CHAPTER 113: WHISPERS OF JEALOUSY

The night air was heavy with the faint scent of rain, and the Li estate seemed quieter than usual. Li Tian returned to his courtyard, his mind still replaying the earlier encounter with Xu Fang. Her taste lingered on his lips, her trembling voice still echoing in his ears. He had claimed her in ways she had resisted for years, and yet, there was no turning back for either of them now.

But as always, the world refused to let him bask in peace for long.

When he slid open the door to his courtyard, Zheng Wei was already there, waiting. She sat by the stone table under the lantern light, her posture calm and elegant, though her fingers tapped lightly against the teacup in her hand. Her violet robes shimmered faintly in the dim glow, the sight of her like a painting come to life.

Li Tian arched a brow, surprised but amused. "Wei’er, what brings you here at this hour?"

Her eyes lifted to him, sharp yet soft, filled with a complex mix of emotions. "Do I need a reason to see my fiancé?"

He chuckled, walking toward her with his usual unhurried confidence. "Of course not. But the way you’re staring at me tells me you’re not here for idle chatter."

She didn’t deny it. Instead, she poured a second cup of tea and slid it across the table for him. "You’ve been... different lately. Busy. Distracted. I hear whispers around the estate."

Li Tian took the cup, sipping slowly. "Whispers, you say? People love to talk when they don’t understand. You shouldn’t waste your thoughts on them."

Her lips curved into a smile, but it didn’t reach her eyes. "Oh? And should I ignore the whispers that my fiancé is spending more time with women he shouldn’t be?"

Li Tian froze for only a heartbeat before smirking. "So, that’s what this is about."

Zheng Wei leaned forward, her gaze piercing into his. "Tell me the truth, Tian. Is there someone else?"

For a moment, the air between them grew tense. But Li Tian had never been one to hide behind half-truths. He placed the teacup down and met her eyes directly.

"Yes."

The single word hung in the air, heavy and unshakable. Zheng Wei’s chest tightened, her grip on the teacup trembling ever so slightly. She had expected it, feared it even, but hearing it confirmed stung more than she’d anticipated.

Her voice, however, remained steady. "And yet you stand there so calmly, as though confessing this to me means nothing."

Li Tian moved closer, his aura pressing against her until she had to tilt her head up to keep his gaze. "It means everything, Wei’er. But I won’t lie to you. There will be others. That’s who I am. But understand this—I don’t take what’s mine for granted. When I say you are my woman, I mean it."

Her heart pounded wildly. Anger, jealousy, sadness—emotions swirled within her, but beneath it all was something else: the undeniable pull he had on her. The conviction in his words, the certainty in his gaze, made it impossible to doubt him.

"And what if I want all of you, Tian?" she asked softly, almost echoing Xu Fang’s earlier words. "Not just a share. Not just a place. What if I can’t accept being one among many?"

Li Tian reached down, brushing his fingers along her cheek with surprising tenderness. "Then I’ll make sure that even if I have many women by my side, you’ll feel like you’re the only one."

Zheng Wei’s breath caught, her carefully built defenses trembling. "You’re impossible..."

A faint smile tugged at his lips. "And you wouldn’t want me any other way."

The silence that followed was thick with unspoken tension. Slowly, almost reluctantly, Zheng Wei leaned into his touch. Her heart told her to resist, to demand more, but her body betrayed her, melting into his warmth.

Before either could say more, a cold chime echoed in Li Tian’s mind.

[System Notification: Quest Triggered — Hearts in Conflict][Objective: Resolve Zheng Wei’s jealousy and secure her trust. Reward: Dual Harmony Technique — a cultivation method designed for shared breakthroughs with a partner.]

Li Tian’s eyes gleamed at the new task. The system, as always, was one step ahead, weaving his path tighter with every bond he forged.

He pulled Zheng Wei gently into his arms, whispering against her ear. "You’ll understand in time. For now... just stay by my side."

And though jealousy still lingered in her heart, Zheng Wei allowed herself to rest against him, torn between love, doubt, and a dangerous curiosity about the man she had agreed to marry.