Chapter 8 Chapter VII

Jieting sat on the stone bench by the fountain in the garden, and the sound of hurried footsteps attracted his attention. He had never seen this girl before, a pretty pretty Irish girl with freckles on her face, curly brown hair, wearing a rough shirt, a white apron around her waist, and some threads sticking to the cuffs, obviously The tailor who brought Shiri clothes. Jatin squinted to see her go by, her eyes were weird, big and round, pale, and then, to Jatin's surprise, tears rolled down her plump cheeks. God!He hates facing crying women the most!Why did she cry when she saw him, as if he was—

"Philip." She softly called, sat down next to Jetting, then raised her little hand, which often did rough work, and gently touched his lids. "Oh, Phillips, honey, when I heard you weren't dead..." Before Jie Ting had a chance to speak, she had already kissed his lips and started a kind of exploratory sweet kiss. After being shocked, Jie Ting tried to figure out the situation. It seemed that this girl was Fei Li's lover, but Fei Li was not the kind of young master who would mess around with his daughter, and he preferred thin women. The girl is not very interested.

While he speculated about the relationship the girl had developed with Philip, he found himself so unmoved.Usually, when such a sexy woman throws herself into his arms, it will definitely arouse his sexual desire.However, even though her lips were so tender, moist and sweet, he couldn't be satisfied, as if he was very hungry, but he only offered a cup of thin tea.It's not about the girls, it's about him, he just wants a woman. "Oh dear," she murmured passionately, feeling his bandages through her shirt, "when they say you're dead, I'm half dead with you, and I know I can't give you that right now." What, your wife is a good woman, I will not take her husband, but I still love you, Philip, and I will love you forever, I just want a moment, a kiss, so deep in my heart You will always be mine, and I will never be with another man. I am willing to wait for you, even if you don't want me anymore, if you want me, I am willing to give anything. I know the love of others Husband is an immoral thing, but I don't care, dig out my heart, and I can't deny this feeling."

She kissed Jeting deeply again, but this time she felt strange, and she pulled her face away. "Philip? What's going on?" His face was full of tears and turned blank. She touched Jieting's lips, jaw, and cheek with her trembling fingers, and then pulled her hand away. "You're not Philip," she said breathlessly, shaking.Jie Tingba held her shoulders tightly to stabilize her, "You are his brother Jie Ting." Jie Ting remained silent, he knew that it was useless to deny, she would not believe that he was Fei Li. She managed to make a sound, "Philip often mentions you."

"Really?" Jie Ting was quite shocked. He thought that Fei Li would not mention him to anyone, even Shi Li, who was already married. The girl's shoulders were trembling under his strong hands. "Where's Philip?" she asked at the top of her voice, "He...he's dead, isn't he?" Justin nodded slightly. She let out a mournful groan, and bit her lip. "What's your name?" Jason asked abruptly. "Bini, Du Bini." "Miss Du," he read, "will you keep a secret for me?" "You...why are you pretending to be him."

"Someone wants to kill me, the same people who killed Fei Li, I can't force you, I can only believe that you want to do me this favor for Fei Li's sake, I believe Fei Li will also ask you to help me .” Bi Ni nodded slowly, "I will help you." "Thank you." Jetin said. "Philly loves you," she said softly. "He's worried about your safety every day. I'll keep it a secret for you, Mr. Fei—if you can keep it a secret for me." "Of course." He let go of Bi Ni. Benny continued to sit, her shoulders slumped. Jie Ting sympathizes with her. It seems that she is young, and the pain she endured is not inferior to that of Xi Li, and it may be deeper. In fact, there is no need to ask. He can also see that Fei Li and Bi Ni used to be a pair of lovers, and Fei Li It is the whole focus of her life.

"I lost him when he went to France to marry Wesley back," Benny admitted, her voice hollow. "I know he loves me, and I can bring him happiness, but I'm not good enough for him. A typical wife must be delicate and tender, and she can compose poems with him... I don’t have any demands on him, and he also knows that one day he will leave me. I gave him all of myself, but I never dared to expect to have him For the rest of my life, after all, it is impossible for a Fei family member to have a relationship with a commoner woman from Ireland." He shook his head and forced a sad smile, "Delusion!"

"Philip is an idiot," Jeting said gently, "I think you'd be his best choice." Justin really hoped his brother would have something to do with this straight girl, a girl who loved him with all her heart regardless of worldly eyesight, Shirley might love Philly too, but it would never be so challenging. "Poor Mrs. Fei." Bi Ni said, seeming to follow Ting Ting's train of thought. "Don't worry about her, she's a strong woman." Jie Ting said, beckoning her to go into the house, "You'd better leave before someone sees you," he paused, "You won't tell anyone My real identity?"

"No," she said, "I would never betray Philip's brother." She straightened up, wiping tears on her sleeve as she walked. Jieting watched her go away thoughtfully. It turned out that Feili was on two boats. Maybe he was suffering from hesitation, but he couldn't stand the temptation after all. He set aside his moral conscience and took possession of a pure girl. Brother, look We have more in common than I thought, he thought to himself. He felt something strange behind him, turned his head suddenly, and suddenly found Xi Li standing nearby, staring at him fiercely, even though the sky was dark, he could see Xi Li's face was flushed.

"Eavesdropping?" he asked. "How much did you hear?" "I didn't hear anything, I just saw her kissing you," Shirley pressed her anger, "I saw her hands groping on you, and the way you were sitting there—you slut thief!" He pointed to the crutch, "I can't jump up and run away!" "Don't make these ridiculous excuses! Who's going to believe you're Phillips when you're messing around like this? Phillips would never mess with a little girl—how dare you make a face at me!" "Wow! Wow! Why are you so fierce tonight!" He said, "It seems... jealous?"

Xi Li tried her best to calm herself down, and finally she was able to tell him in a cold tone, "Anyway, I never doubted your Yelang's arrogance!" Seeing her jealousy made Jie Ting feel happy, "You don't like her kissing me, admit it." "I admit to being quite surprised that you openly seduced her, but we are doing everything possible to cover up your identity and make everyone believe that you are Philip." "And Philip would never flirt or get involved with a poor little Irish tailor." "Of course, his little finger alone has a sense of honor and a moral conscience—" "He's got a sense of honor," Jeting admitted, "and a moral conscience, but he's also had an affair with that girl." Shi Li was shocked, "What?" Although this is a serious matter, Jieting felt a burst of joy, "They have a relationship, I don't know when it started, but until the day he went to France to marry you, they still maintained an abnormal relationship, I didn't seduce her, she threw herself into my arms and kissed me as Philip!" "I don't want to hear you lying! You're so vile and vile—" "I also overestimated Fei Li." Jie Ting said, "It seems that he is not a saint, he is just like ordinary people when he is full of blood!" Shi Li wanted to stretch out her hand to strangle him, "You are wrong, think about it, could Philip do such a thing and hide it from Lace and Max?" "That's why I'm so puzzled," said Jie Ting, with a more serious face, "so we're going to ask Lace for confirmation." "I'm not going anywhere with you!" "Forget it!" He deliberately said nonchalantly, "If you are afraid of facing the truth..." He shrugged and propped up his body with crutches, "But I want to get to the bottom of it." Shi Li looked at Lais blankly, "Philip?" "He and Beanie tried to ignore each other at first, but after a long period of repression, their feelings exploded...and then..." Lace cleared her throat. "But I'm waiting for him." Xi Li murmured, unable to imagine that Feili would love another woman. He had shown his love to her, and the long love letter was full of his feelings for her. At this moment, she felt traumatized. "I thought I was his only one!" Lace looked at Xi Li with pity, "Honey, he still married you. He spent a long time choosing between you, and finally he decided that you are the wife he really wants." Shi Li didn't feel comforted by this, "But if he loves Miss Du, why doesn't he marry her?" "Because he loves you too, my dear, and he understands that you are more suitable to be his wife, you are well educated, you have a good French family background, a doctor's daughter—" "I'm the safer bet," Shirley interrupted, her confusion turning to rage. Jetin interjected, "What's wrong with you? He chose you, didn't he? You got a husband, and that's all that matters." "No! If Miss Du's background is the same as mine, I must be his second choice." He frowned impatiently, "That's not necessarily it!" He turned to Lai Si, "How many people know about the relationship between them...?" "Only our own family, Phillips asked Max to discuss it, and Max told him—" "You mean, he married me because of his father's suggestion?" Celie raised her voice, "How long did it take him to make a decision? How long did he hesitate before coming to France to marry me? I waited hard for three years, and it turned out it wasn't When the war is over, he is thinking about which woman to marry!?" Lace turned to Jieting for help, Jieting nodded, glanced at the door, and motioned her to leave, "Thank you for solving the mystery for us." "Do you think Beanie will tell what she knows?" Rhys asked. "Won't." "I hope she keeps it to herself." Rhys sighed, and exited the living room with a sigh of relief. Shirley and Jetin are alone again. "Why are you so angry?" Jie Ting said. Xi Li jumped up, walked towards the window, folded her arms in front of her chest, "You know it well, you are proud now, you can gloat about your misfortune—" "I'm not gloating, come, sit down." "I don't—" "Come here!" He emphasized, "Sit down!" He almost thought that Xi Li would refuse, but she was taken aback for a moment, but she came over and kept a distance of one or two feet from him. "What are you trying to say?" she asked sullenly. "Philip loves you, at least he married you. In fact, he couldn't choose. It shouldn't hurt your self-esteem. On the contrary, you should be proud. The person he chose in the end was you." "I thought his love for me was complete, without a third party, without another choice, he should want me without question." Suddenly, finding herself speaking so demandingly and selfishly, she hung her head and let her hands wring in her lap. "Since my mother passed away, nothing has been completely mine," she murmured. "My father devoted himself to practicing medicine, and I took care of the family and the housework. Then my sisters began to have boys. I was never ignored, until one day, I found that youth was no longer—” Justin couldn't help laughing. Xi Li became furious, "How dare you laugh at me, I should have told you if I knew—" He put his hands on the back of her head, forcing her to look directly at him, "You are in your youth," he raised her small face, and spoke softly, "In some respects, you are still a little girl." Xi Li decided that he was teasing her, but his approach and the heat from his palm made her feel weak, and it was hard for her to say, "Don't laugh at me!" "Any man will want to pursue you, if you are not so cold, but what you want is special." He played with Xi Li's hair with his fingers, "Philip almost catered to your needs, didn't he? But He didn't see through the depths of your heart, which is the secret you hide from everyone, but I can see it clearly. Little beauty, I know what you want from Fei Li, but you can never monopolize him. Fei Li is as passionate about his work as your father. He is not the kind of wife who wants him to stay at home and ignore the needs of patients. You must know how to share with others, and you must even share yours with others very generously Husband, you won't be able to stand it, but you won't let him know how you feel, Philip married you because you would be the perfect example of a wife in his business...but the truth is, you hate that he has to leave you every moment." Xi Li lowered her head in shame, feeling that she was naked in front of Jie Ting. She wanted to be brave and scold him for talking nonsense.But she knew it was useless, how did he figure out such a secret feeling?She acted so clearly?Or is Jeting particularly keen on observation? "It's terrible for you to accuse me like this," she murmured, "I wasn't so possessive and selfish..." "It's not scary, some men still long to be loved like this." "That girl loved Phillip selflessly," she said, and Jatin's hand fell from her hair. "Yes, as long as Philip gives her anything, she will be full of joy." "What did she say to you when she took you for Philip?" "That's between her and Fei Li." Jie Ting replied indifferently. On the night when she discovered Fei Li's affair, countless questions appeared in her mind, so she couldn't sleep well, and the nightmare that haunted her from time to time captured her so vividly again.Fei Li was still alive and reached out to her, but she could only watch him sinking into the bottom of the sea, completely helpless, while Li Minni behind him grabbed her neck with both hands, making her unable to scream, no one If she is saved, there is no chance of escape... Xi Li woke up and found that the sheets were wrapped around her body, and the room was quiet. She wiped away the tears from her face, took several deep breaths, and kept telling herself that Fei Li was dead, and Li Minni could not threaten her. She was so frightened. That's ridiculous! She really didn't understand why these images were tortured to death?She let her beating heart slow down, then lay back on the bed, but couldn't help chattering her teeth. She couldn't help but just remembered how Jetin coaxed her the first time she had that nightmare, how he was so big, how he comforted her... No, she told herself, she couldn't think about it, but the memory——came into her mind. She thought about how Jetin had soothed her and then possessed her body with a ferocious passion, as if she was born purely to please him... "My God!" she murmured softly, burying her face in the pillow, trying to get herself back to sleep. One day she let herself stay in the studio and started painting with all her heart, but she couldn't regain the peace of mind in the past anyway, until in the afternoon, she decided to take a walk in the garden, but she ran into Jie Ting who was practicing leg strength. "I'm wondering how long you have to hide before you show your face!" he said, looking at the rather tight floor-length gown.Although it is a high collar, it completely highlights her perfect measurements. "Hiding?" Xi Li asked coldly, deliberately ignoring his bold look, "I didn't hide!" "Then why are you eating breakfast and lunch in that studio?" "Because I want a quiet place." "You're hiding from me." "I was avoiding you. I found it so boring to be with you. Maybe you didn't expect it, but I don't think you can accept the fact." He slowly showed a smiling face, "Not exactly." "I think you thought you were leaving, and I would throw myself into your arms, save you and take me away?" "I didn't think about it this way. You will stay here as the escort of Laisi's two girls until your hair turns gray. You will be a local moral model. No one will believe that you have ever been young. In another ten years , the adventure journey you and I experienced will become an eternal memory, you will be content and calm, and will be respected and admired by everyone." "It doesn't sound like such a fateful arrangement is terrible." "It's scary for you." "Oh, is it? How do you think I should live a better life?" "I mentioned it to you once." He offered her to be his mistress and took her on a tour of the world, thinking that giving her mansions, jewelry, and beautiful clothes would make her happy. He didn't think she was an expensive prostitute. "You're insulting people!" "You're the only woman who makes me want to do that arrangement!" "You want to bring it up again?" she snorted. "In my impression, I never took it back." "You're absolutely insane to think I'd consider—" "You'll think about it," he said, and the playfulness in his eyes faded to something darker. "I'll make sure of that before I leave for good." When Jieting stepped towards her, Shili froze. "No!" she could only say, but Jie Ting's hands grabbed her waist. "Little idiot, you understand that there is no one else who can understand between us. That's what you and Philip don't have." She slapped Jatin hard enough to break free from his restraints, feeling pain in her palms, and then she saw the red marks on Jatin's face.She didn't expect that she would make such a move, and she was quite panicked that Jie Ting could make her forget herself so easily.They looked at each other for a long time, and finally Jieting calmed down and looked at her with his habitual sloppy attitude. "This is the fire," he said softly, "you nearly burned me to death that night by the lake." "After all I've done for you, I don't think I should just get dirty words from you in return." When she heard Jie Ting laughing, she turned around and was about to leave, but he held his hand again. "Shirley, wait—" "Don't mess with me." "You are right, I shouldn't repay you like this, please forgive me." He held her little hand tightly with both hands, "I will never mention that night again." "Okay! Let me be quiet now, and... and take your proposal away!" He showed regretful eyes, "I shouldn't be making fun of you, I'm too bad!" "You've been mean." But she paused and tried to pull her hand away. Jie Ting looked at their intertwined hands with a smile, and when his eyes returned to Shi Li's face again, his tone became serious. "Let me walk with you." "No, you should go inside and rest—" "Please." She gave up suddenly, Jie Ting's hands were too warm, too strong. "Please!" he repeated. Shi Li really couldn't refuse, so the two relaxed and strolled in the garden. Jie Ting made himself a good friend and talked about the pranks he and Fei Li had when they were young, which made her laugh heartily.From time to time he turned to look at Shirley, and Shirley couldn't help but compare the twin brothers. Fei Li's eyes are always very determined and confident when he looks at her; Jie Ting's eyes are always groping, as if she has an inexhaustible treasure waiting for him to dig.Although she was very annoyed when he mentioned what happened that night earlier, it is undeniable that in her life, Jie Ting is the only person who thinks she is a passionate girl... Thinking about it, it may not be a bad thing to be regarded as such by a man thing. "You have a beautiful smile," he told Shirley. Shirley looked at him in amazement, "I don't know if we should laugh or have any fun while mourning Philly, sometimes I feel guilty just laughing, after all he can't share it here -" "No, Fei Li will hope that you will change your mind, accept the fact that he died, and continue to live the rest of your life. You still have a good time waiting for you. How can you bury yourself in the shadow of regret and sadness? He will hope that you will soon Happy." Shi Li looked up at him strangely, "Why have you become so gentle?" He held Shi Li's face in his hands, "I haven't become gentle, I've never been a gentle person." He looked deeply into Shi Li's eyes, and then moved his gaze to the twitching throat, she raised her hand to pull it Drop Jettin's wrist. "Relax!" he said, "I don't want to kiss you," he smiled narrowly, "unless you ask me to." Xi Li burst out laughing and shook her head, "Let go of me, you megalomaniac!" Jie Ting laughed loudly and pressed clam kisses on the top of her head before letting go of her, "Look, I still can't help it when I run into you!" Jieting walked to the mouth of the river in the middle of the night. Since he was able to walk, he must wait there for a while every night, thinking that Jack should send a message. A black woman hummed a song from a distance, it was a little tune that was familiar to me when I was a child. Some people say it's your joy, but I'd say it's your sorrow once in love I want to bid farewell to all happiness The sound of stirring gradually stopped, and Jieting leaned against the tree trunk, squinting at the water. Time is running out, he is recovering fairly quickly, and his presence here is becoming more and more dangerous. If he keeps avoiding people, no one will continue to believe that he is Philip, and now the city is full of gossip. up.Although Max thinks he has the ability to protect his son, Jieting knows that the government authorities and Li Minni will not let him go.He had to find a place to hide and wait until he fully recovered and regained his vitality before going to Li Minni to settle the score. Anyway, there is nothing to miss here, except Xi Li.A self-deprecating smile rose. Once he was gone from Shirley's life, she would be safe and self-sufficient. This was the way she wanted to live, surrounded by family, respected by friends, and sure to be alive day in and day out. It was an orderly life, and she couldn't let go of these familiar things. Jieting's smile disappeared, and he grabbed his hair in frustration. He resisted this newfound feeling all over his body, but he couldn't shake it off.This new discovery is too annoying, his mother's example has made him see clearly that women cannot be trusted, he has always regarded them as playthings, and can be thrown away after satisfying his sexual desire. However, Xi Li brought him another incomprehensible impulse. If it was just a physical desire, it would be easy to solve, but his hunger for Xi Li far exceeds these low-level carnal desires. It should not come from Crow Island, or even The night by the lake began when he was seriously injured. If it wasn't for her, he might not be able to survive this catastrophe. For the first time in his life, he relied on others, and she was a little woman half his size. She won this battle for him. In the battle of life and death, she went deep into his dream and pulled him back from the gate of hell. They were already firmly connected, but it made him feel extremely tortured. The sound of gently paddling water on the river made him more vigilant. Jieting hid in the shadow behind the tree and listened with bated breath.Squinting, he saw two figures in the approaching canoe. He waited for the canoe to touch the shore before making a sound from the darkness. "Throwing a half-dead person to Fei's family and then running away is a brilliant move!" Jack stepped onto the muddy river bank from the boat and walked towards the voice, "It must be the lingering little watch talking to me." Jetin was genuinely happy to see Jack again - and old O, who was busy lashing the canoe. "Hi, Jack." He walked over to Jack, and the younger guy hugged him and patted him on the back. "My God! Dude, look at your face!" Jack raised his voice, taking a step back to look at him, "clean shaved, smelling good, think about how long it took you to step into the grave here!" "Jack, you can leave me and let me die." Jie Ting's face became serious, "I owe you another life." "Ah Bing! I will never let you forget." Lao Ou came to join them, and Jie Ting also greeted him, and the two shook hands. "Guwen," said Old Ou, "you have escaped from the clutches of death again," he grinned, "it seems that even he has nothing to do with you." Jieting smiled wryly and shook his head, looking at the two partners in front of him, he was quite confused. Even at the worst moment, Jack still had his prodigal look, but now it was replaced by a keen and vigilant expression, while Old Ou's nervous expression It's also quite unusual, although he tried his best to keep his expression invisible. "Looks like they've put you back together," Jack said. "I bet you'll be as alive as you were before." Jieting pointed to the crutches, "The legs are not good yet." He smiled slightly at Old Ou, "But when I work, I can now step on a wooden barrel for balance." He drew his attention back to Jack, " Tell me, what happened?" "You won't like it," Jack replied with a gloomy face. "Now that the naval gunboats are patrolling the entire sea area, everyone can only rest their troops and chat their teeth. Li Minni even occupies the entire Crow Island. The booty was emptied out of his hands, and God knows what to do with most of it now." "Where's the crew?" "No one knows whether you are alive or dead. It's a state of disunity. Some people play with women all day long, and some people simply join Li Mingni's banner. Those bastards! You must come back and rectify it, and you must hurry up, lest the forces we have finally established The range is completely destroyed." Jieting weighed the situation, and he himself was surprised by this hesitation. If it was a month ago, he would have counterattacked immediately and defended the kingdom he worked so hard to build. That was all he had. Put it into action, but now... "Maybe we shouldn't counterattack," Jeting said slowly, "maybe we should just regroup what's left." "And then?" Jack asked in confusion, "Work hard from scratch?" Jieting looked at him and smiled, feeling unexpectedly relaxed and at ease in his heart, as if throwing away the burden he had carried for many years. "Jack, the Prodigal Son is here for you, with my blessings for you." Jack opened his mouth, his one eye narrowed, and he looked quite surprised, "God, man, do you know what you said?" Jie Ting nodded resolutely, "I've fought death too many times, I'm not stupid enough to think that I'll be lucky forever, I like our wandering days in the past, but I should take a break." Jack looked at him in a panic, "Dude, sober up, you are born a homeless, just like all of us, we have no other way out." Jieting shrugged, "Even if I want to continue my past career, it's not possible. My legs can't regain their former flexibility." "You can't stay here, isn't this your plan?" Jie Ting laughed out loud, "I'm not stupid, after I get revenge on Li Minni, I'll go into seclusion, God, I never wanted to find a place to settle down, but I found this to be quite attractive, I I started to want some things that I despised before, I can see that you don’t understand, forget it, when you live long enough, you will understand one day.” Jack turned to the silent old Ou, "What's the matter with you? You're dumb, won't you tell him?" "There's nothing to say." Lao Ou said, his eyes fixed on Jieting's face. Jieting nodded, knowing that Old Ou could understand his changes, he no longer took risks, and began to cherish life, so that his intuition would be dull, and his ambition would be greatly compromised because of concerns about his own safety. The crew must follow It's not such a shrinking leader. What they want is a brave man who is invincible and has no weaknesses. "I just want to do one more thing/" Jeting said, "I want to get justice for my dead brother Minnie Lee." Old Ou didn't hesitate, "I'll help you." Jieting looked at Jack with question marks. Jack first cursed, "Me too." He looked tired, "Three people against Li Minni's hundreds of men?" Jieting raised his smiling face again, "Can you call some people?" "If you're lucky, you might be able to find a dozen or so!" Jetin nodded, "Then let's start—" He stopped, instinctively warning him that someone was approaching, even if he didn't make a sound.He looked around, someone in the woods behind them planned to break into their party, Jie Ting motioned Jack to subdue the uninvited guest from behind, and he and Old Ou rushed into the shadow of the tree. The cautious footsteps were getting closer and closer, and a dim light hit Xi Li's snow-white face and blond hair. "Jetin?" she called softly, spinning around to look around. Suddenly, there was the sound of footsteps stepping on branches in the forest behind her. "Jetin?" she tried calling out. Immediately, footsteps surrounded her.Shi Li was terrified, she lifted her skirt, trotted a few steps, and bumped into Old O's threatening face.She, panting, stepped back, her pulse was rapid, "Jie—" "Here I am!" his voice interrupted. Shili ran towards his voice, and Jieting was only a few feet away from her, with a look of annoyance on his face, "It's here!" "Oh—" She threw herself at Jeting, needing the protection of his arms. He took Shirley into his arms, which were both warm and soothing. "What are you doing here?" he asked, in a bad tone. "I...I saw you coming out of the room," she faltered, leaning against his chest, "I...I don't know—know there are other...other people here, I..." She was out of breath and couldn't articulate a word. "Why are you following me?" Although his tone was harsh, his hand warmly caressed the back of her hand up and down, so as to ease her trembling. "I...I have something...to tell you..." "Next time I catch you wandering out of the mansion alone, I will teach you a lesson, and I will beat you up, understand?" He smoothed Xi Li's messy hair and raised her neckline, "It's very dangerous for you to come here alone, especially near the mouth of the river. Don't you know that there is a kind of person who will go in and out of the river at night to do things? They You can be caught in the blink of an eye, what if you happen to run into Li Minni's men? What if—" "I didn't think about it that much." Xi Li said, leaning on his shoulder, muffled her voice. "You should use your head!" Jie Ting reprimanded gently, and wanted to continue preaching, only then was surprised by the astonished eyes of Jack and Old Ou, they had never seen him treat people like this. Jetin frowned and met them with a challenging gaze. Jack's green eyes widened, and then he snorted disdainfully, "My God! Now I suddenly understand," he murmured, showing a betrayed expression, "It's all for a woman, it's as simple as that." "It's not that simple." Jie Ting replied, casually playing with Xi Li's beautiful hair. "You gave up everything for this?" Jack asked, "She's just a woman—why, there are thousands of her like her everywhere, you can choose from hundreds! Old O, tell him, don't be so obsessed." Old Ou looked at Jieting thoughtfully, and replied, "As the saying goes...the handkerchief you tie must fit the size of your head." Jack said angrily, "What the hell does that mean?" Jie Ting said with a smile, "It means that the environment will change, and people will also change." Then he gave Jack a hard look, and stopped him from complaining, "Enough, Jack, wait for me in the canoe, Mrs. Fei and I Need to be alone." "Has it developed to this point?" Jack muttered, being dragged by Old Ou all the way to the canoe, still muttering, "Alone, now he wants to be alone..." After Xi Li was alone with Jie Ting.She felt a chill, and couldn't help rubbing her upper arms to drive away the cold. Earlier, she was so frightened that she couldn't think for a while, and it seemed natural to run into his arms. The reason why she came out to find Jie Ting was to talk to him about what they mentioned earlier. She wanted Jie Ting to know that she finally understood that he was right about one thing. What she wanted from Fei Li was It is impossible to have, and there is indeed a certain feeling between her and Jie Ting, and she is no longer willing to deny it. "What do you want to tell me?" Shi Li shook her head quickly, "It's not a big deal." She still flinched, "I'm sorry for intruding into your conversation, I didn't mean it." Jie Ting looked at her for a long time, and then said quietly: "In fact, your intervention just happened to do me a favor. I want you to pass a message to my dad for me." "What message?" "Tell him I'm going away for a few days and I'll be back by Friday at the latest." She seemed to be punched by Jeting, "Go out...but you can't, you—" "I don't have a choice. When I'm not around, my... career goes down the drain, and I have to try to salvage something." "You can't go." She panicked. "You're not fully recovered now, you've only been back for the fourth week, you're not capable of self-defense yet, and Li Minni is looking for you everywhere again, you will be found by him, and then—" "Will not." "You were found by him and almost lost your life. Could it be that you became greedy again and insisted on risking your life to snatch those money and goods?" "It's not just for profit. I want to avenge Fei Li and settle the debt with Li Minni. I have to know how many people I have left and how many supplies are available. I have to go and assess the situation by myself." "and then?" "Then draw up a plan with Lao Ou and Jack and put it into action. It only takes some time, and I will be back in two or three days." During Jieting's illness, the reason Shili took care of him was that he wanted him to recover and kill Li Minni to avenge Philip, but even if Jieting succeeded, he might have to pay his own life, which was too risky. Great, Li Minni is too powerful and fully protected... But now her desire to let Jie Ting live well is much stronger than wanting Li Minni to die. “杀了李明尼，对我或任何人都于事无补，”她说，“以前似乎有必要，但现在——” “仍是有必要。” “那也得等过了一阵子再说。” “没时间了。” 席莉感到一把无名火油然而生，不管她是不是有权力要求他留下来，也不管他根本没对她许下任何承诺，她只知道杰汀要走了，而且可能一去不回，而他却仍是挂着那促狭的笑容。 “你知道你没有完全康复！”她激动地喊道，“你这笨蛋！连路都走不好，你出去只是送死，让两边人马夹攻你，算了，你让他们逮着算了！” 他的表情变了，“席莉——” “如果你这么想死，但愿你让他们活捉……让你活活受罪，但愿你不要再回来，你根本不关心任何人，你这自私又贪婪的猪罗，我恨你！我恨你！” 她看着杰汀走过来，虽有些跛，速度却快得惊人，他板着脸冲向她，席莉以为他想伤害她，于是往后退，却被他强面有力的臂膀扣住肩头，当她是布娃娃似的。 “不！”她喃喃着。 杰汀却是低下头，凶暴地吻起她来，强硬中带着惩罚味道，他吻得越炙热，把席莉搂得越紧。 “你快把我逼疯了，”他抬起脸来，望着她白皙的脸蛋。“其实你已经让我疯了！经过湖边那一晚，我以为我可以甩掉你，但是却反而日日夜夜想着你。我于是计划回来找你，心想再占有你一回，便会发现你跟其他女人没什么不同，然后我就可重获自由的心灵。” 席莉试图挣脱他的束缚，他反而搂得更紧。 “我负伤时，你无微不至地照顾我，你的每一碰触既把我推向天堂，也推我下地狱，我真想掐死你算了，只要别让你在我心中占这么重的份量。但现在一切都太迟了，你只能怪你自己，是你让自己成为我的人。” “不，你胡说！”她啜泣起来，“我不要听——” 他再度贪婪地吻住席莉的嘴唇，一股偷情的兴奋淹没了她的情操，她打个冷颤，却知道这正是她要的，她就是需要如此的男人力量，她微启双唇，允许杰汀的舌头钻入，双臂也紧抱住他宽厚的肩膀。 陡然间，杰汀的吻转为温柔万千，然后越来越深入作探索。 席莉没忘掉他的男人味，低吟着贴向他的身体，同时任由他的手滑人她的双腿间，隔着衣物摸索着那神秘之处，他的勃起则抵住她的下腹，令她狂喜地止不住颤抖起来。 他的吻滑向席莉的下巴，接着是香颈，席莉往后仰，陶醉得闭上双眼，脑子回转着他念的情话绵绵。他也浑身饥渴地打着哆嗦，两人都发狂似地想要对方，她原以为再也没机会尝到飘飘欲仙的滋味了。 杰汀不耐烦地摸人她的薄棉衫，捧起他丰满的乳房，拇指把那乳头搓弄得高耸又硬挺。 “我永远要不够，永远不够！”他说着，吸吮着她的甜美。 而席莉也热烈地回应，杰汀真想撩高她的裙子，让自己钻进她柔软的体内。 他却是咒骂一声，抬起头来，把她完完全全搂在胸口，手掌复在她热烫的脸颊上。席莉听着他如雷的心跳声，满手抓着他的衬衫，虚软地喘着气，经过片刻，那狂野的性欲渐退，徒留体内一股痛感。 他捧起席莉的脸，要她直视着他，那眸子有如黑夜的蓝空，她感觉自己被那片暗蓝沉淹没了。 “席莉。”他发出沙哑的声音，然后如羽毛般飘落地吻了吻她的唇。 席莉勾住他的脖子，两人又是一阵缠绵地依偎着，一阵凉风吹来，令席莉忍不住打个寒颤，杰汀再一次紧紧搂住她，便放手，然后一语不发、头也不回地拿起拐杖，往河口走去。 席莉木然地望着他渐远的背影，她的双臂未曾感到如此的空洞，她的嘴唇颤抖着，但没喊住杰汀。她心中被另一股前所未有的恐惧占住，他们还没开始认识对方，他却已经成为她生命中的一部分，她害怕一旦失去他，恐怕她也活不成。 “他说要去多久？”麦斯问道，极力控制自己的情绪，一张脸却有如石雕般。 “两、三天。”席莉应道，声音不太平稳，她坐在莱丝旁边。 虽然席莉小心翼翼不透露她跟杰汀会面的其他细节，但是她猜莱丝至少感觉到她的异状。莱丝的感觉颇敏锐，一般人没想到她除了漂亮脸蛋外，还有着相当的敏感度和睿智。 现在她用一种同情，夹杂着揣测的眼神看着她，同时捏了捏席莉的手，试图安抚她的情绪，但席莉紧盯着麦斯，心想会不会掀起一把怒火。 “他非常危险，是不是？”她试着问道。 “是的，”他简单应道，“唯一可以保障他自身安全的是这庄园，海湾上传出李明尼悬赏要取杰汀的首级，如果他被官方抓到，恐怕那脑袋也同样保不住。目前我正在向州长施加人情压力，请他特赦他——这事实在棘手，因为我又不便承人菲立便是杰汀。” “你想州长有可能特赦他吗？”席莉颇感震撼地问道。 “我不知道，”麦斯应道，“目前形势很难预测。” “至少州长是克利奥尔贵族，”莱丝指出，“这多少对我们有帮助吧？” “不见得，”麦斯表示，“他目前正致力限制'不合格的人士'入境，我这儿子正好在那不受欢迎的名单内。” 莱丝皱起眉头，“但麦斯，如果你占上风．州长是会放了杰汀——” “是的，那么杰汀便可以少掉一方的追杀。”他挤出笑容，“不过在那之前，杰汀还是得继续乔扮菲立，这表示他最好及时赶回来参加周末涂家办的舞会。” 莱丝用一种颇复杂的表情看着丈夫．“我们代他找个借口推掉好吗？” “涂家准备把他们例行性的舞会，改成欢迎菲立回来的欢迎会，他是主角，据他们告诉我，所有纽奥良的人士都会莅临参加，他当然非露脸不可。” 席莉听到莱丝惊慌失措的声音，“但……到时候如果杰汀没来得及回来呢？” “那我们全完蛋了。”麦斯应道。