Jun Aohan bent down and stared earnestly into those deep-black eyes of hers.

“Our promise. The one you made before. I gather this means you agree to be my wife?”

“Ah?!” Ye Qingli blinked her eyes blankly, “There must be something wrong with your mind for Heaven’s sake. You’re referring to me?!”

Looking positively distressed, she quickly swatted away Jun Aohan’s hand.

“I daresay age has caught up to you and your memory must be failing. Is this Parkinson’s? Does your hand tremble involuntarily?”

“I’d say that’s enough, woman!”

Jun Aohan leaned down on her, his hand on the granite table and his weight pressing down on Ye Qingli.

“Surely you’ve not forgotten my vow that only you can be my wife and that promise we made together. And now, Fate has seen fit to reunite us once more,” he grinned charmingly.

“So, when would you marry me? Should we start discussing the dates now?”

Ye Qingli could only chuckle weakly with reluctance.

“I did say I’ll agree with the promise. But I did not mean marrying you. I-I-I… We should at least spend some time to know and to understand each other more…”

Propping her hands on her waist, she remarked hotly, “Ultimately, I have never ever said anything about marrying you!”

Jun Aohan drew up a chair and sat down. “Does it make any difference?” he muttered as a-matter-of-factly, “You will only be my wife. That is my vow and nothing will change it. I’ll never allow any other man to even come near you!”

Ye Qingli shrugged, feeling it odd and strange that she did not find this man’s overbearing temperament distasteful.

Was she growing used to him?!Good Heavens Almighty! Surely this is not Stockholm Syndrome?

Somehow, this infernal subject never failed to rear its head whenever they meet.

Dammit, is this lust or what?! Has he never met any other women before?!

Ye Qingli put up a straight face quickly, eager for a change of subject. “I have something to discuss. Something serious. I really need to know: Who are you really?”

Jun Aohan’s ever-frosty countenance crumbled for the first time as he twitched involuntarily.

Good Heavens, has she noticed anything?!

He could still remember how Ye Qingli had seriously mentioned how she disliked toffs during their last encounter.

Hastily, he said, “You’ve seemed to have forgotten I did tell you before. I’m a bandit,” keeping a close watch to find any hints that would indicate any suspicion or doubt, although he found none.

Perhaps his usually-deadpan demeanor revealed nothing to her.

She clapped her hands suddenly, saying, “That’s all well. So, since you’re a bandit, I’m sure you have men that you can use?”

“Urm… Of course. Naturally. But what for?”

“I need some men to use. I’m coming up with something, but I need people to help me. People that I can trust in. I don’t trust strangers and you’ve appeared at such great timing. So, lend me some of your men. I’m sure that’s doable?”

Ye Qingli spoke and spoke until she finally realized Jun Aohan staring at her, dazed and bewildered. She waved a hand in front of his eyes.

“Hey, wake up!”

She did not know that Jun Aohan caught up in what she said, thinking, She’s saying she doesn’t trust strangers?! Does that mean that I’m not a stranger to her?!

`It was only when Ye Qingli’s hand waved in his face did he finally woke up from his stupor.

Ganjz, thebrokenpen's Thoughts

Scribbles of TheBrokenPen:

Apologies for being late. I'm afraid I have been occupied with work lately.

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