Hopefully...

The water fell like raindrops as the mist formed on the glass door. A woman's reflection could be seen under the pool of water.

The naked woman was standing under the curtain of shower rain.

Xiong Zhi stared blankly as the waterdrops hit her face. Unlike that day where the cold raindrops fell into her's and Linfeng's cold body, this drizzle brought warmth to her skin.

She was reminded again that she had changed her fate and Linfeng's. She had definitely changed many things and achieve happiness with Linfeng.

But what about the others?

If she did not push Ming Zhi Yi to the corner, would the situation be any better? Would this tragedy not happen?

Would Guan Xixin not be disfigured? Would Lu Yin Ze still have a grandfather?

No.

Her rational mind knew the answer to that.

Xiong Zhi closed her eyes.

She might not have lived past twenty-three. But at the time of her death, Guan Gao Huan had already conquered the Guan and Xiong family. Lu Jin was on the enemy's side and Ming Zhi Yi was the king both underground and above.

The four legendary families would only be recorded as once a hegemon of the past and cease to exist again.

Even if she did not push Ming Zhi Yi to the corner, this kind of tragedy with many deaths was still bound to happen.

Right, she did the right thing.



Xiong Zhi convinced herself.

In the past month, Xiong Zhi's mind and heart had been occupied by this guilt and self-blame. Even Linfeng told her to not blame herself, she could not help but thought about things she could do to prevent this.

A passerby who saw everything but could not step forward beforehand to stop the accident could still be blamed by the victims. Xiong Zhi was feeling exactly like this.

If she had become more cautious, more attentive, and restless, perhaps Head Master Lu won't die.

The great number of death was tolling her mind.

Thus...

Xiong Zhi looked down on her wrist. On her smooth and milky skin was a hideously long and deep scar.

The long wound started from her wrist to the middle of her arm. Even a month had passed, the wound had just started to scab. She had just taken the bandage off three days ago.

Xiong Zhi did not notice that her bathroom door suddenly opened. She was immersed in staring dazedly on her wound. She touched it lightly, like her every stroke on the character brought her deeper into that mansion which was filled with cries and the devil's crazy laughter.

A hand suddenly covered hers and stopped it from tracing the wound any further. The hand was big and warm. It faced her palm upwards and enclosed her hand to his.

Linfeng had arrived in the bathroom without Xiong Zhi realizing it. The man hugged her naked body behind. He was still wearing a suit. The shower drenched his hair and clothes.

"You are taking too long in the shower, I got worried," Linfeng said before she could ask.



Linfeng had been attentive to Xiong Zhi's state. Although his young miss acted strong, he was still worried about her. Thus, he never left her side.

Xiong Zhi let herself lean on the man's chest. They have been intimate oftentimes, so taking a shower together was not unusual for them. Besides, Xiong Zhi had no heart to be embarrassed. She only needs the man's warmth and loving care at this moment.

The man hugged her waist in return.

"I almost finished. You should change."

Linfeng put his wet head on her shoulder. "I want to take a shower with you, may I?"

Xiong Zhi haven't answered yet when the man started to take off his clothes. Linfeng stood there naked under the shower with her.

If it was another time, Linfeng would have embraced the beautiful woman in front of him. But right now, all his lover needs was his comfort.

So he genuinely took a shower with her while restraining his desires. He was about to wash Xiong Zhi's hair with a shampoo when the silent woman spoke.

"I already washed my hair."

Linfeng: "..."

He was about to take the soap when Xiong Zhi spoke again.

"I'm done with the soap too. You can use it for yourself."

Linfeng put down the soap and remained to hug Xiong Zhi instead. He took the arm that Xiong Zhi was touching earlier. He saw the ugly scars. There was heartache in his eyes which he hid deeply. The hot shower was raising mists as it enclosed the two naked bodies. The waterdrops fall on their skin, making their skin pinkish.



Linfeng's gentle touch went against the rhythm of the heavy pour of the water. His caress was light and tender. His fingers traced the corner of the wound's character as if he wished it would be put to him instead.

"Does it still hurt?"

"No. It doesn't hurt." Xiong Zhi closed her eyes, "Linfeng, what should I do more?"

Linfeng caress her gently, soothing her heavy heart. "You have done enough. You protected and helped them when they need it. You helped compensate the families of the dead even it if was not on you."

His hand halted at her wound on her arm. Linfeng's voice shook a bit. "So stop tormenting yourself. You don't have to keep this scar." Xiong Zhi looked at her arm. "...I have to. This is a remainder for me to not be careless again. This scar... I should keep it."

Linfeng was frustrated for Xiong Zhi. "There are nothing to be guarded against anymore. Ming Zhi Yi's only awaited fate is death. There's no enemy that could threaten us. It's now okay to relax. Leave the troubles to me!"

Xiong Zhi shook her head. "No. I don't deserve to be happy after failing them. Let me keep this punishment."

Linfeng was silent. He had convinced Xiong Zhi many times to get rid of this scar. With the help of medical science and technology, this scar could be erased in her body permanently. But Xiong Zhi wants to keep it this way.

But if his young miss keep this scar, not only she would be reminded of it, everyone who would look at her and saw that imperefection on her body would be reminded of the humiliation that his young miss suffered. People would look at her differently like she was some sullied crystal that was ruined by Ming Zhi Yi.



He doesn't want his beloved young miss to be look down upon. Or to let that hideous monster's mark be left in Xiong Zhi's arms.

However, the Xing Zhi right now want to punish herself. Linfeng could only shield her from any incoming troubles and be her wall to lean on.action

If she wants to keep this scar, then he would cover this for her.

Linfen kissed the scar on her arm. "You deserved to be happy. But if you think so that you don't deserve it, then let me accompany you. I won't be happy too."

Xiong Zhi's eyes shook. "Linfeng..."

"Let me be. For now, let's make up for those people."

Xiong Zhi's heart softened. She was glad she had Linfeng with her through good times and bad times.

"What are we going to do about Head Master Lu's funeral? His funeral procession should start now." Linfeng asked.

"We should wait for Lu Yin Ze to wake up. No matter what, only Lu Yin Ze could lead his grandfather's funeral rites." The mention of Lu Yin Ze made Xiong Zhi felt a heavy feeling in her heart.

"What should I do more to help him? Lu Yin Ze..." Xiong Zhi's voice was weak.

If it was another time, Linfeng would be jealous of Lu Yin Ze, but right now he hid that in his heart and let that man occupy his beloved's mind for a while.

"Don't worry about him. We give him enough support. Besides, Tang Yin is taking care of him."

"Tang Yin? I thought they hate each other."

Linfeng smiled, "I thought so too. But it looks like the two are actually friends."



Xiong Zhi looked down at their linked arms. "How about his brother?"

"I'll take care of him. He is doing well."

"The others?"

Xiong Zhi had asked Linfeng everyday about the condition of the other heirs and their whereabouts even she knows the answer to herself. Perhaps it was to hear affirmation from Linfeng.

"They are recupating well. They are very grateful for your help. They are not blaming you in the slightest. Because there is nothing to be blamed to you."

Linfeng had also told this answer every time. But he was still full of patience, like this was his first time answering her with the same words.

Xiong Zhi closed her eyes once more. "I am glad."

She was very grateful they were recovering well. Hopefully, all of them would heal well in both body and mind.