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Tang Wan finished the call and put the phone aside. She had no intention of going; their relationship was already mediocre, and being suddenly asked to pick someone up clearly seemed suspicious.
"What happened?" Jiang Jinsang inquired.
"Nothing, let's continue."
But before long, Tang Mo called again. Tang Wan squinted her eyes, further verifying her suspicion. Definitely no good reason for calling.
The noise on the other side remained loud. "Sis, are you here yet?"
"I'm really busy right now, I'll call you a cab."
"I wanted you to cover for me, and now they won't let me leave. Please, just come by, I'm begging you."
"They're not bandits. Why won't they let you leave?"
"I also drank a little, I'm really scared, I'm afraid tonight I might..." Tang Mo's voice trembled. "You have to come."
The call ended, and Jiang Jinsang subconsciously rubbed his fingers. "Was it Tang Mo calling?"
He had already guessed when he heard Tang Wan mention the word, "Hospital."
"You heard?" Tang Wan smiled helplessly.
"Yes." Because Tang Mo's side was too noisy, she had purposely raised her voice, confirming who was calling. "Today, Mrs. Tang visited and mentioned her. Said she'd have to stay in the hospital for a few more days. Sick, yet out playing? At a karaoke bar?"
"The bar." Since Jiang Jinsang had heard, there was no need to shield Tang Mo's actions.
"She asked you to pick her up?"
Previously, when Tang Wan lost her belongings, it was apparent their relationship wasn't good. Asking her to pick someone up from a bar, clearly, there were ulterior motives.
He rubbed his fingers, it seemed...
The last time was still too lenient.
The two Jiang Family members, who sat quietly as a backdrop, saw their fifth master suddenly smirk, and they felt a chill down their spine. He was planning something.
But when he turned to face Tang Wan, he remained calm and composed. "I heard her say someone wouldn't let her leave?"
"Yes." Tang Wan stroked her phone.
"Are you going over?"
"A life is a life after all..." Tang Wan hadn't planned on going herself. She already had a plan in mind. If Tang Mo intended to set her up, she had ways to make Tang Mo uncomfortable.
Jiang Jinsang just smiled. "Besides Tang Mo, there are others who need a warning, or you'll have a lot of trouble in the future. If you don't mind, I'll handle this."
"You'll handle it?"
"I eat, drink, and sleep at your house. Since I inadvertently hurt her before, now that someone is giving her trouble, it's only right I help out a bit," said Jiang Jinsang, who surely could find countless justifications for doing what he wanted. "And..."
"It's so late. If you really go out, alone, I'd worry."
Tang Wan's heart gave a fierce thump.
"Are you tired now?"
"Still okay."
"Want to go out and watch the show?"
There were many rumors about Jiang Jinsang. Except for a short lifespan, they all said he was as cunning as a demon. Tang Wan was also curious about how he would handle things.
She nodded in agreement, went back to her room to put on a coat, and the two of them headed to Fuyou Bar.
**
In the bar's private room, someone was already urging Tang Mo.
"Tang Mo, didn't you say you were close with your sister? Why isn't she here yet?"
"Yeah, you just need to call her over for a few drinks. It's not like she wouldn't give face."
"I heard you two don't get along. It's He Shao's birthday, is it okay to fool him like this?"
...
This group of people were famously notorious offspring in Pingjiang City. With a little family money, they always talked and acted arrogantly.
Tang Mo was merely an adopted daughter without any blood relation to the Tang Family, always trying to blend in but never fully accepted by them.
Today's birthday party hadn't invited her; she forced her way in. When asked about her relationship with Tang Wan, despite being at odds like fire and water, Tang Mo had to maintain appearances outside.
This led to the subsequent invitation for Tang Wan to come and drink.
She wanted to integrate into this circle and gain acceptance. Having boasted earlier about her great relationship with Tang Wan, now all she could do was pretend and call Tang Wan.
She also knew what this group wanted. Facing Tang Wan, who was always so proud, she wanted to see her brought down from the pedestal.
After two calls, Tang Wan's attitude was evident that she wouldn't come. Yet, Tang Mo was in a difficult position. Failing to bring her would make her a laughingstock, never able to fit in.
Just as she was sitting on pins and needles, the phone vibrated, and a message from Tang Wan:
[I'll be there in ten minutes.]
She was overjoyed, "My sister just texted, she'll be here in ten minutes."
The group in the room exchanged glances, some surprised, others elated.
"He Shao, your goddess is coming tonight. This birthday will definitely be unforgettable." Someone joked.
The man sitting in the middle drank silently.
The atmosphere in the private room instantly became lively again. Yet this birthday party, for him and everyone in the room, would indeed be unforgettable.
**
At that moment, Tang Wan and Jiang Jinsang were on their way to the bar.
"Fifth Master, what exactly do you intend to do?" When Jiang Jinsang had someone "gang up" on Tang Mo earlier, it was obviously intentional. There was no way he'd genuinely offer help now.
Given his unpredictable actions, helping wouldn't be straightforward.
"You'll understand when we get there."
The bar was filled with all sorts of people. While Tang Mo was inconsequential, having Tang Wan go out so late likely meant there were many suitors there, someone probably intending to get close to her...
Heh—
The audacity was indeed impressive.
Just as Tang Wan wanted to ask more, her phone inconveniently vibrated. Her best friend was calling.
After she asked her to call, it was almost ten and she only called now.
However, with Jiang Jinsang present, and them sitting quite close, it wasn't convenient to answer, so she had to hang up.
On the other side, seeing the call declined, there was a slight frown.
Knowing that Tang Wan might be with Jiang Jinsang, alone in a room, even if the Fifth Master Jiang was unwell, he was, after all, a man. Worried Tang Wan might be at a disadvantage, she naturally became anxious, with calls following closely.
"Why aren't you answering?" Jiang Jinsang raised an eyebrow.
"Ah? I was just about to answer." Tang Wan gritted her teeth and forced herself to answer, moving as far to the side of the car as possible, away from Jiang Jinsang.
"Hello—" She lowered her voice.
"Tang Xiaowan, what are you doing, hanging up on me? Are you okay?" Her friend, anxious, raised her voice a few notches.
"I'm fine." She pressed her voice down, feeling like a guilty thief.
"What's up, not convenient to talk? Didn't you ask me to save you with a call? What are you doing there? Something shady? That Fifth Master Jiang hasn't done anything to you, has he? If that sick man is up to something, just shout out, given your family, I don't believe anyone would dare to bully you..."
"No, I'll call you back in a bit, hanging up now!" She hastily ended the call.
"Tang Xiaowan—"
After the phone call ended, Tang Wan felt slightly guilty as she glanced at the person beside her.
Jiang Jinsang happened to be looking at her, with the car speeding along. Streetlamps flashed through the car window, casting fleeting lights and shadows across his eyes, much like an ever-changing carousel.
"A friend of mine, had some business with me."
Jiang Jinsang rubbed his fingers, nodding in acknowledgment. "Hmm, a female friend, your bestie? She seems very concerned about you."
Tang Wan's head buzzed.
He heard...
Heard it?
Her friend's anxiety had made her voice loud enough for the two sitting at the front to hear. Both simultaneously coughed, making the situation...
Terribly awkward.
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