bookrebus Chapter 740 Arm Hook
Chapter 740 Arm Hook
He suddenly pulled her over, hooking his arm around her and drawing her tightly into his embrace. This time, he gave her no chance to back down, holding her close to his chest. He looked down, his deep eyes flashing with a primal, beast-like light—a suppressed desire, a desperate act of possession.
Tsunade trembled at his sudden action. When she saw the burning, resolute light in Zhang Hai's eyes, her mind went completely blank. She knew there was no turning back. In desperation, she blurted out, her voice trembling slightly, filled with expectation and a woman's yearning for the future: "Will...will we get married?"
Without the slightest hesitation or doubt, Zhang Hai lowered his head and kissed her forehead, his voice deep and firm, carrying an undeniable promise: "I will."
……
A night passed. As the sun rose high in the sky, dappled sunlight filtered through the gaps in the tent, casting shadows into the simple wooden hut, making everything both clear and hazy. Tsunade's hair lay disheveled on the pillow, a few strands clinging to her smooth cheeks, glistening with sweat. A barely perceptible tear glistened at the corner of her eye. Her delicate body was half-covered by a thin blanket, revealing her rounded shoulders and the barely concealed curves of her figure. An indescribable, ambiguous, and sweet atmosphere still permeated the room.
Zhang Hai lay on his side, entering what's known as "sage mode." He recalled the frenzy and passion of the previous night, still feeling as if it were a dream, unable to believe he had truly shared such an intimate moment with her, with the Tsunade Princess he had admired and held in high esteem since childhood. That deep-seated悸动 (ji dong, a feeling of excitement or thrill), that almost burning passion, had now transformed into profound exhaustion and a vague, indescribable emptiness.
However, what followed was a deeper turmoil. He recalled the many promises he had made in the heat of the night—promises that, fueled by alcohol and passion, had almost spilled from his lips, carrying a naive romanticism and a resolute determination. He had said that after the war, they would live in seclusion in a place where no one would disturb them; he had said that their wedding would be held at the former site of the Senju clan, to honor their ancestors; he had also said that there would never be another woman by his side again…
As he replayed those words in his mind, he inwardly berated himself. He felt like a complete idiot; how could he have made so many heavy promises? And most importantly, he shouldn't have had that kind of relationship with her at that time. He felt an immense pressure bearing down on him, accompanied by a vague sense of "I'm doomed." His life seemed to have been completely altered overnight.
Just as Zhang Hai was lost in thought, Tsunade beside him slowly woke up. She made no sound, simply opening her eyes quietly and then slowly sitting up. Her movements possessed a uniquely feminine suppleness, yet remained completely silent. She dressed gracefully and calmly, as if nothing had happened the previous night.
After getting dressed, she didn't immediately look at Zhang Hai, but went straight to the bedside, staring blankly at the vibrant red plum blossom on the sheet. That red, like a blooming spring flower, stood out strikingly against the white sheet, silently proclaiming a fact. Her gaze was somewhat lost in thought, a blush gradually spreading across her cheeks.
Silence fell over the room again, this time heavier and filled with more uncertainty. Zhang Hai's heart pounded in his throat; he didn't know how to break the silence, nor what Tsunade would say.
In the end, it was Tsunade who spoke first. She turned around, looked at Zhang Hai, her eyes filled with complex emotions, a mixture of vulnerability and expectation.
"What you said last night, was it true?" Her voice was soft, but every word was clear, like a drumbeat striking Zhang Hai's heart.
Zhang Hai's heart skipped a beat, and almost reflexively asked, "Which sentence?"
Upon hearing this, he immediately realized his mistake. Tsunade's eyes instantly turned resentful, a resentment as deep as a still pool, tinged with a hurt and aggrieved feeling. Zhang Hai's heart skipped a beat. He quickly sat up, reaching out to grasp her hand, anxiously trying to salvage the situation, "No! Every word is true!" His eyes were firm, his tone sincere, attempting to make up for his slip of the tongue with the most straightforward language.
Looking into his anxious yet sincere eyes, Tsunade's resentment vanished instantly. She actually believed Zhang Hai's words; her tense body relaxed, and a faint smile even appeared on her lips, like a spring breeze instantly dispelling the gloom in the room. She bent down and carefully picked up the "red plum blossom" from the bedsheet, her movements as gentle as if handling a precious treasure. Then, like a little girl, she leaned against Zhang Hai, gently resting her head on his shoulder.
Tsunade's sudden and drastic change in demeanor utterly surprised Zhang Hai. Was this still the Tsunade he knew? That unguarded trust, that innocent and carefree dependence, stirred a warm current within his usually deep and somewhat cold heart. He found her incredibly adorable at that moment, so adorable that he wanted to meld her into his very bones. Without the slightest hesitation, he opened his arms, embraced her supple, long legs, and held her tightly in his arms.
Inside the tent, sunlight filtered through the thin fabric, casting dappled shadows. Zhang Hai held Tsunade tightly, feeling her soft body and gentle, rising and falling breaths; the deep emotion within him continued. Tsunade nestled in his arms, savoring this moment of peace and tenderness. However, this tranquility was ultimately fleeting.
After a brief moment of tenderness, Tsunade gently moved, breaking free from Zhang Hai's embrace. She stood up, walked to the tent entrance, and reached out to dispel the barrier set up outside. A rush of fresh air instantly filled the tent, carrying the unique earthy fragrance of post-rain. Tsunade took a deep breath and then stepped out of the tent.
She had only taken a few steps when her body suddenly stiffened, an inexplicable discomfort rising within her. She felt a weakness in her waist, her legs trembled, and even walking became difficult. She abruptly stopped, turned around, and glared reproachfully at Zhang Hai inside the tent with her almond-shaped eyes. That glance held a hint of shyness, a hint of annoyance, yet was undeniably alluring.
Zhang Hai's heart raced at her gaze. He knew that her discomfort was a "aftereffect" of their passionate encounter the previous night. Her reproach seemed to carry a hint of unspoken coquettishness, which deepened the smile on his lips.