Chapter 119: Sorry, Richard

The Soul-Caller Gem warmed.

Come get me at home.

Its so early. Im still sleeping.

A bodyguard must fulfill their duties! Nobles must abide by their promises!

A-Jue, what are you doing so early? Hua Li pulled himself to a sitting position on the couch, watching Lan Jue wash his face with drowsy eyes.

You dont have class today either. Where are you running off to? You wouldnt need to get up this early to train your disciples either. Hua Lis questions were fussy at the early hour.

Lan Jues response was muttered, almost to himself. A bodyguard must fulfill their duties! Ugh, nonsense.

I despise you, Hua Li sighed dejectedly. He grudgingly pushed himself from the sofa.

Ten minutes later.

The antique bicycle rattled speedily along the road. Hua Lis morose expression stared at the passing ground as he sat behind Lan Jue. A-Jue Im starving. Its not good to skip breakfast. Gives you energy for the day.

Shut up, Im hungry too. And Im the one pedaling. Already a crappy day! Lan Jue glared ruefully as they trundled along.

So why are we up so early anyway?

Lan Jue was silent, answering a few moments later in a miserable voice. Im telling you, you better not laugh.

Id never! Hua Lis assurances came without hesitation.

Not long ago a woman came in to my shop As they made for Zhou Qianlins house, Lan Jue recounted the tale of Pearl, stealing the Chief Ministers daughter, and the things that followed.

Hua Li listened aptly to the tale, but upon hearing the tale, he shook almost hard enough to tip the bicycle. His eyes nearly popped from his head.

Hairy hippos in a jelly tub! You sure you got that right?! How the hell did you mix that up, after being with Hera for so long youd figure youd know what she looks like! What kind of moron are you? Hua Li stayed true to his promise, and didnt laugh. He was mad!

Hey, whose side are you on, Im already miserable about this. Shouldnt you be here comforting me? Still just accusations and interrogations? Heras dead for three years do you know how Ive been able to keep on? Living like a drunk man, like in a dream, or nightmare. Wallowing in regret and loss. She was gone so suddenly, and then to hear just as suddenly that she wasnt dead, do you think Id be in my right mind? That I could keep a level head? Even you whove known me for so long, after three years you start to forget what one looks like. Zhou Qianlin and Hera are very, very similar. Exactly the same. I was nervous, excited, scared, shed been drugged. I didnt know at the time, but when I found out it was already too late.

Hua Li was near enough the only person Lan Jue could be this honest and open with. He held nothing back.

Thats all well and good, but thats not what I mean, Hua Li said. Using this opportunity you find yourself in to have her act as Heras stand in, is. Sure she looks like her, but is it fair to her, or you, to act this way? To make her fill that whole in your heart?

Lan Jues smile was bitter. If only it were that easy. You must know, in my heart Hera is absolutely irreplaceable. And what happened was my fault. She wouldnt have

Alright, no use dwelling on it, Hua Li interrupted. Im actually curious what this Hera impersonator is actually like. Knowing you I wont be sorry acting as her bodyguard for a while as well.

Lan Jue let out a sigh. Maybe it really is as you say. Sometimes I do forget she isnt Hera, its happened more than once. Suddenly its like shes here by my side again. I know shes just a substitute but, deep in my heart, I long for it to be real for her to be Hera. But I figured this out quickly. Ive been keeping my distance.

Are you scared you two will develop feelings for one another?

Maybe, Lan Jue said. He found himself growing irrationally agitated at the thought.

Hua Li patted his back comfortingly, and said nothing further. In emotional situations like this, trying to persuade the heart otherwise was a pointless endeavor. The only cure was time enough to figure things out in your own head.

The foot of Tian Mountain

An excessively fancy verti-car was parked at the base of the towering mountain. Richard, clad in a fine white suit, stood not far off. An arrangement of roses were clutched in his hands.

Suddenly, his eyes grew bright, and his left hand left the flowers to check his moist, greased-back hair. He shuffled forward a few steps, and gently called out: Qianlin.

Zhou Qianlin stopped, her expressionless face turned to Richard. What are you still doing here? Ive already made our situation quite clear. We could never work, nor would your family allow a soiled woman in to their midst.

Richard regarded her in silence, sorrow clear in his eyes. Qianlin, he finally began, I have to admit what you said hurt me deeply. When you said what you did, it was like I was drunk. I couldnt think, but the pain but I slowly sobered up. I thought about you, about the pressure you had to suffer, the wrongs you endured. What happened wasnt your fault. The blame lays entirely with that despicable Zeus. It was he who ruined our union, ruined everything. No, youve done nothing wrong, and in my eyes youre still that perfect, pure Zhou Qianlin. Qianlin, my love, my feelings havent changed from the first day I met you. My love is just as strong. It doesnt matter whats happened. All of that is in the past. In our future, as a man, I will do whatever is in my power to protect you from whatever comes. No one will ever separate us. If you agree, I will persuade my family to throw you the most incredible wedding the universe has known. Ill bring the whole might of my family to bear, to protect you. Youll never again suffer the slightest harm.

Zhou Qianlin looked in to Richards eyes, at the sincerity brightly living within them. The rims of her own began to redden.

Suddenly, she almost collapsed as she bent low before him. Richard, Im so sorry. I cant bear to see you like this. I made the wrong choice. I should never have accepted your proposal. If I hadnt youd never have suffered all of this trouble. Youre so kind-hearted, suffered so much, all because of me. But Im so, so sorry Richard. I simply cant accept. I beg you to forget me.

She scrambled to her feet and ran from Richard, down the mountain. The young man stood frozen in surprise. He was at a loss, so much that he was struggling to understand what shed said.

Here! Suddenly a voice arose from behind him.

Richard turned his head in time to spy an antique bicycle squealing as it came to a stop. Two gentlemen dismounted, among them the man whod suffered the same fate as he at the hands of that awful Professor Tan, the Savage Goddess.

The two moon looked at once another, Lan Jues eyes falling to the roses clutched in Richards hands. They then swept to the tearful Zhou Qianlin.

Hua Li looked wide-eyed and open-mouthed at the girl who looked so much like the lost Hera. His large sunglasses slid askew on his straight nose.

She really was a mirror image. It was no wonder A-Jue couldnt distinguish the two at first. She was nothing short of Heras clone! Unlike Hera, she released no significant waves of energy from a discipline but otherwise they were alike in every way. Of course, Hera also possessed the ability to hide her powers from view as well. He couldnt fault Lan Jue; were it he whod seen her first, hed have mistaken her for Hera as well.

Zhou Qianlin ran directly to Lan Jue, pulling herself on to the back perch of the bicycle. Her voice, thick with sobs, called to him. Get me out of here.

Right. Lan Jue nodded, shot a glance at Richard, then began pedaling the bicycle down the mountain.

Richard slowly walked to where Zhou Qianlin had made her escape, in a daze. He stopped just at Hua Lis side.

So that day, when he said he was there for his cousin that really was Qianlin he was talking about?

Well shit! What am I supposed to do? A-Jue you unabashed sexist! Hua Li, suddenly aware of his lot, shouted indignantly at the rapidly disappearing figured of Lan Jue and Zhou Qianlin.

Hey, have you ever been dumped before? Richard turned his pitiful face towards Hua Li.

Hua Li shoved his sunglasses higher on his nose. Youre alone in that, brother.

Richard responded with a sigh. I was going to give you a lift, but well, the miserable only seek the company of the like-minded.

Hua Lis mood instantly changed. I have been dumped, actually! A-Jue you rat-bastard Come on brother, lets get out of here. He muttered curses as he made his way towards the verti-car. On the way here hed spotted no means of public transportation.

Lan Jue silently pedaled the bicycle, Qianlin bumping along behind. She, too, remained silent. The atmosphere was suffocating. The gentle breeze set her long silken hair to fluttering, brushing against her sad face.

Im sorry. I brought all this trouble on you. I swear Ill keep to my word, and be a competent bodyguard. At last, Lan Jue broke the uncomfortable silence.

Richard is a good man. I shouldnt have hurt him, Zhou Qianlin muttered, her words barely audible.

It was I who hurt you both.

Zhou Qianlin looked at his back. Youre making up for it. Stick to your promise, and everything will be fine.

Alright. Ill come get you every day, and bring you to school. While youre studying, Ill be there at the ready. As the words left his mouth, he felt a sense of relaxation flood through him, as though a weight was lifting.

As the words reached Qianlin, even though the two were hardly close, it felt to her as though a gap had widened between them.

They rode in silence for the rest of the trip to the campus. As before, Lan Jue dropped her off at that corner not far from the front gates. Lan Jue watched her go, letting her gain some distance before pushing his bicycle towards the school.

Lan Jue! A figure rushed at him from the side, grabbing him by the throat.

Ach! Hua Li, when did you learn how to magically teleport?!

Ill kill you! Ill kill you!

Quiet! Teachers are looking, Ill call the teaching affairs office for help! Ill tear off your disguise! Let go, I cant breathe!