Tang You suspected there was something wrong with her ears.
What kind of shameless mentality did this man have to be able to say something so utterly deranged?!
What breed of devil was he?!
Ignoring her shock and disbelief, Xiao Zexing said calmly: “The matter is already set in stone. I don’t want to see you acting like this anymore.”
Tang You: “…”
Was he saying he had no intention of canceling the engagement and wanted her to change her personality?
Ojbk.
At least one thing was confirmed: it seemed “Xiao Weijing” really did dislike her affected, pretentious behavior.
Xiao Zexing didn’t speak to her again. Tang You returned in the same car she had come in.
Through the window, she saw Xiao Zexing light a cigarette. His handsome face was half-hidden in hazy smoke and shifting light and shadow.
There wasn’t the slightest trace of a smile.
That night, Tang You reviewed her performance from the day. After careful reflection, she belatedly realized—
Her afternoon stunt had probably racked up quite a bit of hate value, but she had also undeniably been lectured by “Xiao Weijing.”
Riding a horse in a skirt was not a delightful experience. Tang You’s skin was already tender and delicate to an unreasonable degree.
Even though she had only been on the horse for about ten minutes, the pain had started the moment she dismounted. Now the area was red and swollen, turning a mottled blue and purple—starkly visible against her porcelain-white skin.
Back at her little apartment, Tang You’s strange, limping walk startled Miao Jiaxi, who jumped up from the sofa: “Sister, did you finally unlock the path to adulthood?”
Tang You was silent for two seconds before saying: “I feel like… compared to adulthood, this is more like becoming a spirit.”
“So how exactly did you become a spirit?”
“Xiao Weijing took revenge on me—dragged me onto a horse while I was wearing a skirt and made me ride a lap.”
Seeing Miao Jiaxi’s increasingly lewd grin, Tang You corrected her: “Clean the yellow trash out of your brain. It was pure horseback riding—no vibration.”
Miao Jiaxi exploded: “This fucker is literally a beast! I never thought Xiao Weijing could be so vicious! So ruthless even to a girl! I curse Xiao Weijing to get corns on his soles and hemorrhoids up his ass!”
Tang You sighed: “Jiajia, how can we curse him like that? That’s too cruel.”
The moon was beautiful tonight. On the balcony, moonlight poured softly. Tang You limped over, lit two incense sticks for the wealth god she kept enshrined, and prayed with utmost sincerity: “This humble believer is willing to eat vegetarian for life in exchange for Xiao Weijing gaining thirty pounds, shrinking ten centimeters down there, growing two cup sizes on his chest, and losing half his hair.”
Miao Jiaxi: “…”
Truly the gentlest, least cruel curse imaginable.
After her tender prayer, Tang You half-knelt on the floor and pulled out the bruise-healing ointment.
The medicine box was placed low and hard to reach. When she bent down, she scraped the injured skin, gasping in pain.
Miao Jiaxi couldn’t help suggesting: “How about we just give up, Youyou? As the saying goes: more exes, more roads; more husbands, more homes. In the future, you and Xiao Weijing can have a contract marriage—live your own lives after the wedding, no interference. Wouldn’t that be blissfully carefree?”
Tang You rejected her sternly: “No way.”
Having seen her parents’ failed marriage as an example, Tang You refused to repeat her mother’s tragedy.
A marriage without love was pure torment—and a harm to any future children.
She didn’t want that kind of life.
After two days of diligent ointment application, the bruises on Tang You’s legs finally started to fade a little.
There was no helping it—her skin was far too delicate. Even a minor bump usually left her eyes watering in pain, let alone this prolonged friction. It would take proper recovery time.
Zhao Manlan called, her tone gentle as she apologized, explaining that Xiao Weijing had only acted on impulse and had already been properly lectured.
Tang You listened quietly and comforted her warmly: “It’s okay, Auntie.”
After hanging up, Tang You seriously added to the “Things Xiao Weijing Hates” list in her phone’s notes.
娇弱小白花 (delicate little white flower)
幼稚孩子气 (childish behavior)
Not far away, Ah Mai called her name, asking her to come look at the just-finished shots.
Under a vaulted glass dome, golden sunlight poured in. Tall green plants spread their branches wide. In the corners, flowers bloomed in vivid colors. The air was filled with fresh, pleasant scents. Crystal-clear fountain water flowed. In the distance, faint violin music drifted over.
This was a garden hotel in Xijing. Tang You had just accepted a promotional collaboration with a new domestic fashion brand. The brand had already sent the clothes, with the requirement of outdoor shooting.
Ah Mai’s social anxiety was extremely severe. Though his seclusion had ended, he still avoided human interaction whenever possible.
The hotel’s botanical garden was stunningly beautiful, which was why Tang You had chosen it.
Ah Mai was hunched over the camera, tall and thin. No matter how hot the weather, he covered himself from head to toe—mask, hood, everything.
Whether indoors or out, he was always like this.
Tang You stood on tiptoe to look at the shots on the camera with him.
Ah Mai said: “They turned out pretty good.”
Tang You reviewed them one by one, then asked casually: “Want to grab lunch together?”
“No thanks,” Ah Mai said carefully as he removed the lens, wiped it with extreme care, and packed it away. “Too many people. Not used to it.”
The two had worked together for years and didn’t need many words between them.
Tang You was just about to pick up her bag when Ah Mai beat her to it and slung it over his shoulder. “It’s a bit heavy. I’ll carry it for you.”
“Thank you!”
Tang You never expected that the moment she reached the hotel lobby, she would run straight into Tang Xiao’s entire family.
Jiang Tao had her arm looped through Tang Xiao’s. Tang Nan stood beside them. The three of them were chatting and laughing, the atmosphere perfectly harmonious.
—Until they saw Tang You.
Tang Xiao’s face froze in astonishment as he stared at Tang You and Ah Mai.
Tang Nan covered her mouth and took a step back, utterly shocked. “Sister, didn’t you say you were going on a date with Mr. Xiao today? How come…”
She glanced at the silent Ah Mai and let out a shriek. “No wonder you’ve always refused to marry Mr. Xiao! So you already have a boyfriend!”
Before Tang You could speak, Jiang Tao tugged lightly at Tang Xiao’s arm. “Don’t be angry, dear. Maybe Youyou didn’t mean anything by it.”
The trailing “ne” was drawn out, full of delicate implication.
Tang You sighed inwardly. Look at that—this is what a true white lotus looks like. She’d have to cultivate for several thousand years to reach even a fraction of that level of artistry.
If she could pull off something like Jiang Tao just now, “Xiao Weijing” would probably have broken off the engagement eight hundred times already.
How would they still be stuck at this point?
The warm, fatherly smile vanished completely from Tang Xiao’s face. His expression darkened as he questioned her: “Youyou, what’s going on?”
Tang You introduced Ah Mai. “I just came here with a friend to take some photos.”
At this point, she pinched her palm hard enough to force out a few tears. “So Dad and Auntie and Nan Nan came here for dinner? Why didn’t you tell me? Does that mean… in your hearts, I’m no longer part of the family?”
Her few sentences made all three of them change color slightly. Tang Xiao feared nothing more than Tang You bringing up this topic. He pulled his arm out of Jiang Tao’s grasp. “How could that be? Didn’t your sister already call you?”
Tang Nan’s expression turned awkward.
“I didn’t receive any call,” Tang You said, her face pale, eyes glistening with tears. “Nan Nan, why would you lie to me? I’ve already given Dad to you—isn’t that enough? Why do you still want to stop me from seeing him?”
Tang Nan was stunned speechless by Tang You’s spectacular performance.
Tang Xiao turned to Tang Nan. “What’s going on?”
Tang Nan stammered, completely unable to speak.
Just as the situation was about to reverse, Jiang Tao smiled and spoke up: “Maybe Nan Nan simply forgot. She’s still young. Youyou, you’re the older sister—you’re more sensible. You wouldn’t hold it against your little sister, right?”
Having said that, Jiang Tao naturally slipped her arm through Tang Xiao’s again. “But there is one thing I’m quite curious about. What kind of photos require you to come to a hotel?”
Once again, she turned the spearhead toward Tang You.
Tang Nan gave a soft snort, full of disdain. “Probably some shameless photos.”
As she spoke, she reached to grab Ah Mai’s camera bag. Ah Mai already suffered from severe social anxiety and was terrified of people. His only treasure was his camera. Seeing Tang Nan suddenly lunge toward him, he jumped in fright and bolted.
If he hadn’t run, nothing might have happened—but the moment he did, Tang Nan froze for a second before shrieking: “He must be feeling guilty!”
“Tang Nan!”
A clear male voice cut in. Jiang Chenting, dressed in black shirt and black trousers, walked over with long strides. He stepped in front of Tang You, frowning as he scolded Tang Nan: “Shouting like that in public—what were you taught?”
Tang You’s hand—pretending to wipe tears—paused. Jiang Chenting handed her a clean tissue.
She silently accepted it.
This stepbrother, who shared no blood with her, was the only normal person in the Tang family.
At least that’s what Tang You thought.
Tang Nan called unhappily: “Brother.”
Jiang Chenting ignored his younger sister and lowered his head to look at Tang You. “Since you’re here, let’s eat together.”
Tang You refused decisively: “No, thanks. I still need to pick up Huhu.”
Jiang Chenting said: “I’ll go with you.”
“Brother,” Tang Nan said, “this dinner was supposed to be a welcome-home celebration for you—”
“You guys go ahead and eat. Don’t worry about me,” Tang You said with a smile, crumpling the tissue casually in her hand. “Brother, I have other things to do.”
Jiang Chenting looked at her for a long moment. “Alright.”
Tang Nan muttered unhappily under her breath, her face written all over with displeasure.
Tang Xiao said nothing.
Only after Tang You walked all the way out did she remember that her car keys were still in Ah Mai’s bag—along with her phone and wallet.
Ah Mai had run away faster than a rabbit. Who knew where he was hiding and trembling right now.
Tang You sighed and sat down on the edge of a flower bed, seriously debating whether she should go back and ask Jiang Chenting for help, or go to the hotel front desk and borrow a phone to call Ah Mai.
Hm?
From the corner of her eye, she caught sight of a familiar figure. Tang You stood up straight, shaded her eyes with her hand, looked carefully, then ran over and called out brightly: “Mr. Xiao!”
It wasn’t just Xiao Zexing. Three people who looked like assistants followed behind him, along with a few older men whose hair was streaked with white.
Surrounded like stars around the moon, Xiao Zexing’s tall, upright figure and sharp aura stood out even more.
Hearing her voice, he raised a hand slightly. The gray-haired man who had been speaking immediately fell silent.
Everyone noticed the girl running toward them in small steps.
She was still wearing the dress from the earlier shoot—thin spaghetti straps, silky fabric, no cinching at the waist, draping softly. The pale yellow shade made her skin look even more delicate and tender.
Gone was the pure, innocent student look; now she carried a touch of fresh, charming allure.
Tang You smiled and said: “Mr. Xiao, I lost my wallet and my phone. Could I borrow your phone for a moment?”
As she spoke, she looked up at Xiao Zexing with a pitiful expression, hands clasped together in a pleading gesture: “Please, I beg you.”
Tang You had calculated everything perfectly.
Whether Xiao Weijing lent it to her or not, she would first establish the image of “an ungrateful girl who interrupts his work” right in front of him.
No man likes being disturbed during work, right?
Xiao Zexing’s gaze settled on her, his expression calm and haughty.
Completely different from the man who had taught her to ride at the polo field earlier.
Xiao Zexing asked: “Who are you calling? Where are you planning to go?”
Tang You answered honestly: “My friend. I’m going to pick up Huhu from the hospital in a bit.”
Xiao Zexing didn’t hand her the phone.
He looked at her steadily for two seconds, then turned to the group with a polite smile: “Sorry, I have some personal matters today. Let’s discuss the project another time.”
The gray-haired man quickly smiled back: “Of course, Mr. Xiao—take care of your business. It’s not urgent.”
Xiao Zexing gave a slight nod, gave a few instructions to his assistants, then walked over to Tang You: “Let’s go.”
Tang You froze: “You’re giving me a ride?”
“Otherwise?” Xiao Zexing countered. “You want to keep baking in the sun out here? Think you’re a sunflower?”
Tang You was speechless and could only hurry to keep up.
This was the second time Tang You had gotten into Xiao Zexing’s car. This time it was a different one—a custom Rolls-Royce Phantom, the kind she had coveted for ages.
Xiao Zexing loosened his tie and undid two buttons.
As the car pulled away from the hotel, he didn’t glance at Tang You once the entire time—as if she were invisible.
His aura was too cold and imposing. For a moment, Tang You felt completely suppressed by his presence. All the coy, pretentious lines she had prepared shriveled up in her stomach—not a single one made it out.
In the end, it was Xiao Zexing who spoke first, expression unchanged, tone even: “What happened to Tang Fu? Is he sick?”
He kept saying “Tang Hu” this and “Tang Hu” that. For two full seconds, Tang You seriously wondered if the only reason he was dragging out the engagement was because he had his eye on her dog.
Tang You said: “Nothing serious. He just got neutered.”
A sharp brake.
Author’s note: Warm celebration: Second Uncle and Youyou’s cross-channel communication has finally ended~