Chapter 66: Clash

Chapter 66: Chapter 66: Clash

Hearing Que Hongjin’s words, Qiao Suluo felt a wave of emotion welling up in her heart. She wanted to say something, but considering her parents were present, she felt a bit embarrassed. Forcing down her emotions for the moment, she looked down at the two dead assassins. "I wonder who these men in black were?"

Que Hongjin searched the bodies briefly but found absolutely nothing.

"I should have left one alive," he said. Earlier, his only thought had been to kill them to protect Qiao Suluo. He let out a soft sigh and added, "From now on, I will accompany you whenever you go out."

When they had been driven out of the Capital City, they had encountered assassinations on the road. Although these two men carried no identifying information, Que Hongjin suspected these assassins might be connected to the factions in the Capital City. Even though Qiao Suluo had been exposed as a fake heiress, there were still people who refused to let her off the hook. It seemed he really couldn’t let her go out alone anymore.

As Que Hongjin looked down at Qiao Suluo, his exquisite features were filled with deep concern.

Qiao Feishuang looked at Que Hongjin with gratitude. "Hong Jin, we really owe you this time. Get on the ox cart; let’s head home first."

The sky had already grown dark. Not knowing if there were more assassins lurking around, it was best to get home as early as possible.

Qiao Suluo reached out and gently tugged at his sleeve. Understanding her meaning, a gentle and soft light flickered in Que Hongjin’s eyes. "Alright."

He climbed onto the cart, and the family hurried on their way.

It was midnight by the time they finally reached the village.

Since it was so late upon arriving home, Qiao Suluo and Que Hongjin bid farewell to her parents and returned to their own house to rest.

Walking along the village’s narrow alleys, Qiao Suluo accidentally stepped on a pebble and nearly tripped.

"Be careful," Que Hongjin said, reaching out to gently catch her in his arms.

Qiao Suluo fell squarely into his embrace. At that moment, she could smell the unique, faint scent of pine wood radiating from him. It was a wonderful fragrance, one that left her feeling slightly intoxicated with just a sniff.

Just as she was about to stand back up, Que Hongjin tightened his hold on her. He lowered his head, leaning close to her ear. "Is my wife alright? Are you hurt anywhere?"

His voice had grown hoarse, carrying a seductive undertone, while his fingers rested on her waist, gently rubbing the side.

Having sat on the ox cart facing the wind all the way back, Qiao Suluo’s entire body was carrying a trace of chill. Yet, Que Hongjin’s palms were so hot—almost scalding—that her waist gave out, sending a jolt of numbness through her body.

"Mmph..." Qiao Suluo nearly lost her footing, unable to hold back a soft moan.

Fortunately, Que Hongjin supported her weight, keeping her steady. Leaning against his chest, Qiao Suluo listened to his heartbeat as he spoke, feeling the slight vibrations of his well-defined pectoral muscles echoing against her eardrums.

It inevitably reminded her of the visual impact she experienced on the night of their Contract. He looked lean, but his physique was absolutely perfect, especially his slender waist, which harbored an explosive, powerful strength. Moreover, because they had formed a Contract, he knew her exceptionally well. The mere placement of his palm on her waist brought back vivid memories.

Blushing, Qiao Suluo stammered, "I... I’m fine. I just accidentally stepped on a stone."

In the dead of night with only the moonlight to guide them, she had been too eager to get home and hadn’t paid attention to her footing.

"Yes, it’s the stone’s fault." With a flick of his finger, the very stone that had tripped her instantly turned to ashes on the ground.

Stunned, Qiao Suluo suddenly snapped back to her senses and grabbed his hand. "Wait, your health is poor. You shouldn’t use your remaining strength."

"It’s fine. After my wife treated me earlier, I feel much better."

Qiao Suluo felt a pang of guilt. "I’m sorry for making you worry today. You must have had a hard time following me in secret, right?"

How could a beastman’s natural running speed compare to that of an ox cart? On top of that, he had to remain hidden in the shadows. She couldn’t even imagine how much power he had expended.

Que Hongjin gently stroked her hair. "It wasn’t hard at all.

"As long as you are safe, that’s all that matters.

"I couldn’t even bear to imagine what I would do if something happened to you."

Just the mere thought of it gave him the urge to go completely mad.

"I will be more careful to protect myself next time," Qiao Suluo said earnestly. "I’ll prepare more self-defense drugs. Since you used your remaining power today, you must be feeling terrible. Are you feeling agitated?"

Having checked Que Hongjin’s pulse before, she knew his physical condition well. He was currently unfit to use his powers; doing so would trigger a state of manic frenzy in his body. Along with the frenzy came excruciating pain.

"Is my wife worried about me?" Que Hongjin asked, his voice teasing.

"Yes, of course I am."

He lowered his head, leaning intimately against her ear, and spoke in a deep, quiet tone. "My wife knows that to ease this agitation, all I need is comfort from a female.

"The frenzy does cause a bit of pain. Will my wife help me tonight?"

His voice was incredibly rich and enticing. Breathing in her sweet scent, he found himself utterly enchanted by it. Especially after their Contract, he was deeply intoxicated, unable to resist craving more of her.

Qiao Suluo’s eyelashes fluttered. Looking up at Que Hongjin, she immediately met his dark, profound gaze. His eyes gleamed with a consuming intensity, as if ready to swallow her whole. Her heart gave a violent tremor. Remembering that he had risked his sanity solely for her sake today, she swallowed hard and nodded. "Alright."

"You promised, my wife." Wasting no more time, Que Hongjin scooped her up into his arms.

"Hong Jin?" Qiao Suluo instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Walking is too slow. I’ll carry my wife home."

Que Hongjin carried her and dashed toward their house at an incredible speed.

However, when they arrived, they found the oil lamps brightly lit inside.

Hearing the commotion, Bai Qianluo put down his needlework and walked out. "My wife is back."

But when he saw Que Hongjin carrying Qiao Suluo, a flicker of emotion crossed his usually aloof features. He hurried forward. "Is my wife injured?"

Seeing Bai Qianluo, Qiao Suluo felt a wave of embarrassment at being held by Que Hongjin. She struggled out of his embrace and stepped down. "I’m fine. But it’s so late—why aren’t you asleep yet?"

"I couldn’t sleep."

Since she hadn’t returned, he had been filled with endless anxiety. Unable to rest, he had distracted himself by sewing rag dolls. Now that his eyes had healed, he was capable of doing such chores.

After Qiao Suluo left earlier that day, he had also wanted to follow and protect her in secret. However, someone needed to watch the house and manage the chores. He and Que Hongjin had drawn lots, and Que Hongjin had won the right to go after her, leaving him to handle the housework.

As time ticked away and night fell without her return, unease had gnawed at Bai Qianluo’s heart. He regretted his decision; he should have gone with her. Nothing mattered more than her safety.

Thank goodness she had returned unharmed.

"My wife must be hungry. I made dinner and kept it warm in the pot. Let me serve you first," Bai Qianluo said.

Que Hongjin looked at him. "You go to sleep. I will take care of my wife."

A bitter, suffocating ache surged in Bai Qianluo’s chest. He met Que Hongjin’s gaze, their eyes locking in an invisible, competitive clash. Then, Bai Qianluo turned back to Qiao Suluo, his eyes reflecting a desperate yearning for her companionship, mixed with a profound sense of loneliness and sorrow.

"Does my wife no longer need me?

"Is my wife blaming me for not going out to find you?"