Chapter 179: Chapter 179: Waiting for the One Who Can Get Close to Him
"But I think Young Master Qin and Miss Gu are quite a match," Nie Rong suddenly added.
Tang Yuxiu’s expression darkened slightly.
Gu Yan had no reaction.
Qin Junnan smiled faintly, "Thank you for the compliment, Miss Nie, but matters of the heart require mutual consent."
He was still in the stage of making efforts and couldn’t easily admit his feelings for Gu Yan. Only when he had gradually entered her heart and had some assurance would he express his feelings. Before that, he didn’t want to cause her any trouble.
For some reason, Nie Rong found Qin Junnan’s words strangely sarcastic.
Feelings, mutual consent...
Yet with her and Tang Yuxiu, it didn’t seem to be the case.
Today’s engagement announcement was made by them, keeping it hidden from Tang Yuxiu.
Even though they were still at the banquet, Tang Yuxiu seemed fine, but it couldn’t be guaranteed he wasn’t angry inside.
Naturally, Nie Rong felt quite anxious about this matter.
Tang Yuxiu hated being deceived, and she didn’t know if she could withstand his anger.
However, as long as he didn’t call off the engagement, no matter how angry he was, she could accept it.
As long as she could have him, stand by his side, she could endure anything.
"Since you two are here, I happen to have to say goodbye. It’s getting late, and Gu Yan is tired. I’ll take her home now," Qin Junnan said gently.
By bidding farewell in person, Gu Yan wouldn’t have to struggle with deciding whether to leave or not.
"Young Master Qin is so considerate," Nie Rong said meaningfully, not sure to whom she was referring.
She was obviously about to get engaged to Tang Yuxiu, and Gu Yan was with Qin Junnan, which logically posed no threat to her. Yet, she couldn’t help but play a few mind games.
In such a subtle way, she wanted to tell Gu Yan and Tang Yuxiu that they were no longer each other’s companions.
However, if Nie Rong found out that Gu Yan and Tang Yuxiu had always been living together and their relationship was never that simple, she would wonder how she would react.
She would definitely feel even more foolish than a pig at this moment.
Gu Yan remained silent, standing behind Qin Junnan, showing no emotion towards their conversation.
"Well then, President Tang, Miss Nie, we will take our leave first."
"Young Master Qin, Miss Gu, take care," Nie Rong said to them. Tang Yuxiu nodded coldly without a word.
Qin Junnan and Gu Yan bid them farewell and then left Shengshi.
Watching the two of them leave together, Tang Yuxiu’s hand silently clenched by his side, feeling heavy-hearted.
Nie Rong looked at Tang Yuxiu, seemingly casually saying, "Young Master Qin is never short of women around him. Yet, he invited Miss Gu to the banquet, their ordinary friendship seems too good, doesn’t it?"
Tang Yuxiu shot her a cold glance, "Don’t comment on other people’s affairs."
Nie Rong’s face stiffened, then she lowered her head slightly, "Sorry, I was just speaking casually."
Tang Yuxiu said nothing more and turned to go to a secluded corner, wanting to avoid disturbance.
Nie Rong followed closely behind him, for the first time, not daring to speak to him, feeling a bit of fear in her heart.
Tang Yuxiu poured himself a glass of red wine, shimmering in the light.
He drank it in one gulp and spoke, "Miss Nie, I don’t wish to be disturbed. Please leave."
Nie Rong bit her lip, showing an expression of sadness and grievance, "Yuxiu, I know you’re angry right now. The announcement of our engagement was made without discussing with you in advance, but I only found out about it today too."
With this sentence, Nie Rong shifted all the responsibility to the elders of both families, indicating that she and Tang Yuxiu were just as unaware and innocent.
"Ha, this doesn’t matter at all," Tang Yuxiu’s tone was calm, not sarcastic.
To be able to scheme against him, Tang Yuxiu, to the point where he couldn’t break free or expose them, was their competence, and he couldn’t blame anyone else.
"But you’re angry with me, aren’t you?"
Hearing this, Tang Yuxiu gave a slight cold laugh, "I think Miss Nie is overthinking it. I’m not angry."
"You must be. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be so cold to me." Nie Rong stubbornly believed he was angry, upset because she was the last to know about their engagement.
However, Tang Yuxiu showed a hint of impatience, "Miss Nie, I think you should be clear; you’re not significant enough for me to be angry with you. I don’t even get angry with my father, so how could I be angry with you?"
He really wasn’t angry, especially at Nie Rong. To him, she was just someone he knew, nothing more. Why would he waste energy being angry over something so meaningless?
Yet Nie Rong only heard his last words, choosing to ignore the earlier ones. She thought he said that because he was too angry.
A person so prideful and outstanding, being kept in the dark by so many about such a significant matter, how could he possibly remain indifferent after the fact!
Nie Rong slightly frowned, a hint of sadness in her eyes, "Yuxiu, I know I was wrong, but this really has nothing to do with me. The decisions were made by the elders; I had no choice. If you really don’t want this, I can go back and tell my parents to annul the engagement. I won’t force you to do what you don’t want to do."
"In that case, I’ll trouble Miss Nie then."
Nie Rong was taken aback, seemingly not expecting Tang Yuxiu to go along so directly with her words.
"You, do you really want to annul the engagement with me?" She unwillingly asked again.
Tang Yuxiu suddenly turned his head, a hint of mockery in his eyes, "Isn’t this what Miss Nie suggested herself?"
Nie Rong’s face turned pale; this was not her intention.
She wanted to retreat to advance, to propose this request herself, making Tang Yuxiu feel that she was truly unaware, and let him feel she was considerate, understanding, and generous, to leave a good impression on him. Surely, he would soften, cherish her, and then reject her notion, agreeing to the engagement.
Perhaps he wasn’t very willing, but as long as he didn’t oppose, this thing would certainly succeed.
She had struggled to secretly win the favor of Old Sir Tang, who proactively suggested Tang Yuxiu get engaged to her, so how could she give up so easily?
She had made so much effort for today; she must obtain Tang Yuxiu, must marry him.
Tang Yuxiu was hers, and could only be hers forever!
Even if he himself opposed, it couldn’t be allowed!
Nie Rong felt a nearly frenzied persistence and self-righteousness in her heart.
Nie Rong twisted her hands together, almost in tears, "Yuxiu, even if we’re going to annul the engagement, we must talk it over with Uncle Tang. If not handled well, it could damage the relationship between the Tang and Nie families."
"As for our Tang family, you need not worry." Tang Yuxiu said indifferently.
They could calculate against him, he may not be angry, but it doesn’t mean he wouldn’t take it into account or compromise.
Things he didn’t want to do, even with a gun to his head, he wouldn’t yield an inch, even if it were his own father.
Tang Yuxiu’s words and expression, like a sharp blade, pierced deeply into Nie Rong’s heart; she looked at him woefully, "Yuxiu, do you really have no feelings for me at all?"
Even a little bit would satisfy her.
"None." Tang Yuxiu answered without hesitation; in matters like these, he never hesitated or beat around the bush.
With two words, he mercilessly pushed Nie Rong into an abyss.
"How could there be none at all? We clearly got along quite well." Nie Rong couldn’t believe it.
He must be angry with her because of today, that’s why he said this. He just wanted to retaliate a bit, vent his own dissatisfaction.
Yes, that’s how it was.
Tang Yuxiu raised his head, his cold gaze fixed on her, "Miss Nie, if not for the elder’s repeated calls urging me to have meals with you for the sake of enhancing the camaraderie between the Tang and Nie families, do you think I would agree?"
He detested these social obligations; if he could, he wouldn’t attend any, preferring to have dinner at home after work.
Perhaps it didn’t matter before, but recently, with Gu Yan’s meals at home, he quite enjoyed it.
Even if their current relationship is strained, with them coldly eyeing each other, he doesn’t care, as long as Gu Yan couldn’t leave him, there are many days ahead.
Nie Rong abruptly stepped back, looking hurt, "So, in your heart, we’re just a matter of business interests."
"What else did you think?" Tang Yuxiu calmly retorted.
Nie Rong couldn’t accept it; she thought that even if there weren’t feelings, there would be a trace of friendship between them.
No matter what, as long as there was something different from others’ sentiments, she would have a great opportunity, much confidence to gradually win his heart.
But after so long, he told her he had no special feelings for her at all, and how could she accept this?
Nie Rong was a bit dazed, unwilling to believe it; she couldn’t care for much at this moment, suddenly stepping forward to grab Tang Yuxiu’s hand, "Yuxiu, don’t treat me like this. Can’t you see my feelings for you? I just want to stand by your side, have no other demands. Yuxiu, can you try to accept me?"
Tang Yuxiu frowned, quickly flinging her hand away, sending Nie Rong stumbling backward. Once steady, she saw him pulling a handkerchief from his suit pocket to wipe where she had touched, a trace of disgust crossing his eyes.
Her heart felt like it was stabbed with a needle, painfully pricking.
He hated her touch so much, even just a little.
Tang Yuxiu casually tossed the handkerchief aside on a table, cold eyes fixed on her, "Miss Nie, given how long you’ve known me, you should know I dislike people getting close, especially touching."
Nie Rong gazed at him sorrowfully, "Then what about last time when Gu Yan sat next to you? Can you tolerate it if she touches you?"
She was really reluctant to bring up Tang Yuxiu and Gu Yan’s past, but now, she couldn’t help but ask.
Why could Gu Yan touch him, be so intimate with him, and sit in his passenger seat, yet she couldn’t even do it for a moment, not even touch his car door?
Why was Gu Yan allowed?
"Yuxiu, why is there such a big difference between how you treat me and Gu Yan?"