Cixi was obviously not happy. Especially since they were not able to get a hold of the person who was responsible. "I'll fix it" She said when Sara handed her the laptop. Whatever was inside and whoever had done this to her girl, she was going to punish them in the way they deserved.

"Aunt. Don't worry too much. If our mood is sullen, It won't make Joreen any better" Sara advised.

Ever since they got into the taxi, they had both been quiet. Both had a lot on their minds.

Sara felt that this likely had something to do with Jinyong and Weiyoung but she couldn't go check with them today. It was already past six in the evening and she was tired and famished.

But Cixi could not help it. Only a month she hadn't heard from them, not only their apartment, they had also lost the restaurant. Sara had been dragged online and her daughter didn't make her grades. For now, she had to look for a way to open the laptop, check the e-mail and trace the IP to whoever was behind the message.

"I feel this whole thing is my fault. I am really sorry Aunt" Sara said sadly.

Seeing Sara blaming herself, Cixi finally snapped out of it

"It is not your fault dear. I am sorry, I just had a lot on my mind. It must have been hard for you" She said as she smoothened Sara's hair lovingly.

"I am fine." Sara gave her a tiny smile. "You are going to sleep over right?"

"I should right? But it's going to be uncomfortable since Mr Chu is coming home tomorrow also. I can use a hotel till we move into the new place next week" Cixi said.

"Joreen misses you a lot. We all do. You should spend this night with us at least. Dad can use the couch while I lie on the floor so you and Joreen can have the bed to yourselves"

"That girl still sleeps rough huh?" She asked wrinkling her nose.

Sara laughed. "She sure do"

"But lying on the floor is not good for—"

Sara cut her off. "Don't go all doctor mode on me now" Sara playfully warned.

Cixi forced out a laugh before her mood turned sullen again. "Life here is hard— life everywhere is hard" She corrected.

"How did you live this past month?" Sara suddenly became curious.

"I was in Country V" She answered as their taxi made a turn.

Sara's eyes met with the driver's through the rearview mirror. She noticed he had been staring at her ever since she got in. He was likely in his forties so she could not assume he had a thing for her. It was obviously because he had also recognised her.

Even in Joreen's school earlier, a few people had walked up to ask if she was really the 'Sara Wang' they had seen on the news. They had also advised her to remain strong and blah blah blah. She hated the attention she was receiving.

She ignored the driver's look and continued with Cixi. "Country V? What's with it?"

Cixi had an amused smile on. "You are the last person I believe would care about anything that is going on in this world"

Sara let out a laugh. "I actually do care sometimes though."

Cixi turned serious and spoke gently.

"A terrorist group took over a town in country V. It wasn't funny at all. Men, woman, children were all killed. And a lot were injured."

Sara furrowed her brows. "Country V is a developed country right? Didn't the government do anything about it?"

"They are trying I guess. But terrorists have a lot of leverage. These days, we can even say they are more powerful than the government." Cixi took a mental trip and reminisced all that had happened. "There was no way we could get in. We managed to find a small village close to the town and created a little hideout to save the escapees. Over there, no signal or anything. It was a really big challenge getting food even"

"Poor them. Are they safe now or still at the village?"

"The government took over from us and provided them with asylum."

"It is really sad. See why everyone who is safe should always be thankful for their lives. I cannot imagine losing my family to war."

"Yes, it's really heartbreaking." Cixi inhaled deeply.

"How long are you going to be staying for?" Sara asked.

"Probably a month or thereabout."

Sara's eyes brightened. "Really? That's good news"

Cixi smiled back at her. "Did you missme that much?

"Of course I do."

'And I have a lot of questions for you' Sara thought. She was going to make use of Cixi's presense to the fullest.

**

That evening, things were a bit settled. Jianjun had done his best to prepare one of Joreen's best meal to celebrate her graduation regardless. It was a Filipino noodle; Pancit Palabok.

Bilike was home. Cixi's mood was better also. The only person who had a frown on, was Sara. She stabbed her fork on the plate and bit her lower lip angrily.

They all just looked at her. After asking her severally what was wrong, her answer remained the same. "I am fine"

A gentle knock came on the door while they dined and Bilike volunteered to get it. They all curiously peered at the door since they wondered who was visiting by this time of the night. And to all of their shock, they saw Li Muchen behind Bilike as he approached them. Sara who had a mouth full of noodles almost choked. Her eyes were wide in surprise. "Mr Li..." She stood up abruptly and forcefully swallowed everything. "What... are you. doing here" She asked while she used a hand to smoothen her messy hair

"Mr Li?" Cixi also shot up after Joreen. "You are..." She suddenly gasped as she looked on in disbelieve. Muchen only smiled back at her and bowed politely. "You must be Aunt Cixi"

The thing that surprised Sara most was the fact that he was actually wearing a Polo shirt and Jean trousers.

Cixi had been surprised when she learned that Sara was working for CEO Li. But seeing him here all of a sudden was rather surprising. She tried her best to keep her cool and smiled politely at him. Joreen also greeted him.

"Mr Wang. I came to ask for permission to take Sara out" He saidd politely. He couldn't believe he was nervous right now.

"Yes. You have his permission" Sara said. Trying so hard not to sound excited. Maybe because she had waited for his call all day and suddenly seeing him here made her hyper.

He looked at her in amusement and mouthed "You are not Mr Wang" before he turned to look at Jianjun.