It’s not my imagination! Han Qing is truly slowing down! Yan’s heart raced once she realized that and her heart started to beat faster as it was now in her throat.
“It seems like you aren’t too dumb after all since you know where you stand.”
Yan suddenly felt energized after her heart started to pulsate. It’s completely worth it to brave the cold today because I now know that Han Qing would slow down for me. This simple encounter is enough to serve as a sweet memory for me to reminisce. When Yan thought about it, it made the weather less cold for her. She wasn’t sure whether it was her sudden realization that warmed her heart and limbs or whether her body and limbs were numb from the extreme cold since she had been outside for so long.
“I know my limitations and where I stand. It’s impossible for you to ask me to accompany you to shop for clothes. The only plausible reason is that you didn’t want to reprimand me in front of Muzi.” Her tone softened when she added, “Fine, I know it’s my fault this time. I won’t be bold enough to take Little Bean away on my own in the future.”
Han Qing scowled deeply when he heard that. He stopped dead in his tracks and he pressed his thin lips together while radiating a displeased aura. Yan did not notice him stopping abruptly, so she bumped into his back. She exclaimed in surprise and stopped abruptly. “What is it?”
“It seems like you don’t know what your mistake is.”
Yan was rendered speechless by his response. She looked dumbfounded. What was my mistake? Isn’t my mistake taking Little Bean abroad on my own accord? As Little Bean’s uncle, Han Qing is worried about the child’s safety and that is why he is angry at my actions. I have already apologized, but somehow, Han Qing still seems extremely angry. What is happening?
Han Qing raised his hand to massage the spot between his eyebrows. His tone was calm. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
Yan was stunned to silence while she froze to the ground. Her brain stopped functioning as if the wind had numbed her. I felt the warmth earlier, but I feel so chilly now that I’m about to sneeze. I wish for… nothing more than a bowl of hot soup. I’d also like a hot bath since it will feel wonderful. She shook her head to clear those thoughts from her clouded mind. Then, she tried her best to steer her imaginations away. Why am I thinking about that at this moment? Han Qing is the most important person right now! He is my crush! He is the person whom I am in love with!
Forcing herself to focus, she explained, “It’s not that I didn’t want to tell you. I-I was just afraid of telling you about it. I’m s-s-scared that you wouldn’t l-l-let us go i-i-if I were to tell you about it. That is why…”
Han Qing’s scowl deepened. This girl… However, he realized quickly there was something amiss. Why is this girl’s voice trembling? Is she scared of me? Is she so afraid that even her voice is trembling?
“Am I really that scary?” Han Qing asked coldly while turning around to face her.
Their eyes met unexpectedly at that moment. Yan’s wish for Han Qing to turn around and acknowledge her was finally granted. However, the weather was terrible because there was a sudden strong gust of wind billowing against Yan’s long hair. Her usually soft and silky hair suddenly flapped against her face, leaving Yan’s face stiff with pain. The saddest part was her hair was now as messy as a chicken coop after the wind stopped blowing.
Han Qing, who was standing right in front of her, still looked as good as always whereas Yan’s hair was in a mess, making her look disheveled.
“Ah!” Yan cried out in alarm. She covered her face in a panic when she snapped back to her senses. “Don’t look at me!” I wished for Han Qing to pay attention to me so that my efforts today wouldn’t go to waste, but I didn’t expect the wind to mess up my hair!
Han Qing frowned at her without looking away. He observed her from head to toe, scowling in disapproval when he realized what she wore. His tone was icy-cold and it was void of emotions. “What are you doing?”
Yan covered her face while turning her back to him. “T-The wind is too strong, so my hair is in a mess now.” Then, she immediately combed and smoothened her hair down with her fingers while trying to look presentable.
Smack! He held onto her wrist suddenly and she was stunned into silence out of shock. D-Did my crush just take the initiative to hold my hand? W-Why?
Han Qing walked to Yan’s front and his calm expression fell on her face. “What on earth are you doing?” He sounded displeased. In fact, he looked annoyed.
Yan tried to explain, “I-I’m not doing anything. I thought you wanted to shop for clothes. Let’s go! There is a supermarket just in front, then—”
“What’s up with your clothes?” Han Qing interrupted her with a direct question.
Yan was stunned into silence again and she lowered her eyes to check out her outfit. She scanned her clothes carefully before finally looking up at Han Qing with caution. “Does it not look good?” Did I choose the wrong outfit?
Han Qing was dumbfounded and his frown deepened. Her small hand is extremely cold to touch. She feels like a cold stone that was fished out of a frozen lake in the middle of winter. Is this what she has been wearing from the beginning? How long has it been? Doesn’t she feel cold at all? Why did she ask a dumb question on whether she looks good when I asked about her outfit?
He released Yan’s hand whereas she stared at his large hand while feeling a tad bit regretful. She looked as if it was a pity that he hadn’t held her hand longer.
Han Qing felt helpless, so he asked in a steely tone, “Aren’t you cold?”
Upon hearing that, Yan finally understood what he meant. It turns out that he is not complaining that my clothes do not look good. Did he just ask whether I’m cold or not?
A surge of hope rose in Yan’s heart once again. “A-Are you worried about me?”
Han Qing squinted at Yan impatiently while glancing at her as she was scantily clad in front of him. She is already freezing, but her first reaction is the fear that I might find her outfit ugly. Besides, did she just ask if I’m worried about her? Can’t she take better care of her body? “We are going back,” he instructed calmly.
The color drained from Yan’s face when she heard that. She shook her head firmly. “No, I want to take you to shop for clothes.”
“I don’t need them anymore.”
Yan started to panic. “How can that be? What will you do in the next few days if you don’t buy your clothes now? Besides, you haven’t reprimanded me, so I can’t return home yet.”
Han Qing was rendered speechless by her reaction.
Yan’s cheeks and lips were ghostly pale, but she was adamant about going through with the initial plan. “I’m not leaving. In any case, I’m not returning home, no matter what you say. It’s my own body and I’m not cold at all.”
Han Qing was at a loss for words.
Yan knew that he was angry because she was greeted with total silence from him, but wasn’t sure how furious he was. Hence, she looked up tentatively to check on him, but she realized that Han Qing was unbuttoning his coat in front of her. Upon seeing that, Yan’s heart fluttered in her chest.
