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By the time Shawn Young and Fiona Tang walked out of the Hot Spring Valley, dawn was already breaking. Raveneye Mountain, with its high elevation and tropical jungle surroundings, was shrouded in morning mist. Wisps of white fog drifted across the mountaintop, lush forests stretched all around, and the air was refreshingly clean. As Shawn and Fiona reached a protruding rock beside the narrow path, the sun slowly rose from the sea of clouds in the east. The dazzling rays of morning light painted Raveneye Mountain into a scene straight out of a fairy tale.
“Oh—what a beautiful sunrise! I never imagined Raveneye Mountain could look this stunning!” Fiona Tang exclaimed, gazing from the high ground at the fiery red sun rising from the sea of clouds. She couldn’t help but take a deep breath of the incredibly fresh air, then happily leaned into Shawn Young’s embrace.
“Yeah, this place really is something,” Shawn Young said, holding Fiona Tang by her slender waist. Having just taken their relationship to the next level, and thinking about how he’d unexpectedly gained control over Raveneye Mountain, he felt especially elated. Of course, he knew that truly mastering this place wouldn’t be easy.
Just as the two of them were cuddling and watching the sunrise, lost in their passionate bliss, a sour voice suddenly rang out nearby. Jade Swann spoke up, her words dripping with jealousy: “Wow—you two are really something! Wasn’t last night wild enough? Now you’re up at the crack of dawn, getting all lovey-dovey again! Must be nice to have all this free time. Meanwhile, the rest of us—over a thousand people—have been waiting outside all night, freezing and getting drenched in dew!”
The moment Fiona Tang heard Jade Swann’s voice, she quickly slipped out of Shawn Young’s arms, turned around, and blushed furiously as she looked at Jade, feeling awkward and mumbling, “Jade, um, what brings you here?”
“Oh? Did I ruin your sunrise moment?” Jade Swann continued in a jealous tone, her eyes fixed on Shawn Young, looking for all the world like a pouty, wronged little wife.
“Uh—no, not at all, Jade. Don’t get the wrong idea—we just came out here a minute ago!” Fiona Tang stammered, surprised by Jade’s strong reaction. She immediately sensed that Jade and Shawn’s relationship was definitely not simple!
“Is that so—” Jade Swann moved closer, circled Shawn Young, sniffed him, then stood in front of Fiona Tang, grabbed her hand, and bluntly asked, “Fiona? Tell me—did Shawn, that big rascal, take advantage of treating you and steal your—your most precious thing?”
“Uh—this—um, I—I—” Fiona Tang was caught off guard by Jade Swann’s blunt question. Her pretty face turned bright red, and she had no idea how to answer.
“Oh my—just looking at you, I can pretty much guess!” Jade Swann muttered, looking tangled and frustrated. Then she glanced up at Shawn Young, her eyes full of wounded accusation.
She marched up to Shawn Young, her ample chest almost pressing against his, and snapped, “Shawn, you bastard! You really know how to take advantage of people! Fiona’s such a pure girl, and you—you ruined her! You’re a super jerk!”
“Uh—take advantage? That’s not really the right word for what happened…” Shawn Young hadn’t expected Jade Swann to react so strongly.
“You—you took Fiona’s most precious thing, and you still have the nerve to deny it! It’s bad enough you ruined me, but now you couldn’t even let Fiona go? What are we supposed to do now, the two of us? You’ve got some nerve, accepting both of us just like that! If Uncle Tang finds out, you’re dead meat!—You’re driving me crazy!” Jade Swann ranted, all the while looking like she wanted to throttle Shawn Young.
“Uh—Jade, don’t be mad, it’s not what you think. I—I wanted to be with Shawn because I like him! I’m willing to give myself to him!” Fiona Tang said quietly, her face flushed but her voice steady. Even though she spoke softly, her words rang out with conviction, stunning Jade Swann as if thunder had struck her ears.
“Fiona, you—don’t say things like that—” Jade Swann was dumbfounded. She never imagined that Fiona, usually so gentle and quiet, would say something so bold.
To everyone’s surprise, Fiona Tang walked over to Shawn Young, hooked her arm through his, then looked Jade Swann straight in the eye and said firmly, “Jade, you know me best—I never say things I don’t mean. It’s not just because he saved me that I’m willing to be with him. I genuinely like Shawn, and I wanted to give myself to him before heading to Beijing! I know he’s a flirt, and besides us, there are other women, but I can’t help it—I just like him! As a woman, being able to give my most precious thing to the man I love, I have no regrets!”
“Ah—” Now it was Jade Swann’s turn to be speechless. She was completely stunned, her face turning red and pale by turns. Fiona’s words hit her like a lightning bolt, leaving her chest heaving and her mind swirling with a storm of emotions.
Seeing Jade Swann’s reaction, Fiona Tang knew her words had struck a nerve. Deciding to lay it all out, she continued, “Jade, when you and Shawn got together, didn’t you feel the same way as I do? You know our lives are different—we’re not ordinary women, so we don’t have ordinary destinies! There’s no need to follow the rules of the world. For women like us, it’s hard to find a man we truly love. Since I’ve found him, I’ll give everything for him—and I won’t look back!”
“Won’t look back—I—I…” Jade Swann dropped her head, mumbling the words. Fiona’s speech left her mind in chaos; she felt lost and confused, realizing how different Fiona’s approach to love was from her own, and how she herself seemed much more conflicted in comparison.
“Jade, are you okay?” Fiona Tang asked, worried. She saw Jade Swann looking lost and pale, totally bewildered, and realized her words had really hit hard.
“I—I don’t know. I just need some time alone. You guys go ahead—don’t worry about me,” Jade Swann shook her head and walked straight toward the path leading to the hot springs. She really needed to think about how to handle things between herself, Shawn Young, and Fiona Tang. Deep down, she could accept Shawn having other women, but loving the same man as her closest friend was a reality she found hard to swallow.
Chapter 428: How to Make a Woman Behave
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Watching Jade Swann walk off toward the hot springs, looking totally defeated, Fiona Tang realized her words may have been too much. After thinking it over, she nudged Shawn Young and said, “Shawn, Jade’s really upset right now. You should go talk to her—after all, you’re the only one who can fix this! Go! I’ll help Colonel Han and the others keep things under control outside.”
Shawn Young paused, then nodded to Fiona Tang. “Okay, I’ll go talk to Jade. My people should have Raveneye Mountain under control by now, and Max probably won’t dare to stir up any more trouble. Fiona, you and Han can help keep things steady out there!”
“Alright, got it. Go catch up with Jade and talk things through!” Fiona Tang replied with a nod.
Shawn Young nodded back, then turned and hurried after Jade Swann toward the hot spring path. Fiona watched him leave, her mind full of complicated feelings, and let out a soft sigh before heading back outside.
Jade Swann walked with her head down, lost in thought, unconsciously heading quickly toward the geothermal hot spring. Soon, she arrived at the steamy, mist-filled spot, the humid air brushing against her face, making her quicken her pace as she walked inside.
Once inside the geothermal spring, she found herself drawn to the smooth boulder where Shawn Young and Fiona Tang had their 'battle' earlier. She could still see the scattered red marks left behind. Stunned, Jade sighed in frustration, muttering to herself, “Sigh—what’s done is done! I really don’t know how I’ll get along with Fiona after this. Are we really going to share a husband? That rascal Shawn is getting off way too easy!”
“You two are best friends—just be yourselves, like always. I’m here for you, so what’s there to worry about?” Suddenly, Shawn Young’s voice came from behind her.
“Ah! You—you rascal, you already took advantage of Fiona, and now you’re following me?” Jade Swann was startled by Shawn Young sneaking up behind her.
“I followed you because I was worried you’d get stuck in your own head. After all, you’re my woman, Jade!” Shawn Young said, walking up and grabbing her hand.
“Hmph! Don’t worry, I’m tougher than you think. And just because we slept together doesn’t mean I’ve agreed to be your woman! Who knows, maybe I’ll find someone better and more loyal than you!” Jade Swann shot him a fierce glare, trying to pull her hand away.
“Heh—any woman who’s slept with me and cultivated with me is mine. And she’ll never fall for another man! Jade, you’re no exception!” Shawn Young declared possessively, tightening his grip and pulling her into his arms.
“Oh—you big bully, do you think you can push me around? Let go!” Jade Swann cried out, but Shawn Young pulled her tightly into his embrace. She tried to push him away, but oddly enough, she didn’t use much force.
“Heh—hitting means you care, scolding means you love me. You hit and scold me so much, you must really love me! Now, let me give you a kiss!” Shawn Young shamelessly leaned in for a kiss as he spoke.
“Ah! No! You pervert, you scoundrel, let me go!” Jade Swann struggled, flailing her arms. Suddenly—smack!—her right hand landed squarely on Shawn Young’s cheek, making a loud sound.
“Uh—” Shawn Young froze, stopping mid-action. He hadn’t expected Jade Swann’s reaction to be so intense. Jade stared at him, worried, and asked, “Why didn’t you dodge? Does it hurt?”
“Of course it hurts, Jade! You’re really ruthless!” Shawn Young whined, making a face and complaining in a pitiful tone.
“Ah—really? Then, what should I do? I swear I didn’t mean to—you have to believe me!” Jade Swann panicked, grabbing Shawn Young’s shoulders and anxiously explaining herself. She was genuinely worried he’d leave her forever in anger, because deep down, she couldn’t imagine loving any man but Shawn.
“If you make it up to me, I’ll believe you,” Shawn Young said, pressing his advantage.
“Uh—make it up to you? How am I supposed to do that?” Jade Swann asked in surprise. She was still a rookie in romance and hadn’t caught on to Shawn Young’s shameless tricks.
“I’m feeling really down right now, and when I’m down, I need the woman I love to comfort me. I think you know what I mean.” Shawn Young kept up his pitiful act, then buried his head in Jade’s ample chest, relishing her softness and curves.
“Oh—but I’m not really good at comforting people! I’m kind of blunt, and not great with words,” Jade Swann replied, sounding adorably clueless.
“That’s fine, you don’t have to say anything—just comfort me with your actions!” Shawn Young smirked mischievously, burrowing his head deeper into her chest, then started nibbling her peaks through her clothes, his hands already tugging at her pants.
“Oh—you big rascal, you really are so bad!” Jade Swann’s body went limp under his passionate attack. Shawn Young flipped her onto the boulder and pinned her down, quickly stripping away every layer.
“You—you tricked me—oh—slow down—don’t rush, I’m not ready—ah—so deep—” Jade Swann cried out in confusion, her legs parting instinctively. Shawn Young didn’t hesitate, plunging in as Jade’s moans filled the air. He quickly melted away her worries and set her desires ablaze, her body moving eagerly to meet his every thrust. The hot spring was once again filled with waves of passion.
Shawn Young’s moves perfectly matched the golden rule of seasoned lovers—when it comes to women, their bodies are always more honest than their words!