Mr Carlos Huo, She's Your Wife

When Wesley heard what Blair said, he suddenly stopped in his tracks, paralyzed by her words. "No, I don't," he replied.

Blair wouldn't let the matter drop. She hurried over to him and asked, "Then why won't you take my gift?"

After giving it some thought, Wesley grabbed the bag in her arms and took out his phone. "How much was it? I'll pay you back. WeChat Pay okay?"

"No, you don't have to. I—" She wanted to tell him that she had money now; her aunt had floated her some funds.

But Wesley interrupted her. "It's not easy to win a scholarship. You're taking the GRE test, right? Studying abroad is expensive. You shouldn't be spending money on stupid things."

Blair said dully, "My uncle will help me out."

Since she would have to ask her uncle to help her with living expenses and schooling once she was overseas, she didn't think the meager thousands of bucks she had spent on the lighter would make much difference.

"In that case, let me buy your ticket. It's the least I can do."

Blair was disappointed seeing how persistent he was to pay her back. "Seriously, guy? Why can't it just be a gift? No strings."

Wesley had never gotten a present from a girl before, so he had no idea how to handle this. He gave her an infuriating answer, in his single-word style: "Because," he said eventually.

For a moment, Blair didn't know what to say, nor did he; the apartment fell quiet. After a while, she smiled, "Okay. I'll remind you to book a flight for me before I leave."

Her smile was so sweet, but Wesley wasn't fooled. The sadness behind her expression was obvious. "No problem," he said.

Blair decided she needed to get out of there, but needed a way to make a graceful exit. She didn't run away.

She walked straight to the door and then stopped. Without turning back, she asked, "Wesley, the kisses we shared...were those...just punishments?"

That question caused him to think of so many things—his future, her future, their future...

it. Being rejected again and again would finally

Wesley wasn't easy on himself either. He put himself through strenuous training exercises: hiking up mountain trails with a loaded backpack, kicking a tree to toughen his feet until he could barely walk, thrusting his fists into ice-water, and lifting weights

his neck. He looked extremely masculine at that point. Talbot couldn't help but marvel at this man, who seemed like the iconic soldier—square-jawed, well-developed physique, rugged features. He looked for all the world

yourself better. You're pushing yourself harder than anyone. What's wrong?" Wesley shot him

threw the empty plastic water bottle into the bin. "Mmm

hmm what?

"Mmm hmm."

God, something's bugging the tough guy.' Realizing something, Talbot followed behind Wesley excitedly and asked, "What is it, Chief? Girl trouble? Let me guess—Blair,

cold glance. "Go do a hundred burpees. Miss one and get two hundred more. And grab a few other guys to join you—anyone you think is worried." He

grin on Talbot's face died. "No way! " All

reconsider his punishment. But he knew him. The more

in misery. What surprised him was that Wesley was right

Wesley began to

realized that Wesley was hurting

face, her figure, her voice. Actually,

now that she wasn't around, she was

the most difficult training programs. He forced himself to focus on enhancing his strength and endurance. To

Year arrived. Blair spent the holidays with the Ji family. She overheard Adalson say that Wesley had left the country for his hometown to celebrate the New Year.

month since she saw him last. She didn't know when she would be

on preparing for the GRE

studying. Joslyn had invited her out, maybe take a walk or go out dancing. She turned her down every time. One evening,

when Joslyn asked her once more to go outside and

a national forest, 45 minutes from the

minibus. Blair slept on the way back, head bobbing to the bumps in the road. Suddenly,

It was bumper-to-bumper traffic. Try as they might, the line of cars