Chapter 55: Are Women Born with Maternal Radiance?

“Uh, Club Leader Jiang, what exactly are you doing now?”

“Drying your hair, obviously.”

“I know that, but why do you have to sit on my lap?”

“I’m tired, you dummy. Can’t you be a little considerate?”

“Fine then. I’ll just dry it myself.”

“I’m going to give you a specific style. Do you even know how?”

“Then… maybe you should be the one to do it?”

“Pfft—you’re such a character, Zhouzhou.”

Jiang Yingxue held the hair dryer, its whirring filling the room. She sat sideways on Ye Zhou’s lap with her long, snow-white legs crossed, her posture both provocative and soul-stirring.

A glimpse of her fair skin peeked through the slit of her black dress, a sight that could inspire infinite fantasies.

Her feet were clad in silver thin-strapped high-heeled sandals. The slender heels accentuated her delicate ankles and elongated her legs. Her rounded toes—the left painted a deep purple and the right a gradient gold—made one’s heart race with a restless hunger.

Ye Zhou subconsciously swallowed his saliva. With an extremely awkward expression, he tried to lean back, but Jiang Yingxue pressed closer like she was attached with superglue.

Suddenly, her hand paused, and her beautiful brows furrowed.

“Hiss—it’s so hard. Zhouzhou, what do you have in your pocket? It’s poking my butt and it hurts.”

Ye Zhou’s face stiffened, and he let out a light cough. “Ke—it’s my keys.”

“Really?” Jiang Yingxue’s red lips curled upward as she deliberately wiggled her hips. “How about I help you pull them out? That way, you’ll at least be more comfortable.”

“Don’t! Whatever you do, don’t pull them out!”

Ye Zhou’s voice suddenly grew louder, causing Jiang Yingxue to blink in surprise.

“Why? Don’t you want to be comfortable?”

“It’s not a matter of comfort. It’s that… it will bite if it comes out. So, it’s best if you don’t touch it.” Ye Zhou turned his face away, trying to hide his embarrassed expression.

“Oh? How much would it hurt if it bit someone? I’m so curious.” Jiang Yingxue giggled, covering her mouth.

“In any case, if you touch it, you’ll be crying from the pain. It won’t matter how much you beg for mercy then.” Ye Zhou stiffened his neck.

“Is that so? You sound so scary. Now I really want to try… Hehe, look at how pale your face is. I’m just teasing you. After all, I’m not in the mood for that quite yet.”

“Ouch, though. You were poking me so much I almost fell over. Aren’t you going to hold me?”

Ye Zhou hesitated for a moment before slowly wrapping his arms around Jiang Yingxue’s slender, willow-like waist. He rested his chin on her soft shoulder, deeply inhaling the pleasant fragrance emanating from her body and her breath. As he breathed it in, he couldn’t help but yawn, feeling a wave of drowsiness wash over him.

“You little rascal… why are you holding me so tight? It’s not like I’m going to run away.”

Jiang Yingxue reached out a slender finger and gently tapped Ye Zhou’s forehead.

“If I don’t hold you tight, you’ll fall.”

“Let’s get one thing straight. A subordinate in the club isn’t allowed to stand up to his superior.”

“Sister, I’m not. I’m just holding you with pure intentions.”

“You’re being dishonest. But I’ll let it slide this time. You spoiled little rascal, you better pay attention to how I’m giving you this Fluffy Three-Seven Split Style. You need to learn. Just because women dress up doesn’t mean men can slack off. Otherwise, with how you are now, you’re still a long way off from being able to take me down.”

“Mm-hmm… I get it.”

The tips of their ears grew redder and more vibrant than the setting sun fading outside the window.

***

Ye Zhou was startled awake by his own sneeze. He pulled away the Blue Blanket covering him and slowly stood up, looking around.

The hair that had been on the floor had been swept away at some point.

It was rare for Club Leader Jiang to be so diligent about cleaning the office.

The moment he thought of Jiang Yingxue, Ye Zhou’s face flushed with such embarrassment that his toes could have curled enough to carve out a three-bedroom apartment.

‘This is terrible! What was I doing? I… I actually acted like a spoiled child in Club Leader Jiang’s arms and even fell asleep.’

‘Ye Zhou, oh Ye Zhou, how could you be so depraved?’

‘That being said, I can’t really blame myself. It’s all because Club Leader Jiang’s embrace was too warm and comfortable.’

‘Is it because women are naturally born with maternal radiance?’

‘It must be!’

Having already found an excuse, Ye Zhou felt that he shouldn’t stay any longer. Just as he was about to make a quick exit, Jiang Yingxue walked in carrying several bags of takeout.

“You’re awake?”

“Um… Right. Club Leader Jiang, have you not had dinner yet?”

Ye Zhou deliberately turned his face away, too embarrassed to meet Jiang Yingxue’s beautiful eyes.

Whenever he looked at her now, scenes of him acting like a spoiled child and sleeping in her arms flashed through his mind.

He only hoped that Jiang Yingxue wouldn’t bring it up—especially not in front of the other club members.

Otherwise, wouldn’t his image as a man be completely destroyed?

Ah, this was total social death. The world might as well just end.

Regardless, if a third person ever found out, he would definitely move out of Jianghai City overnight.

A gentleman’s word is his bond!

However, Ye Zhou still stole a glance at Jiang Yingxue and noticed that her mind seemed entirely focused on dinner. She didn’t intentionally bring up the matter that was embarrassing for both of them—or rather, just for him.

‘Whew! Thank goodness Club Leader Jiang knows how to be tactful. Even if she has a mischievous streak, she understands which things should be mentioned and which shouldn’t.’

‘I suppose that’s what you call good upbringing. Her family must be as happy and successful as Su Zhihan’s.’

‘Wait, what the hell? Why am I suddenly overthinking things?’

Ye Zhou let out a long sigh of relief in secret, though his voice was still a bit shaky.

“Well, alright then. I’m leaving. Bye. I hope you have a pleasant dinner.”

Jiang Yingxue’s brows furrowed slightly. “Why are you leaving? Stay and eat together.”

Ye Zhou’s body froze. He suddenly couldn’t move; his feet were more honest than his mouth.

“Club Leader Jiang, this… isn’t this a bit inappropriate?”

“What’s inappropriate about it? Or did you already eat dinner before you came? If that’s the case, then it really would be inappropriate.” Jiang Yingxue crossed her arms over her chest.

Ye Zhou replied truthfully, “No, I haven’t.”

Jiang Yingxue nodded slightly. “Then it’s settled. I ordered a portion for you too, so let’s eat together. If you feel like it’s not enough, we can just order more. It’ll be delivered quickly.”

“On the other hand, if you don’t stay and eat with me, I won’t be able to finish all of this by myself.”

“And if I can’t finish it, I’ll just have to throw it away.”

“It doesn’t matter to me either way. I’m not forcing you.”

Ye Zhou slapped his chest, looking righteous.

“What kind of talk is that? As a good citizen, I absolutely will not allow anyone to waste food in front of me!”

“Pfft—then don’t be so polite with me. We’re in the same club; you’re not an outsider. Why the formality?” Jiang Yingxue’s eyes brimmed with a smile.

“Fine then. I’ll accept your kind offer.” Ye Zhou’s voice grew smaller and smaller.

“I ordered your favorite tonight, you know?”

“What is it? Is it chicken, duck, fish, beef, or pork?”

“Wrong. It’s seafood, of course. Oysters and Sea Cucumbers.”

“Huh?”

“Look at that long face. Do you not like it? Hmph—my mood is starting to drop now.”

“No, no, no! I love it!”

One shouldn’t bite the hand that feeds them.

Ye Zhou understood this principle well, but he began to worry about himself being unable to sleep that night.

‘Club Leader Jiang is always trying to ruin me!’