The rain cleared as immediately as it had started. One wouldn't believe that it had rained heavily just minutes before; the only evidence that rain had fallen was the puddles of water on the streets.
Yang Lixue grumbled under her breath at the unpredictability of the weather in Beijing. She was supposed to be making her way back by now, but she had to wait out the rain at the local library.
' I could be eating dinner right now while Xu Lia gusts me about her new man.'
Her stomach growled as she thought of the dumplings and fried rice pictures Xu Lia had sent earlier, she had prepared dinner for them both and Yang Lixue couldn't wait to get back to the hostel.
But since she was here already, she might as well search for some books to read later in the night.
Her eyes scanned rows of books in front of her and she happily walked along the shelves unaware of the green orbs staring down at her as he watched her from the corner of the library.
Azrael watched the smiling girl without blinking, no one in the library was able to see him. Not even Yang Lixue. He remained concealed from their gaze with his spell as he followed her around, but he was careful not to get too close to her so he wouldn't give in to the urge to touch her.
His jaw clenched.
If he touched her, she would feel his presence but would be unable to see him, which might frighten the already delicate girl.
Suddenly she stopped in front of a tall shelf and he stopped in tow.
Yang Lixue had seen a book, and she knew clearly that her hands wouldn't reach the spot where the book was placed, he watched as she stubbornly pouted her lips, racking her brain to see how she could solve the problem herself.
Azrael Li frowned at the familiar sight.
In those stolen moments that he had been following her around, he had come to know many things about Yang Lixue.
He noticed that she had a quiet, unshakable stubbornness. She never asked for help, not even when she really needed it, and she preferred to rely only on herself, no matter how dire the situation was.
It was something that she could have called the librarian seated in front to help her out, but here she was climbing the tall ladder to get the books, she was really tiny, and rolling the ladder tires gave her a bit of a struggle
His fist tightened. She was too delicate for the world she survived alone, but still, she resisted depending on anyone.
It was maddening.
A small smile of victory curled up Yang Lixue's lips as she reached the book, finally. Now she can go back home to her fried rice.
She was about to climb down but in a split second, her legs slipped.
Yang Lixue's heart lurched.
This was it, she would fall and break her leg and end up being further disabled along with her deafness.
Azrael's green eyes turned a molten gold, the gold flecks in his eyes brightened as his powers surged.
Everything and everyone froze in place. All was suspended in time and Yang Lixue was frozen mid-air, her eyes widened in fright.
He finally walked to where she was, watching her face closely.
His girl was absolutely ethereal. Even without a hint of makeup on her face, she was so pretty Still, her stunning crystal eyes stood out the most.
She was beautiful but dangerously clumsy.
He could still feel his heart racing in an unhealthy rhythm. A heart he never knew was functioning until he met this adorable redhead.
His fingers twitched and he couldn't hold himself back from curling his fingers through a strand of her long silky hair.
A growl bubbled up his throat at the feeling of her hair curled around his hand, her fragrance wrapped around him in flowery delight.
Letting out a defeated sigh, he released her hair and with one flick of his wrist, a large soft bean bag was placed directly underneath her to cushion her fall.
The gold light in his eyes gradually dimmed to their natural shade of green and he unfroze time as quickly as he returned to being invisible.
Yang Lixue fell to the bean bag with a gentle thud, and a soundless scream escaped her lips as she shut her eyes tightly.
On feeling the softness underneath her, her blue eye stared at the bean bag in shock.
'Where did this come from?
Was this here all along, what stroke of good luck was this?!'
She looked up at the ladder then back down at the bean bag. It was painfully obvious that if she had landed on the ground, she would have sprained her ankle or something.
"Dear bean bag, you deserve a kiss for saving me ." She thought.
A happy smile appeared on her lips as she sneakily looked around to check if anyone was looking before she blew a kiss to the bean bag and stood up to pack her books from the floor.
Azrael rolled his eyes, arms folded as he watched her like a hawk. Who knows what would happen if his eyes left her for a second?
This was the reason why he needed her next to him always. The question was, how had she been surviving in her own all these years given how clumsy she was, the other day he was stalking her she had tripped on a little stone, spilling coffee all over a cute blue sweater she wore, and many other occasions couldn't recount.
The most adorable yet alarming thing was the soft squeaky noise that escaped her lips after, if it wasn't for his unnatural hearing he doubts he would have heard her at all.
It scared him to think that if she was in deep danger, or she had hurt herself badly, she couldn't even scream or call out loudly for help. People around wouldn't be able to hear her easily.
His instinct to protect had never been this high until he met her.
Hell, the first day they met he was busy saving her.
An uncontrollable smile curled up his lips as he watched her smile as she walked outside heading home.
Despite the crazy fright she had earlier she was back to being happy in her own little bubble.
He licked his lower lip eyes trailing her every move as she waited for the cab.
" I can't wait to truly be with you and protect you Yang Lixue." He whispered to the night.
His lips curled into a faint smirk, tinged with frustration
The thought of being close to her again had him feeling excited, yet apprehensive.
He already planned everything out exclusively.
He plans to live right next to her as her neighbor. From there, he could look out for her without alarming her — or so he hoped.
Not only that, he would also enroll in the same school as her and study as her coursemate, registrations had ended and classes had already started for two weeks now, but with his connections, everything was directly in his palm.
His approach to be with her might seem invasive, but his primal urge to keep her safe and protect her always trumped all guilt.
Yang Lixue would take the bait. She had to. Once she was close enough, he would take care of the rest.
If he fails in his plans to get her to be with him, he'd lose her, lose the bond, live without being able to get close to her for a century.
The thought made Azrael Li's chest knot up.
A century without his very own miracle?
Unthinkable.
He had known her for only a week, but it already felt like he couldn't breathe without her. That was part of why he watched over her from the shadows so obsessively, even though it felt like he was stalking her about.
He took a deep breath, letting it out slowly, making himself relax.
No, he thought. I won't lose her.
Just the thought made his eyes darken. A hundred years of emptiness, longing, and regret hung over him like a shadow. It was unbearable.
For the moment, he would take his time, acting as the patient predator. But he would shortly make his strike. And when he did, the world itself would bend to his will, making sure Yang Lixue remained by his side for eternity.
The low hum of his phone's vibration filled the night air
"Hello, Master Li," a voice said, both steady and with a hint of wariness.
"Tang chen," Azrael Li answered, his voice cold and deliberate.
"Yes, sir. I've already got all her information and sent it to you," Adrian reported briskly.
His black shoes tapped on the wet ground, his expression unreadable as his eyes followed the cab his girl had just entered
His voice was clipped. "Hmm."
"And the hostel?" His language was as sharp as his actions, each word landing like a gavel.
There was a momentary pause on the other end, a hitch in Tang Chen's breath, then he replied. "Yes. The property is now yours."
"Good." His dark eyes narrowed as he lit up a cigarette.
His response came out laced with an icy edge. "Burst the pipes. Flood her room."
There was another pause on the other end before Tang Chen asked, disbelief evident in his voice
"Flood it, sir?"
"Yes," Azrael li replied, his voice certain.
"Soak the bed. Damage everything but you see anything that might be important to her. Keep those things safe and untouched."
Tang Chen swallowed loudly, but Azrael Li's concern for the man's discomfort was nonexistent as he pressed on.
"Once it's complete, create a listing. Advertise one of the cheapest penthouses that I own. Ensure it will be affordable enough for her and her roommate. The whole situation and events must seem like a… convenient coincidence."
You understand don't you? Azrael Li's cold voice questioned.
"Yes, sir," Tang Chen replied, a nervous anticipation in his voice. "I'll handle it immediately."
Azrael li hung up without a word, returning the phone to his pocket.
For a moment, he studied the stars in the sky.
He did not want to inconvenience her this way. The thought of making her life even slightly difficult made something twist painfully inside him.
But the desperation that had scraped at him every waking moment left no space for doubt.
He hasn't been able to fully rest since he knew his beautiful soulmate was out there.
Time was not on his side, in fact, it was his own cruel enemy, and every second brought him one step closer to his greatest fear.
Valentine's Day is only months away. If he hadn't won her over by then, he would be stuck without her for another century.
He has no choice but to go as low as he can, just to make sure his plans work .
The opposite of being with her in the future was unimaginable!