Taming Tyrants I

Arc 1: Beauty and the Beast (5)

Lin Xingjin felt she is really in big trouble. Who made her come here? He sighed and embraced her. Back in the past, when he was still learning under Song Yue, he often get to meet her. She is a shy girl that was often bullied. The way she cries can tug a heart. Thus, he developed a protective responsibility for her. Whenever she cries, he is there to dry her tears and make her bully pay. That was in the past. But after five years, he found true love with a lowly girl he thought that needs his help as well. It was him who bullied her two years ago. Then who is it again now?

"If you want me to hate him, find another way that is original." Zhao Xue calmed herself after seeing Lin Xingjin hug his previous fiance. She convinced herself this is Nian Xiaoyuan's plot.

"You think this was planned?" Nian Xiaoyuan chuckled. He leaned off the tree and pinched her chin. "Doctor Xue, you are far too smart to fool. You had escaped from my schemes in the past. Don't you think I already learned my lesson?"

"Nonsense! Lin Xingjin will never cheat on me!" Zhao Xue turned her head. She turned her back and walked the path that goes to where the two stood.

"Prince Brother, why is he not here?" Hong Cha dried her last tears. She comfortably leaned on his chest and peeked from his shoulder. Oh, there goes the female lead. She's coming here, ah. "He must be hating me. He doesn't also like me. I do not want to be left again."

"En. You won't." Lin Xingjin coaxed. He felt guilty for what he did. But if he didn't break the engagement, he wouldn't be with Zhao Xue.

"Xingjin." just then, a familiar voice called his name. Lin Xingjin turned behind. He slowly let go of Hong Cha and faced Zhao Xue. "Xingjin, I thought you'll be handling the irrigation plan?"

"Miss Xue, Prince Brother didn't do anything wrong. Since you are here, I should go." Hong Cha hurriedly faced another direction and picked her umbrella. However, it was suddenly blown away to the river. She cant help but stomp her foot. Hong Cha gave the two a hateful glance then walked away.

"Cha Hua, you can-" he is about to suggest she can stay with them when Zhao Xue tugged at his sleeve.

"Xingjin, you cant show any mistake now. Your brothers are racing for the throne. If you lose, not only me, even you and Sixth Brother will get harmed." Zhao Xue reminded and leaned on him. She fears that if he neglects one thing, his other brothers will take advantage of it and frame him.

"Too hot..." Hong Cha almost fainted because of the summer heat. Her body is really fragile and her fate is not yet broken. Ever since Lin Xingjin backed out, she fainted on the same day and her health plummeted. If not for her knowledge, she would have not survived walking that long without an umbrella under the hot sun. Hong Cha helplessly leaned on a tree to keep her from its shade. She fanned herself and sat down the grassy ground.

"Having troubles, little girl?" a flirtatious voice asked. Hong Cha raised her head and it was really Nian Xiaoyuan. He smiled lightly while tapping a closed fan on his other gloved hand. Sometimes, Hong Cha wonders why he keeps wearing gloves. What's wrong with his hands? Her gaze eventually settled on the closed fan.

"Head Minister Nian, I need that fan." she slowly stood up and reached for it. However, Nian Xiaoyuan raised it upwards. Even if she jumps, she cant take the fan! This Nian Xiaoyuan creep! "Head Minister Nian!"

"You still lack etiquette, little girl." Nian Xiaoyuan lowered his hand and tapped the fan's edge on his chin as if pondering. His languid gaze returned, completely enhancing his glassy blue eyes. Hong Cha harrumphed and grabbed his hair. This caught him off guard.

"Your hair looks good. Can I remove some?" she forcefully asked. Nian Xiaoyuan held her wrist and looked at her dangerously. This made her unconsciously let go. Unfortunately, a lot of his hair strands fell down. "Please, Head Minister, I really need a fan!"

Nian Xiaoyuan was satisfied with her begging. He must admit, she looks very cute when bullied. And he loves bullying women. Nian Xiaoyuan tossed the fan to her as Hong Cha desperately caught it. She sighed in relief.

"Head Minister Nian, do you have a carriage? Can I have a ride with you? I didn't bring a carriage with me and rented one." Hong Cha glanced at him. Nian Xiaoyuan was leaning on the tree too while looking at his hand. "Head Minister Nian~. Are you listening?"

"Im not deaf." he finally answered. Though she finds him rude, Hong Cha can tell why the female lead fell for a bastard like him. According to some researches, men with bad boy bearings are more attractive than gentle smiling guys. That is why no wonder female leads keeps choosing the icy cold male lead than the warm gentle second male leads. Nian Xiaoyuan is fit to be a male lead. Except for that, he's a bastard. "Rent again. Im saving everything I have for Zhao Xue."

"Really... A psychopathic creepy cockroach-like perverted bastard." Hong Cha thought. She continued fanning herself but her relief is still far on sight. Her face was pink and her skin tempting. "Head Minister Nian, please. I really cant walk back to the city. I will faint on the road, someone might pick me and you know I look sinful. You cant separate Seventh Prince and Miss Zhao Xue without me."

"Fair enough." he leaned off the tree and looked at her. "Walk for few more minutes. The carriage is parked not far from here."

"Awe..." Hong Cha groaned. She unhappily followed Nian Xiaoyuan. On the way, she kept looking at the rice paddies. Suddenly, an image flashed in her head. It was her ten-year-old self, running around near the rice paddies. The little Hong Cha stopped and saw a boy falling off a tree. She approached the boy and lifted the straw hat covering his face.

"Miss Hua?" Nian Xiaoyuan called. Hong Cha blinked and noticed she has been standing on the same place. "Miss Hua, are you planning to get a tan?"

Hong Cha chose not to answer. Is that...is that part of her memory?