Hu Yang's story continued, but he moved quickly through its turns, clear, logical, and to the point.
"There's a reason Nono is called Nono."
"The nuo in chengnuo-promise," Hu Yang said. "Before she was even born, she was already Seventh Master's daughter-in-law."
Wang Xiaoliang froze for a moment. "What do you mean?"
"Her family owed Seventh Master three lives." Hu Yang's tone was even. "He saved her family. An enormous debt of gratitude. What he wanted in return-was her. As a wife for his son."
"A childhood betrothal?"
"Harsher than that. At least a childhood betrothal is something two families agree on. This... was repaying a debt."
Fan Qishan tapped the armrest lightly with a finger without saying anything.
"So Nono couldn't be with anyone," Hu Yang continued. "She knew her fate. She'd known since she was little. It wasn't that she didn't want to date. She didn't dare. If she did, it would mean forgetting what she owed, that the Zhang Family had forgotten Seventh Master's kindness back then."
"Then you..."
"I told you, I was a coward." Hu Yang gave a laugh. "I didn't know any of this back then. I was just plain scared. Once I found out, I actually made peace with it."
He took another sip of tea.
"But feelings aren't something you can control just because you want to. You can't turn them on and off at will."
"Xiao Wen and I grew closer and closer, and I got along well with the other guys too. With Little Ding as well, the bunch of us often hung out with the girls from Nono's dorm. Group get-togethers, meals, karaoke-we were always getting together."
"A few couples even came out of it. It was great."
"Naturally, Nono and I saw more of each other, and we