Chapter 238: I, Li Zhaotang, Won

Finally, after Li Lizhi's cheapness had been fully taken advantage of, she could no longer hold back, pushed Chen Yan aside in one swift motion, and hurriedly turned away to tidy her disheveled dress.

When everything was done, she patted her flushed face, tried hard to calm her emotions, and did her best to look normal.

Then she turned back, intending to be a bit forceful, but when she met Chen Yan's slightly smiling eyes, she couldn't be forceful.

She said weakly, "It's getting late, I… I have to go."

"You don't need to see me off; I'll go on my own."

Having said that, she didn't wait for Chen Yan's reply and jogged out.

"Princess." Xiao Chan, who had been waiting outside, exclaimed delightedly.

"Hmm, the purpose this time has been achieved; let's go back." Li Lizhi pretended to be calm and led the way forward.

Xiao Chan looked at Li Lizhi with puzzlement; she felt Li Lizhi's complexion seemed off, appearing much more flushed than before.

But she didn't think further; since the Princess said to leave, she would just follow.

After a while, Chen Yan emerged, lazily stretched, and walked unhurriedly toward the room he shares with Gao Yang.

Heavy rain isn't all bad; at least when it rains, everything is inconvenient, and with Ma Zhou and Fang Yizhi stationed at the Xianlya, I have become somewhat idle.

These past few days I've been researching some things at home.

The white candles have already shown preliminary results; this morning he sent Xiao Shunzi out to buy more raw materials, planning to make more white candles.

One is to become familiar, the other to calculate exact costs for future pricing.

There are also some other things; it's time to bring them out…

Chen Yan pondered the issue, and before he knew it, he arrived at the doorway.

Without hesitation, he pushed the door open and entered; just as he was about to lie down, he found Gao Yang sitting upright on the bed, gazing at him with a lingering look.

"You… what?" Chen Yan felt somewhat guilty at that moment.

He had just done something bad to the other's sister, and now facing this legitimate wife, of course he felt uneasy.

"I heard Li Lizhi came and had a pleasant chat with you," Gao Yang said calmly, "I originally wanted to give you more time together, but I didn't expect you to return so quickly."

Chen Yan:?

Give us more time together?

Did that come out of Gao Yang's mouth?

Chen Yan suddenly sensed something amiss and sneered, "Don't say that; I haven't forgotten that you are the wife I officially married."

"Li Lizhi came today because a severe flood broke out in the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River; His Majesty worries about a possible epidemic, so he sent Li Lizhi to ask me what can be done."

"You know, I'm a healer."

Gao Yang's calm gaze showed a hint of ripple; she slightly nodded, "Husband, you used to call me stupid, say I have no brain; after thinking it over, I find you were somewhat right."

"But I won't stay stupid forever; the longer we spend time together, not only does your understanding of me deepen, my understanding of you also increases."

"At the same time, being played by you so often, I've become a bit smarter."

At this point Gao Yang paused briefly, looking at him with a half‑smile, "For example, just now you immediately emphasized that I am the wife you officially married; doesn't that show your own insecurity?"

"After all, if you have no guilt toward me, why would you stress that point?"

"Then you hurried to explain that Li Lizhi came here on official business!"

"Regarding that, I believe you, because if there were no official business, Li Lizhi wouldn't have the chance to come alone to Weinan County."

"However, belief aside, you were too eager to explain."

"That precisely proves that Li Lizhi's official business is genuine, and her private meeting with you is also real."

"Heh!" Gao Yang let out a cold chuckle, glanced at Chen Yan lightly, "Based on my understanding of you, your guilt and haste to explain must stem from a very big reason."

"It's just… my mind is dim; could you, husband, explain what that reason is?"

"It's really hard to guess!"

Chen Yan turned pale green after hearing that.

I've never heard of being played, being duped, and it actually increasing one's IQ!

He only said a couple of sentences; how could so much be analyzed from that?

Foolish little Zhao Tang becoming Sherlock Tang?

Who could stand that?

"Very well, it seems I don't need to wait for your answer," Gao Yang said suddenly again.

She said pointedly, "Because your expression just now already proves that everything I said is correct."

Chen Yan: "......"

I can't stand it!

Sherlock Tang and the like, please never!

Bring back the old little silly Li Zhaotang!

Depriving Chen Yan of a chance to speak, Gao Yang patted the seat beside her and gently said, "Husband, come sit here, okay?"

Chen Yan at that moment wished he could retreat eight hundred li away, and stared at her warily: "What exactly do you want to say, and what are you planning?"

"I don't intend to do anything," Gao Yang shook her head slowly, "I think you should try to trust me more; at least I'm not showing any anger right now, aren't I?"

I'm such a tease!

Chen Yan only felt a toothache; he simply couldn't endure this Gao Yang.

The gap from before is just too huge, right?

Reluctantly, he still walked over and sat down slowly beside Gao Yang.

No matter what, it must eventually be faced.

When Chen Yan sat down, Gao Yang showed a hint of relaxed smile and said to herself, "When I was sick yesterday, I had a nightmare."

"I dreamed that after you married Li Lizhi, you neglected me; no matter how I tried to assert my presence before you, you treated me with indifference. In that state, I was just like a street performer striving for applause yet receiving not a single coin."

I saw with my own eyes you bowing in the wedding hall, entering the bridal chamber, clinging together every day; everyone praised you as a good husband, said Li Lizhi was a good wife, word for word, inside and out, that happiness radiating everywhere almost made me suffocate.

Husband, do you understand that feeling?

Chen Yan had wanted to make a couple of jokes, but upon turning his head he saw Gao Yang full of a broken feeling, like a dirty cat left unnoticed in a dark corner of a crossroads.

Just looking at her makes one feel an urge to hold her in one's arms.

Chen Yan immediately realized that this dream might not be ordinary for Gao Yang.

This might be what she fears most.

"You said before, let me trust you more, but how can I act to make you trust me more?" Chen Yan sighed, gently pulling Gao Yang into his embrace.

"Zhao Tang, I will not neglect you!"

"From now on, you can confirm this with me anytime, anywhere, no matter when!"

Gao Yang's head buried in Chen Yan's chest, feeling that warmth.

That warmth fascinated her, drove her mad......

A long silence.

Afterward, she seemed to be murmuring, or making a promise, or perhaps...... warning!

"From now on, I will not stop you from marrying Li Lizhi, nor will I sneer at her, but you must promise me you will not abandon me!"

"Otherwise...... I, Li Zhaotang, will never let you go even if I die!"

"......"