Stopping right before the young ladâs presence, Chu Yi Yi was only a step away from crashing into him: âYouâre hurt Xiao Xiao?â
Without surprise, Bai Xiao became startled by the sudden appearance of this friend of his. Even so, it didnât take long for him to respond with that brilliant smile: âIâm fine, how come you are here?â
For a moment, even Snow Lotus was bedazzled by the level of charm coming off of the lad. Sheâs always taken her big cousin Wen Yi as the most handsome man in the Ice Realm, thatâs why sheâs so heads over heels for the person. Yet now sheâs coming to realization of someone even better on the bed right over there! To say sheâs not slightly swayed would be a understatement. But then the remembrance of the repugnant things done to herself instantly shook Lotus back to attention. Furthermore, she just got shoved by some lowly peasant outsider!
âItâs good that you are all right. I and Xiaoyun came to meet Bai Yan, but we ended up going the opposite way and came here instead. Iâm just as surprised to meet you here...â
Bai Yan?
Snow Hawk whoâs been listening intently at their conversation formed a frown at the name.
Why is the name so familiar...?
Bai Xiao even cool face finally breaks into a warmth never shown thus far. Turning to the snow chief: âChief Hawk, I will be leaving with my friends now that they are here. The debt I owe your clan will be repaid by me in due times, that I promise.â
The frown in Snow Hawkâs face deepened even further. Instead of making the kind elderly façade he showed earlier, the chief had turned sharp and borderline threatening.
Chu Yi Yi sensed this of course and subconsciously stepped forward to put herself between the two men. Sheâs vigilant in the eye like a fightâs about to break out.
In light of the heavy air, Snow Hawkâs dangerous aura eventually scattered and returned to the gentle and kind one: âSir Xiao, I believe its best if you stay until you recover from your injury. I wouldnât want our efforts to be in vain, how about it?â
âHumph, why would we do that? You people will only continue to insult him if he stays.â Chu Yi Yi doesnât back down and shot the idea down with her warning glare around the increasingly larger crowd of occupants around the doorway. âIâm taking him away today regardless of what you all do!â
This time itâs no longer a mere differing opinion or argument, itâs a direct insult for Snow Hawk who called himself the chief.
Bai Xiao felt the sudden pressure exuding out of the older man there and immediately reached out to grab hold of Chu Yi Yiâs hand to pull her back: âYi Yi, we will stay for now like Chief Hawk suggests. My injury is too severe to move properly so itâs the best arrangement.â
As soon as he said this, the pressure that surrounded the Holy Landâs princess dispersed and the chief bellowed out a laugh at the sensibility of the young lad: âThatâs great then. I will not disturb your rest so we will take our leave. Lotus, come with me!â Grabbing his eldest daughterâs arm, he drags her out without room for discussion.
The whole room went all quiet despite the ruckus mere seconds ago.
âXiao Xiao, why are you staying?â Chu Yi Yi asks with a perplexed look.
Scanning the room to make sure thereâs no ease droppers lingering around, âThe Snow Clanâs chief wonât be letting us go regardless of what we do. Also, youâre not his equal so thereâs no point in resisting right now. We will move once I recover.â
That little remark about her being weak definitely didnât make the girl any happier, but even so, the Holy Land princess didnât refute the claim and moved on. âSo we can leave after you recover?â
âMhmm,â the boy makes a faint nod, âonce I am healed, no one here is my opponent.â
Bai Xiao wasnât one to repay kindness with hate, but they are leaving him no choice. A debt doesnât equal to slavery, nor does it mean one must sell themselves out for such a thing.