Behind your Mask is a Beautiful Smile 18 Chapter 18- Almos

Ya Nuo's eyelashes fluttered as she slowly closed her eyes and lifted her head to kiss Huan Hei.

'...Y..Ya Nuo is.. is she going to kiss me? What does this mean? Does she like me? Are we going to kiss?' he squeezed his eyes closed tightly causing creases to form at the edge of his eyelids and forehead.

"What are you guys doing here?!!" an extremely strict and loud male voice startled them in the room.

"t..teacher Wang.." Hen Qing turned around and greeted their home room teacher with an awkward smile.

"It's time for us to lock the gates. The three of you are lucky that I actually walk around to double-check if everyone has gone home or else you three would have to sleep in school."

"S.sorry." they apologized.

"What were you guys doing? If you two want to do something inappropriate, then go back to your houses or the hotel. Don't do this at school."

"You misunderstood us. We were posing for Hen Qing's art scholarship. She asked us for this favor and we are modeling for her." Huan Hei explained.

"Oh, I see. Alright, but it is getting late so all of you go home for today."

"Okay. See you tomorrow, teacher Wang." the three of them smiled and grabbed their bags.

After they walked past the entrance gate, Hen Qing waved good bye and walked the opposite direction. After she left, Ya Nuo and Huan Hei walked in awkward silence on their way to Taekwondo house.

'I knew I shouldn't have made that move. Even though we didn't kiss, I probably scared him. what should I do...'

'Hmm.. she's quiet. Could it be that she's shy? Was she really going to kiss me? She was never this bold before. Unless... she wasn't trying to kiss me and it was just my imagination? What should I say or do...'

'I got it!' both of them thought at that same time.

Both of them said at the same time, "Do you want to go eat?"

"Hahahaha, sure"

Meanwhile, Hen Qing stopped walking a few blocks after separating from them. "You can come out now."

The Boogey Man appeared behind her, "When did you realize I was following you?"

"Since the beginning. Why are you here?"

"I just wanted to check up on how you're doing."

"Very well. Without your existence, I'm living very well."

"I see. I saw you with the two guys earlier. Who were they? Your classmates?"

"None of your business. Don't you dare lay a finger on any of them either. Make a move and I promise you won't see me ever again."

"I just want to make sure you aren't following anyone bad."

"Hah, anyone bad? Do you have any right to say this about other people? You're pretty contradicting."

"Anyways, I deposited money into your card. You didn't use any money that I've deposited. If you need money, use the card. Take care of yourself." he tried to rub her head, but his hand was immediately slapped away.

"Don't touch me with your dirty fingers. I don't need your dirty money. You can save it for yourself."

"Hen Qing, I.."

"Enough, leave. I can protect myself. I don't want to see you." she covered her ears with both hands and shut her eyes tight. Her body trembled as she breathed heavily. The Boogey man sighed and slowly walked away while looking back at her hoping to see her for a bit longer. "Call me if you're ever in trouble. I'll always come for you as long as I get your message."

Hen Qing turned around and ran away immediately.

The boogey man frowned slightly as he looked at his reddish palm that she slapped earlier. His eyes reddened as he walked the opposite direction of her. 'Karma is definitely a bitch.'

Meanwhile, in Langrania restaurant, Ya Nuo is enjoying her favorite fish maw soup and Huan Hei is staring at his bowl of soup that had onions on top. Ya Nuo stopped drinking her soup when she saw that he wasn't drinking it at all.

"What's wrong? Is the soup not to your liking? Should we order something else?"

"No, it's nothing. Just that..." he looked at the onions in his bowl with a helpless smile.

She smiled and put his bowl in front of her. "Geez, ever since you were young, you never liked onions. Anything with onions on top would make you stop eating. I'll help you take out the onions and add some seasoning to it."

She carefully took out onions and triple checked before sprinkling pepper and other seasonings into the soup. After tasting it, she handed him the bowl with a bright smile, "Don't waste good food just because of the onions. Try the soup now. I added a few seasoning here and there, the taste should be okay now."

"Mm.." he took a sip of the bowl and smiled.

"Hehe, I might not be as good as a chef, but seasoning is always my forte. I'll take out the onions from the remaining soup and add the seasonings to it." she hummed as she carefully took out pieces of onions from the soup.

'She's always so sweet to people she cares for... silly girl, hurry up and realize my feelings for you.. if not, I'll start making moves on you.'

"Done! Now you can eat in ease~"

"Thanks."

"so? so? Do you like the soup more now?"

"Yep. It's tastes sweet."

"...Huh?? What?? Did I mix up salt and sugar again? ehhhhhh if it is sweet then don't drink it."

He quickly finished the soup in his bowl, "Nope. All done."

"You didn't have to force it down if it doesn't taste good you know?"

"It tasted delicious." he smiled.

/Ring

"Ah, sorry Nuo, I have to take this call. It's my mom."

"Mmm." she nodded as she enjoyed her beef dish.

He walked out of the restaurant and sighed, "Yes mom?"

"Son! What are you doing right now?"

"Nothing. Just eating."

"You have the time to eat with others, but can't attend any of the match making sessions I prepared for you?? Who are you with? Is it a girl?"

"Mom, I told you to not interfere with my privacy. I'm not even in college yet. I don't need to meet any of those matched girls you have in hand."

"You know your father is in bad health. We are waiting for you to finish your education so you can take over the corporation. Your father might not be able to handle it for that long. Remember, you don't need to choose your wife now. It's good to have choices."

"Mom, I don't need anyone to set me up for my future spouse. When it's time, I'll meet her and get married. It will only be fate that brings us together. I need to go now. I'll talk to you later."

"Son... never mind, you do you. Just remember your identity and duty."

"I know. I need to go. Bye mom." her turned around and smiled after seeing Ya Nuo's joyful face while eating her food through the glass window.

'Nuo, Prepare for my many upcoming hints. I won't rush you, but I will make it obvious of how much I love you. I'll always protect you.'

Chapter end