4 Chapter Four: Xiao Xue

"You're still here…" Xiao Xue was surprised to find the man waiting in the cave. Most of the people she helped, especially the men, would leave when it's convenient for them and usually does so when she's not around. It was as if they felt she'd ask for some form of compensation that they would not be able to afford and was in a hurry to run away. Xiao Xue, of course, learned from experience and specifically waited until the end of the day to come back to avoid awkward confrontations. This was the first time someone actually waited for her. She suddenly had a dark premonition and nervously asked, "The herb did not work? Do you need a physician?"

Xie Yuan was taken aback. From her initial statement, it was clear she didn't expect him to stay at the cave once he detoxified the poison and tended to his wounds. Instead of thinking that he was waiting for her so he could properly greet her and express his gratitude, she thought he needed more help. Were the others before him ungrateful bastards who didn't know how to appreciate and reciprocate kindness?

Seeing his dark look, Xiao Xue took a tentative step forward and asked worriedly, "Are you feeling unwell? Do you need to lay down? You don't need to go down the mountain if you're not able to. I can bring the physician here if necessary."

Xie Yuan looked at her anxious expression and his heart, again, gave a confused twitch. How kind was this woman? Instead of asking for gratitude or some form of compensation, the first thing she asked was if he's healed or in need of more help. He noticed how she slyly checked if he finished the food and drink she left for him. She acts as if she's worried he'd starve himself and hinder his recovery. Looking at her, for some reason, his heart felt unsettled. The thought that she cared about his welfare without knowing who he is, was enough to keep him in a trance.

Xie Yuan spaced out for a while, which worried her more, before he recovered himself. "The herb worked wonders." He answered honestly, his eyes fixed on hers. "The poison is detoxified. I will need time to fully heal but it'll be alright."

Hearing this, Xiao Xue happily nodded in satisfaction. She was worried he wouldn't take the herb because of his doubts about her intentions and thought that she was trying to harm him. His injuries were quite severe and although he didn't welcome her presence, she wanted to make sure he would at least receive immediate care.

Xiao Xue wanted to go back last night to check on him but her senior sisters kept her back late into the night and sent her to run errands early in the morning before she was allowed to leave. At first, she wanted to hurry back but after remembering her previous encounters she decided maintaining a proper distance would be more prudent. It could save them both embarrassment just in case he thought she wanted anything from him as a form of reward or compensation for her help.

Xiao Xue sighed in relief after hearing the good news and sincerely smiled at the man. She was glad to know that he's on the mend. She was so caught up in her thoughts she did not notice that her heartfelt smile and genuine kindness caught the eye of the man she just saved.

To say that Xie Yuan was mesmerized by the earnest and honest smile would be an understatement. Aside from his family, this was the first time he encountered someone who's genuinely happy for him. Not because he did something monumental, achieved something great or there's an incentive involved but just because something good happened to him. But when he thought back on their short interaction, the woman had been different from the moment he met her.

Xie Yuan has seen a lot of beautiful women in his life. In fact, he's surrounded by them. Some even have deity-like existence that could spark wars and ruin kingdoms. But right now, he felt like those cold, detached faces were nothing compared to this woman's warm and caring visage.

Looking at Xiao Xue's innocent smile made Xie Yuan's heart feel flustered, like he's looking at a rare treasure that's meant to be guarded and protected. Something that should be handled with utmost care because if he's not careful enough, it might shatter and he'd lose it forever. It was a frightening thought and an uncomfortable feeling to have. But for some reason, Xie Yuan doesn't want to let this, whatever 'this' is, slip away.

Xie Yuan stared dumbly for a while and only snapped out of it when Xiao Xue asked, "Do you want me to send out a message on your behalf or notify anyone regarding your condition?" Xie Yuan froze. Why does it feel like she's trying to get rid of him? But before he could get upset with the thought that she's telling him to leave, Xiao Xue followed up with, "I'm not trying to chase you away. Right now, you need a lot of rest and proper nurturing. It would be uncomfortable for you to stay here. If you want, I could take you to the temple. There you'd be more cared for."

The first part of her statement made him feel better but he couldn't shake off the feeling that she's trying to maintain a certain distance between them. Having distance between them was the last thing he wanted. Xie Yuan wants to be closer to her. It's the first time he felt this type of inclination towards someone. The thought that she could get to know him, as a person, and not his background or future prospect was sort of exhilarating. He wanted more of this type of moment, this sort of feeling, and he wanted to experience it with her. Xie Yuan gradually realized that he's greedy for it.

"What's your name?" Xie Yuan asked, remembering he doesn't know her name yet.

The woman looked surprised but replied accordingly. "Xiao Xue."

"Xiao Xue…" Xie Yuan repeated slowly, like he's trying to imprint the name on the deepest recesses of his being. "My name is Xie Yuan. You can call me Big Brother Yuan, Little Xue." An irresistible smile bloomed on his devilishly handsome face and his amethyst-colored eyes glowed with emotion as he repeated her name many times on his head.

If Xiao Xue was the type to easily get flustered, she would have blushed deeply when he called her 'Little Xue'. It's been a while since someone addressed her intimately. She was about to decline calling him 'big brother' because it sounded too familiar and such an address between them might cause a misunderstanding if other people heard and took notice.

But it seemed like Xie Yuan could read her thoughts and willfully declared, "Little Xue saved my life. You are my benefactor. It's only right that we address each with familiarity or you do not want to acknowledge any ties with me after all this? Will you pretend you don't know me in the future and ignore my existence?" He grumbled pitifully and eyed her like a wounded animal.

Xie Yuan was acting like a woman who'd been betrayed by a bad man. It was too much stimulation and Xiao Xue's heart immediately softened.

"No, of course not." She denied, a bit rattled and very confused. "That wasn't my intention..."

"Really?" Xie Yuan asked, seemingly not believing her words. "You're not lying?"

She nodded repeatedly. "Yes, really!"

"Who knows, you're agreeable now but would forget and deny everything we talked about in the future." Xie Yuan said dubiously. He crossed his arms in front of his chest and slightly turned his face away. "I'll only believe you if you call me Big Brother Yuan."

Xiao Xue had never encountered someone with such an ambiguous and spoiled behavior before. This sort of perplexing attitude coupled with his striking good looks was quite lethal even for someone like Xiao Xue who's not easily affected by a person's physical appearance.

Xiao Xue did feel a little guilty because what he said was partially true. She might forget or deny their association in the future but it's only because she believes they will not encounter each other again. Even if they did, it would be in very different circumstances and he might not be as amiable as he is now.

Looking at Xie Yuan's face, seemingly full of grievances, anyone would think he'd been severely bullied. From the look of things, reasoning with him would not work, at least not for now. Still, Xiao Xue hesitated and thought for a while. She debated whether this turn of events was good or bad.

In the end, she blushed deeply but managed to say, "Big brother Yuan…" Naively thinking that there's nothing wrong with addressing him as such while he's with her. He would leave, eventually, and will surely forget about her.

Xie Yuan looked back at Xiao Xue's reddened face and grinned happily. He could easily guess what she was hesitating and deliberating over. He could also guess why she reservedly complied to his demand.

Too naïve, Xie Yuan thought as he fondly stared at her. A woman like her has to be kept on one's side or she'd be snatched and tricked by some bad man. Xie Yuan decided he'd stick close to her from now on. Who would he complain to if someone takes her away? He definitely cannot allow anyone to run off with her!