340 The Things on My Mind (2/2)

Yu Zhen ground his teeth. He glared down at her in disbelief. She was the one provoking him, not the other way around.

Li Xueyue angrily shook her head. ”I'm going back.”

Li Xueyue turned around and approached the door. It barely opened a crack before it was closed shut. She gasped as two arms slammed onto the door, caging her in. She could feel the warm oozing off his heated body. Her eyes landed upon his hands that tightened into fists. Chords of veins revealed itself on his tanned skin.

He was furious.

”Let me out,” she demanded without facing him.

Li Xueyue knew the second she turned around, she'd regret it. If there was one thing that was intimidating, it would be his eyes. When he was enraged, his gaze was as menacing as a beast.

”No. We're going to solve this.”

”I don't want to,” she gritted out.

She pressed her body closer to the door when he inched closer. His presence was too difficult to ignore.

”Li Xueyue. My patience has its limits,” he calmly said.

Li Xueyue frowned at his tone. She was worried about his health. He was beyond the point of rage. His tranquility scared her. When a livid man was calm, that was when people should brace for their lives.

”You're throwing a tantrum,” he softly stated.

”I'm not—”

”Turn around when you talk to me,” he demanded in a chilling voice.

Li Xueyue shook her head. ”No, you're—” He didn't care for her excuses. He forcibly grabbed her chin, turning her around without warning.

Li Xueyue lost her voice. It was just as she had predicted. His glare was fierce. His brooding eyes could tear her apart without trying.

”Tell me, Li Xueyue, why are you upset?”

Li Xueyue threw him off guard when she reached up and touched his jaw. It was clenched and tightened.

”You'll hurt yourself,” she muttered.

Yu Zhen watched her like she was crazy. One minute she was mad, the next, she was concerned about his well being. What the hell was going on inside of her head? He was willing to buy out a kingdom just to take a peek of her thoughts.

No matter how frustrated he was with her, he couldn't deny her touch. She rarely initiated it. He let her fingers gently rest upon his jaw, her thumb caressing his throat. She had no intention of teasing him, but his body hummed with heat. Whether it was from his irritation or the effect of her touch, he didn't know.

”You're right,” she suddenly said.

Yu Zhen's gaze snapped to her. He certainly didn't expect to hear that from her.

”You're always the first to do everything. The first to ask me what's wrong, the first to chase when I run…” Li Xueyue muttered. ”It's because I'm a coward. I'm unable to do the same because I worry about the factors holding me back.”

Yu Zhen watched with hawk-like eyes when her hand trailed to the side of his neck. Her fingertips on his skin felt ticklish. He wanted more of her touch. It enthralled him.

”There are so many things I want to say, but I'm frustrated when I can't voice my concerns. You've worked hard to make sure I tell you everything, but I just can't… Some things are easier said than done,” she whispered.

Yu Zhen didn't understand what she was doing to him. Her hand had traveled to his chest, her fingers grasping at his clothes. She pulled him closer without much effort.

”But won't you chase me a little bit more?” Li Xueyue whispered. ”Until I'm no longer afraid of telling you the things on my mind?”

Yu Zhen pressed his lips together. When she glanced up at him, eyes filled with earnestness, how could he deny her wish? He rested his palm upon the hand that was touching his chest.

He dropped his head in defeat.

”The race has yet to end,” he muttered. ”Of course I'm going to continue running after you.”

He frowned upon meeting her stare. Her shoulders were so frail, yet she shouldered so much burdens. What exactly was burdening her? What exactly kept her up at night? Who was plaguing her nightmares? Who was hurting her?

”Won't you tell me all of your worries?” Yu Zhen quietly asked.

”Soon…” she said. ”Soon.”