Chapter 7: Ex-Girlfriend?

After trying several books, Tang Yan still couldn’t find the button. Time was running out. Just as he was about to give up—thinking the mission would fail—something caught his eye: all the infrared beams suddenly converged on one book, then snapped back into their original paths.

If not for the faint mark left on the cover, Tang Yan might’ve sworn he’d imagined it. He rushed forward and pulled the book out. Sure enough, tucked in the back was a tiny black button—so small it barely registered.

He pressed it.

Instantly, the desk drawer slid open.

Dodging sideways with practiced ease, Tang Yan activated his comm again. “I found the drawer.”

“There’s a key in your pocket. Unlock it. Copy the files fast, then get out and meet up outside.”

Tang Yan yanked open the drawer. Inside sat a laptop. He was at home with tech—fluid, precise fingers flying across the keyboard as he began copying the data. But the transfer took time.

Outside the secret room, footsteps echoed. Someone was coming. The door was about to open.

Just then, Song Xieling’s voice cut through the silence. “What are you doing?”

“Master,” one of the men replied, “Father sent us to check the hidden chamber. Something’s inside.”

“What could possibly get in here? This room’s empty. Move out. If you damage anything my mother left behind, you’ll regret it.”

Thankfully, Song Xieling stepped in. Tang Yan’s mission went off without a hitch.

Once everything was set, Tang Yan followed the woman’s instructions and slipped back into the bedroom. He changed into his own clothes seamlessly. Li Chuzhe was still asleep—probably drugged by the lady earlier.

Tang Yan sat on the sofa, watching him quietly. His lashes were thick and long, his nose sharply defined. Though young, there was something undeniably mature about him—like a man who’d seen too much too soon.

After a while, Li Chuzhe stirred awake. His eyes opened, meeting Tang Yan’s gaze. “Sorry… I must’ve dozed off.”

“No problem. Looks like things are starting outside. Let’s go.” Tang Yan stood, offering his hand.

Li Chuzhe didn’t hesitate. He reached out and took Tang Yan’s slender hand. Together, they walked toward the hall. As they moved, Li Chuzhe discreetly slipped something into his pocket.

“Big brother Li, good evening, Miss Tang.” Mo Yao greeted them sweetly.

Tang Yan looked at her adorable face and melted instantly. “Hi, sorry—I wasn’t feeling well earlier, so I had to step away.”

“No worries, Miss Tang. Let’s go over here and chat. Big brother Li has other things to attend to.” Mo Yao stepped forward and gently linked her arm with Tang Yan’s.

Tang Yan, caught off guard, felt a sudden surge of joy—she was being clung to by this little angel. She laughed freely, carelessly. Li Chuzhe watched from a distance, a quiet smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

They wandered to a quiet corner of the banquet hall. Mo Yao stood in front of the dessert display, her voice soft and innocent. “Miss Tang, what do you like?”

Seeing her princess-like smile, Tang Yan felt a wave of warmth wash over her—like she’d been healed by pure innocence. Her grin widened. “Call me Yan. Can I call you Mo Yao?”

The moment the words left her mouth, Mo Yao froze. She hadn’t expected her rival to be so kind, so genuine. Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears. “Okay… I’ll call you Yan.”

Two rivals, once enemies in a silent war, now sat together, deeply discussing desserts—debating flavors, textures, even planning a future date to bake together.

At first, Li Chuzhe stood at a distance, uneasy. But after watching them for a while, he relaxed completely.

“Mr. Li,” a tall, commanding woman approached him. Her presence alone seemed to command the room.

She was stunning—classically beautiful, but her aura was so intense that most men dared not even glance her way.

The moment Li Chuzhe saw her, surprise flickered across his face. “Zhuang Qin… You’re back.”

“Five years,” she said, lighting a cigarette between her long, elegant fingers. Smoke curled from her red lips. “You’ve changed. Back then, you were just a kid.”

Tang Yan happened to catch the scene—the same gesture, the same casual grace as when she’d first met Li Chuzhe. A flicker of suspicion crossed her mind. “Rou Rou,” she asked softly, “what’s going on between that woman and Li Chuzhe?”

From the moment Zhuang Qin appeared, Mo Yao’s expression darkened. Her pink lips pouted in childish defiance. “She’s Zhuang Qin. Rumor is she was Li Brother’s ex-girlfriend. They say he’s never touched another woman—just waiting for her. But I don’t believe it. She’s not half as pretty as you, and she doesn’t have your elegance. Hmph!”

Tang Yan didn’t care. She just thought Mo Yao’s reaction was utterly charming. Gently, she pinched the girl’s cheek. “Come on, let’s not worry about that. There are still more desserts you haven’t shown me.”

Mo Yao’s attention snapped back. The two dove into another dessert debate—though Tang Yan’s mind kept drifting toward Li Chuzhe.

She studied Zhuang Qin carefully. She knew—without a doubt—that Zhuang Qin was far more beautiful than she was. Her poise, her grace—bred from old money, polished by privilege. Tang Yan, on the other hand, was a street-smart survivor, clawing her way up from nothing.

“Zhuang Qin,” Li Chuzhe said, reaching out and taking the cigarette from her hand. “You shouldn’t smoke.”

Mo Yao, watching from afar, clenched her teeth. “Ugh! Tang Yan, you’re supposed to be Li Brother’s wife! Look—he’s paying attention to another woman. How can you just stand there?”

Tang Yan laughed lightly. “You’re overthinking it. We signed a contract. No interference. If he actually manages to win her over, I’d be happy for him.”

She spoke with perfect composure—but inside, a quiet ache bloomed.

“I don’t believe you,” Mo Yao snapped, turning away and storming off.

Tang Yan followed, murmuring reassurances behind her.

Li Chuzhe noticed Tang Yan leaving—and immediately signaled someone to follow.

Zhuang Qin stared coldly at Tang Yan’s retreating back. “So you’re married now. Did you finally come to your senses?”

“Come to my senses?” Li Chuzhe turned toward the drink station, grabbing two glasses of red wine. He handed one to her.

She took it. They clinked glasses—old friends, or something deeper. “Time flies,” she said, almost wistful. “Where’s that boy from the Mo family?”

Before Li Chuzhe could answer, Mo Boyu spotted Zhuang Qin. His eyes lit up instantly. He broke into a run, rushing over to greet her.