Chapter 293 - 132 Chen Jie: Madam, You are Playing with Fire_2

"Thinking about it, Huang Wan’er quickly picked up the paper and brush from the table and coughed lightly, "Cough cough..."

This light cough startled Chen Jie, who looked toward her. She was writing something on the paper with quick, deliberate strokes, then folded it neatly and placed it inside an envelope next to her before sealing it with a wax stamp.

She handed the letter to Du Juan, who was waiting by her side, and said, "Take this letter. If after a quarter of an hour I haven’t gone out or made any noise, give it to Master Jingxiang. However, during this period, you must not peek at it, understand?"

Du Juan replied, ’Yes.’

Huang Wan’er then whispered in her ear, ’This is related to the Gang Leader’s secrets. If you peek, you know how he will deal with you, don’t you?’

’I won’t peek, rest assured, Mrs. Huang,’ Du Juan reassured her, shuddering at the mention of ’Gang Leader,’ repeatedly asserting her obedience.

’Good, go now.’

After issuing her instructions, Huang Wan’er turned to the nun who had followed her in and said, ’You all may leave now, I don’t require your services today.’

’Yes, Mrs. Huang.’

Once everyone was sent away and the door closed, Huang Wan’er took some petals from a basket nearby and scattered them into the water.

Yet, her eyes were on Chen Jie, who was now hidden in the rafters.

Chen Jie was also distracted by Huang Wan’er. He pocketed the secret manual, thinking that he needed to find an opportunity to slip away. As for watching a beauty bathe,

Chen Jie wasn’t interested in that sort of thrill, especially when he couldn’t participate; there was no fun in just watching.

He was lost in thought when Huang Wan’er slowly started to undo her outer garment, exposing her pristine shoulders.

Those shoulders, white as jade, seemed like a piece of exquisite craftsmanship: beautiful, pure, and inspirational.

Chen Jie had intended to glance and look away, making plans to leave, but found himself unable to avert his eyes after just one look.

Through the bathing tub, Huang Wan’er caught sight of Chen Jie’s expression above.

The corners of her lips curled further, and she proceeded to slip off her undergarment, leaving her in just a bellyband.

Her entire back was now exposed to Chen Jie.

Originally harboring illicit thoughts, Chen Jie frowned upon seeing her back marred with scars.

Her otherwise flawless back was covered with lash marks, destroying any sense of beauty, causing a heart-wrenching pain to look upon.

It was like viewing a beautiful porcelain smashed viciously and then glued back together haphazardly.

Turning an otherwise peerless beauty’s back into one that was fragmented and agonizing to behold.

While Chen Jie was entangled with his thoughts over the beautiful, scarred back, the woman had already removed her bellyband.

She stood fully bare next to the tub,

And proceeded to step on a stool and climb into the tub, slowly settling into the water.

She scooped up petals-laden water with her hands as white as jade and splashed it onto her shoulder, leaving a vivid petal resting on her smooth skin.

Chen Jie was slightly entranced.

He had to admit that he had overestimated his own willpower; he had always scorned the idea of watching a beauty bathe, but now he could not deny the allure, finding himself drawn to the sight.

The woman casually washed, fixing her gaze on the bucket before murmuring to herself, "Is it beautiful?"

Chen Jie thought she was speaking to him and said nothing in response.

To his surprise, she suddenly looked up, her gaze piercing as she addressed him, "Mr. Chen, do you intend to keep watching like this?"

Boom!

Their eyes locked.

Chen Jie was stunned; discovered, his mind partially in disarray, but quickly forced himself to calm down.

His gaze intensely fixated on Huang Wan’er as he questioned, "How did you know I was here?"

Huang Wan’er smiled and said, "There’s a reflection!"

Chen Jie was taken aback, looking at the tub. Despite all his calculations, he hadn’t accounted for being fooled by a basic principle of optics from junior high school.

In his absorption with seeking the Seventeen Dragon Capturing Palms, he had forgotten about his position, which was perfectly reflected in the water of the bucket.

Huang Wan’er laughed, "You’ve looked and seen; come down and let’s chat."

Chen Jie’s gaze hardened, and he descended to the ground.

Huang Wan’er continued to playfully splash water in the tub, lifting a handful and letting it fall over her head.

As she moved, her stunning figure was fully revealed to Chen Jie, but she seemed not to care.

She played with the water and said, "Mr. Chen, you are truly a man of integrity."

Chen Jie frowned; sneaking a look at her bathing had nothing to do with integrity.

But Huang Wan’er continued, "You promised to visit to express your thanks, and indeed you chose the perfect moment—during my bath. How considerate of you."

Chen Jie started, "I..."

He intended to say that he was there for the secret manual, but that was even less appropriate to mention.

Huang Wan’er pressed, "What about you? You’re quite bold. Do you know the consequences of peeking at the guild leader’s wife while she bathes?"

Chen Jie’s face darkened; the consequences would be severe. If Nan Batian found out, given his extreme possessiveness and dramatic nature, he might issue a Jianghu Kill Order, pursuing Chen Jie at any cost.

Not even Peng Shizhong could protect him then.

Best case, he’d be a fugitive for life; worst case, Nan Batian himself might come to finish him off, crushing his bones to dust.

Chen Jie took a deep breath, his gaze turning icy.

There seemed to be no way out; should he just eliminate Mrs. Huang?

Would killing her change anything?