When the Heartthrob Meets the Cold-Hearted Ex - Chapter 44

In just a few seconds, Su Yang strode over with her long legs, arriving beside Tang Yeran.

She returned the phone Tang Yeran had left behind when stepping out, acting as though she hadn’t noticed anyone else present earlier. Her gaze remained fixed unwaveringly on the person before her.

Back in university, Tang Yeran had noticed that although Su Yang was often indifferent toward others, she actually had a pair of mesmerizing peach-blossom eyes. When she was serious, even the way she looked at a dog seemed affectionate.

Like right now despite Su Yang not uttering a single word, Tang Yeran found herself inexplicably affected by that gaze.

Seriously, what was with this sudden romantic drama in broad daylight?!

Tang Yeran tilted her head slightly and caught sight of Gu Qingci’s retreating figure.

Ah, she’d almost forgotten. This woman was practically a reincarnated vinegar jar, especially when it came to Senior Gu.

Thinking she’d figured it out, Tang Yeran brushed off her earlier unease and raised the bottle of Baoning vinegar in her right hand, teasing, “Want some?”

Su Yang merely glanced at the bottle out of the corner of her eye, unfazed by the joke. Instead, she wrapped her arms around Tang Yeran, pulling her closer, and rested her chin on the other’s shoulder, murmuring softly, “Ranran.”

Tang Yeran was dumbfounded. What was this? The script wasn’t going as she’d imagined!

Sigh! Faced with a beauty of Su Yang’s caliber acting all soft and tender, Tang Yeran had to admit her self-control was lacking.

“What’s wrong?” Tang Yeran patted Su Yang’s back lightly with the hand holding the phone, unaware that her tone had softened several degrees compared to usual.

Noticing that Tang Yeran wasn’t pushing her away, Su Yang took the opportunity to hold her for a while longer before finally breaking into a radiant smile.

“Nothing. I’m just so happy, happy that Ranran cares about me so much.”

Tang Yeran: ?

When did I say I cared about you? Did I say anything just now?

How could such a pretty mouth spout such narcissistic words?!

The retort was already on the tip of her tongue, but when Tang Yeran met Su Yang’s peach-blossom eyes, she swallowed it back down.

“Fine, whatever you say. But can you let go now? There are people around.”

Su Yang glanced at their surroundings. It was nearly mealtime, and there were indeed passersby outside the supermarket. But everyone was busy with their own affairs, and even if some were drawn to their looks and stole a few extra glances, they wouldn’t read too much into it.

Still, she obediently released her embrace, switching to holding hands instead. “I’ll take you home.”

Tang Yeran: …

Am I such a child that I need an escort just to buy vinegar near my own home?

Su Yang seemed to have taken the wrong medicine today unusually clingy and sweet, making it impossible to stay mad.

Though Tang Yeran grumbled inwardly, she couldn’t help the smile tugging at her lips during the short walk back.

When they returned to the Tang residence, Father Tang had already prepared a table full of dishes, and dinner was lively and harmonious.

After the meal, the two younger women cleared the table. Su Yang chatted with Wang Shuran for a while and played two rounds of chess with Father Tang, earning plenty of goodwill from the elders.

By the time the clock struck nine, Wang Shuran, wanting to give the young ones some space, tactfully pulled Father Tang away from the living room.

Considering the early morning wedding of her cousin the next day, Tang Yeran suggested turning in early.

Her bedroom had been tidied up by Wang Shuran before she returned home. Though the room wasn’t large, it was arranged with warmth, every detail carrying the essence of its owner.

Su Yang had been captivated by the bedroom the moment she stepped inside, her curiosity unusually piqued.

Tang Yeran didn’t stand on ceremony either. Grabbing her toiletries, she headed into the adjoining bathroom, tossing over her shoulder, “I’ll be quick. Make yourself at home.”

Fifteen minutes later, Tang Yeran returned to the bedroom with a towel wrapped around her damp hair, only to find Su Yang sitting quietly on the stool by the bed, a photo album resting on her lap.

The album contained snapshots of Tang Yeran’s life from birth through middle school, untouched since she started university.

Su Yang had sharp eyes, she’d managed to find it in such a short time.

Well, it was just childhood memories anyway, nothing embarrassing. If she wanted to look, so be it.

Drying her hair, Tang Yeran walked over and teased, “Looking so intently, what charmed by my younger self?”

“Mhm.” Su Yang looked up, a pleased smile curving her lips as she said earnestly, “I never knew Ranran was so round as a child, just like a little glutinous rice ball.”

Tang Yeran: !

Don’t think changing the phrasing means I don’t know you’re calling me fat!

Her indignant gaze swept over the album, landing on a photo from her fifth birthday.

A tiny figure sat cross-legged on the sofa, a fluffy white hat perched on her head, grinning so hard her eyes crinkled shut. Indeed, she was as round as a rice ball, at first glance, it was hard to tell where her neck ended and her body began.

Tang Yeran: …

Alright, fine. She’d admit she’d been a bit of a glutton back then, growing more horizontally than vertically.

But Su Yang shouldn’t have called her round!

Her pride flaring, Tang Yeran hastily reached out and flipped several pages ahead, muttering, “The early ones are just some kid nothing interesting. If you want to look, start from the back. Those are better.”

Su Yang let her flip straight to the last page, stopping at a photo from when she was seventeen.

The girl in the picture had dazzling long hair, bathed in sunlight, holding a large bouquet of flowers. Her radiant smile outshone everything around her.

For a moment, Su Yang seemed lost in thought, as if transported back to their first meeting in freshman year.

Tang Yeran was fairly satisfied with this last photo and nodded. “Now this is the real me.”

Su Yang’s fingers brushed the corner of the photo as she shook her head with a smile. “Every picture here whether it’s the little rice ball Ranran from earlier or the flower-like Ranran now is the real you.”

Tang Yeran fumed: What’s with this “rice ball” thing? Are we never moving past it?!

Su Yang caught Tang Yeran’s hand just as she was about to close the album, her expression pitiful.

“Let me look a little longer. Ranran is real, adorable, dazzling, and one-of-a-kind in every moment. I want to see more.”

“Huh?” You can’t hit someone who’s smiling, the anger from a second ago fizzled out instantly. Tang Yeran rubbed at nonexistent goosebumps, feigning disgust.

“What’s up with you today? Talking so sweetly, it’s not like you at all.”

“So, Ranran, what kind of person do you think I should be?” Su Yang leaned in, wearing an earnest expression of seeking guidance.

“You? Cold, sharp-tongued, tsundere someone only the thick-skinned would dare approach.” Tang Yeran recalled her countless rejections back then, belatedly feeling a surge of irritation. She couldn’t fathom how she’d been so relentlessly persistent.

“Oh!” Su Yang nodded thoughtfully. “So Ranran likes me when I’m cold, sharp-tongued, and tsundere? I could always switch back.”

“No!” Tang Yeran reflexively waved her hands. “Just stay the way you are now.”

She had no desire to relive those days of chasing after someone who kept shutting her out. Though the current Su Yang was overly sentimental and clingy, still…

Tang Yeran’s lips curled unconsciously, but when she looked up, she saw Su Yang grinning even brighter than her.

“I get it now. Ranran liked the old me, but she likes the current me even more.”

“Like you my foot.” Tang Yeran grabbed the pillow beside the bed and shoved it into Su Yang’s arms as a makeshift weapon.

This person had always been narcissistic, but now it was worse. Absolutely hopeless.

Su Yang happily accepted the pillow, adjusting it comfortably in her arms. Before Tang Yeran could launch another attack, she caught her hand and turned her gaze toward the window.

“Fireworks outside.”

“Huh?” Tang Yeran turned to see brilliant streaks of fireworks rising into the night sky, bursting and scattering, painting the once-dark canvas with dazzling colors.

People here loved festivities, and every major celebration featured such displays.

Tang Yeran quietly admired them for a few seconds before turning back to find Su Yang with her eyes slightly closed, hugging the pillow as if making a solemn wish.

Amused, Tang Yeran said, “Those are fireworks, not shooting stars.”

“Faith makes wishes come true.”

Tang Yeran: “…”

Fine. This one had been acting abstract all day, what was one more moment?

Su Yang opened her eyes after making her wish, locking onto Tang Yeran with that same gaze that could make even a dog feel adored.

Playing along, Tang Yeran asked, “So, what did you wish for?”

Su Yang blinked. “If I tell you, will Ranran make it come true for me?”

There it was again, the peach-blossom eyes attack. Tang Yeran refused to be swayed so easily.

She quickly covered Su Yang’s mouth, cutting her off. “Then don’t say it. It won’t come true if you do.”

The cover wasn’t tight, and Su Yang managed to mumble against her palm, “But what if I want to say it now?”

“No saying!” Tang Yeran forcefully turned her around. “Go take a shower. You’ve been traveling all day, you stink.”

The last line hit Su Yang’s weak spot with precision.

Tang Yeran watched as Su Yang sprang up like a highly efficient AI, beelining straight for the bathroom.

Suppressing laughter while keeping a stern face was harder than it looked.

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