Chapter 57: Try Something New

“That won’t do; you’re just trying to corrupt people,” Yang Zhao said innocently. “If not the kid, then corrupt you?”

As she spoke, she reached out and stroked Hua Man’s chin with suggestive wandering fingers, finally lingering at her earlobe, where she gently rubbed and pinched.

Before Hua Man could respond, Hua Xi piped up indignantly. “You can’t corrupt my sister.”

She added smugly, “I won’t get corrupted anyway. Sister, don’t let her fool you.”

“You little ingrate, the doll you’re holding right now was a gift from me,” Yang Zhao tsked.

Hua Xi instantly felt guilty and huffed unconvincingly, her confidence waning.

In the end, Hua Man still divided the candies into portions to share with the other kids in the hospital.

As for Yang Zhao.

She looked at Yang Zhao and reached for her hand. “Will you come with me?”

Yang Zhao’s gaze flickered. She knew full well that Hua Man was deliberately dragging her along to make her concede, but seeing Hua Man holding her hand with those expectant eyes, she couldn’t refuse.

“Fine.”

She couldn’t help but tsk again. At this rate, she really would end up under Hua Man’s thumb.

The two headed first to the neighboring room.

The commotion from delivering the gifts earlier had drawn the attention of Xiao Man and her mother next door, but they never imagined Hua Man would bring something for them.

Even the usually sullen, quiet Xiao Man’s eyes lit up at the sight of the bag of candies and the pretty princess dress.

Girls her age were right in the phase of loving sweets and pretty things.

Seeing Xiao Man’s rare joyful smile brought tears to her mother’s eyes. She said gratefully, “Thank you so much.”

Then, she picked up a few packs of biscuits from the table and said awkwardly, “We don’t have much to give. Xiao Man loves these… I don’t know if Xi Xi would like them…”

“Thank you.” Hua Man took them. “She loves these biscuits too. I just haven’t had time to buy any. She’ll be thrilled to know we have them.”

Once out of the room, Yang Zhao took the biscuits from Hua Man’s hand dismissively. “They’re just some obscure brand nobody’s heard of. What makes you think your sister will be thrilled?”

She stopped walking. “Do you really think she’d be happier getting these biscuits than the gifts I just gave her?”

Hua Man couldn’t help but look at her.

This woman even had to compare over a few packs of biscuits.

Seeing Hua Man staring at her expressionlessly, Yang Zhao met her gaze confidently, even lifting her chin provocatively. “What?”

“No,” Hua Man replied, withdrawing her gaze coolly.

Though satisfied with the answer, Yang Zhao didn’t let it go. She pressed on relentlessly. “Why?”

Why does she have so many questions, just like Hua Xi? Hua Man wondered.

“She doesn’t like biscuits,” Hua Man said.

Things she didn’t like, she wouldn’t spare a glance for no matter how many.

This answer finally satisfied Yang Zhao completely. She curved her lips. “Good, she shouldn’t. These look unappetizing anyway.”

Hua Man didn’t engage.

Yang Zhao extended her hand. “The stuff I bought—you should give the return gift to me.”

A few packs of biscuits were no big deal, so Hua Man handed them over readily.

The two then distributed candy portions to the other kids on the floor. Watching the children’s delighted faces upon receiving the sweets actually gave a surprisingly good emotional payoff. Yang Zhao found herself in a pretty good mood.

But after covering the entire floor, when Hua Man prepared another set of candies and a dress, Yang Zhao raised a brow. “Who’s this for?”

“You’re not planning to give something to every kid in the hospital, are you? Big philanthropist?” she guessed.

“This is for Ke Ke,” Hua Xi said proudly from the side. “Ke Ke’s my good friend. She doesn’t live on this floor.”

She’d been unhappy about their friendship that morning, and now here she was, bragging about it.

Hua Man almost laughed.

Kids really were fickle.

Though the adult at her side didn’t seem much different—equally capricious and hard to read.

Hua Xi fumbled through the pile of dolls. Unable to see, she didn’t know what they looked like and finally picked a smaller one to hand over. “I want to give one to Ke Ke too.”

Hua Man was surprised.

“Are you sure?” she asked seriously. “Once you give it away, you can’t take it back. Even if you fight later, no asking for it back.”

Hearing this, Hua Xi hesitated.

What if they fought later?

Yang Zhao watched with interest. Suddenly struck by an idea, she turned to Hua Man. “The gift you gave me? I won’t be giving it back either.”

Hua Xi’s attention snapped over. “What did sister give you?”

She felt aggrieved and accused, “Sister, you haven’t given me a gift.”

Yang Zhao fanned the flames from the side. “Like I said, your sister and I are the best in the world.”

Hua Man: “…”

Fortunately, Hua Xi didn’t cry over Yang Zhao’s words. Instead, she “glared” fiercely at her. “Liar! I am!”

“Even if you are now, doesn’t mean you will be later,” Yang Zhao drawled leisurely. “You can’t even stand. If I run off with your sister, you won’t catch us.”

“Yang Zhao.” Hua Man frowned and tugged at her clothes.

Yang Zhao loved teasing too much. Teasing her was one thing, but Hua Xi was just a kid—a psychologically fragile one at that.

Hua Xi fumed. “Just you wait! I’m getting surgery soon. Once I can stand, see if I don’t catch you!”

Yang Zhao raised a brow. “Fine, I’ll wait.”

Hua Man froze, never expecting this turn. Hua Xi, who’d shown little anticipation for surgery before, now clenched her fists, her face full of eager hope for it.

She couldn’t help but glance at Yang Zhao again.

Yang Zhao met her eyes immediately. “Stealing looks at me?”

“No.” Hua Man shifted her gaze and changed the subject. “I’m going to drop this off for Ke Ke. Coming?”

“Of course.” Yang Zhao smirked. “Unlike some people. Tsk.”

Her meaningful tsk at the end successfully provoked Hua Xi again.

But this time, Hua Xi didn’t wail. She just puffed her cheeks in anger, her brows furrowed tight enough to crush a fly.

She even advised Hua Man, “Sister, she’s so annoying. Don’t be friends with her.”

“Then give back the candy,” Yang Zhao said in her gentlest tone, making Hua Xi’s face fall instantly.

Hua Xi wouldn’t, of course. She whined pitifully, “Gifts can’t be taken back. You already gave it to me.”

“I’m not a good kid. I can take it back fin—”

Before Yang Zhao could finish, Hua Man suddenly gripped her arm, and soft lips pressed against hers.

Yang Zhao’s eyes flickered with amusement. “Beauty trap?”

Sensing Hua Man’s attempt to pull back, she deftly buckled her waist with practiced ease. A gentle press sent Hua Man tumbling into her embrace. She leaned to Hua Man’s ear and whispered some not-child-friendly words. “This isn’t enough. Play something new with me tonight, how about it?”

Hua Man’s face burned. She pushed Yang Zhao away and said calmly, “We agreed during the contract talk—I won’t do anything excessive with you.”

“Who said it’s excessive?” Yang Zhao replied innocently. “I’m not talking whips or anything. Just something fresh with you, that’s all.”

But Hua Man was cautious by nature and shook her head firmly. “No.”

Yang Zhao tsked in displeasure.

“Why are you so stubborn?” She glared, about to say more, when Hua Xi started fussing again.

“Are you going or not? If not, I’ll go! So annoying.”

Though blind, Hua Xi could hear. Unfortunately, she didn’t understand what she heard—and catching fragments only confused her more, making her feel like her sister was sharing secrets with someone else. Her heart soured.

Before Yang Zhao could get mad, Hua Man quickly grabbed her wrist and pulled her toward the door.

She only let go at the elevator.

But her hand was soon gripped back. Yang Zhao raised a brow in dissatisfaction. “Use and discard? Kill the donkey after it’s done grinding?”

Hua Man flushed. “No.”

Yang Zhao clasped her hand tightly, then slipped her fingers between Hua Man’s, interlocking them.

It was her first time holding hands like this. The novelty made her eyes widen slightly, sparkling with excitement.

Because of it, she barely noticed the elevator’s delay.

With their fingers tightly laced, she swung their hands back and forth, finding it increasingly fun.

The elevator finally dinged at their floor.

The doors opened, and Hua Man paused in surprise. “Dr. Bai.”

Bai Qinghe nodded in greeting, but her gaze suddenly lingered on their tightly clasped hands.

She didn’t ask anything, but Yang Zhao keenly narrowed her eyes.

Unaware of Yang Zhao’s reaction, Hua Man pulled her into the elevator and stood to the side.

Bai Qinghe, nearer the buttons, asked, “What floor?”

Hua Man glanced at the directory. “Third floor, thanks.”

As Bai Qinghe reached to press it, the woman holding Hua Man’s hand stepped forward, her slender fingers hitting the third-floor button.

Bai Qinghe clearly saw the hostility.

She lowered her eyes and said nothing.

In the cramped space, the three fell into mutual silence.

Bai Qinghe got off at the first floor. Yang Zhao and Hua Man exited first.

Once out, Hua Man pulled her hand free.

“What was that just now?” She restrained herself, keeping her tone as neutral as possible to avoid sounding aggressive.

“Just now?” Yang Zhao glanced at her hand, her eyes darkening. “Are you interrogating me?”

“No.” Hua Man denied quickly, then explained proactively. “That was Hua Xi’s attending physician.”

“I know.” Yang Zhao scoffed lightly. “Man Man, don’t forget—I arranged your sister’s care.”

Hua Man fell silent for a moment before apologizing. “Sorry.”

Yang Zhao lost patience and stated bluntly, “You know what I want.”

Hua Man: “…”

It felt like Yang Zhao, now that she’d tasted it, had her mind full of nothing but that.

Perhaps that was a chip Hua Man could use to balance their relationship.

She seemed to yield. “I can give you what you want.”

Yang Zhao watched with interest, waiting for the rest.

“But today, you have to listen to me,” Hua Man said firmly.

Listen to her?

Yang Zhao laughed. “Man Man, you’re really bold.”

No one had dared say that to her in ages. But listening to Hua Man… well, it didn’t sound so bad.

She was even in a good mood.

The way Hua Man said it was especially sexy.

Yang Zhao had always thought Hua Man was like a wooden hibiscus flower—gentle beneath the mask, resilient and unyielding in her rare counterattacks.

She wanted to kiss her.

But unfortunately, kissing her recklessly here would probably make the little rabbit bite in panic.

She decided to hold back for now, filing it away to collect from Hua Man later that night.

“Fine.” She feigned helplessness, hiding her wicked thoughts in her eyes, and sighed dramatically. “Daytime yours, nighttime mine—is that it?”

Hua Man: “…No.”

Yang Zhao feigned shock. “Hua Man, how are you so domineering?”

Her turnaround left Hua Man speechless. She denied hastily, refusing the blame. “I’m not.”

Yang Zhao twisted her words deliberately. “How not? Daytime listen to you, nighttime too—what’s that if not domineering?”

So unreasonable and tangled up, Hua Man threw in the towel. “Fine, I’m domineering. So what?”

Then she added, “I’ve always been like this. If you think it doesn’t match the goods, return it.”

Yang Zhao’s eyes narrowed.

Doesn’t match the goods, return it.

She’d been the first to use those words, but hearing them from Hua Man now stung fiercely.

Her displeasure was undisguised. Yang Zhao had never been one to wrong herself, so she immediately said, “Don’t say things like that in the future.”

Hua Man raised an eyebrow. “What kind of things?”

“Goods not matching the description and returns.”

Yang Zhao enunciated each word clearly.

Hearing this from Yang Zhao, Hua Man found it somewhat amusing. “Yang Zhao, these are the exact words you once said to me.”

“So what?” Yang Zhao lowered her gaze.

Hua Man had braced herself for an argument, but her emotions settled quickly. She stopped in front of a ward and said in a flat tone, “Alright, I understand.”

Yang Zhao was at a loss for words.

The feeling of gearing up for a massive fight only to have it brushed off so lightly was far from pleasant.

It would have been better to just have it out thoroughly.

But Hua Man had already begun knocking on the door.

With a sullen expression, Yang Zhao watched as the door opened to reveal a haggard woman.

“Sister Xiaoxi.” The woman forced a strained smile onto her weary face. “What’s wrong?”

Sister Xiaoxi?

What kind of nickname was that?

Yang Zhao frowned in displeasure. “Her name is Hua Man.”

Keke’s Mom froze, taking several seconds to recover before awkwardly apologizing. “I’m sorry, I…”

Before she could finish, Hua Man cut her off. “Actually, I should be the one apologizing. She’s just straightforward—there’s no malice behind it. Please don’t take it to heart.”

Yang Zhao’s frown deepened, but Hua Man’s hand tightened slightly on hers. Meeting that warning gaze, she felt a subtle shift in her mood.

She fell silent.

Looking past the woman, Yang Zhao peered into the room.

A frail little girl lay on the bed. Her palm-sized face made her dark eyes appear especially large, and her lips bore an unnatural purple hue.