Chapter 45 - You will accept another man?

"You are back again." Kang Si An can easily tell that she has been with that man. But, he doesn't know how she always ends up at a place where he is. This time, she comes to see him at the studio. She looks like she hasn't bathed for days. What does she do with that man? Hiking in the mountains?

"I didn't want to come back." She clicks her tongue. "We were so close."

He glares at her. "How close?"

"I was supposed to wait until that man's return." She leans back on the couch. Kang Si An notices that people are giving them a peculiar look. He asks for a day off from Director Lee. She has already fallen asleep. He drives her to his home. What did that mean? Waiting until that man comes back? Did Li Jun leave her alone and then, she came back to him?

She wakes up when he tries to take off her filthy clothes. She seems a bit irritated. "Sorry, I will go back to the dorm."

She's angry because of their last fight. It's been a few days. He notices that the wounds on her fingers are already healed.

"Tell me." He blocks her way when she tries to leave. "Does he knows about me?"

She looks up at him. "Yes, he does."

"He is fine with it?" He widens his eyes.

"He is," Her replies are monotonous. "Until the contract is over, bear with it. If things work out, I will go to him. If things don't work out, I will still leave."

"What?" He grabs her shoulders. "Don't take my yesterday's words seriously. If he's fine with it, I am also fine with it. I will accept him as a part of your life."

She stares at him. "You will accept another man?"

"Yes." He doesn't know why he is like this. He can't bear with it that she would leave him. Each time she is gone, it feels like she doesn't exist in this world. He has weird dreams of her. Strange dreams.

Each time she comes back, she seems more far away. He should have accepted her proposal from day one. Then, she wouldn't have wandered to Li Jun.

"Okay." She turns around and walks in an unsteady manner. "I want to sleep for a bit."

"Change clothes." He supports her by her waist. "What do you do when you are with him?"

She sighs. "Treasure hunting."

He laughs at her ridiculous words. "Are you traveling through fearsome forests and climbing huge mountains?"

She finally smiles. "Yes."

"I can see what he is trying to do. I want to tire you out in bed." He massages her shoulders. "What kind of man makes a woman go through experiences like this? Do you want to go hiking with me?"

"Kang Si An, in this lifetime, I will never climb another mountain again." Her voice is light. He grins when he hears her words. It seems like the other man isn't doing well.

"Want to go to the beach?"

She doesn't reply to his question. She is sleeping again. He puts her on the bed and watches her for a long time. He doesn't know when he falls asleep.

***

"He is dead." Wu Yixing touches the last bead in his bracelet.

"I will go inside." General Yu steps forward. "She needs the treasure to live. If she fails to get it, the timekeepers will get to her."

"What do you mean?" Li Jun asks aggressively. "She won't live long?"

General Yu gives them a short explanation. She skips the part about Kang Si An being the timekeeper.

Wu Yixing has gotten the gist of General Yu's and Kwon Kyuri's situation. "We can get rid of the timekeeper."

"I can get rid of him in the future," General Yu says thoughtfully. "I am afraid that she won't like it. Then, if I kill him, there will be another one. She has no control over her ability He might appear before her anytime and kill her. She might die in some distant future. How will I ever know when or where?"

General Yu is right. She should not be living the life of a wanderer. She never complains, but he understands that she is suffering the most.

"I will go inside," Li Jun glances at Wu Yixing. "Fifth prince, wait here with General Yu. If she reappears here, don't let her come inside."

Kwon Yoori doesn't accept. "Hey, Li Jun, do you have any idea what's inside? Kyuri cares about you a lot. If something happens to you, I won't be able to face my niece."

"General Yu, do not worry." Li Jun smiles. "I will meet my wife again."

"Wu Yixing, will you let him go inside alone?" She scowls at the fifth prince. "I will never let this happen."

"He will do what he needs to do to save his woman." Wu Yixing stands in front of her. "I will do what I need to to do to protect mine."

He pricks the back of her neck with a needle. She falls in his arms. Wu Yixing lays her down near the boulder. "Li Jun, I cannot let you go alone. I will come with you."

Li Jun shakes his head. "You need to be here. If something happens to you, General Yu won't survive a single day. Her fame is attracting the wrong attention. Let me do what I need to do."

Wu Yixing nods at him. "You better not die."

"I am called master death." Li Jun shows him a small smile. "Take care of your woman well. These Kwon women like to disappear all the time."

Wu Yixing watches his childhood friend walk inside the cave. He just hopes that he can see him again.