QT: Against My Will

Carefully, the sales associate took out a box. With white gloves, he brought out a ring worth fortunes and placed it on Xuan Mu’s palm.

While Xuan Mu studied the intricate design of the ring nervously, the manager described a story behind it.

“The diamond on this ring is one of a kind. A 33.19-carat IIa certified diamond with high clarity...,” continued the sales manager.

Xuan Mu bought ten engagement ring for Bing Shi to choose from. The problem was, he had to choose one to propose with. The biggest problem was, Bing Shi knew nothing about it. If he chose a wrong design, it would be the end of him.

Xuan Mu, who held a small ring with a large square diamond on top, stoped the manager in a desolate tone, saying, “I never saw her wearing a ring before, so I don’t know what designs she likes. The high probability is...” With tired eyes, he blinked at the sales associate, asking for help, “What ring would a woman, who dislikes wearing rings...like?”

“...” The manager looked at him with wide eyes. Did his client splurge on ten rings for a woman who never wore rings? The manager tried to reassure Xuan Mu, saying, “I don’t think Mr. Xuan Mu should worry, every woman likes diamonds.”

The manager revealed the box with a ring, one of the priciest, “A pink diamond 23.9-carat of luxury and elegance. During the auction, it reached astronomical twelve million.”

Xuan Mu looked at the massive diamond in the size of a coin. “I didn’t ask for the most expensive ring. Do you want my girlfriend to break up with me?” he spoke with a frown, his nervosity increased.

.....

“She is a little bit different,” Xuan Mu pinched his thumb and pointer together, showing the manager how ‘little bit’ he meant. “I can imagine her reaction; she would run away, roaring with her silent voice how she doesn’t want to wear an expensive chunky piece of rock on her beautiful finger, not at all caring that her boyfriend just proposed to her.”

A chunky piece of rock? A little bit? The manager’s face cracked, changing his tactics, he went for the most intricate ring design that contained the smallest gemstone, “A solitaire, dark blue alexandrite, perched on a platinum gold band. As the color is rare, only a small, round could be purchased at such a short amount of time.”

Xuan Mu took the ring out of the box, feeling the cold smoothness of a gold ring sliding over his fingers, he studied the color of the glittering diamond.

Under the bright light, the color changed between black and light blue; his mind wandered to the time when they exchanged the roses.

This ring reminded him of the roses with different meanings.

“This one.”

Xuan Mu placed the ring inside the chest pocket on his shirt, putting on his coat, he left the jewelry shop. Touching the earbud, with a shortcut, he dialed the all familiar number, saying, “Bing Shi?”

“Xuan Mu, I’m fine. Nothing happened to me. I’m all pretty and healthy. There is a whole army accompanying me,” said Bing Shi, sitting at the office of the head professor, “Come to the Main hospital.”

“What did I say about leaving home!?” The fire inside of him ignited, Xuan Mu raised his voice hysterically, “Don’t move from your spot! I leave for a moment, and you run away?!”

“Nobody ran away,” Bing Shi heard the sound of a car, “Oh, my goodness. Are you driving?! Seriously in your state?! Immediately call a chauffeur!!” she shouted in dread.

Xuan Mu hanged upon her.

Bing Shi stood up and walked around the room anxiously.

‘Is he crazy? He didn’t sleep for weeks!!’

When Xuan Mu appeared before her, she could finally take a breath, “I was worried to death!”

“At least you know how I feel every second!” roared Xuan Mu with fury, “And don’t forget to multiply it by hundred for my side!”

Bing Shi flared up. She raised her hand towards his face.

“Go ahead, slap me; didn’t you want to do it a few times already?” Xuan Mu smirked at her. In provocation, he turned his cheek towards her hand.

Bing Shi clutched her hand into a fist and placed it against his cheek.” A slap? You deserve a punch.” She drilled her fist against his cheek with gritted teeth. “So what if your worry is bigger? Does it mean my worry should be ignored?”

Xuan Mu closed his eyes in guilt, “I’m sorry.” He took her fist, wanting to increase the strength against his face, but Bing Shi yanked her hand away. Grabbing his wrist, she took him towards the conference room, where all the world renovated doctors were seated. From psychologist to surgeons, Bing Shi called them all.

She seated Xuan Mu on the chair, who looked around in confusion. Slowly, Bing Shi described their problems out loud for the doctors to take notes. From his nightmares, behavior, mood changes, panic attacks, and finally, his abnormal paranoia and insomnia.

“Xuan Mu, go with the doctors, they’ll scan your body.”

“I hate doctors,” Xuan Mu refused.

“I know, be good. I’ll go with you,” Bing Shi caressed his cheek. Taking his hand, she helped him to stand up. Together, they followed the doctors.

Doctors having a hint, took them to have a PET scan immediately, to have a closer look at his brain.

After the scan, Xuan Mu changed back to his clothes. Both waited for the result in the waiting room. A nurse brought them tea and some refreshments like sandwiches and fruits.

“Do you think I’m a psycho? That’s why you called me here?” Xuan Mu asked, playing with her fingers.

“Think? No. I’m sure you are a psycho,” Bing Shi chuckled, “I called them here to cure your insomnia.”