"Who told you that I will live here?"Shi Mei asked, the little boy looked at her but it was also the time when the servants entered the open area with trays in their hand."Little Boy, answer me."Shi Mei said, ignoring the servants and the clattering of utensils. The little boy pursed his lips, Shi Mei glanced at the servants but they were all avoiding her eyes. So she looked at Xue Huan.
"Is it you?"Xue Huan folded his arm and cleared his throat.
"You"ll be staying here not unless you"ll tell the ident.i.ty of your lord."Shi Mei clenched her fist.
"I"m not under of anyone and to tell you the truth, I didn"t have any intention when I saved you-"
"It"s because your purpose was to kill me. Did you change your mind and instead you saved me?"Xue Huan retorted with his scrutinizing eyes.
"If I really have the intention of killing you, I will not change my mind instead I"ll murder you right away."
Shi Mei was aware that she had nowhere to go but she would rather choose to be homeless than living with an arrogant man.
"I know because saving me was only a part of your scheme to a.s.sa.s.sinate me quietly."Shi Mei couldn"t believe that she"s lost for words, she bit her lower lip and glared at him. Xue Huan gave also the same intensity.
The people around Shi Mei and Xue Huan were all perplexed as they all shut their mouths and watched who would give in first.
"The food is ready. I think we really need to eat now."Wen Zexi said as he tried to lighten up the mood. Shi Mei looked away and dropped her eyes on the low table, ruining her mood even more. How could she eat when the table was too low for her.
"Don"t be shy and please help yourself, my lady."Wen Zexi motioned Shi Mei to sit. Shi Mei didn"t want to act like a demure but she never experienced it. She was reluctant but she started to sit in her knees when she noticed that they were all waiting for her. And she tried to snuggle down as she picked the wooden spoon and scooped the soup.
The servants went back to their daily works after their breakfast with a peaceful yet intensified atmosphere. While the four men prepared to leave the residence, they planned to clear out an area inside the forest. They must prepare a small hut that would serve as the temporary dwelling of their other members as they start to build their camp. Xue Huan received a letter from their other members, stating that they would arrive at the residence after a week.
"What are you waiting for?"Shi Mei arched her left eyebrow to Xue Huan. She thought that Xue Huan was really self-centered, she already paid no attention to him yet he kept bugging her.
"Follow me or do you want me to tie your arms and leave you here."
"I"ll prefer that."Shi Mei answered bluntly, she"s more willing to be tied than staying beside the conceited man. She disturbed herself by looking at her nails, ignoring Xue Huan again.
"I don"t believe you, I guess you"ll find a way to escape. Just like what you did yesterday."Xue Huan stated blandly. She Mei was again provoked as the three men glanced at each other again.
"You know what Xue Huan, just disposed of her. Can"t you see, she still has the nerve to defy you."Chen Wei snorted out, adding fuel to the fire. He didn"t know but he really disliked Shi Mei.
"Shut up you scared y cat."Chen Wei advanced to Shi Mei but Wen Zexi pulled him and motioned him not to create another commotion again.
"That little boy opened the door in his own accord."Shi Mei pointed the little boy.
"Yes Master." the little boy nodded. Shi Mei looked at Xue Huan as if she won this time. "And master, I"ll tour the lady in your residence today."
"Dak-Ho, she will only find a way to a.s.sa.s.sinate me secretly."Xue Huan remarked while Shi Mei puffed.
"That"s nice, you know well that I really intend to end your life."
"Hey, hey, calm down you two."Wen Zexi ceased the fight as he went to the little boy and covered his ears.
"Don"t involve the child. He"s too young to understand your quarrel."Gong Yan nodded and as if he saw light rays cascading down to Wen Zexi.
"My lady, kindly cooperate with us."Wen Zexi added nicely. Xue Huan turned his back and started to walk towards the backyard while Shi Mei followed silently.
The group reached the forest quietly. Gong Yan and Xue Huan started to cut trees while Wen Zexi and Chen Wei together with the little boy were gathering woods. Only Shi Mei who was near to be a statue, her arms are crossed while staring at one tree mindlessly. She had not yet internalized thoroughly in her mind that she was really in the other dimension. As if everything was still a dream to her. She had no idea what must be done first and where should she go now. She didn"t know any single person nor any knowledge so how could she survive?
Shi Mei shook her head disapproving of what she thought, she must not think about how would she survive but rather how would she go back to her own time. She closed her eyes and about to recall what happened before she transported but a sudden noise caught her attention. She opened her eyes, only to see that the boastful man was the one who disturbed her.
"Why don"t you also give us a hand instead of slacking off."Chen Wei remarked with his authoritative voice.
"Why should I?"Shi Mei returned blandly.
"Can"t you still see that this lady is so full in herself. She"s total lack of shame."Chen Wei said, looking at each of his friends. Shi Mei only smirked.
"I don"t know why are you picking fight me. Do you perhaps like me?"Shi Mei looked at Chen Wei unpleasantly.
"Oh what a c.o.c.ky lady!"Chen Wei exclaimed as he brushed his both arms exaggeratedly. He picked a sword at one side and threw it at Shi Mei.
"Let"s have a duel."
Wen Zexi laughed as he approached Chen Wei.
"Get easy on yourself. On top of that, she"s not in good condition. She"s injured."
Shi Mei suddenly remembered what she did yesterday. She quickly scanned her arm and saw the bandage above her wrist. She touched it, how foolish she was that she even cut her own arm.
"Don"t mind him. He"s sometimes playful."Wen Zexi pulled Chen Wei away from Shi Mei.
"Why are you always taking her side. She"s here to kill Xue Huan-"
"How many times must I tell you that I"m not here to murder anyone. I don"t even have any idea of why and how did I end up here. When I only started my day at dawn, I traveled for so many hours and spend my evening waiting for my shoot. See, there"s nothing special happened yet I was transported here in this d.a.m.n place!"Shi Mei outburst as she hastily pulled the scabbard of the sword holding by Chen Wei.
"If you don"t believe me then what are you waiting for? Kill me!"