Tao Ran actually thought it was quite a pity.
When that shameless pair brushed past the pillar where she stood, she caught sight of Xiao Ai’s bashful face and heard her mention “tonight” and “the usual place.”
Wow.
She almost couldn’t resist slapping her thigh.
If she hadn’t already made plans to deal with Fang Ming tonight, it would’ve been quite thrilling to tail those two and catch them red-handed in the act, wouldn’t it?
But after just one second of consideration, the little balance scale in her heart weighed the pros and cons, and she decided to stick to her original plan.
She had bigger things to do.
Let’s spare them—for now.
As for Fang Ming, she must intercept him tonight!
Which meant… she’d have to snatch him away from Xiao Ai first.
Easy.
Watching their figures disappear into the distance, Tao Ran took out her phone and made a call. “Hubby, have you arrived?”
“I have,” Fang Ming answered instinctively, adding, “Liu Jie came to pick me up, don’t worry.”
“I’ll wait for you at home.”
“No… better not. Liu Jie said our professor and the research group are waiting for me. I need to get back to campus to submit my project proposal. I’ll grab dinner with Liu Jie at the cafeteria and work on my report tonight. I’ll visit you tomorrow. You get some rest…”
While he said that, Xiao Ai beside him could barely hide her smug delight. She felt she had finally trampled Tang Ran underfoot, her grin blooming like a flower.
“Heh…”
That small chuckle from Tao Ran instantly made Fang Ming’s heart skip.
It was only when the other end of the line went quiet that he noticed something—the background noise.
That familiar broadcast voice announcing flight numbers… it sounded awfully similar to where he was standing right now.
A chill ran through him.
He spun around—and his knees nearly gave out.
Being caught red-handed was a heart-stopping experience.
Just ten steps away stood his wife, staring straight at him.
Tao Ran’s fingers itched. She really wanted to take out her camera, capture their panic and guilt, then post those photos—along with the earlier “hugging” picture—on the university forum.
“Ranran, what are you doing here?” Fang Ming hurried toward her, flustered.
“Weren’t you supposed to be resting at home?” Xiao Ai gritted her teeth, nearly baring them in frustration. Yesterday she had Liu Jie confirm with Tang Ran that she’d be waiting at home tonight. Clearly, that woman had lied. Find the original chapter at g.com.
Xiao Ai had imagined Tang Ran spending all day cooking a meal, waiting until night fell, and then sitting alone in despair.
Just moments ago, when Fang Ming agreed to spend the evening with her and called Tang Ran to cancel, Xiao Ai had felt a surge of triumph. It proved she came before Tang Ran—she had won!
But her joy lasted all of two seconds.
…
Tao Ran didn’t even spare Xiao Ai a glance.
“You lied to me?” she said coldly to the scumbag.
“I… no… listen to me—” Fang Ming stammered, panic-stricken.
But Tao Ran didn’t intend to expose him just yet.
So she decided to play dumb.
“I’m teasing you! Why are you so nervous?” she laughed lightly. “Xiao Ai told me her type is at least one-eighty-five centimeters tall, handsome, muscular—not some scrawny four-eyed nerd in ugly glasses. You’re not her type. Relax, I wouldn’t misunderstand you two.”
The air instantly turned frigid.
She’d hit him right where it hurt.
Fang Ming was 172 centimeters—not short, but he never exercised, had a small frame and little muscle, making him look frail and shorter than he was. Surrounded by tall, athletic foreign classmates, he often got teased as a “skinny monkey.” It infuriated him every time.
Now his pride was pricked again.
He shot a cold glance at Xiao Ai. Tang Ran never liked gossip and loved him deeply—so such words couldn’t have been fabricated by her.
Meaning… Xiao Ai really said that?
He suddenly recalled their first night together at the hotel—how surprised she looked when she noticed the five-centimeter lift in his shoes.
Seeing the change in his expression, Xiao Ai’s anger turned to panic.
“I—I didn’t! When did I ever say that? I never—”
“Never what?” Tao Ran cut in. “You mean you do have feelings for my husband?”
She slipped her arm through Fang Ming’s, claiming her territory.
Xiao Ai froze on the spot, speechless.
At that moment, she realized just how venomous Tang Ran could be.
How was she supposed to explain this now?
If she denied being interested in Fang Ming, then he’d believe what Tao Ran said was true.
And Fang Ming’s eyes were already blazing—she had no choice but to distance herself.
Besides, she had a gut feeling that Tang Ran had been suspicious of her for a while. Maybe today she came specifically to test her?
“I don’t like Fang Ming,” she finally muttered, lowering her head. “Tang Ran, you—”
Before she could finish, Tao Ran had already pulled Fang Ming away.
Grinding her teeth, Xiao Ai dragged her suitcase and followed behind—like some pitiful servant.
“Where’s Liu Jie?” Tao Ran asked casually, glancing around.
Fang Ming finally exhaled. Thank goodness his wife hadn’t seen the kiss, the hand-holding, or anything that might raise suspicion. After all, he still needed that fool to keep funding his studies for another six months!
“Liu Jie went to take a call,” he said quickly, following her lead. “It’s an important call from the university. Honey, why are you here? Weren’t you supposed to rest at home? Are you feeling better?”
“I wanted to surprise you.”
Guilt-ridden, Fang Ming hurried to take off his jacket and drape it over her shoulders. He hugged her and even kissed her forehead twice.
If Tao Ran hadn’t been forcing herself to stay in character—treating this like a performance—she would’ve slapped him already.
As for Xiao Ai, she was now completely invisible.
Thinking of how smug she’d been just moments ago, only to turn into a complete joke now, tears welled up in her eyes.
Fang Ming held his wife close. “How long have you been here?”
“I just got here. Saw you the moment I arrived.”
“What a coincidence. I just came out myself.”
Now it was Fang Ming pulling Tao Ran along quickly.
“Don’t walk so fast—what about Liu Jie? Let’s wait for him.”
“No need. He’s on a conference call. It’ll take a while. Let’s go first.”
“Wait. He’s heading the same way. You two can go back to campus together.” Tao Ran smiled brightly.
“No, I’ll go home with you. I’m not returning to campus tonight.”
“But didn’t you say the research group is waiting? It sounded urgent.”
“It’s fine. It’s getting late. I’ll call my advisor later and report tomorrow.”
“That’s great.”
“Exactly. So let’s hurry.” Fang Ming tugged her along.
If he stayed any longer, how was he supposed to explain all the lies he’d just told?
If this web of deception unraveled, it’d be ugly—his affair exposed, his career gone, and his golden goose with it.