Chapter 90 I Want You: Who Told You to Seduce Me?
The knife tip slices diagonally into the wood carving, and with a soft rustling sound, layers of wood shavings are peeled away. With a flick of the wrist, the wood carving in the palm of the hand has already taken on a square, rudimentary shape.
Wood shavings splashed onto the back of my hand, then piled up on the ground...
The rich, subtle scent of wood in the air grew stronger and stronger. This scent resembled sandalwood, but upon closer inspection, one could also detect a hint of sweetness mixed in with it.
Before Li Xunhuan even opened his eyes, he could already smell the scent of sandalwood.
He lay weakly on the canopy bed. Looking at all the furniture and utensils in the room, he didn't have time to marvel before struggling to get up.
How did he end up here?
Isn't he on his way to Xingyun Village?
Li Xunhuan took a few steps forward, barely managing to stand by leaning on the round table. Only when he saw half a jar of plaster on the table did he realize the stickiness on his cheek.
A cold wind blew through his collar and into his body, a chill running down his arm and raising a fine rash of goosebumps. He reached out and touched it lightly, and the thick, white ointment solidified on his fingertip.
With doubts lingering in his mind, a sudden, tinkling sound of a copper bell rang out from outside the door. Only then did Li Xunhuan breathe a sigh of relief, his tense body finally relaxing.
Niannian pushed open the door and saw Li Xunhuan, pale-faced, coughing incessantly while leaning against the table. She quickly ran over, grabbed the cloak from beside the bed, and draped it over him, scolding him playfully, "Why aren't you dressed? Are you letting yourself freeze?"
Upon hearing that familiar voice, Li Xunhuan asked repeatedly, "What's going on?"
While tying the ties of his cloak, Niannian said without batting an eye, "What else could have happened? Who tried to save someone but fell down first? If it weren't for me, you would have been carried off by wolves long ago."
Although his excessive drinking had damaged his health, how could he have fainted for no reason?
He had just furrowed his brow when he heard Nian Nian angrily say, "Those old bastards must have drugged you! They're despicable and shameless!"
Li Xunhuan was taken aback. These people preferred the high-sounding and respectable approach, so using underhanded methods like drugging was rather illogical.
Having already resolved to abandon his reputation in the martial arts world, why would he only administer "muscle-softening powder"? If it were just ordinary muscle-softening powder, how could he be completely unaware of it?
Seeing him deep in thought, Niannian said coquettishly, "I saved you twice, how are you going to repay me?"
Li Xunhuan said gently, "I could repay you with my life. I'll give you whatever you want."
Just as Niannian opened her eyes, she heard him hesitate and ask, "How long have I been unconscious?"
Niannian clenched her fist, turned to the side and smiled, "You've been unconscious for two days, it scared me to death. The fog dissipated not long after you fainted; it was just a spectacle brought about by a lunar eclipse, and many people flocked to see it."
Li Xunhuan let out a breath and finally sat down.
That strange phenomenon was too bizarre; it's good that nothing bad happened.
His gaze fell on the rosewood table in front of him. Its texture was warm and smooth, and its grain was delicate. It was clearly not from an ordinary family.
He forced back a cough and asked, "Where is this place?"
Niannian stepped forward and gently patted his back, explaining sweetly, "I saved an old man, and he wanted to repay me. Knowing that we had nowhere to go, he asked me to let you stay here in peace."
Upon hearing this, Li Xunhuan struggled to his feet and gasped, "I have now been framed as the Plum Blossom Bandit, and I am now the target of everyone's hatred. I'm afraid this will implicate him. I will go and pay my respects to my master first, and then explain the matter to him."
Niannian took his hand and said with a smile, "There's no host here. This is the old man's side house. It's just the two of us."
Seeing her smile at him despite her face being covered in wounds, Li Xunhuan felt an unbearable pang of sorrow in his heart.
She was just a child, yet she was beaten like this because of her. If she hadn't mastered that special skill, Zhao Zhengyi would probably have worn her down to the point of near death.
He has wronged yet another person in this world. And ironically, it was she who saved his life.
As he gazed at her, his eyes welled up with tears again. After a long pause, he looked away, unable to bear it any longer, and said, "They won't let the Plum Blossom Thief get away with this. If you stay by my side any longer, your life will be in danger. You..."
He had already promised Niannian that he would love her as his own daughter, so how could he ask her to leave again?
But there are too many people in the martial arts world who hate him to death. How can he keep dragging her down with him?
She was just a child, and should have grown up carefree, far away from these dark secrets.
Seeing his worried and ill-fated appearance, Niannian raised an eyebrow and said, "Why bother with all this?"
These people are trapped inside and can't even take care of themselves, so how can they uphold so-called justice?
She suppressed the smile on her lips and said, "I will protect you. You just need to stay by my side."
Li Xunhuan had already made up his mind to leave alone, and upon hearing this, he was even more at a loss for words.
"Why...why didn't you put any medicine on your face?" His voice lowered.
Niannian was taken aback. Seeing the guilt and heartache in his eyes, she swallowed the words "I'm not in pain" that were on the tip of her tongue. Her eyes drooped, and she grabbed his sleeve, pleadingly saying, "Uncle, can you wipe it for me?"
Her cat-like eyes were large and round, and when the corners of her eyes drooped, her pitiful look almost overflowed. In addition, the frostbite on her face had not yet healed, and new injuries had appeared. The bruised handprint had congealed into a purplish-red, and the cut on her forehead had formed a reddish-brown scab. She looked like a crushed plum.
Li Xunhuan stared at it, his heart clenching again.
That tiny face, no bigger than a palm, was completely devoid of healthy flesh! And every single scar was a result of his actions!
It felt as if a boning knife was slowly dissecting him, following the contours of his body; guilt and heartache were suffocating him.
He will never be able to say "no" to her again in this lifetime.
He had no idea at the time that this thought would become a slap in the face.
He remained silent for a long time before finally taking the half-used jar of ointment.
Niannian sat on the edge of the table, propped herself up with her hands behind her, and craned her neck to gaze at him.
Time is always more merciless on the heartbroken. He had long since withered away in the self-imposed torment, and the fine lines at the corners of his eyes had meandered out like the branches of a dead tree.
But the emerald green in his eyes was youthful and gentle, like a misty fog that could ensnare everyone.
Li Xunhuan bent down, and his snow-white cloak fell down, as if he were embracing her completely.
The thick, creamy ointment was gently applied to my face, feeling slightly cool, like applying snowflakes to my wound.
His warm breath was blowing on his lips, and the aroma of medicine and wine overwhelmed him.
Everything blurred in an instant, leaving only those slightly parted thin lips in the world.
It has a beautiful shape, is thin and soft, and turns bright red when pressed.
Her fingertips had ventured inside, knowing the wetness, the heat, and the tenderness within.
A certain thought stirred within me, my heart tingled, and my throat felt so dry it was almost burning my blood.
I really want to...
An impulse with the same origin as tyranny surged from my heart, and suddenly, all I could hear was my own increasingly rapid breathing.
She was no longer the girl who writhed on his bed, murmuring in a daze.
So, suppressing the burning sensation in her heart, she unexpectedly tilted her head back and kissed him.
Her snow-white neck curved into a crescent moon as she pressed her lips to his, a fleeting touch.
With a 'bang', the medicine jar crashed to the ground.
It sounded as if a bronze bell was ringing in his ears. Li Xunhuan froze on the spot, his pupils suddenly contracted, and a chill ran through his entire body.
After a long while, he finally heard himself say, trying to remain calm, word by word, "What are you doing?"
His voice trembled, and his back was so tense it felt like it would split open.
Niannian suppressed the tingling sensation in her heart, hugged his neck tightly, pressed her face against his, and rubbed against him, saying, "I like you. Uncle, don't like Lin Shiyin anymore, like me instead."
"You said you'd give me whatever I wanted. I want you, you're mine."
......
Li Xunhuan's ears were ringing, and every word he saw turned into twisted, crawling characters.
He was breathing heavily, his teeth chattering, and he pushed her away forcefully in the complete darkness.
After a long pause, he finally found his voice and said sternly, "How did I teach you the four virtues of propriety, righteousness, integrity, and a sense of shame!"
He had long regarded her as his own daughter and loved her dearly, and had even announced to the world that Nian Nian was his goddaughter.
How could anyone have such an unethical and morally reprehensible thought?
Niannian was shoved onto the table by him, her face turning completely cold.
Li Xunhuan clenched his fists and tried his best to remain calm, saying, "You're still young, and you were momentarily blinded by your own thoughts. I'll pretend I didn't hear anything."
Niannian raised her head, her eyes fixed on him. "Didn't you hear me? Why should I?"
Li Xunhuan's chest heaved as he said, "Everyone in the martial world knows I am your father!"
She gazed at him intently, her eyes swirling with dark emotions. Suddenly, she raised her hand, pinched his neck, bent it downwards, and tilted her head back to bite his lips.
Teeth were biting wildly on his thin lips, wet and chaotic, while the tip of his tongue tried to burrow into the gap between his lips.
Li Xunhuan gasped for breath, then abruptly pushed her away, his eyes like knives, and raised his hand.
The wind from her palm blew her black hair. Nian Nian turned her face to the side, revealing her left cheek, which was covered in bruises. She said lightly, "Hit me, beat me to death by covering my palm print."
Li Xunhuan's hand froze in mid-air, trembling like that of a frail old man.
His pale face was flushed with anger, his jaw was clenched, and his lips trembled as he pressed them tightly together.
Niannian raised her eyebrows slightly, met his gaze, raised her hand, and dug her fingertips into her forehead to pick at the scab.
Thick blood flowed down her brow. Expressionless, she shoved her blood-stained fingertip into his mouth and said fiercely, "Taste the blood I shed for you."
The fishy, rusty smell filled his mouth, and he coughed so hard he felt like he was going to vomit his lungs out.
He was surrounded by distorted and inverted murmurs, and the tearing sensation from ten years ago caught up with him again, forcing him into the dark alley.
He wanted to escape and fled in a panic.
Li Xunhuan strode out, his lips burning as he walked away amidst the cacophony around him, almost scalding them.
He ran into the yard, grabbed some snow from the ground, and stuffed it into his mouth.
He swallowed hard, wiping his lips, which bled from the friction.
Hearing the sound of a copper bell behind him, he walked out with a sullen face.
He could escape ten years ago, but he can't escape ten years later.
Niannian spoke slowly from behind him, "What? Are you going to find your Lin Shiyin?"
Upon hearing her mention that person's name, Li Xunhuan glared at her and snapped, "Shut up!"
Niannian's tone was calm as she softly asked, "Why do I have to tie you up?"
Before she could finish speaking, thin, transparent threads had already wrapped around Li Xunhuan's limbs, dragging him onto the canopy bed like a hunter dragging the carcass of his prey after a hunt.
Thin threads were embedded in his wrists, ankles, and waist, piercing through the bed frame, imprisoning him on the bed in circles.
Li Xunhuan tried to struggle, but not only could he not use his internal energy, he couldn't even move his hands and feet at all!
Just as he was tense up and struggling to break free of his restraints, Nian Nian had already slumped down and straddled his waist and abdomen.
Her gaze towards him was blatantly possessive, a strong sense of possessiveness piercing his throat like a knife.
Li Xunhuan's pupils dilated, fearing she might go astray, and he said in a trembling voice, "I'm already old enough to be your father. You only feel dependent on and affection for me because I saved you. How can you confuse that with romantic love?"
She chuckled softly, caressing his lips as she said, "Who told you to seduce me?"
These words were like a flying knife that struck right at the throat, a fatal blow.
Li Xunhuan's hands and feet turned cold. Facing the cracks that were gradually opening in his heart, he cried out, "I only have the affection of an elder for a junior when it comes to you! I only consider you my daughter!"
He seemed to be in a nightmare, and fine beads of cold sweat appeared on his forehead.
Niannian stared at him, forcefully gripping his hand and pulling it into her heart.
The rough calluses had rubbed against my skin all the way, and my fingertips touched a patch of snow-white flesh, as if sinking into almond tofu.
While pressing his hand down, she feigned innocence and asked, "Would ordinary fathers and daughters act like this?"
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