After Rebirth, My Aloof Husband Can Hear My Inner Thoughts [Transmigration & Rebirth] - Chapter 43

Then, Xie Zhizhou closed his eyes. “Think what you will. I won’t listen anymore.”

If it wasn’t something good, he wouldn’t listen. Lin Shengshen suddenly felt that Xie Zhizhou, who was usually as hard as ice, seemed a bit delicate at this moment.

Lin Shengshen stood up, circled Xie Zhizhou once, and stopped in front of him, looking down at him from above.

Suddenly, she reached out and touched the front of his robe. Xie Zhizhou’s brows furrowed slightly.

Lin Shengshen could feel the muscles under her hand stiffen. Was he nervous?

That day, inside the bed curtains, it had been very dark. Though she knew she hadn’t struck Xie Zhizhou’s heart, she didn’t know how far off she had been. After all… this was the first time she had ever injured someone. Regardless of who it was, she couldn’t help feeling a lingering fear afterward.

She parted the front of Xie Zhizhou’s robe but hadn’t yet seen his inner garment when Xie Zhizhou grabbed her hand.

“Don’t look.”

From his expression, Lin Shengshen thought it seemed as if he were hiding something ugly on his chest, which made him resist and shrink back.

Xie Zhizhou suddenly asked, “You’re worried about me.” He pressed Lin Shengshen’s hand against his chest.

His eyes were closed, so he could only judge by her scent that Lin Shengshen was standing right in front of him. The distance between them was so close that he began to react.

Lin Shengshen wanted to sneer and pull her hand back. “It’s my first time stabbing someone. I just wanted to see where I could improve, Lord Xie. Don’t overthink it.”

Xie Zhizhou nodded. He couldn’t hear what Lin Shengshen was thinking, so he couldn’t tell whether her words were true or false. In any case, her voice was cold, her words sharp and painful to hear.

Probably she really wasn’t worried. Xie Zhizhou said, “You handle the dagger well. If you were a bit quicker in your reactions, it would be even better. Practice with me more often.”

His voice was honest and desolate.

Lin Shengshen leaned down, looking closely at Xie Zhizhou’s face. “What about your old injury? Has it healed?”

Xie Zhizhou took a deep breath. Lin Shengshen was too close. He could feel her warm breath, speaking words of concern—it was truly…

Baffling.

Was she worried or not?

If she was worried, why did she say such cold words to hurt him? If she wasn’t, why ask about the old injury again?

Lin Shengshen was like a mist, enveloping him, impossible to see through or grasp. After a waft of fragrance, she moved away, leaving only a trace of moisture as proof she had been there.

Xie Zhizhou suppressed the urge to lean in and kiss this mist. “It hasn’t healed. The new injury overlaps with the old one. The wound hurts badly.”

“Good that it hurts. In my past life, when I endured my illness waiting for one last glimpse of you, it hurt too. And on my birthday, when we consummated our marriage, it hurt as well.” Lin Shengshen’s face turned cold again, devoid of any pity. After speaking, she sat back down on the Rose Chair.

“I…”

“I know you never loved me, so you brushed off and rejected everything. I also know you divorced me to investigate the Lin family case. I believed everything you said, but… Lord Xie, every time I see you, I’m reminded of this pain. What am I to do?”

The room remained silent for a long time before Xie Zhizhou finally spoke, “I’m sorry.”

He was like a kite, with the end of the string held in Lin Shengshen’s hands—sometimes pulled taut, causing him pain, and other times loosened, making him forget himself. It was agonizing.

Lin Shengshen curled her lips slightly, surprised by Xie Zhizhou’s earnest attitude. In truth, she had long stopped caring about the events of her past life. One couldn’t live in the past forever; even if she occasionally dreamed of it, she wouldn’t dwell on it.

She had been given a chance to live again, to reclaim her health, a thriving career, and the love of her dearest family. As for romantic love…

It had to be said that, whether in her past life or this one, Xie Zhizhou was her favorite. But that was merely about his appearance and demeanor—living a life wasn’t about being with a pretty face.

Enough, why bother thinking so much?

Whether romantic love existed or not made little difference to her.

“Open your eyes,” Lin Shengshen said, taking the dominoes from Peilan. She shuffled them deftly, then arranged them in pairs, rolling the dice to determine the order.

Xie Zhizhou’s gaze followed the slight movements of her hands.

As she flipped the dominoes, crisp sounds echoed from the table.

Lin Shengshen and Xie Zhizhou were playing a simplified version of Pai Gow, a game that relied heavily on luck and was often used during drinking gatherings.

There was no need to memorize or calculate the tiles—victory or defeat was determined solely by the combinations revealed.

Lin Shengshen flipped two tiles, both adorned with eight red dots arranged neatly. “Human tiles.”

Although not the highest-ranking combination, it was second only to the Heaven and Earth pairs. Lin Shengshen felt confident of her win.

[I forgot to mention what would happen if Xie Zhizhou lost. Simply sending him back would be too lenient.]

Xie Zhizhou hadn’t revealed his tiles yet, only running his fingertips over them. With a faint smile, he said, “If I win, I get to stay at the Lin residence.”

Lin Shengshen, certain he wouldn’t win, nodded in agreement.

Xie Zhizhou flipped his tiles: a three-dot paired with a two-four.

“The Supreme?!” Lin Shengshen stood up, disbelief written across her face.

Xie Zhizhou remained expressionless, seemingly unimpressed by the rare combination, and pressed, “If I win, I stay at the Lin residence.”

For the first time, Lin Shengshen felt defeated. When she played with Chen Yuying, Peilan, and others, she had always been in control.

A deep sense of frustration ignited a fierce competitive spirit within her.

Gritting her teeth, Lin Shengshen said, “It’s late. Let’s stop here for today. Another time, I’ll challenge you again, and it won’t be just a simple game of Pai Gow!”

Xie Zhizhou looked up at her, a trace of smugness flickering in his eyes. To Lin Shengshen, it seemed downright arrogant.

“Fine, I’ll accompany you to the end,” he replied.

Xie Zhizhou got his wish and followed Lin Shengshen onto the carriage back to the Lin residence.

At Baoxiang Tower, many noblewomen came and went. Catching sight of Xie Zhizhou, they first showed surprise, then whispered among themselves.

“Wasn’t it said that the Lin girl was unloved after entering the Xie household? How come they’re together now?”

“Judging by Young Master Xie’s stern expression, he might be here to confront her.”

“Exactly. Can you find anyone in Yunjing bolder than the Lin girl? Since she arrived in the capital years ago, she’s been nothing but trouble—flirting with Prince Ying one day, seducing Young Master Xu the next, and now she’s married into the Xie family. I’ve heard even General Wen is utterly captivated by her. She parades around outside every day, flaunting herself without a care.”

A few women covered their mouths with handkerchiefs and giggled. “If I were a man, I wouldn’t fancy her either. What does it matter if she’s pretty?”

A woman in a gray-green silk dress squeezed between the group. “Excuse me.”

Several noble young ladies immediately scattered.

“Are you blind?”

“Can’t you see how many people are here? Why are you pushing through so rudely?”

Zhou Qiong turned back, a gentle smile curling at her lips. “So it’s the young ladies from various households. Forgive my poor eyesight—I mistook you for gossips from the street corner.”

The noble young ladies flushed red, spitting curses and ordering their maids to tear Zhou Qiong’s mouth.

With long strides, Zhou Qiong walked out of Baoxiang Tower into the crowded street, her golden bracelet glinting and making her gray-green outfit shine. “Why are you young ladies so domineering? Flaunting yourselves outside, causing unrest—if I were a man, I wouldn’t fancy you.”

One of them, enraged, shouted, “So what if you were a man? Why should we care if you fancy us or not!”

Zhou Qiong nodded and smiled. “Indeed, why should you care if I fancy you or not?”

The noble young ladies finally caught her meaning and quickly called back their maids. They shot Zhou Qiong a fierce glare before hurrying away. If such a trivial matter were to escalate, it would be truly embarrassing. Each had been taught etiquette by their elders and naturally knew that gossiping behind others’ backs was the behavior of petty people.

As they dispersed, Baoxiang Tower remained bustling with people, as if nothing had happened.

Zhou Qiong glanced at a carriage moving further into the distance and felt a sense of satisfaction.

Lin Shengshen was completely unaware of the minor commotion. Outside the carriage, Baidou whispered a few words to Peilan. After hearing them, Peilan fell silent for a moment. “I was narrow-minded before, always viewing Third Miss Zhou as some great villain…”

Baidou patted her shoulder. “You may not have the young lady’s foresight, but you make up for it with alertness. There’s no need to belittle yourself.”

Lin Shengshen had spent the day reviewing account books, and her eyes were now sore. She closed them to rest, sitting upright in the carriage.

Xie Zhizhou was speaking with Yuan Zhen outside the carriage.

“Meet Zhenhuan?” He sneered. “Is he worthy?”

Yuan Zhen replied, “A few days ago, young master ordered me to follow the second young lady… She… not only met Prince Su but also arranged another meeting. Their next meeting should be in three days.”

As if he had expected it, Xie Zhizhou nodded. “She doesn’t want to marry Xu Wulin, so naturally, she hopes for his death.”

“Go tell Xu Wulin that time is running out. He should stop scheming about Zhenhuan. If he confesses the truth obediently, I might be willing to spare his life temporarily.”

Yuan Zhen accepted the order and left.

Lin Shengshen, who had been listening, suddenly said, “You’re underestimating Zhenhuan.”

Xie Zhizhou turned to look at her, as if he hadn’t heard clearly, and shifted slightly closer to her.

The fabric of their sleeves brushed against each other.

Lin Shengshen opened her eyes and looked at him. “Letting Zhenhuan see Xu Wulin one last time might help her let go and could also make Xu Wulin reveal more information.”

Xie Zhizhou’s gaze remained fixed on Lin Shengshen’s face as he suddenly spoke softly, “Don’t move.”

Lin Shengshen felt pinned by his stare.

Xie Zhizhou slowly leaned in, so close that she could see her own reflection in his eyes.

She leaned back slightly, her spine pressing against the carved wooden panel, the hard surface digging uncomfortably into her bones. With no room to retreat, Xie Zhizhou continued to press forward unabashedly.

Unable to bear it any longer, Lin Shengshen reached out and pushed against Xie Zhizhou’s chest.

[Don’t you dare kiss me!]

At the same time, Xie Zhizhou quickly extended his hand, his cool fingertips brushing past Lin Shengshen’s cheek. Then, yielding to her push, he moved aside.

“There was an eyelash on your cheek.”

He spoke with a feeble voice, his lips growing even paler. One hand pressed against the spot where Lin Shengshen had just pushed him—the unhealed wound that was now oozing blood—while the other hand extended toward Lin Shengshen. On the tip of his elegant, jade-ring-adorned index finger lay a slightly curled, long eyelash.

“…” Lin Shengshen was both angry and helpless. “You just wanted to take an eyelash? Why did you have to get so close?”

“The carriage is shaking. I was afraid of hurting you.”

“…”

Lin Shengshen was left speechless. Seeing the blood soaking through his robe, she felt a pang of guilt. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have pushed you.”

“It was my fault for getting too close and frightening you.”

“Not really, there’s nothing to be afraid of.” Perhaps driven by her guilt, Lin Shengshen answered truthfully for once.

Xie Zhizhou raised an eyebrow and extended the hand he had been pressing against his wound. “Dare you wipe the blood for me?”

Lin Shengshen curled her lips and tilted her head to look at him. “Don’t even think about pushing your luck.”

Xie Zhizhou chuckled softly, then took a handkerchief from the edge of Lin Shengshen’s sleeve and lowered his head to wipe the blood away.

The pink silk handkerchief embroidered with mimosa flowers gently brushed over his slender fingers, moving slowly and softly, lingering between his fingers before parting, then gliding along the tendons of his hand to his wrist. The delicate silk teased his strong wrist bone as the carriage curtain fluttered, allowing golden sunlight to dance across his skin…

Lin Shengshen averted her gaze.

The scars on his hand had indeed faded significantly, evidence that he had been using potent scar-removing medicine these past few days.

“The court physician specifically instructed me not to strain the wound, but…” Xie Zhizhou paused, seeming somewhat embarrassed. “It seems I’ll have to trouble Shengshen tonight and share the bed with you.”