"Oh my! I am so sorry. I didn't know you were going through a rough situation," Shi Lian expresses feeling sorry for her.

Evelyn appears to be really shocked by all that she just got to know. She had no idea about her mother's illness or does she know she was internally struggling. If she had known, she wouldn't say such harsh things to her face.

Shi Lian tries to soothe her by gently rubbing her back. "It's going to be okay, Eve. You are the bravest woman I have known and I know you will handle it well."

Evelyn thinks she is weak. She got nothing except to just chill and hang out. What does she even have? She isn't responsible like Shi Lian. She feels scared when responsibility comes to her and her mind just goes numb.

"How is she now?" Shi Lian asks, her face etch with worry.

Evelyn shakes her head. "She is sleeping. The doctor said she is out of danger. She is fine, right?" she says, fear getting the best of her.

"Of course she is" Shi Lian assures her, "She is going to be alright."

Evelyn can only nod. She has been taking care of her since she got discharged from the hospital.

"About your going to America?" Shi Lian asks but she has already assumed what Evelyn's decision is.

Evelyn sighs, "I won't be going."

Shi Lian nods understanding. Anyone in this situation will be doing the same and Evelyn's departure wasn't even important so her decision is right.

"God, I never thought....." she tries to say but her emotions get overwhelmed and it chokes her as she says.

"It's okay. It's okay" Shi Lian soothes her. It hurts to see her friend in a situation like this and she feels helpless that she cannot do anything to help her out.

After a while, Shi Lian bids goodbye to her. Even though she is reluctant to leave she have to. "I'll come to see tomorrow. Stay strong" she says while hugging her tightly.

"Evelyn breathes in her hair, "I'll try. Bye."

**

Pearl Mansion

The atmosphere at the dining table is tensed. The silence is heavy. Even the ticking of the clock seems to be loud.

To break the silence, Zhi Ruo tries to strike up a conversation. "Uhm" she clears her throat, her smile wide, "Zichen, do you know your brother has become the best-selling author. You should read one of his masterpieces."

Zichen eats without any break as if he hasn't heard anything. Between bites, he nods without looking up.

Zhi Ruo's plans fail as a result so she eyes her husband to do something to break the awkward silence.

Zichen's father mouths, "What can I do?"

Zhi Ruo gives him a look, mouthing, "Do it. Anything."

He wants to argue but he knows he eventually going to lose. He turns his head and forces a smile, looking at both his son. "Zichen, I heard the project this month is quite tight."

Zhi Ruo wants to punch him. What a stupid question! She has said again and again that at home they shouldn't discuss business.

"Yes. The Intel managers were against the project. After quite a discussion, they agreed."

End. The conversation ended right there. Zhi Ruo and her husband pass look, thinking what else can they do.

Zichen is done with his dinner. He neatly wipes his mouth with the napkin and gets up. "Thank you for the dinner," he says bowing and the leaves the room.

He stops at the door and turns his head back. "I'll be going then."

Zhi Ruo gets up hastily, "Why so early? You can stay for the night."

"No, mother. I have work to do."

"So you prioritize work more than me?" she accuses him, acting pitiful.

"That's not what you think Mother. I need to prepare for the meeting and besides you only said to stay for dinner" Zichen points, shoving his hands inside his pants pockets.

"But—"

"Mother, if he wants to go then let him for good. He clearly doesn't like to be here" his elder brother interjects. He scoffs looking at Zichen and it is the same look he has been giving him for years. The hateful look is full of vengeance.

"If you don't know anything about managing a company then keep your mouth zipped. Father, if the meeting tomorrow gets messed up, the company will experience great loss" Zichen states.

His father thinks. He cannot let anything happen to the company. "You go, son."

Zhi Ruo faces him, looking at him with unbelievable eyes. "What are you saying?"

He says nothing and continues eating his food. Zhi Ruo feels so frustrated that her head hurts. Even her husband does not support her. He too prioritizes work more than family.

Zichen feels a little guilty so he goes and gives a kiss on her cheek and exits the room, out of the house.

He was suffocating inside and after coming out of the house, he literally can breathe. He does feel bad but he had no other options.

He hops inside his car and starts the engine. As he drives the first person that comes to her mind is Shi Lian. He misses her so much. He decides of calling her and he did.

"Hey," her voice fills her ears and a smile spreads on his lips. Her voice alone can make him feel at peace.

"Hey. Missed you" he says while driving, connecting his phone with wireless Bluetooth speakers.

"Me too. Where are you?" she says from the other line. He senses her voice is tight and exhausting.

"Are you tired?" he asks instead, ignoring her question.

He hears her sighing and he knows right away she is keeping something that is bothering her. "Evelyn. She is going through a rough situation and I felt bad for her."

"What happened?"

She explains everything to him everything and he too feels bad for her. "Tough."

"Yes. I never saw her like that. Lifeless, you know" she tells him.

"You are her friend and it's natural for you to feel sad. If you felt negative, she would too so you should encourage her snd be positive" he tells her. He wants to laugh because he should be doing the same.