Chapter 49

Chapter 49 (New) First Kiss "Shixu-gege..." Chu Tang called out softly. Jiang Shixu's lips brushed against Chu Tang's cheek as he replied gently, "I'm here." "That time with Liang Yuda, and the fight with Gu Zechuan a few days ago..." Chu Tang bit her lip. "If your family found out that you lost control because of me and almost beat someone to death, would our engagement be called off?" Jiang Shixu kissed Chu Tang's forehead. "I won't let that happen. They won't find out." Chu Tang lowered her eyes, her heart aching. Her voice was small and faint. "There's no need to do that for someone like me." "Tangtang." Jiang Shixu's warm, broad palm lifted her chin, making her look up to meet his gaze. "There is a need. I value you more than my own life." The man's eyes were as dark as ink, his gaze at Chu Tang burning with intensity. Chu Tang froze. Emotions surged in her eyes, and for a long moment, she couldn't speak. She hadn't expected that she meant this much to Jiang Shixu. Chu Tang's eyelashes fluttered. She was afraid. Afraid of dragging him down. The thought that he had almost gone to prison because of her made her chest feel tight and suffocated. "Tangtang, didn't you say you wouldn't cry anymore? Why are tears falling again?" Jiang Shixu's voice pulled Chu Tang back to her senses, and only then did she feel the wetness on her face. She pouted. "Then help me wipe away my tears." Jiang Shixu's slightly rough fingertips gently brushed away the teardrops on the girl's face. Chu Tang suddenly reached out and wrapped her arms around Jiang Shixu's waist, burying her face in his chest, nuzzling against him like a little kitten. Jiang Shixu's heart melted. Chu Tang breathed in his scent, letting out a contented hum. "Shixu-gege, you smell so nice." Jiang Shixu chuckled. "If you like it, you can smell it more." Chu Tang snuggled against him, acting coy. "Shixu-gege, kiss me." Jiang Shixu thought he had misheard. His eyes widened slightly. He placed both hands on Chu Tang's shoulders and gently pushed her back, looking into her eyes as he said slowly, word by word, "What did you just say?" Chu Tang grew shy, the blush spreading from her cheeks to the tips of her ears. She bit her lip and spoke in a voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz: "I said... kiss me..." The moment the words left her mouth, Jiang Shixu's kiss came down like a storm. His lips were soft. It was Chu Tang's first kiss. She stood there clumsily, frozen in place, her teeth clenched tightly, not knowing how to react. Her heart was pounding. Thump-thump, almost about to leap out of her chest. Jiang Shixu gently sucked on her lips. Before long, his breathing became erratic. Before he lost control, Jiang Shixu pulled his lips away from hers on his own accord. Chu Tang heard the man's ragged breathing. She looked up and saw his flushed face and his dazed, intoxicated eyes. "Why did you stop?" Chu Tang asked, dazed, her eyes full of confusion. "Mm, get some rest early. I'm heading back." Jiang Shixu steadied his breathing, feigning calm. "If we keep going, something's going to happen." Chu Tang naturally understood what he meant by "something's going to happen." Her face flushed so red it looked like it might drip blood. "Okay... Then be careful on your way." Jiang Shixu gave her a deep look and squeezed out two words. "So sweet." "Hm? What?" Chu Tang tilted her head, her moist, limpid eyes filled with confusion. Jiang Shixu raised his hand, his index finger gently pressing against her luscious red lips, his eyes dark and unreadable. "Here. So sweet." Chu Tang felt as if she'd been struck by lightning, her whole body tingling with numbness. She turned and ran quickly into the bedroom. "Goodbye!" Jiang Shixu watched her fleeing figure and smiled indulgently. ... The next day. Chu Tang went to the Jiang family's old residence for a banquet. The Jiang family's old residence was in the same villa district as the Ruan family's villa. Before going to the Jiang residence, Chu Tang made a stop back at the Ruan family home. Ruan Shaodong and Yang Xuelian were both at home. Seeing her return, Ruan Shaodong asked, "You haven't been staying at home lately. Where have you been living?" Chu Tang already knew the truth about why Ruan Shaodong had remarried. Thinking of how it was her mother's dying wish, her attitude toward Ruan Shaodong was no longer as cold and rigid as before. She said calmly, "I'm staying at the apartment my cousin gave me. It's near the law firm, so it's convenient for work." Ruan Shaodong nodded. "When you have some free time, I'll take you to meet a few uncles to help you expand your client base." Chu Tang knew Ruan Shaodong wanted to give her resources and connections. She didn't refuse. "Okay, how about next weekend?" Ruan Jiaojiao came clattering down the stairs and threw her arms around Chu Tang's leg. "Jiejie, you're back!" Chu Tang patted her head. "Mm." Yang Xuelian stood to the side, smiling as she asked Chu Tang how she'd been lately and whether she was used to living outside. Chu Tang didn't clash with her like she used to. She just gave a slight nod. "I'll go upstairs first to grab something." Chu Tang went back to her room upstairs. "Shaodong, I feel like Tangtang has changed." Yang Xuelian said with a beaming smile. "Did you notice? This time she came home, her attitude toward us has softened a lot." Ruan Shaodong nodded with great relief. "She's grown up. No longer acting like a child." Chu Tang returned to her bedroom, changed her clothes, and was about to sit at the vanity to do her makeup when she lowered her eyes and saw something on the vanity. It was a crayon drawing, depicting a happy family of four. Chu Tang froze for a moment, a mix of emotions churning inside her. This was a drawing of their family of four, made by her younger sister, Ruan Jiaojiao. The man and woman on either side were Ruan Shaodong and Yang Xuelian, the taller girl in the middle was her, and the shorter girl was Ruan Jiaojiao. Chu Tang's gaze fixed intently on the drawing, emotions surging in her eyes, her thoughts unknown. After a long while, she rolled up the drawing and placed it into a storage box. After finishing her makeup, Chu Tang went downstairs and headed to the Jiang Family with them. Today, she wore an apricot-colored long-sleeved dress paired with white high-heeled shoes, looking dignified and elegant—the kind of attire that elders would appreciate. Ruan Jiaojiao wore a red little dress, her hair tied into two buns on top of her head, adorned with a red strawberry hair clip—a cute and festive outfit. Chu Tang and Ruan Jiaojiao walked in front, while Ruan Shaodong and Yang Xuelian followed behind, entering the Jiang Family's gate one after another. Jiang Shixu personally came out to welcome them. Inside the villa, the Jiang couple came forward with smiles to greet them. Xu Jingxuan stood beside the Jiang couple, also joining in with some polite pleasantries. Ruan Chutang's gaze swept over her, expressionless. The dinner was lavish, clearly showing that the Jiang Family had put thought into it—the entire table was filled with dishes that Chu Tang loved. After the meal, the two families sat down on the sofas in the living room. In a few days, Ruan Chutang and Jiang Shixu would be getting engaged, and they still needed to discuss some details of the engagement. Before the Jiang Family's matriarch could speak, Jiang Shixu suddenly said, "Since everyone is here right now, there's something I need to say." Everyone's attention turned to him. "Jingxuan, come over and apologize to Chu Tang." Jiang Shixu spoke coldly. Xu Jingxuan's eyes widened, her lips trembling. The matriarch frowned, her tone displeased, "Shixu!" Jiang Shixu ignored her, his gaze fixed directly on Xu Jingxuan, full of pressure, "I told you to come over and apologize. Can't you hear me?" Jiang's mother looked bewildered, "What's going on here?" Jiang Shixu's voice carried a chilling coldness, his gaze sharp as a blade, "Why don't you tell everyone yourself—about what happened at the equestrian center last time." Xu Jingxuan's face turned pale, looking at the matriarch with a pitiful expression, "Grandma..." The matriarch felt sorry for her and looked at Jiang Shixu with a hint of reproach, "Shixu, Xuanxuan has already told me about what happened at the equestrian center. It was a misunderstanding. Don't make things difficult for her." Upon hearing this, Chu Tang curled the corner of her mouth but said nothing. Ruan Shaodong and Yang Xuelian had no idea what was going on, looking at each other in confusion. Ruan Shaodong turned to look at Chu Tang and asked in a low voice, "Why does Shixu want Jingxuan to apologize to you? What did she do?" Chu Tang replied in a flat tone, "Let's see what she has to say." Jiang Shixu was already growing impatient, his brows and eyes filled with cold severity, "Xu Jingxuan, tell everyone exactly what happened at the equestrian center that day. If you dare to hide anything, I will say it myself."