Ten Years of Yearning. My Love, Let Me Protect You.

Luo Lixi turned the water tap and took some water in her left hand. As the cold water came in contact with her bare skin, she shivered as she felt goosebumps all over her body.

There were two unopened toothbrushes and three tubes of toothpaste of different brands as well as fash washes, shampoos, unpacked towels etc. at a side. She guessed these all were prepared for her as she was looking around.

She unpacked a brush and took the mint-flavoured toothpaste and brushed her teeth for three times until her mouth was thoroughly cleaned. 'Mmm, it's OK now.' She felt much better afterwards.

After that, she splashed water in her face and opened a face wash. She took the liquid in her hand, spread and rubbed it slowly on her whole face. After keeping it on her face for a while, she washed her face three times and dried it with a new towel. As she was using her left hand it was a little difficult.

The nurse and the maids were in their rooms. 

In the afternoon, the head of the maids gave her a remote button. If she wanted something she could press it and they would come to her. She didn't have the intention to call them for now as she went out of the room.  She walked around the corridor as she went downstairs. There was no one in the big hall.

Luo Lixi slowly walked to the exit door as she opened it slowly. Two bodyguards were talking among themselves as they were guarding the place. When they heard the sound,  they looked up and were startled when they saw it was she who appeared.

"Hello."She looked at them as she greeted them.

"Hello, miss. Why are you alone? I'll call someone to come over." one of the men said but she interrupted him.

"No need to disturb them. I'll just take a stroll outside." she said as she passed by them.

The two men exchanged glances as they followed her from a little distance. She noticed it but didn't say anything as she strolled in the open area. 

The place was filled with many trees and the decorations of the area looked classy. She walked slowly as she inhaled the fresh air. 

The place was bright as there were many lights in many places. When she was walking, she noticed a natural stream in a random area. When she saw it, she went there and sat on a big rock by the side.

The other two people were looking at her from a distance and kept her in check.

... ...

A car slowly entered the vicinity of the villa. It slowly moved in front of the villa entrance. Sheng Ruming opened the car door and walked in the villa. He placed the box in the round table at a side and went up the stairs as he walked in her room but didn't see the person he wanted to see the most.

He walked to the washroom as he gently asked, "Lixi, are you in there?" Nobody replied to him. As he touched the knob, the door opened slightly. There was no one in there.

He immediately called the guards who were in charge of the building. From them, he knew she was outside, sitting beside the stream. He walked to her in large steps. He thought it would be bad for her recovery as It was quite late at night. Also, she was quite vulnerable now.

When he reached the place, he saw two bodyguards standing at a side while she was sitting on top of a rock. He signalled them to leave. He slowly walked to her behind.

"What are you doing here outside? Your health is weak. Let's go inside." he told her as Luo Lixi looked behind to face him. 

"I couldn't fall asleep so thought to come out in the fresh air. This place is beautiful." she turned in front of her as she took in a large breath.

"You said you wanted to talk to me." Sheng Ruming went to her and stood beside her.

"Yes." She looked up to him as she said, "Thank you so much for saving me, also for taking care of me. I'll keep this favour in mind. But I think I shouldn't be a burden to you and go away tomorrow." she said in a low voice.

Sheng Ruming eyes narrowed as he listened to her words.'Want to escape from me?! Dream on!' He clenched his hands in fists as he listened to her. "You are never a burden to me. But if you think yourself like that then I'm more than happy to keep this burden on my shoulders."

She smiled when she heard it but didn't give an answer to her."Give me your phone. I need to call someone." She said to him as she straightened her arm towards him.

Sheng Ruming smiled as he looked at her hand. He took the hand in his palm.

"Luo Lixi, will you go back to your home?" He asked softly.

"If not, where will I go?" she asked in return.

"As far as I can say, your possessive grandfather wouldn't let you do whatever you want. He will always make you study business as well as force you to work at the company." Sheng Ruming chuckled as he spoke the words slowly and gently but his expression was becoming horrifying.

Luo Lixi became scared as she was looking at her. She didn't know why he was angry. She didn't see this side of him before as she was feeling scared of him. She wanted to retract her hand but Sheng Ruming didn't let her. He clutched it tightly. She broke their gaze and looked at the ground.

"Didn't you want freedom back then? Didn't you want to do whatever you want?..." he leaned to her and forced her chin to look straight at him.

Luo Lixi remained quiet as she listened. Sheng Ruming didn't like this nonchalant look she was giving him.

"Who wanted to kill you? Do you know who it was?" He asked her in a serious tone but she remained silent. 

His anger went off the roof. "I asked you something!" He asked her as he empathised each word in a deep tone but she remained still. 

At one point fresh tears began to fall from her eyes. He loosened his hand as he stood straight and gazed her head from  above.

"Good. Very good. You won't say anything, will you? Fine. I'll find whoever that bastard is and torture him to death." He spit the words in great hatred as he pinned his sight on her right hand.

"No! you won't!" She clutched his hand tightly as she shouted. Sheng Ruming was shocked by her outburst. It was not so like her to want to defend the culprit. Suddenly a thought came to his mind as he asked her in disbelief. 

"Is that person your boyfriend? Do you love that person?" his eyes darkening even further as he asked these questions with much difficulty. If it was true then he would kill that person. Simmering in rage, he looked at her crying face.