Chapter 12.1 - I will never commit myself to someone who is promised to someone else

The two men spent the next couple of minutes laughing and building scenarios of how the media would create their 'scandal'. Taking advantage of the lightened atmosphere between them, Xue Rui remarked: "Anyway, since the item we just purchased is already ten million, we just need to purchase one more and we can be on our way. We'll just pick up the jian you wanted before we leave. Or would you like to stay longer until the auction ends?"

Li XinWen glanced at his wristwatch and saw that it was 4:20 in the afternoon. "We still have time. Let's see what else they have. Who knows, there might be something else that I might like," he responded, sounding indifferent.

Li XinWen's indifferent response alarmed Xue Rui and prompted him to ask "XinWen, are you still angry?" he asked.

"Hn. Perhaps. Honestly Rui-ge, I don't know how I feel right at this moment…" came Li XinWen's answer, not even bothering to look at Xue Rui, his eyes focused on the auction stage.

Panic crept through the pit of Xue Rui's stomach. His heart started to race and once again, he felt a desperation in his heart, and what he did next came as a surprise even to himself.

"XinWen, Ah'Wen… please forgive me. I know I have gone overboard with all the teasing and stealing kisses. I'll admit my wrongs..." Xue Rui stopped there and looked down on the carpeted flooring of their second-level box. He was afraid of continuing and baring everything. He was afraid that if he admitted to resorting to blackmail, his greatest fear would come to life - that Li XinWen would hate him even more.

'I'm sorry XinWen, but that's all that I can admit to at this time… allow me to be a coward for the time being until I have enough courage to come clean and confess to you properly.'

Li XinWen was surprised by what he just heard from Xue Rui. Based on the original's memories, Xue Rui was not the type to apologize and admit to any of his wrongdoings. 'I wonder what's changed... this is a first,' he thought to himself. Li XinWen turned his head and looked over at Xue Rui to study his expression. Unfortunately, Xue Rui was looking down and Li XinWen was unable to see his face clearly. Although he did not see Xue Rui's face, somehow, he felt that the apology was sincere and this made him smile.

'Maybe I'll tease him just a little,' Li XinWen thought.

"Pfft… Is that really you Xue Rui? I never thought the day would come when I would hear the great young master Xue Rui apologize!" Li XinWen remarked with a laugh, and that laughter was music to Xue Rui's ears, and the teasing even tugged at his heart.

'My XinWen… my precious XinWen…' Xue Rui thought. A great sense of relief washed over Xue Rui and he held his tears and his urge to hold Li XinWen right at that moment. And as if enlightened by the heavens, Xue Rui mustered the courage and said: "Ah'Wen, forgive me, ah! I was wrong to use your sister to blackmail you. But I really like you. No… I love you. More than anything or anyone and I want to pursue you. These are my sincerest feelings. Is there really no possibility for you to give me a chance? I know that we started off on the wrong foot but I know it's not too late for things to change between us and I am willing to do anything for you so you can forgive me and give me a chance."

Li XinWen's face turned a pale crimson after hearing Xue Rui's confession. 'When is this going to end? Xue Rui is a lovelorn fool through and through! Even saying that he's willing to do anything! Bah!' He faced Xue Rui and saw the desperation on his face, but instead of being convinced, it only amused Li XinWen.

"You know Rui-ge, you might just come to regret ever fancying someone like me," Li XinWen said in response.

"It seems that you don't know me that well XinWen… and don't worry, I've prepared myself for anything and everything when it comes to you. I have no plans of letting you slip by…" Xue Rui countered.

"Haha… I guess we'll see who gives in before long," Li XinWen responded and went on to say, "You said you'd do anything, right Rui-ge?" To which Xue Rui nodded in response.

'He's like a dog wagging his tail as if being offered a treat,' Li XinWen thought before stating, "Then for starters, no more stealing kisses, no more playing around, and if you ever make Hua-jie cry, you will let me skin you alive. Do you promise?"

Xue Rui paled at the thought of being skinned alive but felt that the proposal sounded fair. If by agreeing to this proposal meant getting closer to his goal of winning Li XinWen's love then there was no need to think twice about his answer. He nodded his head enthusiastically in agreement.

"Since I've agreed, does this mean you'll give me a chance?" Xue Rui asked.

"Hahaha… Rui-ge it seems that you have misunderstood. I never said I'd give you a chance if you actually agree to my conditions," Li XinWen stated as he let out an amused laugh.

"But…" was all Xue Rui managed to say.

"Let me say this Rui-ge. In spite of all the shenanigans that has happened between us, I will never commit myself to someone who is promised to someone else," Li XinWen stated.

Though Li XinWen said this in a firm tone, Xue Rui felt that Li XinWen's statement was a hint of some sort. 'Then, if I break it off with JingHua, will I have a chance? Well we've already agreed to call off the engagement, so in that sense, the promise no longer stands,' Xue Rui thought and immediately felt victorious. A smile spread across Xue Rui's lips.

Li XinWen narrowed his eyes at Xue Rui after noticing him smiling. "Don't you dare Rui-ge! I know exactly what you're thinking. You promised that if you make Hua-jie cry, you'll let me skin you alive, remember?" Li XinWen warned.

"Don't worry XinWen, I clearly remember the agreement. I promise I won't make her cry," Xue Rui answered in amusement.

"Good," Li XinWen heaved a sigh of relief before he returned his focus towards the auction. 'Dealing with this fool is really tiring… I'd rather face heavenly tribulation everyday than having to deal with this every day.'

* * *

Mini Theatre 4:

Young Man: Five Million!! I must have that cauldron!

Li XinWen: No! That treasure belongs to me! Six Million!

Young Man: 6.5 million!

Li XinWen: Seven million!! Please don't outbid me, please don't outbid me...

Auctioneer: No one? No one? Then seven million, so--

Li XinWen smiled brightly when the auctioneer raised the gavel. But his hope was shattered when he heard a voice beside him.

Xue Rui: Ten million. You think I'll let you spend money on our date?

Li XinWen: Why must you outbid me?! I want that item!

Xue Rui: It's alright. I will give it to you.

Li XinWen: Really?

Xue Rui: Of course! Since I will be marrying into your family, it can be your dowry.

Li XinWen: Again with the marriage?!

Xue Rui: Until you finally say yes.

Li XinWen: ^#!$&*#*$^@!

Author's note: To this day, Li XinWen is still unable to win an argument with Xue Rui...