'Wh-what do you mean?' Zhao Yun asked, his hands trembling atop of the table, his breathing haggard. 'I saw what happen,' Jiang Wei spoke in a low tone. He was clearly enjoying the effect he had on Zhao Yun. 'Nothing happened between us,' Zhao Yun snapped in a harsh tone. 'Really?' Jiang Wei cocked any eyebrow. 'Then you didn't kiss him and ran away?' Zhao Yun paled visibly at those words. Oh no, Jiang Wei really did see what happened between us that day. Did anybody else saw it? Zhao Yun looked as if he wanted to bolt at any minute, but then Jiang Wei placed a hand gently on Zhao Yun's trembling ones.

'Don't worry, I didn't tell anyone,' Jiang Wei said soothingly, lacing his fingers with Zhao Yun's. Jiang Wei's hands felt smooth and warm compared to Zhao Yun's clammy palms. Zhao Yun swallowed hard as he stared dumbstruck at Jiang Wei. He had no idea what mind games this young strategist was playing. His mind was a blank and his heart was beating unnaturally fast. 'I know how you feel,' Jiang Wei said slowly, his brown eyes searching for the aquamarines ones.

Zhao Yun wanted to speak, he really wanted to, but no words came out. 'Y-you do?' Zhao Yun finally croaked in an unfamiliar voice. 'Yes, I know how it is to have an unrequited love,' Jiang Wei said. For the first time, Zhao Yun could detect melancholy behind those cheerful brown eyes. Jiang Wei was smiling, but there was a sad look in those eyes. On the other hand, Zhao Yun kept silent, his head bowed. He had no idea how to respond to this surprising statement.

Jiang Wei stood up, his hands still interlaced with Zhao Yun. 'It's alright, I understand you,' Jiang Wei said in a calm and soothing tone. 'I know how you are feeling.' Jiang Wei gave a tight squeeze which made Zhao Yun felt as if he had been electrocuted. Zhao Yun tried to shake off Jiang Wei's hand, but the normally gentle Jiang Wei had a surprisingly strong grip.

'Doesn't it hurt? When you are always so near to the person you love, yet you cannot touch him? Grab him the way you had always dreamed off? Be touched the way you always want?' Jiang Wei whispered as he slowly lifted Zhao Yun's hands to his lips and brushed his soft lips against it. Zhao Yun flinched and once again he tried to take his hand back instead, Jiang Wei suddenly pushed him against a wall.

'W-what are you trying to do to me?' Zhao Yun asked in a batted breath. Jiang Wei's face was so close to him, he could see the golden flecks of Jiang Wei's brown eyes. Zhao Yun knew he could push Jiang Wei off him easily but he didn't want to hurt the young strategist. 'I can be his replacement,' Jiang Wei said with a devious glint. Zhao Yun's heart stopped beating for that fraction of a second. 'Wha-wha-what do you mean by that?' Zhao Yun swallowed hard.

Zhao Yun could see Jiang Wei opened his mouth but he never had the chance to hear what he had to say because at that moment the door was flung open roughly. 'Zhao Yun, where are you? Everyone is-' It was Ma Chao. Ma Chao stood by the door as he absorbed in the whole scene. Zhao Yun being pressed against the wall by Jiang Wei with their faces so close together, their hands interlocking. The colors in Ma Chao's face slowly fade away as he turned as white as sheet.

Jiang Wei turned his head slightly to look at Ma Chao, the grin still on his face. 'Oops,' Jiang Wei leaned in to whisper at Zhao Yun's ears. 'Sorry.' Jiang Wei released Zhao Yun's grasp and turned as he walked towards the door. 'Hey, congratulations on the wedding,' Jiang Wei paused as he gave a pat on Ma Chao's shoulders. 'Bye, master Zhao Yun. See you later.' Jiang Wei said with a wave as he strode off.

The room was thrown into awkward silence as the both of them stood there quietly. Zhao Yun tried to take deep breaths to clear the fog in his head but he couldn't. The fog wouldn't leave. Zhao Yun stumbled as he tried to steady himself by the wall. Zhao Yun's slight movement seemed to have wakened Ma Chao up.

'What the hell were you doing with Jiang Wei just now?' Ma Chao asked flatly. His tone was so sharp and cold that it pierced right into Zhao Yun's heart. 'I-I.. I was just…' Zhao Yun stammered but he had no idea what to say. 'You and him? In that kind of relationship?' Ma Chao asked as he took a step closer.

'N-no, no, we are just… friends' Zhao Yun tried to defend himself but it was to no avail. He had already lost his ability of speech. 'Friends?' Ma Chao took another step as his face showed nothing but anger. 'You thought that I would believe you? Just friends?'

'Ma Chao, please, you have to believe me,' Zhao Yun tried to plead. 'I had no idea what Jiang Wei was trying to do.' 'My sister and everyone are waiting for you. For you pre-marriage celebration. And what were you doing? Flirting with a guy?' Ma Chao almost spat at Zhao Yun. Zhao Yun's heart sank when he heard of that marriage word. The anxiety and nervous feelings to explain what really happened and to clear his name faded away. He thought that Ma Chao was concerned about his relationship with other guys but all he cared of actually was his sister. All those feelings were replaced by an unbearable pain as Zhao Yun stood there with Ma Chao glaring at him in disdain.

The butterfly which had just given up thought it saw a glimmer of hope. The hope that it could actually had a chance to escape the prison. The butterfly flicked its wings excitedly as it was about to make it escape. Only to realize that it was nothing but an illusion after all. It was still trapped inside the jar with no escape.

To be continue…

Whew, how would things between Ma Chao and Zhao Yun turned out? For the better or for the worst? And now there is a third party? Stay tune to find out how the story goes. Please leave a review/comment. Thank you very much~!