Сhарter 7: Wherevеr Yоu Want to Вite, I’ll Satisfу Yоu
Тhе tаll, hаndsomе mаn bеforе her lеaned slightlу fоrward, а floоd оf bright light sрilling from bеhind him.
Likе a gоd dеsсеnding frоm hеаven, сoming sреcifically tо savе her.
Qiао Zhiуаng stared аt him blankly, hеr hеаrt suddеnly rаcing wildlу.
The tеаrs shе hаd bеen hоlding back wellеd uр in hеr еуes instantly аt his wоrds.
Likе a сhild who hаd endured еndlеss griеvаnces finаllу finding a willing embrаce, it wаs sо wаrm it mаde hеr wаnt to cry.
“Actually… thоse реорlе who wаnted to takе me bаck just nоw werе bodyguards sent by my mother.”
Her reddened eyes met his gentle gaze, and her tightly bitten lips slowly relaxed as a sudden desire to confide in him emerged. “Because I ran away from home without telling her.”
A nineteen-year-old adult running away like a disobedient child.
At this point, her voice faltered slightly, and she lowered her head again, feeling uneasy.
“Don’t be afraid.”
Cen Zhou gently patted her head once more, his warm voice repeating patiently, “I’m here.”
Those two simple words seemed imbued with a magical power.
They effortlessly dispelled some of her unease, replacing it with a sense of security, as if someone was there to catch her if she fell.
Qiao Zhiyang slowly raised her head, her voice slightly hoarse. “Am I being childish? I’m already this old, yet I’m still protesting in such a childish way. But I… I really couldn’t think of any other way.”
From the moment she was born, she had grown up in a family filled with oppression and control.
In public, she was the cherished and envied heiress of the wealthy Qiao family in Hong Kong.
But in private, she was a puppet doll without a sense of self, pathologically monitored by her mother, who had a strong desire for control.
Whether it was her studies or her social life, her mother would use every means possible.
To trap her on the chessboard of “everything I do is for your own good,” forcing her to follow the predetermined path.
“You are the only daughter of our Qiao family, so you must become the most outstanding, most well-behaved young lady to represent the perfect face of our family, understand?”
“These hobby classes are just a waste of time, especially something like fashion design. What future is there in that? I’ve already spoken to your teacher—you don’t need to attend anymore. I’ve signed you up for a few etiquette courses. You’ll go there starting this Saturday.”
“Who were those people you were walking with today? Didn’t I tell you that you have to inform me about every friend you make? Give me your phone. Don’t contact them anymore.”
“Qiao Zhiyang, I am your mother. Everything I do is for your own good. When you grow up, you’ll understand my good intentions and be grateful to me.”
No!
She didn’t understand!
If it were truly for her own good, her mother wouldn’t have robbed her of what should have been a carefree childhood.
Driven away her friends, controlled her life, and forced her to do things she didn’t want to do.
Even going so far as to secretly change her college application behind her back because she wanted to study design, forcing her to attend a university she didn’t like.
And even arranging for her to marry a man she didn’t know, simply because his family could benefit their business.
She couldn’t take it anymore!
When she was younger, she couldn’t fight back, but now she was an adult, no longer bound by the constraints of a guardian’s control.
So, while her family wasn’t paying attention, she ran away.With a handwritten invitation letter from a professor in the design department of Yunjing University and the help of her close friends, she secretly boarded a plane, leaving the city of Gangcheng that had confined her for over a decade, and arrived in the unfamiliar Jingbei.
“Third Brother.”
Qiao Zhiyang clutched her phone tightly, her mind repeatedly flashing with the heavy words her mother had just hurled at her—”selfish,” “rebellious,” “bad child”—like a child who had absorbed too much negativity and began to doubt herself.
Unable to hold back, she looked at him, nervously and anxiously seeking validation, “Am I really that bad, that selfish?”
Mr. Cen must think so too.
At less than thirty years old, he had already risen to a high position. In the eyes of someone as mature and outstanding as him, her act of rebellion must seem childish and immature.
He probably regretted going to such great lengths to rescue her…
Qiao Zhiyang slowly lowered her reddened eyes, the bitterness in her heart surging wildly once again.
How strange.
Why did her mood suddenly feel even worse than before?
As she struggled to hold back the moisture in her eyes and fought the urge to bite her lower lip again, her head was gently patted by a broad palm.
Then, a rich and gentle voice, like a spring breeze, softly whispered in her ear.
“Little Zhiyang, you must have had a very hard time lately, haven’t you?”
Qiao Zhiyang froze in shock.
The tears that had been welling up in her eyes finally spilled over at his words.
Startled, she quickly wiped them away.
Don’t cry.
Crying is useless.
It would only invite harsher scolding.
“If you want to cry, just let it out.”
Cen Zhou sighed softly, wiping away the tears at the corner of her eyes without any hint of disgust. “In front of Third Brother, there’s no need to hold back.”
“Their tyranny has made you suffer, forcing you to do things you don’t like. Choosing to bravely resist is itself something worthy of praise. Why blame yourself?”
“Don’t blame yourself.”
“You did nothing wrong.”
His gaze was gentle as he looked at her, patiently and earnestly guiding and protecting her with a mature and upright attitude.
“They demand you to be an obedient, people-pleasing good child, but here with me, you can be yourself to your heart’s content.”
“So, do whatever makes you happy, and don’t do what doesn’t. Don’t worry about them.”
“It’s okay to be a little selfish. We don’t have to endure this kind of grievance.”
Cen Zhou’s smile deepened, his voice low and pleasant as he spoke slowly.
“And haven’t you realized? Despite being strictly controlled all this time, you never lost yourself, never gave in or compromised. You even seized the right moment to escape this cage.”
“Little Zhiyang.”
His gaze deepened as he looked at her, the corners of his lips curving upward. “Actually, you are braver than you think.”
Qiao Zhiyang’s breath hitched.
Her heartbeat suddenly quickened, vibrant and alive.
For as long as she could remember, in that strictly controlled environment, she had to seek permission for everything she did.
Gradually, she grew accustomed to following the rules, treading carefully in everything.
This decision to break free from her cage was the most daring thing she had done in her nineteen years of life.
She thought it was selfish, rebellious.
But it turns out, it’s called bravery.
Qiao Zhiyang’s tightly clenched hands suddenly relaxed, and the heavy pressure in her heart dissipated like smoke.
She sniffled, lifted her face, and her once dim eyes began to shine brightly again.Her eyes sparkled with vibrant charm. “I understand now, thank you, Third Brother.”
His patient and warm support gave her even more resilient and fearless courage.
Even if her relationship with her family became strained, even if she became the “bad child” they spoke of, she would no longer be afraid.
For her, today was the day of her rebirth.
This free sky was something she had longed for a very long time.
And now, she had finally gotten her wish.
Although there would undoubtedly be many unknown challenges waiting for her ahead, for some reason, she suddenly felt less anxious.
There was an inexplicable sense of security, as if no matter how far she walked forward, someone would always be there to support her from behind.
“Third Brother, thank you.”
Qiao Zhiyang gazed at him with bright eyes, a more radiant smile blooming at the corners of her lips. “I’m really lucky to have met you. You truly are an incredibly good person!”
It was he who made her realize that grievances and tears didn’t have to be met with scolding—they could be met with understanding and comfort.
The fluffy Little Lamb lifted her delicate little face, looking at the wolf disguised as a good citizen with even more trust and respect.
Even the previously maintained distance between them unconsciously shortened by a few millimeters.
Cen Zhou’s deep phoenix eyes rested on her face, a flicker of dark light passing through them.
Because she had just cried, the girl’s eyes were even more captivating, with a faint blush lingering at the corners.
She looked as if she had been bullied, appearing even softer, more charming, and more pitiable.
It stirred a destructive desire in him, making him wish he could grab her into his arms right then and there, kneading her as he pleased.
Cen Zhou’s Adam’s apple bobbed slightly as he restrained himself, fiddling with the Prayer Beads on his wrist.
He wasn’t a good person.
Even though the young girl had just cried so sadly, he had entertained improper and wicked thoughts.
He truly deserved a beating.
But what was the point of being a good person anyway?
As long as he could possess the Little Lamb he had yearned for day and night, he would accept being called scum in the future.
“Next time, don’t bite your own lips anymore.”
Cen Zhou looked at the small teeth marks on her plump, rosy lower lip and suddenly raised his hand, brushing over it as naturally as when he had tucked her hair behind her ear earlier. “If there’s anything that makes you unhappy, bite Third Brother instead.”
“Wherever you fancy, just tell Third Brother.”
He leaned his tall frame slightly forward, the corners of his narrow eyes lifting with a roguish yet elegant curve, his voice low, magnetic, and husky. “Third Brother will let you bite to your heart’s content.”