CHAPTER 22

The Devil’s Game

LUO FAN

Ruan Yanjun kept his hand on mine as we crossed the floor going to a secluded spot with a staff leading the way. I had been doing what Huang Wen had suggested, that I should just do nothing until Ruan Yanjun got bored, but it did not look like he was close to getting bored.

I could not take it anymore, especially when I saw people’s heads turning in my direction and they even stopped talking just to stare at us.

“Lord Ruan,” I said politely. “Let go of my hand. I can still see my way through.”

“Nonsense,” he replied. “There might be objects on the floor that will trip you. Allow me to guide you.”

“People are staring.”

“How can they not? It’s rare for them to see a beauty they had to check whether you’re a human or a god.”

His flattery only embarrassed me even more. “I think it’s because they find it strange to see two men holding each other’s hands.”

“You’re not holding my hand, I’m holding yours. I’m supporting you. Leave them in their own degenerate minds. It’s not worth bothering yourself with such things.”

I could only sigh. Everytime I tried to reason with this man, he always slapped me back with generally-accepted principles to justify his actions regardless of how improper the action was. The worst part was his argument was always correct. How could I possibly contradict a valid reasoning?

The staff stopped and turned to us. “We have two more available tables, Sirs. Which would you prefer?”

Ruan Yanjun chose the farthest one from the other diners.

He pulled a chair and helped me sit down. Finally, he let go of my hand and I was relieved, but only for a brief moment. I did not expect him to sit right beside me, even pulling his chair closer to me. Behind us was the wall, and we were facing a group of diners.

Much more to my horror, he reached for my hand again and even laid our joined hands on top of the table. I noticed several heads turning in our direction and I knew they found the scene morally shocking.

“Lord Ruan,” I whispered as I tried to pull my hand away. “We’re drawing unnecessary attention.”

“Shh,” he whispered. “It’s just for a show. Just cooperate with me for now. There’s a good reason why. Trust me.”

Why is it that every time he mentions those words, the more I suspect that he’s up to something wicked instead?

“Would you mind elaborating?”

“Later. Let’s just enjoy ourselves for now.” He lifted my hand to his mouth and pressed a kiss on the back of my fingers. I even felt the moisture from his lips.

I froze in shock and I heard some people gasp, followed by whispers.

My cheeks felt like they were pressed against a burning coal. “Lord Ruan, do we really have to make a show?”

“We do, and things are working according to my plan. You’re doing well.”

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I was at the edge of my self-control, but I tried to keep myself calm. We had already made a scene. I didn’t want to draw any more attention.

But Ruan Yanjun just would not stop. When the food was laid on the table, he tried to feed me.

This time, I no longer heeded Huang Wen’s advice. I voiced out my firm objection. But the devil always had his ways. While I opened my mouth to speak, he thrust the food in between my lips.

I wanted to throw up, but as a priest, I was trained never to waste food. ‘Every single grain of rice is nurtured by a drop of a farmer’s sweat’ was what my elders had told me.

Flustered as I was with several heads turned toward me, I chewed the food and swallowed.

“Does it taste good?” He had the gall to tease me.

I knew my patience. I had plenty of that. But this time, I had run out of it. All I wanted to do was punch this man’s face.

If only I could.

Before my fist could even reach him, he would have broken my wrist already.

“I’ve lost my appetite,” I said and started to rise.

Immediately, he grabbed me around the waist and settled me back. “Don’t leave. There’s a suspicious person staring at you.”

I doubted the truthfulness of his claim, but I did not want to take the risk either, not especially near Kan Empire where I was a fugitive. So I remained seated but did not utter a word.

“A-Fan, you’re not eating,” he said. “Do you want me to feed you again?”

“Lord Ruan, if you humiliate me again, I will leave regardless of the danger out there,” I threatened.

He chortled. “Fine. For your sake, I’ll behave for now… Eat.”

I reached for my chopsticks and started eating.

At least he was true to his words. He had stopped his antics and let me eat on my own.

When we made it back to the inn, I was still upset I confronted him for his improper behavior at the restaurant.

“Lord Ruan, what exactly were you playing at?” I asked.

“One of those diners seemed to have recognized you, so I had to make known to him that you are currently under my protection. That way, they will not dare lay a finger on you.”

“Was holding and kissing my hand necessary?”

“Of course. We have to show them that we are in an intimate relationship, otherwise, they will not believe that Ruan Yanjun will bother risking his life over a banished disciple of Frost Mountain.”

“By intimate, you mean… lovers?”

“Exactly.”

My jaw dropped.

He laughed. “It’s just a show. Why the face?”

“Lord Ruan, you know too well that I am a priest. I’ve already lost everything, including my good name. All that’s left of me is my virtue. Can’t I at least keep that?”

“You’re no longer a priest. Now that you’re in the secular world, virtue will only cause you trouble. So if you wish to give it up, allow me the privilege.”

Anger rushed to my head and I had to press my lips tightly together to repress it.

He laughed at me. “Oh, A-Fan, you are really amusing. That’s why I can’t stop teasing you.”

I sighed in relief.

So it was another of his annoying jokes after all.

This creep was really creeping me out.

“Lord Ruan, I’m really tired. I want to rest now.”

“You may… after you do what I told you to do.”

I frowned. “I’m afraid I have no idea what you mean.”

“I told you I won’t leave your room unless you do what I asked you to do.”

I suddenly remembered about the cream. I sighed as I stroked my forehead.

“Where is it?” he asked.

I went over to the corner and took the cream from my bag. I sat on the bed and opened the jar. “How much of it should I use?”

He sighed and sat beside me. “Even that I have to teach you? Have you never used creams before?”

“I only used ointment for wounds and bruises.”

He sighed again and held my finger. He dipped it into the jar until a small amount of cream clung at the end of my digit. “That much will do. Now spread it all over your hands, back and front, and in between your fingers.”

He took the jar from me so I could freely spread the cream all over my hands. The floral fragrance smelled nice it was refreshing to the senses. I couldn’t help but breathe it in.

“Does it smell nice?” he asked.

I nodded. The pleasant smell also lessened the anger that I had been suppressing.

He closed the jar and handed it back to me. “Use that every night and those callous should be healed in a couple of weeks.”

Healed? The tough and notorious Ruan Yanjun really saw callous as a disfigurement? How ironic.

“Alright, I’ll leave you to rest now,” he said as he rose to his feet.

Finally.

“I hired some men to guard your door so you don’t have to be afraid of anyone sneaking in. But if you still don’t feel safe enough, feel free to sleep in my room next door.”

I flushed.

He smirked. As usual, he was once again teasing me.

Much more to my surprise, he bent down and pressed a kiss on my hair, just above my forehead.

I stiffened.

He chuckled as I heard his footsteps leaving the room. “I’ll see you in the morning,” he said before the door closed.

I shuddered, just as how Huang Wen had shuddered before.

Ruan Yanjun’s teases were going out of hand. He had been playing this game with me for quite a while now and I didn’t like it at all.

I had to lecture him about propriety the very next instant we speak. He was a very intelligent man so perhaps he would understand and not take offense.