Chapter 71 - The Day of Marriage

Jang Shin and Linfeng did not reach an agreement.

Linfeng knew that what he wanted to do might trouble and destroyed the whole SC company. Jang Shin did not want that to happen. Because precisely of this reason that Linfeng called Jang Shin. To put logic into his mind and calmed his heart.

However, even the call ended, his troubled heart did not ease a bit.

Without thinking anything he followed his body and heart as he grabbed his coat, got his car's key and drove away.

(A/n: Don't follow his example, our dear Linfeng doesn't have any license for now. He was a minor. But he surely takes a driving test and he was good at it. It's our secret here. Don't tell the authorities.)

***[RR]: He won't die right? Like an accident or something and make this novel a tragedy? ***

(A/N: You're such a masochist. Don't inflict pain in your heart. Duh)

***[RR]: ....I won't comment anymore. Bye.****

The Zhou Villa and Xiong Mansion were actually neighbors. But because the two estates were really big, the travel was at least 20 minutes.

Linfeng arrived at the Xiong Mansion. The guards were shocked as they saw Linfeng.

"I will just check something," Linfeng said as he passed by.

The guards knew him and let him in.

Linfeng's feet lead him to the East Wing. He was in the garden below Xiong Zhi's window. He was staring at Xiong Zhi's balcony.

There was a dim light in the Young Miss' room. A shadow approached the window to the balcony.

Linfeng hides through the bushes. His eyes were never leaving the figure who came out.

Xiong Zhi was staring at her ceiling. She was replaying everything that happened today in the banquet.

She met the evil daughter-father duo. She got reunited with her family. And she even met the beast.

She had prepared everything for that day. But she did not expect that the beast would come. She thought she already hardened herself and prepared to meet him since they would be a day that they would meet. But it was just too soon. She caught unprepared. That's why her emotions came out.

The beast's appearance was an eye-opening to Xiong Zhi. She just noticed how great his presence affect her. She was still scared and afraid of him. And she had to get rid of this feeling soon.

Xiong Zhi was wide awake and couldn't sleep. She gets up and went to her balcony. The guzheng that she used earlier in the banquet was already placed at the balcony.

She placed it there since she wanted to play guzheng while feeling the night wind. She wanted for the last time to reminisce about the past and never touch the bitter memories again.

She would grieve for the Xiong Zhi that died that day.

She sat on the stool and touched the guzheng. She looked ahead. To the dark sky. To the stars that accompanied the night. Xiong Zhi was brought back to the past again.....

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****

***** I stared at the ceiling. My eyes were blank and my body was breaking.

I don't have any thoughts.

Nor a will to live anymore.

I just wanted to disappear.

To wake up from this hellish dream.

*****

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Xiong Zhi with daze eyes plucked the strings of guzheng. Its sharp sounds and some of the heavy tone were akin to her thoughts. The sound of guzheng echoed through the night. It was chilling and bone-piercing.

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*****

I heard a knocked on the door and a lady came in. If I am in my normal state I would be happy as it was the first time in three years that I saw a woman.

But I don't care. I don't care anymore.

"Young Miss. I am here to help you clean up." The maid bowed and waited for a bit for my assent.

But I did not move. I just stayed laying down on my bed. Staring at the ceiling like it was the only thing in the world.

The maid approached me slowly. She was carrying a towel and a tub of water. She kneeled down beside my bed. She let the towel soak in water and wrung it. She looked at me before she held my left arm and wipe me down.

I just let her do it. It looks like my soul left my body.

When she lifted up the blanket to wipe more she gasped.

She must be shocked by the brutal mess of my body is.

She looked at my face again in horror. But I stared ahead. Not minding anyone. Not caring in the world.

The maid continued to wipe my body. Until I felt tiny warmth in my arms. It was the maid's tears.

"I'm sorry...I'm sorry. We came too late. Mr

Linfeng send me here. We already infiltrated this mansion...in just a moment he would come here."

My eyes blinked. I recognized a word.

Linfeng.

I blinked again trying my brain to work and understand the incomprehensible words of the maid.

"Please hang in there."

Finally, with all the strength I have, I caught her hand.

"L-Linfeng...y-you said-d..h-he.." my voice was hoarse. I did not speak for 72 hours nor eat or drink anything. That's right. I did not move from this bed ever since that beast destroyed me. Even the food was delivered I did not touch it.

I just let my body to rot.

"Yes, Young Miss. He will come. He is looking for you ever since you disappeared. He did not stop looking. It was so hard to find you. My team just got here last week. It was so difficult to come near you. I'm sorry. We came late.." the maid cried again.

My eyes blurred as a thought surfaced in my mind.

He was looking for me. He did not abandon me.

He was never with Wuyue.

My heart that died suddenly beat with anticipation.

And Hope.

********

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The guzheng's tone suddenly changed.

Xiong Zhi's hands stopped for a moment and began to play smoothly, slowly, carefully. Like she was savoring her memories and feelings at the moment.

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*****

I tried to sit up. But because I haven't eaten these days my body collapsed on the bed again.

"Young Miss!"

"F-food...I-I n-need food...w-water.." the maid run out. In just a minute she came back with the food.

I eat a lot. I got indigestion after that.

But for the first time in three years, I was happy.

And Hopeful.

******

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Xiong Zhi continued to play. She remembered how she cautiously improved her health. She doesn't want to face Linfeng looking like a skeleton. She warned the maid as well to not let Linfeng knew what happened to her inside the mansion. She at least wants to be a clean woman in front of him. Not defiled.

The maid just nodded.

She just waited and anticipated for the day that Linfeng would come.

=================

I just received the news from the maid that everything was ready. Today their operation will occur and Linfeng would personally come.

I am happy. Very happy. I looked at myself in the mirror and checked everything if I looked alright. I got thinner and paler. My hair was a little dry since I don't get the nutrients I should have. But at least I look human now.

How I waited this day to meet him.

Would he still serve someone like me? I'm not as pure as before. A beast already touched me. Even I myself disgusted with this body.

But Linfeng is the only hope I have.

I missed him. So much

Suddenly the sound of a helicopter came above the mansion.

Like cold water poured down on me, my face paled and my body was shaking. It was the habit of my body that had acc.u.mulated for the past three years.

Why is he here?!

Did he know?!

I ran to the door. I want to find the maid. She had to tell me that it was the helicopter for her team.

But it was not.

I saw him. The Beast. Walking towards me. He was wearing a white coat. Like a groom. Despite his beautiful appearance, I was disgusted. I felt puking out.

"Where is my bride going? Are you planning to run away in your marriage?"

Then I remembered. Today is my 23rd birthday.

*****