Xin Yi was shocked and knew she had gotten herself into big trouble. She waited until the man's footsteps disappeared, then immediately ran in the opposite direction.
Reaching her room, she closed the door, rested her back against it, and slid down to sit.
"No, no, it's not him. It can't be. The voice wasn't clear; it was grumpy," she assured herself as tears flowed down her cheeks.
"What's wrong? Why am I crying? He's a mafia; you didn't come here for lo—what the hell," she cursed and wiped her tears.
When she lay on her bed and was about to sleep, she heard a knock on the door and immediately froze. She pulled the blanket over herself. Another knock was heard, and Hoayu, sleepy, went to the door. Opening it, he asked, "What is it?"
Xin Yi was curious about the person at the door but didn't dare to turn her head.
"Were you out just now?" Muyang asked.
"No, why would I be? You just disturbed my beauty sleep," he complained.
Xin Yi strained her ears to listen to their conversation, but to no avail.
"I'm sorry," Muyang begged. "What about Xin Yi?"
"Xin Yi is a heavy sleeper. Even if there's an earthquake, she won't get up. Now, bye," he said, not waiting for a response, and slammed the door shut.
Hoayu walked back to his bed and fell onto it, about to sleep.
Xin Yi turned to face him and asked, "Who was here just now?"
"Muyang," he said and fell asleep.
"So, what did he say?" she asked, but when she didn't get any response, she knew he had slept. "What a heavy sleeper," she said and turned back to her side.
The next morning, Xin Yi sat on the bed, already dressed in her practice outfit. She was scared to go out because of Li Qiang, as feelings of betrayal were growing in her. Though she wasn't sure it was him, she couldn't stop thinking about it.
"Xin Yi, my baby," Muchen sang as he walked to Xin Yi. Xin Yi, who already had plans for him, hit him on his back as soon as he sat.
"Who is your baby, huh? You jerk," she insulted, as if they were fighting before.
"Is everything alright?" he asked.
Xin Yi stood up to face him.
"If everything was alright, do you think I would be like this, you idiot?" she insulted again.
"Why are you venting on me?" he said under his breath and stood up to face her.
"What, what, uh, what have I done to you—" Slap. His face went wide, with his cheeks painted with four red lines. He held his cheeks and opened his mouth wide. Xin Yi looked at her hand and then at him, her mouth open wide, shocked at what she did.
Hoayu rushed out of the bathroom due to the sound he heard. "What happened? Who hit wh—" After seeing the scene, he stopped and walked towards them.
"Xin Yi, this is not your first time. Why always vent your anger on me?" he screamed and walked towards her. She moved back, holding both her cheeks until her back hit the door.
"I am sorry," she begged, acting innocent.
"Don't act like that to me," he clenched his fist, and Xin Yi immediately closed her eyes, expecting it to land on her, but it landed on the wall.
She opened her eyes and looked at him. "You, is it not your fault? You always come at the wrong time. And how do you know our room password?" she breathed heavily.
"How will I not know? I am your friend. And you, what are you doing there standing?" He turned to Hoayu, walking towards him, wanting to vent his anger on him.
"What? I am not the one who slapped you," he said and ran to the bathroom.
Xin Yi walked towards him. "I am so sorry," she begged, and he glared at her.
In the practice room, each team sat opposite each other. The coach walked between them and looked at each of them. When he got to Muchen, he re-looked at him and asked, "Your face, four marks line, you got a slap. Ah, I see it looks swollen. Apply some ointment," he advised.
Xin Yi pressed her lips together. Hoayu suddenly burst out laughing.
"What's wrong?" their coach asked.
"Nothing," he answered, pressing his lips together.
**
"So, you want us to go?" Li Qiang asked, looking at his father.
His father adjusted his glasses, which were sliding down his nose. "Yes, I know they have ulterior motives, and we have to prepare ourselves," he said.
"But you said we shouldn't associate with them," Li Qiang said, looking his father in the eye.
"I can decide not to go; it's my choice. And don't bring that personal guard of yours along," his father replied.
"And you think I will listen to you? You can decide, so can I," Li Qiang said, standing up and storming out of the office.
Li Qiang sat on the sofa at the bodyguards' mansion, waiting for all of them to gather as he had called for them.
When they were all present, he said, "Xin Yi." Xin Yi, who was hiding behind Muchen, froze.
"Xin Yi, do you need a personal invitation before you show yourself?" he asked.
Xin Yi dragged her feet and walked slowly, looking at the ground. Li Qiang looked at her.
"What is it?" he asked.
"You are delaying me. Will you walk faster?" he said. Xin Yi raised her head, avoiding his gaze, and went to stand behind him.
Li Qiang rested his back on the sofa and crossed his legs. "We have a lot to prepare for," he said.