THE CEO's LOVE 139 Tournament I

By the time the steamed buns arrived the empress had lost her appet.i.te. "It took you so long to make just ten of it? I don't want them anymore, I want..." She seemed to think. "I want dumplings, make sure it's yummy!" Once the command reached the head maid's ears she went to quickly get started.

Meanwhile as all these was going on, Ruqin had knocked four guards down. She twirled the wooden sword in her right hand and used her left to beckon on more guards. Two went forward ready to attack, but Ruqin made a flip into the air and attacked them from behind. They were moments shocked, then fell to the ground with a big thud. She looked up to see Master Su glaring at her, his jaws clenched and unclenched with anger.

From the corner of her eyes, she saw another guard charging forward with rage. She remained in the same position, waiting for him to get close. She made another swift turn kicking at his jaw with her leg. Blood started dropping from his mouth, and a tooth fell out. 

The kick was so hard that she had sent his tongue bleeding and a tooth rolling on the ground.

The young guard didn't make any sound and simply dropped to the ground unconscious.

The physician ran to check the young man. "Master Su, he has fainted."

Everyone present gasped. "This girl is a murderer!" Someone screamed from behind and with speed he ran forward. "I won't let you off for killing my friend!"

"You must be daft!" Ruqin hissed. "Your friend is a looser!" He was one step away when a hand drew him back.

"Control yourself!" Master Su said. "I think we have had enough of the day." He announced and they started departing. "Yan Ruqin,"

"Yes, master Su." There was a ting of playfulness in her tone and mockery.

The cameras paused as always, Xueyan was ushered away from the sun by Mei Han.

"Xueyan, you're such a talent." Yuxi complimented. "I never knew you were this good. I remember your two dramas from prep school, I can't believe as a child you could be that good."

Xueyan chortled. "I think acting is my calling,"

"You took time accepting it though, when it was offered."

"Nothing good comes freely."

Yuxi was taken aback. "You think so?" She whispered.

"What are you two talking about in hushed voices?" Fangxi said from behind. Her hands folded in front of her. "Don't tell me you're planning on your next move. Xueyan, are you giving your sister lesson on the next actor to seduce, since you already have Xiujun in your palms?"

Xueyan shook her head and sighed at Fangxi's dumbness. "It's true what they say,"

"What who say?" Fangxi inquired.

"That you're dumb!" Yuxi answered.

Fangxi then turned to face Yuxi. "You're the swine trying to marry into the Xings right? Since your dear sister didn't succeed."

Yuxi grinned at her. "You're more than dumb!"

"That's enough! One more insult from you to me and I will drag you out of here like a wretched dog." Fangxi was infuriated by these two sisters. She was shocked at their resemblance. Now their guts and composure. Didn't they ever lose their cool?

"I dare you to," Yuxi took a daring step closer to Fangxi. They were so far from the director, in their own corner, so Fangxi was wrong for standing here and talking down on her. "You're more than dumb!"

Fangxi raised her hand ready to strike but halted. She felt a tight grip around her tiny wrist.

Xueyan pulled her away with strength. Fangxi staggered back a little.

"Fangxi, I'm warning you." Xueyan had one finger pointing at Fangxi.

Fangxi was yet to recover from the strength exerted on her wrist, since she was as white as a paper sheet, her wrist immediately coloured. She turned to look for her companions but Deng Yue and Yin Anhao was no where in sight. 'I thought those two had followed me,' "So you think you can bully me, because my friends aren't with me?" She pointed back at Xueyan but the problem was that she was shaking.

"More like flies flocking to a dead meat," Yuxi commented.

"Seems like you landing on your b.u.t.tocks isn't enough. You must want a slap that will send you miles away from me." Xueyan smirked. "I'll be sure to deliver it next!"

Fangxi angrily turned and left, still shaking with fear. Those two sisters want to see the end of me. When she arrived at her own corner, she saw Yin Anhao relaxing while receiving a foot ma.s.sage. Deng Yue wasn't there. "What do you think you're doing‽" The anger in her voice drew unwanted attention to them.

Yin Anhao jumped in her seat. "What, what is wrong, Xi'er?"

"You're asking what is wrong?" Fangxi took a deep breath so she wouldn't have to lose her sanity. "What are you doing?"

"Receiving a foot ma.s.sage, obviously."

"Alright, alright. Where's Yue?"

"She went to grab a snack."

*

Mei Han fumed back to their corner,

"What happened to you?" Yuxi asked surprised by Mei Han's appearance.

"I got into a scuffle with that Deng Yue whatever her name is,"

Mei Han's hair was tangled, and there was a nail mark on her neck. 

"Where's she?" Xueyan wasn't going to take this matter lightly anymore. It seemed like those girls were out to hunt them. 

"No, no. It's alright." Mei Han shook her head. "I gave her a tight slap to her face,"

"Pffft!" Yuxi burst out laughing. "That's a good start if you really did."

"Yes, she didn't see it coming. She must be thankful that none of the workers saw her, she bowed her head in shame and left."

Xueyan had a look of doubt. "Mei?"

"Hahaha, you don't believe me, do you?"

Xueyan nodded. 

"Alright, let's wait till the next scene. You'd see the side of her face is swollen."

"Okay. Now where's the snack I asked for?"

Mei Han pa.s.sed Xueyan a box of granola bars and chocolates. "I don't eat chocolate,"

"I know, that's why I brought milk candy."

"You're so good at your work," Yuxi complimented. "Meanwhile I'm only good with computers," 

Xueyan and Mei Han laughed. 

Fast forward, to a night before the day of the event. Zeng and Weidong was busy sharpening their sword when Ruqin came to sit not to far away from them.

"Hey!" Weidong called at Ruqin. 

When there was no reply from her he said, "You must be deaf."

Still there was no reply, from the young woman.

Weidong s.h.i.+fted closer and poked her on the shoulder. "Are you dead?"

"That question should be rephrased. Do you have a death wish?" Ruqin glared at him.

He laughed and shook his head. "No, I still want to have children."

Ruqin hissed. "Like I care,"

"You might," he chuckled again. "You know, I'm cute." 

Zeng shook his head. This fool.

"I don't know. You mind briefing me?" Ruqin thought she found something to play with.

She heard him snort. "You arrogant woman. Can't you see with your eyes?"

"Yes I can. Sadly I only see a very ugly man in front of me right now."

Weidong looked back at Zeng for help and the latter looked away. "Carry your cross,"

"I'm not ugly!" He retorted.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk. It's no fun talking to you. You are crying already," she stood up and walked away from them.

"I think that woman is charming, no one has ever talked to me like that. If she says I'm ugly it means the opposite." Weidong rubbed his cheek happily. "I must be so stunning,"

Zeng slapped him out of his reverie. "You're fool. Continue sharpening your sword and let's get a good night rest."

They continued on what they were doing. Soon they went to rest their tired eyes, but Ruqin was still out.

She went round the prison looking for her father, but he was nowhere in sight. Did they take him out? Did they really kill him and left him to the vultures to devour? The thought of that scared her. When she looked around and saw no one around she broke down and started crying loudly. She was letting all her emotions out as she continued crying. In between her sob, she kept calling for her father. Praying in her mind that he was safe and sound. And was probably receiving the treatment he needed.

It had been four total weeks, they were captured and brought here. Her maid was taken from her, her father too was taken from her.

As she was crying, she didn't notice the two men that was watching her. "You say she's a n.o.ble?" The man asked.

"Yes. And very strong! She will do good to be by the emperor's side. She had defeated more than five soldiers at once." Master Su a.s.sured the person he was speaking to.

Author: You call them soldiers, she calls them guards...

"The emperor would have to witness that himself."