Zilong literally passed out due to intoxication. Fortunately, Baxia was still a bit sober so he dragged him to his room while Wanwan took care of the sleeping mage. She is carrying Chang'e in her arms, face resting on her shoulder. She's not that heavy so she was able to lift her to her room and immediately went out after putting her pajamas and tucking her to bed.
The entire place is so quite. Everyone must have headed to their own rooms already so Wanwan also went straight to her room so she can finally take a rest for the night. When she reached her room, Wanwan carefully stared on Ling's door. She is arguing with herself whether she should or not knock on Ling's door just to check if he's alright. Others might have not noticed but she thinks that Ling was extra silent the whole time while others are having much fun that's why she really wanted to check on him. She was already used on a silent Ling but he's a bit different earlier.
"Why would I even bother, anyway? Its clearly out of my business." Wanwan told herself. With that, she decided to just shrug it off and carefully opened the door to her room.
******
Ling's POV
"Crap!"
Ling is so frustrated at the moment. He just can't go to sleep no matter how hard he tried. His eyes wants to rest but his mind won't. The earlier scene kept on repeating over and over in his head like shit. He doesn't know why he felt ultimately annoyed at the sight of them laughing and talking to each other. Fearing that he might end up saying anything unpleasant, he chose to remain silent and hoping it would devour his raging frustration.
He wants to scream loudly and bang the wall to let out his frustration however the others are already sleeping, he's worried that he might wake them up.
Its so unfair how everbody has already rested while there he is, all wide awake in the dead of night. And for what? Ling questioned himself. Lately, he felt that something has changed in him, even Chang'e noticed it 'coz she approached him once. He can still remember what she said that day.
"Anì, did someone tell you that you look a bit different now than before?" the little mage asked innocently.
Ling smirked out of amusement. In a playful tone he replied "Is that so. Do I still look human?"
"Yeah, but that's not what I mean. Your aura is much lighter now and your face kinda soften a bit."
"Do I look scary before?" He can't help but ask. He suddenly wants to know how the kids see him.
"Hmm, yes but..I am not scared at you because I know you. But Lylia and Nana-" Chang'e suddenly stopped herself. As if she said something bad, she quickly covered her mouth with her hand then she awkwardly smiled and said "Uhm, I forgot I am looking for my big brother, b-bye anì Ling!"
And then she hurriedly run with her bunny. (Apparently, she's not riding on her moon all the time. Palakarin naman natin minsan 😄)
*****
Wanwan is about to close the door. She was startled when someone pushed the door hard enough for her to swerve back. Then to Wanwan's ultimate surprise, she saw a fierce Ling on her doorstep, he went inside and closed the door behind. Wanwan is unable to move, her eyes and lips are wide open due to shock. She was speechless. She doesn't know how to react because she never expected Ling to be in her room.
Like ever!
When Wanwan came to her senses she frowned and asked Ling, "What are you doing here, Ling?"
Ling only looked at her intently in the eyes. Without any word he pulled her closer to him then pinned her against the wall.
Poor Wanwan, she has no idea what is going on apparently. Since Ling is a tall guy, she looked up at him with astonished eyes, a genuine confusion is evident on Wanwan's face.
"Ling.." Wanwan cannot find proper words to say but his name. She doesn't know what to think at the moment, her mind is clouded with multiple thoughts. Ling is being incredibly close that she can feel his warmth. This is the first time she had ever been this close to any man apart her father. She never knew that being this close to Ling will make her feel so weak yet secured but helpless at the same time, like a mouse caught by a cat.
For a few minutes, they just remained silent while looking through each others eyes. Both of them cannot seem to find words to say even though its obvious that there are a lot of things that remained unsaid. No matter how they thrive to control it, the feelings that has been caged for quite some time begins to show.
Wanwan cannot sypher if it is only her imagination. When she looks at Ling's eyes, she can see turmoil of emotions from within.
Wanwan gave in to the strong urge, she reach out to his face with her right hand to lovingly carress his flawless cheeks. Setting aside her inhibition, she asked him with a very tender voice.
"What's bothering you, Ling? Tell me." Wanwan's eyes were pleading, she wants Ling to open up to her.
Ling suddenly withdraws his gaze and took a step back. Wanwan silently protested the moment his face untangled her touch.
Wanwan saw Ling's extreme confusion, as if he is arguing with himself over something. She worriedly watched as he clutched his head while slowly shaking it in disbelief and then without saying anything he turned his back, went straight to the door and leave.
Wanwan was left completely astonished. She took a step to go after him but stopped after realizing there is no reason for her to do that at all.
She can feel that Ling is going through something and she badly wants to be there beside him however it is also clear that Ling is not yet ready to talk about it.
Wanwan sighed heavily. Feeling too tired, she lazily put on her sleeping dress and went to bed. Before she dose off she made a mental note to approach Ling tomorrow.
****
Ling's POV
Am I going crazy?!
I can't believe that I let my feelings succomb me. I should have controlled myself. I shouldn't have stormed here in the first place. Now here I am, standing in front of her like a sick shit, letting her witness everything with her bare eyes. She must be thinking that I have gone completely mad already.
I don't know what to do anymore.
My head aches due to multiple thoughts that simultaneously invaded my mind. I can feel unknown emotions whirling up inside me and not being able to comprehend is making me feel even more sick.
Fuck, I hate this!!
For a moment, I feel a strong urge to tell her whatever I feel but if I go along where would it take me?
This is too much. I feel like my head is going to blow.
I need to leave..
