"I don't think so," retorted Pei Zi Hong. He wasn't gonna fall for Hyson's words or his innocent eyes. Both were equally deceiving. "After this incident, only an idiot would believe your words."
Hyson had just turned eighteen when he was scouted and was also added to the group with Pei Zi Hong and others who had been training for three years and were just about to debut. Hyson was the last one to be added and he was directly added to the debuting group which aroused quite some suspicion in the company.
Originally, the four of them felt bitter about Hyson's sudden entry. After all, they had been training for so long and went through so much to get to this stage but this newcomer was directly allowed to debut. Hyson also understood their standpoint and didn't feel bad about it at all.
While everyone was speculating over why or how Hyson made his entry so abruptly like a dark horse. Hyson proved through his singing talent that he was right where he belonged. While it's true he was scouted for his face but when he sang, even the agent manager who scouted him couldn't help being shocked.
As people say, some people are born with talent. Hyson was exactly that kind of a person. He didn't have formal training and neither did he knew plenty of complex singing techniques. He sang from his heart and that was his strongest point along with his beautiful voice that could enchant anyone.
After some interaction with Hyson, Pei Zi Hong has once asked him, 'Which family do you belong to?'
Hyson had answered honestly, 'Senior, you won't know even if I tell you. I come from a simple family.'
Pei Zi Hong believed him rather reluctantly though since from Hyson's mannerism, he was certain that he didn't come from a simple family. The way he carried himself wasn't like normal people. There was a noble air around him and the perfect speech manners only emphasized that he grew in an aristocratic family. But Hyson always told him that he was from a simple family.
However, even after years of knowing each other, Pei Zi Hong had actually never met this 'simple' family of Hyson.
"Zi Hong even told me to be careful around you," added He Rou. "He said he believes you aren't a normal chap. I should do everything to save myself and facts have proven, he wasn't wrong."
Hyson rubbed his forehead when he heard that from them, "Zi Hong Ge, I only have my mother as my direct family. But the things that have happened in the last couple of days have been done by my best friend. In other words, you can say it's done by my extended family. As I said earlier, I am simple. But I am acquainted with not so very simple people."
"Who is your best friend?" inquired He Rou. "Is it President Raelle Xiang?"
The way her eyes were sparkling made Hyson flinch back in surprise. "How do you know about her?"
"I'm an only daughter. I don't have any siblings. Acting is my dream and I promised my family, I'll only act until I'm thirty and later I'll inherit the family empire. You can say I've been trained to inherit the business all my life. I'll be the dumbest one in the world if I didn't know about President Raelle Xiang at all." She took a pause and added, "My grandfather and my father both repeatedly instructed me to never cross her."
"Who is Raelle Xiang?" asked Pei Zi Hong curiously.
"Shh..." He Rou put her finger on her lips gesturing him to keep his voice low. "Don't say that name out loud."
Seeing her reaction, Hyson burst out laughing, "Miss He, my Ellie isn't a devil. Trust me, she won't show up just because you said her name out loud."
He Rou put her fist before her mouth and cough a little to hide her embarrassment. "It's not that actually. I admire her a lot. I've always been in awe whenever I read about her accomplishments before. But today, I'm in fear."
"Why?" Pei Zi Hong inquired.
"Zi Hong, didn't you read the news today that Xu Corporate filed for bankruptcy?"
"I did."
"That's her doing. As soon as the stock market opened today, Xu Corporate's share fell like a storm. It shook a lot of companies. And it's also a reminder for everyone that President Raelle has decided to settle in this country." She looked at Hyson in admiration as she continued, "She really loves you a lot."
Hyson rubbed his temple, "She really goes overboard."
"Well, because of Xu Hua, you could have died. I don't think she did anything wrong. If anything happened to Zi Hong, I'd do the same." She tightened her hold on Pei Zi Hong's hand. "In fact, I heard that Xiang family has filed for a case of attempted murder on Xu Hua as well. Is that true?"
"To be very honest, I have no idea," answered Hyson for her. "Whatever she is up to, she won't let me know about it."
"Xiao Fai, you sure she is just a friend? She is quite possessive of you."
Hyson gave a look to Pei Zi Hong, "Ge, she is married. Even if she wasn't, spare me. Being her best friend is already tiring enough." Although he spoke like that, one could clearly see the love in his eyes for Raelle. Yes, it was tiring to have her as a best friend but so what? He was used to it now.
He was so used to it that he couldn't even imagine his life without that tiring girl around. She was infuriating and she did love to go overboard but sigh... What could he do? He loved this best friend of his. There was no way around it. Just no way at all.
"If anything, she is my soulmate in the friend's category."
"What?"
"You won't understand our relationship. Just know that she is a part of my family. So maybe you're right. I really don't have a simple family."