No clouds were in sight when Li Nuxie pulled the curtains open. She blinked, blocking the sun's rays with her hand. Her hotel was located in the suburbs of Nila, the capital city of Country P. The hotel was closer to University P as compared to Maka, her favorite city in the country. The suburbs were not as busy as the capital city but she preferred the laid-back atmosphere.
Maka was home to one of the largest art galleries in Country P. When she was not designing bikinis, you can see her strolling in those galleries, on the look out for new artists who can be a new inspiration. She took a deep breath as her eyes wandered outside. Country P was where you can see the stark imbalance of the people's living standards. Behind those skyscrapers were the illegal houses built on private properties.
She knew. Because once every year for the last six years, she would go there. One-fourth of the proceeds from the NU C launching would go to the street children's fund. She collaborated with a local organization in the community to finance the education of selected children from the area. She handled personally the educational assessment of the children.
Li Nuxie turned around, squatting in front of her luggage and opened it. Today was NU C's launching. A helpless sigh escaped her lips as her mind returned to the previous day. She prided herself for being a practical woman. She doesn't waste her time on things that cannot improve her being. And yet, after meeting two men in her life, her rationality grew wings, flying straight out of the window.
She glanced at the bedside table where her phone was lying still. Without so much thought, she reached for it and dialed Li Chanying's number. After three rings, her cousin picked up.
"Xiexie, what is it? Everything is already in place, don't worry," Li Chanying assured her from the other line.
"I'm sorry."
The other line went silent. Li Chanying smiled. This was what Li Chanying liked about her cousin. Li Nuxie knew when to apologize. "You're my cousin, Xiexie. I'm always here even though you're such a pain in the neck when you're pissed off," she laughed.
"I know. I'm just not myself these past few days. God knows it's so hard to fall in love with two guys at the same time!"
Li Chanying' shoulders stiffened. "Don't think about it. Just this day, Xiexie. Tomorrow, before we go back to City S, we'll figure this out."
Li Nuxie let out a breath. "Okay," she said after a while. "I'm going to the Street Fund Org. I'll be back after lunch."
"Do you need a bodyguard?" Li Chanying rubbed her neck. Every time Li Nuxie goes to that area, she cannot help but worry.
With one hand gripping the phone, Li Nuxie's other hand pulled a white shirt and skinny jeans from her luggage bag, bringing them to the bathroom. "No need. I'll call Miss Shayla to pick me up at the entrance."
"But—"
"You shouldn't be afraid for me. You should be afraid for them," Li Nuxie cut her cousin as she rolled her eyes.
Li Chanying laughed. Right, Li Nuxie was a seventh dan in Karate. "Then, just stayed far from the canal or bring a lifejacket," she burst out laughing. Her cousin loved wearing bikinis but she doesn't know how to swim.
"Gee, thanks for reminding me," Li Nuxie replied sarcastically.
=0=
Wearing a white loose shirt and skinny jeans partnered with black sneakers and black backpack, she rode the train. She was pressed against the wall of the train, her one hand was above her head, gripping the handle. Truth was she doesn't need it. With people sandwiching her in all directions, even inertia would have been ineffective.
However, the last thing she needed was someone scolding her if she bumped into them accidentally. Unlike in City S, the train in Country P was the first choice of the people, given that it was more convenient and faster.
After seven stations, she went out of the train. The train station was connected to a mall. Not the high-end type but it will do for people living below the poverty line. She headed straight to the supermarket and bought cans of milk and biscuits for the children. It was some sort of gift for them.
A smile hovered on her lips as she thought about those times when the children were shouting and jumping because she brought them juice in tetra packs and food from a famous fast food chain in the capital.
As she took decisive steps along the narrow streets, beads of sweat trickled on her forehead. It was just ten in the morning but the sun was already scorching. Her tanned skin was in danger of becoming more tanned. She continued walking. No one paid attention to her. It was one of her talents. She can blend well with the background.
Her two hands were full, carrying two shopping bags full of groceries. Her body went stiff when someone took the shopping bag from her left hand. Li Nuxie was in a public place and the first thing that went through her mind was someone really took it. What? Did small-time criminals resorted to grabbing someone else' groceries?
Turning towards her side, she raised her left leg to kick the person. However, it stopped midair when she saw the person in front of her.
She almost groaned. Why was fate playing a cruel game with her?
"I didn't know Miss Li was also here," the man said, an eyebrow was raised. He glanced towards her leg which was still in midair.
Li Nuxie cleared her throat before slowly putting down her leg. She can feel the heat crawling to her face. "I know we kissed and all that but it doesn't mean you can just grab my groceries. Buy your own," she hissed.
Xu Wei chuckled. "I just want to help you."
"I can do it," Li Nuxie extended her hand, reaching for the shopping bag. But Xu Wei put it behind his back. She cannot helped but noticed that the man was wearing a business suit. Did he not know how to blend with his surroundings?
"Don't be stubborn. Tell me where you're going. I bring you there," he told her.
A young child bumped into Li Nuxie. She swayed as she was caught unaware. She was staring at the man's face so she saw how he pressed his lips. Afraid that the man will lash out, she reached out for his hand unconsciously.
"That's only a child. Don't bother," she said.
Xu Wei flinched when she touched his hand. Although from the looks of it, it was done unconsciously, still, a small dose of happiness swarmed his heart.
Li Nuxie slightly trembled when she felt the man in front her flinched because of her touch. An inexplainable pain enveloped her heart. The corners of her eyes welled up with tears but she turned away quickly, expertly hiding the tears that threatened to fall.
However, Xu Wei being a keen observant, saw it. He opened his mouth to speak but Li Nuxie strode away from him. "Hey," he followed behind her.
His legs were long so it was easy to catch up with Li Nuxie. His free hand reached out for her hand and grasped it tightly, before pulling her into a hug. He was expecting that Li Nuxie would argue with him but it didn't come. She just stood in his embrace.
The people walking along the streets were staring at them.
'Are they shooting some movie?'
'Look for the camera. There must be one hidden somewhere.'
'Is that a scene where the male lead will kiss the female lead?'
While Li Nuxie wore a simple attire, Xu Wei wore his business suit. If that wasn't enough to draw attention from the crowd, there was still his face. Some teenagers were screaming silently from the sides of the street.
A crease appeared at Xu Wei's forehead when he felt the wetness in his chest area. Damn, she was crying?