Xue Jinxu's heart shattered along with his.  She felt her heartache for him and with him as if they were one unit.

Thus, she rented out a resort just two hours from their house in an attempt to lift the mood and invited some close friends - all youngsters like them.

Hw.a.n.g Meilin, Mo Wenbin, Kang Sola and Xue Guangxi accepted her invite.  Zhu Li Qiang was on the tentative list.

When Xue Jinxu invited him over the phone, he had asked first, "Will Teng Man Rui be there?"

"She's not invited." The lady answered curtly, annoyed. 

'Why is he still asking about her?  Such m.a.s.o.c.h.i.s.t.'

Zhu Li Qiang sighed. 

Not seeing the point of continuing the conversation, Xue Jinxu added dismissively, "Listen, whatever that has happened between you, I'm out of it, alright?  So for heaven's sake, let's maintain it that way, mhmm?  Keep me out of it.  I don't want to have anything to do with that woman!  Okay?!  Just let me know if you'll come.  I'll forward the address of the venue."

Afterwards, the line was cut.  Xue Jinxu hanged up on him. 'Feisty.  It's the pregnancy.' He reminded himself.

At the other end, Xue Jinxu was rather worked up.  She blabbered to herself, "How come he still wants to see her?  Doesn't he have enough self-respect whatsoever to discern when he needs to stop?  He's mad!  He's crazy!!"

"Why do all the men flock around her?  It has been the case at school when we were younger, and it still is!  And Brother is a fool to fall prey to her!  How vicious!  Argh!!!"

When she had vented her intense disapprobation, she returned to the preparation of the event, and her usual company matters.  

Chen Linyun was clever, though.  He knew that the weekend getaway that his wife was preparing was actually for him.

No matter how much pretense Xue Jinxu had put to it: that she felt a longing for the waters, or that she found a relaxing place that they need to check out, Chen Linyun read through it all.

Like the doting husband that he was, he supported the missus all the way, even though he was not convinced that it would alleviate whatever internal processes he was experiencing.  He couldn't understand the logic of using external means to address internal issues.  Yet, he did not voice out his opinions so as not to sow discord with the preggy, sensitive wife.  After all, she's just thinking about him and wanting to take good care of him that way she knew how.

As for Chen Linyun, the very next day after their baby b.u.mp announcement, a Monday, he gave in an order to his a.s.sistant, Jin Yuan, to locate the lady named Han Lan.  He had checked the hospital the morning of that same day and found out that the patient named Han Lan wasn't in the same room where he had first met her. 

Aside from knowing the truth, this tiny development, or lack, therefore, had put a strain on Chen Linyun.  The answers that he got from his parents only initiated more questions. 

So, that was why his earliest pictures were him around four years of age, and he had not even one baby picture.

At the very least, her mother did not introduce

And what about Kang Sola?  Didn't she say that her mother died from giving birth to her and that her father even fought for her custody when she was just a wee, innocent infant?

How exactly were they related?

It was unnerving and world-shattering.

Yet, he maintained a composed exterior and calm demeanor.  This façade of his was actually what made Xue Jinxu worry more because it sort-of appeared like a mask to her.

Apparently, he wasn't okay, but he acted as if he was.  He didn't even go drinking with his buddy, Zhu Li Qiang.  He simply stayed at home, seemingly unperturbed even if it was obviously otherwise.

---

The party went smoothly.  They all convened Friday night and went straight to the onsen.  Hw.a.n.g Meilin and Kang Sola accompanied Xue Jinxu in the hot jacuzzi.  It was indeed relaxing.

At the other pool behind bamboo walls, Xue Guangxi, Mo Wenbin and Chen Linyun both submerged in the waters as well.  It was rare that even Mo Wenbin shared the somber vibes. 'He must have heard about it already.' Chen Linyun thought grimly. 

At their side, Xue Guangxi kept on chattering listlessly.  He balanced out the negativity that the two emitted, without him even noticing it.

They all stayed the night there.  Among all their previous weekend escapades, it was a quiet one.  On a Sat.u.r.day night, they shared a meal in silence, with just small talk in between.

Xue Guangxi tried to liven up the atmosphere but his audience did not seem to buy it so he quit it all the same, and ate in peace.

Zhu Li Qiang was no-show.

At the bathroom, Xue Jinxu b.u.mped into Hw.a.n.g Meilin who just finished her turn and was now was.h.i.+ng her hands.  She hesitatingly opened a topic that was bugging her lately, "Was the last guest to arrive at your tea party… your brother?"

"Yes."

"I think I saw him before." Her cheeks lighted up as if she just underwent an exercise.  It was impossible for Xue Jinxu not to notice.

"You?" Xue Jinxu didn't want to make a big deal out of it yet she was flabbergasted. "Well, he used to live here in Beijing.  What's up?"

"No… Remember when we went partying at Zenith-O and Man Rui and I nearly got into trouble?"  She rolled her eyes.  "No, I mean, we already got into trouble.  Remember that single instance?  Man Rui was dancing with some pervs who wanted to take advantage of her, I mean, us!  You and Sola couldn't come to our rescue.  You were too far away, fighting the current of the crowd."

"Yeah, I remember.  It was just a few months ago."

"That's right.  I saw him there."