Chapter 82 Robbery
◎End of Lin Jindong◎
snatch
The burning heat on my body made me feel extremely uncomfortable. I was trembling, and then someone gently stroked my cheeks and neck. "Xiao Fu, you won't feel uncomfortable for long."
His voice was cold, and even the arm he held was icy cold. I slowly opened my eyes and vaguely saw the catheter into my body, which was injecting medicine. The pain brought tears to my eyes, and the man wiped them away with his hand.
My vision was blurred with mist, and I could barely make out his features.
Jiang Zhao.
It was him.
He applied slight pressure with his hand, and seeing that I looked uncomfortable, he stroked my face.
“Jiang Zhao…” I murmured.
“Don’t be afraid, your husband is here with you,” he said, his tone gentle, yet it made me feel inexplicably terrified, with an overwhelming sense of oppression.
“I don’t mind what you do,” Jiang Zhao said, “as long as you stay with me forever, and we don’t go anywhere else.”
"No……"
"Everything you have now belongs to me." Jiang Zhao stroked my face. I could vaguely see his smile, but I also felt that he wasn't happy. He made no attempt to hide his madness.
"I will not let Xie Yong get close to you again, nor will I let you meet that poor man again and run away with him."
Perhaps it was because of the intense pain caused by the high fever, but I bit my lip, unable to resist.
Jiang Zhao smiled, and his appearance became increasingly similar to the Jiang Mingzhuo I remembered.
I bit my lip, but Jiang Zhao's fingers reached out and forcefully pried my lips open. "Don't bite. If it hurts, bite me."
My eyes welled up slightly, not from emotion, but from a suffocating feeling as if I were trapped in a cage. I wanted to push him away, but I was powerless to do so. I could only let him lean down, and our lips finally touched.
Jiang Zhao kissed me, but didn't close his eyes. His deep, gloomy eyes were like an abyss, recklessly pulling me down with him.
The emotions in his eyes were far too complex.
I can't quite define it as love, but rather an irresistible urge to possess and a careful, protective instinct.
Or perhaps, it's the hatred, anger, and pain that I can't love him.
I was so tired that I simply closed my eyes, and then I could no longer see his expression.
That night, I fell into a deep dream again.
Instead of the unbearable and oppressive luxurious bedroom, I found myself in a beautiful and classic manor. Before me stretched a clear blue sky, a Baroque-style fountain, and a wide, well-maintained lawn. There was even a lake in the distance.
I stared blankly at the unfamiliar scene before me. The fountain's water flowed quietly, forming a thin film under the sunlight, and a rainbow was faintly visible.
“Mom…” My finger was suddenly grabbed. I hesitated for a few seconds before looking down.
A pretty little girl held my hand.
Her appearance was almost identical to mine, especially her eyes, which were nearly a carbon copy. The girl was wearing a beautiful white tulle dress.
Seeing that I hadn't spoken for a long time, the little girl became a little worried. She shook my finger and said, "Mommy."
"Bella."
Behind me, a man's deep, cold voice replaced my reply. A steady footstep approached me. I didn't even dare to turn around, my whole body stiffened, until the man reached my side. He had a handsome face, a sharp jawline, and an arrogant air that kept strangers at bay, as well as the indifference of someone in a superior position.
Jiang Zhao.
I was more awake than ever in my dreams. I looked at him silently. His gaze lingered on my face for a moment, and then he picked up the little girl without hesitation. "Bella, today is Mommy's birthday. Today I'm taking you to Mommy's rose garden."
"What garden?" The little girl was extremely curious, but she was also very perceptive, glancing at me quietly. "Daddy, does Mommy want to go?"
Two strands of hair were gently blown aside by the wind. I slowly met the girl's eyes and nodded.
Her unease finally subsided somewhat.
The entire estate is breathtakingly beautiful.
The early summer sunlight shone on the wide lawn, which stretched out in all directions. Walking along the flower-lined path, one was surrounded by lush greenery. The little girl fussed to get down, so Jiang Zhao put her down. She ran to the sculpture on the lawn and touched it.
At first glance, we seem no different from countless happy families of three.
I didn't say a word to him until we reached the corridor of the rose garden, when I was surprised.
Light pink roses climbed over the fences and archways, blooming in full glory, creating a soft, dreamlike world.
"It's so beautiful!" the little girl exclaimed. "Daddy, this is your birthday present for Mommy!"
“I’ve known your mother since I was sixteen. From the day I met her, I bought this estate for her.” Jiang Zhao said, and I could feel his burning gaze. If I didn’t know his wicked and cold-blooded personality well, I might have been moved by this man’s devotion and deep affection.
I refused to speak. Jiang Zhao said, "Every year, I have new varieties of pink roses planted here. Bella, you can count how long your father and mother have known each other."
The little girl stared intently at the breathtaking garden before her. A gentle breeze, like ocean waves, stirred up a sea of pink roses—it was incredibly tender and beautiful.
"One, two, three, four... It's been ten years, Daddy!" The little girl ran through the sea of flowers. She seemed very interested in the newly planted light pink rabbit roses. The outermost layer of these bouquets was milky white, and the center of the flowers was pink. They were white with a hint of pink, and they looked very sweet.
I stood still, and Jiang Zhao suddenly reached out his hand.
His hands were extremely cold, with a thin layer of calluses on his palms, holding me firmly in place. I twisted my wrists, trying to break free, but Jiang Zhao remained expressionless. He suddenly pressed me against the garden corridor, pinning me against the wall.
I looked at him and said with difficulty, "You...you can't have anything you want, so why can't you let me go...I've been with you for ten years, aren't you tired of playing with me yet?"
"Let you go, so I can watch you and Xie Yong live happily ever after?" Jiang Zhao mocked coldly, his eyes as dark as ink as he looked at me. "No, it's that doctor. I heard he divorced his wife for you."
"It wasn't Xu Ya." My voice was weak. "He just felt sorry for me..."
The leaves rustled and fell softly.
“I had Mingzhuo move it back.” Jiang Zhao’s hand clamped down on my face, lifting my incredibly pale face. I was no longer willing to struggle.
Jiang Zhao said slowly and deliberately, "The three of us used to get along so well, let's continue to play together, okay?"
My face turned pale instantly, and I stared at him without blinking.
"You only have yourself to blame," Jiang Zhao said to me in a cold voice. "You betrayed me first."
"Is my brother coming back?" The little girl floated to our side like a butterfly. She was innocent and naive, and said in a childlike tone, "Daddy, my brother usually only comes to keep Mommy company when you're not here. Does that mean he can teach me to play the violin every day from now on?"
"Hmm." Jiang Zhao gave a vicious sneer, his tone chilling: "Bella, your father and brother will take care of you and your mother for the rest of our lives, okay?"
-
When I woke up the next day, although I was still weak, the pain and burning sensation from the high fever had disappeared. I blinked my eyes wearily, and when I realized that someone was approaching, I almost screamed.
"Miss Jiang, don't be afraid."
My vision began to clear, and I saw a nurse in a navy blue medical uniform. She spoke to me kindly, "You had a fever last night. This is a hospital, don't be afraid."
I slowly calmed down and subconsciously looked around the room. It was exactly the same as the one Jiang Mingzhuo was sleeping in. There was no pungent smell of medicine, and the walls were not the cold, pale white or harsh green. The room was decorated entirely with solid wood, and it was as large as a hotel room. I couldn't find the slightest discomfort.
I blinked, somewhat unable to believe what was laid out before me.
There were all sorts of rose bouquets, packed in different colored buckets: light pink, flesh pink, dark pink, and white and pink mixed together... Countless roses filled the entire ward, and the air was filled with the sweet scent of roses.
The nurse smiled, not surprised by my reaction. She took out the black greeting card from the bouquet and handed it to me.
I opened it with difficulty and found that it was Jiang Zhao's handwriting.
The handwriting reflects the person: sharp, cold, and remarkably simple and beautiful.
"From now on, I will learn to treat you gently."
Me: "..." I wanted to throw the greeting card away, but I didn't have the strength.
The nurse next to me looked at me with envy, "Ms. Jiang, you may not know, but Mr. Jiang stayed with you all night yesterday. He only left this morning after he saw that your fever had subsided."
My eyes, which had been staring straight ahead, drooped down listlessly.
I understand what the nurse is thinking.
Jiang Zhao had a cold and stern face, a tall and slender figure, and a sharp and arrogant demeanor. He looked absolutely stunning in a suit, and coupled with his status as the crown prince of the Imperial State, he owned countless shares, real estate, immovable property, antiques, numerous subsidiaries, and a fortune that he could not spend in several lifetimes. He was high above and all-powerful.
Being loved by such a man and treated with such "deep affection" seems like I'd be ungrateful if I didn't reciprocate.
"I wish I could think like you." I smiled at her, then coughed a few times. "Could you give me my phone?"
"Okay." The nurse nodded.
I turned on my phone, and unsurprisingly, while I was unconscious due to illness, all the contacts in my phone had been "filtered"—teachers from school, classmates from the same major, and customers I met through part-time jobs…all the male contacts had been deleted.
Not only that, he also thoroughly checked all my social media accounts and messages.
I increasingly suspect that those dreams weren't just figments of my imagination; they might actually exist...
The men in my dream were clearly much more mature, far beyond what I can achieve now. If I could foresee the future, wouldn't that be ridiculous?
I held my phone to my lips, thought for a moment, and then searched the website using keywords such as "rose garden" and "classical manor." Unfortunately, there were more than a dozen rose gardens in the entire Empire State, including the nearby Hiroshima City, but only three of them were completely private manors and not open to the public.
Where exactly is it? I recalled the enormous manor from my dream and searched the entire area again using Google Maps, but still found nothing.
Which of these three estates is actually Jiang Zhao's garden?
If it really exists... I have to start to doubt my ability to predict "dreams," perhaps I can clearly see everything that will happen in the future.
The nurse brought me breakfast and then stood motionless to the side, waiting for me.
"Did Jiang Zhao ask you to keep an eye on me?" I asked her.
A hint of surprise flashed across the nurse's face. She shook her head awkwardly. "No... Mr. Jiang just told us that your mental state is not very good after each illness. I was just worried about you."
"I'm really fine." I smiled at the nurse, knowing full well that it would be hard for anyone to completely resist my kindness. Most people would instinctively treat me better and be more patient when they saw me adopt this gentle and vulnerable demeanor.
Seeing her pause for a moment, I held out my hand. "I want to have breakfast and then take a nap. At most, I'll go for a walk in the garden downstairs. Trust me."
Under my half-coaxing tone, she believed it.
The door to the ward was quietly closed. I couldn't help but pull out the IV drip and the needle inserted into the back of my hand, and struggled to get up. I used a great deal of willpower to suppress the urge to lie back, which felt limp, and opened the wardrobe.
The two brothers really do have the same tastes.
Jiang Zhao also prepared those overly innocent clothes for me. I didn't have time to choose, so I changed into one. Seeing that there was no one around the ward, I hurriedly fastened my coat and ran out.
My mind was in turmoil. I wanted to go home, but I was also overly concerned about the rose manor in my dream. I wandered aimlessly along the sidewalk. The Imperial Hospital was not far from Imperial Square, and the police station was also in the nearby blocks. Every now and then, I could hear the piercing sound of police cars sirens blaring.
Suddenly, I realized that a car was following me.
I turned my head and immediately saw a black Aston Martin. It was an expensive and conspicuous car, so I couldn't help but notice it. Seeing that the car was just following me without making any move, I could only pretend not to notice and silently continue walking forward.
"Beep." The car sounded behind me, seemingly reminding me to stop.
My body stiffened for a moment, and then the roar of a car engine followed, pulling up beside me and stopping in an instant.
The car window slowly rolled down, revealing Lin Jindong's face. His gaze was sharp and aggressive as he stared at me. Although his features were not as delicate as Xie Yong's, they were very three-dimensional. His thin lips were slightly curved in a smile, and he exuded a strong aura.
“Prosecutor Lin…” I looked at him.
"Get in the car."
I was about to refuse, but he seemed to read my mind and said bluntly, "I've found out something that you'll find very interesting."
Hearing him say that, a bold idea suddenly came to my mind.
I gently opened the car door, my fingers inadvertently brushing against his right hand. Lin Jindong's dark eyes deepened. This ambiguous and hypocritical teasing was something I would never normally do, but now it seemed as if I had mastered it without any instruction... Perhaps, I was born with a talent for cheating.
"What do you plan to exchange this time?" Lin Jindong lowered his head slightly, his tie around his neck highlighting his sexy Adam's apple, exuding an air of privileged privilege.
"I have a fever." I gripped his hand tightly and lifted it up so he could wrap his arms around my waist. He smiled, his palm gently squeezing and lingering. I had no doubt that if he had used more force, he would have left finger marks on my slender and fragile waist.
Lin Jindong asked, "It's quite hot. Didn't you take any medicine?"
“I ran away from the hospital,” I said, putting one hand on his shoulder and neck and the other on him, occasionally looking at him with what I thought was the most innocent expression. “I don’t have the strength to make it up to you today, can you take me back to the hospital?”
"...What's wrong? Is anyone at the hospital? Are you that scared?" Lin Jindong, as expected of a prosecutor, always hits the nail on the head with a single sentence. He knew I was trying to coax him into sending me home.
I chuckled softly. Even though I couldn't see my own expression, I knew it from Lin Jindong's obviously slightly stunned look in his eyes.
It must be very touching.
A soft laugh rose, and my fingers stroked the excellent prosecutor. His abs were well-developed and incredibly hard at that moment. He could have easily stopped me, but he remained seated, watching me attack him.
I said, "What's wrong? My husband's here, and you're so scared that you don't dare to come with me?"
I deliberately used the exact same sentence to provoke him. Lin Jindong raised an eyebrow, his sharp gaze sweeping over me from top to bottom, and smiled indifferently.
"Go ahead, why wouldn't you go?"
“My husband is capable of murder,” I told him. I had already come up with a plan. Since Jiang Zhao was so concerned about my “cheating,” I would provoke him even more. I wanted to see if he could tolerate one man, could he not tolerate a constant stream of men?
The crazier I go, the more flaws and problems will be exposed. Sooner or later, I will be able to find a handle to control Jiang Zhao and also find the truth about everything that happened in my dream.
Using Lin Jindong to investigate on my behalf is far faster than investigating while I am "under surveillance."
I don't care what Jiang Zhao does to him. What does it have to do with me if men fight?
Lin Jindong lowered his eyelashes. "Coincidentally, I like to steal the wives of men like that."
He stared at me with great interest; clearly, I had completely piqued his interest.
[Author's Note]
The plot in the flashback is roughly as follows: Jiang Zhao snatched Xiao Fu away from his younger brother, married her, and met Xie Yong a year later. Xiao Fu always wanted Jiang Zhao to give up on her, and on top of that, Xie Yong had forced himself on her, and Jiang Mingzhuo kept showing up at home. She gave up entirely, and the men outside were only trying to make Jiang Zhao leave him.
However, after Jiang Zhao discovered this, he only suffered for a while before calling back his first love, Jiang Mingzhuo, hoping that Xiao Fu would at least change her mind about him. But Xiao Fu continued to act out under his nose for ten years. At least during those ten years, Xiao Fu could sleep soundly instead of being caught in the middle and having nightmares every day.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
