Chapter 4

"N-no." She stated, almost breathlessly.

"Why?" He remained stoic. Sitting straight as if the world is down on its knees right before him-- his legs crossed together with his arms. Li Xiu bit her lip, trying to keep up with the directness and coldness of his stare.

"I like...well, someone else," the meek girl stated. In the back of her mind, she wondered why simply interacting with Wang Jian makes chill to run down her spine. If ever there's a spectator, assumptions like he's threatening her or something would errupt. Like a predator talking to its food before devouring it.

"But I like you," his reply was mortifying for Li Xie. She instantly tried to sit up-- though with her feeble body, the abruptness of her action caused her to slip. She might have fallen on the floor, for the second time, but again, for the second time, Wang Jian was efficient in holding her wrist and he pushed her back on the bed like she weighs nothing.

The silence that followed was deafening. Li Xie's face now held red and she tried to clear her throat as she once more attempt to dissuade the embarassment she's feeling, "w-whether you like me or not is irrelevant. It will not change my answer...I won't be your g-girlfriend." Even saying the word 'girlfriend' fluster her, what more if she really became his girlfriend.

"Fine."

Eyes blinking, Li Xiu lifted her hesitant head to stare at him. What surprised her though was the slight tilt in his lips-- his subtle smirk making sweat drip down her forehead. He relented but what's with the expression his wearing? It's as if he's concucting something and it certainly didn't eased down her concerns.

"Okay...um, thank you," she stated, her politeness amusing Wang Jian. "Hm. How's your condition?" He questioned suddenly. His sudden switch of topic didn't went unnoticed by Li Xie but she decided that she prefered to talk about something else as well.

"Well, the nurse hasn't come in yet...probably since, um you're here but I can say that I'm fine now. T-thank you for asking." She kept stuttering and that was bad news. She's shy but she doesn't normally stutter this much. This asssumed forgotten childhood mannerism of hers only reappears when Wang Jian's around. Fortunately, Wang Jian never commented about it.

"I've already informed your adviser, you can head home if you want."

"What? But I'm okay now. I-I can return to class," she muttered, worried.

He hummed, not at all responding.

"I don't want to fail."

"One day without taking classes isn't much of a big deal. Go home." He was persistent. His firm expression was impregnable.

Li Xiu attempted another word but was sharply cut off, "if they even as much as think of failing you, just call me." Then he smoothly handed her a slip of pure white paper, a phone number engraved on it. She was mortified.

She stared at the written numbers like it's going to devour her. He must have found amusement in Li Xiu's expression because he let out a chuckle. Profound and deep.

"Go on."

"Go on what?" The still frozen girl blankly stated. Wang Jian raised a brow before quietly pulling open the bedside table-- a cellphone, her cellphone, appearing at her line of sight startled her.

Without another word, Wang Jian unlocked her lockscreen and typed his number, saving it before she could even reach out to take it away from him.

This can't be happening! Does she really have the king's number now? Never in her dreams did she even wished for this. The image of the magic potion intruded her mind. 'I've got to find the seller! Quickly or I'll really loose my sanity to this guy!"