Chapter 14: Essence of the Sun

You are what it feels like to stand in the sunflower field.

I can feel the warmth,

And now I know the essence of the sun.

- To You

The road lained over the earth for as long as anyone could remember. In the weathered cracks, the earth's roots grew in, their leaves a bright green over the cement gray. The path was narrow. Only a single car could pa.s.s by.

It was a black midnight dreary too. Ever so few pedestrians were found. But the scene was beautiful. It was a cool breeze and sycamore leaves rustled, sometimes floating down against the laws of gravity now and then.

Under the orange dim street lamp, Mo Lixin and Xu Qingman walked the narrow path. They had fun—like the world belonged to them.

Against his better odds and despite willing himself to, Ji Nanfeng chose not to show himself. Instead, he sat back and looked at her silently. He thought of how optimistic she was, always seeing the good in people. Even their worst traits… She's a good woman.

But, she had scars, and he caused them. How to heal them and how to make sure they're not torn any further, Ji Nanfeng will have to find out. He's sure Mo Lixin had many more scars hidden in her heart, but he was ignorant. He couldn't find one.

While wandering in his thoughts, the sound of a drunken man echoed.

"Hey, these two chicks look good! Hehe, little girl, how about you come with us brothers to play! It'll be fun."

"Big Brother, this one right here is pure and love while the other is so hot. We're lucky today, brother!" Said another drunken man. He and the other men had fair looks. They were good looking.

"Lixin, you see, look at them. Just two ugly people!" Xu Qingman stuttered drunkenly, unable to tell the difference between the current situation.

"Hmm, you're right. Not as handsome as Ji Nanfeng!" Mo Lixin agreed. She pointed her finger at one of them and giggled.

"Yo, girl, you said we're ugly? Then you look, look at my brother's face and see if he's ugly. But even so, don't think we can't—" One of the drunken men leaned over and placed his hand on Mo Lixin's face.

But…

Just before he had the chance, he felt a growling pain from his solar plexus.

"Aghhh!!" The drunken man covered his abdomen and staggered back.

"If you don't want to die, get out of here!" Ji Nanfeng coldly threatened.

"Who are you. You think you can provoke me?! Why don't you—AHHHH!" Before the drunken man had the chance to finish, his groin was kicked. He fell back to the ground and whimpered. His roots may no longer exist…

"Big Brother, let's go!" Enduring the pain, the drunken man steeled himself and rose up from the cold ground.

As he walked away with his companion, he did not forget to shout out cruel words.

"You wait, boy! If I see you next time, see if I don't skin you alive!"

Ji Nanfeng cared not for their existence and turned around. Such ruffians, they weren't worthy of his attention.

"Lixin, this man is so handsome! A kick—one kick only and he sent those ugly men flying! Hehe~ it's the case of a hero saving the beauty! Lixin, you have to capture him! This is your good luck!" Xu Qingman squealed in ecstasy.

Ji Nanfeng looked at Xu Qingman thoughtfully, his features softening.

In this life, this was the first time they've ever encountered face to face, but in the past, they met once in the funeral—in Mo Lixin's funeral. He recalled that fiesty woman came running towards him like a madman and gave him a hard slap in the face. Even told him how he failed her good friend, Mo Lixin.

Thereafter, the woman died from a car accident after the funeral. Her life ended—a bitter, tragic death.