224: Chapter 222: How Does It Feel to Be Slapped in the Face?
224: Chapter 222: How Does It Feel to Be Slapped in the Face?
“Haha, everyone, don’t overthink it.
Let me explain.
Here’s what happened, Zhou Tao came up with the idea, and we designed it together.
The goal was to give everyone a huge surprise with this very special method, and also to give my precious daughter an amazing surprise.
It’s a unique birthday gift for her, and I hope she’ll always remember today’s birthday.
Haha, the young people these days have wild ideas, look how shocked everyone was.
Don’t be startled, and please don’t misunderstand,” the CEO of Longhai Technology laughed loudly.
Zhu Yanfang also pretended to be incredibly surprised, covering her mouth and saying, “Dad, that really was a huge surprise, I actually thought the gift you gave me was lost.
Zhou, you’re so bad, you really scared me just now.”
Zhou Tao smiled and said, “I just wanted to give you an unforgettable big surprise.
Look how shocked you were, wasn’t it successful?
I bet you’ll never forget it for the rest of your life.”
“Yes, thank you, thank you Dad, thank you everyone,” Zhu Yanfang nodded and said.
What had been a heart-stopping case turned out to be a farce.
Many people laughed it off and, though a few still had their doubts, no one said anything further.
Only Zhu Yanfang and Zhou Tao felt extremely uncomfortable.
Even though the farce had turned into a comedy, it was still hard for them to calm their emotions.
The incident lingered in their minds, unable to be shaken off.
“Hehe, miss, I genuinely apologize for not informing you about the matter in advance.
I’ve prepared a small gift as an apology, and I hope you can forgive our lack of consideration,” the CEO of Longhai Technology said with a smile, approaching Liu Shanshan.
Liu Shanshan, still harboring some resentment considering the impact of the event, smiled in response to Zhu’s personal apology, “President Zhu, I understand it was well-intended.”
“That’s good to hear, thank you for your understanding,” President Zhu said with a nod and a smile.
Zhu Yanfang reluctantly apologized to Liu Shanshan, “I’m really sorry about what happened just now, I apologize to you.”
Liu Shanshan shook her head, “Miss Zhu, you’re too kind.
You were also unaware of the situation, and besides, I wasn’t harmed.”
“Okay, Yanfang, let’s go over there and toast a few of the uncles.
Everyone, please continue.
If my hospitality wasn’t thorough, I hope you’ll foresee it,” President Zhu said before turning to Liu Shanshan, “Miss, after the banquet is over, my staff will present a small token I’ve prepared for you.
Please make sure to accept it, otherwise, I would feel truly guilty.”
“Thank you,” Liu Shanshan replied, not wanting to refuse.
After Zhu Yanfang and the others left, the atmosphere at the other tables quickly recovered, but the mood at Tangyu’s table still wasn’t great.
“Shanshan, Xiaoyu, have you had enough to eat?
If so, let’s leave,” Tangyu said.
“Yes, I’m full,” Liu Shanshan nodded.
Although there was an apology from President Zhu and Zhu Yanfang, and the misunderstanding was cleared up, she was still somewhat troubled by the ordeal.
Naturally, she was not in the mood to continue eating there.
Yang Xiaoyu, hearing Tangyu wanted to leave, quickly said, “I finished eating a long time ago.”
The three of them got up and left.
Zhou Tao and his companions looked their way, with Zhou Tao’s eyes revealing an unusual glint.
As Tangyu passed by Zhou Tao, he gave a cold smile, lowered his head, and whispered into Zhou Tao’s ear, “How does getting slapped in the face feel?” Without waiting for Zhou Tao to react, he left.
Hearing Tangyu’s words was like a thunderclap exploding in Zhou Tao’s mind, dissolving all the confusion he had.
By the time he came back to his senses, Tangyu and the others had already gone.
Zhou Tao’s expression fluctuated, his face revealing an array of emotions.
He clenched his fists and gritted his teeth.
He had not dared to imagine it before, but now he was certain that Tangyu was behind this.
He was still baffled, though.
The diamond was clearly put into that girl’s pocket by Zhu Yanfang.
So how did it end up in his pocket in just a short time?
And Tangyu had been sitting there the whole time without moving.
Why was that?
Recalling how Tangyu had been so calm and collected throughout, Zhou Tao realized that Tangyu had known about his scheme.
He had prepared a countermove, which was why he was so composed.
What infuriated him was how the diamond ended up mysteriously in his own pocket.
Just as they left the venue, a hotel employee approached Liu Shanshan with a smile, “Hello, President Zhu has prepared a gift for you.
Please come with me to receive it.”
Liu Shanshan looked at Tangyu before nodding, “Okay.” They followed the employee to a counter, where the woman handed Liu Shanshan a beautifully wrapped item, saying with a smile, “President Zhu asked me to convey a message.
He hopes you will forget this incident as if it never happened.”
Liu Shanshan paused, clearly understanding the implication of those words.
She nodded, then left with Tangyu.
“Big brother, the incident just now doesn’t seem that simple, right?” Yang Xiaoyu asked with a hint of confusion in his eyes.
Tangyu smiled lightly, “What’s right and wrong doesn’t really matter anymore.
The most important thing is that Shanshan wasn’t hurt.
Let’s not talk about it anymore.
Xiaoyu, I need to take Shanshan home first.
You should head back too, and we’ll hang out some other time.”
“Yeah, alright brother.
I’ve been quite busy lately too.
Next time I’m free, I’ll look you up,” Yang Xiaoyu nodded and said goodbye to Tangyu and Liu Shanshan.
After sending Yang Xiaoyu away, Tangyu got into the car with Liu Shanshan.
As soon as they were in the car, Liu Shanshan’s calmness began to rise to the surface.
Tangyu looked at Liu Shanshan and said, “Shanshan, it’s all in the past.
Don’t dwell on it.
Although it was annoying, it didn’t leave any impact.”
Liu Shanshan looked at Tangyu and nodded, “I know, I’m fine.”
After a while, Liu Shanshan looked at Tangyu again, “Tell me, Tangyu, what exactly happened just now?
It wasn’t like that, was it?”
“I just told you, it’s all in the past.
There’s no point in dwelling on it,” said Tangyu.
“No, I want to know.
Just tell me,” Liu Shanshan insisted firmly.
Sometimes Liu Shanshan could be quite persistent.
Tangyu thought for a moment and then said, “Alright, I’ll tell you.
It’s actually quite simple.
The drama was orchestrated by Zhou Tao and Zhu Yanfang together.
Zhu Yanfang pretended she was about to fall so that you would catch her.
In reality, she had already taken off her pendant and slipped it into your pocket without you noticing.
Then Zhou Tao pretended to discover Zhu Yanfang’s pendant was missing, leading to everything that happened afterward.
Their goal was to set you up.”
Liu Shanshan furrowed her brows, still confused, “Why would this happen?
I don’t know Zhou Tao at all, let alone have any grudge against him.
Why would he go to such lengths to target me?”
Tangyu shook his head, “He wasn’t targeting you, he was targeting me.
Because he knows such petty tricks would never work on me, so they used them on you instead.
The result would be the same.
If you truly fell into their trap, even jumping into the Yellow River wouldn’t wash you clean.
Naturally, I would have to step forward and shield you, achieving their objective.
They might even use your situation to blackmail me into submission.
Thus, using you actually yielded a better outcome for them.
Hmph, but to think such petty tricks could outsmart me, they’re underestimating me.
I noticed the moment Zhu Yanfang placed her diamond into your pocket.”
Liu Shanshan was stunned, and after a pause, she realized the complexity of the situation.
“But— the diamond was clearly in my pocket.
How did it end up in Zhou Tao’s pocket then?
I didn’t feel you touch me, and you didn’t leave your seat,” Liu Shanshan asked, still puzzled.
Tangyu smiled, “Well, I have my ways of doing things without anyone noticing.
Hehe, it’s not appropriate to discuss these details with you.”
“Oh,” Liu Shanshan didn’t ask further.
She knew Tangyu had extraordinary abilities; it was not surprising that he could do incredible things.
“Today, I really thank you.
Otherwise, I can’t imagine what would have happened—” said Liu Shanshan.
“Cough, if anyone should be thankful, it should be me thanking you.
This had nothing to do with you; you got involved because of me and even felt uneasy.
I do feel a bit guilty,” said Tangyu.
“Are we heading back now?” Liu Shanshan looked outside the car and asked.
“Yes, back home.
Don’t you want to go back?” replied Tangyu, nodding.
“It’s not that.
It’s just—I’m still a bit hungry.
I didn’t eat much earlier.
Can we go eat something first?” asked Liu Shanshan.
“Hehe, I indeed neglected that.
Sure, let’s go get something to eat.
By the way, do you eat barbecue?” Tangyu asked with a smile.
“Yes, I don’t eat much but I do enjoy it,” Liu Shanshan nodded.
“Alright then, I’ll take you for barbecue.
It’s after eight now; we wouldn’t get anything good at a restaurant at this hour.
It’s more comfortable to eat at a street stall.
I also have a couple of friends who planned to join for barbecue tonight.
You don’t mind, do you?” Tangyu said.
A faint blush crept onto Liu Shanshan’s face as she shook her head and whispered, “Of course not.” Yet, a strange thought had passed through Liu Shanshan’s mind.
Tangyu headed straight for the Yandang Bar and gave Xu Hu a call along the way.
Twenty minutes later, the car stopped outside the Yandang Bar, where the area in front of Donglin University was bustling at night.
Loud noises came from the Yandang Bar.
Xu Hu and Lengzi had been waiting at the entrance for a while, and as soon as they saw Tangyu arriving, they came up to greet him.
Lengzi’s gaze was particularly fixed on Liu Shanshan, his silly smile making him look infatuated.
Xu Hu’s eyes brightened when he saw her.
At first glance, he didn’t recognize her, but after a few more looks, he realized it was Liu Shanshan.
He had met her once before and while not being acquainted, he did have an impression.
Seeing that Tangyu had brought a beautiful woman to the gathering, Xu Hu just smiled without speaking.