Fell in Love with the Crazy Young Lady - Chapter 21.1

“Why aren’t you saying anything?”

 

 

Seeing Hua Man as still as a block of wood, Yang Zhao suppressed the pain in her waist and slightly raised herself.

 

 

Compared to Hua Man’s submissive demeanor, Yang Zhao preferred the rebellious look she had just moments ago.

 

 

Hua Man’s eyes were dark, her tone devoid of emotion: “What do you want me to say?”

 

 

It was an overly calm reaction.

 

 

Yang Zhao pondered thoughtfully, her gaze fixed on Hua Man’s lips, red and swollen from her rough treatment. After a few seconds of silence, she laughed again: “Right, you don’t need to say anything.”

 

 

She lifted her chin slightly: “Just staying by my side is enough.”

 

 

Hua Man couldn’t help but frown.

 

 

“You want me to be your lover,” she stated bluntly.

 

 

At a time like this, it was best to be straightforward to avoid being too passive later.

 

 

“Lover?” Yang Zhao narrowed her eyes, watching Hua Man quietly for several seconds. Seeing the certainty on her face, Yang Zhao averted her gaze. “You can think of it that way.”

 

 

A lover.

 

 

She had never had one before. Having a lover by her side seemed quite interesting.

 

 

Like a guillotine finally descending upon her, Hua Man clenched her fists tighter at her sides, forcing herself to steady her breathing. “Impossible.”

 

 

“Manman, you don’t have the right to refuse,” Yang Zhao said with a smile. “This is a notice, not a discussion.”

 

 

She looked so determined. Hua Man closed her eyes briefly. “How long is the duration?”

 

 

“Duration?”

 

 

Yang Zhao hadn’t considered this question. Seeing Hua Man’s insistence on an answer, she thought for a moment. “Then let’s make it a year.”

 

 

If she remembered correctly, Hua Man’s contract as a bodyguard in the Yang family was also for a year.

 

 

A year was probably the longest Hua Man could accept. Yang Zhao didn’t want to push her too hard—at least for now, she needed to keep her in place.

 

 

As for after a year, she had plenty of ways to make Hua Man stay by her side.

 

 

Thinking of this, she smiled. “Manman, I won’t let you lose out. You’ll only need to stay by my side for a year, but what you’ll gain will far exceed what you had before.”

 

 

Hua Man remained silent.

 

 

She truly had no room to refuse.

 

 

Given Yang Zhao’s power and methods, resistance was futile. If she couldn’t resist, then she had to secure the best possible terms.

 

 

At the very least…

 

 

At least she didn’t dislike the other woman.

 

 

Though it was embarrassing to admit, the truth was that she felt no aversion to Yang Zhao’s intimate advances.

 

 

She didn’t dare dwell on what that meant.

 

 

Her lashes fluttered slightly as she asked, “What can you give me?”

 

 

“Your sister’s eyes can’t be treated yet, but I’ll have someone cure her paralysis,” Yang Zhao said, blinking. “I’ve already hired the best doctor for her. It won’t be long before she can walk again.”

 

 

The familiar rhetoric made Hua Man frown. “Qin Fangqin said the same things to me.”

 

 

Hearing herself compared to Qin Fangqin, Yang Zhao’s smile faded, her voice turning cold. “I’m not Qin Fangqin. Someone like her isn’t even fit to be mentioned in the same breath as me. If I say I can do it, I can.”

 

 

Hearing what she wanted, Hua Man relaxed slightly, though her expression remained unchanged. She pressed on: “Words alone mean nothing.”

 

 

Yang Zhao: “Fine. When we get back, I’ll have someone draft a contract.”

 

 

 

Hua Man finally loosened her tightly clenched fist, revealing several crescent-shaped marks on her palm. The skin had broken from the excessive force, exposing the reddened flesh beneath.

 

 

She seemed oblivious to the pain, calmly meeting Yang Zhao’s gaze. “So until then, I’m just your bodyguard.”

 

 

As she spoke, she wiped her lips.

 

 

The foreign scent on her lips could be erased, but the domineering taste lingering in her mouth refused to fade.

 

 

Suppressing her discomfort, Hua Man made her stance clear. “If the young miss has nothing else, I’ll retire to my room.”

 

 

Without waiting for Yang Zhao’s response, she turned and left.

 

 

Once the door closed behind her, she leaned against it, the composure she had maintained for so long finally crumbling.

 

 

Her heart pounded like thunder.

 

 

Because of that kiss.

 

 

Because of the uncertain future ahead.

 

 

As the saying goes, you can run but you can’t hide. She might evade it for a few days, but what about later?

 

 

Was she really going to become Yang Zhao’s lover for a year—all for Hua Xi?

 

 

Emotionally, she and Hua Xi weren’t particularly close. Before the accident, Hua Man had only met the girl three times.

 

 

The first was when Hua Xi was born.

 

 

The second was when Hua Xi was three, when Hua Man happened to run into her and her mother at a supermarket.

 

 

The third was when Hua Xi, alone with a small backpack, came to her school to find her.

 

 

She didn’t know how Hua Qiang had spoken of her to Hua Xi, but the child seemed to idolize her. Despite their few encounters, when Hua Xi ran away from home, the first person she thought to turn to was Hua Man.

 

 

And the next time they met, the bright-eyed little girl who had once looked up at her and called her “sister” was lying motionless in a hospital bed.

 

 

Both parents dead.

 

 

Blind.

 

 

Paralyzed.

 

 

Neither Hua Qiang nor the woman he later married had living parents. As Hua Xi’s only remaining bl00d relative, Hua Man had abruptly become the girl’s legal guardian.

 

 

At first, she resisted. She didn’t want the burden and even consulted a lawyer. But when she saw Hua Xi lying in that hospital bed, all her refusals died on her lips.

 

 

Her heart softened.

 

 

Even if it hadn’t, legally, she couldn’t have escaped the responsibility. But because it did, she carried an extra weight in her heart.

 

 

Now, that weight had become a shackle others used to control her.

 

 

The thought pressed on her chest like a stone.

 

 

But she couldn’t blame Hua Xi. The girl was just a child—one who had lost both parents, who was blind, who couldn’t walk.

 

 

Forcing down her frustration, Hua Man took a deep breath and slowly steadied herself.

 

 

She was just an ordinary person with no money or influence. Going against Yang Zhao was like an ant trying to shake a tree or a moth flying into a flame.

 

 

Since things had come to this, she had to secure the best possible outcome for herself and Hua Xi.

 

 

Yang Zhao was right—this was a critical period for treatment. The longer it was delayed, the harder recovery would be.

 

 

Hua Xi was too young. Even if she wasn’t Hua Man’s own child, she couldn’t stand by knowing there was a chance for her to heal.

 

 

The eyes might be beyond hope, but if Hua Xi’s legs could be treated, that alone would be a miracle for her.

 

 

And in return, Hua Man would get a substantial sum of money. That was enough. It was only a year, after all.

 

 

Yes. Just one year.

 

 

The emotions on her face gradually faded, replaced by her usual calm.

 

 

But that night, sleep never came.

 

 

 

Lying down often leads to wandering thoughts, and Hua Man couldn’t stop recalling that not-so-gentle kiss. Her lips still tingled with the lingering numbness from that rough friction.

 

 

Despite multiple mouth rinses, that foreign scent—as domineering as its owner—persisted like an unshakable presence.

 

 

After tossing and turning all night, she woke up the next morning to wash up, only to see dark circles under her eyes in the mirror.

 

 

But what stood out even more was the wound at the corner of her lips.

 

 

Yesterday, she had only felt the tingling sensation. Now, she realized her lip had actually been split open. Overnight, a thin scab had formed over the cut.

 

 

Hua Man’s expression instantly turned stormy.

 

 

She had spent hours agonizing over how to face Yang Zhao the next day, finally resolving to pretend nothing had happened upon waking. But with this obvious scab on her lip, how could she possibly act like nothing occurred?

 

 

She frowned.

 

 

Was Yang Zhao a dog?

 

 

How could someone even manage to bite her lip during a kiss?!

 

 

After staring at her reflection for a long moment, she took another deep breath.

 

 

It’s fine. As long as she pretended nothing happened, then nothing did. No matter what Yang Zhao said, she would simply ignore it.

 

 

Having steeled herself, Hua Man opened her bedroom door.

 

 

To her surprise, Yang Zhao was already up, sitting on the sofa with some papers in hand.

 

 

Hua Man’s eyelid twitched—a sudden sense of foreboding washed over her.

 

 

Hearing the noise, Yang Zhao turned and beckoned: “Come here. See if there’s anything in the contract that needs revising.”

 

 

Hua Man: “…”

 

 

Of course.

 

 

Her heart instantly sank, her feet suddenly feeling as heavy as lead, making it impossible to lift them.

 

 

“Manman?” Yang Zhao raised an eyebrow.

 

 

Hua Man knew she couldn’t avoid this forever, but she hadn’t expected to face it so soon—not even making it past the second day.

 

 

Was this woman in such a hurry?

 

 

She’d had the contract drafted overnight?

 

 

Forcing herself to stay calm, she walked over to Yang Zhao.

 

 

Just as she was about to sit down nearby, Yang Zhao patted the spot beside her: “Sit here.”

 

 

Hua Man pressed her lips together.

 

 

She remembered when she first came to the Yang household—how Yang Zhao had made her sit beside her, only to humiliate her together with Yu Shan.

 

 

Back then, she hadn’t felt particularly ashamed or angry, knowing her conscience was clear. But now…

 

 

Having made her decision, she shouldn’t hesitate.

 

 

She couldn’t have it both ways.

 

 

Clenching her jaw, she stiffly sat down beside Yang Zhao.

 

 

Her heart raced uncontrollably, her entire body breaking out in nervous sweat. Images of Li Miaohe embracing someone flashed through her mind as she waited for Yang Zhao to pull her close in the same way.

 

 

But Yang Zhao didn’t.

 

 

She simply handed the contract over, her tone casual: “Take a look.”

 

 

Hua Man reached out to accept it.

 

 

With Qin Fangqin’s lesson fresh in mind, Hua Man scrutinized the document carefully.

 

 

Yet this contract seemed entirely weighted in her favor—every clause considered her interests, even addressing concerns she hadn’t thought of, eliminating all her worries.

 

 

“Well?”

 

 

Yang Zhao asked.

 

 

Confidence radiated from her expression. She’d had lawyers revise multiple versions throughout the night, and this was the one she deemed most suitable after careful selection.

 

 

She had promised Hua Man wouldn’t lose out, and she meant it.

 

 

She’d even thoughtfully instructed the lawyers to include the timeframe.

 

 

Hua Man hesitated: “It doesn’t specify what exactly I’m supposed to do.”

 

 

 

Yang Zhao’s expression froze on her face.

 

 

What exactly should they do?

 

 

“Lovers do whatever lovers do,” she frowned unhappily.

 

 

“I won’t do anything too extreme,” Hua Man spoke up despite feeling embarrassed, not wanting to regret it later.

 

 

Yang Zhao’s frown deepened. “What do you mean by ‘too extreme’?”

 

 

Kissing?

 

 

Or going to bed together?

 

 

If they couldn’t even do these two things, what was the point?

 

 

Hua Man’s back stiffened, her voice tense. “I only agree to be your lover.”

 

 

“What?”

 

 

Yang Zhao didn’t quite understand her meaning.

 

 

“I don’t allow swapping lovers among friends. If you have any particular preferences in that regard, I hope you’ll inform me in advance.”

 

 

After a moment’s thought, Hua Man added, “And if you get a girlfriend or fiancée, I want to terminate our relationship beforehand.”

 

 

This was her bottom line.

 

 

Yang Zhao fell silent.

 

 

Belatedly recalling that day at the bar when Li Miaohe had jokingly suggested sharing her lover—though she’d refused at the time, it seemed to have caused a misunderstanding with Hua Man.

 

 

“None of what you’re worried about will happen,” she replied with rare patience. “I’m particular about cleanliness and possessive. I don’t swap lovers or share them with others.”

 

 

Hua Man felt relief settle in her chest.

 

 

But she still set down the contract. “These terms should be written into the agreement.”

 

 

Yang Zhao laughed in frustration. “Seems my word means nothing to you.”

 

 

“After being burned once, one becomes more cautious,” Hua Man explained with downcast eyes.

 

 

After another pause, she looked up at Yang Zhao. “There’s one more important thing.”

 

 

Yang Zhao crossed her arms, leaning back on the sofa as she stared impassively. “Go on.”

 

 

She wanted to hear what else Hua Man could possibly demand.

 

 

Hua Man lowered her gaze again. “Our relationship can’t be made public.”

 

 

Yang Zhao’s expression darkened instantly.

 

 

The atmosphere grew heavy.

 

 

Before Yang Zhao could speak, Hua Man continued, “At least within the Yang household, you can’t let my mother find out about us. She works for your family—I don’t want my own mother seeing me as someone’s lover, having people gossip about her raising a daughter who becomes another’s mistress.”

 

 

As she spoke, a shadow crossed Hua Man’s features.

 

 

She looked utterly pitiful.

 

 

Yang Zhao’s brewing anger suddenly deflated.

 

 

She conceded, “I could transfer her elsewhere.”

 

 

“She’s worked for the Yangs for decades. There’s no reason to suddenly move her—she’d suspect something. And at her age, it’s hard to adjust to a new workplace,” Hua Man insisted.

 

 

Her mother had remarried not long after the divorce, to another Yang family employee. Now settled in both work and family life, any change would be difficult.

 

 

Yang Zhao’s brow furrowed. “So you’re saying we’d have to sneak around in my own home?”

 

 

Hua Man fell silent.

 

 

The tension thickened.

 

 

She stared distractedly at her toes.

 

 

These demands were probably too much for the young mistress—perhaps she’d find it too troublesome and give up.

 

 

After all, someone like Yang Zhao could easily find another lover without such complications.

 

 

If she backed out now, it would be better for both of them—one less headache.

 

 

Movement suddenly came from beside her.

 

 

Turning, she saw Yang Zhao scowling at her phone as if texting someone angrily.

 

 

 

The force was strong, the screen rattling loudly under the taps, as if trying to punch a hole through the phone.

 

 

Hua Man pressed her lips together tightly.

 

 

The next second, Yang Zhao, having just sent her message, pinched Hua Man’s chin.

 

 

“Hua Man.”

 

 

She called her name, the words laced with a hint of gritted teeth.

 

 

Probably unwilling, yet refusing to let herself feel wronged.

 

 

Hua Man thought.

 

 

At times like this, all she needed to do was stay silent.

 

 

But soon, her lips were suddenly weighed down.

 

 

Yang Zhao’s kiss descended, carrying a trace of frustration, the motion overwhelmingly forceful. Before Hua Man could react, her lips were pried open, struggling to swallow everything Yang Zhao forced upon her.

 

 

Memories she had worked so hard to forget became vivid again.

 

 

The scent she had barely managed to dispel now occupied every corner of her mouth, domineering and relentless.

 

 

Only when the wound at the corner of her lips was pressed painfully did Hua Man snap back to reality, immediately pushing Yang Zhao away.

 

 

Their tightly entwined lips parted with a soft, wet sound.

 

 

Utterly suggestive.

 

 

Seeing the lingering silver strand on Yang Zhao’s lips, Hua Man’s face instantly burned.

 

 

She rose from the couch, about to speak, when Yang Zhao said, “The contract’s already being revised.”

 

 

Hua Man looked at her in disbelief.

 

 

Her demands had been so excessive—how could Yang Zhao agree?

 

 

This was the first time the young mistress Yang had conceded so completely, her face dark with stifled frustration, her gaze burning when it landed on Hua Man.

 

 

She had compromised too much.

 

 

The initiative that should have remained firmly in her hands had been snatched away by Hua Man. Now, she was far too passive.

 

 

But it didn’t matter. This was just a small sacrifice to coax Hua Man into signing the contract.

 

 

As long as Hua Man signed, everything would be fine.

 

 

She had never been one to be bound by a mere piece of paper, but Hua Man was different.

 

 

After a moment’s thought, she lowered her lashes, masking the emotions in her eyes. “We don’t have to make the relationship public, but only if I don’t initiate it. If others find out, that’s not my fault.”

 

 

“And—I’ll be adding one more clause.”

 

 

Hearing this, Hua Man tensed. “What?”

 

 

“This arrangement can only end when the term expires. You can’t terminate it early. Even if it’s called off ahead of time, I have to be the one to do it. Otherwise, I’ll take back everything I’ve given you.”

 

 

Then, she lifted her gaze, exuding dominance. “If you have objections, you can always choose not to sign. But I’ll do what I have to do either way—whether you end up at a disadvantage or not, that’s another matter.”

 

 

The last sentence was an unmistakable threat.

 

 

After a long silence, Hua Man finally nodded.

 

 

Yang Zhao’s people worked quickly. In just ten minutes, the revised contract was delivered.

 

 

She handed it directly to Hua Man. “Check if there are any issues. If not, sign it.”

 

 

Seeing Hua Man take the contract and scrutinize it with genuine caution, Yang Zhao suppressed her irritation, waiting quietly.

 

 

All that had been added were the few conditions Hua Man had demanded and her own single clause. Yet Hua Man was acting so guarded, as if worried she might sneak in some underhanded change.

 

 

Yang Zhao pressed her lips together.

 

 

Did she really seem that untrustworthy?

 

 

Naturally, there were no issues with the contract. No matter how carefully Hua Man examined it, in the end, both of them signed their names.

 

 

Two copies. Yang Zhao tossed hers aside carelessly, her restless heart finally settling.

 

 

When she looked up and saw Hua Man staring blankly at the contract, she narrowed her eyes. “Stop staring. You’re going to burn a hole through it.”

 

 

At that, Hua Man lifted her gaze to meet hers.

 

 

Right now, Yang Zhao looked like a bristling cat, displeasure written all over her face.

 

 

 

Hua Man swallowed the words she had intended to say. The other woman was clearly in a bad mood, and bringing it up now would only add fuel to the fire.

 

 

But Yang Zhao couldn’t stand her hesitant expression. Since things were already tense, a few more words wouldn’t make much difference. With an impassive face, she said, “What else? Just say it.”

 

 

Hearing this, Hua Man gave her a warning: “I might not be able to obey your every word like other people’s lovers do.”

 

 

Especially in public, performing overly intimate acts in front of others.

 

 

“Why should you be like other people’s lovers?” Yang Zhao asked, genuinely puzzled, speaking earnestly. “I want Hua Man, not someone else’s lover.”

 

 

Hua Man froze.

 

 

If Yang Zhao had brushed her off with indifference or impatiently agreed, she wouldn’t have felt so conflicted now.

 

 

But Yang Zhao had spoken so seriously, so matter-of-factly.

 

 

She could only remain silent.

 

 

Finally having secured Hua Man as her own lover, Yang Zhao was about to speak when she couldn’t suppress a yawn.

 

 

After a whole night of back-and-forth, she was utterly exhausted.

 

 

She raised her hand. “I’m tired. Come with me to get some sleep.”

 

 

Her hand hung in the air, but Hua Man didn’t reach out to take it. Yang Zhao narrowed her eyes and looked up at her.

 

 

Hua Man: “Do we have to?”

 

 

What she really wanted to ask was… was it really just for sleep?

 

 

“Otherwise?” Yang Zhao waved the contract in her hand. “Don’t forget your position, Manman.”

 

 

After holding back for so long, she had finally coaxed Hua Man into signing the contract, securing the upper hand.

 

 

Without room for refusal, she grabbed Hua Man’s hand and unceremoniously pulled her toward the bedroom.

 

 

As she was about to be dragged onto the bed, Hua Man braced herself against the edge, her voice trembling slightly. “Wait.”

 

 

Yang Zhao frowned, her patience already worn thin. She pulled Hua Man into her arms and rolled onto the bed. “No waiting.”

 

 

The soft bed, the soft Hua Man.

 

 

The moment she held her and lay down, all of Yang Zhao’s restlessness melted away. With each breath, she inhaled Hua Man’s sweet fragrance.

 

 

Her drowsiness faded slightly.

 

 

She leaned closer, pressing her nose against Hua Man’s neck and inhaling lightly. “Are you wearing perfume?”

 

 

Is this where it starts?

 

 

The prelude to the main event?

 

 

Hua Man tried to steady her breathing, but the slight tremor in her voice betrayed her emotions. “No.”

 

 

“You smell so good.”

 

 

Yang Zhao loved her scent.

 

 

Before, she had been afraid of scaring her, restraining herself even when she longed to be close. But now, there was no need. She tightened her arms, pulling Hua Man firmly against her.

 

 

Pressed tightly together, she could even feel the rise and fall of Hua Man’s breath.

 

 

So fast.

 

 

Her original intention had been to sleep, but with such softness in her arms, she couldn’t help but let her thoughts wander—especially when she sensed Hua Man’s tension.

 

 

She propped herself up slightly to look at Hua Man’s face.

 

 

If not for the rapid breathing she could clearly feel, Hua Man’s expression was as steady as a mountain, revealing nothing.

 

 

Yang Zhao suddenly felt playful.

 

 

She wanted to tease her, to press even closer.

 

 

She tugged at Hua Man’s clothes. “This is outerwear.”

 

 

Hua Man: “Mm.”

 

 

“Outerwear shouldn’t be on the bed.” Yang Zhao sat up, her eyes smiling. “Let me help you take it off.”

 

 

Feeling the fabric being lifted, Hua Man instinctively pressed her hand down to stop it.

 

 

Feeling the warmth of Hua Man’s hand on hers, Yang Zhao shifted forward, kneeling astride her.

 

 

 

She didn’t speak, only smiling as she looked at Hua Man.

 

 

One second.

 

 

Two seconds.

 

 

Hua Man withdrew her hand and turned her head away, but Yang Zhao laughed and refused to let her off so easily. With her other hand, she pinched Hua Man’s chin and turned her face back.

 

 

“Look at me.”

 

 

Her tone brooked no refusal.