Chapter 5 - Linfeng

Hello.. Well, I think it's livelier if we have commentators along the way. Hope you enjoy them tagging along with you! ;) ------------------------------------------------- After the heated conversation, the four ate in silence. When the time to ride to school came, Linfeng walked towards Xiong Zhi and picked up her bag. "Young Miss Zhi, please let me carry this baggage for you," Linfeng said, looking down at her. Xiong Zhi was startled at first. Well, after their time together in the past, she became fully aware of him. His actions, movements, breathing, and even the clothes he was wearing. In the past, she never really looked at him. Now, standing tall in front of her, looking at his beautiful features, she took the time to stare at him. Linfeng noticed Xiong Zhi's eyes on him with an intense gaze. He cannot help but feel the heat rise in his head, making his ears red. He was stared at by many women before. With a different kind of gaze. But this girl in front of him had a gaze that he had never felt before. So intense...so sincere...like her eyes wanted to say something. But Linfeng cannot understand. This was the first time they met, and she was looking at him like that. Maybe the Young Miss wants to ask me something.... Opening his mouth to say the thing in his mind, Xiong Zhi spoke first. "You look good in your uniform. " "..." Linfeng felt his ears were burned. He tried to maintain his stoic face while saying : "Thanks, Young Miss Zhi, for the compliment. " "En[1]...." Xiong Zhi turned back and walked first. Xiong Zhi looked like she did not know anything about the man. Like it was a fact that must had to say. Linfeng tried to calm himself. It was just a little compliment, but he felt like the girl confessed her love to him. 'Get yourself together! It's just a compliment, nothing else!' A/N: Poor Linfeng, she was confessing her love to you. ) On the road to the car, Xiong Zhi continued to draw her plan in her mind. To build her own business, to never meet the beast, and to be with Linfeng. While having these thoughts, Xiong Zhi couldn't help to place her eyes on Linfeng. Linfeng felt the intense gaze again. He tried very hard to keep his facial expressionless and normal. But his ears betrayed him by turning red. Xiong Zhi noticed this and studied him more. Being looked at, like he was an interesting specimen under that microscopic beautiful eyes, Linfeng sweated. He gulped and couldn't help but furrow his thick brows. Xiong Zhi saw everything in her eyes. She thought Linfeng was uncomfortable or in pain. She raised her hands and leaned towards him. She placed her hands on his forehead. "Are you sick?" She asked in a soft voice. She was worried and concerned that it reflected on her voice. Hearing her soft voice with a little worry in it, Linfeng was stunned. Even the driver was shocked that he accidentally stepped on the brakes. Schreeeeetchhhh " What happened?" Linfeng asked with red ears. Even though he was stunned at the moment, the safety of Young Miss Zhi was his priority. "Apologies....young sir and young miss...I accidentally stepped on the brakes..." the driver said with a wince. "Be careful next time. I will still report this to Father. The safety of Young miss is very important. " Linfeng said seriously. "Yes..sir.." the driver answered. Xiong Zhi, who was watching from the side, admired Linfeng again. 'Since he was young, he was like this... prioritizing my safety first before himself...Even though it was only his job. He's such an awesome man...' She cannot help but stare at him again. Linfeng broke out in cold sweat. He thought he was spared from the intense gaze after the car incident. 'While she's staring at me again?! I cannot hold it anymore!' Linfen, gathering his courage, met her gaze and said : "Young mi, ss, is there something you want to ask? Say to me?" Xiong Zhi can now finally look directly at his dark eyes. Studying it for a moment while saying : " I cannot get enough of you." Again, the car stopped suddenly. But Linfeng cannot rebuke the driver at this time. Because he was utterly stunned. He felt like he was struck by lightning. Making his heart skip a beat and then beat so fast like it was coming out of his chest. The heat rose in his head, making his whole face, ears, and neck so red. 'WHAT DOES THE YOUNG MISS SAYING?! Does she know what it means??' He cannot find any reply to her or any logic in her words. Linfeng, for the first time, felt his IQ was completely low. Where was his brain? He needed it now! Where were his words? Emergency! Xiong Zhi was worried again. Linfeng seemed to have difficulty breathing. Coming closer to him, he patted his back a few times and put some pressure on his chest. But when she did that, he became stiffer. Frozen in spot with a blank expression. She began to panic. If he did not breathe, he would die. "Linfeng...breath.. Inhale....exhale.....inhale.....exhale..." she guides him anxiously. Linfeng recovered some of his wits when he followed her breathing. 'Inhale.....exha...Wait! What am I doing?! It's so humiliating, I acted like a love-struck girl.' Linfeng tried to hide his face behind his hair. "I'm fine, young miss. Thank you for the emergency. Please forgive me for my incompetence..." "Just call me Zhi'er...there's no need for pleasantries." "Forgive me, young miss, but it's our etiquette and rules. The Zhou family served the Xiong family for many generations. Please pardon me." "You're an exception." "How did I become an exception, young miss? My blood runs through the Zhou family. We pledge to become your right hand for many generations. No matter what we become in the future, we will be under your family. Even though we tried so hard and were successful, it will never change that we are still under your surname." Linfeng said with mixed emotions. From ya youth, he was trained and told that he would serve someone in the future. He must study hard, he must know many things at a very young age. He did not enjoy his childhood. His seventeen years of life were spent strengthening himself for someone else. He was called a genius from ya young age. He was outstanding among his peers. He was very talented in all aspects. He had many dreams....ambitions..... He did not want to serve anyone.... He wanted to be free.... He was capable.... He knew he would succeed in everything he did. He can reach higher... Once he's on top and proves himself, he will get what he wants. Everything he wants... Even his name Zhou would be freed from the Xiong family... He may not have broken their relations, but he can bring the Zhouton to the same standing as them. Or even higher than them. All those things were kept hidden inside his heart.