"If I'm Kang Sola, I wouldn't have chosen you as well for a boyfriend. You'll flunk my standards." She said matter-of-factly while ending the statement with a thumbs-down sign.

Xue Guangxi's mouth twitched. His sister was becoming more talkative as she drank more tequila. The liquor made her mouth loose. "You're getting yourself drunk. Brother-in-law will kill me if he knew."

"Your brother-in-law will kill you if he knew you made me cry today."

He gulped.

"Where were we? Ahh, yes. If I'm Kang Sola, I would really really, REALLY despise you, abhor you for your behavior, Guangxi. How dare you look down on your elders? How dare you run away from home? How dare you drop everything without rational explanation? Where's your accountability, your sense of responsibility?" She paused while sucking a slice of lemon chaser.

"Don't you know girls like men who are responsible, more than having good looks? At the end of the day, that's what matters! Look at your brother-in-law! Have you seen him complain? While, you, kiddo, you haven't even experienced even half of his challenges yet you fold already, so easily just like that! So weak! So lame! Do you even have a backbone?"

Xue Guangxi buried his face on his palm. His sister continued to blabber about his weaknesses. His only consolation was that she was speaking in Chinese, and people around them would most probably not understand what she was saying no matter how loud her voice was.

"I get it, okay!" Xue Guangxi finally retorted. "Let's go back to my accommodation." He said while putting his hands on her shoulders, intending to guide her to stand up.

"Hey! We're not done yet! We're still talking, having fun! This is what you want, right?" She said with a slurred speech.

"I didn't know you were courting Kang Sola. So she turned you down and chose another? Hahaha. Serves you right, brat."

The brat beside her ruffled his hair in vexation. 'When will she be done for the night? It's humiliating.'

"I didn't court her. I… I don't know how." He answered her hesitatingly, honestly. His ears turned red.

Xue Jinxu stared at his flushed face. "Seriously, Guangxi?"

"Yeah, I have not pursued anyone before… so I really don't know how…"

"No, I mean, you didn't even court her but you're fussing over this whole situation of her not even liking you and choosing another? What the h.e.l.l, Guangxi, is there something wrong with your brain? How can she even consider you if you haven't given enough effort for her to see it? I bet you even haven't confessed yet, have you? You were acting as if you were wronged! Turns out now, you weren't!"

She was so exasperated that she wanted to hit him on the head. She was having second thoughts, but in the end, she just went on with it.

"Ouch! What was that for?" Xue Guangxi ma.s.saged his head where her hand landed.

"I was hoping it would bring some sense on you."

"Thank G.o.d, I'm not Kang Sola! Thank G.o.d, I'm only your sister! Oh, poor little girl getting hara.s.sed by my brother who knew nothing! Once we go back, help your brother-in-law in the company the best way you can, and perhaps he would give pointers and valuable life lessons for your character building. Minhe-ge would have been highly disappointed in you if he were still here! Don't you know he's the real gentleman? He's the real deal! How come you are so different from him, Guangxi?"

"Ahhh!!! Alright! It's my fault, okay?! I can't take this talk anymore!! I'm at fault, I get it now!"

Xue Jinxu hit him again on the head. "Oops, I guess my arm is on loose today. You're getting riled up, kid! Swallow the sermon and keep quiet!" Afterward, she downed another shot of tequila.

"Xu-jie, I think you really need to stop drinking, please."

"I want to talk to Kang Sola. Let me see her." Xue Jinxu expressed her interest.

"W-What for? We're not in good terms! She hates me! She doesn't want to see me!"

"Then don't show yourself. I'll go talk to her. It's none of your business."

"It's my business! You're gonna talk about me, aren't you? Will you badmouth me?"

"Tsk. No need for that! You did all the bad things on your own. You should give yourself credit."

"Xu-jie!"

Xue Jinxu glowered at him which in turn silenced him good.

"Alright, I'll drop you off at her lodging. I won't show myself, though."

---

A few minutes after, the Xue siblings arrived at their destination – at where Kang Sola was staying. Xue Guangxi remained seated on his motorcycle, his helmet still in place on his head. Only Xue Jinxu got off. She approached the girl after witnessing all the lovey-dovey scenes she shared with her boyfriend, who, as usual, sent her home.

"Hi, Sola!" She greeted cheerfully, yet tentatively.

Kang Sola turned around when she heard her name called. Her eyes widened and she instantly felt nervous all of a sudden. 'Is this a confrontation?' She thought.

"Xu-jie. H-h.e.l.lo…" She greeted back.

"Can we talk for a bit? I come in peace." Xue Jinxu raised both arms in surrender.

"S-Sure. Let's talk inside, Xu-jie." She said while leading the way. The lady followed closely behind. Before she entered she looked back at her brother who's waiting at a distance under a lamp post.

Kang Sola served some juice, which she drank heartily. "Aahh, this juice is so refres.h.i.+ng. I apologize that I came here a little drunk. Don't worry I'm still sober, though." She smiled sincerely at the young girl who was meekly waiting for her to discuss the intention of the visit.

"I've heard what happened." She began.

Kang Sola tightened her already balled up fists on her lap. It did not escape Xue Jinxu's keen eyes.

"I'm on your side." She said, still smiling.

"Huh?" Kang Sola was taken aback.

Xue Jinxu laughed. "Hahahaha! I said I'm on your side." She repeated, then sighed.

"I want to apologize on behalf of my brother. He's not perfect, but he isn't that bad either. I don't know up to what extent your misunderstanding is and I'm not here to force you to make up with him or any of that sort. But, I just want you to rethink if the friends.h.i.+p between the two of you is still worth saving. As his elder, I am partly responsible and accountable for his behavior. We did not teach him well. Rest a.s.sured we will try to fill in whatever aspect we failed at in his upbringing." She sighed again.

"No, no, Xu-jie, I don't think it's your fault!" She was waving both hands in front of her in support of her statement. "He has a mind of his own. Please don't apologize for him!" Her forehead was creased with horizontal lines.

Xue Jinxu stood up and tapped the girl lightly on her shoulder. "Right. He has a mind of his own. You too. Think about it, dear, if your friends.h.i.+p is still worth saving. Maybe both of you can still be friends eventually? Only the two of you can decide on that."

"I better get going. At least everything between us, ladies, is okay? Call me when you return to Beijing. I promise to treat you to a meal. Good job on dumping him. He deserves it." She winked.

Kang Sola gaped, stupefied. What sister would praise the girl who dumped her brother?

"He'll learn his lesson!" Xue Jinxu added while waving goodbye to her. Then she walked away into the night.