Chapter 14 Qin Lie's wavering; his heart was in turmoil.

With a "bang," Qin Lie slammed the door shut from the inside and locked it.

The light in the room suddenly dimmed.

Qin Lie didn't turn on the light; he just held Jiang Wu in his arms, standing motionless at the door. The person in his arms was light and soft, and carried a sweet fragrance like grass after the rain.

The woman who had been crying so loudly just moments before was now as quiet as a cat. She buried her face in his chest, her small hands clutching his clothes tightly, her body still trembling slightly.

Qin Lie could clearly feel her heart pounding wildly.

Neither of them spoke. The only sounds in the room were their heavy breathing and the sound of waves crashing against the rocks outside the window.

Time seemed to stand still at that moment.

Qin Lie's heart was in turmoil, as tangled as a ball of yarn that had been scratched by a cat.

The words Jiang Wu had cried out in front of everyone just now kept echoing in his mind—

"Even if I die, I want to die in your bed!"

These words were so impactful, like a branding iron, seared into his heart, leaving his heart still burning.

He knew how much courage it took for a woman to say such things in public, and it also represented the intense and resolute feelings she had for him.

How come he never noticed this before?

He used to think that Jiang Wu disliked and despised him. She was forced into marrying him and did so unwillingly. That's why she was so "dramatic," so dramatic, and tried every possible way to leave him.

But now it seems... that's not the case.

The way she looked at him was no longer evasive and disgusted, but filled with dependence and adoration. Her touch was no longer resistant and stiff, but proactive and intimate. She even argued and confronted others for him, and finally uttered those bold words that made him blush and his heart race.

All these changes made Qin Lie feel unfamiliar and curious, and also made him feel a deep sense of guilt for his indifference and neglect towards her over the past year.

Did he... really misunderstand her?

Were her previous "acting out" simply because she was young and immature? Was she just trying to get his attention in that clumsy way?

But he pushed her away time and time again with indifference and impatience, hurting her heart.

Thinking of this, Qin Lie felt a sharp, stabbing pain in his heart, as if pricked by a needle. He unconsciously tightened his grip on the woman's arm.

"Ugh..." Jiang Wu felt a little pain from his grip and let out a soft whimper like a kitten.

Qin Lie snapped back to his senses and quickly loosened his grip, asking, "Did I hurt you?"

His voice was incredibly hoarse.

Jiang Wu shook her head in his arms, then looked up at him with her tear-streaked face: "Husband, are you... are you not angry with me anymore?"

She asked cautiously, a hint of uncertainty in her eyes.

Looking into her red eyes, which were red from crying like a rabbit's, Qin Lie's heart melted completely.

He couldn't possibly be angry anymore. His heart was now filled with heartache and...pity for her.

He didn't answer her question. Instead, he reached out and gently wiped away the remaining tear stains on her cheek with his calloused, rough fingertips. His movements were clumsy yet gentle, as if he were afraid of breaking a precious piece of porcelain.

Jiang Wu was taken aback by his sudden act of tenderness. She could feel the warmth of his fingertips and the reassuring masculine aura emanating from him.

Her face flushed uncontrollably, and her heart began to race uncontrollably.

Is this man... trying to comfort her?

"Don't cry anymore." Qin Lie looked at her, his voice low but carrying an undeniable command, "It doesn't look good."

Although he said it didn't look good, his gaze was fixed on her tear-streaked face. He discovered that although she looked disheveled when she cried, there was a fragile beauty that softened his heart and easily aroused a man's most primal protective instincts.

"Oh." Jiang Wu nodded obediently, but she was secretly overjoyed.

It seems her "crying, making a scene, and threatening suicide" plus version was incredibly effective today. This straight-laced man is finally starting to get it.

"Then... what about Zhou Mingyuan?" Jiang Wu sniffed, then put on a pitiful look. "Will he... will he really take out those letters? If he spreads rumors everywhere, my reputation will be ruined. How will I ever be able to face anyone on the island again?"

As she spoke, her eyes reddened again, and she looked like she was about to cry again.

“He wouldn’t dare.” Qin Lie looked at her, his tone resolute. “If he dares to utter a single careless word, I’ll make sure he spends the rest of his life in jail.”

The ruthlessness and murderous intent in his words made Jiang Wu's heart skip a beat. She had no doubt that Qin Lie meant what he said. This man was a ruthless and uncompromising figure in the army, and he was utterly unreasonable when it came to protecting his own.

“But…those letters…” Jiang Wu was still “worried.”

She needed Qin Lie to destroy all the "evidence" himself before she could truly rest easy.

"I'll handle it." Qin Lie interrupted her. "From now on, there will be no more rumors about you and him. You just need to stay by my side and behave yourself. You're not allowed to go anywhere."

His words were domineering and forceful, yet they warmed Jiang Wu's heart.

It's a feeling of being protected and cherished. It's unfamiliar, yet... captivating.

"Mmm!" She nodded heavily, stretched out her arms, and wrapped them around his neck, burying her face in his chest again. "I'm not going anywhere. I'll stay by your side forever."

She whispered in his ear, her warm breath tickling his earlobe and sending shivers down his spine.

Qin Lie's body stiffened abruptly as he held her.

He felt that the anger he had finally managed to suppress was about to rise again.

This woman... she's practically a walking ignition source, capable of stirring up his restlessness anytime, anywhere.

He wanted to push her away, but her body was so soft and fragrant, like a magnet, firmly attracting him, making him unwilling to let go.

Qin Lie closed his eyes and sighed heavily in his heart.

He felt that he might be doomed for this woman for the rest of his life.

He carried her to the bedside, then bent down and carefully placed her on the bed. His movements were much gentler than before.

"You should rest for a bit," he said, and started to straighten up.

But a small hand tugged at the hem of his clothes.

"Honey, where are you going?" Jiang Wu pulled him, not letting him leave. Her big, watery eyes looked at him with dependence, like a little deer's.

"I'll get you a glass of water," Qin Lie said, making an excuse.

He needed to leave her for a while to calm down.

"I'm not thirsty." Jiang Wu shook her head. "Then lie down and keep me company for a while, okay?"

She patted the spot next to her, extending a blatant invitation.

"I...I was just scared, my heart is still beating so fast. I only feel at ease when you're with me." As she spoke, she grabbed his large hand and pressed it against her soft, full chest.

The touch from his palm was warm, soft, and elastic; even through the thin fabric, Qin Lie could clearly feel its astonishing curve.

At this moment, Qin Lie was unable to move. He appeared to be alive, but his mind had already gone blank.

P.S.: It's Christmas Eve today...nothing happened...