Weekend Plans

Chan Lee couldn't exactly remember what happened last night—but Han Jing probably had drunk the elixir without her consent. She smiled at him before deciding to leave the two to make up or spend some time together.

"I'll leave the door unlocked so Xue can walk in later." She waved at them. "I'm too tired to wait for the results."

Han Jing had the capacity to hold a palm over his face. "I wouldn't really be announcing all of that so casually." 

"It's only the three of us here, anyhow, goodnight!" She left them at that.

What she did recall however was her choosing to sleep on the floor. But now she found herself on the bed. Leaning over, she saw that Xue was on the floor and swaddled with blankets like a baby.

She studied him for a moment.

A peaceful expression on his face, long lashes fluttering slightly. Some strands of his hair stuck to his cheek, she couldn't help but feel her lips twitch. "He's too cute for his own good." She muttered to herself and stood up, stretching her arm slightly.

Wait.

If she had slept on the floor… did he carry her on his own? She felt her face heat up. "I must have been heavy. Geez, he should have woken me up." It was no use pondering over last night's events, she had been deeply asleep to even recall and hint of memory of it at all. Chan Lee grabbed for her phone to check the time.

It was 6:30am and there was a text message.

'Hi Chan Lee, how are you doing dear? I was thinking of visiting some time this month.'

Something she had to brace herself for… she was less than ready. 

'I'm a little busy with exams, I don't think I can allot enough time to spend time with you. Maybe some other time please?'

She closed her phone for a moment, she had to prepare for her classes again. But first of all… something for her and Xue. Chan Lee walked over to her food cabinet and took out the sachets of instant oatmeal, somehow she was used to the plain taste of it everyday.

It made sense to not vary her food and choose something quick.

But this time, it made her wonder if she should get something else for Xue. She could find the oatmeal, bread and cereal as palatable food but she had to at least make sure that he was enjoying his meals. 

For now though, Chan Lee prepared two servings of oatmeal… and she added another serving. Just in case Han Jing decided to drop by or Xue got extra hungry. The fruits and vegetables were quickly depleted, and she was glad that he seemed to be enjoying the greens—she wasn't.

After that quick preparation, she began her own morning routine. Taking a little longer at the shower to erase the sleepiness with the invigorating cold water, Chan Lee stepped out of the bathroom now fully dressed.

Just enough time to let her see Xue rub his eyes and yawn, finally getting up from his huddle of blankets. He blinked blearily at her, "Good morning, Chan Lee."

Without a 'Miss'? She smiled and nodded. "Yeah, good morning Xue. I have some oatmeal at the table, and well I can't stick around too long but I'll ask Han Jing to take over again. How did last night go?"

"It was good, last night was a success." He nodded with what seemed to be a sense of self-satisfaction. "I got some help from Han Jing to procure this." He procured a small tube with a cork from his short pocket. "You can give this to Hua Zhao for free as a 'tester' for the authenticity of it."

She blinked, procure? Did the two of them head over to a pharmacy or a convenience store to buy the container. She accepted the flask from him. "Alright thanks, do you have a set price or something?"

"Oh...I'm not really sure either, Miss Chan Lee." He sheepishly scratched his cheek. "Han Jing told me to price exorbitantly but if there's already some people producing this, then perhaps around the same price?"

"Well, er, I'll try my best. I'll see you again later."

"Didn't you make too much food?" Xue tilted his head.

Chan Lee approached the table and swooped up her bowl, "Oh, this was supposed to be my food. Well it's a bit cold now..." She quickly scooped and gulped them down. She ignored the man staring at her and she wiped the corner of her mouth. "Excuse my bad manners but I'm rushing."

 A little quirk made its way to his lips, "Let's have a meal together this weekend, you shouldn't be eating too hastily, Miss Chan Lee."

She scratched her cheek but nodded. "Alright, see you tonight." She grabbed her things and then went out.

Another day. Another day again.

When she arrived at the university, she headed to the tracks for the mandatory run. A familiar group was there, Mei was walking with Suyin, Gen and Xiaobo.

"Look who finally made it here." Gen yawned.

"Good morning, Chan Lee~" Mei greeted as Suyin gave her a sleepy wave. Out of the four of them, it seemed that Xiaobo was the only one who looked alive. "A bit late to arrive?"

"Yeah, but it's not like the coach actually cares that much with the time you come as long as write your name down in the attendance." She could see Hua Zhao in the front with his usual group of friends, Ning Bi and Bo Ling… "Hey, is that guy over there siblings with Bo Lifen."

"Who?"

"That Bo Ling?" Gen rubbed his eyes, "Wasn't his sister a cold beauty? Man, somebody got the genetic lottery."

"Hey, he's not that bad looking." Mei spoke up with a shake of her head.

"Huh, that never crossed my mind. Those groups are the rowdy bunch so I never associated that the two might be related." Suyin shrugged.

Chan Lee scratched her cheek. "Well it was just something that I remembered." They referred to Hua Zhao's group of friends as a rowdy bunch, well they weren't exactly wrong.

But she still needed to talk with the man.

"Why are you looking over their way, are you eyeing on that guy?" Gen chuckled. "You don't really have to look too far."

Suyin snickered. "Are you referring to someone close by? Because there's no good-looking guy within six feet." She glanced at Xiaobo, "No offense to you, dude."

"None taken."

"Geez, Xiaobo have a little more pride. It can't be helped Suyin here is blind to our appeal."

Mei giggled and stepped closer to Chan Lee, her voice lowering. "What's the matter? You're looking at Hua Zhao."

"Oh… er, I just need to talk with him over something." She quietly answered with a shrug. "It's no big deal really."

"By the way, Chan Lee. Would you mind taking over a shift real soon?" Suyin strode over to them with a smile. "And what's with the hush-hush tone."

"Ick, girl talk again." Gen sighed loudly. "Come on Xiaobo, let's go talk about manly things like how we're emotionally turmoiled at their distance, our poor hearts."

Xiaobo merely raised a brow at Gen. "What?"

"Don't judge me!" Gen chuckled. "The best kind of men are vulnerable with their emotions. You know, the sensitive kind? Girls dig that, I should know."

Suyin prodded her. "So can you, Chan Lee?"

"Of course!" She smiled and nodded.

"That's great, I'll add you in my contacts. The shift is kind of like a regular hour shift, but maybe you'd like to be a little early so somebody can show you the ropes."

"Hey, after this run—let's go to the cafeteria. I'm starving for breakfast." Gen spoke up.

"And this is why you won't get that six pack abs you wanted." Suyin rolled her eyes. "All the calories burned here are simply reduced to zero when you eat again."

Gen stuck out  a tongue. "You say that when you're not so skinny yourself."

"Hey! I'm not skinny but I'm curvy and not fat like you." Suyin rolled her eyes. "Know the difference."

Gen audibly gulped. "...You're right."

"Did you just check me out?" Suyin's attention flew to the man that was behind them.

"I can't help it! You just drew attention to yourself by saying you're curvy!" Gen raised his hands up in defense.

"Ew, Gen." Mei added with a shake of her head.

"Geez, don't act so innocent when you women also check us out." Gen pouted, "Anyhow, whatever you guys say—we're all going to end up at the cafeteria together so no need to gang up on this poor lout."

Chan Lee wondered if that included her but she couldn't find it in herself to ask, it was just going to embarrass her if they weren't counting them in the group. It was a nasty thought that slithered in her mind despite the warm reception she had with them.

Besides…

Her gaze focused on Hua Zhao in the distance. He had a carefree expression in his face, wholeheartedly relaxed and at ease in his own group of friends.

She needed to talk with him.