Chapter 63: A Kiss

The familiar call made Zhou Ruizhen freeze in place.

It had been a long time since anyone had addressed him like that.

Snapping back to his senses, Zhou Ruizhen quickened his pace, weaving swiftly through the crowd.

The man behind him, gripping a long sword, followed closely, calling out again, “Your Highness!”

Cold sweat broke out all over Zhou Ruizhen’s body as he walked faster and faster. Realizing that the pursuer was relentless, he lightly tapped the ground and used his qinggong technique to dart through the crowd with incredible agility.

Though the street was bustling with people, the man behind him was equally skilled, his movements sharp and fluid as he pursued Zhou Ruizhen without pause.

With no other choice, Zhou Ruizhen stepped onto a nearby wall and leaped onto the rooftops, dashing toward a distant alley.

The man behind him was just as swift, effortlessly vaulting onto the rooftop with his sword in hand. He was closing in.

“Stop right there!” the man shouted.

Without hesitation, Zhou Ruizhen leaped down from the rooftop, diving into the maze-like alleyways, hoping to lose his pursuer among the twisting paths.

Meanwhile…

Madam Zhou and Du Wanchun had been waiting in the street for a long time, but Zhou Ruizhen had yet to return. Both women were growing increasingly anxious.

“Mother, are you sure my husband went to the cosmetics shop?” Du Wanchun stood on tiptoe, scanning the surroundings with concern.

Madam Zhou, equally worried, glanced around and nodded. “Yes, I saw him go in with my own eyes. But when I turned around, he was gone.”

A slight frown formed between Du Wanchun’s brows. “Mother, let’s split up and search for him. If either of us finds him, we’ll meet at the town’s entrance.”

Madam Zhou nodded in agreement.

Not long after they separated, Madam Zhou ran into Zhou Zhao, who came rushing toward her, panting heavily.

“Mother,” Zhou Zhao said, catching his breath, “I checked Second Brother’s shop, but Big Brother isn’t there.”

Madam Zhou’s expression darkened. “Could something have happened to Ruizhen?!”

Zhou Zhao’s face also turned grim. “Mother, do you think someone from the capital has come looking for him?”

Madam Zhou immediately shook her head. “That’s impossible. It’s been three years. They must have assumed we were long dead.”

Zhou Zhao’s expression grew serious. “Mother, those people are ruthless. If they never saw our corpses, they wouldn’t believe we were dead.”

Madam Zhou’s heart pounded as realization struck her, her face turning pale. Grabbing Zhou Zhao’s hand tightly, she said urgently, “No, we have to find your brother—no matter what, we must find him!”

Zhou Zhao nodded firmly and quickly turned around, rushing into the crowd to continue searching.

On the other side of the street, Du Wanchun caught a glimpse of Zhou Ruizhen’s figure in a narrow alley.

She hurriedly chased after him, but when she reached the end of the alley, there was nothing there.

Feeling disappointed, Du Wanchun turned around to leave. Just then, a strong hand suddenly grabbed her arm and pulled her into the narrow gap between two buildings.

Startled, she looked up and saw Zhou Ruizhen.

“Husband…” She was overjoyed and was about to speak when Zhou Ruizhen pressed his index finger against her lips.

Understanding his intention immediately, Du Wanchun quickly shut her mouth and remained silent.

Zhou Ruizhen gradually wrapped his arms around her, pressing their bodies tightly together in the cramped space.

She could feel the heat radiating from his body, as well as the rapid thumping of both their hearts.

As her breathing became more erratic, she lifted her head slightly and caught sight of his prominent Adam’s apple and the sharp contours of his jawline.

Before she realized it, her face grew burning hot, and her breath quickened.

At that moment, a figure slowly walked into the alley outside.

The man was dressed in black, gripping a long sword in one hand. His sharp, half-narrowed eyes scanned the surroundings as he searched carefully.

Du Wanchun peered through the gap and saw the man, her body instantly stiffening with tension.

Noticing her reaction, Zhou Ruizhen reached out in the cramped space and gently grasped her fingertips, firmly enclosing her small hand in his palm.

His hand was warm, and the heat gradually eased Du Wanchun’s nerves, calming her anxious heart.

The man in the alley wandered around briefly before stopping a short distance away, his gaze settling in their direction.

Zhou Ruizhen’s heartbeat visibly accelerated, and a thin layer of cold sweat appeared on his forehead.

The man slowly began to walk toward them.

The deserted alley amplified the sound of his approaching footsteps, drawing closer and closer.

Seeing the imminent danger, Du Wanchun acted on instinct. Without thinking, she rose onto her tiptoes and pressed her lips against Zhou Ruizhen’s.

Zhou Ruizhen was startled, momentarily frozen. Before he could react, Du Wanchun quickly lifted her hand to shield his face from view.

The man in the alley was just steps away from them.

Zhou Ruizhen snapped back to his senses. With his back to the man, he cupped Du Wanchun’s flushed face—red as dripping blood—and deepened the kiss.