Ru Ying Sui Xing – Chapter 3 – Maze in Me

Liang just left. I got up and decided to take a bath now. I smell just about average. But as father would say, "Being average gets you nowhere."

I called one of the maids and ordered her to have a bath prepared for me. The maid I called was named Dai Xian, and she was more of a mother than a maid to me. We always stirred up conversations, even about the littlest things before bedtime.

After the bath was ready, I undressed myself and popped in. The heat here was very hot, but it relaxed me. I was tense. All I had on my mind was Liang. Why was I so worried about him?

Then came the possibility that I love Liang, but that couldn't be it. Too soon, no way...maybe I'm just anxious to see what he wanted to show me. He hadn't said anything about what he wanted me to see. Was it a book? A place? An object? I'm anxious.

I sank back in the tub. The heat was slowly melting me away. I liked feeling this way although many people including father said that I was quite crazy. Forget them.

The door opened and father came in. "Ying, we have to talk-" I interrupted father, "Father! I'm in the middle of something if you cannot tell!"

Father shielded his eyes and turned himself to the wall. "Don't worry, I'm not a pervert. Not even close." I sighed. "I suppose father. What do you wish to talk about?"

"This Zhuge Liang."

I turned red and sank in the tub even deeper. I really didn't like it when father came in whenever I was doing in fact, anything personal to talk about the offers he had created.

"What about him?"

"Do you like him?"

"I don't know...he's a good friend so far." I supported. Father sighed and then stood with his hands behind his back. "Ying, I don't want you to be just his...ugh...'friend'."

I knew where father was getting at. "I know father. Believe me. You know I actually do..." Wasn't I a genius?

Even though I could not see father's expression, I had a feeling he was grinning. "You actually do what, Yue Ying?" He turned around, a smirk on his face. His face should be stuck that way!

I dithered. Let's see...what lie to use? "I actually do – admire his capacity of knowledge! Omniscience!"

Father eyed me. "Alright. I'll leave you now." And with that father left.

I sighed, whispering, "That worked." But if you want to know the truth, I was curious. About how he was so intellectual by just being a farmer. Skills.

I plopped down on my bed. This day was exhausting and stingy! I didn't get to eat dinner:'(

Dai Xian entered my room. "Lady Ying?" she asked. "I have what you have requested."

"SHHHHH!" I screamed. I motioned for her to come in and close the door. "The only reason why father put that there was to convince Zhuge Liang!" Dai Xian shut up and closed the door. "Zhuge Liang? That's his name? Cool."

I rolled my eyes. "Shame comes crawling to you Xian."

Dai held the platter up to me. I grabbed a cookie and said, "You know this Zhuge Liang is really a nice man. I just want to know if he judges by appearances..." Dai Xian chuckled. "By the way you describe him, he seems like a nice boy."

"He's not a boy," I corrected. "He's 16. Just like how I'm the little girl who cried because she had rain on her hair."

Dai Xian smiled. "Don't worry. It's just that you are getting married already, My Lady. I'm not surprised that-"

"I AM NOT GETTING MARRIED!" I screamed. This somehow disturbed Xian. "Why not?" I sighed. "Just like father said. My 'infeminine' actions." Dai Xian shook her head. "This Zhuge sounds decent. May I be excused?"

I nodded. "Sure."

After she left, I took a deep breath and sighed.

"My god, anything can deceive anyone."