Chapter 34: Piercing the Window Paper

When faced with overwhelming interests, people often think only of monopolizing everything for themselves, unaware that sharing benefits and maintaining stable relationships is the only way to go further. Zhao Kai allowed a few influential businessmen from Jinghong County to take a share of the profits, involving them in the operations of the casino, thereby stabilizing its revenue and strengthening both the casino and the Zhao family's future.

Even if something unexpected happens in the future, they will check and balance one another.

Now, Zhao Yan’er was enjoying the chessboard Zhao Kai had arranged. Her admiration for him ran deep, like a bird yearning for the sky, like a brook desperately trying to merge into the sea.

“If only my brother could remain safe and sound,” she said.

“Brother Zhao… has an extraordinary state of mind; he’ll get better,” someone replied.

She shook her head. “It doesn’t matter. Even if my brother doesn’t recover, in my eyes, he’ll remain just the same as before.”

Zhou Chengwang was taken aback. “What do you mean by that?”

“To tell you the truth, I like my brother—very much. No matter what becomes of him, I’ll still like him. Even if he’s now crippled, to me he shines even brighter. I only feel regret—regret that he cannot continue to dazzle the world.”

Zhou Chengwang’s expression twisted. Why, even now, was she so stubborn?

“I don’t need your help; I can do this myself. I want my brother to see that I, Zhao Yan’er, can shoulder everything and make him look at me with new eyes.”

Fine… Zhou Chengwang closed his eyes. He had originally intended to take out the genuine shareholding agreement and return it to her, but now it seemed she had no need for it!

When things became truly irreparable, he would make her come to him and beg in person!

Zhao Yan’er didn’t notice Zhou Chengwang’s mood; her heart and eyes were filled with only one person.

Zhao Kai had told her that, once she had full control, it would be time to reveal the truth to everyone. To be honest, she was worried.

She feared her brother would not be able to withstand such pressure.

Zhao Yan’er had long since placed Zhao Kai above all else, never considering that if Zhao Kai’s secret were ever exposed, the first to suffer would be the Zhao family.

The Zhao family—

“Just now I saw Young Master Zhou leave absentmindedly. What happened to him?” Lin Fei’er ran into Zhou Chengwang and found his behavior odd, so she asked about it.

“He probably has something on his mind. It doesn’t matter; everyone must solve their own problems.”

“Yes,” Lin Fei’er gently stroked his leg, “If only I could bear this pain for you, my husband.”

Zhao Kai laughed—this silly girl, still thinking about that.

“If you were to take my place, then I’d have to take care of you all my life, and I’m far too lazy for that. I’d rather spend my life bedridden, enjoying your care.”

Zhao Kai’s words were sweet as honey; in just a few sentences, he had dried her tears.

Lin Fei’er smiled and curled up in his arms, and Zhao Kai held her, feeling a satisfaction he’d never known before.

Whoever said that mountains of gold and silver could satisfy one’s desires? Only having a beloved who thinks of you in all things can bring true contentment.

“Fei’er, having you is my greatest fortune in three lifetimes,” he whispered, kissing her hair.

“Husband, don’t you think I’m a little dull?”

A little dull is good—dullness is adorable. Why would I want you to learn the ways of those clever women, always scheming?

He liked Fei’er just as she was, pure-hearted. This ordeal had shown him that only Fei’er truly cared for him.

“I just like you this way. Fei’er, you must stay by my side for a lifetime.”

When a man speaks love, it can be captivating indeed. Lin Fei’er blushed and buried herself shyly in his embrace—just in time for Zhao Yan’er to walk in on them.

“Ahem…”

She coughed awkwardly, and Lin Fei’er quickly sat up.

“Brother, I’ve handled everything. Is there anything else I should pay attention to?”

Seeing it was business, Lin Fei’er withdrew of her own accord.

Zhao Kai saw the resilience in Zhao Yan’er’s eyes, her demeanor fearless, and felt deeply gratified.

Master Zhao truly had raised a fine daughter—spoiled to the extreme at times, but when it came to serious matters, she was remarkable.

“There’s nothing more for now. With those shareholders involved, the casino will be fine for the time being. But you must keep a close eye on the rouge business.”

“I will…” Zhao Yan’er fixed her gaze on him. “Brother, don’t worry. I’m only managing things temporarily for you. I’ll return everything to you in the future.”

Return it? This was always the Zhao family’s to begin with. Besides, Master Zhao had trusted him unconditionally, and he had yet to figure out how to repay that.

“You’re being too formal. Aren’t we family?” he said.

At those words, Zhao Yan’er’s eyes flickered. She sat down slowly. “Brother, you’ve been working so hard these past few days, haven’t you?”

Not at all, he felt fine.

“Brother…” At the sight of him, Zhao Yan’er’s eyes brimmed with tears.

She hadn’t shed a single tear when disaster struck, and in these past two days she’d kept herself taut as a bowstring, never daring to let go. Now, alone with him, gazing into his smiling eyes, the tears finally fell in torrents.

Zhao Kai panicked. What was happening? Yan’er was never the weepy sort.

“Yan’er, don’t cry… Has someone bullied you? Tell me, and I’ll deal with them.”

At his words, she wept even harder.

Even in his own dire state, her brother was still worried about her.

Zhao Kai was at a loss. He never knew what to do in the face of a woman’s tears.

“Yan’er, are you scared? Don’t be. It will all get better.”

But Zhao Yan’er seemed not to hear him, her tears flowing even more fiercely. After hesitating a long while, he gently patted her back.

“If you want to cry, then cry. I know the pressure is great.”

After all, she was just a young woman—she had been wronged.

But as soon as he finished speaking, Zhao Yan’er threw herself into his arms, her burning tears soaking into his neck.

“Brother, I haven’t really been wronged. I just can’t hold it in anymore. I want to express my feelings like Fei’er does.”

Feelings?

“Brother, I like you. I love you!”

Zhao Kai was instantly shattered, his mind in pieces. What did she say?

Zhao Yan’er looked at him. “Brother, I love you. I’ve liked you for a long time, but I never dared express it. When you lay there, covered in blood in Fei’er’s arms, I wished I could take your place, wished I could go through fire and water for you. I’m not afraid of anything that may happen in the future. The only thing I fear is losing you.”

Zhao Kai couldn’t even describe what he felt. His mind went blank. Seeing the vulnerability she had never shown before, it was as if an invisible hand seized his heart.

“In my heart, no one can compare to you. I know Fei’er is your wife and you love her, but my feelings for you are no less than hers. I have envied and even been jealous of Fei’er countless times. I want so badly to stay by your side as she does. Brother, whatever companionship she offers you, I can do the same. Let me stay by your side—to care for you, to accompany you, even if it’s only a little place in your life. Please?”

Zhao Kai’s expression grew complicated. He had thought himself unworthy even to have a Fei’er who loved him so wholeheartedly. But Yan’er’s feelings were no less deep. Even knowing he was now a cripple, she still wished humbly to remain by his side.

How could he possibly deserve such devotion?