78 78_

When everyone was about to leave the meeting room, Bai Yulin suddenly remembered something. She cleared her throat to ask for attention.

"We'll have a welcoming party for our new vice president on Sunday at our hotel." she said to everyone.

She remembered how Ji Haishan told her it was crucial to introduce Ji Ke Mu to the employees of Ji Group and having a party was only appropriate.

Besides, he wanted them to appear as an official couple during that party. It would make sense since during that time, the magazine would already come out in the market.

Thinking about the upcoming party, Bai Yulin was suddenly feeling excited to come together with Ji Haishan. They had to pretend as one another though.

'But that's what makes it so fun!' Bai Yulin mentally nodded as if coaxing herself that it was alright.

People began to flood near Ji Ke Mu to shake hands with him and they slowly dispersed after a word or two. They didn't linger for too long because they were going to see him on Sunday again after all.

When the entire conference room was clear of people, Bai Yulin finally let out the breath she was unconsciously holding for so long. She slumped her back on the executive chair and heaved up a long sigh.

It took her a lot of courage to just sit still during the meeting and now she gained her freedom back after being so stiff for three freaking hours.

"Gege." Bai Yulin was jolted out in surprise after she saw Ji Ke Mu standing too close, poking her shoulder softly.

She looked around and found no one else except for him. Where did Gao Li Bai go? Did that lass left her behind?!

Ji Ke Mu chuckled seeing the startled Bai Yulin. If this was the real Ji Haishan, he could swear that he was seeing things because his cousin would never get so worked up over a simple poke on the shoulder.

"I sent your assistant away since I wanted to talk to you." Ji Ke Mu said as a grin appeared on his energetic face. He seemed to know what she was thinking about.

"I see.. what do you want to talk about?" Bai Yulin coughed twice in order to get rid of her awkwardness.

She really got no clue on how to deal with someone Ji Haishan knew but she didn't. What if her poor acting was able to make Ji Ke Mu suspicious?

"Gege, what's on your mind? I've been here for a minute but you're awfully quiet." Ji Ke Mu asked while feigning ignorance. He felt like teasing Bai Yulin.

"Huh? Ah- nothing at all. I'm just not feeling well." Bai Yulin lied. She hoped her lie could trick him.

'Well.. usually people who are sick tend to act strangely right? So this guy won't see that something is wrong with me.' Bai Yulin thought to herself as she pretended to have a poker face.

"Not feeling well? Then you won't have dinner with me and jiejie later?" Ji Ke Mu reacted dramatically. He liked seeing the flustered look on Bai Yulin's face.

"Ah that! No. I think.." Bai Yulin didn't expect the guy to invite her to dinner. Was this normal between Ji Haishan and his cousins? If so, then why didn't he warn her about it??

Ji Ke Mu had trouble to hide the smile that was threatening to come out on his face. He didn't expect Bai Yulin to use the 'I'm not feeling well' card. Though her acting was barely commendable, she still wanted to pretend to be the perfect 'Ji Haishan'.

Ji Ke Mu was also very surprised that she could keep up the poker face throughout the meeting. It seemed that his cousin had been training her well. Though sometimes her act did slip out, she deserved to get a B+, at least.

Ji Ke Mu walked back a few steps behind and it created enough distance for Bai Yulin to breath again. She hoped he would buy her lie and stopped his intention to invite her to dinner. It would be a disaster if she had to pretend in front of him while eating.

Ji Ke Mu chuckled softly and said "If you're not well, then you should head home immediately, gege."

"Yes, I'm going now!" Bai Yulin nodded immediately and also stood up from her seat. It would be better if she disappeared as soon as possible. Thank goodness he brought that up!

She took long strides towards the door and paused when she heard Ji Ke Mu's voice.

"Gege, let's see each other on Sunday." he said. There was something undecipherable in his tone but Bai Yulin was busy creating opportunity to run that she missed it.

Bai Yulin turned around and nodded again. Then she bolted out of the room as if there was fire in the building. She didn't even take a look back.

Ji Ke Mu shook his head and sighed helplessly. He was now alone in the conference room. He sat back down on the edge of the table and before he realized it, Harmonia appeared in front of his eyes. She was bouncing in the air.

He stared at the stickman-like paper doll and asked "So you're here all this time?"

*Of course. I can't let you flirt with my mom!* the doll said in a scolding tone.

Ji Ke Mu stiffled a laughter as he pinched on the thin paper, swaying it up and down, making Harmonia cry out in pain.

*Hey! Stop it! I'm suffocated! I feel like throwing up!* she tried to wiggle free from his grasp but was unable to do so.

Ji Ke Mu just laughed and pushed the paper doll away, causing it to dash off somewhere and got smacked on the wall.

Pak! Harmonia hit the wall face first.

"Eh? Did I slap you instead?" he looked at his palm then at the doll which was currently kissing the wall. He thought he didn't use much force.

*Stupid Hephaestus!! You're going to die!!*

Ji Ke Mu ignored Harmonia's threat and proceeded to walk out of the room with a smile. It was fun teasing Bai Yulin but he knew she wasn't Aphrodite. At least, she wasn't a full Aphrodite.

Because the current Bai Yulin and Ji Haishan weren't complete reincarnations of Aphrodite and Ares. This was because their complete souls were still in Olympus.

Inside the current Bai Yulin and Ji Haishan right now was just a piece of their souls. Just a small piece.

It was a token for the bet to use their own piece of souls so that this Game of Fate could be conducted fairly.

He still remembered that time when a piece of Ares and Aphrodite's souls was stretched out of their bodies. It was a very agonizing scene to watch. Their screams were muffled by their silent will to win the bet.

It was painful to see. Especially for Ares.

His power was weakened to the point where he couldn't even speak anymore. Aphrodite's face was filled with warm tears when she saw Ares so weak in front of her but all she had in her eyes were fiery love.

Love towards her husband. Love towards their relationship which she believed in so strongly.

".. tus! Hephaestus!"

Ji Ke Mu was startled by a voice. He turned around and saw his twin sister waiting for him in front of their car.

"I called you so many times! Why are you spacing out while walking?!" Ji Xia puffed out a breath in protest. She had been waiting for him ever since the meeting started.

"Come on, we're meeting grandpa." Ji Xia said before she went into the backseat.

She planned to ask him what he was thinking about later since she knew it had something to do with their situation in Olympus. Just one look at his grim face and she already knew.

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