Fell in Love with the Crazy Young Lady - Chapter 28

Upon arriving at the event venue, Hua Man’s heart grew even more uneasy. The event was being broadcast live, with Yang Zhao seated in the prime viewing spot, while across from her sat Zhao Yang, whom she hadn’t seen in a long time.

 

 

Dressed more formally today in an off-the-shoulder white cocktail dress, her hair elegantly tied up, Zhao Yang wore minimal jewelry—only a delicate floral necklace around her neck.

 

 

She looked pure and charming, like an untainted white lotus untouched by the mundane world.

 

 

Yang Zhao had clearly noticed Zhao Yang but merely scoffed in disdain.

 

 

This wasn’t what Hua Man had expected at all. She had thought Yang Zhao would immediately lash out upon seeing Zhao Yang, but instead, she remained surprisingly composed.

 

 

Yang Zhao even had the leisure to motion for Hua Man to sit down.

 

 

“Take a good look,” Yang Zhao said, tilting her chin slightly. “Though even trash can slip in these days, you might still find a few decent pieces.”

 

 

The event soon began, with models strutting down the runway, confidently showcasing their outfits.

 

 

Hua Man couldn’t discern much about the fashion on display, but Yang Zhao wore a faint smile throughout. Hua Man initially thought she had taken a liking to some designs, yet Yang Zhao showed no particular interest in any of them.

 

 

Then, when a certain model appeared, Yang Zhao suddenly chuckled. Hua Man turned to look at her.

 

 

“To think such petty designs could make it here—this fashion show really is declining year after year.”

 

 

She didn’t bother lowering her voice, drawing the attention of those nearby. Their seats were closest to the cameras, so her words were heard by everyone watching the live stream.

 

 

The event organizer, standing nearby, broke into a cold sweat and quickly interjected, “This design is by Yang, a rising star who recently won one of the top prizes at the last design competition.”

 

 

Yang?

 

 

The ice in Yang Zhao’s eyes deepened.

 

 

“That design won an award? Then perhaps Yang Corporation has no reason to continue sponsoring.” Without hesitation, Yang Zhao pointed out the most glaring flaws before concluding with a cold laugh, “Petty and unrefined—utterly lacking in sophistication.”

 

 

With that, she stood and extended her hand to Hua Man. “Let’s go. There’s no point wasting time on such garbage.”

 

 

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Hua Man wouldn’t embarrass Yang Zhao. Without hesitation, she placed her hand in Yang Zhao’s, then quickly withdrew it after standing up, stepping back to stand behind her as if she had only needed help to rise.

 

 

Yang Zhao ignored her little maneuver. Once in the car, she instructed Yu Shan to cut ties with the event organizers and launched an investigation into the design competition’s judging process.

 

 

“I wanted to see what Zhao Yang was capable of,” Yang Zhao remarked with a disdainful click of her tongue. “But she’s nothing special.”

 

 

She had overestimated Zhao Yang.

 

 

For such mediocre work to win an award, either the competition’s standards had plummeted, or there was foul play involved.

 

 

As a sponsor, Yang Zhao had every right to investigate.

 

 

“Miss, what talent could she possibly have?” Yu Shan sneered. “Just a laughable imitation.”

 

 

A laughable imitation?

 

 

The phrase took Hua Man by surprise, and she instinctively glanced at Yu Shan.

 

 

 

Noticing her gaze, Yu Shan proudly explained, “Our madam is a top-tier designer. How could Zhao Yang’s amateurish work even compare? Dream on!”

 

 

The “madam” she referred to was clearly not Qin Fangqin, which made Hua Man ponder deeply.

 

 

Was this intentional or just a coincidence?

 

 

Yang Zhao’s mother was a designer, Zhao Yang had chosen the same profession, and then there was Zhao Yang’s name…

 

 

No matter how you looked at it, it all seemed too calculated. No wonder Yang Zhao harbored such hostility toward Zhao Yang.

 

 

“Enough,” Yang Zhao interrupted before Yu Shan could say more. “If she wants to humiliate herself, let her. Don’t mention her again—it’s polluting my ears.”

 

 

“Yes,” Yu Shan obediently complied.

 

 

Soon after, Yang Zhao sent Yu Shan off to handle matters related to the design competition. Once she left, the suite fell silent again.

 

 

Lost in thought, Hua Man watched as Yang Zhao casually removed her makeup.

 

 

Through the mirror, their eyes met.

 

 

Yang Zhao arched a brow. “What?”

 

 

Hua Man shook her head.

 

 

But Yang Zhao could guess her thoughts. “You’re surprised I didn’t lay a hand on Zhao Yang tonight?”

 

 

Since she had already figured it out, Hua Man admitted frankly, “Yes.”

 

 

“Manman, do you really see me as some brainless brute who only knows how to solve problems with violence?”

 

 

Hua Man replied, “You said Yu Shan is your blade.”

 

 

“She is my blade, but that doesn’t mean I have to wield it all the time.” At this, Yang Zhao averted her gaze and continued removing her makeup. “Right now, she’s fulfilling her role perfectly.”

 

 

Hua Man’s perspective was shallow, and that was understandable.

 

 

The world Yang Zhao moved in was entirely different from Hua Man’s. Her Manman was too innocent.

 

 

“If I had acted tonight, wouldn’t that have played right into Zhao Yang’s hands?”

 

 

For once, Yang Zhao patiently explained: “Poor little white flower, so talented, winning awards at such a young age.”

 

 

“Yet, her debut work was destroyed out of her stepsister’s jealousy, and she was even slapped in public by the wicked stepsister. If she dares to be this brazen in front of cameras, what must she be like behind the scenes? How much more suffering must the little white flower endure?”

 

 

“People are naturally drawn to drama. Witnessing such a shocking scene, they’ll dig deeper. And conveniently, just then, anonymous insiders will start leaking stories online.”

 

 

“Guess whose side the public will take—the pitiful little white flower, or the cruel heiress?”

 

 

Hua Man fell silent.

 

 

Yang Zhao certainly had a clear understanding of her own image.

 

 

“So, what’s the solution?” Hua Man couldn’t help but ask. In her view, even if Yang Zhao hadn’t physically struck Zhao Yang, her verbal humiliation would still provoke outrage.

 

 

Yang Zhao’s eyes darkened. “She wants to step on me to gain attention. Fine, I’ll let her have her wish.”

 

 

“Let her have her wish?” Hua Man’s heart tightened. Would Yang Zhao really be that generous?

 

 

“Manman, do you know when a person feels the most despair?” After wiping off the last traces of makeup, Yang Zhao turned to face her, her gaze profound.

 

 

She wasn’t actually waiting for an answer. With a faint smile, she continued, “When they’re filled with hope, believing they’re about to succeed—only to be struck down mercilessly. That’s when they’re at their most broken.”

 

 

Hua Man’s eyes flickered.

 

 

 

She thought of Qin Fangqin and Yang Zhao’s unfaithful father. She had always wondered why Yang Zhao, with all her power and influence, would tolerate Qin Fangqin’s intrusion into their home. Now, it seemed the reason was this?

 

 

If that were truly the case, then Yang Zhao was the most patient hunter she had ever met.

 

 

How long had it been since Yang Zhao’s mother passed away? Yet Yang Zhao had remained silent, allowing that couple to stay in the Yang household. Just how much patience did that take?

 

 

“Why are you looking at me like that?” Yang Zhao raised an eyebrow. “Scared?”

 

 

Hua Man shook her head. “No.”

 

 

She wasn’t scared, just realizing how little she truly knew about Yang Zhao. Every time she thought she had her figured out, another hidden layer would reveal itself.

 

 

Yang Zhao was like an intricate book—just when she thought she understood, she realized she had only skimmed the surface.

 

 

“Good if you’re not.” Yang Zhao sighed. “This is just the beginning.”

 

 

If Hua Man got scared so easily, she’d be worried about whether she could adapt in the future.

 

 

“We still have to go to Germany for the fashion show,” Yang Zhao quickly decided. “You’ll need to get your passport ready. We’ll go together another day.”

 

 

Hua Man’s scalp tingled at the words. She immediately countered, “I don’t think watching a fashion show is the only way to improve my taste.”

 

 

Yang Zhao arched an eyebrow. “Oh?”

 

 

“I think observing your outfits every day is more than enough to refine my sense of style.”

 

 

By the time she finished speaking, Hua Man’s ears were burning red.

 

 

If Yu Shan were here, she would have mercilessly pointed out that Hua Man was blatantly flattering Yang Zhao. Fortunately, Yu Shan wasn’t present—but that didn’t change the fact that she was indeed buttering her up.

 

 

Still, compared to being dragged abroad by Yang Zhao, a little flattery didn’t seem so bad.

 

 

She had a feeling Yang Zhao would take the bait.

 

 

Sure enough, the next second, Yang Zhao’s amused voice rang out. “You’re not wrong.”

 

 

Hua Man discreetly let out a sigh of relief.

 

 

But then her wrist was swiftly caught in Yang Zhao’s grasp. Soft fingertips brushed lightly against her skin, and Hua Man swallowed hard, lowering her gaze to meet Yang Zhao’s.

 

 

Yang Zhao’s eyes glinted with amusement as she tilted her face up, her tone leaving no room for argument. “Kiss me.”

 

 

The sudden demand caught Hua Man off guard. Suppressing her fluster, she feigned composure and leaned down.

 

 

It wasn’t the first time she had tasted those soft lips—still sweet, still yielding beneath her touch.

 

 

Her erratic heartbeat steadied as the kiss deepened.

 

 

Just as she thought it was enough and tried to pull away, a firm hand gripped her waist.

 

 

Startled, her eyes flew open.

 

 

Yang Zhao’s striking gaze locked onto hers—deep, unfathomable, like an endless ocean that sent shivers down her spine.

 

 

The roles had reversed.

 

 

Her lips were claimed without mercy, a stark contrast to her own gentle caution. Yang Zhao kissed with the same dominance she wielded in everything else.

 

 

Hua Man was defenseless as her lips were parted, a slick tongue invading her space, teasing and cornering her own until she had no choice but to surrender to the entanglement.

 

 

It was an unfamiliar sensation.

 

 

Yang Zhao’s movements were rough, unpracticed. The sound of their heavy breaths and the wet, intimate noises of their kiss filled Hua Man’s ears, making her face burn.

 

 

 

It was impossible to tell how much time had passed. When her head was spinning and her tongue sore, Yang Zhao finally released her.

 

 

“Did you learn anything?”

 

 

After such an intense kiss, Yang Zhao’s voice had turned hoarse.

 

 

Hua Man: “What?”

 

 

Seeing her dazed expression, Yang Zhao curved her lips and pressed against her waist, forcing her to collide into her embrace. Then she shamelessly buried her face between Hua Man’s br3asts.

 

 

Feeling the softness beneath her cheek, she smirked slightly, tilting her head to glance up with a smile. “This is what an adult’s kiss should be like. Stop with those childish pecks.”

 

 

Hua Man could barely speak.

 

 

Her entire body stiffened. Through the thin fabric, she could even feel Yang Zhao’s breath against her skin, igniting a wildfire that quickly spread, burning her whole body with heat.

 

 

Yang Zhao was like a mountain spirit.

 

 

At this moment, this spirit pressed against her chest and, seemingly dissatisfied with her reaction, soon gave a light pat on her backside. “Did you hear me?”

 

 

Both front and back—these were Hua Man’s most private areas, where no one had ever dared to cross the line before.

 

 

Yet on the same day, the same person had unceremoniously taken both firsts.