Recklessly Breaking a Delicate Branch - Chapter 28 Expiry

Tonight’s moonlight was exceptionally round and bright. In a few days, as the current winter deepened, the weather on the grasslands would become utterly frigid.

Under the early morning sun, the grasslands of Chifeng and the continuous mountain ranges were draped in layers of white snow—a world locked in ice for a thousand miles, with snow drifting across the vast expanse.

When the wind and snow on the plains finally came to a standstill the following day, Zhou Yan led a small mare to the banks of the Mother River, stopping in front of Jiang Wanshu.

The layered snow had not yet melted, and the ground bore the deep and shallow footprints of three people. Standing there in her thick snow boots, the young woman’s eyes were filled with anticipation.

Zhou Yan took her hand and placed the coarse lead rope into her palm. “Wanwan, this horse is for you.”

His voice was soft. As he looked down at the woman who had finally settled into a quiet compliance, the smile in his eyes lingered, harboring an indescribable joy.

Had he known that a “step back” agreement would allow Jiang Wanshu to lower her guard, he wouldn’t have wasted so much time. He should have proposed it sooner, back when she refused to even speak to him.

Jiang Wanshu’s eyes sparkled as she looked at the white horse.

Even without stepping forward to touch it, she could tell the white coat was soft and docile. “This horse… is for me?”

In disbelief, she reached out to stroke the white fur. She noticed that the long hair on the horse’s mane had been braided into intricate, rhythmic patterns.

Observing her delighted expression, Zhou Yan felt a secret thrill, knowing he had chosen the right gift. In the past, she never would have given him such a pleasant countenance.

He explained, “I thought this little mare suited you. Besides, when I bought her, the white hair on her forehead was hanging down quite long. Since I’ve grown accustomed to braiding your hair lately, my hands got an itch, so I gave her a few braids too.”

Zhou Yan laughed a few times to mask his inner thoughts. Like a buck that had received a reward, a hint of boyish clumsiness appeared in his eyes.

Jiang Wanshu did not grasp the deeper implications; she truly believed this was a gift from Zhou Yan with no strings attached.

She had been worrying about how she would ever cross this boundless grassland on foot—it felt like a fantasy. But with the arrival of this horse, her recent sorrows dissipated. Looking up at the man, her face finally softening into a look of joy, she asked, “Can I try riding it?”

Her movement was full of eager anticipation.

Zhou Yan’s Adam’s apple bobbed. “Of course you can.”

The more he thought about it, the more he felt his plan was right. He wanted her to be as happy as possible today; it would make what he intended to do with her tonight much easier.

The ten-day period was up. Tonight, no matter what, he was going to enjoy the pleasures of that day once more.

On the plains where the snow had yet to melt, Jiang Wanshu lifted her foot and flipped onto the horse with agile grace, galloping across the limitless grassland.

This was the first time Zhou Yan had seen such elegance from her on horseback.

She rode along the edge of the tents, facing the morning wind and the crystalline morning dew. Unwilling to hurt the horse, she didn’t use a whip, but instead gave the white mare’s haunch a light slap to coax out the desired speed.

The white horse beneath her shifted its body, finding the perfect rhythm, and let out a high-pitched neigh. Then, its hooves quickened, racing forward.

The woman atop was a vision of grace. Her long scorpion braid, draped over her shoulder, shimmered in the sunlight. The loose strands of hair caught the dappled light, turning her dark braids golden as they fanned out in the wind.

Though she looked slender and fragile, there was nothing awkward about her posture. Zhou Yan held his head high, watching her back with a mix of unexpected admiration and awe.

He never expected that her equestrian skills would be no less than any woman born on the grasslands.

Because of this, Zhou Yan found himself loving the woman before him even more. His Ajia was no mere weakling.

This sense of novelty persisted in his heart all the way until nightfall.

Under the flickering candlelight of the dark night, the girl’s fair face was flushed with a deep crimson. She pushed away Zhou Yan as he tried to approach.

She retreated in irritation, glaring at the powerfully built man before her and cursing him in her heart.

No wonder he had been so kind as to give her a white horse today—so this was what he was waiting for.

Zhou Yan wasn’t angry. His iron-strong arms pinned her in, bracing his hands on either side of her head.

They were so close now that the girl, enveloped in his masculine scent, looked up with terror in her beautiful eyes. She tucked her head away like a tortoise afraid to face reality, her eyes full of vigilance as she shrank back into the crook of her arm.

Zhou Yan found it fascinating to see her pale skin stained with such a blush. The night was long; he paused his movements with interest, silently watching her shifting expressions.

After a long while, Jiang Wanshu realized his movements had stopped. Her clear eyes opened, like butterflies dancing in a thicket, vividly beautiful.

With a tentative thought, her anxious face finally emerged from behind her arms. She looked into Zhou Yan’s handsome face, her words stuttering, “Zhou Yan… can you… can you be a bit gentler later?”

She understood that it was impossible for a beast who had restrained himself for so long to simply let go of his desire and sleep peacefully beside her.

Her strength was pitiful compared to his, and she couldn’t possibly struggle out of his grasp. To ensure she remained “whole” afterward, all she could do was negotiate the rules before the beast fully lost control.

Since she had already been bitten by the dog once, what did another bite matter?

She threw away her dignity as a princess in exchange for a modicum of comfort. Her white palms gripped the edge of the velvet quilt tightly, her eyes shimmering with aggrieved tears.

Zhou Yan watched her with amusement before realizing what she had said. Recalling their previous encounter, he remembered she had seemed moved then too. He frowned, his face full of confusion.

“That day, didn’t you enjoy it too? Why are you asking me to be gentler?”

He thought to himself that having to restrain his strength under such circumstances would take away half the fun. He had heard from Musha that when a woman “becomes wet,” it is a sign of passion. But she just said…

Confronted with a topic that usually makes one’s heart race and face flush, Jiang Wanshu bit her lip and let out a breath, speaking with difficulty, “It hurt a lot that day.”

Recalling the pain, she shuddered, her thin frame trembling visibly.

Zhou Yan pressed his lips together, staring at her in silence as if trying to verify the truth of her words. Seeing his skepticism, she raised her voice slightly, “Really! If you don’t believe me, there’s nothing I can do.” As she spoke, her voice trailed off again.

Zhou Yan pushed his tongue against the inside of his cheek; only now did he truly believe her.

He relented casually, “Fine. I’ll be gentler.”

If she really couldn’t handle the force, he wouldn’t force her. After all, in these matters, it’s only truly satisfying if both people find pleasure.

With that said, Zhou Yan felt it was time to move. He glanced at the person beneath him.

He spoke bluntly and crudely, “Take them off yourself.”

The woman on the bed was still fully clothed; only he had stripped before getting under the covers.

Jiang Wanshu looked at him in a daze, her voice panicked, “I can’t!”

She was a princess. She had already lowered herself to discuss such a shameful matter; how could he expect her to undress herself and expose her body to him?

Unable to stand her hesitation, Zhou Yan simply reached out and grabbed the edge of the garment beneath her slender neck.

As he went from composed to hurried upon seeing the layers of inner clothing peel back to reveal snowy skin, the faint scent of plum blossoms emanating from her body hit his nose. His breathing grew heavy. Within seconds, he pulled her clothes open. He intended to reach out and caress her, but suddenly noticed her trembling even more violently.

Her waist seemed to possess a defense mechanism; as soon as he approached, she would swerve away.

Realizing she was still unwilling to be touched, Zhou Yan wrapped his hand directly around her waist, pulling her in so that her forehead bumped against his chest.

The moment his iron-hard muscles met her soft skin, Zhou Yan took a sharp breath.

It was incredibly satisfying. That last time, he had been so focused on his anger that he had forgotten to savor this exquisite sensation.

Jiang Wanshu was held in his arms, her chest heaving unsteadily, filled with dread for what was to come.

In the next moment, the man’s sharp, blade-like teeth nipped at her shoulder, and he began to nuzzle against her arm.

It didn’t hurt, but it was incredibly itchy.

Jiang Wanshu endured the urge to push him away until his hand moved past her white waist toward her hips. At that point, she could no longer contain her surging emotions. She cried out, “How about… how about we postpone this for a few more days!”

She endured the shame and trembling as he disassembled her clothing, even though every part of her was unwilling.

Zhou Yan, tortured by her reluctance, looked down at her crossly. “No!”

With her indecisive nature, if he really listened to her, he probably wouldn’t truly possess her again for another half year.

The thick calluses on the man’s hands began to press against the lower part of her hips to lift her up. Just as he was about to pull her forward to better feel the heat, he noticed hot tears falling onto his shoulder. In an instant, Zhou Yan felt miserable from her “torture.”

Jiang Wanshu’s tears were the thing he hated to see most.

Aching with unfulfilled desire, he stopped his movements and sighed helplessly. “Wanwan, you tacitly agreed to do this tonight, yet here you are retreating at the last second!”

His dark eyes stared intensely into hers. As their gazes met and their spirits clashed, both tasted the bitterness of dissatisfaction.

“I… I’m just too scared.” Seeing him stop, Jiang Wanshu wondered if he was willing to listen. She held back her crystalline tears, her eyes flickering with hope.

Sensing her thoughts, Zhou Yan refused sternly. “Don’t even think about it. I’m definitely doing something with you tonight, or I’ll burst.”

The arrow was on the string; there was no way not to fire.

When more tears began to drop onto his shoulder, Zhou Yan’s face darkened completely. One hand pressed firmly against her hip, and he let out a frustrated grunt. “Fine! I won’t go inside. I’ll just satisfy the craving a little, alright?”

This was the greatest concession he could make tonight. Any further request would be met with an absolute “no.”

Jiang Wanshu looked at him in disbelief. His face was as dark as ink, yet he had agreed to her condition. Before she could speak again, he interrupted her.

“If you won’t even agree to this, we’ll just go all the way. We’re going to do it sooner or later anyway.”

After saying that, he even added with some consideration for her feelings, “I know you’re shy. If you choose the first option… just scratch my back if you need to.”

His words successfully coerced her. After agonizing deliberation, Jiang Wanshu finally accepted. With a hint of embarrassment, she reached out and lightly scratched Zhou Yan’s back.

Support