The Encounter (1)

Ming Ling felt her cheeks burn.

This is the first time someone heard her sing. She's not confident of her voice. She felt that her voice is not even up to standards.

In regards to voice quality, Ming Ling has always been doubtful whether it was acceptable enough or it was outright horrible. In her past life, since young, she was always told not to sing in public or to sing for other people since her voice cracks and sounds horrible, as if listening to a broken record.

Due to this, her self confidence in the singing field was low.

She didn't realize that the reason people keep telling her not to sing, is because her voice was captivating, as if a goddess was singing. It attracts a lot of people once she sings. She can either be angelic or seductive. She can take down any singer there may be. And might cause them to lose their job.

While Ming Ling is wallowing in her self pity, the person who heard her sing was captivated by her. He was here the whole time, even before she sang.

At first, when he saw her, he thought he saw an angel. She looked so gentle and lovely. Her face, even without make up, was beautiful. And with the knowledge that she didn't put on make up, makes her even more attractive.

When she sang, it's as if he was brought to heaven, with the guidance of the goddess herself. She wasn't an angel, she's a goddess.

At the end of her song, she didn't even notice the small smile she made.

He stood there, staring at her. Her physical appearance was the one that took his breath away, but her aura and disposition took his heart from him, never to be returned.

At first, he never wanted to attend this banquet, he was bored being inside, waiting for the princess to arrive. So he decided to sneak around and found this Peach Blossom Garden. He wanted to sleep, but was awoken by the presence of another person.

He didn't care about the girl's identity. What matters most to him right now is to be acquainted with her and take her heart with him, in exchange with the heart that was took from him.

After being lost to his thoughts, he finally noticed her expression. She went pale. She looks to be afraid.

He panicked. He didn't know what made her scared.

'Is it because I look scary? Have I frightened her? Does she hate me now?' He thought. But upon looking closely, his thoughts doesn't seem to be accurate.

With slow and steady steps, he approached her. When he was in front of her, he crouched down to a sitting position to match her level, and raised his hand to touch her cheek.

He made sure to be gentle when caressing the girl's cheek.

"What seem to have troubled the lady?" He said in a whisper, his eyes gentle.