The four of them felt a little sad and awkward upon hearing this. So they changed the subject.
The five of them sat and talked about everything that had been happening at school. And Chen told them all she had done at home. Though there was nothing much to tell, as Chen spent most of time with Mian. But Kio seemed oddly interested in her stories.
Maria soon came in with the food Chen had bought, fruits Kio had bought, and the food that Mrs. Xi had prepared. They gossiped as they ate.
Xi Hua told Chen how a celebration party was to be held for them after three days in the school's main hall.
Yu Chen was dumbfounded, "What?!?! A party?!?!? For us?!?!"
Xi Hua: "Yeah, we are the stars of the school now."
Huo Zenghai: "Chen, you don't know the worst of it because you left to visit your parents."
Mo Kio: "Yeah, I can't even enjoy a little cup of coffee in peace."
Huo Zenghai: "But me and Kio found a nice place, a hideout, to be precise."
Xi Hua: "A hideout!!! Why was I not included?"
Mo Kio: "Well...you actually...."
Huo Zenghai butted in before he could complete, "Because you didn't need to. You seem to be well enjoying the attention everyone is giving. Tell me Hua, when was the last time we hung out, only us?"
Mo Kio: "And I'm pretty sure that if Chen had not returned, we would not be hanging out."
While Kio and Zenghai were scolding Xi Hua, Si Xia quitely shifted a little closer to Chen and spoke in a low voice, "So you had a nice time?"
Yu Chen: "Yeah. I haven't felt so relaxed in a very long time."
Si Xia: "Good. By the way, they told me" he said pointing towards the three arguing, "that you cooked lunch for them?"
Yu Chen: "Oh yeah. It was just a little thing. We had some leftover dumplings.....What's wrong?" she asked looking at Xia's face.
Si Xia: "I can't believe you would leave me out like that."
Yu Chen's mouth fell open. "Come on dude. You were not in the city!! And you blame me?!?!" she thought.
But she could not say this. Not after seeing Xia's puppy eyes. So she calmed herself and said, "Next time I'll definitely call you."
Si Xia: "No. I want you to cook only for me."
Yu Chen was speechless. She ignored him and instead focused on breaking up the argument that seemed to have heated up while she was talking with Xia. She tried to calm Zenghai, Kio amd Hua. But none seemed to notice even her presence. Even when Si Xia tried, they did not stop.
Seeing no other way, Chen shouted, "I'M GOING TO LONDON ON 28!!!!!"
The three of them fell silen and started looking at Yu Chen. Even Si Xia was shocked.
They all looked at her dumbfounded and with their mouths open. Yu Chen calmed down a little and said, "I received the mail while I was at my parents. I leave via am early morning flight on 28."
Huo Zenghai stammered, "Twen-twenty eight. Thi-this twenty..."
Yu Chen nodded, "Yeah."