45: Notes from a Paranoid Educated Youth 14

Wen Ci stood by the kang, her back to the door, slowly unbuttoning the frog closures of her old clothes.

The soft indoor light diffused over her slender neckline, spreading downwards inch by inch, outlining the curve of her shoulder blades and the hollow of her lower back.

Zhou Linchuan stood outside the door, having turned around at some unknown point, and through the crack in the door, he took in the entire scene.

His knuckles were white from clenching, and his Adam's apple bobbed once, then again.

The clothes he bought were now on her body.

"I'm dressed," Wen Ci's voice called out, and Zhou Linchuan finally reached out and pushed the door open to enter.

"Does it look good?"

She turned around, her collar slightly open, her collarbones faintly visible, the fabric clinging to her waistline, and the warm light made her skin appear as lustrous as jade.

Zhou Linchuan's already hot breath suddenly hitched.

Initially, he just watched quietly, his gaze restrained and focused, as if admiring a treasure that finally belonged to him.

But when she twirled, her skirt flaring up to reveal a sliver of her snow-white waist.

His eyes changed.

Deep, dark, churning with a long-suppressed possessiveness.

Wen Ci noticed his change and deliberately twirled again, this time more slowly, her fingertips lightly brushing her collar, as if inviting him to look more closely.

"Captain Zhou?" She tilted her head, her voice laced with a smile, "Why aren't you saying anything?"

He suddenly strode a few steps to stand before her, raising his hand, his fingertips almost touching her collar, but stopping in mid-air.

He wanted to touch her.

He wanted her to always wear the clothes he bought, seen only by him.

Wen Ci looked up at him, her eyelashes trembling slightly, her breathing a little hurried, the scent of the man's hormones wafting over her, making her a little dazed.

His scent was so captivating.

"You…" she asked softly, "Do you like it?"

Zhou Linchuan's eyes darkened completely.

He grabbed her wrist, his voice low and hoarse, almost dangerous.

"Take it off."

Wen Ci's eyes widened, "What?"

"Not this one." He stared at her, enunciating each word, "Change into the other one."

It was too conspicuous.

Too alluring.

He couldn't stand for anyone else to see her like this.

Wen Ci paused for a moment, then a slight curve appeared on her lips, and a glint of slyness flashed in her eyes.

"Why?" she asked deliberately, "Didn't you buy it for me?"

Zhou Linchuan's breathing grew heavy, his thumb caressing her wrist bone, as if his patience had reached its limit.

"I bought it…" His voice was hoarse, "So, only I can see it."

Wen Ci was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter, shaking with mirth.

Zhou Linchuan's breathing grew even heavier, but he suddenly turned and left the courtyard to wash up.

Wen Ci looked at the man's broad back and understood something.

He was about to lose control.

*

Zhou Linchuan had a sleepless night.

The next day, Wen Ci was called away for something.

Zhou Linchuan sat alone on the edge of the kang, his fingertips caressing the clothes Wen Ci had changed out of before leaving.

The fabric still carried her faint scent, mixed with a clean hint of soap.

He closed his eyes.

She had gone with the women's team to buy things.

She wouldn't be back all day.

His fingers unconsciously tightened, crumpling the shirt, and he lowered his head, pressing his nose into the fabric, taking a deep breath.

Like a beast marking its territory, he greedily seized her scent, then bit and gnawed at her personal clothes.

"Captain… Zhou?"

Wen Ci's voice sounded at the doorway; she had been standing there for an unknown amount of time, her voice trembling with a hint of disbelief.

Zhou Linchuan froze, suddenly looking up.

She still stood rigidly at the doorway, a bundle in her hand, her apricot eyes wide, her cheeks flushed from hurried running.

She saw him.

She saw his most shameful, most secret desire.

The air solidified for a moment.

Zhou Linchuan's pupils constricted, his heart pounding almost enough to shatter his chest.

Would she find him disgusting?

Would she be so scared that she would turn and run?

But the next second, a twisted, almost manic joy surged from the bottom of his heart.

She knew.

She finally knew.

This crazy, uncontrollable desire that drove him mad had finally been discovered by her.

He slowly stood up, the clothes still clutched in his hand, his gaze burning as he stared at her, as if to burn through her.

Wen Ci swallowed, her fingertips unconsciously tightening.

The Zhou Linchuan from before wouldn't have looked at her with such eyes.

He rarely stared at her so directly.

That look was like a starving wolf finally setting its sights on its prey, even subtly containing a twisted, manic joy.

There was no trace of embarrassment.

She actually felt her legs go weak, unable to move, in that instant.

"I…" She opened her mouth, her voice dry, "I forgot to get something…"

Zhou Linchuan's throat bobbed, and he suddenly let out a low chuckle, walking towards her step by step.

"Is that so?" His voice was hoarse, carrying a dangerous undertone, "Just came back for something?"

Wen Ci subconsciously retreated, her back hitting the door panel.

He reached out, his palm resting beside her ear, trapping her in a small space.

Wen Ci's breath hitched.

She guessed what it was.

But she didn't know what he would do to her next.

Zhou Linchuan looked down at her for a long time, a meaningful smile slowly curving on his lips as he handed her the item, "This?"

Wen Ci's eyelashes trembled for a moment.

It was this.

She had deliberately left it at home.

It had been in Zhou Linchuan's hand all this time.

What did this mean? Did he already know she would come back? Did he also expect her to see him like this?

Was it on purpose?

A thousand thoughts flashed through Wen Ci's mind, and the moment she took the item, her hand brushed against a tingling sensation.

Zhou Linchuan's fingertips deliberately brushed the back of her hand.

Wen Ci looked up, meeting his gaze.

The man's eyes were like a fire-tempered blade, scraping inch by inch across her neck, wrist, and waist.

He was a completely different person from the man who used to quickly look away even during eye contact.

Wen Ci's fingertips paused, "Captain Zhou, what are you looking at?"

Zhou Linchuan didn't answer. He produced a candy from somewhere, his slender fingers slowly peeling back the wrapper, and held the orange-yellow hard candy to her lips.

"Try it?"

His voice was low and hoarse, carrying an undeniable meaning.

Wen Ci's ears burned, and she slowly opened her mouth to take the candy, her tongue accidentally touching his fingertip.

Zhou Linchuan's eyes darkened abruptly, his knuckles lingering on her lips for another second before he withdrew.

"Is it sweet?" he asked.

Before she could answer, Zhou Linchuan suddenly frowned, then grabbed her shoulders and pushed her out the door.

"Go on, someone's waiting for you."

The door slammed shut behind her.

Wen Ci glanced back at the tightly closed door, then without hesitation, quickly ran off.