"I'm hungry."

Su Wanru curved her lips slightly, the blush on her face making her even more stunning.

Just when everyone thought the scene would remain peaceful, something jaw-dropping happened at the staircase.

Tang Mianmian was walking down arm-in-arm with Long Zhenfei!

The sight was incredibly bizarre.

After all, the old master rarely allowed anyone to assist him. Apart from his loyal butler, he seldom got this close to anyone.

Yet, the woman who was supposed to have been kicked out by the old master was now escorting him down the stairs with a radiant smile.

How could this scene not be peculiar?

Tang Mianmian spoke softly, "Grandpa, it feels like you're the one dragging me along. I can barely keep up with your pace!"

The little girl really knew how to butter people up!

Long Zhenfei snorted, but his eyes were full of laughter. "That's because you modern people don't exercise. Fitness is the foundation of life!"

"You're absolutely right, Grandpa. I think I need to start working out too. Staying fit is the key!" she replied cheerfully.

She pulled out a chair for him and only returned to her own seat after ensuring he was settled. She then smiled sweetly at everyone, looking utterly harmless.

Long Yejue sat down as well, gracefully picking up a napkin and laying it over his lap with effortless elegance.

Tang Mianmian imitated his actions, placing her napkin on her lap and flashing him a small smile, as if to say, Am I doing well?

The man gave her an approving nod.

To the onlookers, their interaction appeared like yet another display of affection.

Su Wanru's nails dug into her palms so hard that they nearly pierced her skin, the pain making her breath hitch.

Long Ruoshui, snapping out of her daze, widened her eyes and defiantly asked, "Grandpa, is this woman really my sister-in-law now?"

Long Zhenfei, who had been in a good mood, immediately darkened at his granddaughter's rude question. "What do you mean by this woman? Is that how I raised you? If you don't want to eat, then get out. Stop being an eyesore."

Long Ruoshui, stunned and humiliated, bit her lip and ran off in tears.

This left Su Wanru in an awkward limbo, unable to leave yet too uncomfortable to stay.

In contrast, Tang Mianmian gradually adjusted to the situation, though she refrained from reaching for dishes and stuck to the ones closest to her.

Noticing her restraint, Long Yejue rotated the lazy Susan and rearranged the dishes, ensuring her favorites were within reach.

Tang Mianmian found his attentiveness unsettling, especially under the intense gazes from others.

Long Zhenfei observed the two with a meaningful look but said nothing.

When Long Yejue finally escorted Tang Mianmian out, Zhu Wenyi and Long Fengteng had not appeared at all, and Long Ruoshui had fled crying.

Meanwhile, Su Wanru endured the awkwardness until the meal ended, something Tang Mianmian admired—she would've fled long ago if she were in Su Wanru's shoes.

At the Long family estate's front gate, Su Wanru called out gently, "Big Brother Long."

Her hesitant expression was pitifully endearing.

Tang Mianmian turned to Long Yejue. "I'll wait in the car."

She figured this delicate flower likely had something private to discuss with her husband. It seemed prudent to give them space.

But Long Yejue grabbed her hand to stop her from leaving and said coldly to Su Wanru, "If you have something to say, speak up."

After a moment's hesitation, Su Wanru, her face pale, stammered, "I came with Ruoshui, but I don't know where she is now. It's so late, and I have no way to get home. Could you take me back?"

Long Yejue's brows furrowed tightly, his displeasure evident, his temper on the verge of erupting.

Before he could respond, Tang Mianmian quickly interjected, "Of course! Where do you live?"

Her words earned a sharp glare from the man beside her.

Tang Mianmian felt wronged—what had she said wrong?

After all, the young woman had asked so humbly. How could they refuse her?

Even Su Wanru seemed surprised by Tang Mianmian's agreement, casting her a few doubtful looks before finally providing an address.

Tang Mianmian grinned sheepishly. "That's on the way! Perfect. Let's go."

She tugged the icy man toward the car, leaving Su Wanru to trail hesitantly behind.

Once in the car, the atmosphere grew tense.

Su Wanru sat in the back, Tang Mianmian in the passenger seat, while Long Yejue drove in silence.

The triangular dynamic made Tang Mianmian uncomfortable, especially under the probing gaze from the back seat.

It felt like being scrutinized under a microscope—stifling and unbearable.

Tang Mianmian held her breath, staring out the window, trying to shrink her presence.

Beside her, Long Yejue exuded a cold aura, making the atmosphere even heavier.

When they finally arrived at Su Wanru's home, Tang Mianmian heaved a sigh of relief.

But Su Wanru knocked on her car window, leaning down slightly to look at her.

Tang Mianmian rolled down the window and forced a smile. "What's wrong?"

"Big Brother Long, could you step out for a moment? I have something to discuss with you," Su Wanru said, ignoring Tang Mianmian entirely.

Long Yejue's brows furrowed deeply.

"It'll only take a minute," Su Wanru pleaded, nearly begging.

Caught in the middle, Tang Mianmian didn't know whether to smile or stay quiet.

Finally, she sighed. "You should go. Maybe it's something important."

The moment the words left her mouth, she was met with a frosty glare from Long Yejue.

Tang Mianmian felt mortified—what had she done wrong now?

Wasn't she just being considerate?

Suppressing his frustration, Long Yejue stepped out of the car and walked over to where Su Wanru stood waiting. His tone was icy. "What do you want?"

"Did you really get married?" Su Wanru asked, her voice trembling with emotion. Her tear-filled eyes brimmed with sorrow, as if she had been betrayed.

Long Yejue's face darkened. "That's my business. It has nothing to do with you."

Su Wanru staggered back, shaking her head in disbelief. "How could this happen? How could it happen so quickly?"

The man's expression turned impatient. "Anything else? If not, I'm leaving."

"N-No, nothing else."

At that moment, Su Wanru felt as though her entire world had collapsed.

She had believed that if she waited long enough, he would eventually turn back to her.

Even when his mother kept introducing women to him, his indifferent attitude had given her hope.

She thought she still had a chance.

But now, another woman had suddenly entered his world and even become his wife.

For Su Wanru, this was a devastating blow.

The man walked away coldly, showing no acknowledgment of her sadness.

His indifference was proof enough that she was nothing more than an insignificant presence in his life.

If not for her friendship with Ruoshui, she probably wouldn't have even had the chance to speak to him.

Tang Mianmian didn't expect him to return so quickly.

It had been less than two minutes. What could have been so brief yet so significant?

She tilted her head slightly and glanced at Su Wanru, who was crouched in the distance, seemingly crying in sorrow. Unable to hold back her curiosity, she asked, "Why is Miss Su crying?"

Her only response was the roar of the car speeding away.

OMG!

This man is so petty!

The frosty silence persisted all the way home. He didn't say a single word to her, his face as glacial as ever.

Yet even with his cold demeanor, his strikingly handsome features were undeniable.

And unfortunately, he was exactly her type.

Ahh! What am I even thinking?!

Blushing furiously, Tang Mianmian buried herself under the covers, feeling like she'd been poisoned.

In the room next door, Long Yejue exuded a stifling air of frustration. His dark eyes stared at the computer screen, which had been frozen on the same page for ages.

Every sound she made was crystal clear to him—her footsteps going upstairs, then back down, the brief pause at his door, and finally her return to her room, where everything settled into quiet.

The anger simmering in his chest began to boil over.

Long Yejue, thoroughly irritated, snapped the computer shut and rose from his chair. Striding to her door, he stood for a moment, his expression cold, before knocking.

The sound of the knock echoed distinctly in the quiet night.

Under the covers, Tang Mianmian froze. Her face flushed from the stuffy heat of the blanket as she nervously called out, "W-Who is it?"

A deep, composed voice replied from the other side of the door, reverberating powerfully.

Tang Mianmian nearly rolled out of bed in panic. Hastily smoothing her hair, she tried to appear presentable before opening the door.

Immediately, his scent hit her, and her eyes were drawn to him.

He was wearing a loose bathrobe, casually draped over his tall, commanding figure. Her gaze inadvertently fell to his slightly exposed chest...

Is that... chest muscle?

Why did it look so enticing?

Unconsciously licking her lips, she stammered, "Do... Do you need something?"

Her small gesture made his dark eyes deepen further, the slight bob of his Adam's apple betraying his thoughts. A strange light flickered in his gaze as he spoke.

"I'm hungry."

Tang Mianmian: "..."

What is this situation?!

Here stood a man, as handsome as a feast for the eyes, in front of her door late at night, saying he was hungry.

And not just any man—her nominal husband.

How could she not take this the wrong way?!

Swallowing nervously, she hesitated before replying, "Um, I can help you..."

"Thank you," he said calmly, his striking face unreadable, though his dark eyes gleamed with something she couldn't decipher.

Tang Mianmian blinked, confused. Thank me for what?

What she'd meant was that she could help him call someone—some woman!

How did this turn into a thank-you moment?

"Just make something simple," he added.

Simple?

Three cartoonish crows seemed to fly over her head.

Her thoughts scrambled, and finally, she asked, "What kind do you like?"

Pure and sweet? Hot and fiery? Or maybe seductive and charming?

For some reason, the imagined scenarios in her mind left her feeling irritated and... jealous?

Was she jealous?

"Whatever's in the fridge," he replied bluntly.

"..."

"..."

Wait—

That's what he meant?!

She realized she'd let her thoughts go in a completely inappropriate direction and silently thanked her lucky stars she hadn't blurted anything embarrassing.

Face flushed, she nodded quickly. "O-Okay, I'll go right away!"