Chapter 15: A Hero Rescues a Maiden

Zhao Yan’er drank herself into a haze, yet she still could not dispel the emptiness and melancholy in her heart. Again and again, the image of Zhao Kai and Lin Fei’er, so devoted and tender together, surfaced in her mind. She tried to erase it, tried to forget that blinding scene, but the man’s refined features had long since been etched into her memory.

Brother Zhao was truly an exceptional man—unparalleled in the world, talented, loving toward women. If only she could be the one by his side. If only she were Fei’er.

Thinking this, Zhao Yan’er tipped back another cup of wine.

She had rented out the entire second floor; the number of empty flasks at her feet was already beyond counting. The waiter, knowing better than to provoke a drunken woman, would promptly depart after delivering her wine.

“Drink…”

Her cheeks flushed with intoxication, Zhao Yan’er gazed at the empty seat across from her, as if an invisible figure sat there. With a trance-like sigh, she downed another cup.

Brother Zhao, if only you could treat me as you do Fei’er, I would not be any less to you than she is… If only you could hold me, just once…

Lost in this longing, she suddenly felt a pair of warm, strong hands envelop her. She shuddered, her dazed eyes struggling to focus on the man drawing near.

Brother Zhao…

“So it really is you!”

Zhao Yan’er threw herself into the man’s arms. Inhaling the sweet fragrance lingering on the woman, Lin Zhenting’s eyes filled with a predatory hunger.

Though Zhao Yan’er was willful and headstrong, her beauty and figure were truly rare. Lin Fei’er was gentle and demure, raised to be the perfect lady, but much too restrained. She could not compare to the fiery, spirited Zhao Yan’er.

Moreover, if he conquered Zhao Yan’er, he would become a son-in-law of the Zhao family—making it all but impossible for the family to refuse him.

“Yan’er, come. Let me take you to rest.”

The drug dissolved in the wine had already addled Zhao Yan’er’s senses; she could not even recognize Lin Zhenting before her. All she felt was a burning heat, a desperate urge to draw closer to the man in her heart, to have him fill the emptiness inside.

“Brother Zhao, do you care about me at all?”

Her voice was soft and tearful—the once proud lady now resembled a child wounded by the world.

Lin Zhenting’s body tingled with anticipation; he nearly lost all restraint. But hearing her repeat “Brother Zhao” over and over, his expression twisted with rage.

Zhao Kai again! Did every woman fancy Zhao Kai? Fine, tonight he would ruin this woman, destroy her reputation! Once it was done, whether she liked it or not, there would be no turning back.

“Brother Zhao, answer me…”

As the drug took full effect, Zhao Yan’er clung to Lin Zhenting, who seethed with resentment.

“Yan’er, don’t be impatient… Soon you’ll know whether I like you or not…”

He spoke as he eased her to the floor, beginning to undo his own clothes.

But in the midst of her muddled thoughts, a flash of clarity broke through—Yan’er? Brother Zhao had never called her that. Who was this man?

She struggled to discern the voice. When her eyes finally recognized who it was, a piercing scream shattered the night.

How could it be Lin Zhenting? How?

But it was already too late. Lin Zhenting’s smile was monstrous as he lunged at her. Zhao Yan’er summoned all her strength to evade him, but in the struggle, her sleeve tore, revealing a bare shoulder.

Breathing raggedly, Lin Zhenting’s gaze was ferocious. “If not me, then who? Who do you wish it to be?”

Of course, she wished it was Zhao Kai.

He saw through her, tossing aside his robe. “Forget it. Zhao Kai already has Fei’er. He’ll never love you. Why not choose me? I’m no worse than Zhao Kai. Whatever happiness you desire, I can give you.”

“I don’t want it! You will never measure up to Brother Zhao.”

Tears streamed down Zhao Yan’er’s face as she cowered, the once arrogant heiress now simply a frightened girl. The man crept closer, drool at his lips—a terrifying sight.

“No…”

Pride and self-assurance had melted away; she was powerless to escape. Was she truly to be violated by this man?

“Yan’er, come. I’ll show you pleasures you’ve never known.”

He threw his head back and laughed, about to pounce—when suddenly his movement froze in midair.

A pair of strong hands gripped his neck, a murderous voice sounding from behind.

“Lin Zhenting, if I don’t cripple you, you’ll never learn your lesson.”

It was Zhao Kai!

He hurled Lin Zhenting aside with a brutal force, punctuating it with a savage kick. Zhao Yan’er’s trembling form caught his eye; at once, he took off his outer robe and draped it over her, then strode toward Lin Zhenting.

Blood pooled from Lin Zhenting’s mouth where he had been flung. Zhao Kai’s face was cold as ice, his gaze as lifeless as a corpse’s. With each step he took, Lin Zhenting’s terror grew.

“Don’t… don’t come any closer…”

Zhao Kai sneered, approaching at a leisurely pace before driving a vicious kick into Lin Zhenting’s groin.

This time, Lin Zhenting’s scream echoed through the night.

Such a wretch—daring to use such vile means against a woman. Crippling him was almost too lenient.

Lin Zhenting was writhing on the floor, clutching his groin, unable to utter a word, drool streaming down his chin.

Zhao Kai spat in disgust. “Lin Zhenting, if you ever lay a hand on Miss Zhao again, or even entertain such thoughts, next time it will be both your legs.”

Lin Zhenting stared back with bloodshot eyes, uncertain whether he felt pain or numbness. If he had any strength left, he would have leapt up and torn Zhao Kai apart.

“Brother… Brother Zhao…”

Zhao Yan’er could no longer support herself. Tear-stained, overwhelmed by fear and a sense of fulfillment at having her beloved come to her rescue, she called out to him.

At her cry, Zhao Kai quickly turned to check on her. Her cheeks were flushed, her body trembling uncontrollably—the cause was obvious.

Without hesitation, Zhao Kai scooped her up and left the inn, seeking out a clean guesthouse where he ordered a tub of cold water.

Though Lin Zhenting had failed, the night’s events still threatened Zhao Yan’er’s reputation. If word got out, it would be disastrous for both her and the Zhao family. Zhao Kai decided to wait until the drug’s effects wore off before taking her home.

But he underestimated the potency of the drug—and even more so, the tumult in a woman’s heart when, in a delirious state, she saw the hero she adored.

He settled Zhao Yan’er on the bed, choosing to wait in the outer room like a gentleman. Carrying her all the way there had left him sweating and restless. If he didn’t know his own condition was sound, he might have suspected he, too, had been drugged.

Through the screen, Zhao Yan’er gazed at his tall, sturdy figure. Her head spun with fever, her heart raced. She thought of how he had just scolded Lin Zhenting for her, how he had carried her here, flustered and anxious. Unable to contain herself, she let out a tearful cry.

“Brother Zhao…”

Hearing the plaintive note in her voice, Zhao Kai’s heart ached. “Yes? What is it?”

“About tonight…”

“Don’t worry. No one will ever know what happened tonight. If Lin Zhenting dares to utter so much as a word, I’ll break his legs.”

“Thank you, Brother Zhao. But I’m so afraid right now… I… I want you to come in and stay with me.”

This… This really isn’t proper. He was an outsider, and in such circumstances…