Chapter 20: Kiss Her

Ling Zhao stiffened all over.

She tiptoed and gently kissed the slight movement of his Adam’s apple.

A surge of heat and blood rushed through him instantly!

The place she kissed flared up like a blazing fire in an instant.

He clenched his fists, trying hard to restrain himself.

No wonder it was him—his body instinctively resisted at such a moment, but what use was that?

Desire roared loudly; reason completely vanished! Not to mention a willpower long since shattered.

Very well.

She was the one who made the first move.

She willingly sank into degradation; why should he waste words?

His large hand gripped the back of her neck, bending down to capture her lips. The rough palm rubbed against her skin as he kissed fiercely, like a starving wolf ready to devour its prey whole.

His long-suppressed desire erupted completely at once!

She was pressed hard against his chest, her lips and tongue ravished so intensely she could hardly breathe. Her body grew weak, unable to resist the overwhelming force.

Through the thin fabric, she could clearly feel the taut muscles beneath his skin.

He was like a raging fire, burning fiercely and stirring within her an indescribable restlessness.

Unable to help herself, she softly bit the corner of his lips.

Soft and burning, as if being slowly melted by the heat.

He was momentarily stunned, then released her.

That was the first time she responded to him.

The rain had eased gradually.

The kiss ended.

Ling Zhao opened her eyes; the man before her had misted, troubled eyes, filled with a hint of panic.

He reached out, touching her face, softly reproaching, “Do you always have to keep your eyes open?”

Close my eyes?

Very well.

Xiao Ming took a deep breath, his lashes fluttered, and he slowly closed his eyes, his demeanor solemn and resolute: “General Ling, let’s try once more.”

Ling Zhao turned her head, a soft snort escaping her nose: “I’m not in the mood today. Dress yourself and go back.” Saying so, she intended to leave.

---

Xiao Ming’s expression changed abruptly. He immediately grabbed him, “General, we agreed just now—why break your word?”

The anger that had mostly subsided surged back little by little with those words. Ling Zhao turned around, her voice cold as an ice cellar.

“I said, I don’t want to touch you.”

“Don’t go!”

If they didn’t sleep together, how could she leave?

Xiao Ming’s eyes welled with tears, but she forced a smile. “So General Ling likes it when others take the initiative? Fine, as you wish, I’ll do anything.” Saying that, she slowly, stiffly raised the hand he held and placed it on her own chest.

Just as her hand was about to touch the soft, pale skin, Ling Zhao suddenly reversed and grabbed her wrist, pulling her close with a dark, murderous aura. “You degrade yourself like this for Mo Shichang! Do you have any shame?”

Xiao Ming met his gaze, smiling indifferently, but the tears finally spilled down.

Shame?

When she knelt before him, she no longer knew what shame meant.

So close they were, she embraced his neck and gently caressed the corners of his lips, whispering brokenly, “As long as General Ling likes it, I’ll do anything.”

Even such eternal tenderness couldn’t extinguish the fury exploding in his chest. Staring at this self-abasing woman, his heart burned with pain.

Almost without hesitation, he tore her away fiercely, snarling, “Get lost!”

After standing silently for a moment, Xiao Ming picked up the discarded outer garment, dressed herself, took a paper parasol, and ran out of the mansion without looking back.

Her figure quickly vanished into the moonlight, and suddenly came a loud crack—the wooden pillar behind Ling Zhao snapped, and blood gushed from his hand.

Far away, Sui Feng and Jin Sheng closed their eyes, trembling and wishing they could just bury themselves underground.

---

Bu Qingqiao, the rain had stopped.

No moon in the sky.

No one on the bridge.

She was calm: the rain had been so heavy just now, she should have known.

But her heart couldn’t help but feel lost, turning into grievance and stubbornness: he had promised her so solemnly, the pledge of waiting through earth-shattering calamities and seas drying up.

To meet Mo Shichang, she had thrown away the last shred of dignity before Ling Zhao, humbled to the utmost, making all the compromises she could.

Despite the difficulty, she had come. Why couldn’t he?

It was only a heavy rain, after all.

Xiao Ming’s hair was soaked, raindrops streaming down her cheeks, her whole body sticky and uncomfortable. She sat on the bridge railing for a while, and seeing Mo Shichang still hadn’t arrived, she stood to return to the mansion.

As she turned, a tall shadow enveloped her, and she heard an excited voice: “Ming’er, I knew you would come!”

---

Xiao Ming’s heart pounded wildly and chaotically. She looked up at him, her eyes filled with unmistakable joy.

She had bet right!

“Brother Yunyin, where did you go just now?”

“The rain was too heavy; I went to the pavilion over there to take shelter. It was my fault—I dozed off and kept you waiting so long.”

Her disappointment vanished instantly; Xiao Ming smiled, “Fortunately, you’re much smarter than Weisheng.”

“If you had come a little later, I might have been the next Weisheng.”

“Don’t say that.” Xiao Ming’s slender fingers brushed his lips and withdrew immediately. “Since the appointment has been fulfilled and it’s late, I’ll head back.”

“Ming’er.” Mo Shichang pulled her close. “Your hair is soaking wet; you’ll catch a cold.”

Xiao Ming lowered her eyes, voice softening, “It’s nothing. I’ll just drink some hot tea when I get back.”

Without another word, he took her hand and led her toward a nearby pavilion. “There’s a pavilion over there; it’s not too late to dry your hair before you leave.”

At some unknown moment, light rain began to fall again. The two hurried to the pavilion.

Mo Shichang pulled a silver embroidered handkerchief from his chest, lifting it to her face. “Here, let me dry your hair.” The edge of the handkerchief faintly brushed her cheek. Xiao Ming shyly dodged.

“No need, I can do it myself.”

“That won’t do!” He smiled. “You braved the wind and rain to come here, looking so disheveled—it’s all my fault. I can’t let you leave without making it up to you, can I?”

“I came because I was worried you’d act rashly without thinking of consequences, like that Weisheng…”

“Isn’t that just because you care about me?”

“No!” She hurriedly denied, though two rosy blushes spread uncontrollably across her delicate face. “Brother Yunyin, don’t tease me.”

The next moment, he cupped her flushed face, eyes shimmering: “Ming’er, having you makes me truly happy.”

She distinctly smelled the faint scent of wine on him, mixed with a subtle fragrance of powder.

Probably because it was too cold earlier, he had gone to the tavern to drink some wine and warm himself.

She nuzzled slightly against his warm palm. “Alright, Brother Yunyin, I snuck out secretly, so I really must go back now…”

He didn’t let go. Instead, he drew closer and pinched her cheek gently. “Stay a little longer.”

His voice was tender and lingering. “Ming’er, I miss you so much.”