Chapter 593 - Checkpoint

On the bench, while the crowd cheered for the upcoming dueller, the two people on the bench were quiet.

Jang Shin held Tang Xinyang's wrist and checked if her body received internal injuries. There did not seem to be any serious internal injury.

Seeing her closely right now, he saw Tang Xinyang's sleeves and pants ripped in many places. The exposed white arms and legs were filled with red bruises. Especially her arm. It was starting to become green and blue. 

Jang Shin frowned. He knew that this pain was nothing for Tang Xinyang, but to see the smooth and rosy skin become like this made his heart ache.

When he remembered that ruthless kick, Jang Shin lifted up Tang Xinyang's shirt without warning.

"W-what are you--!" Tang Xinyang blushed and immediately held his hand to put down her shirt, frantically looking around if anyone noticed.

However, Jang Shin already saw it.

On Tang Xinyang's smooth and flat stomach was a large bluish violet bruise.

Jang Shin froze. His chest was gripped with a painful squeeze in distress.

It must have hurt.

"D-don't go around lifting a woman's shirt, stupid idiot!" Tang Xinyang held her shirt down and prevented Jang Shin from looking any further.

Jang Shin clenched his fist. "Why did you have to do that?"

"Huh? Do what?" Tang Xinyang forgot that she was angry at him and that she was supposed to ignore him. Because she was fl.u.s.tered right now, all those thoughts flew out of the window.

Jang Shin held Tang Xinyang's hands and looked at her wounded fists. Since their fight included the use of qigong and William's qigong was stronger than Tang Xinyang's, Tang Xinyang's fists would surely be laiden with wounds.

Seeing the blisters and blood on the pair of slender hands, Jang Shin felt both angry and distressed. The emotions he was hiding were slowing sipping out. "You... You really..."

Why can't you treasure yourself more!

His heart felt uncomfortable and suffocated.

Why did she have to duel with some random stranger and get injured like this?

How could getting hurt make her so happy?

When they duelled countless times before, he never hurt her like this!

Pressing down the anger and distress in his chest, Jang Shin took out his handkerchief and carefully wrapped Tang Xinyang's hand.

Tang Xinyang could feel that Jang Shin was feeling down. 

It was strange.

Usually, he would bicker with her and nag her endlessly about how unladylike she acted by participating in violent fights.

"What do you mean by that?" She tried to break the suffocating atmosphere.

The man did not answer.

"Oi, speak out."

"Jang Shin."

"Am I talking to a deaf person?"

Finally, the man spoke.

"Fighting someone stronger than you... is what really makes you that happy?" 

Jang Shin could still clearly remember how Tang Xinyang grinned widely without a care after getting hit. She shone brightly, drenched with crystalline drops of sweat. Her eyes were sparkling.

Earlier, Jang Shin had wanted to go to the ring and stop the fight. But how could he do that after seeing how happy she looked?

Jang Shin was momentarily dazed after seeing that side of Tang Xinyang.

She was beautiful and lovely, like a brightly shining sun.

And it was depressing to think that he was not the man who could make her smile like that, because he was not strong and vicious enough to bring her that delight...

Tang Xinyang did not understand the deep meaning behind his words and just expressed her thoughts honestly.

"Fighting senior is really fun. I had lots of fun today!"

Jang Shin pursed his lips. "Even though you got hurt in the process?"

"What are you saying? Injuries from battles and duels are like medals to me. It's a proof of honor."

"Ha. Really, Xinyang, why do you have this kind of perverted hobby?"

"What?? Perverted--" 

Jang Shin looked up at her. His long narrow eyes were filled with complicated and repressed emotions. 

Tang Xinyang's words halted.

The man raised a hand and carefully traced the bruise on her cheek. "Can't you just be satisfied with beating me up?"

"What..."

Thump. Thump. Thump.

Tang Xinyang's heart began to race.

Why-why-why-why-why do Jang Shin look at her like this?

Jang Shin's hand clenched. He slowly leaned forward and lightly kissed the bruise on her cheek. 

!!!!!

Tang Xinyang's mind had gone blank.

"I can't fight you. I can't bear to hurt you. I cannot give you the delight you loved best, nor can I make you shine brightly like that."

Thump.

Thump.

Jang Shin took off his coat and dr.a.p.ed it over her shoulders. "So please, while with me... I don't want to see you hurt. Please abstain from highly violent fights." 

This sincere request from the man she loved, coupled with a pair of soulful and pleading eyes... Tang Xinyang could not bear to speak and berate him for that light kiss.

Her anger at Jang Shin was instantly melted like that.

"Okay..." Tang Xinyang said and bowed her head down. 

Her face was furiously red and hot. She felt ashamed to let him see her.

Jang Shin carried her up again. His body was right against hers, and she could smell his scent.

Since when did Jang Shin's body feel this tall and tough?

"Let's treat your injuries first, then we'll go home, okay?"

"Okay..."

Two hearts from opposite corners, one straightforward and clear while the other was complicated and cowardly, slightly made their way on a highway, running forward to meet on their check point.

****

Four days later, in IHZHI's office.

Xiong Zhi received an important email. It was a doc.u.ment about IAmFashionista. 

IAmFashionista would be holding an event inviting all of its VVIP's. It would be held in a few months.

There was another doc.u.ment attached. 

When Xiong Zhi read it, she was stunned.

How come?

She was about to reply and inquire more when a knock sounded.

"Kitten, it's me."

Xiong Zhi turned off the screen. 

"Come in."

William came into the room with a cheeky smile on his handsome face. "Four days finally passed!" He then flopped down on the couch. "I can finally go home." 

Xiong Zhi lightly smiled. "You worked hard." 

Xiong Zhi was already expecting William to come today. He really came early in the morning.

"So how is it?"

"What do you mean by how is it? I have been tortured for four days! Xinyang doesn't have an ounce of idea on what dating means."

William lightly laughed. Partly finding it funny and partly finding that four days were bitter.