14 – From Now On, She Is Unique in Kyoto
“Sister-in-law, though we’ve long been acquainted, a proper introduction is still due. I’m Mo Qi, the eldest grandson of the Mo Family. My earlier hospitality was lacking, please forgive me,” Mo Qi stepped forward with a smile to greet her.
Next, Zuo Ye and Gu Si’ang slowly approached to offer their greetings.
With the Mo, Zuo, Gu, and Ning Families—the four great clans of the capital—gathered around Tang Qianluo, from this day forward, no other woman in the entire capital would hold a status more esteemed than hers!
Even after the banquet ended, Tang Qianluo hadn’t fully regained her composure. This marriage was an accident to begin with; she couldn’t understand why Ning Dai would go to such lengths.
Sitting in the car, she drifted into a daze until Ning Dai’s cold fingertips brushed her cheek, snapping her back to reality.
“This banquet was hosted by the Mo Family; I was occupied earlier,” Ning Dai’s deep voice sounded by her ear.
So… was he explaining why he hadn’t appeared by her side immediately?
“Ning Dai, why did you agree to marry me?”
After being married for so long, this was the first time Tang Qianluo had asked this question.
If she had married him due to her grandfather’s dying wish, what about him?
Ning Dai’s fingers stilled. After a long silence, he said, “Many years ago, your grandfather saved my life. This is the repayment he asked for.”
“By announcing my status at today’s banquet, you’ve essentially tied the Tang Family to the Ning Family.”
Thinking of the declining Tang Family, Tang Qianluo couldn’t help but frown. Though it was her grandfather’s lifelong work, she couldn’t bear to let Ning Dai shoulder the burden.
“Just one Tang Family,” Ning Dai replied, his lips curling into a smile like a king’s.
That arrogant smile seemed magical, instantly calming Tang Qianluo’s previously uneasy heart.
The day’s busyness had left Tang Qianluo physically and mentally exhausted. Rubbing her sore neck, she looked forward to returning home to rest, but she froze upon entering the main hall.
On the ornate sofa sat an elderly man with a straight back, his hair graying at the temples, yet his innate regal aura remained awe-inspiring.
“Grandpa?” Ning Dai frowned as he addressed him.
“You still remember I’m your grandfather? Not once have you returned to the old house since getting married. Do you even care about me?”
The elderly man’s cane struck the floor with dull thuds, each impact making Tang Qianluo’s heart race.
Ning Dai remained silent, casually loosening his tie and tossing it aside before sitting opposite Grandpa Ning.
The atmosphere grew icy. Seeing the tension, Tang Qianluo quickly poured a glass of water and handed it to Grandpa Ning, saying, “This is my fault. Please don’t be angry. Have some water!”
“Hmph,” Ning Ao took the glass and drank. “Look at my granddaughter-in-law, then look at you! How did I end up with such an unfeeling grandson!”
As Ning Ao spoke, he raised his cane to swing at Ning Dai. Tang Qianluo hurriedly grabbed it, smiling as she said, “No need for you to trouble yourself with hitting him. Rest, I’ll take care of it.”
Tang Qianluo raised her hand and walked over to Ning Dai. Under his intimidating gaze, she lightly punched his arm.
Admittedly, abusing power felt incredibly satisfying!
Tang Qianluo raised an eyebrow, her eyes conveying: Grandpa told me to hit you!
Ning Dai saw through her little scheme but didn’t expose her. He grabbed Tang Qianluo’s hand and headed toward the second floor, saying, “It’s too late. You should stay here tonight.”Ning Ao wore an expression of understanding as he watched the two head upstairs.
Tang Qianluo widened her eyes. “Grandpa, let me explain! It’s not what you think!”
Bang—
The door slammed shut, and in the next moment, Ning Dai flung Tang Qianluo onto the soft bed. A flicker of wicked charm passed through his eyes, his lips curling into an ambiguous smile.
“Got some nerve, hitting me?”
“Grandpa told me to! Besides, if I hadn’t, you’d have been beaten with the cane. I saved you!” Tang Qianluo argued while scrambling backward.
Ning Dai seized her ankle and effortlessly pulled her toward him.
He leaned in slightly, his warm breath brushing against her cheek.
They were so close that Tang Qianluo could see her own reflection in his dark pupils.
Her heart raced uncontrollably, and for a moment, she nearly forgot to breathe.
“Ning Dai,” she whispered, her voice trembling faintly.
Ning Dai raised his right hand, his fingertips lightly tracing the wound on her cheek. The tingling sensation sent shivers through her.
“There won’t be a next time,” Ning Dai promised in a low voice.
Tang Qianluo turned her head away, feeling as if her heart had malfunctioned—it could do nothing but pound wildly!
“Ning… Ning Dai, I’m so hot.”
Oh heavens, what kind of outrageous thing was that to say!
Tang Qianluo felt like her brain had short-circuited along with her heart.
Ning Dai let out a soft chuckle, a sound so brief yet unmistakable to her ears.
She turned back, but before she could fully grasp that hint of a smile, the room plunged into darkness as the lights suddenly went out.
In an instant, the room was pitch black. Tang Qianluo strained to adjust to the darkness, sensing the man before her trembling uncontrollably.
“Ning Dai, Ning Dai, are you okay?” she cried out, anxiously checking on him.
“Hurt… it hurts…” Ning Dai gritted his teeth, forcing out the words through clenched jaws.
Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through Tang Qianluo’s neck, followed by a suffocating pressure.
“Why? Why are you doing this to me? Why?” Ning Dai roared furiously, his grip tightening relentlessly.
“Die! Just die! Come to hell with me!”
A tear slid unexpectedly from the corner of her eye, trailing down her cheek onto Ning Dai’s hand.
“Ning… Dai…” she gasped, struggling to utter his name.
Ning Dai’s hands stilled, his grip gradually loosening.
Tang Qianluo coughed uncontrollably—just a little more, and she would have met Grandpa in the afterlife!
Ning Dai panted heavily, staring down at his own hands. Though he remained silent, Tang Qianluo could see his fragility.
“Ning Dai,” she called softly, reaching out to touch him, but he flinched away.
“Tang Qianluo, I almost killed you just now! Don’t you get it? You were almost dead!” he snarled in a low voice, like a beast on the verge of eruption.
“I know. So what, Ning Dai? I’m not dead, am I?” she insisted, reaching out again, this time not letting him evade her.
Kneeling on the bed, Tang Qianluo drew Ning Dai into her embrace.
He was still trembling—the kind of shaking that wouldn’t stop. His body was cold and drenched in cold sweat, radiating despair like someone hanging off a cliff.
Only this time, someone had finally reached out a hand to save him.”Why won’t you leave?” Ning Dai asked, involuntarily burying his head in her embrace.
“Why should I leave? Ning Dai, you’re just ill, and all illnesses can be healed.” Tang Qianluo said softly, reaching out to gently stroke Ning Dai’s hair.
He didn’t want to let go again!
He couldn’t let go again!
For the first time in his life, he wanted something so desperately!