Ten

"And what do you gain by doing this?" Dong Mei walked closer to him and asked.

Before he could answer, she laughed mockingly, "wait! Don't tell me. Is it that you wish to see your friends grow old and happy together. That perhaps I'll be their only obstacle? Does that even make sense to you?" her tone got rougher, "do you think life is some fairytale that can be weaved according to the right patterns?"

She really didn't understand it. How could he just sit and toast, eat and drink with the very people that broke his heart. How was he happy watching the person he loved getting involved with another man and even went ahead to protect that happiness? How?

Cang Mang asked, "what's wrong with wanting to see my friends happy?"

Dong Mei scoffed and looked down at the paper in his hands.

One thing she understood was that she wasn't him. She wasn't a guard dog. She fought for the things she loved and she would never stop fighting.

"Fine," she grabbed the paper from him, "I'll get someone."

"Tsk! Tsk!" Cang Mang waved his index finger, "what if you pay him off? I can't trust anyone you bring," he grabbed the paper back.

"Then you want me to pursue someone you know?" Dong Mei asked.

Cang Mang looked at her as though she had said the most absurd thing in the world, "why would I pair you with anyone I know?"

He concluded, "you'll have to participate in the speed dating so I can find you someone."

Dong Mei simply fell silent.

Cang Mang gave her an encouraging look, "soon enough you'll understand that there are thousands of men in the world. You can just pick and choose another horse. They can all run."

Dong Mei looked at the cheeky little bastard and she really didn't get it. How did her matters concern him? How was her love for Bai Yang Wei affecting him? Why did he feel it necessary to sort out the issues himself? Even if it were for Li Hua, it was a bit too much

Dong Mei scoffed and sneered , "it seems you really woke up stupid today."

There was no way that she'd agree to anything he said.

She grabbed the paper from him with an intention to tear it as she added, "what about your sweetheart, what will she think about her loyal brother, getting so involved with-?"

She paused. Her heart skipped a beat and she blinked. She looked down at the paper in her hands that had barely been tone. Just then, Cang Mang grabbed it from her, and her sights followed until they landed on his face.

He had an irritated expression on, "it took me all night to draw these. Don't think you can just tear them."

TING! An idea made its way to her mind.

In the book, Li Hua had always been dependent on two men; Cang Mang and Bai Yangwei. Cang Mang was something like her only friend. He protected her from every direction and tried to solve any of her problems that involved fighting.

While Bai Yangwei was the brain, Cang Mang was the brawn. They were both in a marriage with Li Hua, just one got all the benefits including the certificate while the other got only simple conversations.

With Cang Mang's protection the main couple was able to walk through hurdles and make it to the top. It was because Cang Mang protected them from the assassins sent out due to conspiracies in court and jealous women that the couple survived so well.

But imagine if Cang Mang didn't have time to protect them. Then Bai Yangwei's dog loyalty would be tested. Would he avoid marrying someone's daughter if they threatened to kill Li Hua? Even with his amazing brain, he wouldn't be able to easily resist people who used physical means.

To be able to fend them off, he would have to put in more effort and time, leaving Li Hua alone to the elements. When that would happen, following her character, Li Hua would look for a shoulder to cry on. With Cang Mang, the trusted brother, out of the picture, any other man would take that spot.

And any other man wasn't as much of a holy father as Cang Mang. How would the main couple survive? She really wanted to see.

Dong Mei smiled generously. Just then, her cheek was pinched and became a little painful.

"Hey! You think I don't know that conniving smile of yours. Whatever you are thinking, it will not work that way," Cang Mang said to her as he let go of her cheek.

Dong Mei rubbed her cheek as she wondered when Cang Mang had become so perceptive of her.

Every time she had a plan, he would arrive in time to stop it. Even now she just thought of something, and he was ready to stop her. Was she so easily readable or was he just that good?

She pushed his hand further away.

"I'm thinking," she said with a smile and cupped her hands on her chest, "every horse can run."

She was thinking, if she pulled Cang Mang out of the picture, kept him fully preoccupied with herself, filled up all his time that he had none left to give away, then what would the final picture be?

She could virtually see herself and Bai Yang Wei holding hands.

Cang Mang paused then held a hand up to her forehead. He tested the temperature before flicking her forehead backwards with a slight force.

"What's wrong with you? You haven't even pinched me back," his face had 'caution' written all over it.

Dong Mei dusted his hand off her face and said with a brilliant smile, "I accept your proposal. From now on, Cang Mang, you must put all your effort in this plan."

Cang Mang immediately felt that there was something wrong but slowly nodded, "okay!"

She finally found something to hold onto so she didn't have to run to the main couple so early just to see Bai Yang Wei's face.