Chapter One Hundred Seventy Three

The drive to the safe house wasn't that long. It was a complicated one. I didn't know a house could be so secluded. I had just stepped out the car when another car pulled in behind us.

"I'd thought your dad would make it here before us."

"He probably told them to drive a bit slower. The man loves car rides."

I wanted to laugh when I made eye contact with Ba Mingchun I refrained from doing it. He walked up to us and stopped. He pulled out a pack of cigarettes and I cocked a eye brow.

"I thought you were trying to quit," Ba Wei asked?

"So did I," Ba Ming Chun responded, "but do you expect me to quit with this constant stress."

He lit the cigarette and glanced back at the men standing by the cars, "go ahead and take them inside. I'll come through the back so lock the front."

"go ahead without me."

"Huh? why?"

"I need to talk to him about something. I'll be inside in a minute."

I nodded and turned to follow the guards towards the house. Looking at the house it was nothing special. It was very normal looking but I guess that's the point. When we made it to the large door I thought the would just open it but to my surprise there was a rather large keypad beside the door. I watched as they typed not one but a series of numbers in before the door clicked open. They stepped aside and motioned for me to go inside. I didn't argue and did just that.

As I walked in I couldn't help but feel uneasy. There was barely any furniture and you could tell that no one ever came here. The furniture scattering the room were things that everyone would need. I glanced behind me at the guards to see them closing the door. I watched curiously as they began to lock the many locks on the door.

"Um," I started getting the attention of one of the men, "is he up stairs or something?"

"Yes. You're free too move about however you please."

I nodded and turned to make my way to the stair case. As I began to climb the stairs I couldn't help but wonder what Ba Wei had to speak to his father about. He didn't mention anything during the car ride so maybe it's just a family matter. Hopefully it's nothing bad.

"Dad," I called out as I reached the top of the stairs. I was met with silence and I was about to call out again when my father walked out of a room. He seemed surprised to see me.

"Ji Nan, how did you get to this place?"

"Hello to you too dad." I walked up to him and looked him over. It didn't seem like he was hurt anywhere. Looking him over he looked the same, just a bit thinner. "Ba MingChun brought me here."

"You're that close to that man," he said with a scowl on his face?

I chuckled, "he's not a bad guy."

"He is. Don't downplay what that man does."

"You've done business with him right?" He nodded, "so what does that say about you." He cocked a eyebrow and turned and walked away. I couldn't help but laugh. I sped walked to catch up to him.

"Are you the reason why this man is protecting me so strongly."

I nodded, "of course I am."

"Why?"

"You think I'm going to let you be by yourself?"

He didn't say anything and just walked into the room he came from. As I entered my heart dropped a bit. I wouldn't say the room looked depressing but it was almost that way. From the lack of color to the lack of items;it looked like a box.

"I could be in the comfort of my home, but instead I'm in a cell."

"Don't be dramatic-"

"They don't let me leave this house, they watch my every move," he said cutting me off.

I sat down on the bed and let him continue to list things he doesn't like about being here. I don't think this man understands that he is here for his safety and not on his time. I let out a sigh and decided I should probably stop it.

"Dad." He stopped speaking, "look I know you're upset that you're stuck in this tiny little house, but this is the only way I know how to keep you safe. Why can't you just thank me for caring?"

"Ji Nan im not in danger."

"Not in danger? There are dead bodies at your hotel and you're saying you're not in danger."

He went silent and I just lowered my head. For the man to have cancer he surely is stubborn about doing things that will prolong his life. Even in a time like this all he can do is complain. He can't even say thank you for caring enough to try to keep me safe. I was still deep in thought when Ba Wei walked into the room. He glanced at my father and then at me.

"Why are you making a face like that," he said as he walked over to me. I looked over at him and he just sighed. He put his hand on my lower back and began to rub.

"It's fine. I'm just tired." He nodded and turned his attention towards my father.

"How have the men been treating you?"

I watched as my father looked us over, "they've been treating me like a prisoner."

"I'm sorry that you see their treatment in a bad way but they are simply following orders." My father just looked at him and then at me.

He cleared his throat and crossed his arms, "how much longer will this last?"

"Until we can confirm that you're safe." He didn't say anything and just stared out the window. I let out a sigh and ran a hand through my hair.

"How are you feeling," I asked?

"I'm feeling fine. Better than ever," my dad replied blandly.

His voice dipped a bit at the end and I wanted to ask him why but I held my tongue. I got up and grabbed Ba Wei's hand.

"Let's go to our room."

He didn't say anything and just got up. I pulled him out of the room because honestly it was awkward. There was something my father wasn't telling me and I couldn't put my finger on what it was. I was slightly irritated but In a way I could understand his irritation. He was locked up in this house all day everyday.

"Baby, you alright," Ba Wei asked pulling me into a room.

"Yeah," I glanced around, "this room is nice."

He dropped my hand and looked around. The room was really spacious but much like my fathers room it gave off a rather blue aura. I flopped down on the bed and Ba Wei sat down beside me.

"What did you talk to your father about?"

"I ran the idea about me leaving the gang across him."

I glanced over at him, "what did he say?"

He sighed, "well, he asked me why I wanted to leave, and I just told him that I don't want to live such a dangerous life anymore."

"And?"

"He didn't say he wouldn't allow it, he just told me to let him think about it."

I couldn't help the smile that made its way onto my face. I mean at least he didn't say no. I didn't think that he was serious about leaving, but I guess I thought wrong. I thought it was just a passing thought of his.

"He didn't say no so I think that's a win."

He nodded and laid back on the bed. I laid back and pushed my body into his. He kissed my forehead as we got comfortable. We laid there In silence just staring that the ceiling. In truth my mind was finally starting to slow down after being on overdrive all week. I looked over up at Ba Wei before I began to speak.

"Ba Wei..."

"Hmm?"

I was silent for a minute trying to gather the right words for what I was about to ask him.

"I know we haven't graduated yet, and we haven't even figured out what we want to do after that..." I reached down and grabbed his hand.

"Why are you suddenly talking about that baby?"

I looked up at him and took a deep breath, "I'm trying to say I want to get married."

I expected him to say something, but he didn't he just stared down at me. A slight pain hit my heart and I immediately sat up. I was about to get up when Ba Wei pulled me back into his arms. Before I could protest his lips pressed against mine.

"Why are you making such a pained face for all of sudden," he asked as he pulled back.

I didn't say anything and he took the opportunity to pull me on top of him. His hands went to my waist holding me steady.

"Are you proposing to me right now?"

My face immediately turned beet red and I nodded. I watched as a smile spread across his face. He leaned up a bit and kissed me again.

"Did you think I wouldn't agree?"

"Well..."

"Well what?" I pushed myself up and repositioned myself so that I was straddling him.

"You hesitated."

He rubbed my thighs, "I hesitated because I was processing it." I didn't say anything and just fiddled with my fingers. He let out a sigh and sat up. He used his finger to make me look at him. "Marrying you would make me the happiest man in the world."

"I don't believe you," I said lowly.

If I'm being honest I only said that sentence to see what his response would be. It's rare that Ba Wei tells me how he feels, and I want to know just how much he would share with me before he shut back down.

"You don't believe me," he said as he placed kisses all over my face.

"Nope."

He chuckled, "I'm willing to leave this gang for you and you don't think I want to marry you?"

I smirked, "you could just be telling me sweet lies."

He let out a full laugh, "oh baby if I were telling you those you wouldn't be the only one."

I slid off his lap laughing, "you're such a dick."

I walked over to what I thought were just big windows until I saw a door nob. I quickly opened it to discover a balcony. It wasn't decorated or anything, just was as lifeless as the rest of the house. I walked out and leaned against the railing looking out over the trees.

"Marriage between men isn't legal here you know that," Ba Wei said wrapping his hands around me from behind.

"I don't need it legally recognized. Just putting a ring on your finger will be enough for me."

He let out a sigh, "I was supposed to ask you that first you know."

I laughed, "you're so childish."

"Only for you."