Chapter 8

"Xiao Ai, we've been looking everywhere for you, and here you are running off with some stranger without a word! Seriously!"

Xiao Ai was already upset about being left behind that morning. To be yelled at the moment she returned, without any warning, made her flinch. Once it sank in, fury surged through her. "Xu Haoyue, what's your problem?" she shot back angrily. "I just went out shopping!"

Youyou stepped forward to try and hold her back, but Xiao Ai was faster, darting right up to Xu Haoyue. "Besides, Qi Ziguang isn't exactly a stranger, is he? We all met him yesterday! And let's not forget, you're the ones who ran off and left me here alone. I'm not even mad about that yet, and you have the nerve to yell at me?"

Youyou and Jing Yuan quickly moved to pull Xu Haoyue away, while the chubby guy tried to mediate. "Hey, Haoyue. Xiao Ai was definitely in the wrong, but you shouldn't have blown up like that. Xiao Ai, we were wrong to leave you here by yourself."

Seeing Xu Haoyue was still seething after the chubby guy's words, Jing Yuan hurriedly addressed Xiao Ai. "But still, you shouldn't have just taken off without telling anyone, especially with someone we don't really know. We're in an unfamiliar place; what if you'd gotten lost? Your brother Haoyue only got angry because he was worried. You shouldn't have yelled back. You should apologize to him."

Youyou also rushed over to soothe Xiao Ai, but Xiao Ai just felt wronged and utterly bewildered. Her lips trembled, voice thick with unshed tears. "Why should *I* apologize? You're just taking advantage of my brother not being here to bully me! And what's wrong with Qi Ziguang anyway? He's a good person! What's gotten into all of you?"

"It's not that, Xiao Ai. You're still young, you might not be the best judge of character. I'll admit, Qi Ziguang is good-looking, but we can't just trust someone blindly because they're handsome. Your brother Haoyue was out of line today, he deserves a scolding. But you really can't just go running off with strangers like that." Youyou gently stroked Xiao Ai's back, trying to console her.

Xiao Ai shook off their hands and took a few steps back, a look of angry understanding dawning on her face. "Oh, I get it now! So that's why you're all jumping down my throat. You think I'm some airhead fangirl, don't you? That I'd lose my mind over any good-looking guy? Fine, I admit Qi Ziguang is handsome. But do you really think I like him *just* for his looks? He's clean, he speaks gently, and he's considerate. Compared to you lot, he's way better! Anyone would prefer him over you. Hmph!"

As she spoke, her voice began to crack, tears welling up and threatening to spill over. She pressed her lips together tightly, fighting hard not to cry.

Little Wu and A Xu, who had been watching from the back, were stunned by her speech. A Xu leaned over and whispered to Little Wu, "Talk about a double standard. Just the other day, I mentioned liking a girl, and she went off about me being a 'little kid' who shouldn't think about dating. Hah! She's only two years older than me, still a minor herself."

"Hah, that's nothing," Little Wu couldn't help but add his two cents. "Not long ago she was obsessed, swearing she'd love Zhang Yixing until her dying day. She even badgered me for two hundred bucks to buy her idol's album. And now she's changed her mind so quickly. Women, am I right?"

Jing Yuan had heard enough by this point. He pulled aside a fuming Xu Haoyue, who looked ready to explode again, and stepped forward. "Xiao Ai, your brother and your dad aren't here right now. We're all older than you. We're not saying you have to obey us, but I seem to recall you promising Master that you absolutely wouldn't get into any early romances. Judging by your attitude now, what? Do you think just because we're in some unfamiliar place, you can do whatever you want?"

The mention of her father made Xiao Ai a bit nervous too, but she still straightened up defiantly, hands on her hips. "I-I-I never said I was going to start dating early! You're the ones who started yelling at me without even asking what was going on. Hmph! Besides, in modern times, you're an adult at eighteen, but aren't we in ancient times now? Didn't they say girls could get married at fifteen? So I'm basically an adult now. It doesn't count as early romance."

Xu Haoyue had also calmed down considerably. He sat down, took a couple sips of water, and sneered, "Oh ho, you remember your history pretty well. Funny how you never seem to pass your history exams. If you put half this cleverness into your studies, maybe your grades wouldn't be such a pile of crap. I'm done arguing. You *will* go to morning training tomorrow." With that, he tossed his head and went back to his room.

Jing Yuan nodded in agreement and followed him back to his room. Little Wu and A Xu secretly flashed a 'V' for victory sign behind Xiao Ai's back and left, gloating, leaving her fuming and speechless for a long while.

The waiter, having seen them argue for so long, had specially brought up two pots of tea. The fat guy just shrugged and helped himself without ceremony.

After lunch, they took their usual nap. Xiao Ai, too angry to sleep, tossed and turned on her bed, pulling Le You over to complain. Le You had no choice but to sit and listen.

"Sister Youyou, I think they're just jealous. Jealous that they're not as good-looking as A Guang."

"Yeah, totally. They're just jealous."

"A Guang's voice is so pleasant and gentle, and he's so handsome. And you know what? He bought me lots of yummy treats today. Oh, Sister Youyou, don't fall asleep! Don't you think our meeting was destined by fate? Otherwise, why would I travel all the way from the 21st century just to meet him? That has to be it. And I'm sure we'll face lots of trials and hardships together later on. So, Sister Youyou, you have to help me. Maybe he really is my true love."

Le You held her head in her hands, utterly exasperated, and said through a yawn, "Xiao Ai, you really should read less of those romance novels from now on. Get a grip, kid. We still need to figure out how to get back."

"Back? Back where?" Xiao Ai asked, surprised.

Le You reached out to feel Xiao Ai's forehead, puzzled. "Did you bump your head when we arrived, kid? Back to our world, of course. There's no running water, no electricity, no internet here. If you want to live here, be my guest. But I'm not sticking around. And think about your poor brother and Xiao Long. Who knows what hardships they're suffering in some remote mountain valley right now."

Le You's words made Xiao Ai conflicted again. After all, as wonderful as Qi Ziguang was, he seemed a bit insignificant compared to the internet, KTV, ice cream, and hamburgers.