“Tangtang, are you free tonight?”
Yao Tang was walking across the school courtyard when she answeredOld Madam Yao’s call.
“What’s the matter?”
“Oh, nothing, nothing. I was just missing you, that’s all. I was thinking we could meet up and have dinner together.”
Yao Tang paused, taken aback by the sudden invitation. She didn’t quite know how to respond.
All too soon, Old Madam Yao’s voice came over the line again. “Oh, what to do? I’m old, and the people around me are always so busy. I don’t have anyone to keep me company these days.” She spoke woefully and heaved a long, helpless sigh.
It was all Yao Tangcould do not to sigh herself. “All right, where shall we meet tonight?”
Her grandmother immediately cheered up and exclaimed, “That settles it! I’ll come and pick you up after school. Wait for me at the school gates, okay?”
Then, she hung up before Yao Tangcould change her mind.
Yao Tang could only stare at her screen and shake his head. “Sister Tang,”Lin Xincalled from a few steps ahead. “Let’s go, or we’ll be late for class.”
“I’m coming.”
Yao Tang pocketed her phone and walked toward her waiting friends.
…
In a villa somewhere else in City A.
Old Madam Yao had a huge grin on her face when she ended the call. “As expected, my lovelyTangtangis truly kindhearted. She could act all cool and aloof, but she could never bear to leave her poor grandmother alone.”
Another woman in the room wiped her hands on her apron and sighed. “Why are you doing this, Madam? You know that Master Yuan wouldn’t want to see Miss Yao Tangat the dinner. This is rather…”
Old Madam Yao harrumphed. “That’s his problem. I’m bringingTangtangwith me tonight, whether they like it or not. They’re used to bullying my precious granddaughter because she doesn’t complain or fight back. Well, tonight, I’ll show them that she has my support. Let’s see if they dare to harass her again when I have her back!”
The other woman frowned in genuine concern. “Madam, have you considered the possibility that Yao Tangherself might not be interested in getting involved with her biological parents?”
Old Madam Yao snorted. “Ha! I don’t care what she thinks of that foolish couple. I just want to make it up toTangtangand give her everything she deserves in life.”
Her words rang with a finality that no sane person would have the nerve to question.
The woman beside her knew this, too. Old Madam Yaowas determined to have MissYao Tangat the dinner tonight, and nothing could dissuade her.
In truth, the woman also thought that the young miss ought to be there.
The only problem was Qin Man. That nasty shrew would surely kick up a giant fuss if MissYao Tangmade an appearance.
…
Yao Ran stood from her seat and quickly packed her things as soon as the bell rang for school dismissal.
She was looking forward to spending some time with Yang Nian, and she could barely contain her excitement. She was already imagining the two of them walking to the dinner party side by side.
A round-faced girl who sat on the desk next to hers asked, “Ranran, aren’t you staying for the self-study period? Why are you leaving so soon?”
“I have something to do at home.”
Yao Ran’s cheeks had turned rosy with anticipation, and her eyes crinkled at the corners.
Without another word, she grabbed her bag and dashed out of the classroom. She practically trotted all the way to the school gates.
She stopped under the shade of a massive tree and waited for Yang Nian.
Not long after, she spotted the boy approaching the gates with his backpack slung over his shoulder. Yao Ranwent up to meet up.
“Hi, Yang Nian!”
A gust of wind blew past them just then, and she took the opportunity to tuck a few wayward strands of her hair behind her ear in a coquettish manner.
“My family car should be waiting outside. Let’s go, shall we?”
“Lead the way,” Yang Niansmiled lightly.
The afternoon sun fell on his face, making his chiseled features even more prominent under the warm, orange glow. He looked gorgeous.
Yao Ran’s heart picked up its pace. She stammered a response before turning away to try and compose herself.
They painted quite a picture as they strolled across the campus—a charming young woman and a debonair young man walking home together after school.
The moment they passed the school gates, bystanders turned to gawk at them and whisper among themselves in envy.
It was a good thing that both Yao RanandYang Nianwere used to this kind of attention. They paid no mind to the crowd and chatted along the way.
They headed straight to the parking area where the private cars usually parked. They went past several vehicles, but Yao Ranstill didn’t see her family’s car.
This had never happened before.
Their chauffeur would always be waiting for her by the school gates after class, regardless of whether she stayed after dismissal or not.
How could he miss out on such a special day?