To Hua Man’s surprise, Yang Zhao not only showed no disdain for the roadside stall but also ate more than half of the stir-fried rice noodles.
When she finally set down her chopsticks, her glossy lips curved slightly as she gave a satisfied evaluation: “Not bad.”
Hua Man clenched her fists, struggling to rein in the surge of emotions within her.
It was just a simple compliment about the rice noodles, yet her mind was flooded with joy.
She looked utterly proud, as if sharing in the glory.
It was utterly inexplicable.
Hua Man stood up hastily. “I’ll go pay.”
It was getting late. After leaving the market, Hua Man’s emotions had settled back to normal. She asked Yang Zhao, “I still need to take the stuff back to the apartment. Are you heading home first?”
Remembering her daytime promise, she added, “I’ll go back later.”
“No problem.” Yang Zhao quirked her lips. “I can’t go back to the Yang residence. I’m staying at yours tonight.”
For a few seconds, Hua Man thought she must have misheard.
Before Yang Zhao could explain, she asked proactively, “What do you mean?”
Yang Zhao said nonchalantly, “The literal meaning. You know my dad and Qin Fangqin have always seen me as a thorn in their side. Now they’ve caught a little handle on me, and I’ve been kicked out.”
Hua Man: “…”
She felt like Yang Zhao was joking.
Something this big couldn’t be stated so casually, and she hadn’t heard any rumors about changes in the Yang Corporation’s leadership.
“You don’t believe me?” Yang Zhao raised a brow.
“I haven’t heard any rumors.”
Hua Man said calmly.
“Of course you haven’t.” Yang Zhao sighed. “If news like this spread everywhere, wouldn’t the Yang Corporation collapse?”
After thinking it over, she decided to reveal a bit more. “Zhao Ming and the others plan to use the excuse that I have mental issues to kick me out of the Yang Corporation and seize my power.”
Hua Man’s heart rate quickened. If that was true, Zhao Ming and his group might actually succeed.
“Do you?” she asked.
“Do you think I do?” Yang Zhao countered softly.
The question stumped Hua Man. Anyone who’d met Yang Zhao would find it hard to say she didn’t have issues in that regard.
She was sometimes just too wild.
More than likely, plenty of people thought she was crazy.
But in the end, Hua Man just said, “If you keep acting this crazy, they might actually get a hold on you and lock you up in a mental hospital.”
Yang Zhao burst out laughing. “How could they ever get a hold on me?”
Still, Hua Man’s words pleased her. She leaned forward and kissed Hua Man, soothing her happily. “Don’t worry. I’ll just let them hop around for a few days.”
When they were ecstatic, thinking victory was at hand, she’d land a heavy blow on them. How fun would that be?
“In any case.” She reached out and wrapped her arms around Hua Man’s waist, pressing tightly against her. “I’m homeless now, Manman. You have to take me in.”
Hua Man couldn’t discern the truth in Yang Zhao’s words, but Yang Zhao did indeed follow her back to her apartment.
The apartment didn’t have much stuff, but the basic furniture was already set up. Hua Man sat in the living room, quietly listening to the sounds from the bathroom.
Her phone still had a reply from Xia Qing.
The Yang Family servants hadn’t heard any rumors either, but Zhao Ming had returned from abroad in high spirits. Qin Fangqin and her daughter had also moved into the Yang residence, and apparently, they planned to hold a banquet in a few days.
If Yang Zhao were still the lofty eldest miss, she wouldn’t allow them to pull this in the Yang Family.
“Hua Man.”
Yang Zhao’s voice came from the bathroom.
Hua Man stood up immediately. “What’s wrong?”
She walked toward the bathroom.
The door opened, steam billowing out. Yang Zhao wasn’t wearing anything. She showed no shyness, boldly displaying herself in front of Hua Man.
“The water’s cold.”
She enunciated each word.
Hua Man had already averted her eyes awkwardly upon glimpsing those alluring pink nipples amid the white mist, so she naturally missed the amusement in Yang Zhao’s gaze.
Without a doubt, she went in.
“How could it be…”
Before she finished speaking, Yang Zhao’s wet, scalding body pressed against her.
“Baby, did you miss me?”
Hua Man took a deep breath and turned to look at her.
She truly resembled a seductress—white where she was white, pink where she was pink. Every inch of skin was so enticing, firm and rounded, adorned with water droplets that seemed ready to fall, as if waiting to be plucked.
Hua Man’s throat itched.
“I did.”
After a long moment, she heard her own voice.
No, this shouldn’t be happening.
But her body and mind seemed split in two. Bewitched by the enchantress in the mist, recalling her emotions from the past few days, and that photo of Yang Zhao entering a hotel room with Yan Wei, she bit down on Yang Zhao.
“Open your mouth.”
Hua Man’s voice was husky.
This was a different Hua Man from before. Yang Zhao grew excited and opened herself up—mouth or otherwise—welcoming Hua Man’s invasion with full cooperation.
For the first time, Yang Zhao lay on a bed that wasn’t all that comfortable for her and felt a bit cramped.
Well, not exactly lying down.
She sat in Hua Man’s lap, feeling Hua Man’s slight roughness, the callus on her finger from practicing stone gambling, her distinct knuckles.
She couldn’t help but tilt her head back and take it into her mouth.
An unprecedented sense of satisfaction flooded all her senses. She was so aroused that every cell screamed, even proactively taking more, wishing she could swallow Hua Man’s entire hand.
She was too greedy, and her body couldn’t keep up.
Pushed to the deepest point, she bloomed without reservation. Though aroused to the point of trembling, she still drove into Hua Man’s mouth, sweeping over every territory that belonged to her.
It was utterly exhilarating.
This was Hua Man’s first night in the apartment. Her ears were filled with Yang Zhao’s aroused, satisfied sounds, her nostrils with Yang Zhao’s scent.
As desire clouded her eyes and she indulged wildly, she belatedly realized: she had no idea how good the apartment’s soundproofing was.
But even realizing this, she still indulged herself—and Yang Zhao.
A chaotic night.
The next day, both slept until late morning.
Hua Man woke first, as usual.
The moment she moved, she felt the soreness in her body and fingers. She froze for a moment, and scenes from last night played in her mind like a movie.
Her face flushed red instantly.
But the pleasure and satiation couldn’t be ignored.
Hua Man took a deep breath. Lowering her gaze, she looked at Yang Zhao clinging to her like an octopus, her expression complicated.
She felt she probably wasn’t all that normal either.
It was like she’d become addicted.
She could hardly believe that had been her last night.
She raised her hand. Whether it was an illusion or not, her fingers felt swollen from soaking.
Thinking of this, her face grew hot.
It was already late. She carefully peeled Yang Zhao off and got out of bed quietly.
There were two missed calls from Hua Xi on her phone. She’d slept too soundly and hadn’t heard a thing.
After getting dressed, she went to the balcony to call Hua Xi back, telling her she’d be late today. Then she quickly washed up and bought some breakfast from downstairs before returning.
Hua Xi’s surgery was tomorrow, so she definitely had to go to the hospital today.
As she opened the door to call Yang Zhao, she saw that Yang Zhao had woken up at some point and was sitting on the bed, lost in thought.
Hearing the door, Yang Zhao looked up.
“Oh, this is your place.” Yang Zhao realized belatedly.
“What did you think it was?”
The sky outside was dark today. When Hua Man had entered earlier, it had started raining heavily, and with the curtains undrawn, the room was dim. Remembering Yang Zhao was still naked, Hua Man turned on the light first.
Yang Zhao adjusted to the light before murmuring softly, “I thought it was when I was little…”
She cut off the rest. Raising her arms toward Hua Man, she said, “Come hug me.”
She seemed off.
Was she afraid of the dark?
Hua Man suddenly recalled that whether at the Yang residence or hotels, Yang Zhao always left a small light on to sleep.
But did Yang Zhao have anything she feared?
She was someone who dared to climb walls at night.
Hua Man hesitated a few seconds but still went over to hug her.
Yang Zhao was like a clingy Samoyed, burying herself in Hua Man’s embrace, soft and fragrant.
Feeling her slightly cool skin, Hua Man pulled over a thin blanket to wrap her. “I don’t have your clothes here.”
“Wear yours.”
Yang Zhao said without hesitation.
Hua Man nodded. “Okay.”
They were about the same height, and most of Hua Man’s current clothes had been bought by Yang Zhao anyway. Yang Zhao had no complaints about the fabric or style.
Once dressed in Hua Man’s clothes, Yang Zhao lifted her arm to sniff the sleeve.
“It’s clean. I’ve washed it.”
Hua Man explained immediately.
“I know.” Yang Zhao curved her lips. “I just like your scent.”
She was always like this, tossing out face-reddening lines out of nowhere.
Fortunately, no one else was here. Hua Man stayed composed. “I bought breakfast. Want some?”
Yang Zhao: “I need to wash up first.”
Hua Man paused, suddenly realizing there was no toothbrush for Yang Zhao.
She’d only prepared ones for herself and Hua Xi.
Hesitantly, she took out the one prepared for Hua Xi—the little frog-patterned one—and showed it to Yang Zhao. “No one’s used this one yet.”
Yang Zhao narrowed her eyes. “You’re giving me someone else’s stuff?”
“It’s new,” Hua Man emphasized.
“New or not, it’s prepared for someone else.” Yang Zhao eyed the frog pattern disdainfully. “Making me use a kid’s thing?”
Hua Man developed a headache, but she knew Yang Zhao could only be dealt with through coaxing.
After pondering, she said, “Can I buy one for you next time? Just use this for now today.”
Yang Zhao stared at her intently for a few seconds before relenting. “Fine. Just this once. No next time.”
The small toothbrush paired with cheap toothpaste wasn’t to Yang Zhao’s liking; she even scraped her gums and drew blood.
Even after rinsing several times, the cheap toothpaste taste lingered in her mouth, along with an undeniable rusty flavor.
Unable to resist, she reached out and pulled Hua Man in, kissing her unceremoniously. As her tongue pressed against Hua Man’s lips, she suddenly recalled yesterday’s scene of Hua Man telling her to open her mouth.
That dominant Hua Man had been so captivating—her gaze and voice both irresistibly sexy.
Looking now at the obediently closed-eyed Hua Man letting her kiss, she chuckled softly.
“So bold in bed, but once you’re dressed and out, you put on human skin and act like a person?”
Hua Man’s lashes trembled slightly. She lifted her gaze to meet Yang Zhao’s. “You want me not to act human?”
Her eyes gained a hint of aggression.
Yang Zhao raised her brows in surprise. Recalling last night’s Hua Man, she circled her fingers over Hua Man’s chest. “Hm? How exactly not human?”
The gesture was full of suggestion.
Hua Man’s eyelids twitched. She grabbed Yang Zhao’s finger.
She stressed, “Hua Xi has surgery tomorrow.”
“What’s that got to do with me?” Yang Zhao said indifferently. “I’m not her doctor.”
“But I’m her sister.” Hua Man emphasized her tone. “As her only guardian, I need to be by her side before and during the surgery. We…”
Before she finished, Yang Zhao blocked her mouth.
“You’re so nagging.”
After the kiss ended, Yang Zhao commented.
Hua Man: “…”
But fortunately, Yang Zhao didn’t continue. She stretched lazily and said, “Let’s go.”
“You’re not eating breakfast?” Hua Man pointed to the breakfast on the table.
Yang Zhao gave it a cold glance. “Make me eat garbage? I’d rather starve.”
Those things looked utterly unappetizing.
Unfortunately, there was nothing in the house for Hua Man to cook.
She thought for a moment. “Then let’s eat out.”
Yang Zhao checked the time. “Might as well have lunch.”
“…Sure.”
It really was late. The street vendors outside had stopped selling breakfast, and these had been bought from a detour to a breakfast shop.
They had to descend four flights of stairs. Yang Zhao’s expression soured, but she didn’t complain like yesterday.
It was still raining outside.
Yang Zhao frowned at the overcast sky, her gaze darkening.
The car was parked downstairs.
Hua Man opened the umbrella and looked back at Yang Zhao. Seeing her expression, a guess struck her. “You hate rain?”
Hearing this, Yang Zhao looked at her, amusement in her eyes. “Hm? You understand me so well?”
Hua Man just took her hand.
Yang Zhao’s preferences were too obvious to miss. Pulling her under the umbrella, she said softly, “The umbrella’s big. You won’t get wet.”
With that, she tilted it toward Yang Zhao.
Yang Zhao’s gaze darkened. Her smile faded slightly, her voice softening. “Is that so?”
Hua Man gave her the most affirmative response.
The scorching heat transmitted from her palm, the large shadow cast by the umbrella overhead, and the patter of rain hitting the umbrella—all made it impossible for Yang Zhao to ignore.
Her heart felt full and swollen, an indescribable sensation.
But she knew that she really liked Hua Man.
She couldn’t help turning her head, her gaze landing on Hua Man’s face.
“Miss.”
The driver had already opened an umbrella and stood waiting by the car, respectfully holding the door open.
Hua Man lifted the edge of the umbrella. “Get in the car.”
Yang Zhao withdrew her gaze and bent down to step into her own world.
The car door closed, shutting out the sound of the rain from outside.
The quiet, comfortable space filled with her familiar scent relaxed her completely. Yang Zhao even felt as if the earlier stroll in the rain had been nothing but a fleeting dream.
Only the wet umbrella by the door and the mud-stained heels of her shoes reminded her that everything had been real.
She fell into thoughtful silence.
Hua Man’s apartment wasn’t far from the hospital. When they got out of the car, the driver approached with an umbrella to hold it over Yang Zhao.
Yang Zhao waved him off and looked toward Hua Man.
She liked squeezing shoulder-to-shoulder under one umbrella with Hua Man.
So she suddenly dashed forward toward her.
Yang Zhao moved quickly, and their shoulders bumped together. Hua Man instinctively reached out to steady her waist. In the next instant, Yang Zhao looked up and flashed her a brilliant smile.
Hua Man froze.
Yang Zhao hooked her long arm around Hua Man’s waist, her voice laced with laughter. “I want to walk with you.”
Hua Man hesitated. “……Alright.”
The umbrella was plenty big, after all.
But despite its size, the space suddenly felt cramped, the two of them clinging together like conjoined twins.
Yang Zhao was clearly in high spirits and didn’t walk steadily. She paused now and then, only to suddenly lunge forward with a big step.
She looked like she might trip at any moment.
Hua Man followed her lead and nearly stepped into puddles several times.
But Hua Man’s hand never left Yang Zhao’s shoulder.
And Yang Zhao’s hand never released Hua Man’s waist.
