Atlas Studios

  Atlas Studios

  Zhuang Nainai left the little house in a hurry and bumped into Lin Xi’er who was on her way home for dinner.

  Lin Xi’er was her best friend from a young age. The house Zhuang Nainai and her mother were renting now belonged to her family.

  Land prices in Beijing were exorbitant, and Lin Xi’er’s family had savings from that. Her character was loud and carefree, just like Zhuang Nainai. She always shared her snacks with Zhuang Nainai when they were little. They were close like sisters.

  Lin Xi’er excitedly greeted Zhuang Nainai when she saw her. “Nainai!”


  Zhuang Nainai stopped in her tracks and was about to respond when Lin Xi’er’s face changed. She came close and scrutinized her face. “Damn, Nainai, what happened to your face? Who did this to you?”


  Zhuang Nainai finally remembered that her face was still swollen from the slap!

  How could she face Si Zhengting like that!

  Zhuang Nainai dragged Lin Xi’er towards her house and said, “Help me with the swelling at your place!”


  The Lin family lived in a small two-story building near her little house. Lin Xi’er peeled a hard-boiled egg, wrapped it in a towel, and pressed it gently against Zhuang Nainai’s face. She listened to Zhuang Nainai’s account of what had happened and cursed aloud in anger. “That Xue Rong is a such a dumbass! So hung up on social status! Wait until she finds out whom she had hit! You are letting her off easy by returning her one slap on the face. You have to demand a little more interest for that!”


  Zhuang Nainai broke into a smile which touched her wound. She drew in a sharp breath from the pain and replied, “You really think it’s a debt? And to charge interest!”


  Lin Xi’er pouted. “If you tell Mr. Si about this, I’m sure Xue Rong’s dad will be done for!”


  Zhuang Nainai froze at her words. “Si Zhengting cannot know of this.”


  Lin Xi’er was surprised. “Why?”


  Zhuang Nainai sighed. “I don’t want him to see me in such a miserable state.”


  Lin Xi’er did not know what to say.

  Every man had his pride.

  Zhuang Nainai did not want Si Zhengting to look down on her; hence, she decided to keep it from him.

  Zhuang Nainai laughed and changed the subject. “Xi’er, how are you doing with your boyfriend?”


  Lin Xi’er’s eyes shone brightly at the mention of her beau. “Very well!”


  Zhuang Nainai ate her lunch at the Lin house. She wanted to leave in the afternoon but ended up chatting with Lin Xi’er’s mother. It was close to 5 pm when she left their place.

  The swell on Zhuang Nainai’s face subsided and was no longer visible unless inspected closely.

  But where could she go at this hour?

  She heard that Si Zhengting was a workaholic who did not leave the office until 8 pm every day. Would he like it for her to go look for him at the office?

  Zhuang Nainai remembered the embarrassing episode of being thrown out of his building last week and decided to go home.

  It was peak hour for traffic. She made her way to the residential area on the crowded public bus. The traffic was horrendous and she did not make it home until 7 pm.

  __

  On the other hand, a storm seemed to be brewing in the Si residence.

  The mansion was enveloped in a low, suffocating atmosphere.

  The servants tiptoed in silence around the house for fear that they might anger its master.

  Si Zhengting sat on the sofa expressionless, but the chilly air around him sent shivers down everyone’s spine.

  The butler looked at the time, wondering to himself why Madam was not back yet.

  He was deep in thought when a motor car sounded outside.