Crimson Instinct

*Xin Lei*

Honestly, I knew I shouldn't be feeling this way. Yi Xing almost physically harassed Zhang Ning, and it was definitely a terrifying experience for any woman.

But…It irked me when I saw her so close to Bai Li. From the back, it almost seemed as if she was hugging him. But, she was just holding his shirt, crying on it.

I kind of understood what must have happened since Yi Xing was there too, and Bai Li was dealing with him.

But the whole time, I could only focus on her proximity to Bai Li. And that...left me with a bitter taste.

A little, just a little bit, she annoyed me. I didn't like it at all, her closeness.

And now, I was feeling pathetic at myself.

How can I be so heartless feeling jealous over her when she suffered such a traumatic experience?

I am so stupid. I even made Bai Li think that he was at fault.

Liao Huifang giggled and whispered in my ear. "It's alright. You like him. It's natural to get a little jealous. You don't have to be so hard on yourself."

I smiled.

Just then, I saw Zhang Ning rushing towards us.

"Um, Bai Li?"

She was panting.

Bai Li slightly turned his head. "Yes?"

"Uh...um...Everything happened so suddenly that I missed the chance to-to thank you...You saved me once again. Thank you so much."

"No problem."

Zhang Ning smiled. "You...you are truly incredible. I mean, you cannot see yet you saved me twice. You fought with Yi Xing as if you could really see."

"It was just a one-sided fight that was me beating him up. You really can't call that a fight."

"Even so…"

I carefully observed her. She was thankful to him for sure, but what was this uneasy feeling?

For her, Bai Li would look like a hero, saving a damsel in distress, right?

I sighed.

Seriously, what was I thinking?

Suddenly, I felt Bai Li's hand on my forehead. I looked up at him and saw he had knitted his brows.

"You don't have a fever."

I typed. "I don't. Why do you ask?"

"You sighed. I thought you are not feeling okay."

Ah, why was he this adorable?

The concern in his voice warmed my heart. It felt as if all my anxiousness just washed away.

I took his hand in mine and pressed it.

I am fine, I assured.

He nodded.

Zhang Ning cleared her throat.

"Still...You helped me twice. How should I pay the gratitude?"

Bai Li shrugged. "No need."

She seemed a bit anxious. "Um, if Dad or I could help you with anything, then please just say it. Whatever it maybe."

Is shook my head.

"No. Really…wait, you can help us."

Liao Huifang and I questioningly looked at Bai Li.

Zhang Ning smiled again. "Oh, please tell me! I will help you in any way I can."

"Ning. Let's go."

Zhang Chao's voice came from behind.

Zhang Ning seemed to hesitate. She looked back.

He came towards us. "Bai Li."

Zhang Chao took Bai Li in a hug. "Thank you for saving my daughter again. You saved her twice in one day. I really couldn't be thankful enough to you. Why don't we have lunch together?"

"No. Thank you."

Zhang Chao still seemed happy and grateful. "Alright. I won't force you."

"Hm." Bai Li just hummed.

"I am in your debt. If you need my help anytime, then I am just one call away."

He took out his card and handed it to him. "Here is my number. Don't hesitate to call me."

"Sir."

One of his assistants called him. "Coming." He looked at Zhang Ning. "Ning, come soon. We have to do a lot of preparations for another rally."

"Yes, Dad."

He left, and Zhang Ning asked, "You were going to say something, Bai Li."

Bai Li said. "Ah, yes. What do you think about your mother's death?"

Liao Huifang coughed and looked at him, dumbfounded.

"So straightforward." She mumbled, but I heard it clearly.

When I glanced at Zhang Ning, I observed her face go pale. She seemed as white as chalk. She lowered her head and bit her lip.

"M-my, mom…?"

The distress in her voice was unmistakable.

"Yes." Bai Li affirmed.

"Uh...um...Why are you asking?"

I raised my brow.

I typed. "We just want to know what you think about it. All this stuff just kind of reminded us of your mother's accident. Plus, I had heard about her. Wasn't she the daughter of a businessman?"

I lied about the last part.

I could see light sweat forming on her forehead.

"My mom…"

Did she know something?

"She died in a car accident. I was twelve at that time."

Her eyes teared up a bit.

"I-it was horrible. I didn't even get to see her the last time. I begged Dad, but he didn't let me. Then his assistant told me that her state was terrible. She was badly wounded, and Dad... didn't want to scar me, seeing her like that."

A beat of silence.

"How did the accident happen?"

"It was a truck. The driver took a sudden turn and the car in which Mom was…" she choked. "It collided. Sh-she died on the spot."

"Did your father investigate?"

Zhang Ning seemed surprised. "Naturally."

"What did he find out? Any foul play? Any rival taking revenge or some sort?"

"No, no!" She hurriedly shook her head.

She seemed a bit too quick in answering it. That's what I felt.

"My mom was a really simple woman."

I typed. "Your father certainly isn't."

Zhang Ning's smile faltered a bit. "That is so, but it had nothing to do with any of his enemies."

I thought about something. I typed. "Oh, yes. Don't you have a younger sister? I didn't see her with you in the campaigns much."

She stiffened just a bit, but I caught her reaction.

"Xiulan? She is abroad for further studies. And she isn't interested in this politics stuff anyway."

Oh.

"I felt a bit bad for Dad. He has assistants, but I felt that as his daughter, I should support him how much ever I can. So sometimes, I help him out."

Something was going on, but what…?

Bai Li tilted his head. "...I see. Well, that was it. Thank you."

She looked at him. "Really? Don't you want any help? Maybe we can give you a ride wherever you would want to go next."

"No, thanks. We are good."

"I see."

"Ning. We are getting late!"

"I am coming." She bowed. "I should leave and…Bai Li, thank you once again. Like Dad said, you are welcomed at our place anytime."

She soon left.

Liao Huifang said, "She definitely knows something. She was stiff. But obviously, we can see that she doesn't hate Zhang Chao."

I typed. "If what Yi Xiaosi said is right, then she lied about Zhang Xiulan. According to him, she left the family."

Bai Li said, "But according to Zhang Ning, she is abroad."

Suddenly I saw a shadow shift above in the building that stood in front of me. There was a window at the top, and I looked up. I saw the curtain flutter a bit.

Was somebody watching us?

I typed. "Bai Li. I remember now. Yi Xing."

He raised his eyebrow. "What about him?"

I typed. "We should look out if he could pose any danger. When we left, I glanced at him, and he was looking menacingly at you."

Liao Huifang nodded. "I did too! He looked so creepy. And with that wound on his face, he looked even more terrifying."

She shuddered. "He would definitely want revenge from you."

Bai Li said, "It's alright. We will be alert."

I still felt uneasy. Even in the office, his tone when he said he would get his hands on the man who targetted Zhang Ning was so…unsettling.

Bai Li asked, "Did your friend contact you? Qi Qiang?"

Liao Huifang was exasperated. "No, he didn't! I don't know what he is doing!"

She tried once again, but no luck.

Bai Li said, "Let's go. We should leave for Tianjin as soon as possible."

***

---

Yi Xing, standing at his office window, looked at the trio talking with Zhang Ning just a few minutes ago.

All this time, he was only staring at Zhang Ning. And his expression darkened when he saw her smiling at Bai Li.

He clenched his fingers into a fist. He wished to tear him apart. Then he touched his face. The pain on his jaw was still fresh and stinging.

The air around him turned chilly, remembering Zhang Ning smiling at some other man.

She smiled at him...She talked to a strange man…She stood so close to him...

Suddenly, Yi Xing laughed. It was nothing but eerie.

A dangerous glint flickered in his eyes.

"Bai Li, oh Bai Li. This is not over…"

***

---

Somewhere at an unknown place, dark and silent, a woman stood in front of a wall, staring at a picture ahead hung on it.

She tilted her head, and a smile laced on her lips.

She raised her hand and touched the part of the frame where a young girl of about eleven or twelve stood with a man beside him. There was another girl, younger than her at his other side.

And then there was a beautiful and elegant woman smiling in the picture.

The woman chuckled. "Oh, my dear elder sister. Your turn will come soon now."