444: Worries

Worries

Mai Qi wiped her tears in embarrassment but avoided my gaze.1

"Mai Qi, you don't want my little uncle to feel indebted to you?" I asked her softly.

Mai Qi paused, and then she nodded slightly.

I couldn't help but feel relieved.

I pulled her hand. "Silly girl, then just say that. Why are you crying? I thought you were feeling down because you think you wouldn't be good enough for him after your legs are injured!"

Mai Qi was embarrassed. I stood up and wheeled her along the garden path. "Mai Qi, can you tell me what was on your mind when you took the bullet for my little uncle?"

Mai Qi gave me a wry smile. "What was I thinking? I didn't have the time to think. Jing Ni and I were surfing the internet when the internet was cut off. We were about to lodge a complaint against the hotel when Tong Le barged in with his men. He pulled us and ran.

"He informed us of the terrorists in the hotel. Their target was unknown. We escaped to the second floor and couldn't move further because the first floor was already occupied by the terrorists. We noticed they were there to catch the hacking competition's contestants. They were checking the names one by one. Jing Ni and I were part of the competition. Tong Le had Gao Jing bring the two of us away first. He would stay at the rear to cover our exit.

"Gao Jing pushed us to Tong Le. He said he would cover up the rear instead. Tong Le wanted to argue, but Gao Jing charged out guns blazing. Tong Le had no choice but to escape with us. However, there were so many of them. We had to go through a rain of bullets before we could get to the back door."

Mai Qi was calm, but I was very nervous.

"The backdoor opened, and another group of people charged in. Tong Le was fending the people from behind, so that meant that he was exposed to the new arrivals. I saw someone raise a gun at him. I charged forward immediately. He had already suffered a lot to protect me. I was not as agile as Jing Ni. Tong Le had to use his body to cover my escape." 

Mai Qi was choked up.

"So, when you saw someone try to shoot him from behind, you immediately flew forward?" I asked.

She nodded. "Nanxing, I wasn't thinking of anything at the time. If anything, I promised myself to go on self-defense training with the two of you after we survived."

I patted her head lightly. "Really?"

Mai Qi lowered her head. "I was unconscious for a long time. Rather, I couldn't wake up even though I was conscious. I was very happy to know he was still alive. Nanxing, I... didn't care if I died, but my heart jumped with joy when I knew he was alive."

Mai Qi's voice was soft but firm.

I stopped and squatted before her again. I met her timid gaze. I had never seen the princess act so cautiously before.

"Mai Qi, you love him!" I stated.

Mai Qi avoided my gaze.

"But you're not sure if Tong Le loves you back. We were all joking that Tong Le would marry you because of gratitude, and that got you worried?" I inquired. 

Mai Qi nodded.

I smiled. "Mai Qi, why would you worry? You want him to marry you. Who cares about the reason?"

Mai Qi raised her eyes and stared at me with a pair of big eyes. She had a disapproving look on her face. "Nanxing, I care!"

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