55 I Will Stay

Si Weimin was in deep thought when he heard his phone rang. He picked it up and saw Thomas' number flashed on the screen.

"Thomas."

"Bro, this is so fucked up! Why do I have to be a driver now? This is so insane!"

Si Weimin could hear the irritation on Thomas' voice. He chuckled as he answered, "That's a privilege."

"Privilege?! I don't know what to say, bro! And that Shen Linqin keeps getting on my nerve. Is this the special assignment you told me about?" Thomas was exasperated.

"Just do it. This is important to me since someone who wants to hurt Jia is still on the loose."

"So now, I'm your girlfriend's babysitter?"

"You're lucky I entrusted you that."

" -__-," Thomas didn't know how to answer and just thought to himself, 'Is he really my friend? He summoned me like a god in need only to assign me as his girlfriend's driver slash bodyguard. I'm being bullied.'

"Did you arrive already?" Si Weimin asked in a serious tone.

"Yeah, 'course we did. We're here."

"Good. I owe you one."

Even before Thomas could answer, Si Weimin ended the call. He was somehow relieved to know that someone could look after Xu Jia Li even when he's not there. He decided to slow things a bit, knowing full well that it was the right thing to do at the moment.

Si Weimin wanted to go to her welcome party but he knew that what happened between the two of them might have scared her. He was afraid she'd totally keep away from him.

He ran his hand on his hair and sighed. Eyes closed, he restrained himself.

'I'll always be here, Jia. Even as a friend, I'll stay. I'll wait. No matter how long it'll take.'

_______________________________________________________________________

Grand Riviera Hotel

The people who attended the party knew that it was one of the grandest parties held in Grand Riviera Hotel. Overflowing food cooked by one of the famous chefs in China prepared all the sumptuous meals enjoyed by everyone.

Li Yun arrived with Manager Hui Ruo and the first thing he did was look for Xu Jia Li. He was excited to see her and it could be seen in his face. He looked around and saw her talking with the directors of Sun and Star. He couldn't help but approached her.

"Good evening everyone," He vowed a little before he shook the hands of Director Chan and Director Yang. Then, he turned his gaze on Xu Jia Li, "Ms. Xu, you look amazing tonight."

Xu Jia Lu only smiled as she continued to discuss something with the two directors. Li Yun didn't even feel discouraged as he continued to stand next to her.

At the other side of the grand hall, Qi Xenjin was fuming with anger when she saw what happened. The excitement she felt when she saw Li Yun arrived with Hui Ruo was turned with jealousy and rage.

"This is unacceptable!" Qi Xenjin blurted.

"Don't worry, Xenjin. I have a reporter paid to ruin this night for Xu Jia Li. Just wait. This night isn't already hers."

"You must do your work well, Hui Ruo. You never told me that Xu Jia Li will arrive wearing that dress. I told you! It was the dress that I want! You're incompetent!"

"Yes, yes, Xenjin. But didn't you remember that it was personally designed for the designer's muse. I didn't know that Xu Jia Li was the muse they were taking about."

"Incompetent! What use you are to me anyway? You can't do things well. You're stupid. Make sure that no one will find out that this dress was made by an Italian designer."

"Of course, how would they know? This Italian designer isn't popular yet. Leave it to me."

The two of them quieted as the host started to announce something.