Tang Li Mei sat by the bed, staring at her little bun, who was sleeping soundly. She caressed his cheeks as a lone tear fell from her eyes. Even though she tried her best to be both parents for him, it seems she still didn't consider that he lacked an actual father figure. Wiping away her tears, she looked out the foggy window, remembering the conversation she heard an hour ago.
.....
The pharmacy store in Silver Woods was open; hence, she didn't feel the need to drive far. Apart from the time when her car broke down, it took her only fifteen minutes.
When she reached home, it was not her intention to eavesdrop, but the moment she heard the little boy calling for his father, it broke her heart.
Listening to their conversation, she didn't have the heart to correct the sick child. The words Han Zhixin said really warmed her heart, but she knew she was not cut out for a relationship. She could never give him the happy family he deserves when she is broken beyond repair.
'Buzzzzz Buzzzzz...'
The vibrating phone on the desk brought her out of her reverie. The phone looked unfamiliar, and the name displayed on the screen was saved as 'Mom'. She quickly concluded that the device belonged to a certain scheming devil.
…...
Standing outside the guest room, Tang Li Mei was going through an internal conflict over whether she should knock or not. But as the phone vibrated again, it startled her, and in a moment of panic, she knocked on the door.
'Shit!!!!'
Now that she had already alerted the other person, she couldn't just run away like a child pranking an adult. She started feeling jittery standing in front of the door.
'What's taking him so long to open a damn door??'
Narrowing her eyes at the door, she waited, but there was no response from the other end.
Twisting the doorknob, she quickly took a peek inside, only to find the room empty. Walking inside, her gaze fell on the bathroom door, and the sound of the shower fell on her ears. Her face heated up as she listened.
Suddenly the phone started to ring again, and this time it really frightened her.
'What to do??? It seems to be something important...But this bastard is not done yet!!! Uhhh... What should I do??? Should I knock on the door??' she bit her nails overcome by her conflicted emotions.
'What the hell am I being so panicked about? it's just a phone call! '
Calming her heart, she knocked on the door.
"Yes??" he asked. His husky voice only further elevated her heartbeat, and a blush spread on her cheeks.
"Uhhh.... Your phone has been ringing for quite a while..... It seems urgent," she replied.
'What in the world am I doing?? The phone could ring all day for all I care!!!! It was none of my business!!'
"Just a minute!!" he answered. Tang Li Mei's eyes widened in horror when she heard the shower stop. The doorknob twisted, and a man walked out with a white towel hanging around his torso.
Tang Li Mei's pupils dilated when her gaze fell on his muscular upper body. Her eyes widened as she glanced at his broad shoulders. Muscles flexed as he opened the door, and it only made her gulp in nervousness. She could see beads of water rolling off his strong, chiseled chest, through his well-defined six-pack, and into the towel dangling around his narrow waist. He looked sinfully gorgeous.
'Holy Shit!!!!' she cursed.
Han Zhixin's lips pulled up into a smirk when he caught her ogling him.
"Ahem!"
Tang Li Mei was in a daze when she heard someone clear their throat. The moment their eyes met, Tang Li Mei's face warmed up. She could see the teasing smile in his pale blue eyes, and it instantly confirmed that she was caught ogling him again. She quickly looked away to avoid further embarrassment.
Han Zhixin's heart fluttered meticulously when his gaze fell on her elegant neckline. He took a step forward, only to be met by increased distance.
Tang Li Mei felt her heartbeat quicken when he closed in, and she stepped back in panic. But that didn't stop the half-naked man; soon her whole body was pressed against the wall.
Tang Li Mei panicked when her back touched the wall and his strong arms rested on the sides, trapping her within.
"W-what are you doing??" She stuttered as she quickly looked away, unable to meet those teasing eyes.
"What am I doing?? Shouldn't I be the one asking that??" he teased. Tang Li Mei's ears grew hot, and all the words stuck in her throat.
The man's strong arms caught her slender waist and pulled her into him. Panicked, she quickly held onto his shoulders. The second her palm came in contact with his warm, naked body, her entire being felt like it was on fire.
Han Zhixin's heart filled with warmth at their close proximity; he gently lifted her chin and slowly leaned in.
Tang Li Mei was alarmed at his action and leaned back, but she couldn't avoid his advances when she was trapped in his embrace. She quickly squeezed her eyes shut as her heartbeat fastened in anticipation.
'Thump'
"Uhhh??" Tang Li Mei opened her beautiful stormy grey eyes only to be met by his pale blue ones staring at her gently. His forehead rested on hers as his gaze held hers in a trance. She could smell his unique masculine scent, and his tight yet gentle hold on her slender waist only made her blush more.
"Xiao Mei, sweetheart," he whispered in a hoarse voice.
The moment her name left his lips, she stiffened, and her cold heart filled with warmth. She could see all the raw emotions he held for her. She could feel his heartbeat fasten under her palms.
Pain filled her entire being when she realized she could never respond to him the same way and that they were not meant to be. Her past haunted her like a shadow, following her throughout her life.
Han Zhixin locked his gaze on her stormy eyes, which had mesmerized him from the moment they met. He stared into those pearls, trying to find the same emotion he held for her. But all he could see was emptiness and conflict in them, which only made his hold on her waist tighten further. Feeling the conflicted emotion in her gaze, he gently placed his other hand on top of the one that rested on his chest.
"Do you not feel this??" he asked huskily.
"Umm???...." Tang Li Mei stared at that honest and gentle gaze, unable to answer his question. His heart twisted in pain at her lack of response, but he hid it with a gentle smile.
"Xiao Mei, the moment you fell into my arms under the peach blossom tree, I fell in love with you. This feeling only increased the more we met, the more we spoke, and the more I got to know you. Falling in love at first sight was something I never believed in. But from the second I met you, my heart has been beating wildly like this; the closer you are, the more wildly it races. If you don't feel the same way, it's still fine, because I'm never letting you go no matter what happens!!!!" he confessed.
"And the only thing I request from you is to give me a chance to make you fall for me," he whispered softly, tightening his hold on her.
Tang Li Mei was surprised at how deep his emotions were for her. She was completely new to this since, in her previous life, it was she who did the courting. So now that she was the one on the receiving end, she didn't know how to respond.
She wanted to tell him that there were no such feelings in her, but that would be a lie. She didn't have the heart to say those cruel words to a person like him.
"I...."
"Buzzzz Buzzzzz...."
The instant she opened her mouth to reply, she was startled by the vibrating phone in her hand.
Tang Li Mei stiffened when she realized what she was about to do. She quickly pushed the phone toward him and dashed to the door.
Han Zhixin's quick reflex caught her and brought her back into his arms. Tang Li Mei glared at him and tried to break free.
"Xiao Mei??" he called out as he stared into her narrowed eyes. He knew whatever little moment they had was gone after being interrupted. He sighed.
The second Tang Li Mei felt his hold on her loosen, she took the opportunity and ran out of the room.
'Buzzzzz Buzzzzz'
Han Zhixin looked at his phone in displeasure.
"Whatever you have called for Zihao, pray that it's an important one!!!" he grunted.
"Big brother, what did I do???" Han Zihao, on the other end, cried out in despair.