”Miss Ying, how are you feeling?” A soft voice asked her. It was the nurse who was injecting her medicine.

”I’m good.” Ying Sheng muttered staring at the hand the nurse was giving the injection. She didn’t even wince just staring numbly.

She looked away and tilted her head to the side. Her eyes met a worried brown orbs.

Liam. He looked so…..worn out. There were dark circles under his eyes. He had grown a stubble and his skin was extremely pale. Ying Sheng has never seen the calm and gentle Liam like this.

She frowned as they stared silently at each other. Ying Sheng saw tears welling up in Liam’s eyes and she looked away. She couldn’t bear to look at him like this. Ying Sheng gazed at the white ceiling. For some reason it has become her favorite spot to look at.

”Okay, I’m done. Call me if you need anything.” The nurse said and smiled warmly at her before leaving her alone with Liam.

Dead silence fell between Liam and Ying Sheng once the nurse left them alone.

Liam had no idea how long the silence was, until he heard Ying Sheng’s voice.

”Are you just going to keep staring at me all day?” Ying Sheng muttered.

Liam fidgeted at the entrance before he strolled inside the room towards her. He has been waiting for her to wake up these past three days.

He would always hold her hands and beg her to wake up because he had alot to say to her but now that she was finally awake, Liam had no idea what to say.

”H-hey….” Liam said awkwardly avoiding her gaze.

”Seriously hey? Is that what you want to say to me Cutie?” Ying Sheng said sarcastically.

Liam sighed slightly at her words as a brief smile graced his lips.

”It seems you’re feeling okay?” Liam said as he rubbed the back of his neck.

Ying Sheng glanced at her bandaged hands and nodded.

Yeah….I guess I am.” Then another silence fell between them again.

”So…”

”I-I”

They both said at the same time causing them to smile at each other.

”Okay, ladies first.”. Ying Sheng shook her head.

”No, you talk first.” She refuted but Liam didn’t bulge.

Seeing the determined look on Liam’s face, Ying Sheng sighed.

”I’m sorry, Liam.”

Liam scrunched his face in confusion when he heard her.

’Why was she apologizing?’

”Why are you sorry?” He asked her with a confused frown marred on his face.

Ying Sheng avoided his gaze and took a deep breath.

”I feel like like I have disappointed you. I-I just want to be happy.” Ying Sheng said flatly.

Liam gazed at her without saying anything..

”You won’t understand how it feels to have control over your own thoughts and mind.

How to wake up everyday and wish you didn’t. You always have to act strong and nonchalant when all you need is a hug and a reassuring smile from someone that everything will be okay. Even though you know it wouldn’t.

Ying Sheng sighed as she stared at her bandaged wrists resting on her laps. She tried to ignore the ache in her heart.

”Anytime I look in the mirror and see my lifeless eyes, I feel disgusted with myself. Why am I so weak? It’s not like I don’t want to live, it just I’m so tired……tired of everything.”

Ying Sheng breathed. Everytime she was with Liam she finds herself opening up to him. Things she wouldn’t even say to the therapist Lei Zhao hired for her.

Ying Sheng blinked away the tears and found herself being pulled into a bone crushing hug from Liam. Her nose felt sour.

”It’s okay. I understand. I’m sorry too. I wasn’t there when you needed me the most. I broke my promise. I’m really sorry.”

Liam said as he caressed her scalp.

”Even the mighteset and strongest soldiers get tired too. So don’t say you’re weak. We would get through this together. Okay? Remember I said I will never let go of your hands.”

Ying Sheng felt warmth boiled in her veins and she nodded.

”Alright.”

Liam smiled, “Let’s not talk about this. Hmm….. tell me apart from Ice cream what else do you like?”

Liam said changing the depressed topic.

Ying Sheng eyes sparkled with an unknown light.

”Disney princess cartoons!” She blurred out.

Liam pulled away and stared at her silently for a few seconds before he let out a pearl of laughter.

”What?” He asked amused.

”What-what?” Ying Sheng’s lips curved into a smile.

”I like happy endings. How the princesses or ordinary woman like Cinderella always get their prince at the end of the day and they live happily ever after!”

Ying Sheng pouted as she explained.

Liam smiled and flickered her nose.

”So you want to find a prince charming?” Liam teased her.

Ying Sheng avoided Liam’s gaze as a blush taint her cheeks.

”Who doesn’t?” She flashed Liam a smile and leaned back on the bed while Liam sat on the edge of the bed.

”Hmmm…so I want to be your prince charming would you accept me, Princess?” Liam grinned widely at her as he asked.

Ying Sheng stared at Liam and busted into laughter.

”What?” Liam asked as he stared at her laughing. His lips couldn’t help but also stretched into a smile.

Liam leaned forward and touched the edges of her cut hair.

”Short hair really suits you.” Ying Sheng looked up and they eyes met. Wait their eyes seems to be meeting alot today. Ying Sheng thought amsued.

Liam’s eyes were filled with so much unknown emotions making Ying Sheng’s heart skip a beat.

Guilt

Sadness

Pain

Relief

Affection and love?

These were the emotions brewing in Liam’s eyes.

Ying Sheng frowned. Why were he looking at her the same way her cousin looks at his wife?

Maybe…did he like her?

Ying Sheng laughed at her own thoughts and shook her head aggressively.

”What are you thinking?” Liam asked her when he saw her shaking her head.

”Nothing. I’m hungry.”