Just as Su Mianmian was about to say, "Zhizhi, are you stupid? Cheng Yuli has always liked you," Song Zhi suddenly exclaimed "Ah!" on the other end of the phone. "No way, Su Mianmian!
You mean Cheng Yuli wasn't interested in you at all, but... me?" Su Mianmian breathed a sigh of relief. "Please just drop the 'maybe'." Song Zhi's brain went blank for a moment. "Damn it! What right does he have? How dare he?!"
Song Zhi was about to explode. Recalling every interaction with Cheng Yuli, he didn't seem to have ever said he liked Su Mianmian. But the crucial point was that he hadn't explicitly stated his feelings for her, Song Zhi!
And she had wholeheartedly created opportunities for Cheng Yuli, even pitying him knowing Su Mianmian had a boyfriend. Even that night when they were drinking, Cheng Yuli hadn't explained that he didn't like Su Mianmian; instead, he used Song Zhi to comfort him and relentlessly ply her with alcohol!
That Cheng Yuli, he actually played dumb, using his innocent face to completely fool her! Song Zhi sighed deeply, "I've played with eagles my whole life, but in the end, the eagle pecked my eye out!"
After listening, Su Mianmian quietly asked, "So now that you know Cheng Yuli likes you, what are your plans?" "Plans?" Song Zhi chuckled, "He likes to play around, right? Well, I'll play along with him to my heart's content!"
Su Mianmian couldn't guess what Song Zhi was planning, but following her instructions, she called Cheng Yuli back. She told him that Song Zhi was fine, just out with friends. After hanging up, Su Mianmian checked the time; it was almost time for the concert.
Su Mianmian went into the dressing room and found a high-necked lake-blue sweater, paired with a beige pleated skirt. After dressing, she carefully checked herself in the mirror, making sure the hickeys were covered, before heading out.
Just as she left the bedroom, she bumped into Gu Yizhou. Gu Yizhou had just come out of the study, took off his glasses, and was rubbing his temples as he walked, looking quite tired. Seeing that Su Mianmian had changed her clothes, Gu Yizhou looked her up and down. "Going to a concert?"
Su Mianmian nodded. "Yes." Gu Yizhou couldn't help but glance at Su Mianmian's bare, slender legs again, his narrow eyes narrowing slightly. "It'll be quite cold tonight, your legs will get cold wearing that."
Su Mianmian lowered her head and tugged at her sheer tights. "I'm wearing socks, and besides, I'll be wearing boots later, so I won't be cold." Gu Yizhou knew that the girl always cared about her appearance, and saying too much might annoy her. "Then I'll pick you up after the concert."
Su Mianmian refused. "No need, I'll take a taxi back myself." Gu Yizhou insisted, "There are too many people near the concert, it's not safe on the road. Call me after it's over." Su Mianmian thought about it and agreed. "Okay then."
Gu Yizhou escorted Su Mianmian to the elevator, watching the girl in her little dress and carrying her small handbag disappear from sight, a sense of loneliness washing over him. ...Su Mianmian arranged to meet Tang Yunzheng at a milk tea shop near the concert. When Su Mianmian arrived, Tang Yunzheng was already there, sitting by the window, head down, seemingly lost in thought. Hearing footsteps, Tang Yunzheng looked up, and a look of amazement flashed in his eyes when he saw Su Mianmian.
She looked exceptionally beautiful today: a lake-blue sweater, a beige pleated skirt, and over-the-knee boots. Her hair was secured on either side with two small black hair clips, the rest cascading over her shoulders. From afar, she truly looked like a little princess.
Su Mianmian always had exceptionally fair skin, bright, doe-like eyes, a delicate nose, and full, beautiful lips. Tang Yunzheng felt he must have been bewitched before, which was why he hadn't noticed Su Mianmian's beauty! "Hey! What are you daydreaming about?"
Su Mianmian approached and waved at Tang Yunzheng's wide-eyed expression. Tang Yunzheng snapped out of his reverie, trying to force a smile. But the thought of the photo of Su Mianmian and Gu Yizhou made it impossible for him to laugh.
Pointing to the milk tea on the table, Su Mianmian said, "I ordered your favorite. Sit down for a bit." She felt Tang Yunzheng was unusually quiet today, unlike his usual carefree self. After sitting down, she glanced at the milk tea. "So, what's up?" Tang Yunzheng coughed, his fingers unconsciously interlacing on the table. "Su Mianmian, we grew up together, and I thought I knew you pretty well, but lately, I feel like I understand you less and less." Su Mianmian's lips curled slightly. "You think you know me?" Su Mianmian pointed to the milk tea Tang Yunzheng had ordered for her. "I do love milk tea, but I never like adding pearls." But the cup in front of her was almost half full of dark pearls. Tang Yunzheng was speechless for a moment; he hadn't noticed these details before. Su Mianmian didn't want to dwell on the past with him. "Just say what you want to say."
Tang Yunzheng found this difficult to broach. Since last night, he had been struggling with how to talk to Su Mianmian. Should he probe indirectly or ask directly? Finally, he made up his mind. He took out his phone, pulled up the photo, and placed it in front of Su Mianmian.
"Su Mianmian, can you explain this photo?" Su Mianmian glanced at Tang Yunzheng's phone, her gaze pausing almost imperceptibly when it touched the photo.
But even that slight pause was caught by Tang Yunzheng, who had been watching her intently, and his heart sank completely. "So, the owner of that Maybach before was also him?"
Tang Yunzheng could no longer contain his emotions. "Su Mianmian, do you even know what you're doing? That man is your future brother-in-law! What you're doing, what you're doing isn't just being a mistress, you're...you're committing incest!"
The moment the word "incest" was uttered, several people around immediately focused their attention on the two of them. But Tang Yunzheng couldn't care less at this moment. The more silent Su Mianmian remained, the more it meant he had hit the nail on the head.
A mocking smile played on his lips. "If you fucking liked another man, I'd accept it, but you like someone you shouldn't like, and I can't allow you to continue down this wrong path!"
"You text him right now, telling him you won't contact him again, otherwise…" "Otherwise what?" Su Mianmian's clear eyes fell lightly on Tang Yunzheng's face.
Tang Yunzheng couldn't stand Su Mianmian looking at him like that. He rubbed his stiff cheek in frustration. "Otherwise, I'll tell Sister Su Yang, tell Aunt Su and the others!"
Tang Yunzheng really didn't want to use threats to force Su Mianmian to break off her relationship with Gu Yizhou unless absolutely necessary. But this matter was too serious, too outrageous. He could only speak harshly, hoping that Su Mianmian would realize her mistake out of fear.
He had imagined that Su Mianmian would be terrified upon hearing his words, perhaps even begging for mercy. But Su Mianmian's reaction was completely off; she was utterly calm, eerily serene.
Could it be that she had fallen so deeply in love with Gu Yizhou that she disregarded societal norms? Tang Yunzheng's heart sank. Just as he was pondering how to save this woman who had gone astray, Su Mianmian suddenly said, "No need to tell them, they all know."
"Wh-what?" This time, Tang Yunzheng was confused. "You mean, Aunt Su and the others know about you and Gu Yizhou?"
Su Mianmian's lips twitched slightly. "Tang Yunzheng, I came here today to make things clear with you. I'm telling you very seriously, from now on, don't waste your time on me." Tang Yunzheng's gaze froze for a moment.
"Just because of Gu Yizhou? You've fallen in love with him? But he's your brother-in-law! There's absolutely no way things can happen between you two!"