Chapter 23

Song Qingdai had rarely visited the provincial capital in the past.

It wasn’t until later, when she got involved in setting up the company, that she started traveling frequently between the town and the city.

She helped Zhang Shaoxing secure deals and negotiate partnerships. For just a single order, she drank herself to the point of vomiting blood at the negotiating table with a group of men.

She thought that as long as she had money and business in hand, Zhang Shaoxing wouldn’t dare look down on her.

But the reality was, Zhang Shaoxing was far more ruthless than she imagined.

He never considered even a sliver of marital affection. As soon as the company was successfully built, he seized all her shares and locked her up at home.

Other than the occasional necessary outings and interviews, he barely allowed her to step outside.

She became like a caged bird—imprisoned by Zhang Shaoxing.

Because he couldn’t allow anyone to know that it was her who had helped build that company. He wanted to present himself as a flawless, successful man.

Loving husband, doting father, capable and filial.

All these halos added to his persona brought him endless benefits. Zhang Shaoxing was the textbook definition of a beneficiary of someone else’s suffering. To outsiders, it looked like Song Qingdai was lucky to have married such a good man.

But no one knew—life inside the Zhang household was a living hell.

The bus rattled and bumped along the road to the provincial capital, jostling Song Qingdai so much she felt like her hips were going to shatter.

The heat inside the bus was unbearable. Even with the window next to her wide open, the entire cabin was filled with a mix of awful odors.

“Not feeling well?”

A broad, steady hand reached around from behind her, resting gently at her waist, supporting her body and drawing her slightly toward him.

The way he positioned her made her feel like she was being pulled into his embrace.

Gao Han lowered his gaze, noticing her slightly furrowed brow—and catching the nauseating scent inside the bus, a mix of sweat, feet, armpits, and flatulence.

He placed his hand on her head and gently guided it to rest against his shoulder.

“It won’t smell so bad like this. Just hold on a bit longer—we’re almost there.”

Town buses were always crowded, especially in the summer. Most people took off their shoes and socks, and the stench… was beyond words.

But Gao Han carried a clean, pleasant soap scent that was completely unexpected.

She used to think all men smelled bad.

Or even if they didn’t, they certainly didn’t smell good.

His shirt was thin, the collar slightly open, exposing just a bit of his chest and collarbone.

The fabric clung to his skin, outlining the lean curves of his chest muscles.

Above her, his deep magnetic voice rumbled as she was pressed into his chest.

It was firmer than she’d expected—solid, with only a faint give. She could even feel the subtle texture of his skin beneath the fabric.

“Y-You can loosen up a little… I’m suffocating here.”

Her voice was muffled and breathless.

Gao Han paused, loosened his hold slightly, but still kept her within his arms. The faint, clean scent of soap lingered in her nose, and she could even hear the steady thump of his heartbeat beneath his chest.

Strong, youthful, full of energy.

It was something she had never experienced before.

Suddenly, the bus hit a large bump, jolting her forward—her body tipped toward him, and her soft lips accidentally brushed against his chest, carrying the heat of a summer day.

“…”

Her lips were so soft. Softer than feathers.

Gao Han’s gaze darkened, his lips pressed into a line, and his obsidian-like eyes flickered with emotions too deep to name.

Song Qingdai’s face flushed instantly.

“Look at that young couple—clearly newlyweds! So good-looking, such a perfect match!”

The teasing voices of the middle-aged aunties nearby reached their ears, making Song Qingdai’s cheeks burn even more.

“Are you blushing?”

“Don’t talk.”

Her voice was soft but embarrassed.

Even though she had died once, she had never experienced anything like this.

In her previous life, she’d never known romance—never had this kind of intimate moment with a man.

Not even with Zhang Shaoxing.

Because all Zhang Shaoxing ever gave her was pain and control, not love.

Above her, Gao Han let out a low chuckle, muffled and warm.

Song Qingdai was growing annoyed.

“Alright, sit up. If you keep moving, you’ll end up bumping into something else and then get mad at me.”

His voice was low and intimate, meant only for her ears.

That faint softness of hers brushed against his arm again with the bus’s motion. Contact was inevitable.

She didn’t want to either—but the bus was just too miserable.

So she endured it.

The sun blazed above them, and once the rough mountain roads were behind them, the rest of the way was smooth cement pavement. Still, dust swirled from the tires, stinging the lungs.

Yet, in all that discomfort, Song Qingdai had fallen fast asleep—first nestled in his chest, then at some point curling up on his lap.

Gao Han gently draped his jacket over her to block out the harsh sunlight and odors, making it more comfortable for her.

“Qingdai, we’re here.”

The bus pulled into the terminal. Gao Han lightly patted her shoulder.

Her long lashes fluttered like crow feathers. Gao Han placed his hand above her eyes to shield them from the light.

“We’ve arrived.”

Song Qingdai quickly sat up, her face adorably flushed from sleep, eyes still misty and unfocused. She clearly hadn’t fully woken up.

“…We’re here?”

“Mhm, we’re here.”

Seeing how dazed she was, Gao Han instinctively took her hand—it all felt natural.

“It’s almost noon now. Since you’re tired, let’s shop this afternoon instead.”

The road had been especially rough today. It was almost noon now, and the sun was blazingly hot, distorting the air in waves of heat.

As soon as Song Qingdai stepped off the bus, she felt like she was going to melt.

“So hot…”

She mumbled softly, her voice so gentle and sweet it made Gao Han’s heart clench.

That soft little voice—utterly irresistible.

“Ah Han… where are we going now?”

The heat drained her energy, and she didn’t feel like walking around. The provincial capital was bustling, full of fashionable, youthful women radiating energy and charm. Everything felt so perfect and surreal.

So perfect, it felt almost dreamlike.

“Home,” Gao Han replied.

He casually hailed a taxi and gave the driver an address.

The driver turned around and gave Gao Han a surprised look.

“Comrade, are you sure… you mean Peace Courtyard, the one beside the military academy?”

“Yes.”

“Comrade, Peace Courtyard isn’t a place we can just enter. That’s military family housing—you need a special pass to get in.”

Everyone in the provincial capital knew that Peace Courtyard, next to the military academy, had the strictest security around. Even a stray dog passing by would get checked out thoroughly.

Taxi drivers could only drop passengers off nearby—not even allowed close.

Rumor had it that the people who lived in Peace Courtyard were all high-ranking officials.

Core-level officials.

Song Qingdai had heard of Peace Courtyard too. It was well-known in the capital—not just prestigious, but also highly respected. Even provincial government officials needed to be vetted before they could enter.