Beside her curled a completely naked body—it was Wang Jieshi!
Chuntao's breath caught in her throat. Why was he here?
She had clearly gone to sleep alone in this big bed. Wasn't Wang Jieshi in the inner room next door? How did he end up here?
And... and stark naked?
In her panic, Chuntao looked down to pull the bedsheet, only to realize that she was entirely naked as well.
Chuntao's face instantly drained of color. Frantically, she grabbed the sheet from the corner of the bed and wrapped herself up tightly.
A few days ago, Wang Jieshi had claimed he was cured of his illness and wanted to sleep in the same bed with her.
To play matchmaker for them, Wang Xiaohong had been running off every day to squeeze into the same bed with Zhou Hongxia.
Chuntao had always avoided sleeping with him. It must have been last night, when she was fast asleep, that Wang Jieshi took the opportunity to sneak over...
Chuntao's mind went blank. Her chest felt as if it were tightly bound by a tangled mess of hemp, suffocating her.
Wrapping the sheet around herself, she scooted off the bed and bent down to pick up her clothes from the floor, wanting to hide in another room to get dressed. But from behind her came Wang Jieshi's hoarse, somewhat exhausted voice.
Tao, it's not even fully light out yet. Sleep a little longer.
Chuntao shuddered in fear. She bit her lip, not daring to make a sound, much less turn around to look at him.
She could feel Wang Jieshi's gaze glued to her back, scorching hot like burning coals.
Her heart felt as if it were being squeezed ruthlessly by a large hand, aching and stifled.
She opened her mouth to question him, to ask what exactly was going on, but it was as if a wad of wet cotton was stuffed in her throat. She couldn't utter a single syllable.
Tao, you were sleeping so soundly last night, I... I couldn't hold back and...
I want you to give me a baby... Wang Jieshi stammered.
Chuntao didn't reply. Clutching the sheet, she shuffled out of the room.
She had always suspected that Wang Jieshi's condition hadn't been cured, but how could he have slept with her? Was his illness really gone?
A mixture of shame and anger clogged her chest, but what could she say when he treated her like this? She could only grit her teeth and endure it.
He wanted her to have a child, which was nothing more than an attempt to tie her firmly to the Wang family for the rest of her life.
Everyone in the Wang family thought this way. Even her grandmother and his brother hoped she would peacefully stay with the Wang family forever.
Chuntao's eyes burned. She sniffled hard, forcing her tears back down.
Panic-stricken, Chuntao hurriedly threw on her clothes. She was in no mood to make breakfast.
She walked toward the melon fields with unsteady steps. Although she felt drained of energy, her body didn't feel any discomfort. Could it be that Wang Jieshi hadn't actually succeeded?
Chuntao's mind was in turmoil; she couldn't make sense of anything...
Zhou Zhijun was already up, squatting at the edge of the field smoking dry tobacco.
Looking up, he saw Chuntao. Noticing her faltering steps and paper-white face, he quickly stood up to meet her.
Tao, what's wrong? he asked, frowning, his voice full of worry.
Seeing Zhou Zhijun's concerned gaze, Chuntao could no longer hold back. The grievance she had suppressed for so long suddenly surged up, and humiliating tears cascaded down her cheeks.
She covered her mouth, afraid to cry out loud.
Zhou Zhijun pulled her into his arms. His voice was terribly hoarse, and a flash of bloodshot hostility crossed his eyes. Did Wang Jieshi bully you?
These words struck Chuntao's weak spot, and her crying abruptly grew louder. He took advantage of me while I was asleep and bullied me!
Zhou Zhijun instantly understood. His clenched fists cracked, his knuckles turning pale green.
I'm going to settle the score with Wang Jieshi right now and get justice for you!
Don't go! Chuntao desperately grabbed Zhou Zhijun's arm, her nails digging into his flesh, her fingertips trembling.
Zhou Zhijun held her tightly, lowering his head to gently bite the icy tip of her ear.
Previously, Zhou Zhijun had thought that with Wang Jieshi's frail constitution, he couldn't possibly be cured.
Even if he were cured, missing an arm and a leg, he couldn't do much anyway.
At this moment, Zhou Zhijun was utterly bewildered. Had he really laid hands on Chuntao?
He didn't believe it, but seeing Chuntao crying so heartbrokenly, he couldn't help but panic.
He suddenly bent down, scooped Chuntao up into his arms, and strode into the melon shed, gently laying her down on the bamboo bed.
What are you doing? Startled, Chuntao stopped crying and struggled to sit up.
Don't move, let me check you for injuries.
No...
Ignoring her protests, Zhou Zhijun gently slipped off her clothes.
When he saw clearly that she had no injuries on her body, his heart relaxed a little.
Zhou Zhijun ground his teeth in fury, wishing he could charge over right now, chop Wang Jieshi into pieces, and throw him into the river dam to feed the turtles.
But a little impatience spoils great plans!
He forcefully suppressed the anger in his heart and carefully dressed Chuntao.
He recalled the events of that night again. If it hadn't been for Wang Qingshan, Chuntao would have long been defiled by Wang Haichao and his brother.
That bastard Wang Jieshi was truly rotten to the core! Every single one of these offenses, Zhou Zhijun memorized in his heart, waiting to settle the ultimate score with him in the future!
Chuntao shrank back on the bamboo bed, covering her mouth as she let out muffled sobs, her shoulders trembling.
With Wang Jieshi treating her like this, the days ahead would probably be even harder to endure. What was she supposed to do?
Tao, stop crying. I will definitely avenge you, don't worry, Zhou Zhijun said in a deep voice.
I don't want you to take revenge... Chuntao cried, shaking her head.
She was afraid that Zhou Zhijun would act on impulse and beat Wang Jieshi half to death, and then he would have to bear the legal consequences!
Zhou Zhijun squatted by the bed, reaching out his large, calloused hand to gently wipe away the tears at her temples.
The sky gradually brightened completely, and Chuntao's crying slowly ceased.
No matter what happened, life had to go on, and the melons in the field still had to be sold.
In the following days, Zhou Zhijun helped Chuntao sell melons at Nangang during the day, and at night, he guarded the shed in the melon field.
Life seemed ordinary and peaceful, but his eyes were constantly monitoring the movements of Wang Haichao and his brother.
In the middle of the night, Zhou Zhijun quietly slipped to the corner of the gable wall of Wang Haichao's house, crouching at the base to listen closely.
After keeping watch for several days in a row, he finally heard a few useful sentences.
Brother, when are we going to do that seed-borrowing thing again? I'm dying of frustration here! It was Wang Haibao's voice.
What's the rush? Zhou Zhijun found out last time, so he's definitely keeping a close eye on things these days. Just wait a bit longer, Wang Haichao lowered his voice.
That idiot Wang Jieshi still won't let us use mine! But I insist on doing it! That little wife is so pretty, the baby she gives birth to will definitely be good-looking too...
Alright, alright, stop nagging and go to sleep!
Zhou Zhijun gritted his back teeth tightly, the anger in his heart threatening to burn him alive.
That bastard Wang Jieshi, useless himself, actually came up with such a filthy idea!
Zhou Zhijun became even more certain that Wang Jieshi hadn't done anything at all that night. He had merely slept in the same bed, taking off his clothes to deceive Chuntao.
As long as the seed-borrowing was successful, Chuntao would think she was pregnant with his child. When the time came, tied down by a baby, she would be bound to the Wang family for the rest of her life!
Damn it! You bunch of turtle-son bastards, just you wait!
Zhou Zhijun clenched his fists, a ruthless glint flashing in his eyes.
It seemed this matter could not be delayed any longer. He had to take the initiative and create an opportunity for them!
