Chapter 701 - The Victim's Heart

Boom!

A clap of thunder woke Xiong Zhi up.

She was sweating.

She dreamed of that night. She dreamed of her past life.

It was as if she relived them once more. The memories played in her nightmare were still fresh in her mind.

Her grandfather's death, the terrible schemes of Xiong Wuyue and Xiong De, her constant suffering under the hands of that beast, as well as Linfeng's death....

Boom!

A streak of lightning flashed outside the window and illuminated Xiong Zhi's pale face, accompanied by a loud roaring thunder. 

She shakily held her head and supported her body on the bed. Her mind was still befuddled by sleep and nightmare.

It had been a long time since she last had these nightmares. 

Did the discovery of the Guan's tragedy arouse the slumbering memories?

Xiong Zhi had thought that time and Linfeng's presence had finally erased all her grievances from her past life. She thought that her heart had become indifferent to it.

It turns out not. These feelings were just buried by new memories deep inside of her and could still explode anytime if provoked.

Her anger, sorrows, and deep hatred.

Pat, pat, pat, pat…

The sound of the heavy rain hitting the window of her balcony made Xiong Zhi look at the window.

On the glass windows, a slender woman with snow white skin and long black hair cascading on her shoulders was faintly reflected.

The night was deep. The heavy rain and thunder roaring outside from time to time made this night very similar to that night in her past life. 

It was also like this when she died and came back.

Her befuddled eyes suddenly widened.

It was not all a dream or illusion, wasn't it?

Reuniting with Linfeng again, saving her grandfather and the Xiong Empire… All of it was not just a mere dream, right?

Xiong Zhi felt a sudden urgency and panic. Barefooted and clad in only her nightgown, she bolted outside of her room and ran all the way to the floor below hers.

Panting, she stood in front of Linfeng's door.

"Linfeng?" Xiong Zhi knocked on the door. Her voice carried a hint of plea.

Her Linfeng was still here, right?

The door opened immediately. 

The tall man was wearing a long sleeved white shirt and grey cotton pants. His hair was still messy from his sleep.

Linfeng looked like he was in the middle of a deep sleep, woke up suddenly, and came out in a hurry when he heard Xiong Zhi's voice.

"Zhi'er?" He worriedly reached out to touch Xiong Zhi's slender shoulders. His voice was hoarse from sleep.

"Linfeng!"

Xiong Zhi immediately flew forward and hugged the man. Feeling his sturdy arms and waist, she knew that everything was real. She did really come back and defeated Xiong Wuyue and Xiong De. Her grandfather was safe and so was the Xiong Empire. Gunan was in prison and he could never hurt her again.

A lot of things had changed already.

What happened in the past would never happen again!

Xiong Zhi did not know why she had a dream of the past, but she wanted to be with Linfeng to assure herself and be at ease.

"Zhi'er? What is the matter?"

Xiong Zhi did not answer, just hugged the man tightly, and pressed her body closer to his solid warmth.

Feeling the softness of his girlfriend's skin through the thin clothes, Linfeng's throat went dry. However, he was more concerned about Xiong Zhi.

Did she have a nightmare?

He picked her up and carried her into his room, which was warmer than the hallway.

"Let's come inside first. You are not wearing anything warm. You even came here barefooted. There is a storm outside, you must be careful or else you might catch a cold," Linfeng gently berated Xiong Zhi.

He deliberated whether to put Xiong Zhi on the couch or on his bed. He bit his lips and put Xiong Zhi on top of the bed. He took his blankets and covered Xiong Zhi.

"Wait here for a while." 

As he was about to stand up, Xiong Zhi held his arm. 

"Can you not leave?" 

Linfeng looked back and met a pair of dark eyes. The usually confident Xiong Zhi looked vulnerable tonight.

Linfeng patted her head. "I'm not going to leave. I have my own things here in the room. I'll heat some warm milk for you. I'll be quick."

Xiong Zhi finally let him go.

He was quick and came back soon. He gave a warm cup of milk with a few drops of honey to Xiong Zhi. 

Xiong Zhi accepted the milk and drank it. She had already calmed down after hugging Linfeng, but she did not reject Linfeng's care and enjoyed it.

"Do you want more?" Seeing the empty cup, Linfeng asked her.

Xiong Zhi shook her head. "I feel all warmed up now. Thanks, Linfeng."

Linfeng leaned closer and kissed her head. "There's no need to thank me. I'm glad you calmed down." He picked up the cup and put it on the bedside table.

Xiong Zhi smiled softly and watched her man. Her heart was warm and at ease with Linfeng around.

"Did you have a nightmare?" The man soon sat beside her and asked in a soft voice.

Xiong Zhi leaned her forehead on Linfeng's c.h.e.s.t. 

"Un. It's been a long time since my past memories are triggered like this. Earlier, I woke up the same way I woke up when I was sixteen. It was raining hard and there was thunder as well. Probably, because the environment is the same, my past memories resurfaced again."

Linfeng was silent. He knew that Xiong Zhi was not done yet. All he could do at this time was to listen to her and hug her. 

Following his thoughts, he enveloped the tender woman in his arms and hugged her to his c.h.e.s.t.

"I know I am doing better than I have ever been. I am not the same helpless woman I was before. I have you now. We already changed the cruel fate." Xiong Zhi lowered her eyes. "But perhaps, there is still a part of me that is not satisfied."

Linfeng's warm hands patted her back. However, his eyes flashed with killing intent. 

"Tomorrow is Gunan's trial. We have every evidence needed against him. He will be sentenced to prison for life. He will live in a prison worse than the one Xiong De is in. I have everything arranged."

His Xiong Zhi was still suffering from her 'past lifetime' of experiences in what he believed was a parallel world. Even though it looked like the time and the situation had changed, his beloved woman had already been wounded. 

She had a deep scar that she was carrying. 

Perhaps, when all those people who made her suffer were taken care of, then that would be the time when Xiong Zhi would start healing completely.

And he would stay with her all that time.

Xiong Zhi nodded. She said in a colder tone. "Yes. I won't rest until Gunan suffers worse than Xiong De did."

Linfeng hugged Xiong Zhi tightly. 

The rain was pouring outside.

This is how life is. The people who bullied the victims would go on with their lives, whether they ask for forgiveness or not. But the victims who suffered under their hands would forever carry those scars. No matter how much time passed, the damage had already been done, and it would always be a part of them.

Linfeng only hoped that he was enough to make Xiong Zhi forget all those and become her sanctuary. He was glad that he had not left her side or revoked his butler title. As long as he was with Xiong Zhi, he would be her temporary haven until she completely healed.

Their bodies were warm and emitted heat, comforting one another.

They were the only people in the room. The weather was cold. The bed was soft....

Linfeng's large warm hand on Xiong Zhi's back was still moving. His c.a.r.e.s.sing palm was suddenly hotter.

Xiong Zhi looked up at Linfeng, her eyes luminous under the dim night lamp. 

Linfeng was looking at her. His eyes were burning.

Xiong Zhi reached out her cold hands and hugged his neck. 

Linfeng leaned down and kissed her.