LUO FAN
When we made it back to the inn, I was still upset I confronted him for his improper behavior at the restaurant.
"Lord Ruan, what exactly were you playing at?" I asked.
"One of those diners seemed to have recognized you, so I had to make known to him that you are currently under my protection. That way, they will not dare lay a finger on you."
"Was holding and kissing my hand necessary?"
"Of course. We have to show them that we are in an intimate relationship, otherwise, they will not believe that Ruan Yanjun will bother risking his life over a banished disciple of Frost Mountain."
"By intimate, you mean… lovers?"
"Exactly."
My jaw dropped.
He laughed. "It's just a show. Why the face?"
"Lord Ruan, you know too well that I am a priest. I've already lost everything, including my good name. All that's left of me is my virtue. Can't I at least keep that?"
"You're no longer a priest. Now that you're in the secular world, virtue will only cause you trouble. So if you wish to give it up, allow me the privilege."
Anger rushed to my head and I had to press my lips tightly together to repress it.
He laughed at me. "Oh, A-Fan, you are really amusing. That's why I can't stop teasing you."
I sighed in relief.
So it was another of his annoying jokes after all.
This creep was really creeping me out.
"Lord Ruan, I'm really tired. I want to rest now."
"You may… after you do what I told you to do."
I frowned. "I'm afraid I have no idea what you mean."
"I told you I won't leave your room unless you do what I asked you to do."
I suddenly remembered about the cream. I sighed as I stroked my forehead.
"Where is it?" he asked.
I went over to the corner and took the cream from my bag. I sat on the bed and opened the jar. "How much of it should I use?"
He sighed and sat beside me. "Even that I have to teach you? Have you never used creams before?"
"I only used ointment for wounds and bruises."
He sighed again and held my finger. He dipped it into the jar until a small amount of cream clung at the end of my digit. "That much will do. Now spread it all over your hands, back and front, and in between your fingers."
He took the jar from me so I could freely spread the cream all over my hands. The floral fragrance smelled nice it was refreshing to the senses. I couldn't help but breathe it in.
"Does it smell nice?" he asked.
I nodded. The pleasant smell also lessened the anger that I had been suppressing.
He closed the jar and handed it back to me. "Use that every night and those callous should be healed in a couple of weeks."
Healed? The tough and notorious Ruan Yanjun really saw callus as a disfigurement? How ironic.
"Alright, I'll leave you to rest now," he said as he rose to his feet.
Finally.
"I hired some men to guard your door so you don't have to be afraid of anyone sneaking in. But if you still don't feel safe enough, feel free to sleep in my room next door."
I flushed.
He smirked. As usual, he was once again teasing me.
Much more to my surprise, he bent down and pressed a kiss on my hair, just above my forehead.
I stiffened.
He chuckled as I heard his footsteps leaving the room. "I'll see you in the morning," he said before the door closed.
I shuddered, just as how Huang Wen had shuddered before.
Ruan Yanjun's teases were going out of hand. He had been playing this game with me for quite a while now and I didn't like it at all.
I'd have to lecture him about propriety the very next instant we speak. He was a very intelligent man so perhaps he would understand and not take offense.