Zhang Meiyu thought Tang Xiaomin was angry with her.
Her face darkened as she began to explain.
"Xiaomin, Tang Yu is in the ICU, and he had a fever again. Mom isn't ignoring you, don't misunderstand."
"Heh..."
Tang Xiaomin let out a helpless chuckle.
"Don't think so highly of yourself, I've never craved any of you."
"I have someone who cares about me. He takes very good care of me."
Yan Jue's face immediately showed a smug expression.
People are flesh and blood; Tang Xiaomin knew in her heart who was good to her and who wasn't.
Upon hearing this, Zhang Meiyu and Tang Zhongcheng felt deeply ashamed.
"Xiaomin, since we've met, let's have a meal together. We're all family, and it's been a long time since we gathered," Tang Zhongcheng said.
Tang Xiaomin shook her head and refused without a second thought.
"I'm sorry, this is a lunch date I had with Yan Jue. We don't want any extra people disturbing us. You should go over there."
"You!"
Tang Ye was instantly furious.
"Tang Xiaomin, don't push it too far."
"Forget it, Tang Ye. If she doesn't want us to disturb her, let's go over there," Zhang Meiyu said, her face full of disappointment as she walked away first.
Tang Zhongcheng hesitated, then followed, with the indignant Tang Ye trailing behind.
Yan Jue, on the side, was overjoyed.
The reason was simple: Tang Xiaomin was finally focusing her attention on him and no longer bothered with the Tang family.
Heaven favors the persistent; he had finally seen the dawn.
Dishes were served one after another, and Yan Jue attentively picked up food for Tang Xiaomin.
"Minmin, these shrimp are good. Eat more."
"There'll be lobster later, eat up."
...
Zhang Meiyu and the others were seated not far from Tang Xiaomin and Yan Jue.
They could clearly hear everything Tang Xiaomin and Yan Jue said and did.
They only knew that Yan Jue was generous with Tang Xiaomin and had given her the position of Chief Undertaker at Xianfu Group.
At first, they thought Yan Jue's affection for Tang Xiaomin was just the fleeting fancy of a successful man for a beautiful woman.
He might like her today, but who knew about tomorrow.
However, looking at it now, they had a new understanding of Yan Jue's kindness towards Tang Xiaomin.
He visited Tang Xiaomin in the hospital every day, taking meticulous care of her.
The doting love that went to his very bones was evident in how he patiently fed her mouthful by mouthful, even during a meal.
Even though Tang Xiaomin's hand was dislocated, it was her left hand; there was no need for such exaggeration.
Regardless, Zhang Meiyu and the other two had certainly learned a lot today.
They also understood why Tang Xiaomin had been so indifferent to them.
It wasn't that their apologies weren't enough, but because Tang Xiaomin had experienced another man's unwavering devotion to her.
Naturally, their meager gestures of kindness paled in comparison.
Realizing the root of the problem, Zhang Meiyu suddenly had an epiphany and found peace.
When they left, they didn't bother them.
After a satisfying meal, Yan Jue drove Tang Xiaomin back to the hospital.
"Tang Xu will come to see me tomorrow. Take these bodyguards away."
Yan Jue frowned slightly, still worried.
"Minmin, what if he bullies you?"
Who was bullying whom was still uncertain.
Yan Jue knew this in his heart.
However, he still couldn't rest easy, as people's hearts could be treacherous.
Tang Xiaomin appeared nonchalant.
"Since he wants to play, I'll play with him properly."
"Minmin, this is very dangerous."
"It's fine."
"No."
Yan Jue suddenly became stubborn, refusing to agree no matter what.
Their eyes met, and he refused to back down.
"He can't play me, really," Tang Xiaomin said with conviction.
But no matter what she said, Yan Jue remained unyielding.
His expression gradually darkened.
He seemed to be getting angry.
"What do I have to do for you to agree?"
Yan Jue still didn't speak, clearly unwilling to agree under any circumstances.
After a moment of stalemate.
Taking advantage of the fact that they were alone in the room, Tang Xiaomin quickly kissed him on the cheek.
Her face instantly burned.
"This... this should be acceptable, right?"
"What do you think?" came the man's deep voice from above.
It seemed he wasn't satisfied.
Tang Xiaomin was completely out of options. If it wasn't possible, then it wasn't.
Just as she was about to compromise, she was suddenly pulled into a broad embrace.
Then, she was kissed so fiercely that she almost suffocated.
She nearly ran out of air before the man finally released her.
Yan Jue, now full of satisfaction, buried his head in her shoulder.
"Alright, I can't win against you."
...
And so, Yan Jue took the bodyguards away.
In the evening, Tang Xiaomin went to get dinner. Upon her return, she went to the ICU.
Zhang Meiyu and Tang Zhongcheng were still at the hospital, both looking dejected.
Through the glass, they watched Tang Yu lying weakly in the ICU.
"Xiaomin, are you here to see Tang Yu?" Zhang Meiyu asked.
Tang Xiaomin didn't answer Zhang Meiyu.
She couldn't say she was here to see if he was dead.
Tang Yu in the ICU was awake. He was hooked up to many tubes, making it impossible for him to speak.
He also saw Tang Xiaomin outside the glass and was agitated, wanting to say something.
The instruments beside him beeped, quickly attracting several medical staff to observe him.
Outside the ICU, Zhang Meiyu and Tang Zhongcheng's hearts pounded in their chests.
Tang Yu's self-inflicted predicament was a consequence he brought upon himself.
As a good citizen, Tang Xiaomin would uphold her principles.
Tang Xiaomin remained silent, giving Tang Yu in the ICU a smile that was hard to decipher.
That smile only agitated Tang Yu further.
He wanted to shout something, but the tubes in his mouth hindered him.
He tried to struggle free, but the medical staff wouldn't allow it.
"The patient is agitated. Quickly administer a sedative! Hurry, hurry!!!"
The injection of the sedative took immediate effect, and Tang Yu's limbs went limp.
Only one eye remained, looking at Tang Xiaomin with unconcealed resentment and fear.
Tang Xiaomin moved her lips, then turned and left with a cold smile.
Tang Yu saw it. He understood the words Tang Xiaomin mouthed.
"Serves you right!"
!!!
She actually said he deserved it.
She was mocking him!
It was beyond his comprehension that Tang Xiaomin could get away with everything.
What should he do?
What could he do to deal with Tang Xiaomin?
Tang Yu was extremely anxious.
But in his current physical condition, he couldn't even speak.
Moreover, his family didn't believe him.
How many more people would Tang Xiaomin harm before she stopped!
Tang Yu was filled with anxiety, yet he was utterly helpless.
No, he had to get better quickly.
...
Tang Xiaomin returned to her hospital room and had a peaceful night.
The next afternoon.
Tang Xu, dressed in casual slacks and a white shirt, arrived punctually to meet Tang Xiaomin.
"Let's go. I've already made reservations with the other party."