Unwanted Dreams - 1.1

A choked gasp was heard in the silent stillness in the darkened room when the silhouette of a young woman suddenly sat up on the bed.

Beneath the pale moonlight that flitted past the slightly open window, the lady's countenance was illuminated softly making her snowy white skin appear as if it is glowing. The traces of sweat that dotted her forehead due to her unwanted dream seemed like dew drops on a flower's petals, making her look breathtakingly fragile.

Her big beautiful light-colored eyes of pale blue looked haunted and filled with an incredible sadness. Her whole face was devoid of color, with her small pouty lips slightly quivering and her clothes soaked with sweat, the image was heartwrenching!

It simply made one have an overwhelming feeling of protectiveness towards the girl!

A few moments passed and then the girl slowly stood up and went ahead and started changing her clothes.

Washing herself quickly before donning a beautiful crimson robe with gold embroideries of numerous blooming lotuses, she sat down in front of a bronze mirror before she leisurely started combing her long raven black hair.

Her previous haggard appearance slowly disappeared under her careful ministrations. Her pale but exquisite features were enhanced as she carefully applied powder and a little bit lf rouge. Her willowy brows above mesmerizing eyes framed by thick black lashes, skin so smooth like white jade and lips that were like a delicate flower's soft blooming petals with delicate features making her look like she came out from a painting!

The only difference is that in paintings, the young maidens usually exuded an aura of fragile and romantic tenderness yet despite her fairy and doll-like looks, she emitted an aloof and cold air filled with melancholy.

With a quiet sigh, the lady in red made a small gesture before a big wine jug appeared in her hand then with a sweeping motion across the room and all her belongings disappeared into her space.

Unsealing the jug, the strong aroma of wine immediately permeated the air making her soft red lips curve with a slight satisfied smirk as she lifted the jug up to her lips and she was swallowed a mouthful.

Pushing the window open, she sat on a chair just by it and savored the cool breeze that drifted in as she continued drinking.

Her snowy white skin slowly had a tinge of red as an intoxicated blush settled on her cheeks making her look tender and all the more alluring.

She passed the remaining night away drinking wine away as she tried to repress the dream she just had, not wanting to focus on the memories it evoked yet no matter how hard she tried and how much wine she downed, her consciousness couldn't help but flit to the past.

It was a dark night just like this when she had to say goodbye to the only life she had ever known. When the raging waters slowly beat her life out of her until she was black and blue and her soul was hanging by a thread to a body that was broken and battered.

It was practically already a miracle that her body wasn't torn apart by the river's harsh currents. The moment she felt her consciousness slip away and the darkness swallow her whole, she thought that she was going to die. She only had one thought at that time, that was that on her next life she will get revenge!

She swore that she would make sure that all who harmed her family and loved ones, all those people who were responsible for the extermination of her clan will pay for their actions a thousand-fold!

She swore that she will let them experience an ending worse than death!

Remembering that particular night, a satisfied smile bloomed on her cherry red lips as she recalled her parting gift to those horrid men, she couldn't help but let out a small laugh brimming with mirth as she imagined the effects of her poison on them.

It was just a pity that she wasn't able to see it take into effect.

Gazing out of the window, she can see that the once dark sky was slowly lightening up as the first rays of dawn peaked out at the edge of the horizon.

The sight reminded her of what happened after she jumped off that cliff. Like the dark night sky, death had embraced her in it's cold, silent embrace and yet like the coming of dawn, someone had found her and saved her, like ray of sunshine bringing warmth an a chance at a new beginning in the midst of the cold, dark abyss that she had almost settled in.

She owed that person her life.

When she woke up and finally regained consciousness, she had no will to live and yet this stranger not only took her in to his home and took care of her but he also made sure that she would live and not just survive.

That one small thing made all the difference to her. From the moment she recovered, she just survived. She was just went about the motions, going about life like an empty lifeless doll who no longer cared about what happens to her.

She was just numb. An empty shell of her previous self.

Then he gave her a purpose.

It started slowly. He would talk to her and give her random little things to play with and pushed her to get better. He treated her not as a stranger, but as someone he genuinely cared about.

It completely baffled her at first!

His actions and treatment helped her realize that in spite of losing everything, she wasn't alone.

She had him, Fan Hui Zhong.

In time, they grew closer and she started to view him as family. Fan Hui Zhong had never asked her what happened but was always there to offer support and comfort when she broke down.

A couple of years passed and she slowly recovered and improved. Fan Hui Zhong taught her a lot of things and helped train her so she could get stronger. In turn, she worked on finding ways to treat his long-term injury.

She was almost able to completely cure him yet they still lacked a couple of certain rare herbs.

It was one of the reasons why they were about to leave his house and go on and travel in search of the herbs and also to give her a chance to gain information to help her on her path of revenge.

About a year back, she had told about what had happened to her. She had thought that once he found out, Fan Hui Zhong would ask her to leave but to her surprise, he only asked if she needed any help.

That brought her an intense feeling of warmth and filled her with a sense of gratefulness.

When she expressed her gratitude, he only laughed and flicked his finger on her forehead before telling her that it's what families do.

With a contented sigh, her chaotic thoughts finally settled as she focused on her memories with Fan Hui Zhong and she was about to take another gulp when a knock came from the door.

"Xia'er, come and eat breakfast. We'll be leaving soon."

With small smile, she quickly stood up with the wine jug still in hand and opened the door and saw the man who saved her all those years ago.

She saw how his sharp black eyes immediately focused on the jug in her hand and his nostrils flare as he smelled the intoxicating scent of the wine. His huge hulking body towered over her, completely contrasting with her small, delicate build that just barely reached his chest while she looked up and met his gaze and smiling cheekily.

His strong intimidating features would usually scare anyone witless with his disapproving gaze yet she only giggled and grabbed on to his arm as she put the jug away on her interspatial ring. One of the few things she was able to keep from her past.

"Why are you looking at me like that? Did you not say that breakfast is ready?" she laughed as she talked while pulling Fan Hui Zhong along.

She saw how Fan Hui Zhong's gaze changed with a flash of worry before becoming doting as he slowly smiled and shook his head as he let her drag him along.

His gaze sent a small pang of pain through her but also made her feel warm and loved. It was the same gaze that her father used to give her whenever she did something that was potentially dangerous. It was also the same gaze that Fan Hui Zhong gave her whenever he sees her drinking merrily away.

As much as she wants to rid herself of the habit, drinking wine had become a part of her daily life.

Afterall, it is what keeps the unwanted dreams and memories away.