It had been a week and I still didn't get anywhere with the stuff Auntie Jade gave me. The boys helped out as much as they could even Ah Si who was still locking himself up in his room. He said that I didn't have anything to do with his fight with Ximen so he was more than willing to help but he didn't find anything either.

I sighed as I closed my eyes and frowned. A knock on the door interrupted my thoughts.

"Shui? It's me." A voice said.

"Come in Zuo." I replied, my eyes still closed as I heard the door shut and feel my boyfriend come in.

"Hey. You okay?" He asked as I felt him kiss my forehead as I opened my eyes and turned my chair to face him. He sat down in front of me, slightly crouching as he held my hands in both of his.

"It's one dead end after another Zuo. It's been weeks and I still got nothing. Even Ah Si couldn't find anything." I complained and he gave me a small smile.

"You'll find them. I know you will Shui. We're all here for you okay?" He reassured me, smiling as he leaned in and briefly kissed me. I giggled as he pulled away.

"You know, one of these days, kisses aren't going to help me." I teased as he laughed.

"Oh really? Well.until.that.happens.I'm. going. to. keep.kissing.you." He said, kissing my cheek after every word as I giggled and wrapped my arms around him. He hummed as he pulled me closer.

"Come on. Let's go." He said as he offered his hand and stood up. I looked at him, confused.

"Go where?" I asked as I stood up, holding his hand. My eyebrows furrowed as I looked at what he was wearing. It was Mingde's uniform for high schoolers. I slightly smiled as I remembered how much I used to stare at him when we sat together at lunch.

"To cheer you up. Oh, which reminds me." He said before grabbing a large paper bag and handing it to me.

"What's this?" I asked, peeking inside. My old uniform, neatly folded and ironed out.

"Get changed Shui. I'll wait outside." He said before kissing my forehead and walking out of my room.

I pulled out the uniform, setting it on my bed as I wondered what my boyfriend had in store. The uniform consisted of a white long-sleeved shirt, a dark blue necktie with a matching short skirt and jacket.

What was he planning now?

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

"Shui! Hurry up!" I heard Meizuo yell from downstairs.

"Okay okay! I'm almost done!" I yelled back as I placed a brown beret on my hair and adjusted my black thigh high socks and black pumps. I grabbed my small blue leather backpack which was a gift from Ximen, placing a pair of white sneakers and wallet inside. I placed my car keys inside my jacket pocket and grabbed my phone before heading downstairs.

"Zuo." I said as he turned his head to look at me.

"Let's go?" He asked, smiling before taking my bag in one hand and my hand in the other. I nodded, briefly kissing his cheek as we walked out of my house.

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

We drove to the park where the rest of the boys were waiting, clad in their school uniforms. Meizuo helped me out as he carried my bag and held my hand in the other. Meizuo had made me change into my sneakers and placed my heels in his car.

They were leaning against a tree. Ximen and Lei waved happily at me while Ah Si kept his distance from them but nevertheless gave me a small smile. I guess he and Ximen still haven't made up.

"Hey guys." I greeted as we reached them.

"Uh, not to be rude but what are you guys doing here?" I asked, still confused.

"We know you're still stressed about not finding your real parents so Meizuo set this up and we wanted to cheer you up too." Lei explained and I smiled at all of them.

"Aww, thanks guys. You're so sweet." I said as I hugged the 3 of them. I heard Meizuo cough.

"Excuse me, I think your boyfriend would like a hug too." He teased, obviously jealous because I still haven't removed my arms around Lei's neck while his were around my waist.

"Nope. I think I'll stay with Lei." I teased as Lei held me closer as Meizuo huffed and pulled me to him.

"Hmph." He said as he pulled me closer and lightly pecked my cheek.

"So, shall we?" Ximen asked as he smiled and showed me the park. I laughed as I pulled away from Meizuo and chased Ximen and Lei around.

We spent the entire afternoon touring the rest of the city and just having fun like when we were still in high school. We flew kites, played around with bubble sticks, and just forgot about all our problems.

Came lunchtime, Meizuo and I bought some instant noodles and as he offered one to Ah Si, Ah Si walked away. I frowned before heading over to talk to him.

"Ah Si." I said as he turned to face me.

"I know you're still down about losing Shancai and fighting with Ximen but it means a lot to me that you're here. Thank you." I said as I gave him a smile which he returned.

"I'll be okay Shui. Besides, you're like a little sister to me. I wanna help you destress even if I'm having problems okay?" He said as he hugged me lightly, offering me a smile.

I just hoped he could fully smile his real smile soon. But I knew that would only happen if Shancai comes back.

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

The next day, Lei and I headed for Ah Si's place. Lei apparently found a video of Shancai cooking squid so we were heading to his place to tell him where she was. Meizuo and Ximen still had to finish some of their final projects and turn them in so I opted to let them know what Lei and I found out and were planning to bring Shancai home.

Ah Si was moping around in his room when Lei and I entered.

"Hey. Are you listening to me? Shancai's in the fishing village nearby." Lei explained which made Ah Si look at us.

"You found her? I thought she was kidnapped for hard labor." Ah Si replied.

"She was. She looks tired." Lei said but Ah Si kept quiet. I frowned, walking over and standing in front of Ah Si.

"Do you know what she's doing? She's grilling squid. She's all sweaty. She can't speak properly from all the smoke." I explained but Ah Si remained silent.

"And she's creating a new flavor. She's really great. She's so creative." Lei added. Still no reaction from Ah Si.

"Why are you still sitting there? Go pick her up." I complained.

"I'm not going. You guys go." Ah Si replied and my eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

"But what does it have to do with us? This is your problem." Lei prodded.

"If it's none of your business, it's even more so with me. You're her friends. You two can go." Ah Si stubbornly answered.

"Let's go together." Lei said.

"Don't be silly. She left me. Why should I go? Go if you want to. You don't need my permission." Ah Si angrily declared as he stood up, staring at me and Lei.

Lei and I sighed before walking out of Ah Si's room.

Sometimes, I really just want to punch Ah Si because of his hard-headedness.

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

As I strapped on my seatbelt, I pulled out my phone and called Ximen. I tried calling Meizuo's phone but it was unattended.

I waited for a few minutes before I was met with the sad-looking face of my boyfriend. I laughed as Lei slid in the driver's side door and showed the phone to him.

"Hi Zuo."

"Tengtang Shuijing, why are you calling Ximen? Aren't I your boyfriend?" He said with a pout and I giggled while Lei groaned beside me.

"Well Feng Meizuo, if you answered on the first two tries, it's your phone I'd be calling." I answered back and he pouted.

"So where are you two going anyway? Did you talk to Ah Si?" Ximen asked as he sat beside Meizuo. I sighed.

"We're going to pick up Shancai. Lei found a video of her grilling squid somewhere. I assume she followed her parents and is staying there for the time being." I explained.

"What did Ah Si say?" Meizuo asked and I sighed.

"He's still being stubborn? That's it. I'm going over there to give him a piece of my mind." Ximen said, getting up and grabbing his coat.

"Ximen, don't. Let him be." I protested, making him stop.

"Shui, he's being an idiot and a coward... At this rate, he'll never get Shancai back." Ximen complained and Meizuo nodded in agreement.

"Guys, this is his first heartbreak. Let him deal with it okay? It's obvious he's taking it hard. If he wants Shancai back, let him figure it out by himself." I advised and they both sighed.

"All right. Call me when you get back Shui. Lei, take care of my girlfriend, you're going to another island. Make sure no other male species get near her." Meizuo warned and Lei and I just laughed.

"Okay, Mr. I-don't-get-jealous. I'll call you later. I love you. Bye." I said, laughing.

"Love you too. Bye." He said before hanging up.

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

We had arrived after taking a boat to the island. Lei and I walked around when we noticed a very long line. As Lei and I walked closer, we saw Shancai peacefully grilling squid. I lightly laughed as I saw the hat she was wearing. It was a bright red foam squid hat.

"Why is your hat so ugly?" Lei said as we approached Shancai, prompting her to look at us.

"Lei. Shuijing, why are you here?" She asked, continuing to grill the squid but keeping her eyes on us.

"We're here to bring you home." I said and she looked unsure.

We ended up going with her to where they were staying.

"Huaze Lei. Shuijing. Make sure you eat a lot. Shuijing, you've gotten skinnier since the last time I saw you. Here, I cooked this earlier." She said as she softly grasped my arms and placed a bowl of sweet and spicy pork in front of me.

"Thank you Auntie." I said as I continued to eat happily.

"Is this the legendary Eight Treasure Squid? It's really good." Lei said as he ate a piece of the squid Uncle placed in front of him.

"Do you want some Yakult with it? It will taste even better." Uncle said as he gave me and Lei a bottle each.

"By the way, Shancai. You've stayed here for so long. When are you going back to school?" Auntie asked as Lei and I looked at Shancai who continued to eat.

"I don't want to go back yet." Shancai answered dismissively.

"Is your seafood survey assignment that difficult? You're not done yet?" Uncle asked.

"No, I'm not." Shancai lied and I frowned.

"Shancai. I remember your professor said that you can go back if you're almost done with it." Lei prodded, clearly lying but Uncle and Auntie didn't notice.

"Yes. Why are you staying here? You can ask your professors if you have any questions." Auntie added as she gave me and Lei another piece of squid.

"Shancai has never cut any class before. She does well in school. We don't need to worry about her." Uncle bragged.

"Of course. Whose daughter is she?" Auntie added.

"Yes. I also believe Shancai would not disappoint you. Right, Shancai?" I said, looking at Shancai.

"I'll go back to school as soon as possible." Shancai stated as she chewed her food. Lei and I shared a knowing look as we happily ate our food.

After lunch, the three of us headed out to the docks to talk.

"It's quite nice here." Lei commented as we stared at the sea and I nodded in agreement.

"How did you guys know I was here?" Shancai asked.

"I saw the trending video online. Your outfit was really nice. You were grilling squid. You looked really cool cooking it." Lei said.

"You're the special prize winner of the culinary competition indeed. You didn't disappoint. You can survive anywhere." I complimented the young girl.

"Thanks for coming here." Shancai said.

"Don't thank us." Lei said.

"How is he doing?" Shancai asked, unsure.

"You can see him when you go back to school." Lei added.

"Shancai, If you like him that much, why won't you tell him?" I asked.

"It's because I like him, that's why I can't let him know." Shancai answered and I sighed.

"Shancai, I know how you feel. I did that for the past 15 years of my life. It did nothing but hurt me. So I decided to tell him how I felt and look at us now. I think it's worth the risk Shancai and don't be afraid of Auntie, we'll help you and your friends and family okay?" I said and Shancai sighed.

After some convincing from us and her parents, she decided to come back to Shanghai with me and Lei. I sat in the back while Shancai sat in front with Lei.

"What are you looking for?" Lei asked as Shancai scrolled through her phone.

"A place to rent in Airbnb." Shancai said.

"There's no need. We already took care of it." I said, giving her a kind smile. She looked on in confusion as Lei started to drive. And before long, Shancai had fallen asleep.

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

I had Lei drop me off at Meizuo's house before he headed for Shancai's house. Ximen, Xiaozi, Qinghe, Li Zhen and Xiaoyou were all waiting for her. We had all pitched in to get her something for the house like appliances and other stuff.

"Tell the others I said hi Lei." I quietly told Lei as I got out of the car, careful not to wake Shancai. He nodded with a smile before waving goodbye and driving away.

I walked towards the door and pressed the doorbell. After a few minutes, the door opened and I was met with the smiling face of my boyfriend.

"Hey." I said as he kissed my cheek, holding his hand as he led me inside and closed the door behind him.

"I missed you." He said as he hugged me from behind, making me giggle.

"Zuo, I've been gone for two hours." I joked which made his arms tighten around me.

"That's too long." He complained.

"What did you wanna show me?" I said, pulling away from him but keeping a hold of his hand.

"Yeah... About that.." He trailed off, lightly scratching his head.

"Zuo?" I asked, curiously which made him turn to look at me.

"I think I found your real family."

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

Please don't forget to comment and vote!

I'm so sorry for not updating in so long. Finals have been so stressful and I cannot even tell you guys how many breakdowns I had while I was doing stuff for school. But anyways, I'm back and I hope you guys are still enjoying.

The story is close to it's end but don't worry, there will still be some trials for our beloved couple so stay tuned!