The maids obediently stepped aside to allow Li Xiuying and Yao Changying to pa.s.s. The group then silently walked to Ren Guiton's study.

When they reached the study everyone took a seat facing Ren Guotin's desk.

Ren Guotin: "I know that both of you have been trying to contact Daiyu and she has not been responding."

Both women stared at him, waiting for him to continue.

Ren Guotin cleared his throat awkwardly when he saw the blank faces of his audience: "Well quite a lot has happened. I'm not able to go into too much detail because it is up to Daiyu what she wants to divulge to you; additionally I'm not clear on the whole situation. Here's what I do know; Daiyu went out a few days ago and she somehow managed to cross paths with Dai Sying and Jin Ah Lam. I don't know what was said exactly but Daiyu came back looking lifeless and clutching something in her hand."

Yao Changying: "Who are Dai Sying and Jin Ah Lam?"

Li Xiuying: "Ex and Ex-Best friend."

Ren Guotin: "That's not all, her employer said that she can have an extended break."

Yao Changying: "Until when?"

Ren Guotin: "For an additional 2 weeks. Her cases have been handed over to someone that Daiyu was previously helping to train. That person has also completed all of Daiyu's outstanding tasks."

Li Xiuying: "Mmm."

Yao Changying: "That doesn't sound so bad. When Daiyu returns she'll be able to start on new cases and not have to worry about tedious tasks right?"

Li Xiuying: "They're phasing her out."

Yao Changying: "Huh?"

Li Xiuying: "It's a technique many companies use. They slowly begin to give you more holidays, share your work load and clients with other staff members, constantly down size your office s.p.a.ce, exclude you from social gatherings and relevant meetings and somehow always manage to neglect telling you valuable company news etc."

Yao Changying was shocked: "Are they allowed to do that?"

Li Xiuying shrugged.

Ren Guotin: "They aren't technically doing anything illegal. The employee eventually just agrees to leave amicably."

Yao Changying: "Mr. Ren you're a big shot lawyer can't you do anything to stop this? Sue them may be? Don't you have contacts in the field?"

Ren Guotin looked exhausted: "Like I said earlier they aren't doing anything illegal or breaching their contract. They haven't explicitly told Daiyu that she has to leave and everything that they are and will probably do in the future isn't admissible in court. Can you imagine what it would look like to stand in front of a judge and state that your work had been giving you extended holidays with pay, having someone complete most of your work and that colleagues aren't talking to you? She'll sound like a petulant ingrate. And yes Changying, I do have many contacts and I've made a few calls unbeknownst to Daiyu and I can't change anything. Plus Daiyu had already forbade me from meddling and interfering. Furthermore, I may have powerful friends but I have also made powerful enemies in my line of work who may be behind this whole situation." He sighed and leaned back in his chair.

Li Xiuying had a strong inkling about who was behind Ren Daiyu current situation; Mr Chong Honghui. She stood up: "Lead the way."

Ren Longwei also stood up from the edge of the desk: "Dr Li I don't think its wise that you go and see Daiyu right now; she isn't in the best of states and I'm not sure that she would want anyone to see her looking so ah disheveled."

Both Li Xiuying and Yao Changying stood to leave without giving Ren Longwei a second look.

Yao Changying energetically followed behind:"We might as well take a tour while we're here."

Ren Guotin: "I'll show you the way."

.....

Ren Guotin was slightly hesitant as he held the door handle of Ren Daiyu's room: "I warn you to prepare yourself." He then turned the handle and pushed the door open.

Li Xiuying and Yao Changying looked around. The room before them was in complete disarray. The bed was unmade and looked to have use clothes on it. There re were clothes strewn about on every surface, plates and moldy food could be seen in various locations around the room. By the dresser there appeared to be smashed perfume bottles and a gloppy mess of makeup.

As they went further in they were hit with a wall of disgusting smell.

Yao Changying scrunched her face: "What is that smell? Did something die in here?"

Li Xiuying made her way towards a large sofa which which was facing a TV. On the TV there was a random romance film. A lump of blankets was on the sofa and there was an arm poking out from a corner and waving a middle finger at the male lead on the TV.

Li Xiuying grabbed the corned of the blankets and pulled it hard. The lump of a person fell on the floor with a yelp .

Ren Daiyu was sprawled very unladylike on the floor: "What do you think you're..." She trailed off as she met Li Xiuying's gaze.

Yao Changying look at Ren Daiyu from head to toe: "This look is definitely not for you" Ren Daiyu was wearing over-sized jumper with baggy shorts, there was stains all over her clothes, her hair looked like a birds next and she has dark circles under her eyes.

Ren Daiyu had a glazed looked on her face and pulled herself back onto the sofa: "What are you doing here?"

Yao Changying frowned: "I think the most pertinent question is, why the h.e.l.l didn't you tell us what was going on? Your ex causing trouble, problems at work, why didn't you call us?"

Ren Daiyu replied lifelessly as she stared at the TV: "I'm managing the situation."

Yao Changying: "Has the definition of 'managing' changed recently? Because darling you are managing your way into self sabotage."

Ren Daiyu's replied dismissively: "I'm sorry I'm not able to entertain you today, I think it's best if you both leave."

Yao Changying was about to give Daiyu a piece of her mind when Li Xiuying suddenly stepped forward.

Li Xiuying took off her glove and slapped Ren Daiyu across the face.

Yao Changying stood then slack-jawed. Ren Guiton and Ren Longwei who were standing in the doorway were equally shocked at Li Xiuying's actions.

Ren Daiyu cupped her left cheek and look at Li Xiuying in astonishment.

Li Xiuying spoke with anger in her voice: "Ren Daiyu choose right here and now. Are we friends or not?! I don't want such a superficial friends.h.i.+p."

Ren Daiyu's eyes started watering; she knew Li Xiuying was reminding her that real friends are their for each other, they lean on each other, they are their to enjoy the good and ride out the bad.

Ren Daiyu had tears streaming down her face as she sniffed: "I'm sorry." She was just scared to involve her friends; what if they left her because her life was too troublesome? What if they kick her while she was done? So she did what she had done before when she only had herself to depend on. She buried her head in the sand and hid from the world.

Ren Guotin and Ren Longwei: "..." Why was the person that got slapped apologizing?!

Li Xiuying's face showed warmth and with courage and willpower she used her ungloved hand to pat Ren Daiyu's head a few hands. She then put on her glove again and look satisfied at having comforted her friend.

Li Xiuying sat down on Ren Daiyu's right hand side and Yao Changying pretended to fall back on the sofa on Ren Daiyu's left.

Yao Changying: "I'm probably going to have to bleach these trousers. YingYing you should probably check your hand for wildlife."

Ren Daiyu snorted and elbowed Yao Changying in the ribs.

Yao Changying: "I thought that you had been replaced by an alien."

Li Xiuying quirked a brow: "Capgras syndrome?"

Yao Changying sighed: "YingYing can I not say anything without you diagnosing me with a psychiatric condition?"

Ren Daiyu giggled: "Which condition do you have now?"

Yao Changying sighed: "Believing that a loved one has been replaced by an identical impostor."

Li Xiuying smirked.

Ren Daiyu: "How did you guys even get in?" She turned around and saw her dad and cousin still waiting by the door way.

Ren Guotin and Ren Longwei entered the room now that they saw it was safe. They pulled some Chairs over to the sofa.

Yao Changying: "Someone picked the front door lock and then strutted in like they own the place."

Ren Daiyu frowned and turned to Li Xiuying:" How did you manage to pick the lock?"

Li Xiuying spoke like it was obvious: "Lock picking kit."

Ren Daiyu: "And you just happened to have this kit with you today?"

Li Xiuying shrugged one of her shoulders: "I thought there would be some obstacles."

Ren Daiyu: "Where did you even learn to pick a lock?!"

Yao Changying and Li Xiuying both replied: "Internet."

Ren Guotin: "It seems you can learn anything on the internet now a days."