40 A NIGHTMARE

On the way back to Mu Mansion, they drove in silence. Mu Lan was still blushing and occasionally stole glances at Mu Liang who was sitting beside her. The more she glanced at him, the more she felt embarrassed because Mu Liang had a smile on his face.

As usual, after they arrived, Head Butler Leo greeted them. He looked at his first young master and then young miss. Mu Liang looked brighter than the sun and Mu Lan looked miserable. Butler Leo felt sympathy towards her. He knew his young master teased her even when they were out.

Head Butler called for Alice and Emma to take shopping bags in Mu Lan's room and ordered others to prepare dinner.

Mu Lan took a bath and then went down for dinner. She ate timidly without uttering a word. She avoided eye contact with Mu Liang. She tried hard not to make any sound.

Mu Liang, on the other hand, was enjoying her timid attitude. He felt like he was watching a rabbit eating quietly. He had an urge to tease her a bit but controlled his volition. He already teased her so much that she couldn't even look at him. If that continued then she might not want to come in front of him again in the future.

After finishing his dinner, he went to the study room and contacted his family. He knew that the moment he registered Mu Lan into their family, his grandpa would investigate about her. So he called to explain the details.

But Mu Liang never thought in his dreams that she was the same girl about whom his grandpa had known in the past and even proposed her to marry into the family. Only if he knew...

However, neither of his family members asked him anything about Mu Lan nor did they force him to marry a girl like they used to before. They simply asked about his recent activities and about Mu Feng and Mu Chen.

Mu Liang was surprised by their attitude. Then he understood the message behind their behavior. As if they were saying that, 'Whatever you do, you have our support.' Mu Liang smiled to himself, then got up from his chair and went upstairs.

He didn't stop himself on the third floor; rather he climbed up to the fourth floor and went to the east wing where Mu Lan stayed.

He politely knocked on the door. Not receiving any sound from inside the room he slowly opened the door.

The room was a bit colder and it made Mu Liang relaxed. He looked at the air conditioner, it was turned off. He realized that Mu Lan didn't like freezing cold atmosphere. She liked the natural wind as he did. There was a gentle breeze swaying across the room. Both the balcony and windows were open which made the room colder.

Mu Liang walked closer to the bed and sat down beside Mu Lan who was sleeping. She was in deep slumber.

The day her unconscious body came to this mansion, every night Mu Liang would come to see her face before he went to bed. Today was no different.

He calmly looked at her, then he frowned. Mu Lan was in deep sleep but she had a troubled face. Slowly her breathing became irregular. Mu Lan started to breathe heavily and moved her body like she was uncomfortable.

Mu Liang wasn't sure to touch her as he was battling with the options, 'Touch her' or 'Don't touch her'. Then Mu Lan made a pained expression and tears started to fall from her eyes.

Mu Liang became rigid. His heart was in pain and he knew she was having a nightmare but he didn't know what she was seeing. He felt paranoid.

When he couldn't take it anymore, he hugged her and patted her dorsal to make her feel relaxed. For some time he did it and in her right ear, he was softly telling her, "It's okay. It's okay. I'm here now. Don't worry anymore. I'll stay by your side." Slowly she started to calm down and felt at ease.