Tang Yu had come prepared for the constant刁难 from his father-in-law and Wang Na.
Unexpectedly, Tang Xiaomin employed a tactic of undermining from beneath the pot.
She used money to subdue the troublesome father-in-law and simultaneously dealt with Wang Na.
Words spoken are like water spilled; he couldn't possibly go back on his word and lose face.
Ultimately, pride comes before a fall.
He lightly wiped the sweat beading on his forehead, a forced, fake smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
"Uh... it's my duty... my duty. As long as Uncle Wang is happy."
Tang Xiaomin stifled a giggle from the side and seized the moment, saying, "Why are you still calling him Uncle Wang? From now on, you must call him Dad."
"Mr. Wang, you agree, don't you?"
Wang Wenqiang smiled and said, "Yes, Xiaomin is right. We are family now."
"Tang Yu, take me to see the sea-view apartment another day. I'm getting old, and if the environment is good, I might just live there permanently."
That sea-view apartment was originally a pre-planned wedding home for Tang Yu.
He had even envisioned moving in with Wang Na after it was renovated and they were married.
Now, it was suddenly being used to honor his father-in-law.
"Okay... okay... I'll take you once it's renovated."
The matter was happily settled.
Wang Wenqiang personally called the restaurant to order a lavish meal to treat them.
During the meal, Wang Wenqiang brought up the engagement banquet.
"Your family's Tang Xu just passed away, and holding an engagement banquet now is inappropriate. Let's skip it."
"We'll hold the wedding after Nana gives birth. Staggering the timing will prevent gossip."
Wang Wenqiang suddenly seemed reasonable.
This eased Zhang Meiyu's tension considerably.
"Mr. Wang is considerate. However, marrying after the child is born might be a slight to Nana."
Wang Wenqiang shook his head.
"Nana is pregnant now, and a wedding would be too taxing. It's not suitable."
"Nana, don't you agree?"
"Dad is right. Holding an engagement banquet now would make people say we're insensible. It's better not to have it," said Su Dan Novel Network.
Even Wang Na, who was usually so focused on ceremony, was now willing to forgo the engagement banquet.
This showed that perhaps it wasn't others who were being unreasonable, but rather Tang Yu's own lack of capability.
"I'm full. I'm heading to school now."
Tang Xiaomin excused herself and left early.
As soon as she turned, her suppressed laughter burst forth.
The moment she stepped outside, Tang Yu followed her.
"Xiaomin, why didn't you discuss today's events with me beforehand?"
With a few words, she had made Tang Yu give up everything and fall into debt.
"This is a proposal. Promises made must be kept. Otherwise, there will be more trouble later."
"What?" Tang Xiaomin immediately frowned.
"Are you saying you're unwilling?"
Tang Yu looked troubled.
"It's not about whether I'm willing or not. It's about the money. The Rolls-Royce, the sea-view apartment, and so on that you mentioned, must cost at least ten million."
"I'll have a family to support soon, and no salary. How will I live?"
This was a problem, but what did it have to do with Tang Xiaomin?
She had spoken impulsively, focused only on resolving the immediate issue, and hadn't considered things thoroughly.
She just didn't want to see Zhang Meiyu acting so submissive in front of Wang Na and her father.
All of this was Tang Yu's fault, for not being able to handle his own affairs.
Tang Xiaomin acted with a degree of personal vendetta.
"What does your life have to do with me?"
Tang Xiaomin drove away.
Tang Yu stood there, feeling helpless and even more lost about the future.
But what could he do?
He had agreed to work for free himself, and now he couldn't blame anyone.
...
As soon as she arrived at school, Shu Ya excitedly ran over to gossip with Tang Xiaomin.
"Xiaomin, a beauty has come to Class One. They say she's Ye Lingyun's pre-destined fiancée."
"That person is not to be trifled with. Ever since she arrived, the girls who were interested in Ye Lingyun have automatically distanced themselves from him. She's a formidable character!"
Tang Xiaomin wasn't interested in other people's romantic gossip.
Friendship was friendship.
She suddenly remembered what Lu Sisi had said at Tang Xu's grave about Ye Lingyun liking her.
Lu Sisi, being so petty and suffering from severe delusions, was likely just speaking her own imagined truths.
"Let her be formidable. It has nothing to do with us."
"No, no, no. Xiaomin, you have no idea. Young Master Yun is generous and often gives us small favors. Do you know what his fiancée said?"
"What did she say?"
Shu Ya tilted her chin slightly, striking an arrogant pose, and feigned a voice.
"'It is said that one is indebted for favors received. Do you know what you look like when you accept Lingyun's benefits?'"
"What do we look like?"
"'Like beggars on the street.'"
...
"Xiaomin, listen! Isn't she arrogant? Doesn't she deserve a beating?"
The few girls had a relationship with Ye Lingyun that was friendly, collegial, and based on business partnerships.
Their frequent interactions were merely a part of normal social and recreational activities.
It was perfectly fine for Ye Lingyun to give and for them to receive.
But for someone to suddenly come out and attack them broke that unspoken understanding, which was uncomfortable.
"Forget it. Since she's Young Master Yun's fiancée, there's even less reason to get into trouble with her."
Shu Ya looked at Tang Xiaomin with a complex expression.
"Xiaomin, I'm still worried about you. And I have a premonition that Yang Yang will come looking for trouble with you soon."
Tang Xiaomin was unfazed.
"I don't know her. Surely no one would be that bored."
"Xiaomin, I thought the same at first. You must not let your guard down."
Suddenly, Tang Xiaomin fell silent.
Because she saw a tall girl with long hair walking towards her.
"Ah, it's Yang Yang!"
Shu Ya clearly showed apprehension and quickly tugged at Tang Xiaomin.
"Xiaomin, let's leave quickly. She's quite difficult to deal with."
"Alright."
Tang Xiaomin, adhering to the principle of avoiding trouble if possible, intended to escape with Shu Ya.
"Stop! Why are you running as soon as you see me? Can this be interpreted as you having a guilty conscience?"
This trouble had arrived, and there was no avoiding it.
In the blink of an eye, Yang Yang had reached them.
Yang Yang, the daughter of Mo Du's Heng Tai Real Estate, with assets ranking in the top ten in Mo Du, was a true heiress.
Facing the ever-growing influence of Xian Fu Group, Ye Shi Group chose a strategic marriage alliance to maintain its position as the number one in Mo Du.
Yang Yang scanned Tang Xiaomin from head to toe with a critical gaze, as if appraising an object.
"You're that Tang Xiaomin everyone's been praising, aren't you?"
"Whether it's looks, figure, or demeanor, you do have the capital to be praised."
Tang Xiaomin said calmly, "Is there something you need?"