An Lan let out a startled cry as she collided into Huo Zhanting's arms. The man's scent of cedar enveloped her entirely. She bit her lip, lifted her head, and glared at Huo Zhanting, her face flushed with both shame and anger. This man had done it on purpose!
Huo Zhanting coughed lightly, his eyes gleaming with amusement. He forced down the upward curl of his lips while one hand firmly encircled An Lan's waist, keeping her from struggling out of his embrace. Then, he spoke, calling for the person at the door to enter.
"Huo Zhanting!" An Lan ground out his name through gritted teeth, but there was nothing she could do. The person outside had already stepped in. Her flushed face eased up only slightly when she saw who it was. To her relief, the visitor was none other than Zhang Duo.
Between them and Zhang Duo, their relationship felt more like friends rather than strictly superior and subordinate, so An Lan didn't feel too awkward.
