The Exorcist

Book 8: Chapter 19: Unbearable Passion

“What, getting cold feet?” Wan Li gazed at Xiao Xia. He never knew she looked so good in a formal dress.

The red dress with thin straps wasn’t too revealing, but it made her fair skin, beautiful shoulders and curvy figure extremely apparent. It carved an exquisite outline. Under her pitch black hair, her makeup was understated yet elegant. This was the result of an entire afternoon spent at the beauty salon. Apparently the time and money spent was truly worth it. She was not only beautiful, but her nervous appearance made her exceptionally cute.

“Relax, you’ll definitely stun all the guys present.”He continued. “But it’s currently winter. Isn’t it too cold to be dressed like that? I’m more concerned about your health rather than your breasts.”

He spoke so bluntly that Xiao Xia rolled her eyes viciously at him and couldn’t help but tug at her dress. She didn’t care about “all the guys”, she just wanted to stun one of them.

“I have a jacket, and we’re getting in the car right away.”Xiao Xia waved the invitation in her hand. “Such a fancy place will definitely have the heat turned up. She really went through a lot of effort, even sending over a formal invitation.”

“It’s a show of force.”

“I know. I’m doing the same.”

Wan Li spread his arms, his expression helpless. A battle between women was amusing and fun, and also a little irrational.

He had decided to help Xiao Xia because he knew she had figured out Ruan Zhan loves her, and planned on acting shameless until the end. In this situation, he was ultimately an observer. Although he felt a little sad at that, and his heart secretly ached, he still figured he should act his part. That was, to cheer on both sides at the right moments. For an experienced observer like himself, it even involved some further participation.

Jealousy wasn’t a healthy emotion, but it sometimes had amazing effects. Now, he was creating some negative emotions between Xiao Xia and Ruan Zhan, using its power to push them together.

He would lose the person he loved tonight. But as long as she was happy, he would also be at peace. Especially since he had long since decided to help these two friends of his.

By the time he and Xiao Xia arrived, pretty much everyone was already present. The ballroom was extremely lively.  He had guessed the people throwing Fu Xue’s party were definitely well-off and westernized. They actually rented a ballroom in an extremely luxurious hotel to throw this western party for her.

Fu Xue came to welcome Xiao Xia and exchange pleasantries, though they were filled with hidden enmity. Wan Li hurriedly looked around for Ruan Zhan. He immediately spotted his friend’s presence. Ruan Zhan was too easy to find. His presence stood out so much from the crowd that he could be spotted at a glance. Especially since he felt Ruan Zhan’s gaze the moment they entered. With Xiao Xia present, would he be looking anywhere else?!

He decided it was the right move not to come with Ah Zhan. This allowed Xiao Xia’s arrival to have a stunning impact. Xiao Xia definitely had what it takes to rile up the men. He believed his good friend was no exception. Only a mighty blow would break through all the obstacles. His psychology major wasn’t just for show. Although Ruan Zhan had the same education, he was personally involved which messed with his clarity.

“Should we go greet Ruan Zhan?” Xiao Xia extricated herself from Fu Xue and had also spotted Ruan Zhan.

“No. Let him stew! You have to act more passionately. I dare say he will go mad from anger.”Wan Li put an arm around Xiao Xia’s waist and pulled her into his arms. “Isn’t that your goal? To have the male lead lose control and the female lead lose face? It’s best if you can get Ah Zhan to run off with you. That would be the most romantic and perfect outcome.”

“Have I told you that psychiatrists can be very annoying sometimes?” Xiao Xia smacked Wan Li and shot another glance at Ruan Zhan. She realized he wasn’t looking at her at all, making her a little dejected. She didn’t realize that apart from his eyes, every other sense of his was focused on her.

“You have.”Wan Li smiled gently. “Let’s eat a little first. Otherwise, you’ll be losing out since you bought that expensive present. Then, you’ll have to express all your charm and stun all of the men here today!”

“I don’t want the other men, I want him!”

“He’s already yours, you just need to make it official.”Wan Li held Xiao Xia’s hand as they passed through the crowd and headed to the buffet table. He felt a murderous glare follow them.

…….

Fu Xue felt that tonight was practically perfect. The “practically” was because she had given a large amount of ground, but had also obtained the greatest present.

She knew Yue Xiao Xia was here to be an eyesore, and she had managed to achieve her goal. Yue Xiao Xia had dressed up beautifully. Although jealous, she had no choice but to admit that damn woman was outstanding tonight. She had attracted the attention of over half the men, and had even danced with every one of them.

Her dancing was truly nothing great, but she was lively and charming, and also had an air of natural innocence. Soon, she became the focus of attention, as if this was her birthday party instead.

Fu Xue was extremely pissed at this, but luckily Ruan Zhan remained at her side the entire time. Furthermore, he was rather gentle, accepting no one’s invitation to dance and only accompanying her. It made her feel joy in the midst of frustration. This was probably what sunshine after the rain felt like!

She was practically glued to him and felt his firm and sturdy physique. She smelled the unique and fragrant liqueur scent on his body and couldn’t help but feel infatuated. She asked, “Want to check out my house tonight? I want to redecorate the interior a bit. Give me some suggestions?” She threw out the bait.

Ruan Zhan nodded, seemingly swallowing it in one go. The arm around her waist even pulled her in closer.

Fu Xue was ecstatic. The unobtainable boss of the Nocturnal Revenant had finally lowered his lofty head. That was her best birthday present!

She glanced over and saw Yue Xiao Xia also sneaking a glance her way whilst bantering with several guys. Fu Xue hurriedly seized Ruan Zhan’s shoulders and planted a deep kiss on those lips she had been dreaming about. She had wanted to kiss Ruan Zhan for a long time. His lips were evenly sized with corners often tightly pressed together. They appeared aloof and sexy. Kissing them felt pretty good. Yet he didn’t react with any passion. Although he didn’t push her away, there wasn’t much warmth.

Seeing this, smoke starting rising from Xiao Xia’s head. It was fine to put on a show for each other. Her plan had been to make Ruan Zhan jealous to begin with, and she believed he was also just trying to make her give up. Yet there was a limit to acting. There was no need to be so generous!

Seeing Fu Xue kissing the person who ought to be hers, she almost rushed over to snatch him away. Yet when she managed to get herself under control, she noticed tears falling down her face. Her heart ached so much she could barely breathe.

How could he do this! Not accepting her was one thing, but why piss her off like this! Was she really so much trouble to him? Was he so eager to be rid of her? He didn’t mind having to deal with other women, as long as it would make her stop bothering him?!

He’d gone too far!

She couldn’t act along any further! Ignoring the guys around her who were showing concern over her tears and asking whether she was feeling unwell, she turned and ran out of the ballroom. She was in too much of a hurry and ended up ramming her forehead against the doors. Unable to care about that, she desperately rushed outside.

Her tears and injury stabbed at Ruan Zhan’s heart. The scenes tonight had also caused him no small amount of suffering. He was a little angry at Wan Li, blaming him for allowing Xiao Xia to appear before other guys dressed so alluringly. He blamed him for bringing her here without staying by her side, running off by himself to interact with others. Whenever he saw someone checking her out, he had to forcibly restrain himself from using magic to dig out their eyes. Best to wipe their memories too, so they wouldn’t have that final image of Xiao Xia.

His heart was conflicted, both wanting Xiao Xia to give up while also wanting to run over and hold her, making her his alone.  He had been torn by those two opposing desires the entire night. Although he appeared calm, and even acted slightly intimate with Fu Xue, his insides had long since been boiling.

If emotions could be dealt with rationally, then they weren’t heartfelt. He had long since been teetering on the edge, and seeing Xiao Xia leaving in tears, he was no longer able to remain calm. He hurriedly ran after her.

“Ruan Zhan!”Fu Xue instinctively grabbed at Ruan Zhan’s shirt, but he left with such determination that it was to no avail.

She stood there in a daze, glancing at Wan Li in a pleading manner. In her mind, Yue Xiao Xia’s abandoned companion should be just as upset. But she instead saw Wan Li standing there leisurely, as if everything was within his expectations. She immediately understood: it turns out she had been used. The man who had been in her mind for a while had feelings for Yue Xiao Xia. She had not only lost her social gathering tonight, but also what she longed for but would never obtain!

“What a powerful force of jealousy, sometimes a stagnant love needs a bit of intense stimulation.”Wan Li mused.

…….

Xiao Xia ran around mindlessly. Muddled by anger, embarrassment, and jealousy, she was unable to keep track of where she was going. The hotel was very large, and she somehow ended up in the underground parking lot.

She knew Ruan Zhan was running after her, but just before he caught up, the elevator door closed. She knew he wouldn’t give up, so after arriving at the parking lot, she kept running desperately. However, her high heels worked against her, causing her to fall straight to the ground. Looking up, she found herself lying in front of Ruan Zhan’s car.

Talk about cursed encounters!

She cursed silently and tried to crawl under the car to the other side, but was lifted up and then held in a warm embrace. She was momentarily distracted. She had forgotten her jacket when she ran off and her dress couldn’t keep way the cold at all. Although she hadn’t felt it initially in her anger, the moment she reached the parking lot she almost froze to death.

The warmth from his body made Xiao Xia exhale contentedly, but then realizing something, she started to struggle. He just hugged and kissed that woman. She hated him now, and didn’t want to let him touch her!

She struggled fiercely, like a small little animal in its death throes, crying and kicking. Ruan Zhan used all his strength but couldn’t calm her down.

“Xiao Xia!”

“Let go of me!”

“I love you too!”Ruan Zhan blurted out, and with his words, Xiao Xia suddenly stopped struggling. She had waited a long time for those words! However, bliss had arrived too abruptly!

Ruan Zhan was also shocked by his own words. He felt Xiao Xia stop moving in his arms. He slowly released his tight grasp around her and looked at her delicate face, which had frozen in astonishment.

“Xiao Xia—” That was a mistake, what I just said was a mistake. He wanted to explain, but his words were blocked by her lips. However, it didn’t seem like she was kissing him, but rather rubbing his lips forcefully.

“I’m getting rid of her traces!”Her eyes flashed and she pouted, before clinging to Ruan Zhan and continuing her “cleaning”.

She wasn’t some naive little girl who didn’t realize how stimulating such actions were to men, but once she became reckless she stopped caring about anything. Ruan Zhan tried his best to avoid it, and his last bit of rationality urged him to push her away. However, she clung to him like it was an assault, and it eventually turned into the two of them tightly embracing and passionately kissing, unable to part.

It wasn’t clear how they ended up in the car or why their bodies were burning up despite the cold weather. It also wasn’t clear how he managed to drive back to the bar that had been closed for the day with her continuously kissing him. Even more unclear was how the two of them ended up falling in bed. Xiao Xia was completely dazed while Ruan Zhan felt an inner volcano spewing boiling magma!

He felt his blood surging, a storm rising within him. Having previously endured bitterly, he now flung himself into the storm with reckless abandon. His rationality has long since flown to the clouds, leaving no trace behind.

There was a limit to one’s patience, especially since he was a man who deeply loved the woman in his arms. He had already forced himself into a corner. If she had been willing to give up, he might have had a chance. But now it was all too late, and the most sincere and primitive emotions took over.

He lowered his head and kissed her. Her lips were as sweet as a spring, causing the smoldering desire within him to suddenly erupt with that kiss. He hugged her, desperately pressing her soft body tightly against him.

At that moment, he was suddenly terrified she would regret it. He had already been swallowed by the darkest, coldest, deepest demons in his heart, and she was his only salvation. He loved her. He wanted her, not just with his body, but also with his heart. Even though the future was filled with dark uncertainty, he had still lost control, plunging head first into that sweetest yet most terrifying dream.

So he was actually so emotionally frail, his spirit so easily conquered. Was she too powerful or was he too weak? Why was she able to break the ice around his heart so easily, seizing his heart in her hand? He only realized it after he had been deeply submerged in her sincerity and passion.

He parted from her lips and gazed into her eyes. She looked at him gently, her eyes filled with a firm promise. He felt some relief, knowing that the two of them would face the path ahead, hand in hand. So he kissed her again, and her passionate response almost took his breath away. All the sounds around them seemed so distant. He focused all his attention on her.

“You’re so beautiful.”He murmured.

Was this heaven or hell? He had started this, but would he be able to save them both?

Their hearts and bodies became one.

In the end, they found release in the tremors between pain and ecstasy. They hugged each other tightly, panting heavily, drenched in sweat, exhausted but extremely happy.