1 Going back home...

It was hotter than a usual spring day or it felt so for Chen Xixi as it was a hectic day at the hospital. It was already 9 pm but there were still some patients left for her to examine. Today her shift was scheduled in the general ward.

Chen Xixi, 23 years old, is a 1st year resident at the Central hospital.

"No need to worry ma'am. It was a minor operation. So it'll be alright. I'll prescribe some pain killers but take them only when you're not able to sleep due to the pain." Chen Xixi advised as she examined a middle-aged woman.

"Doctor, my daughter's knees swell whenever she exercise or simply run a little more than usual. It's really hard for her to either straighten or bend her knees when the swelling occurs. She's only 10, so how come she has symptoms of arthritis?" a man in his early 40s said with worry and sorrow in his voice.

"Let me take a look first sir." Xixi lightly pressed the girl's swollen knees while asking her where it hurt.

"Sir I think it's an autoimmune¹. I'll refer this case to the Rheumatology² section. Take this icepack with you for some relief for the time being." Chen Xixi instructed politely.

Around 10 pm she was allowed to retire to her room. The thought of her warm and soft bed added a spring to her feet.

Upon entering her room she was startled by the view of her best friend, Shen XiaoLi, reading one of her collection's romance novel.

Xixi suspiciously eyed her friend as XiaoLi was never into books, especially long novels, so it confused her.

Shen XiaoLi lamely waved at Xixi, signaling that she should not be disturbed. Xixi smiled at her attempt to look cool and started arranging her study desk.

*Twack*

Xixi jumped when the poor novel was slapped shut. She somehow saw this coming.

"Why the heck all these characters find their true one so easily? Why is it so easy in fictions?" XiaoLi was huffing and puffing at the unfairness towards her love life.

"Don't worry Lili, it needs common sense and good luck to find one." "You mean that I lack common sense?" XiaoLi narrowed her eyes to look intimidating but looked adorable instead.

"Your words, not mine." Xixi liked to annoy this cutie alot. "Go away. I won't talk to you." XiaoLi puffed her cheeks and turned her back to Xixi.

Chen Xixi laughed at her cuteness. She really loved this friend of hers. She felt really lucky that she found this gem of a friend.

5 years ago....

Chen Xixi was excited to experience the college life but this beautiful dream of hers soon turned in a nightmare as seniors and other popular kids started bullying her cause she was quite and minded her own business.

One day when she went to the mess to have her lunch, she was cornered by some bullies. They have planned to 'teach her a lesson' for 'ignoring' them.

"Hahaha. B*tch! you think you can get away from disobeying us?" a fat girl with her face caked with makeup and wearing loads of perfume said with a glint in her eyes.

"You think you're some celebrity to ignore us huh?" her sidekick said.

"Let's see how this little sl*t entertains us. Place this bowl of soup upside down on your pretty head. NOW!" the fatty said. She was jealous that Chen Xixi was beautiful without any efforts and the aura of calmness she possessed. She interpreted this calm nature of hers as arrogance. Therefore, she started to hate her.

"I think it would be more helpful for her if you demonstrate how to do so?" a clear voice demanded.

Everyone turned to the source of the voice and found an adorable girl walking towards them. Though she was cute, but the way she walked spoke of her authority. The said girl was Shen XiaoLi, the daughter of the dean of Central College of Medical Sciences. Although she was an engineering intern, but she lived here with her father. So students, even residents, were afraid to offend her. She was polite and sweet but made sure everyone no one mistreats her for it.

"XiaoLi.... arrr .... I wasn't bulling her. I was just trying to joke around. She looked lonely so I thought of giving her some company. Nothing else. Really ....." The fatty stammered.

"That's so nice of you to care about MY friend but since I'm here she won't need it. Let's go." Shen XiaoLi took Chen Xixi's hand and walked away from the college's mess.

"Thank you for helping me out. My name is Chen Xixi. Nice to meet you." Xixi smiled politely.

"No need to be polite with me. I just said you're my friend, so we're friends from now. Wasn't I heroic back there? HAHAHA!" Shen XiaoLi laughed making Chen Xixi giggle too.

.

.

.

"Xixi....Xixi ... Hello....? Earth to Chen Xixi.." XiaoLi waved her hands in front of a dazed Chen Xixi. XiaoLi's action broke Xixi's chain of thoughts.

"What were you dreaming about huh?" XiaoLi asked teasingly.

"Don't joke around. Have you packed your bags yet? The car will be here any minute. I don't want to be late." Chen xixi reminded.

"I've finished packing yesterday. No need for you to scold me. hump!"

XiaoLi thought it wasn't fair for her friend to scold her like a child. She was only 2 months younger. Chen xixi ignored the childish babbling by XiaoLi and went out of the room as the car was already there. XiaoLi, who was ignored, soon followed behind

"Who told you to leave?! I haven't finished yet! Ya³! gajima⁴!"

Tomorrow was the 25th Marriage anniversary of Mr. and Mrs.Chen. So they were celebrating it like a remarriage ceremony. Therefore many people were invited. But since it was really hard for Xixi and XiaoLi to get a day off, they decided to travel the night before. As the ceremony was on Friday, they can spend the weekend there.

They both boarded the car with their luggage and headed towards the Chen Mansion which was 2 hours away.