As her hand just touched his shoulder, Huo Shao Ting suddenly opened his eyes. His manner was fierce as he reached out and grabbed her wrist!
Rong Dai was so startled by his abrupt movement that she cried out. Her leg injury had not completely healed, so she tumbled into the bathtub, splashing water everywhere.
Seeing it was her, the ferocity in Huo Shao Ting's eyes gradually dissipated. He remembered she was still on her period, so he swiftly sat up and lifted her out of the tub.
"Did I hurt you?"
He had grown used to being alone all these years, so anyone's touch would make him wary. His earlier reaction was purely instinctive - he hadn't expected it to be Rong Dai.
Rong Dai looked utterly bedraggled, like a drowned rat.
She was wearing a dress today. The thin fabric clung tightly to her body when wet, perfectly outlining her alluring figure in a way that made blood surge.
Huo Shao Ting's actions startled Rong Dai, and a strange feeling stirred vaguely in her heart.
Seeing him unclothed, she struggled free from his grasp. Her gaze avoided him as her ears turned red. "I'll go change. I made breakfast for you, go eat it while it's hot after you finish washing up."
With that, she fled from the bathroom in a panic.
Entering the walk-in closet, her heart was still thumping wildly like a drum, but there was a piercing pain in a corner of it!
She had seen Huo Shao Ting's fleetingly ferocious gaze clearly. That wariness was instinctive.
She had been like this before in her past life too, but Rong Dai hadn't expected that even for her, Huo Shao Ting would still instinctively be on guard against her.
Although she knew it was instinctive, it still stung a little that he didn't fully trust her.
Trust itself should not be deliberate between them.
His emotions in that split second were vigilance and caution.
This realization made Rong Dai's heart stuffy, giving her the false impression that Huo Shao Ting's kindness towards her recently was reserved.
This feeling instantly sobered her up.
It reminded her of everything the Emperor had done to her in her past life - exploiting while concealing, immersing her in a honey pot.
Only after everything was accomplished did he slowly peel off the layers of candy coating he had deliberately clothed her in.
Looking at the mirror in the walk-in closet, this realization made her feel a little breathless, yet it also eased her pressure.
Although her heart ached, she was clear about her place in Huo Shao Ting's heart now. This made her feel much better.
If Huo Shao Ting had complete trust and devotion for her, she would feel undeserving. She was not the original owner, so such feelings were too heavy for her.
Now, she understood.
Both of them had reservations - this was good.
She took several deep breaths and suppressed the pain in her heart.
"Eat the noodles while they're hot, or they'll get mushy and won't taste good. Eat a little first, then rest well. I'll go to Teacher Jiang's place for my lesson now."
She revealed a faint smile that looked the same as before despite the turmoil in her mind, then left the bedroom.
Huo Shao Ting pursed his lips as he watched her leave, sensing something off even though she appeared the same.
But Rong Dai had already exited the bedroom, so he glanced at the steaming breakfast on the table and strode over.
There were still many issues between him and Rong Dai.
He had plenty of patience, but some things still needed explaining clearly to her.
He knew his actions in the bathroom earlier had frightened her.
She was perceptive and sensitive, so would definitely overthink.
Huo Shao Ting ate his breakfast with slightly knitted brows. Even he hadn't expected there would come a day he would care so much about a woman.
After the meal, he took out his phone and sent Assistant Zhang a few texts.
Upon receiving the messages, Assistant Zhang couldn't help but stare at the ceiling.
The President had changed so much recently that he could even go back on his own decisions.
Just a few days ago he'd wanted to investigate Murong Yu's background, but now he was calling off the investigation he'd just approved.
That was 50 million!
Not 50 bucks!
But the rich and powerful President could afford to be capricious, so Assistant Zhang simply treated it as charity.
Huo Shao Ting didn't care what Assistant Zhang thought. Although curious, after careful consideration the last two days, he'd decided not to look into this anymore.
He could wait for Rong Dai to give him an explanation.
His instincts had never led him astray.
It was precisely his unerring instincts and meticulous mind that allowed Huo Corporation to rise from the ashes under his leadership and become the business empire it was today.
If she didn't say, he wouldn't ask.
He would only recognize her as his wife.
Upon receiving Assistant Zhang's news, Expert Huang thought he must have misheard and called to confirm repeatedly, only to get the same response each time.
Wasn't he getting an extra 50 million to fund his research?
Rong Dai was unaware Huo Shao Ting harbored doubts about her recent behavior and had people investigate Mount Youyuan.
On her way to Teacher Jiang's villa, she gazed at the high-rises outside the window, preoccupied by her jumbled thoughts.
Teacher Jiang didn't reprimand her for being late, since Huo Shao Ting had just called him earlier.
"Teacher Jiang, are we going on set today too?"
Once at Teacher Jiang's house, Rong Dai immediately put aside her worries - this was her habit, not letting one vexing issue affect another matter, to prevent things from getting worse.
Teacher Jiang nodded. He was very willing to teach this student.
The two spent another full day at the set. Rong Dai still gained a lot, only returning to the Huo residence at dusk.
At home, Huo Shao Ting's figure was busy in the kitchen.
"Sister-in-law."
Huo Mei Shu sat cross-legged on the new sofa. Seeing Rong Dai return, she fluttered over like a butterfly.
Seeing the young sister-in-law's state, Rong Dai smiled. "Did something good happen to you today? You look so happy."
Huo Mei Shu stuck out her tongue. Was she that obvious?
She pointed to the kitchen. Lowering her voice, she said, "Big brother is rarely home for a whole day today. Also, the embroidery room upstairs for you - all the things bought today have been delivered and personally arranged by big brother."
Rong Dai was puzzled. What was so happy about that?
"You don't know that my big brother would never do such things at home. We have servants, yes, but for little matters like this, big brother would never do it himself. He would only instruct others. Quick, tell me how far you two have progressed?"
Seeing her confusion, little sister-in-law eagerly explained and asked.
