When I finished taking a shower, I put on the fuzzy hotel bathrobe. The fabric against my skin was super soft that I almost fell asleep wearing it. But recalling a dangerous beast standing outside those doors, I reluctantly put on clothes provided by the hotel.
When I walked out, I found Mu Yi standing out on the balcony smoking a cigarette. I knew his friends smoked while they're drinking, but I didn't know Mu Yi smoke now too. Especially, when he always reminds me to never smoke or drink constantly back then.
****
"What are they drinking?" My seven-year-old self asked, tugging on Mu Yi's grey cashmere sweater.
We were currently at a birthday party for the Xue's family youngest daughter, Xue Luli. She was turning four-year-old this year. Unfortunately, we never go along like our parents wanted. Instead, I was much closer with the Mu family kids.
"Something you should never drink," Mu Yi covered my eyes and turned my face the other way.
"What is that fog coming out from their mouth?" I asked again when Mu Yi turned my view to look out the window.
Mu Yi frowned this time, "Something you should never touch."
"Why me?" I put my hands on my hip, "What about you?"
"I won't either..." Mu Yi knelt down so he can have direct eye contact with Anong. He wanted to explain what those things were in the simplest way, so she'll understand. "Drinking alcohol is very bad. Smoking is super bad. Never do it or else... I'll spank you!"
"I-I won't do it!" I promised, terrified that Mu Yi will actually hit me. It was my first time hearing from Mu Yi that he'll hit me for doing something. Those 'things' must be very bad then.
"Good girl," Mu Yi patted Anong's head, but his eyes were searching for a place where there was no alcohol or smoking around.
****
"You smoke now?" I asked, leaning against the open balcony door.
Mu Yi killed his cigarette immediately when he heard Anong's voice from behind him, "Sometimes."
"Drinking alcohol is very bad! Smoking is super bad! " I repeated the exact same words Mu Yi used on me many years ago. I kept that promise for ten years since that day. Meanwhile, Mu Yi kept his promise up to five years only.
Mu Yi raised an eyebrow and smirked, "What else comes after that?"
'Or else I'll spank you.' Yeah right, as if I were going to say those words out loud. It was fine telling me that as a child, but right now would make it kinky.
"The bathroom is open now," I changed the topic, turning around to turn in for the night. I already messaged Hui Yin I wouldn't make it back tonight. Luckily, nothing major needed to be approved by me anymore. The rest can be finished by Hui Yin.
Mu Yi followed behind and closed the balcony door behind him. He walked up to Anong, who was on her phone and paid no further attention to him.
"You still have the bad habit of not drying your hair after taking a shower," Mu Yi took a lock of Anong's wet hair and twirled it with his finger.
I shrugged, it didn't bother me that my hair wasn't dry. I don't always have time after taking a shower to dry my hair. I let it 'naturally' air dry by mother nature.
Why of course Mu Yi did not take my shrugged as an answer to leaving my hair wet. He forced me back into the bathroom and sat in front of the massive mirror in the bathroom. He grabbed the brush and hair blow dryer that was set out nicely on the table already.
I could feel his long, slender fingers rummaging through my hair. He was very gentle while combing my hair with fingers first before using the brush. The exact same way he used to do when drying my hair back then.
I don't know how Mu Yi does it. He makes me feel like seven years has never passed us by. Although, the way Mu Yi is treating me is like how he used to when I was a child. Except for the part where he acts like he has no shame. It's not like I dislike it, but it doesn't mean I like it either.
Is he treating me like a little sister? Maybe. Sigh, I am stuck being a little sister to him for life. Being a little sister is ten times better than being his enemy.
I heard bits and pieces about things he did to people who had offended. It brought shivers to my back. You can say pretty much say goodbye to your life by offending Mu Yi. Provoking Mu Yi was the same as declaring war with the Mu Family.
Ugh, I'm so confused about my feelings! I thought I had cut off these feelings, but they keep coming back the moment Mu Yi steps into my life. Forget it... Forget it all for now. I'll just throw all these thoughts to the back of my mind. I have more important things to deal with right now. Might as well keep moving with the flow as I always did.
Please hurry back, best friend! You're the only person who can keep my sanity in check!
Mu Yi tried to hold back his laughter when he noticed how stiff Anong's shoulders were. He knows what he was doing to her is making her confused and uncomfortable. Still, it was not the right time to tell her his feelings yet. She'll never believe his feeling was genuine based on his past action.
First, he must close the seven-year gap they lost together. He'll show Anong his feelings through action versus words. Anong was the type to judge you base on your action. Talk is cheap.