought to check out some local clubs." Xin Xiamu lied right through his teeth.


    Xu Mey narrowed her eyes at him and didn¡¯t believe his words, not even for a moment. "Can you pass me my cellphone?" He obliged and passed her cellphone to her. Xu Mey pondered for a while as she went through her contact list and finally, connected a call to someone. "Hey, Sensei!" There was silence at the other end for a moment before Xu Mey heard a low growl which made her heart skip a beat instinctively.


    Then she heard the disembodied voice, "Do you have anything against me and my sleep?"


    Realizing that she had spoiled her sensei¡¯s sleep, Xu Mey bit her own tongue and said, "Sorry! But it¡¯s your own fault for having a weird sleeping routine."


    She heard a sigh from the other end. "Yes, yes! It¡¯s this lord¡¯s own fault. Now, get to the point! What are you calling me for?"


    "Oh, that! I wanted to ask you a strange question," Xu Mey spoke honestly.


    "Honestly speaking all your questions had been weird until now. I won¡¯t be surprised by this one either. So, shoot!" Xu Mey smiled to herself.


    "Okay... Sensei, is it normal for boys to cry? I mean, when I was young I always heard that men are strong and they don¡¯t cry easily and if I go by my experience, I haven¡¯t seen men crying that frequently." On the other end, Ru had already figured that Xu Mey must have seen a guy crying and her unusual mind bugged her to ask this question.


    "Who is crying around you and where was he?"


    "I¡¯ll tell youter who he is. And he was going to a club. You just answer me now." Xu Mey wasn¡¯t surprised that her sensei actually figured the reason behind her question.


    She heard some shuffling sound from the other end before the enchanting voice came, "It¡¯s a very stereotypical view that men don¡¯t cry. They are as much human as you are. In my experience, the reason behind a man¡¯s tears has always been a woman. Especially if the tears led them to get drunk."


    Xu Mey raised her brows and stared at Xin Xiamu who was piqued by her conversation on the phone but was pretending to seem disinterested. "Hey, Kaden!" He looked at her face as she asked, "Did you cry because of a woman?" Hearing her question Xin Xiamu¡¯s eyes widened up in surprise. "Hmm... Well, from the reaction I can tell it is a woman¡¯s doing."


    "Ahan! Told you so!" Ru didn¡¯t bother hiding the smugness in her voice.


    "How were you so sure though? Because in my opinion, you¡¯re just biased." Xu Mey said to Ru since Xin Xiamu was still in a daze.


    "It¡¯s simple. Men feel everything excessively. And to be very honest, a man¡¯s feelings are not fickle but rather deeper than woman¡¯s. But that¡¯s obviously me being biased again." Ru¡¯s answer wasn¡¯t surprising to Xu Mey at all.

 Chapter 273 - Beginning of Life

    Xu Mey wasn¡¯t sure if she should argue with her sensei or not. Because she knew already that Ye Jie¡¯s feelings for her were on a whole new level than her own. But then again, her Ah-Jie was special and an exception.


    "Okay! I won¡¯t argue with you on that." Xu Mey grumbled and kept staring at Xin Xiamu¡¯s face with a thoughtful look. She spoke in a low voice which wasn¡¯t audible to Xin Xiamu. "Sensei, do me a favor! Be a counselor for a moment and help me in guiding a young man through his tough time." Xu Mey was feeling proud of her own thinking not realizing that neither Xin Xiamu asked for her help nor her sensei was willing to help.


    "Do I look like a free counselor to you? Why should I help anyone?" Ru roared from the other side as she had an urge to smack Xu Mey.


    Obviously, Xu Mey was unaware of these thoughts as she went on, "Oho! Sensei, I know you love helping others. Even when you say that you don¡¯t. Also, don¡¯t you hate it when someone cries? Especially because of love!" There was silence at the other end and Xu Mey knew that she had hit the mark.


    "Fine! Let¡¯s start..." Hearing Ru¡¯s reply, Xu Mey grinned in victory, rted the story of the ident and heard her sensei¡¯s words carefully. After hanging up the phone she turned to Xin Xiamu.


    "Kaden," Xin Xiamu lifted his eyes. "I believe we are not strangers anymore since this is our third meeting. And I have a belief that three meetings are enough to move on from a stranger¡¯s status." Xin Xiamu smiled a bit at her wording and nodded his head. How could he say that he didn¡¯t want to move on from the stranger¡¯s status? That¡¯s all he wanted! He wanted his sister but first, he needed to build a bond between them.


    "So, Kaden! You helped me a lot by bringing me here. Now, how about I help you in finding that smile you lost?" Xu Mey smiled up at him making him feel at ease. "I¡¯m sorry for trying to be a bit nosy here. But seeing your red eyes made me feel an ache in my heart which I can¡¯t put in words." She really couldn¡¯t understand her own reasons for being this considerate since she wasn¡¯t the considerate one. A stranger¡¯s worries had nothing to do with her and she lived by that rule until today when she came across Xin Xiamu¡¯s puffy eyes.


    He smiled again as he thought, ¡¯That¡¯s the connection we share. How can one possibly describe it?¡¯


    "Would you mind telling me why you cried?" Xu Mey had an eager look in her eyes and a gentle smile on her lips.


    Xin Xiamu had no idea why her words worked but they did and in a daze, he actually said, "Today, I realized that the love of my life and my cousin are in love." Xu Mey¡¯s smile fell as she didn¡¯t know how to react to this piece of news. "And I¡¯m not sure what I can do about this. I mean I have only loved her. But I also love my brother perhaps more than I love her."


    "How long have you been in love with her?" Xu Mey asked with a heavy heart.


    "From the time we were in school." He replied inly but Xu Mey saw the pool of tears forming in his eyes.


    "I think you should let go and move on." Xu Mey said straightforwardly and Xin Xiamu stared at her in disbelief.


    Looking at Xin Xiamu¡¯s sad face, Xu Mey was questioning her actions but she still didn¡¯t waver. "You¡¯re hurting someone¡¯s feelings." She heard his slightly hoarse voice.


    "If I go by what my sensei taught me just now, I¡¯m not hurting you. My sensei had already predicted that it was about love and he said that you¡¯ve already been broken by your love. And broken things only scatters, they don¡¯t break again." That sentence struck Xin Xiamu as lightning. And unknowingly, he scooted close to Xu Mey¡¯s side, trying to listen more closely as she went on, "Are you getting my point?"


    "Yeah!" He answered hesitantly.


    "Well, then... Kaden, just as there is no use crying over spilled milk, there is also no use crying over a broken heart. It can¡¯t get any worse than it already is. But it can get better." Xin Xiamu pondered the words in his mind as she added, "To make it better, you sometimes have to let go. If you won¡¯t make space for the present, you¡¯ll get stuck in the past called; the first love."


    After a long while in a daze, Xin Xiamu startled a bit as he asked, "Who was that on the phone?"


    Xu Mey smiled softly and told him, "He¡¯s someone... special but with a weird mind."


    "His words really struck a cord..." Xin Xiamu mumbled.


    "I know! His words had always been like that..." She smiled to her herself and Xin Xiamu didn¡¯t ask any further. He had a lot to ponder on his own now.


    In his mind, he already knew that he had to be the one to let go. He couldn¡¯t be selfish. If the price of marrying Yu Kim was putting his brother through the hell of loneliness, Xin Xiamu really had no courage to do it.


    But his heart wanted to stay in denial. One thing he was sure of now, the more he dragged this, his heart would really get stuck in this past. He looked at Xu Mey¡¯s face as she patted his shoulder in encouragement. "Love might be ending... But it¡¯s the beginning of life. Don¡¯t be so sad!"


    Seeing her bright eyes and gentle smile, he felt lighthearted as if his whole world just brightened up. She really yed the role of an elder sister without even knowing it. For all he knew, this was called fate.


    Xin Xiamu stayed with Xu Mey for the next 2 hours and after the doctors cleared her, he drove her personally back to her home. He watched her figure entering the house and drove away towards his own destination with a clear mind.

 Chapter 274 - Sweet Poison

    Xu Mey tiptoed inside the house, trying hard not to catch unnecessary attention. But after a while, she realized that the more she would act like a thief, the more guilty and suspicious she¡¯d seem to others. Therefore, she straightened her back andposed herself.


    Taking the stairs, she heard a sounding from the kitchen and frowned. Changing her path, she turned towards the kitchen. Even before she could enter the kitchen, Xu Mey could smell the sharp peppery aroma lingering in the air.


    "Ah-Jie, what are you doing?" Xu Mey questioned with knitted brows as she saw Ye Jie standing before a boiling pot.


    Ye Jie lifted his gaze towards her and narrowed his eyes at her indecisively. Without sparing her a nce, he turned to pour the ginger tea that he had brewed himself in a porcin cup. Xu Mey was a bit taken aback by his nonchnce with which he disregarded her presence and her question.


    Xu Mey came to his side and looked at his face searchingly. "Ah-Jie, are you angry?" Xu Mey asked hesitantly.


    Ye Jie red at her and taking his cup of tea, he walked out of the kitchen leaving Xu Mey gaping at his leaving figure. That was one way to answer. Xu Mey didn¡¯t like being treated as thin air. She ran to block his way with both her arms and said, "At least tell me why are you upset? How would I know if you won¡¯t even talk?"


    Ye Jie was still avoiding looking into her eyes to make sure that his resolve doesn¡¯t weaken. There was a time when Xu Mey loved silence but right now, she hated his silence. Every second that he didn¡¯t say a word was making her feel uneasy. She tugged at his sleeve. "Ah-Jie..."


    Hearing her woeful voice, Ye Jie¡¯s stern look cracked as he turned her towards the wall clock and said, "Have you seen the time?" Xu Mey noticed that it was 2 o¡¯clock in the morning. She was more than justte tonight.


    She pursed her lips and scratched the back of her head sheepishly. "I lost track of time with that group of the Japanese delegation. I¡¯m sorry!" Xu Mey half-lied to avoid another argument. "Please, forgive your baby. Otherwise, I¡¯ll start crying."


    Ye Jie finally looked into her eyes and was startled to see tears swimming in her bright eyes. That really scared him, breaking whatever resolve he had. He knew she was the drama queen but obviously, love is blind. He would choose to overlook that fact anywhere, anytime.


    He touched her head gently and said, "Fine! Go and take some rest." He knew he was too easy to appease and perhaps, even Xu Mey was aware of this fact. That might have been the reason that Xu Mey always ended up messing around without any care.


    It wasn¡¯t that he was easy. He just didn¡¯t like arguing with Xu Mey. Seeing a smile on her face was the only thing he would like. The rest of her expressions made him feel uneasy.


    He turned to leave for his study when Xu Mey held his wrist. "Where are you going? And what¡¯s that ginger tea for?"


    "I have a slight headache. Now, go to the bedroom. I have some work to finish." Xu Mey still didn¡¯t let go of his wrist and instead pulled him to the sofa.


    "If you have a headache then you shouldn¡¯t be working thiste. Now, sit down and don¡¯t move." Xu Mey spoke sternly. She came behind him and with her soft fingers, she started massaging his temples.


    Ye Jie held her hands and tilted his face. "What are you doing? I¡¯ll be fine with this ginger tea." He knew she was tired and didn¡¯t want to tire her further.


    "Oho! Ah-Jie, drink your tea. Don¡¯t bother me. Massaging is also helpful," Xu Mey remarked with a sweet smile and got back to work.


    "You¡¯re also tired and I don¡¯t want you to worry about this insignificant headache," Ye Jie said softly but his words touched Xu Mey¡¯s heart too deeply. She felt giddy inside as she tought, ¡¯Aww! Such a sweetheart my Ah-Jie is. How can he worry about me at this time when he¡¯s suffering from pain? I¡¯m surely gonna drown in his sweetness. Wait! I think I¡¯m already drowned with no way out!¡¯


    Xu Mey came around the sofa and perched herself onto Ye Jie¡¯s thighs with her arms around his neck. She looked straight into his eyes saying, "If my Ah-Jie is my priceless treasure, how can anything rted to him be insignificant?" She caressed his cheek and added, "I don¡¯t like that frown you have because of the headache. It must be a pretty bad headache. But you won¡¯t tell me just so that I won¡¯t worry. Can¡¯t you stop thinking about my feelings for a second and focus on yourself?"


    Ye Jie smiled to himself and ced his hands on her waist saying, "I can deal with any pain as long as it doesn¡¯t get you involved." He kissed her forehead softly and didn¡¯t stop her from massaging his head. After observing her face for a while, he asked, "Why do I feel like you are hiding something from me?"


    Xu Mey almost choked on air at his words. She knew it was impossible to escape from his scrutinizing gaze. "Nooo... I¡¯m not! How can I hide anything from you?"


    Ye Jie didn¡¯t believe her even for a second. The way she dragged ¡¯no¡¯ was a clear pointer that she did something she shouldn¡¯t have. The question was; what? But before he could voice out his question, Xu Mey interrupted him. "Ah-Jie, it¡¯s weekend. I want to go out on a mini vacation."


    Her n of distracting him worked since this ¡¯mini vacation¡¯ part caught Ye Jie¡¯s attention. It was rare for Xu Mey to suggest a vacation and obviously, Ye Jie was more than happy toply as he asked, "Where does my baby want to go?"


    Xu Mey thought for a moment before her eyes brightened up as she answered him excitedly, "Let¡¯s go to the beach."


    Ye Jie smiled at her innocence. This was the first time she asked for something and that was also just for a vacation to the beach? How simple minded she was, he really couldn¡¯t fathom anymore.


    "Okay! We¡¯ll leave tomorrow," Ye Jie agreed, which was exactly how Xu Mey had expected.


    She nted a big kiss on his mouth saying, "Thank you, Ah-Jie! My husband is the best!"


    Hearing her giggles and seeing her infectious excitement, Ye Jie felt his headache subsiding and it wasn¡¯t surprising to him at all. If her love was his life¡¯s sweet poison then she was surely the cure of it herself.

 Chapter 275 - Pretentious Liars

    On Friday night, Wu Wang was discharged from the hospital and after a long and hard argument, he finally managed to shake off his mother and came back to his penthouse alone. It wasn¡¯t ideal for him to stay alone but Fan Bingbing knew she couldn¡¯t possibly win an argument with her stubborn son.


    If he wasn¡¯t this stubborn, she¡¯d have already gotten him married a long time ago. But sigh... He was a hard nut to crack indeed.


    After being all alone in his penthouse, Wu Wang felt strange loneliness in his heart. At the hospital, there was always someone hanging around him and if no-one was there that chatterbox doctor, Yang Ziyi woulde to nag him for no reason. Now, there was an eerie silence in the big penthouse.


    Tossing and turning till dawn, sleep finally knocked on his weary soul and he fell in slumber.


    "Ding-Dong!"


    The doorbell rang around 11 o¡¯clock in the morning. The shrill sound snapped him out of his slumber making him groan in irritation. Hearing the doorbell ring again, he had to leave thefort of his bed and walk out to the door.


    Tiredly, he pulled open the door. But suddenly, all the sleep in his eyes vanished like morning dew. The person at the door was the one he least expected or perhaps, it never even crossed his mind that he¡¯d see that person standing before him like this.


    "Hi, Wang!" Her soft voice rang out in his ears waking him up from his stupor.


    "What are you doing here, Ms. Zhou Qi?" He was stern and that really surprised Zhou Qi.


    "I heard that you¡¯re in the hospital. So, I brought some fruits for you," she extended the fruit basket towards him.


    Wu Wang stared at the fruit basket for a moment before taking it from her hands and saying, "Thank you very much. Now, you can leave." He was about to close the door but Zhou Qi held it with her hand. "Is there something else?" He asked in a neutral manner.


    "I-," she bit her lip trying to shake off her nervousness as she continued, "I want to talk to you. Can Ie inside?"


    Looking at her eager eyes, Wu Wang relented and gave her the way to pass. She mumbled a ¡¯thank you¡¯ and walked inside. Her eyes wandered around, looking at the art pieces and interior. She took a seat at the couch and Wu Wang went to bring some water for her asmon courtesy.


    After offering her some water, he took a seat far opposite of hers. "You have a beautiful ce." Shemented.


    "That I already know. Why don¡¯t you get to the point?" Wu Wang didn¡¯t want to dilly-dally anymore since her presence was making him ufortable.


    "I need to tell you something... About... What really happened back then..." She started speaking but just the mention of what happened back then made him clench his fists tightly.


    "I don¡¯t want to hear the same story all over again," Wu Wang interrupted her and continued, "I know you¡¯re only here because you already know that I learned all about what happened back then."


    Zhou Qi lowered her head since his words weren¡¯t wrong. She had heard everything from Ming Qu and that¡¯s why she decided toe. To apologize to Wu Wang.


    Wu Wang sneered to himself as he saw her head lowered in embarrassment. The more he looked at her face, the more Ming Qu¡¯s words came back to haunt him.


    "She didn¡¯t abort the child back then, Wang." Ming Qu had said, startling Wu Wang in the bar.


    "What do you mean?" Wu Wang managed to voice out his question. "My child is still alive?" His voice was trembling and Ming Qu felt so bad being the one to tell him the truth.


    "No," Ming Qu shook his head and Wu Wang frowned in perplexion. "The child wasn¡¯t yours, to begin with." Wu Wang¡¯s world came tumbling down as he could even hear the sound of his heartbreaking down. Ming Qu took a deep breath and continued, "She had a fight with you over something and got drunk pretty badly. That¡¯s when she met me and my business partner. Who knew that my partner, Daniel was actually her ex."


    With trembling hands, Wu Wang took a swig of his drink and asked, "Did she lie about having my child?"


    "She didn¡¯t wanna lose you back then. So, I guess she did."


    "Then why the hell did she told me that she aborted the child? Huh? Why not just live with the lie that it was indeed my child?" Wu Wang¡¯s voice boomed in the almost empty bar.


    "I didn¡¯t know it before but now, I do. Her aunt, I mean Ye Jun¡¯s mother actually threatened her to go back to Daniel since he had a stable life to offer instead of you who was pretending to be dirt poor at that time." Ming Qu¡¯s words made Wu Wang dumbfounded. "Wang, what if she stayed? Would you really ept another man¡¯s blood as yours?"


    "Forget it! Why is she back now?" Wu Wang evaded his question since he knew Ming Qu wouldn¡¯t have liked his answer. If it meant keeping her by his side, he would have dly epted that child. But the pretext was, she had to be there with him.


    "I guess Mrs. Zhou Ning actually revaluated you after Xu Mey¡¯s marriage," Wu Wang remembered that gaze of Zhou Ning¡¯s when he stayed for lunch at Xu Mey¡¯s house. "Zhou Qi got divorced about two years ago but after meeting you and realizing that you were the same guy who was head over heels in love with her niece, she called Zhou Qi back."


    After hearing and understanding all these schemes. Wu Wang still questioned one thing, "Did she know? About why her aunt asked her toe back?"


    "I don¡¯t know!" Ming Qu shook his head and patting Wu Wang¡¯s shoulder he said, "I just wanted you to know that the grave you have built for your unborn child, it shouldn¡¯t be there. Don¡¯t hurt yourself by always running back to that cemetery since the child was never yours."


    That day, what hurt him? Zhou Qi¡¯s lies? Or the fact that he cried for a child for over 8 years when it was not even his? Or perhaps, the fact that the girl he loved turned out to be like those pretentious ones who buzzed around him since childhood.


    Now, his stay in the hospital has actually helped him in getting some clear picture of his thoughts. Seeing her embarrassment or her face wasn¡¯t that painful as it was two weeks ago.


    "But let me ask you a question," his voice made Zhou Qi look up at him with glistening eyes as he questioned with a straight face, "When you came here, did you know why your aunt called you?"


    Zhou Qi stayed quiet and pursed her lips, not even daring to look straight at him.


    Wu Wang chuckled sadly as he mumbled, "Of course, you knew!"

 Chapter 276 - Not A Selfish One

    "Where is your child?" He asked out of the blue since he remembered her longing gaze as she yed with those orphans in the park. For that one moment, he actually thought, she was missing the child they lost. How foolish he was! How could she miss the non-existent child?


    "His father has the custody of him. I guess even court knew that I won¡¯t be a good mother." Did Wu Wang felt bad listening to her? Yes! He did! She was a mother who was away from her child. He could tell it was not an ideal situation at all. But was he going to console her or give her moral support? Obviously, not! First, he didn¡¯t have the right to. Second, he didn¡¯t know how to.


    "Can you give me an honest answer?" Zhou Qi nodded her head lightly and he asked, "Why did you... I mean... If I really was... You know that child¡¯s father... Would you have still chosen your ex over me?" Why did he ask that question? Perhaps, he was the biggest jerk who wanted to either hold onto a straw of hope or just let himself drownpletely.


    Zhou Qi thought about his question. Would she have chosen him? Yes, she would have! She wanted to choose him all along but she was indebted to her aunt. She couldn¡¯t possibly go against her words. She couldn¡¯t do it then... She won¡¯t be able to do it even now. "No... I think the oue would have been the same." But it could have changed if Wu Wang hadn¡¯t lied about his identity back then but if he didn¡¯t have lied about his identity, then he would have just been a part of her aunt¡¯s schemes like now.


    ¡¯Ouch!¡¯ That really stung him. The rims of his eyes got red due to the internal battle he was having. This was hisst straw of hope and she just snatched that away as well.


    "It¡¯s good that you¡¯re here. I actually have a lot to say to you," Zhou Qi was really surprised to hear his sentence since she thought after knowing her intentions of walking back into his life, he¡¯d be furious and that he surely was. But she was forgetting a certain detail that he was from a noble family. His way of showing his anger was a lot different than normal people.


    He sighed as he stood up and walked towards the French doors to look at the bustling city. "The day you broke up with me and that too by telling me about the abortion, I locked my heart and feelings in a dark room. I even left my feelings right there with you but your arrival back into my life was akin to a fire that you started in that closed room where I was. Literally, burning my soul."


    "You must hate me a lot now," Zhou Qi spoke with tears swimming in her eyes. She really loved him back then. She did. But she was the weak one. First, she couldn¡¯t control her own desires in that drunken stupor and then she couldn¡¯t fight with her aunt for her love. She knew she was the biggest coward who deserved his hate but his next words really took her off guard.


    "Just because I decided not to love you, doesn¡¯t mean I¡¯ll start to hate you now." She stared at his back with wide eyes as she couldn¡¯t possibly understand the man before her eyes. "Don¡¯t get me wrong. I still haven¡¯t stopped loving youpletely but now," he turned to look at her face as he added, "Now, I just think that you¡¯re not worth the fight anymore. The more I¡¯ll keep denying it, the more I¡¯ll be letting myself down and I don¡¯t want to do that."


    She shot up from her seat and walked up to him with tears stained face and held his shirt. "Why? Why can¡¯t you hate me? You should hate me? I yed with your feelings. I made you believe that the child was yours. I left you all alone! How can you not hate a person like me?" She was shrieking hysterically at this point.


    Honestly, Wu Wang suddenly felt pity for her as he held the back of her head and lend her his chest to cry on. "I can¡¯t hate you because I¡¯m not selfish. I can¡¯t be. Not with you! So, my wish had always been that you stay happy wherever you are and with whoever you are." She lifted her eyes to look at him with disbelief in her eyes. How can he possibly wish that? "Just because you broke my heart, I can¡¯t wish for your heartbreak. That¡¯d be really mean if me."


    "Why?" She voiced out again.


    Wu Wang passed her a sad smile and patted her head saying, "Because I don¡¯t want you to end up like me."


    Zhou Qi felt disgusted by herself. How could she let someone like him down? How could she break him like this? Did she hurt him so much that he had be immune to heartache?


    She picked up her bag and turned to leave since staying here a minute more, she felt like she¡¯d really be humiliating him and his goodness. As she was leaving, she heard Wu Wang¡¯s gentle and sincere voice from behind, "I hope you meet someone who doesn¡¯t always make you question what you really mean in their life." Another wave of tears started flowing down her face and she ran out of his penthouse without looking back.


    Today, he learned another definition of pain. You love someone, you lose someone. And in the end, you choose to mute your feelings.


    After she left, Wu Wang took a shower and left the house with his car keys. He revved the car aimlessly or it seemed that he had no destination in mind but in reality, he was clear about where he wanted to go.

 Chapter 277 - Right Back At Ya!

    While traveling on this journey of life, we oftene across a dead-end. It doesn¡¯t mean that the journey is over, it just means we have to change our routes. Other routes might be bumpy and we might still end up with another dead-end but there is no point in standing there and whining about it.


    To be honest, none of us can actually be sure about where their journey of life will end. But still, people like to take this journey. Because the day we decide to stop walking ahead is the day we be the cowards who didn¡¯t have the heart to find out the unexpected miracles of this beautiful life.


    We can¡¯t possibly recognize our destination until we actually get there. That was the case with Wu Wang. When his car parked at the outskirts of the city, he realized where his destination for this journey was.


    Taking steady steps up the small hill, Wu Wang came to stand before a tombstone.


    ¡¯In loving memory of my child whom I didn¡¯t get to see¡¯ was engraved on it. Wu Wang kept staring at it for a long while.


    "Ming Qu was right. I really wasted my tear." He sighed heavily and sat down under the shade of a tree in silence. Most people find cemeteries to be freakish and ghostly but his belief was that there was a strange kind of peacefulness in this ce perhaps because this was thest resting ce for so many people.


    Getting people to remove the tombstone and dealing with other misceneous tasks, he walked down the hill. The sun had already gone down by the time he came down. This was it! This was the ce where he needed to reverse back and take another route. This possibly couldn¡¯t be the destination of his journey. He needed to find his destination and it wasn¡¯t an easy task.


    He was about to open the door of his car when he heard a voice from behind, "Excuse me! Can you give me a ride to the city?" The voice was a bit hoarse.


    Wu Wang turned to look at the person and the sight before him took him by surprise. There was a young woman d inplete white clothes standing opposite of him with her dark ck hair falling all over her face as she was rubbing her neck muscles. He had a strong heart otherwise the sight was quite eerie since he was right outside a cemetery and that too after the sunset.


    Before answering her, Wu Wang lifted his hand and touched the girl¡¯s shoulder to check something, "What are you doing?" He heard an angry roar as the girl lifted her hair making Wu Wang really want to scream this time. "Oh? It¡¯s my Mr. Patient!"


    Wu Wang rolled his eyes and said, "I¡¯m not your patient anymore." But inwardly he was thinking, ¡¯The face behind the thick hair is scarier.¡¯


    "I know!" Yang Ziyi was really surprised to see Wu Wang but she didn¡¯t show it on her face, unlike Wu Wang who still looked at her as if seeing a real-life ghost. "Don¡¯t tell me, you thought I was a ghost. That¡¯s why you just touched me, right?"


    Wu Wang cleared his throat and straightened up to argue, "It¡¯s not my fault for mistaking though. Whoes to a cemetery in white clothes and what¡¯s with that bird¡¯s nest on your head. Also, have you seen the time? Sun has already gone down and at this time only ghosts can wander here."


    Yang Ziyi scowled as she tried to set her hair saying, "What do you mean by bird¡¯s nest? I lost my hair tie and it¡¯s quite windy here. My hair got tangled. No need to humiliate me like this. I only asked for a lift, not your life."


    "Get in the car, I don¡¯t have time to argue with you." Wu Wang cut short the entire argument and went back to his car. Yang Ziyi stopped talking and happily got inside his car. As the car drove in silence, Yang Ziyi grew ufortable and seeing her trying to stay quiet, Wu Wang couldn¡¯t help but smile to himself. "So, what were you doing-?" Before Wu Wang could even finish his question, Yang Ziyi¡¯s FM started without an off button.


    "Oh, I came to see my brother. He died ten years ago in an ident while he was trying to save my life. My mom started hating me after that and dad sent me away to keep mom senile. I haven¡¯t really gotten back since then. So, it¡¯s been a long time for me to see my brother. I really missed him." Hearing her talk so nonchntly about her brother¡¯s death, Wu Wang was taken aback. Even he wasn¡¯t this indifferent when he talked about his dead sister.


    "Sorry to hear about your brother but I actually was asking about why you were here thiste? It¡¯s not a safe ce for ady." Wu Wang spoke when she took a pause to catch her breath.


    "Ohhh!" After understanding his real meaning, she started again, "Actually, I came in the afternoon but I was too tired and the wind felt good. Also, the peace in the cemetery was like a luby and I just slept there until now." She wasn¡¯t the type to beat around the bush, she was way too honest for her own good. Since he asked, she didn¡¯t even mind telling him the truth even when she knew, he¡¯d find her weird and freakish after this.


    "Anyways, what brought you here?" Yang Ziyi¡¯s question was expected but Wu Wang didn¡¯t want to give her an answer.


    "I came to change the route of a journey."


    "Huh?" She was dumbfounded by his reply but Wu Wang didn¡¯t exin any further, instead, he changed the topic.


    "So, you haven¡¯t met your parents in a decade?"


    Yang Ziyi looked out the window pane and answered, "Nope! And now, I don¡¯t want to see them. I mean it¡¯s not like I asked my brother to push me out of the way. But they still med me for losing their son. Huh!"


    "Your brother must have loved you a lot," Wu Wang remarked but she snorted in return.


    "He might have loved me but I hate it that he gave me this life. It feels like I¡¯m living someone else¡¯s life."


    Wu Wang looked at the side of her face in a thoughtful manner before saying, "It¡¯s weird how the one who loved you left hate in you for life itself. Technically, you don¡¯t hate life. You just hate this world where you can¡¯t see your brother anymore. Life without the people we love actually seems hateful."


    Yang Ziyi gritted her teeth since she couldn¡¯t find a way to argue with him. She had nothing in her defense since each word was the truth. Since she missed her brother, she started epting that life itself was hateful. Denying the fact that she didn¡¯t like the world without her brother.


    "I hate you more, now!" She grumbled in frustration.


    Wu Wang smiled and replied, "Right back at ya¡¯!"

 Chapter 278 - For Being Mine

    Coming back to our dearest couple, keeping his words, Ye Jie took Xu Mey for a vacation over the weekend. While riding the car, Xu Mey kept asking him about the details rted to their stay but he kept his mouth shut. Seeing Ye Jie being so secretive about everything, she decided to just wait patiently.


    As they came closer, she could hear the sound of the waves as the wind caressed her face gently. It had been years since thest time she had a chance toe to a beach for some leisure time.


    When Ye Jie parked the car, Xu Mey was frowning. She climbed down and looked around at her surroundings. They stood at the door of a beautiful mansion on a secluded side of the beach. This probably was the most scenic view of the beach and looking at Ye Jie¡¯s smile, Xu Mey ran up to hug him as she said, "I¡¯m so d that you actually rent this mansion for us."


    "I¡¯m d that you liked it but baby," he looked down into her eyes and added, "I didn¡¯t rent it."


    "Huh?" Xu Mey was confused. Did he just bring her to show this luxurious beach mansion? Why was she so excited then? What a mood spoiler!


    Seeing her fifty shades of expressions in just a moment of silence, Ye Jie was amused. He pinched her nose and pulled her towards a side showing her the namete. It read: ¡¯Cherry¡¯s Beach House¡¯.


    Xu Mey was dumbfounded to see this. She looked at Ye Jie and he answered her, "I didn¡¯t rent it. I just bought it... For my baby."


    Xu Mey gasped as she covered her mouth in surprise. "This... This is mine?"


    "Do I have another baby? I don¡¯t think so..." Hearing his reply, Xu Mey¡¯s eyes stung with tears as she felt overwhelmed with emotions. Without any warning, Xu Mey¡¯s tears cascaded down like a stream of water.


    Ye Jie was baffled by this reaction. He had imagined different expressions but crying wasn¡¯t one of them. He pulled her in his arms and tried to soothe her by rubbing her back gently as he asked, "Baby, why are you crying?"


    "Because I¡¯m happy..." He heard her stifled voice as she kept sniveling against his chest. "I didn¡¯t expect you to buy a house for me. I¡¯ve never bought a house under my name in my entire life. So, I still can¡¯t seem to believe that this house is mine."


    Ye Jie finally heaved a sigh of relief as he heard her exnation and said, "I thought you didn¡¯t like the house. Anyway, now this house is all yours and this husband was already yours. So, please don¡¯t cry." Xu Mey chuckled a bit between sobbing softly.


    Getting out of his embrace, Xu Mey ran around the mansion like a kid in a candy store. From the huge halls to the 5 bedrooms, she saw everything with a big smile stered on her face. Ye Jie silently watched her skipping around and felt relieved.


    "Do you like it?" He asked as she was wandering in the hallways.


    "I love it!" Xu Mey eximed in reply.


    "Do you love the house or the one who bought the house?" Ye Jie gave her an inquiring look making her giggle.


    "Mmm... I love both." After pretending to take a moment to think she replied.


    Ye Jie wrapped his arms around her waist and asked childishly, "Which one do you love more?"


    "Hmm... That¡¯s a tough one," Xu Mey pretended to be in dilemma.


    Ye Jie lowered his head to nibble on her earlobe and asked, "Is it really difficult?"


    Feeling his tongue licking her earlobe, Xu Mey lost her breath for a moment. "Now, you¡¯re cheating." She whined breathlessly.


    Ye Jie dropped soft kisses along her jawline as he reached her lips to catch them for a passionate kiss. He didn¡¯t let her go until she was out of breathpletely and whispered, "Am I really cheating?"


    "You can¡¯t possibly beparing yourself to a house." Xu Mey remarked and Ye Jie pulled her even closer to himself.


    "Baby, I don¡¯t care if it¡¯s a house. I should always be the number one on your list."


    Xu Mey encircled his neck with her dainty arms and said, "Ah-Jie, you¡¯re already on the top. No-one can possibly take your ce ever."


    Ye Jie was very satisfied with her answer. Lately, he had done everything just to see a smile on her face. And it seemed rather weird to him. He wasn¡¯t the one who would strive to be best for someone else¡¯s sake but for her, he wanted to be better. No! He wanted to be the best in her life. Only by being best, he could offer her the best of everything in this life.


    "Ah-Jie, when did you buy this house?" Xu Mey asked while he was lost in thoughts.


    "Mm... I bought it when you told me that you love me for the first time. Actually, I bought it for your birthday as a surprise gift but thenst night, you said you want to go to the beach. I thought it was better to surprise you now when you least expected to be surprised." Ye Jie answered honestly.


    Xu Mey felt her heart warming up again because of him. How was it possible for the same person to make you feel touched every single day? But she knew it was possible when it came to her Ah-Jie. He could make her heart burst with pink bubbles all day long. Perhaps, that¡¯s what love does to people.


    "Thank you, Ah-Jie!" She whispered looking into his eyes.


    "Huh? For what?" Ye Jie was confused since he didn¡¯t think there was any need for things like thank yous in their rtionship. "I¡¯m your husband. It¡¯s my job to get you everything that makes you happy. This house is nothing."


    Xu Mey shook her head saying, "Not for the house." Ye Jie frowned a bit and she added, "For being mine. And also, for loving me so much!"


    With the ocean waves in the background, both of them held each other in a warm embrace at the terrace of the mansion overlooking the beauty of their surrounding. It was a picturesque moment. A moment two of them would want to frame as a precious memory.


    But...


    Who knew, there was a third person who shared the same idea as someone clicked the photos and looked at it saying, "Ahhh... These vibes can make anyone envy. One should mind the evil eyes. Haha!"

 Chapter 279 - Simple Life

    In the pursuit of a happy and beautiful life, all we need is a simple life. A simple life is the most joyous one and nothing can surpass in beauty.


    There was a question Xu Mey once asked Ye Jie, ¡¯How can a person be the happiness for another person?¡¯


    Back at their first date, he had replied, ¡¯When a person is able to make a smile appear on the other person¡¯s face, that person bes the happiness for him.¡¯


    Today, as she walked barefoot on the beach with his hand intertwined with her own, Xu Mey realized how much reality his words held. ¡¯My happiness is you...¡¯ was a phrase she never understood and now, he was the definition of that phrase for her. He was everything she could wish for but the strange fact was that she never actually wished for him.


    He was someone she managed to have without even wishing for him.


    For Ye Jie, she had be his happiness a long time ago. What he loved about their rtionship were these in moments they got to share with each other. For instance, he loved this particr moment when he could see a radiant smile on her cherry lips as the waves crashed into her feet making her feel giddy.


    Jewel blue sea, a clear sky akin to a silk curtain, the soothing sound of the song that sea waves yed and in the middle of it all, his hands held hers in a tight grasp as if afraid to lose his treasure. It was truly a blissful and heart-warming moment.


    Perhaps these simple moments were the reason someone wrote; ¡¯A simple hello could lead to a million things.¡¯


    Xu Mey pulled Ye Jie a bit away from the waves and made him sit down on the sandy beach. After that, she perched herself down between his legs and leaned back into his embrace.


    "Why are you smiling?" Xu Mey tilted her head a bit to ask Ye Jie.


    "Because I¡¯m happy." He replied in all honesty.


    "And why are you so happy?" Xu Mey asked again.


    Ye Jie pinched her small nose and said, "I don¡¯t need to look for reasons any more." Taking a brief pause he lowered his face making his lips brush past her ear and added, "The biggest reason for my happiness is right here."


    Xu Mey once thought that simple life would be too boring for someone like her who became ustomed to an adventurous and hectic life. Who knew, being with him will actually change her perspective to a whole new level.


    "Ah-Jie, how did you fall in love with me?" Xu Mey turned her body to face Ye Jie as she asked.


    Ye Jie cupped her face in his big hands and answered, "Ask yourself."


    "Huh? What did I do?" Xu Mey frowned in confusion.


    Ye Jie smiled at her adorable expression and stroked her nose with his own as he whispered, "You¡¯re the thief who broke into my heart. So, you should be asking yourself, not me." Xu Mey was left speechless at his words. Just why was he so damn good with words?


    Seeing her scowling a bit, he captured her lips between his own for a kiss. There was no rush. He kissed her at a slow pace, taking his sweet time as if there was no ce he¡¯d rather be. And in fact, there was no other ce he¡¯d be than being with his baby. His hands tightened around her waist but he didn¡¯t try to lift the hem of her shirt.


    The kiss was unlike any other they had before for Xu Mey since his kisses made her feel giddy as he explored her mouth with curiosity like a child. Pulling her closer, he kissed her until she moaned. His kiss made her feel like dancing like a star... The brightest star of his life...


    He pulled away a bit and asked, "Do you want to go back?"


    Xu Mey¡¯s mind was reeling with that kiss so much so that a simple question¡¯s answer for her was, "Ah-Jie..." Ye Jieughed into her mouth taking her breath away; at least what was left of it anyway.


    With a line of nickel-silver in the horizon, Ye Jieid back on the sand, pulling her body over himself. Feeling his familiar warmth, Xu Mey¡¯s mind slowly came back from the dreand. She looked straight into his eyes as if looking for something and when she found what she was looking for, she smiled in satisfaction before hiding her face in the crook of his neck.

 Chapter 280 - Under The Starlight

    "Stars are quite bright here," he said as his hands continued their journey under the hem of her top as the warmth of his hands was a striking contrast against her cold skin.


    Xu Mey arched her back a bit as he cupped her bosom and tweaked her nipples between his fingers which were already hard enough. Xu Mey felt a clenching feeling between her legs and pulled herself onto him as she straddled his thighs.


    "The stars sure are beautiful." She said while she rocked herself against his hardness. She just couldn¡¯t help the urge to do so. Even though they were right now on the chaise lounge chair ced near the swimming pool of their beach house, it was still quite bold of her.


    Ye Jie¡¯s hands were now against her backside, aiding her in moving against him. Ye Jie caught her neck to suckle on and she let her head fall back. Getting more ess, Ye Jie kept leaving small kisses on her neck, down to her corbones as he inched closer towards the hollow between her strawberry creams.


    "They are beautiful but they can¡¯t evene close to the star of my life," Ye Jie slowly whispered making her look straight into his brown eyes. Even after being married for so long, she could still feel the pull of his eyes as if his eyes alone could absorb her soul.


    Xu Mey happily rewarded him with a kiss and ced her hands against his chest to stop him. She lifted herself off of him. "I want you to move forward. Make love to me."


    "Here?" Ye Jie asked with a quirk of his brow.


    Xu Mey nodded her head innocently as she answered, "Right here... Under the starry night with the sound of waves in the background." She even urged him further as her small hand went down to snake firmly around his hardness.


    Ye Jie couldn¡¯t help but groan under her touch as he felt himself getting hardened even more. He held her naughty hand and asked suspiciously, "Where is my baby? And what have you done to her?"


    Xu Mey chuckled at his response and leaned in to kiss him and whispered, "Your baby has been corrupt by her Ah-Jie." This time, it was his turn to chuckle at her and pull her in for a kiss again.


    Xu Mey pulled away for long enough to pull his shirt up over his head. After getting rid of his shirt, she did the same with her own.


    "I didn¡¯t know I was such a good influence." Ye Jie retorted in delight and seeing his cheeky expression, Xu Mey pushed him back on thefortable lounge chair and leaned down herself to take his nipple between her teeth. Not being able to hold back, Ye Jie cursed out and Xu Mey was pleased with the corresponding thrust of his hips. "Baby, you¡¯re treading on thin ice now." Ye Jie warned her.


    "Mmm..." Xu Mey smiled cheekily at him, not paying heed to his words as her mouth kept having its way all over his chest. She pulled away to stand back and unsped her bra before pulling down her shorts and innerwear. She had expected him to follow suit but Ye Jie was busy in ravishing her with his eyes.


    Xu Mey felt a shiver run down her body, whether it was because of the cold air or his eyes, she couldn¡¯t tell even if she was given another month to think. When his eyes were done roaming all over her body, they settled on her face which had a slightly ruddyplexion at the moment. As they locked their eyes, Xu Mey smiled in satisfaction and excitement.


    Before she could take a step towards him, he had already pulled her towards himself. At first, she was startled but before she could make sense, his fingers had already intruded into her most sensitive part making her whimper at this sudden intrusion.


    The sky was beautiful and there was no doubt about it but as she let her head fall back, Xu Mey couldn¡¯t even make out anything other than the pleasure that he was giving her down there. She felt like it had been a long time or perhaps, no time had passed at all before her toes curled and she was lost in the world of ecstasy.


    While she wasing back from her ecstasy, he guided her unsteady legs down to make her sit on the lounge chair. After he got rid of his own pant, he pulled her over to straddle hisp once more. He let her rest her head on his shoulder and his hand kept stroking her back. Pulling her back for a kiss, he shuffled a bit to get rid of his briefs.


    As her mind came around, Xu Mey felt the need to bury him within herself. And to get what she wanted, she raised herself enough to guide him towards her entrance. And then, she pushed down, taking in his entire length. She feltplete with him inside of her.


    "Eager, are we?" His words made her blush slightly but remembering that he was her husband, Xu Mey instantly got back to her previous bold self.


    "We sure are!" She breathed out and it was Ye Jie¡¯s turn to suck in a cold breath.


    Under the starden sky, both took what they wanted and gave what the other one desired. They lost themselves so much that they even lost track of time or the ce where they were.

 Chapter 281 - A Beautiful Lonely Girl

    Back at Wu Wang¡¯s side, he parked the car at the side of the road the instant they entered the city. "Get off!" He said to Yang Ziyi in a in voice.


    Yang Ziyi gaped at him in disbelief as she asked uncertainly, "Here?"


    Wu Wang gave her a sweet smile which was so fake that even Yang Ziyi wanted to ask whether his face was hurting or not. "You asked for a ride to the city. Here we are in the city. Now, get off already."


    "Don¡¯t be so mean. I won¡¯t even get a taxi from here." Yang Ziyi replied as she looked around at the busy road outside the car. "Drop me somewhere else. I¡¯m all alone. And it¡¯s already nighttime. What if something happened?"


    "What can really happen to you?" Wu Wang asked, tapping his fingers on the steering wheel.


    "Look at me. I¡¯m such a beautiful youngdy." He rolled his eyes at her praising her own self while she continued, "This is a dangerous and unknown world for me. Be a nice citizen and drop me elsewhere." Wu Wang was amused by her expressions.


    "If you¡¯re so scared, why did you choose to go to the cemetery sote?" He took a pause and leaned a bit towards her dangerously. "And what¡¯s the guarantee that I won¡¯t do anything to you. As you said yourself, you¡¯re young... pretty and also alone in my car at this time."


    Yang Ziyiughed out seemingly not taking his words seriously. "You? And do something to me? Haha! Such a joke that is!"


    "Why? You think I can¡¯t?" He asked looking straight into her eyes.


    "I think you forgot... Let me remind you of the time when we met about a couple of years ago in Italy. You treated me like a log of wood. So, I can bet that even if your life depended on it, you¡¯d rather die than to do anything to me." Hearing her conviction, Wu Wang didn¡¯t know how to react.


    "I¡¯m sure I didn¡¯t treat you like a log of wood," Wu Wang argued as he straightened back.


    "Pft!" Yang Ziyi scoffed as she added, "We had to share the same room and I told you that I¡¯m bored. But touching is far of thing, you didn¡¯t even talk to me for the whole night. I was bored to death that night. Youpletely disregarded my existence. That was humiliating!"


    Wu Wang scratched his head awkwardly. He really didn¡¯t talk to her back then for the entire night. It was his bad luck that he was stuck with her in one room. In his defense, she loved to talk and Wu Wang thought that if he answered her once then her chatterbox won¡¯t stop for the rest of the night. Therefore, he chose to ignore her presence altogether.


    "Fine!" Wu Wang grumbled and offered, "Where do you want to go? I¡¯ll drop you off."


    Yang Ziyi smiled in victory and said, "Just drop me at any lively and outgoing ce."


    "You don¡¯t even know where do you want to go?" He gave her a look of disbelief.


    "What? I came only a couple of weeks ago. I even live in a hospital, how would I know anything about this ce?" Wu Wang felt she was right. He already heard from Lin Shen that she stayed at the hospital and all her life revolved around her patients. In other words, Yang Ziyi was one of those doctors who had no personal lives.


    Remembering how she just came from her brother¡¯s grave, Wu Wang felt bad for her. He felt like she shouldn¡¯t be alone at this time. She¡¯d choose to get drunk to rise above her pain and as she just mentioned, she¡¯s a girl, all alone and even though he didn¡¯t want to ept the fact she surely was beautiful.


    "I¡¯m... I¡¯m going to Crystal Cuisines, do you want to join me for dinner?" Yang Ziyi¡¯s eyes brightened up at the suggestion as she bobbed her head up and down.


    "Yes, yes, yes..." Her excitement was infectious since even he felt ted for some reason even when it wasn¡¯t his first visit to that particr restaurant. "But why are you going there? Do you have a meeting? If you do then I don¡¯t want to be a nuisance."


    "Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯m just going to treat myself to avish meal." Wu Wang didn¡¯t bother telling her that it was a decision he made because of the crestfallen look in her eyes which she was trying to conceal with her bright smile.


    "Huh? Treat yourself? Why? Did something good happen?" Yang Ziyi inquired wiggling her brows like a curious child.


    "None of your business." While she scowled at his words, Wu Wang maneuvered the car towards his favorite restaurant.


    Wu Wang knew how much of a blessed person he was to have friends to share his happiness and griefs with him. Perhaps, that¡¯s why he could tell how much Yang Ziyi must be feeling alone. A girl who made her profession into her life was really pitiful.

 Chapter 282 - Tired Of Pitiful Looks

    Wu Wang brought Yang Ziyi to the Crystal Cuisine which was on the twenty-fifth floor of a seven-star hotel. Seeing the ambiance of this sophisticated restaurant, she understood the reason behind its name. The entire restaurant was adorned with huge crystal chandeliers and crystal flower triple candle holders.


    Crystal figurines, dim lights, it was a perfect ce for a romantic dinner. Yang Ziyi thought whoever was the owner of this ce must have been a huge fan of crystals. It was like the restaurant was designed with a crystal theme. Nheless, she loved everything about this ce including the staff which was humbly showing them to their table.


    Live piano performance was going on making the atmosphere even more calming and soothing.


    Their table was in a secluded corner with ss walls giving them ess to look over the entire night sky of the city. Yang Ziyi was fascinated by the view which was quite weird for Wu Wang since he knew how much she traveled around the world.


    "This is such a beautiful ce," sticking her face close to the ss wall like a child, she remarked. Then she shifted her gaze towards Wu Wang and said, "This is amazing. Thanks for showing me that this city is not that bad."


    Wu Wang looked at her inquisitively as he replied, "This city is more than just this view. Try getting out of the hospital to explore, you¡¯ll see for yourself."


    "But I don¡¯t like going around all on my own. It¡¯s pretty boring." Thinking of something, she looked at him eagerly as she asked, "How about you show me around? You grew up here. No one knows this ce better than you."


    "I¡¯m not your city guide. I have better stuff to do." Wu Wang shirked her off inly and before she could argue, the waitress came to take their order. "What do you want to eat?" He asked Yang Ziyi for her opinion.


    She shrugged her shoulders and said, "I¡¯m not familiar with this ce. Why don¡¯t you just order whatever you think is their best dish." Wu Wang nodded and gave the order without even looking through the menu.


    "You seem like a regr here," Yang Ziyi tried to make small conversation but realized that Wu Wang¡¯s attention was on something else or rather someone else. She tilted her head to follow his gaze to see a beautiful talldy making her scowl as she thought, ¡¯What? Is he still up to his yboy habits? Tsk... He really is impossible.¡¯


    While she was lost in her own thoughts, Wu Wang had already gotten up from his seat to walk towards that talldy.


    "Lili!" He called outing close to the tall woman.


    "Wang? Wow! What a pleasant surprise!" Wu Wang frowned a bit as she hugged him with delight.


    "I should be the one saying it¡¯s a pleasant surprise. I thought you¡¯d locked yourself at home. I really didn¡¯t expect Ms. Jun Li Na to be here mingling with her friends." Wu Wang was rather shocked since the condition that Xu Mey had described made it sure to him that it¡¯ll take years for Jun Li Na toe over.


    "Why? Is it a bad thing that I¡¯m trying to make an effort here? Also, I have plenty of things to take care of since I¡¯m the only daughter of my family. Too much responsibilities to handle." Jun Li Na replied tenaciously.


    Wu Wang was perplexed whether she was faking the smile on her face or was she really this happy. "Are you okay, Lili?" He couldn¡¯t help but ask.


    Jun Li Na sighed heavily as she slung her arm over his shoulder saying, "Don¡¯t ask that question. I¡¯m tired of people giving me pitiful looks. At least, you shouldn¡¯t be one of them. Also, I really am this happy. Wang, I feel like some huge burden has been lifted off of my shoulders. Before I had to always be mindful with my actions and words but now... Now, I¡¯m so free that I don¡¯t give a damn about what others think."


    Wu Wang gazed into her eyes for a second longer before he smiled. "It¡¯s good to see you happy and healthy. I¡¯m really d that you¡¯re finally back to what you¡¯re good at."


    "What am I good at?" Jun Li Na inquired with interest.


    "Smiling like a lunatic..." Wu Wang answered ruffling her hair making her shriek.


    She red hatefully at him but Wu Wang didn¡¯t care at all. Although his first interaction with Jun Li Na was because of Xu Mey, he was still quite close to her. And the biggest factor between their close friendship was Jun Li Na¡¯s nightclub. Wu Wang often went there alone and that¡¯s how he was very familiar with Jun Li Na¡¯s nature.


    Seeing her smiling like her old self, he was d that she wasn¡¯t just saying it. She was really feeling happy and free.

 Chapter 283 - Cant Climb It, Learn To Raze It

    "Come and join me for dinner," Wu Wang offered her as he gestured towards his table. Jun Li Na craned her neck and her eyes went round as she caught sight of Yang Ziyi sitting alone on the table.


    "What the heck? Wang, you are here on a date?" Jun Li Na¡¯s reaction was as if he was a ghost or something.


    "I¡¯m not on a date." Wu Wang answered with a flick on her head. "She¡¯s just an acquaintance."


    "And you want me to believe that?" Jun Li Na gave him an askance look as she added, "When was thest time you actually had brought apanion for dinner? She can¡¯t just be an acquaintance."


    "Stop overeating! She¡¯s really just someone I¡¯m familiar with and nothing else. Don¡¯t try to give any other meaning to this meeting." Of course, Jun Li Na believed his words but it was a rare chance to tease him, how could she as a friend let it go? Friends are born to disturb and if she won¡¯t do it, she¡¯d be going against the friendship code.


    "She¡¯s pretty and seems intelligent as well. How about turning this dinner into a date?" She suggested brazenly making him narrow his eyes at her.


    "You drop this topic. From what I heard, you¡¯d stayed with Little Mey¡¯s brother-inw. What was his name... Ah! Ye Jun... What¡¯s going on?" Wu Wang chose to divert her attention but his words made Jun Li Na¡¯s smile stiffen up a bit.


    "There is nothing going on between us. He¡¯s someone who saved my life and I owe him for that but nothing else." Jun Li Na replied with a straight face. But that was not what Wu Wang had heard.


    "But I heard from Xu Mey that he loves you and is also trying to pursue you?"


    "Just because he loves me doesn¡¯t mean that I have to love him as well. He¡¯s a good person and I know that. I know that very well. But... He and I can never be together. He can only stay as someone I owe my life to, nothing more than that." Jun Li Na told Wu Wang honestly since there was no need to hide anything between them.


    "Did you tell Little Mey that you¡¯re gonna break her brother-inw¡¯s heart?" Wu Wang asked.


    "I never gave him any hope... And I certainly don¡¯t want to give any hope." She inhaled a deep breath and added, "Let¡¯s chat over lunch sometime. I have a meeting and they are waiting for me in the private meeting rooms." Wu Wang nodded his head and saw her entering one of the rooms.


    "What are you up to?" He whispered to himself, shaking his head and turned back towards his own table.


    Coming closer to the table, Wu Wang halted in his steps. The scene before him was too peculiar for him.


    There, Yang Ziyi was sitting on the table with a fork and a spoon in her hand. Seemingly it wasn¡¯t anything out of the ordinary but what she was doing was surely not ordinary. She made the fork stand before the wine ss and spoke in a childish voice, "Master, master! I can¡¯t climb up this ice wall."


    Then she made her voice a bit heavy as she moved the spoon and said, "Hoho! How can you be strong if you can¡¯t even ovee such a small obstacle?"


    Moving back to the meek childish voice, she said, "But master, the wall is too big for my frame."


    Making her voice heavy again, she said, "Child, if you can¡¯t climb a wall, make sure to have enough power to tten it!"


    "Yes, master!" the same childish voice said as she moved the fork to clink against the wine ss. "Haha! I did it! Master must be proud of me now!" Sheughed out to herself but herugh broke when she heard Wu Wang¡¯s voice from behind.


    "Master is really proud." Yang Ziyi coughed dryly and ced the fork and spoon back to their original spot. Wu Wang sat back on his seat and looked at her embarrassed face as a smile threatened to broke out on his face. "What are you, five? How can you even y with your own self?"


    Yang Ziyi scratched the back of her head and replied, "I like ying with myself. What¡¯s so wrong with it?"


    Wu Wang looked at her for a moment before saying, "I liked that part about if you can¡¯t climb it, know how to tten it."


    Yang Ziyi smiled and answered, "I like that part as well. My young master used to say that to me."


    "Your young master?" Wu Wang inquired with interest. But she stayed quiet, not wanting to answer and right at that moment, to help her out of this sticky situation, food was served before them. Realizing that she wasn¡¯tfortable with the question, Wu Wang changed the question, "Shen told me that you¡¯re not just a remarkable surgeon but you¡¯re also skilled with traditional medicine."


    "Yeah... I¡¯ve studied traditional medicine as well." This time, she decided to answer.


    "Where did you learn it from?"


    "I studied it from the Hui Guang Medince House." Wu Wang raised his brows in surprise.


    "That¡¯s the world¡¯s top-ss traditional medicine house," he remarked while she nodded with ease and kept eating without any hesitancy.

 Chapter 284 - Prayer To Heaven

    The next day, on their stroll to the public beach, Xu Mey¡¯s excitement was still at the same level as it was before. She just couldn¡¯t get enough of this ce. Since it was the weekend, plenty of families and friends groups were at the beach.


    Suddenly while walking by the seaside, Xu Mey stopped in her steps making Ye Jiee to a halt as well. He turned to look and saw Xu Mey¡¯s eyes stuck on something.


    Particrly, her eyes were just gazing in a distance at the waves. But all of a sudden, her eyes teared up for some reason. Ye Jie¡¯s mind went into a state of panic as he saw her big tears falling down without control, for no apparent reason.


    "Baby, why are you crying? What happened?" He rubbed her arms up and down trying to soothe her but her tears fell with even more fervor. "At least, let me know what happened?"


    "I don¡¯t even know myself." Xu Mey suddenly spoke up, making Ye Jie dumbfounded.


    "Huh?"


    "I was just thinking how beautiful this ce is and how amazing it is to be here with you." She wiped the tears off of her face and added, "I don¡¯t know why these tears started flowing out."


    Ye Jie pursed his lips since he was speechless at the moment. He thought she was hurt or something but in the end, she cried over nothing. Then he heard her muttering to herself, "Why did I tear up? It doesn¡¯t make sense."


    He smiled at her and pulled her in his arms. Stroking her hair gently, he said, "My best friend once told me that tears are like prayers to heaven. These prayers are silent but theye straight from the heart... With our purest and sincerest feelings." Xu Mey silently listened to him as he continued, "Your heart must be making a prayer to heaven but your mind couldn¡¯t understand it."


    "Huh? Why did my mind didn¡¯t understand?" Xu Mey asked pulling herself away a bit to look at his face.


    "Because a mind can neverprehend what a heart desires. And sometimes, a heart doesn¡¯t need logic like our brain. Got it?" He touched her head affectionately and Xu Mey nodded her head in understanding. "But I know what your heart wished for with those tears."


    "Really? What did it ask for?" Xu Mey inquired gazing into his eyes.


    Ye Jie tucked her hair behind her ear and touched her cheek saying, "Your heart wished for this moment to never end."


    "Sweet-mouth!" Although Xu Mey grumbled this, even she was certain that her heart definitely must have wished for that. She obviously didn¡¯t want this kind of moments to end. Time with him was the best and the most memorable one for her. How can one wish for it to end? "I¡¯m suddenly feeling hungry." She changed the topic since her face was getting hot with his gaze all over again.


    "What does my baby want?" Ye Jie asked as if he was ready to serve her any moment.


    "Ah-Jie, I want to eat that," Xu Mey pointed towards a bowl of whatever those youngsters were eating and how was it possible for Ye Jie to say no to her.


    "Wait here. I¡¯ll bring it right away." Saying that he walked away from her to bring that Acai bowl for his wife.


    While he was gone, Xu Mey¡¯s phone vibration caught her attention. She pulled out her phone from her pocket and looked at the id before receiving the call, "Hey, Jun!"


    "Sis, where are you?" He asked without taking a pause.


    "I¡¯m with your brother at the beach. Why?" Xu Mey answered with a radiant smile.


    "The way you just served this dog food is quite direct. Don¡¯t you think so?" Ye Jun said from the other end, grudgingly.


    "Ay! Don¡¯t be mean... I was just giving out candies... Sweet ones... How would I dare to serve dog food to my sweet brother-inw?" Xu Mey was trying hard to stifle herughter but Ye Jun could still feel her infectiously happy mood. "Oh, by the way, how¡¯s Jun Li Na? I didn¡¯t get the time to check up on her."


    Ye Jun sighed making Xu Mey frown. "I don¡¯t know. I haven¡¯t seen her after you sorted the revenge game."


    "What?" Xu Mey was surprised to hear that. "Where did she go?"


    "She said she needs some time alone to gather her thoughts and all. After that, I didn¡¯t get in touch with her." He answered inly with a heavy heart.


    Xu Mey thought for a moment before saying, "I¡¯ll look for her aftering back." He hummed in reply and Xu Mey added, "Why did you call?"


    "Nothing... I just thought I could spend some time with you since I¡¯m getting bored all alone. But..." After another sigh, he added, "I should have known that how would you have any time for me when my brother is avable solely for you."


    Xu Mey chuckled at his brooding and said, "Stop overacting. Go out to find your friends."


    "Which friend? Huh? All of them are either with their girlfriends or wives. The only bachelor friend I have is Shuang and because of you even he left the country."


    "Hey! How is my fault? I didn¡¯t ask Fu Shuang to leave the country. I even forgave him for everything." Xu Mey tried to defend herself.


    Ye Jun had a sad smile on his face as he said, "Even though I don¡¯t find you wrong but the fact that he left the country for you can¡¯t be denied as well. Anyways... I¡¯ll see you when you get back. Bye!" Without waiting for her reply, Ye Jun hung up the call leaving Xu Mey to feel guilty for no reason.

 Chapter 285 - Snatch Away From You

    After the call disconnected, Xu Mey realized that it had been a while since Ye Jie went to buy something to eat for her. Why wasn¡¯t he back yet? Xu Mey¡¯s heart grew a bit restless but she tried to calm herself and tried to wait patiently. But the next few minutes felt like hours to her and her heart grew even more restless.


    She tried to call him but he didn¡¯t attend the call making her feel uneasy. She frantically looked around for him but when she couldn¡¯t get in touch with him her limbs started shaking as her heart palpitated. Cold sweat dripped down her forehead as she ran around to look for Ye Jie. Now, she was scared. Scared out of her wits.


    Suddenly, the fear of not being able to see him again came over her making her head hurt. Standing between the crowd of people, she felt all alone. The world all of a sudden went silent for her as the darkness cascaded before her eyes.


    "Baby! Mey!" She heard a voice calling out to her as someone was shaking her.


    After she opened her eyes, she felt a familiar warmth along with that scent ofvender she grew to love. "Baby, are you awake?" Hearing that voice, she immediately opened her eyes to see Ye Jie looking at her anxiously.


    Instead of answering him, Xu Mey instantly sat up and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Ah-Jie, where were you? I was so scared... You didn¡¯t even pick up my calls. I thought..." She huped in between before continuing, "I thought you left me."


    Seeing her acting so scared, Ye Jie was startled. He gently rubbed her back and said, "Where would I go? Even the idea of leaving you is scary enough for me..." He took a pause before adding, "I wasing back to you when I saw you fainting all of sudden. So, it¡¯s you who scared the hell out of me. What happened?"


    "I just told you... I was scared when I couldn¡¯t find you." Ye Jie frowned since he was only gone for about half an hour. Why did she get so scared? She wasn¡¯t one of those people who would get scared over nothing. "What took you so long?"


    He smiled at her and exined, "I met up with an acquaintance. While we were chatting, I didn¡¯t notice that I was thiste. Sorry! I really didn¡¯t know that you¡¯d worry this much." Seeing his guilty face, Xu Mey realized that she had indeed overreacted. But even she couldn¡¯t exin her fear even if she wanted to perhaps it was all because of the nightmare she had.


    "No... I¡¯m sorry! I made you worry for no reason." Sensing something from her tone, Ye Jie tried to read her expressions but Xu Mey avoided his gaze.


    "Tell me the truth. What made you so scared?"


    "I..." Xu Mey wanted to lie but looking at him, she decided to just tell him. "I had a dream a few days ago. In my dream, you were standing on one side of the road and I was on the other side. I called out to you but you didn¡¯t listen. As if, you didn¡¯t know me at all. At first, I didn¡¯t think about it but today, when I couldn¡¯t find you, I thought my dream wasing true. I felt like I just lost you."


    "I¡¯m right here with you. I¡¯m not going anywhere even if you want me to. That was really a dream and it¡¯ll stay that way." Ye Jie touseled her hair and added, "So, please, stop over-thinking." He uncovered the Acai bowl and passed it to her saying, "Eat it... You¡¯ll feel better."


    Xu Mey silently nodded but didn¡¯t move away from his embrace. Letting her back, rest on his back, she took a bit of that delicious thick smoothie. The cold snack made her feel refreshing. It really helped to lift her mood. Ye Jie kept herpany in silence as he saw her smiling after just taking a few bites.


    Seeing her smile, he smiled himself. He was surprised, how she was panicking a moment ago and now, there was a big smile on her face. She really was unexpected. Although he wasn¡¯t supposed to be happy about it, he still felt a gush of warmth in his heat knowing that she was scared of losing him.


    It was a good thing that he wasn¡¯t the only one with thanatophobia[1] in this rtionship anymore. As they say, as a person¡¯s love grows stronger, so does his fear of losing them. It seemed like her love for him was stronger than ever.


    Unbeknownst to them, there was another person who had been watching them all along. "What is this? I thought Ms. Xu was stronger than this... If you¡¯ll get scared this easily, how will I enjoy myself? Since your biggest fear is losing him. That¡¯s exactly what I¡¯ll snatch from you!"


    [1] "thanatophobia": the phobia of losing someone you love

 Chapter 286 - Glow Of Love

    After spending a rxed weekend with Ye Jie, Xu Mey had toe back to the reality on the following Monday since a lot of work had been pending because of her mini-vacation. From the morning, she had been buried in the pile of work so deeply that she didn¡¯t even find some time to take a break for lunch.


    Around 8 o¡¯clock at night when she decided to leave the office, she was famished. While she was nning to make a trip to a restaurant for some takeout, she saw that the lights in her father¡¯s office were still on. Frowning a bit, Xu Mey thought to check up on him.


    As she came near her father¡¯s office, she could hear the distinctive voicesing from inside.


    "Brother, are you really not nning on seeing her?" Xu Mey could recognize the voice of Wu Wang¡¯s mother, Fan Bingbing anywhere.


    "Xiao Bing, let¡¯s not discuss this topic." Xu Cheng replied and after a brief pause, he added, "Also, why are you even asking me this? Don¡¯t you hate her guts?"


    "Even if I hate her guts, you need a few answers. That¡¯s your right." Fan Bingbing emphasized on this point.


    "I wanted some answers but now that she¡¯s happy with her son and all, I can¡¯t possibly force her to remember that painful time all over again." Xu Cheng tried to appear indifferent but Fan Bingbing knew him better.


    "Stop trying to act like everything is fine. You and I both know how much you¡¯d been hurting from the time you heard about her having a son." Fan Bingbing felt a wave of fatigue crashing her. It was like this argument alone was enough to wear her down. She took a seat at the chair before his desk and went on, "I didn¡¯t like paying attention before but now, I checked. Even though she has a son, there is no husband."


    "And why are you telling me that exactly?" Fan Bingbing was a bit taken aback by this question since she thought he¡¯d be happy to hear this news. "Don¡¯t get your hopes too high... Xiao Bing, I¡¯m seriously okay. Stop reminding me of her."


    "I¡¯m reminding you of her?" Fan Bingbing asked in disbelief. "Brother, it¡¯s you who never forgot her in the first ce. And don¡¯t argue with me on that... You are still wearing the same wedding ring that she put on your finger."


    At this reminder, Xu Cheng looked at the wedding ring on his hand and sighed dejectedly. "It¡¯s just a reminder that I failed as a husband. Not once but twice."


    Fan Bingbing rolled her eyes at him and scoffed, "It¡¯s not you who actually failed... It had to be your wives who didn¡¯t know any better. Argh! I¡¯m so angry right now!"


    "Don¡¯t let these things incense you this much. Here have a ss of water," Xu Cheng offered her some water before continuing, "I agree that once I was afraid to lose her but now, I¡¯m more scared to face her."


    "Why? You didn¡¯t do anything wrong."


    "I¡¯m scared that I might really want to forgive her for whatever reason she had to leave me and my daughter. And honestly, I don¡¯t want to forgive her... At least, not for what my daughter had to face because of her absence. If she hadn¡¯t left me back then, I wouldn¡¯t have been forced into a deadlock which led me to marry Fu Lan." Xu Cheng¡¯s reply was reasonable to Fan Bingbing. No one knew better than herself about the pressure he had to face just so he could marry Fu Lan. And the fact that if Xin Qian hadn¡¯t left like that, he wouldn¡¯t have to marry again was also true.


    "Fine... I won¡¯t force you to see her then." As the silence prevailed inside the office, Xu Mey was conflicted outside the door. She had already figured who they were talking about but in all honesty, she had no interest to know about her mother at all. She might have spent years trying to stay away from her father but in her heart, she was well familiar with how he had to fight with everyone in their family and Fu family all these years all on his own.


    Taking their silence as a cue, Xu Mey knocked on the door and sashayed inside with a cheery expression. "Dad, what are you doing sote in the office?" She looked at Fan Bingbing and feigned surprise saying, "Oh my! Auntie Bingbing, when did youe?"


    Fan Bingbing immediately lost the sulky look as she stood up and hugged Xu Mey in a frisky manner. "Little Mey, I thought you would have left for home by now."


    "Why? You don¡¯t like seeing me here?" Fan Bingbing smiled at her as she shook her head.


    "Obviously not! I¡¯m d to see you here. Wait for a second!" Under her scrutinizing gaze, Xu Mey felt a bit weird. "What is this? It seems like your husband really dotes on you."


    "Huh? How did youe up with that idea?" Xu Mey asked with surprise.


    "Well..." Fan Bingbing dragged the time a bit and caressed her cheek saying, "You¡¯re glowing like a light bulb. It has to be because of his love."


    Xu Mey chuckled a bit before saying, "Or perhaps, my beauty products are actually working."


    "Mmm..." Fan Bingbing bobbed her head up and down slowly. "That¡¯s also possible... Anyways, I¡¯ll still say that it¡¯s the magic of love."


    "Why?"


    "Aiyoh! That way my old soul will still have some faith in young love." Xu Mey couldn¡¯t help but giggle uncontrobly. Xu Mey would never dare to call Fan Bingbing an old soul since that term didn¡¯t fit with her personality at all. She was more like a teenager even at this age.

 Chapter 287 - Love Is Like An Accident

    "Oh, this just reminded me," Fan Bingbing suddenly picked up her phone from the table and showed something to Xu Mey. "I received this over the weekend."


    Xu Mey looked at the clear photo in which Wu Wang was having dinner with Yang Ziyi and the biggest shocker for her was the fact that he actually took that doctor to his favorite restaurant! "Oh my! When did this happen? And how? And why am I thest person to know about such big news?" Xu Mey clearly lost herposure as she took the phone from Fan Bingbing¡¯s hand and tried to examine the photo. "Who sent it to you?"


    "Jun Li Na sent me the pictures on Friday night. At first, I didn¡¯t believe these photos since I know my son very well. But then she even sent me a clip where Wang was actually talking with a big smile on his face." Fan Bingbing¡¯s happiness could be seen on her face clearly.


    "What¡¯s really going on here?" Xu Cheng had to ask since thedies before him hadpletely disregarded his presence.


    "Dad, look at this." Xu Mey showed the photos to Xu Cheng who still didn¡¯t get the gist of this situation at all.


    "What am I supposed to see here? Isn¡¯t it just Wu Wang having dinner with a girl?" Xu Cheng voiced out uncertainly while thedies before him shook their heads at him.


    "Dad, you don¡¯t understand... Wang Ge doesn¡¯t take girls out for dinner. In the past years, he was a yboy whose love affair ended within hours. He would never offer dinner to a girl. As in like never ever. This is huge!" Although Xu Cheng still wasn¡¯t sure about the situation, since the matter made Xu Mey seem so excited, he chose to nod as if he understood everything.


    "Little Mey, I told you in the hospital that she¡¯d be a good match for him." Fan Bingbing boasted about being right from the beginning.


    "I was a bit skeptical before but now, I think Auntie you¡¯re right. She is the one!" Even Xu Mey agreed.


    "Okay!" Fan Bingbing pped her hands like an excited kid and said, "Now, you look into her background and family. I¡¯ll set them up at all costs." Seeing the conviction on her face, Xu Mey nodded her head.


    "You don¡¯t worry at all, Auntie. I¡¯ll get all the details for you..." After getting over this topic, Xu Mey suggested, "Auntie, join me and dad for dinner."


    Fan Bingbing touched her face affectionately. "Sorry little Mey, I have to get back now. Go out with your dad this time. I¡¯ll join you guys some other day." Xu Mey was a bit upset but she still nodded and see Fan Bingbing off all the way out to her car.


    After seeing her off, Xu Mey turned to her father, "Dad, let¡¯s go out for dinner," she wrapped her hands around her father¡¯s arm and dragged him with herself without waiting for his reply at all. Xu Cheng naturally had no issue with spending time with his daughter at all.


    She had brought Xu Cheng to a French restaurant and as they were waiting for the food, Xu Mey kept trying to read her father¡¯s mind. She didn¡¯t know what exactly what she was looking for... Perhaps, she wanted to know whether he was really as strong as he was trying to appear before Fan Bingbing or not.


    "Dad," she called out softly.


    "Hmm..." he hummed in response.


    "You never really told me about your first wife." Xu Cheng was startled to hear her sentence. He had expected this question from Xu Mey for a long time but she never really asked. What made her ask about this today?


    "What do you want to know about her?" Xu Cheng asked offhandedly or at least he tried to seem offhanded.


    "Anything... For instance, where did you guys meet? How did you meet? Most importantly, why did you fall in love with her?" Xu Mey gave a string of questions for him to answer.


    Xu Cheng took a sip of water to ease up the sudden burn and opened his mouth to speak, "I met her in Country A. We met through a mutual friend..." He pursed his lips taking a break to think what else to say. "As for how I fell in love with her... Love is like an ident. It just happens. I can¡¯t possibly tell you how it happened."


    "Why not?" Xu Mey knitted her brows together.


    Xu Cheng touched the space between her brows with his finger and said, "Because love is a mystery one can only feel... If words could describe this mystery, love wouldn¡¯t be a wonder anymore."


    Xu Mey nodded her head in understanding since even she had learned that falling in love was a mystery. Even today, she won¡¯t be able to describe what love is if one asked her about it. So, it was obvious that even her dad couldn¡¯t tell her the specific reason for which he fell in love.


    Xu Mey suddenly was reminded of a quote someone once read to her, ¡¯You are a mystery to me, yet so familiar. Like a song I¡¯ve never heard before, and a tune I¡¯ve known my entire life.¡¯ She realized the reality of this quote today. Love stays a mystery until someone enters your life to solve this mystery with you.

 Chapter 288 - Right Here By My Side

    "Dad?" Xu Mey had to call out to get her father¡¯s attention. Xu Cheng hummed in response. Xu Mey hesitated for a split second before voicing out her question, "Do you still... miss her presence?"


    "Do you want me to answer you honestly?" Xu Mey looked at his inquiring gaze as if he was asking whether she¡¯d really like to hear the answer which she might not like.


    Xu Mey contemted a bit in her mind and nodded her saying, "Yes... I want you to be honest with me."


    "Very well..." Xu Cheng swirled the wine in his ss with his eyes following the movements of that red liquid in his ss. He inhaled a deep breath before saying, "To be honest, I really don¡¯t know what¡¯s wrong with my own heart. Does it still miss her? Perhaps it does... Or maybe it doesn¡¯t..." Xu Mey was conflicted to hear his answer. "But I do know that I¡¯m scared of knowing whether she remembers me or not... The idea of being forgotten is a lot scarier than her absence."


    "She had been everywhere in all these years... My heart, memories, mind, soul... But she is not where she promised to be..." Xu Mey looked at her father waiting for him to continue. "Right here by my side."


    Xu Mey pressed her lips together, not knowing how to continue this conversation. She ate her Sde ni?oise in silence trying to sort out whatever she just heard from her father.


    "That means you still love her," she remarked with a heavy heart after a long silence.


    She heard a snicker from her father as he said, "At this point, I believe I¡¯d never stopped loving her." Xu Mey was literally stumped to hear his answer. Didn¡¯t he suffer all alone all this time? How can he still love her?


    Xu Mey wasn¡¯t inclined to believe that he wasn¡¯t sessful in forgetting her. Perhaps, he never tried hard enough, to begin with. "I think dad never really wanted to forget her and that¡¯s why she¡¯s still somewhere around you."


    Xu Cheng didn¡¯t refute, he simply gave her a small smile. "Xiao Mey, it¡¯s not that I really didn¡¯t try to forget her. But coincidences like today never let me forget her."


    "What coincidence?" Xu Mey questioned with furrowed brows.


    "This happens to be your mother¡¯s favorite restaurant..." Xu Mey¡¯s eyes went wide as he heard this sentence. She really wanted to question herself about why did she had to choose this specific French restaurant of all the ces? "Now, tell me... How am I supposed to forget her when even the restaurant you chose randomly is the ce of my memories with her?" Xu Mey had no answer to that question at all. She was the one cursing at her own choice.


    Taking another sip from his wine ss, Xu Cheng added, "But you¡¯re not wrong," Xu Mey lifted her eyes to face him as he went on, "I kept saying to myself that I want to forget her but unknowingly, there was a part of me which still yearned for her. I guess I tried to forget her while hoping for her return. That really makes me a pathetic person. Doesn¡¯t it?"


    Xu Mey wanted to nod her head but she refrained from doing so. She didn¡¯t want to hurt her father more than she had done already over a single dinner. While Xu Cheng wasn¡¯t paying attention, she even pped her own mouth for choosing this topic for conversation. Seeing the look of longing and mncholy in Xu Cheng¡¯s eyes, Xu Mey felt really uneasy.


    "Sorry, dad! For being such an idiot. I shouldn¡¯t have actually asked," Xu Mey was trying hard to apologize since she felt that she was the one in the wrong. She was being insensitive for bringing up such buried memories.


    "I don¡¯t mind... I always wanted to talk to you about your mother but you never gave me a chance-" Xu Cheng was about to continue when Xu Mey lifted her hand to interrupt him.


    "Dad! I am sorry for asking but I asked about your wife. Not about my mother because I never had one. Let¡¯s not argue on this." Xu Cheng pursed his lips knowing Xu Mey¡¯s temper, he chose to listen to her. "Besides, I grew up very well without a mother." Right at this moment, her phone gave an alert for a message.


    The message was from Jun Li Na and it stated: ¡¯SOS! SOS! Get here right now! It¡¯s an emergency. Something just exploded and I can¡¯t tell you in detail over the phone.¡¯


    Seeing her frowning like that Xu Cheng asked, "Is everything alright?"


    "I don¡¯t know..." Xu Mey shook her head trying to understand that text. Thinking something must have been wrong with Jun Li Na, she shot up from her seat in a hurry and excused herself, "Dad, I¡¯ll see you at the office tomorrow. I have to get somewhere right now."


    Xu Cheng nodded his head in understanding and let her leave. Since he was also done with his dinner, Xu Cheng paid for the bill and made a call to his driver before making his way towards the exit. He was a bit distracted because of the phone call and didn¡¯t see the personing from the front and ended up colliding into her.


    "Oh... I¡¯m sorry! I wasn¡¯t look-" Xu Cheng¡¯s words got stuck in his throat as he looked at the face of the person who bumped into him.

 Chapter 289 - At Your Own Convenience

    Outside the restaurant, Xu Mey was trying to hail a taxi when she saw a familiar face. "Oi! Mr. neighbor, what are you doing here?" Xu Mey called out to Xin Xiamu with a pleasantly surprised look on her face.


    Xin Xiamu also looked at her with a surprised gaze and came close to her. "I¡¯m here for dinner. What about you?"


    "Obviously, I also came for dinner." Xu Mey answered matter-of-factly.


    "All alone?" Xin Xiamu raised his brow in question.


    "Why would Ie all alone for dinner? Wouldn¡¯t that make me look like a miserable person?" Xu Mey retorted cleverly. After a second, she mumbled, "Also, I haven¡¯t been dumped like a certain someone."


    Xin Xiamu gave her an appalling look before saying, "That was really mean of you."


    "Well, what can I do? I am a mean person! Just deal with it." Her apathetic look made Xin Xiamu smile for some reason. Even though being shaded like that for being unsessful with love was hurtful but he still felt d that the one teasing him was his own elder sister. That fact alone made a huge difference for him.


    "Okay! I¡¯ll keep in mind that you¡¯re a mean person." Xin Xiamu said with a look of understanding. Seeing him acting so maturely made Xu Mey look at him in a different light. When she learned that after getting dumped he actually went to deal with his sorrow by drowning in alcohol, she thought he was a very capricious person but today, he seemed to be different for some reason.


    "Did youe alone?" Xu Mey asked carefully since there was nobody around him.


    Xin Xiamu smiled and answered her, "Nope! I know I¡¯m miserable but not to that extent yet." He took a pause, before adding, "I came with my mother."


    Xu Mey nodded her head and said, "You seem healthy and happy which means you¡¯re dealing with heartbreak like a real man."


    "Would you like to join us for dinner?" Xin Xiamu tried to evade the topic of heartbreak. Even if he had epted the idea of being dumped, it didn¡¯t mean he was okay with everything.


    "No, thanks! I just had dinner with my dad. Now, I¡¯m trying to hail a cab since I have to get somewhere urgently but I can¡¯t seem to find a ride." Xu Mey rejected his offer politely while describing her trouble in one go.


    "You can take my car," Xin Xiamu offered as he extended the keys towards her.


    "How can I do that?" She was reluctant to this idea, after all, they weren¡¯t that close.


    "Why not? We are neighbors... Also, you just said it¡¯s an emergency. I don¡¯t mind, just take my car." Xin Xiamu was satisfied with his idea. "Neighbors are also like a family." He urged her even more.


    "But how will you go back?"


    "Don¡¯t worry about that. My mother brought her own ride, I¡¯ll just carpool with her." Saying that he pushed the keys into her hands before she could even argue any further.


    Xu Mey looked at the keys then to his beaming face and then thought about the text message. ¡¯Argh! I¡¯ll just take the car.¡¯ She decided after vying her options and said, "Then I should thank you for this help. I have your number from thest time. I¡¯ll contact you to give your car back."


    "There¡¯s no hurry." Xin Xiamu replied and watched her getting into his car. After she drove away, he whispered to himself, "This brother is all yours much less his car." Shaking his head, Xin Xiamu made his way inside the restaurant.


    While at the entrance of the restaurant...


    Looking at the face that never left his mind, Xu Cheng was lost for words. He stood there with his gaze stuck on her face. Xin Qian... He wanted to call out to her but with what right? Reminding himself that there was no rtionship between them anymore, Xu Cheng tried to walk right past her.


    "Cheng!" Xin Qian¡¯s voice made him halt but he didn¡¯t turn around to face her. "Can we talk?"


    "You can say whatever you want to," it took a lot of effort from his side to appear this indifferent while she was in such close proximity.


    "Can¡¯t we sit somewhere to talk?" She asked and Xu Cheng finally turned to look at her face.


    "I don¡¯t think there is any need for that."


    Xin Qian looked at his cold look and felt her anger ring up. How dare he act so stubbornly before her? I¡¯m the one who should be angry, not him! She took a deep breath to calm herself before she spoke up again, "Can you allow me to meet my daughter now? It¡¯s been years and I don¡¯t even know what she looks like." Her voice felt choked up as she talked about Xu Mey.


    Xu Cheng scoffed at her. "Really? With what right are you asking me? And what right do you have to see MY daughter?" He emphasized on ¡¯MY¡¯ and went on, "Also, who was the one who chose to leave? Don¡¯t forget things at your own convenience. Even if I allow you to meet her, she¡¯ll never want to see your face!" He said his piece and didn¡¯t stick around to wait for her reply as he walked out leaving her standing there.


    Xu Cheng walked right past Xin Xiamu who had heard their exchange of words. He looked at Xu Cheng¡¯s leaving figure and pressed his lips together.


    "Mom!" He called out and saw how her mother turned sideways to hide her tears from him as always. He didn¡¯t confront her for that and chose to ignore this as he asked, "Why are standing here? I told you to wait for me at the table."


    "I was waiting for you," Xin Qian lied to her son and Xin Xiamu chose to go with this lie as he led the way to the table he reserved for them.


    He had ordered all of his mother¡¯s favorite dishes and yet he could see her eating half-heartedly. "Mom, I thought this is your favorite restaurant. If you don¡¯t like it here then let¡¯s go somewhere else."


    Xin Qian smiled at him and shook her head. "No, no... It¡¯s still my favorite. I was a bit distracted. Don¡¯t worry about me just finish your meal." Xin Xiamu nodded his head and ate in silence.

 Chapter 290 - A Million Dollar Question

    Xu Mey had to drive for an hour to reach the airport since that was the location Jun Li Na texted her. She really had no idea what awaited her but she¡¯d been hoping that nothing was wrong with Jun Li Na.


    After parking the car when she finally found Jun Li Na waving at her from afar, Xu Mey heaved a sigh of relief to see her safe and sound. But seeing Jun Li Na bouncing around in an exuberant manner, she had the urge to punch her face.


    She was worried about this girl and here she was acting so cheerful.


    "What took you so long?" Jun Li Na didn¡¯t notice Xu Mey¡¯s dark look as she held her arm and yanked her with herself inside the airport.


    "You sent me an SOS." Xu Mey tried her best to hide her rage as she enunciated each word.


    "Huh? Yeah, I did." Jun Li Na didn¡¯t think that she was in the wrong for sending an SOS. For her, this matter was of utmost importance.


    "You said something is about to explode," Xu Mey added through her gritted teeth.


    "Something is definitely about to explode. You can see for yourself," Xu Mey followed Jun Li Na¡¯s gaze and her eyes went wide to see He Susu waiting outside the VVIP exit.


    "What is my mother-inw doing here?" Xu Mey furrowed her brows a bit and added, "Anyways, it¡¯s not some emergency. She might be here to receive someone. Do you know I even borrowed a car to get here? How can you make me worry by saying it¡¯s an emergency?" Xu Mey was fuming at the moment and even Jun Li Na could feel her temperature rising.


    "Oho... My dear friend, can¡¯t you see that your mother-inw is not alone?" Now that she mentioned it, Xu Mey noticed all those men standing upright beside her as if waiting for amand. "Don¡¯t tell me that you can¡¯t even recognize the chief of police of our city."


    Well, Xu Mey really couldn¡¯t recognize the chief of police or any of the people surrounding He Susu. "Are you sure that¡¯s the chief of police?" Xu Mey gave Jun Li Na an uncertain look.


    "There are two kinds of people who can¡¯t be mistaken about the police; the first one is the member of thew and second is the criminal. As you know, Ie from a Mafia family, there is no way I¡¯d have any doubts about this." Jun Li Na answered with certainty.


    Xu Mey pressed her lips together to think for a moment. "What exactly is happening here?" She couldn¡¯t help but voice out her question.


    "Now that you¡¯ve asked, let me enlighten you," Jun Li Na smiled slyly which took Xu Mey by surprise. Oddly, she thought she saw a reflection of Jun Li Na¡¯s grandmother in Jun Li Na herself. That was a weird analogy. "I just used my contacts to check," Xu Mey gave her a skeptical look and Jun Li Na scrunched up her nose saying, "Fine... I used grandmother¡¯s connections and through that, I hade to know that your fake mother-inw isnding in the city tonight. And if I¡¯m not wrong, your real mother-inw is here for some action."


    Xu Mey was taken aback a bit. Did He Susu reallye for Zhou Ning? And if yes then why did she choose toe all alone? Surely, she brought members of police but what about her other family members?


    "I must say your real mother-inw has brought quite an entourage with herself. I mean from the chief of police to all those detectives and even that famouswyer is trailing behind her like she¡¯s some kind of a queen." Jun Li Na kept admiring He Susu while Xu Mey stayed quiet. She officially was clueless about her next course of action.


    ¡¯Should I call Ah-Jie? But if I did, this might blow up even more... No matter what he still thinks that he¡¯s indebted to Zhou Ning for raising him all these years. Urgh! What should I do?¡¯ Xu Mey¡¯s internal monologue was going on as she disregarded whatever Jun Li Na was babbling about.


    "But then again, I think it¡¯s reasonable and not that surprising for your real mother-inw to bring all these government officials. After all, shees from the He Family which happens to be a military family from generations. Also, her husband¡¯s family is even more influential since all the people in the Zhu family are either politicians or government officials. Sigh..." Jun Li Na noticed that Xu Mey wasn¡¯t paying any attention to whatever she said and shook Xu Mey a bit violently. "Listen to me!"


    "What?" Xu Mey shrieked a bit loudly at being shaken awake from her reverie and scowled at her friend.


    "I¡¯m saying you have quite a luck when ites to inws. Considerably, Ye family is already one of the elite families in the city but as for your real inws," Jun Li Na sighed heavily as she continued, "They are from a nobler and majestic lineage."


    "Nana, I married Ah-Jie not his family whether it¡¯s fake or real, my concern is only with Ah-Jie. He¡¯s my husband and I¡¯ll be wherever he¡¯d be." Jun Li Na smiled a bit when she heard Xu Mey¡¯s words. "Right now, just suggest me what should I do? Should I go over to support my mother-inw or not?"


    Jun Li Na also fell in deep thought at this question. It seemed like a million dor question. Rightfully, Xu Mey should go to support her mother-inw but on the other hand, she might end up offending He Susu since the woman didn¡¯t even bring her own husband with herself.

 Chapter 291 - Leftover Like Me

    After much contemtion, Jun Li Na said, "Just stay and watch the show. You being there mightplicate things even more. Besides, I¡¯d like to see what your mother-inw is up to." Xu Mey thought that her advice was the right one. Her presence might not be as helpful as she was thinking. Also, it was a matter He Susu had to deal with herself since Zhou Ning was her own ex-best friend and Ye Jie was her own son.


    Thinking this, Xu Mey decided to stay rooted where she was with Jun Li Na. Since the VVIP exit area was vacated by the police, Xu Mey could only watch the show from afar.


    Soon, Xu Mey could see Zhou Ninging out of the exit doors with a group of assistants following behind with her luggage. She had a bright and radiant smile on her old face and a look of haughtiness.


    As Zhou Ning made an attempt to leave, a female police officer blocked her way and addressed her, "Mrs. Zhou Ning?"


    Zhou Ning frowned a bit unhappily but replied, "Yes."


    The female officer showed her badge and said with her solemn face, "I¡¯m detective, Xi and you¡¯re under arrest."


    "What? Officer, do you even know who I am? On what basis are you arresting me?" Zhou Ning yelled at the female officer who simply chose to ignore her.


    "On the basis of stealing my son." Hearing the answering from someone behind the female officer, Zhou Ning was left dumbfounded as she stared at He Susu.


    "You..." Getting herposure back, Zhou Ning tried to act all nice as she said, "Susu, what a pleasant surprise. When did youe to the country? And what did you say? Your son? Didn¡¯t he die back then."


    A loud p echoed as Zhou Ning fell on the ground because of the impact of this single p. "Don¡¯t you dare curse my son! Because of you, I missed out on thirty years of my son¡¯s life. Do you even know how much I loathed myself for not being able to save my son?" He Susu¡¯s eyes had turned red from all the buried up anger.


    "Madam Zhu, you shouldn¡¯t be violent here. That¡¯s below your dignity. Let¡¯s handle it ording to thew as we decided earlier." The chief of police tried to cate the situation since he could clearly see the murderous look in He Susu¡¯s eyes.


    "I don¡¯t want to dirty my hands any further than this as well." He Susu again turned to look at Zhou Ning as she said, "You yed with my sincerity because I was too kind. Now, I¡¯ll show you a mother¡¯s wrath."


    After that, Zhou Ning was hurled out of the airport by the detectives and He Susu followed them for follow up procedures.


    A long moment of silence went by as both Xu Mey and Jun Li Na stood with their mouth agape looking in the direction where the entourage had left.


    "Wasn¡¯t that..." Xu Mey started but didn¡¯t know what to say.


    Jun Li Na understood her predicament as she finished her sentence, "Too boring?"


    Both friends looked at each other and nodded. It really was boring for their taste. "I expected it to be thrilling since she came with all those people but it just ended like it was nothing." Jun Li Na voiced out in disappointment.


    "Hmph! This is ridiculous! I expected more than this from her. I understand that there was no catfight since Mrs. He Susues from an aristocratic family but this was too simple." Xu Mey also said with utter disappointment.


    "I had high hopes for this live drama, after all, not being able to see your son for thirty years is a big deal. Giving her over tow enforcement to deal with is letting her out way easily," said Jun Li Na. "Come let me buy you some coffee." She took Xu Mey with herself towards a small cafe inside the airport.


    Xu Mey had seen way too many thrilling acts of revenge in her life and that¡¯s why she found this revenge to be rather disappointing. As for Jun Li Na, she came from a family whose job was to exact revenge and for her, this was akin to being excessively merciful.


    Thinking about something, Xu Mey asked, "I almost forgot, what are you doing at the airport?"


    "Oh... I¡¯m catching the flight to Italy." Jun Li Na answered honestly.


    "Italy? You¡¯re going to meet your grandmother?" asked Xu Mey.


    "Nope!" Jun Li Na popped the ¡¯p¡¯ as she took a sip of her Latte. "I¡¯m going to stay with her."


    Xu Mey shot up from her seat with a look of surprise, "You¡¯re going to inherit your grandmother¡¯s position?"


    Jun Li Na smiled at her reaction and nodded her head. "Yes..."


    "Why? You wanted to stay away from your family business. That¡¯s why you opened that nightclub to live like aw-abiding citizen. What changed now?" Xu Mey inquired anxiously.


    "I chose to stay as aw-abiding citizen because I wanted that jerk to find me normal. I didn¡¯t want to be called Mafia Princess at least not for him. But..." she took a brief pause with a slight mncholy in her eyes and added, "Now, things have changed. I can¡¯t run from reality. I was born with this fate. I made myself weak for a guy and now, it¡¯s time to be strong for my family. My Grandmother is not that young anymore."


    "But what about Jun?" Xu Mey couldn¡¯t help but ask.


    "Meymey, be honest with yourself... Your brother-inw really deserves someone better. He had seen me at my worst and he stood by my side. I¡¯ll always be thankful for that but he and I belong to two different worlds. Help him in finding someone who is worthy of his sincere and kind heart." Jun Li Na held Xu Mey¡¯s hand trying to persuade her to let this matter go. "It takes time to heal. I might need longer than other people. Ye Jun shouldn¡¯t waste his time and effort on a leftover[1] like me."


    "He won¡¯t agree with this," remarked Xu Mey knowing Ye Jun¡¯s nature and his feelings for her.


    "Promise me that you won¡¯t tell him about my whereabouts. That way with time, he¡¯ll forget me." Xu Mey was reluctant to promise her such a thing. "Just for the sake of our friendship, don¡¯t let me down." Seeing her imploring eyes, Xu Mey had to nod in agreement with a heavy heart.


    [1] "leftover": This term is used in Chinese for women who don¡¯t get married until the age of 27. More or less, like a spinster I guess.

 Chapter 292 - Time To Heal

    Xu Mey had to say goodbye to Jun Li Na with a heavy burden on her heart. Although her heart knew that whatever Jun Li Na said was true, she still wasn¡¯t feeling okay with letting her leave like this. She knew if Ye Jun got to know about this, he¡¯d be really sad.


    She only chose to promise Jun Li Na because she knew that it wasn¡¯t the time to tell Ye Jun anything. He¡¯d have a lot to deal with now that his mother was sent to prison. There was no way that the Zhu family would let Zhou Ning out for the rest of her life. That was already heartbreaking enough for Ye Jun and she didn¡¯t want to add to his troubles by bringing up Jun Li Na¡¯s matter.


    Withplicated feelings, Xu Mey made her way back to the Peach Estates. She needed someone to talk to at this time and Ye Jie was the best option she had.


    When she came home, Ye Jie was going through some documents in the living room. Xu Mey paced up to his side and perched down right beside him. She leaned her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes feeling weary all of a sudden.


    "My baby seems to be really tired,"mented Ye Jie as he stroked her hair gently. Xu Mey hummed in response and stayed quiet not knowing how to bring up the drama that unfolded at the airport.


    "Ah-Jie, Jun Li Na left the country." Ye Jie ced the documents in his hand down, asking her the details. Xu Mey rted the whole conversation with Jun Li Na to Ye Jie without skipping out anything. "I think she shouldn¡¯t have break Jun¡¯s heart like this."


    Seeing her taking sides, Ye Jie smiled softly and said, "If for a second you¡¯ll try to think from her perspective, you¡¯d know that what she did isn¡¯t wrong." Xu Mey didn¡¯t expect him to say this. "She had loved a man for a decade. Not just loved him, she actually changed herself for him. And one day, her dignity, love, emotions, and whatever she held dear was squashed by that same person."


    "But Jun is offering her a new beginning with his sincerest feelings. What¡¯s so difficult in just giving him a chance?" Xu Mey argued with a scowl.


    "There is nothing wrong except for the fact that Ye Jun was there to watch her crumble down right before his eyes," said Ye Jie.


    "What?" Xu Mey didn¡¯t understand his meaning.


    "For Jun Li Na, Jun was the man who admired her. Can you even fathom her feelings when she saw that pitiful look in Jun¡¯s eyes? The eyes where she only saw a fawning and admiring look, she had to see pity for herself." Xu Mey¡¯s heart shook a bit as everything became clear to her. "She didn¡¯t leave him... In my opinion, she¡¯s giving herself a chance to heal. In this state, she¡¯d only be feeling pity for even herself. Therefore, she needs time before she could think about love again."


    Xu Mey stayed quiet, thinking about what he had just said. She was being emotional for the sake of Ye Jun and was letting her emotions dictate her actions. But after Ye Jie cleared things up, she actually felt that she was being biased.


    "I need to tell you something." She heard Ye Jie¡¯s voice and in a daze, she hummed in reply gesturing him to continue. "My mom sent Mrs. Ye to the prison."


    Xu Mey opened her eyes immediately and titled her head to face Ye Jie. Did he know? Since when? Xu Mey was wondering when Ye Jie answered, "Actually, mom sent her to prison because I asked her to be lenient." Xu Mey was even more perplexed.


    "Why? Why would you plead for her? Aren¡¯t you angry with her?" Xu Mey voiced out her queries.


    "Yes... I am angry. But she raised me all these years. Even though she wasn¡¯t exceptionally nice to me but she never treated me shabbily as well. In reality, I even thought about forgiving herpletely because I didn¡¯t want to dwell into this unnecessary affair. But mom didn¡¯t agree with that." Xu Mey couldn¡¯t believe the fact that the revenge which she just called boring was actually nned by her own husband. "Also, I can¡¯t forget that she¡¯s the reason I have you in my life." Xu Mey really wished to argue until he said thest sentence.


    "But she deprived you of your mother¡¯s love for all these years. She took your identity from you. Don¡¯t you think that¡¯s enough of a reason for her to reap what she sowed?" Xu Mey said feeling repugnant while even talking about Zhou Ning.


    "I think I¡¯ll still choose to forget instead of making a huge mess for Mr. Ye. After all, he¡¯s innocent in this matter and if this whole thing blew up, Ye Jun and Mr. Ye will have to bear the consequences which I don¡¯t want." Xu Mey finally understood his real reason for letting Zhou Ning go so easily. He was worried for Ye Jun.


    "Does Jun know about his mother?" asked Xu Mey cautiously.


    "Yeah... I asked him before doing anything. I couldn¡¯t possibly leave him in the dark," replied Ye Jie.


    "How is he taking it?"


    "Actually, he¡¯s taking it better than I thought. He seems a lot mature than he used to be. I still can¡¯t leave him alone." Ye Jie¡¯s answer put her at ease. "You don¡¯t have to concern yourself about this. I know you¡¯re already buried under a lot of pressure from work. Let me know if you need any hel-" Before he couldplete his sentence, he noticed Xu Mey had fallen asleep with her head on his shoulder. "You really are tired." He whispered softly and picked her up to take her back to the bedroom.

 Chapter 293 - Biggest Wish

    Originally, Xin Xiamu apanied his mother to the restaurant because he wanted to tell her about his decision to dissolve the engagement. But seeing that her mother was rather upset after her chance encounter with Xu Cheng, Xin Xiamu decided to stay quiet.


    When he asked his mother for a lift, she took him to her own family house instead of dropping him at his ce. And the excuse was, "Your Auntie Manman wants to see you."


    While he was making his way towards the entrance of the Xin Mansion, he saw Li Qiao leaving the house. Xin Xiamu instantly turned to run towards him not before saying, "Mom, you go inside. I have something to discuss with cousin brother." Xin Qian didn¡¯t think much about it and entered the mansion.


    Seeing Xin Xiamuing his way, Li Qiao intentionally increased his pace. "Bro, stop trying to run from me." Xin Xiamu managed to catch up with him.


    Li Qiao dry coughed lightly and said, "Little cousin, how can I run from you? And why would I do that? Tell me, how have you been?" Li Qiao wasn¡¯t going to inly ept that he was indeed avoiding him and even Xin Xiamu was aware of that.


    "If you¡¯re not avoiding me then let¡¯s sit somewhere to talk," suggested Xin Xiamu and Li Qiao had to listen. Both of them went to the pavilion in the garden and on Li Qiao¡¯smand, the maid served them pastries and tea before retreating.


    "What do you want to talk about?" Li Qiao asked as he lifted his cup of tea. Xin Xiamu didn¡¯t answer. Instead, he kept his eyes on Li Qiao¡¯s face making him feel ufortable for some reason. Being scrutinized in this way, Li Qiao was definitely uneasy. "Stop staring."


    "Bro, I never thought you¡¯d hide something from me. I¡¯m really disappointed," Xin Xiamu¡¯s remark left Li Qiao stumped.


    "What are you saying, little cousin? I¡¯ve always tried to be your best brother. How did I disappoint you? Tell me," Li Qiao was feeling anxious seeing Xin Xiamu¡¯s dejected look.


    Xin Xiamu took a moment before saying, "I asked youst time, do you love someone? And you said, no!"


    "What does that have to do with you being dis-?"


    Li Qiao¡¯s words were cut off as Xin Xiamu said, "You lied to me, bro." Li Qiao gave him a perplexed look and after Xin Xiamu spoke again, Li Qiao was left startled. "You love Yu Kim." That was one tant truth!


    It took a moment for Li Qiao to get hisposure back and he hurriedly said, "What nonsense! Who told you such a ridiculous thing? She¡¯s just my secretary and nothing else."


    "Then should I say that she loves you?" Xin Xiamu tried his best to sound calm. He didn¡¯t want Li Qiao to see through his emotions.


    "No! That¡¯s not true as well. How can she love me? Little cousin, she¡¯s your fiancee and she only works for me. Don¡¯t listen to nonsensical rumors." Li Qiao really didn¡¯t know who he was trying to persuade; Xin Xiamu or himself? But no matter what, neither were persuaded by his argument.


    Xin Xiamu stood up from his chair and came to Li Qiao¡¯s side. cing one hand on Li Qiao¡¯s shoulder he said, "Bro, the fact that she loves you, I heard it from her own mouth. As for you being in love with her, I heard that from your mouth as well. Can¡¯t you be honest with me at this point?"


    Li Qiao shot up from his seat and gazed into Xin Xiamu¡¯s eyes. "Little cousin... I... I¡¯m sorry! I¡¯m sorry for lying and hiding this from you. But you can just pretend that you don¡¯t know anything. I won¡¯te between you two." He felt even guiltier now that Xin Xiamu learned about the secret he¡¯d been trying to hide.


    Xin Xiamu smiled at Li Qiao and said, "Bro, it¡¯s me who¡¯s been standing between you two. And honestly, I don¡¯t want that anymore. I¡¯ve already discussed with Uncle Ting to dissolve this engagement. I just have to tell mom about it now."


    "Why would you do such a thing? Have you lost your mind?" Li Qiao was angry since he thought that Xin Xiamu was being impulsive with his decision.


    "I have taken this decision after much thinking... Bro, if you love her and she loves you then I have no right toe between you guys. The reason Kim never learned about our engagement was that I wanted her to fall for me naturally, not as an obligation. But she fell in love with you." He took a pause trying to fight his tears back and added, "If it had been anyone else, I¡¯d have fought till the end but it¡¯s you. Bro, you had not just been a brother to me, you¡¯d also been like a father. And how can I even dream about taking your happiness from you? I¡¯m disappointed that you even thought that I¡¯d not understand your love for her."


    Li Qiao didn¡¯t know what to say to his cousin. Since both of them never had a father, Li Qiao indeed acted like Xin Xiamu¡¯s father figure just so that he doesn¡¯t feel left out. He always treated Xin Xiamu like a kid brother and didn¡¯t realize that he had grown up now.


    "I still can¡¯t let you do-" Li Qiao was again interrupted as Xin Xiamu hugged him tightly.


    "Bro, let¡¯s not argue about this. Just like my happiness means the world to you, yours means the world to me as well. Also, I always wanted to you marry before me. That way I¡¯d get a chance to order your wife around rightfully as the one and only bachelor brother-inw." Both cousin brothers chuckled softly. Li Qiao patted his back and Xin Xiamu said, "Don¡¯t just hug me. Go to that idiot best friend of mine who thinks that you hate her."


    Xin Xiamu pushed Li Qiao away trying to maintain his smile. "Go!" He pushed Li Qiao again, urging him to run to Yu Kim.


    Li Qiao was still reluctant to move and Xin Xiamu could see that. "Bro, just go already! I¡¯m really alright. And why wouldn¡¯t I be? My best friend and my best brother are in love with each other. I have double reasons to celebrate. For me, please go and tell her how much you love her."


    This time, Li Qiao pulled him in for a hug and said, "Little cousin..." He didn¡¯t say anything further. He just couldn¡¯t bring himself to say anything else but Xin Xiamu understood his unsaid words. This brotherly bond was not that fickle. If they let a single girl ruin their rtionship, wouldn¡¯t they be the biggest jerks alive?


    "Don¡¯te back without getting the girl! Fighting!" Xin Xiamu encouraged Li Qiao with a bright smile on his face which he wasn¡¯t faking at all. The content feeling he¡¯d seen on Li Qiao¡¯s face was enough to make him forget that he was heartbroken. As Li Qiao left, Xin Xiamu whispered to himself, "You have been the best brother to even my sister all these years, bro. How can I hurt you when seeing you happy is my eldest sister¡¯s biggest wish?"

 Chapter 294 - Abandoned A Daughter

    "I didn¡¯t know my nephew had grown into such a considerate young man." Hearing the familiar voice of his aunt, Xin Xiamu turned to see Li Man smiling at him with an indescribable warmth and gentleness.


    "Aunt," Xin Xiamu opened his mouth to say something but looking at her face he realized he won¡¯t be able to hide anything from the woman before his eyes.


    With the same warming smile on her gentle face, Li Man stepped closer to him and gave him a hug saying, "Is it hurting?"


    With his chin supported on her shoulder, Xiamu felt choked up with emotions. He knew he could hide away from his own mother but his aunt was shrewd enough to read him like an open book. Therefore, he didn¡¯t try to hide away his pain or act all understanding before her. "I didn¡¯t think it¡¯ll be this tough. I thought I was strong enough but... I have overestimated myself."


    Li Man smiled with a hint of gloominess in her eyes as she stroked his head slowly. "Who told you to act all strong by yourself?"


    Xiamu pulled away a bit and trained his eyes on her face saying, "One of us had to end with this pain and I didn¡¯t want that person to be my brother Qiao."


    "Aiyoh! My dearest nephew, my idiot son also doesn¡¯t want to see you upset." It seemed like she was chiding him but Xiamu could feel her concern. "And as for me, how can I see either of my precious sons sad or hurt?"


    "My dearest aunt, just make sure to lend me your shoulder as always and I¡¯ll be alright in no time." He tried to joke to get over the gloomy feeling lurking in his heart.


    Li Man poked his head and said, "This is why I always wanted a daughter. You both boys are gonna give me a heart attack one day." She pressed on her temple to ease the ache she felt and added, "It¡¯s truly a pity that we don¡¯t have any girls in this generation."


    Xin Xiamu¡¯s eyes shifted a bit at her remark. Looks like it was the right time to let out the secret he¡¯s been hiding within himself. "Aunt, there is a girl in this generation." Li Man frowned at his sentence and gave him an inquiring look. "Go and ask mom why she never told you that she hadn¡¯t just left a husband behind... In fact, she abandoned a daughter as well."


    Li Man was jolted as hepleted his words.


    It was quite normal for Xin family to bepletely unaware of Xin Qian¡¯s matters since Xin Qian disobeyed her own mother¡¯s wishes and left the family to pursue her career. That incident built a wall between Xin Qian and the Xin family. Since the Xin family severed all ties with Xin Qian for rebelling, no one in the family even found out when she got married or who she married.


    But after a few years, Xin Qian came back to knock at the Xin Mansion carrying a newborn Xiamu in her arms. She looked pale and as she crossed the threshold of the mansion, her legs gave away and she fainted.


    The entire Xin family was left anxious and perplexed. The doctors clearly mentioned that she was mentally stressed and a bit of strain on her mind might push her towards a mental breakdown. On doctor¡¯s advice, nobody even brought up the topic of Xin Xiamu¡¯s father. And after Xin Qian was sent abroad on her insistence, nobody dared to invade her buried memories.


    Today, listening to Xin Xiamu talking about having a sister, Li Man was frozen at her ce. How could a mother leave her daughter behind? What really pushed her to leave her own child? And even if the circumstances asked for it, why didn¡¯t she ever talk about her daughter? There were so many questions in Li Man¡¯s mind but she had no answer.


    "How is that possible?" She spoke out in disbelief. "Did she tell you herself? How did you find out?"


    "Of course, she didn¡¯t say anything to me at all. Whenever I brought up the topic of my father, she would get irked for no reason." Xin Xiamuined thinking about the times when he was reprimanded for just even saying the word ¡¯dad¡¯. "If I hadn¡¯t tried to find out about my father through other means, I would have still been oblivious to the fact that I have a twin sister who is only minutes older than me."


    "I have to talk to Xiao Qian..." Li Man grumbled to herself and turned to leave.


    "Don¡¯t bring up the topic of my father. She¡¯s fuming right now." Xin Xiamu¡¯s voice made her halt in her steps.


    "Why?" asked Li Man.


    "She had a chance encounter with dad today. And they both had a bit of a squabble."


    "Why?" Li Man asked again.


    "They seemed like ming each other for the fallout... I¡¯m not too sure."


    Li Man pursed her lips to think for a moment beforeing to a conclusion. "I still need to know her reason for leaving a daughter behind. If she brought you back, surely she could have brought her as well." With that, she left Xin Xiamu alone under the pavilion.


    When he saw her walking away, Xiamu pulled his own hair cursing himself, "Urgh! What the hell were you thinking? Why did you have to drop this bomb at this moment? To distract aunt from my matter, I really chose the worst way this time... Ah, well... It has been done. I was going to tell aunt anyway. So, it doesn¡¯t matter." He shrugged his shoulders nonchntly trying to appear calm.


    Although he had nned to tell Li Qiao first, he still ended up telling his aunt.

 Chapter 295 - A Humorous Person

    When Xin Xiamu urged him back at home, Li Qiao had left to meet Yu Kim with utmost conviction. He had a resolute stance. No matter what he had to make his feelings clear today.


    But now that he stood right outside Yu Kim¡¯s apartment, he was hesitating. He suddenly realized that he had no idea what to say to her. He kept pacing in the corridor anxiously trying to sort out his words.


    "Sir, what are you doing here at this time?" He stopped pacing as he heard Yu Kim¡¯s voice from behind. Apparently, she wasing back from the market and he figured that since she was holding a few shopping bags in hand.


    Whatever words he hade up with were suddenly flown away in the wind and he stood there gawking at her like an idiot. "Sir?" Yu Kim called again with concern.


    "Ahem!" Li Qiao coughed a bit as he was startled awake. "I-I..." he stammered a bit trying toe up with an excuse. "Can I get a ss of water?"


    Yu Kim gave him an odd look. Did hee all the way just to drink some water? She didn¡¯t voice out her suspicion and unlocked the door, asking him to follow her.


    While Yu Kim went to fetch some water for him, Li Qiao settled himself on the couch. After giving the ss of water, Yu Kim took a seat on a single-seat sofa. Looking at her waiting for him to finish the water, Li Qiao drank it in slow motion.


    It was now or never kind of situation for him. Why? Because he knew if he left without saying anything today, he really won¡¯t be able to say it ever again.


    "Kim!" Li Qiao called her first name softly taking her by surprise.


    "Yes, Sir?" She answered in a daze.


    He pursed his lips and pulled out a ring from inside his wallet. Yu Kim stared at that tinum ring with a heavy heart. Although it was a beautifully designed ring, she still hated that ring because of the significance it held. She knew he¡¯s been carrying that ring with himself for years and when someone asked him who is it for? He had replied with, ¡¯Someone I love the most in this world.¡¯


    He flipped the ring in his hand and asked, "Do you know what this ring is?"


    "You¡¯ve never told me. How would I know?" She tried her best to sound polite but she still couldn¡¯t hide her jealousy.


    "It¡¯s for the girl I wanted to marry for a long time now." Li Qiao chose to ignore the fact that she was fuming just by seeing the ring. "Oh, right! I never really told you about the girl I love. Did I?"


    ¡¯Do you think I want to know? Isn¡¯t it enough that you can¡¯t see my love for you? Why do you have to break my heart by being this ruthless?¡¯ She was feeling indignant but she still managed to say politely, "No, you haven¡¯t."


    Li Qiao smiled a bit seeing her biting her nails. She always did that when she was really mad at something. "Ah, I really wanted to tell her how I feel about her but then again, I thought my words might not justify my feelings for her."


    ¡¯Is she that amazing? How is she so amazing that you can¡¯t even find words to describe her?¡¯ She bit her nails even more fiercely.


    Li Qiao stared at the ring in his hand and continued, "The moment I met her and she smiled at me bashfully, I knew I was in deep trouble. Whenever I saw her smile, the sky... No, no, I mean the whole world seemed to have lit up. The way her dewy eyes entuated her beauty made me breathless." He inhaled a cold sigh as he added, "Being in love is quite weird, right? I always felt giddy whenever I caught her staring at me through the crowd." He smiled at the memory as he went on, "And at being caught, she¡¯d always smile back in embarrassment.


    Listening to such sweet words, Yu Kim had the urge to cry. ¡¯Why couldn¡¯t he use such sweet words for me?¡¯


    "I fell in love with her without even realizing it. She is bossy and domineering but I never really mind when she chided me as if it was her right to do so. When she chose this ring, I just felt it in my heart that it was meant just for her." He could see her face getting paler as her body trembled. "Anyways, I came here for your suggestion." Yu Kim suddenly quirked her brow inquiringly. "I¡¯m nning on proposing her and making her mine. What do you think I should do?"


    That was thest blow to her heart. Yu Kim felt her heartbeat getting disoriented and she had to take deep breaths. ¡¯Marriage? Until today, she was just in his heart and it hurt me this much. How will I survive if she actually came to stay right beside him? Wuwu... It¡¯s harder than I thought it¡¯d be.¡¯ She was crying inwardly but she still had to show him a congrattory smile.


    "How can I be of help, sir?" It took every ounce of her dignity to ask such a simple question.


    "Do you think I should get on one knee to propose?" Li Qiao stared straight at her face trying to intimidate her.


    "Every girl likes that. I¡¯m sure, she won¡¯t be any different." Yu Kim clenched her fists where he couldn¡¯t see them.


    "Hmm..." Li Qiao hummed to respond and got down from his couch to get on his one knee right before the couch where she was sitting. "Let me check something." Saying this, he held her small hand and put the ring on saying, "Wow, it fits perfectly."


    "It does..." Yu Kim agreed as her heart felt like drowning in the abyss of sadness.


    Li Qiao turned her hand a bit to examine it as he remarked, "It even looks good in your hand."


    "It really does..." Yu Kim couldn¡¯t help but say since the ring really looked like it was hand-made just for her. Her fair delicate handplimented the tinum ring perfectly.


    Li Qiao lowered his head to hide the smile that had bloomed on his face, seeing her turning sour with each passing minute. "Do you think she¡¯ll say yes when I¡¯ll put it on her finger?" He asked with his eyes staring into hers.


    Yu Kim averted her eyes away as they stung with tears threatening to fall. Her throat burned as she felt choked up. "Who would say no to Mr. Li Qiao? I¡¯m sure she¡¯ll say yes."


    Li Qiao pinched her chin making her face him but she didn¡¯t lift her eyes until he asked, "So, should I take this as your ¡¯yes¡¯?"


    Yu Kim was stunned as she lifted her eyes to look at his face with a perplexed expression. "Huh?"


    "You said, she¡¯ll say yes when I put it on her finger. I just did and now, I¡¯m asking; is it your ¡¯yes¡¯?" Yu Kim felt like her mind was ying tricks with her. She must be really desperate to hear these words from him otherwise why would she mistake this as him proposing her?


    "Haha..." Sheughed awkwardly as she said, "You almost got me."


    Li Qiao rolled his eyes at her slow-witted reaction and his hand went on the back of her head as he pulled her face closer to himself. Only about a few inches away from each other, he whispered, "Have I ever been a humorous person?" Before she could answer, her lips were sealed by his in an overwhelming kiss.

 Chapter 296 - An Idiot!

    Yu Kim was still in a daze when he pulled away from her. She could see his eyes zing with an indescribable feeling. Her heart had started drumming against her chest. She had dreamed about kissing him hundreds of times and yet, none of those fantasies actually could justify the emotions that she felt when his lips actually touched hers.


    She felt that her lips had perfectly merged with his as if they were meant to connect from the very beginning. His lips had electrocuted her senses and she couldn¡¯t help but feel the goosebumps rising on her skin.


    Li Qiao palmed her face and said, "Kim, I¡¯m sorry for taking too long. I¡¯m sorry for being a coward as well. But I¡¯m not sorry for falling in love with you. Even though I hurt myself all these years keeping my one-sided love but I never regretted any of it. Because even in pain, at least you¡¯re right there with me."


    His thumb gently brushed against her lower lip as he went on, "I don¡¯t know when it happened or how. But I know that I started dreaming about a happy life whenever I saw you smile. Truth is, I have been utterly and deeply in love with you. Only you! I have only dreamed of even marrying you. In my every dream, there had always been you."


    Yu Kim kept staring at his face in silence making him feel anxious even more. "Is it a yes or no?" She heard his question and flinched a bit.


    She lunged forward and wrapped her arms around his neck saying, "Yes, yes, yes... It¡¯s definitely yes." She felt his body visibly rxing as he heard her cheerful voice. Li Qiao heaved a sigh of relief and smiled cidly. After a moment, she thought of something and pulled away to ask, "You said the girl whom you love chose this ring? I didn¡¯t choose it."


    Li Qiao pinched her nose and said, "You chose it yourself. Remember our business trip to Paris?" At this reminder, Yu Kim realized that she had indeed chosen this ring herself. But how did he know that?


    Back then, they were choosing a pendant for his mother when her gaze suddenly fell on this particr ring. Seeing the dreamy look in her eyes, the shop attendant had disyed the ring for her to try saying in French, "Mademoiselle, this particr ring is actually one of a kind. Try it, it¡¯ll really suit you. The designer had specifically named it; a lover¡¯s wish. It might make your wishe true."


    Listening to the shop attendant, Yu Kim had tried on the ring and thought to herself, ¡¯If this really can grant a wish... My only wish would be that I could wear this ring from his hand when he proposes me.¡¯ She knew it was wishful thinking and that¡¯s why she had returned the ring with a heavy heart.


    But she didn¡¯t know that Li Qiao had seen her longing eyes and how could he bear to see her disheartened? That¡¯s when he bought the ring solely for her. He didn¡¯t know whether he¡¯ll be able to give her the ring or not but he knew that he¡¯d love to keep the ring with himself since Yu Kim had tried it on. That one touch had left her reflection on the ring for him.


    She just realized that her wish had reallye true. It was the same ring... It was the same guy she loved for years... And it was indeed the proposal, she wanted.


    Hearing why he bought the ring and kept it for so long, Yu Kim punched his chest. "You¡¯re an idiot!"


    Li Qiao smiled at her and held her wrist saying, "Didn¡¯t I once tell you that only an idiot will be able to fall for a girl like you?"


    Yu Kim remembered those words, he was angry at her about something and that¡¯s why he chose harsh words to reprimand her.


    "I guess, I¡¯m that idiot whom I was talking about." When she heard his words, her face burned and she lowered her head to hide her beet-red cheeks. "But now there is no refund option. You¡¯ll have to deal with this idiot for the rest of your life. Can you do that?"


    Yu Kim gave him an uncertain look before saying, "I think only I can deal with this idiot. After all, he¡¯s rightfully mine now." Her words had put Li Qiao under a charm as he couldn¡¯t help but smile.


    Loving her all alone was one thing but being loved by her in return was a whole different thing. She hade in his life as a friend, stayed as his biggest supporter and now, she was going to be his life partner. What more could a person ask for?


    They both once felt that their one-sided love was enough for them. Loving and admiring from afar meant that they¡¯d be able to see each other happy. But it took them both years to realize that the happiness they were looking for was right beside them. They could find happiness in each other¡¯s arms.

 Chapter 297 - Flaunting My Love

    At Xin Mansion...


    Xin Qian was still brooding over her earlier encounter with Xu Cheng. She was vexed and livid at the way Xu Cheng chose to walk right past her.


    ¡¯Did I ask for his family inheritance or something? What¡¯s with that darn attitude? I only wanted to meet my daughter, what¡¯s so wrong about that?¡¯


    Li Man had nned to go berserk but when she entered Xin Qian¡¯s room, thetter was already asleep or at least, it looked like she was. Li Man threw cold daggers towards Xin Qian with her eyes but Xin Qian was blissfully unaware of that as she was pretending to sleep.


    It was a sleepless night for Li Man since she couldn¡¯t understand the situation at all. Just because she didn¡¯t interfere in Xin Qian¡¯s life for years didn¡¯t mean that she was not going to do it now as well. Leaving a husband was one thing but leaving a newborn baby girl behind... Sigh!


    First thing in the morning, she chose to look for Xin Qian but apparently, Xin Qian had her own ns since she left the house early in the morning.


    Meanwhile, Xin Qian didn¡¯t have many friends in the city except for Ye Jie¡¯s mother, He Susu whom she had known from their time together in Country A. Therefore, to vent out her frustration, Xin Qian made a visit to He Family House in the militarypound.


    After getting the ess, when she entered the He Family House, she could clearly hear the cheerful chattering from inside.


    "Hey, Xiao Qian! Come join us for breakfast," He Susu was beaming with happiness as she ushered Xin Qian inside.


    "Sorry for disturbing you early in the morning." Xin Qian pressed her lips together. Seeing the lively scene before her, she realized how wrong she was to march in early in the morning.


    "When did Xiao Qian be such a humbledy?" Zhu Chen joked as he saw Xin Qian standing with her head lowered.


    "Stop it, Chen!" He Susu chided her own husband and took Xin Qian towards the dining table. "Have a seat, I¡¯ll bring something for you to eat."


    Xin Qian looked around to find all the familiar faces. There were He Jian and his parents along with Ye Jie who was having some discussion with his father, Zhu Chen.


    "Uncle Kun, drop the newspaper," she heard an unfamiliar voice making her look up. Xu Mey was holding a te in her hand as she snatched the newspaper from He Jian¡¯s father. "Ah-Jie, stop disturbing father. Let him have breakfast in peace."


    Ye Jie pouted at being reprimanded and grumbled, "Baby, dad wanted to discuss something. I didn¡¯t do anything."


    Xu Mey gave him a skeptical look and said sarcastically, "Aww... My Ah-Jie is so innocent." Ye Jie nodded his head but ended up getting hit by the newspaper in Xu Mey¡¯s hand. "Father, here is your pancake." Disregarding Ye Jie¡¯s scowl, Xu Mey passed the te of the pancake to Zhu Chen.


    "I feel like someone has swapped my wife. What do you think Jian brother?" Ye Jie turned to He Jian.


    "What makes you think that she¡¯s not our Xiao Mey?" He Jian asked with a faint smile on his face.


    "Look at her... She was just chiding me with an ugly look and then a smile bloomed on her face as she turned to my dad. Shouldn¡¯t it be the other way around?" Another blownded on Ye Jie¡¯s head and he turned to look at his own father. "What?"


    "Stop being jealous. Even if she smiles at me, she¡¯ll still be your wife." Zhu Chen reminded him with an amused look.


    "Dad, I also know that she¡¯s mine." Xu Mey wasing with other dishes from the kitchen when she heard Ye Jie¡¯sment making her smile.


    Coming to Ye Jie¡¯s side, she whispered, "Ah-Jie, what are you doing?"


    Seeing her face inches away from him, Ye Jie couldn¡¯t help but press his lips against her cheek saying, "I¡¯m unting my love for my wife."


    "More like you¡¯re serving dog food to singles like me and Jian Ge." Azalea¡¯s groggy voice made everyone turn to look at her walking or perhaps dragging her body towards the table. Taking a seat she said, "Good morning, everyone!"


    "It doesn¡¯t look like it¡¯s a good morning for you," Xu Mey said looking at the huge bags under Azalea¡¯s eyes.


    "Sister-inw, it surely isn¡¯t a good morning for me. And my brother here just made it worse by showing off his love for you." Azaleained while rubbing her eyes to keep them open.


    "What were you doingst night?" Ye Jie asked Azalea with a quirk of his brow.


    "I was working on some project to help Jian Ge," Azalea answered nonchntly.


    All the eyes at the table turned to scrutinize He Jian. "She offered to help herself. I didn¡¯t ask her to do it." He Jian raised his hands in defense to clear his side of the story.


    "I was bored. So, I offered to help what¡¯s so wrong with that?" Azalea frowned and darted her eyes over the feast thatid before her eyes and finally, her eyes caught sight of Xin Qian. She almost fell off of her chair. "Aunt Qian, when did youe?"


    "Just a while ago." Xin Qian answered looking at Azalea¡¯s embarrassing state. Azalea tried to set her bed hair and pressed her pajamas to look a bit presentable.


    Xu Mey found her behavior a bit odd. ¡¯Since when did Zelie actually cared about her image?¡¯ She wondered.


    He Susu finally brought a whole new batch of dishes for Xin Qian and said, "I made your favorite breakfast. Don¡¯t hesitate at all." Recalling something, she added, "Oh, I almost forgot to introduce you..." He Susu walked up to Xu Mey¡¯s side and cing her hands on her shoulder said, "This is my daughter-inw, Xu Mey." Seeing Xu Mey¡¯s bemused look, He Susu exined, "That¡¯s Xin Qian. She was our neighbor in Country A."


    "Xiao Mey, she¡¯s Qiao¡¯s aunt as well." He Jian chimed in to give Xu Mey a clearer idea.


    "Oh... Nice to meet you." Xu Mey greeted her politely with a smile and the only thing that came to Xin Qian¡¯s mind was; ¡¯She has the same name as my daughter.¡¯


    Therefore, in return, she smiled at Xu Mey and said, "Nice to meet you too."

 Chapter 298 - Shes My Daughter!

    Xu Mey didn¡¯t get a chance to pay attention to Xin Qian since He Jian¡¯s mother, Zhu Qinyang called her. "Xiao Mey, take a seat beside your husband and eat your breakfast. You¡¯ve been serving everyone for a while now. And your husband hasn¡¯t even touched his food since you¡¯re not by his side."


    At Zhu Qinyang¡¯sment, everyone noticed that indeed, Ye Jie¡¯s food was still untouched. At their meaningful gazes, Ye Jie waspletely unabashed while Xu Mey turned crimson. She red at Ye Jie who was grinning like a fool.


    "Auntie, if I¡¯ll eat alone then wouldn¡¯t that be unfair to my wife who had been helping you in the kitchen since dawn?" Ye Jie¡¯s words made Zhu Qinyang nod her head in agreement.


    "Sigh... Learn something from the young generation, Kun!" He Jian¡¯s father who had been eating his breakfast silently was left dumbfounded at being dragged into this conversation. Was it his fault that this young couple was always distributing candies for diabetic patients like him?


    Xin Qian ate the breakfast with a warm feeling as she watched this whole familyughing, and teasing each other. She asionally said a few words to He Susu but mostly she ate in silence.


    "Let me help you in cleaning up," Xin Qian offered to help when everyone was done with their breakfast.


    "There is no need for that." He Susu politely declined her offer.


    "Su, where is the restroom?" Xin Qian asked He Susu and thetter pointed her in the direction.


    When she left for the restroom, Xu Mey pped the back of Ye Jie¡¯s head and said, "Ah-Jie, can¡¯t you see that Aunt Su is working? Get up and help me clean the table." Taking the order from his wife, Ye Jie sprinted to his feet.


    "Aiyoh! Xiao Mey, let my son rest. I¡¯m not that old yet." Disregarding He Susu¡¯s words, Ye Jie took the dishes from her hand. Inwardly, she was sighing, ¡¯When will this girl call me a mother. She has no problem in calling Chen as a father.¡¯


    "You might not be old, Aunt Su but he definitely is young. He should move around a bit." Xu Mey was adamant on her decision.


    Before He Susu could argue, Ye Jie interrupted her, "Mom, my baby is always right. If I can do this much at home for my wife. I should also do this much here for my mother as well." He Susu couldn¡¯t find words to describe how happy she felt at this gesture. Especially, when she noticed how Xu Mey and Ye Jie managed to work in perfect coordination.


    Coming out of the restroom, He Susu took Xin Qian to the sitting area and sat down with her. The rest of the family members all got to their own work. He Jian and his father left for work while Zhu Qinyang had to leave for an urgent meeting with the Mayor.


    "Now, tell me why did youe to see me so early in the morning?" He Susu asked Xin Qian, giving her full attention.


    "You really are a psychologist." Xin Qianmented with a faint smile.


    "Since you know you can¡¯t hide anything from me as your psychologist then tell me what¡¯s bothering you?" He Susu didn¡¯t dawdle any longer.


    Xin Qian pressed her lips together not knowing how to continue. She often had counseling sessions with He Susu but today, she just couldn¡¯t bring herself to say anything.


    He Susu could see Xin Qian¡¯s hesitation. "It¡¯s okay... You can take your time," she reassured Xin Qian.


    After several deep breaths, Xin Qian finally spoke up, "I met my ex-husbandst night."


    "Oh..." He Susu straightened up since she just realized what must have been weighing down on Xin Qian. "Did he say something?"


    "No..." Xin Qian shook her head and sniggered, "He walked right past me."


    He Susu observed even the slightest change in her expressions and her lips curled up in a sad smile. "What¡¯s really bothering you? The fact that he came before you or the fact that he treated you like a stranger?"


    Xin Qian kept her eyes down as she thought about He Susu¡¯s suggestion. What was really bothering her? Was she upset that he didn¡¯t even look at her after all these years? Yes! She was! But she wasn¡¯t going to ept it before anyone. Therefore she said, "I asked him to let me see my daughter. He straight up refused me as if I left my baby girl on my own ord."


    "Can I answer that question as a friend instead of your psychologist?" Xin Qian frowned a bit but nodded and He Susu continued, "To be honest, I think you really left your daughter on your own ord. You could have fought the custody battle in court but instead, you left with your son."


    "If I would have gone to the court, I would have lost Xiamu as well. The court would have never allowed me to keep my children with my mental state at that time." Xin Qian tried to clear her conscious.


    Seeing her getting frustrated, He Susu didn¡¯t press the matter and said, "Anyways, if you really want to meet your daughter, there are other ways to do so."


    Xin Qian was thinking about He Susu¡¯s suggestion when her train of thought was broken by a ringtone. She tried to find her phone when she heard He Susu¡¯s voice, "It¡¯s not your cellphone." That¡¯s when Xin Qian noticed a ck colored cellphone ced on the coffee table. She was about to shift her gaze when her eyes caught sight of the photo that was disyed along with the caller id.


    ¡¯Xu Cheng?¡¯ Her brows furrowed in confusion. On the 6.2¡¯¡¯ screen was a photo of Xu Cheng with Xu Mey.


    "Xiao Mey, your dad is calling!" Hearing He Susu¡¯s voice, Xin Qian was stumped.


    ¡¯Xu Mey? Xu Cheng? Dad?¡¯ She lifted her eyes to see Xu Mey walking up to their side and thought, ¡¯She¡¯s my daughter?¡¯

 Chapter 299 - Dizzy Spells

    Xu Mey didn¡¯t see the slight glimmer in Xin Qian¡¯s eyes since her attention was solely focused on the cellphone in her hand. Her rtionship with her dad had sored up way beyond one could imagine perhaps because she knew how he protected her behind the scenes or maybe because she just wanted a normal family.


    "Hi, dad!" She said cheerily with an affectionate tone and an infectious smile. But immediately her expression changed. "I¡¯ll be right there. Take care of dad for me." She hung up the call.


    "Is everything okay, Xiao Mey?" He Susu asked looking at her anxiousness.


    "Umm... I don¡¯t know... Dad just slipped down the stairs, I have to make a move." Saying that she whipped her body and turned towards the kitchen to inform Ye Jie but he was already walking towards her.


    "Is father hurt badly?" Ye Jie held her shaking hands and asked.


    "I have to get there to know." Xu Mey replied.


    "Let me get my jacket." Ye Jie was about to turn when she held him back.


    "Ah-Jie, stay here." Ye Jie gave her an inquiring gaze and she added, "Your parents have to go to the police station since it¡¯s Mrs. Ye¡¯s interrogation. You have to be there. I¡¯ll call you."


    "I want you to go with me." Ye Jie pouted like a child before her.


    "Ah-Jie, don¡¯t mess around. I have to leave now. Be good, I¡¯ll see you in the evening." Xu Mey gave him a lingering kiss on his lips and left.


    Xu Mey might have not noticed but Xin Qian¡¯s eager eyes were not missed by He Susu. She frowned to see Xin Qian smiling at Xu Mey as tears had pooled in her eyes.


    Before she could ask anything, Xin Qian stood up to leave, "I¡¯ll call youter, Su."


    Her sudden departure left He Susu baffled.


    On the other hand, Xu Mey reached Xu Residence in a hurry. She drove the car straight to the courtyard and got off, running inside the house. The servants greeted her on the way but she didn¡¯t stop to give them a reply. Oddly, she had only run upstairs when she felt breathless.


    Beads of perspiration were already visible on her face when she entered her father¡¯s bedroom to find himying down on his bed. He turned his face to see her ring at him making him gulp.


    "Xiao Mey, why are you here?" Xu Cheng managed to ask hesitantly.


    "What do you think dad?" Xu Mey asked rhetorically. She took slow steps and sat beside his bed looking at him. "What happened?"


    "Nothing." Xu Cheng answered inly but seeing her squinting her eyes, he tacitly changed his answer. "I felt a bit dizzy and slipped. But nothing really happened. I¡¯m not even injured. Steward Shu is overreacting for no reason."


    "Oh, really?" Obviously, she knew that it wasn¡¯t their steward Shu who was overreacting, it was her own father who was taking his health lightly. She really wanted to chide him but looking at his pale face, she couldn¡¯t bring herself to say anything. Suddenly, she felt tired and exhausted as if she had drained all her energy because of this sudden news.


    Xu Cheng had his eyes on her face all this time and he could reckon pretty much what was running through her mind. He lifted his body and picked up a towel from his side table to dab on her forehead. "Although I¡¯m bursting with happiness to see that my daughter came running for me, it doesn¡¯t mean that you should forget about your own self. Look at your ownplexion, it looks like you¡¯ve been sick for months."


    "Stop trying to be funny." Xu Mey grumbled and took the towel from his hand. "Dad, be honest with me. What happened? You were absolutely finest night. How can you get a dizzy spell early in the morning?"


    "You¡¯re right... How can I get a dizzy spell at my age? It should be you!" Xu Mey first frowned at his words and then her eyes widened at the sudden realization. She gaped at him in disbelief. Xu Cheng chuckled at her reaction and added, "What? Did I say something wrong? Shouldn¡¯t you be getting dizzy spells? I mean anyone can see your love for Jie. Howe I¡¯m still a father and there¡¯s no news about me being a grandfather?"


    "Dad, seriously?" Xu Mey raised her voice an octave. She couldn¡¯t believe that he was actually trying to be funny right now.


    "I¡¯m absolutely serious." Xu Cheng answered in all honesty. "Hurry up and give me a grandchild. That way, I can finally let go of this tiring life."


    "Are you that eager to leave me alone?" She asked with a slightly choked up voice.


    Xu Cheng rubbed her head and smiled, "Of course not! But I¡¯m eager to see my grandchild. I wonder who he¡¯ll look like?" This time seeing his thoughtful look, Xu Mey blushed but didn¡¯t let it show on her face. In all honesty, she never really thought about a kid before but the idea of having a child with Ye Jie with his brown eyes and her own wits... Hehe! She couldn¡¯t help but feel giddy.


    Unknowingly, a glimmer of anticipation had sprouted in her heart. She didn¡¯t have much faith in being a good mother because of her personal experience with the mother- or more sock of one- but she was sure that Ye Jie would make an amazing father with his caring and gentle nature.


    She didn¡¯t realize that she had been smiling goofily all this while and Xu Cheng was enjoying her infectiously happy mood. He felt content seeing her this way. Even though he used this topic to distract her but he was indeed impatient now to see his grandchild. That was the only wish he had left anyway.

 Chapter 300 - Say What?

    Aftering back from her reverie, Xu Mey turned her attention back to Xu Cheng and asked, "Are you done diverting my attention?" Xu Cheng shook his head in negation but seeing her raise her brow unpleasantly, he instantly started to nod his head. "Okay then... Let me see your ankle." She picked up the icepack that was on his ankle and saw that the ankle wasn¡¯t that swollen.


    Recalling something, Xu Cheng bit his finger between his teeth before calling her name, "Xiao Mey."


    "Hmm..." She hummed to give him a response and ced the icepack back on his ankle.


    "Your mother wants to meet you." Xu Mey¡¯s body stiffened as his words registered in her mind.


    Getting herposure back, she said, "I don¡¯t have a mother."


    Xu Cheng smiled bitterly and said, "Why don¡¯t you just see her? Just once... Maybe she has her side of the story to tell." Xu Mey couldn¡¯t believe what she heard. Was her father really urging her to meet that woman who left him alone all those years ago? He was even speaking up for her? What kind of love was it?


    In her heart, she knew what kind of love it was. He had married Fu Lan even when he hated her, just because in his opinion, life had already lost its meaning when his first wife left. How did it matter who he married after her?


    "And I am not interested in knowing her side of the story." She sighed out. "If she wasn¡¯t there to tell me bedtime stories when I needed her to then there is no need for me to listen to her side of the story either. There is nothing that can convince me to forgive her."


    "I¡¯m not asking you to forgive her... I just want you to meet her. Just this once." Seeing Xu Cheng¡¯s imploring eyes, Xu Mey averted her gaze. This was pure emotional ckmailing!


    "Dad, can¡¯t we just pull her out of our life like a wild weed?" Xu Mey still didn¡¯t dare to look into his eyes. "We really don¡¯t need her presence. Neither you nor me."


    "We can only do that once you have sorted out your hatred for her." Xu Cheng gave her a fatigued smile and held her hands in his own. Patting on her hand, he continued, "If you kept hating her, she¡¯ll still be a part of us. Try to sort out your feelings for her. I¡¯m not asking you to meet her right now. Take your time to think, I won¡¯t insist."


    Xu Mey nodded her head in a silent agreement. Xu Cheng didn¡¯t like seeing her dejected look as if she was being forced by him.


    He thought of something to cheer her up and said, "I almost forgot to congratte you."


    "Huh? For what?" Xu Mey questioned with furrowed brows.


    "One of your best friends got engaged. Isn¡¯t it something I should congratte you for?" Xu Mey was dumbfounded. Did someone get engaged? Why haven¡¯t I heard of this?


    "Who are you talking about?" Xu Mey asked impatiently.


    "Li Qiao." Xu Cheng answered saw Xu Mey¡¯s mouth open like a fish. "He proposedst night. Didn¡¯t you know?" Xu Mey shook her head in a daze. She was left in the dark! That was a first!


    "Who gave you this news? Are you sure it¡¯s credible?" Xu Mey was still skeptical especially since it was Li Qiao they were talking about. There were so many factors unsolved. How can he propose?


    "I have a sister who likes to gossip a lot and she¡¯s always up-to-date about every matter." Xu Cheng rolled his eyes as he spoke.


    "Aunt Bingbing?" Xu Mey asked uncertainly and seeing the way Xu Cheng nodded, she knew that the news was true. There was no doubt about it anymore since Wu Wang¡¯s mother was the most reliable news source. She was sure that until now only Fan Bingbing knew about Li Qiao¡¯s proposal.


    To make sure, she made a group call right before her father. "Wang Ge, Shen Ge, and Jian Ge do anyone of you know that Qiao Ge proposed someonest night?"


    "He did what?" Their reaction was within her expectations.


    "When did he do such thing?" Wu Wang asked.


    "And why are we left in the dark about it?" Lin Shen added his own query.


    "Most important question right now is, who did he propose?" Listening to He Jian, the rest of them nodded. That truly was the real question. ording to their understanding, Li Qiao wouldn¡¯t marry anyone, especially with Yu Kim right beside him. But he can¡¯t possibly propose Yu Kim as well since he loves his cousin a lot.


    There seemed to be some missing piece... They definitely were missing something!


    "I think Wang Ge you should ask Auntie about that. She knows the details." Xu Mey suggested over the phone.


    "Wait for a second! This mother Empress of mine really loves her daily dose of gossip." Wu Wang grumbled to himself. "I just came home to see her. Let me ask her." Everyone waited while they listened to Wu Wang calling his mother. "Maa did Qiao get engaged?"


    "Yup!" They all could hear Fan Bingbing¡¯s excited tone from the other side.


    "With whom?" Wu Wang couldn¡¯t help asking.


    "Dummy! Obviously with Yu Kim. Duh!" Fan Bingbing¡¯s voice rang and everyone listening including Wu Wang gave a dumbstruck look.


    "Say what?" That exactly was their reaction since they felt betrayed. Every one of them felt like Li Qiao had let them down by hiding this huge news from them.

 Chapter 301 - Cold Shoulder

    The feeling of being left out...


    It was a first for Xu Mey and the rest of her friends. They had always been enormously close to one another. Sometimes to the point that they could even feel the heartache of the other one.


    But for the very first time, it happened that one of them took the most important decision of his life and the rest werepletely left out.


    For the very first time, Xu Mey realized how much she despised this feeling of being left out. For her, her friends had always been the gems of her life and their friendship could be described as priceless... They were truly her most precious possession because they weren¡¯t just friends... They were like one family.


    Since all of them were raging mad, they had to have a meeting and that too without Li Qiao.


    Lin Shen had surgery to perform and that¡¯s why the others decided to catch up with him in the hospital. He had juste back to his consultation room after the surgery and was about to take a sip of water when he heard someone twitching with the doorknob. Instantly, the door was pushed open and Xu Mey walked in with a furious look.


    Before Lin Shen could open his mouth to say anything, Xu Mey banged the door with full force making the sound reverberate throughout the room.


    "Go easy on the door, Mey." Lin Shen spoke with a pained expression.


    Xu Mey didn¡¯t bother replying as she walked towards the couch and perched down. Lin Shen knew it was not a good time to talk, therefore, he went back to drinking his water. The water was yet to soothe his throat when the door was again pushed open and was banged forcefully. This time, even Lin Shen flinched a bit as he turned to see He Jian trudging inside with his usual reserved stance.


    "Couldn¡¯t you have gone easy on my poor door?" Disregarding Lin Shen¡¯s question, He Jian shrugged his shoulders and sat beside Xu Mey in anguid manner.


    Lin Shen could only shake his head at them. The poor guy was yet to drink his water but before he could even lift the bottle of water, he heard his door being banged all over again. Seething in fury, Lin Shen red at Wu Wang hatefully.


    "HEI! ARE YOU GUYS PLANNING ON TEARING DOWN MY DOOR?" He had really run out of his patience at this moment. They were acting like gangsters in the hospital where they were supposed to stay quiet.


    "Is the door really important right now, Shen Ge?" Hearing Xu Mey¡¯s words, Lin Shen darted his eyes between the three of them to see them giving him inquisitive looks. He could only sigh in defeat and shake his head in negation. "I thought so."


    As all of them settled down, Xu Mey turned to Wu Wang and said, "Let¡¯s get the clear picture first. How did everything happen?"


    Wu Wang: "ording to mom, Xiamu was the one who urged Qiao. You know in that old school way."


    Xu Mey: "..." ¡¯Old school way? What¡¯s that?¡¯


    Seemingly understanding her thoughts, He Jian added, "He means the scene must have been like, ¡¯Go and get the girl¡¯."


    "Oh..." Xu Mey nodded her head in understanding. But recalling something, she asked, "But didn¡¯t Qiao Ge¡¯s cousin loved Kim as well?"


    Lin Shen: "Isn¡¯t it obvious? Xiamu did exactly what Qiao wanted to do for him instead." He took a pause dramatically and went on, "Sacrifice."


    "Hmm... That makes sense." Xu Mey hummed in response. "But if I didn¡¯t get it wrong then Qiao Ge proposedst night, right?" The rest nodded their head and she added, "It¡¯s already 1 p.m. Why are we yet to hear anything from him?"


    Everyone went into deep thought. This had never happened before.


    Suddenly, Lin Shen said, "I always prioritized that jerk and look at what he did. I told him when I fell in love with Ju-Ju. I told him when I wanted to propose to her. And he... He didn¡¯t even bother saying a word!" His fists were clenched tightly as he was seething in rage.


    "Shen Ge, I¡¯m said to be the most loved one and yet, he left me in the dark as well." Xu Meyined, with a deste look.


    "Although he and I are usually at loggerheads, still it felt super weird when I had to hear about my best friend¡¯s engagement from a third person." Wu Wang also chimed in with his crushed look.


    The most silent one of them; He Jian was standing with his lips pressed together. "Are we going to ignore the fact that our best friend got his biggest wish? I mean he loved Kim and we should be happy for hi-" He Jian¡¯s words got stuck in his throat as he saw the cold and deadly stares directed his way. Gulping visibly, he promptly altered his words saying, "Nevermind... Qiao is the worst! How can he hide something like this from us?"


    The rest were satisfied with his prompt reply.


    "So, any ns?" He Jian had to ask to know what they were nning so that he could inform Li Qiao as soon as possible otherwise he knew this tsundere trio was going to shun him for life.


    "What did he do to us?" Xu Mey asked with a glint in her raven eyes.


    "He gave us a cold shoulder." Wu Wang answered matter-of-factly.


    "Then we¡¯ll do the same as well!" Lin Shen mmed his fist on the table with conviction.


    The trio shared a mischievous look and He Jian shuddered inwardly.

 Chapter 302 - Thinking Logically

    He Jian originally nned to wait for a moment of distraction to contact Li Qiao but his ns were spoiled when Xu Mey extended her hand and said, "Your phone, Jian Ge."


    The trio had already blocked Li Qiao¡¯s number and only He Jian was left. He Jian was definitely reluctant but he had to give in to Xu Mey. She took his phone and blocked the number but didn¡¯t pass the phone back.


    "Xiao Mey, my phone?" He Jian asked for his phone but Xu Mey paid no heed to his words as she stuffed his phone in her front pocket.


    She eyed him skeptically before saying, "I don¡¯t trust you. So, your phone and you will stick with me."


    "What? How can you even say that?" He Jian gave a look of being wronged. "I only wanted to remind you how much you love Qiao and-" Xu Mey raised her hand to stop him from saying anything else.


    "Jian Ge, don¡¯t you think you should be taking my side now." Under Xu Mey¡¯s eyes, Jian felt pressured. "You and I share double rtion now. I¡¯m not only your best friend but also your sister-inw as well. Choose your side wisely now."


    He Jian was left stumped for words. He really was stuck between a rock and a hard ce. But what could he do now? He could only relent and that he did.


    As the silence prevailed in the room, the door was pushed open and a cheerful voice rang out, "Dr. Lin, would you like to have lunch with me?" All of them turned their head to see Yang Ziyi standing at the door with her hand still holding the doorknob.


    Yang Ziyi wasn¡¯t focused on them as she felt that the doorknob in her hand was rattling, she gave it a twist and the doorknob came out in her hand.


    "Wow! Bravo, Dr. Yang! You actually broke the lock of my door." Lin Shen knew that it wasn¡¯t her fault but he was amused by the way Yang Ziyi was gaping at the broken doorknob in her hand.


    "I didn¡¯t do it..." Yang Ziyi tried to defend herself in a weak voice without knowing that the murderers of that particr doorknob were seated right before her eyes.


    "Haiz! Forget it! Why are you here?" Lin Shen didn¡¯t scare her anymore.


    "I... I came to ask you out for lunch." Yang Ziyi answered immediately getting over the fact that she broke something.


    Before Lin Shen could answer, Wu Wang, beat him to it saying, "Ziyi, didn¡¯t I tell you Shen is engaged. Why are you still trying to seduce him?"


    Yang Ziyi pointed her index finger at Wu Wang hatefully and said, "You! Do you take everyone to be like yourself? I just didn¡¯t want to eat alone and as a colleague, I asked him out. What¡¯s so wrong with that?"


    "You have other colleagues as well." Wu Wang pointed out sharply.


    "Yes... But no one likes to eat with me." Yang Ziyi grumbled in a low voice and turned to leave.


    "Stop!" After seeing this lively scene between Yang Ziyi and Wu Wang, how could Xu Mey let her leave? Yang Ziyi gave her an inquiring look. Xu Mey abruptly stood up and said, "I¡¯m also famished. Let¡¯s have lunch together. We can give Dr. Yangpany as well."


    Who would say no to Xu Mey? Seriously, no one will!


    All of them promptly agreed and made their way out of the room. While leaving the room, Lin Shen stopped to lightly caress the door and whispered, "You suffered... I should have known these hooligans were up to no good." Shaking his head with an aggrieved look, he followed the rest of them.


    They chose a handmade noodle shop and settled inside.


    Being the most excited one, Yang Ziyi didn¡¯t sit with them but instead roamed around to survey the small shop.


    "Why no one eats with her?" Xu Mey was the one who voiced out this question.


    "Because she¡¯s too honest with her words." Lin Shen answered indifferently. But seeing their frowning faces, he had to describe further, "The other day, she went to have lunch with some nurses. One of the nurses had recently gotten engaged and was showing her engagement ring to others like it was some precious treasure. Being the loudmouth that she is, Yang Ziyi bluntly said that the ring wasn¡¯t any special and even the diamond was fake as well. That¡¯s all it took for her to receive the wrath of her colleagues."


    "That¡¯s it?" Xu Mey wasn¡¯t convinced.


    "There are other cases like these but another one that stood out to me would be when she saw a doctor having an affair with a nurse and said it out loud before everyone not knowing that one of the people around her was that particr doctor¡¯s wife." Wu Wang spurted out the water that he had just drunk.


    "She really got herself outcasted?" Wu Wang asked with disbelief and Lin Shen nodded his head. "I knew it!" Wu Wang muttered to himself.


    When their noodles were served, Yang Ziyi swiftly came back to join them. Under Xu Mey¡¯s watchful eyes, Yang Ziyi picked up her chopsticks and closed her eyes saying, "May this meal brings me happiness."


    Xu Mey¡¯s eyes widened as her prayer reminded her of a certain someone. She smiled to herself but stayed quiet.


    "Aren¡¯t you guys missing a person?" Yang Ziyi asked while eating her piping hot noodles. "Why isn¡¯t the fifth person of your group here?"


    "Because we don¡¯t want him to be here." Lin Shen retorted impassively.


    "Why?" At her question, Wu Wang gave her a basic idea of the dispute. Yang Ziyi chuckled and said, "You guys are acting petty and childish."


    "We are petty." Xu Mey answered with a straight face.


    "And childish!" Wu Wang joined in.


    "Also, we know that very well." Lin Shen concluded and went back to eating.


    Yang Ziyi could feel the atmosphere turn a bit tense and she stopped talking.


    "We might be all that you just said but our anger is also justified." Unexpectedly, He Jian made ament. "Even if Qiao couldn¡¯t tell us about itst night because he did it on impulse, he should have called us in the morning. It¡¯s been over twelve hours and we are yet to hear a word from him. As best friends, it really hurts."


    Xu Mey suddenly had a new found admiration for He Jian as she kept staring at his face.


    Yang Ziyi nodded her head in understanding but her blunt nature kicked in soon enough as she said, "Don¡¯t take it to heart. He must have forgotten with all the hanky panky business he finally got to enjoy."


    Xu Mey: "..." ¡¯Is she for real?¡¯


    Wu Wang: "..." ¡¯I knew she was gonna spout some nonsense.¡¯


    Lin Shen: "..." ¡¯Does it really suit a doctor to say words like ¡¯hank-panky¡¯ so nonchntly?¡¯


    He Jian: "..." ¡¯Her blunt mouth is definitely suited for Wang!¡¯


    As always, only He Jian was thinking logically.

 Chapter 303 - See A Smile

    After being speechless for a while, everyone looked at Yang Ziyi with an amusing look.


    "Dr. Yang, it¡¯s been over twelve hours. I believe his so-called ¡¯hanky-panky¡¯ wouldn¡¯t havested ¡¯till now. What do you say?" Lin Shen couldn¡¯t stop himself from air-quoting while he tried to stifle hisughter.


    Slurping on her noodles, Yang Ziyi gave him an indecisive look before voicing out in a straight voice, "Why? Do you have no faith in your best friend¡¯s stamina?"


    Xu Mey choked as she coughed violently at this question. And the boys could only press their lips together, not knowing how to deal with this point-nk doctor.


    Wu Wang extended his hand over the table to knock on her head. "Ouch!" Yang Ziyi rubbed her head where he hit her and scowled, looking aggrieved.


    "Can¡¯t you drop your shamelessness for a while?" Wu Wang asked in a helpless manner.


    "You! You¡¯re shameless! Your whole family is shameless!" Yang Ziyi stuck out her tongue at him childishly.


    Wu Wang shook his head at her in exasperation and said, "Just finish your meal."


    Yang Ziyi picked up her bowl and gulped down the soup in one go before cing the empty bowl back on the table. She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand in a content manner.


    Since the rest of them were still eating, she didn¡¯t leave the table and stayed behind with them. "You know I suddenly think that your anger is not that unreasonable." All of a sudden, she spoke again.


    "And why is that?" Xu Mey questioned with curiosity. She hadn¡¯t seen someone changing their mind as fast as Yang Ziyi just did.


    "If the closest person to you always shared everything with you, you¡¯d eventually get used to it. And then one day when that person won¡¯t share anything, it¡¯s bound to hurt." Taking a brief pause, she added, "I mean when my brother used to tell me everything I always felt like I¡¯m a special part of his life. And then..." Sighing heavily she went on, "one day, he didn¡¯t share anything. It really hurt me as well."


    "You guys grew apart?" Lin Shen asked casually.


    "No. He died." Yang Ziyi replied indifferently before picking up some radishes to munch on.


    Wu Wang had seen her talking about death nonchntly and that¡¯s why he was the only one who didn¡¯t have any visible reaction but the other three were giving Yang Ziyi some odd looks.


    "Aren¡¯t you a bit insensitive about death?" As Wu Wang had expected, the question came from He Jian. After all, his fiancee¡¯ death had left a huge scar on his life.


    "Insensitive?" Yang Ziyi repeated it. "How? Just because I don¡¯t want to remember my brother with sadness, it doesn¡¯t mean I¡¯m being insensitive." It was visible to see that Yang Ziyi¡¯s face had turned a bit serious but the rest about her stayed the same. "People always said that I should spend my life crying after all my brother not just died right in my arms, he even gave his life to save mine."


    She took a deep breath and went on, "I always asked why? Why should I be crying? My brother loved me and he never wanted to see my tears. And if I cried after he left this world, wouldn¡¯t I be insulting his wishes? He¡¯s dead and that¡¯s an unchangeable fact that nobody can do anything about. But I¡¯m still alive. And if I¡¯m still breathing, why should I live like a dead person?"


    He Jian was the most affected one by her talk since he still thought that death shouldn¡¯t be taken lightly. "I¡¯m not saying that you live with sadness but at least at his reminder, you should show some remorse."


    Yang Ziyi chuckled softly at his words. She pulled out two notepads from her purse and ced them on the table. He pointed at the notepads and said, "Let¡¯s imagine that one of these notepads is your book of good memories while the other one is the book of bad memories." Although none of them knew what she was up to, they still were intrigued as they listened attentively. "Whenever you¡¯ll open this book of bad memories, you¡¯ll be upset undoubtedly, right?" He Jian nodded silently. "But what about this book of good memories?" Taking a moment to observe their expressions, she added, "This will also only bring you sadness. And this sadnesses from the fact that no matter how happy memories this book recorded, now that is all in the past. And the past doesn¡¯t have a habit of repeating itself."


    Her words startled them a bit since seeing her cheery disposition, one could really not tell that such a deep thought coulde from her.


    "I don¡¯t believe in opening these books of past whether good or bad memories. I believe in living today only to make new memories. Mr. He, the dead are gone and we can¡¯t get them back. But they left us in this world. Do you know why?" At this point, He Jian had no answer. "They left us behind to live not just for ourselves but for them as well. We have the double responsibility to stay happy for their sake otherwise, we¡¯d be insulting the dead."


    Looking at the time, she abruptly stood up and said, "I have a surgery. Bye!" She had walked out of the shop but came back only to say, "I¡¯m sorry if I ended up hurting anyone¡¯s feelings. Really sorry!" She took a ny-degree bow and ran away. But just like before, she again came back to finish her piece, "Mr. He, when my brother looks at me from the sky every night, I want him to see a bright smile on my face. You should also show your smile. Sorry again!" This time, she really took her leave.


    Between the four of them, only He Jian was the one who took her words to heart. He¡¯d been living all alone all this while because he wanted to respect his rtionship with Wu Weiwei. Who knew that by being sad and alone, he¡¯d been hurting her spirit instead. The worst part of this whole conversation was that He Jian actually felt that Yang Ziyi¡¯s words made sense.

 Chapter 304 - Emotional Fool

    At Star Metropolitan Police Station...


    Ye Jie came with his parents but he was surprised to see Ye Jun with his dad, Ye Kang. Ye Jie hadn¡¯t had a talk with Father Ye. For some reason, he¡¯d been avoiding the talk.


    "Mr. Zhu, as you have requested I¡¯ll let your wife enter the interrogation room but the rest can¡¯t go inside." The chief of police spoke respectfully not daring to raise his voice at all before Zhu Chen. He was smart enough to avoid disrespecting a member of Zhu Family.


    "Su," Zhu Chen turned to his wife and held her shoulders to remind her, "You can¡¯t get agitated. Don¡¯t be rash. We just need answers."


    He Susu made a face at him and asked, "But what if I had the urge to strangle her?"


    Zhu Chen could only roll his eyes at his wife as he replied, "If you strangled her to death then wouldn¡¯t it be one of the easiest punishments for her crimes?"


    Understanding his meaning, He Susu nodded her head and went inside the investigation room. The rest of the people stayed on the other side of the ss wall.


    Just in one night, Zhou Ning had lost her vitality. She had huge bags under eyes, her face wrinkles were visible and even her clothes were disheveled. It was obvious that she wasn¡¯t given a chance to sleepst night since she seemed lethargic.


    He Susu sat on the chair across from her with a solemn look. "Hello, old friend!" Hearing He Susu¡¯s voice, Zhou Ning slowly lifted her eyelids and tried to pounce on her hysterically. But since her hands were coughed with the chair, she couldn¡¯t reach He Susu who was leaningnguidly on her chair. "Do you have the urge to strangle me?" He Susu questioned in an amusing manner.


    "What do you think?" Zhou Ning retorted hatefully.


    He Susu straightened up and said, "Don¡¯t you think it should be the other way around? You separated a mother from her child for decades."


    Zhou Ning was well familiar that the Zhu Family wasn¡¯t going to give her a chance to get out of this prison. Therefore, she boldly said, "You should be d I didn¡¯t kill him like I was supposed to do."


    He Susu clenched her fists tightly. "You!" She was livid at this point.


    Zhou Ningughed maliciously at He Susu¡¯s ck face. "Susu, do you know how much I hated you?"


    He Susu frowned at her question. "But I always treated you like a sister. I never even considered you just a friend."


    Zhou Ning scoffed. "Susu, your excessive kindness made me feel inferior at every single step of my life." She looked straight at He Susu and said, "You had everything that I wanted. Even the person I loved was in love with you."


    On the other side of the ss, Father Ye was beyond furious.


    "I hated the fact that you got everything without even trying while I had to always work for it," said Zhou Ning. "My only chance to marry into the Ye family was my child and yet I even had to lose him even before he was born."


    "Just because you had a miscarriage, you took my son away from me?"


    "Of course not! I went there to kill your son instead. I wanted you to cry for your son as I did. I wanted you to feel the pain as well." Taking a pause to pass a provocative look, she added, "But I couldn¡¯t bring myself to kill your son. Because suddenly it dawned on me that only I knew that I had a miscarriage, that old foxy Madam Ye had no idea and as long as I¡¯d bring a son, she¡¯ll let me marry her son and that¡¯s exactly what that foolish woman did."


    "He Susu, your own son became my door to the Ye family. My n to rece your child with a dead one was like killing two birds with one stone. I got to enjoy your misery and I also got a free pass inside the Ye Family. But I still couldn¡¯t bring myself to love him. He always reminded me of you." She clicked her tongue in disappointment. "If he hadn¡¯t been born as your son, how happy his life would have been. If he had just been Zhu Chen¡¯s son, he could have lived like a royal prince being the only grandson of the Zhu family. But s! He had you, He Susu as his mother and that¡¯s why his luck took such a drastic turn."


    Zhou Ning was trying to manipte He Susu¡¯s emotions with her words. She was making He Susu feel guilty. She wanted He Susu to me herself for losing her son. And from He Susu¡¯s face, she could discern that her n was working. ¡¯Aiyoh, our poor Susu! You¡¯re still an emotional fool!¡¯ Zhou Ning sneered inwardly.


    "I¡¯ll never forgive you, Ning!" He Susu eximed with raging fury.


    "Do you think I need your forgiveness?" Zhou Ning gave her a look of satisfaction. "Susu darling, so what if you found your son now? The fact that you missed out on his most important years will always be like a nightmare to you. It will always haunt you and I¡¯ll be right here to watch your remorse gnawing at your soul." She gave a heartyugh and He Susu lost her restraint as she abruptly stood up to lean towards her.


    With a tight grip on Zhou Ning¡¯s hair, He Susu whispered, "Ning, how about you? No matter how much you hated me, you still had to ept my son as yours just to live a better life. The fact that you lived on my mercy still hasn¡¯t changed. You had to spend your entire life with a fear of being caught. And today, you are right here. Karma sure caught up to you..." Taking a brief pause she sneered, "Or should I say, your fears caught up to you?"


    With a gloating smile, He Susu straightened up to leave. Zhou Ning yelled behind her to stop as she tried to break free but her old self didn¡¯t have much energy, to begin with.

 Chapter 305 - Spoiling Uncle

    Although He Susu left the room with a cid look, inwardly she had some heavy feelings. Zhou Ning¡¯s words had struck where it hurt. The fact that she missed out on precious years of her son could not be disregarded. And it was the cruel reality of life.


    "Su," Zhu Chen ced his hands on her shoulders and looked at her with a sad smile on his face. "If we¡¯ll let her words get to us, we¡¯ll be letting her win. Don¡¯t let her guilt trip you in this way."


    He Susu pressed her lips tightly before saying, "But Chen, she is right. If I had not married you and if Jie had not been our son then he really could have lived the life that people would be envious of." Her voice choked up a bit as she added, "Also, as a mother, I¡¯m a failure. I didn¡¯t even get to hold my son or hear his first word." Tears streamed down her face and shoulders shook lightly as she sobbed silently.


    "Mom," Ye Jie had been listening to her ming herself at the side. He hugged her small frame tightly as he tried to cheer her up, "Stop crying. There is no use in ming yourself. The only mistake in your life was being nice to someone who didn¡¯t deserve your kindness at all."


    He Susu tilted her face a bit to look up at Ye Jie as she said, "But I really hate myself for not being able to hold your hand when you took your first step. That¡¯ll be my biggest regret and it will haunt me for life."


    Ye Jie didn¡¯t know what to say anymore. Her words weren¡¯t wrong. They couldn¡¯t possibly turn back the time. It¡¯s true when people say, lost people and lost moments nevere back. He could only sigh heavily at their lost time.


    "Actually there is a way to recover those lost moments." Ye Jie and He Susu both turned to look at Ye Jun who had just chimed in to offer his ¡¯wise-words.¡¯


    "How?" Before Ye Jie could reprimand him, He Susu asked.


    "It¡¯s very simple. Ask bro to work hard." Everyone in the room frowned as they gave him an inquisitive look.


    "Work hard? How is this working hard rted to our topic of discussion?" Ye Jie gave Ye Jun a re for spouting nonsense at such a time.


    "Oho, bro... You¡¯re not understanding my point."


    "Why don¡¯t you make me understand then?" Ye Jie retorted.


    "Aiyoh, if you won¡¯t work hard how will a little Jie or little Meye to this world? Obviously, you have to work hard for that to happen. That way Auntie here won¡¯t be missing anything since your child will definitely be a reflection of you." With his ¡¯wise-words¡¯ Ye Jun managed to leave everyone dumbfounded.


    As the moment of dumbfoundedness passed, bouts ofughter prevailed in the room. He Susu sniffled softly and said, "I like that idea." She turned to Ye Jie to say, "Work hard son!" She even patted his shoulder to encourage him leaving him speechless.


    All of them left the police station together and as they reached the parking lot, Father Ye paced up to Ye Jie. "Da..." Ye Jie was going to address him as ¡¯dad¡¯ but stopped himself in time. He didn¡¯t know how to call Ye Kang anymore. He knew that Zhou Ning might not have loved him like a mother but this man always treated him as his eldest son.


    "If it¡¯s not too much awkward for you, I¡¯d like you to call me dad like you used to do." Ye Jie was surprised to hear that. "I¡¯m sorry for not knowing my own wife after spending decades with her." He suddenly looked fatigued as if his years of tiredness had caught up to him in just a single day.


    "Dad, you don¡¯t have to say sorry to me. If it wasn¡¯t for your love and care, life really would have been tough. But I always had your support. And I¡¯m thankful for that." Ye Jie couldn¡¯t forget that he still owed a lot to Father Ye.


    Most importantly, if it wasn¡¯t for Father Ye who knew how long would it take for him to actually meet Xu Mey. The biggest thing he owed Father Ye was his marriage. Because of him, Jie didn¡¯t have to do anything to find his perfect life partner.


    Father Ye patted Jie¡¯s shoulder with a bitter smile before he shifted his gaze to Zhu Chen. "Mr. Zhu, you¡¯re really lucky." Although Zhu Chen didn¡¯t get the underlying meaning of his remark, he still gave a nod of acknowledgment.


    Ye Jun helped his father to the car before walking back to Jie. "Are you okay, little brother?" He asked Ye Jun straightforwardly.


    "Honestly, bro I¡¯m not okay. Knowing this side of my own mother is really hurtful. But as long as you¡¯re willing to call me little brother, your Jun can cope with anything." Seeing Ye Jun¡¯s resolve Jie gave him a bro hug.


    "You¡¯ll always be my little brother."


    "Well, obviously I¡¯ll have to be your little brother after all our little Mey and Little Jie needs a spoiling uncle as well. Ouch!" Jie had pped his back for turning everything into a joke. But he knew it was Ye Jun¡¯s way of hiding his pain.


    "Take care of dad. You are all he has now." Jie advised Ye Jun sternly.


    "I will..." Ye Jun promised and went to take his seat behind the wheel.


    Jie stood by the road and watched their car disappear before turning to his own car where his parents were waiting for him. Seeing his mother leaning on his father¡¯s shoulder, Jie felt pleased but his heart reminded him that his own other half had been missing from his side from the morning and until now, she didn¡¯t even call to check up on him.


    ¡¯What kind of schemes are keeping her busy now?¡¯ He wondered to himself and shook his head lightly before sitting in the car.

 Chapter 306 - A Pair of Pathetic Singles

    The four friends had left the noodle shop after enjoying their meal. They decided to take a stroll in the hospital¡¯s garden since the weather had suddenly turned a bit cloudy. With cool breeze brushing against their faces, it was beautiful weatherpared to the scorching heat in the first half of the day.


    Xu Mey hadn¡¯t talked to Jie since the morning and she was really missing him now but she still didn¡¯t call him. She tightened her hold on her phone but didn¡¯t dare to press the button. Seeing her conflicted look, Lin Shen suggested, "If you¡¯re so worried, why don¡¯t you just call Jie? Don¡¯t dawdle for no reason."


    "Shen Ge, I want to call but... I don¡¯t want to call as well." Lin Shen gave her a stupified look.


    "Now, what exactly is that supposed to mean?"


    "I mean to say that... Sigh! I want to give him some space. Ah-Jie should be spending this time with his parents. They need their son." Understanding her reason, Lin Shen rubbed her head lovingly.


    Behind these two, both Wu Wang and He Jian were stuck on what Yang Ziyi said in the noodle shop. "Do you think my sadness had been hurting Weiwei¡¯s spirit?" He Jian was still looking at the ground when he voiced out his question. His voice was only audible to Wu Wang and it was clear that the question was directed at him as well.


    "Do you know why mom and I always talked about Weiwei with a smile?" Wu Wang didn¡¯t answer his question but instead asked his own. He Jian turned his gaze towards Wu Wang and shook his head in negation. He really had no idea.


    "My sister suffered from cancer from an early age." Wu Wang started with heavy feelings. "She always used to smile before us. But I had heard her crying in pain in the dead of night... all alone." He looked heavenward as he added, "She never really cried before you because she was scared of hurting you. But I was her only brother and no matter how hard she tried, she eventually cried in my embrace."


    "She stayed strong before you. But I was one whom she told that she wished her life would go easy on her now." Wu Wang ced his hand on He Jian¡¯s shoulder as he said, "Weiwei had spent her life bearing that torturing pain. Death was her only way of resting in peace. You might have ignored the look of relief on her face when she died but I didn¡¯t. Jian, you need to ept that she¡¯s in a better ce now. If nothing else, at least she won¡¯t have to cry herself to sleep in pain anymore."


    Unknowingly, He Jian¡¯s eyes had filled up with tears. Although Wu Wang was trying to smile, tears could be seen swimming in his own eyes as well.


    "The answer to your earlier question would be... Weiwei¡¯s only happiness in life was your presence. She loved you more than her life itself. And the girl who hid her blood-stained clothes from you, do you think she¡¯d be happy to see you sad because of her?" They both sat on a bench under the shade of a tree. Wu Wang could understand He Jian¡¯s inner turmoil. "Do you know why mom had been nagging you about getting married?"


    "Why?" He Jian asked in a daze.


    "Because it was my sister¡¯sst wish that your wife would be of mom¡¯s choice. Just like that point-nk doctor said, I also don¡¯t want to remember my sister with tears in my eyes. Especially when I know that she finally is free of all the pain."


    Saying his piece, Wu Wang left He Jian alone to ponder over his thoughts. Xu Mey and Lin Shen had already been chatting elsewhere. Wu Wang waved both of them goodbye before making his way inside the hospital again.


    Getting the information that he needed, he went to wait outside an O.R. He had to say thanks to that stupid doctor, after all, it was a very first time that someone dared to be so honest with He Jian.


    Yang Ziyi pulled off her surgery cap as she walked out through the electronic doors.


    "I never thought Dr. Yang is actually such a deep person." At this familiar voice, Yang Ziyi turned around to find Wu Wang leaning against the wall with his arms crossed before his chest.


    Yang Ziyi stared at him for a long while without saying anything. After frowning and making strange faces, she walked up to Wu Wang¡¯s side, lifted her hand and pinched his cheek with excessive force. "Ouch! What are you doing?" He red at her coldly as he rubbed his cheek.


    "Omo! You¡¯re real!" She eximed ignoring his res.


    "Have you lost your mind?" Wu Wang poked at her head but she seemed to be beaming for no reason. "Nevermind... You didn¡¯t have a mind, to begin with. I shouldn¡¯t have waited for hours." Wu Wang was regretting his decision to be nice to this dumb doctor.


    "Where are you going? Stop, stop!" He was intending to leave when she ran to block his way. "Let¡¯s forget thest five minutes. How about we start from the start? Were you waiting for me?" Wu Wang gave a tacit agreement. "Why? What have I done to get this privilege?"


    "For knocking some sense into my friend¡¯s mind, I decided to treat you to dinner and also, being your tour guide like I saidst time." Wu Wang didn¡¯t tell her that he actually wanted to apany her because she still hasn¡¯t found any friend because of her honesty. He found her amusing but he also felt bad for her since she was all alone.


    "Will you take me to a fancy restaurant likest time?" Yang Ziyi asked eagerly.


    Wu Wang eyed her weirdly. "If you fancy the fancy restaurant, I¡¯ll take you there."


    "Yay!" She jumped up in excitement.


    "Why are you acting like a child? You earn enough to take a trip to a fancy restaurant yourself." Wu Wang reminded her.


    "Oi! If I went all alone wouldn¡¯t it make me look like a pathetic single?"


    "Aren¡¯t you a pathetic single?" Wu Wang wiggled his brows in amusement.


    Yang Ziyi narrowed her eyes at him dangerously before she grinned brightly and said, "So are you..." Wu Wang¡¯s face changed visibly at this reminder.


    "Then I guess if both pathetic singles would apany each other for dinner, it¡¯d be a sight to behold." Yang Ziyi bobbed her head up and down in agreement.


    "Wait for me... I¡¯ll be right back after changing my clothes." Saying that she sprinted towards the locker room. Wu Wang could only shake his head at seeing a seemingly grown-up doctor, skipping her way towards the locker room.

 Chapter 307 - Its A Date!

    Leaving Yang Ziyi to take her time, Wu Wang left the hospital to get his car. While he was opening the door, he heard a loud shout from behind calling out to him, "Hey, Wang Ge!"


    Wu Wang paused and turned to look at Xu Mey walking towards him with Lin Shen while He Jian was trailing behind, dispiritedly. Apparently, all of them were also nning on leaving the hospital. They walked towards the parking lot where their own cars were parked and that¡¯s when they caught sight of Wu Wang.


    "Wang Ge, are you going home?" Wu Wang shook his head in negation. Xu Mey frowned slightly and asked, "Then? Where are you going?" She stealthily took a nce at He Jian before beckoning Wu Wang to lower his head. "And what did you say to Jian Ge? Why does he look like someone stole his candy?" She whisper-asked making Wu Wang chuckle.


    He reciprocated her actions and whispered back, "Let¡¯s say, I gave him a reason to look at the world with a new perspective." Xu Mey frowned and Wu Wang couldn¡¯t help but tousle her hair as he added, "You can also say that I really stole his candy." Although she didn¡¯t get the details, she got the gist of events as she bobbed her head up and down in slow motion. After whispering, Wu Wang straightened his back and further added, "As for the answer to your question, I¡¯m not going home. I¡¯m taking a dumb doctor out on city tour as I promised her."


    Wu Wang didn¡¯t feel the need to lie or hide anything from them. In his mind, he was clear that Yang Ziyi was just one of his acquaintances or perhaps friends? But there was nothing else in his mind. At least not until someone voiced it out.


    "Ha! You¡¯re going on a date!" Xu Mey eximed excitedly and a certain someone who was brooding in the back also lifted his face to give Wu Wang a surprised look.


    Wu Wang himself was taken aback by this remark of Xu Mey. Date? He was not! Or at least, that¡¯s what he believed.


    "I am not!" Wu Wang retorted in the same manner.


    "Oh, really?" Lin Shen challenged with a quirk of his brow.


    "Of course!" Wu Wang argued.


    "Since when did Wu Wang actually became a tour guide then?" Even He Jian couldn¡¯t help but chime in.


    "It¡¯s not about being a tour guide. She¡¯s alone in the city and she doesn¡¯t even have friends. Since I know her and I¡¯m used to her being a nuisance, I thought I should show her around." Wu Wang spoke righteously but the trio before him had other ideas running in their minds.


    Did they believe his words? Of course, they did!


    But were they going to tell him that?


    Definitely not! Wouldn¡¯t that ruin their chance to tease him?


    "Hey, Auntie! Guess what! Wang Ge is going on a date," Wu Wang was dumbfounded as he saw Xu Mey tedly telling on him to his own mother.


    He snatched the phone from her hand and heard his mother¡¯s voice from the other side, "Oh, really? I should talk to Shen and Ju-Ju and arrange Wang¡¯s wedding with theirs."


    Wu Wang rolled his eyes at his mother¡¯s excited voice. "Ma! Stop dreaming, it¡¯s not healthy for you. And I¡¯m not going on a date! Stop looking for auspicious dates for the wedding!" Saying that he hung up the phone and threw a dangerous look towards Xu Mey.


    Thetter was obviously unfazed by his look.


    "Guys, she¡¯s just a friend. Not like we are. But still, I¡¯ve known her for years... Or more like, I¡¯ve argued with her for years. But that¡¯s not the point. Since she doesn¡¯t know anyone else here, I want to help her out." Honestly, he was just trying to be a good person. He epted Yang Ziyi as a friend because she was exactly like a friend who would never hesitate to tell you things which even you were scared to share with yourself.


    He Jian jumped to sit on his car¡¯s bo as he said in a poised manner, "I read somewhere that love is also called friendship... Friendship on fire..."


    Wu Wang gaped at He Jian in disbelief while thetter shrugged his shoulders indifferently.


    Xu Mey smiled to herself as she saw how He Jian trapped Wu Wang with a single statement. "Wang Ge, aren¡¯t you gonna take her to dinner?"


    "Well, of course!" answered Wu Wang.


    "Then it is a date!" Before Wu Wang could open his mouth to retort, Xu Mey raised her hand to stop him and added, "Whether you agree or not, I¡¯m just gonna call it a date. Deal with it!"


    Wu Wang could only resign to his fate at this time since even he knew that nobody was going to listen to whatever he had to say.


    "Who¡¯s going on a date?" Hearing this familiar voice, the four of them turned their heads and red at the person who just had arrived and was now grinning at them as if everything was alright.


    But was everything really alright?

 Chapter 308 - Considering Feelings

    Dark curtains were drawn before the windows, not letting the light of the day to disturb the sleep of the people inside. The room was filled with silence and peace along with a musky scent in the air that could make any mature person blush.


    On the bed, a toned figure was sprawled with only a quilt covering the lower part of his body. The petite figure beside him had her face buried in the crook of his neck and her soft breathing sound could be heard. She even had a small smile ying on her lips, feeling content.


    Suddenly, a vibrating sound made the man on the bed toss a bit and with his squinted eyes, he lifted his hand to find the mobile on the nightstand. Not wanting to open the eyes, he directly epted the call and ced the phone against his ear. "Hello!" His groggy voice could be heard.


    "Qiao! You jerk! You are so dead!" Being cursed at early in the morning, obviously, Li Qiao didn¡¯t feel good.


    He opened his eyes a bit to see the caller id before saying, "Sun Ju, are you calling to berate me this early in the morning?" He really wasn¡¯t sure what Lin Shen¡¯s fiancee had to do with him at this time.


    "Early in the morning?" Sun Ju almost screamed at the top of her lungs making him wince as he pushed the phone away from his ear. "It¡¯s half past noon, you fu*cking bastard!" She was enraged and his words only worked as fuel to the fire. "I get it that you must have had a very pleasant night but don¡¯t forget there are four idiots who were eagerly waiting for years to share your happiness with you."


    At this reminder, Li Qiao was wide awake as he abruptly sat up. "Oh, sh*t!" He cursed out and as he saw Yu Kim turning in her sleep, he tip-toed his way out of the room. "Don¡¯t tell me that someone shared the news with them before me."


    That was the biggest issue since him waiting till morning to tell them was one thing but them knowing about the biggest news of his life from a third party was a WHOLE different matter!


    "What do you think mister?" Sun Ju retorted.


    "But how?" Li Qiao knew that the only person who would know about the proposal would be Xin Xiamu but nobody should know that Yu Kim actually epted his proposal, right?


    "Mr. Li, why don¡¯t you wake your fiancee and ask her the details of how ted she was to share this news with her best friend?" Saying that Sun Ju took a deep breath and added, "Anyway, I just called to give you a heads up. The rest you know better than me." She directly hung up the call and left Li Qiao baffled.


    He ran inside the room and woke Yu Kim. "Kim, did you tell anyone about the proposalst night?"


    Yu Kim smiled at seeing his face in her sleepy state before mumbling, "I texted Kaden since he is my closest friend and he should know about it."


    "Damn it!" Li Qiao hurriedly ran towards the bathroom to take a shower. After walking out, he kissed Yu Kim goodbye and ran out leaving a few words lingering in the air, "Go back to sleep. I¡¯ll see youter."


    He had tried calling all of them one by one on his way to his car but he soon understood that they were being petty by blocking his number.


    Now that he stood facing their burning res, Li Qiao really felt like someone was choking him to death. He smiled awkwardly as he walked towards them.


    "Hi, guys!" At Li Qiao¡¯s greeting, no-one paid attention to him and kept giving him the cold shoulder.


    "Wang Ge, you can go on your date but bring her to my dad¡¯s ce for dinner. I¡¯ll cook myself." Wu Wang was surprised to hear Xu Mey offering to cook so easily.


    "Baby Mey, are you sick? Howe you want to cook for a stranger?" The question came from He Jian but it was running in the others¡¯ mind as well.


    "How is Dr. Yang a stranger? She¡¯s my Wang Ge¡¯s date." Xu Mey beamed in a pleasant manner.


    "She¡¯s not my date." Wu Wang groaned in frustration.


    "Fine... Just bring her home, what¡¯s the big issue? As you said so yourself, she doesn¡¯t know anyone in the city. It¡¯s better for her." Xu Mey didn¡¯t want Wu Wang to burst up in anger so she tactfully changed her words. Obviously, the meaning was still the same.


    "Are we invited as well?" He Jian asked as he jumped down from the car¡¯s bo.


    "Yup!" answered Xu Mey and continued, "Shen Ge, call Ju-Ju... I¡¯ll treat everyone today." Then she lowered her voice so that only Lin Shen and He Jian could hear her as she added, "Because my brother is going on a date today."


    "This is not fair, guys!" Li Qiao suddenly interrupted as he saw them chatting andughing all by themselves excluding him like an outsider. The feeling of being disregarded was not pleasant at all. "You guys are not even taking my feelings into consideration."


    Xu Mey whipped her body abruptly to face Li Qiao with a cold gaze. "Did you take our feelings into consideration?"

 Chapter 309 - Rare Friendship

    Before Li Qiao could state his point, Xu Mey continued on, "None of us care that you forgot to share such huge news with us. But... What about the fact that we heard it from a third person?" Li Qiao pursed his lips, not daring to speak at all anymore. He knew it! This fact alone was going to be the problem.


    Xu Mey suddenly sniggered, "Not even third person... I actually heard it from my dad. How do you think my dad got this news?"


    Li Qiao was surprised himself that Xu Mey¡¯s father was the one who told Xu Mey but he knew who could be the one to ry this news to her father. "Auntie Bingbing." He spoke softly.


    "Exactly! It was indeed Auntie Bingbing. And do you know who did she hear it from?" Li Qiao shook his head. "She heard it from your mother, Auntie Manman." Li Qiao raised his brows in surprise again. How did his mother get this news? "Oh, and your mother actually got this news because your cousin was standing beside her when he received Kim¡¯s message."


    ¡¯That exins it.¡¯ Li Qiao thought to himself.


    "So, the point is... It feels like we were thest ones to find out." Xu Mey really felt wrong as she said it all out. It was almost like the whole world knew except for them.


    "But I didn¡¯t tell anyone." Li Qiao could onlye up with this to defend himself.


    None of them noticed that a figure had been leaning against Wu Wang¡¯s car, silently listening to them in amusement. Suddenly they heard someoneughing and that¡¯s when they noticed Yang Ziyi¡¯s presence. "Mr. Li, don¡¯t you think that the issue here is the fact that you didn¡¯t tell anyone? You should really find a better defending argument."


    Xu Mey nodded her head agreeing with Yang Ziyipletely. The problem lied in the fact that he didn¡¯t take the initiative to tell anyone.


    Li Qiao pressed his lips and taking Yang Ziyi¡¯s advice, he changed his statement. "Guys, I was caught up in the moment. I really wanted to tell you but it was midnight, I didn¡¯t think it was right to disturb you all."


    Yang Ziyi again chuckled as she said, "Although I shouldn¡¯t say it, from what I just gathered, how is it possible that your fiancee got the time to text her best friend but you couldn¡¯t even text them? What really held you back?" Thinking of something, she tried to stifle herughter.


    "What came to your mind?" Wu Wang eyed her suspiciously.


    "Nothing." Yang Ziyi shook her head trying hard not tough.


    Wu Wang narrowed his eyes at her and said, "If you didn¡¯t spill it now, your city tour will be canceled."


    Under this threat, Yang Ziyi delivered a kick straight to Wu Wang¡¯s knee making him wince in pain. She really didn¡¯t want to share her weird thoughts so she changed the topic, "Oh, I¡¯m sorry. For a moment, I forgot that it¡¯s not my ce to interfere."


    As she was backing away, Xu Mey held her arm and said, "Just because you don¡¯t have a ce now, doesn¡¯t mean that there won¡¯t be a ce in future." Yang Ziyi might not have understood her meaning but how could Wu Wang not know the meaning behind Xu Mey¡¯s suggestive words. It was very obvious!


    "Well... I still should be at a side." Yang Ziyi turned to Wu Wang and said, "I¡¯ll wait for you there." Saying that she turned to give them privacy but before going she stopped by Li Qiao¡¯s side and whispered, "Mr. Li, you not sharing your happiness with them is almost like you saying, ¡¯Oh, I didn¡¯t tell you... Then it must be none of your business.¡¯ So, now choose your words very carefully. They are being petty because you mean a lot to them."


    Li Qiao was left stumped since Yang Ziyi¡¯s words made him realize one thing, he really was being the worthless piece of sh*t to his friends. He took a deep breath and tried again, "I know I¡¯m the biggest jerk at the moment but it wasn¡¯t my intention to be one. When Xiamu told me to just go and confess my feelings, I didn¡¯t think of anything else and I ran..." This way, he kept exining the way he proposed obviously he omitted the parts that were too graphic.


    After telling his story, the reply he heard was, "You didn¡¯t even give her flowers?"


    Li Qiao looked at them disbelievingly. ¡¯Seriously, guys? Does it matter right now?¡¯


    "Tsk... Tsk... I can¡¯t believe you proposed her at her own apartment, with an old ring, no roses and what? No cake or champagne to go with it. What a big disappointment you are!" Xu Meymented in disappointment.


    "And here I thought you must have done borate nning for the proposal, after all, you¡¯ve been keeping all your feelings inside you for years. You really disappointed me!" Even Wu Wang shook his head.


    "I¡¯m ashamed to be his friend." Lin Shen remarked in dissatisfaction.


    "I¡¯m more surprised that Kim actually said yes at his lousy proposal. She really is gullible." Who said He Jian won¡¯t make ament? Even he was ready to strike at the moment.


    "Are you guys done?" Li Qiao asked after digesting their ruthless remarks.


    "I think so..." Xu Mey spoke for all of them.


    All of them stood to y the staring game and after staring for a while, all of them burst outughing. "Qiao Ge, if I was Kim I would have pped you in the face for ying with emotions instead of saying yes so easily."


    "As I said, Kim is really gullible."


    A bit farther away from them, Yang Ziyi couldn¡¯t help but smile to herself as she saw themughing. Now she understood why they were avoiding Li Qiao. Once he was before their eyes, none of them had the ability to stay angry with him. It was a strange, petty and childish friendship but Yang Ziyi felt warmth gushing in her heart at this scene.


    It¡¯s better to eat crumbs with bums then eating steaks with snakes... Now, Yang Ziyi knew the meaning of this. This group of friends was like bums but none of them was like a backstabbing snake. It really was a rare friendship. Making one green with envy.

 Chapter 310 - Honey Trap

    From there, with a group hug, everything was back to normal. Well, of course, this event gave a free pass to tease Li Qiao but the rest was all good.


    All of them parted ways but Xu Mey¡¯s invitation still stayed as it was. She had invited all of them for dinner. Even when Wu Wang was about to drive away with Yang Ziyi, Xu Mey didn¡¯t forget to remind him.


    Lin Shen had to stay in the hospital till evening and He Jian had to go back to the office while Li Qiao promised Yu Kim that he¡¯d be back soon.


    Xu Mey was the only one whose n was to go home and prepare a feast. As she came back to the Xu Residence, she could hear voices of chatteringing from the living room. And she walked in, she was surprised to find He Susu and Zhu Chen chatting with her father over tea.


    Before she could make her presence known, someone held her elbow and pulled her out before she was caged between a wall and a sturdy chest that made her rx instantly.


    "Ah-Jie," her eyes lit up as she tilted her head to look up at Jie who was giving her some odd looks. "What are you doing here?" she was indeed pleasantly surprised right now.


    "My baby, I thought you were gonna stay with your dad." He spoke in a calm manner but Xu Mey felt like he wasn¡¯t very happy. "And that¡¯s why I didn¡¯t mind you not contacting me for the whole day."


    Xu Mey pressed her lips together. "I just wanted to give you some space to have a heart-to-heart moment with your parents."


    Jie lowered his face and as the tip of their nose almost touched, he said, "What about the part where you were scheming childishly?"


    Xu Mey puffed her cheeks and said, "Ah-Jie, you can¡¯t call your baby childish."


    Jie brushed his nose with hers and said, "I think baby only I have the right to call you childish."


    Xu Mey thought for a moment and realized that he was right. She was left with no way to argue so she had to change her approach. Honey trap? Hehe... That¡¯ll work!


    She lifted her hand to stroke his face with a feathery touch as she spoke in a gentle voice, "Jie darling, are you tired? You look so down. Today must have been tough on you."


    Jie knew what her intention was from the moment she called him, ¡¯Jie darling¡¯ but he was a sucker for her. How could he let this opportunity go?


    "I think baby, you are more tired after being petty for a whole day." Xu Mey didn¡¯t mind him being sarcastic at all. Instead, she felt good for some bizarre reason.


    "Jie darling, your baby really is tired. How about you give her a recharge?" Xu Mey blinked her eyes eagerly.


    "And how should I do that?" He asked in a low voice.


    Without wasting any time, Xu Mey wrapped her dainty arms around his waist and buried herself in his embrace saying, "As I expected, this does feel like home. I¡¯ll be recharged in no time now."


    Jie chuckled at her clinging to him like a love-deprived person. He lifted his hand and stroked her hair affectionately.


    "Don¡¯t you feel recharged now, Jie darling?" He heard her muffled voice as her soft breaths tickled his heart.


    "I didn¡¯t need the recharge though," he said in a frisky manner.


    "Of course, you needed it." Xu Mey argued with conviction.


    "And how do you know that, baby?"


    "Because we are one soul, two bodies. If you¡¯re tired, I¡¯m tired. If you¡¯re happy, I¡¯m happy, If you¡¯re sad, I¡¯m also sad." Before she could continue on with her list, he held her face with both hands and captured her lips with his own in a passionate kiss.


    With each bite, he left her wanting to drown further in his love. As his tongue drove her mind insane, she was left breathless. "I believe my baby is getting good with her words."


    After his words registered in her mind, Xu Mey tip-toed to bit his lip rather forcefully before grinning widely as she said, "And who is responsible for teaching me all these sweet words?"


    He licked the ce where she had bitten earlier before encircling his arms around her waist tightly. "I guess I am a very good teacher indeed." Then he brought his lips close to her ear and whispered in his attractive husky voice, "How about I teach you more?"


    His suggestiveness made Xu Mey flush red as she hit his chest yfully and hid her face in his embrace.


    "Ahem! Ahem!" A couple of dry coughs made both of them stiffen up as they turned their faces to see Fan Bingbing. She was trying hard to stifle her smile but was failing miserably and it wasn¡¯t even her fault! "You know I would love to spend the whole day seeing you both being lovey-dovey but right now, you both are blocking my way."


    Xu Mey further hid her face in Jie¡¯s chest out of embarrassment. Fan Bingbing chuckled softly before giving them both a look of gentleness. After passing by their side, she stopped at the doorway of the living room and said, "How about you both carry on in the bedroom. This is really not the right ce for this." Saying this she sauntered inside the room leaving both of them standing there feeling awkward.


    "It¡¯s all your fault." Xu Mey pushed the me straight to his shoulders.


    "Oh, really? Baby, who was the one ying the honey trap with me?" That shut Xu Mey up as she was flustered at being caught red-handed.


    But being stubborn, she lifted her head and argued, "So what? I was ying the honey trap on my husband, not on a stranger or something."


    He pinched her chin and said, "You better not y this with anyone."


    Seeing the look in his eyes, her heartbeat quickened up. Xu Mey felt dizzy under his passionate gaze and ran away to avoid being burned. Her body was already hot all over and if she had stayed with him even a second more, she really would have been charred.

 Chapter 311 - Mother & Daughter

    Xu Mey had to run inside the living room just to avoid Jie who was grinning in amusement at her retreating figure.


    "Xiao Mey, when did youe?" Xu Mey was still looking in the direction of Jie when she heard her father¡¯s voice.


    "Huh?" Xu Mey was brought back to reality and she cleared her throat beforeing beside her father to take a seat. "I just got back, dad. How¡¯s your ankle?" She leaned a bit to check his ankle herself. After seeing that there was no more swelling, she was a bit relieved.


    "I told you it wasn¡¯t a big deal. See, it¡¯s absolutely fine now." Xu Cheng tried to convince her but Xu Mey wasn¡¯t assured at all. She knew even if the swelling was gone, there must be some pain left.


    She didn¡¯t want to reprimand her father before other people so she changed her direction towards her inws. "Father, Aunt Su, when did you get here?" Xu Cheng frowned at her way of addressing Zhu Chen as father and calling He Susu, Aunt Su. But he didn¡¯t point it out just yet.


    "We came right from the police station. Since you looked anxious when you left in the morning, we decided to check up on your dad." Zhu Chen answered her question and Xu Mey nodded her head slightly in understanding.


    "Stay for dinner then... I¡¯m preparing a feast today." Xu Mey announced in a cheery voice Everyone in the room raised their brows while Jie who was leaning against the door frame was frowning. Why did she suddenly think about hosting a dinner party?


    Knowing his wife, Jie knew that Xu Mey wouldn¡¯t just host a party out of nowhere. She definitely had a reason for it. But the question was, what is the reason?


    "Feast? Who are you inviting?" Fan Bingbing asked.


    "Auntie, I¡¯m inviting everyone," replied Xu Mey in a frisky manner. "Oh, oh, Wang Ge will also bring Yang Ziyi." She informed Fan Bingbing with a big smile on her face.


    "Really? That¡¯s awesome!" Seeing both Fan Bingbing and Xu Mey chatting happily, Xu Cheng could only shake his head in disbelief. While He Susu was rather ufortable that her own daughter-inw wasn¡¯t actually this attached to her.


    This rtionship needed some serious bonding!


    "I have a lot of work to do, I better get started now." Xu Mey announced as she lunged to her feet. She looked at her father and said, "Dad, wish me luck."


    "You¡¯re not going on a battlefield, honey." Xu Cheng reminded her since Xu Mey¡¯s posture and attitude both were screaming that she actually was going to war.


    "Dad, don¡¯t you know? Kitchen is one of the biggest battlefields for a woman." Xu Cheng pinched the space between his brows while Jie pursed his lips trying to stifle hisughter. "We fight with ingredients and we are only victorious when people find our food delicious."


    "You and your battlefield, both are one of a kind." That was only thing Xu Cheng said to her and Xu Mey stuck her tongue out childishly before sauntering her way to the kitchen.


    "Excuse me for a minute," Xu Cheng excused himself as he also followed Xu Mey. "Xiao Mey," as he called out to her, Xu Mey stopped and looked at him with an inquiring gaze.


    "What is it, dad?"


    Coming close to her side, Xu Cheng asked, "Why are you still calling your mother-inw as Auntie?"


    "What else am I supposed to call her?" It wasn¡¯t that she didn¡¯t know it herself, she still asked nheless.


    "She is Jie¡¯s mother and he¡¯s your husband. Marriage is not between two individuals but rather between two families. His family is your family as well now. You should call her mother." Xu Cheng stated without skipping a beat.


    "Dad, you and I both know that I don¡¯t want to call her a mother. Actually, I don¡¯t want to call anyone a mother. That word is not meant for me. Besides..." Taking a deep breath she added, "If I have to call someone a mother, the woman behind you would be the first one to get that title."


    Hearing her words, Xu Cheng looked behind himself to see Fan Bingbing walking towards them. Finding both of Xu Mey and Xu Cheng¡¯s eyes on herself, Fan Bingbing felt uneasy. She raised her hand in defense and said, "I didn¡¯t do anything. I promise." Looking at her hands smudged with chocte, she smiled cheekily and went on, "I just a single bite of the pastry."


    Both father and daughter could only roll their eyes at Fan Bingbing¡¯s reaction but it wasn¡¯t something new for her. She never failed to amuse someone. But Xu Mey wasn¡¯t wrong, if anyone in her life deserved the title of mother, that would be this woman, Fan Bingbing. She had always been there for Xu Mey withoutining.


    "Why are guys standing here?"


    At Fan Bingbing¡¯s question, Xu Cheng shook his head and said, "I¡¯ll tell youter." Saying that he turned back to leave.


    Fan Bingbing shrugged her shoulders nonchntly and turned to Xu Mey saying, "Come, Auntie will help you in your feast preparations."


    Xu Mey nodded her head and entered the kitchen with Fan Bingbing. Xu Mey¡¯s rtionship with Fan Bingbing was exactly that of a mother and daughter. Both went shopping together, schemed against Wu Wang together, cooked together, gossiped together. Once even Wu Wang said that they both share such a beautiful rtionship that they can make a pair of real mother and daughter envious.

 Chapter 312 - 520

    While washing the ingredients with care, Xu Mey was solely focused on the work at hand. She had asked all the servants to get everything ready in the garden. Because she didn¡¯t need their help in the kitchen.


    "Why don¡¯t you spend some time with your mother-inw?" Fan Bingbing¡¯s voice made Xu Mey halt for a second before she resumed her movements.


    "You heard what dad said?" She wasn¡¯t really asking since she knew the answer already. Fan Bingbing only pretended not to know what they were discussing in the hallway.


    "Haiz! She seems like a nicedy. I think she¡¯ll love to have a bond with her only daughter-inw." Xu Mey pretended like she wasn¡¯t paying attention but in reality, she understood Fan Bingbing¡¯s meaning very well. Fan Bingbing held Xu Mey¡¯s hand and turned her body so that they stood facing each other as she continued, "Do you love Jie?"


    Xu Mey frowned a bit but still nodded her head. "Then love the woman who gave him birth as well. You don¡¯t need a mother-daughter bond with her that¡¯s your choice but there has to be a bond between you two... Not just for your sake... For Jie¡¯s sake as well..."


    Xu Mey bit her lip trying to ponder over her words before she nodded, "I¡¯ll try my best, Auntie."


    Fan Bingbing caressed her cheek lovingly and said, "That¡¯s like my girl."


    Unbeknownst to both women, Jie was standing right outside the kitchen door listening to their conversation. Although he wasn¡¯t going to pressurize Xu Mey about anything, he still wished that his wife would also be like a daughter to his own mother.


    Seeing that bothdies went back to their own work, he entered the kitchen and announced, "Baby, look your husband is here to help you."


    He was putting on a kitchen apron when Xu Mey rolled her eyes at him. "Ah-Jie, don¡¯t joke around right now. Let me work."


    "I¡¯m also here to help you," he argued. "Isn¡¯t that why I learned to cook? Just so that I can help my wife."


    "Yes, yes... But right now, you¡¯ll just be a distraction for me." Xu Mey said it straightforwardly making Jie chuckle. "Go out... and if you want to really help, just go and call Jun. Tell him to get here ASAP!"


    Her urging words actually lit up the bulb in his mind as he understood why this dinner party was happening so promptly. It was all for Jun¡¯s sake. Jie couldn¡¯t help but smile to himself at his wife¡¯s thoughtfulness.


    Seeing that Fan Bingbing¡¯s back was towards them, Jie picked up some ingredients and ced them before her on the counter saying, "Baby, these five carrots are for you. And take these 2 onions as well. Look this empty pot is also for you. There is nothing in it... Zero."


    Xu Mey creased her brows as she pushed these things away in annoyance and said, "Ah-Jie, what are you doing? Stop touching my ingredients."


    While Xu Mey was scowling, Jie was brooding over her being dense. But a certain someone was finally unable to hold back herughter and bouts ofughter rang in the huge kitchen. "Sorry!" Fan Bingbing apologized as she turned to them. "Jie, I didn¡¯t know you¡¯re such a romantic person. But you really have a dense wife. Try harder." Jie could only nod in agreement while Fan Bingbing looked at Xu Mey and knocked on her head saying, "My silly girl, he¡¯s saying, ¡¯I love you¡¯. How can you be so dense?"


    "When did he say that? And why didn¡¯t I hear it?" Xu Mey didn¡¯t like being called dense so easily.


    "Aiyoh! Look five carrots, 2 onions, and an empty pot equals to 520. Meaning I love you!" Saying that Fan Bingbing tousled her hair and walked out of the kitchen to give them some privacy not before saying, "I¡¯ll be back in five minutes."


    "Ah-Jie, how can you say that before Auntie?" Xu Mey red at him since she felt embarrassed.


    "What¡¯s wrong with that? I¡¯m telling my wife that I love her." He answered righteously.


    "Then you could have said it straightforwardly. Why y with carrots?" Obviously, she wouldn¡¯t understand such indirect words.


    "How would I know that my wife won¡¯t take the hint?" Seeing her huffing and puffing, he wrapped his arms around her waist from behind and propped his chin on her shoulder as he continued, "Thank you!"


    "For what?" Xu Mey asked inquisitively.


    "For doing all this just to make Jun feel happy." Xu Mey pressed her lips together at being caught. She thought if she yed differently, her motive won¡¯t be clear but she really couldn¡¯t hide anything from him.


    "Well... I have to do it... Jun Li Na is not here and I know she needs time. So while she¡¯s taking her time, I can just help my little brother. He needs to cheer up and I¡¯m here just for that."


    Xu Mey already knew that her husband was worried about his brother. Even if Jun said he¡¯s fine, it won¡¯t change the fact that he was hurt badly. Xu Mey didn¡¯t want him to cope up with everything all by himself. She needed Ye Jun to see that there was a bunch of people willing to stand by his side.

 Chapter 313 - Mr. Sherlocks Blockhead Doctor

    Have you ever had a moment when you asked yourself, ¡¯How did I end up here?¡¯


    No?


    Well, Wu Wang was definitely going through that moment when he had to enter a zoo with Yang Ziyi. Standing at the ticket counter, he really wanted to ask himself why did he even agree to be a tour guide?


    No matter how reluctant he was he still had to buy the tickets and enter the zoo along with an overly excited doctor. Yang Ziyi was like a kid in a candy store; running around, pointing around, andughing goofily.


    Although Wu Wang thought that she didn¡¯t seem elegant at all whileughing so loudly, he still felt good seeing her happy. Perhaps the reason was that her happiness was genuine and carefree. It was so infectious that even Wu Wang couldn¡¯t stop the smile from reaching his own face.


    "Wang, look over there!" Yang Ziyi tugged at his sleeve and dragged him ahead. "That monkey is so cute."


    ¡¯Monkey? Cute?¡¯ Wu Wang was dumbfounded. He tilted his face to stare at the side of her face while her eyes were glimmering as they were stuck on the monkeys.


    "Isn¡¯t that monkey cute?" She asked as she pointed towards a monkey hanging upside down from a branch of the tree.


    "It sure is cute." Wu Wang answered but his gaze didn¡¯t shift away from her face.


    "Are you even looking?" She questioned while hopping around.


    "Of course I am!"


    Realizing that something was odd with his tone, Yang Ziyi turned her face and sure enough, he wasn¡¯t even looking at the monkeys. He was looking at her!


    Did he just call her a monkey?


    "You called me a monkey? How dare you?" Yang Ziyi red at him indignantly.


    Wu Wang cleared his throat. ¡¯I called you cute, you dumbo!¡¯ He shook his head and gave her a mocking smile. "I have to be fair. How can I call you a monkey when you look like a King Kong?"


    Yang Ziyi¡¯s gaped at him in disbelief. "You!" She made a sulking face acting all pitiful.


    "Stop sulking! Your already ugly face is looking like a balloon right now." Wu Wang¡¯s insult didn¡¯t seem to have any effect on her since her attention was caught by something else.


    "I can let this matter go if you buy me a tanghulu (Candied fruit on a stick)."


    "What?" He looked at her disbelievingly.


    "Buy. Me. A. tanghulu." She enunciated each word slowly to help his slow brain to process her words with ease. "Make sure it¡¯s a big one."


    Wu Wang pressed his lips together before mumbling, "Wow! Now I have to buy a big stick for a small stick. How ironic!"


    "Did you just call me a stick?" Okay! She was a bit skinny. But... How dare he say that out loud so easily? That¡¯s insulting! And infuriating as well!


    "Aren¡¯t you like a stick?" Wu Wang retorted matter-of-factly. "I¡¯m afraid one day I might try to light you up since it¡¯s very easy to mistake you for a matchstick."


    While they were arguing with their own matter, a couple of rogue teenagers passed by them and one of actually dared to jeer at Yang Ziyi, "Bro, you¡¯re so handsome why choose this Crown Princess of t-chest vi as a girlfriend?"


    ¡¯Oh, you did not just say that!¡¯ Yang Ziyi clenched her fists. She was seething in fury. ¡¯How dare one called me a stick and the other called me t-chest? It¡¯s a double attack on my ego!¡¯


    She closed her eyes briefly to not let her temper burst out. Wu Wang was afraid that she might go berserk at them for such ament but to his surprise, nothing like that happened or so he thought. After a deep breath, she opened her eyes and walked towards those teenagers who wereughing at her to reply with a smile, "Just because you have a di*k doesn¡¯t mean you have to act like one as well."


    "You!" Their smiles stiffened while Wu Wang was left shocked but apparently, there was more toe.


    "As a doctor, I learned, having a small di*k is the real cause of you boys acting like a big one."


    One of the boys raised his hand to hit her in anger but before Wu Wang could interfere, Yang Ziyi had already clutched that dainty looking wrist in her iron grip before twisting it so badly that even a bone-crushing sound could be heard. Unknowingly, Wu Wang took a step back cautiously just like thepanions of that boy who was screaming in pain.


    Yang Ziyi kicked his knee before saying, "If you don¡¯t have a face like Calvin Kleins models, don¡¯t expect girls to look like Victoria¡¯s secret angels." Saying that she dusted off her hands and skipped her way back to Wu Wang¡¯s side.


    She held Wu Wang¡¯s arm saying, "Let¡¯s go."


    He really thought she¡¯d be hurt by thosements. He saw a very different side of her just now. She wasn¡¯t just a happy-go-lucky girl or a point-nk doctor. Above all, she was a tough girl who knew how to fight her own battles. Thinking this, Wu Wang smiled at her and said, "You¡¯re really something."


    Yang Ziyi blinked her eyes at him and said, "What other gems of knowledge do you have for me today, Mr. Sherlock? Because everybody knows I¡¯m awesome!"


    "More like blockhead! Ouch!" Yang Ziyi pinched his arm as soon as he called her blockhead making him wince in pain. He knocked her on the head and muttered to himself, "This girl needs some serious beating."

 Chapter 314 - Equally Childish Parents

    Without dawdling anymore in the zoo, Wu Wang dragged Yang Ziyi straight to the car. He knew if they stayed for another moment, this girl would definitely start a brawl.


    When they both got inside the car, Yang Ziyi¡¯s brows were drawn together pensively.


    "What were you thinking?" Wu Wang couldn¡¯t help but question her. No matter what she was a girl and she shouldn¡¯t be this proactive.


    "I was reminding myself to stay calm. I really didn¡¯t want to beat those bastards." Her eyes were zing like fire.


    "That was you being calm?" He asked scornfully.


    "Look you might not know but it takes a total of 42 muscles to frown and move on but we only need 4 muscles to lift our arm and p the bastards like them and feel victorious. Usdies should know which one to choose."


    Wu Wang gaped at her in disbelief.


    "You are a grown up and you should be able to have enough patience in you to ignore such cr-ap." He suggested since he found her actions a bit aggressive and impulsive. If those boys were not immature, she could have been the one facing the loss.


    Yang Ziyi dusted off the non-existent dust from her shoulder with swag and said, "I was too sober to take that sh*t."


    Wu Wang had the urge to pull someone¡¯s hair. It was a good thing that his phone¡¯s ringtone distracted him. He attended the call and put it on speaker. "What¡¯s up, Xiao Mey?"


    "Wang Ge, your mother is being unreasonable right now." Xu Mey¡¯s upset voice came from the other side making him frown. Since when did his mother empress and Little Mey had started having arguments? That¡¯s one of the miracles of his life!


    "What happened?"


    "I was gonna invite Auntie Manman for the dinner but your mother here is not letting me call her." At Xu Mey¡¯sin, Wu Wang was even more perplexed. It was a dinner for Li Qiao and if his own mother won¡¯t be there then wouldn¡¯t that be weird?


    Before he could speak again, he heard his own mother¡¯s voice, "I¡¯m definitely not being unreasonable. That Li Man actually dared to call me at midnight just to gloat."


    "Gloat about what?" Wu Wang had a hint about her answer but he still asked nheless.


    "Obviously she was gloating about the fact that even Li Qiao is gonna get married now but my own son is still like a broken shoe." Wu Wang pressed his lips together while Yang Ziyi burst outughing.


    Wu Wang didn¡¯t mind it at all though, he was actually amused. "Maa, even you call me a broken shoe." He reminded Fan Bingbing.


    Fan Bingbing snorted from the other side and added, "Of course I do! Because you are a broken shoe. There is no doubt about that. But only I have the right to call my son a broken shoe. How dare she insult my son?"


    Although Fan Bingbing¡¯s way of defending her son¡¯s pride was quite peculiar, Yang Ziyi still found it heart-warming.


    "Maa, for now, let¡¯s not dwell into this matter. It¡¯s a good day for Qiao, don¡¯t spoil it for his sake. Let Xiao Mey invite Auntie Manman."


    Fan Bingbing grumbled a bit incoherently before agreeing, "Fine! I¡¯ll listen to you."


    "Thanks, Wang Ge, you¡¯re the best! Oh, and get here ASAP!" Xu Mey hung up the call with this reminder.


    Wu Wang was smiling softly to himself as his mood had been lifted up by the two most gorgeous and amazingdies in his life.


    Yang Ziyi looked at the side of his face before saying, "Now I finally know why you guys are so petty and childish."


    Wu Wang gazed at her through his peripheral vision before agreeing, "Yes, you are right. We got our pettiness and childishness from our equally petty and childish parents. There is no doubt about that."


    Yang Ziyi¡¯s smile widened, "Your parents are friends with each other?"


    Wu Wang nodded gently. "You can say our families had been friends for generations now. The bond is deeper than people can understand."


    Getting all intrigued by this news, Yang Ziyi shifted in her seat to face him. "So, your parents must like topare their children all the time, right?"


    "Is there still any doubt about that?" They had seen their parents being on a whole new level of pettiness. "They have a wechat group just for parents. You can¡¯t possibly imagine what happens in that group."


    Recalling something, he chuckled and added, "Do you know what¡¯s my mom¡¯s nickname on wechat?" Yang Ziyi shook her head in negation. "She¡¯s named, ¡¯Proud Momma¡¯. Haha..."


    "Why is it funny?" Yang Ziyi didn¡¯t understand his reason tough. She thought his mother must be proud of her kids.


    "You think that she¡¯s proud of her kids, don¡¯t you?" She nodded in reply. "Wrong! You can¡¯t possibly be more wrong. My mother has never been proud of my any achievements in life. She simply didn¡¯t care about grades and stuff."


    "Then how is she a proud momma?" She was more curious to know now.


    "Shen, Qiao, and even Jian, all are the only child of their family. Xiao Mey has a step sister but we don¡¯t count her so, even she¡¯s all alone. I, on the other hand, had originally two sisters." Seeing her frowning, he grinned. "She¡¯s proud of having three kids. And that¡¯s the height of my mother¡¯s simplicity in life."


    Yang Ziyi stared at him dumbfoundedly.


    "Your mother is one of a kind." She remarked. She really found Wu Wang¡¯s mother to be amusing.


    "She gave up her career for the sake of her kids. Especially to take care of Weiwei, isn¡¯t it obvious that she¡¯s one of a kind. I know she¡¯s childish but I love her like that. I can¡¯t possibly imagine my mother being normal. That¡¯d be too boring." There were immense love, gentleness, and respect in his eyes and it waspletely seen through by Yang Ziyi.

 Chapter 315 - Atrocious Cycle of Fate

    -At Xu Residence-


    "Li Man, why didn¡¯t you bring Xiao Qian with you?" Hearing He Susu¡¯s question, two people in the living room stiffened. One was Xu Cheng while the second was Fan Bingbing who shifted her gaze towards Xu Cheng to check his expressions.


    "I haven¡¯t even seen Xiao Qian since morning. How was I supposed to bring her with me?" Li Man¡¯s tone wasn¡¯t like her usual self and He Susu could feel it herself. She had seen this pair of sisters-inw to have a stronger bond than real sisters. But right now, He Susu could feel that Li Man was vexed for some reason.


    He Susu thought that Xin Qian was upset about seeing her husband and that¡¯s why she was avoiding Li Man. But she didn¡¯t know that Li Man was displeased over the fact that Xin Qian dared to actually hide such huge news from her. How can a mother leave her daughter behind? Can any reason or excuse justify her actions?


    For Li Man, it was sure that Xin Qian would never be able to justify what she did. Abandoning her own flesh and blood was akin to a crime for Li Man.


    But never in her wildest dreams, she could have fathomed that the daughter Xin Qian left behind was Xu Mey. She was one of the people who had seen the way Xu Mey suffered at the hands of Fu Lan. And she was also one of the people who despised Xu Mey¡¯s mother for leaving her alone to fend against a vicious step-mother.


    "But I brought Xiamu with me," Li Man switched to another topic since just the thought of Xin Qian was enough to spoil her mood right now. Turning back, she called out, "Xiamu, why are you standing there? Juste inside."


    Seeing a tall young man entering the living room, Xu Cheng found his eyes oddly familiar. When Xu Cheng¡¯s gaze shed with Xiamu¡¯s, he felt like there was a strange emotion of longing in the young man¡¯s eyes.


    What Xu Cheng couldn¡¯t think was that Xiamu was actually really nervous at the moment. It was his first time seeing his father up close. He was scared of whether his father would like him or not. Seeing that Xu Cheng¡¯s gaze shifted from him to someone behind him and there was immediately a twinkle in those aged eyes, Xiamu was disappointed.


    "Auntie Manman," Xu Mey, who was the reason for a proud glint in Xu Cheng¡¯s eyes, called out to Li Man.


    Li Man¡¯s sulky mood was immediately lifted up at the sight of Xu Mey. She engulfed Xu Mey in her arms happily. "Aiyoh, I haven¡¯t seen my Xiao Mey for a couple of days and look at this girl... The way you¡¯re glowing is going to make me blind."


    Xu Mey giggled at thisment and said, "I should be saying our Auntie is turning younger by the day."


    Li Man touched her own face before grinning widely. "My little baby girl, your Auntie is even feeling younger from the time I heard that my son is getting married."


    Fan Bingbing snorted scornfully at the side. "Just because you feel young doesn¡¯t mean you have aged backward. If you kept gloating like this karma will catch up to you."


    Li Man red at Fan Bingbing before a sly smile appeared on her face. "Someone is surely drinking vinegar."


    Fan Bingbing was about to pounce on Li Man when Xu Cheng held her wrist saying, "Little sister, I need some water." Fan Bingbing got the real message from Xu Cheng¡¯s eyes that she was not here to mess up. She twisted her mouth before walking away with a huff.


    Xu Mey was amused by thesedies bickering. Suddenly she caught sight of Xiamu and surprise shed through her eyes. "Kaden? What are you doing here?"


    Xin Xiamu awkwardly scratched the back of his head and Li Man answered Xu Mey¡¯s question, "I called Xiamu. But Xiao Mey, how do you know Xiamu?"


    "You are Xin Xiamu? Qiao Ge¡¯s cousin?" Xiamu nodded his head and Xu Mey was stumped. "Woah! It¡¯s really a small world."


    Before she could continue on, He Susu interrupted them. "Kaden, aren¡¯t you gonna say hello to auntie?"


    Xiamu looked at He Susu and smiled. "Sorry Aunt! I didn¡¯t see you there." After greeting her politely, he turned to Zhu Chen with the same enthusiasm. "Uncle Chen, I didn¡¯t know you guys are here as well."


    Zhu Chen patted Xiamu¡¯s shoulder and said, "It¡¯s all right, son. You should stick around, your little puppy is also gonna be here soon to wag her tail behind you."


    Xiamu arched his brows. "You mean Zelie is alsoing?" Zhu Chen nodded to confirm. "When did shee back from her ¡¯world tour¡¯?"


    "She came back a couple of months ago." He Susu answered his question as she took his hand and sat down.


    "Did she tell why she was out of reach? You guys must have gone easy on her again."


    Zhu Chen ced his hand on Xiamu¡¯s shoulder saying, "Now that you¡¯re here. You ask her yourself. She won¡¯t lie to you."


    Xu Mey who was looking at all this was a bit lost in her own thoughts. Suddenly, her mind had wandered off to the time when she told Xiamu in the hospital that his fiance might not love him otherwise why wouldn¡¯t she know that her fiancee was allergic to something.


    Now thinking back, she realized she might have been the one who nted a seed of suspicion in Xiamu¡¯s mind. Recalling how he looked the night he got to know that his fiancee loved his cousin, Xu Mey pressed her lips together. This cycle of a game that fate yed was really vicious.

 Chapter 316 - Sharing is Caring

    In the courtyard of Xu Residence, when Wu Wang parked the car and got down, he saw Yang Ziyi being all grumpy.


    "What¡¯s wrong with you now?" He asked while he was spinning the key chain on his index finger.


    "I thought you were gonna take me to a fancy restaurant for a fancy dinner." Yang Ziyi retorted softly.


    "Do you care about fancy food or fancy restaurant?" He asked in amusement.


    Yang Ziyi stared straight at his face and said matter of factly, "Obviously, both!"


    "Well, I can¡¯t say anything about the restaurant part but I can promise you that you¡¯ll surely have a fancy dinner." Wu Wang had no doubt about this certain detail. After all, it was Xu Mey who was cooking herself.


    Yang Ziyi sighed heavily. "If you say so. I¡¯ll reluctantly go inside to try this fancy food." Seeing her acting like a drama queen, Wu Wang really wanted to reach out to pinch her cheeks.


    And he would have done that if he hadn¡¯t seen Li Qiaoing his way with Yu Kim. Both were grinning like lunatics as they were lost in the eyes of each other.


    Yang Ziyi also turned to see where the sound of giggling wasing from and saw a flushed Yu Kim. "Ah, young love..." She remarked dreamily.


    Wu Wang flicked her forehead and said, "What young love? Can¡¯t you see they both are of our age? Not young at all."


    Yang Ziyi scowled at him. "I¡¯m calling their love as young. I didn¡¯t call them young."


    Wu Wang rolled his eyes at her. "They had been in love for the past decade. How is their love called young? Have you lost your mind?"


    Yang Ziyi pped the back of Wu Wang¡¯s head and added, "Have you ever seen them holding hands like that? Or perhaps, being this coy?" Wu Wang frowned and shook his head in negation. "Then obviously, this love is still young. Now, shut up! If I said it is young, then it is! You can¡¯t insist on me being wrong."


    "Why not?"


    "Because I¡¯m never wrong. Even if I am wrong, you can¡¯t point it out to me." Yang Ziyi answered twirling her hair around her finger.


    "Hey, Wang! Why are you standing here?" This voice not only caught the attention of Wu Wang and Yang Ziyi, it even brought Li Qiao and Yu Kim out of their own little world.


    Looking at Sun Ju, Yang Ziyi was star struck. Why? Because she had been fascinated by the fact that Sun Ju and Lin Shen had been together since they just graduated from high school. Even more so, she had great respect for Lin Shen, so it was obvious that she¡¯d like Sun Ju as well. If her Dr. Shen loves this girl, she¡¯ll do exactly the same.


    "I was waiting for our Ju-Ju to drag our mister doctor here." Wu Wang answered yfully. "By the way, did I mention our Ju-Ju is getting gorgeous with each passing day. Oh, no, no. By each passing second."


    Sun Ju knew he was again teasing her but she was the only girl except for Xu Mey who was used to the friendship of this group. Therefore, she didn¡¯t mind at all. Instead, she hit Wu Wang¡¯s chest. "You and your glib tongue. It¡¯s no wonder you are called the flower boy of the century."


    As they were joking around, Wu Wang felt a burning gaze and turned to look at Yang Ziyi ring at him as if she was ready to throw arrows through her eyes. "What?" He asked with cautiousness.


    Yang Ziyi took a step close to him and said in a threatening voice, "You yboy! Don¡¯t you dare try to seduce my Dr. Shen¡¯s girl! I¡¯ll murder you with bare hands. You should know as a doctor, I¡¯m quite skilled with knives." She made a slitting throat gesture making Wu Wang gulp visibly.


    "Haha..." Bouts ofughter spread around. "This little doctor is as amusing as Shen-Shen said. Aww... I love her." Sun Ju touched Yang Ziyi¡¯s head like a puppy. Feeling a strange sense of warmth, Yang Ziyi¡¯s anger was immediately deted.


    Yang Ziyi looked at Sun Ju¡¯s affectionate eyes and felt touched. She wasn¡¯t even embarrassed at all. "Close your mouth. Your drool is touching your shirt." Yang Ziyi fell for Wu Wang¡¯s trick as she touched her mouth but it was dry.


    This time, Sun Ju pped Wu Wang toa avenge Yang Ziyi. "Wang, be nice. She¡¯s such a pretty and cute little doctor." Sun Ju left Lin Shen¡¯s side to hold Yang Ziyi¡¯s hand. "I heard you really look up to my Shen-Shen." Yang Ziyi nodded her head in a daze. "Then if you don¡¯t mind, call me sister Ju. I¡¯m older than you anyway. Do you mind?"


    Yang Ziyi frantically shook her head. "I don¡¯t mind..." Pressing her lips, she hesitated before saying out, "Sister Ju."


    "Oh, look. She¡¯s certainly very obedient." Sun Ju was d to hear that.


    Wu Wang knew the reason why Sun Ju allowed Yang Ziyi to call her a sister was because she knew Yang Ziyi was all alone. Sun Ju must have seen herself in Yang Ziyi as she chose to be a family for Yang Ziyi just like Lin Shen became family for Sun Ju years ago when she was left all alone in this world.


    Perhaps, this is why he loved his friends so much. They were always ready to offer their love and care to people whom they liked. It seemed like this bunch of friends took ¡¯Sharing is caring¡¯ too literally.

 Chapter 317 - Sore Loser

    The dinner arrangements were done in the back courtyard of the Xu Residence. Xu Mey might not be experienced in organizing such dinners, but Fan Bingbing sure was. She was a meticulousdy who did everything with perfection.


    Surrounded by the flowers and fairy lights, under the moonlight, the long tables were set up to amodate all the people.


    "As always, my sister really knows how to impress people," Xu Cheng wasplimenting Fan Bingbing while she was trying to act humble.


    "You had any doubt?" But of course, she couldn¡¯t be just humble. At least, not before the man, she grew up with. Xu Cheng knew her better than anyone, so there was no point in acting innocent.


    "No doubts at all..." Xu Cheng smiled at her. Then he looked at his courtyard filled with peopleughing chattering and his own spirit was lifted up. "It¡¯s been years since Ist saw this much happiness in my house."


    "It¡¯s a given that you didn¡¯t." Fan Bingbing started, "After all, because of ¡¯the one who shall not be named¡¯ I was missing from the picture of this house. Now that I¡¯m back, happiness is sure toe back."


    She was trying to make himugh and it worked. The way, Fan Bingbing called Fu Lan, the one who shall not be named, was quite amusing for him. Laughing, he ruffled her hair saying, "How is it that even at this age, you¡¯re this dramatic?"


    Fixing her prim and proper hairstyle with a frown, Fan Bingbing answered, "Bro, how is it that even at this age, you like to ruin my hair?"


    "Because no matter how old you get, I¡¯ll stay as your older brother." This reminder made Fan Bingbing scrunch up her face. But inwardly, she was really happy. She had spent years in Xu Residence but because of Fu Lan, she stopped visiting and could only find Xu Cheng outside the house.


    Now, there was no dark shadow of Fu Lan and she was more than just d to be able toe and go from Xu Residence. Just like old times...


    "Did you call Jun?" Xu Mey asked Jie.


    "I did." Xu Mey arched her brows wanting to know in detail but Jie refused to say a word.


    Suddenly, there was amotion like someone was arguing. Everyone¡¯s attention was turned to the doorway that led to the back courtyard only to find a dainty looking, Azalea dragging a tall Ye Jun.


    "Zelie, let go already!" Ye Jun was fuming.


    "Jun bro, stop showing me that attitude of yours. It won¡¯t work on me." Azalea replied proudly. Seeing Xu Mey, Azalea straight up called out to her, "Sis, look at this brother of yours. He was showing tantrums like a little girl that he doesn¡¯t want to leave home and h... h... h."


    Saying that she pushed Jun right in front of Xu Mey. Faced with Xu Mey standing with her hands on her waist and eyes trained on his face, Ye Jun was suddenly under a lot of pressure. Heughed awkwardly or at least, tried to. "Sis, what a pleasant surprise. I didn¡¯t know you¡¯d be here."


    "Oh, really?" Xu Mey asked rhetorically. "I arranged this dinner and spent hours in the kitchen to make so many dishes for you and you are saying that you didn¡¯t know?"


    Ye Jun feigned surprise. "What? Sis, you cooked? Howe nobody told me? This is so unfair." He turned to Azalea who was gaping at him in disbelief and continued, "Zelie, instead of dragging me you should have just told me that my sis Mey is the chef of tonight. I¡¯d have run here all by myself."


    "Liar! I told you that. How can you lie straight to my face?" Azalea pointed her finger at Jun usingly.


    Xu Mey disregarded her and turned back to Jun. "Didn¡¯t Ah-Jie call to invite you?"


    "He did not!" Ye Jun denied right away and turned to look at Jie with pleading eyes to save him from Xu Mey.


    "Ah-Jie, you just said that you called him." Xu Mey shifted her gaze to Jie looking at him with a warning.


    "I did call but I didn¡¯t say that I invited him." Ye Jun heaved a sigh of relief to see his brother taking his side.


    Xu Mey looked into Jie¡¯s eyes and they both stayed quiet as if they were having their own conversation through their eyes. Sighing out, Xu Mey announced, "It doesn¡¯t matter. You are here anyway."


    Jun looked at Azalea as he wiggled his brows to incite her buttter wasn¡¯t interested in being provoked like this... It was not the right time!


    "Didn¡¯t know my husband can lie to me as well." Xu Mey mumbled close to Jie making him smile softly.


    Jie tucked her hair behind her ear and said, "If my wife can let my brother off the hook, seeing his bloodshot eyes. Why can¡¯t I as a brother not lie for him?"


    Both husband and wife had a better understanding of each other and knew very well that Jun really didn¡¯t want toe out of the house. It¡¯d be weird if he was willing toe out of his cocoon so easily. No matter what the woman in prison had given him birth. He couldugh before the world, but how could he hide his pain?


    "I won the bet," Jun gloated to Azalea.


    "Jun bro, this is cheating. You even involved Jie Ge. How could I win with both my brothers against me?" Azalea felt wrong. Apparently, Azalea had decided to pick up Jun on her way and they both made a bet.


    ording to Jun, his sis Mey would never yell at him but Azalea thought otherwise. But now Azalea was really regretting her decision to mess up with Jun.


    "There were no rules. Don¡¯t be a sore loser." Ye Jun grinned at Azalea¡¯s misery. Since now, Azalea will have to work under Ye Jun for the next three months. How unfair! Not really...


    While she was bickering with Ye Jun, her gaze suddenly fell on a familiar figure making her halt in her steps. "Kaden?" She whispered softly.

 Chapter 318 - Plus One For Her

    Xin Xiamu smiled at Azalea and walked to her side, "Hey, little teddy bear!"


    After a moment of surprise, Azalea grinned in a goofy way. "Kade, how? I mean what are you doing here?"


    "Why? You are not happy to see me here? Or perhaps after wandering around the world, you think, I¡¯m too boring." Seeing himmenting, Azalea was dumbfounded. "I should have known. In the end, I¡¯m just a neighbor to my teddy bear."


    "I didn¡¯t mean that..." Azalea frantically denied. "I am more than just happy to see you. I¡¯m over the moon. How can I not be happy?"


    On the side, Ye Jun kept his eyes on Azalea¡¯s face. He didn¡¯t know if it was an illusion or this girl really looked like a fangirl at the moment. Her eyes had the same sparkle of admiration and adoration for Xiamu as any other crazy fangirl would do.


    He found Azalea a lot cuter with her lovestruck expressions.


    "Xiamu," hearing Yu Kim calling out to him, Xiamu turned towards her.


    "Let¡¯s catch upter, little teddy bear." Xiamu patted Azalea¡¯s head and walked away.


    Azalea touched her head where his hand had just been and looked at his back with a heavy heart. Looking at him walking towards Yu Kim, she felt sad for some reason. It had always been like that. He would always walk away as long as Kim was the one calling him.


    Delighted to see her sulking by herself, Ye Jun put his arm around her shoulder and pulled her close to his side. "Looks like our little Zelie is a bit lovestruck."


    Azalea¡¯s eyes widened at his words as she tried to smile. "What nonsense! Pfft! Don¡¯t be funny."


    "I¡¯m being funny?"


    "Yes, Jun bro. Don¡¯t overthink." She squirmed a bit and ran out of his grasp.


    Ye Jun snorted to himself. "Overthink? Little Zelie, I see my own self in your eyes. How is it just my delusion?" He was someone who had looked at Jun Li Na with the same emotions from the moment he firstid his eyes on her. How could he be mistaken about Azalea¡¯s feelings?


    Everyone settled down as the dinner was served by the servants. This dinner was even more harmonious and lively than the breakfast at the He Family house.


    Fan Bingbing chose the seat right next to Yang Ziyi while she made Wu Wang sit on the other side of Yang Ziyi. This arrangement seemed weird to Wu Wang until he saw the way his mother was actually putting food in Yang Ziyi¡¯s bowl.


    "Aiyoh, how can you be so skinny? You are a doctor, if you won¡¯t be healthy how¡¯ll you make your patients healthy? Pay more attention to your meals." Fan Bingbing kept reminding Yang Ziyi to take care of her health.


    Seeing her reaction, one thing became very obvious to Wu Wang; he was doomed. His mother¡¯s gaze had finally locked on a prey; Yang Ziyi. No matter what now, she was definitely going to coerce him for marriage.


    Suddenly an image of him standing with Yang Ziyi in a white gown on an altar, shed through his mind. Oddly, Wu Wang felt they both looked good together. They matched each other perfectly.


    Realizing there was a silly smile on his face, Wu Wang pped his own face to knock himself out of this scary dream. Match perfectly? He cringed at his own thought.


    "Mrs. Wu, you¡¯re really being polite to me. I can really take care of the meal. You should also eat." Yang Ziyi humbly ced a few side dishes in Fan Bingbing¡¯s bowl making the middle-ageddy feel more satisfied.


    ¡¯She¡¯s also kind to the elders. Plus one for her again.¡¯ Fan Bingbing was screaming inside but it was a pity that she couldn¡¯t just drag this doctor and make her tie the knot with her son.


    But she had to do something. Since her son was nothing more than a broken shoe, she had to show Yang Ziyi that after the marriage, she¡¯ll get the best-est mother-inw. Who can refuse to that? Apparently, in Fan Bingbing¡¯s opinion, no one would say no to a loving mother-inw.


    Yang Ziyi¡¯s phone rang and she excused herself from the table for a while. Behind her, Wu Wang red at his mother. "Maa, what¡¯s cooking in that scheming brain of yours?"


    "What?" Fan Bingbing immediately yed the innocent part.


    "Don¡¯t act smart with me. I know you very well. You definitely have some ideas in that brain of yours." Wu Wang would never believe that his mother was innocent. His mother and act nice to a stranger for no reason? He¡¯d only believe it if the sun rose from the west!


    "Why would I try to act smart with you? I¡¯m already smart, I don¡¯t have to act like one." Wu Wang was dumbfounded as he just realized how simr his mother was to Yang Ziyi. If his mother really seeded, wouldn¡¯t he have nowhere to retreat between thesedies? His heart jolted at just the idea of it.


    "Maa, I¡¯m telling you. I don¡¯t want to marry anyone. Don¡¯t get your hopes up. If you have that much spare time, focus on Jian. Not on me!" Wu Wang gave a warning to his mother who was unfazed as she rolled her eyes at her son.


    "Hey! Why are you dragging me into this?" He Jian chimed in from Fan Bingbing¡¯s other side since he could hear them clearly.


    Wu Wang turned his gaze to He Jian and said, "I¡¯m just making it clear that I won¡¯t marry until you are married. And that¡¯s final!"


    He Jian frowned while Fan Bingbing smiled slyly as she sat between both the boys. "Don¡¯t worry, my useless son. Jian will definitely get married before you." And she will make sure of it at all cost. How could she break the promise she had given to her own daughter?

 Chapter 319 - A Mermaids Tear

    The real star of tonight¡¯s dinner was undoubtedly food. The long table wasden with delicacies of all kinds to suit each person¡¯s taste. White wisps from the bowl of soup had etched themselves on the slightly chilly air of the night.


    Three kinds of fishes were garnished beautifully in the silver tters. If the rich aroma of food wasn¡¯t enticing enough then the sight of those creamy sauces with garden herbs could definitely make one¡¯s mouth water.


    Xu Mey had really outdone herself this time. In reality, the dinner became a reason for all these people toe together and share their happiness with each other.


    During the whole dinner, Xu Mey didn¡¯t bother with Jie at all. She¡¯s been diligently serving all the food to Ye Jun who at one point thought he was really going to be the first person in this world who actually would die from the overdose of love and food. Such a weirdbination!


    One would think that Jie would feel ufortable or a bit jealous. But apparently, he was really enjoying himself. Not even for a second, his gaze shifted from Xu Mey¡¯s face. His eyes held such adoration, affection, pride, and satisfaction that it even made Yang Ziyi feel envious. Even though she was just an onlooker.


    On this table filled with people, she found the pair of Xu Mey and Jie to be the perfect one. She really was envious of this love.


    How could one not be jealous?


    Even though she could see the way Sun Ju ced food in Lin Shen¡¯s bowl along with how Yu Kim and Li Qiao were holding hands underneath the table, in her opinion, they couldn¡¯t match the love that was brimming in Jie¡¯s eyes.


    "Keep your evil eyes away from my Xiao Mey and her husband." Wu Wang¡¯s voice spoiled Yang Ziyi¡¯s mood. She was feeling such warmth in her heart and suddenly, Wu Wang¡¯s bitter words dropped on her like a bucket of ice cold water.


    She clenched her fists underneath the table and red at him hatefully. Smiling innocently at him, she answered, "Keep your dumbfuc-kering thoughts to yourself."


    "Can¡¯t you stop being sarcastic for a minute?" He arched his brows.


    "Sorry, but I seem to be too tired for that sh*t!" She definitely cursed to incite him again since Wu Wang¡¯s face turned ck.


    While Wu Wang decided to ignore her, he heard her voice again, "This conversation must have helped to make you realize one thing."


    "And what¡¯s that?" Wu Wang asked as he clenched his jaw and tried to appear nonchnt.


    "The fact that you should choose your words carefully around me... I definitely know how to throw them back right back at ya¡¯."


    Wu Wangnguidly swirled the red wine in his ss before taking its sippletely acting as if Yang Ziyi wasn¡¯t existing in his life at all.


    Thankfully for Xu Mey, the dinner ended without anything unexpected. Everyone enjoyed the meal thoroughly and thanked Xu Mey for her hospitality. Just like any other girl, she was over the moon with all the praises andpliments. It oddly satisfied her ego.


    Before leaving, Yang Ziyi also came to Xu Mey. "It¡¯s really one of the best meals I have ever tasted in my life. Thank you for inviting me!"


    Looking at her extended hand, Xu Mey took it and shook it lightly. "Not the best? Just one of the best?" It was a casual remark on Xu Mey¡¯s part.


    "Sorry! But I¡¯d still choose my brother¡¯s food as the best one." Yang Ziyi gave her an apologetic look as her other hand touched Xu Mey¡¯s wrist. Xu Mey was pondering her words when Yang Ziyi suddenly smiled knowingly and let her hand go. She rummaged out something from her purse and ced it in Xu Mey¡¯s hand. "This is my thank you gift for you."


    Xu Mey looked at the beautiful pendant with a single aquamarine stone dangling from the rose gold chain. The stone was shaped as a single tear. It looked simple but beautiful and elegant. Matching her style perfectly.


    "There is no need for this." Xu Mey tried to refuse it but Yang Ziyi pushed it back to her.


    "There is a need. I¡¯ll tell you some other time. For now, I can tell you that it¡¯s not an ordinary stone. It¡¯s named ¡¯a mermaid¡¯s tear¡¯. My brother said that it can grant a wish. Honestly, it works." Yang Ziyi whispered in a mysterious way and smiled pleasantly. Her smile immediately put Xu Mey at ease and she epted her gift.


    While Xu Mey turned to say goodbye to Wu Wang, Jie walked up to Yang Ziyi¡¯s side. "You¡¯ve certainly grown up."


    His remark made Yang Ziyi give a sly smile. "What gave that away?"


    "You actually dared to gift that pendant to my wife. Do you think your brother will take it lightly? He exerted a lot of effort to get that specific stone for you. Even the carving is done by his own hands."


    "Jie brother, you don¡¯t need to worry. If I get into trouble, I¡¯ll just use you as a shield. My brother loves you beyond my imagination. Also, I still think he won¡¯t be angry."


    "How are you so sure?" Jie was surprised to see her certain look.


    "Jie brother, I¡¯m not the right person to break this news to you but let me give you a piece of friendly advice... Take extra care of your wife. Don¡¯t stress her out and don¡¯t let her work like she did today. She needs rest." Jie was frowning as he couldn¡¯t understand the underlying meaning of Yang Ziyi. "Also, her emotions are gonna be unstable. Don¡¯t disagree with anything she says. It¡¯s for your own good." She patted Jie¡¯s shoulder and walked away leaving a dumbfounded Jie behind.


    When Wu Wang dropped off Yang Ziyi at the hospital door, she didn¡¯t waste any time to bicker with Wu Wang and ran inside. After a few steps, she pulled out her cellphone and made a call. As the call connected, she started screaming. "Bro, bro, you won¡¯t guess what I just found out."


    Perplexed by her excitement, the person on the other end askednguidly, "Now, I wonder what actually is making you so hyperactive at this time."


    "Brooooo! I¡¯m going to be an aunt soon!" She eximed into the mic of the phone in a loud voice.


    "But I don¡¯t even have a girlfriend," the person on the other end answered in a calm voice.


    Yang Ziyi rolled her eyes and said, "Bro, just because you¡¯re hell-bent on being single for life doesn¡¯t mean others are as well. Jie brother has a wife."


    "Oh..." This dry answer really didn¡¯t effect Yang Ziyi¡¯s mood, she was used to it.


    "Bro, did you hear? Jie brother is going to be a dad!"

 Chapter 320 - Hate-Relationship

    Xu Mey was drying her wet hair as she looked at Jie¡¯s reflection in the mirror. He had been leaning on the headboard, seemingly trying to contact someone.


    "Ah-Jie, who are you calling?" Xu Mey finally voiced out her question seeing the deep frown between his brows. "And who is making you so worried?"


    Jie threw his phone on the bed and walked up to Xu Mey¡¯s side. cing his hands on her shoulders, he started massaging gently. "No one is making me worried except for my wife."


    "Huh? What did I do?" Xu Mey asked uncertainly.


    "Baby, you spent hours in the kitchen. You tire yourself out for no good reason."


    "Haven¡¯t you seen the happiness on everyone¡¯s face?" Jie nodded his head. "Then it was all worth it."


    He shook his head at her and bent down to pick her up. Laying her down on the huge bed, he sternly said, "For me, your happiness matters a lot but I can¡¯t let you ruin your health in the process. Be nice and stop over-exerting yourself all the time." Lowering his face, he nted a soft kiss on her forehead and pulled away.


    As sheid on the bed, she felt tired all of sudden. Rubbing her eyes, trying to keep them open, she sat up again.


    "Ah-Jie," she called out to him while he was again looking through his cellphone.


    "Hmm..." He hummed in reply distractedly.


    "Dad asked me to think about something. I need your suggestion." Jie immediately let go of his phone, seeing the serious look on her face.


    "What is it?"


    "Dad asked me to meet his first wife." Xu Mey answered in a in voice. She talked about her mother as if she was just casually discussing a stranger.


    Jie stayed quiet for a long while as he pressed his lips together in a straight line. He didn¡¯t know what to say. Could he possibly tell her to go and meet her mother? Or could he just stop her from doing so? Both possibilities didn¡¯t appeal to him very much.


    He scooted closer to her, grabbed her head and let her lean it on his shoulder before opening his mouth to say, "If I say don¡¯t go, I¡¯d be doing it just to make you feel at ease since you don¡¯t go to meet that woman. But if I say that you should go, that¡¯d be me being biased. Because I want you to talk to that woman. Perhaps it might solve whatever bad blood there is."


    "It won¡¯t solve anything. None of her excuses can change my opinion of her." Xu Mey said promptly in a bitter way.


    He tilted his head so that his cheek was brushing against her soft hair as he smiled sadly and said, "Then you can meet her to end the rtionship you both share."


    "I don¡¯t have any rtionship with her as well." Xu Mey retorted in a in voice.


    Jie kissed the top of her head and said, "There is still a hate-rtionship between you both. Isn¡¯t it better to end it now? You¡¯re only hurting yourself by hating her for decades. It¡¯s about time to just let it all out."


    Holding her small face between his big hands, he made her look straight into his eyes and added, "She should also know what she had put you through. You shouldn¡¯t be hurting all alone."


    Xu Mey gave a surprised look. "I thought my Ah-Jie is always acting nice and giving nice pieces of advice. Howe you want me to hurt her with my words?"


    "Because it was her absence that hurt you." He answered matter-of-factly. "Anyone who hurts my baby should also feel the pain."


    Xu Mey felt warm inside and wrapped her arms around his waist to hug him tightly.


    "Now, I know what to do." He heard her soft and tired voice.


    "What are you nning?"


    "Nothing special. I¡¯m gonna meet that woman. Her absence might not be hurting me but it¡¯s still hurting my father. I need to know why she left him? Why did she didn¡¯t even bother to leave a few parting words to him? I need answers and I¡¯ll get them out of her." Xu Mey answered with conviction as she found afortable position in the crook of his neck to ce her head.


    It didn¡¯t even take long before he could feel her steady breathing. She was asleep like a baby. Jie smiled at her andid her back on the bed.


    Hearing his phone vibrating on the nightstand, he attended the call and without waiting for the other side to talk first, he said, "I recently read an interesting fact."


    "Oh, really? I wonder how amazing it is." The answer came.


    "I read that the more a person is happy, the less sleep he will require. So, I wanted to ask you, how can you be so happy that sleep doesn¡¯t even touch you for days?"


    "Congrattions! You are officially one of those ¡¯I¡¯m-being-sarcastic¡¯ people." Jie rolled his eyes at this reply. "Now, stop dawdling and tell me why had you been ringing my phone for the past hour?"


    "Coming back to the business... What¡¯s Yiyi doing here in Star City Metropolitan?" Jie straight up got to the question he wanted to ask.

 Chapter 321 - An Endless One

    The silence was the only reply that Jie got. He waited for a while longer before calling out again, "Are you even listening to me?"


    "I am listening."


    "Then give me an answer."


    "Let¡¯s meet tomorrow. I have something to discuss with you anyway."


    Jie felt something odd. "Okay. Let¡¯s catch up at our usual ce." He finally answered contemting for a moment.


    The next morning...


    Jie left the house earlier than Xu Mey which felt weird to Xu Mey considering the fact that Jie had resigned from his CEO¡¯s position from Ye Corporations.


    But she didn¡¯t feel the need to pry into his business and got ready herself to leave for the office.


    After reaching Xu Enterprises, the first ce she went to wasn¡¯t her own room but instead, it was her father¡¯s. Knocking on the door, she made her way inside to find him going through the rows of files on his table.


    Xu Cheng lifted his eyes briefly to see Xu Mey and after smiling at her, he lowered his eyes again. "What brought my daughter to my door so early in the morning?"


    Xu Mey hesitated for a while as she sat before him. "Dad... I¡¯m ready."


    Xu Cheng frowned in confusion. "Ready? For what?"


    Nibbling on her lower lip, she answered, "You asked me to think about something carefully. I¡¯m done thinking."


    Realization dawned on Xu Cheng and he ced the Parker pen in his hand on the table before giving his whole attention to Xu Mey.


    "You really want to meet your mother?" He asked just to make sure.


    "No... But I¡¯m ready to meet your first wife. I want to see what exactly she had that made you fall for her." Xu Mey answered honestly.


    "Isn¡¯t that the same thing?" Xu Cheng whispered to himself while shaking his head lightly. "Fine. I¡¯ll find a way to contact her. Then I¡¯ll inform you about this."


    Xu Mey nodded her head not finding anything wrong with this arrangement. After that, she went back to her own office where a pile of work was awaiting her.


    On the other hand, Jie had to sort out some documents at Ye Corporation in the morning. Then he had other projects to take care of at Glow Gemstones. By the time he found time to breathe, it was almost evening.


    Jie made his way to the clubhouse which he frequented with his couple of friends. Finding his way to the private cabin, he found a mixed-race gentleman waiting for him with a ss of wine in his hand.


    "Did you wait for long?" Jie asked while closing the door of the room.


    "Even if I did wait for long, I¡¯m not the one who canin." The man answered calmly.


    Jie came up to take a seat beside him and leaned back tiredly. "You seem a bit off. Is everything alright, Wayne?"


    Wayne Chu took another sip of his wine and looked back at Jie. "Everything is fine." He answered half-heartedly.


    "Okay... Then tell me what¡¯s Yiyi doing here?" Picking some almonds to munch on, he added, "Last time I saw her was at her brother¡¯s funeral. It had been what... Almost ten years or so. Right?"


    Wayne nodded his head. "Yup... It¡¯s been ten years. As for why she is here. I asked her toe back."


    "You?" Jie looked at him skeptically.


    "Why? As her cousin brother, I do have this much right. She had stayed away from family for long enough." Wayne¡¯s answer sounded right to Jie. "By the way, did you just see herst night?"


    "Yeah. Why?"


    "She told me that she met you a while ago in the hospital." Jie frowned thinking when had he met her in the hospital. He couldn¡¯t seem to recall at all. "When your wife¡¯s friend was in the hospital. She said she saw you there."


    That seemed to have rung a bell. Thinking about the time when he had apanied Xu Mey to see Wu Wang with a ¡¯cabbage soup¡¯, his mood instantly turned sour. That soup had ruined his day how could he possibly forget that day? But that soup also became the reason for him to not notice Yang Ziyi at all.


    "I was distracted, I didn¡¯t see her. And even if I did, it¡¯s really hard to recognize her now. She¡¯s all grown up now." Jie tried to exin his side of the story.


    "Grown up? Doesn¡¯t she still has the height of a Dwarf?" Jie red at Wayne for such remark.


    "Hey! She¡¯s at least taller than a dwarf. Don¡¯t exaggerate it like this." Wayne simply shrugged his shoulders not paying heed to Jie¡¯s re.


    "But you are right. She has changed a lot." Wayne started. "She used to be the life of her friends¡¯ group and now, she¡¯s nothing more than just an outcast." He looked downcasted even just thinking about Yang Ziyi¡¯s drastic changes.


    "Death changes a person. Especially someone like her who lost her brother right in her arms. No matter what she was merely a teenager at that time. It really ruined her perspective on life and people." Jie could still remember the way she cried at her brother¡¯s funeral. It was heart-wrenching to see that when the tears ended, all she was left with was silence and loneliness. An endless one.

 Chapter 322 - Youd Be Reckless

    Wayne had to agree with Jie¡¯s words. He couldn¡¯t possibly refute it since he had seen it himself how his cousin¡¯s death affected Yang Ziyi. It was almost like something in her also died that day. Perhaps, her brother, Yang Zishu¡¯s death actually took a part of her as well.


    Yang Zishu¡¯s death had given a sudden shock to both Wayne and Jie back then. Even though they were just good childhood friends but Yang Ziyi was his only sister. It was a given that she¡¯s the one who lost not just a friend but also a brother and her family along with him. A teenager lost her whole family in one day. It was pitiful.


    "You said you have something to discuss with me," Jie tried to shift the topic of discussion since the ambiance in the room had turned quite gloomy.


    "You were right." Wayne¡¯s ambiguous answer made Jie arch his brows in question.


    "d to know that I was right but what are we talking about?" Wayne rolled his eyes at him and punched his shoulder.


    "About your fake mother..." This single sentence finally made Jie straightened up. looking all serious. "I really thought back then it was Zhou Ning who must have tried to kill you through that ident. But I was wrong. It really didn¡¯t turn out to be her."


    "I know. I asked her in prison yesterday. She straight up denied it. She said the same thing that I told you, she couldn¡¯t kill me because she didn¡¯t want Jun to hate her." Jie answered solemnly.


    How could he forget the ident that shattered his life? It almost cost him Azalea¡¯s life.


    "Did you find out who was behind it?"


    Wayne silently observed Jie¡¯s expressions. Reluctantly, he dropped a file before Jie. "Try not to be... overwhelmed by this."


    Jie picked up the file and looked through the content. His eyes widened and he turned to Wayne with a look of disbelief on his face. "This can¡¯t be right." His voice came out weak and a bit uncertain.


    "I have spent a lot of effort to look through this matter. I can guarantee you that the content of this file is 100 percent correct." Wayne reassured Jie with his words.


    Feeling a piercing headacheing on, Jie rubbed his forehead feeling exasperated. Never could he have imagined that the person behind that ident would be... Sigh!


    "But why?" He voiced out feeling disgusted.


    "Jealousy is like a double-edged sword. You never know when it can point at your throat." Wayne answerednguidly. "From what I gathered... That ident was also done in a fit of rage over jealousy."


    "Jealous? Jealous of what? Ha? What exactly could make someone envious to this extent?" Jie roared helplessly.


    Wayne patted his shoulder and continued, "Do you remember how you received a call on your way and you had left Azalea in the car there alone?" Jie nodded his head slightly. "You were told that some important investors wanted to see you. But did you meet any investors that day?" Jie¡¯s eyes went round and he shook his head in negation. "You are smart enough to figure out why the person who called you specifically asked you to get off the car right there. You could have let Azalea taken the taxi."


    Jie stared at Wayne with wide eyes and asked hesitantly, "The target was Azalea from the beginning. Wasn¡¯t she?"


    "Bingo! You were never the target. It was always your sister who was thought to be having an affair with you. That¡¯s why I said, jealousy is dangerous." Wayne still spoke calmly.


    "Dangerous? That ident almost killed my sister!" Jie was angry at his understatement and more so at the person behind all of this mess.


    "Do you need a drink to calm down a bit?" Wayne was trying to calm him a bit since Jie looked like he was about to murder someone.


    "No... I don¡¯t want a drink." Jie red at Wayne as he refused to drink. He had to drive himselfter. It wouldn¡¯t be right to drink and drive.


    "It¡¯s your wife who needs to cut back on alcohol. Why are you acting like you are pregnant?" Wayne whispered softly to himself and when Jie narrowed his eyes at him suspiciously, he immediately said, "I was saying you should have a few sips. It might help you a bit."


    "Give me the address," Jie wasn¡¯t asking for it, he was rather ordering Wayne.


    "You¡¯d be reckless. So, no. I¡¯m not giving you anything." Wayne refused inly knowing Jie¡¯s temper. People might take him as the nice guy but he did not. He was one of the people who knew what kind of rigorous training Jie had in his early years.


    "Wayne, don¡¯t make me angry," Jie warned Wayne as he pulled his crisp cor making it crumple up.

 Chapter 323 - Cheesecake

    After a long and heated argument, Jie managed to get the address from Wayne. After that, he didn¡¯t stick around to chat and immediately darted out towards his car.


    Anger was surging inside him. At just the thought of how he almost lost his sister in that ident... Jie couldn¡¯t even describe what he was feeling. But one thing was sure, he definitely had a murderous glint in his eyes as he drove the car at fast speed.


    Meanwhile, Xu Mey had just turned off herputer and arranged the documents on her table. She was preparing to leave the office on time since she hasn¡¯t been feeling very well since the morning. She had a nauseous feeling making her feel uneasy. She even puked a couple of times but she didn¡¯t take it very seriously.


    As she shot up to her feet, the world around her spinned and she fell back on her swirl chair. With a hand on her head, she pressed her head a bit before trying to stand again but the ground beneath her feet seemed shaky.


    She took a sip of the water trying to get rid of the bitter taste in her mouth. She picked up her cellphone and pressed one on her speed dial. The call connected with Jie who had almost reached his destination.


    "Ah-Jie," her voice sounded brittle making Jie immediately hit the brakes.


    "Baby, what¡¯s wrong? Are you crying?" Her voice was enough to make him assume a million possibilities. His mind went into a frenzy.


    "I... I¡¯m not feeling well." The delicate warmth of her voice which he loved, was lost today. Her voice was heavy and it was weighing down Jie¡¯s heart.


    He couldn¡¯t even tell why but he was really scared all of a sudden. "Baby... Tell me in detail, how are you feeling?" He tired his best to sound calm but his own emotions were betraying him big time.


    "Dizzy." She replied in monosyble.


    "Dizzy?"


    "Yes. It¡¯s a woozy feeling. I can¡¯t even stand. It feels like the world is spinning." Xu Mey kept talking. "I¡¯ve been feeling waves of nausea but it was bearable. This whirlwind sensation is so not bearable."


    "Hold on... You¡¯ve been feeling nauseous and you are telling me this now?" He felt like pinching her adorable nose at this time. She¡¯d been sick but she didn¡¯t bother going to see a doctor.


    "Well, it wasn¡¯t a big deal. I puked a couple of times and nausea got better."


    "You even puked?" The pitch of his voice raised involuntarily. "Baby, are you serious? How can you be so careless? If you had such a condition, why did you even go to work? Which sensible person does that?" With his mind in shambles, he reprimanded her a bit harshly.


    "Boohoo. I¡¯m not talking to you. How can you yell at me? I¡¯m already not well." Her cracked and fragile voice instantly pulled at Jie¡¯s heartstrings. It wasn¡¯t her voice that just broke down, it felt like his heart also broke.


    "Baby, stop crying." The voice that started off sharp turned soft.


    "I¡¯m not your baby. Go find your baby somewhere else." Xu Mey was throwing a tantrum and even she couldn¡¯t tell why she cried so easily. Was she a crybaby? No! Was she turning into one? It seemed like that. But her emotions didn¡¯t seem to be in her control.


    "Sorry, sorry. Baby, I¡¯m really sorry. You can punish me as you wish but wait for me to get there first." Jie tried coaxing.


    Xu Mey sniffled loudly on purpose to make him feel guiltier before saying, "Okay. I¡¯m waiting. Bring a cheesecake for me as well."


    "Cheesecake?" Jie asked to make sure he heard right. After all, his wife wasn¡¯t really fond of sweets. Especially, cakes. Also, didn¡¯t she hate cheese?


    "Yes. I suddenly have a craving for it. Just the idea of eating cheesecake is reducing my nausea. How weird!" Xu Mey kept babbling while Jie was frowning on the other side of the phone.


    ¡¯Nausea. Dizzy spells. Puking. And now, she¡¯s craving something she hates.¡¯ His eyes went round as a possibility came to his mind. "Baby, when did your auntst visited?"


    "My aunt?" Xu Mey frowned a bit before replying, "I don¡¯t know. It¡¯s been over a month."


    "It¡¯s been over a month and you didn¡¯t go to see a doctor?"


    "I always had irregr periods, why would I go to see a doctor for such a small matter? Anyway, why are you distracting me? Bring me my cheesecake. Now!" Xu Mey ordered in her bossy way.


    Jie grinned like a lunatic as Yang Ziyi¡¯s words rang in his mind, ¡¯Take care of your wife. Don¡¯t stress her out and don¡¯t let her work like she did today. She needs rest. Also, her emotions are gonna be unstable. Don¡¯t disagree with anything she says. It¡¯s for your own good.¡¯ He finally understood the meaning and he had the urge to fly back to Xu Mey right this instant.


    "Baby, don¡¯t move. Stay right where you are. I¡¯ll be there with you." Jie started off the car as he instructed Xu Mey to stay in the office.


    "Don¡¯t bothering without my cake." Xu Mey said impatiently.


    "I wouldn¡¯t dare." His answer made her smile in victory.


    "Okay then. I¡¯m waiting. Come soon." She hung up the call andid her head down on the table to rest.

 Chapter 324 - Bad At Lying

    "So, where had you been wandering?"


    Sticking to the loss of her bet, Azalea came to work for Ye Jun. When it was almost time for her to go home, she received Xiamu¡¯s call that he was waiting for her outside. Right now, Azalea was sitting before Xiamu in a cafe near Ye Corporation when he asked this question.


    "Just around the world," Azalea replied as she tried her best to not look into his eyes. It wasn¡¯t hard lying to her own parents but Xiamu was different. He knew her and that was her biggest disadvantage at that moment.


    "Oh, really? Howe I didn¡¯t receive a postcard?" Xiamu asked taking a sip of histte.


    "Postcard?" Sheughed dryly. "I didn¡¯t really think of sending postcards to anyone." This must be one of the worst lies of her life.


    Xiamu smiled knowingly since it was ame lie even for him. "Okay. So, how about showing me your adventures? You must have clicked a ton of photos."


    "Photos?" Her face paled.


    "Yes. Now, don¡¯t say that you didn¡¯t take photos because Zelie and don¡¯t take photos, really doesn¡¯t suit in one sentence." Xiamu blocked her way out.


    He really was pushing her in the corner. "Of course, I took photos. Lots and lots of photos." After telling this part of the lie, she was wondering how to turn it into truth. She couldn¡¯t even hire a professional to edit photos for her to fake since Xiamu was an expert himself. One look and he¡¯d know that photos were fake.


    While her pale face was turning into a thin white sheet, she heard the voice of her savior, "One Caff¨¨ mocha please!" Azalea looked at Ye Jun who just ced his order at the counter and ran up to him. She hugged his arm and dragged him towards the table where Xiamu was sitting.


    "He has my memory card. All the photos are with him. Jun, where are my photos?" Azalea grinned awkwardly.


    Ye Jun who was oblivious to what was going on looked lost. "Photos?" He eyed Azalea with an inquiring gaze.


    She tried to pass some signals with her eyes as she said, "Yes, photos. From my world tour. Last year." Sheughed out awkwardly as she pped Ye Jun¡¯s arm and turned to Xiamu, "He¡¯s really forgetful."


    Ye Jun rubbed the ce where she pped and understood her meaning. He was one of those people who actually knew about the ident. If she didn¡¯t want others to know, why would he be a busybody to spoil her n? "About those photos... Zelie, I think it¡¯s somewhere in my office or perhaps, in my apartment. I can¡¯t really remember."


    "Oh," Azalea replied disying a bit of shock.


    Xiamu was enjoying their act but he didn¡¯t say anything not until he saw the time on his Patek Phillipe watch. He shot up to his feet and said, "I¡¯ll see you some other day, little teddy bear. I have to get somewhere."


    Azalea¡¯s eyes dimmed a bit but she didn¡¯t let her smile falter. "It¡¯s okay. You should go." Xiamu touched her head.


    "Bye, Mr. Ye!"


    "Don¡¯t be this formal. Calling me Jun is fine." Ye Jun said offhandedly and Xiamu nodded in acknowledgment before walking out of the cafe.


    Azalea¡¯s eyes were still stuck on the spot where he disappeared as she sighed out.


    "Sir, your Caff¨¨ mocha." Hearing this voice, Ye Jun pulled Azalea¡¯s ear and dragged her back to the counter.


    "Pay for my coffee now." He looked amused by his own self.


    "Why?" Azalea grumbled.


    "Because I just saved your sorry self." He replied matter-of-factly and Azalea couldn¡¯t even retort. She silently but reluctantly paid for his coffee but before she could take her card back, she heard his voice again, "Pack that strawberry cake as well. Hmm... That chocte mousse looks good as well. Give me that as well. Also..."


    "That¡¯s enough. Mom has already confiscated my earnings in fear that I¡¯d vanish again. And you¡¯re not even gonna pay me for my work as well." Azalea was already indignant about that fact. Not getting pocket-money was one thing but even her own hard worked earnings were not hers to use anymore.


    "That¡¯ll be all." Ye Jun took pity on her and let her off the hook. Looking at her sad face, Ye Jun decided to offer his expert opinion. "If you love him, just ask him out. Isn¡¯t he single now?"


    "Wha-What? What are you talking about, Jun bro?" Azalea was flustered at this sudden change of topic.


    "Oh, please huh! If you want to hide it from me at least do a better job at hiding your feelings. It¡¯s written all over your face that you love him. Isn¡¯t that why you don¡¯t want him to know about your ident? Because you don¡¯t want him to pity you or see you as weak." Ye Jun¡¯s words hit right where it hurt.


    "I don¡¯t want to tell him because he¡¯s really bad at lying. What if my parents got to figure out?" Azalea was still being stubborn by denying her feelings.


    Ye Jun touched the tip of her nose and said, "It¡¯s not that he¡¯s bad at lying. It¡¯s just that you love him so much that it¡¯s easy for you to figure out his lies."

 Chapter 325 - Collision of Fates

    Azalea pondered over his words and realized he wasn¡¯t wrong. In fact, Xiamu was way better than herself at lying but he was always caught by her. It was all because she paid unusual attention to his matters.


    "Jun bro, even if I ept that I have feelings for him, it won¡¯t change anything." Azalea finally said out her fears.


    "Oh, really? And how do you know that without even trying?" Ye Jun challenged her.


    "Because he just lost the one he loved. He had to give his own fiancee to his own cousin brother. Just because, the happiness of his brother and his best friend mattered more to him than his own self." Azalea felt really good just thinking about how selfless he acted but at the same time, something stung her heart brutally. It was a reminder that he loved his fiancee way more than she had initially thought.


    "I guess you haven¡¯t heard that the best way to forget old love is to find a new one." Ye Jun said being all wise and mature.


    "Then why did Jun Li Na left you and ran away?" Ouch! That was a harsh blow to Ye Jun who was acting all cheery and mature. Realizing what she said in her flustered state, Azalea felt really bad. "I... I didn¡¯t mean that." She was really guilty but Ye Jun didn¡¯t look perturbed at all.


    He rubbed her hair gently and said, "My Lili left because she also didn¡¯t want me to stand beside her when she felt pity even for herself. I believe in her and I know that she wille back to me. Stronger than ever." Azalea was surprised to hear his views. Wasn¡¯t he the one who actually broke down before her when he got to know that Jun Li Na left? What changed him so soon?


    "You seem confident," she remarked absentmindedly.


    Ye Jun grinned widely and said, "I am confident. If I don¡¯t believe in my own love then how can I expect you to believe in it?" Seeing him wiggling his brows yfully, Azalea felt her nerves calming down.


    "But I can¡¯t just ask him to go out with me." Ye Jun felt like her tape recorder was still stuck at the same thing. She was like a parrot saying the same thing over and over and over again.


    "What age do you live in? I thought people in the west were more open-minded. How can you still be waiting for the guy to make the first move? Be smart and act on it yourself. If you kept waiting, he might be swept off of his feet by some other damsel in distress." He flicked her forehead harshly to knock some sense into her head.


    With her head on the table, Xu Mey had fallen asleep and by the time, she woke up it had been over 30 minutes since her phone call with Jie. She had a feeling that he¡¯d being soon and that¡¯s why she decided to leave the office and wait for him in the lobby.


    She didn¡¯t feel as dizzy as she did before and the ufortable feeling in her was also a lot more bearable. She took the elevator down to the ground floor. But riding the closed up elevator seemed to have stimted her uneasiness and she again felt queasiness and squeamishness.


    Not wanting to say inside the lobby, she straight walked out of the ss doors to feel the coolness of the evening breeze. As the slightly chilly breeze caressed her face and she took a sharp intake of breath, she felt the coolness spreading through her system.


    Feeling calm after the whole day of frustration and sickness, she was finally able to rx in the evening wind. She dialed the number again and asked, "Where are you, Ah-Jie?"


    "Right here." As he said that Xu Mey heard his favorite Maybach¡¯s screeching sound as it stopped on the road right ahead of her.


    Xu Mey watched Jie getting off the car and asked, "And where is my cheesecake?" She sounded like she was whining like a kid.


    Jie shook his head at her and went around the car. He held the box of cake up and dangled it to show her that he had fulfilled his promise. "You¡¯re the best." Xu Mey grinned widely as she saw the cheesecake in his hand.


    "My queen asked for her cake, how can her loyal servante without it?" Xu Mey¡¯s smiled widened even more if that was even possible. She loved it when he was being cheeky. "Didn¡¯t I ask you to wait for me in the office?" He sounded a bit upset since the possibility of her being pregnant was freaking him out. In a good way. If that even makes sense...


    "I felt suffocated and decided to breathe in some fresh air," Xu Mey answered as her eyes were stuck on her husband which was just about ten steps away from her now.


    Both of them had a silly smile on their faces, one at the possibility of being a father and the other because she felt content and satisfaction at just the thought that her husband was so damn caring and loving. How did she really get so lucky? She definitely wasn¡¯t born with lucky stars. What really changed?


    Most of all, the smile showed how crazily they both had been wanting to see the other half. Now, they finally feltplete.


    A distant voice rang in her mind, ¡¯When two peoples fates collide, either they make a mirthless catastrophe or a beguiling miracle.¡¯


    She smiled lost in her own thoughts. He surely was the aesthetic wonder of her life and there was no doubt about that.


    They both stood before each other and whispered, "Hi!"


    Seeing her rosy cheeks, Jie¡¯s heart was beating vigorously. There was no doubt in the fact that he fell in love with her every time he saw her. A little bit more at each gaze thatnded on her adorable self. It was always like the feeling of being in love with her for the first time.


    With an inexplicable feeling in his heart, Jie pulled her soft and dainty figure in his strong arms almost squeezing her in his embrace. Xu Mey chuckled against his chest at his possessiveness but she couldn¡¯t deny that in his familiar warmth and scent, she felt extremely safe and loved.


    Before she could wrap her arms around his back, a ring sound of tires made her head tilt to a side. A zing headlight stung her eyes and she squinted them not being able to even see. Before she could even make sense of anything, a rogue car was alreadying towards them at fast speed.


    "Bang!"


    The next sound thatnded in her ear was the roar of an engine and crashing sound that seemed to have stopped her heartbeat. And after a woosh sound, everything around her went into silence. An endless one...

 Chapter 326 - My Wish... Just For You

    Under the sky of the perfect midnight velvet, her long ck hair was sprawled to a side as her petite figureidnguidly in his warm embrace. She lifted her raven orbs to gaze at the midnight blue canvas above her, littered with stars so brilliant that their beauty stole every thought from her anxious mind. Sometimes nature had its own way tofort us.


    The lyrics of the starry night yed softly in her ear to the melody of the heartbeat which she hade to love beyond her imagination. Turning her face a bit, she ced her chin on his chest and looked at his face from her current position.


    His face was even handsome from this position as heid with his eyes closed and his strong arm encased around her small waist. His thin lips were slightly curled as if smiling to himself, relishing in this pure and simple moment.


    With those heavenly stars above her head, a crescent moon smiling back at them as it¡¯s soft light caressed her gently and his strong arms around her body; what else was even there to wish for?


    "What has gotten into my baby?" His question startled her a bit since she waspletely lost in her daze. "Are you nning on eating me alive?" His soft brown eyes looked at her as amusement was dancing in them.


    "Even if I want to eat my Ah-Jie alive, what¡¯s so wrong with that?" Looking at the pride and joy on her face, he stroked her hair affectionately.


    Xu Mey felt like a cat since she really wanted to purr at that moment while his hand was running amok in her hair making her feel the pleasurable sensations... This small tingle and tinkle made her moan in delight making him smirk.


    His eyes caught on to hers and Xu Mey could feel something stirring within herself. He was looking at her, not just seeing.


    "I don¡¯t know about you but baby, I definitely want to taste my favorite sweets right now," his voice dropped an octave as he lifted her body to make her facee at the same level.


    He pressed his lips against her cherry ones and just like the first time, Xu Mey felt her mind and heart exploding. It was pounding vigorously against her chest. His hands slide up right under her rib cage and his thumb drew circles in slow motion. This gesture was enough to burn a volcano in her system.


    The kiss was slow and gentle, it seemed to be nned carefully. But it was hot enough to melt her in his arms. When they parted away, Xu Mey was panting and wasn¡¯t even left with the energy to squirm in his embrace. Not like she wanted to leave the safe haven of his heavenly scent and strong arms.


    She buried her face in the crook of his neck and called out, "Ah-Jie!"


    "Hmm..." He hummed softly while his fingers were twirling her long locks, seemingly enjoying the touch of her soft hair.


    "If you had one wish, what would you wish for?" Jie frowned at her question which came from out of nowhere. Why was her mind always wandering on the wrong sides?


    "Why are you asking?"


    "Because I want to know," she answered matter-of-factly andid a soft kiss on the side of his jaw. "Tell me your wish and I¡¯ll tell you mine as well." She tried to negotiate in a childish tone.


    He pondered over it for a while before sighing out loud. It was quite obvious that he was going to resign before his dearest wife.


    "If I could wish for one thing, it would be..." his arms strongly wrapped around her back, pulling her even closer possessively. "I¡¯d wish for all the smiles in the world."


    "Huh? Why?" She inquired as she lifted her face to look at him with a confused look.


    He brushed his finger against her lip softly and said, "I don¡¯t want sadness to intrude the smile on these lips." Xu Mey blushed but he wasn¡¯t done. "I also wish forfort on your difficult days. I want sunsets to warm your heart and stary nights like these to caress you with love. I wantughter to kiss on your lips if I¡¯m not there to do it anymore."


    Hearing him talk like he was leaving, Xu Mey¡¯s heart shook violently. "Don¡¯t talk nonsense. All of these wishes cane true. You only need to stay by my side for that."


    He smiled with his eyes brimming with love for her as he stroked her cheek with his knuckles and added, "Most of all, I wish to stay by your side as your love... Toplete your life."


    Her warmed up again. But she soon realized something, "Ah-Jie, you didn¡¯t wish anything for yourself."


    "Baby, seeing the smile on your face is enough to brighten up my life." Taking a brief pause, he asked, "Now, your turn... What¡¯s your wish?"


    Xu Mey didn¡¯t reply. She sealed her lips, not wanting to tell him her wish. No matter how much he asked, she didn¡¯t say it.


    Right now, when she felt a sudden push, her mind was frozen. It was one of those moments when a person couldn¡¯t think of anything that was happening around him. She could see everything or perhaps, she couldn¡¯t see? The scene before her was clear but her mind was not in the condition to process anything.


    Except for silence, she heard nothing. The silence was deafening but the worst part was that she couldn¡¯t even feel her limbs anymore.


    Sitting on the stone pathway, her eyes could see blood oozing out of his head as heid there lifelessly. His handsome face was covered in blood.


    Just this sight was enough to send her into a state of shock. And her own wish rang in her mind, "My wish is also for you Ah-Jie... I don¡¯t want my bad luck to ever touch your beautiful soul."


    With these words, Xu Mey¡¯s mind reeled and she fell backward.

 Chapter 327 - State of Shock

    Hospitals had always been chaotic; idents and emergencies, wide entrance with ss sliding doors, ambnces lined up outside, patients being wheeled inside on trollies by the paramedics.


    But the private wards of hospitals like First City Hospital had always been serene. The air filled with a perfumed scent and plushfortable seats. Each and everyce spotless and dustless. Even the nurses move in an unhurried manner to make rounds from room to room.


    However, tonight this private ward wasn¡¯t as peaceful as it used to be. There was a strange pressure in the air and every person seemed to be on the edge.


    Inside one of those private OR roomsid Xu Mey with IV drips attached to her veins. Her face looked pale and sallow. She looked frail as if lost her vitality in a few hours. A team of doctors had been trying to stop the bleeding.


    While the private ward could make a person suffocate due to pressure, the condition outside the OR was even worse.


    "Uncle Chen, I can¡¯t let you operate on him," Lin Shen tried to persuade Zhu Chen to let go of his stubbornness but thetter wasn¡¯t listening. How could he? He found his son after decades and now he was lying inside fighting a battle of life and death.


    "Shen, I¡¯m a renowned surgeon. I can surely save my son." Zhu Chen¡¯s eyes were red at this point and his voice was heavy with emotions. Lin Shen could understand his condition but he couldn¡¯t do anything about that for now.


    "Uncle Chen, you are a cardiothoracic surgeon. Jie has a head injury. Apart from that, your emotions are too unstable for me to let you operate on anyone much less on him. Try to understand, I have to give a reply to my Xiao Mey and believe me, I¡¯ll do my best to save him." Lin Shen¡¯s eyes were stinging with tears as well but he couldn¡¯t show his weakness. At least for Xu Mey¡¯s sake, he had to do everything he could.


    "Dr. Shen, I¡¯ll assist you." Yang Ziyi who had heard about Jie¡¯s ident ran to apany Lin Shen.


    Lin Shen could see her swollen eyes as if she had been crying for a while but didn¡¯t pay attention since he didn¡¯t have much time to waste. He patted Zhu Chen¡¯s shoulder and said, "Uncle, you should have some faith in me." He turned and left to enter the OR.


    By this time everyone had gathered outside the OR with the same look of anxiety on their faces. While Zhu Chen was trying to calm He Susu who was crying hysterically in his arms, he heard Fan Bingbing¡¯s voice, "Did anyone check on Little Mey?"


    As their attention turned, everyone turned to see a doctoring out of Xu Mey¡¯s room.


    "Doctor, how¡¯s my daughter?" Xu Cheng¡¯s condition wasn¡¯t any better when he was informed about the ident which involved both his daughter and son-inw.


    "The patient just had a Hypovemic shock." As his words left his mouth, Zhu Chen straightened up and turned towards him.


    "What do you mean? Was there some kind of bleeding?" He questioned trying to maintain his professional attitude. After all, he knew very well that Hypovemic shock urs when there was not enough blood volume in the body. As the causes are mostly internal or external injury. Hepletely dropped the idea of Xu Mey being dehydrated from his mind.


    Sensing Zhu Chen¡¯s knowing attitude, the doctor shifted his gaze to him and exined, "The patient had a deep wound on her thigh might be from something sharp. It ruptured an artery and the blood loss... Sigh!" He shook his head lightly before adding, "Apart from that the patient had been dehydrated. She might have been vomiting all day as well, given her condition."


    "Is the condition severe? Does she need a blood transfusion?" Zhu Chen asked while Xu Cheng felt his hands bing mmy while he was trembling badly.


    "Yes, she needs blood. Urgently. Otherwise, it might get difficult to save both mother and child." The doctor¡¯s words caused a wave of head turns.


    "What did you say?" Fan Bingbing managed to muster up some courage to ask but couldn¡¯t continue.


    "Do you... Do you mean our Xiao Mey is pregnant?" Li Man added.


    "Yes. The patient is six weeks pregnant. Didn¡¯t you know?" The doctor was surprised to see their reactions.


    They heard some tapping sound as three people came running down the hallway and panted as they got near. "Take my blood. All you need. Save my little Mey." Wu Wang offered immediately.


    "Are you O negative?" The doctor asked.


    Wu Wang shared a look with both He Jian and Li Qiao before groaning. Their blood type didn¡¯t match at all.


    "Take mine. I¡¯m O negative." This small voice brought a glitter of hope in everyone as they turned to see Xiamu standing at the side with his clothes covered in blood.


    "Really? Please, save my daughter. I¡¯ll be in debt to you for the rest of my life." Xu Cheng broke down as he held Xiamu¡¯s hands. He was already grateful since if it wasn¡¯t for Xiamu, Xu Mey and Jie both might have lost their lives before getting to the hospital.


    Yes, it was indeed Xiamu who called for the ambnce and brought them to the hospital. It had be his habit toe to Xu Corporation just to watch his sister leaving. He was there for the same purpose again when the ident urred right before his eyes. His nerves were still not calm but he knew he had to save his sister. At any cost!


    He nodded to reassure Xu Cheng before following the doctor for the transfusion process.


    Xu Mey¡¯s psychological shock was so serious that it scared everyone outside even more. She was already pregnant and with that, she even saw the whole ident right before her eyes. Their anxiety and nervousness were understandable since even a little mistake could take her life.


    Everyone deals with their fear in their own ways. Xu Mey¡¯s biggest fear was losing her Ah-Jie and when she actually felt like she lost him; she chose the only way she could think to deal with it. She shut her mind off.

 Chapter 328 - Find Your Way Back

    After a couple of hours, the doctor came out of Xu Mey¡¯s room with a sullen look on his face.


    "What¡¯s her condition?" Zhu Chen was the first one to inquire since Xu Cheng had long lost the energy to even stand. But his attention was still towards the doctor and Zhu Chen.


    "For now, both mother and child are safe." Zhu Chen knew that wasn¡¯t the end of it. He could read the doctor¡¯s face clearly.


    "But?" He found the courage to urge him.


    "The patient is still unconscious. And it¡¯s hard to tell when she¡¯ll wake up." He Susu who had been quietly bawling her eyes out all this time finally reacted.


    "But if she stayed unconscious for a long time, she can fall into aa. It will endanger her life and the baby¡¯s." The doctor nodded agreeing with her statement.


    "Yes, you are indeed right. You all should pray that she wakes up." Saying that the doctor left them while Xu Mey was transferred in a private room.


    Looking at her condition, Xu Cheng couldn¡¯t hold back his tears and burst out. Fan Bingbing tried her best to console him but she had no control over her own tears.


    "Why?" Xu Cheng¡¯s words choked up. "Why does my baby girl have to go through this? She had been through enough. Didn¡¯t she? Why must she give this trial as well?"


    "Brother, have faith in our little Mey. She¡¯s strong. She¡¯ll fight for sure." Fan Bingbing was saying these words to assure both herself and Xu Cheng. "She was so happy in the past few days. I wonder whose evil eyes fell on her."


    "I want to know who did this!" Xu Cheng¡¯s voice was hoarse but his eyes were zing with fire. Someone dared to touch his daughter, how could he just let it go.


    Xu Cheng saw Xiamu entering the room. He had been gone to rest for a while after giving his blood. "Did you see who did this?" Xu Cheng¡¯s sudden question made Xiamu halt in his steps.


    He bit his lips and answered, "I was across the road, so I couldn¡¯t see the face of the driver." He was feeling guilty about that. If only he had been by their side, he could have at the very least pushed them aside on time.


    "What about the license te number?" This question came from Li Qiao.


    "Bro, I already gave the number to Jian." Xiamu had informed He Jian about the number right after getting to the hospital. He knew He Jian could look for the car.


    "Jian, did you find anything?" Wu Wang immediately questioned He Jian who walked inside.


    "It was a stolen car." He Jian answered with a heavy feeling in his heart.


    "What about the surveince cameras?" Li Qiao asked.


    He Jian shook his head saying, "Nothing noteworthy. The car entered the alleyways in the suburbs. There were no surveince cameras there. So, we couldn¡¯t track it from there."


    "Damnit!" Both He Jian and Li Qiao were agitated. Everyone else in the room wasn¡¯t any better. It was the only way to find the culprit and now, there seemed to be no hope. No! They had to look for a way.


    "Anyway, thank you so much Xiamu. If it wasn¡¯t for you... We can¡¯t even imagine what could have happened." Wu Wang was the first to thank Xiamu.


    "Yes, it really is all thanks to you." With everyone thanking him so distantly, Xiamu felt a strange pain rising inside him. It was gnawing at his heart.


    Slowly everyone left Xu Mey¡¯s room to give her some peace to rest. Only Xiamu didn¡¯t follow them and oddly, no one was in the condition to notice as well.


    Xiamu sat beside her bed and held her hand in his own. "Sis..." he called out softly as if afraid to disturb her. "Please wake up. Otherwise, I won¡¯t be able to forgive myself. If only I had been by your side..." His words broke as he felt his tears trickling down his face.


    With much effort, he wiped his face and started again, "You have to be alright for your husband. I must say, he really loves you a lot." Xiamu was looking at her face with a small smile on his lips as he went on, "He didn¡¯t even think before pushing you out of the way and became your shield. Seeing the way he tried to save you, I must say it¡¯s no wonder someone is envious of you both."


    "I¡¯m sure Jie is fighting with all his willpower to get back to you. You should do it as well. Don¡¯t let him down. Find your way back to him. He needs you by his side as he stood by yours all this time." He gently squeezed Xu Mey¡¯s hand and sighed before turning to leave.


    Jie¡¯s surgery went longer than expected. After six long hours, when Lin Shen walked out of the OR everyone¡¯s eyes were looking at him expectantly.


    "The surgery was sessful." That¡¯s all he said to ease their knotted nerves. "Let¡¯s wait for him to wake up now." Since Jie¡¯s injuries were serious, Lin Shen didn¡¯t want to say anything unnecessary. Everyone was sensible enough to figure out that they could only know his condition after he wakes up.


    But waking up was also a challenge to ovee. Although brain injury was the most serious one because of the fall, they still couldn¡¯t ignore the fact that Jie had broken a few bones along with some minor injuries.


    However, this was a challenge that both of them had to ovee. Both Xu Mey and Jie had to fight and had to find their way back to each other.

 Chapter 329 - Self-Doubts

    "Dr. Shen, the patient in Room no 1102 is having a seizure." It was past midnight when the nurse informed Lin Shen.


    "What happened?" Lin Shen ran towards Jie¡¯s room. And checked his vitals before checking his pupils with a small shlight. "Call Dr. Ziyi. Run the tests and take him back to the OR." He said his words started preparing everything.


    "What¡¯s going on?" He Susu asked Zhu Chen as they saw Jie being pushed back to the OR.


    "I don¡¯t know Su." Zhu Chen could only say this in reply since he didn¡¯t want to scare her any more than she was. He could guess the reason for the second surgery but there was no point in scaring everyone.


    Pacing back and forth in the hallway, Zhu Chen was feeling dizzy.


    When Lin Shen came out of the OR, he looked tired. He wasn¡¯t just physically but also mentally exhausted. Looking at the eager eyes of the people before him, Lin Shen sighed heavily.


    "There was a bit of blood clotting in his brain. We have removed it. He¡¯s fine now. Still unconscious but fine." Lin Shen couldn¡¯t tell how he managed to say this but afterward, he left them and walked straight to Xu Mey¡¯s room.


    Looking at her frail figure, Lin Shen couldn¡¯t hold himself and broke down in tears. "Meymey, I¡¯m trying my best. But for the first time in my life, I feel like my best is not enough. I don¡¯t know how I¡¯ll face you if anything happened to Jie. I¡¯m scared. I¡¯m really very scared." He ced his head on the side of her hand and kept sobbing silently.


    Feeling a tap at his shoulder, Lin Shen tilted his head to see the rest of his friends standing beside him. None of them said anything, they just stood by her side silently.


    The silence was only broken when Wu Wang chuckled suddenly surprising everyone. "Sorry! I was imagining her reaction to finding out that she¡¯s going to be a mother." Wu Wang said with a smile which turned into a bitter one soon enough.


    "Do you think she¡¯d be surprised?" This time Li Qiao asked. "You know... about her pregnancy."


    "I say, she¡¯d be shocked instead." He Jian answered and everyone nodded.


    Silence again engulfed them for a while.


    "Did you check up on Xu Liqing and Fu Lan?" Lin Shen questioned He Jian since those two were the only people they could think of.


    "I checked. Xu Liqing is under strict observation of doctors while Fu Lan is still in aa with no hope of waking up." He Jian exined the details he gathered through his people but to their dismay, nothing was adding up.


    "Who else could it possibly be?" The question came from Li Qiao but none of them had an answer. It was hard to say who was behind all of this. They didn¡¯t even know if it was someone whom Xu Mey offended or Jie.


    Wu Wang went out to get some coffee for everyone and that¡¯s when he heard someone sobbing lightly in a secluded corner. His curiosity got the best of him and he made a quick turn to look.


    There he saw Yang Ziyi sitting on the white marble floor with her head buried in her knees. Her shoulders were shaking probably from all the sobbing that she had been up to.


    Not knowing why, but Wu Wang made his way up to her side and perched down beside her on the floor. Feeling his presence, Yang Ziyi lifted her head enough to see his face before hiding her face back in her knees.


    She thought he would console her, say some encouraging words but nothing came. He just sat there silently making his presence feel like it wasn¡¯t necessary. But in her heart, she knew this was needed. Much needed. His words won¡¯t soothe her but his presence was like a reassurance that he was there. She didn¡¯t have to cry all by herself.


    "Jie bro and my brother were close friends back in school." Wu Wang raised his brows as he heard her hoarse voice. "The reason why I became a doctor is... I didn¡¯t want to feel helpless like I did when my brother died in my arms."


    Sniffling, sheid her head on Wu Wang¡¯s shoulder and went on, "Today, I¡¯m feeling helpless all over again. What¡¯s the use of all these years of hard work if I can¡¯t even save my own brother¡¯s friend? Aren¡¯t I still as useless as I was back then? What if I lost him like I lost my brother?"


    Wu Wang stroked her hair gently before saying, "You are not useless. You are a doctor who saves lives. And as a doctor, you should never call yourself useless. People trust you with their lives because they have faith in you. So, if not for your own self, just for their sake have some faith in your own abilities." His words warmed up her heart instantly as she felt herself calming down.


    Yang Ziyi felt the tip of his thumb wiping her tears and looked up at him with her swollen and bloodshot eyes. He pinched her cheeks and added, "I take my words back. Who would have faith in this blockhead doctor who looks like a panda?"


    All the warmth was instantly thrown under the bus. How dare he call her a panda? And why couldn¡¯t he say something nice for a change? Did he have to tease her all the time?


    "You! You¡¯re a jerk!" Yang Ziyi spatted out in anger.


    Wu Wang chuckled to himself at her reaction and pulled her back in his arms. "I know, I¡¯m a jerk. But for now, I¡¯ll give you my shoulder to lean on. Don¡¯t get too used to it though. This shoulder is very expensive." She rolled her eyes at him but didn¡¯te up with a remark. It wasn¡¯t needed.

 Chapter 330 - Delusions

    The tension in the hospital kept getting thicker as the days passed slowly. Although both Xu Mey and Jie were stable, both of them were not ready to wake up to face reality. Time was ticking very slowly for them.


    The tension was so thick that one could cut it with a de. Everyone was anxiously waiting for some news... Any news...


    When a person is feeling restless, the days seem to feel like months. But for Xu Cheng and Zhu Chen, these days felt like years. The anxiety was vying down by each passing second. Both fathers wanted nothing more than seeing their children absolutely fine.


    *One weekter*


    "Xiao Mey!" Xu Cheng walked in her private room to see Xu Mey sitting on her bed. Her face was bright and rosy but her eyes seemed to be upset over something.


    "Dad, have you seen my phone? I can¡¯t find it." Xu Mey pouted adorably making Xu Cheng¡¯s tears to flow down. "Dad, what¡¯s wrong?" She got anxious seeing him cry like this. Xu Cheng shook his head and came up to her.


    "How are you feeling?" Xu Mey frowned before hugging his waist tightly.


    "Dad, stop crying. It doesn¡¯t suit a big man like yourself to cry like a kid. And dad, I¡¯m absolutely fine. Why are you asking?" Her reaction made Xu Cheng feel something amiss but he didn¡¯t pay attention since he was over the moon to see her awake.


    "It¡¯s fine as long as you are okay." He whispered before kissing the top of her head.


    "Oh, dad! You didn¡¯t tell me, why am I in a hospital? You know I don¡¯t like hospitals. I just vomited a couple of times. It was no big deal." She was whining like a kid and Xu Cheng didn¡¯t know what she meant. "And give me my phone, I have to contact my Ah-Jie. He left early in the morning today. Didn¡¯t even give me a goodbye kiss. How unfair!" She crossed her arms before her chest with a sulky look on her face.


    Her words were heard by Zhu Chen and He Susu who were entering the room. Xu Mey didn¡¯t saw theming and kept tugging at her father¡¯s sleeve. "Okay, give me my phone. I need to talk to Ah-Jie. I had such a bad dream. I need to hear his voice."


    "My dearest daughter, Jie... He is-," Xu Cheng¡¯s words were cut off by Zhu Chen.


    "What was the dream about?" Hearing He Susu¡¯s voice, Xu Mey shifted her eyes to her and smiled.


    Hesitating for a minute, she rted her supposed ¡¯dream¡¯, "I saw he brought me cheesecake and hugged me but suddenly, I couldn¡¯t hear anything as he pushed me to the ground. Then there was a car that hit Jie and he fell down in the pool of blood. I couldn¡¯t breathe as I saw him lying there lifelessly. It scared the hell out of me." She shuddered at the memory. "It was so vivid that for a moment, I thought it was real. Thank God! It was just a bad dream." She patted her own chest to calm down her heart.


    Zhu Chen and He Susu shared a knowing look.


    "Jie went on a business trip. We informed him that you are sick, he¡¯sing soon. Don¡¯t worry about that. Now, go back to sleep. How will you nag at Jie if you will be this weak?" Zhu Chen coaxed Xu Mey like a child and she seemed convinced as sheid back down on her bed. "Good girl. Go to sleep. I¡¯ll ask Sis to make your favorite food for you."


    Xu Mey smiled at him and closed her eyes in satisfaction. Xu Cheng gave Zhu Chen an inquiring look and he ¡¯shushed¡¯ him for the time being. As they heard Xu Mey¡¯s steady breathing, all of them walked out to the corridor.


    "Why did you lie to her?" Xu Cheng immediately voiced out his question.


    Zhu Chen looked at He Susu and she sighed before exining, "She seems to be suffering from DRC."


    "Huh?" Xu Cheng obviously didn¡¯t understand her.


    "It¡¯s called dream-reality confusion. Mostly found in the patients of Borderline Personality Disorder. People usually confuse their dreams for reality but Xu Mey seems to be confusing her reality for a dream." Xu Cheng was dumbstruck at He Susu¡¯s detailed exnation.


    "But... She doesn¡¯t have Borderline Personality Disorder." He argued.


    "No. But she has a history of extreme emotional reactions. Some people feel pain worse than a normal person and Xu Mey is one of those people because of her childhood traumas."


    "What should we do now?" Xu Cheng felt defeated and helpless.


    "I say, we should let her keep this delusion for now." Zhu Chen suggested in a calm voice.


    "Why?"


    "She saw the ident with her own eyes and it was a huge blow to her brain. Telling her about Jie¡¯s condition might worsen her psychological shock. I believe, none of us want that now, do we?" Xu Cheng had to nod along since he definitely didn¡¯t want to lose his daughter.


    It seemed to be the most urate approach for the time being. But not for the long run. They had to stabilize Xu Mey¡¯s condition before telling her everything.

 Chapter 331 - Awkward Lies

    "Little Mey, look what I got for you," Wu Wang pushed a huge teddy bear inside and Xu Mey¡¯s eyes widened in surprise.


    "Wang Ge, what is that?" Xu Mey was eating mouthfuls of porridge contently but looking at that teddy bear bigger than her own self, she frowned.


    "It¡¯s a teddy bear." Wu Wang answered matter-of-factly just to tease his little Mey.


    "Oh! How cute! I didn¡¯t know it was a teddy bear." Xu Mey rolled her eyes with sarcasm.


    Wu Wang smiled widely at her and pinched her nose. Xu Mey swatted his hand away and asked, "Why did you bring it here?"


    "For you."


    "Don¡¯t you think I¡¯m old enough not to y with stuffed teddy bears?" Suddenly, a fascinating look shed in her eyes as she added, "Besides I have my own personal teddy bear now. His name is... Ah-Jie."


    Listening to her unting her love so brazenly, Wu Wang felt strange in his heart. Remembering how Jie was still unconscious after two weeks of the ident, he felt bitter in his heart. But he couldn¡¯t let his little Mey find anything odd. Therefore, he controlled his expressions and tried to crack a joke just to lighten up the mood.


    "Little Mey, just because you have Jie now doesn¡¯t mean you have to torture a single dog like me all the time with this dog food. This is so unfair!" He was sulking with a pout like a little kid.


    Xu Meyughed at his expression and hugged him saying, "Wang Ge if you¡¯re that jealous, why don¡¯t you find a partner for yourself. Dr. Yang Ziyi is not bad in my opinion."


    "What? That blockhead doctor and me? Sheesh! Don¡¯t make me cringe!" He looked horrified but Xu Mey knew he was pretending. She had seen the way he¡¯d been treated Yang Ziyi during her stay at the hospital. She still wasn¡¯t sure why they were not letting her go back home. Also, her Jie was noting to see her at all.


    "What¡¯s wrong?" Seeing her looking down, he asked with concern.


    "Wang Ge, do you think Ah-Jie doesn¡¯t love me anymore?"


    "What nonsense are you thinking about?"


    "Then tell me why hasn¡¯t hee to see me? Is work more important than me?" Xu Mey looked aggrieved and it broke Wu Wang¡¯s heart. He had never seen her this disheartened before.


    He sat beside her to give her a side hug before saying, "What are you saying? He was sitting by your bedside all night? He¡¯s already worried about his work and with you being here, he¡¯s exhausting himself."


    "He was here?" Xu Mey looked surprised but excited.


    "Of course! But when he came, you were sleeping. He didn¡¯t disturb you because you need plenty of rest." Wu Wang lied straight through his teeth. He had to. It was previously decided that no one will disclose Jie¡¯s condition to her ¡¯till she is stabilized.


    "Why was I sleeping like a dead person? I wanted to see my Ah-Jie." Xu Mey whined to him.


    "Perhaps because your body needs extra sleep now." Hearing He Susu¡¯s voice Xu Mey looked up at her in surprise.


    "Am I that sick?" Xu Mey felt worried suddenly. What if something was wrong with her body? It can¡¯t be, right?


    "Aiyo! My silly child, you are not sick." This voice came from Fan Bingbing who smiled cheerfully at her while stroking her hair. Xu Mey felt odd. She was missing something here. But what? She looked at the cheeky smiles on everyone¡¯s faces. Even her father was grinning at her. But everyone¡¯s smiled looked rather forced.


    "What? What¡¯s going on here? Am I missing something here?" Xu Mey was really confused now.


    "Nope! We just want to see you healthy." Xu Mey obviously didn¡¯t believe this reasoning at all.


    "Dad, won¡¯t you tell me what¡¯s going on?" Xu Mey tried to y the cutesy act with her father and it worked! At least she thought it did.


    Xu Cheng rubbed her head and said, "Nothing is going on. Just take rest. You have to get your healthy glow back otherwise your husband will be heartbroken."


    Recalling something, Xu Mey gasped and stared at Lin Shen in surprise. "Shen Ge-Ge, there is only one week in your wedding. What am I even doing in the hospital?"


    Lin Shen smiled at her and said, "We have pushed the wedding ahead. Your health is the most important matter for us."


    "No, you can¡¯t do that. It¡¯s your ten year anniversary next week and that¡¯s why you chose that date to get married. How can you push it?" Xu Mey felt guilty knowing how much Sun Ju was anticipating their wedding.


    "Oi! Wedding is eventually going to happen. He and I are not running away." Sun Ju reassured Xu Mey in her own style.


    "But-," Xu Mey wanted to argue further but Sun Ju cut her off.


    "No buts! We pushed the wedding because now we have decided to hold a double wedding. Wouldn¡¯t it be more special?"


    "Double wedding?" Xu Mey was surprised.


    "Yup! Brides; Sun Ju and Yu Kim. Grooms; Lin Shen and Li Qiao. Isn¡¯t it more fun?" Sun Ju smiled in her usual manner not letting Xu Mey feel any change in her manner.


    "It is special." Xu Mey was happy to hear that but... "You always wanted to marry on your ten year anniversary."


    Sun Ju flicked her forehead lightly and said, "Silly! I just realized that if I got married on my ten-year anniversary, it will mean that Shen will only have to buy me a cake once a year. I¡¯m too greedy for cake. I definitely want more than just one." That reasoning... was a lot weird for Xu Mey to digest.


    But seeing Sun Ju¡¯s infectious happiness, she didn¡¯tment her doubts at all.

 Chapter 332 - So-Called Hope

    When everyone left her room to give her some time to rest. Xu Mey couldn¡¯t sleep. She could feel something was wrong. People were hiding something from her. There was no way that her Ah-Jie came and left without saying hi to her. No, no! He won¡¯t even move from her side. Something was definitely wrong right now!


    Xu Mey pulled off the needles from her hand a bit forcefully and drops of blood started trickling down her hand. She didn¡¯t care at all. She put on her slippers and made her way outside the room.


    "How long can we lie to her? I¡¯m really hating myself right now!" Xu Mey heard Wu Wangining to someone as she was about to turn down a corridor. She halted in her steps trying to hide her presence.


    "Do we have another choice? None of us wants to lie but the truth is too painful." Li Qiao patted Wu Wang¡¯s shoulder.


    "But did you see her face? She obviously is doubting us." Wu Wang argued.


    "He¡¯s right. With her IQ, it¡¯d be weird if she didn¡¯t catch up to our lies." He Jian also agreed with Wu Wang.


    "Look, I know we are wrong. But I¡¯d rather lie to her than to watch her shatter down before my eyes. I don¡¯t care for how long but I¡¯m not telling her anything until I¡¯m sure about Jie¡¯s condition." Lin Shen was adamant on his decision. He really didn¡¯t have the courage to say anything to her.


    ¡¯Jie¡¯s condition?¡¯ Xu Mey¡¯s heart shook violently at the endless possibilities that ran through her mind. She ced her hand over her chest to calm down her vigorously beating heart and took deep breaths to ease herself.


    "I know the risks myself. But..." Wu Wang¡¯s voice broke down as he was frustrated. Sighing, he changed the topic, "Even if we can¡¯t talk about Jie, we should tell her about the baby. Her doctor said that keeping her happy will improve her condition. So, why can¡¯t we just tell her that she¡¯s pregnant?"


    ¡¯Pregnant? Me?¡¯ Xu Mey¡¯s eyes widened in shock. She was pregnant. ¡¯How did that happen? I mean I know how this could happen but this is so unexpected.¡¯ She was having an internal monologue. Her previous uneasiness turned into bubbling happiness as she held her hand over her tummy and caressed it gently. ¡¯Is there really a tiny baby inside me? Oh My Gosh! My Ah-Jie would be so happy to know that.¡¯


    She grinned to herself and in a short span of time, her mind had conjured up a thousand ways how Jie would react to the news.


    ¡¯Perhaps, he¡¯d be nervous like me?¡¯ She wondered and shook her head. ¡¯No way! He loves kids. He would be excited for sure.¡¯ As Jie¡¯s smiling face came to her mind, her eyes softened up. ¡¯Oh, he¡¯ll be such an amazing dad.¡¯


    The way he cared for her and how he was always gentle and kind and loving, there was no need to even say that he¡¯d be an awesome dad. She wasn¡¯t too sure about her own feelings of bing a mother but surely thinking about Jie being a father was a lot more interesting and she was actually anticipating it.


    ¡¯Oh, my! I need to n out how to give this surprise to Ah-Jie. I need to catch him off guard. He always made me feel loved and special. It¡¯s my only chance to give him something back.¡¯ Looking at her t tummy, she whispered softly, "You will be the greatest gift for your dad. My love for him."


    She was still lost in her own thoughts when her whole world came crashing down.


    "We are waiting for improvement in Jie¡¯s condition. Otherwise, she¡¯ll feel even more lonely at a time like this. She really needs Jie by her side. This is the most memorable time for them." Lin Shen stated calmly.


    "But Jie is not awake. He is still lying unconscious in the room right beside her own."


    Hearing Wu Wang¡¯s voice, Xu Mey felt like someone had snatched the ground from beneath her feet and she was falling hard and fast.


    ¡¯No! They are lying. How can something happen to my Ah-Jie?¡¯ She shook her head in denial. ¡¯He is alright. He has to be. For me. For our little Jie. He¡¯s okay. Yes, he is okay.¡¯ She reassured herself.


    But...


    Her body trembled uncontrobly as the memories of the ident came back to her.


    As his face covered in blood came back to haunt her, Xu Mey¡¯s knees buckled and she fell down to the ground. She couldn¡¯t hear a sound as if the world was toned-down. The scene of the ident yed repeatedly in her mind, vividly. Each time, it broke her a bit more.


    "It wasn¡¯t a dream." It wasn¡¯t a question, it was a statement she came to term with. But it was a statement that was enough to break whatever was left in her; so-called ¡¯hope¡¯.

 Chapter 333 - Crush Her

    Have you ever experienced a feeling where you feel like someone is tearing your heart apart? Like there is so much agony that you would want to just shut yourself away.


    But what happens when along with your heart, your mind is also giving up on you? Is it any less painful? Well, let me tell you... No!


    The mind is a sensible part of us. Whenever we go through the agony of heartbreak, our mind would find ways to cheer us up. To simply glue our pieces together. Just to prepare us for the next heartbreak.


    As Oscar Wilde once said, ¡¯The heart was made to be broken.¡¯


    But when that mind gives up on us... What can a person do?


    Because as far as we were told, our mind was supposed to keep us from falling.


    The anguish in Xu Mey was far worse than one could describe in words. She didn¡¯t even know whether tough or cry?


    The biggest happiness of her life and the worst trauma of her life, both had knocked on her door on the same day.


    Was she supposed tough because she was going to be a mother? The greatest gift a woman could ask for.


    Or was she supposed to cry because her husband was fighting his battle with death?


    She didn¡¯t know the answer when she stood up from the cold marble floor of the hospital corridor. In a robotic manner, she lifted her numb but heavy feet one step at a time to walk towards her Ah-Jie¡¯s room.


    With each step, she felt her foot getting heavier as if she wouldn¡¯t be able to bear this burden anymore. As she slid open the door of the room beside her own, her hand on the cold metal handle trembled.


    She didn¡¯t give up. Something inside was urging her to take a step ahead. Her heart was yearning to see her Ah-Jie. No matter how difficult it was, she had to see him at all costs.


    But it didn¡¯t matter how much of strength she could muster up. Nothing could have prepared her for the sight before her eyes.


    In the silent room, only the beeps of the machines could be heard. The room was spacious butcked a touch of warmth just like her soul that felt cold and chilly. The walls were of a simple cream color. There were flowers, beautiful painting on the wall, leather chairs and a sma screen tv on the wall.


    Even the bed lookedfortable but the person lying on it didn¡¯t lookfortable at all with those IV¡¯s, heart monitors, and oxygen tanks attached to his body.


    She looked at his sallow face and it took her a moment to recognize him. The person who always had a celestial aura around him was looking deathly pale. It shook her heart violently.


    There was a small frown etched between his brows as if he was going through an indescribable pain. Xu Mey lifted her hand intending to press down that frown but the tremors in her hand didn¡¯t let her.


    Watching those sters on his leg and bandages around his head and chest, Xu Mey who was trying to hold onto her tears, gave up.


    It wasn¡¯t just crying anymore, it was a deste sobbing of a person who had lost all hope. Her knees buckled and she sank to her knees on the marble floor with a thud; not even caring about the pain that shot up her body.


    She wanted to wail as the pain flowing in her was palpable. But when she opened her mouth to scream nothing came out. Not a single sound could escape from her mouth. All she could was shed tears silently and hopelessly.


    Her breathing was ragged, she was gasping from all the crying but she couldn¡¯t stop. She just couldn¡¯t stop!


    The mind that had shut itself down a while ago chose this very moment to break down her self-restraint and strength; whatever was left of it anyway.


    ¡¯See you at home, dear wife.¡¯ His low husky voice rang in her mind at the memory. It was their first official phone call after the wedding. For the first time, someone made her realize that she now had a home to go back to.


    Then her own distant voice came, ¡¯Can you stop calling me ¡¯dear wife¡¯?¡¯ She had asked while groaning. ¡¯Sure.¡¯ His voice came only to make her cheeks blush even more as he added, ¡¯My cherry wife.¡¯


    Then as if she went back in memory to remember his warm embrace as he whispered, ¡¯I¡¯ve missed you!¡¯ only to realize there was no warmth left around her.


    ¡¯I love you, baby!¡¯ These were the words she had heard before everything felt apart. Before her world went into the chaos of silence, she thought she heard something but only now, she remembered those words. Xu Mey curled up her body and finally let out a scream. It wasn¡¯t her fault, she couldn¡¯t just take it anymore. The pent-up pain was killing her slowly.


    Caressing her tummy, she whispered, "I¡¯m sorry, baby! I can¡¯t smile for you. How can I when my love... my life... my husband... my everything is fighting for his life?"


    She felt really sorry and guilty but for her, all that mattered was Jie. The man who was closing his eyes as if he was upset with her. And this thought alone was enough to crush her even more.

 Chapter 334 - All My Fault

    As the tears dried down and her sobbing turned into hups, Xu Mey made an effort to hold Jie¡¯s hand.


    It wasn¡¯t warm as it always had been. From the first meeting, she had never felt his hands cold. There was always a warmth about him that became her safe haven.


    "Ah-Jie, won¡¯t you open your eyes to see your baby?" Her voice seemed foreign because of how hoarse it was from all the crying.


    She picked her body off the floor and sat on his bed right by his side, holding on to his hand with both of her own small ones.


    She raised his hand and brought it closer to her stomach and tried to smile, "Ah-Jie, can you feel anything? There is a small baby in me. Yours and mine. Ours..."


    Again, only the beeps of the machine gave her an answer, the rest stayed silent.


    With all the hopelessness in her soul, her mind started running off to all the wrong sides. Her negative thinking overwhelmed her senses as she let go of his hand and stood up abruptly.


    "I won¡¯t touch you. No, no. This all happened because of me. I am the bad shadow of luck in your life." She kept mumbling to herself as she shook her head like a dazed person.


    "This baby too... I¡¯ll be the worst mother for him." Leaning closer to Jie¡¯s face, she whispered, "But Ah-Jie, you¡¯d be the best father for him. With you around, I¡¯m sure he won¡¯t even need a mother like me."


    She actually believed her own wordspletely. Things of the past invaded her mind tearing her will to stay with Ah-Jie.


    ¡¯Dear sister, don¡¯t you know you¡¯re born with rotten luck?¡¯ Xu Liqing¡¯s words came back to haunt her.


    ¡¯No! You¡¯re wrong!¡¯ She had snapped back her.


    ¡¯Haha!¡¯ Xu Liqingughed menacingly and added, ¡¯Why did your mother abandon you if you weren¡¯t just a piece of rotten luck?¡¯ Xu Mey had shaken her head in denial trying hard not to let her words get to her, but to no avail. ¡¯Dear sister, if you hadn¡¯t been born, dad wouldn¡¯t have been in a predicament. You bring bad luck to people. You¡¯re a witch no one should keep close to themselves.¡¯


    Although Xu Mey managed to shake off her words back then, now it wasn¡¯t possible. Now, it was like each word struck a cord. ¡¯It was all because of her.¡¯ She thought.


    "I¡¯m so sorry, Ah-Jie!" Her tears again started trickling down. "If I hadn¡¯t called you. It wouldn¡¯t have happened. Or if I had listened to you and waited patiently inside the office... None of this would have happened... It¡¯s all my fault."


    She kept sobbing with her face buried in her hands. Why was she so stubborn? Why did she have to call him? Why couldn¡¯t she just stay in the office? Suddenly, she was frustrated with her own self.


    She wiped her tears furiously. "I know what to do. If I¡¯m the eclipse of your life, it¡¯s better I just stay away from you. If to save you I have to stay far away from you, I¡¯ll pay this price. I will! I have to!"


    Stroking his pale face, she added, "Ah-Jie, I love you. Not sure how much. But I¡¯m sure I love you enough to leave you for your happiness and health. Nothing matters to me in this world more than you. Not even this baby."


    Sheid feather-like kisses all over his face and added, "The baby is all yours to raise. So, you better wake up for his sake. He needs his father."


    As she turned to leave, she felt someone tugging at her sleeve. Pleasantly shocked, she turned around only to be disappointed. He looked exactly as he did just a moment ago except for the frown which had deepened now.


    Pressing her lips together, Xu Mey briskly walked out of his room and closed the door. Her body went limp once she was outside and she slid down to the ground. Feeling a piercing pain shooting through her mind, her mind went nk and lost consciousness.


    "Sis!" Xiamu was the only one in the corridor who saw Xu Mey falling down. He immediately ran towards her and held up her body in his arms. "Hey, sis! Open your eyes!" He lost hisposure and even forgot that nobody here knew that he Xu Mey¡¯s twin brother.


    But the chaos that ensued left no room for others to even care what Xiamu said. Seeing the room she came out of, everyone had a horrified look on their faces.


    "When did she leave her room?" No one knew who asked.


    "We thought she was sleeping." And no one knew who answered.


    What everyone knew was that she looked like a withered rose that had lost its luster. She looked broken and battered. Most of all, she looked so listless.

 Chapter 335 - Who Is This?

    There was a time when Xu Mey felt like her pain changed her. It made her stronger. But now, there was another kind of pain inside of her. And this time... This pain was hurting her.


    "What is wrong with her doctor?" The anxious voice of Xu Cheng rang inside the room.


    From the moment, Xiamu brought Xu Mey back to her own room, she was crying. Even in her slumber of darkness, tears had been falling down constantly. It made Xu Cheng¡¯s worry heightened.


    The senior doctor shook his head and sighed. "Mr. Xu, we can¡¯t be too sure. But... It seems like a mental breakdown. I told you to keep her happy. Now, it¡¯s better if someone stays with her at all times. In this condition, patients usually resort to suicide."


    Xu Cheng¡¯s heart shook and his eyes widened. He couldn¡¯t let anything happen to his daughter. Xu Cheng felt dizzy and didn¡¯t focus on the rest of the things that the doctor said. As the doctors left, Xiamu saw Xu Cheng losing his footing, he sprinted to his side and held his arm to support.


    "I think you should rest for a while. You haven¡¯t been sleeping well." Xiamu helped Xu Cheng to the leather couch.


    "It¡¯s okay. I need to stay with her. She needs me." Xu Cheng¡¯s voice was like that of an emotionally drained person. He tried to smile at Xiamu and went on, "Thank you, young man! I don¡¯t know... For how many things I¡¯ll have to say thank you. But it means a lot that you¡¯re here."


    ¡¯She needs a mother as well, dad. But that mother has gone M.I.A. I can¡¯t even reach her for weeks now.¡¯ Xiamu was fuming inside but he didn¡¯t let it show. "Then add one more thank you to the list. Take some rest while I¡¯ll stay right here with her. She¡¯s like an elder sister to me."


    Xu Cheng wanted to refute but didn¡¯t have words to do so. Atst, he decided to get some rest.


    In the spacious room, Xiamu held up tissue to wipe Xu Mey¡¯s tears which seemed like never-ending. And that¡¯s when he heard her soft murmur, "You have be my reason to live... Can¡¯t you survive for my sake?"


    Xiamu¡¯s heart broke just seeing the sadness on his sister¡¯s face. He really couldn¡¯t fathom what she was going through.


    It was almost middle of the night when Xiamu felt sleep getting to him. He barely had nodded off for a few minutes before he felt someone¡¯s hand stroking his head.


    He opened his eyes and blinked several times just to make sure that it was indeed Xu Mey¡¯s hand that had been caressing his hair.


    "Why are you awake? Go back to sleep. You look damn tired." The somber look on her face was disturbing for Xiamu for some reason.


    "No, it¡¯s alright. I¡¯ll keep youpany." He straightened up and blinked his sleep away.


    Feeling her burning gaze on his face, Xiamu fidgeted like a kid who had been caught doing something wrong. He averted his eyes away, looking anywhere but her.


    After a moment of silence, he heard her soft voice again, "Why did you call me sister?" Xiamu¡¯s eyes went round and his head snapped back to her with a look of disbelief. Before he could deny it, she went on, "Don¡¯t try to find an excuse. I heard your voice clearly before losing my alertness."


    "Now, that we are at this topic... You actually look at my dad very differently as if you have something to say but you¡¯re afraid of something." Xiamu was stuck. He didn¡¯t know what to say. Or how to say it. Was he supposed to tell her who he was? He definitely didn¡¯t think that the hospital was a ce to talk about their own rtionships.


    While he was pressing his lips together, looking for an answer, they heard amotion and the door was slid open. Li Qiao¡¯s familiar face popped inside as he announced, "Little Mey, Jie is awake."


    That one sentence froze Xu Mey to her spot. She looked at Li Qiao disbelievingly but also earnestly. How was she supposed to react? Her happiness was too much for her as she couldn¡¯t even find words to say out.


    Meanwhile, in the room beside hers...


    "Is it hurting somewhere?"


    "Do you need water?"


    "Are youfortable?"


    "Tell us what you want?"


    One by one, several questions were thrown at Jie who was sitting up with the support of bed pillows. He looked at the face of his parents, Ye Jun, He Jian, Azalea, his uncle, and aunt. Everyone seemed like relief had finally washed down on them.


    "We shouldn¡¯t tire him with all the talk." Zhu Chen suggested even though, Jie had yet to say a single word. From the moment, he opened his eyes he had been just staring at everyone with interest.


    "Yeah, we shouldn¡¯t disturb him at all." He Susu nodded in agreement but still bent down to give Jie a light hug saying, "You scared the hell out of mom this time." She sniffled a little, trying hard to not shed a single tear.


    "Mom, I¡¯m fine now. Don¡¯t cry." Jie¡¯s voice was hoarse, strained, slow, but it was enough to put everyone at ease. With tears in her eyes, He Susu nodded her head.


    "Mom won¡¯t cry. My son is alright now."


    As they were nning on leaving him to rest, the door to his room was opened and there stood Xu Mey in her hospital gown with blood trickling down her hand again. She was staring at Jie with a sudden glow and happiness in her eyes. But he was frowning at the blood that trickled down slowly. Her bare feet touched the cold marble but she didn¡¯t care. She ran up to Jie¡¯s side and stood rooted.


    Not saying anything... Not moving at all... Just staring at his handsome profile.


    Although his brown eyes looked frosty, she didn¡¯t care. All that mattered was that he was now awake and fine.


    Jie looked at her impassively. Just as she lifted her hand to touch his face to make sure she wasn¡¯t dreaming, her hand halted in mid-air because of the words that left his mouth, "Mom, who is this youngdy?"

 Chapter 336 - Oscar-Winning

    Needless to say, those words struck like lightning. Not just on Xu Mey but also every single person who was present in the room.


    "Bro, you don¡¯t know who she is?" Ye Jun was the only person who could raise this question. He was cautious with his words but he was really horrified at the simple idea of... What if his brother really doesn¡¯t know Xu Mey? But he remembered everyone else. So... Selective memory loss?


    Jie took a deep breath and turned his eyes away from Xu Mey like she was just any passerby he didn¡¯t care to know about. "Didn¡¯t I just say, I don¡¯t?" As Ye Jun opened and closed his mouth like a goldfish, Jie continued, "Why? Am I supposed to know her?"


    Everyone shared a look not knowing what to say. What could they say?


    "It¡¯s alright if you don¡¯t know her." Lin Shen was the first one to answer as he entered the room with a group of doctors behind him. "No need to strain your mind." He smiled pleasantly and gestured for the other people to leave the room.


    With only the doctors in the room, all the necessary tests were carried out. Outside, Xiamu had called for a nurse to bandage Xu Mey¡¯s bleeding hand while he put slippers on her feet. Xu Mey sat like a statue, not caring for the words around her. The world had gone into a flurry for her.


    ¡¯He doesn¡¯t remember me? My Ah-Jie forgot me?¡¯ Xu Mey couldn¡¯t believe it. No, her heart wouldn¡¯t let her believe it. She remembered once he said, ¡¯I¡¯m afraid you might even forget me one day.¡¯ She held her head in her hands. ¡¯Ah-Jie, I didn¡¯t forget you... Just like I promised you I won¡¯t. Then how could you forget me instead?¡¯


    She kept shaking her head as the mncholy of her heart starting to sink in her soul. Her breathing was still ragged and slowly it started getting worse. But suddenly, her body went numb. Completely numb.


    Why?


    Because her own words rang in her mind, ¡¯If you forgot me, I¡¯ll lose my reason for existence.¡¯


    And that¡¯s exactly how she felt. She suddenly lost her reason for existence. Lost herself into an abyss of darkness all over again. And a lost person can¡¯t possibly feel the pain. That person can only feel numb.


    She didn¡¯t care what Lin Shen or the other doctors said. She went back to her own room and went inside the bathroom to ssh some cold water to feel something... Anything would be fine for now.


    "Haha... Why are you upset? Didn¡¯t you decide to leave him?" Xu Mey stared back at her reflection that seemed like it was admonishing her.


    Xu Mey let the palms of her handy t on the cold marble sink and felt her tears brimming up. "But I never wanted him to forget me." She whimpered.


    "Oh, so you want to leave him but you still want to torture him with your memories? How selfish of you!" That voice the only rationality she was left with.


    "No, no! That¡¯s not what I want. But..." Xu Mey tried to find for a reasonable excuse. "But he needs to remember our baby. Yes! How will he care for our baby if he won¡¯t even remember me?"


    "That¡¯s a nice way to convince your guilty conscious. But for how long?" After that, the voice vanished and Xu Mey was left with her own self again. She entered the room and curled up her body on the bed in a fetal position.


    Staying awake till morning, Xu Mey was distorted with her own thoughts. Finally, not being able to take it anymore, she stormed off to Jie¡¯s room.


    Azalea was feeding him some soup when Xu Mey entered with zing eyes. She shot a look to Azalea and said only one word, "Out!"


    Feeling the danger, Azalea made her presence small and briskly left the room. Jie was still frowning at Xu Mey but stayed quiet as if waiting for her to speak first.


    Xu Mey took steady steps towards Jie. "You don¡¯t remember me?" Her voice choked up.


    "Am I supposed to?" He retorted ndly.


    "Of course! You can¡¯t forget me. That doesn¡¯t make sense."


    "Why? Who are you to me?" Xu Mey felt like someone twisted a dagger in her heart.


    "Ah-Jie!" She called out his name affectionately and softly.


    "Miss, I don¡¯t think we are that close. Also, you shouldn¡¯t be here. I¡¯m a married man and you are a singledy. You might not care but I definitely don¡¯t want to upset my wife at all."


    "Your wife? I am your wife, damnit!" Xu Mey finally burst out.


    Jie chuckled in amusement. "Nice try. But don¡¯t you think I¡¯d know my wife? She¡¯s the sweetest person in the world. Certainly, someone careless like you can¡¯t be my wife."


    As he spoke, his gaze was stuck on her feet that were yet again bare.


    "Ah-Jie-," Before Xu Mey could say anything, he interrupted her.


    "Miss, please leave. I¡¯m tired. I need some sleep." He even lowered his body indicating that he was indeed going to sleep.


    Biting her lips, Xu Mey hesitated but still turned to leave with a heavy heart.


    Watching her leave, Jie¡¯s expressions shifted as a cold expression took over.


    Suddenly, a silvery and graceful voice rang in the room, "Blimey!(*) I must say that was one Oscar-winning performance. But aren¡¯t you going a bit too far?"


    (*) ¡¯Blimey!¡¯: My Goodness!

 Chapter 337 - More Than I Care To Admit

    Even after hearing that familiar voice, Jie didn¡¯t react. His face stayed impassive while his gaze was stuck at the spot where Xu Mey stood earlier.


    Sighing, he shifted his gaze and stared at the ster on his foot. With a deep frown, he said, "This is gonna take some time to heal."


    "Just so you know, broken bones often takes time to heal." The same voice answered even though Jie wasn¡¯t asking.


    Jie groaned in frustration, "Thanks for the knowledge, smartypants!" Taking time to breathe, he added, "This is why I hate broken bones."


    A tall figure d in a ck leather jacket and ck jean came out of the shadows and with a twinkle in that pair of green eyes the next words were said out, "And yet, you chose to love a broken girl. Ironic! Isn¡¯t it?"


    Jie finally turned to face the tall and handsome figure. "Are you here to make fun of me, Ru¡¯er?" Because Ru¡¯s lopsided grin was really getting on his nerves now.


    Ru skipped her way to his bedside and sat right beside him on the bed with her arm around his neck in a loose headlock. "Definitely not! This young master came to congratte you... You know on bing a father."


    Jie gave her a sideways nce and asked, "With this voice, you shouldn¡¯t be calling yourself a young master. Don¡¯t you think?"


    "JieJie, I can¡¯t call myself a young miss with these clothes on as well. Can I?" She gave him a beaming smile as she pinched his cheek just to spite him. Indeed, she was looked like a handsome prince from head to toe while her voice was the only indication that she was a girl. No matter what she chose to address herself as it¡¯d be weird.


    Jie swatted her hand away and red at her. "JieJie? Have you lost your mind?"


    Ru gave him an innocent look. "What? You are the one who took the right of calling you Ah-Jie away from me. Now, are you saying that I shouldn¡¯t call you JieJie? How mean!"


    Jie rolled his eyes at her. "Aren¡¯t you three weeks or sote? You know ining to congratte me?"


    Ru pped his back and he coughed before throwing daggers with his eyes which she chose to disregard. "Easy there tigress!"


    Ru shrugged her shoulders and stated, "Well, I¡¯d like to apologize. For real! I just received your voicemail two days ago and I spent the rest of the hours on the flight. Trying to get to you."


    "Where were you?" He asked.


    "I was wandering in the Caribbean."


    "Why?"


    Ru gave him an annoyed look and retorted, "I was looking for Jack Sparrow.(*)"


    "Haha. Very funny!" Jie gave a mockingugh at her sarcasm.


    "d it made youugh." On thisment, both Ru and Jie rolled their eyes at each other.


    A moment offortable silence passed just like that before Jie broke the silence.


    "I wish you coulde sooner."


    "Huh? Really? Why?" Ru lifted her eyes from the doctor¡¯s notes that she was going through.


    "You could have knocked some sense into my wife¡¯s brain." Ru saw the way his fists were clenched tightly. "I can¡¯t believe that the person for whom I¡¯ve been fighting constantly actually was nning on leaving me. You can¡¯t imagine what I went through when the first words that registered in my mind were that she¡¯s gonna leave me. Imagine waking up to that."


    Ru didn¡¯t interrupt him, she knew him better to know that he wasn¡¯t done just yet. Sure enough, he spoke again, "She promised me that she won¡¯t forget me. Now you tell me, how can she even think about leaving me? Isn¡¯t it akin to forgetting me? Forgetting us and whatever we have?"


    "Why aren¡¯t you saying anything?" Jie turned to re at Ru only to find her craning her neck out of the window. "What are you doing there?"


    Then he heard her voice but she wasn¡¯t talking to him. Instead, she was talking to someone outside the window. "Adia! Just throw it up!" He shifted a bit to see her catching a bar of chocte before shouting, "Nice throw!" Did he find it odd that she just got something to eat through the window while they were on the third floor of the hospital? Abso-freaking-lutely not!


    He just picked up a vase by his bed and threw right at her back. Ru spun her body and the vase went right out of the window. Seeing his not-so-happy look, she questioned, "Are you done whining like a little girl?"


    Jie had the urge to strangle her. As if hearing his thoughts, she moved closer to him and said, "Eat something sweet first. You obviously need some strength to strangle me."


    She said it in a yful way but that was the moment Jie realized what she was doing. She had been scared... For him. She only found out about his ident when she camest night. He could imagine how much she must have med herself for not knowing.


    Even right now, she was trying to make himugh. She knew he¡¯ll lose his temper and it won¡¯t end well. Not for anyone at all.


    "Why do you know me so well?" He breathed out tiredly.


    "Oh, I don¡¯t know. Perhaps, because you and I are soul-brothers. Connected from right here." She jabbed him on his chest making him flinch a bit.


    Looking into her green eyes, Jie held her wrist and pulled her in for a hug. He felt her body stiffen up. Needless to say, she wasn¡¯t the hugging kind of a person. But in his arms, she rxed visibly.


    "Did I scare you?" He asked.


    Ru bit her lip before answering, "More than I care to admit." That one sentence was enough for him to rx.


    (*): "Jack Sparrow": Character name of Jhonny Depp in Pirates of the Caribbean

 Chapter 338 - Go, get the girl!

    After a long while, they pulled away and Ru leaned against the wall behind her and whistled softly.


    "I can still knock some sense into your wife if you want me to. But let me warn you, she¡¯ll cry and you¡¯ll yell at me again." Ru stated while she looked at him trying to stretch his arms.


    "I don¡¯t want her to cry," he answered.


    "Toote for that. She must be bawling her eyes out by now. This whole I-don¡¯t-know-you act was not funny at all." Jie knew she was right. But what else could he do?


    "I want her to realize how much pain my absence can bring. I need to make her realize that our rtionship is not a joke. She can¡¯t just pack her bags whenever she feels like we are going downhill. I need her with me even when I¡¯m left with nothing. If she didn¡¯t go through this pain today, she will never learn her lesson." Jie was fuming at the idea of how easy it was for Xu Mey to say that she¡¯ll leave him.


    "We took vows to stick together in sickness and in health. I don¡¯t even understand how the hell is her mind working! How can she forget our love and just focus on this one bad news? Couldn¡¯t she focus on the fact that there is another life growing inside of her?"


    Was their rtionship this fickle? One strike and you¡¯re out!


    Or did he not loved her enough? Where was he wrong?


    And if he wasn¡¯t wrong then how dare she even thought about leaving him alone?!


    Even if he was wrong, she should wait for him to talk it out instead of deciding everything on her own!


    "I love her more than I can even describe. You know how happy I was at just the idea of having a baby with her. It meant something new and different. We were supposed to walk into a new phase of our life. But she... She actually chose to walk back to where we started from. If she was hurt to see me like this then what about me? How am I supposed to live without her? Hell, I even made her my reason to breathe!" He was exasperated, tired, deste, hurt and most of all, disappointed.


    He looked up to see Ru staring at him with a pondering look. "Aren¡¯t you gonna offer your oh-so-wise-words?"


    "You don¡¯t like my oh-so-wise-words," she reciprocated his earlier tone.


    "I really need those words right now though."


    "Okay then." Ru cracked her knuckles as if she was going on a fight and came to sit beside him and started, "You¡¯re hurting her only to make her realize a point. What about yourself? Her single drop of blood made you uneasy. Her single tear crushed you a million times. Aren¡¯t you torturing yourself worse than her?"


    Jie stayed quiet. He knew she wasn¡¯t asking. It was a statement he couldn¡¯t dare to refuse. He was hurting inside with just the idea that in the room beside his, Xu Mey might be crying. This thought made him shudder.


    "Now let me ask you again, is it worth it?" He looked at her in perplexion. "This suffering... for her... because of her?"


    Jie lowered his eyes to look at his own wounds for a second longer before saying, "It¡¯s all worth it. She is my lifeline. I can suffer for her. I don¡¯t like seeing her suffer. Why else would I push her away and take the hit myself?"


    "If you¡¯re happy. It¡¯s all worth it! I told you, you fell for a broken girl. And broken people don¡¯t just walk out of their shadows of darkness that easily. Especially someone like Xu Mey whose mind is not even stable. If you think that all those drugs in her body did nothing then you are wrong. It messed up her mind and thinking. She had been so much manipted from an early age that every bad thing makes her realize that she¡¯s the wrong one." Jie was stunned for a second as she kept going on.


    "Don¡¯t be a jerk now. She¡¯s pregnant and if she kept crying, it won¡¯t be healthy for the baby. So, get your bloody arse out of here and talk to her. ying the amnesia drama is not gonna help. Your words might do some good but your silence will only damage her further. Go back to her before her delusions take her somewhere you won¡¯t be able to reach."


    Jie pressed his lips together as it scared the living daylight out of him. His body was tingling now. He really wanted to run back to Xu Mey. This was enough of torture for both of them. He didn¡¯t want to drag it out anymore. Who knew what crazy idea might shee up with again! Ru was right, he needs to knock some sense into her by himself.


    He made an attempt to get up only to realize that he couldn¡¯t walk.


    "Need help?" Jie shot Ru a look and she backed off. Just pushed a wheelchair to him saying, "Go, get the girl!"


    "Shut up!" Jie grumbled with a slight smile and with a support of the bed, he got on the wheelchair.

 Chapter 339 - Accusations

    Even though Jie refused to take her help, Ru considerately wheeled him to Xu Mey¡¯s room but didn¡¯t step inside. Instead, she gave him two thumbs up and whispered, "Best of luck, JieJie! I hope she grills you before forgiving you."


    Jie stared at her disbelievingly and asked, "Are you sure you¡¯re my Ru¡¯er? How can you take her side?"


    Patting his shoulder, Ru very conveniently added, "This young master is not taking sides. You both are wrong and I don¡¯t side with the people who only consider their own feelings. If she was wrong in her decision, the way you reacted was also not very admirable." Saying that she turned to leave.


    "Are you leaving already?" Jie¡¯s voice made her turn her face towards him.


    "Nope! Just going out to smoke. You see, smoking is not allowed inside the hospital. And I am aw-abiding person." With that, she left him while he shook his head at her.


    Jie wheeled inside the room not knowing what was brewing outside behind him.


    It was almost noon, but the Xu Mey¡¯s room looked like it was enshrouded in darkness. She was sitting on the bed with her head buried in her knees.


    Feeling someone¡¯s presence, Xu Mey lifted her face and was stunned to see Jie¡¯s brown eyes looking back at her. She wasn¡¯t crying much to Jie¡¯s relief. But she seemed different.


    The tension and silence got thicker with each passing second. It was so thick that Xu Mey wanted to cut it with a knife. And she did! Not literally though.


    "Go away! I don¡¯t wanna see you!" Xu Mey shouted aggressively but there was a bit of vulnerability in her eyes. Silently pleading him not to go.


    "Why?" Jie asked in a very calm manner.


    Xu Mey¡¯s lower lip quivered as she fought to get the words out, "You¡¯re a liar!"


    "Liar? Me? When did I lie to you?" Jie questioned.


    Xu Mey shot him a re and shouted, "You lied! You said you¡¯d never forget me. You said you¡¯d stay my side. You said you¡¯d only love me!" Her response was filled with bile and usation. Slowly, her tear ducts again opened and tears fell down. Her voice turned softer as she kept mumbling, "You don¡¯t remember me! You don¡¯t remember our baby! You don¡¯t remember anything. Liar! Liar!"


    With a lot of effort, Jie managed to stand up from the wheelchair on one foot and hobbled his way to her bed. He sat down right in front of her and held her shaking shoulders. Pinching her chin between his thumb and index finger, he lifted her face and tried to wipe her tears but she pped his hand away.


    "Don¡¯t touch me! Go touch your wife!" Xu Mey snapped at him.


    Pressing his lips together, Jie nodded and said, "Okay!"


    He pretended to get up when she held his arm and shook her head. Her eyes were imploring him not to go. It broke Jie¡¯s heart and whatever anger he had was instantly gone.


    "Do you really not remember me, Ah-Jie?" Clutching his arm tightly, she questioned pitifully.


    Jie tucked the loose strands of hair behind her ear and said, "No. I remember my baby all too well."


    Xu Mey¡¯s eyes brightened up. "You do?" Jie nodded in reply, stroking her cheek gently. "But you said you don¡¯t know me."


    "Silly, how can I forget you? I took you for a smart person. If I could remember my mother whom I just found after years, how will I forget you? Doesn¡¯t that seem scientifically wrong?" Jie pinched her nose as she frowned deeply.


    "Then why did you-," realizing something, she hit him hard on his wound. Jie winced but Xu Mey was too angry to care. "You actually yed me like that? Did you care for my feelings at all? Do you know how alone I felt when you said you don¡¯t know me?" She was fuming with rage as she started hitting him without seeing.


    Jie held her wrists in his hand. "And what about you? What about my feelings? Don¡¯t they matter to you at all?"


    "What are you saying?" The confusion was written all over her face.


    "Am I the only one who promised not to forget you? Am I the only one who promised I¡¯d stay by your side? Am I the only one who promised to love only you? No! You also gave me those promises as well but you didn¡¯t mean them." Jie¡¯s words struck like lightning on her.


    "Ah-Jie! I meant every word!" She couldn¡¯t believe he was using her like this.


    "Oh, really? Then tell me why did you decide to leave me?" At Jie¡¯s question, Xu Mey was stunned.


    She was lost for words. "How do you know that?" She breathed out.


    "Why? Are you guilty?" Jie gave a disappointed look as he went on, "Can you even imagine what I felt? After a long slumber, the first words that I heard were my wife telling me that she¡¯d just leave me. How am I supposed to react? Am I supposed to be okay with it? And if I am, then tell me how? How am I supposed to live without you? Ha? F*ck! You were even ready to abandon our child who is yet toe to this world!" The tears that he had been holding onto finally dropped down.

 Chapter 340 - Gladly

    "I... I-," Xu Mey tried to speak but she couldn¡¯te up with a reply. Hisst words had hit the mark.


    "Tell me, baby! Do I matter only this much to you? Will it always be like this? Whenever there will be something wrong, you¡¯ll juste up with the idea of leaving me alone?" The rims of his eyes were red and the tears hadn¡¯t stopped falling.


    "Ah-Jie, if I wasn¡¯t there it wouldn¡¯t have happened..." Xu Mey choked on her words.


    Jie took a deep breath. "And how do you know that? Can you predict the future? No! You definitely can¡¯t, baby. We don¡¯t know if the things would change or not just because of your presence or absence."


    "But you pushed me to save me. You could have saved yourself," Xu Mey felt her words quite meaningless now that she was saying these words out loud. In her mind, the words sounded right earlier but now, they sounded so wrong for so many reasons.


    Jie took her cold hands in his own and Xu Mey¡¯s body felt the heat emanating from that touch. She missed it. She missed this warmth. She missed him! "Baby, if we faced the same situation a hundred times, I¡¯ll still choose to save you. Because you are my life. Without you, your Ah-Jie¡¯s existence doesn¡¯t even hold any meaning. Then how can you me yourself?"


    Xu Mey kept tearing up as she shook her head. "I don¡¯t know. I felt alone. My mind was making me go crazy with all these thoughts. I don¡¯t know how I came up with that idea of leaving you. But Ah-Jie, I realized I can¡¯t leave you. Trust me, I can¡¯t! Not anymore. Just the thought of not having you in my life is scaring me. It¡¯s crushing me."


    Jie hugged her not even caring that the stitches on his chest seemed to have opened as the white bandage was getting dyed in blood red color.


    "Don¡¯t you dare try to abandon me. Or the newest member of our family. You wouldn¡¯t want your child to grow up without the motherly love like you did." Jie¡¯s words made Xu Mey realize her biggest mistake.


    "I told her I¡¯m not like her. How can I even think of doing this?" Xu Mey was rebuking herself. "I told that woman I¡¯m not her daughter and yet here I am... I was actually going to leave you and our baby like she left me and dad. How can I be this selfish? My mind really wasn¡¯t right."


    "So now, do you think I was wrong for acting like that?" Jie asked gently rubbing her head.


    "Yes! You are still wrong!" Xu Mey pushed him away and red at him usingly. "You could have knocked some sense in my mind by talking like we are doing right now. Why did you choose such a cruel way to do it? What if something happened to me?"


    Jie cleared his throat awkwardly. He knew he went far. "Baby, I chose that way because I wanted you to learn a hard lesson. So that you could never even dream about leaving me."


    "That¡¯s not a good enough excuse!" Xu Mey crossed her arms before her chest and looked away.


    "Okay, okay! I¡¯m sorry. Baby¡¯s Ah-Jie is really very sorry for being a jerk. Happy?" Xu Mey didn¡¯t react as if she wasn¡¯t even listening. But after all this time together, even Jie was well aware of how to wrap her around his finger. "Fine. Although it hurts, I¡¯ll get on my knees to apologize."


    Xu Mey¡¯s gaze shifted. She saw him trying to get off the bed. "Ow!" He winced in pain and that¡¯s when Xu Mey noticed his blood-stained bandage.


    "Ah-Jie!" She frenziedly helped him back up and started lecturing, "Why are you straining your body? Look, your stitches must have opened. Oh God! What should I do? Wait here, I¡¯ll call Shen Ge."


    Before she could leave, Jie held her wrist and pulled her back. Shended straight on his thighs. Jie brushed his knuckles lightly on her face and asked in his husky voice, "Am I forgiven?" Xu Mey opened her mouth to answer but it was an opening for Jie who shoved his tongue into her mouth.


    The moment his warm tongue slid against her own, Xu Mey¡¯s body shuddered and tingled with anticipation. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer. "You didn¡¯t answer." He pulled back to question.


    Frustrated Xu Mey bit his bottom lip and said, "You deserve punishment."


    "And what¡¯s my punishment?" Jie asked grazing his teeth on her neck making her arch it to give him more ess.


    Xu Mey felt breathless but still managed to say, "Your punishment is to love your baby for the rest of this life. Love her every part. Even her crazy mind which runs at the speed of light."


    Jie chuckled and pulled her close making her gasp as he whispered against her lips, "dly."

 Chapter 341 - Prince! Princess!

    "But baby, I can¡¯t love you for the rest of this life," Jie¡¯s voice halted Xu Mey who was yet again on her way to call Lin Shen.


    She frowned and looked upset as she started, "But you just prom-," she was yet toplete when he stopped her.


    Burying his face in her stomach, Jie said, "I meant to say that how can I love you only for this life. I have long made a deal with God to let you be mine for all the lives toe."


    She felt warmth gushing all over her heart making her feel loved all over again. Xu Mey wanted to y with his hair but seeing a huge bandage on his head, she stopped herself. "Oh, so is the deal finalized?" She yed along trying to hide her sadness.


    Jie tilted his face to look at her face and grinned like a kid, "Of course! Did I ever lose a negotiation?"


    Seeing him so confident, Xu Mey chuckled. Then her eyes widened as she felt his lips pressed against her tummy. "Hi, my baby! Daddy is so sorry for beingte."


    Xu Mey tried to smile as she heard him talking to their child who definitely didn¡¯t even grow ears yet. "Mommy must have made you suffer from her relentless crying, right?" Xu Mey gaped at him before pping his shoulder. Jie chuckled. "See, she¡¯s even violent. But don¡¯t worry, daddy will protect you. And daddy will make sure that she doesn¡¯t cry as well. But daddy will need a helping hand. So, be healthy ande out fast."


    "Ah-Jie, he can¡¯t even hear you," Xu Mey reminded him.


    Jie shrugged her words off. "Of course he can! My baby can hear everything daddy is saying."


    Xu Mey pouted. "But I¡¯m Ah-Jie¡¯s baby. This is so not fair!"


    Jie chuckled softly because it really hurt his chest but he didn¡¯t let it show on his face. "Aiyoh! How can you be jealous of our child?"


    "I am jealous! Ah-Jie can only have one baby and that¡¯s only me!" Xu Mey stubbornly announced.


    "Obviously, you are my baby. But you are a big baby and this one..." he stroked her stomach and added, "That¡¯s my little baby." Xu Mey gave a reluctant expression but didn¡¯tment any further.


    "I so want to meet this little princess soon." Jie¡¯s remark made Xu Mey give him a stern look.


    "It¡¯s a prince. No princess. Don¡¯t be mistaken."


    "How are you so sure?" Jie asked in a challenging tone.


    "Because I¡¯m the mother here. I have a stronger connection with him. He¡¯s a strong prince and that¡¯s why I didn¡¯t have any morning sickness until now. He¡¯s a brave boy who doesn¡¯t even hurt his mother." Xu Mey spoke with conviction.


    "My princess can also be strong. And what do you mean by strong connection? I also have a share in making that baby." Xu Mey¡¯s cheeks flushed and her whole body felt hot with his suggestive words. Why was he getting so shameless? Xu Mey squirmed away trying to hide her embarrassment.


    "Now, let me go. I have to call Shen Ge. You¡¯re bleeding." Finally, Xu Mey managed to escape his clutches and went out to look for Lin Shen.


    Behind her, as a rxing feeling settled in Jie¡¯s heart, heid down on her bed which had her enticing scent on it. It didn¡¯t take long before the slumber engulfed him.


    "Xiao Mey, why are you running around?" Xu Cheng asked anxiously as he saw Xu Meying out of her room.


    "Dad, where is Shen Ge?"


    "Why? Are you hurting somewhere?" Xu Cheng checked her body from head to toe.


    "No." Xu Mey replied. "Ah-Jie¡¯s stitches broke. He¡¯s bleeding again."


    "Oh, you go back. I¡¯ll call him." Saying that Xu Cheng didn¡¯t even give her a chance to react before walking away.


    Xu Mey silently went back to her own room and found Jie with his eyes closed. There was a strange peacefulness on his face. The frown was all gone. In fact, she could even see a small smile on his face. Although he still looked sick, his face had gained back its charming aura.


    Xu Mey sat down on the bed and ced his head on herp. Her fingers lightly traced each and every feature of his face. Etching it in her memory, heart, and soul.


    "Are you having a good dream, Ah-Jie?" She asked in a whisper. Jie stirred in the sleep and frowned again. When Xu Mey tried to press it down, Jie held her hand and inteced his fingers with hers.


    The frown eased up and he smiled again in his sleep. "Now, I¡¯m home." She heard him mumbling making her heart swell with so many feelings that even she couldn¡¯t speak anything.


    Their way of loving was oddly weird but that was what made them a peculiar couple. Who loved whom more couldn¡¯t be told but one thing was sure, both had found a home in each other. A home that gave protection, a sense of security, warmth, and all the love avable.


    He was hers and there was no doubt in that. But she was also his... There was no doubt in that either.

 Chapter 342 - Are You Blushing?

    After changing Jie¡¯s bandage, Lin Shen adviced repeatedly not to let Jie strain his body. Seeing that Jie was really reluctant to let go of Xu Mey¡¯s hand, Lin Shen didn¡¯t separate them. He lookedfortable in his sleep and that was all that mattered.


    Xu Mey was by Jie¡¯s side until midnight. He didn¡¯t wake up at all. And ording to the doctors, sleep was good for a speedy recovery. So, Xu Mey was rxed. But as her mind was at ease, now she thought of all that had happened from the moment they got into the ident. It was a scary experience indeed but somehow she felt that now, she really had the courage to say that she¡¯ll never leave Jie.


    She just couldn¡¯t bear to do it anymore.


    But apart from the ident, that day was filled with other matters that she didn¡¯t get to think about again. She needed to talk to someone. She needed it badly.


    Very carefully, Xu Mey pulled her hand out of Jie¡¯s grip and felt it was numb by now. Sheid a gentle kiss on his forehead and whispered, "I¡¯ll be right back." With those words, she walked out.


    She had finally gotten her cellphone back and she took it to the small terrace garden on the floor. Biting her lips, she took a while before sighing and dialing the number.


    Suddenly, a ringtone caught her attention and she frowned as she turned to see. "Sensei?" Her voice was filled with surprise.


    Ru who had a cigarette between her lips was looking at the shing screen of the cellphone, then her gaze shifted when Xu Mey called her.


    "Sensei, what are you doing here?" Xu Mey ran to her side and asked as her eyes twinkled with happiness.


    Seeing the look in her eyes, Ru was stunned for a second before, "F*ck!" cursing out and putting out her cigarette by crushing it in her hand without caring about the burn. She scratched the back of her head apologetically and a bit guilty as she said, "Sorry, I forgot you just got up the duff. I shouldn¡¯t smoke around you. Not healthy for you."


    Xu Mey scrunched up her nose in confusion. "Up the duff?" She asked not being able to hold back her curiosity.


    "Right, you don¡¯t know." Ru facepalmed herself before exining, "Its a ng for pregnant, sweetheart." At the end of her sentence, she even added her signature smile.


    Xu Mey¡¯s cheeks flushed. "Are you blushing?" Ru asked in amusement.


    "No..." Xu Mey squeaked out but even she couldn¡¯t believe herself much less Ru.


    A beautifulugh rang stunning Xu Mey for a second as she just stared at Ru¡¯s handsome face. Ru had a full-blownugh like the kind where a person throws his head back. Yeah! That kind. It mesmerized Xu Mey for a long while.


    Xu Mey felt a bit embarrassed but she couldn¡¯t just say that; her life¡¯s first crush was Ru. Wasn¡¯t it obvious that she would blush at Ru being all sweet and might she add... Super handsome?


    To get over her sheepishness, Xu Mey coughed lightly and asked again, "You didn¡¯t tell me, what are you doing here?"


    "Well, I was smoking some fag and eating some chocte." Seeing Xu Mey lost expression, Ru added, "Fag as in cigarette, sweetheart. Get your mind to work a bit. That lost look doesn¡¯t suit you at all."


    "Ohh..." Xu Mey nodded but again frowned. "When did you start to smoke? Wait! That was not my question. I was asking how are you here?"


    "Let¡¯s leave my smoking habits. As for your question, how did I get here? I¡¯m wondering that myself." Seeing Xu Mey¡¯s face that seemed to say ¡¯i-don¡¯t-believe-you¡¯, Ru sighed out. "You want to know why I came here?" Xu Mey nodded her head. "Okay. This voicemail might help."


    Ru clicked on her cellphone and a voice recording yed out. "You bloody bastard! Why aren¡¯t you picking up my call? Where the hell-" Xu Mey¡¯s eyes widened as Jie¡¯s voice rang out and might we add, it was more like a roar.


    Ru smiled awkwardly and said, "Let¡¯s skip this part..." Saying that she forwarded the recording while ignoring Xu Mey¡¯s amused look.


    The recording yed again and this time Jie¡¯s voice sounded a lot different, "I wanted to ask you something, dumb*ss! But I guess if you are not going to answer then I¡¯m just going to assume that I¡¯m going to be a father. Do you hear me? I¡¯m going to be a father. Oh My God!" There was a screeching sound of tires as if the car was parked. "It just suddenly sank in my mind, I¡¯m going to be a father. Sh*t! I¡¯m feeling so jittery, scared but most of all, I¡¯m so excited. Can you just imagine the possibility of having a child with my smile and my baby¡¯s beautiful eyes? He should definitely have my mind since my baby¡¯s mind doesn¡¯t work properly."


    Xu Mey gaped in disbelief as she heard his voice but the next moment, she felt tears stinging her eyes, "I feel like floating on cloud nine. I¡¯m so excited to see my baby¡¯s dazed look. She will be shocked for sure. That Slowpoke isn¡¯t even realizing it. Hey, R! Do you know the idea of having a child is making me feel like my family is going to beplete now. Although my baby is enough for me, still I believe we need that little one; the product of our love. Ai! I¡¯m losing my mind. You better get here. I¡¯m so gonna kill you otherwise!"


    Ru brushed her tears away softly and said, "Your husband is so going to kill me for making you cry again. Shoot! Why do I always end up in these predicaments?" Hearing Ru¡¯s voice, Xu Mey chuckled between her tears. "Now, that¡¯s more like it."

 Chapter 343 - You Know The Way Out

    "Now, let¡¯s get to business. You were calling me." Xu Mey stayed quiet while Ru added, "Either you wanted to tell me something or you wanted to ask for something. Correct?"


    Xu Mey pursed her lips before answering, "Yeah. I actually want to tell you something but I also want to ask something as well."


    "Okay!" Ru nodded and held her shoulders to turn her body saying, "First, take a seat. We don¡¯t want you getting tired now, do we?"


    Xu Mey listened to her and took a seat at the wooden bench. Ru, on the other hand, didn¡¯t sit. Putting her hands in her pocket, her green orbs roamed around to see the skyscrapers brightly lit even at this time of the night.


    "Start with the story you want to tell me." Xu Mey heard Ru¡¯s voice and stiffened up a bit.


    Inhaling a deep breath, she started rting the incident of the day she got into an ident.


    *shback*


    When Xu Mey came to the office, she was feeling quite refreshed. There was no sign of any nausea or headache. She started her work without any worry and didn¡¯t keep a track of time.


    It was close to the lunch hours when someone opened the door of her room and she heard her assistant¡¯s squeamish voice. "Madam, I told you Ms. Xu is busy."


    Xu Mey lifted her eyes to see Xin Qian standing at her door with her assistant fidgeting behind her. "I¡¯m sorry, Director. But this Madam didn¡¯t listen to me."


    "It¡¯s okay, QiQi. You can leave." Xu Mey waved her off and looked at Xin Qian with surprise. She had only met the woman once at the He Family house. She only knew that this woman was her mother-inw¡¯s friend and also, Li Qiao¡¯s aunt. But she was confused about why she came to see her.


    Feeling ufortable under the scrutiny of Xin Qian¡¯s gaze, Xu Mey stood up from her chair walked towards the seating area in her office and broke the silence. "Have a seat, Ms. Xin. I wonder what brought you here."


    Xin Qian suddenly pulled her into her embrace taking Xu Mey by surprise. Xu Mey stood frozen not moving at all. She didn¡¯t even know what was going on. "Ms. Xin," Xu Mey tried to speak and squirm her way out of her embrace but Xin Qian tightened her grip.


    "I¡¯m so sorry. I¡¯m really sorry for not recognizing you sooner." Hearing Xin Qian¡¯s voice choked up with tears, Xu Mey was confused even more. Xin Qian pulled away a bit and kissed Xu Mey¡¯s face. "I missed you so much. You have no idea how much I¡¯ve missed you."


    Not being able to take this anymore, Xu Mey pulled away from her grip keeping a distance of an arm¡¯s length. "Wait! Ms. Xin, I don¡¯t understand anything that you¡¯re saying."


    Xin Qian tried to hold Xu Mey¡¯s hands but she stepped back. "Mey, it¡¯s me. Your mom." Her voice quivered but Xu Mey understood her words very well. "Mom missed you-,"


    "Stop!" Xu Mey cut her off. "Don¡¯t you dare say that you missed me. Because I don¡¯t believe a single word."


    "Baby girl," Xin Qian¡¯s voice got softer.


    "Ms. Xin, don¡¯t!" Xu Mey¡¯s voice was stern. "You abandoned me. And here you are telling me after twenty-eight years of my life that you missed me. Wow! Am I supposed to believe that?"


    "Believe me, I didn¡¯t abandon you. It was your father. He asked me to leave you behind. Otherwise, why would I leave my flesh and blood behind? And that too, for Xu Cheng? The man who cheated on me?" The malice in her voice incensed Xu Mey.


    "Mind your words! That¡¯s my father you¡¯re talking about." Xu Mey spoke in a hostile manner. "And I know my father very well. He never cheated on you. He was tricked and you fell for it as well."


    "Is that what your father told you?" She snorted. "He¡¯s lying! It was his mistress who told me that he wants me to leave you behind."


    "Ah, and you fell for it? Tsk. Tsk. Tsk. Suddenly, I feel pity for you." Xu Mey was feeling dissatisfied. "You fell for Fu Lan¡¯s words again! I¡¯m amazed that my father actually fell for a dumb woman like you."


    "You don¡¯t believe me? Then go and ask him why he left our son with me? I didn¡¯t abandon you but he did abandon his son!" Xu Mey¡¯s reaction at learning that she¡¯s her mother was very calm and collected but learning about having a brother? She was lost for a moment.


    "Son?" She voiced out in disbelief.


    "Yes, baby girl. Your twin brother. He¡¯s five minutes younger than you. See, your father didn¡¯t even tell you anything about him at all. How can you trust all that he told you about me?"


    Xu Mey scoffed. "Ms. Xin, don¡¯t tter yourself. My father and I don¡¯t have the time to discuss you. As for having a brother, all I can say is I don¡¯t believe a word you just said. Until I ask my father the details, I won¡¯t be believing a single word that you just said."


    "Why can¡¯t you?"


    "Because you ruined my f*cking life! If it wasn¡¯t for you, I¡¯d have had a normal and happy childhood instead of suffering from mental instability at a young age. It is all your fault! You ran away! You didn¡¯t want to believe my father and you chose to run away. You threw away your family for your own sake!" Xu Mey finally let out all that she was trying to bury inside of herself.


    "How can you say that?" Tears had stained Xin Qian¡¯s face as she kept looking at Xu Mey.


    "Ms. Xin, you know the way out. Just leave before I do something I might regret!" Xu Mey¡¯s jaw was clenched as her anger was visible on her beautiful face.


    Xin Qian stayed quiet until she reached the door reluctantly and stopped to speak, "No matter what you say, you will always be my daughter. You are also like me."


    Xu Mey red at her with blood-rimmed eyes and said, "I¡¯m not like you. I never will be! I¡¯m not your daughter and I never want to be!"


    Xu Mey saw the hurt in her eyes as she walked out of her office but it didn¡¯t matter to her at all. Her pain was far worse.


    *End of shback*

 Chapter 344 - Man Up

    Even after listening to Xu Mey, a certain green-eyed individual didn¡¯t react. Xu Mey kept gazing at Ru¡¯s tall frame looking over the blinking lights of the skyscrapers in the distance.


    "Sensei, why are you so quiet?" Xu Mey chose to break the thick silence since she wasn¡¯tfortable with it anymore.


    "Did you talk to your father?" asked Ru, not looking back at her.


    "No." Xu Mey bit out softly.


    "Why?" Xu Mey lifted her eyes to see Ru¡¯s green orbs searching for something in her eyes.


    "I don¡¯t know how to talk to him. I know for a fact that dad doesn¡¯t know anything about having a son." Xu Mey spoke in a confident manner.


    "And how are you so sure?"


    "Sensei, if he knew he had a son... He would never have let that woman take him away."


    Xu Mey was confident about this. She had heard from Fan Bingbing that her father broke down back then because that woman even threw their daughter away and left him.


    Ru nodded her head giving her tacit agreement. She finally sighed and took a seat beside Xu Mey.


    "Do you mind if I take your pulse?" Ru¡¯s sudden question surprised Xu Mey but she still shook her head and stretched her wrist towards her. cing her slightly calloused fingers on Xu Mey¡¯s delicate wrists, Ru closed her eyes briefly. When she let her go, Xu Mey could see a ghost of a smile on Ru¡¯s face.


    "What¡¯s wrong?" Xu Mey asked anxiously.


    Ru shook her head and said, "Nothing is wrong as of yet. But try not to get agitated. It¡¯s not good for your health or the one inside of you."


    "So... What about that son? I mean your twin brother."


    Xu Mey held Ru¡¯s wrist and dragged her through the corridors before pointing Xiamu who was seated on a chair with his head rested on the wall behind him.


    "There he is..." Xu Mey drawled her words as she pointed at Xiamu.


    "Are you sure?"


    "I might not be before but after I heard him calling me sis, I¡¯m sure."


    As if feeling someone¡¯s gaze on himself, Xiamu opened his eyes and turned his face towards Xu Mey. She was so rmed that she even pulled Ru with herself and hid behind a wall.


    "Why are we hiding?" Ru asked with slight amusement.


    "Because I don¡¯t know what to say to him." Xu Mey answered matter-of-factly.


    "Are you sure?" Seeing the skeptical look in Ru¡¯s eyes, Xu Mey knew she couldn¡¯t deceive this person no matter how hard she tries to do so.


    "Sensei, it¡¯s awkward."


    "Why?"


    "I¡¯m feeling guilty towards him. Badly!" answered Xu Mey in exasperation.


    "Again, why?"


    Xu Mey closed her eyes and groaned in irritation. Suddenly, she felt something cold touching her nose. Her eyes flew open and she looked at the ice cream in Ru¡¯s hand.


    ¡¯Did he just get that out of thin air?¡¯ Xu Mey wondered to herself in amazement.


    "Eat! It¡¯ll make you feel better." She wiped the cream from her nose and pressed her lips together before she took the three vored ice cream from Ru¡¯s hand.


    "How did you get it? It¡¯s past midnight. And how did you know I was craving for ice cream?" Xu Mey inquired incredulously.


    "Let me answer in the order of the questions. First, I have my ways to get what I want and whenever I want." Xu Mey chuckled at this self-centered reply. "Second, I didn¡¯t know you were craving ice cream. I guess I got lucky this time." Rubbing Xu Mey¡¯s head while she was eating the ice cream in content, Ru went on, "Now, are you chilled enough to answer my question?"


    Xu Mey knew she wasn¡¯t getting out of this at all. So, she relented eventually.


    "I feel like for the happiness of my Qiao Ge, I just snatched away the happiness of my own little brother." Seeing Ru¡¯spletely lost look, Xu Mey had to add the story of how Xiamu was engaged to Yu Kim while Yu Kim was in love with Li Qiao and vice versa. "I¡¯m such an ipetent sister. How could I just do that to him?"


    "Gosh! I so wanna beat the hell out of you right now." Xu Mey looked at Ru in surprise only to find that thetter didn¡¯t seem to be kidding at all. "This is the biggest problem with you. Assumptions! It¡¯s not like you did everything knowing who he was or who he was talking about. You gave a stranger very honest advice. That¡¯s it! Get over it now!"


    She couldn¡¯t help but knock on Xu Mey¡¯s head lightly. She knew these assumptions were the reason Xu Mey must have decided to leave Jie which backfired on her. This girl never learns her lesson! Ru could only shake her head.


    "You think he won¡¯t me me?" Xu Mey asked uncertainly.


    "We wouldn¡¯t know until you man up and talk to him. Instead of acting like a chicken."


    "Sensei, I can¡¯t man up." Xu Mey giggled like a kid.


    "Right, you can¡¯t do that." Ru bobbed her head up and down slightly. "Well, then just gear up for some heart to heart. Your family needs that right now."

 Chapter 345 - Lets Go Fishing

    There are some special people in our life who always manages to make us feelfortable. Even in the storm of life, their presence is always enough to lift up our spirit.


    Xu Mey knew that Ru was a couple of years younger than her but oddly, why was it that Ru was the one who gave her afortable feeling? Xu Mey had pestered Ru to learn different skills but even after all these years, Xu Mey knew she couldn¡¯t possibly have theposure or maturity that Ru possessed.


    Even in silence, Ru had a way to reassure her. Xu Mey felt all fuzzy inside while she ate her ice cream in silence.


    "Sensei," Xu Mey called out after eating to her fill. After eating sweet delight, she was a bit sleepy now but didn¡¯t want to close her eyes. She was afraid that Ru would again leave like she always did. To make sure, Ru doesn¡¯t vanish, she even perched her head on her shoulder making Ru stiff as a pole.


    Xu Mey thought Ru would push her aside since she didn¡¯t like physical contact but unlike what she expected, Ru didn¡¯t do such thing. Instead, she heard Ru¡¯s voice saying, "It¡¯s Ru."


    "Huh?" Xu Mey didn¡¯t understand.


    "I said you can call me Ru."


    It was Xu Mey¡¯s turn to look disbelievingly. "Is that your name, Sensei?" Xu Mey happily tugged at her sleeve.


    "Don¡¯t know. But since everyone called me young master Ru, I assumed that to be my name." Ru answered offhandedly. "What were you going to say?"


    Xu Mey got back to her senses. "Do you know I felt so uneasy that day... when that woman left... I really didn¡¯t feel like myself." Ru could feel the bitterness in her tone. Something even Xu Mey couldn¡¯t recognize herself.


    "Are you sure you want to know why were you feeling uneasy?" Ru¡¯s question startled Xu Mey a bit. Wasn¡¯t she just uneasy because of nausea?


    "I do want to know..." Xu Mey closed her eyes awaiting Ru¡¯s answer.


    "Because unknowingly, in your heart, you expected to hear another answer." Xu Mey¡¯s heart shook but Ru wasn¡¯t done yet as she continued, "You might have said plenty of times you don¡¯t care but in reality, you cared. A mother figure had always been something you desired. But you also wanted your own mother to give you a reason. A reason that could justify her abandonment. Scratch that! You don¡¯t feel abandoned anymore. Now, you¡¯re feeling betrayed. Because the only answer that mother of yours gave you is that she left because of the woman who ruined your life. Instead of choosing to believe in her own family, she chose to believe a third-party."


    "Your heart is hurting. Your mind is not ready to believe all those excuses that mother of yours gave you. She could have taken you with herself but she didn¡¯t. She chose her own freedom over you. And that thing is not settling well with you along with the fact that instead ofing clean, she¡¯s trying to push all the me on your father."


    Xu Mey wanted to deny all those words but how? She couldn¡¯t! Every word of hers was true. That was the bane of her life. Always had been. A mother who abandoned her and ruined her for life. She felt tears pooling in her eyes but she tried to blink them away. She wasn¡¯t going to cry for that mother again.


    But someone like her who didn¡¯t even know the taste of a mother¡¯s love, how could she give love to her own child? Could she really be any better than her own mother?


    Xu Mey was scared as she asked, "Sense-Ahem! I mean, Ru." Ru hummed in reply. "What is a mother?"


    "Hmm... Mother..." Ru said it as if tasting the sound of it on her tongue.


    "A mother¡¯s love is like a song


    It¡¯s a rhythm of two beating hearts


    She might stay quiet


    But


    she always wraps your heart


    with her love


    She¡¯s the rhythm of life


    Singing the song of hope and cheer


    With every steady beat pushing you to take flight


    She¡¯s like that cool breeze; invisible


    Yet, always there by your side.


    She chides you on your every step


    Silently praying for no pain to touch


    She whispers her words of love


    Having fear is not something she¡¯s proud of.


    But at the end of the day,


    She is a mother, shaping her daughter¡¯s wings


    Because she knows


    One day, her butterfly is going to break free from strings."


    Xu Mey had unconsciously lost herself in Ru¡¯s soothing voice, sleep had made her eyelids heavy. "But then again, one can¡¯t define a mother in a true sense."


    "Was your mother exactly like that?" Xu Mey asked and raised her hand to cover her yawn.


    "Was she?" Xu Mey thought she heard Ru¡¯s voice but she couldn¡¯t be too sure since her slumber was a lot more peaceful now.


    Ru looked at Xu Mey sleeping with her head on her shoulder. She could see the jaw-dropping look on her subordinates¡¯ faces who were roaming around in disguise. But she didn¡¯t care about them at all.


    She stood up and picked Xu Mey¡¯s body in a princess style feeling weird. But she didn¡¯t want anyone of her people to touch Xu Mey, so she chose to do this task herself. She brought Xu Mey back to where Jie was sleeping andid her down right by his side. Xu Mey immediately hugged Jie¡¯s waist and snuggled up in the crook of his neck.


    Leaving them inside the room, Ru came out. Connecting her Bluetooth to her cellphone, she ordered, "Stop wasting time. Let¡¯s go fishing."

 Chapter 346 - Safest Person To Have A Crush On

    Jie had woken up early in the morning and feeling the warmth of his Xu Mey¡¯s body pressed against his, he felt delighted. It was like early morning turned into sunshine and rainbows. Even the pain in his body was all forgotten.


    His gaze held so much adoration and gentleness that one would melt down just by his gaze. He lovingly pushed her hair back from her face and pressed his lips against her head.


    Suddenly, his gaze chilled. Looking at the scrapes on her tender skin, he had clenched his fists. Images of the ident shed before his eyes and even his body suddenly emanated chilly aura. If his hunch turned out to be true, he had decided to show that person what he really was.


    Having a person like Ru as a best friend if someone actually took him to be a gentle and soft man, then they were definitely delusional. He was only a nice person for the people who mattered to him, for the rest, he could be as ruthless as he wanted to be.


    He found his almost broken but still working cellphone by the bedside and was about to dial a number when a message caught his attention. The message was received at 3 in the morning and the sender was Ru. It read:


    "Don¡¯t look for me. This young master is going fishing. I¡¯ll make sure to catch some nice fish for you to roast. Or grill, perhaps?" There was even a winking emoticon added at the end.


    Reading the message, Jie¡¯s aura changed again back to the sweet guy that his baby loved. He definitely knew which fish Ru was going to catch. And being caught by her meant someone was doomed for life. The mere thought of it made Jie feel amused. Ah! How he loved the idea of someone ying with fire that his best friend was.


    "Why are you smiling so early in the morning? That too all by yourself." Xu Mey¡¯s raspy voice made Jie look at her lovingly.


    Dipping his head, he brushed her nose with his own and grinned even more brightly. "I¡¯m smiling because I have my baby right here in my arms. Do you even know how much I love waking up right by your side? Also, the way you tangle up your legs with mine even not caring that I have a ster on."


    Xu Mey gasped as she looked down to see how she had yet again trapped his legs between her own. "Ah-Jie, I¡¯m so sorry! In my sleep, I didn¡¯t even realize that I did it." Xu Mey felt really guilty while Jie felt amused.


    ¡¯Haiz! My baby is so easy to tease.¡¯ Jie stifled hisughter and gave her a pained expression. "Aiyoh, I think my leg has gone numb. I can¡¯t even feel it anymore."


    "Oh no! What should I do?" Xu Mey panicked.


    Jie burst outughing at her adorable expression. Tapping her head, he said, "Oh, my silly baby is really silly. Your Ah-Jie can never mind you using him as a mattress."


    Realizing he was joking earlier, Xu Mey hit his chest. This time he winced in pain. "I¡¯m not falling for it again." Xu Mey retorted and even though he was really hurt, he let her hit him.


    After she was done, she ced her head back on his shoulder and mumbled, "How did I get here? I clearly slept on Sensei¡¯s shoulder."


    "Where did you sleep?" Jie¡¯s voice sounded a bit furious.


    Scratching her head awkwardly, she added, "Ah-Jie, I was talking to Sensei and didn¡¯t realize it when I slept with my head on his shoulder. But it¡¯s not my fault at all. It¡¯s Sensei¡¯s fault for having such a soothing voice. It was like a luby."


    Seeing the infatuation on her face, Jie felt something stirring inside of his heart. "You are telling me that another man held your body and carried you to this room?" After he had said those words, he felt something was wrong until he realized that she was talking about Ru and Ru was definitely not a male. Sh*t! He was getting jealous of a girl?


    If Ru would have been here, she would have definitely jeered him saying, ¡¯What¡¯s up with that Alpha Male Possessiveness!¡¯ Even at the thought of her, he rolled his eyes inwardly.


    "Oh My God! I just realized it too. It must be Sensei who brought me here." Xu Mey squealed like a schoolgirl or more like a fangirl. A crazy one at that! "He actually carried me princess style. Oh, I¡¯m swooning right now."


    "Ah-Jie, don¡¯t be jealous okay?" Xu Mey tried to make him jealous by using reverse psychology. It was a good chance. After all, with someone as handsome and awesome as her Sensei around, anyone would be jealous.


    "Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯m not jealous at all." He answered calmly. Xu Mey¡¯s smile faltered.


    "Huh? You are not? Do you trust me that much?" Xu Mey blinked her eyes at him.


    Pinching her nose, he answered, "I trust you very much." ¡¯Moreover, I believe that the best friend of mine can never fall for a girl. There is no harm in you swooning over her. She is the safest person to have a crush on.¡¯ He kept his thoughts to himself, silently enjoying this whole scenario.

 Chapter 347 - Sweet & Sour

    With her face propped on her hand, she kept looking at Jie¡¯s face while his hand kept ying with her long, soft and silky ck hair. He loved the touch of her soft hairs on his calloused fingers. He loved the feeling when those long locks slipped through his hand. Most of all, he loved it when she closed her eyes in satisfaction whenever his fingers roamed around in her hair.


    She was like a content kitten. She might be wild for the world but under his touch, she was nothing but a cute kitten begging him to snuggle up and never let go.


    Xu Mey¡¯s face was flushed red while she was smiling coyly. Words weren¡¯t even needed between them since both were lost in each other¡¯s eyes. Certainly, whoever said eyes can talk wasn¡¯t lying. Xu Mey could even feel Jie¡¯s deep brown eyes caressing her body making each and every celle alive within her with need.


    She felt so hot all of a sudden that she thought his eyes were making love to her in broad daylight. This mere thought made her throat dry. When his fingers that were ying with her hair would asionally brush against her exposed skin, Xu Mey shuddered in pleasure and something else... Was it need?


    Not being able to hold on, Xu Mey lifted her body and inched closer to his lips which looked inviting as if they were pulling her body, her heart, and even her soul. Jie had a sly smirk hooked on his lips but Xu Mey was too dazed to care. Well, at least until...


    "Ahem! Ahem!"


    That cough seemed to have pulled Xu Mey out of her lustful version and she turned her head with such a speed that one might think she got whish. It was like someone just drenched her in ice cold water.


    Xu Mey saw her best friends standing at the door and each one of them looked awkward. Hell! She was the most embarrassed one at that time!


    Although each of them was pretending like they didn¡¯t see anything, she knew they did. But they couldn¡¯t have read her lust filled thoughts, right? That thought calmed her down a bit.


    "Can you both not feed me so much dog food early in the morning?" Wu Wang tried to fix the weird atmosphere in the room. "I don¡¯t even feel the need to eat breakfast anymore."


    Xu Mey gaped at them before hiding her face in her hands.


    Jie chuckled at her before saying, "Dog food? But I think my baby and I were distributing sweets. Can¡¯t you feel the sweetness still lingering in the air?"


    Xu Mey hit her shoulder for speaking nonsense. She felt like digging a hole to jump in. Why was he being so shameless?


    "Sweetness? All I taste is sourness. It¡¯s not healthy for me at all." Wu Wang retorted offhandedly but trying to ease up Xu Mey¡¯s embarrassment. It worked since she just burst outughing at Wu Wang¡¯s answer.


    "Wang Ge, who told you to taste the sourness?" Wu Wang made a face at her but didn¡¯t continue on this.


    "We brought breakfast. Thankfully, we managed to send all those old people back home for rest." Wu Wang added and ced the bento box on the coffee table in the room. "To be honest, their gloomy faces were getting to my positive vibes. It was stressful!"


    "Wang! They were worried and that¡¯s why they looked so gloomy." He Jian warned Wu Wang sternly.


    "Look, Jian, everyone was worried and scared. They didn¡¯t have to think of all the worst possibilities. It really was a mood spoiler seeing them crying and all." Wu Wang¡¯s words weren¡¯t wrong. Seeing those elders talking about all kinds of possibilities made him scared even more. He was the most positive one but even he was getting affected.


    "Ha! Says the guy who was crying all alone in the corner." Hearing Yang Ziyi¡¯s voice Wu Wang red at her.


    "Wang Ge, you cried?" Xu Mey asked in disbelief.


    "Absolutely not! This blockhead doctor is spouting nonsense." Wu Wang gave Yang Ziyi a threatening look but she simply brushed it off.


    "Be a man. There is nothing to be ashamed of. You were scared... For your little best friend and you cried. What¡¯s there to hide?" Yang Ziyi spoke righteously.


    "Wang Ge, you cried because of me?" Wu Wang closed his eyes briefly as he cursed inwardly. He opened his eyes to see Xu Mey making her way towards him with a sad face.


    "Little Mey, she¡¯s joking. I was worried. I was scared. But I didn¡¯t cry." Wu Wang was trying to reassure Xu Mey when Yang Ziyi opened her mouth to say something but Wu Wang¡¯s cold re made her stop. She had never seen him looking this furious.


    Yang Ziyi was pouting like a kid. What was so wrong with speaking the truth? Was his ego so hurt? She didn¡¯t lie!


    But the next scene before her eyes stunned her. He wasn¡¯t lying for his ego. He had his reason... Something more important than his own image or ego.

 Chapter 348 - Wrong Timing

    The rims of Xu Mey¡¯s eyes turned red. All her earlier embarrassment was gone. Now, she just felt sad inside knowing that Wu Wang actually cried. And that too because of her.


    She knew how much her best friends hated seeing her upset. But this feeling was mutual. She also didn¡¯t like seeing them upset. She would always smile for their sake because she knew what could her one frown do to them.


    Xu Mey wrapped her arms around Wu Wang and choked out, "Wang Ge, I¡¯m so sorry for making you worry."


    Wu Wang felt depressed. How could he see his little girl cry? It was all that blockhead doctor¡¯s fault! Just when he thought she wasn¡¯t that bad, there she goes ruining everything for him.


    Wu Wang patted Xu Mey¡¯s back. "Mey, I didn¡¯t cry because of you. It was all those old people who shifted their negative thoughts to me. So, technically, they are the reason I cried. As for you..." He pulled her back a bit to let him see her face and said, "You are my bravest sister in the world. There is no way anyone can take you from me. I knew my little girl will be alright. She¡¯s a fighter after all."


    Xu Mey could feel the sincerity in his words and it meant a lot to her. It always did. Yes, she was a fighter! And she will never stop fighting for their sake.


    Yang Ziyi finally understood everything. Wu Wang wasn¡¯t lying for his own sake. He was lying for Xu Mey¡¯s sake. For a second, she wondered, ¡¯What kind of a bond is this?¡¯ But she couldn¡¯t find an answer.


    "If you guys are here to make my baby cry, please find your way out." Jie who was stuck on the bed could only threaten from his ce.


    Since Jie was the one who ruined their moment, Wu Wang looked at him with narrowed eyes. He slowly pulled himself away from Xu Mey and smiled which definitely wasn¡¯t real.


    "Jian, this cousin of yours said he can¡¯t recognize our Mey," Wu Wang was speaking to He Jian but his eyes were stuck on Jie like a predator was eyeing his prey.


    "He sure did. I couldn¡¯t rest properly thinking about that." He Jian also gave the same reaction as Wu Wang.


    "Sh*t!" Jie cursed as he saw the four of theming up to him.


    "So, what was that, Jie? Care to exin?" Lin Shen asked keeping a straight face.


    "Guys, Ah-Jie was just..." Xu Mey stopped herself from exining as she smirked and altered her words, "He used that way to punish me."


    Jie widened his eyes in disbelief. ¡¯Is my baby actually doing this to me?¡¯ He couldn¡¯t believe it.


    "You did what?" All four of them roared making Jie flinch a bit.


    "She was already not well and you actually dared to use such a brutal way to punish her?" Li Qiao¡¯s booming voice reverberated in the room.


    "She cried so much because of you!" Lin Shen added.


    "And in the end, it was all just a joke?" Wu Wang scoffed.


    "Jian Ge, you should take my side here. She was wrong as well." Jie tried to use He Jian using their rtionship of being cousins. But boy! Was he wrong!


    "Dear cousin, if I have to choose between you and her. Believe me, I won¡¯t even blink before choosing her." Jie was going to say something but realized it was of no use. None of them really cared about what she did. So, he used the other card.


    "I¡¯m hurt right now. Can¡¯t even move. Show some mercy." Xu Mey was giggling at the side all by herself. She knew her brothers would stand up for her. This was a good chance to teach Jie a lesson that he couldn¡¯t just scare her like that ever again!


    When none of them really backed off, Jie was feeling hopeless. "Are you feeling okay, brother-inw?" Wu Wang pressed on his ster making Jie wince in pain.


    "Or should I give you a sedative? You need better sleep after all." Lin Shen jabbed at his wound on the chest. Jie was gritting his teeth at being tortured slowly like this.


    "Baby, are you going to watch me crying in pain?" Jie tried to use his pitiful look on Xu Mey. It stirred Xu Mey¡¯s emotions and she wanted to stop her brothers but then she remembered how she cried pitifully for hours because of him and dropped the idea.


    "Ah-Jie, deal with my brothers yourself."


    Jie was surprised at her answer and made a sad face. "I wish my best friend was here. At least one person could have been on my side."


    As if his prayers had been answered, suddenly someone jumped inside the room through the window rming everyone except for one person; Jie who was rolling his eyes.


    "JieJie, I caught that fish. Would you like to roast it yourself or should I use my secret..." The person d in ck was dusting off the imaginary dust but stopped as those green orbs saw people staring back her. "Wrong timing, boom!"

 Chapter 349 - Come Out

    "Ru-," Jie was going to call her ¡¯Ru¡¯er¡¯ but luckily bit it back. "I have never been this happy to see youe through a window like a flying squirrel before."


    Ru who was just about to turn around to jump back down, halted and looked back at Jie. "Are you calling me a mischief-maker?"


    "Nope! I¡¯m calling you a squirrel as in chipmunks kind."


    "Did you just really call me a squirrel?"


    "Well... I know, I shouldn¡¯t do this." Ru was about to give a smirk when he added, "It¡¯s really not fair to those squirrels."


    "JieJie!" Ru¡¯s voice boomed in the room making everyone flinch a bit except for a certain grinning bastard. "You! Son of a bachelor! How dare you! At least call me a dragon. This young master flies high."


    Completely forgetting that there were other people gawking at them, Jie rolled his eyes as Ru¡¯s narcissistic nature came out. "Oh, Mr. Chipmunk! Dragons won¡¯t fit through the window. Also, I think even dragons will be sensible enough to use doors."


    Ru gave him a mocking smile before gasping in surprise, "Oh my Gosh! Look, JieJie! There is a door in this room. And I so want to bang it on your face right now." With the ease that her expression shifted was truly admirable.


    Before Jie coulde up with a snarky remark again, Ru suddenly recalled something and pointed her finger at him usingly. "You! Did you just say that you have never been happy to see me before this day?" There was disbelief in her voice as she red at Jie to give an answer- one that might satisfy and pacify her.


    Jie touched the tip of his nose and said, "Are you kidding with me? You are my best buddy. I¡¯m always happy to see you. Today, however, I¡¯m extraordinarily happy."


    Ru finally stepped close to his bed and asked, "Really? I knew it! This young master has the charms to make anyone feel extraordinarily happy."


    "More like extraordinarily doomed," Jie mumbled to himself.


    "Huh? Did you say something?" Jie immediately shook his head, denyingpletely.


    On the sideline, everyone was looking at them with dumbstruck looks but they had their own opinions about the scene ying before them. For instance...


    The four brothers were like: ¡¯Where did this strikingly gorgeous young man pop up from? Who is he?¡¯


    While Xu Mey was like: ¡¯I have never seen Sensei being so yful and rxed. Is this really my Sensei?¡¯


    It wasn¡¯t Xu Mey¡¯s fault for being this surprised. For her, Ru was like that amazing person who was mature, dependable, and most importantly formidable. But the Ru before her right now was nothing like that.


    Poor Xu Mey didn¡¯t know that Ru¡¯s petty side only got out when Jie mocked her- which was like almost always!


    Unbeknownst to what was going through other¡¯s mind, Jie and Ru continued their persige.


    "Oi! What took you so long? You went fishing at 3 and came back at 9. Are you getting slow in advanced age?" Jie was saying with a jeering smile.


    "Who are you calling old? You are gonna be a father soon, it¡¯s obviously you who is getting old. This young master is still single."


    "And not ready to mingle," Jie added earning a re from her. "What? It¡¯s not you are gonna be a father any time soon... Or like ever."


    "Oi! Mind your wor-," feeling something amiss, Ru stopped herself from continuing. He was right! She was a girl. Can¡¯t really be a father! Like ever!


    Jie smirked knowing she had no return remark for hisst hit.


    "Don¡¯t be so smug!" Ru really couldn¡¯te up with anything better. She sighed heavily and shifted her eyes and that¡¯s when she remembered that they havepany. "Why is your room so crowded?" Ru whisper-asked him.


    At her reminder, Jie looked back at Xu Mey and her friends. ¡¯Oh, I forgot they were still here.¡¯


    "Right, save me from them. They are ganging up on me." Jie pushed Ru towards them.


    Ru looked at Li Qiao to Wu Wang and then Lin Shen to He Jian before turning her eyes back to Jie. "You are telling me, you can¡¯t deal with these four?" Jie nodded his head vigorously. Ru gave him an ¡¯Are-you-serious?¡¯ look filled with contempt.


    She leaned close to his ear and whispered, "If my grandfather learned that his disciple is actually cowering away from these four men, he might choke you to death."


    "I know. But who will tell him?" Seeing Jie¡¯s wiggling brows, Ru was pissed off.


    Turning back around, she pped her hands twice. "Okay! So, who wants to touch my JieJie? Come out. Let¡¯s have some fun."

 Chapter 350 - Adios, Amigo

    Even after Ru spoke, nobody moved an inch. She crossed her arms over her chest and tapped her foot on the floor impatiently. "Chop, chop! This young master has other matters to get to."


    While Xu Mey was in a daze, her four brothers had the same thought that they wouldn¡¯t want to hurt such anky man before them.


    "JieJie, why are they taking so much time?" Cracking her knuckles, she added, "I do have a mood to let off some steam."


    Her words were still hanging at the tip of her tongue when Xu Mey almost flew and stood before her brothers in a protective manner. Her stance amused Ru who thought she looked like a mother hen protecting her chicks.


    "Y-You can¡¯t hurt my brothers," Xu Mey stuttered a bit since it was her first time standing against her Sensei. It felt weird for a million reasons she couldn¡¯t possibly put in words.


    "Oh? Mind telling me why I can¡¯t do that?" The way Ru emphasized on ¡¯I¡¯ made Xu Mey gulp visibly. Now, she knew how much of a torture it was to stand firm under the intimidating pressure of Ru.


    "Because... I don¡¯t want you to hurt them." Xu Mey¡¯s voice came out a bit weak.


    "Hey, Little Mey, what are you saying? You don¡¯t think we can deal with a singlenky guy like him?" Xu Mey straightforwardly shook her head at her brothers¡¯ words.


    "If it¡¯s him... You don¡¯t stand a chance." Xu Mey answered without a doubt.


    Ru chuckled at her response earning herself a few weird looks.


    "JieJie, your wife doesn¡¯t want me to hurt them." Jie grimaced a bit seeing how Xu Mey was still taking her brothers¡¯ side. What about him?


    "Although we don¡¯t know you," He Jian started and Ru turned her green eyes to him. "I think you shouldn¡¯t get involved. Jie actually hurt our little girl this time."


    "Did you ask him why he did that?" Ru asked calmly. "In my opinion, it¡¯s you guys who need to stop jumping to conclusions about him just because Xu Mey said something. This matter just shows how little of a trust you have in him."


    Ru¡¯s words stunned everyone in the room. But the most baffled person was the one being discussed; Jie.


    "Oi! Are you really standing up for me? But just yesterday you were yelling at me for being wrong." Jie was perplexed at her contradictory behavior.


    "Yesterday, it was you and me. And let¡¯s be honest we both will never call each other right. But right now, the matter is different. I can call my best friend wrong but I won¡¯t let anyone else point that out." Was it odd that Jie felt all warm and fuzzy inside? She really cared about him in her own twisted way.


    "Sensei, are you taking my husband¡¯s side right now?"


    "If you can take your best friends¡¯ side, why can¡¯t I do the same?" Ru retorted inly.


    "But I thought you¡¯ll always be on my side." Xu Mey¡¯s voice turned soft.


    "If you really want topare yourself with Jie, girl you¡¯re looking for-,"


    "No need to continue," Jie¡¯s voice cut off whatever she had in mind. He really didn¡¯t want Ru to hurt Xu Mey¡¯s feelings. "Baby, don¡¯t listen to this jerk. He¡¯s being an insensitive douchebag right now."


    "Bloody Twat!" Ru snapped back.


    "Dumba*s!" Jie retorted.


    "Oh, bummer! I don¡¯t want to face rubbish like you." Amusing chuckles made Ru scowl. "Ah, this is my fault foring at the wrong time."


    Before Jie could stop her, Ru was already at the window saying, "Although I caught the fish, there is some shark yet to pull in. Let¡¯s discuss the secret recipeter. Adios Amigo!"


    Jie frowned at her parting words. There is someone else behind the ident? Who? He suddenly had a bad premonition about this.


    "Who was that?" Jie didn¡¯t know which one of them questioned it. But he knew how to answer that.


    "He¡¯s my best friend. No, scratch that. He¡¯s more like a brother."

 Chapter 351 - His Sister & Her Family

    Ru¡¯s departure led to a wave of questions that were thrown at Xu Mey while Jie enjoyed his soup on the side. And when Xu Mey exined the details of how she met Ru, it left everyone dumbstruck.


    "Little Mey, why didn¡¯t you tell us sooner?" Wu Wang felt guilty for ring at Ru earlier. Knowing that Ru was the one who saved Xu Mey all those years ago was enough to make each one of them feel guilty and gratitude towards Ru.


    "We needed to thank that person," He Jian added along with Wu Wang.


    All of them heard a scoff and turned their eyes towards Jie. "Like she cares about a thank you. She¡¯d rather shove it in my face for the rest of our life." He was grumbling under his breath but for their curiosity, he changed his words to, "Baby,e and have some breakfast."


    Sharing the breakfast together Xu Mey walked out of the room to let Jie rest peacefully. Oddly, there was a certain person in the room who hadn¡¯t even moved a muscle since Ru entered or left the room and that person was none other than our Dr. Yang Ziyi.


    When she finally came out of the room in a daze, Xu Mey nudged her lightly and asked, "Are you okay?"


    Being startled awake, Yang Ziyi took a moment to adjust her emotions before she squealed like a schoolgirl. "OMG! OMG! How can anyone be okay after seeing that gorgeous piece of a male god? I¡¯m still swooning here." It didn¡¯t take long for Xu Mey to realize that she was talking about Ru and the thought made her giggle as well. "Do you know him? His number? Anything?"


    Wu Wang pped the back of her head and scowled, "What are you? Male Hungry now?"


    "There is no such thing as male hungry!" Yang Ziyi retorted.


    "The look on your face says otherwise." Wu Wang pointed out the obvious but Yang Ziyi chose to not pay any attention to him as she turned back to Xu Mey.


    "I heard he is Jie bro¡¯s friend. How are you so calm?" Xu Mey frowned at her question and Yang Ziyi had to exin, "Trust me, sis. With that face, that man is more like an enchanter who can even bend a straight man. You better keep an eye out for that."


    Xu Mey almost choked on air as she coughed. "Are you serious? Stop thinking weird things." Inwardly Xu Mey was like, ¡¯Sensei didn¡¯t even fancy me when I had a huge crush on him. How can Ah-Jie be better?¡¯


    Well, if our Xu Mey knew that Ru was a girl, she might have really puked blood by now.


    Suddenly Xu Mey¡¯s gaze fell on Xiamu walking down the corridor towards her with her father by his side. Both of them were talking about something but Xu Mey¡¯s focus was on other stuff. For instance, for the first time, she noticed the simrities between them.


    Xiamu had the same height as her father, his eyes might be ck like hers but they were phoenix shaped like her father, he had those small habits like her father as well... Like he would asionally frown in an adorable way.


    Xu Mey found the sight of them together to be heartwarming. And instantly, all her doubts were gone. All that left behind was determination.


    Her father needed a son to lean on. And she was going to give that son back to him!


    Xu Mey met Xiamu and Xu Cheng halfway and it made Xu Cheng scowl, "Meymey, why are you out of bed? Can you please take care of your health?"


    Before she could cate her father, another one chimed in an identical way, "You shouldn¡¯t be out like this. Pregnant women are sensitive to weather, what if someplications arise. Why are you being so careless?"


    Xu Mey wanted to gape at Xiamu in disbelief but her heart betrayed her. She felt really giddy inside when she heard Xiamu scolding her. She thought, ¡¯Ah, so this is the feeling of being scolded by my younger brother. It¡¯s interesting.¡¯


    Seeing her grinning all by herself both the men before her frowned in confusion. "Why are you smiling? Is your health a joke now? Or are we funny?" Xiamu questioned as he rubbed his tired eyes. He hadn¡¯t been out of the hospital since he brought Xu Mey and Jie. He didn¡¯t wish to leave at all.


    Without saying anything, Xu Mey held the hands of both her father and Xiamu before dragging them to an empty room.


    "Meymey, what¡¯s wrong?" Xu Cheng asked with worry.


    Xu Mey didn¡¯t reply, she turned to Xiamu and wrapped her arms around his muscr body. "Thank you for saving me, my Ah-Jie and our little bundle of joy. I was thinking about how to repay you." Xiamu felt hurt by being treated as an outsider since she talked about repaying his kindness. But the next instant he was left stunned to his spot. "But now I know, I just have to hug my little brother for protecting his sister and her family."

 Chapter 352 - Welcome Home, Son!

    Oftentimes we encounter a moment when we can¡¯t express our feelings in words. It¡¯s like being entrapped in a spell where we can feel everything but nothinges out of our mouth.


    Xiamu was going through one of those moments right now when Xu Mey called him little brother. He was happy indeed he was but more so, he was a little perplexed whether Xu Mey really knew that he was her brother or was she just creating a bond out of gratitude. Thetter idea didn¡¯t sit well with him but the former was like his biggest wish.


    But his confusion was soon cleared out when Xu Mey pulled away to look at his face, ced her palm against the side of his face and said, "It¡¯s a pity that I couldn¡¯t grow up with you. But seeing you now, I can tell that you¡¯ve turned out to be a fine young man. It¡¯d be more correct to say, like sister, like brother." Obviously, she added her own praise in between the lines.


    Xiamu felt his tears sting his eyes but he still couldn¡¯t hold in his chuckle. He felt such happiness within him that he couldn¡¯t utter a word. He just ced his own hand over hers and smiled with teary eyes.


    "You knew from the moment we met, right?" Xu Mey¡¯s tone was a bit usatory. She just realized his reason for being so nervous around her when they met for the first time outside Xu Residence.


    Xiamu had yet to find his voice. Therefore, he nodded his head in agreement.


    Xu Mey narrowed her eyes at him. "Stupid, why didn¡¯t you say so?"


    Xiamu¡¯s voice came out strained as he answered, "I was scared. You had Qiao bro, Wu Wang, Lin Shen, and He Jian. I thought you wouldn¡¯t need me. Or much worse, what if you don¡¯t even want to acknowledge me as a brother? I was really scared."


    Xu Mey ruffled his hair teasingly and said, "You are just like dad! Always questioning yourself. Silly, they all are like my brothers but you... You and I have the same blood. I can¡¯t deny the bond even if I want to."


    Before Xiamu could say a word, they heard a tter and looked at Xu Cheng to see him standing with the support of the wall. At first, his thoughts were just like Xiamu¡¯s. In his opinion, Xu Mey was just showing her gratitude for saving her life by calling him, brother. But soon his entire world was disturbed.


    He stared at both Xu Mey and Xiamu standing side by side but what struck him was their pair of identical eyes. The possibility shook his heart violently.


    "Meymey, wha-what are you saying?" He stuttered but got his meaning clear eventually.


    Xu Mey went to her father¡¯s side and held his arm. "Dad, Kaden is my brother and your son."


    "But-But I don¡¯t have a son," Xu Cheng was doubtful.


    ¡¯See! I knew it! Dad definitely didn¡¯t know about his son. That psycho mother was just trying to get to me.¡¯ Xu Mey thought hatefully with clenched jaw but soon got over it since the moment wasn¡¯t appropriate at all for anger. "Dad, he is my twin whom your first wife took with herself."


    "She did what?" Xu Cheng¡¯s voice was like an erupting volcano. To be honest, ¡¯till this day he had never hated his wife for leaving him. Not even once. Even if it was a mistake, he still was the one who cheated. But his animosity for his wife for the fact that she left Xu Mey behind knowing well enough what Fu Lan could do to her.


    But he still tried to understand her point of view. He always convinced himself that perhaps, Xin Qian needed to leave Xu Mey because she was a reminder of himself. Perhaps, she really had no choice. However, knowing that she chose to snatch his son from him but left their daughter behind really broke all his hopes.


    For the first time in years, he felt no sympathy for Xin Qian. All he felt was hate and indignation.


    Nevertheless, he could never deny his own blood. He was the person who couldn¡¯t deny Xu Liqing even though he didn¡¯t want that daughter but he still epted her just because of his own blood.


    "Dad, won¡¯t you say hi to your son? It¡¯s not his fault." Xu Mey¡¯s soft voice broke Xu Cheng¡¯s whirlwind thoughts and he looked at both pair of eager eyes glued on himself.


    Xu Cheng turned to Xiamu and saw the hesitation in his eyes. He seemed nervous since he was fidgeting anxiously. He seemed scared and it broke Xu Cheng¡¯s heart. His own son was scared because of the uncertainty that his father might not acknowledge him.


    Xu Cheng knew the words won¡¯t work in a situation like this. Therefore, he chose to embrace his son his fatherly hug washing down all of Xiamu¡¯s insecurities with a single hug and a short sentence like, "Wee home, son!"

 Chapter 353 - Phew! That Was Hot!

    A happy family reunion is not something that happens every day. But when it did, it leaves a feeling of beingplete. And that¡¯s what Xu Mey felt at the moment seeing her father and her brother having a heart-to-heart while she just sat at the side.


    Not even for a second, her heart could feel that they were missing something or perhaps... someone. Because in her life, whatever ce a mother could hold wasn¡¯t there. There was no such thing as a daughter¡¯s love for her mother... At the very least not for an absent mother.


    She decided to leave her father and brother alone while she made her way back towards Jie¡¯s room.


    Inside Jie¡¯s room...


    "What do you mean by there is a shark behind the fish?" Jie was feeling frustrated since someone really loved using codewords. "Do you really mean there is another mastermind behind it all?" He questioned with his one hand holding the phone to his ear while the other hand was pinching the space between his brows.


    He heard the sound of breathing through the mouth apanied by, "Phew! That was hot!"


    "Ru¡¯er! What are you doing?" Jie asked again through gritted teeth. "Don¡¯t tell me you are busy eating right now!" He was holding onto his anger with much difficulty.


    "Yeah, I am! Wooo, this is yummy!" He had the urge to get in the phone to strangle her right now.


    "I thought you are going to catch a shark," he still tried to talk civilly which wasn¡¯t proving to be easy at all.


    He heard her sniffling her nose as if she was eating something spicy and then heard her answer, "Look, bro, I was on my way to catch the shark but you see, on my way, an octopus caught my eyes. I was fascinated by it and decided to cut it open and stir fry it. It tastes better than I thought it would."


    Some people have a way with words and Ru was one of those people. She mostly had a double meaning of her simple words. If anyone would hear her words they might take it the wrong way but Jie obviously not just anyone.


    With a deep breath, he asked, "You are at a stall eating stir-fried octopus." It wasn¡¯t a question. No, no, it was a statement. A fact!


    "Mm-hmm. It is super delicious. Wanna try? I¡¯ll bring it to you." She offered courteously.


    Jie gave a mockingugh before saying, "Are you sure you¡¯ll leave enough to bring it to me? Because as much I know you, by the time you¡¯ll be done with eating, there won¡¯t be anything left to bring."


    "No need to be so grumpy about it." He could tell she must be rolling her eyes. "In any case, you are sick and not allowed to eat spicy food. So, forget the offer."


    "Are you going to keep stalling for time?" Jie sounded impatient.


    "Geez! You¡¯re no fun anymore my friend." Rumented before sighing and said, "Could you please rx and leave the rest to me? I know you have a lot of questions. Just wait till midnight."


    "Why midnight?"


    "JieJie, let me offer you a tip... You better keep your eyes open tonight." With that, he heard the phone disconnecting leaving him frowning.


    "Why is she so difficult and twisted?" Jie grumbled to himself and saw Xu Mey entering the room with a full-blown smile stered on her face. His expression immediately softened up at the sight of her and he asked, "What got my baby so happy?"


    Xu Mey looked up at him and took slow steps towards him. "Why? Can¡¯t I be happy?"


    "Of course you can. All I want to see is your happiness but I¡¯m just wondering what¡¯s making you happy right now?"


    Xu Mey sat by his bedside and immediately divulged into rting the whole story of meeting her mother and finding a brother. And Jie who was thinking that his best friend is twisted suddenly felt like they all have a twisted fate and unexpected families.

 Chapter 354 - Written All Over Your Face

    By the end of the day, everyone knew that Xiamu was Xu Mey¡¯s brother. Although it came as a shock, nobody questioned anything. There was only one person who was feeling a mix of happiness, and rage within her; Li Man, Li Qiao¡¯s mother, and Xiamu¡¯s Aunt.


    It was obvious that her anger was directed towards Xin Qian. If it wasn¡¯t enough that she abandoned her family for decades, even now she was nowhere to be found. Li Man tried to contact Xin Qian again but again, her cellphone was turned off. It was frustrating her, to say the least.


    In the evening...


    "Dr. Shen, have you seen Wu Wang?" Yang Ziyi came to ask Lin Shen while he was enjoying a moment of peace after days.


    "Seen him plenty of times. People say he¡¯s handsome but I only find his annoying." Although that was not the answer Yang Ziyi was looking for, it was still amusing. Especially because it came from Lin Shen who wasn¡¯t very fond of joking.


    "He is annoying but that¡¯s not what I asked," Yang Ziyi pointed out.


    "Really? What was the question again?" Lin Shen acted surprised.


    "I was wondering if you know where he is?" Yang Ziyi asked the question again but in different words.


    Lin Shen thought about it for a while before saying, "I think he is at the cafeteria. Not sure though."


    "Okay, thank you! See youter!" Yang Ziyi immediately sprinted out before Lin Shen could ask why was she looking for Wu Wang.


    Yang Ziyi thought of apologizing to Wu Wang for talking out of turn in the morning and that¡¯s why she had been looking for him. And as she learned about his whereabouts, she didn¡¯t waste a moment before dashing towards the cafeteria to look for Wu Wang.


    The cafeteria in the VIP wing wasn¡¯t crowded at all. There were hardly any people there and it made it easy for Yang Ziyi to spot him.


    But instead of walking towards him, she stood rooted to her spot.


    In one corner was sitting Wu Wang with a beautiful smile on his face brightening up his whole aura and a girl was sitting opposite him whose back was towards Yang Ziyi.


    Unconsciously, Yang Ziyi¡¯s hands clenched into fists as she red daggers at the back of that girl. ¡¯He will never change! A yboy will always be a yboy! Humph!¡¯ She humphed inwardly, stomped her foot and turned to leave.


    But suddenly the sound of Wu Wang¡¯sughter rang in her ear making her halt. "Why am I leaving?" She asked herself. "He¡¯s the yboy then why am I leaving like I¡¯m guilty of a crime? I won¡¯t leave. No way!" With conviction in her eyes, she made her way towards the table where Wu Wang was happily chatting with the girl whose face Yang Ziyi had yet to see.


    "Hey, Mr. yboy!" Yang Ziyi grinned amusedly at Wu Wang who gave her an inquiring gaze. She turned her eyes to look at the girl before him and lost words for a moment. Looking at that beautiful face, Yang Ziyi thought, ¡¯She¡¯s beautiful. No wonder he is grinning like a love fool.¡¯ "And who might this be?"


    Before the girl could answer, Wu Wang gave her a signal to stay quiet and asked, "What does that have to do with you?"


    Their small interaction with eyes made Yang Ziyi feel irritated. And the worst part was, even she didn¡¯t know why she was doing this. "Nothing to do with me. I was just curious to meet your new prey."


    Wu Wang closed his eyes briefly to keep calm and said, "You¡¯re making me sound like a sadist."


    Yang Ziyi gasped in surprise. "You aren¡¯t?" She gave an apologetic look which was really fake and said, "But I thought you had a weird fetish and that¡¯s why you never take the same girl twice."


    Wu Wang shot up from his seat and even scared Yang Ziyi a bit as she took a step back. "You have a pretty face. Then why is there a nasty mouth?" He gritted out seething in anger.


    "Di-Did I say something wrong?" Yang Ziyi¡¯s courage wavered for a second but she decided to hold her ground.


    "I really want to shut that mouth of yours," Wu Wang said in a growl that made Yang Ziyi¡¯s heart beat faster.


    "Why don¡¯t you try?" ¡¯Ha? What did I just say? I¡¯m surely gone crazy.¡¯ At Wu Wang¡¯s quirked brow, Yang Ziyi didn¡¯t change her words at all.


    "Ahem!" Both of them broke their staringpetition and looked at the person who was grinning at both of them. "Wang, I should get going. You should pacify your girlfriend."


    "She¡¯s not my girlfriend!"


    "I¡¯m not his girlfriend!"


    Both Wu Wang and Yang Ziyi eximed simultaneously making the other girlugh even more amusedly.


    "You both should check the sexual tension between you before jumping to conclusions like that." Yang Ziyi¡¯s eyes widened at her words while Wu Wang didn¡¯t give much of a reaction. The girl passed by him and patted on her shoulder saying, "Be careful. I heard jealous girlfriends can bite."


    Yang Ziyi couldn¡¯t help but blush at those words since she just realized that she really acted like a jealous girlfriend.


    Seeing that girl making her way out, Yang Ziyi tried to slip away but her wrist was immediately caught in a tight grip and the next second, she was being dragged.


    In the empty stairway, Wu Wang pushed her against the wall and gave a sweet smile which gave goosebumps to Yang Ziyi, that¡¯s how chilly it was.


    "What was that?" He asked.


    "What was what?" She yed dumb.


    "You called me sadist," he bit out bitterly.


    "No. I called you a yboy." She conveniently changed her words.


    "What does that have to do with you? Don¡¯t tell me you like me."


    Suddenly getting courage from somewhere, she started, "What? Me and like you? Never! Also, aren¡¯t you a yboy? I thought you changed. But no. Here you are looking for a new pick-up again. Can¡¯t you be patient? What¡¯s with you and-," The rest of her words died down in her throat as Wu Wang¡¯s lips came down to crash on hers.


    Her eyes widened up in surprise but then, she rxed and closed her eyes willingly. The kiss wasn¡¯t rough but it was passionate enough to make her lose herself. The feeling of his soft lips pressed on her own made everything else to go nk.


    As he pulled away to let her breathe, he had a smirk on his face as he said, "And here I thought you don¡¯t like me." In her daze, it was difficult to make sense of his words but when they did, she hit his chest.


    "You! Jerk!" She shouted.


    Wu Wangughed lightly and pecked her lips again saying, "I¡¯m a jerk alright. But you Dr. Blockhead, you like this jerk. And it¡¯s written all over your face."


    Yang Ziyi couldn¡¯te up with a retort. She hid her face in her hands to hide the blush that was creeping up on her face.

 Chapter 355 - Ive Been Waiting For You

    "I hear wedding bells."


    Startled by the voice, both Wu Wang and Yang Ziyi frantically pulled away and stood at the side awkwardly. Wu Wang lifted his eyes to see Li Qiao, He Jian, and Lin Shen looking at him with amused looks on their faces.


    "What the hell are you guys doing here?" Wu Wang clenched his jaw since his stupid best friends really knew how to ruin the moment. Yang Ziyi immediately tried to slip away again but her luck wasn¡¯t on her side as Wu Wang again stopped her and said, "We are not done here." Whatever he meant by that, it made Yang Ziyi blush profusely as she ran out of there.


    Wu Wang ascended the stairs to get to his friends and red at them. "I asked you a question."


    "We were having a discussion," Li Qiao answered calmly.


    "Here?" Wu Wang asked skeptically and all of them shrugged their shoulders indifferently. "Okay, so what¡¯s the discussion about?"


    "I can¡¯t seem to recall the previous agenda but I think now the agenda is your wedding." Lin Shen teased Wu Wang.


    "Shut up!" Wu Wang grumbled hiding his smile.


    "You sure about this?" Wu Wang gave He Jian an inquisitive look and he continued, "I mean, are you sure about Yang Ziyi? She is a handful after all."


    Wu Wang looked down where Yang Ziyi stood a while ago and said, "I think I am sure. She¡¯s a handful but she¡¯s also an honest person and that¡¯s what I need in my life. After the previous dishonest rtionship, this is what I need for sure."


    "Well, I¡¯m happy for you." Li Qiao gave him a side hug and patted his back a bit harshly on purpose.


    "Cut the chase. Be clear with me, what¡¯s going on?" Wu Wang didn¡¯t buy their beating around the bush way to get rid of him.


    The rest of them shared a look before He Jian sighed out and beckoned Wu Wang towards the window behind him. "Look down and tell me what you see."


    Wu Wang frowned but still looked around. Everything seemed normal. Too normal to be honest giving him an uneasy feeling. Finally, his gaze locked on something. "Those people are suspicious."


    As he saw his friends nodding, they fell into silence.


    "What¡¯s going on?" Wu Wang questioned again.


    "Not sure, but from the pattern we observed, they had been keeping an eye on Jie¡¯s room. It looks like they are... protecting him?" He Jian answered uncertainly.


    "From what? Or from whom?"


    "That we can¡¯t be sure about." They fell into a contemtive silence all over again. "But their movements sure are suspicious." He Jian had spent his fair share of time in the military to recognize people¡¯s abnormal movements. He was sure something was up but the question was; what?


    Since it was already past dinnertime, all of them decided not to disturb Xu Mey. Although it was hard to keep this news to themselves, they still had to do so.


    Slowly but steadily, midnight fell over the sky like a velvet nket engulfing the colors of grey or whatever was left of it anyway. Midnight brings the trail of dreams with it and oftentimes, it brings the nightmares.


    While Xu Mey was cuddling with Jie in a deep slumber, Jie was wide awake thinking about Ru¡¯s warning. But feeling the warmth of Xu Mey¡¯s body pressed against his own and the heavy dose of medicines, he soon lost himself to sleep as well.


    Outside the window, the air was cooler and damper since the light had been ebbed and dwindled into nothingness. Even the moon looked wanned at this time of the night. It was the time of the night when even rustling of leaves could feel scary.


    Suddenly, a ck silhouette entered the room without making a sound. He seemed to be merged with the darkness of the room. The curtains draped over the window were fluttering softly as the silhouette made its way towards the happy couple buried in each other¡¯s arms.


    In the dark room, a silver sleek shiny object glimmered and slowly made its way towards the couple who was lost in dreand.


    But before that person could move, he heard someone¡¯s melodious voice right beside his ear, "Hi, Sharky! I¡¯ve been waiting for you."

 Chapter 356 - A Fish & A Shark

    Do you know what the best type of revenge is?


    No?


    Let us enlighten you on that... Or we should let Ru do that instead.


    "Ahhh! Who threw the damn cold water?" A lout howler could be heard in the hospital ward as Jie frantically opened his eyes. Looking at Ru¡¯s grinning face, his hands clenched in fists. "You! What was that for?"


    "You grew fond of ruining my sleep. So, I did the same to you. An act of perfect revenge for sleep-spoilers" answered a certain cheeky best friend. Before Jie could say anything else, he noticed other people in the room.


    The room had six other people, one of those was tied up in a corner.


    "What¡¯s going on?" He was immediately on alert mode and noticed that Xu Mey wasn¡¯t by his side anymore. "And where is my wife?"


    "Rx! Your wife is safe and sound. She¡¯s sleeping peacefully in the room next door while you... I think I told you to keep an eye open at night." She paced up to the person who was tied up in a corner and said, "Wouldn¡¯t you like to meet our sharky?" Saying that Ru turned the face of the person.


    Jie¡¯s eyes widened up as he gaped for a moment longer before voicing out in disbelief, "Xu Liqing?" He had expected to see anyone but her. "But how?"


    Xu Liqing was constantly trying to free herself. She was growling like a hungry lion as her rage-filled eyes were trying to kill Jie with just a look.


    Feeling something odd about Xu Liqing he asked, "What¡¯s going on with her?"


    "Well... This little missy didn¡¯t have a mental breakdown at least not until a month ago." Jie gave her an inquiring look before Ru continued, "This little missy¡¯s mother has been on life-support for a month now and when doctors said that Fu Lan will never wake up, she went into shock. Because of that, she lost her child as well."


    Ru was stating everything with ease and calmness but Jie wasn¡¯t calm at all. He had no idea that Fu Lan was on life-support now.


    "You see, that was the mental breakdown she needed to forget all about the thing called rationality. And she did. Her way of coping with her grief was her anger that was directed towards your wife."


    "I¡¯ll kill her! Xu Mey will have to die! I¡¯ll kill her with my own hands! Haha! I¡¯ll never let her rest in peace. She¡¯ll have to pay for everything that she did to me!" Xu Liqing¡¯s hysterical shouting made Ru scrunch up her face in annoyance.


    "Someone just shut her damn trap!" At Ru¡¯smand, a person from the group of five moved and taped Xu Liqing¡¯s mouth.


    "Was she the one behind the ident?" Jie asked with a solemn look on his face.


    "Yes and no," came the answer.


    "Give me only one answer," Jie demanded in a stern tone.


    Ru rolled her eyes at him and waved her hand. The group of five moved and soon brought another tied figure inside. Kneeling before Jie¡¯s bed when Ru pulled off the ck cloth from the face, Jie didn¡¯t even flinch as if it wasn¡¯t surprising anymore.


    "What? Aren¡¯t you shocked? Surprised?" Ru questioned in a nosy manner.


    "No, I¡¯m not! I knew it¡¯d be her since she¡¯s the one who tried to kill Azalea as well." Jie spoke with such hatred as he red at the kneeling figure of none other than his one and only ex; Lu Yuhan.


    Ru didn¡¯t seem pleased since he wasn¡¯t even reacting at all. She had expected some kind of reaction but it wasn¡¯t this kind at all.


    "Whatever! But aren¡¯t you curious how this fishy got to know that sharky over there?" Jie¡¯s eyes were stuck on Lu Yuhan¡¯s face which was taped as well while her big eyes held a hopeful look as they looked back at Jie.


    "I¡¯m not curious but you certainly want to spill the bean," Jie stated the obvious which made Ru puff up her cheeks in displeasure but seeing that her subordinates were still here, she didn¡¯t n on showing her petty side to them at all.


    "I¡¯ll pretend like you didn¡¯t just say that. Anyhow, do you remember the name of Jun Li Nan¡¯s one night husband?" Jie frowned at her words but stayed quiet, not wanting to react unnecessarily. "His name was Lu Ge. Do you know your ex¡¯ name? It¡¯s Lu Yuhan! Does it ring a bell?"


    Finally, Jie gave a reaction and stared at Lu Yuhan¡¯s pitiful face.


    "Xu Liqing knew that after the ident she¡¯d be the first suspect. So, she needed witnesses. She stayed behind her psychiatric ward and Lu Yuhan did her bidding by driving the car. But since Xu Liqing got to know that you both survived, she sent people to attack you and when none of that worked because of yours truly, she showed up herself. How typical!"


    "I want to talk to her," he said looking at Lu Yuhan and Ru shrugged her shoulders before waving her hand and the tape was pulled off of her face.


    "Ah-Jie!" Lu Yuhan¡¯s soft, pitiful voice was heard choked in tears. "How can you tie me up like this? I have always loved you and you know that."


    "Oh, is that why you left me?" Jie retorted.


    Lu Yuhan shook her head frantically denying it as she said, "Believe me, I didn¡¯t want to do so. It was your mother. She ckmailed me. Believe me. She pushed me to leave your side. I had no other choice but as soon as I got to know that she is not your mother, I came back to look for you."


    "And tried to kill me?"


    "I did not! I did no such thing. You came in front of the car yourself. I never wanted to hurt you. Never, ever! I wanted to kill that bitch who was right beside you. Ah-Jie, she¡¯s not worthy of you. Do you know how many times my cousin, Lu Ge has tried tomit suicide? It¡¯s all because of that woman¡¯s schemes. She¡¯s ruthless. She¡¯s a devil. She doesn¡¯t deserve you at all. She has no right to live!"


    "Ptak!"


    A loud p echoed in the room and Lu Yuhan fell on the ground with a cut on her lip. She had known Jie for years and in all those years, Jie was the epitome of a gentleman who would never lose control before a girl or get violent. Today was an exception which took her by surprise.


    "Say another word against my wife and trust me, I¡¯ll cut that tongue of yours." Seeing that hatred in his eyes, Lu Yuhan had no doubt that he would do just that. "She¡¯s worthy of me or not, that¡¯s not for you to decide because you left on your own ord." She opened her mouth to retort but he cut her off, "So what if Zhou Ning ckmailed you? If you really loved me like you say you do, you would have stayed. But you didn¡¯t. Now, you don¡¯t get the right to talk about my wife at all."


    "This is why I¡¯ll kill that bitch. If not today then tomorrow. I¡¯ll eventually find a way to take her life. She¡¯ll have to pay for everything that she did. I¡¯ll make sure of that!" Lu Yuhan said with conviction which irked Jie.


    "I won¡¯t even give you a chance toe near my wife." Jie said and turned to call someone and as the call connected, he ordered, "Get your men here and bring your newest drug with you. I have two very healthy test subjects for you."


    Lu Yuhan¡¯s eyes widened as she tried to beg him but he didn¡¯t listen at all. "Shut her mouth. She¡¯s too loud. What if her shrieking voice disturbed my baby¡¯s sleep?"


    Ru¡¯s mouth twitched as she heard his words. ¡¯I can¡¯t believe he¡¯s still showing off his love.¡¯ She rolled her eyes at him and shook her head.

 Chapter 357 - Lets Break-Up

    Jie never nned on getting between Xu Mey¡¯s revenge plots but eventually when Xu Liqing tried to kill Xu Mey, he lost his cool and decided to take the matter into his own hands. Showing mercy wasn¡¯t something he nned on. Since the enemy wanted to kill his wife, he would give them the taste of their own medicine.


    Soon after Wayne Chu¡¯s men took Xu Liqing and Lu Yuhan with them. Wayne knew very well what Jie had in mind for them. Hispany¡¯s new drug was strong and lethal. Two puny girls like Xu Liqing and Lu Yuhan would definitely suffer worse than death. Even death would have been a form of mercy at this moment but Jie showed none.


    But inparison to Ru, Jie still thought he was being soft. If it was up to his best friend, she would skin these girls alive in the worst way possible.


    "Why did no one heard all thismotion?" Jie asked after the room only had Ru with him.


    "Oh, you know I have a sleeping potion. It worked so well." She smiled smugly.


    "Did you have to do that?" Jie asked sorely as he shook his head in disbelief. She certainly knew how to use her expertise in useless things.


    "Of course, I had to! You can¡¯t even stand. Therefore, I decided to just end this whole drama right here in the hospital. Also, keep it from your wife. If she heard anything about this, she¡¯s going to feel even more guilty."


    "I¡¯m not an idiot like you. Obviously, I¡¯ll keep it from her." Jie answered certainly. He didn¡¯t want Xu Mey to question her past actions at all. It wasn¡¯t her fault that people don¡¯t learn their lessons.


    "So..."


    Jie looked at her inquiringly as she cleared her throat awkwardly.


    "I¡¯m leaving tomorrow. And I might note back again. Although I know you won¡¯t miss me, I still wanted to let you know." Ru¡¯s words came as a surprise to him but he didn¡¯t say it. Seeing him quiet, Ru also didn¡¯t bother saying anything else and turned to leave. For the first time, through a door. How shocking!


    Jie looked at her receding figure and wanted to stop her but didn¡¯t. He knew what she was running from. If only he could help her the way she always helped him. Sigh! But the worst part was she would never ask for help.


    His eyes were still on the door when his cellphone rang by his side. He picked up seeing the caller id and gave a smirk. "What? Missing me already?"


    A snort came from the other side. "Ah, you wish!"


    Jie didn¡¯t like her tone of indifference at all. "Then why are calling me?" The reply he got was silence... A prolonged one at that. Jie felt uneasy with her reaction. If he couldn¡¯t hear her soft breaths, he might have thought that the call was disconnected. "Why aren¡¯t you saying anything?" He grew impatient.


    "JieJie, this might be myst call to you."


    "What? Are you breaking up with me?"


    "Can¡¯t you use some nice words? What break up?" She was incensed in a second. Jie chuckled to himself at her reaction. She was really easy to mess with.


    "If not, then why are you saying such nonsense?"


    "JieJie, you have a family now. Soon, your family is going to beplete. And before you lose yourself in the bliss of life, I¡¯m informing you that I might not call you again ore to see you again."


    "Bullsh*t! I don¡¯t believe a word you just said. Be honest with me, where are you going?"


    "I don¡¯t know where but it¡¯s a ce from where I might nevere back."


    "Ru¡¯er," he didn¡¯t know what to say.


    "Don¡¯t worry. Even death has a beef with me so I might not die. But when Ie back, let¡¯s stop being soul-brothers. Okay?"


    "Huh? If we won¡¯t be soul-brothers, what else we can be?" He asked incredulously.


    "Zhu Jie, Young Master of Zhu n of Shenghua State, you better find out what we are before Ie back." He could feel her smiling slyly but what did she mean?


    "Can¡¯t you just give me a hint?"


    "Nah! Just know that you being Zhu Jie means you and I were born to be more than soul-brothers." With that, the call disconnected leaving Jie hanging. He couldn¡¯t think of anything at all.


    ¡¯If he¡¯s Zhu Jie?¡¯ That meant being a Zhu was a prerequisite of whatever she was saying. ¡¯More than soul-brothers?¡¯ How? And why?


    Thinking about her strange words, Jie slowly went back to sleep. He needed to settle things but they could wait until he gets better. For now, his recovery was of utmost importance.

 Chapter 358 - I Like The Sound Of That

    "Ah-Jie, don¡¯t let go of my hand."


    "Baby, I¡¯m right here. There is no need to worry. And could you please ease up your grip a little bit."


    "Oops, Sorry!"


    Both Jie and Xu Mey were in the Radiology department of the hospital. They were waiting outside for their turn when Xu Mey suddenly felt anxious for some reason and held Jie¡¯s hand in a tight grip almost breaking his bones.


    "Ms. Xu Mey, you cane inside now," hearing the nurse calling her, Xu Mey¡¯s already mmy hands started trembling. Jie had no idea what she was so scared of. They hade for a routine checkup and an ultrasound test, what was the need for this strange fear?


    "Please, lie down."


    Xu Mey did as she was told but didn¡¯t let go of Jie¡¯s hand at all. Jie stroked her hair with a smile trying to calm her nerves.


    "No need to be this nervous about this Ms. Xu Mey. This is just a simple checkup. Rx your nerves." Xu Mey took deep breaths on the doctor¡¯s advice and felt herself calming down. At least, it was better than before.


    The doctor squeezed some gel on her tummy which felt cold to touch and Xu Mey felt a shudder run down her spine. Then the doctor used the transducer probe a.k.a ultrasound wand and images could be seen on the ultrasound machine¡¯s monitor.


    "Duh... Duh... Duh..."


    Suddenly, a faint echo could be heard which made both Xu Mey and Jie look at the monitor again. Although they both couldn¡¯t make anything clearly on the screen yet, the tiny tympanic heartbeat was the clear indicator that a new life was growing inside of her.


    A new life. A new soul. An innocent and pure child.


    Heartbeat was something that Xu Mey had started associating with love. Since she loved listening to Jie¡¯s heartbeat. But today, listening to the heartbeat of her unborn child, she was lost for words.


    She even forgot, what she was supposed to feel. She was happy, yes she was. The tears of joy that trickled down her face were enough proof that she was indeed more than just happy. She feltplete as if this was what had been missing from her life. And now, she wasplete.


    "As you can see now, your baby is already a fetus now. It¡¯s only the first trimester so the gender can¡¯t be told. But the baby looks healthy." The doctor¡¯s words brought even more tears of joy to burst out of Xu Mey¡¯s eyes.


    There was suddenly a motherly possessiveness, love and an urge to protect her child. It felt weird that she was feeling this close to someone she has yet to even see. Perhaps, this was the mother and child¡¯s rtion which she had been unaware of all her life.


    She lifted her wet eyelids to look at Jie and his reaction wasn¡¯t any better. He was also looking at the screen with a dumbstruck expression. He suddenly understood the anxiousness that Xu Mey was feeling. It suddenly dawned on him that he was going to be a father soon. It was a huge responsibility for which he was ready or not, he didn¡¯t know. But he was surely excited about this.


    Most of all, he felt his love for Xu Mey increasing by leaps and bounds. It was like she was giving him a treasure. Something which he couldn¡¯t even buy with all the money or power he had. It was a priceless treasure. A child of his own.


    He brought her hand to his lips and nted a soft lingering kiss there saying, "Baby, did I mention that I love you?"


    "You did. But I love hearing it over and over again." Xu Mey answered with a smile.


    "I love you so much, baby," Jie said before hugging her from his wheelchair as much as he could at least. He thought he needed to get rid of this stupid wheelchair so he could hug his wife properly. These bandages were getting in his way.


    Xu Mey giggled and said, "I think this one also likes to hear that." She was pointing towards her tummy.


    Jie chuckled at her words and whispered, "Then I¡¯ll make sure to say it over and over and over again for the rest of our life."


    "I like the sound of that." Xu Mey answered delightedly.


    Forgotten were the doctor and the nurse in the room who could only awkwardly look anywhere but at this doting couple who was unting their love shamelessly.

 Chapter 359 - It Was Refreshing

    "Baby, stop pushing my wheelchair. I can do it myself."


    Coming back from the Radiology department, Xu Mey was like a kid on sugar-rush. She wanted to hop around but since Jie would never let her do that, she was pushing his wheelchair rashly. As if they were a part of a racing rally.


    Getting tired of using words, Jie held her hand on the wheelchair¡¯s handle and stopped her. He gave a pull and Xu Meynded straight on hisp.


    "Now, stay here. No rushing around." Jie¡¯s stern voice made her feel upset but realizing where she was seated, she immediately let go of her gloominess.


    "Then you can be my ride back." Saying that Xu Mey wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her face in his chest like a kitten who was looking for its owner¡¯s affection. But who wasining? Obviously, our Jie was more than happy to be her ride or her *Ahem* owner.


    "Ah-Jie," he hummed in reply. "Let¡¯s be the best parents."


    Jie smiled down at her and said, "As you wish."


    "You know I could have pushed you all the way back to the room," Xu Mey grumbled.


    "Yes, I know. My baby is the strongest one. But I don¡¯t want my baby to work at all. So for our little one, let¡¯s take care of your health. Okay?" Xu Mey and not working? That could be the news of the decade. But she couldn¡¯t find a way to argue with Jie as well. He was right. For their little one, she had to be careful.


    Just thinking about that little one, her eyes softened up. She would never forget the moment when she heard that heartbeat. It was such a rare feeling. She didn¡¯t just have her own heart beating inside her body anymore. There was a part of Jie and her own heart beating in that little one as well. And just the idea of having a part of Jie growing inside of her was thrilling and fulfilling.


    "I¡¯ll do as Ah-Jie says. I promise." Her answer made Jie rx. He knew it wasn¡¯t easy for her to sit back and rx but he also knew that she would do it for the sake of their little one.


    "What are you doing here now? When, my daughter, got into that scary ident, where were you then? And now you want to see her?" Xu Mey ced her hand on Jie¡¯s to stop him from moving forward as she heard the voice of her father.


    "I didn¡¯t know about the ident. I went to States to settle some business and lost contact with everyone. Also, Xu Mey¡¯s words cut me deep enough that day." Xu Mey heard Xin Qian¡¯s answer and it made her eyes harden up.


    "Oh, so your absence can hurt my little girl but her words can¡¯t hurt you? What kind of a mother are you?" Xu Cheng¡¯s voice was scornful and Xu Mey gave a satisfied smile. She was one step away from cheering out loud, ¡¯That¡¯s my father! Way to go!¡¯


    "Xu Cheng, don¡¯t forget it was your fault that we separated and I had to leave my daughter behind." Xin Qian¡¯s voice sounded using.


    "Is that so? Why didn¡¯t I get the memo? Xin Qian, you refused to believe that Fu Lan drugged me. You signed the divorce papers and sent them my way. You took my son without my knowledge. You abandoned my daughter. And now, you are back to use me? Have a bit of sense, if I was at fault, you weren¡¯t any better."


    "You! How dare you put the me on me?" Xin Qian¡¯s voice sounded choked up and pitiful but none of the people listening felt any pity. Certainly, Xu Mey didn¡¯t. "It was you who sent the divorce papers. It was you who sent your mistress to inform me that I can keep the son but not our daughter. Also, it was you who made me emotionally unstable back then."


    "Now, Ms. Xin Qian mind telling me, my signatures were on the divorce papers when you received them?" Xu Cheng asked with a certain look.


    "N-No. But you sent them." Xin Qian¡¯s voice wavered.


    "No. You just wanted to believe that I was the one who wanted to break that marriage. But in reality, it was you! I would have never signed those papers if your signatures weren¡¯t there." Xin Qian was stunned to her spot while Xu Cheng continued, "Also, do I look like an idiot to you? Why would I give you permission to take my son away from me? If I knew he existed, I would have taken him from you as you said with your emotional instability, the court would have dly given me the custody."


    Xin Qian¡¯s tears trickled down like a stream. She knew he was right. She wasn¡¯t in the condition to fight back then. But the idea of not even having Xiamu all those years scared her.


    She dropped down on her knees and said, "But it was still your mistress that broke us. And you who brought her into our life."


    Xu Cheng gave a scornfulugh saying, "Don¡¯t deceive yourself. I used to think that it was indeed I who ruined us. But no. I met a very sensible person who told me that it wasn¡¯t I who brought Fu Lan between us. It was you. I gave her a space in our house, you gave her space between our rtionship. You let her hoodwink you. You believed her words rather than believing in me, us or the love which you said you had for me. Our marriage wasn¡¯t just my responsibility. It was ours. And I couldn¡¯t save it all alone while you¡¯re being duped by Fu Lan."


    Xu Cheng¡¯s harsh words made Xin Qian stare at him dumbfoundedly. While Xu Mey was having a satisfied look on her face. As if she was really proud of her father. Ah, it was refreshing.

 Chapter 360 - You Sure Are

    Seeing the triumphant smile on Xu Mey¡¯s face, Jie knew what was going on in her mind. While Xu Mey¡¯s mind was actually not in alignment with Jie. She was lost in the words Ru told her; she indeed expected a better reason from her mother. Her heart wanted to hear something eptable... Something a little more believable but all she got was a petty excuse.


    "Should I give you a moment with them?" Hearing Jie¡¯s voice, Xu Mey shook her head in negation.


    "Why do you want to leave? You are not a stranger but my husband. And I want you to stay right here." She gave him a reassuring smile. With much reluctance, she hopped down from Jie¡¯sp and stood back up.


    As she pushed the door open, both Xu Cheng and Xin Qian turned to look at her.


    "Meymey, what are you doing here?" Xu Cheng paced up to her side with a concerned look. "How was the checkup? Is everything alright?"


    Xu Mey extended her hand towards Jie and he passed her the report file. Xu Mey immediately showed her father the ultrasound scans. "Look. That¡¯s the fetus. A very healthy one with a strong heartbeat just like his mother."


    "Ahem!" Hearing Jie¡¯s cough from behind Xu Mey made a face.


    "And just like his dad as well." She had to add reluctantly. "Anyways, everything is absolutely fine."


    Xu Cheng kept looking at the photo in hand with fascination in his eyes which slowly turned into tears that flowed down his face slowly. He never got a chance to be present at any of doctor¡¯s checkups during the time Xin Qian was pregnant. Xin Qian stopped him from even interfering in her life. Today, it felt like all his previous grievance was gone.


    "Xu Mey, are you pregnant?" Xin Qian¡¯s voice broke a sweet moment between father and daughter.


    Xu Mey was about to snap at her when Xu Cheng held her hand and shook his head saying, "It¡¯s not worth it." Xu Mey passed him an assuring smile since even she knew that this woman didn¡¯t worth her anger at all. Anger was also a feeling and it was something she didn¡¯t want to have for this woman anymore.


    Both her parents wronged at different levels but they had a huge difference. No matter what, her father stayed with her while this woman ran at the first junction of their life.


    Inhaling a deep breath, Xu Mey turned to Xin Qian and started, "Ms. Xin Qian, I forgive you." Xu Mey¡¯s words not only stunned Xin Qian but also Xu Cheng as well. Only Jie had a ghostly smile and a proud look on his face as he gazed at his beautiful baby who seemed like she had finally grown up.


    "Oh, baby girl," Xin Qian almost jumped at Xu Mey and engulfed her into a bear hug which Xu Mey didn¡¯t return.


    Pushing her away from herself, Xu Mey continued, "Don¡¯t get me wrong here." Xin Qian gave her a confused look while Xu Mey went on, "My forgiveness is only for the fact that you took care of Xiamu all these years. You gave him a good life and that¡¯s what matters. As for me, you and I both know that I don¡¯t need a mother like you. My Sensei said I can¡¯t write the story of a new journey unless I end the previous one. And since I¡¯m going to be a mother myself soon, I don¡¯t want to hold on to grudges that mean nothing at this point of my life."


    "You are the woman who gave me birth and I can only thank you for that but... If you¡¯re expecting anything more than that... Then I¡¯m sorry, I¡¯m not that magnanimous. I¡¯m a normal human being who can¡¯t let go of past grievances that easily. But for my unborn child¡¯ sake, I want to be a better person. I want to be theplete opposite of you. And that¡¯s why I¡¯m telling you this... Our paths will eventually cross from now on and I¡¯ll act cordially as well. Nothing more, nothing less."


    With the flip of her hair, Xu Mey left the stunned Xin Qian and went out with Jie.


    "Ah-Jie, was I good just now?" Xu Mey immediately made a cute face looking for praises from Jie.


    He patted her head lovingly and gave her azy smile. "My baby is not just good. She¡¯s always the best."


    Xu Mey hid her face in the crook of his neck and whispered softly, "So does Ah-Jie¡¯s baby will get a reward?" Her soft but warm breath fanning against his neck sent a tingling feeling to gush all over his body.


    Then she pressed her lips lingeringly on his neck and trailed towards his jaw when she heard Jie¡¯s low growl as he said, "Baby, you are treading on thin ice."


    "Am I?" Xu Mey batted her eyshes at him innocently.


    "Oh, you sure are," Jie answered before his hand went to the nape of her neck and pulled her lips towards his own.

 Chapter 361 - A Pair Of Mothers

    "Xiao Mey, have some soy milk."


    "No. First, eat this fruit sd. I especially added a lot of berries which will provide Vitamin C and fiber. Also, look I added dates for iron. It¡¯s all healthy for the baby and you."


    "Su, soy milk is also good for the baby. It has Vitamin A, Vitamin B-12, potassium, calcium and whatnot. I won¡¯t give anything unhealthy to my girl as well. Also, milk is essential during pregnancy."


    "Bingbing, I know it¡¯s healthy but she can¡¯t drink milk before the sd."


    "And why not?"


    This argument had been going on for a long time now while Xu Mey was being pushed and pulled between two over-protective mothers. On one side was her mother-inw, He Susu and on the other side was the woman who gave her all the love a mother could, Fan Bingbing. Xu Mey was stuck between thesedies who had been shoving food in her for a week now.


    Xu Mey didn¡¯t know that eating healthy could be this tiring and boring. She was really tired of their health advice.


    But she couldn¡¯t even say no since these women were doing their best to take care of her. Looking at them she finally knew what a mother was like. Why would she still be sad about a mother who left her alone? She had a pair of loving and caring mothers who doted on her beyond belief. Exactly why did she never realize it before?


    Shaking her head, Xu Mey decided to apply a new trick. "Yuck!" She scrunched up her face and pretended to barf.


    "Xiao Mey, what¡¯s wrong?" Bothdies finally lost interest in their argument and turned to Xu Mey.


    "I¡¯m feeling nauseous. The aroma of these things is making me sick."


    Fan Bingbing and He Susu immediately took their food containers and ran out of the room. Xu Mey felt guilty for doing this but their reaction was priceless.


    "Xiao Mey, tell us what do you want?"


    Xu Mey pretended to think for a moment before saying, "Something spicy... Or sour... How about some noodle soup? Or Scallion pancakes?"


    Both Fan Bingbing and He Susu looked reluctant. "Xiao Mey, oily food is not very healthy. Also, spices might not suit your taste as well."


    "I heard soybean is very healthy. How about Korean style soybean noodles?" Xu Mey slowly altered their thoughts towards her own wishes.


    "That can work. Okay. We¡¯ll be right back."


    "Oh, and mother don¡¯t forget to bring a milkshake. I want that as well." Both Fan Bingbing and He Susu halted in their steps. Looking at their baffled looks, Xu Mey rolled her eyes at them and added, "Ma, why are you looking at me like that? You better make the soybean noodles yourself." She was talking to Fan Bingbing and addressed her the same way as Wu Wang did. It made a strange feeling to engulf Fan Bingbing¡¯s heart.


    "And mother, I forgot to tell you. I want a strawberry milkshake." He Susu nodded in a daze but didn¡¯t move.


    "Why aren¡¯t you both leaving? I¡¯m really hungry." That made both of them startle awake from the daze. Both Fan Bingbing and He Susu hugged Xu Mey with tears in their eyes. Xu Mey knew why they were reacting like this and she had noment about this. She made a lot of effort to call them mother before it never felt right. At least not until now when she knew that she was long over that mother who left.


    Finally, Xu Mey was left alone in the room. She was dreading the time, she would leave for home. Here only two were always coaxing her to eat but at home... Everyone will do it. Urgh!


    Anyhow, she was indeed tired of the hospital now. She never liked hospitals but now she had to stay here for observation. How unfair! But in reality, she was only staying to apany Jie otherwise she would have run a long time ago.


    She couldn¡¯t evenin since no one would not listen at all.


    "I see you have everyone dancing at your fingertips." Looking at Jie walking towards her with the help of crutches, she smiled.


    "What else can I do? The way they are feeding me, I¡¯ll soon look like a balloon." Xu Mey grumbled.


    "Haha... Is it that bad? You¡¯ll look cute." Jie chuckled and pretended as he could really see her as a cute balloon.


    "Ah-Jie, I don¡¯t want to be a balloon."


    "Why not?"


    Xu Mey stepped down from the bed and came before him. She wrapped her arms around him and made him do the same. Tilting her head, she looked into his eyes and said, "If I became a balloon, I won¡¯t fit in here. I don¡¯t like the idea of that."


    "I think baby, you¡¯ll still fit in my arms," Jie said with a beautiful smile.


    Xu Mey rolled her eyes at him and said, "You can because you have long arms. But mine hardly can wrap around your waist." Looking at her aggrieved face, Jie tapped her nose.


    "Don¡¯t worry. So what if we can¡¯t fit in each other¡¯s arms anymore. My heart is big enough to fit all of you." His indulgent gaze made Xu Mey hide her face in his chest.


    It was indeed a blessing to find a man who could deal with all her mood swings. Even though she was too clingy these days, he still never mind. He was always patiently dealing with her tantrums as well. What had she done in her previous life to deserve a man like him? Who cares?


    He was hers and that¡¯s all that mattered.

 Chapter 362 - Zhu Jie

    -Two monthster-


    Jie¡¯s leg was finally healed and he could walk around as he used to without any difficulty. Even though they hade back home from the hospital, he still used to feel like he had chain binding him on the bed.


    Only he knew, how much he cherished this freedom of his.


    Today, his father was taking him somewhere. Apparently, it was a surprise. Jie could tell they were going to the Imperial City but he didn¡¯t know the details at all.


    All Zhu Chen told him was, "I¡¯m going to introduce you to yourself, tonight."


    And whatever that meant, Jie didn¡¯t bother thinking about it. At least, tried not to.


    The sun was setting on the horizon when the car drove inside huge metal gates and passed through a pathway lining up with trees. Turning on a circr driveway, the car stopped before a huge mansion. Or calling it a castle might be right.


    Rows of servants in uniform were lined up on the stairway to greet them.


    "Wee home, Master Chen."


    Their synchronized voices took Jie by surprise. Jie was still looking at everything around him curiously when Zhu Chen patted his shoulder and said, "Let¡¯s go inside."


    Jie nodded and followed him silently. Walking through the huge hallways, they were greeted by plenty of other servants on their way.


    "Everyone is waiting for you inside, Sir." An old man which looked like a butler informed Zhu Chen.


    Then the double doors opened and the bright lights from inside blinded him for a second.


    And when his eyes got ustomed to the light, he was stunned to see hundreds of people inside the hall. Everyone looked sophisticated and affluent. With a piece of soothing music ying in the background, everyone was chatting in groups with drinks in their hands. The women in gowns and men in suits, it was a sight to see.


    "Wee home, son!" Hearing the whisper of his father, Jie finally reacted a bit.


    "Home?" He asked.


    "Home. This is the real home. The Zhu Mansion in Xia Imperial Capital. Although our family is from Shenghua State, we still live in the Imperial city." Zhu Chen started exining everything to Jie as he took him inside the hall.


    Because of his friendship with Ru, Jie had a vague idea of what hidden ns of the country meant. But knowing that his own Zhu n was one of those formidable and affluent families still shocked him. Each hidden n had their own territories and Zhu n had all the power and influence in Shenghua State. That was the biggest shocker for him since that meant, Zhu n was ranked second in a hierarchy.


    As they walked towards the front of the hall, Jie finally saw familiar faces of his mother, his almost five months pregnant wife and herpany of friends along with their families. The starstruck look on Xu Mey¡¯s face made him feel good for some reason.


    "Father, meet my son and your grandson, Zhu Jie." When Jie turned to see, his eyes fell on an elderly face filled with wrinkles but brimming with vitality. He was still not used to being called Zhu Jie. It seemed foreign.


    "Finally," he heard from the elderly¡¯s mouth before his back had to endure a couple of power packed pats. "You look exactly like your father." Jie was so used to hearing that by now that it didn¡¯t really bring any feeling at all. His grandfather gave him a hug and whispered, "It¡¯s my fortune that I lived to see this day. My grandson is finally home."


    And as his grandfather introduced him as, "Zhu Jie, the next head of Zhu n," Jie was dumbstruck. He didn¡¯t think he was ready for something this big. Who decided it? And when?


    "Rx son. Father is just bragging before those other n leaders that now he has a grandson as well. You won¡¯t have to take the position of n Head that soon. You still have a couple of years before that happens officially." Jie finally breathed a sigh of relief.


    "Oh my goodness! Ah-Jie, you are like one of those prince¡¯ I used to read about in books. Your family is explosive. Literally!" Xu Mey briskly went to his side when she found him alone. From what she learned, Zhu n was truly a force to reckon. She was amazed.


    She thought it was no wonder that Zhou Ning felt jealous of He Susu for having Zhu Chen. Being a part of any wealthy family and being a part of forces like Zhu n were poles apart.


    "I didn¡¯t know it either. I guess we have a lot to learn." Jie stated as he looked around at the people. He didn¡¯t feel out of ce since his mannerism was personally sharpened by Ru¡¯s grandfather. No one could pick any fault in his conduct. But he still felt a bit overwhelmed.


    "Should I call him Prince Jie from now on?" Wu Wang joked as he joined them.


    "Be polite, our Young Master Jie can make us vanish with a click of his fingers." Li Qiao jutted in yfully.


    "Shut up guys! He¡¯s already overwhelmed." He Jian actually took Jie¡¯s side for the first time. "We have plenty of ways to torture himter." Or so he thought.


    "Guys, stop it. Jie is really nervous now." Xu Mey¡¯s words made them all serious immediately.


    The three of them came around Jie and patted his shoulder saying, "We know being Zhu Jiees with a huge responsibility but trust me, it gets better with time."


    "And how do you know that Wang?" Jie asked curiously since Wu Wang was acting like a know-it-all.


    "Look over there," Jie looked in the direction he pointed towards and saw Wu Wang¡¯s parents happily having a discussion with other people. "Ie from a family where I¡¯m roasted every day for being not good enough. Both Wu Family and Fan Family has eyes on me for responsibilities. That¡¯s why I¡¯m telling you, it does get better."


    Jie didn¡¯t know that Wu Wang came from one of those families as well. But then again, no one would have guessed that seeing his nonchnt and carefree attitude towards life.

 Chapter 363 - Worth It

    "Believe in love and love will make its way to your life." He could hear that distant but vivid voice.


    "And what exactly is love?" He asked trying to look through the smog that had engulfed him.


    "Some words are left unsaid


    Some stories are not meant to unfold


    Some lies are made to stay in wraps


    But...


    Love is not a word that needs to be told


    It¡¯s not a story that needs to unfold


    It¡¯s not a lie that we can enwrap


    Love...


    It¡¯s a feeling meant to be felt,


    A story meant to be kept


    And a truth that is meant to be perfect."


    He could hear that voice but the person was still enshrouded in smog. He tried to lift his hand to touch only to be jolted awake.


    "Ah-Jie! I¡¯ve been trying to wake you up for an hour now." Calming his breath, Jie turned to look at Xu Mey pouting by his side.


    "What¡¯s wrong, baby?" He asked as he touched her face gently and tenderly.


    "Why are you sweating so much? Was it a bad dream?" Xu Mey instantly changed her words and started wiping the beads of his sweat with her sleeve.


    Jie shook his head. "It wasn¡¯t a bad dream. It was... a distant memory. One that I had actually forgotten about." He might have not seen the face but he remembered that voice. It belonged to the person who taught himpassion and kindness. And now that he thought about it, he needed to talk to his father. To know the rtionship between him and Ru. He had to ask his father.


    "About what?" Xu Mey¡¯s voice broke his train of thoughts.


    "Forget it. You tell me why did you wake me up?"


    "Because I¡¯m hungry." Xu Mey answered pursing her lips.


    Jie chuckled softly and asked, "What do you want to eat?"


    "Ice cream!" She answered instantly.


    "There must be some in the kitchen."


    "There is none."


    "And how do you know that?"


    "Because I ate it all." She said sheepishly. Apparently, the one growing in her loved ice cream. She had never eaten this much ice cream in her entire life before.


    Jie pinched the space between his brows and looked at the time. "Baby, it¡¯s 3 a.m. Where will I find ice cream at this time? We came back to Star Metropolitan City a couple of days ago. It¡¯s not Imperial City that stays awake the whole night." Because of their individual work schedule, they both hade back to their own home.


    "I want ice cream. I want ice cream. I WANT ICE CREAM!" Xu Mey whined repeatedly until he gave in.


    "I would love to give you ice cream but where should I get it from?"


    "My Sensei got me the ice cream exactly around this time. If he can then why can¡¯t you?" Xu Mey red at Jie and puffed up her cheeks in anger.


    "Your Sensei did what?" ¡¯Ru¡¯er! You bastard! Do you have to set the standards so damn high?¡¯ Jie took deep breaths to calm himself before saying, "Let me change my clothes. Then I¡¯ll take you out to find your ice cream."


    Xu Mey pped her hands in happiness and tried to jump down the bed when Jie gave a stern look and said, "Can you pleasee down civilly?" Xu Mey nodded her head and slowly but carefully made her way to get the closet.


    After fifteen minutes, both husband and wife were out the door on their drive to look for ice cream when the city was sleeping peacefully.


    But even after driving through the whole city, they couldn¡¯t find a single ce for ice cream. Yes, there were convenience stores but our Xu Mey was making a fuss about wanting chocte chip cookie dough vor.


    "Baby, let¡¯s have ice cream tomorrow. Okay?"


    Xu Mey made a crying face and startedining. "How can you be so mean? Your this baby," pointing a finger at her own self. "And this baby," moving to point at her protruding belly. "Both want ice cream and you can¡¯t even do that? I can¡¯t sleep without it. I want it at any cost."


    Rolling his eyes at her, Jie made a call.


    Within ten minutes, they were inside an ice cream parlor which was specifically opened for them.


    Walking inside, Jie thought, ¡¯I never thought I¡¯d use my name to open a damn ice cream parlor one day.¡¯ He was amazed at himself. He hated using his name or influence to get anything done. ording to him just because he had the power didn¡¯t mean he had to use it for his own good. If things could be achieved like any normal person then there was no need to disy your authority.


    But with Xu Mey¡¯s presence in his life, he had already broken a lot of his principles. This one was not a big deal either. This was the least he could do to bring a smile on her face.


    And honestly, seeing the way she ate with content made all his thoughts vanish. "It was all worth it." He said to himself.


    Xu Mey was certainly cated like a child after gobbling down ice cream. And even curled up to sleep like a kitten as soon as she sat in the car. Jie covered her with a nket and said, "What will I do with you?"


    But after a while, he smiled at himself and said, "And what will I do without you?"

 Chapter 364 - Crime & Redemption

    "Please, wait here. I¡¯ll get the prisoner for the meeting."


    Leaving Jie in a meeting room, the police officer went inside to get Zhou Ning. He had to wait for a while before Zhou Ning was brought inside the room d in grey prison clothes. The police officer undid her handcuffs before giving them a moment to talk.


    "I didn¡¯t expect to see you here," Zhou Ning stated while taking a seat before him. "Why? Are you here to condemn me? Go on with it. Let¡¯s get over it."


    Jie stayed quiet for a while just staring at her face. As if trying to look for something.


    "Actually, I have a question for you," Jie spoke with a heavy heart since he wasn¡¯t used to seeing her in a haggard look. She looked tired, sleep deprived, pale and very old.


    "A question? What is it?" She asked.


    "I met Lu Yuhan." Zhou Ning gave him a startled look beforeposing herself.


    "What about it?"


    "She said you ckmailed her back then and that¡¯s why she left me." Seeing that Zhou Ning wasn¡¯t nning on saying anything on her own, he continued, "Can you tell me why you pushed her away from my life?"


    "Because I wanted to. I didn¡¯t like seeing you happy at all." Zhou Ning answered in a sharp tone.


    "Is that so? I don¡¯t believe you." Jie stated calmly.


    "That¡¯s up to you."


    "Can¡¯t you be honest with me for once? At least for the sake of respect that I gave you all these years." His words managed to shook Zhou Ning¡¯s resolve.


    "I told you from the very beginning that I don¡¯t like that girl."


    "But why?"


    Zhou Ning snickered. "Perhaps I saw myself in her and that made me hate her even more. She was after your status rather than you. So, I threw her out of your life."


    "You chose Xu Mey. Then why did you turn against herter on?"


    "If Lu Yuhan was not a simple character than neither is your current wife. She is also calctive, scheming and pretentious. I didn¡¯t want such a life partner for you. If she was an innocent girl, I¡¯d have no problem with her. And from what I learned about her, I didn¡¯t want her to hurt you."


    "For someone who hates me, you really care too much about my well being." Jie sneered contemptuously.


    Zhou Ning stared at him for a moment longer before speaking, "I have never hated you, Jie." Jie was shell-shocked as his eyes widened dramatically. "The only person I hated in my life is your mother, He Susu. I know she tried to be nice to me but she was naive. Her kindness made me feel inferior beyond redemption. It was herpassion that threw me over the edge and I became vicious."


    "She is a good person. That¡¯s why she tried to help you." Jie took his mother¡¯s side.


    "Yeah. She is a good person but sometimes our kindness can be someone¡¯s bane in life as well. Your mother¡¯s goodness became my bane. The way people looked at me made me hate myself. They thought I was pitiful who needed their charity and help. And just because I took the charity of He Susu, do you know how many boys came to offer me money? But all of them wanted me to warm their bed." Jie kept staring at her face without moving or saying anything. He didn¡¯t have words.


    "Just like kindness took my pride and self-respect from me. I wanted to snatch something from her in return as well. But your dad pushed me away. I guess that¡¯s when I really started hating her." With a long sigh, she went on, "But you... I have never hated you. I treated you differently but that¡¯s because you were a sensible child. You didn¡¯t like attention. You were my crime and redemption. How could I hate you?"


    He was lost for words for a long time. He thought jealousy was the reason behind him losing his identity but no. It was, in fact, his mother¡¯s kindness that turned out to be torture for someone else. He didn¡¯t think his mother was wrong for being a good person. But was he supposed to really hate Zhou Ning? After all, the woman had really protected him all these years.


    He stood up and gave a deep bow as he said, "I apologize on my mother¡¯s behalf. Not because she was wrong. But because she couldn¡¯t protect your innocence or self-respect. I am really sorry."


    He was turning to leave when he saw Zhou Ning fidgeting as if she had something to say.


    "Do you want to say something?" He asked.


    "Forget it. It¡¯s nothing." In the end, she decided not to say it.


    Jie thought for a moment before saying, "I¡¯ll ask Jun toe for a visit."


    Zhou Ning looked at him with a surprised look on her face. Fighting the tears in her eyes, she said, "Thank you. And I¡¯m sorry for taking your chance to grow up as Young Master Zhu Jie."

 Chapter 365 - The Mystery Of Ru

    Jie walked out feeling a strangefort. In the end, he really couldn¡¯t hate Zhou Ning. After all, she raised him to be who he was today. And she even loved him like a mother just in her own twisted way. He was actually d to find out that there was at least a reasonable cause behind everything that she did. And she didn¡¯t try to y the me game.


    Zhou Ning epted it that she was indeed the one in wrong but from her perspective, He Susu wasn¡¯t right either. But that was just her own thinking. She could have done worse. She could have killed Jie after stealing him but she didn¡¯t do such a thing. She gave him an honorable status of being the eldest son of Ye family. It meant a lot to him.


    He drove to the military Compound to find his father but learned that he was at the Military Sanitarium. Therefore, he had to make a detour there.


    "Hey, son! What brought you here?" Zhu Chen asked as he entered his office and saw Jie waiting for him.


    "Nothing. I just thought of having a chat with you." Jie answered casually.


    Zhu Chen scrutinized Jie for a moment longer before nodding and asking someone to bring coffee for both of them. Soon, the coffee was carried inside with a couple of snacks to go with. Jie picked up his coffee cup but didn¡¯t take a sip, his eyes were looking at the steam that was dissipating from the hot coffee.


    A moment ago, that steam was there but in the next moment, it was lost. It reminded him of how life was working around him. It felt like a moment ago, he was Ye Jie and in the next, he was Zhu Jie. He sighed heavily at the thought. The number of people in the Zhu family he met in Imperial was overwhelming for him. He had to greet all the uncles and aunts that came with a lot of cousins- twice added, once removed kind of ones. After all, his first cousin was only He Jian or so he thought.


    Taking a sip of his piping hot coffee, Zhu Chen¡¯s eyes didn¡¯t leave Jie. He had been seeing each and every frown carefully.


    "What¡¯s bothering you?" Zhu Chen finally voiced out his question.


    Jie took another moment before saying gingerly, "I was wondering about Zhu Family¡¯s rtion with other ns of High Summit."


    "That¡¯s all? I thought it was something serious." Zhu Chen heaved a sigh of relief.


    After this, Zhu Chen started all the details which Jie was already familiar with. For instance, Zhu n was a second-ranked n in High Summit. Sharing their position with Ji Family of Xia Imperial City. Above these ns was also the first-ranked n; Xiao n. Wu, Fan, Hou, Gou were other members of the High Summit.


    Even after listening to all this Jie was still perplexed. The one he wanted to know about wasn¡¯t even mentioned anywhere.


    "Dad, what about the Shadowwick State?" Zhu Chen¡¯s eyes widened considerably as he stared at Jie.


    "Where did you hear that name?" He asked hastily. Jie stayed quiet not knowing how to reply to that. Would being honest be a bit much?


    "It doesn¡¯t matter where you heard it but don¡¯t mention it so casually again. Even the name of that ce is a terror for people. That ce is like an independent country, not just a state. Even the members of High Summit doesn¡¯t have the authority to reach out to them." Zhu Chen exined in a calm manner but with a weird look in his eyes.


    "Actually, my real question is does our family have anything to do with Shadowwick State or not?" Jie was trying to pry out the information that could solve the mystery Ru left behind for him. The things his father said were already in his knowledge. He had spent a considerable amount of time in that state. Obviously, he knew about the people there better than his own father.


    Instead of answering Jie, Zhu Chen went up to his desk and pulled out his wallet from the drawer. Coming back to Jie¡¯s side, he passed the wallet to him. Jie eyed it for a while before giving an inquiring gaze to his father.


    "Open it." He heard Zhu Chen¡¯s voice and opened the wallet. Before he could ask anything his gaze fell on a photo inside. There were three teenagers in the photo. Jie could recognize Zhu Chen who looked just a replica of himself and his aunt Zhu Qinyang but the odd part was, he could even recognize the third girl in the picture!


    "That¡¯s our youngest sister." Zhu Chen said softly with a nostalgic look.


    "Feifei..." Jie voiced out softly which startled Zhu Chen.


    "How do you know Feifei?"


    "Let¡¯s start with you, dad."


    Zhu Chen nodded and started, "Zhu Feifei, our youngest sister. She was always the aloof and odd one out. She never really interacted much with people. But to be honest, she was the brightest and genius star of the family. And eventually became the real pride of the family when she married into Shadowwick State." He sighed with a heavy heart again and went on, "But when people be a part of that family, they don¡¯te back. Even though she¡¯s my sister, I don¡¯t know anything about her life anymore. She was twenty-two when she married and we didn¡¯t see her after that."


    Although Jie could see that his father was a bit sad reminiscing about his sister, he wasn¡¯t the least bit bothered. Why? His mystery was solved!


    How would he not know Zhu Feifei? She was Ru¡¯s mother; thedy of the formidable n. He always looked up to her! Wait! ¡¯If Zhu Feifei is my aunt and Ru is her daughter that makes Ru my... sister? A cousin sister but still a sister!¡¯


    He really wanted to kill Ru now for messing with him. She could have simply told him so but no, how will she get a thrill if she won¡¯t bother him?

 Chapter 366 - Push Her Away

    "Jian Ge, I heard you went on a date," Xu Mey pretended like it was a casual question but she was not being casual at all. She looked more like a woman looking for gossips.


    "I wonder who¡¯s your informer. You¡¯re always up-to-date." He Jian answered in a free and easy way.


    "I¡¯m the Crown Queen, Ms. Know-it-all. Have to make an effort to keep this position." Xu Mey answered cheekily.


    He Jian chuckled gently but didn¡¯t say anything.


    "So...? Don¡¯t tell me you are being pressurized into this rtionship," Xu Mey immediately became serious.


    "They can pressurize me for the date but they can¡¯t make me say yes for the marriage." He Jian also answered in a serious way. "Also, I¡¯ve only decided to give it a try. She seems like a nice girl."


    "Does she now? Howe she managed to impress you so soon?" Xu Mey¡¯s curiosity piqued.


    "I asked her a question and... Let¡¯s say she bought me over with her answer." His face had a slight smile on it which surprised Xu Mey.


    "What did she say?"


    *shback*


    He Jian entered the bamboo tree house for the date which had been postponed for months now. When he stepped inside the private room, he found a delicate looking girl sipping her tea. Her longshes slowly lifted and she gave a small nod with her head to greet He Jian.


    She looked beautiful with her soft features and her manners made her even more elegant.


    "Sorry for keeping you wait," He Jian apologized and saw her smiling in return.


    "Don¡¯t be. Perhaps I was too eager and came earlier than the time." She answered in her soft voice which sounded like wind chimes in a slow breeze of a spring night. "By the way, I¡¯m Zhao Mi¡¯er." The way she introduced herself showed that she was a confident youngdy.


    "I¡¯m He Jian." He answered politely.


    "I know." She answered with a smile again. Her smile and those bright, big eyes made him feel a bit flustered for some reason. But he didn¡¯t think much about her words.


    After a bit of casual conversation, He Jian got to the point, "I¡¯m sure you¡¯ve heard about my... Previous rtionship." Zhao Mi¡¯er nodded her head. "You seem like a nice girl. I really don¡¯t want to ruin your life. So, let me ask you something, can you spend your life in a loveless marriage?"


    "How will it be a loveless marriage?" She asked.


    "Even if I say I can try to love you, I can¡¯t be sure about that." He Jian answered sincerely.


    Zhao Mi¡¯er smiled gently before saying, "Mr. He, you don¡¯t have to think so much. In my life, I¡¯ve loved you enough that it canst a lifetime. I believe my love alone would be enough for both of us."


    He Jian¡¯s eyes widened dramatically at her reply. "This is the first time we are meeting."


    "Not really." She stated calmly while he looked at her with a raised brow. "I¡¯ve known you for years. Precisely, from the day I saw you crying by Wu Weiwei¡¯s deathbed." He Jian¡¯s heart shook at her reply. "That was the day I decided that I wanted someone like you in my life. The pain in your eyes made me feel your torture. Your love for her was immense and pure. It made me envy someone for the first time in my life."


    Taking a deep breath she continued, "I couldn¡¯t find anyone like you. Or perhaps, I couldn¡¯t stop myself from looking for you in others. So, when Auntie Bingbing told me that she wanted me to marry you, I was beyond ted."


    "Rtionships can¡¯t work on one person¡¯s love." He Jian stated after her word sank in his mind.


    "No. But love is not the only thing that makes a rtionship work. Understanding is also needed and no one can understand you better than me."


    *End of shback*


    "Did you say yes for the marriage?" Xu Mey asked listening to him.


    "Not yet. We decided to spend some time together beforeing to a conclusion." Xu Mey nodded her head in understanding.


    "From what I heard, she¡¯s really a match for you," Xu Mey told him since she had heard a lot about Zhao Mi¡¯er from others. "Hope you won¡¯t push her away."


    "I¡¯m not nning on pushing anyone. If she¡¯s really meant to be my other half, no one can change that. Right?"


    "Agreed."

 Chapter 367 - Bite & Slap

    "Didn¡¯t I specifically warned you not to work after 5? Why are you still in the study?" Jie¡¯s roaring voice startled Xu Mey so much that she almost jumped.


    "Sheesh! Ah-Jie, you scared me!" Xu Mey ced her hand over her heart to calm it down. Jie didn¡¯t budge from his ce, he just stared her down from his position. He was leaning against her study room¡¯s doorframe.


    Since no one allowed Xu Mey to go back to thepany, she could only make do with working from home. But even working from home had restrictions. She was tired of eating, taking walks and sleeping. There was nothing else to do!


    "Baby, why can¡¯t you take care of yourself?" He was reprimanding her in a soft voice.


    "I¡¯m tired of resting. I feel like I¡¯ll start rusting up. I can¡¯t do that." Xu Mey whined like a kid.


    Jie rubbed his forehead and kneeled down in front of her chair. He held her foot and shook his head, "Look, your feet are all swollen up. I told you to prop up your feet. But you don¡¯t listen."


    Xu Mey pressed her lips together tightly, feeling guilty for forgetting that part. "It¡¯s no big deal. It will get better." Xu Mey was rubbing her neck sheepishly but as Jie gave her a look, it definitely shut her up.


    "Let¡¯s get you to bed," Jie said and got up from the floor.


    "Ah-Jie, you¡¯re going to pick me up?" Xu Mey immediately stretched her arms. Jie had the urge to say no since she never seemed to listen to him but obviously, between his anger and her glistening eyes only one could win; Xu Mey! There was no doubt in that.


    Sighing in resignation, Jie picked her up in Princess-style and breathed out, "Baby, you¡¯re heavy."


    Xu Mey gasped and pped his chest. "Are you calling me fat?"


    Realizing what he just said out loud, Jie tried to mediate the situation. "Nope. I¡¯m calling you heavy."


    "How is that any different?" Xu Meyined.


    Jie ced her gently on the bed and kissed her forehead saying, "It¡¯s different. You¡¯re heavy means you are taking good care of yourself while if I said you¡¯re fat that would mean you have unnecessary weight."


    "Huh? What kind of logic is that?"


    "It¡¯s my logic. And it works as long as I say so." Jie pinched her nose.


    Xu Mey scowled, not convinced at all as she said, "I¡¯ll let this go. But if you ever called me fat, I¡¯ll strangle you."


    "Baby, you have already given me the bite and p. There is no need to strangle me at all."


    "Bite and p? When did I do such a thing?"


    Jie came slowly close to her face and in his deep husky voice, he said, "Well, you came like a love bite and then your love became the cupid that pped the glitter out of me."


    Xu Mey burst outughing at his words. "Ah-Jie, where do youe up with these lines?"


    Instead of answering with words, he pressed his lips to hers in a slow, tender and full of love kind of kiss. It might be a slow kiss but it definitely left a storm of butterflies in Xu Mey¡¯s stomach.


    Jie pulled away to say, "To keep this beautiful smile on my beautiful wife¡¯s face, I have to work extra hard... You know it takes a lot of effort toe up with such lines."


    Xu Mey rolled her eyes at him while trying to stifle her smile. "Why is my smile so important?"


    "Because..." he tucked her hair behind her ear and whispered, "It¡¯s my drug."


    Xu Mey¡¯s heart was beating, no actually, it was drumming violently in her chest. His presence, his words, his scent... All this was enough to work like a charm on her.


    "You know drugs are bad for health." Xu Mey stated in an all-knowing way.


    "Are they?" Jie asked in surprise.


    "Mmhmm..." Xu Mey nodded along.


    Pulling her body against his own with a jerk, Jie whispered again, "But my drug has be my only way to breathe. I think there is no cure. Because I love this drug."


    "Ow!" Xu Mey suddenly winced making Jie panic.


    "What happened? Should we go to the hospital?" Xu Mey held his hand and ced it against her stomach.


    "Say you love me." She said.


    Jie frowned for a second before saying, "I love you, baby. Don¡¯t I say it-" his ¡¯enough¡¯ was left at the tip of his tongue as he felt it. That sensation was mild but he still felt it. His eyes widened as he stared Xu Mey in disbelief while she was grinning.


    "He kicked, right?" Xu Mey asked eagerly and he nodded in a daze making her grin wide.


    "Oh, wait! I told you it¡¯s she, not a he."


    "Ah-Jie, let¡¯s not start again. He just kicked. It sure is a he."


    "How can you be prejudice like this? My princess can also kick! Perhaps she wants to be a football yer."


    Xu Mey rolled her eyes at him and huffed. "Yes, HE will be a football yer."


    "SHE!" Jie eximed again with a re.


    "Urgh! Now, I¡¯m regretting keeping the gender a secret. At least, this fight won¡¯t happen."


    After an extended silence, Jie pulled her back to his chest and hugged her from behind saying, "Baby, even if it¡¯s a she or a he, the child is ours. And it won¡¯t change. So, no point in this argument, right?" Xu Mey pondered his words for a moment and nodded her head in agreement. He kissed the side of her head and continued, "Let¡¯s shower our child with all the love that you and I missed out on. Okay?"


    Xu Mey felt tears stinging in her eyes so she nodded, not trusting her voice at all.

 Chapter 368 - Big Baby

    "Can¡¯t I eat something else other than porridge today?" Xu Mey made a pout as she requested Jie while they were having their brunch like any other weekend.


    "What else do you want?" Jie asked while he took a sip of soy milk with his deep-fried dough stick.


    "Something tasty..." Xu Mey left her words hanging. Jie knew very well where her mind was wandering but he still yed dumb.


    "Porridge is also tasty. There are so many fruits as well."


    Xu Mey¡¯s face fell. Even she knew that there was a variety of foods on the table but she craved something different... Like food from street stalls. Yes! That¡¯s what she was craving badly.


    "Ring! Ring!"


    "Forget it. You go and check who¡¯s at the door." Xu Mey waved him off with a terrible mood.


    The bell rang a couple of times again and by the time Jie reached the door, he could guess the intruder who was so impatient. He yanked open the door and as he expected, there stood his overly hyper brother, Ye Jun.


    "What are you doing here?" Jie asked sternly.


    "Step aside. I¡¯m not here to see your broody face anyway." Ye Jun pushed Jie aside and walked right past him in a hurry. He straight went to Xu Mey with open arms as if he was about to hug her. But just as Xu Mey was going to embrace him, he leaned down and went to her protruding belly saying, "Hey, there my dearest niece! Look, your favorite, most dashing, most handsome and genius uncle is here to see you."


    Xu Mey was amused to see his antics while Jie was ring at his back.


    "Most handsome and dashing? Even a genius?" Xu Mey repeated his words in an amusing manner.


    Ye Jun stood straight and patted his chest saying, "Of course! I¡¯ll be the most handsome man in my niece¡¯s life."


    "In a few seconds when I¡¯ll bang your head open, you¡¯ll certainly won¡¯t be able to stay handsome or alive." Jie¡¯s threat from behind made Ye Jun cower back a little.


    "Bro, what are you saying? Obviously, after you. I¡¯m always right behind you. You¡¯ll be the first and most handsome man in our little girl¡¯s life. Okay?" Ye Jun changed his color faster than a chameleon but it pacified Jie at some level.


    He threw Ye Jun¡¯s hand from his shoulder away and said, "You better remember that." Saying that Jie walked towards his study to deal with some emails.


    Seeing that he was gone, Ye Jun sneaked out the door and brought a paper bag inside while grinning like a Cheshire cat.


    "Sis, look what I got for you..." Xu Mey eyed his bag with interest and took a peek inside. Her eyes glimmered at the sight of the content inside. "Aren¡¯t I the best bro-inw?" Ye Jun wiggled his brows looking for praises.


    "You are definitely the best!" Xu Mey gave him thumbs up and snatched the paper bag from him.


    The bag contained everything that she was craving for... Korean style fried chicken,mb kebabs, roasted sweet potatoes, Kimchi pancake and he was even thoughtful enough to bring freshly squeezed pomegranate juice for her. How sweet!


    Without further ado, Xu Mey dug in to eat with gusto. She didn¡¯t even realize that Jie was watching her from a peephole. But he had no intention of ruining her appetite. Her appetite had been a bit bad for the past few days and he had only mentioned it to Ye Jun over the phone. Knowing his brother when Ye Jun came unannounced, Jie had already realized what he was doing here but since both Xu Mey and Ye Jun liked to sneak around, he pretended like he didn¡¯t see them at all.


    Sometimes, the food tasted even better when you knew you were acting like a thief.


    "Oh, I heard my niece kicked," Ye Jun looked at Xu Mey expectantly.


    "First of all, call him your nephew. And yes, he kicked." Xu Mey said with pride and happiness bubbling inside of her.


    "Bummer! I want to feel it too." Ye Jun whined like a little kid.


    Xu Mey pped the back of his head and said, "Why are you so eager?"


    "Oho! Sis, I heard that the feeling of a baby¡¯s first kick something different. Something magical... Otherworldly. I want to feel that sensation as well. Tell me, what did it feel like?" Seeing his eyes filled with childlike curiosity, Xu Mey gave a thoughtful look.


    "Mmm... How should I say it... I felt some twitches and tumbling motion which I couldn¡¯t understand at first but then... Then there was a distinctive kick. I really can¡¯t put it in words but it felt great. I feel so close to him now." Xu Mey was fondling her belly with a tender gaze. "And I learned that this phase is called ¡¯quickening¡¯. It¡¯s a beautiful moment."


    "Tsk. I¡¯ll stick around you from now on."


    "Why?"


    "I want to feel the kick." Ye Jun answered matter-of-factly making Xu Mey shake her head at this big baby.


    "How will you be an uncle? You still have years ahead to grow up." Ye Jun stuck his tongue out childishly at her remark.

 Chapter 369 - Jun; The Doorkeeper

    "Sis, what else do you need? I¡¯ll bring anything for you." Ye Jun asked as he saw Xu Mey had finished everything he had brought. He was surprised at first but then he recalled that she was eating for two people, so he became happy seeing her eating so happily.


    Xu Mey ced her chopsticks down and rubbed her belly saying, "We don¡¯t want anything anymore."


    Ye Jun smiled at the way she said ¡¯we¡¯. It felt so natural.


    "We are so full that we can¡¯t even move anymore. That was yummy, right baby? I know, we should thank uncle Jun. Let¡¯s say thank you, uncle Jun." Xu Mey was talking to the fetus while Ye Jun was being amused at the side. "Where are you lost? Can¡¯t you hear? My baby boy just said thank you." Xu Mey had to click her fingers to get Ye Jun back to earth.


    Chuckling in amusement, he said, "You are most wee. Both of you." He left a soft kiss on Xu Mey¡¯s cheek.


    "How many times have I told you to stay away from my wife?" Jie¡¯s voice made both Xu Mey and Ye Jun roll their eyes at him.


    cing his arm around Xu Mey¡¯s shoulder, Ye Jun said, "Bro, don¡¯t you think it¡¯s time to stop being jealous? I mean you feed me dog food every day. Can¡¯t I feed you vinegar once in a while?"


    Jie narrowed his eyes at him but seeing Xu Mey¡¯s re, he backed off. There was no need to be so calctive with his brother now. Especially when his baby asked him not to.


    "Sis, you sit down. Don¡¯t stand for too long." Ye Jun helped her to the couch and made her sit down. Surprisingly, he even kneeled down to take her slippers off and propped up her feet on the coffee table saying, "The doctor said this way their won¡¯t be swelling. And no swelling means, no difort."


    Xu Mey felt such warmth in her heart that she couldn¡¯t exin it. Ye Jun who used to run from responsibilities was actually being this considerate. How adorable!


    "Ring! Ring!"


    "Go, check the door!" Jie ordered while pushing Ye Jun away from Xu Mey.


    "It¡¯s your house. Do it yourself." Ye Jun grumbled sulkily.


    "Should I do it myself?" Jie cracked his knuckles and Ye Jun gulped before sprinting off in the direction of the door.


    "Gangster brother! Always bossing an innocent boy like me. Tsk." Ye Jun was lost inmenting while he opened the door. Before him, stood a dignified man with a noble aura emanating from his body. And by his side was an equally elegant youngdy with a beautiful smile on her face.


    "Hi, Jun!" The youngdy greeted him while the man just gave a nod.


    "Hi, Lin Shen and Sun Ju!" Jun greeted them back with a polite smile and turned to a side giving them a way to walk in.


    He was about to close the door with aplicated look when he heard, "Wait!" and halted to see another one in jeans and t-shirt running towards him along with a bubbly girl who was trying to keep up with him.


    "Can¡¯t you run slower? What¡¯s the hurry?" Yang Ziyi snapped at Wu Wang who disregarded her anger.


    "It¡¯s not my fault that all you know is eating and sleeping."


    Yang Ziyi gasped loudly and punched his arm saying, "What did you say? How am Izy? I¡¯m a doctor not a bum like you."


    "Are you bothing or should I just close the door?" Ye Jun interrupted them since even though he enjoyed their banter, he wasn¡¯t nning on spending the entire day at the door. Oh, and they both could really go on for the whole day.


    "Oh, hey, Jun!" Wu Wang gave him a fist bump and walked inside leaving Yang Ziyi huffing and puffing behind.


    "He doesn¡¯t have any manners. It¡¯s always thedies first, how can he walk ahead?" Yang Ziyi grumbled to herself.


    "Blockhead Doctor, you said you believe in gender equality. Don¡¯t be a hypocrite now." Wu Wang¡¯s teasing voice came making Yang Ziyi even more furious while Ye Jun tried his best to stifle hisughter. Yang Ziyi stomped her foot and entered the house.


    Ye Jun finally closed the door and turned to go back. But today was just not his day! Even a minute had hardly passed when the doorbell rang again.


    "Oh, you have got to be kidding me!" Ye Jun eximed in exasperation before yanking the door open to re at the person but immediately cowered back since he was faced with a stoic face of He Jian.


    "Jun, you are also here?" Li Qiao asked from He Jian¡¯s side and Ye Jun nodded at the obvious fact.


    "It¡¯s good to see you Jun." Yu Kim said from Li Qiao¡¯s side and they both walked inside leaving He Jian at the door.


    "Aren¡¯t youing in?" Ye Jun asked He Jian a bit cautiously.


    He Jian was looked behind him at something as he said, "You seem to be scared of me for some reason."


    "With that impassive face, you give me dangerous vibes from day one." Ye Jun replied in all honesty. "Smile a little. I¡¯m sure it won¡¯t hurt your muscles."


    "Were you waiting for me?" Ye Jun heard a refined voice of a beautifuldy as she smiled at He Jian and he gave a nod in answer.


    "Use words. That¡¯s the basic respect you can give a woman." Ye Jun said it out loud. Even he didn¡¯t know where he got the courage to mess with He Jian.


    "I¡¯ll keep that in mind. Let¡¯s go Mi¡¯er." Thedy nodded and after passing a polite smile to Ye Jun, she followed He Jian inside.


    Ye Jun was closing the door with a frown etched between his brows. This whole scene gave him a deja vu kind of vibes. Did it happen before? He was wondering.


    Ah, forget it! I just became the doorkeeper again.

 Chapter 370 - Long Time No See

    "Can¡¯t they just spend the weekend at their own ces?" Jie muttered to himself while maintaining a polite expression for all the people who just barged in without his permission. "But no... They have toe here just to ruin my weekend."


    "And how¡¯s our Xiao Mey doing?" Jie was tired of hearing this question. If they were going toe, they should havee together. At least, his baby wouldn¡¯t have repeatedly answer them with, "We are doing absolutely fine."


    "Hey, Mr. Broody!" Wu Wang saw the ugly look on Jie¡¯s face and it was very easy to discern what was going through his mind. But strangely, it gave him a sense of amusement. It was like teasing Jie had be their favorite hobby.


    Taking a deep breath to calm himself down, Jie stood up to greet him and said, "I should ask the maid to bring some snacks for everyone." He squirmed his way out of there. Even after months of his marriage, he still wasn¡¯tfortable with all those intruders. Whenever he had some time for his baby, someone would just barge in to boggle his mind.


    "Your husband is so damn pissed-off right now," Li Qiao remarked as he saw Jie walking away.


    "Ah-Jie is just petty when ites to me. No need to take him so seriously." Xu Mey replied with a huge grin. She was naturally very happy to see everyone there. Especially since they each had someone to hold their hand this time around. It felt good seeing that they had someone to lean on.


    Ye Jun entered the living room with slow steps while he kept rubbing the back of his neck. There was a frown between his brows as he was in deep thought. "Ahan!" He suddenly eximed as the lightbulb of his mind was finally lit. "Now I know why I felt that deja vu earlier."


    "What are you talking about, Jun?" Xu Mey questioned him.


    "Aiyoh, sis! Do you remember the day these friends of yours came here for the first time?"


    "I naturally remember it. I made a huge feast that day." Xu Mey answered with a tired look as if the previous tiredness was wearing down on her all over again.


    "That day, your friends came in the same order. The only difference is said to be, this time each of them has adypanion. Back then they came like single dogs." Ye Jun was feeling proud for remembering the event so vividly. But as he looked around, his proud smile stiffened. All of them were sitting in pairs well except for Xu Mey but Jie wasn¡¯t far.


    And it was obvious that Xu Mey and Jie were alone enough to stuff him with dog food for a lifetime.


    Realizing the meaning of this scene he cursed, "Fu*k! Now, they are here to make this single dog suffer." He was indignant. Not ready to be shoved by dog food by them as well, he said, "Sis, this is so unfair. I¡¯m not a doorkeeper, okay? I¡¯m the freaking CEO of Ye Corporation now. But your friends always make me feel like a doorman."


    "Oho! That¡¯s so unfair with my Jun." Xu Mey opened her arms for him from the couch and with a sly smile, Ye Jun went up to hug her. "Don¡¯t worry at all. I won¡¯t let them bully you anymore. Who can make my hotshot CEO brother-inw feel like a doorman? I won¡¯t let that happen!"


    She patted his head like coaxing a little kid. "Dear brothers, stop making my little Jun feel like a doorman. He¡¯s the newly appointed CEO. Show some respect." She turned to reprimand the four very amused best friends of hers.


    Before anyone could say anything else, the doorbell rang again.


    "Jun, see who¡¯s at the door." Xu Mey¡¯s words made everyone want tough at the irony but taking Ye Jun¡¯s emotions into consideration, no one did so. "No, I should go myself." She tried to lift her leg but Ye Jun stopped her.


    "Forget it. I¡¯m the doorman for today. Just for you, I¡¯ll do it." Ye Jun obviously didn¡¯t want Xu Mey to move around. He got up with a heavy heart and asked, "Who is missing from here?"


    "Azalea and Xiamu." Xu Mey answered.


    "Oh, the estranged pair. One who can¡¯t confess and the other who can¡¯t see. Another pair of fools." No one understood his meaning and nobody really cared. The bell rang again and Ye Jun made his way to the door again while grumbling, "Why are people so impatient these days?" If Jie would have heard this, he would have really kicked his butt for being a hypocrite. Earlier, he was also impatient but now he had the gall to question others?


    "I¡¯ming. Stop ringing the bell already!" Ye Jun shouted before pulling the door open with an ugly face. The person who came in view made him stunned. He didn¡¯t move or even blinked afraid that the person might fade away if he closed his eyes even for a second.


    "Long time no see, Jun." The soft voice made him finally release his breath which he didn¡¯t know he was holding.

 Chapter 371 - Its Her/His Fault

    Our dreams are often the connotation of our deepest desires. Sometimes, these dreams feel like reality. But when realityes, we mistake it as just another dream. In other words, dreams are just like a wish. A wish that¡¯s buried deep inside of us.


    Ye Jun had repeated this exact same scene so many times in his dreams that now, he felt like it was just another illusion. Perhaps that¡¯s why he stood there staring at her face like a statue. Seeing her at his door had be his biggest wish in the past months. Plenty told him that he deserved someone better than her. Because she ran away from him.


    But Ye Jun didn¡¯t think like that at all. For him, she had be someone whom he wanted to protect for the rest of his life. So what if she left him. It only meant that he wasn¡¯t able to give her enough trust or love that she needed. He believed once she came back, he¡¯ll give it all back.


    Standing before him was none other than Jun Li Na herself. The wish of his heart... His life...


    She frowned seeing him with no reaction at all. She definitely wasn¡¯t expecting this at all. She lifted her hand to touch his arm but before she could touch him another voice halted her.


    "Hey, JunJun!"


    Jun Li Na gave a start and turned to see Azalea running towards them with a huge grin. Not even caring that Jun Li Na was in her way, Azalea straight went to Ye Jun and wrapped him in a bear hug. Ye Jun¡¯s daydreaming came to an end.


    "Zelie, when did you get here?" Ye Jun asked in a surprised tone.


    Azalea tiptoed to reach his ear and whispered softly, "When you were gawking Jun Li Na."


    "You can also see her?" he asked in return making her tap his head. He really thought she was just an illusion that will fade away if he dared to touch her.


    "Of course, I can. Get a grip, Jun. It¡¯s not another dream." Azalea answered trying to keep herughter in control. In the past months, she had been the closest to Ye Jun since she lost the bet andnded herself the role of his secretary.


    But working together, they both had grown even more close to each other. And only Azalea could tell how much Ye Jun really missed Jun Li Na. He even saw someone who looked slightly like Jun Li Na and went after her only to be beaten by that woman¡¯s husband. Well, it was one hell of an experience for both Ye Jun and Azalea. A lesson was definitely learned.


    Pulling away from him, she winked and said, "Since you texted me and asked so nicely, I brought a doughnut and milk tea for you."


    "What¡¯s in the other bag?" Ye Jun asked hooking his arm with Azalea and walking back inside, not even sparing Jun Li Na a single nce. Since she left, he was gonna give her a cold shoulder for a while as well. Why only he suffer? She should know that he wasn¡¯t that easy!


    "I got some fritters for Jie-Ge," Azalea responded.


    "Well, he definitely needs that."


    "Why?"


    "He¡¯s in a really bad mood." Ye Jun answered in a knowing way and Azalea nodded along in understanding. Who didn¡¯t know that Jie hated their intrusion in his life? Him being broody was a given. After all, being Zhu Jie brought too many responsibilities for him and he hardly could get a chance to spend some time with Xu Mey even though he wanted to stick to her for every second of the day.


    "Oh, it¡¯s really Azalea." Xu Mey¡¯s voice broke Ye Jun and Azalea¡¯s little whispering.


    "Sis-inw, how¡¯s my nephew/niece doing?" Azalea ran up to Xu Mey¡¯s side to ask.


    "Nephew/niece?" Xu Mey gave her a raised brow look.


    "Well, aren¡¯t we keeping it a mystery? So, I can only say, nephew/niece. At least, until I¡¯m sure of the gender." A round of cheeryughter could be heard in the hall because of Azalea¡¯s words.


    "Cough! Cough!"


    Jun Li Na had to cough a couple of times to make her presence known since the atmosphere was lively which was unexpected for her.


    "Lili? Oh my gosh! When did youe?" Xu Mey was really excited to find Jun Li Na standing at the side.


    "I just came. Didn¡¯t even dare to make a stop at home since I had toe to see you ASAP!" Jun Li Na answered hugging Xu Mey well as she could because of Xu Mey¡¯s big belly.


    "Come and take a seat." Xu Mey pulled Jun Li Na with her to the couch.


    "Jun, where is Kaden?" Azalea asked Ye Jun while Xu Mey frowned.


    "How would I know?" Ye Jun responded nonchntly.


    "But he came with me. Didn¡¯t you see him outside?" Azalea asked gingerly while inching away from Xu Mey slowly.


    "You left my brother outside?" Not so surprisingly, Xu Mey red at both Ye Jun and Azalea.


    "It¡¯s her fault."


    "It¡¯s his fault."


    Both Azalea and Ye Jun pointed at each other.


    "You distracted me first." Ye Jun med her.


    "You were lovestruck already by the time I got here, how did I distract you?" Azalea snapped back.


    Ye Jie cleared his throat sheepishly but didn¡¯t back down at least not until Xu Mey¡¯s voice rang, "Are you done?"


    Both Azalea and Ye Jun gulped looking at her fiery self and nodded before sprinting towards the door to get Xiamu inside.


    "How can you forget the one you love?" Ye Jun grumbled while pushing her.


    "Well, you are the one who said to keep some distance. ying hard to get kind of trick or whatever." Azalea retorted.


    "Didn¡¯t tell you topletely disregard his existence." Ye Jun red and her and harrumphed away.

 Chapter 372 - My Brothers Dream

    "I see a lot of things have changed while I was gone," Jun Li Na remarked as she gazed at the pair of four couples sitting opposite of her.


    "Right! Let me introduce you... That one besides Jian-Ge is Zhao Mi¡¯er. And..." Xu Mey had started the introduction with excitement bubbling inside her eyes. But Wu Wang stopped her from continuing.


    "And the one you can see beside me is a crazy girl. She¡¯s a blockhead doctor but to not hurt her feelings, we call her Yang Ziyi." Jun Li Na had to say that introduction from Wu Wang was a bit... unique?


    "Hey, who are you calling a blockhead doctor?" Yang Ziyi red at Wu Wang.


    "Is there any doctor here other than you?" Wu Wang retorted.


    "Dr. Shen is here," Yang Ziyi pointed towards Lin Shen who wasnguidly sipping on his tea.


    "And is your Dr. Shen called she?" Wu Wang asked again with a bit of amusement dancing in his eyes.


    "No..." She drawled her words out while pouting in confusion.


    "Who else is a ¡¯she¡¯ doctor here?" Hearing Wu Wang¡¯s question, Yang Ziyi immediately pointed at her own nose. Wu Wang rubbed her head gently and said, "That¡¯s what I was saying. Presenting our blockhead doctor."


    "You!" Realizing how she was just made fun of by Wu Wang, she hit his chest in annoyance while puffing up her cheeks.


    Jun Li Naughed out at their antics. Well, she wasn¡¯t the only oneughing.


    "Shen, what did you do?" Jun Li Na shifted her attention to Lin Shen.


    "What did I do?" Lin Shen asked in confusion.


    "Well, I left three sole and sane friends by your side. Howe you turned them from sole to pairs of soulmates?" Everyone shared augh again.


    "Anyway, Mi¡¯er and Ziyi, that¡¯s Jun Li Na. Xiao Mey¡¯s childhood friend. She¡¯s also very close to both of your partners. As for Yu Kim, I don¡¯t need to brief you about anything at all." Sun Ju gave the introduction and a casual greeting was shared.


    "Where is your husband?" Jun Li Na inquired about Jie.


    "Brooding in the kitchen." Xu Mey answered a bit uncertainly. Jun Li Na frowned but didn¡¯tment.


    "I should go and say hello to him," Jun Li Na excused herself.


    In the kitchen, Jie was really brooding but not in the way Jun Li Na expected him to. Jie was doing something on his cellphone with a frustrated look.


    Feeling someone¡¯s presence, Jie looked up and was a bit surprised to find Jun Li Na standing before him. "Wow, you came silently," Jie said with a strange expression. "Didn¡¯t Jun see you yet?"


    "He¡¯s the one who opened the door for me." Jun Li Na answered.


    "Really? Then why is it still so quiet?" Jie mumbled to himself.


    "I don¡¯t understand..."


    "The way he was missing you for months now, I thought he¡¯ll just scream it to the world that you are back. But well... He definitely disappointed me this time." Jie sighed out showing his disappointment.


    Jun Li Na chuckled at his words and said, "He missed me? He just ignored my existence. He¡¯s even avoiding my gaze now."


    This time Jieughed out. "That sure is my Jun. He¡¯s ying the cold-shoulder game. Haha... Silly brother. You don¡¯t think that he forgot you, right?"


    "No, I don¡¯t. I know he¡¯s trying to get back at me for leaving without a word. I think I deserve that." Jun Li Na was more understanding than Jie originally thought.


    "Yes, it¡¯s not like you did the right thing." He wasn¡¯t against her leaving but he thought she should have said something to Jun before going away. But thinking again, she had made her intentions clear, Jun would have never agreed to let her go. Jie stayed silent afterward and the tip of his pointer finger kept tapping at his cell phone¡¯s screen in a steady manner. "Can I ask you something?"


    "Sure."


    "Why are you here? I mean... Are you back for Mey or Jun?"


    "If I say Jun, would you believe me?" She asked rhetorically.


    "Try me..." Jie answered with a smile.


    "Haha... I think you got my answer already."


    "Really? I didn¡¯t even realize it." He feigned ignorance. "It¡¯s good to see you back. For both my Mey and my Jun." Jun Li Na gave him a reassuring smile.


    They both shared a moment offortable silence. Jie got the answer he needed. If she was here for Jun then he couldn¡¯t ask for anything else. She was his brother¡¯s dream, how could he possibly question that?


    Knowing that she was back for Jun, he felt rxed. It wasn¡¯t like he couldn¡¯t see Jun¡¯s loneliness. It was his loneliness that brought that little minx to his house every other day just to piss him off.

 Chapter 373 - Get Over Him

    "I was wondering why are you here alone? Aren¡¯t you gonna join us in the living room?" Wu Wang came to question Jie after a while.


    "Don¡¯t want to." He grumbled.


    "Why?"


    "There is not a single person in the hall who would take my side. Even my own wife turns against me whenever you jerks show up. If I¡¯m gonna feel like a lonely soul there I would rather feel that right here in myfortable silence." Jie¡¯s tant answer really stunned Jun Li Na but not Wu Wang. "Gosh! I miss my bloody best friends."


    "Why don¡¯t you call them over?" Jun Li Na suggested seeing how down he looked.


    "I can¡¯t." Jun Li Na gave him an inquiring look and he had to exin in detail, "Ming Qu went to France with his wife." He eyed Wu Wang since Ming Qu¡¯s wife was his younger sister. "Wayne is trying to woo some girl or something like that. Anyway, thest of my friends and the one I need the most right now had left me with no way to contact her. All my friends are traitors!" Jun Li Na really felt the depressing vibes emanating from his body.


    "Oi! If it wasn¡¯t for Ming Qu¡¯s wedding with my Xiao Xia, how else would you meet Xiao Mey? Don¡¯t call him a traitor." Surprisingly, Wu Wang took his brother-inw¡¯s side.


    "No! He¡¯s still a traitor. He ran away when I need hispany the most." Jie answered stubbornly


    "Staying here is not an option though. You can try to blend in." Jun Li Na added from the side.


    Jie gave her a small smile saying, "It¡¯s not that I have any problem with them. But it¡¯s also true that their nature is far apart from mine. Wu Wang can tell you all about that, We can never blend in." ¡¯I can fake it like I had been doing but it won¡¯t change anything.¡¯ He left hisst words unsaid.


    Jun Li Na didn¡¯t know what to say and seeing that he had put her in an awkward position, Jie said, "You both should go back. I¡¯m fine. I have a video conference to get to." He was about to leave when he halted and turned back to say, "Since you listened to my babbling so patiently, I¡¯ll give a piece of advice. Don¡¯t wait for Jun toe around, he can be pretty childish when he wants to be. Take the initiative and topple him down."


    "That sounds like a battle strategy."


    "Duh! Love is also a battle. And you and I both know until now, Jun had been losing this battle because the one who loves more always have to lose." Saying that he walked towards his study room to bury himself in work.


    "Are you losing as well?" His hand had just twisted the doorknob when he heard Wu Wang¡¯s voice and it halted him. But he didn¡¯t answer, he just tilted his face to show his enchanting smile and entered the room.


    As for the two people who went to look for Xiamu...


    "Kaden, why didn¡¯t you follow me inside?" Azalea asked as she saw him pacing around in the garden as if appreciating the flowers.


    "I was just looking around," he answered with a shrug of his shoulders nonchntly. He didn¡¯t mention that he was on a phone call with his mother.


    "Okay,e inside before sis Mey kill both of us." Ye Jun urged him to walk ahead.


    "So... Kaden, do you have a girlfriend or anyone whom you¡¯re interested in? If not, I can introduce you," Ye Jun took the initiative to start a casual conversation with Xiamu which took him by surprise.


    "Thank you for your kind gesture but I¡¯m not looking for a rtionship," Xiamu answered calmly and sincerely. Azalea¡¯s steps slowed down as she heard his voice.


    "Why not?" Ye Jun asked again.


    "Because I¡¯m not ready formitment." He answered straightforwardly.


    "You know, we have a tradition of arranging marriages here. Would you rather like that kind of life?"


    Xiamu gave Ye Jun a passing look and said, "Even my sister and your brother were paired up. I don¡¯t see anything wrong in arranged marriages. If my parents do have an appropriate candidate for me, I don¡¯t think I¡¯ll say no to them."


    Xiamu walked ahead while Ye Jun and Azalea were left behind.


    "Zelie, get over him." Ye Jun said with a pensive look.


    "Huh? Why?"


    "Because he¡¯s telling the truth. Call it men¡¯s instinct but I can tell that he¡¯s really not looking for a rtionship. Especially not with you. You¡¯ll only be a part of his sister¡¯s inws. Nothing more." Ye Jun didn¡¯t want to hurt Azalea but he saw it very clearly on Xiamu¡¯s face. He was just like his sister. Steadfast and stubborn.

 Chapter 374 - Hillbilly On Steroids

    Ye Jun could tell that Azalea wasn¡¯t willing to give up without trying. And he didn¡¯t push her either. She needed to face this phase herself. He could warn her but couldn¡¯t possibly stop her.


    Back in the living room, he couldn¡¯t find Jun Li Na which made his eyes to wander around trying to look for her. He thought he was the biggest idiot since when she came he wanted to ignore her but when his eyes can¡¯t find her, he¡¯s feeling jittery.


    "Sis, where is bro?" Ye Jun questioned Xu Mey.


    After eyeing him for a while she said, "I think upstairs." She knew who he was asking for and that¡¯s why she gave the answer he was looking for.


    Without wasting any time, Ye Jun went upstairs. All of a sudden, the door of the guest room opened and he was pulled inside. Before he could react, the door was closed behind him and he heard a ¡¯click¡¯ indicating that the door was locked.


    "You! What are you doing?" Ye Jun made a defensive pose as he stared at Jun Li Na as if she was a predator and he was her prey.


    Jun Li Na didn¡¯t give him an answer. Instead, shenguidly took a seat on the edge of the bed. Other than their even breaths there was no other sound in the room. But this silence made Ye Jun feel like time was ticking extremely slow.


    "Are you gonna say anything or should I leave?" Ye Jun finally managed to voice out.


    "Are you done throwing your childish tantrum?" She asked her question in response.


    "Childish tantrum? What do you take me as?" Ye Jun was livid as he heard her describing his anger as a tantrum. What was he? A spoiled brat? Hmph!


    He was standing before her while his eyes stared at her with fury while her eyes were calm as water. She merely held his hand and pulled him making him sit beside herself. She didn¡¯t leave his hand while she ced her head on his shoulder making him stiffen up a bit.


    "We have two choices... Either you and I can let your ego rule here or we can sit down and have a sensible conversation. I would love to let your ego rule but not this time. I have a lot to say and if I didn¡¯t say it today, I won¡¯t be able to ever say it. Now, the choice is yours." Her words made Ye Jun think for a moment longer.


    A moment ago, he thought he was very angry with her. It was his fault for falling in love with her. If they hadn¡¯t met, he wouldn¡¯t have fallen so badly. But he couldn¡¯t change it. He met her, he liked her, and since he liked her, he couldn¡¯t stop himself from loving her. And at this moment as her sweet scent overwhelmed his senses, he realized how much he actually missed her. He wasn¡¯t angry. He just missed her. He did! He still does! And perhaps, he will keep doing it.


    "But if you really have someone else now, I won¡¯te-," before she couldplete her sentence, he interrupted her.


    "I would rather show my childish tantrums to you than fall in love with someone else." Although he was grumbling with a broody face, his words made Jun Li Na feel all warm and fuzzy inside.


    She exhaled a long breath and mentally prepared herself. She had a long speech for him but now, her mind was all jumbled up. What was she supposed to say? She couldn¡¯t remember. But decided to just roll with the punches at this moment.


    She sat up straight and faced him. With her one leg folded on the bed while the other one dangling from the bed, she was still holding on to his hands as if to ask him to provide some courage. Even Ye Jun could tell that she was nervous since her legs had been shaking all this while.


    "Do you remember our first meeting?" she asked.


    "Yeah. It was at the bachelorette party for my sis-inw which was at your club," he answered.


    "Not really." Ye Jun frowned at her reply. "It was at Shuang¡¯s eighteenth birthday party. And my first impression of you was... Well, let¡¯s just say I hated you."


    Ye Jun couldn¡¯t help but cough at the reminder of his dark history. No wonder she was so biased towards him and called him irresponsible. She saw him when he was in his rebellious phase. Urgh! Why? He was cursing his fate for such a damn twist.


    Why did she have to see that version of me? He was really like a hillbilly on steroids during those days. Although Fu Shuang¡¯s eighteenth birthday was a huge affair, boys being boys got into a huge fight. The entire club was left in shambles by their fighting endeavors. His friend group remembered that incident as a remarkable history but surely, he couldn¡¯t agree with them anymore.


    His love life was at stake because of a stupid fight!

 Chapter 375 - Left Of My Heart

    "That¡¯s why you always tried to get rid of me?" With slumped shoulders and drooping eyes, he asked.


    "At first, that was the reason. Butter, I was just scared of you."


    "Scared of me? Why? I thought I was quite handsome. When did I turn into a scary person?" Jun Lin Na rolled her eyes at him. He was again forgetting the point here.


    "I was scared because you managed to flutter my heart all over again. And thest person who made it flutter left it in broken pieces. Perhaps that reminder scared me even more. My mind was going crazy reminding me that thest time I was swayed, I didn¡¯t end up well. But my heart was also convincing me that I should at least give you a chance. What if you turn out to be a different person?" Sighing heavily, she went on, "But I couldn¡¯t tell whether I was ready to take that chance or not. There had never been a doubt in my heart that you are a good person. But I couldn¡¯t tell if you were good for me or not."


    "Tsk... Coward. You left me all alone just because of your own fear. How mean!" Ye Jun clicked his tongue like a moody child who wasn¡¯t happy with his mother since she dropped him off at the school. "You didn¡¯t even think of me. Not even for a second. You just got up and left. And I didn¡¯t even know when you¡¯d be back. Isn¡¯t that a torture to me? I was also scared of the idea that you might nevere back."


    Jun Li Na tightened her grip on his hands and said, "In all honesty, I left for your sake..." Ye Jun looked back at her eyes as she continued, "I wanted to give you a chance... I wanted you to try and tell me whether we are worth it together or not. Also, I left for my self-respect. I couldn¡¯t just force myself on you when I was broken myself. I needed time to learn to walk all over again. Only then, I could hold your hand without feeling ashamed of my own self."


    "So... What did you decide? Can I... I mean am I worth it?" He asked earnestly.


    "Um... No." Ye Jun¡¯s face fell and he looked like he was on the verge of crying. "I mean I couldn¡¯t decide on whether you are worth it or not but..." With her palm against his cheek, she added, "But I decided that we are definitely worth the try." Ye Jun¡¯s pale face finally showed some life. "So... Mr. Ye Jun, can I have you all to myself?"


    "Have?" He raised his brow inquiringly.


    "Yes, have! I want you to be my everything. I want to care for you just like you did when I needed it the most. I want to watch over you, make you happy, and always be there for you. I want you to be mine, just like you have made me yours."


    Ye Jun kept looking back at her in a daze with a silly smile stered on his face.


    "Let me sleep for a while longer. This dream is getting better than reality!" Jun Li Na wanted to roll her eyes at his silliness but she couldn¡¯t help but smile. This idiot guy was ready to sleep for life if it meant that she would apany him. How could he love her to this extent?


    But every dream eventually ends and she had to wake him up now as well. She inched closer to him and wrapped her arms around him. "This isn¡¯t a dream." Her soft breath tickled his ear and he realized, it really wasn¡¯t a dream. Not anymore! "You are the most irritating person I¡¯ve ever met in my entire life." Her voice halted Ye Jun¡¯s arms in mid-air which he was going to use to hug her back. "But I don¡¯t know how or where... Somewhere between our stupid little banter, jokes, and care, I fell in love with you. As I said, you are irritating but I still want to spend the rest of my life with you making some memories filled with irritating moments."


    Ye Jun didn¡¯t waste a moment and took her petite figure in his arms. "Do you know how long I¡¯ve been waiting to hear all this? I can¡¯t promise you that I¡¯ll be the best but trust me, I¡¯ll treat you better than he did. I also can¡¯t promise that I won¡¯t make you cry but I promise that I won¡¯t ever let you sleep with tears in your eyes. Most of all, I respect you exactly like I did when we first met. And that can never change."


    He heard her sniffling softly and even felt a teardrop on his neck. He tried to push her a bit to wipe her tears but she tightened her arms around his neck.


    "Are you sure about this?" She said in her choked up voice.


    "About what?" He asked.


    "I can only love you with a broken heart. Will it be enough?"


    "I know I give the vibes of being a carefree person and a messy person. But trust me, I care about you the most because you are my world."


    "Then I promise to love you will all the broken pieces that I have left of my heart."

 Chapter 376 - Always Right

    Ye Jun was holding Jun Li Na¡¯s hand as they both descended the stairs to join others for the lunch. Both had a sickly sweet smile on their faces and the way Ye Jun was drawing circles at the back of her hand made it even more obvious what had conspired upstairs.


    "So, can I assume that you are no longer a single dog?" The question came from Jie who was trying hard to keep a straight face while Ye Jun¡¯s face flushed like a tomato. "I¡¯ll take that blush as a yes." Thatment made Ye Jun blush even more furiously.


    "We have a JunJun couple now!" Xu Mey excitedly pped her hands just to tease both Ye Jun and Jun Li Na and when others joined in, both Ye Jun and Jun Li Na were left a bit embarrassed.


    "Congrattions Jun!" Wu Wang chucked an arm over his shoulder and both walked towards the side where all of the boys were sitting as he said, "I personally wee you to our ¡¯As you wish¡¯ club."


    "As you wish club?" Ye Jun stared at them uncertainly.


    "You can also call it the yes boss club." Lin Shen jutted in.


    "But why?" Ye Jun asked.


    Jie patted Ye Jun¡¯s back from behind and said, "Dear brother, from today onwards the word you¡¯ll know will be yes boss. Because trust me the boss of the house is always a woman and boss is always right. You¡¯ll never be able to say ¡¯no¡¯ ever again before her."


    "But I don¡¯t want to say no to her anyway. I always want to see her smile and that¡¯s why I¡¯ll dly say yes to everything." Ye Jun smiled happily while shrugging his shoulders nonchntly.


    Lin Shen rubbed his hair as if consoling him as he said, "Let¡¯s see how your inner man would let you say yes when she¡¯ll make you sleep on a pink bed."


    "P-pink bed?" Ye Jun was horrified suddenly.


    "Yeah! When my Ju moved in with me, she changed my neutral colored house to look like a damn princess castle. You can¡¯t even imagine what it took to change all that back." Lin Shen shuddered at the memory.


    "Why can¡¯t he imagine? Let me tell you, Jun... Our Doctor Shen made a deal with Sun Ju. And the deal was that the pink bed will stay and the rest of floral curtains and fluffy carpets will definitely not stay." Li Qiao filled in all the details.


    Ye Jun looked at Jie with a distressed look. "Bro, will she also do something like that?"


    Jie shrugged his shoulder and said, "How would I know? My baby never even bothered to change anything in my home decor. Its almost like she doesn¡¯t care at all."


    Seeing Ye Jun¡¯s face slowly turning pale at the possibilities, all of them burst outughing.


    "Aiyo! My little brother, when are you nning on growing up?" Jie touseled his hair and added, "We are messing with you. She won¡¯t do anything like that."


    Ye Jun eased up a bit but notpletely. He had a weird trauma associated with pink color because when he was four, his mother had dressed him up in a pink princess dress for a costume party. Let¡¯s just say, it left a huge scar on his conscience and even seeing pink color would terrify him horribly.


    "You guys really need to stop messing with me." Ye Jun grumbled.


    "We are just preparing you for the future, Jun," said Wu Wang.


    "Women can be confused, emotional, stubborn, and even misinformed but they are always right. So, thinking that you can win an argument is only your wishful thinking," added Jie in all honesty.


    "I¡¯ll treasure these golden rules of having a perfect rtionship." Ye Jun remarked sardonically.


    "By the way, Jie, have you guys decorated the baby¡¯s room?" He Jian finally joined the conversation.


    "No," Jie answered inly.


    "Why not? Are you guys waiting for the baby?"


    "Not really. We decided to go shopping this weekend but since you guys are here today, we¡¯ll go tomorrow now."


    "Are you indirectly trying to tell us that we chose the wrong day toe?"


    "I wouldn¡¯t dare." Even Jie couldn¡¯t believe his own words much less the others around him.


    "Lunch is served!" Xu Mey called out from the garden where they had decided to eat lunch.

 Chapter 377 - To Choke You

    Xu Mey had spent the entire day chatting away happily with her bunch of friends. She ate a lot as well and it made Jie scared that she might throw up everythingter. Luckily, her nausea didn¡¯t bother her. She wasn¡¯t that nauseous throughout the pregnancy but sometimes, it would still act up. But from the stories, she heard from He Susu and Fan Bingbing, she considered her pregnancy to be quite a smooth sailing.


    When the sky outside darkened, Xu Mey¡¯s eyes started drooping. The entire day¡¯s tiredness wasing over her. Jie helped her back to their bedroom and said goodbye to everyone or more like pushed them all out of his house.


    "Finally, it¡¯s quiet!" He heaved a long sigh of relief.


    He started tidying up the living room while the maid cleaned up the kitchen. It was quite rare for him to see his own house in a messy state. It only was eptable when he was sick because, in those days, he could hardly care about anything.


    "Ahhh!"


    The sudden scream from upstairs startled Jie and he ran at the lightning speed towards his bedroom.


    "What¡¯s wrong? What happened?" He frantically came to Xu Mey¡¯s side whose face was contorted in pain.


    "Leg cramps..." She whispered softly with an aggrieved face.


    Jie groaned as he sat down by her side and took her leg in his hands to give her a massage while saying, "Woman, you are gonna scare me to death one day."


    Xu Mey pouted childishly and said, "Ah-Jie, don¡¯t curse yourself like this."


    Jie gaped at her in disbelief. Before he could say anything, she leaned over and ced a kiss on his temple saying, "You know I love you."


    "I love you more." He said while slowly massaging her legs.


    "No, I love you the most." Xu Mey added again.


    "Then I love you the most-est!" Jie reciprocated her childish ways just to make her smile.


    "I love you more than the whole wide world. No, actually, more than the whole wide universe!" She was iling her arms dramatically while feeling proud inwardly at the thought that he had nothing more to add.


    Jie could tell, she wanted to have thest say but he wasn¡¯t gonna let her have it this time. He held her face in his hands and said, "And I love my baby more than words can ever describe."


    "Okay, fine. You win!" Although she said it stubbornly, Jie could feel her happiness.


    Jie slid close to her and gave her side hug saying, "Baby, I didn¡¯t win." Xu Mey tilted her head to look up at his face. He tapped her cute nose saying, "You and I are one. Then how can I win all alone?"


    "Sweet-talker..." With that remark, she snuggled up close in his embrace and closed her eyes again.


    Meanwhile...


    "Let¡¯s find a ce." Wu Wang said while his eyes stayed on the road.


    "For what?" Yang Ziyi asked with a frown.


    "We need to talk." Wu Wang answered in a serious manner which didn¡¯t sit well with his usualid back personality.


    "About?" She asked again with an uneasy feeling rising in her heart.


    "You, me and us." He said inly and changednes to park the car in a small park.


    "Oh..." Yang Ziyi¡¯s wandered off to a thousand possibilities as she stared at his serious face.


    They both alighted from the car and walked side by side on the running track in the park. They walked around for half an hour without any of them saying a word. Although Yang Ziyi was dreading this conversation for some unknown fears, she still mustered up the courage.


    "So... What were you gonna say?"


    Wu Wang sat down at the wooden bench with a long sigh as he said, "I don¡¯t know really. I just fell like something isn¡¯t right."


    Yang Ziyi¡¯s chin trembled a bit as her eyes stung. "What do you mean?" Before Wu Wang could say anything, she added, "Are you breaking up with me? And that too in a park? How mean of you! If you¡¯re gonna be like this, you shouldn¡¯t have shown me your real self. At least, it would have been easy to hate you if you just stayed as a yboy in my memories."


    "Are you done?" Yang Ziyi sniffled softly before turning her face away from him. "Why is your mind so imaginative? I was gonna say that we have been dating for months and yet you haven¡¯t even made me anything. Not even a single sandwich."


    Yang Ziyi¡¯s head turned at such speed that it was a wonder she didn¡¯t get whish. She jumped at him and punched him anywhere she could while shouting. "You bastard! I¡¯ll make you a sandwich and shove it down your throat to choke you for scaring me like this."


    Her punches did little to nothing except for making Wu Wangugh even louder. "How is it my fault? You came up with all that break-up talk. I did not!"


    "You were being all that serious. Obviously, I misunderstood." Yang Ziyi mumbled and sat back on the bench to brood alone.

 Chapter 378 - Its Not You, Its Me

    Afterughing in delight for a long while, Wu Wang came back to sit beside her and rubbed her head like a pet making her puff her cheeks in annoyance. He was certainly amused to see her grumpy look. He wanted to be serious, he did but this woman... Haiz! She really brought out his childish side every time. Wu Wang felt like it was her skill.


    "Okay, stop brooding now. I really have something to talk to you."


    Yang Ziyi cautiously turned her face towards him but didn¡¯t stop ring at him and also, didn¡¯t say a word. But Wu Wang could understand that she was silently agreeing to give him a chance to finally talk.


    "I really think something is wrong between us." Wu Wang¡¯s voice shifted Yang Ziyi¡¯s re into a slight confusion while her heartbeat disturbed again.


    "What¡¯s wrong?" She asked softly.


    "It¡¯s not you... It¡¯s me. You are an amazing person. Blunt, dumb and a bit annoying but still a very sincere and honest person." At first, she was stuck with his ¡¯it¡¯s not you, it¡¯s me¡¯ sentence, after all, it was how typical breakups happened. Right? Butter, more than feeling the effect of hispliments, she felt the burn of his not-so-kind-remarks. "Haiz! I really think I¡¯ve lost my mind but I have to say it. I can¡¯t even believe myself." He continued gloomily.


    Yang Ziyi clenched her fists tightly and willed herself to stay strong. She couldn¡¯t give him the satisfaction of breaking her into tears. Never! This yboy can dream on!


    "You can go on..." Yang Ziyi managed to say while she saw Wu Wang looking at her with a strange expression.


    Wu Wang shifted a bit and held her hands in his own but Yang Ziyi felt that his grip was a bit strong as if he was restraining her.


    With a long and deep breath, he said, "I think I¡¯m falling in love with you." It took a while for Yang Ziyi toprehend his meaning, her eyes widened dramatically before narrowing into slits as she red at him and gritted out,


    "Why did you say you have lost your mind?"


    "Because I told you, only an idiot could fall in love with you. Who would have thought I¡¯d be that idiot in the end. Fate sure ys with us." His saddened tone made Yang Ziyi tremble in anger as she tried to hit him but only realized that he had taken precautions when he held her hands in his own. "Hey, just because I call you a wild cat doesn¡¯t mean you always have to act like one as well."


    "Huh! And just because I call you Sherlock doesn¡¯t mean you have to say everything mysteriously with riddles. Do you have to y with emotions like this?" Yang Ziyi snapped back.


    "I wasn¡¯t intending to do it but your reaction..." His words were left hanging since he was having difficulty controlling hisughter. "By the way, my blockhead doctor, can you focus on the main point here?"


    "What¡¯s the main point here?"


    "Seriously?" He flicked her forehead and added, "You were supposed to focus on the fact that I just confessed that I love you. But no... Your mind is always wandering off to bicker with me for no reason!"


    Yang Ziyi froze for a second as she heard the clear confession this time. Her mind felt like fireworks exploded and everything was colorful in the world. How weird!


    Scratching her head like a fool, she stubbornly said, "Hmph! You chose a public park for such a confession. How unromantic!"


    "Aiyo! My dear doctor, look behind." Saying that he turned her face to look behind and the sight immediately stunned her.


    Behind them was a smallke where the moonlight was shining beautifully in all its glory while hundreds of candles floated on it leisurely. But what it made more beautiful was thenterns that slowly floated up in the air and littered the dark sky. Several people stopped to look at that scene in awe.


    Yang Ziyi felt Wu Wang¡¯s presence behind her as his lips brushed past her ears and he said, "You told me you have stopped going to parks after your brother died. So, I wanted this to happen here. Well, I do have a long and borate speech for you but I suddenly think such deep words won¡¯t register in your slow-witted mind."


    Her sharp elbow hit his stomach and he grunted while saying, "See, you are a wild girl. This wild confession suits you best."


    Yang Ziyi actually didn¡¯t mind anything he said. She only felt bliss and a stinging sensation in eyes. She never would have thought that the person she despised for years would actually fill her life with light and love. She didn¡¯t know what to say at all. So, she turned around and hugged him tightly as if she was afraid he would vanish anytime.

 Chapter 379 - Hold Your Hand

    Good times are often weaved together to make a perfect sweet memory which stays with us for longer than we expected it to. But some random sweet memories actually be timeless treasures.


    This whole night became a sweet memory for Yang Ziyi and it was so random and unexpected that she knew she would be treasuring it for a lifetime. She had known Wu Wang for over a decade and never in her wildest dreams she would have imagined that she¡¯d actually fall for him so deeply. They had always shed whenever they met and yet they couldn¡¯t understand what fate had nned for them.


    They had so many pointless fights that even they had lost count of it but looking back... All of that was now just a part of their journey filled with bittersweet memories and the journey they would call a love story.


    "I feel like loving you is the second best thing I ever did."


    Yang Ziyi looked up at him and asked, "Second? Then what about the first?"


    Wu Wang rubbed her hair making them a mess as he said, "The first was always getting into a fight with you."


    She furrowed her brows while trying to untangle her hair, "How is that the best thing?"


    Wu Wang leaned a bit to look into her eyes and added, "If we hadn¡¯t fought that much, do you think we would have been here?" Yang Ziyi smiled as she realized he was right. "Also, wasn¡¯t it just our luck that no matter how much we ran, we always ended in front of each other."


    Yang Ziyi got on her tippy toes and nted a firm yet sweet kiss on his forehead and whispered, "Took us long enough, didn¡¯t it?"


    Wu Wang took her in his arms again and with his chin rested on her head said, "The journey was indeed long but it was worth it. After all, that long journey still led us to each other."


    Drawing circles on his chest with the tip of her index finger, she said, "It took you long enough to notice me. I was always there, you just never noticed."


    With a bitter smile, he replied, "Indeed... I wasn¡¯t looking." Perhaps, unconsciously he really was a firm believer of once bitten twice shy. Otherwise, how would he have not noticed this blockhead doctor all along? "By the way, what would you have done if I really wanted to break up?"


    With a sly smile, she answered, "I would have run back to my ex."


    "What?" Wu Wang red at her with rage.


    "What?" She retorted innocently and added, "Would you let me go back?"


    Wu Wang narrowed his eyes at her dangerously and said, "Of course." Yang Ziyi frowned while he went on, "I would even help you look for him. So, I can run into him."


    "Run into him to see who¡¯s yourpetition?"


    "Nope! To run into him with my car!" Yang Ziyi gulped down as she saw how serious he really was about this. She was speechless with his words.


    Took her a moment to find words again as she tapped his head and said, "Then run over yourself!" Wu Wang quirked his brow inquiringly and she had to exin, "Because, after the breakup, you¡¯d have been the ex!"


    Realizing this small detail, Wu Wang grinned cheekily and rubbed the nape of his neck. "Then I won¡¯t run over with my car."


    "Oh? Why not? Why change your mind now?"


    "Aiyo, my blockhead doctor, obviously for your sake."


    "Mine? How?"


    "Because if I got hurt, you¡¯d cry and I don¡¯t want that. I¡¯m not that cruel."


    His cheeky answer got him another punch in his stomach. He grunted while moaning, "See, you¡¯re a wild woman!"


    "So what? Don¡¯t you just love this wild woman?" Yang Ziyi¡¯s haughty reply stunned Wu Wang for a while and then an amused smile bloomed on his face.


    "I certainly do." His eyes didn¡¯t leave hers, not even for a second. Both of them didn¡¯t know how long they had spent just staring into each other¡¯s eyes before he spoke again, "Your eyes really make it hard for me."


    "What?"


    He pinched her cheek saying, "You have the most adorable eyes one could possibly fall for and it really makes it hard to turn away."


    Yang Ziyi blushed furiously at his words and it was perhaps his second time seeing her like this. The first time would be when they shared their first kiss. It was seriously a huge thing making this dumb person blush.


    "Now, I truly believe that dumb people have the best luck." Yang Ziyi frowned at his sudden change in words while he continued, "After all, how else we can exin that a blockhead like you found a handsome man like me."


    She was about to his chest again while heughed and held her hands in ce saying, "Fine, fine. Sorry! We both are considered dumb in this case. Happy?"


    "Whatever." Yang Ziyi said offhandedly and walked away.


    Wu Wang caught up with her from behind and took her hand in his own saying, "I heard long walks are very interesting if you have someone to hold your hand along the way. Let¡¯s try this theory."


    Yang Ziyi heart swelled at his excuse to just hold her hand and she silently let him hold her hand without anyint.

 Chapter 380 - Lost Herself

    Wu Wang wasn¡¯t the only one who had nned a confession for this night. After what Ye Jun had said, Azalea¡¯s heart was also heavy. Since Ye Jun was busy with his Jun Li Na, she had to hitch a ride with Xiamu. After thinking for a long time, she had decided toe clean.


    She couldn¡¯t possibly hide her feelings forever.


    "Hey Kaden, there¡¯s an ice cream parlor there. Let¡¯s have some..." She looked expectantly at the side profile of Xiamu who was focused on driving.


    "Okay." He replied without sparing a nce towards her.


    He checked the traffic before carefully parking the car at the side of the road. After alighting from the car, he waited patiently to let Azalea catch up with him before entering the ice-cream parlor. They took a side table and gave their order.


    Kaden got busy with his phone while waiting, however, Azalea was left to stare at him awkwardly. She kept cracking her knuckles in anxiousness.


    "Kaden, I have something to say to you."


    Xiamu slightly raised his eyes to look back at her before saying, "Let¡¯s eat our ice-cream first."


    As he said that their order was served and Azalea had to nod in agreement. She silently ate her ice-cream but her eyes didn¡¯t move away from his face. But even under her scrutinizing gaze, Xiamu was unfazed.


    "Can we talk now?" Azalea asked after they were done.


    But Xiamu paid the money and got up to leave saying, "We can talk some other day."


    Azalea held his hand to stop him and with aplicated gaze, she asked, "You know, right? You know what I want to say and that¡¯s why you¡¯re avoiding me."


    Xiamu looked at her before sighing and taking his seat. "I do. And that¡¯s why I don¡¯t want to hear it."


    "Why?" she questioned incredulously.


    "Because I don¡¯t want to change what we are." He answered straightforwardly.


    Azalea stayed silent for a moment before saying, "You¡¯re still in love with Kim, right? That¡¯s why you¡¯re not ready. But I can understand that."


    "That¡¯s where you are wrong." Azalea was taken aback while he continued, "To be honest, I¡¯ve never been happier in my life before. First of all, Kim and I were best friends before anything else. And even being in love with her meant that all I wanted was to see her happy." Taking a pause he added, "And right now, I can see Kim happy along with Qiao. That¡¯s enough for me. Second of all, my love for Kim has nothing to do with my rtionship with you."


    "Then why are you rejecting me without even giving me a chance?" Azalea couldn¡¯t hold back her tears as they fell slowly. "I know you never looked at me that way but you can try. After all, the greatest rtionships always tend to start when you least expected them to. And these rtionships can actually sweep you off your feet and challenge your every view. How will you know we are not suited until we try it?"


    He passed a tissue to her and gave her time to control her emotions. "I have a single question for you. If you can answer it, I¡¯ll give ¡¯us¡¯ a chance." Azalea looked at him earnestly. "Why do you love me? Or what is it in me that you really love? Can you give me an answer?"


    "Of course, I can," Azalea said without even thinking. "From as long as I can remember, you had been there for me. Whenever someone tried to bully me, you¡¯d always stand before me like a shield to protect me. You know me the best. I am alwaysfortable with you. You always made me feel secure."


    He gave a bitter smile as he said, "Your answer is right there with you. Love had never been all aboutfort or security. We had been neighbors and that was why I was always there when you needed me. Your feelings for me are more of a delusion than anything."


    "No, you are wrong! I tried getting into rtionships with other guys but it never worked. And I know you feel something for me even if it¡¯s just a little bit otherwise why would you always pull me away from other guys." She denied stubbornly.


    "Do you take me for a fool? I know very well that you got into those reckless rtionships just to get my attention. If you took my protectiveness as my jealousy than I can¡¯t do anything about that. But let me make one thing very clear to you, Azalea I have never felt anything for you. I love you but it¡¯ll always be just like a brother."


    "You can say that you don¡¯t love me. But don¡¯t question my feelings for you." She insisted.


    Xiamu was exasperated. "Alright, I won¡¯t. So, why don¡¯t you tell me what is your life goal? Any aim that you want to achieve?"


    "What does that have to do with our conversation?"


    "Just answer me." He pressed on.


    She pursed her lips and shook her head, "No, I don¡¯t really have an aim as such."


    Xiamu straightened up, "You are the person who saw death quite closely and yet you are here telling me that you don¡¯t have a dream in life. Then tell me, as a person who doesn¡¯t even love her own self, how can you im that you love me? Love starts from oneself if you can¡¯t even value yourself how can you expect to love anyone else?"


    Azalea was stunned speechless. "Zelie, you have gotten a gold medal from Stanford School of Engineering and yet here you are telling me that you literally have no aim in life. That is not only degrading your degree but also yourself. Learn to love yourself first and then perhaps you¡¯ll realize that what you feel for me is not love instead it is just a form of dependence."


    His every word was like a sharp de that shed her heart but she felt numb. Even Xiamu knew that he was being harsh but he needed her to wake up from her dreams now. She was wasting her life running after him and he wouldn¡¯t want that at any cost.


    When you love someone, that love gives you courage and motivation to be the best of you. But Azalea¡¯s love for him was only ruining her. Whether her feelings were really named love or just dependence, they both couldn¡¯t be sure about that but one thing was sure; she had lost herself in pursuit of him.

 Chapter 381 - Someone Is Impatient

    Waking up from sleep has often been considered a harsh p of reality. It¡¯s not like waking up to see the sun rising in the horizon brings any joy. Not particrly when the sun has been rising from the beginning of the time. It is the same every day. So, how could one find a morning beautiful? Isn¡¯t the dreand a lot prettier?


    If you want the answer then one should ask Xu Mey.


    Slowly and reluctantly, she had uncovered her eyes. She blinked her eyes and rubbed the sleep away. She was expecting to be greeted by those zing rays of the sun that poured in through the linen blinds. But unexpectedly what greeted her was the strong and broad back of her husband who had been blocking the sun rays for her.


    He was softly talking on the phone about business but even with his busy schedule, he didn¡¯t forget to be her shield against the scorching sun that she disliked the most. She had been particrly moody in pregnancy since greeting those zing rays would always leave her grumpy.


    But early in the morning, he had warmed her heart with his thoughtfulness. If this reality wasn¡¯t better than her nket of dreams than what else was? For her, nothing! This was the sight she loved to wake up to now.


    She didn¡¯t even realize for how long she had been staring at his back with a passionate gaze and slightly parted lips.


    "Are you done ogling, baby?" His voice brought a tinge of red to shade her face.


    "What if I say... not yet?" She wiggled her brows yfully.


    Jie dropped his cellphone on the side table and sat on her side of the bed. With the back of his fingers brushing softly against her cheek, he said, "Oh? Should I take off my shirt for a better view?"


    Her eyes brightened up and she nodded without even thinking at all.


    "Aren¡¯t you raunchy early in the morning?" His light chuckles and taunting made her scrunch up her face in displeasure.


    "What¡¯s wrong? Even if I am lustful, I am lusting over my own husband." She argued back.


    Stroking her cheek with his thumb in a sensual manner, he started, "If you kept looking at me like this..." His head dipped in a blink of an eye to her lips. He kissed her with too much yearning and longing along with textures of love and lust that he could see in her own eyes. Not every feeling could be exined. But they can be expressed and he was nning on doing just that.


    Pushing her back on the bed, his tongue thrust into her mouth asking for permission which she eagerly reciprocated. Sparkles of fire were making their bodies heat up inexplicably.


    He undoubtedly melted under her kiss and gentleness. She was kissing him fervently letting him taste every inch of her mouth. This kiss was enough to give birth to a million sensations. But Xu Mey could feel that in his touch, there wasn¡¯t any sensuality. Instead, it was purer than that and much stronger than that as well.


    It was like he was telling her that he was missing her. But weren¡¯t they just here together? But she knew how he had been busy in the past months and it was really a luxury to be together like this. And yesterday, their time was spoiled because of the intruders who came unannounced.


    She was indeed the one to me and she only realized it now when she saw how she left her Ah-Jie to brood alone.


    None of them moved away until they were breathless and panting to fill up their lungs with some oxygen. Jie stood up as if he was electrocuted as he said, "I have picked your dress for you. Your breakfast must be ready by now, let me get it while you freshen up."


    Xu Mey held his hand pouted like a child. "Ah-Jie, you¡¯re leaving your baby just like that?"


    He rubbed the space between his brows and stroked her hair lovingly, "You better be good. I don¡¯t want to hurt you or our little princess."


    Xu Mey groaned in frustration. Because of their ident, there was indeed a bit ofplication and that¡¯s why the doctors asked them to refrain from any bed activities. And nobody could tell better than Xu Mey how exasperated she was because of that.


    Just when he was about to leave the room, he heard her grumbling, "Just when will this bune out of the oven!" He couldn¡¯t help but smile at her choice of words and shook his head before leaving.


    "Someone is impatient..." He mumbled to himself.


    While in the room, when Xu Mey saw how he thoughtfully had arranged everything for her beforehand, she was even more frustrated. Why was he so good? He was making it very difficult for her! What a troublesome husband!

 Chapter 382 - Burden Of Her Tears

    Xu Mey was busy drying her hair when Jie walked inside with her breakfast in hands. He ced it all on the table neatly beforeing around her to help her.


    "I could have gone downstairs for breakfast," Xu Mey spoke while he held the hair blower in his hand.


    "I don¡¯t mind bringing it here." He answered inly.


    "You¡¯re making mezy with all this pampering." Xu Mey pouted as she looked at his reflection in the mirror.


    Jie kissed the top of her head and said, "My beautiful wife, I love you and my lovees with a package of endless pampering."


    Xu Mey was immediately left speechless.


    After breakfast, they both arrived at the biggest mall in the city.


    "Let¡¯s do clothes shopping first," Xu Mey suggested while looking at the floor map to find baby stores. Naturally, Jie agreed with her wishes and took her to the clothes shop where her eyes immediately brightened up, seeing all those cute little clothes and those tiny shoes. It all looked too cute to her.


    She almost ran over to a rack and picked up a cute dress in blue color. "Ah-Jie, this blue one looks so cute. Our baby boy will look so adorable in this, right?" Jie looked at her smiling face and nodded.


    "But we need to buy something for our little princess as well." Xu Mey gave him a pointed gaze. She really disagreed with his belief that they¡¯ll have a baby girl. But since he didn¡¯t bother her shopping spree, she didn¡¯t want to dampen his mood either. However, she noticed that unlike other people he wasn¡¯t picking anything in pink while her choices were revolving around blue.


    "Ah-Jie, why aren¡¯t you buying the pink frock?" She couldn¡¯t hold in her curiosity.


    "Is it a rule that girls have to wear pink while boys have to wear blue?" He asked her in response.


    "It¡¯s not a rule. But most people roll this way." She answered nonchntly.


    "Well, then I¡¯m not most people. I want our girl to grow up loving each and every color. Because I do want her to grow up like a princess but instead of giving her the life of Cindera or Snow-white, I want her to learn Melida¡¯s valiant style. After all, she also needs to learn that girls don¡¯t necessarily need to depend on a guy."


    Xu Mey stared at him disbelievingly for a moment that stretched longer than it was necessary. She had no answer for him. So, she decided to pay attention to her shopping instead.


    With a huge variety of cute clothes and shoes, she was so happy that she couldn¡¯t stop grinning at all. She was already imagining how their baby boy will look in those clothes.


    They had gone all around the mall looking for baby products which included, a crib, warm and cool steam humidifier, sleepyhead pad, stroller, a cozy rocker napper and plenty of other stuff. They even ate lunch at the food court before continuing on again.


    It waste afternoon when they were finally done with their shopping only when Xu Meyined that she was too tired to even lift her foot now. Jie had repeatedly told her to take it easy but she was so excited that she couldn¡¯t possibly keep her feet on the ground. She was floating in clouds.


    While they settled inside the car, Jie¡¯s phone rang. He frowned a bit listening to the call but stayed quiet before saying, "Okay. I¡¯ll be there in a while." He turned to see Xu Mey¡¯s inquiring gaze and said, "It was Zelie. She sounded a bit upset."


    Xu Mey¡¯s eyes shed a bit skeptically. "Alright. Then drop me at my dad¡¯s ce."


    "You¡¯re noting with me?" Jie asked in surprise.


    "Nope. I haven¡¯t been to dad¡¯s home in a while. Also, I heard grandfather ising in a few days as well." ¡¯And I have a brother who needs a good beating. I told him to be nice. Idiot!¡¯ She didn¡¯t show her bitterness on the face, hiding it quite well behind her smile.


    Jie wasn¡¯t very willing at first but listening to her reasoning, he gave in. The ride to Xu Residence was a short one since they weren¡¯t far from it.


    "Take care of yourself. And don¡¯t move around recklessly." Jie reminded her again and again while she kept nodding her head obediently but inwardly she was rolling her eyes at his constant nagging.


    "Ah-Jie, stop worrying so much. There are plenty of people to take care of me here as well." Xu Mey gave him a kiss on his cheek and added, "Just go. Be with your sister. She needs you after the rejection."


    "Rejection?"


    Xu Mey rted the whole story of Azalea¡¯s crush on Xiamu and how she¡¯s sure that Xiamu had rejected her.


    "What? Such a thing was going on and I had no clue?" Jie was really surprised to hear about it. "But why would Xiamu reject her? Is something wrong with my sister?"


    "There is nothing wrong with Azalea. It¡¯s my brother who¡¯s to me here."


    Jie was silent for a while before leaving not without saying, "Ask your brother, can he really bear the burden of her tears?"


    Xu Mey watched him leaving with aplicated gaze.

 Chapter 383 - Just Because You Want Me To

    "Xiao Mey, howe you¡¯re here?" Xu Cheng was surprised to see Xu Mey who came unannounced.


    Xu Mey was slightly displeased with her father¡¯s reaction. Wasn¡¯t he supposed to be over the moon to see her? "I guess I thought too much, dad is really not happy to see me." She made a sad face.


    "What nonsense! Why wouldn¡¯t I be happy?" Xu Cheng pulled her in for a hug and stroked her hair lovingly. "Dad loves you a lot and obviously missed you a lot as well. I just didn¡¯t expect to see you here."


    Xu Mey felt happy to hear that but she wasn¡¯t going to tell him that. "Forget it. There is no point in making excuses anymore. I know I¡¯ve be the butterfly that flew away from your garden. Why would you care about me anymore? And now you even have a son to apany you. I certainly don¡¯t mean that much." She sounded aggrieved as if on the verge of crying.


    "Don¡¯t spout such rubbish! How can anyone take your ce? And when did dad forget about you? Don¡¯t make things up." Xu Cheng was reprimanding her in a soft voice.


    "Dad, you¡¯re falling for her tricks again." Xiamu¡¯s voice came from behind him. "Sis, can you stop bothering dad? He¡¯s gonna get his blood pressure high thinking about how he had upset you."


    Xu Mey looked up at her father with a questioning gaze while Xu Cheng avoided her eyes. Then she shifted to Xiamu and said, "How can you say that I¡¯m the one dad worries about? You can also be the reason!"


    "Oh please, I am a very sensible and responsible one. You¡¯re the one who always likes to create troubles." Xu Mey gaped at him in disbelief.


    "How dare you! So what if I cause trouble? Did I ask you toe and clean it up for me? And how are you talking to your elder sister?" She lifted her hand and pulled his hair making him yelp in pain.


    Xu Cheng watched them bicker at the side with a content smile on his face. "Okay, okay! That¡¯s enough. Both of you stop it now."


    Only then did both brother and sister pulled away from each other but still huffed like children. Looking at them like this, Xu Cheng thought there was really no doubt they were twins. Even the stupid antics were the same.


    "Xiao Mey, are you stay for dinner?" Xu Cheng asked as they moved to the living room to sit.


    "Nope. I¡¯m staying for a few days." Xu Mey answered with a grin while Xu Cheng¡¯s face also lit up.


    "Why?" The question came from Xiamu.


    "Why does it matter to you? This is my father¡¯s house. I cane whenever I want and I can stay for as long as I want." Xu Mey argued back stubbornly.


    "Sis, don¡¯t forget that dad has married you off to another family. Now, that is your home." Xiamu also snapped back.


    "You! How can you say that? No matter what I am still my father¡¯s daughter and as long as he is here, I wille. What can you do about it?" Not wanting to argue with him anymore she turned her face away.


    Xu Cheng had a headache seeing them like this. "Why are you both arguing again? This house belongs to both of you, is there still a need to verify that?"


    "He started it!"


    "She started it!"


    Both of the siblings said simultaneously and turned to re at each other. Xu Cheng felt helpless between them. "I don¡¯t care who started it. Xiao Mey, you¡¯re the elder sister. You should try to meditate the situation rather than arguing like a bully." Xu Mey made a face at being rebuked like this. "And you, Xiamu, she¡¯s your older sister and you need to show some respect. There is no point in fighting like this." Finally, Xu Mey felt a bit at ease since she wasn¡¯t the only one who was being lectured.


    "Sorry, dad!" Xu Mey took the lead like the responsible child.


    "I am also sorry, dad!" Xiamu followed suit with a guilty look.


    "Master, there is a call for you," the maidservant¡¯s voice saved both Xu Mey and Xiamu who heaved a sigh of relief inwardly.


    "I¡¯ll be right back. Both of you better behave while I¡¯m gone." Xu Cheng reminded them sternly and both of them nodded like an obedient child.


    As Xu Mey saw her father leaving the room, she immediately turned to Xiamu and became furious, "Didn¡¯t I tell you to not mess with Azalea?"


    "When did I mess with her?" Xiamu felt wronged since he felt like he really didn¡¯t do anything wrong.


    "Why did you reject her? I told you to give her a chance." Xu Mey charged at him again in fury.


    "I could give her a chance for you but... I can¡¯t love her just because you want me to."

 Chapter 384 - I Wont Even Dare

    Xu Mey wanted to say something but upon thinking, she realized that she really couldn¡¯t force love. It won¡¯t be fair with him or Azalea. Later, she asked him to rte the whole thing in detail and like an obedient little brother, he did so.


    She smacked his head making him scowl as she said, "Have you lost your mind? If you don¡¯t want to ept her feelings that¡¯s alright but who gave you the right to question her feelings for you?"


    Xiamu rubbed his head while rolling his eyes at her sudden outburst. "If I didn¡¯t question her, do you think she would have backed off?" Xu Mey opened her mouth to say something but he interjected her saying, "Besides, I didn¡¯t belittle her feelings. I stated a fact and if she still keeps being stubborn, she¡¯ll be belittling her own very self."


    Xu Mey sat there in a daze for a while, not knowing how to continue on since this brother was equally persistent and stubborn like herself. One doesn¡¯t need to think hard where they got their genes from.


    "What if... This rtionship could really have worked?" She toned down her temper just for his sake. She wanted him to calm down and think before making a decision. Because if there really was the tiniest bit of hope, she would certainly grasp it!


    But Xiamu could understand her very well as he said, "Sis, do you know... I was four years old when Azalea was born... She was like a little living doll that was given to me and I did cherish her for that. But how can I forget that from the very first day, I was told that I¡¯m like her older brother and I shouldn¡¯t let anyone bully her? I can¡¯t possibly forget that I doted on her with the thought that she was my precious little sister. I might not be sure about her feelings but I am sure about mine. I gave her the love that was supposed to be yours."


    "Love cane when you least expect it to..." Xu Mey tried to persist but it seemed futile at this point since his expression told her clearly that he was telling the truth. His clear eyes mirrored his sincerity.


    "I tried to reject her in the nicest way but I realized that she was taking my goodwill as my hesitation. I didn¡¯t want her to spend another decade with useless hope and that¡¯s why I had to jab her where it¡¯d hurt her the most. My words were harsh, I agree... But I didn¡¯t say anything that could go against my conscience." Xiamu¡¯s words had left her in a dilemma. Was she really pushing her brother towards a dead-end? She didn¡¯t want to. She just wanted to see him happy.


    After a prolonged silence, she voiced out, "Is there really no chance?"


    Seeing his sister¡¯s earnest eyes, his heart wavered a little. He didn¡¯t want to see her upset. However, was it fair to lie to his own heart? He didn¡¯t think so!


    "No." He replied in a resolute manner.


    "You both are acting quite civilized," their father, Xu Cheng¡¯s voice broke the weird atmosphere in the room. He saw the way they both had a somber look and a frown emerged between his brows. "Is something wrong?"


    "Nope!"


    "Not at all!"


    Both twins spoke simultaneously yet again and threw a deadly re to each other. It had been happening a lottely. Although they seemed annoyed when the other one spoke at the same time, it still gave them a warm feeling. Blood is surely thicker than water but... Nothing could rival their unyielding twin-bond. Even years of separation couldn¡¯t harm it.


    Xu Cheng eyed their somber looks skeptically but didn¡¯t say anything.


    "Dad, I heard grandfather ising," Xu Mey got excited talking about the elderly man she hadn¡¯t seen in a while.


    Xu Cheng sighed out saying, "Yes. It was his call just now. He¡¯ll be here by tomorrow."


    Xu Mey pped her hands like a child and grinned brightly, "Great! Then I¡¯m prolonging my stay here."


    "Your husband might hunt us if you stayed longer," Xiamu reminded her as his possessive and over-protective brother-inw¡¯s face shed through his mind.


    "Don¡¯t talk nonsense about my Ah-Jie." She immediately got defensive. "My Ah-Jie is the sweetest husband in the whole wide world."


    Xiamu scoffed at her side saying, "He most definitely is the sweetest husband but sis... He certainly isn¡¯t the sweetest person. He is a nice and just person but most certainly not sweet!"


    Xu Mey didn¡¯t want to agree with him or argue with him at all. "Look, dear brother, you can say whatever you want about me. But don¡¯t spout rubbish about my husband. I won¡¯t take it lying down!"


    Seeing her eyes narrowed into slits, he gulped as he muttered to himself, ¡¯No wonder they are a loving couple. Both have the same personality.¡¯


    "I won¡¯t even dare." He solemnly swore and even raised his three fingers to show his sincerity.

 Chapter 385 - Words Are Not Wrong

    Just as Xiamu had predicted, how could Jie stay calm knowing his wife wasn¡¯t nning oning back home? Jie showed up at Xu Residence in the middle of the night.


    "What do you have to say now?" Xiamu gave a sly smile to Xu Mey who was yawning with sleep-filled eyes. "Didn¡¯t I say he¡¯lle?"


    Xu Mey didn¡¯t n on arguing with him at this time and that¡¯s why she went straight to Jie. "Ah-Jie, why are you here?"


    "I missed you..." He answered inly while raking his fingers through his thick hair.


    "But it¡¯s midnight. You could have waited till morning. It¡¯s not safe to drive at this time." She nagged like a typical housewife.


    "Again, I missed you." Jie made his point clear with the same sentence again.


    "Yes, I know but..." She was getting exasperated when he cut her off.


    "At this point, you should be saying, you missed me as well." With these words, Xu Mey was left speechless.


    "Whatever... I¡¯m going to sleep." She turned to Xiamu saying, "Help your brother-inw find a change of clothes."


    "Yes, boss!" Xiamu replied solemnly. She rolled her eyes at him before ascending the stairs leaving those two in the hallway.


    Just as Xu Mey had said, Xiamu brought his own casual wear for Jie to change into and said, "I think these will fit you." Jie took the clothes and nodded. "Let me know if you need anything else."


    "Will do," Jie said and made his way to Xu Mey¡¯s bedroom but stopped in the middle of the stairs to say, "Brew some tea. Let¡¯s have a chat."


    Xiamu was a bit taken aback by that request but he still did so. After all, he didn¡¯t want his sister to beat the hell out of him in the morning for disregarding her husband¡¯s wish.


    When Jie came back d in those casual clothes, Xiamu was already sitting in the lounge with the tea and some midnight snacks. Jie silently sat down and poured some tea for himself. Xiamu was observing his movements.


    "Do you want to talk about Azalea?" Xiamu was the one who broke the awkward silence between them since it felt suffocating to him. The chills emanating from Jie¡¯s body were really getting to him.


    "Why? Do we have something to talk about Azalea?" Jie retorted while sipping on his tea with a calm expression.


    "Don¡¯t we?" Xiamu¡¯s voice sounded uncertain.


    "Do we?" Jie didn¡¯t even spare him a nce which made Xiamu frustrated.


    But he soon understood Jie¡¯s tactics. His brother-inw was really good at guilt-tripping. How did he not notice that before? Perhaps because he had only seen Jie¡¯s warm and sweet side which he showed to the people he loved the most.


    Sighing heavily, Xiamu started, "Look, brother-inw, I already made it clear to sis that love can¡¯t be forced."


    "You¡¯re going in the wrong direction, Xiamu. I certainly don¡¯t want to force love on you because I can see clearly that you don¡¯t love Azalea that way." Jie¡¯s words put Xiamu in a trance for a moment. Was he hearing things? How was his brother-inw sounding so understanding?


    "But it doesn¡¯t make your actions any right either." There it is! He knew Jie wasn¡¯t so understanding.


    "Did I say something wrong? I just wanted her to face reality." Xiamu voiced out.


    "Oftentimes, our words are not wrong but the way we say those words... That¡¯s a whole different story." Jie ced his teacup down saying, "I believe there was nothing wrong with your words. But your way of saying those words might have gone a bit overboard."


    Xiamu cleared up his thoughts and nodded his head. "I guess I was a bit overboard."


    "You¡¯re a sensible man, Xiamu. But just like my wife, you are also impulsive." He patted Xiamu¡¯s shoulder and went on, "I¡¯m not saying this because Azalea is my sister. I just don¡¯t want you to wrong your rtionship with Azalea on impulse."


    "What should I do then?"


    "Well, you most certainly can¡¯t change what happened but there is nothing wrong in trying to change what is yet toe."


    Xiamu thought long and hard over that before saying, "I understand. I¡¯ll apologize to her."


    "Good to hear that..." Jie said with a soft smile on his face. He had seen Azalea crying hysterically earlier but while consoling her, he had also made it clear to her that she was holding a torch for incessant torture.


    "But I do love him," Azalea had insisted on this fact while they were talking earlier.


    "Buddha once said, ¡¯You can only lose what you cling to.¡¯ You had been clinging to his love for so long now that it¡¯s slipping away. Just let it go for once, who knows, it might give you a chance to grow?" Jie had countered with sensibility.


    She was bringing pain to herself and no-one could possibly deny that fact. But she was still his sister and he had to be there for her as much as possible. He didn¡¯t give her unnecessary hope. He gave her a chance to grow up again.

 Chapter 386 - I Can Bear This

    Time trickles by before we even know it. It¡¯s a never-ending cycle that goes on and on. Life in itself is just a cycle of time. It has everything... From series of meetings to departures. From the discovery of friendship to losing it. From a precious time to how we wasted it away. Most of all, life is a memory of those shed tears that once fell like droplets of rain but soon dried up leaving behind just a trail of bittersweet, foggy, broken and yet beautiful memories.


    With her headying on his thighs, Xu Mey was enjoying the soft breeze in the garden while listening to the cello-like voice of her husband.


    From her position, she could see his longshes flutteringnguidly while his lips moved as he read the parenting book in his hand with a great deal of concentration. It was yet again, one of those moments when she wondered how did she be so lucky?


    Often girls talked about their Prince Charming and Xu Mey always wondered what really could be a Prince Charming? Or a knight in shining armor who woulde on his horse and sweep her off her feet?


    But none of that came true for her. Not at all...


    She had met him when he was considered to be in his darkest period of time while she was the pessimist girl who only knew how to scheme her next move. She wondered where would they be if, on that night of Wu Wang¡¯s sister¡¯s wedding, she hadn¡¯t brought him to her own room? Would they really be here today?


    "Ah-Jie," she called out softly.


    "Mmm..." He hummed in reply while sweeping her hair away from her face.


    "What if we had missed each other on Wu Xia and Ming Qu¡¯s wedding?" Her question came unexpected but Jie was still calm. "Do you think we would be here today?"


    "Yes." He answered in an assuring manner.


    "How are you so sure?" She eyed him skeptically.


    "We didn¡¯t even know each other¡¯s name back then. But didn¡¯t we still meet through that matchmaking?"


    "We did. But what if instead of you, Jun had actually been the one to say yes?" She went on.


    "Still, we¡¯d be here as we are now." His voice was full of certainty.


    "Are you that certain?" She asked.


    "Yes, I am." He tapped her adorable nose and added, "Because we could have missed out on each other but how could the red thread which ties us to each other can miss out? As you must have heard, the thread can be tangled and it can take a long time for us to understand the scheme of heaven but eventually, that red thread is meant to connect us to each other. So, my dear wife, even after the detours... We¡¯d still be right here where we are."


    Xu Mey felt an inexplicable sense of happiness hearing his words. As always, he was the optimistic one. Her own mind was prone to over-thinking. But right now, no-one could me her. Her pregnant hormones were raging within her making her senses a bit fuzzy.


    She sat up to face him and said, "Do you know what I regret the most in life?"


    "What?" He asked curiously.


    "Calling you a second-hand product." She smacked her own head with her fists and went on, "I was really stupid. It was supposed to be a harmless joke butter I realized, it was quite offensive."


    Seeing her aggrieved face, Jie was quite amused. "Silly, I didn¡¯t mind it at all." Xu Mey looked back at him with wide eyes and he continued, "It was offensive at some level but if you hadn¡¯t called me that I might have not been this intrigued by you. Your bluntness and honesty, just made me too engrossed in your inside beauty."


    Xu Mey thought she should have remembered that her Ah-Jie would never condemn her for anything. Even if she stood before him to kill him, he might be the one saying, "Should I help you dig the grave? You won¡¯t have to strain yourself."


    She silently shook her head at this thought. "But is there anything that you regret?" Jie nodded his head. "What is it?" Her interest piqued to know his regrets.


    He rubbed her head lovingly as he said, "I regret not finding you sooner."


    Xu Mey was left dumbstruck. But then again, she should have expected something like this from him. She scrunched up her face in pure irritation and said, "Ah-Jie, can¡¯t you be honest? There must be a lot of other regrets."


    "Baby, I learned a motto from life, it¡¯s better to look back and say, ¡¯Why was I dumb enough to do that?¡¯ rather than saying, ¡¯I wish I did that back then.¡¯ Do you get it? I always act upon what I deem fit. And that leaves no room for regrets." Jie¡¯s words really brought Xu Mey to a new understanding of him and it made her feel blessed all over again.


    "Let me get the fruits for you," he got up to walk inside the house.


    "Ahh!" That shrill scream from behind startled him as he turned back to see Xu Mey clutching her stomach with a pale face. "Ah-Jie, it¡¯s hurting." She barely managed to say as her face was contorted with pain.


    Jie ran up to her side and helped her out the door and into the car which had been on standby these days since it was her ninth month and he didn¡¯t want to risk anything in any way at all. He settled in the backseat holding her close to his chest and cooed, "Hold on, we¡¯ll be right there in a while."


    Although her mind was hazy with the pain that she felt in her stomach, she managed to smile up to him to reassure him. After all, his face was white like a paper sheet which made it seem like he was the one experiencing those contractions.


    "Don¡¯t worry. I can bear this." She breathed out with much difficulty while cold sweat was forming on her forehead.


    Jie wiped her face with a towel and nted a soft kiss on her head saying, "I know. My baby is the strongest. This much pain is nothing to her." But inwardly, he couldn¡¯t possibly control his own thoughts at all. Seeing her like that was really heartbreaking for him.

 Chapter 387 - False Alarm

    It took them twenty minutes to get to the hospital while breaking plenty of traffic rules but at this point, Jie didn¡¯t care at all. He had given his permission to the driver since all that mattered to him was Xu Mey and her safety.


    While Xu Mey was pushed inside the hospital room, Jie had to wait outside. He was pacing back and forth anxiously while trying to peek inside the room. He couldn¡¯t hear a single thing from inside and it made him even more apprehensive and jittery.


    Soon, the doctor came out and informed him, "Mr. Zhu, your wife is fine."


    "She isn¡¯t inbor?" He asked apprehensively.


    The female doctor smiled and shook her head. "No. Not just yet. This was a false rm."


    But Jie¡¯s face didn¡¯t ease up at all as he said, "But her due date has already passed two days ago. What¡¯s taking this long?"


    "This is very normal in pregnancies. You don¡¯t have to worry about it this much. Just take proper care of her." The doctor tried to calm his jittery nerves.


    "Can¡¯t you give her something? She¡¯s already in this much pain. How will she bear with it for any longer?" Jie was scared since this time, Xu Mey¡¯s pale face had really gotten stuck in his mind. He was sure it will haunt him for a long time. Pregnancy sure wasn¡¯t easy but now seeing it with his own eyes, he was even more scared for Xu Mey.


    The doctor stifled herughter as he saw him acting like an impatient person and said, "Mr. Zhu, it¡¯s not in our hands. We can¡¯t possibly hasten this process. Can we now?"


    Jie wanted to argue some more but right at that time, Xu Mey was wheeled out of the room in a wheelchair. Jie immediately went up to her and kneeled down. "Baby, are you okay? Does it still hurt?"


    Xu Mey held his trembling hand and smiled to reassure him. "Ah-Jie, we are fine. Both me and our little bun. Stop being so anxious, it doesn¡¯t suit you at all." Jie didn¡¯t really care at all about his image. Why would he care about a superficial thing like image or reputation when his baby was hurting? And he couldn¡¯t possibly share her pain in any way. This was truly unfair! "And stop arguing with the doctor. She can¡¯t possibly pull this bun out on her own ord."


    "Why not? She¡¯s a doctor. She should be able to do this much." He was being stubborn which was quite rare considering his personality of being rational in every situation. But right now, the matter involved his wife and there was no way that he was nning on being rational.


    Xu Meyughed softly and said, "Ah-Jie, she¡¯s a doctor. Not God. Stop pressurizing her. It¡¯s not her fault that our little bun doesn¡¯t want to part with his mother." She was truly amused to see Jie like this. Who knew this person was capable of acting this cute!


    Jie caressed her protruding belly and said, "This little bun is certainly being naughty then. You better stop hurting my baby." He reprimanded with a lot of care and love in his voice and his eyes. Then he shifted back to the doctor who was smiling up to them and asked, "Are you sure that there is no serious problem?"


    The doctor nodded her head, "I am absolutely sure. Mrs. Zhu, you should follow the exercises that I just told you. It¡¯ll help to ease up your pain and it¡¯ll also help with contractions."


    "Thank you, doctor." Both husband and wife showed their gratitude with a small bow.


    "I guess we should go back home," Jie said as he went behind her to help her with the wheelchair.


    "Ah-Jie, let¡¯s go to a park."


    "Why?"


    "I suddenly want to see those tiny little kids ying around." Seeing her giddy with this idea, he naturally couldn¡¯t refuse. She had weird wishes in these months but he always obliged just to see her smile. Going to a park wasn¡¯t really a big deal at all.


    "Okay. As my wifemands." Xu Mey giggled at his tone since he seemed even suaver than Sabastian while acting like a butler. Her Ah-Jie might not be a devil but he was certainly the man who asked for her heart and she was that foolish girl, who presented it to him.


    But she didn¡¯t even realize that in all of this process, Jie was someone who presented all that he had along with his soul to her without her even asking for it. He was someone who cherished her the most and he was also someone, who nned on being a part of her for the rest of the life toe.


    He loved holding her hand then how could he bear to leave it?

 Chapter 388 - Play A Game

    "Ah-Jie, stop being stubborn. Your meeting in Capital is very important. You should go." Xu Mey had been trying to convince Jie for the past couple of hours who had for once decided to act stubborn and not listen to her at all.


    "I can¡¯t leave you alone in this period," Jie was also insistent since he didn¡¯t have the heart to leave his pregnant wife alone. Especially, when she was already two weekste. It had been worrying him a lot now.


    "Why are you not understanding? I¡¯ve called Li Na and she¡¯s gonna bring a lot of snacks with her. We¡¯ll be having a girls night here. You don¡¯t have to worry." Xu Mey¡¯s patience was running out but this husband of hers was still not beingpliant. How infuriating!


    "Those snacks might not be healthy and I don¡¯t want to risk anything at all," Jie answered without any dy. Trusting his brother¡¯s girl? No way! He could hardly believe that Jun Li Na wasn¡¯t being influenced by Ye Jun. After all, those two were almost stuck together these days.


    Xu Mey rubbed her forehead in exasperation. Why was he acting so clingy? In reality, he wasn¡¯t being clingy and she knew that herself. She had been having a hard time during these extra two weeks and he was scared that the previous ident might have done something. He didn¡¯t want to say it out but in his heart, he was really worried for her.


    Xu Mey took a deep breath and nned to change her tactics. She softened her tone and started again, "Ah-Jie, don¡¯t forget that you¡¯re Zhu Jie now. You can¡¯t disappoint the whole Zhu Family just because of me."


    "Why can¡¯t I? You are my wife and before my image or responsibilities, I need to take care of you. How can I fulfill my responsibilities if my mind would be all over the ce thinking about you?" Jie was also adamant.


    "But Ah-Jie, I¡¯ll be fine. Not only Li Na but also Mi¡¯er, Kim, Ziyi, and Azalea are gonna join me as well. Wouldn¡¯t it be a st? I¡¯ll have a lot of fun with all the girls. Please, go and attend to your business. I promise I¡¯ll contact you if anything seems amiss."


    Jie fell into deep thought. If she wanted to spend time with girls, he couldn¡¯t say no to that. But the capital was 3 hours away! How could he be at ease?


    But her pleading eyes and adorable pout made him lose out. Why did he even expect to have a different oue? He obviously started believing in Ru¡¯s words when she gave him the title of, ¡¯Henpecked Husband¡¯. He was certainly very easy to manipte.


    Jie reluctantly got ready to leave and during that time, his house already had girls roaming around in their onesies. He was bewildered while his mouth twitched. This slumber party was really scaring him for some unknown reason.


    Seeing Azalea in her unicorn onesie, he held in hisughter and tugged at her horn saying, "You better take care of your sister-inw. I won¡¯t go easy on you." His stern and warning voice made her flustered.


    "Jie-Ge, you¡¯re overreacting. I¡¯ll definitely be at my best behavior. I promise I¡¯ll take care of her." She swore in all honesty.


    "Jie bro, I¡¯m a doctor. You can be at ease that your wife is in best hands." Yang Ziyi assured him with a smile but seeing her d in a penguin onesie, he couldn¡¯t bring himself to feel assured at all.


    "Your boyfriend has called you blockhead doctor so many times that even I can¡¯t bring myself to have faith in you." Jie¡¯s words made Yang Ziyi pout in defiance. It was all Wu Wang¡¯s fault for calling her blockhead doctor all the time. She¡¯ll settle scores with that yboy scion!


    "Ah-Jie, you¡¯re gettingte. Go fast ande back faster." Xu Mey was rushing him to leave.


    "Baby, please don¡¯t tire yourself. No need to do anything. Act like Madam Zhu and order everyone around. I¡¯ll be back soon." Xu Mey held in the urge to roll her eyes at him nagging her like a mother and pushed him out the door.


    She heard the bouts ofughter from behind and felt embarrassed to see all her girlfriendsughing at her like this.


    "You both really make one envious." Jun Li Na¡¯s remark got all of the others to nod along in agreement while Xu Mey stayed quiet and sat down since walking was a difficult task these days.


    Soon the atmosphere turned lively with all of them chatting and sharing stories making Xu Meyugh without restraint. She didn¡¯t expect this slumber party with girls to be this interesting. She even got to hear the stories about her best friends that left her wondering if she really knew them.


    "Should we watch movies or y a game?" After dinner, the suggestion was made by one of them.


    "Let¡¯s y a game," Azalea suggested.

 Chapter 389 - Im So Scared

    "What game do you want to y?" Jun Li Na immediately got interested.


    "Monopoly!" Azalea spoke immediately.


    Jun Li Na''s smile stiffened as she red at her. "Meymey hates monopoly."


    "Ha? Why?" Azalea turned to Xu Mey with a confused face.


    "Friendship is questioned when money is involved. And I for one, be a vicious person in monopoly. Let''s not ruin this happy time." Everyoneughed at Xu Mey''s words while Azalea couldn''t find a way to retort at all. "Also, I don''t want my little bun to see his mommy acting like a wild shrew over a few hundred dors." She was talking like the child in her could actually see her right now.


    "I agree. Let''se up with a better game."


    "How about truth or dare?"


    "Nah! That''s too boring."


    "Hey, we can y never have I ever?"


    "I can''t even touch alcohol. What''s the fun without it?" Xu Mey snapped exasperatedly.


    "Let''s build a nket fort?" All heads whipped around to stare at Mi''er who smiled sheepishly and said, "You guys kept saying no. So, I thought to try my luck as well."


    Xu Mey grinned at her saying, "Future sister-inw, I love your idea but I can''t move otherwise I''d love to do exactly that right now." Everyoneughed along and nodded making Mi''erfortable between them.


    "Okay. I have one." When Xu Mey got everyone''s attention, she took a long pause to add dramatic effect and said, "Let''s have a re-run of ck Butler." Seeing everyone''s dumbfounded looks, Xu Mey''s eyes widened and she was gaping in disbelief. "I can''t believe this. Why am I having these girls here if they don''t even know my Sabastian?" She red at everyone clearly in disappointment.


    If Jie had been here, he would have really shaken his head at his wife. She was still stuck in the same ce with her ck Butler obsession. Xu Mey spent the next two hours trying to convince everyone that they are fools for not having a clue about ck Butler. Long story short, she aplished her goal when she made those girls sit before huge tv and watch the dark-themed anime with interest.


    Jie called Xu Mey at midnight to inquire about her situation.


    "Ah-Jie, aren''t you in a meeting? Why are you calling me?"


    "I''m done with the meeting."


    "So soon?"


    "I decided to not waste 3 hours on the road and took my personal chopper."


    Xu Mey was amused to hear his reply. Just to get back to her sooner, he was doing everything possible.


    "How are you feeling?" He asked after a pause.


    "I''m absolutely fine. We had loads of fun talking. Ah-Jie, do you know what we just did?"


    "What?"


    "Hehe... I was just watching ck Butler with the girls." She beamed with happiness at her aplishment while Jie could only shake his head at her. "They were arguing a lot that it has a dark and not so friendly vibe but I eventually managed to convince them otherwise."


    He could feel her sense of aplishment from the happiness in her voice. "Not everyone is easy to manipte like your husband."


    "That''s true." Xu Mey didn''t deny that while walking slowly around the hall. Her contractions had be about 12-14 minutes apart making her clench her jaw in pain. But she was trying hard not to let Jie feel anything amiss.


    "Baby, you should go to sleep now. I''m getting on the chopper and will be with you in no tim-"


    "Ahh!" Xu Mey''s shriek cut him off and he froze still.


    Panic rose within him. "Baby, what''s wrong?"


    "I-I think the bun is ready toe out of the oven..." Cold sweat was trickling on her face while her face was pale. Jie could tell she was in pain. The tremble in her voice was enough to tell him. Yet she was in the mood to joke around?


    "Let me do something." He frantically started moving and called everyone.


    Yang Ziyi was already beside Xu Mey when they heard her scream earlier. As she was done with her checkup she said, "Let''s shift her to the hospital."


    Even Jie heard her voice over the phone and yelled out, "The car is already out. Take my wife to the hospital and let me warn you Ziyi if anything happened to my wife, I''ll-"


    "We''re gettingte. Let''s leave already." Yang Ziyi hung up on him and helped Xu Mey to the car. Who was in the mood to get a scolding? She wasn''t!


    On their 20 minutes ride to the hospital, everyone was feeling nervous and anxious since Xu Mey''s screams were really getting louder and louder. She was getting scared not because of the pain but because she felt like even in the presence of all these girls, she was all alone.


    ''Ah-Jie, I will never force you again. Pleasee back soon. I''m so scared.'' Xu Mey felt like crying at the thought of being alone during this time. She wanted Jie to be right there beside her.

 Chapter 390 - Shock Or Surprise?

    Even after waiting for an hour, they were told, "She¡¯s only five centimeters dted and 80% effaced."


    "She¡¯s in pain. Give her the epidural (injection to reduce the contraction pain) already before her husband murders me." Seeing Yang Ziyi in a cute Onesie, it was really difficult for the female doctor to keep her face straight.


    But she knew how to be professional. "Dr. Yang, she doesn¡¯t want medications. Also, we need to wait until she is 10 centimeters dted and 100% effaced. I don¡¯t think I need to exin any further to you."


    Yang Ziyi cursed her luck since she heard Jie¡¯s hurried footsteps running towards them with a disheveled look.


    "Where is she? How is she?" Jie didn¡¯t bother paying attention to everyone as he was pointed towards a room, he ran inside without dy. There on the bed, seeing Xu Mey¡¯s contorted face made his heart clench in his chest.


    "Ah-Jie..." Xu Mey¡¯s voice was soft, tired but filled with her happiness. It was like she felt rxed at just his sight. That was the effect he had on her.


    Jie paced up to her side and held her hand in his own. Suddenly he felt like his hand was clutched in a vice-like grip but who wasining? He stroked her hair lovingly and said, "Baby, I¡¯m right here with you. I¡¯m not going anywhere. Is it hurting?" Seeing his anxious face, Xu Mey tried to put up a brave front and shook her head. Jie obviously didn¡¯t believe her. "Stop lying."


    She slowly nodded her and managed to say, "It feels like the worst cramps of my life. Attacking me viciously all at once."


    Jie didn¡¯t stop soothing her. "Let¡¯s not have another child."


    "But you wanted a whole football team." She reminded him.


    "Not at the expense of my baby. I¡¯m fine with only one." She seemed like a fragile doll to him at this moment as if she would break at any second. And the idea scared the hell out of him. "Close your eyes and focus on my voice. Okay?"


    "Hmm..." Xu Mey obliged while humming in reply.


    "Do you remember the first day we met?" He asked at the distant memory. She hummed in response again while he continued, "Silly, you don¡¯t remember at all." Xu Mey kept her eyes closed but frowned in confusion. "Or perhaps you didn¡¯t want to acknowledge your Senior Brother." Xu Mey¡¯s eyes shot open. "You only have eyes for that damned Sensei of yours. Why would you remember a side character like me?"


    As his words registered, Xu Mey¡¯s mind reeled back to the memories of her younger self. And as that refreshing and bright young boy¡¯s face resurfaced, Xu Mey was dumbstruck to feel the simrities. The boy who made her realize the value of life and the one whom she trusted with all her heart turned out to be her own husband?


    Her pain was really forgotten while she stared at Jie with happiness bubbling in her eyes in the form of tears.


    "It was you!" This realization alone made her heart to beat vigorously.


    "Took you long enough to recognize me." Jie joked while tapping her nose with his own.


    Their sweet moment was disrupted by the obstetrician who came to administer the epidural but both husband and wife opted for natural birth without the use of any medication. Even though the risks were minimal, Xu Mey didn¡¯t n on taking any risk at all.


    After four excruciatingly long hours ofbor, she was sent to the delivery room. But her grip on Jie¡¯s hand didn¡¯t loosen up at all. In the end, Jie was also led inside on her insistence.


    The pushing was said to be the worst part and Xu Mey honestly couldn¡¯t agree more. She could feel every stretch, pull, and tear. The burning was real and even Jie could feel her pain. It was hard to concentrate on her breathing and she felt like she wouldn¡¯t be able to push anymore. This was it.


    But Jie¡¯s hands stroking her face while humming a soft tune near her ear gave her the courage to keep going.


    "It¡¯sing out. Just another push." The doctor urged and Xu Mey used all her willpower to keep going. Both Jie and Xu Mey stared in bewilderment at the doctor as she said, "Congrattions, it¡¯s a boy."


    Before they could celebrate, Xu Mey felt another wave of pain residing in her stomach and lower back. "Why is it still hurting?" She screamed at the doctor in pain.


    The female doctor smiled up at both the confused husband and wife saying, "Because there is one more toe."


    "What?"


    Both husband and wife were dumbfounded at her reply. What did she just say? Another one? As in twins?


    At the sudden realization, both of their expression shifted as they looked at each other in shock or more like a pleasant surprise.

 Chapter 391 - The Rest Is History

    Being a parent puts one into a whole new world of perspective. It makes everything else disappear or feel not-so-worthy anymore. Holding a tiny baby in your arms is a life-changing experience. A child couldn¡¯t possibly understand the feeling of a parent when they first look at their own child. Ites with a piercing vulnerability and self-doubt. It¡¯s sublime and terrifying.


    It¡¯s terrifying to know that you made that tiny being in your hand and yet you don¡¯t know whether you¡¯ll be able to protect that baby¡¯s innocence in this cruel world. You want to give him wings but still, want to keep him right by your side to protect him.


    Parenthood is a joy one can¡¯t put in words but more than that, it¡¯s a responsibility that is terrifyingly exciting.


    When the nurse passed both their babies wrapped in nkets to Jie and Xu Mey, both husband and wife had yet to ept the fact that they just had twins.


    "How?" Jie couldn¡¯t help asking as he looked at the doctor. They asked to conceal the gender, but they never asked about this at all.


    "Your daughter¡¯s heartbeat was weak and we couldn¡¯t trace it in the first appointment but when we did, your parents asked us to hide it. They wanted to give you both a beautiful surprise." The doctor¡¯s words made both of them understand the situation.


    Jie looked at his little boy and little girl. His face beamed with a sense of pride. He gazed lovingly at the tired Xu Mey and brought the kids close to her.


    "Hi, babies! Wee to this wicked world!" Xu Mey cooed in their ears while touching their faces and tears had brimmed up in her eyes. "They both look adorable."


    "They do." Jie agreed with her.


    Soon, the mother and kids were shifted to the other room where a long line was formed just to see the newborns. If the hospital didn¡¯t belong to Lin Shen¡¯s family, it was certain that all of them would have been kicked out. Seeing such a huge family was already surprising for the staff.


    "Oh my gosh! This little girl came as such a surprise."


    "She has Jie-Ge¡¯s eyes."


    "Oh, our little champ¡¯s eyes are also like his father."


    "Aiyo, they are so adorable that I want to eat them. Ow!" Yang Ziyi scowled at Wu Wang who pped her head.


    "My dear girlfriend, don¡¯t even dare think about eating my precious niece and nephew."


    She stuck her tongue at him saying, "I didn¡¯t mean it literally. You idiot!"


    "Haha... Stop it guys. Hey, son, have you guyse up with names?" He Susu looked eagerly at her son and daughter-inw.


    Xu Mey held her son and proudly said, "He is Bao. Zhu Bao."


    "Bao as in?"


    "Bao as in precious. Because he is my little precious one."


    "What about our little princess?"


    Xu Mey looked at Jie who smiled and looked at his small daughter who weighed like nothing in his hands. Especially since she was weaker than her brother. "She is our Zhu Juan. Juan for beautiful and graceful. The beauty of our life." His indulgent expression could make anyone feel the love he was feeling within.


    "I love the names. Now, give me my grandson and granddaughter." Both Fan Bingbing and He Susu took the role of grandmothers who were eager to hold the newborns.


    The hospital rooms that are associated with mncholy and coldness, today that room was filled withughter and life. One could feel the love in the air. Every adult was acting like a kid who was eager to get hold of two living dolls.


    Jie sat beside Xu Mey on her bed, letting her lean her head on his shoulder as he held her hand in his own. Both kept their eyes on the beautiful scene ying before them. Even as parents they weren¡¯t acting as excitingly as the rest of people were.


    One thing was sure; these two were born between a love that was unexinable. They had so many people at their beck and call right after opening their eyes.


    If a single child brings a million smiles, their twins brought a billion smiles along with them.


    "Ah-Jie, don¡¯t they all look like kids right now fighting for their new toy?"


    "Let¡¯s hope they don¡¯t really get into a brawl over these new ¡¯toys¡¯." Jieughed along.


    "Ah-Jie, we¡¯ll be good parents, right?" Xu Mey looked at him hopefully.


    Jie gave her a smile of reassurance and said, "I don¡¯t know. I do know that there will be hard moments, frustrating ones and even one of those challenging ones. But amid all of that, we¡¯ll be able to grow along with our kids and learn to feel the joy and satisfaction of even those frustrating moments. So, let¡¯s not be good parents. Let¡¯s do our best instead."


    "Where are we going from here?" She asked after a brief pause.


    "Will you hold my hand?" He asked.


    "For the rest of my life." She answered.


    "Then the rest is just history..." He smiled back at her with love and contentment. In that one gaze was Xu Mey¡¯s whole world. He was right. As long as they were together. The rest won¡¯t matter because eventually, everything else will just be history.

 Chapter 392 - Action Time

    A rtionship has a ¡¯ship¡¯ in it. Have you ever wondered why?


    Because two people have to board that ship together and even through storms, they have to make sure that any external storm doesn¡¯t get to tear them down. Marriage is also a ship where when we encounter a storm, we can¡¯t just abandon the ship. And the storm in marriage is often spelled T-I-M-E.


    In a way, time is a challenge in married life.


    In their nine years of marriage, Xu Mey and Jie also faced that challenge of time. Both had their own professional responsibilities that made them stay often apart. And other factors were their respective families.


    Jie now being the head of the Zhu Family, had a lot of responsibilities. While Xu Mey had to find time for all her friends and her own father and brother. It was a huge relief that her inws weren¡¯t very demanding and also Jie was the one helping her with Zhu Family¡¯s matters. The rest of the time that they had, they¡¯d end up spending it with their kids which was necessary. Their kids had be a priority they couldn¡¯t deny.


    The biggest challenge was finding time for each other. A time where they were all alone in thepany of each other and lost in each other.


    <strong><i> *Eight Years Later* </i></strong>


    Sitting in a dimly lit restaurant, Jie¡¯s eyes were staring at his wife who was so engrossed in the menu that it was agitating. In such a romantic restaurant, she had the heart to look at the menu like it was more important than the handsome husband asking for her attention. But he wasn¡¯t receiving any from his heartless wife.


    They had fixed a day for a date once a week. Even though life was hard but there was no doubt that their love was sweet. Sweeter than it had ever been. But even after all these years, if one asked both of them ¡¯What marriage is?¡¯ they definitely wouldn¡¯t be able to answer that. Because for them, they were still treading through this journey called marriage.


    And this journey had its ups and downs. It had all the happiness but it had a variety of sadness as well. But it was their journey, how could it not be worthwhile?


    "Baby, is the menu more important or your husband?" Jie finally questioned as he was really tired of Xu Mey¡¯s behavior.


    "Ah-Jie, right now this menu is really important," was Xu Mey¡¯s reply.


    "We are out on a date after a month. First, I was on a business trip then you had to leave for a while. We are only getting this time to spend with each other, and you¡¯re telling me that this menu is more important than spending this time with your husband?" Jie felt hurt and disappointed. He was so looking forward to tonight.


    "Even Little Juan and Little Bao don¡¯t act as needy as you¡¯re right now," Xu Mey scowled at him and shifted her eyes back to the menu in her hand.


    Jie leaned back in his chair and crossed his hands over his chest. Seeing how she was still ignoring him, he said, "If you kept up this act, I¡¯m gonna... Find a girlfriend for myself."


    Xu Mey lifted her eyes slightly and said, "Don¡¯t forget you have a wife and two 8 years old kids."


    "So?" Jie replied nonchntly. "I¡¯m thinking of keeping a girlfriend, not a mistress."


    "Is there a difference?" She asked curiously.


    "Of course, girlfriends like to go on dates. Mistress¡¯ loves to splurge your money and climb your bed. I only need a girlfriend to apany me on dates. I don¡¯t have the money to waste on keeping a mistress." Jie borated matter-of-factly. His boration was quite peculiar.


    "Girls don¡¯t date married men," said Xu Mey.


    Jie snickered as he said, "Aiyo, my baby is so innocent. Don¡¯t you know it¡¯s a trend to date married and mature men? And your husband is still charming and handsome enough to get a bunch of girlfriends."


    "Go ahead and find that girlfriend then, stop disturbing me."


    Jie stood up from his chair and gritted out, "Don¡¯t regret itter on."


    Xu Mey didn¡¯t even spare him a nce and said, "I won¡¯t."


    Jie clenched his fists and stared at her head but she didn¡¯t even flinch under his gaze. Taking a deep breath, he walked off saying, "I¡¯m gonna find a hot girlfriend to burn you with jealousy."


    Xu Mey didn¡¯t pay attention to his so-called threats of finding a girlfriend. One might call her too arrogant for thinking that Jie won¡¯t love anyone else. But indeed, she was certain that her Jie was only gonna be hers at all costs. No one was there who could snatch him from her.


    So, with ease, she ordered food for both of them. But even when the food was served after 10 minutes, Jie was nowhere to be found. Her brows knitted together as she patiently waited for him.


    However, being Xu Mey how patient could she possibly be? Well, let me tell you, she wasn¡¯t very patient as she shot up from her chair and walked around the restaurant to find Jie. When she did found him, she was infuriated to see the scene ying out before her very eyes.


    Jie was standing beside a very hot girl in a skimpy dress sitting at the barstool. Her hair was sprawled over her one shoulder while there was a huge cleavage on disy.


    "Why don¡¯t you take a seat? I¡¯ll buy you a drink," the girl offered with a smile on her red lips. She looked young as in her mid-twenties and her young beauty could be easily seen on her bright and beautiful face.


    Jie chuckled lightly and said, "I can¡¯t let such a pretty young woman buy a drink for myself. Instead, I should be the one paying."


    Xu Mey¡¯s mouth opened wide. Her husband was gonna buy a drink for another woman? Why don¡¯t I just strangle you before that?! Xu Mey rolled up her non-existent sleeves and flipped her hair back saying, "It¡¯s action time! Let¡¯s see how you hit on MY husband!"

 Chapter 393 - Me Too

    Christopher Morley once said, <i> ¡¯A man who has never made a woman angry is a failure in life.¡¯ </i>


    Well, in Jie¡¯s case, he¡¯d appreciate it if his wife would never get angry. Because an angry Xu Mey was a dangerous zone. Women are never good at hiding their anger and Xu Mey wasn¡¯t any better. Especially when the anger was directed towards their own partners.


    With her hands on her hips, Xu Mey stood at Jie¡¯s side and red at the woman angrily with hatred visible on her face. Noticing Xu Mey¡¯s presence, Jie smiled at her and asked, "Baby, what are you doing here? I was just about toe. Oh, meet..."


    His words were cut off when Xu Mey raised her hand to stop him from saying another word. Jie gulped to see the dangerous look in her eyes and stayed quiet.


    "You stay quiet..." Xu Mey¡¯s voice was dangerously and maliciously low. Then she turned to the woman and said, "And you! How dare you hit on my husband?" Jie¡¯s eyes widened in shock as he heard her insinuation and looked at the woman while he mouthed a ¡¯sorry¡¯ to her.


    Meanwhile, the woman was unruffled as she stood up and faced Xu Mey saying, "Why can¡¯t I? He seems like good boyfriend material."


    Xu Mey held her wrist in a tight grip making her pretty face to distort in pain. "He¡¯s a good boyfriend material but he¡¯s only my good material. And he¡¯ll stay like that even if he doesn¡¯t want to."


    Trying to ignore the pain in her wrist, the woman spoke again, "You¡¯re willing to force your love on him?"


    "Yes, I am!" replied Xu Mey while letting her wrist free. "He¡¯s my husband and there is nothing wrong with the fact that I love him very much."


    Before the woman could say anything, a manly arm wrapped around her shoulder and Xu Mey heard a familiar voice, "Sorry, Ron. The call took longer than I thought it¡¯d." Xu Mey looked at the familiar face of her new coboration partner, Mr. Qi and had a weird look on her face. "Oh, Mrs. Zhu is here. Rourou, did you offer Mr. and Mrs. drinks?"


    The woman named Ron smiled mysteriously as she looked at Xu Mey and said, "I offered the drink to Mr. Zhu but Mrs. Zhu didn¡¯t like my gesture."


    Xu Mey closed her eyes at the realization that she had misunderstood the whole situation. Argh! Why was she turned into an idiot when it came to Jie? She wasn¡¯t in her impulsive lovestruck twenties anymore. For goodness sake, she was in her responsible thirties now!


    But her responsible self was thrown out the window whenever Jie was involved.


    "Mr. Qi, this is your..." Xu Mey voiced out looking at Ron inquisitively.


    "She¡¯s my fiancee. We are getting married next month. Didn¡¯t I tell you?" Mr. Qi looked really happy talking about his marriage with the love of his life and it made Xu Mey feel guilty even more. "I¡¯m sorry for keeping your husband for so long. It¡¯s my fault that I was curious about a lot of things. Hope Mrs. Zhu won¡¯t mind."


    Xu Mey turned her head to look at Jie¡¯s amused look and scowled. "No, I don¡¯t mind." Then she looked at Ron and said, "I¡¯m sorry for earlier... It was a misunderstanding."


    Mr. Qi gave a confused look and Ron shook her head to not let him worry.


    Ronughed out happily as she pulled Xu Mey to aside and said, "I don¡¯t mind. I can understand your feelings but I¡¯m curious about something. Why did you assume that I was hitting on your husband? It could be the other way around."


    Xu Mey shook her head saying, "My Ah-Jie can only talk big. He can never flirt with anyone besides me."


    "Is that your love for him talking?" She asked.


    "No. It¡¯s my trust in our love talking. Besides, I can imagine myself wavering in this love, not him. I often forget to tell him that I love him, but he never does. If not with words, his eyes are enough to remind me that he is the one who loves me with all his heart."


    Ron smiled at her said and rubbed her sore wrist as she said, "I¡¯ll remember your words. Hope it¡¯ll help with my married life. Oddly, he said the same things about you." Xu Mey surprised to hear her words.


    As both Xu Mey and Jie walked back to their table, Jie said, "I didn¡¯t know you¡¯re this insecure. So much for having faith in our love."


    Xu Mey pointed at him and said, "You don¡¯t even dare talk. How can you stay quiet there? You could have stopped me! I embarrassed myself."


    "I tried introducing but you told me not to talk," replied Jie innocently.


    As they came to their separate dining area, Jie hugged her shoulders from behind and said, "Did you really think I¡¯ll hit on someone?"


    "No. But I can¡¯t keep an eye on all those girls. I trust you but how should I trust that those girls won¡¯t hit on you?"


    Jie kissed the side of her neck and said, "My silly baby, I love you. I adore your crazy, gorgeous, wonderful but slightly weird self. Or a whole package of your weird self. Because you¡¯re lovely to me in any way. My perfect life partner, and my kids¡¯ perfect mother!"


    Xu Mey smiled at his words and said, "But you¡¯re still a man. What if you really wavered before those young girls. After all, I¡¯m getting old now."


    Jie bit her ear making her yelp as he said, "I¡¯d still love my wrinkly wife."


    Xu Mey gasped at his response and hit his arms. "How can you point out your wife¡¯s wrinkles so easily? Besides, I don¡¯t have that many." She spoke touching her face cautiously.


    "Because I am your husband who is supposed to love you in any way. Besides, do you know why we are still a power couple after so many years?"


    "How?"


    "Because your Ah-Jie has a habit... Whenever I see you, I fall in love with you all over again. It seems like every day is new day for our love. So, if our love is not getting old, how can we?"


    Xu Mey leaned back in his embrace and said, "Me too."


    "That I know," he replied and received another hit on his arm from her.

 Chapter 394 - Art Of Seduction

    Xu Mey and Jie finally managed to have their romantic dinner in silence, lost within each other. The moment seemed so perfect that none of them wanted to leave but they had to go back home eventually.


    "What were you talking about with Mr. Qi that took this long?"


    As their house got nearer, Xu Mey suddenly recalled how Jie was missing for quite a while. Not that she had forgotten about it at all.


    "Hmm... He asked how was I sure that you¡¯re the one for me. Wasn¡¯t I ever confused? Or did I never second guess my decision of marrying you? I guess he was really nervous about his own marriage." Jie spoke while entering through their residential area¡¯s main gate.


    Xu Mey looked at him in surprise and asked, "What did you say?"


    Jie gave her a fleeting nce before focusing his eyes back on the road and smiled, "I said I never had to second guess."


    "Really?"


    Jie nodded in response. "Indeed. I never had to second guess."


    "Why?"


    Jie parked the car in the garage and turned his face to look at Xu Mey saying, "Because I never asked myself if you¡¯re the one. My question after seeing you was... Is she the woman I¡¯d like toe back home to? And that way I found my answer very easily. Because having a weird and badass wife... Hmm... The idea was too enticing for me to let it pass."


    Jie was taken aback when Xu Mey unbuckled her seat belt and leaned forward towards him. He thought she was hit him but her warm breath hit close to his ear and then a humming sound could be heard. A smile crept up to his lips as her hot breath hit his neck. And then her soft lips were felt on the side of his neck making him close his eyes.


    Xu Mey slowly leaned over her body and sat right on his legs. Using her one hand, she pushed his seat back. All this while, the tender brushes of her lips against his neck had turned into harder and more urgent kisses which he couldn¡¯t resist at all.


    Jie held her face in his hands to gaze into her eyes. Even after years, everything was written in their eyes, from their chemistry to their need for each other. Everything wasid bare in that one look.


    Unable to hold himself back anymore, Jie held her head and pulled her in for a fiery and passionate kiss. Her hands worked their way around his body as she unbuttoned the top buttons of his shirt to get a clear view of his taut chest.


    As she pulled away from his lips, she found her way back to his neck. Even when she knew that she was ying with fire. Her single touch was enough to set him on fire but she was being a temptress for a change, to tease him.


    Jie saw her lowering her head to bite, suck and kiss the same spot right on his chest. The look in his eyes didn¡¯t change. He still held the same wonder, love, adoration, and passion for her as he used to.


    With her being the naughty seductress, his little resistance was crumbling down slowly as he lifted his hands to explore the curves of her body with curiosity as if it was his very first venture through the curves of her body. Even though her body was etched in his mind like a fantasy that he couldn¡¯t let go of.


    "Does your home still belongs with me, Ah-Jie?" Xu Mey¡¯s voice was just above a whisper and in this closed space of the car, Jie was definitely losing his senses with the sound of her voice.


    He pulled her body closer and captured her lips in a demanding kiss which showed how much his desire had taken over his senses now. "Mey," he whispered her name softly, prolonging each letter as if to savor the moment. Brushing her hair away from her face, he kissed her cheek and said, "I told you plenty of times. You¡¯ve be my whole world. You¡¯re not just me home anymore, you¡¯re my everything."


    Xu Mey smiled against his lips as they looked at each other with a longing gaze. Leaning against his masculine body, she was losing her resolve which initiated this seduction in the first ce. Without even a word, he had managed to make her feel like she wasying naked on his body.


    He held her hand in his own and brought it up to brush his lips against her knuckles as he said, "Shall we take this to our room?"


    Xu Mey smiled mischievously but still nodded. As they entered the house, the lights were turned off. It was past 10 at night. So, they assumed that everyone had gone to bed already. Much to Jie¡¯s relief.


    Following that, just as Jie was about to enter his room behind Xu Mey, she pushed him out with a smile saying, "Do you think I¡¯ll forget that you made me wait for 20 minutes at the restaurant?"


    Jie¡¯s mouth opened wide as he said, "Baby, you can¡¯t hold that grudge."


    "Why can¡¯t I?" Xu Mey retorted. "You think your sweet words are enough?"


    Jie stepped ahead and said, "Then let me try other ways topensate you."


    Xu Mey pushed him back with her index finger on his chest. "Not happening." She mmed the door at his face making him take a step back.


    Jie leaned his head against the bedroom door and knocked, "Baby, you can¡¯t be this evil and heartless. First, you seduced me and now, you¡¯re leaving me alone? What kind of justice is this?" He knew that the art of seduction was not gonna end well. He had the premonition and yet he let himself fall under her spell. And now, he was left bewitched and bothered for the night.


    After a while, he heard a click and looked up eagerly but was pped with his night clothes as Xu Mey said, "Are you feeling lonely?" Jie nodded his head in response. "A. Then you shouldn¡¯t mess with your wife again. Have a good night, husband!"


    The door was locked again while Jie crumbled the clothes in his hands in frustration. He was the biggest idiot who was easily seduced by even her eyes or her scent. Oh, this night was gonna be a long and lonely one. He ruffled his own hair while looking at the closed door of his bedroom with dejection.


    Her evil mind must have nned this from the start. To seduce him to the point of no return and then shunning him like this all alone. Oh, I¡¯ll have my revenge as well. I won¡¯t forget this!

 Chapter 395 - Cruelest Wife

    Jie had to take a shower in the guest room but he couldn¡¯t do anything about it. Even standing under the showerhead, his mind was wandering off to his wife. "Argh! She¡¯s a hot mess. Emphasis on the hot part since she loves to make a mess out of me!" He ran his fingers through his hair exasperatedly.


    Coming out of the room with a towel around his neck, Jie checked the door of his bedroom again. But finding it still locked, he sighed out, "I have the cruelest wife in the world."


    "And you still love her..."


    Jie was startled as he heard that voice and turned around with a hand over his chest. Looking at that little boy that reached his waist, he said, "For goodness sake, Bao! You scared the living daylight out of me."


    The little boy, Zhu Bao shrugged his shoulders indifferently and turned around to walk towards the kitchen. Jie followed behind him and seeing his usual straight face, he asked, "Son, why are you awake at midnight?"


    Zhu Bao poured himself a ss of orange juice and turned to face his father. "You can remember that my mother hates sesame powder even at the most unexpected of moments but you can¡¯t even remember that your son has a habit of waking up in the middle of the night?"


    That was a tant taunt at Jie¡¯s ego which made him purse his lips. Aiyo! It was difficult to argue with his own son. Using his arms, Zhu Bao sat down at the breakfast counter and looked at his father curiously. "Did mom kick you out again?"


    Jie who was gonna drink some water, paused in his action and said, "What nonsense are you talking about? I just came out for some fresh air."


    "I feel bad saying this but... I pity you, dad." Jie was left speechless at his son¡¯s words but Zhu Bao was his own son, how could he be done so easily? "Be strong, dad. As they say, men should be like coffee, hot sweet and strong!"


    Jie¡¯s mouth opened wide as he stared at his son who wasnguidly drinking the juice. "Where did you learn that?"


    Zhu Bao wiped his face with the back of his hand and said, "It¡¯s a famous Dutch proverb, haven¡¯t you heard it?"


    "No, I have not! And you should not too!" replied Jie with aplicated look before saying, "Your mom loves you a lot, why don¡¯t you ask her to open the door for me?"


    Zhu Bao jumped down and stood close to Jie. He beckoned Jie to lower down and Jie had to hunch over to match his height. He wrapped his arms around his father¡¯s neck and said, "I can only provide you with moral support. Because a man should never involve a third person in an argument, in business, and in a marriage. It has brutal consequences."


    Jie¡¯s face twitched as he heard him say all that. He held him in his arms and stood up straight. "Where do you evene up with all this?"


    "Oh, this one I learned from Ruru," he answered matter-of-factly as if Jie was supposed to know about this.


    "Your godmother is up to no good as expected of her. Why is she teaching so much nonsense to my son?"


    Zhu Bao narrowed his eyes at his father and warned, "My Ruru is never wrong. So, dad, mind your words."


    "Son, you¡¯re too young for this conversation," Jie tried to stir him away from the anger. Since Jie was aware that his son¡¯s sore spot was his godmother a.k.a Jie¡¯s best friend/cousin, Ru. How could it not be like that? It was already an established fact that even though Zhu Bao was the young prince of the Zhu family. Ru was still the person who pampered him the most.


    "Dad, Ruru also said, the most childish of people are those who bring up your age to end an argument. Age has nothing to do with intelligence or knowledge. Everything begins with perception and will."


    Jie heaved a long sigh and walked towards Zhu Bao¡¯s room without a word. It was safe to say that even at the age of 8, his son had the ability to make him think twice. Zhu Bao wasn¡¯t like him, he had his brown eyes but that¡¯s all. He wasn¡¯t like his mother either. His temperament waspletely different from others.


    And when Zhu Bao¡¯s first words were Ru¡¯s name, Jie had figured that his son was gonna be a masterpiece. Now, there was no doubt left. Zhu Bao was a genius even in school. The only problem was that he didn¡¯t have many expressions. He either didn¡¯t talk or if he did, then he¡¯d never give the other person a chance to talk.


    Jie tucked him in his bed and sat beside him when he heard Zhu Bao¡¯s voice, "You can sleep with me if you want." Jie smiled at his offer andid down beside him. "Dad..."


    "Hmm..."


    "Why do you always lose when ites to mom?"


    Jie stroked his head gently and said, "Because... I can either keep my pride or my love. Somehow, I end up choosing love every single time. Or I guess I¡¯m too afraid to lose your mother."


    Jie hugged him and sighed. He knew his son was the sensitive one even though he acted like a strong person. But Zhu Bao felt everything stronger than others. He could observe people so well, that it was envious. And yet his sensitivity was the reason he was bing distant from the world.


    "Don¡¯t you ever get angry? I mean mom is always willful, doesn¡¯t that ever annoy you?" Zhu Bao asked again keeping his head on his father¡¯s arm.


    "She gave me the biggest gifts of my life in the form of you and my princess. How can I dare say anything to her?"


    Zhu Bao¡¯s lips curled up slightly at his reply. As they both just closed their eyes, the adjoined door in Zhu Bao¡¯s room was pushed open and a little girl in her purple pajamas stood there with a scowl.


    "Bro, how can you steal my dad while I was asleep?" She came around the bed andid down on Jie¡¯s other side while pushing Zhu Bao¡¯s hand away.


    "Don¡¯t make a scene in the middle of the night," was Zhu Bao¡¯s reply while he ced his hand back on Jie¡¯s shoulder.


    Jie chuckled at their banter and hugged them both saying, "My little prince and princess, let¡¯s just sleep now. Dad is really tired."


    He felt so rxed and happy that he couldn¡¯t put his happiness in words. Both his kids were hugging him to sleep. The night that was supposed to be lonely turned into a beautiful one. Ah! But his wife was still missing.

 Chapter 396 - Perfect Little Family

    Every morning is said to be beautiful when you open your eyes to see your beloved right by your side. But what could be even more beautiful than that?


    Xu Mey found the answer to that as she walked inside her son¡¯s room to find her husband being squished between their twins. As always, Little Juan had her head on her father¡¯s chest. From a young age, Jie¡¯s heartbeat had been her perfect luby. She would always stop crying in her father¡¯s arms.


    It wasn¡¯t weird that a daughter had found her protection in her father¡¯s arms. As for Little Bao, he was holding Jie¡¯s finger tightly in his fists as per his habit. Xu Mey¡¯s father told her that it was Little Bao¡¯s unconditional trust in his father. That little one didn¡¯t like using his words from a young age but he would show his trust and support like this.


    Xu Mey was in awe as she stared a while longer at her perfect little family. She didn¡¯t even know why tears had pooled in her eyes but she was really overwhelmed to see this peaceful scene. Holding her tears back, she went back to her room and came back with her cellphone.


    Keeping her tears from falling, she clicked a couple of photos and gushed over how cute her family was. She even took a selfie to add herself to this beautiful family.


    She opened the group chat and sent the photos with a caption, "Look what I woke up to. Don¡¯t I have the most adorable family in the world?"


    She dropped her phone in the front pocket of her apron and took a long and deep breath before putting on a front of a stern mother.


    She picked up the rm clock and red its annoying sound close to the sleeping trio as she shouted, "How long are youzy people gonna sleep for? The sun is at its peak already. Get out of bed."


    Jie was the first one to open his eyes as he rubbed his ear to stop that irksome sound from entering his ears. As he sat up, both Little Bao and Little Juan also got up. Little Bao was rubbing his eyes adorably as he always did while Little Juan was staring at her mother with a narrowed gaze.


    Pulling off the duvet, Little Juan stood up on the bed to match her mother¡¯s height and said, "Mom," her voice was sickly sweet before it changed into a low whisper, "Find a new way to wake people up. You don¡¯t always have to ruin my morning with that irritating sound. It¡¯s getting old now."


    Patting her mother¡¯s shoulder, she sat back on the bed and leaned in her father¡¯s arms saying, "Look, Dad, it¡¯s Saturday and your wife hase to spoil my beauty sleep again. This is not fair!"


    Jie smiled at her and rubbed her head saying, "She¡¯s not just my wife, she¡¯s your mother as well."


    Little Bao gave his father a hug and got off the bed to give his mother a hug. Even though he didn¡¯t say a word, his embrace was enough to show his emotions. Before turning towards the bathroom, he looked at his sister and said, "Juanjuan, is it necessary to always call mom as dad¡¯s wife when you¡¯re angry with her? That¡¯s also getting old."


    Little Juan pointed at her brother and shouted, "Bro, you can¡¯t do this! I¡¯m your only sister, you better be on my side. It¡¯s my birthright."


    Little Bao didn¡¯t look back at her and went to freshen up. As for Little Juan, she crossed her arms over her chest and pouted.


    "My drama queen, stop brooding. If you frown like this, you¡¯ll get wrinkles at an early age." Xu Mey shook Little Juan gently with affection.


    Little Juan touched her face and looked at Xu Mey. "Mom, will I really get wrinkles?" Xu Mey nodded with a sad look as if it really was a pity. "No, no. Juan can¡¯t have any wrinkles. I¡¯m gonna go check in the mirror." She ran off to the door that connected to her room.


    "Lying to your own daughter? Isn¡¯t that bad parenting?" Jie¡¯s voice broke Xu Mey¡¯s amused look.


    She stared at Jie and said, "Who lied? I was merely stating a fact." As she saw Jie rolling his eyes at her, she added, "By the way, I asked you to sleep in the guest room. How did youe here?"


    Jie got up to hug her shoulders from behind and said, "I missed you so much that I couldn¡¯t sleep."


    "It didn¡¯t seem like it," Xu Mey spoke in derision.


    "That¡¯s why I came here," Jie¡¯s word made Xu Mey curious as she waited for him to continue, "Since kids are said to be a reflection of their parents. I came here to find your vibes in our kids. That¡¯s the only reason why I was sleeping so peacefully."


    Although Xu Mey knew he was lying, she still couldn¡¯t say anything. His excuse was really amusing. And in a way, she was fine with it as she leaned back in his arms and asked, "Did they disturb you?"


    "We have the best kids in the world. Just like their mother, they never disturb me at all," said Jie.


    Xu Mey tilted her head to look at him and said, "You¡¯re right, they don¡¯t have to be a handful for you. I¡¯m alone a handful enough for you."


    Xu Mey elbowed him before getting out of his arms and added, "Freshen up. Azalea ising today and you have to pick her from the airport as well."


    "Oh... I totally forgot about that. But I think I don¡¯t have to pick her up," said Jie.


    "Why not?"


    Jie wiggled his brows at her and said, "Because she already has someone who will be waiting for her for hours by now. I¡¯m afraid, he might have camped out at the airport for her."


    Xu Mey pped Jie¡¯s arm and said, "Aren¡¯t you amused by that? That¡¯s called love which has given him the strength to wait for hours withoutining. Unlike you who is always impatient."


    As she left him baffled, he whispered, "What did I do now? Why am I the wrong one again?"

 Chapter 397 - Friends Chat Group

    After Xu Mey managed to wake everyone up, she went back to the kitchen and asked the helper to serve the breakfast while she herself pulled out her cellphone which had been vibrating persistently for a while. She sat down at the chair and was surprised to see that the group chat hade alive because of her one photo.


    She scrolled to the top of the conversation and started reading...


    Wu Wang: "Do you have to show off early in the morning?"


    Li Qiao: "Wang, our Mey is not showing off. She¡¯s shoving her perfect family at our face."


    Lin Shen: "Will you both stop it?"


    He Jian: "Is it just me or our little princess and champ are really growing up fast?"


    With only one sentence He Jian managed to alter the whole direction of the conversation making Xu Meyugh out as they continued bickering...


    Wu Wang: "Now that Jian has mentioned... I should get my baseball bat ready."


    Li Qiao: "What for?"


    Wu Wang: "Obviously, to ward off stupid boys from around our little princess. Duh! I should even teach my Niu how to fight."


    Lin Shen: "She¡¯s still too young for that. And besides, Wang, your son is only five. Stop teaching him unnecessary things. No wonder Ziyi doesn¡¯t let you spoil him."


    Wu Wang: "Shen Shen, you don¡¯t know anything. yboys can do anything."


    He Jian: "Of course and our experienced yboy would know it better than all of us."


    Xu Mey pursed her lips before she burst outughing at how He Jian taunted Wu Wang. She finally joined the conversation as she typed, "Ouch! That was a direct shot at Wang Ge¡¯s pride and his dark past."


    Wu Wang: "Oh look, my show off queen finally joined the conversation after feeding me with dog food for the whole day."


    Xu Mey: "A! Wang Ge, why are you jealous? You also have a cute little boy."


    Wu Wang: "I¡¯m not jealous of you. It¡¯s your husband¡¯s bond with his kids that¡¯s making my heart burn."


    Xu Mey could feel Wu Wang¡¯s resentment through his text. But then again, the bond between her Ah-Jie and her kids was no joke. At times, even she was jealous of it. It wouldn¡¯t be wrong to say that Jie was a natural when it came to raising kids. He made it seem so effortless that she often teased him as being a father material.


    Xu Mey: "Wang Ge, where is your wife?"


    Wu Wang: "Ziyi went to the hospital. Some urgent surgery came up."


    Li Qiao: "That exins why our Wang has the time to chat."


    Wu Wang: "What do you mean? I¡¯m not like you who forgets friends whenever Kim is around."


    Lin Shen: "Ignore these jerks, Meymey. I heard there is a talentpetition at Bao and Juan¡¯s school. My little Song told me about it."


    Since Lin Shen¡¯s daughter, Lin Song was only a year younger than Bao and Juan, she was quite close to the twins. Also, they all went to the same school. So, it wasn¡¯t surprising for Xu Mey that Lin Shen knew about the talentpetition.


    Xu Mey: "Yes. It¡¯s next week."


    He Jian: "Send the date. I need to clear my schedule."


    Li Qiao: "Me too."


    Wu Wang: "Don¡¯t forget me."


    Xu Mey smiled at their enthusiasm and said, "Only Juan is participating and if I told the school that my whole family is joining, I¡¯m afraid the school auditorium might not be able to amodate us."


    Wu Wang: *Shocked emoji* "Xiao Mey, you don¡¯t want your brothers toe? How mean of you!"


    He Jian: "Even if our Mey doesn¡¯t want us to join, we¡¯ll still be there. How is it possible that our family¡¯s drama queen is participating and her uncles are not there to cheer for her?"


    Lin Shen: "I¡¯m afraid our drama queen won¡¯t even let us live if we didn¡¯t show up."


    Xu Mey: "Brothers, now you¡¯re talking about my daughter as if she¡¯s a monster."


    Li Qiao: "Not sure if she¡¯s a monster or not. But trust me, I¡¯m not even that scared of my wife as I am of your daughter."


    Right at this time, Jie entered the dining room with Little Juan on his back. Seeing her mother¡¯s eyes glued on the cellphone, she got off her father¡¯s back and went up to Xu Mey.


    "Mom, are you talking to uncles?" Looking at her curious eyes, Xu Mey nodded. "Good," saying that Little Juan directly snatched the cellphone from her mother and recorded a voice message, "Dear Uncles, you better be there for Juan¡¯s talentpetition performance. Otherwise, Juan will be upset and if Juan cried... Then you know what will happen."


    Xu Mey looked at Jie as she heard her daughter¡¯s overbearing words but obviously Jie didn¡¯t stop her. Why would he? He finally had someone who could control Xu Mey¡¯s friends. And that was a blessing he couldn¡¯t thank for enough.


    Soon, Xu Mey¡¯s phone rang and she picked up the group call, she heard He Jian¡¯s voice, "Our little precious niece doesn¡¯t have to worry at all. Uncle will be there."


    "My baby niece, I still value my life. I¡¯m already clearing my schedule for the whole week. I¡¯ll be there even if the sky falls," was Wu Wang¡¯s earnest reply.


    As she heard these words, Little Juan gave a smug smile and nodded in satisfaction as she said, "Juan likes the sound of that very much."


    "Stop bullying early in the morning, little sister," came Little Bao¡¯s serious voice as he took his seat at the dining table.


    "When did I bully?" Juan retorted innocently. When Bao gave her a pointed look, she added, "Nevermind."


    "Our little master, why aren¡¯t you participating? Even Little Song is gonna perform," came Li Qiao¡¯s voice from the phone.


    Bao reached out his hands to pick up his ss of milk and replied in a sophisticated and yet bored manner, "That¡¯s a childishpetition. It isn¡¯t suitable for a mature kid like myself."


    Everyone had a moment of silence before Lin Shen spoke, "But our little master can dazzle the world with his talents through thispetition."


    Bao was still unruffled as he looked at his father who had a hunch what his son was about to say. And precisely that¡¯s what Bao said, "Do I, Zhu Bao have to prove my talent to others? Others¡¯ opinions of me are of no concern."


    Everyone except Jie: "..."


    This kid really had something against the norms. He never acted like a typical kid. It seemed he really managed to inherit his parents¡¯ shrewdness and maturity. The only problem was... He picked up these habits too soon for his age.

 Chapter 398 - Uncle J

    The silence that Bao¡¯s words brought was only broken when Juan clicked her tongue and tugged at her brother¡¯s sleeve saying, "Bro, did you just shade your own sister?"


    Bao¡¯s response was indifferent as he casually shrugged his shoulders and asked, "When did I do that?"


    Juan gave him a pointed look and said, "You indirectly just called me childish." Bao nodded his head and Juan¡¯s mouth opened wide in shock. "So, you¡¯re really calling me childish?"


    Both Xu Mey and Jie along with the rest on the call stayed quiet to see how will Bao get out of this one. Since Juan was childish but no one was allowed to say it out loud otherwise...


    "So, my dear sister, are you saying that you¡¯ve grown up?" Bao asked calmly.


    "Of course," was Juan¡¯s reply without missing a beat.


    Bao smiled at her which didn¡¯t look like a smile and said, "Then as a grown-up, stop calling me to fight for you in school. It¡¯s always your arguments but I have to be the scapegoat for them." He touched her head and added, "So, now fight your own battles, dear sister."


    Juan¡¯s eyes widened in panic as she held her brother¡¯s hand started her cutesie act again, "Bro, my dear brother. My only brother. My awesome brother, I¡¯m not a grown-up at all. I¡¯m your little sister. How can I dare to grow up? Juan is very childish. Very very childish. So, don¡¯t throw your sister from under your protective wing. Eh?"


    Everyone around let out a cold breath, as expected, only Bao was the one who could dare to mess with Juan and still be the winner. This kid really knew how to exploit even his own sister.


    "Okay, let¡¯s eat now. Stop talking." Xu Mey said goodbye to her friends and sat down with her family for breakfast.


    As they had just settled quietly to have a harmonious breakfast, the back door was opened and with that came a very tired Ye Jun. "Good morning, Uncle J!" Juan was the first one to greet him and seeing his niece¡¯s cute little face, Ye Jun¡¯s previous scowl was swapped with a blooming smile.


    He picked her up from the chair and kissed her on the cheek as he said, "Morning to you to my little J." Juan giggled before she sat back on her chair.


    "Why are you here so early in the morning on Saturday? Did you have an argument with Lina?" Xu Mey questioned as she asked him to sit down with them for breakfast.


    "Sister Mey, are you the worm in my stomach. How do you know that I just came defeated?" Ye Jun was frowning as he took a ss of juice and gulped it down.


    "What did you guys argue about this time?" Jie asked looking at his brother¡¯s face which didn¡¯t look so good.


    Ye Jun sighed and was about to speak when Juan answered for her father, "Daddy, our Uncle J can only have one argument with his pretty wife."


    Ye Jun looked at his niece with surprise as he pinched her nose saying, "My little J knows a lot huh? Tell me what did we argue about?"


    Juan looked at her uncle¡¯s face and said, "There is no little J or little B in your house. Obviously, that¡¯s the only thing that bothers Auntie Lili. And you make it worse by saying that we both are enough for each other."


    Xu Mey and Jieughed at the way Juan imitated Ye Jun¡¯s voice while Ye Jun was left gaping. This little pea-sized of a niece was really good at this. She always knew what was going on around her. In a way, she was exactly like her mother; never take no for an answer but always be the one to know people¡¯s secrets.


    When Ye Jun got over his shock, he said, "Little J, how do you even know that? Aren¡¯t you too young for knowing adult matters."


    "Is it my fault that your house is right next to ours? I can practically hear every single word from my study room," stated Juan in an innocent manner as if it really wasn¡¯t her fault at all.


    "Juan, finish your breakfast," Xu Mey spoke out and turned to Ye Jun, "Jun, did you really argue for the same reason?" Ye Jun nodded his head in a defeated manner. "Well, it¡¯s natural for Lina to be this agitated. You guys have been married for five years and yet... There is no child. She must be feeling lonely."


    "But I¡¯m right here with her all the time. Why does she always take it out on me when I say that we are enough for each other?" Ye Jun looked dispirited.


    Before Xu Mey could reply, Jie beat her to it, "Because you¡¯re saying the wrong words." Ye Jun looked at his brother inquisitively. "You¡¯re practically raining all over her hope with your words."


    "What do you mean, bro? What did I do? How is it my fault?"


    "Instead of saying that we¡¯re enough for each other, you should be telling her that if not today, you guys will get lucky tomorrow," replied Jie calmly.


    "What¡¯s the difference?"


    "Even my son is smarter than you," said Jie. "The former statement is like taking Jun Lina¡¯s hope of having a child away. While thetter statement is a bit more hopeful to ensure her that you¡¯d be with her today and tomorrow waiting for that miracle to happen."


    Ye Jun finally nodded his head in understanding even though Jie knew that his brother was gonna mess up anyway. There was no point in guiding him.


    "Jun, why did this child mattere up early in the morning?" asked Xu Mey curiously.


    "Because Zelie ising from America today," replied Ye Jun.


    "So?" Both Jie and Xu Mey asked with confusion.


    Ye Jun looked at them both and asked, "You both don¡¯t know why Zelie left her project in the early stage toe back?" Both husband and wife shook their heads. "So, you really don¡¯t know that Zelie is pregnant with her first child?"


    "What?"

 Chapter 399 - Love Can Find A Way

    <h4>Chapter 399 - Love Can Find A Way</h4>


    A pair of leather shoes were tapping against the marble floor while the tall man¡¯s ck eyes were looking at the big screen hanging from the ceiling. He continued to look around impatiently at the throng of people gathered to receive their loved ones.


    Yes, he was standing at the arrivals gate waiting for his own loved one to show up as well. But a lot of those people around him had already made their way back while he was still standing at the same ce.


    He lifted his hand to check the time on his diamond-encrusted wristwatch. His brows quirked up as he realized that he had been waiting for an hour now.


    "Kade!"


    A crisp but jubnt voice caught his attention and even without looking up, his lips curled into a beautiful smile knowing who that voice actually belonged to.


    That excited girl didn¡¯t even take a moment before jumping straight into his arms. And being already used to her over-enthusiasm, he wrapped his arms around her waist to hold her. She tip-toed to drop kisses on his face but since he was a lot taller than her, she could only reach his jaw. The worst part, he wasn¡¯t even lowering his head like always.


    Azalea pouted at him, "Hubby, I missed you so much."


    "We are in public," was his straightforward reply making her act like a sulky baby who hid her face in his chest and refused to pull away.


    Although Azalea loved her dear husband, Xu Xiamu very much, this man really hated this public disy of affection. In this matter, Xiamu was theplete opposite of his sister, Xu Mey.


    His hand rubbed her head with a gentle and doting look in his eyes that was enough to make Zelie smile again. Was there ever a chance that she would stay mad at him?


    Back when Xiamu hadpletely turned her down, she was heartbroken at first butter it made her realize that maybe she wasn¡¯t able to convey her feelings well. And since he thought she was wasting her youth on him, she went out to find her real dream. But even after bing a sessful curator, she was still certain that her first dream had been him. Because her love for Xiamu didn¡¯t decrease. It only intensified.


    And that¡¯s why she pursued him again. Even if he ran, she was determined to catch him. And she did. Just as her brother had advised her, <i>"If you want something, run after it. Don¡¯t give up."</i>


    But a big credit to her rtionship with Xiamu should be given to the people in her life who always supported her. Those who encouraged her at every step of the way.


    As for Xiamu, he had never really thought that he would fall in love with this girl whom he always saw as just a baby. But love has a way. Love can find its way to the cruelest heart and he was just a simple person. How could the intensity of her love not reach him? It was nearly impossible since she had waited five years just trying to pursue him.


    Even an iceberg would melt with that kind of determination. Although he loved this jubnt wife of his, he still didn¡¯t like showing it before people. His ways of showing his love had beenpletely different from his sister and brother-inw who often made people feel like third-wheels even after so many years of marriage.


    Their long journey to find love was actually like a reminder. One; You can find love as long as you¡¯re willing to suffer the pain of wait and patience it brings. Two; Patience and persistence can create miracles in life. The only question is; Are you even willing to take this chance at love? Because 99% of the time, people tend to give up on their love without even trying their best. Zelie was in that 1 % who knew if it wasn¡¯t Xiamu than there was no one else for her.


    Hugging her shoulders, he led her outside the airport while asking, "Didn¡¯t you say that the gallery was about to showcase some famous artist¡¯sst work or something? Why did you suddenlye back then?"


    "You¡¯re not happy to see me?" asked Zelie blinking up at him innocently.


    Xiamu shook his head at her, kissed the top of her head, and answered, "No. I¡¯m very happy to have you in my arms."


    Zelie clutched his arms even more tightly while snuggling up close to his body. "I just missed you so much that I decided to just resign from my job." Xiamu quirked up his brows at her reply. "Don¡¯t worry. I wasn¡¯t being hasty at all. I thought about it long and hard."


    Xiamu didn¡¯t say anything to that. Since she decided it, she had her reasons for it. Besides, it was already hard enough to stay away from her. Flying over every month or even every week just to spend some time together was not a good idea anymore since they had been married for over a year now.


    Apart from that, she was Zhu Chen¡¯s only daughter, Zhu Jie¡¯s only sister, and even her husband was Xu Xiamu. Did she even need a reason to work for anyone? Any one of these people was more than willing to open a gallery for here.


    <i><strong>Bzzzz...</strong></i>


    Xiamu had opened the door of the car for her when his cellphone¡¯s vibration came through. He fished out his phone from his suit¡¯s jacket and looked at his sister¡¯s photo that was disyed on the screen. Why was she calling so suddenly?


    Xiamu put the phone against his ear but his sister didn¡¯t even give him a chance to say a word as she started, "Kaden! How dare you hide this from me?"


    "Hide what?" he frowned and didn¡¯t notice the way his wife bit her lip.


    "I didn¡¯t expect this from you. I thought I¡¯m your best sister. But no, everyone in the whole family knows but I just had to find it out through Jun? How could you?" Xu Mey was going crazy at the other end thinking how her own brother hid such huge news from her. Weren¡¯t they like very close now? Why was he still treating her as a stranger than?


    "Sis, I don¡¯t even know what you¡¯re saying. Can you please be more clear with me?"


    "You¡¯re gonna be a father soon and you¡¯re still asking me to be more clear about it? How long were you nning on hiding this from me?"


    Xu Mey¡¯s words stunned Xiamu to his ce. He who was helping his wife with the seatbelt was frozen in that weird posture where his one hand was holding his phone, the other hand was holding the seatbelt and his face was inches away from Azalea¡¯s face who smiled sheepishly at him.


    "Did you just say I¡¯m gonna be a father?"

 Chapter 400 - Mumu!?

    <h4>Chapter 400 - Mumu!?</h4>


    As he questioned that, he was looking at his wife¡¯s face who grinned widely and said, "Surprise!"


    Xu Xiamu closed his eyes before he straightened up and said to his sister, "Sis, guess what? You¡¯re actually better than the father here because it appears like I am thest person to learn that I¡¯m gonna be a father."


    "WHAT?!" Xu Mey¡¯s voice was so loud that even Azalea heard it from her seat. "Pfft!" sheughed at her brother before saying, "OH-MY-GOSH! Dear brother, my heart is aching for you now."


    "Oh yeah? Butughter says otherwise," replied Xiamu in an annoyed tone.


    "Hahaha..." Xu Meyughed without holding back at all. "I¡¯m sorry but it sounds so funny."


    "I can¡¯t believe you, sis," said Xiamu. "As long as you thought that you¡¯re thest person to learn about this, you¡¯re breathing fire but now that you know that I¡¯m even more clueless than you, you sound so damn happy."


    "It¡¯s not my fault that it sounds so entertaining," replied Xu Mey still a smile gracing her beautiful face. "Anyways, I won¡¯t take much of your time since I think you have some serious talking to do with your wife now. Good luck!" With that, Xu Mey hung up the call.


    Xiamu ran his fingers through his hair before he gave Azalea onest look and closed the door of her side before going around to settle in the driving seat. He was silent. Really silent. He didn¡¯t even question Azalea anything and it really got on the pregnant woman¡¯s nerves now.


    "Kade, are you upset?" she voiced out cautiously. "I¡¯m sorry for hiding it but I only wanted to give you a surprise." She really just thought about surprising him. Why else would shee back running to him as soon as she got the news?


    "Kade! My hubby dearest! Kadie! Kadie baby! Mumu! My lovely Mumu!"


    "I¡¯ll be really mad if you didn¡¯t stop with those stupid nicknames already," his voice made her seal her lips instantly. She knew he hated those nicknames she alwayses up with but she loved teasing him. He saw her pouting from his peripheral vision and sighed out. "I¡¯m not upset with you."


    "Then why aren¡¯t you saying anything?" asked Azalea blinking her eyes at him.


    As the car halted at the red light, he turned to face her and said, "How do you expect me to react?"


    "Huh?"


    "I wasn¡¯t prepared for this. I came to receive my wife but now, suddenly I¡¯m gonna be a father. How really do you think I can process such big news in such a short time?"


    Indeed, why would he be upset about anything? He was just a little surprised. No, he was shocked. Okay, he was both; Shocked and surprised. What he felt couldn¡¯t be said in words. Because even he didn¡¯t know what he was feeling right now.


    "Although I¡¯m a little bit annoyed that I¡¯m thest person to know about your pregnancy when I should be the first one to know about this, I still am not mad at you."


    Azalea pursed her lips. She couldn¡¯t argue with that. He indeed should have been the first one to know. Even she didn¡¯t know how this news was spreading like wildfire. But she was gonna me it all on her super connected family. Nothing could stay a secret in this family!


    "Actually, I also wanted that. But you see I was talking to mom when I told her that I¡¯m not feeling well. I had nausea, headaches, and felt really tired. Mom was the one who suggested that I should get tested and well, it turned out I was pregnant." He listened silently to her while she continued, "Well, I didn¡¯t tell mom. It was just that it was mom¡¯s ex-colleague who checked my reports, she congratted mom. I think mom told aunt and then the whole family just got to know."


    "Great! This family really knows how to spread happiness."


    "Yes, they do," agreed Azalea with a smile.


    "That was sarcasm, sweetheart." Azalea stopped smiling to look at him. He fondled her hair saying, "I can¡¯t believe you¡¯re still as gullible as ever."


    "But isn¡¯t that why you love me?"


    Seeing that the light was now green, he turned to drive with his attention solely on the road saying, "Yes, that¡¯s exactly why I love you so much."


    Soon, Xiamu parked the car before their house but didn¡¯t alight from the car. He stayed in thatfortable silence with his wife.


    After another moment of silence, Azalea held his arm and asked, "Kade, you¡¯re happy, right?" Xiamu didn¡¯t answer, he held her wrist and pulled her. "Ahh!" Azalea yelped as he hauled her body in hisp making her gape at him in surprise. "What are you-oomfff!"


    Her words died down in her throat as he bent his head down to capture her lips with his. Was he happy? Was that even a question? Of course, he was! He had seen how proud his brother-inw looked whenever he talked about his little kids. To be honest, Xiamu often felt jealous of that. But now, he didn¡¯t have to.


    Now, his wife was gonna give him the most perfect gift of his life.


    Leaning his forehead against hers, he whispered, "Thank you!"


    "Eh? For what?" Azalea who was still trying to catch her breath from this sudden kiss which came as a surprise to her since it was so out of his character, asked in confusion.


    He brushed the tip of his nose with hers saying, "For everything. Foring to my life. For making me fall in love all over again. For waiting and not giving up on me. And most of all, for loving me. And now, for bringing me the world¡¯s most beautiful blessing."


    See! See! This was so out of his character that Azalea was blushing like a bloody tomato now. Argh! She could really die from happiness at this moment! But no! She still had to live a lifetime with her love. There was no way this clingy one was leaving her cold prince.

 Chapter 401 - Cold Prince

    <h4>Chapter 401 - Cold Prince</h4>


    "Ah-Jie! Ah-Jie!"


    Xu Mey¡¯s voice was ringing in the silent house while Jie was apanying his little ones to y lego. Okay, he was only ying with his little Juan since Bao was more interested in building a ne model or something. Jie had long epted that his son¡¯s brain worked way differently. There was no way one could understand him.


    Xu Mey showed up at the doorway and began, "Can you believe it, Xiamu didn¡¯t even know that he¡¯s gonna be a father?! Haha... Gosh, I¡¯d have loved to see his expression but I couldn¡¯t."


    Jie smiled up at her and said, "Zelie must have nned to surprise him but you ruined it."


    "Are you ming me right now, dear husband?" her eyes squinted at her husband.


    Jie immediately iled his hands, "No. Not at all. Why would I me my baby? It¡¯s Zelie¡¯s fault for nning it so poorly. She should have done a better job at this."


    "Scaredy-cat!" Bao remarked without hiding his disdain for his own father.


    "Dadda is not scared of mom. He just loves mom very much," argued Juan with her brother.


    "Then it¡¯s love¡¯s fault for turning him into this scared person." Bao shrugged his shoulders before giving his attention solely to the model in his hands.


    His coaxing and their kids¡¯ small banter helped eased Xu Mey¡¯s expressions who smiled again and said, "Whatever. I just know that my brother is finally going to be a father. How great is that!" She turned on her heels. "I¡¯m gonna share this in the family group chat. Everyone is gonna love this."


    Seeing her reaction, Bao sighed out, "There my mother goes again being extra bouncy and excited for no reason."


    "She¡¯s excited because she¡¯s gonna be an aunt now," said Jie to his son with a helpless look on his face. Raising a genius son was really a hard job. He often felt tired just talking to Bao.


    "From Uncle Qiao to Uncle Jian, everyone has a child now. This isn¡¯t her first time bing an aunt," reminded Bao with a straight face.


    "Well, dear son, but your Uncle Mumu is your mother¡¯s only brother. And a twin brother at that too. Obviously, this time, the feeling of bing an aunt is way different than before."


    "I still don¡¯t get it why she has to share this with everyone?" argued Bao feeling exasperated but he appeared as calm and indifferent as ever.


    "That¡¯s her way of finding happiness," answered Jie with a sweet smile while talking about his wife.


    Bao looked at his sister and said, "There my dad goes again trying to act like a perfect knight in shining armor to his wife." Jie red at him which little Bao ignored conveniently before saying, "Dad, let¡¯s face it if she¡¯s finding her happiness by involving herself in other people¡¯s lives that means she¡¯s not happy with you."


    "BRO!" Juan shouted at her elder brother who was spouting nonsense for no reason. "Don¡¯t talk nonsense."


    "Did I say something wrong? Mom should be here with us but have you ever seen her trying to find her happiness between her own family. She¡¯s rather more interested in either fulfilling her duties as a CEO or bing a good mistress of the Zhu n. If not that then she¡¯ll try to be a good daughter-inw or a good friend. Have you ever seen her trying to be a good mother or a good wife? Evenst night, she kicked dad out of the room. And I can bet on my yStation that dad didn¡¯t even do anything wrong."


    Jie was startled to hear such a long lecture from his son who was only eight. Yes, he was gonna turn nine in couple of months but still, it didn¡¯t change the fact that he was way too observant and deep for someone of his age! What? He didn¡¯t even blink while talking about the reality of his father¡¯s life.


    He knew every word he said was true. Xu Mey often would neglect her own family trying to fulfill her duties and responsibilities. But he knew she only did that because she believed in him. She knew he was there for their family. For their kids. But that didn¡¯t change the fact that his son¡¯s words hurt him a little.


    Juan came up to her brother and whispered, "Bro, you¡¯re gonna upset dad now."


    "Then he should stop acting like everything is okay in this family," retorted Bao while rolling his eyes.


    Even though those words really hit a mark, Jie still wasn¡¯t gonna let this be.


    "Baobao, you know I hate it when people talk bad about my wife, right?"


    Bao wasn¡¯t even fazed by his angry look. He simply stood up to face his father. Although he only reached a little above his father¡¯s waist, it didn¡¯t mean he was intimidated by his father.


    "I read in a book that husband and wife are each other¡¯s happiness then tell me, dad, why is she looking elsewhere? Why isn¡¯t she looking at you?"


    Jie frowned at his words and halted, "Wait! What kind of books are you even reading these days?"


    Bao pointed at the book on his table saying, "It¡¯s the only one I hadn¡¯t read from your library."


    Jie rubbed his forehead. "I¡¯ll buy you more books but please don¡¯t read these kinds of books again. You¡¯re way too young for this."


    "As always, you¡¯re going to shun my words by saying I¡¯m too young," said Bao with a look of boredom.


    Jie picked that young and cold prince of his in his arms. Bao tried to squirm and wiggle his way out of his father¡¯s grip but to no avail. "You, my cold prince, needs to learn how to be a little nice with words. I honestly don¡¯t know how you¡¯re gonna make any friends with this kind of attitude."


    "I have a friend," argued Bao when he stopped struggling knowing that he couldn¡¯t get down unless his father allowed him to. He pointed at his sister saying, "That¡¯s the only friend I need in life."


    Juan grinned widely at him saying, "I didn¡¯t know you love me so much, bro."


    "I didn¡¯t say I love you."


    "But that¡¯s what you meant."


    "No, I did not!"


    "Yes, you did!"


    Jie ended upughing at this back and forth bickering of his kids. As much as he loved everyone in his family, he had to admit that it was bing scary. He could see his kids growing distant from their own mother since she didn¡¯t have any time. He never med Xu Mey for anything. He never even med her when she used to ignore him but now it was different.


    Even though he could understand her, these kids were too young. They won¡¯t understand. They would only like to believe what they saw. His excuses weren¡¯t even working on them anymore since they were growing now. They weren¡¯t as easily coaxed as they used to.


    Who said being the head of the family was an easy job?!


    He was having a damn hard time!

 Chapter 402 - But What Can We Do?

    <h4>Chapter 402 - But What Can We Do?</h4>


    Just as Little Juan decided to drag her brother out to y, Jie went to check up on his dearest wife. When he entered the room, Xu Mey was talking to someone on the phone. He went to the closet to change his clothes and when he came out, she was still busy on her phone. She wasn¡¯t on a call now but she was texting with a grin on her face.


    "Baby..." he called out softly.


    "Hmm..." she hummed in reply distractedly.


    "I¡¯m gonna take kids out for ice cream,e with us."


    Xu Mey shook her head immediately. "Can¡¯t do, Ah-Jie. I have so much to do now. I just talked to mom and she said that we should hold a party in celebration of this good news. So, I suggested doing everything here at our ce. Now, I have to call the event organizers and arrange everything. I have so much on my te."


    "...Weekends are family days," reminded Jie in a soft voice.


    Xu Mey looked up at him. "I know that. That¡¯s why I¡¯m calling everyone here to have a big family gathering. Kids would love it."


    "I think they¡¯d like their mothering out for ice cream with them more," said Jie. He didn¡¯t want to sound bitter at all. But Xu Mey¡¯s words reminded him of what Bao just said, she was willing to neglect her own family to keep every third person happy. Somehow, he never really noticed it before.


    He was fine being neglected but he didn¡¯t want his kids to be put on sidelines. He couldn¡¯t bear that. He knew she loved both Juan and Bao very much but she definitely wasn¡¯t doing a good job at showing it these days.


    "Ah-Jie, I don¡¯t know why you¡¯re acting like this." Xu Mey was too busy trying to write everything she had to prepare for tomorrow that she didn¡¯t even notice Jie¡¯s expressions. "Besides, ice cream is not even good for them. You should let them y inside."


    Jie heaved a long sigh. "If you don¡¯t want toe, it¡¯s okay. But I¡¯m going with them. I¡¯ll see youter at night. Bye!"


    Seeing how she walked out of the room, Xu Mey scowled to herself, "You could have at least offered to help a bit."


    <strong>....</strong>


    "I want chocte chip cookie dough ice cream!"


    Juan was the most excited one as she shook her father¡¯s hands trying to get his attention.


    "What about you, Bao?"


    Jie looked at his son who was holding his other hand with a fed-up look as if he would rather be anywhere but here. But Jie knew his mood better than himself.


    "I¡¯m fine with anything."


    Seeing his son acting so high and mighty, Jie said, "Okay, then let¡¯s get you mint chocte."


    "No!!" Jie smiled secretly to himself at his reaction.


    "Why not? You said you¡¯re fine with anything."


    Bao gritted his teeth at his father. "Mint chocte is like toothpaste. I don¡¯t like it."


    "Then tell me what you want?"


    "Then I¡¯ll have rocky road ice cream," he finally said what he wanted and Jie smiled in content and victory. See, he was also the father of this genius. How could he not know how to wrap him around his little finger?


    After cing the order, Jie sat at a corner table with his two kids. One little girl who was dangling her legs like an excited bunny and one little boy who looked too aloof and cold for his age.


    Even when their orders came, Jie looked distracted. His attention had been on his phone. He was constantly checking his phone. He was waiting for Xu Mey to call. No, he wasn¡¯t waiting for an apology. He was just waiting for her.


    It was their weekend. It was supposed to be theirs. Why would she spend it on creating memories for others when she could create beautiful memories of her own with these two adorable kids of theirs? Wasn¡¯t she being a bit too cruel now? In all these years, he had made sure to never bring any work home on weekends. Because those two days solely belonged to his family. Why couldn¡¯t she do the same?


    And even when he¡¯d like to spend some alone time with her, she¡¯d always find a reason to get mad at him. Was he really doing something wrong? Was his son right that she wasn¡¯t happy with him now?


    <i>¡¯What the hell am I even thinking?¡¯</i> he shook his head to get these doubts out of his head. It was his son¡¯s fault for speaking without even thinking. Now, he was going crazy thinking unnecessary things.


    "Dad, are you waiting for a call?"


    Bao had noticed his father¡¯s anxiousness and restlessness. Needless to say, he also knew the reason behind it but he wasn¡¯t gonna voice it out for now.


    "No. It¡¯s nothing. Just some work stuff." Jie tried to avoid the topic but he forgot that his kids had a very good memory.


    "But dad doesn¡¯t bring any work stuff home. And the phone your holding is also your personal one, not the work one," pointed out Juan while waving her spoon around dramatically.


    While Jie was trying toe up with an excuse, Juan and Bao shared a look and smiled at each other before they each held one of his hand and said, "Dad, you don¡¯t have to look so down."


    "Yes, your favorite daughter is right by your side. What¡¯s the worry with me around?"


    "Favorite daughter? Who am I then?"


    "Bro, you¡¯re the favorite son, duh!"


    "You both are talking as if I have more than one daughter and son," chuckled Jie at his twins. "We don¡¯t y favorites in this house."


    "And we also don¡¯t sulk in this house alone. If you want to sulk, at least let your two best friends know why you¡¯re sulking."


    "Best friends?" Jie quirked his brows at his kids.


    "Yup. Aren¡¯t we two adorable ones your best friends? You see we know you¡¯re lonely without any friend since most of your friends shifted abroad. Ruru keeps her distance from your personal matters. So, we are the only ones you can talk to."


    Jie looked at Bao and shook his head. "Son, you both are..."


    "Don¡¯t say too young," chimed in Juan at this moment. "Yes, we might not understand your worries. But we can cuddle you till you forget all about those worries. Right, bro?"


    Although Bao was against this cuddling idea, he still nodded. "I think we can do that."


    Jie rubbed their head dotingly. He really hit a jackpot in the kids¡¯ department. Why were these twins so adorable? He loved them so much that it was hard to even exin in words. Seeing their father smile, they grinned. Even Bao¡¯s cold face showed a crack.


    "Daddy, you¡¯re the handsome-st when you smile. So, keep smiling."


    "Normally I¡¯m not handsome-st?" Jie teased his daughter.


    "No, you¡¯re very handsome all the time. But I love my smiling father the most. It can charm people. I tell you my homeroom teacher has a crush on you. You should see her face whenever youe to those monthly meetings. She¡¯s swooning like a fangirl."


    Jieughed at her expressions. "Daughter, you really need to stop watching those romance dramas on tv."


    Juan grinned widely. "I can¡¯t."


    "And you should actually try watching those dramas once in a while," suggested Jie to his son.


    Bao shrugged his shoulder. "I think your life has be more of an entertaining drama to me, dad."


    "You little... Sigh! I can¡¯t believe you¡¯re my son."


    "Neither can I. But what can we do at this point?"


    Jie gaped at his son in disbelief. This cold prince had a very sharp tongue. He spoke once in a blue moon but always managed to hurt others¡¯ feelings whenever he did. He was the real headache in Jie¡¯s life.

 Chapter 403 - Juju & Bobo

    <h4>Chapter 403 - Juju & Bobo</h4>


    <i><strong>*SLAM*</strong></i>


    The door was mmed with the full force and locked before Bao came to threw a shopping bag at his sister. Juan caught the shopping bag with a frown.


    "What¡¯s this? And why do you look like someone ruffled your feathers or something?" She was rummaging through the shopping bag as she went on, "Not that you don¡¯t always look this annoyed but... Right now, you look like you¡¯re ready to..."


    "Should I throw you out of the room as well, dear sister?" He didn¡¯t even allow his sister toplete her sentence as she was forced to zip her lips and stay quiet.


    She got a beautiful dress out of the shopping bag and grinned widely. "What¡¯s the asion? Why am I getting a new dress?"


    Bao pointed towards the connecting door that was between his and her room saying, "Juju, out!"


    "Bro?" Juan was looking at him with a pout now. Was he serious? He never kicked her out of his room before? They were twins who were always stuck together like glue! Although he was a genius and she was a drama queen, this duo had the best connection and the most awesome bonding as well. How could he ask her to leave now?


    "Juju!" his voice raised a bit making her face fall.


    With a heavy heart and heavy steps, she dragged herself towards the door. But like the drama queen she was, her pace was awfully slow. As if someone had pressed the slow-motion button or something and with each step, she would look back and ask, "You really want me to leave?" But since he didn¡¯t even bother looking up from the book he was engrossed in, she could only sigh out and leave.


    As soon as she left, he closed the book and threw the other shopping bag that was meant for him on the floor. He was tugging at his hair now in exasperation. He was indeed annoyed after what he heard from the maid earlier.


    <i><strong>"CRASH*</strong></i>


    Hearing something break he ran towards the door which was connected to his sister¡¯s room and pushed it open. The first thing he saw was the ss vase that was now lying in his feet, broken. "Juju!" he called out in worry.


    "Here!"


    Can you guess where her voice came from?


    From behind the bed!


    Bao came to see her sitting on the floor with her teddy bear in her arms while sulking. He crouched down beside her, "Are you hurt? What happened? How did that vase break?"


    "Maybe the wind broke it," said Juan in a neutral voice pretending like she didn¡¯t know anything. For one second, Bao could have believed her if only the windows in her room weren¡¯t closed. Not only that he knew his sister very well.


    "You could have called for me without creating this mess," he said and sat down beside her. He knew about her tricks and yet he fell for it. But the fact was simple, he loved his sister so much that even if it was just a trick he was willing to fall for it again and again because there was no way he could see her upset or hurt.


    "And Bobo could have talked to me instead of getting angry at me," she wasining, her big eyes blinking at him usingly.


    Bao rubbed her head. "I¡¯m not angry with you."


    "Then why did you yell?"


    "Sorry about that," he even touched his ears to show he was really sorry. See, she was a master as ying this game. Even this genius twin of hers had to ept defeat before her.


    She nodded her head and smiled immediately epting his apology. Leaning closer, she looked up at him since he was already taller than her. "Why are you upset then? And why do I think that pretty dress I got has something to do with your anger?"


    "That¡¯s for you to wear it tonight," answered Bao avoiding her eyes. He didn¡¯t want to scare her with his angry look again.


    "Tonight? Why? What¡¯s happening tonight?" she questioned with a thoughtful look. Suddenly, as if something clicked in her head, she yelled out, "Don¡¯t tell me we¡¯re having another party tonight!" Seeing her brother nodding, she shook her head back and forth, "No, no, no! This is so not happening with me! I ept that I¡¯m a very outgoing person but I hate these stupid parties! And we just had onest week!"


    "Go and tell that to mom. Apparently, since she¡¯s going to be an aunt, it should be celebrated," the sarcasm in his voice was really thick. He was really not enjoying any of it.


    "But it¡¯s Uncle Mumu who¡¯s going to be a father! Why is the party at our house again? Can¡¯t it be anywhere else?"


    "What difference would that make?"


    "Well, I can at least pretend to have a stomachache and avoid going! But if it¡¯s at our house, I can¡¯t even do that!" She held her brother¡¯s hand saying, "I hate school but I so wished today was a school day."


    Although both twins had a different personality, they both were quite simr as well. Especially their dislike for parties. But only because they both hated being in crowds. When Juan said she¡¯s outgoing, the only thing she meant was that she loved going to new ces. Her definition of outgoing didn¡¯t include meeting new people and making new friends.


    There was only one friend she had beside her brother and that was Wu Niu, who was Wu Wang¡¯s five-year-old son. Other than him, she didn¡¯t have a single friend. She wasn¡¯t even friends with Lin Shen¡¯s daughter, Lin Song. In fact, she really had a big dislike for Lin Song solely because that seven-year-old girl was always trying to catch her brother, Bao¡¯s attention. And Juan hated it when someone tried to take her ce.


    It could be said that the friendship that Xu Mey so wanted to continue between generations wasn¡¯t going very well since as much as she was close to her friends, her kids had that much repulsion towards friendship. Bao loved to be in his own world while Juan loved to bother only her brother or her father.


    "We have to be at our best behavior tonight or mom will ground us," groaned Juan helplessly.


    "I¡¯m going to my room," said Bao and got up to leave.


    "You¡¯re not thinking about running away from home are you?" Bao turned to face her with a frown while she grinned and added, "Because if you are, call me. I¡¯lle with you to give youpany."


    "Juju, go read some fairytales of yours!"


    "Bobo doesn¡¯t know anything. Fairytales are so old school now. Juju is reading online novels these days, That¡¯s the trend!" she looked really pleased with herself.


    "Are you sure that¡¯s for your age?"


    "And do you think your books are for your age?" She was definitely referring to those thick heavy books he always carried around to read. Which by the way she understood nothing about! Not even a word!


    "Just do whatever you want," he sighed in defeat before turning back to his room. He had to mentally prepare himself for this party again. It was ticking him off. But he couldn¡¯t do anything about it! Nothing at all. After all, in this house, his mother¡¯s words were thew!

 Chapter 404 - She Wasnt Bluffing!

    <h4>Chapter 404 - She Wasn''t Bluffing!</h4>


    "How¡¯s my favorite grandson and granddaughter? Grandma missed you both so much!"


    He Susu had squished the twins while hugging them. She was beaming looking at them.


    "Juan missed grandma Su as well," replied Juan gently and politely just like her etiquette teacher had been nagging her to do. Seeing how stiffly her brother was just standing there. She had to tug at his sleeve and gesture with her eyes to behave.


    "Me too," those two words barely came out of Bao¡¯s mouth but they were enough to make He Susu feel like she was floating on cloud nine now.


    He had no problem with his grandmother, he loved the old woman very much and very dearly. It was just that he wasn¡¯t fond of this over-enthusiastic greetings. He had been hugged and kissed and squished multiple times in the past hour. Everyone in this big family knew very well that he hated being touched but did anyone care?


    After greeting everyone, the Bao left Juan to y along with everyone with her perfect smile while he went to find his mother who was busy with the helpers. "Mom!" Bao tugged at her gown to get Mey¡¯s attention. She didn¡¯t listen as she kept giving instructions, "Take those drinks out. And when I say only then start serving the dinner for everyone."


    After that, she looked down at him and smiled, "Yes. What¡¯s wrong? Is there anything you need, son?"


    He shook his heads. "Can I go back to the room now?"


    "Why?" Xu Mey frowned at this sudden question. "The party is just starting. All your friends are here. You should y with them."


    "Which friends?" Bao questioned that looking straight at his mother.


    "Oh, look there. All of them are here. Ah-Niu is here. Xiao Song is also here. Your cousin Mimi and Shaofeng are also here."


    The cousins she referred to were He Jian¡¯s daughter, He Mimi who was only turning three this year and as for Li Shaofeng, he was Li Qian¡¯s five-year-old son.


    "Again, which friends mom?" repeated Bao sharply this time around. "Those are definitely not my friends."


    Xu Mey scowled. "Bao, that¡¯s not nice. How can you say that about your friends?" Just as Bao was about to say something, someone called for Xu Mey. She looked at her kids, "You stay with everyone. y around with friends. Everyone in the family wants to see you. And remember, don¡¯t be rude to anyone." She left after leaving her stern warning.


    For a kid his age, Zhu Bao was very mature, understanding, and patient but he was running out on his patience and understanding now. He really wished he wasn¡¯t this mature so he could get away with throwing a tantrum as well as his sister did. But no matter how he tried, he couldn¡¯t bring himself to act like her.


    While he chose a quiet corner to sulk alone, Juan soon joined him. He frowned at her, "Why are you here? Shouldn¡¯t you be jumping around? Even your best buddy, Ah-Niu is here."


    "Ah-Niu is quite busy with cousin Shaofeng these days. But I can¡¯t me him, they are of the same age." Juan was talking like it didn¡¯t matter but Bao knew she just didn¡¯t like sharing her things or her people with others. And once you¡¯ll stop paying attention to her, she¡¯ll drift away faster than the wind. He really didn¡¯t understand his sister in this matter. Why did she want this undivided attention from others?


    This nature of hers was the reason everyone called her attention-seeker. But she really didn¡¯t care. She believed she was at the age where she needed that attention. And what was wrong asking for it?


    "Have you seen Dad?" asked Juan. Bao looked around at the garden filled with not just family members but also so many other people and shook his head indicating he didn¡¯t know where their father was. "I wonder where he is," she wondered out loud before pulling Bao¡¯s arm saying, "Let¡¯s get those snacks."


    "If you want, go and take it. Why do I have to follow?"


    "Because you¡¯re my brother!" she said as if that was enough to exin the rest.


    But as soon as she dragged him to the table filled with snacks, she had to face the one person she wanted to avoid tonight; Lin Song.


    "Oh, Bao!" Lin Song chirped like a bird as she ran towards Bao¡¯s side but like a good girl kept her fair distance from him showing how gentle and behaved she was. "Where have you been? Song¡¯s been looking for you everywhere."


    "And he¡¯s been avoiding you everywhere," said Juan in ce of her cold and silent brother who was now gonna pretend like a frozen statue or something.


    Lin Song red at Juan before turning to smile beautifully at Bao, "Song has brought a gift for Bao."


    "He didn¡¯t ask for it and he certainly doesn¡¯t need it!" Juan was still the one intercepting there.


    Lin Song actively avoided having an argument with Juan again. Tonight, she was gonna show her best side to Bao. Although Juan was in her way, she would try her best to stay calm.


    "Bao, it¡¯s the book you asked my dad about. Song found it in my Uncle¡¯s personal collection of books. Song spent so many hours looking for it just for you."


    "Thanks, Xiao Song but it¡¯s okay. You didn¡¯t have to and besides, I already got the book." Bao finally broke his silence since he could see his sister was soon gonna grab the other girl¡¯s hair or something. He really didn¡¯t want that.


    "You... you got it?" Lin Song sounded disappointed and sad to hear that. She made so much effort to please him, make him smile but it was all in vain.


    "Haha..." Juanughed as she saw her brother walking away and said, "Guess what, Xiao Song. My brother just has to say a word and he can get the world at his feet. That¡¯s a promise from our godmother. And do you really think our grandmother can¡¯t even get him a single copy of a book? He even got the signed copy already. You should stop trying so hard."


    "Juan, I have done nothing wrong to you. Why do you always have to pick at me?" Lin Song¡¯s eyes glimmered with tears as she looked at Juan usingly.


    "You did nothing wrong? Then just think that Juan doesn¡¯t like you at all. Your face is enough to make me unhappy."


    With that, she strode away forgetting that she had to eat something.


    "That wasn¡¯t nice at all." Bao sounded like he was reprimanding her softly. "If you kept this up, you¡¯ll make a lot of enemies for yourself. And that¡¯s like inviting unnecessary trouble."


    Juan shrugged her shoulders nonchntly. "I can deal with the trouble but I can¡¯t deal with pretentious people like her."


    "She¡¯s too young to even know what that means," said Bao.


    "Bro, you¡¯re a genius but you really don¡¯t know how this world works. You keep reading books, your sister has learned to read people now. And let me tell you, this ¡¯too young¡¯ girl is definitely gonna bring you a lot of trouble in the future. Mark my words!"


    "Are you cursing your brother now?"


    "No, I¡¯m stating the most obvious which I can see but you can¡¯t."


    She was right. He really couldn¡¯t see what she could. She was an expert in reading people after the number of parties she had to attend and pretend to smile at. But Bao never paid any attention outside his own little world. That¡¯s the very reason he couldn¡¯t see what his sister did. If only he knew, she wasn¡¯t just bluffing.

 Chapter 405 - Terrifying But Beautiful

    <h4>Chapter 405 - Terrifying But Beautiful</h4>


    "Why are you standing here all alone?" Xiamu looked up to see his brother-inw walking up to his side. "Shouldn¡¯t you be out there? It¡¯s a party for you and Zelie."


    Xiamu was rubbing his hands strangely as he avoided looking at Jie and said, "I know. But it¡¯s a little..."


    "Overwhelming," Jie finished his sentence for him. And Xiamu nodded his head in response.


    "Everyone¡¯s been congratting since the time I came. I don¡¯t know how to say this..." he sighed in exasperation.


    "You aren¡¯t happy?" inquired Jie softly.


    Xiamu instantly shook his head. "No way. I¡¯m very happy. I¡¯m so happy I can¡¯t even tell you in words. But... Being a father is not an easy job. I think you¡¯d know it better than me." Xiamu looked towards the garden through the window and smiled softly, "Everybody also seems very happy for me. You know seeing you all doing an amazing job at being a father, I¡¯m a little scared if I¡¯d be able to be like you or not."


    His eyes were looking at the ce his sister was standing. All her friends were circled around her. Sun Ju was holding her two-year-old son, Lin Yitian in her arms while her husband Lin Shen and Xu Mey were trying to make the little boyugh. Wu Wang was busy taking care of his son, Wu Niu since his wife Yang Ziyi had yet toe from the hospital.


    Li Qian and Yu Kim were silently just standing there watching Ah-Niu annoying his father. Obviously, Li Qian was more than happy to see Wu Wang in trouble. As for Li Qian¡¯s son, Li Shaofeng, Xiamu couldn¡¯t see him there. Neither did he saw Lin Song. But then again, Lin Song was always found where Zhu Bao was and Li Shaofeng was always found where Lin Song was.


    The little He Mimi was perched on Jun Li Na¡¯sp while her own mother, Zhao Mi¡¯er, or her father He Jian was nowhere to been seen.


    "No one is good at it though," said Jie after a long moment of silence. "You think all of us make a good father? But who is the judge here? Because trust me, I¡¯m still clueless about this being-a-father thing."


    "You have such amazing kids, brother-inw. I don¡¯t believe a word you say."


    Jie smiled at him. "Kade, as you just said, I have amazing kids. That doesn¡¯t mean I know what I¡¯m doing with them." Xiamu frowned at his reply. "Parenting doesn¡¯te with a manual and even if there is a manual, trust me every kid is different." He looked around at pointed at someone saying, "Now, look at Ah-Niu. He loves to create trouble for his father. Wang has a tough time just dealing with his hyperactive nature. As for Shaofeng, I think Li Qian has to put extra effort to get him out of his shell."


    He patted Xiamu¡¯s shoulder as he went on, "Every kid is different and unique. You can¡¯t deal with them the same way. I have twins whose personality has a striking contrast. Do you think it¡¯s easy to deal with them?"


    "But you somehow make it seem like it¡¯s all very easy," Xiamu persisted with his theory. As he had said, he had been very jealous of the bond Jie shared with the twins. It was so satisfying to see how he was able to deal with the twins¡¯ strange personalities without much effort.


    "It¡¯s not easy though," Jie replied softly. "But it¡¯s simple. I love observing them. Maybe that allows me to feel more connected to them."


    Xiamu looked at Jie anxiously, "That¡¯s what I¡¯m worried about. Will I be able to build that kind of connection?" He took a deep breath. "Maybe I¡¯m overthinking. Maybe I¡¯m just jittery because it¡¯s all so new. Once I hold the baby in my hands, everything will get clear."


    "Pffft!" Xiamu was gaping at Jie¡¯s reaction who wasughing heartily now. "I¡¯m sorry. But whoever told you that everything will get clear once you hold the baby. That¡¯s utter bullshit!" Xiamu frowned at him. "I was also a fool like that once. I also thought I¡¯ll feel better once the babyes to life. But the first time I held my twins, it scared the hell out me."


    Xiamu was really confused now. "I was happy. No doubt. I was over the moon but it was damn scary as well. Because I didn¡¯t know what I was gonna do. I wanted to be a good father but I really had no idea how. In fact, when you take that new life into your hands, that¡¯s when it hits you. ¡¯Ah! Now, I have the responsibility of this new, innocent life as well.¡¯ Not only that, when the twins clutched my finger tightly, my heart felt like it¡¯s gonna explode. It¡¯s weird but I still feel the same way whenever they hold my hand. It¡¯s like they¡¯re silently depending on me. Asking me to stay by their side."


    Seeing Xiamu¡¯s expression, he messed up his hair, "Don¡¯t look so down. It¡¯s actually the most beautiful feeling. Terrifying but equally beautiful." He smiled on his own as he went on, "No one can teach you how to be a good father. Ites naturally in my opinion. I just have one piece of advice for you now, cherish these days."


    "Huh?"


    "Also, take care of my sister," his voice was stern now as he warned.


    "When have I not?" Xiamu retorted cowering back a little. Jie narrowed his eyes at him but didn¡¯t say anything. Xiamu finally rxed a bit and asked, "So, where are my niece and nephew? I didn¡¯t see them at the party." Jie didn¡¯t even open his mouth when he went on, "Oh, what are they doing with my wife?"


    Jie widened his eyes and looked over where he was pointing at. "Shit! Zelie is in trouble!" Xiamu didn¡¯t understand his meaning but Jie had to run over to save his one and only sister now. Knowing his twins, he was certain that Azalea was having it tough on her own.

 Chapter 406 - Innocent Questions

    <h4>Chapter 406 - Innocent Questions</h4>


    "Hey, hey, hey! Stop both of you!"


    Juan and Bao both stopped when they heard Azalea¡¯s voice and looked at her.


    "Don¡¯t you want to spend time with your aunt?"


    The twins shared a look before they answered simultaneously, "Sorry, but can you please speak normally. We can¡¯t take you seriously with that babyish voice."


    Azalea¡¯s eyes widened at their response. Yes, she was talking in a very cutesie voice like talking to a baby but she was just trying to be cute and funny. She was leaning down to match their height and even tried smiling like a fool. But it didn¡¯t work on them!


    Seeing her stunned, Juan put her hands on Azalea¡¯s cheeks and said, "We love you but Aunt Z needs to remember that we are 8, not 2."


    Azalea could only sigh since what they said was indeed right. They were 8 years old not 2. But since she came home every once in a while, she rarely had interaction with this niece and nephew of hers. And that¡¯s why she was even more clueless about their personalities. But she vaguely remembered that her husband warned her not to mess with these two just because they are kids.


    Well, she wasn¡¯t messing with them. She was just trying to strike a conversation. How would she know she started off on the wrong foot the moment she decided to act like a fool!


    "Congrattions on having a baby," it was Bao who spoke this time. He kissed her cheek softly and Juan followed as they congratting her. It instantly melted Azalea¡¯s embarrassment. Even if these two were a little too straightforward, they were really cute in their own way. "We have a gift for you but it¡¯s in the room."


    "Oh, really? You didn¡¯t have to," Azalea was stunned knowing these little ones even got a gift for her. How sweet! If only she knew that they spent a lot of effort in even making the gift for her, she might really die from sweetness.


    "We just thought we should," said Juan. Now, once again, Azalea was at a loss of words. She really didn¡¯t know how to look at the twins.


    Perhaps, it was those hormonal change or something but she suddenly felt like her eyes were stinging as she blinked her tears away and hugged them tightly. But unlike others, she only did it briefly and smiled widely at them. "I guess my baby will be very lucky to have you both." Sheughed out with tears shining in her eyes as she continued, "When the storks will bring the baby, I¡¯ll make sure my baby know how adorable his or her cousins are."


    "Storks will bring the baby?" Juan tilted her head slightly as she said that out loud with a strange smile on her face. She looked at her brother and asked, "Does she really think we¡¯re dumb?"


    "It won¡¯t be wrong if she actually takes you for being dumb," said Bao to his sister in a low voice. However, they forgot that Azalea was sitting at the chair before them now. So, she was close enough to hear them.


    "Bro, whose fault is it that I¡¯m dumb?" retorted Juan.


    "You¡¯re saying it¡¯s my fault?"


    Juan nodded her head in a yes. "Of course! Don¡¯t forget we are twins. And the time when we¡¯re supposed to get 50-50 percent of intelligence. You just absorbed my half as well. Leaving me with only dumbness. So, tell me whose fault is it?"


    Bao opened his mouth to say something but Juan looked at him challenging as if saying, ¡¯Try me!¡¯ so he shut his mouth and shook his head.


    Seeing her brother resigning in defeat, she smirked to herself and added, "Now that you know it¡¯s your fault. Don¡¯t forget to take responsibility!"


    "Yes, yes. Why not!" replied Bao in his resigned voice.


    Azalea was amused by their conversation and couldn¡¯t help feeling lighthearted. She had been listening to so much advice tonight that she was tired of the heavy talk. That¡¯s why she chose to talk to the kids since she believed it¡¯ll be a lighthearted one. Who knew she¡¯d be caught off-guard? But now, it seemed a lot better.


    "So, aunt Zel!" Bao turned to Azalea as he questioned, "You¡¯re saying storks will bring the baby." She nodded without even thinking over even though she was given a second chance at this. "Then they will drop the baby at the doorstep?"


    "Umm..." Azalea thought about it before saying, "No, no. In the hospital."


    "Hospital?" she nodded her head. "Then how would the hospital know that it¡¯s your baby?"


    "Huh?" Azalea stared at them dumbfounded.


    "Bro is right. I¡¯ve been wondering that too. There are always so many babies in hospitals. How would they know which one is yours? What if they messed up?" Then she gasped and stared at her brother, "Bro, do you think the hospital messed up during our time as well?"


    "You think we are not twins?" he inquired.


    "No, I¡¯m positive that we are twins. But what if our parents are not ours?"


    Bao facepalmed himself before hitting her head. She really couldn¡¯t stay on one track. Why was her mind wandering off all over the ce?


    "The hospitals don¡¯t mess up," Azalea cut in between their little banter. "They know their job very well."


    "But it¡¯s not like babiese with a nametag," retorted Juan making Azalea go wide-eyed again. How was she supposed to answer that? "And by the way, I¡¯m also curious to know... How do you know that you¡¯re having a baby? Did the storks send you a letter? Or an email? A message maybe?"


    "Huh?"


    "My sister is right. How do you know you¡¯re having a baby? And how do you know when is the babying? And why can¡¯t the storks send the baby before nine months?"


    Their interrogation sounded so innocent but then why was she feeling so under pressure? This was so weird! Azalea was feeling stuck. She had never felt this feeling before this day. She really had no idea how to talk to kids even though there were so many kids in this family!


    "ording to European folklore, storks bring babies in baskets held in their beaks. But my real question is, where are the baskets then? I have never seen a baby in a basket before." Juan was blinking her sparkling eyes at her aunt innocently with a smile.


    Azalea wanted to cry but had no tears. She had no answer for these two. Because no matter what came to her mind felt wrong! What was she gonna do? Someone help her!


    "Juan! Bao! What are you both up to?"


    Fortunately, her prayers were answers when her brother sprinted to her side and called out his twins. Azalea felt like she could finally cry the happy tears.

 Chapter 407 - Mother & Daughter

    <h4>Chapter 407 - Mother & Daughter</h4>


    Looking at Jie, Azalea¡¯s eyes sparkled as if she had seen her savior. How d she was that her brother came to the rescue.


    "Are you okay, Zelie?" Jie first questioned his sister who was turning pale. He could only imagine how much of mental pressure this duo of his must have brought to her.


    You see, handling only one of the twins was already a huge aplishment. But actually managing to stand before the duo was not that easy, to begin with! Not just their weird questions, even their eyes brought people immense pressure. Jie could only me his dear cousin, Ru who taught them this stupid thing called intimidation.


    Azalea got up and hugged her husband who had also sprinted up to them with Jie as she muttered, "Those two are scary."


    Xiamu chuckled slightly while stroking her head lovingly, "I think I warned you."


    Jie turned his attention back to his little devils and got down to match their height as he stared at them with one of those angry looks he had reserved for these devils. The twins stood innocently before him blinking their big eyes at him while shifting their weight from one foot to another. They had their hands behind their back as if they were the epitome of innocence!


    Like he would fall for that!


    "What did you both do?"


    Juan And Bao shook their heads simultaneously. "We just asked her some simple questions," began Juan in a small voice. "But she started it herself," Bao defended his sister and himself by putting the me on Azalea.


    Jie looked at Azalea who pursed her lips.


    "Aunt Zel, do you believe in Santa us?" Bao was the one who questioned while Azalea was dumbfounded. "Because only the person who believes in Santa us is the one who would believe that storks bring babies."


    Jie choked on air as he heard his son¡¯s words and looked at Azalea apologetically, "Sorry about this." He held his twins and took them farther away. He ced them both on the table, making them sit on it. "Both of you..." He was feeling exasperated. "How am I supposed to deal with you both?"


    "We didn¡¯t do anything though," said Juan shrugging her shoulders carelessly. "If she couldn¡¯t answer our questions, how is it our fault?"


    "Juan, my darling daughter, if you think I¡¯d fall for your words, you¡¯re mistaken!"


    Juan didn¡¯t answer. She stayed quiet leaving the reins in her brother¡¯s hands now.


    "Dad, how are you feeling?"


    Juan wanted tough at the tactic her brother was about to use but she pursed her lips to hide herughter from her father.


    "Huh? What? Where did that questione from?"


    They jumped down from the table and held his hands as they dragged him along to sit and offered him a ss of water saying, "You should cool down a bit. Let me bring something to eat for you as well."


    "Hmm..." Jie nodded his head while taking a sip of water. But suddenly, "Oi! How dare you try to distract me!" He pulled their ear but very gently. He couldn¡¯t even bring himself to get angry with them as he did with others. He tried to put a facade of a strict father but even he knew these two could right through him.


    This simple distraction was enough to make him forget all about why he was angry in the first ce. Damn it! He was really always being yed by them.


    Shaking their heads, they raised their arms making him pull them up on his legs. Both of them ced their small heads on his shoulders acting cute with him. Oh, how he... Loved it when these two acted cute together. "Dad... We-," Bao had just opened his mouth to speak.


    "Juan!" Xu Mey¡¯s harsh voice made the father and his twins look over in her direction. She looked really angry for some reason. "What did you say to Xiao Song?"


    Juan couldn¡¯t help rolling her eyes at that question. It looks like she had expected this response sooner orter. "What did I do, mom?" she acted nonchntly.


    "Don¡¯t act innocent with me!"


    "When did I?"


    "If you didn¡¯t say anything, why she has been crying?"


    "How would I know why she¡¯s crying? Maybe she feels like crying. Oh, wait! I think crying is her most favorite hobby anyway!"


    "Juan!"


    "Baby, did Xiao Song tell you that Juan said something to her?" Jie decided to speak up since he could see his wife losing her temper and even though his daughter looked nonchnt, the way she was clutching his shirt said otherwise! "And even if Juan said something wrong, we can be patient about it. Let¡¯s talkter calmly."


    "Ah-Jie! Stop always taking her side. She¡¯s so spoiled because of this already. Xiao Song¡¯s been crying for so long now. And she didn¡¯t need to tell me to know that Juan must have said something." Xu Mey rubbed her forehead in exasperation. "And besides, you both had been such good friends. I can¡¯t even understand why you¡¯re suddenly trying to find trouble with her."


    "Maybe, if she had stopped trying to incite my mother against me, I¡¯d really have been her best friend," retorted Juan in the same manner as her mother spoke making Xu Mey¡¯s anger to spike even more.


    "JUAN! Don¡¯t raise your voice!"


    "It takes two to p mother dearest!" Xu Mey¡¯s eyes widened at her response. "You raised your voice first. And kids always follow their parents."


    "Juan, that¡¯s very rude," Jie also reprimanded Juan softly for speaking so rudely.


    "Rude? This rudeness of hers is the reason why I¡¯m angry. How could you forget your manners? Is this how I raised you?"


    Juan jumped down from her father¡¯sp and looked up at her mother, "Now, dear mother, don¡¯t forget... What manners? I don¡¯t remember you teaching me anything. I have a teacher for everything."


    "I¡¯m your mother and this is not the way to talk to your mother," warned Xu Mey.


    "Oh, so you do remember that you¡¯re my mother. If you didn¡¯t mention that I might have actually thought that Xiao Song is your daughter and not me."


    Xu Mey was frozen still to her ce while Juan just shoved past her in fury. Xu Mey was about to call out to her when Bao held her dress and tugged at it saying, "I think it¡¯s enough, mom. Don¡¯t push her anymore."


    He could control his temper but his sister was hot-headed. She would never think before speaking. And she was not just brutal with words, she was actually very rude as well.

 Chapter 408 - Outburst

    <h4>Chapter 408 - Outburst</h4>


    Xu Mey was baffled at the way her Juan talked to her. She really couldn¡¯t believe that her daughter was ming her. And for what? It was her fault for making Xiao Song cry! But instead of apologizing, she was arguing with her mother!"


    "I¡¯m really disappointed in her today. I can¡¯t believe my daughter could be this rude," Xu Mey¡¯s words made Jie¡¯s body stiff. He was about to ce his hand on her shoulder as a way to show that he was with her but her words...


    "Ah-Jie, this is why I always told you to stop giving in to her wishes. Now, she¡¯s bing a spoiled brat. I don¡¯t even know what to do with her. How can she talk back to me?" Xu Mey was uttering herints and dislikes about Juan¡¯s behavior andpletely didn¡¯t notice the way Jie was looking at her now. "This is really uneptable. Did you see the way she was looking at me? It was so disrespectful!"


    "You can see the way she talked or looked at you but did you for a minute think how you talked to her?"


    "What?" Xu Mey looked at Jie with a frown. "Are you saying I¡¯m at fault here? Are you really taking your daughter¡¯s side?"


    "First of all, she¡¯s not just mine. She¡¯s our daughter. Secondly, I¡¯m not taking sides because we don¡¯t take sides in the family. Besides, I didn¡¯t say Juan was right. But you weren¡¯t either. And also, you¡¯re the one who started it."


    "Ah-Jie!"


    "Even if our daughter did something wrong, you¡¯re supposed to take her inside the house and discuss like normal people instead of yelling at her like a madwoman." Jie sighed exasperatedly. "Did you, for a minute, care to think about how this will affect Juan mentally? She is only eight years old. Yes, she doesn¡¯t act her age but that doesn¡¯t mean you as a mother should forget that our twins are only eight years old!"


    "I know they are eight..."


    "Oh, I don¡¯t think you do!" He interrupted her. "Just because our twins are mature, understanding, and smart that doesn¡¯t mean they don¡¯t need attention. They don¡¯tin, it does not mean they are happy." He looked at her face as continued, "You think you have a happy family, right? Sorry to burst the bubble, this family only looks happy. The dream of a perfect family you have is not gonna fulfill because this family is crumbling down slowly because of your negligence."


    "Are you saying I¡¯m the reason why our family is having issues?" She felt hurt hearing those words from him. She worked every single day to make everyone happy and yet, she was the one being negligent? "What about you? Huh? You love spending time with the twins as well. Do you even care that you have a wife?"


    "I¡¯m not the one locking you out of the room every other night, it¡¯s you. I¡¯m not the one who always have work to do, that¡¯s also you. And since you don¡¯t have time for the kids, I have to spend more time with them so that they don¡¯t think their parents don¡¯t love them."


    "But I love them very much!" Xu Mey retorted back.


    "Well, you¡¯re certainly doing a very poor job of showing your love!" For the very first time, Jie raised his voice at her. He who had always had a leveled temperament around her finally lost it. If Xu Mey was his bottom line, his kids were as well. And when it came to his kids, he didn¡¯t mind hurting his Mey as well. She needed to hear this.


    "If I remember correctly, you wanted to be different from your own mother," began Jie again making Xu Mey¡¯s eyes widen as he brought up this topic. "You wanted to be a better mother than her. But guess what, you¡¯re doing an even worse job than she did."


    "Are you saying that the mother who abandoned me is better than me?" Xu Mey couldn¡¯t believe what she heard.


    "Did I say anything wrong? Yes, Xin Qian left you when you¡¯re born but what about it? She wasn¡¯t a part of your life and that¡¯s why you felt the void of her absence. But you¡¯re present in Bao and Juan¡¯s life and yet they are feeling the void. Yet, my kids have to yearn for your motherly attention! Hell! You¡¯re even making them question whether you love them or not!" Jie wasn¡¯t happy bringing up her mother¡¯s name into this. But he knew it was necessary. It was very much needed. She hated her mother but he needed to remind her that she was no different now.


    "You have no right to question my love for my kids," Xu Mey argued with tears pooling in her eyes. But she wasn¡¯t gonna let them drop. She was gonna show him that she was angry with everything he said. He had no right to say that she didn¡¯t love her kids.


    "Actually, I do. I¡¯m the father and I¡¯m seeing them suffering. I¡¯ve been seeing it for a while now but I kept ignoring it until my son just straightforwardly told me that my wife is not happy with me. She seems happier with others¡¯ affairs rather than knowing that her son has won in the Science fair or that her daughter needs a dress for the schoolpetition." Jie closed his eyes briefly before continuing, "When your father used to pay attention to your step-sister, it hurt you. Whenever he believed her words, it broke your heart. It made you despise your father as well. Are you any different now? Are you doing any better now? Because I literally can¡¯t see a difference. You took Xiao Song¡¯s side without even listening to your own daughter!"


    Xu Mey was stunned to hear his words. She didn¡¯t know how to process what he said. He was reminding her of that dark childhood she hated. He knew how much it hurt her but he was still doing it.


    "Bao and Juan won¡¯t hate you. I promise they won¡¯t. But congrattions, I guess you finally pushed them away from yourself. And I¡¯m finally very disappointed in you!" Saying that he walked away with his hands clenched. He didn¡¯t care if anyone heard their argument or not. He only cared about his daughter who left with tears in her eyes.

 Chapter 409 - A Little Helper

    <h4>Chapter 409 - A Little Helper</h4>


    As Jie came inside the house and went to his daughter¡¯s room, he could see Bao knocking on the door persistently.


    "Juju, open the door!"


    However, his calling was not being heard by his dear sister who was constantly ignoring him now.


    "Why are you pushing me away? I didn¡¯t even do anything!"


    "Exactly, Bobo! You didn¡¯t do anything! You didn¡¯t speak up for me either!" came Juan¡¯s angry voice from inside the room. "Why would you even speak up? You¡¯d also take Xiao Song¡¯s side. Go to her then, stop knocking my door!"


    Bao was really frustrated now. She was right that he didn¡¯t take her side but did she have to bring up Lin Song¡¯s name again? He honestly had no idea what really was going on between Lin Song and Juan. Because until a few months ago, these two were like a pair of sisters. But now, Juan was out to bite Lin Song at every chance she got.


    <i>¡¯Girls areplicated. They don¡¯t even understand themselves. So, don¡¯t think you can.¡¯</i> These were the words his Ruru had told him before about girls and he strongly agreed with it. No one can understand girls.


    He couldn¡¯t tell what was wrong but he was certain if he took anyone¡¯s side, Juan was gonna make him suffer for a lifetime.


    "Juan, open the door for dad," Jie also came beside his son to try.


    "Oh, so you finally left your wife¡¯s side?" Juan really wasn¡¯t holding back. He could hear her sniffling which meant she was crying and which also meant, she had long stopped thinking before speaking. Now, she was just venting her anger and helplessness. "You can also leave. I don¡¯t wanna talk to you both!"


    Bao looked up at his father while the Jie looked down at his son. "What about the connecting door in your room?"


    "That¡¯s also locked, dad. Do you really think I didn¡¯t check?"


    Jie went to his bedroom and brought the keys to unlock the door but Bao stood in his way. "Ruru says privacy is a person¡¯s right. Everyone needs personal space and invading that space without that individual¡¯s permission is bad-parenting."


    Jie gaped at his son. "Ruru¡¯s little tail, can you please stop lecturing me like your Ruru?"


    "I was just stating the facts," said Bao calmly.


    "I just want to check up on my daughter," Jie argued.


    "If you opened this door when she wants to lock us out that means you¡¯re disrespecting her wishes. Let her cool down, she¡¯ll open the door herself but if you did it, she¡¯d be even madder." Bao¡¯s words made perfect sense. Even Jie couldn¡¯t argue with those words. But then again those words were taught by his very own cousin, and since he couldn¡¯t even argue with her till this day, how¡¯d he be able to argue with this little version of Ru?


    "Ru?" Jie suddenly thought out loud. "Yes, that¡¯s the answer I needed."


    "Dad, you can¡¯t Ruru!" Bao warned him as soon as he understood his father¡¯s intention. "This is our family¡¯s issue. Why are you dragging Ruru in it? Did she ever drag you into her issues?"


    "Son, for once, stop taking Ruru¡¯s side. She¡¯s my best friend. She¡¯s my cousin. I can do whatever I want." He stared at his son¡¯s face as he concluded with, "Also, she¡¯s my family as well!"


    Jie took his phone from the jacket and dialed a number. He patiently waited for the other person to pick up. But... She didn¡¯t pick up. He tried again but to no avail. Even the third try was a miss as well.


    Thinking of something, he turned to his son, "Give me your phone."


    "You never bought me one," answered Bao straightforwardly.


    "But your Ruru definitely gave you something to contact her," retorted Jie as he stared at his son with raised brows. Bao sighed out at his father¡¯s reaction and took off his wristwatch before passing it to his father. Jie smiled contently before using the smartwatch.


    ....


    In a ce hundreds of kilometers away from all this drama...


    A pair of green eyes were staring at the huge screen hanging from the ceiling.


    "Chieftain, what do you think?"


    The green orbs shifted from the screen towards the dozen of people sitting around the meeting table as a crease appeared between those beautiful brows. That slight change in her expression caused everyone to hold their breath in anxiousness.


    <i><strong>Rrrr...</strong></i>


    Those green orbs suddenly turned really soft and gentle as they fell on the phone screen and read the name disying on it. Those slender fingers lifted up slightly to gesture everyone to leave, "Meeting is adjourned. Let¡¯s discuss it in the morning."


    As everyone scurried away, she attended the call immediately, "Hey, my dearest godson! How¡¯s my little Ba-Ba?"


    "This is Ba-Ba¡¯s father!" gritted out Jie with anger. He called three times but she ignored it. And now, she picked up just at the first ring? Was she really being biased now? Even with him!


    "Oh..." Ru¡¯s voice sounded like she was disappointed to know it was Jie. And she didn¡¯t even try hiding her disappointment. "How cheap are you! You¡¯re actually using your son?"


    "Well, since you won¡¯t pick up my call I had to use my son," replied Jie without feeling bad about what he did. "And by the way, why aren¡¯t you taking my calls? You¡¯re my cousin. My best friend. My brother! Shouldn¡¯t you be there for me when I need you?"


    Jie felt a tug at his shirt and looked at Bao who warned, "Keep your temper in check with my Ruru. I don¡¯t like the way you¡¯reining to her."


    "Son, I¡¯m the reason you¡¯re actually in this world! At least half of the credit is mine!"


    "Thanks for telling me that. I thought me and Juan fell from the sky."


    Hearing Bao¡¯s sarcasm Ruughed out. "Oh, I¡¯m so proud of my godson right now."


    "This is all your doing. Of course, you¡¯d be proud!"


    Ru didn¡¯t mind Jie¡¯s harsh tone. And the reason why she didn¡¯t pick his call was also his own fault. These days he only called when he wanted her to listen to himining about how his wife was not paying attention to him. She was tired of that all. Besides, she kept her distance from his family as much as possible. But his twins were hard to resist especially when they would always cling to her.


    Most of all, she was not a bloody counselor! Or a shrink who¡¯d want to hear him talk for hours!


    "He¡¯s my only godson and you don¡¯t get to say anything between us."


    "Why am I feeling like you¡¯re really biased towards my kids these days? Are you also leaving my team?"


    Ru rolled her eyes at his reply. Did Juan¡¯s spirit get in his body or something? Why was he acting like a sulky baby?


    "You¡¯re also biased towards your wife, did I everin?" Her reply made Jie speechless. He couldn¡¯t say anything to that. "Anyways, if you¡¯re just calling to whine again, I¡¯m hanging up."


    "Wait! It¡¯s Juan," Jie hurriedly spoke out before she could really hang up on him. After all, she¡¯d never bluff. She¡¯d do what she said. "I need your help."


    While Ru silently heard him retelling the tale of tonight, her brows drew together tightly. Her fingers tapped on the handrest of the chair while she leaned her head back to rest.


    "I¡¯m proud of you, Jie bro!" she said after he was done telling everything in detail.


    "You can save the sarcasm forter."


    "I¡¯m gonna save some beating forter as well since you really need it."


    "Are you helping or not?"


    "Shut up! I know what to do," she hung up the call and shook her head. She had expected this argument for a long time now. She had seen how frustrated the twins had been but wouldn¡¯t share with her. They were smart but they were really forgetting they couldn¡¯t handle everything on their own. Not even their young and developing emotions.

 Chapter 410 - Bitter Tastes

    <h4>Chapter 410 - Bitter Tastes</h4>


    Inside Juan¡¯s room, there was an intense silence in the dark room where no light was turned on. One could barely hear the sound of sniveling. The little girl was curled up on her bed. Tears were falling down her face and because she rubbed her eyes too frequently, her eyes were getting red from it.


    Suddenly, a beam of light projected on the wall, lighting up the room before Juan heard the voice of her godmother, "Queen An! Wait, I can¡¯t see my little Queen. Where is she?"


    Hearing that voice, Juan immediately sat up on her bed and looked at the front where her godmother¡¯s face was projected on the white wall. Seeing those green eyes, those slender fingers running through her short hair, Juan¡¯s mood shifted instantly. She hurriedly got up to turn the lights on.


    "Oh, there is she!" As darkness finally faded, Ru could see Juan¡¯s face dirtied with tears. She scowled slightly, "OH-MY-GOSH! There are pearls falling from your eyes."


    Juan forced a smile for her as she voiced, "Those are tears, not pearls."


    "No, no, no!" Ru waved her finger in a no-no as she argued, "My Queen An¡¯s tears are more precious than pearls." Juan didn¡¯t reply to her. She simply picked up her favorite teddy bear and hugged it. "An..." Juan looked up when Ru called her. Ru was the only one who never called her Juan or even Juju like her brother did. She had her own alteration for Juan¡¯s name. Instead of using the first character of her name, she used thest one. "Wipe those tears."


    Juan immediately wiped her tears and pouted adorably. "Dad told you everything, right?" Juan scoffed, "I knew it. Does he want you to talk on behalf of his wife now?" Ru shook her head while Juan¡¯s face contorted in confusion. "Then?"


    "He wants me to tell you that he¡¯s sorry." Juan widened her eyes as she heard that. "Your dad is really sorry. Also, you know how much it hurts him to see you cry, right? Jie¡¯s life revolves around you and your brother. And right now, you¡¯re hurting him by pushing him away."


    Juan covered her ears as she shook her head. "I don¡¯t wanna hear it. Are you dad¡¯s personalwyer? Why are you always rifying for him? Juan doesn¡¯t want to forgive him. Dad is bad. He didn¡¯t take my side. Even worse, along with mom, he chided me."


    Ru nodded her head as she sighed out, "Let¡¯s beat your dad together then." Juan stopped moving as she heard Ru¡¯s reply. She blinked her teary eyes at Ru as if asking was she really gonna beat her dad. Ru, however, smiled at her reaction. Juan might be moody but her life revolved around her father and brother. "Do you want me to beat your dad?"


    Juan nibbled at her bottom lip before shaking her head back and forth, "No, dad will be in pain. Juan doesn¡¯t want that."


    "I promise you he won¡¯t be in worse pain than he¡¯s feeling right now." Ru¡¯s words managed to catch Juan¡¯s attention. "My little Queen, your father is strong enough to deal with physical pain but you¡¯re his little girl. He can¡¯t bear to see you hurting. It¡¯s even more painful for him."


    "Then why didn¡¯t he take my side?" Juan grumbled.


    "Before I answer that, you tell me, why do you want him to take your side?" Juan raised her brows at her. "I don¡¯t just call you my little Queen. I know you¡¯re a Queen. And Queens don¡¯t need anyone to stand for them. We fight our own battles. We take the reins of our life in our own hands."


    "If you¡¯re expecting someone to stand up for you, then how or when are you gonna stand up for yourself?" Ru¡¯s words got Juan to think deeply. From a young age, everyone told her she was a princess and everyone was willing to protect this princess. But only Ru had always called her the Queen. Because she was the only one who taught Juan that princess¡¯ need knights, Queens know how to rule the kingdom on their own!


    "If you kept depending on others, this dependence will be a curse for you. It¡¯s not wrong to lean on someone when you¡¯re tired. By asking your dad or your brother to stand up for you, you¡¯re not wrong. But you¡¯re being unfair to yourself. And don¡¯t say you¡¯re still young and that¡¯s why you need them. That¡¯s just an excuse for ipetence."


    Ru stayed quiet after that. Even though what she said might be too much for normal kids but the one before her was anything but normal. Although everyone called Bao a genius and Juan as a drama queen, only Ru could tell this girl¡¯s true nature. She was like a real wolf in sheep¡¯s clothing. Her cunningness was beyond her age and Ru understood that point very well.


    Bao was very simple. One could actually see through him if they tried hard enough but Juan wasn¡¯t like that. She was deep. A very deep person who hid her real self well. And people like her were more dangerous.


    After Juan processed her words carefully, she no longer felt like crying. Her thoughtful expressions definitely didn¡¯t look like that of an 8-year-old. She was carefully contemting Ru¡¯s words.


    "I was at fault," Juan spoke after her silence making Ru raise her brow slightly. "I really made Lin Song cry."


    "I know," was Ru¡¯s simple reply.


    Juan looked into her green eyes. "You won¡¯t ask why I did it?"


    "I don¡¯t want to," answered Ru straightforwardly. "But I do want to tell you something... Ignorance is the key to happiness. But indifference is the way of life." Ru looked carefully at Juan¡¯s expressions before adding, "Revenge might be sweet but it leaves a bitter taste in our lives. Even if you don¡¯t like Lin Song, instead of using tit-for-tat, use your brain."


    Ru never wished for Juan to grew up with the same hatred and bitterness that Xu Mey had in her heart. But if things kept going as they were, she could see that sooner orter, Juan was gonna end up with hatred and bitterness in her life.


    "Now, be a good girl and open the door for your dad and your brother."


    Juan pursed her lips and nodded her head. There was no way she could say no to her godmother. Because she knew one thing for sure, no matter what, her godmother would never me her for anything. Not even for being rude.

 Chapter 411 - Are You Happy?

    <h4>Chapter 411 - Are You Happy?</h4>


    Outside the door, Jie was pacing back and forth restlessly. He was anxious to know what Ru was gonna say to Juan but when he ced the ear against the door to get even a hint of what¡¯s happening inside, his son gave him an usatory look.


    "Dad, you¡¯re old enough to know that eavesdropp-," Bao had yet toplete his sentence when Jie ced his hand over his mouth.


    "Can you for once stop lecturing me?" Jie was feeling really frustrated now. One of his twins was busy lecturing him while the other didn¡¯t even want to see his face. And then there was his wife who didn¡¯t even bothering after him. Hmph! He truly had one of a kind family!


    So when Juan opened the door, the scene that she saw was Jie¡¯s hand on Bao¡¯s mouth. "Dad, what are you doing?"


    Jie immediately turned to look at her and forgot all about Bao as he rushed to Juan¡¯s side and picked her up. "Babygirl, dad¡¯s really sorry. Can you forgive dad?"


    "If I didn¡¯t I wouldn¡¯t have opened the door," she replied in a t tone sounding uninterested but in fact, one could see the way her eyes were twinkling with happiness. She hugged his neck as she mumbled, "Juan is also sorry. Juan went overboard in anger. But Juan is a bit dumb so dad shouldn¡¯t hold it against Juan."


    Jie¡¯s brows quirked up. Did she say she¡¯s dumb? Why don¡¯t you say you¡¯re making the whole world look dumb?!


    But he wasn¡¯t gonna say it to her. He kissed her forehead and nodded, "Dad is not angry at all."


    "Ruru, why do you look so tired?"


    While Jie and his daughter were having their personal father-daughter moment, Bao¡¯s focus was on the image of his godmother.


    "Me? Tired?" Ru repeated and shrugged her shoulders. "I¡¯m not tired. I¡¯m just hungry."


    "When are you not?" Jie¡¯s sarcastic words earned him a dangerous re from his best friend while he smiled back innocently.


    "I really can¡¯t believe you, Jie bro. Of course, I lost my value again since your daughter reconciled with you," she said with a gloomy sigh. "Aiyo, I¡¯m honored that you treat me like a god but please, it¡¯s really not necessary."


    "I treat you like a god?" Jie repeated her words with a controlled smile.


    "Yes, you do," Ru sounded slightly brittle as she added, "Since you only look for me when you need me."


    Her challenging gaze made Jie purse his lips. He couldn¡¯t argue with that statement. Oddly, whenever he was in trouble he would look for her. It had be a habit now. He knew she¡¯d never refuse him and he was actually really proud of this fact. But she had no idea how muchfort and strength her presence brought to his life.


    "I can¡¯t help it though. I only have you," Jie spoke after a moment of reflection. Ru didn¡¯t reply again. She knew why he always turned to her. He had no one else in his life.


    How close could you possibly be to the parents you have never met before the age of 28? That was his issue. Unlike Azalea, he didn¡¯t grow up with Zhu Chen and He Susu. No matter how he tried, he couldn¡¯t find that closeness with them. He never had many friends, to begin with. And as he could see Ye Jun struggling with his own responsibilities, he never dared to disturb him.


    His own wife had no time to listen to him. And his kids were young.


    So, the only person he could turn to was his best friend who had been with him since childhood. That one person who was brutally honest but he even loved her sharp tongue. Because it meant that she was honest and genuine with him. She never sugarcoated things but she always managed to help him.


    "Both of you, get ready for bed," Jie instructed his kids who nodded obediently and ran off. "And you albino monkey, stay. I want to talk to you."


    Ru¡¯s face twisted at the name he called her again.


    "Dad, don¡¯t call my Ruru names!"


    Jie nced at his son. "This is between me and my best friend. Both of you kids, stay out of it." He shushed them away. Right now, she was gonna y the role of his best friend. Not the role of a godmother!


    Ru waited in silence until Bao and Juan went out before saying, "You bloody bonker!" Jieughed at her reaction. He was very amused to know that it was still easy to annoy her. At least, for him.


    "Should you be calling yourself bonker? It suits you better in my opinion."


    "You love to get on my nerve." Jie shrugged his shoulders showing that he indeed loved to do it. "So, what do you want to talk about?"


    He contemted a bit before saying, "Nothing. I just thought about having a serious discussion about life."


    "Serious discussion? About life? Are you feeling sick somewhere?" Her false cheerfulness didn¡¯t amuse him at all. "Okay. So why do you want to talk about life?"


    "Actually, I wanna talk about you. I wanna know what¡¯s going on in your life."


    Her face twisted a bit. "Don¡¯t be ridiculous. Everything in my life is still the same! I¡¯m still as busy as a bee. Also, what can possibly happen to this young master?"


    Jie shook his head at her response. Why was it always the same words? She had so much to say but would always falter when it came to herself. She hated talking about herself. And it really annoyed him a lot!


    "Right, you¡¯re as busy as a bee and as stubborn as a mule!" Jie stered a smile on his face while Ru gave him a nk stare.


    "Are you really that eager to die?"


    "Let me rephrase my question then," he didn¡¯t want to sound pushy but he was really curious. "Are you happy?"


    Her eyes widened slightly before she retorted, "Are you?"


    "I¡¯m very happy," answered Jie.


    "Tut. Tut. Tut." Ru clicking her tongue made him want to punch her face. "Even your son can see you¡¯re not happy. And you think you can lie to me?" She rolled her eyes at him.


    "Be careful, your eyeballs might hit your skull!"


    "It¡¯s my eyes. I can roll my eyes as much as I want. You stop trying to find a distraction for me. You know me very well. I won¡¯t let this topic go until I¡¯m satisfied with your answer. My question is still the same, are you really happy?"


    Jie wanted to ask this question to himself again as well. Yes, he loved his kids. He loved his wife. But was he really happy?

 Chapter 412 - Horror Story

    <h4>Chapter 412 - Horror Story</h4>


    Jie hated Ru¡¯s habit of digressing from the real point. The worst part? She¡¯d make you think. As in she¡¯d make you look deep into your heart but would never do it herself!


    "It¡¯s not like I can chase happiness," he let out a gloomy sigh and looked straight into her eyes. "You¡¯re the one who said that happiness is not something we can capture. Even if we try, it¡¯ll slip away from our hands."


    Ru supported her face on the heel of her hand and looked amusingly at this cousin-brother of hers. "It¡¯s your own words that nobody is actually happy. Because there is no real definition of happiness."


    "If you know me so well, why did you ask me that question then?" she shot back at him while wiggling her brows at him knowingly. Jie squinted his eyes at her while shenguidly continued, "Happiness is indeed a myth but for those who don¡¯t know where to look for it."


    "There is no definition of happiness but there is a recipe for happiness." Jie sat down at the edge of the bed as he listened to her curiously. "Happiness is a perfect blend of sweetness, sourness, and bitterness of life. A right amount of these three ingredients of life is enough to create unforgettable happiness." She rested her head on the chair and her eyes lingered towards the ceiling as she went on, "What we need in life is not happiness, it¡¯s peace. Inner peace. If your heart is at peace, every moment is a happy one. Actually every single moment is a happy one, if not for you then for another person. It¡¯s just the way we look at it!"


    "So, my dear brother, don¡¯t ask people recklessly if they are happy in life or not. Everyone is just going with the flow. Because there is no other way around it. We all are so busy keeping up the facade that none of us have the time to ask even ourselves whether we are happy or not."


    "I should get a medal," said Jie thoughtfully making her frown slightly. "For dealing with a mentally cracked person like you."


    "What medal do you want? I¡¯ll make it myself," she offered ever so politely making him cringe at her tone of voice. "By the way, where is your wife? She didn¡¯te after you?" Jie¡¯s face fell instantly and Ru bit her tongue. Why did she have to spoil his mood again with that reminder? "Cough!" she faked a cough before saying in false cheerfulness, "The sky is really beautiful tonight."


    Jie pursed his lips beforeughing at her, "Your sense of humor is still non-existent!" She simply shrugged her shoulders not wanting to argue on this topic. Since Bao and Juan were back in their pajamas, Jie tucked them in bed while heid down between them. "Tonight, we¡¯ll read a superhero story."


    "No, I want Ru¡¯er to tell a story tonight," Juan said in gentle remonstrance.


    "Yes, Ruru should do it," even Boa agreed with his sister leaving Ru gaping at them.


    "But I don¡¯t know stories except for real-life events. How about I share something from my time in Europe?"


    "They are asking for a story. Not a horror-story!" retorted Jie making Ru¡¯s face twitch and her hand itching tond on his handsome face.


    "My life is a horror story?"


    "It¡¯s not any better," Jie said in simple directness.


    "Then what am I in your eyes?"


    "Of course, the ghost of that horror story."


    Ru raised her clenched fist but since he wasn¡¯t standing before her, she could only put her hand down. Bloody son of a bachelor! He again called her a ghost! If he kept going on like this, one day soon, she was gonna make him a ghost!


    Seeing how Ru and Jie were having a staringpetition, Juan interrupted their battle of stares by saying, "Ru¡¯er, Juan has a schoolpetition next week. Will Ru¡¯ere for Juan?"


    "Why do I have toe?" she questioned.


    "If Ru¡¯eres, Juan will definitely win," Juan answered firmly.


    "How so?" asked Ru in amus.e.m.e.nt.


    "Because Ru¡¯er is Juan¡¯s lucky charm," Juan¡¯s cheeky reply got herughing out loud.


    "You little Queen are gonna be a real charmer one day," said Ru meaning her words more serious than they sounded.


    "Isn¡¯t that why you call her Queen An?" Jie chimed in ruffling his little girl¡¯s hair who was trying to test her godmother¡¯s resistance to her charms.


    "An means tranquility. I call her An because I want her to develop the tranquility of the flowing water." Jie frowned at her reply. "Water is often peaceful minding its own business but once it faces any resistance, it can crush over mountains to find its path. I want my little Queen to be like that."


    While Jie was thoughtfully thinking about Ru¡¯s words, he heard his daughter¡¯s voice, "That sounds so interesting and cool. Juan is gonna be exactly like that!"


    "So, no more useless and petty arguments with unimportant people?" Ru stared at Juan who nodded her head in conviction.


    "Never! Juan is gonna be better than that!"


    "Did you just...?" Jie stared in awe at his best friend who put a finger over her lips and winked back at him. He was amazed at how she so simply managed to divert Juan¡¯s whole mindset by just a few words. He shouldn¡¯t have been shocked knowing her abilities to do the unthinkable but he couldn¡¯t help it. He only used to think that she yed with people¡¯s minds very well who knew she could y even with a kid.


    He shook his head at her.


    "Ruru," Bao called out softly.


    "Hmm..."


    "Ruru is not good with stories, we know that. Then how about you y Guzheng (Chinese Zither) for us?"


    His suggestion got Ru¡¯s brows to quirk up. "That¡¯s a very good idea." Ru wanted to curse at Jie for agreeing with his kids but she couldn¡¯t even curse before the kids. "Don¡¯t be so stingy. It¡¯s just a short performance. If it can help my twins to have a good night¡¯s sleep then why are you being so mean?"


    Ru scrunched up her face. He was definitely trying to make her look bad here by saying those words. She scratched her head before she got up from her chair and vanished from the screen for a short while. When she came back, she set up that heavy instrument and took a deep breath.


    "I haven¡¯t yed in a long while, so don¡¯t expect anything fancy," she spoke with a bit of irritation and closed her eyes to calm down.


    As her fingers lingered above the strings, even Jie straightened up a bit in anticipation. He hadn¡¯t heard her ying the instrument in years now. It was true that unlike modern society they lived in, Ru liked her ancient and antique things. It wasn¡¯t just because of the way she was raised, it was also her heart¡¯s desire. Instead of modern music, she was oddly fascinated by the beauty lied in traditional things.


    As her fingers plucked the strings, it produced a clear and melodious, calm, elegant, and sober music that instantly made the listener lost himself to another world.


    Painting a picture with music, those were the words that came to Jie¡¯s mind as he listened carefully. The guzheng could depict the feelings incisively and vividly that¡¯s why she was so fond of it. The enchanting fascination derived from its natural beauty was hard to resist, perhaps that¡¯s why the twins fell asleep immediately.


    "That didn¡¯t sound like someone who was out of practice," said Jie as soon as she finished.


    Ru looked carefully at the way he was stroking his kids¡¯s head and only said, "Impatience and anger, both can ruin a family. Before taking any further step, try to keep in mind that now you¡¯re not alone. You have two kids with you."


    "Are you asking me to apologize to Mey? Even though she¡¯s wrong?"


    Ru shook her head. "No, that¡¯s not what I mean. Whether she¡¯s right or wrong, she¡¯s their mother. I guess she needs time to understand where she¡¯scking but you can¡¯t say you¡¯re not at fault." He furrowed his brows. "If you had demanded and took a stand for yourself back then, she wouldn¡¯t have taken you for granted. Sometimes, you have to ask for what is rightfully yours. And a life partner¡¯s time should belong to the other half."

 Chapter 413 - Ideal Relationsh.i.p.s

    <h4>Chapter 413 - Ideal Rtionsh.i.p.s</h4>


    How would you define a perfect and strong rtionship? What makes a marriage sessful? What makes you a perfect match for each other? What makes your rtionship ideal?


    <i>Having no arguments?</i>


    <i>No disagreements?</i>


    <i>Never fighting?</i>


    The answer is <i><strong>NO! </strong></i>Big fat no!


    Arguments, disagreements, fights are all part of a rtionship. Especially a marriage. Never take pride in the fact that you had never had any disagreements. But the real point of all this is to see whether your rtionship is strong enough to face the changing tides of time. Can you move with the world and time or you¡¯re stuck right where you began?


    If you think that just because you are together and had never had any arguments with your partner, you¡¯re in a healthy rtionship. Perhaps, your rtionship is the weakest one since it hasn¡¯t learned to ride on the tides of troubles, disagreements, and disappointments.


    But Xu Mey failed to understand this point. She was so stuck on the fact that Jie raised his voice at her and med her for the problems in their family that she didn¡¯t want to look past it and focus on the crux of Jie¡¯s outburst.


    Technically, he wasn¡¯t even ming her. He was just trying to give her a wake-up call which she very much needed. But even now, she failed to understand that. She failed to understand that the only reason they had been able to live together for 8 years wasn¡¯t that they were perfect together. It was because Jie would always bow down before her for the sole reason that he didn¡¯t want pride and ego toe between them.


    Xu Mey had been self-dependent for years now. She was so ustomed to it that she never bothered sharing her worries with Jie. He was okay with it but he was not okay to know that she was not willing to see that something bothered him as well. He also had his own troubles.


    Even now...


    Instead of choosing to follow him and trying to sort out everything, she chose to turn her back and run from these problems. Running away had always been super easy for everyone in life. But it takes real courage to face the pain and to confront the problems head-on. But that¡¯s what makes you strong. That¡¯s what shows how mature you are.


    "Xiao Mey, why are you here?" Xu Cheng was really surprised to see her as she came back with Xiamu and Azalea. He had not been able to attend the party because he had sprained his ankle a few days ago. So, he couldn¡¯t even walk.


    "Dad..." Xu Mey called out softly and came to sit beside him. She ced her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes.


    "What¡¯s wrong? Are you okay?" Xu Cheng inquired while he stroked her hair and looked at his son inquisitively. Xiamu shrugged his shoulders showing that he had no idea what was wrong with her.


    In fact, Xiamu really had no idea why his sister was acting like this. After seeing everyone off, she just came to him and said, she wasing with him. He couldn¡¯t possibly stop her from visiting home, so he didn¡¯t ask either.


    "Nothing¡¯s wrong, dad. I just wanted to see you," said Xu Mey in a soft voice. "Also, you haven¡¯t been well these days. So, I decided toe and check up on your health. Besides, it¡¯s been days since I haven¡¯t seen you. I missed you."


    Xu Cheng smiled affectionately as he heard her reason. He was d to know that she came for him but he was also feeling a bit weird. There was a doubt in his heart that she was hiding something. But he didn¡¯t want to probe at this moment.


    "You should have brought my grandkids with you. I miss them so much and it¡¯s been a while I saw those two."


    Xu Mey¡¯s lips pressed into a hard line as she remembered what Jie said to her. His words kept ringing in her mind. It was like a curse, she couldn¡¯t get rid of.


    "You get well soon then you can y with your grandkids all you want," she answered trying to sound normal. "Now, tell me, have you eaten anything?"


    "Yes, I had my dinner already."


    "What about your medicine?" she continued.


    "I was just about to take it," he sounded like a kid who was guilty of doing something wrong since Xu Mey was squinting her eyes at him.


    "Dad, how can you be so careless? It¡¯s almost midnight and you still haven¡¯t taken your medicine? If you kept being this negligent with your health, how are you gonna get better? Is this why you didn¡¯t want to stay in the hospital? You really don¡¯t take care of yourself." She kept chiding him as she brought his medicine and stood beside him with her hands on her h.i.p.s to make sure that he took his medicine.


    "Sometimes I¡¯m really not sure whether I¡¯m your father or you¡¯re my mother." Xu Cheng shook his head at her.


    "I¡¯m gonna change my clothes now, but by the time Ie back, you better put down these doc.u.ments." She warned before rushing towards the stairs.


    Seeing her receding figure, Xu Cheng turned to his son again, "Did something happen at the party?"


    "Nothing happened, dad," Xiamu answered honestly. Nothing really happened at the party at least in his opinion everything was fine.


    "Then why is she here?" Xu Cheng wondered out loud looking concerned.


    "I think you¡¯re overthinking, dad. Sis is just here to see you. Why do you have to think so much about it?"


    Xu Cheng smiled at his son, "Now, you¡¯re gonna be a father. Soon you¡¯ll know why I¡¯m worrying so much."


    "Are you trying to scare me, dad?"


    Xu Cheng shook his head at his son. "Absolutely not. I¡¯m just warning you. There is an African proverb, ¡¯It takes a vige to raise a child.¡¯ In other words, it¡¯s not an easy job." He sighed out gloomily. "I have done a very poor job at parenting. I don¡¯t want you to be the same."


    "And what about Sis? Why do I never hear you advising her?" Xiamuined softly.


    "It¡¯s not that I don¡¯t want to. It¡¯s just that your sister thinks since I have never been a perfect father, I don¡¯t deserve to teach her anything about parenting."

 Chapter 414 - Reassurance

    <h4>Chapter 414 - Reassurance</h4>


    Early in the morning when Jie woke up and left his kids¡¯ room, the only thing that awaited him outside was silence. He looked for Xu Mey all around the house but not finding her anywhere, his expressions hardened.


    He had thought about clearing up everything with her. He was willing to sit down and talk to her. He was even willing to apologize for the way he spokest night but guess what she did? She ran! She ran away again!


    Jie took a deep calming breath as he got ready and came downstairs to prepare breakfast. "Morning, dad!" He instantly smiled at his twins when they came down to have breakfast already d in their uniforms. He didn¡¯t even have to wake them up.


    "Morning!" he replied and kissed them both before getting back to his scrambled eggs.


    "Where is mom? Why are you cooking today?" Juan was the first one to bring this up. "Dad..." Seeing how he was silent for a long while, she called him again.


    "I¡¯ve made pancakes for my Juan and scrambled eggs for my son. Eat up, I¡¯ll drop you both to school."


    Since he avoided the question, Bao and Juan shared a look and decided not to question him again. Whatever it was, they just knew he wasn¡¯t gonna share with them.


    The three of them ate breakfast in silence. Since Jie didn¡¯t like too many people in the house, even now all the maids were not allowed to enter the main house without permission. That¡¯s why he had prepared the breakfast himself because he didn¡¯t feel like having any intrusion.


    "Jie! Zhu Jie!" While Jie was collecting the utensils, he heard a loud voice calling him. He didn¡¯t have to guess who this voice belonged to though.


    "Dad, why is grandma so angry so early in the morning?" questioned Juan.


    "Maybe she woke up on the wrong side of the bed," shrugged Jie nonchntly. "You both wait in the car for me, I¡¯ll be right there." Both of them nodded and took their backpacks silently.


    As the twins left, his mother finally appeared before him. He Susu was fuming in rage as she red at him, "Jie, what did you do to Xiao Mey?"


    "What did I do? And who said something happened? Did she say something to you?" His voice came out stern even more than he intended it to. He already knew his mother was here as an advocate for her daughter-inw.


    "Xiao Mey went with Xiamust night. Azalea told me this morning that she wasn¡¯t in a good mood when she left with them. But if I remember correctly, she was very happy at the party. That means something must have happened between you two."


    Jie frowned at his mother. "And why don¡¯t you think that perhaps she wanted to visit her father and that¡¯s why she left?"


    "I know her. She takes her responsibilities very seriously. She would never leave like that," answered He Susu. Clearly, she wasn¡¯t in a mood to hear his exnations at all. But it¡¯s not like he wanted to exin anything to her. He didn¡¯t have to exin himself to anyone.


    "Mom, even if something happened between us, I believe it¡¯s between me and my wife. And it¡¯s not a good idea for you to get involved in this," he cleared his point straightforwardly.


    "So, something really happened. What did you do?" While he was scowling, she kept going on, "Even if she had done something, you could have looked over it for a while. After all, it was a very happy day for her but you just had to spoil it for her."


    "Mom, I really think you shouldn¡¯t get involved in this matter," he was trying hard to stay calm. He had always been calm, to begin with. But why was everyone trying to challenge his bottom-line these days?


    "Jie," her voice softened a bit. "It¡¯s not just between you and your wife. Xiao Mey is a part of our family and this is a family matter." She sighed heavily. "You both love each other so much. Why do you have to behave like this?"


    That was it. She finally managed to tumble down his wall of patience.


    "Family matter?" he scoffed. "Mom, it¡¯s a family matter indeed. But the intruder in this is you right now."


    "Jie, don¡¯t be rude. I¡¯m trying to fix everything between you both."


    "You don¡¯t even know what happened and here you are giving me a lecture. Why don¡¯t you go and ask her first what happened? You¡¯re not fixing anything. You¡¯re only making it worse!"


    "I don¡¯t want to hurt her even more than she already is by asking her about it."


    "Oh, so you came to hurt your son?" He was feeling suffocated now. "You just said that we both love each other and we should solve it. I agree. But where is she? Why isn¡¯t she here to solve it? Because I¡¯m certainly not the one running from this problem! She is!" He Susu was left speechless as he continued, "Staying in a rtionship JUST because you LOVE someone isn¡¯t worth it anymore."


    Her eyes widened at his words. What did he mean by that?


    "Love IS NOT all you NEED! Respect is what you need! Time is what you need! Reassurance is what you need! Happiness is what you need! A best friend is what you need!" His heart was aching badly now as he finally said those words out. "All I have is the love of hers. And I don¡¯t even get a reassurance now whether she loves me or not. Because she certainly doesn¡¯t act like it."


    "Jie..."


    Jie held out his hand to stop her. "Don¡¯t! I have had enough now! If she wants to act like a child then so be it! Why do I always have to try to keep the bnce in this rtionship? We are husband and wife, it¡¯s not just my job to make this all work out between us. She also has to put some effort into this. Which she clearly doesn¡¯t want to!"


    Saying that he shoved past his mother and left the house. He knew this was gonna happen. That¡¯s why he always avoided arguments with Xu Mey since he knew every single person was gonna take her side. And also, nothing could stay a secret in this big family so how could he escape from the wrath of everyone.


    He could tell his mother was only the first person who came to him, others were also gonna follow. But to be honest, after saying all that to his mother, he hade to clear up a lot ofplicated feelings in his heart. He finally saw his and Xu Mey¡¯s rtionship in a new light.


    He was always willing to fight for their love, now it was her turn. It was time to see whether Xu Mey also thought like that or not.

 Chapter 415 - Just Want My Baby

    <h4>Chapter 415 - Just Want My Baby</h4>


    Staring at his lock screen which had a photo of his small family, Jie couldn¡¯t help thinking. He had dropped the twins to school and on his way to the office, chose to take a detour. Now, his car was parked right outside the Xu Family House but he hadn¡¯t gone inside.


    They say, <i>¡¯Goodbye is the most painful way to solve a problem.¡¯</i>


    He didn¡¯t want a goodbye to be the solution for his family. It would not only be painful for him or Xu Mey, but it would also break their kids as well. He had to think through this carefully and calmly. Being hasty was not gonna help anyone.


    Taking a deep breath, he dialed Xu Mey¡¯s number and waited.


    Inside the Xu Family House...


    "Young miss, your cell phone is ringing," the maid informed Xu Mey who was busy in the kitchen.


    Xu Mey took the phone from her and looked at the caller id. Seeing that it was Jie, she smirked slightly but didn¡¯t take the call. ording to her since he was the one calling first, it meant he realized that he was in the wrong. So, he could wait a bit longer since she was hurt by his words.


    She served the porridge into the bowl and poured the soy milk in a ss before taking out of the kitchen. As she ced the healthy breakfast before Azalea, her cell phone in the apron rang again. She didn¡¯t take the call and instead started talking to Azalea, "Take care of your diet these days. Your weight is really not ideal."


    "I¡¯ll get fat if you kept feeding me so much, Sister Mey."


    "Good, if you¡¯ll be fat then my niece or nephew will also be fat."


    Azalea sighed out in defeat and heard Xu Mey¡¯s phone ringing. "Why aren¡¯t you taking the call? It must be important?"


    Xu Mey smiled at her softly and nodded before she went to her bedroom with her phone against her ear, "Hello!"


    "Are you avoiding my calls as well?" Jie¡¯s voice sounded taut. "Isn¡¯t it enough to leave without a word that you¡¯re now avoiding my calls?"


    "Didn¡¯t you say that I¡¯m the reason why our family is crumbling down? So, I just decided to give ourselves a break." She was speaking unhappily.


    "So, instead of trying to mend the cracks that had formed in our rtionship, you ran away?" Xu Mey was stunned by his words. "You know when do we start running? Either when we know we¡¯re wrong or when we don¡¯t want to fix anything. You tell me, which one is it for you?"


    "Ah-Jie!" Xu Mey spoke harshly. "It might be wrong of me to chide Juan like that but you can¡¯t say that I¡¯m neglecting my kids." She took a brief pause before adding, "Have you thought that you could also be in the wrong? Like how could you raise your voice at me like that? You know how much I hate it when someone does that and yet you spoke so rudely to me."


    "You¡¯re not neglecting the kids? Your argument was with me, right? Then why did you choose to leave the house? I¡¯m not the only one who lives in that house. Our kids are there as well who asked me in the morning where their mother is and I had no answer for them."


    Before Xu Mey could open her mouth to argue, he went on, "This is not the first time you¡¯re trying to run away from me. You did itst time when we were in an ident as well. Instead of waiting for me, you decided all on your own to leave me. Is that what you¡¯re doing again?" Xu Mey felt at a loss for words. "You know me very well. No matter how upset I am, I¡¯ll eventuallyes back to you. But you couldn¡¯t wait. Why is it that difficult for you to wait for me? If you don¡¯t have the courage to face the truth, at least have the patience to wait!"


    "Ah-Jie, you know that¡¯s wrong. I can face everything but not your usations. Do you know how much your words hurt me? Do you know how painful it is? You telling me that I am not being a perfect mother?"


    "There is no perfect mother, Xu Mey!" Jie replied back in a level tone. "I don¡¯t want you to be perfect. I just want you to be there for our kids when they need you. I just want you to be you. I want my baby back. The one I fell in love with."


    "I¡¯m always there for them," she argued sounded harsh.


    "Oh, then where are you now? They needed you this morning, where were you?"


    "I..." Xu Mey couldn¡¯t defend herself.


    "I¡¯m not gonna preach you about parenting when you still don¡¯t have a clue what is wrong between our marriage!" Jie really didn¡¯t want to start another argument. He knew he wascking as well. Maybe more than her. But they never even sat together to bridge thosecking or find a solution. "I think we both should take this time to understand what exactly is wrong between us. Because unless we figure it out, this marriage is not gonna work."


    "It has been working perfectly fine for years, Ah-Jie! I thought we love each other. Why do you have to keep insisting that something is wrong between us?" She still hadn¡¯te to the realization that something was indeed wrong between them. "Is it because your love for me is fading out now?"


    Jie scoffed at her words, "My love for you is still the same. But I need to grow out of the fantasies now that love is all I need in life. Because it¡¯s not. I need a wife. A wife whose time is mine. Who understands me. And who is willing to hear me out."


    "Do you think I don¡¯t have time for you? For whom am I working so much? I try every day to be a good daughter-inw to your parents. A good sister-inw to your siblings. And a good mistress to your family n."


    Jie dropped his head on the steering wheel as he replied in a soft voice, "Where is the time for me then? When are you trying to be my wife? Because all the things that you stated arepletely useless to me. Neither I nor my parents asked you to take those responsibilities, you did it yourself. I need my baby back. I don¡¯t need this woman who is obsessed with being perfect for everyone!"


    He really was tired of exining it to her now that he didn¡¯t want her to be a perfect example of whatever she was trying to be. He fell in love with her. Just the way she was. Why was she trying to change now? And the change that brought distance between them? He really didn¡¯t need it!

 Chapter 416 - Lonely Jie

    <h4>Chapter 416 - Lonely Jie</h4>


    Every rtionship has differences. Without fights and arguments, you can¡¯t strengthen your bond. Every argument is a test to see how far you can go to keep this rtionship.


    Jie knew this very well. But he¡¯d rather not have those arguments or fights with Xu Mey. However, he was still okay with these arguments. At least, it meant he still had something to fight for.


    But when he recalled Xu Mey¡¯s words from this morning, he felt distressed and heartbroken all over again. And yet he chose to me himself wondering maybe he had really done something wrong. Maybe he missed something and messed up. Maybe he overreacted. He really had no problem in lowering his head but Xu Mey really hurt him all over again. She really made him question himself and it made him feel even worse.


    Nheless, it was not enough to make him give up on them.


    As they say, <i>¡¯Love means to have the worst argument with someone and realize you¡¯d rather have that argument with them than not have them in your life.¡¯</i>


    He had a firm belief in those words. Because only he knew how dreadful he felt when he remembered that he won¡¯t be seeing his baby at home tonight. Last night, he spent his time with his kids and didn¡¯t know that Xu Mey was missing. He thought she was home and it made him sleep in peace. But knowing she won¡¯t be home... His headache was getting worse.


    He had been distracted since the time he came to the office. Even his personal assistant could see the change in his mood. It wasn¡¯t that difficult to see the gloomy aura surrounding him.


    But he couldn¡¯t ask his boss what was wrong. That wasn¡¯t his ce. So, he asked the next best thing he could think of, "Sir, would you like some coffee? You seem to have a headache."


    Jie looked up at his personal assistant and nodded his head, "Yes, please. Thank you!"


    The personal assistant nodded and retreated leaving Jie to dwell on his problems all alone.


    He took out his phone and looked through his contact list, he really wanted to talk to someone to ease his mind. He wanted to share this all with someone but who?


    He couldn¡¯t call his parents because he wasn¡¯t really close to them. Besides, they had already chosen their sides.


    Should he call Azalea? He immediately shook his head. She was pregnant it didn¡¯t seem right to involve her.


    He bit his lips and his fingers hovered above Ye Jun¡¯s name but in the end, he didn¡¯t press it. He knew his brother had been stressed because of his own wife, he really couldn¡¯t bring himself to worry him with his own problems.


    Then who else could he call? Who would listen to him?!


    His eyes stared at ¡¯Ru¡¯ and he contemted. If he called her, she¡¯d listen to him. But since bing the head of her n, she had been extremely busy. Whatever free time she had, she spent it all on his kids because he asked for it. Now, how could he ask her to pay attention to him when the one to distance himself from her was his own self!


    He really was the cruel bastard that Ru called him who forgot all about friendship once love came into the picture. If heined about this to her, he could even hear her voice screaming in his ear, <i>¡¯You deserved it, Bloody son of a bachelor! This happens to all those who forget the sacrifices of friends and run after a woman¡¯s love!¡¯</i>


    Maybe he really got used to treating her like a god. Whenever something happened with him, he¡¯d think of her instinctively. And if everything was fine, she¡¯d be nowhere in the picture.


    But if not her, who else did he have? Was he really this lonely?


    "Sir, your coffee."


    Jie¡¯s daydreaming broke when his assistant ced the steaming hot cup of coffee on the table. Jie thanked him.


    "Sir, won¡¯t you have lunch?"


    Jie shook his head, "I¡¯m not hungry. You can go for your lunch break."


    Finally, after much contemtion, he decided to call someone. It didn¡¯t even ring twice before the other person¡¯s heartyugh came before he heard, "What a pleasant surprise! My eldest son is calling me so early in the morning."


    "Father, it¡¯s lunchtime here," answered Jie with a small smile.


    "How are you, Jie?" asked the other person.


    "I¡¯m doing great. How about you? How¡¯s your world tour going?"


    The other person was silent for a minute before he said, "Xiao Jie, I might not be your birth father but I have watched you grow up. Do you really think I can¡¯t tell that something¡¯s bothering you?"


    Jie¡¯s expressions shifted and he shook his head. It had been years since Ye Kang found out that Jie wasn¡¯t his son and yet, their rtionship didn¡¯t change at all. This man still tried to protect Jie like his own son. He kept his words. Back then he said,<i> ¡¯Jie, you¡¯d always be my eldest son.¡¯</i> And he proved it. To him, there was still no difference between Jie and Jun.


    "Tell me what¡¯s wrong? Father will fix everything for you."


    Jie chuckled at his words saying, "That¡¯s strange. When I was young you used to push me out to explore the world and learn to survive on my own. And now that I¡¯m old, you want to fix everything for me?"


    "At that time, I wanted my son to be strong. Right now, I want my son to know that I¡¯m always there for him."


    Jie¡¯s heart felt a gush of warmth, he smiled as he asked, "When are youing back? It¡¯s been 8 months."


    "If you want, I¡¯lle right now."


    Jie didn¡¯t take his words seriously. He was about to say something when the door of his office was pushed open and his other secretary rushed in.


    "Lizzy?" Jie raised his brows at her.


    "I¡¯m sorry for barging in like this, Sir. But it¡¯s your daughter."


    Jie abruptly stood up as he asked, "What happened to my Juan?"


    "She... She is in hospital."


    Jie¡¯s heart skipped a beat. He stared wide open at his secretary.


    "Jie? What¡¯s going on? What happened to my granddaughter?"


    Jie picked up his coat and keys as he rushed out while he answered Ye Kang, "I don¡¯t know, Father. I¡¯ll call you when I get there."

 Chapter 417 - To The Hospital

    <h4>Chapter 417: To The Hospital</h4>


    Since it was lunchtime, most of his subordinates were having their lunch. So the task of driving Jie to the hospital fell on Lizzy who was the only person avable in his secretarial department. Of course, he could drive himself but he didn''t trust himself enough to do it right. In the morning, he was already disturbed because of Xu Mey and almost got into an ident.


    And now that he knew his princess was in the hospital, how was he supposed to calmly drive? Before reaching her, he might reach somewhere else.


    Sitting in the back seat, Jie was constantly tapping his feet impatiently. He rubbed his forehead to ease his headache that had reached a new pinnacle.


    "Who called you?" he asked his secretary in an attempt to distract himself.


    "It was your daughter''s homeroom teacher," she answered in a professional manner.


    "What else did she say? Did she tell what''s wrong with Juan?" he was looking for some answers or he thought he might go crazy.


    "She only said Little Miss copsed in ss and they took her to the hospital."


    He raised his head and looked at her through the rearview mirror, "And you didn''t ask what happened?"


    Lizzy pushed up her sses saying, "Sorry, but I was in a rush to let you know first."


    Jie fell silent at her reply. Of course, he''d be mad if she had dyed but he was so anxious now. Completely clueless about his daughter''s situation. He didn''t find anything wrong with Juan in the morning. She was her usual bright and sunny self. Then what happened suddenly?


    In just a minute, he hade up with a million possibilities and each one made him feel despair. And this stupid traffic jam was making him even madder.


    Sensing his mood, Lizzy looked at him through the rearview mirror and said, "Sir, rx. Little Miss would be fine. You shouldn''t worry so much."


    "Ms. Lizzy, do you even know what I am feeling right now?"


    She nodded her head saying, "I think I do, Sir."


    Jie raised his brow at her, "Oh, you do? Do you have a child?"


    She smiled sadly at him before replying, "I almost my two-year daughter six months ago in an ident. So, I definitely know what you''re going through, Sir."


    Jie choked on his words before he lowered his head and said, "I''m sorry. I didn''t know."


    She chuckled at his reaction and shook her head, "It''s strange. You''re such an attentive husband and a father. Yet you''re clueless about your employees." Of course, she didn''t expect him to know everything but this was something already mentioned before him because she was also in that ident and yet he was clueless about it. She took a pause before adding, "But trust me, Sir, have faith and be a little strong. Your daughter needs you right now."


    Jie leaned his head back and covered his eyes with his elbow as he wondered, ''How am I supposed to stay strong?''


    It took him almost an hour to reach the hospital and his patience was really at limits by the time he got there. He found Juan''s homeroom teacher outside the ER and when he tried to enter, he wasn''t allowed in.


    "Oh,e on! I have to see my daughter!"


    "Mr. Zhu, please wait here."


    When he wasn''t allowed to get close to Juan or even got to see her, he turned to her homeroom teacher and inquired, "What happened? My daughter was perfectly fine in the morning."


    "Mr. Zhu, please calm down. I''m also not sure what happened. But the doctors said that she has a very high fever."


    "High fever?" Jie''s brows furrowed up. "I didn''t notice any fever in the morning though."


    "The doctors had been taking care of her but it seems her fever isn''t going down. And she has been unconscious for hours also she has been shivering for a while now. But don''t panic. The doctors are trying their best."


    Jie staggered back as he breathed heavily, "That''s so not reassuring." He sat down and held his head in both his hands. His mind felt nk when he felt his phone vibrating in his pocket. First, he didn''t n to check but thinking that maybe it''s Xu Mey, he took out his phone. However, he was disappointed. Adjusting his emotions, he took the call, "Yes, Father."


    "How''s my granddaughter? What happened to her?"


    "They are saying she has a high fever and she is unconscious. I''m not allowed to even see her yet." He heard the sound of the announcement from the other side and asked, "Father, are you at the airport?"


    "Of course, I am! Do you expect me to enjoy my holiday knowing that my granddaughter is in the hospital?" Jie didn''t say anything in reply and Ye Kang continued, "You don''t worry, okay? Everything will be alright. I''m gonna be there soon. Be strong until I get there."


    Jie licked his dry lips before saying, "Before reassuring me, can you please stop crying?"


    Ye Kang sniffled without any embarrassment as he said, "I can''t help it. Juju is so young. Thinking how her lively face must be scowling in pain is making me feel hurt. You ask those doctors to be gentle or take her to another hospital if they are no good doctors."


    Jie smiled slightly at his words before saying, "You take care of yourself. I''m waiting for you."


    Then he turned to Juan''s teacher and said, "Thank you foring here and taking care of my daughter."


    The homeroom teacher waved her hand saying, "Oh, that''s my job. I was very scared when the school doctor said we should take her to the hospital."


    Jie nodded and hesitated a little before asking, "Did you call my wife?"


    The teacher shook her head, "It''s always been you whoes for both Bao and Juan. So, the headmaster said it''s better to call you."


    "Alright. Thank you again! You don''t have to wait here. You can leave if you want."


    The teacher nodded her head and said, "Then can you ask your secretary to let me know once Juan''s condition is stable?"


    Jie smiled politely at her, "I''ll ask my secretary to do that."


    The teacher heaved a sigh of relief before turning to leave. She hadn''t gone far before she stopped and turned around. Jie was looking at his phone thinking about calling Xu Mey when he heard, "Mr. Zhu, do you mind if I ask you something personal?"


    He looked up from his phone screen and nodded in agreement.


    "Is everything alright in your family?"

 Chapter 418 - She’ll Listen

    <h4>Chapter 418 - She¡¯ll Listen</h4>


    Jie was obviously taken aback by her question. He couldn''t understand what made this teacher ask this question but it made him sad. Even an outsider could see something was wrong with his family. Howe his wife still insisted that they have had a happy family until now?


    No matter what he thought in his heart, he replied, "No. Why would you think something''s wrong?"


    The teacher pressed her lips together before saying, "Maybe I''m wrong then. But today, Juan has been acting strange since morning."


    Jie was instantly in an alert mode as he questioned, "What? How was she acting strange?"


    "I think as her father you know better how lively she is." Jie nodded his head without any hesitation. "But today she had been very quiet. Usually, she''d be jumping around, chattering nonstop. However, I barely heard her voice today. She seemed lost in her own thoughts." She paused briefly before adding, "That''s why I thought maybe something is wrong in your family that disturbed her. After all, kids are very sensitive to such things."


    Jie exhaled a long breath and nodded, "Thank you so much for letting me know!"


    The teacher smiled at him politely before leaving. Jie turned back to his phone with aplicated look. He thought since the fight is between them, Xu Mey would definitelye for the kids. She couldn''t possibly be mad at them. He dialed Xu Mey''s number and waited. However, he soon realized that he was cklisted. He couldn''t even call her now.


    Just amazing!


    He wanted to throw his phone but didn''t do so. If she didn''t want to talk to him, he also wasn''t gonna let her know anything. What''s the point? Last night, she could have overlooked Juan''s outburst since Juan is a kid, why did she have to act like a kid as well? Since she didn''t care about their daughterst night, she wouldn''t care now either.


    Obviously, all these thoughts wereing because of how lonely, stressed, and exhausted he felt. As the doctor came out, he hurriedly inquired, "Doctor, how is my daughter?"


    "Mr. Zhu, your daughter''s fever is... Tricky. We have been trying to reduce it but the problem is she is not responding to any medication." Jie''s heart sank. The doctor patted his shoulder and added, "But don''t worry. Didn''t you call the country''s renowned pediatrician team? I''m just going to receive them. Your daughter will be fine."


    Jie stared at the doctor with a perplexed look in his eyes. He called for the renowned pediatrician team? When did he do that? Wait! Why didn''t he think of calling his connections? In his anxiety, he couldn''t think straight at all!


    Suddenly he smiled and shook his head. Did he even have to call anyone? How could his Juan''s Ruru not know that she was in the hospital? It''d be a miracle if that twisted cousin of his didn''t know about this.


    He took his phone and typed a message for her: [Thank you, stalker!]


    He wanted tough at her. Even when she wasn''t around, she''d make sure to let you know that she''s always around. This reassurance was already enough to ease his heart. If the doctor''s team was sent by Ru, then he could finally calm down a little.


    He watched as the president of the hospital came out of the elevator with a team of 6 doctors of different ages. They all were discussing the case among themselves and as they came close, Jie spoke up, "Please take care of my daughter."


    One of the older doctors gave him a reassuring smile as she said, "We''ll do our best, Mr. Zhu Jie. Young Master Ru''s instructions are quite strict."


    Jie could only agree with those words as he watched the team of doctors rushing inside her daughter''s room. They had shifted her to a private room from the ER and Jie was still not allowed to meet Juan. But he did get a glimpse of his daughter. Her smiling face was now twisted in pain as she was sweating profusely and whimpering softly even in her unconscious state.


    There was an IV on her hand, Jie felt like someone was twisting his heart. He felt like he was the one suffering instead of her. In fact, if he could he would dly want to swap ces with his daughter. That was his precious daughter.


    While he was pacing around in the corridor...


    "Dad!"


    Jie looked over and saw Bao running towards him. He was shocked to see him here. Then he looked behind him and seeing his secretary, he squinted his eyes. Thetter only replied, "Young Master was calling me incessantly. He even threatened, if I didn''te to pick him up from school, he''d take a cab on his own."


    "Your point is, Lizzy?"


    She cleared her throat, "He is a good negotiator."


    Jie shook his head and picked up his son who didn''t resist today. He even wrapped his small arms around his neck and buried his face in the crook of his neck. Jie patted his back to soothe him and said, "Juan is fine. You don''t need to worry so much."


    Bao looked at his face and said, "If she was fine, you wouldn''t look like this."


    "How do I look?" Jie raised his brows inquisitively.


    "It seems you aged a lot in just an hour," replied Bao with a straight face. Jie pressed his lips together and didn''t say anything in reply. Instead, it was Bao who asked, "She will be fine, right?"


    Jie nodded his head and kissed his forehead, "Yes. Your Ruru sent the best doctors. How will our Jaun not get better? We just need to pray for her." He pinched his nose and went on, "Especially you."


    "Me?"


    "Hm... Since you''re Juan''s twin, if you''ll call for her in your prayers, she''ll definitely listen. She has never refused you, right?" He nodded his head. "So, if you''ll call then she''ll definitely answer."


    Bao ced his hands together and closed his eyes, earnestly praying for his sister. Seeing this Jie kissed his cheek, and rubbed his head.

 Chapter 419 - Selfish Parents

    <h4>Chapter 419 - Selfish Parents</h4>


    "Dr. Yang!"


    Yang Ziyi was stretching her body when she heard someone calling her and looked up. Soon, she was handed a cup of coffee.


    "You must be tired after that long surgery," she heard the head nurse say to her.


    Yan Ziyi smiled politely at her and nodded, "Yeah! It went on for 8 hours. I didn¡¯t even get to see my son in the morning because I was called back so early."


    "You¡¯ve worked hard," said the nurses at the station.


    Yang Ziyi was looking at the patient reports when she heard some other nurses talking...


    "Director looks like he is about to pass out."


    "Of course, he is under pressure now! None of our doctors managed to lower down a kid¡¯s fever."


    "And Director didn¡¯t even take notice until he received the call from higher-ups that country¡¯s prestigious professors areing for that kid."


    "What are they talking about?" asked Yang Ziyi curiously to the head nurse.


    "You were in the surgery so you didn¡¯t get to see how tense the atmosphere had been around here. Director is running around on his toes."


    "Why?"


    "An 8-year-old came to the E.R with a high fever. However, even after two hours, no one could lower the fever and her condition was worsening with each passing minute..." The head nurse exined the situation. "I say people with money and power can really do ridiculous things."


    "How is this ridiculous?" questioned Yang Ziyi unhappily. "That 8 year old must be very special to her parents. That¡¯s why they are willing to do anything they can to save her. What is wrong with that?"


    "Not to her parents, Dr. Yang," said another nurse. "Just to her father. He had been sitting outside her room for hours. He is such a caring father. I even saw him crying and praying for his daughter. It really made my heart melt. And the mother is nowhere to be seen. How hateful!"


    "You can¡¯t just say that either," Yang Ziyi spoke up. "Maybe the mom is stuck somewhere. Now since I spent about 18-19 hours in the hospital, I miss out a lot when ites to my son. Does that make me a bad mother?"


    "No, Dr. Yang. You¡¯re trying to save lives. Your son would be proud."


    Yang Ziyi smiled helplessly, "Not necessarily. He is young. He doesn¡¯t need to be proud of me, he just needs his mother."


    "Dr. Yang, your husband is here!"


    Yang Ziyi turned around and looked at Wu Wang who held their son, Wu Niu in his arms and they both waved at her happily. Leaving everything aside, Yang Ziyi rushed over and took her son from her husband. "My Ah-Niu, how was your day? Did you miss mom?"


    The five-year-old nodded and let his mother kiss his face all over while giggling.


    "So, you¡¯re ready to have lunch with mommy today?"


    The little guy nodded, "Yes! Lunch with mommy! Yay!"


    Yang Ziyi brushed her nose against his and finally looked at her husband who looked like he was abandoned and forgotten.


    "Don¡¯t give me that look," said Yang Ziyi.


    "Daddy said he also wants mommy to give him a hug," Wu Niu delivered the message which his father had taught him on the way.


    Wu Wang pinched his chubby cheeks saying, "This is not how I asked you to help!"


    Yang Ziyi looked at them lovingly before saying to her husband, "Daddy gets a hug every night."


    "When I am sleeping," retorted Wu Wang. "That doesn¡¯t count!"


    "Okay, okay. Stop acting like a kid ande, let¡¯s have lunch together. I have time today."


    Wu Wang looked really in a difficult position when he heard that offer.


    "I really want to but..."


    "What? Something urgent going on at thepany?"


    Wu Wang shook his head, "No, it¡¯s Meymey." Yang Ziyi¡¯s face lost her earlier smile as he went on, "I just got a call from Li Qiao. He said she¡¯s been crying and locked herself in her room. So, I have to go over there."


    Yang Ziyi exhaled a long tired breath and asked, "What happened to her?"


    "I¡¯m not sure... But I think she had an argument with Jie."


    Yang Ziyi snorted, "Is she a baby?"


    "Ziyi?" he looked at his wife in shock.


    "No, seriously! Is she a baby? If not, why does she need so many babysitters?" Yang Ziyi knew she was being rude but she didn¡¯t control herself. She was tired after 8 hours long surgery, and her only happiness was seeing her family. She rarely got to spend any time with her whole family and it always left her feeling guilty. But now that she had such a rare chance to have lunch with her whole family, her husband wanted to run off to solve someone else¡¯s fights. Wow!


    "It¡¯s not that she needs babysitters. It¡¯s just that it has never happened before."


    "Which husband and wife don¡¯t argue? We do all the time!" retorted Yang Ziyi.


    "I know, we do! That¡¯s why I said it¡¯s different in her case. She and Jie had never had any arguments."


    Yang Ziyi scoffed, "There is always a first for everyone! She is old enough to solve her marriage problems on her own. Why is she trying toe between us?"


    Wu Wang didn¡¯t want to argue in the middle of the hospital corridor. He lowered his voice and said, "Ziyi, let¡¯s not forget that she has always been there for us."


    "That¡¯s the biggest problem here," said Yang Ziyi honestly. "Instead of being there for us, she needs to be there for her own family."


    "Ziyi, don¡¯t be so selfish. I don¡¯t really want to talk about it."


    "Ah-Niu, cover your ears." The little guy immediately covered his ears obediently and Yang Ziyi continued, "You think I¡¯m selfish? Then yes, I am selfish. I can¡¯t be selfless like your best friend. Do you know why? Because I am that selfish person who just wants to have a proper meal with her family. Is it too much to ask for?" She took a pause and added, "I get it that your friendship is very precious. But every rtionship has a priority and time! As parents, we need to be a little selfish! And someone like me knows it very well!"


    Wu Wang actually wanted to say something but suddenly he felt at a loss for words. He had never thought about this from her perspective. He was in a dilemma when their son eximed, "Oh, that¡¯s Juanjuan¡¯s uncle J!"


    "Baby? What are you talking about?" Both Yang Ziyi and Wu Wang followed his gaze but didn¡¯t see anyone.


    Wu Niu pointed towards the elevator, "He was in there. I am not lying."


    As if something clicked in her mind, Yang Ziyi ran over towards the nurse station and asked, "That 8-year-old you were talking about, which floor is she on? And what¡¯s her name?"


    The nurse who had been in the E.R. answered, "Her name is Zhu Juan and she is on the 18th floor."


    Yang Ziyi turned around to look at her husband with a heavy look before taking her son and moved over to the elevator. Even Wu Wang followed her without knowing what was happening. He just heard ¡¯Zhu Juan¡¯ and instantly followed after his wife. But in his heart, he was feeling really uneasy.

 Chapter 420 - Brutally Honest Friend

    <h4>Chapter 420: Brutally Honest Friend</h4>


    Ye Jun was in a meeting when he received a call from his father called him. But he couldn''t take the call. After the meeting ended, he found that his father left him a voice message. And as soon as he heard that Juan was in the hospital, he made his way to the hospital.


    He found Jie in the hospital corridor. He was hugging Bao who seemed to be asleep while he leaned his head against the wall and had his eyes closed. He looked tired.


    "Bro!" his voice was both sharp butced with pain and displeasure that his brother didn''t call him at all.


    Jie''s eyes instantly opened and he put his finger on his lips, telling him to keep it low since his son fell asleep after much difficulty. Ye Jun instantly lowered his voice and asked, "How is Juan?"


    Jie sighed out, "She is finally responding to the treatment. Although her condition is better than before, the doctors aren''t sure when she will wake up."


    Ye Jun pressed his lips together as he sat beside his brother and asked, "You told dad but you didn''t think about calling me?"


    Before he could answer that, he heard Yang Ziyi''s voice.


    "Jie Ge!" she called out as soon as she came close.


    Jie nced at her before answering Ye Jun, "I wasn''t gonna tell Father either. I was just on a call with him when I found out myself. So, I couldn''t hide it from him."


    Ye Jun snorted, "And if he wasn''t on the call with you, you wouldn''t even both telling anyone, eh?"


    Jie didn''t reply. He didn''t want to reply actually. Because he didn''t have an answer to that question. The one person he wanted to contact was not even interested in listening to him. So, what was the point in telling others?


    "Why didn''t you tell me? I was in the same hospital." Yang Ziyi also joined the conversation with a heavy expression.


    "Why would I disturb your life?" Jie retorted inly. "And aren''t you a doctor? Most of the time you''re already in surgeries. It''s not like you could help her." He took a deep breath and added, "Besides, telling any of you would be pointless. You''re all only gonna worry. What''s the point?"


    "Bro, how can you say that?" Ye Junined. "I''m still your brother."


    "Did you tell Meymey?"


    Hearing that question, Jie''s expressions changed drastically. He red at Wu Wang who asked this question but didn''t answer. He didn''t feel obligated to reply.


    Yang Ziyi hit her husband''s arm saying, "Is your Meymey most important right now? Go and wipe her tears! Get lost from here!"


    "Ziyi," Wu Wang looked like he was bullied. "I just meant that as a mother, she needs to know about this, right?"


    Yang Ziyi exhaled a long breath before pushing him away saying, "When she gets tired of throwing a tantrum like a kid and stops crying, do tell her that her daughter is struggling with life and death in the hospital. For now, get lost!"


    From Yang Ziyi''s anger, Wu Wang was certain, he won''t be able to talk reason with her right now. She looked like a violent beast who only saw red at the moment. There had been plenty of times, he heard his wife pointing out Xu Mey''s misconduct towards her husband and her kids, but he truly never thought there was anything wrong. Maybe he really saw things differently than her.


    He was reluctant to leave but he had to tell Xu Mey about this as well. So, he decided to leave for now but didn''t forget to say, "Keep me posted!"


    Seeing his wife''s re, he left.


    She turned around and asked another nurse to take care of her son. Then she came back and asked, "Jie Ge, what really happened between you and Xu Mey?"


    Jie lowered his eyes and replied, "It''s a family matter. I''d not like to discuss it with you. It doesn''t mean I don''t value you, I just think that the argument between me and my wife should stay between us. It''s something personal. Very personal!"


    Yang Ziyi felt helpless before him as she retorted, "Your wife is willing to cry to get attention for that argument. And you''re not even telling me what''s it all about?"


    Jie''s hand clenched until his knuckles turned white. Then he unclenched it with a deep breath and answered, "Maybe she feels the need to share it with everyone just like she likes to share everything. Even her love and time. But I can''t do it. I don''t want to."


    These were the words that Jun Lina heard when she came here. From her ce, she stared at Jie''s lonely figure and truly felt pity for him.


    "Brother-inw, don''t you know how toin?" she asked.


    Jie looked at her and frowned, he looked at his brother, "You even told her?"


    Ye Jun smiled back, "She is my wife. Was I not supposed to tell her this?"


    "You''re really too good for your own self," said Jun Lina.


    Jie smiled softly, "I also have a lot of shorings. I can''t always put the me on others. Maybe I also went wrong with this rtionship."


    "Your mistake?" she repeated with a scoff. "Then let me count your mistakes to your wife!"


    She turned on her heels and was about to leave when Jie spoke up, "Don''t let this issue ruin your friendship. Don''t forget, first and foremost, she is your friend."


    Jun Lina nodded, "You''re right. First and foremost, I am her friend. And that''s why I need to enlighten her with some brutal truth. Sometimes, it''s good to have a brutally honest friend in the squad, can''t have a squad full of sweet-talkers. Otherwise, how will she know where she went wrong?"


    Jie rubbed his temple and said to Ye Jun, "Go, stop your wife!"


    Ye Jun shook his head and stepped back saying, "Sorry, can''t happen. My Lina is angry right now. I wouldn''t want to mess with her right now. Even if you forget the uptight bodyguards around her, she is enough on her own to smash me."


    "I always knew I liked this girl," said Yang Ziyi in admiration.


    Jie rolled his eyes at her and said, "Your son is here to have lunch with his mom. Stop lurking around me. I''ll tell you when Juan wakes up." Yang Ziyi made a face at him but still listened to him.

 Chapter 421 - Won’t Stay Mad

    <h4>Chapter 421: Won¡¯t Stay Mad</h4>


    Xu Family House...


    Xu Mey had been in her room since the time she had talked to Jie over the phone. She was feeling disturbed by his words and that''s why turned off her phone. Jie''s words were ying on repeat in her mind...


    ''You''re not neglecting the kids? Your argument was with me, right? Then why did you choose to leave the house? I''m not the only one who lives in that house. Our kids are there as well who asked me in the morning where their mother is and I had no answer for them.''


    Just like when he said those words, she still couldn''t find an answer at all. Indeed, there wasn''t just Jie in that house, her two adorable kids were also there. And those adorable kids were extra smart, no matter what answer Jie gave them, they''ll eventually figure out that their mother left them and ran away just because she was feeling hurt.


    This thought made her heart clench. Although the argument began with Juan, however, the real disagreement was between her and Jie. Why did she choose to walk away from her kids?


    ''No matter how upset I am, I''ll eventuallyes back to you. But you couldn''t wait. Why is it that difficult for you to wait for me? If you don''t have the courage to face the truth, at least have the patience to wait!''


    She couldn''t refute those words either. He was indeed always waiting for her. Wasn''t that the thought that kept her going till now? She knew he was always waiting for her and that''s why she was able to push herself to achieve greater sess in life. But then why did she couldn''t wait this time? Why was she so impulsive?


    Actually, she had the answer herself. It was because she had grown toofortable with the fact that Jie would always be there for her. Maybe that''s why her love grew arrogant and she started taking it all for granted.


    <i>''I think we both should take this time to understand what exactly is wrong between us. Because unless we figure it out, this marriage is not gonna work.''</i>


    She had locked herself in her room to actually contemte this statement. What was exactly wrong with their marriage? Because honestly, she really didn''t see anything wrong. They had been fine for 9 years.


    But she finally found the answer within Jie''s words... He had said, ''Where is the time for me then? When are you trying to be my wife?''


    Although she always made sure to go out with him on dinner dates every now and then, however, now that she thought about it, it seemed like it had been a long time they had even been too intimate with each other. Because her schedule was getting hectic and she couldn''t even find time for herself. But since Jie didn''t say anything, she didn''t even realize that the time they spent together had been getting shorter and shorter.


    Whenever he would try to be romantic, she always would remember something else to do. Either it was to help her mother-inw with family traditions or going out to find her best friends to help them with something else.


    Although every night, she''d go to her kids'' room to say good night, most of the time, they''d be sleeping. So, the time they mostly saw her had been over breakfast. And as she always cooked breakfast herself for them, she thought they''d happy with it. Even when she cooked early and left, she thought her kids knew that their mother loved them.


    But how did she forget? Back when she was a kid, her dad also gave her what she wanted except for his time. And yet she called him a bad father. Then how was she different?


    The more Xu Mey thought about it, the more chaotic her emotions became. She couldn''t help crying out. She indeed hated people raising their voices at her but she felt more hurt when Jie did it. Because she never thought he would raise his voice at her. And her sharp-tongue couldn''t help snapping back either.


    Actually, sincest night Xu Mey had not said anything about her argument with Jie. She didn''t share it with anyone. She only came home because she thought she needed to calm down and she needed to give Jie some time to calm down as well. She didn''t think her absence would actually have the opposite effect on Jie who was expecting to see her this morning but she wasn''t there.


    Perhaps, that''s why he was more upset. Because she left without a word.


    But being locked inside her room, she didn''t realize what storm was brewing outside at all. She didn''t know that Azalea had told her mother about Xu Mey tagging along with them. She didn''t know how her leaving Jie was interpreted by everyone else around her. She didn''t know that He Susu had gone early in the morning to vent on Jie who in turn called her in a bad mood thinking she shared something that was personal between them.


    She also didn''t know that since she was crying inside her room, and wasn''t going out, the servants had informed her state to everyone else in the family. In fact, she knew nothing about any of it.


    All she knew was that, for the first time in a long while she thought she was wrong about something. She shouldn''t have leftst night. If she hadn''t everything would be fixed by now. Her Ah-Jie would never be able to stay upset as long as he saw her face first thing the morning.


    "AHHH!" she screamed in exasperation and scattered everything in her room. "What have you done?! Why is your impulsiveness still not going?!!"


    But doing this was counterproductive, so she hurriedly washed her face, changed her clothes, and decided to go and pick her kids up from school. She knew they''d be happy to see her there. She''d always drop them off at the gate of the school but never went to pick them up. That was Jie''s responsibility.


    However, she had never even gone to her kids'' school since they changed school. They would never get into fights and were like well-behaved kids. So, she never had to worry about them.


    "I''ll give them a surprise. They''d very happy," she was satisfied with her thinking. "After that, we''ll all go together to see Ah-Jie. He won''t stay mad at me!"


    <strong>CREATORS'' THOUGHTS</strong>


    <i>XiaoMeeHee</i>


    I have read how you all either me Xu Mey or say that if she is in the wrong, Jie isn''t a saint either.


    I get where this all mixed reaction ising from.


    However, don''t forget... Somethings are not exactly as they seem.


    If Jie isn''t a saint, Xu Mey isn''t either. But if Xu Mey is to me then so is Jie. They both are not perfect. They both have their own ws.


    But each of them in their own way is trying their best. You might not be able to see it from your perspective but to them, they''re giving their all.


    I never said that Xu Mey is neglecting her kids. It''s just that her way of showing her love for them had been different than their father. Jie had always been more vocal about his feelings, unlike Xu Mey.


    Give them both some time...


    As parents, they still have a lot to learn as well. After all, just as parents teach kids, kids also have something to teach their parents. It''s just whether you want to learn from your mistakes or not.

 Chapter 422 - Creating Something Big

    Chapter 422: Creating Something Big


    After sorting out her thoughts, Xu Mey came out of her room in good spirits. She looked like spending time on her own allowed her to understand somethings better. She looked determined and rejuvenated.


    But when she noticed the hubbub in the living room downstairs, she was startled for a moment. She wondered if there was a gathering nned today? Howe she didn''t know anything about that? Maybe it was impromptu? She shrugged her shoulders nonchntly, for now, her focus was to get to her family.


    But as soon as she came down, she was hugged by her mother-inw who cried out sadly, "My poor Mey!" Xu Mey was taken aback. What happened? But unbeknownst to her reaction, He Susu continued, "It isn''t your fault then why did you lock yourself up? Why stop eating? It should be Jie feeling guilty for making you cry. But don''t worry, I already went to him in the morning. I''ll go again in the evening and drag him here to apologize to you."


    Xu Mey''s expressions finally changed, "Mom, what did you say to Ah-Jie in the morning?"


    "Of course, I reprimanded her for arguing with you." She spoke rightly and Xu Mey suddenly realized something. No wonder Jie sounded so strange during their call.


    "Why did you go?" she questioned exasperatedly.


    "How could I not? He can''t just treat you like this that you have to leave your own home in the middle of the night."


    "Mom, who said I left home because of him? And how do you know how he treated me? We had no argument!"


    "Xu Mey, you don''t have to lie to us for his sake. If nothing would have happened you wouldn''t havee herest night," Li Qiao''s mother Li Man also chimed in.


    "But I''m not lying! Why would I lie?" She took a deep breath and added, "I left home because I momentarily lost my mind. It has nothing to do with Ah-Jie. Stop dragging him into this unnecessarily." She looked at Li Qiao and said, "Bro, say something to your mother."


    Li Qiao showed a resigned look, "Xiao Mey, I''ve been constantly telling her that she shouldn''t get involved in this. Even if something happened between you and Ah-Jie, you both should solve it yourself. But she thinks as elders it''s their right to discipline their kids and help them solve such matter."


    "When did I need anyone to solve my matters? I can perfectly do it myself!" She heard someone snort and looked over at her birth mother Xin Qian who had been sitting with Azalea. Xu Mey didn''t want to pay her attention and she couldn''t say anything about her presence either. Just because she wasn''t in her life, didn''t mean that she wasn''t involved in Xiamu and Azalea''s life. She couldn''t possibly change that and neither did she want to.


    Xu Mey turned back to everyone and continued, "If you all gathered here because of this, then please, there is no need. I''m perfectly fine."


    "Stop acting tough all the time," said Yu Kim. "If you''re upset, tell us. Let us help you. Why are you being stubborn?"


    Xu Mey again looked at Li Qiao, "Bro, even your wife is..." she groaned. "Kim, I''ve always been stubborn. Did you just figure it out? And if I''m upset, I won''t hide it. As for help, I already said it, I don''t need anyone''s help."


    "Then why did you lock yourself in your room? Someone even heard you crying," spoke Lin Shen who had been silent all this while. "You''re not the kind of person to hide in the corner of your room to cry. You''d rather make the whole world cry than doing that. So, it''s obvious something big happened for you to react this way."


    "What''s wrong with crying in my room? I think everybody feels like crying once in a while even without a reason. And I heard it''s a good way to rx as well. You should try it as well. After crying, you''ll feel lighthearted." She took a pause briefly, "Oh, the reason why I locked my room was simple, I wanted to think somethings through. See? I''m out now that I''ve sorted out my thoughts."


    "Then howe when I called Jie, he wasn''t even willing to talk to me about you?" questioned He Jian. "In fact, he didn''t want to talk to me at all. But as soon as I mentioned you, he hung up. It obviously means he was angry. Something big definitely happened between you two."


    "I always thought you''re the most rational one here," said Xu Mey.


    "I''m being rational that''s why I called Jie to inquire what was going on. Because you had your phone off. I could only reach out to him to understand the situation."


    "You guys are really not helping it," was Xu Mey''s response. "Nothing big happened but I feel like your reaction definitely made something very big. Tillst night, Jie was still calm but when mom went to interrogate him early in the morning, his anger red up. Then you even called him to question him. I don''t even know who else called him. Why did you guys make it so difficult for me?"


    "We are trying to help you," said He Susu. "We are obviously doing it for you. We are trying to be there for you just like how you''re always there for us."


    "Sorry for my interruption but..." Everyone''s eyes moved to Xin Qian who stood up and said, "Mrs. Zhu, if you''re trying to be here for your daughter-inw, who is there for your son? Your husband? But I believe he is out of town right now. So, enlighten me, if your son feels the need to lean his head on someone, who is with him?"


    Her words started He Susu and it reminded her of how in the morning, Jie had said something very simr to him. He also asked her, since she was his mother why wasn''t she standing with him?


    <strong>CREATORS'' THOUGHTS</strong>


    <i>XiaoMeeHee</i>


    You all asked, howe Xu Mey needed Jie to remind her before she realized what was she doing wrong.


    Isn''t it obvious? She had been the devilish beauty who tread her own path and never listened to others. Even if she was wrong, no one around here ever told her that.


    Let me jog up your memory, back when Ru tried to tell her that revenge won''t get her anywhere, even Jie stopped her from doing so. Even he stood by Mey.


    So, the girl who was always allowed to do what she wanted. And the girl who never realized that some of her actions might have been excessive, how do you expect her to realize her mistake unless someone reminds her?

 Chapter 423 - Community Service

    <h4>Chapter 423 - Community Service</h4>


    Xin Qian stepped up and continued, "You¡¯re not that close to your son, eh?"


    He Susu was lost for words before she answered, "That¡¯s only because when I met him, he was already a grown-up. He didn¡¯t need a mother at that age."


    Xin Qian smiled at her strangely, "You met Xu Mey around the same time you met your son, no?" He Susu was silent and she went on, "Then howe she managed to get all your love and care. Shouldn¡¯t you bepensating your son for everything he missed out on? But what are you doing? Instead of actually giving him the reassurance that he has a mother to lean on, you¡¯re actually here iming that he must be in the wrong."


    When Xu Mey saw that Xin Qian¡¯s words were making He Susu ufortable, she stepped up. Although she couldn¡¯t deny Xin Qian¡¯s words, she wasn¡¯t gonna let her speak like this to her mother-inw.


    "And who are you to lecture her?" said Xu Mey fiercely. "At least, she didn¡¯t know her son is alive for all those years. But you! You abandoned your own child. So, how are you preaching here with a straight face?"


    Xin Qian didn¡¯t feel upset at all. She had gotten used to her daughter talking like this with her. And she also realized why she did it, so she didn¡¯t get angry at all.


    "First, you should learn to be a good mother than try to teach someone else!"


    Xin Qian sighed out, "As if you¡¯re doing an any better job? In fact, you¡¯re actually proving that you¡¯re my daughter. You¡¯re just as bad at being a mother like me, if not worse."


    "You!" Xu Mey was enraged. "Don¡¯tpare me with yourself!" Xu Mey was reminded of how Jie had actuallypared her with this womanst night as well. That¡¯s why she had lost her temper so easily. She still couldn¡¯t bring herself to forget that this woman left her, abandoned her! No matter how much she tried to convince herself that it didn¡¯t matter. It was that one knot that she couldn¡¯t untie!


    "I really shouldn¡¯tpare you with myself," said Xin Qian. "At least, I had a reason to leave you behind. What¡¯s your excuse for abandoning your kids?"


    "I¡¯m not you! I¡¯d never abandon my kids! Not for anything!" shouted Xu Mey with red eyes.


    "But what you¡¯re doing is worse..." Xin Qian had a sad smile on her face as she continued, "In my case, I waspletely gone from your world. So, someone could fill my absence. And the women beside you actually did fill my absence. But you..." She looked straight at Xu Mey, "You¡¯re actually here, and yet, your kids feel your absence. You¡¯re there and yet not there for them. Isn¡¯t it crueler? They are neither able to hold on to their mother nor can they let her go."


    She looked at everyone in this room one by one as she spoke, "Every person in this room is important to you. They are dear to you. I understand that but why are all these people allowed to speak in your rtionship? It¡¯s a marriage, not amunity service.


    "I heard you even have a family chat group on WeChat and that¡¯s where you share everything about your family. Please, do tell me, if there is anyone entitled to privacy in your home or not? Why does everyone have to know about everything that goes on in your family? Are you trying to find some kind of sense of aplishment?


    "But aren¡¯t you very sessful already? A winner at both life, love, and family. Oh, and let¡¯s not forget friendship! How cute!" Of course, her tone was sarcastic and everyone could tell that. But no one could utter a word right now.


    None of them could find fault with her words. Even Xu Mey couldn¡¯t find any way to continue this argument. After all, she also just realized how much she was missing out on.


    "This is not how a rtionship works," told Xin Qian. "It¡¯s a recipe of disaster. You¡¯re ying a dangerous game by letting everyone point their finger at your husband. You just asked why they assumed that Jie must have done something wrong. Ask yourself! Who allowed them? Of course, you did. You gave the right to each and every person in this room to step up and say their point regarding your rtionship."


    "Qian, don¡¯t you think you¡¯re wrong? We are also her family. We are worried and that¡¯s why we are trying to help." Li Man stated looking at Xin Qian who usually wouldn¡¯t speak this much.


    "But none of you even asked the involved parties whether they needed your help or not? The other person didn¡¯t ask for it and yet you¡¯re stubbornly offering it. What does that make you?" Xin Qian looked at her own daughter-inw and said, "But the fault here lies with you as well, Azalea. Before calling your mother to inform her that Xu Mey came home with you, you should have first asked Xu Mey or your brother why she came."


    Xu Mey clenched her jaw and took a deep breath as she came to stand before Xin Qian and shouted, "Why are you saying this now? Huh? Isn¡¯t it toote for you to try and teach me this? If you¡¯re so concerned, you should have stayed in my life back then!" Her nails dug into her palms. "I was momentarily muddleheaded and left the home, what about you?"


    "If you can be momentarily muddleheaded, why can¡¯t she be manipted?"


    Everyone¡¯s attention shifted towards the door where Jun Li Na stood with a furious look on her face.


    "But just because she left you, are you trying to take revenge on your kids now?"


    She entered the house with a solemn look and right behind her Wu Wang also ran inside. Although he left earlier, he got stuck in traffic and somehow Jun Li Na came before him.

 Chapter 424 - Didnt Change At All

    <h4>Chapter 424 - Didn''t Change At All</h4>


    "Just because you didn¡¯t receive a mother¡¯s love, are you trying to deprive your kids of the same thing?" Jun Li Na didn¡¯t even both sounding polite. She was outrightly hostile and it showed. "Isn¡¯t it like... If I can¡¯t have it, I shouldn¡¯t let you have it as well?"


    Xu Mey red at Jun Li Na, "Are you trying to pick up a fight with me by saying these words? You know very well that I¡¯d never want my kids to go through what I went through."


    Jun Li Na sneered, "But my darling friend, your kids are going through worse right now." Before Xu Mey could even argue she continued, "Back when you¡¯re lonely and hurt, felt abandoned, you found the sce in your friends and their families who treated you like family, loved you, cared for you. You didn¡¯tck love in your life. Not ever! Someone was always paying attention to you."


    She crossed her arms over her chest and exhaled a breath, "You know I can¡¯t even bring myself to say that you changed over the years. The root cause of everything right now is that you didn¡¯t even change at all."


    Xu Mey squinted her eyes at her and said, "Or maybe it¡¯s just you who changed too much." Over the past 8 years, Jun Li Na hadpletely changed. That was indeed true. Either it was because of what she went through, or the sudden death of her grandmother which put her in the position of authority in her family where only ruthless could survive. Or maybe it was because of the failure to conceive a child, whichever it was, all of it became the catalyst to shape the Jun Li Na of today who didn¡¯t smile unnecessarily even at an old friend like Xu Mey.


    Jun Li Na shook her head slowly, "Time is moving, we should move with the tick of the clock. But you seem to be stuck somewhere." Her voice got dangerously low as she went on, "9 years ago, your first priority was your friends, and even today, they are your first priority! Back then, you¡¯re the cool CEO who rode her bike and disyed her savviness without hesitation. Even today, you¡¯re still that cool CEO who loves hiding her ruthlessness behind her smile, the only difference might be that now you¡¯re way more powerful.


    "Even then, no matter you¡¯re right or wrong, these people would stand with you. They¡¯d never tell you that you did something wrong because they wanted to pull you out of the shadows that a small part of your childhood left on you. But eventually, they forgot to remind you that somethings that are wrong will always stay wrong, no matter how right you have the reason behind it."


    She took a step even closer to Xu Mey and inquired, "Howe, nothing changed at all?"


    "It changed. Now, I have a family of my own."


    Jun Li Na snorted at her remark, "Oh goodness gracious so you do know that you have a family! What a surprise! Because that¡¯s exactly what I wanted to say..." Her eyes looked at people around them as she said, "I wanted to remind everyone here that now you have an immediate family. Yes, they are also your family. But that¡¯s called extended family." Her eyes stopped on Xu Mey as she went on, "When you know you have a family of your own now, howe your priorities are not changing? As a mother, shouldn¡¯t your priority be your kids? People spend their entire life together just for the sake of providing aplete home to their kids and you couldn¡¯t even stay one night for them? And that too over one argument you had with your husband in years?"


    Jun Li Na was truly in disbelief herself right now. She knew Xu Mey was smart and that¡¯s why she didn¡¯t think she¡¯d do such a mistake.


    "But the biggest fault here actually lies with Jie, right?" Xu Mey¡¯s mind was reeling from what she said and her eyes only focused on her when she mentioned Jie. "That idiot had never been vocal in this rtionship. The only thing that he had been vocal about had been his love for you. The rest didn¡¯t even matter at all! Theck ofmunication is already enough in your marriage, and you¡¯re being petty by turning off your phone now?"


    Xu Mey¡¯s hand unintentionally clenched the hem of her shirt.


    "Do you even realize how envious I had been of your family?" said Jun Li Na. "You really have it all. A foolishly in love husband, a moody daughter, and a schr like a son. Who wouldn¡¯t be jealous? At least, someone like who doesn¡¯t have a kid would definitely be jealous of you." She held thepel of Xu Mey¡¯s zer as she jerked her asking, "How are you not cherishing it? Is it because the love came like a fairytale into your life? Is that why you¡¯re so careless about it? After all, it¡¯s very rare for arranged marriages to turn into love. Normal people like us have to suffer through several heartbreaks before finding the one for us. But you didn¡¯t even have to do anything. Maybe that¡¯s why you¡¯re cherishing it anymore."


    Xu Mey¡¯s fist raised but before it could touch Jun Li Na, thetter had held her wrist. Xu Mey gnashed her teeth, "You can question me for not being a good mother. You can also question me for not being a good wife. But don¡¯t you dare ever question my love for Ah-Jie!"


    Jun Li Na flung her off and said, "It seems like a joke to me now. Because the same love couldn¡¯t even hold you back from being impulsive. But why would you care? You¡¯re not the one suffering right now. You¡¯re not the one fighting to live right now."


    "What nonsense are you talking about?"


    Jun Li Na gave her a strange smile, "If you¡¯re so worried, you should have stayed then. Why didn¡¯t you think about the consequences?"


    "What consequences?"


    "Do you know where your daughter is?" asked Jun Li Na. "No, wait! How would you know? You have been busy crying and you also had to throw a tantrum by turning off your phone. The rest of the world can go to hell for all you care!"


    Xu Mey¡¯s heart shook violently as she held Jun Li Na¡¯s hand and questioned, "What about my daughter? Where is she?"


    "Juju is in the hospital," said Wu Wang who didn¡¯t get to speak since he came here. He knew if he spoke up and disturbed Li Na, Jun Li Na and her troop of bodyguards might beat him to a pulp.


    "What?!"


    Jun Li Na peeled her hand off of her hand and said, "Yes, your daughter had been fighting for her life while you¡¯re busy shedding tears over your husband¡¯s harsh words."

 Chapter 425 - To Get This Job Done

    <h4>Chapter 425 - To Get This Job Done</h4>


    Xu Mey felt like her brain stuttered for a moment, every part of her body went on a pause as her thoughts tried to catch up to her. Slowly, when Jun Li Na¡¯s words processed through her brain, her fingers jumped rhythmically, as if she was spasming. Then her legs gently folded and she was about to fall on her knees when Xin Qian stepped up to support her.


    She felt like a marite that had no control over this limp body anymore.


    Her bowels churned and her tears slowly leaked through the corners of her eyes.


    Oh, God! Her heart cried out. Please, don¡¯t let this be true!


    Her face was white as chalk in fear she felt. She repeatedly shook her head as if in disbelief. It was not that she couldn¡¯t trust Jun Li Na or Wu Wang¡¯s words, it was just that in her heart she felt it already, once she epted this truth, she¡¯ll never be able to forgive herself.


    Everyone in the room was in shock like Xu Mey. They all started questioning Wu Wang because they could tell Jun Li Na won¡¯t be answering them anything. Even now, Jun Li Na was staring at Xu Mey¡¯s face that was slowly turning whiter.


    Xu Mey held Jun Li Na again and questioned in a shaky voice, "What happened to my Juan?" Jun Li Na was silent for a moment and Xu Mey bellowed, "Give me an answer, damn it!"


    "Shouldn¡¯t you be asking this question to yourself?" was Jun Li Na¡¯s reticence response.


    Xu Mey clenched her hands to stop them from shaking as she said, "But when I leftst night, she was absolutely fine."


    Jun Li Na sneered, "That means it must be her mother¡¯s sudden absence that got to her in the wrong way."


    "No! That¡¯s not possible!"


    Jun Li Na held her arms and shook her, making her look into her eyes, "Do you realize how sensitive this age is? Do you remember what you went through when you¡¯re 8? Yes, you do! All those things shaped you into what you¡¯re today!" Jun Li Na¡¯s words were spot on and precise, "Last night, you and Jie argued because of Juan. He wanted to take the side of his daughter but you didn¡¯t want to do the same. Little Juan knew her parents fought because of her, what do you think must havee to her mind?"


    Xu Mey didn¡¯t reply. And it didn¡¯t seem like Jun Li Na was actually expecting a reply from her.


    "Then in the morning, the mother vanished. She ditched her kids and husband, to run off! For her own selfish reasons!" Xu Mey¡¯s lips trembled as she went on, "Little Juan¡¯s little brain noticed this abnormality as well. Then her grandmother came into the picture early in the morning and started yelling at her father. Little Juan had always been closest to her dad. Do you think seeing him going through this, she¡¯d have felt good? Especially when she thought it all started because of her?"


    "Jie sent the kids out when I went there," He Susu chimed in to say her piece.


    Jun Li Na didn¡¯t even look at her as she answered, "If even after all this time, none of you haven¡¯t realized that the twins are smarter and sensitive to their change than their peers, then I really don¡¯t think we need to continue this conversation." Her eyes still had an using look directed at Xu Mey as she continued, "As a mother, you should know about the peculiarity of your kids well. Little Juan¡¯s body is small, her brain is capable of making countless scenarios. And a kid her age, ming herself for ruining her parents¡¯ rtionship... What crime did you put on such a young girl¡¯s head?"


    "That wasn¡¯t my intention," said Xu Mey.


    "If only life word ording to our wishes."


    Xu Mey wiped her tears and asked, "Where is my daughter? Which hospital? Tell me!"


    The answer she received was from Wu Wang and ran off without caring about all the people calling her name behind her.


    "We should also leave with her," someone suggested.


    "Yes! Hurry up, we should also check up on Juan."


    Before they could take a step, Xin Qian went back to sit down and said, "Juan is in a hospital, Not in a hotel that you¡¯re all allowed to visit. Howe all of you still don¡¯t understand it? Stop sticking your noses into her life." She had a cold look in her eyes as she added, "Or the reason behind her divorce might be all of you!"


    "Qian, stop cursing her rtionship. And we are not trying to pry into her rtionship. Juan has a rtionship with each and every person in this room. We just want to see if she is okay."


    Jun Li Na had turned to leave but stopped to say, "What that little girl needs the most is her parents right now! All of you are only gonna create more distance between her parents. It¡¯s better that you all take a step back from this issue." She walked out just as sassily as she came but not before leaving her words behind, "In the name of helping, stop harming their family!"


    As Xin Qian sat beside Azalea again, thetter was a bit scared and guiltily said, "Mother-inw, I didn¡¯t know my one phone call would create this big of a mess."


    Xin Qian looked at her with a straight face, "I get it that you¡¯re a Zhu, but now you¡¯re part of the Xu family. There is no need to share everything with your mother about what goes on in this house. Because that means, you still don¡¯t consider the people in this house as your family."


    "But I do, I consider everyone in this home as my family," said Azalea hastily.


    Xin Qian stood up and sighed out, "Family members don¡¯t broadcast their personal matters to the whole world. No matter how big that matter is! It should stay within a family!"


    She picked up her bag and left the living room. Outside at the door, she was met with her ex-husband who looked at her with aplicated look in his eyes.


    "If only you had been this smart back then," said Xu Cheng.


    Xin Qian snickered at herself, "What¡¯s the point of saying this now? Time won¡¯t turn back."


    She had just taken a step down when she heard his voice again, "Thank you!" She turned around with a raised brow. "Thank you for making her see the harsh reality!"


    She shrugged her shoulders, "It was a mother¡¯s job, to begin with. It¡¯s a shame it took me too long to get this job done!"

 Chapter 426 - Just Wake Up

    <h4>Chapter 426 - Just Wake Up</h4>


    At the hospital...


    Jie had finally been able to see his daughter after her fever subsided. He sat on her bed beside her and held her small hand in his own. Seeing the IV that was attached to her other hand, his heart clenched in pain. He couldn¡¯t bear to see her even getting pricked slightly but now, he had to see her in this condition. It really broke his heart.


    She was so small. How much she must be hurting?


    Usually, even if she fell down, she¡¯d kick up a fuss and kept calling him. Even if it didn¡¯t hurt at all, she had to have her dad¡¯s attention. The cunning baby loved to trick him but he never minded it. Because as long as he held her in his arms, she¡¯d say she was fine.


    But now, she wasn¡¯t even calling out to him. She had never been this silent even in her sleep. Because she had a habit of sleep-talking. It was something Bao always teased her about. He said she was that radio that never turns off.


    But now this non-stop radio was too quiet and this silence was stifling to Jie. He found it suffocating. He ced her small hand against his lips and ced a gentle kiss before letting her hand linger against the side of his face. Her body wasn¡¯t hot anymore.


    "How long are you gonna sleep for? Wake up already!" he said in a whisper. "Dad really can¡¯t see you like this." He was silent for a while before adding, "You said you don¡¯t like to see dad sad. Then how can you make dad sad right now? Please, wake up, eh?"


    He swallowed his own saliva with much difficulty before saying, "Didn¡¯t you want us to move somewhere far away? If you wake up now, I promise we¡¯ll move. Far, far away! Very far! But for that, you first have to get better."


    He felt someone¡¯s hand on his shoulder and tilted his head to see Ye Jun standing beside him. "Bro, she¡¯s fine. Our Juju is fine now. Don¡¯t worry!"


    "How can I not worry?" retorted Jie. "In all these years, she has never stopped talking to me for more than ten minutes. No matter how much she had been upset with me, she¡¯d always talk to me after ten minutes of the silent treatment. Ten minutes had been her limit! But now, she has not said a word for hours."


    "Bro..." Ye Jun couldn¡¯t see his brother like this. "She is just sleeping. When she wakes up, you¡¯re the first person she¡¯d look for."


    Jie looked at her face again and said, "Then why isn¡¯t she waking up? I feel like she is upset with me that¡¯s why she doesn¡¯t want to wake up. How am I supposed to continue if she doesn¡¯t wake up?"


    He felt someone getting on the bed behind him but before he could turn around, his son¡¯s small arms wrapped around his neck from behind.


    "Dad, Juju is alright!" Bao¡¯s soft voice held a conviction and reassurance. "You don¡¯t cry. She doesn¡¯t like to see you crying."


    Jie smiled at his son¡¯s words slightly and nodded his head, "I won¡¯t cry. Then tell her to wake up. Doesn¡¯t she always listen to you? Tell her, it¡¯s enough. She should wake up now. I¡¯ll give her anything she wants. She just needs to open her eyes and smile at me."


    "See?" he pointed at her face saying, "She is hurting seeing you like this."


    "How do you know she is hurting?" asked Jie.


    "We¡¯re twins, I can feel it. Don¡¯t you know anything about the twin bond?"


    Jie lifted his hand and rubbed his tiny head that was leaning on his shoulder from behind, "Since your twin bond is so strong, then all the more reason for you to convince her to wake up."


    "She¡¯ll wake up once you stop crying," he replied.


    "Son, are you trying tofort your dad?"


    "Maybe," was Bao¡¯s answer.


    "It¡¯s not needed. It¡¯s written all over your face how worried you are about her. How can youfort me at a time like this?"


    Bao looked at Ye Jun and said, "Because clearly, Uncle J is doing an even worse job."


    Ye Jun gaped at his nephew, "Little master, I know I suck at this. No need for personal attacks right now." Then he looked at his brother looking sulky, "Bro, now even your son isughing at me. Please, listen to me and stop worrying, eh?"


    Jie patted his brother¡¯s arm saying, "Then you should do a better job."


    Ye Jun felt defeated, "How am I suppose to know how tofort you? It has always been youforting me. Not the other way around. It¡¯s your fault for not letting me even see any w."


    "Maybe it is my fault," said Jie softly. "I should have raised you better." Then he turned to his son, and said, "Son, go over there. Don¡¯t cramp Juan¡¯s bed."


    "Okay," replied Bao sensibly and jumped down from the bed before walking to the sofa in the corner and sitting down straight.


    "Jun, help me with something."


    "What is it?" Ye Jun instantly perked up. Finally, he had some use!


    "Go and buy something for Bao to eat. He hasn¡¯t eaten anything yet," said Jie.


    Ye Jun pouted to himself, it seemed he was only useful for buying food. But then again, food is most important in life. That means it was a huge responsibility that his brother had given him. He had to do it efficiently.


    "Okay, I¡¯ll get something for Bao. What about you? You haven¡¯t had anything as well. What do you want? I¡¯ll bring that as well."


    Jie shook his head, "No. I¡¯m fine. There is no need to buy anything."


    "Bro..."


    Before he could continue, Jie went on, "I won¡¯t be able to swallow anything. So, just do as I said."


    Ye Jun looked at his brother¡¯s face a moment longer before nodding.

 Chapter 427 - Wont Say Anything

    <h4>Chapter 427 - Won''t Say Anything</h4>


    As soon Ye Jun had stepped out of the room, he came face to face with Xu Mey. She was gasping for air and it showed she had run here. Ye Jun was actually quite relieved to see his sister-inw. As much as he loved his son, he didn¡¯t want to see him sad. And who knew better than Ye Jun that his brother¡¯s happiness only existed with this woman.


    Even when Jie found his own parents, Ye Jun had seen how his brother couldn¡¯t seem to find his happiness with them. He was d to have met his own family but the family he built mattered most to him.


    And if anyone could challenge Xu Mey¡¯s ce in Jie¡¯s heart then that would their twins.


    "How... How is Juan?" asked Xu Mey while catching her breath.


    Ye Jun pressed his lips together and lowered his voice to say, "She is out of danger but she hasn¡¯t woken up yet. Bro is slightly sensitive. So, try not to say anything unnecessary. Please!" With that, he patted her shoulder and walked away toplete the task he was assigned.


    Xu Mey pushed open the door slowly after she took several deep breaths. Looking at Jie¡¯s lonely back from her position, she suddenly couldn¡¯t bring herself to take another step. But there was another part of her heart that was urging her to rush up and hug him. Be there with him.


    While these two views shed within her mind, she caught sight of her son who was obediently sitting in the corner. As soon as Bao saw his mother, he stood up but didn¡¯t rush to her side. Instead, his eyes turned to look at his father.


    Jie had heard the sound of the door and asked, "Jun, did youe back without the food?" He received no answer. "What? Can¡¯t even answer now?" He turned his head and seeing Xu Mey standing at the door, his eyes stilled.


    However, instead of saying anything, he turned his head back and continued to look at his daughter. But seeing how only nced at her and turned away, left Xu Mey frozen at her ce.


    With trembling hands, she closed the door and stepped inside. She came to stand on the other side of the bed so that she could see Jie¡¯s face. But his eyes didn¡¯t even move from Juan¡¯s face. Now, he didn¡¯t even want to spare her a nce.


    She touched Juan¡¯s hair before nting a kiss on her forehead gently. "How is she? What did the doctor say?" she asked in a low voice.


    Jie didn¡¯t reply to her. Instead, he sent someone a text. Soon, Xu Mey saw the door opening, and a doctor in a white coat entered with a gentle smile on her face. The doctor looked at Xu Mey and inquired, "You must be the mother?" Xu Mey nodded her head. "Let me brief you about your daughter¡¯s condition." Xu Mey pursed her lips and looked at Jie from the corner of her eye who didn¡¯t pay her any attention.


    The doctor patiently and in detail exined Juan¡¯s tricky condition to Xu Mey whose face was turning unsightly the more she heard. "Anyway, for now, we assume that your daughter¡¯s emotional stimtion was too strong that led to her condition. She either saw or heard something that affected her. For now, we managed to bring her fever down but clearly, she isn¡¯t ready to wake up just yet." The doctor took a pause and added considerately, "Although she is sleeping, please remember that she can hear your voice. So, it¡¯s better that you don¡¯t say anything that might hurt her feelings. Her condition can worsen otherwise." Xu Mey nodded her head in understanding.


    The doctor smiled at her and continued, "But now that you¡¯re here, I think it¡¯ll help. Kids always feel safer in the presence of their parents. And even in their sickness they unconsciously look for the warmth that only their parents can provide. With you both around, she¡¯ll soon wake up."


    "Thank you, doctor!" Xu Mey bowed her head to show her sincerity and saw the doctor off.


    She came back to Juan¡¯s side and looked at Jie with aplicated gaze. He didn¡¯t want to answer her that¡¯s why he chose to call the doctor to answer her question. But he didn¡¯t want to see her worrying too much, that¡¯s why he chose to call the doctor instead of letting her fret here all on her own.


    But right now, his silence was really prickling Xu Mey¡¯s heart. She¡¯d rather see him using her of this. She wouldn¡¯t even mind if he insulted her for being a bad mother. She¡¯d dly take it. She¡¯d take it all. Anything that he had to say. Even his hateful gaze would be better than this indifference where he didn¡¯t even nce at her neither did he say a word to her.


    This silence was making her anxious. And seeing Juan like this her heart was already on the verge of breaking. Why didn¡¯t she notice that no matter how strong her daughter was, she was also young? Why did she assume that her daughter would give in? She never even did it herself!


    She looked at the needle on her hand and caressed her face as if by doing it, she could let her know that her mother was here for her now. And she won¡¯t be leaving!


    Jie didn¡¯t show that he had been noticing her movements but he had been doing it. No matter how hard he tried to resist it, his eyes would follow her around even now. But he wasn¡¯t willing to let her know that. It wasn¡¯t like she was the only one who felt hurt. He also had a heart. He also had feelings.


    And the issue right now had gone beyond themselves. It was about their kids and he¡¯d never take the shorter side of the stick when it came to his kids.


    "You really won¡¯t say anything?" she asked.

 Chapter 428 - A Bad Mother?

    <h4>Chapter 428 - A Bad Mother?</h4>


    Xu Mey¡¯s lips parted but she couldn¡¯t say anything. Several times she tried to say something but something would get stuck in her throat. She wasn¡¯t able to say it.


    But since her heart was not getting a way to show how she felt her tears trickled down to show her feelings.


    In a low voice, she whispered, "Are you upset with mom?"


    Jie heard her words but didn¡¯t react because he knew she was talking to Juan.


    "You should be upset with mom. But why are you punishing yourself for mom¡¯s foolishness?" She sniffled and continued, "I¡¯m really sorry for what I said. I shouldn¡¯t have said all that without clearing things up with you. As a mother, I should have believed in you. I should have stood up for you. Stand by you. But I was muddleheaded. I really didn¡¯t think before speaking. So, forgive mom this once, eh? Just this once. I promise I won¡¯t do it again. So, please wake up!"


    She wiped her tears and continued in a broken voice, "Even if you want to stay upset with my mom, it¡¯s okay. I know I can¡¯t ask for forgiveness just like this. You don¡¯t have to forgive me so easily. But you have to wake up and give mom another chance. So, I can try to fix everything. So that I can make it up to you. I know you have a lot ofints. I¡¯m willing to listen to everything you have to say. And I promise I¡¯ll try to change."


    Her elbows were propped up beside Juan¡¯s arm as her hands covered her face and she kept sobbing. Her shoulders were shaking as she kept speaking in a raspy voice, "I know I have done a lot of mistakes. And mom has hurt you as well. I know it all now. I understand it. However, don¡¯t get back at mom by stayed quiet like this, eh? Mom is used to listening to your voice that echoes in our house. Wake up and tell me what I am doing wrong. You have the right to do it. You¡¯re my only daughter and I should be listening to you. I will listen to you. Please, open your eyes and say something."


    Even Bao who had been sitting quietly could see his dad¡¯s difort from his position. He could tell his dad¡¯s heart was swaying with his mother¡¯s tears and he wasn¡¯t even surprised at it. The way Jie kept rubbing his forehead and kept stealing nces at Xu Mey, clearly told the situation of what was going on in his heart.


    However, for once, Jie was trying with all his might to fight his feelings. He couldn¡¯t let his heart rule him at this moment. He needed to stay sober and deal with this situation rationally. If his emotions got the best of him, he¡¯d really fail. But how was he supposed to deal with the way his heart shook every time he heard her sob?


    Finding his dad¡¯s predicament quite amusing, Bao walked out to his mother and patted her back. Since she was almost leaning on the bed, he could easily reach her with his height. Feeling a touch, Xu Mey looked up with her tear-stained face and saw her son. She pulled him in a hug and sobbed harder. With no expression on his face, Bao kept patted his mother¡¯s back.


    "No matter how much she¡¯s upset with you, she won¡¯t like to see you cry, mom."


    Xu Mey looked at his face and hesitated before asking, "You think so?"


    He nodded his head twice to emphasize his point. "I can assure you that she doesn¡¯t want to see you cry." With his small hands, he rubbed her tears and said, "Your tears might even make her more upset. So, stop crying. Aren¡¯t you the strongest and most awesome Xu Mey? How can you cry so easily?"


    Instead of stop crying, she cried harder as she hugged him even tighter, "Strongest Xu Mey? Most awesome Xu Mey? While trying to be the best, I really didn¡¯t realize when I left you both behind. I¡¯m really sorry!"


    "Why are you apologizing to me?" questioned Bao curiously.


    "For being a bad mother," she replied. "I¡¯m really not a good mother, right?"


    Bao pressed his lips together and thought about what to say before carefully replying, "Whether you¡¯re a good mother or not, is something only you know. You need to ask this to yourself." He took a pause before adding, "As for being a bad mother... We can never call you a bad mother. Because to us, you¡¯re the only mother we have. And in our hearts, you¡¯ll always be the best. We are proud of you for all your achievements. It¡¯s just that, sometimes we do miss you."


    Xu Mey¡¯s heart clenched listening to her son¡¯s words. She cupped his face and kissed his forehead saying, "I¡¯ll try to do better. No, I¡¯ll do my best from now."


    Bao nodded his head, "That¡¯s enough then. It¡¯s not like we need you to stick to us all the time. We just need your time once in a while. In your busy schedule, we just want to fit somewhere."


    Xu Mey squished his cheeks, "What? Who said you need to fit in my schedule? My schedule should work around my babies. After all, they are my life."


    Bao finally smiled at her and said, "It¡¯s good to hear that." He looked at his father who was gesturing with his eyes and Bao shook his head before wiping Xu Mey¡¯s tears again. "So, stop crying now. It doesn¡¯t suit you. Have you ever seen me cry so easily? How can you embarrass your son like this?"


    While Xu Mey pouted at him, Jie threw him a look as if trying to remind him that he also cried just a few hours ago. However, Bao would definitely not like to recall such a dark history. And he would make sure his father doesn¡¯t repeat it ever again.

 Chapter 429 - Find Me In The Middle

    <h4>Chapter 429 - Find Me In The Middle</h4>


    Xu Mey already knew that her son was very mature for his age, but only today she realized that he seemed to have grown up to the point where he could evenfort his own mother. When she needed to be there for him, he was instead here for her. It left a conflicting feeling in her heart. As much as she was happy to hear those words from her son, she was also feeling sad in her heart.


    "Little Bao, your food is here," Ye Jun entered the room and announced in a loud voice.


    "Uncle brought your food, go and eat it," said Xu Mey as she urged him to go. "I won¡¯t cry." She reassured seeing his expression and only then did Bao went back to sit on the couch.


    While Ye Jun opened the meal box for Bao, he asked in a low voice, "What¡¯s the situation, Captain?"


    Bao clicked his tongue, "Situation is a little sensitive at the moment."


    "Oh..." Ye Jun passed the chopsticks to Bao and asked, "Any suggestions to make it better?"


    Bao looked in the direction of his father and shook his head, "Commander said, it¡¯s better to let them deal with this on their own." He looked back at his uncle as he added, "Both my mom and dad needs to learn something from this situation."


    Ye Jun rubbed his head saying, "Dear nephew, it¡¯s very difficult to tell what you¡¯re nning." Bao shrugged his shoulders nonchntly while he added, "But I love that about you. I can already tell you¡¯d be an amazing man in the future."


    "Are you saying, I¡¯m not amazing right now?" questioned Bao.


    "No no!" Ye Jun hurriedly shook his head. "My nephew is still very awesome." Then he turned to his brother and said, "Bro, I¡¯d be right back." Jie nodded in reply and Ye Jun left the room.


    While Bao was eating his meal, his eyes were stuck to his parents. After contemting for a long while, Xu Mey trudged over to Jie¡¯s side and pulled a stool beside him. She held the edge of his coat as she tugged at it. Jie tried to ignore it but she continued. So, he had to look at her. However, he didn¡¯t speak a word.


    "You won¡¯t even talk to me?" she asked.


    Jie avoided looking into her eyes.


    She held her ears as she said, "I really am sorry. Can¡¯t you forgive me? Please, just this once?" When he again didn¡¯t look at her, she again tugged at his coat, "I promise I won¡¯t ever think of running away again. No matter how difficult things get, I¡¯ll not run from it. I won¡¯t run from you. I¡¯ll keep waiting for you." She shook her head, "No, I won¡¯t wait for you. I¡¯ll run to you from now on. So that whenever you start running over to me, you¡¯d find me in the middle, eh?"


    Jie¡¯s heart wavered to hear that. It wasn¡¯t because of the apology. It was because she said she¡¯d run to him as well. That meant, he wouldn¡¯t have to run to her like always. They could really find each other somewhere in the middle, wouldn¡¯t it be better?


    He had actually never thought of it. Even when she left home, in his anger, he only wished that she¡¯d wait for him to run to her. If only she waited, she¡¯d always find him beside herself. It might take a while sometimes, but he¡¯ll eventually be there with her.


    "Ah-Jie!" she called out. "Say something, eh?"


    He closed his eyes and sighed out. Again refusing to give a response.


    "I know, it¡¯s my fault this time," she said. "I was being irrational and I thought you¡¯re being harsh with words. I didn¡¯t even realize that you¡¯re telling the truth. While I wanted to be the best in everything, I forgot that I had to put the same effort into my own family as well. You said you never asked me to take on those extra responsibilities and you¡¯re right, you never did. It was all me.


    "I wanted to be a good daughter-inw to make a warm house for my husband. It was because I wanted you to get your parents¡¯ love that you missed out on. That¡¯s why I tried to do my best to fulfill all of my responsibilities."


    Xu Mey¡¯s fell when he didn¡¯t respond again. She was about to cry again when he spoke up, "Even before finding them, we were happy." Xu Mey looked up at him. "Even without them, I had found a warm home for myself with you. I found my happiness with you. Then why did you just assume that I needed them to fill some kind of void in my life?" Xu Mey was stunned by his words. "Even though Zhou Ning didn¡¯t give me birth, she actually was a mother to me. At least, she¡¯d treat me very well as long as I took care of Jun. And as for Father... He always loved me like his eldest son. My life¡¯s only void had been love which I thought I found in you. But I guess, I was mistaken."


    Xu Mey frantically held his hand, "No, no you didn¡¯t! You weren¡¯t mistaken. I do love you."


    "I don¡¯t need this love who doesn¡¯t even stand by my side when I need it to," he retorted with a clenched jaw. "Why is it that when I needed to lean on your shoulder, you weren¡¯t there? Why? What kind of love is this? Did it fade away that fast?"


    Xu Mey shook her head repeatedly, "It didn¡¯t fade away. I just took it for granted and forgot that love is not a one-way road. When you take something, you need to offer something in return as well. I was muddleheaded. It¡¯s really my fault."


    She took a pause and added, "But I promise, it won¡¯t happen again. I¡¯ll try my best to change. I won¡¯t ever let you feel alone. Not ever again."


    Jie was about to say something when he felt something and stopped.

 Chapter 430 - Family Hug

    <h4>Chapter 430 - Family Hug</h4>


    Feeling the movement of his daughter¡¯s fingers, Jie was frozen for a whole minute before he hurriedly stood and leaned over to ask, "Juan! Are you awake? Can you hear me?"


    The little girl¡¯s eyes fluttered open slowly as she called out, "Daddy..."


    "Yes, yes, I¡¯m right here!" Jie answered as he pressed her hand to let her know that he was right beside her. "Let me call the doctor."


    His words had just fallen when the doctors rushed inside. Both Jie and Xu Mey had been pushed aside as they examined Juan. Xu Mey held Jie¡¯s hand tightly and thetter didn¡¯t push it away. He was solely focused on his daughter¡¯s condition right now.


    The only calm person in the room was Bao who was stillnguidly but elegantly eating his food. His expressions didn¡¯t show his earlier anxiousness at all. However, since he was sitting in a corner, no one really noticed any abnormality with him.


    After the examination, the doctors showed a rxed smile to Jie and Xu Mey as they told, "Your daughter is out of danger now. Her fever is under control. We¡¯ll need to observe her condition during this period so she¡¯ll have to stay in the hospital for a while." The doctor lowered his voice and added, "And I¡¯d suggest you consult a psychiatrist. She is very young. It¡¯ll be good if you can ascertain that this incident didn¡¯t leave any bad vor in her mind. It¡¯s better to be safe than sorry."


    Jie nodded his head and saw them out.


    He rushed back to Juan¡¯s side and said, "Juan, how are you feeling? Is it hurting somewhere? Do you feel ufortable? Do you need anything? How about some water?"


    Juan raised her small hand to touch her father¡¯s face, "Daddy, which question should I answer first? Give me some time to talk."


    Jie hugged her tightly, "You scared me so much." He stroked her head saying, "If you had any problems, you should have shared it with me. Why keep it inside yourself? Don¡¯t you say, you¡¯ll get sick if you don¡¯t talk? See? It happened! You should have said something instead of hurting yourself like this."


    "I¡¯m sorry!" The little girl said in a small voice. "I won¡¯t keep it to myself again. I promise."


    When Jie pulled away, only then did Juan looked at her mother who was standing with aplicated look in her eyes. She stepped closer and called out, "Juan..."


    Juan held Xu Mey¡¯s jacket and asked, "Mom, you came?"


    Xu Mey¡¯s tears again fell down as she nodded and kissed her daughter, "Yes, I came."


    "You came here for me?" she asked again.


    "Yes, I came for my daughter," replied Xu Mey in a heavy tone.


    "You won¡¯t leave me again, right?"


    Xu Mey stiffened a bit before shaking her head repeatedly, "Never. I¡¯ll never leave my daughter."


    Juan smiled at her saying, "Then that¡¯s good. Juan would be happy." She waited for a minute before asking, "Mom, you aren¡¯t mad at Juan, right?"


    "No, I¡¯m not," choked out Xu Mey.


    Juan¡¯s smile brightened as she extended her small arms to ask for a hug. Xu Mey embraced her in her arms and heard her daughter say, "Mom can be mad at Juan but don¡¯t be mad at daddy, okay? Daddy gets lonely without mom."


    Xu Mey looked at Jie beside her and nodded her head agreeably, "You¡¯re right. Mom also gets lonely without him." She kissed the top of Juan¡¯s head and added, "And stop thinking nonsense. There is no way Mom can stay mad at Juan."


    Juan tried to sit up but both her parents pushed her down, "You look so weak. Just keep resting. Why do you have to sit up?"


    Juan pouted, "I want a group hug." She looked in the direction of her brother who put his chopsticks down and walked over. "Ge, you¡¯re not happy to see me?"


    Bao smiled so not like himself before saying, "I can die from this happiness right now."


    Jie smacked his head lightly, "Don¡¯t spout nonsense. Your dad¡¯s half-life is just getting restored. Do you want to take it all now?"


    Bao immediately got on her bed and opened his arms saying, "Group hug! No, I mean let¡¯s have a family hug!"


    How could both Jie and Xu Mey refuse their twins? They hugged the twins and eventually had their own arms around each other as well.


    "Mom, I¡¯m sorry!" said Juan. "I will try to be less willful from now on."


    Xu Mey fixed her hair saying, "Mom is also sorry for speaking like that. Mom will also try not to be willful." She smiled at her daughter, "Let¡¯s both do our best?" Juan hurriedly nodded her head.


    "Juan wanted to apologize to mom in the morning but mom was already gone. So, Juan couldn¡¯t do it."


    Xu Mey¡¯s eyes dimmed listening to that as she was reminded of her own foolishness again. "I¡¯m sorry. It won¡¯t happen again. I¡¯ll be always there for you. Whenever you need to talk to mom, mom will be there for you."


    Both brother and sister shared a look before Juan said, "Mom, I didn¡¯t get to eat the breakfast made by you today. Maybe that¡¯s why I got sick. I¡¯m hungry. Can you make me something delicious?"


    Xu Mey nodded her head, "Yes, of course! Mom will cook you whatever you want. I should go home to make it right now!"


    On cue, Bao pushed his father¡¯s arm, "What are you doing, dad? Go with mom."


    "Why? She is not a kid who needs supervision. I need to stay here with you both."


    Bao took a deep breath and said, "We are also not kids. Let¡¯s do this, Uncle J is here. Isn¡¯t that enough? Juan has to rest anyway. What are you gonna do?"


    "I¡¯ll just stay with her even if she is sleeping," retorted Jie.


    Juan stared at her father, "No, I think daddy should go home as well."


    Jie looked at both his kids who continued to urge him to go with their mother and he had to yield before them. There was no other way around it. He couldn¡¯t be headstrong before his twins.

 Chapter 431 - Make A Headline

    <h4>Chapter 431 - Make A Headline</h4>


    After finally convincing their parents to leave together, the twins spent a moment in silence. It didn¡¯tst long because Bao¡¯s hand went to Juan¡¯s ear and he pulled it. He had been thinking of doing it for a while now. This girl really was testing his patience! She didn¡¯t even think how her sickness would affect the ones who love her.


    "Ah! Bro!" she screamed in pain. "I¡¯m sick!" She used her ultimate weapon right now. After all, she could feel her brother¡¯s displeasure very well.


    With that one sentence, she managed to slip out of his grasp. But Bao didn¡¯t stop ring at her, "If you have something on your mind, can¡¯t you talk to me about it? Why keep it inside? Usually, you love bothering me, can¡¯te to me for something like this?" He was really upset when the doctors said she might have gotten sick because of stress. She always shared everything with him. No matter how useless the things on her mind would be, she¡¯d share them with him. But didn¡¯te for such an important talk!


    Juan looked at him pitifully, "How is it my fault?" She took a moment to observe her brother¡¯s expressions, before asking, "Were you worried about me?" She knew he was, it was written all over his face but she still had to ask him.


    "What do you think?" he retorted trying to sound as angry as he could.


    "Did you cry?" her expression right now really made Bao want to smack her. She really couldn¡¯t believe it that he cried because of her. It was shocking because he wouldn¡¯t even frown when he himself would get hurt ying ser. But now, he cried for her.


    "I didn¡¯t," he replied.


    Sheughed out, "You did! Zhu Bao cried like a baby! Hahaha! This should make a headline."


    "You¡¯re about to be a headline yourself," he told her ruining her happiness.


    "But I didn¡¯t! I¡¯m still alive and kicking."


    Bao shook his head before hugging her, "Idiot! For a minute I really thought I¡¯d lose you."


    Juan pressed her lips together guiltily. "Sorry!"


    "What¡¯s your apology gonna do? You just get well soon. This depressing ce can¡¯t handle my sister¡¯s bright aura."


    Juan smiled at him, "Okay. I¡¯ll get better as soon as possible. Then I¡¯ll dazzle to the point that you¡¯ll have to squint while looking at me." She took a pause and added, "By the way, don¡¯t you think our parents are difficult?"


    "Difficult is an understatement," said Bao while shaking his head. Then he rubbed her head and continued, "And you! You chose quite a moment to open your eyes, eh?" Juan smiled sheepishly as he went on, "Mom and dad might have missed since they were worried, I¡¯m not an idiot you can fool with your acting. You woke up right when mom came inside. Why did you wait so long to get up?"


    She cleared her throat. She should have expected that her brother would have noticed. "That was mom¡¯s moment. How could I interrupt?" She looked at him and questioned, "But when did you notice that I¡¯m awake?"


    "When I came over to hug mom," answered Bao honestly. "I can¡¯t believe dad. Seriously, if you¡¯re so worried about your wife¡¯s tears, hug her yourself!"


    "Is dad really angry with mom?" questioned Juan cautiously.


    "Super mad," replied Bao. "I¡¯m afraid they might get into a fight."


    "Then why did you send dad with her?"


    "Because it¡¯d be good if they get into a fight. At least, they¡¯ll talk to each other. Because right now, dad seems to want to y the silence card. That won¡¯t get us anywhere."


    "What¡¯s the guarantee he¡¯ll talk now?"


    Bao smirked at her, "Dear sister, you¡¯re really underestimating our mom¡¯s effect on dad, eh? She¡¯s quite persistent when she wants to be. I¡¯m trusting her right now. I gave her the opportunity, it¡¯s up to her how she is gonna cash it."


    "You did it?" repeated Juan. "I was the one who asked her to go home and cook me a meal. Half the credit goes to me!"


    Bao ruffled her hair, "You take all the credit. I don¡¯t want it. Just don¡¯t ever scare me like this."


    Juan tugged at his sleeve saying, "If you kept acting like this, people might start calling you sis-con."


    "I don¡¯t mind," was his response.


    "So, give me some updates," she eagerly said.


    "What updates? I¡¯ve been stuck in the hospital. Don¡¯t know anything." He tried to shrug her off offhandedly.


    "Don¡¯t y this game with me! Being my brother, you need to stay updated!"


    "I have the biggest news for you," he started.


    "What? What is it?"


    He poked her head saying, "Dad cried buckets because of you. So, get your act together! Is this your age to pull such a stunt? What are you 3? Getting hurt by a few words? I¡¯m ashamed to call you my sister."


    Juan pushed him, "It¡¯s not like I cared about what mom said to me! I was thinking how because of me dad was hurt. In the morning, didn¡¯t you hear what grandmother said to him? It made me really angry! If it¡¯s my fault everyone should talk to me, why go to my dad?"


    "Juju," he called out. "But if you get upset like this over everything and get yourself to the hospital, who is gonna be there with dad? Aren¡¯t we supposed to be helping him out? Why make it worse?"


    "This time it¡¯s my fault, I ept," she said. "It¡¯s just that a ssmate of mine was talking about how her parents are getting a divorce and she¡¯ll have to choose between her mom and dad. It really scared me. After all, it was the first time mom didn¡¯t even make breakfast for us. I really thought she was also leaving us."


    "Such a tiny brain and such heavy thoughts..."


    Both Bao and Juan were stunned to hear that familiar voice.

 Chapter 432 - A Civilized Visitor

    <h4>Chapter 432 - A Civilized Visitor</h4>


    "Ruru!"


    Both the twins called out loudly as soon as they saw the person who walked inside the room. That tall frame d in all ck. Those green eyes stared at them with a beautiful smile gracing the person¡¯s lips. Those short hair that fell over her forehead.


    Who else would it be if not their one and only godmother?


    "Hi, kids!" This was how Ru greeted them. She stepped closer to the bedside and both the twins immediately hugged her. "Aiya! How many times should I tell you both that Young Master Ru doesn¡¯t like hugs!" Although those words came out of her mouth, she didn¡¯t actually push them away. In fact, her own arms went around their small frames to hug them back.


    "Who cares what you like?" questioned Bao.


    "Well, we don¡¯t," came the reply from Juan.


    Ru rolled her eyes at them and ruffled their hair saying, "I see you¡¯re growing very well. You even learned how to not take me seriously, eh?" Her eyes softened as she went on, "You should be happy, you¡¯re the only ones who¡¯d get to live after not taking me seriously." Of course, they were the only ones who could even talk to her like that. Even their father would often get a punch for trying to hug her. But everyone had exceptions, they were hers.


    "We already know," they replied in unison.


    "Of course, you do," she retorted. "Why else are you getting so arrogant with me?" She looked at Juan and leaned down toe face to face with her, "My dear Queen An, what a disaster you created this time." Juan pouted at her while she went on, "Justst night, you threatened me toe so that I can attend your school performance. I said I¡¯de. You didn¡¯t have to take a visit to the hospital to call me."


    Juan made a face at her, "But because of this, you came earlier than nned. Isn¡¯t that better?"


    "Better?" repeated Ru and shook her head while sighing. She had to put the n meeting on hold for this visit. But of course, she won¡¯t be telling this to little Juan. It was her own problem and she had to solve it herself. "Right... It¡¯s good to see you earlier!"


    "Ruru, when did youe?" questioned Bao looking at her curiously.


    "When you¡¯re having that family moment," she replied honestly.


    "Why didn¡¯t youe inside then?"


    "I¡¯m this old and yet I get super mad when someone interrupts my time with my Papa, how can I ruin your moment?" said Ru not even feeling embarrassed that even at the age of thirty-something she was a daddy¡¯s girl through and through! "Now, my Queen An, give me your hand and let me confirm something."


    Juan obediently ced her hand into hers. Ru ced her fingers on her wrist to take her pulse. She had a concentrated expression on her face.


    "Ruru, howe you entered through the door this time?" This question came from Juan.


    Ru let her wrist go and cleared her throat, "I can be civilized once in a while." Both the twins chuckled at her response. "Anyway, your condition is actually better than what I was told. It¡¯s good. You need lots of rest now. So, don¡¯t think about anything and take a rest."


    Juan held her finger and said, "I really thought mom might leave us. I was scared. I do get upset with her easily but she is still my mom. I do love her. I just can¡¯t seem to tell her that often."


    Ru smiled at her innocence and ced her hand on her small head as she said, "Last night, you¡¯re really upset with your mom, right?" Juan lowered her head and nodded. "But after thinking about it, you did think that you weren¡¯t supposed to talk like that to mom?" Juan nodded her head again. "It¡¯s the same for mom. If your little brain can think soplicated, she is an elder. She has a million things running through her mind. She didn¡¯t leave you. She just went home to take a break because she also felt hurt. She had been trying hard to make you feel proud of her. Since you both are so smart and exceptional, she has to work hard to make you feel like their mother is notcking. So, it hurt her knowing that her efforts weren¡¯t being appreciated. In the elder¡¯s world, that¡¯s very normal.


    "That¡¯s why she wanted to take a short break to calm herself. She distanced herself to not ruin what she already had. She knew if she stayed, her anger might get the best of her. That¡¯s why she left. Everyone needs some time to themselves. It¡¯s everyone¡¯s right. Solitude is the bestpanion when you have a lot on your mind but it is equally the most dangerouspanion when those lots of thoughts take a darker turn. Your mom wascking some time to herself because she¡¯s been trying hard to share her time with everyone she cared about."


    "So, mom was not upset with me?" asked Juan. "She just went to clear her mind?"


    Ru nodded her head, "Yes, she only wanted a break. And no, she wasn¡¯t upset with you at all! How can a mother stay angry with her kids? You just said that you love her."


    Juan nodded her head, "I do! I really do!"


    "I know. But you should also know that your mom also loves you. Even more, than you love her." Juan looked at her without blinking. "But just as you can¡¯t tell her how much you love her often, she can¡¯t do it either." She stroked Juan¡¯s hair as she went on, "However, you¡¯re always on her mind."


    "How are you so sure that I¡¯m always on her mind?" questioned Juan.


    Ru put out something from her jacket and ced it before her, "Read it yourself. You¡¯ll know just how much your mom is always thinking about you in her own way."

 Chapter 433 - Proud Of You

    433 Proud Of You


    Juan took the carefully folded paper from Ru''s hand and unfolded it before reading it with all her attention...


    ''Dear Sensei,


    I hope you''re doing well. It feels weird writing it like this. Although I could just call you, I thought it''d be more special if I wrote it myself. At this point, you must be annoyed but bear with me a little.


    Actually, the reason why I''m writing this letter is that I want to officially invite you. My Juan is entering the school talentpetition. She is gonna y the piano. And I want you there to see her. I know I know you''re a very busy person but please, don''t say no. I''m currently on my knees begging you to pleasee!


    Don''t throw the letter before reading it all. I have more to say.''


    When Ru was reading the letter, her mind was thinking, ''You still have more nonsense for me to read?'' But although she had thought like that, she had still continued to read. Just like right now, Juan did too.


    ''This is my daughter''s firstpetition and I know she''d love to see you there. Since she is gonna shine on that stage, I want you to see my daughter shining. So, please make some time for us. I really want you to see my daughter on that stage.


    I know you must be thinking it isn''t even a big deal. It''s not like she''s performing at the world''s biggest stage. But this is the biggest stage of her life yet. It is very important to her and to me as well. I don''t know why she suddenly decided to take part in thispetition but I know that I want her to see her happy. As long as this makes her happy, I''d always be by her side.


    And I wish you would be by her side too. You had always been there for me and you had been there for Ah-Jie as well in your own way. As my kids'' godmother, I really want you to experience this for yourself in person. I never forced you for anything but I want to do it for the first time. For my daughter, please don''t say no.


    I''m so proud of her, you bettere and tell her that you''re proud of her as well. It''ll mean a lot to her.


    Come to cheer my Juan up! I''ll be waiting for you!


    Your favorite disciple *wink*''


    Juan had read the whole letter with aplicated feeling. She didn''t know how to react to this. She thought her mother really didn''t care about whatever she did.


    Ru noticed her expressions and patted her head, "Didn''t you enter thepetition to make your mom look at you?" Juan nodded her head. "See? She had always been looking at you. She might have gotten a little lost along the way but you both had always been her life. She can''t possibly forget you both."


    Juan hugged Ru tightly as her eyes filled up with tears, "She should have said that to me."


    "But she can''t do it, she is bad with words. She is bad with rtionships as well. The only rtionship she had always trusted had been friendship. So, she tends to still value that friendship a lot. It''s up to you two to remind her that her friends are not all she has now."


    Both Juan and Bao were quiet for a while before Bao voiced out, "How long do you think mom and dad are gonna fight for?"


    "They are fighting?" asked Ru.


    "As if Ruru doesn''t know anything," said Juan. "Don''t pretend to be oblivious now. You know everything."


    "First of all, I''m not god. How will I know everything?" said Ru. "Secondly, you''re saying that what they are doing right now is called fighting?"


    Both the kids nodded and she made a face, "If this is a fight then did I learn the wrong type of fighting in my life?" She looked at them both and went on, "What your parents are doing right now is called having an argument. It''s pretty normal in a rtionship."


    "Did you also had an argument in your rtionship?" asked Bao looking all innocent.


    Ru''s lips twitched as she replied, "I never even had a rtionship!" She took a pause and added, "Anyway, you both can just calm down now. The argument between your parents won''tst that long."


    "But dad is very angry this time," told Juan.


    "As if his anger is gonna do anything," snorted Ru. "My cousin brother has a big issue with his heart. It''s that it melts whenever he sets eyes at your mom. In their rtionship, your mom had always been the one at an advantage. Because my poor brother can''t even stay mad at her."


    "So, how long do you think it''s gonna take for them to make up?" asked Bao.


    "By the time they get back here, they''d be looking like the same loving couple, you''re familiar with." She shook her head, "No, they''d be even sweeter." She raked her fingers through her short hair saying, "That''s different that that''s the only kind of sweetness I seem to hate."


    "Ruru, are you gonna leave now?"


    Ru shook her head, "I was already on my way toe here when I heard about our Juan''s health. Since I''m here to see my Queen An''s performance, I won''t be leaving until I see her on that stage." She helped Juan lie down as she said, "Now, you rest well. It''s necessary for you to get better. How else would I see that performance? Don''t waste my trip. After all, Young Master Ru''s time is valuable."


    Juan nodded her head and smiled happily, "I''ll get better soon. I''ll make sure to show you what I got. I''ll make sure to make mom proud of me."


    "She''s already proud of you," reminded Ru.


    "Then I''ll do better to make her prouder," replied Juan making Ru smile slightly at her.


    Just a few more chapters to go...


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