The Subtle Seduction of My Ex-Girlfriend’s Aunt - Chapter 21

Chapter 21: What is “Tian Liang Wang Po”?

When she fell, Li Lu had already recognized Song Zhixu. Now, seeing Song Zhixu look her way, she shrank back in fear.

Beyond the shadow cast by Song Zhixu pinning her down moments ago, she was even more terrified of Song Zhixu’s identity as the CEO of the Song Group. Her family’s food company had two major clients: one was the Sun family’s Shengtang, and the other was the supermarkets under the Song Group.

She could not afford to offend Song Zhixu.

Hearing Song Zhixu mention calling the police, Li Lu truly broke down. Song Zhixu’s aura was too powerful; Li Lu didn’t dare speak to her directly, so she turned to Tang Ran. “Tang Ran, I was wrong. I’ll never do it again. Please, whatever you do, don’t call the police.”

Tang Ran looked at her coldly.

Originally, she had thought about flipping Li Lu to her side, but seeing her now, it didn’t seem like a wise decision. Calling the police was the most direct way to handle Li Lu, but cooperating with the subsequent investigation would be a huge hassle—especially now that Song Zhixu was involved. Since she wasn’t actually injured, the police wouldn’t be able to do much anyway. Tang Ran didn’t want to waste more time.

If she really wanted to deal with Li Lu, she could find a simpler, more effective way.

As if reading Tang Ran’s mind, Song Zhixu spoke up: “If you find it too troublesome, I can have someone come and handle it.”

Before she could even finish her sentence, Li Lu burst into tears of pure terror. “President Song, President Song, I really know I was wrong. I won’t ever do it again!”

Li Lu knew Tang Ran was with Song Wuqi, but she had heard from Ye Xiaoyu that they were only together because of their families and that their relationship was mediocre at best. That was why she had volunteered to help Sun Jiaojiao teach Tang Ran a lesson. She never expected to run into Song Zhixu here, nor did she have any idea that Tang Ran was on such good terms with her.

As Li Lu spoke, she reached out with her non-dislocated hand to grab Song Zhixu’s arm. Tang Ran frowned, stepped forward to block her, and slapped Li Lu’s hand away.

“I won’t call the police. Just leave. Stop wailing like a ghost, it’s annoying.”

Li Lu looked hideous while crying, and she was covered in that foul stench; she had some nerve trying to touch Song Zhixu.

Hearing that the police wouldn’t be called, Li Lu breathed a sigh of relief. Aside from the police, she was terrified that offending Song Zhixu would jeopardize her family’s business. She was so uneasy that she didn’t even dare to leave yet.

Tang Ran guessed her concerns and found it amusing. Setting aside the fact that her relationship with Song Zhixu wasn’t so close that Song Zhixu would destroy a company for her, Song Zhixu likely didn’t even know who Li Lu was. She wouldn’t have the time or interest to bother with her.

Tang Ran sneered, intentionally scaring her: “What are you looking at? Keep looking and I’ll really make sure your family’s company goes bankrupt by the time the weather turns cold!”

It would be a waste not to take this chance to play the “tiger” using Song Zhixu’s “prestige” to intimidate Sun Jiaojiao and her lackeys.

Li Lu turned pale and looked at Song Zhixu. Song Zhixu remained silent, seemingly endorsing Tang Ran’s statement. Li Lu immediately clutched her arm and fled the room in a panic.

“Li Lu.”

Tang Ran suddenly called out. Li Lu flinched, thinking Tang Ran had changed her mind. She turned back slowly, and Tang Ran glanced disgustedly at the puddle on the floor.

Whoever made the mess should clean it up. The smell was so pungent that it could still be detected despite the open window. It was clearly malicious damage; if the hotel staff found it, they might check the cameras. Li Lu understood and quickly promised, “I… I’ll go tell the waiter.”

After Li Lu left, Tang Ran and Song Zhixu walked out of the vanity room. A few steps down the corridor, Tang Ran stopped to thank her again: “Thank you for the help today, Sister Song.”

“It was nothing. No need to be so polite,” Song Zhixu replied with a faint, graceful smile.

By now, she could piece together what had happened. Tang Ran had likely lured the person there to catch them in the act and gain leverage. It was a clever method, but not cautious enough—it was too risky. Song Zhixu wanted to remind her, but felt it might be too forward.

She hesitated, then spoke anyway: “You should still be more careful in the future.”

Tang Ran was stunned. She wondered if Song Zhixu was simply offering a warning or if she had already guessed the whole plan. She wanted to explain, but felt their relationship wasn’t quite at the “confiding troubles” stage yet.

“Mhm,” Tang Ran nodded obediently, changing the subject. “Sister Song, you were amazing just now. Have you practiced before?”

“I’ve learned a bit of self-defense,” Song Zhixu explained, then tilted her head slightly, asking with a hint of confusion: “What did you mean by ‘bankrupt by the time the weather turns cold’?”

Tang Ran choked on her words. Song Zhixu hadn’t said anything at the time, so she thought she understood the reference. Then again, it made sense; few real CEOs would spend their time reading “Overbearing President” web novels.

“Um, it’s a meme from a novel. The original line is, ‘The weather is turning cold; let the Wang Group go bankrupt.'”

Explaining a cliché “CEO trope” to a real CEO was incredibly awkward. Besides, while Song Zhixu could actually make a company like Li Lu’s disappear, Tang Ran certainly couldn’t. She had just been caught up in the moment, “borrowing” Song Zhixu’s power to scare her.

Technically, she and Song Zhixu weren’t that close. Song Zhixu had helped her likely out of family friendship, yet here she was, using her name to show off. Tang Ran felt she was being a bit pushy. She finished her explanation guiltily and peeked at Song Zhixu’s expression.

“So that’s what it means.” Song Zhixu gave a look of realization. She didn’t comment on the trope, nor did she call Tang Ran out for using her name.

After “beautiful” and “cool,” Tang Ran added “generous and broad-minded” to her mental list of Song Zhixu’s traits.

Back in the banquet hall, Miao Tiantian had returned and was talking to Qiu Yuan. Seeing Tang Ran, she pulled her over. “Are you still going to the orphanage event with Xin’er on Saturday?”

“Yes, are you coming too?” Tang Ran asked.

“I promised my grandma I’d visit her in the capital,” Miao Tiantian waved her off. “But Xiao Yuan wants to go.” She rested a hand on Qiu Yuan’s shoulder, recommending her with a smile: “Don’t let her age fool you; she’s very steady and reliable.”

Qiu Yuan had handled the stream of people trying to talk to her at the banquet with total composure; she was indeed more mature than her years. Tang Ran could see from her mannerisms that she was well-raised.

“Sister Tang, I’ve done volunteer work at orphanages through school before,” Qiu Yuan said, her eyes sparkling.

“I’ll ask Xin’er.” Tang Ran had no objections but needed to check with the organizer. She sent a message to Xia Xin’er, who replied instantly with a warm welcome.

It was settled: on Saturday, Tang Ran and Qiu Yuan would go to the orphanage together to meet up with Xia Xin’er.

Support The Subtle Seduction of My Ex-Girlfriend’s Aunt