Chapter Thirty-Five: A Monumental Misunderstanding

After leaving the hospital, Liu Molan returned to the company and granted Qin Yang three days off. As for her safety, Sun Qi would certainly not neglect it; with the deputy captain of the criminal police squad present, Qin Yang believed nothing more would happen to her.

Upon returning home, Qin Yang finally breathed a sigh of relief. Gao Xiaolan had already gone to school, leaving only Han Dongxue in the house. There was no sound, so she must have gone out. He took off his jacket and headed to the bathroom, preparing to take a shower. But when he pulled back the curtain, he discovered a beauty lying naked in the bathtub, her fair skin dazzling his eyes. Her little feet playfully dangled over the side, making her look irresistibly cute. This scene, so visually striking, sent Qin Yang’s blood boiling.

“How can anyone fall asleep like this?” Qin Yang stared in disbelief at Han Dongxue, who was sleeping soundly. He carefully prepared to exit.

Just as he was about to leave, his foot slipped and his body flew backward. Thanks to his quick reflexes, he twisted in midair and managed to brace himself on the edge of the bathtub, making sure to keep silent. The sight of her alluring figure so close made him swallow hard. The charming buds, like red cherries, tempted him irresistibly.

“Do not gaze upon what you shouldn’t,” he muttered, but his eyes refused to look away, his breath thick with masculine fervor.

With his arms straining, he cautiously stood up, barely daring to breathe as he tried to retreat. But Han Dongxue shifted her position in the tub, startling him.

“My goodness, if her great-grandfather found out, he’d skin me alive,” Qin Yang thought, nervously trying to leave.

Suddenly, Gao Xiaolan’s voice came from the doorway: “Dongxue, I’m home.”

Qin Yang sucked in a cold breath and spun around, only to see Han Dongxue slowly awaken. When she saw Qin Yang, completely undressed, she opened her eyes wide and was about to scream. Qin Yang hurriedly rushed over and covered her mouth, whispering, “Listen to me, this is a huge misunderstanding. I’ll explain everything, but please, don’t let Xiaolan know.”

“If you understand, just nod,” he urged.

Han Dongxue’s face flushed as red as a burning cloud. Qin Yang, standing so close and unclothed, was more than she could bear. Her eyes were filled with a murderous glare, mixed with deep disappointment. She had trusted Qin Yang, especially after he revealed family secrets, but now—he was no better than any scoundrel.

Seeing tears well up in her eyes, Qin Yang felt bitter inside. He gently let go of her, and as the sound of the door opening echoed, he quickly pulled the curtain closed. Han Dongxue, not wanting Xiaolan to witness such humiliation, steadied her trembling voice and called out, “Xiaolan, I’m taking a bath. I’ll be out soon. Go ahead and eat first.”

“Dongxue, are you all right?” Gao Xiaolan detected something strange in her tone and opened the door.

This startled Qin Yang, who kept low in the bathtub. Beside him, Han Dongxue’s smooth, jade-like legs were unavoidable, making his whole body feel a strange tension. Han Dongxue tightly pulled the curtain and said, “I’m fine, I just accidentally fell asleep. I’ll be out soon.”

It was a test of performance; Han Dongxue did her best to keep her voice steady.

Gao Xiaolan grew more suspicious. Why was Dongxue’s voice trembling? Could she have caught a cold? “Dongxue, are you sick?”

“Maybe a little,” Han Dongxue replied, taking a deep breath. “The weather’s been bad lately. I might have caught a cold.”

“We’re out of medicine. I’ll go downstairs and buy some. Make sure to dry yourself off after your bath—even with the heater, you could get worse.” With her doubts eased, Gao Xiaolan quickly put on her coat and went downstairs. Han Dongxue finally breathed a sigh of relief, sat heavily on the edge of the tub, and saw Qin Yang, dripping wet, staring at her in shock. She slapped him and, wrapping herself in a towel, rushed out of the bathroom.

“What did I ever do to deserve this!” Qin Yang held his face, feeling utterly frustrated.

She fell asleep in the bath—what could I do? I didn’t mean to walk in. If I had, I’d accept the slap, but this is so unfair! After such a scene, Qin Yang no longer felt like showering. He dried himself off, cautiously peeked out, saw Han Dongxue’s door tightly shut, and hurried back to his own room to change clothes.

“Ahem, Dongxue, please let me explain,” Qin Yang said, standing at her door with a bitter smile. “I truly didn’t know you were in the bathtub. If I had, I wouldn’t have dared enter for anything.”

No matter how he explained, Han Dongxue gave no reply.

When her door finally opened, Qin Yang saw Han Dongxue with a packed backpack, clearly preparing to leave. She looked at him coldly and said, “Get out.”

“Kid, you’ve got guts.” Then a voice, thick with displeasure, echoed in his ears. Qin Yang jumped and quickly replied, “I swear, it wasn’t on purpose. If I’d known she was inside, I wouldn’t have entered for anything. Sir, please, you have to help explain this.”

“I can’t communicate with her. You’ll have to explain yourself,” Han Mufeng said coldly. “But you’d best give me a satisfactory answer.”

“What answer?” Qin Yang asked, frustrated.

His only reply came from the housekeeper, who seemed to relish his misfortune: “In his era, your actions would have warranted execution—unless Han Dongxue were your wife, you’d be finished. Luckily, it’s the twenty-first century, so at worst it’s harassment.”

“Shut up,” Qin Yang growled through gritted teeth.

Han Mufeng said, “The urgent matter is to explain yourself to her.”

Seeing that she was about to leave, Qin Yang grabbed her and pulled her back, saying, “Han Dongxue, I swear, I truly didn’t mean it. If I am a heartless scoundrel, may I be struck down by lightning the moment I step outside.”

“You’d say anything, wouldn’t you?” Han Dongxue sneered, trying to pull her arm free, but Qin Yang held on tightly. Frowning, she said coldly, “Let go.”

“No,” Qin Yang shook his head. “I promised your great-grandfather I’d take care of you.”

“Still playing these tricks?” Han Dongxue said angrily.

Qin Yang shook his finger, thought for a moment, and said seriously, “I have no reason to deceive you. How else would I know your family’s secrets? How else would I know the martial arts secrets painstakingly created by Mr. Han Muxia? Even if I tried to investigate, I could never have discovered these things.”