29 Off the Marke

The wind blew lightly as the leaves fell from the branches of the trees that lined up the 'Lover's Lane' of University P. The once immaculate pavement was now littered with leaves, sharing the same color of those barks. The crunching sound it creates when one steps on it, whether intentional or accidental, triggers nostalgia.

There was an interesting legend in the Lover's Lane of University P. From the word itself, it was a place lovers frequently went to. It spanned three kilometers, back and forth. The area provided a conducive atmosphere for their 'things' whatever that was.

However, here's the catch. If the two lovers walked along the lane while holding hands, they will break up eventually, no matter how long they've been in the relationship.

But if the two of you can walk back and forth without touching each other's hands, then the so-called goddess of Lover's Lane will bless the relationship. Rest assured that a married couple can even survive the seven-year itch.

"Do you believe in that, Ying?" Li Nuxie stopped in the middle of the lane. The students were yet to go back for enrolment so not a soul was in sight.

Li Nuxie was currently in University P to inspect the venue for the launching of her bikini line. Li Chanying went with her to deal with the people who wanted to meet the person behind NU C.

The university's current Vice President for External Affairs was a die-hard fan of the brand that she really insisted to hold the launching inside the university.

"It must be a placebo effect," Li Chanying told her while stepping on the dried leaves. "I really like the sound," she giggled.

"Should I try?"

Li Chanying turned to her cousin. "What?" She shook her head. Li Nuxie's arm was already healed but she was still undecided between the two men. It's a good thing that her cousin didn't meet either of the two for the last month.

"Why don't you just bring them here and hold both of their hands while walking? That way, you can ditch both," she suggested as she nibbled on her chocolate chips.

Li Nuxie raised an eyebrow. "Whatever happened to the Team Black Emperor?"

"Hmmp. I decided to wait and meet Mr. Book first. Black Emperor might be duping me, for all I know," the two of them continued walking, occasionally kicking some dried leaves along the way.

Unknown to the two of them, a man with binoculars was standing at the highest point inside the university. He was not a lip reader but he has a vague idea of what the two women were talking about.

"Wei, what are you looking at?" The man behind him asked, in his shirt was the seal of University P.

Xu Wei shrugged. "Just admiring the view, Ted."

"I hope they're from the faculty. I don't advocate student-older men relationships," Ted told his friend. Ted Montiero was the President of University P. He was classmates with Xu Wei in graduate school.

"No need to freak out. Your students are safe from my charm. It is exclusive for my woman," Xu Wei told him, before bringing the binoculars closer to his eyes again. He sighed when he cannot see her anymore.

"Woah. The eligible Xu Wei is already off the market?" Ted's eyes widened. "Why I haven't heard of it?"

Xu Wei curled his lips. "Consider yourself lucky," he picked up his backpack and put it on his back.

"Where are you going now? I thought you want to go and eat some street foods?" Ted's eyebrows drew together.

"Gonna chase my woman first," he headed towards the door.

Ted shook his head. His friend was really more fickle-minded than women.

=0=

The pool area where the launching will be held three days later was where the students of synchronized swimming performed. The swimming pool itself was made of fiber glass, twice the strength of the normal. It was custom made for the university.

The pool was elevated, supported by black steel pipes on four sides. It was located at the center of arena which provided the audience two choices of seat: the so-called mosh pit and the upper boxes.

The upper boxes have side views and the mosh pit has a reverse bird's eye view. Of course, mosh pit was in demand, with only thirty seats to accommodate. However, it wouldn't matter as there were only 30 people invited.

"What can you say, Xiexie?" Li Chanying asked her cousin whose gaze was drilling holes on the fiber glass.

She gave her thumbs up. "I like it. How's RuRu? She was briefed with what she needed to do, right?"

Li Chanying nodded, linking her arms with her. "I heard the street foods in Country P are delicious. Can we go there, after?" Removing her arm from Li Nuxie's, she clasped her hands in front of her together, even to the point of fluttering her eyelids repeatedly. "Pretty please?"

"Okay, fine. You owe me one," Li Nuxie finally relented.

Li Chanying clenched her fists as she giggled. "Thanks Xiexie!" She blew a kiss towards her. "Catch it," she demanded.

"Oh sure. Then, we go home straight after," Li Nuxie said, crossing her arms.

Pouting, Li Chanying crossed her arms too but didn't say anything. When Li Chanying's phone rang, Li Nuxie took advantage of it to explore the area. Nothing was allowed to go wrong during the launching. This would make or break her.

Her hands slide against the glass as her eyes narrowed to inspect the surface. Li Chanying's voice bounced back at the four corners of the arena.

"Xiexie, I'll head out first. I need to meet Vice President Cortez. After that, let's meet at the parking lot," Li Chanying opened her shoulder bag and put her phone inside.

"Then, I'll just wait in the car," they went out of the arena together before separating at the entrance, with Li Nuxie going back to the Lover's Lane while Li Chanying went to the Vice President's Office.

Li Nuxie squinted when she reached the point where Lover's Lane started. Or maybe ended, depending on one's point of view. Too bad she didn't bring her camera. The landscape was too perfect she wanted to weep.

Lowering her head, she took a step. Her sneakers stood out amid the brown leaves that scattered in the pavement. She was wearing her favorite pink panda jacket paired with skinny jeans.

From afar, she looked like a female protagonist in TV dramas, waiting for her prince charming.

She kept on walking, stomping on the dried leaves. Her hands were inside the jacket's pockets. She felt a slight movement on her right side. She stopped but did not turn around. Must be the wind, she thought.

Li Chanying assured her that there were only four people in the university. Them, Vice Pres Cortez, and President Montiero. The guards, meanwhile do not patrol in these areas as it was in the middle of the campus.

No one can get there without going through the perimeters set up by the security management. Unless of course, there was a heads up just like their case.

She continued walking. When her foot touched the point where the Lover's Lane ended, she breathed a relief. Finally, the agony of walking alone was done.

"Do you think we'll grow old with each other now that we walked together but never hold hands?"

Li Nuxie's breathing quickened as the voice penetrated her ears. She knew that voice by heart! Her hands became clammy as her legs started shaking. She turned around sharply. Her mouth was left opened when she saw the person.

Black Emperor! "Wei," her voice came as a whisper.