Chapter 10: Tender Affection

Before leaving, Zhao Kai did not forget to offer his “generous” help, saying that if anyone had financial difficulties, they could come to him at any time. As long as they sincerely begged him, there was no reason he wouldn’t lend a hand.

Such bold and loyal words impressed everyone, making them feel Zhao Kai was truly a man of honor.

He left with his wife in his arms, his face relaxed and content—this was the life he wanted, comfortable and prosperous.

Lin Feier clung to her husband, her heart filled with admiration. At that moment, Zhao Kai was her hero.

She gazed at the tall, upright man before her with worshipful eyes, her emotions surging. When they returned to their room, she couldn’t help but stand on tiptoe and gently kiss him.

Zhao Kai, triumphant in both his career and his love life, suddenly felt weak in the knees. From where he stood, Feier’s cheeks were flushed, her expression shy and delicate, and her dress revealed a deep neckline.

Zhao Kai felt a heat rising in his chest. This goddess, devoted entirely to him, made him want nothing more than to cherish her and shower her with love.

“Feier…”

His breathing grew rapid. In his past life, he hadn’t been indifferent to women, but now, with a beauty who adored him so completely, how could he resist?

“Feier, marrying you must be the reward for my good deeds in a previous life. We’re already husband and wife, I…”

Lin Feier saw his Adam’s apple move twice, and suddenly found herself lifted off her feet, held in his embrace, gazing into his burning, profound eyes.

Zhao Kai’s heart pounded fiercely, happiness and fulfillment flooding him—words could hardly express how he felt.

His hands couldn’t help but pull her closer. Feier gave a soft moan, stirring him to embrace her tighter.

The smile as pure as moonlight echoed in his mind. He unconsciously took her hand in his palm, her delicate, boneless fingers sending waves through his heart. She called him husband.

To Zhao Kai, that sound was more beautiful than any other in the world.

Holding her, he was utterly undone by her gentle voice, his lips drew near hers, afraid to frighten her, so he kissed her softly.

With another moan, he tasted her sweetness, deepening the kiss.

Only after a long while did he pull away, gazing at her with tender affection.

“Husband…”

Lin Feier was very shy, and Zhao Kai gently lifted her chin.

“Was I too reckless?” he asked.

Lin Feier saw the wild, hungry look in his eyes and couldn’t help but shake her head, blushing, “No… Whatever my husband does, I like it.”

These words exploded like fireworks in Zhao Kai’s mind, and he pressed urgent, lingering kisses upon her, longing to be close to his beloved.

His kisses trailed down her neck, his mind clouded with desire. He had never wanted a woman so much; he yearned to hold her tight, to love her with all he had, to make her the happiest woman in the world.

“Feier, are you afraid?” he murmured between kisses.

Lin Feier was already too shy to lift her head. Though she was a sheltered young woman, the happiness she felt was unprecedented.

She shook her head, “As long as it’s you, I’m not afraid of anything.”

Such a lovely woman—Zhao Kai could no longer restrain himself, about to take the next step—

“Feier, Brother Zhao, are you in the room?”

It was Zhao Yan’er. Zhao Kai’s face immediately darkened—interrupting him at such a moment, did she want him to lose years of his life?

Lin Feier, startled by the sudden interruption, hurriedly pushed him away and sat up. Zhao Kai noticed how shy she was, unable to meet his gaze, and gently patted her head in comfort.

“Feier, I was too impulsive…”

Lin Feier’s face was crimson, but though she was embarrassed, this was her husband after all—such things were only natural.

“It’s alright, I belong to you, husband…”

There was a rustling in the room. Zhao Yan’er waited for a long time, and just as she was about to come in and see what they were doing, the door opened.

Feier’s face was still rosy, while Zhao Kai looked like a restless leopard. Glancing at the marks on Feier’s neck, Zhao Yan’er understood what had happened.

For a moment, her feelings were complicated. She couldn’t quite say what she felt—she knew they were husband and wife, and such things were to be expected, but seeing it with her own eyes still struck her heart as if something heavy had hit it.

She studied Zhao Kai, who had quickly become the hottest figure in Jinghong County—who wouldn’t like him?

What a pity…

“Yan’er, is there something you need?”

Lin Feier spoke up when she saw Zhao Yan’er silent.

Zhao Yan’er pulled herself together, “Father wants Brother Zhao to come over. He says there’s something important to discuss.”

Zhao Kai nodded. He knew what Master Zhao wanted to talk about—he simply wanted Zhao Kai to stay with the Zhao family.

But what he didn’t know was that Master Zhao wanted him to become the family’s son-in-law.

Zhao Kai had single-handedly cornered the most lucrative business in Jinghong County; all the gambling profits depended on him.

Normally, blocking others’ business would earn him resentment, but Zhao Kai was adept at handling people.

He maintained good relations with the owners of all the small casinos. Connections were his way of doing business.

Master Zhao admired him deeply, convinced that Zhao Kai was a born businessman, and wanted him to stay with the family.

But Zhao Kai had no interest in clinging to the Zhao family. He had already saved enough capital and was ready to strike out on his own.

What that new venture would be, Zhao Kai hadn’t decided yet.

Master Zhao also knew he was not a common talent, so he watched Zhao Kai closely, hoping to seize any opportunity to make him take care of his daughter.

Meanwhile, Lin Zhenting, who had been so humiliated by Zhao Kai, was desperate and had no choice but to seek help from his godfather.

His godfather was thriving in the palace, sure to have a clever solution to restore his pride.

After sending word, it wasn’t long before his godfather handed him a secret recipe.

The ladies and noblewomen in the palace were the emperor’s favorites, using only the finest fragrances. If he made cosmetics according to the palace formula, there was no reason women outside wouldn’t buy them.

Since Zhao Kai had monopolized the gambling business, Lin Zhenting set his sights on the women’s market, determined to show no mercy.

Because Zhao Kai was so close to the Zhao family, Lin Zhenting decided to target them first.

He tampered with the Zhao family’s cosmetics business, deliberately adding cinnabar to their rouge, causing the women who bought it to suffer disfigurement.

Women are not to be trifled with—once their faces were ruined, how could the Zhao family’s cosmetics business survive?

He then incited those women to cause trouble at the Zhao family’s shop, while he seized the opportunity to promote his own products. With flowery words, he persuaded the women to buy his cosmetics.

The secret formula his godfather gave him was indeed exceptional, and everyone who used it praised it. Lin Zhenting’s business grew more and more prosperous, and to make sure everyone knew he had regained his reputation, he hired people to spread his achievements throughout the streets.

By the time word reached Zhao Kai, Lin Zhenting had already opened several shops.

Hearing that Lin Zhenting had finally made something of himself, Zhao Kai felt somewhat gratified—at least he was no longer a useless fool.