Daoming Si completely missed the meeting. And Zhuang didnt waste time in leaving him voicemail messages calling him all sorts of names he doesn't even know the meaning of. His mind was elsewhere.

She's here. In Sanya. She's here. In Sanya. She's here. In Sanya.

He's been repeating that for the last 10minutes, sitting there stunned, unable to move.

The whole time he was turning the world around just looking for her, and here she was all along.

He didnt know what to feel. A lot of things crossed his mind. How she must have lived after what happened. The Daoming Si from what felt like ages ago would have been reckless and went out screaming for her already. But things has changed. She had gone through a lot, because of him. He's been searching for her, but he never thought of what to do when he actually will find her. He knew he will be a better version of what he was, but he didnt really think of the technicalities. Like, what to say, how to act, what to do! Dammit, he thought. It was like being a teenager all over again. Like a hormonal teenager with his first crush.

She is your first crush, you idiot!, he reminded himself.

He stood and immediately felt the shock from his legs after sitting for so long that he sat back down and began rubbing his legs like a fool.

"Wow, after all I said. You didnt say a word, you literally froze." Lei raised his eyebrows, a mix of nervousness and amusement at watching his friend.

"Don't even. I'm still debating whether to punch you or to hug you." Ah Si held up a finger, trying to appear threatening while stretching his legs. Heck, he doesnt want to admit he forgot Lei was still in the room after spacing out.

"Your silence is making me nervous, Ah Si. Say something. Darn, even do something. Anything." Lei faked his composure, all the while trying to figure out the fastest way out of the spacious suite.

"Lei," Ah Si began as he leaned back and closed his eyes, feeling his energy drain from the news, a complete opposite of what he should be feeling after hearing such news from his friend. "What do I do?"

"What do you mean?" Lei was expecting the tiger to come out and rip out his limbs from hiding such a big thing from him. Yet he was caught off guard with this meek and timid young man, looking drained.

"I dont know what to do."

Lei's felt his blood drain from his face when the great Daoming Si, leaned forward on his knees and cried.

———

Sanchai was so relieved to finally be relieved of another burden. After the unexpected encounter with her friend earlier at the cafe, she was feeling elated. Xiao Yu was staying with Xing He at his family's massive home. And they decided to meetup again for a late night dinner. She had to leave early because she had a school event to attend to. It was going to be a night of meeting big production sponsorships and investors. A huge event in their school department. Something young aspiring artists prepare for years, to brush shoulders with the big names of the industry and to start putting their faces out there. She couldnt decide what to wear among the many outfits Li Zhen has given her. Every piece was so delicate and just amazing, she felt she doesnt deserve to wear such masterpieces.

The door to her room opened and the person she was just thinking about came in carrying a dress covered in plastic, already wearing one of her own creations, makeup and hair all beautifully done.

"I knew I was going to find you like this, so here I am to the rescue." Li Zhen dropped the plastic and eyed Sanchai still in her robe and looking confused.

"Classic, looking so classically confused, I love it" Lao Wei followed in, carrying her huge makeup bag, while munching on a pink donut, which looked like one of Mrs. Dong's freshly made ones. Wei Wei was also dressed in Li Zhen's creations.

"Oh my, You came at just the right time!" Sanchai sighed, feeling relieved that they came to help her. She didnt even have to ask them. She was so glad that in her lifetime, for all that she has been through, she made good friends. "For everything that has been going on, I forgot you both are going to the same party."

"I heard from Xing He." Li Zhen sat her down on the bed, looking suddenly serious.

"Go on you two. Dont mind me. I'm busy with my donut." Lao Wei flipped her now purple hair behind her back, and began readying tons of bottles and pans of makeup on Sanchai's desk.

Sanchai smiled at Lao Wei. She'll have to tell her everything. She never got to tell her about how complicated was, but it seemed like she picked up on things and didnt ask question. She knew her friend was just waiting for her to come to her on her own. She turned back to Li Zhen.

"I met Xiao Yu."

"Its a good thing right?" Li Zhen raised her eyebrows.

"I think so. I feel happier, like finally a piece of who I was and who Ive become is finally meeting."

"Then I'm glad. Because I invited her to the party, so she can see you in your element. Xing He will be coming too because his dad is a investor. And I want you to get that sponsorship from D Corporation as their brand ambassador." Li Zhen winked and pulled Sanchai to the desk chair to ready her for her outfit and makeup.

———

The event was held at Sanya's most prestigious hotel. The three friends entered the lobby turning heads left and right. They were a sight to be seen, three women carrying their own charisma. A beautiful mix of styles, like they were walking their own runway.

"Pretend like were important people. I can feel the stares." Lao Wei whispered. She was dressed in a grey silk top strapped by a strand of pearls, french tucked in to beige dress shorts that showed off her long legs, and the matching suit jacket hanging on one shoulder, giving off that girl boss vibe. Her purple hair in curled behind her shoulders stood out against the soft colors of her outfit.

"Please dont trip, Please dont trip, Please dont trip..." Li Zhen repeated in a low voice, all the while looking confident in her dark green velvet mini dress and gold gladiator heels that reached her knees, making her look taller than usual.

"Why am I even walking between two giants right now..." Sanchai groaned as she hooked her arms with Zhen and Wei's. She was wearing a soft yellow turtleneck gown that showed off her bare shoulders that flowed to a see-through long skirt, giving that ombre effect from light to dark yellow. The front of the skirt was short showing off one of Li Zhen's strappy purple glitter stilletos.

They reached the center of the main foyer, holding their breaths as they looked at the crowd walking around them. A mix of the world's elite jet setters and business men, families with rambunctious kids, couples taking selfies were walking around as they take in the sight of the grand lobby. But what caught Sanchai's eyes was a man with long shaggy hair in a messy bun, who sounded like he was in a argument with the lady at the front desk.

He looks familiar, she thought.

"Hey, Let's go find the event hall. We have to get good seats. My heels are killing me!" Lao Wei whispered as she gave a handsome tourist passing by a wink.

Sanchai was still looking at the tall man, trying to remember where she saw him.

"Right! I have to check if the mannequins for my display were placed where I want them!" Li Zhen looked around.

"You girls go ahead, I'll catch up with you."

Li Zhen turned towards her petite friend, "Is something wrong?"

"No, dont worry." Sanchai shook her head, her soft curls bouncing behind her, "I thought I saw someone familiar. I'll see you later?"

The two girls left as Sanchai stood there looking at them go. Li Zhen's new confidence with her body and style now still amazes her. She turned towards the noisy man, who looked like he's not done with his argument. She walked closer as she tried to listen in.

"Why is he not blocking the calls coming to my suite?! Ive sent messages to block any calls coming through my suite! And why isnt he calling me back?!" He said as he scratched his beard. A couple who was about the check in glanced at the man backed away, who Sanchai just noticed was dressed in the hotel's white robe and slippers.

"Hi!" She called, as she neared the desk, her heels making her walk slower than usual "Arent you Hua Ze Lei's friend?"

The man froze. His hand was running through his hair, froze in mid-air and turned towards her, looking like he's seen a ghost.

———