NOVEL NEXT Chapter 464: Such a Queen
Earlston, Edinburgh, Scotland;
It had been around seven in the evening by the time Xinguan went out for a stroll. Their fingers interlaced with one another, their footsteps in sync. Rong Xinghe had showered before she had put on a Brown wool overcoat over a plain Black full-sleeved turtleneck top and denim Blue jeans, along with her white sneakers.
But even so, Xi Yuan had forced her to throw on a knitted beanie too.
'I look like a Kid!', the girl had complained then.
'No, Baby, you look astoundingly breathtaking.', he had laughed, 'Besides, I am not taking chances with your health.'
She knew that. She had never known him to be a stubborn person until it came to her safety and well-being. There was no way he would compromise even a bit, or give in to her pleadings if there was even a tad of a threat to her immunity.
But that was alright. His fears, his concerns were all alright. He had almost lost her this time, and the times before. It wasn't fair of her to expect him to behave as if nothing had happened.
Moreover, there was nothing wrong with him wanting to make her feel a little comfortable, right?
"So what have you been reading?", the man questioned the girl, the cold Scottish breeze hitting his face.
"The Notebook.", Rong Xinghe replied, distracted, "It's about to end. And I am not liking it."
"The book
"No. I loved it!", the girl shook her head immediately, "I hate the current plot, I meant."
"Nicholas Sparks won't break your heart, Love.", Xi Yuan chuckled, bringing the girl back to reality, to him, "Of that, I am sure."
Rong Xinghe glanced at the man walking beside her, the dim yellow lights bouncing off of her face. "You are so much like Noah Calhoun.", she mumbled, comparing him to the male lead of the novel she'd been reading all day long.
"I am?", he smiled.
"Yeah. Calm and composed.", Rong Xinghe explained, "Always supportive of the female lead's ambitions, and dreams. Cannot see the woman he loves in pain."
Xi Yuan raised his brows, clearly delighted to listen to the girl's observational complements. "And… how much does this Noah loves his female lead?", he asked.
"A lot. So much so, that for the sake of her happiness, he isn't even afraid to let go of her.", the girl sighed, "But I don't want that from you."
"What do you mean?", Xi Yuan frowned.
"I mean I would never want you to give up on me. Even if I'd claim to have found my happiness somewhere else, do not ever let me go.", the girl said, raising her head up, smiling at the twinkling stars spread through the dark sky like a blanket, "Help me find my way back to you. Okay?"
Xi Yuan thought for some time before he replied with a faint nod to her, "OK.", he promised, "Firstly, I'd never let you leave me in the first place. But even if, in some parallel universe, that happens, I'll fight for you, Xinghe.
"Not because you asked me to do so. But because I wouldn't know how to live without you. You're my anchor, Honey. The one thing that makes me want to look at this world, smile, laugh, breathe even. You make me feel alive. How could I not be selfish enough to hold onto someone like that, hmm?"
Rong Xinghe laughed out, her voice melodiously sweet, "You're getting good at the flirting game, President Xi.", she remarked. It was now that, from the corner of her eyes, the girl noticed a small food-van, and her gaze sparked up with delight, "Ooh! Spicy Sausage."
Akin to a small child, she released her darling's hand and strode towards the vehicle hurriedly. They were now in the central Marketplace of the town, with a variety of edibles and hundreds of clothing articles available at low prices. Places like these were Rong Xinghe's territory. Listening to people's stories, enquiring about the tourist spots nearby, were the things she truly enjoyed.
Turning to follow behind her, Xi Yuan shook his head defeatedly. There was no way he could forbid her from eating street food, was there? Who, in their right minds, would even believe that this girl was brought up by the Six fanciest, and the wealthiest men in the world, he wondered next. Anyhow, she was allowed to have eatables of her choice, as per her Bro Su. The quantities of the consumption, though, had a limit to it.
As the man walked past the group of zealous people, who'd been pushing each other fiercely, he grew more and more impatient. He had never been to a flea market before, let alone on a Sunday. It was not until he'd spotted Rong Xinghe at the counter of the small shop did he relaxed a whit. God! How did she get there so quick?!
But when he reached there, he noticed the girl's dismayed reaction, her eyes glued to something over the salesman's shoulder. It was an infant. Lying upon a small mat, the baby was crying endlessly. Maybe, Xi Yuan thought, it was frightened by the noisy mob of people. And despite wanting to aid the child, the salesman had his hands full with his customers. How unfortunate…
While the man was still pondering as to what could be done, a pair of hands yanked onto his left arm. "What?!", he looked at the girl, horrified by the devilish smile across her lips.
"You wanted me to show you my world, right?", the girl raised her brows, a hint of thrill in her gaze. "Uh-huh.", the man nodded, uncertain of what was to come.
"Follow my lead then.", Rong Xinghe winked, making her way to the entrance of the van, approaching the exhausted salesman. Then, she said something into his ear, giving him an assuring pat over the shoulder. And about a minute later, the man bowed down to her, his gaze giving away gratitude and relief.
As the man picked up the child and started rocking it in his arms, Rong Xinghe turned around to address the incensed crowd, "Ladies, and Gentlemen…", she smiled humbly, her tone that of the warrior she was but, "Please calm down. All your orders shall be prepared soon. Kindly, stand in a queue."
Intimidated by the strong presence in front of them, the group of people, at once, yielded to her commands. Xi Yuan stared at the woman, a little surprised. Why was she like that? Why was she such a Queen, he thought.
As his lips curled up in an amused smile, he climbed into the van too. Pulling his long sleeves up to his elbows, Xi Yuan then glanced at the pre-order list upon the counter, "A Tonkatsu, two Shrimpy Chilis, and a coke coming right up.", he announced solemnly. As long as it brought her elation…