Chinese New Year was fast approaching. That meant that Fusion would have its grand opening, and that also meant the pubic announcement of mine and Jungkook's engagement. 

He and I had talked about what and how we would tell everyone about our relationship. We decided to tell everyone after papa and Mr. Kim announces our engagement. Jungkook thought it was the proper time because then, he can explain why we were agreeing to it.

I looked at the promise ring on my left ring finger. I remembered that afternoon when he gave it to me. I had only thought that he would be giving me a simple belated Christmas gift, so when he placed the small box on the table in front of me, I was hesitant to open it. I was expecting something along the lines of cute stationery and scented paper stuff, so when I saw the box I didn't touch it at first. He had to push it toward me and urge me to open it. He had brought me to an old coffee shop, "to avoid the crowd" he had said.

"We still have three or four years before we can actually get married, but I want you to be assured that I am yours...and that you are mine."

He said that as I was opening the box slowly. When I saw the ring, I blushed. Who wouldn't? It was a delicate silver ring with a jade stone set in the middle.

Him: It's a promise ring. 
Me: It looks expensive.
Him: It is...but it's for you, so I don't mind.
Me: Jimin?
Him: Ne. And Jin hyung, to be honest. He helped a lot. J hyung picked that one though. He said he was saving up for something, so he'd help me in another way.
Me: That's sweet of them...
Him: Them...
Me: And you...of course. Thank you.

I gently took the ring out from the box and stared at it for a while. 

Him: It's jade, to keep you safe all the time in between now and when we...you know. I'm gonna be the one to take care of you when that time comes.
Me: Cheesy. But thanks. I like it.

I slipped the ring on my left ring finger. There's a reason why it's called the ring finger. There is a nerve that is directly connected to the heart.

He held my hands and asked me to look him in the eyes. When I did, he did that signature side smile and I wanted to hit him in the head for doing that because I suddenly felt weak. He somehow felt my weakness and took advantage of it. He teased me more by wiggling his eyebrows. I pretended to get mad, and he chuckled.

Him: Mianhae. I was just teasing you.
Me: I know.
Him: Anyway, I'm just happy today.
Me: Me too.
Him: Don't worry about the event. I will be the one to speak out about us.
Me: I'm not worrying about it, just...
Him: Just worrying. I know that tone. Everything's gonna be alright.
Me: You know my brothers.
Him: Yes, I do. That's why we're going to tell everyone.
Me: *exhales* Ne, I trust you.
Him: Can I see a smile then?

I had to smile. He was still holding my hands across the coffee table. 

First day back at school after the holidays, people were talking about the coming Chinese New Year. It would be a week-long celebration again. 

The thing was, a rumor has been spread in the middle high campus that Jungkook was dating already. My heart skipped a beat when I heard two sophomores talking in the hallway as I was going to my next class.

Girl 1: Really? That lucky girl. Do you know who?
Girl 2: I don't know who. Nobody knows who. Everyone I asked don't seem to know, all they say is the same thing.
Girl 1: What is it?
Girl 2: They're not definitely sure, but from what they gathered, it's an exchange student.
Girl 1: Whoa! I think it's time to find out who are the exchange students in the campus.
Girl 2: It's not easy to ask the registrar that.
Girl 1: Hmmph! I know right.
Girl 2: Ahhh...Jungkook...why? I lost all hope.

Exchange student? Nugu? I was an exchange student, but in London. Not here.

I almost bumped into someone standing in the middle of the hallway. I was absentmindedly walking, not looking where I was going. I didn't see Yibo standing there, with a quizzed look on his face.

Me: Oh, sorry. I didn't see you there.
Yibo: Are you okay? You look...lost.
Me: Huh? I'm- yeah, I don't know. Wait. What did you say?
Yibo: Earth to Xiao Yi.
Me: I thought you are called "Yibo" and not "Earth."
Yibo: Hahaha! Okay, good one. Are you okay?
Me: I am. Why?
Yibo: Ah, Xiao Yi. Something's bothering you, zhen de ma?
Me: It's math class.
Yibo: Math is indeed a bummer.
Me: Yeah.
Yibo: Do you need help with it or something?
Me: Hmm..not really. I think I can just do some practice equations and I'll get it.
Yibo: All right. 
Me: Anyway, what are you doing in middle high campus?
Yibo: I was asked to carry some books back to the library here.
Me: Wow, good student.
Yibo: Of course, I am.
Me: Hmm, yeah. Uh- see you later. Gotta hurry for my next class.
Yibo: Sure. If you do need help with math, don't hesitate to ask me.
Me: Okay.

I hurried along to my next class, still thinking of what I had heard. I couldn't pay attention in class and ended up almost sleeping. Yue had nudged me back to consciousness. I was already half asleep when she elbowed me. I couldn't tell her what I heard, knowing people behind us would hear.

I haven't told Yue that Jungkook gave me a promise ring, but I knew that she already knew because of Jimin. She hadn't asked me about it, though. She probably understood our situation and just went with the flow. 

After class, I pulled her away from the rest of the crowd filing out of the classroom. I pulled her to the back of the building and hid behind a flowering shrub.

Yue: Xia Yi? What is this?
Me: Shhhhhh!
Yue: Why?
Me: Have you heard about the rumor that's going around?
Yue: What rumor? 
Me: About Jungkook.
Yue: Oh, that. Yes, I have. Honestly, I'm confused.
Me: Me too.
Yue: I don't know who's spreading the news, but it's kinda fishy.
Me: So, do you have an idea?
Yue: We can ask Ling Yan to investigate.
Me: No!
Yue: Why not?
Me: I don't want everybody to know yet.
Yue: Okay. So what do you plan to do?
Me: I need to talk to him.
Yue: I'll try eavesdropping for you, as well. Hahaha!
Me: Shhhh..

I sent him a message asking him about the rumor. Just when I sent it, I saw Halla walking by. I was seated on a bench under a pine tree near the library.

Halla was an exchange student. And she likes Jungkook. Was she the one spreading the rumor?

I frowned at the thought.

I followed Halla with my eyes as she walked towards the library. I made a face.

Beep, beep!

Message received. From Jungkook.

"I know about the rumor. I was pissed off at Seungyeon during lunch earlier today. He was in the area where we went last time at that old coffee shop and he saw us walking out. He didn't see your face though, so he kept bugging me who I had a date with."

"So you told him an exchange student."

"Yes. Nobody has to know until Fusion is open, remember?"

"Okay."

"And exchange student in London. I skipped that part. It's too obvious."

"I know. I'm sorry."

"Sorry for?"

"I'm a little paranoid."

" *kissy face* "

Damn you, Jungkook. Grrrrrrrrr!

I sent him back a smiley face. I didn't wanna appear too clingy.

Kris ge had come home before the end of January. He said his mom would be arriving because she'd be the one who's gonna take care of our wardrobe for the opening of Fusion. He had talked papa into getting his mom to do our clothes. Mama was okay with it, being secretly a fan of Kris gege's mom.

It was a bit awkward to visit Ms. L's Beijing atelier. But with Kris ge, the awkwardness disappeared. Ms. L attended to me personally, though. However, when one of Ms. L's clients came by to pick up his suit, he looked at Kris ge, then to me and smiled.

Him: Oh, who is this pretty young lady?
Kris: My sister.
Him: No wonder she's pretty. Like brother, like mother.
Ms. L: Not mine, dear. 
Him: I don't understand.
Kris: Uh-sister from papa.
Ms. L: Yes, she is. Her mother is pretty too, indeed. No need to wonder, Zhang Xiansheng.
Him: Ahh...I understand.
Ms. L: Thank you for your continued patronage, by the way.
Him: Of course, of course. I always look forward to having my suits done by you, Ms. L.
Kris: Always appreciate your support, Zhang Xiansheng. Feichang ganxie.
Him: You have a nice young man here, you are lucky. Alright, I'll be on my way.

And he walked away, with a big box tucked under his arm. He was carrying a cane and tapped a young man near the door with it, and handed the box to the young man. The young man bowed as he received the box. 

Ms. L: Mr. Zhang's been my customer since I started here.
Kris: And he's quite generous, right Ma?
Ms. L: Always. "Add 5% more to my tab, L. You earned it."

She mimicked the man. Kris ge and I laughed. 

Sehun and Kai were being fitted in the next room, and I heard them bickering. Kris ge just sighed and slowly walked toward the next room. Ms. L just smiled at me and started showing me her designs. The opening was semi-formal, so a cocktail dress would be suitable. The other boys who were planning to go home for the opening just sent their measurements to Kris ge so he could give it to his mom. Chen and Chanyeol won't be able to make it to the opening though, nor Lay and Suho. Mama would be travelling alone. Tao had said he would be able to come home for the opening/Kyungie couldn't promise because he had a ton of stuff to do, but said he would try to make it.

Luhan and Xiumin had come the day before to have their fittings. They were in close communication with Baek who was left in Phuket with papa, since Kris ge came back to Beijing alone. Baek was assigned a task for the opening. I learned that Jin and Jimin would be coming home to attend the opening as well. Jin was handling the food preparation team and coordinating with the Min's export business to handle the wine export from their Napa Valley wine shop. Namjoon helped with the exporting process, since his appa wanted him to do his part in the business while Yoongi was in Italy.

Sohee eonni was coming to the opening. I felt excited knowing my future sister-in-law would be attending a public family business event. She was also going to be dressed by Ms. L, although the Korean atelier would be attending to her.

I had picked a pale yellow organdy dress. You would have known by now that yellow was one of my favorite colors. LOL. Mama had wanted me to wear a qipao, but I didn't think I would be comfortable, so I chose what I felt was fit for the occasion and, at the same time, comfortable. I wasn't gonna be there just to dress to impress.

I tried not to get affected by the rumor going around in school about Jungkook and the exchange student, because I knew it was me. However, whenever I see Halla, I couldn't help but notice her smug smile. She may be thinking that Jungkook was talking about her, but he wasn't.

Kai heard about the rumor and asked me if I was okay about it. I told him it was just a rumor. He was also thinking that it was Halla, and he was concerned for me. He tried to confront Jungkook about it, but Jungkook just dismissed the Halla suspicion. Kai still couldn't help but be concerned. He had warned Jungkook and told him that if something happens involving Halla and him before the engagement announcement, he'd be dead meat. Sehun had seconded that. I overheard them talking to Jungkook one afternoon while waiting in the parking lot for them. They just had finished dance practice and walked together to the parking lot. 

I knew they deliberately spoke to Jungkook about it in front of me. They wanted to protect me. Jungkook assured them that the rumors about Halla wasn't true. He told them about us going to the coffee shop and Seungyeon seeing us but not recognizing Xiao Yi. My two brothers had kept silent after that. They knew better than not to trust Jungkook. They patted Jungkook and fist bumped.

I had to breathe a sigh of relief.

Jungkook nodded to me and smiled. I smiled back and waved at him. He drove away first. Kai still had to check his things in the backseat before we drove home, Sehun behind us.
 

The promise of forever. 

Jungkook and his smooth moves. LOL.

Somebody is going to be heartbroken though... Do you know who?

吴爱你们！