Chapter 13: Amidst a Sea of Blossoms

A true man’s knees are worth their weight in gold—how could Lin Zhenting stoop so low? Yet, with the crowd hemming him in from behind and Zhao Kai’s cold gaze bearing down on him from above, he was caught in a vise, unable to move forwards or back.

For a long time, Lin Zhenting had lorded over Jinghong County, bullying the weak and relying on his connections. Now that someone had finally stepped forth to put him in his place, it was only natural that the others would support this champion.

“Master Lin, a man ought to keep his word. Young Master Zhao has already spared your dignity so many times—don’t be ungrateful.”

“Exactly! Besides, Young Master Zhao is renowned for his intelligence and resourcefulness—you’re not losing out here...”

Ha—Zhao Kai nearly laughed aloud. This man certainly knew how to flatter.

Watching as the crowd was subtly swayed by Zhao Kai’s presence, Zhao Yan’er felt a surging, irrepressible passion rise within her chest.

“Big Brother Zhao, are your legs tired? Why not take a seat, or shall I massage them for you?” Zhao Yan’er offered.

“They’re not tired,” he replied.

Watching Lin Zhenting make a fool of himself was a pleasure all its own.

Furious, Lin Zhenting shot Zhao Yan’er a venomous glare. She’d always worn a mask of virtue, but now she was all too eager to kneel before him and offer a massage—shameless woman!

“Lin Zhenting, are you coming or not?” Zhao Kai’s patience was wearing thin.

“If you refuse to crawl beneath me, then shout three times, ‘I am no match for Zhao Kai.’ Well?” Zhao Kai challenged.

...In the end, crawling seemed the lesser humiliation.

At last, Lin Zhenting, burning with shame, crawled beneath Zhao Kai’s legs. With that act, whatever authority he’d once held was utterly destroyed.

No longer would the people of Jinghong County take him seriously, nor would they cower before him as before.

As for Zhao Kai, he was no longer merely a famous figure—he was a hero.

Who else could make the likes of Lin Zhenting, who’d long acted as a tyrant’s accomplice, bow his head? Only Zhao Kai.

Zhao Kai now stood for more than just himself; his every word and gesture had become the stuff of young women’s dreams and earned the awestruck admiration of all.

With Zhao Kai’s cosmetics on the market, Lin Zhenting’s rouge shop was utterly ruined. Never mind that his were said to be secret formulas used by palace consorts—even those very consorts sent their servants out in secret to buy Zhao Kai’s rouge and powders.

The young women of Jinghong County grew ever more beautiful, and as his products became popular, Zhao Kai’s rouge shop prospered as much as the gambling halls.

People wore out his threshold inviting him to banquets, and Zhao Kai rarely refused. Business discussions, after all, often involved a drink or two.

But with a few drinks came more than a few women throwing themselves at him.

He’d seen as much in his previous life, though few ever truly meant it. Here, he understood all the more clearly that these women were only drawn by his fame.

“Sir... let me feed you a grape...” a woman cooed, her lips offering him a grape.

Zhao Kai pushed her away in irritation—the powdery scent was so thick it made him want to sneeze.

“Leaving already, Young Master Zhao? Don’t go, the wine isn’t finished yet!” called one of the hosts, grabbing his sleeve.

“My wife keeps a strict house, excuse me,” Zhao Kai replied, employing his time-honored excuse.

But a greasy, corpulent merchant latched onto his arm. “Come now, Young Master Zhao, with your reputation you could have any woman you please. Didn’t care for that one? I can bring in a few more for you.”

Sorry, but he had no such tastes.

“Save them for yourself. You seem rather in need—I doubt you’d turn any away,” Zhao Kai retorted, shaking off the man’s hand and leaving with a sweep of his sleeve.

When he’d had nothing, only Fei’er had stayed by his side—he would not betray her.

The other women were mere painted faces, and even if they flocked to him, he would pass through the garden untouched by a single leaf.

Just remembering Fei’er’s beauty made his heart pound and his steps quicken.

Lin Fei’er had already prepared a sobering soup. Her husband had faced many social obligations these days and always came home reeking of wine—surely it was unpleasant.

But... now that her husband was the town’s darling, would other women try to get close to him? Would he...?

Her worries gnawed at her as Zhao Kai returned, still carrying the scent of wine.

He could hold his liquor, and hadn’t drunk much tonight, yet for some reason, upon opening the door and seeing Fei’er, he felt truly intoxicated.

“Husband, you must be tired,” Fei’er said, hurrying to help him change and wash.

Zhao Kai’s gaze clung to her, burning.

“Fei’er, why are you still awake?” he asked.

“I was waiting for you. I can’t sleep until you come home.”

As she helped him into his sleeping robe and kneaded his shoulders, Fei’er suddenly noticed a smudge of lipstick at the corner of his mouth. Her lips trembled and her eyes filled with tears.

“Husband, have you grown tired of me?” she asked, her voice quivering.

Zhao Kai’s heart melted at once. “Don’t say such things. You’re the only one in my heart.”

“Then what is this?” Fei’er pointed at the lipstick mark.

Zhao Kai cursed inwardly. Those women at the banquets had thrown themselves at him, desperate to get close. If he hadn’t glared and sent them away, who knew how far they’d have gone?

“Fei’er, you have to believe me. Nothing happened with any of them. I pushed them all away, but some things can’t be avoided. I’m sorry—it won’t happen again,” Zhao Kai quickly confessed.

Fei’er was surprised, then quickly moved to tears. Not to mention those other women—even as his wife, she could not help but admire Zhao Kai. Coupled with his heartfelt sincerity, how could she hold him at fault?

Tonight she wore only a thin robe, her soft limbs fragrant and yielding—how could any man resist?

Zhao Kai’s eyes burned as he gazed at her graceful, curvaceous figure.

“Fei’er, you’re so beautiful...” he murmured, his arms moving of their own accord to draw her close. The faint fragrance that clung to her made him feel all the more intoxicated.

The scents that clung to other women made him want to retch, but Fei’er’s was something he could never get enough of.

“What fragrance do you use?” he asked, burying his face in the curve of her neck.

She shrank back, ticklish, but answered, “I never use any. Is it my scent you like?”

“Yes,” he replied.

He liked it very much—wanted nothing more than for it to linger with him always.

“It smells wonderful.”

Zhao Kai lingered, inhaling her scent as he pressed soft kisses along her neck, coaxing her gently, urging her to call him husband.

Lin Fei’er was the gentlest woman he’d ever met. Even though he’d known many women in his past life, none could match how she made him feel.

They were man and wife—thinking this, Zhao Kai could not be satisfied with mere kisses. He pressed his lips to her skin, even biting her gently, as softly as an ant. Fei’er quickly pushed him away.

He knew she was not rejecting him, only shy.

He took her hand, soothing her gently. “Fei’er, I won’t hurt you. I’ll be gentle, I promise.”

He coaxed her as she helped him undress, slender jade fingers tracing over his bronze skin—a novel thrill.

Zhao Kai’s physique was impressive: broad shoulders, a narrow waist, even the hint of abdominal muscles. Combined with sun-kissed skin and a refined face, it was little wonder women were drawn to him.

Fei’er dared not meet his gaze as he drew aside her outer robe.

“Husband, please don’t...” she whispered.

But though she protested, she did not stop him.