CHAPTER FORTY FIVE
WARNING :
They thought Feifei is a woman. They will refer to Feifei as a "she" or "her".
On the way to Guhya Village, Peng Jian would sneak glances at Feifei. But what Peng Jian didn't know, Feifei has long time noticed his being unusual.
This man has very strange....quirks. Feifei can't help but observe him closely.
Everytime Peng Jian would open and close his mouth repeatedly, Feifei finds his action very comical.
Like a fish. Feifei thought.
When Peng Jian finally noticed that Feifei has been staring at him strangely, his whole face turned red. Even his ears and neck are red!
"Peng Jian, do you have any issues with me?" Feifei asked curiously.
Peng Jian choked.
"Its...no." He coughed.
This man is really odd. Feifei thought, looking at Peng Jian with weird eyes.
Peng Jian coughed again.
"Did you find a suitable house in Hisoki?"
"Liveable. Suitable?" Feifei frowned, seriously considering the question.
"I don't know yet if it is." Hopefully the young lady will not pay her a visit at eerie hours.
"Do you need help in moving your things?"
"No. I'm good." Feifei shook his head at him. "Thank you."
Silence.
Peng Jian really wants to talk to her but he just doesn't know what to say. Or where to begin.
Every time Feifei would look straight into his eyes, his mind would just go blank. He would become mute.
He really is pathetic. Peng Jian sighed.
"Peng Jian, you can just drop me at the village entrance. I need to inform the Village Head about my relocation. They might be alarmed if they find me missing."
Peng Jian looked at Feifei for a bit then gathered his courage to tell her what he sincerely thinks.
"I would like to personally send you to your door. You see, you have many things to bring. You are a woman and its dark already. Please allow me to wait for you? I will wait at the pathway towards the mountains."
Feifei kept silent for awhile and then nodded.
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At the entrance, Feifei climbed down and walked over to Aunt Xuefei's house.
Good news is, Aunt Xuefei was alone.
It would be difficult if he has to face the Village Head for these matters. Feifei thought.
Seeing Feifei, Aunt Xuefei was so happy to see her that she almost can't let go of Feifei's hands.
"You heartless little girl! I thought you don't remember your Aunt anymore. I haven't seen you for awhile now." Aunt Xuefei said, her tone sad.
Feifei's heart constricted. He honestly don't know how to face Yuan's mother. He feels uncomfortable.
He just smiled lightly but did not say anything.
Aunt Xuefei looked at Feifei closely.
"Is there something wrong, child?" Aunt Xuefei asked concerned.
Hearing Aunt Xuefei's genuine concern, Feifei felt his throat clogged up. It's as if he has finally found his support.
He has the sudden impulse to cry and vent out all his pent up feelings in these past two months.
To tell Yuan's mother how he struggled day to day with this emotional burden. How miserable he was.
How he wished he could just sleep all the days away. He never thought loving someone could be this...hard.
Even before it really started, he already suffered at the onset.
Fervently looking at Aunt Xuefei's obvious concern, he can feel the tears brimming in his eyes. He had to blink hard just to stop them from falling.
If he opens his mouth, he is afraid, he would spill everything. That once he starts to talk, who knows if he would ever stop his endless complaints against her son.
Feifei swallowed hard and just...smiled.
"I'm sorry, Aunt."
Aunt Xuefei looked at Feifei and sighed. Disappointed. She thought Feifei would finally open up to her.
"If there is something you need, let me know. I will help you." Aunt Xuefei smiled at Feifei tenderly.
Feifei again, just smiled.
"Aunt, I came here because, lately the mine is very busy and I have a project that needs coordination with a fellow worker. So, I may need to stay at her place for awhile until the project is completed. I don't want you to worry. This project may take awhile too."
Aunt Xuefei just stared at Feifei then nodded with reluctance.
"I will inform your Uncle about this. Just be careful, okay?" Aunt Xuefei patted her hand.
Feifei again, just smiled.
"Aunt, then, I will leave first." Feifei stood up, hesitated, then also took Aunt Xuefei's hand on both of his. He squeezed it tight. Hoping his emotions would reach her. Even without words.
"Thank you for understanding." He sincerely whispered.
Aunt Xuefei stared at Feifei's back and sighed.
She feels something off with Feifei.
She seemed...different.
Aunt Xuefei sighed again as she closed the gate shut.
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Arriving at the foot of the mountain, Feifei saw the horse grazing nearby while Peng Jian was standing beside the wagon with a far away look on his face.
"Peng Jian?"
Peng Jian was surprised to see Feifei already in front of him.
He did not even notice her. Was he so deep into his thoughts? Peng Jian wondered.
Feifei just smiled at him and took the bag of meat and eggs. Peng Jian took it from her without a word. Took the chickens on his other hand too.
"Give me the chickens. Its much lighter. Its not good to have both your hands occupied. Especially when its already dark."
Peng Jian sighed but handed the chickens to her.
"I will go first and you follow me at the back, ok?"
Feifei nodded.
While walking up the path, Feifei feels strange. He feels like the trees has grown eyes. And its following her every move.
She stopped for a bit.
Or maybe she was just scared earlier by that haunted house? She is imagining things?
Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath and cleared his mind. Then he started walking again.
There it is! Feifei's heart exclaimed.
He can feel the predator's eyes. Like stalking a prey. That every move he makes, even his breathing is closely monitored.
What's even more strange is that, he is not afraid at all. He should be. But he isn't. He is not even alarmed at all.
How bizarre.
Suddenly, Feifei looked straight on his right side. As if he can feel something there. Waiting for him.
Waiting for him to notice it's presence.
When Feifei faced forward again, he bumped right into something and hurt his nose!
Looking up, its Peng Jian's chest!
Rubbing his nose, he can feel his eyes watering.
It hurts!
Looking at Peng Jian with accusing eyes, Feifei just noticed Peng Jian was also looking at him.
His odd expression is back on his face again. Feifei muttered silently.
"Something?" Feifei asked while pinching his nose.
That's when Feifei felt a hand tightening the hold on his waist!
Peng Jian was holding his waist!
PAK!
He automatically slapped the hand away and hurriedly moved a couple of steps back.
Peng Jian was stunned by Feifei's series of actions.
Feifei smiled awkwardly. "I'm sorry. Its just... I don't like others touching me. It was...well. My instinctive reaction at... play?" He laughed drily.
Peng Jian turned red.
"I'm sorry, Feifei. Next time I will not do so without your permission." Peng Jian said earnestly.
"I stopped earlier because I felt you stop. I thought something happened. You were unstable when you bumped into me. That's why I... I held you." Peng Jian explained. His face bleeding red.
"uhm." Feifei just hummed in response and by passed Peng Jian.
Now, Feifei is leading the way to his house. And he can feel the hair on his neck standing up.
He felt the resentment coming from the trees. Sharp and piercing. And something malevolent?
A suppressed...violence? Feifei tilted his head towards the right side of the path.
But all he sees are shrubs and a few scattered trees.
And the darkness.
Feifei shivered.
Too much for ghost stories.
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Arriving at his doorstep, he stopped and turned back to see Peng Jian standing not far away from him.
"I'm sorry to have troubled you tonight." Feifei smiled sincerely at Peng Jian.
Peng Jian just stood there silently staring at Feifei. His mouth opened, as if he was about to say something, but stopped.
Feifei cleared his throat and looked at the dark pathway they were treading on earlier.
Feifei sighed.
"Peng Jian."
"Feifei."
They both called each other's name at the same time.
They looked at each other in surprise and laughed together.
The tension was broken.
Peng Jian seemed a little at ease...somehow. He took a deep breath and opened his mouth again.
"Feifei, I like you!"