The night after the horror house date, my friends had been excited to hear what transpired. Yue had asked me to go online on Facebook so we could have a group chat. The other two girls had asked a lot of questions and at the same time they had spilled out details on what happened to their matchmaking attempt between Yue and Jimin. But before that, the ride home was kinda uncomfortable. I had wanted to press my question so that Luhan would tell me what exactly was going on with him and Hua Chen. But he didn't talk all the way home. Sehun had grumbled that he had been excited to go in the horror house, while Chanyeol just nodded his head and tried to keep the atmosphere happy, by singing a kiddie song. Sehun pouted the whole way. I kept glancing at Luhan hoping his mood would change back to happy. But he remained cold and distant. Hi eyebrows met in the middle and he focused his eyes on the road, never uttering a single word.

When we arrived home, I immediately got out of the car and took my things. While walking towards the door, I heard Chanyeol tell Sehun that he'd go with him the next day. Sehun had smiled after that. He went to tell the other boys and asked if they wanted to come. Most of them declined, like Baekhyun and Tao, because they reasoned that they needed to make sure to not be late for their martial arts classes in the afternoon. Sehun had teased them about being scared, but the two insisted that they are just being disciplined. Chen and Kai had agreed to go with them to the horror house. Kyungsoo declined as well. The oldies didn't want to go at all, said they had some more important stuff to do.

After dinner, I retreated to my room to start reviewing again for my subjects. Starting Monday, it was exam week for us, except Kris ge. He finished taking his advanced exams last Thursday. He'd be leaving for Japan on Sunday. I will miss him. It won't be the same without him in this house. I wrote him a letter to be opened and read once he arrives in Japan. I also made a birthday card for him. Something advanced because we won't be there when he turns 18. He made us promise to call him as soon as the clock strucks 12 midnight.

While I was reading my notes, my friends sent text messages asking me about how my day with Jungkook went. I sort of filled them in. Especially that part where we ran screaming when the jiangshi spoke. To be honest, I was not expecting that to happen. Actually, what I was expecting was that the jiangshi actor would have just stayed immobile even if we poked or touched his nose. As the legends say, as long as the Bagua is not removed from the jiangshi's body, then we are safe.

Ling Yan had explained in full detail, through our Facebook chat, how she "helped" Yue and Jimin. Shana agreed to everything that was said. Yue kept sending in bored smiley faces. She tried to switch the topic back to me and Jungkook. The other two obliged and I became the spotlight again. But I kept asking about Jimin and how he reacted being paired to Yue. Jimin had behaved like a gentleman, they said. He didn't talk much and he kept asking his friend, the other guy, how to say certain words in Chinese. Yue, according to the two girls, just blushed the whole time and smiled. Ling Yan had said that they originally planned to leave the two alone just as they left me and Jungkook, but it seemed like the two would just remain silent even if they were left alone. Yue had sent another bored smiley face. Ling Yan that she kept sending bored smileys, but in reality, she was smiling from ear to ear.

Jungkook had sent a text message reminding me of my slave duties on Monday. We sort of agreed that on Monday, I would be the one to treat him out for lunch, then on Tuesday and Wednesday, it would be his turn. I only get one day being a slave, but he had two days. It was awkward, but I didn't let it affect my mood. I joked with him and told him that he should be the one taking my math exam on Tuesday, instead of me, since he was my slave. Then he responded with me taking all his exams on Monday. Of course, there was no deal. And in the middle of exchanging slave themed messages with Jungkook, Taehyung had sent me a message as well. He had asked if I could help him with something for our English Lit class. He was having a challenging time understanding a passage from one of the reference books that our teacher gave. I had opened my copy of the book and helped him out. It took at least 15 minutes to sort out the passage that Taehyung needed help with. That meant, me being unable to send Jungkook a reply. He had sent me a message asking me if I was already asleep, and that he would go ahead and sleep too. I had wanted him to stay awake until I finish reviewing my stuff, but then again, I didn't want to sound too eager. I sent him a reply telling him that I just had to help Taehyung with one of the passages. Jungkook did not reply after that. Jealous? I hope not. Urghh...

In class, Jungkook and Taehyung didn't show signs of being annoyed at each other when one of them was with me. It's like no rivalry even existed. They talk to each other, joke with each other, and they perform in class as good teammates. Taehyung had verbally confessed he liked me. Jungkook has not announced it obviously. If he did like me, he was showing it subtlely, wasn't he? If you asked me who between the two I liked more, I couldn't say for sure now. Taehyung was the predictable one. He would make sure I knew first before doing something. I appreciated that. Jungkook on the other hand, was the subtle one. He was more of the doer than the talker. Example, if Taehyung would tell me that I was supposed to be reading page number 394, Jungkook would turn the page for me and point it. If Taehyung would tell me I was pretty, Jungkook would just stare for a few seconds and hide a smile.

I couldn't concentrate on what I was doing. I guess papa had a point in saying that below 17 years old was too young to be dating. It's a distraction. It made me smile thinking of the attention I got from Jungkook and Taehyung, but it did distract my thought processes. And I had to study for my exams. No wonder the oldies were not even dating yet. But Luhan was...going to...ughhhh... Actually, I had a feeling that Xiumin ge had a girlfriend. He was always found talking to someone on his phone in a hushed voice. I had observed that since we were in Hong Kong. It looked like Luhan and Kris knew about it, too. But who was the girl? We didn't see him talk to a girl like she was his girlfriend. Or...maybe...because they were in a different campus from us that we haven't seen her. On weekends, when he was out of the house, he just always said that he'd be going out with friends. No suspicious activity, because his face did not look like he was hiding something. Maybe papa already knew? Papa had said that if any one of his oldest boys started dating, to introduce the girl to him. Wu Zun Xiansheng wanted to meet his possible future daughter-in-law.

Speaking of daughter-in-law and my older brothers, I remembered Jungkook saying that Hua Chen was Jin's friend. Well, if you count exchanging hellos and a few drinks at a party as really friends, then yeah, they are friends. However, Jungkook seemed to just have said it like in passing, like he didn't really think Jin took the friendship seriously. I need to ask him again about that as soon as possible.

Saturday was a different story. Mama had to go to her school to help out with the school's medical mission. That left us 13 alone in the house again. Luhan preferred to stay at home while Xiumin went out with his friends...or girlfriend. Kris also went out in the morning doing some personal shopping since he was leaving the next day. I asked permission from Luhan if I could go to the mall with my friends, but he said no. I had no choice but stay home and go online to spend some girl time with my friends. I set up my laptop on the coffee table in the living room an I sat on the floor. Suho went to do grocery shoping with Kyungsoo. Lay went to experimenting with making a new pizza flavor. Sehun, Chanyeol, Chen and Kai set out for the horror house in the afternoon as soon as Baekhyun and Tao went to their martial arts class.

I heard Soo practicing a song in his room when they returned from doing grocery. Suho went to helping Lay with his pizza experiment. Tao had resorted to playing with his wushu stick in the kitchen while watching the pizza experiment. He had originally wanted to help, but Lay had shoo'd him away. Kai and Sehun were having a death match in the media room...because all I could hear was, "I'm gonna kill you..kill...kill..." Chanyeol and Chen were in there with them cheering them on. I didn't know which video game they were playing, but all I can say is it would have been one that involved blood and guts. It was probably like a warm up before they leave for the horror house later.

Suho: This does not taste like pizza at all.

Lay: Hmmm...yeah.

Suho: It tastes like...spaghetti?

Lay: Ahh, too much tomato. Ugh. Wait. Do we still have pizza dough?

Suho: I think so.

Tao: If you had let me help you, it would have tasted just right.

Lay: And you would have eaten all the pepperoni even before we finished.

Tao: Can I taste it?

Lay: Sure. Try a slice.

Suho: It really tastes like spaghetti. Hahaha.

Tao: Is this the finished product?

Lay: What do you mean?

Tao: It doesn't feel hot.

Suho: Ahh..maybe we took it out from the oven a little too early that's why it tastes different.

Lay: Possibly. Let's put it back.

Tao: Waitttt...let me taste first.

Lay: OTL. Later when it's properly done.

Tao: Fine.

I had wondered if it was for lunch. I craned my neck toward the kitchen to see what they were doing. All three of them, Suho, Lay and Tao were standing in front of the oven, waiting for the pizza to be done.Baekhyun was sleeping on one of the couches in the living room hugging a pillow. He had been doing a sort of crazy dance earlier before he decided to sleep. When the oven's timer went off, I saw the three in front clap their hands vigorously.

Lay: I think it's done now. Really done.

Tao: And I could taste?

Lay: Yep. Go call the others.

Tao: Not me orz.

Suho: I'll go call them.

Me: Is that for lunch?

Lay: Nope, not yet.

Me: What's for lunch ge?

Lay: I don't know yet, either. Hehehe. What would you like to have?

Me: I'd like to have that Japanese food you made on Chenchen's birthday.

Lay: Ah. Alright, but I'll need help in preparing the ingredients. Wanna help?

Tao: I can help!

Lay: Haoba, you can help me then.

Tao: Yay!

Me: What can I do to help, ge?

I had closed my laptop and walked over to the kitchen.

Lay: Okay, I'll need you two to wash your hands first. Then get me two bowls; one large, one medium.

Me/Tao: Okay.

Lay: Good, not let's do this. I'll just go to the pantry and get the ingredients. And Tao...

Tao: Yes?

Lay: Mind checking the fridge if there's still beef?

Tao: Huh...ahh....okay.

Suho came back with the other boys. All of them looked like hungry wolves when they went down the stairs. Suho woke Baekhyun up and went to slice the pizza. There was already a piece missing, because they had to taste it earlier. Suho had quipped that this time, it tasted just right. The other boys ended up helping prepare the food for lunch. Well, Chanyeol and Suho were the dishwashers, Chen and Soo prepared the table and Sehun helped us with the ingredients. Baekhyun was helping Lay mix the ingredients and handing the pots and pans needed. Kai just watched the proceedings and entertained us by singing and dancing to random songs. He had placed his iPod speakers on top of an empty chair and set it on shuffle. The househelp had insisted that we leave the work to them, but because we were determined to finish what we started, we just told them to help after lunch. They went to the backyard to do some garden cleaning instead. Luhan had been studying for his exams and just went down when Suho called it was time for lunch. He didn't talk much at the lunch table. Something was not right, I could just feel it.

During the afternoon, the four boys who wanted to go to the horror house, left early. Kris ge had returned from shopping just after lunch time. He drove Baekhyun and Tao to their class early in the afternoon. Luhan had retreated back to his room to continue studying. When Kris ge returned, I heard Luhan call him. Hmmm... They were sharing a secret. What could they possibly be talking about? But a few minutes later, Kris went back down the stairs and told us that he'd be going out again. Luhan did not come out of the room until evening when everyone was at home again.

Sunday. Kris ge had left for Japan and Luhan caught us outside the gate on our bikes. Baekhyun had asked mama's permission to go to the park. We were going to have some sort of meeting about the Luhan / Hua Chen situation. Luhan and Xiumin drove Kris to the airport, and when they returned, they saw us making our way out the gate. When Baek told him that mama gave the permission, he had reminded us that it was almost lunch and that we only had 2 hours to stay out.

So now we were in the park. Baekhyun and Tao presided the meeting. There were only five of us. Baek, Tao, Kai, Soo and me. They had me relay what I witnessed at the horror house. I left out the detail that I was with Jungkook at that time. I just told them that when I was making my way out the horror house, I saw Luhan talking to a girl. They didn't ask about the part if I was with my friends. They wanted to know what I heard and saw during that time. I had also told them that Jungkook had mentioned about Hua Chen being friends with his Jin hyung.

Baek: When's the next skateboard practice...Hmmm...

Kai: We don't have this week because it's exam week. Maybe Monday next week?

Baek: Someone remind me to ask Jungkook or J about it?

Tao: As subtlely as possible, remember.

Baek: Of course.

Kai: Do you think Lu ge did something that gave that girl something she could use to blackmail him?

Tao: It's possible. But what it is, we don't know. We need to find out.

Baek: We'd know what it is once we find out when and where they are going next Friday.

Kai: They are gonna go on a date.

Tao: Possibly in a public place. If that girl's intent is to get Lu ge to be her boyfriend and get married to him, then I bet she would want to be seen with him.

Soo: She would want to be seen in a posh restaurant?

Tao: Good observation.

Baek: We need to know what kind of girl she is...before we list down the possible restaurants she would pick where to date Luhan.

Kai: I could call and ask Jungkook now?

Baek: Maybe it's best if we talk to Jin instead?

Tao: How to talk to Jin without him getting suspicious?

Baek: Maybe we need to tell Suho and Lay ge?

Tao: Ah, yeah. They are classmates neh?

Baek: Yep.

Soo: Hui Qiao said that Dong Zi goes to her school. Maybe I can ask her to get information about them?

Tao: Hui Qiao. Your girlfriend?

Baek/Kai/Me: Chagiya?

Soo: Oh my god you guys. She's just an acquaintance.

Tao: But you like her?

Soo: We are talking about Lu ge here...

Tao: I think you like her, too.

Soo: Never mind then. Just go talk to Jin hyung.

Tao: Aha...you do like her.

Kai: I think she is pretty.

Baek: Yeah, same here. So, are you two dating now?

Soo: I'm not even 17 yet! Urghh.

Baek: If you were 17, you'd date her?

Tao: Definitely yes...

Soo: You? Date her?

Tao: No. I was answering for you.

Soo: ..........

Me: *chuckles*

Baek: If you could please ask your girlfriend what she knows about Dong Zi, it would help our investigation.

Soo: ..........

Kai: Guys, I sent a text message to J. I asked him if his Jin hyung has a girlfriend named Hua Chen.

Baek: What? Why THAT question??

Kai: Well, it's straight to the point. If he asked why we asked, I'd tell him that we just wanted to know if it's Hua Chen, because she's flirting with Lu ge.

Baek: I doubt Jin would date her. His appa would probably hang him to death as well.

Tao: You think so? Their appa is like papa?

Baek: Probably. You know, they have their own circle in the business industry. And they said that birds of the same feather, flock together.

Kai: They're not exactly the same birds. Papa is Chinese, Mr. Kim is Korean.

Baek: OTL. I meant same business minds.

Kai: Oh...

Tao: Do you think they'd also get shipped of to somewhere else if they misbehaved?

Kai: Maybe?

Soo: Being shipped to boarding school wouldn't be as bad as it seemed if you knew some people there.

Tao: Are you serious?

Soo: Yeah. You know, what if you misbehaved and papa shipped you off. Then what if Jungkook misbehaved too and his papa shipped him off. Then you two would meet in boarding school. It wouldn't be as lonely and scary as if it were only you there.

Baek: Do you wanna be shipped to Global Haidian International School?

Soo: What's the connection?

Baek: For you and Chagiya to be finally together.

I just could laugh at them. I was speechless the whole time, except when they had asked me about what I heard and seen at the horror house. The mention of Jungkook's name made me blush. I just hoped they didn't notice.

Tao: If you put it that way, having someone you know in boarding school, isn't that scary or lonely.

Kai: Jungkook and I would probably sneak out often and go home when everyone else is sleeping. Hahaha.

Tao: We'd probably worm our way out of tight situations by using our charms. Hahah.

Baek: Taehyung would be a better boarding schoolmate.

Tao: Hmm...yeah.

Baek: You two would get along, AB kids.

Tao: He's AB too?

Baek: Yes. Sehun said.

Kai/Soo/Me: How did Sehun know?

Baek: I don't know. Maybe during practice.

Kai: No wonder he's as hyper as you, Zitao.

Baek: And unpredictable. LOL.

Soo: More like crazy.

Tao: Chagiya.

Soo: .............

Me: I could try asking Jungkook if he knows more about Hua Chen from his Jin hyung.

Baek: What?

Tao: What?

Soo: What?

Kai: What?

All of them, same question, same facial expression, same angle of tilted head.

Me: I have classes with Jungkook on Monday. And...I lost to a dare, so I would be treating him out for lunch too.

Baek: What dare?

Me: We're classmates in English Lit, okay.

Baek: Uh-huh, and then?

Me: Well, nothing else. I just...

Baek: Taehyung is in that class too, right?

Me: Yes, he is.

Baek: Ah...

Me: So, do you need my help in getting information from him and his hyung?

Tao: Okay.

Silence for a few seconds, before Soo broke it and thought aloud.

Soo: I'm really starting to hate the Dongs.

Baek: Yeah... what kind of father is he to use his daughter for business?

Soo: And his daughter is following what her papa tells her.

Baek: Seduce a guy into liking her so she could get him wrapped in her fingers.

Tao: Maybe they are planning a shotgun wedding?

Kai: Shotgun what?

Tao: You know what I mean orz.

Baek: Now I'm really curious. What did Lu ge do that gave that girl something to use to blackmail him?

Me: I didn't hear that part. Duibuqi. If I came out earlier, I would have heard all...maybe prevented anything to happen.

Baek: Don't blame yourself , Xiao Yi.

Tao: It's not your fault.

Me: Okay.

Soo: We better go back to the house now. It's almost lunch.

Baek: We haven't been two hours yet?

Soo: I don't wanna stay two hours here and have Luhan come get us.

Baek: He was the one who told us we had two hours.

Soo: If you don't wanna go home, then stay here. I'm going back. I don't wanna be grounded.

Tao: Oh, you still have that singing engagement on Friday evening, neh?

Soo: Exactly.

Tao: And you'll see Chagiya.

Soo: Cut it out, will you?

Baek: And probably see Hua Chen.

Tao: Like I told you before, make use of your eyes...they're big enough to see even the farthest planet.

Soo: If you keep saying stuff like that, I'm not going to help at all.

Tao: You don't mean that. I know you want to help Lu ge get away from that girl.

Me: Save our Lu ge. Rescue mission.

Tao: Yep.

Kai: Do you ever wonder how it would be if Lu ge married and have kids now?

Tao: Oh please...ewwww..

Kai: Not necessarily to that girl, you know.

Me: Andwaeyoooo...

Soo: We'd have a little baby niece or nephew? Should be cute.

Tao: Babies are cute yeah.

Kai: A little girl or boy who will call me uncle! Aaawwww....

Baek: Uncle Baixian. Ahahah. Weird.

Tao: I know right.

Me: Aunt Xiao Yi... Ayi-Xiao Yi.

Kai: Shushu...Kai... Hahahah. Kai-shu. Baek-shu. Tao-shu. Kyungie-shu.

Tao: All of us would be Wu-shu. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA

And yeah, we laughed at that. Uncle Wu. Wu-shu.

We went back the house after that. Luhan wasn't outside waiting. We exhaled in relief. He was found to have been slave driving Chen and Chanyeol, letting them mop the floor. The two had walked barefoot outside and went inside the house without wiping their feet. The househelp were asked not to help them and were now preparing lunch. Mama had gone down the stairs to check what was going on. When she saw that Chen and Chan were mopping the floor, she eyed Luhan as if to ask what happened. Luhan just said two things, "rule breakers."

Luhan was no fun the whole day. Whatever it was that he was keeping to himself did not help in his responsibilities either. He was a little harsh when he asked us to do some chores. He had asked Suho to take over for the rest of the day because he had a headache. He didn't wanna be disturbed, he said. Xiumin didn't say anything about it. We figured he knew what was going on, but just didn't wanna tell us. It was some sort of secret between him and Luhan. Well, I thought Kris ge knew about it, but as he was in Japan, there was no one else who knew what was going on with Lu ge. Not even Suho and Lay. It was sort of exclusive with the three oldies.

Baekhyun had resorted to telling Lay and Suho about what we talked about at the park. Suho had said that he'd try talking to Jin about it. He also admitted to have observed Luhan's sudden change in attitude since Friday. I had told him about what I heard and saw, and he shook his head in disbelief. Lay had a blank expression on his face after we told him.

Baek: Lay ge?

Lay: Huh?

Baek: Did you hear what I said?

Lay: Yes...yes, I did.

Baek: Do you have any idea what we need to do?

Lay: We gotta help him out of this mess.

Baek: I know right.

Suho: We need to know what kind of mess he got into that made him agree to that girl.

Baek: Exactly our plan.

Lay: Any solid plans yet?

Baek: Nope. So far, our first source would be Jin.

Suho: What about Chagiya?

Baek: What about her?

Suho: Didn't Kyungsoo said that she knew Ah-Zi?

Baek: Let us not drag her into this mess.

Suho: What about Jin?

Baek: We're just going to ask him.

Lay: We'll just ask Chagiya, too?

Baek: But...

Lay: I think it's a good idea.

Suho: Yeah, me too.

Baek: Fine. But it has to be subtle.

Suho: Sure. I'll try asking Qian, too. I'm pretty sure she'd have an idea on who Hua Chen is.

I just stood there, listening to their exchange of suggestions. I also tried to think of something I might be able to do to save Luhan from getting tied to Miss Darkness.

*Beep! Beep! Beep!*

That was my phone beeping. I had set it to silent mode. I had a call.

Jungkook.

Me: Yeoboseyo.

JK: Hi Xiao Yi. Was meaning to call Kai about his question for Jin hyung.

Me: Ah...

JK: He's not answering his phone. J hyung had been calling him thrice now.

Me: He's probably sleeping.

JK: Oh.

Me: He's not easily woken up by a beep of his phone...even a ringtone...

JK: That explains. Anyway, I'm just asked to relay the message.

Me: Sure, let me get a pen and paper.

JK: I...uh....no need, I guess?

Me: Hmmm...

JK: Jin hyung had said that Hua Chen's a university student.

Me: Oh, so your Jin hyung' girlfriend is her?

JK: No...no... J hyung had asked Kai why he wanted to know if Jin hyung had a gf. Then Kai had asked if Hua Chen was his g.

Me: Oh...thanks for clarifying.

JK: No biggie. Dong Hua Chen's been trying to make Jin hyung get her on a date.

Me: That sl-- err...

JK: Mmm-hmm...

"Who are you talking to, Xiao Yi?"

"Is that Jungkook? Kookie?"

"Is he your boyfriend?"

"Xiao Yi has a boyfriend! Yoo hoo!"

Oh. My. God. I bet Jungkook could hear that. I turned red on the spot and ran toward the stairs and hid under it.

Me: So sorry you had to hear those bullies.

JK: Ahemm...I'll pretend I didn't hear them asking if I was your...uhm...boyfriend.

Me: Aish...papa would kill me first.

JK: Your papa and appa are friends.

Me: I know that.

JK: Do you remember that time....in Florida...when your papa-

Me: Nope.

I had answered even before he finished his question. I heard him laugh at the other end of the line.

JK: I know you remember. I don't believe your papa would kill you...or me...

What was he trying to say? Oh. My. God. Please help!

What did Luhan do? Oh no. Whatever it was, Hua Chen is sure to be using it against Luhan. Wu-Kim-Min spreads love to all.  ♥♥♥  金爱你们！数字唉你们！吴爱你们！我爱你们！I just love ending the chapters with JungYi moments. LOL. xD  ♥♥♥  BTS: Rise of Bangtan on loop. ♫♪♫♪♫ Uri-ga nugu... ♫♪♫♪♫  xD