Chapter 135: Player 7

Tang Shiyu and Nan Xu simultaneously turned their heads and shot her a fierce glare. Yu Liuxue immediately shut her mouth with an awkward smile, obediently cradling her bowl and taking small bites of ramen, putting on an air of detached innocence, as if none of this had anything to do with her.

Nan Xu bit her lip in regret. She finally saw through it—Jian Yin had done this on purpose. She must have known long ago that Tang Shiyu would be coming back, and had deliberately timed her visit to Nan Xu’s home to make Tang Shiyu misunderstand their relationship again. All to stir up hostility in Tang Shiyu’s heart and ultimately defeat her completely.

Pressing her lips together, Nan Xu, driven by urgency, instinctively stepped forward two paces toward Tang Shiyu. “CEO Tang, don’t listen to her nonsense. I just…”

“Just…” The more Nan Xu tried to explain, the more flustered and tongue-tied she became, unable to come up with a convincing excuse. Even Yu Liuxue grew anxious watching her. Seeing the shimmer of tears in Nan Xu’s eyes, she quickly stepped in with a heartache-filled voice, “What, now I have to report to you whenever I invite my bestie over to hang out?”

Tang Shiyu and Nan Xu both turned to her with wide, incredulous eyes. Bestie?!

The sun must be rising in the west today¹.

Tang Shiyu’s brow furrowed so tightly it could crush a fly. “Since when did you two become so close?”

Nan Xu’s heart started pounding like a drum, nerves tightening with every beat. Could Tang Shiyu have found something out? Did Jian Yin tell her what happened between them at the hotel? Especially about the child…

Her fingers clenched tightly, regret flooding her chest. Why had she let her guard down again? Why had she fallen into Jian Yin’s trap once more?

Yu Liuxue slurped her noodles and blinked innocently. “Just now.”

Tang Shiyu: “…”

Nan Xu nearly collapsed on the spot. Tang Shiyu’s expression visibly darkened. Before things could spiral any further out of control, Nan Xu decisively excused herself. “CEO Tang, I still have unfinished work at the office, so I’ll be heading out…”

Tang Shiyu looked at her coolly and gave a slight nod. “Make sure you finish everything you delayed today. Work overtime if you have to.”

A wave of disappointment swept through Nan Xu’s heart. “Understood.”

She looked up at Tang Shiyu one last time, unwilling to give up, only to see that Tang Shiyu’s gaze was fixed solely on Yu Liuxue, who was sitting cross-legged on the cushion, eating ramen. As she brushed past Tang Shiyu, her red lips pressed into a bitter line, her heart aching.

Why wouldn’t she look back at her? Just once. Even a single glance would have been enough.

Was Jian Yin really that wonderful, so irresistible that she couldn’t let her go?

After Nan Xu left, Tang Shiyu, surprisingly, didn’t go after Yu Liuxue to scold her. Instead, she quietly slipped into the kitchen. Yu Liuxue watched her while munching on her noodles. Suddenly, her sharp eyes caught sight of a small box in Tang Shiyu’s hand. The packaging looked familiar, tied with a pretty pink ribbon.

Yu Liuxue’s eyes lit up. She immediately dropped her chopsticks and dashed over, blocking Tang Shiyu’s path in a flash. Tang Shiyu was startled, instinctively taking two steps back, a faint wrinkle forming between her brows. “Why are you running like that?”

Yu Liuxue glanced at the small box now hidden behind Tang Shiyu’s back, then lowered her head with a soft smile. She looked up at her with bright eyes full of expectation. “Is it for me?”

Tang Shiyu instinctively wanted to deny it, but Yu Liuxue spoke again. “So that’s why you suddenly came home—just to give me this.”

Without thinking, Tang Shiyu replied, “Who said it’s for you?”

“I saw the yellow egg² on it. Who else likes this besides me?” Yu Liuxue blinked, then swiftly snatched the box while Tang Shiyu was distracted. In a few quick motions, she untied the ribbon, revealing a Lazy Egg mini cake³ inside. Yu Liuxue raised an eyebrow at her with a teasing glint in her eyes. “That day, you clearly peeked at the new underwear I bought when I wasn’t looking. Still won’t admit it?”

Tang Shiyu reached out to grab it back, but Yu Liuxue dodged left and right. After a brief scuffle, Yu Liuxue suddenly stopped and stared at Tang Shiyu with a strange expression. “If you’re into this kind of thing, then I’m telling you now—I’m not someone who can be bought off with just a little cake.”

Seeing Tang Shiyu’s utterly confused face, Yu Liuxue pointed to her own chest, her expression subtle. “You’re not doing this on purpose… are you?”

Tang Shiyu instantly pulled her hand back, then walked past Yu Liuxue without a word, heading into the kitchen. She opened the fridge and took out a bottle of fruit wine. “I don’t want it anymore. It’s all yours.”

Yu Liuxue smiled faintly and kindly reminded her, “That bottle’s been expired for three months.”

“Pfft—” Tang Shiyu immediately spat out the wine in a panic. She was dressed in a perfectly tailored suit, looking every bit the picture of elegance and poise, but in that moment, all of it collapsed. The neatly tied hair at the back of her head loosened with her sudden movement, letting two strands fall down, and her red lips, moistened by the wine, looked as tempting as fresh blood.

Yu Liuxue glanced back with a mischievous smile. “I lied.”

Tang Shiyu gripped the bottle tightly, but Yu Liuxue had already made her escape.

When Tang Shiyu reappeared, she had changed into a different outfit. Her eyes were like still water, frozen over, and her entire presence radiated a warning: strangers keep out, or face the consequences. Yu Liuxue didn’t even look up, pretending not to care, but in truth, she was secretly watching Tang Shiyu from the corner of her eye, her emotions growing complicated.

Still, she noticed that more than half of the Lazy Egg cake had been eaten in one go.

Tang Shiyu carried a briefcase in one hand and her coat in the other. A pair of gold-rimmed glasses perched on her nose, and her cascading curls draped over her shoulders. She exuded a cold, aloof air, with just a hint of refined arrogance. Yu Liuxue narrowed her eyes. “Stop right there.”

Tang Shiyu instinctively halted, then turned to look at her with a blank expression.

“Dressed like that, who are you trying to seduce? Is it Nan Xu? Are you deliberately dressing up like this to win her heart back?!”

Tang Shiyu: “?”

“Ridiculous.” She couldn’t stay in this house a moment longer!

After driving Tang Shiyu away in a huff, Yu Liuxue pitifully said to the System, “See? She didn’t even deny it. That proves she’s still hopelessly in love with Nan Xu.”

System: “…” Go ahead and act up while she’s too scared to touch you during the first trimester.

Tang Shiyu stormed into the office, fuming. The more she thought about it, the angrier she got. The more she thought about it, the more unreasonable Jian Yin seemed! She took a deep breath, then suddenly hugged herself and muttered, half crying, half resigned, What else can I do? There’s a baby now. I guess I’ll just muddle through life like this.

After calming down for a few minutes, she made a phone call.

Yu Liuxue was happily watching Tom and Jerry, completely engrossed, when the doorbell suddenly rang. She craned her neck to look and saw ten Meleme⁴ delivery workers lined up outside her door in a neat row. Each of them was efficiently unloading packages and standing properly at the entrance, waiting for the homeowner to open the door.

Yu Liuxue walked out in confusion and asked, “Did you guys get the wrong address? I didn’t order anything.”

The first delivery worker glanced at the order slip. “Are you Miss Jian Yin?”

“I am.”

“Then there’s no mistake. These are all yours.” As soon as Yu Liuxue opened the door, the ten delivery workers surged inside like a mighty procession.

Yu Liuxue: “?”

After the delivery guy left, Yu Liuxue used a magnifying glass to carefully search for any clues. Only then did she realize all this had been ordered for her by Tang Shiyu. A pile of Lazy Egg mini cakes, a case of instant noodles, a box of White Rabbit candies⁵, and all sorts of random snacks—anything Nan Xu had ever bought, Tang Shiyu had bought again, in larger quantities and with a grander delivery scale.

Yu Liuxue: “…”

Seriously, this was exactly like feeding a pig.

Nan Xu had been on edge the whole time. She had left early and wasn’t there when it happened, so she had no idea what Tang Shiyu and Jian Yin had talked about at home. Sitting nervously in her office, she kept an eye on any movement from Tang Shiyu’s side while her mind spiraled with anxious thoughts. Would Jian Yin reveal the truth about their relationship?

When Tang Shiyu arrived, she was furious. No one dared to cross her, not even Nan Xu, who had to tread carefully around her, terrified of saying the wrong thing.

For Tang Shiyu to be this angry, Nan Xu could only think of one reason: she must have found out she’d been cheated on.

Maybe Nan Xu’s unease was too obvious, because suddenly, Tang Shiyu stood up and walked straight toward her. Nan Xu’s heart skipped a beat. She quickly looked away and buried herself in work, putting on a serious face. Tang Shiyu pushed open the office door. “Nan Xu.”

Nan Xu looked up, both hopeful and nervous. “CEO Tang, is there something you need?”

Tang Shiyu’s expression was blank. “You’ve been working with me for quite a while now. You’re capable and skilled. The branch manager of our A City office just left for another company. Hand over your current projects and prepare to take over his position next week.”

She thought, wasn’t it because of Nan Xu that Jian Yin kept suspecting her of cheating and throwing tantrums? Then fine, she’d just send Nan Xu away. Drive her completely out of this city. That way, Jian Yin wouldn’t have any more excuses to fight with her.

Nan Xu panicked instantly. She stood up in a fluster, “CEO Tang, did I do something wrong…?”

“You’ve done very well,” Tang Shiyu cut her off. “It’s just that staying by my side is too much of a grievance for you.”

How could Nan Xu believe that? Her eyes reddened as she looked at Tang Shiyu, but Tang Shiyu’s face was resolute. After giving her a few instructions, she turned and walked away. Nan Xu instinctively wanted to follow, but after two steps, she stopped, looking utterly dejected.

She knew. She knew Tang Shiyu was sparing her dignity by not spelling things out. Tang Shiyu must have found out about Jian Yin’s pregnancy. That’s why she was so eager to transfer her to the branch office.

Nan Xu lowered her head in defeat. Were her ten years of planning really about to fall apart like this?

But… she was so unwilling to give up.

After settling the matter with Nan Xu, the heavy weight in Tang Shiyu’s heart finally lifted. Jian Yin was already pregnant with her child, so it was time to start planning the wedding. Once Nan Xu was gone, their relationship would gradually stabilize, and the constant arguments would stop.

With everything in place, Tang Shiyu began browsing engagement rings in her office.

When Nan Xu heard the news, her heart grew even more bitter. She sat dazed in her chair, her pale face and lost expression making her look heartbreakingly fragile.

Tang Shiyu had arranged for a nanny to take care of Yu Liuxue, who was now living a life of indulgence, pampered with good food and drink, more carefree than a deity. Although Tang Shiyu hadn’t yet issued a formal company notice about Nan Xu’s position change, Nan Xu, disheartened and ready to give up, had already started preparing to leave.

Two days later, just as Tang Shiyu was about to officially announce Nan Xu’s transfer to the A City branch, she suddenly disappeared without a trace.

After a frantic search by the company and Nan Xu, they finally found Tang Shiyu—she had been taken to the hospital by a kind passerby.

Yu Liuxue hadn’t planned on interfering with the plot, but Lu Ling had personally driven over to pick her up. “Yinyin, Shiyu was hit on the head by a falling flower pot. She’s in the hospital now, undergoing emergency treatment. Xi Yi has already gone ahead. Hurry and get in the car.”

Yu Liuxue blinked. Hit by a flower pot? Wasn’t it supposed to be a car accident?

But when she saw Lu Ling’s gentle and affectionate expression, she immediately beamed and threw herself into her arms. “Okay, Sister-in-law!”

Once in the car, Yu Liuxue, for once, didn’t try to flirt with Lu Ling. Instead, she stared suspiciously at the System. “Are you sure she’s going to lose her memory?”

The System, which had been so confident before, suddenly faltered. “Sh-she should…”

Yu Liuxue: “…”

Nan Xu had already received the news and rushed to the hospital. Tang Shiyu had just come out of surgery and was being wheeled into a VIP room. After handling the hospital arrangements, Tang Xiuyi briefly spoke with Nan Xu, then called Lu Ling before driving back to the company to take over Tang Shiyu’s responsibilities.

Nan Xu sat in the luxurious hospital room, staring at Tang Shiyu’s bloodless face on the bed. Her heart ached with every beat. How could something like this happen out of nowhere? She had already steeled herself to leave, but now that Tang Shiyu was in this condition, she couldn’t bring herself to walk away and leave her alone.

Shiyu needed someone by her side, someone to take care of her. Jian Yin was newly pregnant and shouldn’t be moving around…

Just as she was lost in thought, the doctor walked in. Nan Xu quickly grabbed his arm. “Doctor, how is Shiyu? When will she wake up?”

The doctor flipped through the chart in his hand. “The patient will regain consciousness soon, but you should be prepared for the possibility of memory loss.”

Memory loss? Nan Xu froze.

Then, a spark of hope lit up in her eyes. Memory loss?!

Did that mean… Tang Shiyu would forget everything? Especially Jian Yin?!

The sudden rush of joy made Nan Xu dizzy. She didn’t even know how to react. If Tang Shiyu really had amnesia, and the first person she saw when she woke up was her, then…

Nan Xu’s heart pounded wildly, her face flushing with excitement.

When Yu Liuxue and Lu Ling arrived at the hospital, Tang Shiyu had already woken up. Nan Xu was feeding her water. When she saw the two enter, she smiled faintly and stepped aside. Yu Liuxue glanced at her. The woman looked confident, as if everything was under control.

Yu Liuxue looked back at Tang Shiyu, only to find that Tang Shiyu was staring at her like she was a complete stranger, with no emotion in her eyes.

Yu Liuxue immediately collapsed into Lu Ling’s arms, devastated. “S-sister-in-law, what’s wrong with Shiyu?! She doesn’t even recognize me!”

She sobbed uncontrollably. Lu Ling had no choice but to leave Tang Shiyu’s side to comfort her. Once Yu Liuxue had calmed down a bit, Tang Shiyu, who had been quietly watching from the corner, finally spoke. “I heard from Xiao Xu that you’re my fiancée?”

Lu Ling’s brows furrowed slightly, her gaze sweeping over Nan Xu with a hint of displeasure.

Yu Liuxue looked up, her heartbroken face full of sorrow. “Sorry, ex-fiancée. We broke up last night. I’m now Xiao Xu’s girlfriend.”

“And I’m already pregnant with her and Sister Lu’s child.”

Nan Xu, Lu Ling, and Tang Shiyu all froze. “?”

Translator’s Notes