<h4>Chapter 970: Chapter 970: Misunderstanding</h4><h4></h4>


    "You scoundrel..."


    Zhuo Lin’s words of reprimand froze in her throat, her mind exploding with a roar.


    "Let go!" she hissed sharply.


    If Aunt Shen Ye were to witness this scene, even jumping into the Yellow River wouldn’t wash her clean.


    She couldn’t possibly say that a feverish patient had taken liberties with her!


    But the truth was, all she did was fail to resist stroking his hand, and now she ended up being pawed all over—the loss was immense.


    Jiang Shaoqing, however, held her tightly. His slightly dazed expression was evident, eyes still closed. Hearing her voice, he murmured softly like a kitten, stopping her wild struggle. His wandering hand was firmly pinned down by Zhuo Lin.


    Zhuo Lin jolted upright and mustered all her strength to squeeze Jiang Shaoqing’s hand, which was groping at her recklessly. "Are you crazy?!"


    She worked hard to push back his arm, which had pinned her down, and nced at him. The sight froze her in ce!


    The handsome, chiseled features looked as though sculpted by an artist. Whether it was the arch of his brows, the bridge of his nose, or the tightly set curve of his lips, paired with the deep-set eye sockets—if his eyes opened, they’d surely disy the depth and sharpness she’d seen before. Right now, his slightly damp ck hair framed his slender and lean figure. His shirt was disheveled—thanks to her hands—and now, he was pressed firmly on top of her.


    What a mess she’d made for herself.


    All because she had a single moment of kindness, she ended up with this disastrous oue.


    She could do nothing but grip his hand tightly, stopping him from making any further moves.


    Jiang Shaoqing, seeminglyfortable, held her close and fell into a deep, heavy sleep. asionally, faint sighs escaped his lips.


    Her struggle had exhausted her, and her heart told her to let herself rest just a little.


    Just a little while.


    Incredibly, they fell asleep.


    Zhuo Lin felt utterly drained, unable to resist the tide of sleep rolling over her.


    And his heavy bodyy covering her, already fully submerged in dreams.


    She reached out a hand to touch his cheek gently, brushing aside a few strands of ck hair that had strayed onto his forehead, before sumbing to a heavy slumber as well.


    .........


    Shen Ye opened her eyes. A good night’s rest had finally done wonders for her body. She felt much better now, all thanks to Zhuo Lining alongst night—without her, who knew what the consequences could have been?


    Thinking about her feverish son brought a pang of worry to her heart.


    She tried sitting up; overall, her condition seemed decent. She thought of how Zhuo Lin had spent all night tirelessly attending to her, and guilt crept in.


    She had dragged the poor girl into this mess, not only making her care for her son but also herself.


    What a disgrace.


    Feeling her way out the door, Shen Ye noticed that it was still dark outside, prompting a sigh.


    Ever since she’d gotten older, good sleep had be elusive—a far cry from thezy mornings of her youth.


    The house was silent.


    Shen Ye looked around.


    The living room was empty, and the nearby guest room was vacant too. The neatly arranged bedding and the tidy sheets indicated no one had spent the night there.


    Shen Ye furrowed her brows in confusion.


    Where had the girl gone?


    Had she left?


    Immediately, Shen Ye shook her head—impossible!


    She understood Zhuo Lin well enough. Though outwardly gentle and fragile, the girl had a kind and warm heart.


    She definitely wouldn’t abandon the two sick people and leave.


    The only room left was Jiang Shaoqing’s.


    She figured Zhuo Lin must have stayed up all night taking care of him and had likely copsed exhausted by the bedside.


    This thought deepened her guilt.


    Quietly, she pushed the door open.


    Shen Ye was utterly dumbstruck by the scene before her.


    Strewn on the floor were Jiang Shaoqing’s shirt, pants, belt, and other items. His bare arm was wrapped around a petite figure, with shiny ck hair framing the small face beneath—a face that unmistakably belonged to Zhuo Lin!


    The two were sleeping entwined, Zhuo Lin nestled tightly against Jiang Shaoqing’s chest, her head resting directly on his bare torso. His arm embraced her securely, deeply asleep. If she wasn’t mistaken, Jiang Shaoqing’s hand rested within Zhuo Lin’s clothes.


    The sight involuntarily made Shen Ye burst into a chuckle.


    Their secrecy was truly remarkable.


    Just look at this! If she hadn’t seen it with her own eyes, how could she ever have believed the two had been secretly involved all along?


    Herughter jolted them awake.


    Both Zhuo Lin and Jiang Shaoqing opened their eyes.


    Zhuo Lin’s gazended on the bare chest before her, then locked eyes with Jiang Shaoqing’s. Their eyes met, deep and ck, instantly sending a shock through her heart.


    His gaze revealed both sharp intelligence and confusion over the situation at hand.


    Then she faced Shen Ye’s expression of gleeful surprise and excitement.


    Instinctively, she pushed Jiang Shaoqing with all her might, practically rolling and crawling off the bed in disarray.


    Her flustered movementspletely overturned the nket, earning a look of displeasure from Jiang Shaoqing, whoserge hand immediately grabbed the nket and pulled it back.


    As a result, Zhuo Lin found herself pressed against him again.


    Jiang Shaoqing’s dark eyes locked onto his mother.


    "Mom, why are you here?"


    Though he couldn’t understand the situation, what he distinctly remembered was the feeling of satisfaction and thrill from the prior night—as though, even in his dreams, he’d received the gift he wanted most.


    "You had a fever. If Zhuo Lin and I hadn’te, who knows how badly you’d have burned up! Thank goodness for Zhuo Lin—if she hadn’t taken care of both you and mest night, I might’ve met my end by now." She spoke with a pleased smile, ncing at the pair’s intimate position.


    "You two, honestly. Dating is dating; I’m not an old-fashioned person. Times have changed! It’spletely normal for young people to be together now.


    But Shaoqing, you can’t keep ying dumb like this. Even if Zhuo Lin doesn’t demand it—and I know her character well enough, she never wants to trouble anyone—she’s still a young woman. If, heaven forbid, she ends up pregnant, wouldn’t that embarrass her?


    Look, son. I get it; young people have their own ideas. But you need to hurry up and get married. I don’t want to keep worrying about you two. I’ll notify Zhuo Lin’s mother—this kind of thing should naturally be initiated by the man’s side, so Zhuo Lin doesn’t lose face.


    Zhuo Lin, you shouldn’t always let this rascal off the hook. You need to take responsibility for yourself. Don’t worry, Auntie is here to handle things for you. You two should get married soon."


    Shen Ye had already made up her mind and dered it.


    She turned to leave the room.


    Walking away, she thought about notifying Zhuo Lin’s mother, her best friend. It wouldn’t be long before their families were joined as one.


    This was exactly what the two mothers had long hoped for.


    If they could wee a grandchild next year, it would be perfect.