"What I did, Mr. Gao will explain to 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.
After staying inside for two days, Tang Nannan was in a very bad state due to her anxiety about the unknown and regret for her own foolishness.
She looked haggard and dejected.
Jiang Nan Fang listened to Zhan Bei Jue's summary of the 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 alright now. Put away those unnecessary emotions and say something useful. When your parents had their accident back then, didn't you suspect that someone was plotting 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 them thoroughly. 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 send a team to protect you."
Tang Nannan wore Jiang Nan Fang's dress, and Jiang Nan Fang packed a few more of her new clothes for her. She was driven back to Sucheng by Ah Biao and a team of people.
On the way, she informed Hu Jia Sheng about her return, and Hu Jia Sheng was waiting for her at the hotel.
Upon arriving at their destination, Tang Nannan pushed the door open. When the two met and Hu Jia Sheng saw her 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 would ruin her future because of him.
Seeing her looking 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, her mind constantly replayed his every smile, every frown, every move.
The words he had spoken, the things he had done, and all the gentleness he had shown her.
At this moment, knowing that he was working hard for her parents and that they might end up together in the future, Tang Nannan felt incredibly happy.
She walked towards him and took the initiative to hug Hu Jia Sheng.
Hu Jia Sheng hugged her back, and they held each other tightly.
He whispered, "It's all my fault for letting 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. Be confident. What makes you think you're not good enough for me? Be proud from now on, even a little arrogant. Say whatever you want."
Tang Nannan felt a little 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, and changing it suddenly, she didn't know what to say.
Hu Jia Sheng cupped her face.
"I just made a promise to you, 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 going crazy seeing you for the 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, are you willing to be my girlfriend?"
Tang Nannan's nose stung, and she was about to nod.
Hu Jia Sheng placed his thumb on her lips.
"Don't rush to answer. I haven't finished speaking. Think about it carefully."
"I'm not like Zhan Bei Jue. Although we're both from the Zhan family, my birth wasn't as glorious as his. Moreover, my birth mother is your enemy."
"Perhaps you don't care. But your parents might. Being with me might not be as good as you imagine. Think it through before you answer."
He slowly moved his fingers away. As Tang Nannan listened to his words, she didn't think about how bad his status was or how difficult the future would be. Instead, she felt a deep sadness and heartache for him.
It wasn't his fault, yet he carried it like a burden on his shoulders.
He was such a good person, so much better than those people she had met before, who, despite their proper backgrounds, were so dark-hearted.
Tang Nannan didn't say anything, neither yes nor no. Instead, she suddenly reached out and cupped Hu Jia Sheng's chin, then stood on her tiptoes to reach his lips.
They hadn't had dinner and after sleeping, they lay on the bed chatting.
Hu Jia Sheng asked if she was hungry and if he should order something for her to eat. Tang Nannan hugged him and didn't move.
"Did you find out anything when you came here yesterday? Why did you think of coming to Sucheng alone? You know nothing about the social circles here. What if you were targeted? It's too dangerous."
Hu Jia Sheng said lightly, "Who says I know nothing? Don't I know Brother He San? I also know that his father worked as a driver for your father for many years."
Approaching from He Lao San's father was indeed a way.
He Lao San's father was just like him, a hypocritical scoundrel.
He had been a driver in their family for so many years, always respectful to her back then. Later, after leaving the Tang family, he completely turned into a shameless parasite.
Tang Nannan asked him what he had found out.
Hu Jia Sheng deliberately played coy, "I didn't find out much, but I had an unexpected gain."
"Oh?"
He turned to face her. A lock of Tang Nannan's long hair fell onto her cheek, and Hu Jia Sheng tucked it behind her ear for her.
"Someone has a childhood sweetheart, a first love boyfriend, whom I met yesterday."
Tang Nannan's face turned cold, and she bit her lip.
"Is that so? I haven't seen him in many years. He should be doing quite well now."
"Indeed, he's doing quite well. It was a strong alliance, marrying the daughter of the person who replaced your father. They even have a son. When I met them yesterday, the family of three was enjoying themselves."
Hu Jia Sheng was usually calm and composed and never stooped to childish behavior. Why had he become like this right after they confirmed their relationship?
His words were childish and annoying.
Tang Nannan couldn't help but reach out and hit him.
"What do you mean? Are you deliberately disgusting me? Or are you trying to see if I still have feelings for him? Are you that insecure?"
Hu Jia Sheng smiled, grabbed her hand, and kissed it.
"No. I just feel sorry for you."
"He seems like a good person. Refined and elegant, cultured and polite. You must have trusted him a lot back then, right? But in the end, it led to your family's ruin."
"Being betrayed by someone you trusted so much must be very painful, and you've endured it. You're truly amazing, Nannan."