Chapter 48: Affection

Chapter 48: Chapter 48: Affection

At this moment, Que Hongjin still exuded an aura of mysterious allure. He was like a misty impressionistic painting, every expanse of negative space inviting endless imagination.

As he spoke, he leaned in slightly closer to Qiao Suluo. His warm breath brushed against her ear like the most tantalizing spring breeze. A faint scent of pine emanated from him, effortlessly plucking at her heartstrings.

They were too close, Qiao Suluo thought. Breathing in his pleasant scent, her heart skipped a beat.

She turned sideways slightly to put some distance between them, only to catch sight of the smooth, fair lines of his neck, half-hidden in the candlelight. As he spoke, his Adam’s apple bobbed gently.

When she involuntarily looked up at him, her gaze met his exquisite eyes. Perhaps because he had just bathed, a bewitching hint of crimson tinged the corners of his eyes.

As he gazed down at her, his eyes curved slightly with a tender warmth, as if crushed stars were slowly rippling within them.

"Wife, hmm?"

The slight lilt at the end of Que Hongjin’s sentence acted like a hook. Qiao Suluo’s heart raced, and her mouth suddenly felt dry.

Her face grew hot. Her eyelashes fluttered as she nodded. "Yes, I’ve... I’ve thought it through. We... we will form the contract."

Hearing this, the anxiety suspending Que Hongjin’s heart finally settled.

"Alright," he said hoarsely.

With that, he no longer restrained himself. He pulled her gently into the room, and with a sweep of his sleeve, the door swung shut and locked.

Before Qiao Suluo could even react, Que Hongjin wrapped his arms around her, pressing her between his embrace and the door. He trapped her like a net, leaving no room for escape. Yet, he remained meticulous, using one hand to cushion the back of her head so she wouldn’t bump against the wood.

At the same time, his lips descended.

His kisses first landed on her clear, expressive eyes. They were like a pool of crystal-clear spring water—so beautiful and vibrant that he couldn’t help but drown in them. To him, she was a precious treasure. Even though he wanted nothing more than to crush her fiercely against his heart, he forced himself to take it slow.

Qiao Suluo’s eyelashes tickled under his kisses. They fluttered continuously like butterfly wings as she murmured, "Hong Jin."

"Yes, wife."

Que Hongjin’s voice was low and raspy as he gently responded. When his lips finally met hers, he softly swallowed whatever else she was about to say. He didn’t want to hear anything else, terrified she might suddenly regret it and say no.

Normally, Que Hongjin was exceedingly gentle, but in this moment, a trace of domineering possession surfaced within him. His gaze tangled tightly around her.

Qiao Suluo’s liquid eyes shimmered. Unsure of how to react, she clung tightly to his neck, her mind turning to mush as she involuntarily called out to him again. "Hong Jin."

After a long while, Que Hongjin parted from her slightly and whispered hoarsely, "Yes, I’m here. Be good, everything is fine."

His voice was deep, husky, and entirely unlike his usual tone. Blood rushed through Que Hongjin’s veins, and a profoundly dark gleam flashed in the depths of his eyes. He suppressed the intense desires surging in his heart, forcing himself to be patient and gentle with her.

Qiao Suluo didn’t know if she was nervous or expectant. His potent aura enveloped her, feeling as though it could seep into her very core. The arms wrapped around her tightened, as if seeking to imprison her completely.

Gradually, Que Hongjin lifted her into his arms, carried her to the bed, and leaned over her.

THUMP, THUMP, THUMP...

Qiao Suluo could feel her heart pounding like a drum. Meeting his dark, whirlpool-like eyes, she felt as if her very soul was about to be devoured.

Still worried that she might be nervous, Que Hongjin gently caressed her brow and spoke in a soft, soothing tone. "I remember the first time I met you, wife, was on that night of thunderstorms.

"Back then, she collapsed on the ground, seemingly devoid of breath. When a bolt of lightning struck down, that was when you arrived, wasn’t it?"

Que Hongjin had previously opened his heart and talked to her about this, acknowledging that he knew she was not the original owner of this body. Yet, she hadn’t expected him to remember the details so clearly.

"Yes. Honestly, I was very confused at the time. I suddenly woke up in an unfamiliar place and had no idea what was going on," she said.

"When I saw the state you were in, I was shocked.

"You had so many injuries and were bleeding so much. It must have hurt terribly, didn’t it?"

As she spoke, Qiao Suluo’s fingers grazed the scars on his body with tender pity. Although the wounds had healed, the lingering scars were still shocking to look at.

Feeling her genuine concern, the tenderness in Que Hongjin’s exquisite eyes deepened. "It didn’t hurt. It was my fault back then; I didn’t know it was you, wife, and I failed to take proper care of you."

"How could I blame you for that?" Qiao Suluo said. "You didn’t know anything either.

"Besides, the previous owner of this body treated you so poorly. Your attitude back then was already remarkably good."

She didn’t even want to recall the things her predecessor had done; she felt it had all been far too cruel to Que Hongjin and the others. Yet, Que Hongjin was a man of extraordinary upbringing. Even facing such abuse, he had remained elegant and aloof, never lifting a finger in retaliation. He clearly had the martial skills to deal with the previous owner, yet he had chosen not to.

He was simply a deeply good person down to his very bones.

As Que Hongjin conversed with her, he could feel her gradually relaxing. Only then did he ask, "Do you believe in me, wife?

"I will never hurt you."

Qiao Suluo suddenly understood what he meant. She looked up to meet his gaze. Her reflection was mirrored in his crimson-tinged pupils, as if his entire world was filled with nothing but her. She could see his lingering, profound affection and feel just how deeply he loved her.

Even his aura was as warm and gentle as jade.

Captivated by his flushed, breathtaking appearance, Qiao Suluo reached out, wrapping her arms around his neck on her own initiative, and pressed her lips to his throat.

"Yes, I believe you."

Que Hongjin’s heart gave a violent lurch. He held her tightly, and soon, their breaths intertwined. He was so endlessly grateful for her arrival, which seemed to gently smooth over the deeply scarred ruins of his heart.

In the throes of their deep passion, he called out to her over and over again, "A Luo."

Que Hongjin had always called her "wife." This was the first time he had ever called her by her name.

"Is it alright if I call you this?" he asked.

He wanted a form of address that belonged exclusively to him.

Qiao Suluo never imagined that her own name could sound so romantic and moving coming from his lips. It made her heartstrings tremble.

Her voice was husky as she answered, "Yes."

Que Hongjin looked down at her. Seeing her flushed cheeks and her eyes shimmering like clear autumn pools, he couldn’t help but be completely intoxicated.

He let out a low, hoarse sigh. "Wife, I love you. Do you know that?"

Qiao Suluo felt like her mind was about to explode, utterly swept away by his rhythm. Hearing those words through her haze, her heart skipped a beat.

Did he really love her?

Her eyes flew wide open, and she stared at him in astonishment. She had no idea when Que Hongjin had fallen in love with her. She thought that, at most, he had fond feelings for her. She never expected it to be love.

Looking down and meeting her gaze, Que Hongjin immediately understood: his wife didn’t know or comprehend it at all.

If he didn’t say it, she never would have known.