Chapter 4: Another Slap for Being Unconscious

As expected, the moment Tang Yu returned to the newspaper office, Director Li informed her that she was to attend the New Business Industry Integration Summit in Shacheng.

It was definitely this event that Lou Xizhou was attending.

But as a big shot, wouldn’t it be a waste for him to attend such a summit in person?

Just the thought of running into Lou Xizhou made Tang Yu want to give up the opportunity; she truly did not want to have any more contact with him.

Although their interactions had been fairly cordial, she always felt a panic, as though a hunter was stalking her with no escape.

“Director, there’s an urgent matter at home that I need to attend to. I also need to quickly organize the interview draft I just completed; Mr. Lou said he wants to review it. As for the summit…”

Tang Yu had worked at the Northern City Business Daily for several years and, apart from taking leave twice for her engagements with Zhou Ruancheng, she had always been diligent and responsible.

Unfortunately, both times the engagements were stood up by Zhou Ruancheng.

Director Li recalled the engagement ceremony from yesterday and nodded understandingly.

“Then I’ll arrange for someone else to go. Go home and have a good talk with your family.”

“Understood, thank you for your concern, Director.”

Tang Yu finally exhaled in relief but didn’t bother to ponder what Director Li was thinking.

Sitting back at her desk, a colleague spoke to her.

“Xiao Tang, are you still going to marry your boyfriend or not?”

Just mentioning Zhou Ruancheng put Tang Yu in a bad mood, so she bluntly replied, “We broke up.”

She must have been out of her mind to keep entangled with Zhou Ruancheng.

“No way! Good for you!”

Another colleague suddenly slammed the table and slid over to Tang Yu’s side.

“You don’t know, this afternoon when you went to interview Mr. Lou and hadn’t returned yet, we saw your boyfriend dropping Yu Shuang off at work!”

“Exactly! If you hadn’t said you broke up, we wouldn’t dare to say anything!”

Upon hearing this, Tang Yu turned to look at her colleagues, gave a long “oh,” and went back to her work.

So it was all out in the open like that, huh? Ha!

Everyone at the newsroom knew the three of them were connected and were well aware that Zhou Ruancheng had special feelings for Yu Shuang, who acted like a pure white lotus, but Tang Yu had never shown any reaction, so no one said anything.

Now that Tang Yu said they had broken up, the entire office seemed to breathe a collective sigh of relief.

As the chatter continued, Yu Shuang, who had stepped out, suddenly returned.

The office instantly quieted.

The relaxed smile on Yu Shuang’s face vanished as she scanned the room and finally settled her gaze on Tang Yu, her eyes flickering.

“Tang Yu, how did it go today?”

Yu Shuang’s desk was right next to Tang Yu’s, and Tang Yu had always found her irritating and seldom bothered to respond.

As Yu Shuang sat down, she caught a glimpse of the interview draft about Mr. Lou on Tang Yu’s computer screen. At that moment, the desk phone rang.

Yu Shuang answered, “Director. Okay, I’m coming right now.”

Tang Yu sneered inwardly—no need to guess, Director Li was planning to send her to the Shacheng summit.

Suddenly, the ringtone in Tang Yu’s bag went off.

She reached for her phone; the caller ID read “Her Majesty.” She sighed silently, answered but didn’t dare speak.

“I heard the engagement was canceled again! The boyfriend you found—did he never graduate kindergarten? Engagements are like playing house! You think having a little money makes you great? He’s not even a small-time entrepreneur! Tang Yu, if you have the ability, marry someone of equal standing. If you don’t, then quietly accept the arrangements! A noble lady like you, why bother being a lousy reporter who never goes home all year? You must be out of your mind—what a waste!”

A deep, angry male voice suddenly cut in from the phone.

“Why waste words on someone like that? If you don’t break up with that guy, don’t come home anymore!”

The call abruptly ended.

Tang Yu put down the phone, feeling both sad and frustrated. She propped her head up and stared absently at her computer screen.

Her beloved father was that upset; she could only imagine how much he must be disappointed in her.

In truth, Tang Yu now hated herself too. Why hadn’t she ended things the first time at the engagement ceremony and waited until the second to break it off?

She really must be crazy.

Hum humming a little tune, Yu Shuang returned to her desk, clearly in a great mood.

“Tang Yu, I’m heading to Shacheng soon. Is there anything you want me to help with?”

Mr. Lou would probably be there too. She wanted him to see that the Business Daily had more than just Tang Yu’s talent!

Tang Yu made no effort to hide her disdain; she rolled her eyes and started shutting down her computer and packing up.

“Li Jie, let me know if there’s anything.”

Li Jie responded with a nod.

Seeing Tang Yu swagger away like that, Yu Shuang clenched her fists and packed up to leave as well.

She caught up with Tang Yu in front of the elevator.

“Tang Yu, do you really hate me that much?” Yu Shuang asked. “Ar Cheng insists on helping me. I reminded him to be considerate of you too, but if he won’t listen, what can I do?”

Tang Yu didn’t even spare her a glance.

The elevator doors opened; Tang Yu stepped in, and Yu Shuang followed.

“Tang Yu—”

“You’re not even worthy of me calling you that!”

Tang Yu’s eyes suddenly turned cold, and the sharpness in her gaze startled Yu Shuang’s face into a sudden pallor.

The elevator doors opened on the first floor.

Unexpectedly, Zhou Ruancheng was waiting outside the Business Daily building.

Tang Yu knew perfectly well he had come specifically to pick up Yu Shuang.

How many times had he picked Yu Shuang up in front of her, while using the excuse that Tang Yu had her own car for her to leave on her own?

Tang Yu turned and strode off in the opposite direction, not wanting any further entanglement with Zhou Ruancheng.

“Tang Yu!” Zhou Ruancheng immediately got out of the car and caught up with her, grabbing her arm. “How many times have I called you? Why didn’t you answer? You didn’t explain the engagement cancellation to the guests. Do you know how angry my parents are?”

Tang Yu thought he was insane and needed to see a doctor.

“Zhou Ruancheng, do you want me to broadcast our breakup all over town? If you do, just say it—I’m not short on money!”

Yesterday, his parents had called her many times.

His sister also called and sent countless messages.

Everyone who used to speak well of her now only questioned her; not one word was said in her defense!

They were angry—did that mean his parents weren’t?

His whole family was crazy!

Zhou Ruancheng’s face darkened. He pulled her along toward the car. Passing Yu Shuang, his expression softened.

“Yu Shuang, get in the car.”

Yu Shuang naturally opened the front passenger door.

Zhou Ruancheng tossed Tang Yu into the back seat and warned her, “You behave yourself. After I drop Yu Shuang off, we’ll have a proper talk about the engagement.”

Yu Shuang immediately started acting up, clutching her stomach and leaning back in the seat. “Ar Cheng, my stomach suddenly hurts. Can you take me to the hospital first?”

Tang Yu sneered silently. “I’ll tell the director to send someone else to Shacheng for you.”

Hearing this, Yu Shuang cursed Tang Yu under her breath and looked weakly at Zhou Ruancheng, who was frowning with concern.

“Ar Cheng, Tang Yu reminded me that work is important. Maybe I shouldn’t go to the hospital after all.”

Going to Shacheng could create an opportunity to meet Mr. Lou; she couldn’t afford to miss it!

Zhou Ruancheng turned to look at Tang Yu; his earlier anger inexplicably faded, replaced by a pleading tone.

“Tang Yu, how about… you go instead of Yu Shuang? Just give her the news draft.”

Tang Yu’s eyes flashed. Her mind briefly faltered, then she slapped Zhou Ruancheng across the face.

Smack!

“Are you clear-headed now? If not, I’ll give you another slap!”