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Linlin-1

"So, you really liked her?" Linlin expressed her confusion on the phone, while talking to her lifelong best friend now she had a moment's peace. A little astounded at this strange turn of events. It seems her good-hearted, honorary sister, from another mother, had been befriended by her new husband's ex-girlfriend. Linlin thought this was beyond weird, ridiculous even, and didn't have as much compassion or understanding as TangShi in this situation. She had always been more of a protector of this girl, and this baffled her, that TangShi was so willing to get on with Rhea. In Linlin's mind, Rhea was the enemy.

"Yes, I guess. She spent the day guiding me, helping me. We picked out enough clothes to last a year; she has such classy taste, and she was so patient and gentle and kept that horrid Ling Je away from me. I truly think she's not as bad as I was expecting." TangShi smiled, genuine affection gracing her pretty face, because she was speaking from the heart. Relaxing as she soothed away the pains of her tired body by rolling her shoulders and stood casually looking at gorgeous scenery.

"TangShi, you have lost your mind. She's your love rival...." Linlin exclaimed, trying to inject some sense, a voice of reason. Outraged that maybe TangShi was being taken for a ride by a master of scheming, an actress that surpassed most. She couldn't really believe that Rhea would be so gracious to the woman who just robbed her of her blissful future with YuZhi.

"I don't love him, nor do I like him, and I never intend to." TangShi was firm, a biting tone so instant it made her blush. A sudden fire in her belly, coming up to ignite her wounded heart as she stared from the window of the bedroom in the Leng mansion. The only thing that could prick up her aggression and anger tonight was that man. One mention of him and boom, a stick of dynamite was lit.

She stood her ground, aware of her outburst, taking calming breaths to return to her Zen state of before, aware this was an overreaction. Overlooking the pretty flowers in bloom below to return her calm state of mind.

All while Xiaosu put away all her new purchases behind her in companionable silence and kept her eyes on her task. The day was coming to an end and TangShi was not looking forward to dinner with the grandfather before being allowed to go to bed. She still had to face YuZhi too, but she knew with her schedule now, that he wouldn't do anything until her fertile day came in three more days.

Linlin sighed helplessly at the other end of the line. Knowing that TangShi was just trying to find a way to navigate this living situation, but Linlin was a romantic who had other ideas about why YuZhi stood her up five years ago. Stubborn and impulsive, she wanted TangShi to loosen up a little, to the possibility of her new situation. YuZhi was rich, famous, and gorgeous. Despite his attitude towards her little lotus, she knew TangShi would win him around before long and she was certain YuZhi had reasons for that night.

"Even if YuZhi turns out to be your masked fantasy from your sixteenth birthday? Can I just say though, he gives me crazy strong Shawne Dou vibes, as you know he’s my ultimate bias actor. He could be his twin…. You never told me he was that level of gorgeous!! How I didn’t know your masked man was YuZhi Leng is beyond me."

Linlin knew all about him, about how hurt TangShi was afterwards, even if she hadn't been there to accompany her on that trip so long ago. She had been held back for family affairs while TangShi had been sent out to give her father a break from looking at her face. Her birthday was spent with strangers on a convenient school trip in another city, so her family didn't have to make effort, and her best friend wasn't even allowed to be there. It still angered Linlin to this day, that her girl suffered all by herself and then came home with a broken heart. Linlin would have hunted YuZhi down had she known it was that infamous poser and dragged the truth from him.

"What difference does it make? He's not a nice person, even if he looks like your current celebrity crush and that night, it was all about seducing me. I see that now. I didn't give him what he wanted, so he left me on that bridge. If it's him, then it's all the more reason to dislike him." TangShi had given this a lot of thought this afternoon, when getting to know Rhea and seeing how sweet a soul she was. It shocked her that someone like her, would be with someone as aloof and cold as YuZhi, and strengthened her heart against him. She had also come to realize that it was the fact she was only seventeen that he left such a lasting impression. She had implied to him she was eighteen, assuming he was too, and her naïve little heart had been suckered. The reality was, he was turning twenty, now she could count it backwards. Mature enough to know how to play with a girl's heart.

"You know what I think about that night..." Linlin started again but TangShi cut her off with that tone she hated so much. Stern, yet also stubborn, while somehow sounding calm and commanding.

"I do. You think he might have had some grand reason for not coming and that fate concluded it was not our time to meet. Linlin...." TangShi sighed. "You read too many romance books. He didn't even acknowledge me, so it looks like I left such a small impression, that he didn't even recognize me."

"Maybe he is pretending. Maybe his heart swooned, and he kept it secret because it will betray Rhea?" Linlin knew she was being overdramatic and giggled as she said it. Lightening the mood once more, but TangShi could only sigh. A deep heaviness in her heart even if she had repeatedly reminded herself YuZhi was a liar, and a womanizer.

"Then asked me if I was the maid? Yes, sure.... such a charming line." TangShi reminded her of relaying the details of the last few days when she first got her chance to call her. She didn't care that Xiaosu could hear every word. Somehow in such a short time she had invested her full trust in the girl. She had no doubts about her at all. Xiaosu seemed to be loyal, true, and very protective of her new Miss already. Today she had played dampener between Lang Je and TangShi anytime she got close, and Rhea was preoccupied. She was already so fond of little Xiaosu and didn't want secrets between them if she was to spend her every waking hour with her.

Xiaosu was folding clothes and putting away her new dresses and shoes. Listening, but really not trying to. Her heart raced at the mention that Miss Lei may have known YuZhi so many years ago and had some sort of romantic interlude before he dated Rhea.    Xiaosu was a believer in fate and these past years she had watched the young master with a growing sadness. She believed if YuZhi truly loved Rhea as he made out to the world he did, nothing would have stopped him from marrying her and already producing heirs. There was nothing old grandfather could have done to stop them had an illegitimate child come out of their union. He would have insisted on a fast marriage. Yet YuZhi never betrayed his grandfather, and despite having Rhea by his side, he never truly seemed content or happy. There was affection, and maybe stability and mutual trust, but there was no passion. To Xiaosu they looked like best friends who enjoyed one another’s company but the intimacy and affection you expect between young ones in love always seemed lacking.

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