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“Xixi, you finally called. I’ve missed you so much. Did you miss me?” Guan Lei’s face was pressed against his screen, making him look comical.

“Don’t be silly,” Shen Xi said with a smile. “Zhao Yuan is here with me.”

Zhao Yuan angled herself toward the camera and parodied Guan Lei’s words dramatically, “Xixi, I’ve missed you so much. Did you miss me? Gosh, that sounds so mushy!”

Guan Lei felt a little embarrassed after being teased by Zhao Yuan. He tried keeping a straight face but failed, and he had no choice but to settle for something in between. The result was a somewhat serious-looking face that did little to hide his sullen feelings for being called out.

Zhao Yuan knew not to overdo her teasing. Instead, she turned to Shen Xi, “I still have things to do, so I’ll head out first. Have a good chat!”

Shen Xi shooed Zhao Yuan away, feigning annoyance. Zhao Yuan made a face but took the hint and hurried out of the room.

“Are you sharing a room with Zhao Yuan?” Guan Lei asked, a little unhappy.

“I was going to bunk with someone else, but Zhao Yuan tagged along, so I decided to stay with her,” Shen Xi explained.

Guan Lei was silent for a moment. He asked her to hold on as he spoke to someone beside him.

Shen Xi patiently waited for Guan Lei to settle his business. It was not long before Guan Lei’s attention swiveled back to her, a cheeky grin on his lips as he noted she was alone.

“I was super sad you didn’t reply to my texts this morning.” Guan Lei pouted, appearing as if Shen Xi had done him a great injustice.

Shen Xi did not know how to explain her emotional state that morning, so she said, “I was in a hurry this morning. I’m sorry I couldn’t respond immediately. I hope you’re not angry, are you?”

“I’m not that petty.” Guan Lei shook his head. “I was just worried something had happened to you. Don’t scare me next time.”

Shen Xi nodded and fell silent. She wondered whether she should broach the topic that had plagued her all morning with Guan Lei. Shen Xi found herself morbidly curious as to how he would answer her.

The silence stretched. Guan Lei could tell there was something on Shen Xi’s mind. “What’s the matter? You can tell me anything, you know? I’ll help you.”

Shen Xi gathered her courage and looked Guan Lei in the eye; the latter waited patiently for Shen Xi to speak.

Instead of some heartfelt speech, or plea for help, Shen Xi sighed and shook her head. “I”m fine. I’m just a little airsick. It hasn’t done much for my mood.”

Guan Lei did not press the issue, simply telling Shen Xi to rest well. A slight nod was all he saw before Shen Xi hung up, ending the video call.

What was wrong with Shen Xi? Guan Lei continued to stare at his black screen thoughtfully.

Shen Xi did not know where Zhao Yuan or Zheng Huai had gone. She ate a simple lunch and slept for the rest of the afternoon.

Zhao Yuan returned after dark, her whole body swaying like an eggplant on its vine. She looked like she could barely stand.

Startled by Zhao Yuan’s uncanny appearance, Shen Xi rushed forward to help her friend. “What’s wrong with you? What’s with that expression?”

When Zhao Yuan’s listless eyes met Shen Xi’s concerned ones, they instantly reddened, soon turning into tears.

Shen Xi was shocked. She frantically dried her friend’s tears, asking, “What’s wrong? Why are you crying? Did someone bully you?”

“My boyfriend is the scum of the earth! He’s two-timing with some vixen!” Zhao Yuan cried.

That was news to Shen Xi. “When did you get a boyfriend? Why have you not mentioned him before?”

“I met him on the internet,” Zhao Yuan said between sobs. “He’s been ignoring me recently. That’s why I’m here in Beijing; I’m looking for him. I caught him with another woman hanging on his arm. I could not help myself. I approached him and asked what he was doing, but his girlfriend shoved me aside, and I scraped my knee on the curb.”

Shen Xi rolled Zhao Yuan’s skirt up to examine her injury. It was still bleeding. “Wait here. I’ll ask for a first-aid kit from the hotel staff.”

“It’s infuriating,” Zhao Yuan said as Shen Xi bandaged her wound, “How did I become the third wheel? How is it my fault? That piece of trash…! How dare he lie to me and say he’s single. I hope he meets a horrible end, a life without descendants!”

Shen Xi gently patted Zhao Yuan’s head and consoled her, “Don’t let a bad apple like him ruin your mood. I’m sure you’ll meet someone better.”

Zhao Yuan wiped her tears and nodded. “You’re right. I hope my future boyfriend will treat me as well as Guan Lei treats you.”

“Why do you say Guan Lei treats me well?” Shen Xi asked.

Zhao Zhu sniffled. “He’s not bad. It was nice seeing him reject Li Jin. A boy who knows his boundaries and isn’t blinded by sensual pleasures is good enough in my books.”