The spring sun carried a hint of early summer heat, warming the blue bricks beneath the corridor until they burned to the touch. Even the wind brushing through the flowers and leaves carried a lazy warmth.
Zhou Hu stood guard at the corner of the covered walkway, his back straight as a pine tree. His black fitted uniform accentuated his broad shoulders and narrow waist, making him look sturdy and powerful. His hands at his sides tightened slightly, and against his will, his mind replayed the scene from behind the rockery a few days ago—Su Liwan tilting her face up, her eyes red and wild, reaching out to tug at his clothes.
Every time he thought of it, the tips of his ears burned uncontrollably.
Though he was a rough man, he understood etiquette and honor, and knew well the line between master and servant. Su Liwan was the legitimate daughter of the Su family, the most renowned beauty in Qingxi. Stunning and graceful, she should have been distant and untouchable. Yet she had thrown all caution to the wind, approaching him almost obsessively, leaving him flustered and at a loss.
These days, he could barely focus on his duties. Her trembling, stubborn voice seemed to ring in his ears, and her gorgeous face flashed before his eyes again and again. Even when the servants whispered among themselves, mentioning the young lady and Guard Zhou, he would quickly look away, his heart racing—flustered, somewhat heated, and full of unspoken confusion.
He even vaguely felt that, despite her improper behavior, Su Liwan's fiery boldness had stirred something unfamiliar in this rough man who spent his days with blades and sticks.
Then a sharp, arrogant voice cut sharply through the quiet corridor.
"Zhou Hu."
Zhou Hu snapped back to his senses. Looking up, he saw Su Liwan in a rose-pink silk dress, standing not far away. All shyness and obsession had vanished from her face, replaced by cold arrogance. She looked down at him with obvious disdain and impatience.
In just one day, the young lady of the Su family had become a completely different person.
Zhou Hu quickly composed himself, stepped forward, and bowed. "Young Lady."
Su Liwan approached slowly, her gaze sweeping over him indifferently, as if examining an insignificant object. Her tone was lazy and cutting. "I wondered who was standing here spacing out. It's you. I stood over there for a long time, and you didn't even greet me. Do you have any respect for the rules between master and servant?"
Zhou Hu froze, hurriedly explaining. "This subordinate was merely distracted for a moment. I meant no disrespect. I hope you will forgive me."
"Distracted?" Su Liwan sneered, her voice suddenly rising. "As a guard of the manor, you lose focus during your duty. If something happens to the residence, can you bear the responsibility? I think you're simply arrogant, relying on your brute strength to look down on your master."
Her voice was sharp and stabbing, without a trace of the hidden affection she had shown him before.
Zhou Hu furrowed his brow, utterly confused.
How could the woman who had clung to him obsessively just days ago turn so mean and targeted so quickly?
"I would never dare," he said solemnly, still maintaining proper etiquette. "I was only distracted for a moment. I will be more careful in the future."
"Careful?" Su Liwan stepped closer, tilting her face up, her eyes icy. "A single 'careful' is enough? If everyone disregarded the rules like you, the Su residence would descend into chaos. Today, I will teach you your place—between superior and inferior, between duty and arrogance."
She turned to several maids not far behind her and ordered coldly. "Come here, all of you. Hold him here. From now on, he will kneel and reflect on his mistakes. He is not to rise without my permission."
The maids trembled in fear, exchanging hesitant glances. None dared to move.
Zhou Hu had always been honest and responsible, kind to the servants. Everyone in the manor respected him. None could bring themselves to trouble him.
Seeing their hesitation, Su Liwan's expression darkened further. "What? My orders no longer carry weight in this house?"
Zhou Hu quickly spoke up. "Young Lady, I have committed no serious crime. I was only distracted for a moment. There is no need for such harsh punishment. I must continue my guard duty; leaving my post could endanger the manor."
"Duty?" Su Liwan scoffed, full of contempt. "In my eyes, your petty duty means nothing. I order you to kneel, so you will kneel. Do not talk back. Zhou Hu, do not think that because I once glanced at you favorably, you are someone important. You are nothing but a poor guard living off brute strength. How dare you bargain with me?"
Her words were cruel and wounding, like icy knives stabbing straight into Zhou Hu's heart.
He abruptly lifted his head, staring at Su Liwan in disbelief.
Was this still the young lady who had blushed, thrown herself at him, and looked at him with burning eyes?
How, in just one day, had she turned into an unreasonable, sharp-tongued madwoman?
The faint stirrings of attraction he had felt vanished instantly, replaced by annoyance and resistance.
He even found Su Liwan strange and terrifying, repellent from the bottom of his heart.
"Young Lady…" His voice deepened, with a trace of suppressed anger. "I respect you as my master, but you should not insult me so."
"Insult you? So what?" Su Liwan lifted her chin, full of arrogance. "You are lowly by birth. Being insulted by me is your fortune. You will kneel whether you want to or not!"
Zhou Hu clenched his fists until his knuckles whitened.
Proud and unyielding, he hated being bullied. Su Liwan's unreasonable, dignity-trampling behavior filled him with revulsion. Yet he was only a guard of the Su residence; he could not truly disrespect his master.
Just as the atmosphere grew tense and he could barely hold back his anger, a cold yet gentle voice intervened at the perfect moment.
"Young Lady."
Yun Xiu walked over slowly, dressed in a plain maid's uniform. Her figure was upright, her looks cold and stunning. She usually kept her distance from everyone, polite but detached. Now she stepped forward, bowed slightly to Su Liwan, and spoke calmly. "Young Lady, please calm your anger. Guard Zhou has always been dutiful. He must truly have been distracted, not intentionally disrespectful. The manor needs guards right now. Keeping him kneeling here might delay important matters. I hope you will show mercy."
Su Liwan glanced at her, her tone softening slightly but still arrogant. "Yun Xiu, you are too soft-hearted. That is how these servants grow arrogant. I must teach him a lesson today."
"You are right to discipline him," Yun Xiu bowed her head, her tone still gentle. "But now is not the time. Why not let Guard Zhou return to his duty? If he makes another mistake, you may punish him then."
Su Liwan frowned, finally relenting. She shot Zhou Hu a cold glare. "Since Yun Xiu has pleaded for you, I will spare you for today. If you dare to be so disrespectful again, I will not forgive you."
With that, she spun around and left without looking back, her arrogant figure disappearing around the corridor.
As soon as she turned the corner, ensuring Zhou Hu could no longer see her, Su Liwan's domineering expression instantly crumbled.
She paused slightly, her fingers twisting the hem of her skirt nervously, her heart in chaos.
In truth, while she scolded and threatened him, she did not truly hate him.
Quite the opposite.
She simply wanted him to look at her, to remember her, even to fear her.
Once gentle, obedient, and sensible, he had only treated her like any other young lady, keeping his distance and even fleeing from her.
Her mother and Young Master Qin had both said that people bullied the weak and feared the strong. Only by being fierce, cruel, and sharp would others not look down on her—and would remember her deeply.
She believed them.
She snapped at him, insulted him, and put on a haughty air.
All in the name of love, she used the most extreme methods to force him to glance at her, to etch her into his mind.
She even secretly wondered:
The fiercer I am, the more he fears me—will that make him never forget me?
The more arrogant I act, the more he dare not ignore me—will he secretly care for me?
She had once been so kind that she would not even step on an ant. Now twisted love had turned her into a raving little madwoman.
Ferocious on the outside, she was secretly panicking on the inside.
Was he going to remember me now?
Would he… maybe even like me this way?
Scolding him one moment, love-struck the next,
she was wild, silly, mean, and cute all at once.
It seemed ridiculous and funny, yet chilling upon closer thought.
The maids breathed a collective sigh of relief once she was gone, shooting Zhou Hu apologetic looks before scurrying away.
"That was terrifying… luckily Yun Xiu stepped in."
"Guard Zhou is so unlucky…"
Zhou Hu stood where he was, exhaling heavily. Yet the frustration and annoyance lingered.
He could not understand why Su Liwan had changed so drastically, as if driven mad.
Once Su Liwan was gone, Yun Xiu turned to face Zhou Hu, her cold features softening almost imperceptibly.
"Guard Zhou, are you all right?"
Zhou Hu quickly regained his composure and bowed to her. "Thank you, Miss Yun Xiu, for speaking up for me just now. I am truly grateful."
Yun Xiu gently shook her head, her voice cold but warm. "It was nothing. The Young Lady is in a bad mood today. She did not mean to target you. Do not take it to heart."
Zhou Hu smiled bitterly. "You do not need to comfort me. I saw her attitude clearly. I just… never expected her to change so much."
Yun Xiu did not respond. Instead, her gaze swept over him, as if suddenly remembering something. She spoke softly. "By the way, I heard your mother has been seriously ill lately, and your family is struggling with expenses. Take this."
She pulled a small pouch of silver from her sleeve and held it out.
Zhou Hu froze, quickly waving his hands in refusal. "No, Miss Yun Xiu, I cannot accept this. Your monthly allowance is already small. How could I take your money?"
"Take it," Yun Xiu said flatly, yet with unshakable determination. "I am only doing what is convenient. Your mother is ill and needs money. Do not argue with me."
Zhou Hu's heart jolted violently.
His family was poor, his mother bedridden—something he had never told anyone, bearing the burden alone to avoid being mocked. Yet Yun Xiu knew, and had even saved her own money to help him.
Yun Xiu was usually cold and distant toward everyone, a stunning beauty admired from afar by many servants. He had always thought her cold, pure, and untouchable, never daring to harbor improper thoughts.
Yet now, she was being so thoughtful and kind, giving him money despite her own limited means.
A warm, indescribable feeling surged from deep within his chest.
"Miss Yun Xiu…" Zhou Hu's throat tightened, at a loss for words. "I appreciate your kindness, but I truly cannot take this. I always repay what I borrow, but your allowance—"
"I know you are honest and never owe anyone anything," Yun Xiu interrupted, pressing the silver into his hand. "Use this for emergencies. You can pay me back when you are able. Your mother's health is what matters right now. Do not overthink this."
Her hand was cool, her fingers slender. The moment they touched his palm, Zhou Hu stiffened slightly, his heart skipping a beat.
He looked at the stunningly beautiful woman before him, cold yet unusually gentle to him. That rare warmth was like a breeze, blowing away the frustration from Su Liwan's scolding, stirring ripples in his cold heart.
The servants all praised him for being loyal and responsible, and often whispered that Yun Xiu was kind and treated him differently. He had once thought it just gossip, but after today, he knew it was true.
Looking at Yun Xiu's cold yet gentle profile, a faint, unrecognized affection quietly grew in Zhou Hu's heart.
This affection was pure and clean, nothing like the wild stirrings he felt around Su Liwan. It was like a ray of light in the dark, making him feel calm and at peace.
"…Thank you, Miss." He squeezed the pouch tightly, his voice low and grateful. "I will remember this kindness. I will repay you double in the future."
Yun Xiu nodded slightly, saying nothing more. She only told him to "take good care of your mother" before turning and walking away, her figure upright and cold as ever.
Once she had walked a few steps and was sure Zhou Hu could no longer see her face, the carefully crafted warmth faded from her expression, leaving only her usual cold indifference.
A cold calculation flickered through her mind.
Zhou Hu was honest and grateful, with a poor family and a clear weakness. Men like him were easy to control. A small favor today would make him indebted to her. When the time came to manipulate him, it would be effortless.
He was nothing more than a chess piece. Raising him well now would prove useful later.
She continued walking, her figure quickly vanishing around the corner,
leaving only a gentle illusion that left Zhou Hu full of gratitude.
Zhou Hu stood there, staring at her retreating back for a long while.
On one side, Su Liwan was arrogant and cruel, a stranger who filled him with disgust.
On the other, Yun Xiu was cold yet gentle, filling him with warmth and affection.
In a single day, two breathtaking women had treated him in completely opposite ways.
He shook his head, trying to suppress his turmoil and return to his duty, but their faces kept flashing through his mind.
The day dragged on in such confusion.
When night fell and lamps lit up the manor, Zhou Hu returned to his simple quarters, exhausted.
The room was small and dim, with only a bed and a table. He collapsed onto the bed, Su Liwan's arrogant face flashing in his mind, full of frustration and confusion. He wanted to drive that wild, unreasonable image from his head.
But then Yun Xiu's gentle voice and kind face appeared clearly before him.
Her cold eyes, soft tone, cool fingers, and special care replayed again and again.
He was a young, strong man, alone for years. Faced with such a stunning woman who treated him so gently, he could not help but feel moved.
Exhaustion, pressure, and chaotic emotions overwhelmed him, and he quickly fell into a deep sleep.
The night was deep, the room silent.
In his dreams, there was no arrogant Su
She was no longer distant, but gentle-eyed, stepping closer to him softly, her voice warm and reassuring.
The images were blurry yet vivid, and thoughts that crossed the line between master and servant spread wildly in his sleep.
After some time, Zhou Hu jolted awake, drenched in cold sweat, breathing heavily.
The room was pitch black, with only faint moonlight spilling through the window, illuminating a small patch of floor.
He sat frozen on the bed, the dream still fresh in his mind. His face flushed bright red, then turned pale.
He… he had dreamed of Miss Yun Xiu?
And dreamed of such indecent, disrespectful, immoral things?
Miss Yun Xiu was cold, pure, kind, and had shown him great kindness. How could he have such filthy thoughts? How could he dream of disrespecting her?
He had always prided himself on being honest, upright, and polite. But that dream had exposed his darkest, most primitive desires completely.
He abruptly raised his hand and slapped himself hard.
The crisp sound echoed sharply in the silent room.
"Zhou Hu, how could you be so filthy, so shameless?" he muttered, full of pain and self-blame. "Miss Yun Xiu has shown you great kindness. Instead of repaying her, you dishonor her in your dreams. Are you even human?"
He buried his hands in his hair, curling up in agony.
By day, he was disgusted by Su Liwan's wild arrogance.
By night, he harbored filthy desires for the gentle, pure Yun Xiu.
He dared not dig deeper into his true thoughts—
that he might secretly crave Su Liwan's fiery beauty,
and yearn even more for Yun Xiu's cold gentleness.
That… deep down, he wanted both of these breathtaking women.
The very thought sent chills down his spine, filling him with terror.
He had always thought himself an honest man who followed the rules. But now he realized he was nothing but a hypocrite.
Pretending to be proper on the surface, while hiding indecent desires deep inside, torn between two women.
The wind howled outside the window, carrying a chill.
Zhou Hu sat in the dark, cold all over, drowning in shame and self-loathing.
He did not know when he had become so despicable.
He did not know how these two women, so different yet equally stunning, would drag him into an inescapable abyss.
He only knew that the upright, honest, guilt-free Zhou Hu had, on this absurd and eerie night, been torn open in a way that would never fully heal.
And this was only the beginning.