3 SIDES OF A BETRAYAL

Chapter 1

September 14– [2 days after the incident] SHEN KAI -

I didn't mean to do it. I really didn't.

September 12 – [Time during the incident] XIAO XING -

Right now, I wish I would have never met Shen Kai in the first place.

September 09- [3 days before the incident] RAO ZIJIE -

Yes, the same Shen Kai in my high school. Yes, the same words to describe him – Poor attitude, rough behavior, too lazy to do anything, and always ordering other people around. I thought I had enough of him in high school, but I guess I was wrong. Never thought, I still shared fate with him and...definitely not a good one.

September 09- [3 days before the incident] XIAO XING -

Just got fired, apparently, my boss thinks I am good for nothing...despite driving him from his house to office and back, buying him meals, and following him wherever he goes. I have no option now except to apply for other companies in order to pay my mom's hospital bills. I really want to get into one of the hotels in Chu Yan Group...they offer really great packages.

September 14- [1 day after the incident] SHEN KAI -

I am sorry. I shouldn't have done it. I really regret it. At that point, I didn't know what was right or wrong. I was just a still figure inside, scared of death.

September 09 - [3 days before the incident] RAO ZIJIE -

Xiao Xing? Ahh, my classmate from high school. She had a good personality. At least way better than Shen Kai's. Like WAY BETTER. She didn't top in class or something, but she was pretty decent, to me at least.

September 09 – [3 days before the incident] XIAO XING -

Oh my GOD! My wish came true. Three days later, I have my interview in the hotel of Chu Yan Group with Shen Kai. Ahh, you might be wondering why I love this hotel so much...but let me tell you...firstly, this hotel is near to the hospital where my mom is admitted. Apparently, she was diagnosed with lung cancer two years back. And, secondly, this hotel provides a good salary, which I need right now the most. I can't ask Shen Kai for money every time. And last but not the least, they treat their employees very well. I wanted to take a break for a month or two since I just got fired but I desperately want money right now.

September 14 - [1 day after the incident] SHEN KAI -

This all surely wouldn't have happened if Xingxing had asked me for money in the first place.

September 09 – [3 days before the incident] RAO ZIJIE -

I am currently hiring female and male staff but unfortunately, till now, none of the candidates fit into the criteria for what I am looking for. I have only a few candidates left now. They better be up to the standard.

September 09 – [3 days before the incident] XIAO XING -

I am currently in the hospital chatting with my mom telling her everything is fine and not mentioning the fact that I got fired to not make her worry.

September 14 – [1 day after the incident] RAO ZIJIE -

Had I known this would have happened, I would have never scheduled the interview for that day...wake up Xingxing, please.

September 10 – [2 days before the incident] XIAO XING -

I am preparing so hard for the interview right now. At this point, I need the money so bad that I am even ready to work as a housekeeper. The reason I am not asking for money is that I have already asked for money from Shen Kai many times and am still unable to pay him back. I owe him some 5000-6000 yuan.

September 14 – [2 days after the incident] SHEN KAI -

Please forgive me Xingxing. I don't deserve to be forgiven but I seriously hope that you wake up as soon as possible.

September 14 – [2 days after the incident] RAO ZIJIE -

I won't spare him. I won't. I just won't. I can't. What he did you do can never be expected to be done by a best friend. He already deserves hell. I am ready to do anything for you Xingxing. Please just wake up.

September 11 – [1 day before the incident] XIAO XING -

Oh my God! Can you believe it? Tomorrow is my interview. I am going with Shen Kai to give the interview. He said that he wanted to work with me, so he also praying that we both get selected together. Wish me luck! Hope everything goes well tomorrow.

September 20 – [8 days after the incident] RAO ZIJIE -

I want you to wake up as soon as possible...I want to see the same face of yours with that innocent smile once again. The doctor said that your condition is better than before but he can't predict when you will be able to get up. I come to see you every day with the hope that you would be awake with that same smile.

September 20 – [8 days after the incident] SHEN KAI -

Your mom still doesn't know about your condition. I think that she wouldn't be able to handle the truth. I have told her for now that you went to another country for a business trip for 2 months. I know I have lost the right to say this but I hope that you wake up as soon as possible.

September 12 – [Day of the incident] XIAO XING -

OMG, I can't believe so early today, like 4:30 am...WOWW, I never wake up before 7 am. Maybe I am too excited. Okay, Xingxing control your emotions. I am meeting Shen Kai around 8:30 am at his place and then we will go together to the hotel to give the interview. To be honest, I have never found another friend as good and trustworthy as Shen Kai.

October 07 – [25 days after the incident] RAO ZIJIE -

I still remember that sight of you falling. How can I possibly forget that? To be honest, I have never cared about someone this much my whole life...my parents died in a car accident when I was very young and I had nothing to do in my life except to study hard and be independent. That's why I encouraged everyone to work hard in high school because if one day you lose everyone around you, you still have something with you and something to be proud of.

October 07 – [25 days after the incident] SHEN KAI -

Zijie doesn't even allow me to see you, telling me that I don't deserve to care about you. I know what I did was definitely inhuman...but I regret it a lot.

September 12 – [Day of the incident] XIAO XING -

It's finally about to start...The moment has come. I went in. The first person I see is....wait what? Rao Zijie? Are you serious? My classmate from high school. Is it really him? I want to know if it is really him but I can't really ask him in front of so many people, but I could tell he was also taken aback a bit.

October 07 – [25 days after the incident] RAO ZIJIE -

Yes, I admit I was surprised seeing Xingxing because I hadn't quite expected it. But...what else did I see? Ahh yes, I saw that arrogant Shen Kai. I really had to try so hard not to let his past influence the current interview.

October 07 – [25 days after the incident] SHEN KAI -

I was so happy that day...I thought everything would go well. But seeing Zijie again ruined everything. Maybe he was the reason for what I did.

September 12 – [Day of the incident] XIAO XING -

Halfway through the interview, I realized I was facing difficulty in breathing. People outside the hotel started screaming furiously asking us to come out as quickly as possible. Within seconds, we realized that the gas from the petrochemical plant near the hotel leaked.