She opened her mouth to speak, but before the words could come out, Pei Chiyao had sealed her lips with his again.
This time, his kiss was even more intense, so intense that Zhi Yao suddenly tasted a rich, metallic flavor in her mouth.
She felt no pain, so... was Pei Chiyao the one who was hurt?
The young girl hurriedly raised her hands to push him away, but his body was unyieldingly solid, and his strength was frighteningly powerful - far beyond what Zhi Yao could budge.
No matter how hard she tried, Zhi Yao couldn't push Pei Chiyao away even an inch.
Only when she felt like she was about to run out of breath did he finally release her.
As soon as she wanted to speak, Pei Chiyao cut her off.
"Yao, look at me."
Zhi Yao raised her gaze towards Pei Chiyao, her eyes filled with bewilderment and unease.
"Yao, I'll say this one last time. You're not my pet." He grabbed her chin, forcing her to look straight into his eyes. "The love you have for your parents is not the same as the love you have for me. They won't kiss you like this - only I can kiss you like this."
"Do you understand?"
Zhi Yao blinked and nodded dazedly.
He inhaled deeply, pressing his forehead against hers. "And I won't kiss anyone else like this either, so these feelings are different. There are many kinds of love. Familial love, friendship love, romantic love."
What a silly vixen, needing him to teach her even this.
But he was utterly in love with her - what could he do?
Zhi Yao's heart suddenly skipped a beat when Pei Chiyao said, "And I won't kiss anyone else like this." An image of Pei Chiyao kissing another woman flashed through her mind.
In that moment, Zhi Yao's heart ached terribly...
She felt so distressed.
It seemed like she was starting to understand.
"So what I feel for you... is romantic love?" Zhi Yao murmured.
Pei Chiyao chuckled softly. "Yes. You can only love me. This love is completely different from how you love your parents. And I love you deeply too."
She suddenly remembered Shen Yilian from earlier. "Then does Shen Yilian have this kind of love for you too?"
This kind of love where you can kiss and embrace, called romantic love?
Pei Chiyao nodded.
Zhi Yao gasped in shock.
She had truly only thought that Shen Yilian was Pei Chiyao's friend.
Probably just... the kind of fondness she felt for her sister Su.
But now... as soon as the young girl heard that Shen Yilian's feelings for Pei Chiyao were of this romantic nature, she felt bubbles of jealousy frothing in her heart.
The young girl's face immediately fell. "Then you're not allowed to talk to her anymore."
Pei Chiyao could barely stifle his laughter.
She was jealous.
She was finally jealous.
He pulled Zhi Yao into a tight embrace, peppering her face and lips with scorching, fevered kisses.
Zhi Yao was nearly dazed by his kisses. "Pei Chiyao, what's gotten into you?"
"I'm just feeling happy."
His Yao was finally getting jealous.
Just as Zhi Yao was about to speak again, there was a sudden flurry of urgent knocking at the door, followed by the voice of Shen Yilian, her tone laced with desperation. "Ayao, it's me, Yilian. I beg you, please let Jiang Zhu go. What he said earlier wasn't intentional..."
Then Shen Yilian started crying...
"Ayao... it's all my fault. I shouldn't have caused you two to quarrel over me..."
As if anyone cared about her.
Pei Chiyao couldn't help rolling his eyes. He didn't want to bother with Shen Yilian. Just as he was about to pull Zhi Yao in for more kisses, Shen Yilian's knocking grew even louder. "Ayao, I beg you, come out and talk to me! Or... or at least let me apologize to Yao? Jiang Zhu didn't mean what he said about Yao earlier. He was just too worried about me."
As soon as she mentioned Zhi Yao's name, Pei Chiyao's movements stilled.
Zhi Yao was also annoyed by the disturbance. She looked at Pei Chiyao and said, "Let's go see what's going on."
This constant ruckus couldn't go on forever.
Pei Chiyao agreed.
The door opened, and the first thing Shen Yilian saw was Zhi Yao and Pei Chiyao's tightly clasped hands.
She paused for a moment, then forced a smile and said, "Ayao, you've finally agreed to see me."
Pei Chiyao remained silent.
Zhi Yao looked at him quizzically, unsure why he wasn't speaking.
The atmosphere suddenly turned chilly.
Unable to bear the silence, Shen Yilian continued talking to herself. "Ayao, can you please call off your men from attacking Jiang Zhu? If they keep going, Jiang Zhu might lose his life!"
Pei Chiyao still didn't respond.
Zhi Yao suddenly realized... could it be that after she casually said she didn't want Pei Chiyao talking to Shen Yilian, he had actually taken her words to heart?
The young girl was dumbfounded.
She had no idea how to handle this situation.
She hurriedly tugged at Pei Chiyao's sleeve, signaling for him to say something.
But Pei Chiyao refused to open his mouth.
His eyes, as brilliant as black obsidian, clearly conveyed the message - My wife doesn't allow me to speak to you.
He wished he could print those words on his shirt, celebrating the fact that his young girl was finally getting jealous.
Zhi Yao was rendered utterly speechless.
Since Pei Chiyao wouldn't speak, Zhi Yao had no choice but to be his voice. "Um... Miss Shen, Ge Sun is already handling this matter. Why don't you go find him instead?"
Shen Yilian was completely taken aback that Pei Chiyao now wouldn't even say a word to her, and she was instantly annoyed.
But she didn't show it, instead giving Zhi Yao a mournful look. "Yao... can I call you that?"
Zhi Yao shook her head. "I'm sorry, we're not that familiar. Only my family can call me that."
Shen Yilian froze again, not expecting Zhi Yao's attitude to have changed so drastically in just half an hour.
She felt awkward, but quickly composed herself and continued, "Miss Zhi Yao, would you be so kind as to spare me a moment to talk?"
Before Zhi Yao could respond, Pei Chiyao tightened his grip on her hand. "No."
He had finally spoken, but only to Zhi Yao.
Shen Yilian hurriedly explained, "You don't need to worry. I'll just say a couple of words to her right there. Please, I promise I won't do anything to Zhi Yao."
As the words fell, Shen Yilian's expression grew increasingly pained. "I just... just wanted to ask about your situation, but you're not even willing to acknowledge me... Pei Chiyao, I will bless you, I will bless you both..."
She spoke incoherently, appearing truly distraught and at her wits' end.
Zhi Yao had no desire to engage with her, feeling they were not close enough to have much to say.
"It's alright, Miss Shen. I have nothing to discuss with you. As for Jiang Zhu's matter, speak to Brother Sun. He certainly won't let anyone kill his disciple."
She was about to close the door.
Seeing this, Shen Yilian grew so angry her teeth were grinding.
She had already lowered herself so much!
It seems... she would have to resort to force!
The moment this thought crossed her mind, she lightly moved the hand hanging behind her back, her fingertips seeming to manipulate some non-existent object.
Soon, a familiar figure appeared from the corner of the wall, rushing toward them at an incredible speed.
It was—Jiang Zhu!
"Die, Zhi Yao!"
