Chapter 54 - Instability

Long Xia took the walk of shame home.

She made her way back to her apartment in nothing but the skimpy dress she wore two nights before. She looked at herself in the reflection of the glass windows she passed by, and what she saw back was: smudged eye-makeup, tear-stained cheeks, and a woman, who was supposed to be one of the strongest warriors candidates, crying over a man she had slept with.​​

Yuan Bojing treated their time together as if it was something casual and careless, just like 10 years ago, because it was nothing special to him. She wasn't special.

When Long Xia arrived home, she hopped in the shower, grateful for the hot water cleansing her skin, her hair.

She finished washing and went to put on a light-blue dress. She blow-dried her hair straight and applied some light makeup. She put on some extra coverage on the parts that exposed the love bites Yuan Bojing had marked on her skin.

She tried to forget how rough and gentle he had been with her, pleasuring her, making sure she had her release before him—

When she finished, she saw her reflection again: beautiful, composed, and strong. She was Long Xia, and she'd be damned if she let a man make her feel weak.

She feigned a smile in front of the mirror before she strapped on new heels, grabbed her purse, and stalked out of the apartment.

She took her car to a beautiful spot by the river for brunch. She sat on the patio beneath the broad daylight, taking a deep breath of fresh air, when someone joined her in the other seat next to the round table.

"Admiring the view?" Jin Qing said to her side.

Long Xia smiled at him. "Yes."

He furrowed his brows. "Are you all right?" he asked with genuine concern. The wind ruffled his wheat-blond hair, and the sun sparked the brown of his eyes.

"I am," she responded.

He frowned. "You don't look very well. You know, Miss Xia…I understand that we don't know each other well, and perhaps you don't trust me, but you can talk to me about anything."

Long Xia grinned at him. "Thank you, Mr. Jin," she replied. "That reassures me."

He smiled, wide and bright. Long Xia released a breath. Jin Qing was easy to talk to. He was a handsome and collected man who had his entire life figured out. He was the type of man you would want to marry without having to worry you'd ever doubt his intentions. Her father, Long Jie, liked him, and it was difficult to get her father's approval since his judgement was quite often never wrong.

"How is your sister doing?" Jin Qing questioned. He was one of a few who knew about Long Mei's condition. In fact, it was how Long Xia met Jin Qing. He was investigating the case as to who did this to Long Mei and her dead lover before he even began to speak with Long Xia.

Long Xia smiled sadly. "The same."

Jin Qing's mouth was downturned with a grim expression.

"However, the doctors believe she'd wake soon, which is better than what they expected before."

Long Xia watched as eyes Jin Qing's eyes widened into something like shock and relief.

It made her feel warm that Jin Qing was so concerned about her sister. He often asked about her. He had spent days and nights searching for any leads to who was there that night and was frustrated when he found nothing. In fact, he seemed devastated when he first learn about what happened. It made Long Xia wonder if he knew Long Mei before the accident…

"I hope for her speedy recovery," Jin Qing said.

"Thank you, Mr. Jin. I feel as if my family is in good hands with you."

He smiled grimly. "The Long family will be my family one day, and I will work hard to take care of you all."

Long Xia took his hand in hers. "I appreciate that plenty."

Jin Qing looked between their locked hands and her eyes, and he smiled.

Indeed. Being with him would be easier, simpler, and more predictable, but she was unsure whether she liked it or not. Was this really for her?

A waiter had come to their table to serve their meals. Jin Qing joined her to eat, continuing a lighter conversation.

…

Long Xia went to Shao Lin and Long Yat-sen's apartment.

Her sister-in-law gave her a warm welcome at the door before letting her in. Her brother was in the kitchen, putting the dishes away from the dishwasher when he greeted her.

Shao Lin then took Long Xia by the hand to guide her to the dining table, not to eat, but to talk.

"How was your weekend?" Shao Lin questioned her.

"Memorable," Long Xia answered nonchalantly. "How was yours?"

Shao Lin gave her an embarrassed smile as she glanced at her husband. "It was…fun."

Long Xia looked between her sister-in-law and her brother, who was grinning like a young schoolboy. They must have had a packed weekend too.

She was happy for them, and she was envious.

Their relationship improved a lot. They seemed to be happy and stable. She figured it would become like this. Long Yat-sen had been into Shao Lin longer than she knows, and it would not be difficult for her to fall for him. She knew Long Yat-sen would do anything for his wife, and it's what Shao Lin deserves since that girl had gone through hell before she married him.

"How are things with you and your fiancé?" Shao Lin questioned.

Her sister-in-law asked the same question every time she saw her, hoping she'd have a different answer, but it was always the same. "Good," Long Xia answered. "I actually came here to talk to you because I want to ask you to be my maid of honour."

Shao Lin looked at her with wide eyes before she began to tear up. "Of course!" she began with excitement, embracing her. "I will be honoured."

Long Xia hugged her back. She grew to love her sister-in-law; it was astronomical how much Long Xia loved Shao Lin. She was like another sister, and she so desperately wished Long Mei was with them too.

Shao Lin looked at her, and her smile faltered. "Why are you crying?"

Long Xia touched her wet face. She didn't even realize she was.

She was missing Long Mei; she was missing Yuan Bojing. She was to marry a man she hardly knew. But her sister was unconscious, and her lover didn't want her.

"I'm just a little overwhelmed," was all Long Xia said.