Chapter 40: Entangled

Zhao Chengyu greedily buried his head in the crook of her slender neck, his burning lips lightly brushing against her sensitive skin.

His hot breath sprayed against the back of her ear, as if he wanted to devour her whole.

The unique fragrance of the young girl, like the scent of spring, carried the freshness of grass and the sweetness of honey.

It seeped into his nostrils, striking deep into his soul, making him restless and unable to resist, a primal urge surging within him.

Li Yaqin snapped out of her daze, furious and embarrassed, and struggled again, only to find herself held tightly in Zhao Chengyu's arms, unable to move.

She finally understood; her clear refusal hadn't been heeded by this bastard.

He was like a wild beast that had set its sights on its prey, driven only by instinct and desire.

The most frightening type was this kind of person—unreasonable, clever, and cunning.

He won't listen to any of your refusals; he'll only proceed step by step according to his plan until he achieves his goal and completely devours his prey.

What a terrible world! Why did she have to encounter such a scoundrel!

Most importantly, Li Yaqin tried every method to break free—punching, kicking, even using her fingernails—but the difference in strength was too great; she was simply no match.

You see, Zhao Chengyu had already been punched several times by her; his back, shoulders, and even arms were scratched with several red marks.

But he seemed oblivious to the pain, remaining completely still, simply burying his head in her shoulder, holding her tightly as if she were a lost treasure that had been found again.

Damn it! She'd pulled out several clumps of his hair!

How can he act like nothing happened! This man is like a piece of chewing gum stuck to you; you can't shake him off no matter what!

Is this old man some kind of leech?!

Li Yaqin was internally collapsing, furious and annoyed, on the verge of madness.

"Zhao Chengyu! What exactly do you want!" Li Yaqin suppressed her anger and humiliation.

She took a deep breath, striving to make her voice sound calm and controlled, without a tremor.

She struggled to maintain her last shred of dignity and reason.

Faced with absolute power, a head-on confrontation would only lead to further losses. She had to calm down and find a way to escape.

The soft, fragrant body in his arms stirred Zhao Chengyu's heart. He wished he could meld her into his very bones, never to be separated from her.

His uncle was right after all. To win over a wife, you had to be a bit of a rogue, quick, ruthless, and precise, or she would run away.

You had to be domineering and forceful, striking first to make her completely submit.

Once she escaped, catching her again would be as difficult as climbing to heaven.

As for this little bit of pain, it was utterly insignificant.

What was this sacrifice compared to winning the heart of his beauty?

"My wife smells so good, I want to cuddle with her, I won't let go even if it hurts."

Zhao Fei, stationed far away in Kyoto, suddenly sneezed. "Damn it, who's plotting against me?"

Zhao Chengyu lowered his head, his deep eyes fixed on Li Yaqin.

His tone was low and domineering, carrying an undeniable force, "Be my wife."

This wasn't a question; it was clearly an unquestionable command, declaring his absolute control.

"Impossible!" Li Yaqin refused without hesitation, her resolute stance leaving no room for negotiation.

"I don't like you." Li Yaqin rejected him without a second thought.

How could she possibly like a scoundrel who had been harassing her!

Besides, she knew perfectly well that his so-called "liking"

was nothing more than a man's desire to conquer, not genuine affection.

"Hmph, then, do you dislike me?" Zhao Chengyu changed his approach, taking a roundabout route, his voice carrying a barely perceptible tension.

Li Yaqin considered it seriously for a moment. Zhao Chengyu was indeed handsome.

While not the effeminate kind of beauty, his features were strong, his figure tall and upright, exuding masculinity, and he didn't have any unpleasant body odor.

"I don't dislike you." Li Yaqin had to admit that this older man was indeed quite attractive, at least not repulsive.

"Then let's get married." A glint flashed in Zhao Chengyu's eyes, like a hunter spotting prey that had fallen into a trap.

"Look, I can give you the life you want, and I can arrange the best work for you."

"Household chores can be arranged, and I'm often away on missions. You just need to relax at home and do whatever you want."

In just one afternoon of interaction, Zhao Chengyu felt he had glimpsed the outline of Li Yaqin's personality.

He keenly sensed a shrewd selfishness lurking in this young woman's bones.

Yet, she was also willing to risk unknown dangers in the perilous depths of the mountains to save them.

This contradictory behavior proved that beneath her self-serving exterior lay a sliver of undying kindness.

The young woman wasn't without principles; she still possessed her own set of principles.

But all of this paled in comparison to the unique aura she exuded.

That scent, a blend of the fresh fragrance of herbs and the sweet sweetness of youth, captivated him almost greedily.

It was a deep-seated, irresistible attraction.

The scent was like the most alluring hook, completely captivating him.

Holding her tightly in his arms, every inch of their skin pressed together felt incredibly comforting, as if they were a perfect match.

Every cell in his body, every nerve, was screaming with desire.

He had to have her!

Zhao Chengyu was no saint.

What he desired, he would grasp.

People often say that the fruit of force is bitter.

But he was desperately thirsting for her.

As for the taste, he would find plenty of ways to make it sweet later.

The soft warmth in his arms soothed him, dispelling the chill of the night and igniting the heat within him.

Every rise and fall of her body fit perfectly into his embrace.

This perfect fit made him even more certain that she belonged to him.

The car slowly came to a stop, raindrops pattering against the windows, blurring the glow of the streetlights outside.

“We’ve arrived.”

A deep voice echoed in the cramped space.

The restraint he had endured the entire journey, the subtle struggles and resistance of the person in his arms, hadn’t displeased him; instead, it had added a touch of inexplicable interest.

His purpose was clear and unwavering.

The marriage application would be submitted tomorrow.

His family had been urging him for a long time, lowering their standards time and again. Now, it seemed that as long as she was a healthy woman who could breathe, they would agree.

This situation paved the way for his current decision.

There would be no dissent within the family.

Absolutely not.

Anyone who dared to obstruct him would be an enemy of the fourth generation of the Zhao family.

Grandpa would personally intervene to "persuade" those who didn't know their place.

Whether the Zhao family rules were strict or the ancestral hall's bluestone slabs were cold, they could be tested.

The woman he, Zhao Chengyu, had chosen, no one else could touch.

Zhao Chengyu released his grip on her arms and gently placed her beside the car seat.

He opened the car door, his movements without hesitation, exuding complete control.

The car door opened, and the night wind, carrying the damp chill of rain, rushed in.

She practically stumbled out of the car.

Her figure appeared hurried under the dim streetlights, her steps unsteady, as she quickly walked away from him, like prey eager to escape a trap.

Zhao Chengyu stood by the car, the night outlining his cold, hard features, a barely perceptible smile playing on his lips.

Run.

The more frantically she runs now, the more his cunning will be revealed when she's caught.

Zhao Chengyu watched the slender figure disappear into the night, a cold, mocking smile curving his lips.

Escape?

Does she think she can escape his grasp like this?

Li Qiang, that man, is shrewd and calculating, a master of scheming and manipulation.

He went to great lengths to send this young girl under his nose, ostensibly to care for his sister-in-law, but in reality, he was only after her money.

For someone as ambitious as Li Qiang, the benefits of a marriage alliance are obvious.

Once he has the opportunity to climb the Zhao family's towering tree, Li Qiang will cling to it like a vine, never letting go.

He only needed to subtly hint at his interest, extend the olive branch symbolizing supreme glory, and Li Qiang would eagerly and readily accept it.

Moreover, by conveniently arranging a leisurely and respectable job for Li Qiang's wife, silencing any gossip among the women,

this young woman would have no support or way out from her so-called "family."

Li Qiang might even transform himself into the most eager one, personally packing her up and delivering her to him.

A laughable yet realistic form of assistance.

As for her? What other choice did she have?

As long as Zhao Chengyu spread the word, making it clear that this was the woman he had his eye on,

no other man on this land would dare harbor any improper thoughts or extend any improper hand.

Unless some foolish, blinded idiot, is tired of living and wants to risk a catastrophic defeat by opposing Zhao Chengyu and the entire Zhao family, ending up with everyone dead,

what use is mere beauty in the face of absolute power and status?

Anyone with a brain knows how to choose sides and how to protect themselves.

Tomorrow is the time to have a "good" talk with Li Qiang.

He will go personally to ensure this "marriage" is finalized quickly and thoroughly.

The engagement is just the first step.