boundary marker
Lin Xueyin woke up to a warm and unfamiliar touch.
The moment she regained consciousness, the darkness of the warehouse last night, the rough straw, the tearing pain and his heavy, hot breath came over her like a tide, making her body stiffen and she curled up subconsciously, wanting to escape.
However, she found herself tightly embraced by a strong arm, her back pressed against a warm, firm chest. Song Zhiyuan's clear, tobacco-tinged scent enveloped her completely. She could even feel his steady, strong heartbeat, pounding against her back through the thin fabric of her clothes.
This was completely different from the brutal plundering of last night. It was a kind of confinement that was full of possessiveness, yet strangely, carried a hint of soothing meaning.
She didn't dare move, even her breathing became light, and her body was as stiff as a stone.
A barely audible sigh echoed from above her. The arm around her loosened slightly, but not completely. Then, she felt that large, calloused hand, somewhat awkwardly and lightly stroking her long hair scattered on the pillow. The movement was slow and hesitant, as if touching a fragile treasure.
"Awake?" His voice was particularly low and hoarse in the early morning, less cold and hard than usual, with a hint of laziness afterward, close to her ears.
Lin Xueyin bit her lower lip and refused to respond, but tears slid uncontrollably from the corners of her eyes, wetting the pillow.
Sensing the wetness of his fingertips, Song Zhiyuan paused. He was silent for a moment, then exerted a little force in his arms, holding her tighter in his arms, as if trying to use his body temperature to dispel her trembling and tears.
"Don't cry." He uttered those two words dryly. His tone was still not gentle, but it carried a rare sense of helplessness. He had never dealt with a situation like this before.
He clumsily wiped her tears with his fingers, his fingertips were rough, but he tried to be as gentle as possible.
"Come back to Beijing with me," he said, looking at her wet, tightly closed eyelashes. He finally spoke out the decision that had been lingering in his mind for a long time. His tone was unquestionable, but if you listened carefully, you could see a subtle tension hidden in his voice. "Let's get married."
Lin Xueyin's eyes snapped open, and she looked at him in disbelief. Marriage? After something so awful had happened? He'd ruined her in this way, and then casually mentioned marriage?
Seeing the humiliation and anger that suddenly welled up in her eyes, Song Zhiyuan's heart seemed to be stabbed by something. He understood her resistance, but he had no time.
His mission at the Red Flag Commune was coming to an end, and his return date was set. He couldn't possibly leave her here alone, letting her out of his sight. The mere thought of this possibility filled him with an indescribable anxiety and fury.
He must use the fastest and most effective means to tie her to his side completely. Marriage is the strongest bond in this era.
"I don't have much time here," he added, locking eyes with her, trying to make her understand the urgency of the situation, and also as if convincing himself of the correctness of his decision, "You must come with me."
This is not a discussion, it is a notification.
However, when he saw the light in her eyes dim and she was once again shrouded in despair, the certainty in his heart that came from being in control of the situation instantly dissipated, and was replaced by a deeper uneasiness.
He lowered his head, resting his forehead against hers, trying to convey something he couldn't express in words through this overly intimate gesture. His breath brushed her cheek, carrying a hint of helpless warmth.
"Lin Xueyin," he called her by her full name, his voice so low it was barely a whisper. "Follow me, and I won't let you suffer any more."
This statement, rather than a promise, was more like the most straightforward assurance he could offer. He wasn't one for sweet talk, nor did he know how to be gentle and caring. He only knew that the person he favored must be under his wing, receiving the best possible care, and would not tolerate anyone bullying them again.
He raised his hand and wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes with his fingertips again. His movements were still stiff, but he showed a little more persistence and patience than before.
The morning light filtered through the dilapidated window frames, illuminating the dust particles floating in the air, and also the complex and indistinguishable emotions in his deep eyes—an unquestionable determination, annoyance caused by her tears, and a hint of cautious exploration of this clumsy approach that even he himself had not fully understood.
He knew the means were dishonorable, but he had no choice. In his limited experience and understanding, this was the only way to ensure he could "get" and "keep" it. As for love? That word was too unfamiliar, too ethereal, far less tangible and controllable than "possession" and "responsibility."
The warmth he showed at this moment was the greatest comfort he could offer.
He helped her tidy up her messy clothes. His movements were not gentle, but extremely careful, as if he was taking care of a precious trophy.
When his cold fingertips inevitably brushed against the red marks on her skin, Lin Xueyin couldn't help but shudder.
He didn't say anything, but just did it all silently. Then he wrapped her tightly from head to toe with his military jacket, picked her up horizontally, and walked out of the warehouse that had carried her nightmares all night.
It was already bright outside. The morning countryside air was crisp, with the occasional crowing of chickens and barking of dogs. Lin Xueyin buried her face deep in his chest, blocking out any possible gazes.
She didn't know how she got back to the educated youth point. She only felt that the journey was long and short, and every step was on the edge of shame and exhaustion.
Fortunately, it was still early and there were not many people in the courtyard of the educated youth center. Song Zhiyuan carried her directly back to the female educated youth dormitory and placed her on her bed.
Liu Xiaoling and the others had just gotten out of bed and were stunned by the scene. Lin Xueyin was wrapped tightly in her military uniform, so her face couldn't be seen clearly. However, the unusual aura and Song Zhiyuan's cold, tense expression made them realize something serious had happened. For a moment, no one dared to step forward to ask.
Song Zhiyuan settled her down and pulled the quilt over her. His eyes lingered on her pale face for a moment and he whispered, "Take a rest today. Don't go out."
It was still a commanding tone.
After saying that, he turned and left without any reluctance, as if he was just completing a necessary procedure.
The dormitory door was closed gently.
The room fell into dead silence.
"Xue Yin...are you okay?" Liu Xiaoling was the first to react and approached cautiously.
Lin Xueyin didn't answer. She simply pulled the quilt over her head and curled up inside, unwilling to show even a strand of hair. Under the quilt, her body trembled uncontrollably.
"Xue Yin..." Wang Lina and Zhang Zhaodi also gathered around, looking at each other, their faces full of worry and speculation.
They are not fools. Lin Xueyin's appearance, the faint red marks on her neck, and Song Zhiyuan's strong attitude... what happened is almost self-evident.
But no one dared to speak out. Song Zhiyuan's deterrent power had already been deeply rooted in everyone's mind after the scene last night where he sat under the tree waiting for Lin Xueyin.
Lin Xueyin hid in the darkness of her quilt, tears streaming down her face silently. The physical pain was bearable, but the mental breakdown left her despairing.
He had engraved that boundary marker firmly on her body and soul in the most direct and cruel way.
She was no longer the Lin Xueyin who had the right to hesitate, struggle, or even try to escape.
She became his true "property".
From body to mind, everything is branded by him.
The idea of escape seems so ridiculous and pale in the face of absolute power and established facts.
Where else could she go? What else could she do?
A wave of helplessness and despair washed over her like a tide, completely drowning her. The future was dark, and she could almost see herself like a bird with broken wings, trapped forever in the golden cage he had crafted, never to see the sky outside again.
At this moment, Song Zhiyuan walked out of the female educated youth dormitory and lit a cigarette in the morning light. His expression had returned to its usual sternness, but deep in his eyes, there was a subtle hint of contentment and calmness.
He knew that after last night, she should have completely faced the reality.
His little canary was finally left in the cage.
As for whether she would feel resentment or fear because of this, he didn't really care. He had plenty of time and patience, letting her slowly get used to it and gradually become dependent on him until she no longer had the desire to leave.
What he wants is always complete possession.
Now, this possession may not be justified from a legal and moral perspective, but in essence, it is already indestructible.
He exhaled a puff of smoke and looked at the mountains in the distance, his eyes deep and firm.
He had a plan for the next step. The Red Flag Commune, and even the wider world, were just part of his plan.
And Lin Xueyin will be the most important "possession" in his life, and he will keep her firmly by his side.
Whether she wants to or not.
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