"We don't need to meet again," Qing Muye said coldly, hanging up the phone.
On the other end, Tang Wanxing hadn't expected Qing Muye to hang up so decisively. Her heart tightened, and she immediately dialed again. However, all she heard was a cold, mechanical voice: "Hello, the user you have dialed has switched off their phone. Please try again later..."
Unwilling to give up, she called several more times, but the result was the same.
Meanwhile, back at the hotel.
Qing Muye tossed his phone onto the low coffee table in the living room and turned back to the bedroom, continuing to sleep with the woman in his arms.
When it came to Tang Wanxing, he had been too trusting of her. But Meng Jingwei's actions truly moved him.
The man held her close, feeling her steady breathing. She was like a lazy kitten, and a smile involuntarily curved his lips as he kissed her forehead.
The next day.
Everyone woke up early, got ready, and set off for Lancheng.
They arrived in Lancheng around eleven in the morning.
At Shen Liannuo's suggestion, everyone went to Yuting Villa and had hot pot at Qing Muye's home.
Except for Shi Ran, everyone was gathered, and the atmosphere was harmonious and joyful.
Due to Tang Si's lingering illness, he only drank milk for dinner, abstaining from any alcohol.
"Are you planning to sleep at my place tonight, or head back?"
After dinner, Lu Yanming, Han Yu, Song Ci, and Song Jun sat down to play mahjong, while others watched. Qing Muye sat on the sofa, keeping Tang Si company.
He appeared carefree and in good spirits, but his brothers knew he was not.
They refrained from dragging him into mahjong, worried about his weakness and inability to sit still for long.
Reluctantly, Qing Muye stayed to accompany him.
"We just finished eating, are you trying to kick me out already?"
Tang Si leaned back on the sofa, propping his head on his arm. He lazily lifted his eyelids, glancing at Qing Muye and teasing him.
"If you don't want to leave, why would I..."
As Qing Muye was about to say something, a hurried servant walked in. "Sir, people from the Tang family are here and are demanding to see Mr. Tang."
The servant glanced at Tang Si as he spoke, looking somewhat embarrassed.
"Understood."
Qing Muye raised his hand slightly, signaling the servant to leave.
He stood up and said to Tang Si, "Stay put here. I'll go see what's happening."
With that, he walked out of the living room.
Meng Jingwei was bringing fruit out from the kitchen when she happened to overhear the servant's conversation. She put down the fruit and followed Qing Muye, "I'll go with you."
She casually picked up Qing Muye's jacket from the coat rack and draped it over his shoulders. "It's cold outside."
Deeply touched by his thoughtful care for her, the man clasped her hand, holding it tightly to warm it. "If you know it's cold outside, why are you coming out?"
"The people from the Tang family aren't to be trifled with. I'm worried you might not be able to handle them alone," Meng Jingwei joked.
The two walked hand in hand across the fountain and reached the villa's main gate. There, they saw Tang's father and mother standing outside, along with a driver respectfully waiting by a black luxury car.
Seeing them emerge, the servant immediately pressed the button to open the black wrought-iron gate.
As the heavy gate slowly swung open, before Qing Muye and his wife could speak, Tang's parents barged in. "Where is our Little Si? Where have you hidden him?"
Seeing that Tang Si's mother had no manners or upbringing whatsoever, Meng Jingwei's brow furrowed. She stepped in front of her, "Madam Tang, what are you doing? It's not appropriate to barge into someone's home without permission, is it?"
Tang's mother, dressed in a grey fur coat and exuding an air of wealth, flicked her hat and glared at Meng Jingwei. "You must be that vixen Shi Ran's good friend, aren't you?"