Chapter 33: She is Mine

“Hey you,” the boy, who Zen guessed to be Ye Wuwen said. “What are you doing with that girl.”

“Oh this girl?” Zen gazed at Jun Nee’s sleeping face. “She is mine… I saw her and I’m keeping her.”

“Oh, how sweet,” the tall woman who Zen guesses was Li Xueyun said. “Looks like our Jun Nee has an admirer.”

“I don’t care if this brat is in love with her, he better release her if he knows what’s good for him.” the teenager said.

“I am Wang Zen,” Zen nervously said. “I am a noble and I claim this commoner girl for myself. If you need me to pay for her than I’ll gladly…” Zen had to jump back to dodge the young man when he suddenly rushed forward, using the technique that Jun Nee knew, and tried to kick him.

“This kid needs sense beaten into him!” Ye Wuwen said as he pursued. He tried to punch Zen but the boy thrust his head forward to meet the punch that was dangerously close to hitting the unconscious Jun Nee.

Zen winced at the pain as he looked up at the boy. “I thought you knew this girl. It seems you don’t care if she gets hurt the way you’re fighting.”

Yu Wuwen laughed before his leg shot straight up, kicking Jun Nee in the spine and sending her body straight up into the air. “You dare lecture us on how we treat her?”

Zen held his hands out, hoping to catch Jun Nee’s falling body but all he caught was Yu Wuwen’s heel as his leg came down onto his forehead in an axe kick. The boy stumbled down onto his hands and feet from the blow, already feeling a warm sensation where he had been kicked.

“Do not act so high when you claimed ‘this commoner girl’ for yourself as if she were a tool!” Wuwen caught Jun Nee’s falling body on his shoulder, its sharp edge hitting her stomach and bringing her to a painful consciousness. “She is ours to use and not for sale to you.” He finished this by kicking Zen in the face, sending him tumbling back on the ground.

Zen slowly got to his knees and the man was about to continue when…

“Yu Wuwen, I think that is enough.” Li Xueyun said, waving her hand. “We have Jun Nee back, leave this stupid child. We have more pressing business to get to.”

Yu Wuwen stared at Zen’s beaten form on the ground before smirking, “Good bye, oh great nobleman.” he mocked before turning and leaving along with his female companion.

On his shoulder, Jun Nee gazed at Zen who was still on the ground with blood trickling from his forehead. She was about to say something when he placed a finger on his mouth, gesturing to her to remain silent as they carried her away.

-

Wang Zen made it to the academy, where he found Jiahai. He thanked his friend after confirming that he had not been harmed by the fire incantation the man from the Red Dragon Sect had used on him.

“So what do we do now?” Jiahai asked as they walked to their apartments.

“Hope that Jun Nee is okay and get some sleep,” Zen said, looking at the sky, growing grey as the night was coming to an end.

-

“The boy was making advances on me and… and when I refused him, he attacked me and said I was his,” Jun Nee lied to the man in the chair. The man had stringy hair falling to his ears and a beard overlooking his pot belly. The man sat on a throne like chair made of straw, overlooking Jun Nee, Yu Wuwen and Li Xueyun.

“Foolish noble brats,” he said. “How did the deal go.”

“The crime lord was satisfied with the product and wishes to continue doing business with you, Ma Xinqi.” Jun Nee said.

“Good,” Ma Xinqi smiled. “Now, give it here.” He held his hand out.

Jun Nee reached for her necklace and her eyes shot open when she realised it was not there. “It’s gone!”

“What? You lost it?” Ma Xinqi got angry, scaring the little girl.

“I don’t know, I had it until… until.” Jun Nee held her cheek which had bruised from Zen’s punch.

“That brat must’ve taken it.” Yu Wuwen said.

Ma Xinqi’s eyes got dark, “That kid’s infatuation with Jun Nee has just caused his death, for this is unforgivable!”

-

Wang Zen gazed at the necklace slowly twirling on the chain hanging from his hand. Shibi laid on the desk, also enchanted by the crystal in the centre.

“You’re a key,” Zen said. “But you also are storing something. What important thing do you hold?”