When the Heartthrob Meets the Cold-Hearted Ex - Chapter 6

Su Yang rarely found herself being blatantly ignored, but she chose to take the high road and repay rudeness with kindness.

She dialed her assistant’s number. “Shasha, order eight cups of milk tea for the testing department colleagues. Remind them to balance work and rest. Oh… and order one more.”

Her assistant worked efficiently. In less than twenty minutes, she arrived at the testing department with the milk tea, only to bump into her beloved boss right at the entrance.

Su Yang had “strolled” over to the testing department, expecting to see a dull and busy work scene. Instead…

“Wow!”

Following the cheers, Su Yang spotted Tang Yeran surrounded by a group of bespectacled colleagues.

“Editor Tang is amazing! With this setup, we’ll save at least 20% of the time testing boss mechanics. Are you sure you don’t want to switch to Qianhe?”

“Yeah, yeah! Editor Tang, your talent is wasted if you’re not in game development. If you ever decide to jump ship, I’ll personally recommend you to President Su.”

“Me too! If you’re willing to join, we’ll all petition President Su together. I alone can represent ten thousand people!”

“Don’t pressure him like that. Editor Tang, feel free to drop by anytime to exchange ideas. Usually, everyone’s just glued to their computers all day, but your presence really livens things up.”

Tang Yeran handled their enthusiasm with effortless grace, blending in so naturally it was as if he had always belonged there.

Su Yang, who had worried he might be cold-shouldered, realized she had overthought things.

Seeing the president standing motionless nearby, the assistant hesitated. “President Su, should we still deliver the milk tea?”

“Deliver it.” Su Yang took a sip from one of the cups herself. “Send them to the art department instead.”

At 5:30 p.m., Tang Yeran wrapped up his interview tasks for the day and left Qianhe Company right on time.

Finishing work efficiently during office hours and never letting it spill into personal time, that was the basic professionalism of a working adult.

Yet, amusingly enough, on his way to hail a cab, he once again spotted that all-too-familiar figure.

Seriously? The CEO of a newly established company clocks out this early too?

Su Yang wasn’t driving this time. Her tall, slender frame stood out in the crowd, effortlessly drawing attention.

She was turned slightly away from Tang Yeran, head lowered as if checking her phone perhaps handling some business.

For an ex he had already run into no less than four times in a single day, Tang Yeran thought: Maybe I should skip the greeting this time.

Just as he turned to leave, Su Yang seemed to have a sensor on him. From two meters away, she called out, “Miss Tang, hold on.”

“President Su, is there something you need?” Tang Yeran wore a polite smile, though his eyes remained indifferent. Four encounters with an ex in one day was admittedly a bit much.

Su Yang looked up, her expression cool.

“Since it’s Miss Tang’s first day interviewing at Qianhe, as the host, it’s only proper for me to treat you to dinner. Wouldn’t want anyone saying I didn’t even provide a meal.”

[Your President Su didn’t provide me with meals either, so I don’t have to fear her.]

So she had indeed overheard that midday comment. Sometimes, having too good a memory wasn’t necessarily a blessing.

And those two instances of “providing meals” didn’t even mean the same thing.

Tang Yeran crossed her arms with a smile. “I didn’t expect President Su to be so humorous.”

She kept her words measured, but the teasing glint in her eyes clearly said: Our relationship isn’t at the level where we can casually share meals yet.

Su Yang noticed Tang Yeran’s resistance but showed no intention of pressing further, calmly putting away her phone.

“I merely wanted to fulfill my duty as host. Of course, if Miss Tang finds my presence so unsettling that it ruins your appetite, I won’t insist.”

Tang Yeran was stunned!

Unsettled by you? What gives you that idea?!

She couldn’t help but admire Su Yang’s twisted logic, truly beyond ordinary comprehension.

Some people were naturally susceptible to reverse psychology, and Tang Yeran was one of them.

Slinging her bag over her shoulder, she took two steps forward. “Since President Su is so eager to treat, I’d be a fool to refuse.”

Walking single file down the street, the pair formed a striking sight, soon arriving at a busy three-way intersection.

Su Yang, slightly ahead, paused and yielded the choice of direction to Tang Yeran.

To the east lay Food Street, near H University, a place they’d frequented during their student days. To the west was Commercial Street, lined with trendy new restaurants popular among office workers.

Tang Yeran didn’t hesitate to choose west.

No way was she revisiting old haunts with an ex. Running into acquaintances and being forced to reminisce? Hard pass.

Noting her choice, Su Yang’s eyes narrowed slightly as she quietly followed behind.

They settled on a Japanese restaurant newly opened with pristine decor. Tang Yeran mainly appreciated its tranquility.

Normally one for lively atmospheres, she currently preferred the quiet.

When the owner handed them menus, Tang Yeran didn’t hesitate, quickly ordering a classic gyudon and potato croquette before passing the menu to Su Yang.

The message was clear: Order whatever you want.

Su Yang blinked in surprise. During their relationship, Tang Yeran had always done the ordering.

Su Yang wasn’t particular about food, but Tang Yeran was a true gourmand.

Initially, she’d tried sharing all her favorite dishes with Su Yang, gradually learning her preferences over time.

They’d eaten Japanese together before typically two mains and two sides, allowing them to sample four flavors each visit. The selections varied, but two-thirds always ended up in Tang Yeran’s stomach.

Faced with the extensive menu now, Su Yang hesitated.

Japanese food was much the same to her. Not wanting to waste time, she simply repeated Tang Yeran’s order.

“The croquettes are quite large here,” the owner noted. “One portion could serve two. Would you like to change your order?”

“No, we’ll take two.” Su Yang’s firm tone ended the discussion.

With the owner gone to prepare their food, the two near-strangers sat in silence.

Su Yang had never been talkative even during their relationship, Tang Yeran had carried most conversations.

She only needed to listen quietly and then gently hand over a bottle of water when the other person’s throat ran dry from talking. Their interactions were harmonious enough.

But now, Tang Yeran didn’t feel like speaking anymore, she was absorbed in her phone.

Su Yang didn’t want to play with her phone either, but sitting there doing nothing would make her look foolish.

So she decided to find something to do.

She grabbed a few tissues and meticulously wiped the already spotless table once, then again.

Not only did she polish her own half of the table to a gleaming shine, but she also politely extended the courtesy to Tang Yeran’s side.

Tang Yeran was scrolling through her phone, but her mind wasn’t on it.

Su Yang’s arm was too close to her, and she had no grounds to stop someone from being diligent. So she reached for a handful of sunflower seeds to distract herself.

As she stretched her hand toward the porcelain dish holding the seeds, she accidentally bumped into Su Yang’s arm, knocking half the dish onto her clothes.

“Sorry,” they both apologized in unison, then hurriedly scrambled to pick up the scattered seeds.

Working across the table was inconvenient, so Su Yang abandoned her chair and crouched beside Tang Yeran. With slender, pale fingers, she plucked the seeds one by one from Tang Yeran’s dress and placed them back on the table.

Now, the two were extremely close, quietly and cooperatively working toward the same goal, a rare moment of harmony since their reunion.

But such moments never lasted long. Just as they were about to pick up the last two seeds, a mature, magnetic woman’s voice shattered the peace.

“Tang Tang, Su Yang?”

They looked up to see a woman with a model-like figure approaching them.

Dressed in a crisp button-up shirt, tailored trousers, and immaculately tied hair, she exuded the aura of a workplace elite.

Su Yang, usually indifferent, had little impression of people she deemed unimportant especially someone she hadn’t seen in years.

Tang Yeran, however, stared at the woman for three seconds before recognizing her. “Senior Gu? You’re here to eat too?”

By then, Gu Qingci had already reached their table. Smiling faintly at Tang Yeran, she asked, “I was just passing by, but I didn’t expect to run into familiar faces. Mind if I join you?”

Truth be told, Tang Yeran had regretted sitting with Su Yang the moment they sat down, she shouldn’t have let her pride land her in such an awkward situation.

Now that someone had come to her rescue, she was more than happy to oblige. She pulled out a chair. “Of course not. Please, sit.”

Su Yang, edged out by the chair, silently returned to her seat.

The air around them grew chilly, but the other two at the table seemed unaffected.

Gu Qingci was naturally sociable. As she placed her order, she struck up a conversation with Tang Yeran.

“When I saw you two at the entrance, I was worried I’d mistaken you for someone else. But then again, with your distinct temperaments, it’d be hard to confuse you with anyone else. I’m so envious, after all these years, you two are still so close.”

Even someone as talkative as Tang Yeran was at a loss for words.

Wait, since when were we ever close?

Meanwhile, Su Yang, who had been tight-lipped until now, suddenly curled the corners of her lips and, against all expectations, spoke up.

“Senior Gu? Weren’t you from a different school?”

Although she wasn’t particularly sociable, it was impossible that she wouldn’t have the slightest impression of such a striking senior from the same school after several years on campus.

Gu Qingci smiled amiably.

“I’m from K University, so it’s no wonder you don’t remember me. During our joint school events, you never liked talking to people.

“Not like Tangtang, she came to our campus as if it were her own.

“But I remember you very well. That time at the joint gala, your and Tangtang’s traditional Chinese dance performance of Ode to Spring sparked discussions that filled several pages on our K University forum.

“Everyone knew Tangtang was an amazing dancer, but no one had any idea you could play the pipa so flawlessly. I heard that was the only time you ever performed on stage during your time at school?”

So it was about that.

Su Yang took a sip of water and sighed softly. “Yes, that was the only time. I was tricked into it.”

This piqued Gu Qingci’s curiosity. “With your intelligence, someone actually managed to trick you?”

The potato croquettes arrived, and Su Yang picked one up, clearly not intending to continue the topic.

Gu Qingci didn’t press further, turning instead to chat idly with Tang Yeran. But Tang Yeran seemed visibly distracted.

The shop’s speakers played a random BGM, and by sheer coincidence, the song that came on was Ode to Spring – Yunxi.

The familiar melody overlapped with the tune from her memories.

During the first semester of her sophomore year, Tang Yeran had just finished practicing in the dance studio when she spotted Su Yang passing by. Without even bothering to turn off the music, she rushed over and grabbed her, shaking her excitedly, her voice dripping with sweetness.

“Su Yang, Yangyang!”

Su Yang steadied the koala-like figure clinging to her, ignoring the starry-eyed pleading, and said firmly, “No. Too noisy.”

Her refusal wasn’t without reason. For the upcoming joint school gala, Tang Yeran was scheduled to perform the traditional Chinese dance Ode to Spring.

Two days earlier, Su Yang had casually played a pipa accompaniment on a whim, and ever since, Tang Yeran had been pestering her relentlessly no less than 800 times already.

But Su Yang was naturally reserved. She avoided crowded places, let alone performing in front of a large audience.

Despite being rejected 800 times, Tang Yeran refused to give up. “Come on, you’re so talented, and no one ever gets to see it. What a waste!”

Su Yang remained indifferent. “It’s just a personal hobby. I don’t need others to see it.”

“But I really want to share a stage with you!” Tang Yeran tilted her head, putting on a pitiful expression. Noticing a slight hesitation in Su Yang’s demeanor, she pressed on.

“How about this, if you perform with me, I’ll give you a gift. Anything you want!”

Su Yang was unmoved. “No need. I don’t lack anything.”

Tang Yeran’s eyes gleamed mischievously. “Oh, but you might. The gift I have in mind is something you’ve never received before. And it has a magical effect, it can instantly trigger intense emotions in someone.”

Su Yang was famously unflappable at C University. A gift that could make her emotions fluctuate dramatically…

If anyone else had said this, she would have dismissed it outright. But seeing Tang Yeran’s confident expression, she actually found herself a little curious.

Su Yang was somewhat skeptical. “What if you can’t produce this gift when the time comes?”

“If I can’t, I’ll be at your service for the next three years,” Tang Yeran said, her eyes sparkling like stars as she leaned in close to Su Yang’s ear, coaxing her.

“Well? Do you dare take the bet?”

In the end, Su Yang gave in to Tang Yeran’s wish.

On the night of the joint social event, the two of them stood out, one in deep black and the other in pristine white Hanfu. One held a pipa, standing tall and elegant, while the other danced gracefully with a round fan to the music, delivering an extravagant feast for the senses to the students and faculty of C University and K University.

As for the uproar it caused on both universities’ forums afterward, Su Yang paid no mind.

Once the crowd dispersed, she followed Tang Yeran down a long, quiet path, unable to suppress her impatience as she asked, “The gift?”

“Don’t rush, you’ll get it soon.”

Tang Yeran led Su Yang to a willow tree by Heart Lake. After making sure no one was around, she put on a mysterious air. “Close your eyes. Get ready for your gift.”

“Why do I need to close them?” Su Yang asked, puzzled.

“You really don’t know? It’s to build up the surprise, of course.”

Back then, Su Yang was wholly focused on her studies and had little cunning. Though she had no idea what Tang Yeran was up to, she obediently complied.

The evening breeze carried the willow branches, rustling them gently, stirring the scent of earth.

The sporadic chirping of sparrows only made the night feel even quieter.

Su Yang had been curious about the gift, but now, inexplicably, her heartbeat quickened.

Unable to resist, she opened her eyes just as something soft and fragrant brushed against her lips.

What met her gaze was a breathtakingly beautiful face, illuminated by the moonlight.

The moon’s glow was like water, and the person before her had skin so delicate it seemed as if it could be squeezed to draw dew. At this close distance, even the finest downy hairs on her face were visible.

Tang Yeran didn’t realize Su Yang had opened her eyes, she herself had shut hers tightly.

Nervous, her long, thick lashes fluttered like the wings of a butterfly about to take flight, trembling under the night’s starlight.

The sound of their heartbeats was deafening, drowning out everything else around them, it was impossible to tell whose was whose.

In truth, their lips had only touched for a few seconds. Tang Yeran had been brimming with confidence when she planned this, but when it came to the actual moment, she faltered at the very first step.

Overcome with nerves, she struggled to breathe and was about to pull back when Su Yang suddenly grasped her shoulders.

“Liar.”

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