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 accepts his reality. I’ll be right by his side." She articulated each word without slurping even once.

  Maybe, everyone was preoccupied 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." He commented 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 be late?" 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 glance.

  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 playing?"

  After a moment of silence, Xu Mey heard Ru’s voice again, "I’m playing 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 playing with people’s emotions?"

  Ru laughed 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 similar 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 play with toys which they don’t have themselves. We always like to play games which we can’t afford. A person like me can only play 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 playful 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 placed 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."