150 Untitled (1/2)

”No, I do not dislike you.” Meng Fuyao turned around and shook her finger in his face, much to Yan Jingchen's surprise. ”I am disgusted with you. Just talking to you makes me want to puke,” she continued.

She ignored Yan Jingchen, walking away in big strides. Yan Jingchen begged. ”Fuyao, please give me another chance, and… give yourself another chance too…”

Without turning back, she shook her head and said, ”Sect leader Yan, those blinded by greed do not deserve any chances.”

The man behind her did not utter another word though she could hear the sounds of him trying to adjust his breath. She laughed grimly as she thought to herself, 'You want to fight? Very well, today shall be the day Pei Yuan becomes a widow.'

Meng Fuyao quickened her steps. Something seemed wrong. Wasn't the martial arts arena just nearby? Isn't there supposed to be a stream of people walking around? The crowded area now seemed desolated with not a single soul. The surroundings seemed to have changed as a blanket of dark, gloomy fog settled down slowly.

The dense fog twirled around clumsily, inching closer as it steadily wrapped itself one's breath, hands, blood, and consciousness. Meng Fuyao could hear her heartbeat slow down as the blood in her veins crawled to other parts of her body. Her limbs were now sluggish to the point where she could barely lift a finger.

Her heart sank. She quickly tried to circulate her energy only to realize that she was not poisoned. Rather than poisonous fog, these resembled a martial art that could control someone unknowingly. Such martial arts was not something that Yan Jingchen would know of!

Meng Fuyao had her guard up towards Yan Jingchen this whole time. Even when her back was facing him, every part of her was observing his move. He did not have any chance to attack her at all.

So what happened?

Amidst the fog, a crazed and hysterical laugh could be heard. It was a raucous voice that held an uncanny resemblance to the sound long nails made when dragged across a rough stone surface. A voice that left one squirmish and uncomfortable.

The laughter was the cue for Meng Fuyao's collapse.

She collapsed into the embrace of Yan Jingchen who had unknowingly appeared by her side.

The wind howled as the fog slowly dispersed. The raucous voice produced hearty laughter and asked, ”My dear disciple, how are you going to thank me for helping you?”

Yan Jingchen held Meng Fuyao in his arms as he bowed. ”It will all be as you wished,” he replied.

He lowered his head as he watched Meng Fuyao. Her long silky eyelashes, her calm, tranquil expression as she laid in his arms so obediently. It was a stark contrast to her usual cold and hurtful behavior. To hold her close like this was the first time in forever. It was something he had desperately hoped for in those lonesome nights when he reached for the illusion of her, only to realize there was nothing between his arms.

He revealed a sorrowful smile as his fingers brushed against Meng Fuyao's cheeks. His movements were gentle, yet his eyes showed nothing but resolution.

Yan Jingchen whispered, ”Fuyao, you once said that some mistakes were like a wound caused by a fast knife. One might not realize anything in the beginning, but as time passes, the wound will start to hurt and bleed… If that is so, then let me hurt. It would be better than to lose you… and you forgetting me.”

The surrounding changed. It was no longer near the crowded martial arts arena but a secluded mountain cave. A carriage stopped in the middle of the forest.

The thin fog slowly dissipated to reveal a scrawny old man in yellow. The old man wasn't just scrawny, but extremely scrawny, like a skeleton with a layer of skin. His brown snake-like eyes sat above those high cheekbones as he glanced at people sideways. The evil gaze he had made people feel disturbed.

He cackled evilly. Checking Meng Fuyao out, he said, ”Women… women are ugly beyond words.”

Yan Jingchen forced a smile. He lowered his head and carried Meng Fuyao up to the carriage. Before he even sat still, the old man in yellow followed suit, sitting closely with Yan Jingchen as he placed a hand on Jingchen's thigh.

Yan Jingchen froze. This subtle action was detected by the old man in yellow as he turned around, and he asked chillingly, ”Why? Are you despising your teacher once you got the girl? What did you say back then? If I knew this would happen, I would have killed her.”

”You must be kidding.” Yan Jingchen immediately lifted his head and smiled. ”Of course not… I am just afraid that the carriage driver would catch on…” His voice got softer and softer though he shuffled closer to the man in yellow.

The old man in yellow smiled, satisfied. The old man patted his hand, holding onto his eyes as he slowly caressed his palm. ”Now, that is my boy… Look at how much I dote you on. You want this woman, I helped you out despite my unwillingness. So, how are you going to repay me?”

This was his second time asking about the repayment. Yan Jingchen daren't avoid his question once more. He lowered his eyes as he forced a smile, answering, ”Teacher's kindness in helping disciple will not be forgotten… whatever disciple has… it is teacher's…”

The old man in yellow cackled once again, seemingly pleased with his reply. He whispered into Yan Jingchen's ears. ”Nighttime… night time… pity…”

He gently stroked Yan Jingchen's face and laughed gleefully as he announced, ”I dislike the scent of women. I shall head back first.”

Yan Jingchen bowed. ”Yes, please.”

In a flash, the man in yellow was gone like the wind. Yan Jingchen's tensed shoulders finally relaxed. He stared blankly at the direction the man disappeared in and suddenly grabbed a handkerchief, rubbing his face. He rubbed with such force that his skin tore as tiny blood vessels peaked through.

Only upon feeling the burning sensation did Yan Jingchen realize how heavy-handed he was. He quickly dropped the handkerchief and touched his face. After contemplating, he dug up a box of regenerating skin ointment and carefully applied it to his wound.