Chapter 38 "Open your eyes and see clearly who is..."
"What are you talking about? Why don't you tell me?"
Xie Chengyan stepped forward, his words gentle, with even a faint smile on his lips.
But Shen Xi froze. He walked closer, his dark eyes fixed on her, his gentle exterior concealing a deep danger.
Shen Xi's heart skipped a beat.
Unfortunately, Xie Wenlang failed to notice his brother's unusual behavior. Seeing Xie Chengyan smiling, he assumed he was in a good mood and secretly put the feather he had taken from Shen Xi's hair back into his sleeve.
Then, he smiled as usual and said, "Brother, we were just talking about you."
"Oh? What did you say about me?"
Xie Chengyan glanced at Xie Wenlang, his peripheral vision lingering on something Xie Wenlang had deliberately hidden in his sleeve. His eyes were very indifferent as he spoke casually.
"My older brother always treated me well. No matter how much trouble I caused, he always had my back." Xie Wenlang chuckled. "I've grown a bit distant from him since I grew up, but I still have to rely on him for help when I run into trouble."
As he spoke in a low voice, Xie Chengyan slowly walked to Shen Xi's side, stood with his hands behind his back, lowered his eyes, and looked at her without any emotion, as still as a deep pool, with only the corners of his eyes slightly lowered.
However, Shen Xi still keenly sensed the obsession and displeasure that was faintly revealed in his dark pupils. She lowered her eyelids, her eyes flickered, and she dared not meet his gaze, quietly avoiding his eyes.
However, she didn't realize that her action of averting her gaze made Xie Chengyan's eyes darken even more.
With a slight twitch of his eyelids, Xie Chengyan stepped forward and grasped Shen Xi's wrist.
Suddenly, her wrist was encircled by a warm palm. Shen Xi subconsciously struggled slightly, but when she looked up and met Xie Chengyan's slightly tense lips, she forced herself to hold back.
The two of them went back and forth in front of Xie Wenlang, with undercurrents swirling beneath the seemingly peaceful scene, each harboring their own thoughts.
Xie Wenlang, however, remained oblivious to all of this, continuing to recount his childhood memories.
In the end, his expression softened as he repeatedly recalled the past, trying to convince himself again and again.
His elder brother was the best person to him, and Shen Xi was the girl he liked the most. Their marriage was only brought together by chance because of his troubles.
In reality, no one got what they wanted.
What is it that he can't let go of now?
What's done is done, and there's no going back. If my brother and Shen Xi can have a happy marriage, that would be some consolation.
He understands the reasoning, but he just needs more time to accept it.
Xie Wenlang lowered his head, lost in thought.
But no one knew his thoughts. Shen Xi didn't listen carefully to what Xie Wenlang was saying; all her attention was on Xie Chengyan.
His rough fingertips gently caressed her wrist bones, sometimes slowly, sometimes heavily, as if her heartbeat was being held in that small space, unsure when the next heavy blow would come.
This subtle movement made her tremble, fearing that Xie Chengyan might do something else again, given his unpredictable nature.
With her mind on edge, her palms began to feel damp. Taking advantage of Xie Wenlang's pause, Shen Xi quickly stepped aside to create distance between herself and Xie Chengyan, and spoke as if to cover up her embarrassment.
"Wen Lang, didn't you come to see your older brother about something? I won't keep you from talking, I'll head back now."
Xie Wenlang was lost in his own emotions. His gaze lingered on her for a long time before he said softly, "It's really not a big deal. We can talk about it another day."
As soon as he finished speaking, Shen Xi's eyelids twitched twice.
He subconsciously glanced at Xie Chengyan beside him. Xie Chengyan stood with his hands behind his back, his expression unreadable, but his eyes were lowered in a deep, dark gaze.
Shen Xi grew increasingly uneasy.
She spoke without any ulterior motive, only wanting to remind Xie Wenlang of the unusual atmosphere at the moment.
Unfortunately, he failed to understand what she meant.
Not only that, but the look he gave her just now was really inappropriate. To others, this scene would be no different from flirting.
Shen Xi dared not utter another sound.
An untimely summer breeze brought a touch of heat, and a stagnant atmosphere hung between the three, a strange balance maintained amidst hidden tensions. A single careless word could cause the peaceful facade to crumble instantly.
Xie Chengyan saw through Shen Xi's little scheme perfectly well, but he didn't expose it.
With his eyelids slightly lowered, he leisurely stepped forward, took the severed wrist back into his palm, and tapped the back of her hand with his fingertips.
The force was extremely light, yet Shen Xi felt a distinct, invisible pressure.
After a long pause, Xie Chengyan finally spoke, slowly issuing the order to leave.
"Then let's talk about it another day. Your sister-in-law didn't sleep well last night, so I won't keep you any longer."
Each word was spoken slowly and deliberately, making Shen Xi's heart tremble with fear.
Xie Wenlang failed to notice the emotions hidden in Xie Chengyan's words. He simply glanced at Shen Xi and only stopped when he saw that she did not look well.
"Then I'll listen to you, brother. I'll come back in a few days."
Xie Chengyan slightly lifted his eyelids, his gaze sweeping over him before finally settling on Shen Xi, resting on her unconsciously bitten lower lip.
Her voice was cold, but her words were meant for Xie Wenlang: "Now that I'm married, next time I come, I'll have a servant tell you in advance that it's inconvenient because your sister-in-law is here."
In just one sentence, the distinction between close and distant relationships is made crystal clear.
Xie Wenlang's face stiffened, and for the first time he realized that Xie Chengyan and Shen Xi were now married and that they were a family.
But he was just an outsider.
But in the end, what his elder brother said was not wrong. Today, he came abruptly, and Shen Xi mistook him for Xie Chengyan, which was really embarrassing.
Xie Wenlang nodded, and after a long while, he managed an awkward smile and lowered his head: "Big brother is right, I will be more careful in the future."
Xie Chengyan's gaze subtly swept between Shen Xi and Xie Wenlang, and he clearly saw the stunned look on Shen Xi's face after he finished speaking.
His eyes darkened instantly, and then he opened his lips, his tone turning cold: "Yes, you go back first."
Xie Wenlang took his leave as instructed, and after a final, lingering look at Shen Xi, he turned and departed.
As soon as he stepped out of the pavilion, Shen Xi didn't want to stay any longer. He was about to say that he wanted to go back to his room, but when he met Xie Chengyan's gaze, he found that Xie Chengyan's brows were furrowed and a storm was brewing.
Knowing that he harbored resentment because of Xie Wenlang, Shen Xi stood in front of him and softened her voice.
"Husband, Qingqiu said you had important business to attend to. Why did you come back so early?"
Xie Chengyan took two steps closer to her, his broad shoulders blocking out the light and casting a shadow: "You're back early, did you disturb Madam and Erlang's reunion?"
A chilling sense of oppression descended silently, and Shen Xi subconsciously took a half step back, shaking her head: "No, Erlang is just..."
"Erlang?" Xie Chengyan's face was ashen, his dark eyes unfathomable, and his voice was cold. "Didn't you just call him husband?"
Shen Xi was suddenly startled and looked at him in surprise, only to see Xie Chengyan's eyes were dark and fixed on her, his emotions unreadable, but definitely not in a good mood.
Her eyelashes trembled slightly.
Unexpectedly, Xie Chengyan was already standing nearby at that time, but he just watched without going forward until she noticed him and then showed up.
Shen Xi paused for a moment before continuing, "Since you've been watching the whole time, you should have seen it. I didn't know it was him; I thought it was you who had returned."
Is that so?
The tone remained cold and deep.
Seeing his reaction, it was clear he hadn't listened to her explanation. Shen Xi's lips moved slightly, as if she was about to say something more.
But the next moment, Xie Chengyan strode forward, grabbed the back of her neck, and forcefully pulled her into his arms.
The cool, thin lips, accompanied by the intensely aggressive scent of ebony, pressed down instantly, enveloping the lips completely.
Shen Xi suddenly opened her eyes wide.
No... Xie Wenlang hasn't gone far!
She immediately began to struggle violently, letting out a few muffled groans as she pressed her hands against Xie Chengyan's chest, trying to push him away.
But he was in the middle of a struggle, and he was even more displeased with her resistance. Instead, he used even more force to press her down hard in front of him, almost embedding her in his arms.
The kiss grew increasingly fierce, almost tearing at the lips.
Fierce, tough, and leaving no way out.
Shen Xi was almost drowning in his relentless attacks, her body gradually going limp, unable to stand steadily, let alone struggle.
Xie Chengyan was unusually considerate at this moment and took the opportunity to hold her back.
With his palms clasped around Shen Xi's lower back, still carrying a hint of lingering anger, their lips entwined, deepening the kiss.
Not far away, Xie Wenlang, who was about to leave, heard the noise and subconsciously turned around.
The scene of Shen Xi and Xie Chengyan embracing and kissing deeply rushed into my eyes without any pause.
His mind went blank for a moment, forgetting his own identity. A surge of bitter jealousy welled up inside him, pounding wildly in his chest.
Until Xie Chengyan suddenly looked up.
Cold, sharp, and carrying the displeasure of having something good interrupted, it was directed at him with an overwhelming sense of oppression.
Xie Wenlang was instinctively forced to take two steps back by that glance.
He suddenly realized that Shen Xi no longer belonged to him. She was now his elder brother's lawfully wedded wife, and he could never covet her.
The two were newlyweds, and it was perfectly normal and natural for the couple to be intimate with the elder brother in their own residence.
He was the one who was being superfluous and disturbing us.
The overwhelming bitterness shattered the lingering emotions in his heart. Xie Wenlang dared not look any longer, lowered his head, and hurried away.
Xie Chengyan glanced at Xie Wenlang's disheveled departing figure out of the corner of his eye. On a whim, he grabbed Chen Xi's waist and turned her around so that she was facing Xie Wenlang's departing figure.
He stepped back slightly, their foreheads touching, and he kissed her lower lip, his voice low and husky.
"Look, has Erlang left yet?"
Shen Xi was already dazed from the long kiss. She opened her eyes, panting, and just then saw Xie Wenlang's figure disappearing into the distance.
Once again, Xie Chengyan used their relationship to hurt Xie Wenlang.
A hint of resentment surfaced in Shen Xi's eyes. She hardened her heart and bit Xie Chengyan's lips fiercely.
Instantly, the taste of blood filled their mouths.
Shen Xi tried to push him away again, but he pressed her down even harder.
Xie Chengyan's face was cold and stern, as if he couldn't feel the pain. He held Chen Xi's head tightly and continued the bloody kiss without any intimacy.
He finally released her when Shen Xi was almost out of breath.
Shen Xi's eyes flashed with hatred. She shoved him hard, her voice trembling and unsteady, still a little breathless, as she questioned, "Why did you do this?"
Xie Chengyan remained unfazed, raising his hand to wipe away the beads of blood seeping from his lips with his fingertips: "What's wrong with me kissing my lawfully wedded wife?"
"But you knew perfectly well that Erlang was still here!"
"So what?"
"Thank you, Chengyan!"
Xie Chengyan suddenly grabbed her chin, his cold gaze pressing down: "Xi'er, open your eyes and see clearly who your husband is."
Shen Xi bit her lip tightly as she confronted him. Her ravaged lips were rosy in color. In the past, these lips would softly open and close at night, igniting a fire in him, and then she would moan and cry out in unbearable pain.
But at this moment, she was trembling uncontrollably because of her resentment.
Xie Chengyan stared intently at her, his rough fingertips tracing her cherry lips with a slightly heavy touch, revealing a hint of her pearly teeth.
In her past life, she must have shown a similar expression in front of Xie Wenlang, either obedient and gentle, or lost in a daze when tired on the bed, her eyes and brows always captivatingly beautiful.
She liked Xie Wenlang so much that she would always be obedient to him and would do whatever he wanted, no matter what.
What about in bed?
Will she, like she has these days, willingly submit to Xie Wenlang's advances, reaching the peak of mutual affection and sharing a passionate lovemaking?
Instead of being like them.
Whenever Xie Wenlang is mentioned, she raises her thorns, tears off the disguise of obedience, and stabs each other until they are covered in blood and in a sorry state.
My thoughts wandered uncontrollably, and a violent surge of resentment burned fiercely in my chest, quickly escalating into a raging wildfire.
Completely overwhelmed by reason, Xie Chengyan reached out, grabbed the sash of her dress fluttering in the wind, and slowly tore it open.
Shen Xi was shocked and incredulously covered her clothes that were about to slip down: "Xie Chengyan, what are you doing?"
Why don't you call me husband?
Shen Xi didn't understand why he suddenly acted this way, and quickly stopped him, saying, "Thank you, Cheng Yan!"
But Xie Chengyan's hands didn't stop. He flipped her over and pinned her against the pillar, covering her from behind and leaving delicate and hot kisses on her neck.
"Xi'er, what should you call me?"
Seeing that he didn't seem to be faking it, Shen Xi panicked and changed her words in a trembling voice: "Husband, husband... let's go back to the room... we're outside."
Shen Xi was instantly flustered, and the matter of arguing with him about Xie Wenlang was completely forgotten.
Admittedly, she had been intentionally seducing him in bed these past few days.
But in the end, she was also new to love, and it took a lot of courage for her to take the initiative in front of him, and besides, it was only limited to the bedroom.
But now here...
The pavilion is surrounded by water on all sides, and the view from the side is just blocked by the surrounding artificial hills, making it quiet and difficult to see into, which is exactly why Shen Xi used to like to come here.
But at this moment, the sky was bright, and a cool breeze blew across the lake from time to time. It was uncertain when a servant might pass by.
Xie Chengyan held the person firmly in front of him, leaving no room for doubt: "Right here."
Shen Xi flinched, but he pressed even closer, tightening his grip on her waist and pulling her completely into his embrace.
Through his clothes, his spine pressed against his chest, and his deep voice made Shen Xi clearly know that he was suppressing his anger.
She dared not resist any longer, closed her eyes, and endured his almost marking marks on her neck.
Scorching heat with nowhere to escape.
With her back to Xie Chengyan, she braced her hands on the pavilion pillars in front of her, biting her lip tightly, too ashamed to make a sound, hoping that all of this would end soon.
Noticing her trembling, Xie Chengyan's eyes darkened, and he coaxed her in a low voice, "They won't come."
"My husband..."
Shen Xi's voice trembled violently, but she still tried to elicit his pity with a soft tone.
But today Xie Chengyan was determined. He forcefully pushed her knees away and reassured her again, "No one will come without my order."
"My husband, I..."
Before her soft call could even finish, Xie Chengyan had already grabbed her chin without a word, forcing her to turn her head.
All of Chen Xi's lingering sounds were swallowed up in this delicate and tender kiss.
However, this is the only time.
When the round was over, Xie Chengyan loosened his grip slightly, allowing her a moment to catch her breath.
He stroked Shen Xi's trembling spine upwards, slowly sliding his fingers across her face, but his fingertips suddenly touched a cool sensation.
He paused for a moment, then turned her body around and was surprised to find that Shen Xi's eyes were already filled with tears, but she kept biting her lip tightly and did not let out a sound of crying.
Even when he discovered her, Shen Xi simply turned her head slightly to avoid his gaze, remaining silent without even venting a trace of anger.
Those two silent tears, like pebbles thrown into the heart, echoed with a loud "thump," stirring up a thousand waves.
This finally awakened some of Xie Chengyan's remaining rationality.
He frowned, wrapped her tightly in his robe, picked her up, and carried her back into the room.
Shen Xi then slowly stopped crying.
Little did they know, this was just the beginning.
Xie Chengyan was particularly difficult to deal with today, tormenting her without giving her a clear answer. Whenever she reached her limit, he would always back down and whisper.
"No."
He forced her to call him "husband" countless times until, eventually, Shen Xi's voice became completely hoarse, and she no longer had the strength to utter a single word.
Xie Chengyan then gave up.
*
That day, Xie Chengyan really went too far.
Although Shen Xi did not say it outright, she still ignored him for several days and refused to go to the lakeside pavilion again, deliberately avoiding it every time she passed by.
Her subtle change naturally did not escape Xie Chengyan's notice.
Although Shen Xi outwardly remained as compliant as ever, obeying his every move.
Occasionally, there might be a moment of subconscious resistance in bed, but it's only for a moment and it's gone in an instant.
Xie Chengyan had some guesses about the reasons behind this.
Although he didn't know if it was right or wrong, the mere thought that surfaced in his mind caused him to feel an inexplicable irritation, which he had to suppress with great effort every time.
Shen Xi's marriage to him was something he forced upon her; she was unwilling and unhappy about it, but she could only endure it every day.
If this speculation is exposed, the already shallow bond between the two will only become more precarious.
Xie Chengyan pondered this.
Therefore, he kept all his feelings to himself and did not say a word to her.
During this period, the two of them lived in this awkward and uncomfortable relationship.
Even in the height of summer, the heat still surges under the shade of trees, cicadas chirp incessantly, and the oppressive heat is unbearable.
With nothing to do, Shen Xi took out the medical books by Lin Anrong that she had brought from the Shen residence.
She rolled up her sleeves, revealing a section of her fair, jade-like wrist, which was faintly pink from the lingering summer heat.
She sorted through the books one by one, her eyes occasionally revealing a hint of longing, but more so, a kind of unwavering determination.
In a while, if we show these things to Wen Tingmao, he should be pleasantly surprised.
Just as he was pondering this in his heart, he saw Qingqiu walk in, her steps hurried.
Shen Xi looked at her with a puzzled expression: "Why are you in such a panic? What happened?"
Qingqiu leaned closer, lowered her voice, and said carefully, "There's news from the Shen family that since you returned home, the eldest young master's condition has worsened for some reason. They consulted a doctor, who said he should rest and recuperate. He left the capital yesterday."
Shen Xi was taken aback. On the day of her return visit, Shen Wangchen had clearly recovered considerably, but now she had suddenly fallen seriously ill again. This must be related to Xie Chengyan.
Although I don't know what method was used, it was still a way of helping her, both morally and logically.
With Xie Chengyan involved, the Shen family should no longer force her to see Shen Wangchen.
She still believed him on this point.
Shen Xi let out a soft sigh: "That's for the best. There are too many mundane affairs in the capital, and it's not suitable for recuperating. Wasn't his condition only able to improve when he was in another place before?"
But Qingqiu's face remained grim. Several times he tried to speak but swallowed his words back, and for a long time he couldn't utter a single word.
Shen Xi glanced at it briefly, realized something, and smiled slightly: "Did your mother send someone to tell you this news?"
Under her slightly teasing gaze, Qingqiu nodded hesitantly.
Shen Xi understood, turned around and continued what she was doing, saying, "Don't worry, just tell me what else Mother said."
Seeing that her expression was still relatively calm, Qingqiu stammered, "It is said that you are not allowed to return to the Shen residence again..."
At this point, Qingqiu paused, then quickly tried to correct her, carefully observing her expression.
"However, Madam was just angry and was really worried about the eldest son, so she said those things in anger. Please don't take them seriously."
Shen Xi didn't react to this at all, and even smiled slightly.
Given Jiang's usual temperament, his original words would likely have been even harsher. What Qingqiu said was probably only a embellished version.
But she didn't care much, since she wasn't going to go back to the Shen family anyway.
Shen Xi handed a book to Qing Qiu: "It's alright, help me flip through it and see what's in this book."
"you……"
Qingqiu looked embarrassed, while Shenxi was strangely calm, like an outsider.
She was about to say something more when she suddenly realized that Xie Chengyan was stepping into the room.
Seeing this, Qingqiu's eyes flickered, she put down her book, and quietly withdrew.
Shen Xi naturally noticed Xie Chengyan's arrival, but only glanced at him briefly without saying a word, continuing with what she was doing.
She didn't speak, and Xie Chengyan didn't make a sound either. He simply walked slowly to her side, bent down, and ran his slender fingers over the books on the table one by one.
After a moment, he paused slightly, picked up a book, and glanced at it briefly.
Under the sunlight, a shadow fell on his handsome brow bone, vaguely shrouding his deep eyes.
After flipping through a few pages, Fang Youyou said softly, "Xi'er's handwriting is quite good."
Upon hearing this, Shen Xi blinked, her movements gradually slowing down, but she didn't look at him, speaking as if casually.
"I heard that Shen Wangchen left the capital yesterday."
"Um."
Xie Chengyan's reaction was even more indifferent than hers. Shen Xi raised an eyebrow slightly and turned to look at him: "You..."
Xie Chengyan slightly raised his eyelids and glanced at her indifferently: "You can't bear to end his career from now on?"
Unexpectedly, he admitted it so openly. Shen Xi was stunned for a moment, then shook his head.
"No, I just didn't expect that you would actually try to get him to leave the capital. After all, I'm no longer in the Shen residence and won't see him again."
Xie Chengyan paused slightly at the tip of his finger.
She could break off her relationship with Shen Wangchen so decisively, but she remained entangled with Xie Wenlang.
But Xie Chengyan suppressed the thought for only a moment, put his mind at ease, and turned a page with his fingertips to cover it up.
“If you don’t return to the Shen residence, he will come looking for you. You should make a clean break to avoid future troubles.”
Indeed, this is in line with Xie Chengyan's style of doing things.
Shen Xi said no more and nodded slightly: "Thank you."
Xie Chengyan's eyes flickered slightly, and he threw the book in his hand back onto the table, but his voice turned deep: "Between husband and wife, there is no need for thanks."
Shen Xi deliberately ignored his sudden displeasure, gave a light reply, and did not speak again.
Xie Chengyan, standing beside her, gazed intently at her focused profile. Her features were beautiful, and when she was serious, she was exceptionally calm, like a deep pool of water, sometimes gentle, sometimes resilient, reflecting the summer sun without causing a ripple.
There was an ice chest inside, but Shen Xi's forehead was still covered with a thin layer of sweat, and her whole body was flushed.
Xie Chengyan swallowed hard, stepped forward, picked up the book again, and gently fanned her to cool her down.
With her other hand, her fingertips were fidgeting with the hair ribbon hanging down behind Shen Xi, and she casually mentioned, "It's been so hot lately. I've been thinking of building a waterwheel next to the pavilion in the middle of the lake to draw water for cooling off. What do you think?"
Upon hearing him mention the pavilion in the middle of the lake, Shen Xi instantly recalled the scene that had occurred there a few days ago. He paused, feeling a moment of embarrassment, but remained composed on the surface.
"If my husband likes it, then find craftsmen to build it."
Xie Chengyan raised his eyes slightly and asked, "What about you? You don't like it?"
Shen Xi nodded without much hesitation after hearing this: "Of course I like it."
It all seems perfunctory.
Xie Chengyan narrowed his long, narrow eyes slightly.
I still haven't learned how to lie after all this time.
He toyed with her hair ribbon in his hand and tightened it slightly: "I used to see you going to that pavilion often, why haven't you been going there lately?"
The force pulled Shen Xi backward slightly, and when she glanced to the side, she saw Xie Chengyan's serious expression.
The culprit even has the nerve to ask this question when he already knows the answer.
He acted recklessly, and although no one saw him fooling around at the lakeside pavilion that day, Shen Xi was still somewhat shaken.
I dare not go there again, for fear that the same thing will happen again.
So he pursed his lips and said, "The General's Mansion is so big, I'd like to go and explore other places. I can't just stay here in one pavilion all the time."
Xie Chengyan's fingertips paused slightly, and his gaze slowly darkened.
The hairband slipped from her fingers, and Shen Xi turned around, casting a puzzled look at him.
Xie Chengyan looked at her, unsure of what to feel.
In his eyes, Shen Xi was like an empty doll, submissive and never telling the truth in front of anyone, hiding all her disgust and dislike.
Forced to marry him, she was depressed for a while after first hearing the news, but then suddenly changed her mind on the wedding night and has since tried her best to play the role of a dutiful wife.
She clearly disliked him that day in the pavilion, but she endured it from beginning to end, without even uttering a curse.
After returning home, I kept it all bottled up inside, neither making a fuss nor arguing, as if nothing had happened.
Regardless of big or small matters, joy or hate, she always maintains this indifferent demeanor.
Yet, this very person would argue and quarrel with Xie Wenlang over matters, refusing to give an inch.
Xie Wenlang was the only one who held a special place in her heart.
Jealousy filled his chest, and it took Xie Chengyan a while to come back to his senses, but he didn't expose her disguise: "Since you have some free time today, why don't you come with me to sit in the pavilion?"
His words were almost gentle, yet they carried a chilling undertone.
He wrapped the headband around his fingers again and again, tightening it more and more. Shen Xi felt the pulling force and his body stiffened.
But she declined, saying, "I have other things to do today, so I won't go. My husband, perhaps..."
"It won't make a difference if we wait a little longer."
Before Shen Xi could finish speaking, Xie Chengyan grabbed her wrist and dragged her out of the room without saying a word.
Shen Xi couldn't understand what had gotten into him this time. Not only was he being unpredictable, but he also seemed determined to pick a fight with the pavilion and suddenly vent his anger on her.
She tried to struggle, but she couldn't overcome Xie Chengyan's strength and could only follow behind him, staggering as she tried to keep up with his pace.
They walked into the lakeside pavilion in this haphazard manner.
With its upturned eaves and carved beams, a cool breeze swept across the lake, lifting a section of Chenxi's hem.
Only now did she find an opportunity to speak: "What are you doing, husband?"
Xie Chengyan remained silent, coldly gripping her wrist and throwing her forward, causing Shen Xi to fall onto the chaise lounge.
He then covered the person and held them in his arms.
The humiliating scene was awakened in her mind. Shen Xi looked away from him, unwilling to look at him. Although she did not say it outright, her tightly pursed lips were full of resistance.
Xie Chengyan braced himself on his arms at his sides, his cool voice lowering: "If I remember correctly, the last time Xi'er came here was when Erlang came."
Hearing him mention Xie Wenlang again, Shen Xi couldn't help but feel a surge of resentment.
Why is he so fixated on Xie Wenlang? What does their affair have to do with Xie Wenlang?
Shen Xi frowned, finally looking at him directly: "What do you mean by this, husband?"
They used the most intimate terms of address, yet their eyes were unusually cold.
Xie Chengyan's jaw was clenched, their gazes met, and a surge of emotion welled up in his eyes.
Sure enough, she would get angry whenever Xie Wenlang was mentioned.
He gripped her chin, forcing her to look directly at him: "Shouldn't I be the one asking you that? You saw Erlang here once and don't want to come back. Are you afraid of being reminded of him?"
Shen Xi pressed herself against his chest, trying to push him away: "I don't understand what you're saying."
Xie Chengyan forcefully suppressed her, his eyes dark: "Do you not understand, or do you not want to hear me mention him?"
Shen Xi looked at the pent-up frustration in his eyes and became even more puzzled. She tried to twist her wrist in vain and said, "Xie Chengyan, you're being unreasonable."
"What, you won't even call me husband anymore?"
"Why do you keep bringing him up? What does he have to do with what's going on between us?"
Xie Chengyan gently tapped her heart with his fingertips: "Xi'er, ask yourself honestly, do you really think he's unimportant here?"
"You're being unreasonable."
Shen Xi turned her head angrily, her gaze suddenly falling on a pavilion pillar to the side. The unbearable scene from that day flashed through her mind again, and she couldn't help but close her eyes, unable to bear looking anymore.
But Xie Chengyan saw it differently.
He pinched her chin tightly with two fingers without any mercy, forcing her to turn her face back.
"Xi'er, you still prefer Erlang."
Not knowing where he got his conclusion from, Shen Xi didn't want to argue with him anymore.
He wanted an obedient pet, one that did everything according to his wishes and allowed him to manipulate it at will.
Why should I make things harder for myself? Let him do what he wants and think what he wants. Why bother trying to refute him?
Shen Xi pursed her lips tightly, unwilling to utter a single word.
Her silence made the atmosphere freeze instantly.
Xie Chengyan lowered his eyes, gave a slight twitch at the corner of his mouth, but his eyes were cold.
"good."
This single word conveys no emotion.
The next instant, Xie Chengyan actually grabbed her sash and slowly untied it.
Shen Xi was startled and instinctively tried to stop him, but he quickly restrained her. In an instant, her hands were twisted behind her back, leaving her no room to resist.
This setup seems to be an attempt to recreate the scene from that day.
Shen Xi was filled with shame and indignation, but she could only turn her head away, clench her teeth tightly, and forcefully suppress all her emotions, even though her chest was trembling uncontrollably.
Unexpectedly, Xie Chengyan did not continue.
A cool breeze dispelled the tense atmosphere between the two.
After a while, his rough fingertips rubbed her lips, freeing them from under her teeth.
A hoarse voice came from above: "Why are you holding back?"
Shen Xi's body was still trembling, and she did not answer.
She looked pitiful yet stubbornly refused to bow her head. Xie Chengyan took in her reaction, and the jealousy in his heart vanished in an instant.
My fingertips gently brushed against her cheek; it was a sunny day, yet there was a hint of coolness in the air.
Seeing those long eyelashes fluttering uncontrollably, Xie Chengyan's gaze softened.
Finally, he lowered his head and rested it on her forehead, sighing softly, "If you're clearly unwilling, why won't you speak up?"
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