Ten Years of Yearning. My Love, Let Me Protect You.

After Sheng Ruming told them to go after Luo Lixi and find her, some of the staff of the resort left their work and went ahead. But no matter how much they tried to find her, they failed. 

One of them couldn't endure the long walk and sat down on the soil beside the tree. She took large breaths and shook her head. "At this rate, night will come but we won't find her…" 

She couldn't endure the exhaustion and suffering and thus, called the manager. But he cut it three times in a row and finally accepted it. 

"I am in a meeting. Don't call and bother me the fourth time!" The suppressed voice of the manager was heard.

"Sir, we have been searching for three long hours but there is no sign of our lady boss!" The staff understood that the new boss must be with their manager and thus, told the crucial thing at one go.

When the manager heard her, he felt like all his luck in career had been used up when Luo Lixi left. Currently, he was beside Sheng Ruming, taking part in the meeting about how to improve the overall facilities of the resort. 

While he was taking notes on his phone, he got the call again and again and thus answered in the end. Sheng Ruming didn't say anything as he was busy talking with the other staff. 

And when he went into the business or meeting mode the man himself always forgot to check about the time. That's why, even after 3 hours had passed he didn't mention Luo Lixi. He thought that she was angry and would take time to return as for how much time it would take, he didn't know. 

Looking at his unbothered face, the manager sighed. 'My job is safe for now!'

He thought in relish and then hurriedly whispered, "Call all the staff of the resort and go to find her. If we all can't even find a single lady from the bamboo forest, then remember, today is the day we all will lose our jobs."

"..." When the woman heard the sound of the phone cancelling, she became silent. Then, after a while, she cursed out aloud. "Ya! Am I the manager or you?! Why did you dump all the work on me?!"

But she didn't have any other way and called the other ones. Then, they began to search for Luo Lixi anew. 

"You people search there and let me take some rest." She told the woman beside her who nodded and walked away. 

The woman fanned her face. After she found a bench which was placed there by their resort, she sat down and leaned down.

"Ah, miss where are you? Aha, where are you, miss?! Miss…" The extremely tired woman panted for air and wiped her face. As she was leaning back, her eyes closed.

'Let me rest for a while.' Even though she thought this, her brain went into sleep mode. As her lips were slightly parted, the woman snored and snoozed off...

*** ***

Sheng Ruming raised his hand and saw it had already passed way more than thirty minutes. He had already told the manager to go away. But now, his knuckles had started to turn red.

He turned towards Xiao Huang, "Go and check where she is. If she refuses to come back, just notify me."

Thus, Xiao Huang went the way Luo Lixi had gone. Behind, Sheng Ruming was seated on the chair, his palms were placed on his thigh while his right fingers were tapping against his thigh. Even though he seemed harmless, his eyes were cold and aggressive.

'Your stubborn and mad tendencies are kicking up again…' He glanced down and in the next second, he stood up and rushed after Xiao Huang. 'Damn you! Just let me find you! I swear you won't forget it!'

*** ***

"Hey, wake up. You wake up!" The staff hurriedly opened her when she heard the male voice. She widened her eyes and slapped her head.

"Where is she?" 

"She, she…" The staff bowed her head and began to stutter. "I was calling up to her but then she disappeared as if she didn't want me to follow…"

"You…" Xiao Huang coldly stared down at her. "Keep silent and go back. Don't tell him about it." 

"Yes." The woman was scared out of her wits. She turned around and left. 

Then he rubbed his nose and looked around. When his eyes fell in one particular direction, it seemed out of place as the bush was distorted. Thus, he ran towards that place.

He followed the trails he found and soon reached the barely flowing river. When he glanced around, his mind tensed in irritation.

"You didn't find her?" Xiao Huang stopped when Sheng Ruming appeared beside him. 

"No. The last time, she must have come here. Look boss…" 

Sheng Ruming turned his attention to the footprint which seemed to be Luo Lixi's. He narrowed his eyes and bellowed, "LIXI! YOU BETTER COME OUT NOW! ENOUGH OF THIS!"

Even though he shouted several times, only the rustling of the bamboo leaves slapped his skin. 

Xiao Huang "Boss, it seems either she doesn't want to come and has gone somewhere or… Miss Luo is lost in the forest." 

"I already know. Let's search a little longer." 

So, the two men searched a little longer. As time went by, Sheng Ruming felt like this happened again. Then Sheng Ruming abruptly stopped and told him.

"Let's go back. She will come back. If not…" Sheng Ruming didn't continue and went back. Xiao Huang stood there for another minute.

"Troublesome girl…" He muttered under his breath and went back. 

Sheng Ruming returned to their room. He locked the door and went up to the bed. His eyes intensely stared at the door. After several minutes, he hesitated and went up to unlock the door. 

Then he returned to his place and waited for her. But even though more than two minutes had passed, there was no sign of her. 

'Is she really lost this time?!' The man couldn't stay still and endure the anxiety anymore.