Chapter 61 - SIXTY-ONE

Chapter 61: Chapter SIXTY-ONE

Xin Linhua leans back on the seat, one hand holds his head upright as he slowly massages his temple.

He can’t bear to watch, he really can’t. This is beyond embarrassing to him!

They’re all...flailing about like ducklings! They can’t get a single technique right!

"This is a disgrace to my reputation..." Xin Linhua exhales.

"Why are you helping them?"

He jolts. He turns to his side to find his Sentinel sitting beside him.

How did he even get there without Xin Linhua knowing?

"Yaras?..."

"You’re going out of your way to teach them so earnestly." Rong Yizhan turns to face him "One can’t help but question if you have ulterior motives."

"What the–" Xin Linhua takes offense "Not everything I do comes with a price."

"That may be for other cases, not this one."

"You think I have something up my sleeves?"

"Don’t you?"

Xin Linhua stares at him for a few seconds. He turns back to watch his miserable ’students’ fail pathetically.

"So what if I have ulterior motives?" He suddenly says "What are you going to do about it?"

"Will it hurt them in any way?" Rong Yizhan asks instead.

"Why? Are you worried about them?" Xin Linhua leans in with a teasing smile.

"They’re not the ones I’m worried about."

Xin Linhua’s smile falters.

Damn! Being this close should be dangerous, especially after all that bullshit Gao Shi and Naka had planted in his head.

But it’s not like he’s gay or anything. He definitely does not like Rong Yizhan that way either. His Yaras? is his Yaras?, all that nonsense about feelings is unfounded.

"I don’t have an answer to that question." He mutters as his gaze lingers on the field "But if they want to grow stronger, they have to go through trials and tribulations. The path to power is full of thorns. Blood and tears will be shed."

He suddenly turns to Rong Yizhan without warning.

"Yaras?, have you ever liked someone?"

"No."

"Sheesh! At least give the question a thought. Answered right off the freaking bat."

"Why are you asking?" Rong Yizhan turns to face him once more "Is this about the person you like?"

"I don’t like anyone!" Xin Linhua grits out "What you heard was me rambling to myself! I’m a tibetan monk!"

"Where’s your mountain?"

"Damn you!" Xin Linhua turns away from him "Buzz of somewhere else and go piss other people off."

"Not a fan of it."

"You know, I liked you better when you were moody and easy to tease." Xin Linhua complains "Now, you can use sarcasm, you don’t even flinch at my words and you say more words than before."

"Aren’t i just charming?"

"Oh. My. Fucking. Hell!" Xin Linhua groans.

A smile. Fleeting, but Xin Linhua sees it. His body goes rigid.

He knows how cute Rong Yizhan is with that cold expression and his detached persona, but seeing him smile? Something in Xin Linhua cracks open. He doesn’t know what it is.

"Yaras?...smile more." He mutters as he watches the smile fade in an instant "You look good when you do."

"Not a chance."

"Will it kill you?"

"I believe so."

"Pfft-" Xin Linhua laughs softly "Just months ago, you wouldn’t even look at me. You almost killed me on multiple occasions. Look at you now, coexisting with me, breathing the same air as me, not actively trying to kill your guide."

"I had no choice. Don’t be comfortable."

"Heh! Too late! I plan to strip that tsundere facade of yours away! Your smile, your tears, your laughter, I’ll witness everything."

"Your delusions leave much to worry about."

"Heh!" Xin Linhua leans in "But that aside, I’m extremely glad..."

"About what?"

"You. The sudden development. I’m happy." He leans on the arm rest "You don’t always have to hide things from me. You bury so much underneath all that layer of ice."

"What about you?" Rong Yizhan suddenly leans so close, their noses almost touch.

"W-What about me?".

"I hide behind an exterior of detachment and coldness, and you hide behind your sarcasm and teasing smile. Xin Linhua, it’s like you said, we’re one and the same."

"What are you talking about?" Xin Linhua slowly stands.

"And now you’re running." Rong Yizhan blocks him "At least I don’t deny things, I only shut you out of them. But you? You always try to force words out of me, but the moment I try to do the same, you run."

"You’re crazy." Xin Linhua tries to walk away, but Rong Yizhan is adamant.

"Am I? I noticed it the first time you smiled at me. People who suffer from depression and suicide attempts have one thing in common– they are happier than others. And you, Xin Linhua, are far too happy and sarcastic for someone who is that broken."

"Shut up!" Xin Linhua pins him to the stand "You don’t know shit!"

"Really?" Rong Yizhan tilts his head up "I’ve struck a nerve, haven’t I?"

"Yaras?..." Xin Linhua lets out a long exhale "Don’t get cocky. Just because–"

"And the nightmares too." Rong Yizhan cuts him off "You lay awake every night, always taking cold showers just to sleep for two hours. What’s keeping you awake?"

Xin Linhua freezes where he stands. His grip tightens around Rong Yizhan’s collar.

"What...did you just say?"

Rong Yizhan grabs his wrist in a rather tight grip.

"What? You think you hid it well? Should I get started on the self harm part?"

"Rong. Yi. Zhan!" Xin Linhua’s tone is low but lethal "You have a death wish, don’t you!?"

"You want to kill me? Can you bear to? As if."

Xin Linhua snatches his hand away. He steps back, tugging his collar aggressively.

"You’ve gone mad. This conversation ends here. Now."

He turns, intending to leave and find somewhere to crash, but Rong Yizhan is rather pesky when he’s adamant.

"Not so fast." Rong Yizhan drags him back "We’re not done here."

Xin Linhua’s eyes turn cold.

He grabs the figure holding him, flipping him on his shoulder and tossing him onto the training field.

"Shit..."

The whole team turns to the duo. They had seen the way they had kept grabbing onto each other earlier. They hadn’t thought much of it.

It seems Xin Linhua started it, but things escalated really fast and Rong Yizhan took it to a whole new level.

"Why do you always pick fights with me?" Xin Linhua leaps over the stand "You think because you know a few things–"

"Here’s what I don’t get." Rong Yizhan stands slowly to his feet "Why are you so angry? You’re always so calm and collected."