「Two hours later.」

Xi Luting was limp like a cooked shrimp. Her narrow eyes were half-open, seemingly staring at the ceiling but, in reality, completely unfocused. Her cracked lips parted and closed, murmuring to herself.

"Fine, I'll be the second wife, just don't touch me anymore..."

"Even the eighth is fine..."

"I was wrong, I'm sorry, please, I'm begging you..."

She collapsed onto the bed in a spread-eagle position, unresponsive no matter how Han Lie arranged her. He tugged at her once, and she said sorry. He tugged at her again, and another "I was wrong" followed.

Han Lie felt incredibly satisfied, as if all the grudges of his past life had been released. Yet, suddenly, he felt a twinge of regret.

Perhaps he had bullied her a bit too much...

He wrapped his arms around her and gently patted her snowy back, a tenderness blooming in his heart. Men tend to be easily moved by beauty and frailty. No matter how much resentment they hold, once revenge is exacted, the slate is wiped clean. With his grievances vented and his wicked tastes satisfied, what remained was a wise man, a saint, a true soul.

Wise Han Lie softly began to speak, engaging in his version of "sweet nothings."

"My second wife, you are too stubborn, too domineering. Unfortunately, I am domineering too. I once swore I would never let anyone control my life. I want to be the most formidable, the most powerful man, forging a bloody path upward, eliminating anyone who stands in my way, reaching the greatest heights possible... We were never meant to be together.

"It's not that I don't treat you well, but you don't need a tender, caring nice guy. Showing concern and treating you gently might feel novel at first, but over time, wouldn't it become suffocating? Fang Feifei is utterly obedient to you; do you care about her? Yet you still like Pan Ge, who's always playing mind games and provoking you!

"That's just your nature. No matter who you marry in the future, it won't last. You scorn the gentle, and you refuse to yield to the tough. Unless it's someone like me, who can completely dominate you, crushing any thought of resistance—only then will you be docile. Think about it, isn't that the case?

"So be good. Stop dreaming about being the main wife; you're not suited for it. If we can be friends, then let's be friends. We can even have a 'friendly match' now and then. I won't hold you back from finding a girlfriend, and you shouldn't care who I date.

"If that fails, I could even be your investor. If you're still not satisfied, then I'm at a loss. We can only go our separate ways. Anyway, I'm leaving next May—out of sight, out of mind. In the meantime, try to bear with it. If you really can't bear it, come find me. Eight hundred for a night will suffice..."

At first, Xi Luting was genuinely touched. She followed Han Lie's narrative, reflecting on his words, and felt profoundly shaken.

That bastard has really thought this through. He's right, though. It seems I'm really not a traditional, home-making sort of woman...

But as he continued, she grew increasingly confused. There were too many points to refute, too much to be angry about. She didn't even know where to begin her tirade, and her mind descended into chaos.

You really are shameless...

Xi Luting bit Han Lie's chest, hard, but didn't dare to use too much force.

She herself hadn't realized that she had already partially accepted Han Lie's proposals—not about being the second wife, but the idea that she was no longer eager to define her relationship with him. It was somewhat like resignation, but not entirely.

Anyway, at this moment, she was too lazy to think too deeply and lacked the energy for it; she actually felt quite comfortable nestled in the bastard's arms.

Master Ximen once said: No matter how strong-willed a woman is, after receiving utmost satisfaction, she becomes as gentle as water.

And so it was with Xi Luting.

After biting for a while, she asked lazily, "Who's the main wife then?"

"I haven't decided yet..." Han Lie frowned, looking troubled, then suddenly sought her advice earnestly, "Between Pan Ge and Chen Yanfei, who do you think is better?"

Xi Luting was dumbfounded by the question.

Should I even be part of this conversation?!

However, she truly lacked the energy to argue or get angry with Han Lie anymore. So, after a brief thought, she answered decisively, "Chen Yanfei!"

Han Lie didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "Why?"

"Pan Ge doesn't deserve it!" Xi Luting declared with conviction. "I just barely made it to number two. On what grounds should she be ahead of me?"

Her imposing manner, tsk tsk...

Han Lie deliberately teased her, "But Pan Ge's family is the richest!"

"Pfft! Ding Xiang's family is rich too, and Chen Yanfei seems to have more depth. How is either of them inferior to Pan Ge?"

Discussing such matters with Xi Luting was extremely refreshing for Han Lie. It was particularly interesting, so very intriguing.

So he became a little more serious. "Ding Xiang's family wealth is far less than Pan Ge's. You shouldn't judge just by what they wear and use. By my estimation, the Ding family's wealth isn't even one-tenth of the Pan Family's. As for Chen Yanfei... her father strikes me as someone who wields political power rather than a businessman. Her family definitely isn't short of money, but money isn't their main focus."

"Hmph!" Xi Luting lifted an eyelid in surprise. "You've actually met her parents?"

"Mmm-hmm."

"Even better. Just let her be the main wife then."

"Anyone is fine, as long as it's not Pan Ge?"

"Right!"

Good heavens, the bond between you two is so superficial! She really can't stand being outranked even by a little...

Han Lie deliberately teased her again, "Then when you're both serving me in bed, you hold her down for me. I'll authorize you to take whatever liberties you want, okay?"

Xi Luting rolled her eyes weakly, the most effort she could muster. "In your dreams!"

Han Lie immediately lifted his phone, pretending to take a photo of her. "I have to record this. If you dare to disobey, I'll show it to Pan Ge."

Unexpectedly, she didn't move at all, even glancing lazily at the lens.

"Go ahead and take it then. Keep it to admire when you have nothing else to do. Consider it a memento, since I won't let you touch me a second time anyway.

"But listen to me: if a third person ever sees it, I'll die right in front of you."

Han Lie smiled without a word…

"Damn it!" Finally, she couldn't maintain her composure. Her face flushed, and she burst out, "Are you an animal? Get lost!"

In reality, Han Lie hadn't taken any photos, but he had certainly scared her.

"No, I regret it! Delete it now!"

"I can delete it, but you have to pay a price, right?"

"What price could I possibly pay now?" She was a bit dazed.

Han Lie didn't respond directly…

She finally understood.

The light seemed to drain from her eyes, leaving her looking utterly bereft.

"You truly are a dog, an evil cur reincarnated ten times over..."

The bastard didn't argue, but leisurely countered, "So, I'll keep it for myself then?"

"No!"

She gritted her teeth, casting all caution to the wind.

If you can do that to me, then I can do the same to you. She felt a touch of shyness, but her boldness outweighed it.

HISS...

Suddenly, Han Lie gasped.

Next chapter will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.