Chapter 36: Really Want to Eat You Up

Realizing this, she quickly pulled away from Yang Zhao.

Their entangled lips and tongues were suddenly separated, and a crisp “pop” echoed in the quiet room.

Ignoring her embarrassment, Hua Man immediately pressed her palm to Yang Zhao’s forehead—it was hot enough to cook an egg.

“You have a fever again.”

With that, Hua Man got up right away to fetch the thermometer.

Yang Zhao slowly sat up from the tatami mat, pulled over the blanket Hua Man had been sleeping under, and sniffed it gently by her ear. The familiar scent eased her furrowed brow.

At least her sense of smell was still intact.

Her head throbbed like it was about to explode, and her body ached terribly. She lay back down, burying herself in the blanket filled with Hua Man’s scent.

She had woken up from the headache at first.

She had meant to call for someone, but as soon as she sat up, she saw Hua Man sleeping on the tatami mat.

It was rare to see her sleeping so soundly, so she hadn’t woken her.

Footsteps approached.

Yang Zhao obediently let Hua Man maneuver her. Finally, seeing Hua Man’s expression turn serious after checking the thermometer, she couldn’t help but ask, “How high?”

“Thirty-nine point three degrees.”

After saying that, Hua Man immediately called Yu Shan.

Once she hung up, she saw Yang Zhao still lying on the tatami mat and shook her gently. “Go sleep on the bed.”

“I have no strength.” Yang Zhao lifted her arms. “Carry me over.”

No strength?

Remembering how Yang Zhao had just pounced on her and kissed her, she didn’t look like she had no strength at all.

But the temperature didn’t lie—Yang Zhao really had a high fever.

Why argue with a sick person?

Hua Man reached out, pulled her into her arms, and Yang Zhao’s arms immediately wrapped around her neck. Her scent enveloped Hua Man, who accepted it calmly as she picked her up and walked toward the bed.

She had just placed her on the bed when Yu Shan arrived in a rush with the doctor.

The doctor quickly hooked Yang Zhao up to an IV drip.

“Shanshan, I’m fine.” Seeing Yu Shan bustling about, Yang Zhao called out to her.

“Miss.” Yu Shan put on a stern face. “I think the fever’s gone to your head.”

With that, she turned, her gaze landing on Hua Man’s swollen and split lip, and said bitterly, “What a little vixen, bringing disaster to the country and the people!”

Hua Man: “…”

She wanted to refute it, but the injury on her lip was the best evidence.

She stood silently in the corner, blending into the background.

But Yu Shan clearly wasn’t going to let her off that easily. She glared at her. “I told you the miss needs fluids. Why haven’t you gotten her water yet?”

“Okay.”

Hua Man went to pour water immediately.

Yang Zhao watched with interest. While Hua Man was out, she gave Yu Shan a half-smiling look. “She listens to you more.”

“Miss.” Yu Shan put on a stern face again. “Don’t spoil her anymore.”

“Shanshan.” Yang Zhao’s gaze deepened. “If you’re too harsh on her, I’ll get angry.”

Yu Shan froze.

Hua Man returned soon after.

Yu Shan reined in her emotions and said stiffly, “Take good care of the miss. I’ll go arrange breakfast.”

Hua Man watched Yu Shan’s hurried departing figure thoughtfully.

“Manman, I want water.” Yang Zhao sighed.

Hua Man snapped back and handed her the water.

“My hands are weak; I can’t hold it.” Yang Zhao looked at her with a smile. “Manman, feed me.”

She knew Yang Zhao was probably teasing her on purpose, but she said it so pitifully that Hua Man couldn’t refuse.

She put on a serious face and held the cup to her lips.

Yang Zhao obediently took two sips.

After she finished, she flicked out her tongue to lick the water from her lips. Hua Man’s face heated up, and she hastily looked down, setting the cup aside.

Yang Zhao suddenly said, “We kissed for so long just now. Do you think I might have infected you?”

Hua Man didn’t really want to answer that.

“I should have held back.” Yang Zhao began self-reflecting, but she wasn’t one for dwelling. She quickly shifted the blame. “It’s all because Manman is too cute. Sometimes looking at you, I really want to eat you up.”

Hua Man: “…”

Had Yang Zhao’s fever made her delirious?

Already talking nonsense?

“Don’t worry. If you get sick, I’ll compensate you. Hmm—what should I call it? Healthy body loss fee?”

“Stop talking.” Hua Man interrupted her and held the water to her lips again. “Drink.”

A complete imperative sentence.

Two in a row, even.

Yang Zhao gave her a meaningful look. Few people dared speak to her like that—not even Zhao Ming.

Yet she found it oddly satisfying.

Normally, she wouldn’t let anyone climb over her head, but this was Hua Man. Thinking about it, she felt she could accept it.

What a headache.

But: “You don’t want compensation?”

If she remembered right, Hua Man seemed to care a lot about money. Last time her pay was docked, she’d even mentioned resigning.

“No need.” Hua Man said calmly. She had some confidence in her own health. “I’m not like you; I don’t get sick easily.”

Talking about herself was one thing—why drag her into it?

Yang Zhao tsked in dissatisfaction. “Normally, setting up a flag like that means you’ll get slapped in the face soon.”

“I won’t.” Hua Man said without hesitation.

Yang Zhao stared at her for a moment, then laughed. “You look so confident; it’s really likable. I want to kiss you again.”

Hua Man immediately stepped back.

Seeing this, Yang Zhao’s eyes flickered. It had just been offhand, but Hua Man’s resistance made her narrow her eyes, her tone turning stubborn. “I want to kiss you.”

Her moods shifted too quickly. Hua Man was silent for a few seconds before stepping forward, bending down to lean in.

Yang Zhao’s face filled her view, but unexpectedly, the kiss didn’t land on her lips.

Yang Zhao just pecked her cheek.

She looked at Yang Zhao in surprise.

“What are you looking at me like that for?” Yang Zhao raised a brow. “Not enough?”

Hua Man quickly said, “Enough.”

“That’s all it takes? You’re so easily satisfied.”

Yang Zhao lay back on the bed as she spoke, but even that slight movement made her head feel like it was splitting open. She had no energy for more and could only lie there obediently.

Because Yang Zhao was ill, their return trip was delayed again.

Worried that Yang Zhao would get bored in the hotel, Yu Shan deliberately picked topics she liked.

“Miss, there’s preliminary results on the design contest investigation. Apparently, one judge used to be Zhao Yang’s teacher.”

“And that judge’s son is one of Zhao Yang’s suitors, totally obsessed with her. He even boasted that he’d make sure she rises smoothly to the top of the design world.”

Yang Zhao let out a muffled laugh. “So arrogant.”

“Zhao Yang learned ninety-nine percent of her mom’s vixen ways. How could she not drive people mad?” Yu Shan said indignantly, then continued, “The contest originally had ten winners. Zhao Yang’s piece ranked eleventh, but she forcibly bumped the tenth place down and took their spot.”

“Luckily, the eldest miss stepped in like a hero and exposed it, or that poor person bumped out would have suffered even more!”

“Now that Zhao Yang’s plagiarism is out, it’s so embarrassing. Qin Fangqin must be so furious she’s not sleeping for days!”

She knew exactly how to cheer Yang Zhao up. After hearing this, Yang Zhao visibly perked up.

“Investigate thoroughly. Handle it as it should be.”

“Yes, miss. You can count on me.” As she spoke, Yu Shan shot Hua Man a smug glance.

She was far more reliable than Hua Man.

“Manman.” Noticing Yu Shan’s look, Yang Zhao turned to Hua Man. “Go spend time with your family today.”

Yang Zhao had mentioned this a few days ago, so Hua Man wasn’t too surprised and nodded in agreement.

*

Yang Zhao specially arranged a driver to take her to where Chen Yan and the others were on their group outing.

She spotted Wu Fangfei without any surprise.

Wu Fangfei was about the same age as her, just a few months older. She resembled her grandmother, with small eyes that always glinted with scheming.

Sometimes Hua Man wondered if she was really Wu Zhenlin’s biological daughter. From childhood, she’d been shrewd, always trying to take advantage. Neither her looks nor her personality resembled the honest and simple Wu Zhenlin at all.

When Hua Man arrived, Wu Fangfei was clinging to Chen Yan’s arm, pestering her to buy the pearl bracelet from the display case.

“Manman.” Seeing Hua Man, Chen Yan’s face lit up with surprise. “You’re here too?!”

“Yeah.”

Hua Man walked over, her gaze falling on the bracelet.

It was from a shop in the scenic area, and every item was pricey.

Wu Fangfei eyed the clothes Hua Man was wearing up and down, recognizing it as the hottest new style from OIOI. Jealousy flashed in her eyes. “Manman, is that the latest from OIOI?”

Hua Man hadn’t paid attention to whether it was the latest; Yang Zhao had picked it out for her anyway.

“Mom, Manman’s doing great working at the Yang family, huh?” She shook Chen Yan’s arm, her tone sour. “Unlike me; I still haven’t found a job.”

She called Chen Yan so intimately, but Hua Man knew what she called her behind her back. It felt hypocritical.

“Mom, you can’t favor her just because I’m not your biological daughter. Ask the housekeeper to get me a job at the Yang family too. I’ll do anything.”

Chen Yan looked troubled. “I didn’t arrange for Manman to go to the Yang family.”

“We’re all family, Mom. Don’t brush me off like that.” Wu Fangfei darkened her face. “Or do you not see me as your child? I treat you like my real mom, and this is how you treat me?”

Chen Yan wasn’t good with words and was immediately stumped by Wu Fangfei’s barrage.

“The Yang family even requires a bachelor’s degree for hiring nannies now.” Hua Man spoke up at the right moment. “If you want to work there, you’ll have to work harder.”

Wu Fangfei’s face flushed red and pale by turns. Finally, she turned to Chen Yan, dropping even “mom.” “Aunt Chen, your daughter looks down on me like this, and you won’t do anything?”

“I’m just stating facts.” Hua Man said flatly.

“You!”

Chen Yan hurriedly intervened. “Alright, no fighting. Fangfei, Manman has a point. The Yang family does have education requirements now.”

“Fine, so you’re just a stepmom after all.” Wu Fangfei raised her voice without restraint, drawing attention from those around. Indignantly, she said, “You two gang up on a poor motherless child like me!”

“Dad!” Wu Fangfei spotted the person at the door and rushed over, tears flowing instantly. “Dad, when you’re not here, they team up to bully people!”

Wu Zhenlin was still holding some snacks he’d just bought. He handed them to Wu Fangfei. “How did they bully you?”

Wu Fangfei immediately twisted the story. “I just wanted a bracelet, but Mom hemmed and hawed about buying it, then teamed up with Hua Man to mock my education and say I can’t find a job.”