MTL - 53

I never imagined that one day Tang Yu would force me to eat Tang Seng’s flesh again. Truly, the wheel of fortune turns.

— From The Diary of a Little Tyrant

A deathly silence filled the room.

Tang Yu’s face darkened, his jaw clenched tight as he stared at Gao Heng and said in a low voice, “What did you just say?”

Gao Heng once again witnessed a new height of Tang Yu’s infamous black face. He steeled himself and nodded. “Yes. She’s probably changing clothes at home and will leave soon.” He paused, mustering courage before adding, “Boss Tang, do you want to stop her?”

Tang Yu let out a cold laugh. “Of course I’m going to stop her.”

Did they think he was dead?

How could he sit idly by and watch her go on a blind date with another man?

Tang Xin had just finished changing into her outfit and was standing in front of the mirror about to touch up her makeup when her phone rang incessantly. She glanced down—it was Tang Yu calling.

That bootlicker Gao Heng!

She knew he’d snitch!

Tang Xin stared at the screen for a moment, switched the phone to vibrate mode, and continued applying mascara in front of the mirror.

Tang Yu leaned back on the couch, his icy gaze fixed on his phone as he repeatedly dialed her number. Never in his life had he imagined he’d be making desperate, non-stop calls to a woman.

Gao Heng stood silently beside him, suddenly feeling sympathy for Boss Tang.

Miss Tang Xin was truly a ruthless woman.

On the tenth attempt, the call finally stopped.

Tang Xin had just finished applying her lip gloss and was about to add lipstick when a WeChat message popped up.

Tang Yu: “Come over in three minutes. If you don’t come, I’ll go find you.”

“…”

So he was threatening her now? Tang Xin had initially felt a twinge of guilt from the constant vibrations of her phone, but now she was just angry. How dare he threaten her!

Outside, Zhong Lijun urged impatiently, “Xin Xin, hurry up with your makeup! The traffic will get worse soon!”

Tang Xin glared at her phone for three seconds, then grabbed it and opened the door, walking out. She looked at her parents and forced a smile. “I’ll just go next door for a bit. There’s something work-related I need to discuss.”

She had already mentioned their collaboration earlier, so saying they had a work relationship wouldn’t raise suspicion.

“What’s so urgent that it has to be discussed now?” Zhong Lijun complained.

“His assistant is here. Maybe there’s an issue with the contract or the script. I’ll only be gone for a few minutes,” Tang Xin lied calmly, rushing toward the door and tossing back, “I’ll be right back!”

The door across the hall was slightly ajar.

Tang Xin sneered inwardly and pushed it open, stepping inside.

Gao Heng stood next to the couch, looking very upright as he said, “Miss Tang, Boss Tang is waiting for you in the study.”

Tang Xin shot him a glare. “Gao Assistant, you’re really… such a bootlicker! So over-the-top! What good does this do for you?”

Gao Heng adjusted his glasses and replied sincerely, “Sorry, but since Boss Tang pays my salary, I have to prioritize his interests.”

“…”

Bootlicker!

There was no reasoning with him.

Tang Xin stormed toward the study. Tang Yu stood leaning against the desk, arms crossed and expression stormy. As soon as she opened the door, their eyes met—his icy gaze locking onto hers.

In that moment, she couldn’t help but feel a flicker of guilt.

Tang Yu frowned as he took in her bright yellow strapless dress and meticulously styled appearance. His expression grew even darker as he asked, “You’re going on a blind date?”

Tang Xin bristled at his accusatory tone and lifted her chin defiantly. “Is that not allowed?”

She hadn’t closed the door behind her, thinking leaving it open…

would make her feel safer.

After all, the most awkward moment—the forced kiss—had already been witnessed by Gao Heng. Hearing a few more arguments wouldn’t matter, especially since the apartment’s soundproofing wasn’t great. Even if the door were closed, they’d likely still hear everything.

Tang Yu stared at her, his voice low and firm. “Tang Xin, I’m pursuing you.”

Tang Xin hated it when Tang Yu acted so high-handed with her. She stepped closer, tilting her head up and smiling mockingly at him. “I’m single right now. Just because you’re pursuing me doesn’t mean I don’t have the right to choose. It’s not like you’re the only one chasing me. There’s even an assistant director in our office who’s interested in me.”

Another man pursuing her?

Tang Yu’s gaze hardened. He dropped his hands into his pockets, turned his face away, and took a deep breath to suppress his anger and jealousy.

After half a minute, he turned back to her. His expression had grown calm, his gaze steady as he quietly asked, “Can you not go?”

Tang Xin had always been someone who responded better to gentleness than force. She bit her lip and lowered her head. “No, I’ve already agreed to go. Besides, my mom said Lin Zhengxu is exactly my type. He might even be better-looking than you.”

“And if I don’t let you go?”

“…”

She raised her head and glared at him. “What gives you the right to stop me? You even asked me to help you chase Ming Zhu before. Now that I’m single, why can’t I go on a blind date? I…”

Her words caught in her throat as her chin was suddenly pinched between his fingers.

Tang Yu frowned at her, restraining himself as he asked, “If I let you go on this blind date, does that mean we’re even?”

With her chin trapped, Tang Xin let out a soft “Ah” and fell silent.

After a while, she swatted his hand away, but it didn’t budge. She glared at him.

Tang Yu smirked faintly. “Hmm?”

Sick.

Who would settle things this way?

She grabbed his hand and tried to pull it down, but it wouldn’t budge. Deliberately trying to provoke him, she said, “I helped you for over a year!”

Tang Yu pressed his lips tightly together, released her, and fell silent.

The silence lasted for about half a minute, during which Tang Xin grew inexplicably tense, sensing the calm before the storm. She bit her lip and said, “I should go back. My parents are waiting for me.” With that, she steeled herself and turned to leave.

The next second, her wrist was grabbed.

Her entire body was yanked backward with such force that her slipper flew off, leaving her barefoot as she collided with his hard chest. She caught the faint scent of his shower gel mingling with his masculine presence, invading her senses completely.

Bam!

Her phone clattered to the floor.

Then came the clattering sound of a pencil holder being knocked over, scattering its contents across the floor.

The commotion was loud enough to make Gao Heng, who had been keeping his head down in the living room, look up instinctively.

Tang Xin was pinned against the desk, her waist arching backward involuntarily. Her vision went black as Tang Yu crashed his lips onto hers without warning. His kiss was fierce and unrestrained, his tongue plunging in without giving her any chance to react or resist. It was punishing, retaliatory, and brutally passionate.

It hurt.

But it also sent tingles through her, making her limbs go limp.

Her shoulders trembled uncontrollably, the elegant lines of her collarbone quivering with emotion.

“Tang…” She managed to whimper faintly.

The next instant, her voice was swallowed whole.

This kiss was nothing like the cold indifference he’d shown her before, when she’d bitten and nibbled but received no response. This time, Tang Yu’s kiss was fiery and devastating. One hand gripped her slender waist while the other held the back of her head. Every whimper she made was swallowed, her voice completely silenced.

Her phone vibrated insistently on the floor.

Tang Xin regained some clarity and tried to pinch his waist, but her hands were caught and pinned behind her back. The kiss grew even fiercer.

The young woman melted completely, their breathing growing ragged. Finally, he bit her once more, his forehead pressing against hers as he rasped heavily, “Little Tyrant, I never take losses. A three-minute kiss—I’ll take it back.”

Her mind reeled with the thought, So this is what it’s like when Tang Yu takes the initiative. His words jolted her back to reality, and she glared at him, instinctively protesting, “I only kissed you for two minutes!”

As soon as she spoke, she realized her voice was hoarse too.

“Oh.”

His voice was low, husky, and undeniably sexy. She saw the corners of his lips curve into a handsome smirk. “The extra minute? Consider it a gift.”

He added softly, “If you feel wronged, you can always take it back.”

Tang Xin: “….”

She took a deep breath and pushed him with all her strength.

Tang Yu didn’t budge an inch. Then, the phone on the floor rang again.

Next came the sound of someone pounding on the door. Tang Dawei’s voice boomed, “Xin Xin!”

Both of them froze momentarily. Tang Xin pushed him away and hastily adjusted her dress, panic setting in as though she were about to be caught by her parents for doing something forbidden. Tang Yu took a step back, his gaze lingering on her as he exhaled deeply. He picked up her still-vibrating phone from the floor and handed it to her, his voice low. “Tell them you’re busy. You can go back in three minutes.”

She took the phone and answered the call. “Mom, I…”

Before she could finish, Tang Yu pulled her back, his gaze teasing and mischievous. When their eyes met, Tang Xin suddenly realized the playful arrogance in his expression. She yanked her hand free, her face flushing red as she lowered her head and walked out, heading toward the guest bathroom. “I’m in the study discussing something. I’ll be right back.”

Leaning against the desk, Tang Yu watched her calmly fabricate an excuse, a faint smirk tugging at the corners of his lips.

So be it. At least this way, his heart felt a little more at ease.

The knocking had stopped.

Gao Heng, who had been standing behind the door ready to block anyone from entering, stepped out. Tang Xin fixed her hair in the restroom, splashed some water on her face, and made sure she looked presentable before stepping out—only to collide directly with Gao Heng. She paused, then glared at him fiercely. “What are you looking at? Haven’t you ever seen someone get revenge?”

Gao Heng: “….”

He calmly shook his head. “Never.”

Such audacity!

Tang Xin ignored him, pulling open the door and leaving. Back home, Zhong Lijun and Tang Dawei scolded her for a while. She kept her head down, pretending to be in a hurry. “I need to grab my bag and reapply my lipstick. I’ll be right back.”

It took her three minutes to quickly touch up her makeup and lipstick before finally stepping out under the watchful eyes of her parents.

Zhong Lijun and Tang Dawei gave her several reminders, watching her enter the elevator before closing the door.

Tang Yu grabbed the car keys from the coffee table and glanced at his assistant, who was wearing an earnest expression. He let out a self-deprecating chuckle. It seemed that his assistant had witnessed every embarrassing moment.

In the underground parking garage.

As soon as Tang Xin’s car pulled out, the Maybach followed closely behind.

It wasn’t until they were nearing the restaurant that she noticed the car was still tailing her. She immediately called him. “Tang Yu, why are you following me?”

Tang Yu watched her car turn, glanced up at the Western restaurant ahead, and spoke indifferently. “Just wanted to see if the man you’re meeting is better-looking than me.”

Tang Xin snapped, “Are you insane?”

Tang Yu paused, completely abandoning any pretense of dignity, and sneered. “If I am, will you cure me?”

She hung up on him instantly.

This was the first time Tang Xin had been late to meet someone.

Ten minutes late.

Lin Zhengxu had chosen the location, and Tang Xin mentally gave him high marks. The Western restaurant had an excellent ambiance, elegant and refined, perfect for a date or a classy blind date. As she walked along the window-side seating, she spotted a man dressed in a white shirt, two buttons undone, lounging casually in his chair.

He smiled as he watched her approach. Tang Xin hesitated for a moment before walking over.

Lin Zhengxu stood up. Tall and handsome, he greeted her with a smile. “Tang Xin?”

Looking at him, Tang Xin couldn’t deny that Zhong Lijun had an uncanny understanding of her preferences. Lin Zhengxu was indeed very attractive. In her mind, she compared him to Tang Yu. Tang Yu was colder, with a slightly different aura.

Tang Xin smiled. “Sorry, I’m late.”

“It’s fine. Waiting a little for a lady is expected. Please, take a seat.”

“Thank you.”

After they sat down, Lin Zhengxu courteously invited her to order first.

Tang Xin didn’t hesitate. She had visited this restaurant several times and knew what she liked. After ordering her favorite dishes, she handed the menu over to him.

Lin Zhengxu smiled and told the waiter, “Same as hers, please.”

Once the waiter left, Lin Zhengxu turned to her and apologized with a smile. “I just arrived in Beijing not long ago, and the company has been incredibly busy. I’m sorry it took nearly half a month to meet.”

Tang Xin quickly replied, “It’s fine. I’ve been busy too.”

Lin Zhengxu chuckled. “I saw your novel trending on Weibo. I read it—it’s excellent. I’m looking forward to the movie release. Let me book a private screening for you, and invite friends and colleagues to watch it.”

Tang Xin was pleasantly surprised and thanked him profusely. “Thank you so much.”

This man truly knew how to charm.

At thirty, Lin Zhengxu wasn’t as aloof as Tang Yu but was exceptionally skilled at conversation. Their topics ranged from Weibo trends to her book and even the movie script, ensuring there were no awkward silences.

However…

When the waiter brought their food, a familiar voice suddenly sounded behind Tang Xin. “We changed the location last minute. I hope President Liu doesn’t mind.”

President Liu replied, “Of course not. Western cuisine is great, and the environment is perfect for discussions.”

Tang Xin paused, frowning involuntarily. She hadn’t expected Tang Yu to actually show up.

She had never seen him conduct business meetings in a Western restaurant unless it was in a private room!

Lin Zhengxu seemed to notice her unease and asked with a smile, “Is something wrong?”

Tang Xin turned back, forcing an awkward smile. “Nothing. Where were we?”

Lin Zhengxu didn’t suspect anything. After all, who would imagine that a blind date would come with a trailing wolf? He grinned. “I was saying how busy work has been lately. Let’s exchange WeChat so we can stay in touch.”

They already knew each other’s phone numbers, but Tang Xin’s WeChat wasn’t linked to her phone, so they couldn’t add each other directly.

“Oh, okay.” Tang Xin pulled out her phone, opened her QR code, and handed it to him. “You scan mine.”

Behind her.

Gao Heng could feel the oppressive atmosphere emanating from Tang Yu, making President Liu visibly nervous. Was the contract negotiation falling apart?

Tang Yu held his wine glass, glanced at President Liu, and spoke indifferently. “I’ve seen the film. It’s good. Screening it at Time Shadow Cinemas shouldn’t be a problem. The number of showtimes will be decided in a meeting.”

President Liu breathed a sigh of relief and quickly thanked him. “Thank you, Mr. Tang. You’ve been a great help.”

After dinner, it was only eight o’clock.

Lin Zhengxu glanced at his phone and looked up at Tang Xin. “Would you like to catch a movie across the street?”

There was a Time Shadow Cinema just across the way.

Tang Xin hesitated but smiled. “Sure. There’s a movie I’ve been meaning to watch but haven’t had the chance.”

Lin Zhengxu checked and found that there were still tickets available for the VIP lounge. He booked them, and the two got up to leave.

As they exited, Tang Xin didn’t dare look back, but she could feel someone’s intense gaze boring into her back, as if trying to burn a hole through her. Even Lin Zhengxu felt it. Standing near the revolving piano in the restaurant, he instinctively turned his head.

His eyes met those of the man lounging in the chair.

Tang Yu stared at him unapologetically, his gaze cold and unwelcoming.

Their eyes locked for only three or four seconds, but the unspoken tension between men was palpable. Lin Zhengxu, being thirty years old, understood perfectly. He chuckled softly, lowered his head, and turned to leave.

As they reached the entrance, Lin Zhengxu glanced down at Tang Xin and chuckled.

Tang Xin frowned. “Why… are you laughing?”

Lin Zhengxu shook his head, smiling. “Nothing. I just think a beautiful girl like you must have many suitors.”

Tang Xin paused, unsure if he had sensed something or was merely testing her. After a moment, she smiled. “Does having suitors mean I can’t go on blind dates?”

“Of course not.” Lin Zhengxu smirked. “Let’s go watch the movie.”

With that statement alone, Tang Xin decided Lin Zhengxu wasn’t a bad guy.

…

It was nearly eleven when Tang Xin drove into the neighborhood. As she descended into the garage, she saw the headlights of the Maybach still on. Her grip tightened on the steering wheel, feeling as though predators awaited her ahead.

Tang Xin was usually skilled at parking, but tonight she inexplicably turned the steering wheel wrong twice.

Glancing in the rearview mirror, she caught sight of a man’s long, elegant fingers extending out the car window, holding a cigarette with its glowing red tip.

Tang Yu leaned casually against his car, exhaling a puff of smoke. His expression was indifferent as he watched her struggle to park, eventually nudging the car into the spot. He turned his head to look at her.

After finally managing to park, Tang Xin turned off the engine and removed the key. As she turned her head, her gaze couldn’t tear away.

Two buttons undone on his collar, she could see the clear outline of his Adam’s apple from the side. His eyes, dark as night, bore into hers.

Tang Xin’s heart skipped a beat, tightening painfully as if struck by an arrow.

It was still the same person.

But somehow, the way he made her feel had changed.

She couldn’t pinpoint exactly what had shifted.

They sat in their respective cars, staring at each other.

Tang Yu lowered his head, extinguished his cigarette, and looked up at her with feigned nonchalance. “Who’s better-looking? Me or him?”

Tang Xin: “….”

She grabbed her bag and opened the car door. Tang Yu quickly followed, and they walked toward the elevator, one in front of the other.

Tang Yu’s hands were tucked into his pockets, taking two quick strides to catch up with her. From behind, he pressed the elevator button and looked down at the two small whorls on top of her head, his tone cold. “Hm? Who’s better-looking? Me or him?”

Tang Xin: “….”

The elevator doors opened, and she stepped inside, turning to look at him. “Tang Yu.”

“Mm.”

“Idiot.”

Tang Yu casually pressed the elevator button, glanced down at her, and instinctively didn’t respond. Sure enough, a second later, the little girl smiled sweetly and said, “Of course he’s better-looking than you. Do you really think you’re that handsome…?”

Suddenly, her chubby face was pinched. She held her breath and blinked.

Tang Yu stared at her coldly, then pinched her dimple again, continuing until she was stunned before letting go. He watched the numbers on the elevator change. “I’m better-looking than him.”

“Narcissist.” Tang Xin frowned and touched the spot on her right cheek where Tang Yu had pinched her, feeling a bit strange...

The elevator doors opened.

The two stepped out, and Tang Yu grabbed her hand, looking deeply into her eyes with an intensity stronger than ever before. “If you want to date someone, try dating me. I’m better-looking than him, my physique is better, my net worth is higher, and I can give you anything you want…” He paused. “Stop contacting him.”

Tang Xin’s heart raced under his gaze. She lowered her eyes and huffed. “How do you know your physique is better than his? Such a narcissist.”

No one brags about themselves like that. She knew Tang Yu regularly went to the gym; he even had a room at home with a treadmill and some basic fitness equipment. His physique was undoubtedly impressive. Once, she couldn’t help but ask him, “You’re so busy, yet you still find time to work out. Are you afraid of becoming a beer-bellied CEO?”

At the time, Tang Yu glanced at her and said indifferently, “No. Men in the Tang family are mocked if they don’t have abs.”

Because Tang Yu’s grandfather and uncle were both military men, the boys in the family had been raised with strict discipline. Every man in the family paid attention to physical training.

But what if Lin Zhengxu also had an eight-pack under his shirt?

Tang Yu paused, then chuckled softly. “Want to see?”

Tang Xin: “...”

She looked up at him in shock.

Just then, the sharp ring of a phone suddenly pierced through the hallway.

Ka-chak.

The door lock turned.

Tang Xin quickly pulled her hand back, and both of them turned to look at the entrance. Tang Dawei stood at the door, looking momentarily stunned upon seeing them. Tang Xin hurried over and explained, “We bumped into each other in the elevator.”

Tang Yu looked at Tang Dawei and greeted him calmly. “Uncle.”

Tang Dawei glanced at him and shut the door. As soon as they entered, Zhong Lijun rushed over to ask eagerly, “How was it? How did it go?”

Tang Xin looked at her and nodded. “Mm, he’s handsome.”

Zhong Lijun smiled contentedly. “Didn’t I say he’d be your type? You two should stay in touch.”

Tang Xin casually agreed, then returned to her room to check WeChat. Lin Zhengxu had messaged her.

Lin Zhengxu: “Are you home yet?”

Tang Xin replied that she had arrived, exhausted, and collapsed onto her bed, burying her face in the pillow. Suddenly, her mind exploded with thoughts of the fiery, deadly kiss from earlier that afternoon.

Her eyes snapped open, staring unfocused at the small white flowers on the quilt as Tang Dingding’s words echoed in her mind—

“If he likes you seven out of ten, he’ll kiss you.”