Chapter 40: Heart Moved

This time, she had truly, completely arrived in her own world.

This time, he would hold on to her—no matter what it took.

He could not let her leave again.

A broad embrace enveloped her small frame, and Jiang Yaoyao’s cheek pressed against his chest, listening to the rapid pounding of his heartbeat.

She didn’t understand why Pei Heng’s love for her was so overwhelming and intense.

That heavy tone in his voice just now had made her heart ache.

It was as if…

As if, without her, Pei Heng wouldn’t be able to go on living.

But how could that be possible? He was the undefeated villain, the cold and ruthless overlord. Had that icy, unfeeling heart of his really learned how to love?

They had only known each other for a little over a month—how could his feelings burn so fiercely?

Jiang Yaoyao blinked slowly. Her eyes felt warm, and misty tears blurred her vision.

Something seemed to be knocking at her heart. A deep, resounding thud echoed in her chest, asking her over and over again—

So, have you fallen for him?

The night wind howled through the branches, carrying a chilling, sorrowful cry that swept in from all directions.

The dappled moonlight, fragmented by the trees, cast a glow over them.

Two figures, closely entwined, as if they had always been one.

Among the jagged rocks, beneath the wailing winds, accompanied by the rustling of birds and branches—

The little beauty, her cheek resting against his chest, blinked her burning eyes.

She heard something inside her break—crack.

Like ice, steeped in old prejudices, suddenly shattering and melting.

And beneath that melting ice, a seed wrapped in the fresh green of spring had begun to sprout.

Her slender arms, which had hung at her sides, slowly lifted and gently wrapped around the man’s waist.

She tilted her delicate chin up, meeting the deep gaze of the man before her.

Summoning her courage, her ears tinged with heat, she stammered softly,

“Then… I’ll be relying on you, Mr. Pei.”

“I might end up holding you back.”

The man’s dark, profound eyes remained locked on her, holding emotions she couldn’t quite decipher.

His low, husky voice responded with a simple, “Alright.”

Then, he bent down and held the little beauty in his arms even tighter.

For the first time, in the open, he pressed a kiss against her hair.

Jiang Yaoyao’s cheeks turned crimson, her body stiffening.

At that moment—

She suddenly wished to stay with him for the rest of her life.

Even if the mountains were high and the rivers far.

Even if they wandered the ends of the earth.

—

The night deepened, the darkness thick as ink, sinking into the mountains like an unshakable tide.

The cold was piercing, seeping into the very bones.

Jiang Yaoyao had worn long sleeves and pants when she left earlier, yet even with that, she couldn’t stop herself from shivering.

Pei Heng held her in his arms, his fingers brushing aside the branches blocking their path. Carefully navigating the uneven terrain, he found a secluded cave.

The inside was pitch-black, like the gaping maw of a beast, waiting to swallow them whole.

“We’ll have to stay here for the night. It’s too cold outside.”

Pei Heng tightened his hold on the person in his arms, his voice soothing,

“Just follow me. Don’t be afraid.”

The cave was indeed warmer than the open air outside.

By the faint light of her phone, Jiang Yaoyao scanned their surroundings. There were traces of an old campfire, along with some tools that looked like they had been used for hunting.

Pei Heng gathered a pile of straw, spreading it into a simple makeshift bed.

Then, standing up, he reached over and gently plucked a stray leaf from her hair.

The wind outside howled, sounding like a ghostly wail—mournful and eerie, making the already unsettling atmosphere even more unnerving.

Jiang Yaoyao tugged at the fabric of Pei Heng’s clothes, her voice small and hesitant.

“Mr. Pei… At night… can I sit next to you?”

The man nodded, took her hand, and led her to the makeshift bed of straw. His sharp brows furrowed slightly, his voice laced with tenderness.

“This kind of place… must be hard on you.”

Jiang Yaoyao shook her head.

She obediently sat on the thick layer of straw, finding it surprisingly comfortable, then slowly scooted closer to Pei Heng.

He was checking his phone for a signal—still nothing.

Sensing her movement, his long arm reached out, pulling her into his embrace.

His deep voice carried a soothing reassurance, steady and reliable.

“Sleep.”

She didn’t know why, but in such harsh conditions—howling winds, damp air, the threat of enemies in pursuit—she should have stayed alert.

Yet, perhaps because Pei Heng gave her such an overwhelming sense of security, Jiang Yaoyao, nestled in his arms for only a short while, slowly drifted into sleep.

Even in her dreams, she could feel herself being held tightly in a pair of strong arms.

Strangely enough, she felt no fear at all.

Luckily, Pei Heng was by her side.

With him here, everything would be okay.

—

Around one or two in the morning, Pei Heng heard the sound of stones tumbling and hitting the rock walls outside.

Immediately after came a faint rustling, followed by the sound of someone spitting.

The man, who had been resting with his eyes half-closed, suddenly opened them.

Carefully, he loosened his hold on the sleeping woman in his arms. She was in a deep, peaceful slumber.

His leather shoes stepped onto the ground with meticulous caution, making no sound.

Outside, amidst the howling wind, broken snippets of conversation drifted in.

“…That kid sure is lucky! Even on the brink of death, he’s got a woman with him…”

“…I heard she’s a celebrity. A celebrity, huh? We’ve never had a taste of that before!”

“Exactly! Once we catch that Pei guy, we should have some fun with her too—see if she’s as soft and delicate as she looks, maybe just a pinch will leave a red mark…”

“Hahaha…”

Amidst their lewd, unrestrained laughter, a shadowy figure within the cave moved silently toward the entrance.

Outside, the men, lost in their crude conversation, were getting more carried away.

“Oh, come on, what celebrity? She’s just another rich man’s plaything.”

“Haven’t you seen the news? That Yan Leyao or whatever—pretending to be some pure and innocent goddess, but in reality, she’s been passed around from one wealthy man to another!”

“I bet this celebrity’s the same. Wouldn’t be surprised if she’s already been used up by a bunch of rich guys…”

Their voices dripped with vulgarity, indulging in their twisted fantasies.

“Hey, what do you think Pei Heng is doing right now? If he’s gonna die soon, he might as well enjoy his last moments with that woman…”

“Hahaha, enough talk. I’m gonna go take a piss.”

“Be careful, I’ll head this way.”

“What’s there to be afraid of? That guy’s unarmed. If I see him, I’ll just shoot him right away—cripple him on the spot!”

“Let’s go, let’s go!”

Two sets of footsteps split in different directions.

Inside the cave, the tall figure moved like a phantom. His steps were silent as he slipped into the darkness, following the one who had spoken so brazenly.