Games That People Play

Chapter 7 Forest Lake

"Hey guys, are you up? Roll call is about to start!" Xunan's voice rang like an alarm clock. Xinli had to wash double time to catch breakfast before training starts.

"Coming!" She replied as she hurried out of her tent. She saw Yuanruo standing near the path leading to the main hall, obviously waiting for her.

"Hi there, princess, good morning." He called with a big smile.

"Morning lonely guy!" she greeted him back with a laugh. Yuanruo was good looking, tall, medium built and always wore a dimpled smile. He was like a matinee idol with his looks and most of the girls at the camp would giggle when he passed by their group.

He appeared unaffected and was obviously used to women swooning over him. He covered the distance between them and joined Xinli, Xunan and Huobin.

"Let's have a bite before the consultants arrive," Huobin interjected. Xunan was leading the way to the cafeteria near the main hall.

Xinli briefly thought of the last time where she should have been somewhere else training for her new important post at Zenith. A far but distinct pain started to surface and she shook the memory away involuntarily.

"Princess, what's wrong?" She didn't notice that Yuanruo was observing her facial expression.

"Nothing. Just a thought from the past." She replied as she helped herself to a buttered toast. It smelled nice and tasted delicious which brought a satisfied expression on her face.

"Hmn... this is good... have some Yuanruo," she invited between bites.

"... and the coffee smells really nice!" Xinli added invitingly.

Yuanruo laughed and did as he was told. He liked Xinli because she was simple, straight forward and no trace of vanity. He eyed her as she was sipping her coffee, her hair shone like velvet, her skin was fair and flawless, cute eyes that would twinkle when she's excited and lips so soft...

"Buddy! Be careful, she might turn into a frog if you stare at her more." Houbin lightly slapped Yuanruo's shoulder.

They both laughed and all four went to the main hall to register their names. The first day of training was mostly about intoductions and breaking the ice among the participants. It was more like an aquaintance party but everyone was enjoying themselves.

Xinli and Xunan talked to a group of neophyte designers while Huobin and Yuanruo checked out materials that were put on display. It was 3pm when the consultant's assistant called it a day and told them to get aquainted with the surroundings too.

The place was beautiful, with a clear lake and a hidden lagoon. Pine trees lined the area dividing the theme park from the thick forest ahead. The wind was chilly and winter was signalling its arrival.

"Guys, why don't we have barbecue tonight?" A voice called out from a group nearby. He was caucasian, no more older than the rest whose ages ranged from twenty two to the late thirties. Earlier, he introduced himself as Chandler.

"Hey, that's a good idea!" another male participant remarked.

"Yes, it's a barbecue party tonight!" The rest chorused excitedly. So all groups gathered together and prepared their assigned tasks. It was a good sight since everyone joined and enjoyed themselves. Xinli smiled as she remembered her friend back home. She was the best and she felt guilty that she didn't tell her where she was, what she did and her reason for leaving Chang An.

"I think an angel crossed your mind just now... judging from that smile on your face..." Yuanruo interrupted her thoughts.

He seated himself on a rock beside her. Xinli turned her face sideways and smiled back at him.

"Yes, you could say that..." she agreed. "She's my best friend back home" she added.

"Thank God it's a 'she' or i will really be a lonely guy," Yuanruo was obviously trying to get her attention, and she laughed, her voice soft and bubbly with a melodic tone. It was most attractive to the ears.

"Are you flirting with me?" Xinli asked him and Yuanruo rejoined with humor.

"Definitely not! I like you and i hope it doesn't count as flirting if i want to get close to you... for that reason." Yuanruo replied with a smile but with a tinge of seriousness in his voice. Xinli looked at him, her smile never fading, but there was a look of firm resolve in her eyes.

"Please, let's not get into that. I like what we are now... good friends," she said resolutely. Yuanruo looked into her downcast profile, she was hugging her knees with her head on them looking interestingly on a wayward grass amongst whitewashed stones.

He was interested in her thoughts, he knew she wasn't whole, he could see a kind of sadness behind her smiles and her eyes held a story only she could tell. "Bai Xinli... you have affected me on first sight..." Yuanruo thought silently.

"Good friends! Of course, i like that!" He said aloud... "and this good friend would like to offer you this perfect chicken barbecue," he added merrily, handing her a stick with small slices of chicken breast cooked in charcoal. It smelled delicious so Xinli accepted it and took a bite.

"Hmnn... delicious! Have some too!" She invited, thanking him at the same time. They drank soda and talked casually about their respective jobs.

Yuanruo was manager in a large marketing company in NYC and he was quite famous in his own field. He lived alone but his parents and a younger brother come for a long vacation every summer.

Their hometown was Bianjing. It wasn't far from her own hometown in Jiangnan. Xinli found out that they shared so many things in common and she was quite happy that she met him.

Her sadness was somehow alleviated and she felt good that she found a friend who appreciated her works and was interested in what she liked in general. Later in the night, all four of them went to their respective tents and prepared to sleep.

Xinli said a little prayer before lying down and pulled up her quilts to her chin. The sky was bright with stars and her thoughts brought her back to the past again.

She thought of Lu Jinian... she wondered what he was doing now, what he was thinking and who he might be with right now... the sadness in her heart formed a knot in chest, forcing a wayward tear from the corner of her eyes.

She would never get over him, she thought, but by God, she had to erase him from her memory so that she can really be happy again. She wanted to free herself from a love that she knew would only amount to nothing.

Lu Jinian was a man of the world, he was powerful, he was extremely good looking and possessed a kind of self confidence that only few people had. He always got what he wanted and he did business when he meant business.

He was polite but never minced words when and where they were intended. Most people dont know him or have seen him in person since he was socially low profile abd prohibited the media to take his photos during company events when his presence was highly needed.

News and rumors always headlined his latest conquests, be it business or his personal life. But only about business were confirmed. His personal life was always private and none of the rumored affairs were confirmed. Xinli was secretly reading the news about China and would always try to find articles about him or about Zenith and other partner hotels controlled by the HLY Group.

Then her thoughts drifted back to her best friend, Xiaotian. She never imagined they would be apart in this way, she thought sadly. They dreamed together when they were still in Jiangnan, that one day, they would make it in a big and prosperous city like Chang An.

They studied in the same school and practically grew up together. Their parents were good neighbors and they would always share dishes even on ordinary days. Xiaotian was a year older than Xinli.

They both excelled in their classes and Xiaotian was never envious of her friend's achievements. She was very supportive of Xinli and her friend supported her interests too. They were like two peas in a pod. By the time both graduated from university, they immediately headed for Chang An and promptly applied for a job at Zenith.

The ad offered very attractive compensations and both girls applied as receptionists. With thier determination and good looks, they were hired and thus, they looked for a place to rent in the city.

Their parents supported the girls' intention to be independent adults, but not forgetting to remind them of always upholding good moral conducts and proper behaviours. "Xiaotian, i miss you my dear friend. May God always take good care of you..." she whispered before finally falling asleep.