LUO FAN
Ruan Yanjun kept his hand on mine as we crossed the floor going to a secluded spot with a staff leading the way. I had been doing what Huang Wen had suggested, that I should just do nothing until Ruan Yanjun got bored, but it did not look like he was close to getting bored.
I could not take it anymore, especially when I saw people's heads turning in my direction and they even stopped talking just to stare at us.
"Lord Ruan," I said politely. "Let go of my hand. I can still see my way through."
"Nonsense," he replied. "There might be objects on the floor that will trip you. Allow me to guide you."
"People are staring."
"How can they not? It's rare for them to see a beauty they had to check whether you're a human or a god."
His flattery only embarrassed me even more. "I think it's because they find it strange to see two men holding each other's hands."
"You're not holding my hand, I'm holding yours. I'm supporting you. Leave them in their own degenerate minds. It's not worth bothering yourself with such things."
I could only sigh. Every time I tried to reason with this man, he always slapped me back with generally accepted principles to justify his actions regardless of how improper the action was. The worst part was his argument was always correct. How could I possibly contradict a valid reasoning?
The staff stopped and turned to us. "We have two more available tables, Sirs. Which would you prefer?"
Ruan Yanjun chose the farthest one from the other diners.
He pulled a chair and helped me sit down. Finally, he let go of my hand and I was relieved, but only for a brief moment. I did not expect him to sit right beside me, even pulling his chair closer to me. Behind us was the wall, and we were facing a group of diners.
Much more to my horror, he reached for my hand again and even laid our joined hands on top of the table. I noticed several heads turning in our direction and I knew they found the scene morally shocking.
"Lord Ruan," I whispered as I tried to pull my hand away. "We're drawing unnecessary attention."
"Shh," he whispered. "It's just for a show. Just cooperate with me for now. There's a good reason why. Trust me."
Why is it that every time he mentions those words, the more I suspect that he's up to something wicked instead?
"Would you mind elaborating?"
"Later. Let's just enjoy ourselves for now." He lifted my hand to his mouth and pressed a kiss on the back of my fingers. I even felt the moisture from his lips.
I froze in shock and I heard some people gasp, followed by whispers.
My cheeks felt like they were pressed against a burning coal. "Lord Ruan, do we really have to make a show?"
"We do, and things are working according to my plan. You're doing well."
I was at the edge of my self-control, but I tried to keep myself calm. We had already made a scene. I didn't want to draw any more attention.
But Ruan Yanjun just would not stop. When the food was laid on the table, he tried to feed me.
This time, I no longer heeded Huang Wen's advice. I voiced out my firm objection. But the devil always had his ways. While I opened my mouth to speak, he thrust the food in between my lips.
I wanted to throw up, but as a priest, I was trained never to waste food. 'Every single grain of rice is nurtured by a drop of a farmer's sweat' was what my elders had told me.
Flustered as I was with several heads turned toward me, I chewed the food and swallowed.
"Does it taste good?" He had the gall to tease me.
I knew my patience. I had plenty of that. But this time, I had run out of it. All I wanted to do was punch this man's face.
If only I could.
Before my fist could even reach him, he would have broken my wrist already.
"I've lost my appetite," I said and started to rise.
Immediately, he grabbed me around the waist and settled me back. "Don't leave. There's a suspicious person staring at you."
I doubted the truthfulness of his claim, but I did not want to take the risk either, not especially near Kan Empire where I was a fugitive. So I remained seated but did not utter a word.
"A-Fan, you're not eating," he said. "Do you want me to feed you again?"
"Lord Ruan, if you humiliate me again, I will leave regardless of the danger out there," I threatened.
He chortled. "Fine. For your sake, I'll behave for now… Eat."
I reached for my chopsticks and started eating.
At least he was true to his words. He had stopped his antics and let me eat on my own.