Chapter 8 Power Struggle
Zuo Tianyang cautiously approached Luo Ningshuang's door, listening intently to the sound of running water from inside.
"Never mind, forget it," Zuo Tianyang muttered to himself, steeling his resolve as he pushed the door open slightly to sneak a peek into the bathroom.
What he saw took his breath away - a stunning figure bathing, so captivating that it left him speechless. If Zuo Tianyang's willpower had been weaker, he might have been tempted to barge in.
Chastising himself, Zuo Tianyang thought, "I'm being foolish. She's my wife, why sneak a peek when I could just walk in?"
As soon as he heard footsteps approaching, Zuo Tianyang hastily retreated from the room without looking back.
Meanwhile, Luo Ningshuang, slightly intoxicated from wine, blushed as she reminisced, "He always boasted about his martial arts skills, yet he couldn't even spy on me without getting caught. But he sure knows how to make a quick exit..."
After taking a cold shower at the public bathhouse, Zuo Tianyang returned to his room and sat on the bed, deep in concentration. Instead of lying down immediately, he focused on his breathing, inhaling and exhaling rhythmically as he practiced the ancient martial arts technique known as "Invincible".
Though puzzled by its peculiar name, Zuo Tianyang had reaped immense benefits from this practice, reaching the pinnacle of dark energy cultivation. His mastery of "Invincible" had played a crucial role in his rise to become the revered War Emperor in the Chinese military, instilling fear in adversaries worldwide.
In a society teeming with martial artists, progression was measured in distinct stages - Entry Master, Bright Energy, Dark Energy, Transformed Energy, each stage further subdivided into early, mid, and late phases. Achieving the peak of Transformed Energy was considered a monumental feat, with only a select few martial artists ever reaching this zenith.
As Zuo Tianyang delved into his training, he was interrupted by approaching footsteps. Opening his eyes, he feigned sleep as the door creaked open, revealing the familiar silhouette of Luo Ningshuang.
His heart racing, Zuo Tianyang watched as she entered the room and, to his surprise, nestled under the blanket beside him.
Feeling her trembling against him, Zuo Tianyang sensed her nervousness as she tentatively embraced him, her breath quickening. The proximity and intimacy stirred a fire within him, but he resisted, mindful of her inebriated state.
As their bodies intertwined, Zuo Tianyang struggled to distract himself, reciting nursery rhymes in a bid to quell his desires. Aware of Luo Ningshuang's vulnerability, he remained steadfast in his restraint, despite the palpable tension between them.
Sensing that Luo Ningshuang's body was getting warmer, Zuo Tianyang couldn't resist reaching out to hold her, asking, "Darling, what's the matter?"
Luo Ningshuang lifted her head gently, gazing at Zuo Tianyang in the dim light, her breath softly brushing against his chest, creating a sense of ambiguity.
"I... I just miss you..."
Hearing Luo Ningshuang's voice quiver slightly, Zuo Tianyang understood her feelings.
He tenderly ran his fingers through Luo Ningshuang's hair and whispered, "I'm sorry for not keeping in touch these past five years, I have neglected you."
Luo Ningshuang shook her head and embraced Zuo Tianyang tighter, saying, "I know you have your own responsibilities, I don't feel neglected. I am proud of you, I believe in the hero you are."
"Whether I am a hero or not, I cannot say, but I have not been a good husband," Zuo Tianyang kissed Luo Ningshuang's forehead gently.
Luo Ningshuang closed her eyes, a tear rolling down her cheek, "Tianyang, do you realize the impact you had on me today? If you hadn't shown up, we might never have crossed paths again. But you appeared like a savior, giving me hope. You will always be my hero."
Luo Ningshuang, who usually kept her emotions in check, spoke openly today.
Not wanting Luo Ningshuang to dwell on the past, Zuo Tianyang cupped her face and kissed her.
"Mmm~"
The sudden kiss made Luo Ningshuang tremble, and soon she responded to Zuo Tianyang's passionate kiss.
As they neared a pivotal moment, Zuo Tianyang sensed Luo Ningshuang's tension and realized she wasn't ready, so he stopped. He turned on the bedside lamp instead.
"Snap!" Zuo Tianyang lit a cigarette to calm his racing heart.
"W-what's... what's wrong?" Luo Ningshuang wrapped herself in the blanket, peeking out at Zuo Tianyang smoking.
"Silly girl, I think I rushed things. I want to save this moment for a more beautiful time," Zuo Tianyang smiled charmingly.
Luo Ningshuang understood his sentiment, her heart filled with emotion as she gazed at Zuo Tianyang.
With a strong physique, more scars than before, a chiseled face, and a cool demeanor while smoking, Zuo Tianyang exuded a masculine charm.
Seeing Luo Ningshuang staring at him, Zuo Tianyang chuckled, "Have you fallen for me?"
That smile captivated Luo Ningshuang. Initially, she had a negative impression of Zuo Tianyang due to his past, but after five years, she found him handsome and appealing.
Luo Ningshuang nodded, then shook her head.
Zuo Tianyang was puzzled, "What does that mean?"
"Based on your past, I see you as a playboy, so I won't fall for you," Luo Ningshuang stated.
Zuo Tianyang was taken aback, looking at Luo Ningshuang in disbelief. The ice queen CEO was quick to change her mind.
"Wife, in Sichuan opera, changing faces is a performance, real change of heart is up to you."
Seeing Zuo Tianyang's reaction, Luo Ningshuang waved him over, "Stop smoking, it's unpleasant. Come and cuddle me to sleep."
Zuo Tianyang put out the cigarette, gazing at Luo Ningshuang with longing. He couldn't do anything with such a beauty beside him, fearing he might suffocate if he lay down.
Impatiently, Luo Ningshuang urged, "Hurry up, I can't sleep without holding you!"
"This woman is deliberately trying to provoke me!" Zuo Tianyang thought to himself. No sooner had he laid down, Luo Ningshuang took the initiative to embrace him, snuggling up in Zuo Tianyang's arms.
Before long, Luo Ningshuang drifted off to sleep peacefully, but Zuo Tianyang remained wide awake, feeling the heat rising to his head!
The night seemed unusually long, Zuo Tianyang spent the entire night in a daze, unsure if he had actually slept or not. However, for a warrior, sleep was not crucial. Simply resting with eyes closed had the same effect!