CURIOSITY

Guan groans in frustration looking at the bustling street outside.

Yes, he is still at ReadIt.

It's his second week of being staff here. It still annoys him as ever. Who would be glad looking at the pile of books and magazines all day? It is also hard to slack off because his every move is monitored by his father as far as he has known. He knew because he did it once and almost lost his car – it was towed even though he was parking in the right spot.

Arggghhh!

'Boring!'

Guan internally screams his brains out.

He is totally bored.

And it is unbelievably hot right now. The AC is even on max but he is still sweating buckets. It is not even summer season yet.

He really needs to chill right now. This unbearable heat is making his hea

He is cracking his brain up with what to do when a message arrives on his phone. Guan furrows his brows, looking at a photo of people he did not know of.

'Who the hell are these people?'

Su Bin replied in an instant.

'Remember the woman together with Amy we met at the hospital? I found her.'

Guan's eyes lit up and takes another look at the picture. There are two women, but of course, he easily spotted the one he was looking for. A smile flitted on his lips.

Well, well! Who would have thought that Su Bin can be this efficient? He should give his cousin a good reward for this, Guan thought.

'How did you obtain the photo?'

'I have my ways.'

He raises his brow and scoffs at Su Bin's haughty reply.

'Meet me at the café across the publishing. ASAP!'

----

Guan sits cross-legged nearby the window with Yinyang Publishing clear in the view. Great timing, it's noon break and he is craving some good coffee – even if he does not like coffee at all.

A knock interrupts him from his reverie.

"Why are you drinking coffee all of a sudden? Is the sun rising from the east now? You only drink tea as far as I can remember."

Su Bin cocks his head to the side, "And it has to be in front of the publishing? What are your intentions this time? You, sly bastard."

Su Bin rambled as soon as his butt landed on the chair across Guan.

"Intentions?" Guan innocently peers at Su Bin, "I craved for some coffee all of a sudden, and I heard the coffee here is good. I don't need to have good intentions to come here."

Su Bin narrows his eyes. Clearly, he is not convinced by Guan's alibi.

Guan scoffs at how Su Bin knew him well. "I also love the view here," he says, turning his eyes to where the entrance of the publishing is.

"So, you just called me here to watch and wait for the people entering and exiting the publishing?"

"You can say that."

Su Bin agonizingly closes his eyes hearing Guan's reply. He pursed his lips to prevent his mouth from cursing out loud – his fists curl up in hard clench under the table.

"You are unbelievable! I'm a busy man, you know that."

Guan ignores him and continues watching outside while sipping coffee from time to time.

'Just look at him acting as if he is enjoying that coffee. Fuck!'

It's irritating to watch Guan elegantly pick the cup up and bring it to his mouth. Makes Su Bin want to flip the table.

"You know what, I have to go. I have to review some files back in the office. I don't have time for your games and tricks."

"Sit."

Su Bin is already up on his feet when he heard Guan's imposing tone, automatically making him freeze on the spot.

"Did you think I forgot about what you did?" Guan glares at him while pointing at the cut on his lower lip.

Su Bin saw it and lost his words. He had no choice but to get back down on his seat and willingly sip on the coffee in front of him ordered by none other than – the man who just threatened him.

"Tsk! I only got my revenge for what you also did last time," he whispers, and thankfully Guan was not paying attention to him.

And why is holding him accountable when he deserved it? Serves him right not to reflect on his own actions.

"Good. She's here."

She?

Su Bin's ears perk up, glancing in the direction Guan is staring.

"Ha, beats me," Su Bin murmurs. He really thought that the 'she' Guan was referring to was Min Chu. Turns out it was Amy's Editor he was talking about.

She is queuing at the counter accompanied by a man he also met last Friday. So, they both are working at Yinyang Publishing.

Su Bin glances at the woman queuing at the counter and then back at Guan. The intense stare his cousin is giving the woman is quite…unusual. But he wonders if they are even genuine.

"So, what are you going to do now?" he asks, supporting his chin with his knuckles. "Don't tell me you're just going to sit there and watch her all day?" Su Bin taunts the man in front of him, smirking devilishly.

"For now, yes."

"Pfft!" Su Bin immediately covers his mouth to prevent the spilling liquid from ruining his shirt. The answer caught him off guard.

"Are you a pervert?!" he asks through gritted teeth.

"What did you just say?!"

Guan's brooding eyes made his heart leap out of his chest for a second.

Su Bin sighs and leans back while chuckling, "I mean, you can approach her normally, not like this. You're like a predator, looking for timing and trying to catch its prey. What's with all the suspense? Anyway, why are you even targeting her? Many women are willing to kiss your feet."

"She makes me curious."

"Pfft! Whoa! That came from your mouth. Have you forgotten, 'curiosity killed the cat'?"

"Well, this time, I think the cat will be enlightened. Let's go."

"Wait," Su Bin takes one last on his coffee before running after Guan outside.

"Amy is in there."

"Huh? Really?"

Su Bin takes a look outside but Guan pulls him violently away and brings him into an alley.

"Hey, Bro, I know you still have a grudge against me about that night but you don't have to ruin my suit!" He swings Guan's hand and fixes his coat for some wrinkles, also straightening his tie. "You deserved it, though."

"Say that again…"

Guan's hand is stranded in the air as Su Bin holds a hand to his face to stop him, the latter is receiving a call.

"Hello? Yes, I'll be there right away." He hangs up, "Oh, what to do, I have an emergency at the office."

Guan slowly lowers his right hand and puts it in his pocket. Clicking his tongue, he nods his head and slaps his arm with his other hand.

----

Amy immediately spotted Liu Yang together with another editor when she arrived at the café. She sweetly smiled and approaches them, giving Liu Yang a hug before taking a seat.

"Sister Yang, I'm sorry—uh, wait a minute," Amy did not continue what she was talking about when she saw familiar faces outside.

Curious, she narrows her eyes to have a closer look. Her seat is facing in front of the floor-to-ceiling glass wall. She must not be mistaken, it's her Second and Third Brothers.

Attempting to go out and talk to them, Amy witnessed how Guan pulled Su Bin into a corner – probably to an alley. She stops in her tracks and thought to herself, that they must have something urgent to deal with, it seems like they are in a hurry.

Amy decided to go back to her seat. She'll just call them later to confirm it.

"What's wrong?" Liu Yang asks when Amy got back.

"Nothing," Amy furrows her brows with a smile, "I thought I saw someone I know, turns out it was someone else."

"Okay. Oh, by the way, this Editor Xu."

"Nice to meet you, Editor," Amy politely smiles, holding her hand out to the other Editor next to Liu Yang.

"The pleasure is mine, Miss Amy." Wan Li accepts her hand. "You know, Editor Liu told great things about you," Wan Li adds, peering meaningfully at Liu Yang.

It confuses the latter. She has no idea what he is talking about.

"Just Amy," she replies sweetly. "And, what great…things?" Amy asks, turning to Liu Yang, her eyes asking what Wan Li is talking about.

Liu Yang gives Wan Li a side-eye glance and pinches his leg but he remains unfazed.

"Oh! Look at the time. It seems like I have to get going now," Wan Li says, glancing at his watch. "You two go on with your meeting, then."

Amy: "Yeah, sure. Bye."

"Bye," Liu Yang says coldly.

But Wan Li is used to her acting this way. He gives her a hug and waves at Amy goodbye before heading towards the door.