After Rebirth, My Aloof Husband Can Hear My Inner Thoughts [Transmigration & Rebirth] - Chapter 26

If the lamp hadn’t just been extinguished and her eyes weren’t yet closed, Lin Shengshen might have thought she was having a nightmare.

Before Lin Shengshen could agree, Xie Zhizhou had already sat on the bed, turned over, and lay down. He stared straight ahead, resting his head on Lin Shengshen’s soft pillow.

The temperature inside the bed curtains suddenly rose. Xie Zhizhou’s arm pressed tightly against Lin Shengshen’s. Feeling the warmth and softness beside him, a sudden timidity rose in his heart. He shifted slightly outward, away from that warmth and softness.

Lin Shengshen was dumbfounded.

“Have you gone mad?”

Xie Zhizhou’s eyes were slightly closed, his voice calm and straightforward. “If you don’t believe me, go see for yourself.”

Lin Shengshen got out of bed and ran to the daybed. The originally intact mottled bamboo slats had broken at some point, making it indeed unusable for sleeping.

She glanced at the bed and said irritably, “I’ll have a craftsman repair it, or I’ll send someone to buy you a new one.”

Xie Zhizhou replied, “Go ahead, if you’re not afraid of your mother’s maids finding out.”

No matter what, he intended to share the bed with Lin Shengshen tonight.

In her dreams, whether he was cold and distant or heartless and indifferent, it was all Lin Shengshen’s imagination—he would never treat her that way.

At least, not from now on.

Lin Shengshen stamped her foot by the small couch, then looked at Xie Zhizhou again. He remained aloof, not even glancing her way, as if determined to sleep in the bed tonight.

She gave in.

“Fine.”

Xie Zhizhou’s thumb, which had been pressing against his jade ring, suddenly relaxed, and the tension in his muscles eased.

She continued, “Then you take the bed, and I’ll sleep on the rocking chair.”

With that, Lin Shengshen picked up the bedding originally intended for Xie Zhizhou from the small couch and walked over to the rocking chair to arrange it.

Xie Zhizhou sat up, his eyes narrowing slightly as he watched Lin Shengshen, dressed in her lotus-pink sleeping robe, bustling with her back to him. An inexplicable restlessness stirred within him.

Why was she being so distant with him…?

Lin Shengshen had just finished arranging the bedding on the rocking chair and walked back to the bed to fetch a soft pillow.

She felt sullen and wronged.

[Who would have thought that even back in her own home, she’d have no bed to sleep in…]

But as soon as she reached the bed and stretched out her hand, a large, scorching palm covered her wrist, pulling her forcefully. Lin Shengshen tumbled onto the bed.

“Ah—”

The bed curtains swung open and closed, swaying slightly as they swallowed the figures of the two.

Lin Shengshen’s back pressed tightly against the soft brocade beneath her, while a broad-shouldered figure loomed over her. His muscular arms pinned her down effortlessly.

The jade ring on his index finger felt cold, and the calloused pad of his thumb rubbed against her wrist.

She struggled but couldn’t break free, kicking out only to be pressed down again.

Xie Zhizhou’s abdomen pressed firmly against Lin Shengshen’s legs, the friction of their clothing generating heat, burning against her skin.

“Lin Shengshen, we are husband and wife,” Xie Zhizhou reminded her.

Why should she avoid sharing a bed?

His breath fanned across her neck, hot like flickering flames.

“Xie Zhizhou, let me go!”

Lin Shengshen’s body trembled violently, uncontrollably.

She was afraid.

The memory of that previous pain still coiled in her mind.

Feeling the person beneath him tremble and tears well up, Xie Zhizhou snapped back to his senses, rationality returning.

He released his grip on her and shifted slightly away, giving her space to escape.

Freed, Lin Shengshen’s hand moved almost without thought—

She swung it up and slapped Xie Zhizhou across the face.

Then she shrank to the inner side of the bed, breathing rapidly, her eyes wide with fear, her toes curling tightly into the brocade quilt beneath her.

Xie Zhizhou clearly hadn’t expected Lin Shengshen to be so bold as to strike his face again.

Just like last time, her palm was soft and delicate, the contact sending a tingling sensation through him. The sound was crisp but held no threat—if anything, it carried a hint of temptation.

Xie Zhizhou turned his face back, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he stared at Lin Shengshen with a wolf-like intensity.

He remained on the outer side of the bed, silent, with only a flickering intensity in his eyes.

“Lin Shengshen, who taught you to hit someone like that?” he finally asked, his tone cold and sharp.

Lin Shengshen’s eyes brimmed with tears, her confidence faltering. “Xie Zhizhou! You… you shameless man!”

Xie Zhizhou looked at her and nodded.

Indeed, he had been driven mad by Lin Shengshen’s antics earlier that day, so he had broken the small couch and forced her to share the bed with him. He truly was shameless.

For over twenty years, he had never realized he could be so unscrupulous—like last night, when he had secretly slipped into her bed and watched her sleep the entire night.

His Majesty had once praised him as an orchid-like gentleman, elegant and untainted by worldly desires, and he had always believed it of himself, adhering to propriety without ever losing his composure.

But now he realized that when it came to Lin Shengshen, acts of shamelessness came to him effortlessly.

Lin Shengshen hadn’t expected him to not argue but instead nod, even seeming to ponder for a moment as if in agreement. She was utterly shocked and momentarily at a loss for words.

After all, in Lin Shengshen’s understanding, the word “shameless” was the most insulting term one could use against Xie Zhizhou.

She could only weep helplessly, her tears falling like petals in a gentle shower.

Xie Zhizhou felt the restlessness in his heart extinguished by Lin Shengshen’s tears.

He suddenly regretted his recklessness that day.

The bed curtains creaked softly as Lin Shengshen watched Xie Zhizhou shift slightly. He moved from the outer side to the inner side, coming dangerously close to her. She was terrified but had nowhere to retreat, until his shadow completely enveloped her.

[Don’t come closer, don’t come closer!]

Lin Shengshen lifted her foot and kicked Xie Zhizhou fiercely, but the sole of her foot struck his chest as if hitting an impenetrable wall.

He didn’t budge an inch. Her foot pressed against Xie Zhizhou’s abdomen, the sole of her foot warmed by his scorching heat, almost as if he were warming her feet on a winter day…

Xie Zhizhou took Lin Shengshen’s hand, gazing at her tear-filled eyes, her slightly reddened nose, and her moist, crimson lips. His heart tightened.

Lin Shengshen had no idea what Xie Zhizhou intended to do. Perhaps that slap had angered him, or perhaps… was he going to retaliate?

If that were the case, then… there was nothing she could do. She was weak—how could she possibly match his strength?

If Xie Zhizhou dared to hit her, she would never let it go!

She took a deep breath, but before she could exhale, her lips were suddenly sealed by something cool and soft—

Xie Zhizhou leaned in, his lips pressed firmly against hers, not delving deeper but gently brushing and pecking at her lips.

His lips were thin and cool, yet unexpectedly soft. Even when he pressed them forcefully against hers, Lin Shengshen felt no pain.

The uniquely crisp, refreshing scent of Xie Zhizhou swiftly overwhelmed her.

As he pulled away, Xie Zhizhou even lightly nipped her lower lip with his teeth, as if reluctant to part or perhaps as a form of punishment.

Lin Shengshen’s ears rang violently.

A storm seemed to rage through her mind, everything swirling in chaos and confusion.

The intense shock left her frozen in place, utterly bewildered by the violation. She had never experienced such a situation before and had no idea how to react.

Finally, Xie Zhizhou took her hand and lifted it, guiding her palm to strike his own cheek.

The sound was not only crisp but also resounding.

“Only like this does it hurt.”

Xie Zhizhou covered Lin Shengshen’s hand, pressing her palm against his cheek and not letting go.

His gaze remained fixed intently on Lin Shengshen, allowing the heat between their hands to rise until it burned.

Lin Shengsheng thought she must have gone mad, otherwise how could she witness someone as noble and pure as Xie Zhizhou going wild on her bed in the middle of the night!

She was utterly dumbfounded.

Xie Zhizhou gave her soft hand a gentle squeeze before releasing it. He got off the bed, straightened the bed curtains, and completely enclosed Lin Shengsheng within them.

“Apologies, I drank today and my mind is somewhat muddled, which led to impulsive actions.” But kissing her wasn’t an impulse—it was truly…

Lin Shengsheng’s heart raced wildly, torn between fear and bewilderment. She didn’t respond, but the torrent of her tears ceased.

Perhaps that sharp, crisp slap had indeed been satisfying.

[Last time it was due to being drugged, this time it’s from drinking.]

[My lips hurt from his biting…]

“…” Xie Zhizhou swallowed hard and walked toward the bathing chamber.

He should have had the servants prepare some ice today.

Lin Shengsheng had emotional wounds—perhaps from those dreams, or perhaps from something else. He shouldn’t act impulsively or force her, Xie Zhizhou thought to himself.

He ought to maintain the demeanor of a gentleman and show more patience toward his wife. Otherwise, how would he be any different from the Xie Zhizhou shaped in her dreams?

By the time Xie Zhizhou emerged wearing his sleepwear, the bed curtains had fallen silent—Lin Shengsheng was already asleep.

Xie Zhizhou stood before the layered gauze curtains, raising his hand only to lower it again.

After much hesitation, he reached out and parted the curtains. Seeing Lin Shengsheng sleeping facing outward, with glistening tear tracks still on her cheeks, he gently wiped them away.

Xie Zhizhou lay back on the rocking chair and closed his eyes for a light rest.

Half-asleep, the unfamiliar dreams from within the bed curtains began again—

[“Brother Zhizhou is sure to like this pink Brocade of Washing Flowers silk dress. Quick, help me scent it with more fragrance.”]

[“We’ve waited so long after marriage… it’s finally time to consummate… Peilan, I’m a bit nervous.”]

[“I heard it might hurt, and there could be bleeding… I’m so scared…”]

“Don’t be nervous, miss. I’ve heard elders say that the first time, the husband is sure to be gentle. Don’t be afraid.”

[“Really? Brother Zhizhou definitely won’t make me uncomfortable.”]

[“Then quickly smell this—is the rose balm I applied today fragrant?”]

“Fragrant, very fragrant! You’d smell wonderful even without anything, miss. With this rose balm on, Young Master Xie will surely be intoxicated by your scent.”

[“Light more of the Spring Message in Snow incense, and pour those two cups of wine quickly.”]

[“Baidou, quickly fetch the grapes I peeled from the icebox.”]

[“Is this dress too brightly colored? He’s always disliked me wearing bright colors…”]

“How could that be, miss? You’re so lovely—you ought to wear bright colors. Besides, this is a private matter. How could the young master dislike you dressing up for him?”

The flurry of activity continued until nightfall.

Lin Shengsheng sat obediently by the bed, waiting and waiting—until the moon rose to its zenith and then sank westward, until a night owl’s cry cut through the silent darkness.

Finally, the door sounded.

Lin Shengsheng rushed forward. “Husband… you, you’ve come.”

“You made the consummation a public spectacle—did you not expect me to come today?” Xie Zhizhou could hear the coldness and impatience in his own voice.

[“Husband…”]

Xie Zhizhou suddenly wished to shut off all his senses, to stop hearing Lin Shengsheng’s dreams. But her dreams engulfed him like a raging flood.

[“Ah! Husband, you…”]

The sound of torn skirt fabric accompanied a soft rustle from the Arhat Bed. No sounds of pleasure between a man and woman could be heard—only low sobs and sounds of vented anguish echoed through the room.

[It hurts so much.]

Her dream finally ceased, ending with muffled whimpers. Xie Zhizhou could almost picture Lin Shengshen curled up on the Arhat Bed, trembling slightly.

Xie Zhizhou abruptly rose from the rocking chair, his mind in turmoil.

Why the dream felt so vivid remained unclear to him—he only knew the pain and tears felt undeniably real—

What exactly was happening between Lin Shengshen and him?

Perhaps things weren’t as simple as he had assumed…

The bed curtains were drawn aside once more. Xie Zhizhou gazed at Lin Shengshen, who lay fast asleep on the inner side, tightly wrapped in the quilt.

Xie Zhizhou shifted slightly, leaning in until their breaths nearly mingled.

Wiping away the fresh tear tracks on her face, his heart felt as though it were being sliced apart.

Though it was just a dream… upon careful reflection, his state of mind when he had entered Tangli Residence days ago mirrored that of the dream exactly. Had Lin Shengshen not stubbornly refused to consummate their marriage back then, would he have acted as he did in the dream—

Rude, unrestrained, and reckless, hurting her so deeply she trembled and wept, plagued by nightmares night after night.