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Chapter 39 — Enchanted by Desire
“Marry me as my wife — Pei Shang won’t be able to protect you.”

The atmosphere suddenly turned subtle and tense.

Yu Mingyao’s eyes shimmered with both shyness and irritation as she shot him a sidelong glance.

Unexpectedly, that glance made Xie Zhuoguang tighten his grip on her hand even more.

Yu Mingyao tried to struggle free, but Xie Zhuoguang’s hold was simply too strong — like a mad dog biting into a piece of meat and refusing to let go.

She couldn’t even move.

“What are you doing?”
Her eyes signaled for him to release her.

But as it has always been through the ages — wildfires are easy to ignite and hard to extinguish. Xie Zhuoguang had played the role of the perfect noble son in the eyes of outsiders for far too long.

Taciturn and aloof — such qualities were seen as the natural disposition of a noble heir.
Not to mention, with a face like his?

No one dared to entertain any profane fantasies about dragging such an ethereal, lotus-like man down to the mundane world; even imagining it seemed like blasphemy.

For nearly seventeen years, he had kept himself sealed under a thick shell, tightly wrapped and impenetrable.

And yet, she had cracked that shell with just a single kiss.

From then on, the cracks spread inward. Though he appeared indifferent on the surface, in truth he had sunk deeper and deeper, unable to extricate himself.

If you want to hate me, then hate me.
If you want to resent me, then resent me.
I can no longer let go.

Xie Zhuoguang wrapped his arms around her, gripping her slender waist tightly and forcefully pulling her against him.

His cold, slightly trembling lips fell upon Yu Mingyao’s.

No matter how inexperienced a man is, even without guidance, matters between men and women seem instinctive.

At first, Yu Mingyao could still sense his awkwardness after his initial impulsive move.

His dry, slightly cool lips merely pressed against hers, with no idea what to do next.

But when she subtly shifted her body, trying to prevent her chest from pressing too tightly against him, that slight movement instantly awakened Xie Zhuoguang’s innate male instinct.

His hands roamed to her waist, and after just a few caresses, Yu Mingyao’s legs weakened involuntarily.

Memories of their past life, their countless nights together, surged over her like a tidal wave.

Even in those last two years when their feelings had cooled the most, whenever he returned to the manor, his first stop would always be her Warm Jade Pavilion.

He disliked having others around; whenever he came, all her maids and attendants would have to withdraw to a distance no matter what they were doing.

Even as an old married couple, they were still like this — Yu Mingyao sometimes felt embarrassed just thinking about it.

It’s ill-suited to get distracted while kissing.

Her absent-minded look fell into Xie Zhuoguang’s eyes as though, even while being intimate with him, her mind was still preoccupied with someone else.

His entire body went numb.
Wave after wave of bitterness and jealousy surged uncontrollably through his chest.

She was driving him mad!
Was he truly so worthless? Even at a time like this, she was still thinking of Pei Shang!

Xie Zhuoguang closed his eyes, intending to bite her hard — to make her bleed, make her hurt and hate him.
Yet when the moment came, it turned into soft, gentle licks instead.

His movements were too gentle — an abnormal tenderness uncharacteristic of him.

Yu Mingyao noticed and, curious, opened her eyes. What she saw was a man so devastated, so fragile with sorrow that it tugged at her heart.

His long, dark lashes cast shadows below his eyes; his brows and features were elegant and noble.

Such a handsome and refined man was now only kissing her softly, over and over again, sucking and licking.

Yu Mingyao’s face flushed crimson.

This entirely different experience from their previous life stirred an itching sensation deep inside her heart.

Her body melted against his chest, feeling the strength beneath his refined robes.

The scent around her nose was light, elegant, and familiar.

Yu Mingyao’s hands wrapped around him.

In an instant, passion ignited — and neither of these young people could pull away from each other.

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…

Oh heavens, what have I done?!

When Yu Mingyao finally regained her senses, she realized her appearance was utterly disgraceful.

She had hooked her leg around Xie Zhuoguang’s, not letting him leave.

At some point, they had moved from the courtyard to under the eaves.

Her back was pressed against a carved redwood pillar, and her hands boldly wrapped around Xie Zhuoguang’s waist, unfastening his clothes.

And Xie Zhuoguang — he hadn’t even tried to stop her!

She glared at him angrily.

Throughout the entire process, he let her do as she pleased, only gently grasping her wrist when she tried to take it even further.

He shook his head slightly.

Yu Mingyao’s face flushed all the way down to her neck.

To be fair, Xie Zhuoguang wasn’t faring much better.

Moments earlier, his pristine, wrinkle-free blue robe — embroidered with a crane motif at the chest — was now rumpled like pickled vegetables, a complete mess!

Even his belt had been unfastened by her.

Yu Mingyao couldn’t bear to look any longer.

“I’m sorry, I—”
She averted her eyes and instinctively apologized, but halfway through, she suddenly remembered — this wasn’t their previous life anymore.

In their past life, after yet another fierce argument over Pei Shang, Xie Zhuoguang, in a fit of anger, had lost control in the study.

After that, he stopped pretending altogether, shedding his facade and indulging without restraint.

Sometimes, he would even clear out the entire Warm Jade Pavilion.

A man who once avoided women and claimed disinterest — once he broke that barrier, his appetite and acceptance for such intimacy far surpassed hers.

Remembering this, Yu Mingyao hurriedly pushed Xie Zhuoguang away and got off him.

She didn’t dare look at him, her face red as she spoke in a voice barely louder than a mosquito.

“Um… go tidy yourself up. I’ll head to the banquet later. Keep some distance from me so no one notices anything.”

Heh — notices?

Notices what?

At this point, was she still concerned about her marriage prospects?

A deep sorrow surfaced in Xie Zhuoguang’s eyes. His expression carried a trace of mockery — self-mockery.

Even after she had teased and toyed with him to this extent, he still couldn’t let her go.

He lowered his gaze, and after a long silence, couldn’t help but speak sarcastically.

“If it were him, you wouldn’t be like this, would you?”

If it were Pei Shang, she’d shyly comfort him, saying it didn’t matter and not to worry.

She reserved her cruelty solely for him.

As Xie Zhuoguang’s cold, hard voice rang out, Yu Mingyao was straightening the hairpin in her messy hair.

Her hand froze.

Rage and hatred surged all at once.

“What do you mean by that, Xie Zhuoguang?! Are you trying to say I’m fickle and unchaste?”

She let out a cold snort, her expression mocking.
“I haven’t even accused you of ruining my virtue, and yet you’re trying to turn the tables on me? What now — does Young Master Xie expect me to take responsibility for you?”

Yu Mingyao stared him down without backing off.

Xie Zhuoguang didn’t move. His usually cool, autumn-fog-like eyes held an unreadable expression.

Her heart suddenly skipped a beat.

In that moment, she caught a glimpse of the man from her past life — the Xie Zhuoguang who had become dark, suspicious, and insanely jealous.

Panic rose within her.

In a flustered retort, she blurted,
“Anyway, it’s not my fault. Do as you wish.”

She turned away.

“Marry me — Pei Shang won’t be able to protect you.”

Xie Zhuoguang gazed at Yu Mingyao’s slender, graceful back. Moments ago, the heady pleasure still lingered in his mind.

He had finally spoken the words he had long buried in his heart.

Yu Mingyao shivered all over.

The shadows from her past life surged in from all directions.

The heartbreak of waiting in vain, the chill of being distrusted.
The despair of discovering her tonics were contraceptives…
And the devastation of having no blood kin left in the world.

“Young Master Xie, you speak so boldly.”

She turned back, a deliberately polite, practiced smile plastered across her face.

Her lips curved prettily, and her eyes shimmered like a pool of tender water, enchantingly seductive.

Xie Zhuoguang said nothing. His deep gaze landed on her swollen red lips.

Scenes of wild, unrestrained memories flashed through his mind.

How she had powerlessly leaned on him, gasping softly.

How her soft, white hands had caressed his waist and chest.

She didn’t act like someone untouched and innocent.

Even though he had never held a woman’s hand before, nor allowed maids to serve him…

He still knew that the boldness and familiarity with a man’s body she had shown shouldn’t appear on a girl who had just come of age.

A sheltered virgin, pure as a gardenia, wouldn’t provoke a man like that so daringly and skillfully.

She had even untied his belt so deftly, as though she’d done it a thousand times.

With no shame at all.

At this thought, a stab of pain flashed through Xie Zhuoguang’s eyes.

He took a deep breath.

No matter — once she became his wife, he would teach her what it meant to “wish for one heart and grow old together.”

Even if she had had a lover, it was probably just youthful foolishness.
He would simply ensure she never saw another man again.

She was soft enough — she would accept a life with only one man.

No one knew how many thoughts had flashed through Xie Zhuoguang’s mind in that instant.

His face remained calm and aloof, his voice indifferent.

“Marry me.”
Just two words.

These two words made Yu Mingyao almost laugh out loud in anger.

She held her waist, laughing so hard she had to pat her chest to catch her breath.

“Young Master Xie, your jokes are getting better and better.”

“It’s not a joke.”

“If it’s not a joke, then what is it? Are you going to say I’m in love with you?”

Yu Mingyao was about to retort again when she heard Xie Zhuoguang’s cool, jade-like voice.

“If not, why did you kiss me back then?”

That—

Yu Mingyao’s momentum deflated instantly.

After all, it was true she had foolishly kissed him first. But he hadn’t resisted!

If he had wanted to avoid it, could she have forced him?

Frowning, she was racking her brain for a response, unaware that Xie Zhuoguang, still leaning against the pillar, was staring at her with increasingly cold and dark eyes.

Xie Zhuoguang had a habit:
The more he cared about something, the more indifferent he acted on the surface.

Displaying emotions openly was a grave taboo in a prestigious family like his.

His expression remained calm — no one could glimpse the frenzy beneath.

If looks could strip someone down to the bone, Yu Mingyao would already be nothing but bare flesh.

He wanted to devour her.

Silently, Xie Zhuoguang walked over to Yu Mingyao’s side.

“What are you doing?”

Yu Mingyao looked up — and was startled!

He was staring down at her intently, unblinking.

Before she could react, Xie Zhuoguang’s lips quirked into a fleeting smile.

He gently wrapped an arm around her waist and pecked her lips.

“Since you desire me, I…”

Before he could finish saying “I’ll take responsibility”, Yu Mingyao shoved him away.

“What nonsense are you spouting! Don’t flatter yourself!”

She furiously wiped her lips as if something filthy had touched them.

Her look of disgust shattered Xie Zhuoguang completely.

He looked like his mind had shut down.

“You… still want to marry him?”

He spoke slowly, forcing out just that one sentence.

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