118 I Cant. (1/2)

Stunned silence ensued in the stable. Heiyue awkwardly kicked his legs, waiting for someone to break the deafening silence.

Wen Jinkai tried to argue against her words, his mouth opening and closing. Memories of her flashed in his mind, a naive little prey wandering into the battlefield of predators with a winning smile and looks of mischief.

She thought he was a mute whose role was a bodyguard and he thought she was an annoying brat who needed to be taught a lesson. Who would've thought his first love would be the biggest mistake of his life, a lesson well-learned.

His duty was to his country, to the Imperial Family who sheltered him when his parents didn't. He swallowed his pride, his emotion, his wants, all for a loyal friend to ruin the only good thing he had stumbled upon.

”Xueyue, I—”

”Save it for another woman who looks like her.”

Li Xueyue glared down at him. Was that why he was infatuated with her? Because she resembled someone he once loved but had lost? Did he think she would be exactly like that girl? Whoever she was.

”You disappoint me in more ways than one, Commander.”

She softly shook her head and in a blink of an eye, Heiyue was racing out of the stable. Wen Jinkai ran towards the entrance but was too late. He was met with the dust that the thunderous horse had kicked up.

Heiyue was a whirlwind of pure stamina and stealth. He stormed out of the Capital, unafraid of trampling down the forest leading to the enormous Li Manor on the outskirts of the city. Most of the elite families lived on the outskirts of the Capital since it was a lot more secluded and quiet.

On a normal day, Li Xueyue would've been comforted by the breeze that weaved through her hair, the refreshing air that blew past her, carrying all of her worries and stress away. Today was different. Thoughts of his behavior swarmed through her mind, his demanding ways, and the manipulative nature of his actions. She was glad for Yu Zhen's presence in her life, or else she would've never found an escape from Wen Jinkai, the man who could make Wuyi bend its knee.

”I've officially lost my mind.” She let out a shaky laughter, the sound swallowed by the hollowing wind racing past her.

Yu Zhen? Why was he the first suitor who came to mind? After the stunt he pulled today, she wasn't sure if she wanted to ever focus on her love life anymore. Love was a wretched thing. She was foolish to think real love was easy and easy love was real.

She shook her head, hoping to clear her thoughts, but the only thing she could think about was Yu Zhen this, Yu Zhen that. From his easy-going personality to the mysterious twinge of pain buried in his onyx eyes, there were so many things that she did not know about him but wanted to find out more about him.

So, imagine her surprise when Heiyue came to a screeching halt at the gates of the Li Manor. Sitting on top of his horse, proud and confident, blocking their path was a man that Li Xueyue didn't expect to see.

Yu Zhen sat still on his high horse, observing her widened eyes and parted lips. He was solemn and quiet, his gloved hand loosely grasping the black leather reins. The wind fluttered, blowing through his hair, lifting his white coat, revealing the golden embroidery of the roaring dragon.

He was here, but how? She was in the stable the entire time. Did he race after her when she left the stable? But that was impossible, Heiyue was one of the fastest horses in the Capital!

”How did you get here?”

”A short cut,” he curtly responded.

”What are you here for?” She could feel Heiyue's uneasiness while he stepped left and right, eager to head to his personal stable.

”You left. I chased.”

Li Xueyue bit her bottom lip. ”Well, you were too late.”

”Better late than never.”

”You're saying the phrase wrong.” Li Xueyue sighed, urging Heiyue to step backward. ”You're blocking my path. Move.”

”You wanted to learn more about me, didn't you?” Yu Zhen asked. He tugged at the reins to signal Xiao Lizi to step aside, offering them a chance to escape. He would not cage a sparrow like her. He wouldn't allow himself that cruel treatment. She was made to soar the skies, not caged down.

”I'd rather you show it than speak it.” Li Xueyue was stunned to see he was actually making way for her to leave if she wanted to. So, why hasn't she?

”Don't you want to know my secrets?”

”They're secrets for a reason.”

”You're afraid I'd share yours,” Yu Zhen pointed out.

She responded by staring him down, an indifferent expression on her face.