Games That People Play

Chapter 11: Head to Head

Yuanrou ran the remaining distance and

before Lu Jinian could take hold of Xinli's slender arm, he stood between them, only inches away from Lu Jinian's face. The two men looked at one another fiercely. One, intent in his purpose to take the lady away, the other more intent in trying to protect Xinli from this maniac!

Xinli stood mesmerized, like a common spectator of what was about to happen. Lu Jinian eyed Yuanrou dangerously,

"Step aside..." his voice held a rage that made Xinli's stomach clench.

"And if i don't?" Yuanrou was unfazed. Lu Jinian's first hit landed on the other man's shoulder as he dodged. He staggered a little as he lost his balance. The second punch would have been deadly for Yuanrou, but his assistant Mo Lian held him back, his face in a panic.

"Mr. President, pls calm down! The doctors specifically told you..." Mo tailed down as the master turned to him with furious eyes.

"Take him back to where he belongs!" Yuanrou angrily said to Mo. But he could see that Lu Jinian's face took on a pale shade as he tried to push Mo aside. He staggered a little before his vision started to go dark.

"Lia..." he spoke her name before completely passing out.

"Mr. President!" Mo anxiously exclaimed as the driver came to help carry Lu Jinian back to the car.

"Hurry! Call the hospital now! Tell them we're on our way!" Mo Lian instructed the driver hurriedly.

"Yes sir, i'm on it!" The driver took Mo Lian's phone and frantically dialled a number.

As if from a stupor, Xinli stepped forward, her eyes never leaving Lu Jinian.

"Mr. Mo, what's wrong with him? What is wrong with Lu Jinian?" She asked repeatedly. The scene was like a slow motion inside her mind. Her heart was pounding hard and her hands and knees were trembling.

Mo Lian looked at Xinli and heaved a sigh of relief. "Miss Bai Xinli, thank God he found you!" He said gladly. Although Xinli was a little puzzled at Mo Lian's statement and reaction, she did not answer him directly but kept on staring at the handsome man in coma.

"Please come with us..." Mo Lian's voice tailed away while his imploring eyes finished the sentence, looking straight in Xinli's panic stricken eyes.

"Lia, do you know him?" Yuanrou asked, puzzled.

"I'm sorry, but i have to go with them to the hospital" she answered without a second thought. She rushed to the back to sit beside Lu Jinian for added support to his silent big frame, while Mo sat on the other side.

"In that case, i'm coming with you!" Yuanrou opened the passenger side and the driver sped away after checking all the seatbelts are in place. He stole a glance at Xinli, he could see that she looked like death, her face was pale and her eyes were bloodshot.

She looked at the ashen face of the unconscious Lu Jinian, so handsome and peaceful, she wanted to touch those thin lips that held wonders only she, Bai Xinli, knows. Her heart ached. If only he respected her... but no, he humiliated her many times in the past and she knew he just wanted to play with her emotions, without ever wanting to know or asking how she truly felt.

She fell in love with him at first touch, but Xinli promised herself to never let her weakness show, and to never let him know she loved him, lest he would laugh and humiliate her once again. Her eyes were bright for the unshed tears that were threatening to pour out.

Mo Lian was keenly but secretly observing her reactions. He couldn't be sure but he suspected that this woman had some feelings for his master. With that thought, he smiled to himself and a flicker of hope came to his worried mind.

They arrived at the Medical City in minutes. A stretcher was already at the emergency entrance waiting for the car to pull to a halt. Once they alighted, a man garbed in white quickly instructed a uniformed team to wheel Lu Jinian into the hospital's emergency room.

Xinli unconsciously ran after the team but she was stopped just outside the door upon reaching the ER. She sat dejectedly at the stairs. Her hands shaking.

Yuanrou looked at her with questioning eyes. He reached out to put his coat around Xinli's shoulders.

"Let's go home...?" he said while taking her cold and trembling hands. Xinli stood up and did not resist. None of them spoke on the way to Aunt Feng's home. Yuanrou didn't want to press her to explain her actions, he knew he didn't have a right to question her and ask for an explanation. Xinli was silent and seemed to be deep in thought.

The night was chaotic for Xinli. She tossed and turned but the image of a man didn't leave her mind's vision. The funny ache in her heart came back to haunt her. She thought hard before coming to a decision.