Chapter 13: Dancing Among the Flowers

Ye Zehong clenched his molars and ordered, "Block the door."

He quickly hung the IV bottle on the standing coat rack, then took a long overcoat from the wardrobe and draped it over the rack, concealing both the bottle and the tube.

Seeing this, Lu Yao instinctively lay down on the bed, hiding her body and hand under the quilt.

Outside, Qiao Wan’er, realizing Lu Yao still hadn’t opened the door, pounded harder. “Miss Lu, are you in there? Open the door for me…”

“Miss Lu, open up. I know you’re inside your room…”

“If you don’t open up, I’ll come in myself…”

Barely had she finished speaking when the door was forced open from the outside.

Ye Zema stumbled a few steps, unable to steady himself.

Qiao Wan’er paused, surprised to see it was Ye Zema in the room. “Second Sister-in-law, why are you here?”

Ye Zema pretended to be embarrassed, hastily straightening his clothes.

Qiao Wan’er glanced at his disheveled appearance, then at Lu Yao lying on the bed, and deliberately asked, “Third Brother, since when did you move your residence to Plum Garden?”

“Second Sister-in-law, why ask when you know the answer? The moment I saw Miss Lu this afternoon, I was smitten. That’s why I sneaked into her fragrant chamber tonight to dance with the flowers.” Ye Zema leaned in close to her ear and whispered, “Too bad our lovely moment was interrupted.”

Qiao Wan’er shot him a suspicious glance, then looked over at Lu Yao.

She cleared her throat. “Miss Lu, I’m here in person, yet you’re still lying in bed, not getting up to greet your guest. Isn’t that rather discourteous?”

As she spoke, she stepped past Ye Zema and strode to the bedside, reaching out to lift the quilt.

“Second Sister-in-law, wait…” Ye Zema rushed over and grabbed her hand, stopping her forcefully.

“Zema, what are you so nervous about?”

“It’s not that, really. It’s just… we were in the middle of something, and Lu Yao is… well, not a stitch on…”

Qiao Wan’er was silent for a few seconds, her eyes on Lu Yao’s flushed face, then suddenly burst out laughing. “Seems my timing couldn’t be worse. I’ve interrupted you and Miss Lu—my fault entirely.”

Ye Zema quickly seized the chance. “Second Sister-in-law, perhaps we can discuss matters tomorrow?”

Qiao Wan’er nodded, her gaze flickering to the coat rack, feeling there was something odd about the overcoat hanging there.

In this sweltering heat, why would Lu Yao need an overcoat?

Just as the thought crossed her mind, her phone rang.

The caller ID displayed Ye Zehong’s name. Instantly, a smile blossomed on her face as she answered the call.

“Ze Hong, I was just looking for you.”

“I’m in my room, waiting for you.”

Those last two words—waiting for you—were like a feather lightly brushing Qiao Wan’er’s heart.

In an instant, her mind conjured up a scene both fragrant and salty.

She didn’t say another word, leaving in high spirits.

As soon as she was gone, Ye Zema went forward, closed the door, and locked it.

Lu Yao’s taut nerves finally relaxed; she let out a soft breath.

A wave of fear washed over her. She knew Qiao Wan’er wouldn’t come to her room in the middle of the night to discuss the prenuptial agreement without some ulterior motive.

If not for Ye Zehong and Ye Zema’s quick thinking, she didn’t know how things would have ended.

Ye Zema took the overcoat away. He lifted the quilt and helped Lu Yao sit up, propped against the headboard.

Lu Yao gazed at him, feeling as though she’d narrowly escaped disaster, and thanked him earnestly. “Third Master, thank you.”

Ye Zema tapped the edge of the bed, a half-smile on his lips. “Don’t thank me just yet. Better think carefully about how you’ll face my mother tomorrow.”

Just now, Ye Zema had sacrificed himself to put on a show of passion before Qiao Wan’er.

Qiao Wan’er certainly wouldn’t waste such an opportunity and would be sure to perform before Yang Lan.

Lu Yao recalled what Ye Zehong had said about Yang Lan earlier.

A shiver ran down her spine.