Chapter 286: Chapter 0286: Playing the Innocent after Gaining an Advantage Chapter 286: Chapter 0286: Playing the Innocent after Gaining an Advantage Huo Tingxiao really hit where it hurt, their relationship was stuck in a bottleneck, unable to ascend or descend, and she didn’t care at all. Instead, she was wholeheartedly thinking about playing matchmaker for others.

“Mu Lan, I think you should pay a bit more attention to me.

I didn’t secure a single plot of land today, aren’t you going to comfort me?”

Mu Lan raised an eyebrow, glancing at the person seeking comfort with a pitiful face.

“What’s there to be comforted about? Don’t you already have a plan in place? Everything’s under your control, do I still need to worry?”

“You have so much confidence in me?”

Huo Tingxiao looked at Mu Lan, his gaze hooking her in, and Mu Lan instinctively averted her eyes.

She just realized, no matter what she said, this man always had a way of twisting her words to what he wanted to hear.

If she wasn’t worried, it meant she had confidence; if she was worried, then it would be even more outrageous, and she couldn’t very well say aloud that he was on her mind.

Seeing her not speaking, Huo Tingxiao took the opportunity to grasp her hand and started toying with it, Mu Lan tried to withdraw it, but in vain, as the man’s grip was strong. Eventually, she thought, let it be, and let him do as he wished.

He treated her small hand as if it were a precious treasure, kneading it gently.

The frustration of the past days were swept away in an instant, inexplicably his whole body relaxed, and then, without realizing, he leaned back against the chair. Mu Lan could feel the kneading on her hand gradually weakening, she turned to look at him, this man had actually fallen asleep like that.

Just as she shifted her gaze away, she felt a weight on her shoulder–it was Huo Tingxiao’s head leaning over.

“Assistant He, has President Huo been… very tired lately?”

He Yan did not expect the president’s wife to inquire and immediately elaborated:
“Hmm, President Huo has been busy with the bidding recently, hasn’t been resting well; although meals are somewhat regular, his appetite hasn’t been good.

If you could spare the time to supervise President Huo more, that would be great.”

Mu Lan raised an eyebrow, thinking that Assistant He really earned his salary. She had only asked a few questions, and he immediately spoke on behalf of Huo Tingxiao.

Although she wasn’t sure how much of it was embellished, she had to admit that she was somewhat worried.

After all, he still had polyps in his stomach and was supposed to have surgery after this round of bidding.

Now it seemed it was going to be postponed again.

Mu Lan wasn’t foolish; of course, she could see that Huo Tingxiao was currently in an embarrassing position, caught between advancing and retreating.

To say she still cared about the past was not quite right; it’s just that trust, once broken, is hard to rebuild.

Huo Tingxiao’s current behavior was impeccable, but perhaps it was her who wasn’t brave enough to simply say ‘let’s start over.’ She only wanted to maintain the status quo, feeling that it was good enough.

The car returned to Maple Forest Garden, and it was only when Huo Tingxiao woke up that he realized He Yan had actually driven them home.

“What would you like to eat?”

Mu Lan’s tone was as casual as if she was merely inquiring about the day’s weather.

Huo Tingxiao stared at her, unblinking.

“What?”

“Assistant He said you haven’t had much of an appetite recently, you can’t have anything too stimulating, and nothing too greasy is advisable either. Think about what you would like to eat, I’ll cook today.”

The moment Mu Lan finished speaking, Huo Tingxiao felt an immense elation inside.

But then he thought about how she doesn’t really enjoy cooking and was only learning it for his sake, so…
“Auntie Li should have prepared soup, and you still have to go to the studio, how about–”
“What, you’re looking down on my cooking skills again?”

“I’m innocent, that’s not what I meant.”

Huo Tingxiao hurriedly explained, fearful that Mu Lan might misunderstand him.

The two of them got out of the car, one after the other, and entered the house.

Mu Lan kicked off her high-heeled shoes, slipped on a pair of soft slippers, and walked straight to the small kitchen.

Huo Tingxiao followed her eagerly.

“Then I’ll assist you.”

Auntie Li chuckled as she noticed the atmosphere between the two.

“Young Master, Young Madam, are you two going to cook?”

“Yep, Auntie Li, you’re busy, we’ll handle lunch ourselves today.”

Mu Lan took off her coat and hung it over the chair near the dining table. She then rolled up the sleeves of her shirt, revealing a section of her slender, pale, and tender arms, shining brightly. Huo Tingxiao stared at them for a moment and, thinking that a little squeeze from him would likely leave a tantalizing red mark, swallowed darkly.

Unaware that she had become the focus of the big bad wolf’s attention, Mu Lan opened the fridge and took out Cai Xin and shiitake mushrooms, which Huo Tingxiao caught one by one.

“What are you doing? Assisting me?”

Huo Tingxiao smiled.

“What, don’t you trust me?”

As someone who wreaked havoc in the kitchen, Mu Lan truly wasn’t sure whether or not she should let him help.

Seeing Mu Lan’s disdain, Huo Tingxiao immediately swore up and down:
“This time, I’ll just wash the vegetables; even I can’t mess up something that simple.”

Mu Lan pursed her lips.

“Well, that’s yet to be seen.”

Huo Tingxiao encircled her, his hands resting on the countertop. Mu Lan instinctively leaned back, but she could not escape and had to let him come closer and closer until he stopped just a whisker away from her.

“You’re really discouraging, you know. Can’t you give me a little confidence, hmm?”

His deep voice sent vibrations through Mu Lan’s ears, almost mortally enchanting, as tingling sensations shot through her limbs, making it hard for her to stand steady.

“I’m just letting you see the reality so you don’t waste time.”

Catching a glimpse of the crimson on her ears, Huo Tingxiao silently chuckled with a smirk.

“But I can’t just freeload, can I? I should offer something in return, don’t you think?”

The words were sweet, but Mu Lan had a nagging suspicion that he was up to no good.

And sure enough…

“You probably wouldn’t want this kind of favor.”

Mu Lan rolled her eyes in annoyance.

“You stop trying to act cute after taking advantage.”

She reached out and pinched his waist, but it was a futile effort; the man’s flesh was firm, and she only ended up hurting herself.

“Then I’ll just diligently wash the vegetables. You handle the rest.”

Mu Lan pushed against him.

“Then let go; I can’t cook if you don’t move.”

Huo Tingxiao couldn’t help kissing her forehead again.

“Were it not for scaring you, what I really want to eat isn’t lunch.”

Mu Lan flushed even deeper, pretending not to understand, pushing him with more force. Huo Tingxiao stepped back gracefully, obediently becoming her kitchen helper, not daring to overstep.