33 Chapter 33: Wall Flower (2/2)

”Oh? Do I look like her?” I try to answer as normal as possible.

”Not really,” he responds, ”She's really beautiful and sweet.”

”O-oh…”

”However, she left me.”

I try to look for an opening to switch partners.

”How do I remind you of her?” I ask as I try to stall time.

”Well… I just get the feeling…”

I am surprised to see XiaoLong blush and turn away. I catch myself staring and turn away quickly too.

”Well, I hope you find her,” I lie.

I leave the dancefloor as the song ends and return to my room.

”What's wrong?” Ji asks.

”I'm fine,” I respond, ”Just a bit tired.”

I ask the maids and everyone to leave and enjoy the rest of the ball, as I stay in my room and read. The novels and fairy tales take me into an imaginary land where I escape to get my mind off things. I laugh and smile as I read.

About a half hour later, a knock comes from my door. I put away my book.

”Come in.”

Mother and Father enter the room. They slowly walk over and sit on the couch. I sit across from them. A moment of silence fills the room, and I realize the serious topic they address.

”YingYue,” father says in a somewhat sad tone, ”You're the QiLing they're trying to find, right?”