69 Not easy
If it was me, I would never…
Jun blinked. A sudden dizziness hit his core. The realization about what he just thought struck him like lightning.
What was I thinking! Why would I imagine myself in her boyfriend’s place?
He shuffled back two steps instantly and let out a gasp.
When the warmth disappeared, Ai snapped out of her daze too. She noticed his incredulous expression and froze herself. The memory of her reactions came crashing back to her. She felt speechless and disoriented.
Jun clenched the handle of the next chair as if he would snap it into two.
Calm down. It was just momentary. It’s all because of that…that…kiss. Yes, it’s like that only, he consoled himself.
Ai did the same on her side.
Don’t overthink. You just have to focus on your writing. Nothing else…
It was easy to convince their minds, but who would tell that to their frantically beating hearts?
Jun wanted to break the tension, but Ai cut him to it. “Before you misunderstand, I will repeat it. You are not my type!”
Her voice was a bit louder and impatient than how she always used to say it.
“…”
His mouth twitched in annoyance. Previously, he would be satisfied to hear that answer. But now that phrase only irked him.
Yup, she is definitely weird.
But even if she is, whoever cheated on her is an…
“Idiot,” he muttered.
Ai slightly puffed her cheeks in indignance. “I am not an idiot. You are quick to misunderstand.”
His expression turned ugly. “Hey! Focus on your short stories!”
“I am.”
“Well then, you have lots of revisions to do. Good luck,” he smirked.
He turned and walked away with large strides.
See? That went well. I talked to her normally just now. Nothing’s changed.
Yup. Nothing will ever change…
Ai looked at all the papers and tiredly bumped her head on the desk. She touched her chest and exhaled in relief.
I talked to him just fine, right…?
—
Shui had made her decision after giving it a long and deep thought. Despite Jin’s reassurance, she couldn’t see her and Jun getting back together. The argument that night was so fierce that it tore their hearts apart. Their words hurt each other tremendously from which nobody could step back now.
The only choice was to accept this breakup and move forward. That’s what she was going to do by revealing it to her family today.
The more I keep it, the more things would only get complicated. It’s better to end everything today, she thought.
Taking a deep breath, she stepped out of her room. Her heart raced in nervousness imagining everybody’s reaction. There was never a doubt in anybody’s mind that Jun and Shui would become husband and wife one day. Their relationship was as strong as an immovable mountain.
But now she was about to drop the bomb upon them.
Xinyi saw her daughter coming and beamed. “Shui! Come here. Sit,” she patted beside her on the couch.
She smiled. “Mom. You look happy.”
She glanced at Zhiyuan. “And Dad looks grumpy.”
“He is always grumpy. Forget about him.”
Zhiyuan was speechless. “Hey! I am not grumpy. In fact, I am quite pleased.”
Xinyi rolled her eyes.
Siying came down at the same time and raised his brow. “Ho, why is Dad so pleased?”
“Why would I not? Shui spent Christmas and New Years with us! She didn’t meet that stinky boy who always threatened to take my daughter away from me even before she was born!” His cheeks reddened with anger. “He haunted us like a ghost!”
Siying and Xinyi laughed while Shui slightly stiffened.
“That’s because he is so devoted to Shui,” Siying shook his head.
“It doesn’t mean he has to hover around her all the time! Hah,” Zhiyuan snorted. “He will realize it the day he has a daughter and a brat comes and keeps claiming her all to himself!”
Xinyi sighed.
Siying chuckled. “Anyway. Lower your pressure, Dad. How about I cheer you up with good news? Hehe, Nuo and I are going to our first date today.”
Xinyi and Zhiyuan beamed. “That’s great!”
Zhiyuan sternly said, “It’s your first date. I hope you have planned something special for her.”
“Of course. It will be our most memorable date!” Siying declared, elated. “I will bring her home after our date.”
Xinyi clapped her hands in delight. “That’s wonderful! I will prepare a feast today!”
The atmosphere was merry and cheerful but not for Shui. She came here to talk about her relationship’s end, but she suddenly realized the gravity of the truth she was going to let out.
This is…How could I forget about bro and sis Nuo’s relationship? Not just them but bro Jian and sis Leina too.
The families had grown very close over the past years because the relationships of their children made it possible in a big way. They weren’t only close but interconnected too.
She was Siying’s sister and Leina’s good friend. While Jun was Nuo and Jian’s brother.
Shui felt her body go cold and numb.
Bro and sis Nuo have just started dating. They are so happy…What if this news badly affects their relationship?
Sis Leina is so protective of me too. What if she and bro Jian get into fights because of our breakup?
The interconnections brought them closer, but they were complex at the same time. A problem in someone’s relationship was bound to put the others in a tight spot and make them possibly choose sides.
So how is Nuo supposed to choose Siying over her brother Jun?
Or why will Siying stand up for Jun when his sister was hurt?
Leina won’t hesitate to protect Shui, while even if Jian loved her like his sister too, how long would he be able to see Jun in pain?
A crack in one’s love story would threaten the existence of other relationships. The ties between the Han, Liu and the Xu family could possibly put a big dent to everything. This could end the happiness and peace between these families they nurtured until now.
The more she thought, the more the fear tightly clutched her heart. Seeing the big smile on Siying’s face, she trembled.
This is not easy at all…How can I…