MGASC -Chapter 234 Warmed to the Heart

“No…”

Zhang Ling tried in vain to grab his hand, but her fair little hand and misty eyes only added a more alluring scene in his eyes—nothing more. What use was it?

“Be good. You’re all sweaty and sticky. Wiping you down will make you feel better and help cool you off.”

Jin Quan didn’t bother arguing. He wiped her inside and out thoroughly. He even found her bra in the way; with a flick of his fingers, he loosened it.

By the end, Zhang Ling simply closed her eyes and continued pretending to be unconscious.

She thought to herself: once she recovered, she’d absolutely pretend she didn’t know this man.

“You’re wearing too many clothes anyway.”

After finishing, he pulled her clothes back down and couldn’t help but comment.

Jin Quan found two anti-inflammatory pills, fed them to her with water, then held her in his arms and tucked the blanket around them before going back to sleep.

…

That night, Zhang Ling wasn’t the only one suffering.

Feng An had been arrested, Li Yu taken away. The Public Security Bureau chief personally oversaw an overnight interrogation. Several heads from the Industry and Commerce Bureau and Quality Inspection also cooperated in the investigation.

By morning, everything had been thoroughly uncovered.

It all started with Gu Junye’s jealousy over the booming business of Kemanlou, which interfered with his expansion plans. So he colluded with a relative who worked in the municipal government, teamed up with Feng An, and set up the scheme.

As for a minor player like Li Yu, a little money was enough to get her involved.

In the morning, the bureau chief called Mayor Wang to report the interrogation results.

“Leader, I heard Gu Junye has quite a background. Besides connections here, he also has strong ties in the capital. How should we handle him?”

Mayor Wang was a man of integrity. “Enforce the law impartially. Handle him as the law requires.”

At the Gu residence—

When Gu Junye woke up, he habitually glanced at his watch.

8:30 a.m.

He set it down, rubbed his forehead, and casually picked up the phone by his bed. Leaning against the pillow, eyes half-closed, he dialed.

“How’s it going on Feng An’s side? Did that woman confess? …What?”

As he listened, his eyes snapped open, his expression turning colder and colder.

“What the hell is your nephew doing? He can’t even handle something this small? Did he get promoted to team leader by sleeping his way up?”

He slammed down the phone. The bad news made him pinch the bridge of his nose irritably.

The phone rang again. He answered impatiently.

“If it’s not resolved, don’t call me again… Oh, the catering department? What? The restaurant’s been ordered to suspend operations for rectification?”

After washing up and changing into a suit, Gu Junye left the house with a face dark as ice.

The name Zhang Qiao kept circling in his mind.

That first stunning encounter. Being mocked by her at the mall. Running into her again while starting his business in Jiangcheng. Catching a glimpse of her brilliance at the opening of Yuehai Hui…

And that day she had splashed tea in his face with a cold expression.

He had never met a woman like her—almost as if she was born to oppose him.

He didn’t even know why he kept competing with her, why he was so determined to win. Yet before he realized it, the name Zhang Qiao had become like a thorn lodged in his heart. Every mention of her left him irritated.

Outrageous.

Gu Junye abruptly pulled open the door—

Only to find two men in police uniforms standing outside.

“Gu Junye, Comrade Gu? We’re from the Public Security Bureau. There’s a case that requires you to come with us for investigation.”

…

When Zhang Ling woke again, her nose was clear and her body felt refreshed. Stretching her limbs, she was still a little stiff, but the aching in her bones was gone.

The bedroom door was open. From the kitchen came the clatter of cooking.

She sniffed. It smelled delicious.

Suddenly, footsteps approached. Long legs in loose shorts flashed past. Zhang Ling quickly lay back down and pulled the blanket over herself, pretending to sleep.

But Jin Quan had already seen her.

He came over, flipped the blanket off with a swoosh, brushed aside the hair on her forehead, and checked her temperature.

“No fever. Good. Get up—the food’s ready.”

As he spoke, he gave her a light smack on the butt.

Firm and springy. He seemed very satisfied.

Zhang Ling, however, sat up angrily, grinding her teeth as she glared at him.

“What? Got the strength to argue with me again?”

Jin Quan sat down beside her, pressed her shoulders and pushed her back onto the bed. His dark eyes roamed like a predator, trailing from her face down her neck, finally settling on the gentle rise and fall of her chest.

He leaned over her, his breath scorching. “Since you’ve got energy, how about we do something else…”

As he spoke, his hand started moving somewhere it shouldn’t.

Zhang Ling quickly grabbed his wrist. “No… I’m dizzy.”

She put on a pained expression and turned over, pressing down on the important areas. “Still not better.”

Not better—or just unwilling?

Jin Quan didn’t expose her. He simply wrapped his arms around her from behind and asked, “Then do you at least have the strength to eat?”

Her stomach growled obligingly. She nodded.

Fine. Feed her first. Sooner or later, she’d be his anyway.

Jin Quan chuckled and nudged her through the blanket. “Then get your ass up. Or I’ll deal with you.”

Only after she heard him leave did Zhang Ling sit up, embarrassed.

So outrageous.

Once she walked out that door today, she’d pretend she didn’t know him.

While getting dressed, she felt something off—her upper body was too loose.

After searching around, she found the purple lingerie she had worn yesterday on top of the pillow.

The bra he had loosened was the one he’d given her.

She didn’t even want to imagine what he thought seeing her wear what he’d bought. Surely nothing proper.

How had it ended up on the pillow?

Blushing furiously, she put it back on and hurried quietly into the bathroom.

While washing her face, she noticed a brand-new toothbrush and cup by the sink.

On the rack were a new pink towel and a new bar of soap.

He prepared them?

Unexpectedly thoughtful.

Zhang Ling felt a warmth spread in her chest.

She remembered her lower back had hurt yesterday, but after he had massaged it, it no longer hurt today.

When she came out, Jin Quan was watching the news while ladling noodles into their bowls.

He had made spicy noodles topped with shredded pork and green vegetables. On the table were a plate of peanuts and a plate of marinated beef.

When Zhang Ling approached, he handed her a pair of chopsticks. “Hurry up and eat. The noodles will get soggy.”

She watched him slurp up big mouthfuls of noodles, occasionally picking up a peanut or a slice of beef.

Watching him eat made her appetite grow. She began eating slowly as well.

As they watched the news together, even without chatting, the atmosphere felt oddly warm—like an old married couple.

After all, Xu Liang had never had the patience to cook for her or eat with her.

Her appetite improved considerably. The marinated beef looked good, and she reached out to pick up a slice—

But her chopsticks were stopped midair by his.

“Your stomach hurts. Don’t eat that yet. Wait till you’re better,” he said. Afraid she might feel deprived, he added, “Don’t worry. It’s all yours.”

Zhang Ling could only withdraw her chopsticks reluctantly, a little displeased.