Chapter 104: A Night of Ambiguity (Part 1)

“How did you know?” Zhao Ying clearly hadn’t expected Lin Fan to say that. In fact, Lin Fan had long sensed that Zhao Ying, as a police officer, seemed to be missing something, but he never found the right moment to ask. Now that the matter had been laid bare, Lin Fan certainly wouldn’t miss the chance to learn more about her.

“Hurry up and confess,” Lin Fan said with a mischievous grin, his hands never ceasing their movements, even increasing their pressure slightly. Though he wouldn’t be taking advantage today, if he didn’t seize the opportunity to claim some interest, it would be too much of a loss for him.

Lin Fan’s actions clearly pleased Zhao Ying; the blush on her face deepened, and she couldn’t help but emit a gentle hum of contentment.

Yet Zhao Ying did not resist Lin Fan’s touch. Amid her blush, tinged with shyness and pleasure, she said, “Actually, when I just graduated from university, my mother wanted me to go overseas with her to manage the businesses under her company. I stayed there for a while, but I found it utterly uninteresting. I realized I still loved being a police officer. Although many said I didn’t have the right temperament for it, I just liked it. So I secretly returned and, through my father’s connections, joined the police force.”

“I made a promise with my mother that after three years as a police officer, I’d have to return overseas with her to take over her enterprises,” Zhao Ying’s eyes flickered with a hint of sadness. “As for what happened afterward, you already know. Soon, the time of that promise will come, and I...”

Lin Fan hadn’t expected Zhao Ying to have such a past. It explained why he sensed a similar aura in her as he did in Lin Yan. If he guessed right, she was another strong businesswoman who loved being a police officer. Then again, if she hadn’t come here to be a cop, perhaps they would never have met. Maybe that was their fate, Lin Fan mused to himself.

“Don’t worry, when the time comes, I’ll just meet my future mother-in-law,” Lin Fan said confidently, a faint smile playing on his lips. “Rest assured, she’s an elder—I’ll keep things respectful.” To ease Zhao Ying’s mind, he added that last bit.

Zhao Ying nodded softly. Every time she nestled in Lin Fan’s embrace, her hands stroking his broad chest, she felt an indescribable sense of security.

“You haven’t told me, when did you meet my father?” Zhao Ying suddenly seemed to remember something, looking up at Lin Fan with a curious gaze.

This girl really wanted to know everything, it seemed. Lin Fan chuckled lightly and then recounted the events that had taken place that morning at the Tang family’s estate.

“So you know Grandpa Tang as well?” Zhao Ying was genuinely surprised that Lin Fan had ties to the Tang family.

“What’s wrong? You wouldn’t also...” Lin Fan began, but immediately felt the question redundant. Since Zhao Fanglin had such a close relationship with the Tang family, of course Zhao Ying would know Grandpa Tang.

“Our families have been connected since my grandfather’s generation. Grandpa Tang and my grandfather were sworn brothers. When I was a child, I often played at Grandpa Tang’s house,” Zhao Ying said with a playful smile.

“So that’s the connection between the Tang and Zhao families. No wonder Zhao Fanglin doesn’t dare put on airs in front of the old man,” Lin Fan nodded thoughtfully, pondering the matter.

“Maybe I even knew this girl when we were kids, but unfortunately, I don’t remember much about my childhood,” Lin Fan said ruefully in his heart.

“Hmph, you’ve already won over my dad and didn’t tell me, making me worry all night,” Zhao Ying pouted.

Feeling the conversation had reached a natural pause, Lin Fan’s lips curled into a sly smile. Ignoring Zhao Ying’s remark, he glanced at her and said, “Ying’er, on this long night, if we don’t do something, isn’t it a bit boring? Such a beautiful time should not be wasted.”

Upon hearing this, Zhao Ying naturally assumed Lin Fan was losing control again. She sat up, lowered her head, and blushed as she began removing her clothes. She knew Lin Fan wasn’t a man who thought with only his lower half, but she didn’t want him to be frustrated either—after all, men had their limits.

Watching her, Lin Fan shook his head with a smile. She had clearly misunderstood his meaning, but he didn’t stop her; after all, she was going to undress sooner or later, and he might as well take the opportunity to “appreciate” her properly.

Soon, Zhao Ying’s clothes lay scattered across the bed. Though Lin Fan had seen her body many times before—even merged with it in a frenzy—he still felt the urge to get a nosebleed. Hastily, he looked up at the ceiling, suppressing the impulse. If he bled now, it would be a huge embarrassment.

Zhao Ying’s skin was as white as snow, delicate as frost, and paired with her proud figure, every part of her was a temptation to Lin Fan. Swallowing hard, Lin Fan thought to himself with some disappointment, “She’s only for looking, not for tasting. My standards are a bit unfair, huh?”

“Ying’er, are you in such a hurry to give yourself to me?” Lin Fan positioned her facing him, a hint of mischief in his smile. Unfortunately, Zhao Ying was too shy to meet his gaze; otherwise, she might have realized he was teasing her.

Last time, Zhao Ying had been so forward partly because she drank a lot and partly because that night’s events deeply moved her. Now, faced with Lin Fan again, she seemed unsure how to act and could only appear as a gentle woman.

“Your body is just right—don’t catch another cold,” Lin Fan said as he casually grabbed a space blanket to wrap around her. Then in a few swift moves, he stripped off all his clothes.

“Come on, darling,” Lin Fan suddenly scooped Zhao Ying up and walked barefoot toward the bathroom. “My only request is to share a hot bath, a little ducky play will do.”

Zhao Ying wrapped her arms around Lin Fan’s neck, burying her head deeply against his chest and emitting a soft, contented sound. A trace of pride appeared on Lin Fan’s face. No matter a woman’s personality, in front of her beloved man, she always became gentle, radiating a delicate beauty.

The hotel’s bathroom was superbly designed, complete with a large wooden tub evoking a classical style. Lin Fan tested the water temperature with his hand, then quickly carried Zhao Ying in.

Caressing her smooth, seemingly water-filled skin, Lin Fan found it quite a pleasure. At this point, Zhao Ying’s shyness had diminished somewhat; after all, this wasn’t their first time together.

“Is this a tattoo?” Zhao Ying gently traced the eagle on Lin Fan’s shoulder.

“Sort of. It was first branded on with a hot iron, then tattooed with a special technique,” Lin Fan explained.

“A falcon?” Thinking of Lin Fan’s special forces background, Zhao Ying asked, “That must have hurt a lot.”

“That was many years ago. The pain is long gone,” Lin Fan said quietly. Due to past national decisions, he preferred not to talk about his time with the Falcons, but he knew no matter what he did, he could never change that he had been one of them, a man of the nation.

Noticing Lin Fan’s change in demeanor, Zhao Ying remained silent. This was the first time she so carefully observed his entire body. The water in the tub was crystal clear, revealing every part of Lin Fan’s physique. When her eyes fell on a certain “impertinent thing,” a flush immediately colored her cheeks.

Except for a small patch on his arm and chest, Lin Fan’s body was covered in scars—crossing and overlapping marks from bullets and blades. Especially his back. Zhao Ying couldn’t imagine how he had endured the nine years since losing his parents.

Tracing the scars, tears welled in Zhao Ying’s eyes and spilled down her cheeks.

“Silly girl, what’s there to cry about? These are old wounds; they don’t hurt anymore. I’m fine,” Lin Fan gently wiped away her tears. “Don’t worry. For you, I’ll take good care of myself because I want to love you forever,” he added, fearing she might worry.

Zhao Ying nodded and sweetly buried herself in Lin Fan’s arms. Naturally, Lin Fan seized the opportunity to become a little mischievous again.

Feeling the change in his body, especially the heat radiating from his abdomen, Zhao Ying looked up shyly and said, “Are you sure this isn’t too uncomfortable? It’s okay; during a woman’s time, it’s not completely off-limits. You don’t have to hold back. I...”

PS: Usually, chapters update at 10 PM, but today is Saturday and school is hectic with lots of things going on, so here’s an early update! This volume ends here; the second volume will start tomorrow!