He jolted back to his senses and panicked when he realized he had been staring for far too long. Meng Yang hurriedly turned away and kneed Xiao Pang in the butt. “Let’s go buy some milk tea.” “Huh? Oh, okay, let’s go.” Xiao Pangrubbed his behind before reluctantly following the other

  boy.

  As for Chu Yao, he remained withYao TangandLin Xin, and they continued to the cafeteria together.

  Yao Yuan found himself being summoned toXie Cheng’s office.

  “Director Xie,” he greeted. “Have you finally found what happened to the promotion that was supposed to be mine?”


  Xie Cheng set his pen down and leaned back against his chair. “The person who interfered in the matter is from the Qin family in the capital city.”


  “What?!” Yao Yuanburst out, his face contorting into various expressions ranging from shock to desperation. “Director Xie, I swear, I have never offended anyone from the Qin family. I’m not even in a position to be able to meet with any of them!”


  His boss’ eyes darkened. “Are you sure about that?”


  Yao Yuan’s heart skipped a beat. “What do you mean, Director Xie?”


  Xie Cheng sighed. When he spoke again, his voice was low and heavy. “The Qin family asked me to pass on a message to you. They advise you not to anger or hurt someone you have no business provoking.” After being dismissed, Yao Yuantrudged out of the Director’s Office, deep in thought.

  Barring the Ruan family, there was only one other person he had antagonized recently-Yao Tang. But there was absolutely no way for her to be acquainted with anybody from the Qin family. Later at noon, Yao Yuanwent out of the office for lunch.

  Just as they were driving past the bank, he spotted a familiar figure walking out of the building.

  “Stop the car!” he yelled and turned his head to take a closer look.

  Yao Tang wore her straight hair down, her head covered with her signature black cap. She was clad in black overalls and a white, oversized coat. She sported a lazy pose with her hands in her pockets.

  Beside her was a middle-aged man, who was speaking animatedly with her.

  Yao Yuan gaped as soon as he recognized the man.

  Wasn’t this the president of the bank himself? Was he personally seeing Yao Tangout and sending her off?

  Yao Yuan’s curiosity and disbelief got the better of him. He got out of the car and strode over to the bank’s entrance.

  The bank president finished speaking with Yao Tangand returned inside.

  “Yao Tang!” Yao Yuancalled from the distance.

  The girl turned in his direction and narrowed her eyes without saying anything.

  Yao Yuan stopped in front of her and demanded, “What are you doing here?”


  Her lips twitched, but her expression remained cold. “Withdrawing some money,” she drawled.

  Yao Yuan snorted and sneered at her. “Withdrawing money, you say? And just how much money do you have that the bank president himself was attending to you?” He rolled his eyes and added, “You should come up with a better lie next time.”


  Yao Tang raised her eyebrows and cocked her head in the door’s direction. “Oh, you mean that old man.”


  Yao Yuan gritted his teeth as he waited for her to finish whatever else she might say.

  “You remember that time when Yao Ranmade me angry, don’t you? Apparently, the president realized that I have a talent for fighting, so he asked for my help to beat someone up.”


  Yao Yuan’s face turned murderous.

  Unfazed, Yao Tangflashed him a cheeky grin. If one looked closely, however, they would see that there was a ruthlessness behind her eyes that would have made anyone shrivel in fear.

  Thankfully, the chauffeur suddenly showed up, having run after Yao Yuanwhen he’d left the car. “Chief Yao, Chief Zhao and the others are waiting at the restaurant.”


  Remembering his appointment, Yao Yuangave his daughter one last glare and a warning. “You said that you’re never going back to theYao family. That’s well and good, but you had better keep from getting involved in street brawls. I won’t have my family name tarnished in such a vulgar way.”


  With that, he turned and strode back to the street.

  Yao Tang watched him go, her face devoid of any emotion. When he was gone, she pushed her cap lower, pocketed her hands, then began a leisurely walk to the nearest bus station.

  She was halfway there when a black SUV screeched to a stop beside her. Yao Tanglooked over.

  The car window rolled down, revealing Qin Hao’s roguish face.

  “Where are you off to, Yao Tang?” he asked, his arms braced on the steering wheel.

  “Back to school,” Yao Tanganswered nonchalantly.

  Qin Hao pursed his lips and nodded, then gestured toward the backseat. “Get in the car. I’ll take you there.”


  Yao Tang didn’t need further encouragement. She opened the car door and let herself in.

  “Brother Cheng is back in the capital,” Qin Haosaid casually as he started the engine. “He asked me to look after you in the next few days.”


  Yao Tang had settled into a comfortable position and was already playing on her phone. She didn’t seem to care about anything he had just said. “How is the patient’s recovery going?” “Pretty good. After taking the Chinese medicine you gave us, she has been moving around easily, and can even do daily activities without constant assistance.”


  Yao Tang hummed in acknowledgment and said nothing more.

  The capital city, Cheng Residence.

  Old Madam Cheng was lounging on a massive chair in one of the many halls of the villa. She wore a pair of retro-styled glasses and was absorbed in her book when she suddenly noticedCheng Yanwalking in. She raised an eyebrow at him for a brief second, then instantly went back to her book. “Grandma,” Cheng Yangreeted in a quiet voice. The old woman scoffed. “So you still know your way back home, huh?! And here I was, thinking that you would only come back to attend my funeral in the near future!”


  Taken aback, Cheng Yanblinked twice and turned to leave.

  Old Madam Cheng almost jumped out of her chair. “Wait, stop right there!”