A few small bloodstains remained on the white cobblestone path. Lin Jie approached and observed the drops of blood, his gaze deepening. His fascination with women’s feet, once intertwined with blood and shame, now revealed a striking scene that mirrored the past.
The situation had reversed; he felt a sense of pleasure in his strength over her fragility. No wonder people enjoyed bullying the weak—having someone delicate at their mercy was unexpectedly delightful.
“Someone,” he said coldly, “dig out these stones.”
Lin Jie’s face darkened. Although he didn’t understand “Yandere,” he clearly heard the words he disliked.
So he lowered his head and bit hard on her slightly parted red lips.
“Ah—” Ruan Ning screamed, opening her eyes to see Lin Jie’s dark expression. This wasn’t a dream!
“Brush your teeth,” Lin Jie said, noticing her terror. “Come back and continue after brushing.”
Ruan Ning felt a surge of anger. She wrapped herself in the blanket and rolled away, tumbling from the bed and hitting the floor hard.
Lin Jie stared at her, perplexed. “What are you doing?”
Ruan Ning turned her face away, refusing to respond. Lin Jie’s interest turned to irritation. “I’m asking you a question. Answer!”
Ruan Ning remained silent despite the pain of his grip on her chin as he lifted her face. “Speak.”
His voice was softer, but she still felt the pressure. Persistently, she closed her eyes and said, “No!”
His anger dissipated, and Lin Jie almost laughed. Thinking he shouldn’t indulge her too much, he slowly asked, “Why won’t you speak?”
“You told me to roll away, so I listened and rolled. Now why are you here?” Ruan Ning’s tears started falling. Even an idiot has dignity. Mysteriously transported next to this “Yandere,” trying to seduce him and being rejected made her feel sad.
The sky was dark, and Lin Jie didn’t see her tears, but he sensed the choking in her voice. He touched her cheek—it was wet. When he withdrew his hand, he instinctively sucked his fingertip, tasting the saltiness of her tears.
A soft tenderness rose in his heart. Lin Jie crouched down, holding her in his arms, softly saying, “Okay, no rolling.”
“I’m going to roll anyway!” Ruan Ning puffed out her cheeks.
Before she could finish, Lin Jie kissed her eyes, gently drying her tears.
Ruan Ning thought: Meow, can’t you find a normal place to kiss?
She felt a chill as he unwrapped her blanket, then warmth as he pulled her close and fell back onto the bed. He awkwardly patted her, whispering, “Okay, stop causing trouble. No rolling.”
A vague warmth grew in Ruan Ning’s heart.
Deep in her memories, as a child in a welfare home, she had desperately hoped for warm hands to pat her to sleep—whether from a father, mother, or relative. Those hands never appeared, and her heart had grown cold. Now, these hands reminded her of her childhood longing.
“Yes!” Mi Yi’s voice trembled with excitement. “Who says an adult with a hidden illness cannot act? Who says there are no women in the Grand Secretary’s residence because the master is a self-deprecating eunuch? Our master is a dragon, refined and fierce!”
Mi Yi thought, “Miss Ruan is truly a lucky star!” He added, “Master, I sent someone a few days ago to bring Miss Ruan’s parents, and they should arrive today. When would be a good time to finalize the marriage?”
The image of Ruan Ning choking back tears appeared before Lin Jie. He thought, “She seems bold, but does she understand everything?” His heart softened, and he wondered if giving her a formal status would ease her. “Choose the nearest auspicious day,” he said.
“Great, great!” Mi Yi was elated. “Let’s make some clothes and jewelry for Miss Ruan. She dresses too plainly.”
“Fine,” Lin Jie replied, somewhat helpless, wondering why everyone liked to give her gifts.
“Some families have sent invitations for Miss Ruan and Miss Lin to attend banquets. Should we accept?”
“Mi Yi asked.
“Ruan Ning is not going anywhere. Lin Si can decide for herself,” Lin Jie said as he left. “Keep an eye on her and don’t let her cause a scene using my name.”
Inside Mu Song Studio, Lin Si pressed Chen Wu’s hand, which was trying to grope her, and asked, “Is my adoptive father going to marry her?”
“Yes, he spent the night there again,” Chen Wu said vaguely, recalling the image of Ruan Ning. Suddenly, his desire surged, and he bit Lin Si’s lips.
“Will you help me send a letter to Wang Meng Fu?” Lin Si gasped.
“You’re still thinking about him?” Chen Wu slapped her hard.
Author’s note: The Grand Secretary is like a dog who likes to bite, hehe.
Chapter 19: The White Moonlight Becomes a Mother-in-law
Lin Si was stunned. Chen Wu had hit her? She touched her swollen cheek, unable to believe it.
During her time as a servant, she hadn’t suffered much. The Ruan family was honest, and Ruan Ning was timid. No one had ever touched her, except for the last time when she was beaten twenty times.
Now, as the adopted daughter of the Grand Secretary, she was hit by a bodyguard.
Anger surged, and Lin Si slapped Chen Wu back hard. He lowered his head and held her tightly, whispering, “Don’t look for him anymore.”
“He’s useless, not a real man, and can’t protect you.”
Lin Si replied coldly, “Though I see you as a big brother, if you think you can hit me and control me, don’t forget, I’m the master’s adopted daughter, and you’re just a bodyguard.”
These words pierced Chen Wu’s heart, but he instinctively craved her, hugging her close, whispering, “I know, you’re the master, I’m the servant, but I truly want the best for you. Wang Meng Fu has no backbone and doesn’t truly care for you. He wanted to take advantage of Ruan Ning…”
“What did you say?” Lin Si’s pupils contracted. Wang Meng Fu had actually done such a thing?
Chen Wu explained how Wang Meng Fu and the Wang family conspired to trick Ruan Ning into marriage. Lin Si grew angrier, her nails almost drawing blood on Chen Wu’s arm. That shameless Ruan Ning, not only had she schemed against her but also tried to steal Wang Meng Fu – she must be killed!
Seeing him wander around, the boss approached him, whispering, “Sir, are you looking for some books for personal use?”
Lin Jie thickened his face and nodded almost imperceptibly.
The boss smiled and asked, “Do you want ones with illustrations or just text?”
“Both,” Lin Jie felt his ears turn red, his voice cold, “Quickly.”
Having long held a high position, he exuded an intimidating presence. The boss, daunted, hurried to the small room to select books. Just before leaving, he recalled that Lin Jie often came with clean-looking young servants. Could he be interested in male companionship? He carefully selected a few extra books and wrapped them in mulberry bark paper to avoid embarrassment.
When Lin Jie returned home and opened the first book, he was confronted with two naked men engaged in explicit acts.
Lin Jie: ……
The second book featured men with men, and men with animals.
Slap! Lin Jie threw the book on the ground. He would have the shop sealed tomorrow!
After sitting with a dark expression for a while, he ultimately picked the books back up. Despite the initial shock, he hadn’t opened such books in decades. He needed to study carefully; after all, the Chief Assistant would be ridiculed in bed if he wasn’t well-prepared.
Finally, he found the appropriate material—men and women as desired.
Sitting, standing, lying down, on beds, chairs, rocks—everything was included. The Chief Assistant felt his knowledge had expanded to a new realm.
The day seemed to darken unusually slowly. Lin Jie paced back and forth in the study, unable to wait for sunset. Suddenly, he thought, why must he wait until dark? Several paintings appeared to be in broad daylight.
