Chapter Forty-Six: Settled

Shen Guodong had never expected it. Zhou Meiniang’s character turned out to be so decisive!

Quick as lightning, he caught her just in time. Because of the force, her soft, delicate body fell into his arms, her fragrant scent making his heart race uncontrollably.

There was no denying it—Zhou Meiniang’s figure was extraordinary, her softness almost impossible to resist.

Even Shen Guodong found himself nearly overwhelmed by desire, his self-control eroding.

She was a woman matured to perfection!

Every inch of her exuded irresistible allure.

There were only two kinds of people who could withstand such a woman’s charm: those who were not men, and those who were not human at all!

“Let go of me,” Zhou Meiniang struggled, mortified. “What is the meaning of this? Are you here to humiliate me, or to mock me?”

“You’ve misunderstood me,” Shen Guodong said, uncertain how to handle the situation.

On one side was morality and propriety.

On the other was his own reason.

“What have I misunderstood?” Zhou Meiniang’s emotions were raw. After all, as a woman, she had already made herself so vulnerable, yet Shen Guodong still kept her at arm’s length. How could she accept that?

She had come today intending to end her life!

It was Shen Guodong who had dragged her back from the brink.

But when she laid bare her heart, this man pushed her away with his own hands. There is a saying: If I had never seen the light, I could have endured the darkness.

If Shen Guodong had not given her hope, perhaps she would not have expected anything; she would not have had these thoughts!

But now?

When she finally mustered her courage, it was Shen Guodong who extinguished it himself.

“My point is, perhaps we should take things slowly. In times like these, a woman’s reputation can be gravely affected by such matters. I worry that if word were to get out, or if someone like Wang Weihua found out, he’d surely spread it everywhere—and that could be fatal for you,” Shen Guodong explained.

In the past, Zhou Meiniang’s reputation had not been the best.

But those were only rumors.

Everyone knew the truth.

If something truly happened between them, would Zhou Meiniang be able to face it calmly? That was uncertain.

“I don’t care about any of that. If you mind that I’m with Wang Weihua, I can divorce him. Before, I didn’t understand my own heart, but now I do! In this world, why should we care what others think? I want to live for myself and do what I like. Don’t worry—I would never trouble you,” Zhou Meiniang said, her eyes burning into Shen Guodong’s, seductive and filled with endless hope.

Shen Guodong was stunned.

He could hardly believe Zhou Meiniang was so resolute this time. More than that, her sincerity took him by surprise.

Faced with the confession of such a beautiful woman, how could Shen Guodong refuse and still call himself a man? His heart wavered, and his final defenses collapsed.

He drew Zhou Meiniang into his embrace.

Her soft, delicate body made him lose himself.

Zhou Meiniang shuddered as if jolted by electricity.

From his subtle movements, she could sense his intentions completely. Did this mean…?

She looked up, her alluring phoenix eyes shining with a new light—rebirth.

“Guodong,” she whispered, both yearning and hesitant.

Shen Guodong looked down and was struck by her breathtaking beauty. He decided to stop overthinking and pressed his lips to hers. In this era, such a gesture could only happen in private.

If anyone saw, they would surely say he brought shame upon his family.

After a long moment, Zhou Meiniang finally pushed Shen Guodong away.

She looked around, suddenly cautious.

Her cheeks were flushed, bashful and shy.

“What’s this? Only now do you think to feel embarrassed?” Shen Guodong teased, grinning.

Zhou Meiniang shot him a coquettish glance. “So you want something to happen with me right here in Zijin Mountain? If you really can, I certainly have no objections!”

Shen Guodong chuckled awkwardly and sat down on the ground. In the distance, the sun was setting. Zhou Meiniang leaned gently on his shoulder, feeling a sense of security for the first time—something she had never felt with Wang Weihua.

“When we get back, I’ll ask Wang Weihua for a divorce. From then on, I’ll be yours,” Zhou Meiniang declared.

Shen Guodong nodded, his tone firm. “Of course!”

Now that the decision was made, Shen Guodong would bear the consequences.

As a man, he never made decisions lightly.

But once made, he would protect what was his with everything he had.

Fortunately, Wang Weihua was a weak man by nature, and had never touched such a stunning woman as Zhou Meiniang—leaving the benefit to himself.

And with the gentle, wise Liu Yueru as well!

How many men could even dream of this?

“Meiniang, let’s head back,” Shen Guodong said, rising to his feet.

Zhou Meiniang stood too, then glanced at Shen Guodong’s profile. Suddenly, she stole a quick kiss on his cheek, like a mischievous cat, then swiftly turned away as if nothing had happened.

The scene made Shen Guodong want to laugh.

“You’re still calling me ‘Sister Zhou’?” Zhou Meiniang pouted. “Are you trying to remind me every moment that I’m older than you?”

Shen Guodong smiled awkwardly. “Not at all… I’m just used to it. It’s hard to change what you’re used to. From now on, in private, I’ll call you Meiniang.”

“That’s better,” Zhou Meiniang nodded, finally satisfied.

The two walked down the mountain together.

“By the way, Meiniang, do you remember the bet I made with Yuan Junfeng?” Shen Guodong suddenly recalled.

Zhou Meiniang thought for a moment. “Of course I do. If you win, you’ll buy his homestead for a thousand yuan. If you lose, you’ll give him the thousand directly and resign as director!”

“That’s right,” Shen Guodong said thoughtfully.

“I don’t quite understand. That land has been abandoned for so long, and it’s so cheap. What’s the use of buying it for a thousand yuan?”

This was something Zhou Meiniang couldn’t comprehend. That spot was far from the center of Fengcheng. Judging from the present, it was hard to imagine that land being valuable at all.