THE NEXT DAY

Meizuo and I were at this old bookstore where they sold and made personalized wax seals and stationary. I decided to ask if they knew the seal on the letter.

I handed over the paper to the old man behind the desk.

"Ah yes dear. This seal was made with yellow gold wax, the paper is made from pine trees. This seal is very rare dear. Only one customer of mine had it made." He explained kindly and I gulped.

"Do you remember who they are?" I asked.

"Let me check my list dear." He kindly said as he walked over to the other side of the counter to grab a brown leather notebook that looked really worn out.

"Now let's see here..yellow gold seal..engraved BE..." He started as he scanned the pages of the notebook before stopping on one and at the same time, my breath got caught in my throat which prompted Meizuo to rub my shoulder.

"Calm down Shui." He whispered and I took a deep breath.

"Ah! Here we are dear." He says and I look to where he pointed. On the paper were the words: Wax seal, yellow gold. Engraving: Cursive BE. Pick up by Monday. Customer: JSY.

"JSY? Who's that?" I asked and I sighed.

"I'm afraid I'm not sure dear. But I can tell you she was a woman dear. Very elegant and very kind." The old man said and I smiled.

"If you can recall further details, please do contact me." I said as I handed him my calling card and a kind smile.

"Of course dear. I'll get back to you." He kindly stated as we bid goodbye and headed for Mingde.

I drove in silence, thinking about those initials. JSY. BE. What do they mean?

"Shuijing?" Meizuo asked and I hummed in response.

"You know I think there's like a brand with BE for initials." He suggested and I frowned.

"I've looked it up and there's a hundred of those Zuo." I said and he grasped my other hand that was on my lap while the other was on the steering wheel.

"We'll find something okay? I'm right here." He reassured me as he brought my hand to his lips, placing a gentle kiss which made me smile.

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

I walked hand in hand with Meizuo as I shivered from the cold. I still felt cold despite having multiple layers of clothes. I was wearing a black long-sleeved turtleneck tucked into high waisted black trousers and an oversized brown plaid jacket with black zip-up ankle boots.

We were heading for the club room when we saw Lei and Ximen with Ah Si who was smiling stupidly. Shancai was walking away with Qinghe and Li Zhen.

"What's with him?" I asked Lei who mouthed 'Shancai' which made me laugh in amusement.

"So Shancai's been staying with you after she was driven out by her landlady?" Ximen asked as he and Meizuo placed their hands on Ah Si's shoulders.

"Yes. She even woke me up this morning. " Ah Si said dreamily as he looked at the direction where Shancai went. Lei and I looked at him in amusement.

It's official. Daoming Si has lost it.

"What? Did I hear you right?" Meizuo asked cheekily.

"She woke you up? That means..." Ximen continued and I rolled my eyes, knowing exactly what they were thinking.

"I mean I can see the person I like when I wake up every day." Ah Si said as he turned to me and Lei with a bright smile which I returned.

"I wonder how that feels. Being woken up by the person you love in the morning." Meizuo teased as he looked at me and Ximen looked at him in confusion.

"You mean you and Shui haven't-"He started but immediately stopped as I shot him a glare.

"Nevermind." Ximen said as he cleared his throat and I smiled as I followed along with Ah Si and headed for the club room.

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

The boys were playing cards while I sat on the steps in front of the bookshelf and read through one of Lei's novels.

"What's going on? Shancai is a cleaner at your house? That's ridiculous." Meizuo asked in confusion which Ah Si laughed at.

"How can you develop such a unique love story when you're with Shancai?" Lei asked, stifling laughter.

"Because they're both not normal." Meizuo teased.

"By the way, I saw your application, Ah Si. You're going to graduate school?" Ximen asked as he placed a card down from the deck he was holding.

"Yes. Shancai is a sophomore. We'll graduate together if I stay two more years." Ah Si and I awed in admiration.

"That's so sweet Ah Si!" I squealed which earned a smile from the older boy.

"Hey! Aren't I sweet? I helped you with your business proposals yesterday and made you dinner!" Meizuo complained as he pouted which prompted me to stand up and place a quick peck on the lips.

"Play with your cards." I said as he puckered his lips, asking for a real kiss that I delivered. We pulled away when we heard Ximen groan.

"I don't know which couple I should be sick of. Ah Si and Shancai or you two." He complained as he scanned through his deck and placed another card down.

"Hey! I waited more than 10 years for this. Can't you be happy for me?" Meizuo said as I pulled out a chair and sat between him and Ah Si.

"Whatever." Ximen answered as he stifled a laugh.

"Wait, Ah Si. Does Shancai know?" I asked which Ah Si shook his head at.

"Not yet. Because I have to personally hear her say those three words." Ah Si said.

"Which three words? You are annoying, stay far away, you stupid fool or He he he?" Meizuo asked which made us all laugh.

"It seems you already have a perfect plan." Lei stated.

"Don't worry. I've got it all planned out." Ah Si confidently said as he held up a card, signifying his victory.

I was about to say something when my phone beeped.

REMINDER:

LUNCH MEETING WITH CEO OF BLANC AND ECLARE

"Guys, I gotta go." I said as I stood up and grabbed my bag.

"Where you off to Shui?" Ximen asked.

"I have a lunch meeting for a brand I'm endorsing." I explained and Ximen nodded.

"So is it a guy or a girl?" Ah Si asked and I shrugged.

"A guy."I said and Meizuo frowned.

"I'm coming with you." He said and I frowned.

"Don't you have class?" I asked.

"Yes. But I'll just ask Ximen for the lecture notes." He said and I sighed.

"No. That's not happening Zuo." I said as I strapped my bag on my shoulder.

"Why not?" He asked like it wasn't a big deal.

"Because school is important Zuo. Not to mention that you're a senior which makes it all the more reason why you shouldn't skip class." I said.

"You're more important." He said. In normal situations, I would have melted but this was a little ridiculous.

"Meizuo." I warned.

"What?" He asked.

"You're not coming with me and that's final." I said as I crossed my arms.

"No. I'm coming and THAT'S final." He answered back and crossed his arms.

"Why are you acting like this? It's just a lunch meeting." I asked, confused as to why he was being stubborn.

"A lunch meeting with a GUY." He emphasized and I sighed as I rolled my eyes.

"You're being unreasonable." I said as I shook my head.

"I'm being unreasonable? What if it was the other way around? What if I had a lunch date with another woman? Would you be comfortable with that?" He said and I scoffed in disbelief. Was he serious?

"Are you serious? I've been to numerous meetings with CEOs who were guys in the past. What makes this time any different?" I asked in frustration.

"You weren't my girlfriend then." He answered and my jaw dropped.

"So when I was still your best friend, I could meet whoever I want but now that I'm your girlfriend, you think that gives you the right to control who I meet for my JOB?" I asked and he stayed silent but continued to glare at me.

"Unbelievable." I said as I stomped out of the club room, ignoring Ximen, Lei, and Ah Si's calls for me.

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

I drove to the restaurant, ignoring Meizuo's calls and messages. I wasn't in the mood to talk to him. Who does he think he is? Just because I'm his girlfriend doesn't mean he can control me. I'm a person, not a piece of property.

I headed in and asked the waitress the reservation under 'Blanc and Eclare'. She led me to a table where an older looking man was seated.

"Uhm.. Excuse me?" I asked and he looked up and gave me a kind smile.

"Ah. Miss Tengtang. Please sit down." He offered and gestured to the seat in front of him. I smiled and sat down.

"It is true what they say. You're very pretty." He complimented.

"Thank you." I smiled in thanks.

"Oh, where are my manners? My name is Tyler. . The main shareholder of BLANC & ECLARE." He said as I shook his hand.

"Main shareholder? So you're not the CEO?" I asked and he laughed.

"I'm afraid not. The CEO is my fiancé." He explained and I nodded in understanding.

"She just went to the bathroom- oh there she is." He said as he looked behind me which prompted me to look as well.

Walking towards us was a very elegant and beautiful young woman. She had on a Carolina Herrera shift dress with a white collar long puff-sleeved blouse underneath. The dress was painted a pretty blush pink and was decorated with sequins and floral details. She carried a small black handbag and had on some white socks and white stilettos. She had on some pearl hoop earrings and her hair was lightly curled.

"Hi, sweetheart." Tyler said as he greeted the woman with a kiss on the cheek.

"Hi dear." The woman said back and she turned to look at me with a kind smile.

"You must be Shuijing. I'm Sooyeon. . CEO of BLANC & ECLARE." She said as she shook my hand.

I don't know why but I felt really comfortable around her.

Almost like...

She was..

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