Chapter 20: Follow Me, and I Promise to Cherish You

“So what?” The young girl narrowed her eyes, her tone dripping with disdain. “There are so many branches of the Huo family, plenty of people with the surname Huo. But listen, Fairy Boy: except for Huo Yan Fang, none of the others are worth a dime.”

With that, she even patted his chest. “I know you work for Huo Yan Fang—sure, you’ll make money. But he bullies you all the time; that’s money not worth earning. We should earn our living standing tall, not on our knees. Follow me and I promise I’ll treat you well, really care for you.”

Huo Yan Fang: “…”

Really care for him?

Unable to bear it any longer, Huo Yan Fang swept up his phone from the artificial rock, found Ye Jingyan’s number, and was just about to press call when he heard Ye Jingyan’s voice.

“Bai Xiaolu! You’ve been soaking for over half an hour—your little body can’t take much more. Come out now. If you like it, I’ll bring you again tomorrow!”

The instant she heard Ye Jingyan’s voice, Bai Lu’s foggy mind cleared in a flash.

Like a teenager caught in the act by her strict father.

Before she could even think, she was already moving. She pressed down on the Fairy Boy’s head with both hands, leaped up, and shoved him underwater with all her might.

She felt a bit sorry for him, but there was no way she could let her father see her soaking in the hot spring with a strange man! Her father would never let her hear the end of it.

“Ah! Dr. Ye, don’t come over—I’m only wearing a camisole!”

Ye Jingyan called back, “I won’t come over. Hurry up and get out, put your clothes on as soon as you’re ashore, and don’t catch a chill!”

Bai Lu didn’t spare another thought for the Fairy Boy. She dog-paddled to the edge, snatched up her down jacket, and slipped it on. Her slippers were on the wrong feet, but she didn’t care—she just dashed away.

Huo Yan Fang emerged from the water, face as dark as thunder. Black hair plastered to his forehead, water dripping down.

“I’m coming, I’m coming!” Bai Lu called, glancing back at him.

Huo Yan Fang’s eyes narrowed dangerously, black as night.

But the girl didn’t notice at all. She even flashed him a sweet smile… then stuck out her tongue and made a face.

Huo Yan Fang: “…”

Completely unaware that she’d danced across the richest man’s minefield, Bai Lu bounded over to Ye Jingyan. “Dr. Ye, I feel dizzy and fuzzy.”

Ye Jingyan reached out to feel her forehead. “It’s fine. You’ve just spent too long in the hot spring.”

Bai Lu shook her head, which felt heavier and heavier. “I’m still sleepy—can barely keep my eyes open.”

Ye Jingyan offered his arm as a cane. “It’s all right. There’s a sleep-inducing herb in your medicine. Go back and take a proper nap, and you’ll be fine.”

Bai Lu had complete faith in him, never suspecting that the cup she’d just chugged down wasn’t water at all, but a cocktail stronger than vodka.

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“Tang Xing, tell Ye Jingyan to transfer Bai Lu to another hospital tomorrow. If she doesn’t go, you can be admitted in her place.”

Assistant Tang was sharp—he immediately understood what had happened. He gnashed his teeth in fury.

Ye Jingyan, that sly dog, never told the truth! Nearly got him killed!

Second Brother Yin rolled his wheelchair over and, seeing Tang Xing’s ashen face, tried to comfort him. “Don’t worry, A Fang is just very strict about work. Try a bit harder and you’ll be fine. If he scolds you, it’s actually for your own good. Once I’m gone… once I hand my position back to A Fang, he’ll let you shine on your own. It’s good for you that he’s tough now.”

Tang Xing squeezed out a reply through clenched teeth. “Ye Jingyan took Bai Lu to the hot springs, then lied to me and said he was sneaking off to the bamboo forest for a smoke.”

Second Brother Yin was silent for a few seconds, then burst into laughter. “Hahaha—A Fang and Bai Lu at the hot springs together… just thinking about A Fang’s face—oh my god, I can’t stand it, I’m dying of laughter!”

Seeing Second Brother Yin laugh so heartily, Tang Xing was transported back a few years. Back then, Second Brother hadn’t become like this. He always laughed like this—bold and unrestrained. You’d hear his laughter before you saw him.

Tang Xing let out a long, heavy sigh.

Oh well!

If his little mistake could make Second Brother Yin laugh like the local lord’s foolish son, as Huo always said, it wasn’t so bad after all.

Boss Huo would surely forgive him for this slip.

Tears of laughter were streaming down Second Brother Yin’s face. “Hey, Tang Xing, don’t you think Bai Lu is my little jester?”

Tang Xing replied, “You’d better not. Boss Huo’s orders are clear—your little jester has to be transferred tomorrow. If she doesn’t leave, I’ll be the one in the hospital.”

“…” Second Brother Yin said, “How about you get admitted and let my jester stay a few more days?”

Tang Xing: “?????”

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The little jester was transferred that very afternoon.

She woke up from her nap at exactly one o’clock, and left at ten past one.

The nurse brought her lunch, and the aroma of food woke Bai Lu immediately.

Charge! Time to eat.

The nurse was reluctant to see her go and grumbled, “The hospital is something else. You’ve just woken up—you should be kept for observation for a few more days. Why are they suddenly discharging you? What are they thinking?”

Bai Lu instantly felt a pang of guilt.

No way, right? It couldn’t be what she was thinking, could it?

She swallowed nervously. “Where’s Dr. Ye?”

The nurse told her, “He brought you back to the ward this morning, then the director called him to the office. No idea what was so urgent, but he left by helicopter.”

Bai Lu was so scared she lost her appetite. She scrambled up and began packing.

It was over—she’d clearly been found out.

Ye Jingyan had connections, so he was just “exiled.” But her own family had no ties to the richest man; she had to get out before trouble came her way.

Bai Lu remembered those eyes that seemed to want to destroy everything.

She shivered, pushed the thought aside, and swiftly packed her things.

She didn’t have much, so she was done in a few minutes.

Since the nurse had already notified her family, Yu Fuqing had arranged for her transfer to a city hospital.

Ten minutes later, Bai Lu was sitting in the family car.

Twisting around, she looked longingly at the shrinking hospital.

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Her entertainment empire would start with the Fairy Boy.

Leaving without managing to trick—no, sign—the Fairy Boy, she wanted to cry. Sob! My Fairy Boy! My entertainment empire!

“Are you reluctant to leave Dr. Ye, Xiaolu?” Shen Xinluo’s voice sounded in her ear. “Well, he did take such careful care of you. I really should thank him in person.”

Bai Lu didn’t even turn her head. “Don’t you dare. Dr. Ye said he can’t stand you—just the sight of you makes him want to puke. If he hadn’t saved me, you’d be a murderer by now, so don’t go biting the hand that saved you.”

Yu Fuqing couldn’t help but burst out laughing.

Shen Xinluo’s smile faltered. “Dr. Ye is handsome, skilled, and I hear he’s from a wealthy family, too. Lots of nurses have a crush on him. Xiaolu, he’s really good to you. Do you think he might like you?”

Bai Lu snorted. “Are you really that dumb, or just pretending? Dr. Ye admitted it himself—he’s my fan. He doesn’t like me? What, you think he’d like someone who nearly got me killed?”