Time passed by quickly. Before we know it, it was almost Chen oppa's birthday. The thing was, papa decided to push through with renovating the house. He said that the house needed a makeover. Our family was a large one and we weren't getting any younger. He wanted to be able to provide us with the best living quarters as possible. He hired an engineer who would be able to maximize the lot area with a house that would be big enough for 15 people and 2 extra guest rooms. He also added that a garage more spacious than the one we currently had now be built. He was probably planning to buy Lay and Baekhyun's cars. There was still a lot of empty space in the backyard. If our house would be renovated with at least 10 rooms, I'm sure there will still be space enough for the garage that will hold at least 10 cars. Hehehe. Papa bought the parcel of land that was between our backyard and our backyard neighbor.

Mama wanted to keep a wide backyard lawn, and the pool outdoors. So papa added that the garage had to be built underground...like a basement parking. Currently, there were 7 cars; papa's, Xiumin's, Luhan's, Kris', Suho's, the SUVs. If papa were to buy Lay and Baekhyun's cars, there should be enough parking if it was in the basement. We'd still have our backyard garden and pool.

If you think 10 rooms in one house, you'd really think it's too much for a house, right? Personally, I think so too. But as there were 13 of us kids, it is just fitting that we would have at least that many rooms in the house. Although the 3 oldest brothers were to spend most of their university life in London, papa wanted a bigger home. The oldies would still come home during holidays, anyway. And as they would have different study loads than highschool, I bet papa considered it too. If we had at least 10 rooms, there will just be 2 boys sharing one room. The oldies would be able to enjoy their holiday more and rest well.

Well, being with 12 other siblings wouldn't give you much of a rest, but for sure, you'd enjoy yourself. Nevertheless, what papa said was final. He set the schedule as to the date when the renovation or reconstruction of our house. That would mean we had to move out. Papa rented a house just nearby. It wasn't as big as our current place, but as we inspected the place, we thought it would be good enough for our temporary stay. He had set an appointment with the owner of the property on a weekend and all of us went to check out the place. It was Saturday.

Kai's eomma was still in town. She was scheduled to return to Korea in a week's time, just a few days after Chen's birthday. She knew about the renovation plans and she was glad to hear about it too. She had mentioned to Kai that it was time that Kai learned to be a little more independent. If he had to share a room with just one brother, he'd be less dependent on one other brother. It was good training, as she put it. Right now, Kai shares a room with Chen and Luhan ge. Once the renovation is done, there will  be another shuffle of roommates for my brothers. I was lucky to be the only girl. I will always have a room of my own. LOL.

After we had checked out the place, papa took us to a poolside restaurant for lunch. There, he asked Chen what he wanted to do on his birthday. He asked if Chen wanted to hold a birthday party or otherwise. We were actually planning a surprise birthday party for Chenchen, but since papa broke the news of the house reconstruction (because it would be more like reconstructing it than just renovating), we wouldn't be able to throw a party at the backyard poolside. 

Papa: So, Chen...what do you want for your birthday?

Chen: Uhm... I'm not sure papa.

Papa: Do you want a party? Invite your friends over?

Chen: That would be cool, yes.

Papa: Last year, you weren't able to celebrate your birthday because you were sick. But this year, let's make up for it, okay?

Chen: Thank you papa. I'd love to have a birthday party and invite my friends from school.

Papa: Alright. I'd leave you to decide what kind of party you want to have. Coordinate with Luhan and Suho for that. Once you finalize it, tell me. Okay?

Chen: Okay papa. Yessss!

Suho: Additional wages... *cough*

Xiumin: Shut...up.... *whispers*

Suho: I was joking...

Xiumin: I knowwww...

Papa: What is it, Xiumin?

Xiumin: Nothing, papa. Suho just told a lame joke.

Papa: Hmm... Hao de. Are you boys done with lunch? I'm needed somewhere else. Your mama will have to come with me. Business deal.

Luhan: I'm done pa. Xiao Yi and Sehun not done yet, though.

Papa: I'll be taking the Sienna. You'll be kay with the Odyssey?

Luhan: Yes, sure. We'll just have to go in 2 batches.

Papa: Works for me. Alright. You take care of your brothers. And Xiao Yi.

Luhan: Yes papa.

And with that, papa stood up. He called the others' attention before he and mama left. The other boys were sitting by the pool talking loudly. I was betting my last Renminbi that they were showing off to some girls that were in the other table. A group of highschool girls - probably seniors, by the looks of it. Kai and Baekhyun were showing their interest by glancing at the other table from time to time and smiling flirtatiously. And... O M G. Tell me I just didn't see Tao ge wink at one of the girls? I blurted out, "Shut up!" Papa and the rest of them looked at me in shock. I quickly apologized and pouted more than necessary. I needed to be forgiven right away. LOL.

Papa: What did you say, Xiao Yi?

Me: Uhm.... Duibuqi papa... I just... saw... Tao gege...uhm...

Tao: What?

Papa: Saw him what? I have no more time left for this, kids. Xiao Yi, don't let me hear you with that kind of language, okay?

Me: Yes, papa. I'm sorry.

Papa: Haole le. Zitao, whatever your sister saw, it must have been awful. Stop it. 

Tao: But pa... I didn't-

Papa: No buts. Alright, boys. Me and mama will go now. Mr. Soo-Kui needs me in this deal. I'll see you at home later.

Mama: And no fighting, boys. I shall know if you pick on your Kyung-didi again. Mind you. Tao, Kai, Chen...

Chen/Kai: Yes mama Wu.

Tao: I...

Mama: Zitao.

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After mama and papa had gone, we didn't linger anymore. As Luhan had said, he brought us all home in 2 batches using just the Odyssey. Because 13 kids wouldn't fit inside the car. Unless we wanted to look like canned tuna. First batch included me, Sehun, Tao, Kai, Chanyeol, Soo and Chen. The younger kids. The older kids lingered for a bit while waiting for Luhan to return. Kris had suggested that they take the bus home or ride a cab, but Luhan didn't wanna have any of it. Apparently, he wanted to call a meeting once we were all home. A meeting about Chen's birthday. 

We were supposed to move out in 3 days time, that was 2 days before Chen's birthday. It wouldn't be a surprise party anymore because of the situation. We would have to set up a party somewhere else. The house we will be moving into had an outdoor pool too, but we thought it won't be a good idea, because the place was a little cramped. If Chen would invite his friends and classmates, I'm sure we'd need a bigger place.

Xiumin: Hey, why not we call the village clubhouse management? We can hold the party there. The place is big enough. There's a garden beside the clubhouse.

Luhan: Sounds good. Suho-ya, go get the phone directory...Uh...why not just call them once you get the number?

Suho: Alright, Lu ge.

Xiumin: If we get approval from the clubhouse, the only problem we'll have is the food.

Lay: Didn't they have like a restaurant inside, too?

Luhan: Yes, they have. And we could extend the party venue to the pool, instead of the garden. 

Chen: Awesome, gege. A pool party!

Lay: I know right.

Luhan: I suggessted the pool, Yixing.

Lay: I know that.

Kris: If it's a pool party, do we need balloons?

Kai: Like for games? That would be cool!

I listened to the boys as they suggested stuff for Chen's party. I only knew how to set up a girl's pool party. LOL. If I was to organize his birthday party, it would be full of balloons, cupcakes, colorful umbrellas on fruit shakes, piñacoladas, fruit punch for oldies... Hmmmm... And reggae music. I smiled to myself. Luhan ge must have caught my dreamy smile, for he called my attention.

Luhan: Xiao Yi, do you have any suggestion for the party?

Me: Who? Me?

Lay: Earth to Xiao Yi, this is Yixing from Fengtai, Earth.

LOL. I giggled as I  heard Lay ge's dialogue. I slapped his arm playfully as I sat beside him. I pinched his cheeks and made a face. He laughed and rubbed his cheeks. His dimples were showing as he laughed.

Xiao Yi: Okay. If you really want my suggestion, I was thinking....

...and I told them about the things that I was thinking earlier. I looked at each brother in the eye as I spoke. They liked my idea of having reggae music for the pool theme, and the fruit shakes (without the colorful umbrellas) and fruit punch. But Chen said that there was no harm in putting little umbrellas on the fruit shakes. It would look more festive. He wanted to have a fun party. Tao and Sehun devised games for the party. In the end, they decided to have a sort of "Amazing Race" game. The winner would get 2 free movie passes. Luhan then sent a text message to papa if he could secure movie passes for the party game prizes.

Tao: The party would be held at the pool and clubhouse, right? Lu ge, can you ask if we can borrow some of the areas for the Amazing Race game?

Luhan: Yes, sure. Wait. Baek, write these for me, will you?

Baek: Why me?

Luhan: Obey first before you complain. OTL

Baek: I wasn't complaining. I was just asking.

Luhan: Never mind. Lay...

Lay: Wait...let me get a clean sheet of paper.

Luhan: Yeah, yeah...

I handed Lay ge a piece of paper that I ripped out from my notebook. We were all at the family area. I was sitting on the floor beside Lay ge and Luhan. The other boys were either slouched on the sofa or lying on the floor. Kris ge was stretched on the floor. He was lying on his tummy with a pillow under his head. Kai was using his back as pillow. Tao and Sehun were on the sofa sitting cross-legged, facing each other. Baekhyun was leaning on Sehun, at one end of the sofa. Chanyeol and Chen were on either armchairs. Soo oppa was sitting on the floor with his head leaning on the coffee table. Suho and Xiumin had pulled the beanbags from the living room and sat on them. 

Suho ge had finished calling the clubhouse management and told Luhan that he had made a reservation for the whole clubhouse area and pool on Chen's birthday. He also asked for the management if they can also do catering services on that day. Luhan decided to go to the clubhouse office to speak to the manager. As he and Suho were to help Chen, the three of them set out for the clubhouse. It was a 10 minute ride from our house, so they had to use Suho's car to go there.

While we waited for them, the older boys suggested we prepare a surprise number for Chen to be presented on his birthday. Baekhyun was for inviting the Kim and Min boys, although Kris and Chanyeol were about 80% in disagreement, they agreed. LOL. It was Chen's birthday party, anyway. Our brother would be happy if our new friends were invited. Actually, among my older brothers, it was only Kris, Chanyeol and Luhan who was not so chummy with the Kim and Min boys. Especially when talking about Jungkook and Taehyung.

Baekhyun cited that the Kim and Min brothers would be able to help us with our surprise number. He was thinking of making a music video starring all of us. It would be a lot of work, making sure that Chenchen didn't know what we were doing, so the Kim and Min boys' help would come in handy. Kris just nodded, but as  he did so, he glanced at me and smirked. I rolled my eyes. He then said out loud, "You're not allowed to have a boyfriend. At all."

Me: Gege, I am not going to have a boyfriend yet. I'm too young for that.

Kris: It's better that we got it clear.

Chanyeol: I'm with Kris ge on this.

Me: You make me feel like a criminal.

Kris: Innocent until proven guilty, though.

Me: Speak for yourself, gege. I hate you.

Kris: It's for your own good, mei-baobei.

Me: I'm not a little girl anymore.

Kris: I'm still 5 years older than you, qin'ai.

Chanyeol: Case won, Kris ge.

Me: I object!

Xiumin: Can you please stop it. I mean, come on Kris. We're supposed to talk about out birthday surprise for Chen.

Kris: Okay. That's 10% off my wages, then. I just had to say it out loud.

Xiumin: No day off for you this week. OTL.

Kris: Have. Take Suho's day off away from him, not mine.

Xiumin: But you're the one in the wrong.

Kai: Shhhhh... I'm sleeping here. Kris hyung, please don't move so much. I get dizzy.

Kris: Get off my back, then.

Kai: Aish...no, I won't. Just don't move so much.

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Luhan, Chen and Suho came back after about an hour after. I was excited for their news. As they were discussing the plans, Luhan's phone rang. It was papa. If he called Luhan, it meant urgent. If papa was just checking up on us, he'd have called the landline phone. We all went on mute mode as Luhan shushed us.

Luhan: Wei, papa.... Yes. All home... Yes... Huh-? Uh...? Wha-? 

There was a long pause from Luhan as he listened to whatever it was that papa was telling him. He looked like he was panicking. His eyes were fixed on Sehun as he listened to papa. Sehun fidgeted on his seat. He looked restless. And based on Luhan's demeanor, we kind of guessed papa was telling him something about Sehun. When we all looked at him, he just shrugged helplessly. He didn't know what he did, apparently. He mouthed, "I swear... I don't know..." 

Luhan: Hao... Meiyou, papa. Yes. Yes. I don't think so, papa. Right. I mean, I believe so. Yes. Uhm...me, Suho and Chen? Yes, yes...Okay.

It was becoming sort of a monologue from Luhan, because no one spoke in the room, except him. We couldn't hear what papa was saying for Luhan didn't put him on speakerphone mode. His conversation with papa lasted for about 10 minutes. When papa hung up, Luhan looked relieved. He sank to the floor and lay there, unmoving. We prodded him with our fingers and asked what papa said. He didn't talk for about 5 minutes, even after much prodding and poking. He sat up after 5 minutes and scratched his head and looked at Sehun again.

Sehun: What? What did I do?

Luhan: You did nothing, of course. I just... Why would someone... I mean... Ughh...

Sehun: What? 

Luhan: Someone told papa she saw you out today.

Sehun: We were out today, remember? We had lunch after checking out our temporary home?

Luhan: ...out driving...

Sehun's face fell and narrowed his eyes. He looked like a tiger ready to pounce on his prey and bite. His mouth formed the letter "O" for a minute before it turned into the letter "A."

Kai: What's with the derp face number 12?

Tao: He's probably trying to spell silently?

Luhan: Enough with that, Tao, Kai.

Sehun: I wasn't driving! Promise! I haven't even used my bike this week!

Luhan: I know that.

Sehun: Then why did papa....WHO DID HE SAY TELL HIM I WAS OUT DRIVING?

Luhan: Relax, Sehun-ah. You're already off the hook, anyway. I clarified with papa that it was not you that this person saw.

Sehun: WHO SAW ME?

Luhan: Ding Dong's daughter.

Sehun: Your fiancee?

Luhan: No. Not her. Wait. NO. I HAVE NO FIANCEE!

The mood changed with that remark from Sehun. LOL. Everyone started laughing except Luhan and Sehun. Luhan was able to explain further after the laughter died down. There were 2 Dong brothers, right? One of them had a daughter who was about the same age as Sehun ge. She and her mom was at the gas station when she saw Luhan driving Suho's car. He had to go gas up and was on his way back to the clubhouse. Suho and Chen were at the clubhouse office at that moment. Because of the resemblance between Luhan and Sehun, she thought it was the latter who was driving. She didn't go to the same school as us, so she wasn't that familiar who was who in the Wu brood. She just saw us once, at the Hong Kong party.

Papa was in a rage when he heard that Sehun was out driving, and at the gas station. Mrs. Dong called her husband, and he called papa's office to tell him. I don't know why they were too concerned about that, but it looked to me like they wanted to get papa's favor by reporting stuff like this.

Chen: How can they mistake you for Sehun? Will they mistake you for Sehun too, when you get married?

Luhan: Shut up.

Kris: We should be planning your wedding party, not this birthday party.

Chen: Ge please. It's my birthday. Don't ruin it with this Dingdong bell.

Kris: Hao ba. Let us plan the wedding party after your birthday?

Chen: Agreed. LOL

Luhan: Cut it out, you two. It's not funny, you know.

Kris: Mulan is betrothed to a bell.

Luhan: You are demoted to stable boy, Captain Shang.

Suho: ♪♫ Bibbidi bobbidi boo! ♫♪

Xiumin: OTL. Not that, please.

Suho: Sorry hyung. It just appeared out of nowhere.

Sehun: Going back to me and driving. That girl posted it on her Facebook account. Someone tagged me in the post.

He had received a notification alert on his phone just now and he quickly checked it. He showed it to us. I decided I didn't like that girl at all. She was spreading false stories. We all logged in on our phones and checked. There were a number of comments and likes on the post already. Some tagged Sehun, so he was able to get notifications. They asked if it was true that he was allowed to drive unsupervised. Someone also commented that because Sehun was a son of a prominent business figure, he was given the privelege to do whatever he wanted, like drive a car, even if he was still a minor and didn't have a license.

Luhan got irritated with all the nasty comments, and took it upon himself to post a picture of him and uploading it as a comment on the post. He placed the caption that it was him who Dong-mei had seen earlier. The girl had described Luhan, what he was wearing and claimed it was Sehun. With Luhan's photo comment, everyone then switched sides and defended Sehun. Those who went to our school quickly reprimanded the girl, saying she should stop spreading false stories. They knew how to tell Luhan and Sehun apart, they said. 

We were silently agreeing with the new comments that came. I didn't post any comment, as I wanted to avoid any trouble I may cause. I left the situation to be handled by Luhan ge and the oldies. Xiumin and Kris also commented on the post and reprimanded the girl. Suho ge gave advice. And I think the most helpful was Baek posting a photo of Luhan and Sehun together, placing a caption, "Left is Hun, right is Han. Get it?"

Kai and Chanyeol suddenly each let out a loud grunt. We jumped at the sound and turned to look at them. They were both asleep and snoring already. Lay gege was also sleeping peacefully beside me. They probably fell asleep as Luhan relayed what papa said over the phone.

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Luhan was in a bad mood after that incident. He went upstairs to his room to sleep. Stressed. Sehun went to his room too. He had said he'd be devicing a plan to confront the girl. He just couldn't let it go. Suho went with him to calm him down. I think everyone was affected by the incident. Chen's birthday party plan was set aside. I went to my room to rest. The other boys went to the backyard to relax by the pool. I could just imagine papa's rage when he heard the news. Lay ge was not even allowed to drive alone, yet. How much more Sehun? He hasn't even started his driving lessons. Papa was concerned about Sehun's safety more than the rumors that he was allowed to drive unsupervised because he was the son of a well-known businessman. Luhan ge had mentioned earlier that papa scolded him for allowing Sehun to drive. When Luhan clarified that it was him and not Sehun, papa had sighed loudly and sounded relieved.

I wanted to clear my mind from the frustration, so I took my iPod and plugged in my headset. I set the playlist to "shuffle" and laid down, straight, on the bed. I was dozing off when my phone buzzed beside me. I had set the alerts to vibrate mode. I didn't want to be bothered. I wanted to rest. Sleep, at the most. But my phone kept buzzing. It wasn't just a text message. Someone was calling. I took off my headphones and picked up my phone, and without looking at the screen, I automatically slid my fingers on the screen to accept the call.

Me: Wei.

JK: Yeoboseyo.

Holy crap! It was...Jungkook! I sat up and hugged my pillow as I tried to clear my throat in a subtle way.

Me: Uhm...yeoboseyo.

JK: I got your number from Yue.

Me: Oh...oh. Okay.

I had forgotten to send him a text message after that movie day with their family. I was avoiding him in school. I barely said hi and just spoke to him when we were in class and discussing the lesson. But after that, I would slip away to the library to avoid him. I didn't really know what to say. I mean, it was already awkward to talk to him, how much more send him a text message?

JK: So, how are you?

Me: Uhm. Okay, I guess. You?

JK: Never better. Glad to be able to talk to you.

Me: We talk in school.

JK: Yes. No. I mean, yeah. But not like this. 

Me: Of course. It would look funny if we talk on the phone when in class, right?

JK: (I heard him chuckling and clearing his throat) We could try?

Me: Crazy idea.

JK: Definitely. But worth the try?

Me: Willing to risk it?

JK: Why not? On Monday, is it a deal?

Me: No deal.

JK: Hahah. Why surrender? Anyway, I heard... uhm...read online, more like. Sehun...uh...

Me: False. It was Luhan ge.

JK: I deduced as much. There's just much resemblance between them, that people who just saw them once would mistake the one for the other.

Me: Except that Luhan ge looks a bit more like a girl, than Sehun.

JK: You have a point. Which reminds me...yeah...you look a bit like Luhan.

Me: Do you mean I look like a boy?

JK: (I heard him laughing hard) No. Wasn't it you who said he looked like a girl? A pretty girl...

Oh please god. Please do not let Luhan ge hear me talking to Jungkook. Especially since we are talking about his girly face. LOL. I tried to control my giggles. I buried my face on my pillow to squeal while holding the phone away from me. I hoped he didn't hear that. If he said Luhan was a pretty girl, and that I look like Luhan...he was saying it indirectly that I was pretty, too. OMG. That was the difference between Jungkook and Taehyung. If Taehyung was able to say it right to my face, Jungkook was the more creative one. Aish, Xiao Yi... Why are you comparing the 2 boys? 

We exchanged some more indirect praises to each other. I couldn't risk saying I found him really cute. So I told him he looked like a puppy. Then I hinted that I liked dogs. I think he caught on when I told him about wanting to have a pet dog because they were so cute. I heard him laughin on the other end of the line and replying with the same cheesy stuff, like how he can ask god to make him a puppy for a day so he can be my pet.

The cheesiness was cut short by a short beep on my phone. I glanced at it quickly. It was a text message notification. The notification showed part of the message. It was from Yue: "Xiao Yi, there is another facebook post about Sehun." I had sent her a text message earlier telling her that the post about Sehun driving was false. I knew that Shana had wanted to ask that. But as she was probably shy, she asked Yue to ask me. I knew Shana had an unspoken crush on Sehun gege. I giggled at the thought. But I guess Sehun liked someone else. Ally perhaps? LOL. IDK.

I apologized to Jungkook to cut our conversation short, and told him I had to check that facebook post about Sehun again. He said it was okay and will just call back later or send a text message. I ended the call with a smile. As soon as I was sure that he already hung up, I blew a kiss at my phone and giggled. LOL. Then I braced myself for the trouble that lay ahead. I just knew it was trouble. The Dong daughter was trouble. By the way, her name was Dong Zi (Purple East in direct translation)... Ah Zi, in short. I searched for the post. When I found it, I narrowed my eyes. There was a picture of Sehun. No. Luhan. And a caption:

After I read it, I didn't know what to feel. I fervently hoped that Luhan was still asleep, and that Sehun fell asleep, too. This was a major blow, to be honest. None of my brothers were dating...yet. Or that's what we know at least. However, the pic showed Luhan with a girl, inside a restaurant. Only consolation was, the girl was not Dingdong's daughter. The other daughter, I mean. 

URGHHHHH! I hate them both!

One chapter down again. xD I kind of liked this chapter. So much going on with the Wus. The Wu family moving to a temporary home because their house will undergo reconstruction. Chen's birthday party surprise, Kris being the overprotective brother, Xiao Yi and Jungkook fluff moment, Sehun and  Luhan mistaken identity. Aish. My feels. LOL. Don't you just hate the Dongs? xP

Anyway, just a bit of a background on the Du Yi Chu that I used for this chapter:

• 独一处 (Du Yi Chu or The Single One/Place) It's one of Beijing's famous "Grade A" restaurants. It was built in the reign of Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty.

I appreciate your comments, by the way. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. ^_^ Wu Ai Nimen! Wo Ai Nimen! 吴爱你们！我爱你们！xP