Any disobedience on her part would result in his punishments doubling, even becoming more terrifying. Nan Zhiyuan had largely given up resisting, for she couldn't and dared not. She lay there, awaiting Yu Jingchen's retribution.
This time, Yu Jingchen showed no mercy. His descent was the beginning of the punishment. Nan Zhiyuan was in great pain, not because Yu Jingchen's punishment was too severe this time, but because all those memories resided in her mind, making this physical pain a psychological reaction. The punishment felt like being made to copy texts. He picked up the brush gently, dipped it into the inkstone, slowly saturating it, deepening its hue until the tip was blackened. The ink clung to it, wet and dripping. He then lifted it slowly, the excess ink falling.
The brush glided across the white paper, leaving streaks of ink. The pristine white was stained black, every inch covered in marks. The brush moved from top to bottom, not with great force, but with a steady hand, the wrist firm to maintain control. The resulting characters were beautiful and neat.
Beyond writing, when this ink, brush, paper, and inkstone came together, painting was also effortless. He repeated the previous actions, dipping the brush into the inkstone again. Perhaps the ink was insufficient, requiring him to grind more. Then, he took out a firm brush, moistened the tip with water, and kneaded it until the bristles loosened.
His specialty was painting plum blossoms. With a slight turn of his wrist, a drop of ink became a painting. He gently pressed his hand, guiding the brush to glide freely across the paper. The ink plum blossoms bloomed vibrantly on the flawless Xuan paper, lifelike and radiant.
This punitive copying did not last too long, perhaps a little over an hour. The paper was filled, ink scattered across the table and the sheets. The dense characters and the beautiful scroll were complete. Ink still clung to the brush. For Nan Zhiyuan, this punishment was deeply etched in her memory. She was now utterly exhausted. Perhaps due to the extreme pain of the punishment, her tears had long since dried, leaving only streaks on her face.
Yu Jingchen watched the one who had endured the punishment, a fragile, broken figure. Some said that love followed action; perhaps influenced by this sentiment, Yu Jingchen suddenly felt a pang in his heart. But this fleeting anomaly vanished without a trace, so quickly that even he did not grasp it.
"Nan Zhiyuan, remember this feeling. If you are afraid, if you do not wish for this to happen again, then do not provoke me. Otherwise, whatever you fear most, I will make you experience. Do you understand?" Yu Jingchen spoke these words through gritted teeth. He truly detested Nan Zhiyuan's push-and-pull behavior, and he detested his own inner wavering.
He was supposed to be in control of everything, including his emotions and his own heart. Yet, for the second time, he had lowered his own standards because of Nan Zhiyuan. Once he realized this, he needed to correct it immediately. He absolutely would not allow certain things to develop beyond his expectations.
After this punishment, Nan Zhiyuan was almost completely depleted. Yet, she did not sleep or faint, for Yu Jingchen forbade it. His intention was for Nan Zhiyuan to witness every mark left on him and to sincerely repent during this punishment.
For over an hour, Nan Zhiyuan despaired repeatedly, yet the words of resistance never left her lips. For the moment she displayed any sign of resistance or withdrawal, Yu Jingchen would become even more terrifying and frenzied, escalating the intensity and depth of his actions. Nan Zhiyuan could only pray for it to be over quickly, as the images in her mind flashed repeatedly, making the event even more horrifying in her recollection.
Yu Jingchen knew Nan Zhiyuan was tired and afraid, but as long as it achieved its purpose, he would not show any leniency. This punishment was considered mild compared to his past beatings and humiliations. He had been sufficiently merciful this time.
Yu Jingchen did not continue. He looked at Nan Zhiyuan, who was slowly closing her eyes, and for the first time, he pulled the nearby blanket over her. The mottled marks on her body were indeed somewhat frightening, but he had actually exercised considerable restraint.
Nan Zhiyuan knew that compared to his previous madness and the previous life, Yu Jingchen had been much more lenient. However, with the added weight of those memories, she did not feel any sense of fortunate escape this time.
"Sleep, I'll turn off the lights," Yu Jingchen said to Nan Zhiyuan for the first time in a relatively peaceful tone.
Nan Zhiyuan slightly turned her head and closed her eyes, unsure if she didn't want to see someone or face her current situation. The moment she turned, tears involuntarily slid down her face. Yu Jingchen saw them but said nothing.
He sat beside her for a while, then instead of continuing to sleep, he walked out. Tonight's commotion had lasted until almost dawn.
After Yu Jingchen left, Nan Zhiyuan slowly opened her eyes. The grievances she had been able to bear until now erupted at this instant. She cried, initially with restrained sobs, then losing control and sobbing unrestrainedly. Nan Zhiyuan clenched the blanket tightly, curling her body. Despite the immense suffering and the overwhelming urge to cry and feel wronged, she dared not indulge.
Soft sobs emanated from the room. Yu Jingchen stood outside, hearing them clearly. He knew Nan Zhiyuan's feelings and understood that she had been holding back all along. Therefore... he walked out alone, leaving the space to her.
With him present, Nan Zhiyuan would absolutely not dare to behave this way. That was why he did not stay inside. Only after he left could Nan Zhiyuan vent her emotions. If she truly needed to cry, she should cry for a while.
Nan Zhiyuan's crying inside did not last long, as she feared Yu Jingchen would return and discover it. So, as long as she could endure it, there was no need to reveal it. When Yu Jingchen heard the crying inside gradually fade, he then walked back in.
Nan Zhiyuan's face would undoubtedly show the signs of her recent crying. Yu Jingchen did not expose her; after all, her release had been implicitly permitted.
"Can you sleep now?" Yu Jingchen asked her.
Nan Zhiyuan did not reply aloud. If she spoke, her voice would be filled with sobs. Nan Zhiyuan turned away and closed her eyes, falling asleep. Yu Jingchen knew she was not truly asleep; she was merely using this method to protect herself.