Shen Wan’s face flushed bright red with humiliation at his actions. She reached out to push him away, but Yan Xiao grabbed her wrist. He set the bowl down on the table, then with his other hand gripped her chin, forcing her to look at him.
“Shen Wan, don’t test my patience,” he warned.
After saying that, he released her, picked up the bowl again, his tone imperious: “Now, eat obediently…”
He paused, leaving the threat unspoken but fully implied.
Shen Wan trembled with anger at his domineering attitude; she was no match for him.
She took a deep breath, forcing herself to stay calm. Then she reached out, snatched the bowl from his hand, and drank the rice soup spoonful by spoonful until it was completely gone.
The last mouthful swallowed with frustration, she slammed the porcelain bowl onto the table. The crash against the surface rang sharply in the silent room, startlingly loud.
Yan Xiao looked at her, a playful smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “That’s better. Miss Shen, you really know how to behave.”
Shen Wan stood up, trying to put some distance between them. “I’ve eaten. Can you leave now?”
Her tone was distant, as if she were facing not her fiancé, but an enemy.
Yan Xiao ignored her coldness. Slowly, he stood, straightened his uniform, and then turned to her, his voice calm: “The wedding is tomorrow. Rest early.”
Shen Wan watched him reach the door and ground her teeth in anger.
“Yan Xiao, you really are despicable!”
Yan Xiao stopped, but didn’t turn to look at her. A ridiculous smile curled at the corner of his mouth.
Everyone outside would love to see him dead in this spot.
Even the woman he loved felt the same way!
“Shen Wan, if you had an ounce of conscience, you wouldn’t speak like that! Do you know how sincerely I’ve treated you? You know it in your heart! If I wanted to make things hard for you, dealing with you and that brat from the Yan family would be as easy as flipping a hand.”
He clenched his fist, veins bulging on his arm, and punched the solid wall.
Her lack of love for him was like a dagger lodged deep in his heart, one that had been there for a long time.
To him, he was worthless to Shen Wan. He knew it.
But he still wanted her.
In Liangzhou, there was nothing Yan Xiao couldn’t have.
The wall reverberated with a dull thud from his blow, shaking the vases on the shelves.
One teetered…
And finally fell, shattering into pieces on the floor.
Shen Wan shrank back in fear, her eyes wary and filled with disgust.
She was afraid.
To her, Yan Xiao was a ruthless villain capable of anything.
Seeing that she was frightened, Yan Xiao reined in the fury and aggression on his face, forcing a stiff, gentle smile.
“The one person in this world least likely to hurt you… is me.”
His tone became even gentler, almost pleading.
He reached out to touch her cheek, but Shen Wan slapped his hand away sharply.
“Don’t touch me!” she hissed, her voice hoarse with disgust.
Yan Xiao’s hand froze in midair. A flicker of hurt crossed his eyes, but he quickly masked it.
Seeing his expression change, Shen Wan didn’t hold back, adding another strike: “I will never love you. Give up on that thought!”
Yan Xiao gritted his teeth and forced out through clenched teeth, “Shen Wan, do you really think I wouldn’t dare touch you?”
He grabbed her chin again, his grip so strong it seemed like he could crush her bones.
Shen Wan winced in pain but stared back defiantly. “Is violence all you know? What else can you do?”
“Seems you still don’t realize… after tomorrow, I’ll be your husband.”
Yan Xiao tightly restrained her wrists, leaving her unable to move.
She bit down hard on his tongue, tasting the metallic tang of blood.
Yan Xiao let out a muffled grunt in pain and released his grip.
Seizing the chance, Shen Wan raised her hand and struck him hard across the face.