Chapter 12: Malicious Intent

“You must have been bitten by the mosquitoes in the Bamboo Grove when you snuck in, right?”
“Yes.”
“The mosquitoes there were specially bred by Ye Hua with poisonous venom. They carry a deadly toxin. If you get bitten, at best you’ll be paralyzed; at worst, your entire body will fester and you’ll die.”
Her whole body festering…
Lu Yao felt sick to her stomach at once. She recalled the sharp and unusual pain she’d felt on her arm when bitten earlier—at the time, she’d been too focused on the security guards to pay attention. Remembering it now, cold sweat broke out across her skin.
No wonder the security guards had refused to search the Bamboo Grove.
Ye Hua’s methods were truly vicious, even breeding poisonous mosquitoes to kill.
If she went to the hospital openly for an IV and antibiotics now, it would be the same as announcing to everyone in the old house that she’d sneaked into the Bamboo Grove.
The more she thought about it, the more frightened she became. Her hair stood on end, and she looked at Ye Zehong, seeking help.
“Your arm needs antibiotics immediately. Even if you don’t go to the hospital, by tomorrow, everyone will know.”
“But where can we get antibiotics…”
Ye Zehong got up and walked to the window, dialing a string of numbers he knew by heart.
Ye Zemao had just lain down when his phone rang. He glanced at the caller ID, and his heart skipped inexplicably.
“Hello, Second Brother, what can I do for you at this hour?”
“Within ten minutes, no matter what it takes, deliver antibiotics to the west wing of Plum Garden.”
“The west wing? Isn’t that where Lu Yao is staying?”
“Yes.”
Sensing Ye Zehong’s urgency, Ye Zemao frowned. Had Lu Yao been hurt?
But why was his second brother so anxious about Lu Yao?
Was there something going on between them?
Suddenly intrigued, Ye Zemao teased deliberately, “I can get the antibiotics, but I want to deliver them to Lu Yao myself.”
“Ye Zemao!”
“Second Brother, any other instructions?”
“Ten minutes. Hurry.”
Ye Zemao was delighted—this was the first time he’d gained the upper hand with Ye Zehong.
…
Eight minutes later.
Ye Zemao arrived at Plum Garden with the antibiotics.
The moment he stepped into the west wing, Ye Zehong snatched the medicine from his hands.
He watched as Ye Zehong, face grim, prepared the IV for Lu Yao, a ripple of emotion stirring within him.
With a hint of jealousy, he said, “Miss Lu, in all my years, I’ve never seen my second brother care so much about a woman.”
As he said this, Ye Zehong was inserting the needle, his fingers inevitably brushing her skin.
Though they’d been more intimately close before, it had always been just the two of them, alone in bed—never like now, under bright lights, with an onlooker present. The atmosphere instantly grew charged with a subtle, teasing intimacy.
Really? The very first time?
Lu Yao’s heart fluttered uncontrollably.
She didn’t dare glance at Ye Zehong. A flush crept over her cheeks, and her ears grew hot.
Standing to the side, Ye Zemao watched their subtle expressions carefully, fully understanding.
He sat beside Lu Yao, eyeing the antibiotics drip, and remarked, “Miss Lu, you’re brave—brave enough to sneak into Big Sister’s Bamboo Grove.”
Lu Yao coughed awkwardly, about to explain, when footsteps sounded outside.
Knock, knock, knock…
Qiao Wan’er’s shrill voice called, “Miss Lu, it’s me. There’s a crucial matter regarding the prenuptial agreement I must discuss with you right now. Please open the door.”
As she spoke, she reached for the doorknob.
Lu Yao’s breath caught; her heart pounded violently in her chest, as if trying to leap from her throat.
Ye Zemao exchanged a glance with Ye Zehong.
Curling his lips in amusement, he suppressed a laugh. “Oh dear, Second Sister-in-law has come to catch you in the act.”