Song Xia blinked her doe eyes, looking quite adorable. "I want to have some fresh air. Can I go out?"
Ellen couldn't fight against her cuteness and gave in at last. "Okay."
He then quickly said, "I'll accompany you."
"Fine."
She readily agreed since she coincidentally had some important matters to talk to him about.
Tang Yan silently watched as the two of them left for a walk: "...Eh?"
He then looked down at the takeout and felt his hunger disappear as he sighed.
...
Song Xia kicked a stone on the ground, feeling slightly cold in her clothes. Ellen perceived it and took off his jacket to wrap her tightly.
"Oh.. Thank you.." She thanked as she instantly distanced herself from him while covering herself.
Ellen noticed her reaction but didn't say anything as they quietly walked along on the desolate road.
After a while, Song Xia suddenly muttered with a low voice, "Ellen.. I want to go back."
Her voice was soft yet maybe it was because of the tranquil surrounding, her words were very clear.
Ellen abruptly stopped as he turned to look at her, stupefied.
She cleared her throat and continued, "...Things have been unexpected lately.. I just want to quickly end it all and start afresh. So I-"
"No." Ellen's icy voice intercepted her words.
Song Xia pursed her lips, "Ellen, I know you're worried about me but I can't stay here forever, you know? I will have to eventually leave one day-"
Her words were cut off once again when Ellen suddenly pulled her into his embrace and hugged her tightly.
"No, I won't allow you to leave."
His voice was hoarse yet firm, leaving no rooms for discussion.
Song Xia, who was squeezed in his embrace, felt her heart beating fiercely and her emotions running erratic.
Her calm face cracked with a turbulent of emotions flashing. She gnashed her teeth as she tried to push him away, "Let go!"
Ellen didn't let go as he stubbornly insisted, "You'll have to stay."
That Song Xe Yong had fled to China and if she were to go there, she would be putting herself into danger again!
Song Xia was slightly taken aback at his resolute demeanor.
This was the first time he had ever forced her into something. And she knew that he was saying this for her own good.
If it were any other day, she'd have agreed to him but now.. She had no choice but to confront him!
"No! Ellen, you can't force me into staying if I want to leave! I have my own life and my own choices! You have no right to interfere in my decisions!"
She blurted out in anger as she pushed him away.
Ellen was harshly pushed away by her. His eyes flashed with disbelief. Her words just now..
Song Xia huffed in anger and realized that she had spoken without thinking..
She was about to say something when she heard him say, "No matter what you say, I won't let you go!"
He then turned to leave.
Song Xia was stunned as she looked at the disappearing back and felt slightly afraid in the dark street alone.
She felt guilty and drooped her head but then heard series of footsteps coming from the direction he left.
Raising her head, she was faced with a slightly pale-faced Ellen, "Let's go."
He coldly uttered as he forcefully grabbed her wrist and pulled her to walk ahead.
Song Xia used her spare hand to get rid of his hand.
Ellen was slightly furious at this. 'This foolish woman!'
Just as he was about to explode in fury, he felt a warm hand touch his cold one and he looked down in surprise.
He saw their interlocked hands. Song Xia cleared her throat as she awkwardly made an excuse, "My wrist hurts."
Ellen remembered the rope marks and he panicked and apologized like he was at fault, his anger extinguishing in an instant. "I'm sorry! Does it hurt badly?!"
"...No, it's okay."
She silently looked away, afraid that she'll succumb to his cute side and change her decision..
---
The two of them reached home soon.
Song Xia let go of his hand and hurried upstairs while Ellen looked down at his lonely hand with a dejected face.
Tang Yan was busy watching television. He had already felt their presence but simply ignored them.
After Song Xia left, he quietly spoke as he pinted to the TV screen, "You're behind the big crisis in the Song Corporation? Oh, it's Long Company now.."
Ellen expressionlessly looked at the screen and nodded as he said with melancholy. "I lied."
"?" Tang Yan was confused.
"I didn't want to attract 'their' attention so I personally wanted to go to China to solve this thing and that matter. Who knew that Song Xe Yong would ruin everything."
Ellen sighed as he sat beside him.
Tang Yan clicked his tongue as he casually changed the channel, "..Did Xiao Xia request to go back?"
"Mmh."
"How about you take her to China with you then? She'll be fine like that."
Tang Yan lazily turned off the TV, glancing at the guy beside him.
Ellen shook his head stubbornly, "No, I can't."
Tang Yan stared at him with a gloomy expression. He tried to persuade him.
"You know that your body is important than anything else. If something happens to you, who will protect her? Must you go yourself and investigate?"
"I need to find her parents first."
Tang Yan was speechless, "Just because she begged you for help, you're willing to go there and risk your life in those geezers' hands?"
Ellen's lips curled up as he said sincerely, "I'm even willing to give her my life if she asks me."
Tang Yan sighed.
People in love are truly blind and have no sense of self-respect at all! He had never thought that Ellen would be like this too someday..
"Whatever. I'll do my best to protect her, but you should take care of your woman yourself. So make sure to come back alive and in one piece."
He stood up and continued.
"I'm going to sleep now. Don't stay awake for too long. My mom called to check up on me and told me that she wants me to return home soon. But because of your matter this time, I refused and said that I won't go back in the meantime."
Ellen frowned, "Is something happening? Why's everyone gathering in China?"
Tang Yan smiled as he stretched his arms and answered.
"I heard that some great reclusive old master is coming out from seclusion, so everyone is eager to be on his good side. Even the Xue and Fang Families seem to be amassing in China."
"Oh" Ellen wasn't really too curious about this matter and was still mulling over something else.
Tang Yan saw this and stopped talking as he went to his room after reminding him once again to go to bed early..