Chapter 438: Jealousy and Vying for Affection

Inside the bedroom.

When dusk seeped through the window lattice.

Zhai Qing's knees pressed against the cold wooden floor, leaving a faint red mark.

She lowered her gaze, her lashes trembling like butterfly wings blown by the wind…

When her fingertip touched Lin Yuan's thigh, she herself paused.

Because she could no longer speak at this moment.

Lin Yuan froze in place, even his breathing grew lighter.

He lowered his head, able to see the fragrant sweat on Zhai Qing's crown, hearing her muffled voice wrapped in warm breath.

"Lin Bro, just now you helped me treat my illness… now it's my turn to help you treat yours." Zhai Qing said, her voice slurred.

……

Meanwhile, in the living room.

Zhao Tian lay on the sofa tossing and turning, her drunkenness slightly receded.

But her throat was dry and painful, extremely thirsty.

She pushed herself up using the sofa armrest slowly, swaying her dazed head…

Zhao Tian's gaze swept around the living room, not finding a place to put cool water…

She was unfamiliar with Lin Yuan's home layout, having come over only a few times before.

"Water… I'm so thirsty…" Zhao Tian muttered, leaning on the wall as she slowly stood up…

Her steps were still unsteady, her gaze fell toward the bedroom.

She remembered Lin Yuan and Zhai Qing had just entered the bedroom…

She intended to go in and ask Lin Yuan where there was water.

With that thought, Zhao Tian staggered to the bedroom door.

She didn't think much, just reached out, grabbed the doorknob, and gently pushed…

The lock was already broken; the door creaked open with a "squeak".

"Lin Bro, do you have water at your place? I'm so thirsty…"

Zhao Tian spoke while walking in, drunk, her eyes not yet fully focused.

But as soon as her words fell, Zhao Tian's steps suddenly halted, her previously hazy gaze instantly froze, the alcohol seeming to be shaken off by a basin of cold water…

The scene in the bedroom left Zhao Tian completely dazed.

Lin Yuan stood beside the bed, his body rigidly straight, his face flushed and pale, his eyes full of tension and panic.

And Zhai Qing knelt before Lin Yuan…

Zhai Qing's hair was somewhat disheveled, her face still bearing an un faded flush; at this moment she also stopped her motion, lifting her head to look at Zhao Tian at the doorway…

Zhai Qing's eyes were filled with shock and panic, obviously not expecting someone to burst in suddenly.

The air in the bedroom instantly solidified, leaving only Zhao Tian's slightly hurried breathing.

Zhao Tian watched this scene, completely dazed!

Zhao Tian opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but her throat was dry and tight, unable to utter a word, just standing foolishly at the doorway, staring at the scene before her…

After Lin Yuan reacted, his first action was to step forward, blocking in front of Zhai Qing.

Lin Yuan's voice sounded somewhat embarrassed: "Zhao Tian, you… how did you come in?"

Zhai Qing also hurriedly rose from the ground, instinctively wiping her mouth.

She tidied her clothes, her cheeks red almost to the point of dripping blood, her eyes darting away, not daring to look at Zhao Tian, her heart both panicked and chaotic…

It's over, everything was seen; how will we explain it from now on?

Zhao Tian was completely dazed, she foolishly asked, "You… what were you just doing?"

Lin Yuan, upon this question, felt his heart jump to his throat instantly.

Lin Yuan embarrassedly explained: "No, nothing… Zhai Qing said her head felt a bit uncomfortable, I was just giving her a head massage…"

After hearing that, Zhao Tian's lips curled into a mocking smile, her eyes staring at Lin Yuan like he was an idiot…

Zhao Tian's steps unsteady, she moved forward two steps, her voice also raised a bit:

"Lin Bro, although I'm drunk, I'm not stupid! Do you need to take off pants to give someone a head massage?"

Zhao Tian said, her gaze sweeping over Lin Yuan's not-yet-neatly-arranged clothing, then toward Zhai Qing's face still bearing a flush…

Zhao Tian's tone full of resentment and anger: "Besides, she's already given you 'that'! Do you think I can't see?"

"Cough cough cough! Zhao Tian, don't talk nonsense, you're drunk, you saw wrong…" Lin Yuan embarrassedly coughed.

This scene is really too embarrassing.

Zhai Qing stood behind Lin Yuan, her pretty face instantly red as a ripe apple.

Zhai Qing also hurriedly stepped forward, voice laden with panicked explanation: "No, Zhao Tian, you misunderstood… Lin Yuan said his body felt uncomfortable, I just… just helped him a bit… this is also a Chinese medicine treatment…"

"Chinese medicine treatment?" Zhao Tian, as if hearing a huge joke, drunkenly mocked.

"Do you really think I'm a fool? You can just fool me if you want? You're having an affair, just admit it! Wanting to fool me with this excuse, did you even use your brain?"

Zhai Qing looked at Zhao Tian's red-rimmed eyes and furious demeanor, knowing further excuses would be useless…

Zhai Qing simply straightened her back, tone becoming much more candid: "It's true, I and Lin Yuan are cultivating feelings, but this isn't an affair."

She lifted her gaze to Zhao Tian, her eyes no longer holding previous panic, but gaining some frankness.

Zhai Qing said: "We weren't sneaking around; you were watching TV in the living room, the door wasn't locked. Whatever we did wasn't hidden from anyone, just normal emotional exchange."

Zhao Tian was choked by those words, her drunkenness mostly gone.

Zhao Tian stepped forward a step, pointing at Zhai Qing, tone laced with dissatisfaction: "Don't feed me that! I'm asking you, what exactly is your relationship with Lin Yuan?"

Zhai Qing's lips twitched, not beating around the bush, directly retorting: "Whatever your relationship with Lin Yuan is, that's what my relationship with him is."

As soon as she spoke, Zhao Tian exploded, about to retort, but Zhai Qing's gaze cut her off……

Zhai Qing's gaze was firm and sharp, like it carried an edge, yielding not an inch.

The two women stood there in the bedroom, facing off, the air thick with the smell of gunpowder.

Zhao Tian suddenly curled the corner of her mouth and began to laugh……

That smile held no warmth, full of teasing sarcasm.

Zhao Tian stared straight at Lin Yuan, her gaze steady.

"Lin Yuan, I didn't realize you had more than one lover?"

Her voice was light and airy, yet seemed to carry a barb: "Heh, you really know how to attract women—keeping one at home and another waiting outside."

Lin Yuan's heart tightened at her words; he hurriedly waved his hands, wanting to explain: "No, Zhao Tian, hear me out—I and Zhai Qing are just friends, just now……"

"Don't bother explaining." Zhao Tian cut him off, her eyes turning cold.

Zhao Tian's tone carried an unyielding firmness: "Lin Yuan, I've already seen what happened tonight; no matter what you say, I won't believe it."

She paused, her fingers lightly gripping Lin Yuan's sleeve, her tone gaining a threat: "Now you have a weakness in my hands."

"I can tell the company colleagues about your affair with another woman, even tell Director Su!"

Zhao Tian said, a flicker of triumph flashing in her eyes……

She knew, if this got out, Lin Yuan would surely have a rough time at the company.

Hearing that, Lin Yuan was utterly speechless……

How come it's this threat again?

Just now, when Zhai Qing pressed him to come to her place, she used this very leverage;

And now Zhao Tian is also using it as a bargaining chip?

Lin Yuan opened his mouth to retort, but then didn't know what to say.

Zhai Qing, standing aside, watching this scene, couldn't help but speak, her tone carrying a hint of teasing: "You've already used that threat on Lin Yuan just now."

Zhao Tian turned her head to look at Zhai Qing, gave a cold laugh: "Oh really? It seems this threat is still useful; otherwise you wouldn't have used it."

She turned her gaze back to Lin Yuan, the threat in her eyes intensifying, her tone demanding:

"Lin Yuan, tell me—should I now send a message to Director Su, telling her that you're tonight at home with another woman, unclear and intimate, and even let another woman stay over?"

Lin Yuan looked at Zhao Tian, took a deep breath, his voice full of resignation.

"What do you want?"

Zhao Tian stepped forward, closing the distance to Lin Yuan until they could feel each other's breath.

Her voice carried a hint of deliberate softness, yet concealed an unyielding force: "I want you."

"I want you to belong to me alone tonight."

Lin Yuan jerked upright, his pupils slightly constricting, looking at her suspiciously, as if he hadn't heard clearly: "What did you say?"

Zhao Tian didn't repeat herself; instead, she pulled out her phone, opened the contacts, pulled up Su Monong's number, and brought the screen to Lin Yuan's eyes:

"Lin Yuan, tonight I will attend to you…… From now on, you can only look at me, only stay with me. If you refuse, I'll call Director Su right now."

Her fingertip lightly tapped the dial button, her tone carrying a final demand: "Have you decided? Will you agree to me, or let me call Director Su right now?"

Lin Yuan's gaze fixed on the dial button on the screen……

Lin Yuan helplessly closed his eyes, could only nod helplessly: "Okay."

Just that one word made Zhao Tian instantly smile.

Zhao Tian's smile was full of triumph; she quickly put away her phone and reached out to hook her arm around Lin Yuan's neck……

Zhao Tian tiptoed and pressed her lips to his in a single kiss.

The kiss was urgent and fierce, filled with strong possessiveness; Lin Yuan froze in place, unable to muster the strength to push her away.

After a few seconds, Zhao Tian finally released Lin Yuan……

Zhao Tian turned her head to look at Zhai Qing, standing aside, whose face was growing uglier, and her tone instantly turned cold:

"Miss Zhai, you have nothing to do here; you'd better go home first."

Zhai Qing furrowed her brows, stepped forward: "What right do you have to make me leave? I haven't even had Lin Yuan finish treating my illness, and he was the one who first agreed to let me stay overnight!"

"Things are different now." Zhao Tian linked her arm with Lin Yuan's, lifted her head and chest to stare at Zhai Qing, like a small beast proclaiming its territory.

"Lin Yuan has agreed to stay with me tonight—how inconvenient is it for you to be here? Besides, your home isn't far away; you can go back even late at night—you can't keep mooching off someone else's place forever."

Lin Yuan looked helplessly at Zhai Qing.

Lin Yuan was also helpless at this moment.

Zhai Qing took a deep breath, then suddenly pulled out her phone.

The phone screen lit up, showing Su Monong's number prominently on the dial interface.

Zhai Qing quickly walked up to Lin Yuan, her shoulders slightly tense, her eyes full of unyielding stubbornness.

Her tone was just as firm: "Lin Yuan, if you really dare to make me leave, I'll call Director Su right now!"

"Don't think only Zhao Tian has Director Su's number—I know Director Su too, and I have it as well!"

Zhai Qing's fingertip lightly tapped the dial button, emitting a faint "click", as if deliberately reminding Lin Yuan of the consequences.

"Lin Yuan! Think it through—what's the price of making me leave!"

Lin Yuan watched as the two women each held a phone……

Lin Yuan's temples throbbed, and he couldn't help but roll his eyes……

Had these two women plotted this in advance?

Even their threatening tactics are exactly the same!

The two of them together were carrying Director Su's number like a trump card, clearly setting him up to be roasted over a fire!

"No, can't you two be reasonable?"

Lin Yuan opened his mouth and let out a helpless sigh, "I'm just one person—I can't split myself in half, can I? I promised you to stay, but Zhao Tian will kick up a fuss."

"I promised Zhao Tian, yet you refuse to back down—aren't you making things difficult for me?"

These two women…… have put Lin Yuan in a helpless spot, leaving him with no choice!

"You two each pose a threat—I truly can't choose……"

Lin Yuan spread his hands, his voice full of helplessness, "Neglecting either will cause trouble—I can't possibly appease both at once, can I?"

The two women continued to face off.

"No way, you have to pick one tonight!" Zhao Tian said, her drunken anger flashing.

Zhai Qing wasn't about to back down either, she fixed her gaze on Lin Yuan.

Lin Yuan wearily leaned back, his back against the cold wall, his tone full of resigned helplessness.

"I'm only one person—I can't stretch myself thin enough to look after both of you. How about… you both leave, and I'll stay here alone tonight; that would be peaceful."

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhao Tian and Zhai Qing almost simultaneously shook their heads.

The two women's voices overlapped, conveying an unyielding firmness that brooked no objection.

"No way, we're not leaving!"

Zhao Tian spoke first, her fingertip lightly brushing Lin Yuan's sleeve, a hint of grievance in her tone.

"I've had a drink, it's pitch black outside—walking home at night isn't safe, you can't expect me to take that risk alone, can you?"

Zhai Qing quickly added, her phone screen still lit: "My treatment isn't finished yet—if my breast nodule isn't properly cared for, it'll become more trouble later, you can't just abandon it halfway, can you?"

After they finished speaking, they instinctively glanced at each other……

In the gaze that had been sharp and confrontational just moments before, there now flickered a subtle sense of alliance.

The two women seemed to have tacitly accepted the premise that they couldn't leave.

All that remained was the question of how to stay.

Silence spread across the bedroom for a few seconds.

Zhao Tian suddenly bit her lower lip, as if a flash of inspiration struck her.

Her voice carried a tentative, wavering tone: "Rather than both of us leaving, how about… we all stay together?"

The moment the words left her mouth, Zhao Tian herself froze for a second, her eyes darting toward Zhai Qing with a hint of uncertain appraisal.

She didn't even know why she'd said that, but the thought of letting Lin Yuan go to Zhai Qing made her unwilling to give in—so… better to stay together, so no one could monopolize him.

Upon hearing the five words "stay together," Zhai Qing's beautiful eyes narrowed slightly??

Obviously, Zhai Qing was also stunned; she repeated it, her tone full of surprise: "Stay together?"

But just two seconds later, Zhai Qing's eyes suddenly lit up, as if she'd figured something out, and a smile of realization curled her lips.

"Yes, stay together! Lin Yuan…… that means we two will stay together! You won't have to agonize over choosing—how much easier."

Zhao Tian also quickly nodded, reaching a rare agreement with Zhai Qing: "Exactly! Staying together will spare you the trouble of being torn between two choices."

The two women exchanged words, as if they'd already settled all the details, just waiting for Lin Yuan's nod.

Lin Yuan stood where he was, watching the two women who had suddenly formed a united front……

Lin Yuan was completely bewildered.

Lin Yuan, his face a picture of bewilderment, asked: "What do you mean, you want to stay together? I only have a tiny rental place—just a bed and a sofa, you two……"

He hadn't even finished speaking……

Zhao Tian and Zhai Qing simultaneously lifted their eyes, the two women's voices carrying an unspoken understanding.

The two women suddenly spoke in unison: "Stay here, and we'll take care of you together!"