It had been a few days since we came back from Canada and I had also gone back to Shanghai. My parents have been pestering me non stop about Jongin so I was meeting him today. He said he wanted to talk to me about something. I was waiting for him at a cafe he frequented.

I was wearing a white collared long-sleeved button-up top tucked into a three-toned leather fringe mini skirt and some brown suede high heeled ankle zip-up boots. I carried a big brown clutch which was on my lap as I drank my coffee. I heard the door of the cafe open, the bell attached to it ringing which made me turn my head to see Jongin stepping inside with a smile on his face as he made his way over to me.

"Hey! Sorry. Did you wait long?" Jongin said as he sat across from me.

"Not really. It's fine Jongin." I reassured him as I gave him a smile which he returned.

"So what did you want to talk about?" I asked as I sipped my coffee and reached over for my cake.

"Well..I uh.." He trailed off, stirring his coffee nervously. I was confused as to why he was acting this way.

"Is something wrong Jongin?" I asked. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

"WillYouGoOutWithMe?" He rapidly said in one breath and my eyebrows quirked up in confusion.

"What?" I asked as I blinked. He took another deep breath and looked at me.

"Will you go out with me?" He asked and I stared at him.

"Aren't we already going out?" I said and he laughed.

"No. I meant seriously go out. I want to date you as Shuijing, not as the girl I'm being forced to date." He seriously said. I didn't say anything and continued to stare at him.

"Jongin.." I started and he sighed and grabbed my hand across the table.

"I know that you've been in love with Meizuo ever since you two were kids and I know it's hard for you to look at someone else but I'm willing to take a chance." He said sincerely and I gave him a weak smile.

"Will you give me a chance to?" He asked and I smiled wider and nodded. He laughed and smiled.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

After we had a mini date, Jongin dropped me off at home and Jie was calling me.

"Hello? Jie?" I answered.

"Meimei! How are you? How's everyone?" She said cheerfully.

"Everyone's great! How are you Jie? Where's that fiance of yours?" I teased.

"He's great meimei! Too bad you didn't get to meet him while you were here.. But anyway, let's talk about more important things." She said and my eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

"More important things? Like what Jie?" I asked and she laughed a little.

"You and Meizuo. How's it going with you two?" She teased and I sighed.

"Nothing Jie." I said.

"What do you mean nothing?" She asked.

"Nothing's going on Jie. He's got his eye on of the competitors in the Chinese Cuisine Culinary Competition." I said and she hummed.

"Zhou Caina was it?" She asked and I hummed in agreement.

"She's perfect jie. She's beautiful, intelligent, bubbly and-she caught Zuo's attention and his heart which is something I'll never get." I said sadly.

"Meimei, you're worth more than you think. Don't compare yourself to her. You are your own person and if Meizuo can't see that, he's an idiot okay? Besides, I heard from mom and dad that you were going out with the son from the Kim group? Jongin right?" She said and I smiled.

"Yeah. He's a really nice guy and he asked me out formally today. He said he wanted to date me as me, not as the heiress of the Tengtang Corporation." I said and I heard her laugh through the phone.

"That's nice Meimei but what about Meizuo? Aren't you still in love with him?" She asked.

"Of course I am Jie.. But I don't want to wait my whole life for him to love me Jie. Let's face it, he's never gonna see me as more than a best friend." I answered.

"What makes you say that Meimei? You know that Meizuo acts different around you. Haven't you noticed anything different?" Jie asked and my eyebrows furrowed. My mind flashed back to the previous weeks.

The way he hugged me when I came home. It felt like he didn't want to let go.

How he holds my hand with the utmost care. How he always makes sure I'm okay.

How he always makes me feel at home.

How he kissed me. Twice.

ON THE FOREHEAD. But that's normal between best friends...

Right?

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

The next day, I met up with Ah Si and the rest of the boys at the Daoming residence. Lei had texted me what happened the day before. Shancai had met up with her high school friends along with Xiaoyou and Qinghe for a reunion and apparently, Ah Si made a scene and caused one of Shancai's classmate to end up in the hospital.

Yep. That sounds like Ah Si.

"I apologize to you from the bottom of my heart." Ah Si recited blankly. He had a bored look on his face.

"Look at that face. You don't seem sincere at all. Try imitating Lei's innocent expression." Meizuo scolded as Lei looked up from his book with teary eyes.

"Yes, that's right. Now, repeat after Ximen." Meizuo commended as Ah Si copied Lei. I tried to hold back a laugh and hid my face into Ximen's shoulder who was trying his best to keep a blank face.

"My harsh behavior has brought harm to your gentle soul. For that, I'm ashamed and sorry." Ximen stated and Ah Si looked disgusted but tried to follow anyways.

"My harsh.." He started before stopping and glaring at us.

"I can't. It's too phony." Ah Si argued in annoyance.

"Ah Si. We stayed up late all night to draft this letter of apology. Who else would help you if not for us?" Ximen pointed out.

"He's the one who got on my nerves." Ah Si retorted.

"It doesn't matter who started it. The point is, Shancai is angry." Meizuo reprimanded and I nodded. Meizuo then turned to Lei.

"Just look at him. If you were Shancai, would you forgive him?" He asked Lei.

"You mean someone who beat up my friend without reason?" Lei stated and Meizuo nodded.

"Never in my life." Lei said and I laughed a little causing Ah Si to glare at me. I cleared my throat before standing up and walking over to Ah Si. I grabbed his arm and made him sit where I sat. I sighed and pinched my nose, facing all of them.

"Lei, you said if you were Shancai, you would never forgive him. If I were Shancai, I'd be gagging at the apology you guys are making him say." I said as I turned to Meizuo and Ximen.

"What's wrong with what we wrote Shui? All girls want to hear that." Ximen stated and Meizuo nodded in agreement.

"How many times do I have to tell you that not all girls like that. It makes me gag guys, I'm sorry. And if I don't like it, what makes you think Shancai will? Need I remind you she is the only one who isn't afraid to beat up THE Daoming Si." I reminded sternly before turning to Ah Si who was looking down sheepishly.

"Ah Si." I said which made him look at me.

"Just say you're sorry okay? I know you didn't mean to hurt her classmate. But if you keep doing this to every guy that hangs out around her, she's gonna hate you." I said and his eyes slightly widened. I gave him a smile before walking over and giving him a side hug.

"It'll be okay. Just apologize okay?" He gave a small nod and I smiled. I looked at my watch: 3:30 pm

"I'm gonna go change. Ah Si, the spare bedroom still has some of my clothes right?" I said as Ah Si turned to me.

"Yeah. Why? Your clothes are fine." He pointed out.

"I have a date with Jongin tonight so I have to get ready and change. Besides, I look like I need a shower. I'm just gonna grab some of my clothes and leave." I said and he laughed.

"You can get ready here. Jie saved some of your makeup and they're still in the spare bedroom that you use. Besides, we wanna meet him so tell him to pick you up here." Ah Si stated and I nodded cautiously.

"O-okay?" I skeptically said before heading upstairs to shower.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

I had changed into a short black one shoulder sleeve dress with gold metallic patterns and some black and gold block heeled strappy sandals. I lightly curled my hair and placed my phone and wallet in my small black velvet bag with small gold star studs on it. It had a small strap that was tied with a ribbon. After I brushed through my hair one last time and applied some red rouge, I headed downstairs.

"You look gorgeous Shui!" Ximen exclaimed as I came down the stairs with a small smile. Lei gave me a smile as he walked over to help me down the last steps.

"Why is your dress so short?" Ah Si asked sternly and I rolled my eyes in annoyance.

"You look pretty Shui." Lei complimented as he looked at me. I nodded in thanks.

"Hey. Meizuo say something! Tell her to change her dress! It's too short!" Ah Si complained as he hit Meizuo who was staring at me blankly with his mouth slightly open.

"Did you hear me?" Ah Si repeated hitting Meizuo again who stood still and kept his eyes on me. Okay, if he doesn't stop staring, I might just melt.

"Wow.." He softly said before shutting up in realization to what he just said. I blushed and smiled.

"What do you think Zuo?" I asked as he walked closer to me. He tucked a stray hair behind my ear.

"You-" He was cut off by the doorbell ringing.

"Shuijing, it seems your date is here. Should I let him in?" Mr. Liu said as he walked over to us.

"No-" I started to decline but Ah Si cut me off.

"Yes. Let him in." He said and Mr. Liu nodded as he went to open the door. I looked at them curiously.

"We want to meet him." Lei clarified and I nodded.

"You 3 want to 'meet' him. But Ah Si wants to threaten him." I teased and Ah Si glared at me.

"We just want to make sure he's a good guy okay? You're like a little sister to us and we don't want you getting hurt." Ximen said as he wrapped an arm around me and pulled me in for a side hug. I smiled and nodded.

Not even a few minutes later, Jongin walked in. He was wearing a collared blue button-up long-sleeved top tucked into dark blue plaid trousers and a dark blue blazer. Simple but he looked like a goddamn model.

He made his way over to me with a soft smile, ignoring the 4 boys standing behind me and gave a bouquet of blood-red roses. I thanked him as I held them. I heard a throat clear and I sighed.

"Jonginie, I want to introduce you to some people." I said as I turned around to face them, clasping my hand with Jongin's.

"Guys, this is Kim Jongin." I introduced and Jongin gave them a kind smile.

"Nice to meet you. You guys can call me Jongin." He said and I smiled. Ximen walked over and offered a hand to Jongin.

"Kim Jongin? The son of the biggest trading and music company in South Korea?"He asked and Jongin nodded.

"That's amazing. Your company's artists break their own personal records year after year." He commended. I smiled as Ximen did his best to make Jongin feel comfortable.

"I'm Huaze Lei. Nice to meet you." Lei greeted and Jongin shook his hand. Ah Si and Meizuo walked over and stopped just a few steps away from me and Jongin.

"This is Ah Si." I said and Jongin smiled but Ah Si just nodded. I turned to Meizuo.

"And this is Meizuo." I introduced him and Meizuo stuck out his hand for Jongin.

"Feng Meizuo. My Shuijing's best friend." Jongin said as he smiled. They didn't seem to want to let go so I grabbed Jongin's hand and headed for the door.

"Well, you've all met now! We're gonna be late! Bye guys!" I said, pushing Jongin out the door.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

I watched as Shuijing walked away with that guy. Hearing her giggle and watching her smile at him, made me mad.

"He seemed nice." Lei commented as he went to grab his book and sat beside Ximen.

"Please! He looked like a womanizer! He just wants to play with Shuijing!" Ah Si concluded.

"Don't be silly Ah Si. He's a fine young man and even if he does anything to Shui, she can handle it. She's like a rich version of Shancai." Ximen joked.

"Meizuo! Why didn't you say anything! You're in love with her aren't you?" Ah Si demanded which made me grow silent.

"Meizuo, honestly. How long are you gonna keep pretending to be her best friend? We all know you want more than that." Ximen said.

"You saw what happened when I was gonna tell Jing, I lost her because I waited too long. Do you really want something drastic to happen before you tell her? What if Shuijing really falls for him? And she decides to agree to her parents' idea of marrying him?" Lei pointed out.

"I'm dating Caina now. I'm over Shuijing. She can date whoever she wants to." I stated to convince them, but it was more me convincing myself.

'Shuijing, I'm sorry.'

'But I think...'

'

Please don't forget to comment and vote!

Hey guys! IMMM SOOO SORRRYY FOR NOT UPDATING HUHUHU SCHOOL HAS BEEN TREMENDOUSLY BUSY. We get like 5-6 homework per day and I haven't had the chance to really get some rest.

But you guys keep me going and I was actually planning on discontinuing this but seeing the amount of love and support you give me guys with this story and myself made me not do it. So thank you so much and I love you guys!

Updates will be up soon! I have the drafts for Chapters 29 and 30 but I have to focus on school at the moment since my exams are coming. But I promise, when I finish everything, I'll update!

:)