Back then, it was Tang Yiyi who willingly swapped rooms with Tang Xiaomin for the sake of the marriage. Tang Zhongcheng and Zhang Meiyu were both present and aware of this.
Tang Ye, unaware of the full story, presumptuously declared, "It's because you're bullying Yiyi. Tang Xiaomin, as long as I'm here, I won't let you bully Yiyi."
With those words, she was already accusing him of bullying Tang Yiyi. What could Tang Ye do to her?
Zhang Meiyu shot Tang Ye a glare. "Tang Ye, stop talking. Yiyi voluntarily swapped rooms with Xiaomin. Hurry and put Xiaomin's things back for her, do you hear me?"
Tang Ye looked at his mother in disbelief. He couldn't fathom that Tang Yiyi would willingly swap rooms with Tang Xiaomin.
If it was voluntary, then why was Tang Yiyi crying?
He assumed his parents were siding with Tang Xiaomin and had deliberately said that.
With this thought, Tang Ye, his handsome face contorted with disdain, glared at Tang Xiaomin.
Then, he addressed his mother.
"Mom, I remember you weren't this nice to Tang Xiaomin before. Why has it changed after I've been away on a business trip for months?"
This statement starkly exposed the Tang family's indifference towards Tang Xiaomin.
They recalled their past treatment of Tang Xiaomin, and their guilt intensified.
At this moment, Tang Yiyi walked over, hugging her pillow.
Tang Yiyi's face showed no timidity as she stood beside Tang Ye.
She could no longer bear Tang Xiaomin snatching everything from her, nor did she want to be constrained by the engagement any longer.
Furthermore, she didn't believe Tang Xiaomin would proactively break off the engagement.
She intended to reclaim everything Tang Xiaomin had taken from her.
The air suddenly grew quiet.
The situation had escalated to this point. Who should get the room?
One was a daughter separated for many years, the other was an adopted daughter raised for many years. It was difficult to favor either.
They exchanged glances, each remaining silent.
Tang Xiaomin observed the Tang family members. Seeing that no one spoke, she understood.
"Tang Ye, you're defending Tang Yiyi so fiercely. Don't tell me you like her?"
As soon as Tang Xiaomin uttered these words, Tang Ye became flustered and vehemently denied it.
"Tang Xiaomin, what nonsense are you spouting? I only see Yiyi as a sister, and my feelings for her are purely sibling affection. Don't make wild assumptions. I'm helping her today purely because I can't stand you bullying her..."
Tang Ye's reaction was unexpectedly strong, causing the Tang family to look at the two of them with strange expressions.
"Heh."
Tang Xiaomin chuckled.
"You know in your heart whether you like her or not. Since you've thrown my things out, then I'll leave."
Tang Xiaomin said, picking up her bag from the floor, carrying her skull-patterned pillow, and walking downstairs in her flip-flops without looking back.
"Xiaomin, where are you going so late?"
"Xiaomin, come back quickly."
Tang Yu and Zhang Meiyu chased after her.
Tang Zhongcheng glanced at Tang Ye and Tang Yiyi, sighed, and followed them out.
With everyone chasing after Tang Xiaomin, only Tang Ye and Tang Yiyi remained in the Tang family's villa.
Tang Xiaomin had left, and her parents and elder brother had followed her.
Tang Yiyi remembered the time she ran away from home; the entire family had been sound asleep, and not a single person had cared about her fate.
She didn't know when it started, but she realized Tang Xiaomin's status in the family had silently surpassed hers.
Tang Xiaomin might seem willful and hysterical, but her family only reprimanded her, and then doted on her even more.
Tang Yiyi's eyes welled up, and she said to Tang Ye, "Second Brother, you threw her things out. Mom and Dad will definitely blame you for her running away."
"Second Brother, I've implicated you."
Tang Yiyi continued, sobbing and shedding tears.
Seeing this, Tang Ye comforted her.
"If they want to blame me, let them. I don't care. Since Tang Xiaomin is gone, I'll help you move your things back. Don't cry, it's not your fault. Blame Tang Xiaomin, who was so excessive towards you."
"Second Brother, you're the only one who's still good to me now,呜呜..."
Tang Yiyi cried more heartbrokenly as she spoke.
Tang Ye, unsure what to do, gently hugged Tang Yiyi and patted her back when no one else was around.
"Alright, Second Brother will help you move things. Let's hurry."
"Mm."
...
Meanwhile.
In the dead of night, on the main road.
Tang Xiaomin, dressed in pajamas and slippers, with her bag and pillow, walked ahead with light steps.
Zhang Meiyu, Tang Zhongcheng, and Tang Yu followed behind, earnestly persuading her.
Tang Yu said, "Xiaomin, Tang Ye was indeed too much. How about this, I'll give you my room tomorrow, how does that sound?"
Tang Xiaomin replied without turning back, "Forget it. I don't have a room in that house anyway, and I don't care for it. I have a home, why should I go to your house and be disliked?"
Zhang Meiyu grabbed Tang Xiaomin. Tang Xiaomin allowed herself to be pulled, stubborn as a mule, practically dragging Zhang Meiyu forward.
"Xiaomin, it was wrong for Yiyi to go back on her word. Tomorrow, I'll have Steward Wang arrange for two guest rooms to be combined and renovated according to your preferred style. It will definitely be larger than Yiyi's room. Come home."
Tang Zhongcheng also added, "We can discuss whatever you want. What's the point of throwing a tantrum like this? Just tell us what you want."
Suddenly, Tang Xiaomin stopped.
"I don't want to go back with you right now. I'm going to stay at a hotel. Don't bother me."
"Xiaomin..."
...
Tang Xiaomin, not wanting to say anything more to them, walked into a hotel by the roadside.
She said to the receptionist, "Book a presidential suite."
And then handed over her bank card.
Tang Yu took Tang Xiaomin's card back and told the receptionist, "Put it all on my tab. Book two rooms."
...
Tang Xiaomin glanced back at Tang Yu.
"What?"
Tang Yu said helplessly, "How can I let you stay alone at a hotel? I'll stay with you."
This should calm her anger, he thought.
Tang Xiaomin took a room key and murmured, "Whatever you want, I didn't force you."
Tang Xiaomin's tone had clearly softened considerably, indicating it was working.
Tang Yu said to his parents, "Dad, Mom, I'll stay at the hotel with her, you guys go back. When she's calmed down tomorrow, I'll persuade her to come home with me."
Tang Zhongcheng nodded. "That would be for the best."
Tang Zhongcheng looked at Zhang Meiyu, gesturing for her to leave with him.
Zhang Meiyu glared fiercely at Tang Zhongcheng. Ever since she learned of Tang Zhongcheng's betrayal, Zhang Meiyu had not been pleasant to him.
"Book a room for me too, I'll stay with her."
...
As a result, Tang Zhongcheng had to return home alone.
When Tang Zhongcheng returned, he saw Tang Ye helping Tang Yiyi move rooms.
Tang Zhongcheng watched silently, not saying a word.
This room was swapped between Tang Yiyi and Tang Xiaomin with the understanding that Tang Xiaomin would later go to the Ye family to break off the engagement.
Now, Tang Yiyi couldn't hold back and broke her promise.