Yang Zhao’s dancing paused for a moment. She lifted her gaze to Hua Man, her eyebrow arching as if asking a question.
Hua Man couldn’t come up with an excuse.
She certainly couldn’t say she was worried about Yang Zhao’s little rabbit bumping into someone else’s.
That would be far too embarrassing to admit.
Hua Man hemmed and hawed for a while without saying anything. Just then, someone from behind suddenly collided with her, sending her stumbling forward.
Their soft bodies collided again. Yang Zhao steadied her, and Hua Man could feel Yang Zhao’s breath hot against her ear.
Her heart inexplicably raced, her breathing growing rapid and uncontrolled.
Hua Man immediately pulled back, but the next second, the crowd’s wild dancing pushed her forward again.
She wasn’t sure if it was her imagination, but she thought she heard a soft chuckle.
As she steadied herself and looked up, she met Yang Zhao’s gaze, full of amusement.
Hua Man: “…”
It definitely wasn’t her imagination.
Perhaps because it was the weekend, the dance floor was packed. Hua Man even spotted several couples who started embracing and kissing mid-dance.
At her limit, Hua Man grabbed Yang Zhao’s wrist and dragged her away from the dance floor without explanation.
She pulled her to a nearby booth.
The booth was farther from the dance floor, so it wasn’t as noisy.
Yang Zhao sat on the sofa, arms crossed over her chest. “Why did you drag me over here?”
Her tone held clear dissatisfaction.
“It was too chaotic over there,” Hua Man said awkwardly.
“What’s chaotic about it?” Yang Zhao asked, baffled.
As she spoke, she glanced toward the dance floor. “Everyone’s here to have fun. They’re letting loose, having a great time, and relieving stress, right?”
In the crowded dance floor, everyone’s expressions were relaxed, their smiles unmasked, as if they’d forgotten all their worries. How fun it looked.
Hua Man froze.
Relieving stress?
Did Yang Zhao even have stress?
Because of the Wilderness Archery Competition? Because of that mistaken nine-ring shot?
Seeing Hua Man fall silent, Yang Zhao leaned back on the sofa and sized her up. “Is this your first time at a bar?”
Noticing Hua Man shake her head, she was surprised. “You’ve been before?”
Her gaze turned odd.
Hua Man had such an upright face—the kind that screamed rule-follower and top student. How could she have been to a place like a bar?
“Who brought you?” She pursed her lips tightly.
“I came by myself.” Not one to share much about her private life, Hua Man kept it brief and changed the subject. “You have the closing ceremony tomorrow. You should probably get some early rest tonight.”
“By yourself?” Yang Zhao eyed her suspiciously. “You’re not just messing with me, are you?”
She completely ignored Hua Man’s attempt to change the topic.
She was determined to get to the bottom of it.
Hua Man kept her eyes lowered and finally explained, “I worked part-time at a bar during school.”
“Part-time?” Yang Zhao didn’t get it. “The Yang Family pays well enough. Your mom can easily support you.”
Hua Man: “I have hands and feet. I’m an adult now. I don’t need anyone to support me.”
Yang Zhao raised an eyebrow.
She actually kind of wanted to support Hua Man.
But if Hua Man wouldn’t even let her own mom support her, would she let Yang Zhao do it?
What a headache. She’d wanted to keep things amicable and have Hua Man stay by her side willingly.
She leisurely poured herself a glass of wine, sipping it thoughtfully while glancing up at Hua Man.
She rarely failed to get what she wanted—people included.
She was determined to have Hua Man.
If Hua Man was willing, great—mutual affection. If not, no problem. She’d find a way to make her willing.
Hmm, Yu Shan should have handled things for her by now, right?
Noticing Yang Zhao’s gaze lingering on her face, Hua Man endured it for a while before finally asking, “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” Yang Zhao put on an innocent face.
Hua Man frowned. “You’ve been staring at me.”
That look…
It made her feel so strange.
“So possessive? Can’t even handle me looking?” Yang Zhao leaned forward, propping one hand on the table and resting her chin on it, staring even more intently. “You’re so pretty. Can’t I take a few extra glances?”
Her bluntness made the tips of Hua Man’s ears burn instantly.
In a panic, she lowered her head, grabbed her chopsticks, and shoved a random bite into her mouth.
Unfortunately, she’d picked up a chili pepper. Biting down unprepared, the spicy heat made her cough violently.
Yang Zhao had sharp eyes and had seen it was a chili when Hua Man picked it up. She’d deliberately not warned her. Now, seeing Hua Man’s eyes redden from the spice, she held back a laugh. “Who would’ve thought? You like spicy food?”
“Or—” She drew out her tone. “Are you blushing because I said you’re pretty?”
Hua Man had just barely suppressed her coughing fit when she heard the teasing. Heat flooded her face even more.
Of course, she wouldn’t admit to being shy. Coughing still, she forced down the chili in her mouth. “I… cough! I like… cough cough… spicy stuff.”
Yang Zhao burst out laughing. “Manman, you’re so cute.”
Hua Man: “…”
Ignoring Yang Zhao for the moment, her mouth was flooding with saliva now, her ears burning from the spice.
Just then, a glass of water appeared before her. Hua Man took it instinctively and gulped it down.
She drained the spicy liquor in one go. Only as the alcohol spread through her mouth did she realize what she’d just drunk, and she started coughing again uncontrollably.
She coughed so hard that tears glistened at the corners of her eyes.
Yang Zhao swirled her glass, unable to hold back any longer. She leaned over to reach out.
Before she could wipe away the moisture, Hua Man recoiled as if facing a great enemy.
Like she’d encountered a flood or a wild beast.
Yang Zhao narrowed her eyes, a shadow darkening her gaze.
The way she dodged was truly grating.
But she quickly masked her emotions, curving her lips. “How do you even choke on a drink? Manman, don’t be so eager.”
With that, she tilted her head back and downed the wine in her glass.
“Yang Zhao?”
A female voice suddenly called out.
Hua Man looked up and was shocked to see Li Miaohe here again. She held a bottle of wine in one hand and had her arm around a curvaceous woman in revealing clothes.
Hua Man’s scalp tingled.
She suddenly realized that all the bar’s patrons seemed to be women.
Most of the embracing, kissing couples were women too.
Looking closer, even those she’d mistaken for men were just androgynously dressed women.
So this was a lesbian bar?
Realizing that, Hua Man felt like she was sitting on pins and needles.
Li Miaohe had already sat down with her companion, leaning back on the sofa. She eyed them with a smile. “What a coincidence. You two are here having fun too?”
Her gaze lingered ambiguously between Hua Man and Yang Zhao.
Especially when she noticed Hua Man’s swollen, red lips—she shot Yang Zhao a knowing, half-smirking look.
Yang Zhao still remembered how this woman had tried to get Hua Man’s contact info. She gave her no friendly look. “What’s it to you?”
“Such a temper?” Li Miaohe wasn’t offended. She set the bottle on the table with a grin. “We ran into each other—fate. Let’s share a table.”
The woman she’d brought opened the wine and poured a glass, holding it up to feed Li Miaohe.
Li Miaohe didn’t drink, dodging back. “Not like that.”
The woman playfully swatted her. “You’re so mean.”
With that, she took a sip and turned to kiss Li Miaohe.
Hua Man froze.
The kiss was so sudden that she witnessed the whole thing without warning.
By the time she processed it, they’d separated.
Li Miaohe’s lips were reddened from the kiss, a thread of silver trailing. Ignoring the stares, she licked it away and smiled at Hua Man. “Want to give it a try?”
Yang Zhao’s face darkened instantly. Her hand reached for the wine bottle nearby.
Before she touched it, Hua Man said coldly, “No.”
Yang Zhao’s gaze flickered. She thoughtfully glanced at Li Miaohe, who was cuddling her date, then slowly withdrew her hand.
Li Miaohe, unaware she’d dodged a bullet, turned to Yang Zhao. “Yang Zhao, out playing and no company? If you can’t find anyone, I know a few good-looking ones.”
Yang Zhao chuckled. “As pretty as my Manman?”
Li Miaohe was speechless.
Obviously not.
She dropped it. Her new girlfriend, unhappy at being ignored, pinched her hand. Li Miaohe ignored Yang Zhao and focused on flirting with her date.
They were utterly uninhibited, kissing now and then, their hands wandering. Hua Man caught Li Miaohe’s hand sliding to the woman’s chest several times.
She’d thought Yang Zhao would snap, but glancing over, the young lady was watching with keen interest, showing no sign of anger.
Hua Man’s heart sank.
She couldn’t quite name the feeling, but a bad premonition stirred.
Unable to help it, she frowned at the pair. She couldn’t understand—why do such intimate things so openly in front of others instead of in private?
“You two…” The stares finally made it impossible for Li Miaohe to continue. She was at a loss. “Can’t you mind your own business? Why keep staring at us?”
“I booked this booth. I can watch whatever I want.” Yang Zhao crossed her arms. “Go on. I don’t mind.”
Li Miaohe: “…”
She minded!
That eager, studious gaze—anyone would think Yang Zhao was taking notes.
She stood with her girlfriend in tow and waved. “We’re heading out. Have fun.”
Once she left, Yang Zhao lost interest.
She didn’t sit long before standing. “Let’s go.”
Hua Man breathed a sigh of relief and hurried after her.
She’d been worried Yang Zhao might cause a scene at the bar, but they’d gotten through it peacefully.
It was still early, but Yang Zhao had the driver take them straight back to the hotel.
Sticking to the principle of less trouble is better, Hua Man held back from asking questions.
*
The next day, the award ceremony began.
As expected, Yang Zhao claimed the Wilderness Archery Competition championship.
Watching her strut like a proud little peacock on the podium, Hua Man felt a swell of pride by association.
Hua Man had thought Yang Zhao’s quality of life here was far below the Yang Family residence and that they’d head back after the award. But Yang Zhao wasn’t in any rush to leave.
“We haven’t properly explored during the competition days. We should take in the Stone Forest scenery before going.” Yang Zhao glanced meaningfully at Hua Man as she spoke.
Playing tourist was just an excuse. The real reason was to create more alone time with Hua Man.
She couldn’t wait any longer. She had to win her over.
That evening, she arranged a candlelit dinner.
Gently swirling her red wine glass, she looked curiously at Hua Man. “Why aren’t you drinking?”
“I’m your bodyguard.” Hua Man had a headache. Yang Zhao always seemed to forget her role.
“You think there’s danger here? This is our suite.” Yang Zhao laughed. “Besides, it’s a society governed by law now. You think anyone would really dare touch me?”
She stood behind Hua Man, bending down to hook an arm around her neck. She pressed the wine glass to her lips with her other hand. “Take a sip, and I’ll tell you why I have so many bodyguards. Deal?”
Not really.
Hua Man didn’t want to hear too much about these wealthy family secrets, but their position was far too intimate. She could clearly feel the softness pressing against her back, and the scent enveloping her.
That fragrance wrapped around her tightly, making it hard to breathe.
She had no choice but to part her lips as the glass pressed forward.
The crimson liquid filled her mouth. Before she could taste it, she swallowed hastily. The wine’s aftertaste lingered in her throat, but she ignored it, grabbing Yang Zhao’s arm—smooth as white jade. “I drank it.”
She didn’t dare use much force—last time, even a little pressure had left deep marks on Yang Zhao’s arm.
“So eager?” Yang Zhao smiled, knowing she wanted to pull away. Instead, she held her tighter, whispering in her ear, “I was kidnapped as a kid.”
Hua Man froze.
“Want to know who the kidnapper was?” Yang Zhao released her, poured more wine, and leaned against the table edge. She looked down at Hua Man for a few seconds before leaning in to press the glass to her lips again. “Drink up.”
Hua Man looked up at her.
Yang Zhao seemed thrilled, her eyes sparkling. Recalling how she’d spent every day at the archery range for this competition, Hua Man didn’t want to spoil the mood.
But she hadn’t expected Yang Zhao to pour so quickly this time. She couldn’t swallow in time, and the wine overflowed.
“Cough—”
Unable to swallow it all, wine trickled from the corner of her mouth.
“Ah, sorry.”
With that, Yang Zhao stepped forward. One hand gently patted Hua Man’s back while the other wiped away the wine overflowing from the corner of her lips.
Feeling the touch against her fingertip, Yang Zhao’s gaze gradually deepened. Unable to resist, she lifted Hua Man’s chin and met the other’s astonished eyes. She curved her lips and leaned down to gently lick the corner of her mouth.
Her tongue tip darted out, lightly sweeping over the corner of her lips before quickly withdrawing. She curved her eyes into a smile.
“So sweet.”
