Xing Bi observed her closely and could see the hesitation and worry marring Sun Bai's face. The ever so calm and poised Sun Bai looked disturbed today.
Xing Bi inwardly sighed but kept a straight face in front of her. "I cannot give you an answer until you tell me the whole truth. How can you expect me to make any decision?"
Sun Bai stiffened.
"You only said that you regretted pulling Ai's drafts into your personal device and decided not to use it against her, but why did you do all this is still the question. Until I get a clear answer, I won't be able to make any promises."
Sun Bai lowered her gaze. "I see…"
She said after a pause, "I understand."
Xing Bi asked, "...Is it so difficult to answer?"
"Unfortunately, yes. But I don't blame you. It's already enough for me that you didn't reveal anything until now. Thank you."
Sun Bai gave a slight bow and left.
Xing Bi watched her leaving and pursed her lips. She felt a sudden presence as Nian jumped behind her. He poked her cheek and pouted. "Don't worry too much. I was there with you when we talked to her. She doesn't have Ai's drafts with her, so there is no way she can use them now. As for my little brother, you should definitely tell him about it. He is the CEO of Sky as the final boss, he must know the truth of his employee, especially when it concerns his girlfriend."
Xing Bi released another sigh. "That's why I didn't promise Miss. Sun. Even if she said she had no intentions, it's Jun and Ai's right to know what has happened."
"My Xing Bi is so fair!" His eyes sparkled. "That's why I love you so much!"
She almost stumbled. "You!"
Nian gave an innocent look as he pulled her waist against him. "Aish my dear, shouldn't you be used to it? How about after this celebration is over, we spend some cuddling time together?"
Nian pressed her back against the wall and with his twinkling, mischievous gaze, he seemed to close all paths for Xing Bi to escape.
Her mouth twitched but with his face and body leaning so closely, she felt her voice being held back. "Th-that I…"
Nian beamed. "Yay, you agreed!
"..."
"Huh? When-"
"You know my dear? Whenever I talk about our cuddly time, you don't waste a single second in kicking and beating me up. Which breaks my heart but if it's you, I am willing to bear anything!"
"..."
Nian shone even brighter. "But this time, your reaction wasn't immediate which means you are hesitating to decline me which means that you accept this date! Thank you, Xing Bi. I knew it. I will definitely win this treacherous path of winning your heart one day!"
Xing Bi couldn't believe his shamelessness. Just a few seconds of her pause made Nian jump to conclusions.
She cleared her throat and said, "You are thinking-"
"See you later!" Nian packed on her cheek and dashed away, hopping with joy.
Xing Bi was left in a stupor. She absent-mindedly touched her cheek, her face blushing furiously.
Th-that Liu Nian!! K-Keep waiting you! As if I am so foolish to agree!
Her mind tracked back to the night at her house and wondered what sort of unspeakable things and advantages he might take of her…
Shut up my stupid heart! Why are you beating so loudly!?
"I-I won't let you win!"
"Who?"
She turned with a jolt and saw Hou Lin blinking at her with confusion. She coughed, feeling embarrassed. "Ah nothing…I was just talking to myself hehe~"
"I see. Oh. I saw Miss. Sun just a minute ago. Did you cross paths?"
"Yeah…She asked me if I would tell everything to Liu Jun, but I did not make any promises."
He nodded. "Fair."
Xing Bi scratched her chin. "I would also like to thank you, Hou Lin. I know you are loyal to Liu Jun but you listened to me and didn't tell him anything yet…"
"You don't have to thank me. I understand Miss. Sun might have her own reasons. It's difficult to be harsh towards her especially when we have worked with her."
Xing Bi nodded hard. "Though after talking to Nian, I feel he is right. I shouldn't hide it from Jun but Miss. Sun also…"
Hou Lin noticed her difficulty and said, "No matter your decision, I will support you. If you feel there is no need to tell Sir anything, I won't speak a word of it. That is of course if Miss. Sun keeps her word first. If you want to tell him, I am in favor of that too."
She beamed. "Thanks a lot, Hou Lin!"
"En. Let's go."
—
As the celebration started, Yunru, who had been waiting for Huan, brightened as he saw her coming. "Huan! I am here!" He waved his hand furiously. "Come quickly. It's starting!"
Huan rushed towards him, breathless. "Sorry, I got late…"
Her cheeks were reddish from all the running, but it was Yunru's cheeks who turned crimson even further.
C-cute!
"Di-Did you finish with your chapters? How is your new story going?" He quickly asked, trying to stop heart from pounding anymore.
Huan answered him with a genuine smile. "It's going great. It's all thanks to your suggestions that I could come out of my block. I feel so motivated to continue. With the tensions in my family, I didn't know what to do anymore. Mom had also been pressuring me to start a new novel. But I couldn't force myself. Thank you, Yunru. If not for you, I would have still been in a mess."
Yunru wanted to faint with how she tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear. Even that small action made his stomach flutter with butterflies.
He waved his hand. "I just did what a friend would. You don't have to be so polite. I-I…" he looked away blushing again, "I can do anything to help you."
Listening to that, Huan felt her heart jump in her chest too just like Yunru's did.
Not able to bear all Huan's cuteness overload, he quickly grabbed her hand and stammered. "L-Let's go! The celebration is about to get started!"