Chapter 54: Plenty of Ways

Yang Zhao still didn’t get her way in the end.

Lying in bed next to Hua Man, Yang Zhao found herself unable to sleep, but the woman beside her seemed truly exhausted. It wasn’t long before she heard Hua Man’s steady breathing.

Yang Zhao couldn’t help but click her tongue inwardly.

She shifted slightly, gazing at Hua Man.

Because she’d gone too far earlier, Hua Man’s lips were redder than usual. So before bed, Hua Man had refused to let her pillow her head on that chest.

Without her restraint, Hua Man lay there stiffly like a corpse, flat on her back.

She clearly enjoyed it too—how could she fall asleep so calmly?

Yang Zhao couldn’t figure it out. After getting a taste, she herself itched with desire and couldn’t sleep, yet Hua Man was far too composed.

Could it be that she really didn’t like doing it with her?

The thought had barely surfaced when Yang Zhao dismissed it.

Impossible.

She was always confident in herself, and besides, her senses wouldn’t lie.

Hua Man liked it.

But that only made it more baffling—liking it yet holding back. What kind of logic was that?

She reached out and pinched Hua Man’s cheek. Yang Zhao chuckled softly. Sooner or later, she’d make this blockhead bloom.

*

The next day, at the breakfast table, Hua Man mentioned that she needed to head out.

Yang Zhao, who was eating breakfast, looked up at her.

After their physical intimacy had advanced further, Hua Man could clearly sense a change between them—one she could detect.

The most obvious was the way Yang Zhao looked at her.

Now, Yang Zhao’s gaze always carried a hint of aggression, as if she wanted to devour her on the spot.

Hua Man pretended not to notice.

She met her eyes steadily.

Though Yang Zhao had carried her to the bathroom last night and taken back permission for a full day out, Hua Man acted as if it hadn’t happened.

She was prepared to argue her case with Yang Zhao, but unexpectedly, Yang Zhao relented quickly. “Fine.”

Surprisingly agreeable.

Hua Man’s eyes flickered.

Why?

Was it because she was in a good mood now, or because their increased intimacy made her more tolerant?

Pushing aside the question for the moment, Hua Man kept her expression calm and continued, “Can Zhu Shu drive me then?”

Zhu Shu was the driver Yang Zhao had assigned her last time. Because of that, she’d clashed with the housekeeper, who had now vanished for days despite still living at the Yang Family residence.

“Of course.” Yang Zhao felt a bit puzzled by the request, but remembering the previous incident, she added, “He’s the driver I assigned to you. He’ll take you wherever you want. No one else can take him away.”

“Thank you.”

Though she knew Yang Zhao disliked hearing thanks, seeing her defend her like this, Hua Man couldn’t help saying it.

As expected, her gratitude irked Yang Zhao. “Why are you thanking me again?”

Yang Zhao’s brows furrowed tightly.

“I appreciate it,” Hua Man stated plainly.

Yang Zhao’s attitude and arrangements saved her a lot of trouble.

“If you’re grateful, don’t just say it.” Yang Zhao’s expression turned suggestive. “Show it.”

Her gaze landed playfully on Hua Man’s slender fingers.

Hua Man lowered her brows, not responding.

But Yang Zhao was already making a move. Feeling the tip of her foot teasing along her leg, Hua Man held still without dodging.

“I’ve emphasized it so many times, and you still say these things. It really makes me mad.”

Yang Zhao claimed to be angry, but neither her eyes nor her actions showed it.

Hua Man waited quietly.

Sure enough, the next moment, Yang Zhao said, “I should punish you properly.”

Hearing that, Hua Man couldn’t stay entirely calm. She lifted her eyes to Yang Zhao.

Her heart raced.

Having just gone through last night’s ordeal, she worried Yang Zhao was still fixated on that and might demand something excessive.

“What should I punish you with?” Yang Zhao seemed troubled, her foot toying idly with Hua Man as she curved her lips. “How about ten minutes of French kissing for every thank you?”

Hua Man fell silent.

The suggestion left her at a loss for words, yet also relieved.

Yang Zhao always liked using French kissing as punishment. Compared to their most intimate acts, just kissing wasn’t too much.

“Fine.” Eager to move on, she didn’t object much. “Can we start next time?”

Yang Zhao raised a brow, saying nothing, but her eyes said it all.

Hua Man felt a chill run down her spine.

The hall was full of people—maids, Yu Shan, and several bodyguards. Kissing Yang Zhao in front of everyone was impossible for her.

Seeing no response, Yang Zhao pressed, “Right now.”

There was stubbornness in her eyes.

In these situations, Hua Man usually compromised. Arms couldn’t twist thighs, after all—struggling was futile and would only anger Yang Zhao, bringing more trouble.

She hated trouble, so she was always pragmatic.

This time, though, a hint of resistance stirred.

“Next time.” Seeing Yang Zhao’s face darken, she clenched her fist, her own expression hardening. “You bit me yesterday. My tongue still hurts.”

It didn’t really, just a slight discomfort now and then, but not painful.

Yang Zhao visibly paused.

Seizing the moment, Hua Man pressed on, her voice low. “If you do it again next time, I won’t kiss you.”

“You dare.”

Threatened, Yang Zhao’s eyes darkened.

But Hua Man didn’t back down. Calmly, she replied, “Try me.”

With that, she stood. “It’s getting late. I need to handle some personal business outside. Eat slowly.”

She left her just like that.

Yang Zhao’s face fell, and Yu Shan behind her chose silence.

No one dared speak.

Yu Shan’s heart pounded. Hua Man, the culprit, had lit the fuse and run, leaving them to face the furious young miss.

After a moment, though, no outburst came.

The hall quieted briefly. Then Yang Zhao turned to Yu Shan. “Hua Man’s gotten so bold.”

Yu Shan quickly agreed. “Right! She’s gone too far! You should punish her properly, Miss!”

She probed, “Should I arrange for someone to teach her a lesson?”

Yang Zhao raised a brow. “A lesson? What kind? Why teach her one?”

Yu Shan faltered. Hadn’t the young miss always handled those who displeased her personally, or had her arrange it?

“I’ve got plenty of ways to punish her. No need for you to interfere.”

Yang Zhao sneered. Hua Man was bold, but that was fine. When she returned, she’d give her a proper reckoning.

Then she’d have every justification to do as she pleased with Hua Man.

Imagining Hua Man under her, helpless to her whims, even her anger melted into eager anticipation.

Seeing the young miss beaming with delight, clearly in high spirits, Yu Shan blinked. After a pause, she asked curiously, “You’re not mad, Miss?”

“She’s just thin-skinned—shy, that’s all.” Yang Zhao grinned wider. “Besides, doesn’t it feel like flirting? No one gets mad over flirting.”

Yu Shan: “…”

How was that flirting?

If she remembered right, Hua Man had been expressionless, even stern-faced, with an unfriendly tone. How was that flirting?

Yu Shan didn’t get it, but if the young miss wasn’t angry, all was well. She stopped dwelling.

Meanwhile, Hua Man was on her way to the rental apartment.

It was far from the Yang Family residence and took considerable time to reach.

This time, the apartment wasn’t spotless, but it wasn’t the garbage-strewn, stench-filled mess from last time.

Hua Man breathed a sigh of relief.

Soon, she noticed the place hadn’t been lived in for a while. Dust coated the public areas’ table. Compared to outside, opening the kitchen door made her frown at the smell.

The kitchen trash had molded because Lin Wanyi forgot to take it out before leaving.

Hua Man pinched the bridge of her nose. She really needed to consider renting somewhere solo.

With a plan, she got to work—packing her room first so she could move out once she found a new place.

As she packed, she heard the door open outside.

Thinking it was Lin Wanyi back, she set down her things, ready to tell her about moving out. Instead, a man walked in.

He clearly hadn’t expected anyone home, panic flashing across his face.

Hua Man’s face darkened. “What are you doing?”

It was the landlord. They’d met few times, interacted rarely—mostly for rent.

At her question, he looked guilty for seconds before blustering, “You’re all never home, and rent’s due end of month. I need to inspect the place to tally it up.”

“So you entered without the tenants’ permission or even a heads-up?” Hua Man asked coldly.

She’d received no message from him.

“Do I need your permission to enter my own property?” The landlord grew impatient. “Besides, I’m not taking anything—just inspecting.”

He headed straight for the bathroom.

Hua Man’s expression soured. He clearly wasn’t doing this for the first time—who knew how many visits he’d made unknown to her.

Suppressing her anger, she said, “I’m not renewing next month. I’ll move out before then.”

The landlord, emerging from the bathroom, scowled. “Not renewing? No deposit refund then—you’ll pay a penalty too.”

Not surprised, Hua Man nodded. “Fine.”

She pulled out her phone and called the police.

“What are you doing!”

Seeing her dial, the landlord’s face twisted. As she spoke to the police, he lunged to snatch the phone.

Hua Man wouldn’t let him. She grabbed his arm with one hand, tripped him with a kick, and told the phone, “He’s attacking me now. I’m defending myself. Please hurry.”

After hanging up, seeing him scramble up with murder in his eyes, she extended her leg again, pinning him underfoot.

The landlord was a beer-bellied brute who looked tough but was weak. Feeling how easily he crumpled, Hua Man sneered.

Then she fell silent.

In these less than two months, she’d changed.

Would the old her have acted so recklessly?

Probably not—she’d hesitate, even if right, to avoid trouble.

Spending time with the arrogant, domineering Yang Zhao had rubbed off on her.

But she had to admit, compared to swallowing her anger, acting directly felt better—more satisfying, more efficient.

At least the landlord no longer saw her as easy prey. She’d expected him to turn the tables, but when police arrived, he cowered, apologizing profusely.

In the end, she terminated the lease successfully, getting her full deposit back.

But she’d burned bridges—the landlord demanded she clear out today, as he’d list it for rent tomorrow.

Packing was easy, but storage was an issue.

Finding a new place and moving in one day was tough.

Finally, she called Lin Wanyi.

“You’re terminating?” Lin Wanyi sounded shocked. “Why? Short on cash?”

She added quickly, “If it’s money, I can lend you this month’s.”

“Not about money.” Hua Man asked, “Some things I can’t take—I’ve WeChatted you a list. Take what you want; I’ll dispose of the rest.”

“I want it all! Yes please!” Lin WanYi chirped happily.

With belongings sorted, Hua Man asked, “Did you know the landlord enters our place without permission?”

On the other end, Lin Wanyi fell silent for a moment.

Hua Man narrowed her eyes. “You knew?”

She knew, but she had never mentioned it to her.

Lin Wanyi began to equivocate. “We didn’t lose anything. He just came in to check the gas and stuff.”

How could Hua Man fail to notice the guilt in her words? She lowered her gaze. “When did he come in?”

“Sigh.” Seeing that Hua Man kept pressing, Lin Wanyi had no choice but to say, “A while back, after my breakup, I was drinking at home every day, right? One day, I felt someone touching me. When I opened my eyes, there was the landlord’s piggish face. It grossed me out so much.”

Hua Man’s brow twitched sharply. “He molested you. Did you call the police?”

She didn’t even need Lin Wanyi to answer. She already knew the truth in her heart.

If she had called the police, the landlord never would have dared to barge in so boldly today.

Sure enough, Lin Wanyi’s voice dropped lower. “Call the police for what? I had no evidence. He’s a big man, and I’m just a little girl living there alone. Who knows what he might do if I pissed him off.”

Hua Man pursed her lips tightly.

Lin Wanyi continued, “But he waived two months’ rent for me. That counts as compensation, right?”

“With a landlord like that, you still felt safe living there?” After saying this, Hua Man recalled the dusty table, and a glint flashed in her eyes. “Did you move out?”

“Nah, I’ve been traveling to clear my head lately.” Lin Wanyi said.

With everything that needed to be said out of the way, Hua Man didn’t waste any more words. “Okay, got it. I still need to pack my things. I’m hanging up now.”

After ending the call, she sat dazed in the room for a moment. Finally, she pulled herself together and phoned the driver.