MTL - 71

Tang Yu’s nine-tenths affection is somewhat crazy.

But I am still not satisfied; I am a greedy little tyrant.

— “Little Sugar Heart’s Diary”

The living room light was bright, illuminating her fair face. Her eyes were like they had been washed with water, slightly moist, and her lips were a clean pink.

Tang Yu’s eyes were deep and black. Without waiting for her response, he lowered his head into the crook of her neck, his warm lips pressing against her delicate white neck. He inhaled her clean and pleasant scent, feeling her body tremble lightly.

“This kind of bullying is acceptable,” she whispered softly.

“Which kind?” He nibbled at the tip of her ear, his laughter low and leisurely, deliberately teasing her, “Anything goes?”

“...”

Her whole body tingled and went limp. She felt quite useless, as Tang Yu could easily turn her into putty with just a slight touch. Unable to bear his teasing, she angrily turned her head and bit his lip, answering with action. This was the first time Tang Yu touched her body so intimately without restraint. Even when their kisses were passionate before, his hands always stayed decently over her clothes, touching only her back or waist. Now, it was different.

She clung to him like an octopus, hugging his hard, heated body tightly, kissing him without any technique.

On the sofa, their bodies pressed tightly together. Tang Yu felt that he was somewhat irrational tonight, even crazily out of control. When Tang Xin felt pain, she dizzily remembered that she hadn’t worn a bra after her bath, and he must have noticed...

His fiery breath tickled her ear as she gasped, her mind chaotic, thinking one thing after another.

“Tang Yu, do you still need to recuperate?”

“...”

Tang Yu bit the tip of her ear, hugged her waist, and lifted her up. His usually pitch-black eyes had a hint of crimson, revealing desire. But his rationality returned. He adjusted her clothes, smoothed her messy long hair, and chuckled helplessly with an affirmative hum.

Then, he scooped her up horizontally. She wrapped her arms around his neck, nuzzling her cheek against his warm neck.

Tang Yu took a deep breath, tucked her into bed, caressing her cheeks a few times, his voice hoarse as he said, “Sleep now. I’ll be back in two or three days.”

She bit her lip and nodded.

The light clicked off.

The man stood up and walked toward the door.

“I’ll wait for you to come back.”

A soft voice came from behind.

Tang Yu paused, turned to look. The light from the door crack spilled into the bedroom. Her eyes sparkled like stars, tender and gentle. His heart tightened abruptly, his throat rolled, and he smiled softly, “Alright.”

That night, perhaps because Tang Yu had teased her too much, Tang Xin had a vivid dream. She woke up drenched in sweat, weak and powerless all over. Most importantly, her stomach hurt terribly, and she realized she had started menstruating in her dream...

Recently, she had been very busy, and her period was irregular. Perhaps influenced by her previous hospital stay, this time it was particularly painful. With no energy, she struggled to get up and tidy herself. By the time she reached the office, she was an hour late.

Tang Xin thought sometimes her luck wasn’t good. Today, she was tormented by her period and felt so frail, yet she happened to bump into the dazzling Lu Chuning right at the company entrance.

Lu Chuning didn’t hide anything. Her complexion was fair and beautiful, her figure tall and slender, followed by two assistants and a manager.

In contrast, to keep warm, Tang Xin wore a thick sweater, down jacket, and snow boots.

Tang Xin straightened her back, composed, and approached with a smile, saying brightly, “Miss Lu, what brings you here?”

“Signing a contract.”

Lu Chuning smiled gently, her gaze unintentionally sweeping over Tang Xin.

At this moment, Lu Zhixing emerged from the office and laughed, “You’re early. Come sit in my office.”

Tang Xin never expected Lu Chuning to personally come to the studio to sign a contract, considering it was just a cameo role, and she was such a big star. She didn’t say anything, just smiled and walked into the office. Before entering, she heard Lu Chuning ask with a laugh, “Was that Tangxin earlier? Why didn’t Director Lu introduce us?”

Lu Zhixing smiled carelessly, “She will come over later.”

Expressionless, Tang Xin took off her coat, revealing only a white sweater and a cashmere skirt underneath. Her makeup today was light, but she reapplied lipstick, choosing a brighter shade before going over with Feng Cheng.

Feng Cheng was one of the few people in the company who knew about her relationship with Tang Yu. He had also seen the gossip on Weibo and couldn’t help but remind her, “It’s normal for men to have some past. Don’t think too much about it. As long as you’re happy together now, that’s what matters.”

Tang Xin glanced at him, enduring another wave of abdominal pain, and said with a smile: “What am I overthinking about? If I’m unhappy, I can just fire her.”

Feng Cheng: “...”

As they both looked up, they saw Lu Chuning’s assistant glaring at them.

Tang Xin remained calm, smiling faintly. She hadn’t mentioned any names, after all.

The contract signing went smoothly.

Lu Chuning stood up and smiled: “Pleasure working with you.”

Lu Zhixing also pulled out a chair and laughed: “Pleasure working with you. Let me see you downstairs.”

But she turned to Tang Xin and asked with a smile: “Tang Xin, could you give me a signed book?”

“Of course.” Tang Xin smiled naturally; almost everyone’s desk had a copy of her book.

There were two brand-new copies in Lu Zhixing’s office. He took one from the table, tore off the plastic wrap, and handed it to her. Tang Xin opened the title page, picked up a pen from the table, and looked at Lu Chuning: “Do you have any special wishes for the dedication?”

Lu Chuning paused, blinked, and said: “Wish me to get rid of my single status soon.”

Without changing her expression, Tang Xin smiled, scribbled two lines on the title page—

Wishing Ningning to find love soon

And have precious children early

Then, she cheerfully handed it over: “Alright, I remember you saying on the show that you really like kids. This is my blessing to you.”

When Lu Chuning saw “have precious children early,” her smile stiffened. She was 28 years old, considered young among actresses, and at the peak of her career. How could she possibly think about having children?

Everyone had varied expressions. Lu Zhixing coughed lightly: “Let me see you downstairs. I’ll treat you another day.”

Lu Chuning didn’t look too pleased, handed the book to her assistant, glanced at Tang Xin, and smiled: “Thank you.” She didn’t say more and turned to leave.

After getting into the car, Lu Chuning frowned at the book, feeling very upset. Her assistant leaned over and said a few words, making her even more displeased. Previously, Tang Yu had mentioned he was pursuing someone difficult to win over. She never expected it to be Tang Xin or that Tang Xin would be this kind of person.

So arrogant.

She even said she could fire her.

Her manager glanced at her: “I’ve said before, even for a cameo, it’s not worth it. I don’t have high hopes for this movie.”

Lu Chuning looked out the window and sighed softly: “Never mind, the contract is already signed.”

...

Tang Xin clutched her stomach and returned to the office. When Lu Zhixing came back downstairs, he deliberately checked on her. Seeing her lying on the table, he was startled and quickly asked: “You’re not crying, are you?”

She propped herself up and looked at him speechlessly: “You’re overthinking. How could I cry?”

If anyone should cry, it should be Lu Chuning, right?

Lu Zhixing kept his hands in his pockets, thinking of what she wrote, and found it amusing: “She probably regrets signing the contract now.”

Tang Xin earnestly replied: “Director Lu, it’s not my fault.”

Lu Zhixing lazily leaned against the desk, raising an eyebrow with a smile: “Who would dare blame you? Our whole family relies on you for our livelihood now.”

Tang Xin: “...”

That night, when she talked to Tang Yu on the phone, she mentioned this incident. Tang Yu was silent for a few seconds, then said helplessly: “I hope you’re happy.”

Tang Xin pouted: “Of course I am. I didn’t lose.”

Tang Yu leaned back into his chair, not wanting to continue the topic, and deliberately lowered his voice: “Do you miss me?”

The other side was silent for a second, her voice softened, whispering: “Yes.”

She started being honest.

Tang Yu chuckled silently.

...

The next evening, a marketing account suddenly posted a Weibo with accompanying pictures of Tang Xin and Tang Yu. The photos were somewhat blurry, taken downstairs in the residential complex. It was unclear when they were taken, and Tang Xin’s face wasn’t very clear, perhaps intentionally blurred.

However, Tang Yu’s face was clear, easily recognizable as him.

Soon, this Weibo post trended.

#Tang Yu’s Girlfriend#

#Lu Chuning Tang Yu#

#Tang Yu and Mysterious Girlfriend#

...

Weibo’s trending topics exploded instantly.

“This doesn’t look like Lu Chuning. Lu Chuning’s hair is longer and she’s taller, right?”

“So, all those rumors about Lu Chuning and Tang Yu being together were false? Was Lu Chuning just using him for publicity?”

“Why not say this woman intervened between Lu Chuning and Tang Yu? I found a clearer photo somewhere else. Look who this is? Doesn’t she look a bit like... Tangxin?”

“It really is Tangxin, no doubt about it!”

“Holy crap! This is big news. Tang Yu and Tangxin together?”

...

Tang Xin’s Weibo was immediately attacked, mostly with insults. When she saw it, she had just returned home and was about to order takeout when You Huan called, asking her to check her Weibo: “Don’t you think your Tang CEO should give you some explanation and publicly declare your relationship? Always letting you be scolded by Lu Chuning’s fans isn’t a solution.”

“What?”

Tang Xin didn’t quite understand.

“Go check your Weibo yourself.”

You Huan hung up directly.

Tang Xin opened Weibo and realized she was trending. Somehow, the narrative shifted to her supposedly intervening in Lu Chuning and Tang Yu’s relationship. Her Weibo messages and comments exploded, filled with Lu Chuning’s fans coming over to curse her.

“I used to like you. I was so happy when Ningning said she would make a cameo in ‘A Dream For You.’ Never expected you to be such a person!”

“Ningning is a hundred times prettier than you. How dare you!”

“Ugly! Is Tang Yu blind to fall for you! You’re not even worthy to tie Ningning’s shoes! Get lost!!”

...

She skimmed through them, seething with anger.

Are these fans crazy?!

She directly closed Weibo, out of sight, out of mind.

Sitting on the couch, pondering whether to call Tang Yu, another video was exposed on Weibo’s trending topics. It was from Tang Yu’s recent recorded program.

Netizens went wild. They hadn’t finished digesting the previous news, and here came the truth.

“Holy crap! This must be the fastest face-slapping ever! Tang Yu clearly referred to his girlfriend’s book and the first screenplay movie, meaning Tangxin, right?”

“It’s Tangxin! So, Lu Chuning was just hyping herself up before?”

“She’s like a clown. Does her face hurt? Fans’ behavior is so ugly! Who’s the shameless one?”

“This announcement is so domineering! I’m crying! Investing in a movie that doesn’t align with the company’s investment direction for his girlfriend! Crying for this perfect love!”