MTLNOVEL Chapter 82 - Jiang Zi stays
Tang Yuan was puzzled. “Pack my things? What for?”
Jiang Zi straightened up after releasing her grip. She was just about to open the car door to get out when she heard Tang Yuan’s question, prompting her to narrow her eyes. “We agreed you’d move in with me after coming back.”
As soon as she finished speaking, Jiang Zi leaned closer, placing one hand firmly on Tang Yuan’s shoulder and pinning her against the seatback. The car’s interior suddenly felt much smaller.
“Are you trying to back out, little Tang Yuan?”
Tang Yuan’s brain raced, but her mouth moved faster. “Of course not! I was just about to pack my things.”
Jiang Zi’s mood visibly lifted. She placed a light kiss on Tang Yuan’s cheek. “I’ll go help you pack.”
“Wait a moment,” Tang Yuan grabbed her wrist, her voice laced with hesitation. “Today might not be the best time… how about in two days?”
“And why would we need to wait two days?” Jiang Zi’s gaze darkened. Was she having second thoughts? Or had she listened to that pesky system, planning to prioritize some mission and leave her behind?
Tang Yuan’s voice grew softer. “My brother is home…”
Jiang Zi paused, momentarily stunned, before understanding dawned on her. “It’s not like I haven’t met your brother before.”
“That’s different! Moving into your place in front of him—I don’t dare.” Tang Yuan gazed at her pitifully. “I’d rather move out when he’s not home, okay? I’m afraid he’ll scold you.”
Her concern wasn’t unwarranted. Tang Yuan wasn’t afraid of her parents but was wary of Tang Gu. Having been raised in a hands-off manner by their parents, she’d grown up under her brother’s precise and often oppressive guidance.
Although Tang Gu wouldn’t interfere in her love life, the thought of moving in front of him made her feel unprepared. She hadn’t even formally explained her relationship with Jiang Zi to him yet.
Tang Yuan thought for a moment and gave her word. “I promise to get everything sorted out within three days. I’ll definitely move in with you, but I want to notify my family first.”
“We’re in a serious relationship, after all. It’s for the long haul. I don’t want them to dislike you.” Tang Yuan gently shook her wrist, flashing a coquettish smile. “Please, sis~”
Jiang Zi was silent for a moment before finally nodding. “Fine. But I still want to come inside with you.”
“Of course!” Tang Yuan’s face lit up with a grin. She happily hopped out of the car, walking around to the driver’s side to open the door for Jiang Zi. With a dramatic flourish, she announced, “Princess, Princess, please disembark!”
Again with this routine.
Jiang Zi cleared her throat awkwardly, stepping out of the car. She shut the door behind her and took Tang Yuan’s hand. “Lead the way, Tang Yuan.”
She had just been lost in thought, reflecting on her solitary existence—an orphan raised in a welfare institution, with no parents or family to speak of. All she had was Tang Yuan.
But Tang Yuan was different. She had so many important people in her life—family and friends she deeply cared about. Even if she wasn’t truly Tang Yuan, she still valued “Tang Yuan’s” family and the connections they shared.
There were so many people she held dear in her heart.
As they walked, Jiang Zi fell half a step behind Tang Yuan, her eyes tracing the outline of her profile: soft lashes framing starry, curved eyes, and their tightly intertwined hands. Without holding hands, would she and Tang Yuan easily drift apart?
Where did she rank in Tang Yuan’s heart?
“Don’t be nervous, sister,” Tang Yuan reassured her. “I haven’t officially told my brother about us, but he already knows. He won’t make things difficult for us.”
Tang Yuan thought back to the time when their relationship was accidentally exposed during their first gaming livestream together. Her brother, Tang Su, had been overjoyed. She added, “And my younger brother—that brat’s on summer break and a bit of an eyesore at home. He knows about us too. If he starts pestering you, just ignore him.”
That kid also played Cultivation World, and he was a die-hard fan of Skyward Era. Ever since he found out that Tang Yuan and Jiang Zi were dating, he loved sending her messages to tease and poke fun at her—so much so that she eventually muted him.
Tang Yuan led her through the front door. “So, sister, no need to worry!”
Jiang Zi chuckled softly. Why did it seem like Tang Yuan was more nervous than her?
Inside, the housekeeper, Sister Li, greeted them with a beaming smile, her eyes flicking between the two of them. “Miss, you’re back! And this must be your girlfriend, Miss Jiang?”
“Sister Li, your information is as fast as ever.” At 35, Sister Li was a sharp and capable housekeeper, much quicker than their retired caretaker, Uncle Wang.
“Haha! Dinner’s ready. Young Master and Eldest Young Master are waiting in the living room. Hungry? Sit down to eat first, and I’ll have someone bring in your luggage.”
“Alright.” Tang Yuan tugged Jiang Zi along. “Let’s eat; I’m starving.”
In the living room, two men sat on the sofa, their gazes fixed on them. Who knew how long they’d been staring?
“Good evening, brother.”
Tang Gu’s gaze landed on Jiang Zi. “Miss Jiang. We meet again.”
Jiang Zi nodded with a polite smile. “Good evening, brother.”
So composed, calling him “brother” just like that.
Tang Gu’s lips twitched slightly before shifting his attention back to Tang Yuan. “Good evening.”
Bringing her girlfriend home without warning? Impressive. Planning to elope with her?
Tang Yuan ignored her brother’s scrutinizing gaze and playfully smacked Tang Su on the head as she passed. “What are you staring at? Time for dinner.”
Tang Su rubbed the top of his head, glaring at her. But upon seeing Jiang Zi, his annoyance transformed into a silly grin.
He darted to the dining table, pulling out two chairs with a flourish. “For you, sis, and for you, Sister Era. Heh heh.”
Tang Yuan rolled her eyes and dragged Jiang Zi to wash their hands before returning to the table. She shot Tang Su a glare before finally mustering the courage to turn around and call out Tang Gu, “Brother, come over and eat!”.
Auntie Li, ever the expert at reading the room, had already added an extra set of dishes and utensils to the table.
Tang Gu sat at the head of the rectangular table, while Tang Yuan and Jiang Zi sat side by side.
“Do you like anything in particular, sister? The menu was a bit rushed, so we didn’t prepare your favorite dishes in advance.”
“It’s alright. I’m not picky.” Jiang Zi ladled a bowl of soup, placing it in front of Tang Yuan.
Tang Gu glanced at the couple’s sweet display but continued eating in silence.
Tang Su, on the other hand, grinned brightly. “Sister Era, make yourself at home. Don’t hold back—eat as much as you like.”
Jiang Zi sized up the young man, whose features bore a faint resemblance to Tang Yuan’s. A high school senior full of youthful energy—clearly a gamer too.
She nodded slightly, then continued to pick out Tang Yuan’s favorite dishes for her before serving herself. Tang Yuan’s favorites were also hers.
The meal wrapped up in about twenty minutes.
“Miss, should we bring in the gift boxes from the trunk? Did you bring them for the Eldest Young Master?” Auntie Li asked.
Tang Yuan blinked and exchanged a glance with Jiang Zi. “You prepared something? What did you get?”
“Nothing too extravagant. Just a bottle of wine.”
Tang Yuan relaxed. “You don’t need to bring gifts. The house has everything we need.”
Tang Gu opened the box and glanced at the contents. His brows furrowed slightly before he turned his gaze toward Tang Yuan, who was nibbling on fruit.
“Ah Yuan, go feed the dog.”
Tang Yuan brightened. “Oh, sister, let me show you Egg Yolk! He’s grown so much—”
“Jiang Zi stays.”