Xiao Zhi Ren had never felt this relaxed before. Her words were really like he was pardoned from a death penalty. A new life and hope were breathed into his soul. And since he was relaxed now, the tiredness of the entire night came over him at once.
Ru cleaned up his wound with care and expertise. Since Xiao Zhi Ren's mind was clear of all the messed up ideas, he spent the next fifteen minutes just staring at her face. It wasn't the first time she was tending to his injury but there was one thing that remained the same; her expressions.
She appeared rather calm and tranquil. But for some reason, Xiao Zhi Ren always felt that there was always something behind her calm self. What was it this time? He was frowning when his gaze fell on her again.
Her hands had his blood on them and she was staring at it without blinking. She appeared to be in a daze. Sighing out she stood up and went to wash her hands. She rubbed her hands raw before intending to leave the restroom.
She had turned to leave when she saw Xiao Zhi Ren leaning against the doorframe with an indescribable expression in his eyes.
"You don't like blood..." He remarked in a certain way. When he saw her dazed look earlier, he felt like he could see her discomfort in her eyes. As if she loathed that crimson fluid on her skin.
"Haven't you heard, I've dyed dark nights with crimson blood. Why wouldn't I like it?" Ru tried to pass right past him but he blocked her way. His figure couldn't tower her that much but he still dared her to look into his eyes.
"People can have misconceptions as well. And to be honest, everything that the world knows about you is just a fallacy."
The tone of his voice pulled Ru to lift her eyes and stare back at him. It was indeed a huge mistake on her part as she blurted out, "I don't hate the blood. I abhor the coldness that it leaves behind."
Xiao Zhi Ren's orbs contracted at the reminder.
Ru, however, didn't need a reminder. Her body remembered the pain and coldness vividly. As the blood slowly oozed out of her body, her limbs went numb and after some time, all she felt was cold. But that cold was different than the one that the winter brings. That cold had invaded her blood and bones making her feel like a lifeless corpse.
Xiao Zhi Ren didn't block her anymore and turned aside letting her pass. Ru went straight to the kitchen to brew some medicinal tea to lessen his pain and to speed up his recovery.
"I know you don't like tea but this one is good for your injury," Ru explained as she saw him scrunching up his face like a kid who was asked to take his medicine.
Xiao Zhi Ren flailed his hands dramatically as he said, "It's alright. It doesn't even hurt anymore."
"Oh, really?" Even though he found her tone weird, he still nodded. Ru came around the kitchen island, stood before him and before he could even make sense of anything...
"Oww!"
She had pressed hard on his wounded hand. Oh, she couldn't even tell how much her hand was itching to do it from the time she saw him recklessly breaking a glass in his hand. Ru had always despised the acts of self-harm. And she even hated herself for doing it whenever she lost control of her senses. But he was in his senses. Just because of his jealousy, he hurt himself? How impulsive and impudent!
Xiao Zhi Ren stared back at her in disbelief. He retracted his hand and blew on it as if it would make a difference.
"What was that for?" He asked grudgingly.
"Just had the sudden urge to do it. Why? What are you gonna do about it?" Seeing Ru's this side, Xiao Zhi Ren was stunned. When had she been unreasonable? Never! Then why was she like this now?
Naturally, they both knew that Xiao Zhi Ren could really do nothing. Xiao Zhi Ren pressed his lips together in a straight line and really did nothing. Just stood there like a guilty child before picking up the hot tea and drank it in one go.
Suddenly, Ru held his gauzed clad hand and said, "If you dare to be this reckless again, the consequences will be..." She left her words hanging since she had come to have huge faith in Xiao Zhi Ren's imagination skills.
"Will keep that in mind." Xiao Zhi Ren responded. He wasn't feeling wronged at all. In fact, he felt her act quite adorable. It meant, she cared.