Qie Ranzhe had never been disrespected like this before especially not by a girl. Zhao Huangzhi was the first woman to have touched him this way shamelessly rubbing her palms against his firm back like a potter moulding clay. A glacial feeling steered by chagrin spread from their point of contact straight to his brain causing him to glower in displeasure. With great difficulty, he pushed her away before looking down on his garment soaked in tears.
"Tsk," he said feeling the wetness seep through the fabric dampening his skin, "such a pain in the ass." He pulled the soaked fabric forward so it wouldn't stick to his skin. He couldn't stand it any longer and decided to walk away so he can change out of the wet clothes.
Zhao Huangzhi froze for a moment after being harshly pushed away by Qie Ranzhe. She felt a stinging pain stabbing at the pit of her stomach having been treated this way but she seemed unbothered especially when she recalled how Qie Ranzhe was willing to do anything for her. With this thought, she finally relaxed resuming her heart-rending expression. Seeing how uncomfortable Qie Ranzhe was in his wet garments she hurried over with a silk handkerchief to help him dry the moist patch.
"Am so sorry Ran-ge l just.....I just couldn't control myself. Let me help you," she said with tear-filled doe-eyes while wiping away the tears she left on Qie Ranzhe with trembling hands. Qie Ranzhe had had enough of her wild hands and so tightly seized her wrist with a meaningful expression.
Their eyes met with Zhao Huangzhi's bright expectant eyes gazing at him in a trance. Though she had been crying her makeup remained intact with bloodshot eyes and slightly parted cherry plump lips. She looked especially alluring enough to cause any man's heart to flutter. Unfortunately, for her, the man she did all this for was glaring at her with an ice-cold face meant to freeze her out.
Qie Ranzhe pushed her away for the second time and turned to leave while saying, "Take your Miss back home to rest and makes sure she never steps a foot into this property ever again. Its highly inappropriate," he said to the servant in an imperative dismissive tone unwilling to deal with Zhao Huangzhi anymore. He didn't have the patience to look at her especially after she ruined everything for him. If it weren't for that bandit incident, Lin Jingxie wouldn't be so afraid of him and would still be visiting him.
He didn't know that the whole thing was Zhao Huangzhi's plan but he was suspicious. She's the prime minister's daughter with so many servants to her disposal so how could she run off by herself and end up in the hands of bandits. If his mind wasn't focused on Lin Jingxie he would have investigated further especially interrogating that annoying Lee Jienjie. His current state of mind was erratic and murky which didn't permit him to pursue the matter further at least not now.
Seeing him walking away while prohibiting her from coming here ever again, Zhao Huangzhi snapped with her last shred of rationality melting away. She ran to block his path while taking his cold hand into hers with a ghostly pale face. "Ran-ge, why are you doing this to me? Everything Lin Jingxie does, l can do for you. You don't have to rely on him this much. I will cook your meals, wash your clothes and even that sword, l can give you a better one," she pled with him pointing at his sheathed sword hanging around his waist, "I can make you happy and give you everything you desire."
Qie Ranzhe's expression remained cold and indifferent as he moved aside to walk past her saying, "Don't fuckin call me that ever again," apathetic to respond to her heartfelt confession. He wasn't pleased by her spoilt behaviour but restrained himself all for Lin Jingxie's sake. If he goes too far, Lin Jingxie might never talk to him again. Qie Ranzhe feared that he would lose more if he lay a finger on her which wasn't worth it.
Zhao Huangzhi was as stubborn as a mule and persisted. "What so special about him that you aren't even willing to give me a chance. His food his mediocre at best and that sword is a piece of trash compared to the one l can give you. I love you Ran-ge, I will do anything for y-," she said before she was suddenly slammed against the wall with Qie Ranzhe's hand strangling her neck. His eyes were extremely frightening they were as dark as a moonless night. Under Qie Ranzhe's death glare, she felt a chill to the marrow realizing that Qie Ranzhe wanted to kill her though he was holding back as though restrained by something.
Her terror vaporized replaced by a happy smile thinking, 'He cares for me that's why he can't kill me.' Instead of heeding his warning, she took it as a sign of hope. It's safe to say when it came to Qie Ranzhe, she was as blind as a bat with a hint of crazy. She raised her hand and gently stroked his cheek in a romantic way while whispering, "You and I are meant to be together. Even if you don't realize it now it's okay. I can wait for you," in a tender voice with her lidded eyes gazing at him with a glint of obsession.
Hearing Zhao Huangzhi insult Lin Jingxie, Qie Ranzhe couldn't hold back anymore tightening his grip to make her stop but the girl was so stubborn and carried on talking nonsense even when her life was hanging by a thread. He strengthened his grip to the point of constricting Zhao Huangzhi's airflow while leaning in closer to whisper something in her ear.
The servant witnessed the entire thing and ran over to save her miss but was held back by Machu. This matter had nothing to with her, she would only get hurt if she intervened now. Manchu knew Qie Ranzhe wouldn't be stupid enough to kill her, especially with her background. If he killed Zhao Huangzhi not even the full force of the Lin clan would be able to protect him. The stakes were too high for Qie Ranzhe. He would lose the people he cared for, she just wasn't worth all that.