Introductions

I hesitantly walked through the streets back to where I was last night. I couldn't believe what I was doing. But after last night, I felt the need to know more about him..to have another conversation with him. I looked around and my eyes landed on the familiar dumpster from the night before. "This was the place I think.." I murmured to myself. I cautiously walked away to the back of the dumpster and saw a figure sleeping on the ground with a garbage bag covering his muscular body. It was the homeless man from the night before. I twitched at the sound of his horrifically loud snoring. "Geez, can't he snore any softer?" I asked myself. Just then, his eyes flicked open.

"Hey if it isn't the princess," he said. I rolled my eyes.

"Don't call me that," I commanded.

"What're you doing here talking to a homeless man behind a dumpster? Shouldn't you be out having a warm bath in your mansion or something?" he asked.

"You're really not making me want to give you this," I grumbled. I took out the cake and shoved it in his face. He looked as if he was about to drool. "But..you're not gonna get it unless you apologize," I said.

"No way!" the homeless man exclaimed.

"Geez, it's not that hard to say sorry," I said.

"I'm not the type that says sorry," he said.

"You sure have a lot of attitude for a guy who barely every gets any food. I'll guess I'll just eat the cake," I said slyly.

"Ok no wait! I'm sorry!" he cried. I laughed and gently put it into his dirty hands. He ferociously opened up the box and grabbed the cake out of it. I rested my chin in my hands and stared as he shoved pieces of cake into his mouth and ate like a rabid beast.

"You sure were hungry.." I murmured. "Anyways, I came to tell you that I really appreciate you making me feel better yesterday. But just because I was acting gentle with you last night doesn't mean you should get the wrong idea. You don't have any intentions, do you?" I asked directly. The homeless man opened his mouth and I grimaced as a pile of crumbs flew out.

"Wow. Very straightforward. I don't even know you. Why would I have some stupid intentions? You shouldn't just assume a mans personality," he said with a stuffed mouth. I sighed.

"You're right. I should appreciate what you did for me, not overthink it," I said. I stared into his big, dreamy eyes. "I never got your name. I'm tired of referring to you as the homeless man," I said. He stared at me for a while and I fidgeted under his uncomfortable glare. He finally opened his mouth.

"Don't get over friendly with me. I only comforted you last night because your crying was bothering me. Didn't your mother teach you not to talk to random strangers?" he asked. I sat still with a flabbergasted expression on my face. Who did he think he was? His attitude was quite snobbish for a homeless man. I gave him free food twice and here he was acting like I was the stupid one here! I was just about to open my mouth and rant when he said, "Jiang Li."

"What?" I asked.

"You asked for my name, didn't you? There it is, Jiang Li." I smiled.

"What're you smiling for?" he asked.

"Nothing," I giggled. "My name's Wang Shu."

"Sounds like a spoiled girl's name," he mocked.

"Excuse me? I'm going to take that cake right out of your hands!" I retorted. I grabbed for the cake but he took my hand just in time. I looked down at our interlocked fingers and felt my skin tingle at the warmth of his palm. He quickly let go.

"You should take a joke once in a while princess," he said.

"Hmphh!" I huffed. I took out a water bottle and thrust it into his hands. "Here! You're lucky I'm a nice person," I proudly said.

"Nice people don't brag," said Jiang Li. I was left speechless. I looked at his ridiculously handsome face as he laughed. His face slowly changed emotions and grew into a more serious and complicated expression. "You shouldn't be hanging out with me too much. It can be dangerous."

"Quit trying to act mysterious," I laughed. I felt an eerie feeling creep into me when I looked into his face and saw that he still wore that serious expression.

"I don't think you understand how dangerous it can be to be friends with a complete stranger," he said.

"Who said we're friends?" I looked up at the sky dreamily. "Talking to you is like an escape from reality. Another world. Every person needs that," I replied. I realized how relaxed I felt just sitting in an alley and talking to someone that didn't know about the issue with Xi Fang.

"Snap out of it princess, you just met me. We only exchanged a few words ok?" he said sharply.

"Yeah..yeah ok," I replied half heartedly. I got up and brushed off the dirt from my pants. "I'll be leaving now Jiang Li." I smiled. It felt nice to not call him homeless man for once.

"Bye princess. Remember, don't come looking for me again. We're not friends. I'm a complete stranger to you," he said.

I sighed and walked away. He sure did change attitudes very often.