A Twisted Love Affair-Chapter 203: On the Edge of the Unattainable, My Heart Itches (8)_1

Chapter 203: On the Edge of the Unattainable, My Heart Itches (8)_1

The snow began to fall heavily.

Two o’clock in the early morning.

At the entrance of Second Pavilion.

The Abbot was roused from his sleep by Zhuang Ming in a rush. He feared the heavy snowfall might have collapsed part of the temple, disrupting Young Master Zhou’s rest. He was in such a panic.

When the Abbot arrived, he asked what the matter was.

Zhou Luchen, who loved to stay up late, stood at the entrance of Second Pavilion. Tall and imposing, he calmly said just three words, "Where’s the key?"

What did this Second Young Master of the Zhou Family mean by that? Why would he want to enter the pilgrims’ quarters in the middle of the night?

"Sir, this room is for pilgrims to stay in. It’s against the rules. I really cannot give you the key... this... this concerns the pilgrims’ privacy."

"Open the door."

He showed no anger; he was even very calm. Yet, in the dark night, he suddenly exuded an overwhelming authority.

The Abbot was left with no choice. Mindful of the donation Young Master Zhou had made to the temple, he reluctantly pulled out a clanking set of keys and stepped forward to unlock the door.

Zhou Luchen pushed the door open and entered the courtyard.

The Abbot asked, "And then?"

Zhuang Ming had no choice but to take the keys from the Abbot and personally open Shen Jing’s door. Then, he politely invited the Abbot to leave.

"I’m truly sorry, but she is actually a friend of the Second Young Master. Please rest assured, Master."

The Abbot could only smile helplessly.

"The Second Young Master would naturally not barge into the pilgrims’ quarters at the Master’s temple to do anything improper."

"I also sensed something subtle. Ever since he asked yesterday who lived in Second Pavilion, I found it strange."

There was no light in the room. Relying on the light from the snowy landscape outside, Zhou Luchen immediately saw the young girl sleeping on the bed.

The blanket wasn’t light velvet but thick cotton, pressing down on her. She did not seem to be sleeping very comfortably, her injured leg resting on top of the blanket. The wound had not yet scabbed over. Deep and shallow gashes sprawled across her knee.

Zhou Luchen sat on the edge of the bed and rolled up his sleeves. He placed the young girl’s leg in his lap, lowered his head, unwrapped the ointment he had brought, and began applying it.

As soon as his fingertips touched her wound, she frowned uneasily and moaned softly.

"Be good and don’t move," Zhou Luchen’s voice was extremely hoarse.

This medicine wouldn’t hurt her. He had it sent over in the middle of the night, specially formulated with recombinant human epidermal growth factor and analgesic agents.

To think a scraped knee could become inflamed. This delicate body of hers was truly something else; she couldn’t tolerate even a little pain. In the past, when the Zhou Family’s bodyguards suffered scrapes during training, they would just pour a bottle of antiseptic over the wound and wash it. There were never any further issues; the wounds would heal on their own in a couple of days.

"It’s apparent that Sun Qiyan has been taking good care of you." He continued, "You should be more selective when picking men in the future. Find someone like me—I can’t give you anything, let alone promises. But someone like Sun Qiyan? He’s still somewhat lacking." 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

He must have disturbed Shen Jing’s rest. She moved a bit, sleeping with her hand under her head, as unprovoked tears spilled from the corners of her eyes, wetting the pillow.

She even cries in her sleep. Zhou Luchen truly loathed her weak, pampered, pitiful state.

"What are you crying for? Did I scold you?" he reprimanded softly.

Her tightly closed eyes trembled, and her lips moved. "Achen..."

Zhou Luchen looked down and responded with an "Mm."

"Hug me," she continued to call softly.

Zhou Luchen set down the ointment. He took off his suit jacket, casually tossed it aside, and lay on the bed. He pulled her into his arms and roughly wiped away her tears.

Half-asleep, she didn’t realize it. Only seeking psychological comfort, she wrapped her arms around the man’s tense body. This made her feel secure and comfortable in her dreams. The more comfortable she became, the closer she pressed against his burning-hot body. Her disheveled long hair brushed against his neck, fragrant and soft.

Zhou Luchen kneaded her fair hand. "Anyone can hold you? Are you a stray cat, eating at one house and sleeping at another?"

Shen Jing’s lips parted slightly. "He’s married."

Zhou Luchen’s movements paused. "You mind that much?"

"I don’t know. It just feels uncomfortable inside. Seeing him get married doesn’t sit right with me. No wonder the moment I left, he was already enjoying life with other women. He must have planned to marry Wei Wenxin a long time ago. And Wei Wenxin is probably the only one who wouldn’t mind his playboy ways."

"I won’t get married," he said in a low voice. "Nobody can dictate my life."

Her breathing gradually steadied, and Shen Jing’s eyes remained closed, unmoving.

Dissatisfied that she was asleep, Zhou Luchen pinched the flesh of her waist.

"Why isn’t there a Prayer Lamp for me? Do you hate me that much?" he suddenly questioned.

The tingling pain from his fingers on her waist made her shift. She mumbled vaguely, "He has other little treasures, so I’ve forgotten about him."

Zhou Luchen rested his chin on her forehead. His long fingers touched her hair, slowly brushing it aside. "What if he didn’t have them?"

"Without Wei Wenxin, there would be another ’her.’ United Bank operates in 72 countries. The honor associated with the presidency is a matter of life and death for the group; it affects the entire economy. I understand that. The Zhou Family is destined to control his life. If he makes a mistake that has a negative impact, how would those 72 countries view United Bank? Since he’s in charge, he can’t afford to be reckless."

"He is no longer the frivolous Second Master Zhou. Every word and deed of his will be under scrutiny and subject to controversy."

Her speech was slurred, but Zhou Luchen could still understand what she was trying to say.

She understands quite a lot. And she knows how to make him feel a pang of heartache.

Zhou Luchen pressed his chin harder against her forehead. "Heartless thing. Sun Qiyan shows you a little tenderness, and you treasure it like a precious gem. What can tenderness bring you?"

Shen Jing spoke softly, "Zhou Luchen is never gentle. He’s always fierce and cold. It’s been so long since I dreamt of him. Even in my dreams, he only bullies me."

"And now?" he asked.

For a long time, Shen Jing didn’t reply.

He slowly lowered his head and tilted her chin up, gazing at her sleeping face.

Her breathing was deep and steady, but she showed no reaction. Perhaps she’s treating this as a dream, indulging her emotions.

He curled his lips into an amused smirk. "Is it necessary to be so aggrieved?"

Shen Jing mumbled in her sleep, "I fell into the river... It hurts..."

Fucking hell, she knew exactly how to get coddled.

Zhou Luchen felt helpless. He pulled her into his embrace, wishing he could scold her. But when he opened his mouth, only two words came out: "I know."

"Achen."

She clung to his chest, her small, fragile form nestled against him.

Zhou Luchen had a strange thought: he wished she weren’t asleep right now but was awake and talking to him normally. But the normal her would only stubbornly curse at him.

"I don’t like hearing that. Call me something else."

Shen Jing always seemed to know Zhou Luchen’s peculiar tastes, her reactions as if engraved in her very bones.

"Little Uncle..."

Her voice was soft and childlike.

Zhou Luchen closed his eyes, lowered his head, and captured her lips.

Her curled lashes fluttered dramatically. Perhaps she was familiar with his domineering ways. In her confusion, she whimpered a few times before bursting into tears.

The more she cried, the more he wanted to break her.

Her nightgown, crumpled into a ball in his palm, was mercilessly thrown under the bed. It landed quietly, covering a pair of men’s leather shoes. Finally, his black shirt was tossed on top of it.

The bed curtains swayed gently in the night breeze.

Their fingers intertwined, pressed against the pillow.

A deep kiss.

「Morning.」

Zhou Luchen leaned against the headboard, holding the soundly sleeping Shen Jing and toying with her hair.

She still hadn’t woken up. Her wound from last night probably hurt too much for her to sleep well.

Not wanting to wait for her to wake up, he covered her with the blanket, dressed, and left.