150 For The Bes (1/2)

Another suffocating silence passed through them. Li Xueyue couldn't find it in herself to speak. What could she say to him? She had revealed a weakness of hers that she never wanted anyone to find out—that she was pathetic. She had nightmares. She had baggage. She was dead weight.

No one should love her.

It was exactly as Viscount Bai had instilled in her core.

”Please,” Li Xueyue finally said, her voice heavy. ”Just go,” she whispered the last part, half hoping he didn't hear it and half hoping he would.

Yu Zhen was never used to tantrums. He was often the one throwing them in the most lethal and unnoticeable manner. From slicing off the tongue of those who spread rumors about him, to beating his brothers at everything they were good at. His wrath was always unexpected and subtle.

He liked to think of himself as a patient man, but that was a lie. Whatever he demanded, he got. Being a second too late was still late and it deserved punishment. Everything had to go his way, or no way.

So why was it that he found himself holding his hands out for her, revealing his palms to show he meant no harm? Why was it that he was still approaching this stubborn woman when she should be the one to apologize? Why was he swallowing his pride?

”Come here, Sunshine,” he softly said, urging Li Xueyue to take his outstretched hand.

Li Xueyue blinked. It wasn't a command. Guilt clawed at her chest, reminding her of how much of a burden she was. She bit her bottom lip, her brow furrowing together.

”I'm sorry…” she whispered.

”Come to me.”

He didn't forgive her. Li Xueyue knew forgiveness was too much to expect. Their polar differences would eventually clash and wreak havoc in their lives. They were the opposite of each other.

Yu Zhen was the calm before the storm, and she was the violent crash of the waves.

”Yu Zhen, I-I don't think—”

He dropped his hands, an understanding smile on his face. ”It's getting dark,” he suddenly pointed out, turning his head to the window where the sun was still bright and high in the sky.

”I apologize, Princess Li. Your reputation must've been risked by my unannounced attendances,” Yu Zhen formally said. ”It won't happen next time.”

He nodded his head, bidding her farewell. He didn't look at her again when he walked past her, as if he was leaving the house of a mere acquaintance.

Li Xueyue instantly turned around, watching as he wordlessly opened the door. She waited in silence, expecting him to slam the door, rattling the frames of the walls but he didn't. In fact, he softly closed it behind him.

She read somewhere that people can tell how dangerous someone is by the way they hold their anger quietly to themselves. Yu Zhen was the epitome of this saying.

Li Xueyue dug her fingers into her palm, forcing herself to remain rooted in this drawing-room. ”This is for the best,” she said out loud.

Li Xueyue shouldn't be dragged down by a man. She had made up her mind this morning, to bid him farewell. To request distance and time apart between them. Maybe his departure was for the best. Maybe it was better for him to walk out now, knowing there weren't strings attached between them—little red ribbons of fate wrapped around their pinkies. Maybe it was better for him—she couldn't finish her thought.

She dashed out the door.