These words were like a sharp sword, piercing straight into young Lichu’s heart. She stood frozen on the spot as if struck by lightning, her body trembling uncontrollably. Tears welled in her eyes, blurring her vision, yet she didn’t dare let them fall for fear of drawing her adoptive parents’ attention.
At this moment, little Lichu felt utterly hopeless and helpless. She had no idea where she was supposed to go. Outside, war raged and smoke filled the air; danger and suffering were everywhere. She was just a fragile young girl. Without the protection of a “home,” if she took even one step out the front door, she likely wouldn’t survive a single day.
She wasn’t afraid of dying. But the last words her mother had left her before passing away were: “Live well.” She and her mother had relied on each other for ten years. She couldn’t disobey her mother’s final wish and leave her unable to rest in peace in the underworld!
Later on, she managed to come to terms with it. Born in a time of chaos, the fact that her adoptive parents could give her a shelter was already a blessing beyond measure. It was her own naive thinking—being too attached to the warmth of a “home”—that had made her foolishly believe they had brought her back just to give her a family. There was no such thing as a free lunch in this world. Since her adoptive parents had their own motives, she would simply comply obediently. At the very least, it would count as repaying them for raising her.
Thus, the days passed one by one. Over the next few years, like an unpolished jade, she was continuously shaped and tempered by life. She learned all kinds of skills; whether it was the four arts of music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, or cooking, sewing, and bookkeeping, she could handle them all with ease.
During this time, she blossomed like a flower in full bloom, growing increasingly breathtaking and radiant. She became the center of attention wherever she went, drawing countless admiring glances.
Finally, in her seventeenth year, the moment that would decide her fate arrived. She was dressed up exquisitely and sent before Li Juechen like a fine piece of merchandise.
When she first laid eyes on Li Juechen, she quietly let out a breath of relief. Though he looked fierce and intimidating, he was at least far better than being sent off to some old man…
Looking at the dazed little woman before him, Li Juechen was almost amused by her sheer nerve. He stared at her, his eyes carrying a hint of annoyance and playful banter. “Tang Lichu, I am talking to you. What on earth are you thinking about?”
Hearing Li Juechen’s voice, Tang Lichu snapped out of her trance. A radiant smile broke across her face as her crimson lips parted softly. “I was thinking how fortunate I am to meet a man like you, Third Master. Don’t worry, as long as you don’t grow tired of me, I will definitely keep you good company.”
She was naturally pure-looking, yet possessed an innate seductive charm; her every smile and expression held a heart-captivating beauty.
Tired of her? It always came back to this. What was going on inside this woman’s head?
What kind of woman couldn’t he, Li Juechen, have? The moment he opened his mouth, plenty of women would break their necks trying to throw themselves into his arms. Did she think he was keeping her around just for that?
“Tired of you, tired of you”… They hadn’t even started, and her mouth was already full of talk about being abandoned?
The thought made Li Juechen feel increasingly restless and annoyed. “Fine then. Since you’re so willing to serve, come on!” He leaned back casually on the sofa, resting his long arms lazily across the backrest, a cynically handsome smirk gracing his face.
Knowing he was angry, Tang Lichu let out a soft sigh—one that seemed to carry years of her helplessness and bitterness. “Third Master,” she explained, “since I was ten years old, I’ve lived every day in fear. What comes so easily to you is harder for me than reaching the heavens. I have no parents, and you know very well what my adoptive parents’ intentions were. I had no strength to resist; I could only let them manipulate me like a lifeless object and send me here.
“All I can do is pray for your mercy and favor, hoping to gain a bit of protection. I’m terrified of being abandoned. That fear follows me like a shadow, making me imagine the worst possible outcome at every moment. If you don’t like hearing it, I will never mention it again from now on. Just please, don’t be angry… alright?”
Li Juechen raised his hand and stroked her impossibly beautiful cheek, a barely perceptible trace of heartache flashing in his eyes. He said with absolute gravity, “Since I took you in, I won’t throw you away like an object. Now that you’re with me, I will make sure you’re protected and keep you safe for the rest of your life!”
With that, he wrapped his arm around her slender waist. A captivating smile played at the corner of his lips as his warm breath brushed against her ear. “I fancies you. Give me a kiss, alright?”
Tang Lichu tilted her head up slightly and took the initiative to loop her arms around his neck. Bringing her delicate, rose-pink lips close to his, she pressed a soft kiss against his mouth, light as a dragonfly skimming the water.
Her soft, delicate voice gently drifted into his ear. “Third Master… Mmgh…”
Li Juechen was tall with long legs. Standing nearly 1.9 meters tall, he was imposing even while seated, casting a shadow that completely enveloped the tiny woman in his arms. Holding her by the chin, he claimed her lips. The simple clash of lips and teeth immediately set his blood ablaze, and the initial tenderness swiftly spiraled into a fierce, stormy kiss.
Prying her teeth open, the domineering man wantonly devoured the sweet fragrance in her mouth. He kissed her passionately, and under his intense assault, the delicate flower in his arms gradually lost all her strength, able to do nothing but passively endure his fervent heat.
When he finally released her, he still looked unsatisfied. Leaning down again, he pecked her soft, rosy cheek and spoke in a doting, tender tone: “Take good care of your body. I am leaving now, but I’ll come see you again in a few days. If you get bored, go out for a walk. I’m leaving ten soldiers to protect you. Buy whatever you want—someone will foot the bill. Got it?”
Tang Lichu nodded obediently, offering a sweet smile. “Thank you, Third Master.”
The corners of Li Juechen’s lips curled upward. His large hand gently tucked a few stray strands of hair behind her ear before he leaned down once more to kiss her tender, cherry-like lips. “So good. Let me carry you back to the room.”
He stood up and scooped her up. Caught off guard, Tang Lichu let out an involuntary soft cry, her hands instinctively wrapping tightly around his broad, sturdy shoulders. Held up high by the well-built man, her feet off the ground, she looked just like a lazy little cat that had completely abandoned all resistance and surrendered to the moment.
Li Juechen was clearly very pleased by her complete reliance on him. He placed her gently on the bed and murmured softly, “I am leaving now. Rest well!”
After he left, Tang Lichu sat up, gazing blankly out the window in a daze…
Li Juechen walked to the doorway with brisk steps, in an exceptionally good mood. Seeing this, Feng An fawned over to greet him. His heart burned with intense curiosity, and he wore a sly, probing grin. “Third Master, you’re out so soon? I thought I’d have to stand guard for you all night!”
His master possessed handsome looks—tall, refined, dashing, and arrogantly noble. In Beiping, he was a true dragon among men. Moreover, he had remained pure as driven snow for years, standing in Feng An’s mind like an unreachable immortal. Now that his master had finally met a woman to his liking, Feng An felt that even if the sky were falling, he had to guard the door for him!
With a smirk on his face, Li Juechen raised his long leg and kicked him. “Who are you calling fast? Fast? Fast?! I’ll show you fast!”
Feng An stumbled from the kick, nearly flattening onto the ground. After hurriedly regaining his balance, he gently rubbed his sorely abused rear while muttering under his breath, “I was just telling the truth… It hasn’t even been half an hour yet. Is that considered slow?”
Li Juechen raised his foot to kick him again, but Feng An dodged away like a slippery eel, waving his hands frantically to beg for mercy. “Third Master! Third Master! I was just joking! Why are you taking it so seriously?”
Normally, Li Juechen was too lazy to waste words explaining himself to anyone. But when it came to the word “fast,” he refused to let it slide.
“The delicate little girl isn’t feeling well. Am I really that much of a beast?!”