Marriage Seduction Addiction

Chapter 225 Yan Shiyu said, "Stop when you say so."
Tang Xu never imagined that one day in her life, she would be criticized by Jiang Muchen for being impolite.

Arrogant and conceited as he is, how could he possibly know what politeness is?

Tang Xu couldn't help but laugh, her tone sarcastic: "Since Mr. Jiang knows what manners are, then you can enjoy this meal to your heart's content."

After saying that, Tang Xu forcefully broke free from his hand and turned to walk towards the door.

"Yaoyao..."

Tang Lan then stood up and chased after Tang Xu, finally stopping her at the door.

"Mom is leaving this afternoon. Are you really not even willing to give her this meal?"

Tang Xu slowly turned his head, looked at her pitiful eyes, and said calmly, "We haven't eaten together for so many years, so missing this meal won't be a regret for me. Besides, don't you already have someone with you now, Mrs. Shao?"

Tang Lan turned to look at Jiang Muchen sitting at the dining table, paused, and then said, "I know that you and he have had some disagreements, but you have to believe me, I invited him here today for the good of both of you."

"For my own good?" Tang Xu chuckled. "Do you know what that person has done in the past?"

“I know, I know everything…” Tang Lan said, “Your father once told me—”

"No! You don't know! You don't know anything!" Tang Xu interrupted her. "My father is kind and generous. He thinks, that's his opinion, his understanding doesn't represent your understanding. Mrs. Shao, don't be so naive."

"At least I know he has the ability to protect you!" Tang Lan gripped her hand even tighter. "No matter what happens in the future, it's important that he has the ability to protect you!"

Tang Xu paused slightly as she was about to pull her hand back.

She stared intently at Tang Lan, observing every change in her expression. "The future? What will happen to me in the future that I'll need him to protect me?"

Tang Lan pursed her lips gently and said softly, "Yao Yao, you are too stubborn. You're in this industry, and you're bound to run into trouble sooner or later. When that happens, you'll need someone to protect you."

"Hehe." Tang Xu chuckled softly again, looking at her and saying, "When I needed protection the most, you didn't care at all, but now you're making preparations for things that haven't even happened yet?"

"Yaoyao..." Tang Lan closed her eyes briefly, "I know I've wronged you, but I really want to make it up to you—"

“Then I’ll say it again, I don’t need it.” Tang Xu replied, word by word. “I’ve said before that only one person in this world has the right to interfere in my life, and that person is no longer here. Since we can’t be truly honest, then Mrs. Shao, please know your place and don’t overstep your bounds.”

After saying that, Tang Xu didn't linger. Taking advantage of Tang Lan's momentary daze, he turned and left.

This time, Tang Lan did not continue to chase after her.

She just stood there silently, watching Tang Xu walk straight into the elevator and eventually disappear from her sight.

After a while, Tang Lan finally slowly walked back into the restaurant.

Jiang Muchen sat down at the table again, remaining calm and composed, even though he had heard many of their words, he still managed to keep a straight face.

"I'm sorry, you must have found this amusing," Tang Lan said to Jiang Muchen, forcing a smile.

“No need,” Jiang Muchen replied. “I think I know her personality better than you do.”

Tang Lan lowered her eyes slightly upon hearing this, still chuckling softly, "That's true, after all, you two were husband and wife... You and I should have been the closest people to her in this world, but unexpectedly..."

She didn't continue, and Jiang Muchen's expression darkened noticeably.

"So, may I ask you, what is the reason you insist on not getting a divorce?" Tang Lan suddenly asked.

Jiang Muchen picked up the coffee the waiter had just brought, took a sip, and then asked, "What do you think?"

“I think it’s because you still have feelings for her that you’re unwilling to let go,” Tang Lan said.

Jiang Muchen glanced at her, but didn't answer, only letting out a faint, cold laugh.

Tang Lan said, "You don't need to rush to deny it. I've seen the way many men look at women, and I've seen the way you look at her... I know what you're thinking."

Jiang Muchen still didn't respond to her words. After a moment of silence, he replied ambiguously, "She really doesn't resemble you at all."

Upon hearing this, Tang Lan's expression faltered slightly. After a moment, she spoke again: "Perhaps, this is a good thing... but she is so stubborn and obstinate, I dare not think it is a good thing."

These words were rather vague, and Jiang Muchen didn't bother to judge them, instead taking another sip of coffee.

"I know some things about your past," Tang Lan said. "Back then, there was a misunderstanding between you two, so those things can't necessarily be entirely your fault. Lately, you seem to have changed a lot; at least... there haven't been any scandals about you. Is it because of her?"

Jiang Muchen still didn't answer directly, only saying, "So what if it is, so what if it isn't?"

“If not, then let’s pretend we never met today,” Tang Lan said. “If so, then I entrust her to you as her biological mother, hoping that in the future, no matter what happens, you will protect her safety.”

Upon hearing this, Jiang Muchen narrowed his gaze slightly and looked at her, "What do you mean by that?"

“It doesn’t mean anything else.” Tang Lan slightly shifted her gaze and said, “It’s just a mother’s hope for her daughter’s future to be smooth and stable. I know you can do it, and you’re willing to do it, right?”

After a long silence, Jiang Muchen finally responded, "Since you know so much about this, you should also know that this is not a decision I can make alone."

“No, you can,” Tang Lan said. “As long as you agree, I believe this matter will eventually have a good outcome.”

Jiang Muchen looked at her without saying a word for a long time.

Just then, his phone rang. Jiang Muchen glanced at the message and said, "Sorry, I have to go now. I can't keep you company any longer." Tang Lan didn't say anything more, just nodded. "Go ahead and do what you need to do. You have my contact number. You can call me if you need anything."

Jiang Muchen did not answer, but got up and left.

Tang Lan was left sitting there alone, her gaze once again turning to the window.

After a long while, she reached out and wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes.

Just then, someone quietly sat down next to her and put their arm around her shoulder.

Tang Lan turned around and saw Shao Qingyun, who had walked in at some point.

Shao Qingyun glanced at the untouched breakfast on the table, but didn't ask any questions. He simply said, "I had someone change the flight to eleven o'clock. Chenxi is insisting on eating your curry chicken as soon as she gets home from school, so you need to go back early to prepare it for her."

Upon hearing this, Tang Lan finally smiled and softly replied, "Okay."

Shao Qingyun added, "Look at you, you've lost weight in just a few days since you came back. It seems you're no longer used to the climate and environment of Huai City. You should try not to come back again in the future."

Upon hearing this, Tang Lan remained silent for a long time, and finally just lowered her eyes and leaned into his arms without responding.

……

Tang Xu left the hotel and drove aimlessly through several streets. He finally calmed down from his agitated and angry emotions and his mind became clearer.

Instead of lingering on the road, she turned around and returned to Qiushuitai.

With so much data left from last night, and so much time to analyze and investigate it piece by piece, she'll surely find some clues eventually, right?

With that thought in mind, Tang Xu sat in the large living room of Qiushuitai, flipping through documents and checking the computer all day.

When Yan Shiyu returned to Qiushuitai in the evening, she was so exhausted that she lay down on the coffee table and fell asleep with a few documents as her pillow.

Yan Shiyu stepped forward slowly, reached out his hand, and immediately touched her forehead.

Tang Xu woke up instantly, sat up straight, but instead of looking at him, she instinctively reached for the documents beside her.

When she realized what was happening and turned to see Yan Shiyu sitting next to her, Yan Shiyu reached out and pulled her up, leading her into the sofa.

Before he could say anything, Tang Xu asked anxiously, "How is it? Do you have any news? Have you found a buyer for that rose painting?"

“Found it,” Yan Shiyu replied. “The most recent publicly available transaction shows that it was bought by Tan Junbo.”

Tan Junbo is considered a relatively well-known second-generation figure in the industry, so Tang Xu knew who he was as soon as Yan Shiyu mentioned him.

She quickly pressed on, "And then what happened after he bought it? Was there any follow-up news about the sale?"

Yan Shiyu replied, "No. According to him, the painting should still be in the family's warehouse."

“Impossible,” Tang Xu replied immediately. “Could it be that his warehouse is that villa?”

Yan Shiyu gently rubbed her back to comfort her, and said, "I've already arranged for someone to buy that painting from him. If he can produce it tomorrow, we'll make the deal. If he can't, we should at least find out who took the painting, right?"

Tang Xu knew that these investigations were conducted in secret. Those second-generation rich kids were busy with their own affairs every day, and it was impossible for them to rush back to check their own warehouses on the same day just because of a casual remark. Therefore, she knew she couldn't be impatient and simply nodded.

"And you? You didn't spend the whole day doing data analysis here, did you?" Yan Shiyu asked. "Are you feeling unwell?"

Tang Xu gently shook her head, then said, "I've already had the injections, how could I not be better? My physical condition is still very good, you know?"

As she spoke, she made gestures as if to show him, but the places her hands brushed across her body seemed rather unconvincing.

Finally, Tang Xu raised her face and gave him a big smile.

From this angle, Yan Shiyu lowered his head and covered her lips with his.

Ever since she realized there might be something wrong with Song Yuting's death, she has been completely absorbed in it, so busy that she has lost track of time and herself.

The intimacy between the two was also pitifully small.

Therefore, the kisses this morning and at this moment both seem somewhat abrupt to Tang Xu.

In particular, his aura invaded completely with a domineering and tyrannical force.

Some of the implications are far too obvious.

A subtle, almost imperceptible panic stirred within Tang Xu, but it vanished the moment his kiss interrupted it.

Soon, Tang Xu noticed something even more abrupt.

She paused slightly, then stopped moving for a moment.

Opening his eyes, Yan Shiyu's gaze was deep and boundless, containing an unknown depth of emotion.

“If you tell me to stop, I’ll stop,” Yan Shiyu said.