Hurting Tang Xiaomin was a debt settled by death.
But if it was someone Tang Xiaomin cared about, it would be an unending torment, a suffering without end.
He swore in his heart, that he would provoke anyone, but never her.
Returning home, he flopped onto the bed and stared at Yan Jue's reply, a silly grin plastered on his face.
A love letter written by hand, stroke by stroke, was far more romantic than messages sent on a phone.
Isn't that why they say, in the past, travel was slow, letters far-reaching, and one could only love one person in a lifetime.
After finishing Yan Jue's letter, he looked at Tang Xu's.
In the letter, Tang Xu relayed the gossip he had overheard about Yan Jue and the Supreme Commander, without omitting a single detail, to Tang Xiaomin.
He also told her to keep her eyes wide open and not to be deceived by men. His tone was remarkably similar to Tang Ye's, as if they had conspired.
Tang Xiaomin didn't take it seriously and tossed it into the trash bin.
*Knock, knock, knock!!!*
"Xiaomin, can you come out for a moment? I have something to tell you."
It was Tang Ye's voice. After being discharged from the hospital, he had lied to his family that he was injured during filming, managing to get by.
Opening the door, she could still faintly see the bruises on Tang Ye's lips and the desolate loneliness deep within his eyes.
"What is it?"
"Let's go for a walk and talk."
It was already winter, and the evening breeze was chilly. Tang Xiaomin instinctively pulled her jacket tighter.
This scene was caught by Tang Ye, who then took off his own jacket and draped it over Tang Xiaomin.
"This way, you won't be cold."
Due to his acting and dancing, Tang Ye's agency required him to be slender.
However, with his height and bone structure, his jacket was still large on Tang Xiaomin. Coupled with the lingering warmth of his body, it was indeed warm when she wore it.
Such a heartwarming scene was something she had only witnessed long ago.
She never expected that she would experience it herself now.
For the sake of this jacket, Tang Xiaomin's attitude towards Tang Ye improved considerably.
"What is it that can't be said at home? It's so cold outside."
Tang Ye said, "For such a long time, we've never gone for a walk together."
Unsolicited kindness is suspicious; Tang Xu was the best example.
Although Tang Ye had been trained to be obedient and finally seemed like a proper brother, Tang Xiaomin had never truly let her guard down around him.
"Just say what you want to say, we're not outsiders."
Tang Ye hesitated for a moment before feeling too embarrassed to speak. At that moment, he happened to spot a cinema across the street.
"Xiaomin, let's go watch a movie."
"Watch a movie?"
"Yes, let's go."
...
Tang Ye indeed took Tang Xiaomin to the movies. He even generously booked an entire screening and bought popcorn, cola, and juice to bring inside.
This scene was eerily similar to the prelude before Tang Xu tied her to the operating table.
The movie started, a Hollywood sci-fi action blockbuster. There were no ornate spells, only powerful destructive special effects created by technological might.
Tang Xiaomin munched on popcorn, engrossed in the film.
"Tang Ye, do you miss Tang Xu?"
Tang Ye replied without a second thought, "He's been gone for several months so suddenly, I'm really not used to it."
"If you miss him, I can send you to see him."
Tang Ye's expression gradually stiffened, and he swallowed dryly.
Tang Xiaomin's seemingly casual words felt like a knife at his throat, threatening his life at any moment.
"Xiaomin, that's not a funny joke at all."
Seeing Tang Ye's ashen face, Tang Xiaomin smiled without a word.
Suddenly, Tang Ye seemed to recall something.
"Xiaomin, you don't think I brought you to the movies with ill intentions like Tang Xu, do you?"
"Heaven knows, am I that kind of maniac? Do I have that kind of courage?"
No matter how Tang Ye tried to explain, Tang Xiaomin maintained a look of distrust.
"Do I also have to do something like Tang Xu to prove myself?"
"That would indeed prove yourself, but it's not necessary."
"Xiaomin, I really can..."
"Stop, stop, let's just watch the movie. Eating should keep your mouth shut."
Tang Xiaomin ended the conversation.
...
After the movie, Tang Ye took Tang Xiaomin to stroll through the pedestrian street, eating and drinking.
It wasn't until nine in the evening that they returned home.
They walked back along the same road they had taken, illuminated by the neon lights of the night.
After much deliberation, Tang Ye finally revealed his true purpose.
"Xiaomin, I want to discuss something with you. I don't want to be an artist for the agency anymore."
"If you're not an artist, what else can you do?"
"You're not giving up because of the blow from Pan Jie, are you?"
If that were the case, then he truly was spineless. But it was also understandable, after all, the impact of emotions on a person could be profound.
A hint of helplessness and relief flickered across Tang Ye's face.
"Pan Jie said something quite right, my status as an artist truly doesn't match her."
"So you're going to abandon this career? That's the fame you've built up through years of hard work, are you really willing to give up everything you possess?"
This was a matter of great importance, and Tang Xiaomin felt she had to remind Tang Ye.
Tang Ye shook his head, his expression more serious and resolute than ever before.
"No, I want to terminate my contract with the agency and establish my own company. I don't want to be an artist anymore, I want to be a boss."
...
So that's what it was, a false alarm.
Suddenly, Tang Xiaomin thought of something else.
"You want to start a company, be a boss, and you need money, right?"
Tang Ye scratched his head and spoke sheepishly.
"Yes, it requires a lot of money upfront. So I was thinking... about the salary you've been depositing into my account for the past six months, can I..."
Seeing Tang Xiaomin's face quickly darken, Tang Ye ultimately didn't dare to ask for the money.
"It's just a little money, you have an incalculable amount in your account, why be so greedy for wealth?"
That day, he had casually glanced at Tang Xiaomin's phone, and the bank notification showed her balance.
For the first time in his life, Tang Ye realized his eyesight was poor; he couldn't count, couldn't even begin to tally the sum.
Despite her young age, Tang Xiaomin was incredibly wealthy.
"Money is not important, the main thing is, you promised to give me all the money you earned. Now you're going back on your word, which means you weren't sincere before, you were just tricking me."
Apart from Yan Jue, Tang Xiaomin loved money the most. Asking her for money immediately stirred her displeasure.
Tang Xiaomin, in a huff, pulled out a card from her wallet. all of Tang Ye's money was on it.
"Take it!"
She angrily threw the card at Tang Ye and turned to leave.
Tang Ye, caught off guard, fumbled and the card dropped to the ground.
"Xiaomin..."
"Xiaomin, don't be angry!"
"Xiaomin, listen to me."
Tang Ye hadn't expected Tang Xiaomin to get so worked up over money.
He quickly picked up the card and chased after her.
"Xiaomin, I don't want the money anymore, please don't be angry."
"Take the card back, I beg you."