Fight ICE with ICE

Xu Kai: The Stranger

I look up as Miss Xiao comes back. I feel a little flicker of happiness inside me light up. Like as if I suddenly have found the biggest treasure in the world. But as fast as that feeling came, it leaves as I see some stranger next to her.

"Hey! I'm back!" She smiles widely. She seems so happy now that she's back. And she must be happy because she talked with this guy.

"Who the hell-"

But as fast as I responded, Miss Xiao cut me off. She looked really pissed at me while the man was standing there looking at Wei Wei, SMILING 😃.

This fool likes Wei Wei!  I think as I start chuckling inside. But then I focus back on the real problem. Who the hell is this guy? And why did he come back with Miss Xiao?

"So! Guys, this is Mr. Xiao Nai. I met him while I was walking around." She says smiling, talking to us in English. "He's a nice guy so please don't ruin this." She says with the biggest smile on her face, but also through gritted teeth while looking at me.

I lift my hands up as if I was getting arrested and try to signal that I will not do anything. As I look at him again though, he's just shamelessly staring at Wei Wei.

"So, you're Xiao Nai! Nice to meet you, I'm Xu Kai."

He nods in acknowledgement and then sit down right next to Wei Wei, "Hello, I'm Xiao Nai! Nice to meet you." Wei Wei looks up but she seems not the tiniest bit interested in the way he is.

She nods at him giving him a kind of fake smile from what I can tell and introduces herself. "Hai! I'm Bei Wei Wei, but you can call me Wei Wei." Another very obvious fake smile according to me.

Miss Xiao and I look at each other knowing what's happening right in front of our eyes. We don't know who's going to break the ice first, but we both can tell she isn't interested in him at all in that way. Miss Xiao is the first to try to break the silence.

"So! I'm Cheng Xiao, as you already know, but you can call me Miss Xiao, like Mr. Yu does. Or you can call me Xiao Xiao like Wei Wei does!"

He directs his attention back to Miss Xiao slowly and smiles back. Now that's a genuine smile that Miss Xiao has, not like Wei Wei. I wonder what's wrong with Wei Wei today. She seems a bit... off.

"So, Mr. Xiao, what do you do? Are you in college? Or are you already past that step in life and pursuing your career?"

Mr. Xiao smiles and says, "I'm a professional photographer. My dream is to one day make it into the big magazines, and have my artwork printed along with the big story."

I get amazed by his big aspirations. If only I could dream big like him.

"What do you do Xiao Xiao?" I see Miss Xiao blush a little on her ears. Just the smallest hint of a blush, but I see it, and there a strange feeling in my stomach.

Does she like it? Does she like it when they call her Xiao Xiao? Should I... try it? No no no! I can't! I'm just her ice skating instructor because I was a failure at being a professional ice skater. I'm nothing else to her. I'm just Mr. Xu Kai.

"Ohh so you're still in college I see!" I hear Mr. Xiao say as I'm interrupted from my thoughts. "Business is a very interesting career. Do you like it?" I look at Miss Xiao and I'm about to zone out but I hear her speak.

"I don't know." I look at her confusingly. "I don't know if I like what I'm studying. I just know I enjoy how my lifestyle is and that I definitely don't want to leave it behind. I also have this strange urge to maybe take over my father's company one day if he let's me. But only when I feel like I'm ready." I look at her deep brown eyes as she laughs a bit at whatever Mr. Xiao just said.

She's never actually opened up about this before. Is this how she really is? Caring and loving towards people she cares about? Maybe she treats people badly because she thinks they will leave her one day...

"Mr. Xu! Mr. Xu!" I get pulled back from my thoughts again, but this time from someone different. Mr. Xiao is looking at me questioningly, while Miss Xiao is looking at me annoyed.

"Sorry I zoned out. What did you say?"

Mr. Xiao chuckles. He looks at me and repeats the question. "What do you do for a living? This is the 4th time I've asked you! You must've been really deep in thought, huh?" He smirks as he says the last part.

Why is this fool smirking at me? Stupid.

"I'm a professional figure skater. Although right now I'm currently employed by..." I hesitate for a second, thinking on whether I should be bold and call her Xiao Xiao or not, "Miss Xiao here to teach her how to skate and soon learn a few figure skating moves done by the professionals. For example, if we keep on going the way we are, maybe sooner or later she will be able to attempt jumps or spins, simple stuff like that."

He looks at me quite impressed and smiles. He's not smiling at me though, he smiling at Miss Xiao. For some odd reason, I feel uncomfortable, like I shouldn't be here. I feel the need to get out of there, because I can see some connection they both have. I have no idea if I like the idea of it or absolutely hate it.

"Hey, I actually needed to practice some skating moves since I'm a little out of practice with them. How much longer are we going to be here. It's getting dark anyways."

Miss Xiao doesn't scowl, for the first time she looks up at me and agrees. "Yea, it's getting kinda late. We should leave soon." She then looks at Wei Wei who is just conveniently already packing most of her stuff up. We all gather our stuff and get ready to leave.

"Hey! Before you leave, we might never see each other again. How about I get your number?" Mr. Xiao was persistent, and by the looks of it, he almost always got what he wanted.

"Yea sure, here's my number." Miss Xiao says, showing him her phone and zooming into the little numbers under contacts. After he types it in, he waves goodbye. And just as fast as he got here, he left.

We also say goodbye to Wei Wei before we start heading back home. Our walk back home wasn't as serious as it was earlier while we headed to the park. Miss Xiao took a few pictures here and there. And we had a more calm and friendly walk home.

When we get home, I immediately say good night and head to my bed. I changed into my pajamas and as I lay there in bed drifting off to sleep, I remember the fact that no matter what, Miss Xiao is stuck with me for a whole long time. And even though she might not see me as someone she can open up to right now, I hope that one day I'm the first one she can come to when she's facing a hard time. Whenever and wherever.

•AUTHOR'S NOTE
Guys sorry it took me so long. My phone stopped working and along with personal life issues, it's all just been a rollercoaster. I think now im back. But I've been re reading and maybe I want to re write certain chapters. I don't know yet tbh cuz that would take a lot of time and idk if I have all that time as a student. Will try to come back soon tho. Sending all my luv to yall 🫶🏻 baii 🤗