“Honestly, this food tastes like trash!” Li Yue said.

“Sorry, Ma’am,” Jun Nee said. “I will have the kitchen check.”

“The service here is pathetic, not that a commoner like you would know… what… good…” Li Yue gulped and looked over her shoulder.

Standing behind her was Wang Zen, the Jao twins and Deng Ai. He had an angry look on his face as he glared at her.

“O-Oh, its you, Wang Zen! Long time no…”

“Cut the crap, Li Yue,” Zen said. “Are you being rude to my friend?”

“No, not at all.” She said.

“You better not,” Zen said.

Li Yue smiled and backed away.

“Honestly, the Li family keep getting worse,” Zen said.

“Jun Nee, good to see you!” Jao Fuu said.

“Hello, Miss Jao.” Jun Nee bowed.

“You know Jun Nee?” Zen said.

“Yes,” Jao Cong said, “We came here twice, each time you were not around. You’re mother told us you were on an extended training trip.”

“Oh, yeah.” Zen said.

“Jun Nee kept us company, to be honest, she was better company than you.” Fuu said.

“Yeah, I bet she is.” Zen said.

Jun Nee blushed. “Let me get back to my duties.” She bowed again before excusing herself.

“Granpa Jao is coming over. I think I’m going to leave and get some snacks.” Zen said.

“I’ll go with you.” Fuu said. “You want anything, Cong’er?”

“No, sister.” Cong said. “Wait, Deng Ai might want… oh, she’s gone.”

“Its okay,” Deng Ai said, his face turning a shade of red. “I could never imagine asking your sister to get me anything.”

“So, why did you guys come looking for me in the past?” Zen said, while he and Fuu walked to the food and drinks section. “It wasn’t purely just to visit me, was it?”

“You got us,” Fuu said. “It was still early in our business. We wanted to recruit you.”

“As a researcher?”

“Pshht, do you think that’s what I do in the team? Research?” Fuu said.

Zen shrugged.

“No, the research is for Cong’er and Deng Ai. They are the brains. I am the muscle.”

“Quite a weird trajectory you three took.” Zen said. “But it does sound fun.”

“Yeah, its not what I expected for my life either. Being my brother and his friend’s bodyguard.”

“What did you expect?”

“Being married to an influential, rich and handsome man.” She said.

“Wow, really?” Zen said, giggling.

Fuu rolled her eyes, “Save the insults,” she said as they reached the food table. “I know your insult is going to be ‘no man would want to marry you.’”

“I don’t know about that but I was going to say it marriage would be a waste for you.” Zen said. “You are a warrior, almost as much of a warrior as me, you should be out, smashing heads… not smashing a husband.”

“Aww, thanks Coz.” Fuu said.

“That’s a worrying view you have of marriage, Wang Zen.” Jingyi said, joining them. “I hope it is not a symbol of things to come?”

“Uh, Jingyi! Of course not.”

“Whose this?” Fuu said.

“This is Choi Jingyi, Choi Jingyi, this is my cousin Jao Fuu.”

Jingyi nodded respectfully at Fuu. “Nice to meet you. Wang Ze, if you have a moment, I would like to speak to you at a later time.”

Zen nodded and she departed.

“Who is she?” Fuu said.

“You may find out soon enough.” Zen said.

“So, the offer is still open.” Fuu said. “You can still join our company. Be the second muscle.”

Zen shook his head no. “I have my own goals and joining you guys would not help me meet them. But if you guys need my help, just call.”

Fuu smiled, “I might hold you to that.”

The sound of glass being tapped could be heard over the hum of the crowd and the music stopped. Everyone looked at Ling.

“Everyone, please sit down at the dining tables. We will have our main course of dinner!”

“Looks like the announcement is coming up.” Fuu said. “I can’t wait to see what you guys are hiding from us.” She winked.

“Yeah,” Zen said, sounding depressed.