Chapter Thirty: How Wonderful It Would Be to Have a Different Princess

Before Jiang Xiwen could untie the ropes, Heipi’s rough hand had already touched Zhang Ya’s fair cheek. Gritting his teeth, he sneered, “You little minx, do you really think your brother Heipi is that bad? In a moment, I’ll show you what real pleasure means…”

Dodge, now! Jiang Xiwen screamed inwardly. Yet Zhang Ya remained motionless, letting Heipi’s hand run across her face.

Damn, did she get so scared she’s lost her mind? She hasn’t said a word all this time. Jiang Xiwen hadn’t the luxury to think it through. He suddenly let out a loud cry, “Brother Heipi, Old Seven seems to be waking up! Go check on him!”

Lust clouded Heipi’s eyes as he turned for a glance, only to see Old Seven sprawled on the ground like a dead bear. Annoyed, he snapped, “Trying to trick me, are you? Don’t think just because I seem easygoing, I won’t get rough! Still, ladies always come first with me.”

Heipi wasted no time on Jiang Xiwen. Instead, he yanked at Zhang Ya’s pant leg. Overwhelmed with desire, he had already forgotten the fifty thousand yuan reward. The sudden pull snapped Zhang Ya out of her daze; she tried to kick back, but her pants tore halfway, and even the fleece inside was damaged.

Heipi was certainly experienced—to tear such sturdy pants so expertly. Jiang Xiwen couldn’t help but marvel as he brought the wine bottle down hard on Heipi’s head.

He had just wriggled free of the ropes—his feet still bound, but he’d managed to grab the bottle and spring up in one swift motion, striking Heipi squarely.

“Damn you!” Heipi’s head was instantly bloodied, his rage evaporating. As he turned, he heard a strange cry, “Take that—” and got struck again.

His head swimming, Heipi stared blearily at Jiang Xiwen, disbelief in his eyes.

“Heipi, you’re as dumb as a pig! Did you touch her just because I told you to? Laying hands on my woman before my very eyes—are you looking to die?” Jiang Xiwen flung the bottle aside, then jabbed two fingers at Heipi’s eyes.

“Ow—!” Heipi clearly knew his martial arts movies; even his cries of pain were impressive. Jiang Xiwen watched as he collapsed, muttering to himself.

Zhang Ya stared, stunned, as everything unfolded before her. Only Jiang Xiwen’s last words snapped her out of it, and she had to suppress a laugh.

“Don’t hold it in, it’s uncomfortable. If you want to laugh, just laugh.” Jiang Xiwen seemed utterly nonchalant. Suddenly realizing her predicament, Zhang Ya quickly covered her torn trousers, her cheeks flushed. “Jiang Xiwen, turn around, now!”

“Really? Is that necessary?” Jiang Xiwen looked her up and down. “It’s only up to your knees. I’ve seen you in skirts in summer plenty of times.”

Zhang Ya glanced down and realized she had overreacted, but Jiang Xiwen’s words still chafed. “I said don’t look, so don’t look!”

“Fine, then I’ll leave. Both of these guys are badly hurt and could die any minute. You can freeze to death here with the corpses if you like.” With that, Jiang Xiwen untied his feet and strode toward the door.

“Jiang Xiwen! You… you’re heartless, leaving a girl here alone!” Zhang Ya blurted out.

“So what do you want me to do? I can’t look at you, so how can I untie you? Besides, with those ripped pants, you’ll freeze before we’re out of the wilderness. I can’t afford that.” Jiang Xiwen stood still, still not turning around.

Zhang Ya was both anxious and angry, but at a loss for words.

“If you stay silent, I’ll take it as your wish to stay.” Jiang Xiwen began moving again.

“You’re impossible!” Zhang Ya had to give up her stubbornness. “Please, help me with the ropes. Take me with you.”

“Running away together?” Jiang Xiwen turned and walked back, untying her ropes, still spouting nonsense.

Zhang Ya seemed used to his ways and didn’t retort, just sat there shivering. Seeing her embarrassment, Jiang Xiwen turned around and began taking off his pants.

Zhang Ya was startled, recoiling in fright. “What are you doing? I thought you were just a flirt, but now—”

Jiang Xiwen tossed his jeans to her. “Put these on, so you don’t freeze. What’s going on in your head? Even if you wanted me, I wouldn’t be interested.”

Zhang Ya flushed bright red, dropping her guard. She asked in a small voice, “But what about you? Won’t you be cold?”

“Me?” Jiang Xiwen grinned. “I’ll wear his!” He began pulling Old Seven’s pants off.

“Why not Heipi’s? Old Seven’s are so big.” Zhang Ya asked as she put on Jiang Xiwen’s jeans.

“Come on, class monitor, you’re vicious. Who knows what diseases that pervert Heipi might have picked up? I wouldn’t dare wear his pants.”

“Ah!” Zhang Ya panicked, touching her face and inspecting her ankle where Heipi had grabbed her.

“Relax, a touch won’t get you pregnant!” Jiang Xiwen burst out laughing and walked out the door.

Knowing he was teasing her again, Zhang Ya swallowed her retort and followed him closely, unwilling to argue further.

Just after they left, another figure emerged from the shadows—it was the driver, Lao Da. He stared after Jiang Xiwen, lost in thought.

“What are you thinking about?” After a long, silent walk, Zhang Ya finally asked, “Are you sure we’re not lost?”

“Lost. Why are you still following me?”

“...Why did you save me?”

“Because you’re beautiful…”

“Then why did you let Heipi have me earlier?”

“Because I’m a good guy. I didn’t want to touch you myself, but I still wanted to see you, so I had to leave you to Heipi…”

“You! I know you were just tricking Heipi!”

“I’m not that clever.”

“Then why did you say I was your woman?”

“Because I knew this would be a long, cold walk, so I gave you another question to ask, just to keep you talking…”

The road was long, but Zhang Ya wished it were longer. The night was cold, but Zhang Ya felt warm inside. She let go of the ladylike image her mother insisted she maintain, dropped the habitual pride she used to keep others at bay. Jiang Xiwen was like the dear friend she’d lost, yet also so different, and that made her happy.

Night had fallen. The cold moon hung overhead. The sovereign had rescued the beautiful maiden from the den of devils, and the two walked shoulder to shoulder through the wilderness. Jiang Xiwen answered Zhang Ya’s trivial questions, his mind spinning with such phrases. What a pity this girl was not the princess his heart yearned for. Ah, Sula, if only you had been kidnapped with me.