They were quite speechless when a lady came by uninvited. She was carrying a suitcase, most probably full of clothes.
"Guys, I sincerely apologize for the turn of events, but we have another joiner in our outing. She's Hw.a.n.g Meilin. My mother invited her here. She's just staying for a night. She'll be going home tomorrow."
"Wenbin-ge! Why would I stay for just a night? I'll be joining all your activities tomorrow."
"You can't!" Mo Wenbin started arguing.
"I can!"
"You're not even invited here!"
"Aunty invited me!"
"You should have asked me first!"
"I haven't thought of that!"
"Why didn't you?" Mo Wenbin was adamant and cold. This treatment was nothing compared to what's brewing if Xue Jinxu learned of her presence there. He could have sensed a greater war on the onset.
Previously he had notified Chen Linyun that they should at least allow Hw.a.n.g Meilin to spend the night there since she just arrived after around six hours of travel. Partly he was simply trying to be humane and to save his mother some face.
Teng Man Rui came to the rescue. "Hey, hey. Wenbin, I think we can still accommodate one more. Don't be too cross at her."
"Jie-jie, thank you. Aww. What's your name, jie-jie?" Hw.a.n.g Meiling b.u.t.tered up.
"Teng Man Rui. Just call me Man Rui or Xiao Rui. Drop the formality."
"En. Xiao Rui, thank you! We're friends now!" Then she clung to Teng Man Rui's arms shamelessly.
The two ladies were giggling at the blossom of their newfound friends.h.i.+p.
On the background, Mo Wenbin was sweating profusely at the turn of events. He would be the one to answer to Chen Linyun anyway. 'I bet they're on their way back.' He thought glumly.
Teng Man Rui led the additional guest to their room. She toured her around and oriented on the setup and the bedroom a.s.signments. She also introduced the guys to her since Mo Wenbin's introduction was incomplete.
After a few minutes, the Chen couple returned from their saunter.
Xue Jinxu appeared to be somewhat in an extremely bad mood.
Mo Wenbin could tell the difference in Xue Jinxu's demeanor even when the couple was still at a distance. He had some explaining to do.
The truth was, it had been cleared between the couple. Well, perhaps, Mo Wenbin still needed to explain.
Upon reaching the house, the Chen couple greeted the ones who were left, who in turn, divulged what happened when they were gone.
Teng Man Rui and Hw.a.n.g Meilin came out of the bedroom.
"Hi, Jinxu-jie." Hw.a.n.g Meilin greeted shyly. She wasn't aggressive nor abrasive. "You were here too. I didn't know." She bit her lower lip.
"Oh, Jinxu you're back! Meimei will be sharing the room with us." Teng Man Rui informed her.
"Nah, I think I should be sharing the room with my husband. Right, Linyun?" She said, turning towards him.
"Ahh, yes, yes! Definitely." Chen Linyun answered without blinking.
The three other gentlemen turned towards him. 'Is he somewhat scared of her?' Zhu Li Qiang thought.
'Am I just imagining things? Brother-in-law seems uneasy.' Xue Guangxi noticed too.
'That's right, just say yes to her.' Mo Wenbin commented his approval inside his head.
"But it means we need to review the room a.s.signments." Teng Man Rui observed.
"It's not that complicated. You, ladies, share a room. Linyun and I will share another room, and the rest will have to share in the third room."
"Sounds a plan."
"Alright!"
"Let's proceed with the bonfire!"
"Okay."
The night was perfect for a bonfire. It wasn't too windy, just enough to keep them ventilated. They moved their marinated meat, and marshmallows near the fire. The men moved the cases of booze outside too.
They started grilling the meat.
Seated on stools, they gathered around the fire.
"Meimei, have you eaten?" Teng Man Rui inquired while offering her some snacks. "Here, it's a delicacy here. We bought it in the local market this afternoon.
"Thanks, Xiao Rui. You're really nice." She smiled. Most probably, Teng Man Rui was the most accommodating to her. Not that the others were hostile, but the lady was too kind.
Xue Guangxi made everyone pick a piece of paper. "Alright, ladies and gentlemen! Let's play a game while the meat is cooking! You've picked up a piece of paper prepared by yours truly! There's a question or an action inside. You have to answer the question or do what is asked. If you don't, then you'll have to drink up!"
"The mechanics is simple! Any questions?"
"None!"
"None! Let's start!"
"Alright, I'll start first." Xue Guangxi opened the paper he picked. The question was 'Do you find anyone attractive in this group?'
"Nope! Haha! That's easy." Guangxi answered.
"Where did you get the questions?" Jinxu asked. She could sense the theme of the questions.
"From school in one of the parties." He said gleefully.
Up next was Teng Man Rui. 'Kiss the person of the opposite gender in the group you think is most attractive.'
Instantly she blushed and her eyes widened. Subconsciously she was staring at Zhu Li Qiang.
"What is it?" Jinxu asked curiously.
"Xiao Rui, what does it say?" Hw.a.n.g Meilin also inquired excitedly.
Xue Jinxu s.n.a.t.c.hed the piece of paper from her hand. Once she saw it, she wanted to laugh heartily, but then it might tick her friend off, so she held her laughter and waited for the verdict. 'Will she do it?'
Teng Man Rui stood up slowly. She went straight to Zhu Li Qiang, bent forward, and then gave him a peck on his cheek. Immediately after, she went towards her seat. She was blus.h.i.+ng hard and was too timid too.
Zhu Li Qiang was the same. He not only was blus.h.i.+ng too hard, he was also frozen from shock. Chen Linyun was tapping him at the back as support and as a congratulatory gesture too.
Finally, Xue Jinxu let out her laughter. It reverberated in the air. Then she showed everyone what was on the paper.
Up next was Hw.a.n.g Meilin. She opened her paper to reveal the question.