Felix froze, then gave a wry smile. "Is it fun joking with someone who just recovered from a near-death experience?"


    But Xena''s expression remained serious. "Do I look like I''m joking?"


    When Felix copsed bleedingst night, Xena felt her heart shatter. Only then did she realize her true feelings for him. Those were feelings she had been denying all along.


    "Yes, I am materialistic, but not mindlessly so! Reality has shown us countless examples of why matching social status matters! I have the looks, figure, and status of the goddess of war. Is it wrong of me to want a better partner?


    Felix suddenly realized he had no counterargument. He remembered a news story about a man who worked to put his girlfriend through school. After she earned her doctorate, they married, but the marriagested barely two years. ording to her, they had lost theirmon ground. Their vast status difference had created an unbridgeable gap in their worldviews.


    The inte had split opinions on this. Some called the wife heartless. Her husband had sacrificed everything to support her education, only to be abandoned once she seeded.


    Others sided with her. What was the point of a rtionship withoutmon ground? While she discussed brilliant professor lectures, he talked about delivering food in the snow for extra money. Who was really wrong? Was there even a clear answer?


    Xena continued, "Besides, my dislike toward you had nothing to do with you personally. It was all about the arranged marriage. In this day and age, who would be happy without the freedom to choose their own partner?"


    After a long pause, Felix stood up. "I believe you''re being sincere, but you''re overlooking something. Last night, while I focused entirely on the children, you observers saw somethingpletely different. Perhaps what you saw as heroic has triggered temporary emotions.


    "So, don''t be so quick to speak yet. Your grandfather''s one-month deadline is almost here. If you still want to be with me then, that will prove your true feelings." (1


    Outside, Gale immediately kneeled before Felix. "Mr. Zeller, I''ve never regretted anything more! Please punish me for my earlier words!"


    A master healer who would risk his life for children deserved respect from everyone, not


    insults.


    "Get up. It''s all past now. Study well under Dr. Quinn, and you''ll be someone like me someday."


    After brief exchanges with Brandon and Zara, Felix left. Watching him go, all three felt the same thing. Felix was truly someone who was both extraordinary and ordinary.


    Though he had fallen from heaven to hell, he remained casual about this as if he had lost nothing. Few could maintain such grace.


    At the orphanage entrance, Felix stopped. A dozen children stood there in formation with their director.