Chapter 55 - Friendship.

For the first time in her life, Chunlan was tired of the social gatherings held in her house almost every month and all she wanted to do was to kick everyone out. The room felt suffocating, even though it was being held in the largest room in her house.

She forced herself to focus on the little chat she was having with Chunhua. They were so beautiful and similar in appearance although Chunhua and Chunying had swayed towards their mother's gene, inheriting her raven black hair and bright blue eyes. She, on the other hand, inherited her father's honey brown hair and hazel eyes making them stunning beauties.

She finally realized her sister was calling her. "Jie Jie, are you okay?"

She tried to smile. "Hmm? Yes, I am. What were you saying?"

"I said Lin-ge is coming here!" Chunhua pulled her sister's sleeve before she coldly glared at the incoming person. "Good evening, Mr Wen."

Honglin looked surprised but tried to keep an amiable expression when he saw the cold look she gave him. "Good evening, Chunhua. How have you been? It has been so long si-"

He finally couldn't keep the smile on his face when he saw her sister walk away before he could finish his sentence. Confused, he turned to Chunlan. "Have I offended your sister?"

Chunlan was also surprised though she managed to maintain an indifferent expression. She knew that Chunhua has been deeply in love with Honglin since they were children. But now she was looking at him with deep hatred.

What made her change?

She turned away from him, concealing her thoughts as she tried to place her glass on a nearby table. "Maybe you did."

He walked next to her, guiding her hand to the table then tucked his hands in his trouser pockets. "Never mind, I will talk to her later."

"Okay."

"You don't look happy. Why don't you smile since you are the belle of this engagement party?" He suddenly grabbed her hand and pulled her away. "Come with me."

Chunlan tried not to struggle with him but instead smiled brightly at the guests as they stopped near the window. She scowled at him, rubble ng her wrists. "What is wrong with you? Don't you see I am blind? Why did you pull me away so roughly?"

He brought out an exquisite silver necklace decorated with tiny coloured crystals hung at every loop. He lowered his voice as he smiled. "Everyone knows I was going to give you this necklace so please smile and act surprised. Don't you want to make me happy?"

She quickly smiled but sneered inwardly as she stood, turning slowly to face him. "Thank you, Lin-ge. It looks beautiful."

He lifted his hand to touch the tendrils of her hair tenderly. "Of course, it does. I personally selected it with my heart and soul."

She wanted to cringe when she felt him wrap his hands around her nape and waist before he leaned in, capturing her lips in a passionate kiss. The guests were clapping and smiling but she just wanted to bite the intruding tongue that wandered in the four corners of her mouth.

She gripped the edge of his suit as she tortuously ġrȯȧnėd, trying to match his intensity. But the more she resisted, the more he insisted.

Honglin looked confused but his eyes carried a hint of warning. "What is wrong, dear?"

She looked disconcerted for some seconds but quickly composed herself, looking left and right at the guests surrounding her, unable to see anything in her environment. "Lin-ge, you are being too much."

Honglin looked at Chunlan in her fushia pink dress, his eyes blazing. She looked so alluring with tears in her eyes like a wronged princess fron a fairytale making him want to bully her right in the spot. It was so hard for him to gain control of himself in this situation. "It's my fault. Let's go and dance."

"No need. I need some fresh air. Menxiang, please help me." Menxiang who stood a few feet away from the couple rushed to ȧssist her, escorting her out of the room.

Menxiang steadied her friend once they were out of the house, standing outside the gate. She was a little confused about why Chunlan asked her to bring her here so she wanted to ask her but instead, Chunlan gripped her arm, breathing harshly. "Menxiang, tell me. Did you see Jihai here?"

She looked around. "Nope, I didn't. What is wrong?"

Chunlan shook her head, inhaling and exhaling the cold air. "I thought I saw him."

Menxiang gasped in surprise, turning to face her and waving her fingers in front of her. "You can now see?"

Chunlan fell silent for a while, staring for a while before she sighed in disappointment. "No, I can't."

For a moment, she was sure that she saw Jihai but now, she wasn't sure anymore. Maybe it was because she missed him, she had formed the image in her mind making her disillusioned. "Have you heard any news of him?"

Menxiang rubbed her lower back, directing her back to the house as they walked. "No, they has been no news of him since the attack on the hospital."

She looked at her friend who looked depressed and shook her head in guilt. Finally, before they enter the party, she halted their steps. "Chunlan, is there no way for us to return to the way we used to be?"

Chunlan smiled bitterly. "Do you miss those times that much?"

"I just wish we could be like how we used to be five years ago." Menxiang gazed at her polished fingernails sadly.

Chunlan shook her head. Five years ago, the friendship she thought they had was all a façade. The smiles they shared his the envy and hatred they had for each other. The tears they shed for each other hid their joy and satisfaction of seeing the other person's suffering and the help they provided for one another was nothing but traps hidden for the ruin of the other person.

But she was sure that all Menxiang could see was the time they had all relied on each other, drawing support from one another when things got rough along the way. They tried to fill up the void they had, vowing never to leave each other alone.

Mengqi had relied on Honglin for paternal guidance and protection, since she didn't have a father. Menxiang had always wanted to make a lot of friends to accompany her since she had no siblings. Honglin took the role of the eldest seriously because he was the only male at that time. While she was happy to stay in the group because they reminded her of the perfect harmony of a close knit family she never had. She never knew why Jihai agreed to stay in the group.

But Honglin and Mengqi didn't think twice when they planned insidiously against her and Jihai all for power.

She gripped the balustrade tightly, laughing at her friend's words.

In their world, there was no need for friendship.