58 For fuck's sake, I am trying to help you here

Changying closed the document she had been working on and sat back in her chair. Baozhai sat on the other side of her desk looking haughty and far from the friendly woman she was when her brothers were around.

"To what do I owe this pleasure?" Changying asked feeling like she should make an effort with this woman for Wang's sake.

"You, my dear are crying out for a makeover, and I have decided to help you," Baozhai said magnanimously.

"I'm not the glamorous type," Changying shrugged. "I think I will pass on the make-over, thank you," She replied in a clipped voice. Her insecurities rising to the surface making her, even more, self-conscious in the face of Baozhai, who was in Changying's mind, one of the most stunning women she had ever seen.

"For fuck's sake, I am trying to help you here," Baozhai said heatedly. "You don't fit in here. Not with the family or our friends. Wang and I live a certain image to protect and you," she gave Changying a withering look, "Just don't fit into that picture."

"I see," Changying whispered. When backed into a corner Changying wanted to ignore, she opened her drawer to retrieve her purse and phone on the pretext of having a prior engagement to attend but as she looked up at Baozhai and saw the smugness the woman felt in cowing her, she straightened her back and picked up her phone. "Maybe I should just check with Wang. I think he likes the way I look and he is not that good with change, but I am sure you know that being his twin and all." She smiled sweetly at Baozhai and began to dial Wang's number.

"No, don't bother him at work. I can talk to him tonight," Baozhai said grudgingly. "What about lunch then? You obviously eat," she said in a condescending tone while eyeing Changying.

"Look, I get why you're here. We both love Wang, and it would be better if we got along but if you think I am going to sit through a lunch where you do nothing but insult me, make snide remarks and try to bully me into admitting that I don't belong with him, you are very much mistaken." Changying couldn't believe the words that were coming out of her mouth. She didn't stand up to women like this, she just shut up and took whatever was said and internalised it. This woman, however, was threatening her relationship, her work and everything that was good about her life and she didn't want to give up any of it.

"Well then, there is a bit of a fight in you then," Baozhai arched an eyebrow. "Good. I was beginning to think he had lost his mind completely."

"Why don't you just tell me why you are here," Changying aid sighing loudly.

"Like you said, it would be better if you got along. We could be friends and trust me when you get to the farm, you will need all the allies you can get," She said enigmatically.

"After everything that's happened, I don't exactly trust you, Baozhai. You could twist anything I say or take me somewhere or to meet someone that Wang wouldn't be happy with," She placed a hand on the research lying on her desk. "It's a complex family history you have, and there are lots of landmines around for me to step on."

"What if I get someone else to come?" Baozhai countered. "It'd have to be Jack at the moment I am everyone else's shit list right now."

"I guess," Changying gave in as the pieces finally clicked into place. The family was mad at her for interfering in Wang's relationship, and she was trying to make it right again with them by befriending her. She still didn't trust the woman but with Jack there it wouldn't be so bad, she reasoned. She'd tell Wang about it tonight in any case and if he had a problem she could just cancel.

"Great," She picked up her phone and called Jack immediately. "Changying won't even have lunch with me unless we have a chaperone, could you come into the city for an hour or two?" Baozhai purred into her phone.

Changying listened on, stunned that she had meant today and picked up her phone to message Wang. It was one of those times where she knew he would want to know where she was.

"He'll meet us there in about fifteen minutes," Baozhai said, "I'll just let Lio know we'll be going out." She stood and walked from the office as Changying's phone came to life in her hand.

"Have a good time, call me after," was the answering text from Wang punctuated with a love heart. Changying gathered up her purse and phone and followed Baozhai out into the auction house. Dante frowned at her, but Lio smiled and wished her luck as they left for lunch. The women didn't speak as they walked side by side through the city a small restaurant off the main street.