Rebirth: After Becoming the Villainess-Chapter 20: Wenxin

However, Yan Wen shook his head, his gaze resolute. "A man’s word is his bond. Regardless of my future station, a promise made is a promise kept. I am willing to put it in writing today as proof!"

Outside, the Shadow Guard was confused. "What is the Second Miss trying to do?"

Zhou Cangyan’s cold eyes swept over the inner room. He turned and walked toward the outer chamber. "Have a physician check her pulse."

"Yes."

’What she did was none of his business. He had come here for only one reason.’

Inside the room, Yan Wen finally gritted his teeth and signed the contract with Song Lianhe. It was for life.

Song Lianhe had been quite reasonable, however. The contract stipulated that if he were to pass the examinations and become an official, all his time outside of official duties would be at her disposal, provided it did not interfere with his rest. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

Yan Wen agreed to every last clause.

’After all, the debt of saving his life was the greatest of all!’

Song Lianhe emerged from the room, beaming with delight as she carefully tucked the contract away.

As she passed through the corridor, her eyes immediately fell upon a man standing in the shadows.

The man’s handsome, deep-set features were coated in a frosty expression, and an overwhelmingly cold aura radiated from him. His light-colored eyes were slightly narrowed. Hearing her footsteps, he slowly raised his head to look at her.

An unbidden chill crept into Song Lianhe’s heart. ’Running into him time and time again is truly a bad omen.’

’He’s the villain of the whole book! Anyone who gets close to him dies!’

She forced a wide smile and bowed gracefully to him. "Thank you for your help just now, King Qing. Lianhe is deeply grateful."

Zhou Cangyan said nothing. Instead, he raised a hand, a Jade Pendant resting in his palm.

Song Lianhe froze, her hand flying to her chest instinctively.

’She remembered this was the Jade Pendant the original owner’s mother had left for her daughter.’

’Engraved on it was her personal name, Wenxin.’

"Wenxin..." the man’s voice was soft, almost languid.

Song Lianhe was stunned again. She stared at him blankly. Hearing her name from his lips felt strangely... indescribable.

’As the major villain of the book, the early-stage Zhou Cangyan had been a top-tier man. When it came to looks, he was an absolute knockout compared to the male protagonist, Zhou Junlin!’

’The way she saw it, his only drawback was that he wasn’t the protagonist and lacked the plot armor that came with it. That’s why the protagonist got all the good stuff, and the more successful he became, the more charismatic he seemed!’

Meeting the man’s icy gaze, she quickly reined in her thoughts, mentally scolding herself. ’Now is not the time to be swooning!’

She chuckled, her tone bright. "I was wondering where it had gone. So, it was picked up by you, Prince Qing. Thank you so much..."

She obediently held out her hands, but to her surprise, Zhou Cangyan closed his fist around the Jade Pendant again.

"You say this is yours?"

"Er, yes."

Song Lianhe looked at him, confused. ’If it isn’t mine, why would he show it to me?’

A strange, unsettling smile slowly spread across the man’s face. A cold glint flashed in his eyes as he took a step toward her. "Is this *really* yours?"

Song Lianhe rolled her eyes internally. ’Who would be dumb enough to try and swindle a Jade Pendant from *him*?’ Still, she answered patiently, "It was a gift from my mother."

Zhou Cangyan’s brow furrowed slightly. He pursed his lips and stared at her for a long moment before suddenly tossing the Jade Pendant to her. "If it’s so important, you should keep better track of it."

Song Lianhe fumbled to catch it. "Thank you, Prince Qing."

She treasured the pendant, immediately putting it back around her neck. As Zhou Cangyan watched, his gaze couldn’t help but turn scorching hot.

’It was as if what had landed between her soft breasts was not the jade, but his own hand, which had just been holding it...’

’He remembered that night vividly.’

’What frustrated him even more, and what he could never admit, was that he had dreamed of her for several nights in a row. He dreamed of the wooden cabin, and in his dreams, she was utterly bewitching, clinging to him and whispering seductive words...’

’Like a demoness sucking his life force, determined to drain him of every last drop of blood.’

His gaze turned frigid in an instant.

’He hated this feeling of losing control.’

Zhou Cangyan turned away, refusing to look at her any longer.

The change in his attitude was so abrupt that Song Lianhe was left a little baffled. ’Did I say the wrong thing and offend him again?’

’She mentally retraced her steps. That couldn’t be it. Her attitude toward him had been reverent and attentive; she’d practically put him on a pedestal!’

Just then, an attendant came over and called Song Lianhe away.

Zhou Cangyan’s gaze flickered. He remained standing in place, his thoughts unreadable.

"Check my pulse?"

Song Lianhe looked at the physician curiously. "I have a strong constitution. A little rain is nothing, and I’ve already had some ginger soup to ward off the chill."

’She was well aware of the original owner’s constitution; it was worlds better than the body she’d had in the modern era! The original owner’s parents were both Military Generals, so it was no surprise that this body’s physical fitness was excellent.’