33 Staying Over

I thought I saw a familiar shadow when the figure entered and the light shone upon their back. Though the door had closed after a short while, I was quite certain I recognized that arrogant yet gallant bearing.

Because I hadn't met that many important people since I first woken up as Li Fei, it became rather easy for me to remember then.

It wasn't long until my thought was confirmed when suddenly the lights were switched on and the man was completely revealed.

He had a sturdy back which stood upright as the result of his good posture. Dark hair and pale skin, though not as pale as Li Fei. He was more tan. He also got a pair of long legs that supported his height which was almost six feet two.

When he turned around, I was finally met with the familiar light grey eyes that landed sharply upon me.

The man was a little taken aback upon sensing my presence. Fortunately, he had a strong grip on the bags or the contents would have fallen.

"You surprise me," he said with a hint of laughter in his voice, "What are you doing in the dark?"

'Escaping.'

Alas, I felt awkward, thus I refrained myself from saying that. In the end, I shrugged indifferently and went up to help him with his things.

He didn't reject my offer as he handed me one of the paper bags. Only after I had taken it, did I notice he had just given me the lighter one while his was a lot fuller. Together, we brought the bags to the kitchen counter.

While he began unloading the things from the bags, I turned to take a seat on the stool. Truth be told, I would willingly help him in sorting the shopping bags but it wasn't like I knew where to put everything, hence I settled with watching him from the counter.

He chuckled softly as he saw me sat down obediently like a child looking at their parents working.

"You're not going to ask me anything?" He asked with amusement laced in his voice.

With that, I directly questioned him, "How long was I out?"

I cleared my dry throat as soon as I finished my sentence. My voice didn't sound too pleasant to hear right now.

He didn't give me an answer right away as he walked towards one of the cabinets and grabbed a mug. After filling it with warm water from the dispenser, he gave it to me. I wordlessly took the mug from him.

"Not long," he answered, "Just one day."

I didn't know how he could say it in such a relaxing manner, however his answer had sent me chocking on the water almost instantly. I quickly put down the mug and started patting my chest to ease the coughing while he came and helped me rubbed my back.

While he did so, he explained to me what had happened, "You fainted from hyperventilation. Since the hospital is too far, I brought you here and asked my friend to check on you. He's a doctor at the Royal Hospital. He gave you some medication before putting the IV drip on you."

I nodded at his explanation as he continued to speak, "He also said your body is already weak to begin with, but you overexerted yourself with the race. Thus, your body collapsed from the accumulated stress."

Afterwards, silence descended upon us. Three minutes went by fast before I raised my head to look at the silent man, but I was greeted with a penetrating gaze. I blinked expressionlessly at that.

I wondered what was that look on his face? I was pretty sure it was an expression of displeasure, but why would he be displeased?

In that moment, I took it upon myself to conclude that it was probably because of me. We were just strangers to each other. But, he had to take care of me for a full day.

Who was I to him to enjoy such care?

So, after confirming that he had nothing to add, I stepped away from the counter and bowed slightly at him.

"Thank you for helping me, Mister. I apologize for imposing on you."

Then, I emotionlessly continued, "I shall leave now to avoid disturbing you any further."

However, towards my expression of gratitude, he didn't give any response. He just kept his eyes on me from the beginning 'till the end. I blinked my eyes in confusion and wondered what the man was currently thinking with such a serious yet placid face, while he stared deeply at me.

I didn't shy away either as I held his gaze unwaveringly without a hint of emotion. I believed it was only polite to do so when engaging in a conversation. We should look at the other's party eyes.

But, I would never forget the way he had looked at me that day. It was as if he was trying to overstep my line of defense and dive deep into my soul, scouring every inch of it.

It was as though he had cracked the riddle and knew that this vessel of flesh and blood was only borrowed while the perpetrator was hiding behind it.

It was the same parable as someone wearing a mask to conceal themselves, just different medium.

.....

I wasn't planning to indulge him in this staring competition for long. Thus, when the minutes had rolled by, I was ready to ask him for my car key. But, before I could say a word, he had already dumped the news first.

"I've brought your car to a mechanic. It was quite damaged from the race."

I went blank immediately. He took the words out of me. Now, how should I go home?

When a couple of ideas had popped into my head, the man kindly shot all of them down. Clean and precise.

"I asked them to take care of mine too since you crashed it. So, I can't drive you home. I have only just returned by asking my friend to drive me."

"We're currently in Belle Apres and as you know, there's rarely any online taxi who would come here, especially at night since the route is quite complex."

"Plus, you're in no condition to travel. I bet it has already exhausted you just coming down from the second floor."

He observed me attentively after he had finished drowning all of my hopes, while my eyes stared at him wordlessly.

I tilted my head sideways as I thought deeply of the situation at hand. But no matter how, I couldn't seem to find any solution to this.

Until the man offered me one. "How about staying here for another night?"

"I don't mind. After all, it's just me here in this big villa," he added.

I blinked innocently at his offer. When I lifted my gaze and saw his kind smile, I thought right there, 'It's not like I have a choice.'

Logically speaking, this was the best option. I didn't have a way to go back to my apartment right now. Hence, I brought my head to a nod.

He chuckled before patting my head. "I'll go and prepare us a nice dinner."

I nodded again. He directly walked towards the fridge.

If only I had paid more attention at that time, perhaps I would have realized the mischief in his eyes. And the harmless smile he had projected towards me was the first trap that the fox had laid.