5. Linfeng

After the heated conversation, the four ate in silence.

When the time to go to school came, Linfeng walked towards Xiong Zhi and picked-up her bag.

"Young Miss Zhi, please let me carry this bag for you," Linfeng said, his tall stature looking down at her.

Xiong Zhi was startled at first. After spending some time together in the past, she became fully aware of him: his actions, movements, breathing, and even the clothes he wore.

In the past, she never really looked at him. Now, with him standing tall in front of her, looking at his beautiful features, she took the time to stare at him.

Linfeng noticed Xiong Zhi's intense gaze at him. He could not help but feel the heat rise up to his head, making his ears red.

He was stared at by many women before with different kinds of gaze. But this girl in front of him had that look that he never felt before. So intense. So sincere. Like her eyes wanted to say something.

But Linfeng could not understand. This was the first time they met. Why was she looking at him like that?

Maybe the Young Miss wanted to ask me something...

He opened his mouth to speak, but Xiong Zhi said first.

"You look good in your uniform. "

"..."

Linfeng felt his ears burn. He tried to maintain his expression while saying:

"Thanking Young Miss Zhi for the compliment."

"En." Xiong Zhi turned around and walked out first.

Xiong Zhi appeared as if she did not say anything surprising to the man, saying that was just the ordinary course of events. Like it was natural for her to say so.

Linfeng tried to calm himself down. It was just a little compliment, but he had felt like the girl had confessed her love to him.

'Get yourself together! It's just a compliment, nothing else!'

Inside the car on the road, Xiong Zhi continued to draw a plan in her mind. First, she must build her own business, second, never meet the beast, and lastly, to be with Linfeng.

While having these thoughts, Xiong Zhi could not help but place her eyes on Linfeng.

Linfeng felt the intense gaze again. He tried very hard to remain expressionless and cool. But his ears betrayed him by turning red.

Xiong Zhi noticed this and studied him more. Being looked at like he was an exciting specimen under that beautiful microscopic eyes, Linfeng sweated. He gulped and furrowed his thick brows.

Xiong Zhi saw everything in her eyes. She thought Linfeng was uncomfortable or in pain. She raised her hands and leaned towards him. She placed her hand on his forehead.

"Are you sick?" She asked in a soft voice. She was distraught and concerned as it reflected on her voice.

Hearing her soft voice with a little worry in it, Linfeng was stunned.

Even the driver was shocked that he accidentally stepped on the brakes.

Screech.

"What happened?" Linfeng asked with red ears. Although he was a bit stunned at the moment, Young Miss Zhi's safety was his priority.

"Apologies! Young Sir and Young Miss, I accidentally stepped on the brakes," the driver said with a wince.

"Be careful next time. I will have to report this to my father. The safety of Young Miss is paramount," Linfeng said seriously.

"Yes… Young Sir," the driver answered.

Xiong Zhi, who was watching at the side, admired Linfeng again.

'Since he was young, he was like this. Prioritizing my safety first before himself. Even if it was only his job. He's such an awesome man...'

She found herself staring at him again.

Linfeng broke out in cold sweat. He thought he was finally spared from the intense gaze after the incident earlier.

'Why is she staring at me again?! I cannot hold it anymore!'

Linfeng gathered his courage to meet her gaze and asked:

"Young Miss, is there something you want to ask or say to me?"

Xiong Zhi could now finally look directly at his dark eyes. She appreciated it for a moment while dazedly saying:

"I cannot get enough of you."

Again, the car stopped suddenly.

But Linfeng could not rebuke the driver at this moment. He was utterly stunned as if he was struck by lightning. His heart skipped a beat and then went beating so fast like it was coming out of his chest. The heat rose up inside his head, turning his whole face, ears, and neck so red.

'WHAT IS THE YOUNG MISS SAYING?! Does she know what it means?'

He could not find any reply to her, nor did he found any logic in her words. Linfeng, for the first time, felt that his IQ was completely low.

Where was his brain? He needed it now! Where were his words? Emergency!

Xiong Zhi was worried again. Linfeng seemed to be having difficulty in breathing. Coming closer to him, she patted his back a few times and added some pressure on his chest with her hand. When she did that, he became even stiffer, frozen in a blank expression.

She began to panic. If he did not get a breath, he would die. The trauma from the previous life was still apparent.

"Linfeng, breathe. Inhale, exhale, inhale, exhale..." She guided him anxiously.

Linfeng recovered some of his wits when he followed her voice.

'Inhale... Exha... Wait! What am I doing?! It's so embarrassing, acting like a love-struck girl…'

Linfeng tried to hide his face through his hair.

"I'm fine, Young Miss. Thank you for your help. Please forgive me for my incompetence..."

"Just call me Zhi'er. There's no need for pleasantries."

"Forgive me, Young Miss, but it's part of our etiquette and rules. The Zhou family served the Xiong family for many generations. Please pardon me."

"You're an exception."

"How did I become an exception, Young Miss? The Zhou blood runs in me. We pledged to become Xiong's right hand for many generations. No matter what we become in the future, we will be under your family. Even if we tried hard and become successful in other fields, it will never change the fact that we are still below your surname," Linfeng said with mixed emotions.

Since young, he was trained and told that he would serve someone in the future. He must study hard, he must train hard and know many things at a very young age.

He did not enjoy his childhood. His seventeen years of life were spent strengthening himself for someone else.

He was called a genius since young.

He was outstanding amongst his peers.

He was very talented in all aspects.

He had many dreams... ambitions.

He did not want to serve anyone.

He wanted to be free...

He was capable...

He knew he would succeed in anything he would do.

He can reach higher...

Once he was on top and proved himself, he would get what he wanted—everything he wanted.

His surname Zhou would be freed from the Xiong family.