The Villain Saves The Male Lead

In Sand Country, Ren had already gained the reputation of being a workaholic and an insomniac because of his relentless pursuit of his work and insane efficiency. In less than two weeks, a full fledged branch office of Sirocco was established and operational in Sand Country, and several projects were already finalized.

The government of Sand Country was very satisfied with this foreign young man and his interest in their country. They had already heard about his work in the Dragon Nation and how much the nation had benefited from their collaboration with Ren. Naturally, they wanted similar results in their own country as well!

Sand Country, as the name suggested, consisted of vast stretches of sandy deserts. They had a lot of land and plenty of oil, but not much in terms of population or natural flora and fauna. That's why Ren's proposal of establishing a solid healthcare system with partnership of the local government and construction of a chain of health resorts bordering the numerous salt water lakes around the country was met with great enthusiasm. These lakes were too saline to support marine life, but were very rich in minerals and thus excellent for treatment. It would also boost tourism in a big way, because the bleak beauty and extreme temperatures of Sand Country didn't attract too many visitors at the moment.

"We heard CEO Ren and your partner did a series of photoshoots for the tourism department of the Dragon Nation," one of the ministers of Sand Country said to Ren after they had just finished signing the documents for the business deal.

Ren nodded dully, thinking of their lovely time in the hills... before everything went awry.

The minister rubbed his hands eagerly. "Would CEO Ren and your partner be willing to do so for us as well?" he asked, his eyes shining brightly in anticipation.

"I'm afraid that Fang is probably very busy with his studies at the moment," Ren said evasively.

The minister was surprised. "Mr. Fang is not planning to visit you this weekend? I thought that's why he had sent in a visa application," he murmured. "What a pity..." He brightened up immediately again, thinking of something. "But Mr. Fang should visit you soon, yes? Can we organise some photoshoots then?"

Ren stared at the minister in disbelief, wondering if he was suffering from auditory hallucinations. Unlike Dragon Nation, which had no travel restrictions for them, Sand Country had a strict visa procedure because of their frequent border disputes with other desert countries nearby.

Had Fang really applied for a visa? Could it be that Fang was coming to meet Ren...?

"Did you just say that Fang got a visa for Sand Country?" Ren asked the minister.

The minister clearly realised that something was wrong. "Oh no! Was it supposed to be a surprise visit?! I'm so sorry, CEO Ren! Please be appropriately surprised when your partner comes over!" he said hurriedly and ran away before Ren could question him further.

Ren could only stare blankly at the rapidly receding figure of the minister!

However, for the rest of the day, Ren was in a noticeably better mood - even though his heart was in a turmoil. Would Fang really come to Sand Country? And more importantly...why would he come over? To tell Ren to remove the reflection magic from him? To tell him to come back home? To break up properly...?

But if Fang was really coming over for a reconciliation...how wonderful would it be?

Ren smiled and shook his head, trying not to get his hopes up.

The next day, Ren's local assistant knocked on his door just before lunch to inform him that his meal had arrived.

Ren frowned at her. "I didn't order any lunch," he said irritably. He'd not eaten lunch at all since Pax left.

"But...Mr. Fang said it was a special delivery for you..." the assistant murmured.

Ren froze. "Who?" he demanded.

Before the assistant could answer, there was another knock on the door and Fang's handsome face appeared.

"I brought you lunch," Fang said with a big smile, his purple eyes looking over Ren's pale face greedily.

"Fang..." Ren breathed.

Fang stepped into the room and sent the assistant out.

Ren was staring at Fang unblinkingly, his eyes the colour of molten gold. "Fang..." he repeated, his voice a mere whisper. "Am I... hallucinating again...?"

Ren slapped himself hard, trying to make sure that he was awake.

Fang rushed to the older man and caught his arm before he could do so again.

"There are better ways to check if you're awake," he told Ren, caressing his injured cheek and sending a strand of healing magic into Ren.

"Really?" Ren whispered.

Fang took Ren's hand and put it on his own chest. "See? I'm solid," he said. Then he cupped Ren's face gently with both hands and kissed him. "See? I'm warm."

Tears trailed down Ren's cheeks. "You're really here..." he murmured.

Fang's heart ached. He hugged Ren tightly and rubbed his back as he cried. "I'm here," he said softly, kissing Ren's ear. "I'm here now, and I won't leave you again."

It took Ren several minutes to calm down and gather his bearings. Looking at Ren's obvious struggle, and the pain in his eyes that had yet to dissipate, Fang could only bite his lips and curse himself in his own mind. How could he possibly have let Ren become like this? What had he even been thinking? Was there anything more important than Ren?!

"Why are you here?" he asked softly.

Fang smiled slightly. "To win you back, of course," he declared. "I've been an utter fool and a miserable wretch who deserves a good beating...but I'm still hoping that my beloved Ren would forgive me and give me another chance to win your heart..."

He went down on one knee and took Ren's hand, planting a reverent kiss on it. "Ren... would you let me? I promise I'll work very hard to win you back..."

Ren stared at the kneeling boy in front of him and felt the sadness and pain in his heart fade a bit.