Reen was once again told that Zichu was not in. Where else could he be in this little island that she hadn't been able to see him for hours? So she concluded that he was avoiding her and she wasn't going to simply pretend like what happened earlier hadn't happened.

There was a New Year's party outside the resort and a lot of families were there having fun out here, except hers which preferred to celebrate in the house, away from others.

She decided to look around to see if Zichu was there, although she doubted she was going to see him. At last, she saw his brother, he looked like he was just taking a break from serving drinks.

She called him by his name to get his attention and he smiled when he saw her.

"Hello! Pleasant surprise to see you here."

Reen smiled at him. She remembered how Zichu had reacted the last time he saw her brother speaking with her but she didn't bother to ask him what that had been about.

"Your brother, I don't see him anywhere."

"He is busy somewhere around. Don't know." He shrugged.

"Just let him know I've been here twice to meet him."

"I will." He nodded.

Reen suspected he wanted to say more to her, but it was getting quite late and she had to return to the house so she said her thanks and began to leave.

She walked past two girls who were having a conversation that caught her attention so she walked slowly so she would listen,

"That's his brother right? He also looks handsome but Zichu is far better looking. Too bad that idiot ruined his pretty face." One girl said.

"I hate that Kim Kyle or whatever his name is with passion. He must think he is a hot cake. Now he has gotten the poor boy in trouble. I hope someone teaches him a lesson one of these days."

Reen noted that Kyle seemed quite popular around here. Made her ask herself again what she saw in him in the first place. After today, she was probably my going to have a prejudice against sport Jocks like him.

She decided it was best to see Zichu first. He was hurt and also in trouble. She turned around and as she was heading towards the building, she noticed Zichu's brother also heading towards the building so she followed.

Maybe she could get a few answers from him about what truly happened to his younger brother?

She tried to get his attention a couple of times, but he was far ahead of her so instead, she tried to keep her pace and not lose sight of him.

But when she got to a bend in the first floor, she realised she had lost him and swore silently.

She couldn't leave just yet or else, all her effort coming here would be in vain, so she began to check each doors. The first set of doors were either bathrooms or janitor's room.

"Just fucking leave!"

She stopped walking when she heard Zichu's voice. He was yelling at another person.

She stopped in front of the closed door and contemplated opening it or not. Finally, she opened it very slowly and peeked at inside. She couldn't see much unless she opened the door further and if she did, they would see her, so she remained like that.

"I can beat him up for you. He didn't have any right to beat you up like this because of a girl!"

"Yea right! Maybe you have a way to send us both back after we get abandoned here." Zichu snorted.

"I saw her a few minutes ago. She wanted to know how you were doing. Maybe she cares about you? It's going to be nice if you end up dating that girl. I mean, her family is—"

"Get off my life and mind your fucking business! And I warned you not to go anywhere near her!" He growled.

Reen thought there was something wrong about their relationship. How come he always talked to his older brother like that? But that aside, was his brother just trying to advise him to take advantage of the fact that she was from an affluent family?

"Hey, calm down! You are always paranoid. It's not like I'll go meet those people and tell them what I'm not supposed to tell them. I'm not stupid."

"I doubt that."

"You better watch how you speak to me. I'm your older brother."

"I'll treat you like one when you start acting like one." He responded heatedly.

Reen was still trying to process what she had heard and the meaning of '....You are always paranoid. It's not like I'll go meet those people and tell them what I'm not supposed to tell them. I'm not stupid' before she heard something fall to the ground and next thing, Zichu was being shoved to the wall by his brother.

Her instinct almost made her go in there to separate the fight, but she didn't move.

"I won't let you treat me as you please, you hear me?" Ning Xiehan growled. "We both do things for money even though they are dirty, so stop thinking you are better than me or giving me that condescending look of yours. We are both the same."

Zichu tried to push his brother's hands away from his collar but his older brother refused to budge.

"You should stop it!" Zichu spoke in a low but heavy voice.

"Why?" Xiehan taunted. "Would you have said the same if you didn't like that girl?" He scoffed before letting go of his shirt.

"I applaud your guts for crushing on a girl like that way above your league. But since your charms worked on her, lucky you. Make enough money for the two of us. Hmm?" Xiehan smirked before heading for the door.

When Reen suspected he was approaching, she made a run for it. She was wearing a sneakers so it made it easier for her. She found her way inside the next room which fortunately was opened and happened to be a restroom. She waited there until she was sure Xiehan had gone far before she came out.

She was very confused and at this point, she didn't know what to think or do.

******

🎵Happy Birthday To You

Happy Birthday To You

Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday To You 🎵

Joreen marvelled at the sight of the white and peach cake before her eyes. It was the biggest cake she had received on her birthday. It had a 'Happy Birthday Lady Jo' and 18 little lit candles on top of it.

They all eagerly asked her to make a wish so she closed her eyes for 30 seconds and when she opened her eyes again, they all assumed she had made her wish and asked her to blow the candles.

It had taken quite an effort with many laughter before the candles all went out and just as Uncle Minde promised, he appeared in front of her with a glass and a bottle of wine in hand, ready to officially welcome her into adulthood.

"Don't give her that!" His mother frowned at him. "There are other better ways to invite her into adulthood than turning her into a drunk!"

"Trust me mother, this is one of the best ways. This wine cost me a fortune— Go on Jo. Ignore her and have a drink. Trust me, you are going to love it."

"Drink! Drink! Drink!" He began to cheer her on and the others joined in the cheering. She laughed and obliged to their demand. At first, she winced at the sour taste, but it soon turned sweet and she finished the half filled glass, earning a round of applause from everyone.

Minde excitedly began to fill up her glass again but before she could drink it, it was snatched from her hand.

Hoy had just come out from God-knows-were and gulped the entire drink before glaring at his older brother.

Next, it was time for gifts. Joreen's eyes welled up when she received a heap of gift boxes of different sizes and shapes.

She couldn't count the number of gifts she had been recieving since the holiday started. From her family, from fans.

She was glad there were also a few New Year gifts present for Reen.

She received gifts from every single person except Changyu and Hoy.

"Jo darling, do not worry, your gift couldn't be brought here. You'll see it after the holidays." Changyu winked at Joreen who hugged her happily.

When the others looked at Hoy, wondering what excuse Hoy had for not giving her any, he simply avoided their gazes and enjoyed his wine instead.

Since the old people usually didn't like to stay up until midnight, by 10pm, at least all the old people had returned to their rooms.

Sara, Muchen and Changyu, Jianjun had also cut their anniversary cakes.

It wasn't a surprise when the couples told the house they would be spending the night in their rooms in the resort instead of here.

Minde and his wife with the three children decided to go join the New Year's party outside the resort building so they were only a few people left in house, including Reen who returned late and said she wanted to go to bed. It was quite odd but no one stopped her.

So far, Joreen was glad for all that happened tonight. She was getting ready to go to bed when her phone beeped and the light came on.

She saw a new text message and immediately opened it when she realised it was from Hoy.

The message only had two words,

'The Balcony'