Chapter 24: Being Stopped

When Zhao Dong heard Tang Wan mention the name Zhong Ling, his expression clearly changed.

He even confirmed with Tang Wan, “Zhong, the educated youth?”

Tang Wan nodded.

“Who did she meet?” Zhao Dong asked urgently.

“A male educated youth from another brigade. Zhong Ling said they were classmates before…” Tang Wan didn’t say more.

“There really isn’t anything else. They are fellow villagers who haven’t seen each other for a long time. Zhong Ling has been waiting to meet him today. I was just startled by your sudden appearance—there’s nothing else going on,” Tang Wan said apologetically.

“Hm, there’s no one else around here. It’s not safe for you to wait for her alone. Better to go back first. If someone is with her, nothing will happen,” Zhao Dong obviously believed Tang Wan’s words. Although his mood was a bit off, his tone no longer showed any unusual tension.

“Okay, it’s too dark here anyway. I was about to walk somewhere with more light. Aren’t you going to watch the movie?”

“I’m going home to get something.” Zhao Dong’s expression was very serious, as if lost in thought. “You should go back first. It’s really not safe here. If you encounter someone with bad intentions…”

Zhao Dong stopped himself and told Tang Wan to go back.

Tang Wan agreed: “I’ll just walk ahead a bit. When she returns this way, she can see me.”

As Tang Wan said this, she headed that way, but Zhao Dong didn’t change his route. Instead, he walked quickly in the direction Tang Wan had come from, apparently to verify something.

Tang Wan hadn’t gone far before she looked back to see Zhao Dong hurrying toward that spot.

At this time, the two of them were in a state of mutual attraction, a subtle ambiguous phase. It was only after Zhong Ling went to explain to Zhao Dong that their relationship advanced further.

But with what Tang Wan had just said, Zhong Ling’s previous explanations no longer worked.

Their romantic progress was troubled, and Tang Wan felt relieved.

To win Zhao Dong, Zhong Ling had even tried to let Tang Wan drown right after her rebirth. Naturally, Tang Wan intended to make her pay for that.

Watching Zhao Dong walk away, Tang Wan’s mood improved as she headed back.

But before she could reach the place with light, suddenly, a hand grabbed her and pulled her behind a tree.

The moment she was pulled, Tang Wan’s vision went dark.

Someone covered her eyes.

Behind her was a thick tree trunk; the rough bark pressed against her thin back through her clothes, causing her to cry out in pain.

The next moment, an arm blocked the space between her and the tree, and a warm body pressed closer.

Tang Wan was trapped in someone’s embrace, the hand over her eyes showing no sign of moving.

This person was obviously tall and large; his arm wrapped around her waist from above.

His body pressed closer so Tang Wan had no room to struggle, trapped between the arm behind her, the tree, and the warm chest in front.

The hot breath grew heavier and finally rested by Tang Wan’s ear.

“Wearing this today, huh? Dressing like this—who are you trying to show off to? Me?” His hoarse voice blew hot breath against her earlobe, making the delicate white lobe flush red quickly.

It was obvious this person had been staring at Tang Wan intently—he could even notice the change in her earlobe under the faint moonlight. The next moment, Tang Wan felt as if her earlobe had been lightly licked, so light it might have been her imagination.

Tang Wan was stunned and did not speak right away.

Seeing her silent, he grew irritated: “Why no answer? You have endless things to say with others, but when it’s me, you go silent?” As he spoke, the arm behind her suddenly tightened, forcing her fully against his body.

Under the moonlight, the woman next to the tree was completely covered by a tall figure. His hand covered the upper half of her face, and her slightly parted lips showed her rapid breathing.

“Who are you?” Tang Wan tried to struggle, but it only made things worse.

They were too close; her movements were all inside his embrace, and the tight contact in front made her struggles awkwardly distorted.

After a few attempts, Tang Wan sensed the futility and gave up.

“Who was the guy talking to you just now? Your lover?” He asked angrily without waiting for her reply.

Tang Wan was shocked—had this person seen everything between her and Zhao Dong?

Did he also see her stalking Zhong Ling earlier?

Her silence only made him angrier. Suddenly Tang Wan felt a sting on her earlobe, followed by warm, soothing licking.

He was trying to get her attention with this method: “If you won’t answer, then you’re dressing up so nicely to meet your lover, right?”

His voice was full of anger and resentment, as if with no place to vent. Tang Wan’s silence fanned the flames of his irritation, making his voice even hoarser.

“No,” Tang Wan was startled by his actions and quickly responded.

“Then what did you say to him? Tell me too.” His tone was gritted teeth.

Tang Wan didn’t know how much he had overheard, but since he had seen it all, he must have seen her expression. Hiding the truth was clearly not a good choice.

“I was just talking about another educated youth,” Tang Wan said frankly.

The few sentences she said to Zhao Dong were about Zhong Ling. Although it wasn’t something to openly share, it wasn’t really a secret either.

Obviously, Tang Wan’s answer wasn’t entirely satisfactory but also faultless.

“You’re not his lover, yet you’re waiting for him on the road—do you like him?” As he spoke, he moved even closer; Tang Wan felt his breath brush past her lips, almost touching.

Tang Wan knew this man had seen everything, even her deliberate wait for Zhao Dong on the road.

And he wasn’t surprised by her answer, nor by the conversation he overheard.

“You heard, right? He likes someone else,” Tang Wan’s nervousness faded now.

He clearly hadn’t expected this reply. Of course, he knew from her following Zhong Ling here, and waiting on the road to talk to Zhao Dong.

Just from the talk, he knew Zhao Dong was worried about Zhong Ling.

“And you? He likes someone else, but do you still like him?”

“No.”

“Are you not on good terms with that female educated youth?” This man still refused to let Tang Wan off.

Tang Wan said nothing.

His arm behind her back had fully wrapped around her waist and unconsciously stroked a few times.

“Fine for now. Next time don’t let me see you talking to that guy again.” He growled fiercely.