Anning’s pov

"Why? I thought you were done with me?" Gu Wanqing asked.

She wasn’t wrong though, and for someone I had rushed here to save. She didn’t seem grateful, not even one bit. She just looked...angry?

"You really don’t know how to be grateful, so you?" I snapped back at her, placing my hands on either side of my waist.

"Anning, how fast can you run?" She asked instead of replying to my own question

Back at home, I exercised daily and though this body was a bit on the heavy side. I should still be able to run.

I tilted my head to the side, then said in a low voice, "Mm, let’s just say I run pretty fast."

"Good. Make a bet with me. I would give you a clear head start..." She said, her voice sounding husky. "If I catch up to you before you step inside my chambers,"

She took a step closer to me, her hot breath fanning the upper part of my lip. "Don’t expect me to ever let go of you tonight."

I stared at Wanqing in disbelief, my brow rising slightly as her words settled over me. I stared into her eyes and the look she had in them made me flinch.

What in God’s name was this?

Seriously... Why the hell was she behaving like this? Did she drink something or had her brain been turned off after that chat with General Gu left?

She had a freaking finaceè. She didn’t need to look at me as though I meant something to her. I even thought she was upset!

So, what exactly was she trying to achieve?

I had spent nine whole months without her and had survived it just fine. With considerable effort, I had managed to get her out of my head and focused on the things I could achieve around here.

Life without her had not been too bad.

It came with its own advantages and disadvantages. But now that she was here, standing so close to me and staring down at me with those obsidian black eyes.

As if Wanqing was restraining herself from doing something vulgar. As if...no, I shook my head at the thought.

If I hadn’t known better, I would’ve thought she wanted to kiss me right here and right now.

And honestly, I didn’t like it. Not one bit.

I hated how easily she could make me feel things. Things that made it harder for me to remain firm on my decisions.

Was she planning on leading me on again, only to toss me aside the moment Xiao Qingyue showed up?

Biting my lower lip, I swallowed as subtly as I could. I couldn’t let her see how nervous I was, I wouldn’t allow it.

I wasn’t foolish enough to make the same mistake twice.

Tilting my chin up, meeting his gaze and replying in a cold tone.

"And what will you do if you don’t manage to catch me? What will be your punishment, my gain?"

I raised a brow at her, a slight smirk on my lips. With my speed and how short these hallways were, there was no way she would catch me.

Unless there was some hidden passage in this residence, there was no way a little princess would be able to catch me.

She stared right into my eyes. I didn’t miss the look of anger, desire and something I couldn’t quite place... again.

"Punishment..." Wanqing muttered, her index finger sliding in between her plump red lips and before I could stop myself, my eyes dropped to his lips.

"You should know how dangerous that word is, tiger." She responded.

"You. You’re dodging the question again, young miss." I managed to retort, refusing to let his words distract me.

Her lips curled into a smile. A real, genuine smile.

She looked pretty, considering this was the first time I had seen her smile. She looked sexy and I hated that dimples even existed at that time.

They were my literal weakness, appearing when I needed to stay firm. Touchè

"I’ll let you work as you want. I won’t force you to be my maid anymore." She said finally and her words made my eyes widen.

Her?

This woman with a pride as big as this whole residence would really let me go?

Impossible.

As though she could see the doubt running through my mind. She stepped forward, brushed a few strands of hair away from my forehead.

"Run, Tiger." She said, "I’ll walk as slowly as I can. Will that be enough to erase your doubt?"

Not even one bit, I thought. This little...bitch.

She must’ve thought I had been exaggerating about how well I could run.

The thought of him comparing me to the pace of a turtle had my fighting spirit surging to life. Alright then.

I was ready.

I would show her exactly what happened when she underestimated me.

"Alright, mistress." I muttered, smacking her hand away from me. "I believe you’re a woman of your word."

I emphasized on my last sentence, so she wouldn’t be able to deny it later.

A small, breathy chuckle escaped her lips. Her black eyes twinkled as she stared at me.

Then she finally took a step away from me, straightened her robe. Before leaning against the wall closest to her.

"You have my word." She paused, closing her eyes. "This mistress of yours will be a woman of her words tonight. Trust me."

My heart skipped a beat. The word ’mistress’ hit me harder than it should have.

Still, I stared at her stubbornly before lifting my dress carefully without looking away from her.

Wanqing snapped her eyes open instantly. I watched as her expression shifted as she noticed my raised dress. The corner of her eye twitched, and just as he was about saying something...

I turned around and bolted without warning. I ran as far away from her as I could manage.

[Behind Anning; thought she can’t exactly hear Wanqing!]

Wanqing’s lips parted in shock as she watched me disappear from sight. For a moment, she didn’t move.

As though seeing her run like this had been so utterly unbelievable, that it had caught her off guard.

Then, the sound of her chuckling echoed through the dimly lit hallway.

Wanqing ran a finger through her dark hair, amusement dancing across her features. She bent over slightly, her shoulders shaking as she tried to control her laughter.

After a while, she took a deep breath. When she straightened, something dark gleamed in those black eyes of hers.

"Run...tiger. Run" she muttered, taking in a deep breath as she looked toward the direction Anning had disappeared in.

Pushing herself off the wall, Wanqing kicked off the shoes she currently had on. Then, her lips stretched into a smirk as she headed in the opposite direction.

"Forgive me, tiger..." She whispered. "Because this mistress of yours will not let you win."

"Not tonight."