For Your Own Good

The moment she heard that, Long Ruoshui immediately chimed in with a firm tone, "She's obviously trying to play the good guy in front of our Long family, win sympathy points, and then righteously become the young madam of the Long family!"

Zhu Wenyi fell into thought, seeming to agree that Long Ruoshui had a point.

After all, ever since that incident, she did feel less resistance toward Tang Mianmian than before.

Especially since her husband even gave Tang Mianmian the family heirloom jade bracelets.

Wasn't that proof it was working?

Her heart sank. That rare bit of goodwill she had just started to feel was instantly wiped away.

Su Wanru curled her lips slightly, a faint smile flashing across her face.

On the other side, with Long Yejue joining in, the chess game quickly reached a conclusion.

Old Master Long looked unconvinced. "That doesn't count! Two against one? That's clearly bullying an old man!"

Tang Mianmian was nearly laughing out loud at Long Zhenfei's antics.

She never thought her serious and dignified grandfather would have such a playful side.

Long Yejue seized the opportunity to respond, "Grandpa, you can't just deny it because you lost."

"Who said I lost? You two won unfairly!" The old man was hopelessly stubborn when it came to chess.

Long Yejue clearly expected this outcome and lazily replied, "Looks like this game's over. We'll go rest now, enjoy yourself."

Long Zhenfei instantly saw through his plan—trying to leave?

No way!

"Just now you two ganged up on me, of course I lost. But now, let Mianmian join me. We'll play a round against you. If I lose, I'll let you leave."

The old man's suggestion made Long Yejue narrow his dark eyes. "Grandpa, what are you up to now?"

"I'm not as sneaky as you! So, are we playing or not?" the old man bluffed.

Long Yejue, though aware of the trick, still nodded. "Alright, one round. Let's do it."

He figured he'd just win again anyway, and then they could leave.

Tang Mianmian happily walked over to join the old man's side, which made Long Yejue a bit unwilling.

Looks like he'd need to speed things up.

They set up the board and began to play, one move at a time.

Though it was supposed to be Tang Mianmian and the old man against Long Yejue, in truth, it was still the old man playing, with Tang Mianmian just offering a few suggestions.

But the longer the game went on, the more they fell behind.

This made Long Zhenfei anxious, and he whispered a couple of things into Tang Mianmian's ear.

The little lamb glanced awkwardly at Long Yejue, then gave the old man a look as if asking, "Grandpa, is this really okay?"

The old man glared back—Don't you know to respect your elders?

Well, alright then...

Tang Mianmian compromised and undid a wrong move.

Long Yejue immediately realized the old man's scheme and wasn't too pleased. "You guys are taking back moves? Can you at least have some integrity?"

The old man snorted, "Wasn't me who took it back."

Meaning—it was your wife, not me. Nothing to do with me.

Tang Mianmian chuckled sheepishly. "Just let me once, okay?"

Seeing that look in her eyes, Long Yejue could only nod. "Fine, fine, just this once. Don't make it a habit."

Tang Mianmian happily reset the board and shot a meaningful glance at the old man.

He grinned knowingly and silently gave his granddaughter-in-law a thumbs-up in his heart.

But what Long Yejue didn't expect was that this "just once" turned into "again and again."

Every time the old man was about to be cornered, Tang Mianmian would take back a move.

Since he couldn't bear to upset his wife, he kept agreeing... again and again...

In the end, the result was quite harmonious—the old man won, Long Yejue lost.

Old Master Long was overjoyed. "Told you your chess skills are no match for mine, still don't wanna admit it!"

Long Yejue stared at his grandfather, utterly speechless at his shameless tactics.

He thought losing meant they wouldn't be allowed to leave.

But to his surprise, the old man was in such a good mood that he mercifully said, "Forget it. Beating someone like you isn't even fun. Go on, get some rest. I'm going to bed too."

Tang Mianmian was speechless…

Grandpa was really acting smug after getting his way, huh?

He cheated to win, yet had the nerve to call the other party a sore loser and claimed he didn't feel like playing anymore...

Tsk tsk, look at Long Yejue's icy face.

Turns out his personality is just like Grandpa's.

Tang Mianmian took the chance to link arms with her sulking husband and gently said, "Let's go. Time to rest. I'm really tired."

Long Yejue had been a bit upset, but hearing his wife say that, the gloom instantly lifted. He stood up to say goodbye. "We're heading back, then."

"Go on, go on, my defeated opponent."

"..."

Tang Mianmian felt like crying but had no tears.

Grandpa, can you please stop showing off?

As the two of them left, the once lively living room suddenly quieted down.

The old man's smile slowly faded as he scanned the room. Zhu Wenyi stepped forward and said, "Dad, there's something I want to talk to you about."

The old man didn't refuse and followed her to the study.

Zhu Wenyi finally voiced her suspicions. "I think there's something fishy about Ruoshui's kidnapping. After she came back, she told me that she and Wanru were thrown out of the car first, and that's how she ended up being kidnapped. Everything just seemed way too coincidental. And they were kicked out just because she said one bad thing about Tang Mianmian. Then the kidnappers asked for ransom and all that—it all felt so planned. And she stepped up without hesitation at the time."

Old Master Long's face darkened as he glanced at Zhu Wenyi. "You think so too?"

"It's not just what I think, Dad—this whole thing is full of holes. Otherwise, why would she have been let go so easily? How does she even explain that?" Zhu Wenyi could tell her father-in-law didn't believe her, and it made her a little upset.

But he was an elder, so she held her tongue.

The old man snorted coldly. "I don't take sides. If you want to investigate, go ahead. As long as there's evidence, I'll handle it accordingly. But if it's just baseless speculation, don't bother telling me."

Knowing she had overstepped, Zhu Wenyi could only nod. "Understood."

"You've been married into the Long family for decades and always behaved properly. I've never had to say anything harsh to you. But you need to understand—no matter the situation, the big picture always comes first. You come from a wealthy family yourself, so I believe you know the value of family harmony. I don't want to hear another word of unproven suspicion. That's enough."

With a cold face, the old man clearly signaled for her to leave.

Having been scolded, Zhu Wenyi had no choice but to walk away, quietly resentful.

But in her heart, her unease toward Tang Mianmian only grew deeper.

**

When Long Yejue and Tang Mianmian returned to Nian Garden, Butler Xu had already prepared a medicinal meal, waiting for them.

The moment Tang Mianmian saw the dish, her smile froze. She looked at Long Yejue with pleading eyes. "Can I not eat it?"

"Are you really going to waste Uncle Xu's effort again?" Long Yejue didn't even try to persuade her, just asked casually.

Butler Xu, caught in the crossfire, could only smile awkwardly. "Young Madam, this medicinal meal was specially prepared under the Master's orders—it's good for your health, and all the herbs used are of the highest quality. It'll do you nothing but good."

Tang Mianmian pulled a long face. "Fine."

She couldn't bring herself to reject their goodwill when it was said so sincerely.

But that dark, murky soup looked anything but appetizing.

And seeing someone across from her enjoying the show made her teeth itch in frustration.

How could he look so relaxed?

Annoyed, she decided to get her revenge.

With one big gulp, she filled her mouth with the soup—swallowing a little bit too.

Her already small face scrunched up tightly.

Long Yejue found it funny and pulled her over, asking, "Is it really that bad?"

Tang Mianmian shook her head—then nodded.

Long Yejue was more curious now. "So is it good or bad?"

Tang Mianmian tilted her head, leaned forward, and just like he had done before, boldly captured his lips.

It was her first time kissing a man on her own. Bold as she was, her heart was still pounding.

But she had a clear goal—to let him know just how awful that soup tasted.

Caught off guard by the sudden kiss, Long Yejue was totally duped. As soon as the bitter soup entered his mouth, the strong herbal taste spread through.

But the bitterness also carried her sweetness.

Though the medicinal soup ruined the moment, it didn't lessen the charm of the kiss at all.

Just when she was about to pull away after the prank, he flipped the game and seized her head, pressing her back into the kiss and returning the soup she had fed him.

"Mmmph…"

Tang Mianmian's eyes widened as she was forced to accept the soup back.

She tried to resist, but he had her firmly held—no chance of escape. In the end, she could only swallow all of it.

Long Yejue didn't let go right away either. He kept kissing her until she was breathless and weak in his arms, her flushed face so charming it stirred the imagination.

"You… you're despicable," she gasped.

"You were the one trying to trick me," he replied nonchalantly.

Tang Mianmian felt like she'd lost on all fronts. Her already red cheeks turned even redder. "You asked how bitter it was—I just let you try it!"

"And I did try it… then gave it back to you."

"..."

Why is she always the one who ends up suffering?

She couldn't win this argument—like a scholar trying to reason with a rogue.

Knowing she had no comeback, she pulled away from his arms and stormed upstairs.

Long Yejue touched his lips, a faint smile playing there.

Butler Xu, who had been silently pretending not to exist, finally cleared his throat to remind him he was still around. "Young Master, if there's nothing else, I'll head back now."

Long Yejue coughed once, quickly regaining his composure and nodded. "Go ahead."

"Yes, sir."

"Oh, and… the soup really does need some improvement. It's too bitter."

He added one last comment.

Butler Xu nearly tripped as he recalled how exactly the young master had come to that conclusion.

"Yes, yes, I'll see to it right away."

With that, he made a hasty retreat.

Long Yejue slowly made his way upstairs, still secretly delighted over her kissing him.

Tang Mianmian had just finished her bath, dressed in her ridiculously cartoonish pajamas, towel-drying her hair.

Long Yejue frowned slightly. His playful mood faded a bit. He turned up the heat in the room before speaking. "Didn't you say you weren't supposed to wash your hair during your period?"

"But I didn't wash it yesterday—it smelled!" she replied, sulking under his gaze, sensing an unspoken disapproval.

Seriously?

She couldn't even wash her hair now?

"Why the long face? You're the one with a hygiene obsession. I was thinking of you. And now you're mad at me for it?" Tang Mianmian pouted, frustrated.

Why was this man always so grumpy?

"If you're really thinking of me that much… then how about…"