The room was pitch black, not a single light on.
But the furnishings made him freeze in shock again.
This wasn’t the bedroom he remembered, the one with nothing but a bed and a battered wardrobe.
The floor was covered with clean wooden planks.
By the window, there was a small, delicate dressing table, with a few bottles and jars he didn’t recognize.
And that hard wooden bed he had slept on for who knows how many years…
Gone!
In its place was a large, soft-looking wooden bed.
On it lay soft, floral-patterned sheets and a plump, cozy comforter.
On one side of the comforter, a small silhouette bulged.
Someone was lying there.
“Rumble—!”
At that moment, a massive lightning bolt outside illuminated the entire world!
And revealed everything inside the room!
In that brief, ghostly white light, Lu Ye’s eyes locked onto the bed.
The person on it was lying on her side, facing his direction, in a deep sleep.
Her hair, thick and black like strands of seaweed, cascaded over the pillow like a waterfall.
The exposed half of her face glowed in the lightning—white and flawless, like meticulously carved mutton-fat jade!
Her skin was so delicate no pores were visible.
Her eyelashes were long and curled, like tiny fans casting serene shadows over her eyelids.
Her lips were pale pink, slightly pouted, with a hint of childlike innocence.
She wore a silk nightgown that traced the contours of her graceful figure.
One arm, dazzlingly fair, rested outside the comforter.
Her wrist was delicate, as if it could break with a single bend.
Lu Ye’s breath caught in that instant.
He had seen many women.
The so-called “flowers” of the cultural troupe.
Actresses visiting the island to perform.
But he swore, in his life, he had never seen anyone so… stunning.
Especially in this setting.
Outside, the storm raged—a tempest as if the world were ending.
Inside, she was like a Sleeping Beauty protected by a magical barrier, serene and sweet.
Fragile.
Yet unrealistically beautiful.
Lu Ye felt his throat dry.
His mind went blank.
The rumored “delicate, sickly, pampered” woman… was her?
It was nothing like he imagined!
In that daze, a sudden movement occurred.
The person on the bed seemed to sense something.
Her long lashes fluttered.
Then—her eyes snapped open!
Su Ci awoke to a powerful, aggressive gaze!
It was like a hibernating rabbit suddenly locked onto by a fierce tiger!
The first second she woke, her mind was still hazy.
But her lifelong vigilance kicked in—
There was someone in the room!
Not her brother-in-law!
A stranger… a man radiating danger!
“Crack!”
Another flash of lightning.
This time, Su Ci saw clearly.
At the doorway stood a towering, colossal shadow!
Water dripped from his entire body, broad shoulders nearly filling the doorframe.
He appeared over 1.9 meters tall.
In the pale light, his face was chiseled like sculpted stone, his eyes sharp and wolf-like in the dark.
Su Ci’s heart clenched instantly!
A thief?
Or something worse?
No time to think!
Her body reacted faster than her mind.
Begging? Screaming?
The dumbest options.
Her hand slid under the pillow, instantly grasping a cold, hard metal rod!
A modern high-voltage stun baton she had pulled from her space, just in case.
Ordinarily, she pretended it was a new flashlight to avoid suspicion.
“Whoosh!”
She leapt from the bed like lightning!
Her movements were blindingly fast.
She didn’t turn it on—she used the hefty baton as a blunt weapon.
Swinging with all her strength at the shadow’s head:
“Die!”
The strike was fast, fierce, slicing through the air.
Any ordinary person would be crushed by this blow.
Lu Ye’s pupils constricted sharply!
He hadn’t expected this delicate, doll-like woman to transform into such a lethal force upon waking!
No scream, no fear.
Only the most direct, deadly attack!
Intriguing.
He didn’t get angry. A faint, almost imperceptible curve tugged at his lips.
As the “iron rod” neared his face, Lu Ye acted.
He simply lifted one hand.
A strong, calloused hand moved like a blur!
“Smack!”
A muffled sound.
Su Ci felt as if she had struck a wall of steel!
Her full-force blow was effortlessly intercepted with one hand!
The metal baton was firmly trapped in his palm.
Immovable!
Su Ci’s eyes widened.
Impossible!
Before she could even react, an overwhelming, inescapable force surged from his hand!
“Clang!”
The baton hit the ground with a crisp sound.
Her wrist, however, was clamped in the man’s grip like a vice!
“Ah!”
Pain shot through her, making her gasp.
His hand was scorching hot!
His strength was terrifying!
She felt her bones almost being crushed!
“You…”
Su Ci, both shocked and angry, looked up—locking eyes with him.
Up close, she could see clearly.
This man was… incredibly handsome!
Aggressively so, exuding raw testosterone.
Sharp features, high nose bridge, thin lips.
And his eyes—dark as the midnight sea, with a magnetic pull that could draw people in.
But now, those eyes were filled with scrutiny… and a hint of… amusement?
Su Ci’s anger flared instantly!
What was that look?!
Who did he think she was?!
“Who are you?!”
She demanded fiercely, trying to mask her fear with her voice.
“Let go of me! Or I’ll call for help!”
The man didn’t speak.
He simply gripped her wrist, stepping closer.
His towering presence pressed down, completely enveloping her.
The cold scent of rain mixed with the foreign, aggressive male aura assaulted her senses.
Step by step, he pushed her back until her head and back pressed against the cold wall.
No escape!
“I warn you! Let go now, or I—”
Her words were cut short.
The man bent down, leaning close to her ear.
His scorching breath brushed against her sensitive skin, sending shivers down her spine.
Then…
A low, hoarse, magnetic voice whispered in her ear.
Rich, deep, like a cello playing in the night.
“You… are Su Ci?”
His voice wasn’t loud, but carried an unquestionable certainty.
As if he wasn’t an intruder.
But the master of this room—and perhaps of her…
Su Ci froze.
He… he knew her name?!
“When did a wild man like you come into my house?”
A soft, slightly childish voice suddenly came from the doorway.
Both turned.
The youngest, Lu Xiangdong, rubbed his eyes, still groggy.
Dressed in a small yellow duck pajamas Su Ci bought for him, he looked at the towering shadow with confusion and hostility.
Lu Ye glanced at his supposedly sickly younger brother, now rosy-cheeked.
Then he looked at the “new bride” in his grip, startled and angry, eyes red-rimmed.
The scene was awkward.
He slowly released her wrist.
Under Su Ci’s watchful gaze, he stepped back, giving them space.
Then, looking at her, he parted his thin lips and said simply:
“I am Lu Ye.”
The night’s storm had passed, and daylight broke in sudden calm.