Joreen found herself slowly beginning to relax in the presence of this new guy. He seemed to know a lot and was really intelligent. Contrary to what she had assumed, he was studying to be an engineer. Music was just an hobby but engineering was something he had always wanted to do. He was 21 years old and the only child of his parents so they spoilt him rotten and let him do whatever he wanted. Just like how they had allowed him come here with his uncle and aunt even if this parents were not here.

"We should stroll out. Don't you want to see outside?" He asked.

She looked at her watch, it was after 9 pm so it wasn't late but she was not wearing a coat or sweatshirt.

As if sensing her thought, he smiled at her and took off his jacket before draping it around her shoulders. "Good?" He asked.

It was the first time she was having a different guy's jacket around her. It didn't have that distinct smell she liked and it wasn't as big either.

"Jo?"

Joreen turned around to look at who had called her. She saw Hoy's mother and father, both were giving the boy beside her a strange look.

"Uncle.. aunt." She acknowledged their presence with a short bow. Her friend did the same.

"Who is this?" Hoy's mother asked, displeasure evident on her face.

Joreen didn't understand why the woman looked angry. She had always been passionate about finding her a boyfriend. But she noticed the woman seemed different today. She had been glancing at her often and smiling awkwardly when they locked eyes.

"He is... my friend." She introduced.

The woman's face hardened even more. It seemed like she wanted to say more before her husband smiled at Joreen and said, "Have fun." Then he left while pulling his wife with him.

Joreen couldn't help but wonder why the woman looked like that.

"She doesn't seem to like me much. And I don't think it's because I look like a rascal to her." He said lightly.

Joreen raised a curious brow. "What do you mean?"

He began to walk ahead as he spoke, "That is Mr Li Hoy's parents right?"

"Yea?"

"Maybe they aren't happy to see you with me, you know? You shouldn't be hanging out with other boys when you have their perfect son." He grinned.

Joreen looked around again to be sure no one was within earshot, "They... have no idea about... it."

"I don't think so actually. But it doesn't matter. Ready for the cold?" He asked when they were about to step out. She nodded and followed him out.

"There is something I haven't told you yet." He said, turning to look at her seriously.

Joreen frowned a little as she waited for him to spill it out.

"My name." He said.

"Your name is Lijun." She reminded him with a slight frown.

"Long Lijun. That's the full name."

"Xi?" She asked and thought about it for a moment before asking, "You are related to Long Xi?"

"Unfortunately so." He nodded. "She is my cousin. I came with her parents. If I knew she was coming earlier, I wouldn't have tagged along."

Joreen looked at him suspiciously. "She... didn't ask you to hang out with me? You aren't doing this with an ulterior motive, are you?"

"Of course not! We never get along and I'd be the last person to do her any favors." He said seriously.

"I also know she has eyes on the guy you have eyes for. You should be careful. That girl can be a psychopath when she wants to be."

"What?" Joreen asked in surprise.

"Joreen?" She heard a voice behind her again and the two turned around to look at the person.

Even before she turned to look at the person, her heart had already stopped beating.

"Here we go." Lijun said in amusement as he saw the tall man approach them.

"Uncle... Hoy?" She asked in surprise. What was he doing here?

"Apologies, but I will interrupt your date." He said, looking at Lijun.

"Why?" Lijun asked, standing between him and Joreen. "She is hanging out with me." He said stubbornly.

Joreen didn't understand why Lijun was doing this. "Li..."

He turned around and gave Joreen a wink before he faced Hoy again.

"She is coming with me." Hoy said matter of factly.

"Because you are?" Lijun taunted.

When he noticed how angry and uncomfortable Hoy looked, he chuckled. "Of course, you are her uncle so I should respect you. We'll hang out tomorrow." He turned to tell Joreen before moving away from her front.

Hoy quickly took off his jacket around Joreen's shoulder and tossed it back at him before taking off his own coat to drape around her shoulder.

Hoy surprisingly took Joreen's hand and began to lead her inside. First Madam Li and warned them not to do anything that would cause a scandal or rumour but look at them a few hours later.

Long Lijun snickered as he watched them leave, "How childish." He said to himself in amusement.

They arrived at their floor and she had hoped he would let go now, but he surprsingly led her to his room and dragged her inside along with him before closing the door.

Since they were in a private place now, she pulled her hand away from his hold.

"What do you think you are doing? How could you just interrupt my date like that?" She glared at his back which was facing her, angrily.

"You don't like me yet you don't want me to hang out with others? You think I am interested in playing this hide and seek game with you?"

He ran his hand through his hair roughly and turned to face her.

"Give me a minute." He said quietly.

"No! You can't always call the shots. I won't let you!" She said stubbornly and began to reach for the door when he suddenly grabbed her hand and pulled her towards him.

She was startled to suddenly find herself in his embrace.

All her resolve instantly melted away and she stood there like a statue while he hugged her with his chin on top of her head.

"I don't... like seeing you with someone else." He said softly.

Joreen's eyes widened. She just didn't hear him say that, did she? Was that her imagination?

"What... are... you say..ing?" She asked in a choked voice.

She heard him sigh deeply before he gently freed her from the hug.

He didn't look at her, he turned around to face his bathroom's door.

"I'm sorry for dragging you out like that." He went to sit on the bed and continued to run his hand through his hair roughly.

"God! This is so difficult!" He hissed.

"What is wrong?" She asked in concern and went to sit beside him on the bed.

His elbows were resting on his thighs and his face was buried in his hands. He looked like he was seriously frustrated.

He finally raised his head and looked at her, with the way he was leaning, they were almost face to face.

"I always want you to be happy Luo Joreen." He said in all honesty.

She nodded. She would always believe that because he had proved it time and time again.

"And... I... know you won't be... that is... what I mean is... I know you won't be happy with that blue haired boy."

She was very surprised to see how nervous and awkward he sounded. Another surprising thing was him saying this.

"And you know that... how?" She asked with genuine curiosity.

He looked straight into her eyes. "I think... I am the only one meant to make you happy." He said seriously.

Okay, now she looked very surprised and confused.

"I... think I... am lost." She said.

He sat up straight and reached for her face to brush the braids to the back so he could properly see her beautiful face.

She simply sat there and continued to blink at him.

"You are curious about what I feel for you?" He asked quietly.

She slowly nodded.

"You asked me what my type was." He reminded her. When she nodded again, he said...

"You."

"Me what?" She asked in confusion. He forced out an embarrassed laugh. He didn't know why it was so difficult to do this. Maybe because this was really more serious than the other relationships he had been into. He didn't really take it seriously since he believed people can date and break up whenever they liked. But now, he wasn't sure he just wanted to simply date and break up and that was what was scaring him. If they eventually had a thing and broke up, how was he going to keep facing her during their family gatherings and holidays?

"You are my type."

"Me?!" She looked even more surprised now. "I.. am your type?" She asked in disbelief.

He nodded.

"I thought you preferred older and more mature women?" She asked, still sounding surprised.

"Did I tell you that?"

"Uhm... no but... I... wait!" Her eyes bulged out.

"Are you saying... you... like me? Like... LIKE me?"

He laughed, "Silly. I am saying..." He gently pinched her cheek and made her look at him in the eye, "I lov— forget it."

She slapped his upper arm angrily and stood up "Are you messing with me right now?"

"When did you become so aggressive?" He asked while rubbing his arm as he stood up.

She was just about to storm out when he grabbed her hand again and dragged her back.

"WHAT?" She barked at him.

He cupped her cheeks with his hands and kissed her forehead. That did the trick and she became a little bit calm. She had to admit she liked it when he did that.

She looked up at him and saw him looking down at her face. His face came closer and he kissed her left cheek. She blushed and smiled shyly.

"Stop being too aggressive. You look too gentle for that. Hmm?" He said in a whisper.

She nodded. She was sure she would agree to anything he told her. She was too excited and her heart was beating really fast.

"So..." She began to talk again. She wanted to ask if he was confessing to her right now, but the words were muffled in her mouth when she suddenly felt something soft on her lips.

Her eyes widened even further when she realised the soft object was his lips.

Was he.... kissing her?