Shu Xian and Shi Lian had already tidied up the kitchen and dining room. They also took care of Wan Wan for a while before both of them left Pan An's house to go to the university.
It was almost 8 AM and both of them secured the house and started walking towards the university which is only a walking distance.
"Are you sure it's okay for you to go back to class?" Shu Xian asked, keeping the keys of the house in her bag. "I mean... you just got home from your vacation. Don't you need rest? How did you quickly fix your papers in uni?"
"Yeah, I can go. I'm excited to see you, remember?"
Shi Lian then linked arms with her as they continued walking.
"Besides... one of the best things of having an older brother is to make him fix things for you even though we're both on vacation."
Shu Xian couldn't help but laugh at what she said. It's funny that Shi Lian gets to boss her brother around even though he's older than her. Other than that, both of them were in a vacation and they could order their secretary for that but still, Shi Lian asked her brother to do it for her.
"Why bother your brother this much?" Shu Xian asked, "I mean... you can ask your secretary, no?"
"Oh, please!"
Shi Lian rolled her eyes, shaking her head to disagree then a cheeky grin appeared on her face.
"My brother is like my slave! He's always at my beck and call—even better than the helpers!"
Shu Xian laughed out loud, her head tipping up as she indeed missed hanging out with her best friend.
Wanting to change the topic, Shu Xian elbowed her side, going back to what they were talking about a moment ago.
"Anyway... Pan An—"
"Urgh!"
When Shu Xian groaned and interrupted Shi Lian, now it was her turn to laugh out loud as she knew that she isn't going to let this go.
"Can we not talk about it?! You already know that my ego is hurt because he called out a different name. Now, stop it!"
But Shi Lian didn't want to stop! Instead, she whispered beside her ear to ask a question, making Shu Xian's ears red in an instant.
"But you liked it, no? Was he a good kisser?"
Shu Xian stopped in her tracks and stomped her foot, Shi Lian, laughing out loud once more as Shu Xian gave her a warning look.
"Do you want to stop? Or do you want to keep going?"
"Come oooon!"
Shi Lian snickered as she held Shu Xian's hand, pulling her to walk as they now entered the campus.
"I just want to know and then I'll stop!"
"Fine!"
Shu Xian gave in, her face blushing again as she now answered her question the softest way possible.
"I don't know since it's my first, torrid kiss but yes... it felt good—I mean! He's good..."
Shi Lian gave her a naughty smirk. Shu Xian then averted her gaze from her, already walking on ahead as she felt embarrassed, Shi Lian, following her.
"Hey, wait! I'm sorry! I won't tease you again!"
***
In the garden under the gazebo, Cai Li, Pan An's mother, was found having her day tea as she read the papers that she got from Mr. Lee.
Days ago, she told her secretary to research about Shu Xian's background, specifically on He Shen, her uncle.
Cai Li scanned on the paper as Mr. Lee stood beside her, ready to further answer the Madame's questions if there are any.
"So, Shu Xian is indeed her niece," Cai Li mumbled, Mr. Lee further explaining with the information that he knew.
"Yes. She has been in his care since she was born and He Shen 'took care of her' until she escaped from him when she turned high school. Sadly, she was verbally and sometimes physically abused during her stay with him."
Cai Li took another sip of her tea as she shook her head in disapproval, the idea of Shu Xian abused for many years saddening.
"So, from there, she sought help from her friend, Shi Lian?"
"Yes," Mr. Lee validated. "However, when she graduated high school, she didn't want to prolong her stay as the people working for Shi Lian's household found Shu Xian to be a freeloader and she didn't report them gossiping about her."
"Hmm..."
Cai Li put down her tea cup and the papers as well. She sighed as she took a small biscuit from the platter before her and took a bite before she spoke again.
"Shu Xian is indeed a polite and kind child," she commented, resting her back on the chair's backrest. She then took the paper from the table again and read, her eyes landing on a familiar name.
"Avidity Corporation?"
Mr. Lee cleared his throat before answering the question of Madame Cai Li.
"It turns out that He Shen is the CEO of Avidity, Madame Cai Li."
"Oh, I see!"
At the same time, her eyes widened in astonishment as she turned her head to look at Mr. Lee, since Avidity is also a competing company against Invicta, their company.
"Then, have you searched about his family background and affiliations?"
When Mr. Lee sighed and shook his head to say no, that's when Cai Li creased her brows in wonder, knowing that Mr. Lee always did thorough research with little to no failure.
Why did it seem impossible now?
"I'm sorry, Madame, but it seems that He Shen's background has been blocked. Even a tiny detail, I couldn't get a hold of it."
"Huh..."
Cai Li crossed her arms in front of her chest, wondering how He Shen's information had been blocked. If it was possible for that to happen, then it could mean that he is powerful, or knows someone powerful for his background to be a secret.
The only family able to do that as Cai Li knows is hers and also other powerful owners at par with Invicta.
With having no idea about who Shu Xian's parents are, now it made Cai Li think who she really is and what made his son fancy her.
Sighing, Cai Li waved her hand, indicating for Mr. Lee to go. With him getting the papers from the table, he gave her a small bow and left to leave her alone.
Cai Li then blankly stared at the flower garden before her, her fingers tapping on the table as she thought of Shu Xian.
'Shu Xian... who are you?'