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Tang Family East Courtyard
Tang Wan sat by the window, pondering how to reject Jiang Jinsang that evening. She indeed had nothing planned for the night, and bailing on him at the last minute felt too deliberate. With no other option, she called her best friend to explain the situation.
"...So you want me to call you later, giving you an excuse to slip back to your room, right?"
"Exactly."
"I've never met the fifth Mr. Jiang, but his brother's always on magazine covers, so handsome. I'm sure the younger brother isn't bad-looking either. Even based on his looks alone, it's worth it for a couple of extra bowls of rice, so what are you afraid of?" her friend laughed.
"Plus, you're strong and healthy. What could a sickly guy possibly do to you? If you don't start anything with him, he'll be lucky." Tang Wan's lips twitched; strong and healthy?
"Tang Xiaowan, it's your place, why are you acting so cowardly?"
"Anyway, make sure you call me later!" Tang Wan insisted firmly.
"Got it. It's almost the end of the year, and all departments are scrambling to meet targets. My boss is going crazy, so I can't stay on the line. If caught slacking at work, I'll lose my year-end bonus."
Tang Wan hadn't even replied before the call ended. Their good relationship meant she wouldn't mind such abruptness.
With an excuse to escape, Tang Wan felt much more at ease.
After dinner and cleaning up, Jiang Jinsang accompanied the old man to watch the news, while Tang Wan sat nearby playing on her phone, browsing Weibo for a bit.
"Grandpa Tang, I'm returning to my room," Jiang Jinsang stood up.
Old Tang nodded, catching a glimpse of his motionless granddaughter. "Wanwan, aren't you going?"
Tang Wan frowned; just because he left, why must she follow?
"It's fine, I'll go back on my own," Jiang Jinsang smiled faintly; they'd have to meet again soon anyway.
The night was long... There was no rush.
Although, Old Tang's expression had turned a bit peculiar. Sitting on the sofa and playing on her phone without anything serious to do, why not return to her room? Tang Wan chuckled awkwardly, "I'll head back after I finish this video."
She simply didn't want her grandfather's gaze fixed on her, casually finding an excuse.
Unexpectedly, Jiang Jinsang made a remark.
"Then I'll wait for you back in my room."
"..."
Besides the TV still airing commercials, the whole atmosphere in the foyer suddenly became stifling with tension.
Old Tang's eyes darted between the two of them, smiling with an indecipherable expression.
"We're just planning to chat a bit about Qing history. The Fifth Master knows a lot, and I need to consult him for work," Tang Wan explained.
"I didn't say anything, why so eager to explain?" the old man chuckled.
Tang Wan: "..."
**
By the time Tang Wan knocked on Jiang Jinsang's door, there were others in the room today.
"Miss Tang." Two members of the Jiang Family were there, tidying up medicine bottles and a blood pressure monitor, likely just after some medication.
Tang Wan held her books, greeting them.
"Have a seat anywhere." Jiang Jinsang had just finished measuring his blood pressure, removing his jacket, now wearing a black coat, matching his soft white loungewear beneath, intensifying his air of stoic laziness.
His clothes were well-tailored; even the simplest attire bred an aura of noble elegance on him.
Tang Wan found a chair to sit on, placing her books on the table, and Jiang Jinsang sat down beside her. Perhaps having just taken his meds, there was still a faint bitter medicinal scent clinging to him.
"Did you buy all the books I mentioned yesterday?"
"One wasn't available, I ordered it online, should arrive in the next few days," Tang Wan placed her phone on the table, anxious not to miss her best friend's call.
"What should we discuss today? Maybe go over the life of the Qing Palace Drama's female lead?"
"Sure."
Tang Wan had to admit that Jiang Jinsang really knew a lot; many details weren't found in books, and she had to borrow his pen to annotate and take notes.
The two were already sitting quite close; as Tang Wan lowered her head to attentively jot down Jiang Jinsang's words, a lock of hair, once tucked behind her ear, fell and swept against Jiang Jinsang's arm.
The two members of the Jiang Family finished packing up, initially intending to leave, but the atmosphere between the duo was just right, and they dared not interrupt, standing silently as the background.
Tang Wan finished her notes and casually tucked her hair behind her ear. "Fifth Master, is everything I noted accurate..."
She didn't realize how close their proximity had become. The light touched his dark pupils, seemingly igniting sparks therein.
Suppressing her slightly irregular heartbeat, she glanced at her phone. Why haven't they called yet?
Jiang Jinsang stared at the notes in the book, unconsciously rubbing his fingers. The tingling sensation from her hair brushing against his palm was gone, yet he couldn't quiet the turmoil within.
Just then, Tang Wan's phone suddenly buzzed.
She felt delighted but frowned slightly upon seeing the caller ID.
Why was it Tang Mo?
Despite hesitating, she pressed the answer key.
"Hello—"
"Sis, are you busy? Can you come pick me up? I'm over at Fuyou."
"You're not at the hospital, how'd you end up at the bar?" Fuyou Bar was well-known in the Pingjiang circle for its high-end, classy ambiance.
"I snuck out from Mom, couldn't let her see. Can you pick me up?"
"I have things to—"
"I'll wait for you to come, you must come." With that, the call ended.
Tang Wan stared blankly at her phone, baffled. Why was she suddenly being summoned to pick her up? Their relationship was average, barely warranting such requests.
Meanwhile, in a private room at Fuyou Bar
Neon lights flickered amid ultimate luxury, the opulent décor exuding a sense of hedonistic extravagance. After seeing Tang Mo hang up the call, the man seated in the center chuckled.
"Tang Mo, don't be nervous. We just want to meet your sister," one laughed, "It's Young Master He's birthday, so we're just here to have fun and get lively."
Tang Mo grudgingly nodded.
Within this circle are a bunch of spoiled rich kids; good family conditions, indulging in chaos behind the scenes. Some have coveted Tang Wan for too long...
She's lived a too upright life, with not a hint of bad habit, leaving them no way to approach her.
Claiming to meet could fool no one. Should she arrive tonight, leaving would be a challenge indeed.
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