Rejuvinate

Shen's P.O.V

It's been a few days since we came home and we were still struggling on rebuilding everything. Some didn't even cooperate and some didn't come even if it's just to check. Only a few came to help but guess what?

"Alright, since they don't want to help us rebuild, let's not help them rebuild theirs."

"Are you sure, Commander?"

"Yes, I'm sure. Don't worry."

"They won't show us mercy, then so we won't."

"If the commander says so, then alright!"

"Serves them for not helping us!"

It felt like we were rebelling, young teenagers rebelling against their parents. Somehow, this kinda felt satisfying. Letting them have what they deserve. Of course, I'd have to deal with the consequences later once we're done. I doubt there won't be any complaints.

I look at Lady Chen and she just nodded before walking away, helping another lady. Since she announced our marriage, she became colder. She doesn't even turn to me when we sleep nor will she talk to me longer than a minute. Gosh, did I do something wrong again? I've been so preoccupied that I'm forgetting a lot of things.

I sighed.

I go with the third batch of rebuilders and helped them collect the remaining rubbles and debris. While cleaning, I can't help but worry about Lady Chen and I.

"Is there a problem, Commander?"

"Ah, right, nah, I'm good."

"Are you sure, Commander? You kept sighing."

"It must be Martial Sister Chen." they teased me while picking up rubbles.

I laughed, "You're right and seeing that you guys are single, you don't know a thing about a single thing about love." and they shut up.

I smirked.

"Let's just clean. That's what we're good at."

Once we were done cleaning, we went to get some wood, nail, and other necessity to build. As I pick up a nail, I pricked my hand and let go of the nail. It rolled behind me as I curse. I see a drop of blood but dismissed it by wiping it on my pants. I turn around to retrieve the nail that harshly pricked my hand.

I see it roll a little far which made me curse even more. Today is not my day. I walk to where the nail rolled to. Once I caught it, I heard voices behind Master Zhu's manor that I recognized.

"Martial Sister Chen, what are thinking about marrying someone like that?"

"Pardon?"

"I mean, Shen is a lady and so are you plus, she is quite reckless."

"You deserve someone better."

"Someone who couldn't save the entire Island of Grounds when the legendary bird came?"

"We weren't here so of course, she'd have to do it. Plus, she almost died."

"I see no point in arguing with you." I smiled.

"Martial Sister Chen, we will prove to you that she's just a weakling compared to us."

"Especially to me, Que Xi Wang."

"Senior Wang is Master Zhu's right hand. He is quite powerful."

"Do what you want."

I quickly hid my present and physical form. Lady Chen stands beside me, sighing. Did she notice me? She brought her hands on her chest, as if praying. It was another new face that I discovered from Lady Chen. Her face has so much emotion into it and she looked like she was in pain. I was about to reveal myself but Lady Chen started saying things.

"Why am I so in love with such a dense person?" eh?

And with that, she left. Dense? Me? DENSE? Since when? WHAT? I am? I couldn't believe it. I thrive to please women even before so what's the difference now? Are my emotional feelings preventing me from doing what I usually do?

I went back to where the third batch of rebuilders were, said sorry for taking so long and went back to rebuilding. I was so focused into thinking about what Lady Chen meant that the people I was with had to tug my clothing for me to snap back into reality.

"What is it?"

"C-Commander, that was a bit too fast." he pointed to the building that was not already fully furnished and had upgraded.

"I-I built this?"

"Are you alright, Commander?"

"Ah, right, I built this. Welp, now that it's done, let's rest. Let's meet again tomorrow and help the others."

"If Commander says so."

I waved goodbye to everyone and it wasn't even lunch yet. I went back to the manor to eat and laid down after. The word dense got to me better than I thought it would. I remember back to where we first met and spotted a lot of difference. Wow. I guess I am dense. I rub my crease and cursed, again.

"Gods, you must be playing with me."

Now, I remember a few days from now, what me and Lady Chen didn't finish. I guess that's what- I'm so stupid. Gods, why am I so stupid? I groaned. I got up and went out, in search for Lady Chen and to apologize for being so stupid.

I got where everyone was but I didn't find Lady Chen. Even the batch she was with said that she disappeared two hours ago. They didn't see her when lunch came? Where did she go? I asked if Lady Chen came back after going to the Zhu's manor and they said that she didn't. The fact that they said she didn't come back then meant that they didn't even know that she went there.

I search every nook and corner of the Island of Grounds but saw no traces of Lady Chen. She couldn't have went outside so my guess is that she's physically hidden herself. I couldn't think of anything else but to search for magic traces of Lady Chen. If Que Xi Wang is testing me right now then I shall give him a punch in the guts.

I summoned my little babies and gave them my command. I look around and glared at a certain place. Master Zhu's manor. I did indeed searched every nook and cranny but I went against the idea of barging in unannounced. It would mean that I have no respect or whatsoever those hooligans could think.

I sighed and went for it. I knocked on the door and unsurprisingly, a man I don't know opened the door. Of course, Master Zhu has many men so the rebuild was quite fast. I hate to admit but his men work fast.

"I want Lady Chen back."

"Pardon, Shen, but rudeness is not allowed in Master Zhu's manor."

"Unless you want me to burn your manor?"

"Ha. We have a lot of-" I spit black fire on his clothe.

His eyes went wide and tried to put out the fire. He slapped the fire, his clothes, his body, poured water down himself but the black fire insisted. My fire escalated quickly.

"P-please! Put this out! I promise I'll tell you."

"I can't really do that unless you show me."

"Alright! Come!"

He walk behind the manor. There we saw a door. I didn't see that earlier. Is this a trick? No. I guess they did this. They hid this using all their power combined. He opens the door and signaled for me to put out the fire that's already covered his upper torso. I shake my head and signaled for him to go inside first. He gritted his teeth and went inside.

As soon as we went inside, he disappeared and daggers came flying out of nowhere. If they expect me to just get hit from levels like this then they're already dead. If they go into battle assuming then they will be the first one to get buried.

I feigned getting hit and did an illusion about blood spurting everywhere. I lay on the ground, not breathing. A few seconds later, I hear footsteps nearing my 'dead' body and with laughter at that.

"See? I told you." I remember his voice. It was Que Xi Wang.

I heard Lady Chen sigh.

"Why are you playing dead?" Oh, I got caught.

"What do you mean? Her blood are-"

I got up and dusted myself from dirt. Their eyes shot wide, surprised, and Wang clenched his fists. He pointed his dirty finger at me. I roll my eyes and pulled Lady Chen to me. I wrap my arm around her when her body collided with mine.

"I believe you'll die if you keep underestimating your opponents like that."

I kissed Lady Chen's forehead and smiled at her.

"You! Master Zhu won't let you go!"

"Huh. That old fart will spank you once you mutter my name with bad things in front of him. And if I were you, I'd train hard so that you can die peacefully in the battlefield."

They couldn't say a thing. They ate their words.

"Oh, and one more thing, if I found out that you were the one responsible for all this commotion, then go away before I get to grab your throats."

I escort Lady Chen outside. When we got outside, she pinched my side.

"Ouch."

"What took you so long."

"There's no question mark?"

"Whatever."

Me and Lady Chen went to meet with everyone. They were already eating when we got there and offered us some soup. Of course, I was hungry myself to I happily ate them. Lady Chen also ate her part since she didn't have lunch.

"Lady Chen,"

"Yes?"

"-" before I could say anything, the people who I were with this morning came to us.

"Senior Sister Chen! Senior Sister Shen finished a whole building herself this morning while thinking about you!"

"HA! Why would you guys say that?"

"Yeah! She was troubled with something too!"

"She pricked her finger with a nail too!"

I swear these kids are a handful! I shake my head and pushed them away. I sighed and sat back beside Lady Chen. How many times have I sighed? And it all revolves around Lady Chen. She's already in that deep for me to sigh the whole day, huh?

"What are you so worried about?"

"Huh?"

"What made you push yourself to that extent?"

"You mean rebuilding at that pace and by myself?"

"Yes. You shouldn't be too bothered by anything else."

"Well, the girl that I didn't know would make me fall for this hard gave me the cold treatment."

"Is that so?"

"Yes," I look at Lady Chen but she wasn't facing me nor upfront. She had already turned her head to the other side so I couldn't see her. But her ears were red and that was a good sign.

"The girl that I have come to love is running away from me."

"She must be angry."

"I guess so. But I'm going to bring it all back. I'm going to do this right once and for all. I hope the lady that I am in love with will still accept my stupid feelings."

"If she loves you then she will."

I smiled and grabbed her hand. I kissed it and smiled wider.

"I love you, Lady Chen."

"I-I love you, too."

Despite my calm behavior, my heart was practically skipping beats.

Lady Chen turned to me and leaned her head on my shoulder.

"You know, you're so cool sometimes."

"Isn't it always?"

"No. You're a disappointment almost always."

"Ouch." I feigned hurt.

"But I love you still."

I couldn't contain my smile.

"You know what to say too, sometimes."

"Don't."

"Awe, I haven't even finished it yet."

"I'll stab you."

"Alright, alright. Geez."