Chapter 66

Chapter 66: Brother, You Won't Blame Me, Will You? (New) Chu Tang lowered her gaze, her eyes drifting downward. Jiang Shixu was holding her hand, their fingers interlaced. The man's tone was mocking: "A date? After being with me, would Tang Tang still set her sights on trash like him?" Crude words, but the logic was sound. Chu Tang smiled sweetly, leaning cooperatively into Jiang Shixu's embrace like a delicate bird. "Shixu-gege is right. Right now, my heart only has room for Shixu-gege. How could I ever think of those random cats and dogs I dated back when I was young and foolish?" Gu Zechuan's smile froze, his face darkening. "Random cats and dogs from when she was young and foolish." Was that all he amounted to in her eyes? Gu Zechuan's hands clenched tightly at his sides, struggling to suppress the fury and resentment burning within him. Meanwhile, a barely perceptible flash of jealousy crossed Xu Jingxuan's eyes. She gritted her teeth, cursing Ruan Chutang a thousand times over in her heart. At that moment, Chen Yuanyuan chimed in with a sarcastic tone: "Miss Yan, I guess this just goes to show that the Yan family doesn't know how to conduct themselves properly. Someone like Gu Zechuan—a pair of worn-out shoes Tang Tang got tired of—and you're still licking them like they're precious. How embarrassing." "Who are you calling worn-out shoes?" Gu Zechuan couldn't hold back any longer, demanding angrily. Yan Man was also red-faced with anger, about to argue with Chen Yuanyuan when her peripheral vision caught Qin Yan standing behind Chen Yuanyuan. She held herself back. She couldn't afford to provoke the Qin family. "I'm talking about you." Chen Yuanyuan was enjoying the drama, arms crossed as she coldly eyed Gu Zechuan. "So you're Gu Zechuan, huh? Dating Chu Tang is like having a criminal record. Good thing she came to her senses in time and kicked you to the curb. Otherwise, I'd have held a knife to her throat and forced her to break up with you. Aren't you already hooking up with your so-called White Moonlight? The weather's so nice today—why don't you take her out for a walk?" Gu Zechuan was about to explode with rage. Seeing that he was about to lose control and start cursing at Chen Yuanyuan, Xu Jingxuan quickly grabbed his arm. "Alright, alright, let's stop arguing. Today's whole thing was just a misunderstanding. It's my fault, my fault. I didn't know Gu Zechuan and Sister Ruan used to be a couple." Xu Jingxuan gently bit her lower lip, her eyes glistening with tears as she looked at Jiang Shixu, her pitiful appearance on the verge of tears. "Brother, I really didn't know Gu Zechuan was Sister Ruan's ex-boyfriend. I thought... I thought he was just simply Manman's friend... Brother, you won't blame me, will you?" Jiang Shixu was about to speak when Chu Tang beat him to it, mimicking Xu Jingxuan's fake-sweet tone: "Sister, it was just an innocent mistake. How could I blame you? And your brother won't blame you either." Jiang Shixu didn't know what Chu Tang was planning, but since she'd said it, he cooperated unconditionally, his face cold as he said, "If Tang Tang doesn't blame you, then I don't blame you either." Xu Jingxuan was stunned, looking at Ruan Chutang in confusion. Ruan Chutang gave her a sweet smile that made Xu Jingxuan's skin crawl. What was Ruan Chutang really up to? Chu Tang sneered inwardly. You want to play dirty? Let's see who ends up feeling sickened. Just then, Zhou Zheng'an, who had been quietly watching the drama unfold, suddenly spoke up: "Let's not all stand around here. Let's grab something to eat and rest a bit. We need our strength for the hike." The spectators dispersed, and everyone pulled out their pre-prepared folding tables and chairs. After setting up the tables and laying out tablecloths, they arranged all the cooked food, drinks, and fresh ingredients neatly. A barbecue grill, charcoal, portable gas stove, pots, pans, bowls, and chopsticks—all the picnic cooking supplies were fully equipped. Everyone got busy, some grilling meat, others cooking dishes. Chu Tang and Chen Yuanyuan both loved grilled meat, so the two of them huddled together at the grill. Chen Yuanyuan: "Why don't you just chase him away?" The "him" referred to Gu Zechuan. Chu Tang leisurely brushed sauce onto the beef skewers. "Can't chase him away. If I chase him off once, he'll just come back again. I've tried several times before. It doesn't work." "Tang Tang, I told you, didn't I? That Xu Jingxuan isn't some harmless little thing. Do you believe she didn't know Gu Zechuan was your ex, or do you believe I'm Qin Shi Huang?" "I know she did it on purpose. I'm guessing Xu Jingxuan has been in contact with Gu Zechuan privately, teaming up to try and break me and Shixu apart. Since they're so eager to make me sick, I'll play along with their little game and see who ends up feeling sickened." Chen Yuanyuan gave a thumbs up. "Accurate. Correct. Right on the nose. Your sister supports you!" Qin Yan sidled over, eager for gossip. "Tang Tang little sister, that dumbass from earlier was your ex-boyfriend?" Chu Tang was about to answer when Qin Yan suddenly yelped in pain, clutching his head. Jiang Shixu's cool voice came from behind him. "Don't pry into matters that aren't your business." Qin Yan looked at him with a resentful expression. "Why'd you flick me? Ouch, that hurts! I was just showing some concern for Tang Tang little sister." "Got nothing better to do, huh?" Chen Yuanyuan shoved a handful of fresh lamb skewers and a handful of chicken wing skewers into Qin Yan's hands. "Grill these." Qin Yan: "..." Jiang Shixu wrapped his arms around Chu Tang from behind, resting his chin on her shoulder, his hands circling her waist, his tone clingy and soft: "Tang Tang." Chu Tang let him hold her while grilling meat, saying, "These skewers will be ready in a moment." "Mm." The man's breath enveloped Chu Tang tightly. Jiang Shixu would kiss Chu Tang's neck one moment, then gently nibble her earlobe the next, his warm breath tickling her and making her giggle. When Jiang Shixu tried to bite her ear again, Chu Tang laughed and dodged away. "Stop messing around, everyone's watching." Jiang Shixu's voice was low and seductive. "What's there to be afraid of? Let them see how sweet we are." Qin Yan, the single dog sitting nearby, said, "Oh my, Yuanyuan, do you smell something?" Chen Yuanyuan sniffed the air. "What smell? I only smell the aroma of grilled meat." Qin Yan said in a sarcastic tone, "It's the sour stench of love." Jiang Shixu, with Chu Tang in his arms, drawled lazily, "Nonsense. Love smells sweet, not sour." Over on the other side, Xu Jingxuan watched Jiang Shixu and Ruan Chutang being all lovey-dovey behind the grill, shamelessly flaunting their affection as if no one else was around. Her knuckles cracked as she clenched her fists, so angry she could feel a lump forming in her chest. Once the meat was done, everyone gathered around the tables to eat. There were two tables. By default, Chu Tang, Jiang Shixu, Qin Yan, Zhou Zheng'an, Zhou Xueluo, and Chen Yuanyuan sat together, while Xu Jingxuan, her two friends, and Gu Zechuan sat at the other table. No sooner had Chu Tang and Jiang Shixu sat down than Xu Jingxuan walked over carrying a bowl of something. Xu Jingxuan placed the bowl on the table in front of Jiang Shixu and leaned down, almost pressing herself against him. "Brother, I just made some oden. Try it." Jiang Shixu leaned slightly toward Chu Tang, putting distance between himself and Xu Jingxuan, and casually pushed the bowl in front of Chu Tang. "Tangtang, it's the oden you love. Try it." The smile on Xu Jingxuan's face froze. Chu Tang pulled out a pair of disposable chopsticks, picked up a fish ball, and took a bite. After finishing the fish ball, Chu Tang turned her head, eyes curved in a smile, and said to Xu Jingxuan, "Mm, it tastes pretty good. Thanks, little sister." But that wasn't the end of it. Jiang Shixu took the chopsticks, picked up a slice of tripe, and fed it to Chu Tang. "Try this one." The people at the table watched this scene and were instantly filled with admiration for Jiang Shixu. They thought to themselves: You've truly mastered the art of offering someone else's gift to another. You politely turned down the sister while winning over your wife. Brilliant! Chen Yuanyuan, enjoying the show, chimed in at the right moment: "Oh my, young couples are just so sweet, showing off their love anytime, anywhere. Jingxuan, look how loving your brother and sister-in-law are."