Old Madam Li drew a complete blank. She was actually intimidated by a chess piece she had controlled for years!

Later, Wilson watched as Li Shaoling stepped out of the Li family house, wanting to speak but pausing.

“Young Master…”

“Speak.”

Wilson glanced at Ji Weixi hesitantly.

Li Shaoling shot him a cold look. “Is she an outsider?”

“No, of course not,” Wilson quickly denied and sighed. “The master and second young master will be coming back soon.”

“Here for the money, I bet.” Li Shaoling was unconcerned.

“Young Master, I would agree that Old Madam is overbearing in certain ways, but you shouldn’t keep it at heart because she doesn’t have much time left,” Wilson said respectfully. “Without you, the Li family would never be able to stay together, and that is why you must never leave, or the scoundrels would get what they want.”

Li Shaoling waved him off impatiently. “Got it. Go back.”

Wilson watched as the car vanished from sight. As he looked up at the house behind him, he was sighing and shaking his head without stopping.

***

Back home, the door locks really were changed to fingerprint scanners.

Still, Ji Weixi decided not to nitpick with Li Shaoling since it was an unhappy day.

It was already eleven when they reached home, and the little one was rubbing his eyes and pouting. “I’m so sleepy… I don’t want to take a bath.”

Ji Weixi smiled. “Alright, alright. No bathing.”

The little one lay down lazily on his bed, enjoying it as Ji Weixi changed his clothes, pulled a blanket over him and turned the lights off.

“I’m sleeping. Goodnight, Daddy, Mommy?”

The little one rubbed his eyes, and was asleep as soon as he closed them.

As Ji Weixi closed the bedroom door, she found Li Shaoling sitting like a king on the sofa, appearing most profoundly noble.

He clapped his thigh. “Come.”

“No.” Ji Weixi refused, and started towards the bathroom.

“Come, be a good girl.” Li Shaoling’s voice had every form of tenderness.

As if she was hexed, Ji Weixi walked towards him, her feet seemingly out of her control.

He pulled her towards her, and she dropped on his lap.

It was scalding.

Li Shaoling moved closer, but Ji Weixi quickly pressed both hands on her chest. “What are you doing?”

His voice could not be gentler. “Be nice. Give me a kiss.”

It felt as if he was conning her.

Ji Weixi’s hand over her chest relaxed then, and he went in for a soft kiss, both arms wrapped around her.

Feeling the throbbing sensation on her chest and speechless, she remained silent in the overwhelming comfort. It was as if the world had gone still until they would get white hairs.

“Don’t you want to ask about it?” Li Shaoling suddenly spoke.

“No.” Ji Weixi shook her head.

Li Shaoling’s eyes went dark. Was she really that unconcerned about him that she did not even feel the faintest curiosity?

Still, seemingly afraid that it would hurt him, Ji Weixi quickly added, “I don’t want to be sad.”

She regretted it as soon as she spoke, however, since those words would leave others wondering if she loved him.

Li Shaoling let her go then, and put his face next to hers.

“You… don’t mind who I am?” He asked carefully.

Ji Weixi had never seen him like that before.

Now, he was a child who sacrificed who he was so that he could try his best to fit in, instead of sticking out like a sore thumb.

Her heart was throbbing in pain. She had always thought that he stood above all others and looked dispassionately upon everyone else, his heart as sturdy as a wall of steel.

She was wrong.

She had imagined him to be too powerful.

But he was human, not a machine.

Now, her eyes were watery as she looked at him. “Although I’ve hated and despised you, I have now made peace with reality because no one can change it. It’s the same for you, although your birth might be worthless, even hateful to others, you would not be the Li Shaoling you are now if you weren’t born that way.”

Ji Weixi’s voice was calm, but her words cut like a blade into the most tender spot in his heart.

“So what if you’re a bastard? You are you. It has nothing to do with your birth. You don’t have to care about how others look at you, because you should learn to let go of your past and look forward.”

Ji Weixi felt that she could be a counselor then—it was the first time she was consoling a person so earnestly.

And yet that person always seemed impervious, a lord of the underworld who inspires fear with his mere name.

It was really a little… intoxicating.

Li Shaoling smiled, showing several pure-white teeth, his foreboding aura fading as he turned into a sunny boy.

“You’re so good.” He watched her as if she was treasure.

She blushed and turned away. “Don’t think I would forget how you hurt me.”

To tell the truth, Ji Weixi did not know what happened four years ago, and had been cursing him to death when she was pregnant.

Be that as it may, she felt as if she had known Li Shaoling for years after they began to live together.

She felt free and happy.

There were times when she hated that part of herself, often struggling inwardly and feeling conflicted.

Li Shaoling held her tightly, and said quietly, “Don’t forget to hate me.”

He definitely is Li Shaoling—everything he said could leave others gaping.

Ji Weixi was certainly surprised. “Why?”

“That way, I’ll be in your heart for life.”

If she would not love him, he shall stay in her mind in another fashion.

He always had that perverted side about him.

Ji Weixi got to her feet a little angrily, but he caught her and kept her from moving.

“Angry?”

“No!” She retorted in annoyance.

He chuckled with his attractive voice. “Good girl, come sleep with me.”

Ji Weixi stiffened, and turned towards him like a machine. “…Do you mean that literally or…”

Forgive her for thinking too much.

He smiled, his eyes narrowing sinisterly. “Didn’t you already say that I’m your man? Come, experience it firsthand.”

!!!

Ji Weixi leaped to her feet, keeping both hands over her chest while staring at him very vigilantly. “Don’t come here… don’t… ah!”

He had picked her up before she could finish, leaving her scared out of her wits as her body went light all of a sudden.

Li Shaoling carried her into the next room, and put her on the bed.

As she watched him get on top of her, she gulped, her fingers reaching out but grasping nothing.

Was he really going to…?

Damn it, should she accept or refuse?

But she was a little hopeful…

She was so… weak!

It’s like she has no control against a handsome man!

However, Li Shaoling simply lay down beside her, holding her and said a little hoarsely, “Goodnight.”

Eh?

Was that it?

Ji Weixi was afraid to move, but Li Shaoling’s hot breath was spraying over her neck, making it itch.

After what felt like half an hour, Ji Weixi was feeling a little cold. She gently got up and pulled the blanket at their feet over them both.

Li Shaoling tightened his arms around her and closed his eyes.

His breathing became even, but Ji Weixi couldn’t sleep.

Her head was aching a little. There were fragments of mental images, but she couldn’t see any of them clearly.

What was going on with her lately? Could something had been growing inside her head?

It wouldn’t do. She has to go for a checkup at the hospital for a checkup when she has the time.

She tossed and turned, feeling very uncomfortable.

Li Shaoling woke up then. He opening his eyes with a frown, feeble and annoyed. “What are you doing?”

“Can’t sleep.”

Li Shaoling took her into his arms and gently pat her back with his palm. “Good girl, sleep…”

As if he was coaxing a child.

Ji Weixi sniffed the clean scent over his body and suddenly asked, “Li Shaoling, what would you do if you regain your memory, and realize that I’m not the one you want to marry?”

“Kill myself.”

“…You don’t have to be so heavy-handed, bro.”

“My heart only has you and no one else,” Li Shaoling replied, his voice turning cold.

Ji Weixi muttered quietly, “I mean, in case it happens…”

“There’s no in case!” Li Shaoling opened his eyes, considerably irritated. “Stop thinking nonsense, because all you have to know is that you are forever mine.”

“Okay…” Ji Weixi let her imagination run wild for a moment, but when Li Shaoling was about to fall asleep again, she asked again, “Why did you have feelings for me?”

Was she possessed or something? Why was she talking so much?

Li Shaoling bit her punishingly while maintaining his patience. “I found you—like a wolf finding a lamb, like a cat finding a fish.”

Doesn’t that mean he wants to eat her!

Damn it, can’t he say something sentimental?

Still, Ji Weixi had more to ask, only for Li Shaoling to coldly threaten her, “I’m going to eat you up just like a wolf devouring a lamb if you don’t sleep.”

“…Goodnight.” She replied.