Chapter 30: The Battlefield of Asuras

Lin Fei’er and Zhou Chengwang stood side by side, their expressions growing stranger as they watched the ambiguous interaction between Zhao Yan’er and Zhao Kai.

“We weren’t talking about anything,” Zhao Yan’er said hastily. “Fei’er, when did you get here?”

“Just now,” Lin Fei’er replied.

She truly had just arrived, and hadn’t heard anything. But seeing her husband standing with Yan’er made her feel uneasy.

Zhao Kai, however, noticed Lin Fei’er and Zhou Chengwang together. “What are you two doing together?” he asked.

“I couldn’t find Brother Zhao earlier,” Zhou Chengwang replied. “I thought perhaps you were with your wife, so I went to see her, and she said she’d come along to look for you.”

Lin Fei’er nodded. Zhao Kai took her hand and instructed her, “Don’t wander around on your own. I’ll come back when it’s time—don’t worry.”

She nodded obediently. Zhou Chengwang smiled. “Brother Zhao and your wife are so close. I wonder when you’ll have a son and a daughter?”

Though that day was still far off, Zhao Kai did have that thought in mind.

“Brother’s so busy these days. If you had a child now, you’d barely have time for him,” Zhao Yan’er said with a touch of bitterness.

“No matter. With me and our child at home, how could my husband not come back, right, my dear?” Lin Fei’er said, her smile radiant.

Zhao Kai nodded vigorously.

“Brother Zhao truly dotes on his wife,” Zhou Chengwang said deliberately. “Judging by your devotion, I expect your heart holds no one but her. I’ve never seen another woman by your side all this time. Your wife is truly blessed.”

Zhao Kai couldn’t help but glance at Zhao Yan’er. Her face darkened further, as though she could barely restrain herself.

Lin Fei’er nestled softly into his arms. “Of course my husband only has eyes for me, isn’t that right, my dear?”

Zhao Kai forced himself to nod. “Yes...”

“I’m leaving!” Zhao Yan’er cried, rushing out the door. Zhou Chengwang feigned ignorance. “What’s wrong with Miss Yan’er? She seemed upset.”

It wasn’t just Zhao Yan’er who was out of sorts—Zhao Kai’s thoughts were scattered. After what had happened twice already, he could no longer face Zhao Yan’er calmly.

Lin Fei’er remained oblivious, still trying to win his affection with her old ways. But Zhao Kai’s mind was adrift—he simply wasn’t interested anymore.

“Fei’er, I’m a bit tired. Why don’t I walk you back?” he suggested, rubbing his forehead. He was no naïve youth; his feelings for Zhao Yan’er had shifted, and he needed to sort himself out.

Otherwise, he simply couldn’t bring himself to go through the motions.

Lin Fei’er felt stung by his indifference. Why did her husband seem to have lost all interest in her? Before, he was utterly insatiable, never letting her go until he’d had his fill.

She forced a smile. “You must be exhausted. Why don’t you rest? I can find my way back.”

Zhao Kai squeezed her hand apologetically. Until he sorted out his feelings, he didn’t know how to face Fei’er.

She left in a daze. Zhou Chengwang, seeing her distress, stepped forward. “You’re heading back, madam?”

“Yes.”

“Let me see you home. I’ve been by Brother Zhao’s side long enough to know how much you mean to him. You are the apple of his eye—if anything happened to you, he’d never forgive himself.”

Lin Fei’er paused, then said, “Young Master Zhou, you must know everything that goes on around my husband, don’t you?”

“Of course.”

“So, has he been... I mean, has he been tired lately?” she asked, changing her wording at the last moment.

“He’s fine. Lately, Miss Yan’er spends a lot of time with him. With her around, he seems quite at ease.”

Lin Fei’er’s face changed instantly. She had suspected as much—it must be Yan’er’s influence that had dulled her husband’s interest.

She’d always regarded Yan’er as an elder sister, but now Yan’er had reached for what was hers. She could no longer sit idly by.

“Young Master Zhou, I thought you liked Yan’er. Why not pursue her?”

Zhou Chengwang’s face tightened. “I would if I could, but Miss Yan’er’s heart is already taken.”

Lin Fei’er’s eyelids twitched. “Someone? Who?”

“I’m not sure, but she seems very fond of him. She’s even been sneaking out to meet him at night, though I don’t know who it is. Do you know, madam?”

Secret meetings? Lin Fei’er could no longer remain calm. A surge of anger rushed to her head, making her dizzy.

Zhou Chengwang saw her pale and felt a surge of satisfaction. “Are you all right, madam?” he asked, pretending concern as he supported her.

“I’m fine...”

Bitterness welled up in Lin Fei’er’s heart, though she couldn’t say it aloud. Zhou Chengwang watched her glistening eyes, her delicately pressed lips, her beauty as fresh as a spring peach and as serene as an autumn chrysanthemum, and found himself entertaining thoughts he shouldn’t.

Since Zhao Kai had taken his woman, he would set his sights on Zhao Kai’s.

Lin Fei’er was innocent, but Zhao Kai had deceived him—he had no choice.

“Don’t fret, madam... Come, sit and rest awhile. Perhaps the sun is too harsh today.”

As he spoke, Zhou Chengwang gently patted her back. The delicate, slender line of her spine seemed to burn his hand, but he did not let go.

Lin Fei’er began to feel uncomfortable. “Thank you, I’m all right now...”

A flicker of remorse passed through Zhou Chengwang. How could he harbor such thoughts for an innocent woman? To take advantage of a woman was truly despicable.

“My apologies, madam. Let me call a carriage for you.”

He helped her up, but as Lin Fei’er tried to stand, she stumbled and fell into his arms. The two of them grew flustered in an instant.

“What are you doing?” came a voice, cold and angry. Lin Fei’er looked up to see Zhao Kai.

After Lin Fei’er had left, Zhao Kai immediately regretted letting her go. How could he send Fei’er away just because of his own confusion? She had always stood by him, always put him first—how could he neglect her?

He slapped himself hard to snap out of it. Even if he had feelings for Zhao Yan’er, he had to repress them—he could never betray Fei’er.

She was his one and only—no one could compare.

He rushed out to find her, only to hear Zhou Chengwang offering to see Lin Fei’er home. He frowned.

A man’s possessiveness is strong and irrational. He had already felt a pang of jealousy seeing Zhou Chengwang stand beside Lin Fei’er earlier—now, seeing him escort her home, he couldn’t help but react.

Even knowing Zhou Chengwang had no such intentions, he still hated the idea of another man near Fei’er.

She belonged to him alone; he wanted her by his side and no one else’s.

But when he finally found them, Zhou Chengwang’s hand was gently caressing her back, his eyes glinting with an inscrutable emotion.

Fury flared in Zhao Kai. Even a rabbit doesn’t eat the grass at its own burrow, but was Zhou Chengwang now coveting his woman?

He was about to step forward when Lin Fei’er, petite and delicate, suddenly collapsed into Zhou Chengwang’s arms.

In that moment, all his jealousy boiled over.