117 Steal the girl

Ying Sheng smiled when he heard him, "So why weren't you picking up my calls?" She raised her brows as she asked.

Liam faked a cough and removed the food from the microwave. He picked a spoon and came to sit beside her on the counter.

"Do you really want to know?" Liam asked as he stared at her. Ying Sheng nodded.

"Of course, I do." She rested her chin in her palm as she looked at him, waiting for him to speak. Looking at the uncomfortable look on his face, Ying Sheng's right brows shot up.

"Wait, since you were drunk and looked like a zombie. Did a girl break your heart?" Ying Sheng asked teasingly.

Liam flushed and bit his lips. He nodded, "No-Yes... Well---something… like that."

Ying Sheng widened her eyes in surprise.

"Really? Oh, my! Did she reject you or what? Because as far as I know, you're single."

Liam played with his food and his mood dampened thinking about what he saw.

"Not really. I was going to ask her out, but I never got the chance. When I got to the place, she was already in another man's arms." Liam mumbled.

"Huh? So, you are sad because you saw her hugging another dude?"

Liam nodded. 

Ying Sheng chuckled, "Do you know who the guy is?" Ying Sheng inquired as a gleam of deviltry passed through her eyes.

"When I asked her, she said he was a friend." Liam stared at his food in a daze as he replied.

"So… what's your problem?"

Liam arched his brows when he heard her, "I-I..." he trailed off awkwardly.

Ying Sheng sighed, "Is she married to the guy?"

Liam shook his head, "No."

"Is she pregnant for the guy?" Ying Sheng probed further.

Liam's eyes subconsciously fell on Ying Sheng's stomach.

"No, I don't think so." He replied.

"Are they engaged?" Liam's frowned at her questions.

"Is there something you want to say?"

Ying Sheng grinned and nodded, "since you like her why should you lock yourself at home and give up?" She taunted as she took a bit of her cake.

"Ah, what do you want to say?" Liam asked.

Ying Sheng chortle, "Simple. Are you going to watch your first love slip away without a fight?"

Liam turned to look at her and saw her eyes gleaming.

"Erm...No. You're right. Since she is my first love, I would fight for her!"

Liam said as he gazed into her eyes.

"Good!" Ying Sheng beamed.

"Remember, if you want something and it's worth it, fight for it." Ying Sheng mumbled as a trace of sadness passed through her eyes.

Liam nodded, "I think I would hate myself f I let her go."

Ying Sheng chuckled, "Yeah, steal the girl from the guy. Who knows, you might be doing the girl a favor?"

Liam stared at her for a moment, 'What if I told you you're the girl? Would I have a chance?' 

Liam asked himself.

"What?" Ying Sheng asked when she felt his eyes on her.

Liam blushed and cleared his throat.

"Ah, nothing. It just..I...I have never done this before. I feel like she wouldn't like a nerd like me."

Ying Sheng scrunched her face, "A nerd like you?"

Liam nodded, "All girls like bad boys. Do you think she would accept me?"

Liam asked as he looked at her waiting for her response. Liam knew her answer would determine his next action. Whether he would fight for her or let her go.

"Cutie, there is nothing like a good boy. Deep down I know you can be bad as the bad boy women likes. All you have to do is unleash your inner bad boy." Ying Sheng said and threw him a subtle wink.

Liam turned crimson red and averted his gaze.

"Then… how -do I -chase -her though?" Liam stuttered.

"What do you know about her? Do you know what she likes? What she dislikes? Her hobbies" Ying Sheng questioned.

"I think we should start from there." Ying Sheng continued.

Liam's brows knitted together. He realized he didn't know much about Ying Sheng. All he knows is that she likes ice cream.

A soft smile spilled from his lips thinking about how her eyes would light up when she sees an ice cream. Ying Sheng narrowed her eyes when she saw the smile on his lips.

"Are you thinking about her?" she nudged her with her elbow as she asked.

The tip of Liam's ears turned red, and he smiled shyly nodding.

Even though Ying Sheng was smiling, she felt a little uncomfortable in her chest, but she ignored it.

"So...who is the lucky girl?" Ying Sheng inquired suddenly.

Liam froze for a second before blurting out, "You."

Ying Sheng smile melted and congealed into horror.

"Me?" She asked turning to look at him.

Liam chuckled and tried to hide the emotions brewing in his eyes.

"You should have seen the horrid look on your face."

Ying Sheng glared at him, "Ha-ha, very funny."

She rolled her eyes and tried to hide her erratic heartbeat. For a moment she thought he was talking about her.

'So, if it was really you, what would you have said?' she asked herself.

Ying Sheng knew she couldn't fall for anyone because her heart belongs to another and her friendship with Liam was something that she didn't want to risk. He has been her happy pill these days that has kept her going.

An awkward silence fell between them as both of them stared at their food in a daze. They were both deep in thoughts.

Liam stole a glance at Ying Sheng.

'Goddamit Liam! What was that about?' Liam scolded himself. Looking at the horrid look on her face. Liam knew that he had to take his time and slowly crawl into her heart. He was not in a hurry. What she said is true, he would regret if he doesn't fight for her. She was worth fighting for.

----------

After they finished eating, Liam cleaned the bowls and Ying Sheng went to the living room to wait for him. Her eyes lit up the moment she saw the game console.

When Liam came back, he saw Ying Sheng engrossed in the latest game he had released.

"Do you know how to play this game?" He asked with a trace of surprise in his voice.

Ying Sheng quickly glanced at him when she heard him, "Yeah, this game is really cool! I really want to meet the genius who designed it." Ying Sheng said as her brows furrows in concentration.

"The world of this game is super captivating, and the dungeons and item designs are fantastic!"

Liam felt his heart flutter when he heard her. Even though the critics had praised his game, he really didn't pay attention to it. Hearing Ying Sheng praised his hard work made his heart swelled with joy.

"Really?" He asked to confirm if she really liked the game.

"Of course. The art-style, the music, the weapons, and enemies dungeons; everything came together to create an immense, well-playing game. I can't get enough of this game, and every minute it's worth it."

Ying Sheng said.

Liam smiled and sat beside her. He watched her as she raised her rifle and shot the enemy. An evil smirk curved on her lips.

Suddenly bullets started flying toward her in the next second. She dodged fluidly.

Her skills amazed Liam. It seems she was great at this.

"Do you want to play?" Ying Sheng asked after she finished playing.

Liam nodded, "Alright. "

Even though these games were nothing to Liam, he could literally win with his eyes closed. He acted like he wasn't an expert.

Liam would glance at Ying Sheng and realized her brows were bumped into seriousness as she fought the enemies. She seems to be in her world. Liam's lips twisted into a smile. She looked cute.

He was so engrossed in staring at her that an enemy shot him.

Ying Sheng glared at him.

"You..I though you know how to play. How come you were so easily shot!"

Ying Sheng felt like dying. They have reached level 4, and they got killed.

Liam scratched his nose and laughed awkwardly, "I'm sorry."

Ying Sheng huffed.

"Let's play again?" Liam suggested.

Since they both had nothing to do, they played until noon.

Ying Sheng stretched after they took a break. Suddenly her phone rang.

She looked at the unfamiliar number and narrowed her eyes.

"Miss. Ying." A woman greeted politely the moment; Ying Sheng picked up the call.

"Yes, how may I help you?" Ying Sheng narrowed her eyes.

"I'm calling from Gem's Galore company. I want to know if you're available or interested to be the model for our new collection."

"Me? Are you sure?" Ying Sheng asked with uncertainty.

"Yes, if you can come to our company tomorrow, we would discuss this further."

"Alright." Ying Sheng said as she hung up the call.

She stared in her phone in a daze for a while before erupting into happiness.

"Oh my! I just got invited by the leading jewelry company to be a model for their new collection."

Liam looked at the happiness in her eyes and smiled, "Congratulations."

Ying Sheng pouted, "I just remembered my cousin's wife owns that company. I wonder why she chose me though."

Ying Sheng mumbled. She didn't expect Yan Mei to give her this job just after meeting her once.

"Oh, then you've to work hard. I'm sure she believes in you, that's why she chose you."

Liam commented, seeing the confusion on her face.

"Hmm. Let's go and eat, I'm hungry." Ying Sheng said.