Chapter 246: Chapter 245: You Are My Man
Zhang Xin froze for a good two or three seconds before coming to her senses and enthusiastically embraced Qu Chaozong’s strong waist, responding with warmth.
They didn’t separate until they were almost out of breath from kissing.
Zhang Xin’s breathing was uneven, her lips swollen, and her beautiful eyes widened impossibly as she looked at Qu Chaozong in disbelief.
Qu Chaozong chuckled: "Didn’t you say I should repay you by offering myself?"
Zhang Xin dryly swallowed, her eyes fixed on Qu Chaozong’s lips, unusually rosy and alluring from the kiss, and she followed with a smile: "You’re quite perceptive!"
Zhang Xin’s hands slid down from Qu Chaozong’s waistline to his buttocks, lightly patting them: "So when are you planning to repay me?"
Suddenly, Qu Chaozong embraced her waist tightly, pulling them close, their lower bodies fitting perfectly together. He looked at her with a faint smile, his breath brushing against Zhang Xin’s face, half-jokingly, half-seriously asking: "Do you really like me? Or do you just want to play around with me?"
Zhang Xin pinched Qu Chaozong’s butt cheek and laughed charmingly: "If I just wanted to play, it would usually last no more than a month. I’ve been chasing you for a year and a half; do you think I truly like you?"
Qu Chaozong raised his hand to pinch her chin and said seriously: "Zhang Xin, I’ve always been serious about relationships. If you really want to be with me, clean up your past messes. I can overlook who you were before, but if you’re with me, no fooling around. Otherwise, I won’t let it slide!"
Zhang Xin stared at him intently with her eyes like glass beads.
Qu Chaozong gazed right back at her; his serious and earnest look was like a dense net that tightly ensnared Zhang Xin, a feeling she had never experienced before.
No man had ever dared to speak such possessive words to her, and Zhang Xin’s heart trembled slightly.
Thump! Thump! She clearly heard her heart racing intensely because of Qu Chaozong’s words.
As things were getting tense between them, footsteps sounded from around the corridor corner.
Qu Chaozong released her and said to Zhang Xin: "It’s daylight already, you’re exhausted from the night, go back and rest."
While speaking, Qu Chaozong stepped back, his gaze dropping to Zhang Xin’s exposed calves.
Zhang Xin followed with a glance, awkwardly explaining: "I was in such a rush to leave that I forgot to change pants."
Qu Chaozong lowered his eyes and quietly asked: "Are you cold?"
Zhang Xin shook her head: "I was focused on saving someone at the time and didn’t notice. Once at the hospital, even the corridors were air-conditioned, so I didn’t feel cold."
Qu Chaozong hoarsely said: "Actually, you... really don’t have to be so good to me.’
Zhang Xin shrugged, smiling: "Well, I’m fond of you."
Qu Chaozong bit his lip, paused, then said: "Let’s go, I’ll walk you down."
Zhang Xin followed behind Qu Chaozong, and as they were about to round the corridor corner, she grabbed his arm from behind: "Chaozi, were you serious about what you said to me earlier?"
Qu Chaozong turned around and pulled Zhang Xin into his arms, nodding: "Yes."
Zhang Xin rejoiced, happiness spilling from her eyes and brows: "Then I’ll stay with you tonight. I haven’t seen you in quite some time; I’ve missed you."
Qu Chaozong looked at her twice, then lowered his head and kissed her forehead: "You’ve been up all night, go back and rest early, okay?"
Zhang Xin seemed enchanted, unable to resist, and obediently let Qu Chaozong lead her out of the hospital to her car.
Sitting in the car, Zhang Xin looked at Qu Chaozong through the window, feeling layers of unfamiliar sensations welling in her heart.
She rolled down the window and said to Qu Chaozong: "Chaozi, from now on, you’re my man!"
Qu Chaozong’s lips curved into a smile, waved: "Drive safely, go slow, and call me when you get home!"
Qu Chaozong stood on the curb, watching Zhang Xin’s car disappear into the traffic before turning to head back.
Zhang Xin watched the tall figure in her rearview mirror, feeling as if her previously barren heart had been infused with a fresh, lively presence because someone new had moved in, making it beat vibrantly.
She gripped the steering wheel tightly, yet her vision uncontrollably grew more blurry. After driving a short distance, she pulled over by the roadside, resting her face on her arms, tears streaming down.
As she cried, she couldn’t help but laugh, showing a mouth full of white teeth, tears slipping into her mouth, carrying a faint salty sweetness.
Zhang Xin lay for a while before raising her head, touching her heart, feeling its stir. The man who had embraced and kissed her earlier, with his dominant declaration, each word deeply shook her heart. This was a feeling she had never experienced before, never had for anyone else.
After Mrs. Qu’s injury, Qu Chaozong stayed home for over a month to care for her. At the provincial capital, Shi Yang and Zhao Wendada were overseeing the sales peak during New Year’s. With Zhao Wendada as the key force, the city’s maternity and baby store underwent a complete overhaul. Zhao Wendada fired three sales clerks, temporarily hired several new ones, guided them in selling products, and personally trained them. Within half a month, the newcomers were fully trained and even surpassed the store manager in sales performance.
Seizing a private moment, Zhao Wendada made a request to Shi Yang, thinking the current store manager’s abilities weren’t outstanding. Perhaps once they expand with new stores, she could oversee them, but for the prime store location, the future store manager must be exceptionally capable; this was crucial. He wanted to reorganize the store positions after the New Year.
This aligned with Shi Yang’s earlier plans. After hearing, he gently smiled, patting Zhao Wendada’s shoulder: "For such minor decisions, you can make them yourself. No need to ask me."
Zhao Wendada gratefully said: "Thank you for trusting me, Mr. Shi."
Shi Yang smiled: "New Year’s is approaching. The store will close from noon on the 30th. We’ll return to celebrate on the afternoon of the 29th. The staff can manage here, and we’ll come back on the 8th when it reopens."
Zhao Wendada was taken aback: "New Year’s?"
Shi Yang nodded: "Why not spend the New Year at my place? I’ve already arranged it; no outsiders, just my parents, very relaxed. You’ve been busy with store matters and haven’t properly rested, so let my mom cook you some good meals and replenish yourself. After all, good health is the foundation for everything."
Zhao Wendada expressed with gratitude: "Oh! Mr. Shi, how could I trouble you, it seems inappropriate."