72 SOUR {I}

"And don't think about keeping it away!" Zhaolin said as if he could read her thoughts.

"I wasn't going to accept it anyway," Xueyan paused. "Now, if you can excuse me..."

"No," Zhaolin interrupted. "You don't need to work at the hotel anymore. Your one month salary will be paid to you tomorrow and then you can rest..."

That was obviously the last thing Xueyan was expecting him to say as her eyes bulged. 

"You fainted the other day, which means you are not strong enough to take on this job. I won't have you working out yourself. I will..."

"Excuse me Young Master Zhao but as far as I remember you just can't fire me without any proper reason."

"Yes I can! You are planning on committing suicide in my hotel."

Xueyan mouth hung open. Now she is sure he isn't okay.

"Why did you meet up with Qingnuan?"

The question took her by surprise, "You must be watching my every move..."

"Yes, because your safety matters to me." He said shamelessly.

What in the world? 

"Are you stalking me?" She asked.

"No. I'm watching over you like your guardian angel."  He said with seriousness.

"You have no shame, do you?"

"No! I only have love for you."

Xueyan rolled her eyes. "Enough. I have had enough. Goodnight!" She turned to pull the car door open.

"Don't forget this." He passed her the phone bag. "My number is on the speed dial. Call me anytime and don't forget to stay away from Qingnuan." After saying that he turned and looked straight ahead.

She watched him for some seconds then got down.

Riuwen was heading to the car when she came down. He bowed when she bypassed him.

Xueyan ignored him as her tears were about to choke her. 

You must be watching my every move.

Yes, because your safety matters to me.

Are you stalking me?

No. I'm watching over you like your guardian angel.

You have no shame, do you?

No! I only have love for you.

The replies made her heart warm up.

This feeling... This feeling she's trying her best to run away from keeps coming back in millions.

He was also trying his best to have her back. His best because he knows no other way... He...

Then one sour feeling grew up instantly in her heart. How did he end up pursing and marrying Shiya? 

At that moment whatever it was that made her heart move for him crashed into the deepest ocean.

She dried the tear that was almost pouring. She wouldn't allow her heart move for him. She should never imagine anything, because it would be impossible.

By now she was at the door and after steadying her breath, she turned the doorknob and went in.

Riuwen turned the car around after he saw her get in and drove out towards the main gate.

When the FW thunder drove past, Qiangshen's driver had to look at the rear mirrow. Wasn't that Riuwen driving? Well, maybe Young Master Zhao must have come around to check up on the hotel. He thought.

The car came to a stop and Yuxi hurriedly got down.

"Goodnight, miss." The driver said.

Yuxi smiled and waved.

Not far away in that opened curtain. "Even the sister caught a big fish." The person said and slammed the window shut.

Yuxi rang the doorbell and Xueyan opened the door, but something seemed to be off.

"Good evening," Yuxi greeted everyone.

She turned to see Xueyan smile a bit.

"Good evening, Aunt. Look I won uncle in a fist fight and he promised to take me wherever I wish..."

"I never said wherever you wish." ( ͝°͜ʖ͡°)ᕤ Shihuan defended.

Yuxi chuckled, "Don't worry. We'll tie him to his promise and make sure he fulfills it!" Yuxi promised and they both high fived. 

"Dinner is served. Let's all eat!" Mrs Bai invited and everyone went to the table.

"I will go wash up and be back." Yuxi immediately ran to the room.

Five minutes later she came out, if it was any other day and time she would have taken forever to wash up but with her mother's food on the table... No she could save the lazying for another day. She sat close to Xueyan and when she noticed Xueyan wasn't into the meal she elbowed her. What's wrong?

"How did your day go?" Xueyan suddenly asked with a very bright smile. "It's your first day at work."

Well that was surprising as her whole vibe changed instantly.

"It went well, just a little bit of shock here and there..."

"What‽" The whole family asked.

With all eyes on her Yuxi wanted to whine and laugh at the same time. Their worried expressions indicated they needed no bad news.

"Hmm," Yuxi cleared her throat. "Worry less! For I have signed the contract!"

"Oh goodness,"

She felt them relax a bit.

"But..."

"What is it? Don't keep it in." Mr Bai urged on.

"He's... He's a celebrity..." She paused and pouted. "A BIG celebrity! A list celebrity!"

ᕙ[･۝･]ᕗ The whole table became silent. Even Qingran stopped eating.

Yuxi turned to Xueyan. "You must know him... You should know him. He is... He's..."

"Du Jiu Jun?" Qingran implored with a smile broadening on her little face.

Yuxi sighed. "No,"

"Then who?" ᕦ(ಠ_ಠ)ᕤ the expectant Qingran asked.

"Shen! Qiangshen! Xing Qiangshen!" Yuxi frowned remembering his face.

"Oh!" Qingran gasped.

"Really?" Shihuan looked doubtful. 

The husband and wife: ¯\_ಠ_ಠ_/¯ What is going on?

"Yes! Really!" Yuxi nodded.

Xueyan swallowed. "Congratulations then,"

"Yes thank you but there's more..."

Everyone: ლ(^o^ლ) Wow! ಠ︵ಠ But what is it?

"I'm to be paid any amount I want... I was to fill in the blank space for my payment..."

"Okay?" Shihuan asked.

"I thought about how much we been through and everything mother had thought us."

Mrs Bai heart warmed even Xueyan smiled.

"To be humble no matter what."

"Good good." Mr Bai agreed. "You should never forget where you are from."

Yuxi picked up a glass of water and downed it. "So I wrote $1000... But then..." She paused and watched their expression. "Xing Qiangshen took back the file and..." Her throat bobbed. "And added three extra zeros to the $1000 making it a whopping of..."

"One million!" Qingran screamed and everyone turned to her. How did she know that much money? They all wondered. "My teacher said, any number with six zeros or any six numbers following behind it is a million or million plus... Aunty you will be paid a million?" The little girl's eyes bulged with surprised. She pouted, "That is really big! Shenshen has that much money?"

Mr Bai didn't look relaxed. "How can he pay that much money to an ordinary assistant?"