Fell in Love with the Crazy Young Lady - Chapter 37

“Does having a low education mean I don’t deserve a job or the things I like?”

 

 

By the end of her outburst, she burst into tears again, looking utterly aggrieved.

 

 

Wu Zhenlin’s expression darkened.

 

 

“Old Wu, Manman and I didn’t mean it that way,” Chen Yan hurriedly explained. “Fangfei wanted to work at the Yang family’s company. You know their minimum hiring requirement is a bachelor’s degree now. Manman and I were just telling her the facts—we weren’t mocking Fangfei.”

 

 

Wu Zhenlin nodded at Chen Yan. Though he had spent little time with his daughter over the years, he had lived with his wife for decades and knew her character well.

 

 

She was kind-hearted and would never mock their daughter.

 

 

But given how much he had failed his daughter, he couldn’t bring himself to scold her or embarrass her either. His honest face flushed red with distress.

 

 

Wu Fangfei delivered the final blow:

 

 

“A stepmother means a stepfather too. How can you face my dead mother like this?”

 

 

Wu Zhenlin completely crumbled, his lips trembling as he looked at his wife.

 

 

Seeing this, Hua Man pressed her lips together, took Chen Yan’s hand, and walked out.

 

 

“Manman?”

 

 

“Manman!”

 

 

Chen Yan stopped Hua Man and sighed. “If we leave like this, we’d be acting too willfully.”

 

 

After all, she was the elder—it was her duty to be tolerant.

 

 

“Why can’t we be willful?” Hua Man’s gaze was heavy. “Why shouldn’t we be willful?”

 

 

Chen Yan sighed. “I’m the elder.”

 

 

“Which law says elders can’t be willful?”

 

 

“Even if you can’t be willful as an elder, then let me. I’m younger than her—isn’t it natural for me to be willful?”

 

 

Chen Yan was stunned.

 

 

This side of Hua Man felt almost unfamiliar to her.

 

 

“Manman, we’re family. Family shouldn’t keep score like this,” she reasoned. “Fangfei lost her mother young, and her father wasn’t around. She’s always been sensitive. If we leave now, she’ll overthink it.”

 

 

Hua Man’s eyes darkened.

 

 

Chen Yan considered Wu Fangfei so carefully—had she ever thought about how Hua Man had also grown up without her parents?

 

 

She pulled her hand free. Hua Man watched silently as Chen Yan turned back and re-entered the store. Before long, the three of them emerged together, Wu Fangfei clinging to Chen Yan’s arm again, a delicate pearl bracelet now adorning her wrist.

 

 

The three approached her.

 

 

It was as if the earlier incident had never happened. Wu Fangfei held onto Chen Yan with one hand and Wu Zhenlin with the other, laughing happily between them like the picture of a warm, loving family.

 

 

Hua Man lowered her gaze.

 

 

Everything afterward felt dull and meaningless.

 

 

Wu Fangfei, as always, enjoyed excluding Hua Man, crafting the illusion that she, Wu Zhenlin, and Chen Yan were the real family—all to provoke her.

 

 

As a child, Hua Man might have been hurt by this. But now, she couldn’t muster any emotion.

 

 

It just seemed childish.

 

 

After enduring a so-called family reunion dinner, she announced she was returning to the hotel.

 

 

“We rarely get to spend time together as a family, Hua Man. Why don’t you care at all?” Wu Fangfei frowned unhappily. “Or do you just have a problem with me?”

 

 

She truly never missed a chance to stir trouble.

 

 

“I only have half a day off,” Hua Man replied flatly.

 

 

 

Out of consideration for Chen Yan, she refrained from speaking harshly or making the situation awkward.

 

 

This wasn’t her home anymore, but it was Chen Yan’s now. She didn’t want to cause any rift between Chen Yan and Wu Zhenlin because of her.

 

 

Wu Zhenlin said worriedly, “Then you should head back soon. Don’t let the young mistress—”

 

 

He trailed off, mindful of Wu Fangfei’s presence. But both Chen Yan and Hua Man understood what he meant.

 

 

Yang Zhao was temperamental and impatient—working under her was no easy task.

 

 

“Alright,” Hua Man nodded. “Mom, Uncle Wu, I hope you both enjoy yourselves.”

 

 

Before she had even walked far, she heard Wu Fangfei complain, “Dad, did you hear that? She still calls you ‘Uncle’—what an ungrateful wretch!”

 

 

Hua Man pretended not to hear.

 

 

When she returned to the hotel, Yang Zhao was taking her afternoon nap.

 

 

“The young mistress is sick and in a bad mood. Don’t provoke her again,” Yu Shan whispered to her.

 

 

Hearing this, Hua Man immediately guessed that Yang Zhao must have thrown another tantrum while she was away.

 

 

“Got it,” she replied.

 

 

Yang Zhao usually had a fixed nap schedule, but this time, likely due to her illness, she slept over an hour longer than usual before waking.

 

 

“You came back so soon?” Seeing Hua Man, Yang Zhao’s gloomy expression softened slightly.

 

 

Hua Man: “Mm, I’ve already seen them.”

 

 

Yang Zhao’s eyes flickered.

 

 

Her tone made it sound like meeting her family was just a chore.

 

 

“How was it?” Yang Zhao asked, intrigued.

 

 

“Nothing special,” Hua Man answered truthfully. “I’d rather stay at the hotel.”

 

 

Yu Shan frowned at her side—what kind of answer was that? But the young mistress’s mood seemed to improve, even looking somewhat pleased.

 

 

“Do you like staying at the hotel, or do you like staying by my side?” Yang Zhao asked with playful interest.

 

 

It was obviously a trick question—one that could either score points or be fatal. Yu Shan didn’t even need to think to know the correct answer.

 

 

Yet, to her shock, Hua Man stayed silent.

 

 

She actually stayed silent!

 

 

Yu Shan froze, bracing herself for the young mistress’s explosive anger.

 

 

But to her surprise, Yang Zhao laughed instead.

 

 

“Hua Man, you like staying by my side,” Yang Zhao answered for her. “Your silence is proof.”

 

 

If she didn’t like being around her, she could’ve just said she preferred the hotel. But her silence meant the answer was too embarrassing to voice.

 

 

Thinking this, Yang Zhao’s smile widened openly. “Manman, there’s nothing shameful about liking my company.”

 

 

“You’re overthinking it,” Hua Man denied calmly, still composed despite being exposed. “I was just tired and wanted to come back to rest.”

 

 

Overthinking?

 

 

Yang Zhao didn’t think so.

 

 

But this time, she didn’t press further. Instead, she said, “If you’re tired, then go rest?”

 

 

Yu Shan’s eyes widened.

 

 

Compared to her earlier mood, the young mistress now seemed radiant, gentle beyond words.

 

 

In that moment, Yu Shan fully grasped just how differently Yang Zhao treated Hua Man.

 

 

She deflated, feeling the bitter frustration of someone who had painstakingly nurtured a flower, only for it to be plucked away by another.

 

 

This bitterness was hers alone to bear—no one else could understand.

 

 

With a resentful glare at Hua Man, she stood up. “Miss, I’m tired too. I’d like to rest as well.”

 

 

 

As she spoke, she pointed to Hua Man: “Let her take care of you, I’ll rest for a while.”

 

 

After saying that, she immediately turned and left.

 

 

A competent servant should know when to disappear and when to appear.

 

 

Now was the time for her to disappear, leaving the young lady and Hua Man alone.

 

 

“What should we do, Yu Shan left.” Yang Zhao smiled at Hua Man, “I can’t be left alone. If you want to rest, you’ll have to rest here with me.”

 

 

As she spoke, she lifted the thin blanket covering her: “Come here.”

 

 

Her words were filled with laughter, but her tone was undeniably commanding.

 

 

Sometimes, Yang Zhao could be particularly obsessive. If things didn’t go her way, she would go mad.

 

 

Having spent the morning with Chen Yan’s family, Hua Man was already exhausted. To avoid any trouble, she didn’t refuse, only saying: “I’ll go change my clothes.”

 

 

“Alright.” Yang Zhao’s eyes curved into a smile.

 

 

When Hua Man returned, she had changed into a new set of clothes. She was obedient, wearing the clothes Yang Zhao had picked for her these past few days.

 

 

But these clothes were suitable for wearing outside, not for sleeping in bed.

 

 

“You don’t have pajamas?”

 

 

The smile in her eyes faded.

 

 

The first night they slept together, Hua Man had wrapped herself in a bathrobe after showering, and by the time they got to bed, Yang Zhao had already stripped her bare. Last night, being too tired and feeling unwell, she hadn’t noticed what Hua Man was wearing. Now, thinking carefully, it didn’t seem like pajamas either.

 

 

“I do.” Hua Man lowered her eyes, “But I didn’t bring them.”

 

 

She was a bodyguard, and Yang Zhao had only brought her along. Of course, she had to be ready to protect Yang Zhao at any time, so there was no need to bring pajamas.

 

 

Yang Zhao said unhappily: “Wearing this isn’t comfortable, take it off.”

 

 

“It’s daytime.”

 

 

Although Hua Man really didn’t want to cause any trouble, she couldn’t bring herself to lie naked on Yang Zhao’s bed in broad daylight. If someone came in, the situation would be incredibly awkward.

 

 

She didn’t want to lose her dignity in front of acquaintances.

 

 

“What does it matter if it’s daytime?” Yang Zhao didn’t care.

 

 

Hua Man pursed her lips: “If you think my clothes make you uncomfortable, I can sleep next door, or on the tatami, or even on the floor.”

 

 

Yang Zhao frowned.

 

 

She was willing to sleep on the floor but refused to take off those cumbersome clothes and sleep beside her.

 

 

After silently watching Hua Man for a few seconds, she concluded: “You’re unhappy?”

 

 

“No.” Hua Man denied.

 

 

But Yang Zhao was already sure: “You’re unhappy.”

 

 

Hua Man simply stopped speaking.

 

 

“Why?” Yang Zhao was puzzled, “Meeting your family, how could you not be happy?”

 

 

Didn’t you say you missed your mother?

 

 

Seeing Hua Man silent, she suggested: “If they made you unhappy, I can punish them to vent your anger.”

 

 

Hearing this, Hua Man had to speak: “They didn’t make me unhappy.”

 

 

“You’re lying.” Yang Zhao shook her head.

 

 

Hua Man’s mood was very off.

 

 

“I’m just tired.” Hua Man said, pinching the bridge of her nose, “Maybe I’m catching a cold.”

 

 

Hearing this, Yang Zhao was stunned for a few seconds, then laughed: “I remember someone being very confident, sure they wouldn’t get sick.”

 

 

“Yes.” Hua Man would rather admit her mistake than involve others. It didn’t hurt, just a bit embarrassing.

 

 

Fortunately, although it was embarrassing, it didn’t anger Yang Zhao.

 

 

The tense atmosphere from earlier had completely dissipated.

 

 

 

Yang Zhao knew in her heart that Hua Man’s discomfort was likely her own doing, yet she felt no guilt. Her eyes sparkled with amusement as she said, “Since you’re not feeling well, you should rest now.”

 

 

With that, she patted the space beside her.

 

 

Considering Hua Man’s condition, Yang Zhao decided to temporarily tolerate her sleeping in outdoor clothes.

 

 

Hua Man climbed into bed.

 

 

Perhaps she was truly exhausted, for the moment she lay down beside Yang Zhao and was enveloped by her scent, she felt an unprecedented sense of security.

 

 

It was like finding a safe harbor.

 

 

This realization gave Hua Man pause.

 

 

“Sleep now.”

 

 

Yang Zhao’s hand caressed her face. Hua Man looked up and found herself lost in the depths of Yang Zhao’s dark eyes.

 

 

They seemed to hold boundless affection, enough to drown her in their depths.

 

 

Did Yang Zhao truly love her?

 

 

Hua Man grew uncertain.

 

 

She wasn’t the likable type—even her own mother had abandoned her. Could someone like Yang Zhao really love someone like her?

 

 

“What are you thinking about?” Yang Zhao’s hand moved upward, finally resting beneath Hua Man’s eyes. “You’re looking at me strangely.”

 

 

Hua Man remained silent.

 

 

She refused to admit that what she wanted most at this moment was for Yang Zhao to bury herself in her arms and sleep, just like the previous two nights.