DEPARTING

LI Jie who was looking at the frail man through the back mirror, saw those symptoms clearly. The other man was having a panic attack. Li Jie stepped out from the car with a bang and went to the man's side to check his situation. He opened the back door and slid in the back seat.

He Luo was getting paler and was running short of breath. He was bundled up in the corner of the back seat. He saw Li Jie getting out of the car and came to sit beside himself. He could see that the man, although the beautiful man was expressionless but his eyes had a hint of worry in them. Somebody was still there who was worried for him, looking at Li Jie who was patting his back in attempt to even out his breathing. He Luo felt warm in his heart and tears slid down his face.

Li Jie put his arms around the boy who was trembling like a leaf in fear. He started stroking his back with gentle hands trying to calm him down. He had no medicine with him and this was all that he could do at the moment.

" Calm down " He Luo heard the man repeating the same line while comforting him. He Luo leaned against the man's chest and took several deep breath to regulate his breathing.

" Please, don't take me to hospital " He Luo said, trying to persuade Li Jie for the last time.

Li Jie could see that the young man in front of him was not comfortable with the hospital so he agreed.

" I can drop you, wherever you want but I can't let you stay with me " Li Jie said with a straight face. It was final.

" Drop me anywhere near the city market " He Luo said in a decisive voice.

This time, the whole way neither He Luo nor Li Jie said anything. They soon reached the city market.

Li Jie parked his car at the entrance and waited for the young man to step out.

After some time, He Luo who was silent, mumbled something under his breath which caused Li Jie to frown as he clearly heard the whole sentence with his heightened hearing sense. He could feel his heart warming slightly.

Li Jie looked at the man in front of him and squeezed at a tiny smile which made him look even more stunning.

" Sure, if we ever met again than I would let you stay with me " Ki Jie said with a small smile on his face.

He Luo's whole face turned red in embarrassment. He unknowingly spoke his thoughts out loud in front of Li Jie but he was still very happy with the outcome.

" Then, I would wait for that day. Thank you for everything, brother Li " He Luo said in a sincere voice while looking in Li Jie's clear eyes.

After this, He Luo opened the door but before he could step out of the car he heard the other man calling his name.

" Take care of yourself and collect and store all the necessities in large amounts " Li Jie said in a cold tone. Li Jie could not disclose the whole truth to the world but the young man in front of him made him crumble.

He Luo could sense that the man in front of him was saying something of great importance so he didn't refute and listened with attention.

" Yes, I will do as you have told me." He Luo said in a serious voice and continued " you should also take care of yourself, brother. I hope we meet soon " after that He Luo stepped out of the car.

Li Jie looked at the young man whose back was looking smaller as he was getting farther away from his side. He knew what he did was the right thing to do but his heart and mind were telling him opposite things.

He Luo didn't turn even once to look at the man as he was sure that if he saw the beautiful and kind man one more time, he won't be able to walk away from him.

Li Jie looked away from the window when he could no longer see the young man.

" Let's get back to our main task. Buddy " Li Jie said while ruffling the fur on the Ying Ying's head.

Ying Ying who was sleeping opened one of his eyes and looked at the Li Jie with soft eyes and lightly pushed his nose in Li Jie's hand in confirmation.

Li Jie looked at his right hand where the white jade snake was coiled around. The red orbs on his fair skin were emitting light more than ever, indicating that the other half of the sword was nearby.

Li Jie thanked He Luo in his mind as he started the engine and took a sharp turn in a narrow street.