Chapter 24: The Grudge Between Hao Meng and Zhu Bing

After finishing their serious talk, Hao Meng nestled in Jiang Fan’s arms, her head resting on his chest, and quickly fell asleep.

But with a beauty in his embrace, Jiang Fan found it difficult to rest. This was the third time they had shared a bed. The first, when they stayed over at Wang Yong’s rented place, was easier to restrain his desires with others around. Now, though he could stealthily take some liberties with Hao Meng, she was wearing a breast wrap tonight, unlike their first night in Dongguan when she’d only worn a nightdress—making things much more convenient.

As he touched her, Jiang Fan kept reminding himself to be gentle, but in the charged atmosphere, it was hard to contain himself. The just-asleep Hao Meng was soon awakened by Jiang Fan’s restlessness.

“Here you are holding me, is there really a need to be so sneaky?” Sensing Jiang Fan’s discomfort, Hao Meng couldn’t help but grumble inwardly.

After waiting for a while and seeing him still hesitant, Hao Meng feigned drowsiness and murmured, “Help me unhook the back clasp, it’s too tight and uncomfortable.”

Jiang Fan tried twice but failed to undo it. Seeing his clumsy effort, Hao Meng couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

“You’re not asleep?”

“How could I sleep with you being so furtive? Can’t a man be more straightforward?” Hao Meng teased, then deftly unhooked it herself and snuggled back into Jiang Fan’s arms.

With her clear invitation, Jiang Fan finally let himself reach for what he had longed for. Satisfied, he drifted into dreams at last.

The next morning, Jiang Fan woke from another sensual dream and immediately checked his shorts under the blanket. Seeing they were dry, he breathed a sigh of relief.

Mistaking his actions, Hao Meng joked, “Relax, I didn’t take advantage of you. Your underwear is still just fine.”

“You little rascal.” Remembering how Hao Meng had pretended to sleep last night, Jiang Fan pinched her cheek and affectionately scolded her.

Hao Meng rolled her eyes playfully and pouted, “Who told you to be such a coward? Next time, don’t be so sneaky, or I’ll really get mad!”

“Got it. I promise I won’t let you down next time,” Jiang Fan replied, content after finally breaking the ice.

After washing up, they both remembered Uncle Qiu’s refusal to accept payment for their meals. To avoid him, they deliberately took a side street, bypassing the dumpling shop, and headed to a convenience store near the entrance of the Dafa factory.

From her bag, Hao Meng pulled out an address book and dialed Chen Anlong’s number.

“Boss Chen, I’ve brought my friend to your factory gate. I’ve helped you out so much—I don’t need your thanks, just don’t sell me out,” Hao Meng said, subtly reminding him not to mention her profession.

Nearly exhausted by Wang Fang, Chen Anlong answered the call from the Happy Family guesthouse with a hint of annoyance. “Why are you here so early? Wait a bit, I’ll have someone pick you up at the gate. I’ll be back soon.” He glanced at Wang Fang, still asleep beside him, and couldn’t help but pounce on her again.

But even after two tries, he failed. No man likes to be embarrassed in front of a woman, and irritated, Chen Anlong snapped at Wang Fang, “Next time, bring a couple more pills when you’re with me.”

Having indulged in wine and women for too long, his health was already ruined; he often needed medication to perform. This was something every woman who had been with him at Happy Family knew well.

There were two people at Dafa who knew Jiang Fan: the head of security, and Zhu Bing.

For reasons unknown, Chen Anlong had Zhu Bing pick them up at the factory entrance.

Seeing Zhu Bing’s pitiful face, Hao Meng feigned concern and asked, “Brother Bing, what happened to your face?”

Jiang Fan glanced at Hao Meng, puzzled. “She’s always so kind to everyone. Why is she now mocking Zhu Bing with a hint of schadenfreude? Is there some grudge between them?”

Indeed, there was a grudge.

She remembered clearly: two months ago, while attending to Chen Anlong, she accidentally knocked over his cup of tea while pouring wine. The tea was cold and only wet his pants—a minor issue. Chen Anlong had merely grumbled and let it go. But Zhu Bing, eager to ingratiate himself with his boss, shoved Hao Meng—who was still apologizing—and slapped her across the face, snarling, “Stupid bitch, can’t you be more careful? If that had been boiling water and scalded my boss, I’d peel your skin off!”

There were six guests and six of Hao Meng’s girls in the private room that night. Though she worked in the dust and had lost her dignity, being slapped and humiliated in public was a shame she never forgot.

Customers striking mamasans or hostesses not only destroyed their sense of safety but also damaged the hotel’s reputation. Usually, any guest causing trouble would be carried out on a stretcher. Zhu Bing dared behave this way not because he was brave, but because he knew the Happy Family’s boss was close friends with Chen Anlong—he was bullying her under someone else’s protection.

Hearing Hao Meng’s sarcasm, Zhu Bing shot her an angry glare.

“What’s that look for? Still not enough pain? Want me to help you remember it better?” Jiang Fan, having noticed the animosity, pointed at Zhu Bing and confronted him, already caring deeply for Hao Meng.

The two security guards at the factory gate saw Zhu Bing being chastised by a stranger and, rather than help, watched with barely concealed glee.

Having suffered at Jiang Fan’s hands before, Zhu Bing didn’t dare retort. He dutifully led them to the guest room and said politely, “Please wait here. The boss will be back soon. I have work to do, so I’ll take my leave.”

After Zhu Bing left, Jiang Fan asked Hao Meng about her grudge with him.

“It’s nothing, just something in the past,” she replied kindly, not wanting Jiang Fan to make trouble for Zhu Bing, choosing to cover for her former enemy.

Soon, Chen Anlong arrived. Having now gauged Jiang Fan’s temperament, he dropped any airs and got straight to the point. “One thousand a month—how about it?”

Fearing Jiang Fan might forget her advice, Hao Meng cast him a subtle, meaningful look as she glanced around.

Hearing the offer, Jiang Fan already felt satisfied. But seeing Hao Meng’s signal, he didn’t want to let her down—yet he also worried that asking for double might be too much, and Chen Anlong might withdraw the offer. After hesitating a moment, mindful of Hao Meng’s feelings, he mustered his courage and shook his head, saying nothing.

“Not happy with that?”

Seeing his indecision, Hao Meng jumped in, “Chen Anlong, for a boss like you, surely a little extra won’t hurt. Can’t you be a bit more generous?”

“Fine. For Hao Ma’s sake, I’ll add five hundred more a month. That’s my final offer,” Chen Anlong replied, already knowing Jiang Fan was satisfied with the thousand. But having caught Hao Meng’s hint, he intentionally used the term “Hao Ma,” referencing her profession to remind her not to meddle further.

Hao Meng had wanted to push for more, but that title made her back off.

Seeing this, Jiang Fan also fell silent.