Chapter 36 THIRTY-SIX

Chapter 36: Chapter THIRTY-SIX

Xij Linhua didn’t return that night. He stayed with Zhao Xi up until the next morning, sleeping comfortably on the couch.

The scan came back quickly, but there’s nothing wrong with Zhao Xi, mentally and psychologically at least. He just needs to stay at the hospital for a few more days and he’s free to go.

"You don’t have to stay here." Zhao Xi’s voice is weak and low "You stayed last night, your institution’s rule is that unless you’re on official business or assigned leave, you can’t stay out for more than 48 hours."

"It’s fine." Xin Linhua pats down his coat "I’m leaving soon, but I need to make sure you’re alright. I signed as your guardian so if you get discharged, I’ll be called to pick you up."

"Alright..."

Xin Linhua gives a small smile. He rummages through his coat and pulls something out. His eyes suddenly widen.

"Shit!" He stands up with so much force, the chair scrapes back.

"What’s wrong?" Zhao Xi tries to sit up.

"I take off my ra?ar for one night and his numbers are through the roof." Xin Linhua runs his fingers through his hair "What the fuck did he do? He doesn’t even have–"

Xin Linhua swings the coat over his shoulders and straps his ra?ar back onto his wrists.

He had been reckless. Ever since he got his new ra?ars, he tends to take off the old one when really, that’s the one connected to Rong Yizhan’s ra?ar. He has missed the warnings!

"Ah Xi, I have to go now!" He grabs his car keys in a flurry "I left your phone in the side drawer, call me if you need anything."

"Sure, go." Zhao Xi waves him off.

Xin Linhua nods and races down to the parking lot. He drives at full speed, careful not to break any traffic rules.

All through the way, running from the entrance, into the train and through the Sentinel Division, he barely stops to breathe. The light on the ra?ar worries him cause it’s blinking fast and the color has deepened. A red notice is plastered across the tiny screen. His Sentinel is in danger!

"Xin Linhua!"

He stops in his tracks. A figure matches towards him, her face twisted with rage.

"Rong Yufei." Xin Linhua calls out impatiently "Make this quick, I have somewhere to be."

Rong Yufei stops in her tracks. Her fingernails dig deep into her palm. She fights the urge to explode on the spot, instead, she keeps her tone even.

"What did you say to my father?"

"Since when did I have such a close relationship with your father that I’ll start telling him things?"

"You–" Rong Yufei grits her teeth "You cancelled the engagement. You told him you cancelled our engagement."

"Yeah, I did what you’ve always wanted me to." Xin Linhua’s gaze darkens "You went about it for five years. Treated me like air and a disposable human. So I called the whole shit off. What about it?"

"Xin Linhua. No matter how unwilling we are, we still have to go through with it."

Xin Linhua fully turns his attention to her. His expression is icy and murderous, like he’s about to kill someone. He takes a step towards her.

"Are you fucking with me? I became the villain in your fucking story and cut it off so you can live the carefree life you want without being tied down by traditions and bullshit expectations and yet you fell for your father’s schemes. You think I don’t know he sent you to me?"

Rong Yufei takes a step back, her expression is pale. Her figure schools so bad, she might fall.

"Xin Linhua–"

"Listen to me." He lowers his gaze to meet hers "If you pull this bullshit again, forget about the tiny spark of hope I have for your soul, I’ll make sure your father regrets it. Rong Yufei, don’t be a woman who’s used by her family."

With those words, Xin Linhua walks through the small crowd that had gathered a while ago and walks towards his dorm.

"Yaras?!" He rushes in, slamming the door behind him.

There, sitting on the small rug and leaning against the couch. Rong Yizhan. Disheveled and exhausted, his brows knot tightly like he’s in pain, but his lips are shut tight. He’s suffering in silence.

"Shit." Xin Linhua kneels by his side "Are you crazy? Do you know how high your numbers are? Trying to die on me?"

Without a second thought, Xin Linhua takes off his wrist ra?ar.

"I know how to control my wavelengths now. Though, not very well, I can still control it. So you can beat me up later when you’re awake, right now you need me."

Xin Linhua grabs his shoulders and holds him down.

A thin streak of smoke faintly drifts between them. Hazy, blueish or maybe white. It cool around their arms, seeping into Rong Yizhan’s skin.

The once drowsy Rong Yizhan finally manages to crack an eyelid open. Seeing who it is what the hell is happening, he tries to push him away.

"Get...off."

"Stay still." Xin Linhua tightens his grip "You’re burning up and your numbers are through the roof."

"Don’t..."

"Damnit. Stop acting like that. Anyone who sees this might think I’m assaulting you or something."

Rong Yizhan’s hands wrap around his wrists in a tight grip.

"S-Stop....that’s enough."

"No. Your numbers are still high. I’ll stop when the red light stops blinking. For now, just suck it up and sit still."

Rong Yizhan’s hands fall to his side. All strength slips out of his system. His head drops as his breathing slowly evens out.

"This should be enough..." Xin Linhua takes back his hands "We can continue another time, my hands are numb and I feel weak."

Rong Yizhan exhales softly. He sits up straight, his fingers curls and and loosen a few times.

"Feeling better?"

"Yes." Rong Yizhan raises his head.

"That’s good. Then–"

__BAM!!!

Xin Linhua tumbles back from the sudden hit. He holds his jaw, his surprised gaze flickering to the man before him.

"What the fuck!"

"Don’t do that again..." His hoarse voice warns.

"Don’t save your life? Wait, just because I said you could hit me, you actually did? Seriously!?"