Chapter 44: A Woman’s War

As soon as Lin Fei’er finished speaking, her tears fell like rain.

Only she knew the agony of picking up a knife for the first time, someone who had never held one before. Yet she could not control herself—Zhao Kai was her everything, she could not bear to lose him.

“Sister Yan’er, as long as you leave my husband, I’ll let you go.”

Zhao Yan’er looked at her, feeling no resentment, only endless sorrow. It was she who had turned Fei’er into what she was now. If she had never fallen for Zhao Kai, perhaps she and Fei’er would still be as close as sisters. Though Fei’er had tied her up, she knew Fei’er was still afraid of her.

She moved slightly, signaling for Fei’er to remove the cloth stuffed in her mouth.

Obediently, Fei’er complied. “What do you want to say?”

“Fei’er, I cannot leave my brother… If you hate me, then let it be so…”

That was her choice. Lin Fei’er was stunned on the spot; she had not expected such an answer.

“If I threatened your life, would you still not leave my husband?”

“Yes.” Zhao Yan’er’s reply was firm and resolute.

Lin Fei’er glared at her with hatred. “Fine, then I’ll…”

She picked up a dagger, the blade flashing as it was about to descend upon Zhao Yan’er—when suddenly, with a gust of wind, it was kicked out of her hand.

“Fei’er, what are you doing!”

It was Zhao Kai’s voice.

Zhao Kai looked at Lin Fei’er in disbelief, then at the dagger on the ground and the bound, fragile Yan’er, feeling as though he were in a nightmare.

Was this really Fei’er? How could Fei’er do such a thing?

Lin Fei’er had not expected Zhao Kai’s return. Seeing him, she let out a frightened cry and covered her face, unable to look at him.

Zhao Kai, who had originally planned to find Yan’er, realized that if he did not come home for the night, Fei’er would worry. He had meant only to say a few words to reassure her, but instead he stumbled upon this scene.

Seeing Fei’er raise a dagger at Yan’er, Zhao Kai instinctively kicked it away, then turned to her.

But upon seeing her helplessness and utter despair, Zhao Kai felt a bitter ache in his heart.

Wasn’t all of this because of him?

“Fei’er, I’m sorry…”

He was the one to blame, the one who had caused all of this, the one who had let down a good woman.

“My husband, what is it about me that’s not good enough? Why don’t you love me?”

Fei’er still believed it was her fault.

Zhao Kai lowered his head. The last person he wanted to hurt was Fei’er, for Fei’er had always acted with his best interests at heart, always blaming herself no matter what.

“Fei’er… I…” Zhao Kai could hardly speak; he could not face her, nor did he feel worthy of being her husband.

“It’s not Brother’s fault,” Zhao Yan’er interjected. “I was the one who seduced him. Fei’er, it’s my fault.”

Not wanting to see Zhao Kai in distress, Zhao Yan’er took all the blame upon herself.

Zhao Kai felt even more guilty, as though he bore two great burdens upon his shoulders.

He wanted to say he was not worthy of their affection, but faced with the deep love of two women, he could not bear it.

Caught between them, he let out a heavy sigh. “Fei’er, Yan’er, you are both wonderful. It’s my fault. I’m sorry…”

With that, he ran out into the rain.

The torrential downpour could not wash away the anger and sorrow in his heart. Fei’er’s look of despair, Yan’er’s pained gaze—these left him unable to breathe.

He did not want to choose, yet he could not bear to see them both suffer.

Such torment had led to today’s tragedy.

But worse was yet to come.

The roar of the rain drowned out other sounds. Lost in thought, Zhao Kai suddenly felt a sharp sword graze his throat.

Instantly alert, he saw several figures in the rain and clenched his teeth.

Fine, he thought, now he could vent his fury on these people.

Narrowing his eyes, amidst the flash of blades, he struck with heavy fists. His keen sense of danger let him easily dodge their swords, and he landed powerful blows upon the throats and vital points of the men in black.

Soon, they were exhausted, and Zhao Kai was left slightly out of breath.

“Is that all?” he called out—he was not yet satisfied.

He tried to see who the attackers were, but after two steps, his legs felt weak and his head spun.

“So you finally succumb,” one of the men in black sneered.

Shaking his head, Zhao Kai cursed his carelessness. In dodging their swords, he had failed to notice if they used hidden weapons.

“You’ve been drugged with a mind-numbing powder. Don’t waste your energy.”

One of the men kicked him hard, and Zhao Kai fell to his knees in pain.

Was this the end for him? Would he die here tonight?

Gritting his teeth, Zhao Kai took advantage of their carelessness and suddenly fled into the nearby forest.

Live or die, he would take his chances—he would not lie down and wait for death. With this thought, Zhao Kai’s strength gave out, and he collapsed into unconsciousness…

The Zhao family—

After Zhao Kai ran out, Lin Fei’er jumped up to chase after him, but after two steps she felt too ashamed to face him.

She collapsed to the ground, clutching the dagger, weeping.

Was it because her heart was too cruel that her husband left? Should she end her life to atone for her sins?

She had not truly meant to harm Yan’er. She only pretended to drive her away…

Lin Fei’er wept bitterly. Zhao Yan’er, too, felt wretched. Her bonds had already been untied by Zhao Kai. She wanted to rush after him and explain, but on second thought, it was Fei’er she most needed to speak with.

“Fei’er, I’m sorry… It was my impulsiveness that hurt you.”

Lin Fei’er shook her head. “It’s my fault, Sister Yan’er. I should not have treated you this way.”

Both women, gentle and kind, were thinking only of each other. Zhao Yan’er could hold back her tears no longer.

She had once schemed against Lin Fei’er, but now she could not keep up the pretense. In character and virtue, how could she compare to Fei’er?

Fei’er was gentle and considerate, the wife of her brother, while she herself was but an outsider.

“No, Fei’er, the fault is mine. I’ll leave at once and never trouble you again.”

She made up her mind—better for one of them to act decisively and spare the three of them further pain.

But just as she was about to go, several masked men burst in.

“Ah—!”

Zhao Yan’er screamed in fright. Lin Fei’er, seeing this, hurriedly backed away.

“Well, pretty ladies, you’ll be coming with us.”

Zhao Yan’er forced herself to stay calm. “Who are you? By what right do you take us? Guards, throw these villains out!”

She assumed the air of the Zhao family’s young mistress, but no one responded.

“Miss Zhao, we’re here to kidnap you. Did you really think we’d let you summon help? But since you’re so pretty, I won’t tie you up. Just come quietly.”

Without betraying emotion, Zhao Yan’er shifted to stand in front of Lin Fei’er, signaling with her hand behind her back for Fei’er to seize the chance to escape.

But how could Lin Fei’er leave at such a moment?

“My husband will be back any moment now. If you don’t leave, you’ll regret it,” she threatened.

The man laughed. “Your husband? You mean Zhao Kai?”

As he spoke, he took out a jade pendant. “Isn’t this your husband’s? Miss Lin, we’re here for you too. Did you think we wouldn’t deal with your husband first?”