The 3 B's- Beauty, Brains and Bravery

Chapter 334: This was the 'old' him.

Xi Ying was obviously unknown to the threat standing right behind her Sister-in-law. Neither was Rong Xinghe expecting an attack. At least, not in a crowded mall, with thousands of people, and the  CCTV cameras. And even if she knew, she was not that physically strong yet, as to fight a professionally trained assassin. It hadn't even been a week since she had gone through the migraine stroke. And although it was mostly a neurological disorder, it affected the strength of the human body as well.

Earlier, she was able to execute the terrorist just because she took him by surprise. He hadn't seen it coming. Otherwise, even the three Military Forces knew that the girl needed to retrain before she took over the position of the Military Chief again. 

A few seconds later, the man pulled out the combat knife and stretched his wrist, for the sake of ease. He then took a step back and charged towards the girl with horrifying swiftness. 

URGH!

A groan resounded throughout the silent bookstore, alarming almost every individual. Even Xi Ying. And Rong Xinghe. The two women turned around. To look at the man lying on the floor, blood trickling down his lower abdomen. And then at the man standing above, glaring down at the beast. His fists were clenched, his eyes ablaze with rage. 

"Che...", his name slipped Rong Xinghe's lips, reflexively. 

The man then lifted his head up and fixed his gaze at her. The woman who once, was his. Ever since he had known about the truth behind Zhou Zhichen's death, he had been trying to contact her. He used to call the Military headquarters almost every day, and he used to dial her family too. But it was literally impossible to reach her. Until she wished to see him, or it was a coincidence. And indeed a coincidence this was. She would never want to meet him willingly. She hated him and he knew that. 

"Are you alright, Xinghe?", the man asked. His bodyguards had surrounded the place by then and were trying to pacify the panicked public. 

Xi Ying raised her eyebrows slightly. How dare this man address her Sister-in-law so intimately? And how did he knew that it was Rong Xinghe? She was clearly wearing the mask. Unless he had been following them...

"I am fine.", Rong Xinghe's voice soon interrupted the girl's thoughts, "What are you doing here?"

Zhou Che smiled at the girl, "I wasn't stalking you. Don't worry. I had a meeting with one of my clients here. I was passing by when I saw this man, all prepared to stab you. I didn't even know that you were the target."

Rong Xinghe nodded her head and squatted down, got her revolver out from her sling bag and pointed it against the attacker's forehead.

"Who sent you?", she asked. 

"Spare yourself the trouble and kill me already.", the man laughed, like a maniac. 

"Close your eyes, Ying.", Rong Xinghe ordered the girl, her tone stern. The girl, naturally, followed her command and shut her eyes close quickly.

BAM!

Rong Xinghe then stood up and tucked the gun back into her bag and grabbed Xi Ying's wrist. She then rushed out of the bookstore, gesturing the soldiers in civil uniforms to take care of the body. But before she could leave his line of sight, Zhou Che caught up to her.

"I want to talk, Xinghe.", he stood in her way.

"I think there is nothing to talk about.", the girl shook her head, "If this is about what happened today, don't bother. I will keep you out of this. And yes, thank you. You did save my life."

"It's about Zhou Zhichen. I want to--"

"Blame me again. For his death. I know it.", the girl waved her hand lazily, "But I am left with no strength to listen to all those accusations again. Just let me go."

"I won't.", the man held onto the girl's arms, his grip firm, "I can't let you go. I was stupid to let you go years ago. I wouldn't let that happen again.

"I need to apologize to you, Xinghe! Today. No matter what."

The moment she listened to Zhou Che's words, the girl froze right where she was standing. Why was he talking like that? It wasn't him. It wasn't the person who had nothing but resentment and contempt for her, in his heart.

She was no more sure of anything. This was the first time Zhou Che had been so polite and soft towards her. Unlike his usual cold, vengeful gaze; his eyes were filled with guilt and regrets today. This was the 'old' him. What the hell was going on, she wondered.

As he looked at the girl's muddled expression, Zhou Che's features softened gradually, "I know you were trying to help him. You were taking him to rehab. And that you wanted to tell me about his addiction as well. But he..."

Rong Xinghe silently listened to the man before she cut in, calmly, "I don't... I don't have time for this. I should go, Che."

"No please. Don't.", the man resisted, his eyes bloodshot, tears already flowing down them, "Can't things go back to how they were? I promise I will make it up to you. One chance. Just give me one chance."

"There is no 'we', Che.", the girl said, her tone robotic, "You killed 'we' seven years ago. Do you have any idea how ridiculous you sound right now?! Stop being childish and back off. Now."

"Xinghe, I... Alright, I will go. But just keep this.", the man sighed and handed over a piece of paper to the girl, "This was Zhichen's last note. He left it for us. I believe you would want to read it. 

"Zhichen was someone we both cared about. He was my brother. And he was your friend. You deserve to know this. You deserve to know his thoughts, just a few minutes before he died.

" So I am leaving this with you. 

"Xinghe, I will be leaving for Japan tomorrow. I will return back a weak later, probably. Before I go, I want you to know something. Our past. That one year. It was the best time of my life.

"Take your time and give it some thought. Read this letter and consider the possibility of 'us' again. If you ever have any questions to ask, doubts to clear, things to tell; I will be a phone call away. Okay?

The man then took a few steps back, and smiled at the woman, "I still love you, Xinghe. I could never bring myself to stop doing that. It's just too difficult to stop loving someone like you, you know?"