A Challenge, For Her

Xu Lingwei and Xia Yanxi were best friends during their childhood. Both of them were still friends even till this day. The two of them were enrolled in the same school, the same course. 

Aunt Xu's only child was Lingwei alone. Her husband had long since passed. Alone, she had been taking good care of Lingwei, albeit with some hardships. It had never been easy, to be fair, and Xia Yanxi knew better. 

Touched, Xia Yanxi cried. She took the card and placed it back into Aunt Xu's hands and surrendered into her embrace. In this life of hers, those that were truly kind, and willing to give without asking for anything in return, were scarce beyond reason. 

"Xu! What are you doing there! Get back to work! You have fruits to wash and prepare," Yao Manlian's gorilla-like voice, although exaggerated, came roaring from behind. Xia Yanxi knew Yao Manlian was only fanning the flames but she was already comforted by Aunt Xu's loving embrace. 

She pulled herself together and gave Aunt Xu a worried yet comforting smile. 

"Aunt Xu, please don't worry about me. Mumu and I will be fine out there. When all is done, and the storm is over, I will be back. I will come back for you," Xia Yanxi said. 

Aunt Xu smiled back. Seeing as how the young girl she once knew was now matured and all grown up to take on the world, she could not help but shed a happy tear. 

"Miss, remember to take care of yourself too!" 

"I will. I will be fine. You best head back." 

***

The afternoon sun was still blazing in the sky. By the time she was outside the villa, it had started drizzling. 

She was without an umbrella, running as fast as she could, dragging the heavy suitcase behind her. After only taking a few steps, the feeble sound of Huo Shiyu's voice rang from behind. 

"Sister!" 

Xia Yanxi's footsteps faltered. She turned to her, with eyes that reflected nothing but contempt, before continuing on her way. 

"Sister! Sister! Wait!" Huo Shiyu cried. She might look fragile but she was the defending champion in sprint racing. It did not take long for her to chase after her elder sister. 

Xia Yanxi, defeated, stopped and glared at her little sister who was blocking her way. The girl, like those out of the paintings, looked at Xia Yanxi and smirked. 

"What do you want?" Xia Yanxi asked. 

Huo Shiyu was holding an umbrella but she did not hand it over to her. Instead, her eyes were mocking her silently. The slanted, narrowed eyes that were filled with contempt. 

"Big brother Wenxuan has been your childhood friend since forever, and that did not stop me. Not even when you got engaged to him! To tell you the truth, I was already with him two years ago. Although I have yet to give him my first, I have already done everything a woman can do for a man's pleasure." 

Huo Shiyu was not done. She lifted her hand, and playfully touched her lips, sticking out her tongue, whilst smiling lecherously. 

"He loves this mouth of mine… Do you know why?" 

Xia Yanxi had neither the time nor the attention then. 

"Move." 

She did not move. Instead, she stuck out her thumb and playfully licked it, obscenely even. 

"He loves it because I am really good at giving him the…" 

Before she could finish her sentence. Xia Yanxi bellowed with a shriek. 

"Huo Shiyu, say another word, and I'll slap that face of yours." 

Huo Shiyu's smirk widened as he eyes narrowed like a jester. 

"Oh dear, it seems I have indeed struck a nerve! Or could it be that you're masking your bashful side with anger?" 

"Move, get out of my sight." 

If she were to take in more of this, Xia Yanxi would surely draw the last straw. 

The two were perfect for each other. A dishonest man, a repulsive woman, what a perfect match. Why would she be upset? 

"Come now, there's no reason to be upset. Or perhaps, you wish to know how Big Brother Wenxuan helps me in that particular matter?" 

Xia Yanxi was trying to leave but the vixen that was her sister was still adamant in keeping her there. Every move she made was met with a similar counter by Shiyu. That was it. The final straw. 

He raised her arm to push her away, but her strength failed her. Even so, a single touch was all it took for Huo Shiyu to fall onto the ground, onto the dampened, dirty tar road.

Xia Yanxi stood there, befuddled. Why would Huo Shiyu fall down on her own accord? 

The answer to that came in the form of footsteps from behind. Bai Wenxuan was coming.