Chapter 4

After a full day of work, I remembered just before leaving that Dad had still been wearing his old tie when we video-called at noon.

I’d already prepared his birthday present, but I hurried to the mall next door and bought him another tie.

Out of habit, I pulled out Tan Xu’s card, then tucked it away again.

I opened the payment app on my own phone.

“I’ll scan the code.”

On my way out, I unexpectedly ran into someone.

“Su Mo?”

I turned around. Jiang Rang was already standing in front of me.

He was as bright and cheerful as ever.

Leaning close, he asked,

“Who’s the present for?”

“It’s my dad’s birthday today.”

“What a coincidence! I was just discussing a partnership with your uncle a few days ago. Where are you celebrating tonight? Count me in.”

Jiang Rang was my childhood friend.

Later, his parents moved to another city because of a company project.

I hadn’t expected to see him again.

He caught my arm and immediately launched into conversation.

I had no reason to refuse him, especially since our families would be working together in the future.

After we’d chatted for a few minutes, a message appeared on my phone.

【I’m off work.】

“Where are you?”

“I’m about to pick you up from your studio.”

“Want milk tea? No sugar, room temperature? Any dessert? There’s a newly opened place that’s gone viral.”

“Say the word if you want anything. I’ll get it.”

The comments were not pleased.

【Enough! I said enough! Is the male lead addicted to acting like her dog?】

【Don’t you think his tone sounds cold? That’s a sign he’s sick of her! After working all day, he still has to cater to the villainess’s every feeling. He’s obviously fed up.】

【Hurry, hurry, I’m the king of impatience! When is the high-maintenance villainess getting written out?】

【Let her keep ordering him around. I’m not the one headed for a miserable ending.】

I thought of Dad at once.

He was working hard to build a new business and give me a good life. I didn’t want all his effort to go to waste.

As long as I stopped fighting with Tan Xu and making him angry, then perhaps we could part on good terms later—and he wouldn’t go after Dad.

So I replied quickly, “I don’t need anything. You’ve worked so hard, so don’t come all the way to pick me up. Let’s meet at the restaurant.”

【Oh.】

His tone really was cold.

Just as the comments said, he truly was tired of me.

When Jiang Rang and I pushed open the restaurant door, Tan Xu had been smiling as he talked with Dad. His face darkened instantly.

“Jiang Rang came too?”

“That’s right, Uncle! You should have invited me.”

He handed over a gift. “I had to rush, so I hope you won’t mind, Uncle.”

It was a watch from the same brand as my tie.

A spoon struck a porcelain bowl with a soft clink.

I looked at Tan Xu.

He lowered his eyes, his emotions hard to read. “Sorry. It slipped.”

The dinner remained fairly harmonious.

As we parted, Jiang Rang smiled at me. “Little Momo, your jewelry designs are quite distinctive. I’ll commission a ring from you sometime.”

There was no reason to turn away business that landed in my lap.

I smiled too. “Sure.”

Only Tan Xu, beside me, wore a thunderous expression.