59: Notes from a Paranoid Educated Youth 28

“Get out!”

One word, like an ice-cold blade, was squeezed out with chilling intensity from between Zhou Linchuan’s clenched teeth.

He was enveloped in a frigid aura that pushed people a thousand miles away, and turned to leave, as if staying for another second would be a desecration of the air.

Lin Hongying trembled all over, pierced by that icy “Get out.” Despair, like a vine, instantly constricted her heart, almost suffocating her.

She could no longer hold back and shrieked with all her might, “Zhou Linchuan! What’s so good about a delicate woman like Wen Ci, who’d fall over with a gust of wind? What can she do for you? Work the fields? Carry water? Or serve you? She’s useless! A pampered insect who only clings to you and sucks your blood!

Look at me, I’m capable! I can do any work, a hundred, a thousand times better than her! Wen Ci, what right does she have…?”

“Silence!”

Zhou Linchuan suddenly stopped, the already low pressure around him plummeting to freezing point, as if even the air had solidified and frozen.

He slowly turned around, and the deep eyes that surged within were no longer indifference, but undisguised, chilling killing intent, enough to slowly torture a person to death!

He stared fixedly at Lin Hongying, every word like a poisoned ice pick, “Dare to insult my wife one more word, and I will make you regret ever being born into this world.”

Wen Ci was his only light in long, dark years, the only flower that bloomed in his barren heart.

He would always remember who gave him the warmth of a home, who propped up a sky for him with her delicate shoulders.

Who gave him the chance to return to the city, who was willing to clear his father’s name, yet didn’t even tell him this news to take credit.

If he hadn’t found out himself later, perhaps Wen Ci would never have mentioned that she helped him in this lifetime.

Wen Ci was his salvation, his life! He would never allow any filthy words to tarnish her in the slightest!

Lin Hongying’s face turned ashen, pierced by the palpable killing intent in his eyes. She stumbled back a step, her heart pounding so hard it felt like it would burst from her chest.

Zhou Linchuan had never… never looked at her with such a gaze, like she was a dead thing! All for that Wen Ci, who had nothing but her face? Why?! Unwillingness and jealousy gnawed at her reason like venomous snakes. She clenched her fists, her nails digging deep into her palms.

Just then, a soft call, like a clear spring, came from around the corner, breaking the suffocating silence.

“Husband…”

Everyone’s gaze was instantly drawn to her.

Wen Ci, wearing a light blue dress, walked gracefully, like the purest patch of clear sky in early spring. The sun generously shone on her, outlining her slender and beautiful figure. Her skin was smooth and translucent, like fine mutton-fat jade, so white it almost glowed.

Her eyes sparkled, yet she seemed not to notice the disheveled Lin Hongying beside her. She focused only on Zhou Linchuan, a playful curve on her lips, and gently winked at him.

Miraculously, the chilling frost on Zhou Linchuan’s face instantly melted away. The man who had been filled with murderous intent just moments before now had eyes so soft they could drip water.

He strode forward, naturally reaching out to carefully support her slender waist, his tone a tender intimacy no one had ever heard before, “Ci Ci? Why are you up so early? I was planning to sneak back and surprise you.”

He conjured a delicate paper bag from behind him like a magic trick, presenting it to her like a treasure, his voice carrying a subtle hint of eagerness, “Look, I made a detour to buy it. Your favorite snacks, still warm. Do you like them?”

Wen Ci looked up, her smile sweet, blooming like a spring flower. She reached out a finger, lightly brushing away a non-existent speck of dust from his shoulder, her voice as soft as a feather caressing a heart, “Mm, if Xiaochuan bought them for me, I like them all.”

Her fingertips inadvertently brushed his neck, a slightly cool touch that easily ignited the hidden fire deep in his eyes.

The two of them began to whisper to each other, oblivious to their surroundings, a sweet aura permeating the air, as if the whole world contained only them.

Wen Ci occasionally leaned on his strong arm, letting out a satisfied sigh. Zhou Linchuan’s gaze remained fixed on her, focused and infatuated.

They had constructed an invisible, impenetrable fortress of sweetness, completely isolating the distraught Lin Hongying outside.

“Are you tired of standing?” Zhou Linchuan suddenly asked in a low voice, his tone filled with unyielding tenderness.

Before he finished speaking, he had already leaned down without a word, one arm around her back, the other under her knees, easily lifting her into his arms.

Wen Ci let out a short gasp, then giggled, naturally wrapping her jade arms around his neck, her entire body nestled into his broad, warm embrace.

Just as Zhou Linchuan turned to leave with her in his arms, Wen Ci’s head tilted slightly, her gaze finally falling on Lin Hongying, who stood frozen in place.

That look was very faint, like a breeze skimming the water, without the triumph of a victor or deliberate provocation, as calm as if she were looking at an insignificant old object.

However, it was precisely this complete, condescending disregard that, like a poisoned needle, precisely pierced Lin Hongying’s last shred of wavering sanity.

The string named “jealousy” snapped completely!

“Ah—!!!”

A shrill, desperate, and unwilling wail erupted from Lin Hongying’s throat. She could no longer endure the heart-wrenching humiliation and the blinding display of affection before her. She abruptly covered her face, turned, and stumbled out, her figure utterly disheveled.

Lin Hongying’s madness did not end with her escape. Driven to irrationality by burning jealousy, she foolishly attempted to “seduce” Zhou Linchuan with vulgar methods.

However, her deluded fantasy was intercepted on the spot by grim-faced guards, who had been stationed nearby, before she could even get within ten steps of Zhou Linchuan.

Without any further explanation, she was forcibly taken away under the guise of several serious charges, including “suspected endangerment of security,” and was strictly detained.

All chains of evidence were swiftly compiled under Zhou Linchuan’s will, forming an ironclad case that extinguished all possibility of her comeback, destined to confine the remainder of her life behind cold iron bars.

“No! You can’t do this to me! Let me out! I am the Minister’s wife! I am Zhou Linchuan’s wife! I am the Minister’s wife—!”

In the desperate cell, Lin Hongying, disheveled, frantically banged her head against the iron bars like a madwoman. Her screams echoed in the narrow space, filled with frenzy and disbelief.

The guards outside exchanged glances, both seeing a clear judgment in the other’s eyes: this woman was truly insane. Immediately, the orders for her detention became even more severe and merciless.