Fell in Love with the Crazy Young Lady - Chapter 16

Yang Zhao didn’t bother explaining, her earlier displeasure already gone. “Of course not. Unlike you, flitting around like a social butterfly.”

 

 

As she spoke, she pulled Hua Man, who had been standing protectively in front of her, closer. “Ignore her.”

 

 

But recalling Li Miaohe’s earlier remark, she couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

 

 

How could Hua Man be so adorable?

 

 

However, noticing her bodyguard’s rising irritation, she reined in her amusement and shot Li Miaohe a light glare. “Don’t tease my Manman.”

 

 

Li Miaohe was baffled. “You were the one laughing the loudest.”

 

 

Yang Zhao retorted shamelessly, “You misheard.”

 

 

Unable to win the argument, Li Miaohe gave up, her curious gaze shifting to the woman beside Yang Zhao. “Aren’t you going to introduce us? We’ve known each other for so long, yet I’ve never heard about you having a girlfriend.”

 

 

Hua Man turned to Yang Zhao, waiting for an explanation.

 

 

Under Hua Man’s piercing stare, Yang Zhao met her eyes, a rebellious impulse rising. She smirked challengingly and deliberately told Li Miaohe, “Now you know.”

 

 

Pointing at Hua Man, she added, “Hua Man—‘Hua’ as in China, ‘Man’ as in romance. My newly acquired girlfriend.”

 

 

Putting on an act for outsiders was one thing, but in front of Yang Zhao’s acquaintances, Hua Man saw no reason to keep up the pretense. She bluntly exposed the lie. “It’s fake.”

 

 

This was probably the equivalent of spinning the lazy Susan when the boss was serving herself.

 

 

Hua Man thought expressionlessly.

 

 

“Still jealous?” Li Miaohe exclaimed in surprise, quickly clarifying, “Your girl and I are just classmates. We barely interact—not close at all.”

 

 

Hua Man choked. Was her acting that convincing?

 

 

How could Li Miaohe believe her performance so thoroughly?

 

 

“Alright, any more teasing and she’ll really get mad,” Yang Zhao said, suppressing a laugh as she explained, “Hua Man, my personal bodyguard.”

 

 

Li Miaohe gasped. “Wait, so it really was fake?”

 

 

She had observed them for a while now—the young miss and this woman named Hua Man chatting and laughing together. Who would believe they were just employer and bodyguard?

 

 

Suspicion crept into Li Miaohe’s voice. “Are you two roleplaying or something? Am I part of your game too?”

 

 

Her gaze lingered on Hua Man. “Didn’t expect you to be into such kinky stuff.”

 

 

Yang Zhao shot her a frosty look. “Shake your brain before speaking.”

 

 

Hua Man had been uncomfortable with the insinuation, but now she tensed, alert.

 

 

Fortunately, Li Miaohe didn’t take offense to Yang Zhao’s remark. Instead, she studied them with fascination. “So protective?”

 

 

Yang Zhao tilted her chin up and introduced Hua Man. “Li Miaohe, just a regular classmate. A bit unhinged—no need to pay her any mind.”

 

 

Li Miaohe: ???

 

 

Yang Zhao couldn’t care less about her feelings. Seeing Hua Man had finished eating, she immediately tugged her away.

 

 

“Hey?” Li Miaohe hurried after them. “I’m still here!”

 

 

Yang Zhao paused, impatience creeping into her tone. “What?”

 

 

“Are you really her bodyguard?” Li Miaohe asked Hua Man, her eyes fixed on their intertwined hands.

 

 

Hua Man nodded. “Yes.”

 

 

“Alright,” Li Miaohe conceded. “Then I apologize for earlier. My words were a bit out of line—I thought you two were that kind of couple.”

 

 

Surprised by the apology, Hua Man’s impression of her softened slightly. “It’s fine.”

 

 

“Then can we exchange—”

 

 

 

Li Miaohe was just about to pull out her phone when the young mistress’s gaze suddenly swept over.

 

 

Li Miaohe: “…”

 

 

That look seemed ready to slice her into a thousand pieces.

 

 

This young mistress was downright crazy, with an outstanding track record, yet her family’s power and influence meant she could smooth over any trouble she caused.

 

 

Li Miaohe had no choice but to reluctantly give up, merely waving her hand: “Goodbye, you two rest well.”

 

 

Yang Zhao ignored her.

 

 

The journey back to the parking spot was silent.

 

 

Before getting in the car, Yang Zhao couldn’t resist turning around: “What do you think of Li Miaohe?”

 

 

Recalling how Li Miaohe had proactively apologized earlier, Hua Man nodded: “She seems alright, not quite what I expected.”

 

 

Yang Zhao’s expression darkened instantly.

 

 

With a cold face, she got into the car.

 

 

Hua Man followed behind, halfway into the car when she heard the angry command: “Don’t get in! Stay outside!”

 

 

What tantrum was this young mistress throwing now?

 

 

Hua Man frowned, stepping back and closing the car door.

 

 

The afternoon race was set to start at one, with half an hour left to rest.

 

 

The weather was beautiful—clear skies without a single cloud. At midday, the temperature was at its peak. Hua Man had only been standing outside for two minutes before breaking into a sweat.

 

 

Suddenly, the driver’s door opened, and the chauffeur stepped out with an umbrella.

 

 

“Miss Hua, the sun is strong. Please use this.”

 

 

Hua Man glanced toward the backseat but didn’t take it: “Thank you, but no need.”

 

 

The chauffeur looked troubled, insistently holding out the umbrella as he whispered: “It’s the young mistress’s wish.”

 

 

At this, Hua Man’s eyes flickered slightly.

 

 

She finally took the umbrella: “Thank you.”

 

 

Shielding herself from the scorching sun made a world of difference compared to before.

 

 

Hua Man subtly exhaled in relief.

 

 

But barely a few minutes later, the driver’s door opened again. The chauffeur emerged with two bottles of water, looking awkward: “Miss Hua, have some water.”

 

 

Hua Man: “…”

 

 

Holding the ice-cold bottles, Hua Man pondered for a few seconds before suddenly feeling amused.

 

 

The young mistress’s intentions were actually quite easy to guess.

 

 

But she just didn’t want to give her the satisfaction.

 

 

Sure enough, less than five minutes later, the driver’s door opened once more. The chauffeur stepped out sweating profusely, this time empty-handed, and opened the back door: “Miss Hua, please get in.”

 

 

“No need.” Hua Man’s gaze swept over the car’s interior—the young mistress had reclined her seat, eyes closed as if fast asleep. Hua Man said expressionlessly, “The young mistress ordered me not to get in.”

 

 

No sooner had she spoken than Yang Zhao’s eyes flew open, her face filled with fury: “Get in now!”

 

 

Watching her flustered anger, Hua Man’s eyes gleamed.

 

 

“Miss Hua, please hurry inside,” the chauffeur urged, wiping sweat from his brow. “It’s midday—you might get heatstroke.”

 

 

“Alright.”

 

 

Hua Man nodded, folding the umbrella and getting into the car.

 

 

The air-conditioned interior was refreshingly cool, a stark contrast to the furnace-like heat outside.

 

 

As Hua Man settled into her seat, Yang Zhao bluntly accused: “You did that on purpose.”

 

 

Hua Man: “I don’t understand what you mean.”

 

 

“I think you understood perfectly well.” Yang Zhao wasn’t someone easily fooled. Her face hardened: “Hua Man, you did that on purpose.”

 

 

 

She clearly knew that offering the umbrella was already giving her an out, yet she deliberately refused to get in the car, forcing her to invite her repeatedly.

 

 

Hua Man sighed, “You were the one who told me to get out.”

 

 

Yang Zhao clenched her fists, “So what?”

 

 

Hua Man decided to reason with her properly, “I didn’t provoke you.”

 

 

The young lady’s temper flared for no apparent reason, making her feel like she was suffering unjustly.

 

 

“You did,” Yang Zhao glared at her.

 

 

“When?” Hua Man retorted, “What did I do to make you angry?”

 

 

Yang Zhao was stumped.

 

 

What had she done?

 

 

Hua Man hadn’t done anything.

 

 

It was her possessiveness acting up—seeing Li Miaohe ask for Hua Man’s contact had driven her mad.

 

 

And knowing Hua Man had a good impression of Li Miaohe only made her crazier.

 

 

At this thought, her gaze flickered slightly.

 

 

Her possessiveness toward Hua Man seemed to be growing stronger by the day.

 

 

“Can’t think of anything?” Seeing her speechless for so long, Hua Man thought, Just as I expected, and continued, “Then you’re just being unreasonable.”

 

 

“Even if I am, so what?” Yang Zhao crossed her arms, asking with shameless confidence.

 

 

Hua Man choked.

 

 

There really was nothing she could do about it.

 

 

She simply closed her eyes, “There’s still a competition this afternoon. You should rest.”

 

 

She chose to shut down.

 

 

But the young lady clearly wasn’t done yet, grabbing her arm and shaking it, “Don’t sleep. Explain this to me. Even if I’m being unreasonable, what can you do about it?”

 

 

“Nothing,” Hua Man glanced at her, “As long as you’re happy.”

 

 

With that, she pushed Yang Zhao’s hand away and closed her eyes again.

 

 

Yang Zhao sulked. She hated how cold Hua Man was being toward her now. Even though she had unfairly taken her anger out on Hua Man earlier, she would never admit she was wrong.

 

 

She grabbed Hua Man’s hand again, giving her one last chance, “What do you think of Li Miaohe?”

 

 

Hearing this, Hua Man opened her eyes.

 

 

In that instant, she suddenly seemed to understand something.

 

 

Faced with the same question a second time, she chose a different answer, “Not much. Not as good as you.”

 

 

Sure enough, Yang Zhao’s expression softened immediately.

 

 

She turned her head away stiffly, “Fine. I admit I was being unreasonable earlier. I’ll compensate you for emotional damages, and we’ll pretend nothing happened.”

 

 

Hua Man: “…Fine.”

 

 

That settled the matter.

 

 

After working outside all morning and waking up so early, Hua Man was genuinely exhausted. She had only intended to use rest as an excuse to placate the young lady, but the moment her eyes closed, she drifted off to dreamland.

 

 

For once, she dreamed.

 

 

Having shot arrows all morning, even her dreams were filled with archery. Somehow, she found herself competing against the young lady.

 

 

In the end, she won, and Yang Zhao, furious, turned her drawn bow toward her.

 

 

Watching the sharp-tipped arrow fly straight at her, she jolted awake in fright.

 

 

She must have kicked something—the moment she opened her eyes, she saw a face looming close.

 

 

“Awake?” Yang Zhao returned to her seat, curious, “Did you have a nightmare?”

 

 

It was oddly amusing to see so many unguarded expressions on her face.

 

 

Her gaze lingered on Hua Man’s feet, and she couldn’t help but smile. The way she had instinctively kicked out in her sleep was adorable.

 

 

“Sorry.”

 

 

Hua Man rubbed her temples, feeling guilty. A bodyguard sleeping more soundly than her employer was inexcusable.

 

 

 

“You really should apologize to me,” Yang Zhao said, crossing her legs. “Manman, you got my pants dirty.”

 

 

Hua Man instinctively looked down—there was a glaring shoe print on the young mistress’s white trousers.

 

 

Remembering the sensation of kicking something when she jolted awake earlier, she inhaled softly. “I did that?”

 

 

“Who else?” Yang Zhao arched a brow. “Did I kick myself?”

 

 

“Sorry.”

 

 

Hua Man lowered her head and apologized again.

 

 

Yang Zhao watched her with an amused smirk. “Fine. Since it’s you, I can be generous and forgive you.”

 

 

There was something suggestive in those words, making Hua Man’s breath hitch slightly.

 

 

“…Why?”

 

 

“Why?” Yang Zhao chuckled, her tone meaningful. “If I answer, would you dare listen?”

 

 

Hua Man fell completely silent.

 

 

She didn’t dare.

 

 

Feigning composure, she checked the time on her wrist and immediately stood up. “It’s about time. We should head back to the competition area.”

 

 

Watching her, Yang Zhao’s eyes darkened.

 

 

What a coward.

 

 

But what good would running do?

 

 

When it came to Hua Man, she was determined to have her.

 

 

After all, what she wanted, she always got.

 

 

–

 

After a full day of competition, Yang Zhao was exhausted by the time they returned to the hotel.

 

 

“Come here,” she said, turning her head. “Give me a massage.”

 

 

“Me? I don’t know how,” Hua Man paused mid-step. “The hotel probably has professional massage services.”

 

 

Yang Zhao: “I want you.”

 

 

“I’m clumsy. I can’t control the pressure.”

 

 

“Just get over here. Why so much backtalk?” Yang Zhao urged impatiently. “Hurry up.”