Tian Tian roughly recounted her injury to Wu Shuang, who listened with deep concern.
She looked at his foot, examining it from left to right, asked about the doctor’s instructions, and then blamed herself.
“I’ve been a terrible friend. Not only was I not by your side at a crucial moment, but I also didn’t answer your calls, making you worry about me. Tian Tian, I’m so sorry.”
Tian Tian replied, “Don’t say that. If I were angry with you, I wouldn’t have come to your place today. Control your emotions. They’ll be here soon, so we absolutely cannot let the cat out of the bag.”
Fortunately, Wu Shuang had made two dishes, so it wouldn’t look too meager.
As the two were talking, Jiang Nan Fang and his wife arrived downstairs, and Wu Shuang went down to greet them.
Jiang Nan Fang was puzzled. “Why isn’t Tian Tian coming down? This child, letting you come alone to pick us up, is too improper.”
Wu Shuang said, “I specifically asked her not to. We’re all busy with work, and it’s rare that we get together. She’s my guest, after all, so let me play the host.”
The group went upstairs amicably. Seeing her daughter, whom she hadn’t seen in over half a month, Jiang Nan Fang was overjoyed and rushed to hug her.
Tian Tian gritted her teeth and forced herself to stand up. She hugged her parents, exchanged a few pleasantries, and then they all sat down.
Jiang Nan Fang asked questions, and the two girls cooperated in lying. After a long chat, Jiang Nan Fang left, completely satisfied.
Wu Shuang served Tian Tian some food. As they ate, she asked her.
“I didn’t get a chance to ask you earlier, how did you become so familiar with Chen Dong Yang? When you had trouble, you didn’t ask your brother or sister for help, so why did you think of him?”
Tian Tian had to recount the matter of Hui Hui and Dou Bao to her again, emphasizing multiple times that Hui Hui was a good, domestic woman and that Dou Bao was like Chen Dong Yang’s own son, and that the three of them were a family.
She and Chen Dong Yang were innocent.
Hearing the end, Wu Shuang sighed, “Ah, listening to you, I feel that Chen Dong Yang’s life must be really tough. Such a handsome and talented man having to be burdened like this for a lifetime, it’s pitiful.”
Honestly, Tian Tian felt a bit of that too, but she didn’t want to say it directly.
“How do you know it’s a burden? Maybe he’s willing and happy. He and Hui Hui look really well-matched together.”
Wu Shuang shook her head. “Whether they’re well-matched or not, my house will be renovated soon anyway, and I won’t have any more dealings with him.”
“Tian Tian, darling, actually, there’s something I’ve been hesitant to tell you.”
Seeing her blush as she spoke, Tian Tian knew something good had happened.
“What is it? Is someone pursuing you? Are you going to start dating?”
Wu Shuang replied shyly, “It’s not certain yet, so I’ve been hesitant to tell you. Did I mention my director to you before?”
Tian Tian nodded. “You did. You said he’s 30 years old and still unmarried, a lifelong bachelor whose psychology is perverted.”
Wu Shuang: “…Did I speak so maliciously before?”
Tian Tian laughed. “Of course. I haven’t deleted our chat logs. I listened to you complain about his ugly deeds all day long. What, have you suddenly changed your opinion of him recently?”
Wu Shuang blushed even more, propping her chin with her hands and looking shy for a moment.
“How should I put it? I was too superficial and one-sided in my view before. Last time I went on a business trip with him, I suddenly realized he’s quite different from what I imagined.”
Tian Tian encouraged her, “Then try it. We ourselves are 26 years old, and 30 isn’t old for us.”
“He’s an outsider, and he’s managed to become a director in the company, which shows he’s quite capable. If other aspects also suit you, why not give it a try?”
“But. He hasn’t shown any particular interest in me yet, and I don’t want to surrender so quickly.”
“But if I don’t make a move, I’m afraid someone else might notice him and poach him, it’s so difficult.”
This was where Tian Tian’s knowledge ended.
With zero experience in love, she didn’t understand the dynamics between men and women.
She just told Wu Shuang, “I’m here for you. Whatever you experience or want to do in the future, you can tell me. I can’t promise to give you advice, but I can be a listener.”
The best friends hadn’t seen each other for a long time, and they talked for quite a while before finishing.
After tidying up the house, Wu Shuang asked her if she wanted to take a bath.
Tian Tian said yes. “I’m not afraid of being embarrassed to tell you the truth, but I haven’t taken a bath since I got injured.”
“Ah?”
“Really, I’m not lying. Because it was inconvenient, I haven’t washed at all.”
“You live with Chen Dong Yang every day. Such a grown person, aren’t you afraid he’ll laugh at you for not bathing?”
Tian Tian recalled the scenes of Chen Dong Yang lecturing her whenever she mentioned wanting to take a bath and couldn’t help but laugh.
“Whether he laughs or not, it’s passed. I probably have two pounds of grime on me. Don’t mind me, I’m entrusting this important task to you today.”
Wu Shuang pretended to be disgusted and clicked her tongue twice.
“Not bathing for days, and letting a strange man carry you around every day, you’re quite something. Let me smell if you’re stinky.”
She poked her nose into Tian Tian’s armpit, and the two girls burst into laughter.
Just then, Tian Tian’s phone rang.
She had gotten used to receiving calls these past few days. Chen Dong Yang didn’t text her; he called her directly.
Seeing his name, they both regained their composure.
Tian Tian answered, and Wu Shuang leaned her ear against the phone to listen along.
“Brother Chen.”
“Mm. Have you eaten?”
“I have. How about you?”
“I’ve eaten too. Did anything happen?”
“No. They left after sitting for a while.”
“All right. Are you staying at Miss Zhu’s place tonight, or are you going back?”
“I want to stay one night.”
“Okay. What time does Miss Zhu go to work tomorrow morning?”
Wu Shuang gestured to her from the side, and Tian Tian relayed the message.
“She gets up a little after six.”
“Then I’ll pick you up at six.”
“Huh?”
“Miss Zhu is going to work, and it’s not safe for you to be alone at her place. It’s settled then, I’ll pick you up at six.”
It was already past ten o’clock at night. Picking her up at six in the morning, Tian Tian felt she owed him another favor.
“Okay. Then you should get some rest quickly.”
Chen Yang hummed in agreement. “You should get some rest too… don’t shower.”
Tian Tian and Wu Shuang simultaneously: “……”
After hanging up the phone, seeing Wu Shuang staring at her with a knowing look, Tian Tian felt quite embarrassed.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
Wu Shuang laughed. “You’re so familiar with Chen Dong Yang. Listening to him talk to you, he sounds like both your elder brother and your boyfriend. I must say, if it weren’t for that Hui Hui and Dou Bao, with your looks, you two would be quite a match.”
Tian Tian was speechless. “Big sister, can you stop making wild guesses? This is someone you used to have a crush on; how can you ship us like this?”
Wu Shuang patted her shoulder nonchalantly.
“I know you well enough. You wouldn’t be interested in someone from that social stratum. I’m just lamenting from a purely aesthetic perspective… So, are you going to shower or not?”