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CHAPTER 14
On getting outside, she ignored the glares coming from Taylor Zhao and his good for nothing secretary.
This time around, no one could stop her or utter a word. She cat-walked her way out of the company. Her day had begun well and was going on smoothly.
With all that done, she needed a mild celebration to relax her nerves as she prepared for her next plan of action and her shine.
She and Liu Xueyi had discussed her pay and when she was to start work.
Seeing as it was already Tuesday, he allowed her to resume the following week, giving her time to restructure things and hopefully move out.
Taking her phone out of her bag, she placed a call to an old friend. "Hi Gu Jun!"
"If it isn't the one and only Andro…meda! What's up girl?"
"Good," she responded quickly. "I want to see you."
"Hmm, Andromeda called me after a week when she did not invite me to her wedding and needs to see me. Hmm, should I feel scared?"
"Dumdum. You were invited but you…" she stressed, "you said you were travelling for an important meeting. Your work is important. I cannot impose on you."
"Sure, my bad. And I heard a lot of news. Yeah, we need to see but first, what is this about?"
"As a real estate guru, I need your help in finding a house with the perfect location. So, how about going out for lunch?"
"I would see if my schedule permits it…" he noticed the sudden silence from her side and then burst out laughing after some seconds of taunting her. "Oh my, I think I got you there. For you, my schedule is always free."
"Thanks. See you at Oakland's Food Bar in twenty?"
"Got ya. The last one coming, gets to drink a full glass of strong wine."
"I won't lose," Andromeda recited with a smile.
"Me neither."
"See you soon then and be ready not to head back to work because you would be drinking lots."
****
During his time with his friends, he ensured their outing did not lead outside but remained in his house.
As much as he wanted to trust his friends right now, the situation of the past still lingered on.
"Xueyi," Xu Fang called out lazily. "This is not an outing. Outing means going out of the house," he explained, gesturing to the gate.
"And this is where?" His eyes roamed about before coming to and on Xu Fang to emphasize his point. "We are not indoors. We are outside having a barbeque," Liu Xueyi corrected, causing Xu Fang to eye-roll at him.
"I think it is much better than the lot of you getting me drunk again."
A chuckle was let off by his side and he swept his gaze over to his friend. "I do not see why you find this particular topic funny, Tang Yan."
"You cannot blame him," Chu Fengjin reprimanded lightly. "It is funny."
"How?" Liu Xueyi lifted ibn his chin expectantly.
"We weren't the one at fault," Chu Fengjin replied.
"From the way I see it. All of you are involved. Everyone is to blame."
"And can you deny that you did not enjoy yourself?" Rong Bolin chipped in.
"Why you…" He lifted his hand, threatening to hit his friend but stopped before his hand actually did the deed. "I did not."
"Keep lying to yourself," Xu Fang added. The glare he sent his way, made his friend look away. They had a way of communicating with each other being the closest in the group.
That glare had reminded him of his punishment and not wanting to fall in the bad graces of his friend he had to maintain himself.
"Sure. I know he loved every bloody moment of that night," Rong Bolin added.
Just listening to them, his mind took him back to that night.
Yes, he had decided to go for help in contacting those hotel staff but unfortunately, he stumbled into the arms of a drugged lady and things became heated.
Indeed, he enjoyed himself that night but that had to stop when he noticed what he did.
He recalled how he pulled out of her quickly and the millions of thoughts that ran through his mind at that moment before picking her up in his arms.
"Huh, what are you thinking about, Xueyi? Do not tell me your first sex in a while?" Tang Yan asked as he tapped on his shoulders.
His eyes blinked severally, shaking that thought away to focus on his naughty friends. "I think giving Xu Fang a punishment alone is not good. I would scatter all four of you to various corners of the world."
"If you do that, then who would help get you laid?" Several rounds of laughter resounded around him but he paid no heed.
For some reason, his mind drifted off to the elevator scene and he chuckled to himself.
"Hey look," Chu Fengjin pointed at Liu Xueyi. "The dashing CEO of Liu Corporation chuckled with a dashing smile."
"Hehe, I think I know that sight," Tang Yan added.
"A girl must be involved," Rong Bolin guessed.
While they all tried to figure it out, only Xu Fang remained quiet and observed him.
"Who was that beauty I saw leaving your office when I left the elevator?"
All heads snapped in Xu Fang's direction as their eyes went wide.
"There was a girl?"
"How come you are only telling us now?"
"Spill every bloody detail." The boys did not want to have it. They loved every juicy detail about one another and it was more interesting and entertaining when it involved Liu Xueyi.
"Spill!" the trio echoed. "Who is this girl?"
Before Xu Fang got the chance to spill a tiny detail, Liu Xueyi's voice took off.
"The girl who used me and tried to pay me off. No. Priced me." His lips remained parted while his eyes beamed a smile as he directed his gaze at his shocked friends. "My new top designer," he added.
"WHAT!"
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