Chapter 60: Meeting Tang Hanyan Again
“This house was purchased by me five years ago, but I’ve never lived here. It’s been vacant until now, so since Sui Yi needs it, she can stay for the time being... Madam, rest assured, the environment here is excellent. You can take morning walks and exercise; there are security patrols, so it’s very safe...”
Tang Lao’s words were not addressed to the old lady, but to Sui Yi.
As for the surroundings, Sui Yi was very satisfied. The air quality in Nanxun was already good, and the landscaping here was superb. Backed by verdant hills and bordered by the Nanxun River, the setting was beautiful...
Compared to high-rise apartments, the old lady was indeed more suited to live here.
Thus, she accepted Tang Lao’s arrangement and persuaded the old lady to stay, though privately she approached Tang Lao and raised the monthly rent to ten thousand.
The villa wasn’t particularly upscale, worth about five million, so a monthly rent of ten thousand wasn’t unreasonable.
Tang Lao initially refused, saying that Elder Han was very friendly to him because of Sui Yi, even assigning him some tasks for the Antique Conference, which would make him a tidy profit... The villa would be free of charge.
But Sui Yi cast him a cool glance and said, “Let’s wait until after the Antique Conference, when you’ve truly made money.”
Tang Lao was exasperated—this girl was stubborn as an ox! He had no choice but to accept the money, though he secretly thought, “Fine, I’ll just give you a raise.”
Fortunately, Tang Lao knew Sui Yi was not short of money these days, so he didn’t feel burdened by it.
The villa was clean and nearly new. Sui Yi arranged the old lady’s room, checked the amenities, and then saw Tang Lao and Ah A off.
After leaving the villa, Ah A and Tang Lao got back into their car.
In the car, Tang Lao laughed coldly, “Kid, I know what you’re thinking...”
“....”
“Forget it, you won’t catch Sui Yi, that girl’s not for you!”
“....”
“As her mentor, I’ll keep an eye out for her. Besides, she’s only seventeen... Her future is limitless. You may be following Elder Lin, but you’re still just a subordinate...” Tang Lao’s words were blunt.
Under the old man’s various threats, Ah A finally replied,
“If her future is limitless, then I really ought to latch on early... Is that what you mean, Tang Lao?”
“Damn!”
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Mingyue Community was not remote, located in the town center, and only half an hour from Yantang Teahouse. Sui Yi had a bicycle, so it took only ten minutes to ride there—quite convenient. But it was a bit farther from Second High; about a half-hour ride, though for Sui Yi that wasn’t an issue. Tang Lao knew she was an early riser and appreciated exercise, which is why he chose this location.
Sui Yi mused that Tang Lao was indeed protective; when she didn’t follow his profession, he was never this considerate...
Settling everything in place, Sui Yi bought food from a restaurant in the community, ate with the old lady, gave her some instructions, and then left.
Her bicycle, clothes, and books were still at Yantang Teahouse...
When she pushed open the door, she saw Tang Lao had already returned. His expression was cold, silent, and opposite him, someone was seated, speaking.
The voice was pleasant, yet independent.
Tang Lao saw her, forced a smile, and said, “You’re here. Zhou Ran’s gone, so the shop’s short-handed. I plan to close for a few days until I hire someone new. Just focus on your studies for now; no need to come by... Oh, and the books and materials on your desk—I prepared them for you. Take a good look when you get home.”
“Alright...” Sui Yi entered, glanced back, and caught a glimpse of someone behind the bead curtain.
Was it her?
Watching Sui Yi’s figure as she went upstairs, the person sitting on the small sofa smiled, “Granduncle is so indifferent to us, but treats Sui Yi exceptionally well.”
“Hmph! At least she’s not as annoying as you all! Go back... Tell your grandfather I’m not returning. I’m comfortable here with my lowly business, no need to go back and offend his eyes...”
Tang Lao’s attitude was abrasive, but the person wasn’t upset. Instead, she smiled elegantly, raised her tea, and said, “It’s fine. I only came to see you, not to persuade you to return... But my daughter’s birthday is coming up. You saw her recently—won’t you send a gift?”
Tang Lao was silent.
Damn, you really came just to ask for a present! Clearly, you’re as scheming as your grandfather!
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Sui Yi did find several thick books on her desk, covering various topics on antiques and cultural relics.
She glanced at them and smiled; now she found these books quite interesting...
It would be good to study them.
Packing everything up, she slung her bulky backpack over one shoulder and went downstairs, just as the person from the teahouse was leaving, bidding Tang Lao goodbye. Hearing Sui Yi’s footsteps, the woman looked up.
She gazed at Sui Yi; her eyes were beautiful, smiling, yet held an indescribable meaning.
Sui Yi didn’t delve into it, went down, and greeted, “Aunt Tang...”
Tang Hanyan smiled at her, softly, “Have you eaten?”
Such warmth made Sui Yi puzzled; she’d expected the woman to be dismissive of her background.
Of course, she believed that someone as elegant as Tang Hanyan wouldn’t stoop to showing disdain.
Sui Yi replied calmly that she’d eaten, and Tang Hanyan nodded, bid Tang Lao farewell, and though he was neither warm nor cold, Sui Yi saw her off, watched her get into the car.
As she opened the door, Tang Hanyan turned to look at Sui Yi, who stood composed, letting herself be scrutinized. After a moment, Tang Hanyan said, “You look thin, but seem quite strong...”
Sui Yi answered naturally, “Maybe I eat too much.”
“Heh, few girls would admit that.”
Smiling as she closed the car door, Tang Hanyan paused, looked out the window, and said to Sui Yi, “You may have noticed—speaking as a mother, I’m actually reluctant for you to get too close to Qingwu. Your background and character are complicated, but Qingwu is determined, and I trust my daughter’s judgment. So, I won’t interfere. Yet, with your pride, I worry you’ll distance yourself from Qingwu because of me. I would regret that.”
It wasn’t that she looked down on Sui Yi for being an orphan with no family; she simply knew Sui Yi had spent years moving effortlessly in Tang Lao and Lin Lao’s circles...
Such skill and temperament could not be innocent. She wasn’t sure what impact Sui Yi might have on Yan Qingwu, but dared not risk it.
“Auntie is very direct,” Sui Yi replied, eyes closed, her voice cool.
“Because you’re mature; there’s no need for euphemisms with you.”
Sui Yi didn’t mind Tang Hanyan’s confidence; perhaps they were alike in some ways. After a moment’s thought, she said, “As for myself, I can’t guarantee what hasn’t happened, only try to avoid it. As long as I’m at school, in front of Yan Qingwu, I’ll always be her deskmate and friend. As for your attitude toward me...”
Tang Hanyan saw the fleeting shadow in Sui Yi’s beautiful eyes and heard her say, “It’s actually not important.”
So, I was just being sentimental?
Tang Hanyan felt a momentary blockage, then saw Sui Yi smile lightly and turn away.
After a long pause, Tang Hanyan closed the window and laughed, “What a girl, Sui Yi!”
She understood—Sui Yi’s meaning was clear: she and Yan Qingwu were just desk mates for now.
Not that close yet.
Ha! So I really was being sentimental?
Tang Hanyan, who had always made others uncomfortable, was for the first time at a loss, and from a girl she thought she could easily handle.
A novel experience, indeed.
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Second High had been in turmoil lately. First, the vice principal’s affairs had drawn the attention of the town and even Jiangnan City’s media. Second, the principal was elderly and had recently fallen ill, so both principal and vice principal would be leaving, meaning their teams would be reshuffled.
But such “official” matters were beyond the students’ concern. Lately, Second High’s students had experienced what it meant to be celebrities. Whenever they went out, people would ask, “Are you from Second High? Did your vice principal really get arrested?” If a girl, even better—“Did the vice principal ever bully you? No? Wow, even that old pervert wasn’t interested in you, how unlucky!”
So it was proven that Sui Yi, who nearly got bullied by Han Tianshou, was considered a beauty, and her reputation spread rapidly...
The world’s most gossip-loving people aren’t journalists, but students.
On Monday morning, as Sui Yi rode to school, she felt what it meant to be the center of attention.
At the traffic light, a bus stopped, and a group peered out the window, shouting, “Hey, are you Sui Yi from Second High?”
Sui Yi glanced at their uniforms—Third High?
Her gaze swept over their teasing faces, and she turned away, walking off.
“Wow, so aloof!”
“Exactly!”
“What’s she showing off for?”
“Come on, don’t mess with her! She’s not someone to provoke,” a Second High student warned.
Others scoffed.
Just a girl, reportedly with a poor family and bad grades—what’s there to fear?
Few students sensed the undercurrents swirling beneath the surface; most lived simply in their own world.
When Sui Yi returned to her classroom, she had already hung up on Lin Quan’s call.
Earlier, Tang Lao had mentioned Lin Quan was reinstated, now tasked with investigating Han Tianshou’s case. But for the embezzlement charges, it was still up to the higher investigation team...
It seemed the dust had settled. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please support it with your votes—the greatest motivation for me. Mobile users, please read at m.)