If she disobeyed in the slightest, Yu Jingchen's punishment would be doubled, or even more terrifying. Nan Zhiyun had essentially given up resisting, because she couldn't and dared not. She lay there awaiting Yu Jingchen's punishment.
This time, Yu Jingchen didn't let her off the hook. His bending down marked the beginning of the punishment. Nan Zhiyun was in real pain. It wasn't that Yu Jingchen's punishment was too severe this time, but rather that because those memories were all in her mind, the pain became a special psychological reaction.
This punishment was just like being forced to copy texts. The brush was gently picked up, placed into the inkstone, and slowly dipped in the ink, slowly deepening it until the tip of the brush was black. The ink was sticky and wet on the brush, and then it was gently lifted up, with the excess ink dripping down.
The brushstrokes on the pristine white paper leave trails of ink, staining the paper black with countless marks. Writing with the brush from top to bottom requires minimal effort, but a steady hand and a strong wrist are essential to maintain control and produce beautiful, neat characters.
Besides writing, this brush, ink, paper, and inkstone can also be used for painting. Repeating the above steps, the brush is placed back into the inkstone. Perhaps the ink is insufficient, so it needs to be ground again. Then, the stiff brush is taken out, and water is used to loosen the brush tip, kneading it until the bristles become loose.
This artist is most skilled at painting plum blossoms. With a slight turn of the wrist, ink drips and forms a painting. With a gentle press of the hand, the brush is guided to glide freely across the paper. The ink plum blossoms, vibrant and beautiful, bloom on the pristine white Xuan paper, lifelike and exquisite.
The copying punishment didn't last long, maybe a little over an hour. The paper was already filled, ink scattered on the table and paper, the dense handwriting and beautiful drawing complete. The ink on the brush still lingered. This punishment was deeply etched in Nan Zhiyun's memory; he was now utterly exhausted, perhaps because the punishment was too painful. His tears had long since dried, leaving only traces of tear tracks on his face.
Yu Jingchen looked at the person who had just received the punishment, so pitiful and broken. Someone once said that once you do it, you fall in love. He wondered if he was influenced by this emotion. Suddenly, Yu Jingchen felt a pain in his heart. But this strange feeling was fleeting and quickly disappeared without a trace. He didn't even catch it.
"Nan Zhiyun, remember how you felt this time. If you're afraid, if you don't want it to happen again, then don't anger me again. Otherwise, the more you fear something, the more I'll make you try it. Do you understand?" Yu Jingchen said through gritted teeth. He truly hated Nan Zhiyun's unpredictable behavior, and he also hated the wavering in his own heart.
He should have been in control of everything, including his emotions and his own heart, but he had lowered his standards twice because of Nan Zhiyun. Now that he realized this, he needed to correct it immediately. He would absolutely not allow things to develop in a way that he didn't expect.
After the punishment ended, Nan Zhiyun was almost exhausted. But she didn't fall asleep or faint, because Yu Jingchen wouldn't allow it. According to his wishes, Nan Zhiyun had to watch as she left every mark on him and earnestly repent through this punishment.
For over an hour, Nan Zhiyun was filled with despair, unable to utter a word of resistance. She knew that if she showed any resistance or retreat, Yu Jingchen would become even more terrifying and manic, his condition worsening and deepening. Nan Zhiyun could only pray for it to end quickly; the images flashed through her mind again and again, becoming increasingly horrifying in her recollections.
Yu Jingchen knew that Nan Zhiyun was tired and scared, but as long as the desired effect was achieved, he would never show mercy again. This punishment was relatively lenient; compared to the previous beatings and tortures, this time he had been merciful enough.
Yu Jingchen didn't continue. He looked at Nan Zhiyun, who was slowly closing her eyes, and for the first time pulled the blanket next to him over her. The mottled marks on her body were indeed a bit frightening, but he had actually been restrained enough.
Nan Zhiyun knew that compared to before and compared to the madness of her previous life, Yu Jingchen had shown much more mercy, but because of those memories, she didn't think she was lucky this time.
"Go to sleep, the light won't be turned off." This was the first time Yu Jingchen had spoken to Nan Zhiyun in a relatively calm manner.
Nan Zhiyun turned her head slightly and closed her eyes, whether out of a desire to avoid seeing someone or to face the present situation, it was unclear. The moment she turned her head, tears involuntarily streamed down her face. Yu Jingchen saw it, but said nothing.
He sat there for a while, then instead of going back to sleep, he went outside. After all that commotion tonight, it was almost dawn.
After Yu Jingchen left, Nan Zhiyun slowly opened her eyes. The grievances she had been holding back erupted in an instant. She cried, initially a restrained sob, but then she couldn't hold back and cried uncontrollably. Nan Zhiyun gripped the blanket tightly and curled up. Even though she was in great pain, even though she wanted to cry and felt wronged, she dared not let herself be.
Soft sobs could be heard from inside the house, which Yu Jingchen could hear clearly from outside. He knew how Nan Zhiyun felt, and he knew that she had been holding back her emotions the whole time, so... he came out alone, leaving her alone.
He knew Nan Zhiyun would never dare to do this while he was there. That's why he didn't stay inside, because only after he left would Nan Zhiyun dare to vent like this. If she really wanted to cry, she could cry for a while.
Nan Zhiyun didn't cry for very long inside, because she was afraid Yu Jingchen would come back and find out, so she didn't need to show it as long as she could hold it in. Only after Yu Jingchen heard the crying inside gradually subside did he step inside.
Nan Zhiyun had just cried, and it was obvious from her face. Yu Jingchen didn't expose her, since he had tacitly approved of her outburst.
"Can you go to sleep now?" Yu Jingchen asked her.
Nan Zhiyun didn't answer him. If she did, her voice would be filled with sobs. Nan Zhiyun turned to her side, then closed her eyes and fell asleep. Yu Jingchen knew she wasn't asleep; she was just using this method to protect herself.
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