Chapter 16: Can’t Stop

Leng Feng heard sounds coming from outside the yard and sensed something was wrong. He quickly dodged, climbed onto the table at the head of the bed, and “whoosh”—scaled up to the ceiling beam. Lying flat across the beams, he watched a man sneaking into the house.

Gao Ershan pushed open the door and saw the curtain that had been pulled down now hung back in place. He lifted one arm, pushed aside the curtain, and saw the bed was empty. He then opened the wardrobe—inside were a few old clothes—and, throwing the doors wide, found nothing behind them. He went into the kitchen, only to see Lin Anran busy cooking. Relieved, a heavy weight lifted off his chest. “What’s for dinner?” he asked.

Lin Anran’s heart skipped a beat, like a thunderclap exploding in her chest. “Crash!” A bowl slipped from her hands onto the floor. She hurriedly bent down to pick up the broken pieces, her voice trembling slightly: “Ershan, when did you come back? Why didn’t I hear you telling me to open the door?” She kept glancing toward the main room, realizing Gao Ershan’s tone was gentle, not angry—he clearly hadn’t noticed Leng Feng. Smiling, she said, “I’m cooking… just making some soup. It’ll be ready soon.”

Gao Ershan watched her cook with tender care. Her slender body wrapped in the loose clothing, her hair falling behind her ears, her fair skin glistening in the light. He couldn’t help but stealthily pinch her firm backside, saying, “Anran, you’re really something.”

Lin Anran was startled and shouted, “Gao Ershan, what are you doing?”

Seeing her extreme reaction, Gao Ershan was puzzled. Previously, she had begged him to treat her well, and now she seemed like a different person. Irritated, he said, “We’re married. A little intimacy is normal—why such a big reaction?”

Lin Anran glared at him. “Who’s married to you? It’s Chen Yan next door! You even said you’d divorce me—soon we won’t even be married.”

Hearing her words, Gao Ershan felt a twinge of guilt. “I was wrong. I’ll treat you well from now on. Let’s live a good life together.”

Lin Anran looked at him, seeing his serious expression. She met his fiery gaze and desire-filled look with disgust. “Belated affection is worthless!” she said. “From the moment you forced me to hang myself, our fate was over. Go be with your lover!” She bent over to continue cooking, ignoring him.

Gao Ershan’s anger boiled; he paced the yard, muttering her words repeatedly in his mind. A heat rose in him as he looked at Lin Anran’s full figure. Before she could finish cooking, he suddenly grabbed her.

“We’re a married couple. You have to fulfill your duties as a wife!”

Lin Anran was shocked by the sudden hug, struggling, only to be lifted off the ground and carried toward the main room. Terrified, she realized Gao Ershan was trying to force himself on her. She kicked wildly and shouted, “You bastard, scum!” She aimed at his groin. Gao Ershan, in pain, loosened his grip, clutching himself, and stammered, “You… you…”

Seeing him in pain, Lin Anran quickly escaped. Gao Ershan lunged after her, grabbing her and slapping her. “See if I don’t deal with you today! I’m Gao or not!” He then used both hands to lift her onto the bed and pinned her down.

Lin Anran looked toward the ceiling at Leng Feng, signaling him not to come down. Gao Ershan, frenzied, attempted to kiss her. “We’re married! Didn’t you beg me before? What, don’t want it today?”

Unable to stand it any longer, Leng Feng jumped down from the ceiling. Gao Ershan turned at the sound, and Lin Anran immediately pulled out a stun baton from her space, zapped him, and he collapsed unconscious.

Lin Anran pushed Gao Ershan aside. Leng Feng, holding her in his arms, said, “Anran, come with me. I won’t let you suffer.”

Lin Anran hesitated, thinking that following him might seem improper, and also considering she and Gao Ershan were still legally married, though only in name. She wanted to end the marriage first, find a place to stay, and then think further.

Seeing her hesitation, Leng Feng’s heart ached. “Anran, please trust me,” he said, embracing her, kissing her soft lips and neck, wanting to merge her into his body. He finally released her.

“I… I trust you,” she said.

Lin Anran helped Gao Ershan, now unconscious, into the side room, closed the door, and locked it. She and Leng Feng exchanged a smile. Lin Anran then brought the cooked meal to the table; both remained silent while eating. After the meal, she cleaned up.

Night fell, and she lit the kerosene lamp, its flame flickering with a sizzling sound. Sitting side by side, they followed their usual rule: “You sleep on the floor, I’ll take the bed.” She tossed him a set of bedding.

“Fine,” Leng Feng said.

Lin Anran blew out the lamp. Alone together, she tossed and turned, unable to sleep. Feeling restless, she got up to go outside for some air. After two or three steps, she stumbled in the dark and fell face-first, thinking, “This time, I’m done for. At the very least, I’ll be injured or disfigured.”

But there was no pain—beneath her was a broad chest. Leng Feng looked down at her and said, “Anran, are you trying to seduce me? That’s dangerous.”

Hearing his magnetic, teasing voice, Lin Anran felt a tingling in her ears, her face flushed. She tried to get up but felt strong arms holding her. Her heart raced. Unable to resist, she leaned in and kissed Leng Feng’s burning lips.

Leng Feng lifted her effortlessly, carrying her to the bed, pinning her beneath him, and kissed her inch by inch. Overwhelmed by the heat of his body, Lin Anran surrendered—her controlled mind could not deceive her honest, responsive body. She began tugging at her sleeves, ready to remove her clothes…