"This is how Yang Zi has been since then. There was a time she even passed out because of exhaustion. Other times she had nosebleeds. At this time of the year we always stay beside, supporting her silently. Trying to talk her out of it will not work, I am sure you have already known that," Shui Shui said grabbing the menu. "The only way she tries to forget the incident and get over her pain is by working non-stop and that has been helpful although it's bad for her health," Shui Shui said secretly wiping the tears that were attempting to drop.

"Why haven't you guys done anything about it if her condition is this serious?" Yifeng asked with a hint of surprise and worry in his voice.

​​

"Shiyi and I have tried everything possible to help her overcome this trauma but everything we have tried has proven abortive. All I can tell you is that her condition is getting better," Shui Shui said.

"Ok, I have an idea about how to help her but I will need your help to convince Shiyi. You know how much he dislikes me, he will not want to corporate with me so how about you convince him on my behalf. I am sure he will listen to you," Yifeng said calmly. Even before today he and Su Jin have already made plans for Yang Zi's birthday, but he knew their plans would be futile without the corporation from Shiyi and Shui Shui.

"You have a plan? What is the plan?" Shui Shui asked anticipatingly.

"I want to whisper my plans into your ears, I hope you don't mind," Yifeng asked.

"Why are you being so secretive?" Shui Shui remarked. "You can whisper it to my ear but don't you dare try anything stupid with me. I can punch really hard. Don't forget that," Shui Shui said, showing him her tightened fist.

"I only have eyes for Yang Zi, nobody else so relax. I won't try anything funny with you," Yifeng said smiling at her.

"Ok, go on then," Shui Shui said, signalling Yifeng to come and whisper whatever he wanted to her. Yifeng crossed over to where she was sitting down and started relaying his plans to her. After a few minutes, he pulled away.

"You are so f*cking crazy and so are your plans," stupefied Shui Shui replied bewildered. Although Yifeng's plans sounded nice but it was a crazy one if he wanted to experiment it on the Yang Zi that she knows.

"I know there is a huge possibility that she will flare up when she sees the surprise we have prepared for her, but it's just a wild guess from our part. We don't really know how she will react unless we give it a shot," Yifeng said unfazed. He could do anything for her, even though he knows that she might get mad at him at the end.

"It's not a possibility, but I am certain Zi Er will make a scene," Shui Shui said confidently. She dived into deep thoughts, only to speak up two minutes later. "Promise me you will take full responsibility for it if Zi Er perhaps gets mad," Shui Shui said seriously. The last thing she ever wants is Yang Zi getting mad at. She can never handle that feeling. She prefers getting mad at her rather than Yang Zi getting angry with her.

"I promise I will take the fall if something goes wrong, but in turn you must promise me you will convince Shiyi before Yang Zi's birthday, which is in three days," Yifeng ceased the opportunity to bargain with her.

"Using two days to convince my strong headed best friend is almost impossible but I will give it a shot, so is it a deal?" Shui Shui asked, trying to hide how nervous she was.

"Anything for Yang Zi, I will do, so deal," Yifeng said, stretching out his hand for a handshake. Shui Shui stared at his hands hesitantly before she shook his hand.

"I only agreed to this for Zi Er's sake so don't you dare mistake me for a friend. I won't hesitate to chop your legs off if you dare hurt my best friend," Shui Shui warned coldly.

"I promise I won't hurt her but you can carry out your threats if I dare mess up," Yifeng said smiling. He let go of her hands. He was so happy that she was no longer upset at him.

"And one more thing, never bring up all that I have told you to Zi Er. She is super sensitive to her past so be over cautious about what you tell her when you are with her so you won't trigger old memories. I will never forgive you if you dare bring this up to Zi Er. I am damn serious," Shui Shui stated firmly.

"I know how it feels like, so you can count on me not to bring the topic up when I am with her," Yifeng said seriously too. "Miss Qing, does this mean you are Ok with me courting your best friend?" Yifeng asked curiously. Her permission did not matter to him, but he would feel thrilled if her friend sides with him.

"No, never," Shui Shui remarked sharply. She would never betray her poor Shiyi for him, never. Shiyi is a million times more important to her than him or his feelings. Her reaction didn't surprise Yifeng because he had expected that much from her. He was satisfied knowing that she is willing to help him out even though she didn't like him. They kept on talking and later on moving to placing their orders. After their lunch meeting ended, Yifeng went back to the office while Shui Shui went her own way.

When Yifeng got to his office, he was not surprised to see her so engrossed in her work. She did not even feel his presence. Seeing her in this condition, he recalled all that Shui Shui told him about Yang Zi's past. He felt so hurt knowing that a very gorgeous and cheerful lady like her went through such a tragic past. "Yang Zi, I wish you will give me the opportunity to help you and love you to the fullest," Yifeng thought as he removed his phone from his pocket. He plunged in his earbuds and went to his playlist. He searched for a particular playlist and after he found it he moved to where she was sitting down working, still unaware of his presence. He plunged the earbuds into her ears and went to his desk. He stared at her to see how she would react. After so many minutes of waiting for her to turn around and gaze at him. She finally stared at him just when he wanted to give up hopes of her ever turning around.

She gave him a curious glare, questioning his actions.

"Someone compiled that playlist for me when I almost gave up on life, so I thought it might be of some help to you, and I am glad it did," Yifeng said carefreely. He wasn't certain she heard what he said since the earpieces were still plunged in.

"Who?" Yang Zi spoke to the awe of Yifeng. He couldn't believe that the songs worked. He stood up from his chair and went to where she was sitting down. He sat beside her.

"How are you feeling?" Yifeng ceased the opportunity to ask, ignoring her question.

"For me to have taken my eyes off this document, I guess you can say I am fine," Yang Zi replied. "Is the person you were talking about Su Jin?" Yang Zi asked. Her expression was still lifeless, but Yifeng was glad that she had finally spoken up after a long time.

"No, she was my best friend. She was one naughty girl, more naughty than our little Mi Er" Yifeng said, staring at her. He helped to remove the earbuds from her ears. Yang Zi noticed that the moment he talked about the girl, his expression instantly changed to a sad one.

"Was? Does that mean she is dead?" Yang Zi curiously asked, staring at him. She could read his pain through his expression.

"Yeah, she died when she was just fourteen years old. She and Jin were my best friends, but she ended up leaving us behind too soon," Yifeng said trying to mask his sad expression. He wanted to cheer her up, and now he was bringing up a sad story that might trigger her past. He feels so guilty about this.

"Seeing your expression, I guess she was not only your best friend but also your first love," Yang Zi said looking into his eyeballs. She could not only read his sadness through his eyes, but she could feel it. For some unknown reason, her heart tightened seeing the always delighted Yifeng sad. She completely forgot about her problem. Instead of wallowing in her own sadness, she decided to cheer him up like he has always done for her.

[Pls buy the privilege of only 1 coin worth and support me. Please 😥😭🙏🏿...]