I'll enjoy my paradise

Huo Zenghai simply replied as he pocketed the phone, "It was Xia."

"Oh...." Yu Chen mumbled as she plopped down on the sofa beside Zenghai and took up a can of beer.

"Hey Chen, you all right?" Huo Zenghai asked in a low voice.

Yu Chen looked at him surprised. She smiled and nodded her head, "Yeah."

Zenghai looked worried, "I'm really sorry. I shouldn't have done that."

Yu Chen shook her head with a mile as she gave the can to Zenghai and picked up the other one. So that really was the case. Xi Hua and Huo Zenghai had conspired to cheer her up.

She smiled as she sipped her beer, "I've got good friends." Yu Chen mumbled to herself.

"Huh? What?" Huo Zenghai turned around to ask, but at this point, Xi Hua came out of her room, fully dressed.

Hse walked over to them ans sat on the other side of Chen, saying, "Hey Chen, you sure you don't want to come? It'll be fun. I promise I'll restrain myself."

Yu Chen chuckled, "I really do have a coding competition. Ask Zenghai, he knows all about it."

Huo Zenghai took this opportunity to change the topic, "You participate in cook code's competitions? What's your rank? How come I've never seen you there?" He bombarded Chen with questions.

Yu Chen put a finger under her chin, "I'm pretty sure you have seen me there. I have the user name speedy."

"Huh? Speedy???? It indeed sounds like I have heard it." Huo Zenghai said as he took out his tablet and logged onto the sight.

"Speedy...speedy...speedy!!!! Here it is!! Holy shit Chen!!" Zenghai exclaimed as he looked from his tablet to Chen's face and then back at his tablet.

"Oh come on!!!" Hua exclaimed as she, unable to take the suspense, leaned over and snatched the tablet from Zenghai.

"Holy shit Chen!!! You are on the 17th position!?!?!? And that too all over the world!?!?!"

Huo Zenghai said as he leaned back on the sofa, "Of course, it's our Chen. Still, I've got to say I'm a bit disappointed. No. 17. Tut tut."

Xi Hua said as she handed the tablet back, "Oh? You're disappointed? What's your rank then?"

Huo Zenghai stammered and then turned silent as the two girls chuckled. He crossed his arms and started sulking.

Yu Chen punched his shoulder and said, "Don't worry. I would hate to disappoint you. Today, I'll be aiming to reach the top ten. Now, don't you both have to leave?" Saying this Chen pushed the two away from the sofa.

Xi Hua looked worried as she grabbed her purse, "You sure you don't want to come?"

Yu Chen waved the can of beer in her hand, "You go enjoy your paradise. I'll enjoy mine."

Hua rolled her eyes as the two headed out of the apartment.

After they were gone, Yu Chen sat still for a moment before she took out her phone.

She dialled a number that was written across her heart. Chen expected the call not to connect, but to her surprise, Si Xia picked up after three rings.

"Hello..." Chen's voice trembled as she spoke.