C38 Blocking the Arrow

Antonia huffed at Yang Chuxia, "Little sister, being a human shield isn't as easy as it seems!" She then turned to Edi and said, "Edi, you might fool others, but not me. If you're looking for a shield, at least find someone who's up to the task. This young lady is clearly too naive; don't drag her into your mess."

Yang Chuxia's face went white at the remark!

Edi tightened his grip around Yang Chuxia's waist and replied with a stoic face, "If Major General Antonia is without a boyfriend, she'll find plenty of suitable prospects at tonight's dance. Rather than wasting time on me, she'd be better off taking advantage of the opportunity."

After giving Edi a piercing look, Antonia turned and walked away.

Yang Chuxia rose silently and murmured, "Excuse me, I need to use the restroom."

Edi, frowning slightly, directed her, "The restroom is right over there. Go ahead."

Once the sound of the restroom door closing reached them, Cliff, full of curiosity, said to Edi, "Geez, Chuxia isn't the fragile type, is she? You might be in for a rough time, Edi!"

Lafite chuckled, "Someone who had the guts to pull a knife on General Edi in such dire straits isn't fragile at all. It's more likely that General Edi didn't prepare her properly, and she got spooked!"

Cliff, seizing the moment, teased Edi with a playful nudge, "Come on, man! You don't get involved with someone only to play games. Be careful, or you might get burned!"

Edi replied coolly, "Is my act really that unconvincing? Can't she see through it?"

Lafite nodded, "Hmm, it's possible! Especially for a young woman with no experience in love. If you don't spell it out for her, she'll keep guessing and assume you're not serious."

Edi glanced at Lafite, "Does Chuxia seem that clueless to you?"

"Even geniuses have their blind spots. Being emotionally obtuse doesn't equate to low intelligence," Lafite responded earnestly.

Cliff agreed, "Well said! If you're too concerned with saving face, don't bother dating. Love isn't about pride. A general's dignity belongs in the military, not in his personal life."

Lafite mischievously suggested, "Bringing that into real life wouldn't be too bad, General. Maybe you should give Dr. Yang an order to 'fall in' and get into bed!" She couldn't contain her laughter as she spoke.

Edi's face turned a kaleidoscope of colors as he recalled the warning, "Be careful, or I'll have you court-martialed."

Having grown up together, Cliff knew Edi's expressions well. Shocked, he exclaimed, "Heavens! You're not seriously going to order her to sleep with you, are you?"

Even Lafite was taken aback, staring at him with wide-eyed surprise.

Edi huffed, "Do I really seem that overbearing?" He stood and made his way to the bathroom, knocking on the door, "Chuxia, you've been in there a while. Everything okay?"

Leaving Lafite and Cliff with their jaws dropped, they exchanged a glance, deciding to give Edi and the unfortunate Yang Chuxia some space. They slipped out of the room silently.

Yang Chuxia had realized from the start that Edi was using her as a human shield. But after hearing Antonia's words, she was no longer certain.

Edi's behavior didn't resemble someone just using her as a shield; it seemed like he genuinely liked her. As a general, Edi had no reason to deceive her, a mere Military Doctor. She was, after all, his lifesaver. If he was just toying with his lifesaver, that would be despicable!

Yang Chuxia pondered, realizing that her concern shouldn't be about being used as a shield but rather about how to navigate her relationship with Edi.

She had never entertained the idea of romance; revenge had always been her priority. Yet, the transition from adversaries to lovers with Edi had been abrupt and overwhelming.

After several minutes of contemplation in the bathroom, Yang Chuxia's mind was in turmoil. She glared at her reflection and pulled a silly face.

"Forget it, I'm done thinking about this. I'll just go with the flow! The path will clear when the boat reaches the bridge," she told herself, feeling a sense of relief.

Startled by Edi's knocking, she realized she had been inside for a full five minutes. Hastily, she opened the door and reassured him, "I'm fine!"

Edi took a quick glance at Chuxia's face and saw no hint of displeasure. Her large, watery eyes gazed at him with a shimmering innocence, seemingly puzzled as to why Edi had come knocking.

With a tightness in his throat and a shadow crossing his eyes, Edi's voice dropped to a murmur, "Little Enchantress, what have you been doing in there for so long?" No sooner had the words left his lips than he pulled Chuxia into his embrace, holding her so close he seemed to want to meld her into his very being.

Chuxia let out a soft exclamation, "Stop, someone might see us!"

Edi chuckled quietly, "So, it would be okay if no one were around, huh?"

Her cheeks flushed with color, Chuxia pushed against Edi's chest, feigning annoyance, "Enough fooling around, let's go dance."

Releasing her, yet keeping his arms around her waist, Edi planted a kiss on her forehead and agreed, "Alright! Let's go dance!"

Exiting the restroom corridor, they noticed Cliff and Lafite had already departed, prompting a shared, knowing smile between them.

The hall was filled with the sound of a beautiful melody as the ball was in full swing, with many guests twirling elegantly on the dance floor.

Hand in hand, Chuxia and Edi made their way to the dance floor, drawing many eyes to them. This attention made Chuxia anxious, and she voiced her concern, "What if they notice I can't dance and laugh at me?"

Edi reassured her with a smile, "Don't worry! I'll lead you. We'll be flawless."

Chuxia responded with a touch of wistfulness, "It's all because you stand out too much! Everyone's looking at us."

As Edi guided her steps to the rhythm, he teased, "Could it be they're staring because my Little Enchantress is so captivating?"

Embarrassed, Chuxia huffed, "Little Enchantress? What an awful nickname. Besides, do I belong to you?"

Leaning in, Edi whispered seductively in her ear, "Would you like proof?" His grip on her waist tightened.

Chuxia shot him a sideways glance, muttering, "Shameless! What's there to prove?"

Inhaling sharply, Edi pressed his face close to hers, his voice laced with mock severity, "You'll see after the ball. You keep giving me that look on purpose!" And with that, he pulled her into an intimate, cheek-to-cheek dance.

Startled by the sudden change in Edi's body, Yang Chuxia was taken aback! She was a mix of anger and embarrassment as she exclaimed, "Do you have to get excited at the drop of a hat?"

Edi's voice was hoarse as he replied, "I didn't start this. You struck the match, so it's up to you to put out the fire."

Yang Chuxia felt a lump in her throat, on the verge of tears. In a shaky voice, she asked, "Should I just wear sunglasses every time I see you from now on?" Her voice was soft and unintentionally seductive.

Edi tightened his grip on her hand and said with clenched teeth, "Yang Chuxia, your voice could stand to be even more sultry, don't you think?" His drawn-out tone carried an edge of menace.

Terrified, Yang Chuxia didn't dare utter another word, burying her head in his chest like an ostrich seeking refuge.