Xie Qian was so worried about Xie Tang that Peng Guoqing’s fluorescent green head was able to linger on his neck for a while longer.
Xie Tang was sitting by the window, staring blankly at the traffic outside. Her eyes were unfocused and her whole state was very wrong.
Xie Qian did not go in immediately but listened outside while Peng Guoqing recounted what had just happened.
It began when Xie Tang and Yan Yuchuan came to the mall today and ran into Peng Guoqing and a few of his spoiled companions.
At the time, Xie Tang was holding Yan Yuchuan’s arm, behaving affectionately as couples do, which stung the eyes of Tai Xiaowu, who secretly liked her.
“I really tried to stop him, but I couldn’t, you know what Tai Xiaowu’s temper is like, ah!”
Peng Guoqing did not forget to justify himself. Xie Qian gave him a glance, which made Peng Guoqing instinctively want to stand at attention and even salute.
“What did Tai Wu say?”
“He just asked what kind of background Tang-jie’s boyfriend had.”
Xie Tang was immediately displeased. She warned Peng Guoqing and the others with her eyes not to cause trouble. Peng Guoqing had been beaten by Xie Tang when he was younger, so he had always been a bit afraid of her and backed down at once.
Tai Xiaowu had also been beaten, but he was different. After being beaten he began to admire Xie Tang.
Tai Wu never expected to have a deeper relationship with Xie Tang, but if she was to have a boyfriend, it had to be someone Tai Wu respected.
And what was Yan Yuchuan supposed to be?
These spoiled youths all had sharp eyes. Tai Wu immediately noticed that not a single item Yan Yuchuan wore was branded. Added to Xie Tang’s protective behaviour, Tai Wu was certain that Yan Yuchuan’s family background was very ordinary.
A poor boy dating the rich young lady?
This kind of story was not unusual in Tai Wu’s circle. If the man had a slightly higher status and the woman lower, there was a chance it could succeed. But if the woman was higher and the man lower, Tai Wu knew all such stories ended in tragedy. Men who humbled themselves to win the favour of rich young ladies always had bigger schemes. Once they got what they wanted, their attitude changed completely.
“Tai Xiaowu had an aunt who went abroad years ago for this very reason and has never come back, she felt too ashamed to face her friends.”
Peng Guoqing, to be fair, did show some loyalty to his friends. Even with his own head still attached, he worried about speaking up for Tai Wu.
But Xie Qian would not have it. “Tai’s aunt is Tai’s aunt, Tang-jie is Tang-jie. They are different people. The men they choose are different too. Even if something really were wrong, our Xie family hasn’t said a word yet, what right does Tai Wu have to interfere?”
Exactly.
So after ruining things, Tai Wu got scared and ran.
And poor Peng Guoqing had to stay behind to clean up the mess for him and bear Xie Qian’s anger.
Peng Guoqing’s face was full of grievance.
When Tai Wu let his emotions get the better of him and caused trouble, Yan Yuchuan, after being insulted, was shocked and angry. Xie Tang’s well-meant concealment was seen as malicious deception, and Yan Yuchuan immediately asked her if she thought this was all some kind of joke.
“This game, I can’t play along with you anymore, Miss Xie. Let’s end it here.”
Even though Peng Guoqing tried to soften the account, Xie Qian could still imagine exactly what Yan Yuchuan had gone through.
The insults had nothing to do with Xie Tang.
The breakup was not because of strangers’ insults.
Yan Yuchuan believed he had been deceived.
Xie Tang had many chances to tell him the truth, but she did not. Instead it was exposed by others. Putting himself in Yan Yuchuan’s place, Xie Qian thought he too might suspect Xie Tang was not serious about the relationship and only wanted to toy with him.
After all, this was not the beginning anymore. They were already planning their future together. Yan Yuchuan was even prepared to meet the Xie family, taking the relationship seriously. Xie Tang’s concealment would naturally make him angry.
On top of that, Tai Wu and the others’ mocking trampled his pride. The combined pressure made him break up on the spot.
Yan Yuchuan came from an ordinary family but through effort had got into a top university. Such a man surely had his pride.
He never wanted to live off a woman, yet people mistook him for someone who did.
Xie Qian understood his position and feelings but was still angry. A university graduate-to-be should be more mature. At least give Xie Tang a chance to explain privately. If he could not forgive her afterward, then bring up breaking up.
Falling in love was not easy. After so many happy memories together, a breakup deserved more weight.
Xie Qian frowned and glanced at his watch. In any case, Yan Yuchuan was wrong to break up like that today.
He had proved his pride, but he also allowed Xie Tang to be ridiculed.
So the brilliant Xie Tang ended up with such a hot-headed boyfriend.
“…Xie Qian?”
When he spoke, Peng Guoqing was afraid. When he was silent, Peng Guoqing was even more uneasy.
“You go first. I’ll go in and see Tang-jie myself.”
To Peng Guoqing, this was like hearing the music of heaven.
Xie Qian was letting him go?
Truly worthy of being “Xie Two Hundred Million,” the one who dared to steal his father’s money to buy land. Bold, wise, and not one to vent anger blindly.
Peng Guoqing turned to run, but Xie Qian called him back.
“Find Tai Wu. Tell him hiding is useless. I remember he’s eighteen this year.”
Eighteen was the legal age of adulthood. He should take responsibility for his actions.
Peng Guoqing nodded miserably.
“I’ll find him, definitely. When I do, I’ll beat him to death first!”
Xie Qian went into the café.
Peng Guoqing was nearly at the mall entrance but could not help turning back.
He really wanted to tell Xie Tang that with her qualities, she could find any kind of boyfriend she wanted. It was not worth being sad over a man who lacked confidence.
Yes, they had said nasty things.
But her boyfriend… no, her ex-boyfriend was nothing special either. If he could not stand a few harsh words and rashly broke up in public, how could he be relied upon in anything else?
If it were Peng Guoqing, having a girlfriend like Xie Tang, what would a few sarcastic comments matter? Even if someone stabbed him, he would still hold her hand tightly and never let go.
His skin was thick enough to withstand anything. As long as no one hurt Xie Tang, if he flinched even half a step he would not be a man.
But sadly, Xie Tang did not like him.
Peng Guoqing touched his own face. Alas, his downfall was this face, not as handsome as that Yan fellow.
Then again, Tai Wu had even less chance than him, so Peng Guoqing grinned.
…
“You came.”
Xie Qian sat opposite Xie Tang. She snapped out of her daze and gave a bitter smile. “Actually, I’m fine. Whether you came or not, nothing can change what has already happened. It’s my fault for not listening to your advice.”
Xie Qian nodded. “Tang-jie, what do you think? Do you still want to be with Yan Yuchuan?”
Xie Tang was confused.
Did she?
The sudden breakup had left her stunned.
On the way here she had thought long and hard. She had changed her life plans for Yan Yuchuan, chasing him from the capital to Shanghai. After all their time together, did he not know what kind of person she was?
The confusion in her eyes slowly faded, replaced by clarity and resolve.
“I will talk to him.”
To talk, not to beg for reconciliation.
At last, Xie Qian smiled.
This was the Tang-jie he knew.
