"Nian-mei, Linqin is on her way. If you need to do something, you can go now. "
"No, Li-jie. I'll accompany you. I can't just leave you here."
"Are you sure?"
"Of course, Li-jie." Zhen Nian nodded and genuinely smiled at her, even with her forehead full of sweat. She sat stiffly on the stool because she was still scared of the scene she had seen. She held Xu Jia Li's hand and squeezed it lightly.
"Are you really alright?" Xu Jia Li squeezed Zhen Nian's hand back before she put her hand on her shoulder. She patted her gently as she continued, "Anyway, it will be fine when Linqin arrived, she'll clean all this."
Hearing Xu Jia Li, she shivered and nodded as she suddenly stood. She knew that when Shen Linqin arrived, there would be no way for them to keep the evidence. She was trying her best to convince her to call the police. However, she didn't want to involve authorities into it.
So, she excused herself and went directly to the restroom. She walked fast and locked herself inside. She immediately dialled Si Weimin's number and with a very low voice, she immediately told him to come and without waiting for his reply, she ended the call.
She even heard him call her name but she decided not to respond for fear of being caught as she tried her hardest to keep Xu Jia Li from knowing that she was calling him.
Zhen Nian nervously looked at her phone after ending the call. She was sweating profusely, her heart was beating so fast.
She couldn't keep her words that she won't say anything to Si Weimin. After all, she knew full well that only he could help Xu Jia Li this time. She knew that she would be mad at her but her concern right now was to make sure that Xu Jia Li would be safe. Since knowing her, this was the first time she had seen how serious her path for revenge would be.
'I'm so sorry Li-jie but CEO Si needs to know this.'
She put her mobile phone on her pocket and fixed her dishevelled hair. She was too alarmed and scared for her friend. She was startled when she heard knocks on the door. After a while, she heard Xu Jia Li's voice,
"Nian-mei?"
"Yes, Li-jie?"
"Are you alright? Linqin is already on her way here. She's coming now. If you want, you may go now so that you won't feel bothered by the sight."
Zhen Nian opened the door and smiled at Xu Jia Li as she said, "No Li-jie. It's fine. I'll just stay here and help with you."
Xu Jia Li only smiled at her before she turned her back and went to the kitchen. She saw her get the folders and put them on the top of the table. She cringed as she remembered what was written on those letters.
She closed the bathroom door and slowly moved towards the kitchen. She was nervous as she waited for Si Weimin, 'Oh, please! Let CEO Si arrived first before Linqin.'
The silence made her even more agitated. As the time passed by, she constantly looked at her watch and walked back and forth in the kitchen.
Xu Jia Li noticed her and asked, "Nian-mei, what's wrong? Why are you so nervous?"
"H-huh? A-ah.. N-no, Li-jie. I'm just thinking about something."
She only received a smile from her so she stopped walking and sat opposite her on the stool.
"Li-jie, I wanted to ask this even before,"
Zhen Nian asked Xu Jia Li. She was trembling and she needed to ask her something just to hide her guilt.
"Yea?" Xu Jia Li answered as she turned her head slightly to look at her.
"Why did you ask Linqin to look for your mom's old friend?"
"Nian-mei, I think it's not yet the right time for you to know that. Let's not talk about it anymore."
"Okay, Li-jie. I'm only worried."
"I know but you don't have to worry about it, Nian-mei."
"Hmm, Li-jie..." Zhen Nian hesitated as she looked at her with worried eyes. "I know, it's not the right time to ask this, but..."
"It's okay, what is it?"
"What is the real score between you and CEO Si?"
Even before Xu Jia Li could answer, a loud ping could be heard. With expectant eyes, Zhen Nian focused her gaze towards the door. 'Please, let it be CEO Si.'
She saw Xu Jia Li opened the door as Shen Linqin came to view who was holding a big box. She was smiling widely as she titled her head and pointed to her side using her lips.
Zhen Nian's disappointed face upon seeing Shen Linqin changed when she saw Si Weimin came to sight. Worry was clearly written on his handsome face. Xu Jia Li let out a loud gasp as she suddenly closed the door in shock. Her chest was rising up and down as she glared at Zhen Nian.
"It's you!"
"L-Li-jie, I-Im –"
"Don't say it! I told you not to tell him!"
"B-but, Li-jie..."
The two of them were startled as loud continuous knocks cut their conversation. Zhen Nian walked fast directly towards the door and opened it.
"Li-jie, why did you close the door?" Shen Linqin pouted as she entered inside.
Si Weimin followed behind as he gazed Xu Jia Li. However, the both of them were aghast upon seeing the sight of the living room.
Linqin dropped the box and immediately held the things scattered on the floor.
With a horrified look on her face, she casted a questioning look at Xu Jia Li's way. "What happened here, Li-jie?"
Instead of answering, Xu Jia Li picked up the big box and walked back to the kitchen. She put the big box over the table and quietly seated on the stool.
Si Weimin followed her and with the same horror-stricken face, he glanced at her before he looked again at the mess on the living room.
Shen Linqin and Zhen Nian started to pick the things as they began to clean the mess. They decided to remain quiet as they saw Si Weimin approached Xu Jia Li.
Shen Linqin whispered to Zhen Nian, "What the heck just happened here?"
"I don't know but this is not all." The two of them continued whispering with one another as they worked to arrange the mess.
However, Si Weimin held Xu Jia Li hands and asked,
"Are you okay? Tell me what happened here."
"I really don't know. Maybe some thieves who wanted to get some money. Anyway, it's all good now."
"What's all good? When did this happen?"
"I have no clue but mostly, after I left."
"What? Why didn't you call me when you saw this after we arrived?"
"Well..."
"Well what? Shit! I should've known. I should've been here with you. I-I should have –"
"It's not your fault –"
"How is it not my fault? What if the culprits were still here when you arrived?"
"Well, nothing really happened to me and I'm really fine."
Xu Jia Li was shocked as Si Weimin hugged her. He was hugging her so tightly that she felt she couldn't breathe. He kissed her head as he whispered, "I'm so sorry. What if something happened to you? I should have been more careful and attentive. I'm so sorry."
She didn't know what to say as Si Weimin hugged her even more. She just let him be calm and didn't speak at all. The warmth of his body gave her comfort. It was a solace for her.
When Si Weimin loosened his hug on her, she smiled as she tried to assure him that everything was fine, "I'm really okay. Don't worry about me."
"How can I not worry?" Si Weimin pulled her up as he sat on the stool she vacated. He pulled her again to sit on her lap.
Xu Jia Li protested as she wriggled her body out of his touch. However, Si Weimin was stronger than her, so she couldn't do anything but to follow him. She dropped her shoulders in defeat as he let him sit her on his lap.
He hugged her tightly, not letting her go as he spoke, "I wish I didn't leave you without making sure you were safe. I feel bad, love."
She only nodded as she noticed that Shen Linqin and Zhen Nian were standing near the kitchen. The two were shocked as no sounds came out of their lips.
Xu Jia Li's face turned crimson red as she tried to take off Si Weimin's arms around her.
"Hey, let me go. It's embarrassing."
"What's embarrassing?" Si Weimin asked innocently.
"Take your arms off around me. I need to go to my room."
Si Weimin hesitated but still let her go. Embarrassed, she ran fast not even glancing on Zhen Nian and Shen Linqin's way.
The two only giggled as they noticed how she acted. Then, Zhen Nian suddenly remembered that Xu Jia Li's room was full of blood. With a pale face, she impulsively shouted,
"Li-jie! What will you do there?"
But before she could ask any further, she saw her ran directly inside her room. She looked nervously on Si Weimin's way, about to say something when she saw him opening the letters on the table.