"What I did, Mr. Gao will tell you when he returns. You also know the consequences if these matters are exposed. So, don't provoke me."
Ah Zhong sent Tang Nannan to the Zhan family's residence.
Having stayed inside for two days, Tang Nannan's state was very poor due to her anxiety about the unknown and her regret over her own foolishness.
She was haggard and dejected.
Jiang Nan Fang listened to Zhan Bei Jue's explanation of the general situation and felt very sorry for her. She took her to change into clean clothes, and the three of them sat at the dining table for breakfast.
Zhan Bei Jue said, "Tang Nannan, it's over now. Put away those unnecessary emotions and say something useful. When your parents had their accident back then, did you never suspect that someone was working behind the scenes?"
Tang Nannan had indeed suspected it, and she even had a suspect.
However, as a university student, she had never been involved in her parents' work, and she didn't spend much time at home. What could she do?
Zhan Bei Jue said, "Big Brother has already gone to Sucheng. Regarding your parents' affairs, I think he will investigate from beginning to end. There's no use for you to stay in Nancheng; go back and help him."
"At least you're familiar with the geography and connections, which can help him avoid detours. To prevent anyone from tracking you, I'll assign a team to protect you."
Tang Nannan wore Jiang Nan Fang's dress, and Jiang Nan Fang packed a few more new clothes for her. She was driven back to Sucheng by Ah Biao and a team.
On the way, she informed Hu Jia Sheng about her return. Hu Jia Sheng was waiting for her at the hotel.
Upon arriving at their destination, Tang Nannan pushed open the door. When they met and Hu Jia Sheng saw that she was unharmed, he felt a mix of sourness, sweetness, guilt, and longing.
These short two days felt like two years to him. He was truly afraid that Tang Nannan's future would be ruined because of him.
Seeing her refreshed and safe, Hu Jia Sheng put down what he was holding and walked quickly towards her.
Similarly, during these two days inside, the only thing that kept Tang Nannan from collapsing was Hu Jia Sheng.
With nothing else to do, she kept replaying his every expression, action, and every bit of gentleness he had shown her.
What he had said, what he had done, and all his tenderness towards her.
At this moment, knowing that he was working tirelessly for her parents and that they might end up together, Tang Nannan felt incredibly happy.
She walked towards him and took the initiative to hug him.
Hu Jia Sheng hugged her back, and they held each other tightly.
He whispered, "It's all my fault. I made you suffer."
Tang Nannan shook her head. "No. I was the one who was foolish, too trusting of others."
"If it weren't for me, she wouldn't have targeted you. But it won't happen again. I won't let anyone hurt you anymore."
Tang Nannan couldn't help but lift her head from his embrace and look at him.
"So, does your statement just now mean you're making a promise to me?"
She asked so cautiously, as if she were the one pursuing Hu Jia Sheng, not the other way around.
Hu Jia Sheng flicked her nose.
"Don't talk to me like that. Have some confidence. What are you not good enough for me? Be proud from now on, even a little arrogant. Say whatever you want."
Tang Nannan felt a bit more confident with his encouragement. "Mr. Hu..."
"Don't call me Mr. Hu anymore. If you're willing to let me pursue you, change your address."
Tang Nannan was so used to calling him that, she didn't know what else to call him if she changed it.
Hu Jia Sheng cupped her face.
"Just now, I made a promise to you, I confessed to you. I think I like you more and more, care about you more and more, and miss you more and more."
"I was almost driven crazy by not seeing you these past two days. For you, I've hated someone for the first time in my life. For you, I even want to understand your parents' past. Miss Tang Nannan, so, will you be my girlfriend?"
Tang Nannan's nose stung, and she was about to nod.
Hu Jia Sheng covered her lips with his thumb.
"Don't rush to answer. I haven't finished speaking yet. Think about it carefully."
"I'm different from Zhan Bei Jue. Although we are both from the Zhan family, my birth is not as glorious as his. Moreover, my biological mother is your enemy."
"Perhaps you don't care. But your parents might. Being with me may not be as good as you imagine. Consider it carefully before answering."
He slowly moved his fingers away. Listening to his words, Tang Nannan didn't think about how bad his status was or how difficult the future would be. Instead, she felt deeply sorry and heartbroken for him.
It wasn't his fault, yet he treated it as a shackles and carried it on his shoulders.
He was such a good person, much better than the people she had met before, who, despite their proper backgrounds, were dark-hearted.
Tang Nannan didn't speak, neither agreeing nor disagreeing. Instead, she suddenly reached out, cupped Hu Jia Sheng's chin, and stood on tiptoe to reach his lips.
They didn't have dinner and ended up chatting in bed after waking up.
Hu Jia Sheng asked if she was hungry and offered to order food for her, but Tang Nannan hugged him and didn't move.
"Did you find anything yesterday? Why did you think of coming to Sucheng alone? You know nothing about the relationships here. What if you're targeted? It's too dangerous."
Hu Jia Sheng said calmly, "Who says I know nothing? Don't I know Third Brother He? I also know that his father worked as a driver under your father for many years."
Starting with Third Brother He's father was indeed a viable method.
He's father was just like him, a hypocritical scoundrel.
Having been a driver in their family for so many years, he was once respectful towards her. After leaving the Tang family, he completely transformed into a shameless parasite.
Tang Nannan asked him what he had found.
Hu Jia Sheng deliberately played coy. "I didn't find much, but I had an unexpected gain."
"Oh?"
He turned to face her. A strand of Tang Nannan's long hair fell onto her cheek. Hu Jia Sheng tucked it behind her ear.
"Someone has a childhood sweetheart who was my first love. I met him yesterday."
Tang Nannan's face turned cold, and she bit her lip.
"Is that so? I haven't seen him in many years. He must be doing quite well now."
"Indeed, he's doing quite well. A powerful union, he married the daughter of the person who replaced your father, and they even have a son. When I met them yesterday, the family of three was happy and harmonious."
Hu Jia Sheng was usually calm and proper, never stooping to childish behavior. Why had he become like this as soon as they confirmed their relationship?
His words were childish and deserving of a beating.
Tang Nannan couldn't help but reach out and hit him.
"What do you mean? Are you deliberately trying to disgust me? Or do you want to see if I still have feelings for him? Are you that insecure?"
Hu Jia Sheng smiled, caught her hand, and kissed it.
"No. I just feel sorry for you."
"He seems like a good person. Refined and elegant, scholarly. You must have trusted him a lot back then. Yet, it led to the ruin of your family."
"Being betrayed by someone you trusted so much must be very painful. You've gotten through it. You're truly amazing, Nannan."