Villain: I transmigrated with Mind Control Powers

Chapter 61: Chapter 61: Ye Chen wears the Green Hat

Zhen Yu, a traditional girl who had always held herself to the highest standards of virtue, now found herself in a situation she had never imagined. The Heaven's Desire Bloom had stripped away her inhibitions, leaving her exposed and vulnerable before Aric.

He had taken something precious from her, something she could never reclaim, and yet, she felt no regret—only a deep, aching connection to the man who had saved her.

As she looked into Aric's eyes, she realized that her feelings for him had deepened into something she could no longer deny. The past events, the battles, the moments of shared danger—they had all woven a complex tapestry of emotions that now enveloped her.

Aric was well aware of her growing affection, and he had carefully guided her down this path, knowing that her trust and loyalty would be essential to his plans.

Aric's eyes gleamed with satisfaction as he held her close. His strategy had worked perfectly. The Heaven's Desire Bloom, the carefully orchestrated encounters, the rescue—everything had been calculated to bring Zhen Yu closer to him, to bind her to him in body and spirit. His heart, however, remained cold and calculating, even as he whispered soothing words into her ear.

"You don't need to thank me, Zhen Yu," Aric murmured, his lips brushing against her temple. "I would do anything to protect you. You are now mine. My woman!"

Zhen Yu felt a warmth spread through her chest at his words, her heart swelling with affection. She nestled closer to him, seeking comfort in his embrace. "I don't know what I would have done without you," she admitted, her voice trembling with emotion. "I… I feel so lost, but when I'm with you, everything seems clearer."

Aric smiled, a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. He pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead, his fingers tracing patterns along her back. "You're not alone, Zhen Yu. I'll always be here for you."

Meanwhile, in the Wilderness…

Far from the warmth of the cave, Ye Chen stirred as the cold ground beneath him sent shivers through his body. The teleportation had left him disoriented, and as he opened his eyes, he found himself surrounded by the dense, foreboding forest. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and pine, the canopy above casting deep shadows that seemed to shift and move with a life of their own.

He pushed himself to his feet, his body aching from the rough landing. His senses sharpened as he scanned his surroundings, trying to get a bearing on his location. The wilderness was silent, save for the distant rustle of leaves and the occasional call of a distant bird. Yet, something felt off—a lingering sense of unease that gnawed at the edges of his consciousness.

As Ye Chen began to move through the forest, his eyes caught sight of something unusual—a patch of ground torn apart, the earth disturbed as if by a fierce struggle. He knelt down, examining the signs of battle, and his suspicions were confirmed when he found the bodies of several Shadowfang Wolves, their lifeless forms strewn across the ground.

A cold realization washed over him. Whoever had fought these beasts was powerful—far more powerful than he had anticipated. The dead wolves were evidence of a formidable foe, one that could dispatch such creatures with ease. Ye Chen knew he had to be vigilant; the other party's intentions were unknown, and he could not afford to let his guard down.

But as he continued through the forest, another sensation tugged at his heart—a deep, inexplicable feeling of loss, as if something precious had been taken from him. It gnawed at him, urging him to press on, to uncover the source of this strange ache that wouldn't leave him.

He moved quickly, his eyes darting between the trees as he searched for any sign of what had happened. His footsteps were careful, silent, as he followed the trail left behind by the unknown party. After what felt like hours of wandering through the dense wilderness, he came upon another scene of carnage—the bodies of Iron Claw Bears, their massive forms slumped lifelessly against the trees.

Ye Chen's heart pounded in his chest. The strength required to defeat such creatures was immense. Whoever this person was, they were not to be trifled with. Yet, the feeling of loss only grew stronger, as if it were pulling him toward something—or someone.

Finally, after an exhausting search, Ye Chen's keen senses picked up on something—a faint sound carried on the wind, barely audible at first but growing clearer as he approached. It was the sound of moaning and gasping, the unmistakable sounds of passion echoing from within a nearby cave.

Ye Chen's heart clenched painfully in his chest, the ache turning into something far more intense—an agonizing sense of betrayal and anger. He didn't know why, but something deep inside him urged him to approach, to find out what was happening.

He moved cautiously, using the shadows to mask his presence as he drew closer to the cave's entrance. The sounds grew louder, more distinct, as he reached the mouth of the cave. And then, in a moment of horrifying clarity, he realized what he was hearing—the unmistakable sound of two people entwined in an intimate embrace.

Ye Chen's breath caught in his throat, his hand tightening around the hilt of his sword. He didn't dare move further, didn't dare intrude, but the urge to see, to confirm his suspicions, was overwhelming. He crouched low, peering into the cave, and what he saw nearly shattered him.

Inside, illuminated by the faint glow of a fire, he saw them—Aric and Zhen Yu. Their bodies were entwined, moving together in a dance of passion and desire.

However, Ye Chen was unaware of both of them and their identities. But when he saw Zhen Yu, he felt as if that woman belonged to him. And he had some inbuilt hatred for Aric. The more he saw aric, the angrier he felt.

Zhen Yu's face was flushed with pleasure, her eyes closed as she surrendered herself completely to the moment. Aric's expression was one of satisfaction, a predatory smile playing at the corners of his lips as he held her close.

"I never knew I could feel this way," Zhen Yu murmured, her voice soft and breathless as she gazed up at Aric, her eyes filled with a warmth and trust that Ye Chen had never seen before. "You've been my savior, Aric… I feel safe with you… loved."

Aric's expression was a mixture of satisfaction and something darker, more calculated. He brushed a strand of hair from her face, his touch gentle but possessive. "You mean everything to me, Zhen Yu," he replied, his voice low and soothing. "I will always protect you, no matter what."

Ye Chen's heart twisted painfully at the sound of their voices, each word like a dagger driven deeper into his chest. He felt as though the ground beneath him had given way, leaving him to plummet into an abyss of despair. The woman he had admired, the one he had secretly harbored feelings for, was lying in the arms of his greatest rival, and there was nothing he could do to change that.

But the pain didn't end there. Aric, fully aware of Ye Chen's presence, subtly shifted his position, ensuring that his words would reach the hidden observer just outside the cave. His lips curled into a cruel smile as he spoke, his tone dripping with false tenderness. "You're the only one for me, Zhen Yu. I would never let anyone come between us. Our bond is unbreakable."

Zhen Yu sighed contentedly, resting her head on Aric's chest, oblivious to the torment her words were causing the man just outside.

Ye Chen clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms as he fought to suppress the wave of emotions threatening to overwhelm him. His eyes burned with unshed tears, his body trembling with the effort to remain silent and unseen. He wanted to scream, to rush in and tear them apart, to demand an explanation, but he knew it was futile.

He is aware that the other party is very strong. And what would he do even if he went there?

Aric's voice cut through the silence once more, his words laced with a venomous undertone that only Ye Chen could perceive. "I would do anything to keep you safe, Zhen Yu. There's no one who can challenge us, no one who could take you from me."

The implication was clear, and it struck Ye Chen like a thunderbolt. Aric wasn't just

Ye Chen's heart ached with a pain so deep it nearly brought him to his knees. He felt a surge of anger, of hatred, directed entirely at Aric. It should have been him in there, holding Zhen Yu, comforting her, protecting her. The realization that he had lost something—someone—precious was like a dagger to the heart.

Yet, despite the rage and sorrow that welled up within him, Ye Chen knew better than to act impulsively. He had no idea how powerful Aric truly was, and confronting him now would be suicide. So, with great effort, he forced himself to retreat, his heart heavy with regret and a burning determination to grow stronger.