Chapter 162: Be My Woman Only!

Lu Yao detected a hint of jealousy in Ye Zehong's question.

She chuckled softly and said, "It is entirely impossible for me to ever marry ALL. None of the patriarchs ever marry."

Ye Zehong frowned and asked in confusion, "Then how did Zhou Luoxi come into existence?"

"The clan selects the finest man and the finest woman, and has them share a room at a specific time. The male infant born from this union becomes the next patriarch. The patriarch is protected by the family, and aside from special occasions, it is nearly impossible for anyone to catch a glimpse of the future patriarch." Lu Yao felt as though she were recounting a fantasy tale; everything about the ancient family felt completely disconnected from reality. "Of course, there are those who attempt to assassinate the patriarch. Essentially, however, a patriarch never truly dies—for reasons I do not entirely understand myself. In any case, after being treated with the family's secret arts, they always manage to return from the gates of hell."

The gloom on Ye Zehong's face deepened with every word.

Lu Yao raised a hand to pinch his cheek and could not help laughing aloud.

"Oh, must you wear such a grave expression?"

"Had I known you would react this way, I wouldn't have told you at all."

Ye Zehong leaned over and captured her lips once more. This time, the gentleness was gone, replaced by a fierce and urgent passion that nearly left her breathless.

Once he had his fill of the kiss, he gazed down at her and said with deep earnestness, "I will find a way of my own to help you break away from that ancient family."

Lu Yao knew better than anyone that it was utterly impossible for her to ever leave the ancient family in this lifetime.

Yet, seeing such resolute determination in Ye Zehong's eyes warmed her heart immensely.

"Zehong, thank you. But please, do not involve yourself in the matters between me and the ancient family. I don't want to drag you down with me!"

"I am not afraid of being dragged down by you."

"But if you do this, you will die!"

"Compared to losing you, what is death?"

Lu Yao's heart instantly softened. Disregarding everything else, she threw her arms around his neck, sought out his lips, and kissed him in a wild, untamed manner.

Ye Zehong was momentarily startled, but he quickly seized the initiative and deepened the kiss.

The two embraced each other tightly, entirely consumed by the warmth of the kiss.

"Lu Yao..."

Ye Zehong murmured her name, his magnetic voice brimming with delight.

"Lu Yao..."

"Mm-hmm..."

Lu Yao opened her hazy, tear-bright eyes and looked up at him in a daze.

"Lu Yao..."

Ye Zehong held her fiercely, pressing her tightly against his chest to feel the warmth of her body. He lowered his head slightly, repeatedly and continuously whispering her name.

It was as if he were trying to prove to himself that the person in his arms had not slipped away from him.

"Lu Yao..."

"Yes?"

Lu Yao frowned slightly, a trace of confusion in her eyes as she asked, "Why do you keep calling my name?"

"Because... I was afraid that if I didn't say it a few more times, you would be gone."

Ye Zehong's fingers gently stroked her smooth, delicate cheek.

For the very first time, he bared the deepest vulnerabilities of his soul before her.

Lu Yao's gaze dimmed, her voice turning somewhat hoarse as a misty haze clouded her luminous eyes. "There is not much time left for me. No more than three months."

Three months?

A sharp pang stabbed at Ye Zehong's heart.

Three years of lingering intimacy had not been properly cherished.

And now, the time they had left together was reduced to a mere three months.

In that fleeting instant, he truly understood the meaning behind the saying that a single moment of a spring night is worth a thousand pieces of gold.

Without another word, he scooped Lu Yao up in his arms and strode straight toward the bedroom.

Instinctively wrapping her arms around his neck, Lu Yao cried out in surprise, "What are you trying to do?"

Scarcely had the words left her lips when she was gently tossed onto the bed.

His voice was hoarse yet restrained, brooking no argument as he declared, "Even if there are only three months left, you must remain solely my woman!"