Chapter Forty: Slapped Her Own Husband

There’s a surprising amount of hair on that leg… That was Ouyang Junyan’s first thought upon seeing it. Instinctively, before the leg could strike him, he reacted swiftly, raising his hand to deflect the foreign man’s hairy limb. But to his surprise, another black-clad leg came flying at him from the side. Without turning his head, he pivoted and used his shoulder to knock it away.

Watching from below, Fang Zhiyin was astonished; she had no idea Ouyang Junyan possessed such skills. Perhaps, she realized, there was a great deal about him she didn’t know.

Meanwhile, Lin Zilong watched helplessly as the thugs he’d scoured the world to find were being bested by Ouyang Junyan, their heads spinning from the beating. The corners of Lin Zilong’s mouth curled in a mysterious smile. Indeed, still waters run deep—an old sword never loses its edge.

Not long after, several more men leapt at him from behind. Ouyang Junyan didn’t quite know what had come over him; it was as if a motor had been switched on inside. His movements grew sharper, his spirit undaunted by these so-called experts. On the contrary, he felt a long-dormant fire igniting in his heart.

With a fierce punch, Ouyang Junyan struck someone squarely in the nose, sending blood gushing out, staining his hands crimson. The next instant, another figure hurled himself at Ouyang, who responded with a brutal knee to the assailant’s midsection. The man’s features twisted in agony as he stumbled backward and crashed to the ground.

Lin Zilong couldn’t hold back his exclamation. “Ouyang Junyan! You’re as formidable as ever!” In that moment, the notorious gang leader seemed less a kingpin than an awestruck fanboy.

Fang Zhiyin could hardly believe her eyes. Yet the man before her was more dashing than ever.

At the same time, Ouyang Junyan felt the spirit of the fighter within him burning fiercely. He truly hadn’t realized he could fight like this, but since Lin Zilong wanted a show, he was determined to give it his all—especially with Fang Zhiyin watching, bolstering his confidence.

After a grueling battle that lasted over an hour, Ouyang Junyan was battered and bruised, but never once was he forced on the defensive. Though his clothes had been torn to shreds, exposing a body of sculpted, powerful muscle, he stood tall.

Fang Zhiyin blushed deeply at the sight of his physique.

“This guy… still so good… still so good…” Lin Zilong muttered on and on with the fervor of an obsessed fan, his eyes shining behind his spectacles.

Hearing Lin Zilong’s mumbling praise for her husband, Fang Zhiyin bristled. “I don’t know what history there is between you two! But if you think so highly of him, why force him to do what he’s already left behind?!”

Lin Zilong turned, glaring fiercely. “What’s it to you?”

“I’m his wife; he’s my husband. Everything about him concerns me,” Fang Zhiyin declared, shielding Ouyang Junyan.

Lin Zilong only curved his lips into a silent smile.

She pressed on, “I can feel he doesn’t want to fight anymore, but you’re forcing him! I think you’ve gone too far!”

Lin Zilong was momentarily stunned, not even angry. “You love him so much, but does he love you?”

That man! Trying to sow discord again? Ouyang Junyan, standing nearby, heard Lin Zilong’s question.

“Whether he loves me or not is irrelevant! I’m his wife; as long as we’re married, I’ll always be his. I’m just expressing my feelings!” she retorted.

Ouyang Junyan was left in shocked silence.

At that moment, Lin Zilong looked again toward the battered man still in the ring, his face and body covered in wounds, the bruise on his lip particularly stark.

“That’s enough! Stop!” Lin Zilong suddenly shouted.

Ouyang Junyan, unable to pull back in time, landed a punch squarely on the man in front of him, sending him reeling and crashing to the ground.

He stared at Lin Zilong in confusion, blood at the corner of his mouth, panting. “What did you say?”

“Your match with them is over. You don’t need to fight anymore,” Lin Zilong said, pausing before adding, “You have a day to rest. Tomorrow, same time, we meet here again.”

What?!

Fang Zhiyin was stunned. “Why does he have to fight again?”

“I want another match with him,” Lin Zilong replied coldly.

“Tomorrow?” Ouyang Junyan asked.

“Yes, another round tomorrow. Just the two of us.” Lin Zilong raised his brows.

…Speechless! Another day here?

He’d be mad to stay.

“No!” Ouyang Junyan shouted. “If you want to fight, let’s do it now! One on one—do you dare?” He glared at Lin Zilong with fury.

Lin Zilong eyed his injuries. “If we fight now, people will say I’m bullying you.”

“I must leave with my wife today,” Ouyang Junyan insisted. “Come on! I’m not afraid of you!”

Fang Zhiyin had never seen this side of Ouyang Junyan in his thirty-five years; usually so domineering, so cold to his employees, and yet, in a moment of crisis, he radiated an undeniable masculine charm.

“We could just leave tomorrow,” Fang Zhiyin whispered.

“No!” Ouyang Junyan stood firm.

“Fine! Half an hour’s rest!” Lin Zilong, unable to contain his eagerness, agreed. “Meet at the ring again in thirty minutes.”

…

Fang Zhiyin didn’t understand what half an hour would change. Seeing Ouyang Junyan covered in wounds, she was on the verge of tears but forced herself to hold back.

“If you want to cry, just cry,” Ouyang Junyan said, gasping for breath from exhaustion.

“Why are you pushing yourself so hard?” Fang Zhiyin asked, dazed.

“I just want to get you home as soon as possible.” He paused, then added, “That Lin Zilong probably won’t harm you, I think…”

“You… He seems refined, but anyone who can control so many people must be formidable. You’re so badly hurt—you should be in a hospital right now!”

She rambled on.

Watching her mouth open and close as she babbled, Ouyang Junyan felt a strange annoyance, but also, inexplicably, found her endearing.

And so—

He didn’t quite know what got into him…

On a sudden impulse, he pressed his lips to hers, silencing her with a kiss.

Mmm! Mmm!

Fang Zhiyin never expected him to kiss her. Her mind went blank from lack of air, her eyes bulging in shock, and for a moment she forgot he was her husband.

A second later, she slapped him hard across the face, snapping Ouyang Junyan back to his senses.

Fang Zhiyin, afraid he would retaliate, quickly apologized. “Sorry, it was an accident…”

“Zhiyin?” Ouyang Junyan asked uncertainly. He glanced around, his eyes widening. “Where is this place?”

Then he saw the man who should have vanished from his world walking toward him.

“Lin Zilong?” Ouyang Junyan murmured.

Fang Zhiyin heard him clearly and exclaimed in delight, “Husband! You’re back?!” It was truly him, restored to himself!