Chapter 153: Conflict with Someone
After buying groceries, the two chatted and laughed all the way home. The children had already been picked up by Ah Zhong.
The family hugged each other, exchanged kisses, and Jiang Nanfang swiftly made her way into the kitchen.
In less than an hour, a table full of delicious dishes was served.
The family happily enjoyed their first reunion meal in their new home.
Meanwhile, at the Zhan residence, Gong Beibei and Madam Zhan were enveloped in a heavy, somber atmosphere.
Gong Beibei knelt before Madam Zhan, her face drenched in tears.
"I know I’ve disappointed you, Auntie Zhou. I’m sorry. But what else could I do?"
"Now, I have no face left to stay in Nan City. After being humiliated by A-Jue and becoming a laughingstock in everyone’s eyes, I’d rather die than live like this."
"You can hit me or scold me—do whatever you want. Once you’ve vented, I’ll find a quiet place to end it all!"
Madam Zhan had been genuinely angry at Gong Beibei for her recklessness and lack of consideration for the bigger picture.
But seeing her so heartbroken and desperate now, she feared pushing her further might lead to drastic actions. Reluctantly, she softened.
"This isn’t your fault. If anything, it’s our Zhan family that owes you an apology. Don’t talk like that."
"Don’t worry. Even if you don’t marry A-Jue, you’ll always be Auntie Zhou’s dear child. I won’t let anyone laugh at you."
"I’ll make sure you get a proper resolution to this. Don’t overthink it. Go back to your father’s place and rest. Give me two days—Auntie Zhou won’t let you down."
The family spent a joyful evening together. The next morning, after breakfast, Zhan Beijue personally drove Jiang Nanfang to her studio.
They held hands the entire ride, neither speaking a word.
Yet, the silent companionship and the warmth of their intertwined fingers made the journey feel sweet and intimate.
When they arrived, Zhan Beijue parked the car. Jiang Nanfang slipped her hand out of his and pushed the door open to leave.
"Alright, I’m here. Drive safely. See you tonight."
But Zhan Beijue wasn’t ready to let her go. He pulled her back abruptly.
"I woke up early to be your chauffeur, and you’re leaving just like that? No reward?"
It was rush hour, and pedestrians streamed past outside the car.
Jiang Nanfang knew what he meant but felt too shy to act on it.
"What kind of reward? Like this?"
She lifted his hand and pressed a quick kiss to the back of it.
"A little peck. Happy now?"
"How perfunctory."
Zhan Beijue gazed at her smiling eyes, then leaned in, cupped the back of her head, and pressed his lips to hers.
"Always playing dumb with me. You’re such a tease."
"..." Jiang Nanfang’s cheeks flushed as she playfully scolded him and got out of the car.
"Alright, enough. You’re going to be late for work."
A gentle breeze lifted the hem of her dress and tousled her hair, making her look like a fairy floating in the air.
Zhan Beijue watched through the window as she walked gracefully into the building, then drove off with a smile.
As Jiang Nanfang entered the lobby, she spotted a man standing alone in the elevator just as the doors began to close.
Not wanting to wait for the next one, she hurried over. "Hold the door, please!"
At the last second, she thrust her bag forward, triggering the sensor and reopening the doors.
But once inside, she realized—
The elevator wasn’t empty. Aside from the man, there was also a massive, glossy-coated Tibetan Mastiff, nearly a meter tall, stocky and muscular, baring its teeth.
No leash around its neck.
Startled by Jiang Nanfang’s sudden entrance, the dog reacted as if its owner had tossed it a piece of meat.
It excitedly licked its chops, raised its front paws, and lunged at her with a loud "Awoo!"
As a child, Jiang Nanfang had been tormented by Jiang Xingchen, who once sicced a pack of rabid dogs on her out of spite.
So in her life, there was little she feared—except dogs.
And this was no ordinary dog. It was a terrifying, hulking Tibetan Mastiff.
Caught off guard by its sudden pounce, she thought it was about to bite her.
With a shriek, she grabbed its ear with one hand, planted a foot on its belly, and—with a loud "thud!"—kicked it into the corner.
It all happened in a split second.
Seeing his dog get kicked, the man immediately glared at Jiang Nanfang.
Tall and long-legged, he wore a black tracksuit.
Despite the oversized sunglasses and mask obscuring his face in the elevator, it was clear he was young.
Yet his words were anything but mature.
"What the hell? You looking to die?"
"Do you even know what this is? Do you have any idea how valuable it is? How much I spend on it every year?"
"You dare kick my precious baby? You’ve got a death wish?"
Taking an unleashed dog out in public, then blaming the victim when it attacks?
What kind of entitled logic was this?
Her heart still racing, Jiang Nanfang shot him a cold stare.
"You’re the one with a death wish. Do you even know how to keep a dog in the city?"
"If your eyesight’s so bad, quit wearing sunglasses indoors and pretending to be cool. Didn’t you see it just tried to maul me? Am I not allowed to defend myself?"
"Which part of that thing looks like a dog to you? This is a Tibetan Mastiff. A Tibetan Mastiff, got it?"
The man stroked his dog protectively and snapped back.
"Who the hell puts a leash on a Tibetan Mastiff? You say it bit you—where’s the injury? Show me a single scratch."
"And so what if you got hurt? I can afford to pay for it. What gives you the right to hit my dog?"
Jiang Nanfang was baffled by his warped reasoning.
"So I have to wait until it actually bites me, maybe takes off an arm or a leg, before I can react? Your dog’s life is worth more than a human’s?"
"If it’s so damn precious and fragile, why bring it out in public? Keep it locked up at home!"
"You probably sneaked it in past security. There’s no way this thing belongs here."
The man scoffed shamelessly.
"It’s my pet. I’ll take it wherever I want. None of your damn business."
"In all its years, you’re the first person bold enough to lay a hand on it. I’m taking it for a check-up. If the vet finds even a centimeter-long wound, you’re gonna regret it."
No leash, almost attacks someone, and now you’re threatening me?
Think you’re untouchable?
Jiang Nanfang pulled out her phone.
"Fine. I’m calling security right now to have this dog removed. Let’s see who regrets what!"
"Don’t you dare!"
Seeing her dial, the man lunged for her phone.
"This is my pet. You have no right to interfere! Hang up and give me that!"
Jiang Nanfang held tight.
"It’s my phone. I’ll call whoever I want. Back off!"
The man jabbed a finger in her face.
"Don’t push it! If you weren’t a woman, I’d slap you right now. Believe that?"
"Point that finger at me one more time, and I’ll break it. Believe that?"