Shadow and Light: The Bride Who Clicks Her Way to Love-Chapter 283 - 296: Confrontation by the Reef

Su Xingyu continues to cry in Lu Shifeng’s arms, completely unaware of Qin Mu’s words; all she knows is that she’s very, very afraid. Having survived the calamity, the overwhelming fear finally crashes down on her like a tidal wave. She buries her head in the arms of the man she loves, listening to his strong and steady heartbeat. His arms provide a small, sheltered haven for her.

No matter how great the storms outside are, she is no longer afraid.

Lu Shifeng remains silent.

Her tears soak his collar as her small body trembles like a leaf in the wind.

Should he trust her?

Over there, Qin Mu continues to plead, "Mr. Lu, even if you gave me the courage of a hundred men, I wouldn’t dare to touch your woman first—it was she who seduced me! It was her!"

And donning a pristine outfit, Zhuang Heng softly says to Lu Shifeng, "Shifeng, I really don’t think Qin Mu is solely to blame here. Flies won’t bother an egg without cracks. Su Xingyu only pretended she was forced when you discovered them; what if you hadn’t discovered them? Have you forgotten the messages on her phone?"

Lu Shifeng lowers his head and lifts Su Xingyu’s chin.

The girl in his arms cries, her eyes blurry with tears, looking at him with grievance and dependence.

He doesn’t know if she’s pretending, but if she is, she does it exceedingly well.

Feeling a surge of irritation, he patiently asks, "What’s going on?"

She cries again, choking, unable to speak. Isn’t it obvious? Someone tried to bully her; she almost got bullied!

Such an embarrassing matter, how is she supposed to say it?

As he watches her sobbing uncontrollably, his brow furrows.

Beside them, Zhuang Heng fans the flames, feigning comfort, "Xingyu, don’t just cry. Shifeng knows all about your affair with Qin Mu, confess everything honestly. Even if you pretend to cry now to buy time, it won’t last much longer. You’d better confess and maybe Shifeng will go easier on you?"

She keeps crying, her mind a chaotic mess.

But their persistent questioning gradually brings her consciousness back, and she hoarsely gathers all her strength to say, "I didn’t."

Then she can’t say anything more.

Zhuang Heng persists in questioning, "You say no, and it’s no? Then there’d be no offenders in this world. Xingyu, Qin Mu has admitted you seduced him, don’t feign innocence..."

"Zhuang Heng," this time, Lu Shifeng speaks up, "This has nothing to do with you."

"Shifeng, I’m just trying to help. You can’t let this woman deceive you!" Zhuang Heng protests, feeling aggrieved.

Lu Shifeng glances coldly at her, "If Xingyu says no, then it’s no."

"Shifeng, you have no evidence to believe her? Isn’t this letting her off easy?!" Zhuang Heng rushes.

Lu Shifeng: "Zhuang Heng, I’ll say it again—this is not your business. If you’re too idle, then leave."

Leave.

Zhuang Heng’s face changes drastically. Lu Shifeng, usually calm and composed, seldom uses harsh words, let alone towards her, Zhuang Heng—a distinguished lady—using crude language!

This doesn’t fit his principles or upbringing!

Unless, this time she’s truly angered him—really angered him!

So she falls silent, not daring to speak further, not wanting to end up disliked by Lu Shifeng while failing to defame Su Xingyu.

With the world quiet again, Lu Shifeng finally lowers his gaze and softly asks Su Xingyu, "Did Qin Mu hurt you?"

Having survived her ordeal, Su Xingyu’s mind ceases to think. She instinctively shakes her head, weakly telling him, "Shifeng, I’m so tired. My foot hurts, and my hand hurts too."

In the dim light, Lu Shifeng notices her injuries—her lacerated little hand clenched tightly to his white shirt, the bloodstains marring his shirt.

"I’ll take you home," he tells her tenderly.

Then, his sharp eyes coldly land on Qin Mu for the last time, ordering his entourage, "Send him to the Qin Family. Let them know to hope for the best after provoking me."

The grim tone nearly stops Qin Mu’s heart, "Mr. Lu, what are you planning Mr. Lu?! I beg you, spare our family, please! Please don’t go against us..."

But Lu Shifeng doesn’t heed his plea, carrying Su Xingyu horizontally, walking step by step over the uneven beach rocks towards the roadside.

The last rays of sunset have fallen, and the sky is ablaze with stars.

The sea breeze gently brushes against them, her soft sobs and the subtle fragrance of her hair making him a bit restless.

The path to the Bentley isn’t long or short—he walks unevenly, and her small hand clutches him tightly, as if grasping her whole world.

Finally, she cries until she’s exhausted, falling asleep in his arms.

Lu Shifeng places her in the Bentley’s backseat, looking at her tear-stained sleeping face, his heart a mixture of emotions.

He doesn’t know what to do with her. All along, he’d intended to take her home, question her thoroughly about why she lingered with Qin Mu, even punish her severely, using all cruel means to show her who is her master. However, when she cried out distressingly from behind the large rock with his name "Shifeng!", it’s as if she captured his entire heart and soul. In that instant, his only thought was to save her, she absolutely can’t come to harm!

Also, in that moment, a small voice deep inside him suggested she might be innocent.

The urgency in her voice resembled someone clinging desperately to the last lifeline.

He refuses to believe that the one who calls out in such a way would willingly betray him; if she chose to be with Qin Mu, then why would she cry for help?

Zhuang Heng said she was pretending...

This possibility isn’t entirely ruled out, but he, usually rational, refuses to believe it.

"Xingyu..." His long fingers gently stroke her small face, his voice a sigh.

She doesn’t sleep soundly. As soon as they’re home and he carries her into the bedroom, she wakes.

Under the soft bedroom light, he is lowering his head with a medicine box, clumsily but earnestly wrapping her hand in bandages.

"Shifeng..." She’s about to cry again.

Lu Shifeng glances up at her, "Does it hurt?"

She shakes her head with tears, not knowing what to say; she had just dreamed hazily that he turned away from the large rock, ignoring her frantic screams for him...

To open her eyes and see him now feels incredibly comforting.

Lu Shifeng continues bandaging her hand, "What’s really going on with you and Qin Mu? He asked you to meet him and you just went? Are you stupid."

Su Xingyu is stunned, Qin Mu asked her to meet?

"No, no." She says, "Shifeng, what are you talking about?"

Lu Shifeng’s hands pause in bandaging, as he stands and brings her phone to her.