"An act of inevitability?" Pei Zhen curved his lips, pressing close to her cheek. "Dressing up abandonment in such lofty, righteous terms... should I say that’s just like you, Xu Si?"
"You’ve really grown up. Now you’re even starting to play these coercive games with me."
Xu Si sighed. Everything had changed in these four years.
In her current situation, embraced as she was, her thoughts felt congested. She longed for a little freedom to breathe. Her fingers twitched, and she scratched his waist with her nails.
He let out a muffled groan of pain but still wouldn’t let go.
Xu Si turned to him again and said, word by word, "But this isn’t right. I have something to tell you. Let go of me first."
"I won’t let go. If abandonment is inevitable, then so is my pain, Xu Si. If the price of listening to you is that you’ll leave, then I refuse."
He seemed completely indifferent to her struggles, whether she caressed or scratched him.
Unable to bear it any longer, Xu Si opened her mouth and bit his shoulder. But in the next second, her world spun. Before she could scream, Pei Zhen pulled her down with him, and they both tumbled onto the large bed, with her landing flat on her back.
His hands controlled her waist, trapping her between his arms. Though they had been arguing just a moment before, their current posture now held an undertone of seduction.
A natural sense of shame washed over her from all directions.
Xu Si took a deep breath. "What are you doing, Pei Zhen? Are you trying to get revenge on me?"
However, this time, he no longer responded to her, nor did he give Xu Si any room to resist. With his beautiful eyes closed, kisses laden with longing and resentment rained down on her without warning.
He kissed the corner of Xu Si’s lips. His hand moved, naturally curving to tightly grasp her fingertips and press them against the bleeding wound on his chest. Then he bit her lower lip, his voice inexplicably alluring.
"You say I’m seeking revenge? Xu Si, are you heartless? Feel my heart. Has any part of it ever blamed you or wanted revenge on you? It has always been saying that it loves you."
The word "love." It was too stunning, too solemn.
Xu Si was momentarily stunned, her strength draining away. She couldn’t escape his embrace. Or rather, his embraces never used much force, yet they always came with reasons she couldn’t flee.
Last time, it was guns and benefits.
This time... it was his wound.
Having witnessed such a deep wound, she dared not make any other move.
So, she endured the light, incessant kisses that fell upon her. Occasionally, she would turn her neck to avoid them, the feeling of suffocation from her ragged breathing bringing moisture to the corners of her eyes. Through the thin layer of gauze, she felt as if she could truly touch that throbbing, real heart beneath.
The night air was cool, and the window was left open.
The cold moonlight illuminated the handsome profile of the man beside her.
She closed her eyes, an old exclamation echoing deep in her heart.
He’s so damn handsome.
In her previous life, she’d had no defense against Pei Zhen’s face. Having learned her lesson, she dared not indulge any further in this life.
But this kiss was more than just a kiss; it was bewitchment and enticement, confusing her thoughts and luring her to respond.
It made her wonder involuntarily: does such a thing as familial ethics truly exist?
It was at this very moment that Pei Zhen suddenly stopped. In the most tender voice, he uttered the most humble words:
"Want to give it a try, Xu Si? Try... with me."
"Stay. Don’t leave me to live all alone again."
"This world is rotten to the core. Only you... you are what I want most."