My Ares Son-in-Law

boom--!
The loud bang seemed not to come from the outside world, but rather exploded directly in Zhou Keying's mind, making her eardrums ache and her mind go blank for a moment.

Everything around her seemed to be muted and blurred, leaving only the words, "She is my woman now, and... she is carrying my child," echoing in her mind again and again, like heavy hammer blows striking her nerves.

Her woman?

His own flesh and blood?!
Zhou Keying felt her cheeks burning hot, as if they were being scorched by a raging fire.

The events of that night replayed in her mind like a movie: in the dim light, the two of them were lying in the same bed, but both were fully clothed and maintained the most appropriate distance from each other. There was not even a proper kiss, let alone any other intimate gestures.

This outrageous lie... How dare he?!

Zhou Keying clenched her fists tightly, her nails almost digging into her palms, a strong impulse surging within her.

If any other man had dared to desecrate her innocence in this way, she would have slapped him across the face without hesitation, letting him know that spreading rumors would come at a price.

Shock, shame, and disbelief surged through her chest like a turbulent current, making it almost impossible for her to breathe.

She suddenly raised her head, her gaze meeting Xiao Chen's deep eyes.

Those eyes were like a bottomless pool, devoid of mockery or frivolity, only a calm and unwavering determination that seemed capable of encompassing all turbulent waves.

Deep within that unwavering resolve lay a subtle, comforting warmth, like the gentle winter sun softly warming her heart, gradually calming her initial anger and panic.

In a flash, a brilliant idea suddenly struck Zhou Keying, and she instantly understood!

child!

Virgin!

These two words exploded in her mind like two bombshells.

She knew perfectly well that her marriage partner in the provincial capital, who was arrogant and viewed women as possessions, had always valued a woman's chastity and fertility above all else.

If she is pregnant or no longer a virgin, then in their eyes she is like a defiled commodity, and they will reject her like trash without any mercy.

This cold marriage, built on the interests of the family, will collapse like a bubble.

Thinking about this, Zhou Keying felt a mix of emotions.

Looking at the man before her, the man who was willing to ruin his reputation and bring disaster upon himself in order to help her out of her predicament, she felt a complex mix of emotions.

She was moved, moved that he stepped forward at the critical moment and carved out a path for her in his own way; she felt guilty, guilty for her previous misunderstandings and doubts about him; and there was also a trace of indescribable emotion, like a seed, quietly planted in her heart.

She knew that from this moment on, her fate and Xiao Chen's fate would be inextricably linked, and they would never be able to separate again.

But why?
Zhou Keying frowned deeply, her eyes filled with confusion and bewilderment, her heart churning with turmoil.

What is he planning?
This question lingered in her mind like a giant question mark.

Did he not know that his seemingly casual words were like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, stirring up a monstrous wave that would crush him into dust?

The Zhou family in the provincial capital is an absolute power in the area, with a deep-rooted influence that extends to every field. They are known for their absolute authority and do not tolerate any disobedience.

That terrifying martial arts family is like a monstrous beast lurking in the shadows, possessing unimaginable strength and ruthless methods. If they were provoked and unleashed their fury, the consequences would be unimaginable; Xiao Chen would face endless pursuit and retaliation, a fate worse than death.

However, Xiao Chen was indeed helping her.

Looking back, Xiao Chen originally didn't want to get involved in this mess.

Feuds among the wealthy have always been synonymous with trouble, like a huge whirlpool from which it is difficult to escape unscathed once caught.

This involves too many conflicts of interest and family feuds; a slight misstep could lead to death.

Xiao Chen could have chosen to stay out of it, like everyone else, and watch it all unfold with indifference.

But when Zhou Keying's scalding tears fell one after another onto his hand, Xiao Chen's heart trembled.

Those tears, seemingly carrying a burning heat, pierced through his skin and reached the depths of his heart.

He saw Zhou Keying trembling helplessly, her body as thin and fragile as a fallen leaf in the autumn wind; her eyes were filled with a despair that went deep into her bones, a despair like a dark abyss, which made people feel pity for her.

In that instant, Zhou Keying's appearance struck the deepest, most painful corner of his memory.

His wife, Jiang Meng, involuntarily came to mind.

He thought, how tragic it would be if his wife, Jiang Meng, were also in such a helpless situation, if she were also isolated and abandoned in a predicament, abandoned by everyone and no one cared about her.

That despair and helplessness was like a sharp knife, piercing his heart painfully.

He absolutely could not allow such a thing to happen to Jiang Meng; even if there was only a possibility, he would do everything in his power to stop it.

He did this simply to secure a seemingly illusory opportunity for his wife.

In his view, helping Zhou Keying get out of her predicament was like lighting a lamp for Jiang Meng in the darkness, letting her know that there are still people in this world who care about her and are willing to stand up for her.

This opportunity may be slim or even nonexistent, but at least there is still a glimmer of hope.

Xiao Chen was absolutely certain that if Zhou Keying were forcibly taken back to that dangerous place in the provincial capital today, and stepped into that doomed trap, all that awaited her was... death!
Behind the marriage alliance between the Zhou family in the provincial capital and that martial arts family lies too many conspiracies and schemes.

Once Zhou Keying returns, she will become a pawn in their hands, at their mercy.

When she loses her usefulness, or accidentally crosses their bottom line, she will face cruel punishment, or even death.

Keep her here! We must keep her in the ancient city at all costs!

This crazy idea flashed through Xiao Chen's mind like lightning, overwhelming all his concerns.

At this moment, he forgot all about the power of the Zhou family in the provincial capital and the terrifying retaliation from martial arts families.

He had only one unwavering belief in his heart: to protect Zhou Keying and prevent her from falling into a desperate situation.

And so, that shocking lie was uttered, like an arrow released from a bow, never to be taken back. (End of Chapter)