She rides her bicycle along the coast. The wind is blowing strongly as her hair flows behind her. She search for a nice spot to stop. Her phone rings non stop, she stop cycling and answer the call.
"Xue Qin, where are you?"
"Nan ger, along the coast."
"Wait for me. I am going to where you are at. See you in a bit."
She stops by the stone wall and take a photo of the sea and clouds with an vintage camera. She spots Nan her in a distance with his car. Quickly she pan her camera at the approaching open roof car. She takes a few shots. They laugh when meet up. He host up the bicycle at the back and they got in the car. Together they drive off to the nearest restaurant by the coast.
Inside the restaurant, they placed their order and begin to talk about that they had been doing."My school breaks starts a few days ago. I am thinking what should i do this whole month. I don't want to go back reading my books. Feel like my brain is going to burst."
"Well since you are on a break how about, we go on a holiday? I've not travel these couple of years because of work. Other than travelling for business meeting. It's nothing else for leisure."
"You sure you can take a few days off?"
"I can ask my team to handle whatever is needed. I'm sure I'm not that important to be around."
"Are you going to ask Mei Mei?"
He look up and put down his glass. "You know she doesn't like to hang out with us. For what i know she enjoys spending money, like shopping. She is a replica of my mother. Sometimes i wonder if i am really her brother. We are so different. "
"Still you have to spend some time to get to know her. She is after all share the DNA with you."
"She is the one who doesn't like to talk to me. She only talks to mother. My mother is the one who supply her emotionally and physically whatever she wants.Let's not talk about her. Let's eat. I am hungry."
That evening they return home. Xue Qin hang out in the kitchen with the servants who are preparing dinner. She sits down and help out peeling the onions. Nan Qin appear after a change of clothes. He too sit down and help out. They all chat and laugh. It catch Mr Gu's attention and he walk in. "Hello, sounds so lively in here. What are you all talking about."
"Father, we just talk about the funny things they have done when they are young."
"Oh what is going on in here? Everyone is having a good time? Aren't we getting behind time to serve the dinner? Come on dear don't create trouble here. Nan Qin you too. Stop playing around and mess up their work."
"Mum we are just helping and dinner time is still hours away."
"What do you know? You know nothing when comes to cooking. The hard work behind it. We shouldn't mess up the procedure. Come on. Get up." She hold on to Nan Qin's arm. Nan Qin look at Xue Qin with a unwilling look. She gives him a hint to go out with her aunty.
"Xue Qin, since you know about cooking i won't take you away. You can help as much as you want. These two men who don't know anything, i will bring them out. Come here both of you. " She goes out with them circle each of them by their arms. The servants and Xue Qin look in silence.
"Miss ever since they move in, that lady can really make use of everyone even though she is not the owner of the house."
"The other day she bring butler Yin to help to carry her shopping bags."
"And also another day she and that youngest miss got the driver and maid Chen to help clean up the school when they volunteer to help clean it."
"In my opinion she is..." Xue Qin then interrupt her. " Come on let's not talk about this any more. The bad vibes will get into the food." So they begin to talk about other things as they cook along.
Dinner is quiet with some cluttering from the dining wares. "Dad i am going to apply leave."
"When? For how long?"
"About a week. I am going on a trip with Xue Qin since she is having ..."
"You can't just leave work like that?! Are you crazy? Your father have taken a day off since he start working. Why should you go on a holiday? I haven't been on a holiday!"
"Mum, please be reasonable."
"I am not reasonable? Why? My dear look at your son! He is big now! He doesn't think about his mother. Have we all gone on a holiday together? And why are you having a holiday with Xue Qin?!"
"Nan Qin, your mother have your interest in her heart. So having a holiday is fine but finish up or hand over the project ..."
"Is not fine! I disagree! I will ask the HR to shred the application leave! It's not to happen for you!"
Xue Qin place her chopsticks down on the bowl gently. She look at her fuming aunt. "Aunty i did not know that you have a voice in the company." Mrs Gu look at her niece with her eyes and mouth open wide.