Chapter 215 - 214 At the night when the clock start to run (III)

Linfeng almost let go of the rose in his hand. The sudden softness of Xiong Zhi's embrace shook his heart, and an electrifying sensation spread from his chest to his limbs. His skin felt highly sensitive all of the sudden, feeling every shape of the girl's boneless body molded to his own. 

Linfeng's hands unconsciously wrapped around the girl's smaller frame. His warm palm slid through her back and glided directly to the bare skin exposed by the low cut dress. His palm instinctively caressed the smooth and silky texture, before it all finally registered in his mind.

His ears heated up instantly. He abruptly let go and distanced himself when he took notice of the chill on her body. His brows furrowed.

Xiong Zhi looked at him, confused with his sudden action.

"You," Linfeng sighed helplessly in a doting voice. Then, he quickly took off his jacket and dr.a.p.ed it over Xiong Zhi's shoulders.

"Why are you wearing so little?" Linfeng gently reprimanded as he thought of the exposed back of Xiong Zhi. She did not seem to wear this specific dress earlier. She must have felt cold in this dress.

Xiong Zhi felt a bit embarrassed when she heard him say that. She purposely wore this dress as it was the most beautiful amongst all the dresses she had, and also bit more revealing than those she wore earlier in the banquet. She thought he would like it. She had learned this from 'Seduce Your Man 101'. It said that men usually found women in gorgeous clothes more beautiful. 

Seeing that she did not answer, Linfeng felt guilty at once for reprimanding her on their first meeting after a long time of not seeing each other.

Did she dress up just for him?

Somehow, he felt his heart grow warmer at the thought.

He suddenly did not know what to say. 

Linfeng took a deep breath, gripped the rose in his hand, and presented it to her. He coughed to ease the embarrassment he just made. He must gather himself together. How could he be a man deserving of her if he faltered on just this?

"It's not yet twelve, so I still have—" Linfeng glanced at his watch. "-Thirty minutes left to celebrate your birthday with me. May I have the last dance with you?"

Xiong Zhi looked up at him, her eyes shimmering with affection. She smiled.

"Of course." She took the rose and gently placed her hand on his warm palm. His large hand wrapped around her small and dainty one, pulling her into his arms for a silent dance.

Linfeng's warm palm slid from Xiong Zhi's back to her waist. The friction made her feel a tingling sensation, making her tremble lightly. They started to move slowly. 

They stared at each other's eyes. The man's fixated eyes reflected the figure of the lady in his arms, making the other drown in his gaze.

There was no orchestra. There was no song or melody in the background. 

There was only the moonlight and the cool night breeze which carried the fragrance of flowers accompanying them. Their music was the sound of crickets, the rustling of the leaves, and the rhythmic sound of their heartbeat.

Seeing the young and active Linfeng dancing with her and expressing his feelings clearly with his eyes, not the restrained one that she had seen months ago since her rebirth, Xiong Zhi was overwhelmed with happiness.

"I miss you." She spoke these words with longing.

Linfeng's heart squeezed, his heart too overwhelmed that it ached. Hearing these words from Xiong Zhi, Linfeng felt that those days without her was worth it. He too had missed her.

They were times that he would be excited to wake up in the middle of the night to find out that he was far away from the capital. There was times he wanted to book a flight and check out the Xiong mansion just for a while. He had been too edgy, and he dearly missed her. Linfeng couldn't describe well what he was feeling. He don't know where to vent the feeling of wanting to see her. He had controlled himself to wait until this day. Just for the sake of having less than an hour with her.

Those trainings he had undergone before were all useless.

He doesn't know that liking someone was this intense. He felt hopeless and defeated. 

Linfeng could not help but sigh. 

Those past two months was so tiring.

He gently put his forehead to hers, closing his eyes. Feeling her breath and her warmth. Their faces were so close, their noses only a few inches apart. Xiong Zhi could see the dark circles under his eyes. He must have not slept well these days.

"Hmm... Me too," Linfeng whispered, his lips curling gently, his breath fanning her face.

Xiong Zhi's heart felt needle-like pain. She knew what path Linfeng was walking. It was a path filled with adversity and danger.

"How many hours have you been sleeping?" Xiong Zhi concernedly asked. Linfeng savored the moment as he drowned himself in Xiong Zhi's warm breath and the sound of her beating heart.

Soon afterwards, Linfeng opened his eyes and looked at her. "Barely enough. How about you? This week must been exhausting for you." He observed every inch of her face.

"Um, it is. I hated this day…" 

Linfeng's eyes widened a bit. But she continued on.

"..before, but not now. This day is now one of my favorites." Xiong Zhi smiled to assure Linfeng. She had spent a joyful time with her Aunt Mai, Uncle Nuen Zai, Little Ryu, and her friends. She had been announced as the Xiong's official heir, received precious gifts, and more importantly, Linfeng came and danced with her.

Linfeng smiled too. 

"Glad to hear that. Well, if you had still hated this day, then I would have to do my best to make it more special and memorable to you. I don't want you to hate your own birthday, because that's the day you were born," Linfeng sincerely said. He felt his heart ached with just a thought that Xiong Zhi would hate her own birthday.

Xiong Zhi laughed. Now, this resembled the mature Linfeng in the past life.

"Hmm… Maybe I should have said so," Xiong Zhi teased.

"Too late, you've already said it. But, I promise, in the future, your list of favorite days will only grow more," Linfeng promised. Though it might take a long time, he would surely uphold this promise all his life.

"Alright. I will hold onto that. How about you? Are your days well enough?" Xing Zhi asked again, worried he had suffered in those days they did not meet.

"Yes, barely… No, it's fine," Linfeng said then changed his words afterwards.

Seeing the puzzled face of Xiong Zhi, Linfeng laughed.

"Hmm. I can say it's barely bearable. It's just... I felt something was missing," Linfeng said honestly what he had been feeling in the past two months.

Xiong Zhi nodded.

"Me too, it had felt duller and more boring. Time seems so slow," Xiong Zhi pouted.

Linfeng couldn't help but pinch her nose.

Xiong Zhi was really cute when she complained like that.

"Ouch~" Xiong Zhi covered her nose. It did not really hurt though.

"I'm sorry." Linfeng stopped his movements and checked Xiong Zhi's nose. It was a bit red but fortunately, there's no bruise. Still, Linfeng blamed himself for not controlling his itchy hand.

"It's okay." Xiong Zhi felt a bit guilty seeing how bothered Linfeng was. Actually, her skin was just very tender and sensitive, a light pinch can easily leave marks. "Actually, it didn't hurt at all."

Linfeng raised his brow at her.

"So, let's dance," Xiong Zhi still had not enough of the dance.

Linfeng laughed at this. This time, Xiong Zhi wrapped her arms around Linfeng's neck tighter. In return, Linfeng's both arms circled Xiong Zhi's waist. 

Their position became more intimate, their bodies almost pressing against each other.

After a few seconds of gently swaying to the unheard music, they finally realized their current position. They were so close that they could hear each other's pounding heartbeat.

Linfeng swallowed. It was awkward, but he did not want to let go.

Xiong Zhi lowered her eyes. She felt her cheeks burn. The wind was cold yet she felt so heated up. She breathed in the man's scent, felt the strong chest, and listened to his loud heartbeat. Again, she felt more closer to him like this.

Then, she noticed a light reflected from Linfeng's chest. It was the silver brooch that she thought was shaped like a wing.

It was not a wing.

It was the very familiar keychain that Xiong Zhi had given to Linfeng on their first date.

The beautiful silver plate depicted a couple kissing each other. She remembered she had put their names on that small token.

She had never seen it again after that day. Until now.

So Linfeng actually kept this and made a brooch out of it? Xiong Zhi felt a cozy warmth spread in her chest.

Just like in the past, Linfeng made her feel precious once more.