Chapter 36: The Man in the Mask (1)
"You have really changed."
Qiao Ning Xi turned to him when she heard him. She didn't hear it properly and so, he asked.
"Did you just say something? What was it?"
The man was also surprised that she heard him or was it because he didn't mean to say what was on his mind. He wasn't sure if God was siding him but thankfully, she didn't recognize his voice.
He then ignored her and closed his eyes, as if he was telling her to leave him alone because he is going to sleep.
The truth is, Qiao Ning Xi felt that his voice was familiar but also unfamiliar. She couldn't help but think that this man might be someone she was familiar with or knew in her previous life before her regression.
She understood that he would not answer her even if she asked him so she left the room with the medical kit to return it to the old woman.
She intended to leave the medical kit in the living room instead of giving it to the old woman personally because she didn't know where the old couple was.
After she left the medical kit in the living room, as she was passing a room she heard the voice of the old woman's husband.
"Honey, I think we should call the police."
With that sentence she stopped from taking another step forward and peered at the slightly open door.
She felt anxious while waiting for the man's wife's reply. She guessed that the old man was talking to his wife because he called the person inside 'Honey'.
"I think so too, but let's call the police tomorrow morning because it's late and I'm tired, physically and mentally."
When Qiao Ning Xi heard her reply, she was sure that it was the old woman inside but she couldn't care more about it.
She was more worried about them, what would happen to her and the masked man if the old couple called the police.
"What should I do?" She whispered to herself.
The old woman's voice brought her back to her senses.
"Honey, goodnight. Stop worrying about them and take a rest. I'm going to sleep, don't forget to lock the door, okay?"
"Alright. Goodnight too honey."
Then Qiao Ning Xi heard someone's footsteps approaching her, more specifically, the door. Every stomp felt like someone was stomping on her heart as it beat faster and faster as he got closer to her.
When the old man reached the door, he grabbed the doorknob and opened it instead of closing it.
He saw no one when he opened the door, he looked around the hallway and when he confirmed there was no one he locked the door.
Qiao Ning Xi breathed a sigh of relief when the old man closed the door.
Fortunately, he didn't catch her eavesdropping. She turned and looked at the man wearing a mask standing close to her. This man suddenly pulled him and they both hid behind the curtain before the old man opened the door.
"Thank you." She said and clenched her hands because she was embarrassed to be close to an opposite sex. If the guy was a decade older maybe she will be trembling because of fear and not because she was shy.
Actually, she is still scared to be near to men in their 20s but she's not scared to this man infront of her, maybe because she saved him or because he is wearing a mask.
The man's eyes widened, not because of the 'thank you', but because of her clasped hands.
Qiao Ning Xi didn't realize that her hands were resting on the man's bare chest so when she clenched her hands, she accidentally scratched the man's chest.
The man felt her scratch his heart, I mean, chest. His face was red once again like a tomato.
He couldn't believe that he was someone that was easily flustered. He was very ashamed of his reaction to the child's previousnteasing. Well, at the same time, he couldn't believe that someone would have enough courage to tease him whether on purpose or not.
Qiao Ning Xi noticed him motionless once again, worried that something was wrong with him.
"Is there something wrong?" She asked in a low voice, afraid that the old couple might hear her even though they were inside the room.
The man shook his head before pushing her hands off his chest and walking back to their room.
"Tch."
Qiao Ning Xi couldn't help clicking her tongue in annoyance when she saw his indifference and him acting like he was fine.
The old couple gave them clothes to change into, but this man ignored his body full of injuries and left the room wearing nothing but his mask and short pants.
' Isn't he afraid that he might catch a cold and why did he leave the room if he can't even stand up properly?'
She glanced at the man a few steps away from her, as he was struggling to walk, no, even taking a step forward was difficult for him.
She went to his side and placed his hand on her shoulder before helping him step forward.
Honestly, this position is very uncomfortable for her because of the difference in their height. Her height is 143 cm while the man's height is 183 cm.
People might even see them as a father and daughter if they don't know their relationship.
That was also the reason why the man seemed ashamed at himself when he blushed because of her teasing.
He glanced at the little girl, who was helping him. He smiled as the image of a squirrel carrying a large acorn flashed through his mind.
It suddenly occurred to him, if he had a younger sister, would he experience this feeling again?
The feeling of being free and not chained to his power along with his responsibilities. Through his life, he has been enduring the pressure of his power.
"Why did you go out?" Qiao Ning Xi asked when they reached their room.
They share a room because there are only four rooms in the house. One for the old couple, one is for their storage, and one each for their grandchildren.
The old man explained to them that their granddaughter didn't like her belongings being touched so they didn't allow her to use that room.
However, their grandson is not someone choosy when it comes to his belongings so even if it was second-hand or someone used it already, it's fine with him.
The old man said that it shouldn't be a problem to them since the two of them are siblings, even though they are not biological-siblings.
The man was now lying in the bed with clothes so when she asked him, he only glanced at her before turning around facing the wall.
He was saying that he will not answer her.
It's not like he doesn't want to answer her but because he can't. He is afraid that she will recognize him if he speaks, even though the number of times she heard him speak before can be counted in a single hand.
Also, he won't say that the reason he went out was because he was worried about her after leaving for quite some time.
In the end, Qiao Ning Xi gave up and sighed.
She didn't forget to tell him about what she heard the old couple said.
After she told him that she went to the bathroom and took a bath.
The man nodded and closed his eyes as he was thinking about something.
He knew that they needed to rest. He is injured while the little girl was exhausted. He was planning to leave early in the morning before the old couple wakes up and before this little girl wakes up.
However, now he didn't think it is safe for him to leave her here alone. He needs to find a way to contact his subordinates without leaving any trace.
He can not implicate her with his business. It's too dangerous for her and he already let her go once to protect her so if she became involved then what was the point of him letting her go.
"KNOCK! KNOCK!"
He was distracted with his own thought when somebody knock on the door. He doesn't need to open the door to know who is outside the door.
Just like what was mentioned previously, his senses are a lot sharper than ordinary people because he was trained to ever since he was young.
He looked at the closed bathroom first, where Qiao Ning Xi is showering before contemplating whether he open the door or just say 'come in'.
In the end, he decided to stand up and open the door.
He chose to endure the pain caused by his wounds rather than let the girl recognize him. Once he made up his mind, nothing can change his mind. He's been stubborn since he was a kid and that won't change.
The old woman did not expect the man to open the door, she was expecting the girl to open it.
"Where is she?" She asked while looking at him warily.
He raised an eyebrow before pointing to the bathroom. She nodded to him telling him she understand.
After that, she stared at him and he stared back at her. An awkward silence enveloped them. No one spoke between them. She didn't tell him why she was here and he didn't ask, they just stared at each other trying to read each other.
"Brother, what are you doing? Are you playing a staring contest?" Qiao Ning Xi asked when she saw them staring at each other.
She was almost done taking a shower when she heard someone knocking and she was worried that his wound might open if he moved too much or stood up so she hurriedly took a shower.
The two people who stared at each other, turned to her.
The old woman smiled at her, "I'm not sure if you've eaten but there's food in the kitchen so if you're hungry just take it. That's all and goodnight."
She didn't wait for her answer and left. Leaving the fake non-biological siblings suspicious to her.
If she intended to report them to the police, why is she offering food to them, it seems like a waste.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone