3 – Chapter 3
Violent Beauty
A Tao propped her chin in contemplation, vaguely recalling matters from her past. In her world, the concept of marriage simply didn’t exist.
If you fancied someone, all you needed was the capability to abduct them to your own dwelling. Whether you wanted to kiss them or have children, no one would interfere.
Though she herself had never done such things…
She was particularly selective about men, with physical appearance being her primary criterion.
A Tao glanced up at Ji Sicheng. Handsome he was, but not enough to meet her standards—far from catching her eye.
As for that man named Duan Yuan…
“All of you, shut your mouths!” Old Master Lin roared in fury. “So what if the engagement with the Ji family is called off? Tao Tao is only eighteen. She’ll stay with the Lin family, and I’ll provide for her!”
“Old Master… if Tao Tao isn’t part of the Ji family marriage, there’s still Yi Yi. You shouldn’t speak in such absolutes!” Wang Ling grew anxious.
“Enough of this matter!”
The Lin family held significant status in Rong City. When the Old Master lost his temper, even the young master of the Ji family had to endure it silently, despite being the victim of the “Lin family young lady’s affair.”
The doctors had been waiting outside for some time. Old Master Lin dismissed everyone else, leaving only two physicians and himself in the hospital room.
“Tao Tao, there’s no one else around now. Be bold and tell Grandpa honestly—did you take a liking to Duan Yuan? Did you want to… snatch him away?”
“Is he good-looking?” A Tao asked softly.
“Ah, well…” Old Master Lin frowned deeply, unsure how to respond. “You should have seen him before. What do you think of him?”
A Tao had never laid eyes on this man and immediately shook her head.
The Old Master sighed. “I thought as much. It must have been a misunderstanding between you and Duan Yuan. Although he is handsome, he’s blind. They say his temper has grown increasingly violent in recent years—so much so that even his own parents dare not approach him. How could you possibly know him?”
“Hmm…” A Tao murmured softly, feeling weary and disinclined to converse further.
She looked at her frail body—so thin it seemed her arms would snap with a slight twist—and felt helpless. Who knew how long it would take to nurse it back to health?
She still preferred plumper figures, like a ripe peach…
“Tao Tao, you must be tired. Get some rest. Pay no mind to the gossip outside—Grandpa will handle it.” The Old Master’s eyes gleamed with determination as he gazed at A Tao.
A Tao gave a lazy glance. “Mm, you may leave.”
Old Master Lin frowned, sensing something amiss, but ultimately took his small cane and departed.
A Tao could feel how excessively weak this body was. She closed her eyes to focus her spirit, and when she opened them again, she felt refreshed and clear-headed.
Staying in this room reeking of pungent medicine was unpleasant. A Tao promptly rose and headed for the door. As she passed a partially ajar room, she halted, like a predator catching the scent of prey, and instinctively peered through the crack.
That one glance felt as though it pierced through millennia, giving her a sensation both real and illusory…
This man was extraordinarily handsome!
Even with his eyes bound tightly by layers of black silk, his brows, the bridge of his nose… all the way down to his tightly pressed lips and the slight bulge in his throat as he swallowed…
Every feature was exquisite.The pale golden sunlight streamed through the transparent window, casting a divine glow upon his face.
Yet the black silk ribbon wrapped around his eyes lent him a dark and mysterious aura.
The two contrasting temperaments of divinity and demonic nature coexisted within one person, achieving an eerie balance in this very moment.
A Tao lingered outside for quite some time, watching with keen interest.
…
If nothing else, every feature of his appearance seemed tailored to her heart’s desire.
Only, this beauty carried a hint of bloodlust and violence.
…
“All of you, get out. Do you hear me?”
“Yes… Young Master, about those rumors outside…”
“Cut out their tongues…” The beauty’s thin lips parted, uttering words that sent shivers down one’s spine. “And that Second Young Miss Lin—dispose of her.”