Chapter 136: Overbearing Paranoia

The bodyguards in front were somewhat startled, yet they dared not voice their thoughts.

Fu Yanyan toyed with the belt of the woman’s skirt, his tone probing as he began to ask, "Ah Hua, why did that boy want to talk to you earlier?"

"Oh, he’s a fan of my antique appraisal livestream, so he wanted to take a picture with me."

Fu Yanyan frowned in annoyance, then began to beat around the bush with strange, roundabout questions. "Assistant Li says I’m over thirty now, and compared to when I was younger, I look more mature."

Zhong Huayan pondered for a long time before she realized what this man was actually fishing for. "Is that so? When did Assistant Li get so bold? To me, my Yanyan only looks more distinguished."

The man pulled her into a tighter embrace, seemingly pleased by the sweet words. Yet, the seed of suspicion in his heart, once sown, grew wild and boundless. He was determined to get to the bottom of things, the cool and detached air he usually wore vanishing without a trace, replaced by a man consumed by obsession and intense, unyielding jealousy.

"Ah Hua, don't you think there is something strange about Xu Yaochuan, Xu Chuyin, Guan Yujing, and that boy who just transferred into your class, Fang Wenjin? What do you think of them?"

Zhong Huayan fell into deep thought, carefully dissecting the recent events. Upon closer reflection, she was able to offer a series of objective and formal assessments.

"Xu Yaochuan grew up in a chaotic environment, so he has the mannerisms of a thug, but he is quite loyal and holds a deep hatred for evil; he despises women who act cheap. Xu Chuyin grew up in a privileged environment; though he seems naive, he has a ruthless and calculating side—he is someone who worships the strong. Guan Yujing has a tendency toward self-harm and also a proclivity for hurting others; there is a deep sense of powerlessness within him. As for Fang Wenjin... he is a sensitive and delicate soul, quite pessimistic."

Although her summary was spot on, it only served to irritate Fu Yanyan. These wretches—all of them deserved to die! He clenched his fists in secret, yet forced a gentle, refined smile as he continued to probe. "Right, that sounds just like them. But, which one of them do you admire most?"

"As for admiration, I don't admire any of them. I simply feel that, from an artistic perspective, they are all unique templates in their own domain—direct distortions created by the heavens, possessing aesthetic value, but no practical utility."

"And what about me?"

Zhong Huayan listened to the man’s tireless, circuitous questioning without annoyance. A faint smile tugged at the corners of her lips. "What kind of bond do we have? Childhood sweethearts, two innocents who grew up together. How could those men ever compare to the unspoken understanding between us? So, Yanyan, from now on, I must be made aware of everything you do. Otherwise, if I find out behind my back, I will never trust you again."

The simple words left Fu Yanyan with a complex mix of emotions—joyful, yet struck with panic. It is precisely because he has gained her that he is so terrified of losing her. The more he touched his beloved, the less he could bear the thought of her slipping through his fingers like sand. He found the feeling terrifying, yet whether he chose to hide things or not, he could never truly find absolute peace of mind in this relationship.

It was not just the wolves and tigers surrounding Ah Hua that he had to worry about, but also the truths hidden in the depths—all of these were threats to his possession of her.

Back at the hotel, he embraced the woman who had just changed into a sky-blue dress. Although the dress was worth hundreds of thousands, it was not worthy of her.

"Ah Hua, I want you."

"Be gentle."

"I will try."

Fu Yanyan climbed over her waist. Under the setting sun, she lay on the soft bed like a holy goddess from a painting, bathed in dew. He gripped her thighs, his cold kisses obsessively claiming every inch of her skin with a fierce sense of territoriality. He hungered to devour the woman before him, his desire for conquest reaching its peak.

He began to undo his belt impatiently, his muscles tensing. His warm tongue traced the inside of her thigh, driving her to tremble and shiver, only then did he reveal a wicked, satisfied smile.

*Clatter!*

The sound of a document hitting the floor startled Fu Yanyan, his eyes surging with terrifying, stormy waves. He looked toward the door with a gaze as cold as the depths of a midnight river—a look reserved for the dead.

Hongshu had merely been following the plan to deliver documents from the Bureau of Cultural Relics to the Madam. Because the door was unlocked, she had accidentally witnessed the two of them preparing to engage in intimacy. She had been ready to turn and flee, but in her panic, the file had slipped from her hands.

As she scrambled to pick up the file and looked up, she met the gaze Fu Yanyan shot her way. That look terrified the young girl, making her legs shake so violently that she couldn't utter a word for the longest time.

In her eyes, Fu Yanyan had always been a model of excellence—a philanthropist who was polite, cultured, and meticulous in his conduct. Every move he made carried the air of noble, classical elegance. Yet, he always maintained a strong sense of boundaries, his inherent aloofness forged by wealth and status making him seem untouchable. But today, she truly saw his other side; a single glance from him was more vicious and sinister than any demon from hell.

"Hongshu? I asked her to come here. It’s fine, you can leave first. I’ll call you in later to discuss the documents."

The awkward and terrifying atmosphere was skillfully defused by Zhong Huayan, who lay on the bed with her hair in disarray. Fu Yanyan’s expression softened visibly.

Unable to speak, Hongshu bowed hurriedly, closed the door, and ran out. She could hear her own heart pounding. If the Madam hadn't spoken up, she wasn't sure what kind of horrific things Fu Yanyan might have said, given that look in his eyes.

Inside the room, Fu Yanyan’s mood had been disturbed by the interruption, but upon seeing the lazy, carefree woman on the bed, he quickly returned to his state of desire.

"If you go mad again today and hurt me, I’ll castrate you!"

Zhong Huayan pulled a delicate little knife from beneath the pillow, her eyes sharp, sexy, and alluring. She was like a prickly, clanging rose—her makeup was elegant, yet a sense of temptation and wildness emanated from her very bones.

His wickedness was profound, yet it was difficult to detect upon a first meeting. Her wildness was equally intense, yet equally hidden.

Fu Yanyan was instantly ignited by the desire for conquest and ecstasy, consumed by a raging fire. The two were locked in a whirlwind of passion. Watching the woman beneath him struggling fiercely, he used his belt to quickly bind her two slender hands behind her.

Drenched in sweat, he watched her flushed cheeks and her exhausted body. He did not slow down; on the contrary, he became even more intense. Within him surged an irresistible force of dominance and obsession. He had to make her remember forever: who was the one who loved her most.