Chapter 039: I Will Never Leave You Again

"Are you sure there's really none left?" Jiang Yao tilted her little face up, staring blankly at the "giant rainbow lollipop" before her.

The lollipop looked simply irresistible, as if it had grown a mouth and could speak. It was telling her, "This is your gift—come and eat me quickly."

Jiang Yao felt as if she had returned to a time when she was very young, back when she was still an innocent, unhurt child. Her small hands gently held He Yunqing's arms as she slowly leaned forward.

He Yunqing gazed at her face, which wore a faint, gentle smile. Not understanding her intent, he furrowed his brow slightly and called her name, "Yao."

Yet, in the next instant, Jiang Yao's little tongue softly slid across the man's handsome cheek.

His body froze instinctively, and he stiffened, trying to push her away. But Jiang Yao, completely oblivious, just like a child savoring a sweet lollipop, moved even closer. Her soft lips pressed against his, indulging in a dream as sweet as a rainbow.

Without realizing it, He Yunqing's furrowed brows smoothed out. His even breaths grew shallow, and his strong body grew feverish in the rainy night.

After a long moment, he finally pushed the girl away, his gaze burning into her—a mingling of annoyance, anger, reproach, and above all, indulgence. "Was it sweet?"

Jiang Yao pursed her lips as if still lingering over the taste, but her expression was one of complete bewilderment.

The rain washed the mud from her small face, as if cleansing away her past.

He Yunqing's pale, slender fingers lightly brushed his own lips.

What was this? Jiang Yao had kissed him, yet she didn't even seem to know she'd done it...

She looked dazed and innocent, still yearning to taste that sweetness again.

He Yunqing's strong hands gripped her shoulders firmly, his voice deep and serious, "That's enough. Don't force me to take advantage."

Whether she understood or not, Jiang Yao instantly curled up into a ball like a scolded child.

Her helpless confusion pierced his heart like a needle—cold, sharp, and faintly aching.

"Let's go back," He Yunqing said softly, gently taking her wrist to lead her away.

Jiang Yao timidly stood, trying to follow, but her ankle was caught by a twisted branch.

She froze, suddenly overwhelmed by panic. In her mind, memories surfaced—her ankle bound with rope, the sensation so chillingly real.

That person had tied her down, lashing her with a belt. She struggled to escape but was so injured she could only crawl. She hadn't gone far before being dragged back, then beaten again.

She could never escape that person's grasp, the agony, the nightmares of the past, nor the prison of her own heart...

"No, no!" she screamed, her cries echoing through the forest, mingling with the sound of rain.

He Yunqing couldn't tell if the wetness on Jiang Yao's face was rain or tears.

His large hand rested gently on her arm as he called her name, trying to awaken her from her trance.

But his touch only made her reaction more violent.

Just as every time before—she went from initial defiance, to desperate pleading, until finally she was nothing but a puppet on that person's string.

Terrified, she hugged herself, mumbling, "Don't hit me, I'll be good, I'll listen."

"I'll be good, I'll listen... undress, I'll undress..." As she spoke, she tugged at her zipper.

A bolt of lightning split the night sky, illuminating the forest and revealing the "Z" branded on her chest.

Under the bright sky and the rain-washed pale skin, that ugly scar stood out starkly—a silent testament to all she had endured.

He Yunqing gazed at the scar, feeling as if something had gouged out his heart.

The woman before him bore wounds for which he feared he could never atone.

"Enough, Yao," He Yunqing pulled her into his embrace. His sharp gaze swept the lightning-lit sky as he pressed her hands down, preventing her from undressing further. He wrapped her exposed body back in her clothes. "No more," he said.

Jiang Yao's thin body trembled in his arms, struggling to do something, but he restrained her completely.

He held her tight, restricting her every movement, forcing her to calm down. His defined jaw rested lightly atop her head.

"Don't leave me..." Jiang Yao finally quieted somewhat, sobbing and murmuring.

"I will never leave you again," He Yunqing replied, his voice husky, each word heavy as stone.

The rain did not cease, gradually drowning out the whispered promises between them...

The next morning.

At last, the rain had stopped.

The world seemed newly washed, sunlight mixing with the scent of fresh earth as it fell softly over everything.

Jiang Yao sneezed, waking from sleep, and stared in astonishment at her surroundings.

They were in the wilderness; she was curled up like a little rabbit in He Yunqing's arms.

He Yunqing was soaked through. Her small face was pressed against his solid chest, and when she looked up, she saw the chiseled line of his jaw.

She tried to move, but his strong arms were like iron, holding her so firmly she couldn't budge.

Jiang Yao was bewildered, struggling to recall what had happened the night before.

But her mind was a mess, like a pot of glue; she couldn't remember anything.

Annoyed, she bumped him with her little head—only to immediately regret it.

She had forgotten she was not hitting a pillar or a wall, nor a block of frozen tofu, but a man's solid chest.

Sure enough, the next second, He Yunqing's long lashes fluttered, and he was about to open his eyes.

Jiang Yao's mind went blank. Unsure what to do and mortified by the situation, she simply shut her eyes and pretended to be asleep.

He Yunqing opened his eyes, lowered his gaze to the girl still feigning sleep in his arms, and slowly leaned down.

Though her eyes were closed, Jiang Yao could clearly sense him drawing closer. Her heart pounded so loudly she could hear it herself.

Closer, closer—what was he going to do?

"Aren't you awake? Why are you pretending?" His deep voice sounded suddenly in her ear.

Jiang Yao's ear tingled at the sound. She snapped her eyes open and, staring at He Yunqing's face so close to hers, hesitated for two seconds before blurting out, "I'm not pretending!"

She dodged his probing gaze, turning her head aside, only to notice how disheveled her clothes were...