Deng Jue was startled by his words. He narrowed his eyes and looked at Tang You in the distance for a moment before asking: “High school? First year? Second? Or third?”
The first two would still require some hesitation, but a third-year? Round it up and she’s basically an adult—legally and morally, there’d be no real issue.
“She does look—”
“Ajue,” Xiao Zexing cut him off, expression cold. “Rules can’t be broken.”
Deng Jue laughed: “I didn’t say anything! Just showing concern for my little niece, that’s all.”
As he spoke, his phone rang.
The moment he answered, a girl’s excited voice came through: “Is the new pic yuko posted at Su Fangting?”
Her voice was quite loud—Xiao Zexing, standing beside him, heard every word clearly.
He glanced over.
Deng Jue replied helplessly: “Little ancestor, let me take a look first. I’ll message you on WeChat in a second, okay?”
“Hurry up then!”
Beep beep beep.
The call ended.
Deng Jue had married young to a girl eight years his junior. He doted on his little wife like she was a treasure.
His pampered wife was a hardcore fan—chasing movie stars, idols, and influencers. Her current favorite was a blogger named yuko. Basically, whatever clothes yuko posted, she had to get the exact same ones.
The wife-doting madman Deng Jue opened the photo his wife had sent, zoomed in, and carefully examined the background.
Xiao Zexing happened to glance over.
Slim waist, long legs, ink-black hair, snowy skin.
Though her face was hidden behind a cat mask, her overall aura was impossible to conceal.
Deng Jue noticed Xiao Zexing’s gaze and grinned, waving his phone: “What? Interested in this type too? Not into the little sister anymore?”
Before Xiao Zexing could respond, Deng Jue continued on his own: “This kind works too—internet celebrity, probably no real background. If you want, I can help you—”
“No need,” Xiao Zexing withdrew his gaze. “Do you really think I fall for every girl I see? I’m not that desperate.”
Deng Jue tsked: “Fair enough. Stuff like this could be photoshopped anyway. She’s never shown her real face—what can you even say?”
As he spoke, he confirmed the photo and replied to his wife.
He successfully earned two heart emojis from her.
“Oh, right,” Deng Jue said casually, “Weijing just left.”
“Then find a replacement,” Xiao Zexing replied indifferently. “What did he say before he left?”
Deng Jue shook his head: “Nothing.”
He tried to recall Xiao Weijing’s expression when he left, but nothing came to mind.
It seemed that after that little girl came out, Xiao Weijing had gone back.
Here, Xiao Zexing had his own private rest room. Before going in, he glanced in Tang You’s direction.
Under the large parasol, she was still sitting primly and properly. Her small feet swung back and forth. The box full of strawberries rested on her knees; she held it with one hand and ate the berries sweetly with the other.
It was the same portion she had just fed him.
On the table in front of her sat a bottle of water. The cap hadn’t been screwed on tightly; it wobbled, finally tipped over, and water gushed out.
The little girl hurriedly righted the bottle in a panic. Her skirt hem and legs inevitably got soaked. In the few rays of sunlight that slipped through, the wet fabric shimmered with an exceptionally clean and captivating glow.
Xiao Zexing’s eyes shifted slightly. Hearing Deng Jue call him, he paused for a moment, then strode away.
Tang You had no idea that her entire appearance just now had been seen clearly by the man. Now a large patch of her skirt was drenched, and she hadn’t brought a change of clothes, so she had to wring it out by hand.
After finishing, she finally opened her phone to deal with messages.
Most were invitations to select items or requests for sponsored promotions.
And so on.
Back when she had turned down several marketing agencies and management companies in a row, Tang You chose not to sign with any of them. Instead, she decided to go independent and planned to build her own team after graduation.
These past few days she’d been busy trying to disgust Xiao Weijing, and with Ah Mai in seclusion, Tang You hadn’t shot any new outfit photos. The posts she’d synced to Instagram and Weibo were still from last month—a set taken at a private restaurant in Xijing.
Head down, Tang You replied to each message one by one.
When she reached the last one, her finger hovered over the screen.
She paused.
Jiang Chenting: “Tangtang, I’m coming home this Friday.”
Tang You hadn’t figured out how to reply yet. Besides, the message sounded more like a notification than anything else, so she simply set the phone aside.
The sun grew hotter and hotter. There was no air conditioning here, no breeze.
Tang You being delicate couldn’t stand the heat. After talking with the staff, she went to a spare rest room to enjoy the air conditioning and cold drinks.
She was playing the role of little white flower—not actually being one. Only an idiot would really sit out there waiting forever.
It was better to rest first and come back later.
She idled away a leisurely fifteen minutes. Judging the timing was about right, Tang You returned to her original spot carrying fresh fruit, sat down, and continued eating while she waited.
Her timing was perfect. She had just eaten two grapes when she saw several people in team uniforms riding out slowly on horseback.
Tang You wasn’t sure if they could see her, so she stood up and waved.
She still had to keep up appearances.
Deng Jue noticed her gesture. Riding closer to Xiao Zexing, he said: “The little one is waving at you. Not going to respond?”
Xiao Zexing leaned forward and gripped his polo mallet.
He gave it a test swing to check the feel, replying casually: “What’s there to respond to?”
“Tsk tsk tsk. She waited for you under the blazing sun for so long.”
Xiao Zexing made no comment. He gently stroked the horse’s mane and patted it: “Win this round and I’ll reward you.”
The chestnut horse had been personally trained by him and understood human cues. It trotted forward with a cheerful clop-clop-clop.
Deng Jue, still on horseback, laughed helplessly.
He gave a sympathetic glance toward Tang You standing in place.
Chasing anyone else would have been fine—why did it have to be Xiao Zexing?
Even if she went after Xiao Weijing and tried to steal his fiancée’s spot, wouldn’t that be better?
If Xiao Weijing was S-rank, then Xiao Zexing was ultimate-hell SSS-rank.
Tang You remained alone outside.
A staff member kindly brought over a small portable air conditioner to keep the honored guest from overheating.
Tang You didn’t understand polo and couldn’t make sense of the game anyway, so she simply opened her phone, chatted with friends, and played some games.
With food, drinks, and entertainment, she wasn’t tired at all.
She didn’t know how much time passed. Her wrist grew sore from playing, her neck ached. Tang You massaged her shoulder with one hand.
A pair of long, straight legs appeared in her line of sight.
Tang You looked up and saw Xiao Zexing’s indifferent face.
He was still in his polo uniform, helmet removed, eyes deep and calm like ink.
After intense exercise, the tall man exuded a thick sense of pressure.
Tang You hurriedly put away her phone and greeted him obediently: “Mr. Xiao.”
Xiao Zexing looked down at her and asked: “Why haven’t you left yet?”
“I was waiting for you.”
Only then did Tang You notice that everyone else on the field had already left. Only she and “Xiao Weijing” remained.
She asked: “Are you going home now?”
Xiao Zexing didn’t answer directly. He continued looking down at her from his height: “Was watching polo boring?”
“No, how could it be?” Tang You lied sweetly, smiling brightly. “Mr. Xiao, you looked so handsome and amazing playing polo! Even though I didn’t understand anything, I thought you were super incredible! You’re so good at work and so good at polo too! I feel like even Prince William couldn’t compare to you!”
The barrage of mushy rainbow-fart compliments didn’t receive the explosive reaction she had braced for.
Tang You—who had prepared herself for a storm—saw that Xiao Zexing actually smiled.
There was no mistaking it.
He really smiled.
Not a mocking or cold smile, but a genuine, heartfelt, delighted one.
His dimples appeared faintly on his cheeks.
Tang You froze.
In her stunned daze, Xiao Zexing asked: “Do you know how to ride?”
Tang You shook her head.
“I’ll teach you.”
He said.
Eh?
He was really going to teach her to ride a horse—not seize the chance to stage an “accident” and kill her off, right?
Tang You followed Xiao Zexing in complete bewilderment. His strides were too long; she had to take quick little steps to keep up.
Only when they reached the tall chestnut horse did she suddenly realize something she’d overlooked: “W-wait a second.”
“What is it?”
“I’m wearing a skirt right now…” Tang You’s mind was a mess. “You can’t ride a horse in a skirt, can you?”
“You can ride sidesaddle,” Xiao Zexing said, sizing her up. “Do you want to mount by yourself, or should I help you?”
Tang You immediately remembered last night’s incident in the kitchen—the scorching heat of this man’s hands—and shook her head frantically, refusing very firmly: “Thank you, no need.”
Xiao Zexing smiled faintly and gently stroked the horse’s neck.
The horse pawed the ground a couple of times, kicking up dust, swished its tail, and Tang You—standing nearby—quietly edged a little farther away.
The groom quickly brought over the mounting block. For Tang You, this horse was far too tall; she would need assistance.
Xiao Zexing turned sideways and looked at her: “Why are you standing so far away? Come here—touch it.”
Tang You had no choice but to take two steps forward.
Xiao Zexing instructed her: “First, reach your hand onto the horse’s back, rest it on its side, and stroke or pat lightly.”
As he spoke, he demonstrated himself.
Tang You tremblingly stretched out her hand and patted the way he had shown. Whether because of Xiao Zexing’s earlier soothing or not, the horse showed no rejection toward her.
It was surprisingly gentle.
Tang You let out a breath of relief. Trying her best to maintain her image, she placed one foot in the stirrup and, with shaking hands, climbed onto the horse’s back.
It was her first time riding. She was so nervous she didn’t even know where to put her hands. The saddle and gear were adjusted for Xiao Zexing’s build, of course—not suited to someone a full head shorter than him. Once seated, the constant fear of falling off made Tang You grip the reins tightly.
She didn’t dare move at all.
Xiao Zexing stood to the side, watching how her hands trembled while holding the reins, and gave a soft scoff: “Are you taking the reins’ pulse?”
The horse sneezed loudly. Tang You gripped even tighter in fright.
Tang You completely regretted everything: “Can I get down? I don’t want to ride anymore. I’m really scared right now.”
This wasn’t an act—she was genuinely terrified.
Her legs felt weak. She was afraid the horse might suddenly go wild and throw her off.
After all, in so many dramas, the vicious female side character would use this exact trick to bully the female lead.
“Such a coward.”
Under Tang You’s horrified gaze, Xiao Zexing effortlessly mounted behind her. He naturally wrapped his arms around her and asked calmly: “Still scared like this?”
Fuck.
Even more scared, okay!!!
Terrified he might suddenly push her off aaaahhh!
Tang You’s body went rigid enough to audition for a mummy role.
The man’s physique was impeccably managed—strong, powerful arms locked her firmly in place. Her back was almost pressed against his chest. Tang You’s muscles tensed, her lips pressed into a thin line. She could no longer maintain her usual sweet smile.
They were way too close—far too close!
She felt like prey caught by a wolf.
And the man was that wolf.
Tang You desperately wanted to scoot forward, but the space on horseback was tiny. The fear of falling kept her clutching the reins tightly—yet she didn’t dare pull too hard in case it hurt the horse.
That familiar faint vanilla-milk scent again.
Xiao Zexing’s arm unintentionally brushed against the loose T-shirt.
No direct skin contact—just empty space.
Inside the T-shirt: completely hollow, impossibly slim.
“Relax your muscles to absorb the shock,” Xiao Zexing said. “Imagine your upper body is a puddle of mud.”
Tang You: “…”
In fact, she felt like her lower body was already a puddle of mud.
Xiao Zexing asked: “How does it feel?”
Little-white-flower Tang You answered with a trembling voice: “Even though riding is really scary… as long as you’re here, I’m not afraid of anything.”
This time the quaver in her voice wasn’t faked—it was genuinely terrified.
Xiao Zexing said nothing.
The veins on the man’s hands stood out prominently. He loosened his originally tight grip on the reins, ultimately giving only a gentle tug.
Xiao Zexing let the horse walk one full circle around the field before stopping.
It was truly just walking—no jumping, no trotting at all.
Basically a stroll.
Even so, when she dismounted, Tang You’s legs were still shaky.
Half from fear, half from pain.
She had zero riding experience, her body had been rigid as hell the whole time—and on top of that, she was wearing a skirt today!
Although there was protective gear, for someone with delicate skin like Tang You, it was still quite punishing.
Xiao Zexing patted the horse in farewell, handed the reins to the groom, and only then turned his gaze to Tang You, who was sitting on the bench with trembling legs.
He asked: “Legs hurt?”
It wasn’t just her legs—every place that had touched the saddle hurt.
Tang You nodded.
“It only hurts so you’ll remember the lesson,” Xiao Zexing said. He reached for a cigarette, then—thinking of the girl’s age—put it away again. He spoke indifferently: “Kids should play with other kids. What’s there to talk about with me?”
The words carried a clear tone of reprimand.
Tang You was stunned.
She didn’t understand what “Xiao Weijing” meant.
It was only a five-year age gap, right? Why did he always speak in this… um, elder-like tone?
Was it her imagination?
Wait.
Did Xiao Weijing dislike women much younger than him? Because he felt there was a generational gap? Or did he simply dislike childish behavior?
If that was the case, then right now she needed to act even more pitiful and childish aaaah!
This was a golden opportunity to rack up hate points!
Tang You suppressed the wild joy in her heart, quickly adjusted her emotions, and looked up at Xiao Zexing.
This angle was perfect—just right for letting him see the tears glistening in her eyes from the sun’s glare.
Tang You spoke softly, her voice rising sweetly at the end, pitiful yet delighted: “Because you’re so good to me.”
Xiao Zexing asked: “In what way?”
Tang You said in a small, miserable voice: “The last time I rode a horse was when I was eight. You’re the second person besides my dad to take me riding.”
—This sentence was pure bullshit.
Tang Xiao didn’t know how to ride, and he certainly didn’t have that much fatherly love to spare.
All his fatherly affection went straight to Tang Nan.
Tang You wasn’t afraid of being exposed for lying—she was only afraid this man would actually believe her lies.
After delivering that pitiful line, ultimate little-white-flower Tang You bit her lower lip and lowered her lashes, staring at the ground.
A warm, broad hand landed on top of her head and ruffled it twice.
She heard the man’s calm, unruffled voice: “Then from now on, you can treat me like your dad too.”
Author’s note: What’s stopping the little uncle’s feelings from budding?
Xiao Zexing: 《People’s Republic of China Minor Protection Law》
Don’t worry—next chapter the mask drops~
Kisses to everyone!