Chapter 9 Chapter 9 You'd never guess that a billionaire businesswoman, a city elite used to moving millions in minutes, is now racking her brain over a single rice seedling. The seedlings need to be the right height and thickness, and spaced perfectly. "Young lady, come rest a while," a middle-aged woman from the rice field called out. She didn't care a bit about her precious experimental paddy. She just kept fussing over me, insisting I take a break. Zero work got done, but I did get her full rundown of love dramas and heartbreaks. "Thanks, but I'm not tired yet." "Alright then," she said, eyes gleaming. "These few seedlings aren't planted well. I'm going to pull them out." Before I could even react, she had already yanked them out with lightning speed. I was speechless, half-suspecting she was sent by Hank to mess with me. I couldn't help but laugh. I turned to see Hank arch an eyebrow, smiling with playful arrogance. He was wearing a plain tank top that couldn't hide his well-defined muscles. His arms, folded across his chest, were thicker than my thighs. "Ms. Sutton, I owe you big. Your kindness is something I'll never forget." He was being so shameless. "Give me a break." I closed my eyes and rolled them inward. I just ignored him. A faint scent of soap drifted into my nose. My senses reacted faster than my memory. Why didn't it smell this nice when I used it last night? My eyes snapped open to find Hank's handsome face just inches from mine. I froze in shock. His cool fingertips brushed my cheek, yet where they touched burned hot. "What are you doing?" Hank put on an innocent face and protested, "I was just wiping off your sweat." He was so close that I could see his long eyelashes, the tiny mole on his nose, and his deep red lips. His Adam's apple bobbed nervously, and the skin at his ear roots flushed quickly. "No, it's not what you think." Realizing what had happened, Hank quickly jumped back in a flustered panic, coughing and waving his hands as he tried to 1/4 explain. "I wasn't… Don't get the wrong idea here." "Forget it." By the end, he was so embarrassed and annoyed that he turned to leave. But halfway away, he looked back with a face full of frustration and tossed the towel back into "Do it yourself." He looked like someone who'd been scolded, feeling helpless and a little shy. I stood there in a daze, then just couldn't hold it in anymore. I burst out laughing. Who would've thought that Hank, with his tough attitude, could be teased so easily? my arms. "Ms. Sutton, Mr. Scott has stopped putting pressure on us, and the Tisla acquisition is now over halfway complete. "And what's more, Sia is marrying Mr. Jackson in Aisleland. Mr. Jackson actually agreed." Two days ago, Hank handed my phone back to me, all fixed up. After hanging up with my assistant, I stared at my phone screen. Sia and Ryan beamed in their wedding attire, their eyes Crinkled with joy. I heard them tenderly respond to each other, "I do." I froze in place, my thoughts drifting far away. A wedding in Aisleland and "True Love" once meant everything to me. More romantic than a blessing is a curse. In a land where divorce is forbidden, we are cursed to love each other for eternity. When I first mentioned it, Ryan was surprised by my whimsical notion. But he solemnly agreed, even more seriously than I did. He said he liked the meaning. And this eternal love, he ultimately gave as compensation to someone else." "It's fake wedding, vows built on lies. They're just fooling themselves. It won't last." Snapping out of my thoughts, I found Hank peeking over my shoulder and chiming in. I chuckled softly, "Not necessarily. For Ryan to take such a big risk before the wedding, maybe it is true love." "One's a scumbag, the other's an idiot. Both of them are just lowlifes. "What? Did I say something wrong? "Instead of being upset over some cheating men, you might as well look at what's right in front of you." Hank's voice dropped to a low murmur. 2/4 "What do you mean, right in front of me?" He looked away and stammered, "I meant… the tulips in front of you right now." "I meant the tulips field. Look, the blossoms are in full bloom this year." Hearing that, I looked up. Moonlight spilled over the swaying flowers, casting a soft glow over the field. I didn't know why. Maybe it was all Hank's awkwardness, but my heart skipped a beat. To hide my embarrassment, I picked up my coffee and drank it all in one go. "That's hot." "Why are you in such a rush?" The lights were dim. Hank frowned, noticing I'd burned my mouth. "I didn't hand you boiling water, did I?" "Still talking back? Grow up a little, will you?" I tried to lift my head, letting Hank hold my chin. He gently pressed an ice cube on my tongue with his fingers. Worried it might be too cold, he thoughtfully lifted it away after a moment. As the ice melted, I swallowed with difficulty. Tears welled up uncontrollably in my eyes, and he casually wiped the water from my lips with his fingertip. Unable to help myself, I tugged at his sleeve, my eyes asking, "Is it better now?" Hank glanced at me, his gaze dark. "Almost," he murmured. His fingertip brushed over my gums, the soft flesh inside my mouth. He asked softly, "What about here? Does it hurt too?" I shook my head, tears streaming down, my breath growing shallow. "I need to put on some medicine. I'll have to get a little closer," he said. I nodded, not noticing the hoarseness in his voice. Still with his fingertip, he applied the cool ointment to my tongue, his warm breath brushing across my face. The moment his wrist brushed against mine, I was so embarrassed that I just wanted to leave. After a while, Hank knocked on the door. "I got the car back. Tomorrow morning, we'll go to the hospital," he called. I curled up under the covers, fuming, and chose to ignore him. In "Coaching His Heart" by CrushReel, the romantic tale unfolds after Kate and Tom experience a fleeting connection that leads to a misunderstanding, causing them to part ways. Fate intervenes when Kate reemerges as the assistant coach for a men's hockey team, bringing her face-to-face with Tom once more. Exploring themes of love, destiny, and second chances, this modern romance delves into the complexities of hidden emotions and the power of rekindled connections. Set against the backdrop of a grand mansion, the story weaves together secrets and revelations that promise to captivate readers seeking a heartfelt journey. What sets "Coaching His Heart" apart is its tender portrayal of characters navigating through unspoken feelings in a world where vulnerability reigns supreme. With each page turned, readers are drawn deeper into a web of emotions that resonate long after the final chapter. Experience the magic of "Coaching His Heart" on CrushReel, where this sweet romance awaits your discovery.