New Year's Eve (1)

Ai froze. She stared at Sun Bai's figure unblinkingly.

Not allowed to join? But I am from Dream High…

Sun Bai shook her head. "Please reject Sparkle's draft. President Chen will be really furious if we disobey his order."

Ai trembled. Her fingers clutched onto the draft papers she held in her hands.

But joining Sky is the only choice I have. If I get rejected here, then…what will become of my career? What about Xing Bi?

I am given a second chance to make things right. I cannot afford to waste it.

Sun Bai came back to her seat and apologetically smiled. "Sorry for that disturbance."

Ai uncomfortably took a breath. "...Dream High writers are not allowed to join? I am sorry, I didn't mean to listen."

"It's okay. Yes, you are right. It's strange though," she frowned. "This wasn't the rule before. Anybody was welcomed to join Sky. Even we find this decision bizarre. But it's an order. We can only follow it."

Ai panicked. This wasn't the outcome she had expected. She didn't want to work in Dream High, and Sky's rule didn't allow her to. She was in a bad pinch, finding all the doors shutting her out.

"Where was I? Oh, yes. Is there any pen name you have decided upon?"

She stiffened. Sky was her only hope to redeem herself. The past life spiralled in her memory lane that fought a war with her ethics and values at this moment. She had a difficult choice to make.

One which she finally decided upon after a lot of contemplation, her gaze shining with resolve.

Ai looked up and faced Sun Bai. "My pen name is Butterfly."

—

The last day of the year arrived in the blink of an eye. The whole city of Beijing was decorated to welcome the new year. The sky was covered with a blanket of grey clouds, casting a thin layer of darkness over the city. The weather department had forecasted a snowfall tonight.

The preparations at the Liu villa were in full swing for the big party tonight.

Nian proudly puffed up his chest. "Just you wait for tonight's cake! Tonight will be the finest creation of my ability. Get ready to have your jaws dropped in shock and bow to me~"

A paper plane flew and hit his head. "Hey! Who threw that?"

Jian snorted. "Don't get so cocky, Nian. I don't think anybody would have any room left to eat your finest creation after they munch onto Nuo and my finest feast that we would make, hahaha! Get ready to see your balloon stomachs because once the dinner will be served, there will be no place for any dessert~"

"Hey! Haven't you heard that people have a different room for cake in their stomachs!? Look at our monstrous Grandpa! He is the perfect example. Look, he is sitting there still munching onto a bunch of chocolates."

Jian glared at Liu Hai. "Grandpa! Control yourself! Have some room left for the feast!"

Liu Hai, who just unwrapped another chocolate, glared back at him. "You unruly grandson! Don't tell your grandfather what he should do!"

Nuo passed by him and shook her head. "Grandpa, stop with all the chocolates. You will really fall sick. Don't complain later if you won't get to eat tonight's feast," she scolded him.

Liu Hai grumbled and put the chocolate back.

"Good."

Jian gnashed his teeth and threw a paper plane at him. "You old geezer! How is it that you always listen to Nuo and not to me?"

"I don't want to listen to a bunch of stinky boys! Girls are refreshing."

"Grandpa, you sound like a pervert when you say that," Nian sneered.

"Shut up!"

Nuo puffed up her cheeks. "Stop with all the fighting and help with the preparations! I have to get ready too."

Jian whistled. "What do you know~ A certain girl who just got into a relationship is oddly excited to get ready."

Nuo coughed.

Nian waved his hand. "What do you care, little sis? Siying is head over heels for you anyway. He will worship you even if you are dressed in rags."

Nuo's cheeks reddened. "W-What nonsense are you spouting!? I didn't mean it that way."

"Suuureeee~~" the twins teased her.

Nuo grimaced. "Bro Jian, do you really think you should be dilly-dallying? After your Twins Trial of Judgment, you better steal the show tonight or sis Leina might just dump you and find another man."

"..."

Nian smirked. "And this is the time when I feel lucky that I don't have a girlfriend yet."

Nuo glanced at him. "You don't have a girlfriend, but you have Mom. If you want to appease her anger, you better be on your best behavior too."

"..."

Liu Hai rolled in laughter. "Yes, yes! These brats deserve to get dumped and scolded. I support Leina and Nana!"

"Shut up, old geezer!"

"Shut up, stinky brat!"

"I am not stinky!"

"I am not old either!"

Nuo got a headache, so she simply left. She met Jin on her way. "Oh, Jin! Finally! Come here and help me," she sobbed, "Bro Jian and bro Nian are fighting with Grandpa again. They won't get any work done," she harrumphed.

Jin laughed and took a few baskets from her. As they set the lighting, Nuo asked, "Jin, did you talk to bro Jun? He is coming to the party tonight, right?"

He slightly stiffened. He had indeed sent a few texts to Jun about tonight's party, but he hadn't replied to any of his messages.

Jin awkwardly smiled. "I don't know…"

"Ah? You didn't ask him yet?"

He felt uncomfortable. "I did. But I think he is a little busy."

Nuo was stunned. "What busy? Tonight is New Year's Eve. How can he not be at tonight's party? Wait, let me call him."

She dialed Jun's number. It went on for rings for a long time when he finally picked it up.

"...Nuo."

"Bro Jun! What is this I am hearing? You are coming to tonight's party, right? Jin said he sent you texts, but you didn't get back to him."

"That…"

Nuo narrowed her eyes. "Is there any problem, bro? You didn't come to the Christmas party either. I also heard that you cancelled your date with Shui. This has never happened before. Are you two fighting?"

Nuo was quite perceptive just like Nana.

Jin averted his gaze while Jun remained quiet for a beat on the other side before he chuckled. "Of course not, Nuo. Everything is fine. I was just busy with work."

"What work? All employees are on holiday today, so why is the CEO working all alone? Bro Jun, this is not done, okay? Close your laptop and come home right now! We are all waiting for you."

"...Yeah, I will be there."

"Good," Nuo smiled in satisfaction.

She hung up and beamed. "Bro Jun will be coming soon. Let's finish everything up!"

"Great."

Nuo hopped away to check on her twin brothers. Jin lowered his gaze. He unlocked his phone and hovered over Shui's number.

He paused for a while and typed.

'Bro Jun is coming tonight. Talk to him.'

Jin let out a soft, sad smile.

I hope tonight everything gets sorted out.

—

In the Han villa, Shui read Jin's message and silently clutched her phone. Her black eyes were filled with confusion and pain. No matter how long she waited for Jun on Christmas Eve, he never replied to her.

Jun, are things now so bad between us that you will even refuse to meet me?

She typed back.

'Okay. I will talk to Jun.'

Tonight, I will get all my answers from you, Jun.