MTL - 32

Come on, make a move while your eyes are on me and I still have the confidence.

— The Diary of a Little Rich Girl

At that time, Tang Ting was only eighteen years old. They had grown up together since childhood, and Tang Ting, in the throes of first love, would call out “Big Brother Huo” to Huo Chendong all day long.

Tang Yu and Huo Chendong were the same age, about five or six years older than Tang Ting. Back then, Tang Yu had just taken over Shiguang Pictures, and Huo Chendong, instead of focusing on his own business, came to help him. This circle was inherently complex, with more temptations and underhanded deals than other industries.

Huo Chendong was handsome, not a bad person, and very chivalrous. Aside from being quite promiscuous, he didn’t have any glaring flaws.

Tang Ting, who had been pampered since childhood, had a cute personality and was beautiful. Huo Chendong had indeed felt a little ticklish... Just as things started to bud, Tang Yu directly crushed it.

That day, Tang Ting was originally going to follow Huo Chendong for a three-day, two-night trip with a group of people.

Three days and two nights—with Huo Chendong’s promiscuous nature, there was no telling if he might seduce Tang Ting into bed.

At the time, Tang Yu, dressed casually, leaned indifferently against the wall watching Tang Ting excitedly prepare to get into the car with Huo Chendong. He directly called her back and said, neither cold nor warm: “If you dare touch Tang Ting even once, when you come back, I’ll make sure you clean up all your scandalous affairs. From then on, if any rumors turn out to be true,” he glanced towards Huo Chendong’s crotch, “I’ll break your leg so you can never get up.”

Tang Yu’s move was ruthless.

Huo Chendong was young at the time, having only recently started his promiscuous ways, naturally unwilling to give up an entire forest for one tree, especially Tang Yu’s sister. He didn’t want their relationship to sour either, so he immediately backed down: “I treat Ting Ting like a sister. You’re overthinking this, brother.”

Tang Ting was young at the time, and being confronted with such matters made her feel particularly humiliated. She burst into tears, turned around, ran home, locked herself in her room, and sulked for a whole day.

This incident was deliberately staged by Tang Yu for Tang Ting to see, letting her choose and understand whether Huo Chendong was worth it.

After that, Huo Chendong genuinely stopped seeing Tang Ting as a woman.

Tang Ting tried a few times to initiate something, but Huo Chendong always rebuffed her. He wouldn’t touch her at all, and eventually, it fizzled out.

Now, four years had passed.

What about Tang Ting? Apart from feeling angry and upset every time she saw his romantic scandals, it seemed she didn’t like him as much anymore, but her emotions were still affected. She picked up her water glass and took two gulps, then slammed it down angrily: “I’m just wondering how many more years he plans to keep fooling around?”

Tang Xin listened attentively to Tang Ting’s story, imagining Tang Yu’s expression as he nonchalantly threw those harsh words out.

“Don’t think about it. This man won’t change unless he’s too old to fool around anymore.”

Suddenly, a languid female voice came from behind.

Both Tang Xin and Tang Ting turned around. You Huan was leaning against the doorframe with her arms crossed, silently arriving and inadvertently hearing the entire story.

Tang Ting bit her lip, unwilling to give up: “Really?”

You Huan walked over and sat next to Tang Xin, glancing at her: “Really, unless you lock his pants for him.”

Tang Ting: “...”

Tang Xin was already used to You Huan’s directness and sharpness. Looking at Tang Ting’s pretty little face, she consoled her: “Forget it. There are big jerks everywhere. Let Mr. Huo continue to frolic in the flower fields. Don’t think about him.”

Tang Ting nodded dejectedly.

Tang Xin directly picked up the menu and smacked it on Tang Ting’s head: “Order! I’m treating.”

Tang Ting glared at her, grabbed the menu, and flipped through it while saying: “Tonight, we’re also drinking.”

She hadn’t forgotten that Tang Xin promised to go clubbing after dinner.

Tang Xin smiled sweetly: “Sure, drink as much as you like.”

You Huan looked at Tang Xin: “When are you joining the project team?”

“In a couple of days.”

Tang Xin had already scheduled a time with Lu Zhixing. In a couple of days, she would directly go to his studio. His action was swift; the project team was formed in just a few days.

You Huan raised an eyebrow: “Not bad, so fast.”

Tang Ting looked up at Tang Xin and muttered: “You’re so carefree, taking the copyright and running off, saying you quit your boss. My brother is so pitiful…”

Tang Xin smirked: “Little girl, you don’t understand.”

If you understood, you’d think I’m the pitiful one.

Tang Ting: “...”

Why did she sound like her brother?

…

The bar had a band and a DJ. Sometimes the music was loud, the crowd surged, and most women dressed revealingly.

Tang Xin followed You Huan onto the dance floor for a while, but a pervert touched her waist. She glanced at the slick-haired man and kicked him, then stepped out. The man became furious, rolled up his sleeves, and chased after her.

You Huan blocked him, smiling charmingly: “My sister has a bad temper, don’t mind her.”

Seeing You Huan looking so attractive, the man’s anger subsided a bit, leering: “Then will you dance with me?”

“Sure.” You Huan flicked her curly long hair.

Tang Xin looked back, and You Huan winked at her, indicating she could handle it.

She reassured herself and left.

As soon as she reached the bar counter, she saw little lamb Ting Ting had already drunk several cups. She was somewhat speechless—was this little girl here specifically to get drunk? She sat on a high stool and turned Tang Ting’s face to look at her.

Tang Ting still held a glass of wine in her hand, her eyes already slightly unfocused, frowning: “What do you want?”

Tang Xin looked at her: “I’m checking if you’re drunk. If you are, I’ll have to take you home.”

“I can call my driver…” Tang Ting hiccupped, her eyes starting to mist over, “Call my driver to pick me up.”

Tang Xin rolled her eyes. Little lamb’s tolerance wasn’t good, already drunk?

She helped her retrieve her phone and placed it in her hands: “Call now.”

Before she got so drunk that she couldn’t even dial the phone.

Tang Ting was somewhat drunk, but still relatively clear-headed. She murmured, flipping through recent calls to call her driver, but someone bumped her back. Her hand shook, accidentally dialing “Brother.”

The call went through.

She immediately hung up.

But it was too late; it had already rung once.

Tang Yu had just finished overtime work, put his phone in the central control box, and was about to drive when the phone rang. He picked it up, saw the caller, and hung up. What did Tang Ting want?

He called back.

Tang Ting sobered up a bit, scared. Her family kept a tight leash on her, especially her brother. She could spend money freely but couldn’t play too wildly. She glanced at Tang Xin, who winked at her, and reluctantly covered the receiver to answer. As soon as the call connected, Tang Yu frowned and asked sternly: “At the bar?”

Tang Ting quickly explained: “I was going to call my driver, but I accidentally dialed the wrong number.”

Tang Yu’s hand rested on the steering wheel, questioning: “With whom?”

“Sugarheart and Sister Huan…”

“Who?” Tang Yu didn’t hear clearly.

Tang Ting repeated loudly. Tang Yu’s eyes flickered, gripping the steering wheel and driving out: “Wait for me there.”

He hung up.

Tang Ting blinked at her phone, looking somewhat confused at Tang Xin: “My brother said he’s coming to pick me up.”

Tang Xin pretended nonchalantly: “Alright, good.”

Someone tapped her shoulder.

She turned around.

You Huan was back, picking up the glass in front of her and gulping it down.

Tang Xin watched Tang Ting’s somewhat hazy drunken state and suddenly felt mischievous, wanting to… pump little lamb for information. Coincidentally, the bar stopped the DJ, and the band singer, a hoarse female voice, sang emotional songs that tugged at the heartstrings.

She listened to one song, then looked at Tang Ting, who ordered another glass of wine, smiling sweetly: “Don’t be sad. My brother did it for your own good. If Mr. Huo weren’t so promiscuous, if he were a bit more restrained like your brother, he wouldn’t object.”

“Like my brother?” Tang Ting sneered, “Being like my brother isn’t necessarily good!”

Tang Xin’s heart skipped a beat. Not good? Could it be that some of Tang Yu’s news stories were true? She licked her lips: “Your brother… what’s not good?”

Tang Ting took a sip of wine, her flushed face turning to Tang Xin, starting to spill the beans: “My brother has had a lot of rules since he was young. It’s not entirely his fault. My uncle and grandfather were both soldiers, setting many rules for the men in the family. Most of them were about habits and character. My cousins are all relatively normal.” She paused, “My brother is a bit different. Since he was young, he’s only liked one type of girl—gentle, long-haired, soft-spoken ones like Ming Zhu.”

Tang Xin couldn’t help but roll her eyes.

Little lamb was stabbing her heart again.

She bit her lip, persistently asking: “No exceptions?”

Tang Ting shook her head: “None, at least I haven’t seen any…”

Damn, it hurt.

Tang Ting knocked on the table, leaning over mysteriously: “And, let me tell you, my brother categorizes his feelings into levels. I heard this from Big Brother Huo, but I think it makes sense.”

Tang Xin was curious: “What levels?”

“For example, if liking is rated out of ten, if he finds you interesting at first sight, he might chase you at five points.”

“…”

So, after spending over a year by Tang Yu’s side, his liking for her was still below five points?

Tang Xin emotionlessly replied: “Then what?”

Tang Ting: “At six points, he starts taking action, really chasing you.”

Tang Xin glanced at You Huan.

You Huan snorted, muttering: “Dog man.”

Tang Xin forced a smile: “What about seven points?”

Tang Ting: “At seven points, he wants to kiss you; at eight points, he feels an impulse towards you, maybe wanting to sleep with you; at nine points, he definitely wants to marry you…”

She intentionally paused, winking at Tang Xin and You Huan.

Waiting for them to ask.

Tang Xin’s heart was already riddled with holes. She managed a faint smile: “What about ten points?”

Tang Ting giggled, leaning on Tang Xin’s shoulder, slapping the table and boldly declaring: “If he likes you ten points, it’s like in novels. If you kiss him, he’ll give you his life. Everything he owns becomes yours.”

Tang Xin smiled, suddenly feeling unbearable heartache.

These words sounded silly when Tang Ting said them, but they were quite swoon-worthy.

Too bad she’d never know what Tang Yu’s ten-point love looked like. She didn’t want his life or his money, just him.

But…

She couldn’t even reach his five-point affection.

Tang Xin thought about it. Was Tang Yu’s affection for Ming Zhu stuck at six points?

She nudged Tang Ting: “How many seven-point loves has he had?”

Tang Ting tilted her head and thought: “Two or three, maybe. It’s hard for others to pursue him unless they happen to be his type, leading to a quick connection. But after being together, if their values clash 

, they’ll break up.”

Tang Xin blinked: “So you’re saying he’s had three relationships?”

Tang Ting: “Seems like it…”

Actually, she wasn’t entirely sure, but she knew for certain that he had dated before.

Tang Xin took a sip of her drink, glanced at Tang Ting, and continued fishing for information in a casual tone: “What about eight-point love? Has he ever reached that level?”

This time, Tang Ting shook her head: “I don’t think so. If he had been that intimate with someone, given his personality, he probably would’ve introduced them to our parents and grandparents.”

Tang Xin’s eyes lit up, suddenly excited: “Does that mean Tang Yu is still a virgin?”

Tang Ting: “...”

You Huan: “...”

Tang Ting opened her mouth, unable to resist commenting: “We all went through the same nine years of compulsory education, but how are you so good at getting straight to the point…?”

“I’m just smarter than you!” Tang Xin laughed smugly.

Tang Ting snorted. She wasn’t dumb either, okay? After thinking for a moment, she felt that being a 28-year-old virgin might not be something to be proud of. Looking at Huo Chendong, that playboy who had probably slept with countless women, she added hesitantly: “Well… I’m not really clear about my brother’s private life. I’m just guessing. It’s not certain.”

You Huan glanced at Tang Xin, whose eyes were sparkling with curiosity, and muttered: “Pathetic.”

Tang Xin happily ordered another drink. She wanted to celebrate with a toast.

When the time was right, the three of them left the bar. By then, Tang Ting, under the influence of alcohol, was already somewhat tipsy. Tang Xin and You Huan helped her out, supporting her as they walked. You Huan had already arranged designated drivers for herself and Tang Xin in advance, so they headed toward the car while supporting the slightly drunk Tang Ting.

Leaning on You Huan, Tang Ting whispered accusingly: “Sister Huan, let me tell you, Sugarheart has a dark heart!”

Tang Xin: “...”

She heard that, alright?

“Where exactly is my heart dark? It’s pure white, okay?”

“You have a dark heart!”

The little lamb stood up, swaying unsteadily as she stumbled over.

Caught off guard by the sudden impact, Tang Xin lost her balance and stumbled backward, falling into a pair of firm arms. Her slender waist, exposed by her outfit, was suddenly enveloped by a warm, dry hand, pulling her tightly against a broad chest.

The man looked down at her, his expression calm, and spoke in a deep voice:

“Drunk?”