XIUMIN

"Xiumin, Luhan, Kris. Come with me."

That was the first thing that papa said as soon as we set foot inside the Phuket main villa. The resort now had several mini villas to accommodate the guests.

We arrived around midday and the staff greeted us.

And of course, I went to follow him as he made his way to the office. Luhan and Kris followed silently as well.

Papa led us into the office and he told us to sit down. Instruction time. It was routine. Anywhere we went, there was always that instruction time. I sat on the chair in front of the table. Luhan sat on the opposite chair and Kris pulled up a chair and placed it in front of the table. All three of us sat facing papa on the table.

Papa: So, here's what's going to happen.

We listened intently as papa gave us the instructions to the opening event the next day. He also gave us information on the skateboarding competition that Tao and Baek organized for their joint birthday celebration.

Suho, Lay and Baek weren't called in here for the reason that they weren't expected to manage the business yet. Suho still had one more year in highschool. He was decided to pursue his career as a doctor like mama Wu, and because it was papa's dream for one of us to be a doctor. Actually, I felt like he wanted to be a lawyer, but because of pressure, he had to make a different career path. Not that he wasn't going to be a good doctor, but he was just more passionate when it came to the law. Lay, just like Suho, he still had one more year in high school. He was expected to pursue a degree in restaurant management, just like me. And Baek still had two more years in highschool and by the looks of it, he was gearing towards the arts and probably going to pursue advertising or architecture. He was quite the inventor.

Papa: I'm going to call the staff and introduce you to them.

We nodded and he stood up from his chair. He went out and called the staff inside. They came inside the office and stood in front of us. Papa went back to sit down at his place on the table.

Papa: I'd like all of you to meet my sons. Xiumin, Luhan, and Kris. In the not so distant future, they will help me in running this resort.

Staff: Good morning.

They made a slight bow as they greeted us. We nodded in acknowledgement.

Papa: Xiumin here, will be the one mostly to accompany me as soon as he graduates from college. Luhan and Kris will come by occasionally. I would like all of you to treat them the way you do to me. I am entrusting this resort to them in case I wouldn't be capable anymore.

Staff: Yes, sir. We will do our best to work hard and treat them as it is fit.

Papa: Oh, yes. Before I forget, Lay, my other son, might be interested in the kitchens, so I'm personally asking you to help him with anything he needs in case he comes down to...explore.

Head Chef: I understand, sir.

Papa: There's Kyungsoo, as well. They're the two who're probably the most interested in the workings of the cooking area.

Head Chef: *nods and bows* I will personally take care of that, sir.

Papa: Thank you. Tomorrow, Xiumin, Luhan and Kris will be part of the staff. You'll be working with them.

Luhan: Pa..

Papa: Yes?

Luhan: What about if some guests arrive late tonight?

Papa: Oh. That...will be your assignment.

Luhan: Okay.

Papa: Tell Suho to help you with that, in case there will be guests coming in late tonight. Kris...

Kris: Pa..

Papa: I'll have you in charge with the younger kids tomorrow.

Kris: Yes, pa.

Papa: Especially Sehun, Tao and Kai.

Kris: Understood.

Papa: Good. Xiumin..

Me: Ne, papa?

Papa: I want you to personally take care of Soo Kui when he arrives.

Me: Uhm...yes, pa. I will.

Papa: We're also expecting him to bring his new officers.

Me: Do they get just one villa?

Papa: Yes. There's already one I prepared for them. The 4-bedroom one with the coastal view.

Me: Arrasseo.

Papa: Luhan.

Luhan: Yes, pa?

Papa: In case there will be no late-night guests that will come in tonight, I want you to go over the programme for tomorrow's opening ceremony.

Papa had turned to look at the staff again. We listened as he gave them additional instructions. He also assigned some people to help me, Luhan and Kris, respectively.

After papa gave the last instruction to the staff, he dismissed them and let them go to their jobs. We started to get up, thinking the meeting was done. Papa gestured for us to remain seated.

Papa: Not yet, boys. I have something to discuss with you.

We sat back and waited for that something papa wanted to discuss.

Papa: I have been meaning to tell you when we get back home, but I think I won't have much time since the resort will be formally opened and I'd be staying here most of the time. Your mama and I were just able to decide on this.

I got the feeling that papa had something important to say to us. Something that's along the lines of Timbuktu.

Papa: I'm sending Xiao Yi to London for three years.

I knew it.

Me/Luhan/Kris: Three years?

Papa: Yes, three years. You do know why I'm doing this, right?

Kris: Not really.

Luhan: Seriously, Li Shang?

Kris: What?

Me: Of course, he knows.

I kicked Kris. Papa won't see that, and Kris would understand that he should just keep quiet and listen. ANd luckily, he did. Usually, he'd just kick me back.

Kris: Oh...yes. I seem to have forgotten it, pa. Duibuqi. Got a lot of things on my mind.

Papa: Clear your mind, Yifan. This is important. I was very disappointed with what Yinzi has done and I've come up with this as her punishment.

Luhan: But, three years?

Papa: A year would not suffice. Two years would be fine, but it's best if she'd learn her lesson well. So, there's three years for her in London.

Me: ...away from her friends.

Kris: ...away from Jungkook.

Luhan: Shhh...

Papa: Luhan, I want you to go to the school registrar and process Xiao Yi's exchange student program papers, when we get back to Beijing.

Luhan: Do we have a school in mind already, or...

Papa: Sedgehill, in Beckenham.

Luhan: I'll be working on it, pa. Is there a deadline for the application?

Papa: The school correspondent sent me an email that the application would have to be sent before Friday of next week.

Luhan: Oh...okay.

Papa: Xiumin...Kris...

Me/Kris: Pa..

Papa: I'd like you to accommodate Xiao Yi in your schedules. This might be too much to ask, as you are on your college education there, but, I won't have any other to take care of your sister.

Me: I'll go check my schedule, pa. I'll take turns with Kris in taking care of her there.

Papa: Luhan, too.

Luhan: Pa?

Papa: All three of you. I'm counting on you three to take care of your sister there.

All three of us nodded.

Xiao Yi's punishment for her unacceptable behavior; that day she had answered back at Mr. Soo Kui. Papa was more than disappointed at her. He had seriously considered shipping her to boarding school at that moment. I think mama Wu had put some sense into papa's head and talked him into easing it with little sister. I was sure that Sedgehill wasn't a boarding school. Papa didn't say so. If it was, he wouldn't have asked us to take care of her.

Actually, it wasn't just the Soo Kui situation that made papa decide to send her to school away from home. Xiao Yi's knack for attracting trouble had resulted in her being in a coma for almost 2 days. She had followed Taeyong to try and stop him from going after Choi Siwon when Luhan was being kidnapped. Then she was almost hit by Siwon's car. If not for Jungkook pushing her away and getting hit himself. Papa was livid. His only daughter had caused someone else to be physically injured. Yes, Jungkook voluntarily pushed my sister away to save her, but as an underaged boy, he was considered not responsible for his actions yet.

Papa was ashamed to face Mr. Kim when they met at the hospital. Both my sister and Jungkook had been brought to the ICU. To save face, papa had offered to pay for Jungkook's hospital bills. Mr. Kim refused and assured papa that he had nothing to feel sorry for. It was all Choi Siwon's fault. Still, papa took the incident to heart. His only daughter caused him a bit of shame and he wanted her to learn a lesson.

Tsk, tsk...

I had spaced out and didn't hear what papa said after. Kris had kicked me in return. I came out of my reverie and pretended I was listening intently.

Papa had asked us not to mention anything to Xiao Yi yet, until we were back in Beijing. The last thing we wanted was for her to sulk during the resort opening celebrations. I mentally prepared myself to forget about it, then. I would enjoy my time here.

Then, Sohee's smiling face swam in my thoughts. I had to smile at that. I sort of daydreamed that she was also in Phuket. Of course, I sent her an invitation message through Skype, but I knew she wouldn't be able to come, since she had classes.

"Xiumin? Are you listening?"

Crap.

LUHAN

Three years with Xiao Yi in London. Lord help me. I know little sister wasn't like the younger boys, but without the others, I doubt she would be able to live peacefully for three years, knowing she is serving her sentence for her unacceptable behavior.

Okay, Luhan. First things first. Don't tell her yet, until we were back in Beijing. Papa would be the one to break the news to her, I hope. I didn't wanna be the bearer of bad news.

Secondly, I will have to check for guests who will come in late tonight. It's like, I would be the resort nightshift guard. I would have to ask Baek and Tao to help out. Snow White can't kick that high, in case I would need him to protect me. Hahah.

Thirdly, I would need to get in contact with the Sedgehill school administration, to get the details of the papers that were needed for the application. I think I would only need Xiao Yi's signature, so I wouldn't have to ask her to fill out the form just yet. Oh dear.

This has gone more complicated than necessary.

But I'm just glad that papa and Mr. Soo Kui had decided to call off the engagement between me and Seul Gi. Not that there was any formalities, but they just decided to call it off, in lieu with the kidnapping incident. Seul Gi looked relieved and sad at the same time. She was forbidden to have any communication with Choi Ren. Even if he wasn't directly a participant in the kidnapping plans, he was still related to the main suspect-now-convicted Choi Siwon.

And I suddenly don't wanna talk about it. My blood boils when I hear his name or see his picture. The news these past few weeks mostly revolved around the kidnapping incident. East Asian real estate royalty and Fengtai royalties abducted. Wu eldest attempted kidnapping and physically injured. Two kids, Wu and Kim, physically injured and in a coma. Soo Kui's heir kidnapped.

"Hey, Lu ge. You asked for me?"

Tao's voice woke me up from my reverie.

Me: Yes.

Tao: Anything I can do for you?

Me: Do you know if you have guests coming tonight?

Tao: My guests?

Me: Yes. Your skateboard competition guests.

Tao: Oh, I'm not sure, gege. I'll go ask Baek-ge.

Me: I asked for him to come here, too. Where is he?

Tao: Uh...I think he's in the kitchens tasting lunch.

Me: Is it lunch already?

Tao: Almost. We're eating outside, by the way. And I mean, literally outside.

Me: I know.

Tao: It's so cool! I love it here. Lu ge, did you try the rubber boats before? I'm going to try it later, after lunch, maybe.

Me: You won't be allowed.

Tao: Awww...weisheme?

Me: Papa's orders. No rubberboat adventures before the resort is formally opened. The staff for the rubberboat rides won't be here until tomorrow morning. No one to watch you.

Tao: I know how to swim, if that's what you meant.

Me: No, Zitao. I meant you or the others are not allowed to go boating unless the resort is formally opened.

Tao: Doesn't make sense to me, ge.

Me: Shut it.

Tao: Anyway, is that all you need from me?

Me: Yes. No.

Tao: Lu ge...

Me: I'll need you and Baek to help me usher in the guests who may come in late tonight.

Tao: Why me?

Me: Don't ask, just do your part. Sooner or later, you will be expected to help run this business.

Tao: I wanna be a spy.

Me: Then go and spy if there are arriving guests for tomorrow. Don't forget you have guests for your skateboard competition too.

Tao: Oh yeah.

Me: Just relay that to Baek, will you?

Tao: Affirmative.

And he gave me a one hand salute and went out of the room.

Tsk.

I couldn't wait to get to London already. I'd be free from these annoying brats for three years.

*sighs*

But I would miss them terribly. Even if they are brats most of the time.

Why am I the oldest?

Oh. Wait. I'm not technically the oldest. Xiumin is. Hahaha.

*Xiumin passes by*

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA.

Xiumin: What?

Me: Nothing.

Xiumin: Okay. Hey, lunch is served...outside, by the pool.

Me: Got it.

Xiao Yi's punishment: 3 years in London. How would she react? What will become of JungYi. Omo! Taeyong is in London... >.<  Excuse my feels again. LOL.  → ♥♥♥  吳愛你們！我愛你們！