“Mr. Long and Miss Xin, it’s time for Elder Xin’s rest. His body is weak and needs rest,” the doctor told them as he was concerned his patient’s health.

She nodded and left the room.

Death.

Her Yèyè was dying and she could not do anything to stop it. He would leave her just like her mother did. When her mother left her, she always wondered what wrong she did that God took her mother away from her.

Her Brother Ryuu used to say ‘ We all had to die one day. Some died early and some later. There was nothing you could do about it.No matter how much you blamed everyone around you, no one could change this reality.’

“Zhenyi”

She turned around to find the owner of the voice standing behind her. She was so engrossed in her thoughts that she didn’t even notice him following me out of the room.

“Yeah?”

“you angry at me?”

Zhenyi frowned. “Why would I?”

Long Jie sighed.” I thought you will be angry because I told your grandfather that we will be registering our marriage without asking you.”

Of course, She was.

“Do you even care Long Jie?Because last I heard you wanted a wife that will dance on your fingers. And stop being hypocritical because neither you care about me nor my grandfather,” She said. She could tell him many things but she would not because he was no one to her. He never wanted to marry her in the first place. He was stuck in this stupid deal as much as she was.

He didn’t flinch. Didn’t deny. Didn’t give a damn.

“Inform my assistant when you want to visit the temple.”

She couldn’t help but laugh. “Did you notice I am not your damm client but your fiance?”

“Goddammit! then behave like one.” Long Jie snapped.

He was getting tired of her North-South attitude.

“I would have, if you were not ashamed of me. I was aware of the fact that you despise me Long Jie. But you are ashamed of marrying me in front of everyone is news to me,” Zhenyi said.

“What did you say?” Long Jie asked as if he didn’t hear her.

“You heard me loud and clear bastard!” She yelled.

Calm down Zhenyi. Calm down. This was so unlike her.

“Don’t. ” His tone was cautioning and sharp. He glanced at her with eyes full of anger and emotion she couldn’t comprehend, but shuddered inwardly.The Long Jie world knew was as calm as water but the one she knew was as devastating as the Tsunami.

“Don’t what?” She asked as if challenging him.

“Don’t you dare use such words with me again Zhenyi! Respect is a two-way street and if you can’t give me then don’t expect me to respect you in return,” He said, his voice starting to rise.

Anger. Madness. Insanity.

Zhenyi closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

“You expect me to respect you and your decisions, Long Jie, but what about you? Have you ever tried to see the big picture? Since the time I met you long Jie, you have done nothing but accused me. Inside, you told grandfather that we will be registering our marriage but did you ask me what I wanted?” She said through clenched teeth. She hated this man.

“I said it for your grandfather’s sake and never thought you will make a mountain of a molehill,” he said

Silence.

This was how she was going to answer him. He did not deserve her words.

“Xin Zhenyi,” He said loudly.

Silence.

“Woman are you hearing me?” he groaned in exasperation.

Silence.

“Zhenyi,” he said. This time softer than his usual voice.

“You are going back on your words” he added.

This caught her attention and she glanced at him. He held her hand in his hands and touched the very same ring he had slipped on her finger earlier.

“We agreed on sharing what’s going in this pretty head of yours” he whispered. She swear she could feel the trembles on her skin even though there was a good few inches distance between them.

Honestly, they agreed on it. But did he even deserve that?

His shoulders strained against his suit coat, causing her to unintentionally wonder what he looked like beneath his expensive façade. If his chest was as beautiful as his face or if it was hard and manly like his scent.

She shook her head to push the intrusive thoughts off her mind.

“Zhenyi, I could never be ashamed of you. Yes, I despise the idea of marriage because I can never imagine myself being married to anyone but I do not loathe you.We might fight like two mad cats or even end up killing each other but I will never be ashamed of you. Ever.” he said in that euphonious voice of his again.

“One minute you ask for honesty Long Jie, but the next moment you completely forget I even exist. You may like taking control of every situation but it doesn’t mean you can control me too. It’s not just about what you said earlier but I am talking in general. You are a narrow-minded chauvinist misogynist asshole who believes the world dances on your fingers.”

Her words appeared to startle him for a moment, though he recovered quickly. He didn’t want her to see that some part of her truth had touched him, but too bad. He wanted nothing but honesty from her, so the asshole was going to get it. Even if it meant a cut to his iron-clad heart. It might not cut him, but it would make a dent that would forever mark him. Xin Zhenyi was here.