Chapter 4 He Is Soft

Thud

She heard another gunshot sound; the man at her right was bleeding as well; strands of hair fell on her right shoulder; her legs shivered as she was left wondering if the next bullet would now take her.

"Move to the left," Luis ordered, but she shook her head in denial. She didn't want to die. Why was he doing all this to her? Tears rolled down her cheeks as she clenched her fist.

"Move to the left, Mei Li," he repeated angrily. With heavy footsteps, she respected his order and moved to the left; she was now standing close to the third guy, who apparently wasn't dead.

Thud

The third gunshot echoed, and she winced when she felt pain in her hand. She looked at her hand, and it was bleeding.

He had intentionally let the bullet scrape her hand because she had to make him repeat himself.

He dropped the gun before he signaled for his men to get rid of the body.

Mei Li didn't move till they were done disposing of the bodies; she cleaned up her tears and found her way back inside the house.

She spotted Krish in front of a door and approached her.

"Sorry to bother you, but is there a kit somewhere around?" Mei Li asked, and Krish nodded.

"Come with me."

They both walked to the corner meant for the workers. Krish took the kit from the cupboard and handed it to Mei Li.

"I will do it for you," she suggested, but Mei Li shook her head in denial.

It's not a big deal; after all, this wasn't her first time getting injured.

It was just a scratch. "I will go get your breakfast then." Krish excused herself.

Mei Li cut the cotton, poured some alcohol on it, and dabbed it on her injury.

"It's sunrise and soon sunset....." She started singing with a low tone.

Others take pills to calm their pain, but she always sang the song her grandpa taught her.

It made her think of their happy moments; she had grown up with her grandpa after her mom died, then when her grandpa died... Her stepbrother took over the house, and she became a punching bag and never received the princess treatment she was used to.

She stopped singing when she felt awkward. Mei Li turned and found Luis by the door.

He stood there with both his hands in his trousers pocket and watched her; she couldn't even tell if he was frowning or smiling because of his mask.

"Do you need something, master?" She asked, if the price of him not hurting her was for her to be respectful, then she was willing to be that.

Luis turned and left; he had come to find White but met with her instead, and that song she sang....

It rang a bell in his head, but since she was the one who sang it, he refused to think further about it.

**

It was 18:00 pm when Krish handed a dress to Mei Li and asked her to get dressed as she would be having dinner with the old Shing.

Mei Li didn't hesitate; just like a robot, she followed every order.

When she was done, she sat before the mirror as Krish brushed her hair.

"It's good that the old woman found a liking to you." Krish smiled at her. She knew that only that old woman could save the poor girl.

"When you get there, try to please her. She could help keep you alive in case Master Shing decides to end your life one day."

Mei Li sighed heavily. What was she alive for?

Krish placed her hand on her shoulder, and Mei Li looked up at her. "You will get over this; you are just different."

Mei Li nodded appreciatively before she stood up, ready to leave.

"If you choose to please the old woman, just make her feel young. She doesn't like to be considered old."

-

Luis leaned by his car; he was going to drive instead of his men because his grandma didn't like when he showed up with an entourage.

He was starting to lose his patience waiting for Mei Li when he heard some footsteps. His gaze darted to the stairs, and he saw her petite figure walk down the stairs with an innocent look.

Yes, she was very beautiful. He had to give her that. But he also couldn't change the fact that he hated everything about her.

Mei Li's gaze met his, but he looked away, pulled the car door, and walked in.

So she walked to the car and wanted to open the back seat, but what if he asked her, "Do I look like your driver?"

She also wanted to sit in the passenger seat, but what if he asked, "Are we that close?"

Now she stood there, confused.