After Rebirth, My Aloof Husband Can Hear My Inner Thoughts [Transmigration & Rebirth] - Chapter 50

Xie Zhizhou clearly hadn’t expected Lin Shengsheng to agree to return together.

Returning home together—did it mean the anger in her heart had subsided? Or was she willing to open her heart and accept him?

He tentatively suggested, “Then tomorrow afternoon, we’ll go back together.”

Just as his arm was about to rest on her shoulder, Lin Shengsheng stood up and walked toward the window. “Return, we’ll return together. If I stay too long at the Lin residence, people might gossip about my parents.”

Xie Zhizhou’s hand fell empty, and his heart felt equally hollow at her words.

Lin Shengsheng stood by the window and began organizing items in her trunk.

“We’re not leaving until tomorrow afternoon anyway. Why start packing now?” Xie Zhizhou walked to her side and looked at the various trinkets in the trunk—a little rabbit inlaid with agate, a sunflower fan woven from cattail leaves, and some picture books with illustrated characters. At a glance, they were all toys to amuse a young lady.

Lin Shengsheng bent her head, arranging fragile items together and placing easily crushable ones separately. “These are playthings Yu Zheng brought from Jiangnan. I need to pack them properly to take along.”

Yu Zheng…

“He’s been to the Lin residence again.” Xie Zhizhou’s earlier tenderness vanished completely, his voice cold as ice.

Lin Shengsheng remained oblivious. “Yes, he came yesterday.”

Xie Zhizhou had recently inquired about how Lin Shengsheng and Xu Wei had met years ago. Upon learning it was due to a life-saving favor, he had been furious for a while.

So cliché—must a life-saving favor lead to offering oneself in return? This Xu Wei was clearly captivated by her beauty and persistently entangled.

Xie Zhizhou restrained himself and pushed the trunk aside. “I’ll pack for you tomorrow.”

Lin Shengsheng looked skeptical. “You? Packing? How would you know how to pack things?”

“I didn’t before, but after watching you just now, I’ve learned.”

Lin Shengsheng readily agreed. “In that case, don’t forget to bring the pearl headpiece from my dressing case tomorrow.”

Xie Zhizhou glanced again at the trunk filled with small trinkets in the corner, suppressing the gloom in his eyes as he took Lin Shengsheng’s hand and led her back to the table.

As soon as they sat down, Lin Shengsheng withdrew her hand and tilted her head. “Lord Xie, it’s late. Whatever it is, we can discuss it tomorrow. I need to rest.”

Xie Zhizhou asked seriously, “You said it hurt yesterday—where exactly did it hurt?”

Apart from being unable to resist biting her snow-white shoulder, Xie Zhizhou had spent the entire night pondering and couldn’t recall any other moment that might have caused her pain.

In his previous life, he had handled this matter poorly, so this time he was especially cautious, striving to be gentle and tender, having privately studied numerous texts…

He was not a man given to indulgence in pleasures, and his knowledge of intimate matters was minimal. Having lived a solitary existence for years, he had never anticipated finding a beloved in the future, leaving him utterly inexperienced in the art of lovemaking.

He had thought that after reading extensively and even unconsciously offending Lin Shengshen many times in his dreams, he would be able to please her. Yet, yesterday still ended with her discomfort.

A profound sense of failure had plagued Xie Zhizhou all day… Today, after burying himself in diligent study and hesitating repeatedly, he finally stepped into Shuying Pavilion.

Whatever he did, he aimed for perfection.

Lin Shengshen first widened her eyes in astonishment, then stood up and paced back and forth in the room. Finally, trembling, she pointed a finger at Xie Zhizhou and scolded him in exasperation, “You… you, you… How dare you speak of such things in broad daylight? The entire Yunjing praises you as a refined gentleman, yet you… are utterly unreasonable!”

The phrase “utterly unreasonable” was one Xie Changxing had used to describe Lin Shengshen in their previous life. She had never imagined it could be associated with Xie Zhizhou.

Xie Zhizhou leaned back in his official’s armchair, poised and composed, his expression earnest. His luxurious black outer robe, dignified and elegant, accentuated his jade-like features.

At first glance, he appeared to be discussing poetry or official matters with someone.

“Broad daylight? But it’s dark and windy tonight,” Xie Zhizhou remarked, glancing out the window.

Lin Shengshen was left speechless.

Xie Zhizhou stood up, his robes cascading down his sturdy chest and firm arms as he slowly approached.

“Besides, what’s improper about the two of us discussing such matters in private?”

[It must be said, the young Xie Zhizhou in his light cyan robes was quite dashing, while the adult Xie Zhizhou in his pitch-black attire was…]

Lin Shengshen snapped back to reality and quickly stopped herself.

Xie Zhizhou, secretly pleased that he had chosen the right attire, raised an eyebrow and asked, “Was what?”

Lin Shengshen took a step back, but Xie Zhizhou pressed forward, his tall frame completely shielding her. Shaking her head, she hurriedly said, “I wasn’t thinking anything!”

[Bodhisattvas, through the practice of profound prajna paramita, perceive the emptiness of all things and are free of delusions;

Free of delusions, they transcend fear and anxiety…]

The Heart Sutra again. Xie Zhizhou chuckled.

Lin Shengshen forced herself to look away from Xie Zhizhou’s face.

Suddenly, a warm, large hand gripped her shoulder—the very side where he had left bite marks the previous night. Lin Shengshen felt as though those marks were now burning with scorching flames, searing her skin.

Xie Zhizhou lifted her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze.

He did not hesitate to use his appearance to charm Lin Shengshen. Though physical forms are but earth and wood, and beauty eventually turns to dust, what could he do when his wife was so fond of his looks?

“Shengshen,” his voice was deep in the night, “was what?”

[Was seductive…]

[Bodhisattvas, through the practice of profound prajna paramita…]

Realizing she was being bewitched, Lin Shengshen hastily recited another passage from the Heart Sutra.

Having gotten his answer, Xie Zhizhou seemed quite pleased. He released her chin and held his hand before her eyes.

“Look, the scar has faded considerably. It will soon be as good as new.”

Lin Shengshen was momentarily stunned before recalling that his hand had been injured some time ago, leaving only faint traces that were barely visible unless examined closely.

She never expected Xie Zhizhou to care so much about appearances…

“Where exactly does it hurt? How does it hurt?” Xie Zhizhou pressed.

Lin Shengshen mumbled vaguely, “It just hurts…”

In truth, it didn’t hurt at all. Instead, there was a slight soreness and numbness, along with an indescribable sensation. After all, she hadn’t slept well last night. In her dreams, Xie Zhizhou had barged into her bed, pressing her down firmly, and then…

Xie Zhizhou’s fingers gently brushed her cheek. “Here?”

Then they traveled downward, touching her faintly red earlobe. “Here?”

Further down, they reached her collarbone and shoulder. “Or here?”

Lin Shengshen froze completely, shaking her head repeatedly, her cheeks flushed crimson. Xie Zhizhou’s aura was too authoritative, locking her in place. Seeing the serious expression on the man before her and feeling his teasing movements, Lin Shengshen couldn’t help but tremble.

The profound black color truly suited him…

Xie Zhizhou’s fingers moved downward again, gently rubbing the red bean on the pastry through her dress. “Could it be here?”

Lin Shengshen shuddered, filled with regret. She shouldn’t have teased him with her inner thoughts yesterday…

With her shoulders under Xie Zhizhou’s control, Lin Shengshen retreated to the edge of the desk, with nowhere left to go, and blurted out, “It doesn’t hurt. I was lying yesterday. You—”

“Doesn’t hurt?” Xie Zhizhou shed his gentle facade, adopting the cold demeanor of interrogating a criminal. “Since it doesn’t hurt, why did Shengshen lie to me?”

“Since you lied to me, Shengshen must be punished.”

Lin Shengshen shook her head repeatedly, pressing her hands against Xie Zhizhou’s chest, but it was utterly ineffective.

Xie Zhizhou lightly grasped her waist and placed her on the desk, bringing them eye to eye.

“How should I punish you?”

Lin Shengshen leaned backward under his pressure, her trembling hands braced on either side of her body, her slender waist arched to its limit. Finally, unable to hold the position, she lay back on the desk.

Beneath her shoulder blades, a round little embroidered ball pressed against her, making her gasp and straighten up. The moment her spine left the desk, Xie Zhizhou pulled her into his embrace.

The cool fragrance of plum blossoms enveloped her, and Lin Shengshen recognized it as the Spring Message in Snow she had once blended.

[How is there still this Scented Pill? Didn’t I stop making it long ago?]

Xie Zhizhou seemed to let out a soft sigh. Lin Shengshen’s cheek pressed against his chest, feeling a slight vibration.

“Shengshen wouldn’t make it for me, so I had to search every corner of the study to find one left behind.”

“Once this scent fades, there will be no more.” His tone carried a hint of grievance at the end.

Lin Shengshen found it novel. “For years, I delivered it to you every ten days, and you never once said you liked it. Now that I’ve grown lazy and stopped making it, why do you suddenly fancy it?”

Xie Zhizhou held her firmly in his arms, his heartbeat thudding in Lin Shengshen’s ear. “Do you remember that time you identified Yin Wei in front of Xiangyun Tower for delivering a poisoned incense burner?”

Lin Shengshen felt a surge of pride. “Of course I remember. That scoundrel was not only black-hearted but also venomous-tongued, daring to humiliate me in public. But later, when I saw his bruised and swollen face, I decided not to hold a grudge.”

Suddenly, she snapped back to reality. “How did you know?”

He tightened his embrace around the person struggling to break free. “I was at the street corner that day.”

He had watched her slender figure standing under an umbrella, surrounded by a group of pointing and gossiping girls, with Yin Wei sneering and mocking nearby.

I thought she would be at a disadvantage, would cry, would run away.

But she didn’t.

That day, Lin Shengshen had planned everything perfectly. Not only did she strike back at Yin Wei, but she also cleared Baoxiang Tower’s name, avenged Zhou Qiong, and vented her own anger.

It was only that day that he realized—

“Not all Spring Message in Snow smells pleasant. It took me this long to understand that.”

“Lin Shengshen, I’m sorry.”

Lin Shengshen was baffled by his abrupt and disjointed words, murmuring, “No wonder Yin Wei’s leg was crushed by a carriage not long after. It was you, wasn’t it?”

Xie Zhizhou remained silent.

Lin Shengshen continued, “When I heard about it, I found it suspicious. Now, piecing it all together, it makes sense.”

Xie Zhizhou asked, “What makes sense?”

“Yin Wei spouted arrogant remarks in public, not only exposing the distance between you and me but also mocking us openly. That wasn’t just an insult to me—it was an insult to His Majesty, and he used your hand to do it. How could you possibly swallow that? Yin Wei’s mouth is too loose; he definitely needed to be taught a lesson to avoid causing trouble for us in the future.”

“…” Xie Zhizhou fell silent for a long time. “It wasn’t because of that.”

Lin Shengshen slipped out of his embrace, propped herself against the desk to create distance, and with a hint of playful curiosity, tilted her head and asked, “Then what was it for?”

“It was for you.”

Lin Shengshen wore a faint, ambiguous smile, her tone meaningful. “For me? You thought he bullied me, so you stood up for me?”

The smile carried a trace of mockery. Xie Zhizhou knew Lin Shengshen would never believe such a thing. He was not one to seek credit, and now it seemed as though he were fishing for praise.

He fell silent again.

Lin Shengshen sat on the desk, smiling as she made a slight bowing gesture. “Well, thank you, but there’s no need for that next time.”

Watching Xie Zhizhou’s gloomy expression, she spoke each word clearly, “I’ve long grown accustomed to such humiliation and mockery. It’s my own affair. Back when I liked you and followed you, making it known to everyone, I was prepared to face the backlash.”

“You don’t need to pity me. In my past life, before I died of illness, I was consumed by resentment, always blaming you for not visiting me. But now, thinking back, you found me the best physicians—that was more than enough. Though you were cold, you had a conscience.”

“Whether you helped with the Lin family’s matters or not, our marriage was forced from the start. I don’t blame you.”

“In short, in our past lives, we each had our own positions and obsessions. I suffered some grievances, and you’ve been hurt now too. Let’s call it even.”

What did this mean? Did she want to keep her distance again? Another separation? Xie Zhizhou closed his eyes, suppressing his rapid breaths. He fixed his gaze on Lin Shengshen and asked, “You don’t believe I like you?” Nor did she believe he would stand up for her.

Lin Shengshen frowned. Of course, she believed it.

In her past life, she had the courage to marry him because she knew she was worthy. She was confident that Xie Zhizhou would see her.

It was only natural that Xie Zhizhou would come to like her.

But now, having obtained the affection she once desperately sought, she found it dull and uninteresting.

So what if he liked her? Lin Shengshen was someone who feared pain. Once burned by fire, she would never touch it again, no matter how beautiful the flames.

“Xie Zhizhou, just because you like me, must I like you back?”

“Whether I respond or not—that seems to be my freedom.”

Xie Zhizhou grasped at a sliver of hope, his breathing easing slightly. “Then… may I like you?”

Lin Shengshen raised a delicate brow, her beautiful almond-shaped eyes sweeping over Xie Zhizhou’s face. “Alright.”