Tang Yu carried Su Muyue home, his face dark with annoyance.
Tang Gangcheng frowned and scolded him.
"How much did you make Muyue drink? How did she get this drunk?"
"She wanted to drink. She couldn't handle more than three glasses."
"Bullshit. Muyue never goes drinking at places like that. Don't think I can't guess what you're up to, boy."
Tang Gangcheng cursed him without holding back.
They were both men. How could he not see through this guy's little scheme?
"..."
Tang Yu wanted to cry. Had the old man not seen all the lipstick marks on his face? It wasn't as if he'd gone and pressed his face against her lips himself, right?
Once they got home, Mother Tang helped Su Muyue along and said,
"I'll take Muyue to your room to rest. Don't take her drinking again."
"Let Muyue rest in the guest room. Why take her to his room?"
Tang Gangcheng sounded somewhat displeased.
His wife was wonderful in every way, except that she spoiled this boy too much.
She had also pushed hard for this marriage alliance at home. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to swallow his pride and agree to it.
Mother Tang smiled and nodded, understanding what her husband meant.
Tang Gangcheng turned to Tang Yu and said earnestly,
"I know you've liked her for years, but you can't rush these things. She has to be willing."
"If you try any more funny business, I'll break all three of your legs."
"You're overthinking it, old man. I'm not interested in her. Really."
"Then who are you interested in? That girl from the Wang Family? Or Kexin from the Qin Family?"
Tang Gangcheng raised an eyebrow.
"..."
Tang Yu figured he was dead either way.
Of the four great families, every family besides the Tang Family had a beauty Ye Chen had set his sights on.
You could say he'd conquered all three families by chasing women.
That was the most outrageous part of these wish-fulfillment novels.
These were prestigious, wealthy families. Did they really have no dignity at all?
They'd tolerate their heiresses serving one man alongside other women, then pile all their family's resources on him, too?
What a load of crap!
After his old man tugged his ear and lectured him for ages, Tang Yu finally escaped a beating.
Back in his room, he washed up, then stretched out on the bed worth hundreds of thousands and slept soundly.
That was the life of the rich: simple, unadorned, and dull.
After Mother Tang left the guest room, Su Muyue, who had appeared to be asleep, slowly opened her eyes.
She was fully awake now.
Or rather, she hadn't been all that drunk to begin with.
In the car, she had been drunk, but still rational.
But under the influence of alcohol, she hadn't wanted to stay rational.
She'd wanted to follow her instincts and do what she didn't dare to do, say what she didn't dare to say.
She'd even tried to be like that guy and take off her own mask.
But now that she was completely sober, she felt terribly embarrassed thinking back on it.
She'd only wanted to talk to him. How had she ended up... taking the initiative to kiss that guy?
"I'm done for. I can't face him tomorrow."
She covered her burning cheeks and sighed softly. She never should have drunk in the first place.
Thinking about it, she tossed and turned in bed until around three before finally falling asleep.
Early the next morning, a knock on the door woke her.
"Muyue, are you up? It's time for breakfast."
Mother Tang's voice came from outside.
"Coming, Auntie."
Su Muyue rubbed her bleary eyes and answered, then reluctantly got up to wash.
Since she hadn't slept well, the dark circles under her eyes were quite noticeable.
As she walked out, she happened to run into Tang Yu, who was wearing pajamas.
Tang Yu seemed full of energy, but his expression turned a little strange when he saw Su Muyue.
He casually greeted her. "Morning."
Why is this woman staring at me? Did she remember what happened last night?
Ugh, she's a total drunk. I can't drink with her again, even if you beat me to death. Otherwise, I won't be able to keep this pure, innocent body of mine safe.
Hearing Tang Yu's thoughts, Su Muyue felt her face grow hot again as she remembered what had happened in the car the night before.
She didn't quite dare to meet Tang Yu's eyes. She said good morning, then lowered her head and walked on.
Oh yeah! That's more like it. Keep your distance from me, got it?
A female lead should act like a female lead. I'll graciously forgive you for what happened yesterday.
Tang Yu followed behind her, feeling rather pleased. At last, this woman seemed to be acting normal again.
By the time they reached the dining table, breakfast was already laid out.
Mother Tang had gotten up early to make it herself that morning, without letting the chef lift a finger.
After all, it was her future daughter-in-law's first time having breakfast at their home. She deserved some special treatment.
"Good morning, Uncle and Auntie."
Su Muyue greeted Tang Gangcheng and Mother Tang as she approached.
"Good morning, Muyue."
They both smiled and greeted her in unison.
They were quite pleased with Su Muyue. She was beautiful and capable.
It was just that her personality... was a little cold. She'd made their son play the lovesick fool for three years.
Tang Yu greeted them too, pulled out a chair, sat down, and started eating from a plate of soup dumplings.
"What are you doing? You're only thinking about yourself. Get Muyue something to eat."
Seeing Tang Yu hunched over his food, Mother Tang was a little displeased.
"If she wants some, she can take it herself. She's not a child."
Tang Yu curled his lip.
There's no way I'm serving her food. Not in this lifetime.
Eat if you want. Don't if you don't. I'm no Cao Zei. I have no interest in taking care of someone else's harem.
Women! They'll only keep me from coasting all the way to the ending!
Hearing Tang Yu's thoughts, Su Muyue suddenly felt like grinding her teeth.
You bastard, it was just a bite of food! It wasn't like you'd lose anything!
She looked apologetic and spoke gently.
"It's fine, Uncle and Auntie. I can help myself. I'm sorry for causing you trouble by drinking too much yesterday. I feel awful about it."
"It's fine, it's fine. This boy's the one to blame. He insisted on taking you drinking. If he tries to force you to drink again, tell me and I'll beat him to death."
Tang Gangcheng spoke kindly.
"I really wasn't the one who took her drinking. You can ask Qin Ming if you don't believe me."
Tang Yu was stunned. Was he about to become the cook now, too? Was being the designated scapegoat his specialty?
"That's right. I was the one who insisted on going drinking with him. It was my fault. Please don't scold him, Uncle."
Su Muyue bit her lip, looking aggrieved.
Her words only made Tang Gangcheng and Mother Tang like her more.
Just look at how thoughtful and considerate their future daughter-in-law was!
She'd rather lie than let the boy get scolded.
Damn it, you wicked woman, putting on an act at my expense again?
And now you're trying to win over my parents, too. What the hell, is there any need to take the act this far?
I get it now. You're deliberately setting me up. You don't want to bear the pressure of breaking off the engagement, so you want me to take the blame?
You scheming bitch. Fine, I give up!
After mulling it over, Tang Yu finally saw the light.
He polished off another soup dumpling and then spoke up.
"Dad, Mom, you've seen for yourselves. We don't really get along. I think maybe we should reconsider the marriage alliance..."
Before he could finish, Tang Gangcheng had already pulled out his belt. He gave Tang Yu a sidelong glance.
"What did you say?"
Tang Yu obediently swallowed the rest of his sentence.
Getting beaten first thing in the morning wasn't exactly ideal.
Before you continue