Meizuo was sleeping over in my room while Ximen stayed with Xiaoyou.

We all have okay? Just wanna clear that up before you guys get all judgemental and assume we're sleeping in the same bed.

Meizuo passed me a cup of hot chocolate while he went in the bathroom to change. I sighed as I sipped through it as I inhaled the sweet smell of the melted marshmallows.

"You okay?" Meizuo asked as he popped his head in from behind the bathroom door. I could see he wasn't wearing a shirt behind the door and tried my best not to stare at the bare skin and- Okay! Not the time!

"Yeah.." I said as I looked away from him and drank my hot chocolate, trying to hide the blush growing on my cheeks.

"Hey... Can we talk?" He asked as he sat across from me on his bed. My eyebrows raised in confusion.

"We are talking." I said and he laughed. He walked over and sat beside me.

"Look, what I said before you left for Paris... I didn't mean it and I'm really sorry Shui. You know I wouldn't do anything to hurt you." He said as he reached for my hand and squeezed it. I smiled and squeezed back.

"I'm sorry about being jealous over Caina. It's just that I'm not used to seeing you like a girl this much Zuo... I just felt like I was being replaced I guess." I said, slightly tearing up.

"That's how I felt whenever you hung out with Jongin but Shui, no one could ever replace you. You're one of the people I love the most." Meizuo said and I smiled.

"You are too Zuo." I said as I pulled him in for a hug. When we pulled away, he continued to stare into my eyes and I did the same.

"Zuo?" I asked.

"Yeah?" He said.

"If you want to date Caina, you have my full support. I can tell you really like her." I said even though it was breaking my heart as I said every word.

"Really?" He asked happily and I nodded as he pulled me in for another hug. I blinked my eyes to keep my tears from falling. Meizuo pulled away and he frowned as he saw the tears falling.

"What's wrong Shui? I'm gonna date her, not marry her. Well, not yet anyway." He joked and I laughed but it hurt more when he mentioned 'marry'.

"Idiot. I'm just happy for you Zuo." I said and he smiled.

"Then you have my blessing to continue dating Jongin. He seems like he's a really nice guy but if he ever makes you cry, he's dead. Okay?" He joked and I nodded.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

The following day, I woke up early to cook some breakfast when I heard Xiaoyou yell out Shancai's name. I jumped out of bed and shook Meizuo awake.

"Zuo! Get up! I think Ah Si and Shancai are back!" I said as he groaned as he rubbed his eyes.

"Come on! Get up!" I added as I went back to my bed and grabbed my oversized sweater. Meizuo pulled on his jacket and nodded to me.

We headed downstairs to see everyone up. Ah Si and Shancai were standing in the middle of the living room, looking tired and disheveled.

"Shancai!" I said as I ran down to give the girl a hug. Xiaoyou moved so I could hug her.

"You okay Shancai?" I worriedly asked as I looked up and down in search for injuries.

"I'm fine really Shuijing. My foot hurts but I'm okay." She replied and I nodded. I then turned to Ah Si who gave me a sheepish smile. I moved over and smacked him at the back of the head.

"Ow! Shui! What was that for?" He complained as he rubbed the spot where I hit him. I slapped on the shoulder which earned another groan from him.

"You idiot! How could you think of going out into the blizzard by yourself?" I yelled as he rubbed his shoulder.

"I can handle it Shui!" He spat and I kicked his leg.

"You can't even speak English properly, what makes you think you can face a blizzard?" I said as he knelt down to rub his leg.

"Hey! I handled it well okay? So stop hitting me! You remind of Jie." He said as I laughed.

"We thought you died out there." Lei said worriedly.

"A mere blizzard can't do anything to me." Ah Si calmly bragged and I scoffed in response.

"Glad that you're safe." Ximen said.

"Sure, we're okay. But...who was it that said Xiaoyou went out?"Ah Si asked, anger evident in his voice as he looked over at Xinhui and Baihe who looked terrified. I smirked. They should be.

"Shancai, I'm so glad you're safe. People say that you'll be blessed if you survive a crisis." Xinhui rapidly said. Baihe nodded rapidly in agreement.

"Yes, Shancai. We are... Thank goodness you're back." Baihe added.

"If Shancai and Ah Si had died in the blizzard, how would you make up for it?" Lei angrily asked them.

"Please leave, the two of you. I won't allow such despicable women to be under the same roof as me." Ah Si threatened. They both looked at Ah Si in shock and stood still. Ah Si glared at them and moved to grab them by their arms and drag them out of the house.

"Daoming Si. It's cold and snowy outside. We'll freeze if we leave this house." Xinhui stated.

"Please, Daoming Si. Don't kick us out." Baihe begged but Ah Si wasn't having it and neither was I.

"Will you two shut up! Ah Si and Shancai almost died and you think you have the right to stay in this house? I told you didn't I? I don't care what happens, you two are not staying here!" I exclaimed as Meizuo moved behind me and held me closer.

"Shuijing's right. You're worried about the cold. Funny how that didn't cross your mind when you lied to Shancai!"He yelled which made them flinch. They turned to Shancai.

"Shancai. Please forgive us." Xinhui said in desperation.

"Shancai, you're a good person. You wouldn't let us freeze to death outside. You'll forgive us, right?" Baihe asked.

"That's enough. Get out." Ah Si coldly answered as he pushed the two girls to the door.

"Wait." Shancai said which made Ah Si stop.

"I'm back safe and sound. I hurt my foot. But it's nothing serious." Shancai pointed out and my eyebrows furrowed.

"Shancai-" I started but she cut me off.

"Why don't we...just forget about it?" She said and we all looked at her in shock.

"Forget about it? Did you forget that you almost died out there? If you forgive them so easily, knowing how self-centered these two are, they'd cause even more harm." Xiaoyou stated and I nodded in agreement.

"No. This time was a misunderstanding. We're willing to do anything as long as you don't kick us out." Xinhui said and Baihe nodded.

"Daoming Si. I'll punish them." She said.

"Yes. Shancai, you can punish us. Do whatever you want." Xinhui agreed as Ah Si turned back to look at Shancai.

"Tell us, how are you going to punish them?" Ah Si asked and Shancai thought about it.

"I'll get them...to clean the house." She said and my jaw dropped. What? That's it?

"Seriously Shancai?" I asked with raised eyebrows and she nodded.

"Clean the house? That's the punishment?" Ximen asked in disbelief.

"They'll need to clean for at least ten years." Meizuo added and I nodded in agreement.

"Okay, we'll clean it right away. Where's the broom?" Xinhui said as she started to walk and look around for the broom.

"Thanks, Shancai. Thanks, Daoming Si." Baihe added as she and Xinhui left us alone to clean.

Meizuo grabbed some warm wine and gave it to Shancai and Ah Si to drink. I grabbed some toast and some pancakes and placed it in front of Shancai and Ah Si before walking over to sit beside Lei.

"The blizzard was terrible last night. How did you two survive?" Lei asked. Shancai and Ah Si looked at each other awkwardly before sipping on their wine.

"What do you mean?" Ah Si asked.

"It was snowing so heavily. Where did you go?" Ximen asked again which caused Ah Si and Shancai to blush. I smiled and stood up as I gave a dramatic gasp.

"Oh my god! You did didn't you?" I teased and their blushes intensified. I squealed and jumped around as I thought of it. They all looked at me like I was crazy.

"What Shui?" Meizuo asked curiously. I smiled.

"You know how in romance movies? They do 'that' to keep each other warm?" I teased and they seemed to get it.

"Is that true? Could it be really like what happens in romance movies? Holding one another while being naked to keep warm?" Meizuo described which caused Ah Si and Shancai to go silent. I'm right.

"No way. We guessed it." They simultaneously answered and I laughed.

""I'm scared, so cold. I'm going to faint."" Meizuo acted out as he grabbed Ximen's arm and placed it around him.

""Come, lean on me.My chest is warm." Ximen acted as he pulled Meizuo closer to his chest. I shook my head in laughter.

""Hold me tight.""

""Hold me tighter.""

"Huaze Lei. You can be the blazing fire. Hurry up." Meizuo suggested as Lei smugly smiled.

""Feel the warmth."" Lei teased as he moved his hands in a wavy motion.

"That's enough." Ah Si scolded.

"Stop it. We didn't do that." Shancai added.

"Why are you two blushing?" Xiaoyou asked and I smiled.

"Who's blushing? I'm not." Shancai answered in denial.

"Sure Shancai. That's really believable with your face burning red." I teased and Meizuo laughed.

"I can't be bothered with this. This is lame. I'm going to shower." Ah Si said as he stood up and walked to the direction of the veranda.

"The door is that way, sir." Ximen pointed out which made Ah Si stop and awkwardly walk up to the direction of his room.

"I'm going too." Shancai added as she stood up to leave with Xiaoyou close behind her. I smiled before sighing.

"What is it Shui?" Ximen asked and I turned to look at him and Meizuo.

"Things are progressing well with Ah Si and Shancai. I just hope it stays that way." I said and they nodded.

"That will only happen if Ah Si keeps his temper in check." Meizuo teased and I pouted.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

I was brushing my hair when I heard a knock on my door.

"Come in." I called out as I continued to brush through my hair. The door opened and I saw Shancai come in.

"Shancai. What's up?" I asked as I put the brush down and turned around to face her as she sat down on the edge of my bed.

"I wanted to say thank you." She said shyly and my eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

"Thank you for what?" I asked.

"For standing up for me. Huaze Lei and Xiaoyou told me everything that happened." She said and I gave her a smile.

"Shancai, you're like a little sister to me and what they did to you was too much even if they wanted to get back at you. I could never tolerate people who endanger other people." I sternly said and she nodded.

"But hey, I'm really glad you and Ah Si are safe." I said and she nodded. She seemed kind of wistful.

"What's wrong Shancai?" I asked.

"It's just that Daoming Si always helps me out even though I keep pushing him away. I don't know how I feel about it. He makes me feel all giddy and weird." She confessed and I smiled.

"You like him." I said and she turned to me with wide eyes.

"WHAT? No way!" She exclaimed.

"Shancai, I've been in love with someone for the past 10 years. I know what a person who's in love looks like. And Shancai, even if you deny it, it's written all over your face." I teased and she covered her face in frustration. I laughed.

"Shancai. Come on, Ah Si isn't that bad. He may seem temperamental and a stuck up jerk but he has a good heart and cares about you a lot. He's just confused okay? He's never liked a girl seriously before." I said and Shancai removed her hands from her face.

"Really?" She asked and I nodded in response.

"Give him a chance okay?" I said as I walked away, leaving Shancai to her thoughts.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

It was only a few minutes more before the New Year. I went down and sat in between Meizuo and Ximen. Meizuo handed me a glass of wine and Xiaoyou took a seat beside Ximen. Lei was in front of the fireplace, wine glass in hand. Ah Si was out in the balcony along with Shancai. Xinhui and Baihe were still cleaning the whole house.

I observed through the glass window of the balcony as Shancai and Ah Si awkwardly stand next to each other.

"Why can't they just admit they like each other and date? It's frustrating to watch them." Ximen complained as he sipped his wine. I laughed.

"Yeah. But hey, you gotta give Ah Si some credit. Shancai's a difficult girl to like and he's still not giving up on her. If it were me, I would've given up already." Meizuo joked.

"Me too." Ximen agreed.

"Just give it time you two. Shancai is just as confused as Ah Si is. She likes him but she doesn't want to face her feelings for Ah Si." I said and they looked at me.

"But-" Meizuo started but I shushed him and smiled as I heard the fireworks start.

"Happy New Year guys."I said happily as we clinked our glasses and looked at the fireworks outside. Xiaoyou shyly greeted Ximen a 'Happy New Year' and Ximen smiled at her in response. He led her outside to the balcony where Shancai and Ah Si were. Lei followed suite, giving me a smile as he passed by. I stood up as well.

"Let's go join them Zuo." I said as I stared back at Meizuo who shook his head and laughed.

"All right. Let's go." He said as he smiled and I turned around and walked towards the glass door. When suddenly, Meizuo pulled me back with his arm. I faced him, my eyebrows furrowing in confusion.

"Happy New Year Shui." He said as he gave me a soft smile. I smiled back.

"Happy New Year Zuo." I said as he gave me a kiss on the forehead. My eyes widened as he pulled back and grabbed my hand, pulling me along with him towards the veranda. I was pretty sure my face was still burning but thank God no one was looking. I decided to ignore it and watch the fireworks with the people who matter the most to me in this world.

Especially the guy who was still holding my hand at this very moment.

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