Chapter Forty-Five: Heartfelt Devotion

In truth, even if Shen Guodong had never lived through that era of social liberation, he held the same belief: life is but a fleeting few decades! Why trouble oneself with so many concerns? As long as one lives happily, what do others’ opinions matter?

Zhou Meiniang gazed at the distant scenery. “Do you truly believe that?”

“Of course,” Shen Guodong replied. “Wang Weihua is a beast in human form; he’s not worth your longing. When I used to associate with him, he even asked me if I wanted a chance with you—for money, he’d arrange it. I refused, and after that, I kept my distance from him.”

Even though Shen Guodong himself had made many mistakes in the past, this was something he could never tolerate. How could a man send his own woman to another? Such behavior was beneath even animals!

But thinking about it, with Wang Weihua, it was no surprise. If he could send his own wife away, what wouldn’t he do?

As for Shen Guodong, he could never do such a thing!

When he spoke these words aloud, Zhou Meiniang’s delicate form trembled violently. She could hardly believe that beast Wang Weihua would do such a thing. Yet, inexplicably, a sense of regret bloomed in her heart.

“Why didn’t you accept, then?” Zhou Meiniang looked at Shen Guodong, then smiled as she asked.

“Uh—”

This question left Shen Guodong momentarily speechless. He couldn’t quite grasp the situation—Zhou Meiniang herself had asked such a thing, and to be honest, it left him at a loss.

“Even Wang Weihua was willing, but you refused? Is it because I’m not pretty enough, or do you think my body is dirty?” Zhou Meiniang grew bolder, her alluring eyes brimming with unspoken desire, fixing Shen Guodong in place, leaving him nowhere to hide.

Shen Guodong forced a bitter smile. Was Zhou Meiniang beautiful? Undoubtedly. Liu Yueru’s beauty was refined, steeped in scholarly grace, while Zhou Meiniang’s was seductive, capable of turning the world upside down.

They were utterly different.

The former was reserved, the latter unrestrained.

If one spoke of which woman was a greater temptation to men, it was certainly Zhou Meiniang.

At this moment, Shen Guodong was unsure what she truly meant with her words.

“Hmm?”

When Shen Guodong failed to answer, Zhou Meiniang parted her lips, growing even bolder. “If you were given that choice again, what would you do?”

“I suppose I’d seize it without hesitation. But... I have a family, and so do you. It doesn’t seem right.” Shen Guodong sighed, realizing he’d led the conversation down a dangerous path.

Though society now was conservative, it was not as rigid as it seemed. Beneath the surface, every heart was restless.

Zhou Meiniang was in her prime.

Shen Guodong, having lived through a more open era, likely only needed a spark between them.

And now, he suddenly sensed that a flame had begun to kindle.

Years of repression had left Zhou Meiniang on the verge of eruption. If only Wang Weihua had treated her better, things might not have come to this; after all, she was by nature a conservative woman.

But what was in one’s bones could not be hidden!

Shen Guodong’s words just now were like a spark, threatening to ignite everything.

If even Wang Weihua was prepared to give her away for money, what was Zhou Meiniang holding onto? Once such thoughts took hold, they would run rampant, unstoppable. There could be no doubt!

“You said it yourself—we should live for ourselves, not care for the world’s judgment. You led me to this path, and now you shrink back? I finally understand: in that beast Wang Weihua’s eyes, as long as I could be traded for money, it didn’t matter if I was sold. The man is a born weakling. After all these years of marriage, he’s never even touched me with a single finger!”

Zhou Meiniang spoke bitterly.

To stay loyal for a man like that—what a waste. She had thrown away her best years.

Once such desires are ignited, they become uncontrollable. Human longing knows no bounds.

And for Zhou Meiniang, whose very nature was alluring, suppressing herself was no easy task.

A woman at thirty is as hungry as a wolf; at forty, as fierce as a tiger.

Now, Zhou Meiniang was at the age when such needs grew only stronger—it was inevitable.

Shen Guodong’s arrival had utterly ignited the desires buried in her heart.

“Do you mind that I’m married?”

Zhou Meiniang grew ever more daring, her words sultry. “I could divorce him. That beast Wang Weihua only wants money—then I’ll pay.”

“Sister Zhou...”

Shen Guodong gave a wry smile.

He realized if he didn’t put a stop to this, something irreparable would happen. Sure enough, Zhou Meiniang’s cheeks were flushed, her eyes bloodshot with longing, her breath coming in rapid gasps.

Before Shen Guodong could react, she threw herself at him, catching him completely off guard.

The natural fragrance of her body was like poison, utterly intoxicating.

For a moment, Shen Guodong lost all sense.

They entwined together in an instant.

Her soft body was electrifying to the core.

…

Who knew how much time had passed!

Shen Guodong suddenly awoke with a start.

They were outdoors!

He quickly pushed Zhou Meiniang away. Fortunately, disaster had not yet occurred—otherwise, it would have been the end.

Not just for reputation’s sake.

Zhou Meiniang came to her senses, staring at Shen Guodong in a daze for a long moment.

“Are you disgusted by me?”

She sounded crestfallen.

In such a conservative society, it took immense courage for a woman to act as she had. Shen Guodong surely understood this—he had awakened her desires, only to then push her away.

What did it mean?

Did it mean he thought she was loose and wanton?

Just as the factory gossip went: any man could have her.

Or perhaps, in Shen Guodong’s heart, that’s how he saw her.

Overwhelmed by shame, Zhou Meiniang fled down the mountainside, as if unable to face the world, as if planning to end it all this way.