Yan Jue took Tang Xiaomin back home at half past one in the morning.
He carried the sleeping Tang Xiaomin on his back, shamelessly preparing to ring the doorbell.
In the living room, Zhang Meiyu and others were looking worried.
"How many times have we told her not to stay out all night, why doesn't she listen?" Zhang Meiyu said helplessly.
Wang Na, eating fruit, commented casually, "Alas, when a daughter grows up, she doesn't stay home. Xiaomin is already in her twenties, and you're still controlling her like this. Isn't that a bit much?"
Because Tang Xiaomin hadn't returned home, these people sat in the living room, moping and waiting. It was understandable for Zhang Meiyu, but even Tang Yu and Tang Ye looked haggard with worry.
Tang Yu said, "Her phone is unreachable. I'll go out and look around again."
Tang Ye also stood up, "I'll go too. Waiting like this isn't a solution."
Even though Tang Xiaomin often disappeared without a trace, just playing around sometimes.
Even knowing this, they couldn't help but worry about her.
She had suffered too much in the past, and they didn't want her to be hurt again.
As soon as Tang Yu opened the door, he saw Yan Jue, and Tang Xiaomin fast asleep on his back.
This wasn't the first time he had seen Yan Jue bringing a sleeping Tang Xiaomin home.
A sense of displeasure gradually arose. After a few seconds of eye contact, he shifted position, allowing him to enter.
Yan Jue didn't speak, carrying Tang Xiaomin past them.
Zhang Meiyu, seeing this, rushed forward and chided.
"What's wrong with Xiaomin?"
Yan Jue replied faintly, "She's asleep."
This...
Anyone with eyes could see that Tang Xiaomin was asleep. Zhang Meiyu's question implied more than that.
Yan Jue ignored them and went straight to Tang Xiaomin's room, tucking her in.
Looking at her peaceful sleeping face, he felt a sense of contentment and happiness.
As long as she stayed here in the future, no longer returning to the underworld, no longer involved in those entanglements.
They could maintain the status quo, and she would still be Tang Xiaomin.
His Tang Xiaomin.
To protect this peace, he could only do his best to keep her in the human world.
Yan Jue left. As he passed the living room, he unusually instructed Tang Xiaomin's family.
"From now on, you must send her to and from school on time."
?
The Tang family members exchanged glances, bewildered and speculating about the meaning of Yan Jue's words.
Tang Ye stepped forward and said coldly, "What do you mean by that? Clarify yourself before you leave."
Yan Jue replied, "It means exactly what it says."
The words were simple, but coupled with Yan Jue's dismissive expression and cold tone, they seemed to take on a different meaning.
Before, Tang Ye had been sending Tang Xiaomin to school because there had been problems between Tang Xiaomin and Yan Jue.
But after Yan Jue returned, Tang Ye lost that privilege.
Yan Jue saying this now, could it be that they had argued again?
The thought of the other man playing with his sister's affections, relying on his wealth and power, ignited Tang Ye's anger.
However, on second thought, this was good.
"Alright, remember what you said today. From now on, I will send her to school."
Before leaving, Yan Jue still reminded him, "Drive slowly on the road."
...
Yan Jue left, leaving the confused group behind.
"What does he mean? Did you guys understand?" Tang Ye asked.
Tang Yu shook his head.
"No."
Wang Na thought to herself, "He personally brought Xiaomin back, and then told you to send her to school properly. Could it be that they're breaking up?"
Breaking up?
For a moment, Tang Yu and Tang Ye's expressions changed.
"Don't guess wildly," Zhang Meiyu interrupted them.
"Maybe he's busy with work and doesn't have time to send Xiaomin to school. He seems to like Xiaomin a lot, so he wouldn't break up with her."
Tang Xiaomin had returned, bringing joy to some and worry to others.
...
The next day, Tang Ye got up early to serve as Tang Xiaomin's driver.
In the car, he tentatively asked.
"Xiaomin, how are things between you and that guy surnamed Yan lately?"
Tang Xiaomin rolled her eyes at him.
"When did you become so gossipy?"
"I'm concerned about you, that's why I'm asking. How is your relationship lately?"
Tang Xiaomin didn't speak.
"Let me tell you, there are plenty of fish in the sea, no need to pine for just one. If you feel uncomfortable with him, just cut your losses." Tang Ye said.
"Every relationship goes through a passionate phase, a trial period, a dull phase, and finally a breakup."
"You're wasting so much time on him, it's too much trouble. Just break up, and you'll take fewer detours."
Hearing Tang Ye earnestly advising her to break up, Tang Xiaomin was confused.
"Tang Ye, what did Yan Jue do to you that you're trying to persuade me like this?"
What did he do?
He just rubbed her the wrong way, inexplicably displeasing her.
"Most men are no good, especially rich men. Not to mention others, look at our dad. Mom sacrificed so much, and Dad still wronged Mom."
Tang Zhongcheng was indeed not a good man, but that was a separate issue.
"Yan Jue is not Tang Zhongcheng. I believe him."
Just as they arrived at the school gate, Tang Ye suddenly braked hard, startling Tang Xiaomin.
"Tang Ye, did you eat gunpowder today?"
Tang Ye didn't speak, his face showing displeasure.
"Alright, I don't have classes this afternoon. I'll go home myself. You don't need to pick me up."
Watching Tang Xiaomin walk away, Tang Ye felt particularly annoyed today.
He just didn't want Tang Xiaomin to get married so soon, didn't want her to leave his life so quickly.
His father had left home, his elder brother had started his own family, and Tang Xu was gone.
If Tang Xiaomin also got married, he would only have his mother to rely on.
Every day when he returned home, he would face his mother's aging face. Such days filled him with dread.
Could it only be this way?
Just then, Shu Ya approached enthusiastically.
"Tang Ye, long time no see. Are you still sending Xiaomin to school?"
Tang Ye, annoyed, replied indifferently.
"Yes."
"Tang Ye, you haven't sent Xiaomin to school in a while. I thought you wouldn't be sending her anymore."
Shu Ya had been sad about that for a while.
"From now on, I will send Xiaomin to school."
"Really? Then I can see you every day."
...
Looking at Shu Ya, who was beaming with joy, Tang Ye suddenly remembered that she and Tang Xiaomin were good friends.
"By the way, I wanted to ask you something about Xiaomin. Can you... not tell Xiaomin?"
Tang Ye hesitated, seemingly finding it difficult to speak.
Shu Ya quickly patted her chest and promised.
"Don't worry, this is our secret. I absolutely won't tell anyone."
"It's not a big deal, really. I just want to ask you, are there... many boys pursuing Xiaomin in college?"
Shu Ya smiled and said, "Xiaomin is already taken, and her partner is the General Manager Yan of Xianfu Group. Who would dare compete with him for her?"
"However, I can tell you a secret about Xiaomin."
"What secret?"
A hint of slyness flashed in Shu Ya's eyes.
"Can you give me a ride home this afternoon?"