Chapter 16: Heavenly Thunder Meets Earthly Fire

"How about I find a doctor for you?"

The temperature in the room rose. Zhao Kai wiped the sweat from his forehead, suppressing the heat stirring within him, reminding himself to keep his distance from other women and not to betray Fei’er.

"No..." she murmured.

What she wanted was for him to stay with her.

Although she had just suffered Lin Zhenting's insolence, it had given them this rare moment alone. His scent clung to her outer robe. She had never known his concern, and she longed for his company now more than ever.

She bit her lower lip, deliberately letting out a pained moan. Zhao Kai, hearing this, was instantly worried and rushed inside without thinking.

"What happened? Are you alright?"

Something had indeed happened. Zhao Yan’er gazed at him with dewy, smoldering eyes, so inviting that even a fool would understand what she wanted.

Zhao Kai quickly turned away, utterly unprepared for this side of Zhao Yan’er, so different from her usual self.

"Yan’er, how are you feeling?" His Adam’s apple bobbed twice as he forced himself to remain calm.

"I just want you to stay with me, even if it’s just talking..."

But under these circumstances, he dared not make any move. Zhao Yan’er was clearly not in her right mind; he could not take advantage of her.

"Just like this is fine... I’m listening," he said with his back to her.

Biting her lip, Zhao Yan’er felt she had suppressed herself for too long. If she could seize this chance to create a beautiful memory with him, she was willing.

She looked at his back, her voice tinged with tears. "Brother Zhao, do you dislike me? Lin Zhenting was disrespectful to me just now... do you resent me for it?"

How could that be? It was Lin Zhenting, that scoundrel, who was at fault. What did it have to do with her?

But women were always fragile in such moments. Zhao Kai, unable to bear it, sat beside her. "Miss Zhao, I have never looked down on you. In my heart, you will always be the proud young lady held in the highest regard."

"Really?"

"Yes."

At his words, Zhao Yan’er could no longer restrain herself. She threw her arms around him, clinging to his warmth.

Zhao Kai stiffened, not daring to move.

"Miss Zhao, you... you need to calm down."

"I can’t calm down. I just want a warm embrace. Is that too much to ask?"

She burrowed into his arms, so unlike the haughty Zhao Yan’er of usual; now she was like a shy and delicate girl. His mind sparkled with fireworks, his limbs at a loss—what was he supposed to do?

The softness in his arms was enough to make his body go numb. He kept his arms at his sides, not daring to touch her, but she seemed to have lost her senses, burrowing closer and closer. Zhao Kai struggled to keep calm, but it was impossible.

"Miss Zhao, we can’t..."

"Don’t call me Miss Zhao. Call me Yan’er..."

Very well, Yan’er it is.

He tried out her name, and that one word seemed to unleash something irrepressible in her.

The man she adored had finally called her by name; she offered him her lips without hesitation.

A thunderclap exploded in Zhao Kai’s mind—he had never imagined that Zhao Yan’er would be the one to kiss him first.

The effects of the drug were indeed potent.

The softness of her lips clouded his thoughts, and his delayed response was enough to bring tears of anxiety to Zhao Yan’er’s eyes.

What should he do? Should he really go that far? But seeing Zhao Yan’er like this, he feared for her safety if he did nothing.

Never mind, let this be for her sake.

No longer holding himself rigid, Zhao Kai kissed her back. Zhao Yan’er, finally answered, felt an immense satisfaction wash over her.

"Brother Zhao..."

Unlike the shy and reserved Lin Fei’er, Zhao Yan’er was bold and passionate.

As he kissed her, Zhao Kai scooped her into his arms and walked toward the bathing tub. If the drug could not be countered, perhaps cold water would bring down her fever.

Zhao Yan’er, lost in bliss, refused to leave his embrace, greedy for this fleeting warmth and care.

"Say my name..."

It was as if only when he said her name would he truly understand that the woman in his arms tonight was Zhao Yan’er, not Lin Fei’er.

"Yan’er..." Zhao Kai called softly.

The tension in her brow eased, and for a moment Zhao Kai was so entranced by her beauty that he lost himself.

They say women are most moving in the throes of passion—who could have imagined that Yan’er would be so heartbreakingly alluring beneath him?

"Yan’er," he called again.

"Brother Zhao..." she whispered, kissing him hungrily.

Zhao Kai was on the verge of losing control. His body was rigid and uncomfortable, but he clung to his last shred of reason.

This was the drug’s doing; if she remembered what had happened when she regained her senses, she might well be consumed by shame.

With this in mind, he kissed her deeply, keeping her lost in the sensation, then, catching sight of the bath, suddenly swept her into his arms and dumped her into the tub.

"Ah—!"

The icy water shocked her entire being, drawing a sharp scream from Zhao Yan’er, but in that instant, her mind cleared and her gaze regained its clarity.

Zhao Kai panted heavily; the short walk to the bath had taken all his self-control, but at least he hadn’t made a terrible mistake.

Slightly more lucid now, Zhao Yan’er felt even more aggrieved. Was he truly so unwilling to touch her? Was she so unworthy?

Her tears fell without end. Seeing her like this, Zhao Kai realized how abrupt his actions had been and quickly explained, "The cold water will help bring down your fever. Just stay a little longer and you’ll be fine."

She was indeed recovering; the heat in her body had lessened as the effects of the drug faded.

But Zhao Yan’er still wanted him.

She gripped the edge of the tub to stand, her damp clothes clinging to her like a second skin.

Zhao Kai immediately turned his back. "Yan’er, just wait a little longer."

But Zhao Yan’er seemed not to hear. She pressed herself against his back. "Brother Zhao, what do you really think of me?"

"You’re wonderful, truly wonderful. Please, don’t take tonight to heart."

"I don’t mind."

What did she mean by that? Zhao Kai couldn’t make sense of it, and before he could ponder further, Zhao Yan’er’s body began to slide down. He caught her just in time, but the contact with her soft, yielding form made him recoil as if scalded.

She had fainted, likely unable to withstand the aftereffects of the drug.

Zhao Kai gazed at her, thinking to himself that she really was quite beautiful.

Enough. She needed rest, and so did he.

The night passed without further incident. Zhao Kai had imagined countless possible outcomes, but when Zhao Yan’er awoke, she showed no sign of reproach—only a hint of bashfulness.

He was bewildered.

"Yan... Miss Zhao, are you alright?"

Zhao Yan’er shot him a playful glance. "Brother Zhao, why are you still calling me Miss Zhao? Shouldn’t you call me Yan’er?"

Zhao Kai was dumbstruck. Had he tamed a wild filly?

No, this wouldn’t do. Last night had been a misunderstanding; he had only been helping her detoxify.

Perceptive as ever, Zhao Yan’er saw his inner turmoil. Of course—Brother Zhao was no lecher; he was a true gentleman. If she used last night to bind him, he might come to despise her.

"Brother Zhao, thank you for saving me last night. If not for you, I would have lost everything. You are my savior. I don’t wish to be distant with you. If you don’t mind, please call me Yan’er..."