Conflict

After a long hesitation, she finally spoke, though her voice was barely audible. "I can explain."

"I don't want to hear any explanations." His voice was cold as ice.

Tang Mianmian was deeply hurt.

Didn't she even deserve a chance to explain?

Besides, it really wasn't her fault—who could've guessed that just going to the restroom would mean running into Su Shijie? How was that her doing?

But Long Yejue had always been domineering. He never listened to anyone's explanations. All she could do was sulk in silence.

She gazed out at the scenery rushing past the window. A wave of grievance welled up in her chest. Her already blurry vision became even more obscured by the mist of unshed tears.

The car sped on, the roar of the engine drowning out her quiet sobs.

Yet the man next to her didn't notice a thing, his face still dark as ever.

His mind was stuck on the image of them embracing—an unbearable sight.

He had never felt such sudden, overwhelming rage before.

But today, he truly lost control—and it was all because of the woman beside him.

He had even stupidly declared to Su Shijie, "She's my wife."

Such behavior was something he used to scorn.

But now, he had become someone even he didn't recognize.

It wasn't just that he was angry at her—he was even angrier at himself.

"If this makes you feel better, then drive like this for the rest of your life. I don't care,"

Tang Mianmian finally snapped.

Though she seemed soft like a little lamb, she had her own temper and stubbornness too.

SCREECH—

A sharp braking sound pierced through the stillness of the night on the overpass.

Tang Mianmian was thrown forward violently by the force, her body jolting hard. It felt like her internal organs had all been displaced, the pain overwhelming.

Was this man insane?

They were still on the overpass! And he just slammed the brakes like that? What if something happened?

Holding her throbbing temples, Tang Mianmian hadn't even managed to speak when the back of her head was suddenly grabbed.

A strong force yanked her face around roughly.

She froze in shock, unable to respond—before his lips crashed down on hers.

This time, it was a savage, almost animalistic kiss.

He bit down on her lips fiercely, as if venting something.

Tears spilled from Tang Mianmian's eyes from the pain, her fists pounding his shoulders.

She mumbled in protest between gasps.

But the man was relentless. He kissed her brutally, suppressing her every struggle and protest.

Her slender wrists were seized tightly, his grip so strong his knuckles turned white.

It felt like he was going to crush her bones...

Tang Mianmian's strength gradually gave out. Her resistance weakened. Her breath was stolen, and instinctively, she parted her lips.

He took full advantage, barging in forcefully and claiming her completely—stealing every breath she had.

Long Yejue!

Lunatic!

Monster!

She cursed him in her heart. The suffocating feeling blurred her vision, but the pain on her lips remained sharp and clear.

Her body was twisted, her neck so stiff it nearly cramped.

Tang Mianmian truly thought she was going to die—only then did he finally release her at the very last moment.

His cold, predatory eyes were filled with a sinister rage unlike before. His voice was even colder, as if it came straight from the depths of hell.

"Don't let me ever see something like that again, Tang Mianmian. Or I can't promise what I'll do."

Tang Mianmian collapsed into the seat, gasping for breath.

The car started moving again.

As if that scene just now had been nothing but a bad dream.

She could still taste the blood on her lips—he had bitten her that hard. But it didn't even hurt anymore. She was numb.

Xu Quan could feel the tension in the air that day. As soon as the young master returned, he had gone straight upstairs with a stormy face and hadn't come back down.

Meanwhile, the young madam's eyes were red—clearly she had been crying.

As a mere servant, he knew better than to ask questions. Instead, he respectfully inquired, "Young madam, would you like a late-night snack?"

"No, thank you, Uncle Xu. You can go rest." Tang Mianmian felt utterly drained, curled up alone on the massive sofa, hugging a cushion, lost in thought.

Xu Quan bowed and quietly dismissed the other servants before returning to Huayuan to report to his old master.

She had no idea how long she'd been sitting there—long enough for her legs to go numb—when she finally realized it was already midnight.

Her mind had been blank for so long, and now, a pang of hunger hit her.

When she stood up, the numbness in her legs made her stumble and fall back down again. The sense of defeat weighed heavily on her, and she began to choke up.

Rubbing her feet, she muttered tearfully, "I said I could explain, but he wouldn't even listen. All he does is get angry... I'm never speaking to him again."

The more she cried, the more wronged she felt.

She couldn't stop the tears anymore.

This kind of pain felt even worse than when she had found out Su Shijie had cheated on her.

At the top of the stairs, someone halted their steps. His deep eyes, dark as the sea of stars, dimmed slightly...

Once her legs had recovered and her tears had run dry, Tang Mianmian finally dragged herself toward the kitchen.

There was plenty of food in the fridge, but she instinctively reached for a box of yogurt, leaning against the fridge and sipping it slowly.

The coldness spread from her mouth to her heart, helping her gradually calm down.

One box wasn't enough. She opened the fridge again and pulled out several more.

She drank them one after another in the kitchen, completely lost in her own world.

By the time she was on her third box, her stomach started to protest. She choked a bit, coughing hard.

Her body bent over with the force of the coughs—so much so that she didn't notice the man standing at the doorway.

Long Yejue stood there, brows furrowed, his eyes flickering with something unreadable.

After her coughing fit, Tang Mianmian picked up another box of yogurt and continued drinking.

The next second, the box was suddenly yanked from her hands.

Startled, she looked up—only to meet the man's cold expression, his eyes locked on her with a simmering anger.

Tang Mianmian was already upset and snatched it back indignantly. "What? I can't even drink some milk now?"

Long Yejue's jaw tightened. He stared at her for a long while before snatching the yogurt back again.

She grabbed for it again.

He took it back.

Again.

And again.

After several rounds, he finally snapped. "Enough!"

Tang Mianmian flinched and didn't reach for it again, simply bit her lip stubbornly, saying nothing.

Her stomach was beginning to ache from the cold, but she refused to show any weakness. Her gaze remained defiant.

Yet the pain grew stronger, sharper. Her delicate face turned pale, and a thin layer of sweat formed on her forehead.

He stared at her in silence for a while before finally speaking, "No more yogurt from now on."

"What gives you the right?" Tang Mianmian was furious, her voice rising in frustration.

"Because I paid for it." He gave no other explanation, just that one simple line, which struck her like a heavy blow.

She was stunned into silence, her breath caught in her throat.

Of course. He bought it.

If he said she couldn't drink it, then she had no right to.

And if one day he told her to leave, did that mean she'd have to go too?

The pain in her stomach spread to her whole body. Not wanting to show weakness in front of him, she pushed him away and bolted out of the kitchen.

She ran upstairs in a daze. After hesitating in the master bedroom, she grabbed her pajamas and went straight to the guest room.

She didn't want to see his cold, emotionless face!

She'd thought things were getting better between them. But over something so minor, he pushed her further away.

After locking the guest room door, she slid down against it.

The cramps were excruciating.

She curled up, holding her stomach, her heart freezing over.

After a while, the pain eased a little, and she realized—her period had come.

No wonder it hurt so much.

She always had discomfort during her period.

And after drinking all that cold yogurt just now, no wonder it was unbearable.

Unsteadily, she got up and went back to the master bedroom—thankfully he wasn't there yet. She grabbed her essentials and returned to the guest room.

In the bathroom, Tang Mianmian leaned weakly on the sink, staring at her pale face in the mirror.

She looked like a stranger.

Tonight, she was a mess.

All because of Long Yejue.

Even when she argued with Su Shijie, she'd never felt this awful. But this wasn't even a real fight—just a misunderstanding—yet it still hurt so much.

Did she care about him… more than she ever cared about Su Shijie?

No. She couldn't.

That would only bring pain…

But emotions were never something one could control.

She took a hot shower, which helped ease the pain a little, then returned to the cold, unfamiliar guest room.

Curled up in bed, she fell into an exhausted sleep.

—

In the middle of the night, the guest room door quietly opened. A tall figure appeared at the doorway—Long Yejue.

He stood there for a moment, then let out a faint sigh. He walked in and gently scooped her into his arms.

She stirred slightly in her sleep, murmuring a few unintelligible words, but then fell back asleep.

His embrace was warm, and even in slumber, she instinctively leaned closer.

He carried her back to the master bedroom, gently placed her on the bed, and only then did sleep take him too.

—

The next morning, Tang Mianmian woke with a pounding headache and was shocked to find herself back in the master bed.

She bolted upright.

The spot beside her was cold and empty.

A pang struck her chest as she tried to piece together what had happened.

She had definitely fallen asleep in the guest room—so how did she end up here?

Who brought her back?

It had to be Long Yejue. Besides the servants, he was the only other person here.

She pouted, annoyed.

Weren't they fighting?

Why would he bring her back?

Just as she was lost in thought, Uncle Xu's voice came politely from outside the door. "Young madam, are you awake?"

"…Ah, yes." She snapped back to reality and responded in a fluster.

"Breakfast is ready. Shall I bring it up?"

"No, no need." She scrambled out of bed—only to see a bright red stain on the sheets.

Her face flushed with embarrassment, and she quickly pulled the covers over it.

Once the butler's footsteps faded, she let out a breath, changed her clothes, and decided to replace the sheets. But she couldn't find a clean set.

Left with no choice, she opened the door and peeked down the hallway. A maid was wiping down some decorative pieces.

Tang Mianmian hesitantly called out, "Um… do you know where the bed sheets are?"

"Does young madam need a change of sheets?" The maid asked respectfully—but a bit loudly.

Flustered, Tang Mianmian nodded. "Yes, can you help me get some? I'll change them myself."

"Changing the sheets is my job, young madam. You don't need to trouble yourself—I'll do it right away."

"Ah… it's okay, I'll handle it." She didn't want anyone to get the wrong idea.

The maid hesitated, but eventually nodded and went off. A moment later, she returned and knocked politely.

Tang Mianmian thanked her profusely, quickly made the bed, then turned to see the maid still waiting.

"What is it?" she asked, a little confused.

"Please allow me to take the used sheets for laundry," the maid said with a small bow.

Tang Mianmian quickly shook her head. "No, no, I'll wash them myself."

"But… that wouldn't be right." The maid looked genuinely panicked. "If I've done something wrong, please tell me directly. I really need this job."

Her tone startled Tang Mianmian. She hadn't meant anything by it—she just wanted to do it herself…

Then, a calm, steady voice cut in:

"What's going on?"