Chapter 172

Chapter 172: This Is Bad News for You Qin Yan let out a sigh and said, "Paper can't wrap fire, Yuanyuan. They'll find out sooner or later." Chen Yuanyuan's eyelashes trembled slightly, her voice lacking its usual liveliness, carrying a hint of sorrow. "Qin Yan, I'm scared... Maybe we should just call it off." "Impossible." Qin Yan's voice carried an unyielding firmness. "Yuanyuan, trust me, okay? I'll take care of this." Chen Yuanyuan's expression was tinged with sadness and a touch of desolation. "How are you going to take care of it? Are you going to make them get a divorce just to be with us?" Qin Yan furrowed his brows and fell silent. Chu Tang's head was starting to ache from listening. She let out a sigh and said helplessly, "I'll keep your secret, but the sooner this is resolved, the better. It's no big deal that I found out today, but if someone who loves gossip and spreading rumors saw you two, snapped a few photos, and sold them to the tabloids, you'd both be on the front page tomorrow." Chu Tang looked at Chen Yuanyuan and said earnestly, "Yuanyuan, Brother Qin Yan is right. Paper can't wrap fire. Uncle and Auntie will find out sooner or later. Rather than having them hear it from someone else, it's better if you two confess on your own." Chen Yuanyuan kept her eyes lowered, staring at the floor without saying a word. Qin Yan reached out and pulled her into his arms. "Yuanyuan, I'm here. Don't be afraid." ... After leaving the restaurant, Chu Tang drove back to the Ruan residence. Tomorrow was Sunday and she didn't need to work, so she wanted to go back and spend time with Jiaojiao. While waiting at a red light, her phone screen lit up. There was a new message on WeChat. Chu Tang opened it and took a look. Lu Shuci: [Home yet?] Chu Tang replied. [Still on the way. What's up?] Lu Shuci replied almost instantly. [Then drive safe. Focus on the road. We'll talk when you get home.] Chu Tang: [Okay.] At the same time. Jiang Shixu received a phone call. Jiang Shixu's friend and Jiangshi Group shareholder, Chen Min, asked gossipily over the phone, "Shixu, what's going on between you and Ruan Chutang? Haven't you two made up yet?" "What's wrong?" Jiang Shixu's expression was cold and stern, his voice devoid of any warmth. "Guess who I saw tonight?" Chen Min teased, dragging it out. Jiang Shixu had little patience and said, "If there's nothing important, I'm hanging up." "Hey, don't!" Chen Min quickly said. "I saw Ruan Chutang!" Jiang Shixu's knuckles tightened. "When? Where?" Chen Min chuckled and teased, "Ooh, look at you. Someone was just acting all impatient, and now you're suddenly concerned? I knew it—the moment Ruan Chutang is mentioned, you become a different person." Jiang Shixu's tone was icy. "Cut the crap." "Alright, alright, I'll tell you." Chen Min switched to a more serious tone. "But you'd better prepare yourself. This is bad news for you." Jiang Shixu remained silent. Chen Min stopped his joking around and said rather seriously, "I was having dinner with a client at the restaurant tonight. The moment I stepped out of the private room, I saw your Ruan Chutang walking out of another private room with Lu Shuci." Jiang Shixu's expression turned even colder. Chen Min paused, then continued, "I also saw Gu Tingyao, the eldest of the Gu family, with his wife and kids, along with his mother-in-law and father-in-law. Oh right, you know that Gu Tingyao's in-laws are Lu Shuci's maternal grandparents, right? Lu Shuci's parents have been living in Australia all these years, so his only family back home are his maternal grandparents and his aunt Lin Man. You know Lin Man, right? She's Gu Tingyao's wife." "You know Lu Shuci's family matters that well?" Chen Min chuckled slyly. "I've been keeping tabs on him for you. That kid chased Ruan Chutang all the way to Jiangda University back in college, and even dared to confess his feelings right under your nose. I had to keep an eye on him for you." After listening, Jiang Shixu asked, "So? What are you trying to say?" Chen Min said with some sympathy, "Shixu, from the looks of it, it seems like they're meeting the parents already. That's way too fast, isn't it? Didn't you two just break up a month ago? It's only been three months, and Ruan Chutang is already at the stage of meeting Lu Shuci's family..." Before Chen Min could finish his sentence, Jiang Shixu couldn't listen any longer and hung up. The man stood before the floor-to-ceiling window of the villa, his brows tightly furrowed, his cold, handsome features filled with desolation. No. He couldn't let this go on. He had to win Tangtang back. ... When Chu Tang arrived at the Ruan residence, the lights in the first-floor lobby were on. Ruan Shaodong was sitting on the sofa watching financial news. Seeing her return, Ruan Shaodong's gaze softened. "You're back." "Yeah." Chu Tang walked over and sat down on another sofa. "I came back to see Jiaojiao. Is she asleep?" "She just went to sleep," Ruan Shaodong said. "Have you eaten?" Chu Tang nodded. "Yes, I have." "Has Jiaojiao's condition improved recently?" Chu Tang asked. "Much better." "That's good." Chu Tang said, "I have nothing to do tomorrow, so I'll come back and keep her company." Ruan Shaodong's gaze was filled with relief. "Good." "Tangtang, you've been wronged." Ruan Shaodong's eyes showed distress. "You were in Country A..." Seeming to find it difficult to speak, Ruan Shaodong paused before continuing, "When they kidnapped you to Country A, did they do anything to you?" Chu Tang shook her head. "Nothing much. I just got beaten up. It's fine, it's all in the past." The distress in Ruan Shaodong's eyes deepened. "Tangtang, it's Father's fault. I failed to protect you. I've hired a new batch of bodyguards at a high price, but some of the paperwork hasn't been processed yet. Once it's done and they arrive in Jiangcheng in a couple of days, I'll send a few over to you." Chu Tang said, "But bodyguards can't protect me everywhere at all times." "They can." Ruan Shaodong said, "Among this batch of bodyguards, there's a female one who used to be the personal bodyguard of a princess from Country C. Only with her protecting you would I feel at ease. Arrange for her to work at the law firm, and if possible, it's best to have her live with you." Chu Tang no longer wanted to be used by Fu Yuanzhou as a pawn to threaten Jiang Shixu. Upon hearing Ruan Shaodong mention that there was a female bodyguard who could protect her closely, Chu Tang nodded and said, "Alright, Dad. You should also hire more bodyguards to protect yourself and Auntie and Jiaojiao and the others." "I know, you don't need to worry about that." "Mm." That topic came to an end. A moment of silence passed. Ruan Shaodong asked Chu Tang in a concerned tone, "How's the law firm lately? Going smoothly?" It had been a long time since the father and daughter had sat down like this to have a proper conversation. After everything they'd been through, Chu Tang and her father no longer spoke to each other with hostility the moment they opened their mouths. Chu Tang said, "It's going well." Ruan Shaodong was deeply gratified, his gaze kind. "Tangtang has grown up." Chu Tang pressed her lips together and said nothing. "Do you still resent Father's company now?" Ruan Shaodong asked softly. "Your father and your aunt's intention is to transfer some shares to you. You don't need to worry about operational risks, and you won't be held liable if anything goes wrong. You just need to collect the dividends." "Alright." Ruan Shaodong was slightly taken aback, not expecting Chu Tang to agree so readily this time. "Dad..." Chu Tang looked up at Ruan Shaodong. "I was immature before. Now all I want is for our family to be harmonious." "Good, good." Tears actually welled up in Ruan Shaodong's eyes. He murmured, "Let our family be harmonious."