131: Chapter 129 Orphan 131: Chapter 129 Orphan Liu Shanshan was also shocked to the point of being dumbfounded; it was simply too inconceivable.
The look in Liu Shanshan’s eyes as she turned to Tangyu also sparkled with an unusual gleam.
In the car, Zhang Guoli’s hand had already reached for the storage compartment, where there was something that made him feel at ease.
Tangyu looked at Zhang Guoli inside the car and said, “I don’t want to repeat myself, but it would be best if you don’t come looking for trouble with me in the future.
Don’t test my limited patience.” After speaking, Tangyu pulled the stupefied Liu Shanshan into the car.
They drove straight out of the hotel and onto the street, and that’s when Liu Shanshan finally snapped back to reality and looked at Tangyu.
Her heart was suddenly filled with an inexplicable sense of curiosity and admiration.
“I really can’t believe it.
How did you do that just now?
It’s amazing,” Liu Shanshan said with a look of astonished admiration in her eyes.
Being admired by Liu Shanshan felt good, and Tangyu said with a light smile, “It was just some technical skills, nothing special.
After all, I’ve been practicing martial arts since I was a child.
If I couldn’t even handle a few ordinary bodyguards, that would be embarrassing.
Alright, Shanshan, where do you need to go?”
Liu Shanshan looked at Tangyu, feeling a genuine sense of security with this man.
After thinking for a moment, she said, “Tangyu, are you free this afternoon?”
“I shouldn’t have anything going on,” Tangyu glanced at Liu Shanshan and wondered if she wanted a secret tryst with him.
Tangyu couldn’t be sure if he was actually free since he hadn’t returned all morning.
It was possible that Momo or the others might call him with something urgent.
Of course, unless there was an emergency, Tangyu wouldn’t go back.
Opportunities to be alone with Liu Shanshan were rare after all.
“What do you mean you ‘shouldn’t have anything going on’?
Either you do or you don’t.
Why does it feel like you’re brushing me off?” Liu Shanshan pouted.
“Haha, if a beautiful woman invites me, then I must make time.
If there isn’t anything important, then it’s neither here nor there.
Shanshan, what do you want to do this afternoon?” Tangyu said with a smile.
“If you’re free, could you take me to the orphanage?” Liu Shanshan asked, looking at Tangyu.
In Liu Shanshan’s eyes, Tangyu saw a trace of sadness, which made him puzzled.
Why did she want to go to the orphanage?
Why was there such a hint of melancholy in her gaze?
What unfortunate story might she harbor?
“Sure, just tell me where and I’ll accompany you,” Tangyu immediately agreed.
Liu Shanshan smiled, with a touched expression on her face, “I thought you might not want to go.”
“Why would you think that?” Tangyu asked.
Liu Shanshan said, “Many people don’t seem to have a good impression when they hear of orphanages.”
Tangyu said, “You’re overthinking it.
I don’t feel that way at all.
Shanshan, you truly have a kind heart.
It seems you often visit the orphanage.
Girls as genuinely kind-hearted as you are quite rare these days.”
Liu Shanshan smiled shyly and shook her head, “Don’t praise me like that.
Actually, I am an orphan too, so maybe I just feel a strong affinity for other orphans.
People tend to do what they like, and I’m just doing things I enjoy.
Hehe, it’s not really a big deal.
I always feel happier being with the orphans; they’re like family to me.
So I often go there to play when I’m free on the weekends.”
So Liu Shanshan was an orphan.
No wonder there was a sense of loss and sadness in her eyes when she spoke of the orphanage.
Tangyu wasn’t good at comforting others, nor did he know how to offer solace to Liu Shanshan.
Liu Shanshan easily managed a smile and said, “It’s nothing, don’t worry about comforting me, I’m fine.
In fact, I’ve never seen my parents, nor do I have any memories of them.
The years have passed, and I’ve always been strong.”
Tangyu nodded at Liu Shanshan, “Shanshan, we really do have a lot in common.
Actually, I share the same situation as you, so I can understand how you feel.
But it’s okay.
We may not be able to choose our origins, but we have the right to decide our futures.
I believe that our future will definitely be bright and happy.”
“Ah—”
Liu Shanshan looked at Tangyu, stunned.
She hadn’t expected Tangyu to be an orphan too; it seemed they truly shared a common bond.
“Then we indeed have quite the fate.
Maybe it’s because of this fate that we’ve become friends.
Haha, Tangyu, from now on we must help and support each other.
I’ll celebrate your birthday with you, share your happiness, be there for you when you’re sad, and even drink with you.
What do you think?” Liu Shanshan said cheerfully.
Tangyu smiled, “Absolutely.
The way you put it makes me want to move in and live with you straight away.”
“Uh…” Liu Shanshan’s face flushed with redness.
She lived alone, and the idea of Tangyu moving in to live with her was a bit too sudden.
Realizing his words had been misunderstood, Tangyu quickly clarified, “I didn’t mean it like that.
I meant like flatmates sharing an apartment, the two-bedroom kind.”
“If you’re willing, I wouldn’t object, but I assume you wouldn’t want to move out of the Lin Family,” Liu Shanshan said, her heart spontaneously considering that sharing an apartment with Tangyu might not be so bad after all.
At least then, when she came home, she wouldn’t be alone anymore.
Even though she had always been solo and was used to loneliness, at the end of the day, she was just a woman—a frail one at that—and she longed for a Prince Charming to care for and accompany her, to be part of her life.
And Tangyu’s presence undoubtedly made her feel as if her Prince Charming might have arrived.
However, she quickly dismissed the thought, knowing it was somewhat unrealistic and that she was being too sentimental.
Tangyu already had several beautiful and rich girls around him; she wouldn’t even be in line for his attention.
Perhaps she and Tangyu were destined to be just friends.
As for anything more, she didn’t dare to expect too much.
Or perhaps—it was because she had been an orphan from a young age that Liu Shanshan lacked, and didn’t dare have too much pursuit for certain things.
She always felt that those things should not belong to her, that she was too greedy.
Tangyu really fell silent, not because she was reluctant to move out of the Princess Apartments, but because Lin Feifei’s illness ultimately needed her own care, and she truly couldn’t leave.
Tangyu saw Liu Shanshan looking somewhat disappointed and couldn’t help but feel regret for making such a joke, fearing it might have hurt Liu Shanshan’s heart.
“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have made that joke with you, I really can’t move out,” Tangyu said.
Liu Shanshan glanced at Tangyu, shook her head, and said with a light smile, “It’s nothing, don’t apologize to me, I was too extravagant.
All right, let’s not talk about this anymore, let’s go and buy some things at the supermarket.”
They randomly picked a supermarket and stopped, then entered the store.
Liu Shanshan bought some fruits, some soft drinks, and some snacks.
Seeing that Liu Shanshan was filling an entire cart with items without stopping, Tangyu laughed, noting how frugal she usually was, yet she was quite generous when it came to this.
It appeared that the money she saved from being frugal was probably spent here, a spirit truly worthy of admiration and appreciation.
In Tangyu’s heart, apart from fondness, respect for her had grown.
This feeling was something she didn’t get from Guo Momo, Lin Feifei, or even Sister Ya and Sister Xin.
It was only when the cart had almost no more space that Liu Shanshan stopped, smiling at Tangyu, “Today you happened to drive here, and it’s a rare opportunity, so I decided to buy more.
When I went alone before, I couldn’t carry much, and the things I bought were never enough to share.
Today, I’ll buy more so that everyone gets a bit.”
“Mm,” Tangyu nodded.
Checking out this cart full of items indeed took quite some time.
“Hello, the total is one thousand two hundred eighty-two yuan and sixty cents,” the cashier said.
“Oh.” Liu Shanshan reached for her wallet, felt around on her person, and suddenly slapped her forehead, “Oh no, I left in such a hurry today that I actually forgot to bring my wallet.”
“No problem, I’ve got it,” Tangyu said with a smile, patting her pocket, and taking out the salary card from the company.
The company had paid a bonus of ten thousand yuan for the project she completed with Wang Dazhuang, which Tangyu had not touched until now, but it seemed to come in handy.
“Thank you, Tangyu, I’ll pay you back later,” Liu Shanshan said.
Tangyu smiled and replied, “Why so formal?
Consider these gifts as if they are from me to the orphans.”
“That won’t do, I can’t let you pay, that’s not right,” Liu Shanshan shook her head.
“Why not?
It’s all the same.
Shanshan, don’t be so formal.
You can just tell those kids these gifts are from me, hehe, give me a chance to be a good person,” Tangyu said.
“Still, I can’t do that, we need to separate public from personal matters, I can’t use your money,” Liu Shanshan insisted, shaking her head.
Even the cashier couldn’t stand to watch anymore and said, “Beauty, if your boyfriend wants to pay, let him, why make such a fuss about it.”
“Uh…”
Liu Shanshan’s face turned red again, and she stopped arguing, as continuing would indeed look bad.
Tangyu smiled, thinking she must be quite outstanding, as everywhere she went, people thought Liu Shanshan was her girlfriend.
It seems there are still many discerning people around.
After they paid, each of them carried two large bags to pack everything, which they put in the trunk, and then they got in the car.
“Tangyu, I must pay you back.
I hope you won’t refuse, otherwise, I would feel too embarrassed,” Liu Shanshan said.
Tangyu pursed her lips, “Shanshan, why are you so hung up about this?
I already said we can consider the gifts as mine.
Money really isn’t that important to me, I hardly ever use it.”
“Still, I have to pay you, no matter what.
After all, you’re a man, and there will always be times when you need money,” Liu Shanshan said.
Tangyu felt truly defeated by Liu Shanshan and could only reply, “Alright then, I really can’t convince you.
Turns out, when you get stubborn, you can be even more obstinate than a stubborn ox.
Beneath your seemingly delicate exterior lies a strong-willed heart.”
“Uh, you’re the stubborn ox.
Can’t you use a nicer description?” Liu Shanshan said.
“Hehe, a nicer word wouldn’t convey the artistic conception I’m going for.
Okay, okay, stop glaring at me.
I’ll stop talking, alright?
Sigh, it seems being a good man isn’t easy these days, even trying to pay a bill is unsuccessful.
It looks like my path is still very long,” Tangyu said with a laugh.
“What are you even talking about, cut out the jokes, let’s just drive,” Liu Shanshan said.
“Alright, Beauty, buckle up,” Tangyu smiled, stepped on the gas, and the car sped away.