What Stings

The ocean.

Hou Wei Yan loves the ocean. There has never been a time when she became unhappy at the sight of it. Even today, when she's having quite a hectic day, the ocean breeze managed to calm her senses.

"Shooooo!" Bei Changhai shouted loudly at none other than Zhou Jinhai. "TF are you doing here?!"

"I'm just a curious passerby!"

Bei Changhai instantly hissed upon hearing this. [ What the hell is Makio doing?! Does he want his pay to be reduced? ]

"She's really going for his throat." Tian Bingwen commented as he took a bite of his hotdog.

They were now taking shade in one of the cottages by the sea provided by the resort. Long Lee, Ashraf, Jiang Guiren, Yu Lanfen, and Xing Yun are the only ones brave enough to continue basking under the extreme heat of the sun.

"What indeed are you doing here, Doctor Zhou?" Yi Xiuying asked, quite curious about his sudden appearance on their vacation.

Their vacation in itself has already made her suspicious, and now Zhou Jinhai came out of nowhere and wreaked havoc on their peaceful day off. [ Even our boss came here under the pretense of guarding Bei Changhai. ]

She eyed Hou Wei Yan who looked like she was dying by this set-up. It's not something that would happen without a trigger and it seems like she found it. Although the person in question is unaware of this.

"You look pale, Wei Wei." Zhou Jinhai muttered which immediately caught everyone's attention, causing them to turn to Hou Wei Yan.

She raised her brows at him, not in for his games today. "I'm fine though."

"You exaggerate. Sister Wei Wei has naturally creamy skin you'd mistake it for her being pale." Bei Changhai muttered and glanced at her brother. "Though, to be sure, why don't you go to a much shadier area, sister? Brother can take you there."

[ That wasn't subtle. ] Yi Xuiying thought. She looked at the men hovering over Hou Wei Yan and was caught in choosing who her player in this little game would be. [ Doctor Zhou is relentless while President Ji is resourceful. ]

They each have their own strengths. But it seems like Zhou Jinhai is in the losing end since he pesters her despite Hou Wei Yan's attempt on rejecting his advances.

So the obvious winner and the one she should be rooting for, is none other than their boss.

"You should go eat something, Doctor Hou. I heard they serve appetizing deserts in their cafe." she offered with a smile. "I bet boss knows just the right food to get."

Hou Wei Yan was momentarily stunned due to this. Yi Xuiying has been level-headed and she knows, that she already suspects something is going on between the two. She's been passive, but the time has come for her to step up and it seems like she's choosing Ji Li Zhao.

"Let me accompany you instead, Wei Wei!"

Before she could react, Yi Xuiying already stepped in. "I'm curious about your performance in the hospital, Doctor Zhou. May we hear your feedback on your stay in Yi Lan? How are things faring lately?"

"Right now?"

"Why not? We have quite a lot of time on our hands. Besides, don't you find this set-up to be pleasant to unburden things?"

Zhou Jinhai sheepishly scratched his nape and let out an awkward smile. "Don't say such things, the boss is here. I have no burdens to release."

"I'll be taking my leave then," Ji Li Zhao stated as he stood up. "I'm here as a chaperone, not your boss. You can talk freely if that's what you're worried about."

"Since brother has no better things to do, why don't you accompany Sister Wei Wei?" Bei Changhai pushed making Hou Wei Yan sigh loudly.

She knows the intent behind their actions, and she's not liking it one bit. She's already married and if she could reveal it, she would have shouted this already so they could back off.

Bei Changhai noticed the change in her expression so she decided to back up her words in an attempt to salvage the atmosphere and the situation. "Brother is a sweet tooth. He'll be a wonderful food critic or vlogger if he's not the president of Tianshi."

Looks like Bei Changhai wouldn't leave them alone.

She's much more formidable than Ji Li Zhao himself. If she were to choose between getting bombarded by Bei Changhai's compliments on Ji Li Zhao and spending peaceful silence with the said man, she would definitely choose the latter.

"I want sweets that pair well with tea," she muttered and stood up.

Slowly, she walked away, with Ji Li Zhao trotting behind her. There was no direct approval given, but her words were enough to confirm she was willing to tolerate his presence.

That was enough for Ji Li Zhao.

The walk to the restaurant was filled with silence. He knew she'd appreciate silence right now so he didn't dare disturb her peace. Instead, he took 2 steps back, following closely behind her and making sure that she's won't be approached by anyone.

He kept his game face on. The face you'd mistaken as murderous, but his intent could not be felt.

"Changhai said you're good at this," Hou Wei Yan commented as soon as they settled in the restaurant. They were facing each other and were sitting nearest to the indoor aquarium of the restaurant.

"What tea would you like?" he asked so he can formulate what to pair it with.

Hou Wei Yan who was still skimming through the menu suddenly placed it down and faced him with an amused smile. "What do you suggest I get? You're the expert in this."

Ji Li Zhao need not view the menu. He knew what would fit her taste and what she likes to pair with her tea. "First flush Darjeeling tea, lemon shortbread, and macaroons for the lady,"

"I'd have the Charcoal-fired Oolong paired with triple dark chocolate cake and some of your mini blueberry mouse cakes," he added and gave a nod to the waiter.

"You have a regular doctor, right?" Hou Wei Yan opened up once they were alone.

Ji Li Zhao raised his brows at her sudden inquiry. "Did you already forget that you're my doctor?"

She immediately looked away upon hearing this. She didn't want to acknowledge it so she eventually forgot they had such arrangements. "Did you get regular check-ups on your blood sugar level?"

"You took Changhai's words to heart,"

"Should I not?"

Ji Li Zhao smiled in amusement. "Some of her words are true, and some of them aren't,"

"When she said you like sweets, was it a lie then?"

He immediately shook his head at this. "That wasn't a lie, and I know you already observed that. That's why you're asking if I'm diabetic or not, right?"

"You should cut down on the sweets," she abruptly said, afraid he'd bring up one of Changhai's words again and confirm whether it's true or not.

"Just so you know, I'm within normal range," he answered. "I'm a chaperone right now so I consider it my cheat day,"

"You still regularly exercise?"

A cunning smile immediately surfaced when he heard her innocent question. "Would you like to check on my progress?"

[ ??? ]

Hou Wei Yan was taken aback by what he said that it took her some time to process what just came out of his mouth. [ He's being a bit too bold. ]

"I don't think there's much for me to see," she stated, wanting to make sure he understands she was not interested in whatever it is that was under his royal blue button-down sleeves.

"Do you check up on your partner's health on a date?"

Hou Wei Yan arched her brows high at his comment. "Just so we're clear, this isn't a date."

"I didn't say it was though," he said while chuckling. "Shall we move on with another topic then? I don't think I like to be examined here."

"Mr. Ji," Hou Wei Yan called out suddenly, her voice serious. "Is there something you want from me? I know this may damage my image as your employee, but I had to ask this now than regret it."

"I don't want something from you, now. We agreed I'd only call for you for check-ups right?"

A sigh immediately escaped from her lips. "I'm not in for games,"

"So am I," Ji Li Zhao answered, his tone bearing the same tone as hers. He wasn't doing this for a game. But he was unwilling to surrender to his feelings and regret when he loses her due to his hasty decisions.

"You can't give me what I seek right now," he added which made Hou Wei Yan listen intently. "If you're uncomfortable by my presence, tell me upfront. There's no need for you to hold back and just allow someone to invade your space when you don't like it."

"I---You won't understand."

[ He must not have once suffered rejection. If I reject him up front, who knows how he will react? I don't want to suffer a second time. ]

Ji Li Zhao watched carefully and saw her clench her fist tightly. He heard some reports on her past and heard some things from his mother-in-law. He feels like a jerk right now, but he needs her to understand how important it is for her to say no when she doesn't like things.

"Am I that uncomfortable to be with?"

Hou Wei Yan remained silent at this and bit her lower lip. The trauma she was trying so hard to ignore slowly resurfacing. "I---"

"You just need to be honest with me,"

To be honest, Hou Wei Yan did not feel that appalled by his presence nor did she feel the strong need to push him away. That terrifies her even more. Because somehow, she feels safe around him and feels as though she knew him for a long time.

And that's scary.

Because she knows emotions can be fragile. [ And I have a duty to my husband. I love him and I vowed loyalty to him. ]

The longer her answer prolonged, the more she clenched her fist which brought a wave of worry in Ji Li Zhao's system. Instinctively, he reached out his hands and cupped her hands, which perfectly fit his. "You're hurting yourself,"

Hou Wei Yan hurriedly retracted her hands and tucked them away from him. "I'm sorry,"

"I should be the one apologizing," he said and looked at her in worry. "I apologize for cornering you like that. I'm sorry for making you uncomfortable."

Away from his sight, Hou Wei Yan returned on clenching her fist. "I have someone I love."

"You need to be firmer if you want me to stop," Ji Li Zhao answered which immediately made Hou Wei Yan's heart convulse. Her fear was creeping up once more. Questions began to circle her head on what would happen now.

Will her life be ruined again just because she rejected someone?

"Be firmer." Ji Li Zhao demanded his tone serious which snapped her back to reality.

[ Is this a prank or something? ]

Her questioning look immediately reached Ji Li Zhao's attention. "Listen, Doctor Hou. The other party would appreciate it more if you're firm on your words. Don't give them room to doubt your decision, you'd only be giving them hope. Don't care if you hurt someone, just be honest."

"You don't know what you're talking about," she answered in reply, almost hurt by his words.

"Do you know how many women have suffered because they rejected someone? How dangerous it is to simply say 'No' to someone who is unwilling to listen to reasons? How obsessive some people can be? People had died because someone doesn't want to accept the reality that they can be rejected…that it's possible to be rejected."

"Not everyone is like that,"

"But the prevalence is high."

Ji Li Zhao knows that. He had dealt with it countless times. How many women had approached their organization, seeking help from stalkers and dangerous men who couldn't accept rejection?

He knows how high the statistic is.

"I know, and I apologize that you and the others have to deal with that."

Hou Wei Yan remained silent at this. She wasn't the sole person feeling the fear of saying no. Some people dread to hear the word no and fear getting rejected.

But she had to deal with fearing on how to say it to the other person. Because often times, rejection often leads to aggression.

"I like my rejection served as raw as possible," Ji Li Zhao added.

[ Should I give it a try? ]

How many rejections had she served? How many dangers did she face?

She can no longer count.

Over time, she learned not to acknowledge their feelings anymore and be as passive as possible, so she wouldn't hear any confessions or be served motive anymore. Sometimes though, there are men like Zhou Jinhai who never take her rejection seriously.

He never hurt her so she didn't firmly say no to him. [ Would it have been better if I told him the brutal truth? ]

[ Perhaps he'd appreciate it more if I did. And he'd finally move on. ]

After quite a long pause, she strengthened her resolve and hoped that Ji Li Zhao wouldn't resort to anything stupid just because he got rejected. "President Ji, I apologize, but I can't reciprocate any feelings you have right now."

"I have someone I love and he's the only one I will love," she added, with a smile on her face. Her husband is the only one she will give her heart to.

"So please treat me simply as an employee. If you can't, then I'm willing to submit my resignation letter. I don't want trouble and I don't want anything that may damage my relationship with my special someone."

"Wow, you're fast to jump to conclusions." Ji Li Zhao said with a chuckle. "First off, I'm wishing your relationship well."

"What?"

"Is it wrong for me to wish you well in your relationship?"

Hou Wei Yan looked at him strangely. "Are you okay?"

"Why? What did you expect I would do?" he asked, genuinely curious. How has she been treated by her past suitors for her to expect someone of his caliber to react badly?

"Thank you," she muttered lowly, after quite a long pause. "I guess."

"Doctor Hou, you're a valuable asset to Yi Lan Hospital. If you were to submit your resignation letter, Master Han will kill me." Ji Li Zhao said before he looked away. Han Tengfei will chase his head for this. He didn't think she'd throw her resignation letter for this.

When she didn't reply, he returned his gaze to her. Hou Wei Yan was analyzing him. She was staring and despite her stoic face, she was still obviously wary. "Doctor Hou?"

"You're somehow a breath of fresh air," she replied. Her husband has her heart and attention, but Ji Li Zhao is certainly a threat. "I hope you find a good match."

But he is a threat she'd willingly dismiss for her husband.

"Thank you for your honestly," Ji Li Zhao answered. "I hope you'd learn something from this."

"What? That it's okay to reject someone with blunt words?"

"Yes," he answered without haste. Hou Wei Yan has been walking on eggshells on her rejections. It's like she's firing bullets that are made out of plastic. It has a punch but also leaves enough strength for someone to pick themselves up again.

"The world is a scary place, President Ji." she'd seen the dark side of the world and she's not fond of it. She knows just how scary it is and even elites like her cannot escape from its clutches. "It's much scarier for us,"

"I apologize for the delay," the server said as he pushed the trolley filled with their orders. They were first served their teas before their desserts were placed on their table.

Hou Wei Yan was the first to try her Darjeeling tea and her lemon shortbread. She felt overwhelming satisfaction at the taste and the combination. "President Ji sure knows his tea"

"There's someone I know who makes good tea. I spend my free time enjoying the tea they made and eventually learned what tea would suit such deserts."

Hou Wei Yan looked at him skeptically. [ Someone who makes good tea? ]

As she continued enjoying her tea, she recalled the tea that his assistant, Huang Xun, brewed. He had mentioned before that he enjoys brewing tea and the one served to her was really good. He knows his way when it comes to tea and surely knows the deserts Ji Li Zhao likes.

[ He looks like someone who knows President Ji the most, ] she thought before glancing at Ji Li Zhao who was enjoying his own cup of tea. [ He must have learned how to brew from that assistant. He must have really wanted to learn from him. ]

"Is something the matter?" he asked after noticing how she was staring at him as though in deep thought.

"Nothing much," Hou Wei Yan replied, burying her thoughts deep within and finally focusing her eyes on the scenery outside.

While her eyes were glued at the majestic view, Ji Li Zhao gave her momentary glimpses while enjoying his tea. He didn't want to disturb the peaceful ambiance that set in so he simply indulged in the beautiful silence of their table and the white noises of the cafe.

He knows this silence means a lot to Hou Wei Yan right now. Because once they reunite with the others, she'll never have such a peaceful moment again.

.....

"Big Sister! Big Sister!" Xing Yun called out as soon as Hou Wei Yan's silhouette came into his view.

Normally, his voice would be filled with happiness and energy, but right now he was calling out to her in pain. Noticing this, Hou Wei Yan immediately jogged towards him—worry itched on her face.

"What's wrong Yun?" she asked but her face soon turned into horror when she saw the rash-like patterns on his legs. "Yun!"

"I was stung by a jellyfish," he whined as he clung to her arms. "It hurts!"

Hou Wei Yan allowed him to cling to her as much as possible. Amongst the twins, Xing Yun is the most intolerant to pain. He'd cry at even the smallest of cuts…and he cries the most when he knows someone is going to pamper him.

"Shit," she cursed as she examined his sting—now afraid that he got stung by a venomous one. "Did you see the color of the jellyfish? Do you know what type it was?"

"It was transparent, but I managed to see the head. It was like a saucer…like an umbrella head. And it had four circles inside."

Ji Li Zhao took a glance at the ocean before turning to Xing Yun. "It was probably a moon jellyfish, they're abundant in this area."

"Why was I not informed of that?!" he grumbled to himself as he felt the itch to scratch the rash. "It stings!"

Hou Wei Yan caught his hand as soon as she noticed what he was trying to do. "Don't scratch it! You're going to make it worse."

"What happened?!" Xing Qiu asked as soon as he reached the group. He noticed the commotion so he immediately ran towards them. "What's wrong with him?"

"Stung by a jellyfish," Ji Li Zhao answered since Hou Wei Yan was busy soothing Xing Yun who was already crying like a child.

"Is it poisonous?"

He shook his head in reply. "It was a moon jellyfish. The sting may hurt but it's harmless."

"I'm in pain! How can it be harmless?!" Xing Yun exclaimed upon hearing Ji Li Zhao's words. When he received a glare from him, he immediately clung tightly to Hou Wei Yan.

"Qiu, go to his room and prepare a vinegar. I'm going to rinse the remaining stingers in seawater," she ordered and helped Xing Yun up. "Let's go back to the sea. We need to take the stingers out."

"No!"

"Yun. We need to remove the stingers," she grumbled as she tried dragging him to the ocean.

But Xing Yun is cowardly, especially when he already experienced pain. "There's jellyfish in that ocean!"

"Of course there is! That's their home!" Hou Wei Yan retorted, now pissed at his vehement refusal of treatment.

"Just wash it off with water!"

"That will only worsen things," she replied once more, trying her best to drag him.

"Still!"

"Let's just go," Ji Li Zhao stated as he took hold of Xing Yun's left arm. "Stop giving Doctor Hou a hard time. She's the doctor here, she knows what would alleviate the symptoms."

Xing Yun could only whine and cry helplessly as the two dragged him back to the ocean. Without saying anything, Ji Li Zhao pulled out a random card and handed it to Hou Wei Yan.

Confusion immediately crossed her face when she saw a black colored card getting handed to her. "Wha---Are you going to buy something here?"

"Use it to scrape the stingers. You'll hurt your hand if you touch it bare."

"Wow," Xing Yun cried in disbelief. "I'm the one hurting here!"

Hou Wei Yan shook her head at them both. "We're going to simply rinse it. The stingers will come off,"

"What if it stays there?" Ji Li Zhao worriedly asked.

With what he said, Xing Yun immediately looked at Hou Wei Yan in concern. "Yeah. What if it stays?"

"Why are you so doubtful?" she asked as they got near the ocean. She for sure doesn't know everything there is to know about the world, but she had encountered events like this in America and is thus knowledgeable about stings.

Feeling insecure, Xing Yun took the card from Ji Li Zhao and shoved it into Hou Wei Yan's hands. "Use it, sister. He offered anyway,"

"Are you both insane?" she asked as she crouched down, pulling them both with her. "We just need to rinse it off. Why are you shoving that darn black card at me?"

"Would you like to use the Ruby Card instead?" Xing Yun offered despite the pain he was experiencing.

"Can you just shut up and stay still?"

"Just use it, sister. Get all the stingers out!"

"That's what I'm doing now, okay? There's no need to use a perfectly good card to take the stingers out."

"He offered,"

"And I decline," she said, a tone of finality in her voice. Only when she said this did Xing Yun finally shut his mouth.

Ji Li Zhao also accepted her words and returned his card to his wallet, now silently observing how focused she is on her task of removing the stingers. Xing Yun repeatedly winched and Hou Wei Yan repeatedly answered it with a side-eye.

"Stop being such a baby," she grumbled before removing his arms in the ocean. She knows that Xing Yun has zero tolerance for pain, but his repeated whining and the annoying tone of his voice made her head boil.

"I've prepared the vinegar to deactivate any venom," Xing Qiu announced once he got back. "Ashraf is on standby in Yun's room. There's a cold compress prepared as well to relieve the stinging sensation. "

"Thank you, Qiu."

He nodded in reply, worry still itching on his face. He stayed silent and observed as Xing Yun whined some more, knowing he would get pampered by the whole group. Despite how much he wants to smack his twin for his carelessness, he just can't.

He can see in Xing Yun's eyes that despite the mischief he's portraying, he is indeed in pain. Even if others tell him that the jellyfish isn't venomous and only gives little pain…pain is still pain.

"How is it? Still painful?" Xing Qiu asked as soon as Ashraf removed the cold compress.

"A little bit," his twin answered, severely downcast and still holding a pout on his face. "Can't you do something about the pain?"

"I was going to," Ashraf muttered while rolling his eyes at his impatience. "This is a mild hydrocortisone. It will help ease the pain."

"I won't be taking any medicine?"

"Can you just wait?"

Hou Wei Yan sighed as Ashraf snapped at her cousin. [ Yun's impatience will be the end of him. ]

"You should apply the hydrocortisone cream in the affected area 3 times daily. Then take ibuprofen 500 mg twice a day for the first 2 days. After that, we will see if you need further treatment."

When Ashraf still saw doubt in his eyes, he couldn't help but sigh helplessly. "The pain will subside. For now, take a rest and don't be overly active. You might irritate your skin and cause further inflammation."

"But my dinner?" he grumbled causing everyone to sigh at the same time.

Hou Wei Yan stepped up and held his hands, offering him an endearing smile to shut him up. "We'll get it for you. We'll take care of you so there's no need for you to worry. You need to follow Ashraf's advice and stay still."

Before Xing Yun can whine some more, Bei Changhai who had enough of his whining pulled Hou Wei Yan out of the way and used her fingers to shush him down. "We will get you all your favorites."

Ji Li Zhao nodded his head when Xing Yun's eyes strayed toward him. "We will get whatever you want."

"Alright then. I want peking roasted duck, sweet and sour pork, ma po tofu, xiolongbao, zhajiangmian, potatoes dauphinoise, cherry clafoutis, profiteroles, and a mousse au chocolat."

The list would have gone on if it weren't for Bei Changhai glaring down at him for taking much of their time. Afraid that he would add another ridiculous amount of food, Bei Changhai hurriedly clung to Hou Wei Yan.

"Let's go get food for him, sister Wei Wei!" she muttered and when Hou Wei Yan went along with her, she guided her outside so she could no longer hear Xing Yun's whiny voice.

"If you need more, we will bring it to you." Ji Li Zhao kindly said before he trolled off to follow his wife and cousin who was already walking ahead of the others.

One by one, the medical staff that was only meant to be there for vacation left Xing Yun alone in his enormous room. "Hey? You're really leaving me?!"

"Just stay, Yun. Makio will be keeping an eye on you." his twin muttered before leaving with the group and closing the door to his room.

"How can you just leave your patient here?!" he whined once more. Luckily, everyone already escaped before they can hear his high pitch tone.

Now he's left alone in his room, continuously grumbling about the pain he was feeling from the sting and the pain of the betrayal he felt from the group.