The atmosphere eased up when Chyou entered just at the right time. Naturally, Ai shone the brightest. "Chyou!"
"Ai!"
They hugged each other like long-lost sisters. Ai praised her as she glanced at her from head to toe. "You look beautiful," she slightly blushed. "That pendant is pretty."
"I know right? It's Yating's choice! He gave it to me as a gift."
Yating was embarrassed. "It was my thanks for helping Dad."
Chyou chuckled as she noticed Jun's gaze turning darker and darker. "Hahaha, Jun. Come on, lighten up," she furiously patted his shoulder. "It's a birthday banquet! We should just chill, eat and enjoy a lot!"
Jun shot Yating a glare. "I want to but not by seeing this man's face."
Yating coldly answered. "The feelings are mutual, Liu Jun."
"Then why don't you-"
Suddenly, Jun froze as he saw a familiar person entering the banquet from the corner of his eye. He stared at that figure for several long moments.
Ai blinked with his sudden quietness and followed his gaze. She, too, soon had the same reaction as Jun.
The person in question that had riled them up was none other than 'Guiying' who was dressed in a beautiful pink dress, carrying a hand bag on her shoulder.
"What is she doing here?" Jun asked, his voice expressing his shock.
Yating and Chyou curiously glanced at the other side too. Naturally, Yating was taken aback as well by 'Guiying's' presence in the banquet.
'Guiying' looked straight ahead and found Shui who was busy with attending to other guests. But along the way, she also noticed the group staring at her.
Oh…
'She' smiled and walked up to them. "Nice to meet you, Ai."
She replied in a low voice. "...Yes."
Seeing 'Guiying' here was beyond their expectations, especially for Jun who knew that she wasn't a part of Shui's twenty-first birthday party. Needless to say, his temper wasn't faring well by her sudden appearance.
It was Yating who asked the burning question which Jun and Ai had in their hearts. "Guiying, how are you here?"
He looked at Chyou and said, "She is Cai Guiying, a writer. We work at Dream High together."
"Oh, yes, yes," Though Chyou already knew her from the time when Jun had asked her to investigate her.
'Guiying' felt pleased, watching Jun's eyes laced with confusion and questions. It also displayed a hint of anger which made her feel even more victorious.
"Well I am here because I am invited by none other than Han Shui."
Ai slightly widened her eyes.
Shui?
"Han Shui?" Yating blinked. "You know her?"
'She' touched her chin. "It's kind of a long story but yes."
'She' clearly felt Jun's piercing gaze, shooting questions and doubt at her.
"What happened, Liu Jun? You don't seem to believe it for some reason."
He said nothing.
'Guiying' said, "Okay, let me catch up with you all later. Unfortunately, I am already a little late for the banquet. I still have to give my wishes and gift to Shui."
"Yating smiled. "Yeah go ahead."
Jun's fist trembled as 'Guiying' passed right by his side towards where Shui was. He turned and saw Shui beaming as she noticed Guiying coming. That reaction was enough to prove that Shui had indeed invited her to the banquet.
'Guiying' hugged Shui and talked to her for a bit. After giving her gift to her, 'she' walked away to make way for other guests.
—
Once Shui was done with meeting all the guests, Jun quickly pulled her to a side as she was finally let free for sometime.
"Hey, hey, where are you taking me?"
p "Shui, what is Cai Guiying doing here?"
Ai asked, "Did you invite her?"
Shui blinked twice. "Yeah."
"Why?" Jun widened his eyes. "Did you forget what Cai Lingyun did to us in Shanghai? How could you invite her after that?"
She sighed. "I know what you are getting at. But whatever happened, Cai Lingyun was behind all that mess. Guiying wasn't even aware of it. She apologized to me a lot after that for her brother's behavior. It was really unexpected that he did that. Since she wasn't at fault, I have no reason to be hostile to her. Also, she had invited me so eagerly to the Shanghai Fest. Naturally, I felt that she should be invited to my party too."
Jun restlessly gritted his teeth. "Did she ever talk to you after the fest?"
"We were in touch now and then."
Jun narrowed his eyes.
She definitely planned this.
Shui noticed their odd behavior and asked, "What happened to you two? Why are you so tense?"
Jun knew that Shui had no clue about the past life. "Shui, I don't think you should get too close to Cai Guiying. I…I don't like her."
Ai smiled a bit uncomfortably.
"Look, I don't want you to get hurt because of her. Stay away from her company."
Shui slightly parted her lips in bewilderment. "Do I really have to be so cautious? She was very nice to me in Shanghai and what happened with us wasn't her fault. She wasn't even there when the whole mess started. Plus, aren't Guiying and Ai such good friends? Right, Ai?"
Ai had nothing to answer her. It was a complicated situation that they couldn't exactly reveal it to her.
Jun pursed his lips.
You don't know Shui. You don't know anything about her. She was involved in our lives more than what we had ever imagined. There is a high possibility that she used you to achieve whatever her goal was.
That's why...I won't let history repeat this time, his dark brown irises blazed with resilience.
—
'Guiying' smirked to herself, remembering Jun and Ai's frozen expressions.
Heh. They didn't expect me to be here at all. Ah, it was so satisfying~
This is nothing, Liu Jun. This is just the beginning. You are still left to get zapped by a lot of shocks.
"You."
'She' heard a deep voice echoing from behind her, and she turned. She blinked rapidly as she recognized the man standing in front of her.
Zixin walked upto to her and lowered his gaze to stare into her eyes. "You are here."