Chapter 107: Collective heartbreak for the post-80s generation
Rain began falling over Rongcheng after nightfall. The night was cold, the lights faint among the city's towering buildings...
In the living room of Tang Wu's home in Spring Scenery, on the same ring road as Su Can's Rongcheng Jiaguo, her father browsed the newspapers beneath a bright floral porcelain ceiling lamp.
The corners of Mu Xuan's mouth lifted. At home, she showed a gentle smile rarely seen in her everyday life. "A genius? Since when were geniuses so common in this world? Who are you putting on this deliberate performance for?"
Tang's father smiled awkwardly and glanced toward her bedroom. The door was open, and the house was quiet. Unless the two of them deliberately lowered their voices, anything they said could be heard.
Mu Xuan continued, "This is a classic case of reporting the good and leaving out the bad. They've gathered all his accomplishments in the United States and everything outstanding he did at school into one place. It only shows that he's an excellent, hardworking student. Calling him a genius is going too far." Despite her words, her tone was noticeably gentle.
Tang's father said, "If you ask me, our daughter takes after you. Her personality, her temper, her ideas..." He leaned closer to Mu Xuan's ear, lowered his voice, and drew out his words. "I sized that boy up in Shanghai. He's composed in dealing with people, fairly down-to-earth, and has the bearing of a commander. A little like me back in the day. Otherwise, would our daughter defend him so fiercely? She's exactly like you."
Mu Xuan gave him a coquettish look, tutted, and swatted Tang's father for his wandering hands. "Never serious."
Tang's father rubbed his hands, his round, plump face slightly flushed. "To be