Burning Passion

CHAPTER 192: SAVING HER AGAIN

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Nina is quiet while she follows Harry and Steven. They were now heading toward the tea house, a separate home from the mansion where Master Shang spent her days with his wife, Madame Mei. Often, he invites his friends to play with chess or card games.

Nina was nervous. She's been in deep thought of how she should explain it to Master Shang.

It troubles her. How would she confess when Harry and Steven were there as well? Could she tell the truth? Her reasons are nonsense. It was actually a lousy excuse! But she can't come up with a better story.

Nina heaves the deepest sigh. She was not paying attention to where they were going when she bumps into someone's back. Nina looked up. She realized it was Steven. 

"Why did you stop?" she asked Steven like a dumb, creasing her forehead.

Steven amused at her cute expression. He hopes that Nina hasn't had a boyfriend yet as he plans to confess to her soon.

He told Nina, "You were sighing. Don't worry about the jar. I will help you explain to our great-grandpa." Steven assures Nina. He understands the fear in her eyes.

"I'm sorry," she apologized. The twin saves her from embarrassment once again. She always involved them in her bad luck days. 

"Well, all you need now is to pay me... with a kiss!" Steven teases Nina, pointing at his left cheek. He just wanted to lighten up the mood, but he didn't see it coming the next scene...

It was too late when Nina realized that her knuckle landed on Steven's nose. She didn't mean to punch him. But it shocked her when Steven whispered, and asked for a kiss.

"It— it was your fault! You should not joke with me like that!" Nina burst out, blushing when she glanced at Harry who is now halted and look behind.

"Ouch." Steven groaned, massaging his face. Nina truly has powerful punches. He already got to taste that two years ago. 

"What happened?" asked Harry to his twin brother. He heard Nina stressing out the reason he stopped. Now a blood dripping from Steven's nose. His gaze shifting back and forth to his twin brother and Nina. "What did you do, Steven?" 

"Nothing! It was just a strategic plan!" Steven replied with a huge grin on his face. However, he instantly shut his mouth as the pain surges when he pushes a smile.

"What stupid plan are you talking about?" Harry blurt out. He had guessed that his twin brother told Nina something that angered her. He sees Nina as a very demure lady. But it looks like you can't mess up with her.

"I just make sure our acts are real!"

"What act?" 

"See this?" Steven pointed his bruise. "The ball hit me, and it bounced to the jar! After that explanation, we will accept great-grandfather's punishment!" 

"What!?" Nina stressed out. "I said, I'll stand to confess for the crime I committed!" She couldn't allow Steven to take the blame, and even Harry received punishment because of her.

However, Steven doesn't mind at all. It is just one of his silly games. He thinks of how life is an adventure. And helping Nina to hide the truth is an exciting pastime for his boring life. 

"I told you already. Leave this to us! Right, Harry?" 

"Yeah." Harry nodded, lazily shrugging his right shoulder. 

"But we will claim our rewards after!" Steven added.

"Wha— what rewards?" Her chest pounding loudly.

Is she going to kiss Steven and Harry? Nina imagines she gives Steven and Harry a kiss. Her face flushing red by her crazy imagination and felt like she is going to pass out at any moment! However...

"You can tour us." said Steven.

"Huh?"

"Meaning, you will be our tour guide when we are in Zen City!" 

"Oh..." Shot!

Nina suddenly felt embarrassed within herself from having a crazy imagination. She just worried over nothing! But she really thought she had to kiss Harry. Now, she is disappointed at the same time, sad that she couldn't do that. Well, that was her fault for misinterpreting the entire scene! She breathed in.

"No problem with me!" she concurred.

"Deal!" Steven delighted with her answer. 

~~~~~

Inside the tea house, Nina stands silently in the corner while Harry and Steven approach Master Shang. The twins bow to their great-grandfather and confess the crime they did not do.

It can observe the displeasure written on the old Shang's face. He was mad about what happened to one of his collections. But he could not show his anger in front of Li's daughter. 

Over a year, Li and his son Oliver have a great partnership. Other than that, his wife nagged him instantly not to show irritation toward his grandsons. 

"They must realize that what they broke is one of the wealth they should inherit," Madame Mei said to him. "Besides, how embarrassing, Nina Li is here." 

Master Shang heaves a sigh. His wife reminded him not to act like a merciless old man in front of a young lady. He could not help to heave another sigh.

Can't he even say something? Before he could lecture his grandsons, his wife warned him already. None, but to dismiss his great-grandsons is only his choice. He could not scold them in front of their future wife. Neither Harry and Steven, Nina Li is destined to marry his great-grandson. And he looked forward to that day. 

Nina is a fine lady. It would be a blessing if she becomes a member of the Shang.

"Harry, Steven. Tell your father I want to talk to him." 

Harry and Steven looked at each other. It was Steven who raised a question. "Great-grandpa, are you going to tell father for the crime we commit?"

"No. I have another matter I want to discuss with him." 

"Oh, great!" 

Master Shang shook his head. This grandson of his is very shameless. Anyway, he could not mention why he wanted to talk to their father. Jerome must pursue Li to announce an engagement between Nelson Li's daughter and one of his great-grandchildren. 

Master Shang wanted Jerome to choose carefully who could be the best husband they could provide for Nina Li. This girl is such a gem. He heard that many families already pursue Nelson Li to arrange his daughter to someone's son or grandsons.

It's time for the Shang to take action. 

"All right, you can leave now." Master Shang dismissed his great-grandsons, gesturing his right hand for them to leave. 

Harry and Steven bowed to their great-grandparents, but Madam Mei invited Nina for tea. 

"Nina, come and join us." 

"It's my pleasure, Grandma Mei," she bowed, accepting the invitation.

Steven and Harry look at each other before they gaze at Nina. The twin brothers sent a message to her, but she couldn't understand them.

"Grandma!" It was Steven who moved forward and bowed to his great-grandma. "We already made plans of going out today. Nina will tour us around, so she can't join you for tea." 

"Oh, is that so?" Madame Mei glanced at her husband before she went on. "Alright, that is wonderful! But promised me. Both of you should behave and don't give Nina a problem!" 

"Yes, grandma!" Steven replied cheerfully. 

Harry and Steven, including Nina, bowed to the old couple before they left the tea house.