Wealthy Love Snatch: The Shameless Ex-Wife

Chapter 27: Ablaze

Nan Shaojie hoped that his life wouldn't be a solitary one. Even if he remained emotionally distant, he wished for someone who truly understood him to stay by his side.

"Enough!" he interrupted impatiently.

The world of the Dragon Empire was neither black nor white. Once you stepped into its gray abyss, there was no way out. Surviving in such a world required extraordinary strength; otherwise, death was inevitable.

He had considered being honest with Xiaoluo and training her to become strong enough to stand beside him—becoming the most formidable woman in his life. But the gray zone they lived in wasn't something an ordinary person could easily endure.

Nan Shaojie feared Liang Xiaoluo couldn't adapt. Worse, he feared that before she could grow into the kind of person who could thrive alongside him, the enemies he had amassed over the years would target her, tearing her away from him forever.

He had power in his domain, but not enough to guarantee her safety in his world.

The Wound That Never Healed

Most troubling of all, Xiaoluo's mother had died at the hands of the Dragon Empire. This tragedy lingered in her heart, making it impossible for him to confess his true identity. He couldn't bear the thought of her knowing he was part of the very organization that had destroyed her family.

She would leave him, and he would never be able to endure that. Even if he had to stand in the shadows, relegated to being her "big brother" neighbor, he considered it a blessing to stay close to her.

"Master?" Bingya's voice jolted him out of his reverie. Standing in front of the mobile convenience store, Nan Shaojie realized he had been lost in thought.

Glancing at the array of beverages, he said lightly, "Take one of everything."

"Yes, sir."

A Quiet Observation

Returning to the lake with the purchased drinks, Nan Shaojie spotted Liang Xiaoluo sitting by the water's edge, staring at the lake with an air of quiet melancholy.

Her figure looked so lonely and fragile that a pang of guilt pierced his chest.

"Xiaoluo…" he called softly.

Startled, she turned, shielding her eyes from the sun. "Shaojie-gege, you're back…"

"Let's go boating," he suggested, his tone warm as he extended his hand to help her up. "It's been so long since we last rowed together. I remember it used to be your favorite."

His words made her heart ache. "You still remember…" she whispered, her voice trembling.

"Of course." His gentle gaze held hers as he brushed away a speck of dirt on her cheek. "I remember everything you like, Xiaoluo."

Her cheeks flushed as she lowered her head in embarrassment. A misstep nearly sent her tumbling into the water, but his arm shot out, pulling her close by the waist.

"Thank you…" she murmured, embarrassed, as she hurried to sit at the bow of the boat.

A Battle of Emotions

As Nan Shaojie sat across from her, Liang Xiaoluo felt her composure slipping. She laughed nervously, holding a drink he had brought. "You always buy so many drinks when we come here," she teased.

Opening the bottle, she took a sip and froze. The scent was unmistakable—an unmistakably familiar cologne-like aroma.

It reminded her of Ye Tianlin.

The thought sent shivers down her spine. She could feel the phantom weight of his body, his cold, merciless eyes, and the horrifying memories of his dominance.

Her hands trembled, and she clutched her chest as an ache began to swell, threatening to overwhelm her.

She wanted to forget. Desperately. But the memories clung to her like a shadow.

"Not good… It tastes awful," she muttered, forcing a smile to mask her turmoil. Her voice wavered.

Nan Shaojie leaned closer, concern etched on his face. "Xiaoluo, are you alright? You're shaking."

She shook her head weakly, trying to laugh it off. "I'm fine. It's just the drink. I don't like it…"

Nan Shaojie's eyes darkened. He knew better. He recalled seeing her step out of Ye Tianlin's car earlier.

Unspoken Pain

Nan Shaojie took the bottle from her hand and drank it in one swift motion. His low voice carried an edge of steel.

"Anything you dislike, I'll take care of."

His words carried an unspoken promise: he would eradicate anything that caused her pain.

But Xiaoluo's fury erupted. She snatched the bottle from his hand and hurled it into the lake.

"Nan Shaojie! You don't understand anything! You have no right to be so kind to me!" she shouted, tears streaming down her face.

"Do you think your kindness can fix everything? Do you even know how I feel about you? I'm already… filthy. I'm no longer worthy—"

Her voice broke, and before she could finish, Nan Shaojie pulled her into his arms. His lips descended on hers, silencing her cries with a fierce, desperate kiss.

A Moment of Weakness

His embrace was strong, his kiss searing. Liang Xiaoluo's mind went blank, her breath stolen by the intensity of the moment. She had dreamed of this—craved it—but now that it was happening, her body trembled uncontrollably.

Her senses were overwhelmed by his masculine scent, momentarily banishing the memories of Ye Tianlin.

She let herself be swept away, tears falling silently as her heart thudded against her ribcage.

But just as she surrendered, her mind betrayed her. The images of her humiliation flooded back, drowning her in despair.

"No!" she screamed, breaking the kiss and recoiling as though burned.

Shattered

Nan Shaojie was stunned by her outburst. He reached out, his voice trembling with regret. "I'm sorry… I thought you were…"

He hesitated.

"…Dreamya."

The name fell like a stone between them.

Dreamya—the fiancée he had chosen to push Liang Xiaoluo away, a woman he had no feelings for.

Liang Xiaoluo stared at him, her face ashen. The tears stopped as her gaze turned cold, unfamiliar.

Nan Shaojie opened his mouth to explain, but no words came.

Her heart shattered into pieces.