In YQ and XYZ's room

YQ: "XYZ, I can't tell you how impressed I am! You took on Tian-er and won!"

XYZ grinned: "It was a good fight. For a while, I thought I'd lose, but then I thought of you and I fought on."

YQ blinked: "You thought of me? You mean you want to beat me?"

XYZ exclaimed: "No!" When she saw he was teasing, she punched him playfully: "Hey!"

YQ laughed: "But really, as proud as I am, I was still worried."

XYZ: "Worried? You worry too much!"

YQ: "I know, but I can't help it. Every time you get in a fight, I worry. When XJ stopped me from helping today, I swear my heart stopped."

XYZ took his hand: "YQ, don't worry. I have Fang family blood in me, I'll be fine."

YQ looked at their entwined hands: "XYZ, when did you get to be so sweet?"

XYZ blushed and then said quietly with a small grin: "Since I had you."

YQ kisses her deeply: "HAM sure named you correctly. You are my pride and joy, my pearl, my treasure."

In EK and ZW's room

EK: "ZW, I've missed you."

ZW: "What? But we are constantly together!"

EK: "I know! But I still miss you." He hugged her: "I think I miss having you in my arms."

ZW blushed: "EK, I told you, I'm always here for you."

EK: "I know. That XYZ, she never ceases to amaze me!"

ZW chuckled: "I know. I used to be worried about how she and YQ would live together. I guess I was worried about nothing. She's changed so much for him."

EK: "Yes, and so has YQ for her. He's a lot more fun to be with. And when we discuss the country's problems with HAM, he places a lot more emphasis on the good of the people."

ZW: "I'm still amazed."

EK looked at her thoughtfully: "You've changed too."

ZW was surprised: "I have? How?"

EK: "You're much more confident about yourself."

ZW smiled: "I think that's your influence."

EK grinned: "And you're much more playful."

ZW: "You say it like its' a bad thing."

EK: "It's not. I'm really glad you're more open and less prone to hiding everything in your heart."

ZW: "You've changed too, you know."

This time it was EK's turn to be surprised: "Really?"

ZW looked him in the eye: "Yes. You don't kill yourself with work and worry. You enjoy life more now. A Ma and E Niang have both noticed it too. E Niang told me you seem less stressed and don't just do your duties for the sake of being dutiful anymore."

EK help her close: "With you, how could I not enjoy life more?" So saying, he kissed her softly.