There's a Lump in My Tail

Second Meeting

Having succesfully avoided that tree for two weeks, Bai Qian felt as if she were walking on eggshells.  He had told her that he could put the lump back anytime he wanted, even entering the hut unseen if he had to, and knowing he couldn't possibly know who she really was, she had purposely avoided Zhe Yan and his Grove for two weeks.  Only it also came with one major drawback.  And that was the lack of wine.  For two weeks she had remained in Qing Qiu with her parents while completely sober, seeing as her father kept the wine cellar behind a barrier and solely because of her.

Two weeks without wine was actually quite an achievement for her, and several times she had come close to running to Zhe Yan, only to think twice when that tree instantly came to mind.  It wasn't that she was afraid of him, because she wasn't.  Rather she was afraid that she would cave and run to him, because she knew for a fact, that wine would not be the only thing she would seek out.  The urge to see if that man was still there waiting for her to come back was so strong, that she literally banished herself to her chamber and placed herself under house arrest to avoid him.

Only now, she was going to have to go back, because Ye Hua had requested that their second meeting be held at the Grove.  

"But why would he want to go there?" she asked her father and suddenly beginning to flush.  The thought of having both men in her life meeting and clashing with each other instantly had her stress levels rising.

"Zhe Yan told me he had met you there.  Your appearance must have left him with a lasting impression and he wanted to take you back to where you are most comfortable." her father replied which earned a loud snort from Zhe Yan who had just entered in search of her.

"An impression was certainly made." he answered for him with a loud chortle and a reference to the lump Ye Hua had left her with, only the funny look she was giving him, had Zhe Yan quickly patting at her hair.

"Just make sure you're a little tidier this time." he quickly backtracked which soon had her blushing all over again.

"I'll have you know, it was my less than perfect appearance that had him requesting this marriage." she huffed back at him but smiling and happy to see him, because Zhe Yan meant wine.

"Of course it was." he replied with a knowing smile before turning to her father.  "Will you be accompanying her?" he asked seeing as Zhen Zhen was due back from the far North.

"Of course, though her mother is going to remain here with Feng Jiu.  Bai Yi still hasn't arrived to collect her."

"Good, then I'll go back now and begin preparing the hut.  You can treat him to a show and tell of my medicinals but he is not to touch anything." Zhe Yan informed them both before turning to leave only to stumble when she snatched at his robes.

"Why don't I come and help you.  I haven't visited in a while." She suggested though helping was the last thing on her mind.

"Fine.  But its no time for dallying Xiao Wu, I am too busy to take care of you today." he informed her with a serious look, before grinning hugely down at the large eyes that suddenly got all excited.

"I won't.  I'll just come help, then return here when Im done." she smiled up at him while gently pushing him towards the door.

Laughing at her, Bai Zhi didn't need the look from Zhe Yan that followed to know why she wanted to accompany him.  That she had managed to remain at home for two who weeks was a miracle even to him and seeing as she had been a good girl during that entire time, he didn't stop her.  In fact, he decided to send Mi Gu with a change of clothing for her should she decide to stay overnight.  Ye Hua would visit the Grove rather than the den the following morning, so with nothing else to do except prepare the contracts which he would take with him, he left for his study.