After Rebirth, My Aloof Husband Can Hear My Inner Thoughts [Transmigration & Rebirth] - Chapter 11

The night rain lingered, fish lanterns drifted, and a thin mist rose over the Jade Capital River.

Inside the Painted Boat, the air was warm and fragrant. Lin Shengshen kept her head down as she ate, completely unaware of the change in the person beside her.

[I’m so hungry. I haven’t had a proper meal since I opened my eyes this morning.]

Xie Zhizhou lowered his gaze, concealing the heat in his eyes.

Lin Shengshen’s dress today was simple in style—a pale pink satin gown covered with a layer of sheer gauze. Without intricate patterns or decorations, it accentuated her figure, making her appear even more enchanting.

She carried a faint scent of powder, elegant yet subtly seductive.

If he remembered correctly, it had been a long time since she had dressed like this.

Her beauty was already ethereal, but now it was even more…

[This eggplant is too hot—my tongue hurts…]

[Hmm, I need something cold.]

Before Lin Shengshen could lift her head to search, Xie Zhizhou picked up the chilled milk pudding beside him and handed it to her.

However… all she saw was a bright red bean trembling delicately atop the creamy white surface.

Xie Zhizhou froze instantly. The bowl of creamy dessert felt awkward in his hands—neither properly offered nor appropriately withdrawn.

[What does this mean? For me?]

Lin Shengshen looked up in confusion and recognized it as red bean ice cream.

She glanced at Xie Zhizhou again. Seeing his expression remained normal, even somewhat indifferent, she pursed her lips and accepted it.

[Clearly just handing over a bowl, yet putting on such a patronizing air.]

The red bean dessert trembled slightly in Lin Shengshen’s hands, the beans at the rim threatening to fall before she finally steadied it on the table.

Xie Zhizhou averted his gaze to the rainy night outside the window.

When he looked back, half the dessert had already been eaten. Perhaps it was truly too hot—she ate somewhat hastily, a smear of white cream clinging to the corner of her mouth…

Xie Zhizhou silently took a deep breath, restraining himself from looking at Lin Shengshen any further.

Lin Shengshen knew Xie Zhizhou had been tricked. Sitting here with her now certainly didn’t please him.

So even though Xie Zhizhou neither touched his chopsticks nor spoke, merely staring fixedly at the lanterns outside, she didn’t feel awkward.

[If I couldn’t even tolerate this bit of his temper, then I’d have wasted all those previous years.]

[For Xie Zhizhou to sit quietly nearby now instead of coldly insulting me or storming off in a huff—this indeed counts as giving face.]

Thus, Lin Shengshen ate with single-minded focus.

[After finishing the meal, I’ll go out to enjoy the breeze and the night view along Jade Capital River—then this trip won’t be in vain.]

[Xie Zhizhou is behaving rather decently today, not ruining my appetite.]

[Ah, I almost forgot my monthly courses are due in a few days. Not good, not good—I’ve eaten so much icy dessert…]

[Why isn’t this corn chopped before stewing? So thick and long—how is one supposed to eat it?]

Xie Zhizhou: …

“Stop eating.” Unable to endure any longer, Xie Zhizhou finally intervened.

[? What does that mean?]

Lin Shengshen paused, slowly setting down her chopsticks. “You’re going to control this too?”

Xie Zhizhou stared at her. “Did you come here today just to eat?”

[Ah? What else?]

Lin Shengshen nodded.

Seeing Xie Zhizhou’s serious expression, Lin Shengshen felt somewhat dazed.

She had seen Xie Zhizhou’s disgust, witnessed his indifference, but rarely had she seen him look so earnest.

Xie Zhizhou’s features were refined, his aura transcendent—wherever he went, he stood like a pine or crane, solitary as the cold moon.

Aloof detachment and arrogant disdain were the true Xie Zhizhou. While such attitudes would seem frivolous on other young masters, on him they appeared perfectly fitting.

But now… this man was actually pondering seriously, just because she had eaten a few mouthfuls?

Unnecessary!

Lin Shengshen snorted coldly and continued picking up dishes, ignoring Xie Zhizhou.

–

It was rare to see Xie Zhizhou uncertain about something.

If she had come today merely to eat, why had she dressed so elaborately and conspired with Xie Zhenhuan to drug his wine?

If she had come for consummation, why was she delaying any action, focusing only on eating?

Waves of heat churned within him, repeatedly eroding Xie Zhizhou’s rationality.

Perhaps she was waiting for him to take the initiative.

Yes, for years it had always been Lin Shengshen who took the initiative, while he never responded. Now that she was annoyed and weary, she must be hoping he would make the first move.

A flicker of displeasure crossed his heart—Xie Zhizhou had never liked complicating simple matters.

The matter of consummation was no exception.

The blood coursed hotly through his veins, Xie Zhizhou’s breathing grew scorching, his senses heightened to an extreme. From the small ruyi pouch dangling at Lin Shengshen’s slender waist wafted the faint scent of pear blossoms.

As husband and wife, the rites of intimacy were unavoidable—neither propriety nor common sentiment deemed it excessive.

Lin Shengshen had once looked forward to this on their wedding night, yet later felt heartache over it. He could no longer delay or reject her coldly, Xie Zhizhou thought to himself.

For the peace of the Xie household, and to prevent Lin Shengshen from entertaining other thoughts, he ought to take the initiative tonight.

The effects of the drug came too swiftly. Though Xie Zhizhou loathed the feeling of being manipulated, he had to admit—

In the rainy night on the pleasure boat, amid the damp, warm fragrance, Lin Shengshen’s every gesture exuded allure. Her already stunning beauty appeared even more radiant under the lamplight upon closer inspection.

From Xie Zhizhou’s perspective, her dark hair cascaded over her shoulders, faintly veiling her slender, pale neck. The trace of white at the corner of her crimson lips was like a bewitching enchantment, luring him in…

Forget it. Between husband and wife, there should be no need for such meticulous calculation.

Xie Zhizhou reached out, his slender fingers covering Lin Shengshen’s cheek. The jade ring on his finger paled in comparison to the luster of her skin.

Lin Shengshen abruptly lifted her head, her almond-shaped eyes filled with shock.

[…]

[Ah!!!]

Before Lin Shengshen could cry out, Xie Zhizhou had already heard the scream in her heart. His thumb pressed against her soft lips.

“Don’t shout,” his voice carried a dangerous edge.

The low table was already small, and both were seated on cushions. As Lin Shengshen tried to retreat, Xie Zhizhou leaned in closer.

The scorching heat finally found release. Pressed against Lin Shengshen’s waist, a brief respite gave way to even more impulsive urges.

The soft texture beneath his fingertips was irresistible. He couldn’t help but caress her lips twice, accidentally smearing a mix of her saliva and the white residue at the corner of her mouth.

Damp, warm, and soft—the sensation shot from his fingertips to his chest. The swelling desire threatened to explode, stripping him of all reason.

The thin satin fabric clung to her skin, and Lin Shengshen instantly sensed the unusual change. She was terrified.

[What’s happening?!]

Lin Shengshen finally realized what was off about Xie Zhizhou tonight.

His lips were red—not the usual cool, pale red, but a vivid crimson like that of a seductive ghost!

Trapped under his intense gaze, Lin Shengshen scrambled backward, only to be pinned down on the cushions.

Lin Shengshen was completely covered by Xie Zhizhou. Through the friction of their thin garments, she could feel—

The only cool part of him was the jade ring on his finger.

This position was all too familiar. In their previous life, when Xie Zhizhou went through the motions perfunctorily, he would press her down just like this.

“Xie Zhizhou, let me go!” In her struggle, Lin Shengshen kicked the low table, toppling the half-bowl of curd that had been perched on the edge. It spilled, splashing directly onto her collarbone.

The cold, milky cream trickled along the curves of her jade-like skin into her collar, leaving behind a winding, sullied white trail.

Xie Zhizhou finally seized the wrist that had been swaying before him all night. He pressed Lin Shengshen’s wrist into her disheveled dark hair strewn across the floor.

“The marital rites should be as such. Today, I shall grant your wish.”

The clear aroma of wine mingled with scorching breath sprayed against Lin Shengshen’s collarbone. His gaze lingered on that mark, an uncontrollable madness clamoring to break through all barriers…

[Xie Zhizhou has gone mad!]

“I don’t want this!”

Taking advantage of his distraction, Lin Shengshen fiercely bit the fingertip Xie Zhizhou had pressed against her lips.

Warm blood instantly stained the corner of her mouth.

Xie Zhizhou, whose rationality had collapsed and who was struggling on the edge of madness, came to a halt.

The sharp, stinging pain in his fingertip reminded him—

Things might not be as he thought.

Frowning slightly, he looked down at Lin Shengshen, whom he had firmly pinned beneath him.

The tip of her nose and the corners of her eyes were red, tears even welling in her eyes. Her clear, luminous eyes were filled with unease and terror.

Xie Zhizhou released her wrist, used his sleeve to wipe the stain below her collarbone, and said to her seriously, “You don’t want this?”

“I don’t want it.”

The two remained in their positions—one above, one below; one attacking, one defending—locked in a tense standoff.

Xie Zhizhou tried to read something else in her expression or her heart, but found nothing.

He heard her inner voice—not speaking, only soft sobs. The familiar sound of her weeping gradually cooled his frantic heartbeat.

She truly didn’t want it. He had frightened her.

At this moment, the uncontrollable changes in his body all became evidence of his guilt. Though they were husband and wife, she was unwilling, so he could not proceed.

Xie Zhizhou’s boiling blood turned to ice water, and his rationality returned in an instant.

He sincerely apologized, “I’m sorry. I was drugged and lost my senses.”

The only response was a crisp sound—

Tears streaming from the corners of her eyes, Lin Shengshen slapped him, struggled to her feet, and fled through the door.

[Using me as an antidote? How dare you!]