We Are Friends

"Lei mei!" Xia Yu paused in her tracks. But she did not turn back to face him. "Either we like it or we don't, we are already married and sharing a house." her grip tightened on her bag as he walked closer and only stopped two feet away.

"So would it not be better that we at least live like friends if not a couple." he let go of a breath and sighed. "It feels strange that you ignore me even when we share a room. Must you be so cold to me?" 

"...." Xia yu gasped. Was he not the one who had told real Lei mei that he did not accept her as his wife?

Had he not told her to not disturbed him?

"Han Zhou!" she finally turned to meet his eyes and noticed worry in them.

"I can not accept you as my wife at once, Mei. but we can at least be friends. No?" she stared deep into his sincere eyes.

Would it not be better for her sister when she returns? She would crave love from him. Being friends would help her. And it would not harm her in any way.

"If you do not want to.." his voice turned cold when she only stared at him but did not reply.

"No, not at all. Of course I want to have a good relationship with you." She took a step forward and extended her hand for friendship. Han Zhou stared at it with an amused look.

Would she run away if he asked for more? Shaking hands with your wife! He looked amused by the extended hand, but looking at her nervous eyes and stiffened posture, he accepted her hands. 

With a gleam in her eyes that could light the whole room, she shook his hands.

"We will share a room too." she announced, making him chuckle.

"Yes, but I still have some work left. You go ahead." Xia Yu stared at him as if confirming something before nodding and leaving the hall.

"What in the world was that? Are we really friends now?"

—--------------

"There is a delivery for sir. Would you pass it to him, madam?" The housekeeper wiped her hands with her apron and took out a large envelope from the kitchen.

Xia Yu hesitated. Han Zhou looked exhausted after working till late. Even when she woke up, he was still sleeping so she did not wake him up.

"Give it to me." She took the envelope and went upstairs. As she opened the door of their bedroom, she heard the sound of a shower. 

Socks were falling near the bed, she picked them up and cleaned the room. Then she arranged his clothes. When Han Zhou came out with a towel wrapped around his waist, he paused to see Xia Yu.

She was folding his clothes and neatly arranging them in the closet. It was such a simple task befitting for a maid. Yet, he found himself spellbound. 

"Ah! You have taken bath.," Xia Yu smiled when she heard step behind her. But her eyes widened and she flushed when she noticed his bare chest.

The strong abs dripping in blood. Her ears heated and she looked away instantly. Looking at her blood dripping face and lowered eyes, Han Zhou felt amused.

"Cough! There is a letter for you." she pointed at the table where she had placed the letter. "I will wait for you at the dining table. Get dressed and come early." She took hasty steps toward the door and ran away.

"Hahaha." a soft chuckle escaped his lips the moment she closed the door. He rubbed his hair with the towel. He was about to throw it in the laundry basket but paused. Her image of cleaning the room for him flashed in front of his eyes and he threw it on the bed instead. 

Han Zhou picked up the envelope and walked to the dining room. Xia Yu was setting the table herself. He paused in his tracks and a sweet smile appeared on his lips.

It was just a few days ago when she was running away from him. Now he felt like it was a normal warm home with a loving wife.

"You are here!" Xia Yu arranged his tableware and sat on her seat. Han Zhou nodded and took the opposite seat.

The housekeeper felt the rare harmony between the couple and brought out a lot of dishes. After setting the table, she tactfully disappeared into the kitchen again.

Han Zhou opened the envelope on the table. There were photographs inside the envelope. They fell on the table when he opened the envelope.

Xia Yu was filling his cup with fresh coffee. She paused in her tracks and stared at the splayed photographs.

"This.." It was her pictures with a random man. In one she was in the shopping mall chatting with a man.

In another she was sitting in a cafe and smiling at a man. Every picture had a different man but she was always smiling. It looked like she was flirting with all of them.

Han zhou frowned and picked one. Xia Yu did not recognize this pic. It must be Lei Mei.

A single pic might not make sense. But as they were together, even a fool could understand what it meant.

"Mrs Lin." Xia yu flinched hearing his cold voice.

"Mr Han, i did not.." Xia Yu gulped. She did not know how to explain herself.

"It is alright. I did not ask anything." When the housekeeper looked at the couple worriedly, Han Zhou only smiled at her. "Pick them and put them on her table. She may decide what to do with them." 

The woman could only nod and take the pictures away. but her worried eyes did not leave Xia Yu for a long time.

"Han.."

"Hmmm?" The simple reply made Xia Yu at a loss for words. "Oh are you worried that i will do about you?" he shook his head. "Friends do not doubt each other that easily!