These words had been held back by Zou Long for over ten years, perhaps even longer, possibly since he first met Shen Lan Ni, his affection had already taken root.
This audacious thought, embedded in his heart, did not diminish with the passage of time; instead, it grew ever more intense, like a burning flame, blazing brighter and brighter.
"Alright, Young Master Zou, you can discuss your private matters after I leave."
Zhang Liang pushed Shen Lan Ni away, kicked Shen Wan Jun aside, and with Shen Yun Shu, who stood there blankly, he left the door in just a few steps.
At this moment, the wind roared and lightning flashed. Dark clouds, like a giant vortex, continuously migrated towards the mainland. The palm leaves rustled fiercely like banners, bending with a curvature as taut as a drawn bowstring.
He raised a hand to shield his face and quickly slipped into the room further inside, a lewd smile plastered across his face.
Shen Lan Ni twisted the hand that Zou Long held tightly, her stubborn, proud pupils completely filled with terror.
This feeling made her momentarily recall the day her sister had met with misfortune. The wind was high and the waves were rough. Young and powerless, she could only watch her sister be swallowed by the surging waves. And today, she could only watch helplessly as her returned sister was taken away by that beast, Zhang Liang!
"Zou Long, liking someone is something you can't force, don't you understand that?"
"Yes, I don't understand!"
Zou Long tightened his grip on Shen Lan Ni's hand. "Lan Ni, what's so great about that accountant? Does he have money? Or power? So many people pursue you, yet you insist on choosing the most incompetent one? Why?"
"Let go of me…" Shen Lan Ni felt weak and limp all over. Forget struggling free; in a little while, even standing might become a problem. Yet, she still refused to give up. "Liking someone isn't just about how rich or influential they are, it's a feeling. Like magnets, everyone who isn't compatible will be pushed away. But that one, the only one, is enough to make someone cast aside all reserve and pride, to lean towards him. Do you understand?"
"Yes, you are that one. How much have I given up for you? What reserve, what pride, I'm willing to let it all go. I~"
Before Zou Long could finish speaking, Shen Lan Ni cut him off. "But I don't like you. Isn't that reason enough?"
"You will like me. As long as you have that pill, you will definitely like me. Everyone in Dong Lü City knows who I, Young Master Zou, am! I can give you fame and fortune, status. In what way am I inferior to following that accountant? Tell me!"
By the end of his speech, Zou Long's voice had a hint of a sob. His feelings were genuine, and his care for Shen Lan Ni's family was also true. Yet, Shen Lan Ni's single sentence had sent him to the eighteenth level of hell.
"That's right, you are very good, but I don't like you, nor can I accept your fame and fortune, your status. Is this reason enough?"
"No, it's because you haven't truly experienced the emotions between a man and a woman. I refuse to believe you would truly reject me."
Zou Long let out a guttural sound like a wild beast and pulled Shen Lan Ni into his embrace.
"Zou Long, I advise you not to do anything foolish. Do you really believe there are pills in this world that can erase my and my father's memories? Have you ever considered that, what if it's just poison? How will you deal with yourself then?"
Shen Lan Ni struggled desperately, but the more she struggled, the more excited Zou Long became. Her words, naturally, were selectively ignored.
"Beast~ Zou Long, I've always treated you well~" Shen Wan Jun tried several times, but his legs trembled uncontrollably.
"Treat me well? You old man, you only have eyes for my family's wealth. If you want to rise from ruin, you need to rely on my family's financial strength. Now, my affection is deeply rooted, and you bear a large portion of the responsibility!"
Zou Long became more and more excited as he spoke. Shen Lan Ni in his arms exuded an irresistible charm. He could have completely restrained this impulse, but Shen Lan Ni's words to Zhang Liang had dragged him into the abyss!
"Go ahead. Anyway, after taking the pill, they won't remember anything that happened today, and will instead be grateful to you for leading them away from the storm's hardship."
"You are good, it's just that I don't like you…"
These two sentences were like persistent maggots, continuously scratching at the softest, weakest part of Zou Long's heart, even driving him to do things he always wanted to do but dared not!
"Stop~"
"Why should I listen to you? Aren't you usually so proud?"
Zou Long increasingly enjoyed the feeling of such a proud body in his arms, especially the girlish scent emanating from her, which became more and more alluring.
"Zou Long, don't make one mistake after another. That Zhang Liang has been using you from the very beginning. I know him better than you do, believe me~" Shen Lan Ni felt a feverish heat spread through her body, but her limbs were as limp as a snake, only able to lean on the other's shoulder, her breath like orchid.
"Using me? We're just using each other. Save your energy and enjoy the fun that follows."
As he spoke, he carried Shen Lan Ni's limp body into the inner room!
"Beast, put down my daughter quickly…" Shen Wan Jun lay slumped against the wall like a dead dog. He wanted to intervene, but was powerless to do anything.
And at that moment, the somewhat rotten door suddenly burst open with a loud bang, as if something had slammed against the door panel!
"What is that brat Zhang Liang doing, ruining my good deed!"
Zou Long fastened his belt. As soon as he reached for the doorknob, he felt it loosen, and a tremendous force, along with the entire door, slammed towards him!
The sudden turn of events, coupled with such close proximity, gave Zou Long no time to react. He was hit squarely by the dismantled door panel, his nose bone felt as if it had broken, causing him to grimace in pain.
The wind surged into the room continuously. The unburned ashes formed a small black vortex. Zou Long adopted a fighting stance and, upon seeing what was before him, was instantly struck with terror!
"Ren, Ren Yuan Hao? How, how did you find this place!"
As he was speaking, Zhang Liang, holding a knife, suddenly appeared behind Ren Yuan Hao. Before Shen Wan Jun could even give a warning, Ren Yuan Hao, mimicking him, delivered a spinning kick that sent Zhang Liang flying three to five meters away, blood gushing from his mouth!
"Zhang Liang, I knew you had no good intentions." Ren Yuan Hao moved with the speed of the wind, stomping firmly on Zhang Liang's wrist and snatching the knife away.
In his haste, Ren Yuan Hao applied a bit too much force. How could Zhang Liang withstand such violent power? He felt as if his arm was bearing a thousand pounds of weight, causing cold sweat to bead on his forehead.
Seeing Zhang Liang subdued by Ren Yuan Hao in just one exchange, Zou Long knew he was no match for him. He could only seize Shen Lan Ni as a hostage and said tremblingly, "Bastard, you managed to find us even like this, you're quite something, but I don't believe you'd dare to risk Shen Lan Ni's life!"