THE CEO's LOVE 145 Tournament Vii

"You two just stood there and watched me get slapped," she couldn't even raise her voice. She felt weak. Totally weak that acting for the day might he cancelled.

"I'm sorry Xiaoxi,"

"You're sorry? You say you're sorry? Is that meant to heal my face? Will it heal my face? I can't even feel my jaw right now. And you think sorry would heal it?" Fangxi eyes misted up. "If Xiujun hadn't come, if only Xiujun hadn't come, then I would have had the upper hand!" She weeped. The pain was unbearable. How can just a mere slap be this hurtful? A slap she had been giving out to people all her life... It hurt so much!

She wanted to cry out loud! But that would give Xueyan the victory so she could only sniffle her tears.

*

"How did we suddenly get to this level? Just some days ago it was just mere talking, now it's with action?" Mei Han pressed the hot cloth onto her face.

"I can't believe it, those two must be witches to have done this to you." Yuxi took out a penicillin and helped apply it on Mei Han's face. 

"They are actually scared of nothing. That's why they keep coming at me, a n.o.body."

Yuxi felt her heart ache. And thought back to some years ago. Xueyan had come back with bruises on her back. "Xueyan, what are these purple colouring on your back?" She asked when Xueyan was changing.

"It's nothing," that had been Xueyan's answer. 

"Really? Or you don't want to tell me?" She wasn't even knowledgeable on the word called bully. "I'll tell mummy and daddy you painted your back purple."

"Ah, no. Don't tell them, they will be mad." Xueyan tried to plead.

"Alright, tell me what it is!"

"Uhm, I hit my back on the wall."

"Hunh? What nonsense? Hitting your back on the wall makes such colour?" Her interest was piqued. "What type of wall? I want that type of colours on my back too!"

Little did she know it was bruises, inflicted on her sister by another human. Why would someone have a heart that is as dark as the devil's?

She had even promised to keep it a secret if Xueyan would help her get the purple colour on her back too. Little did she know, she was giving her sister's bullies more chance to continue... If only she could take back the hand of time. She would have rushed to their shop in front of their home to tell her mother her findings.

Then maybe, just maybe, her sister wouldn't have gone through so much pain in silence. She wiped the tear that dropped her eyes at the remembrance of these nightmare.

It hurt, like it had been done to her. "You shouldn't keep quiet when those girls bully you. It isn't right! Learn to speak up! If not, they would continue until they leave you with mark you would never forget."

Mei Han agreed. "Sure, I always will."

"And also, you need to learn some self defense. You see, the reason they can't harm Xueyan is because she now has a stronger bone than them." The thought of that made her smile.

Mei Han was shocked. "Really? You think so?"

"I know so,"

"No wonder she kept bragging about keeping herself safe than I could."

Yuxi smiled. And she will be here too to help her sister out! In time of troubles! Unlike in the past, when she had been young and naive.

*

"Yan Ruqin, you really believed me?"

"Hmm, mmm." Ruqin m.u.f.fled as her mouth had been tied by a piece of cloth.

She was being transported in a carriage away from the Han kingdom and into the capital as the emperor had demanded.

Now, this was the story, of how a n.o.ble lady from a village became a soldier and disrespected by people she met. Now she's being taken to the palace, whereby she would face many trouble. And would be alone, to fight for the freedom of her people, her father and herself. Then from a soldier, the t.i.tle of an Empress awaited her!

She closed her eyes, deep in regret!

Master Su knew she wanted to say a lot but watching her there with no way of fighting back amused him. She now looked like a very weak young lady.

He untied her mouth. "Let it all out,"

She opened her mouth to say something but stopped, smiled and then looked away.

Master Su was baffled, "You have nothing to say?"

She simply ignored him. 

"Really?" And he started chuckling. "For the first time since I met you, you're speechless, nor do you have that wicked smile. Great!" If he say he wasn't shocked by her silence, that would be him lying.

Since the journey to the capital was meant to take a whole day, they decided to rest until it was night time.

Xueyan was face timing Qingran. "You're there with Aunt Yuxi?"

"Yes, but she's not here right now."

"Oh," she smiled then waved when she saw Mei Han pa.s.s by Xueyan side. Mei Han waved back.

"She's so cute," Mei Han said.

"Right?" A smile spread on Xueyan's face. She was truly adorable. That's why she would never regret giving birth to her. Qingran had instead of being her weakness became her strength, to push this hard and be here!

"Mom?" Qingran called. "I'm out! Out with aunty Jiuwen and..."

"You're out?"

"Yes, Aunt Jiu said since we aren't doing anything today she would take us out."

"We? Us?" Xueyan was surprised. 

"Yes. I and Zhihao,"

The mention of that name made Xueyan heart cut. Thinking of that little boy, she felt guilty. What if she succeeded in s.n.a.t.c.hing Zhaolin back, what of his son? No! That would be silly of her, if she did that. And she was even scared of facing the little boy. She bade Qingran goodbye and hung up.

As always, Mei Han had gotten a tray of snacks and tea. "Xueyan, taste this tapioca flour cookie, it's so yummy."

Xueyan took a bite and Mei Han brought another. "This is twisted cookies, and here pineapple tarts. You can eat it with lemon water, it makes it yummy too."

Xueyan took a bite of everything Mei Han had to offer. 

"How is it?" Mei Han asked excitedly.

Xueyan gave her a thumbs up. "Very sweet,"

"Eat up, then use the lemon water to wash them down." Mei Han advised. 

*****

"Sir, we have an outdoor meeting at six with the new designer. Should I choose a restaurant." Secretary Jiang asked.

"Okay,"

That was enough for him to understand, he went to quickly make reservations for them.

Just then Zhaolin's phone rang.

"Zhaolin," it was Dai Jingyao.

"Why are you calling with a different number?"

"Hehe, it's nothing. Are you still at the office?" 

"Yes,"

"On my way," he didn't even wait for Zhaolin to agree and hung up.

He arrived at the last floor, and b.u.mped into someone. Dai Jingyao bowed his head and greeted. "Good evening,"

The man turned to look at him. "What is good about it? What are you doing here?"

Now Jingyao regretted coming here in the first place.

"You should always open your eyes while walking instead of b.u.mping into people, disgusting." Jingze strode off after saying his piece and left Jingyao looking at his raised shoulders.

Jingyao chuckled. Yes, he was used to this cold treatment from the man... 

He strode into Zhaolin's office. "Hey,"

"You suddenly leaving your confinement... Are you alright?"

Jingyao smiled. "Come on, you're my friend. You have visited me twice so I decided it's time I come see you too."

Zhaolin shrugged. "You're so thoughtful,"

"I know right?" Jingyao burst out laughing. He knew it was sarcasm but he wanted to take it the other way round.

Zhaolin wondered if his friend was truly alright.

"I came to help you,"

"Help me?" Zhaolin was astounded. "Help me with what?"

"In pursuing your woman! I want you to pursue her and have her!"

Zhaolin head then tilted to the side. "Really?"

"Yes. So let's start, now I know why you asked for tips on how to pursue a woman some weeks ago. It was for Xueyan, right?"

"Yes?"

"I will help you out," Jingyao winked at him. "What are friends for, you don't need to thank me."

Zhaolin head still didn't wrap around everything Jingyao was saying, at least he understood the word help, but him suddenly offering to help... "Do you want anything?"

Jingyao frowned. "What would I possibly want from you? One night together?"

"I don't know,"

"No no. I'm just helping you out!"

"That sounds odd."

Jingyao laughed. "Sure I know, but you're my friend right?"