Minglan found herself barefoot standing on unfamiliar land. Devoid of any plants, trees, grasses and living animals, the earth under her feet only had black sandy soil. Despite not having any sun providing light or moon and stars, she could see the ground and sky clearly. The place was very peculiar, out of common sense. She looked around curiosity wanting to find out how big this place is but the endless vast plain stretching with no end in sight made her give up. She sat down and inspected the soil. The black sand, so dry, not a bit moisture, fell loosely when she scooped a handful. No wonder there was no living things here, with this type of soil, nothing will survive. Wait a minute, isn't she supposed to be in her apartment? Wait screw that, Isn't she supposed to be at the door of her apartment? She only remembered passing out. Who brought her here?
She walked around in circles and yelled hoping to gain someone's attention. When she felt like giving up, something tap her shoulder. She quickly turned around and discovered a white glowing figure of a lady tilting its head. "Why are you here?" A voice so gentle and sweet dripping with honey made her uneasiness reduced.
Minglan scratched her head, "I don't even know but where is this exactly?"
"Oh...Oh...I know! I know! Come closer!" The glowing silhouette jumped in excitement. She immediately leaned to her ears and made a soft whisper.
Minglan also waited for her reply but the scene shattered and she felt something was pulling her. She was not able to hear the glowing lady's whisper.
Minglan had slept from noon till the next day. She woken up from the sound of alarm clock. She yawned and stretched her arms and got off the bed. Her body full of fatigue from yesterday was now brimming with energy, she felt she could do twenty more squats. Thus assumed the correct posture and started squatting. Amidst exercising, she felt she was not alone and looked around. Halfway through she saw a handsome man in black turtleneck sitting on the bed with crossed legs watching her in position.
There was bunch of eclipses on her head. Did I sleep on the wrong room? She inspected the room and was more confused after confirming it was her own.
Wait....wait....wait... his looks is very familiar! Wait.... Isn't it he the creep from the parking lot!
She quickly assumed a defensive stance and questioned the man, "Why are you here?!" Her eyes were spitting fires as memories from yesterday flooded her brain.
The man stood up and extended his attractive hand. Minglan saw his perfect figure rivalling a model and the hand smooth as silk. She was momentarily lost and accepted his hand.
"I'm...Xiao Hei." He paused for a second before introducing his name. He was glad he didn't blurt out his Grim Reaper's name otherwise his Little Lan would probably find him weirder.
"Ah...I'm...Minglan." Minglan felt the surface of his hand under her fingers and caressed it a little. She really wanted to ask him what beauty products he was using to achieve such an effect! No, what is she doing! She quickly withdrew her hand and assumed her defensive stance again. "Don't think just because you're handsome, I'll lower my guard!" Just after she said the words, she was slightly embarrassed.
Xiao Hei blinked his long eyelashes and the corner of his eyes bent making his gaze more charming.
Minglan lowered her arms again and found herself under a spell. This man not only he was handsome beyond compare, his every expression carried a myriad of enigma.
"I didn't mean to intrude but I saw you faint outside of your door and afterwards you were burning with fever, so I took care of you all night and didn't leave." Xiao Hei explained eliciting a surprise expression from Minglan.
Minglan blinked and processed what he said. She gave him a slight bow after, "Sorry, I was rude. I didn't know the whole situation and almost drive you out without thanking." If he was the one who helped her in and considering she was fine, that means he had no ill intention. However, she couldn't understand why he knows her name and he didn't explain properly or maybe she didn't give him any chance at all.
"Anyway, the matter about my name, how did you know it? Did we met somewhere before?" No matter how much she tried to search his face among the sea of memories, she didn't find a single match so this proves they did not have any previous interaction.
The confusion and worry written on her face was like an open book, Xiao Hei could guess where her thoughts headed to, "I'm a tenant of this apartment building before so I know you from the neighborhood." Lying through, he made an excuse he pondered over night.
"So that's why!" In an angle Minglan didn't see, Xiao Hei smiled. There was no more hostility swimming in her soft pool of eyes and this made his mood better.
"But why did you approach me yesterday for?" The cloud of confusion still didn't disperse over her mind. His hesitation as if there was something bothering him remained vivid in her memory.
"I was going to ask you something but it seems unnecessary." Greatly unnecessary, as he made another plan.
"I'm sorry I wasn't able to help." She wanted to ask what it was but she felt he was clear avoiding the topic and didn't press him anymore.
After the misunderstanding was cleared, Minglan invited him for a breakfast. Xiao Hei agreed without hesitation.
Minglan told him to wait outside. She quickly washed herself and changed into something suitable for a stroll. She couldn't cook and could only depend on takeaways and shops selling meals and snacks to fill her stomach.
Minglan hurried out of the bedroom after preparing. She took her purse and her wallet and checked the appliances, making sure they were unplug. After the kitchen was done, she checked the dining room and then the living room.
The apartment was no larger than a hundred square meters and the inspection was quick and smooth.
"Let's go." Minglan wore her white canvas shoes and informed Xiao Hei sitting in the sofa. Xiao Hei grabbed his coat and followed her behind. Her strong tantalizing scent along with the aroma of the fruity shower shampoo stimulated him. He really had an urge take a bite and savor the taste.