77 Still as Dashing

The room was filled with the smell of white roses which lightened Xu Jia Li's mood as she smiled sweetly before she lazily opened her eyes. She looked around and saw that it was still a bit dark because the curtains she asked Shen Linqin to place were thick so the rays of the sun couldn't get pass through.

She glanced at the clock hanging on the wall and saw that it was only 7 o'clock in the morning. She sat up before she took the remote control on her bedside table and clicked the button as the curtains opened up to reveal the view outside. She stared for a while before she took her phone and dialed Lan Meixu's number.

A few rings and it connected, "Hello, Meixu-jie."

"Oh, Xiao Li, I heard what happened last night. Are you okay?"

Xu Jia Li could hear the concern on Lan Meixu's voice so she assured her,

"I'm fine, Meixu-jie. Don't worry about me. I was worried about Yun-ge. I'll call Manager Ho later."

"Alright. I'm glad that you're fine. Xiao Li, the second part of the selection continues today. Would you like to go there and see if they had a mistake about the result?"

"No, Meixu-jie. Let's not be bothered with that anymore. We can't change the result no matter what we do right now. The result has already been made even before the audition began. It's only a formality."

"How could Si Cosmetics be that petty? Why still conduct an audition? To brag? To gain fame?"

"I don't think so. I don't think that way. Remember that Si Corporation alone is really famous so Si Cosmetics doesn't need such to gain fame."

"Then, no matter what the reason is, you wasted your time going there just to be trampled by the already 'decided' winner."

"Who told you I was trampled? This isn't over yet, Meixu-jie."

"What do you mean?"

"Zhou Bingbing won't live up to the standard of Si Cosmetics. All we have to do is wait."

"Okay, you know I always trust you especially when you speak so mysteriously." Lan Meixu laughed as she continued,

"By the way, Xiao Li, three days from now will be the press conference of Sweet Memories. Until then, you just have to relax and take this time to unwind."

"Got it, Meixu-jie."

"And one more thing before I forgot, the company gave you an exclusive VIP accommodation on Marrion Spa. You can ask Linqin to go with you."

"I'll think about it, Meixu-jie."

"And remember not to go alone especially now that news about you and Qi Xenjin were all over Weibo."

"Yes, Meixu-jie."

After talking with Lan Meixu, she got up and looked for her slippers. She smiled as she put on the soft fluffy slippers she wore last night from Si Weimin's apartment.

She went to the kitchen feeling better than last night. She brewed lavender tea and opened the fridge. She took a dark chocolate muffin that Shen Linqin bought her before she placed it on the table.

When she borrowed Si Weimin's phone last night, she talked with Shen Linqin and learned that Li Yun was taken by Manager Ho, afraid that news about what happened would leak, Manager Ho decided not to call an ambulance. That explained the reason why she didn't see or hear any as she went up with Si Weimin.

It was actually Manager Ho who contacted a private hospital to admit Li Yun.

"Hello?"

Xu Jia Li was cut in her thoughts when she heard Manager Ho's voice on the other line.

"Manager Ho, it's Xu Jia Li."

"Ah, Miss Xu, what can I do for you?"

"Is Yun-ge alright?" Xu Jia Li slowly asked. She was somehow to blame for what happened. Even if she didn't feel anything for Li Yun, she still felt guilty.

"He's okay now but his bruises might take a while before they fade. He also has cuts on his lips. His nose is no better, even his right eye is battered blue. His face is swollen, it's hard to look at. Tss." Manager Ho sounded upset as he continued,

"They even run a test for him to check if he had broken bones or internal injury but luckily, aside from the cuts and bruises on his face that I mentioned, there's nothing to worry about. I wonder if he would make it on the press conference of Sweet Memories. Haist!"

Xu Jia Li sighed. She scolded herself for not being clear about her feelings. She somehow felt responsible for what happened. She should have cleared everything to Li Yun.

"I hope he'll get well soon, Manager Ho."

"I really don't want to ask, Miss Xu but even Shen Linqin didn't want to tell me. What really happened last night? I have a gist but I want to know everything so it won't happen again."

"Manager Ho – "

"I know it's to your knowledge that Yun really loves you. It's been how many years and I know that what happened last night may have something to do with you. Yun cares about you so much. I just really feel bad about Yun. I'm not blaming you Miss Xu. I just hope you can tell me what really happened last night."

"Manager Ho, I never give false hope to Yun-ge." Xu Jia Li calmly and politely answered, "Regarding last night, I think you just have to wait and let Yun-ge tell you everything. It will be better if you hear it from him."

"B-but Miss Xu –"

"I really just want check if he's okay, Manager Ho. Thank you!"

Without waiting for Manager Ho's reply, Xu Jia Li ended the call. She wasn't angry nor she felt remorseful but she pitied Li Yun. She knew that no matter how long he waited, she won't reciprocate his love.

All she felt about him was nothing but brotherly love. At most, she treated him as her friend. She might not admit it but her heart only had Si Weimin.

She inhaled deeply, trying to clear her muddled head. She carefully poured the lavender tea on a cup before she leisurely took a sip.

She looked at her phone and stared at the wallpaper. She smiled brightly when she remembered what she did last night.

After they ate, she tried to help him put the plates in the dishwasher, much to Si Weimin's imminent refusal. Feeling helpless, she stomped her feet as she dragged herself on the living room.

On her way, she saw Si Weimin's phone over the table. A naughty smile flashed through her face as she took it. She winced as she tiptoed. She sneakily moved and tried to take a photo of Si Weimin as he washed the dishes.

Seeing that he was still so manly and handsome in the photos, Xu Jia Li frowned. 'How can someone still look this dashing?'

Knowing that her childish plan failed, she made a face in front of the camera and took a selfie. She posed with her tongue out as Si Weimin washed dishes on the background. She took more wacky pictures before she was satisfied.

'Let's see if you'll continue being a bully. Ha ha ha!'

She opened his email and sent the pictures to her email address. When she noticed a familiar name, an evil plan crossed her mind. She typed a few words before she sent a picture of Si Weimin washing dishes. She also made her wacky picture as wallpaper.

Feeling proud of herself, she slowly made her way back to the living room. She deleted the email she sent and placed the phone on the table.

Acting innocent and pretending that nothing happened, she thanked Si Weimin when he walked her back to her apartment.

"HA HA HA! I wonder if he already saw it!" Xu Jia Li laughed hard as she imagined Si Weimin's reaction, "I guess he's fuming with anger now. HA HA HA!"