A World for Two

"But..."

"Alright, it's settled then. You've seen her, interrupted her day—don't you think it's time we left?" Long Yejue's deep eyes shimmered with a trace of amusement, making his already handsome face even more captivating.

Tang Mianmian blushed and nodded. "Mm-hmm."

"Hey, hey, hey! If you two want to go off and enjoy your couple time, just say it! Don't use me as an excuse!" Fu Ranjan protested with clear irritation.

"Let them go. We deserve a little alone time too," Qi Yunmo said as he pulled her hand, gently pushing her back onto the bed.

And just like that, the pregnant woman's complaints were drowned out again.

She seriously felt like the most miserable pregnant woman in history.

Before the couple could leave the hospital, they ran into Shen Shaogong.

The moment he saw them, Shen Shaogong let out a sigh. "What happened this time? Where are you hurt? Want a female nurse or should I take care of it?"

Tang Mianmian was embarrassed by the teasing and quietly slipped behind Long Yejue, feeling like someone who only appeared once a year.

Long Yejue, however, merely smiled lightly and asked without a hint of emotion, "I heard Lin Xiang is coming back."

Shen Shaogong, who had been holding the upper hand, immediately froze. His expression changed drastically, panic flashing across his face like a mouse spotting a cat. "Who told you that? Is it true? You're not messing with me, are you?"

"You seem busy. I won't bother you anymore." Long Yejue gave him a meaningful smile, then walked past him with Tang Mianmian, leaving the hospital.

Shen Shaogong stood there, both anxious and alarmed. Long Yejue was too sinister—dropping a bomb and then walking off without even confirming it. It was enough to drive him mad with worry.

Long Yejue brought Tang Mianmian to a Western restaurant, finally giving them a true "world for two."

Though it wasn't her first time having Western food, Tang Mianmian still felt uncomfortable.

To her, a proper meal meant eating heartily. This nibble-by-nibble thing felt so restrictive.

Of course, she could only complain in her heart—saying it out loud would just make her seem unsophisticated.

She remembered once telling Su Shijie something similar during a date. His reaction had been a fit of anger.

It had taken her quite a while to coax him back into a good mood.

As Su Shijie had put it, "Men like women who are graceful and poised."

If even Su Shijie said that, what about someone like Long Yejue—the top of the social elite?

The table had been reserved by Long Yejue in advance. Beautiful roses adorned the setup, creating a romantic atmosphere.

Red wine, roses, steak, soft music, and the man across from her—so handsome it was almost criminal.

This had to be every woman's dream.

A few sips of red wine in, and Tang Mianmian was slightly tipsy. Gathering her courage, she asked, "Long Yejue, why did you marry me back then?"

Women eager to marry him could probably circle the city twice, yet he chose someone as ordinary as her.

At that time in her life, she was at her lowest—so down and out that she couldn't even look at herself in the mirror, let alone feel attractive.

Yet Long Yejue had chosen to marry her then. It was something she still couldn't figure out.

She had asked a few times before, but he never gave a straight answer. This time, emboldened by wine, she wanted to know the truth.

The man across from her, dining elegantly, simply smiled. His lips curved into a gentle arc as his gaze met hers, deep and unreadable. "Why does there have to be a reason?"

Still no real answer. Tang Mianmian felt frustrated.

It seemed like he was brushing her off—or maybe hiding something from her.

A woman's intuition is rarely wrong, even if there's no science to back it.

She stood up and said, "I'm going to the restroom."

He nodded slightly, making no move to stop her.

Only when she reached the restroom did she realize how emotional she'd gotten.

In the mirror, she saw the face of a jealous woman.

She hated this version of herself. Splashing cold water on her face helped a little. She muttered to herself, trying to rebuild her composure. "Tang Mianmian, get a grip. Don't just drown in feelings."

Yes, that's right.

She came out of the restroom with a small smile—only to run into a familiar face.

"Mianmian?" Su Shijie's surprised voice struck her like a thunderclap, wiping the smile off her face.

Worst timing ever.

"What are you doing here?" she asked coldly, her tone far from friendly.

But Su Shijie didn't seem to care. Instead, he got excited. "I thought I saw someone who looked like you earlier. I figured I was just missing you too much and seeing things—but it really is you!"

Tang Mianmian shook off his hand, clearly annoyed. "Sorry, I don't know you that well. I'm leaving."

"Mianmian, do you hate me that much? I know I was wrong. But I still love you," Su Shijie said, grabbing her arm again.

A woman's strength couldn't match a man's. Tang Mianmian was pulled back by him, and her footing slipped, landing her right into his arms.

To any onlooker, the scene looked just like an intimate moment between lovers.

Su Shijie hadn't held her like this in ages, and he wasn't about to let go. His deep eyes locked onto her startled ones. "Mianmian, I know you still have feelings for me. Don't move—just let me hold you for a bit longer."

Such a Man Felt Like a Stranger

Tang Mianmian was momentarily stunned, forgetting to resist as Su Shijie held her.

Maybe it was because they had once shared something real. The Su Shijie in front of her was nothing like the one she remembered.

Back then, he had always been lukewarm and distant.

Sometimes when they went out shopping, even when she pleaded to hold hands, he'd find it overly clingy—let alone embracing her like this.

Tang Mianmian was someone who valued the past. Thinking about those days softened her heart a little, and she gently said, "Su Shijie, we both have our own lives now. You're married to Yan Youlan—be good to her. Let the past stay in the past. We've moved on, and it's time we each go our separate ways. Let's not disturb each other anymore, alright?"

Her soft voice only stirred more emotion in Su Shijie. But beneath her calm words, he sensed something else and looked at her in shock, disbelief coloring his face. "You said we both have our own families… What do you mean by that? Is it true, what Yan Youlan said? That you're married?"

She nodded firmly and struggled again, but he continued to hold her tightly. "Yes, I'm married."

"So soon… how is that possible?" Su Shijie couldn't accept it. "Mianmian, whether you believe me or not, I only realized how badly I messed up after losing you. Can't you forgive me, just once?"

Tang Mianmian looked into his eyes, and for the first time, she saw sincerity there.

But so what?

What's lost is lost. No matter how hard you try to get it back, it's still just the past.

She smiled faintly and lifted her chin. "There was a time I thought I hated you. But then I realized I didn't. Su Shijie, let's end this peacefully."

"No…"

Su Shijie looked devastated.

"What are you doing?"

A cold, commanding male voice suddenly cut in, sharp as a blade.

The moment Tang Mianmian heard it, she trembled from head to toe and immediately struggled to break free.

Only two words echoed in her mind: It's over.

With Long Yejue witnessing that scene, a misunderstanding was inevitable.

His sudden appearance caught Su Shijie off guard, giving her the chance to break free. As Su Shijie turned to face him, he froze in surprise.

Yan Youlan had once told him that Tang Mianmian had married Long Yejue, heir to Jiang City's most powerful family. He thought it was a joke—a deliberate jab to provoke him.

After all, Tang Mianmian and Long Yejue were from completely different worlds. How could they possibly be married?

But now, seeing that cold, aristocratic face, he couldn't help but doubt himself. Could it be true, what Yan Youlan said?

While Su Shijie stood there in shock, Long Yejue remained calm and composed. He pulled Tang Mianmian into his arms possessively and said coldly, word by word, "She is my wife. I hope you understand that."

Just one sentence—and Su Shijie fell from heaven straight into hell.

Before he could respond, Long Yejue had already whisked Tang Mianmian away, disappearing from sight.

"How is that possible?" Su Shijie still couldn't believe it.

"I told you it was true. You're the one who chose not to believe it," came a cold voice from behind.

At some point, Yan Youlan had appeared, her face twisted in fury and pain.

The moment he heard her voice, a wave of nausea rose in Su Shijie's chest. "Stay out of my business!"

Yan Youlan bit her lip, her eyes filled with bitter resentment. "Stay out of it? Don't forget the situation Su Group is in. That dinner with President Wang—I begged for it. Yet you left me alone to entertain him and came here to see your ex. Do you have a shred of conscience? Do you even realize…"

Her voice broke, unable to go on.

The Su Group was currently under siege by several companies. Multiple suppliers had already cut ties.

It was clear someone was targeting them.

But Su Shijie still had his mind on Tang Mianmian. He'd abandoned her to dine alone with that lecherous President Wang.

How could she possibly swallow that?

How could she not be heartbroken?

But to Su Shijie, her sorrow was nothing but an act. He curled his lips coldly. "Isn't seduction your specialty? I gave you a perfect stage to show off your charm—what's the problem?"

"Su Shijie!"

Yan Youlan trembled in fury, unable to believe he could say such things.

"What? Angry now?" He sneered. "You should've thought about this moment when you drugged me back then."

With those cruel words, Su Shijie turned and walked away without looking back.

Yan Youlan collapsed to the ground, pale as a sheet, unable to accept the harsh reality.

She had tried so hard—so why was it that all he saw was Tang Mianmian?

Yes, she had seduced him back then. She had deliberately drugged him, made him lose control, even faked a pregnancy so Qin Siyue would pressure him into marriage.

But she had done it all because she loved him.

Now, hearing his words, everything she had done felt like a cruel joke.

She began to laugh bitterly.

Tang Mianmian, Tang Mianmian…

Why did you have to take everything that should have been mine?

You already have the title of Jiang City's most powerful heiress—can't you let me have a little happiness?

Despair crept from her toes to her scalp. Hugging herself tightly, she sat there in the darkness, unable to see even a glimmer of light.

What was supposed to be a romantic dinner had ended like this.

Tang Mianmian hadn't seen it coming. Sitting in the passenger seat, she was visibly shaken, clutching the handle tightly, her face filled with panic.

The speed of the car was something she had never experienced.

That extreme velocity made her heart feel like it was floating, as if a gust of wind could sweep her away at any moment.

And the low pressure from the man beside her was even more suffocating, like heavy storm clouds pressing down, leaving no air to breathe.

His chiseled profile was as cold as a statue, devoid of its usual languid grace—only ice remained.

And the night, already chilly, felt even colder because of it.

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Sometimes, writing a story feels like lighting a lamp alone in the darkness—burning myself little by little, just to bring you a ray of light. But even this lamp needs a bit of warmth in return.

Because there hasn't been much attention or encouragement, I've delayed updating. It's not that I don't want to write—I'm just afraid that no matter how good the story is, no one will be there to listen.

If you've ever been moved by a character, even a single comment or a bookmark could become the courage that keeps me going.

Your smallest response might be the only reason I continue to create.