Scarred Hearts — A Girls' Love Tale - Chapter 4

Yan Shuangfei was a light sleeper, and the sound immediately annoyed her. She raised her head to see who dared to disturb her.

Her gaze met another’s, and her expression instantly softened. Her ability to switch expressions faster than flipping a page was truly remarkable.

“You’re here.” Yan Shuangfei adjusted her posture awkwardly on the sofa, sitting upright.

Luo Qinghan sat beside her, stopping her from attempting to stand.

As she held Yan Shuangfei’s hand, she could feel the sharp bones beneath the skin and noticed the fatigue that even her calm demeanor couldn’t hide.

Luo Qinghan slowly unbuttoned Yan Shuangfei’s shirt one button at a time, planting soft kisses on the flat surface of her chest.

Perhaps due to her martial arts training, Yan Shuangfei’s body, while lean, was firm. Her chest was one of the few softer places on her body.

Yan Shuangfei didn’t react. Her steady breathing and the gentle rise and fall of her chest made it clear to Luo Qinghan that she wasn’t engaging. Luo Qinghan, feeling defeated, looked up. She was never particularly skilled in these matters, and the lack of response only deepened her sense of inadequacy.

Yan Shuangfei lazily pulled Luo Qinghan closer, resting her head against her own chest to let her hear her strong heartbeat. It was only in these moments that Luo Qinghan felt assured of Yan Shuangfei’s presence.

“I don’t want my first time to be on a sofa,” Yan Shuangfei said to comfort her.

Wait—first time? A member of the Yan family, rulers of a criminal empire managing countless establishments of pleasure, was still…a virgin?

Luo Qinghan laughed out loud, her clear laughter echoing joyfully in the room. She held onto Yan Shuangfei’s exposed chest, noticing the irritated yet resigned look in her eyes, and couldn’t help but bite down lightly on her soft skin, her body trembling slightly with amusement.

“Then how were you so skilled in bed?” Luo Qinghan asked between fits of laughter, still catching her breath.

“Can’t I learn?” Yan Shuangfei didn’t think being a twenty-one-year-old virgin was anything to boast about.

Ah, right. Learning was an option. Luo Qinghan realized. With the internet so advanced, Yan Shuangfei must have studied those forbidden books and videos.

Yan Shuangfei, exasperated, turned her back, pulled the blanket over her head, and pretended to sleep.

Luo Qinghan, unwilling to let her off so easily, squeezed onto the sofa with her.

Though spacious, it was still a sofa, not a bed—definitely cramped for two people.

“There’s a bed in the next room,” Yan Shuangfei mumbled, muffled by the blanket. Luo Qinghan’s grip was so tight she could barely breathe.

“Nope. This works.” At that moment, Luo Qinghan was as rebellious as a child.

Yan Shuangfei sighed, shifting to make room and letting Luo Qinghan cling to her without risking a fall.

“You look so restrained in formal wear,” Yan Shuangfei whispered, her warm breath tickling Luo Qinghan’s neck as she fumbled to remove her clothes. “Don’t worry—no one dares enter without my permission.”

Oh? I’m getting special treatment. Luo Qinghan liked the sound of that and let Yan Shuangfei nestle into her chest.

So soft. Yan Shuangfei contentedly snuggled closer, breathing in Luo Qinghan’s faint fragrance until she drifted into a deep sleep.

“Han family, Luo family, Shen family, and Chang family,” Yan Shuangfei sat at the table, propping her head on her hand as she listed the names one by one. “The four families—each more restless than the last.”

The subordinates around her remained silent. Yan Shuangfei glanced at them. “Any suggestions? If these four join forces, the Yan family won’t gain much from it.”

“You’re overthinking it, boss,” Yan Qi spoke up. “It was just a minor conflict with the Han family. Didn’t they come to apologize afterward?”

Yan Shuangfei detested pretentious tones. Out of respect for elders, she addressed him as “uncle,” but being a side branch of the family, he had no right to act as if he knew everything.

Having just taken over as head of the family, Yan Shuangfei faced resistance from the senior members who struggled to accept a young leader. This internal dissent was a headache in itself.

“Uncle, are you saying I’m making a fuss over nothing?” Yan Shuangfei stood, leaning on the table, tilting her head as she asked. The family’s side branches, emboldened by the main branch’s dwindling numbers, were beginning to stir up trouble.

Yan Qi fell silent, unwilling to openly challenge the head of the Yan family.

“The Yan family has always led the four families. If these recent actions mean anything, you all should be more aware than me. A tiny crack can collapse a dam. Disrespect today could lead to betrayal tomorrow. If we’re not prepared, what happens to the Yan family’s authority?”

Yan Qi smirked coldly. “You’re right, boss. But I’ve heard rumors that instead of strengthening the family, the new head has been busy gathering information about the Luo family. Care to explain?”

“Yan Qi! Don’t push it,” Yan Shuangfei’s voice was ice cold, nearly trembling with restrained anger. “Out of respect for your age, I call you uncle. But I won’t tolerate insubordination. You know the punishment for defying the head.”

Her words echoed in the silent room, leaving no room for argument.

“Good.” Yan Shuangfei turned and headed for the door. “Keep your behavior in check. Don’t let comfort dull your edge. You might forget how to pull the trigger.”

If one looked closely, they might notice faint bloodstains crawling up the back of Yan Shuangfei’s neck.

“It’s cold outside. Get in.” Luo Qinghan waved from the car.

Yan Shuangfei obediently climbed in, finding the temperature inside just right. She removed her black coat and held onto Jiang Li, sitting upright like a well-behaved schoolchild.

“Does it still hurt?” Luo Qinghan deliberately slapped Yan Shuangfei’s back, pleased to see bl00d soaking through the white shirt once more.

Yan Shuangfei nearly blacked out from the pain, her vision darkening. Struggling to smile, she managed a single word: “Yes.”

Smiling through the pain only fueled Luo Qinghan’s irritation. Yet, no matter how much she pushed, Yan Shuangfei never showed anger or resistance in front of her.

“Do you like it?” Luo Qinghan spooned porridge into Yan Shuangfei’s mouth.

Stuffed and lying on her stomach, Yan Shuangfei struggled to nod. She barely had the strength to move.

Luo Qinghan carefully wiped the sweat from Yan Shuangfei’s forehead with a cool towel.

“Tired?” Luo Qinghan’s voice softened as though she had forgotten she was the cause of Yan Shuangfei’s suffering. “If you’re tired, just sleep.”

Yan Shuangfei, pale as a ghost, had reached her limit. Her wounds, aggravated in the car earlier, left her unable to pretend anymore.

She shook her head weakly and, in a flash of desperation, grabbed Luo Qinghan’s wrist.

“Stay with me. Please,” Yan Shuangfei’s eyes struggled to focus as she pleaded.

“Don’t say such silly things.” Luo Qinghan gently applied medicine to her wounds, though the effort caused more bl00d to seep out.

Yan Shuangfei whimpered softly, her pain easing just a little.

Turning the heater up, Luo Qinghan tucked the blanket snugly around Yan Shuangfei’s waist. Awkwardly lying at the edge of the bed, she feared any movement would cause Yan Shuangfei further pain.

The room smelled heavily of herbal medicine mixed with bl00d—a scent intertwined with haunting memories.

Eleven years ago, the nightmare unfolded. A bl00d-soaked blade, a chaotic crowd, and dying screams carved themselves into Luo Qinghan’s mind. The pain of that day gnawed at her heart, even though Yan Shuangfei wasn’t at fault.

Trembling, Luo Qinghan clutched the sword, hiding in a corner. A passing assassin hesitated, then left her unharmed, their expression unexpectedly fearful.

After the chaos subsided, she was met with pitiful, disdainful gazes.

The Luo family mustn’t fall on my watch, Luo Qinghan told herself.

Thankfully, her parents’ loyalists supported her rise, helping her secure control and suppress disloyal subordinates.

Shuangfei. Luo Qinghan clasped Yan Shuangfei’s hand and closed her eyes, feeling a rare sense of calm.