However, she hadn’t said she wouldn’t take a bath.
Yang Zhao sighed faintly. She just wanted to appreciate it in advance—couldn’t she at least feast her eyes before the bath?
Because she had Hua Man on her mind, she washed even faster than usual this time.
The bathroom conditions at Hua Man’s place couldn’t compare to those at the Yang Family home anyway, allowing her to skip a bunch of unnecessary steps. And with thoughts of seeing more of Hua Man, she finished in just ten minutes.
When she returned to the room, she found Hua Man still sitting at the desk. She couldn’t help but click her tongue.
Truly disobedient.
She should have been lying in bed waiting for her.
Walking over, she saw that Hua Man was preparing lessons. She chuckled lightly. “Is Teacher Hua being so diligent?”
She hadn’t even noticed her approaching.
Leaning over Hua Man from behind, she kissed her cheek and whispered seductively, “Teacher Hua, don’t just focus on teaching others. Teach me too?”
As she spoke, she tugged at Hua Man’s sleepwear. “Why are you hiding so much? This is what I traded three days for. I want to see.”
She deliberately emphasized those three days.
Hua Man hesitated, wanting to speak but holding back. Just look?
But it was an exchange, after all. Hua Man took a deep breath and stood up from her seat.
She took off the top first.
The beautiful white lace only covered the most alluring parts, with thin straps tied into a pretty bow at the back.
Watching her bend down to slide off her sleep pants, Yang Zhao’s heartbeat uncontrollably quickened.
Hua Man had perfect proportions.
Below her slim waist was a beautiful curve, and the white lace accentuated it even more temptingly. Yang Zhao’s eyes darkened.
“Truly beautiful.”
She couldn’t resist reaching out.
Gently stroking it, she curved her lips. “Baby, you’re so pretty.”
Hua Man’s face flushed hot.
Calling her that again.
Yang Zhao’s gaze carried strong aggression. Hua Man pursed her lips and met her eyes.
She didn’t like being too passive.
So even if she felt shy, she had to seize some initiative.
Yang Zhao was only wrapped in a bathrobe. Hua Man reached up and yanked it open, revealing her springtime charms.
“Ah, so eager?”
Yang Zhao chuckled lightly.
No sooner had the words left her mouth than Hua Man scooped her up. Yang Zhao raised her brows in surprise, but whether she was enjoying Hua Man or Hua Man was enjoying her, she liked it either way.
She liked this side of Hua Man too.
She obediently wrapped her arms around Hua Man’s neck, clinging to her like a seductive sprite.
When she’d first seen this lace set, she’d thought it suited Hua Man perfectly, and now it proved true.
A already delicious feast, adorned with lace, became even more mouthwatering.
The design was excellent—no need to remove it to enjoy, and it added extra fun.
Separated for over half a month, during which Yang Zhao had longed for Hua Man intensely, spending several nights relieving herself. Now that she could finally taste it, she intended to savor every bit.
Hua Man thought Yang Zhao was still a bit crazy.
Before, her craziness had been outside, but now she was calmer out there—yet wilder in bed.
The lace was eventually torn away. The once light fabric was now soaked through, dripping wet, and yet Yang Zhao, like a pervert, held it to her nose.
“Baby smells so good.”
Hua Man pressed her lips tight. She clearly hadn’t tried hard enough—Yang Zhao even had time to tease her.
She redoubled her efforts.
In the room, Yang Zhao’s voice rang out incessantly.
Sometimes saying things that made Hua Man’s heart race with embarrassment, sometimes vividly describing her sensations, or instructing Hua Man on how to move.
Finally unable to endure it, Hua Man snatched the soaked lace from Yang Zhao’s hand and unceremoniously stuffed it into her mouth.
“Shut up.”
She was concise.
Yang Zhao blinked, her eyes glistening with excitement as they fluttered innocently. Because of the lace, her voice was muffled. “Teacher Hua is so fierce.”
Hua Man didn’t respond.
After so long apart, tasting her again, she couldn’t control herself at all.
…
The consequence of indulging all night was that Hua Man nearly arrived late for her tutoring the next day.
On the way to the Bai Family home, she not only had to review the lesson content for the child but also spare time to reply to messages from Yang Zhao.
When she left, Yang Zhao hadn’t woken yet.
Before going, she’d prepared breakfast for her.
But because she herself often skipped breakfast, she wasn’t skilled at it and could only manage something passable.
Now Yang Zhao had sent a photo of the breakfast as a complaint.
[.] Sorry, my cooking skills aren’t great.
After thinking, she added:
[.] If you don’t like it, put it in the fridge. I’ll handle it when I get back later.
Yang Zhao didn’t reply.
She had arrived at the Bai Family home.
Standing at the door, she rang the bell with familiarity.
Unexpectedly, it wasn’t Bai Zhilan who opened the door this time, but Bai Qinghe, whom she’d seen yesterday.
“Morning.”
Bai Qinghe greeted first.
“Morning.”
Hua Man nodded to her.
At the dining table, Bai Zhilan was stuffing youtiao into her mouth frantically, her voice muffled. “Teacher Hua, wait a bit! I… almost done!”
Hua Man: “Okay, no rush. Eat slowly.”
“Hua Man, have you eaten?” As she spoke, Bai Qinghe handed Hua Man a bottle of milk. “Have a bit more?”
Seeing the milk, Hua Man’s eyes flickered slightly. She shook her head. “No need, thank you.”
All Yang Zhao’s fault.
After last night, Yang Zhao had suddenly said she was thirsty. After battling all night, Hua Man was thirsty too, so she’d fetched a bottle of milk for her.
Unexpectedly, Yang Zhao dripped the milk on her body, controlling the amount just right so it didn’t dirty the bed.
But hot and slick, snaking over her body like a serpent—that sensation still faintly excited her even now.
Yang Zhao was too wild in bed, capable of anything, but she herself wasn’t much better, quickly learning and applying it.
She had to admit, this way of “drinking” milk was far more interesting than the normal method.
Last night, she had been thoroughly satisfied, both physically and mentally filled to the brim.
Quickly suppressing her unhealthy thoughts, she said, “I’ll wait in the study for Zhilan.”
“Okay.” Bai Qinghe nodded.
Hua Man didn’t wait long before Bai Zhilan came in with her things.
She seemed to be in a good mood. At the end of the session, she said to Hua Man, “Teacher Hua, it’s my birthday today. Mom and Dad are throwing me a party, and big sis bought a huge cake. Come tonight, okay?”
Hua Man hesitated. “Tonight… I might not have time.”
Today was their last day of two-person world in the apartment. She felt she should save that time for Yang Zhao.
Bai Zhilan let out an “ah,” full of disappointment. “Okay then…”
When leaving, Bai Qinghe saw her to the door and mentioned the birthday again.
Learning Hua Man had plans, she nodded. “No problem. Little Xi is getting discharged tomorrow, right? Congratulations.”
“Thanks.”
She declined Bai Qinghe’s offer to drive her and took a cab instead, but didn’t head straight back to the apartment.
She went to a nearby mall.
Hua Xi was being discharged tomorrow; she should buy a discharge gift to celebrate. Besides, Yang Zhao had given her a bracelet last time, and she hadn’t prepared a return gift yet.
But what to give Yang Zhao?
Hua Man stared at the bracelet on her wrist, pondering for a while before entering a jewelry store.
Given her finances, she couldn’t afford anything too extravagant for Yang Zhao. Even for a bracelet, she could only do her best and picked a gold one that wasn’t too light.
The design was beautiful—a thin chain with several small pendants, looking perfect for Yang Zhao.
Just this little thing cost several thousand yuan.
It was quite a luxury for Hua Man, but she knew it was still cheap for Yang Zhao.
Thinking of that, her grip tightened unconsciously on the small gift bag.
No matter what Yang Zhao thought, she had done her utmost to give her a gift.
The gift for Hua Xi was much simpler—toys for kids were endless.
Passing a couple’s supplies store by chance, she hesitated and stopped.
After lingering at the door for a long time, she finally steeled herself and went in. Her ears were red enough to drip blood, but she patiently browsed.
Yang Zhao had very fair skin, milky white that seemed to glow softly. Black or red would look stunning on her.
Her gaze finally settled on one item.
It was a bold design—open in the middle, with wide black mesh elsewhere. The piece looked tiny; just looking at it, Hua Man could imagine the black mesh failing to contain the white.
She wanted to see Yang Zhao wearing it.
At checkout, her heart nearly jumped out of her chest. Fortunately, it was an unmanned store, sparing her the social death in front of others.
She wondered how Yang Zhao had bought yesterday’s lace. A young miss like her probably hadn’t gone in person—surely not… had Yu Shan bought it?
Realizing this, Hua Man closed her eyes in agony. If so, she’d have no face left to see Yu Shan.
Her finger hovered over the payment screen for a moment before she turned to the toy section on the other side.
She was already here.
She recalled Yang Zhao on her phone that day.
Yang Zhao was like a sprite, her playful manner unforgettable.
Suddenly, she felt some of the toys here might suit Yang Zhao too.
When Hua Man returned to the apartment, she almost thought she’d come to the wrong place.
A new sofa had appeared in the living room—clearly expensive, but it clashed a bit with the space.
Yang Zhao lounged on it, enjoying the newly installed AC and eating cherries that had arrived who-knows-when.
“Back?” Yang Zhao shifted on the sofa. “I stewed soup. Drink some later.”
Hua Man paused while changing shoes.
She slowly looked up. “You stewed soup?”
Had she misheard?
“Of course.” Yang Zhao lifted her chin proudly.
Hua Man was decent at cooking but not as good at stewing soup.
Since Hua Man fell short there, she’d step up. They complemented each other.
After a few seconds of silence, Hua Man asked hesitantly, “What soup did you stew?”
Yang Zhao got up from the sofa. “A lot.”
“A lot…?”
Hua Man’s ominous premonition grew.
She’d never heard soup described as “a lot.” Did that mean several pots, or…??
“A lot.” Yang Zhao nodded. “Still simmering, but almost done.”
At that, Hua Man headed to the kitchen.
A strange, indefinable aroma wafted from the kitchen—surprisingly fragrant.
Yang Zhao followed behind. “How’s it smell? Fragrant, right?”
Clearly, this kitchen-full of scent was the source of her confidence.
Hua Man couldn’t deny it. “Fragrant.”
A very unfamiliar fragrance; she couldn’t even tell what soup it was.
She asked, “Did you have ingredients delivered?”
“No.” Yang Zhao said casually. “From your fridge.”
Hua Man: ???
What was even in her fridge?
Racking her brain, she ventured, “Winter melon soup?”
The smell didn’t quite match.
“Something like that.” Yang Zhao confirmed.
Something like that?
What did that mean?
Hua Man fell silent again. Unfortunately, she couldn’t open the pot yet to check inside.
She couldn’t resist asking, “You know how to use those?”
If she remembered right, this was a young miss who never lifted a finger—sometimes even needing servants to help her dress.
“Of course.”
Yang Zhao lifted her chin again.
Stewing soup was trivial; she just needed a quick tutorial to master it.
Glancing down at the bags Hua Man still held: “What’d you buy?”
Hearing this, Hua Man snapped back.
Setting aside the kitchen for now, she pulled out three bags for Yang Zhao, face impassive. “Gifts for you.”
At those words, Yang Zhao’s eyes lit up instantly.
She took them but didn’t open right away, gazing at Hua Man with a smiling look. “Hm? What’s with the sudden gifts?”
“Return the favor.”
Hua Man gave her prepared reason.
After a thought, she added slowly, “They might be a bit cheap. If you don’t like them, toss them. I won’t mind.”
Yang Zhao didn’t reply, instead pulling her hand and heading out.
Hua Man sat on the sofa held by Yang Zhao—or rather, she sat in Yang Zhao’s lap.
Yang Zhao was like a clingy big dog, even nuzzling her head into Hua Man’s neck as if trying to catch her scent.
“The thing I said last time about throwing away the cheap gifts you gave me… that was just angry talk.”
Yang Zhao brought up the previous incident on her own.
Hua Man lowered her gaze, her heart not quite matching her words: “No need to bring up the past. I didn’t take it to heart.”
“Whether you did or not, I still have to tell you.” Yang Zhao’s voice was low. “I just wanted something handmade by you. I didn’t really mean I despised your gifts for being cheap.”
She rarely made such explanations, but this had been weighing on her heart for too long. Hua Man never took the initiative to ask, so it was like a thorn that pricked her from time to time.
Now that she was certain she liked Hua Man, lowering her head once was one thing, but twice was just as well. Since she wasn’t willing to let Hua Man leave, she had to find ways to make Hua Man stay willingly after a year.
Her time was limited—misunderstandings like this couldn’t exist between them.
Hua Man hadn’t expected Yang Zhao to explain herself like this. It took her a long moment to remember to respond: “I don’t know how to crochet those things.”
“No problem.”
Yang Zhao’s kiss landed on her ear, her voice laced with lingering tenderness. “If you can’t, I’ll learn. I’ll crochet them for you, okay?”
This was an answer Hua Man had never anticipated.
She didn’t know how sincere Yang Zhao was, but Hua Man nodded cooperatively anyway: “Okay.”
Yang Zhao gazed at her steadily for a moment but didn’t find much of the emotion she hoped to see on her face. Her eyes darkened a shade.
Hua Man wasn’t moved?
She released Hua Man and fiddled with the bags: “What did you get me?”
Hua Man immediately grew tense. She slipped out of Yang Zhao’s arms, struggling to keep her composure: “I’ll go prepare lunch. You can look yourself.”
