pure imagination || jing yuan, blade, & dan heng

nine

"His name is Jing Yuan, and its best if you don't get too involved with him miss-"

"There you are!"

She tried to ignore the threatening auras surrounding them both and instead focus her eyes on Dan Heng himself.

"You will not believe how much grief you have put me through during these past few days mister!"

Dan Heng was quickly caught off guard when y/n had moved from behind the counter and came up to him, a frown on her face and her hands resting on her hips. It was quite the sight. Jing Yuan noted that the scene looked like a mother scolding her irresponsible child. It took everything within Jing Yuan not to chuckle.

"Miss y/n, I know that these past few days may have been turbulent for you, but please let me explain."

He tried to smooth things over as best as he could and when he saw how her eyes had soften and how her hands fell from her hips only to move up as she instead crossed her arms over her chest.

"W- well, alright. It better be good."

His smile was small before his lips returned to a tight, straight line.

"A few days ago when I went to get the material. Sampo, the merchant that I was planning to get the material from, had claimed that it was already spoken for. He wouldn't tell me who, but apparently it was a big buyer. And just as I was about to call you and tell you the news, I...well...," he paused as he tried to think up a good excuse, "I had personal family matters to deal with."

Jing Yuan tried not to scoff at the story because the "personal family matters" was actually a meeting he and Dan Heng had over territory disputes.

"Your story doesn't make sense though because when you didn't call or show up i asked Sampo to sell me the material and he said it would be no problem. And now I find myself in debt..."

Dan Heng shook his head, "I understand if you don't believe, but that is the truth," he looked at her and seemed to gain a sort of resolution, "so, how about this? When do you have to pay Sampo?"

"...tomorrow," she said slowly, a bit unsure where this was going.

Dan Heng held out his hand to her, "then please allow me to pay him for the material you bought."

She frowned and looked away, "I'm not sure .. it was pretty expensive .. not to mention you still have to pay me for your coat."

"Money is not the problem. Besides, see this as me keeping my promise when I said I would buy the material for you."

She looked at his hand before sighing in defeat, "well, alright. I guess i can't object to that."

She reached for his hand and grabbed onto it. His palm radiated warmth and she wondered if all Vidyadhara were as warm as he was.

"Quite the knight in shining armor, Dan Heng. And here i thought you would leave the poor miss high and dry."

Letting go of y/n's hand, Dan Heng crossed his arms over his chest as he looked back at the other man within the store.

"Must you intervene in our conversation? Why are you here anyway?"

Jing Yuan shrugged as he clapped his hands behind his back. His eyes holding a sort of mischief within them.

"I had nothing else to do today, so I thought I would stop by and see the little miss again. Nothing more, nothing less."

"Well," Dan Heng said, "I and miss y/n have business to attend to, so if you have nothing to offer or business to inquire about, then I suggest you leave."

Turning his attention away from the Vidyadhara, Jing Yuan held out his hand to y/n which she also took. His fingers delicately encasing her palm as he lifted her hand up. His lips brushing against her knuckles, "I hope we get to talk again soon without," his eyes flicked to Dan Heng before looking back at her, "without any interruptions."

She smiled as her face grew incredibly hot, "I'm looking forward to it Mr. Jing Yuan!"

And once he was gone, Dan Heng resisted the urge to ask about what they were talking about, instead he gave her a small smile and gestured towards the front counter.

"Shall we?"

Grinning, she rushed to go get his coat and quickly brought it out to him, so he could inspect it.

His eyes couldn't help but to admire the work as he held it within his grasp.

"You did a wonderful job."

His words were concise and clear as he admired her handiwork, and she couldn't help but to puff her chest a bit as she would bask in his compliments. It was nice to be praised for hardwork.

Without further delay, he slipped the coat on. Honestly, it was like he was getting it brand new. To say he was impressed would be an understatement.

Turning back to y/n, he didn't hide his approval.

"Miss y/n, thank you so much for this, if you'll please show me the receipt so I can pay for this - oh - and please tell me how much the material is. Because just in case some more ... personal matters come up tomorrow and I'm unable to meet with you, I at least want you to have the money for Sampo."

"Are you sure? I mean, trusting me with that much money..."

Dan Heng gave her a wicked smile, "don't worry your little head about it. If you do end up running off with the money I gave and you don't end up paying Sampo... I can promise you that you won't he hard to find."

There was a small ding sound on her phone causing her to look down at it, her mind completely ignoring the dangerous undertones of what his words implied as she instead focused on the payments she just received.

"There, the payment for my coat and for the material. Along with a little extra for your hard work and the trouble I caused you."

"Oh wow."

"Think nothing of it, now, if you'll excuse me - I must be going. And if i ever need something else, I'll be sure to come here."

She smiled and waved to him, "of course! And thanks so much for everything Mr. Dan Heng! You're a life saver!"

He hoped he would see her again.