60: Notes of a Paranoid Educated Youth 29 (Complete)

When the news came that Lin Hongying had been completely imprisoned, Wen Ci was lazily nestled in Zhou Linchuan's arms.

They sat on a sun-drenched terrace, on wicker chairs with soft cushions.

Zhou Linchuan's strong arm held her securely, as if guarding his most precious treasure. Wen Ci was like a sated cat, her eyes slightly narrowed, enjoying the warm sun and the steady heartbeat from her lover's chest behind her.

"I heard Lin Hongying... is completely out of the picture?" Wen Ci's voice carried the soft, glutinous rice sound of someone just waking up. She tilted her head, rubbing her nose against Zhou Linchuan's jaw, a curious smile in her tone, "Why so urgent? Even though she's annoying, she can't cause much trouble, can she?"

Zhou Linchuan was patiently and gently massaging her calves with just the right amount of pressure. Hearing her words, his movements didn't falter in the slightest, his gaze still focused on her fair skin. His tone was calm and unwavering, yet carried an undeniable, ruthless decisiveness.

"Wildfires burn endlessly, and spring breezes bring new growth. Her obsessive nature is a ticking time bomb. Rather than waiting for her to go crazy and hurt you someday, it's better to deal with her thoroughly and once and for all." He spoke lightly, as if merely disposing of a trivial piece of trash.

After speaking, he seemed to recall something, lowering his head, his deep eyes locking onto her. All the previous coldness melted into an unshakeable tenderness, even carrying a hint of almost boyish anticipation that was hard to detect,

"Ci Ci, tomorrow... let's go back to the countryside, shall we? To the place where we first met."

Wen Ci hummed comfortably, enjoying the pleasant massage on her legs. Hearing him, she raised her delicate eyebrows, a hint of mischief flashing in her eyes, "Oh? Why the sudden urge to go back there? Could it be... that our esteemed Director Zhou still misses those difficult days of 'facing the yellow earth with our backs to the sky'?"

She deliberately drew out her words, teasing him.

"Of course not." Zhou Linchuan chuckled, his chest vibrating slightly. He leaned in, his warm lips almost touching her sensitive earlobe, his breath hot, his voice deepening, full of a meaningful hint and a smile,

"Ci Ci, come with me... and then you'll know."

Wen Ci ultimately couldn't resist his persistent, almost pleading insistence. The next day, they drove back to the small village that held so many memories.

That night, in the old house that had been renovated but still retained its traditional heated kang bed, Wen Ci finally understood the man's "sinister intentions" for insisting on returning.

"Zhou Linchuan! You..."

Wen Ci was pressed against the bedding that smelled of sunshine. She indignantly pushed away the man, who seemed to be on fire, her breath unsteady.

Zhou Linchuan buried his face deep into her fragrant neck, greedily inhaling her scent.

Sweat poured off him in layers.

"Ci Ci... you know... I've wanted to do this for a long time... right here on this kang..." He lifted his head, his deep eyes shining astonishingly in the dim lamplight, burning with raw desire.

Wen Ci's eyes widened in surprise at his sudden, blunt "accusation." Immediately, layers of laughter rippled in her beautiful eyes, like spring water melting.

She no longer resisted. Instead, she wrapped her soft arms around his neck, pulling him closer. Her red lips brushed his ear, her breath like orchids, with a hint of victorious smugness,

"Alright... Zhou Linchuan, you finally admit it, don't you? So back then... you were already plotting against me?" Her voice rose slightly at the end, like a hook.

In the dimness, his gaze was so focused it was almost reverent. The earlier urgency was replaced by a deeper, more intense emotion.

He reached out, his calloused fingertips gently caressing her flushed cheek, imprinting each word clearly and solemnly into her heart:

"Of course, Ci Ci." His voice was deep and strong, filled with a profound affection that had transcended time, "I had already... deeply fallen in love with you. From the first moment I saw you, my heart... was no longer my own."

"And, Ci Ci, I am so grateful to you, for everything you've done for me, for your trust in me."

Wen Ci's eyes widened slightly. Before she could speak, the man had already leaned down, kissing her deeply with immense tenderness and longing.

Outside the window, the moonlight quietly crept onto the window frame, silently enveloping this small world.

From then on, they were completely fulfilled.

Thereafter, Wen Ci and Zhou Linchuan lived a happy life. They had no children in this lifetime, living joyfully, freely, and at ease. (The End)

Next chapter preview: The Berserk Beast King's Palm Pet.

When the Beast King Lie Xiao, enraged by the escape of a sacrifice, encountered the gentle and beautiful Wen Ci.

He had seen many expressions of fear, despair, hatred, and subservience, but never such pure eyes as Wen Ci's.

But he was still crushed by hesitant fury. Only, his sharp claws shifted from her throat to her shoulder, pulling her close, his voice cold and cruel, "Another one... trying to escape?"

Wen Ci's answer surprised him. Her voice was gentle and soft, and she looked at him firmly, saying,

"No."

"I've come to love you."

The wind seemed to stand still at that moment.

Lie Xiao was a fierce beast who only understood slaughter and possession, yet at this moment, he showed confusion, as if the woman in front of him had handed him a handful of beautiful, dew-kissed flowers.

"Love?"

What was that?

A new, more cunning... way to beg for mercy?

Though he thought this, the sharp claws gripping her shoulder unconsciously... loosened by an insignificant fraction.

As if afraid she would escape, yet longing to hold her in his palm.

"What is love?"

He was very confused, so he took Wen Ci back with him.