Zhou Yueshen watched as her delicate brows furrowed tightly, her beautiful eyes scanning his body with worry. She bent down, carefully running her hands over his chest with such urgency in her gaze...
The distance was so close that his skin could feel the warmth of her breath. His injured hand was still gripped in hers, and the entire office was eerily silent, the pungent scent of blood completely overtaken by her fragrance.
She seemed entirely unaware of how intimate their current posture was.
Zhou Yueshen’s steady heartbeat suddenly quickened, his breathing deepening slightly as his eyes darkened. When her hands trailed lower, he finally reacted.
"Ah!" Si Nian gasped as the man abruptly seized her slender wrist and yanked her forward forcefully.
Stumbling, she found herself straddling his firm thighs, her face pressed tightly against his scorching chest—so hot it felt like it might burn her alive...
A strong arm wrapped tightly around her slender waist, pressing her firmly against him. Si Nian’s chest was flush against his, her every breath filled with his scent, nearly suffocating her.
When she finally processed what had happened, her face flushed crimson in an instant.
Zhou Yueshen held her down, his fingers tracing the soft curve of her waist without moving further. His breath was hot against her ear as he spoke in a low, husky voice, "Stop touching. I’m fine."
But if she kept going, he couldn’t guarantee he’d stay "fine."
Si Nian’s face burned an even deeper red, her clear almond-shaped eyes shimmering like autumn water—gentle yet alluring. Just as Zhou Yueshen was momentarily captivated, she spoke again:
"I don’t believe you. Take off your pants and let me see."
Zhou Yueshen: "?"
The charged atmosphere shattered instantly.
He released her, finally allowing Si Nian to breathe air that wasn’t saturated with him.
Her white T-shirt was dotted with specks of blood.
Yet despite her delicate, pure appearance, her words left even a thirty-year-old man like him momentarily speechless.
After a long pause, Zhou Yueshen sighed softly, the vibration of his voice resonating through his firm chest and into Si Nian’s palms, still pressed against him—tingling slightly.
His voice was deep. "This isn’t my blood."
Si Nian jerked her head up in surprise, nearly bumping his chin.
"All of it is Li Mingjun’s?"
Had he really gone that far?
That much blood—even if he wasn’t dead, he’d be half-crippled!
Zhou Yueshen seemed amused by her shocked expression, chuckling lowly.
"It’s pig’s blood."
When he’d arrived, they’d been slaughtering pigs. Li Mingjun had been standing with his back to him, collecting the blood—while simultaneously slandering Si Nian.
Zhou Yueshen had kicked him, sending him flying into the mess.
No matter how impulsive he was, he wouldn’t actually beat someone to death.
He’d only come inside after dropping off the kids because he’d seen Li Mingjun’s truck outside.
He hadn’t expected to overhear such vile words.
Zhou Yueshen knew exactly what kind of person Si Nian was.
For Li Mingjun to think she’d stoop to seducing him—he really overestimated himself.
Others might not know, but Zhou Yueshen did.
He deserved that beating.
Si Nian was stunned.
Pig’s blood?
So she’d misunderstood everything?
She’d actually thought he’d lost control like that for her sake!
Turns out, she’d been overthinking it.
Remembering her earlier frantic concern, her face burned even hotter.
"You—you should’ve said so earlier!" She smacked his chest in frustration.
Zhou Yueshen grunted, his face paling for a split second. Si Nian froze, horrified. "Y-you really are hurt?"
Had she hit him too hard?
Zhou Yueshen took a slow breath, then patted her shoulder reassuringly. "It’s fine. An old injury."
Si Nian immediately looked at the stark scar over his heart.
It was old—a gunshot wound, no less. It must’ve been life-threatening back then.
And she’d just smacked him right there!
Her brows furrowed in guilt as she gently brushed her fingers over the spot. "I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to."
"It’s nothing," he murmured.
Flustered, Si Nian quickly changed the subject. "So... what happened to Li Mingjun?"
At the name, Zhou Yueshen’s expression darkened.
"He’ll live."
Si Nian rarely saw him look so disgusted. Surprised, she asked, "But if things are ruined between you, what about your shipments?"
"I heard your older brother’s been working as a delivery driver," Zhou Yueshen said.
Si Nian blinked. She hadn’t known that. Now that he mentioned it, she remembered something important.
The Lin Family was poor now, but not forever.
Her brother had started as a laborer, but his supervisor—impressed by his honesty—had taken him under his wing.
He’d learned to drive and transport goods, and his turning point came when he saved his boss during a car accident.
The boss later adopted him as a foster son, and from there, the Lin Family’s fortunes rose.
And this was around the time her brother was working outside.
The novel hadn’t gone into detail. Si Nian hadn’t known about the stolen money—she’d assumed the Lin Family had embezzled.
But now it seemed the theft was why her brother had taken up labor, leading to that fateful opportunity.
Still, the accident was years away.
And though her brother had saved his boss, he’d nearly lost a leg in the process.
If he worked for Zhou Yueshen instead, things could be different.
After all, the Zhou Family would eventually become obscenely wealthy...
Not that the original Si Nian would live to see it.
"Oh... I’m not sure. Maybe I should ask my parents," she murmured absently, her hand still resting on his chest as she lost herself in thought.
Zhou Yueshen couldn’t take her soft hands wandering over him any longer. He caught her wrist, studying her dazed expression. This girl—so genuinely kind and innocent—deserved a far better life. But he’d ruined that.
Before, he’d been waiting for her to regret it.
Waiting for her to say she’d changed her mind.
So he could let her go without hesitation.
Zhou Yueshen refused to let anyone stay with him out of obligation or coercion.
Si Nian was no exception.
That’s why he’d kept his distance—to spare her even the slightest pain.
But now, he’d changed his mind.
This woman—he wouldn’t let her go.
From now on, she was his. Only his.
His dark eyes gleamed as he spoke.
"Si Nian, let’s get married."
